DC.COM Blog: Scouting Director Ciskowski's Combine Theory

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by jellis at 2/23/2009 11:20 AM CST on truebluefanclub.com

I had the chance to sit down with Tom Ciskowski, the Cowboys' Director of College and Pro Scouting, last month for some of his insights on the whole process leading up to the draft.

There's the Senior Bowl, the combine and all the pro days, as well as individual workouts each team can hold. Ciskowski said his favorite part of each off-season is the combine itself, which he described as eight days of hard, grinding work that can really determine which direction a team goes on draft day.

At the combine the players are going through psychological testing, medical testing, a marathon of interviews and of course the on-field workouts. Ciskowski said teams often talk themselves into drafting a player too high because of an outstanding workout, but what's happening on the field this week is still the most important part of the process. Ciskowski said it just makes it easier to compare players when they're working out right next to each other.

"They physically get out on the field and have a workout, which to me is the most beneficial because I can see a cornerback at Miami (Florida) and a cornerback at Southern California, and I think they’re both good players, just as a hypothetical," Ciskowski said.

"I like both of them, but when you can see them all together as a group you can see which one is the better athlete of the two, which one gives a little bit better effort, whatever it might be. So it allows you to truly stack who you like."

-Josh Ellis

Comments (6) | Permanent Link

 

[Rampage]

Posted by jellis at 2/23/2009 11:20 AM CST on truebluefanclub.com

I had the chance to sit down with Tom Ciskowski, the Cowboys' Director of College and Pro Scouting, last month for some of his insights on the whole process leading up to the draft.

There's the Senior Bowl, the combine and all the pro days, as well as individual workouts each team can hold. Ciskowski said his favorite part of each off-season is the combine itself, which he described as eight days of hard, grinding work that can really determine which direction a team goes on draft day.

At the combine the players are going through psychological testing, medical testing, a marathon of interviews and of course the on-field workouts. Ciskowski said teams often talk themselves into drafting a player too high because of an outstanding workout, but what's happening on the field this week is still the most important part of the process. Ciskowski said it just makes it easier to compare players when they're working out right next to each other.

"They physically get out on the field and have a workout, which to me is the most beneficial because I can see a cornerback at Miami (Florida) and a cornerback at Southern California, and I think they’re both good players, just as a hypothetical," Ciskowski said.

"I like both of them, but when you can see them all together as a group you can see which one is the better athlete of the two, which one gives a little bit better effort, whatever it might be. So it allows you to truly stack who you like."

-Josh Ellis

Comments (6) | Permanent Link

that's what we need in our secondary. we need somebody from The U! when is the last time we drafted a player from The U!?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Run, Tom! I just saw Jerry coming down the hallway carrying a muzzle with your name on i!

 

[WoodysGirl]

Run, Tom! I just saw Jerry coming down the hallway carrying a muzzle with your name on i!

:laugh2:

Note that the Ellis guy said he talked to him last month. So maybe that was before the media freeze.

 

[Chief]

Run, Tom! I just saw Jerry coming down the hallway carrying a muzzle with your name on i!

:laugh2:

"What did that (lipsmack) sum***** say? Lemme umm (lipsmack) read the transcript. He forgot to say that uh ... I, Jerry Jones, am the only person with the full understanding of what's going on here."

 

[Doomsday101]

If Ciskowski input into last years draft is any indication of how we grade players then I look forward to another fine draft day for the Cowboys.

 

[Vinnie2u]

that's what we need in our secondary. we need somebody from The U! when is the last time we drafted a player from The U!?

Kevin Williams and Darrin Smith 1993...

 

[Alexander]

If Ciskowski input into last years draft is any indication of how we grade players then I look forward to another fine draft day for the Cowboys.

I doubt his input was any different than it has been for all the many years he's been involved with the process in Dallas. He's done a solid job for us since 1992. I believe he's one of the few who survived when Jones gutted the scouting department after Johnson departed.

It is amazing what can happen when the GM listens to the men he pays to scout and how eliminating an imbecile like Larry Lacewell from the equation can make Ciskowski look more valuable.

 

[Doomsday101]

I doubt his input was any different than it has been for all the many years he's been involved with the process in Dallas. He's done a solid job for us since 1992. I believe he's one of the few who survived when Jones gutted the scouting department after Johnson departed.

It is amazing what can happen when the GM listens to the men he pays to scout and how eliminating an imbecile like Larry Lacewell from the equation can make Ciskowski look more valuable.

I'm just saying he has a bit more input since he has taken over from Ireland. Yes he has been with us for a while but he is now the head of scouting since last years. As for Jerry he did change how the process would be handled and since then we have seen better results in the draft. Of course not all pan out but it is vastly improved over the last few season

 

[Rampage]

Kevin Williams and Darrin Smith 1993...

gee I wonder why it's been so long....

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I wonder what Tom feels like when he hears Jerry say he's the only one with a full picture? when it's he who is feeding Jerry the scouting information

 

[Doomsday101]

I wonder what Tom feels like when he hears Jerry say he's the only one with a full picture? when it's he who is feeding Jerry the scouting information

Scouting is one portion of the picture, salary cap is another portion of the picture and so on. I have no doubt Jerry sees the overall picture but he has to be smart enough to listen to those with the best understanding of their part of the picture.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I wonder what Tom feels like when he hears Jerry say he's the only one with a full picture? when it's he who is feeding Jerry the scouting information

He probably feels he's doing his job.

In most every organization there's an org chart. Information is funneled upward according to the layers in the organization. If all layers in the organization is funneling information into the same highest spot. Then, it will be the person sitting in that spot that will probably have the full picture of what's going on in the organization.

The assistant coaches report to Wade. Wade reports to Jerry.

The regional scouts report Ciskowski. Ciskowski reports to Jerry.

Stephen manages the cap and manages the stadium development. He reports to Jerry.

Jerry Jones Jr. handles the sales and marketing. He reports to Jerry.

Charlotte Jones Anderson handles the cheerleaders and I think their charity organization. She reports to Jerry.

So who else would know ALL that info besides Jerry.

 

[Vintage]

that's what we need in our secondary. we need somebody from The U! when is the last time we drafted a player from The U!?

Why do we need someone from the U?

Don't we just need talent, in general. Who cares from what school it comes from.


Oh - and BTW - the Super Bowl Champions, Pittsburgh Steelers.... have 0 players from the U on their roster.

 

[Randy White]

that's what we need in our secondary. we need somebody from The U! when is the last time we drafted a player from The U!?

"The U " sucks..

:laugh2:

 

[Rampage]

Why do we need someone from the U?

Don't we just need talent, in general. Who cares from what school it comes from.


Oh - and BTW - the Super Bowl Champions, Pittsburgh Steelers.... have 0 players from the U on their roster.

we've missed out on some good/great players because of Jerry's stupid grudge with Jimmy.

 

[Randy White]

we've missed out on some good/great players because of Jerry's stupid grudge with Jimmy.

Michael is like a son to Jerrah. Michael went to " the U ".

Why would Jerrah ignore " The U " just to spite JImmah Jenius ?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Did Tim Tebow go to the U?

Then we don't need players from there, do we?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

He probably feels he's doing his job.

In most every organization there's an org chart. Information is funneled upward according to the layers in the organization. If all layers in the organization is funneling information into the same highest spot. Then, it will be the person sitting in that spot that will probably have the full picture of what's going on in the organization.

The assistant coaches report to Wade. Wade reports to Jerry.

The regional scouts report Ciskowski. Ciskowski reports to Jerry.

Stephen manages the cap and manages the stadium development. He reports to Jerry.

Jerry Jones Jr. handles the sales and marketing. He reports to Jerry.

Charlotte Jones Anderson handles the cheerleaders and I think their charity organization. She reports to Jerry.

So who else would know ALL that info besides Jerry.

other than being a pompous ***, there was no reason to point that out to anyone

 

[Doomsday101]

He probably feels he's doing his job.

In most every organization there's an org chart. Information is funneled upward according to the layers in the organization. If all layers in the organization is funneling information into the same highest spot. Then, it will be the person sitting in that spot that will probably have the full picture of what's going on in the organization.

The assistant coaches report to Wade. Wade reports to Jerry.

The regional scouts report Ciskowski. Ciskowski reports to Jerry.

Stephen manages the cap and manages the stadium development. He reports to Jerry.

Jerry Jones Jr. handles the sales and marketing. He reports to Jerry.

Charlotte Jones Anderson handles the cheerleaders and I think their charity organization. She reports to Jerry.

So who else would know ALL that info besides Jerry.

You stated that very well. Jerry is the buck stops here man but that does not mean he is doing it alone. Many are involved and give Jerry the needed information to make the right choices but only 1 can make the final call and that is Jerry. Thus he should see the overall picture more so than any other member of the organization