We all know that in 1999 Jerry shelled out $26 million for Rocket Ismail. Ironically enough, the player the Panthers signed to replace him was Patrick Jeffers, a backup WR for the Cowboys who went on to total over 1,000 yards receiving and 12 TDs that year for the Panthers at a fraction of the price.
I remember hearing that the Cowboys were eying Anthony “Booger” McFarland with their 1st round pick in the 1999 draft and were said to be pretty surprised when Tampa took him as high as they did. This almost Cowboy would have come in handy next year, as the Cowboys allowed 4 opposing RBs to rush 200 yard in a game.
In 2000, the pro player personnel department wanted the Cowboys to sign an unheard of free agent WR by the name of Joe Horn. Realizing his window was closing, Jerry was desperate to acquire a more established WR to replace Michael Irvin and sold the farm for Joey Galloway. Joe Horn would go on to play in 4 of the next 7 Pro Bowls and set several major Saints receiving records.
There was a strong contingent of people within the Cowboys war room that wanted LB Kendrell Bell in the 2nd round of the 2001 draft. Dallas traded back from the 37th pick and Bell was taken by the Steelers 2 picks later. Bell started off strong, being named an All-Pro and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, but he peaked early.
In 2003, the Jake Delhomme visited with the Cowboys who decided not to get in a bidding war with the Carolina Panthers. We then went on to start Quincy Carter, Chad Hutchinson, Drew Henson, Vinny Testaverde and Drew Bledsoe before Tony Romo established himself. Delhomme took the Panthers to the Super Bowl and became a Pro Bowl player.
More recently, it was said that Rob Ryan really wanted J.J. Watt. Tyson Smith is turning out to be a great player in his own right, so this one isn’t quite as painful.
Haven’t seen it mentioned in this thread, but it’s been widely reported that had we not traded up for Mo Claiborne, we could have taken Michael Brockers and Bobby Wagner.
