We Dodged a Bullet on Draft Day

[CalPolyTechnique]

The post-draft scuttlebutt confirmed we we're looking to draft diminutive San Diego State RB Donnel Pumphrey. While I trust in McClay, I have to say, I think we dodged a bullet in him not be available for us to draft.

Over on the draft forum in the months leading up to the draft I mentioned it more than a few times but I don't see Pumphrey's utility, at least on this team, assuming we planned on using him in Lance Dunbar's role.

Think of how many times last year we collectively shook our heads wondering why we'd pull Zeke, a good pass-catcher and our best blocker, only to stick Dunbar (5'-8", 205 lbs) in on 3rd downs and have him stay-in to pass block. So the plan was to insert the 5'-8" 176 lbs Pumphrey into that role?

But he'd instantly be our KR/PR you say?

Total projection.

Pumphrey had a grand total of 5 kick returns in his four year career at SDU (for a 13.8 average BTW). Even less, he had ZERO punt returns during his college career.

Give me the guy in Switzer that has proven himself as a punt returner (7 return TDs) and as a receiver (243 receptions) over the projection guy.

 

[hutch1254]

Maybe McClay was looking for a Darren Sproles annoying gnat type player?

 

[jazzcat22]

For a brief moment about 3 weeks before the draft, I was ok if they would have taken Pumphrey, only if in the 6th or 7th round. Then the more I looked at him, no way I wanted him.
Not so much because we don't need or want a Dunbar clone, but I just don't think we need any one like that for that role. Waste of a roster spot. They can be more creative than that.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Maybe McClay was looking for a Darren Sproles annoying gnat type player?

That's the thing though, most of these tiny backs are generally stocky, well-built muscle-hamsters....Sproles, Maurice Jones-Drew, Tarik Cohen, even Danny Woodhead has some bulk to him.

Pumphrey is petite.

 

[Hailmary]

I agree that he would have been a poor fit here, but for a team like the eagles that utilizes the short passing game, I think he'll work out. With that said, a 4th round pick for someone his size is a reach in my opinion.

 

[xwalker]

The post-draft scuttlebutt confirmed we we're looking to draft diminutive San Diego State RB Donnel Pumphrey. While I trust in McClay, I have to say, I think we dodged a bullet in him not be available for us to draft.

Over on the draft forum in the months leading up to the draft I mentioned it more than a few times but I don't see Pumphrey's utility, at least on this team, assuming we planned on using him in Lance Dunbar's role.

Think of how many times last year we collectively shook our heads wondering why we'd pull Zeke, a good pass-catcher and our best blocker, only to stick Dunbar (5'-8", 205 lbs) in on 3rd downs and have him stay-in to pass block. So the plan was to insert the 5'-8" 176 lbs Pumphrey into that role?

But he'd instantly be our KR/PR you say?

Total projection.

Pumphrey had a grand total of 5 kick returns in his four year career at SDU (for a 13.8 average BTW). Even less, he had ZERO punt returns during his college career.

Give me the guy in Switzer that has proven himself as a punt returner (7 return TDs) and as a receiver (243 receptions) over the projection guy.

The thread title makes it seem as if something happened to prove that he would have been a bad pick.

In reality, you're just proclaiming that your pre-draft opinion is now true despite no evidence presented.

Samaje Perine would have been my preference. He is indeed a muscle hamster.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

The thread title makes it seem as if something happened to prove that he would have been a bad pick.

In reality, you're just proclaiming that your pre-draft opinion is now true despite no evidence presented.

Not much has happened since the draft to provide new evidence one way or another. That's not to say that the OP's post isn't based on sound reason. It is. Of course, he may yet end up being wrong. I still find his opinion interesting.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

"The post-draft scuttlebutt confirmed."

So where did you read this so called 'rumor'? Got a link?

 

[xwalker]

Not much has happened since the draft to provide new evidence one way or another. That's not to say that the OP's post isn't based on sound reason. It is. Of course, he may yet end up being wrong. I still find his opinion interesting.

I opened the thread expecting some news that the player struggled in OTAs or something.

I don't need a long explanation or even video to know that size is an issue when he measured in at 5'8-1/4", 176 pounds. Dunbar weighed in at 205 pounds in pre-draft measurements.

I would say that Pumphrey was worth a 4th even if they just use him as a slot WR. He looked really good as a receiver. Cole Beasley weighed in at 5'7-3/4", 175.

Now if the Eagles drafted him without envisioning him playing a lot of snaps as a slot WR then it might be dumb pick.

 

[Typhus]

Maybe McClay was looking for a Darren Sproles annoying gnat type player?

Or a Dave Meggett.

 

[JoeKing]

Pumphrey was drafted with the 133rd overall pick by the Eagles. With the very next pick, the Cowboys drafted WR, Ryan Switzer... same diminutive size slot player. Switzer will be used the same way they would have used Pumphrey had the Cowboys had the opportunity to draft him. The so-called bullet the Cowboys dodged is a figment of your own imagination. These are two very comparable players and no one knows at this point which one will have more success. The Eagles have been known to not allow players to play to their strengths but that will be the error of the Eagles not the player. The Cowboys seem to have definitive plan for Ryan Switzer so I think he will do great but Pumphrey could have thrived with the Cowboys doing that very same thing.

 

[Typhus]

Pumphrey was drafted with the 133rd overall pick by the Eagles. With the very next pick, the Cowboys drafted WR, Ryan Switzer... same diminutive size slot player. Switzer will be used the same way they would have used Pumphrey had the Cowboys had the opportunity to draft him. The so-called bullet the Cowboys dodged is a figment of your own imagination. These are two very comparable players and no one knows at this point which one will have more success. The Eagles have been known to not allow players to play to their strengths but that will be the error of the Eagles not the player. The Cowboys seem to have definitive plan for Ryan Switzer so I think he will do great but Pumphrey could have thrived with the Cowboys doing that very same thing.

Not be post event bias, but I wanted Switzer ahead of Pump prior, even better considering where we took him.

 

[ksadler1]

Does anyone remember the name of that little RB the Eagles had years ago that use to kill us every time we played them? Was it Duce Staley? I was so glad when that guy retired. He'd catch those short passes and turn them in to huge plays. I'm wondering if they're not trying to get back to that with Pumphrey?

Actually, Staley was pretty big. Who am I thinking of? He played with McNabb.....

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

The thread title makes it seem as if something happened to prove that he would have been a bad pick.

In reality, you're just proclaiming that your pre-draft opinion is now true despite no evidence presented.

Samaje Perine would have been my preference. He is indeed a muscle hamster.

Sorry your feelings got hurt.

Let me qualify it then; I think we dodged a bullet.

 

[JoeKing]

Not be post event bias, but I wanted Switzer ahead of Pump prior, even better considering where we took him.

Full disclosure: Switzer wasn't even on my radar but after acquainting myself with his college career I'm thrilled with the pick. Pump I was familiar with but I don't see him as any better than Switzer.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Does anyone remember the name of that little RB the Eagles had years ago that use to kill us every time we played them? Was it Duce Staley? I was so glad when that guy retired. He'd catch those short passes and turn them in to huge plays. I'm wondering if they're not trying to get back to that with Pumphrey?

Actually, Staley was pretty big. Who am I thinking of? He played with McNabb.....

Brian Westbrook...another muscle-hamster (5'10" 203 lbs):

 

[CosmicCowboy]

We invited a small scat-back Kade Harrington.

 

[ksadler1]

Brian Westbrook...another muscle-hamster (5'10" 203 lbs):

That's the one, thnx. I thought he was smaller for some reason. That guy was a Cowboy killer.....

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Pumphrey was drafted with the 133rd overall pick by the Eagles. With the very next pick, the Cowboys drafted WR, Ryan Switzer... same diminutive size slot player. Switzer will be used the same way they would have used Pumphrey had the Cowboys had the opportunity to draft him. The so-called bullet the Cowboys dodged is a figment of your own imagination. These are two very comparable players and no one knows at this point which one will have more success. The Eagles have been known to not allow players to play to their strengths but that will be the error of the Eagles not the player. The Cowboys seem to have definitive plan for Ryan Switzer so I think he will do great but Pumphrey could have thrived with the Cowboys doing that very same thing.

Ugh, no. That's just flat-out false.

Switzer is a proven punt returner and receiver.

Pumphrey was a college running back that doesn't project to be anything more than a scat back and has virtually no special teams experience.

I highly doubt the Cowboys will be lining up Switzer in the backfield to pick up the blitz. The only thing he'd be potentially doing as it relates to Dunbar's former role is theoretically take up his receiving role on obvious passing downs.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

"The post-draft scuttlebutt confirmed."

So where did you read this so called 'rumor'? Got a link?

Stephen Jones in the post-draft press conference.

dallascowboys.com