Persons of Interest
Posted: November 10, 2008 @ 10:03 pm
Two guys to watch, as I’m sure Dallas is watching them:
B.J. Raji and Ron Brace, defensive tackles, Boston College
The Eagles have the two biggest DTs in this year’s crop. They’re the only two who top 310 lbs. Both list at 323 lbs. and either could be a needed fireplug to play on the nose and draw double teams.
The Eagles alternate an over and undershifting 4-3 with a 3-3 package. Raji is the squattier of the two, at 6′1″, 323, but he always plays the under in the 4-3. He’s got a massive lower body, with great power and a nifty spin move on his rushes. He’s rated in the top half of the 2nd round right now and while a wave of early-entry juniors could push him down, defensive tackles rise. He may be too good for Dallas’ reach.
Brace plays the nose in both B.C. schemes and he “passes the eyeball test,” as the late draft guru Joel Buchsbaum used to say. Like Raji, he’s got a thick lower body and a low center of gravity. He’s quick, has a strong punchout and can walk guards back to the quarterback when he’s one-on-one. He plays in a one-gap scheme but he holds his ground very well when double-teamed. B.C. calls a lot of zone blitzes and Brace drops into shallow coverage a lot. Against Notre Dame, he shadowed running backs a couple of times and didn’t look lost in space.
That said, he’s a space eater, and that’s one type of player the Cowboys need. He’s rated in the 3rd to 4th round in the early mocks I’ve seen.
Watch both of these guys if you get the chance.
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1st!!!
I hope your not suggesting he could cover an NFL running back(lol). Chad Hennings used to drop some in a zone during some blitz packages but he was no fire plug.
I hope we get a Fire Plug to keep Zach clean.
Any word on Pacman’s return?
Sean,
You notice that Baltimore’s nose tackle Haloti Ngaga has two picks? He’s 345.
Why not?
I’m already looking to next season. Wade Phillips will be gone. This cupcake crap has done this team in. This team fell apart after the Washington game, just like they did last December. Yeah, we’ve had injuries and some misfortune. This team is 5-4 and not playing well. Getting back the starters from injury will help but this team is not ready for a run. Wade gave this struggling team 6 days out of 9 OFF. That is a sure fire way to get this team in synch. Well, at least they will be well rested folks. Drives me crazy. I think the chances of Dallas making the playoffs is about 30%, and they HAVE to win at Washington. They just won’t get it turned around in time, not with this schedule and the current record.
NT is a must need. SS is a must. OL is a must. ILB is a need.
torchin,
Wade will be gone? Really?
Don’t be so sure. Jerry gave Dave Campo three years. Jason Garrett isn’t exactly rocketing atop HC wish lists right now.
Cupcake schmupcake.
Did Bill Parcells’ training camps get his guys to play steely football in December? I must have missed that.
And what do you want them to do in the bye week? Two a days in full pads? You’ve got a QB rehabbing, injured LT, LG, RB, TE, both starting CBs and you want to beat them up more?
Sure.
Why can’t we move Spears to NT? Can’t he eat up space? Why not move Ratliff to DE??
Where has Canty been this year? We need another DE. Is Tank just a bust?
We also need more active linebackers. James is solid (not great) and Zac is on his last leg. We have to draft or sign a ILB. I thought this was a need in last years draft.
This year, we have had only one guy (Ware) that can get to the QB. I am hoping that Spencer keeps improving because this will help a ton.
To me, it just seems like it is so hard for the Dallas D to get pressure. It looks so easy for the Giants & Eagles.
Raf I’ve been trying to get info on both these guys in the recent weeks so its nice to get some talk going as NT has got to be the biggest need in the draft at this point in time.
What I’ve been able to gather is that Raji is the more highly touted guy, but their are a ton of BC fans who think Brace will be the better pro. Everyone I’ve heard from says Brace is the guy who brings it every snap and has that non-stop motor like Rat. Have you heard anything confirming this?
Rafael,
The team hasn’t practiced since last week. They got back to work today in helmets and shorts. They were together for 3 hours. Would it have hurt to have the guys in on Sat? I don’t think so. Romo’s passes are wobbly. He doesn’t have the timing down with Roy. If he’s going to start, he needs more than 3 hours. They have tomorrow off too. It’s not about beating themselves up. It’s about timing and being together. Time off isn’t what this team needs.
Sean,
I don’t care about Pacman’s return.
He’s dead to me. I don’t want to expend any energy on an undependable person.
That’s the proper attitude for Jones. Even better would be for Jerry to just come out and cut him, give up, and don’t keep these questions hanging around.
More importantly, someone followed up on my comment from a few days ago. WTH are they thinking benching Johnson and putting in a new holder at this point in the season? And they are talking about Crayton???? Yeah, he’s “Mr. Pressure.” Geez, let’s give the job back to Romo while we’re at it.
Really, Bollinger adds nothing over Johnson, they both suck and if Romo goes out we’re screwed. So just keep Johnson active.
Just watch us lose on a missed XP.
Give me a break. Haven’t JJ and Wade learned how important Sp. Teams are yet???
Dam Pacman must be an idiot. I actually hope he comes back and stays straight for good. I mean, how hard is it to stay sober and out of trouble for millions and millions of dollars let alone star celebrity status and being able to do a job that you love!
I mean I stay sober and out of trouble for meager enilisted military pay. WTF is he thinking??? Ok Ok, maybe I don’t stay sober but I stay out of trouble