Blogging The Boys

looks like the plan is

rd 1 Upshaw or Ingram if both gone than CB
rd 2 O-line
rd 3 CB or OLB depending on rd 1 pick

There's still a long way to go

and a lot of evaluating to do over the next 3 months. But I agree that that’s where the focus seems to be as of now.

BWareofDWare - January 26, 2012 reply

Cowboys don't draft that way

Terry, I agree,

ij JG has control of the draft, we only have last years draft to go by.

JG doesn't have controll of the draft.

He has input, but Jerry has the hammer.

Jerry will listen to Garrett

If Garrett wants a player, Jerry will give him who he wants

Jerry hasn't changed.

If you remember the last Philly game, you know he hasn’t. Playing Romo wasn’t a decision JG could make by himself. Jerry had to come down and help, give me a effin break Jerry.

We were down 10-0; the giants already lost; and romo wrekced his hand

It made semse to throw the game

I mean already won

You think JG didn't know that?

Jerry is Jerry, he can’t help the meddling.

How does anyone KNOW for sure

that Jerry has the hammer? I honestly think it’s a group consensus model where even if JJ likes a guy and noone else does, then they DON’T draft him and vice versa.

I honestly thought that We had covered this:

Dallas follows their Board, unless someone “sells” a player.

one one in the room has more “weight” than any other. If you can convince the majority, then your guy gets picked if not, the Board rules…

We have, but kicking Jerry is a way to pass the time.

I'm actually going to rec this

because its completely honest.

ME too

I laughed…

Poor Jerry

He can’t win even if he wins the SB I fear.

If he wins a SB, I'll shut up about him.

I promise.

hasn't he won 3?

I know I know. Jimmy did it all by himself.

Ok, another one.

16 years of mediocrity is reason to kick the dude.

He needs to hire a GM.

rec

Jonathan Stern - January 27, 2012 reply

Jerry says he has the final decision, it's no secret.

He has the

final say in case of a tie…..if there is no clear concensus.

I might point out that there have been twice that Jerry has said he has transferred that “final say in case of a tie” TWICE since he has owned the team.

Once to Jimmy, (Jimmy says that Final Say was written into his contract and some misread that to say Jimmy had the GM duties, even thou he didnt), and then to Garrett.

So you're saying the concensus of the scouts and coaches

was to draft Quincy in the 2nd round?

Yep, because Jerry

was able to sell it. If there arent good enough arguments against anyone trying to sell “their” guy, then even Jerry gets to state his case.

Carter was drafted a round too high, but sometimes it is so hard to find your next franchise QB, that if someone has the guts to sell someone that has potential, and Carter did have the potential to be much better than he turned out because he couldnt/wouldnt say away from the “pixie dust”. Hindsight is sure wonderful……

Carter was drafted 7 rounds too "HIGH".

Looking back at what we know now,

I agree with that, but Kiper, et al, said at the time, (*if my memory serves me, but then sometimes I only open my mouth to change feet), that he should have gone a round later.

5th I think

The key thing to remember here

is that Jerry didnt just “order” it, he “sold” it, and there in lies the big difference in the incorrect perception of Jerry being a meddler.

Make no mistake, it was Jerry's pick.

What coach is going to tell his gm....

incorrect perception of Jerry being a meddler

let’s have a special teams draft ?

Wade: Jerry I think you should trade down and then trade down again and let’s have a special teams draft.

Jerry: Ok Wade , we can do that.

I agree with you Tyrone

That’s what I’ve read as well. I think they let the scouts lead, and then build consensus. Jones is the final arbiter if they diagree, although from his pronouncements, he would listen if Garrett felt strongly that he did not want a certain player. From his Dad’s scout background, I highly doubt Garrett will be at odds with the scouting department as Wade Phillips reportedly was.

EXACTLY!!!!

Not true, thats not what happened

Garrett could have done anything he wanted to regarding Romo playing or not, Jerry just came down to the field to make sure Garrett knew that the Giants had beat the Jets so this game meant nothing.

It’s a myth that Jerry came down to tell Garrett not to play Romo…Garrett already knew what he was going to do in that scenario.

Myth?

Jerry said JG didn’t need to make the dicision on Romo by himself.

haha

Like “Lassie” in the movie Porky’s…

reoninja - January 26, 2012 via mobile reply

Kim Catrell

yehti - January 26, 2012 via mobile reply

To tell Garrett the Giants lost as I already stated

LOL,

Jerry had to come down from his palace in the sky to tell Garrett the Giants lost. You got to do better than that Terry. I think Cowboy Stadium has scoreboards with updates on NFL games.

He can't assume Garrett is checking out scores

while he’s busy coaching

Terry - January 27, 2012 reply

I think you can in this situation.

DIRE WOLF - January 27, 2012 reply

If you believe JJ then, no one is on the roster unless JG says so. Now that doesn't mean that

JJ has no input, but last year’s draft had JG’s finger prints on it.

Final decision...........Jerry Jones

Jimmy was the only other person to make the final decision on draft day. He was the first and the last as long as Jerry is around.

Agree with you, but I believe it's a rubber stamp final decision. At least that's what I'm hoping it is.

not true, Garrett has final decision over the roster, not Jerry

We don't know that.

Jerry sold Terry some ocean front property in Idaho.

You are kidding yourself if you do not think that every owner in the NFL does not have final say. Jerry is not the only one.

God I love it when BD26 chimes in on this stuff.

An informed opinion.

+ 1

TheCowboyFan - January 26, 2012 reply

I know

Same here.

Not like Jerry IMO

except Al and he’s dead now

Bob Kraft, the Rooneys, Dan Snyder, Steve Biscioti, Pat Bolen, Robert Mcnair

They are all in the war room and very involved. Hell Jim Irsay just fired his front office and his coaches and making the choice to draft Luck. I know very few owners who are not very involved with the draft. If I am an owner and going to give a kid millions of dollars, I want final say.

Snyder and Irsay are idiots.

The big difference is the GM.

Plus, I doubt they are ivvolved to the point Jerry is.

It does make me laugh that no one has crucified the Rooneys for forcing out Bruce Arians as OC.

All because the owner wants to run the ball more. That is as bad, if not worse than anything Jerry has done in the last ten years.

Damn, why haven't I heard this.

Because everything Pittsburgh does smells like roses to ESPN.

Why did they get rid of him anyways?

Seems to me they’ve had a pretty good offense the last few years.

The owner was miffed at the increased throwing of the ball.

He believes the Steelers have an identity as a running team and wants to return to that.

Of course, he is insane for thinking that considering the Steelers have a top ten QB, but whatever. Anything that is bad for the Steelers is good for me.

That is worse than Jerry.

nevermind

Wow, I didn't hear that, heck living in PA I didn't hear that.

Wow that is stupid. I was congratulating Pitt to adjust on the fly and so fast like they did to become a great passing offense. Wow now they want to throw that all away, Wallace, AB.. shame.

But you are right the Steelers are the holy ones while the Cowboys are the demons.

thebigham - January 26, 2012 reply

The Steelers went

26 years between their 4th and 5th Superbowl (1979 – 2005)

And yet all we here is how it has been 17 years since our last Superbowl Win.

Model....Smodle

Franchise…my foot!

The Steelers were the doormat of the NFL

until Chuck Knolls came along in 1969.

One.Cool.Customer - January 27, 2012 reply

There was more than one of them?

didnt they hire within to keep the same "offense"

playcalling might change but Big Ben didnt want a different system from what i heard/read.
Big Bens going to throw the ball & with that recieving core that could be a good thing imo.

I actually haven't read that, but initial reports

indicated that Arians was forced out by the owner. Arians seemed to confirm that in an interview. So, I suppose the system could stay the same, but the OC changing at the behest of the owner over perceived football issues sounds a lot like Jerry.

Love the Cowboys, but hate Jerry Jones

Rooneys 6 super bowls Jerry 3… Give me the Rooneys. Jerry Jones stinks, he’s the worst kind of owner because he doesn’t have to be successful on the football field to be successful on the business side. Jerry Jones is a selfish fool. Hiring a good GM would probably have prevented this terrible streak of 1 playoff win in the last 14 years??? If all he did was force out an offensive coordinator I would have very little to complain about.

You sir, do not know anything about Football operations do you?

17 years yadda yadda…… We’re still the most valuable Sports Franchise this side of the Atlantic. You still think JJ stinks? He has more business acumen then you could hope to attain in ten lifetimes.

Snakeshift - January 27, 2012 reply

What about winning football games?

Please

Ever since Parcells was HC they’ve been pretty competitive. They were up until 1998 too in the 90s.

1 playoff victory in 16 years is not competitive.

JannyDones - February 10, 2012 reply

Well this is stupid for a number of reasons, nut the biggest would be...

The guy that owned the Steelers in the 70s isn’t the same guy that owns them today. The guy that’s running them today has two Super Bowls. The Rooneys have owned the Steelers since 1933, so maybe in 60 years the Cowboys will have another three rocks.

Pittsburgh owner just personally fired the offensive coordinator,

and that hardly warranted a mention anywhere.

Imagine if Jerry had done that. Total pandemonium would ensue.

Yeah that was Dan Rooney

All Cowboy news is pandemonium.

Kind of like the pandemonium when Jerry hired an OC

I thought Arians retired??

He said in an interview that he was forced to "retire" by the organization.

Wow. I should have just scrolled down.

holy cow. Of course this doesn't get coverage.

I would love to hear what Ben and Tomlin think. Hasn’t he been the OC since Ben?

thebigham - January 26, 2012 reply

no Ben's first OC

is the desposed Arizona HC

AustonianAggie - January 26, 2012 reply

He wasn't fired, they didn't renue his contract.

Big Ben is pissed.

Here’s PFT:

Although the official company line on the departure of Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is that he retired, it’s been widely reported that he was actually forced out by Steelers owner Art Rooney II.

Are the steelers trying to get back to 3 yrds and a cloud of dust?

BlueNSilverBlood - January 26, 2012 reply

I don't see them going too far back to that paradigm...

They have a QB who does nothing but win, and a very talented receiving corps. I do see that the Steelers had kind of lost their ability to control the LOS, though.

Not doubting he was forced out, but he wasn't fired.

He wasn’t offered a new contract, like Campo.

wasn't he like 70+ years old & decided to retire?

Jerry and Mike Brown are the 2 that actually think they are football men.

Look at both teams. Look at all the idiots that both teams have signed. Look at all the playoff wins between the two eams in the last 12 years.

Ok well that didn’t take long.

Bud Adams though did demand that Fisher take Vince.

Football men is

a “catchall phrase” that is meaningless without a definition to go along with it.

Dude, it's Mensa.

Snakeshift - January 27, 2012 reply

JG may decide who makes the final roster, "but I really doubt that too"

Jerry makes the final decision on the draft.

That would really suck!

Tigers don't change stripes.

Thats not true

How do you know?

Because Jerry said, I’m looking at his history, that tells me he’s the same old Jerry.

because of what happened last season

Garrett’s fingerprints were all over every move we made. Jerry knows he needs a real football guy making the decisions regarding player personnel.

You don't know? In Jerry's mind he is a football man and a damn good one.

Deep down he knows he isn't

What makes someone a football man?

Good Question.

But whatever it is, Jerry aint got it.

Would you say Bill Belichick is a football man ?

Yea that’s what I thought. It ain’t hard.

No doubt,

but I’d say every HC in the NFL is one.

But Belichick is

not a GM, he is the HeadCoach.

To me there are three choices when an owner buys a team.
1. Turn it over to a manager who listens to the people below him and then goes by concensus.
2. Turn it over to a manager who listens to the people below him and then does what he wants.
3. Turn it over to a guy who thinks he knows it all and doesnt listen to the people below him.

Jerry is the first one, and I consider it a guy who is a football man, because his management style is the correct one….ie, many heads are better than one.

Many would like to see Jerry turn over the GM duties to someone who fits #2, or #3.

I think that would be the wrong choice.

Then what's happened since Jimmy left?

Jerry and Berry won one with mostly Jimmy’s players and assts coaches, since then one playoff victory. Is that what you consider a good job?

Not fair,

Jimmy didnt hire the Scouting Department, and Jerry got Haley and Deion Sanders, not Jimmy.

The GM’s duties are as follows: (Not Inclusive)

1. Hire good Head Coaches:
a. Jimmy Johnson
b. Bill Parcells
c. Chan Gailey
d. Jason Garrett
- Note there were some real stinkers, but no GM is going to do a lot better than the 4 above.

2. Hire Good Scouts.
a Larry Lacewell, good for many years
b Jeff Ireland
c Tom Cisnowski (sp)

3. Make FA signings
a. Tony Romo
b. Miles Austin
c. T.O.
d. Charles Haley
e. Dion Sanders
f. Kile Kosier
g. Kieth Brooking
etc, etc

Of coarse there are the bad moves too, but try to tell anyone on here that any GM in the NFL doesnt have a long line of bad moves as well.

Oops, Actually

the heading for #3 should be:
3. Make FA Signings and Good Trades.

Haley was a trade, not a FA signing.

Would you hire Jerry as the GM if you owned a NFL team?

Couldn't afford him.

But I would see if he would consult on running the team.

I don’t think he is as inept or stupid as some. He has had some bad mistakes, but he finally seems to have a staff around him that he needs to succeed. I am pretty optimistic about the direction the team is going.

Tom Ryle - January 26, 2012 reply

I'm optimistic every summer,

and disappointed every winter. Jerry wants to win as bad as anyone in the league, spends the money to get players, pay the coaches well, has the nicest stadium in the world, but the one thing he won’t do is hire a GM to run the day to day football operations. The common denominator in the drought is the GM

DIRE WOLF - January 27, 2012 reply

Correlation/Causation fallacy.

The truth isn't fair?

Charles Haley was not a FA
The Cowboys traded

2 and 3 to SF

for him

Jerry has too much on his plate

Managing his mortgage on the death star, marketing the team, his oil contracts. He needs a freaking GM with a blue print and the knowledge to make it work. If all it took was a good management style success would be much easier to come by.

maybe thats why we are hearing from stephen jones

Final Frame - January 28, 2012 reply

It is very hard

to do what Belichick does……so…..

“It anint easy” is more correct.

Apparently not devoting your life to it.

Jerry played in college, but he was a better businessman than lineman. He’s been involved with football for a long time. I don’t see what makes Bill “Bobby Carpenter” Parcells any better.

CotySaxman - January 26, 2012 via mobile reply

What do you have against Tuna, a soon to be HoF coach.

This is what I have against Tuna

The Carpet Bagger came here with grandiose bravado and said he wamted to build a winner; then proceeds to mail in the 2004 and 2006 drafts, faught to keep Bledsoe as the starting QB; he quits on the team after they lost the playoff game in Seattle only to take a job in Miami, and then quits on Miami when the quick turnaround didn’t happen, but still insisting on getting paid.

Is that all?

Is tere anything wrong with what I said?

If we’re going to paraise and kiss his rings, we should also bring up his short comings.

There*

Praise*

Did he leave the team in better shape than when got here?

So for his tenure I give him a C

Two failed drafts, quting on the team doesn’t sit well with me.

What do you give Campo and Wade?

I give Campo an F

I give Wade a freaking D+

How about Jerry?

A

3 SBs 8 Division titles, 11 playoff births in 22 years is well is better than what the Giants, Redskins, 49ers have done. The only NFC teams to reach the playoffs more than the Cowboys since Jerry took over-Philly and GB, Dallas won more SBs than them in the same time span.

A, really.

1 playoff win since 1996. I wish my teachers were as easy as you.

Oh Mensa

The most successful franchise since he bought it and you give him an F. Wonderful.

The zero is for Campo.

football mensa - January 27, 2012 reply

T would indicate that he actually scored.

I give him a zero.

F

They lost vs the Hawks because of piss poor coaching.

yup. parcells coached scared

Rohpuri - January 26, 2012 via mobile reply

See

You admit this yet give Jerry an F. I do agree that he holds on to some coaches for too long. Though, as far as faults go…giving a guy too much leash doesn’t sound like Jerry’s MO.

i was thinking the same thing lol

the Tuna is a legend & has his finger prints all over the NFL

Plus he had the best pressers ever.

Tuna was a great motivator and

a really good manager, but as a talent evaluator, in my opinion he stinks.

He thought Spears was the better pick at 11, but since Ware was the concensus, thank God he couldnt sell that one.

Now, he was able to sell B. Carpenter, and a couple of failed O-Line guys, their names escape me at the moment. He also was a big meddler on the defensive side of the ball and he was horrible at that as well.

Zimmer wanted to go to the nickle against the 3 and 4 wide sets that Sean Payton threw at us, but Bill made him stay in the base defense and we started loosing a lot after teams saw we stayed in the base way too often.

Zimmer was pissed and hinted more than once that he wasnt able to run the defense because of the micro-manager Parcells.

That is my take on Parcells…..Great Motivator, great manager, but horrible as a talent evaluator and Defensive Coordinator.

How many SB’s does Parcells have without a guy Named Belichick as his DC?

The same amount Jimmy does without Norv Turner

You can say the same thing about alot of coaches,

even the greatest of them all, Tom Landry.

Exactly,

Wins are a TEAM stat, not a head coach stat, but my point is so many people when asked about how good he is, they will invariably say, “Well he won superbowl(s).”

Yea, so did Trent Dilfer, but that doesnt make him a great QB.

Nothing, really.

He just receives disoroportional praise for what he did in Dallas. If Parcells is your legend, Jerry is your God. He gave Dallas everything it has since he bought the team. Praising Parcells while berating Jerry doesn’t convey logical thought. Therefore, when you thank Bill for getting us to the playoffs, to lose immediately, remember he also had some very notable gaffes which, in my opinion, outweigh his successes much like Wade’s.

CotySaxman - January 26, 2012 via mobile reply

Where did I praise Tuna?

You don’t think he knows football, I do. As far as Jerry, I don’t think he runs the team correctly. His biggest problem is the GM. I was around during the Landry/Tex days, that’s the way to run a football team.

So, exactly

what would the “right” GM do differently…..

Specifically, please.

All I can tell you is it aint working with Jerry as GM.

Look at the record since 1996 and tell me he’s doing a good job. How many GMs would still have their jobs with Jerry’s record?

How many teams would hire a GM with 3 Super Bowls to his credit?

If Bill in NE goes stale for a decade and leaves New England, how many owners will call him up, cheating aside?
So Jerry could’ve been fired here, doesn’t mean he’d be out of the profession. How many current GMs have more rings than Jerry?

CotySaxman - January 27, 2012 via mobile reply

Hell Polian got more work

He didn’t even win one until the Colts.

You didn't, originally.

It’s popular, though. “Jerry sucks, we need a real football man” usually implies “like Bill Parcells”… I just point out that he didn’t do much to help us, and his failures are more notable than his successes.
Jerry still averages more rings per season than Tex, not to mention having more rings and less seasons…If our next super bowl win is in 2058, Jerry will have the same success rate as Tex. Just saying.

CotySaxman - January 27, 2012 via mobile reply

Cam Johnson DE Virginia

also talked to Cowboys

they also talked to QB Nick Foles. I’ll have it up shortly.

And Thomas Mayo WR at the East West Shrine Bowl game.

interesting guy

idk we talked to him

App State RB Travaris Cadet talked to the Cowboys

you’re sure keeping me busy here :-)

whooooo?

Are you kidding me???

Oh man. EVERYone is talking about Cadet.

And Dunkman

but it’s just a rumor.

I like that they talked to all of these guys.

If we don’t draft DeCastro, there’s a decent chance the first pick will be one of these players.

I wish they had met with Coples

but perhaps, with Jerry talking a lot with Butch Davis this week, he felt he didn’t need to and wanted to focus their time on other players.

BWareofDWare - January 26, 2012 reply

i think they take him

if he is available

kumizi - January 26, 2012 reply

Mixed on Coples, he has all the tools, but drive and desire and motor are so important. If he takes plays off,

I don’t want him.

He takes plays off

He was a completely different player from his junior year to his senior year.

In an interview on NFL Network

he said his bad senior year was due to learning a new position on the DL, as a NC fan, do you buy that?

Maybe a little

His junior year he played DT. He was almost unstoppable inside. His senior year he played DE. But the problem to me seemed to be more about his hustle. He had good games against big time opponents and when the lights were on. He was just one of those guys that turned it on and off.

I have also heard some people say that he didn’t go all out because he was playing tenative trying not to get hurt like some of his teammates the year before. He watched guys like Bruce Carter and Deunta Williams get hurt and then there stock plummeted.

But you don't know that for sure. You're relying on hearsay to make that assumption

I covered that

His junior year he played DT. He was almost unstoppable inside. His senior year he played DE.

A new position can make a big difference. But it shouldn’t make a difference when it comes to hustle and playing every down. I’m not going by hearsay on that. I’m going by what I saw when I actually watched the games. Its only my opinion but its also a very informed opinion. I know my Tarheels.

rec'd Paul

for this line:

Its only my opinion but its also a very informed opinion. I know my Tarheels.

I could make a sarcastic Commnent…but …nah… too easy

You can't leave me hanging like that

Please share the sarcastic comment. Especially if its that easy. I’m trying to figure it out but im stumped.

I was thinking of like:

" really? Never would have guessed"

I guess that is why Tarheel is your sceen name"

or something lame like that….

That would gotten a slight chuckle.

I don't dispute you know your Tarheels, as I know my Aztecs

So who are you more proud of?

Marshall Faulk or Dan McGuire?

of all the needs

Play making DE is at the top of the list along with CB

If the Cowboys had a real DE

Spencer would seem pretty good.

I wouldn't be sick if they got Coples

He would fit a need. I just have my doubts about him. If we get the guy that played during his Junior year then i’m on board.

The thing is .

Ingram, Upshaw , Jonathan Mousui, Ronell Lewis.Perry Witley , They are all the same.

but there is only one 6-6 281 4.7 guy in the draft.

not so fast

Chandler Jones

I got my eye on him too.

I took Chandler Jones out of the list of LBs

Cause I think he is different.

Why can’t we get

Mario Williams
Decastro
Jenkins
Chandler Jones

This offseason?

that wont happen

no way we land DeCastro Jenkins and Jones

we trade up
in round 2
and in round 3

Lets hope that NFL GMs are as worried about character as the geezers here

JK to all the older fellas here, but seriously hope that NFL GMs think that Jenkins is the next Pac Man.

i really dont want him

I have concerns about his motor/drive and quitting on plays, basically the same stuff you are concerned about

what is interesting to me is that he is on the South team which is ran by Jim Hasslett on the defense, he is using Ingram as a 3-4 rush LB and using Coples as a DE on 4 man fronts and 3 man fronts, not using him as a 34 OLB

If you're talking about Coples

If he gets drafted by a 3-4 team then he will play DE. If I were a 4-3 team I would play him at DT just based on what I saw of him at UNC>

I was in jr high when Marshall was drafted

But I’d list Faulk up there along with Az Hakim, LaRoi Glover, Kyle Turley in FB

In BB it has to be Kawhi Leonard of the Spurs

Couldn't believe the way Leonard slipped last year in the NBA draft

Ridiculous

How's he doing for the Spurs?

pretty good

lately he’s fallen off a tad but he looks like a Marion type of do it all SF

Pop likes to jerk his young players around

Coples said the reason his production wemt down this year is because they had a new DL coach who switched him from the right side to the left side

Thus he was being asked to do different things. I watched his intsrview on NFL Network, and I heard Butch Davis speak about it on NFL Network during the Senior Bowl coverage.

He wasn't taking plays off

That’s a pretty big accusation to levy on a guy without knowing first hand what was happening

TP watches all their games. So I don't think he's speculating on Coples.

I'm not specualting

I’ve seen all his games and I can tell when a guy is going all out and when he’s not. There absolutely were times when he wasn’t going 100%. I like Coples. He’s a really good kid. But im just telling you what I see. I’m not saying he won’t have a good career.

Is it possible that switching positions could lead to decline in production?

Sure it is.

You weren't the only one Paul.

I have read scout reports saying the same thing. That it looked like he was playing to not get hurt and not going all out.

Rena - January 26, 2012 reply

Anyone remember

who they talked to last year?

BrickTop - January 26, 2012 via mobile reply

no not really

I think I might try and look it up later

I do remember a few years ago they spoke to Jacoby Ford out of Clemson and really liked him, man I wish we got him

Hes Boys star return specialist Kr/Pr in my Madden 11 Franchise

lol

38-0 2SB blowout wins vs New England, officially retired from Madden after that

2010&2011 may have been down yrs in real life, but not in my franchise

Brandon Weeden might be interesting.

Toss a late-round pick and training camp his way (at this age I doubt any NFL team is going to spend a high one on him) and he could be close enough to a old veteran as Tony’s backup, and a lot cheaper to boot.

TheBlueBaron - January 26, 2012 reply

Weeden is currwntly projected as a 4th rd pick

Currently*

Day 3 pick then.

There’s others players I’d take in the 4th, but if the team thinks it’s worth it, why not.

TheBlueBaron - January 26, 2012 reply

he's so old though

rather take someone with more upside that we can flip for picks later on

somebodyquiet - January 26, 2012 reply

Talking is just talking. Doing their Due Diligence

A lot of teams talk to a lot of people for a variety of different reasons. Talking to someone doesn’t mean they want to draft them and not talking to someone doesn’t mean they won’t draft them.

thebigham - January 26, 2012 reply

Hell, the colts did talk to Cryin Ryan at the combine

Apparently that discussion confirmed they should take Peyton

Demarco Murray said he was shocked to get drafted by the Cowboys

because he didn’t really have very much contact with them. I remember Victor Butler said he didn’t talk to anyone from Dallas at all.

Smoke Screen anyone?

At least when it comes to Alfonzo Dennard, I highly doubt the Boys would burm the 14th pick on hiim.

Agree, but he might make a really good safety.

Not at pick 14

isn't Dennard's biggest Weakness

Zone Coverage?….wouldn’t that be an issue as a safety? Which tends to play “zone”

I thought he was a corner?

He might have to switch positions

TP i heard Mayock say Dennards ball skills were bad.

even worse then Prince Amukaura

Yup

he has issues tracking the ball in the air

thats why idk if a move to safety helps him at all

Makes him worse

yeah thats the big concern I have with him

I'd avoid hin like the plague

That makes him

Cowboys material!

BlueNSilverBlood - January 26, 2012 reply

Dude,

be nice lol!
I do agree %110, though.

+1

they need to focus on DBs that have ball skills more then anything.

Dennard has zero ball skills & thats 1 huge factor in drafting a CB/S high in the draft

Even if your not going to pick a guy at 14

you still have to talk to him in case you trade down to a spot you feel better about taking him at.

Not disagreeing with that

I just don’t see them taking him when ther are better corners in the second and third round

exactly

I think, for purposes of media and fan comfort, teams talk about how comprehensive their player evaluations, and draft prep, are.

Fine, but what explains 1st round busts on down through UDFA phenoms? What partially explains it is, although scientific principles are applied by the best minds in the business, a player’s potential is something retained within the player, and not always observable or recognizable by others. Them of course, there’s the phoned in advice from a trusted source. Who was it that called the Cowboys about Rayfield Wright?

CowboyMan - January 26, 2012 reply

Judging by his performance this week

I will safely cross off Alfonzo Dennard. He didn’t look like a first rd pick out there.

I think the Cowboys First Rd Targets are:
1) DeCastro
2) Ingram
3) Upshaw
4) Jenkins
5) Poe
6) Barron
7) Perry
8) Kuechly-preparing for the unexpected

Agree, you left out Kirkpatrick, but I'd shy away from him at #14 based on his stupidity.

They won't take Poe, Jenkins, Barron or Kuechly at 14

I disagree

ILB does need some more depth(other than Lee and Carter there is only Orie Lemon. I like Lemon, but if Kuchley is there at 14 I wouldn’t mind the pick

There will be better players than Kuechly at 14

I wouldn't be to sure of that

It depends:

if the ODS is correct, and it hit aon nearly every top ten pick last year(except for the atlanta trade up, but it still had Jones @ 6 and Kerrigan @10, though he still went to the Skins…

Kuchely will be BPA @ 14

What's ODS

Online Draft Simulator

It is a “toy” that OCC introduced last year

Link is to the site. it is run by the guys over at Drafttek…..if you like doing up Mock drafts, it is an awesome tool…

Once the Combine is over and the big boards “settle” I will be tossing some Mocks based of my Position outlook series….

Lol i just did a simulation

14: dennard
45: Washington
82: randall
113: Fangupo (who?)
144: Compton
175: blanton
212: Julian miller

yeah when I saw that

was my reaction too

WHO the EFF?

I did two simulations and the same result happened

I think the system hates dallas

to get Different results

you have to change the Parameters…

IF you look under thhe “button” that takes you back to the home page , there is a list surrounded by green lines..

Read those, as they will give you the information that you need… once you get the hang of it you can make it have luck fall to Dallas if you want….

Youe need to change the settings on offensive and defensive needs to fit your tastes. I personally do not agree at all with the way the have the ODS configured right now.

I agree with most of the settings they have for Dallas

Though I do tweak them slightly….

What's it set as?

here is the “official” breakdown

okay quick rundown on "priority codes"

P1/P-2- think 1-2 stars in my Position outlooks series

P-3,4,5,6- think 3-4 stars in Outlook series, where the p-# = BPA round

P9-Straight BPA or 5 stars in my position outlook

now that we have that Covered, here are the P-codes assigned:
Offensive needs
QB-4
RB-9
WR-6
OT-4
OG-5
OC-4
FB-9
Defensive needs(broken down by scheme, 3-4 or 4-3)
DT (4-3)-9
DT(3-4)- 5
DE(4-3)-9
DE(3-4)- 5
OLB- 9
OLB-4
ILB,SS,FS- 4
CB-2

For the most part I think the codes are justified, though I still adjust them, to fit my Series,,,, it does make difference especially in the later rounds….

Hebron Fangupo

Great kid from BYU. Played NT in the same style of 3-4 defense at BYU that the Cowboys use. Still a little raw and he is short but high motor who goes to the whistle. I can see him as a 6th rounder, 4th is high for him.

Thanks for the 411

Sweet!

I like their big board

Especially how they’re taking a wait n see approach with Brockers; he’s only #27 instead of the top10- 15 grade everyone else gives him

not smart to "draft" for depth

using a 1st round pick. Especially when the two proposed starters are 2nd and 1st year players (and the newly drafted 1st round pick is the depth).

Depth at ILB needs to come from a veteran – someone cheap, who knows the system and the playbook and who can fill in a down or two per game if the starters are healthy or a game or two while the starters recuperate.

Ideal depth at ILB would be Bradie James signing a 2 yr vet minimum contract (that contained bonuses only if he played a signifcant # of downs or made a specified # of tackles).

I dis agree

As much as Ryan likes his LB’s, Kuchley would be closer in position to a 3rd CB( or to use a B-Ball term, a 6th man)

Someone who may not techincally a “starter” but see’s as many plays as one….

Yeah not even a 3rd corner

10 QBs threw for 4K last year, you NEED three CBs that can start. I mean in the 3rd for like Vontaze, okay, the ceiling and the depth might be worth it the first? Yikes.

Agreed

And you acquire this "6th" man w/

the 14th overall pick?

The ILB position occupies 2 positions on the field at one time. In Rob Ryan’s scheme, often there’s only 1 ILB and 3 OLBs but let’s not think about that for a sec. If Keuchly is drafted, the Boys would have 2 2nd rounders (both relatively young) and a 1st rounder all vying for the 2 positions. Odd man out is the backup. And, the ILBs, while important, are near as important as the OLBs.

Meanwhile, you have an offensive line that has 5 positions. On that line, you have 1 1st rounder, 2 4th rounders, a 7th rounder and a UDFA starting. That is who is blocking for your elite QB.

That is just not the way to build a winning franchise.

well for me

I think that the O-line will be fine as is…Between Arkin, Nagy, Costa and Kowalski, along with some veteran Depth(Holland and Dock) Dallas is fine there.

I don’t like Jenkins @ 14(too much of a head case, zand I don’t even care about the pot part)

Dennard is looking like a second rounder right now, and Claiborne and Kirkpatrick will probably be gone.

I honestly think that Kuchley…would be BPA at that point….

I'm not putting Romo behind Arkin Costa/Kowalski Nagy/Kosier

Not happening

If we're making ourQB a sacraficial lamb

Send in McGee

hahaha

Actually For now

I would Imagine it will be this

Smith, Koiser, Nagy, Holland, Free

this puts KOsier back on the Left side where he is more comfortable, plus keeps him next Smith.

With Free moving back to RT, you have Holland move with him, then you could go Nagy at the C position(remember he was in Front of Konz at Wisconsin at the C position

so you think Kosier still has another year in him?

I think he is done, it started to show this year

He may be done, but he'll be on the team next year.

I'd love to have him for depth

but we need an upgrade.

I get you on depth

I say let the kids have a go.

Now that they'll have a full offseason

I think they’ll get a really good look on what they have on the roster and what they’ll be able to add. Hopefully we hit a home run.

Final Frame - January 26, 2012 reply

Keep in mind

Kosier and Holland BOTH got injured toward the end of the season w/ major injuries. Kosier tore a MCL and Holland tore a bicep. That is TORE.

And they’re both on the wrong side of 32…

They’re done!

Tyrone Jenkins - January 27, 2012 reply

I don't think Holland is

Holland played at a much higher level than Kosier did, I’m pretty sure Lumpy will pretty valuable in running and short distance packages.

Now I wasn't aware of Hollands injury

Guess we’ll see what kind of shape he comes back in.

Final Frame - January 28, 2012 reply

I was just referring to guards ans center

yeah

I think Kuechly is a great prospect, but if he is our pick at 14, we won’t win many more games as a result of the pick
I will give you that

the only way I would really say it improves our team in winning games is if we move to a 4-3 and draft Kuechly to be one of the 3 starting LB’s

for us - id rather have hightower over kuechly

I'd go for neither

thats not the point.

makes more sense because you can possibly land Hightower later

and I think Hightower is more of a thumper and would be a great fit next to Lee

and hightower is very versatile.

has played every LB position in the 3-4.

yeah thats why Hightower is intriuging, plus he has a cool name

All Along The Hightower

But Bruce Carter will be next to Lee

I know

I was just speaking hypothetically

Id rather take Burfict if he falls to the 3rd

He’s the hardest hitting player in the draft and he has potential to be a a force in the middle and if you get him in the third its a low risk high reward pick.

and thats fine, i would agree.

but im talking about kuechly and hightower in the 1st round.

I dont think its a big enough need for us

If you use back to back 2nd round picks on ILB and than a 1st the next year than there are too many holes not being filled with top picks.

i dont know if ive said it or not

but i am squarely in the decastro camp.

Too bad he want be in the Cowboy camp.

I wouldn't

Kuceh would be a lux pick, we have much greater needs at other positions. Maybe he will be great, but a first round pick should be ready to start.

birdness - January 26, 2012 reply

I read that Brooking still wants to play for the Boys

even at a reduced role. They may opt to go that route for depth since there are other needs.

beWARE94 - January 26, 2012 reply

you can get cheaper depth than having to pay the veteran minimum.

I really really really hope we dont bring him back

he really sucks at this point in his career

Offer him some kind of assistant's job.

But don’t keep him on the team. The slot can be used to much better effect, IMO.

Tom Ryle - January 26, 2012 reply

Assistant linebackers coach, take it or leave it.

I agree

I young kid would be a much better fit

Yep, I think 1), 2), 3), and maybe 4) are the safest bets to go # 14.

Poe could rise if he really blows up at the combine.

Jenkins is a no at 14, but a trade down-trade up scenario could work there. I’d be more inclined to stay at 14 and cross fingers he falls into the 2nd, though.

TheBlueBaron - January 26, 2012 reply

Terry

As far as Kuechly is concerned, I’m with you. But I’m leaving him up there just in case we do another 2006 zig when everyone thought zag.

As far as Poe is concerned, Jerry referenced the Cowboys desire to emulate the Ravens on defense. That Ravens defense invest the #12 pick on the 2006 draft on a nose tackle, Haloti Ngata. They key to any successful 3-4 defemse is the big man up the middle, and Ratliff is wearing down as the NT. Poe is my dark horse pick.

Jenkins is the best or the 2nd best CB in this draft depending on who you talk to. I could see him being drafted at 14. He fills a position of need.

Same holds true for Mark Barron. We haven’t had a legitimate safety, which is necessary in a long time. He would be an instant upgrade over our two JAGS.

I still think DeCastro is the first choice, however the rst of these guys will be the fall back options.

I would like to see Poe as well, but if that is the direction they want to go

they might be able to trade down and get an extra pick in the process.

DCB* - January 26, 2012 reply

I could see Jenkins. I absolutely agree on the other three with you.

All three are way overrated on this board.

Making a Cowboys board I'd attack it a bit differently:

I’d list the unrealistic targets at 14 as well as the realistic ones, so I’d go:

Luck
Kalil
RG3
Claiborne
DeCastro
Richardson
Blackcmon
Martin
Kirkpatrick
Ingrahm
Rieff
Still
Upshaw
Perry

Curious as to why you have Ingrahm over Upshaw?

I know they are close and I know that Ingram is one hell of an athlete.

Think Upshaw's got the lower ceiling

Higher probability that he’s just Spencer, and fans were upset with him in the 20s I can’t imagine the bitching if he was taken at 14. I’d say like 75% of his full ability (pretty high remark) is that he’s just a rich man’s Spencer, and the absolute best case Scenario he’s like a 9 sack a year or so guy who’s stout against the run. I mean yeah a rich man’s Spencer is a valuable player, but a lot has to go right for that to happen….even more has to go right for him to be an all-star caliber player. I feel Ingrahm’s 75th percentile of his talent is probably something like a slightly better Tamba Hali.

Neither Upshaw nor Ingram nor Kuechly

will improve this team as much as drafting a better OG or CB or FS.

Right now, the starting LG is Arkin. The starting C is Kowalski. The starting RG is Kosier. The starting SS is Church or McCray. The starting OLBs are Ware and Lemon. The starting CBs are Jenkins and Scancrick.

However, the starting ILBs are Lee and Carter.

Which starting position is the weakest? (Hint, it’s not the OLBs – even w/ Lemon starting).

For those of you that said “Who are the interior O linemen” – DING, DING, DING. $1000 for you!

I will bitch fit if kuechly is the pick, just sayin

Jerry talks too much and should shut up

but he said last yr they went youth at the O-line and it cost them so I don`t see a O-Line pick at 14 even though I think DeCastro or Konz would make sense. O-Line might be fixed in free agency.

That's what I've been saying for a while.

Jerry aint drafting a O-lineman in the1st

Callahan also said he liked adding an above average vet in FA

Well...

I had one corner and two linemen in the top five. So I think I’m addressing that throughly. If they draft another tackle I say move Free to guard.

okay we get your man crush for Castro but to say OLB isnt weak with Lemon is crazy.

1st i’d put Lemon as a 3rd ILB & Butler as the OLB left on the roster if they dont draft anyone.

I like the ingram/hali asessment

me too

Jenkins scares the hell out of me in the 1st.

He'd make the draft, though, if we got him in round 2.

We need him with Sam Hurd gone

He should be able to fill the same role.

Explain

Just a joke

Ok

Seriously though

Very talented, but he’s a head case. Could be a redux of the Tampa Bay CB situation. Love that he was a Gator, but I don’t think he’s the kinda guy JG wants.

from what i've read he doesn't remind of Talib in Tampa

but i’d consider him more like Dez then a career criminal

Rec'd fall guy

Me not so much. He would have been a top ten pick if he stayed at Florida.

If he interviews well I could probably justify taking him.

I was against drafting him a short time ago, but the more I see of him, the more his talent is readily apparent.

Agreed

yeah he is a great talent

If we get him, I'll cross my fingers

And hope a young millionaire matures quickly.

Cam Johnson?

I’m a little perplexed by this as a potential target.

Seems like a Spencer-type run defender at the Sam position, if not more biased in that direction. Would seem undersized as a 5-technique (although I have no idea what his growth potential would be).

I’m sure the scouts know better – to my untrained eyes, he looks and plays like a prototype left defensive end in the 43.

Shinywalrus - January 26, 2012 reply

I am still trying to wrap myself around him

I liked him a lot at Virginia, I just dont know if he is a 4-3 DE, 3-4 OLB, or a 3-4 DE
he has the body type though, very intriguing player

Chia

you should look at him before last year. Last year he was in the 4-3. The years before that when Al Groh was the HC at UVA they ran the 3-4. It would be worth looking into in order to see what he played before his senior year.

I watched him the last few years actually

I follow Virginia because my cousin was the head coach of the wrestling program there and he is a Virginia grad

but yeah, he has played some different positions and I like him actually, still dont know what he is yet, very versatile and has a nice frame with decent athleticism

What did he play in the 3-4?

pretty sure he was a five tech

I'm not sure abouthis production

I think he could play 3-4 SOLB. His first step is apparently good for his size.

Also, for when the Cowboys would be targeting him (third round), you wouldn’t be expecting to get a great pass rusher anyway.

plan B guys in rd 4 maybe 3

UpShaw is the guy they want at 14

http://bdtonline.com/local/x431308839/W-Va-toughens-stance-on-fans-attacking-athletic-officials

As a side, the Drew Pearson & flying whiskey bottles referred to in the news....link below

CowboyMan - January 26, 2012 reply

I cant wait for the Combine and FA to help figure this draft out a little more.

Yep,

Really need to sse what happens in free agency before I start zeroing in on the draft.

That's true, but

who they talk to might tell us where they are going in FA. This should be a very interesting off-season….

I'm sooooooooooooooooooooo ready for March

I think its safe to say the focus is definitely in the right place.

My hope is that the cowboys will take the best player available that also fills a need for this team. Whoever it is, if the player fills a hole on the roster, they will definitely get the opportunity to get playing time right away. I look forward to seeing who our first three picks are since we have had back to back to years hitting on our first 3 picks.

#DBoyZ - January 26, 2012 reply

say what? huh?

North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins has excelled this week, blanketing receivers and making several exciting pass break-ups. Jenkins showed excellent quickness and break on the ball. Jenkins is a sure tackler in the run game and is strong jamming the receiver. On the down side, Jenkins lacks ideal height and his off the field problems probably put a ceiling on his stock at the early third round. His grade depends greatly on how much teams feel he has matured.

who is that from?

NFL Draft Daddy

who`s your Daddy?

http://www.draftdaddy.com/blog/nfldraft.htm

Pacman II

unreal a kid that talented all for nothing

the South at the senior bowl is about practice

One.Cool.Customer - January 27, 2012 reply

Nice, Cowboys talked to some good players

really hoping for Ingram or Upshaw in the 1st (sign Carl Nicks?) with Janoris Jenkins in the 2nd

Nets2410 - January 26, 2012 reply

or 3rd as the above comment says he might fall too

that would be nice. just hope he’s on our team after the draft.

Nets2410 - January 26, 2012 reply

IF Jenkins falls into the 2nd

then all teams are worried about him and drugs

burmafrd1944 - January 26, 2012 reply

What if, Ingram, Upshaw and DeCastro are all there at 14. What then? Remember when Ware and Shawne Merriman

were both still on the board in 2005. That was just great. I just knew the Cowboys would jump all over Merriman. Shows what I know.

CowboyMan - January 26, 2012 reply

I think Upshaw is perfect in a 3-4 - he gets into position quickly and adapts like Ware

I just think back to those screens to LT that got NYJ back in the game and I think… that’s a guy who could stop that. Ware did it well against Detroit but Spencer continued to get burned on that play. I think I put Upshaw at ILB and move Carter to OLB, but if I have Upshaw I leave him there.

You have to look at a guy like Aldon Smith who is scouted as too raw, see what he did in his rookie year and say, that’s what good coaching can do. If I’m Brian Baker though, I wouldn’t mind getting Coples if we trade up.

I don’t think anyone is talking about DeCastro though so maybe that’s not a priority in the 1st round.

scraig - January 27, 2012 reply

Off topic,

but where is taanstafl? I enjoy the crap out of that guy.

Nickthegrip - January 26, 2012 reply

Hope we get a pass rusher to help ware out and a corner and saftey

slickman26 - January 26, 2012 via mobile reply

Welcome to the blog, slickman

here’s a newbie rec for you to get you started.

Guys

Look out for my pet cat, Vinny Curry (3-4 OLB/4-3 DE Marshall) to rise in this draft.

According to Tony Pauline of SI’s Inside The NFL, he looks like a natural 3-4 OLB, despite the fact the Vikings (coaching North Seniors) moved him around the DLine (common technique done by the coaching team to hide a player from other NFL teams).

Curry was dominating Ohio State’s OT Mike Adams, beating him off the snap every time. When he lined up at DT (4-3 nickle alignment) he was beating Center, Kevin Zeitler with swim moves.

Curry is 6’3 265, and is the NCAA’s all-time leader in tackles for loss with 48, and second among active college players for career sacks with 26.5 during his 3 years as a starter (2009-2011).

Currently he’s projected as a 2nd-3rd pick on CBS’ Board, but could rise into a first rd pick with a strong showing at the combine. NFL Draft Scout has him rising up the board.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/probe.php?genpos=DE&draftyear=2012&sortby=tsxpos&order=ASC

Rohpuri - January 26, 2012 via mobile reply

There is so much CB and LB talent in this draft.

It means you could get a lot of value by trading down and getting more picks

I'm not trading down unless

If I can’t get DeCastro