Grading Day One

[Chuck 54]

I know things fell the way Parcells wanted them to fall, but I'm still not comfortable giving it an A on paper.

I give the first 3 picks a B/B+ if Burnett can produce better than Bradie James.

While we got James in the 4th round with pick 103, Burnett in the 2nd with 42, James was actually bigger, faster, and had a higher rating by Kiper, 8.6 to 8.3.

Not saying Kiper is the man...just saying I'm not giving the draft an A yet because I think Burnett was not a homerun.

I actually thought we'd take Dan Cody, rated 9.3 and more productive, who played a standup position at Oaklahoma...I thought we might put him at the other OLB spot.

How do you guys grade the first 3 picks?

[cowboyfan4life_mark]

I know things fell the way Parcells wanted them to fall, but I'm still not comfortable giving it an A on paper.

I give the first 3 picks a B/B+ if Burnett can produce better than Bradie James.

While we got James in the 4th round with pick 103, Burnett in the 2nd with 42, James was actually bigger, faster, and had a higher rating by Kiper, 8.6 to 8.3.

Not saying Kiper is the man...just saying I'm not giving the draft an A yet because I think Burnett was not a homerun.

I actually thought we'd take Dan Cody, rated 9.3 and more productive, who played a standup position at Oaklahoma...I thought we might put him at the other OLB spot.

How do you guys grade the first 3 picks?
I think if Bullocks was there, he would be a Cowboy instead of Burnett.

[jobberone]

Very solid and addressed needs.

No nonsense approach.











n

[booboo]

I thought according to 90% of the people on this forum, that we are only able to judge a draft after 3 years?

Is this opinion from the 2002 draft?

[jksmith269]

I think with Ware and Spears both of who could have gone in the top 10 and IMO are top 10 talent just based on that then I say you gotta give an A

Now add Burnett he was rated by Sporting news as one of the top 3 OLB's then for a second round pick prob a B for him (I don't know why we passed on Crowder)

Over all a B+/A-

[Chuck 54]

I thought according to 90% of the people on this forum, that we are only able to judge a draft after 3 years?

Is this opinion from the 2002 draft?
You can't judge any draft until the players are either productive or stars or not on your team any more...still, everyone in the media and involved in mock drafts, etc, will give every team a grade...the question was simply to grade today's picks.

I'm assuming just about everyone will be happy and give it some grade between a B and A+ today....I gave it a B/B+....no opinion?

[Doomsday]

What do u think of Dallas' first 3 picks?

[Chuck 54]

I think with Ware and Spears both of who could have gone in the top 10 and IMO are top 10 talent just based on that then I say you gotta give an A

Now add Burnett he was rated by Sporting news as one of the top 3 OLB's then for a second round pick prob a B for him (I don't know why we passed on Crowder)

Over all a B+/A-
I don't know about Crowder either...unless we were hoping for Rudd inside and then opted to go back outside with Burnett.

Any opinion on Dan Cody?

[Tio]

A- still have some weaknesses.

[Chuck 54]

What do u think of Dallas' first 3 picks?
I think I got my thread up first, so you are obligated to respond there if i respond here :D ....

I loved Ware.....I was happy with Spears only because the guy in Dallas said we'd tried to move up for him 2-3 times without success, so they must have really wanted him, and imo must be truly moving to the 3-4.

I wasn't as thrilled with Burnett....he was the 3rd rated OLB, but it was a really lousy year for LB's....I was hoping Rudd would still be on the board and we'd have added an inside guy to go with Dat.

Hopefully Brady James and Burnett will get the job done...both LSU alums.

B+

[zagnut]

I can't think of a team that came out better than we did. I felt really good the year we took Roy/AB/Ross/Gurode, but AB and Ross were acknowledged headaches in school. The thing I like about this group is they're all bright, coachable guys with excellent tools. I'd go with a B+. I think we came out of the first day with the most improved team on paper.

[Doomsday]

I think I got my thread up first, so you are obligated to respond there if i respond here :D ....

I loved Ware.....I was happy with Spears only because the guy in Dallas said we'd tried to move up for him 2-3 times without success, so they must have really wanted him, and imo must be truly moving to the 3-4.

I wasn't as thrilled with Burnett....he was the 3rd rated OLB, but it was a really lousy year for LB's....I was hoping Rudd would still be on the board and we'd have added an inside guy to go with Dat.

Hopefully Brady James and Burnett will get the job done...both LSU alums.

B+

I meant to do this thread as a poll, didnt mean to step on your toes. LOL

[devotedfan]

Three value picks that filled needs. We didn't reach,...we didn't try to get fancy by trading down and fool ourselves. You'd like to get starters on day one. I defy anyone to accuse us of not getting three quality, young starters that can bring it and raise some hell. If this is not an 'A', then what is???? :eek:

[jobberone]

I thought according to 90% of the people on this forum, that we are only able to judge a draft after 3 years?

Is this opinion from the 2002 draft?

You can form an opinion but u r right. We won't no for sure until they step on the field and the final answer is done the road. U r right.

[Chuck 54]

Three value picks that filled needs. We didn't reach,...we didn't try to get fancy by trading down and fool ourselves. You'd like to get starters on day one. I defy anyone to accuse us of not getting three quality, young starters that can bring it and raise some hell. If this is not an 'A', then what is???? :eek:
I'd have preferred to stay with the 4-3, play Ware at DE, and use the #20 on a WR or FS.

Since we're clearly going to the 3-4, the Spears pick, while not flashy...that's why he was still on the board...was a good solid pick and critical.

[jterrell]

B+ right now.

Good value everywhere and didnt see anyone take a guy we wanted. Ware and Spears was pretty much a lock and after that Burnett was just good value. He was the best defender on a good SEC team. Very similar player to Thomas Davis except he was even more physical and always near the line of scrimmage.

[doomsday_II]

I give it a solid A

Consistant pressure with 4 or 5 guys is the best way to improve your team with all the defensive rule changes. It helps out everybody, even the offense giving them a shorter field.

[SacredStar]

I give it an "A"

Clayton said on ESPN radio that Dallas and Minnesota are the biggest winners thus far.

[MichaelWinicki]

A-

Ware was the 13th rated player in Ourlads
Spears was the 12th rated player in Ourlads
Burnett was the 27th rated player in Ourlads

Very good value in Spears. Excellent value in Burnett.

[adbutcher]

A with ware winning rookie of the year as the icing on the cake.

[Cbz40]

Ware ranked #11th rated player on the Cbz's Old Dudes Board.

[adbutcher]

also for those comparing spears to ellis really need to look again. spears is a whole lot more physical and nastier than ellis. ellis is a hard work, spears is just pure brute force, he is going to be scary under the tuna's tutiledge.

[JackMagist]

I have to admit that I did not get a warm fuzzy feeling about the Burnett pick. I'm not dis-ing the guy, I know very little about him but I thought there were at least equal players at other positions of greater need. I will give the first round an A+ but the second round brings the overall grade down to a B+/A. I'm not at all unhappy but I am not as happy as I would have been had we nailed down the FS position.

I know a lot of people are saying that the FS is not as important if we get the pass rush going but I disagree. If that pass rush causes the QB to throw some bad passes you still have to have someone with the talent and savey to go get the pick. I am from the old school Cliff Harris / Charlie Waters days. Having a pair of top safeties has won a lot of games for the Cowboys and I am a firm believer that the Safety positions can be key to the teams success. Just think how good we would be with Ed Reed back there with Roy.

[MichaelWinicki]

I have to admit that I did not get a warm fuzzy feeling about the Burnett pick. I'm not dis-ing the guy, I know very little about him but I thought there were at least equal players at other positions of greater need. I will give the first round an A+ but the second round brings the overall grade down to a B+/A. I'm not at all unhappy but I am not as happy as I would have been had we nailed down the FS position.

I know a lot of people are saying that the FS is not as important if we get the pass rush going but I disagree. If that pass rush causes the QB to throw some bad passes you still have to have someone with the talent and savey to go get the pick. I am from the old school Cliff Harris / Charlie Waters days. Having a pair of top safeties has won a lot of games for the Cowboys and I am a firm believer that the Safety positions can be key to the teams success. Just think how good we would be with Ed Reed back there with Roy.

Well said Jack... when teams use a three-step drop, pass rush is neutralized and you better be able to cover.

[adbutcher]

Well said Jack... when teams use a three-step drop, pass rush is neutralized and you better be able to cover.
I think the 3 step passing game plays into the strength of the 3-4, more hands in the passing lanes.

[Outlaw Heroes]

Well said Jack... when teams use a three-step drop, pass rush is neutralized and you better be able to cover.

Yeah, but a three step drop commits you to throwing underneath stuff. Chances are your FS is too deep to be covering in that situation anyway.

[big dog cowboy]

We passed on a safety when we took Burnett becasue Burnett was rated high on our board than any safety.

[big dog cowboy]

BP himself said he didn't think there was anyway we would get Ware and Spears and we did. All 3 picks were the highest rated guys on our board and weren't reaches. I give this draft an A so far.

[Natedawg44]

Anyone think we take anymore LBers day two or are we done?

[adbutcher]

Anyone think we take anymore LBers day two or are we done?
i think we need to address the FS, RB, positions in the later rounds.

[lane]

ware, good pick
spears, good pick
burnett,

[Outlaw Heroes]

Anyone think we take anymore LBers day two or are we done?

If Tuck and/or Blackstock are still available when we pick in round four, I think you have to consider another DE/LB hybrid. Either would be among the best values available.

[junk]

I liked the draft. Three guys that allow the team to play 3-4 and 4-3. Spears and Burnett were good values at the positon they were drafted. Spears can play 3-4 end, 4-3 end and 4-3 tackle.

I give it an A- for now.

[jobberone]

Ware ranked #11th rated player on the Cbz's Old Dudes Board.

Well good work old man. I didn't have as much confidence in him as most but Parcells gave me a greater comfort level with that interview. And I don't think he would blow smoke.

Kudos to u and all the other Ware backers. Hope Parcells and ya'll r right.

[Verdict]

then this draft grade should be an "A". I am really perplexed as to why we would take Ware over Merriman when Merriman is a lot bigger, and Parcells is supposed to prefer size all other things being equal. I give this a B grade. I also question the pick in Round 2 with Dan Cody still on the board.

[trickblue]

I thought according to 90% of the people on this forum, that we are only able to judge a draft after 3 years?

Is this opinion from the 2002 draft?

It's true in reality... we can all specualte this "draft grade"... but only on paper...

It takes most players a good 3-4 years to adapt to the NFL and make an impact...

Any that produce before then... well... that's pure honey...

I see many here that are going on about this draft being a bust... well... I am here to tell you at this point... you haven't a CLUE yet...

Last year in chat I took a beating on the Julius pick... too many flew off the handle not knowing anything of him... the same ones now begrudgingly admit he was a good pick... but still... Rogers is a bust... Peterman is a bust... the list goes on...

I respectfully submit that you can grade the 2000 and 2001 drafts honestly at this point...

Anything you proport at this point for this draft... postive or negative... is merely opinion on your part... grading this draft npw is fruitless...

[Cbz40]

Well good work old man. I didn't have as much confidence in him as most but Parcells gave me a greater comfort level with that interview. And I don't think he would blow smoke.

Kudos to u and all the other Ware backers. Hope Parcells and ya'll r right.


He was rated the best pass rusher in the draft, he has been compared to Haley, Suggs, and now BP said he reminded him of LT. Getting Spears at #20 was the icing on the cake. Ware will make us proud..... ;)

The Kid had a great Senior Bowl.......

We now have our best DL rotation since 93.....

[Duane]

Trick, you're sig gif is pure genius.

[adbutcher]

It's true in reality... we can all specualte this "draft grade"... but only on paper...

It takes most players a good 3-4 years to adapt to the NFL and make an impact...

Any that produce before then... well... that's pure honey...

I see many here that are going on about this draft being a bust... well... I am here to tell you at this point... you haven't a CLUE yet...

Last year in chat I took a beating on the Julius pick... too many flew off the handle not knowing anything of him... the same ones now begrudgingly admit he was a good pick... but still... Rogers is a bust... Peterman is a bust... the list goes on...

I respectfully submit that you can grade the 2000 and 2001 drafts honestly at this point...

Anything you proport at this point for this draft... postive or negative... is merely opinion on your part... grading this draft npw is fruitless...
Trick God said your sig is awesome!!!!!!!!!!

[jobberone]

It's true in reality... we can all specualte this "draft grade"... but only on paper...

It takes most players a good 3-4 years to adapt to the NFL and make an impact...

Any that produce before then... well... that's pure honey...

I see many here that are going on about this draft being a bust... well... I am here to tell you at this point... you haven't a CLUE yet...

Last year in chat I took a beating on the Julius pick... too many flew off the handle not knowing anything of him... the same ones now begrudgingly admit he was a good pick... but still... Rogers is a bust... Peterman is a bust... the list goes on...

I respectfully submit that you can grade the 2000 and 2001 drafts honestly at this point...

Anything you proport at this point for this draft... postive or negative... is merely opinion on your part... grading this draft npw is fruitless...

agreed

but u have to have opinions just to b able to draft. so it's ok to grade this one as long as u don't take it too seriously IMO.

[wileedog]

Trick, you're sig gif is pure genius.

Amen.....

[trickblue]

Trick, you're sig gif is pure genius.

Well... it started as just the pick I thought we would take... Ware... then I decided to have some fun with it by adding messages that would strike some chords among our members... starting with Matt ones in round 1... all in good fun of course... (brainpaint chided me in to it)... ;)

[CowboyManDan]

Round 1: Ware & Spears - Ware should instantly improves our pash rush. Spears gives us flexibility between the 4-3 and 3-4 and should be a very solid pro.

Round 2: Burnett - Unfortunaly I don't know alot about Burnett. But it appears he'll bring us size and depth at LB, something we need from losing Coakley and esspecially for running a 3-4 at times.

Round 3: Henson - I still think we got good value by using our 3rd on Henson. Parcells doesn't have the patience to start an inexperienced guy right now, but in a year or two he should get his chance. He's got skills.

I found it a very solid draft. Guess I'd give it an A-. Our defensive front 7 got a much needed overhaul today. Only reason I don't give it an A is we our offense hasn't gotten any help yet.

[trickblue]

agreed

but u have to have opinions just to b able to draft. so it's ok to grade this one as long as u don't take it too seriously IMO.

Exacly... and I am fine with that... it's the "bust" thing that grates on my nerves... it is impossible to determine at this point...

[mr.jameswoods]

You can't judge any draft until the players are either productive or stars or not on your team any more...still, everyone in the media and involved in mock drafts, etc, will give every team a grade...the question was simply to grade today's picks.

I'm assuming just about everyone will be happy and give it some grade between a B and A+ today....I gave it a B/B+....no opinion?

That's my grade. I think we are a solid B. I would have picked David Pollack instead of Ware which I think would have been the safer pick and the one most draft gurus and ESPN would have given us props for. I think Ware has some amazing speed and potential but he did play in a weak conference and his stats are not breathtaking by any means. I love the Spears pick though. That was a great pick!

[lane]

i'm not upset about the players we picked, i'm upset about the players we did not pick.

pollack
clayton
pool

[5mics]

A, woulda been A+ IF we got our FS and MW but guess can't have it all... ;)

[jobberone]

He was rated the best pass rusher in the draft, he has been compared to Haley, Suggs, and now BP said he reminded him of LT. Getting Spears at #20 was the icing on the cake. Ware will make us proud..... ;)

The Kid had a great Senior Bowl.......

We now have our best DL rotation since 93.....

I'm hoping u r right. We r definitely much better. I suspect we will have a pass rush now.

[jobberone]

Exacly... and I am fine with that... it's the "bust" thing that grates on my nerves... it is impossible to determine at this point...

yep

The sig thing. U know u r going to burn for your blasphemy. :)

[trickblue]

yep

The sig thing. U know u r going to burn for your blasphemy. :)

I'm a PK... I'm allowed... :D

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I know things fell the way Parcells wanted them to fall, but I'm still not comfortable giving it an A on paper.

I give the first 3 picks a B/B+ if Burnett can produce better than Bradie James.

While we got James in the 4th round with pick 103, Burnett in the 2nd with 42, James was actually bigger, faster, and had a higher rating by Kiper, 8.6 to 8.3.

Not saying Kiper is the man...just saying I'm not giving the draft an A yet because I think Burnett was not a homerun.

I actually thought we'd take Dan Cody, rated 9.3 and more productive, who played a standup position at Oaklahoma...I thought we might put him at the other OLB spot.

How do you guys grade the first 3 picks?

If an eternal pessimist like you (see your comment that Michael Irvin was just a good possession receiver) sees it as a B/B+, then it must be an A+++