I'm really bummed about Overshown going down, was really liking that combo of he and Clark and even though players definately get hurt at the start of the regular season, it somehow feels worse to lose a guy for the season in these preseason games. What a bummer...
I'm not worried about Mazi yet, take a look at even the elite NTs around the league, it takes a while, let's see how he's looking in Dec.. Good on the Cowboys for keeping Hankins around.
Right now Mazi looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. His get off is most concerning. There’s still time obviously but he’s not looking great.
His physical attributes are tantalizing but he didn’t produce much in college so there’s a legit concern imo. At that position, how much can be taught and developed? For instance WR typically has a longer learning curve than RB. I’m not sure how great DTs develop in the league.
DT seems to be one of the slower developing positions for making an impact on the pass game. Anecdotally it took Leonard Williams and daron Payne 3+ years to be solid pass rushers and they were seen as pass rush specialist DTs coming out
Not sure what you mean by the strong face comment.
Bob, I think many of us had exaggerated expectations last year after reading the evaluations you and others had on Tolbert. We’ve seen so many receivers hit the ground running like a Lamb and Chase that we start expecting that from each draftee, even if they’re not picked in the first round. We should realize there is a reason Tolbert wasn’t a Day-1 pick.
The Cowboys have hit on so many of their draft choices and UDFAs the last few years, that we’ve become spoiled. Very few picks became first season starters in the Landry era. It wasn’t unusual for even first round picks to languish several seasons before developing into a player with the requisite skills.
That said, the cowboys seem to have hit on a player with traits on a par with many first rounders, who has now learned how to be a pro and is ready and capable of making a major contribution though probably not as starter yet. If his development continues, he should provide an alternative to start if Gallup or Cooks get jettisoned in the next two seasons, or if they are unable to agree with Lamb on an extension.
Love these write-ups! Reminds me of what you did for TA. Looking forward to supporting your new venture. These types of assessments are gold, and I don't mind at all paying for such insight. Thank you Bob!
Bob, absolutely LOVE the amount of shotgun we’re in. When you compare the bones of our offense (personnel package versatility, running and passing out of all types of packages) to others with similar bones (like KC), two things stand out in contrast: they pass a lot more and play almost exclusively out of shotgun.
I think a lot of people liked him at that price, but only 32 GMs actually matter. Guys slip all the time and then their careers write their own stories. It is a fascinating study!
I know that expecting rookies to contribute heavily is usually a long shot at best. However, expecting much of anything from one who openly says that he doesn’t even like football seems foolish. I was not on board with drafting him because I subscribe to a drafting philosophy of a blend of BPA and positional value, which NT is almost last. But, I hope I’m really wrong on this one and Joey Porter or Nolan Smith (my 2 BPAs) don’t turn out to be great players.
I understand your reasoning on Mazi, but it seems the Cowboys took him with eyes wide open, because although NY is low on positional value, it is a difficult position to find excellence unless a team is picking atop-10 rated player.
It seems they believe their need to bolster their glaring weakness motivated their selection, and resigning Hankins gave them a one-year grace period. We can only hope that by the end of the season he has learned enough to be a solid rotational piece and ready to take over the starters role next year. While his role as a pass rusher is still to be decided, the team must feel his combination of strength and athleticism will, with proper coaching, allow him to eventually become a three-down player.
I'm really bummed about Overshown going down, was really liking that combo of he and Clark and even though players definately get hurt at the start of the regular season, it somehow feels worse to lose a guy for the season in these preseason games. What a bummer...
I'm not worried about Mazi yet, take a look at even the elite NTs around the league, it takes a while, let's see how he's looking in Dec.. Good on the Cowboys for keeping Hankins around.
Right now Mazi looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. His get off is most concerning. There’s still time obviously but he’s not looking great.
His physical attributes are tantalizing but he didn’t produce much in college so there’s a legit concern imo. At that position, how much can be taught and developed? For instance WR typically has a longer learning curve than RB. I’m not sure how great DTs develop in the league.
I also am pretty much ignorant as to how DT's develop in the NFL. It would be nice if Bob would do a "doc" on the position.
DT seems to be one of the slower developing positions for making an impact on the pass game. Anecdotally it took Leonard Williams and daron Payne 3+ years to be solid pass rushers and they were seen as pass rush specialist DTs coming out
Tolbert may be competing for the No. 3 spot this year if Gallup still isn’t his old self.
Very sad to see Overshown go down, wish him a speedy and full recovery.
Deuce has the juice.
Mazi needs work.
Back up o-line is very concerning.
Schoonmaker has a strong face.
Not sure what you mean by the strong face comment.
Bob, I think many of us had exaggerated expectations last year after reading the evaluations you and others had on Tolbert. We’ve seen so many receivers hit the ground running like a Lamb and Chase that we start expecting that from each draftee, even if they’re not picked in the first round. We should realize there is a reason Tolbert wasn’t a Day-1 pick.
The Cowboys have hit on so many of their draft choices and UDFAs the last few years, that we’ve become spoiled. Very few picks became first season starters in the Landry era. It wasn’t unusual for even first round picks to languish several seasons before developing into a player with the requisite skills.
That said, the cowboys seem to have hit on a player with traits on a par with many first rounders, who has now learned how to be a pro and is ready and capable of making a major contribution though probably not as starter yet. If his development continues, he should provide an alternative to start if Gallup or Cooks get jettisoned in the next two seasons, or if they are unable to agree with Lamb on an extension.
just being silly in regards to Schoonmaker’s skull lmao
Love these write-ups! Reminds me of what you did for TA. Looking forward to supporting your new venture. These types of assessments are gold, and I don't mind at all paying for such insight. Thank you Bob!
Bob, absolutely LOVE the amount of shotgun we’re in. When you compare the bones of our offense (personnel package versatility, running and passing out of all types of packages) to others with similar bones (like KC), two things stand out in contrast: they pass a lot more and play almost exclusively out of shotgun.
Appreciate your response, Bob
If Tolbert given 2nd round grade is there any particular reason nobody else liked him until 3rd ?
I think a lot of people liked him at that price, but only 32 GMs actually matter. Guys slip all the time and then their careers write their own stories. It is a fascinating study!
I know that expecting rookies to contribute heavily is usually a long shot at best. However, expecting much of anything from one who openly says that he doesn’t even like football seems foolish. I was not on board with drafting him because I subscribe to a drafting philosophy of a blend of BPA and positional value, which NT is almost last. But, I hope I’m really wrong on this one and Joey Porter or Nolan Smith (my 2 BPAs) don’t turn out to be great players.
I completely understand those issues. Let's give it a chance to run its course.
I understand your reasoning on Mazi, but it seems the Cowboys took him with eyes wide open, because although NY is low on positional value, it is a difficult position to find excellence unless a team is picking atop-10 rated player.
It seems they believe their need to bolster their glaring weakness motivated their selection, and resigning Hankins gave them a one-year grace period. We can only hope that by the end of the season he has learned enough to be a solid rotational piece and ready to take over the starters role next year. While his role as a pass rusher is still to be decided, the team must feel his combination of strength and athleticism will, with proper coaching, allow him to eventually become a three-down player.