04/29/2012 - A closer look at the Cowboys' picks: Round 7/222 - Caleb McSurdy, LB, 6-1, 245, Montana...McSurdy clearly was a picked as a future prospect. He was a highly productive tackler in college and the Cowboys hope he can come in and make an immediate impact on special teams. - The Sports Xchange
Positives: Possesses a squatty build conducive to playing inside linebacker. Excellent diagnosis skills. Quickly reads run and has heavy hands to jolt blockers and disengage to make the tackle in the hole for limited gain. Good awareness in cverage once he gets there. Keeps his head on a swivel and qickly closes once the ball is released Steady open-field tackler who wraps securely and brings a heavy hit, though he has only average overall explosiveness. High-effort player who will make it tough on coaches to cut him. Top intangibles and effort for special teams duty. Dual-sport athlete while at Montana. Also participated as a thrower on the Grizzlies' track and field team... Team captain.
Negatives: Limited athlete who could prove a bit of a schematic 'tweener in the NFL. Possesses short arms which could limit his ability to disengage from blocks as effectively against bigger, stronger athletes than he saw in the Big Sky... Lacks the straight-line speed to beat NFL backs to the sideline. While alert in coverage, is a bit stiff, struggling to change directions to remain in the hip poket of receivers, likely making him at best a two-down performer in the NFL.
