dargonking999
03-29-2005, 06:58 PM
By MICKEY SPAGNOLA
DallasCowboys.com Columnist
March 29, 2004, 6:00 p.m. (CST)
IRVING, Texas - Brainstorming, and just happened to run across this bit of unflattering Dallas Cowboys draft history:
Other than the very first compensatory pick this organization ever received, which also just so happened to be the highest one this organization has ever received, the Cowboys over the next 10 years might have just as well donated these gift picks to the Salvation Army.
So don't go holding your breath over those two sixth-round compensatory picks the Cowboys received for the April 23-24 NFL Draft as compensation for losing free agents Ebenezer Ekuban and Mario Edwards in 2004. History says they won't turn into anything more than a hill of beans.
Now don't know if the Cowboys have treated these compensatory picks as nothing more than money found in the pocket of some pants which haven't been worn for five years - somehow qualifying some frivolous spending. Or if they have gambled with this picks, hoping a long shot turns into gold.
Cowboys Compensatory Picks History
1994
2nd Round - G Larry Allen
3rd Round - OL George Hegamin
1995
4th Round - CB Alundis Brice
4th Round - LB Linc Harden
5th Round - WR Ed Hervey
5th Round - LB Dana Howard
1996
3rd Round - WR Stepfret Williams
3rd Round - DL Mike Ulafale
5th Round - LB Alan Campos
6th Round - CB Wendell Davis
1997
3rd Round - CB Kenny Wheaton
4th Round - WR Macey Brooks
4th Round - FB Nicky Sualua
1998
6th Round - DB Izell Reese
7th Round - RB Tarik Smith
7th Round - C Antonio Fleming
7th Round - TE Rod Monroe
1999
4th Round - DE Peppi Zellner
7th Round - G Kelvin Garmon
2001
3rd Round - DT Willie Blade
7th Round - DT John Nix
7th Round - OT Char-Ron Dorsey
2002
6th Round - WR DeVeren Johnson
6th Round - TE Bob Slowikowski
2005
6th Round - ?????
6th Round - ?????
But I'm telling you, these bonus picks sure have not rendered many bonuses.
Here is the compensatory scorecard: The Cowboys received a league-high 24 compensatory picks from 1994-2004, all ranging from the second round to the seventh round. Only one of those picks has turned into a Pro Bowl player. Only one of those picks has turned into a legitimate starter for more than one year. Only three of those picks actually started one, full season, but no more. Seven of those picks never made the 53-man roster the first year, although a couple landed on the practice squad and another made the team three years later after being released before his second season.
And in a roundabout way, only two of the 24 are still on the Cowboys roster, but one is likely head to IR.
Not pretty. Not pretty at all.
Now in fairness to the majority of those folks who will march into the war room come April 23-24, 17 of those 24 compensatory picks were taken from 1994-98. And I'd like to tell you most of those 17 picks were so late there was little chance for success. But I can't. Twelve of the 17 compensatory picks over those five seasons were in the top five rounds. So, sorry.
You probably are not going to remember this, and in that event will have a hard time believing this, but the very best compensatory draft choice the Cowboys have ever made came in the very first year - 1994. That would be, yes, Larry Allen, with the 46th pick in the draft. The Cowboys actually were given second- and third-round compensatory picks that year, the third-rounder used to land George Hegamin, who started all of eight games over his four-year career here.
But other than Allen . . . .
Oh, I guess Izell Reese, taken with a 1998 sixth-round compensatory pick wasn't bad. He proved to be a good backup safety and special teams player. But trouble was, he failed at becoming a converted starting corner in 2001, ending his four-year Cowboys career.
After that, well, the only other three guys to start, but no more than one full season, were 1999 fourth-rounder Peppi Zellner, 1999 seventh-rounder Kelvin Garmon and 2001 third-rounder Willie Blade - he in the roundabout way. Remember, Blade spent his rookie season on IR, was released before the start of his second season, then was re-signed and started 16 games his third season before getting released - again - before the start of training camp last year.
Miraculously, he was re-signed as a street free agent and dispatched to NFL Europe (Berlin Thunder) to prove he still wanted to play this game, but only to tear his Achilles tendon during training camp, thoroughly jeopardizing his football career.
But that's about it.
Not only that, these guys taken with compensatory picks never made the 53-man roster: Linc Harden, Dana Howard, Macey Brooks, Antonio Fleming, Rod Monroe, DeVeren Johnson and Bob Slowikowski, who tore his ACL in a darn mini-camp his rookie year.
And it's not like a bunch of these guys went on to star somewhere else after leaving the Cowboys, although Monroe, the former Cincinnati basketball player who was trying to make the conversion to tight end, did have a couple of nice years with Atlanta.
As suggested above, the Cowboys did take a few chances with some of these picks: Cornerback Alundis Brice probably would have been a second-round draft choice if not for suffering a gunshot wound in the chest, and nearly bleeding to death like four months before the draft. Wide receiver Ed Hervey was a track star at Southern Cal trying to play football. Defensive lineman Mike Ulafale got suspended at Brigham Young his senior year. Nicky Sualua spent his final year at Ohio State working for the stadium groundskeeper, having been ruled academically ineligible. Monroe was a basketball player trying to play football. Garmon missed the majority of his final year at Baylor with a broken leg, and wasn't even healthy enough to go to camp with the Cowboys his rookie season. Offensive lineman Char-Ron Dorsey lasted until the seventh round in 2001 because he was so overweight at Florida State and actually quit for about a day during camp his rookie season before returning. And Johnson, a wide receiver, had been a basketball player before playing only two years of football at tiny, Division I-AA Sacred Heart.
See there, the Cowboys did gamble with a bunch of these picks.
So now here the Cowboys are, 24 compensatory picks to their credit after all these years, but all they have to show for them heading toward the 2005 draft is Allen. Probably not so funny, but the Cowboys' first compensatory pick, turning out to be their highest compensatory pick, consequently became their very best compensatory draft pick. And really, the only one they have left on the roster, assuming Blade won't recover in time to play football this season.
Now they will get two more compensatory picks in 2005, pushing their league-leading total to 26. Both are sixth-rounders, right, the 34th and 35th selections in the round - and the first two compensatory picks they've had since 2002.
These need not be treated as if pennies from heaven. The Cowboys, probably more than any other franchise, have been ripped the hardest by free agency over the past 11 years, nearly losing enough guys to field an NFL starting-quality team.
The NFL, a benevolent sort, has tried to help, handing out compensatory picks to ease their pain. But for whatever reasons, the Cowboys have failed to adequately compensate themselves.
MICK SHOTS
http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/starlogo_15.gif The wording in some of the stories about the NFL "disbanding" teams' regional television networks, such as the Dallas Cowboys Channel, sounds a tad more harsh than maybe what will really happen. Cowboys officials are insisting they will not cut back on the upgraded hours of content they provided viewers last year, but that only how the content is made accessible will change. Stay tuned here, and the plan is to still implement planned programming on the Dallas Cowboys Channel at least through the draft. http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/starlogo_15.gifIf you have checked the new roster provided here on DallasCowboys.com, you might have noticed Al Johnson, last year's starting center, has switched numbers, going from 62 to 55. That was to accommodate nine-year veteran Marco Rivera. http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/starlogo_15.gifAnd if you just happen to be TV surfing Tuesday night, check out the Bravo channel, where the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will be making an appearance on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy at 9 p.m. (CST). Sorry, someone had to explain the show to me. The show will air on the Bravo Channel at 9 p.m. (CST) Tuesday night, and if you miss it, check your local listings for the re-airing several times over the next two weeks. http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/starlogo_15.gif Those former Cowboys in Cleveland are making news. The Browns released offensive guard Kelvin Garmon, who started eight games last year before finishing out the second half of the season on IR with knee problems. Also, former Cowboys starting defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban is being floated by the Browns in a trade for Denver running back Reuben Droughns. Ekuban, who had a career-high eight sacks last year with Cleveland, recently had shoulder and knee surgery, and his ability to pass a physical will impact the trade.
DallasCowboys.com Columnist
March 29, 2004, 6:00 p.m. (CST)
IRVING, Texas - Brainstorming, and just happened to run across this bit of unflattering Dallas Cowboys draft history:
Other than the very first compensatory pick this organization ever received, which also just so happened to be the highest one this organization has ever received, the Cowboys over the next 10 years might have just as well donated these gift picks to the Salvation Army.
So don't go holding your breath over those two sixth-round compensatory picks the Cowboys received for the April 23-24 NFL Draft as compensation for losing free agents Ebenezer Ekuban and Mario Edwards in 2004. History says they won't turn into anything more than a hill of beans.
Now don't know if the Cowboys have treated these compensatory picks as nothing more than money found in the pocket of some pants which haven't been worn for five years - somehow qualifying some frivolous spending. Or if they have gambled with this picks, hoping a long shot turns into gold.
Cowboys Compensatory Picks History
1994
2nd Round - G Larry Allen
3rd Round - OL George Hegamin
1995
4th Round - CB Alundis Brice
4th Round - LB Linc Harden
5th Round - WR Ed Hervey
5th Round - LB Dana Howard
1996
3rd Round - WR Stepfret Williams
3rd Round - DL Mike Ulafale
5th Round - LB Alan Campos
6th Round - CB Wendell Davis
1997
3rd Round - CB Kenny Wheaton
4th Round - WR Macey Brooks
4th Round - FB Nicky Sualua
1998
6th Round - DB Izell Reese
7th Round - RB Tarik Smith
7th Round - C Antonio Fleming
7th Round - TE Rod Monroe
1999
4th Round - DE Peppi Zellner
7th Round - G Kelvin Garmon
2001
3rd Round - DT Willie Blade
7th Round - DT John Nix
7th Round - OT Char-Ron Dorsey
2002
6th Round - WR DeVeren Johnson
6th Round - TE Bob Slowikowski
2005
6th Round - ?????
6th Round - ?????
But I'm telling you, these bonus picks sure have not rendered many bonuses.
Here is the compensatory scorecard: The Cowboys received a league-high 24 compensatory picks from 1994-2004, all ranging from the second round to the seventh round. Only one of those picks has turned into a Pro Bowl player. Only one of those picks has turned into a legitimate starter for more than one year. Only three of those picks actually started one, full season, but no more. Seven of those picks never made the 53-man roster the first year, although a couple landed on the practice squad and another made the team three years later after being released before his second season.
And in a roundabout way, only two of the 24 are still on the Cowboys roster, but one is likely head to IR.
Not pretty. Not pretty at all.
Now in fairness to the majority of those folks who will march into the war room come April 23-24, 17 of those 24 compensatory picks were taken from 1994-98. And I'd like to tell you most of those 17 picks were so late there was little chance for success. But I can't. Twelve of the 17 compensatory picks over those five seasons were in the top five rounds. So, sorry.
You probably are not going to remember this, and in that event will have a hard time believing this, but the very best compensatory draft choice the Cowboys have ever made came in the very first year - 1994. That would be, yes, Larry Allen, with the 46th pick in the draft. The Cowboys actually were given second- and third-round compensatory picks that year, the third-rounder used to land George Hegamin, who started all of eight games over his four-year career here.
But other than Allen . . . .
Oh, I guess Izell Reese, taken with a 1998 sixth-round compensatory pick wasn't bad. He proved to be a good backup safety and special teams player. But trouble was, he failed at becoming a converted starting corner in 2001, ending his four-year Cowboys career.
After that, well, the only other three guys to start, but no more than one full season, were 1999 fourth-rounder Peppi Zellner, 1999 seventh-rounder Kelvin Garmon and 2001 third-rounder Willie Blade - he in the roundabout way. Remember, Blade spent his rookie season on IR, was released before the start of his second season, then was re-signed and started 16 games his third season before getting released - again - before the start of training camp last year.
Miraculously, he was re-signed as a street free agent and dispatched to NFL Europe (Berlin Thunder) to prove he still wanted to play this game, but only to tear his Achilles tendon during training camp, thoroughly jeopardizing his football career.
But that's about it.
Not only that, these guys taken with compensatory picks never made the 53-man roster: Linc Harden, Dana Howard, Macey Brooks, Antonio Fleming, Rod Monroe, DeVeren Johnson and Bob Slowikowski, who tore his ACL in a darn mini-camp his rookie year.
And it's not like a bunch of these guys went on to star somewhere else after leaving the Cowboys, although Monroe, the former Cincinnati basketball player who was trying to make the conversion to tight end, did have a couple of nice years with Atlanta.
As suggested above, the Cowboys did take a few chances with some of these picks: Cornerback Alundis Brice probably would have been a second-round draft choice if not for suffering a gunshot wound in the chest, and nearly bleeding to death like four months before the draft. Wide receiver Ed Hervey was a track star at Southern Cal trying to play football. Defensive lineman Mike Ulafale got suspended at Brigham Young his senior year. Nicky Sualua spent his final year at Ohio State working for the stadium groundskeeper, having been ruled academically ineligible. Monroe was a basketball player trying to play football. Garmon missed the majority of his final year at Baylor with a broken leg, and wasn't even healthy enough to go to camp with the Cowboys his rookie season. Offensive lineman Char-Ron Dorsey lasted until the seventh round in 2001 because he was so overweight at Florida State and actually quit for about a day during camp his rookie season before returning. And Johnson, a wide receiver, had been a basketball player before playing only two years of football at tiny, Division I-AA Sacred Heart.
See there, the Cowboys did gamble with a bunch of these picks.
So now here the Cowboys are, 24 compensatory picks to their credit after all these years, but all they have to show for them heading toward the 2005 draft is Allen. Probably not so funny, but the Cowboys' first compensatory pick, turning out to be their highest compensatory pick, consequently became their very best compensatory draft pick. And really, the only one they have left on the roster, assuming Blade won't recover in time to play football this season.
Now they will get two more compensatory picks in 2005, pushing their league-leading total to 26. Both are sixth-rounders, right, the 34th and 35th selections in the round - and the first two compensatory picks they've had since 2002.
These need not be treated as if pennies from heaven. The Cowboys, probably more than any other franchise, have been ripped the hardest by free agency over the past 11 years, nearly losing enough guys to field an NFL starting-quality team.
The NFL, a benevolent sort, has tried to help, handing out compensatory picks to ease their pain. But for whatever reasons, the Cowboys have failed to adequately compensate themselves.
MICK SHOTS
http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/starlogo_15.gif The wording in some of the stories about the NFL "disbanding" teams' regional television networks, such as the Dallas Cowboys Channel, sounds a tad more harsh than maybe what will really happen. Cowboys officials are insisting they will not cut back on the upgraded hours of content they provided viewers last year, but that only how the content is made accessible will change. Stay tuned here, and the plan is to still implement planned programming on the Dallas Cowboys Channel at least through the draft. http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/starlogo_15.gifIf you have checked the new roster provided here on DallasCowboys.com, you might have noticed Al Johnson, last year's starting center, has switched numbers, going from 62 to 55. That was to accommodate nine-year veteran Marco Rivera. http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/starlogo_15.gifAnd if you just happen to be TV surfing Tuesday night, check out the Bravo channel, where the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will be making an appearance on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy at 9 p.m. (CST). Sorry, someone had to explain the show to me. The show will air on the Bravo Channel at 9 p.m. (CST) Tuesday night, and if you miss it, check your local listings for the re-airing several times over the next two weeks. http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/starlogo_15.gif Those former Cowboys in Cleveland are making news. The Browns released offensive guard Kelvin Garmon, who started eight games last year before finishing out the second half of the season on IR with knee problems. Also, former Cowboys starting defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban is being floated by the Browns in a trade for Denver running back Reuben Droughns. Ekuban, who had a career-high eight sacks last year with Cleveland, recently had shoulder and knee surgery, and his ability to pass a physical will impact the trade.