Dan Quinn and his draft influence

[Verdict]

Obviously Quinn milked a lot out of a horrible defense last year. As a coach I would say that Quinn as a coach is a plus.

But Quinn also obviously had a huge part in draft decisions last year. Was the improvement in defense more attributable to Quinn or just adding Parsons?

So far Quinn’s hand picked selections on defense haven’t done much. That doesn’t mean they won’t, but I’m not so sure he should be bing the groceries. Maybe he should stick to cooking the meal only.

 

[America's Cowboy]

I say Dan Quinn should continue helping buy the groceries. Maybe not all of them, but certainly some of them.

Looking back at last year's Dan Quinn influence in last year's draft, Quinn certainly did well by convincing Jerry to draft LB/Edge Rusher Micah Parsons. DT Osa Odighizuwa was a pleasant surprise and contributor throughout most of the season. Even the recently criminally troubled CB Kelvin Joseph showed signs he could become a key contributor if he is able to stay out of jail and make much smarter off-the-field decisions. LB Jabril Cox is definitely going to be a gem starter if he's able to fully recover from his torn ACL. And DE Chauncey Golston, DT Quinton Bohanna, CB Nahshon Wright and S Israel Mukuamu showed flashes of their potential and how they could grow into very good contributors to our defense if they keep improving under Dan Quinn's tutelage.

So, I would say Dan Quinn absolutely hit it out of the park for the Cowboys during last year's draft, and I am so glad he decided to remain for many years to come. Definitely am looking for Coach Quinn's continued influence in future drafts.

 

[fivetwos]

I say Dan Quinn should continue helping buy the groceries. Maybe not all of them, but certainly some of them.

Looking back at last year's Dan Quinn influence in last year's draft, Quinn certainly did well by convincing Jerry to draft LB/Edge Rusher Micah Parsons. DT Osa Odighizuwa was a pleasant surprise and contributor throughout most of the season. Even the recently criminally troubled CB Kelvin Joseph showed signs he could become a key contributor if he is able to stay out of jail and make much smarter off-the-field decisions. LB Jabril Cox is definitely going to be a gem starter if he's able to fully recover from his torn ACL. And DE Chauncey Golston, DT Quinton Bohanna, CB Nahshon Wright and S Israel Mukuamu showed flashes of their potential and how they could grow into very good contributors to our defense if they keep improving under Dan Quinn's tutelage.

So, I would say Dan Quinn absolutely hit it out of the park for the Cowboys during last year's draft, and I am so glad he decided to remain for many years to come. Definitely am looking for Coach Quinn's continued influence in future drafts.

He should have a reasonable say in player evaluation, but zero say in who they actually select.

Yes he did a great job with the defense last year, but what happens when he leaves? Do we start completely over again or just saddle the new guy with players the old guy wanted?

In our case, I'm not sure it much matters because there's no real organizational plan or theory....just whichever assistant currently has Jerrys ear.....but typically scouts should scout, and coaches should coach.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

I've heard that some fans want all pro players at every position. But now we're expecting every rookie to be an all pro in their first year? Our chicken little crowd is waaaaay too demanding. Quinn didn't produce five rookie all pro players....Off with his head.

 

[DanA]

Obviously Quinn milked a lot out of a horrible defense last year. As a coach I would say that Quinn as a coach is a plus.

But Quinn also obviously had a huge part in draft decisions last year. Was the improvement in defense more attributable to Quinn or just adding Parsons?

So far Quinn’s hand picked selections on defense haven’t done much. That doesn’t mean they won’t, but I’m not so sure he should be bing the groceries. Maybe he should stick to cooking the meal only.

Quinn remade the D-line with bigger, longer guys both in free agency (Basham, Urban, Watkins) and the draft (Odigizuwa, Bohanna, Golston). We’ve replaced Gregory with Fowler (33.75” arms) and otherwise kept pretty much the same D-line.

Both Wright and Mukuamu were bigger, longer DB’s, as is Kearse so that seems to be a Dann Quinn theme in the secondary as well. I feel like any defender we sign/draft will be consistent with these attributes while DQ is the D-coordinator but I don’t think he makes the actual selection on individual players, he just set parameters.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Obviously Quinn milked a lot out of a horrible defense last year. As a coach I would say that Quinn as a coach is a plus.

But Quinn also obviously had a huge part in draft decisions last year. Was the improvement in defense more attributable to Quinn or just adding Parsons?

So far Quinn’s hand picked selections on defense haven’t done much. That doesn’t mean they won’t, but I’m not so sure he should be bing the groceries. Maybe he should stick to cooking the meal only.

Since the Mo Claiborne debacle, Jerry has followed the draft board pretty closely. If the next guy up is a defender, they turn to the DC to make sure he is on board. The guy that most influences our drafting is Will McClay.

 

[CowboyoWales]

He should have a reasonable say in player evaluation, but zero say in who they actually select.

Yes he did a great job with the defense last year, but what happens when he leaves? Do we start completely over again or just saddle the new guy with players the old guy wanted?

In our case, I'm not sure it much matters because there's no real organizational plan or theory....just whichever assistant currently has Jerrys ear.....but typically scouts should scout, and coaches should coach.

Drafting should be a team discussion. No point in drafting the player if he doesnt fit the scheme, or vice versa picking less talented players just to fit a scheme.

In a team sport it's more than just picking the best overall player.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Remember Rod Martinelli had quite a bit of influence over the draft also. Just me, but we all Jerry is doing little or NO scouting and evaluations like other GMs. McClay has pretty said his job is to Jerry and head coach the best about optionS about players/positions, not final decisions.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Remember Rod Martinelli had quite a bit of influence over the draft also. Just me, but we all Jerry is doing little or NO scouting and evaluations like other GMs. McClay has pretty said his job is to Jerry and head coach the best about optionS about players/positions, not final decisions.

The Martinelli (and Hill) example is the reason why we can't allow the decisions to be made by one person. One of the reasons the whole organisation struggles is that we dont have voices of dissention and discussion.

 

[Stash]

This team has a long-standing arrangement where the defensive coordinator is given a lot if influence over defensive player personnel decisions.

That arrangement has both pluses and minuses. Never forget Rob Ryan and Morris Claiborne or Rod Marinelli and Taco Charlton and Tristen Hill.

I was frustrated and puzzled by last year’s draft until it was later revealed why those decisions were made and what Quinn looked for in his defensive players. It then made more sense.

But for a long time, this team has allowed their defensive coordinators to ‘buy the groceries’. Namely because no one else in the organization knows any better. Sometimes it’s worked, often it hasn’t. Quinn got a lot of groceries last year and to this point, only Parsons can be considered a smash hit.

 

[Ranched]

Leave Quinn alone. He's a huge asset to this franchise!

 

[DanA]

The Martinelli (and Hill) example is the reason why we can't allow the decisions to be made by one person. One of the reasons the whole organisation struggles is that we dont have voices of dissention and discussion.

I agree in general but I don’t mind a guy like Bohanna (6th round) coming at the request of the DC. Sometimes they need role players to play the type of Defense they want. First 3 rounds though…I agree, coaches opinions should be an afterthought.

 

[John813]

Remember Rod Martinelli had quite a bit of influence over the draft also. Just me, but we all Jerry is doing little or NO scouting and evaluations like other GMs. McClay has pretty said his job is to Jerry and head coach the best about optionS about players/positions, not final decisions.

They really have let the DC have a lot of say during the draft/player acquisition process. Which isn't a bad thing but has been odd was when they get the groceries for Rob Ryan then can the "chef" after buying the groceries thaw and then ask Kiffin/Rod to work with man corners when they were from the cover 2 defense philosophy.
Then they believed Rod and his hustle over talent(not 100% serious) mindset making them pass over certain DL for "hard" workers that had shorter ceilings.

I just hope when Quinn goes they try to find the next DC that shares his defensive philosophy and not someone that needs all new ingredients for his scheme to work

 

[DanTanna]

Jerry and co are usually like a paniced elephant on draft day. No need to theorize on "what their thoughts are" IMO lol.

 

[charron]

Still way to early to tell about the guys picked last year not named Parsons and it's 100% normal. Maybe they don't work out but I like the type of guys he is trying to bring in and some of them will hit, taking the next step this year.

 

[fivetwos]

Drafting should be a team discussion. No point in drafting the player if he doesnt fit the scheme, or vice versa picking less talented players just to fit a scheme.

In a team sport it's more than just picking the best overall player.

Agreed, which is part of the evaluation process.

If a player doesn't fit the scheme you're running, they don't get as a high a grade as other teams may give him.

 

[Verdict]

I figured many would be quick to jump on the “leave Quinn alone” mantra. I’m not anti-Quinn. He’s an asset to the organization. But just because he is an asset does not make him infallible.

Quinn’s influence on player selection on defense was clearly evident last year. Parsons was a no-brainer no matter who the defensive coach was. But again, it sure sounds like we were going to pass over Parsons for a corner, which Quinn may have been on board with.

Passing on Parsons would have been a tragedy. But it sure sounds like that was the plan.

The pick of Joseph over Humphrey (and a couple of other corners) is concerning. Jospeh is really looking like another one of those train wreck second round picks so far.

OSA did look pretty good in the first half of the year, but tailed off some at the end of the year. Maybe it’s the rookie wall, but so far he seems to have promise.

We took Wright in round 3 and a lot of people shook their heads on that pick. It is clear that he was a Quinn favorite. I don’t have an issue with the pick so much as we probably took him two (or more) rounds too early. That’s how much we liked him and he really wasn’t a factor at all last year.

Cox was clearly BPA type of player when we selected him. I think he will turn out to be a good one, but I don’t know how you pass on him in the 4th. The better question is why take Wright over Cox in the 3rd? These are the types of moves that make you scratch your head.

 

[quickccc]

Obviously Quinn milked a lot out of a horrible defense last year. As a coach I would say that Quinn as a coach is a plus.

But Quinn also obviously had a huge part in draft decisions last year. Was the improvement in defense more attributable to Quinn or just adding Parsons?

So far Quinn’s hand picked selections on defense haven’t done much. That doesn’t mean they won’t, but I’m not so sure he should be bing the groceries. Maybe he should stick to cooking the meal only.

i think coaches should be involved ... to an certain degree and extent. But not in point to where they influence who we picked, ..at what spot were we are picked.

- Tell and detail the scouts and personnel guys on what kind of player, scheme fit they are looking for, ..and let the scouts decide what player in what round at what value.

- Scouts have more extensive research, evaluation study and insight on players (both on film and in person) on a year to year, and year round basis.
Frankly i do not want a Marinelli, Quinn or McCarthy leading the draft, i'd want my scouts leading with the draft, let them dictate value of the draft selections.

- If they've evaluated Lashon Wright as a 5th rd pick, ..that's what it should be. Not bump it up to please Quinn. ..

- The Marinelli pick was so unfortunate because that seems like a case of ' wrong DC at the wrong time " . If it was the versatile, hybrid Quinn, then Watts is likely a Cowboy instead of a Steeler..
and yes, it was at that time waay too much chaos and uncertainty with Gregory and his on going suspensions to permanently invest him.

- Its' not been brought up hardly at all around here, but reportedly Cowboys had CB Kevin King as another in that group with TJ Watts as a possible 1st round pick.
King has been very average in Green Bay.

 

[blueblood70]

lets clear thi sup for everyone of you ,
.
THE DRAFT
its an entire staff plus all pertinent FO employees that sit down and build big board all get toi add names etc they get the board down to 3 -4 names at each round and then ask each coach which players they like the best out of the names selected... when its time to pick they may to GO BPA but if there's a time a close call they will many times allow a coach to eb the tie breaker , why not allow a HC, DC , OR OC have input on players to fit their systems. No they dont make uo the big board but they can influence a pick should it be verify close call lie say 3 WERs the FO like and might pick and the OC or HC says they like payer better then a and b.. sometimes they go with coaches favorite.

all teams do this its not one person making these decisions its cumulative effort and that why when you have sopecific scheme ran by specific Coordinator or HC and they have philosophy that how you build team. why would you allow a GM and Will Mcclay just pick players and they pick players that don't fit a scheme only because they might be slightly Better grades?

its huge undertaking building these boards and all input from the top down is considered.

lastly i do not know any perfect teams who have perfect drafts..there are going to be misses and disappointments from every team but i believe our team has done a better than average picking in drafts.

you say quinn missed, really i believe he had one draft these were rookies but Osi and Gholston and for sure Parsons all hits..they will be great starters or have nice roles..

KJ with all his issues may still turn into something.. that solid draft by any standards.. who knowns wright and others mat come along judge a draft after on season is Ludacris..yes OP that to you..give it time..so far i see a very good 2021 draft that could be even better.,

 

[coach steele]

Dan Quinn should absolutely be part of the process. However, scouts should be the people who are involved with the lion share of the decision making/Intel. Will Maclay is the person who brings it all together.