After 8 games... draft class is huge disappointment

[Silverstar]

Here's my take on these rookies after 8 games...

1. Bobby "I can't get on the field" Carpenter has become the invisible man this year. This kid was supposed to be a dynamo on defense for us and has been a limp noodle since arriving in Dallas. Waiting for other players like Ellis and Singleton to leave Dallas, is not the way a 1st round pick should break into the lineup.

2. Anthony "mental errors" Fasano is hardly open, has dropped passes and his blocking is mediocre at best IMO. This kid was supposed to have "smarts" coming from Notre Dame and was considered the best blocking TE in college. He's made just about every type of penalty you can from his position, He literally fell down today, with about 20 yards in front of him and nobody there.

3. Jason "I'm fighting injuries" Hatcher was doing well early in the year, but now has decided to join his draft class in mediocreville. He's the best player of his class at this point and that's not saying much.

4. Skyler "I'm just glad to be here" Green has shown relatively nothing in the return game and provides no spark whatsoever. He runs like he's playing in mud and rarely makes the first tackler miss. He shouldn't be playing at all IMO.

5. Pat "I can't turn my head back" Watkins is sorely lacking in fundamental techniques in coverage. He's got some speed and range, but is terrible at locating the ball in the air and defenses were targeting him with good reason. Now, he can't even make the active roster for ST's, because he tackles like a girl.

6. Montavious "I can do the talking but not the walking" Stanley never made it out of TC and was released for poor play at NT. Stanley might get invited to TC next year, but I doubt it with the signing of Parker and a new class rookies and UDFA's coming in.

7a. Pat "I'm Parcells' boy" McQuistan showed enough in preseason to make Rob Pettiti expendable. He's nothing but a prospect with potential right now and that's it. If Adams went down, would he really perform better than Tucker did last year? Who knows, but the fact we're relying on a small school 7th round prospect, who almost quit football is a little troubling.

7b. E.J. "I got drafted!" Whitley was supposed to give the OL some versatility as a backup, since he played both G/C in college. However, he never made it out of TC with a season ending injury. Weighing in at only 293lbs, I question why we even drafted this guy in the first place. Practice squad player at best next year, but I'd rather see him go.


Grade - D

This rookie class has performed poorly, but Hatcher's play early in the year saves it from being an "F" grade.

[QT]

I agree. Looks like Jeff Ireland isn't the great talent finder as most of the people here thought he was.

[Bob Sacamano]

rant zone anyone?

[InmanRoshi]

The 8 game mark is the perfect opportunity to grade a draft class.

[Shotgun Dave]

The 8 game mark is the perfect opportunity to grade a draft class.

True, but it's hardly a mind-blowing group at this point.

[Bach]

rant zone anyone?

Truth zone

[Bob Sacamano]

Truth zone

we haven't started the half-truth one yet Bach, give it time, these posts are growing in #

[TwoSteppinJJ]

Fasano hasnt been dropping passes...

[TheNatureBoy]

Carpenter should have been Mangold- end of

[DallasDW00ds0n]

you gave them a D ?!
how generous

this was the worst draft ever and it might come back to bite us in the butt later. this draft was an F

[Dave_in-NC]

Fasano hasnt been dropping passes...


I didn't think he wore number 81.:)

[BAZ]

Here's my take on these rookies after 8 games...

1. Bobby "I can't get on the field" Carpenter has become the invisible man this year. This kid was supposed to be a dynamo on defense for us and has been a limp noodle since arriving in Dallas. Waiting for other players like Ellis and Singleton to leave Dallas, is not the way a 1st round pick should break into the lineup.

2. Anthony "mental errors" Fasano is hardly open, has dropped passes and his blocking is mediocre at best IMO. This kid was supposed to have "smarts" coming from Notre Dame and was considered the best blocking TE in college. He's made just about every type of penalty you can from his position, He literally fell down today, with about 20 yards in front of him and nobody there.

3. Jason "I'm fighting injuries" Hatcher was doing well early in the year, but now has decided to join his draft class in mediocreville. He's the best player of his class at this point and that's not saying much.

4. Skyler "I'm just glad to be here" Green has shown relatively nothing in the return game and provides no spark whatsoever. He runs like he's playing in mud and rarely makes the first tackler miss. He shouldn't be playing at all IMO.

5. Pat "I can't turn my head back" Watkins is sorely lacking in fundamental techniques in coverage. He's got some speed and range, but is terrible at locating the ball in the air and defenses were targeting him with good reason. Now, he can't even make the active roster for ST's, because he tackles like a girl.

6. Montavious "I can do the talking but not the walking" Stanley never made it out of TC and was released for poor play at NT. Stanley might get invited to TC next year, but I doubt it with the signing of Parker and a new class rookies and UDFA's coming in.

7a. Pat "I'm Parcells' boy" McQuistan showed enough in preseason to make Rob Pettiti expendable. He's nothing but a prospect with potential right now and that's it. If Adams went down, would he really perform better than Tucker did last year? Who knows, but the fact we're relying on a small school 7th round prospect, who almost quit football is a little troubling.

7b. E.J. "I got drafted!" Whitley was supposed to give the OL some versatility as a backup, since he played both G/C in college. However, he never made it out of TC with a season ending injury. Weighing in at only 293lbs, I question why we even drafted this guy in the first place. Practice squad player at best next year, but I'd rather see him go.


Grade - D

This rookie class has performed poorly, but Hatcher's play early in the year saves it from being an "F" grade.

How does one player doing OK for a couple of games upgrade it to a D? From everything you wrote it looks like a F. You make some great points about a lot of them but I think you are being overly unfair on Watkins and Fasano, sure they have made mistakes but it's to be expected with rookies walking into starting positions. Watkins might be raw but he has potential, I think it's more a coaching error to have a fifth round pick walk into a starting job.

[Fan Since 77]

Honestly, you really can't grade a draft until two or three years down the road. You are grading them on how they have performed through 8 games. Well, I can go through almost every team in the NFL and give those same grades out. 8 games dude.

[Silverstar]

How does one player doing OK for a couple of games upgrade it to a D? From everything you wrote it looks like a F. You make some great points about a lot of them but I think you are being overly unfair on Watkins and Fasano, sure they have made mistakes but it's to be expected with rookies walking into starting positions. Watkins might be raw but he has potential, I think it's more a coaching error to have a fifth round pick walk into a starting job.

When those mistakes cost games, by killing drives or giving up TD's you can't play nice and say they are only rookies.

Too much is on the line!

[CrazyCowboy]

A big fact F from me!

[bbgun]

I really thought Fasano would be a much bigger threat in the passing game. He finally catches a big one then falls down? , what a klutz.

[DCDave]

Personally, I think Carpenter and Fasano will be players. Hatcher, too. And Parcells seems to think that McQuistan will be the left tackle of the future. And don't forget, in your analysis, Oliver Hoyte, who seems like a good fullback, Sam Hurd, who appears to be a good receiving prospect, and Miles Austin, who has potential. Abram Elam hasn't played much SS with Roy in there, but he seems to be a strong special teamer at least for now. If they undrafted guys are better than the drafted guys, I don't really mind so long as they can play well.

[BAZ]

When those mistakes cost games, by killing drives or giving up TD's you can't play nice and say they are only rookies.

Too much is on the line!

Of course you can, you missed my point of saying that throwing rookies into the lions will lead to mistakes. Thats the coaches fault. A lot is on the line so why have rookies as your starters?

[Silverstar]

Of course you can, you missed my point of saying that throwing rookies into the lions will lead to mistakes. Thats the coaches fault. A lot is on the line so why have rookies as your starters?

You said, I was being overly unfair about Fasano and Watkins.

I disagreed.

[kartr]

A big fact F from me!

Hey, I told everybody Parcells can't draft. We have a collection of fine athletes, but we don't have parts that complement each other.. We don't have a pass rushing DT that teams fear. We don't have a defense that other teams fear. We don't have an offense that other teams fear. Just what do we have. A collection of very fine athletes that don't scare anybody.

[kartr]

Here's my take on these rookies after 8 games...

1. Bobby "I can't get on the field" Carpenter has become the invisible man this year. This kid was supposed to be a dynamo on defense for us and has been a limp noodle since arriving in Dallas. Waiting for other players like Ellis and Singleton to leave Dallas, is not the way a 1st round pick should break into the lineup.

2. Anthony "mental errors" Fasano is hardly open, has dropped passes and his blocking is mediocre at best IMO. This kid was supposed to have "smarts" coming from Notre Dame and was considered the best blocking TE in college. He's made just about every type of penalty you can from his position, He literally fell down today, with about 20 yards in front of him and nobody there.

3. Jason "I'm fighting injuries" Hatcher was doing well early in the year, but now has decided to join his draft class in mediocreville. He's the best player of his class at this point and that's not saying much.

4. Skyler "I'm just glad to be here" Green has shown relatively nothing in the return game and provides no spark whatsoever. He runs like he's playing in mud and rarely makes the first tackler miss. He shouldn't be playing at all IMO.

5. Pat "I can't turn my head back" Watkins is sorely lacking in fundamental techniques in coverage. He's got some speed and range, but is terrible at locating the ball in the air and defenses were targeting him with good reason. Now, he can't even make the active roster for ST's, because he tackles like a girl.

6. Montavious "I can do the talking but not the walking" Stanley never made it out of TC and was released for poor play at NT. Stanley might get invited to TC next year, but I doubt it with the signing of Parker and a new class rookies and UDFA's coming in.

7a. Pat "I'm Parcells' boy" McQuistan showed enough in preseason to make Rob Pettiti expendable. He's nothing but a prospect with potential right now and that's it. If Adams went down, would he really perform better than Tucker did last year? Who knows, but the fact we're relying on a small school 7th round prospect, who almost quit football is a little troubling.

7b. E.J. "I got drafted!" Whitley was supposed to give the OL some versatility as a backup, since he played both G/C in college. However, he never made it out of TC with a season ending injury. Weighing in at only 293lbs, I question why we even drafted this guy in the first place. Practice squad player at best next year, but I'd rather see him go.


Grade - D

This rookie class has performed poorly, but Hatcher's play early in the year saves it from being an "F" grade.

It was over-hyped by the homers. Too many of them swallow hook,line and sinker whatever Cowboys management says just like ten year olds. Logically, there's no way anyone could have called this draft class a good one. No foundational O-lineman, no pass-rushing dt, no shut-down corner, no qb for the future.

[DefendeR]

In my opinion,you draft starters in the first round.
With glaring O line flaws,they go out and draft a linebacker,and then ask him to change positions.I'm sure he can play,but why use a first rounder for a position of lesser need?
Then again,Parcells has shown us how good he is at drafting OLs

[big dog cowboy]

Here's my take on these rookies after 8 games...

1. Bobby "I can't get on the field" Carpenter has become the invisible man this year. This kid was supposed to be a dynamo on defense for us and has been a limp noodle since arriving in Dallas. Waiting for other players like Ellis and Singleton to leave Dallas, is not the way a 1st round pick should break into the lineup.

2. Anthony "mental errors" Fasano is hardly open, has dropped passes and his blocking is mediocre at best IMO. This kid was supposed to have "smarts" coming from Notre Dame and was considered the best blocking TE in college. He's made just about every type of penalty you can from his position, He literally fell down today, with about 20 yards in front of him and nobody there.

3. Jason "I'm fighting injuries" Hatcher was doing well early in the year, but now has decided to join his draft class in mediocreville. He's the best player of his class at this point and that's not saying much.

4. Skyler "I'm just glad to be here" Green has shown relatively nothing in the return game and provides no spark whatsoever. He runs like he's playing in mud and rarely makes the first tackler miss. He shouldn't be playing at all IMO.

5. Pat "I can't turn my head back" Watkins is sorely lacking in fundamental techniques in coverage. He's got some speed and range, but is terrible at locating the ball in the air and defenses were targeting him with good reason. Now, he can't even make the active roster for ST's, because he tackles like a girl.

6. Montavious "I can do the talking but not the walking" Stanley never made it out of TC and was released for poor play at NT. Stanley might get invited to TC next year, but I doubt it with the signing of Parker and a new class rookies and UDFA's coming in.

7a. Pat "I'm Parcells' boy" McQuistan showed enough in preseason to make Rob Pettiti expendable. He's nothing but a prospect with potential right now and that's it. If Adams went down, would he really perform better than Tucker did last year? Who knows, but the fact we're relying on a small school 7th round prospect, who almost quit football is a little troubling.

7b. E.J. "I got drafted!" Whitley was supposed to give the OL some versatility as a backup, since he played both G/C in college. However, he never made it out of TC with a season ending injury. Weighing in at only 293lbs, I question why we even drafted this guy in the first place. Practice squad player at best next year, but I'd rather see him go.


Grade - D

This rookie class has performed poorly, but Hatcher's play early in the year saves it from being an "F" grade.
So much for the 3 year rule.

[iceberg]

And Parcells seems to think that McQuistan will be the left tackle of the future. .

i'd feel much better about this "Feeling" if parcells had gotten at least 1 decision right in a player he's brought in so far.

[neosapien23]

What about Tony Romo?? The giants spent a 1st, 1st, and 2nd for Eli Manning. Its only 2 games, but Romo has looked just as good and Parcells found him for free. If Romo proves himself, then parcells just found Dallas a franchise QB.

[SBChamps]

Go look at our 2004 draft. Talk about a bad draft.

Julius Jones RB Notre Dame
Jacob Rogers T USC
Stephen Peterman G Louisiana State
Bruce Thornton DB Georgia
Sean Ryan TE Boston College
Nathan Jones DB Rutgers
Patrick Crayton WR NW Oklahoma State
Jacques Reeves DB Purdue

[Future]

1. Bobby "I can't get on the field" Carpenter has become the invisible man this year. This kid was supposed to be a dynamo on defense for us and has been a limp noodle since arriving in Dallas. Waiting for other players like Ellis and Singleton to leave Dallas, is not the way a 1st round pick should break into the lineup.

He should be playing in the place of Greg "I'm too slow to play on the edge of a 3-4 defense and dissappear when it matters" Ellis. He is the epitomy of vanilla. Put in carp, at least his golden locks will be fun to look at.

[DallasDomination]

I like the way you put this together thread starter. It made me laugh..But yes ov erall I agree. THis draft class has been pretty bad.

[Joe_Fan]

Grade - DSo far I'll have to agree.

I'm just hoping that it manages to get much better and that Fasano.. wasted 2nd round pick.. manages to get off the short bus.

[Joe_Fan]

It was over-hyped by the homers. Too many of them swallow hook,line and sinker whatever Cowboys management says just like ten year olds. Logically, there's no way anyone could have called this draft class a good one. No foundational O-lineman, no pass-rushing dt, no shut-down corner, no qb for the future.
All I know is that I was livid when we drafted Bobby in the 1st and turned around and drafted Fasano in the 2nd.

[SkinsandTerps]

kartr, just a quick question..."pass rushing DTs that teams fear" in the 3-4...


How many exist in the NFL ?

[YoungBuck]

I doubt Stanley rejoins us next year, seeing as he's on contract with Jacksonville.

[Screw The Hall]

Here's my take on these rookies after 8 games...

1. Bobby "I can't get on the field" Carpenter has become the invisible man this year. This kid was supposed to be a dynamo on defense for us and has been a limp noodle since arriving in Dallas. Waiting for other players like Ellis and Singleton to leave Dallas, is not the way a 1st round pick should break into the lineup.

2. Anthony "mental errors" Fasano is hardly open, has dropped passes and his blocking is mediocre at best IMO. This kid was supposed to have "smarts" coming from Notre Dame and was considered the best blocking TE in college. He's made just about every type of penalty you can from his position, He literally fell down today, with about 20 yards in front of him and nobody there.

3. Jason "I'm fighting injuries" Hatcher was doing well early in the year, but now has decided to join his draft class in mediocreville. He's the best player of his class at this point and that's not saying much.

4. Skyler "I'm just glad to be here" Green has shown relatively nothing in the return game and provides no spark whatsoever. He runs like he's playing in mud and rarely makes the first tackler miss. He shouldn't be playing at all IMO.

5. Pat "I can't turn my head back" Watkins is sorely lacking in fundamental techniques in coverage. He's got some speed and range, but is terrible at locating the ball in the air and defenses were targeting him with good reason. Now, he can't even make the active roster for ST's, because he tackles like a girl.

6. Montavious "I can do the talking but not the walking" Stanley never made it out of TC and was released for poor play at NT. Stanley might get invited to TC next year, but I doubt it with the signing of Parker and a new class rookies and UDFA's coming in.

7a. Pat "I'm Parcells' boy" McQuistan showed enough in preseason to make Rob Pettiti expendable. He's nothing but a prospect with potential right now and that's it. If Adams went down, would he really perform better than Tucker did last year? Who knows, but the fact we're relying on a small school 7th round prospect, who almost quit football is a little troubling.

7b. E.J. "I got drafted!" Whitley was supposed to give the OL some versatility as a backup, since he played both G/C in college. However, he never made it out of TC with a season ending injury. Weighing in at only 293lbs, I question why we even drafted this guy in the first place. Practice squad player at best next year, but I'd rather see him go.


Grade - D

This rookie class has performed poorly, but Hatcher's play early in the year saves it from being an "F" grade.


That's about as pessimistic a take on the subject as you could possibly ask for.

I don't completely discount what you are saying because there is alot of truth mixed in with your doom and gloom report. It's just I could take it a little more seriously if it were tempered with some of the positives this draft class has shown.

2 rookies have started the majority of the games so far with Fasano having some measure of success. I have high hopes for both of them. Green is returning kicks for us .. that is something. McQuistan has shown enough to be a hopeful bright spot for the future. I'm very disappointed with Carpenter, I won't hide that fact. I love Hatcher ... he's one of only 3 guys on the team that actually can tell you what color the opposing QB's eyes are at the end of a game with any regularity.

Am I thrilled ... nope. At the end of the day if I was forced to grade them at this point it wouldn't be to much different than yours ... I'd give a C- . But I actually like what I think some of these guys will bring in the future. I would say it's very plausible to look back at this draft in a few years and be thinking B or better.

[YoungBuck]

In my opinion,you draft starters in the first round.
With glaring O line flaws,they go out and draft a linebacker,and then ask him to change positions.I'm sure he can play,but why use a first rounder for a position of lesser need?
Then again,Parcells has shown us how good he is at drafting OLs

Here's a list of the 1st round picks. (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/round?round=1&draftyear=2006&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl draft%2fdraft%2ftracker%2fround%3fround%3d1%26draf tyear%3d2006)

I'd appreciate it if you could look at that list and tell me what OLinemen you would have realisticly rather had in the 1st round.

5 picks later was Davin Joseph. He was a 2nd round pick that Tampa Bay heavily reached on because they were desperate for line players. Every draft mag has said that was a reach and a poor choice. He's only started 3 games and is a part of the Tampa line that's so bad it busted Chrissie Simms' spleen. In only 4 games played, he's allowed more sacks than either of our guards.

11 picks from ours was Nick Mangold. Of the 5 line positions, center was probably lowest on the list of needs. Either way we had high picks invested in Al Johnson and Gurode. Gurode has been one of the best performers this year anyway.

I'll take it one further and look at the first OLinemen taken in the 2nd round, pick 7. Winston Justice had character problems, and with guys like Quincy Carter, Bill has been reluctant to draft guys like that. Justice has also been inactive for every game this season, so you're basicly in the same position.

It's easy to say we should have drafted for the OLine in the 1st round, but it's a little harder to do it. Just because you have a need, doesn't mean you reach there. Then you become the Redskins.