Tag: Rico Dowdle

Cowboys News: Randy Gregory’s rocky road, RB sleeper for 53-man roster

A look at the RB room for the Cowboys in 2020, best SB offenses, Mike McCarthy’s roadmap to greatness and Gregory’s dotted profile.

NFL coaches resumed working in team facilities recently, and the players are set to follow them soon. Learn more about the protocol teams must follow in order to get facilities back up and running like usual. The return to facilities is a great sign as far as the season actually being played, but what does that mean for the Hall of Fame game, where the Cowboys are set to kick off the preseason against Pittsburgh?

Extra attention is paid to the running backs in this week’s news and notes, including a positional breakdown and an undrafted running back profile, both by the Cowboys staff writers. Learn more about a few players that have starters in front of them, like Dorance Armstrong and Andy Dalton. Plus two rankings, one that debates Carson Wentz versus Dak Prescott, and one ranks the best offenses ever and includes the ’95 Cowboys. First up though, an in-depth profile into Randy Gregory and the competition he faces on and off the field.

Randy Gregory’s path back to Cowboys still unpaved and rocky, but can be traveled :: Cowboys Wire

The countdown to the regular season continues with an in-depth profile of the Cowboys 2015 second-round pick. With just two accrued seasons entering his sixth year out of Nebraska, Gregory’s journey includes an amazing number of potholes and roadblocks, and still has multiple hurdles to clear before getting back on track.

UDFA Profile: Injuries Not Holding Dowdle Back :: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys running back depth chart is pretty decided, but there could be room for Dallas to keep a surprise third back. South Carolina’s Rico Dowdle has the talent to make an NFL roster, but his injury history is the biggest blockade for the young back.

Cowboys’ DE Dorance Armstrong Getting Lost in the Shuffle? :: Inside The Star

The Cowboys have a revamped defensive line with Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, and Aldon Smith. However, Brian Martin breaks down how Dorance Armstrong needs to be talked about as well.

The Cowboys are pleased with former Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton :: Sports Illustrated

Andy Dalton’s experience and knowledge haa the Cowboys pleased with bringing him on board.

Position Breakdown: Running Backs :: Dallas Cowboys

Entering the last few seasons, the run game was the Cowboys biggest threat, but after a stellar year from Dak Prescott, re-signing Amari Cooper, and drafting CeeDee Lamb, the pass game will be the focal point of opposing defenses. Read a breakdown of the running back position currently in Dallas.

Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys Chances: SB-winning coach performances in new jobs :: Cowboys Wire

Following up on an article from The Athletic, a look into what type of teams Super Bowl winning coaches took over and how they fared in their first season. Are there any cautionary tales for Dallas’ new skipper?

If the Cowboys need to choose between run or pass defense, the choice is obvious :: Blogging The Boys

David Howman breaks how the Cowboys defense should focus on stopping the pass first and them worry about the run game.

Keeping lockers at least 6 feet apart will be a logistical nightmare for many NFL teams, but not for the Cowboys :: Dallas Morning News

David Moore breaks down how even with the list protocols that have to be met to re-open facilities in the NFL, the Cowboys won’t have any issues making it work.

Should Cowboys vs Steelers Hall of Fame Game Be Canceled? :: Inside The Star

The Cowboys and Steelers are set to play in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio on August 6. But with the current COVID-19 pandemic putting the ability to have fans in jeopardy, should it be canceled?

Ranking the top five Super Bowl champion offenses ever: Legendary 1990s units dominate all-time list :: CBS Sports

The Cowboys, especially through the 1990’s, had some truly elite offenses. The 1995 unit stands out even amongst some of the other greatest offenses, find out where they stand on CBS Sports’ ranking.

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Touchdown Wire’s top sleepers in the 2020 NFL Draft

You know the names at the top. Joe Burrow. Tua Tagovailoa. But the NFL Draft has seven rounds. Who are the top sleepers for the 2020 Draft?

The hay, as they say, is in the barn.

Here at Touchdown Wire, we have made you as ready as possible for the start of the 2020 NFL Draft. We have broken down our top 11 at each position. We have put together our top 50 overall players, along with a list of comparisons for each player, to get you ready for Thursday night. We have assembled various film breakdowns, watched tape with prospects, and given you a variety of mock drafts to game out various scenarios.

But the work goes on, and the dream never dies.

By “the dream,” we mean the NFL hopes for players that might not be included in those previous pieces. Players that might not have cracked a top 11 at their position. Players that might not break into a top fifty list, and players that might have to wait until Friday or even Saturday to see how their NFL story begins.

Part of the reason that people love sports is the underdog story. Rocky. Rudy. Miracle. Movies that capture our attention are rooted in pulling for the longshot. Before they became the Evil Empire, the New England Patriots were the crappy underdog, led by a sixth-round sleeper of a quarterback, taking on the Greatest Show on Turf. It is why people love March Madness, as it taps into our love of Cinderella stories, and why we still get choked up when Gene Hackman says his team is on the floor.

In that spirit, here are some of the best sleepers in this draft class. Underdogs that might not hear their name called until late on Saturday, but players that have both NFL dreams, and NFL potential.

Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming

(Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports)

Logan Wilson cracked Touchdown Wire’s list of the top 11 linebackers, but as we get closer and closer to the draft the Wyoming defender might be moving even higher on draft boards. Wilson received just one scholarship offer coming out of Natrona County High School in Wyoming, despite being a two-time All-State performer at both defensive back and wide receiver. But after a redshirt year, Wilson was slotted into Wyoming’s defense as a linebacker, and never looked back. Over his four years on campus he played 3,618 snaps, which is almost a Cal Ripkenesque number in today’s college game.

On the field, Wilson is a smart, experienced and patient linebacker who is ready to take on the responsibilities asked of him in an NFL defense. Wilson is a sure tackler between the tackles in the run game, moves well as a blitzer and handles his coverage responsibilities well. Over his career he tallied ten interceptions, an impressive number for any college linebacker. Given the need to stop the pass, linebackers who can both cover and still stop the run are a desired commodity, and Wilson checks both of those boxes.

Beyond that, Wilson checks some of the throwback desirables at the position. If you are a coach or a general manager that loves seeing a linebacker standup a lead blocker in the hole, shed him at the point of attack and make the tackle, then Wilson is going to get you excited.

But he can also contribute plays like this, one of the more amazing moments from the 2017 college football season:

Wilson has the coverage chops and experience to handle the pass defense aspects of the position, but the nose for the football, along with the stack and shed requirements, that will allow him to play on both first and second downs in the league. Perhaps it is no surprise that in Bob McGinn’s pre-draft piece on the linebackers (his pre-draft series is must-read every year) a scout told him that Wilson is a starter with a chance to play every snap given his experience.

Do not sleep on the kid from Wyoming.

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Giants select Tristan Wirfs in The Athletic’s seven-round mock draft

The New York Giants land Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs and a ton of other talent in The Athletic’s seven-round mock draft.

The 2020 NFL Draft is now less than two weeks away and some of the top publicans are beginning to finalize their mock drafts.

Among them is Dane Brugler of The Athletic, who released version 5.0 of his mock draft on Monday. And while a window was left open for the possibility of one more version between now and the draft, he acknowledges that the likelihood of another seven-round draft is slim-to-none.

So, what does Brugler have the New York Giants doing? He starts their draft off with Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.

The Giants’ decision could come down to their highest-ranked tackle or a defensive playmaker like Isaiah Simmons. One of the reasons I think they will lean toward tackle is the impact that will make on other recent first-round picks like Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones.

And here are the Giants’ next nine picks:

  • 36. New York Giants – A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
  • 99. New York Giants – Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
  • 110. New York Giants – Kenny Robinson, FS, XFL
  • 150. New York Giants – Keith Ismael, OC, San Diego State
  • 183. New York Giants – Evan Weaver, LB, California
  • 218. New York Giants – Rodrigo Blankenship, PK, Georgia
  • 238. New York Giants (from NO) – Jared Pinkney, TE, Vanderbilt
  • 247. New York Giants – Rico Dowdle, RB, South Carolina
  • 255. New York Giants – Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, CB, FIU

Brugler also offered the following commentary for the Bryan Edwards pick:

Out of sight and out of mind – unfortunately that has been the theme of Edwards’ draft process after injuries sidelined him for the Senior Bowl and combine. But teams know what type of competitor he is after his record-setting career for the Gamecocks.

There’s a lot to digest here, but Brugler essentially has the Giants addressing every major area of need, every secondary area of need and then some in this mock draft.

Kenny Robinson would be the first XFL player drafted in this scenario, while the Giants also land the best kicker — Rodrigo Blankenship — to compete with Aldrick Rosas.

How would you feel about this draft haul, Giants fans?

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Philadelphia Eagles land Jerry Jeudy in a 7-round simulated mock draft

Philadelphia Eagles seven-round mock draft

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The Philadelphia Eagles are preparing to address their wide receiver needs in the NFL draft and according to recent mocks, one player they covet could be sliding down the board.

Draft pundits and experts have been raving about Henry Ruggs, CeeDee Lamb, and others.

Could some of the predraft luster surrounding Jerry Jeudy now be shifting to his former Crimson Tide teammate?

In a recent seven-round simulated mock from The Draft Network, the Birds landed Alabama All-American, Jerry Jeudy at pick No. 21 and then scooped up Arizona State star Brandon Aiyuk in the second round.

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In all, the Eagles landed two wide receivers that many teams covet, an edge-rusher, a versatile linebacker, depth along the offensive line and a running back out of South Carolina who has a ton of familiarity with Duce Staley.

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Meet Rico Dowdle, South Carolina’s gem of a RB prospect

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with South Carolina running back prospect Rico Dowdle

Recent NFL draft history has proven teams can find productive running backs in the later rounds, getting great value at a key position that can keep their offensive attack balanced.

One such gem in the 2020 NFL Draft class? South Carolina’s Rico Dowdle.

Dowdle recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, the tough competition he faced at the college level, and why an NFL team should take a chance on him in this year’s draft.

JM: How would you describe your running style?

RD: I’m a very physical runner. That’s what I pride myself off of. I play a physical brand of football. My style can branch out from there, but it all starts with being physical. I have great vision as well. Being physical is my main thing.

JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?

RD: It was a great experience. I’m very thankful for the opportunity. There’s a lot more to the combine than what you see on TV. There’s a lot of sitting around and waiting when it comes to the medical checks and what not. I enjoyed meeting with the coaches. I thought all of my meetings went well. It gave me an opportunity to showcase my talent and personality. I feel like I was definitely well prepared for all of that.

Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

JM: Taking every aspect of the combine into account, what do you feel is the overall impression that you left out there?

RD: I was happy with my testing numbers. I’m of the opinion that all of my face-to-face meetings went well. Meeting with the coaches and what not was a great experience. I did some great work on the field. Everything went well for me.

JM: I realize that you can’t disclose the teams that you’ve met with, but have you been busy throughout the process?

RD: My day-to-day routine has consisted of meeting with various teams. I can’t complain. I’ve been pretty busy throughout this process. It’s been a fun ride so far.

JM: You were able to bounce back from a few injuries earlier in your collegiate career. For example, you suffered a broken leg in 2017. What was the mental hurdle like as you tried to get over that injury?

RD: I just had to stay positive. I always told myself that. That’s the most important thing when you’re going through a serious injury. Just stay positive. I was able to remain encouraged and motivated. I kept my head down and went to work. I knew that it wasn’t over. My football career wasn’t over. I was gonna bounce back and get another opportunity. I just had to be ready to make the most of my next opportunity. That’s all it was.

Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

JM: Would you rather break off a 75-yard touchdown run, or touch the ball 6-plus times on a long, punishing drive?

RD: That’s a tough question (laughs). I’d probably have to go with the long drive option. Let me touch the ball 6-plus times on a long drive. Let’s run the ball right at the defense. It fits in with my physical brand of football. Don’t get me wrong, I love breaking off a long one as well. Those big, long touchdown drives are a lot of fun. Those long runs are very impressive. I’ll stick with the long drive though. It’s also a more realistic option.

JM: Playing at South Carolina has afforded you the opportunity to play against some of the best competition college football has to offer. Who are some of the best defenders you’ve ever had to go up against?

RD: I remember playing against Bradley Chubb. He’s a great one. Isaiah Simmons from Clemson immediately comes to mind as well. Raekwon Davis from Alabama is another one. Really, everybody from Alabama. They always have a great defense. I’ve played against so many great defenders. I’m not great with names, but Florida had several impressive defenders as well. Those are just a few that come to mind.

JM: Why should an NFL team use one of their draft picks on Rico Dowdle?

RD: You’re gonna get a guy that loves the game of football. I’m very passionate about the game. That comes first and foremost. You’re gonna get a hard worker that’s gonna come into the building and be ready and available to operate as a three-down running back.

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2020 NFL Combine: 5 RB’s for the Eagles to watch

2020 NFL Combine: 5 RB’s for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch

The 2020 NFL Combine kicked off on Monday, but the most important part of the week, the workouts, begins on Thursday in primetime.

Eagles executive vice president/general manager Howie Roseman and his staff are projected to have 10 picks to work with during the NFL Draft and with the goal being to retool and get younger, the Birds are set to infuse youth and talent.

The Eagles have Miles Sanders and Boston Scott but can always add more talent. With running back always being a need, here are five to watch at the combine.

***

1. Rico Dowdle — South Carolina

A Duce Staley clone and a guy the Eagles assistant head coach is familiar with, Dowdle could be a back of interest for the Eagles in later rounds.

The 5-foot-11, 213-pound running back with Staley’s son Damani, and has a physical style that the Eagles could need if Jordan Howard exits in free agency.

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Report: Saints met with several wide receiver prospects at 2020 Shrine Bowl

The New Orleans Saints met with several 2020 NFL Draft prospects at the 2020 Shrine Bowl, including Boise State receiver John Hightower.

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Everyone meets with everyone in the months leading up the NFL Draft, and 2020 should be no different. Whether contact is made before or after practice at all-star games like the Shrine Bowl or Senior Bowl, in brisk interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine, after-hours following pro day workouts, or on private facilities visits, the New Orleans Saints and every other team will have opportunities to meet with every draft prospect on their big board.

So we shouldn’t look too deeply into individual meetings. All of that said, it’s fun to track these things and speculate about the future. Per a report from The Draft Network, the Saints were noticed meeting with four different draft prospects at last week’s Shrine Bowl practices. Here’s a quick summary on each of them:

RB Rico Dowdle, South Carolina

Other meetings: Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins

Weighing in at 5-foot-1 and 214 pounds, Dowdle is a perfect fit for what the Saints like from a height/weight profile. He logged 428 rushing attempts for 2,167 yards on the ground in four years with the Gamecocks (averaging 5.1 yards per carry), scoring 16 touchdown runs along the way. He also caught 62 passes in his collegiate career to gain 483 yards through the air (7.8 yards per reception), scoring three touchdowns in his first three years. He played 39 games for South Carolina, averaging 11.1 carries and 1.6 receptions per game.

WR Binjimen Victor, Ohio State

Other meetings: Miami Dolphins

Victor weighed in at 6-foot-3 and 196 pounds, and has shown an ability to stretch the field in four years with the Buckeyes. He averaged 16.1 yards per reception in 33 games, totaling 83 receptions for 1,340 yards — and catching 18 touchdown passes. He averaged 2.5 catches and 40.6 receiving yards per game, though he caught just 4 passes for 64 yards in three games as a true freshman back in 2016. He could be someone the Saints target on the third day of the draft, or maybe in undrafted free agency.

WR Keith Gavin, Florida State

Other meetings:Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Chargers

Tipping the scales at a hair under 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds, Gavin only played one game as a true freshman before finding a role for himself the last three years. Injuries limited his availability throughout his career, however, as Gavin suited up for just 28 games in his last three years. He finished his career with 71 receptions for 901 receiving yards (12.7 yards per catch) and only a single touchdown grab. He averaged 2.5 receptions and 31.1 receiving yards per game and might be a priority free agent after the draft.

WR John Hightower, Boise State

Other meetings: Philadelphia Eagles (twice), New York Giants, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs

Hightower measured in at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, a little shorter and quite heavier than his listed stats, which is preferable (the list of productive 172-pound receivers in the NFL is brief, but plenty don’t quite reach 6-foot-2). He transferred to Boise State from the junior college ranks and immediately established himself as an offensive weapon, averaging 17.6 yards per catch in two years while scoring 16 touchdowns from scrimmage. He averaged 3.6 catches for 63.0 receiving yards per game, as well as 1.0 carries for 13.8 rushing yards per outing. He could be seen as a backup option should the Saints target someone like Laviska Shenault Jr. early but aren’t able to select that kind of versatile weapon.

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