What happened to promising Cowboys rookie Bradlee Anae in 2020?

[Bobhaze]

What I didn’t understand about BAs lack of playing time last year centers on the idea that if we already had an historically bad D, which we did, and no one was tearing it up, why wouldn’t we have thrown Anae in there to see how he handled it? Hopefully this year we can at least judge him on actual playing time, not his college highlight film.

 

[Doomsday101]

the strange under-use of Gregory played a huge part in DL coach Jim Tomsula getting the axe, as Gregory has
become a big fan of Jerry Jones, and spots where he's only getting 10% snaps and only 11 reps vs Ravens, was the
final piece that wasnt gonna be tolerated by the Jones.

As Mike Fish pointed out recently it got to a point that the average Dorace Armstrong became more of a favorite than the vastly more talented Gregory.
Even as a nickel pass rush specialist, Anae wasn't gonna see much time with old school Tomsula around.

It's also needs to be mentioned that Anae dominated both the practice sessions at the Senior Bowl, as well as the
Senior Bowl game itself... to add more, he made quite an impression in this past Cowboys training camp in limited time.

As for his run defense, he's a rookie and may not have mastered the nuisances and technique of run defense .yet
but his pure pass rush off the edge was sorely needed with Dlaw not returning his sack master act of 2 years ago, and
Aldon Smith fading badly down the 2nd half of the season as a pass rusher.

How can you even come close to learning better run defense and gaining valuable experience with your vet DL coach
virtually red shirting you all season ?

Gregory was not on the roster until Oct. he had 0 camp and 0 training camp to speak of as he waited on the commissioner to give his approval. Yes his snaps were pretty much limited but when you have not played in a couple years and then are eligible towards the middle of the season then it was not a shock that his snaps were limited.. Gregory with a full off season and camp, hopefully pre season should be ready to take on a bigger role.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

What happened is likely what happens to most 5th round picks - they don't make it big in the NFL.

Maybe it is coaching, or that he just needs seasoning, or needed to get stronger, or needs to learn the NFL game.

But far more likely he's just not that good, relative to other NFL players....

 

[Rockport]

The Dallas Cowboys selected Bradlee Anae in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft and while many wondered why he had dropped, he was viewed as a good pickup by the Cowboys. Anae had proven capable of handling talent, having had success against a top OT prospect in Austin Jackson and future Cowboys’ rookie starter Terence Steele while in college.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/20...oblems-no-playing-time/?ref=NEWSandRUMORS.com

I still think it had more to do with Aldon and the love for Armstrong for whatever reason. Glad Nolan is gone!

Marinelli is what happened.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

What I didn’t understand about BAs lack of playing time last year centers on the idea that if we already had an historically bad D, which we did, and no one was tearing it up, why wouldn’t we have thrown Anae in there to see how he handled it? Hopefully this year we can at least judge him on actual playing time, not his college highlight film.

Well for one thing "throwing in" a not-ready-for-prime-time player can damage their confidence and/or get them in bad habits.

I know, most of us think the Cowboys' coaches are all idiots and can't coach their way out of a wet paper bag, but the coaches are like players in one way - there are many more college coaches than NFL coaches, you don't get to be on an NFL coaching staff if you really are an idiot. Some are better than others, but I can't go along with a blanket statement that all the Cowboys' coaches are poor at their jobs.

Maybe, just Maybe Anae isn't that good?

 

[Doomsday101]

What I didn’t understand about BAs lack of playing time last year centers on the idea that if we already had an historically bad D, which we did, and no one was tearing it up, why wouldn’t we have thrown Anae in there to see how he handled it? Hopefully this year we can at least judge him on actual playing time, not his college highlight film.

Because you need to show it leading up to game day to get in on game day. Coaches are no so much interested in the fans getting to see a player. I tend to think if Anae was showing a lot during practice he would have seen playing time. Another thing hurting us was injuries in other areas where we may have added more to 1 position on the 45 man roster than being able to carry him on the 45 man roster. Not sure if he played on any special teams unit which at least gets you on the game day roster.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Marinelli is what happened.

Marinelli was gone before we drafted Anae

 

[Bobhaze]

Well for one thing "throwing in" a not-ready-for-prime-time player can damage their confidence and/or get them in bad habits.

I know, most of us think the Cowboys' coaches are all idiots and can't coach their way out of a wet paper bag, but the coaches are like players in one way - there are many more college coaches than NFL coaches, you don't get to be on an NFL coaching staff if you really are an idiot. Some are better than others, but I can't go along with a blanket statement that all the Cowboys' coaches are poor at their jobs.

Maybe, just Maybe Anae isn't that good?

I didn’t say anything the coaches. As you said, “maybe he isn’t that good”. But because he hasn’t played we don’t know either way.

 

[Bullflop]

Anae could enjoy the opportunity that he was afforded under the guidance of Dan Quinn if he's able to make a favorable impression. Whether he does so or not will surely be highly dependent upon Bradlee Anae, himself, to prove it. This just might well be just the opportunity he needs.

He's enjoyed some real success in college but doing so in pro football will prove to be a much greater challenge. How well he responds to that challenge should determine his fate in the months to come. If he's as deserving of the attention he's had in the past, I'd imagine he'll enjoy success when the time comes. Godspeed, Bradlee!

 

[Doomsday101]

I didn’t say anything the coaches. As you said, “maybe he isn’t that good”. But because he hasn’t played we don’t know either way.

True that comes with being a fan, we do not see them working through out the week and we don't have to make game day roster , fill in areas where we are carrying an extra person at 1 position because of the injury situation. Justin Hamilton would never have played a down if not for injuries but it has a lot to do with who is on the game day roster.

 

[Risen Star]

Marinelli is what happened.

I blame Rob Ryan.

 

[Risen Star]

I didn’t say anything the coaches. As you said, “maybe he isn’t that good”. But because he hasn’t played we don’t know either way.

Keep in mind that Miles Austin only got his chance to explode on the scene because of injury. Different coaches but still. Sometimes a good player wastes away on the bench.

 

[Rockport]

Marinelli was gone before we drafted Anae

My bust. Nolan is what happened.

 

[zrinkill]

Gregory

Randy Gregory tweeted out a day or so ago that everybody better keep an eye out for Anae. That he’s been working his a** off!

Oh well if Randy said it it's gotta be true...... We all know how trustworthy he is ......

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Our inept coaching is what happened

True that. He's not the only rookie that seems to have been behind because of lack of proper training camp and preseason games as well as the inept coaching from the previous staff. Hopefully Quinn has a plan of action to feed this new crop of rookies as well as the promising 2nd year players. Dallas needs production from their young guns if they are going to improve as a team.

 

[Doomsday101]

True that. He's not the only rookie that seems to have been behind because of lack of proper training camp and preseason games as well as the inept coaching from the previous staff. Hopefully Quinn has a plan of action to feed this new crop of rookies as well as the promising 2nd year players. Dallas needs production from their young guns if they are going to improve as a team.

True but it is also much depends on the player. They got to go out and make every snap count be it practice or game. When you are not a top draft picks you have to make the most of the opportunities that come your way. I look forward to see him in camp and again hopefully pre season and show himself but just speculating that it was all Nolan? may, maybe not

 

[Bullflop]

Sometimes, it just takes a few good plays to get the coaches' eyes in your direction. Being a 5th round pick isn't necessarily conducive to getting anything resembling a fair share of reps and enough attention. Oftentimes, coaches allow draft positions to affect their thinking. There's a fine line between getting an opportunity and not getting it at all. Let's see if he earns a fair share of the action to prove himself before writing him off. Quinn might see something he likes -- you never know.

 

[Doomsday101]

Sometimes, it just takes a few good plays to get the coaches' eyes in your direction. Being a 5th round pick isn't necessarily conducive to getting anything resembling a fair share of reps and therefore, attention. Oftentimes, coaches allow draft positions to affect their thinking. There's a fine line between getting an opportunity and not getting it at all. Let's see if he earns a fair share of the action to prove himself, before writing him off.

I agree. I think when you are 5th rd and later you really got to go out and bust your hump and make things happen when they call on you. Higher picks are bigger investments and coaches will give more leeway in their development.

 

[CouchCoach]

Is he the new Tapper? Remember him? His coaching staff at OU was frustrated with his effort on a consistent basis and look how he turned out. This FO was so unaffected by that wasted pick, they did the very same thing with Hill.

I dunno but I think if a player is a problem for his college coaching staff, that ain't changing when he goes pro.

I don't know much about Anae, except that he's a vowel hog, but if he can't break into playing time on that pathetic excuse for a D, I don't know how promising he is.

 

[INCowboysFan]

I didn’t say anything the coaches. As you said, “maybe he isn’t that good”. But because he hasn’t played we don’t know either way.

Maybe he fizzled after training camp. Maybe he sleeps through meetings. Maybe he just isn't as good as the guys that got the playing time. Maybe he isn't as good as a lot of fans want him to be.