SportsdayDFW.com: Bob Sturm: Patrick Peterson one the Cowboys might get antsy for

[iceberg]

One knee injury to Peterson in that scenario and you've damaged the team horribly -- nothing to show for an entire draft.

and? that would go for any player you put a lot of hope into.

i better not drive my car, it may get scratched!!!

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Agreed, Smith is nothing like Robinson. Robinson was truly dominant at his position, there was no better run blocking OL when he played. He was also pretty good at pass blocking. You are not a 2 time All-American based on potential. Robinson was also voted to SI's all decade team. Again, Smith does not compare to Robinson, especially in terms of accomplishments.

Being dominant at any level is better than NOT being dominant. Not sure how you can spin that into a negative.

Did not mention Peterson. While I like Peterson he's certainly not my first choice. But at least Peterson has always been considered the best at his position, based on his play. His measurables are only the cherry on the sundae.

Yeah all Tyron sells us on is potential and measurements really. He was middle of the road til he showed up for the combine, and a player should should have a balance of performance and measurements.

I would look for the BPA that drops in the draft and not reach and force a pick at #9. I do believe players like JJ Watt, Cam Jordan, Tyron Smith, Prince and such do classify as forced picks at #9.

I would rather take a chance with a true blue chipper in the draft like PP, than a hope and a dream with Tryon just cause our OL has sucked. Decisions made in desperation are usually bad ones.

 

[28 Joker]

Jason Garrett on Felix Jones (at the Senior Bowl):

"We feel very good about Felix Jones. I thought he had an outstanding year for us. He ran the ball well. He caught the ball well. He was very productive has a receiver. He got better as a blocker and he was more able to play in some third down situations for us and he's continuing to grow and grow as a player. I think he's proven to some people that he can be an inside runner and an every down back and we are excited about the progress that he made".

Hey, Bob.

You might want to scratch RB completely off your first round list.

 

[28 Joker]

According to Football Outsiders, Felix Jones' 2010 performance remained steady or constant when compared to his 2009 performance.

Felix Jones' 2009 DVOA rated 15th, and his 2010 DVOA rated 10th. He graded out better in 2010.

Felix Jones' 2009 DYAR rated 10th, and his 2010 DYAR rated 11th.

While Jones' performance remained constant, the offensive line's run blocking deteriorated significantly across the board in run blocking. There are numbers that show this, but all you have to do is watch the games.

It is a major reason to draft Tyron Smith, the best pass blocker in the draft, and a player who is extremely athletic and excels in space. Smith could be the cornerstone of your offensive line for the next 12 years.

I don't see J.J. Watt or Cameron Jordan being the cornerstone of your front seven or front four. Smith can get Felix Jones to daylight and in space and to the second level and open up the field on the right side for Jones. Mark Colombo was rated the second worst starting offensive tackle in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus and the worst starting RT in the NFL.

Football Outsiders rates Jones' performance better than 78% of the running backs in the NFL. Pro Football Focus rates Jones better than 72% of the running backs in the NFL.

Jones grades out significantly above average by both sources and ranks among the top 1/4 in the NFL in running backs.

Last year Jones' blocking, which graded out better than Barber's in 2009 according to Pro Football Focus, graded out better than Barber again and improved. Furthermore, Jones' grade as a receiver also helped his overall 2010 grade improve slightly over his 2009 grade according to Pro Football Focus. Jones caught 92.3% of the passes thrown his way (48/52).

Blogging the Boys did a story on this and has all of the data and explains the statistical measures if you are interested.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011/...-running-backs

One.Cool.Customer broke this all down.

 

[28 Joker]

I wouldn't be surprised if Rashard Mendenhall was out of the NFL in 4 years.

The Titans are running the small statured Chris Johnson way too much.

Ray Rice will eventually flame out, because he carried the football a ton at Rutgers.

Felix Jones is just hitting his prime, best years. His arrow is pointing way up. Jones has 7-8 years of prime football coming in his future, all things being equal, which I could say about any NFL player. Tiki Barber had his best year at 31 and didn't get the football very early in his career, and Jones only carried the football 30 times during his rookie year. Jones still has very low milage on his engine.

By the way, you do know that Darren McFadden is one of the top 3 running backs to ever come out of the SEC, don't you?

You were never a Felix Jones fan to start with and didn't agree with drafting him. That is o.k. We disagree here. Afterall, you were still promoting Marion Barber after the Houston game.

Furthermore, you act like Felix Jones has accomplished nothing. Jones played "outstanding" (according to Jason Garrett) last year under adverse conditions.

What about Felix Jones putting up 1799 all purpose yards during the 2009 season (16 games, including two playoff games). Jones was the third leading rusher in the playoffs while Chris Johnson and Mendenhall were sitting at home.

Felix Jones is a player in the mold of Marshall Faulk. Put him on waivers and see how long he lasts. Go back and watch him put on a clinic against the Saints in the open field (113 total yards). How many RBs can take a screen 71 yards to the house and outrun the Giants defense?

If you want a banger, take Mendenhall or Ingram.

If you want an explosive weapon, you take Felix Jones. You take Marshall Faulk.

 

[28 Joker]

Jason Garrett on Felix Jones (at the Senior Bowl):

"We feel very good about Felix Jones. I thought he had an outstanding year for us. He ran the ball well. He caught the ball well. He was very productive as a receiver. He got better as a blocker and he was more able to play in some third down situations for us and he's continuing to grow and grow as a player. I think he's proven to some people that he can be an inside runner and an every down back and we are excited about the progress that he made".

Man, I love this quote. It never stops giving. It deserves a double post. Felix Jones' performance (in the second half of the season) is a big reason why Jason Garrett got the Cowboys job.

Again, you might want to scratch RB completely off your first round list. Dallas will not draft a back until after round 4 if they draft one at all.

 

[CCBoy]

Jason Garrett on Felix Jones (at the Senior Bowl):

"We feel very good about Felix Jones. I thought he had an outstanding year for us. He ran the ball well. He caught the ball well. He was very productive as a receiver. He got better as a blocker and he was more able to play in some third down situations for us and he's continuing to grow and grow as a player. I think he's proven to some people that he can be an inside runner and an every down back and we are excited about the progress that he made".

Man, I love this quote. It never stops giving. It deserves a double post. Felix Jones' performance (in the second half of the season) is a big reason why Jason Garrett got the Cowboys job.

Again, you might want to scratch RB completely off your first round list. Dallas will not draft a back until after round 4 if they draft one at all.

41gy#...a series of good posts there. Always appreciated in these digs.

I think that Felix is at the cusp of becoming a Pro Bowler. Good view of a Dallas running back that has the talent to carry much of the offensive need this year.

 

[28 Joker]

We agree on not trading up for Peterson and on the value of Tyron Smith at 9. However, your comments about Felix Jones put you in Charean Williams' territory, in regard to Felix Jones.

However, I just don't get your love for Mendenhall. Yes, Mendenhall had 13 TDs last year, but good luck getting those with the 2010 version of Dallas' offensive line. You talk about getting "a little improvement" on the line. Mark Colombo was the worst RT in the NFL...ect... I think you understate how bad this offensive line was in the running game in 2010. I would like to see Mendenhall run with the right side of the field closed for business. I think I"ve covered the line. I'll shut up. Plus, Barber is being paid big money here. Felix Jones was clearly Dallas' best redzone runner last season. Jones was the best RB Dallas had, the day he was drafted.

In 2010, Mendenahall touched the football 347 times and only had 190 more total yards than Felix Jones. Felix tallied 1250 total yards on 233 touches, and Mendenhall had 1440 total yards on those 347 touches. Mendenhall touched the football 114 more time than Jones, yet puts up only 190 more yards.

I don't think he is an explosive back at all. He is a banger. Some people like bangers. That is their right, but Marshall Faulk set another standard and paved the way for running backs like Felix Jones. By the way, guys like Felix Jones are in very, very short supply.

Back to Felix Jones: Those 1799 all purpose yards by Jones (16 games, including 2 playoff games) came on 202 touches.

Also, Chris Johnson will play at 26 this year. He is two years older than Felix Jones. If big backs like Larry Johnson wear down, the Titans would be wise to quit rushing Johnson over 300 times per year.

You way over rate a banging back like Mendenhall, who only averaged 3.9 YPC last year. Why would Dallas take a banging RB when they had Marion Barber? That would be stupid. The Titans were straight up going to draft Felix Jones if he was on the board. That is a well known fact.

If the Steelers keep giving him 300+ carries per year (like last year), Mendenhall is going to flame out like a Larry Johnson.

 

[28 Joker]

41gy#...a series of good posts there. Always appreciated in these digs.

I think that Felix is at the cusp of becoming a Pro Bowler. Good view of a Dallas running back that has the talent to carry much of the offensive need this year.

Thank you, CCBoy. I will stand up for Felix Jones all day or night. It isn't hard to defend his play. If the Cowboys value their skill players and playoff aspirations, they will go all out to fix their offensive line in this draft, and it will start with taking Tyron Smith at 9. 10 wins may not make the playoffs in the NFC.

You don't trade up for a CB and give away picks and turn down a blue chip, cornerstone offensive linemen, when your team needs one desperately. That early third round pick (if you draft the right guy) should be able to come in and contribute in some way. Dallas doesn't have the depth or front line quality (on both lines) to be trading away draft picks.

People may think I'm psycho, but who cares.

Felix Jones is one of the best running backs to ever come out of the SEC.

Tyron Smith comes in and immediately opens up the entire field and playbook for Felix Jones. Jones' best, prime years are ahead of him. Felix can absolutely rush the football 14-16 times per game, carry it 20 times in a game if you need him to do so, and average close to 20 touches per game.

The Saints game was another game where Felix started off hot rushing, but the holes in the running game closed for good. So, Dallas threw him the football and Jones delivered. (113 total yards/20 touches)

The Cowboys offensive line needs much more than a "little" improvement.