What would we do with McCluster?

[proline]

He's obviously athletic and a difference maker, but this team is loaded with RB's and didn't know what to do with them last year. What would we do with McCluster if we got him? What would we do with the other backs we already have?

 

[SDogo]

He's obviously athletic and a difference maker, but this team is loaded with RB's and didn't know what to do with them last year. What would we do with McCluster if we got him? What would we do with the other backs we already have?

He's a WR, he would have very little effect on our backs. I could see him getting maybe 20 carries the whole year is special packages but his primary roll would be as a WR.

There is a roll for him in the NFL. Some OC will be able to utilize him yo maximize his abilities.

He's not a #1 or even #2 WR, he is not a possession guy but that's not saying you can not roll him out there in 2 or 3 WR sets, he is going to demand attention and he will burn you if you not prepared.

Any team looking to draft him to solve a WR need is going to be highly disappointed. Any team looking to draft him to supplement their current WR's and need some big play potential are going to be thrilled.

I envision him being used in Dallas as they use Tree last year on the quick slants, WR screens and as they used Choice in the wild cat. The Eagles thought the had fits with Austin and Tree on those quick screens, just imagine trying to stop someone of Dexter's ability.

 

[Yeagermeister]

We do what were should have been doing with Felix last year....Screens and splitting him out as a WR.

 

[JPM]

We do what were should have been doing with Felix last year....Screens and splitting him out as a WR.

+ running back kicks and punts.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

We do what were should have been doing with Felix last year....Screens and splitting him out as a WR.

Which means we won't.

 

[jobberone]

He's a slot WR, third down RB, and return man. He'll be a valuable contributor to this team if we are lucky enough to get him.

 

[CATCH17]

I don't trust our staff to get any use out of McCluster for the first couple of years.

I'd rather get a guy like Shipley who you can just plug in from day 1.

 

[Doomsday101]

He's obviously athletic and a difference maker, but this team is loaded with RB's and didn't know what to do with them last year. What would we do with McCluster if we got him? What would we do with the other backs we already have?

I would think he could be used much like Harvin in Minn.

 

[Alexander]

I would guess special teams first and foremost, although his background does not show a lot of actual game experience. He would also take over 3rd downs as a slot/backfield/Wildcat player as much as could be spared.

I understand the concern, he seems like a gimmicky luxury player unless you believe strongly in his ability for special teams.

 

[Alexander]

I don't trust our staff to get any use out of McCluster for the first couple of years.

I'd rather get a guy like Shipley who you can just plug in from day 1.

Shipley would not be "plugged in" on offense any more than McCluster would.

Anyone who gets taken as a slot receiver would be highly unlikely to take a bunch of snaps away from Crayton, who the staff trusts.

It is all about special teams. Punt and kickoff returns, then whatever else that could be squeezed in.

 

[proline]

I would guess special teams first and foremost, although his background does not show a lot of actual game experience. He would also take over 3rd downs as a slot/backfield/Wildcat player as much as could be spared.

I understand the concern, he seems like a gimmicky luxury player unless you believe strongly in his ability for special teams.

I think that wording summarizes my concerns. After my original post, I read this review in Cowboy Joe's running backs thread (http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180605


9. Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss

Height/Weight: 5'9/172
College Experience: Fourth-year senior
Combine #s: 4.58 forty, 20 x 225, 37.5" vertical, 9'10" long jump, 4.06ss
Style Comparison: Leon Washington
2009 Stats: 181 - 1,169 (6.5) - 8 Tds, 44 - 520 (11.8) - 3 Tds

Positives/Negatives: Second in Ole Miss history to only Deuce McAllister in all-purpose yards, McCluster was arguably the nation's most versatile non-gimmick skill player a year ago. McCluster lined up frequently in the slot in passing situations, and carried the load from the Rebels' I-back position on early downs. For his career, McCluster amassed 130 receptions (the most on this list) to go with a 6.4 yards-per-carry average. He is an intelligent, versatile back with the obvious will to get better. However, McCluster is extremely undersized, was highly injury prone early in his college career, and has kicker-sized hands at 8 3/8", creating concern about his ball security. McCluster has ideal quickness in a short area, but has lost speed since adding weight to his frame since season's end.

Outlook: At 5-foot-9 and less than 175 pounds, McCluster seems to have already "maxed out" as a running back/slot receiver, and has little history of helping in the return game. McCluster was a dynamic college playmaker, but is he Amp Lee or Warrick Dunn? More than any back here, McCluster's NFL value will be determined by the creativity his team shows in using him. He could struggle to get on the field in a conservative offense.


A lot of people are high on McCluster, but I don't see us being able to take advantage of his skills.

 

[CanuckCowboysFan]

Well, most impportantly he'd be a return specialist. Many say that he has no experience and he couldn't do it, but even his coach said he was more then capable and would have been very useful, but the team didn't want to risk injury. He'd replace choice as the wildcat RB, used in the slot, mostly on 3rd downs, and he would be deadly on quick screens and motion plays. Also, what if Barber, Choice or Jone gets injured? he could be the 3rd RB. He's a big play threat every play, and DC would have to account for him WHENEVER he's on the field. Plus, Jerry has great connections with the Ole Miss coach and Mccluster a great character guy. If you have doubts about him, just watch his Tennessee highlight tape. His 4.58 could have helped us, but he recently ran a 4.39-4.44.

 

[Gzus]

Unfortunately I see McCluster as a Reggie Bush-esque player. He's not a RB but he's not a WR. He's a KR but he doesn't really have a set place on the offense, which makes his value questionable. He could be a really great weapon but how reliable? I'm not entirely sure. I'd much rather draft a player with a set position that we can plug in instead of trying to create a whole new fold in the playbook for just one player.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Unfortunately I see McCluster as a Reggie Bush-esque player.

Which is perfectly fine as long as he doesn't cost the #2 pick overall.

I do think McCluster is a lot tougher than Reggie Bush, both mentally and physically.

 

[Alexander]

Which is perfectly fine as long as he doesn't cost the #2 pick overall.

I do think McCluster is a lot tougher than Reggie Bush, both mentally and physically.

I like McCluster's mentality as well. He is far from being the pretty boy Bush is.