Sounds like a lot of insider information. It For instance how do you know that Jason Garret hardly ever gets over ruled when it comes to drafting? And why would the organization talk about there being a vote when there is not?
The profiles of the vast majority of the draftees match the description given by Garrett in the spring of 2011 before he ever participated in a draft as the Head Coach.
Leadership is a key element, most draft picks were captains. Again, the majority of them did well in school, emphasis on graduating. Intelligence was an important trait, especially on offense.
If you anybody was to research it, you would find that most offensive drafts picks, particularly blockers like O-linemen, TE's, and FB's, were All-Academic for their conferences.
Garrett preferred highly productive college careers to athletic specimens with "potential" to be successful in the NFL level.
Then there was the "right kind of guy" part. They went for good citizenship for the most part, they wanted guys who loved the game and worked hard to improve, unselfish, playing for their teammates as well as themselves.
Now, don't get me wrong. In the premium upper round picks, the skill and talent that was compatible with their needs trumped everything.
They always wanted to capitalize on draft position value versus what was available.
Both Lawrence and Gregory entered the draft with baggage that detrimented their value to the point where it was real value to take them in the 2nd round. Considering their past performance, if these guys didn't work out then the Cowboys wouldn't lose much more than they were already used to. Of course, they did their due diligence.
The same is true for Jaylon. His potential if recovered, far outweighed the actual value of the pick at the time, I think all three would have been a top ten pick without the baggage. Getting value was something Garrett emphasized.
Garrett also made a point of stating that they must stick to the plan, never get impatient, never trade the future for the present by trading away draft picks unless it was a great deal that provided real value.
I would say that acquiring a young, gifted Pro-Bowl receiver for a 1st round pick satisfied the "unless" part. Other the .that, when was the last time a high draft pick was traded away.?
Cooper is so young that he will be incorporated into the long term plans of the team.
McClay is a great evaluators but it is not his team. He is evaluating these players based on the criteria created by Garrett.
Again, Garrett father and brother were both Scots, Judd still is. What do you think they discussed around the dinner table since they were kids?
There is no vote, don't be decieved by the drivel that Jerry has relinquished any authority. He only promised to pay more attention to what those around him we're saying. Jerry has the final say on every personnel decision. It Garrett or anyone else were ever overruled then it was by Jerry.
So everyone really should drop the Garrett hate, it will only make you miserable. I know you don't want to believe he is the most responsible for the present success but the great coaches tell us how they plan to be successful before they even begin. Garrett's plan called for a new culture which included patience while building things the right way.
That is because when something is built the right way, it has a tendency to last much longer.....which, like it or not, that is what Garrett will do.