Cowboys send draft pick to Colts for... DE Caesar Rayford

dbair1967

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Some comments from one of the Colts forums:

coltman18 Prime Time Starter
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Avatar Nominate | ReportPosted: Today 4:14 PM

Caesar Rayford traded!

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There has been a report on Twitter from NFL: AroundTheLeague stating that the Cowboys acquire defensive end Caesar Rayford from Colts for undisclosed draft pick.

And it has now been reported on ESPN.

With Anthony Spencer's availability for Sunday's season opener against the New York Giants in doubt because of knee surgery, the Cowboys sent a conditional 2015 draft pick to the Indianapolis Colts for Caesar Rayford.

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/...ianapolis-colts

He looked very promising and was looking forward to seeing his progress this season.
Keep reading...

Last edited Today 4:31 PM by coltman18

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Jared188821 Prime Time Starter
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Nominate | ReportPosted: Today 4:38 PM

Re: Caesar Rayford traded!

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No!! Well, I hope he does well in Big D.
Keep reading...

Maybe we can start stockpiling draft picks ala the San Francisco 49ers.

Last edited Today 4:52 PM by Jared188821

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jersey73 Living Legend
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Avatar Nominate | ReportPosted: Today 5:36 PM

Re: Caesar Rayford traded!

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Surprising. He looked good this pre-season with the exception of the final game where he looked just average.
Keep reading...

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My passions are Colts & Rams football, Lakers basketball, Oilers hockey, and Padres baseball...but my heart bleeds Orange & Blue Illini!
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advanced32
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Nominate | ReportPosted: Today 6:23 PM

Re: Caesar Rayford traded!

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The fact is, this didn't register with our coaches, Mr. Rayford has suddeness that you don't see alot in guys who are 6'6" and over. His crazy long arm were going be a real asset in pass rushing. I thought he played well in his last game. he was very close to getting the QBs arm several times. I considered making a thread about guys who might have star potential if thrust into a starting role. Rayford was going to be my #1 dude. He reminds me of Ted Hendricks except Rayford is obviously a bit faster and carries more weight. I see this guy with a big future and of course my teams coaches don't see it. Trading him for a conditional pick says they don't believe he has it. It is disappointing. I'm beginning to question the front office and the coaching staff in their evaluating abilities. We can't see these guys at practice but seeing them in the trenches during games is even better. I don't understand.
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GloryDaysRBack

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Sounds like spencer isn't going to play Sunday.

Our defensive line-inability to rush the passer to be exact-will be our undoing.
 
dbair1967

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GloryDaysRBack said:
And when those two don't get to the passer who will?
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Need some others to step up in Spencer's absence, no doubt.

That said, it seemed like in preseason we were getting a consistent push whether it was with starters or reserves, and while nobody really talked about Kiffin's blitzing schemes it seems like almost everytime we did blitz, we had a free rusher at the QB.

No team has a countless number of pass rushers you know.
 
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Indianapolis Colts: Fans Outraged Over Trade of Linebacker to Dallas Cowboys.Like

COMMENTARY | The Indianapolis Colts announced on Sept. 3 that linebacker Caesar Rayford has been traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a conditional draft pick -- a move that has sent Colts fans into an uproar.


Fans might be in an even bigger uproar when they learn that the conditional draft pick is in 2015, not 2014.


At last count, the announcement on the Colts' Facebook page has generated over 300 fan comments, many of which express outrage that Rayford was traded away. Of the 40 comments on the Colts' announcement on their website, the vast majority question this decision.


The reason for Colts fans' dismay? Rayford played in all four preseason games, totaling 11 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles. At least one additional sack by Rayford was negated by a penalty against one of his teammates.


Judging by the general tone of the more than 50 responses on the Dallas Cowboys' website, Cowboys fans feel like their team pulled off quite the heist. As well they should. Because they did.


The writing was on the wall for Rayford the day before, when the Colts acquired Cam Johnson from the San Francisco 49ers for a conditional draft pick. Having followed Rayford closely since May, when I was excited that the Colts signed him, I did a mental count of linebackers on the roster. I had a strong suspicion that Rayford was going to be the odd man out with Johnson heading to Indianapolis.


Still, the trade begs the question, "Why?"


Draft Pick


The Colts will likely end up with a seventh-round pick in two years for Rayford.


In April, the Colts drafted running back Kerwynn Williams and tight end Justice Cunningham in the seventh round. Both are now on the practice squad.


Last year's seventh-rounders were Justin Anderson, Tim Fugger and Chandler Harnish. Injured reserve, practice squad, practice squad.


In fact, in the last five years, the only seventh-rounders who are still on the Colts' active roster are reserve defensive tackle Ricardo Mathews and punter Pat McAfee.


A seventh-rounder in two years is a shot in the dark. Rayford is known commodity. Why gamble?


Size


At 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds, Rayford is considerably larger than Johnson (6-foot-3, 238 pounds), so the Colts are losing a lot of size in the exchange.

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Experience


Rayford has prior professional experience in the CFL and the Arena Football League. He dominated in the AFL, proving himself a durable, consistent athlete with a knack for planting the opposing quarterback.


Those who scoff at the CFL and AFL clearly have never played in or watched a single game in either league. There is no equal to the NFL, but the CFL and AFL are both very good professional leagues that allow players to develop their talents. Kurt Warner, Doug Flutie and Warren Moon each spent time in the AFL or CFL.


Johnson was a seventh-round pick of the 49ers in 2012 and spent the first 14 games of last season on the practice squad. He played in the season's final two games but recorded no statistics. The Colts got him in exchange for a seventh-round pick in 2014.


So this isn't exactly Patrick Willis talent that the Colts acquired from San Francisco. I'm not seeing any significant upgrade from Rayford to Johnson.


Lack of Competition?


Some fans commented that Rayford only shined against third-stringers in the preseason. Not true. He faced six-time Pro Bowler Joe Thomas against the Cleveland Browns and broke him down twice. He got around New York Giants starting tackle Justin Pugh, pulling David Carr down with one hand.


Rayford may have faced a lot of third-stringers in the preseason, but when he got his opportunities to face starters, he shined.


No Interest from NFL Teams?


Other fans like to scoff that Rayford has never drawn interest from any other NFL team, so his loss is no big deal. Again, not true. He signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent out of Washington in 2008.


He didn't make the Lions, but after five seasons of professional football in the CFL and AFL, a guy tends to improve. He has developed into a very good football player, and he accomplished something that 1,184 other football players didn't: he made the final 53-man roster of an NFL team.


Apparently, he's a big enough deal that the Cowboys want him. By my count, that's three NFL teams who have shown interest in Rayford.


The Cowboys actually appear to need Rayford, as Anthony Spencer doesn't appear ready for the season opener. Perhaps Dallas will give Rayford the playing time that he needs to further develop.


But his departure from the Colts leaves a lot of fans in Indianapolis feeling robbed of a diamond in the rough and a budding fan favorite.


What do you think?


The author is a resident of central Indiana and long-time follower of the Colts.

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