Hostile
The Duke
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We will have the rest of his answers soon.
1. Do you think that Jerry has finally figured out that taking an offensive lineman in the first round isn't a bad thing? History tells us that over the last 10 years he has only been interested in drafting the skill positions, OLBs, and CBs in the frist round. Nothing else. (well, he did draft Marcus Spears in the first round, but that was AFTER Ware and he had to trump Parcells to do that) --nyc
I would like think that Jerry is very interested in taking a 1st Round OL this season. There are a number of reasons why, but when you simply look at the team based on a percentage of playing time for each player, OL players are among the single most valuable commodity because they can and do play 100% of your offensive snaps. By comparison, your starting RB plays just over 50% of the snaps. To ignore this spot on the roster is absolutely silly and the Cowboys have to be aware of it. Now, I will concede that the jury is out on pretty much all of the 1st Round candidates at OL - especially at #9. Solder, for instance, is a guy I would not touch based on my personal feelings about his tape and his game performance. So, just taking one isn't the concern. It is taking the proper one. Same with DL - the issue isn't with the idea of taking DL help - the issue is that you had mis-evalutated Marcus Spears.
2. Should the NFL be run like the English Premier League? --dogberry
How is that? If you mean relelgation exists - then, I would love it. But, obviously, the structure of the league would not support that. No cap? I would be against that. I love both leagues and consider them the absolute goals for any sporting league, but I do not understand that question.
3. Who do you see the Cowboys taking at 9? --jterrell
I feel like DL is where the draft is taking them. I think you simply have to look at your needs and cross reference it with what is available. I feel (and everyone else does, too) that DE has been a real achilles heel here lately and it would seem that to play the percentages you would likely have your pick of the litter at 3-4 DE. If you can get a real disruptive player here, your entire defense changes. Dareus, Jordan, Watt are the 3 I have my eyes on, and I think you will have at least 2 of those sitting there when you are up. I do not think Prince Amukamara is special enough to take at #9 - and I also disagree that you take him only to convert him to safety. Too much money up there to consider it an experiment. He has been a press corner in college which is a positive, but in watching him closely on the field, I think his combine numbers are far more impressive than his game tape.
4. How many owners would have kept Jerry on as their GM for the last 15 years? --Duane
1. Jerry Jones.
5. Do you think the Cowboys have a label of being SOFT around the league? --dboy214
I think the Cowboys have a label of being unable to overcome adversity. I think sometimes people look at the Cowboys and say "as long as they are rolling, they can be very, very good. But the second things begin to unravel, they have a tendency to give in." I think that label comes from Wade Phillips. I expect that Garrett will erase much of that image.
6. Hi Bob, always like your breakdown coverages on Cowboys. What players have you heard in the upcoming draft that the cowboys coaching staff and scouts are interested in?
I have heard so far cowboys are looking at these players 1. Patrick Peterson CB/S, 2. Brandon Harris CB, 3. Cameron Jordan DE, 4. J J Wyatt DE, 5. Andy Dalton QB, 6. Colin Kaepernick QB, 7. Kendric Burney CB. So, if any other players that you know of cowboys have shown interest in for the upcoming draft would be greatly appreciated. --cowboyjoe
I try to let my contacts with the Cowboys complete their Pro Days before I get too close to the draft board, but I do believe they are looking hard at Jordan and Watt. I also know they want CB as the draft develops. And I believe they are interested in some OL help if it falls right. I know Peterson is very interesting to them, but the odds of him getting to #9 are extremely remote.
7. Why do you focus on football and not bull * like some of the other DFW yentas? --The Emperor
LOL. I have a rather sick obsession with football. Year round. I just don't care as much about spring training.
8. If you had the power to sign any free agent for the Cowboys during the offseason, who would it be and why? Also, thanks for all of the breakdowns you do, great insight for a fan like me who can always use a more detailed explanation backed up with statistics. --JustDezIt
I really thought the Atogwe opportunity was very good. I also think Michael Huff would be ideal and expensive. I don't understand why they let Atogwe go without even a visit. I broke him down with the Rams and he seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.
9. Do you think the Cowboys should go after Atogwe? He's a real playmaker at a position of absolute need for the Cowboys. --BIGDen
I absolutely did. I think the Commanders are quite possibly capable of the best safety tandem around when you can keep Laron Landry in the box as SS and Atogwe as FS. And then, when you least suspect it, you can switch them and cause all sorts of chaos.
10. Bob, You are by far my favorite of the people that cover the Cowboys. Thanks for your efforts. If John Phillips was not injured in the Preseason, would he have been on the field over Gronk during the play that knocked Romo out for the season? --Joe Rod
Thanks, Joe. That is tough to say, because while they did use Phillips occasionally in the backfield, it is tough to assume that they wouldn't have also had a FB on the squad for blitz pick up. I think Gronk had a very learning filled rookie season, but I also think he has potential and we should understand that everyone misses assignments. In fact, if you recall, Jason Witten missed Clay Matthews on that giant play at Lambeau that almost got Marion Barber killed. Missed blocks are everywhere in a game, and it is a game of chance when your missed block costs the QB the rest of his season. I look forward to both making next year's roster.
11. Despite the probowl voting my opinion is that Gurode is a good but not great center. Do you believe that the center position not only requires a physically imposing player but an exceptionally smart player who can help the quarterback assess the defense and quickly, effectively adjust the line. --cowboyed
Yes, I do think that center is a vital spot. I think we often judge centers based on the quality of the snaps. And Gurode obviously has issues there. At the same time, his recognition of blitzes when he calls out protections is decent from what I can gather and his actual physical pass and run blocking seems solid. In addition he played all 1105 snaps this season making him a constant on a team that needed that. I guess my evaluation is that I don't believe he is a Pro Bowl-caliber player, but he is solid enough that I would recommend keeping him there for 2011. You have bigger and more serious holes to address.
12. Over the years no player has been topic of more controversy than Tony Romo, in terms of his ability. You have people that love him, people that hate him, and everywhere in between. What do personnel people/coaches around the league (those that just don't regurgitate what ESPN/media says) think about him? --vlad
Well, it would be disingenuous to claim there is a consensus about his ability. I think most pro people consider him a very nice QB who at times can be better than very nice. He doesn't make many mistakes and still generates big plays down the field. He uses the entire field when he is at the wheel and can make all of the throws. There are still questions about his intangibles and his leadership when adversity hits. Also, he needs to lead this team deep into the playoffs very soon. He has always played under a ton of pressure and this year will be no different. I think he is respected around the league and his skills rate well. But, the jury awaits him putting everything together.
13. Any chance that AOA (Akwasi) might have progressed enough (injury recovery, ability) to contribute at S this coming season? --Phoenix
I fear that AOA is never going to be what the Cowboys thought he could be. They really liked him as a return man and a conversion project. The fact is that in a relatively large sample size, his return ability showed nothing beyond ordinary. McCann had far greater spark back there. And as a safety, he has not shown me anything to get excited about. Now, being hurt surely did not help his development either. I would sure hope he breaks out soon because I cannot bare another blown pick at that spot of the draft.
14. If you are a GM and you have to take three players from this team to go start another team, who would you take and why? Thank you for your time! --bsheern
I think this question means "who are the three most desired players on the roster?" - If I understood that right, I would take Doug Free, Dez Bryant, and DeMarcus Ware. Free looks like a Left Tackle who did not struggle at all last season and has plenty of years in front of him. His athleticism is remarkable and he hardly ever loses the edge. Dez Bryant is a superstar waiting to happen and Ware is a superstar that has happened. The rest of the Top 5 would be Miles Austin and I think Jay Ratliff. This is actually a tough list to put together after the Top 4. If I was another franchise, which guys would I want to pick off? I am not sure I would trust Mike Jenkins or Anthony Spencer right now. And the list of young studs is not nearly as long as it needs to be.
1. Do you think that Jerry has finally figured out that taking an offensive lineman in the first round isn't a bad thing? History tells us that over the last 10 years he has only been interested in drafting the skill positions, OLBs, and CBs in the frist round. Nothing else. (well, he did draft Marcus Spears in the first round, but that was AFTER Ware and he had to trump Parcells to do that) --nyc
I would like think that Jerry is very interested in taking a 1st Round OL this season. There are a number of reasons why, but when you simply look at the team based on a percentage of playing time for each player, OL players are among the single most valuable commodity because they can and do play 100% of your offensive snaps. By comparison, your starting RB plays just over 50% of the snaps. To ignore this spot on the roster is absolutely silly and the Cowboys have to be aware of it. Now, I will concede that the jury is out on pretty much all of the 1st Round candidates at OL - especially at #9. Solder, for instance, is a guy I would not touch based on my personal feelings about his tape and his game performance. So, just taking one isn't the concern. It is taking the proper one. Same with DL - the issue isn't with the idea of taking DL help - the issue is that you had mis-evalutated Marcus Spears.
2. Should the NFL be run like the English Premier League? --dogberry
How is that? If you mean relelgation exists - then, I would love it. But, obviously, the structure of the league would not support that. No cap? I would be against that. I love both leagues and consider them the absolute goals for any sporting league, but I do not understand that question.
3. Who do you see the Cowboys taking at 9? --jterrell
I feel like DL is where the draft is taking them. I think you simply have to look at your needs and cross reference it with what is available. I feel (and everyone else does, too) that DE has been a real achilles heel here lately and it would seem that to play the percentages you would likely have your pick of the litter at 3-4 DE. If you can get a real disruptive player here, your entire defense changes. Dareus, Jordan, Watt are the 3 I have my eyes on, and I think you will have at least 2 of those sitting there when you are up. I do not think Prince Amukamara is special enough to take at #9 - and I also disagree that you take him only to convert him to safety. Too much money up there to consider it an experiment. He has been a press corner in college which is a positive, but in watching him closely on the field, I think his combine numbers are far more impressive than his game tape.
4. How many owners would have kept Jerry on as their GM for the last 15 years? --Duane
1. Jerry Jones.
5. Do you think the Cowboys have a label of being SOFT around the league? --dboy214
I think the Cowboys have a label of being unable to overcome adversity. I think sometimes people look at the Cowboys and say "as long as they are rolling, they can be very, very good. But the second things begin to unravel, they have a tendency to give in." I think that label comes from Wade Phillips. I expect that Garrett will erase much of that image.
6. Hi Bob, always like your breakdown coverages on Cowboys. What players have you heard in the upcoming draft that the cowboys coaching staff and scouts are interested in?
I have heard so far cowboys are looking at these players 1. Patrick Peterson CB/S, 2. Brandon Harris CB, 3. Cameron Jordan DE, 4. J J Wyatt DE, 5. Andy Dalton QB, 6. Colin Kaepernick QB, 7. Kendric Burney CB. So, if any other players that you know of cowboys have shown interest in for the upcoming draft would be greatly appreciated. --cowboyjoe
I try to let my contacts with the Cowboys complete their Pro Days before I get too close to the draft board, but I do believe they are looking hard at Jordan and Watt. I also know they want CB as the draft develops. And I believe they are interested in some OL help if it falls right. I know Peterson is very interesting to them, but the odds of him getting to #9 are extremely remote.
7. Why do you focus on football and not bull * like some of the other DFW yentas? --The Emperor
LOL. I have a rather sick obsession with football. Year round. I just don't care as much about spring training.
8. If you had the power to sign any free agent for the Cowboys during the offseason, who would it be and why? Also, thanks for all of the breakdowns you do, great insight for a fan like me who can always use a more detailed explanation backed up with statistics. --JustDezIt
I really thought the Atogwe opportunity was very good. I also think Michael Huff would be ideal and expensive. I don't understand why they let Atogwe go without even a visit. I broke him down with the Rams and he seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.
9. Do you think the Cowboys should go after Atogwe? He's a real playmaker at a position of absolute need for the Cowboys. --BIGDen
I absolutely did. I think the Commanders are quite possibly capable of the best safety tandem around when you can keep Laron Landry in the box as SS and Atogwe as FS. And then, when you least suspect it, you can switch them and cause all sorts of chaos.
10. Bob, You are by far my favorite of the people that cover the Cowboys. Thanks for your efforts. If John Phillips was not injured in the Preseason, would he have been on the field over Gronk during the play that knocked Romo out for the season? --Joe Rod
Thanks, Joe. That is tough to say, because while they did use Phillips occasionally in the backfield, it is tough to assume that they wouldn't have also had a FB on the squad for blitz pick up. I think Gronk had a very learning filled rookie season, but I also think he has potential and we should understand that everyone misses assignments. In fact, if you recall, Jason Witten missed Clay Matthews on that giant play at Lambeau that almost got Marion Barber killed. Missed blocks are everywhere in a game, and it is a game of chance when your missed block costs the QB the rest of his season. I look forward to both making next year's roster.
11. Despite the probowl voting my opinion is that Gurode is a good but not great center. Do you believe that the center position not only requires a physically imposing player but an exceptionally smart player who can help the quarterback assess the defense and quickly, effectively adjust the line. --cowboyed
Yes, I do think that center is a vital spot. I think we often judge centers based on the quality of the snaps. And Gurode obviously has issues there. At the same time, his recognition of blitzes when he calls out protections is decent from what I can gather and his actual physical pass and run blocking seems solid. In addition he played all 1105 snaps this season making him a constant on a team that needed that. I guess my evaluation is that I don't believe he is a Pro Bowl-caliber player, but he is solid enough that I would recommend keeping him there for 2011. You have bigger and more serious holes to address.
12. Over the years no player has been topic of more controversy than Tony Romo, in terms of his ability. You have people that love him, people that hate him, and everywhere in between. What do personnel people/coaches around the league (those that just don't regurgitate what ESPN/media says) think about him? --vlad
Well, it would be disingenuous to claim there is a consensus about his ability. I think most pro people consider him a very nice QB who at times can be better than very nice. He doesn't make many mistakes and still generates big plays down the field. He uses the entire field when he is at the wheel and can make all of the throws. There are still questions about his intangibles and his leadership when adversity hits. Also, he needs to lead this team deep into the playoffs very soon. He has always played under a ton of pressure and this year will be no different. I think he is respected around the league and his skills rate well. But, the jury awaits him putting everything together.
13. Any chance that AOA (Akwasi) might have progressed enough (injury recovery, ability) to contribute at S this coming season? --Phoenix
I fear that AOA is never going to be what the Cowboys thought he could be. They really liked him as a return man and a conversion project. The fact is that in a relatively large sample size, his return ability showed nothing beyond ordinary. McCann had far greater spark back there. And as a safety, he has not shown me anything to get excited about. Now, being hurt surely did not help his development either. I would sure hope he breaks out soon because I cannot bare another blown pick at that spot of the draft.
14. If you are a GM and you have to take three players from this team to go start another team, who would you take and why? Thank you for your time! --bsheern
I think this question means "who are the three most desired players on the roster?" - If I understood that right, I would take Doug Free, Dez Bryant, and DeMarcus Ware. Free looks like a Left Tackle who did not struggle at all last season and has plenty of years in front of him. His athleticism is remarkable and he hardly ever loses the edge. Dez Bryant is a superstar waiting to happen and Ware is a superstar that has happened. The rest of the Top 5 would be Miles Austin and I think Jay Ratliff. This is actually a tough list to put together after the Top 4. If I was another franchise, which guys would I want to pick off? I am not sure I would trust Mike Jenkins or Anthony Spencer right now. And the list of young studs is not nearly as long as it needs to be.
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