By Brandon George / Reporter
bgeorge@dallasnews.com | Bio
10:27 AM on Tue., Jan. 31, 2012 | Permalink
A player who demanded a lot of attention at the Senior Bowl last week was North Carolina senior defensive lineman Quinton Coples.
If the Cowboys want to draft Coples, they'd likely have to trade up in the first round to get him. He probably won't be available when the Cowboys select 14th overall. He showed at the Senior Bowl, however, that he'd be worth trading up a few spots to get him. Coples is often compared to North Carolina product and Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers.
And this is a bonus: He already has a relationship with Cowboys defensive line coach Brian Baker, who spent about a month as North Carolina's defensive line coach before the Cowboys hired him about a year ago.
Coples (6-5 1/2, 281) is a natural defensive end, but he moved inside in the Tar Heels' defense as a senior and emerged as one of the best prospects in the country with 59 tackles (15 1/2 for loss) and a team-best 10 sacks.
Coples played at defensive end in the Tar Heels' Music City Bowl win over Tennessee, however, and was dominant. He finished the game with six tackles, two quarterback hurries, 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble.
When I talked to Coples last week after one of the Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Ala., he said he was versatile enough that he could play in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense (the Cowboys currently use a 3-4 base but use both a lot). He said North Carolina played some of both.
"I've definitely been working on my 3-4 technique," Coples said. "Overall I've had some productive practices and overall I'm still looking for that edge."
Coples was asked if he believes he could play as a stand-up outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense in the NFL and he didn't hesitate when he said, "by far."
However, Coples is more suited to play defensive end. He's powerful and does his best work at the line of scrimmage. He's quick off he snap. He's likely going to be a Top 10 pick come the NFL draft in late April. The Cowboys could certainly use a pass-rushing defensive end.
Coples said he caught up with Baker briefly while at the Senior Bowl.
"He's definitely a great man," Coples said. "He gave me some great advice and he's definitely been a good man. I still talk to him a little bit."
bgeorge@dallasnews.com | Bio
10:27 AM on Tue., Jan. 31, 2012 | Permalink
A player who demanded a lot of attention at the Senior Bowl last week was North Carolina senior defensive lineman Quinton Coples.
If the Cowboys want to draft Coples, they'd likely have to trade up in the first round to get him. He probably won't be available when the Cowboys select 14th overall. He showed at the Senior Bowl, however, that he'd be worth trading up a few spots to get him. Coples is often compared to North Carolina product and Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers.
And this is a bonus: He already has a relationship with Cowboys defensive line coach Brian Baker, who spent about a month as North Carolina's defensive line coach before the Cowboys hired him about a year ago.
Coples (6-5 1/2, 281) is a natural defensive end, but he moved inside in the Tar Heels' defense as a senior and emerged as one of the best prospects in the country with 59 tackles (15 1/2 for loss) and a team-best 10 sacks.
Coples played at defensive end in the Tar Heels' Music City Bowl win over Tennessee, however, and was dominant. He finished the game with six tackles, two quarterback hurries, 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble.
When I talked to Coples last week after one of the Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Ala., he said he was versatile enough that he could play in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense (the Cowboys currently use a 3-4 base but use both a lot). He said North Carolina played some of both.
"I've definitely been working on my 3-4 technique," Coples said. "Overall I've had some productive practices and overall I'm still looking for that edge."
Coples was asked if he believes he could play as a stand-up outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense in the NFL and he didn't hesitate when he said, "by far."
However, Coples is more suited to play defensive end. He's powerful and does his best work at the line of scrimmage. He's quick off he snap. He's likely going to be a Top 10 pick come the NFL draft in late April. The Cowboys could certainly use a pass-rushing defensive end.
Coples said he caught up with Baker briefly while at the Senior Bowl.
"He's definitely a great man," Coples said. "He gave me some great advice and he's definitely been a good man. I still talk to him a little bit."
