Jones feels weight of April NFL Draft - Dallas Cowboys Forum

dmq · 04-01-2005

Jones feels weight of April NFL Draft
BY PETE PERKINS

Posted on Friday, April 1, 2005

Email this story | Printer-friendly version

The NFL Draft is three weeks away, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he is losing sleep.

Jones took enough time from his professional football concerns Thursday to speak at a fundraiser for local Boy Scouts at the Albert Pike Masonic Temple in downtown Little Rock.

The luncheon lasted until 2 p.m. As 200 businessmen hurried back to their jobs, after they donated $192,500, Jones stood behind his table and said "almost everything" is considered before NFL prospects are drafted.

Dallas has two first-round selections in the 2005 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 23-24. "I worry more about the draft than anything," Jones said. "I have trouble sleeping. It is such an important thing for your team. In today’s NFL, players you draft have to make an immediate impact. There’s so much money involved, the days when you could stockpile players is over. You have to draft people who can play right away."

Dallas finished 6-10 last season. Jones said the team hopes to draft players who can contribute on defense.

Jones said that did not mean there is a lack of interest in former Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones.

Matt Jones’ value has risen since his postseason performances during Senior Bowl week and in drills and sprints in front of NFL coaches and scouts. "Matt Jones is so talented," Jerry Jones said. "There would probably be a position change for him, but even if he’s not a starter, I think he could be an outstanding player on special teams. That’s 30 to 35 plays a game right there. And then if he’s on the field for five or six plays in special situations on offense, that’s 40 plays a game."

Jones said he is confident Dallas can return to Super Bowl contention this season. "In today’s NFL, teams can go from not making the playoffs to the Super Bowl in one season," Jones said. "We clearly had a disappointing season last year. But we’ve made some nice additions, and we fully expect to have an outstanding draft. If we do, we will be right back where we want to be."

Jones said background checks are an important part of draft preparation. "You can only measure so many factors," Jones said. "One thing that is difficult to measure is whether these players will have the discipline to handle having, for the first time for many of them, a lot of money and lot of freedom they didn’t have in college.

" That’s why I like it when I see on a resume that a player has had several years active in the Boy Scouts. That makes a difference. When I see that, I can feel confident that they’ve had solid guidance. "

Eddie · 04-01-2005

I hope BP locks JJ in a closet without a cell phone on draft day. The guy needs to stay as far away from our drafts as possible!!!

ddh33 · 04-01-2005

Poor Jerry. He genuinely does love his team, and you can tell that he desperately wants them to improve. I think it's going to happen. I don't think the Super Bowl is going to happen immediately, but I sure like hearing that's the goal.

Qwickdraw · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

I hope BP locks JJ in a closet without a cell phone on draft day. The guy needs to stay as far away from our drafts as possible!!!

agreed.

"uhh... umm... *lip smack* I uhh... um.. will not ... ahh *lip smack* trade um... the Dallas Cowboys draft picks for... um... players,... *lip smack*... uhhh... scout's honor."

Nors · 04-01-2005

The thought of JJ drafting Matt Jones in the first round would SERIOUSLY scare me. With Parcells running player decisions/draft board that just isn't happening.

ddh33 · 04-01-2005

I think Matt Jones is a real option in the second, assuming he's there.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwickdraw

agreed.

"uhh... umm... *lip smack* I uhh... um.. will not ... ahh *lip smack* trade um... the Dallas Cowboys draft picks for... um... players,... *lip smack*... uhhh... scout's honor."

LOL....add to that...

Uhhh...Mmmm <smacks lips>....Take that matt...ummm Jones Kid....ummm...ummm <smacks lips> cause he is from...ummmm....uhhhh....SUEEEYYYY the same uhhhh...ummmm Team I Uhhh, ummmm <smacks lips> played for in SUUUUUUEEEEYYYY college.

Howboutdemcowboys31 · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwickdraw

agreed.

"uhh... umm... *lip smack* I uhh... um.. will not ... ahh *lip smack* trade um... the Dallas Cowboys draft picks for... um... players,... *lip smack*... uhhh... scout's honor."

Haha good way to start my day off

MadCow · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

I hope BP locks JJ in a closet without a cell phone on draft day. The guy needs to stay as far away from our drafts as possible!!!

I hope everyone realizes that Jerry Jones is a asset to the Cowboys organization. True, he should not be the primary decision maker on draft day. His past selections has to be rated poor at best. However, if there is a trade or FA signing to be had, I want Mr. Jones at the head of the table. He makes things happen. Be sure that he has learned his lessen from the Galloway trade.

funny!

RoundRock Fan · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddh33

I think Matt Jones is a real option in the second, assuming he's there.

i'm so tired of hearing Matt Jones talk. the guy is a QB trying to play WR, and it will take him a couple of years to get adjusted to the WR position if he ever does get adjusted.

Doomsday101 · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundRock Fan

i'm so tired of hearing Matt Jones talk. the guy is a QB trying to play WR, and it will take him a couple of years to get adjusted to the WR position if he ever does get adjusted.

It did not take Crayton very long. I would not consider Matt Jones early in the draft but if in later picks he is around I would have no problem with him based on the scouting reports as well as seeing his athletic ability at Arkansas

SuspectCorner · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwickdraw

"uhh... umm... *lip smack* I uhh... um.. will not ... ahh *lip smack* trade um... the Dallas Cowboys draft picks for... um... players,... *lip smack*... uhhh... scout's honor."

you ARE a "Qwickdraw". too funny!!! thanks.

ddh33 · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundRock Fan

i'm so tired of hearing Matt Jones talk. the guy is a QB trying to play WR, and it will take him a couple of years to get adjusted to the WR position if he ever does get adjusted.

I think too much is being made about all this transition stuff. If I thought him getting open depended on crisp route running and perfect technique, I would worry. But I think this is the sort of guy who will out-jump people in the redzone for touchdowns. He's someone you can put the ball in his hands and let him do something with it. In short, he's a playmaker and a weapon. I think the team needs more of that.

In the meantime, the other young receivers here could be developing, and this doesn't exclude Dallas from picking up someone else later.

KingTuna · 04-01-2005

If JJ moves up to draft Mike Willams at WR he will redeem himself from passing over Randy Moss....REDEEM YOURSELF JJ!!!!!!!!!!! DO IT!!!!!

Falcon · 04-01-2005

[quote=Qwickdraw]agreed.

That picture is hilarious!