You need more than a first and fifth to switch down 21 spots

[supertitan17]

especially when you can take the best running back available

[Tio]

especially when you can take the best running back available
I disagree....we needed oline help and we got it and our rb(hopefully) and now we have two number 1s next year...we raped the bills.

[jdnalls]

especially when you can take the best running back available
I couldn't have said it better myself.

Just look no further than what Tennessee got from Houston to move down fewer picks and still were in line for a dang good player.

That would have been the perfect scenario if both of the elite backs were off the board. But that wasn't the case. This one is going to sting big time and will likely sting as much, if not worse, than us passing on Moss.

Let's just hope that Buffalo has a lousy season next year where that would translate into a Top 5-10 draft pick.

[chicago JK]

I disagree also. I don't think the Bills win more than 8 games next year. Sitting with two first round picks next year will be a big deal next April. Too bad we have to wait. Buffalo made an absolute horrid move. I would have prefered we draft Jackson, but i have no idea what Buffalo is doing.

[InmanRoshi]

So if the Cowboys get the #5 pick in the draft in 2005, we still got robbed??

Puh-leaze.

[jumanji]

but we got more than a 1st and a 5th...we got a 2nd also

[NumOneQB]

So if the Cowboys get the #5 pick in the draft in 2005, we still got robbed??

Puh-leaze.

SO if Steven Jackson or Kevin Jones run for 1200+ yards, we still got robbed?

[TheJackel]

Neither Jones or Jackson are "elite" RBs. If they were, neither would have been available at 22.

This was a good trade that has potential to be a terrific trade depending on what Buffalo's record is in 04.

Dallas is doing well to be patient and build for the future.

[CrazyMonster]

Look only time will tell on that....If this becomes a top 8 pick next year we made out, if this is like an 18 pick we made the wrong move.

[NumOneQB]

but we got more than a 1st and a 5th...we got a 2nd also

People seem to forget we lost our 1st in this deal. Dallas gained 2 picks.

[Nerm]

especially when you can take the best running back available

Would you trade the RB we drafted for the RB we didn't draft, a 1st roud pick, a 5th round pick, and the cap space Dallas saved in the trade? I wouldn't and Parcells wouldn't either. I liked J. Jones a lot... Lets see how he does before we decide if this was a bad trade.

It comes down to whether you would trade J. Jones and a 1st and 5th round pick for Jackson (and the money it takes to sign a 1st round pick vs. a 2nd). I wouldn't even though I think Jackson is the better RB. The best RB available was not that much better this year.

It's the same thing in FA. The best available at a position may not be that good of a player. There were some great players in this draft. They were gone in the top 7 picks. Dallas was chosing among a bunch of good players. They decided to get two good players instead of one.

[NoDak Cowboy]

Look only time will tell on that....If this becomes a top 8 pick next year we made out, if this is like an 18 pick we made the wrong move.
I disagree. Even if it is a late 1st(which it won't be), it was a good trade.

We needed help at RB and on the OL. We got it. Both choices are definate upgrades over what we have. And both can prove to be very good players.

And on top of that, we garner an extra 1st next year, and 5th this year. (with the extra 2nd being Jones, of course)

Gravy my friends, gravy.

Cruise our rivals boards for their opinion on this. Yes, they are happy we didn't get S. Jackson. But the vast majority are VERY upset at the compensation we garnered.

And if your enemys are worried, that is a good thing.

[dallen]

I was curious about the trade so I went to nfl draft blitz and looked up the draft pick values to see what they say. Here's what I found:

Our original #22 pick - 780 points

Their 2nd round #43 overall - 470 points
Their 5th round #144 overall - 34 points

difference: 276 points, which equals the 63rd overall pick in the draft (2nd round #31).

Since Buffalo is unlikely to finish above the middle of the pack, we should get a pick around 16th (1000 points), but can obviously do no worse than #32nd (590 points).

I'd say we got a freakin' awesome deal. Of course, we'll probably have a worse year this year than we would have, but I think everyone can agree we are building for the future. And this puts us in prime position to get two impact players next year.

[NoDak Cowboy]

I was curious about the trade so I went to nfl draft blitz and looked up the draft pick values to see what they say. Here's what I found:

Our original #22 pick - 780 points

Their 2nd round #43 overall - 470 points
Their 5th round #144 overall - 34 points

difference: 276 points, which equals the 63rd overall pick in the draft (2nd round #31).

Since Buffalo is unlikely to finish above the middle of the pack, we should get a pick around 16th (1000 points), but can obviously do no worse than #32nd (590 points).

I'd say we got a freakin' awesome deal. Of course, we'll probably have a worse year this year than we would have, but I think everyone can agree we are building for the future. And this puts us in prime position to get two impact players next year.
Nice work, Dallen. Maybe that will put it in perspective for these knuckleheads. ;)

[jterrell]

People seem to forget we lost our 1st in this deal. Dallas gained 2 picks.
Yes we traded a first this year for a first next year and a second and a fifth this year. The value charts favor us. If Julius is clearly lesser than Jackson we may regret the decision but we will have 2 extra players to console ourself and nothing is written in stone that says Julius Jones isnt the better pro. Its been 3 years since a first round back was the best back in the draft.

[Mike 1967]

especially when you can take the best running back available


They did get more. They got a 1st , a 2nd and a 5th.


Especially if Jones was the player that they wanted all along.

Also add the fact that a 2nd round pick will have less salary cap impact than a 1st round pick.

[MichaelWinicki]

I was curious about the trade so I went to nfl draft blitz and looked up the draft pick values to see what they say. Here's what I found:

Our original #22 pick - 780 points

Their 2nd round #43 overall - 470 points
Their 5th round #144 overall - 34 points

difference: 276 points, which equals the 63rd overall pick in the draft (2nd round #31).

Since Buffalo is unlikely to finish above the middle of the pack, we should get a pick around 16th (1000 points), but can obviously do no worse than #32nd (590 points).

I'd say we got a freakin' awesome deal. Of course, we'll probably have a worse year this year than we would have, but I think everyone can agree we are building for the future. And this puts us in prime position to get two impact players next year.


Huzzah for you sir!

[MichaelWinicki]

Yes we traded a first this year for a first next year and a second and a fifth this year. The value charts favor us. If Julius is clearly lesser than Jackson we may regret the decision but we will have 2 extra players to console ourself and nothing is written in stone that says Julius Jones isnt the better pro. Its been 3 years since a first round back was the best back in the draft.

I think it's time to make it four.

[Mavs Man]

I was curious about the trade so I went to nfl draft blitz and looked up the draft pick values to see what they say. Here's what I found:

Our original #22 pick - 780 points

Their 2nd round #43 overall - 470 points
Their 5th round #144 overall - 34 points

difference: 276 points, which equals the 63rd overall pick in the draft (2nd round #31).

Since Buffalo is unlikely to finish above the middle of the pack, we should get a pick around 16th (1000 points), but can obviously do no worse than #32nd (590 points).

I'd say we got a freakin' awesome deal. Of course, we'll probably have a worse year this year than we would have, but I think everyone can agree we are building for the future. And this puts us in prime position to get two impact players next year.
Nice research, Dallen. And welcome to the new board.

[Phrozen Phil]

People seem to forget we lost our 1st in this deal. Dallas gained 2 picks.

We traded down to an area where the value wasn't much different. We gained a second round pick, and as a result we improve our O-Line depth and got younger. Jones will be a capable back, and more importantly, is an upgrade over THam. Next year we get an extra first round pick. When Henson is ready to play, he will have a young, but experienced Oline, a RB with talent and a year under his belt, and two first round picks that can contribute. We did not lose in this deal. We will gain in the long term. Detroit may have had sexy picks with offense, but they still need defensive help.

[blindzebra]

I was curious about the trade so I went to nfl draft blitz and looked up the draft pick values to see what they say. Here's what I found:

Our original #22 pick - 780 points

Their 2nd round #43 overall - 470 points
Their 5th round #144 overall - 34 points

difference: 276 points, which equals the 63rd overall pick in the draft (2nd round #31).

Since Buffalo is unlikely to finish above the middle of the pack, we should get a pick around 16th (1000 points), but can obviously do no worse than #32nd (590 points).

I'd say we got a freakin' awesome deal. Of course, we'll probably have a worse year this year than we would have, but I think everyone can agree we are building for the future. And this puts us in prime position to get two impact players next year.


Excellent point, and to add on that, with 2 firsts we could easily move into the top ten next year, when we will be closer to being an impact player away.

[TheSkaven]

I was curious about the trade so I went to nfl draft blitz and looked up the draft pick values to see what they say. Here's what I found:


<snip>

There's a problem with this logic - it only works if you are looking at this team over the next three to five years. If you are looking at things one year at a time, it doesn't add up.

It's not a steal for 2004. We are going into this year with a lower-rated running back instead of a 240 pound bruiser.

I still say Jerry and Bill got cute and should have drafted Jackson.

[baj1dallas]

if it's the 5th overall pick, its a good deal.


if its the 20th, we got screwed.

[big dog cowboy]

It is a good deal because there is no way the Bills will be better than 8-8. The pick we get from them will be in the 8 to 12 maybe 14 range.

[RatisBeast]

if it's the 5th overall pick, its a good deal.


if its the 20th, we got screwed.
Nope Great Deal Either way.... I'm leaning to the 5th pick....possibly 1 , 2 or 3 ? :eek:

[btcutter]

Ask ourselves this question: what is the difference between J Jones and J. Jackson running behind our OL? How big is the foreseeable difference? IMHO...it's not a big difference....however, it remains to be seen until both players steps on the field and perform. But, base on their performance this past year, I would say that they will both perform well. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if JJ outrush JJackson simply because Jackson will share carries with Ruddie.
I see us simply made out of this trade with a number 1 for next yr....5th rounders usually last 1-2 yrs in the league on average so it's not important unless you dig up a gem. But what everyone see as a first rounder will become bigger as 2005 approaches even if Bills wins the SB.

Good bargain on paper....of couse, this all depends how the players perform.

[Rahul]

I disagree also. I don't think the Bills win more than 8 games next year. Sitting with two first round picks next year will be a big deal next April. Too bad we have to wait. Buffalo made an absolute horrid move. I would have prefered we draft Jackson, but i have no idea what Buffalo is doing.

So you think it's worth sacraficing next season to have a first round pick in next seasons ' draft? For all intensive purposes, our running game is going to be relatively the same. Julius Jones is not the future RB of the Dallas Cowboys.

[Rahul]

Excellent point, and to add on that, with 2 firsts we could easily move into the top ten next year, when we will be closer to being an impact player away.

We may not have to trade any picks to move into the top 10. Without a running game again this season, we may fall into the top 10 on our own effort.

[blindzebra]

We may not have to trade any picks to move into the top 10. Without a running game again this season, we may fall into the top 10 on our own effort.

Let's see we are getting Johnson and DiNapoli back, we have added Jacobs, Peterman, and Graham, Tucker and Vollers both played well and so did Lehr. Our OL IS BETTER.

Did we not win 10 games with Hambrick? So we are going to lose 10 this year, I don't think so.

[Rahul]

Let's see we are getting Johnson and DiNapoli back, we have added Jacobs, Peterman, and Graham, Tucker and Vollers both played well and so did Lehr. Our OL IS BETTER.

Did we not win 10 games with Hambrick? So we are going to lose 10 this year, I don't think so.

Our opponents are better too except this year teams are going to take us more seriously and aren't going to be caught offguard by our game plan like they were at the beginning of last season. It's going to be tougher to win 10 this season.

[jac9k]

So you think it's worth sacraficing next season to have a first round pick in next seasons ' draft? For all intensive purposes, our running game is going to be relatively the same. Julius Jones is not the future RB of the Dallas Cowboys.
no, its not going to be the same. jjones is a legimate 2nd/3rd round draft pick.
troy hambrick was a undrafted FA that dallas tried to get by with.
it didn't work.

J Jones will hit the hole harder and with more explosion and acceleration.
He will see the holes and cut back lanes. he will catch the ball out of the backfield.
J Jones may not be a superstar, but he is most definitely an upgrade.

all of this is fairly obvious. troy is not a nfl tailback.

jac

[blindzebra]

Our opponents are better too except this year teams are going to take us more seriously and aren't going to be caught offguard by our game plan like they were at the beginning of last season. It's going to be tougher to win 10 this season.

On paper our schedule is easier than last year, and our game plan was so complex we had teams scratching their head, yeah right!

[Mavs Man]

On paper our schedule is easier than last year, and our game plan was so complex we had teams scratching their head, yeah right!
I don't think our schedule is going to be discernibly harder this season, but I do think teams will be gunning for us more. A playoff run tends to result in teams taking you more seriously.