'The NFL Beat': Scouting the Senior Bowl/ See Rob Ryan comments

[RS12]

We spoke with Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan about their needs in the 2012 draft, and his sentiment was very clear. “I’m only looking at DBs. Nothing else. DBs.” It is evident that the Cowboys’ defensive backfield has become a major liability. We will not be seeing a repeat of the 2011 season in 2012, when 10 of 11 defensive starters returned for the Cowboys. One player that Rob Ryan covets is Iowa State cornerback Leonard Johnson. He is a stout corner who looks a little bit more like a safety, but has terrific ball skills and electric speed as a kick returner. If he is available in the third round, look for LJ to have a star on his helmet next season in Dallas.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/sports/2012-01-27/the-nfl-beat-scouting-the-senior-bowl/

 

[Rynie]

Ryan "only looking at DB's?"

LOVE IT!

 

[RS12]

So here is another member of the brass talking nothing but secondary. No doubt it is a train wreck but I'm wondering if this means pass rush and O Line get addressed more in FA. I'd rather get secondary help in FA and draft the other way.

 

[SDogo]

I'm surprised if he's looking at Johnson. If I recall correctly Rob is big on his CB's tackling well and supporting the run defense. While Johnson is stout and can lay the wood he is not exactly a dependable tackler. It's either hit or miss with him. He does have good corner skills and was one of the few CB's this year that kept Blackmon in check.

 

[Gaede]

Very interesting.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I'm surprised if he's looking at Johnson. If I recall correctly Rob is big on his CB's tackling well and supporting the run defense. While Johnson is stout and can lay the wood he is not exactly a dependable tackler. It's either hit or miss with him. He does have good corner skills and was one of the few CB's this year that kept Blackmon in check.

Maybe now that Campo is gone and there's a new DB coach....

 

[Oh_Canada]

So is Leonard Johnson going to cover Hakeem Nicks for ten seconds while Eli stands around waiting on someone to get open? Ryan has to be bluffing...no chance he doesn't think he needs front seven help.

 

[supercowboy8]

I have been hearing that Dallas will get 2 to 3 DBs in this draft. Mayeb two Cbs and a Safety.

This is why I don't see Dallas drafting a OL until later maybe round 3 or 4. If Jerry signs Nicks I don't see them draft a OG or C until round 3 or later.

This draft will be all defense.

 

[supercowboy8]

So here is another member of the brass talking nothing but secondary. No doubt it is a train wreck but I'm wondering if this means pass rush and O Line get addressed more in FA. I'd rather get secondary help in FA and draft the other way.

I think OL will and maybe a DL. I can see a OLB in the first and then CB safety CB with the next three picks.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Well of course, where do you think Jerry was getting those "satisfied with the front seven" comments last week...

But considering that he brought Elam in, and Sensabaugh and Scandrick got extensions when he was here (with supposedly him supposedly loving Scandrick in camp), you wonder how many new guys will really be playing. And for that matter, how much credibility he has.

 

[Afigueroa22]

Defense is already shot to sh*# so we need to go O-line early. Remember, most of your best players rely on the O-line to get it done.

 

[supercowboy8]

Well of course, where do you think Jerry was getting those "satisfied with the front seven" comments last week...

But considering that he brought Elam in, and Sensabaugh and Scandrick got extensions when he was here (with supposedly him supposedly loving Scandrick in camp), you wonder how many new guys will really be playing. And for that matter, how much credibility he has.

Rob Ryan is also the reason why the Browns drafted Joe Haden in round 1 and TJ Ward in round 2 in 2010, I think he had a pretty good eye that year.

 

[Picksix]

I'm surprised if he's looking at Johnson. If I recall correctly Rob is big on his CB's tackling well and supporting the run defense. While Johnson is stout and can lay the wood he is not exactly a dependable tackler. It's either hit or miss with him. He does have good corner skills and was one of the few CB's this year that kept Blackmon in check.

Who are some of the better tackling/run support CB's in the draft?

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

Who are some of the better tackling/run support CB's in the draft?

I'm really high on the tackling of minnifield. He breaks down and wraps up.

 

[JoeCorrado]

So here is another member of the brass talking nothing but secondary. No doubt it is a train wreck but I'm wondering if this means pass rush and O Line get addressed more in FA. I'd rather get secondary help in FA and draft the other way.

Wouldn't read too much into the comment that "I" am only looking at DBs. Obviously Rob is not alone there and the rest of the coaches and scouts are also responsible for looking at different positions.

Remember; this is the time of year when misinformation, misdirection and all form of covert operations represent the norm for most teams. The last thing that you want is for a team to suspect you might take their guy and move up in front of you to steal him right out from under your nose on draft day.

I suppose that if you want to take it as gospel, then that means DeCastro is not even on our radar, eh?

 

[burmafrd]

Wouldn't read too much into the comment that "I" am only looking at DBs. Obviously Rob is not alone there and the rest of the coaches and scouts are also responsible for looking at different positions.

Remember; this is the time of year when misinformation, misdirection and all form of covert operations represent the norm for most teams. The last thing that you want is for a team to suspect you might take their guy and move up in front of you to steal him right out from under your nose on draft day.

I suppose that if you want to take it as gospel, then that means DeCastro is not even on our radar, eh?

I agree. Take anything any coach or GM says before the draft with a LARGE GRAIN OF SALT.

 

[SDogo]

Who are some of the better tackling/run support CB's in the draft?

MORRIS CLAIBORNE-GOOD WRAP UP TACKLER AND TAKES GOOD ANGLES.
DRE KIRKPATRICK-POUND FOR POUND BEST TACKLER IN THIS DRAFT
STEPHON GILMORE-ONE OF THE MORE PHYSICAL CB'S IN THIS DRAFT
JOSH NORMAN-ONE OF THE BEST FORM TACKLERS IN THE DRAFT
TRUMAINE JOHNSON-TAKES GOOD ANGLES, WRAP UP TACKLER
CORYELL JUDIE-VERY PHYSICAL BUT RAW
CHASE MINNIFIELD-SURE TACKLER BUT LACKS EXPLOSION
ASA JACKSON-HARD HITTER FOR A LITTLE MAN
ROBERT BLANTON-WRAP UP TACKLER BUT LACKS PHYSICALITY
ROBERT GOLDEN-2ND ONLY TO KIRKPATRICK
MIKE HARRIS-SOLID IN EVERY ASPECT
DESMOND MARROW-PHYSICAL TACKLER BUT HAS SPELLS
JUSTIN BETHAL-FORMER SAFETY, TAKES GOOD ANGLES AND FINISHES
CAMERON CHISM-CLOSES AND FINISHES
RYAN STEED-TECHNICALLY SOUND, UNDER RATED
DEQUAN MENZIE-ONE OF BAMA'S BEST RUN DEFENDERS
GARY GRAY-DRAG DOWN TACKLER BUT RARELY MISSES

 

[Bluefin]

ROBERT GOLDEN-2ND ONLY TO KIRKPATRICK

Moved back and forth between CB and S at Arizona.

Robert Golden is my favorite safety prospect in this class.

I'd love to get him later on.

 

[silverbear]

I'm pretty sure that what Ryan was saying was that at the practices, he was focusing exclusively on the DBs... I don't think he was talking about the team's overall philosophy for this offseason... I'm also pretty sure he had some of the other scouts paying pretty close attention to the DL and LBs...

 

[Nova]

So is Leonard Johnson going to cover Hakeem Nicks for ten seconds while Eli stands around waiting on someone to get open? Ryan has to be bluffing...no chance he doesn't think he needs front seven help.

You seem to be the only one in this thread that gets it.

I don't like to be the guy who thinks he knows more than others. And I certainly don't like to be the guy who thinks he knows more than the professionals like Rob Ryan.

But what have we learned about from Jerry Reese and the Giants/9ers/a crap ton of other teams in the history of the nfl? It doesn't matter how bad your secondary is, if your pass rush is strong enough, you'll probably be okay.

Coverage sacks aren't very reliable, but pressure is. In today's NFL that's the only way you can stop potent... hell, COMPETENT, passing attacks. Get to the QB or at least rush his progressions into a mistake.

For instance, Romo was sacked 39 times this year according to the article printed in the news zone (36 according to NFL.COM). However, only 4 of those sacks were coverage sacks.

Your move, DB enthusiasts.