sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
Roster Rundown
Young Has Upside But Lacks Experience
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last season and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is offensive tackle Sam Young.)
Name: Sam Young
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height/Weight: 6-8/322
Experience: One season
College: Notre Dame
Key stat: One. That's the total number of games played Young has in his career and that was just on special teams in the season finale. While he does have a full year of practice and traveled to all games as a member of the active roster, Young still won't have a huge advantage over any rookie drafted by the Cowboys this year. Still, the team has a decision to make regarding Marc Colombo and if the club decides to part ways with him - and his $2.6 million roster bonus - it should tell us that the Cowboys have at least some confidence in Young's ability.
Contract Status: Signed through the 2013 season.
2010 Impact: Not much, but he was on the roster. When the Cowboys finalized their roster, they probably didn't expect Young to contribute much in 2010, and he didn't. At the same time, they knew he was enough of a prospect to hold a roster spot. Still, despite Colombo's struggles down the stretch, the Cowboys never thought Young was a better option at right tackle, although those feelings might change this offseason.
Where He Fits: Young fits as an offensive tackle prospect - either on the left or right side. With Doug Free likely to be in the fold on the left, Young's best chances to play will be at right tackle. However, if the Cowboys decide to part ways with the veteran Colombo, it could mean the club will either select a rookie high in the draft, sign another experienced veteran, or possibly both. So there is a good chance Young will start next season near the bottom of the depth chart again.
Writers' Analysis:
Nick Eatman: I wish I could give a little more analysis about Young, but we don't get to watch practice, and that's the only real action he received last year. Of course, he did work out in training camp and participated in preseason games, but after the season that just occurred, it's not easy to recall that far back. Basically, that's a long-winded way of saying Young has no real experience. Of course, the Cowboys like his upside and the fact he did start four years at Notre Dame. I could see him getting a chance to compete this season, but I don't anticipate the Cowboys not making any moves at the position, simply because of Young.
Josh Ellis: Young has a good body for a tackle, but has to be lacking somewhat in athleticism, otherwise he would've never lasted until the sixth round in the first place. That means he'll have to get by on technique, and could need another year or two before the Cowboys are prepared to use him in a game. They believe he'll be a starter in the league at some point, but it would be awfully surprising if they simply cleared the way for him this year.
Young Has Upside But Lacks Experience
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last season and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is offensive tackle Sam Young.)
Name: Sam Young
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height/Weight: 6-8/322
Experience: One season
College: Notre Dame
Key stat: One. That's the total number of games played Young has in his career and that was just on special teams in the season finale. While he does have a full year of practice and traveled to all games as a member of the active roster, Young still won't have a huge advantage over any rookie drafted by the Cowboys this year. Still, the team has a decision to make regarding Marc Colombo and if the club decides to part ways with him - and his $2.6 million roster bonus - it should tell us that the Cowboys have at least some confidence in Young's ability.
Contract Status: Signed through the 2013 season.
2010 Impact: Not much, but he was on the roster. When the Cowboys finalized their roster, they probably didn't expect Young to contribute much in 2010, and he didn't. At the same time, they knew he was enough of a prospect to hold a roster spot. Still, despite Colombo's struggles down the stretch, the Cowboys never thought Young was a better option at right tackle, although those feelings might change this offseason.
Where He Fits: Young fits as an offensive tackle prospect - either on the left or right side. With Doug Free likely to be in the fold on the left, Young's best chances to play will be at right tackle. However, if the Cowboys decide to part ways with the veteran Colombo, it could mean the club will either select a rookie high in the draft, sign another experienced veteran, or possibly both. So there is a good chance Young will start next season near the bottom of the depth chart again.
Writers' Analysis:
Nick Eatman: I wish I could give a little more analysis about Young, but we don't get to watch practice, and that's the only real action he received last year. Of course, he did work out in training camp and participated in preseason games, but after the season that just occurred, it's not easy to recall that far back. Basically, that's a long-winded way of saying Young has no real experience. Of course, the Cowboys like his upside and the fact he did start four years at Notre Dame. I could see him getting a chance to compete this season, but I don't anticipate the Cowboys not making any moves at the position, simply because of Young.
Josh Ellis: Young has a good body for a tackle, but has to be lacking somewhat in athleticism, otherwise he would've never lasted until the sixth round in the first place. That means he'll have to get by on technique, and could need another year or two before the Cowboys are prepared to use him in a game. They believe he'll be a starter in the league at some point, but it would be awfully surprising if they simply cleared the way for him this year.
