Cowboys Release Michael Sam From Practice Squad

[Andrew Luck's Beard]

[Bravo]

Wouldn't be suprised if Colts took a chance on him and sign him to the Practice Squad.

They were pretty interested in him during the draft and when the Rams released him. I just don't think they wanted all of the media that comes with it.

The media is ruining this guys career in my opinion.

[50ShadesofBlu]

I am sad to hear that. I thought they were pretty high on him as a player.

[Gabriel Alexander Morillo]

Oh Noez!

[jvan1973]

Wouldn't be suprised if Colts took a chance on him and sign him to the Practice Squad.

They were pretty interested in him during the draft and when the Rams released him. I just don't think they wanted all of the media that comes with it.

The media is ruining this guys career in my opinion.

He has no place on our defense at all Where did you hear the coils were ever interested?

[ReMeDy]

At this point, who would want him? Teams don't like Tim Tebow or Hard Knocks either. Why should someone take a chance on Sam (who let's face it, *should* have been an undrafted DE), who has now been cut from two teams. He couldn't make the 52-man Rams squad and Dallas didn't like him on the practice squad. What does that say to the rest of the league?

 

I think there's something else the Rams and Dallas aren't telling us though, because I felt he did solid in preseason. My favorite part was him sacking Johnny Manziel and Sam giving the money sign.

 

[Gavin]

He is not ready to be a be a solid contributor to a defense, Lacks strength and definition in his frame, He also struggles to turn the corner when rushing the passer

[Bluefire4]

Wouldn't be suprised if Colts took a chance on him and sign him to the Practice Squad.

They were pretty interested in him during the draft and when the Rams released him. I just don't think they wanted all of the media that comes with it.

The media is ruining this guys career in my opinion.

Nothing said the Colts were interested when the Rams released him.

[akcolt]

 

Nothing said the Colts were interested when the Rams released him.

 

I never heard of the Colts showing any interest either. I really don't see the need or fit. 

 

In fact I heard on sports radio Jerry signed him to sell his jersey. He had the 3rd highest selling jersey in the preseason. Word got out of his diabolical plan and he waited the appropriate amount of time and cut him.

 

I am not sure that the media is ruining his career. If the guy could play someone would grab him pass rushers are in high demand.

[Bravo]

He has no place on our defense at all Where did you hear the coils were ever interested?

www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-sources-ravens-patriots-falcons-colts-browns-jets-have-displayed-the-most-interest-in-michael-sam-20140415-story.html

Plenty of other sites as well.. Even NFL.com

[jvan1973]

www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-sources-ravens-patriots-falcons-colts-browns-jets-have-displayed-the-most-interest-in-michael-sam-20140415-story.html

Plenty of other sites as well.. Even NFL.com

That's speculation. It doesn't even make sense. He doesn't fit our scheme at all

[oldunclemark]

he's probably done for this year

[Bravo]

That's speculation. It doesn't even make sense. He doesn't fit our scheme at all

Hey wouldn't be the first time we bring in someone who doesn't fit the scheme! Grigson said he liked the way Sam played and he sees talent or something of that nature. Anything can happen! Although not likely as you previously stated! ;)

[BpG]

Why is anyone sad about this? ?

 

Why does anyone care about a 7th round pick getting cut from a practice squad, it happens every single week.

[BpG]

he's probably done forever

 

 

Fixed

[Dustin]

He has no place on our defense at all

 

Well he's a stand up edge rusher. 

[Gavin]

That's speculation. It doesn't even make sense. He doesn't fit our scheme at all

Not exactly true, He could be used as a rotational pass rusher, I however don't think he would be very affective do to lack of strength

[shakedownstreet]

Why does anyone care about a 7th round pick getting cut from a practice squad, it happens every single week.

 

now that's a rhetorical question if i've ever seen one

[Blue Horseshoe]

He should go play in Canada.

[ColtsBlueFL]

The Scouts of teams identified Sam's problem well before the draft, and he went where about 21 plus scouts that were interviewed felt he would.  His issue, well I'll quote one source, but they all seem to be somewhat  echo's-

 

** The problem appears to be that Sam, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 255 pounds, is considered an in-betweener — too small to be an NFL defensive end in a 4-3 and not athletic enough to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4. He may not be able to get to the quarterback, or drop back in coverage on tight ends and running backs.

 

“It’s a tough fit when you’re short and slow and a try-hard overachiever,” one AFC executive said. **

 

He has plenty of want to, but is not a good fit.  Couple more sources sentiments-

 

“Most of his production was hustle stuff,” an NFC personnel man told McGinn. “There’s production, but he’s short, he’s not a really good athlete and he doesn’t play good against the run."

 

“He’s kind of a one-task pass rusher. Just run up the field. And they swallow him up and kind of push him around. It doesn’t fit with being SEC Defensive Player of the Year. But that’s just kind of what he was.”

 

So everyone admires his determination and desire, but he's hamstrung by his measurable stats and skill set.  It may take a lot of league injuries to have a space he can fill, unfortunately.

[Valpo2004]

At this point it seems that Sam is just not NFL material. 

 

Everything will be ok though.  The movement for homosexual acceptance is doing just fine with or without Sam.

 

In fact him coming into the NFL seemed to be handled pretty well by everyone involved except the media who was determined to hamstring his career by rushing into locker rooms demanding to talk to a practice squad/borderline player.

 

But there was no reported problems in the locker room and most of the messages from fellow NFL players where supportive and if someone was out there that wasn't supportive (there may have been) they kept their mouths shut.

 

Good luck to him, he should probably consider the CFL or the Arena league.  He could actually bring some much desired attention to these leagues and he's probably good enough to play there.

[ColtsBlueFL]

Checked again, and still same sentiment, except for Jeff Fisher (who also released him).  Here's Jeff's take-

 

“He’s not one of those guys that’s between a defensive end and a linebacker,” Fisher said. “Mike’s a defensive end. He plays with his hand down. He plays very well. He understands things. He can get off blocks. There was a lot of talk with respect to his ability to play special teams. Very few defensive ends in the league play special teams. He’s not a linebacker that you would expect to play special teams. He’s a defensive end."

 

With enough injuries, Sam may get a shot late in the year.  I don't know.

 

But from what scouts have said and Jeff Fishers input, he doesn't seem to be a good fit for the Colts.

[Dark Superman]

Maybe he was the Cowboys Good Luck charm?

[ColtsBlueFL]

Maybe he was the Cowboys Good Luck charm?

  ooops....

[CR91]

go play in san diego. see what I did there ;)

[Gavin]

Yeah Im not buying Fishers take, I mean Im buying that he believes that...I think he is being blunt and honest in his opinion....Im just not buying that he is right....Why? Werner and Sams measurable were not THAT far apart (I tried hard to stay out of this by the way)

Sam 6'2" 261lbs (Mathis is 6'2" but much lighter and much more defined)

Arm Length 33 3/8ths

40 time: 4.91

Bench Press reps: 17

Vert Jump: 25.5 inches

Broad Jump: 114 inches

3 cone drill 7.80

20 yard shuttle 4.70

Werner 6'3" 266lbs (coming out....Down to 257 now)

Arm Length: 33 1/4

40 time: 4.83

Bench Press reps: 25

Vert Jump: 31.0 inches

Broad Jump: 111 inches

3 Cone Drill: 7.30

20 yard shuttle: 4.40

It just seems to me that the significant difference is strength. 3 Cone and lack of pass rush moves....relies on speed rush.

Let me be clear...Im not vouching for him or have any sort of agenda, I don't think he would be worth picking up this year at this point, I would however keep tabs on him to see how he progresses from this year to TC next year. I think his real problem is strength and lack of definition....Needs to drop a few LB's to play rush linebacker

[jvan1973]

Yeah Im not buying Fishers take, I mean Im buying that he believes that...I think he is being blunt and honest in his opinion....Im just not buying that he is right....Why? Werner and Sams measurable were not THAT far apart (I tried hard to stay out of this by the way)

Sam 6'2" 261lbs (Mathis is 6'2" but much lighter and much more defined)

Arm Length 33 3/8ths

40 time: 4.91

Bench Press reps: 17

Vert Jump: 25.5 inches

Broad Jump: 114 inches

3 cone drill 7.80

20 yard shuttle 4.70

Werner 6'3" 266lbs (coming out....Down to 257 now)

Arm Length: 33 1/4

40 time: 4.83

Bench Press reps: 25

Vert Jump: 31.0 inches

Broad Jump: 111 inches

3 Cone Drill: 7.30

20 yard shuttle: 4.40

It just seems to me that the significant difference is strength and lack of pass rush moves....relies on speed rush.

Let me be clear...Im not vouching for him or have any sort of agenda, I don't think he would be worth picking up this year at this point, I would however keep tabs on him to see how he progresses from this year to TC next year. I think his real problem is strength and lack of definition....Needs to drop a few LB's to play rush linebacker

Lots of guys have the same measurables. Some become great athletes, some are garbage men. There's a lot more to it than that

[Gavin]

Lots of guys have the same measurables. Some become great athletes, some are garbage men. There's a lot more to it than that

Right

[Valpo2004]

Yeah Im not buying Fishers take, I mean Im buying that he believes that...I think he is being blunt and honest in his opinion....Im just not buying that he is right....Why? Werner and Sams measurable were not THAT far apart (I tried hard to stay out of this by the way)

Sam 6'2" 261lbs (Mathis is 6'2" but much lighter and much more defined)

Arm Length 33 3/8ths

40 time: 4.91

Bench Press reps: 17

Vert Jump: 25.5 inches

Broad Jump: 114 inches

3 cone drill 7.80

20 yard shuttle 4.70

Werner 6'3" 266lbs (coming out....Down to 257 now)

Arm Length: 33 1/4

40 time: 4.83

Bench Press reps: 25

Vert Jump: 31.0 inches

Broad Jump: 111 inches

3 Cone Drill: 7.30

20 yard shuttle: 4.40

It just seems to me that the significant difference is strength. 3 Cone and lack of pass rush moves....relies on speed rush.

Let me be clear...Im not vouching for him or have any sort of agenda, I don't think he would be worth picking up this year at this point, I would however keep tabs on him to see how he progresses from this year to TC next year. I think his real problem is strength and lack of definition....Needs to drop a few LB's to play rush linebacker

 

I think the thing with Sam was though is that he was pure pass rusher and not much good at anything else.  Werner was noted to be a jack of all trades sort of player.  

 

I will note also that even if they are close, with the exception of Broad Jump Werner looks better in almost every category.

 

Ultimately there is something about Sam that just isn't NFL caliber.  2 teams have had an extensive look at him now against other NFL players, the Rams in camp and the Cowboys in practice.  And both have declined to hold onto him.  

 

Honestly though for Sam he really should go play in the CFL or the Arena league.  He has a lot of fans and him playing in those leagues to give them some much needed attention.

 

And it's not unheard of for players to refine their skills there and get another shot at the NFL.  Freeman did it.  Kurt Warner did it.

[Synthetic]

At this point it seems that Sam is just not NFL material. 

 

Everything will be ok though.  The movement for homosexual acceptance is doing just fine with or without Sam.

 

In fact him coming into the NFL seemed to be handled pretty well by everyone involved except the media who was determined to hamstring his career by rushing into locker rooms demanding to talk to a practice squad/borderline player.

 

 

It was handled by everyone nicely except for the amount of homophobic fans that always lose their mind when you say something positive about him.

 

Not the media's fault at all that he's scapegoated just for having the courage to be open about who he is.

 

If it weren't for the media, I doubt anyone would know much about him. They didn't ruin his career, if anything they helped it.

[Gavin]

It was handled by everyone nicely except for the amount of homophobic fans that always lose their mind when you say something positive about him.

 

Not the media's fault at all that he's scapegoated just for having the courage to be open about who he is.

 

If it weren't for the media, I doubt anyone would know much about him. They didn't ruin his career, if anything they helped it.

There was plenty of people who knew who he was before he came out and yes it is in part the medias fault, The fact that he is gay was well exploited by several media outlets, ESPN, NFL Network were just 2.

Is it just the medias fault? Absolutely not. I think anytime your dealing with the amount of fan base the NFL has then its a given your going to get some homophobes in there...and plenty of them...But there will ALWAYS be those type of people for one reason or another....Is it right? Of course not.....But the media made it a much larger deal then it was or is....He is gay.....So what? That don't make him any less of a human or affect his football skill set, The media...just like they almost always do...found something they could leech onto and run with it as long as they could....And will again if/when he ever lands on a team and sticks or becomes a starter at any point in his career....

If by chance he goes to the CFL you better believe the media (particularly ESPN)will be on that to.....Other then that do ya think the CFL gets much media coverage in the states? Nope....and neither do players that go there from the NFL or after not being drafted

[Valpo2004]

It was handled by everyone nicely except for the amount of homophobic fans that always lose their mind when you say something positive about him.

 

Not the media's fault at all that he's scapegoated just for having the courage to be open about who he is.

 

If it weren't for the media, I doubt anyone would know much about him. They didn't ruin his career, if anything they helped it.

 

The media is at fault for making him someone that you have to consider the media issues. 

 

Borderline players aren't worth loads of media attention for teams.  It's what hamstrung Tebow and it's doing the same to Sam.  Teams learned from Tebow having the media fighting to talk to your 3rd string QB causes problems.  Same thing with Sam, it's going to cause problems if they are fighting to talk to a practice squad player. 

 

There where not a lot of people within the NFL itself who where upset about Sam being signed, so the NFL itself handled the issue just fine.  But the media had to make more of a story out of then it was worth.  And they are the ones causing Sam more problems then homophobes ever could.

 

The homophobes where not the ones stopped Sam from being successful.  The media attention was.