Ciskowski interview on the Ticket this morning

[Galian Beast]

I love how people read something and just put their own spin on it.

 

[GoCowboysGo]

This is simply not true. Free was in HIGH demand after the promise he showed replacing Columbo the year prior. Teams were making big offers, and NONE OF US wanted lose him. Jerry did the right thing there, as much as I choke to admit that.

Free is simply a disappointment. We all thought he as a bookend tackle for years to come.

I remember people here and on radio that kept saying why were we paying him so much when he needed TE help to block. It was media fueled spin that made his stock go up and I know I wasn't the only one who didn't want the Cowboys to resign him.

I remember the bidding war, I will never forget it and have always thought people here and a few in the media knew it was a mistake.

 

[xwalker]

This reflects some of the same finger-crossing we have gone through with the offensive line for that past two seasons. We are banking on Callahan's coaching ability once again and it is frustrating to see repeat itself.

As for the DL, how on earth can they be so sure that everyone returning intact would simply not skip a beat? Was there any contingency plan for if Ratliff indeed has hit the end of the road? Kyle Wilber backing up Ware was our solution for a player who was very beat up last season?

I disagree. In the past they tried to hard to "cover" themselves with has-been veteran backups. Too many roster spots used on veteran backups is a big handicap in trying to develop young players.

Good teams take risks with young players.

If you look back at the Jimmy's Super Bowl teams, the rosters going into training camp and into the season appeared to be very dependent on some young players. Jimmy didn't cover every backup position with veterans or top round draft picks.

You have to leave room for developing late round guys like Leon Lett and Jay Ratliff and UDFAs like Romo and Austin.

 

[Galian Beast]

I disagree. In the past they tried to hard to "cover" themselves with has-been veteran backups. Too many roster spots used on veteran backups is a big handicap in trying to develop young players.

Good teams take risks with young players.

If you look back at the Jimmy's Super Bowl teams, the rosters going into training camp and into the season appeared to be very dependent on some young players. Jimmy didn't cover every backup position with veterans or top round draft picks.

You have to leave room for developing late round guys like Leon Lett and Jay Ratliff and UDFAs like Romo and Austin.

They're certainly putting focus on developing players rather than using expensive free agents. People have wanted us to do this for quite some time, but they can never be pleased with anything Jerry does.

As you mentioned we have certainly had some success developing players. It takes time though, but people are ultimately not very patient. I think the coaches do need to put players out there more though.

Could be a big year for players who were undrafted at some point or brought in to see how their career could be saved.

Brian Price
Leary
Ernie Sims


We had success with Fiametta and Robinson.

 

[jterrell]

I remember people here and on radio that kept saying why were we paying him so much when he needed TE help to block. It was media fueled spin that made his stock go up and I know I wasn't the only one who didn't want the Cowboys to resign him.

I remember the bidding war, I will never forget it and have always thought people here and a few in the media knew it was a mistake.

that is about as hogwash as hogwash gets.

free had played rt well in situations then moved to lt and handled it.

he was considered a must sign.

he did sign and has proceeded to be terrible ever since.

i absolutely think he needs to be cut but this team paid him huge money and still drafted t. smith in order to shore up the OT spot for a half decade. they had no idea free would regress to this mess.

 

[jterrell]

I am right there with you, 150%. Building from the outside in is never how this team found success, not with Landry, not with Johnson.

Very frustrating to find this trend continuing.

please stop posting garbage.

jimmy johnson picked:
troy aikman 1 overall in 89.
emmitt smith 17 overall in 90.
alvin harper 12 overall in 91
kevin smith 17 overall in 92

how exactly did jimmy build from inside out?

he loved dl in general and had 8 guys that could play there but the ol wasn't a huge focus. he inherited Tui and big Nate. Step and big E were r3 picks.
jimmy had tons of picks so could select players everywhere. we'd draft 3rd round special teams specialists. you can do that when you have 10-12 picks in a draft.

 

[Galian Beast]

People should stop thinking about the 90s altogether.

How much do you think Jerry was paying for playing in the 90s before the salary cap?

The salary cap started in the 1994 season. I'm guessing it didn't put anyone directly into salary cap hell.

It's obvious that Jerry was paying people more in say 1994 than most teams. He deferred a lot of contracts, which allowed us to win, but ultimately sank us.

We drafted good players because of some good trades made that gave us tons of extra picks. We also signed a lot of free agent stars.

People just relish the past without understanding why it was possible and what the ramifications were.

 

[TX_Yid]

Thank you, OP! Great job!

Regarding Free, bounce back to what? He was never worth that extension, he needed help from TEs all along, then he gets a massive contract and he's been sucking more ever since, seemingly always getting pushed back into Romo's lap, yet Ciskowski says that "he's prideful and always in the weight room"! What's he doing there? Watching?

Then he basically says our D Line is fine, yet they got no push up the middle and those players are aging or often injured.

For all the problems in the Cowboys trenches, we drafted or signed 1 rookie forcing the Cowboys to pay more in free agency rather than build "cheaply" via the draft or signing UDFAs.

Agreed, I don't want a guy out there who is working his butt off but still sucks. We can't use that guy. Get rid of him.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I am right there with you, 150%. Building from the outside in is never how this team found success, not with Landry, not with Johnson.

Very frustrating to find this trend continuing.

Except Johnson did develop his olinemen with UDFA, low draft picks types and allowed Wise to coach them into what they became. OL take a good amount of time to develop.

Newton was a USFL refugee brought in during the mid-80's he was not ready for primetime until the 90's. Tuinei was a converted DT also brought in during the 80's who took time. Gesek was a cast off 10th round pick of the Rams we got off the scrap heap in 1990. Stepnoski and Williams were the only two who were top 100 picks 2nd and 3rd rounders respectively.

Other notable develops players include Gogan who was an 8th round pick. Allen wasn't brought in until after we were winning Super Bowls.

We currently have two first round selections on our line, middle round types like Free, Livings, and Arkin and the UDFA prospects like Parnell, Leary, Costa and Kowalski.

When it comes to the OL, the current Cowboys are using more premium picks at the positions. Many of the 'draft picks' of the 90's teams would be UDFA in the 7 round draft we hav now.

DL is a different matter. Tolbert, Maryland, Casillas, and Jimmie Jones were all selected in the top 3 rounds. If you want to use the JJ 90's approach to roster building more prime assets need to be used on DL.

 

[Kalyan]

Sounds like the wanted to get one of the 2 great guards in the first and take Frederick in the 2nd. Man, that would have been great.

I am thinking the same thing, they really hoped that one of the 2 gaurds will fall to them and they will probably move up to take Frederick. Would have been an awesome line with Frederick/Cooper or Frederick/Warmack next to each other. Escobar has to be a pro bowler now

 

[speedkilz88]

Except Johnson did develop his olinemen with UDFA, low draft picks types and allowed Wise to coach them into what they became. OL take a good amount of time to develop.

Newton was a USFL refugee brought in during the mid-80's he was not ready for primetime until the 90's. Tuinei was a converted DT also brought in during the 80's who took time. Gesek was a cast off 10th round pick of the Rams we got off the scrap heap in 1990. Stepnoski and Williams were the only two who were top 100 picks 2nd and 3rd rounders respectively.

Other notable develops players include Gogan who was an 8th round pick. Allen wasn't brought in until after we were winning Super Bowls.

We currently have two first round selections on our line, middle round types like Free, Livings, and Arkin and the UDFA prospects like Parnell, Leary, Costa and Kowalski.

When it comes to the OL, the current Cowboys are using more premium picks at the positions. Many of the 'draft picks' of the 90's teams would be UDFA in the 7 round draft we hav now.

DL is a different matter. Tolbert, Maryland, Casillas, and Jimmie Jones were all selected in the top 3 rounds. If you want to use the JJ 90's approach to roster building more prime assets need to be used on DL.

One correction. John Gesek was acquired in a trade with the Raiders and I think he was an 8th round pick. They also got Hellestrae, I think in the same trade.

 

[Derinyar]

You build through the draft by getting the players you think have the best talent. You fix holes through FA, hopefully on short term deals.

We haven't done a particularly good job of proscouting the last few years, of course part of last year was also the Mara restriction.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

OL no other picks than Frederick, even UDFAs? ... When there's been a coaching change, and we had Hud Houck a long time, each coach teaches differently. There's a big difference in the footwork between what Houck wanted and Callahan wants. Because the players are becoming better with the footwork that Callahan requires, we think the OL as a whole should improve the second season with him.

This is pure lunacy, but I'm not surprised it's the company line. Just shows how ignorant the Jones boys actually are.

Let's see, of the offensive linemen who saw significant playing time last season and are likely to be in the mix this year, only Doug Free and Jeremy Parnell played under Houck for more than one season (5 for Free, 2 for Parnell). Guys like Tyron Smith, Kevin Kowalski, David Arkin, Derrick Dockary only played under Houck for one year. Cook, Bernardeau and Livings never played for Houck.

So to insinuate that these JAG offensive lineman need more time to be "broken" from their Hudson Houck habits is a complete insult to the fanbase. I would feel embarrassed for Ciskowki having to spout this garbage that I'm sure he doesn't really believe, but considering how well I'm sure he gets paid, I don't feel too bad for him.

 

[anj113]

Below is a rough transcript of Ciskowski on The Ticket this morning. The parenthetical stuff is my addition - either I'm filling in Ciskowski's gaps or in just a few cases stuff I missed entirely - either way my best guess. I was typing it up fast, didn't tape it, so results may vary slightly. The important stuff I tried to put down verbatim but other stuff may be paraphrased. I got the entire interview - no questions were missed. Please correct if you heard anything different than me.

I hope the Ticket replays this on their Ticket Top 10 tonight, or as podcast.
----

Did you take need above talent? ... You always look for need, but more importantly you want players that can come in and start (have starting ability).

Take Frederick too early? ... In the 21 years i've been doing this - people get too wrapped up in which round players go. When you find players that are tough, smart, and love to play the game, they will play a long time because of those three attributes.

Escobar? ... He will be involved in our packages. Play a significant role in our offense. He has athletic ability, played WR in high school. We like those kind of athletes. We can cause match up probs with our TEs.

DL no picks? ... We like our group. Spenc Ware Rat Hatcher. Young players with upside: Lissemore & Crawford. After that we have unknowns but hopefully one of the unknowns will step forward.

OL no other picks than Frederick, even UDFAs? ... When there's been a coaching change, and we had Hud Houck a long time, each coach teaches differently. There's a big difference in the footwork between what Houck wanted and Callahan wants. Because the players are becoming better with the footwork that Callahan requires, we think the OL as a whole should improve the second season with him.

Doug Free improvement? ... We hope so. He's a prideful guy, always in weight room. We hope to work something out with him and that he'll have a bounceback year.

Kiffin's scheme affect scouting? ... Yes somewhat. For instance last fall we scouted guys to fit a 3-4. John Jenkins NT Georgia (third round pick by the Saints last weekend) would have been NT in our system then, but not a DT in our system now. But you don't want to go away from a good football player if he fits your scheme (in any way shape or form I think he is saying - if a player is good you want to find a fit for him ...).

Happy to get some Big 12 players (scouted them particularly?)? ... We were happy to find guys available each round so high on our board. You are always looking for value. As far as need goes, you should draft need but don't reach for need. Last year, there was no way to predict injuries (from those draft picks). You hate to skip a A level player to get a B level player (just because of need or possibly injuries, not sure exactly what he meant but probably need).

Discussion down to the wire each round? ... Not really. We target 2-3 players (per pick). Let's say pick 80 is coming up, so 5 picks before then we start discussing the 3 highest players at that point on our board. Then one of the three goes off the board before you can pick. Then if grades are close between say the two that are still left - we take need. If grades are not close - then we take the best player.

Garrett "right kind of guy" big part of evaluations? ... Makeup (has always been) part of our scouting sheets for each player. If you find players with makeup they can evolve because they have pride in what they do first. But second, when they get around other good players they take the challenge and want to excel.

Disagreements in war room? ... No. Jerry gets info from us so (he's always making decisions based on what we scouts had already approved).

What about bad drafts in 2009 etc.? Can you understand how fans are frustrated? ... We try to fulfill needs but things may not work out. Scouting 101 is bringing in right kind of guy to help team (Not sure that I understood his point here whether he was talking about Garrett's RKG or just the "right guys" in general). I'm excited about things like: the skill level of Escobar. The blocking ability of Terrence Williams. Excited about Frederick and JJ Wilcox, Webb, Randle and Hollomon - all tough guys. It is a tough man's game. I'm excited those guys will elevate team by bringing toughness.

Position or player we missed in draft, regrets? ... Obviously I would draft whatever player is best on the board, you want those players. But we did two mock drafts before the draft and we wound up with 2 OLs (My interpretation - in each mock they picked 2 OLs high) and we were OK with that. However, if there had been a guard in the draft (that was good value at our spots) it would have been nice, wouldn't have hurt. But we still like the value we got for each player.

So its coaching why our O line sucks for years?

 

[anj113]

Below is a rough transcript of Ciskowski on The Ticket this morning. The parenthetical stuff is my addition - either I'm filling in Ciskowski's gaps or in just a few cases stuff I missed entirely - either way my best guess. I was typing it up fast, didn't tape it, so results may vary slightly. The important stuff I tried to put down verbatim but other stuff may be paraphrased. I got the entire interview - no questions were missed. Please correct if you heard anything different than me.

I hope the Ticket replays this on their Ticket Top 10 tonight, or as podcast.
----

Did you take need above talent? ... You always look for need, but more importantly you want players that can come in and start (have starting ability).

Take Frederick too early? ... In the 21 years i've been doing this - people get too wrapped up in which round players go. When you find players that are tough, smart, and love to play the game, they will play a long time because of those three attributes.

Escobar? ... He will be involved in our packages. Play a significant role in our offense. He has athletic ability, played WR in high school. We like those kind of athletes. We can cause match up probs with our TEs.

DL no picks? ... We like our group. Spenc Ware Rat Hatcher. Young players with upside: Lissemore & Crawford. After that we have unknowns but hopefully one of the unknowns will step forward.

OL no other picks than Frederick, even UDFAs? ... When there's been a coaching change, and we had Hud Houck a long time, each coach teaches differently. There's a big difference in the footwork between what Houck wanted and Callahan wants. Because the players are becoming better with the footwork that Callahan requires, we think the OL as a whole should improve the second season with him.

Doug Free improvement? ... We hope so. He's a prideful guy, always in weight room. We hope to work something out with him and that he'll have a bounceback year.

Kiffin's scheme affect scouting? ... Yes somewhat. For instance last fall we scouted guys to fit a 3-4. John Jenkins NT Georgia (third round pick by the Saints last weekend) would have been NT in our system then, but not a DT in our system now. But you don't want to go away from a good football player if he fits your scheme (in any way shape or form I think he is saying - if a player is good you want to find a fit for him ...).

Happy to get some Big 12 players (scouted them particularly?)? ... We were happy to find guys available each round so high on our board. You are always looking for value. As far as need goes, you should draft need but don't reach for need. Last year, there was no way to predict injuries (from those draft picks). You hate to skip a A level player to get a B level player (just because of need or possibly injuries, not sure exactly what he meant but probably need).

Discussion down to the wire each round? ... Not really. We target 2-3 players (per pick). Let's say pick 80 is coming up, so 5 picks before then we start discussing the 3 highest players at that point on our board. Then one of the three goes off the board before you can pick. Then if grades are close between say the two that are still left - we take need. If grades are not close - then we take the best player.

Garrett "right kind of guy" big part of evaluations? ... Makeup (has always been) part of our scouting sheets for each player. If you find players with makeup they can evolve because they have pride in what they do first. But second, when they get around other good players they take the challenge and want to excel.

Disagreements in war room? ... No. Jerry gets info from us so (he's always making decisions based on what we scouts had already approved).

What about bad drafts in 2009 etc.? Can you understand how fans are frustrated? ... We try to fulfill needs but things may not work out. Scouting 101 is bringing in right kind of guy to help team (Not sure that I understood his point here whether he was talking about Garrett's RKG or just the "right guys" in general). I'm excited about things like: the skill level of Escobar. The blocking ability of Terrence Williams. Excited about Frederick and JJ Wilcox, Webb, Randle and Hollomon - all tough guys. It is a tough man's game. I'm excited those guys will elevate team by bringing toughness.

Position or player we missed in draft, regrets? ... Obviously I would draft whatever player is best on the board, you want those players. But we did two mock drafts before the draft and we wound up with 2 OLs (My interpretation - in each mock they picked 2 OLs high) and we were OK with that. However, if there had been a guard in the draft (that was good value at our spots) it would have been nice, wouldn't have hurt. But we still like the value we got for each player.

Doug Free improvement? WE hope so? Alot of this teams success is based on false hope

 

[DallasInDC]

I am right there with you, 150%. Building from the outside in is never how this team found success, not with Landry, not with Johnson.

Very frustrating to find this trend continuing.

This refrain that we ignore the trenches is a fallacy. When looking at our 1st through 3rd picks for the past 10 years shows we have invested heavily in the trenches. Of the twenty-seven 1st-3rd round picks, 6 were OL (half in the last five years), 5 were DL (including Ware and Spencer in this group), and 5 LB. That is 11 of 27 picks -41% on the trenches. The remaining 11 picks were DB's, RB's, TE's, and WR's. That doesn't sound like an organization that neglected trenches. Maybe a team that can't identify OL talent, but not one who hasn't invested in the trenches (especially when considering all of the FA additions.

 

[jobberone]

Merely a company yes man, shame cause he's actually pretty good at what he does if they'd actually listen to him.

 

[GoCowboysGo]

Except Johnson did develop his olinemen with UDFA, low draft picks types and allowed Wise to coach them into what they became. OL take a good amount of time to develop.

Newton was a USFL refugee brought in during the mid-80's he was not ready for primetime until the 90's. Tuinei was a converted DT also brought in during the 80's who took time. Gesek was a cast off 10th round pick of the Rams we got off the scrap heap in 1990. Stepnoski and Williams were the only two who were top 100 picks 2nd and 3rd rounders respectively.

Other notable develops players include Gogan who was an 8th round pick. Allen wasn't brought in until after we were winning Super Bowls.

We currently have two first round selections on our line, middle round types like Free, Livings, and Arkin and the UDFA prospects like Parnell, Leary, Costa and Kowalski.

When it comes to the OL, the current Cowboys are using more premium picks at the positions. Many of the 'draft picks' of the 90's teams would be UDFA in the 7 round draft we hav now.

DL is a different matter. Tolbert, Maryland, Casillas, and Jimmie Jones were all selected in the top 3 rounds. If you want to use the JJ 90's approach to roster building more prime assets need to be used on DL.

Agreed, back then DL and OL were drafted lower, and talent could be found in later rounds, unlike today. Good teams know that they need to address the DL and OL, like NE going 11-5 without Brady. They do it right.

We just drafted 6 players and signed a bunch of rookie FAs, only 1 on the DL and OL.

 

[GoCowboysGo]

This refrain that we ignore the trenches is a fallacy. When looking at our 1st through 3rd picks for the past 10 years shows we have invested heavily in the trenches. Of the twenty-seven 1st-3rd round picks, 6 were OL (half in the last five years), 5 were DL (including Ware and Spencer in this group), and 5 LB. That is 11 of 27 picks -41% on the trenches. The remaining 11 picks were DB's, RB's, TE's, and WR's. That doesn't sound like an organization that neglected trenches. Maybe a team that can't identify OL talent, but not one who hasn't invested in the trenches (especially when considering all of the FA additions.

Why first through third rounds? What about all rounds and unrestricted FAs?

I include DT and DE on the defensive side, not shiny LBs (even in the 3-4).

 

[jterrell]

Doug Free improvement? WE hope so? Alot of this teams success is based on false hope

The team has to have that take on Doug Free.
It is about being professional.
They have been as vocal and honest as they can by asking the guy to take a pay cut.

They aren't fans that can say 'cut the bum he sucks'.

They are forcing Free's hand which likely means he is cut soon and we go get a RT the fans like a lot better. Something that was mentioned a lot in the Ticket's draft coverage and makes sense in the context of these comments.

We hoped for a stud OG to fall and pair that with the top OC, Frederick.

Go get a plus RT in Clabo or Winston as the market lessons their cost. Complete OL overhaul complete.