ESPN.com - Cowboys looking at TCU's Stansly Maponga

ESPN.com: Cowboys

Thursday, March 7, 2013
Cowboys looking at TCU's Stansly Maponga

By Calvin Watkins

FORT WORTH -- TCU held its annual pro day Thursday on campus. Here are some observations:

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The big-name player at the pro day was defensive end/outside linebacker Stansly Maponga. The biggest negative for Maponga, a native of Carrollton, Texas , is his health. He's going to visit a doctor to determine if he needs surgery to repair a broken left little toe. Maponga didn't run at the combine because doctors told him the bone was too soft, but he ran Thursday. His official 40 times were 4.84 and 4.85. He also bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times and had a vertical jump of 29-1/2 inches. After his workout, Maponga said he could have done better and that he's got another workout scheduled for Sunday with the Atlanta Falcons. Maponga has met with Cowboys officials and another meeting is being planned.

TCU wide receiver Josh Boyce didn't speak with reporters and wasn't able to work out because he was on crutches. Boyce had surgery Tuesday to repair a broken foot. Boyce, however, is a speedster. He ran a 4.38 40 at the combine but, along with Maponga, you wonder if his stock has fallen because of his health issue.

Guard Blaize Foltz produced some nice 40 times. He clocked in at 5.38 and 5.33. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 33 times and reached 25-1/2 inches on his vertical jump. One thing that should help Foltz is his ability to play center and guard. He did some snaps during the workout and is hopeful that will get him drafted in the middle to late rounds next month. Foltz said he's lost 10 pounds since the college season ended and has 7 percent body fat. He measured at 6-foot-3 and 324 pounds.

Wide receiver Skye Dawson has the ability to become a slot receiver at the next level. He looked smooth while running a 4.39 and a 4.40 in the 40. Dawson, a Mesquite, Texas native, ran some crisp routes and caught a few passes from former TCU and current Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. Dawson had a vertical jump of 35-1/2 inches.

Among the more than 20 NFL teams in attendance were the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers, who sent position coaches. The Cowboys, like most teams, sent scouts. Hall of Famer Joe Greene, a scout for the Steelers who lives in the Dallas area, was working the pro day, as well.

It will be interesting to see where running back Matthew Tucker ends up. He looks like a physical presence and ran a 4.55 and a 4.57 in the 40. Tucker looks like he can run between the tackles and is quick enough to make defenders miss. If he's a late-round pick, he'll be a candidate to play special teams. His speed can help him get downfield to make some tackles.