Bear's Annual Look at the Draft, v. 09

[cowboyjoe]

Coming from one of this forum's most respected posters, perhaps one of the few in here I have never insulted (at least, I don't remember ever insulting you), that compliment carries extra weight... thanks...

well i try not to insult anyone, now if they keep insulting me, then i will eventually get on them. I have even had some of the respected posters in here, get on a few posters that insulted me or took what i said the wrong way

an old say, what you dish out, you generally get back in spades, or what goes around, generally comes back around and bites you back, sometimes even more.

 

[silverbear]

Ok, silverbear, I am going to offer my mock draft built on your version, but add in at least 2 trades I think the cow boys are going to do. They will most likely trade down 5 to 9 spots, pick up an extra 4th and 5th at least in that deal. Next, they will either trade Greg Ellis or Bobby Carpernter, at least one player that will recoup a 4th draft choice.

Joe, my new friend, thanks for offering this substantive response... I live for this kind of thing... BTW, to save you time, you can just call me "Bear"... that's a nickname I've been carrying since my buddies in college started calling me that (to try to insult me, but I liked it)... but plain ol' "Bear" was taken when I registered here...

I don't see the Cowboys trading down much, unless they just don't like their options at any one pick... they've got more than enough picks... if anything, I'd see them trading UP, to get a player they really like... I think that ultimately, they'll make 8 or 9 picks...

I'm also pretty sure that a week from now, Carp and Ellis will still be Cowboys... I think you're engaging in a little wishful thinking there, you just WANT them gone...

Duke Robinson 6-5, 330 pounds, 5.3 second 40... It's my opinion that Duke could compete for a starting job at left guard his rookie year, he's simply a stud. However, I am concerned about reports I've read concerning his work ethic. He's still one of my "pet cats" in this draft (I just love that Parcells-ism).

Lawrence Sidbury Jr.
DE, Richmond
LAWRENCE SIDBURY JR. MEASURABLES
Height: 6-2 Weight: 266 40-yard dash: 4.57 10-yard dash: 1.57
20-yard shuttle: 4.43 60-yard shuttle: Broad jump: 10-0 225-lb. bench: 28

Strengths: Has good short-area quickness. Changes directions well. Plays with good instincts and intelligence. Finds the ball quickly. Uses his hands well as a run defender. Has good lateral quickness and is outstanding making plays down the line of scrimmage from the backside. Will lay out to make a tackle. Hustles all the time and will make plays sideline to sideline. Closes on the quarterback with a different gear when he has a chance to make a play.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve his overall strength. Does not use his hands effectively as a pass rusher. Can be moved off the ball when he loses his hands off the snap. Will fall off tackles when he does not drive his legs. Will need time to adjust to dropping into coverage in the NFL.
Bottom line: Sidbury played defensive end in college and will either man that spot for a team that plays a 4-3 defense or make the transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4. Sidbury is smart and understands how to play the game. Where to play him will be the question for scouts and coaches, but he definitely has the talent worthy of a middle-round pick.

Jason Williams, LB, Western Illinois-- 6-1, 240 pounds, 4.5 second 40... He has rare speed for a 240 pound man, and the Boys' 3-4 needs linebackers who can run.


Rhett Bomar or Stephen McGee Backup QB, one of them;


This is the trade of bobby carpenter or greg ellis;
TJ Lang, OG/C, Eastern Michigan-- 6-4, 316 pounds, 5.15 second 40... Again, I consider it mildly important that the Boys find a capable backup for Andre Gurode, and if they haven't done so at this point, there won't be many if any left. Lang is a sleeper rising most draft boards in these last few days, and I'm intrigued by his combination of size and agility. He's a natural guard, but is agile enough to handle the pivot.

As for the options you provided for each pick, I'd be happy with that draft, with one little quibble-- I really don't see the Boys drafting a QB as early as Bomar and McGee are now looking like they'll go... and I kinda like McGee for the Boys...

Again, thanks for putting so much effort into a thoughtful response... well done...

 

[silverbear]

Great write up SB, I love reading it every year.

OK, I'll tell you the truth... I only do it because I get off on these "you're the best" responses... I'm feeding my massive ego... LOL...

Well, that and the fact that I'd probably be banned from every Cowboys message board known to man if I didn't offer up something like this every once in a while... you guys wouldn't put up with this jerk otherwise... :

 

[silverbear]

love the write up too silverbear;

hey HomeofLegends - i slowly pulling ahead of you now; better get busy buddy

Chuckle... joey, at the rate you're going, you'll be passing me in six months...

Hell, in a year or so you'll be passing Hostile...

 

[cowboyjoe]

Chuckle... joey, at the rate you're going, you'll be passing me in six months...

Hell, in a year or so you'll be passing Hostile...

thanks bear, for compliment up above;

dont know about passing you or hostile though

sometimes i get sick and slows me down or like one time, my computer crashed;

ive been posting about 10 years now;

way back before the draft was as popular as it is now; i was giving links to draft sites etc.

my fondest draft was way back in 1975, (1974 draft with ed too tall jones)the 1977 draft and 91 and 92 draft, those to me were the big years that rocketed the cowboys into contenders

if you look at it, i also think that is one thing this team is missing, a top ranked player in the draft.

I know economy wise and salary cap wise you cant do that every year.

But do you remember in 1974 we drafted too tall jones, 1975 dirty dozen with randy white 2nd overall player in the draft. In 1977 we traded up to get tony dorsett. In 1989 we got troy aikman. In 1991 we traded up to get russell maryland, with alvin harper in 1st round too.

To a degree that is what this team is missing, top ranked players that want to be the best, with heart, desire and intensity.

Granted, we got emmitt smith with the 17th pick before 1991, and sometimes you have to have luck. But at the same time, what kept the cowboys in contention from the last 1960's to early 1980's was the influx of top young talent in the first round, while hitting on players in 2nd and 3rd round like stepnoski, the moose, darren woodson and erik williams.

Just my thoughts.

Finally, I always like your file that you put together of the players the cowboys look at Bear, always a super job you do on that.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I wouldn't pass on Robiskie, Nicks and Woods for Robinson, I doubt either are available at 51, so yeah, we might have to settle for Dukie

the rest is fine

 

[cowboyjoe]

I wouldn't pass on Robiskie, Nicks and Woods for Robinson, I doubt either are available at 51, so yeah, we might have to settle for Dukie

the rest is fine

well i kinda like duke robinson, i think thats exactly what we need, a bruising OG that can take over eventually by 8th game for kyle kosier;

I am scrared of nicks because of what butch davis said, he is a beast, but you have to be on him all the time. With a player in the 2nd round, i dont think you should have to be on him all the time. Woods I like too, but Duke is such a huge OG that i think in 2 years he will be all pro, etc.

 

[cowboyjoe]

OK, I'll tell you the truth... I only do it because I get off on these "you're the best" responses... I'm feeding my massive ego... LOL...

Well, that and the fact that I'd probably be banned from every Cowboys message board known to man if I didn't offer up something like this every once in a while... you guys wouldn't put up with this jerk otherwise... :

we all need our ego stroked now and then bear, just human nature

 

[cowboyjoe]

Joe, my new friend, thanks for offering this substantive response... I live for this kind of thing... BTW, to save you time, you can just call me "Bear"... that's a nickname I've been carrying since my buddies in college started calling me that (to try to insult me, but I liked it)... but plain ol' "Bear" was taken when I registered here...

I don't see the Cowboys trading down much, unless they just don't like their options at any one pick... they've got more than enough picks... if anything, I'd see them trading UP, to get a player they really like... I think that ultimately, they'll make 8 or 9 picks...

I'm also pretty sure that a week from now, Carp and Ellis will still be Cowboys... I think you're engaging in a little wishful thinking there, you just WANT them gone...

Duke Robinson 6-5, 330 pounds, 5.3 second 40... It's my opinion that Duke could compete for a starting job at left guard his rookie year, he's simply a stud. However, I am concerned about reports I've read concerning his work ethic. He's still one of my "pet cats" in this draft (I just love that Parcells-ism).

Lawrence Sidbury Jr.
DE, Richmond
LAWRENCE SIDBURY JR. MEASURABLES
Height: 6-2 Weight: 266 40-yard dash: 4.57 10-yard dash: 1.57
20-yard shuttle: 4.43 60-yard shuttle: Broad jump: 10-0 225-lb. bench: 28

Strengths: Has good short-area quickness. Changes directions well. Plays with good instincts and intelligence. Finds the ball quickly. Uses his hands well as a run defender. Has good lateral quickness and is outstanding making plays down the line of scrimmage from the backside. Will lay out to make a tackle. Hustles all the time and will make plays sideline to sideline. Closes on the quarterback with a different gear when he has a chance to make a play.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve his overall strength. Does not use his hands effectively as a pass rusher. Can be moved off the ball when he loses his hands off the snap. Will fall off tackles when he does not drive his legs. Will need time to adjust to dropping into coverage in the NFL.
Bottom line: Sidbury played defensive end in college and will either man that spot for a team that plays a 4-3 defense or make the transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4. Sidbury is smart and understands how to play the game. Where to play him will be the question for scouts and coaches, but he definitely has the talent worthy of a middle-round pick.

Jason Williams, LB, Western Illinois-- 6-1, 240 pounds, 4.5 second 40... He has rare speed for a 240 pound man, and the Boys' 3-4 needs linebackers who can run.


Rhett Bomar or Stephen McGee Backup QB, one of them;


This is the trade of bobby carpenter or greg ellis;
TJ Lang, OG/C, Eastern Michigan-- 6-4, 316 pounds, 5.15 second 40... Again, I consider it mildly important that the Boys find a capable backup for Andre Gurode, and if they haven't done so at this point, there won't be many if any left. Lang is a sleeper rising most draft boards in these last few days, and I'm intrigued by his combination of size and agility. He's a natural guard, but is agile enough to handle the pivot.

As for the options you provided for each pick, I'd be happy with that draft, with one little quibble-- I really don't see the Boys drafting a QB as early as Bomar and McGee are now looking like they'll go... and I kinda like McGee for the Boys...

Again, thanks for putting so much effort into a thoughtful response... well done...

i would be happy with mcgee or bomar, if we cant get them, boltus intrigues me

 

[Maxmadden]

Bear

Good stuff as usual. I'm pretty sure the Cowboys had Brandon Tate in for a visit but you didn't have him on your board. I'm sure the Cowboys were doing their due dilligence. Where would you see him going in this draft?

With the multiple picks the Cowboys have and the fact that he could start out on th PUP list, I could see where Dallas might have and interest in this guy.

Really I just want a punt returner, pretty please.

TIA

 

[cowboyjoe]

Bear

Good stuff as usual. I'm pretty sure the Cowboys had Brandon Tate in for a visit but you didn't have him on your board. I'm sure the Cowboys were doing their due dilligence. Where would you see him going in this draft?

With the multiple picks the Cowboys have and the fact that he could start out on th PUP list, I could see where Dallas might have and interest in this guy.

Really I just want a punt returner, pretty please.

TIA

best i remember the cowboys did have tate in for a visit, not totally sure about that, but i think they did

and yes. I TOTALLY AGREE, WE NEED A PUNT RETURNER BADLY

 

[cowboyjoe]

best i remember the cowboys did have tate in for a visit, not totally sure about that, but i think they did

and yes. I TOTALLY AGREE, WE NEED A PUNT RETURNER BADLY

thats why i want johnny knox or mike thomas, or the cb ledarius, not sure i spelled his name right though

 

[BAT]

Bear, there are not enough LBs in your mock! LOL.


In all seriousness, Antonio Appleby is not a Wade ILB. Al Groh plays a Parcells 3-4 not a Wade 3-4.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Bear, there are not enough LBs in your mock! LOL.


In all seriousness, Antonio Appleby is not a Wade ILB. Al Groh plays a Parcells 3-4 not a Wade 3-4.

so bat, is the linebacker in wades philosophy a quicker linebacker and linebacker in parcells is a big bruising thumper?

 

[silverbear]

thanks bear, for compliment up above;

dont know about passing you or hostile though

You're the Energizer Bunny of posting these days, joe... to me, you're rapidly reaching the status of a CrazyCowboy in here, an idiosyncratic poster that might be annoying to some, even occasionally annoying to you, but who you nonetheless have great affection for...

You keep on doing what you're doing, and go ahead and pass my post count... I promise, I won't hate you for it... I reserve that hatred for my old and dear friend Hostile... I see his post count, and know that I'll never live long enough to equal it, and of course he's only gonna keep pushing the bar higher and higher... you already need to be a freakin' kangaroo to clear it... Lebron James couldn't get over that bar... LOL...

 

[BAT]

so bat, is the linebacker in wades philosophy a quicker linebacker and linebacker in parcells is a big bruising thumper?

Wade's ILB requires more athleticism (preferrably w/size, but quickness & instincts are prerequisites), Parcells (and Groh) prefers his ILBs to be strong (sacrificing speed for size_the bigger the better).


Parcells' ILB tend to wrestle OL (to maintain their gap responsiblity) moreso than Wade's. Wade's objective is to penetrate the LOS & get to the ball carrier as quickly as possible.

 

[silverbear]

Bear

Good stuff as usual. I'm pretty sure the Cowboys had Brandon Tate in for a visit but you didn't have him on your board. I'm sure the Cowboys were doing their due dilligence. Where would you see him going in this draft?

Not everybody who made a visit made my board, Max (though Tate is on my spreadsheet)... I had to leave some room for a few of my pet cats, too...

Tate's injury worries me, but I see him going in the Cowboys' pick 117 range... I wouldn't be upset if they grabbed him there, I just have other options that I liked a little better there... as I mentioned, there is a LOT of talent in that range...

Really I just want a punt returner, pretty please.

Hey, like I said, Quan Cosby reminds me a LOT of Kelvin Martin, affectionately known to Cowboys fans as K-Mart (same height, same speed, but Quan is more muscular)... could you live with him in the 6th??

 

[silverbear]

Bear, there are not enough LBs in your mock! LOL.


In all seriousness, Antonio Appleby is not a Wade ILB. Al Groh plays a Parcells 3-4 not a Wade 3-4.

To me, Appleby is a Bradie James clone... this coming from a boy who lives about an hour and a half from Charlottesville, and has been a Cavs fan ever since Ralph Sampson went there to play basketball (I saw Ralph play in high school down in Harrisonburg)... so I suffered through several of their games this season (one of their worst in a while), and have seen him play right often...

 

[silverbear]

so bat, is the linebacker in wades philosophy a quicker linebacker and linebacker in parcells is a big bruising thumper?

Yeah, that's more or less right... Bill wanted bigger defenders, Wade wants a little more speed...

That said, I think Appleby is fast enough to play SILB in Wade's scheme... and again, he is well-schooled in the fundamentals of 3-4 play, which are nearly identical in both schemes...

What Appleby is not is a candidate to play WILB... he has some cover skills, but not enough for that position...

 

[cowboyjoe]

You're the Energizer Bunny of posting these days, joe... to me, you're rapidly reaching the status of a CrazyCowboy in here, an idiosyncratic poster that might be annoying to some, even occasionally annoying to you, but who you nonetheless have great affection for...

You keep on doing what you're doing, and go ahead and pass my post count... I promise, I won't hate you for it... I reserve that hatred for my old and dear friend Hostile... I see his post count, and know that I'll never live long enough to equal it, and of course he's only gonna keep pushing the bar higher and higher... you already need to be a freakin' kangaroo to clear it... Lebron James couldn't get over that bar... LOL...

oh i will never pass you or hostile, so dont worry,

i generally post heavy during draft time, and 2 weeks after it, then i tail off

then wont post till training camp,

all except for giving heads up on dfw sports beat, ktbb, nfl network

i could post till kingdom come and still not pass you or hostile or woodys girl, so dont worry