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Posted on Sun, Feb. 19, 2006
Changing sides
For Cowboys, offense likely the next step
By MAC ENGEL
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
The fact is so obscure that the holder of the distinction didn't know it, or care. But it's been so long since the Cowboys drafted an offensive player in the first round few people can remember whom they actually selected. Or when.
Back in 1997, the Cowboys used the 22nd overall pick to select LSU tight end David LaFleur.
"I didn't know I had that distinction," said LaFleur, who has his own business in Lake Charles, La.
Since LaFleur, who was supposedly the second coming of Jay Novacek, the Cowboys have been all about defense, all the time.
But it wasn't until this season that the concentration on defense finally paid off. Roy Williams, Terence Newman, DeMarcus Ware, Marcus Spears, Chris Canty and Bradie James appear to be the core of a solid defense for years to come. Now it appears this off-season might be the time for the Cowboys to go on the offensive.
Although the 18th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, which is the Cowboys' selection, might not result in the "next big thing," the feeling is the Cowboys have to upgrade their offense before thinking they can challenge for another Super Bowl.
"That's the only way they are going to get over the hump," former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith said.
The hump has become a mountain.
The Cowboys haven't ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in total offense since 1998 and haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher since Smith in 2001. This past season was the first since '99 in which their passing game accounted for more touchdowns than interceptions.
This is not the result of some defensive-minded conspiracy. The Cowboys packaged a pair of No. 1 draft picks for then-Seahawks receiver Joey Galloway, but that deal netted little to nothing.
And of the 72 picks the Cowboys have used since the '97 draft, 35 have been for offensive players. The problem is, most of them were busts.
The list includes players such as LaFleur, Solomon Page, Quincy Carter, Antonio Bryant and the most recent disappointment, offensive tackle Jacob Rogers. Offensive linemen such as Andre Gurode and Al Johnson, both second-round picks, have danced between good, disappointing, OK and average. Among all of these picks there has been no second coming of Michael Irvin. Or Smith. Or Troy Aikman.
Most NFL observers, such as Aikman -- who said the Cowboys "are a player or two away from being where they need to be on the offensive side of the ball" -- believe Drew Bledsoe is fine at quarterback. Running back Julius Jones, should he stay healthy, will be a perennial 1,000-yard rusher.
Backup running back Marion Barber is valuable. Tight end Jason Witten is a Pro Bowl performer.
"They better get an offensive line, and they better get it quick," Smith said. "The quicker they get it, they will go back to being in the playoffs and being very, very successful."
Even coach Bill Parcells said, only days before the season ended, "I think if we do a better job of protecting [Bledsoe], he will play better."
The healthy return of Flozell Adams (knee) to left tackle will help. Beyond that, however, expect a major O-line reshuffle this off-season. Expect the Cowboys to pursue a wide receiver and maybe take another crack at finding a future No. 1 playmaker. Maybe Santonio Holmes of Ohio State.
"There are some high-impact players early in the draft," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. "The problem is, where they are picking, the really good players aren't matching up with the Cowboys."
Which still probably won't prevent the Cowboys from going on the offensive this off-season.
dallascowboys.com
IN THE KNOW
One-sided approach
The Cowboys haven't selected an offensive player in the first round of the NFL Draft since tight end David LaFleur, below, of LSU in 1997. Their first-round picks the last 10 years:
Year Pos., player Pick
'05 LB DeMarcus Ware 11
DE Marcus Spears 20
'04 No first-round pick -
'03 CB Terence Newman 5
'02 S Roy Williams 8
'01 No first-round pick -
'00 No first-round pick -
'99 DE Ebenezer Ekuban 20
'98 DE Greg Ellis 8
'97 TE David LaFleur 22
'96 No first-round pick -
2006 NFL Draft
April 29-30, New York
First round
1. Houston
2. New Orleans
3. Tennessee
4. N.Y. Jets
5. Green Bay
6. Oakland*
7. San Francisco*
8. Buffalo
9. Detroit
10. Arizona
11. St. Louis
12. Cleveland
13. Baltimore
14. Philadelphia
15. Atlanta
16. Miami
17. Minnesota
18. Dallas
19. San Diego
20. Kansas City
21. New England
22. Washington
23. Tampa Bay
24. Cincinnati
25. N.Y Giants
26. Chicago
27. Carolina
28. Jacksonville
29. Denver
30. Indianapolis
31. Seattle
32. Pittsburgh
* subject to coin flip
Mac Engel, (817) 390-7760 tengel@star-telegram.com
Changing sides
For Cowboys, offense likely the next step
By MAC ENGEL
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
The fact is so obscure that the holder of the distinction didn't know it, or care. But it's been so long since the Cowboys drafted an offensive player in the first round few people can remember whom they actually selected. Or when.
Back in 1997, the Cowboys used the 22nd overall pick to select LSU tight end David LaFleur.
"I didn't know I had that distinction," said LaFleur, who has his own business in Lake Charles, La.
Since LaFleur, who was supposedly the second coming of Jay Novacek, the Cowboys have been all about defense, all the time.
But it wasn't until this season that the concentration on defense finally paid off. Roy Williams, Terence Newman, DeMarcus Ware, Marcus Spears, Chris Canty and Bradie James appear to be the core of a solid defense for years to come. Now it appears this off-season might be the time for the Cowboys to go on the offensive.
Although the 18th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, which is the Cowboys' selection, might not result in the "next big thing," the feeling is the Cowboys have to upgrade their offense before thinking they can challenge for another Super Bowl.
"That's the only way they are going to get over the hump," former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith said.
The hump has become a mountain.
The Cowboys haven't ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in total offense since 1998 and haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher since Smith in 2001. This past season was the first since '99 in which their passing game accounted for more touchdowns than interceptions.
This is not the result of some defensive-minded conspiracy. The Cowboys packaged a pair of No. 1 draft picks for then-Seahawks receiver Joey Galloway, but that deal netted little to nothing.
And of the 72 picks the Cowboys have used since the '97 draft, 35 have been for offensive players. The problem is, most of them were busts.
The list includes players such as LaFleur, Solomon Page, Quincy Carter, Antonio Bryant and the most recent disappointment, offensive tackle Jacob Rogers. Offensive linemen such as Andre Gurode and Al Johnson, both second-round picks, have danced between good, disappointing, OK and average. Among all of these picks there has been no second coming of Michael Irvin. Or Smith. Or Troy Aikman.
Most NFL observers, such as Aikman -- who said the Cowboys "are a player or two away from being where they need to be on the offensive side of the ball" -- believe Drew Bledsoe is fine at quarterback. Running back Julius Jones, should he stay healthy, will be a perennial 1,000-yard rusher.
Backup running back Marion Barber is valuable. Tight end Jason Witten is a Pro Bowl performer.
"They better get an offensive line, and they better get it quick," Smith said. "The quicker they get it, they will go back to being in the playoffs and being very, very successful."
Even coach Bill Parcells said, only days before the season ended, "I think if we do a better job of protecting [Bledsoe], he will play better."
The healthy return of Flozell Adams (knee) to left tackle will help. Beyond that, however, expect a major O-line reshuffle this off-season. Expect the Cowboys to pursue a wide receiver and maybe take another crack at finding a future No. 1 playmaker. Maybe Santonio Holmes of Ohio State.
"There are some high-impact players early in the draft," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. "The problem is, where they are picking, the really good players aren't matching up with the Cowboys."
Which still probably won't prevent the Cowboys from going on the offensive this off-season.
dallascowboys.com
IN THE KNOW
One-sided approach
The Cowboys haven't selected an offensive player in the first round of the NFL Draft since tight end David LaFleur, below, of LSU in 1997. Their first-round picks the last 10 years:
Year Pos., player Pick
'05 LB DeMarcus Ware 11
DE Marcus Spears 20
'04 No first-round pick -
'03 CB Terence Newman 5
'02 S Roy Williams 8
'01 No first-round pick -
'00 No first-round pick -
'99 DE Ebenezer Ekuban 20
'98 DE Greg Ellis 8
'97 TE David LaFleur 22
'96 No first-round pick -
2006 NFL Draft
April 29-30, New York
First round
1. Houston
2. New Orleans
3. Tennessee
4. N.Y. Jets
5. Green Bay
6. Oakland*
7. San Francisco*
8. Buffalo
9. Detroit
10. Arizona
11. St. Louis
12. Cleveland
13. Baltimore
14. Philadelphia
15. Atlanta
16. Miami
17. Minnesota
18. Dallas
19. San Diego
20. Kansas City
21. New England
22. Washington
23. Tampa Bay
24. Cincinnati
25. N.Y Giants
26. Chicago
27. Carolina
28. Jacksonville
29. Denver
30. Indianapolis
31. Seattle
32. Pittsburgh
* subject to coin flip
Mac Engel, (817) 390-7760 tengel@star-telegram.com
