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Posted by Rafael at Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Cowboys scouting director Tom Ciskowski once explained the week-to-week process of assessing talent to the press . Scouts on the road are sent recordings of Cowboys games and compare collegians to players already on the Cowboys roster. When a prospect is viewed, the scout is asked to rate where he would fit on a depth chart. Can he challenge a starter right away? In a year? Can he beat out the reserves right away?
We're hours away from the end of the Combine. Based on what we've seen thus far, which players offer a clear upgrade over the veterans in the 2011 lineup?
Offense
Guards -- The 2011 incumbents were Kyle Kosier, Bill Nagy and Montrae Holland. David DeCastro would walk into Dallas and be the best guard in the lineup. The same could also be said of Cordy Glenn.
Defense
Outside linebackers -- Will the Cowboys tag Anthony Spencer, or not? Consider the competition. Are any of the Melvin Ingram, Courtney Upshaw, Nick Perry or Whitney Mercilus bunch clear upgrades over Spencer? I see a lot of maybes here.
Inside linebacker -- Dont'a Hightower and Luke Kuechly offer clear upgrades over the greybeards Brooking and James. Do they offer upgrades over Bruce Carter? Dallas gave Carter a first round grade and picked him to fill this spot. Unless the Cowboys are ready to give up on Carter ten months after picking him, I'd say the answer is no.
Nose tackle -- Dontari Poe stole the show yesterday. He may have stolen the entire Combine program. He's got a physical skill set nobody on the roster can match. But would he be more productive than Jay Ratliff? He's raw and didn't always play full throttle. The answer in 2012 is likely no. In 2013? If he responds to coaching, probably yes.
Cornerback -- Morris Claiborne is out of the question. Would Dre Kirkpatrick or Janoris Jenkins offer upgrades over the fading Terence Newman? Probably. Even in 2012? I'd still say yes. I see production curves opposite Newman's recent ones; the rookies are likely to finish better than they start, while Newman has crumbled in November and December.
Would either Kirkpatrick or Jenkins be better than Brandon Carr or Cortland Finnegan? A second story this week links Dallas to both potential free agents. If Dallas has decided to sign one of vets, I'll take the answer to this question as no.
Safety -- There's a job waiting to be claimed. Abe Elam has not been retained. Mark Barron would upgrade this position. Would any of the lower round safeties? George Iloka hasn't done anything this morning to raise his stock. Markelle Martin and Harrison Smith have yet to work out.
I'll put five names on my short list -- DeCastro, Glenn, Ingram, Barron and Poe.
How do you think they'll rate on Dallas' board? That answer could steer you to the Cowboys' choice.
Cowboys scouting director Tom Ciskowski once explained the week-to-week process of assessing talent to the press . Scouts on the road are sent recordings of Cowboys games and compare collegians to players already on the Cowboys roster. When a prospect is viewed, the scout is asked to rate where he would fit on a depth chart. Can he challenge a starter right away? In a year? Can he beat out the reserves right away?
We're hours away from the end of the Combine. Based on what we've seen thus far, which players offer a clear upgrade over the veterans in the 2011 lineup?
Offense
Guards -- The 2011 incumbents were Kyle Kosier, Bill Nagy and Montrae Holland. David DeCastro would walk into Dallas and be the best guard in the lineup. The same could also be said of Cordy Glenn.
Defense
Outside linebackers -- Will the Cowboys tag Anthony Spencer, or not? Consider the competition. Are any of the Melvin Ingram, Courtney Upshaw, Nick Perry or Whitney Mercilus bunch clear upgrades over Spencer? I see a lot of maybes here.
Inside linebacker -- Dont'a Hightower and Luke Kuechly offer clear upgrades over the greybeards Brooking and James. Do they offer upgrades over Bruce Carter? Dallas gave Carter a first round grade and picked him to fill this spot. Unless the Cowboys are ready to give up on Carter ten months after picking him, I'd say the answer is no.
Nose tackle -- Dontari Poe stole the show yesterday. He may have stolen the entire Combine program. He's got a physical skill set nobody on the roster can match. But would he be more productive than Jay Ratliff? He's raw and didn't always play full throttle. The answer in 2012 is likely no. In 2013? If he responds to coaching, probably yes.
Cornerback -- Morris Claiborne is out of the question. Would Dre Kirkpatrick or Janoris Jenkins offer upgrades over the fading Terence Newman? Probably. Even in 2012? I'd still say yes. I see production curves opposite Newman's recent ones; the rookies are likely to finish better than they start, while Newman has crumbled in November and December.
Would either Kirkpatrick or Jenkins be better than Brandon Carr or Cortland Finnegan? A second story this week links Dallas to both potential free agents. If Dallas has decided to sign one of vets, I'll take the answer to this question as no.
Safety -- There's a job waiting to be claimed. Abe Elam has not been retained. Mark Barron would upgrade this position. Would any of the lower round safeties? George Iloka hasn't done anything this morning to raise his stock. Markelle Martin and Harrison Smith have yet to work out.
I'll put five names on my short list -- DeCastro, Glenn, Ingram, Barron and Poe.
How do you think they'll rate on Dallas' board? That answer could steer you to the Cowboys' choice.
