That's true, you did not mention DeCastro but you did say this. "Why would he waste the 14th pick on the best guard prospect in the last 10 years ?"
If you are not referring to DeCastro here, to whom are you referring?
I don't really think it's fair to characterize the fan base as such. I think many of them recognize that we have not given the OL the attention it is due but as has been illustrated on this board, OL is not the only need we have and I am certainly not convinced that it is the biggest need at this point. Many, many OGs have been taken later, even recently, and have developed into quality NFL Lineman. I am not in favor of giving older players huge contracts and we did this with both Rivera and Bigg. However, we also signed Kosier and he was an excellent value. Rivera was a poor signing and Bigg did make 3 Pro Bowls in 4 years while he was here. Now, you can argue that perhaps he did not deserve them but that's a different argument. A guy like Nicks, who is clearly a Pro Bowl caliber talent, who is still young enough to play out a contract and probably get another is not a poor signing IMO. That's a good one. I am not opposed to drafting to build but I am not in favor of using our first to take a Guard this year, especially when there are several very good Guard prospects we can get later and especially when we have a chance to sign an FA who can help immediately.
Now, you can say that you may not get a Guard in FA and that's true but you can also say that you may not get DeCastro or that if you do get him, there is no guarantee he is going to be a Nicks. Unlike many, I do not share the opinion that our young OGs do not have the talent to be quality starters for us. The truth is that I don't know if they do or they don't as yet. However, I think you have to allow Callahan to make that evaluation and go from there. Either way, this is really not about what I want or what anybody else wants. My post was about what I believe the Cowboys will do. I don't think they will sign and FA and draft a Guard at 14. I am not sure they would sign a Guard at 14 regardless of what happens in FA. I just don't see a lot of indicators that support that.