Vela On the Cowboys Interior Line

[AsthmaField]

I remember when he declared I picked him in the late 1st round to the Packers in one of our user mocks and a member here scoffed at what a reach he was. It's been comical to see the reverse course there now that he's a Cowboy.

Sorry. If you drop an OL based on 40 time you really have no idea how to evaluate football players.

I admitted it was a reach when we drafted him, but only a slight reach IMO and one that probably had to happen considering the run on OL. If you wanted him, you had to take him a little earlier than you probably wanted to. I'm thrilled to have him as a Cowboy. A real legitimate NFL C. It's been a while.

I am thrilled as well to have a legitimate C in Dallas. Gurode was one but only for a few years of his career, IMO. The last few were not great for him and the first few he switched to G for a while. Only for a few short years was he a bonafied player at C. Frankly, I was never really in love with Gurode at C because he was such a plodding player. There were always parts of his game that were missing IMO.

Frederick though... now there is a complete player at C who can anchor against a bull rush, get plenty of push in the run game, and can get to the second level very effectively.

Like you said, thrilled.

 

[Romo2Dez4six]

while I love the Frederick pick I was hoping for Honeybadger in the second... hopefully Escobar can change my feelings.

 

[AsthmaField]

while I love the Frederick pick I was hoping for Honeybadger in the second... hopefully Escobar can change my feelings.

Well, that was never, ever going to happen. I don't think Dallas would've taken Mathieu in the 6th had he been there.

Personally, I would have used a later round pick on the guy, but not a second.

 

[Romo2Dez4six]

Well, that was never, ever going to happen. I don't think Dallas would've taken Mathieu in the 6th had he been there.

Personally, I would have used a later round pick on the guy, but not a second.

yeah I knew it, but was still hoping lol.

 

[xwalker]

I remember when he declared I picked him in the late 1st round to the Packers in one of our user mocks and a member here scoffed at what a reach he was. It's been comical to see the reverse course there now that he's a Cowboy.

Sorry. If you drop an OL based on 40 time you really have no idea how to evaluate football players.

I admitted it was a reach when we drafted him, but only a slight reach IMO and one that probably had to happen considering the run on OL. If you wanted him, you had to take him a little earlier than you probably wanted to. I'm thrilled to have him as a Cowboy. A real legitimate NFL C. It's been a while.

I liked the pick because Center was the #1 need, IMO.

I can understand the concerns about his speed, not strictly because of the forty, but because he appeared to lack great quickness in game footage of his final year; however, it was reported that the got up to around 340 lbs and possibly as high as 345 lbs that season. I posted that I thought he looked sluggish and might not be a good fit for the ZBS, but that losing weight could solve all of those issues. I was surprised that he didn't run better at the combine because he had dropped his weight drastically down to 312 lbs. At that point I was somewhat concerned about the forty; however, I was certain that if he was borderline quick enough at 340 lbs that he had to be much quicker at 312 or even around 320 where I expected him to be in the NFL. That now appears to be true because he does appear much quicker in the preseason games than he did in his final year in college.

I had also posted that I was more concerned about a guy like Chance Warmack's lack of great speed/quickness in a ZBS because unlike Frederick, he didn't have much room to lose weight and get quicker. He was 322 lbs in college and I expected him to play somewhere between 312 and 320 in the NFL.

Since I'm rambling about draft related issues, I'll note that Jonathan Cooper looked really good for the Cardinals in the game. He has a really outstanding combination of speed and power.

 

[Tobal]

I wanted two Olineman, and after what transpired with the oline run I had no issue with Frederick. I liked him better than I thought the Cowboys liked him, because everyone was spouting the Zone Blocking stuff I didn't think we'd be interested in him. The Escobar pick I never liked and I hope I'm wrong. He didn't block in college and he wasn't explosive by TE standards.

1.Fred
2.Warford instead of Escobar (I know they didn't like him)
3.Demontre Moore instead of Williams, The Williams pick is growing on me, I thought Moore was just a great value pick
3.Phillip Thomas (I thought he was more NFL ready)

Loved the other picks

 

[Macnalty]

Remember Witten in 2003 started 7 games as a rookie and had 35 catches/347yds with one TD. I am thinking that Escobar is on that same path, it was the second year when Jason blossomed to 87 catches/980yds moan all you want this year. Gosh it does not seem like ten years ago.

 

[Brucelee5488]

If Bernadeau is a starter at guard this team will not be able to run the ball. Watched the game from last night and concentrated on oline this time. Bern is ok in pass pro but defenders constantly push him back and get across his face in the run game. That spells doom in a zone scheme rule number 1 is dont let defenders get across your face.

 

[Corso]

Remember Witten in 2003 started 7 games as a rookie and had 35 catches/347yds with one TD. I am thinking that Escobar is on that same path, it was the second year when Jason blossomed to 87 catches/980yds moan all you want this year. Gosh it does not seem like ten years ago.

I get exasperated at the lack of patience by fans. If you aren't producing BEFORE your very first regular season game- you're a waste.
There is no such thing as development anymore, I guess.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I liked the pick because Center was the #1 need, IMO.

I can understand the concerns about his speed, not strictly because of the forty, but because he appeared to lack great quickness in game footage of his final year; however, it was reported that the got up to around 340 lbs and possibly as high as 345 lbs that season. I posted that I thought he looked sluggish and might not be a good fit for the ZBS, but that losing weight could solve all of those issues. I was surprised that he didn't run better at the combine because he had dropped his weight drastically down to 312 lbs. At that point I was somewhat concerned about the forty; however, I was certain that if he was borderline quick enough at 340 lbs that he had to be much quicker at 312 or even around 320 where I expected him to be in the NFL. That now appears to be true because he does appear much quicker in the preseason games than he did in his final year in college.

I had also posted that I was more concerned about a guy like Chance Warmack's lack of great speed/quickness in a ZBS because unlike Frederick, he didn't have much room to lose weight and get quicker. He was 322 lbs in college and I expected him to play somewhere between 312 and 320 in the NFL.

Since I'm rambling about draft related issues, I'll note that Jonathan Cooper looked really good for the Cardinals in the game. He has a really outstanding combination of speed and power.

Well I do have to add, seems like you are assuming just cause a player loses weight he will be faster....its just not that linear. If I lose 10-15 pounds, I'm not automatically faster, just doesn't work that way although I wish it did.

I'm not overly concerned with Fred's forty time, especially at his position. If you are running plays that require an OL to run 40 yards, then you need a new offensive coordinator.

 

[RS12]

I wanted two Olineman, and after what transpired with the oline run I had no issue with Frederick. I liked him better than I thought the Cowboys liked him, because everyone was spouting the Zone Blocking stuff I didn't think we'd be interested in him. The Escobar pick I never liked and I hope I'm wrong. He didn't block in college and he wasn't explosive by TE standards.

1.Fred
2.Warford instead of Escobar (I know they didn't like him)
3.Demontre Moore instead of Williams, The Williams pick is growing on me, I thought Moore was just a great value pick
3.Phillip Thomas (I thought he was more NFL ready)

Loved the other picks

Agree on the Moore value pick, 12 sacks in the SEC means something. Thought I read Thomas already done for the year with injury.

 

[Staubacher]

The only pick I think was wasted was Webb. I just don't see it. He looks bad in the games. Maybe he'll develop that is the plan. But I see Ansah 2 hope I'm wrong

 

[Corso]

The only pick I think was wasted was Webb. I just don't see it. He looks bad in the games. Maybe he'll develop that is the plan. But I see Ansah 2 hope I'm wrong

He does look lost, but even highly drafted rookie CB's many times have rough rookie campaigns.

 

[Texas_Pete]

I like the idea of the Escobar pick but this guy just has to be more than what has been on display.


If he is just an underneath possession guy and can't stretch the seems at all then this is just another wasted pick in the 2nd round.

Broaddus comments reflect Cowboy's thinking when drafting him:

Much has been made already this training camp if Gavin Escobar was a wasted second round pick or should the front office have gone in a different direction at another position. There are plenty of views and opinions and as people knee jerk along, Escobar showed you Saturday afternoon of some of the traits he is capable of.

I have said all along and as well the coaches and front office that with Escobar, it would about being the lack of strength at this time that would hold him back early in his playing career. You didn't need to be a scout to see this during practices and when you watched him in the games but what you need to pay attention to is how he is used in the passing game this first year.

There is nothing quick or elusive about Escobar but what you do see is the ability to catch the ball in traffic and secure the ball for a positive gain. His work in the Red Zone against Arizona was clearly better than what we had observed in camp and that is where he can make a difference on this squad. When Escobar comes off the ball and works his way up the field, he presents himself as a large target with soft hands that can make dependable plays. Right now, he is a get in the way blocker that is learning his craft. He lacks power and strength but those are areas that can be developed and before we label him a bust or a wasted selection, we might want to allow him to develop.

LINK

He'll develop. Witten is still on the top of his game and Hanna is #2 TE (for now). By the time Witten starts declining we'll see Escobar starting to realize his potential. He's 6'6" and has a frame that can pack on 20-25 lbs of muscle easily. When he does, he'll be a load to deal with.

Bottom line, with how Witten is playing, I'm willing to wait for him to mature as a player. He's gonna be a good player for us.

 

[Corso]

Broaddus comments reflect Cowboy's thinking when drafting him:


LINK

He'll develop. Witten is still on the top of his game and Hanna is #2 TE (for now). By the time Witten starts declining we'll see Escobar starting to realize his potential. He's 6'6" and has a frame that can pack on 20-25 lbs of muscle easily. When he does, he'll be a load to deal with.

Bottom line, with how Witten is playing, I'm willing to wait for him to mature as a player. He's gonna be a good player for us.

I truly believe the Cowboys drafted him to eventually replace Witten. In a perfect world, it just might work.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I'm thrilled to have him as a Cowboy. A real legitimate NFL C. It's been a while.

You're only saying that because of the beard

 

[big dog cowboy]

I like the idea of the Escobar pick but this guy just has to be more than what has been on display.

If he is just an underneath possession guy and can't stretch the seems at all then this is just another wasted pick in the 2nd round.

Good Lord did you forget it's jut preseason?

 

[CATCH17]

Good Lord did you forget it's jut preseason?

So you can't show athletic ability in the Pre season?

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

and all that pissin and moaning about T Fredericks

A lot of our fanbase is clueless when it comes to recognizing offensive line talent. Frederick was a brilliant pick. One should know that by now. And Arkin will make this team, and could even start. I wonder what the hell people are even looking at sometimes.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I think that stupidity is finally starting to disappear. But then the only ones bleating that were idiots to begin with. There is a very good chance that the Beard would have been gone if we had waited. And that seems finally to be sinking in to all but the idiots.

We've got several.