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Cowboys rookie WR proved his potential and then some before injury
COLUMN By RICK GOSSELIN / The Dallas Morning News
rgosselin@dallasnews.com
The Jacksonville Jaguars shocked all when they selected defensive linemen Tyson Alualu with the 10th choice in the 2010 NFL draft last April – even Alualu himself.
"I was hearing I was a solid second-rounder, maybe a late first," recalled Alualu the other day in Nashville.
Alualu was the one pure 3-4 defensive end in the draft. He started for three years at Cal in a 3-4 scheme and made All-Pac-10 as a senior. But his measurables were suspect. He lacked the prototypical height to play end (6-2½) on Sundays and the bulk to play tackle (295 pounds).
But the Jaguars weren't looking for measurables; they were looking for ability. They were looking for leadership. They were looking for work ethic.
Alualu led the Golden Bears in sacks (7½) and tackles for loss (10) in 2009. That gave him a check mark for ability. He was a team captain. That gave him a check for leadership. He also was named the team's weightlifter of the year and won the program's Joe Roth Award for courage and sportsmanship. Another check mark.
Even though the Jaguars played a 4-3 defensive scheme, they wanted Alualu on the field and in their locker room. He has started every game this season at defensive tackle for the AFC South-leading Jaguars and tops their interior linemen in tackles (30). He also has a team runner-up 3½ sacks.
"We knew exactly what we were getting, and he's been what we thought we were getting," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "He has a great motor and plays with awareness. He's a tough kid who's going to play 10 years in the league, maybe more. He's a good football player."
Alualu has proven to be worthy of the 10th overall pick. And that's what the draft should be about – finding the best players. Buffalo was criticized in 2006 for "reaching" for Ohio State safety Donte Whitner. The Bills made him the eighth overall pick, at least a half a round higher than he was projected to go.
But Whitner is now in his fifth season as a starter and he's the only defensive back in the league with 100 tackles. The Bills viewed Whitner as a good pick then. The rest of the NFL certainly views him as a good pick now.
Whitner used all the talk that he was a reach as motivation. So did Alualu.
"I had a definite chip on my shoulder," Alualu said. "Any negative talk becomes a source of motivation. I learned quickly that the Jaguars wanted me, and that they knew what they were doing. I felt I had to prove I was worthy of that pick. In their mind, it wasn't a reach, and I'm trying to live up to my potential and play the best I can."
If the Jaguars had to do it all over again, they'd select Alualu again. But now they have the benefit of hindsight. So let's give the entire league the benefit of hindsight. Let's conduct a 2010 redraft.
In April, the draft board was based on potential. The December draft board is based on first-year productivity. Here's how a redraft would look for the Class of 2010. If the player in the redraft was not a first-round pick, his draft round is in parenthesis. Also included is a comment on the redraft pick:
1. St. Louis: QB Sam Bradford ..... Redraft - QB Sam Bradford
COMMENT: A franchise quarterback
2. Detroit: DT Ndamukong Suh ..... Redraft - DT Ndamukong Suh
COMMENT: May already be the best DT in the NFC
3. Tampa Bay: DT Gerald McCoy ..... Redraft - C Maurkice Pouncey
COMMENT: Suddenly the Steelers can run the football again
4. Washington: OT Trent Williams ..... Redraft - CB Devin McCourty
COMMENT: Six interceptions for the 10-2 Patriots
5. Kansas City: S Eric Berry ..... Redraft - WR Dez Bryant
COMMENT: Eight TDs on six receptions, two punt returns
6. Seattle: OT Russell Okung ..... Redraft - S Earl Thomas
COMMENT: Five interceptions, 64 tackles
7. Cleveland: CB Joe Haden ..... Redraft - OT Rodger Saffold (2)
COMMENT: Season-long starter at left tackle
8. Oakland: LB Rolando McClain ..... Redraft - WR Mike Williams (4)
COMMENT: His 51 catches, 7 TDs for Bucs tops all rookies
9. Buffalo: HB C.J. Spiller ..... Redraft - CB Joe Haden
COMMENT: 5 interceptions, third in NFL with 20 PBU
10. Jacksonville: DE Tyson Alualu ..... Redraft - DT Tyson Alualu
COMMENT: Will be a team captain in 2011
11. San Francisco: OT Anthony Davis ..... Redraft - S T.J. Ward (2)
COMMENT: Leads all NFL rookies with 92 tackles
12. San Diego: HB Ryan Mathews ..... Redraft - S Eric Berry
COMMENT: 69 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks
13. Philadelphia: DE Brandon Graham ..... Redraft - HB Chris Ivory (FA)
COMMENT: Leads all NFL rookies with 636 rushing yards
14. Seattle: S Earl Thomas ..... Redraft - HB LeGarrette Blount (FA)
COMMENT: Leading rusher on 7-5 Buccaneers with 599 yards
15. NY Giants: DE Jason Pierre-Paul ..... Redraft - OT Bryan Bulaga
COMMENT: Helped stabilize an injury-riddled offense
16. Tennessee: DE Derrick Morgan ..... Redraft - LB Pat Angerer (2)
COMMENT: Team runner-up 68 tackles for Colts
17. San Francisco: G Mike Iupati ..... Redraft - OT Trent Williams
COMMENT: Season-long starter at left tackle for Redskins
18. Pittsburgh: C Maurkice Pouncey ..... Redraft - DE Lamarr Houston (2)
COMMENT: Season-long starter, 4 sacks
19. Atlanta: LB Sean Weatherspoon ..... Redraft - TE Aaron Hernandez (4)
COMMENT: A go-to guy for Pats with team runner-up 39 catches
20. Houston: CB Kareem Jackson ..... Redraft - QB Colt McCoy (3)
COMMENT: The Browns have their next Bernie Kosar
21. Cincinnati: TE Jermaine Gresham ..... Redraft - LB Rolando McClain
COMMENT: Tightened up Oakland run defense with 64 tackles
22. Denver: WR Demaryius Thomas ..... Redraft - G Mike Iupati
COMMENT: Season-long starter at left guard for 49ers
23. Green Bay: OT Bryan Bulaga ..... Redraft - DT Gerald McCoy
COMMENT: 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries for Bucs
24. Dallas: WR Dez Bryant ..... Redraft - S Nate Allen (2)
COMMENT: 44 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 sacks
25. Denver: QB Tim Tebow ..... Redraft - TE Tony Moeaki (3)
COMMENT: 36 catches, 3 TDs for Chiefs
26. Arizona: DT Dan Williams ..... Redraft - OT Anthony Davis
COMMENT: Season-long starter at right tackle for 49ers
27. New England: CB Devin McCourty ..... Redraft - WR Jacoby Ford (4)
COMMENT: Two 100-yard receiving games, 2 TDs on kick returns
28. Miami: DE Jared Odrick ..... Redraft - HB Jahvid Best
COMMENT: 477 rushing yards, 50 catches for Lions
29. NY Jets: CB Kyle Wilson ..... Redraft - CB Alterraun Verner (4)
COMMENT: 59 tackles, 2 interceptions for Titans
30. Detroit: HB Jahvid Best ..... Redraft - TE Rob Gronkowski (2)
COMMENT: Caught 6 TD passes for Patriots
31. Indianapolis: DE Jerry Hughes ..... Redraft - OT Jared Veldheer (3)
COMMENT: Raiders 4-2 since starting Veldheer at left tackle
32. New Orleans: CB Patrick Robinson ..... Redraft - KR Marc Mariani (7)
COMMENT: Leads NFL in punt returns at 16.0 yards for Titans
COLUMN By RICK GOSSELIN / The Dallas Morning News
rgosselin@dallasnews.com
The Jacksonville Jaguars shocked all when they selected defensive linemen Tyson Alualu with the 10th choice in the 2010 NFL draft last April – even Alualu himself.
"I was hearing I was a solid second-rounder, maybe a late first," recalled Alualu the other day in Nashville.
Alualu was the one pure 3-4 defensive end in the draft. He started for three years at Cal in a 3-4 scheme and made All-Pac-10 as a senior. But his measurables were suspect. He lacked the prototypical height to play end (6-2½) on Sundays and the bulk to play tackle (295 pounds).
But the Jaguars weren't looking for measurables; they were looking for ability. They were looking for leadership. They were looking for work ethic.
Alualu led the Golden Bears in sacks (7½) and tackles for loss (10) in 2009. That gave him a check mark for ability. He was a team captain. That gave him a check for leadership. He also was named the team's weightlifter of the year and won the program's Joe Roth Award for courage and sportsmanship. Another check mark.
Even though the Jaguars played a 4-3 defensive scheme, they wanted Alualu on the field and in their locker room. He has started every game this season at defensive tackle for the AFC South-leading Jaguars and tops their interior linemen in tackles (30). He also has a team runner-up 3½ sacks.
"We knew exactly what we were getting, and he's been what we thought we were getting," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "He has a great motor and plays with awareness. He's a tough kid who's going to play 10 years in the league, maybe more. He's a good football player."
Alualu has proven to be worthy of the 10th overall pick. And that's what the draft should be about – finding the best players. Buffalo was criticized in 2006 for "reaching" for Ohio State safety Donte Whitner. The Bills made him the eighth overall pick, at least a half a round higher than he was projected to go.
But Whitner is now in his fifth season as a starter and he's the only defensive back in the league with 100 tackles. The Bills viewed Whitner as a good pick then. The rest of the NFL certainly views him as a good pick now.
Whitner used all the talk that he was a reach as motivation. So did Alualu.
"I had a definite chip on my shoulder," Alualu said. "Any negative talk becomes a source of motivation. I learned quickly that the Jaguars wanted me, and that they knew what they were doing. I felt I had to prove I was worthy of that pick. In their mind, it wasn't a reach, and I'm trying to live up to my potential and play the best I can."
If the Jaguars had to do it all over again, they'd select Alualu again. But now they have the benefit of hindsight. So let's give the entire league the benefit of hindsight. Let's conduct a 2010 redraft.
In April, the draft board was based on potential. The December draft board is based on first-year productivity. Here's how a redraft would look for the Class of 2010. If the player in the redraft was not a first-round pick, his draft round is in parenthesis. Also included is a comment on the redraft pick:
1. St. Louis: QB Sam Bradford ..... Redraft - QB Sam Bradford
COMMENT: A franchise quarterback
2. Detroit: DT Ndamukong Suh ..... Redraft - DT Ndamukong Suh
COMMENT: May already be the best DT in the NFC
3. Tampa Bay: DT Gerald McCoy ..... Redraft - C Maurkice Pouncey
COMMENT: Suddenly the Steelers can run the football again
4. Washington: OT Trent Williams ..... Redraft - CB Devin McCourty
COMMENT: Six interceptions for the 10-2 Patriots
5. Kansas City: S Eric Berry ..... Redraft - WR Dez Bryant
COMMENT: Eight TDs on six receptions, two punt returns
6. Seattle: OT Russell Okung ..... Redraft - S Earl Thomas
COMMENT: Five interceptions, 64 tackles
7. Cleveland: CB Joe Haden ..... Redraft - OT Rodger Saffold (2)
COMMENT: Season-long starter at left tackle
8. Oakland: LB Rolando McClain ..... Redraft - WR Mike Williams (4)
COMMENT: His 51 catches, 7 TDs for Bucs tops all rookies
9. Buffalo: HB C.J. Spiller ..... Redraft - CB Joe Haden
COMMENT: 5 interceptions, third in NFL with 20 PBU
10. Jacksonville: DE Tyson Alualu ..... Redraft - DT Tyson Alualu
COMMENT: Will be a team captain in 2011
11. San Francisco: OT Anthony Davis ..... Redraft - S T.J. Ward (2)
COMMENT: Leads all NFL rookies with 92 tackles
12. San Diego: HB Ryan Mathews ..... Redraft - S Eric Berry
COMMENT: 69 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks
13. Philadelphia: DE Brandon Graham ..... Redraft - HB Chris Ivory (FA)
COMMENT: Leads all NFL rookies with 636 rushing yards
14. Seattle: S Earl Thomas ..... Redraft - HB LeGarrette Blount (FA)
COMMENT: Leading rusher on 7-5 Buccaneers with 599 yards
15. NY Giants: DE Jason Pierre-Paul ..... Redraft - OT Bryan Bulaga
COMMENT: Helped stabilize an injury-riddled offense
16. Tennessee: DE Derrick Morgan ..... Redraft - LB Pat Angerer (2)
COMMENT: Team runner-up 68 tackles for Colts
17. San Francisco: G Mike Iupati ..... Redraft - OT Trent Williams
COMMENT: Season-long starter at left tackle for Redskins
18. Pittsburgh: C Maurkice Pouncey ..... Redraft - DE Lamarr Houston (2)
COMMENT: Season-long starter, 4 sacks
19. Atlanta: LB Sean Weatherspoon ..... Redraft - TE Aaron Hernandez (4)
COMMENT: A go-to guy for Pats with team runner-up 39 catches
20. Houston: CB Kareem Jackson ..... Redraft - QB Colt McCoy (3)
COMMENT: The Browns have their next Bernie Kosar
21. Cincinnati: TE Jermaine Gresham ..... Redraft - LB Rolando McClain
COMMENT: Tightened up Oakland run defense with 64 tackles
22. Denver: WR Demaryius Thomas ..... Redraft - G Mike Iupati
COMMENT: Season-long starter at left guard for 49ers
23. Green Bay: OT Bryan Bulaga ..... Redraft - DT Gerald McCoy
COMMENT: 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries for Bucs
24. Dallas: WR Dez Bryant ..... Redraft - S Nate Allen (2)
COMMENT: 44 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 sacks
25. Denver: QB Tim Tebow ..... Redraft - TE Tony Moeaki (3)
COMMENT: 36 catches, 3 TDs for Chiefs
26. Arizona: DT Dan Williams ..... Redraft - OT Anthony Davis
COMMENT: Season-long starter at right tackle for 49ers
27. New England: CB Devin McCourty ..... Redraft - WR Jacoby Ford (4)
COMMENT: Two 100-yard receiving games, 2 TDs on kick returns
28. Miami: DE Jared Odrick ..... Redraft - HB Jahvid Best
COMMENT: 477 rushing yards, 50 catches for Lions
29. NY Jets: CB Kyle Wilson ..... Redraft - CB Alterraun Verner (4)
COMMENT: 59 tackles, 2 interceptions for Titans
30. Detroit: HB Jahvid Best ..... Redraft - TE Rob Gronkowski (2)
COMMENT: Caught 6 TD passes for Patriots
31. Indianapolis: DE Jerry Hughes ..... Redraft - OT Jared Veldheer (3)
COMMENT: Raiders 4-2 since starting Veldheer at left tackle
32. New Orleans: CB Patrick Robinson ..... Redraft - KR Marc Mariani (7)
COMMENT: Leads NFL in punt returns at 16.0 yards for Titans
