Sources: Tyron Smith to visit Dallas...

[28 Joker]

Tyron Smith's size, balance, and agility will enable him to make the move to LT for the Cowboys by the time he is 21, if not sooner. Why would you pass on a blue-chip offensive tackle (in the mold of D'Brickashaw Ferguson) with big time upside and who is the prototype new age NFL left tackle, so you can keep 27 year old Doug Free at LT for maybe 5 years if you are lucky? You over rate Free when you want to trade down and draft an inferior player like Gabe Carimi. Free was significantly better in the running game than in pass protection, and he wasn't nearly as good as the 09 Adams was in the running game, not even close according to Football Outsiders.

You are just throwing away a blue-chip player, and blue-chip players win championships. Carimi has no upside and is most likely going to be a right tackle only due to his lack of athleticism or elite athleticism. Carimi is a second round talent who will be over drafted in round 1 due to supply and demand at the offensive tackle position. I think he has value in late round 1 if you are looking for a physical RT in the run game. I wouldn't draft him in round 1, but that is just me.

Did anyone catch that Bunting mocked Smith to Dallas today and told Vela in his chat that he thought Smith would come off the board in the 9-13 range? Smith's 6 foot 5 frame with almost 36 inch arms is freakish and perfect, especially when you combine it with his agility, balance, and great feet. His height is perfect with his great length. These DEs/OLBs will have a real hard time getting under him.

Did anyone catch the part in this article where Bunting listed Smith at 315?

Smith's athletic ability will open up the entire field for Felix Jones in the run and pass game and make him extremely dangerous. Plus, Tony Romo will not have the worst RT in the NFL protecting him and will have time to go down the field to his great skill players.

The Cowboys have the skill players on offense to win the Super Bowl, but they have an offensive line that may be able to finish third in the division.

Plus, that third round pick is looking like a starting caliber interior offensive linemen, so you better think twice before you just give that pick away for a CB. The opportunity cost will be Smith and a starting interior offensive linemen.

The Green Bay Packers sat at 9 and let the draft fall to them. B.J. Raiji just fell in their lap. Smith is a blue-chip offensive linemen and the best pass protector in this draft, and he provides the same cornerstone value, only it's on your old and fading fast and weak offensive line.

 

[TheSport78]

Tyron Smith's size, balance, and agility will enable him to make the move to LT for the Cowboys by the time he is 21, if not sooner. Why would you pass on a blue-chip offensive tackle (in the mold of D'Brickashaw Ferguson) with big time upside and who is the prototype new age NFL left tackle, so you can keep 27 year old Doug Free at LT for maybe 5 years if you are lucky? You over rate Free when you want to trade down and draft an inferior player like Gabe Carimi. Free was significantly better in the running game than in pass protection, and he wasn't nearly as good as the 09 Adams was in the running game, not even close according to Football Outsiders.

You are just throwing away a blue-chip player, and blue-chip players win championships. Carimi has no upside and is most likely going to be a right tackle only due to his lack of athleticism or elite athleticism. Carimi is a second round talent who will be over drafted in round 1 due to supply and demand at the offensive tackle position. I think he has value in late round 1 if you are looking for a physical RT in the run game. I wouldn't draft him in round 1, but that is just me.

Did anyone catch that Bunting mocked Smith to Dallas today and told Vela in his chat that he thought Smith would come off the board in the 9-13 range? Smith's 6 foot 5 frame with almost 36 inch arms is freakish and perfect, especially when you combine it with his agility, balance, and great feet. His height is perfect with his great length. These DEs/OLBs will have a real hard time getting under him.

Did anyone catch the part in this article where Bunting listed Smith at 315?

Smith's athletic ability will open up the entire field for Felix Jones in the run and pass game and make him extremely dangerous. Plus, Tony Romo will not have the worst RT in the NFL protecting him and will have time to go down the field to his great skill players.

The Cowboys have the skill players on offense to win the Super Bowl, but they have an offensive line that may be able to finish third in the division.

Plus, that third round pick is looking like a starting caliber interior offensive linemen, so you better think twice before you just give that pick away for a CB. The opportunity cost will be Smith and a starting interior offensive linemen.

The Green Bay Packers sat at 9 and let the draft fall to them. B.J. Raiji just fell in their lap. Smith is a blue-chip offensive linemen and the best pass protector in this draft, and he provides the same cornerstone value, only it's on your old and fading fast and weak offensive line.

Excellent post.

 

[acer941]

Tyron Smith's size, balance, and agility will enable him to make the move to LT for the Cowboys by the time he is 21, if not sooner. Why would you pass on a blue-chip offensive tackle (in the mold of D'Brickashaw Ferguson) with big time upside and who is the prototype new age NFL left tackle, so you can keep 27 year old Doug Free at LT for maybe 5 years if you are lucky? You over rate Free when you want to trade down and draft an inferior player like Gabe Carimi. Free was significantly better in the running game than in pass protection, and he wasn't nearly as good as the 09 Adams was in the running game, not even close according to Football Outsiders.

You are just throwing away a blue-chip player, and blue-chip players win championships. Carimi has no upside and is most likely going to be a right tackle only due to his lack of athleticism or elite athleticism. Carimi is a second round talent who will be over drafted in round 1 due to supply and demand at the offensive tackle position. I think he has value in late round 1 if you are looking for a physical RT in the run game. I wouldn't draft him in round 1, but that is just me.

Did anyone catch that Bunting mocked Smith to Dallas today and told Vela in his chat that he thought Smith would come off the board in the 9-13 range? Smith's 6 foot 5 frame with almost 36 inch arms is freakish and perfect, especially when you combine it with his agility, balance, and great feet. His height is perfect with his great length. These DEs/OLBs will have a real hard time getting under him.

Did anyone catch the part in this article where Bunting listed Smith at 315?

Smith's athletic ability will open up the entire field for Felix Jones in the run and pass game and make him extremely dangerous. Plus, Tony Romo will not have the worst RT in the NFL protecting him and will have time to go down the field to his great skill players.

The Cowboys have the skill players on offense to win the Super Bowl, but they have an offensive line that may be able to finish third in the division.

Plus, that third round pick is looking like a starting caliber interior offensive linemen, so you better think twice before you just give that pick away for a CB. The opportunity cost will be Smith and a starting interior offensive linemen.

The Green Bay Packers sat at 9 and let the draft fall to them. B.J. Raiji just fell in their lap. Smith is a blue-chip offensive linemen and the best pass protector in this draft, and he provides the same cornerstone value, only it's on your old and fading fast and weak offensive line.

I just pray that they can get a CBA Deal done so we can give our rookies time to get their feet up under them and learn the System.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Considering how he looked at the Combine and 29 reps at 225 with quite long arms Smith does not need much work with Woicik. At 307, he is heavy enough. And frankly he will be better from Day one then Colombo was last year and he will only get better.

Ive been of the belief that h e would put on weight just fine for months now. But if there was ever anyone who needed some time to figure out what his body is going to be going forward its this guy.

Sure hes ripped up, but hes about as young as it gets and might be changing positions for the Cowboys. You want him to get some time w/ Woicik to figure out his diet, body fat %, flexibility, etc.

 

[TheCount]

I would love to get paid for it but do you know how to get into this type of job. I have no clue. Do you have Jerry's #.

Also if you have ESPN insider go look it up. The listed Miller just today that will visit Dallas. I listed the rest because its called something not everyone else has, called common sense. I just dont understand why Tyron Smith visiting Dallas is news just like I didn't understand Dallas interviewing Cam Newton was news.

:laugh2: :laugh2:

You're earning yourself quite the reputation with just 180+ posts. Instead of hopping on everyone elses thread to complain, why not actually contribute something?

And no, I don't mean your common sense.

 

[28 Joker]

I just pray that they can get a CBA Deal done so we can give our rookies time to get their feet up under them and learn the System.

That is true; however, the thought of Smith leading tosses, toss sweeps, stretches, and screens for Felix Jones is really exciting to me. Smith not only reopens the field for Felix Jones, he opens up the playbook. Garrett has to get players on that line who can block his designed cutback counters for Felix Jones, because that line couldn't block those runs last year, like they did in 2009 and 2008, not even close. Smith opens up those runs to the right, too. Felix gets access to the whole field like he did in 2008 and 2009.

Mark Colombo was the absolute worst RT in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus, and Leonard Davis had a very steep decline in his run blocking from 2009 according to PFF. Again, Felix Jones didn't have access to the right side of the field against the better run defenses or fast defenses like the Colts. PercyHoward put up some great numbers on this. I bookmarked it.

This Dallas offensive line had no shot to block the Bears. Davis pretty much got destroyed in that game. If Davis would have cut Lance Briggs one time in that Bears game, Jones had a long, long run in that game. It would have most likely been a TD. Davis played too high. Dallas was pretty much a left handed run team when they wanted to run outside against the better run defenses, and teams knew it. (Again, see Percy Howard's stats)

I can guarantee you that Jason Garrett will have a hard time turning his back on Smith when his offense is being held hostage by his old offensive line. The right side of Dallas' line was a big liability in the running game last year.

An elite blue-chip offensive linemen who excels in space and on the second level in the running game and who has the power to clear out running lanes is exactly what Felix Jones needs. Smith will be able to block the cutback counter run for Jones, which is run out of power o (see Jones' 73 yard TD). Again, Jones becomes double dangerous with the entire field and playbook open. Those screens could come from the right or left with Smith at RT. That is important against the good defenses. Plus, Smith can pull along the line and open up lanes and get linebackers. The defense just can't sit on the left side while knowing the right side, especially Colombo, isn't capable of winning up front.

Did I mention that Smith is the most gifted athlete on the offensive line and the best pass protector in this draft? Now, Witten or Bennett can go out for more passes instead of baby sitting Colombo all day.

It's interesting, because last fall, while Dallas was getting beat every week, Bunting told Vela in a chat that Carimi would give Dallas better LT play than Doug Free was giving them at the time. He said that while projecting Carimi to RT in the NFL. Carimi isn't even close to being in the same league with Smith as a pass protector, either. I thought it was in interesting.

9. Tyron Smith OT USC

This couldn't be put on a tee any better for the Cowboys. You don't get many chances at players like this at OT. If he gets by Arizona, just like Felix Jones in 2008, he is going to fall right in your lap.

 

[UnoDallas]

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2011/2/17/1999077/i-would-take-tyron-smith-in-the-top-10

1. Technique
- After watching several games and several prospects I feel comfortable saying that Smith is the most technically sound tackle in this draft class. He quickly gets out of his stance into his set while keeping balance. Smith keeps his feet underneath him and takes balanced steps. He completely avoids wasted hand motion and keeps them out in front where he can punch and recoil quickly. Smith is a natural bender that sits and anchors into his stance after contact. His technique and balance allow him to maintain leverage and hold strong at the point of attack. In the run game, he fires off the football and gets inside hands. Smith keeps his legs moving with a nasty streak to finish off the play. But his leverage is what makes him an effective run blocker because he is able to get his head under the defender and push him off the football. Overall, he doesn't need much work on his technique and that is why I have no concerns about his lack of bulk.

2. Potential
- Smith is a silky smooth athlete with tremendous upside. He is a former tight end with quick feet and superb balance. His quick feet allow him to adjust to counter-moves employed by the rusher. At 6'5 291lbs he has the frame to add extra bulk and not impact his athletic ability. I want to note that Smith just turned 20 years old which means that he still has time to fill out and grow into his frame. The NFL loves guys with upside and Smith is oozing with potential.

3. Position Value
- I touched on this a little in the intro and fully believe that offensive tackle is among the most important positions in the NFL. I am sure everyone has heard that the NFL continues to move to more of a passing league and in order to be successful you need a star quarterback and someone to protect him

 

[UnoDallas]

CN: A repeat question, but I think it's good to re-visit it. You're asked to compare Tyron Smith to the top tackles from last year's class.

Wes Buntring : I'd probably have him number two. I'd have Russell Okung over him, because he's a senior, he's a little more polished and more NFL-ready. I think Tyron Smith has some more upside but my top tackles last year were Okung, Roger Saffold and Smith's USC bookend Charles Brown.

 

[28 Joker]

CN: A repeat question, but I think it's good to re-visit it. You're asked to compare Tyron Smith to the top tackles from last year's class.

Wes Buntring : I'd probably have him number two. I'd have Russell Okung over him, because he's a senior, he's a little more polished and more NFL-ready. I think Tyron Smith has some more upside but my top tackles last year were Okung, Roger Saffold and Smith's USC bookend Charles Brown.

Good job.

Smith has 36+ arm length. I shorted him an inch. I think he has 36 3/8 arms. That is longer than Okung.

Look how well Saffold played last year. The Colts passed on him. I still think the Colts will draft Derek Sherrod due to that mistake. Bunting gave the Steelers Pouncy a very high grade, and look how that turned out.

 

[unionjack8]

Tyron Smith's size, balance, and agility will enable him to make the move to LT for the Cowboys by the time he is 21, if not sooner. Why would you pass on a blue-chip offensive tackle (in the mold of D'Brickashaw Ferguson) with big time upside and who is the prototype new age NFL left tackle, so you can keep 27 year old Doug Free at LT for maybe 5 years if you are lucky? You over rate Free when you want to trade down and draft an inferior player like Gabe Carimi. Free was significantly better in the running game than in pass protection, and he wasn't nearly as good as the 09 Adams was in the running game, not even close according to Football Outsiders.

You are just throwing away a blue-chip player, and blue-chip players win championships. Carimi has no upside and is most likely going to be a right tackle only due to his lack of athleticism or elite athleticism. Carimi is a second round talent who will be over drafted in round 1 due to supply and demand at the offensive tackle position. I think he has value in late round 1 if you are looking for a physical RT in the run game. I wouldn't draft him in round 1, but that is just me.

Did anyone catch that Bunting mocked Smith to Dallas today and told Vela in his chat that he thought Smith would come off the board in the 9-13 range? Smith's 6 foot 5 frame with almost 36 inch arms is freakish and perfect, especially when you combine it with his agility, balance, and great feet. His height is perfect with his great length. These DEs/OLBs will have a real hard time getting under him.

Did anyone catch the part in this article where Bunting listed Smith at 315?

Smith's athletic ability will open up the entire field for Felix Jones in the run and pass game and make him extremely dangerous. Plus, Tony Romo will not have the worst RT in the NFL protecting him and will have time to go down the field to his great skill players.

The Cowboys have the skill players on offense to win the Super Bowl, but they have an offensive line that may be able to finish third in the division.

Plus, that third round pick is looking like a starting caliber interior offensive linemen, so you better think twice before you just give that pick away for a CB. The opportunity cost will be Smith and a starting interior offensive linemen.

The Green Bay Packers sat at 9 and let the draft fall to them. B.J. Raiji just fell in their lap. Smith is a blue-chip offensive linemen and the best pass protector in this draft, and he provides the same cornerstone value, only it's on your old and fading fast and weak offensive line.

that my friend is a first class analysis of why we stay put at 9 and why smith is an excellent choice.

 

[unionjack8]

That is true; however, the thought of Smith leading tosses, toss sweeps, stretches, and screens for Felix Jones is really exciting to me. Smith not only reopens the field for Felix Jones, he opens up the playbook. Garrett has to get players on that line who can block his designed cutback counters for Felix Jones, because that line couldn't block those runs last year, like they did in 2009 and 2008, not even close. Smith opens up those runs to the right, too. Felix gets access to the whole field like he did in 2008 and 2009.

Mark Colombo was the absolute worst RT in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus, and Leonard Davis had a very steep decline in his run blocking from 2009 according to PFF. Again, Felix Jones didn't have access to the right side of the field against the better run defenses or fast defenses like the Colts. PercyHoward put up some great numbers on this. I bookmarked it.

This Dallas offensive line had no shot to block the Bears. Davis pretty much got destroyed in that game. If Davis would have cut Lance Briggs one time in that Bears game, Jones had a long, long run in that game. It would have most likely been a TD. Davis played too high. Dallas was pretty much a left handed run team when they wanted to run outside against the better run defenses, and teams knew it. (Again, see Percy Howard's stats)

I can guarantee you that Jason Garrett will have a hard time turning his back on Smith when his offense is being held hostage by his old offensive line. The right side of Dallas' line was a big liability in the running game last year.

An elite blue-chip offensive linemen who excels in space and on the second level in the running game and who has the power to clear out running lanes is exactly what Felix Jones needs. Smith will be able to block the cutback counter run for Jones, which is run out of power o (see Jones' 73 yard TD). Again, Jones becomes double dangerous with the entire field and playbook open. Those screens could come from the right or left with Smith at RT. That is important against the good defenses. Plus, Smith can pull along the line and open up lanes and get linebackers. The defense just can't sit on the left side while knowing the right side, especially Colombo, isn't capable of winning up front.

Did I mention that Smith is the most gifted athlete on the offensive line and the best pass protector in this draft? Now, Witten or Bennett can go out for more passes instead of baby sitting Colombo all day.

It's interesting, because last fall, while Dallas was getting beat every week, Bunting told Vela in a chat that Carimi would give Dallas better LT play than Doug Free was giving them at the time. He said that while projecting Carimi to RT in the NFL. Carimi isn't even close to being in the same league with Smith as a pass protector, either. I thought it was in interesting.

9. Tyron Smith OT USC

This couldn't be put on a tee any better for the Cowboys. You don't get many chances at players like this at OT. If he gets by Arizona, just like Felix Jones in 2008, he is going to fall right in your lap.

oh and an even better post, you're on a roll

 

[TheCount]

I don't think the real Smith lives up to the internet version of him, but there's a chance he could be a good tackle. I'm just not sure I trust our coaching/scouting staff to be able to make the call one way or another.

 

[burmafrd]

From what I have been able to gather, Smith's agent hooked him up with a top trainer and actually had suggested to him after USC's last game to start work with him and he did. So that was in late November. So no surprise that three months later he was looking a lot better. Frankly Woicik will only have to make minor changes if any from the way he looks and moves.

 

[burmafrd]

I don't think the real Smith lives up to the internet version of him, but there's a chance he could be a good tackle. I'm just not sure I trust our coaching/scouting staff to be able to make the call one way or another.

That is why I am looking at just WHO is praising Smith. I frankly agree that our evaluation of O line has sucked donkey dung for at least 10 years.

 

[ThreeandOut]

that my friend is a first class analysis of why we stay put at 9 and why smith is an excellent choice.

Agreed, these are two excellent posts by 41gy. A number of people have asked why you would draft a RT at 9. The simple answer is because he opens up the playbook more than any player in the draft. He allows you to run the same plays on the right side that you run on your left side. Also, you will not have to have the TE's and RB's help out as much on pass protection, freeing them up to run routes.

While he is a RT now, he could also be he swing LT if needed. Eventually, he has Pro Bowl potential at LT.

 

[silverbear]

I would love to get paid for it but do you know how to get into this type of job. I have no clue. Do you have Jerry's #.

ROTFLMAO... see, that's precisely what I mean about your colossal ego...

Let's just say that based on your writings that I've read to this point, you shouldn't quit your day job... you're not even a particularly good "draft guru" by message board standards...

I listed the rest because its called something not everyone else has, called common sense.

Once again, I have to laugh at your arrogance... you clearly think you're a good deal smarter than anybody else; well, if that's true, I honestly haven't seen it yet...

I just dont understand why Tyron Smith visiting Dallas is news just like I didn't understand Dallas interviewing Cam Newton was news.

If you were really as smart as you think you are, then you could figure that out for yourself... but since you seem to be confused on this, permit me to help:

1) It's the offseason, which means not much football news for the Metroplex mediots to write about...

2) There's this little battle over the CBA going on, so there's not even free agency news to feed the need of football fanatics...

Both of these mean that the mediots will write about absolutely anything Cowboys-related, to feed the need of their market... but beyond that:

3) EVERY YEAR at this time, we read articles about various players the Cowboys are bringing in for a visit... when we learn about more players coming in for a visit (as we did just today with Andre Holmes from Hillsdale), then we'll read about them too... I mean, if the Boys bringing in a likely late round pick or undrafted rookie free agent for a visit is newsworthy, obviously it's more newsworthy when they bring in a likely first round prospect for a visit...

I do hope that you're capable of following that argument, Mr. Einstein...

 

[silverbear]

Hey Bear,

How are you? Haven't had much chance to talk to you of late. I hope you are well my friend.

Other than being completely discouraged about pro football, I'm doing well... thanks for asking...

BTW, I'm always around, always reading the board... I don't think I've missed a day in months... I'm just not posting as much as I once did, and again, I think that goes back to my being discouraged about all this CBA crap...

 

[silverbear]

Hey Bear, I'm looking forward to your mock drafts as always, and the info you give out on the Cowboys. When will your first mock be out?

Hell, I can give you a mock right now, but if you mean my "official" look at the draft, I figure I'll write that up sometime after the first of the month... I want to wait to get at least most of the Pro Day results in, and to read what players the Boys might be bringing in for Dallas Day... there's always a few surprises on that list...

And by Tax Day (April 15th), I hope to have my spreadsheets ready to share with y'all... I've already got one made up, it has nearly 150 prospects on it that I like (maybe 50 of whom aren't likely to be drafted), but the draft ratings are very fluid at this point...

IOW, like the robot in Short Circuit, I just need "more input" before I'm ready to start guessing...