Self Scouting
Posted: April 28, 2008 @ 10:13 am
Mr. Tuna,Draft somebody already!Please?!Your team is on the clock. There’s no John Elway-like talent atop this year’s board. Yeah, we’ll hear the Dallas-is-going-to-trade-up rumors a few more times, but let’s get real. You can’t get the team at pick five to jump up because the bonuses are too big and there’s no Reggie-White like talent there either. You can’t hold an auction. And be honest. If the next Elway or Lawrence Taylor was sitting there you would have signed him already.
So make your decision and pick. There’s no need to wait…
– “An Open Letter to Bill Parcells,” The ‘Boys Blog, March 21st
[Martellus] Bennett is another matter. Most mocks put him in the 3rd but the War Room team rates him as the best tight end in this year’s crop, comparing his game to Witten’s. Every service I’ve read rates him as the best blocking tight end of the top tier and he appears to have the most balanced game of any first day tight end candidate.
In other words, don’t rip your hair out if you hear Bennett called with the 61st pick. The Cowboys may be looking for “wow†offensive skill position guys but they’re also looking for another hard hat to replace the Moose. Still.
– “Looking for Mr. Moosebar,” The ‘Boys Blog, April 7th
That last name got my attention. Imagine what a young Tiki Barber would add to the Cowboys’ offense.
The Cowboys are so close they can’t afford to miss with their first round picks, and right now I think Felix Jones is the surest thing at running back where the Cowboys draft.
The mockers can be right for the wrong reasons and I’m beginning to think they’re right.
– Today, I’d take Jones at 28 and hope that Mike Jenkins is available at 22. He’s the CB I want from the top tier…
– Dr. Strangehog, Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Felix Jones,” The ‘Boys Blog, April 8th
Like to Have (3)
2. OLB — Dallas has Demarcus Ware, Greg Ellis and Anthony Spencer, but Ellis is long in the tooth. If the Cowboys can find a player like Brent Hawkins, a 5th round tweener who has turned into an effective situational rusher for Jacksonville, they’ll add him. You can never have enough pass rushers.
– “How Many Jobs Are Up For Grabs?” The ‘Boys Blog, April 13th
I take shots at picking Dallas’ round 3 and 4 players:
4th —
Will Franklin, WR, Missouri— Some good WRs are available — Early Doucet, Earl Bennett, Andre Caldwell, Mario Manningham — but how many of these guys will last till the end of the round?New 4th round pick — Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech — Even with Felix Jones the Cowboys have only two RBs they can count on. Choice is a Marion Barber type, a banger who does every thing well but lacks great speed.
– “Taking Shots” The ‘Boys Blog, April 26th
Some fancy pants Metroplex blog claimed it would give “unprecedented Cowboys-related draft coverage” but no site got you closer to what the Cowboys actually did than this one. Because no other blog has the community this one does. I set the topics but you put every idea to the test. You folks bring in data, observations, clips and well-honed opinions. No fluff. No filler. Just hard core analysis. You make us show our work. Your high standards make our conventional wisdom stronger.
So give yourselves a big pat on the back. We beat the big boys — again.
Comments
122 Responses to “Self Scouting”
Go
Nice job.
FIRST-
pick of the Cowboys..FELIX Jones
Well done Raf.
Pats on the back are nice but how about a mention of JJ making some great moves to either improve our ability to trade this offseason or to move up in next year’s draft by adding a 3 and a 4. Swapping a 4 this year for a 3 next was a GREAT move.
hey guys!!!
ESPN’s Skip Bayless gave our draft a C!
Oh no! Now we’ll never make it to the superbowl
Can we put a moratorium on draft grades? At least until one season goes into the books?
Phenomenal job all the way down to Walden. Other than a few shuda’s (involving Mendenhall), this was a fantastic job. I personnally think Felix is a better fit.
BTW, one justification for bringing in Mendenhall by the DMN guys was because it would give us that every down back in the event something happens to Barber. Well, isn’t that also like drafting a backup in the first round, just as they say we did with Jones?
Too bad our GM is such a “non-football” guy, we really could have done well. I hate the job he did in getting us the extra 3rd and 4th next year. What a schmuck he is.
Amen, Raf.
Raf,
You really did out do yourself in analyzing this year’s draft. It amazing how much insight you provided to the draft. You nailed quite a bit last year, but this year you were just plain scary. You were good enough that other teams should consider using you as a source.
If not for your articles, I would have been pulling my hair out over F. Jones and Bennett picks. With them and some additional reading I was neither surprised nor disappointed. I was also elated when they added D. Choice as it made the F. Jones pick over Mendenhall make a whole lot more sense. The three of them will make a terrifying combination and F. Jones and Choice give the team a sound option if MBIII holds to his agent’s crazy demands.
Thanks for recognizing the contributing factor of Cowboy obsessed bloggers to the conversation that refines your thinking, but this year no one on the Blog came close to getting inside the Cowboy’s head as you did.
Thanks for all the fun.
completely off topic, but what the HELL is that ad towards the right side of the website - I must be getting soft in my mid-30’s but that is (appears to be? - who can tell what it is) effing DISGUSTING.
raf,
Agreed, no more draft grades and give peace a chance and all that.
To the business at hand, who’s available at veteran WR?
Tashard Choice is good insurance for an every down back.
Raf and Squidlo,
but… It’s Skip Bayless…
he knows evvvvvrything
btw, i was being sarcastic
Great job this weekend raf i was at work all saturday and would have lost my mind if it wasnt for this blog, Bandwidth issues aside (nice problem to have i suppose). And as a group there was some brilliant insight and there is certainly no vacuum of actual football knowledge here. Thanks everyone even the wr fatalists(for the comic relief, its like watching little kids not being able to open a jar). I believe this was a brilliant draft and i hope the few players we actually picked live up to their hype. I also believe that Jerra positioned us brilliantly for next year. There were not a lot of spots that were gonna open up but the spots that were gaping were dealt with incredibly well. Thank you Mr, Jones for the new roof . I also believe we’d be smart to lock up ware asap because with these dbs he may get 30 sacks this year. I have faith in our coaches and scouts that we took the players we actually needed and did not reach on any pet cats. the only reciever i believed was worth a shot was jordy that kid will be a player. I feel so much better about this upcoming season after this weekend along with some very interesting undrafted free agents i believe we took a big step forward. And to everyone worried about NT i believe from what i read about dixon he may be that guy.
We should have picked Tiki Barber instead of David Lafleur, if it has been enough time to evaluate that pick.
By the way, (according to DMN) we picked up two free agents… one, DE from Hampton, and… ladies and gentlemen… Danny Amendola! This guy is just a pheonomenal talent. Hard worker. Gets small to get through holes… will never be a game breaker with speed, but somehow he always gets open, and RARELy ever drops the ball. I am so happy we got him, and i really hope he impresses the staff and makes the team.
Go watch you some Danny here… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-zNzpwKxEA
There’s another myth growing on some guys minds:
“You can’t be a good blocker if you’re to high.”
People, especially Burmafrd, doesn’t believes that Bennett can’t even be good blocking because he’s 6′6… He obviously doesn’t takes into consideration that Jason Witten who last season was a pretty good blocker stands at 6′5…
He also doesn’t takes into consideration that one of the best blockers in the League in the late 90s and beginning of this decade was Dan Campbell and also stood at 6′5…
Yeah, 1 inch can prevent a TE from being good… This asinine…
ElBarraco in post #10- Are you talking about that ad that says ‘unrated and uncut’?
Those are clips from the Redshins war room this week end, trying to figure out how to counter the Cowboys DBs.
Can anyone share with me the list of FAs that we got so far?
Thanks
So now that the draft is over and we know that we didn’t take a WR (which I’m okay with), is it possible to speculate what our options might be after the June 1 cuts? #2 WR is still a hole, and the only internal options I’m seeing are the rehabbing Terry Glenn and Isiah Stanback, if he makes a tremendous and historically unlikely jump from Year 1 to Year 2. So I’ve gotta think we’ll be looking for a veteran WR before the preseason. Do we know of anybody interesting who looks likely to drop free in the next few months because of salary, age, lack of fit, etc.? I’m hoping there’s somebody out there like a Keyshawn Johnson 2004, and we’re not limited to Marty Booker and some of the names I’ve seen being signed recently by WR-needy teams.
Raf,
Excellent work! Great scouting!
This blog is ALWAYS my first choice of Cowboys Info.
You’ve made us “smarter” fans!
Amendola could be a steal, let’s hope so!
Don’t forget about your Red Bryant call, who was both available and a good fit at 92, and again when we first traded down to 111. Was Jerry hoping he’d be there at 122? Sigh…he went 121.
I’m OK with no WR. Veteran WRs are always available at camp time.
I love the strategy of identifying an area of need and throwing both quantity and quality at it:
CB: Jenkins, Jones and Scandrick
RB: Jones and Choice
Good draft.
Since we picked up T.Choice, one blogger said he was now “Pro-Choice”
Nice line.
I’m saying since we picked up Danny Amendola - I’m now in the “Amen-Corner”
Raf,
Thanks for patting your readers on the back, but its easy to opine from the peanut gallery when the analysis you guys do is so solid.
Whenever I want to read up on my team, I come here before going anywhere else.
I am almost more excited about the Bennett pick than either of the first rounders in terms of upside.
Can anyone give a good summary of the differences between Mike Jenkins and Antoine Cason? I don’t know much about Jenkins, but I saw a lot of Cason and was extremely impressed. Why did the Cowboys choose MJ over AC?
Thanks.
post #10-
yeah I agree. That is one scary looking baby
Great coverage by this site. It’ll be very hard to now turn ‘off’ my football senses until July rolls around.
Comparing size of our new RBs.
Felix Jones
6′0″ 200 lbs.
Brian Westbrook
5′10″ 203 lbs.
Willie Parker
5′10″ 209 lbs.
Tashard Choice
5′11″ 215 lbs.
Marshawn Lynch
5′11 215 lbs.
Joseph Addai
5′11 214 lbs.
Just imagine Brian Westbrook and Marshawn Lynch in the same backfield - WHOA!
If MBIII leaves for more money next year, we’ll have F.Jones and T.Choice, which seems to me to be a great combo.
Hey for all you guys who wanted a safety, looks like we picked up a fine replacement for Kieth Davis. Meet DoWayne Davis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_qRjDc4Cdo
*Keith*
Our FA signees:
DE Darrell Robertson, Georgia Tech
DT Marcus Dixon, Hampton
WR Daniel Polk, Midwestern State
FB Julius Crosslin, Oklahoma State
OG Brandon Hale, Sam Houston State
P Jay Ottovegio, Stanford
SS Dowayne Davis, Syracuse
WR Danny Amendola, Texas Tech
TE Drew Atchison, William & Mary
No developmental QB in the list (at least not yet).
http://www.nfldraftbible.com/Latest/2008-UNDRAFTED-FA-TRACKER.html
Just look at that video of DoWayne Davis! I’m seriously wondering if this guy could replace Roy eventually!
Chandus
If maybe you could read a little better then maybe you would not sound so ignorant
My point is that he will not be that good a blocker IN THE BACKFIELD.
He will not be able to block like a fullback that some not so smart people seem to want to claim.
There is a reason that the best blocking backs are not much taller then 6′2
Its not my fault you could not read
The coverage and conversation around the Cowboys draft was sensational, miles ahead of the alternatives, which I dabbled with.
The commenters were in rare form, and Raf’s posts were just great.
There’s none better than the Boys Blog.
This is a runaway by far the best website for good cowboy info!!!!!
Thanks guys for helping me get thru a very interesting draft without breaking anything
nice go Dowayne! someone said earlier after the starters and the drafted kids there where only maybe 3 spots open i think those three are Amendiola ,Dixon and Davis. I think we are loaded for bear… er Giant this year.
i like the udfa class better than the second day haul and i’m not complaining about either. Good weekendfor us!
Burmafrd, I will and have agreed that a true FB is probably better in the hole but 260lbs running a 4.6 in the hole is still pretty scary.
Blocking is about hips and ability to lower them. Guys that can drop their hips oppose to bending at the waist do fine.
Where do you think that Parcells got the idea of using a 2 TE set?
Because he used Campbell and Witten in his rookie year and he used Campbell in more than one play in the backfield.
In the past 2 seasons Witten and Fasano have blocked from the backfield, remember the WHAM blocks? They were able to do it and looked good.
Now, you may tell me that because of Fasano being 6′4 he was able to do it better… So, I’ll stop discussing this matter…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAOkxgvboPk&feature=related
Check out Tashard Choice.
I’ve never been that fired up and focused in my entire life.
I know most of you have been around a while. For those who haven’t, Raf should be asking for donations soon for his trip to cover the Boys training camp. Some of you have mentioned how far ahead this site is for draft coverage. There is no place on the planet that will cover training camp the was Raf will.
Thought I would spread some potential good news.
When Washington picked up Kelly, Thomas and Fred Davis,and Philly picked up Desean, and Giants got Manningham, I have to admit that I thought the worst. Even with our DBs, I couldnt help but to worry caused I really liked all of those guys. However the good news is these guys are for all practical purposes out of the WR FA market.
Washington offered up to 2 number 1s and you know if they knew Dallas was in the bidding, would go up even higher.
Add to that, Ari picked up Doucet and Cinn picked up Rech Caldwell meaning if the guys look good and CJ and Boldin act up we might get them a bit cheaper around the end of training camp. Its still a bit of a long shot but things might be lining up some.
We might all want to pitch in for some more bandwidth as well at least on special occasions.
I’m pretty confident MBIII isn’t going anywhere. I think Jerry Jones thinks he’s special as a back, and would have a large hand in near future cowboys success. Choice really is a backup.
I think, though, we’ll see a lot of choice in the 2nd & 3rd quarters of games.
Dam that was a terrible post. I wrote and it didnt make sense.
Those guys probably arent in the running for digruntled WRs anymore. Dannyboy would have drove the cost up just so he wouldnt lose to us. Lets pull for Doucet and Caldwell to shine bigtime in camp. Also for Calvin to take a bg step.
hopefully with the lockerroom leadership that Choice brings to the table along with Bradie, Witten, Romo, TNew, Ellis, Ware, and yes even TO, we’ll be able to keep a guy like Pacman in line and he’ll step up and be a solid team player.
Two things:
1) What is up with the local Dallas press? They seem intent on criticizing what was, at the very least, a very solid draft. They are crying about not taking a receiver, yet I think JJ’s explanation was sound and logical.
2) It seems very clear to me from his comments that we may still make a deal for Chad Johnson. I think it depends on how nasty that situation gets and how T Glenn looks in training camp.
Jpal,Some people cant let go of their dilusions thats all. The press has to bitch its more interesting for them and easier to write something interesting. The fact remains jerra tried to get a vet but no one was playing along. The other mitigating factor is that neither the coaches nor scouts felt anyone was worth moving up for. Now Jones ,Bennet and Amendiola may all contribute to this passing attack and barring that Wade said that the T.O. cloning process has begun. I guess while they are cloning players maybe we get an early start on Ware,MBIII and maybe the playmaker can swing by and contribute some DNA.
I personally think Raf IS JJ, or maybe Stephen Jones…
BTW Raf, excellent job! Thank you for all you do. It’s not as sexy sounding as RomoSexual, but I think I just might be a RafSexual.
buster
Check out The Boys Blog on facebook. I can assure you that Raf is very much Italian looking, and not in his 8-s with loads of facial reconstruction.
*80s
15 free agent rookie signings:
http://blog.dallascowboys.com/blogs/goodtimes/archive/2008/4/28/1196257.aspx
3 WRs, Amendola reminds a little of Wes Welker. I hope he is close.
Marcus Dixon may stick on this team, and yes, a 3rd rookie RB. Anyone know anything about Keon Lattimore RB?
what about names they brought in earlier Bowman Blake. DJ hall is another interesting WR name. Robertson and Dixon seem the best of the bunch with Davis ast candidate
Incomplete list but some of the UDs. I like WR Mark Bradford from Stanford Jerry.
Paul Smith QB TULSA
Kyle Wright QB MIAMI
T.C. Ostrander QB STANFORD
Anthony Morelli QB PENN STATE
Nick Hill QB S ILLINOIS
Sam Keller QB NEBRASKA
Caleb Hanie QB COLO ST
Bernard Morris QB MARSHALL
Xavier Lee QB FLORIDA ST
Omar Haugabook QB TROY ST
Anthony Alridge RB HOUSTON
Chad Simpson RB MORGAN ST
Jehuu Caulcrick RB MICH ST
Rafael Little RB KENTUCKY
Benjarvus Green-Ellis RB OLE MISS
Kalvin McRae RB OHIO
Andre Callender RB BC
Dantrell Savage RB OKLAHOMA ST
Kregg Lumpkin RB GEORGIA
Calvin Dawson RB LA MONROE
Dorien Bryant WR PURDUE
D.J. Hall WR ALABAMA
Adarius Bowman WR OKLAHOMA ST
Travis Brown WR NEW MEXICO
Davone Bess WR HAWAII
Darius Reynaud WR W VIRGINIA
Ryan Grice-Mullen WR HAWAII
Mark Bradford WR STANFORD
Jason Rivers WR HAWAII
Maurice Purify WR NEBRASKA
Joe Jon Finley TE OKLAHOMA
Adam Bishop TE NEVADA
Darrell Strong TE PITTSBURGH
Joseph Haynos TE MARYLAND
Kolomona Kapanui TE W TEXAS A&M
Andrew Atchison TE W & MARY
Tyson DeVree TE COLORADO
Cole Bennett TE AUBURN
Mike Peterson TE NW MO ST
Christian Hopkins TE TOLEDO
Marcel Reece FB WASHINGTON
Carl Stewart FB AUBURN
Brandon McAnderson FB KANSAS
Jed Collins FB WASH ST
Michael Cox FB GA TECH
Doug Jones FB CINCY
Jason Goode FB MARYLAND
Adam Ballard FB NAVY
Michael Pitre FB UCLA
Dionte Johnson FB OHIO ST
Tyler Polumbus OT COLORADO
Will Robinson OT SDSU
James Blair OT W MICHIGAN
Franklin Dunbar OT M TENN ST
Bobby Byrd OT WASH ST
Brian Stamper OT VANDERBILT
Shannon Boatman OT FLORIDA ST
Chris Clark OT SO MISS
Thaddeus Coleman OT MVSU
Ben Hochstein OT MAVERICKS
Drew Radovich OG USC
Eric Young OG TENNESSEE
Pedro Sosa OG RUTGERS
Robert Felton OG ARKANSAS
Christopher McDuffie OG CLEMSON
Andrew Crummey OG MARYLAND
Kerry Brown OG APP ST
Shannon Tevaga OG UCLA
Mike Fladell OG RUTGERS
Adam Kraus OG MICHIGAN
Matt Spanos C USC
Fernando Velasco C GEORGIA
Doug Legursky C MARSHALL
Ryan Wendel C FRESNO ST
Brennen Carvalho C PORTLAND ST
Marcus Coleman C WISCONSIN
Adam Spieker C MISSOURI
Drew Miller C FLORIDA
Tony Brinkhaus C MINNESOTA
Jeff Cavender C BOISE ST
Keilen Dykes DT W VIRGINIA
James McClinton DT KANSAS
Derek Lokey DT TEXAS
Barry Booker DT VA TECH
Eric Foster DT RUTGERS
Teraz McCray DT MIAMI
Kurt Hout DT FERRIS ST
Matt Malele DT CALIFORNIA
George Chukwu DT RICE
Joshua Thompson DT AUBURN
Darrell Robertson DE GA TECH
Curtis Johnson DE
Johnny Dingle DE W VIRGINIA
Wallace Gilberry DE ALABAMA
Titus Brown DE MISS ST
Tommy Blake DE TCU
Marcus Dixon DE HAMPTON
Jameel McClain DE SYRACUSE
Chase Ortiz DE TCU
Joe Clermond DE PITTSBURGH
Erin Henderson OLB MARYLAND
Ali Highsmith OLB LSU
Wesley Woodyard OLB KENTUCKY
Gary Guyton OLB GA TECH
Curtis Gatewood OLB VANDERBILT
Ezra Butler OLB NEVADA
Nick Watkins OLB CLEMSON
Durrell Mapp OLB UNC
Steve Octavien OLB NEBRASKA
Lamar Myles OLB LOUISVILLE
Jo-Lonn Dunbar ILB BC
Ben Moffitt ILB S FLORIDA
J Leman ILB ILLINOIS
Vince Hall ILB VA TECH
Joseph Brockington ILB NOTRE DAME
Danny Lansanah ILB UCONN
Corey McKeon ILB NEBRASKA
Marc Magro ILB W VIRGINIA
Nelson Coleman ILB TULSA
Rodrick Johnson ILB OKLAHOMA ST
Darnell Terrell CB MISSOURI
Michael Grant CB ARKANSAS
Glenn Sharpe CB MIAMI
Jonathan Zenon CB LSU
Marcus Walker CB OKLAHOMA
Justin McKinney CB KANSAS ST
Trey Brown CB UCLA
Matterral Richardson CB ARKANSAS
Thomas Flowers CB GEORGIA
Al Phillips CB WAGNER
Marcus Griffin S TEXAS
Simeon Castille S ALABAMA
Jamie Silva S BC
DJ Wolfe S OKLAHOMA
Jamar Adams S MICHIGAN
DJ Parker S VA TECH
David Roach S TCU
Nehemiah Warrick S MICH ST
Jonathan Hefney S TENNESSEE
Dennis Keyes S UCLA
Arthur Carmody K LOUISVILLE
Alexis Serna K OREGON ST
Shane Longest K ST XAVIER
Jeremy Ito K RUTGERS
Jason Reda K ILLINOIS
Garrett Hartley K OKLAHOMA
Steven Hauschka K NC STATE
Robert Zarrilli K HOFSTRA
Connor Barth K UNC
Sergio Aguayo K UNLV
Mike Dragosavich P NDSU
Brett Kern P TOLEDO
Andrew Larson P CALIFORNIA
Tim Reyer P KANSAS ST
Owen Tolson P ARMY
Kenneth Debauche P WISCONSIN
Geoff Price P NOTRE DAME
Jimmie Kaylor P COLO ST
Jared Armstrong P PURDUE
Waylon Prather P SAN JOSE ST
On the Marcus Dixon signing. I thought I might add some background on his “character issues.” I recall reading in depth about his case in law school years back. I don’t have any clue whether he can play ball, but he got thoroughly hosed by the legal system. He was an a 18 year old black kid who had consensual(*) sex with a 15 year old (shy of 16 by 3 months) white girl in Podunk, Georgia. That should have constituted a misdemeanor statutory rape. Instead the DA went after him on aggravated child molestation, which carried a much larger penalty but had never been applied in a that kind of target adult pedophiles who molest and injure small children. In what, by all accounts, was a racially charged railroading he was convicted and sentenced to 10 or 15 years without parole. The State Supreme Court eventually got around to throwing the conviction out.
(*) She claimed it wasn’t, of course. But after reading the facts of the case and seeing a couple of interviews with her, it sure as shit looked otherwise.
Before all that, the kid was an honors student with a free ride to Vandy, if memory serves. I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that he is far less likely than most on the team to get involved in anything shady or dangerous.
There sure is a decent amount of talent out there.
I know they carry more baggage than a SkyCap, but Hall & Bowman sure were highly rated, have great measurables and were very productive.
The Tulsa QB, Smith, both interior OL from USC, and the safety from Texas (Griffin) & Alabama (Castille) would all be great pickups.
Of course, I’ve heard Hall & Bowman were basically blackballed prior to the draft.
Oh, and Buster, that’s just…disturbing.
Dixon’s story is nice and compelling, but can he play pro football? If the plan is to move him to OLB then I’d say no. He doesn’t have the speed at all. Not sure about DE
Dixon is almost 300 . I suspect he could be taxied and looked at as anose
One thing to note on our local mediots. I’ve posted this before, but just wanted to give y’all some perspective.
DMN has collected a group of Ohio State and Boston-area cronies that have been filtering through here for years.
It started with Gosselin (from Kansas or Illinois or some other god-forsaken midwest area) and has continued unabated for nearly 20 years, including Blackistone.
Tim Cowlishaw was at least southern, but all have been tainted by the mother hen Goose.
None have been local, none are Cowboys fans, and they all claim to be “objective”, but it’s really just a contrarian stance. Always be “critical”.
At FWST, it’s Galloway that’s the resident curmudgeon and all but Charean Williams follow his “shock jock” mentality thinking they’ll get an B.S.PN analyst spot.
Unfortunately, the DMN seems to be a training ground for ‘em. They’re not here to inform us, they’re here to audition.
Is there any plans for Jenkins and/or 5th round pick to get some reps at safety. If Pacman is reinstated and both Jenkins and Scanton(Misspell) look like gamers for the nickle. What are the chances of us using Henry as trade bait for Williams, Boldin, and CJ. Good starting CBs are always at a premium before the season starts.
Just kicking around ideas how we could sweeten the pot for a vet WR. At the end of training camp is when this has the best chance of going down and we have an idea of Stanbach, Hurd, Austin,Jenkins,and Scanton will be capable of going into the 2008 year.
Fighter,
OK, maybe I was a little overzealous with my appreciation of Raf’s contribution and dedication; however, I’m in no way “attracted” to the man… I pitch for the home team! And have children to prove it too!!!
Dallas free agent signings after the draft…
Danny Amendola WR Texas Tech
Drew Atchison TE William & Mary
Mark Bradford WR Stanford
Andrew Brecher OT Harvard
Julius Crosslin FB Oklahoma State
Dowayne Davis SS Syracuse
Marcus Dixon DE Hampton
Brandon Hale OT Sam Houston State
Keon Lattimore RB Maryland
Jay Ottovegio P/K Stanford
Daniel Polk WR Midwestern State
Darrell Robertson DE Georgia Tech
joey,
its just hard to get motivated by a video with one chandler gaily making a cameo.
on the dallas media, they are what they are. the bloggers know what this site is and im sure more will learn when time goes on. the amazing thing to me, living in the DC area, is the difference b/t the DC media and their approach to the skins and the dallas media and the approach fighter discusses above.
Fighter15, are you saying the Dallas Media is controlled by a bunch of north eastern liberals with an anti-Texas agenda?
Cause thats what I’m saying.
For people who are attempting to be objective and informative, I know too much personal info about them. I know less about the people who run this blog, and I even met one of them!
Fighter
You’re definitely right about the local mediots. The first and only rule for them is to be critical. They always know what’s right for the team in question and if the team doesn’t go by that, it’s wrong.
As for Goose, I usually have the impression that he is being objective. Now, his voice is always in this “I know I’m always right” kind of tone, but usually his comments on the draft are useful. He was on with Norm on the Ticket yesterday during their coverage of the draft and pretty much agreed with every move the Cowboys made.
Is Dowayne Davis listed as a SS only? The thing I saw on youtube said he was a CB
While we’re on the subject of media, i have to give “Dr Z” a little love.
in the past he has gone out of his way to knock the boys and has even openly admitted he is biased. He once wrote that TO will never get in the HOF by his vote, regardless of his final stats/accomplishments.
at the end of this last season, he begrudgingly gave flozell some love for his play, after bascially stating he just didnt like the way he played (rafael did a thread from his write up). BTW, I think Dr Z hates pass blockers and loves run blockers (of which flo is not known for).
lately, he seems to have put some bias aside and given JJ some honest love (note his recent comments on our draft).
Tommy Blake supposibly signed atryout contract with TB amazing I know Dallas looked at him he must really be struggling
Squidlo your post #60
I was loking at your idea about getting the vet WR and decided to look up some stats to try to determine that player’s value to the team. Last year Romo averaged 19.7 (call it 20) completions per game in the regualr seaason with the following player completion breakdown: Witten 6, per game T.O 5, Crayton 3, MBIII 3, J. Jones 1, and Hurd 1 for a total average of 19 completions per game. I did not include Fasano who ahd 14 catches, Miles Austin, or T. Glenn.
I think I can safely say that Witten is our number one target and T.O. is number 2 as far as completions are concerned. Both of these players stretch the field. Now add in Felix Jones who probably gets some of Barber’s touches and all of JJ’s and we really don’t have any touches left and we still have Terry Glenn who is 50-50 to play.
I am not at all saying not to get a Roy Williams or a Bouldin if they become available, but really they are coming in to get Crayton’s touches because there just aren’t that many left. If that’s the case, O.K but I wouldn’t lose sleep over getting the vet WR for this year.
slide he played CB and SS during his senior year, but he sure doesnt look built to be a CB though. Looks more like a heat seeking missile with coverage skills
Miamicowboy;
Keon Lattimore is like the 1/2 brother or something like that to Ray Lewis ( Baltimore Ravens LB )
Pretty good speed and quickness and possibly a good chance to make this team because of his heart.
The couple of points I want to make is below.
*Our return teams just got alot better. Felix Jones is a great kick returner. Pacman and Jenkins help punt returns.
*I love the Amendola pick up I have been calling for this one I think he will be another Welker.
*Also, picking up all these secondary players just made our pass rush that much better and with all the top teams like the Colts and Pats this will help attack that offense. I felt we didnt blitz enough because of our weakness in the secondary last year.
This has a great opportunity to turn into a great draft that helps us take it to the next level.
wow,
another national media type has no heartburn with jones over mendenhall.
don banks doesn’t exactly bless the pick, but he certainly seems to understand the logic and wonders why the local media in dallas cant.
BTW,
i am intriqued by amendola too, i think he will be an instant fan favorite. lets hope he can make the team and/or stay healthy (images of beriault flash through my mind).
Watching him throughout college he is a tough little mofo. He is alot like welker in that he never takes alot of big hits he just seems to find all the seams. He will be a different kind of receiver. I am also really wanting to know where Stanback is I want to see his development. If he comes along It will be Glenn, TO, Crayton, Stanback, AND Amendola because we will keep extra corners because they will be our return guys along with F Jones.
Nink, if that is the case, it sounds like exploring an MBIII trade for a vet WR could be in the works. I like Barber but am also very familiar with Drew Ro$enhau$$. They will ask for Pro Bowler money and with 3 new RBs, JJ may not be willing to pay.
red raider: I think one of Hurd/Austin will also probably make the team. We’ve invested 2 years in both Hurd and Austin, cant just let BOTH of them go like that.
Kainenn: you said, “he (Marcus Dixon)is far less likely than most on the team to get involved in anything shady or dangerous.” Geeze, just who do we have on this team?
in a town that recently villified Michael Vick and sent him to the FED PENN……and plenty of press on Allen Iverson.
i have not heard one thing out of Dixon in the local media during his 4 years at Hampton U.
I think the kid was railroaded and HBO sports did a special on it.
If he was a month younger during the sex nobody would even know it happened cuz it would have never been a conviction.
Im not sure people are going to be willing to trade for MB, knowing his asking price and his current contract situation.
better trade bait for a young (26ish) starting WR: next year’s first, and one of our thirds or fourths. detroit might still be convinced to part with roy williams for that.
MB and drew have some pressure on them now. Every week that goes by next season without a new contract is a risk (what if he gets hurt?).
the boys now have two young RBs on the roster and can continue on without MB. Having said that, i believe they’re serious about signing him to a long term deal, there is just no way that MB is going to get what he wants.
Im really surprised the local media hasnt called him to ask how he feels about the boys drafting 2 RBs in his contract year.
trust me, that one is coming.
Hey Raf…….
Is FELix Jones the WOW at RB and WR?
Wade said he would use him like Marshal Faulk. Martz ran Air Coryell as good as anybody. I can only remember Faulk, Herschel Walker and more recently Westbrook and Bush lining up at wideout.
Any chance we see packages where Felix gets out at wideout? Garret got a few new toys to play with…..I hope they see something in Stanbach, Hurd and Austin we havent seen yet.
sean,
sure we can.
austin did himself no favors last year in DC, and he is no longer as much of a factor as a return man.
hurd is hurd. i doubt the boys will part ways with stanbeck just to keep hurd on the roster. he’ll have to work hard to stay on the team (though i dont think either of those guys are gone for sure).
i’d see hurd making the team long before austin at this point.
Did anyone see the Marcus Dixon piece on Outside The Lines. It said that he signed for 3 years at 1.1 million with nothing guaranteed. I’m not sure, but I don’t think undrafted free agents get 3 year deals. Maybe it means there is a good chance he will stay.
WRs:
TO
Glenn (if he can produce half as much as he did in 06, he’ll be OK).
Crayton (locked up to a long term deal and the emergency QB).
Stanbeck (gets at least another year)
Hurd (productive but probably not a number 2 guy)
Austin (the writing is on the wall)
UFAs (if they look good in camp and pre-season, one will easily displace austin).
if we still make a move for a vet WR i think glenn will be gone.
dont forget witten is a big part of our air threat.
Check out my mock from March 14th. Yep that’s March 14th! We’re talking 5 weeks ago and it’s the only mock I did…
http://theboysblog.com/2008/03/14/the-x-factor-stanback/
It’s Post #80.
I had Devin Thomas with #22, ok that was a big miss but I had Felix Jones at #28 back when no-one on here was picking him. Here’s my run down;
1b – RB Felix Jones.
The 28th choice was the hardest position for me to pick and I know many will hate my choice here even more than the Devin Thomas pick. I’ve seen many people pick Tracy Porter here and I want a CB badly too but I am not sold on Porter (see Round 2). I think Felix Jones is a good player who represents good value here at a position of need. Felix has taken a bit of a bashing on this blog and his unusual 40 time didn’t help (I say unusual because the first 10 was a very fast 1.46, but then his 20 time was average at 2.59 but then he finished with a respectable 4.44). When looking at him on highlights he’s undoubtedly very quick and fast on the field. He looks very, very fluid and natural cutting and running (he’s not stiff like Julius Jones). Here’s the anti Julius Jones line of the day; Felix “shows a natural feel for the crease and displays excellent vision and hip swerve as he weaves through traffic, picking his feet nicely over trash. Instinctive in his movements, displaying the vision to see threats. Uses his blocks wellâ€. He’s got great vision and an explosive burst to get there. Excellent big hands for receiving (though routes need work) and not a fumbler. Sharing carries limited the wear and tear he takes into the pro’s. Works very hard in both the film room and weight room. Despite being a premier prospect and putting up spectacular numbers in his own right he never complained about taking a backseat to McFadden and was a great teammate. Could gain some weight without compromising speed (he’s a decent 5′10†207 now). Willing pass blocker but technique poor (sounds like he just needs some coaching). Spectacular return man. Mature, tough, competitive. I think he’s a bigger version of Brian Westbrook and would love to see Felix lining up for his favorite team the Dallas Cowboys.
Ok my Second and Third round picks were Godfrey and Barrett so I missed there but check out my Forth and Fifth Round picks. I was the only one on here to get both these guys right;
4 – RB Tashard Choice.
With Marion Barber and Felix Jones we have 2 RB’s on the roster. Choice rounds out the game day 3. He’s a jack of all trades type. He has good size (5′10†215) and is tough and aggressive. Very good vision and instincts, hard worker with top intangibles. While he’s not explosive he has solid speed (4.48). He has good hands out of the backfield and, importantly, is a solid blocker. I think Marion might not get his long term deal and leave Dallas after this year, Tashard Choice and Felix Jones will take over in 09 for half the price of what Marion gets somewhere else.
5 – CB Scandrick Orlando.
Not just a speed freak (ran a 4.32 Forty at the Combine), tough and physical despite his smaller stature (5′10†192), very fluid hips and turns and runs well, lots of experience. In the negatives he’s inconsistent and loses focus, an average tackler and wasn’t tested much. But could be a solid special teamer (has a knack for blocking kicks) and a good press/man cover guy. Has a lot of potential and could be a steal.
With our first pick in the 6th I also picked a DE/OLB project but I selected the wrong guy so I was at least on the right track.
All in all I think that’s pretty good for 5 weeks out from the draft.
I think training camp and the preseason will be very interesting to watch. Some guys from last years team, if not gone already, may be leaving.
jarhead, Jerry said that no receiver in the draft could unseat any receiver on the team. He said that before the FA signings. You say that Austin will be gone. We’ll see. I think backup WO will be the most ‘competitive’ area.
Does not taking a center mean they’re okay with Procter backing up?
thats not what JJ said at all.
he said that no WR in the draft could make an immediate impact on the team, ie, replace TO, Glenn, or Crayton.
he also strongly considered trading up for a WR at one point (2nd round).
there were guys taken this weekend that would beat out austin or hurd, but probably none that could get significant playing time in dallas (this year).
Raf, kudos on draft days 1&2, or any other day.
I love how some of you guys are comparing an undrafted free agent rookie with a guy who caught 112 balls last year (Welker).
Comedy.
Jarhead, I stand corrected. Thanks,
Won’t cut two guys at WR after two years if they get somebody better?
These guys replaced guys already on the roster cut in the same circumstances.
Thay also cut Reeves and Jones at CB after four years, each.
They will keep the players they think will help them the most. Austin and Hurd were kept partly for ST. Is it worth keeping them again just to have last years’ gunners on punt coverage teams? Really?
If Stanback looks adequate and either Glenn can play or he gets replaced, they are both gonzo.
Well, we finally got ourselves a safety…Dowayne Davis out of Syracuse. Here is an article that puts him on the “all-sleeper” team:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7967630/NFL-Draft:-All-Sleeper-defensive-team
Hurd and Thompson were basically kept for their return skills. If pacman is reinstated we will have him and jenkins returning punts with Crayton and Newman and alternatives, and Stanback, Jones, and Jones on kickoffs. So we can carry on five WR so Austin is gone and if Amendola does as well as I think he can Hurd will say bye bye too. We can use Bennett at TE on some sets and line Witten up in the slot as well in 4wr sets.
Sorry meant Austin and Thompson
Jevans, More weapons means more 1st downs which means more offensive plays per game. I was actually wanting a vet WR for insurance if TO goes down and of course for the big games and playoffs.
Its an interesting take and what you said seems right but I cant forget our offense when TO went down. I also know in the playoffs the Ds are good enough to take away a few things from offenses. Harper always seem to shine the most in the playoffs when Ds went all out to shut down Novechek and Irvin. I want a SB even worse now that Giants won and I want to be the 1st to have 6. Dammit, I want it all!!
Playmaker - that guy who caught 112 passes last year was also an undrafted free agent, from the same college with similar measurables, style of play, build, work ethic…
just saying…
Playmaker yes was and they play very similar styles they only big difference is Welker has return skills and Amendola did not return kicks and punts at tech. He has very good hands and drops very few passes and has good wheels.
red raider,
go to youtube and type in danny amendola.
there is a video of him returning a punt for 6 against KU.
cowboyman,
i think JJ considering moving up for a WR for depth and to develop a young guy.
the fact that he was talked out of it by the others with a say in matters is interesting for two reasons:
one, apparently they liked the TE (maybe garrett more than the others) and weren’t too jacked about the WRs even in round 2….
and
apparently, JJ actually learned something from his experiences and from BP.
BTW,
austin was a KO returner, not a punt returner.
pacman and Tnew can return punts, but they are guys who you dont want to expose to that kind of risk all the time.
take amendola though,
he is an UFA who will likely not have welker-like productivity (at least not this year).
he can be a #5 or 6 WR who returns punts though. thats not an unreasonable expectation after watching some of his video.
Here’s a problem I see (not me personally but most local mediots will be driven batty). Felix Jones is technically a backup RB. He’ll get lots of playing time, but if Barber is the starter then someone has to be called a backup. Our second first round pick may or may not beat out Pacman should he be reinstated. If he doesn’t, he’ll be the 4th CB and only come in on dime and special nickel packages. For the 3rd year in a row we’ll have our newest first round guys not starting a game barring injury.
Their roles may be crucial, especially Felix’s, but the Cowboys still won’t exactly be batting over .500 with their 1st round picks in years past.
jarhead
The information about JJ wanting to move up for a WR has been disputed. Not sure who’s right, but the other thing I heard on here was that JJ wanted to move up for the TE. He was worried that Bennett wouldn’t last to their pick in the 2nd round.
Slide -
Doesn’t matter to me one bit. On a team as talented as Dallas, draft picks are for depth and development and planning for the future, not to become instant starters. There wasn’t a player in this draft who who would have come right in started - not Long (either), not D-Mac, not Gholston, not Ryan, not Dorsey. Well, maybe Dorsey, but that’s about it.
Jevans: the idea behind having another stud at WR is 3-fold.
1. The straight O-factor. you can’t defend everything well and another stud can either make plays or force the D to defend him, leaving T.O., Witten and Felix in one on one situations.
2. Insurance. We all saw what the O looked like when T.O. went down.
3. Future. T.O. is old. Getting a younder stud helps keep from being forced to pay T.O. RIDICULOUS money and insulates us if he leaves.
Why is that a problem though Slide?
I mean I guess “backup” is a relative term.
If Felix Jones is a starting return man in any area of the game, touches the ball 10-13 times a game, and makes an immediate impact.. is that a problem?
The WR class apparently wasn’t that valued, or someone would have been picked in the first.
Mike Jenkins might be the dime or nickel guy… but he can also play safety and could push Roy on third down situations.
Even if Jenkins is only a fourth corner this year, thats a key position in the NFL now. Not just because of all of the passing, but depth is crucial. If Anthony Henry goes down sometime this year, wouldn’t it be nice to know that Nate Jones isn’t your third corner?
Red Raider:
With Glenn in such a precarious and uncertain spot, even if he does come back, they cannot afford to only keep Gleen, T.O., Crayton, Stanback and Amendola.
I also think Austin is the odd man out. However, Hurd sure dropped the few balls thrown his way down the stretch last year.
By the way, I’ve heard good things about that Bradford kid from Stanford - so don’t just hand it to Ammendola.
Luke:
Nice job. . .but call me when you pick Erik Walden. Then I’ll be impressed.
Playmaker:
As some have already said, Ammendola is a carbon copy of Welker in so many ways, that’s why the comparisons. The question is how smart is he? can he find the holes like Welker.
And does Dallas have the patience and personnell to develop him?
Slide, your approaching the draft picks like a mediot. Do they both make us significantly better. Do they protect our future. Will they get lots of playing time. Do they add flexibility to our D. Can they play different positions. Can they have help us immediately on special teams. These are my questions for rating our picks
Who else could we have picked that would have given us more.(JJ canned the young WR)
If the young guys can play well we could dangle Henry as trade bait. Henry could move to FS and move Hamlin to SS and dangle Thong as trade bait.
I realize your just quoting the media but it not a disaster if your 1st rounders dont start unless your 4-12. Beside all indications are we have 2 starters at RB. One in the first half and 1 for the 2nd.
Slide:
Who could Dallas have picked that would have been a starter in ‘08.
How about ‘09?
Jenkins doesn’t start because we have T-New and Henry - 2 good corners. If Pacman doesn’t get reinstated, or gets re-suspended, Jenkins is essentially a starter, as our 3rd/Nickel corner.
At some point, Henry will leave or become a safety. And now T-New is not an absolute must re-sign (although I want him to be re-signed.).
Stephen Jones said in an interview on Sunday with “the Ticket” that based on their developement, they would rate their current young receivers as 2nd, 3rd and 4th round value WR’s. I wonder who he’s rating and where?
I wonder what he is smoking.
Gmoney,
How ’bout a guard or safety?
But those bashing you are right. Our backup RB made the Pro Bowl last year.
BP said there is basically 13 or 14 “starters” on each side of the ball. If you run a 2 back system, you’re second back is a starter. The 3rd WR, 2nd TE are also starters. You’re 3rd CB, 3rd Safety, Nickel LB, and most of your DL (if you rotate) would be included.
Bad basis for evaluation. Me? If they contribute in year 1, great! But the measuring stick is if they contribute by year 3 (the Landry rule).
Brady James, Mark Tuinei, Nate Newton, Randy White, Jim Jeffcoat, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Aikman, Staubach, etc., etc., ad nauseum.
Your standard simply doesn’t fly.
The second part was for Slide, not you gmoney.
Gmoney
Unless you get Randy Moss, T.O is getting the double team especially in known passing situations. Also, despite his age T.O. is in great shape. He is not going to go from being a superstar, to crap overnight. Also. he will get his money after this season because he is better than almost everyone else even at his age.
Do you really think if Jerry got Roy Williams or Bouldin etc. he wouldn’t sign T.O.? Stop playing. Also Keenan McCardel played until he was forty. T.O has a long time to go.
Ammendola does not get separation as consistently as Welker. Welker is always open.
Is this Fighter of the ” if you dont re-up with a FA contract and play 10 years your a bust”?
Jevans, I actually think those guys would extend TOs career and probably motivate him to play for less money.
Yup! That’d be me. That’s for a first or second round pick. I’d even go so far as the top 4 rounds at that scale.
5,6,7? If they contribute as backups or have a few good years then depart for greener pastures, then fine.
To me, Reeves is borderline. He really only had one decent year. But played a role for a few years. Was a tease, but in the end he was a “progress stopper” and cost us a bit.
Playmaker - so you saying that Welker was every bit as good as he is now when he came out of college 4 years ago? I guess thats why no one drafted him then.
Obviously a rookie is not going to give you Welkers production immediately, but he can give you the same style player and become almost as productive if he develops.
Before we gift away Austin and Sam Hurd…….
History of Terrel Owens. Owens was a quiet kid from the South that was struggling as a WR had plenty of drops. He was in fact returning kicks at one point.
Then in season two he goes out and catches a GAME WINNING TD from Steve Young. He started to celebrate and from then on Terrel was TO. Like Dennis Rodman he transformed himself into a game day face……..who knows maybe he has multiple personalities like Herschel…….whatever…..
the point is…….I think if Hurd has one of those game changing moments. Perhaps he sticks around and develops.
Jimmy Smith…..
Terrance Copper has also been productive and was basically odd man out on our squad with Hurd and Austin being considered more talented.
Stanbach, Hurd, Austin, Texas Tech Wes Welker wannabe……hey we line up let em play and keep the best WR out of the bunch on the roster….
we should already have a PR/KR boost with Pacman.