Video: Darcel McBath vs Rashad Johnson: And the winner is...

[dcfanatic]

Let me say this up front. I want the Cowboys to address the Free Safety position if they stay at the #51 spot in the draft.

There are some Offensive lineman that I like too, but I think the ones I would go after will be gone by then.

So for a few weeks now I have read and listened to anyone and everyone that has had anything to say about all the Safeties that are available in the draft. Some guys I have taken off my wish list because I think they are just too similar to a 'Roy Williams' type of Safety (Patrick Chung from Oregon, Courtney Greene from Rutgers and William Moore from Missouri) and I really want a ball hawking type who can play Free Safety which would allow Ken Hamlin to play closer to the line of scrimmage. And I not too overjoyed about Hamlin as a player anymore, but he just got a nice contract so he isn't going anywhere soon.

I got my list down to five guys who would be worth the #51 pick and who had a shot at being there.

Louis Delmas from Western Michigan, David Bruton from Notre Dame, Darcel McBath from Texas Tech, Sean Smith from Utah and Rashad Johnson from Alabama.

First Sean Smith fell off the list because he's making it very clear he doesn't want to be a Safety, read here.

If I had to describe my life the last few months, I’d say it’s been like a roller-coaster. Up and down.​

I started off high, coming off a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama and then making the decision to come out this year, and things were looking real good. But then you hear people say negative things about you, like you’re a safety, not a cornerback, or you’re not fast enough – and the roller-coaster starts to go down. So you ask yourself if you made the right decision.​

If he thinks playing Safety is a 'negative' then I want no part in drafting him and asking him to change positions. Do I think he's going to be a good NFL CB? Not really. He's big and fast, but not quick and agile. The smaller faster WR's in this league like a Wes Welker would eat him up. So in time he might just have to move to Free Safety, but let some other team be the one to find that out a few years down the line.

So now the list is down to four guys.

I decided to remove Bruton from the list because I am a Notre Dame fan and while he was a solid player he never really stood out to me and that was on a poor defense where he had a chance do so.

Delmas was next to be dropped and that was only as of yesterday. I just think that he played on a small school team and the players he was going up against were not very good. When his team went up against three elite passing offenses last season his unit was torched for 47(Nebraska), 45(Ball State) and 38 (Rice) points in those contests.

I know one guy doesn't stop an offense, but he was out there and was part of that defense getting lit up. He did have one INT in the game against Nebraska in a September game, but he had no INT's in the last five regular season games and none in the Bowl game against Rice where his defense allowed 38 points.

Maybe I am just picking out things to 'not draft him', but I just don't see enough of the ball hawking mentality I am looking for.

So the list comes down to McBath and Johnson.

Mcbath had 9 INT's in the last two seasons. Johnson had 11 INT's in the last two seasons. They both played against big time schools in the Big 12 and the SEC respectively. They both are looked at as true Free Safeties at the NFL level.

Touch decision. I am going with Rashad Johnson.

Taking in every piece of info on them I could find over the last two days I think Johnson is more ready to be a leader on the defense. He's played under a great defensive coach in Nick Saban and he's been playing in a defense that has been known as one of the best in country as of late. Rashad Johnson was part of making them so good.

Here's his first draft look from Path to the Draft...

[youtube]_AXTIRSDivs[/youtube]

I have to admit watching this last night did help me make the decision. The kid is a sure tackler, he's smart, he's around the ball and he's talking about wanting to be the next Ed Reed. Those are things I love hearing and I hope he's a Dallas Cowboy come late April.

 

[28 Joker]

NFP/Bunting has updated his top 100.

11. Sean Smith
15. Malcolm Jenkins
40. Sherrod Martin
52. William Moore
59. Rashad Johnson
65. Chip Vaughn
79. Patrick Chung
96. Darcel McBath
100. Louis Delmas

You made right choice between the two, but I don't see the need to draft a FS at 51. Dallas should use a horizontal approach at 51. If an OG or WR or DE, ect... has a higher grade, they should take them, imo.

 

[dcfanatic]

NFP/Bunting has updated his top 100.

11. Sean Smith
15. Malcolm Jenkins
40. Sherrod Martin
52. William Moore
59. Rashad Johnson
65. Chip Vaughn
79. Patrick Chung
96. Darcel McBath
100. Louis Delmas

You made right choice between the two, but I don't see the need to draft a FS at 51. Dallas should use a horizontal approach at 51. If an OG or WR or DE, ect... has a higher grade, they should take them, imo.

I would love a LT or Duke Robinson in that spot. But I don't see a 'true Left Tackle' there so I would rather take a chance later on one.

I think Robinson is gone early in the round.

WR. If Austin leaves for the Jets then yeah we must get a WR, but then we also have another 2nd rounder too.

DE. Probably not until the 5th or 6th as far as a need IMO. Hatch and Bowen should be enough as rotational guys. I am still looking for Ratliff to somehow wind up in that spot.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

I'm leaning towards Rashad myself, even though Delmas is my boy. I just love the things I'm hearing about him. A "smart" player is so underestimated..and that's exactly what Ed Reed was at Miami. I see alot of similarities between him and Rashad. Am I saying he will become Ed Reed? No, but he sure has a great chance to be. He works hard and is a true leader.

Rashad isn't the most athletic but neither was Ed Reed. Ed ran a 4.6 at the combine. I'm not putting all the stock in the 40 time, but that just tell you that Ed Reed isn't the fastest guy on the field yet he makes all of his plays because he's "smart" and studies alot of film. Just like Rashad.

 

[Silverstar]

NFP/Bunting has updated his top 100.

11. Sean Smith
15. Malcolm Jenkins
40. Sherrod Martin
52. William Moore
59. Rashad Johnson
65. Chip Vaughn
79. Patrick Chung
96. Darcel McBath
100. Louis Delmas

What happened to Delmas? :laugh2:

 

[28 Joker]

I'm leaning towards Rashad myself, even though Delmas is my boy. I just love the things I'm hearing about him. A "smart" player is so underestimated..and that's exactly what Ed Reed was at Miami. I see alot of similarities between him and Rashad. Am I saying he will become Ed Reed? No, but he sure has a great chance to be. He works hard and is a true leader.

Rashad isn't the most athletic but neither was Ed Reed. Ed ran a 4.6 at the combine. I'm not putting all the stock in the 40 time, but that just tell you that Ed Reed isn't the fastest guy on the field yet he makes all of his plays because he's "smart" and studies alot of film. Just like Rashad.

I watched him in some Alabama games, and he is a ballhawk in space. You throw it near him, and he will go get it. He is really smooth in his back pedal and out of his breaks. He flips his hips with ease and runs smooth. When you add this to his smarts and ability to read route combinations and his 4.49 speed, he's a great looking prospect. He plays faster than his 40. He's not the biggest guy in the world.

It looks like if Dallas wants him, they will have to take him at 51. You may be able to drop back in round 2 and take him, but that is risky, imo. He does have a run in with the law at a bar.

Bunting doesn't like Delmas, but he is not going in round 4.

 

[28 Joker]

What happened to Delmas? :laugh2:

Yeah. Bunting doesn't like him, but he's not going in round 4. He went back and watched more film of him.

He does have Slate's guy, Sean Smith, at # 11.

Miami has met with Sean Smith 3 times. Too bad, they will not get him.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Yeah. Bunting doesn't like him, but he's not going in round 4. He went back and watched more film of him.

He does have Slate's guy, Sean Smith, at # 11.

Miami has met with Sean Smith 3 times. Too bad, they will not get him.

Ya I'm over Sean Smith.

 

[NeonNinja]

I like Rashad Johnson a lot, where do you think he will end up going in the draft?

 

[Biggems]

on thing McBath has on Johnson is the amount of passing offenses he faced over the last few years. The Big 12 is definitely a passing conference right now.

the SEC is still a grind it out, running conference.....that mixes in some passing here and there. Johnson gets the edge here as far as having to be able to cover both the run and pass on a consistent basis.

I take Johnson, but I would not be upset with McBath.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I'm just not sure Hamlin is a SS. In fact, I'm pretty sure he isn't.

 

[28 Joker]

I would love a LT or Duke Robinson in that spot. But I don't see a 'true Left Tackle' there so I would rather take a chance later on one.

I think Robinson is gone early in the round.

WR. If Austin leaves for the Jets then yeah we must get a WR, but then we also have another 2nd rounder too.

DE. Probably not until the 5th or 6th as far as a need IMO. Hatch and Bowen should be enough as rotational guys. I am still looking for Ratliff to somehow wind up in that spot.

Yeah. There will not be a second round 34 end at 51, anyway. I was thinking about a conversion guy to replace Ellis.


I like Rashad Johnson, and he might be the guy with the highest grade at a need position at 51 on draft day.

Bunting has these guys ranked like this:

52. William Moore
53. Kevin Barnes
55. Donald Brown
56. Eric Wood
58. Antoine Caldwell
57. Herman Johnson
59. Rashad Johnson
60. LeSean McCoy
61. Dorell Scott
62. Coye Francies
63. David Veikune
64. James Casey
65. Chip Vaughn


You have to ask yourself this. How do I best help my football team? Is a second round investment going to play and help me or make me better in 2009?

We know Dallas has safety and offensive line high on the need list. You compare the two safeties and Johnson edges out Vaughn according to Bunting. However, it may not be this simple. (see below) After the vertical comparison between the safeties, you have to do a horizontal comparison to see if the safety is better than other players at other positions, in round 2.

Based on Bunting's board, you can eliminate guys for an educated guess.

I think William Moore will be gone by 51, because the safety class is weak, so I'm ruling him out. He's the highest rated guy, and I don't trust him. Remember, Dwayne Goodrich. He didn't play well his senior year after a big junior year. He did tear his achillies, though. Plus, you know what happened.

I don't think Dallas will put second round money behind Gurode in this draft. A backup center in round 2 will not play. You only draft one (in round 2) if you want to replace Gurode, imo. Gurode is in his prime, and he could play well into his 30s. Plus, Gurode is the best center in the NFC for sure. Kevin Mawae made the pro bowl in his high 30s. So, forget the centers.

Also, cross out the RBs and CBs and TEs. Dallas is set at those positions, and they will not spend a second round pick on a 4th CB who will not play.

Herman Johnson is a wildcard, imo. I don't know how the Cowboys feel about him. I think his best chance for success is at RG, and Leonard Davis is big money at that spot. I'm ruling him out. If Dallas wanted to move Davis to LT, then, Johnson makes more sense. However, I don't think that will be the case.

After you rule players out, you can see the guys who have the best chance to be picked. (See bold above)

I don't have real grades, so I have to use Bunting's rankings.

Johnson beats the NT, pass rusher, and SS.

The only question is this:

Is the NT's grade enough to trump Rashad Johnson, because a NT will play in the rotation and contribute immediately. Will Johnson make an impact in 2009? If they view him as Hamlin's replacement, then, that helps Johnson's case, imo. However, Hamlin has big money. Plus, Sensabaugh is probably a better SS than Hamlin. Furthermore, Sensabaugh is signed for one year at SS, and there is nothing behind him, either.

Do you take a player like Chip Vaughn if he has a second round grade? He can play up or back deep and play special teams. A player like Vaughn could have prevented the Ravens viasco. Could he beat out Sensabaugh?

Just thinking out loud.

That is my only reservation on picking Rashad Johnson in round 2. Will he play, or is he going to be riding the pine for years? One thing that helps him is this. Just like SS, there is no player behind Hamlin, and Johnson could run the show at FS if something happened to Hamlin. However, you could say the same thing about the center spot, and I know Dallas will not take a center at 51, imo.

 

[OAM]

I remember Hostile putting up a thread who we all thought would be the 1 player we would definitely pick this year. Rashad, who has been courted by us since last year but didn't declare, totally flew under the radar. He's who I think we most likely will and should pick especially for all the reasons DC mentioned regarding the FS and SS positions.

Rashad has excellent character, is stupendous at making plays in the air and is the coervage safety we need. He is going to have to brush up on his tackling and physicality however. He's a willing tackler but he does not ring your bell at all and is more a wrap tackler than anything. But we can progress him in that regard. I hope we get him. Nice post DC!

 

[Woods]

I think R Johnson, if drafted, could play quite a bit this year regardless if Hamlin is healthy or not.

I was thinking more in terms of our dime and special safety packages that Wade likes to bring out.

That could easily be 20-40% of the defensive snaps.

And maybe Johnson could also play a bit in the Star role?

 

[dcfanatic]

I'm just not sure Hamlin is a SS. In fact, I'm pretty sure he isn't.

I think Hamlin is a Strong Safety in the 2009 NFL game.

There are no more traditional Strong Safeties anymore IMO.

And he may not be that great and probably didn't deserve that contract, but he's definitely not a ball hawk. I do like his 'QB skills' on the defense and he can keep those responsibilities playing a little closer to the line.

I just want a 'deep Safety' who can go get me some INT's, tipped passes and be in such good position that a QB has to think twice about throwing downfield. That player has not been here since Woodson and he is sorely missed.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

I think Johnson could be a product of sabans system. I'm not sure about him.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I'm leaning towards Rashad myself, even though Delmas is my boy. I just love the things I'm hearing about him. A "smart" player is so underestimated..and that's exactly what Ed Reed was at Miami. I see alot of similarities between him and Rashad. Am I saying he will become Ed Reed? No, but he sure has a great chance to be. He works hard and is a true leader.

Rashad isn't the most athletic but neither was Ed Reed. Ed ran a 4.6 at the combine. I'm not putting all the stock in the 40 time, but that just tell you that Ed Reed isn't the fastest guy on the field yet he makes all of his plays because he's "smart" and studies alot of film. Just like Rashad.

I wonder who said that before...hmmm....hmmmm

 

[dcfanatic]

I think Johnson could be a product of sabans system. I'm not sure about him.

Well then I hope he can be a product of Wade's system.

 

[jterrell]

addressing various posts....


I'd still rate the safeties:

Delmas
R. Johnson
Chung
Sherrod Martin
McBath
W. Moore
C. Vaughn

Like DCF I take Smith of the board because he is a CB except not so much in our system. I have expected all along he goes early round 2 at latest and to a team that wants him as a CB.

Bunting: No idea here honestly. I watched all the senior bowl and combine stuff and rate guys based on that plus games I saw during the year. I do not have his tape library obviously but I also have little evidence he is any good. I know I rate guys better than Rob Rang based on my few years following his ratings and bickering with him about them. He didn't think Jammer could play CB at all for instance. And I am a spare so some of these EXPERTS are just bad. Mayock is way better than me and so I tend to listen to him. Bunting now falls into my Kiper area where he changes ratings too drastically for my tastes. A kid plays 4 years of football, 2 post-season games and has the combine with all the world watching and yet his ranking changes drastically AFTER all that?

I still rate Delmas first because he looked the best at the Senior Bowl practices. He looked great in game and generally showed he could both cover and tackle. Moore looked miserable. He may well have been injured but no way I move him up without more reasoning behind his poor season than a possible injury tweak.

I still like Rashad Johnson a lot and think he can flat out play. But I am not sure he is a playmaker. He is a more consistent sort and a leader. Not sure he has been blessed with great physical attributes. Those guys tend to have ceilings.

As to McBath I guarantee I watched more of him than Bunting or Kiper. I am a big time follower of Tech football. McBath is a good player but he isn't a big-time playmaker at all. He is a fair tackler but nothing more. His coverage was almost all umbrella style at Tech. He did a good charge of coming up to get involved in plays but Tech was never a great defense and McBath never separated himself from other Tech defenders as THE guy. He was certainly not the Crabtree of the defense for instance.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Well then I hope he can be a product of Wade's system.

I doubt he gets drafted by the boys. If he does he will be a bust.

He is nothing like Ed Reed sorry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG_f1GzmwHo&feature=related

Darcel McBath vs Rashard Johnson

winner = Sherrod Martin