Eddie said:
Who's complaining and who's giving vague solutions?
I can name names, but I think you can figure that out.
No one's advocating overpaying for players or drafting for need ... we simply ask the team to do more with what we have.
And the challenge back is give reasonable alternatives. Not just say "well, they were there, I dunno who they are, but they existed, you know?"
Third round draft pick on a developmental DE???
Who do you feel was a better choice here? Be specific.
Fourth round draft pick on a punt returner???
And here?
Come on now. Does that raise a red flag to you? Do I feel robbed? Sure do.
How robbed would you feel if eventually we trade Greg Ellis for example? Would the Hatcher pick still seem foolish to you? How about if we didn't take Green, who would you envision us rolling out there as a punt returner.
Drafting for need is not the answer, but nor is throwing away draft picks. There's a compromise. Why take the BPA who turns into the #4 DE and a #5 WR who'll be a punt returner, when there are massive holes to fill elsewhere???
So you feel that badly about Hatcher, Green and so on that you feel we threw the picks away?
Are we not allowed to question this line of thinking? We haven't won a playoff game in 9 years. Maybe it's time we all wake up, smell the coffee, and realize we haven't been making the best of decisions over this past decade.
And nobody is talking about the entirety of the past decade. The first two drafts under Parcells were spotty. Last year's looks gold and this one has promise. What is reassuring is that the team showed it had a plan and it stuck to the plan. What was our plan is year's past? Reach for need (Carter, Carver, LaFleur)? Trade down at the drop of a hat and still take risky prospects (Pittman)? Take character risks (Ross, Larrimore)?
You may think Jerry Jones is all world and kiss his behind for those Super Bowls a decade ago, but I say, What have you done for me lately???
I firmly believe if Jones were in charge of this past draft, you would have seen picks that would drive you insane. It isn't just Jones anymore. I am sure he has been flogged enough for his past errors. This isn't even close to that ballpark.
When suggestions are offered, it's simply countered by, "Why aren't YOU paid to be an NFL GM???". Typical rebuttle. So we all be happy with the company's decisions and toe the line like happy little army ants.
It isn't about that, at least from my perspective. Trust me, there isn't a person on these boards qualified to do what Jeff Ireland does. We don't see the film, we don't watch every game. He does. That alone makes his voice more credible. And he has clearly explained why we didn't draft an OL and could give clear and concise answers to explain each draft pick. But apparently that's not enough for the armchair GMs who probably couldn't tell you the first thing about the OL we "passed on", nor do they know what it would have taken to sign the high priced FAs and what it would do to our plan.
If you don't like the plan, that's your right. But you should be thankful it appears we have one. That hasn't been the case until very recently.
