Branden Albert, OG Virginia

[AmericasTeam]

I do not see us passing over this guy at 22 if Mckelvin, McFadden, Talib, & Mendenhall are off the board at 22 as most mocks are showing.... I believe Felix Jones will be available at 28 or even in the early part of round 2...I think he hurt himself at the combine

Albert would be a beast at LG and I love his versatility...

 

[TheSport78]

I do not see us passing over this guy at 22 if Mckelvin, McFadden, Talib, & Mendenhall are off the board at 22 as most mocks are showing.... I believe Felix Jones will be available at 28 or even in the early part of round 2...I think he hurt himself at the combine

Albert would be a beast at LG and I love his versatility...

Yup. Lets draft an OL in the 1st round after giving Flo a huge contract, not to mention Bigg and Gurode last year with Colombo in a contract year next season. We just drafted Marten and Free in the 3rd and 4th rounds, respectively. We have to see what they have to offer.

 

[tayloner]

He would be GREAT value at that pick. Unfortunately, going into the draft, we are not in the position to draft value, we have to draft need, and that's CB first and foremost, then WR and RB. So unless some big name guy falls big time, expect the first three picks to be used on those positions.

I do agree with you though. The kid will be a beast for years to come. Steelers will take him right after us at 23.

 

[Alexander]

Yup. Lets draft an OL in the 1st round after giving Flo a huge contract, not to mention Bigg and Gurode last year with Colombo in a contract year next season.

Because Colombo is in a contract year is exactly why we would need to think about his replacement. The last thing we want to do is have to play a game with him. He's already hinted about wanting a new contract. Sorry, but we have better players ahead of him in line.

We just drafted Marten and Free in the 3rd and 4th rounds, respectively. We have to see what they have to offer.

I wonder about these two. I can't say I even noticed Marten last preseason. Free looked okay before he was hurt. But both of these players are tackles and appear to be the replacements for Colombo when he leaves.

Albert is an excellent guard who can also play tackle. He is one of the more solid players in this draft. Whoever drafts him is going to get themselves a good solid ten year vet, no doubt in my mind.

 

[TheSport78]

Because Colombo is in a contract year is exactly why we would need to think about his replacement. The last thing we want to do is have to play a game with him. He's already hinted about wanting a new contract. Sorry, but we have better players ahead of him in line.

We have Free, McQuistan and Marten to compete for the RT spot in 09' if we can't reach an agreement with Colombo. That was the point I was trying to make. You can't just draft an OL in the 1st round after giving out huge contracts to 3/5 of your offensive line. Dallas has to see what they have in the young players before you have an OG at the #22 pick overall.

 

[Teague31]

i would be okay with him at 28 but not 22... we HAVE to draft a corner at 22.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I do not see us passing over this guy at 22

I do

considering we haven't drafted an Olineman in the 1st round since '83, which coincidentally was the year that I was born

I don't see it

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Because Colombo is in a contract year is exactly why we would need to think about his replacement. The last thing we want to do is have to play a game with him. He's already hinted about wanting a new contract. Sorry, but we have better players ahead of him in line.



I wonder about these two. I can't say I even noticed Marten last preseason. Free looked okay before he was hurt. But both of these players are tackles and appear to be the replacements for Colombo when he leaves.

Albert is an excellent guard who can also play tackle. He is one of the more solid players in this draft. Whoever drafts him is going to get themselves a good solid ten year vet, no doubt in my mind.

McQ can play OG, Marten played LG before his Senior year at BC, we just tendered Berger, and Davis is locked up long-term

I don't see it

 

[Alexander]

We have Free, McQuistan and Marten to compete for the RT spot in 09' if we can't reach an agreement with Colombo. That was the point I was trying to make. You can't just draft an OL in the 1st round after giving out huge contracts to 3/5 of your offensive line. Dallas has to see what they have in the young players before you have an OG at the #22 pick overall.

Free, McQuistan and Marten haven't proven a thing.

If Albert is hands down the best value, we would be foolish to force a need choice for a cornerback or wide receiver. Take the value player or try to trade down if you can.

Sometimes the best choices are made simply by taking the best player. You talk like we have a logjam on the OL with all of this oozing talent.

We don't have that. We have three unprovens who have demonstrated some ability but obviously aren't yet ready. Albert would automatically be our top reserve.

I have a firm belief that if Free or McQuistin were the true answers, we would not have invested what we did in Adams. I am not acting like I know because I don't. But you can see that committed to Adams for at least two more seasons. That leaves the young talent to compete for RT. Not a one have been deemed good enough to take left tackle to allow us to pursue other options in free agency.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Free, McQuistan and Marten haven't proven a thing.

If Albert is hands down the best value, we would be foolish to force a need choice for a cornerback or wide receiver. Take the value player or try to trade down if you can.

Sometimes the best choices are made simply by taking the best player. You talk like we have a logjam on the OL with all of this oozing talent.

We don't have that. We have three unprovens who have demonstrated some ability but obviously aren't yet ready. Albert would automatically be our top reserve.

I have a firm belief that if Free or McQuistin were the true answers, we would not have invested what we did in Adams. I am not acting like I know because I don't. But you can see that committed to Adams for at least two more seasons. That leaves the young talent to compete for RT. Not a one have been deemed good enough to take left tackle to allow us to pursue other options in free agency.

funny, how the parts in bold is what Albert isn't either

 

[Beast_from_East]

I do not see us passing over this guy at 22 if Mckelvin, McFadden, Talib, & Mendenhall are off the board at 22 as most mocks are showing.... I believe Felix Jones will be available at 28 or even in the early part of round 2...I think he hurt himself at the combine

Albert would be a beast at LG and I love his versatility...

Can he cover since we have only 2 legit CBs on the entire roster right now?

 

[Alexander]

funny, how the parts in bold is what Albert isn't either

Then no rookies are proven and we should just forget every draft choice.

That's a ridiculous retort. There is a reason Albert is considered a first round prospect and the other three were not even close.

 

[Alexander]

Can he cover since we have only 2 legit CBs on the entire roster right now?

We only had two "legit" CBs on the roster all of last year.

What is your point?

We lost Jacques Reeves. Why is that suddenly room for panic?

We can find talent better than him practically anywhere in the draft.

That doesn't mean we elevate "need" to the point we force a choice in the first round no matter what.

Assume Talib, McKelvin, Rodgers-Cromartie and Jenkins are gone by our first choice. What then?

 

[AmericasTeam]

Can he cover since we have only 2 legit CBs on the entire roster right now?

I am not saying he is what we need or what I would ideally have the Cowboys pick...What I am saying is that I believe he would replace Kosier at LG right away...and he could potetnially be the best value at 22...I believe there is better value at CB in the second and third round unless one of the big three corners fall to 22. At running back I could flip a coin between Felix Jones and Chris Johnson...I really don't care which one could be drafted...Honestly I wouldn't be to upset if we passed them over for a leter round RB given the recent success of late round and UDFA running backs

 

[TheSport78]

Free, McQuistan and Marten haven't proven a thing.

If Albert is hands down the best value, we would be foolish to force a need choice for a cornerback or wide receiver. Take the value player or try to trade down if you can.

Sometimes the best choices are made simply by taking the best player. You talk like we have a logjam on the OL with all of this oozing talent.

We don't have that. We have three unprovens who have demonstrated some ability but obviously aren't yet ready. Albert would automatically be our top reserve.

I have a firm belief that if Free or McQuistin were the true answers, we would not have invested what we did in Adams. I am not acting like I know because I don't. But you can see that committed to Adams for at least two more seasons. That leaves the young talent to compete for RT. Not a one have been deemed good enough to take left tackle to allow us to pursue other options in free agency.

What has Brandon Albert proven? When you draft James Marten in the 3rd round, Doug Free in the 4th, and McQuistan who the coaches are very high on, you cannot just draft another OL in the 1st round. Dallas doesn't have the luxury to draft the best player available. We NEED a cornerback with Reeves and Jones not coming back. Do you feel comfortable with Alan Ball being the Nickel CB? I don't. This was Free's ROOKIE YEAR. You don't just give up on your draft picks one year in because they aren't "proven." It's called developing your young players to eventually start one day. That's why we re-signed Flozell. LT's aren't easy to find in this league. There's a high percentage that there will be a great CB when we pick at #22. Dallas also has the luxury to trade up if desired.

Lets say DRC is on the clock at #14. If we get a trading partner. We can trade our #22 and our 2nd rounder to trade up, then trade down at the #28 spot to get back that 2nd and maybe a 4th. Because I guarantee you Jerry won't pay for two 1st rounder's this year with our cap situation.

 

[Skinsmaniac]

I'm really hoping that this debate is academic, and the Skins take him at 21. We are desperate for some youth on the line.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Then no rookies are proven and we should just forget every draft choice.

no, just you can't knock our unproven players, yet pimp another, even more unproven player

That's a ridiculous retort. There is a reason Albert is considered a first round prospect and the other three were not even close.

yeah, he is, but we like our backups on the line, and they already know the system, and have been developing

it would be a huge waste to take Albert in the 1st round, and for the upteenth time, we haven't taken an Olineman in the 1st round since '83, I don't think those fortunes are going to change w/ an OG

 

[Alexander]

What has Brandon Albert proven? When you draft James Marten in the 3rd round, Doug Free in the 4th, and McQuistan who the coaches are very high on, you cannot just draft another OL in the 1st round.

Why not? Is there a rule?

The point I am trying to make is that we don't know a thing about any of those three. And we have a new position coach who might want something different than Tony Sparano.

McQuistan was a Coach Parcells pet and a project that Sparano liked. Houck could come in here and hate him. Free showed some potential, so he's the one of the three I think can make it. Marten? I think the silence about him speaks fairly large about what his standing is.

Dallas doesn't have the luxury to draft the best player available.

Contending teams shouldn't have to draft for need. You just do not do it. Go take a look at champions and contenders over the last few years.

We NEED a cornerback with Reeves and Jones not coming back.

Oh NO! Two 7th round choices who have done nothing won't come back, what will we do?

Do you feel comfortable with Alan Ball being the Nickel CB? I don't.

There is plenty of time in free agency.

And honestly, I didn't feel fine with Reeves or Jones as the nickel, but that is besides the point.

This was Free's ROOKIE YEAR. You don't just give up on your draft picks one year in because they aren't "proven."

Why would we give up on Free by taking Albert?

It's called developing your young players to eventually start one day.

And you also need to know when to say this player isn't going to do what we want.

Instead of talking about McQuistin, Free and Marten, I don't see many people harping about the lovely potential of Berger and Proctor.

Why is that?

They are the interior depth. Not Free. Not Marten.

That's why we re-signed Flozell. LT's aren't easy to find in this league. There's a high percentage that there will be a great CB when we pick at #22. Dallas also has the luxury to trade up if desired.

"Great" CB? The "Great" CBs will be long gone by choice 22.

How about a "good" CB versus a "Great" guard? I take the "Great" player every time.

Cornerbacks carry more value than guards.

 

[Beast_from_East]

We only had two "legit" CBs on the roster all of last year.

What is your point?

We lost Jacques Reeves. Why is that suddenly room for panic?

We can find talent better than him practically anywhere in the draft.

That doesn't mean we elevate "need" to the point we force a choice in the first round no matter what.

Assume Talib, McKelvin, Rodgers-Cromartie and Jenkins are gone by our first choice. What then?

Thats kinda my point, we only played with 2 legit corners last year (Reeves is garbage), and we were "one and done".

Panic didnt set in when Reeves left, more like overwhelming joy.

If every good CB is gone by #22 we are screwed. We didnt have the money to get a vet CB in free agency and if we are left with leftovers from the draft and have to play a wet behind the ears rookie as our 3rd, I dont see us going very far next year.

If you have a hole in your roster, you can fix it with free agency or draft. If you dont address the need in free agency, you have to address it in the draft. Right now we have Newman, Henery, and a bunch of scrubs. If we stand pat, we will not go far next year.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

There is plenty of time in free agency.

i'm not getting into this whole thing, as it's between you and him

but who on the market would you be comfortable w/ as the #3 CB?