Prediction: James Hanna, Alex Albright

[Tom Jones]

The snaps that Albright played last season were at ILB. He didn't play OLB, the 3-4 position most similar to 4-3 DE. It was reported that all of his practice snaps in OTAs and mini-camp were at LB, not DE.

The Cowboys website has him listed at 6-5, 260. That is bigger than Ware's "listed" size of 6-4, 254; however, he would have to practice the position (DE) in order to be a candidate to play it.

Oh what a night...

I guess my criticism of Cowboys coaching staff will continue then. Why take a natural talent at Defensive End, like Albright, and turn him into a linebacker-or maybe this will be the year that Albright SHINES because Kiffin and Marinelli allow him to. IMHO should be a DE but can do well at OLB too.

Don't be surprised if the Cowboys trade Spencer soon!!!

 

[MonsterD]

I guess my criticism of Cowboys coaching staff will continue then. Why take a natural talent at Defensive End, like Albright, and turn him into a linebacker-or maybe this will be the year that Albright SHINES because Kiffin and Marinelli allow him to. IMHO should be a DE but can do well at OLB too.

Don't be surprised if the Cowboys trade Spencer soon!!!

The same Spencer we kept at 20 million for the last 2 years, but now we want to send him packing?

 

[Tom Jones]

The same Spencer we kept at 20 million for the last 2 years, but now we want to send him packing?

Yep! don't kinow who labeled him a DE worth that kind of money. just watch tape of the guy...slow, doesn't play with urgency 3/4 of the time...gets beat BAD on most runs to the outside. he's mdiocre at best.

 

[durrrr]

Wow. Settle down.

 

[iceman117]

When we signed James Hanna last year, I spent hours viewing any available footage of him at Oklahoma. I was so impressed that I kept going back and watching it over and over-I was like "this guy is unreal"...He's got speed, moves and good hands. I was mostly impressed with his speed though and really thought the Boys would have used him a lot more last year AT WIDE RECEIVER in place of Miles Austin when he was out with his injuries. Anyway I boldly predict that if Hanna stays healthy and doesn't suffer a career ending injury he will be a lock for the Hall of Fame when he retires.

Alex Albright is another talented player we still haven't seen a lot of. Look at his college tape and the few games he played in the last couple of years with the Cowboys. The guy has great quickness and always seems to get himself into a position to make the play. He reminds me a little of Ted Hendricks the "Mad Stork" that played for the Raiders back in the day. Anyway, I boldly predict that Albright will make All-Pro anytime he's allowed to play as a starter at defensive end, even with another team, as long as he can stay healthy too.

Thoughts gentlemen?

Both of these guys are very talented and I think they will contribute nice things for the Cowboys this season and in the future. I'm not sure why you picked these 2 guys to troll on because they are both young talented players at their current positions not the ones you put them at...lol

 

[FiveRings]

I too am a huge fan of Hanna. But is Albright's spot on this team certain? Why do you project for him so highly as a DE when he's a DE/LB hybrid?

 

[XxTDxX]

Hanna is not a natural catcher at all. I think he can be a good player in this league and help the Cowboys out in spots but his size is somewhat wasted because he does not aggressively meet the ball in the air or extend for it.

 

[MonsterD]

Hanna is not a natural catcher at all. I think he can be a good player in this league and help the Cowboys out in spots but his size is somewhat wasted because he does not aggressively meet the ball in the air or extend for it.

I think that is what the jest of Hanna is, he is not a fluid and instinctive pass catcher. He also has small hands, and is not a good all-around blocker. I think he is good in spurts as the H-back or getting by on speed as a wide open target. If you want to see a guy who is a big ole slow natural receiver, his name is Escobar.

 

[jobberone]

Jobberone, thanks you for your reply. I may be overraeacting to the videos I saw of them on YouTube.

Premature, I'll admit, but why not predict it now? just thinking ahead. Witten may be in worse medical shape than we are led to be believe; that 's why they went after Escobar?

Spencer not being signed long term; maybe Albright replaces him? Crawford didn't impress me last year.

This site is for fans to discuss the Cowboys in particular so why not make predictions! I don't think Witten is declining or injured. I think they like Escobar as a receiver. He has some wow factor despite the fact he's not real fast. My guess is they thought enough of him to take the BPA in that tier at the position of greater need. I don't think there were players clearly in a tier above Escobar. He's labeled a TE but he'll play receiver. We need to score more points specifically the RZ so I see him as a good choice. I don't get boxed in by thinking of him as a replacement for anyone or as a traditional TE.

I think they are looking for pass rushers and players and they really want to have an alternative to Spencer as well as have more pass rushers. You don't want to be in a situation where you have no alternatives but to sign a player. Pass rushers are always sought after.

I don't see Albright as a pass rusher but I'm not going to dismiss him either. He's a player IMO. He does a lot well but I don't know where he fits. If he were bigger, faster and stronger then maybe DE. He's not going to beat out Lee although he may compete at Sam.

I didn't think you were overreacting at all and it's not premature to think ahead.

 

[jobberone]

The snaps that Albright played last season were at ILB. He didn't play OLB, the 3-4 position most similar to 4-3 DE. It was reported that all of his practice snaps in OTAs and mini-camp were at LB, not DE.

The Cowboys website has him listed at 6-5, 260. That is bigger than Ware's "listed" size of 6-4, 254; however, he would have to practice the position (DE) in order to be a candidate to play it.

Oh what a night...

And DE may be his best bet to make the club. Love the song.

 

[Fredd]

Predictions are fun, but how about something more realistic like:

hanna - he beats out escobar for the #2 TE in the 12-package; he catches 50 balls this year for about 600 yards and 4 TD's
Albright - he wins a spot on the 53-man roster and contributes on ST and in the DL rotation, spelling spencer on occasion

btw, I more see Wilber as the DE if spencer is not on the team in 2014...I think Crawford steps forward this year as well in the DL rotation

 

[jobberone]

Predictions are fun, but how about something more realistic like:

hanna - he beats out escobar for the #2 TE in the 12-package; he catches 50 balls this year for about 600 yards and 4 TD's
Albright - he wins a spot on the 53-man roster and contributes on ST and in the DL rotation, spelling spencer on occasion

btw, I more see Wilber as the DE if spencer is not on the team in 2014...I think Crawford steps forward this year as well in the DL rotation

Perhaps your predictions are more realistic. I thought the OPs observations were good although the predictions may be premature. Who knows? I hope he's right and Hanna is another in the long line of good to great Dallas TEs. I find Albright intriguing. I hope he finds a way to contribute.

 

[xwalker]

Albright is more athletic than people realize.

Albright does "look" like a 4-3 DE; however, think about the following: Most believe that Escobar will be a match-up problem in coverage due to his length (height, arm length). If Gavin Escobar was playing for another team, which Cowboys LB would be the best match-up to cover him?

Escobar: 6-6

Albright: 6-5
Lee: 6-2
Carter: 6-2
Durant: 6-1
Sims: 5-11
Holloman: 6-1.5
Magee: 5-11
McSurdy: 6-1

Comparing Albright to Escobar, Albright is better in all the measureables except the 40.

Albright:
Height: 6044
Weight: 254
20 Yrd Dash: 2.71
10 Yrd Dash: 1.60 (Sean Lee 1.61)
Vertical Jump: 36
Broad Jump: 10'04"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.03 (best of all the LBs on the roster, *carter not tested)
3-Cone Drill: 6.98 (3rd best of the LBs on the roster, *carter not tested)

Escobar:
Height: 6057
Weight: 254
20 Yrd Dash: 2.76
10 Yrd Dash: 1.68
Vertical Jump: 32
Broad Jump: 09'06"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.31
3-Cone Drill: 7.07

Albright had a better Short-Shuttle time than any TE that I can find, including:
Zach Ertz
Tyler Eifert
Aaron Hernandez
Jimmy Graham
Rob Gronkowski