ProBowlFactory
Apr 11, 2009 May 31, 2012 136 2184
Been a Dallas Cowboys fan ever since I can remember. Not a Dallas or Texas native, nor have I ever lived anywhere near Dallas. Nevertheless, I am one of the most passionate fans about the Cowboys that you will find. I am a fan only of the Dallas Cowboys, however there are other teams I have some respect for (but that can change from season to season easily). I don't know as much about them as other might, as I've only been around since the mid 80s.
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Driver out in Green Bay?
I know he is 37, but the only reason I bring this up is as a possibility should they not be happy with anyone currently on the team as the #3 WR. He is a reliable receiver and only caught 37 balls last year, which is about what you would expect from a #3 WR but can also be a starter if needed to step up in case of injuries. He also is familiar with Jimmy Robinson and his coaching style and can probably help coach up the young guys in what would probably be his final year. Jacoby Jones has already signed with the Ravens so he is off the market. There will be other names that will open up before the start of the season, but should the Cowboys not be happy with any of their current guys as the #3 WR, I think Driver deserves a look then, and only then. The Packers would also still have to cut him for that to happen. Thoughts?
NFL.com top 30 for 2013 Draft
The 2012 draft season has come and gone. Now we turn to the 2013 season. I don't hold Bucky Brooks in high regards of my trusted scouts, however the top 30 doesn't really change much. Some guys on this list I know I want to watch for are Texas DEs Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat. Safeties T.J. McDonald of USC and Ray-Ray Armstrong of Miami (Fla.) also deserve some attention. And for those of you still clamoring for a true NT, keep an eye out for Star Lotulelei of Utah. I think the 6' 4" 325 lbs. prospect should continue to turn heads.
2013 NFL Draft: Top Five Prospects by Position
Chad Reuter, now of NFL.com, rates the top 5 prospects at each position. Good news Cowboy fans, it looks that the best positions in next years draft may very well be pass rushing 3-4 OLBs and Safeties.
NFL Draft Concludes... Waiting for Mo'...
by ProBowlFactory on Apr 28, 2012 9:21 PM EDT
on Blogging The Boys
First of all, I have a question. Can I change my user name? I am just so stoked about what has taken place over the past few days. I have actually been wanting to pen this post ever since "Pick 6" in the NFL Draft on Thursday night. I decided to wait until the draft had concluded as I wanted to talk about all of the picks that we had made. I didn't really know a whole lot about the players that we selected at Round 3 and beyond, with the exception of James Hanna. Actually, i don't remember really any of the players that the Cowboys drafted even being on anyone's mocks except for maybe James Hanna. The Cowboys surprised quite a few people with this draft but Michael Lombardi has given the Cowboys an A for this draft, an NFC East best. I might not have known much about the guys drafted, but I am happy with the picks.
Nothing though beats the Morris Claiborne pick. I was very much on record banging the table for Mark Barron, although I did like other players more than him but didn't think they would be there. Morris Claiborne was my favorite guy in this entire draft and had been so ever since I watched my first LSU game this year, which I did just for watching/scouting Morris Claiborne (always known to his teammates as "Mo"). I never expected it would be possible, but I was elated when I heard that first rumor that Dallas was looking to trade up for Mo Claiborne should he fall enough. Well, lightning struck, and we got him. Personally I couldn't be happier as he is the player I have wanted since the beginning of this year. Although there was much "Mo" to this draft besides Mo Claiborne. Follow me after the jump for my take on the Cowboys' draft and the what the future holds.
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Pick Values Changing? Browns acquire #3 pick
So after I heard about this trade I went ahead and looked up the value on the handy Draft Pick Value Calculator that we have been using for OCCs mock draft exercises. The value may or may not surprise you...
The Browns have traded the following to acquire the Vikings #3 pick:
#4
#118
#139
#211
The total value of the Browns picks is 1902.5 for the Vikings #3 pick which is valued at 2200 points. Have the pick values changed or was this simply a case of the Vikings being able to acquire more picks and still have the same options available as the Browns should be selecting Trent Richardson?
A Different Kind of Board: The RKG Rankings
by ProBowlFactory on Apr 25, 2012 5:54 AM EDT
on Blogging The Boys
We have heard this term floated around BTB and Cowboy Nation ever since Jason Garrett took over as the Head Coach of our beloved Dallas Cowboys. We keep hearing about wanting the "right kind of guy". So what exactly does that mean. We can sit here and debate what we all think it means to be the right kind of guy to no avail, as we all have our own opinions. However, according to Jason Garrett, the RKG is all about mentality more than actual physical ability. These players are those who, first of all, love football and just want to play. Secondly, they come ready to work and wanting to work. Thirdly, they are competitive and use that competitive nature to get better as an individual.
So in an attempt to develop a different kind of board, ranking players based on the apparent RKG mentality, I have used Tom Ryle's latest Big Board Average in order to limit the prospects strictly to the top 32 players according to the consensus. There are players with a second round grade that I would rank higher on this particular board than some that you will probably see on this list, but that is part of the limitation I have placed on myself.
I readily admit that this is the hardest board to put together. This is because you cannot do it by watching game film or any of the interviews conducted on NFL.com. Everyone is taught and trained to say the right things in front of a camera. Even magazine/newspaper articles can be slightly skewed and sway you for or against a player's so called "RKG Status". I am perfectly ready to accept that many of you, likely all of you will have issues with this board and disagree strongly with me, but I am doing this by a knowledge that I have of each player and their background as well as their overall conduct leading up to the draft. It is the only way to do this, to take all of the information you have on a player's character and compile it into one spot. You must read more than just the headlines. So follow me after the jump to find out how I have ranked these players, and then let your thoughts be known in the comments section.
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Game Changers: Mark Barron
I was sad that they didn't air Game Changers on NFL Network this year like they did last year. However, they show it online now through the videos on NFL.com and on NFL Total Access rather than have it as it's own show. This is the actual aired version from television. For more videos look below:
Here you can find his interview with Rod Woodson
Here you can find his Pro Day Film Study with Woodson.
Here you can find Rod Woodson helping Barron with his Footwork.
Mark Barron: Inflated or Accurate?
by ProBowlFactory on Apr 19, 2012 4:50 PM EDT
on Blogging The Boys
in·fla·tion [in-FLEY-shuhn]
noun
1. Economics. a persistent, substantial rise in the general level of prices related to an increase in the volume of money and resulting in the loss of value of currency.
So what do I mean by inflation? We often experience inflation of prospects in the NFL draft because of a low supply for a high demand. This happens ever year with QBs in the NFL draft. This year we have Ryan Tannehill's stock INFLATED for the need for a franchise QB but not enough to go around. There just simply are not enough Andrew Luck's in a draft to compensate everyone with a need for a franchise QB.
The NFL has become a passing league, so a premium has been given (or higher demand) for good defensive backs. Pass rushers have also had an increased premium but they have always been highly valued ever since the pass was invented and legalized in pro football. A team's needs will also inflate the value of certain prospects. So this begs the question every year for prospects. Are they really as good as their proposed pre-draft slot, or is their value inflated because of a weak draft class or a glaring need for a team.
First of all, Mark Barron has not taken a single snap as an NFL Safety, so there is absolutely no way to tell if he will be successful or not. There are only things that can give you more of less confidence that a player will succeed. However the only way to look and determine what Barron might become is to look at another pro prospect with similarities. They player I have chosen is S Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Before I get lynched, I am not drawing a conclusion that Barron will become a player like Troy Polamalu! I am however, making the comparison where you should, between their college careers. So let us take a look at how they stack up as college players.
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Mark Barron @ #14: More of a Perspective Than a Comparison
I did a small bit of digging to find out what other safeties might share a similar draft story to Mark Barron being selected in the middle of the 1st round. Surprisingly enough Troy Polamalu was the comparison I found. Troy was selected @ #16 overall by the Steelers. The other similarity is that Troy suffered a hamstring injury that made him limited in the Orange Bowl game against Iowa and subsequently made him miss the senior bowl and the scouting combine (sounds familiar). He was able to do his pro day though and the Steelers took him.
We have all seen how effective Troy Polamalu is in the game. In fact, when he isn't in the game, their defense looks completely different. I am not drawing a comparison to Troy Polamalu, but putting in perspective what a player like Mark Barron may be capable of. Ed Reed was also taken at #24 overall, so don't go thinking that a player needs to be taken in the top 10 to be a great safety. Thoughts?
DFW Storms May Have Helped Dallas Mask Some of Their Invites
So the DFW storms reportedly stopped a couple of the prospects that were supposed to visit Dallas from visiting for the time being. More than likely those prospects just rescheduled though. I know you can add Josh Norman to the reported list on PFT's visit tracker, however we still have 8 or 9 national prospects that we can still bring in that I haven't seen any update on.
The Cowboys may just have a shot at brining in 8 or 9 national prospects that no one knows about as most of the visits have already concluded I believe. There is always a silver lining to everything and this might be the silver lining to those storms that caused flights to be delayed/cancelled.
First Draft: Whitney Mercilus
I know we haven't brought him in for a visit, but the kid is growing on me. I don't know if I would take him @ #14 but we we were to trade up back into the 1st this would be a guy I would love to grab, although that is unlikely. In his draft evaluations I have read, he plays the run very well on top of his pass rushing prowess, so that makes him an even more attractive option being a 3-down player.
First Draft: Fletcher Cox
Funny that when asked who his NFL influences are he mentions James Harrison and DeMarcus Ware. Two of the best pass rushers in the league but play at OLB, not his DT/34End position.
Amini Silatolu vs. David DeCastro
I am pretty sure that I know who everyone prefers in this scenario (DeCastro), but an interesting thought that has been on my mind nonetheless. DeCastro we know is the best all around (especially pulling) guard in the draft. Meanwhile, the talk surrounding Silatolu seems to me that many in the league see him having great upside at guard, like Larry Allen kind of upside.
So my question to all of you, draftniks and fans alike, would you rather have DeCastro in the first and another potential impact player in the second, or vice versa, a blue chipper in the first and the guy with apparent blue chip potential (Silatolu) in the second round.
Tell us what you think in the comments section, DeCastro or Silatolu and which other prospect would you take in the first or second round? Or maybe you grab both?
CB Josh Norman to Visit Dallas Cowboys
Charley Casserly of NFL Network reports that the Cowboys small school standout CB Josh Norman of Coastal Carolina is set to visit the Dallas Cowboys. They are not alone though. He is also set for visits with the Lions, Bucs, Panthers, Jets, and Patriots as well.
First Draft: Mark Barron
"Man I ain't never had a broken bone in my life. What I just had recently, the double sports hernia, I've been playin' with that for like two years. Anybody who got something to say about that, tell them to step on the field with me." -Mark Barron
The Blip: Robert Turbin
by ProBowlFactory on Apr 9, 2012 5:25 PM EDT
on Blogging The Boys
Continuing the trend and talking about some of the under the radar prospects that may be popping up on draft radars around the league, we will be talking about RB Robert Turbin of Utah State. I know most of you out there are thinking "we don't need another running back" but you need to make sure you scout everyone and look at all players so you can choose the best player available. Plus, you will need to assess whether you really believe that Felix Jones should be retained since he is going to be seen as a backup and COP back. In my eyes, you don't re-sign depth, you re-sign starters only and keep churning the rest of the roster unless they are a regular contributor like KR/PR, special teams ace, or really good on nickel downs or pass rushing situations.
I have lived in many places before now, but my current residence is in Utah so I got to hear a little about Robert Turbin as well as some of the other prospects from Utah. Keep an eye out in next years draft for DT Star Lotulelei of Utah. He might just might be one of the best prospects as a NT next year. I also predict TE Dennis Pitta (BYU) of the Ravens is going to break out at some point whenever he gets a shot. I'm not a fan of any Utah football programs or really any college programs for that matter. It's all NFL for me and the Cowboys are my squad. Anyway, take the jump and take a look at Robert Turbin.
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Shawn Zobel's Draft Headquarters New Mock Draft
"Shawn Zobel is like a lot of college players themselves -- a young blue chipper. He knows the draft and anyone who reads his stuff also will." - ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter
Shawn Zobel hasn't released a new mock since early February. I think many would like the player he has us taking. He has a mindset in this draft for many of the teams that are right along with what I would be thinking. He doesn't offer an analysis of each pick though.
NFL.com Safest Picks in 2012 Draft
Charley Casserly and Charles Davis take to the camera to talk about two of the safest players in the 2012 Draft, plus another who ranks among them. You might not believe who Casserly has amongst his SAFE picks in the first round. By the way, Charley Casserly is my second most trusted media scout, behind Mike Mayock of course.
Mayock's Updated Top 5 Per Position
Poe drops, Gilmore keeps rising. Check out his rankings for more of the risers and fallers.
Mayock Drops Poe to #4 in DT Rankings
For any of you that may have thought of taking Dontari Poe @ #14 or even in the first round, allow Mike Mayock to pump your breaks a bit. All of you out there that were skeptical about this to begin with, rest easy now. This would suggest that Poe would be there in the second round for us. Fletcher Cox is the #1 DT now followed by Jerel Worthy and Michael Brockers.
Cap Collusion - Either way, 'Boys & 'Skins will come out on top
Cowboys and Redskins are currently going through arbitration to get out of their current cap issues imposed by the league and the rest of the owners. All that anyone is seeing though is the picture right now. What they don't see is the picture 2 years down the road. If the Cowboys and Redskins don't win through arbitration then they will win in the long run two years down the road.
Think about it, you are giving the two teams that are notoriously in cap trouble year after year a penalty right now that takes $5M/$18M from the Cowboys/Redskins salary cap. When they come off of that cap "PUNISHMENT" they will be at least $5M/$18M UNDER THE CAP!!!! If anything this only helps them to get their bank accounts under control before giving them more money to play with in 2014.
Ok, so for the Cowboys, $5M won't be all that much, but they could probably make a pretty big free agent signing getting that extra cash back. However, NFL Owners, AFC & NFC alike, are you sure that you want to gift wrap $18 Million in cap space for the Redskins in 2014? This is a team that is normally very active and not shy with their checkbooks. That gives the Redskins the wiggle room to sign potentially two blue chip free agents in 2014. Think about what you have done for a second here, because it may just come back to bite you in the butt.
Owners Approve New OT Rules for Regular Season Amongst Others
The Owners have approved the following rule changes for this season:
1. Exansion of Playoff OT rules to regular season
2. Loss of down penalty for illegally kicking a loose ball
3. Too many men in formation a dead-ball foul
4. Recipient of a crack-back block now a defenseless player
5. Replay officials intitiate reviews of certain turnovers.
They disapproved the expansion of the horse-collar tackle to QBs in the pocket (proposed by Steelers of all people...) and replays will still be viewed on the sidelines, not in the booth.
They have tabled by-law proposals for the 90-man roster limit, the IR exception that would allow a player to return later in the season, and moving the trade deadline to week 8.
Host of the Ghosts: Another Super Bowl Curse?
by ProBowlFactory on Mar 24, 2012 9:20 PM EDT
on Blogging The Boys
Ever since the middle of the 2011 season I have had something one my mind. I hadn't wanted to say anything yet because I didn't think enough time has passed to be able to claim somewhat of any validity to it. I still think some time is needed to truly raise concern, but the wheels seems to have been set in motion.
We hear all of the time about certain curses in the NFL world. I want to state for the record that I don't believe in such superstitious non-sense as curses, but some things do have funny little coincidences that seem to happen over and over again, or perhaps the curse gets to the head of those it supposedly will affect. First of all we know of the Madden Curse that has supposedly plagued players over the years. The only exception being Larry Fitzgerald as he shared the cover with Troy Polamalu (who was snakebitten that season). Then I believe is the Sports Illustrated Curse where the cover athlete is destined to have a bad month when they are featured on the cover. Then we have the supposed Super Bowl Curse (or super bowl hangover) that plagues the team that loses the Super Bowl to have a bad season the following. I think everyone remembers the Patriots losing Tom Brady to start the season where they missed the playoffs while still going 11-5.
The last of those supposed "curses" seems to have the least effect of all of them. However, it has come to my realization another curse having to do with the super bowl. But in this case, has nothing to do with the teams that actually play in said super bowl. Find out what I am talking about after the jump...
The Blip: Hayden Smith
by ProBowlFactory on Mar 21, 2012 6:56 AM EDT
on Blogging The Boys
I have been thinking of doing this series for a while now. However, I had planned to make it more of a draft series for the under the radar prospects that may be surfacing now. Hayden Smith is not a part of the draft this year, he is a free agent free to sign with any team. I took one look at a post about who he is and his history and I became intrigued. Find out what caught my eye about this guy after the jump....
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Hayden Smith, the Cowboys new #3 TE?
Hayden Smith is a Tight End that is a free agent and open to sign with any team. He is 6' 6" 265 lbs. You can read the article for more information, but he is a former basketball player who now plays rugby. In addition to working out with the cowboys already, Bill Callahan was also his coach when playing at Illinois. He has also been working out with Tim Brewster, the man credited for helping Antonio Gates make the jump from the Hardwood to the Gridiron. Might need to do some research because I think chances are good he could be wearing the star come training camp. His agent says he would like to have a deal done this week.
Melvin Ingram's Incredible Backflip
Ingram just went JPP in a way. I've seen lots of backflips, but it isn't often you see someone do a backflip and not go backwards at all. He comes down and lands in the exact spot he jumps from, step backward is natural unless you're a gymnast...
Brandon Carr Interview with Nick Eatman of DC.com
Nick Eatman caught up with Brandon Carr at Valley Ranch and they got the interview up now.
3 months ago
ProBowlFactory
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Michael Lombardi Mock Draft - Would you trade up for Claiborne?
I just saw Michael Lombardi's latest top 10 mock draft on NFL.com. The picks go as follows:
1. Andrew Luck to Colts
2. Robert Griffin III to Redskins
3. Matt Kalil to Vikings
4. Justin Blackmon to Browns
5. Dontari Poe to Buccaneers
6. Melvin Ingram to Rams
7. Riley Reiff to Jaguars
8. Ryan Tannehill to Dolphins
9. Morris Claiborne to Panthers
10. Quinton Coples to Bills
The question I have for you BTBers, is if Claiborne fell that far, would you consider trading up for him? Question is if you see him as better value than your 1st round pick and your 3rd and 4th rounders (according to the draft calculator, you can move up to number 9 for that)? You might need to do your first and second for the 8th pick but also get something in return. Personally, I don't know if Claiborne is THAT valuable so I don't think I would do it, plus I see some great value picks coming in rounds 3 & 4 for us and a potential starter in round 2 as well. This year is a good draft and pretty deep. So let's hear what you think BTB Nation? Would you trade up for a corner like Claiborne if he fell down to number 9? Or how far would he need to fall for you to feel comfortable trading up for him? Personally I think as of now he would need to fall out of the top 10...
Off-season Talk: New Faces
by ProBowlFactory on Mar 2, 2012 10:11 PM EST
on Blogging The Boys
So now the combine is over and we have a pretty good idea of where everyone stacks up after watching game tape and seeing what they are physically capable of as an athlete at said NFL Combine. Now the only thing left are the pro days, but except for the players like Mark Barron, Markelle Martin, Trent Richardson and others with injuries or whatever case that didn't allow them to participate in the NFL Combine, there really isn't any more to learn about these prospects.
The only thing left that will have a large impact on this off-season and the draft is less than two weeks away when the league year and the free agency period begin. We all know about the prospects that will be free agents when this period begins. This picture will become even more clear in a few days when the deadline for the franchise tag passes next week. Teams must place the franchise tag on a player at least one week before the start of the league year. Once this date passes we will know much more about who will be available on March 13 when the new league year begins.
The other part that is not predictable in any way shape or form, only leading way to speculation or to rumors, is the players that will become cap casualties. Players we have heard of so far that may be cap casualties are the Raiders' SOLB Kamerion Wimbley, Steelers' WR Hines Ward and our very own CB Terence Newman. There are others besides them and we may hear of more over the next few days, in addition to some other surprises that no one may have reported yet or know of.
This post will touch on all of these areas, so follow me after the jump and I will discuss free agency, the draft and even my thoughts on how the draft needs to change and/or evolve...
Thoughts from the Combine: Day 4
by ProBowlFactory on Mar 1, 2012 1:48 AM EST
on Blogging The Boys
Ok, so I am posting this a little bit late, but I finally got around to it. Tuesday was the day I think that we al were waiting for truthfully. Especially after Rob Ryan's comments about looking for nothing but DBs. I expected this to be probably the best and deepest class and I could say that they did not disappoint. As always, it is debatable which position group is the deepest in each draft, however this one is pretty good this year. A very good thing since it just happens to be the position we need the most fortification of. So follow me after the break and I will tell you my thoughts on the players that we will likely have a chance at. Yes that means I have excluded my thoughts and such on Morris Claiborne...
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