Hostile's Christmas in April...Version 1.0

[PosterChild]

And yet our passing attack was top third of the NFL in terms of long completions with Romo just behind Brady in average yards per catch. I understand the desire to add to speed to our team, one thing that was not emphasized under the Parcells regime, but I don't think it's as critical as ensuring that our franchise QB is well protected. If it comes down to a speedy WR or RB and a OT in RD 1, with the players receiving the same basic grade, I think you have to go with the OT.

But wait. Has everyone given up on Free and McQuistan? If so, why? I've only heard encouraging things about them. How is a high profile rookie any better?

I agree that protecting the franchise QB is paramount but I have the utmost faith in one HH.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Winston Justice makes me not want to take any OL from USC.

I don't like Kevin Smith and you don't have to go 1st round to get a good OL. Traves Gooden from the U is the ILB we need and could be had in the 3rd or 4th round. If we go WR in the 2nd round Donnie Avery is the guy i want us to snag. Tony hills is the guy that i want us to draft out of texas would be a nice pick up. If we go fullback in the third round id prob loss my mind.

 

[Sasquatch]

But wait. Has everyone given up on Free and McQuistan? If so, why? I've only heard encouraging things about them. How is a high profile rookie any better?

I agree that protecting the franchise QB is paramount but I have the utmost faith in one HH.

If the staff has confidence in those guys, by all means pass on the OT, but can any of us say that's definitely the case at this point? Flo may be gone this year and Columbo is in the final year of his contract. It might be a good time to draft one of the more talented OTs available.

 

[windward]

Winston Justice makes me not want to take any OL from USC.

I don't like Kevin Smith and you don't have to go 1st round to get a good OL. Traves Gooden from the U is the ILB we need and could be had in the 3rd or 4th round. If we go WR in the 2nd round Donnie Avery is the guy i want us to snag. Tony hills is the guy that i want us to draft out of texas would be a nice pick up. If we go fullback in the third round id prob loss my mind.

Also Jacob Rogers.

 

[Nors]

Well here is my shot at it!

Every year I go through several versions of a Mock Draft for the Cowboys. This is the inaugural launch of my Christmas wish list. My primary needs on the team are CB, WR, RB, OT, and ILB. I base this upon age, salary, and probable Free Agent defections. Your comments are always welcome, good and bad.

1a. Sam Baker, OT, USC, 6'5", 308. This pick may shock some people. It shouldn't. If he had not been injured in 2007 Sam Baker is a top 10 pick. I have a feeling the Hotel is not coming back. It's just a gut feeling really based on pure dollar amounts, but I'm not ready to put Doug Free at LT and say let's go. There are several OT candidates in the first round, I think only Jake Long and Ryan Clady have no chance of being there at 22. Baker needs to get stronger, but he does not get beaten inside or outside. Simply put this pick is insurance on our Franchise QBs health. I never frown at OL in round 1.

I don't like going OT there but this hinges on Flo decision. I think McQ and Free are probably more NFL ready to play now.

1b. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona, 6'0", 190. You can accuse me of being a homer and I'm not going to deny it. However, I won't apologize for it either. Cason is good. How good? Good enough to be the 2007 Jim Thorpe Award winner as the best DB in the Nation. This guy knocks passes down with regularity. In 2007 he defelected 14 passes (32 in his career). If he gets his hands on it (5 INTs in 2007, 15 in his career) he often goes the other way (twice in 2007, 3 times in his career). He's a solid tackler (71 tackles in 2007, 232 in his career). He also returns punts. I've never seen anyone make that job look so effortless. He'll move what looks like 6 inches and the tackler will fly right by him. He is a 2 time Team Captain so you also get good character.

He won't be on the board there. This is a very deep draft at CB and we can get starting grade quality in 2 to 3.

2nd round. James Hardy, WR, Indiana, 6'6", 220. I personally think this pick will be traded for another WR, but am operating on the assumption that something will derail that trade and we'll keep the pick. In this case I see us taking a chance on a Plaxico Burress clone as far as size. When you look at Hardy's 2007 stats one thing should scream at you. He had next to nothing in the way of a QB. 51 catches for 722 yards and 10 scores in 2007. He has good hands and decent speed for a player his size. Will fight for the ball. Is probably not a #1 WR, but can be a solid #2. I'd rather make the trade for the guy who can be a legit #1 when TO leaves, but I can't move heaven and earth.

I am not as enamored with big slow WR's. WR and CB in 2 or 3 is a good bet though. I like Marcus Henry who is more a Colston type later in draft also. Dexter Jackson from Appalchian state for KR skills later day 2.

3rd round. Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia, 6'2", 247.

A FB over a RB? Yeah, I would because in the long run this guy will positively impact the running game more than a backup for Barber will. Schmitt has two stats that just jumps off the page at you. 106 knockdowns and 17 TD blocks. That means 106 times the guy he was blocking hit the ground and 17 times he sprung someone for a TD score. Those stats are unreal for an Offensive Lineman much less a FB. This guy plays with attitude and passion. Our offense needs some of that. Combine him with Barber and we have the meanest RB duo in the NFL. I don't think I have ever seen a more ferocious blocking FB in my life. He has broken 10 facemasks on his own helmets in his college career. That means this guy leaves it on the field every play.

Can't debate this one. Kids a player. We can debate 3rd maybe too high but all in all good pick.

4th round. Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida, 6'1", 212. In a RB rich Draft talent always falls and this is proof. I was surprised to see the scouting reports list Smith as a 4th round projection, but I will take it. Smith is a perfect compliment to Barber. He runs hard and he catches the ball well. I definitely think he projects as part of a RB duo as opposed to a feature back, this is the perfect place for him to fit. A steal at this point in the Draft. Just like the guy he'd be backing up.

Risky pick, not sure on his NFL future. Lots of RB's ahead of him we can grab earlier and there is no MB3 comparison. He does have production on his resume.

5th round. Spencer Larsen, ILB, Arizona, 6'2", 243. I know, I know, I went homer again. Yeah I did and with good reason. This guy is a born to play football. He was the Defensive MVP of the East - West Shrine Game and the unquestioned inspirational leader of the Wildcats defense. 131 tackles in 2007, 15.5 for losses, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 5 pass deflections and an INT. Why the 5th round for a guy like this? Simply put, 40 yard dash. He is not going to fly to the ball. That will never stop him from making tackles. This guy is smart and he reads breaks and angles and gets to the ball. He is a perfect guy to play Special Teams while he is groomed to be an eventual starter. He could rise up draft boards with a good combine. If he does, take him sooner. You'll never regret a guy like this on your football team.

6th round. Jaime Silva, S, Boston College, 5'11", 205. A nose for the football. That's the best way to describe Silva. He just knows where it is going to come down and he gets there first. The stats sheets say he had 6 INTs in 2007, but I remember in the Bowl game he got what they said was his 8th of the season. I will have to double check. He can play either Safety position and is good either deep or at the LOS. Special teams depth and solid attitude.

7th round. Shannon Tevaga, OG, UCLA, 6'3", 318. It seems like every year I want a backup QB in the draft or as an UDFA. This year is different. After round 3, there's no one I particularly like though someone may fall. In the absence of that go get a big O-lineman who started a lot of games. Tevaga fits that bill.

Well, there you go. By all means, rip it apart. It's going to change in future editions. I always do as I study more.

 

[PosterChild]

If the staff has confidence in those guys, by all means pass on the OT, but can any of us say that's definitely the case at this point? Flo may be gone this year and Columbo is in the final year of his contract. It might be a good time to draft one of the more talented OTs available.

Not sure I've heard anything you haven't; I'm referring to repeated references by Hitzges here on the Ticket- whose source is Spags, I believe- who has indicated the consistent positive appraisals of both Free and McQ.

 

[CF74]

Winston Justice makes me not want to take any OL from USC.

You lose all credibility when you reject a player based on school, it's kinda like racism but not so drastic. Not that it matters but to me the schools that produce well are Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Penn, California, and Oklahoma. Oh wait those are states...

 

[DaBoys4Life]

You lose all credibility when you reject a player based on school, it's kinda like racism but not so drastic. Not that it matters but to me the schools that produce well are Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Penn, California, and Oklahoma. Oh wait those are states...

I disagree a school is a system and each player goes thru that system. It makes you wonder how good the school is when you see people floop like that in the pro's its sort of buyer beware.

 

[Hostile]

Winston Justice makes me not want to take any OL from USC.

Good plan. You'd pass on guys like Tony Boselli, Anthony Munoz, and Ron Yary that way.

 

[CF74]

I disagree a school is a system and each player goes thru that system. It makes you wonder how good the school is when you see people floop like that in the pro's its sort of buyer beware.

Ahh yes because USC produces garbage consistently and never competes in bowl games

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Boy Hos...


It needs some work.

You like Baker a lot more than most. I don't think he has the feet for LT at the pro-level.

I don't think Cason is going to be available where you have him going.

Taking a FB before a RB? Ouch.

You have this thing about big, slow receivers don't ya?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

don't like it

 

[L-O-Jete]

Good plan. You'd pass on guys like Tony Boselli, Anthony Munoz, and Ron Yary that way.

I don't think these guys were coached by the same guys as Justice, Rogers & Baker. I do believe in trends with college players and their coaches...

 

[CowboyWay]

If that was our draft day, I'd dance a jig. And I'm a white boy with no rythm.

I just do not believe Kevin Smith lasts till the 4th round. Small guy, small school, it doesn't matter. When you approach Barry Sanders all time NCAA rushing mark, teams will be calling alot earlier than the 4th round. If the guy fell out of the 2nd, I'd be shocked.

There are very few of us who seem to talk about an OT in the first round. I can definetely see it happening, and for good reason.

 

[CowboyWay]

I don't think these guys were coached by the same guys as Justice, Rogers & Baker. I do believe in trends with college players and their coaches...

I have to agree. Personally, I see LSU players and I start shaking nervously

Peterman
Skylar Green
Marcus Spears (although I'm not all that down on him like most)
David Lafleur

I'm not saying I wouldn't take Glen Dorsey because of it, but call me superstitious, LSU guys just worry me.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Boy Hos...


It needs some work.

You like Baker a lot more than most. I don't think he has the feet for LT at the pro-level.

I don't think Cason is going to be available where you have him going.

Taking a FB before a RB? Ouch.

You have this thing about big, slow receivers don't ya?

Darn Mike Williams...had me fooled too.:laugh2:

 

[Hostile]

Boy Hos...


It needs some work.

You like Baker a lot more than most. I don't think he has the feet for LT at the pro-level.

I don't think Cason is going to be available where you have him going.

Taking a FB before a RB? Ouch.

You have this thing about big, slow receivers don't ya?

This FB I definitely take if I can.

 

[Sitting Bull]

I can't believe an ASU alum is saying this, but Hos, I think I'm even higher on your UofA guys than you are in this draft. Maybe I'm just eating crow after calling Nick Folk "Brad Daluiso Jr." when you predicted we'd take him last year.

I know Cason plenty well, and agree with everything you've said. But I think by the time the combine is over, we'll need to take him with our first pick, and that's what I want us to do. He's a low risk, immediate talent upgrade in the secondary. Conversely, if I'm drafting a left tackle, with my first pick, I want to already be sure he can play left tackle.

I don't know enough about Hardy, but I really think we have a QB that could make an average FA good (Bryant Johnson, Devery Henderson) or a good WR great (Berrian). I really dislike me some TO, but he's going to be around next year. I'd rather find some immediate support.

I think we need to draft a RB with pick 1b or 2, I'm done with JJ and there are a lot of interesting backs slotted there currently. I don't know where Smith will end up being drafted, but I wonder how he'll develop/produce going from 40 carries a game to 4 next year.

I love Larsen and think he'd immediately lead our STs (which desperately need a leader) and eventually find a role in our defense. While we're looking at slow but insanely productive inspirational leaders, I'd also like to grab OLB Kroy Biermann from Montana.

 

[Tyronosaurus77]

I agree once the combine is over with if we want Cason, 22 is where we are going to need to take him. I say we go RB with our pick at 28. I think that we will settle with a FA WR Im hoping that we can get Berrian or B Johnson.

I do think Owen Schmitt would be a great pick up, he is a tough player and "old school" some would say. He has shown the ability to break a big run and good hands out of the backfield. He plays hard and has a real passion for the game, the cowboys need someone like him.

 

[Natedawg44]

I agree once the combine is over with if we want Cason, 22 is where we are going to need to take him. I say we go RB with our pick at 28. I think that we will settle with a FA WR Im hoping that we can get Berrian or B Johnson.

I do think Owen Schmitt would be a great pick up, he is a tough player and "old school" some would say. He has shown the ability to break a big run and good hands out of the backfield. He plays hard and has a real passion for the game, the cowboys need someone like him.

I agree completely on the first part. We will be fortunate if he is there at 22. I would like a speed back like Johnson or Jones at 28, but could live with Jamal Charles in the 2nd as well. I would rather we have taken Crayton's money and add a bit to it and get B Johnson.

I disagree on the second, I just don't think fullback is an impact position anymore and could be better filled through a cheap free agent rather than spending a late 1st day or early 2nd day pick.