Sham: 'A lot of folks' think Alabama's Mark Barron can step in and play for Cowboys

[WoodysGirl]

SportsDayDFW.com
SportsDayDFW.com The Dallas Morning News
Published: 10 April 2012 07:59 PM

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Cowboys radio voice Brad Sham answered reader questions during a live chat Tuesday. Here are some highlights:

If we need starters with the first three picks, then why would JJ draft Barron? Can he actually beat out Pool? or Senasbaugh?
Brad Sham: If they take Barron, and they might, it will be because they think he can step in and play. And a lot of folks think he can.

why draft Barron when we have young guys like Church and McCray on the team, I thought we were trying to build within the team.
Brad Sham: If they take Barron, it will be because they think he's better. There are plenty of chances for Church and McCray to contribute. Maybe Danny McCray (http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Danny_McCray) has a career like Bill Bates (http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Bill_Bates). That's not impossible. Don't forget the importance of special teams.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20120410-sham-a-lot-of-folks-think-alabama-s-mark-barron-can-step-in-and-play-for-cowboys.ece

[DCBoysfan]

I just dont see Dallas drafting Barron.

[InmanRoshi]

If we need starters with the first three picks, then why would JJ draft Barron? Can he actually beat out Pool?

Do people realize that Brodney Pool couldn't start for the Jets, and that the Jets were (and still are) absolutely desperate for safeties?

Everyone upset about the Cowboys signing a proven NFL starter like Livings, but are perfectly fine with Pool starting at safety ... what world are these people living in?

[Joe Rod]

why draft Barron when we have young guys like Church and McCray on the team, I thought we were trying to build within the team.
Brad Sham: If they take Barron, it will be because they think he's better. There are plenty of chances for Church and McCray to contribute. Maybe Danny McCray (http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Danny_McCray) has a career like Bill Bates (http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Bill_Bates). That's not impossible. Don't forget the importance of special teams.



Really an odd question. Isn't drafting players how you build from within? Why draft a Center when you have Kowalski or a guard when you have Nagy and Arkin?

[Joe Rod]

Do people realize that Brodney Pool couldn't start for the Jets, and that the Jets were (and still are) absolutely desperate for safeties?

Everyone upset about the Cowboys signing a proven NFL starter like Livings, but are perfectly fine with Pool starting at safety ... what world are these people living in?

Not to mention that he is on a one year deal.

[Hostile]

If the Cowboys take Barron, and right now today, this is the guy I believe we are going to end up taking, it is because they see him as the best Safety on the football team from day 1.

I have never understood the loyalty fans show to players who aren't even starting. "What about McCray and Church?" What about them? If you're that invested in them, start them. There's no need to not improve any position if you can.

I still say DeCastro and (not or) Konz put us in the Super Bowl, and that is who we should target.

[CATCH17]

Really an odd question. Isn't drafting players how you build from within? Why draft a Center when you have Kowalski or a guard when you have Nagy and Arkin?

Joe Rod, your signature has always had me curious. What is the cat burger that Dez is about to eat supposed to represent??

[Joe Rod]

I still say DeCastro and (not or) Konz put us in the Super Bowl

While Livings and Costa put us in the Kyle Orton era :laugh2:

[Joe Rod]

Joe Rod, your signature has always had me curious. What is the cat burger that Dez is about to eat supposed to represent??

It was a joke on draft night. When Dez was drafted and that scene came up on ESPN, someone (I believe it was Brainpaint) mentioned it looked like he was holding an invisible sandwich in his hands.

After Hypnotoad produced a pic of that scene where he actually stuck in a sandwich, people kept suggesting different things to add to it.

That was a good time.

[InmanRoshi]

I listed the the list of names of the players we've had starting at safety for us since 2003 in another thread. It really is a stunning list of nobodies and fringe NFL players. Keith Davis, Willie Pyle, etc. The fact that there is so little outcry to fix it, show how little the average fan values defense. Everyone is ready to riot in the streets because Phil Costa started one year on the offensive line. We've been starting Phil Costa players in the secondary for 8 years, and people still want to address the offense first.

[CATCH17]

I listed the the list of names of the players we've had starting at safety for us since 2003 in another thread. It really is a stunning list of nobodies and fringe NFL players. Keith Davis, Willie Pyle, etc. The fact that there is so little outcry to fix it, show how little the average fan values defense. Everyone is ready to riot in the streets because Phil Costa started one year on the offensive line. We've been starting Phil Costa players in the secondary for 8 years, and people still want to address the offense first.


The reason for that is people have probably gave up on the Cowboys fixing the defense.

They've spent pick after pick on defense and in the end we ended up with a bunch of quitters.

[casmith07]

If the Cowboys take Barron, and right now today, this is the guy I believe we are going to end up taking, it is because they see him as the best Safety on the football team from day 1.

I have never understood the loyalty fans show to players who aren't even starting. "What about McCray and Church?" What about them? If you're that invested in them, start them. There's no need to not improve any position if you can.

I still say DeCastro and (not or) Konz put us in the Super Bowl, and that is who we should target.

With college football putting out elite potential safeties at a rate of about 1 per year these days, and never knowing where you'll pick in the draft, I say that if we have the opportunity to draft one, we should do it.

As much as I would love to have an immovable wall in front of Romo immediately, I think we're going to have to trust Jason Garrett on this one with the Bernadeau and Livings signings that they're good enough next to our tackles, and that they plan to upgrade the Center position with either Konz or Blake.

That frees us up to take a safety. If he turns out anywhere close to what Eric Berry or Earl Thomas have been, then we've hit on the pick and with Sensabaugh being pretty good and the addition of Carr (and hopefully Jenkins' continued high level of play) we might finally have a secondary with no holes since the Woodson era.

[CATCH17]

With college football putting out elite potential safeties at a rate of about 1 per year these days, and never knowing where you'll pick in the draft, I say that if we have the opportunity to draft one, we should do it.

As much as I would love to have an immovable wall in front of Romo immediately, I think we're going to have to trust Jason Garrett on this one with the Bernadeau and Livings signings that they're good enough next to our tackles, and that they plan to upgrade the Center position with either Konz or Blake.

That frees us up to take a safety. If he turns out anywhere close to what Eric Berry or Earl Thomas have been, then we've hit on the pick and with Sensabaugh being pretty good and the addition of Carr (and hopefully Jenkins' continued high level of play) we might finally have a secondary with no holes since the Woodson era.

I just hope Barron isn't a product of the front 7 in front of him.

The guy made a lot of nice plays though and if he is anything like Eric Berry or Earl Thomas than that would help us out bigtime.


I see those 2 guys as great at covering and Barron is just solid at everything.

I don't think we need to spend a 1st rounder on a solid safety. The guy better bring an impact. Hopefully if we get him he's the next Woodson and not the next Hamlin.

[rocboy22]

what a sham

[InmanRoshi]

The reason for that is people have probably gave up on the Cowboys fixing the defense.

They've spent pick after pick on defense and in the end we ended up with a bunch of quitters.

I disagree that the've spent pick after pick on defense, especially since Parcells left. We've taken #2 WRs and role RBs in the first round, and 2nd TEs in the 2nd. We've probably allocated less to the DL in the last 5-6 years than any team in the NFL by a considerable margin. No other team in the league would put up with 8-9 years of a succession of Willie Pyle, Marcus Coleman, Keith Davis and Alan Ball as starters at a position.

Jerry's been looking for "sizzle" and "Wow factor", and that typically means offensive players, because he's a salesman and that's generally what the customer always wants.

[CATCH17]

I disagree that the've spent pick after pick on defense, especially since Parcells left. We've taken #2 WRs and role RBs in the first round, and 2nd TEs in the 2nd. We've probably allocated less to the DL in the last 5-6 years than any team in the NFL by a considerable margin. No other team in the league would put up with 8-9 years of a succession of Willie Pyle, Marcus Coleman, Keith Davis and Alan Ball as starters at a position.

Jerry's been looking for "sizzle" and "Wow factor", and that typically means offensive players, because he's a salesman and that's generally what the customer always wants.

How many years did we go defense? It was from like 97-2008.

The Cowboys offensive picks haven't been that bad. I think Dez is a baller and Felix when healthy is a really good back (terrible value for where we picked him though).

[InmanRoshi]

How many years did we go defense? It was from like 97-2008.

The Cowboys offensive picks haven't been that bad. I think Dez is a baller and Felix when healthy is a really good back (terrible value for where we picked him though).

Dez thus far has proven he's an adequate #2 WR. I think 'really good back" might be stretching it in Felix case. He's flashed here and there, but he's got a significant enough sample size now to deem him a backup caliber NFL RB. Drafting blocking TEs in the 2nd round is absolutely unforgivable. Tyron Smith is really the only offensive player that's blew me away.

[CATCH17]

Dez thus far has proven he's an adequate #2 WR. I think 'really good back" might be stretching it in Felix case. He's flashed here and there, but he's got a significant enough sample size now to deem him a backup caliber NFL RB. Drafting blocking TEs in the 2nd round is absolutely unforgivable. Tyron Smith is really the only offensive player that's blew me away.

I disagree about Felix. He can start for a lot of teams in this league. He's developed into an all around back.

The problem with him is health. So if you can't count on him, then yeah, he probably is a backup only.

[Hostile]

I listed the the list of names of the players we've had starting at safety for us since 2003 in another thread. It really is a stunning list of nobodies and fringe NFL players. Keith Davis, Willie Pyle, etc. The fact that there is so little outcry to fix it, show how little the average fan values defense. Everyone is ready to riot in the streets because Phil Costa started one year on the offensive line. We've been starting Phil Costa players in the secondary for 8 years, and people still want to address the offense first.You're damn skippy I do. I think we're 2 players away from being a top 5 Offense. No two players in the world get us to top 5 Defense.

[CATCH17]

You're damn skippy I do. I think we're 2 players away from being a top 5 Offense. No two players in the world get us to top 5 Defense.

Disagree.

A better pass rush is the best quick fix for a defense.

We already have the best in the league at getting to the QB and we have nothing else around him pass rush wise.


We need better blocking but we're going to have to put pressure on Vick and Eli if we want to win this division or else the game will be over before halftime like it was in 3 of our 4 games against those opponents.

[InmanRoshi]

You're damn skippy I do. I think we're 2 players away from being a top 5 Offense. No two players in the world get us to top 5 Defense.

We're already a Top 5 caliber offenese in the most important category correalated to winning% ... passing efficiency. And that's with most of our skill players missing significant time.

Our 25th ranked passer rating allowed defense was an anvil around our necks we couldn't shake, which drug us down to 9th in overall passer rating differential.

Or to put it in non stat terms and boil it down to simplistics ... it doesn't matter if your offensive puts up 34 points against the Giants in an NFC East clinching game in Week 14 when your defense gives up 37. We don't need a Top 5 defense to be a Superbowl Contender. We simply need one that doesn't give up 37 points to Eli in NFC East clinching games. Players could make a much larger difference on defense, because there's much more room for improvement. It's almost impossible for Romo to produce a better than 100 QB rating in 2012. If he does, he really needs to be included in more HOF discussions.

[Gaede]

We need better blocking but we're going to have to put pressure on Vick and Eli if we want to win this division or else the game will be over before halftime like it was in 3 of our 4 games against those opponents.

Agreed, all the offense in the world won't do **** when Eli has 7 seconds to throw every down.

[Hostile]

Disagree.

A better pass rush is the best quick fix for a defense.

We already have the best in the league at getting to the QB and we have nothing else around him pass rush wise.


We need better blocking but we're going to have to put pressure on Vick and Eli if we want to win this division or else the game will be over before halftime like it was in 3 of our 4 games against those opponents.Enlighten me with your football brilliance for a change.

Two players within striking distance at 14 and 45 that make us a top 5 Defense. Quick, who are they?

Keep in mind we are going to have to improve by at least 40 points and hope no other team does. Wow me.

[NeonDeion21]

You're damn skippy I do. I think we're 2 players away from being a top 5 Offense. No two players in the world get us to top 5 Defense.

A top 5 offensive can cover up for a bottom ranked defense. Look at NE and GB last year. Heck, I think we are a DeCastro away from being a top 5 offense and a Konz away from being #1 or #2 in this league on offense.

[Hostile]

We're already a Top 5 caliber offenese in the most important category ... passing efficiency. And that's with most of our skill players missing significant time.

Our 25th ranked passer rating allowed defense was an anvil around our necks we couldn't shake, which drug us down to 9th in overall passer rating differential.

Or to put it in non stat terms ... it doesn't matter if your offensive puts up 34 points against the Giants in an NFC East clinching game in Week 14 when your defense gives up 37. We don't need a Top 5 defense. We need one that doesn't give up 37 points to Eli in NFC East clinching games.Where were we in rushing TDs? How many times was Tony Sacked? I'm sorry but if you think you can change my mind you are wasting your precious time.

[cowboysooner]

You're damn skippy I do. I think we're 2 players away from being a top 5 Offense. No two players in the world get us to top 5 Defense.

I assume you mean Konz and DeCastro, but if so that won't do it.

The top offenses NE, NO, GB have 4 or 5 pass catchers that can create matchup problems. Dallas still would not have that. We have 3 and some udfa practice squad hope to develop guys.

If you told me DeCastro and Fleener or DeCastro and Stephen Hill/Alshon Jeffrey then maybe.

[cowboysooner]

Where were we in rushing TDs? How many times was Tony Sacked? I'm sorry but if you think you can change my mind you are wasting your precious time.

Bottom in rushing TD's above average in qb sacks given up and hits given up. None of the "guys that got Tony killed" play for the Cowboys today. Kosier and the fullback are gone.

[CATCH17]

Enlighten me with your football brilliance for a change.

Two players within striking distance at 14 and 45 that make us a top 5 Defense. Quick, who are they?

Keep in mind we are going to have to improve by at least 40 points and hope no other team does. Wow me.

We don't need to be a top 5 defense. We need to get better at pressuring the QB and causing turnovers.

Guys like Fletcher Cox and Bruce Irvin come to mind. Pressure players.

[NeonDeion21]

I assume you mean Konz and DeCastro, but if so that won't do it.

The top offenses NE, NO, GB have 4 or 5 pass catchers that can create matchup problems. Dallas still would not have that. We have 3 and some udfa practice squad hope to develop guys.

If you told me DeCastro and Fleener or DeCastro and Stephen Hill/Alshon Jeffrey then maybe.

All 3 of those teams have excellent offensive lines. Show me an offense that has an average line and then I might agree with you. NE, GB, and NO all have elite offensive lines.

[cowboysooner]

A top 5 offensive can cover up for a bottom ranked defense. Look at NE and GB last year. Heck, I think we are a DeCastro away from being a top 5 offense and a Konz away from being #1 or #2 in this league on offense.

Look at their offensive lines. NE has 1 expensive interior guy and scrap at RG and center.

GB found what they have from the 4th round back and developed them. Neither team has as much invested in their tackles in terms of draft capital and contracts as Dallas.

[InmanRoshi]

Where were we in rushing TDs?

Pretty much where Green Bay was when you remove Aaron Rodgers QB sneaks ... I think they had a pretty good offense last year.

Meanwhile, the Vikings were 3rd in the NFL in rushing TDs ... I don't think they had a very good offense.

I'll start putting a lot of stock into rushing TDs when they start counting for more points on the scoreboard than passing TDs.

[NeonDeion21]

Look at their offensive lines. NE has 1 expensive interior guy and scrap at RG and center.

GB found what they have from the 4th round back and developed them. Neither team has as much invested in their tackles in terms of draft capital and contracts as Dallas.

NE and GB both have drafted tackles in the first round last year and GB has in the past two years. They devote high picks to their lines because they know the importance.

[cowboysooner]

All 3 of those teams have excellent offensive lines. Show me an offense that has an average line and then I might agree with you. NE, GB, and NO all have elite offensive lines.

Green Bay's is not elite. They just run shotgun and throw 3 step drop stuff to easy matchups on bad 4th corners and strong safeties. Neither team can run as good as Dallas can.

[cowboysooner]

NE and GB both have drafted tackles in the first round last year and GB has in the past two years. They devote high picks to their lines because they know the importance.

On the interior their lines are 4 round and below. This year they signed Satruday for 1 year b/c they did not want to invest 5 million in the center they developed.

Dallas had $8million in Free and the 9th pick top tackle in the draft on the other side. The year before we had giant money in Davis and Gurode and good money in Columbo and Kosier.

[CATCH17]

All 3 of those teams have excellent offensive lines. Show me an offense that has an average line and then I might agree with you. NE, GB, and NO all have elite offensive lines.

NE and GB's lines aren't all that. They just get rid of the ball quick in the passing game and you can't really bring more than 4 guys against Brady or Rodgers or you'll get toasted.

They are well coached and organised offenses.



The Cowboys on the other hand look poorly coached and the only players who look like they know what to do is Romo,Witten, and Laurent Robinson.


With that said they were good enough to win the division if they could've stopped Eli in the 4th quarter instead of getting 37 dropped on them.

[NeonDeion21]

On the interior their lines are 4 round and below. This year they signed Satruday for 1 year b/c they did not want to invest 5 million in the center they developed.

Scott Wells was a pro bowl center for them this year. Don't believe me? Look it up. They value their offensive line highly in the draft. I believe we should as well.

[CATCH17]

Green Bay's is not elite. They just run shotgun and throw 3 step drop stuff to easy matchups on bad 4th corners and strong safeties. Neither team can run as good as Dallas can.

I disagree. When those teams want, especially New England, they can pound the ball.

Plus they can finish drives and move the chains with the run. Something we can't do. Even with Gurode, Davis, Kosier.

[NeonDeion21]

NE and GB's lines aren't all that. They just get rid of the ball quick in the passing game and you can't really bring more than 4 guys against Brady or Rodgers or you'll get toasted.

They are well coached and organised offenses.



The Cowboys on the other hand look poorly coached and the only players who look like they know what to do is Romo,Witten, and Laurent Robinson.


With that said they were good enough to win the division if they could've stopped Eli in the 4th quarter instead of getting 37 dropped on them.

NE offensive line is one of the best I have seen in a long time. They had an outstanding rookie as their 3rd tackle this year. Mankins and Walter were pro bowlers for them. They are elite.

[texbumthelife]

why draft Barron when we have young guys like Church and McCray on the team, I thought we were trying to build within the team.
Brad Sham: If they take Barron, it will be because they think he's better.

How insightful...

[InmanRoshi]

A top 5 offensive can cover up for a bottom ranked defense. Look at NE and GB last year.


Look beyond meaningless accumulative totals and look at the things that really effect winning % like efficiency. The Packers was a Top 10 pick in passer rating efficiency against. New England was worse at 20th. Both well ahead of Dallas at 25th.

Guess which area of the team everyone is predicting the Packers and New England are going to address in the draft?

[Chocolate Lab]

Heck, I think we are a DeCastro away from being a top 5 offense
Wow. I mean, really wow.

[cowboysooner]

Scott Wells was a pro bowl center for them this year. Don't believe me? Look it up. They value their offensive line highly in the draft. I believe we should as well.

They drafted him in the 6th round and patiently developed him, signed him to a modest 2nd contract and balked at a pricey 3rd one.

If you want to go sign Dan Koppen or Faine to a 1 year deal, I have no problem with it. Either one will be about what Konz is next year if their health checks out. Offensive lines, especially zone blocking ones, need coaching, cohesion and patience. They don't require a myriad of 1st and 2nd round picks to play guard and center.

[InmanRoshi]

NE offensive line is one of the best I have seen in a long time. They had an outstanding rookie as their 3rd tackle this year. Mankins and Walter were pro bowlers for them. They are elite.

New Englands offensive line is great because Brady gets rid the ball incredibly fast and makes 85% of his throws in quick dump offs to his TEs and slot WRs, and very rarely attempts long developing sideline routes to his WRs outside the hash marks. They also run more shotgun than any team in the NFL, and basically operate the closest the NFL comes to a spread offense.

[texbumthelife]

"Enlighten Me" for a second...

Who won the Superbowl last year? I could have sworn it was the Giants with a mediocre offensive line and running game. I thought it was that voracious Giants defensive front that put QB's in the dirt.

So please, "enlighten" us all and explain this...

[Chocolate Lab]

"Enlighten Me" for a second...

Who won the Superbowl last year? I could have sworn it was the Giants with a mediocre offensive line and running game. I thought it was that voracious Giants defensive front that put QB's in the dirt.

So please, "enlighten" us all and explain this...

Who cares about team wins. Having a top-5 ranked offense is what really matters.

[supercowboy8]

I think we will get Barron only because Cox will be gone by 14.

This draft is deep with OG and CB. Cox and Barron is far and away better than the other players in this draft. If Dallas takes one of these which I think they will I don't see them drafting the other postion in this draft. So if Dallas drafts Cox I doubt they draft a Safety in the 2nd-4th round. Same for DE if they draft Barron.

They want a starter at these positions and not more added depth. If they can't get a day one starter at CB, DE, or OG then they don't want to use a draft pick on them. They believe they have plenty of good depth at those position already.

[InmanRoshi]

Who cares about team wins. Having a top-5 ranked offense is what really matters.

That's why I was so ecstatic after we blew the NFC East in Week 14. Sure, we lost the game because we allowed the Giants to score 37 points. But did you see the way our offense put up 34 on the board against the Giants pass rush? Not many other offenses could do that.

I just really wish Romo could have connected with Miles Austin on that overthrow/lost in the lights. Clearly that was the deciding factor in the game, and it's not even close.

[Gaede]

I wanna know why the only way for this team to win is to surround our QB with 1st round picks.

Other teams succeed with less, why can't we?

The real question is:
Who are we covering up for? Romo or the OC?

[CATCH17]

Wow. I mean, really wow.

That's how I feel.

Decastro would improve us but we're not going to get where we want to be on offense until everyone is on the same page and knows how to lineup, run the right route, and block the right man.

We're so poorly coached offensively that it's not going to matter who we throw out there.

Our offense is always at it's best when Romo improvises.

[supercowboy8]

I wanna know why the only way for this team to win is to surround our QB with 1st round picks.

Other teams succeed with less, why can't we?

The real question is:
Who are we covering up for? Romo or the OC?

I don't understand what your saying. Who is a first round pick besides Smith and Bryant that has been surronded around our UDFA QB.
Besides Smith the entire OL isn't 1st rounders.
Besides Bryant the entire WR corp is 6th round or less
Besides Felix Murrey is a 3rd round pick.

May want to look at other teams, they atleast spend 2nd-4th round picks on OL and WRs.

[CATCH17]

"Enlighten Me" for a second...

Who won the Superbowl last year? I could have sworn it was the Giants with a mediocre offensive line and running game. I thought it was that voracious Giants defensive front that put QB's in the dirt.

So please, "enlighten" us all and explain this...

Yep. Pressure players and and all kinds of receiving threats.

Hopefully they don't add the Stanford TE to the mix. (in a way it would be funny though because Marty B would get screwed over)

[rocboy22]

That's why I was so ecstatic after we blew the NFC East in Week 14. Sure, we lost the game because we allowed the Giants to score 37 points. But did you see the way our offense put up 34 on the board against the Giants pass rush? Not many other offenses could do that.

I just really wish Romo could have connected with Miles Austin on that overthrow/lost in the lights. Clearly that was the deciding factor in the game, and it's not even close.

either that, or our D sucked and couldn't hold a lead

[Gaede]

.

I'm referring to the offense in general. Fans think that this team wins with offense. Why draft a DE in the first round when we need a G/T/WR/RB? We need to use all our resources to surround Romo and the offense with allpros and then we'll be guaranteed to not lose. That's the general attitude around here.

But why does Romo need everyone to be an all pro in order to succeed? Why does Garrett need to have a ridiculous amount of 1st round picks to make his offense work?

[supercowboy8]

I'm referring to the offense in general. Fans think that this team wins with offense. Why draft a DE in the first round when we need a G/T/WR/RB? We need to use all our resources to surround Romo and the offense with allpros and then we'll be guaranteed to not lose. That's the general attitude around here.

But why does Romo need everyone to be an all pro in order to succeed? Why does Garrett need to have a ridiculous amount of 1st round picks to make his offense work?

I agree, defense wins championships. look at the Giants, they have how many 1st round OL? SF defense is great and so is Baltimore and Houston.

This defense needs to be built with impact players more than the OL. I can find a day one starting OG at 45(Zeitler, Brooks, or Silatolu)

Give me Barron or Cox at 14 both day one impact players.

In the third give me a CB that can develop into a starter #2 CB next year.

If Ryans defense is ever going to be great he needs his type of players.

[rocboy22]

I agree, defense wins championships. look at the Giants, they have how many 1st round OL? SF defense is great and so is Baltimore and Houston.

This defense needs to be built with impact players more than the OL. I can find a day one starting OG at 45(Zeitler, Brooks, or Silatolu)

Give me Barron or Cox at 14 both day one impact players.

In the third give me a CB that can develop into a starter.

I agree, even though I wouldn't be totally upset if we took DeCastro at 14

[supercowboy8]

I agree, even though I wouldn't be totally upset if we took DeCastro at 14
I wouldn't either if Barron and Cox was off the board which is possible.

[baj1dallas]

Do people realize that Brodney Pool couldn't start for the Jets, and that the Jets were (and still are) absolutely desperate for safeties?

Everyone upset about the Cowboys signing a proven NFL starter like Livings, but are perfectly fine with Pool starting at safety ... what world are these people living in?

Actually he did start for the Jets, 2 seasons ago.

[InmanRoshi]

I'm referring to the offense in general. Fans think that this team wins with offense. Why draft a DE in the first round when we need a G/T/WR/RB? We need to use all our resources to surround Romo and the offense with allpros and then we'll be guaranteed to not lose. That's the general attitude around here.

But why does Romo need everyone to be an all pro in order to succeed? Why does Garrett need to have a ridiculous amount of 1st round picks to make his offense work?

Garrett is an offensive genius. Just give him All Pro players and first round draft picks at every position, and he'll prove it to you.

My question is with Rob Ryan. Newman couldn't cover a cold, Marcus Spears can't rush the passer and Alan Ball wasn't impressive at all. Why did his defense look so bad? What's this guy's deal?

[cowboysooner]

I agree, defense wins championships. look at the Giants, they have how many 1st round OL? SF defense is great and so is Baltimore and Houston.

This defense needs to be built with impact players more than the OL. I can find a day one starting OG at 45(Zeitler, Brooks, or Silatolu)

Give me Barron or Cox at 14 both day one impact players.

In the third give me a CB that can develop into a starter #2 CB next year.

If Ryans defense is ever going to be great he needs his type of players.

You are likely to have your choice of those guards at 45. If I see those 3 on the board and I am going to take one, I would try like crazy to trade down 5-10 spots.

[casmith07]

We don't need to be a top 5 defense. We need to get better at pressuring the QB and causing turnovers.

Guys like Fletcher Cox and Bruce Irvin come to mind. Pressure players.

I don't think that either one of those guys provides any better play than Spencer.

[Hostile]

I assume you mean Konz and DeCastro, but if so that won't do it.

The top offenses NE, NO, GB have 4 or 5 pass catchers that can create matchup problems. Dallas still would not have that. We have 3 and some udfa practice squad hope to develop guys.

If you told me DeCastro and Fleener or DeCastro and Stephen Hill/Alshon Jeffrey then maybe.I disagree, we have 4. Miles, Dez, Jason, and either Felix or Demarco. I will take Ogletree at WR with that OL more than you making me live with a lesser OL and giving me any WR or TE in this Draft. Hell, I'll take Ryan Broyles in the 3rd round over Costa any day.

[CATCH17]

I don't think that either one of those guys provides any better play than Spencer.

It's a numbers game. The more pressure players the better (See Giants). Hopefully someone else besides Ware will be on during a game.

If they give effort than they are already on their way to being better than Spencer.

[Hostile]

We don't need to be a top 5 defense. We need to get better at pressuring the QB and causing turnovers.

Guys like Fletcher Cox and Bruce Irvin come to mind. Pressure players.I like our chances a lot better if one side of the ball we are hard for teams to deal with and we are 2 players away on Offense from being potentially the best Offense in the NFL. Give Romo time to throw and Murray holes to hit and I don't believe we can be beaten long haul.

[Hostile]

I wanna know why the only way for this team to win is to surround our QB with 1st round picks.

Other teams succeed with less, why can't we?

The real question is:
Who are we covering up for? Romo or the OC?It isn't the only way. It is the closest way. Being dominant on one side of the football is how teams win.

Green Bay, New England, Pittsburgh, New York. Each of those teams is dominant on one side and steady on the other. We are closer to being dominant on Offense and steady on Defense than we are being dominant on Defense and steady on Offense.

[cowboysooner]

I disagree, we have 4. Miles, Dez, Jason, and either Felix or Demarco.

Hostile, let me explain in more detail what I mean.

There are 5 non-quarterbacks that can either attack the defense by going out for a pass on a given play. The Saints and Packers bring in 3 excellent, fast wide receivers on every play and have a fast, seam tight end stressing the defense. The defense often has to go to nickle or dime to attempt to matchup.

For most teams, corner 1 and corner 2 are decent and they may even have a capable 3rd. Nobody has a good 4th corner. The Saints and Packer don't care that you take out their #1 because they are going to attack your #3 and #4 corner or #3 corner and 6 foot safety trying to matchup with an NBA small forward and wr 3 guy that runs 4.35. We saw this last year with Laurent Robinson. He was not a better player than Miles Austin but he got covered by the short, slow kid with no safety over the top.

We don't have that anymore. We have better WR1 and WR2 than the Saints, but our WR 3 and WR 4 are not close. Our tight end serves the same function that their WR1 does on alot of plays, but Witten is not the matchup nightmare that Graham is especially when covered by a linebacker. In fact, there has never been a matchup problem like Graham.

As good as Dez and Miles are they do not have the advantage that the Packers/Saints' 4th wide receiver has over the 4th corner because they are being covered by corners 1 and 2, often with safety help.

Felix and Murray can do some Marshall Faulk lite stuff out of the backfield, but they are not going to cause the bad substitutions that those other teams will. Even if they do it well, they won't be any more of a pain than Sproles.

The Packers don't even pretend to run the ball. They just bring in waves of quick, fast receivers that you can't touch past 5 yards.

[Gaede]

It isn't the only way. It is the closest way. Being dominant on one side of the football is how teams win.

.

I don't really agree with that. Green Bay was as dominant as they come on offense, but their D was so bad that they didn't go anywhere.

Balance is still fundamental and the Giants proved as much. Great passing attack + great pass rush + good coaching.

Building up one front and leaving the other exposed can crush weaker opponents but not stronger ones.

[ware1manarmy]

A top 5 offensive can cover up for a bottom ranked defense. Look at NE and GB last year. Heck, I think we are a DeCastro away from being a top 5 offense and a Konz away from being #1 or #2 in this league on offense.
and both teams lost in playoffs to team with better defense

[Zaxor]

Barron would be my pick its a need and if he can just play good (it doesn't need to be outstanding just good) and this defense is on its way to being pretty stout

[NeonDeion21]

and both teams lost in playoffs to team with better defense

Yet GB beat the Steelers who had the #1 ranked defense in the SB one year ago.

[InmanRoshi]

This whole discussion is retarded.

You need the biggest passing efficiency differential. That differential has a .80 correalation to winning, the highest known correalation other than points differential (.85). Having one good unit doesn't mean you can compensate for garbage on the other side of the ball. That's offensive passer rating - defensive passer rating against.

We had the 4th rated passing offense in the NFL last year. I repeat .. FOURTH!!! And this was with a plague of injuries. WE ALREADY HAVE A TOP 5 OFFENSE!!!

We didn't get into the playoffs because this defense is complete and utter garbage and has been for several years (anyone still think Wade's schemes were to blame for 2010's 31st ranked defense?). The defensive personnel is garbage, and even Stephen Jones has admitted as much. We've had complete and utter garbage at safety for almost 10 years, and Cowboys fans just eat it up because they've gotten accustomed to the taste of garabage or they've convinced themselves that garbage can taste better if you throw a little salt and pepper or hot sauce on it to cover it up.

[texbumthelife]

Honestly I don't buy all this "we are closer on offense" BS. We are there on offense. The bottom line really is that Decastro is the safest pick and I think some are scared to roll the dice given our draft history.

I firmly believe we are 1-2 players away from an elite defense and I firmly believe we have an already elite offense. The numbers are there. They don't lie. We can score with anybody and we can do it any number of ways.

It has to be a pressure player in the first round.

[texbumthelife]

Yet GB beat the Steelers who had the #1 ranked defense in the SB one year ago.

You might want to look at GB's defensive stats that season too. They were obviously the more well-rounded team. Not the team that was dominant on one side (Pittsburg).

[Zaxor]

This whole discussion is retarded.

You need the biggest passing efficiency differential. That's offensive passer rating - defensive passer rating against. That differential has a .80 correalation to winning, the highest known correalation other than points differential (.85).

We had the 4th rated passing offense in the NFL last year. I repeat .. FOURTH!!! This was with a plague of injuries. WE ALREADY HAVE A TOP 5 OFFENSE.

We didn't get into the playoffs because this defense is complete and utter garbage and has been for several years. The personnel is garbage, and even Stephen has admitted as much.

:laugh2::bow:

[InmanRoshi]

Honestly I don't buy all this "we are closer on offense" BS. We are there on offense. The bottom line really is that Decastro is the safest pick and I think some are scared to roll the dice given our draft history.

I don't even think it's that. It's just that some people have a pet cat.

[Hostile]

I don't really agree with that. Green Bay was as dominant as they come on offense, but their D was so bad that they didn't go anywhere.

Balance is still fundamental and the Giants proved as much. Great passing attack + great pass rush + good coaching.

Building up one front and leaving the other exposed can crush weaker opponents but not stronger ones.They went to the playoffs at 15-1.

[texbumthelife]

They went to the playoffs at 15-1.

*cough* New England Patriots *cough* 16-0 *cough*

[blandi60]

Yet GB beat the Steelers who had the #1 ranked defense in the SB one year ago.

Green Bay had the no1 defensive passer rating when they won and the year before New Orleans had the no3 def passer rating.

[Hostile]

*cough* New England Patriots *cough* 16-0 *cough*Not sure what that has to do with Green Bay, but Nyquil for that cough.

[Manwiththeplan]

I just dont see Dallas drafting Barron.

I'd prefer they go in another direction, but imo the writing is on the wall. They may not take him, but it will likely be because someone they thought would be gone falls to 14.

[texbumthelife]

Not sure what that has to do with Green Bay, but Nyquil for that cough.

You mentioned them being 15-1. So I mentioned New England being 16-0. Not only that but having one of the most dominate offenses in history. They trucked through the regular season with ease and then got beat by the Giants in the Super Bowl.

[Manwiththeplan]

Dez thus far has proven he's an adequate #2 WR.

900+ yards and 9 TDs? even if he never improves I'd say he's one of the better #2 WRs or possibly a low end #1.

[Gaede]

They went to the playoffs at 15-1.

So? Where'd they end up?

We were 1 play away from the playoffs.

Tebow not only made it, but actually won a playoff game.

Making it there doesn't mean jack.

If you have a major weakness, it will be exploited and you will lose. I'd rather shore up our major weaknesses, pass rush and pass defense, before spending #14 on a LG.

[kmd24]

Our offense would look a lot better if we could get the opposition off the field. Some of the statistically worst offensive games last year were games in which the opponent rattled off 3 quick scores in the first quarter and the offense became one dimensional.

I've thought about this a lot, and I really can't get behind DeCastro over Cox or Barron. I'm fairly certain we won't pick DeCastro after what went down in free agency - not because he's not an instant starter - but because we've decided not to have steak at those positions.

From what I understand, Cox won't be around at 14, so, barring a trade up, we're either taking Barron or trading down. Barron looks fairly likely, and I think it's the second most glaring weakness on the team, to be honest. I'm not that crazy about taking a safety so high, especially one who's likely to be close to his ceiling coming from a relatively well-coached and sophisticated defense.

The most glaring weakness, in my mind, is center, and I think we'll fill that role in this draft, either with Konz via a trade down or a second round pick if he's still available that late.

One of the nicer developments in this draft is the number of DE's that have played or project to play a 5-tech DE. Coples, Cox, Crick, Still, and Worthy, and maybe even Poe could all play there with some pass rush ability. Brockers needs a lot of work on his pass rush, but someone will take him in the first round and force the other guys further down in the draft.

If we could come out of this draft with a guy or two to address each of these positions, I'd call it a successful draft. The trick will be to get the best total haul. Looking at different scenarios, it's looking like Barron is the guy that makes the total haul the best because of the dropoff at S and the relative depth at DE and C/G.

Barron isn't a rare talent at S, and he's really not the type of player I'd normally want to spend a mid-first rounder on. However, it's just a peculiarity of this draft that we can take him there and still get good value in the second and third rounds at positions where the draftees can have an immediate impact.

[CATCH17]

900+ yards and 9 TDs? even if he never improves I'd say he's one of the better #2 WRs or possibly a low end #1.

And entering his 3rd year.

That's when a lot of these receivers break out.

[Manwiththeplan]

And entering his 3rd year.

That's when a lot of these receivers break out.

the point he was making was, right now, Dez is this. however I just think even right now he's better than an adequate #2.

[kmd24]

And entering his 3rd year.

That's when a lot of these receivers break out.

IIRC, he's never had a full offseason with Romo either. Injured in 2010 and lockout last year.

Those plays against Washington gave me hope that he and Romo may eventually develop a rapport like Romo seemed to instantly have with Robinson.

[CATCH17]

Yet GB beat the Steelers who had the #1 ranked defense in the SB one year ago.

GB's defense played a lot better that year. Their front 7 was much better in 2010. Secondary play too.

Plus Clay Matthews on roids is basically = to Ware. Now he looks much smaller and nowhere near Demarcus. Cullen Jenkins gone, and Woodson with another year of wear on him.


Packers defense was the type of defense the Cowboys need. Saints 09 defense is a good one to look at too.

Pass rush + turnovers.. Who cares where they rank? Just get our offense the ball.

[CATCH17]

IIRC, he's never had a full offseason with Romo either. Injured in 2010 and lockout last year.

Those plays against Washington gave me hope that he and Romo may eventually develop a rapport like Romo seemed to instantly have with Robinson.

I remember Broadus saying that down the stretch Dez was getting open and that Romo just wasn't looking to him. Hopefully there is more trust there and Romo feeds him the ball more.

the point he was making was, right now, Dez is this. however I just think even right now he's better than an adequate #2.

Dez is a playmaker. Like Austin, we just need to get the ball in his hands. Our receivers are built for YAC but we still insist on running them downfield into coverage every play.


Im sure we'll all be crying for more slant and drag routes next season like we always do.

[fortdick]

Pretty much where Green Bay was when you remove Aaron Rodgers QB sneaks ... I think they had a pretty good offense last year.

Meanwhile, the Vikings were 3rd in the NFL in rushing TDs ... I don't think they had a very good offense.

I'll start putting a lot of stock into rushing TDs when they start counting for more points on the scoreboard than passing TDs.

In our case, rushing inside the 5 equals three points, so if we could push the ball in from inside the 5, it would be worth seven. So, in a way, they do count more.

It is too hard to count on passing from short yardage. There is no room for receivers to work and we fail to score a TD too often from inside the 5.

[Bowdown27]

I agree with alot of other posters. We really need a safety to step right in and play and that's Barron. No way the cowboys signed pool to be the starter for years to come. Rex and rob have obviously discussed this.

I seriously believe we take Barron at 14 IF we stay put. If a deal comes in that blows our socks off.

[fortdick]

I'm referring to the offense in general. Fans think that this team wins with offense. Why draft a DE in the first round when we need a G/T/WR/RB? We need to use all our resources to surround Romo and the offense with allpros and then we'll be guaranteed to not lose. That's the general attitude around here.

But why does Romo need everyone to be an all pro in order to succeed? Why does Garrett need to have a ridiculous amount of 1st round picks to make his offense work?

Help me out here. On defense, we have the following first round pick's as starters:

Ware
Spears
Spencer
Jenkins

On offense we have:

Smith
Bryant
(Jones)


So, where have we spent our first rounds? Defense. The fact is, we win or lose based on Romo's play. Unfortunately, every QB in the league needs help to get the job done. Don't you think giving him some protection is at least as important as drafting another Spears or Spencer?

[Hostile]

You mentioned them being 15-1. So I mentioned New England being 16-0. Not only that but having one of the most dominate offenses in history. They trucked through the regular season with ease and then got beat by the Giants in the Super Bowl.Oh, so you're plan is that a team has to be unbeatable or it simply isn't good enough.

See, I'm dealing in the real world where on a given day a Giants team that was not better than those 2 teams can beat them. I thought the goal is to build a team. New England and Green Bay and the Giants have done that by...wait for it...focusing on one side of the Line of Scrimmage and making it as dominant as they can.

Funny, that's my plan. We are closer to that on Offense than we are on Defense.

[Gaede]

So, where have we spent our first rounds? Defense. The fact is, we win or lose based on Romo's play. Unfortunately, every QB in the league needs help to get the job done. Don't you think giving him some protection is at least as important as drafting another Spears or Spencer?

I was more referring to fan preferences in round one. Get Romo weapons, protect Romo and then we can't lose. That type of attitude.

[CATCH17]

In our case, rushing inside the 5 equals three points, so if we could push the ball in from inside the 5, it would be worth seven. So, in a way, they do count more.

It is too hard to count on passing from short yardage. There is no room for receivers to work and we fail to score a TD too often from inside the 5.

2 things happen when we can run the ball.

1. we score inside the 5. Last year it was like we couldn't score unless it came off a big play.

2. It takes the passing playcalls out of Garretts hands. What a chaotic mess it is at times watching our guys trying to figure out where to line up and where to be.

[fortdick]

"Enlighten Me" for a second...

Who won the Superbowl last year? I could have sworn it was the Giants with a mediocre offensive line and running game. I thought it was that voracious Giants defensive front that put QB's in the dirt.

So please, "enlighten" us all and explain this...

This is a red herring. The Giants were dead in the water with minimal running game UNTIL Bradshaw came back, then they ran the ball over everyone. When Bradsaw came back, the offense started to put together the games they were designed to do and Eli suddenly turned into the best QB in the galaxy.

To say the had a mediocre running game is just not true. They jsut didn't have a great running game the whole year.

[fortdick]

I was more referring to fan preferences in round one. Get Romo weapons, protect Romo and then we can't lose. That type of attitude.

The fact is, if we get Romo a piece or two that he needs, we probably won't lose very often. You said that we wanted a ridiculous amount of first round picks on offense. I think a few would be nice.

I didn't bring up the fact that Newman was a first rounder starting last year. We also remember spending a first on Carpenter. Why is spending all your firsts on defense okay, but not on offense?

At least our offensive first round picks have produced for us.

[kmd24]

Help me out here. On defense, we have the following first round pick's as starters:

Ware
Spears
Spencer
Jenkins

On offense we have:

Smith
Bryant
(Jones)


So, where have we spent our first rounds? Defense.

What difference does that make? Probably every team in the league has a similar breakdown because only one or two interior linemen and 0-1 TE are taken in the first round every year, while 8 DL and 4 CB's, and 3-4 LB's are selected.

The other first round heavy positions are OT, WR, and QB. We have a 1st round WR and OT, as one might expect.

[Gaede]

I didn't bring up the fact that Newman was a first rounder starting last year. We also remember spending a first on Carpenter. Why is spending all your firsts on defense okay, but not on offense?

At least our offensive first round picks have produced for us.

Touche. Good points.

[fortdick]

What difference does that make? Probably every team in the league has a similar breakdown because only one or two interior linemen and 0-1 TE are taken in the first round every year, while 8 DL and 4 CB's, and 3-4 LB's are selected.

The other first round heavy positions are OT, WR, and QB. We have a 1st round WR and OT, as one might expect.

You only saw one part of the discussion I guess.

[Doomsday]

Take the best player regardless if he is plays on offense of defense. If DeCastro is clearly the best player on the board when Dallas is on the clock, it would be a big mistake to pass on him.

[Chocolate Lab]

In the last five years, we've used first rounders on Spencer, Felix, Jenkins, Roy, Dez, and Tyron. So that's four out of six on offense.

But we're spending all of our firsts on defense? How the offense getting neglected again?

[Hostile]

Who said the Offense is being neglected? I missed that one.

[fortdick]

Who said the Offense is being neglected? I missed that one.

"Forget it, he's on a roll."

[InmanRoshi]

900+ yards and 9 TDs? even if he never improves I'd say he's one of the better #2 WRs or possibly a low end #1.

29th in the NFL in receiving yards and 38th in the NFL in receptions? I would put that in the WR2 category. He's sandwhiched around guys like Pierre Garcon and Malcolm Floyd, and I don't consider them to be #1 WRs. Especially for a team with 570 pass attempts and #1 WR that was injured or hampered the entire year, Dez had ample opportunity to rack up Top 20 accumulative numbers.


No doubt he's a major weapon in the red zone. The Cowboys throw a lot in the red zone too (5th in the NFL in passing TDs), which is one of the biggest reasons we have so few rushing TDs. Why run the ball into the teeth of 9 man goalline front when Dez is almost automatic on a pylon fade?

[Manwiththeplan]

29th in the NFL in receiving yards and 38th in the NFL in receptions? I would put that in the WR2 category. He's sandwhiched around guys like Pierre Garcon and Malcolm Floyd, and I don't consider them to be #1 WRs. Especially for a team with 570 pass attempts and #1 WR that was injured or hampered the entire year, Dez had ample opportunity to rack up Top 20 accumulative numbers.


No doubt he's a major weapon in the red zone. The Cowboys throw a lot in the red zone too (5th in the NFL in passing TDs), which is one of the biggest reasons we have so few rushing TDs. Why run the ball into the teeth of 9 man goalline front when Dez is almost automatic on a pylon fade?

and I'd argue that Garcon and Floyd are more than adequate #2s. overall I do agree with your point, just think u went a tad too far

[JBell523]

This whole discussion is retarded.

:laugh2:

Some of the stuff I'm reading is making my head hurt.

This team has so many holes that there's really no point in arguing what position we should draft in the 1st or 2nd round. As long as we're getting guys that can help this team immediately.

[Noryb]

Oh, so you're plan is that a team has to be unbeatable or it simply isn't good enough.

See, I'm dealing in the real world where on a given day a Giants team that was not better than those 2 teams can beat them. I thought the goal is to build a team. New England and Green Bay and the Giants have done that by...wait for it...focusing on one side of the Line of Scrimmage and making it as dominant as they can.

Funny, that's my plan. We are closer to that on Offense than we are on Defense.

I didn't look at the other teams but the year the Packers won the SB they were....

2nd in sacks
2nd in ints
2nd in pts allowed
5th in passing yds allowed
5th in total yds allowed

They surely weren't dominate on just one side of the ball.

[Sarge]

I just dont see Dallas drafting Barron.

I do.

[Dash28]

I do.
You like Barron?

I think he would be an immediate starter for us and would be fine with the selection.

He's not my first option at 14 but let's not act like he can't play or have an impact on our D.

[Sarge]

You like Barron?

I think he would be an immediate starter for us and would be fine with the selection.

He's not my first option at 14 but let's not act like he can't play or have an impact on our D.

I do and I think he'll be our pick. .02