Gil Brandt Has The Annointing Oil Out - Cowboys class best since 2005

[speedkilz88]

This Dallas Cowboys' draft class is their best since 2005
[/URL][URL="http://static.nfl.com/static/content/catch_all/nfl_image/gil_brandt-110726_65.jpg"]http://static.nfl.com/static/content/catch_all/nfl_image/gil_brandt-110726_65.jpg (http://static.nfl.com/static/content/catch_all/nfl_image/gil_brandt-110726_65.jpg)
By Gil Brandt
Senior Analyst
Published: May 7, 2012 at 06:22 p.m

We all know not to judge a book by its cover. In football, never judge a player by what he does in shorts. But my impressions from the Dallas Cowboys' rookie minicamp have me thinking that this draft class could change the direction of the franchise.

When I watched the rookies practice over the weekend, I saw players excelling at the most important qualities for their positions. This, in my estimation, is the most telling factor in a player's future success.

Round one (No. 6 overall) Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State
I applaud the Cowboys for trading up to select the cornerback. Claiborne was my highest-rated defensive player in the draft. He has exceptional quickness and very long arms -- great qualities for his position -- and appears to be a safe bet to become a Pro Bowl-caliber of player early in his career.

Round three (81) Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State
Crawford has the strength and burst to get to the passer in the NFL. He looked very good getting off the line this weekend with above-average speed. I see him playing a lot and helping the team as a rookie. Crawford is relatively inexperienced. He's from Canada and played just two years of college football after attending junior college. His best football is ahead of him.

Round four (113) Kyle Wilber, LB, Wake Forest
Wilber is my pick to be the biggest surprise of this year's draft class. A defensive end/linebacker hybrid-type of player, Wilber ranks very high in competitiveness and recognition -- two top qualities for his position. If he doesn't win a starting job this year, he will make the player in front of him better. Look for him to be a very good and possible Pro-Bowl player in the NFL.

Round four (135) Matt Johnson, SS, Eastern Washington
Johnson picked off 17 passes and registered 334 tackles as a safety in college, unheard of numbers for his position. He missed six games in 2011 due to injury and wasn't invited to the combine. It's a shame because he would have put on a show. He's explosive and has a great change of direction. He will contribute on special teams this year and possibly start down the road.


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http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d828ee919/article/this-dallas-cowboys-draft-class-is-their-best-since-2005

[wittenacious]

Love the post and I'll take it. Gil Brandt's positive impressions about the Cowboys' 2012 Draft Class are noteworthy, for sure. I know I'm still pretty excited about the group of guys we selected, carrying over to the class of undrafted rookie free agents we signed. Good things coming.

[Bluestang]

This is impossible, I have been constantly reminded here by experts that we don't draft well because we don't have a legitimate GM.

[wittenacious]

This is impossible, I have been constantly reminded here by experts that we don't draft well because we don't have a legitimate GM.
LOL. May be time ... for those you're referring to ... to learn a new tune. I know I'd like to hear a different one coming from that particular choir.

[Dash28]

Hopefully it plays out this way, just have to wait and see.

[JPostSam]

:pray:

[junk]

LOL. May be time ... for those you're referring to ... to learn a new tune. I know I'd like to hear a different one coming from that particular choir.

Sure, I'll start to change my tune when the team starts performing.

Winning a playoff game is a start. Stringing together two playoff wins in a row would be outstanding.

Until then, they are a still an organization that has 1 playoff win in 15 years.

They need to get better.

[CoCo]

Sure, I'll start to change my tune when the team starts performing.

Winning a playoff game is a start. Stringing together two playoff wins in a row would be outstanding.

Until then, they are a still an organization that has 1 playoff win in 15 years.

They need to get better.

That mantra is like a comfortable old blankey that can be pulled out anytime someone talks optimistically. I can almost hear the sound of thumb-sucking.

[CoCo]

From what I saw last weekend, this is Jerry Jones' and the Cowboys' best draft class since 2005. It's highly likely that nine first-year players could see game time this season.


Hmmm, 7 draft picks plus Leary make 8. Wonder who the 9th is that he's referring to?

Seriously, there is some REALLY high praise for this draft class. Absolutely tapping the brakes, but it's fun to think about.

Kind of stunned to hear him talk about Wilber pushing for starting time and possible Pro Bowl status in time.

[Risen Star]

That's a very informed opinion saying that.

Love to read it.

[tomson75]

Interesting that he says that Coale will have to improve his route running. By most accounts, Coale's route running is superb for a rookie.

[burmafrd]

That mantra is like a comfortable old blankey that can be pulled out anytime someone talks optimistically. I can almost hear the sound of thumb-sucking.

But it is absolutely true and those that ignore the past are doomed to repeat it.

[Outlaw Heroes]

That's a very informed opinion saying that.

No doubt. But I'll temper my enthusiasm. There are very informed opinions supporting the selection of just about every player in every draft. A very high percentage still don't pan out. I'm not sure the opportunity to view these kids at one minicamp gives Gil much of an informational advantage over the guys making the picks in the first place. So I'd expect his predictions to be about as accurate as the average war room's. But, man, would it be ever be sweet if they proved more accurate.

[wittenacious]

Interesting that he says that Coale will have to improve his route running. By most accounts, Coale's route running is superb for a rookie.
Just re-read Gil's article and that's what I thought when I read that part, too. Coale has been discussed as being an excellent route runner, though not always able to get a lot of separation. If that's been the case at the collegiate level, maybe Gil's just saying he needs to get even better than he already is, in general, now that he's in the NFL. ???

I like what Danny Coale brings to the table to begin with: he's got some speed, he's smart, and he's a hard worker, by all accounts. Going forward, I think it's reasonable to expect that he'll study his playbook, he'll do the skill improvement work, and he WILL get better.

[junk]

That mantra is like a comfortable old blankey that can be pulled out anytime someone talks optimistically. I can almost hear the sound of thumb-sucking.

I'd love to be dramatically wrong. I'd love for the team to stumble on that magic formula that allows them to take that next step.

However, I haven't seen much in the way of changes and the results seem to be the same year in and year out.

A team that is good enough to get close to the playoffs or to sneak in and lose right away. A team that is consistently bad down the stretch.

What has changed that makes people think "this is the year"?

People can ignore past performance as much as they want, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. This was still an 8-8 team that beat 1 team with a winning record and choked down the stretch.

[BrAinPaiNt]

This is impossible, I have been constantly reminded here by experts that we don't draft well because we don't have a legitimate GM.

Although the eternal negative nancy posts that happen from a few around here gets very old and tiresome.

Maybe it is just me but I have to say that these types of posts that start off with...This is impossible, I was told by experts or people here that...are just as old and tiresome.

In other words...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQGdRQosQls/TidfOhu5xfI/AAAAAAAAAV8/rUZWAha17mI/s1600/yourenothelping.jpg

[Joe Rod]

Interesting that he says that Coale will have to improve his route running. By most accounts, Coale's route running is superb for a rookie.

If I am reading it right (huge if), then those are his observations from the first mini-camp. Could be that Coale simply has to do some things different at the NFL level that he was not asked to do in college like not chopping his feet before he breaks on a route. I'm sure he will adjust when they show him how they want him to do things.

[Joe Rod]

Although the eternal negative nancy posts that happen from a few around here gets very old and tiresome.

Maybe it is just me but I have to say that these types of posts that start off with...This is impossible, I was told by experts or people here that...are just as old and tiresome.

In other words...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQGdRQosQls/TidfOhu5xfI/AAAAAAAAAV8/rUZWAha17mI/s1600/yourenothelping.jpg

I was thinking it, so I'm glad someone else actually posted it. :)

[preacher238]

I'd love to be dramatically wrong. I'd love for the team to stumble on that magic formula that allows them to take that next step.

However, I haven't seen much in the way of changes and the results seem to be the same year in and year out.

A team that is good enough to get close to the playoffs or to sneak in and lose right away. A team that is consistently bad down the stretch.

What has changed that makes people think "this is the year"?

People can ignore past performance as much as they want, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. This was still an 8-8 team that beat 1 team with a winning record and choked down the stretch.

A full offseason with the coaching staff, a new way of doing business from said coaching staff, etc etc etc

[visionary]

loved to read Gil's review
this is why we have to wait and see how the team performs this year
just because some of players were not familiar to us does not mean they will not perform
i am sure the cowboys did their due diligence

[Doomsday101]

One thing I see with Garrett's guys in the draft is they are high character players with strong work ethics.

[Mash]

This is impossible, I have been constantly reminded here by experts that we don't draft well because we don't have a legitimate GM.

Thats not how it goes here.....

Bad picks = Jerry

Good Picks = someone else

:p:

[trickblue]

I tend to agree with him...

Let's hope that oil doesn't possess the "KY" label...

[Cajuncowboy]

I have often said if I could pick one guy to watch the entire draft with it would be Gil Brandt. I think he knows more about the incoming class than anyone on planet earth.

[trickblue]

Round five (154) Danny Coale, WR, Virginia Tech
Coale is very fast. He didn't play in a passing offense in college but has good hands. He can be a move-the-chains type of guy, catching the quick slant. He does many things well but will have to improve his route running.

Wait... WHAT? Route running was Coale's biggest plus...

I'm confused, Gil...

[Mash]

Sure, I'll start to change my tune when the team starts performing.

Winning a playoff game is a start. Stringing together two playoff wins in a row would be outstanding.

Until then, they are a still an organization that has 1 playoff win in 15 years.

They need to get better.

I just cant think that way.....say we won several playoff games in the last 15 yrs and won no Super Bowls.....what then? A couple plays here and there...and the cowboys have some playoff wins....a complete pass....a FG...a last minute stop before half...etc.

Its not like the talent isnt there....we just need to make a few more plays.

Even then....win a few playoff games....string a few together....and win nothing?...what then?

For me....if you dont win the Super Bowl .....everything else is a disappointment.Every year I hope to win the SB.....I dont hope to win just a playoff game.

Every year is a new year.....30 to 40 % of playoff teams dont make the playoffs the following year. Can you honestly say the Giants are that much better then us?

This year is the year......if not .....then next year.......if not then....the next.

Its not like this team doesnt have talent. For the past several years....Cowboys and Chargers were considered by many as the most talented teams. Neither of them have won squat. But that will never stop me from having hope.

Geezz....the giants were a 9-6 team that sneaked in the playoffs and won the SB. Anything can happen......its parity in the NFL......

Anyways........."I still believe" :)

[dmq]

Hanna replacing Witten? I don't even have dreams this big.

[jobberone]

That mantra is like a comfortable old blankey that can be pulled out anytime someone talks optimistically. I can almost hear the sound of thumb-sucking.

I agree the negativity gets old but he does have a point that should be at the BACK of everyone's mind. This entire organization should be hungry.

[Fletch]

Just re-read Gil's article and that's what I thought when I read that part, too. Coale has been discussed as being an excellent route runner, though not always able to get a lot of separation. If that's been the case at the collegiate level, maybe Gil's just saying he needs to get even better than he already is, in general, now that he's in the NFL. ???

I like what Danny Coale brings to the table to begin with: he's got some speed, he's smart, and he's a hard worker, by all accounts. Going forward, I think it's reasonable to expect that he'll study his playbook, he'll do the skill improvement work, and he WILL get better.

Coale is a better prospect coming out of college than Wes Welker. I think Coale could be very legit.

[CoCo]

I'd love to be dramatically wrong. I'd love for the team to stumble on that magic formula that allows them to take that next step.

However, I haven't seen much in the way of changes and the results seem to be the same year in and year out.

A team that is good enough to get close to the playoffs or to sneak in and lose right away. A team that is consistently bad down the stretch.

What has changed that makes people think "this is the year"?

People can ignore past performance as much as they want, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. This was still an 8-8 team that beat 1 team with a winning record and choked down the stretch.

15 years ago Barry Switzer was the HC and I believe Larry Lacewell (gasp)was a major draft influence. Jerry still believed the triplets and other declining vets were his ticket back to the top and he signed them to extensions accordingly. I don't want to take the time to list the rest of the things that are different at VR since that time because you know them as well as I do.

If you really believe the future direction of this franchise is no better off in 2012 than it was 1997 then we should just ignore each other and be done with it.

If you're one of those who sees Jerry Jones as standing squarely in the way of anything positive at VR ever happening again, then again, we say good-bye.

But there is much that is different if you can see past those handy "15 year" crutches.

I must have missed those posts in this thread where people declared "this is the year". I don't feel that way at all. My focus is on a draft class that Gil Brandt believes is our best since 2005. I intend to enjoy that possibility while keeping myself grounded in the here and now - nothing is proven as yet.

But that position, IMO, is a long ways from dourly repeating "1 PO win in 15 years" in a thread that is only celebrating the possibility of a solid draft that yes could be part of improving our team's future.

[CoCo]

I don't for a second believe that we hit on every one of these draft picks, much less some of the UDFA's. If I did believe it I'd probably be predicting a division title for us - which I am not. Far too soon to see what we have as a team across the board.

[JohnsKey19]

I agree with Gil that Wilber will be the guy that stands out and will surprise most fans.

[DFWJC]

Interesting that he says that Coale will have to improve his route running. By most accounts, Coale's route running is superb for a rookie.

That is a great illustration of how tough it is to play the slot in the NFL. The nuances are far greater to overcome than for the two outside WRs.
Plus, I think they're running Coale both inside and outside--whcih is challenging for any rookie.

[SilverStarCowboy]

Crawford to start and Wilber to the ProBowl.


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