Pet Cat Finalist - Announced

[jday]

My pet cat, using your criteria, is LSU defensive end Lewis Neal. Neal's primary problem is that he's short at 6-0, even though he weighs 260 pounds. If he had had a great 40 that might not have mattered, but he only posted a 4.7. At his height, he probably needed a 4.6 or better to get drafted. He also slipped through the draft because LSU switched to a 3-4 defense in 2016 after Neal had led the team with eight sacks the previous year at end. He had 3.5 sacks in the 3-4 in 2016. He's a short, stocky guy who has shown the ability to get to the QB facing major competition.

http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2017/04/lewis_neal_gets_free_agent_dea.html

My runner up: http://trib.com/sports/college/wyom...cle_a2bd5ab9-8266-5c86-b9f1-2a9399c6a7db.html

 

[Stash]

Butler is most certainly the leader as it pertains to the receiver position; he already knows the playbook, the route combinations, what is expected of him. Brown, on the other hand, is just getting started. While I know the odds are against him, the fact that he is pretty polished as a blocker could factor in on the ultimate decision...especially if Noah is able to contribute on Special Teams.

Butler also brings more deep speed than anyone else, and that should be considered as well. I'm not sure how big of a factor special teams would be, because I'd have to think that even I felt he did make the team, Brown would be a regular inactive barring injury.

As it stands, my preference would be to keep both. @gimmesix had a good point above that if Dez or TWill get's hurt, that would mean Brown will be thrown to the fire a little too soon...and I agree. That might be asking a bit much. So here's hoping they figure out way to make room for 6.

It's a great point, and one that has been mentioned in several places. You need to have two outside guy in your offense and if Williams or Bryant were to get hurt, would you really feel comfortable throwing the inexperienced Noah Brown out there? Neither would I.

As of today, I feel better about keeping 6 receivers than I do about keeping 4 tight ends, especially if one of them is James Hanna. I don't trust that Hanna will hold up, and if they're keeping both Rod and Keith Smith, I think they have more than enough blocking candidates from those positions.

I would hate to watch Brown go and have Hanna come up lame yet again.

 

[jday]

Butler also brings more deep speed than anyone else, and that should be considered as well. I'm not sure how big of a factor special teams would be, because I'd have to think that even I felt he did make the team, Brown would be a regular inactive barring injury.



It's a great point, and one that has been mentioned in several places. You need to have two outside guy in your offense and if Williams or Bryant were to get hurt, would you really feel comfortable throwing the inexperienced Noah Brown out there? Neither would I.

As of today, I feel better about keeping 6 receivers than I do about keeping 4 tight ends, especially if one of them is James Hanna. I don't trust that Hanna will hold up, and if they're keeping both Rod and Keith Smith, I think they have more than enough blocking candidates from those positions.

I would hate to watch Brown go and have Hanna come up lame yet again.

One of the things that I have really liked about the current administration under (Garrett, Stephen, McClay, whomever you prefer to give credit to), is the fact that they have placed on emphasis on staying young and allowing aging veterans to walk. Considering Gimme's point, they may be handcuffed to keeping Butler, but to your point, there may be an aging veteran elsewhere on the team that might be sacrificed for that cause; Hanna is as good a candidate as any, all things considered...though I do like Hanna and don't think he has been used up to his talent. On that front, much will depend on Gathers development.

 

[Stash]

One of the things that I have really liked about the current administration under (Garrett, Stephen, McClay, whomever you prefer to give credit to), is the fact that they have placed on emphasis on staying young and allowing aging veterans to walk. Considering Gimme's point, they may be handcuffed to keeping Butler, but to your point, there may be an aging veteran elsewhere on the team that might be sacrificed for that cause; Hanna is as good a candidate as any, all things considered...though I do like Hanna and don't think he has been used up to his talent. On that front, much will depend on Gathers development.

I'm big on reliability. The greatest player is no help if he can't get and stay on the field.

And the players who have proven to be unreliable - like Hanna, Lawrence, Crawford, and Chaz Green are lesser factors for me because of that. To me, they have to earn their way back to being counted on or having key roles, and if they don't, I'd have no problem in quickly moving on.

And I wouldn't count on them until they've proven otherwise, and time is the only thing that can show that.

 

[jday]

I'm big on reliability. The greatest player is no help if he can't get and stay on the field.

And the players who have proven to be unreliable - like Hanna, Lawrence, Crawford, and Chaz Green are lesser factors for me because of that. To me, they have to earn their way back to being counted on or having key roles, and if they don't, I'd have no problem in quickly moving on.

And I wouldn't count on them until they've proven otherwise, and time is the only thing that can show that.

Your best ability is your availability. I agree with that sentiment.

 

[jday]

So .... who was your second cat?

I'm looking at Luchas Wacha: http://trib.com/sports/college/wyom...cle_a2bd5ab9-8266-5c86-b9f1-2a9399c6a7db.html

His spot on the 53 (beyond actually proving he can play) likely hinges on what happens with Wilson, but he seems like another try hard that could be developed into something serviceable.

 

[BrassCowboy]

I am liking Noah Brown as my pet cat as well.

 

[jday]

I am liking Noah Brown as my pet cat as well.

I said it in another response, but it's not just the fact that he blocks that set's him apart for me; it's what him committing himself to being good at blocking suggest about him as a player. Guy's who tote the rock for a living typically only work on the aspects of their game that get them into the endzone; rare is the rookie receiver who comes in to the league ready to contribute as a blocker, but with a Dez, Zeke, and Beasley on the field, having that guy is invaluable.

You have to love players that are all about the details of their game; guys that will do anything from the glory-work to the dirty-work to get that win. That's a key component to greatness. If my eyes aren't lying to me, the Cowboys may have found another hidden gem.

Granted, he might not reach his potential this year; chances our, he's practice squad bound in 2017. But in a year or two, the Cowboys may have found there next great complementary receiver.

 

[Doomsday101]

I start off with 80 Pet cats and by the start of the year I have 53 pet cats and some PS cats. lol

 

[lkelly]

What happened with that running back the team drafted last year and then cut? The one that many of us would get picked up in a second?

The one they cut in mid December? I believe he was inactive for the last 2 games and then was cut by the NFL's equivalent of the Washington Generals this summer. He may reside on an injured reserve list or perhaps you can find him in a Denny's mopping the bathrooms. His next NFL play will be his first.

#rue

 

[jday]

The one they cut in mid December? I believe he was inactive for the last 2 games and then was cut by the NFL's equivalent of the Washington Generals this summer. He may reside on an injured reserve list or perhaps you can find him in a Denny's mopping the bathrooms. His next NFL play will be his first.

#rue

I feel like this conversation was special enough to have it's own thread.​

 

[Stash]

The one they cut in mid December? I believe he was inactive for the last 2 games and then was cut by the NFL's equivalent of the Washington Generals this summer. He may reside on an injured reserve list or perhaps you can find him in a Denny's mopping the bathrooms. His next NFL play will be his first.

#rue

Waived injured, but don't let facts get in the way of a failed argument.

 

[BAT]

I'm looking at Luchas Wacha: http://trib.com/sports/college/wyom...cle_a2bd5ab9-8266-5c86-b9f1-2a9399c6a7db.html

His spot on the 53 (beyond actually proving he can play) likely hinges on what happens with Wilson, but he seems like another try hard that could be developed into something serviceable.

Like both of those guys too. More underdogs than cats IMO.

 

[jday]

Like both of those guys too. More underdogs than cats IMO.

Fair point.

 

[Toro9]

I like that pick. For all the reasons you mentioned. Also, I'd like to see you replace Mickey Spags as a writer on DC.com.

 

[lkelly]

Waived injured, but don't let facts get in the way of a failed argument.

Yes, because an end of season player release (and I did indicate injury) clearly applies to the deluge of comments about players released at final cuts. You should have gone with Romo as your example since it was about as relevant.

 

[jday]

I like that pick. For all the reasons you mentioned. Also, I'd like to see you replace Mickey Spags as a writer on DC.com.

Thank you sir for reading and the kudos. Writing at DC.com would be a dream come true.

 

[jazzcat22]

I look forward to the "no way Player XYZ makes it through to the practice squad - he'll be snapped up by another team in a heartbeat" series of posts come training camp. Every year it seems that Dallas has 27 guys who might just start for the Patriots but they are on the outside looking in when it comes to Dallas. Curiously most of them end up at Denny's for some reason. Perhaps their contracts for the other teams got stuck in the fax machine.

Well, ok Mr. Sunshine.....isn't that is what TC is for, for the fans to speculate and hope their pet cat makes it....it is called being a fan....and throw out practical crap, as most fans know the real deal, but the can speculate for the best too....

 

[jazzcat22]

Noah Brown has been my pet cat since back in February. I started then, if not before, that Dallas needed to find a way to draft him.

now it's up to him to show why they did, and to make them keep a 6th WR.
Unless he balls out in TC, and Butler takes a step back, they will not keep 2 rookie WR's and only keep 5 on the roster if it's a close call to make, Brown or Butler.

Chances are Swaim or Hanna won't be ready fro TC as expected, and will go on PUP. Heck maybe both the way things typically go.

This will be an unpopular situation and opinion. What id Hanna and Swaim are healthy and Rico Gathers doesn't live up to his off season hype, so Brown is kept over Gathers. Blast away....

 

[jday]

Noah Brown has been my pet cat since back in February. I started then, if not before, that Dallas needed to find a way to draft him.

now it's up to him to show why they did, and to make them keep a 6th WR.
Unless he balls out in TC, and Butler takes a step back, they will not keep 2 rookie WR's and only keep 5 on the roster if it's a close call to make, Brown or Butler.

Chances are Swaim or Hanna won't be ready fro TC as expected, and will go on PUP. Heck maybe both the way things typically go.

This will be an unpopular situation and opinion. What id Hanna and Swaim are healthy and Rico Gathers doesn't live up to his off season hype, so Brown is kept over Gathers. Blast away....

That's a great feeling, innit? Following a guy from college all the way to your favorite team. The same thing happened for me with Zeke. To be honest, I didn't watch him during the year, but around March I started looking at the prospects the Cowboys would have a shot at and was just blown away by how versatile Zeke was and knew that he belonged in a Cowboys uniform behind the Great Wall of Dallas. I literally mouthed the words as Goodell said, "With the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back, Ohio State." I ran a lap around my house screaming at the top of my lungs!!!

Mind. Blown.