Merriman over Ware

[Portland Fanatic]

Originally Posted by austintodallas

Who are the teams that could spoil plans to take Merriman at 11? Cleveland, Washington, any others?

Washington badly needs CB losing Smoot...so I really hope they take the midget pac-man...if Carlos Rogers is there...he goes to Wash...

We need DJ to fall to Detroit...they are looking defense...

I would not be shocked if Cleveland took Merriman at #3, BUT how can they pass on Braylon Edwards? Would be stupid!

[phildominator]

I'm scared of anyone having funky names - it's like we're fielding a group of Teletubbies. Sorry to the Shawne's, Erasmus' and Demarcus' on this board, you can blame Kavika and Shante.

[al124]

Originally Posted by austintodallas

Who are the teams that could spoil plans to take Merriman at 11? Cleveland, Washington, any others?

probably just the skins. but if he's still on the board at 11, the saints and chiefs might be willing to trade up.

[Portland Fanatic]

Originally Posted by al124

probably just the skins. but if he's still on the board at 11, the saints and chiefs might be willing to trade up.

Cheifs still do not have a CB...they would love to take Rolle, Rogers, or Pac-man...who ever falls. If they move up I suspect for CB.

Saints need LB's and SS big time. I would bet Thomas Davis might be there pic...they also need DT...maybe Johnson...

[Nors]

I can see Browns trading downand draft Spears.
Merriman at #3, Crennel is a D guy, hard to pass on Edwards if there.

Skins are rudderless- they have no clue and are apt to do something equally stupid. You'd think they trade out of #9. Watch the Eagles attempt to trade up.

[Nors]

Sand Diego and Houston behind us could be drafting 3-4 parts.....

Then it will be interesting to see how 14-19 turn out - I fear a team trading up in front of 20 for Spears. Then we either draft Travis Johnson, Clayton or trade down and get picks.

Merriman
Spears

Thats my ideal first round.

[Portland Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Nors

Sand Diego and Houston behind us could be drafting 3-4 parts.....

Then it will be interesting to see how 14-19 turn out - I fear a team trading up in front of 20 for Spears. Then we either draft Travis Johnson, Clayton or trade down and get picks.

Merriman
Spears

Thats my ideal first round.

Then land Tuck with #42...that is another outstanding 3-4 lineup too.

[Cbz40]

I would like to have Ware...but I guess I could live with Merriman.lol

I just want a player that can get to the QB.......give me two and I'll be even happier.

[Portland Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Cbz40

I would like to have Ware...but I guess I could live with Merriman.lol

I just want a player that can get to the QB.......give me two and I'll be even happier.

I like Ware's potential...and that's exactly what scares me.."potential".

Merriman and Pollack have proven success against top competition...I honestly think Ware is there at #20...could you imagine Merriman and Ware (if he is as good as we hope)?

My personal preference is Merriman and Pollack at #20...don't hink Pollack and his production will last to #20...Spears may because he is the 3-4 fit...needs to get passed Texans and SD...if so, he may slide to #20.

[Dough Boy]

Originally Posted by Portland Fanatic

Then land Tuck with #42...that is another outstanding 3-4 lineup too.

If we land Merriman at 11, Spears at 20 and Tuck at 42, I would be a very happy Cowboyz fan....

[slick325]

Originally Posted by Portland Fanatic

I like Ware's potential...and that's exactly what scares me.."potential".

Merriman and Pollack have proven success against top competition...I honestly think Ware is there at #20...could you imagine Merriman and Ware (if he is as good as we hope)?

My personal preference is Merriman and Pollack at #20...don't hink Pollack and his production will last to #20...Spears may because he is the 3-4 fit...needs to get passed Texans and SD...if so, he may slide to #20.

I agree with your opening sentence. Ware looks explosive on film and could be a real player "potentially". That conerns me a bit, but I would trust Coach Parcells judgment when it comes to drafting these type of players. As someone posted in another thread Ware could be a John Abraham type player since they are the same height and around the same weight. But then again who knows he could take years to develop and adjust to major league competition.

Portland, I also agree with your first post regarding Spears. I watched enough of him to see that he is a physical specimen but not at all a difference maker. Dallas needs playmakers on defense. Spears would be a decent pick for a 3-4 alignment as an occupy and engage player who may give you 4 or 5 sacks a season. Solid player but no where near "catalytic" as Coach Parcells has stated he is seeking. Drafting him begs the question what do we do with our multiple Pro Bowl DT LeRoi Glover? Unless we gain a good draft pick for Glover I would much rather keep him. If we stay 4-3, Spears would be no more than Kenyon Coleman or Dat Dude. Decent effort, limited results, IMO.

As for our picks I wouldn't mind seeing Merriman at #11 and OLB Darryl Blackstock at #20. That maybe a tad high for Blackstock but living in ACC country and being a Terp alum I know what this kid can do. He's a difference maker.

[Nors]

Spears is Seymour

He will only get 5 to 6 sacks but disrupt the line and make those around them better.

Ellis and Glover are what wrong side of 30? Let them compete for playing time. We've done squat in their "era" here. Trade draft day is another option.

Time to rebuild this defense.

Look at Spears as a building block. Game is won in the trenches.

[Woods]

Originally Posted by Nors

Spears is Seymour

He will only get 5 to 6 sacks but disrupt the line and make those around them better.

Ellis and Glover are what wrong side of 30? Let them compete for playing time. We've done squat in their "era" here. Trade draft day is another option.

Time to rebuild this defense.

Look at Spears as a building block. Game is won in the trenches.

Nors,

Can Spears offer a lot more than Luis Castillo, for example? Just curious.

[ravidubey]

Originally Posted by Portland Fanatic

Merriman is absolutely the best choice...it opens up any door we want for 3-4 OLB...and is still a starter in 4-3...whether it be DE or SLB...he can either...

This whole 3-4/4-3 nonsense is going to make us select an inferior player. Just great.

I much prefer doing one thing well rather than being able to do two different things. I think Merriman's a liability as a pure 4-3 DE and likely too heavy to cover reliably as an outside LB. A 3-4 OLB should be around 250 while a 4-3 DE starts at 275. Both need pass-rushing skills but the DE needs to be physical at the point of attack while the OLB must be able to cover backs and TE's.

I don't believe there's such a thing as a guy who can do both.

[slick325]

Originally Posted by Nors

Spears is Seymour

He will only get 5 to 6 sacks but disrupt the line and make those around them better.

Ellis and Glover are what wrong side of 30? Let them compete for playing time. We've done squat in their "era" here. Trade draft day is another option.

Time to rebuild this defense.

Look at Spears as a building block. Game is won in the trenches.

I don't see him as a difference maker Nors. Disruption on the line and making those around him better will be handled this season by Ferguson. Dallas needs playmakers and Spears is not one, he is a solid role player type in my opinion. If he proves to be the next Strahan, then I will readily admit my mistake but until that day I will stand by my assessment of his skills as they translate to the pro game. I mean he wasn't even the best DE in his conference Pollack was, so why aren't you advocating taking Pollack at #11?