Post by prossman on May 2, 2009 4:42:13 GMT -7
CBS11 Blog: Bill Jones Eye Test on Cowboys Rookies McGee and Hodge
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 1, 2009 9:01 AM
The Eye Test
Posted by CBS11
Bill Jones
All 12 Cowboys draft picks are at Valley Ranch this morning for the start of a 3 day rookie mini-camp. And, here goes. What we do best. Time for a knee jerk reaction on what I saw this morning on the field and during the noon hour in the locker room. So, which of the rookies pass the eye test?
Most likely to succeed?
Absolutely, no doubt about it, hands down, without question, it's QB Stephen McGee. Now, don't get the wrong idea. This season he is not going to challenge Tony Romo for the starting job, or even Jon Kitna for the backup job. But give this guy 2-3 years to learn the NFL, and I believe Stephen McGee has a real chance to be a reliable starting QB in this league.
Cowboys and NFL scouting pioneer Gil Brandt paid a visit to this morning's practice and the first words out of his mouth were, "Boy, that McGee sure looks good."
It's not so much the throws McGee makes on the field (though scouts say he has the arm strength to make all the throws), rather the way in which he carries and conducts himself on and off the field that is so impressive about him. He has a workmanlike, team first mentality.
"It's not about me, it's not about Stephen McGee, it''s about Texas A&M," McGee said when asked about the frustrations of not playing in a pro-style offense in college, "and it's about the Cowboys now."
Quickest to make an impact?
Stephen Hodge, the 6-0, 239 converted TCU safety who is playing inside linebacker with the Cowboys, will make an immediate impact on special teams. As expected, I can already tell that Hodge is new special teams coach Joe DeCamillis' favorite rookie. On the final play of this morning's practice, Hodge made a play, knocking a pass away from free agent TE Jamar Hunt. It was a play that sent the animated Joe D. springing off the sideline to head slap Hodge.
After practice, DeCamillis was a little less effusive in his praise (heck, it's only one practice - against rookies!) but said, "He can compete out in space. He has a great motor and is very, very competitive."
Linebackers coach Reggie Herring seems excited about Hodge's potential too. "He showed his man coverage skills today," Herring said. "He's further along than others because he's used to playing in space."
Hodge looks every bit his listed 239 pounds. Though he's shorter than you'd like, I wouldn't shortchange his potential on down the road. I think he has a chance to be more than a special teams player. He has 4.58 speed and loves to hit. He carries himself with confidence.
While the Cowboys just released a former 1st round pick safety who was "a biscuit short of being a linebacker", they may have found one in the 6th round who can make the conversion.
__________________
"Screw yesterday; it's hard to say goodbye today."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 1, 2009 9:01 AM
The Eye Test
Posted by CBS11
Bill Jones
All 12 Cowboys draft picks are at Valley Ranch this morning for the start of a 3 day rookie mini-camp. And, here goes. What we do best. Time for a knee jerk reaction on what I saw this morning on the field and during the noon hour in the locker room. So, which of the rookies pass the eye test?
Most likely to succeed?
Absolutely, no doubt about it, hands down, without question, it's QB Stephen McGee. Now, don't get the wrong idea. This season he is not going to challenge Tony Romo for the starting job, or even Jon Kitna for the backup job. But give this guy 2-3 years to learn the NFL, and I believe Stephen McGee has a real chance to be a reliable starting QB in this league.
Cowboys and NFL scouting pioneer Gil Brandt paid a visit to this morning's practice and the first words out of his mouth were, "Boy, that McGee sure looks good."
It's not so much the throws McGee makes on the field (though scouts say he has the arm strength to make all the throws), rather the way in which he carries and conducts himself on and off the field that is so impressive about him. He has a workmanlike, team first mentality.
"It's not about me, it's not about Stephen McGee, it''s about Texas A&M," McGee said when asked about the frustrations of not playing in a pro-style offense in college, "and it's about the Cowboys now."
Quickest to make an impact?
Stephen Hodge, the 6-0, 239 converted TCU safety who is playing inside linebacker with the Cowboys, will make an immediate impact on special teams. As expected, I can already tell that Hodge is new special teams coach Joe DeCamillis' favorite rookie. On the final play of this morning's practice, Hodge made a play, knocking a pass away from free agent TE Jamar Hunt. It was a play that sent the animated Joe D. springing off the sideline to head slap Hodge.
After practice, DeCamillis was a little less effusive in his praise (heck, it's only one practice - against rookies!) but said, "He can compete out in space. He has a great motor and is very, very competitive."
Linebackers coach Reggie Herring seems excited about Hodge's potential too. "He showed his man coverage skills today," Herring said. "He's further along than others because he's used to playing in space."
Hodge looks every bit his listed 239 pounds. Though he's shorter than you'd like, I wouldn't shortchange his potential on down the road. I think he has a chance to be more than a special teams player. He has 4.58 speed and loves to hit. He carries himself with confidence.
While the Cowboys just released a former 1st round pick safety who was "a biscuit short of being a linebacker", they may have found one in the 6th round who can make the conversion.
__________________
"Screw yesterday; it's hard to say goodbye today."