Royal Laegotti
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Got this from another board, sorry if a repost.
Posted on 3/30/2007 5:55 PM
Jones thinks Hurd or Austin could be #1 recievers.
DC.COM's Philips: Best Available; Free Agency Gives Cowboys Options In Upcoming Draft Best Available
Free Agency Gives Cowboys Options In Upcoming Draft
Rob Phillips - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
March 30, 2007 5:59 PM Change Font Size
The Cowboys drafted Bobby Carpenter with the 18th overall pick in the first round last year. IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys accomplished two things during the first month of free agency: They plugged their biggest roster holes with a combination of modest and mammoth signings, and they made Mel Kiper's job that much tougher in the process.
If they hadn't signed guard/tackle Leonard Davis to $18.75 million in guaranteed money and re-signed right tackle Marc Colombo to a two-year deal, the NFL Draft pundits would've penciled in offensive line for the Cowboys' first-round pick on April 28. If they hadn't signed Ken Hamlin to a one-year deal two weeks later, free safety would've appeared a logical choice at No. 22. Backup quarterback wasn't a first-round problem, but the Cowboys already solved it by signing 38-year-old Brad Johnson.
The draft is now less than a month away, and the Cowboys shouldn't be compelled to fill a particular position with their first pick. They can draft on taste, rather than need.
"You look at the gambit of where we are, I think I could go home the first night and I can't think of a position that I'd be disturbed if we hadn't drafted a player (there) that first day," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said.
In other words, they're in a position to take the best player available. It's not necessarily sexy, and it's the most overused draft phrase out there, but it's perfectly applicable.
Scouting director Jeff Ireland and the organization will spend the next few weeks finalizing the draft board and leaning heavily on their scouts for advice. The Cowboys have 10 picks this year, one in each of the seven rounds and three extra selections because of past trades - another sixth-rounder (Sean Ryan to Jets) and two more seventh-rounders (Pete Hunter to Jets, Scott Shanle to Saints).
The most buzz always surrounds the Cowboys' first-round pick (No. 22), and there's a chance they could draft an offensive player there for the first time since 1997, when LSU tight end David LaFleur went 22nd. The Cowboys didn't have a first-rounder in 2000 or 2001 thanks to the Joey Galloway trade, and they traded down in 2004 before grabbing Julius Jones early in the second.
Jones said he might have inclination towards offense this year, "but not enough to pass up a top defensive pressure player or a top defensive player just to try to go offense."
Again, take the best player available.
Within reason, of course. For instance, Jones has said the Cowboys might be interested in taking a quarterback in the later rounds, but spending a first-round pick there is highly unlikely considering no other starter since Troy Aikman's retirement has provided more hope for a long-term solution than Tony Romo. He'll have a full opportunity to secure the job for the next several years, and Jones has made clear that drafting a young quarterback wouldn't indicate the Cowboys are looking in a different direction than Romo.
The Cowboys have much more pressing needs that haven't been fully satisfied through free agency. They could still look for a backup nose tackle behind Jason Ferguson, who turns 33 in November. Depth at guard and offensive tackle remains an issue because of Marco Rivera's back and Jason Fabini's release. And Hamlin's signing doesn't preclude them from grabbing another safety in the draft, even with Pat Watkins returning for his second season.
Several prominent college receivers also are projected to be available later in the first round, including Tennessee's Robert Meachem, LSU's Dwayne Bowe and USC's Dwayne Jarrett. Even a highly-drafted receiver would have a hard time cracking the Cowboys' rotation, but the Cowboys could think long-term with Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn firmly entrenched in their 30s.
Jones did, however, speak highly of last year's undrafted rookies Sam Hurd and Miles Austin, who made strong contributions on special teams.
"I think there's a chance that one or two of those guys right there could be a No. 1 receiver," Jones said. "Both of them have got some unique qualities. Both of them have got the work ethic to get it done. They've got the talent."
Like Bobby Carpenter last year, there's a chance the Cowboys' 2007 first-round pick won't be an immediate starter. Almost every position appears to be filled, even if Greg Ellis' rehab from a torn Achilles' tendon takes longer than expected.
But the Cowboys still need impact players to improve on last year's 9-7 record, and Jones always expects contributions from his top picks.
"The purpose is you're going to draft a younger player, obviously, than what you've got on your roster," Jones said, "and you would hope that you could get a player that given two-a-days and getting into the season, could beat out a veteran player. That would be my expectation when we're trying to draft, especially on the first day."
Almost an entire month remains before the Cowboys are on the clock, but the forecasting and evaluating has already started. It's just a little tougher for the Kipers of the world.
Would our "GREAT" GM pass on a Sydney Rice or another top receiver given the opportunity because he thinks Hurd or Austin can be #1 receivers, come on Jed don't over think this, it ain't rocket science! I'll keep my fingers crossed that there won't be any BIG blunders on draft day, as I breathe in my paper bag.
Posted on 3/30/2007 5:55 PM
Jones thinks Hurd or Austin could be #1 recievers.
DC.COM's Philips: Best Available; Free Agency Gives Cowboys Options In Upcoming Draft Best Available
Free Agency Gives Cowboys Options In Upcoming Draft
Rob Phillips - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
March 30, 2007 5:59 PM Change Font Size
If they hadn't signed guard/tackle Leonard Davis to $18.75 million in guaranteed money and re-signed right tackle Marc Colombo to a two-year deal, the NFL Draft pundits would've penciled in offensive line for the Cowboys' first-round pick on April 28. If they hadn't signed Ken Hamlin to a one-year deal two weeks later, free safety would've appeared a logical choice at No. 22. Backup quarterback wasn't a first-round problem, but the Cowboys already solved it by signing 38-year-old Brad Johnson.
The draft is now less than a month away, and the Cowboys shouldn't be compelled to fill a particular position with their first pick. They can draft on taste, rather than need.
"You look at the gambit of where we are, I think I could go home the first night and I can't think of a position that I'd be disturbed if we hadn't drafted a player (there) that first day," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said.
In other words, they're in a position to take the best player available. It's not necessarily sexy, and it's the most overused draft phrase out there, but it's perfectly applicable.
Scouting director Jeff Ireland and the organization will spend the next few weeks finalizing the draft board and leaning heavily on their scouts for advice. The Cowboys have 10 picks this year, one in each of the seven rounds and three extra selections because of past trades - another sixth-rounder (Sean Ryan to Jets) and two more seventh-rounders (Pete Hunter to Jets, Scott Shanle to Saints).
The most buzz always surrounds the Cowboys' first-round pick (No. 22), and there's a chance they could draft an offensive player there for the first time since 1997, when LSU tight end David LaFleur went 22nd. The Cowboys didn't have a first-rounder in 2000 or 2001 thanks to the Joey Galloway trade, and they traded down in 2004 before grabbing Julius Jones early in the second.
Jones said he might have inclination towards offense this year, "but not enough to pass up a top defensive pressure player or a top defensive player just to try to go offense."
Again, take the best player available.
Within reason, of course. For instance, Jones has said the Cowboys might be interested in taking a quarterback in the later rounds, but spending a first-round pick there is highly unlikely considering no other starter since Troy Aikman's retirement has provided more hope for a long-term solution than Tony Romo. He'll have a full opportunity to secure the job for the next several years, and Jones has made clear that drafting a young quarterback wouldn't indicate the Cowboys are looking in a different direction than Romo.
The Cowboys have much more pressing needs that haven't been fully satisfied through free agency. They could still look for a backup nose tackle behind Jason Ferguson, who turns 33 in November. Depth at guard and offensive tackle remains an issue because of Marco Rivera's back and Jason Fabini's release. And Hamlin's signing doesn't preclude them from grabbing another safety in the draft, even with Pat Watkins returning for his second season.
Several prominent college receivers also are projected to be available later in the first round, including Tennessee's Robert Meachem, LSU's Dwayne Bowe and USC's Dwayne Jarrett. Even a highly-drafted receiver would have a hard time cracking the Cowboys' rotation, but the Cowboys could think long-term with Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn firmly entrenched in their 30s.
Jones did, however, speak highly of last year's undrafted rookies Sam Hurd and Miles Austin, who made strong contributions on special teams.
"I think there's a chance that one or two of those guys right there could be a No. 1 receiver," Jones said. "Both of them have got some unique qualities. Both of them have got the work ethic to get it done. They've got the talent."
Like Bobby Carpenter last year, there's a chance the Cowboys' 2007 first-round pick won't be an immediate starter. Almost every position appears to be filled, even if Greg Ellis' rehab from a torn Achilles' tendon takes longer than expected.
But the Cowboys still need impact players to improve on last year's 9-7 record, and Jones always expects contributions from his top picks.
"The purpose is you're going to draft a younger player, obviously, than what you've got on your roster," Jones said, "and you would hope that you could get a player that given two-a-days and getting into the season, could beat out a veteran player. That would be my expectation when we're trying to draft, especially on the first day."
Almost an entire month remains before the Cowboys are on the clock, but the forecasting and evaluating has already started. It's just a little tougher for the Kipers of the world.
Would our "GREAT" GM pass on a Sydney Rice or another top receiver given the opportunity because he thinks Hurd or Austin can be #1 receivers, come on Jed don't over think this, it ain't rocket science! I'll keep my fingers crossed that there won't be any BIG blunders on draft day, as I breathe in my paper bag.
