Some bright possibilities......

[Phrozen Phil]

.......If the Boys continue to struggle and if Buffalo continues to lose, we could get the first TWO picks in next year's draft.

I'm not throwing in the towel by any stretch, but the expressions on the player's faces said it all: they got whipped. The running game is not being respected, so the defense simply waited on Vinny to throw the ball. The offense just does not seem to have an identity and the defense may have played its worst game in a looooooong time. The only comfort we can take is that there were other meltdowns today. Atlanta was just plain awful against KC, and the aforementioned Bills continue to struggle to make plays on offense.

Do we view this as a setting stage for next year, or do we believe that teh Boys will play better. If we're going to stink for part of the year, I'm hoping it's for the first half and that we improve during the last few games of the year. :eek:

[Cajuncowboy]

.......If the Boys continue to struggle and if Buffalo continues to lose, we could get the first TWO picks in next year's draft.

I'm not throwing in the towel by any stretch, but the expressions on the player's faces said it all: they got whipped. The running game is not being respected, so the defense simply waited on Vinny to throw the ball. The offense just does not seem to have an identity and the defense may have played its worst game in a looooooong time. The only comfort we can take is that there were other meltdowns today. Atlanta was just plain awful against KC, and the aforementioned Bills continue to struggle to make plays on offense.

Do we view this as a setting stage for next year, or do we believe that teh Boys will play better. If we're going to stink for part of the year, I'm hoping it's for the first half and that we improve during the last few games of the year. :eek:

I really think we need to start looking at next year. I love the Cowboys but in reality we suck right now. We have our best player on Defense playing out of position. We have an aging QB with the so called future on the bench gettting NO experience. We have an aging RB who can't seem to find enough running room with a young guy with lots of potential spotting him for like two or three carries a game and we have used our first pick in the draft on a RB.

If we do get a couple top picks next year the first guy I look for is Mike Williams. Then I look for a De in the first round who can make a difference.

[Dale]

My concern with having two high picks is that we'll get too cute and try trading down.

Our team's draft history over the last 12 or so years has been pretty defined on draft day. Every time we have tried trading around in the first round, we have resulted in bust picks. Every time we have traded out of the first round entirely, we have resulted in busts (Julius Jones hasn't done anything so far to change that, nor has Jacob Rogers).

Yet the few times this team has stayed pat high in the first round, we have gotten solid players: Ellis, Williams and Newman.

Granted, none of those players are perfect, and we could have gotten better values with the pick (Moss, Leftwich, etc), but like or not, they have been the cornerstones on our defense. And while Newman has been horrid the last few weeks, he had been pretty solid up until that point...certainly better than the other colossal busts we have seen over the last 12 years.

Just stay pat. Let's not kid ourselves: we need playmakers...not a handful of workman-like gap fillers. We should just take a glance at our team's recent history when selecting next season. Stay put, and take the best guys on the board. Look for depth and fillers later on, and in free agency. This team needs players that will give the Cowboys an identity, and I'm not confident we'll find those if we trade down into the teens.

[Chocolate Lab]

I hope we do trade down, actually. Maybe just a little bit, like with the Roy trade, but I think we need *several* players to step in, not just one or two.

[Dale]

I hope we do trade down, actually. Maybe just a little bit, like with the Roy trade, but I think we need *several* players to step in, not just one or two.

True, but we will likely have two very high first rounders, and a real high second rounder as well. That, right there, should provide three starting players if we play our cards right, and two impact players to boot.

We traded down with Roy and almost blew it. I'd rather not take that chance again. Besides, I'm not confident that we'd make much use of the mid-round pick we'd get for trading down anyway.

[boysfanindc]

Do you really thin BP and JJ will know what to do with these picks.

Tell me the moves so far that give your confidence in their ability?

Ron Wolf in 05!

[Cajuncowboy]

My concern with having two high picks is that we'll get too cute and try trading down.

Our team's draft history over the last 12 or so years has been pretty defined on draft day. Every time we have tried trading around in the first round, we have resulted in bust picks. Every time we have traded out of the first round entirely, we have resulted in busts (Julius Jones hasn't done anything so far to change that, nor has Jacob Rogers).

Yet the few times this team has stayed pat high in the first round, we have gotten solid players: Ellis, Williams and Newman.

Granted, none of those players are perfect, and we could have gotten better values with the pick (Moss, Leftwich, etc), but like or not, they have been the cornerstones on our defense. And while Newman has been horrid the last few weeks, he had been pretty solid up until that point...certainly better than the other colossal busts we have seen over the last 12 years.

Just stay pat. Let's not kid ourselves: we need playmakers...not a handful of workman-like gap fillers. We should just take a glance at our team's recent history when selecting next season. Stay put, and take the best guys on the board. Look for depth and fillers later on, and in free agency. This team needs players that will give the Cowboys an identity, and I'm not confident we'll find those if we trade down into the teens.

I agree 100% Our drafting philosophy has not been the envy of the league to say the least. As for Newman this year, I think you can draw a direct corralation to his poor performance starting when Pete Hunter went down. There has been so much pressure on Newman to be THE GUY back there. I just think he is playing too much with his head and not enough with his instincts. HE got toasted today for one reason and one reason only and that was becasue he gave too much groud to the WRs at the line.

[ciron]

Hopefully, the Boys will not trade down,, but again,, in theory ,, if the Boys get the number # 1 or # 2 pick,, hopelly from Buffalo,, there will probably be alot of phone calls from teams trying to get that pick to draft either of the QBs from Cal ( Aaron Rodgers ) or USC ( Matt Lienart ) that many current mocks have both listed in the TOP 5.

At present, I would hope the boys finish strong ,, with momemtum for 2005.

If worst comes to worst ,,,, (2) top 5 picks would help take SOME of the sting out of a bad season..

[T-New41]

Our defense needs to be overhauled. Our LB corp is not as strong this year as they were last year. Our D-Line, just watch a game....

I believe the Offense will get better once Jules gets better and Henson takes over. Key, Glenn, and Morgan should be an adequete receiving corp for the next few years, though it wouldnt hurt to inject a bit o youth into it. Witten will be fine, Campbell will be good once he gets back. AS much as I would LOVE to get Mike Williams, I would be happy getting any combination of Marlin Jackson, Antrell Rolle, Derrick Johnson, Eramusa James, Rod Wright in the draft, and Shaun Rogers, Jon Araham, or Jerry Porter in Free Agency. Obviously we cant get them all, but if we can get 3 or better yet 4 of those guys, we would be in a much better and still relatively young position.

We also need to use our 2nd to find a good safety to replace Woody. Today sucked... :(

[Randy White]

My concern with having two high picks is that we'll get too cute and try trading down.


That's exactly what we should do with at least one of the picks next year, if not both of them. It's far, far, far ( have I said word far too much ? ) too early to judge, but I don't see a true impact player on the draft yet ( and I put alot of emphasis on the word yet ) and when that's the case, the best route is to trade down and either stock up with 2nd and/or 3rd round picks and/or trade for future first day picks. That's how New England had done it so far and it's the best way to hedge your bets.

Unless a true, sure fire starter ( Junior Seau, LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Irvin, Barry Sanders, etc ) is there, just get out. Don't settle for " solid " or just a " need ", because you can fill those areas later in the draft, especially if you have multiple choices.

It makes even more sense in this era with the rookie signing bonuses escalating the way they are.

[Dale]

That's exactly what we should do with at least one of the picks next year, if not both of them. It's far, far, far ( have I said word far too much ? ) too early to judge, but I don't see a true impact player on the draft yet ( and I put alot of emphasis on the word yet ) and when that's the case, the best route is to trade down and either stock up with 2nd and/or 3rd round picks and/or trade for future first day picks. That's how New England had done it so far and it's the best way to hedge your bets.

Unless a true, sure fire starter ( Junior Seau, LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Irvin, Barry Sanders, etc ) is there, just get out. Don't settle for " solid " or just a " need ", because you can fill those areas later in the draft, especially if you have multiple choices.

It makes even more sense in this era with the rookie signing bonuses escalating the way they are.

I just don't have the faith that we will be able to accurately assess the talent later in the round to get the best player. I fear we'll have a handful of picks, and a bunch of Dixons, Ekubans, and Thorntons to show for it. At least higher in the draft, our chances of "hitting" on the picks are better.

[big dog cowboy]

My solution is really pretty simple. We need at least 2 impact d-lineman, a starting impact LB, a starting CB, and a replacement for Woody.

Sign 2 or 3 young free agents then draft 2 or 3 beasts (3 high picks???) to rebuild with. Add them to the existing talent already in place and that should be all we need talent wise. Next, fire Zimmer and bring in someone to turn us into an agressive kick arse defense. I don't care if it is Buddy Ryan!

[chicago JK]

My concern with having two high picks is that we'll get too cute and try trading down.

Our team's draft history over the last 12 or so years has been pretty defined on draft day. Every time we have tried trading around in the first round, we have resulted in bust picks. Every time we have traded out of the first round entirely, we have resulted in busts (Julius Jones hasn't done anything so far to change that, nor has Jacob Rogers).

Yet the few times this team has stayed pat high in the first round, we have gotten solid players: Ellis, Williams and Newman.

Granted, none of those players are perfect, and we could have gotten better values with the pick (Moss, Leftwich, etc), but like or not, they have been the cornerstones on our defense. And while Newman has been horrid the last few weeks, he had been pretty solid up until that point...certainly better than the other colossal busts we have seen over the last 12 years.

Just stay pat. Let's not kid ourselves: we need playmakers...not a handful of workman-like gap fillers. We should just take a glance at our team's recent history when selecting next season. Stay put, and take the best guys on the board. Look for depth and fillers later on, and in free agency. This team needs players that will give the Cowboys an identity, and I'm not confident we'll find those if we trade down into the teens.
I am not a big fan of trading down, but if the time comes and we have two picks in the top 8 then it gives us options. If two players are there in our spots who we really like you take them. Although top 10 picks are very valuable. Having two of them could give us a lot of leverage. YOu could use one of the picks on a stud and then maybe drop back 5-10 spots and pick up a second and maybe a future first. Obviously hitting on that later pick would be key, but it could help us acquire more talent while getting a top 5 talent too.

[SkinsandTerps]

That's exactly what we should do with at least one of the picks next year, if not both of them. It's far, far, far ( have I said word far too much ? ) too early to judge, but I don't see a true impact player on the draft yet ( and I put alot of emphasis on the word yet ) and when that's the case, the best route is to trade down and either stock up with 2nd and/or 3rd round picks and/or trade for future first day picks. That's how New England had done it so far and it's the best way to hedge your bets.




I agree if you get 2 picks that high you should trade at least one of them down. I think a player like Mike Williams can be had in the 10-15 range and most of the DLine players will be in that range as well.

Now if only teams could figure out how to draft like NE....

[crazylegs]

Hopefully, the Boys will not trade down,, but again,, in theory ,, if the Boys get the number # 1 or # 2 pick,, hopelly from Buffalo,, there will probably be alot of phone calls from teams trying to get that pick to draft either of the QBs from Cal ( Aaron Rodgers ) or USC ( Matt Lienart ) that many current mocks have both listed in the TOP 5.

At present, I would hope the boys finish strong ,, with momemtum for 2005.

If worst comes to worst ,,,, (2) top 5 picks would help take SOME of the sting out of a bad season..

This assumes that the team that wanted to trade with us would be in position where we could still get who we wanted.

What good does it do for us, to trade the over all #1 for a #15 and a second (#45)?

[boysfanindc]

I agree if you get 2 picks that high you should trade at least one of them down. I think a player like Mike Williams can be had in the 10-15 range and most of the DLine players will be in that range as well.

Now if only teams could figure out how to draft like NE....

I guess with a login like Skins&Terps you are use to looking at the glass half full, well the terps this year at least.

Actually the terps give me some hope if a coach like Friedgen can blow the QB position there is hope for BP.

[Randy White]

I just don't have the faith that we will be able to accurately assess the talent later in the round to get the best player. I fear we'll have a handful of picks, and a bunch of Dixons, Ekubans, and Thorntons to show for it. At least higher in the draft, our chances of "hitting" on the picks are better.


I can't argue with that one.


:(

[4lifecowboy]

Our biggest need in my opinion, is help on the D-line. If we could land Rodgers and Abraham in free agency, that would leave the draft wide open.

[TheSkaven]

My concern with having two high picks is that we'll get too cute and try trading down.

Our team's draft history over the last 12 or so years has been pretty defined on draft day. Every time we have tried trading around in the first round, we have resulted in bust picks. Every time we have traded out of the first round entirely, we have resulted in busts (Julius Jones hasn't done anything so far to change that, nor has Jacob Rogers).
Couldn't have said it better myself, Dale. All the more reason to stand pat and pick two can't miss prospects, sign one or two impact free agents, and start playing Henson NOW so he'll be better prepared next year.

This team is real hard to watch now, and it kills me to see the team lose with veterans who won't be back next year !! :mad: