Last Updated: Sunday, April 7, 2002 5:28 PM
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Rocky
Calmus - LB - Oklahoma
When Roy Williams wasn't making the big play-- it was Rocky Calmus. That said,
why not bring the duo into Texas Stadium and put yet another playmaker on the
field. Named the winner of the Butkus Award, which recognizes the top linebacker
in the country, Calmus is the first Sooner to capture the award since Brian
Bosworth in 1985 and 1986. At 6-foot-3, 235-pound, Calmus and Roy Williams combined
for 216 tackles, including 145 unassisted tallies, and six interceptions for
the Sooner defense in 2001. That's some serious punishment, and in round-four
of the draft-- a value pick for the Cowboys. The selection of Calmus also fits
into my view that the Cowboys should select hardworking individuals with character.
Off the field, he prefers the shadows. For example, he refused to be a part
of Playboy's All-American team and his photo, at his request, was not in the
magazine. On the field, he's simply a terror. He finished his career in the
Cotton Bowl with nine solo tackles -- two for losses -- and a key fumble recovery
as Oklahoma used a dominating defensive effort to defeat Arkansas. Teammate
Dusty Dvoracek said of Calmus--"Just like all season, Rocky was all over
the place. He always seems to be around the ball -- its amazing."
Depth at linebacker and improving special teams is a huge need this season for the Cowboys, and these are areas that Calmus can help at right away. He's a student of the game-- in the Bill Bates mold, and like Bates-- makes the most of his ability. Always thinking, he had a huge play on special teams against Arkansas downing a punt at the 1-yard-line late in the game. Also interesting was his though pattern on a fumble recovery in the Cotton Bowl."I saw the ball pop out and the center was right next to it and I knew it was going to be a scramble," Calmus said. "I was trying to set myself up where it wouldn't squirt away. Fortunately, it bounced right into my hands." An average player would just try to flop on the ball. Calmus was analyzing "how" to recover the fumble. I hope you see the difference. Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops has called Calmus "the heart of our defense." That is just what the Dallas defense needs-- heart!
In response to feedback from the Park's Family, and since we've been late at times, the exact date Round Five will be released is a mystery. That said, look for it before, on-- or about March 30, 2002. :-)
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