Cowboys Spots
April 30, 2005
Long time poster Jon mentioned in a thread that he is a regular at a Cowboys bar in Virginia Beach. Years ago, when I lived in Wisconsin, I was amazed to find a Cowboys bar in a small town about an hour from Green Bay.
I’d like to know where folks outside of the Metroplex can go to meet fellow Cowboys fans. I’m especially interested in hangouts outside of Texas.
“You’re Not Winning Now…So You Suck”
April 30, 2005
Bill Parcells admitted that fear of failure has driven him this offseason, but expressed satisfaction with the Cowboys organization, his coaching staff, and his draft. He was also guardedly optimistic about the progress he has noted in his veterans this offseason.
In a 35-minute press conference Friday afternoon, Parcells dropped subtle hints about rookies who interest him and revealed that the key veterans who were injured this past season are healed a full two months before training camp.
Perhaps the most revealing portion of the session was Parcells’ admission that it was last year’s failure that has driven him this offseason. “It’s a tremendous fear that I have, and I’ve always had it…I don’t care how many games you’ve won. You’re not winning now, so you suck…. I’ve always believed in this game that success is never final, but failure can be.”
Despite the poor performance in ‘04, Parcells believes the organization is stronger than at any time in his tenure. He cited uniformity in the scouting department, stating, “I couldn’t ask for anything better [from them]. After three years, they’re trying to bring me players I know I’ll like.” Parcells also cited satisfaction so far with his new coaches. He admitted that his distance from the college game made it harder for him to locate up-and-coming assistants, but again credited a scouting staff that now has the responsibility of locating promsing young coaches, in addition to players.
Parcells also credited Stephen and Jerry Jones for the job they accomplished in signing key free agents. He defended his practice of bringing in former players like Drew Bledsoe and Aaron Glenn, citing their professionalism. “You know what Aaron is going to do,” he said. “He’s going to be ready. He’s a pro. That’s why he’s a 5′8″ guy who’s played eight years.”
Parcells then gave a position by position assessment of his club. Here are some key excerpts from the rundown:
On the offensive line: Parcells cited the current depth the team lacked in years past. He praised Flozell Adams and Larry Allen for their conditioning, noting that Adams has lost a lot of weight and is “darn near ready to go.” Andre Gurode has been moved to center, where he will battle starters Al Johnson and Tyson Walter for playing time. Parcells made the move because Gurode no longer has a chance to start at right guard. This indicates optimism that the recently-signed Marco Rivera will be healthy for camp.
The move also suggests that second year men Stephen Peterman and Ben Noll could be ready to challenge for playing time. Though Parcells did not single out any linemen for praise, he did say he had some second year linemen who were much farther along in their development. He mentioned that Peterman looks healthy, after suffering multiple ligament tears in a knee last preseason.
The right tackle position will be the focus of the upcoming preseason, but Dallas does appear to have options. Parcells did note that he was intrigued by sixth round pick Rob Petitti, who in his words, “has got potential to play.”
At safety Parcells said it was too early to know if one of the youngsters could handle the job and that he would have a much better idea after camp closed on Sunday. He did mention that Dallas was prepared to work out a couple of veteran safeties before training camp, though he did not offer any names.
At running back Parcells cited backup running back as a key need entering the offseason and reiterated that Marion Barber was an important pickup for the club last weekend. Parcells dropped a second hint about a rookie, saying that undrafted free agent Tyson Thompson has a chance to stick, if he can get his mind around the pro game.
At receiver Terry Glenn is apparently healthy. Parcells said he was confident in the talent of his corps and attacked the notion that the Cowboys lacked speed. Glenn, Quincy Morgan and Terrence Copper were all players Parcells cited as being “fast enough.”
On the defensive front seven Parcells made it clear that Marcus Spears was not drafted to play tackle, even though he has the body to do so. Spears’ responsibilities as a rookie will be at end. His biggest task right now is losing weight. Parcells joked that he would not play “Chubby Checker” at end, and that Spears needs to get back to his college playing weight.
As for top pick Demarcus Ware, Parcells confirmed much of the conjecture on this board, that Ware will play some at end and some at outside linebacker. Ware in fact lined up as an OLB when Dallas practiced to 3-4 sets. Ware will also get some time as a 4-3 DE, but will be limited in this role, probably to sure passing downs. Parcells mentioned that he learned with Willie McGinest that 250 lb. players don’t hold up well playing every down against 300 lb. tackles.
Good News Travels Fast
April 29, 2005
The rookies have assembled at Valley Ranch for their first taste of life in the NFL. They received their orientation and will go through the first of four practices with the coaching staff today. By Sunday, we should have an idea of whether the players will live up to the guady grades they received from the football press.
Sure, they’re not going to be playing teams in other uniforms. And they probably won’t do much hitting. But the coaching staff will have an idea of whether the players are fast enough, agile enough and intelligent enough to handle the pro game. When Jimmy Johnson convened his ballyhooed ‘92 draft class, he was very interested in Nate Kirtman, a big, fast safety prospect from tiny Pomona-Pitzer whom he had drafted in round nine.. Years later, after his resignation as HC, Johnson recalled that he knew after just one workout that he had missed on Kirtman.
The coaches also knew when they hit. The Dallas papers were filled with praise for Eric Williams in ‘91 and for Darren Woodson in ‘92. Woodson was a big of a headscratcher for the draftniks in ‘92, since he had played linebacker and there were questions about his ability to play in the secondary. Word leaked very quickly that he was going to be a player, even if it would take time.
And that’s my point. In recent years, the leaks from Valley Ranch after the rookie workouts have been meager. Judging from the performances of Jerry’s last solo drafts, this is with cause. However, good news travels fast. The organization is hungry for good news on the personnel front. I doubt that they would hesitate to promote promising looking rookies, even if they’ve only worked out in pads and shorts.
Pick Your Starters — Defense
April 28, 2005
It’s time to take stock of the impressive turnover the Cowboys have undergone this offseason. By adding eight rookies to the four free agents signed in March, Dallas could see its starting 22 turnover by as much as 33% this year.
Clarence Hill of the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram offered his projections for the starting 22 today. I’d like to focus on the defense, where the most change will occur.
Last year, the Cowboys ended the season with this lineup:
Hill assumes the Cowboys will play a base 3-4 and will have at least five new starters, with Jason Ferguson replacing Carson at nose tackle, Demarcus Ware taking Marcellus Wiley’s place and standing up as an OLB, Marcus Spears replacing Glover as a DE, Bradie James taking the departed Dexter Coakley’s place and Anthony Henry starting at right corner.
I disagree with the basic premise of this foundation. The Cowboys may shift between 3-4 and 4-3 fronts, but given the experience levels of their personnel, I think they will move as slowly as possible, meaning they start the season in the same base 4-3 we’re used to.
That does not mean, however, that the changes will not be extreme. Barring any major injuries, here’s the lineup I see on opening day in San Diego, with new starters in bold:
The experiement Mike Zimmer aborted last summer is tried again, with Ellis finally getting his shot at right end. Spears stays at left end, where he played in college, thus shortening his learning curve.
Bradie James will get the first shot on the weak side, but he’s been very slow to pick up the pro game. Burnett was more productive as a collegian than James, and if he’s got more saavy, he’ll get the job.
Scott is playing on borrowed time here, but I’m not ready to pencil in Justin Beriault sight unseen. Don’t rule out a veteran pickup just before the season if the kids both stumble. Remember, the ‘92 Cowboys gave Ray Horton almost half a season before they threw in the towel and traded for Thomas Everett.
Hunter Out, Mickens In — Oh, Nevermind
April 28, 2005
The fallout from the Aaron Glenn signing Wednesday became clear on Thursday. According to CB Pete Hunter’s agent, the Cowboys will ship the disgrunted Hunter to the New York Jets in exchange for veteran CB Ray Mickens.
The deal appears to be depth for depth. With Glenn on board, Hunter was facing the prospect of being the Cowboys’ fourth corner. In Mickens, Bill Parcells would be obtaining another familiar veteran from his Jets days. The nine year veteran will come with a risk; Mickens is recovering from an ACL tear that cost him the entire 2004 season. In this regard, the deal appears to as much a way of removing a headache in Hunter as it does a way of gaining veteran depth in the secondary.
Update: The DMN is now reporting that the Hunter-for-Mickens deal is dead, quoting Jets GM Terry Bradway as a source.
Glenn Still in Limbo
April 27, 2005
The odds of Aaron Glenn becoming a Cowboy are good, but don’t pencil him onto the depth chart just yet. The newly released CB is also drawing attention from the Jets, Patriots and Bucs. Glenn did tell the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram that the chance to play for Bill Parcells again has him leaning towards Dallas.
The Dallas Morning News reports that the Cowboys are doing their homework on free agent FS Brock Marion but are not inclined to offer him a deal at this time. The team prefers to give its young players first crack at filling the free safety spot.
Update: The Patriots no longer have interest in Glenn, having signed free agent CB and former Steeler Chad Scott yesterday. The Globe indicated that it was Glenn’s agent who initiated contact between Glenn and the team, but that he is almost certain to land in Dallas.
Done Deal: The Cowboys this afternoon signed Glenn to a two year contract for an undisclosed amount.
Making the Grade
April 26, 2005
Dallas has made the dean’s list. For the first time since Jimmy Johnson left the team in ‘93, Dallas has aced the immediate post season grades from all the major sports news services.
The most appreciated A comes from Dallas Morning News draft analyst Rick Gosselin, who is the hardest grader of front offices. Dallas received one of only three A’s given league wide. This is even more impressive given that only eight teams received grades of B or better. Dallas has four players in Gosselin’s Top 100, a compositive of evaluations from NFL sources. They are Demarcus Ware (11), Marcus Spears (15), Kevin Burnett (45) and Chris Canty (100).
The Cowboys are one of only three teams to ace the draft according to CNNSI scribe Paul Zimmerman. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper gives Dallas one of his four A’s. (subscription only)
Dallas earned the top overall rating from Fox Sports’ John Czarnecki and CBS Sportsline’s Pete Prisco.
Pro Football Weekly has not released its draft grades to non-subscribers, but if the magazine’s draft book is any guide, Dallas probably came in first in class — all four of the Cowboys top defensive picks are rated in the Top 50, with three earning first round marks. Spears is rated 13th, Ware 19th, Burnett 31st and Canty 41st.
Cowboys to Obtain Aaron Glenn
April 26, 2005
The draft is over, but the Cowboys’ front office continues to grind. The Houston Chronicle is reporting this evening that Dallas has reached a contract agreement with Houston Texans cornerback Aaron Glenn. The Texans will grant Glenn his release in the next few days, at which point he will join the Cowboys.
Glenn will most likely fill the nickel back spot and give Dallas depth behind starters Anthony Henry and Terrence Mathis. The Cowboys took three cornerbacks in the late rounds of the ‘04 draft but Bruce Thornton is coming off an ACL reconstruction and Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones both struggled adapting to the NFL game.
The acquistion of Glenn probably spells the end of Pete Hunter’s time as a Cowboy. The three year veteran was upset by the Henry signing and refused a team request to move to free safety.
Update: The Cowboys had competition for Glenn from three other teams, including the New England Patriots.
Post-Draft Crumbs
April 25, 2005
An old security blanket? The Detroit Lions released long-time Cowboys FS Brock Marion today. I did not see Marion play in ‘04 and can’t comment on his current skill level, but if the twelve-year veteran still has some range, he could be an inexpensive security blanket at FS.
Undrafted free agents Some names from the undrafted free agent crop have started to filter out. They include:
The Cowboys will release the full list on Thursday.
Merriman holds a grudge Chargers LB Shawne Merriman had some harsh words for Bill Parcells and Jerry Jones after the draft. He claims the two “lied to him and smacked him in the face” because they told Merriman Dallas would select him if it got the chance. Dallas faces San Diego in the season opener, so we’ll get to see who does the smacking and who gets smacked.
Long Term Planning = Short Term Silence?
April 25, 2005
Can we finally dispense with all the chatter that Bill Parcells will not finish his contract in Dallas? Or can we at least disabuse ourselves of the thinking that Parcells is going for broke this year and will bail on the team if he fails?
The eight players selected on Saturday and Sunday do not fit the plans of a man in a hurry. By selecting four defensive players ideally suited to a 3-4 scheme, Parcells finally put his stamp on this organization. This was the biggest philosophical sea change for the Cowboys since Jimmy Johnson shredded Tom Landry’s flex defense and his motion-intensive offense in 1989. I cannot see Parcells walking away before the transformation is through.
The critics who emerged after the team’s regression to 6-10 following Parcells’ 10-6 debut showed the shortest of short-term memories. Their thinking is that Parcells, at the age of 63, had finally hit the coaching wall. In fact, he has been down this road before. In New England, a 10-6 wild card season in Parcells’ second year was followed by a 6-10 letdown. But the second of two superb drafts put the Pats back on the winning track and in year four, New England made the Super Bowl.
That’s not to say the 2005 Cowboys are Super Bowl bound, but Big Bill’s tenure in Dallas is showing signs of deja vu. In his last team meeting following a disappointing last minute flop against the Giants, Parcells informed his players and staff that things would be different. What’s followed has been the most active, breathtaking offseason since ‘89, when Johnson began a steady turnover of the roster that did not relent until he had exhausted the Hershel Walker horde of draft picks in the spring of ‘92.
Parcells has mixed the short-term with the long. The additions of Drew Bledsoe, Jason Ferguson and Marco Rivera are moves for the now. The drafting of Demarcus Ware and Chris Canty, two talented but raw players, is designed for tomorrow. The challenge falls now to the coaching staff, to see how soon that tomorrow will come. The reason Johnson was able to go from 1-15 to 13-3 in four years is that he and his assistants were able to convert green rookies into hardened veterans faster than any other staff in the league. The speed with which Parcells’ people can do this will be the true measure of his time in Dallas.
When Parcells left New England in a huff after that glorious ‘96 run, he complained that the organization was no longer committed to his plan. “If you’re going to cook the meal, they should let you shop for the groceries,” was his lament after GM Bobby Grier and owner Robert Kraft drafted WR Terry Glenn against his wishes. While Jerry Jones has prefaced his explanation of every Cowboys’ selection with the most personal of pronouns — “I watched tape of Demarcus Ware last night before I picked him” — do not be fooled. There is only one chef in the Cowboys’ kitchen now and his name does not end in Jones.
It’s hard to believe that Parcells would buy all these fabulous groceries and let somebody else cook his meal.
Undrafted Free Agent Thread
April 24, 2005
The draft is over, but the work of signing new prospects is not. Every year there are dozens of worthy prospects who do not get drafted. Right now, personnel departments are working the phones trying to recruit the cream of this unsung crop.
The problem for hard core fans is that ESPN and the local papers are bad at ferreting out the names of player signed this way. The teams are partly to blame, since they often hold the lists of undrafted free agent signees for a couple of days before releasing them to the media.
If you learn any information on players the Cowboys sign after the draft, post it in this thread.
Catch the New Doomsday Wave
April 24, 2005
Draftniks have noticed a new term that has appeared in the peculiar draft book vernacular of bubbles (means having a big butt), ‘tweeners, long-striders and high cut players — wave players. This refers to players who are not good enough to be every down players, but who can effective members of a rotation. For example, “he could be a good wave tackle for a team.”
The term originated with the early ’90s Cowboys, who won titles in ‘92 and ‘93 with a young defensive line that went nine deep. Outside, starters Charles Haley and Tony Tolbert were kept fresh by veteran Jim Jeffcoat and project Tony Hill. Inside, the Cowboys had an amazing five tackle rotation. Led by starters Russell Maryland and Tony Casillas, it also featured the talented but inexperienced Jimmie Jones, Leon Lett and Chad Hennings.
Coach Jimmy Johnson and line coach Butch Davis told the linemen that they would only be playing 25-30 snaps each, so there was no reason to pace oneself. The Cowboys had the equivalent of two hockey lines, and would send them on the field in flat-out shifts. By the fourth quarter, opposing offensive lines were worn out while their Cowboys counterparts were still fresh.
Cowboys fans will be pardoned if they don’t reflect on those teams today. With two days of intense defensive front seven drafting, Bill Parcells and personnel chief Jeff Ireland have given the Cowboys the flexibility to be the NFC equivalent of the Patriots — a team that can play multiple fronts and dictate to opponents. What’s more, the three defensive ends and two linebackers at the core of the 2005 draft class give Dallas real front seven depth for the first time since 1993.
The more panicked fans on the draft threads have been wondering what will happen to veterans LaRoi Glover and Greg Ellis, now that the 3-4 is the new defense of choice? Since they are productive team leaders with cap-friendly contracts, perhaps the better question might be, how much more effective will they be now that they have help?
Right now, the Cowboys have 4-3 options they could only dream about last year. If you put a depth chart together on April 24th, the starting line would be Marcus Spears at left end, LaRoi Glover at the three-technique tackle, slant-tackle Jason Ferguson and right end Greg Ellis. Spears, sight unseen, can only be an upgrade over the outmatched and equally outspoken Marcellus Wiley. Ferguson is a solid improvement over the willing but inexperienced Leonardo Carson.
Where Dallas had two solid starters and a lot of crossed fingers in 2004, they now have a solid four man starting front. What’s more, they now have the athleticism and numbers to rotate their top four. Last year Ellis and Glover were constantly worn down by the fact that there were no players of quality to spell them. When the Cowboys put their best four rushers on the field, Ellis would move inside with Glover to make room for ends Eric Ogbogu and Kalen Thornton. Ogbogu, while game, is a journeyman best known for his acting role on an apparel ad, (”we must protect this house!”) and Thornton was an undrafted free agent.
When Dallas now goes four wide on third down Ellis can take a breather, as rookies Demarcus Ware and Chris Canty will get solid reps. Glover will get help inside from Carson and from Spears, whom many teams projected as a 4-3 tackle because of his size and quickness.
When Dallas lines up in a 3-4, it will now find numbers in its linebacking corps, as Ware and Thornton give the Cowboys the size, speed and power to hold the perimeter. The Cowboys still have Al Singleton rookie Kevin Burnett to play the outside positions in a 4-3. Inside, Dat Nguyen will man the pivot in the standard 4-3 base, but will share the middle with Bradie James and Burnett in a 3-4 scheme. Add gamers Scott Shanle and Kevin O’Neill to the mix and Dallas finds itself with size and numbers for the first time since ‘93, when quality players like Godfrey Miles and Darrin Smith were too green to crack the starting lineup.
The wave is back. It’s too much to expect that every one of the new rookies will be effective immediately, but if only some of them are, Dallas can go back to those devastating rotations that eroded offensive lines and overwhelmed quarterbacks a decade ago.
Sixth Round Thread
April 24, 2005
The sixth round has begun, which means Dallas is back in play, after a tedious wait through the fifth. With the two supplemental picks approximately 30 choices away, it’s time to consider what’s been taken and what’s left.
With the exception of Demarcus Ware, the Cowboys have stuck with the Parcells big school formula. The second objective has been adding muscle to the defensive front seven. So far, we’ve seen:
DE — 307 lb. Marcus Spears and 285 lb. Chris Canty
LB — 251 lb. Demarcus Ware and 240 lb. Kevin Burnett
RB — 221 lb. jack of all trades Marion Barber III
My guess? If one of the Wisconsin DTs, Jason Jefferson or Antajj Hawthorne is around, I can see Dallas completing the front seven makeover by choosing him.
Beriault, according to the PFW draft book has 4.55 speed and is listed as a free safety. That’s where he will probably start. He’s listed as a strong special teams player, which will give him a second chance to make the team. His strengths are his intelligence and discipline. The weakness, apparently is range. My scouting report shows that he’s a bit stiff.
Let me caution you on the accuracy of these books with small college players. Willie Clay, who made a long living playing FS for Parcells, had a 4.72 on his draft book profile. I’m not saying the book is suddenly bad, because this guy has about a 50/50 shot as an NFL safety. I’m saying that he fits a position of need, and until I see the bad 50%, I’m stressing the good 50.
This is a sixth round pick, after all, and everyone here is a longshot.
Ratliff looks a bit small to play inside, but appears to have some rushing ability. He’s one more side on the Parcells beef truck.
Fourth Round Update
April 24, 2005
Some notes on the direction of the fourth round:
This is another board value pick. Barber is not outstanding at anything, but is good at everything. He’s big enough to block. He’s got the speed to get outside and he’s got good hands. This looks like another low-risk pick.
The stocking of the Dallas defensive front seven continues. Canty is another huge man who can play DE in a 3-4 or in a 4-3. He is in the Parcells’ “planet” mode. He’s taller than Marcus Spears, at 6′7″, but lighter at 280. This is a talented guy who is coming off an ACL tear in early ‘04. He might not be healthy enough for training camp but could be a real talent long term.
Dallas moved up roughly a dozen spots to get Canty. The Cowboys also gained a 2006 sixth rounder from the Eagles. In exchange, Philadelphia gets Dallas’ fourth round pick in 2006.
It’s time to run that errand. Canty was taken with pick 132. Dallas will not pick again until spot 208.
Value in the Sweetspot
April 23, 2005
It is often remarked among draftniks that one of the best places to be is in the top ten of the fourth round. After a hectic third round, where picks are limited to just five minutes, which comes at the end of a very long first two rounds, good players regularly fall through the cracks. Personnel department now have a chance to catch their breaths and evaluate the players who are still around.
Fortunately, Dallas picks eighth in the fourth round tomorrow, and should find quality with its first pick since taking Kevin Burnett at the 45th pick.
Here’s a brief look at the top players at every position available tomorrow. Emphasis will be placed on areas where Dallas has expressed need, like backup RB, OT, WR, CB and FS. Players who attended Dallas’ pre-draft banquet are in italics:
Runnings backs
Wide receivers
Offensive Guard
Defensive tackles/nose tackles
Safeties
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