JJ on The Ticket: 'Whatever it takes!' [Archive] - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Paniolo22

01-13-2006, 03:41 PM

Just saw posting on DFW Cowboy forum (occasionally read it for tidbits of info mixed in with rest of garbage) by SCOTTSOONER (nfi). He claimed to hear Norm on the Ticket talking about his interview with Jerry. Said Jerry would not be opposed to signing proven vet kicker. When Jerry was asked about priorities in the draft he said WR and LB. SCOTTSOONER hoped this meant Cowboys would push to sign OL in FA.

I hope they go young and proven in free agency. We really screwed up by not siging Mckenzie last year.

Eskimo

01-13-2006, 03:42 PM

I think it is always wise to go in the draft with the idea there are certain needs you would like to fill but you should always have the flexibility to pick a player that falls even if it does not fill a need.

This year the strength of the draft appears to match our weaknesses at LB and OL. This is not a good draft for WRs - that was two years ago.

Anyhow, this is all likely a smokescreen. If one of the LT prospects drops to us, that should be the pick even in Flo is coming back. The OL was a wreck and Pettiti, Tucker and Colombo do not impress me. I think it would be okay to fill the RT role as a vet, but I would rather start planning for Flo's potential departure or switch to RT now.

Clove

01-13-2006, 03:47 PM

Yeah I heard a piece from the Norm show, and when Norm asked Jerry if he's going all out to get to the super bowl this year, Jerry said I sure am. You have to love an owner like this, someone who will consistantly put the team in front of money and whatever else some owners put in front of winning.

He also said something about getting a proven vet at kicker. Ladies and Gentlemen, I think we're competing for the Super Bowl next season, book it!

AbeBeta

01-13-2006, 03:56 PM

How can they have draft priorities even before free agency begins? Really I think what Jerry was saying is that all things equal you usually look for LB or WR in the first instead of OL

That said, I hate seeing first rounders used on WRs -- talk about a crapshoot. WRs seem to fail more than any other position.

Rush 2112

01-13-2006, 03:58 PM

Ask Matt Millen his thoughts on picking BPA.

Bottom line is there are only 2 ways to fill your needs.

1) Free Agency

2) Draft

Only teams with no or close to no holes should go BPA.

Not even NE, INDY, Philly has done that.

ddh33

01-13-2006, 04:16 PM

Jerry likes playmakers - especially high in the draft. Bill does too. I honestly think that is what they will be looking for early in the draft. I think they are going to try to fill as many holes as possible and really cover themselves in free agency first so that they can.

Rack Bauer

01-13-2006, 04:25 PM

Just saw posting on DFW Cowboy forum (occasionally read it for tidbits of info mixed in with rest of garbage) by SCOTTSOONER (nfi). He claimed to hear Norm on the Ticket talking about his interview with Jerry. Said Jerry would not be opposed to signing proven vet kicker. When Jerry was asked about priorities in the draft he said WR and LB. SCOTTSOONER hoped this meant Cowboys would push to sign OL in FA.

I sure hope so. We don't need another young developing tackle on the team. We've got enough of those. We need a veteran.

I figure we would be pursuing a LB in the Draft. It's a good year to LBs (in the draft).

AbeBeta

01-13-2006, 04:25 PM

Ask Matt Millen his thoughts on picking BPA.

Only teams with no or close to no holes should go BPA.

Not even NE, INDY, Philly has done that.

But there is a big difference between a true BPA choice (e.g. when KC took LJ) and being committed to not reaching for players.

We clearly need a good OL player -- but you just can't take a guy who you have ranked as say the 25th best player if you are sitting there at 18 - regardless of need in the long run teams that pick higher rated players have a better draft

Doomsday101

01-13-2006, 04:28 PM

But there is a big difference between a true BPA choice (e.g. when KC took LJ) and being committed to not reaching for players.

We clearly need a good OL player -- but you just can't take a guy who you have ranked as say the 25th best player if you are sitting there at 18 - regardless of need in the long run teams that pick higher rated players have a better draft

That is why I believe in BPA that fits a need. Dallas has a few areas that need upgrading so we should be able to select the BPA and fill a need. I think the 2 need to go hand in hand.

Eskimo

01-13-2006, 04:31 PM

I sure hope so. We don't need another young developing tackle on the team. We've got enough of those. We need a veteran.

I figure we would be pursuing a LB in the Draft. It's a good year to LBs (in the draft).

It is a good LB and a good LT draft. LT prospects are as hard to come by as pass rushers and usually go in the first round. It is not often that there are five first round LT prospects in one draft. Flo is old and was never ideally suited to deal with the speed rushers at LT. In the ideal world, we draft his replacement now and then move Flo over to RT.

The one proviso I would make is if a stud pass rushing OLB is one the board, I would rank that above the LT spot because it would take our defense to another level and diversify what we could do greatly.

The interior OL spots can be filled in later rounds.

Rush 2112

01-13-2006, 04:41 PM

But there is a big difference between a true BPA choice (e.g. when KC took LJ) and being committed to not reaching for players.

We clearly need a good OL player -- but you just can't take a guy who you have ranked as say the 25th best player if you are sitting there at 18 - regardless of need in the long run teams that pick higher rated players have a better draft

LJ was a need pick because there was thought Priest's knee injury could be career threatening or he would come back a much lesser player.

If there isn't that big of a difference in grades of the players at 25 and 18 you take the position of need.

6-2/220 SS grades out at 95 ranked #18

or

6-4/250 3-4 SLB grades out at 92 ranked #25

Which one are BP and JJ taking?

What about you?

Clove

01-13-2006, 04:55 PM

LJ was a need pick because there was thought Priest's knee injury could be career threatening or he would come back a much lesser player.

If there isn't that big of a difference in grades of the players at 25 and 18 you take the position of need.

6-2/220 SS grades out at 95 ranked #18

or

6-4/250 3-4 SLB grades out at 92 ranked #25

Which one are BP and JJ taking?

What about you?I'm taking Ahmad Brooks.

Hiero

01-13-2006, 04:57 PM

Rush 2112

01-13-2006, 05:00 PM

I'm taking Ahmad Brooks.

Hasn't declared and he wouldn't go in one this year anyway.

Hiero

01-13-2006, 05:02 PM

I'm taking Ahmad Brooks.
No thanks, Ill take the guy who graduated early and is adored by his coach, over the joke who probably has never studied and has a bad attitude and is in Groh's doghouse. not to mention Brooks injury past.

Gryphon

01-13-2006, 07:10 PM

TAKEN FROM A POSTER IN ANOTHER FORUM: Norm on The Ticket......some of what Jerry said has had the ticket abuzz ever since.......some highlights:

-Norm asked Jerry when he sees how the current framework of the NFL is, and how this team improved this year from last......knowing he will have Tuna for next year anyway and Bledsoe still there.......does that give Jerry the mentality to think to himself, we will do whatever it takes to get better this off season to comptete for the SUperbowl next year? Jerry responded, "Yes Norm. Absolutely, whatever it takes."

-the general feeling around the interview seemed to be that Jerry started with the pocket book last year, fell short, but will open it up more this year. He seemed to have alot of resolve in this interview that he wants to really go for it next season, not knowing if Tuna will be here beyond that.

-Norm asked if he could see finally signing a vet FA, quality kicker..........Jerry said he can absoltely see them signing one of these types of guys this off season....does not see us drafting one, seems to want a proven quality kicker this next year. Some kickers some guys on the ticket threw around out there after the JJ interview were Longwell, Matt Bryant, and even some Vinateri talk if NE does not franchise him again............JJ made mention of no names, but was assertive in saying they would be very interested in signing a proven, quality vet pk.

-Norm asked when looking at the draft, what positions he wants to really look at, improve.......he mentioned two.......first he said WR, he then said LB..........made no mention of O-Line...........after the interview, Norm and others took that from what he was saying they do not want to start another rookie on the O-Line.......FA seems to be the insinuation there........Norm likes RT Backus from Detroit who will be a FA. Got the feeling that Tuna and JJ don't want to have to "babysit" another young, rookie, starting O-Lineman.

That was pretty much what I caught as I was in and out of the car, but The Ticket is abuzz at how Jerry proclaimed, "Whatever it takes this off season."

Seven

01-13-2006, 07:17 PM

Right on!!!

He got my email!!

Da Hammer

01-13-2006, 07:20 PM

Believe it or not the best thing that came out of that interview was Jones knowing that we need a good experienced kicker and he'll make sure we get one

notherbob

01-13-2006, 07:25 PM

Believe it or not the best thing that came out of that interview was Jones knowing that we need a good experienced kicker and he'll make we get one

:hammer:

baj1dallas

01-13-2006, 07:29 PM

Backus is a left tackle, and a crummy one at that. Not sure he'd be very good on the right. It would certainly help with his pass protecting deficiencies...but he's not a mauler either, not at all.

jlust22

01-13-2006, 07:48 PM

Backus is a left tackle, and a crummy one at that. Not sure he'd be very good on the right. It would certainly help with his pass protecting deficiencies...but he's not a mauler either, not at all.

Agreed, I don't get Norm's obsession with signing Backus. He has repeatedly said since the end of the season that the Cowboys should go really hard after Backus and sign him to a big money contract. Like you said, Backus is a LT. He started for four years at Michigan at LT and has now started for five years with Detroit at LT. I don't think moving him to RT would be a smart move. Even though he has started since day one with the Lions, he is a mediocre LT and has been somewhat of a disappointment considering where he was drafted. I am sure someone will overpay him, but I don't think it will or should be the Cowboys.

Cbz40

01-13-2006, 08:11 PM

Getting a kicker would be a good start. I would like to have a few questions answered as to what their plans are concerning the OL and WR.

KevinU

01-13-2006, 08:17 PM

I think Bill can trade down four or five spots and get Carpenter with a fourth round pick. :D

sago1

01-13-2006, 09:02 PM

So long as we upgrade our OL (particularly at center & RT), add a WR, FS, LB & PK, I don't care if we do it thru the draft or FA. I am concerned that, if we have to spend so much money in FA to add needed players (due to poor drafting), we will end up deep in cap trouble a few short years down the road. Of course if players' union & NFL don't get there act together, there won't be any cap to worry about.

dmq

01-13-2006, 09:08 PM

At least those holes are gettiing smaller.

DWAREZ

01-13-2006, 09:54 PM

Getting a kicker would be a good start. I would like to have a few questions answered as to what their plans are concerning the OL and WR.

And Free Saftey!!!

scottsp

01-13-2006, 09:56 PM

I was also very encouraged with the JJ/Norm interview today.

"I'm definitely going for it."

Loved it. Also loved what I heard regarding a veteran kicker.

Nice hearing it. Interesting to see what happens this spring.

Cbz40

01-13-2006, 09:57 PM

And Free Saftey!!!

Will not argue that point......and a stud LB while we are at it.

RW Hitman

01-13-2006, 11:08 PM

Norm asked when looking at the draft, what positions he wants to really look at, improve.......he mentioned two.......first he said WR, he then said LB

uh oh, GMs usually do not show their hand about the draft.... So is he throwing teams off? Jerry, the 'boys do need a WR and LB.

ddh33

01-13-2006, 11:53 PM

Experience at kicker and the offensive line is a good thing, in my opinion.

I think the team has young player who can develop on the line. You need someone who can play in the meantime, if necessary.

I wasn't surprised to hear Jerry mention receiver and linebacker as far as draft priorities. Jerry and Bill love their playmakers. What I'm interested in is seeing which receivers are worthy of that #18 pick. Santonio Holmes is someone I like, but there's not much else. I like Moss' speed and big play ability, but I worry about him holding up. Actually, I am kind of interested in a tight end prospect or two. I know that sounds odd, but that's kind of how the Patriots do it too.

Zman5

01-14-2006, 12:18 AM

Finally no more ex-highschool teacher, blogging scrub, Sushi chef, No way Jose wannabe kickers.

Qwickdraw

01-14-2006, 12:26 AM

Maybe JJ just doesn't want to mention drafting O-Line specifically because he wants one of the premier OTs to fall to 18.

MichaelWinicki

01-14-2006, 05:37 AM

Maybe JJ just doesn't want to mention drafting O-Line specifically because he wants one of the premier OTs to fall to 18.

Not hardly...

What he's saying is true. I've seen the list of OT's and there aren't any "Orlando Pace's" in the bunch. They all need work.

We will not be drafting an OT in the first round. Book it!

Murph80

01-14-2006, 06:27 AM

MichaelWinicki

01-14-2006, 06:44 AM

We need a playmaker in the first round out of one of these postions. WR, FS or LB. FS and LB would be a starter so it would probably be one of these postions. Defense again with our top picks. Since no one mentioned it JJ was refering to T.O. as the FA WR.

Well said...

Another reason why I don't think we'll draft a tackle in the first round.

No only will they need work they'll have to beat out both Petitti and Tucker... and I don't think that will be as easy as everyone thinks.

SultanOfSix

01-14-2006, 08:48 AM

I predict a playmaking WR (we definitely need one this year) in the first round and a LB in the second because apparently this draft is full of the latter.

Bluefin

01-14-2006, 09:15 AM

I hope they go young and proven in free agency. We really screwed up by not siging Mckenzie last year.
I was shocked Bill Parcells and Jerry Jones didn't make K-Mac priority number one in free agency knowing drew Bledsoe was a sure thing all along.

What I'm interested in is seeing which receivers are worthy of that #18 pick. Santonio Holmes is someone I like, but there's not much else. I like Moss' speed and big play ability, but I worry about him holding up.
It doesn't look like a good draft for wide receivers in the first round at present, IMO.

That can always change with the Senior Bowl and workouts/interviews, but it might be better to wait on selecting a receiver until later in the draft.

My favorite receiver in this class is Notre Dame's Maurice Stovall (6-5, 220). He erupted on the scene (69, 1149, 11TDs) with teammate Jeff Samardzija (78, 1274, 15 TDs) in Charlie Weiss' offense this past season and would make a great understudy to Keyshawn Johnson for a season or two before emerging as a starter, IMO.

Santonio Holmes' speed makes him the first receiver on the board and he may be gone by the time our pick arrives. We can always use more speed at a skill position like receiver, but I'm not sold on Holmes at this point.

Well said...

Another reason why I don't think we'll draft a tackle in the first round.

No only will they need work they'll have to beat out both Petitti and Tucker... and I don't think that will be as easy as everyone thinks.
And let's not forget project tackle Marc Columbo.

The former Bears first round draft selection may have something to say and get in the right tackle mix if his knee is finally healthy and he's physically ready for the rigors of an NFL season.

That's why we signed him to a two year deal during the season.

I predict a playmaking WR (we definitely need one this year) in the first round and a LB in the second because apparently this draft is full of the latter.
Problem being there just doesn't look to be many first round receivers in this year's crop.

I'm fine with grabbing a wideout if the right guy is on the board in round one, I just don't expect it and we mustn't resort to reaching for need ala the late 90's.

jterrell

01-14-2006, 09:19 AM

You go WR and LB early in the draft because you want to shore those positions up long term.

At OL we have Petitti, Peterman and 1001 free agents. I think that position will get addressed in FA because vets tend to play so long on the OL.

I am glad they already have begun formulating a plan of attack.

jterrell

01-14-2006, 09:34 AM

Problem being there just doesn't look to be many first round receivers in this year's crop.

I'm fine with grabbing a wideout if the right guy is on the board in round one, I just don't expect it and we mustn't resort to reaching for need ala the late 90's.

I would only argue this last portion of your post. WR is not a top heavy position this year where you have a top 3 guy or 3 top 10 guys but it is a deep 1st round caliber position. Part of the issue is some of the best guys go to lesser watched schools. Derek Hagan at ASU for example. Demetrius out of Oregon. Orr out of Wisconsin. New Mexico's Hank Bassett is a Keyshawn type. I expect at least 4 round 1 WRs lead by Santonio Holmes but they may all be between 15 and 32. I don't think picking at 18 there will be an issue there with lack of availability.

All that said I still expect we go LB in round 1 and WR in round 2.

Bluefin

01-14-2006, 09:55 AM

I would only argue this last portion of your post. WR is not a top heavy position this year where you have a top 3 guy or 3 top 10 guys but it is a deep 1st round caliber position. Part of the issue is some of the best guys go to lesser watched schools. Derek Hagan at ASU for example. Demetrius out of Oregon. Orr out of Wisconsin. New Mexico's Hank Bassett is a Keyshawn type. I expect at least 4 round 1 WRs lead by Santonio Holmes but they may all be between 15 and 32. I don't think picking at 18 there will be an issue there with lack of availability.

All that said I still expect we go LB in round 1 and WR in round 2.
You could well be right.

The fact that the receiver class isn't top heavy could easily cause a rush on wideouts at the bottom of round one due to fear they wouldn't be on the board in round two.

It's something to watch, I've never seen most of these guys play.

Parrothead

01-14-2006, 12:04 PM

It is a good LB and a good LT draft. LT prospects are as hard to come by as pass rushers and usually go in the first round. It is not often that there are five first round LT prospects in one draft. Flo is old and was never ideally suited to deal with the speed rushers at LT. In the ideal world, we draft his replacement now and then move Flo over to RT.

The one proviso I would make is if a stud pass rushing OLB is one the board, I would rank that above the LT spot because it would take our defense to another level and diversify what we could do greatly.

The interior OL spots can be filled in later rounds.
You forgot that Mike Zimmer is your defensive coordinator. Even if he has a stud pass rushing OLB, he'll find a way to coach him down to an average JOE.
Engage the OL and watch for the run first, and rush the passer second, that's Zim's philosophy. The lack of a creative pass rush is sickening. Look at the Denver game as an example, we blitzed 9 guys, left the two corners man to man, and still didn't even come close to reaching the QB. Plummer has enough time to find his receiver in the end zone.

superpunk

01-14-2006, 12:13 PM

And Free Saftey!!!

Who are you gonna find in free agency? To me it's insane to draft another player to play in a secondary that ranked 11th this year, and that with their starting RCB out for much of the season. I don't believe the cap will bear that many top notch players inone segment of the field. Our needs are;

1. OL

1a. LB

It was Davis first year. Give the kid a break, it's not like he was totally incompetent. Dallas gave up some big plays, sure, but it wasn't as bad as everyone makes it seem. The big plays were highly publicized, and that's why they seem so bad.

But let me ask you this - who do you think had a bigger impact on our secondary ranking against the pass this year? DeMarcus Ware? or Anthony Henry? IMO, it was the increased pressure we got on the QB, not necessarily the better quality of players in our secondary. Nothing disrupts a passing game like pressure, you can have all the talent in the secondary you want (i.e. the Eagles) but if you can't force the QB to get rid of it, you don't stand a chance.

Clove

01-14-2006, 12:16 PM

No thanks, Ill take the guy who graduated early and is adored by his coach, over the joke who probably has never studied and has a bad attitude and is in Groh's doghouse. not to mention Brooks injury past.Yeah, you'll keep taking Ellis types, while I take guys who can actually play football, and i'll end up with a winning team.

Clove

01-14-2006, 12:35 PM

Hasn't declared and he wouldn't go in one this year anyway.If not, I'll take Elvis Dumervill (DE) 6'0 - 255. He's a sack machine had 20 sacks this past season, and can easily be transferred into an OLB opposite Ware. I'm also looking at Gabe Watson, 6'4 335 DT... But he may not go until the 2nd.

My point is, I think JJ and BP are looking at solidifying this defense and JJ is going after it. And the best place to start is at ILB and OLB or DT.

CrazyCowboy

01-14-2006, 02:02 PM

Thanks for the recap....

Fletch

01-14-2006, 02:06 PM

Believe it or not the best thing that came out of that interview was Jones knowing that we need a good experienced kicker and he'll make sure we get one

Yeah, but you want to be good enough to not have to always rely on a field goal to win your games. And from what I am hearing, Jerry is willing to get the talent in here to win games by more than a special team's effort. :)

dwmyers

01-14-2006, 02:35 PM

But there is a big difference between a true BPA choice (e.g. when KC took LJ) and being committed to not reaching for players.

We clearly need a good OL player -- but you just can't take a guy who you have ranked as say the 25th best player if you are sitting there at 18 - regardless of need in the long run teams that pick higher rated players have a better draft

Sorry, but given the accuracy of draft analysis -- errors on the orders of whole rounds -- there is absolutely nothing wrong with going for a guy ranked 25 at 18. That's well within the margin of error in the process.

David.