HardHittingRoy31
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Bill Parcells made a point of shunning any pet cats in the draft room.
Pet cats, according to Parcells, were prospects a scout or coach liked, grew fond of and made a point of trying to draft that pet cat.
The funny thing is Parcells had a few pet cats of his own.
Jacob Rogers, a draft bust in 2004, was one of Parcells' pet cats. So was defensive end Marcus Spears.
It is said the Parcells wanted to draft Spears before linebacker DeMarcus Ware in 2005 but was overruled by owner Jerry Jones.
Of course Jones is not immune to pet cats, considering he was the one who lobbied against rhyme and reason for Quincy Carter.
But with Parcells gone, Jones has the final say in the draft room. And it's his mission to make sure no pet cats get drafted.
He said the Cowboys will only be partial to the draft board in the 2007 draft.
"There won't be that potential lobbying that you might have gotten that might have influenced that draft board that really you shouldn't do," Jones said. "You should put your highest-rated player by the guys that spend 100 percent of the time out here.
"I think this is going to be the purest scout-evaluation (draft) from the December grade."
With a new coaching staff in place, the Cowboys are especially likely to stick to their draft board.
The scouts, led by chief scout Jeff Ireland, have done most of the work and the Cowboys will lean on their labor. They will rank and draft according to the board.
"The only times coaches and scouts don't see eye to eye is around draft time, because coaches start liking players," Ireland said. "You have to fight that. I think we've done a good job of that.
"But you can't manufacture these players; they all can't fit the blueprint," Ireland said. "It happens on every staff. You don't want guys falling in love with players or need positions. Those are the traps; people start believing we need a receiver, and a fifth-rounder becomes a third-rounder.
"You have to fight that with the scouts and coaches. That's why it's my job to look at every player and decide."
With Parcells as the coach and man with the final say in the draft room, the Cowboys had middling success the last four years.
The Cowboys have 10 picks in the 2007 draft.
Jones said he wants a success rate of at least 70 percent. He wants his first day picks challenging for starting spots.
NOTES, QUOTES
—QB Drew Bledsoe retired from football on Wednesday.
The longtime quarterback, who lost his starting job in Dallas to Tony Romo last season, decided he'd rather walk away than be a backup quarterback. The Cowboys decided after the season that they weren't going to bring Bledsoe back after two years at the helm. He explored options with other teams but decided to walk away because they weren't what he was looking for.
"I feel so fortunate, so honored, to have played this game that I love for so long, with so many great players, and in front of so many wonderful fans," stated Bledsoe. "I fulfilled a childhood dream the first time I stepped on an NFL field, and the league did not let me down one time. I retire with a smile on my face, in good health, and ready to spend autumns at my kids' games instead of my own. I'm excited to start the next chapter of my life."
Following his record-setting collegiate career at Washington State, Bledsoe was the first overall pick by the New England Patriots in the 1993 NFL Draft. Bledsoe completed his 14-year NFL career as one of the game's most prolific passers, finishing seventh all-time in passing yards, 13th in touchdown passes (251) and fifth in completed passes (3,839).
—Who needs Bill Parcells when you are America's Team?
Parcells may have been the face of the team during his four years in Dallas but the franchise has always been much bigger than Parcells.
Further proof came when the NFL announced its schedule for next season.
The Cowboys are playing in a league-high and team-record seven national televised games, including six in prime time and one on Thanksgiving.
"The national television games only add to the anticipation that we have for the upcoming season," owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "We've never had this many national games before. It is an honor to be considered for that type of exposure, and it reinforces our desire to get the job done on the field."
Highlights of the schedule, which begins against the Giants Sept. 9, include:
—Three of the first five games are on the road.
—Back to back division road games against the Eagles and Giants in November that could potential decide the Cowboys fate by Thanksgiving.
—Back to back Thursday games with a primetime matchup against the Packers following the Thanksgiving Day game against the Jets.
—The Cowboys end the season with three of their final four on the road with the only home game being a crucial division showdown against the Eagles.
—The Cowboys end the season with a primetime Saturday night affair Dec. 22 against the Panthers and at the Commanders Dec. 30.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "First of all, nobody is going to let you live it down. Every time you walk in a room, this is what they're thinking about. You don't think this when you're young, because you have that 'I'm invincible, and I can overcome anything.' That mentality and that attitude is what makes you great on the football field. But the reality is: People do not have short-term memories. Now, they may let you move past things, but they don't let you forget things." — Cowboys player conduct consultant Calvin Hill on some of the advice he gives to players to help keep them out of trouble.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
One week after bringing in a host of national prospects, including many candidates to be chosen with the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft, the Cowboys hosted a between 25 and 30 area draft prospects.
Among the prospects were six TCU players — offensive tackle Herb Taylor, safety Marvin White, quarterback Jeff Ballard, safety Eric Buchanan and wide receivers Michael DePriest and Quentily Harmon.
Also on the list were Oklahoma State defensive end Victor DeGrate of DeSoto, Texas cornerback Tarell Brown of North Mesquite and Iowa tight end Scott Chandler of Southlake Carroll.
According to NFL rules, they are allowed to bring a number potential draft picks who grew up or went to school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for interviews and a workout.
This proceeding has resulted in Cowboys careers for receiver Patrick Crayton, cornerback Jacques Reeves and running back Tyson Thompson.
Among the players who visited last week were: Andy Alleman, OG, Akron; Allen Barbre, OT, Missouri Southern; Justin Blalock, OT, Texas; Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State; Michael Griffin, FS, Texas; Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn; Brandon Merriweather, FS, Miami (Fla.); Reggie Nelson, FS, Florida; Antonio Pittman, OH, Ohio State; Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh; Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
TEAM NEEDS
1. Wide receiver: In Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn, the Cowboys believe they have one of the top receiving tandems in the league. Both topped 1,000 yards last season. But they will be 34 and 33 next season, respectively, meaning the Cowboys need to start developing a lead receiver for the future. This will be a point of emphasis in the draft.
2. Free safety: Patrick Watkins was a typical rookie starter last year at free safety. He had his moments but he also was victimized for big plays. The Cowboys like his potential and think he has the chance to develop into a solid player. However, it is important that the Cowboys improve the position immediately because of the desire to take strong safety Roy Williams out of coverage and use him close to the line of scrimmage. Ken Hamlin was added, but only on a one-year contract.
3. Defensive tackle: The Cowboys like nose tackle Jason Ferguson, but they have no depth behind him. They need help here.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—S Tony Parrish never really got a chance to show what he can do. It's unlikely he will be back. But he could be invited to camp at the right price.
—LB Al Singleton was a luxury for the Cowboys last season. His run here is probably over. He is no longer a starter and costs too much to be a spot backup.link: usatoday.com
Pet cats, according to Parcells, were prospects a scout or coach liked, grew fond of and made a point of trying to draft that pet cat.
The funny thing is Parcells had a few pet cats of his own.
Jacob Rogers, a draft bust in 2004, was one of Parcells' pet cats. So was defensive end Marcus Spears.
It is said the Parcells wanted to draft Spears before linebacker DeMarcus Ware in 2005 but was overruled by owner Jerry Jones.
Of course Jones is not immune to pet cats, considering he was the one who lobbied against rhyme and reason for Quincy Carter.
But with Parcells gone, Jones has the final say in the draft room. And it's his mission to make sure no pet cats get drafted.
He said the Cowboys will only be partial to the draft board in the 2007 draft.
"There won't be that potential lobbying that you might have gotten that might have influenced that draft board that really you shouldn't do," Jones said. "You should put your highest-rated player by the guys that spend 100 percent of the time out here.
"I think this is going to be the purest scout-evaluation (draft) from the December grade."
With a new coaching staff in place, the Cowboys are especially likely to stick to their draft board.
The scouts, led by chief scout Jeff Ireland, have done most of the work and the Cowboys will lean on their labor. They will rank and draft according to the board.
"The only times coaches and scouts don't see eye to eye is around draft time, because coaches start liking players," Ireland said. "You have to fight that. I think we've done a good job of that.
"But you can't manufacture these players; they all can't fit the blueprint," Ireland said. "It happens on every staff. You don't want guys falling in love with players or need positions. Those are the traps; people start believing we need a receiver, and a fifth-rounder becomes a third-rounder.
"You have to fight that with the scouts and coaches. That's why it's my job to look at every player and decide."
With Parcells as the coach and man with the final say in the draft room, the Cowboys had middling success the last four years.
The Cowboys have 10 picks in the 2007 draft.
Jones said he wants a success rate of at least 70 percent. He wants his first day picks challenging for starting spots.
NOTES, QUOTES
—QB Drew Bledsoe retired from football on Wednesday.
The longtime quarterback, who lost his starting job in Dallas to Tony Romo last season, decided he'd rather walk away than be a backup quarterback. The Cowboys decided after the season that they weren't going to bring Bledsoe back after two years at the helm. He explored options with other teams but decided to walk away because they weren't what he was looking for.
"I feel so fortunate, so honored, to have played this game that I love for so long, with so many great players, and in front of so many wonderful fans," stated Bledsoe. "I fulfilled a childhood dream the first time I stepped on an NFL field, and the league did not let me down one time. I retire with a smile on my face, in good health, and ready to spend autumns at my kids' games instead of my own. I'm excited to start the next chapter of my life."
Following his record-setting collegiate career at Washington State, Bledsoe was the first overall pick by the New England Patriots in the 1993 NFL Draft. Bledsoe completed his 14-year NFL career as one of the game's most prolific passers, finishing seventh all-time in passing yards, 13th in touchdown passes (251) and fifth in completed passes (3,839).
—Who needs Bill Parcells when you are America's Team?
Parcells may have been the face of the team during his four years in Dallas but the franchise has always been much bigger than Parcells.
Further proof came when the NFL announced its schedule for next season.
The Cowboys are playing in a league-high and team-record seven national televised games, including six in prime time and one on Thanksgiving.
"The national television games only add to the anticipation that we have for the upcoming season," owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "We've never had this many national games before. It is an honor to be considered for that type of exposure, and it reinforces our desire to get the job done on the field."
Highlights of the schedule, which begins against the Giants Sept. 9, include:
—Three of the first five games are on the road.
—Back to back division road games against the Eagles and Giants in November that could potential decide the Cowboys fate by Thanksgiving.
—Back to back Thursday games with a primetime matchup against the Packers following the Thanksgiving Day game against the Jets.
—The Cowboys end the season with three of their final four on the road with the only home game being a crucial division showdown against the Eagles.
—The Cowboys end the season with a primetime Saturday night affair Dec. 22 against the Panthers and at the Commanders Dec. 30.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "First of all, nobody is going to let you live it down. Every time you walk in a room, this is what they're thinking about. You don't think this when you're young, because you have that 'I'm invincible, and I can overcome anything.' That mentality and that attitude is what makes you great on the football field. But the reality is: People do not have short-term memories. Now, they may let you move past things, but they don't let you forget things." — Cowboys player conduct consultant Calvin Hill on some of the advice he gives to players to help keep them out of trouble.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
One week after bringing in a host of national prospects, including many candidates to be chosen with the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft, the Cowboys hosted a between 25 and 30 area draft prospects.
Among the prospects were six TCU players — offensive tackle Herb Taylor, safety Marvin White, quarterback Jeff Ballard, safety Eric Buchanan and wide receivers Michael DePriest and Quentily Harmon.
Also on the list were Oklahoma State defensive end Victor DeGrate of DeSoto, Texas cornerback Tarell Brown of North Mesquite and Iowa tight end Scott Chandler of Southlake Carroll.
According to NFL rules, they are allowed to bring a number potential draft picks who grew up or went to school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for interviews and a workout.
This proceeding has resulted in Cowboys careers for receiver Patrick Crayton, cornerback Jacques Reeves and running back Tyson Thompson.
Among the players who visited last week were: Andy Alleman, OG, Akron; Allen Barbre, OT, Missouri Southern; Justin Blalock, OT, Texas; Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State; Michael Griffin, FS, Texas; Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn; Brandon Merriweather, FS, Miami (Fla.); Reggie Nelson, FS, Florida; Antonio Pittman, OH, Ohio State; Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh; Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
TEAM NEEDS
1. Wide receiver: In Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn, the Cowboys believe they have one of the top receiving tandems in the league. Both topped 1,000 yards last season. But they will be 34 and 33 next season, respectively, meaning the Cowboys need to start developing a lead receiver for the future. This will be a point of emphasis in the draft.
2. Free safety: Patrick Watkins was a typical rookie starter last year at free safety. He had his moments but he also was victimized for big plays. The Cowboys like his potential and think he has the chance to develop into a solid player. However, it is important that the Cowboys improve the position immediately because of the desire to take strong safety Roy Williams out of coverage and use him close to the line of scrimmage. Ken Hamlin was added, but only on a one-year contract.
3. Defensive tackle: The Cowboys like nose tackle Jason Ferguson, but they have no depth behind him. They need help here.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—S Tony Parrish never really got a chance to show what he can do. It's unlikely he will be back. But he could be invited to camp at the right price.
—LB Al Singleton was a luxury for the Cowboys last season. His run here is probably over. He is no longer a starter and costs too much to be a spot backup.link: usatoday.com
