jlust22
04-20-2005, 02:02 PM
greg: which player will be the one to "slip" this year?
Rick Gosselin: If Aaron Rodgers doesn't go to San Francisco on the first pick, he could slide some. Cedric Benson is the third running back on most boards and he's also a candidate because he's at the back end of the Top 10 and that's where the defensive players start turning up -- the pass rushers and pass defenders. But I don't think either one slides too far. I think someone would trade up if either guy slides. Offensive skill generally doesn't slide. The slider last year was defensive end Kenechi Udeze who went from the Top 10 into the 20s.
greg: Do you think the Titans will go with a corner if Rodgers/Smith is there?
Rick Gosselin: Cornerback or wide receiver. They only have one healthy wide receiver in the building right now, Drew Bennett. They have a pressing need at both positions. But I think the value at six is conerback. I think the Titans can get a better -caliber wide receiver in the second round than acornerback.
Jane in Florida: How much do you think the gurus like you and Mel Kiper's opinions have on pro teams?
Rick Gosselin: None. The NFL decision-makers get hired and fired based on their abilities to evaluate talent. They are better at that than I am. They know that. They may read my opinions, but it when it comes down to a draft philosophy or making a pick, they trust their own gut. Not mine.
Rob Robinson: If UT's Derrick Johnson is available at the 11th pick. will the Cowboys take him? Otherwise, where might he go?
Rick Gosselin: I think Johnson is a Top 10 caliber prospect in this draft. If he's there at 11, the Cowboys should consider him because of the value he has on the draft board. But their primary need is for a pass rusher. That isn't Johnson. He had only 10 1/2 career sacks. The Cowboys likely will have three or four players on the board at that point with the same grade, and my guess is they'll select the pass rusher at that grade.
Lou Sabad: Is there any chance that the Cowboys are putting up a huge smokescreen concerning DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman? Last year they seemed to be set on Kevin Jones, but then made the move out and grabbed Julius Jones. Was that just because of the great offer from Buffalo, or were they hoping to do that?
Rick Gosselin: You build championship teams with blue chip players. You get those in the Top 10-12 of a draft. When you are lucky enough to get one of those picks, you have to cash in. The Cowboys are in dire need of blue chippers -- especially young blue chippers -- on their roster. They can get one at 11. They should have their choice of the best pass rusher in the draft. If they trade out, I think it's more likely they move out of 20. They didn't have a conviction about Kevin Jones, or they would have stayed there and taken him. I think they'll have more of a conviction about a player in the Top 12 than one in the 20s. Less guess work.
hhoughton: If Mike Williams, Demarcus Ware, and Merriman were all available at 11, which one do you think the cowboys pick?
Rick Gosselin: Ware. The Cowboys need a pass rusher and Ware is the best pass rusher in this draft. He's one of the few true speed rushers on the board.
greg: Who is the best prospect in 2006?
Rick Gosselin: I'm barely out of the 2005 draft yet. But I think if Matt Leinart had come out this year, he'd have been the first overall pick. It's safe to say the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner pencils in as the top pick in 2006.
hhoughton: Now that the Redskins have shown their hand with the (I believe) 26th pick, do you see a scenario where they might have to trade with Dallas and the 20th to ensure they get Campbell? Do they have anything left to offer in order to swap late first round picks with Dallas?
Rick Gosselin: I know the Cowboys would like to trade down. But if a good player is there, consider him before you move. If he's there, Mark Clayton should be considered by the Cowboys. Any time you trade back you leave a good player on the board and generally wind up with a lesser one. If the Redskins keep trading up, they won't have any picks left in 2005 or 2006. Besides, the Cowboys need all the good players they can get. I'd stay at 11 and 20 and make the picks.
John in Plano: What team do you see taking a chance on Matt Jones, the speedy Arkansas quarterback?
Rick Gosselin: There are about 10-12 teams already in line. I think he goes in the second round. I think Jones is a luxury pick by a good team. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes in the second on a trade up. He has tremendous speed and athleticism, but he has to learn a new position. That may take him a year. A good team can afford to wait on him.
dcboysfan: Do you think Bill Parcells is a little too confident on his drafting abilities? I see Jacob Rogers on the bench over there...
Rick Gosselin: Parcells isn't the first guy to sit in that chair and make a mistake. Have we forgotten Shante Carver? Jerry Jones has put his trust in Parcells to find players and build a team. Julius Jones was a big hit to offset the big miss of Rogers in 2004. If Parcells can raise his batting average this April, the Cowboys will be fine. The higher you draft, the easier it is to draft. When you pick a player in the top half of each round, it's easier to find players than when you draft in the bottom half. The Cowboys have the benefit of a Top 12 pick every round this year.
Rick Gosselin: Parcells also took Julius Jones and Jason Witten. Have we forgotten about Shante Carver? Parcells knows what a player looks like. Give him a chance.
Jeeper: I have heard that the Cowboys will most likely go for defensive line help with the bulk of their picks. What about the offensive line? Are they confident in what they have or is there just no one that they like?
Rick Gosselin: The value on the draft board at offensive line is in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds. I bet 20 of the teams take a blocker in the middle rounds. I think the Cowboys will be one of them. I think the first day is going to be a heavy defensive draft. Get your offensive lineman in the fourth round. San Diego drafted an offensive tackle from Ohio State in the seventh round last year -- Shane Olivea -- and he turned out to be the best blocker on a division champion. Give me a big school blocker in the second day and I'll take my chances.
darsh: looking at the recent cap figures,how can so many teams sign their draft picks with no money?
Rick Gosselin: There will be more veteran cuts before treams go to camp. Except another wave in May and still another wave in June. Teams find ways of coming up with money to sign players. Dallas and San Francisco showed everyone how in the 1990s.
greg: Will the Cowboys draft dictate if we go to a 3-4 or not?
Rick Gosselin: Abolutely. I think Parcells realizes he's still a couple of players short of lining up in a 3-4. If he can get them on draft day, he can commit to a 3-4. If he can't, the Cowboys will stay in a 4-3.
Chris Kline: The Cowboys need a safety, what position in the draft do you see them taking one?
Rick Gosselin: Safety is one of the thinnest positions in the draft. There may be only 5-6 go in the first day. There are a couple interesting projects in the second day, like a Justin Beriault of Ball State. I wouldn't reach for a safety in the first day just for the sake of addressing a need. Also, there are enough corners who can play safety in this draft that the Cowboys can go the corner route if they choose. Guys like Travis Daniels of LSU and Ron Bartell of Howard would be candidates.
Thane: What's your opinion of the Washington - Denver trade? I think Denver got a steal.
Rick Gosselin: I agreee. I think the 20s are a soft area of this draft. To get three picks, including a future first-rounder, is commanding a king's ransom for what could be an average player. The Broncos aren't the only team trying to get out of the 20s. They just struck first and, when it's all said and done, likely struck the best.
Thierry: If one of the 3 top running backs slides to 11, the Cowboys are supposed to trade down. But why would a team trade with Dallas instead of San Diego? And which team would be willing to give up draft picks while quality RBs can be found in the second round as we have seen in previous drafts?
Rick Gosselin: There are three elite runners in this draft and four teams drafting in the Top 10 who covet runners. So I wouldn't expect the runners to slide. That said, I think the value on the clock in picks 8-12 will be defensive. I expect Washington, Detroit, Dallas and San Diego all to get calls.
chaz: Why has Dan Cody fallen out of favor with talent scouts?
Rick Gosselin: He was a defensive end at Oklahoma who projects as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. So he has to learn a new position. He's also not a blazer. He ran a 4.75 40 at his campus workout. The NFL likes its undersized speed rushers to run in the mid-4.5s to mid-4.6s. Dwight Freeney runs a 4.39 40...
darsh: What value does Pete Hunter have in return for a draft pick?
Rick Gosselin: He has more value to the Cowboys than he would have to another team. He could be an ideal cover safety in a league that's starving for cover safeties. But apparently he wants to stay at corner. He wasn't a difference maker when he started there for the Cowboys. This isn't Philip Buchanan we're talking about. So he has second-day trade value, late second day. That's where the Cowboys got him on draft day.
TerryR: Why is Ronnie Brown considered the #1 RB, when in the eyes of the Auburn coaching staff, he couldn't beat out Cadillac Williams for 4 years.
Rick Gosselin: Of the three elite backs at the top of this draft, Brown is the biggest, strongest, fastest, has the best hands and is the best blocker. If the draft was about college productivity, Benson and Williams would be at the top of the board. But the draft is about potential. Especially with first round picks, NFL teams look for the players who fit the prototypes -- they want players who are big enough, fast enough and stroing enough to succeed at the next level. Brown best fits that prototype at running back.
TerryR: How is it that Jason Campbell was not considered a better prospect then Aaron Rodgers or Alex Smith? He had an excellent year, was able to adapt to multiple offensive systems over 4 years, and has all the tools to play the position?
Rick Gosselin: It took Campbell four years to get good. It took Roidgers and Smith half that time. Both are leaving school early. Both are viewed to have more upside than Campbell. But I think some team is going to get a real good quarterback in the 20s in Campbell. He won't get on the field as quickly as Rodgers and Smith, who will go to teams in need, but Campbell could just as good a career. The third quarterback taken in last year's draft was Ben Roethlisberger.
brandon: Who is the best player I've never heard of?
Rick Gosselin: CB Nick Collins of Bethune Cookman.
brandon: Did Houston make a good deal with Oakland?
Rick Gosselin: The Texans obviously wanted a corner to become the heir apparent to 33-year-old Aaron Glenn. They got a good one in Buchanan. But I think the price they paid was a tad steep. I think the second and third rounds are going to be strong in this draft and the Texans gave the Raiders two choices there.
ryans: Who is the best GM in running the draft? The worst?
Rick Gosselin: Ozzie Newsome does a great job in Baltimore. He built a championship team through the draft. Tennessee, New England and Philadelphia all do a solid job year-in and year-out, and Detroit has done well in recent drafts under Matt Millen. I think the worst drafters are generally the teams that have coach-driven draft rooms. Head coaches tend to fall in love with players and reach on draft day. That's the cardinal sin in scouting --never fall in love with a player. Assume you're not going to get any of the guys on the draft board, then just select the best player on your board when it's time to pick. You can never go wrong selecting the best player on your board. Not all teams do that.
Mark in SF: if the Cowboys trade the 20th pick, what can they expect to get?
Rick Gosselin: The Cowboys want to get a third-rounder back. What they get will depend first on what player is available at 20. Secondly, it depends on how far they want to drop back. The farther you drop back, the more you get. But you'd be leaving a good player behind.
KJ: if Oklahoma's Jammal Brown is availble at the 20 pick will the Cowboys take him?
Rick Gosselin: I do think the defensive board will be picked over by then. An offensive player may be their best option. Both Brown (right tackle) and Mark Clayton (speed receiver) would address offensive needs.
michaelh: Rick, let's assume Mike Williams is there at 11 (or another offensive caliber player like him). What could the Cowboys get for him for moving down in terms of a pick(s)?
Rick Gosselin: The value in a trade down at 11 would be defense. If someone comes up, it will likely be for one of the pass rushers -- Ware, Merriman or Erasmus James. You can find pass cathcers into the fifth round of this draft. The pass rushers empty out after the first round. If you're going to trade up, trade up for the value on the board. And like I mentioned above, what you get depends on how far you want to trade back. The Cowboys would get a better package if they go back to 25 than they would to 15.
Rick Gosselin: If Aaron Rodgers doesn't go to San Francisco on the first pick, he could slide some. Cedric Benson is the third running back on most boards and he's also a candidate because he's at the back end of the Top 10 and that's where the defensive players start turning up -- the pass rushers and pass defenders. But I don't think either one slides too far. I think someone would trade up if either guy slides. Offensive skill generally doesn't slide. The slider last year was defensive end Kenechi Udeze who went from the Top 10 into the 20s.
greg: Do you think the Titans will go with a corner if Rodgers/Smith is there?
Rick Gosselin: Cornerback or wide receiver. They only have one healthy wide receiver in the building right now, Drew Bennett. They have a pressing need at both positions. But I think the value at six is conerback. I think the Titans can get a better -caliber wide receiver in the second round than acornerback.
Jane in Florida: How much do you think the gurus like you and Mel Kiper's opinions have on pro teams?
Rick Gosselin: None. The NFL decision-makers get hired and fired based on their abilities to evaluate talent. They are better at that than I am. They know that. They may read my opinions, but it when it comes down to a draft philosophy or making a pick, they trust their own gut. Not mine.
Rob Robinson: If UT's Derrick Johnson is available at the 11th pick. will the Cowboys take him? Otherwise, where might he go?
Rick Gosselin: I think Johnson is a Top 10 caliber prospect in this draft. If he's there at 11, the Cowboys should consider him because of the value he has on the draft board. But their primary need is for a pass rusher. That isn't Johnson. He had only 10 1/2 career sacks. The Cowboys likely will have three or four players on the board at that point with the same grade, and my guess is they'll select the pass rusher at that grade.
Lou Sabad: Is there any chance that the Cowboys are putting up a huge smokescreen concerning DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman? Last year they seemed to be set on Kevin Jones, but then made the move out and grabbed Julius Jones. Was that just because of the great offer from Buffalo, or were they hoping to do that?
Rick Gosselin: You build championship teams with blue chip players. You get those in the Top 10-12 of a draft. When you are lucky enough to get one of those picks, you have to cash in. The Cowboys are in dire need of blue chippers -- especially young blue chippers -- on their roster. They can get one at 11. They should have their choice of the best pass rusher in the draft. If they trade out, I think it's more likely they move out of 20. They didn't have a conviction about Kevin Jones, or they would have stayed there and taken him. I think they'll have more of a conviction about a player in the Top 12 than one in the 20s. Less guess work.
hhoughton: If Mike Williams, Demarcus Ware, and Merriman were all available at 11, which one do you think the cowboys pick?
Rick Gosselin: Ware. The Cowboys need a pass rusher and Ware is the best pass rusher in this draft. He's one of the few true speed rushers on the board.
greg: Who is the best prospect in 2006?
Rick Gosselin: I'm barely out of the 2005 draft yet. But I think if Matt Leinart had come out this year, he'd have been the first overall pick. It's safe to say the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner pencils in as the top pick in 2006.
hhoughton: Now that the Redskins have shown their hand with the (I believe) 26th pick, do you see a scenario where they might have to trade with Dallas and the 20th to ensure they get Campbell? Do they have anything left to offer in order to swap late first round picks with Dallas?
Rick Gosselin: I know the Cowboys would like to trade down. But if a good player is there, consider him before you move. If he's there, Mark Clayton should be considered by the Cowboys. Any time you trade back you leave a good player on the board and generally wind up with a lesser one. If the Redskins keep trading up, they won't have any picks left in 2005 or 2006. Besides, the Cowboys need all the good players they can get. I'd stay at 11 and 20 and make the picks.
John in Plano: What team do you see taking a chance on Matt Jones, the speedy Arkansas quarterback?
Rick Gosselin: There are about 10-12 teams already in line. I think he goes in the second round. I think Jones is a luxury pick by a good team. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes in the second on a trade up. He has tremendous speed and athleticism, but he has to learn a new position. That may take him a year. A good team can afford to wait on him.
dcboysfan: Do you think Bill Parcells is a little too confident on his drafting abilities? I see Jacob Rogers on the bench over there...
Rick Gosselin: Parcells isn't the first guy to sit in that chair and make a mistake. Have we forgotten Shante Carver? Jerry Jones has put his trust in Parcells to find players and build a team. Julius Jones was a big hit to offset the big miss of Rogers in 2004. If Parcells can raise his batting average this April, the Cowboys will be fine. The higher you draft, the easier it is to draft. When you pick a player in the top half of each round, it's easier to find players than when you draft in the bottom half. The Cowboys have the benefit of a Top 12 pick every round this year.
Rick Gosselin: Parcells also took Julius Jones and Jason Witten. Have we forgotten about Shante Carver? Parcells knows what a player looks like. Give him a chance.
Jeeper: I have heard that the Cowboys will most likely go for defensive line help with the bulk of their picks. What about the offensive line? Are they confident in what they have or is there just no one that they like?
Rick Gosselin: The value on the draft board at offensive line is in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds. I bet 20 of the teams take a blocker in the middle rounds. I think the Cowboys will be one of them. I think the first day is going to be a heavy defensive draft. Get your offensive lineman in the fourth round. San Diego drafted an offensive tackle from Ohio State in the seventh round last year -- Shane Olivea -- and he turned out to be the best blocker on a division champion. Give me a big school blocker in the second day and I'll take my chances.
darsh: looking at the recent cap figures,how can so many teams sign their draft picks with no money?
Rick Gosselin: There will be more veteran cuts before treams go to camp. Except another wave in May and still another wave in June. Teams find ways of coming up with money to sign players. Dallas and San Francisco showed everyone how in the 1990s.
greg: Will the Cowboys draft dictate if we go to a 3-4 or not?
Rick Gosselin: Abolutely. I think Parcells realizes he's still a couple of players short of lining up in a 3-4. If he can get them on draft day, he can commit to a 3-4. If he can't, the Cowboys will stay in a 4-3.
Chris Kline: The Cowboys need a safety, what position in the draft do you see them taking one?
Rick Gosselin: Safety is one of the thinnest positions in the draft. There may be only 5-6 go in the first day. There are a couple interesting projects in the second day, like a Justin Beriault of Ball State. I wouldn't reach for a safety in the first day just for the sake of addressing a need. Also, there are enough corners who can play safety in this draft that the Cowboys can go the corner route if they choose. Guys like Travis Daniels of LSU and Ron Bartell of Howard would be candidates.
Thane: What's your opinion of the Washington - Denver trade? I think Denver got a steal.
Rick Gosselin: I agreee. I think the 20s are a soft area of this draft. To get three picks, including a future first-rounder, is commanding a king's ransom for what could be an average player. The Broncos aren't the only team trying to get out of the 20s. They just struck first and, when it's all said and done, likely struck the best.
Thierry: If one of the 3 top running backs slides to 11, the Cowboys are supposed to trade down. But why would a team trade with Dallas instead of San Diego? And which team would be willing to give up draft picks while quality RBs can be found in the second round as we have seen in previous drafts?
Rick Gosselin: There are three elite runners in this draft and four teams drafting in the Top 10 who covet runners. So I wouldn't expect the runners to slide. That said, I think the value on the clock in picks 8-12 will be defensive. I expect Washington, Detroit, Dallas and San Diego all to get calls.
chaz: Why has Dan Cody fallen out of favor with talent scouts?
Rick Gosselin: He was a defensive end at Oklahoma who projects as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. So he has to learn a new position. He's also not a blazer. He ran a 4.75 40 at his campus workout. The NFL likes its undersized speed rushers to run in the mid-4.5s to mid-4.6s. Dwight Freeney runs a 4.39 40...
darsh: What value does Pete Hunter have in return for a draft pick?
Rick Gosselin: He has more value to the Cowboys than he would have to another team. He could be an ideal cover safety in a league that's starving for cover safeties. But apparently he wants to stay at corner. He wasn't a difference maker when he started there for the Cowboys. This isn't Philip Buchanan we're talking about. So he has second-day trade value, late second day. That's where the Cowboys got him on draft day.
TerryR: Why is Ronnie Brown considered the #1 RB, when in the eyes of the Auburn coaching staff, he couldn't beat out Cadillac Williams for 4 years.
Rick Gosselin: Of the three elite backs at the top of this draft, Brown is the biggest, strongest, fastest, has the best hands and is the best blocker. If the draft was about college productivity, Benson and Williams would be at the top of the board. But the draft is about potential. Especially with first round picks, NFL teams look for the players who fit the prototypes -- they want players who are big enough, fast enough and stroing enough to succeed at the next level. Brown best fits that prototype at running back.
TerryR: How is it that Jason Campbell was not considered a better prospect then Aaron Rodgers or Alex Smith? He had an excellent year, was able to adapt to multiple offensive systems over 4 years, and has all the tools to play the position?
Rick Gosselin: It took Campbell four years to get good. It took Roidgers and Smith half that time. Both are leaving school early. Both are viewed to have more upside than Campbell. But I think some team is going to get a real good quarterback in the 20s in Campbell. He won't get on the field as quickly as Rodgers and Smith, who will go to teams in need, but Campbell could just as good a career. The third quarterback taken in last year's draft was Ben Roethlisberger.
brandon: Who is the best player I've never heard of?
Rick Gosselin: CB Nick Collins of Bethune Cookman.
brandon: Did Houston make a good deal with Oakland?
Rick Gosselin: The Texans obviously wanted a corner to become the heir apparent to 33-year-old Aaron Glenn. They got a good one in Buchanan. But I think the price they paid was a tad steep. I think the second and third rounds are going to be strong in this draft and the Texans gave the Raiders two choices there.
ryans: Who is the best GM in running the draft? The worst?
Rick Gosselin: Ozzie Newsome does a great job in Baltimore. He built a championship team through the draft. Tennessee, New England and Philadelphia all do a solid job year-in and year-out, and Detroit has done well in recent drafts under Matt Millen. I think the worst drafters are generally the teams that have coach-driven draft rooms. Head coaches tend to fall in love with players and reach on draft day. That's the cardinal sin in scouting --never fall in love with a player. Assume you're not going to get any of the guys on the draft board, then just select the best player on your board when it's time to pick. You can never go wrong selecting the best player on your board. Not all teams do that.
Mark in SF: if the Cowboys trade the 20th pick, what can they expect to get?
Rick Gosselin: The Cowboys want to get a third-rounder back. What they get will depend first on what player is available at 20. Secondly, it depends on how far they want to drop back. The farther you drop back, the more you get. But you'd be leaving a good player behind.
KJ: if Oklahoma's Jammal Brown is availble at the 20 pick will the Cowboys take him?
Rick Gosselin: I do think the defensive board will be picked over by then. An offensive player may be their best option. Both Brown (right tackle) and Mark Clayton (speed receiver) would address offensive needs.
michaelh: Rick, let's assume Mike Williams is there at 11 (or another offensive caliber player like him). What could the Cowboys get for him for moving down in terms of a pick(s)?
Rick Gosselin: The value in a trade down at 11 would be defense. If someone comes up, it will likely be for one of the pass rushers -- Ware, Merriman or Erasmus James. You can find pass cathcers into the fifth round of this draft. The pass rushers empty out after the first round. If you're going to trade up, trade up for the value on the board. And like I mentioned above, what you get depends on how far you want to trade back. The Cowboys would get a better package if they go back to 25 than they would to 15.