We all have our opinions about the draft.....

[CowboyWay]

I realize we could use a LB and a Safety, but to me, I think we have such a glaring need at O-line, its not even funny. What good is having TO if you can't get him the ball? We have to make a decision on Julius soon as far as resigning him, wouldn't we like to know what he can do before we make that decision (Granted he needs to stay healthy too).

My point is this. Our defense was pretty good last year. And I expect it to be better this year, even without adding a top LB or Safety in the draft. Look at the inexperiece we had on D last year, and the first year in the 3-4. I expect great things from them this year without getting much more help.

The offense though is another matter. If Flo or Fabini go down, we're back to Pettiti.......if that happens, our season is over, just like it was last year when we had to put that hack Torrin Tucker in. Are we really that confident in Kossier? I've never even heard of the guy prior to us picking him up. What about Marco Rivera? Hurt or not, he didn't have a good year. Al Johnson stunk all season (although I heard he put on 15lbs of muscle this offseason, and if so, I think he could play). And Fabini? He's got to be a huge upgrade over Pettiti, but I hear Jets fans say he wasn't very good at all.
Picking O-lineman in the first and 2nd round isn't the most exciting thing in the world, but it is something that WILL payoff now and in the future.............

Anyway, thats my rant, I'd like to use this thread as a forum for why any of you think our first couple selections in the draft should go to LB, Safety, or anything else for that matter...............Lets hear em.

[Doomsday101]

I realize we could use a LB and a Safety, but to me, I think we have such a glaring need at O-line, its not even funny. What good is having TO if you can't get him the ball? We have to make a decision on Julius soon as far as resigning him, wouldn't we like to know what he can do before we make that decision (Granted he needs to stay healthy too).

My point is this. Our defense was pretty good last year. And I expect it to be better this year, even without adding a top LB or Safety in the draft. Look at the inexperiece we had on D last year, and the first year in the 3-4. I expect great things from them this year without getting much more help.

The offense though is another matter. If Flo or Fabini go down, we're back to Pettiti.......if that happens, our season is over, just like it was last year when we had to put that hack Torrin Tucker in. Are we really that confident in Kossier? I've never even heard of the guy prior to us picking him up. What about Marco Rivera? Hurt or not, he didn't have a good year. Al Johnson stunk all season (although I heard he put on 15lbs of muscle this offseason, and if so, I think he could play). And Fabini? He's got to be a huge upgrade over Pettiti, but I hear Jets fans say he wasn't very good at all.
Picking O-lineman in the first and 2nd round isn't the most exciting thing in the world, but it is something that WILL payoff now and in the future.............

Anyway, thats my rant, I'd like to use this thread as a forum for why they think our first couple selections in the draft should go to LB, Safety, or anything else for that matter...............Lets hear em.


I agree however I think Dallas has a few options in this draft be it OT,LB or Safety that we will not have to reach for a quality player. If there is a tackle the Cowboys really like at 18 then take him same thing about LB. Main thing to me is to get BPA that fits our needs in rd 1 of this draft and I would keep that approach through out day 1.

[Big Country]

LINEBACKER, O-LINE in first and second round... not necessarily in that order... after that NT, FS, and all the rest!!

[DragonCowboy]

1. Manny Lawson OLB (he's just a perfect piece for the Cowboys)
2. Best OT/OG on the board (I'm wavering between that or Maurice Stovall)
3. Pat Watkins FS
4-7, pick up 2 OLs, and an NT.

IMO, the Offensive Line isn't that horrible.

At the tackle positions, a healthy Flo, and a healthy Fabini will do wonders for our once Turnstile OT position. Flozell and Fabini should be able to solidify the OT position for atleast this year. I would draft 1-2 OTs for depth, but we have Petitti also, and he could show some improvement.

At the guard position, a healthy Rivera would do worlds for us, and a faster-than-LA OG in Kosier shouldn't be too much of a downgrade. I would draft 1 OG for Rivera's replacement.

At the center position, there isn't much we can really do. Just stick with Al Johnson and hope he shows some progress.

So really, I don't see us getting more than 2-3 O-Linemen in the draft. And most likely, all the draftees will be backups.

[big dog cowboy]

I realize we could use a LB and a Safety, but to me, I think we have such a glaring need at O-line, its not even funny. What good is having TO if you can't get him the ball? We have to make a decision on Julius soon as far as resigning him, wouldn't we like to know what he can do before we make that decision (Granted he needs to stay healthy too).

My point is this. Our defense was pretty good last year. And I expect it to be better this year, even without adding a top LB or Safety in the draft. Look at the inexperiece we had on D last year, and the first year in the 3-4. I expect great things from them this year without getting much more help.

The offense though is another matter. If Flo or Fabini go down, we're back to Pettiti.......if that happens, our season is over, just like it was last year when we had to put that hack Torrin Tucker in. Are we really that confident in Kossier? I've never even heard of the guy prior to us picking him up. What about Marco Rivera? Hurt or not, he didn't have a good year. Al Johnson stunk all season (although I heard he put on 15lbs of muscle this offseason, and if so, I think he could play). And Fabini? He's got to be a huge upgrade over Pettiti, but I hear Jets fans say he wasn't very good at all.
Picking O-lineman in the first and 2nd round isn't the most exciting thing in the world, but it is something that WILL payoff now and in the future.............

Anyway, thats my rant, I'd like to use this thread as a forum for why any of you think our first couple selections in the draft should go to LB, Safety, or anything else for that matter...............Lets hear em.
Drafting a OL in the first round just because you feel it is the right thing to do is wrong. The draft is all about getting value for the pick. It doesn't matter when we get our hogs (and we will get a couple) we just have to make sure we get them at the right time. Taking a player earlier than necessary is called reaching. We don't need to do that.

[garyv]

I believe the Boyz go OLB and Safety in Rounds 1 & 2. You are correct they do need Offensive Lineman bad. Their whole season revolves on whether Bledsoe gets the needed protection. In saying this there are several scenarios such as:

1. OLB
2. Safety
3. OL

OR

1. OLB
2. OL
3. Safety (Possibly risking hoping for Pat Watkins)

I personally would like to see the Boyz trading some picks even including
2007 Draft picks to fill needs:

1st Round: Manny Lawson OLB

2nd Round: Marcus McNeill OL
Eric Winston OL
Max Jean-Gilles OL

3rd Round: Darnell Bing S
Pat Watkins S

4th Round: Ryan O'Callaghan OL

Nose Tackle is also a Need for Boyz

[dallasfaniac]

BPA, period.

I'm sorry, but everyone that says draft this position in the second, this position in the third etc. etc. is just, well, wrong. We don't know and will not know who will be available until it is our pick.

Let's say that Bush falls all the way to us at 18. You can bet there's no way we take the 3rd best linebacker or 3rd best OT before we took him, even though we have both Julius and Marion and have needs at other positions. Now here we sit in the second having taken Bush, it's our pick and Vernon Davis is miraculously sitting there. Do you reach and take a FS just because it's a need? No, you take Vernon even though you have Witten. Now obviously neither of these scenarios would ever happen, but I think it kind of gets the point across.

I have created a database with players and where I think they will land and a numeric value that ranks them in different tiers. If it's my pick at 18 and a tier one player sits there that has much more value than a player at a need position, I take the tier one player. If a tier one drops but he doesn't have that much seperating from a need position then I would probably say take the other position or try to move down a few picks. Anyway, you never know who will be available so it's all moot.

[theogt]

BPA, period.

I'm sorry, but everyone that says draft this position in the second, this position in the third etc. etc. is just, well, wrong. We don't know and will not know who will be available until it is our pick.

Let's say that Bush falls all the way to us at 18. You can bet there's no way we take the 3rd best linebacker or 3rd best OT before we took him, even though we have both Julius and Marion and have needs at other positions. Now here we sit in the second having taken Bush, it's our pick and Vernon Davis is miraculously sitting there. Do you reach and take a FS just because it's a need? No, you take Vernon even though you have Witten. Now obviously neither of these scenarios would ever happen, but I think it kind of gets the point across.

I have created a database with players and where I think they will land and a numeric value that ranks them in different tiers. If it's my pick at 18 and a tier one player sits there that has much more value than a player at a need position, I take the tier one player. If a tier one drops but he doesn't have that much seperating from a need position then I would probably say take the other position or try to move down a few picks. Anyway, you never know who will be available so it's all moot.I'm sorry but anyone who says its best to pick "BPA, period." is wrong. It's just as ridiculous as picking solely based on need. You weigh your need and BPA and make the optimal choice. Purely drafting BPA is absurd and is considered as such by everyone but a few silly fans.

[Hostile]

There are 2 ways to win it all.

1. Have a dominant defense. (Hold opponents under 15 points per game)

2. Have a dominant offense. (Score over 28 points per game.)

We're closer to the dominant defense than we are to the dominant offense. I think we should draft 2 O-lineman in this Draft but they need to be OG and C and not in round 1. Maybe not in round 2 if a top notch NT, LB or FS is there.

Give Bledsoe and Parcells a defense that holds teams to 14 points per game and with the pieces we hav eon offense right now, we can win a lot of games.

Add young OL and leave the gaps at SOLB and FS, maybe NT not addressed and I think we finish 8-8 or 9-7. A couple of O-lineman do not put this team far enough ahead. We're not going to go from a 20 points per game offense to a 30 points per game offense just by getting more OL help.

[theogt]

Or 3. Have an above average offense and an above average defense. See the patriots.

[Hostile]

Or 3. Have an above average offense and an above average defense. See the patriots.Look at the points per game they allowed. They were better than above average.

[theogt]

Look at the points per game they allowed. They were better than above average.True, but the point is that they were a well-balanced team, unlike Tampa Bay (#1 defense) or Oakland (#1 offense) in their SB.

[DragonCowboy]

There are 2 ways to win it all.

1. Have a dominant defense. (Hold opponents under 15 points per game)

2. Have a dominant offense. (Score over 28 points per game.)

We're closer to the dominant defense than we are to the dominant offense. I think we should draft 2 O-lineman in this Draft but they need to be OG and C and not in round 1.

Hey Hostile,

You sure we won't need another OT in the draft? We have Flozell and Fabini, who IMO (and I'll admit, I don't know much) are getting up there with age. Of course, we have Petitti, but what do you think?

There are good guards in the draft, but which OCs do you think we can draft? I was under the impression that only Nick Mangold was worth a pick, and he's supposed to be a second rounder.

[peplaw06]

I realize we could use a LB and a Safety, but to me, I think we have such a glaring need at O-line, its not even funny. What good is having TO if you can't get him the ball? We have to make a decision on Julius soon as far as resigning him, wouldn't we like to know what he can do before we make that decision (Granted he needs to stay healthy too).

My point is this. Our defense was pretty good last year. And I expect it to be better this year, even without adding a top LB or Safety in the draft. Look at the inexperiece we had on D last year, and the first year in the 3-4. I expect great things from them this year without getting much more help.

The offense though is another matter. If Flo or Fabini go down, we're back to Pettiti.......if that happens, our season is over, just like it was last year when we had to put that hack Torrin Tucker in. Are we really that confident in Kossier? I've never even heard of the guy prior to us picking him up. What about Marco Rivera? Hurt or not, he didn't have a good year. Al Johnson stunk all season (although I heard he put on 15lbs of muscle this offseason, and if so, I think he could play). And Fabini? He's got to be a huge upgrade over Pettiti, but I hear Jets fans say he wasn't very good at all.
Picking O-lineman in the first and 2nd round isn't the most exciting thing in the world, but it is something that WILL payoff now and in the future.............

Anyway, thats my rant, I'd like to use this thread as a forum for why any of you think our first couple selections in the draft should go to LB, Safety, or anything else for that matter...............Lets hear em.

The thing with this is, if you draft an OT in the first round, with Fabini and Flo, there's little chance that the rookie will start from the first game. You're essentially drafting for depth. We don't have a OLB opposite Ware who can rush the QB. I don't think we can depend on Singleton. That's why I think OLB is the more pressing need, but like we've been saying, not if we have to reach for a player.

There's a lot of depth in this draft at OT and OLB, so we don't HAVE to draft one position in the first or one position in the second. We can find the BPA according to our needs.... we also need to get some youth in the WR corp. That's why we need to keep a level head and not fear that our OLine won't stay healthy. Fear causes you to reach.

[Hostile]

Hey Hostile,

You sure we won't need another OT in the draft? We have Flozell and Fabini, who IMO (and I'll admit, I don't know much) are getting up there with age. Of course, we have Petitti, but what do you think?

There are good guards in the draft, but which OCs do you think we can draft? I was under the impression that only Nick Mangold was worth a pick, and he's supposed to be a second rounder.I'm not sold on Kosier at all. Rivera scares me. AJ does too.

Mangold at Center would be great in the 2nd.

Lutui or Spencer at OG would be good too.

[Crown Royal]

While we have needs, we have come far enough in the last 3 years that we can truly start to draft BPA or trade around to get value, much like the Pats, Eagles and Steelers have been building. We have been lucky the last year, and didn't suffer too bad from 04, that we can be kinda flexible now.

[BigDFan5]

I realize we could use a LB and a Safety, but to me, I think we have such a glaring need at O-line, its not even funny. What good is having TO if you can't get him the ball? We have to make a decision on Julius soon as far as resigning him, wouldn't we like to know what he can do before we make that decision (Granted he needs to stay healthy too).

The glaring need is for a starting OLB and FS, We already have our starters at the 5 line positions, but no starters for OLB and FS

As for JJ we have a couple more years before we even have to think about his contract

My point is this. Our defense was pretty good last year. And I expect it to be better this year, even without adding a top LB or Safety in the draft. Look at the inexperiece we had on D last year, and the first year in the 3-4. I expect great things from them this year without getting much more help.

No way should we go into this season with Keith Davis at FS, he is a special teamer thats his niche. OLB we have NOBODY to take pressure off of Ware. We need a threat on the other side to help our passrush so we can disguise who is coming.

The offense though is another matter. If Flo or Fabini go down, we're back to Pettiti.......if that happens, our season is over, just like it was last year when we had to put that hack Torrin Tucker in.

Which is why we may take an OLineman later on, but not round 1

Are we really that confident in Kossier? I've never even heard of the guy prior to us picking him up.

He did well last year, and the coaches thought enough of him to make him #1 priority. You having heard of him is not a required element in his skill set.

What about Marco Rivera? Hurt or not, he didn't have a good year.

Marco Rivera hurt < Marco Rivera Healthy


Al Johnson stunk all season (although I heard he put on 15lbs of muscle this offseason, and if so, I think he could play).

While he is not spectacular, he is lambasted more on this site than he deserves to be.

And Fabini? He's got to be a huge upgrade over Pettiti, but I hear Jets fans say he wasn't very good at all.

A fan of another team putting down a player that signed somewhere else? You dont say.


Picking O-lineman in the first and 2nd round isn't the most exciting thing in the world, but it is something that WILL payoff now and in the future.............

It wouldn't pay off now at all since they would be backups right now.

[dallasfaniac]

I'm sorry but anyone who says its best to pick "BPA, period." is wrong. It's just as ridiculous as picking solely based on need. You weigh your need and BPA and make the optimal choice. Purely drafting BPA is absurd and is considered as such by everyone but a few silly fans.

I assume you stopped reading after the first line. If you look at the second to last sentence, you will see I say that if there is a person that is slightly better then another who is in a position of need then you take the lower rated player or trade down. I say BPA period, because the Cowboys don't have any glaring holes despite statements otherwise. A glaring need is one that you need to throw a first round pick at, and you can't have a first round pick everywhere.

[theogt]

I assume you stopped reading after the first line. If you look at the second to last sentence, you will see I say that if there is a person that is slightly better then another who is in a position of need then you take the lower rated player or trade down. I say BPA period, because the Cowboys don't have any glaring holes despite statements otherwise. A glaring need is one that you need to throw a first round pick at, and you can't have a first round pick everywhere.So you're saying "BPA only where the BPA is clearly better than the players in the position of need."

Well I can agree with that, as it seems pretty obvious. It's nowhere near "BPA period", though.

[DragonCowboy]

I'm not sold on Kosier at all. Rivera scares me. AJ does too.

Mangold at Center would be great in the 2nd.

Lutui or Spencer at OG would be good too.

Actually, IMO, Rivera will be fine, just a hunch though, baseless for the most part.

So would we have to trade up for Mangold in the 2nd, or will he be there when we pick? There are so many ways we can go with this draft, I just can't wait. There are two avenues that I would love though.

Plan 1:

Offseason: Marcus Coleman, Jerald Sowell

Draft:
1. Manny Lawson OLB
2. Nick Mangold OC
3. Deuce Lutui OG (would he be there at our 3rd pick?)
4-7 (pick up a WR and an NT, along with others)

IMO, Plan 1 will solidify the OL for a good amount of time, with just OT a problem for the future (but fine for now), and make it one of the better OLs. The LB corp would be great for a decade. The WR corps might be getting a bit old, and we would definitely have to use a pick for a WR in the next drafts. Hopefully, we'll get a good NT, and good FS's can be taken in the later rounds. In the meanwhile, Marcus Coleman will help out in the FS position.

So then, the only problems for now would be NT, which would depend on Ferguson staying healthy. QB and WR would need to be looked at in the future, but we would look like a great team for a long time.


Plan 2:

Offseason: Jerald Sowell, maybe Marcus Coleman

Draft:
1. Manny Lawson OLB
2. Maurice Stovall WR
3. Pat Watkins FS
4-7 (pick up a OL, NT, OLB, etc..)

IMO, Plan 2 would help out the LB core and the FS position, along with the WR position on offense. OL would still be a problem, not to mention NT.


I've gotta admit, I was looking at Plan 2, but you've got me looking at Plan 1. I would be very happy if Plan 1 happens. With Plan 1, the only future problems I see coming up are WR(old WRs), QB(Bledsoe's up there), and MAYBE OL(but probably not). This would leave us with a huge playoff push opportunity. Thanks for the input, Hostile.

[dbair1967]

I'm not sold on Kosier at all. Rivera scares me. AJ does too.

Mangold at Center would be great in the 2nd.

Lutui or Spencer at OG would be good too.

so how do you know Mangold and Latui arnt the 2nd comings of Johnson and Gurode? and the two guys we drafted were carrying higher draft grades than both those guys are right now

interior OL's are almost always a waste of high picks

David

[bobbie brewskie]

Olineman who go in round 1 are drafted as STARTERS, so drafting a Olineman with the $ we pay our players would be stupid. 1st round OL is drafted to start and anything after that has a small chance to start and usually spends time riding the bench and learning. Oline in 1st round is bad idea IMO.

[CowboyWay]

There are 2 ways to win it all.

1. Have a dominant defense. (Hold opponents under 15 points per game)

2. Have a dominant offense. (Score over 28 points per game.)

We're closer to the dominant defense than we are to the dominant offense. I think we should draft 2 O-lineman in this Draft but they need to be OG and C and not in round 1. Maybe not in round 2 if a top notch NT, LB or FS is there.

Give Bledsoe and Parcells a defense that holds teams to 14 points per game and with the pieces we hav eon offense right now, we can win a lot of games.

Add young OL and leave the gaps at SOLB and FS, maybe NT not addressed and I think we finish 8-8 or 9-7. A couple of O-lineman do not put this team far enough ahead. We're not going to go from a 20 points per game offense to a 30 points per game offense just by getting more OL help.

I disagree. I think our offense can be quite good if Bledsoe just has 1 more second to throw the ball. The best defense is a good offense. What if we could just average 1 more first down per drive. That gets us an average of at least 10 yards more in feild position, something we all know bill parcells loves.

2. Look at our offensive guys. Glenn, TO, Bledsoe. These guys are at the tail end of their careers. We need to bring OL in now to contribute right away, we can't wait a year or two to bring them in and develop them.

My biggest concern is that we bring in a couple O-lineman late in the draft. You end up getting trash......see rob pettiti.

[Manster68]

1. Manny Lawson OLB (he's just a perfect piece for the Cowboys)
2. Best OT/OG on the board (I'm wavering between that or Maurice Stovall)
3. Pat Watkins FS
4-7, pick up 2 OLs, and an NT.

IMO, the Offensive Line isn't that horrible.

At the tackle positions, a healthy Flo, and a healthy Fabini will do wonders for our once Turnstile OT position. Flozell and Fabini should be able to solidify the OT position for atleast this year. I would draft 1-2 OTs for depth, but we have Petitti also, and he could show some improvement.

At the guard position, a healthy Rivera would do worlds for us, and a faster-than-LA OG in Kosier shouldn't be too much of a downgrade. I would draft 1 OG for Rivera's replacement.

At the center position, there isn't much we can really do. Just stick with Al Johnson and hope he shows some progress.

So really, I don't see us getting more than 2-3 O-Linemen in the draft. And most likely, all the draftees will be backups.


DragonCowboy,

We are definately on the same wavelength here.

There will be offensive linemen available after the first round.

If the Cowboys can acquire a player that can tip the scales (aka Manny Lawson), then a player like that cannot be passed up.

Remember, it is the draft where teams are supposed to be acquiring their superstars. Free agency is for filling immediate holes.

Of course, Terrell Owens doesn't exactly fit that statement. Then again, I didn't want Owens in Dallas.

[AsthmaField]

Of course, taking the BPA is always a good thing, and we've done well enough acquiring players since Parcells has been here that we can do that. Like someone already said though... you don't want to completely ignore needs when drafting BPA, either.

I keep looking at it and I keep coming back to LB in round 1 for Dallas.

Parcells has either said he isn't crazy about taking these positions in round 1 or his history says he isn't: WR, OG, C, and FB. That leaves QB, RB, OT, TE, NT, DE, OLB, ILB, CB, and S.

Of those positions, I just don't see us going QB, RB, TE, DE, CB, or S.
*I think Parcells likes the developmental QB's that we have (Romo, Henson).
*I also think Bill is happy with the combined skills of Julius Jones, Marion Barber, and Tyson Thompson at RB.
*While Parcells loves the TE position, with a young pro bowler there in Witten and a young FA acquisition there in Hannam, I can't see us going TE in round 1 unless V. Davis is sitting there at 18 somehow.
*We're set at DE with Spears, Canty, Ellis, Ratliff and Coleman.
*We're also set at CB with a top 5 pick in Newman and two very good FA pickups in Henry and Glenn. Those three might be the best top 3 CB's on any team. Plus, Parcells really likes Reeves and I think he will be a good one.
*I can't see us going S in round 1 because we have so much money already tied up in the secondary (Bill and Jerry both said that before last year's draft) and that is a position that teams usually try to fill outside of round 1. Plus, Jerry recently said that he didn't see us using either of our top two picks at S.

Those positions being out of consideration, leaves OT, NT, ILB, and OLB.

With us having signed Fabini, OT is no longer a pressing need. With Adams, Fabini, Petitti and Columbo, I think Dallas doesn't plan on using the 18th pick on an OT. If someone they have rated very highly is sitting there, I think they'd pull the trigger, but otherwise I think they go into the season with what we have. Maybe a later round developmental guy added to that list, but pretty much status quo.

At NT, with Glover gone, we definatley could use some depth... but why would a team that is by all accounts pushing for all the marbles this year, use their first round pick on a player that will be a backup? Personally, I'm not completely against that idea and if Ngata falls and Dallas loves the guy, I say take him at 18 and give him 50% of the snaps. He would help Ferguson out a lot and make the DL rotation a very, very good one. Still, it is doubtful that we'd draft depth in the first round.

That leaves OLB and ILB.
*Parcells has shown time and again throughout his career that he'll use a first round pick on a LB in a heartbeat.
*Parcells and Jerry both have talked about the importance of the LB corps in a 34 defense.
*We have a gaping hole at SOLB, with only an aging veteran coming off injury sitting there... and he never did fit the defense to begin with.
*I think both Jerry and Bill see the empty SOLB position being filled with quality as an important factor in the development of last year's first round pick, Demarcus Ware. In other words, they know that if we have a dangerous pass rusher at SOLB, Ware will be much, much more effective player than if we just have a guy at that spot. Take away the constant chipping from TE's and RB's, and all the double and triple teams that Ware saw, and he would've easily had double digit sacks and been a constant harassment for the offense. Put a player like Lawson or Wimbley opposite Ware and watch what happens. If the offense continues to pay all of the attention to Demarcus, Lawson or Wimbley would make them pay in a hurry. It would be a classic catch 22 for the offense.
*This is a very good year for OLB/tweener's. Lawson, Wimbley, Carpenter... they all represent good value for a 3-4 team in the first round. Athletically speaking, they're top ten talents. Because they play LB (Carpenter) or because they're tweener's and just too small to play full-time DE (Lawson, Wimbley), they'll slide down farther than their talents and athletic ability warrants. So by us using our first rounder on them, we get talent that is very nearly top ten talent... but we get it much farther down in the first round.
*Along those lines, the BPA for us, very likely will be at the OLB position because of their propensity to slide in the first round.

So, thinking it through logically, it's hard for me to see us using the 18th pick on anything other than OLB. I just keep coming back to that position every time I think about which way we'll go at 18.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Others have said it and I agree.

BPA that also fits a need.

Unless someone like Winston Justice or Brick fall (which I see no way Brick falls and it appears Winston has impressed enough now that he will not fall) then go with LB

I happen to think the LBs that will be available when we pick we be better then the OTs that will be there at 18.

I am really thinking and hoping that we trade down a few picks to get an extra third.

I think we get our O-Linemen in the second round (unless another player is such a great value falls). We have a trend of taking an Oline in the second round and I think the trend continues, I just hope the trend of them not panning out changes. If Charles Spencer falls he may be someone we would love to take.

On a side note, I found the following post very impressive and think others that do not venture to other parts of this board should see this since they may miss it.

http://dallascowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53114

[MichaelWinicki]

It will be an OLB unless Huff falls to us at #18.

[big dog cowboy]

My biggest concern is that we bring in a couple O-lineman late in the draft. You end up getting trash......see rob pettiti.
That is a uncalled for cheap shot. How do you know how good he will be in the future?

[AsthmaField]

It will be an OLB unless Huff falls to us at #18.

I think so too, Mike.

Given Jerry's comments earlier in the week along the lines that if a CB (that we have highly rated) fell to us in the draft, we could go in that direction and move an existing player to FS... do you think Huff would play CB or FS if we took him at 18? If you think he'd play CB... who do you think would go to FS? Henry?

[Bluefin]

It will be an OLB unless Huff falls to us at #18.OLB needs to be addressed more than once in the draft at this point, IMO.

We've got DeMarcus Ware on the right side and the unproven Kalen Thornton behind him and that's it.

Al Singleton isn't a 3-4 outside linebacker and Kevin Burnett is rehabbing a late season ACL tear to go along with his lack of experience at the position.

We need another starter, a quality reserve and a few bodies for the practice squad wouldn't hurt my feelings, either.

So the OLB need is obvious just like improving depth on the offensive line.

But where does NT/DT fit in?

With La'Roi Glover gone, we now have a big need inside on defense.

[MichaelWinicki]

I think so too, Mike.

Given Jerry's comments earlier in the week along the lines that if a CB (that we have highly rated) fell to us in the draft, we could go in that direction and move an existing player to FS... do you think Huff would play CB or FS if we took him at 18? If you think he'd play CB... who do you think would go to FS? Henry?


Boy... good questions.

Who would play better at CB in '06-- Henry or Huff? My guess is Henry.

Who would play better at FS in '06-- Henry or Huff? That's probably a bit closer.

My guess is Huff would end up being the FS IF we had the opportunity to draft him.

Get us an OLB in round 2 and a OL in round 3 and I'm a happy camper! ;)

[tyke1doe]

I guess I'll add my two cents.

I say go defense, particularly a pass rush linebacker, then a defensive tackle and then an offensive lineman.

Why?

1. If Manny Lawson is anything close to DeMarcus Ware, then we have our pass rush. Teams won't be able to defend against both guys coming off the edge. And, remember, Ware was excellent against the run.

2. A great pass rush negates the need for an outstanding free safety. Teams don't have to cover as long with a strong pass rush, so remove free safety from the top draft picks.

3. Aside from Ferguson and Ratliff, we do we have as a NT? That's an important cog in the 3-4 scheme. I'm skeptical of using #18 on Gabe Watson because of his mediocre, on-again-off-again playing tendencies. But if he drops to the second round, he would satisfy a need and be a BPA.

4. Of course, there's offensive tackle/guard we need to worry about, though not with a No. 1 pick. No rookie is likely to beat out who we have now. But if someone gets injured or is unable to perform, then we need someone to step in. Our offensive production depends greatly on the play of our offensive line, particularly with Drew Bledsoe behind center.

5. Although we need to groom receiving talent, it's unlikely that TO, Glenn and Crayton all get injured this year. Plus, we can always get a good wide receiver in free agency. Their value isn't what it used to be and they're a dime a dozen now. (See the TO acquisition.) I don't think that position is very important in terms of us having to invest a high pick (first or second round, that is).

What I'd like is ...

First Round, ... A.J. Hawk (yeah, I know he's not falling this far) Manny Lawson, Bobby Carpenter/ LT

Second Round, ... Gab Watson/ DT

Third Round, ... Deuce Latui, Davin Joseph, Chris Spencer/ OT-OG

Fourth Round, ... (assuming we make a trade) Anthony Smith/ FS.

[xpistofer]

My biggest concern is that we bring in a couple O-lineman late in the draft. You end up getting trash......see rob pettiti.

that's just silly.

a late rounder who started all 16 games as a rookie? you call that trash?
i call that the kind of hidden gem you need in order to build a super bowl roster.

c'mon, dude...
be real.

[vlad]

OL to me is by far the biggest need, but judging from the way the team has addressed it thus far, it looks like I don't know what the hell I'm talking about...

I seem to remember a season, even pre-Flo injury where yeah, maybe the pass protection was decent, maybe, but the run blocking was horrendous. Make that, absolutely horrendous.

My only thinking is after investing all that money in Rivera and getting burned by his performance last year, they are hesitant to find some other guys at a reasonable price because the quality ones in that price range would be older as well. My guess is that they would like to keep the older veterans down to Rivera and Flo.

Also, while I hope it won't be an issue, I have no idea how Flo will come back. Hopefully as good as ever, but that was a big injury and it's not like we're dealing with some super-fit WR. These guys carry wayyy too much weight and their legs are constantly stressed.

I just think it’s MUCH easier to mask a smaller weakness at LB than it would be to mask a larger weakness at:
LT: Let's give Flo the benefit of the doubt, I have a feeling he'll come back strong
LG: Kozier? Backup for Detroit, again I'm not one of these guys on the board who thinks watching Sportscenter makes them a qualified scout; I'm going to hope the department knew what they were doing here. But for every Henry you have to remember Wiley...I'd say this is an obvious question mark
C: This one I can't figure out. It’s like our coaches screw these guys up. Remember how good Gurode was I believe under Hudson Hawk his rookie year (Campo era)? Of course remember how good A. Bryant was that year as well. And Al Johnson showed promise as well, I can't believe he is that weak, but both these guys are still young and I'm hoping Johnson gets that strength this year and Gurode can hopefully pick up his quickness/smarts and move to one of the guards.
RG: Rivera seems like a hard working guy, an honest guy evidenced by his volunteering his signing bonus back last year after he got hurt. I'm chalking last year up to injury although I have just READ he was good in GB, never watched him play (or at least focused on him for even 1 second in GB). So I will say we are good here.
RT: Petiti/Fabini - I hope Fabini pans out. I hope Petiti develops; he seems to have the tools. But neither of the tackles is a position you want to try to develop on a Superbowl run. Question mark here (as Fabini I believe is coming off a chest injury or something)

So that leaves a injury question at left tackle, unknown previous backup at LG, two centers that each appear to have half of what the other needs, but neither is complete yet (and maybe never), will RG return to pre-Cowboy form after a back injury which are the worst (I have a bad back) and in his 30s, and RT you hope for rookie improvement and not sophmore slump (now that D. Coordinators have a full year's worth of film on him) and hope a FA tackles comes back well of an injury. I do have a hope for LT, RT, G, C, which is maybe all you can ask, but i'd still rather take another swing at OL before worrying about LB unless the value is that drastically different.

good opinions guys, its while i like this board.


Let's hope for the best.