Aaron Donald makes sense for Cowboys

[Midswat]

February, 25, 2014

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com


INDIANAPOLIS -- Pitt defensive tackle Aaron Donald has been linked to the Dallas Cowboysmore than any player.

Given the Cowboys’ need on the defensive line and Donald’s production on the field, it makes sense. Does he fit the prototype? Not particularly, because he is only 6-foot-1, but he has everything else. He had 26.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2013 for Pitt.

At the NFL scouting combine Donald was able to put numbers up with his stats.

He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 35 times. He had a 32-inch vertical jump. He had a nine-feet, three-inch broad jump. He had a 7.11-second time in the three-cone drill.

“I would love to play for anyone, but it would be great to play for them,” Donald said over the weekend of playing for the Cowboys. “I love the way they play up front. They let their three-tech just go attack.”

Now the question is whether Donald could be around when the Cowboys make the 16th pick in the draft. He might have done too well in a way, but there will be some teams that will knock him for his height.

“Thinking about it ain’t going to get me no taller,” Donald said.

The Cowboys need impact players from this draft. Donald could be their best bet.

“I feel I can make an impact right away,” Donald said. “Earn the trust from the coaches, learn the playbook, get on the field right away and make an impact, earn the respect of the vets and try to get out there and win games with them.”

 

[dbair1967]

Yes, he does

 

[GloryDaysRBack]

Rather have z - Mart

 

[bvhawkeye]

I'm getting to think Donald may very well be the man...

 

[boozeman]

I'm getting to think Donald may very well be the man...

Who everyone and their dog targets and then some other team blows up the plan, sending fans into a tizzy and Dallas scrambling around because they had no other plan.

He's the next Max Unger.

 

[Jon88]

Who everyone and their dog targets and then some other team blows up the plan, sending fans into a tizzy and Dallas scrambling around because they had no other plan.

He's the next Max Unger.

Yeah, let's tell everyone that's who we want so someone can trade up and draft him like they did Tony Gonzalez.

Jerry never learns a fucking thing.

 

[boozeman]

Yeah, let's tell everyone that's who we want so someone can trade up and draft him like they did Tony Gonzalez.

Jerry never learns a fucking thing.

Well in this case, he's done nothing wrong. Yet.

Most analysts etc. can see what a nearly tailor made fit he is for our defensive system.

What we need to do is not put crap out there that he's the only guy. In other words, show a bunch of public interest in players above and below his spot so it looks like you are not locked in.

You know..."smoke screen", which a lot of homers think he is good at when actually he's got the worst draft poker face of the 32 GMs.

 

[bbgun]

I wonder what we'll do if he's gone and one of those two safeties is still there. Probably trade down.

 

[Jon88]

The title sounds like a TV or radio show:

Aaron Donald is Making Sense for the Cowboys.

Then he just goes on there and rips the organization and Jerry like we do here.

 

[boozeman]

I wonder what we'll do if he's gone and one of those two safeties is still there. Probably trade down for poor value and get raped.

Corrected for you.

 

[boozeman]

The title sounds like a TV or radio show:

Aaron Donald is Making Sense for the Cowboys.

Then he just goes on there and rips the organization and Jerry like we do here.

Archer is one of the more sensible writers out there. Getting more critical each year too.

He better watch himself as he is getting close to being called a "mediot" and his observations being summarily flushed by the homer lunatic fringe of our fanbase.

 

[Jon88]

Archer is one of the more sensible writers out there. Getting more critical each year too.

He better watch himself as he is getting close to being called a "mediot" and his observations being summarily flushed by the homer lunatic fringe of our fanbase.

Gosselin has always been that way, if I'm not mistaken. I've never liked him though. He's a prick.

 

[dbair1967]

Yeah, let's tell everyone that's who we want so someone can trade up and draft him like they did Tony Gonzalez.

Jerry never learns a fucking thing.

You do know other teams study the needs of other teams before the draft, so they can project who teams might take and how far they might need to move up and get a guy they really like. All 32 teams do mock drafts too.

No NFL team that has multi millions on the payroll of personnel and scouting department people needs to rely on idiots that cover teams or internet fan forums to figure out who opposing teams might be interested in.

 

[Omegasupreme]

One of the reasons, IMO, Jerry does not fare well in the early parts of the draft is he is still not an expert in personnel - he is not sure about who or what or why he is picking...and so he panics. Remember the Quincy pick, the commentators were wondering why Jerry took so long to pick; they're comment was: "it's almost like he's afraid to pick". I think he was. Having Jimmy's or Parcells eyes makes Jerry feel qualified in personnel decisions because he identifies himself as at least their equal and lives vicariously through their expertise. But, in my opinion, he makes the weirdest decisions when he has the pawns for his coaches - and he seems the least secure in his own decisions with his Campos, Switzers, and Garretts than with his Jimmy's and Parcells.

For that reason, Jerry may very well have Donald fall to him and can't make a natural decision on a natural need. He may very well panic and proudly move down in the draft trying to pick up picks but really he is just delaying a tortured decision of picking ignorantly and resentfully because he lacks understanding of personnel.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

I actually think we've picked pretty well in the first for a while now... Except for Claiborne. It's later in the draft where the goofy stuff happens, like trying to find the small school or the injury prone gem. You know, the wildcatter picks.

Honestly, I do trust what Marinelli thinks. He was right last year that Richardson would be a beast 3-tech. If he's for Donald or whoever (or a DE), I bet we take him and I suspect he'll work out fine.