Dallas Cowboys 2018

[Ty Cobb]

The COWBOYS just signed Allen Hurns.  How does he help?  Is this writing on the wall for Dez Bryant?  

[Tigers2010]

8 minutes ago, Ty Cobb said:

The COWBOYS just signed Allen Hurns.  How does he help?  Is this writing on the wall for Dez Bryant?  

I would have been shocked if Dez was not cut before the Hurns signing. I would be even more shocked if he stays after the signing. 

[Ty Cobb]

This is a scouting report from Bryan Broaddus.  He's a long time scout and works for the COWBOYS.  Sounds like the COWBOYS found an exact copy of Dez for less money.

 

Bryan Broaddus' Scouting Report

Name: Allen Hurns
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Miami

Height: 6-1
Weight: 201
Draft: Signed undrafted with Jacksonville in 2014

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• Very competitive. This guy goes hard every snap. He’s not afraid to get in the face of defenders. He has taken some big hits and got up to tell the defender he’s good. Physical toughness.
   
• Hurns doesn’t have great playing speed or quickness. Where he does show some quickness is his inside routes from the slot. It takes him a little time to get going down the field. He doesn’t play with much vertical separation. Again, his best routes are in the middle and outside.
   
• He has the body control to make adjusting receptions. Often, his quarterback did him no favors. They only used him a couple of times on option routes from the slot. Again, the lack of quickness shows here.
   
• Outstanding leaping ability. You don’t see him getting those 50/50 shots like 
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  , but when he goes up, he comes down with it.
   
• He got stopped on a couple of fourth down receptions where they needed him to fight for that yard, but his strength is not a problem. He runs routes like Dez – kind of all over the place. There’s not much sharpness to them. He runs less slants but think of Dez and that’s what you have. A big guy trying to look smooth.
   
• Hurns is a natural hands catcher. He will extend to make the catch. He had a couple of drops that were his fault, but he will make the contested catch in traffic.
   
• Like Dez, he has had some big games and stretches where he did not do too much. They didn’t move him around as much as I thought they would.
   
• It’s amazing how similar the two players are. I have no idea about his smarts but film didn’t show any major busts.

[Tigers2010]

2017 Dez, maybe

[baddog]

Sure am glad we didn't get Suh. What a POS.

[navydawg31]

I think if we do anything with dez it will be a draft day deal. If we don’t move him then he will be on the team for game 1.

I read on ESPN insider we send our 1st Dez and a 5th for the the 49ers 1st and 6th round pick... I don’t think they do it but wow I would like it 

[Tigers2010]

I don't see any way Dez is on the books for Dallas in 2018. He has a cap hit of 16.5 Million for this coming season and the following. That is lucrative, to say the least, compared to the lack of production he gives at this point. He is a shell of himself and everyone in that building knows it. 

If he is not traded before or during the draft, he will be cut. The problem with trading him is that the other teams know he will most likely be cut, and they also don't want to have any part of his contract, which is brutal. He could stay in Dallas, but he refuses to take a pay cut. All in all, I will be shocked if he is not released.

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[Ty Cobb]

What are you guys thinking about the Kony Ealy signing?

[baddog]

34 minutes ago, Ty Cobb said:

What are you guys thinking about the Kony Ealy signing?

 

34 minutes ago, Ty Cobb said:

 

I'm thinking we will have two great pass rushers. 

[Ty Cobb]

It sounds like the COWBOYS have always had interest in Ealy.  Talked about drafting him and tried to claim him but the jets had a higher waiver spot.  I don't know much about his career.  Why did carolina, the patriots and the jets let him go?

[Tigers2010]

1 hour ago, baddog said:

 

I'm thinking we will have two great pass rushers. 

53 Tackles in 4 season (62 games played)

15 Sacks in 4 season (1 sack in 15 games played).

You cannot honestly believe he is a great pass rusher..or even a good pass rusher.

[Tigers2010]

35 minutes ago, Ty Cobb said:

It sounds like the COWBOYS have always had interest in Ealy.  Talked about drafting him and tried to claim him but the jets had a higher waiver spot.  I don't know much about his career.  Why did carolina, the patriots and the jets let him go?

53 tackles in 62 games. 1 sack all of 2017.

[baddog]

4 minutes ago, Tigers2010 said:

53 Tackles in 4 season (62 games played)

15 Sacks in 4 season (1 sack in 15 games played).

You cannot honestly believe he is a great pass rusher..or even a good pass rusher.

Of course not. I'm just an eternal optimist.

[Tigers2010]

LOL understood.

[navydawg31]

Carolina moved him cause of locker room issue. Patriots jumped on it because they can usually a bad guy into the patriot way but he didn’t seem too. He changed his ways with the jets they always seem too. Especially with Bowles as the coach. Cowboys like his body type and can turn no name guys into players. He had a name and still young and knows he is one bad mess up/bad season out the nfl. I think he could be a dark horse for the boys. 

[navydawg31]

Dez meeting with JJ is this Friday we will see how it all goes. 

[PhatMack19]

On 4/12/2018 at 8:30 PM, navydawg31 said:

Dez meeting with JJ is this Friday we will see how it all goes. 

He’s gone 

 

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[bullets13]

Dez has his shortcomings, but if he ends up with a good qb somewhere he’ll be good again.  Dak killed his career in Dallas.  For Dez to be Dez he needs a qb that can be at least semi-accurate farther than 12 yds down the field 

[navydawg31]

So top 3 teams I think he will end up. 

NE, Det, LA chargers. Wild card Houston/Jax. 

He did say don’t worry Dallas y’all will see me twice next season so maybe Washington? 

[Ty Cobb]

Ok guys, give me your predictions.  

3-3 in the division as usual. (not sure how the split happens)

wins over carolina, seattle, detroit, houston, titans, colts, tampa bay

losses to jacksonville, atlanta and saints

10-6 on the season

*The COWBOYS always win one they are not expected to and always lose one they are expected to win so the wins and losses could change a little.

 

 

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	CAROLINA PANTHERS	Sunday September 9, 3:30pm CT NBC Bank of America Stadium - Charlotte, NC
	NEW YORK GIANTS	Sunday September 16, 7:10pm CT NBC AT&T Stadium - Arlington, TX
	SEATTLE SEAHAWKS	Sunday September 23, 3:25pm CT FOX CenturyLink Field - Seattle, WA This is the hidden content, please Sign In or Sign Up
	DETROIT LIONS	Sunday September 30, 12:00pm CT NBC AT&T Stadium - Arlington, TX
	HOUSTON TEXANS	Sunday October 7, 7:20pm CT NBC NRG Stadium - Houston, TX
	JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS	Sunday October 14, 3:25pm CT CBS AT&T Stadium - Arlington, TX
	WASHINGTON REDSKINS	Sunday October 21, 3:25pm CT CBS FedExField - Landover, MD
	BYE
	TENNESSEE TITANS	Monday November 5, 7:15pm CT ESPN AT&T Stadium - Arlington, TX
	PHILADELPHIA EAGLES	Sunday November 11, 7:20pm CT NBC Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia, PA
	ATLANTA FALCONS	Sunday November 18, 12:00pm CT FOX Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta, GA
	WASHINGTON REDSKINS	Thursday November 22, 3:30pm CT FOX AT&T Stadium - Arlington, TX
	NEW ORLEANS SAINTS	Thursday November 29, 7:20pm CT FOX/NFLN AT&T Stadium - Arlington, TX
	PHILADELPHIA EAGLES	Sunday December 9, 3:25pm CT NBC AT&T Stadium - Arlington, TX This is the hidden content, please Sign In or Sign Up
	INDIANAPOLIS COLTS	Sunday December 16, 12:00pm CT FOX Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis, IN
	TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS	Sunday December 23, 12:00pm CT FOX AT&T Stadium - Arlington, TX
	NEW YORK GIANTS	Sunday December 30, 12:00pm CT FOX MetLife Stadium - East Rutherford, NJ

 

[Ty Cobb]

Veteran Tight End James Hanna Moved To Reserve/Retired List

Friday, April 20, 2018 11:27 AM CDTFRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys’ tight end depth chart took a hit Friday, with less than a week until the 2018 NFL Draft.

The club announced that 

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 has been placed on the reserve/retired list, as the veteran tight end has had a hard time overcoming a knee injury over the past two years.

That injury held Hanna out of the entire 2016 season, but it did not stop him from playing a role in 2017. Hanna played in all 16 games last fall with eight starts, and he caught four passes for 88 yards – including his first and only career touchdown, in Week 4 against the Rams.

Originally a sixth-round draft pick in 2012, Hanna made a name for himself largely as a blocker and a special teamer – though he possessed surprisingly good hands. He played 80 total games during his Cowboys career, with 37 total starts.

 

As one of the team’s core special teamers, Hanna signed a three-year, $8.2 million extension in 2016. He would have been playing in a contract year had he remained on the roster in 2018.

This decision should serve as a big opportunity for the tight ends behind 

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 on the Cowboys’ depth chart. 

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 is entering the final year of his rookie deal after being drafted in 2015, while second-year tight end 

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 was good enough that the Cowboys signed him off the practice squad last fall.

Then there’s the curious case of 

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, who flashed impressive playmaking ability during the 2017 preseason – only for a concussion to send him to injured reserve for the entire regular season.

Hanna’s departure could present a big opportunity for all three young tight ends. It could also prompt the Cowboys to select a tight end in next week’s draft, should the opportunity arise.

[Tigers2010]

Breaking down the schedule now, I would say 9-7. 

[Ty Cobb]

B Vander Esch Drafted To Dallas At No. 19; Full Scouting Report & Analysis

Thursday, April 26, 2018 9:26 PM CDT

By Rob Phillips

DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

FRISCO, Texas – A full breakdown of the Cowboys’ first-round draft pick (No. 19 overall) Thursday night:Read

Name: Leighton Vander Esch

Position: Linebacker

College: Boise State

Height/Weight: 6-4/256

 

The Rundown: 

The first player in Boise State history to win Mountain West Player of the Year, Vander Esch had a breakout season in 2017 with four sacks and a conference-best 141 tackles. The former walk-on posted only 47 tackles in his first two college seasons but showed star potential in his first and only year as a starter. Vander Esch is the fourth Boise State player drafted by the Cowboys since 2008: Orlando Scandrick (now with Washington), Tyrone Crawford and DeMarcus Lawrence.

 

How He Fits In:

Linebacker has been a top need for the Cowboys this offseason after starting middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens left for Kansas City in free agency. The Cowboys signed Joe Thomas to help offset the free-agent loss of Kyle Wilber, and they’re confident in Jaylon Smith’s progress. But Vander Esch adds depth as a starting-caliber player who can play all three linebacker positions. Remember, defensive captain Sean Lee also missed time last year with injuries.

 

 

Best trait is his ability to play with range. No question that he can get from sideline to sideline. Flows to the ball.

Will run through when he finds the ball. Knows where he needs to fill.

There are snaps where he tackles as a half man. Would like to see him take on more square. Will miss with his hands. Has to be careful not to overrun.

Quick reactions when he sees it. Trip up the ball carrier in space. Has some redirection skills. Not always aware against blocks. Times where you see him get cracked or trapped.

Best when he can play on the move. This is his way of avoiding blockers. Has a feel for how to play in coverage. Nice drops and reactions. Ball skills for interceptions. Can carry the back in the flat or up the field.

Attacks the pocket as a blitzer. Can be disruptive. Physically an impressive linebacker. Has the ability to line up in all the spots. Feel like his best position is at the MIKE.

Retrace his steps. Will take on blockers. Can close on ball in front. Will step up to tackle. Doesn’t have much pop. Will shoot the gap. Will get his head around in coverage.

Like to see him finish better. Movement is good. Needs to be more physical.

[Ty Cobb]

Identifying Vander Esch’s Potential Role At Linebacker With Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith

Friday, April 27, 2018 12:20 AM CDT

By Rob Phillips

DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

 

FRISCO, Texas – Leighton Vander Esch quickly learned the value of versatility playing eight-man high school football in Riggins, Idaho.

“You couldn’t come off the field. You had to play both ways,” he said. “You got in shape real quick, but it was good. You really learned how to open-field tackle.”

So it’s no surprise the Cowboys’ first-round draft pick is willing to play any linebacker position in Rod Marinelli’s 4-3 defense, even though he’s most familiar with the middle spot.

“They could rush me off the edge if they wanted to. They can throw me anywhere,” he said. “But I feel like middle is my prime position and I’m familiar with that. I’ve been playing that my whole career at Boise (State). Wherever they throw me, I’m going to get the job done.”

The Cowboys agree. Team officials never felt tempted to trade up in Thursday’s first round, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said, and they were pleased to see Vander Esch still there at No. 19.

He fills an immediate need from a numbers standpoint. Former starting middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens is now a Kansas City Chief. Defensive captain Sean Lee missed the better part of four games last year. And although the Cowboys are confident Jaylon Smith will continue to progress physically in his second year back from a major knee injury, Vander Esch gives them options at multiple spots.

“We feel like he can play both the MIKE (middle) and WILL (weak side) spot, and in our defense he could play the SAM (strong side) spot as well,” head coach Jason Garrett said. “Best suited probably for MIKE but has the physical traits to play WILL. Often times we’re in situations in base defense or in nickel defense where we’re playing three linebackers for those two spots.

“Having a front-line player, also having depth, being able to play the different situations, he fits all of that stuff.”

Jones compared the 6-4, 255-pound Vander Esch to former Cowboys starter Rolando McClain, a big middle linebacker who had the range and instincts to make plays moving forward or dropping into coverage.

“That’s why we pictured him as a unique fit for our philosophy on defense,” Jones said.

Vander Esch refuted published reports before the draft regarding potential medical concerns, saying he had no neck or stinger issues at Boise State. Jones said the Cowboys’ medical grade on Vander Esch gave no concerns about drafting him in the first round.

A former walk-on at Boise, Vander Esch did not become a starter until his junior season a year ago. The Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year tallied a conference-best 141 tackles, and the Cowboys believe he can catch on quickly.

“He knows the game well. He can learn the game well,” Garrett said. “We’re hopeful that he can make a big impact right at the outset.”

[Tigers2010]

Per sources some teams have medically flunked Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch and have removed him from their draft board. 

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— Charlie Campbell (@DraftCampbell) 

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