Cowboys scouting director Tom Ciskowski explains some aspects of team’s draft strateg

[RS12]

The Cowboys have multiple areas on the roster to upgrade this off-season but none seem bigger than improving the offensive and defensive lines.

Switching to a 4-3 defensive front means more linemen will be needed to play Monte Kiffin’s new system. The offensive line was among the league’s worst, evident by a running game that ranked 31st and Tony Romo routinely having little time to throw from the pocket.

Tom Ciskowski, the Cowboys’ assistant director of player personnel, recently said the team could go in either direction early in the draft because there are good o-line and d-line prospects available.

Ciskowski, who addressed several draft-related topics with DallasCowboys.com’s Bryan Broaddus, said moving from a 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme won’t be difficult because of the personnel already on the roster.

“I think it will be an easy process for us because in most cases with the outside linebacker we’re looking for the pressure player whether he’s in a two-point or a three-point (stance),” he said. “DeMarcus Ware is a guy that can pressure from any stance, so we feel real comfortable that he can play the open side end and still be very, very effective.”

Ciskowski said the Cowboys like some of the younger defensive linemen on their roster, specifically mentioning Tyrone Crawford and Sean Lissemore. He also talked about defensive tackle Jay Ratliff “hopefully” coming back from having “an injury-prone season.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/20...medium=twitter

[Zimmy Lives]

I hope they get it right this April considering the talent pool is deep for linemen. The Cowboys have not drafted an impact d-lineman in the 1st round since Russell Maryland.

[Pabst]

Anyone know the terminology Ciskowski is using at the end of the article? The 1-3-0 and 1-4-5 stuff. I think it has something to do with draft rounds, but it doesn't seem to fit that.

[jobberone]

Technique.

[Bluestang]

Originally Posted by Pabst

Anyone know the terminology Ciskowski is using at the end of the article? The 1-3-0 and 1-4-5 stuff. I think it has something to do with draft rounds, but it doesn't seem to fit that.

He's talking about grades they use for prospects

[blindzebra]

Originally Posted by Zimmy Lives

I hope they get it right this April considering the talent pool is deep for linemen. The Cowboys have not drafted an impact d-lineman in the 1st round since Russell Maryland.

Greg Ellis ring a bell?

[Ultimategamer5567]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

Greg Ellis ring a bell?

He was selected instead of Randy Moss so people act like Greg Ellis never existed. Despite him being a damn good player and pass rusher in his own right

[jobberone]

Originally Posted by Bluestang

He's talking about grades they use for prospects

Oh, I thought he was talking about the technique they could play. I should pay more attn.

[Bluestang]

When Ciskowski was talking about 1-3-0, 1-3-1, and 1-4-5 he was talking about prospect grades.

What he was saying is that if player X has a 1-3-0 grade and player Y has 1-3-1 grade and you have a need for player Y, they don't consider that a reach to go with the need instead of player X who is graded 1 point higer than player Y.

However, they do stay away from taking player Y (1-3-1) over player Z with a 1-4-5 grade because that is a significant difference in grades.

If you haven't caught on, the lower the numerical value of the grade is it indicates a higher grade.

I assume that the scouts assign flaws a number and then they tally that number to get an overall grade of the player. The higher the number the more flaws the prospect has.

[Erik_H]

Originally Posted by Pabst

Anyone know the terminology Ciskowski is using at the end of the article? The 1-3-0 and 1-4-5 stuff. I think it has something to do with draft rounds, but it doesn't seem to fit that.

It has to do with ranking of players. I'm not clear on the details but the first number is round and the other numbers break it down to smaller groups then even smaller groups. So a 1-3-1 is significantly better ( the 3 higher than the 4) than a 1-4-5. If the first two numbers are the same, then the difference is pretty minor...I guess.

[speedkilz88]

Originally Posted by Bluestang

When Ciskowski was talking about 1-3-0, 1-3-1, and 1-4-5 he was talking about prospect grades.

What he was saying is that if player X has a 1-3-0 grade and player Y has 1-3-1 grade and you have a need for player Y, they don't consider that a reach to go with the need instead of player X who is graded 1 point higer than player Y.

However, they do stay away from taking player Y (1-3-1) over player Z with a 1-4-5 grade because that is a significant difference in grades.

If you haven't caught on, the lower the numerical value of the grade is it indicates a higher grade.

I assume that the scouts assign flaws a number and then they tally that number to get an overall grade of the player. The higher the number the more flaws the prospect has.

Not that any of us know for a fact but his example could easily explain taking Tyron Smith over JJ Watt.

[ScipioCowboy]

I've always wondered what grade they gave Quincy Carter.

[Cowboy4ever]

Originally Posted by ScipioCowboy

I've always wondered what grade they gave Quincy Carter.

4-2-0

[cowboyeric8]

Originally Posted by Cowboy4ever

4-2-0

Haha well played

[Risen Star]

Originally Posted by jobberone

Oh, I thought he was talking about the technique they could play. I should pay more attn.

Broaddus talked about that recently. I believe he said Ware and Merriman both had the highest possible grade the Cowboys give and it was (I think) a 1-0-0. The lower the number the better.