My opinions of our weekend

[dbair1967]

Long weekend, alot of picks. No sexy or headline grabbing moves (unless we count the RW trade, as we probably should). But in the end, we got 12 guys that will add alot of depth and competition in a number of areas. We got good value with most of our picks. We have the makings of a huge upgrade at the LB position. We drafted several good DB prospects.

Some people here are extremely bitter that "their guy" didnt get picked. But alot of guys we all expected to be drafted early werent. Duke Robinson was a player that MANY people in this forum thought that not only we should pick in the 2nd rd, but that TRADING UP for him would have been a good move. We see that wasnt such a good idea now, but HAD we done that, probably 75% of the people crying and complaining would be talking about what an awesome move it was and how much they liked the draft. (And I am not picking on anyone that liked this guy, am just using this to make a point)

When you look at our roster, the worst positions on the team last yr were the safety position, backup QB and the special teams coverage units. After the main part of free agency and the draft these areas have CLEARLY been upgraded.

We added alot of competition today. We added some good depth. We added ALOT of team speed. Will all 12 of these guys make the team? Probably not. However I wouldnt be shocked if 10 or 11 made it at all. I wouldnt completely rule out all 12 making it. The bottom part of the roster needed a day like today badly.

I love Jason Williams as a nickel ILB and special team demon. In a yr or two, he should be a quality starter at ILB. I think Robert Brewster has a chance to push some people here and maybe at some point this yr be our starting LG, and he can probably swing out to RT in a pinch. And from the sounds of it, there were several teams looking at this guy right around where we took him. Stephen McGee is an ideal developmental #3 QB. Victor Butler and Brandon Williams appear to be ideal 3-4 OLB candidates, and both guys could easily win jobs here as key backups and special team aces this yr. Clearly Greg Ellis is probably gone, and Anthony Spencer knows he has hungry competition behind him if he doesnt produce the way everyone thinks he should. Justin Rogers is a scrub and is gone. Bobby Carpenter is probably gone, or maybe we get lucky and get someone to trade us something for him before the season begins. Deangelo Smith, Stephen Hodge and Mike Mickens were value picks, and Smith/Mickens especially have alot of upside for us. Many people thought Michael Hamlin would be a good addition in the 3rd rd, and we got him late on day two. Manual Johnson could push for the 4th/5th WR spot in time. That leaves the kicker Buehler, who was a surprise pick. Maybe it was to be exactly what they claimed (kickoff specialist) but maybe it was because he was the best kicker in this draft, we had a ton of picks and they believe that somewhere down the road, he could return us more than the late 5th rd pick we invested on him. Year in and year out it seems some team/'s get desperate for a kicker either due to their veteran flaming out or getting injured. And if we keep him this yr, we get an upgraded kickoff unit and perhaps can trade him for something of value next yr. John Phillips was a tremendous add as the 3rd TE. An all around guy who has received excellent position coaching, has good size, hands and work ethic.

Whether people want to believe it or not, we do have a very strong core group of players. Most of our backup players are guys we now know have little chance of developing into starters or have extremely limited upside, that isnt the case after today.

I like it. Would I have loved a trade up for somebody like Hakeem Nicks or Delmas? Sure, and it would have been a "sexy" headline grabbing move. But we didnt have the real ammo we needed to do it, and made the best of what we did have.

We're a better team today than we were after that debacle in Philly, and thats all that matters.

 

[NeonNinja]

Great post.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Very good post David.

Not a sexy draft-- Just very workman like.

 

[justbob]

Very good post David.

Not a sexy draft-- Just very workman like.

totally agree --lot of potential --good Post

 

[kmd24]

I haven't looked at the roster, but I'd be surprised if more than 9 of these guys make the roster. I think I could name 45 guys that are sure to be on the roster, but who knows.

 

[28 Joker]

I liked most of it. I wasn't too crazy about taking a QB with the first pick in round 4. They must really like the QB to draft him so high. If you develop him, you can trade him down the road and get some picks. Green Bay used to be stacked at QB behind Farve.

Many of the players that I liked dropped liked rocks thrown out of an airplane. LOL.

I told you guys Dallas could use 12 new players. It was past time, and Dallas had the picks to get the depth it needs in some key spots. All of these guys can make this team, and I think just about all of them will.

Crayton survived. Dallas had a notion to draft a WR higher this year. Not gettnig a center/guard to replace Cory Proctor is troubling. That was a disappointment. He may be able to make the calls, but if he can't anchor, he is going to get Romo killed. He about did last year. No wonder, Dallas wanted Unger.

Dallas knows these player, and I think they are gone:

Pat McQuistan
Justin Rodgers
Courtney Brown
Pat Watkins
Tony Curtis

I think Greg Ellis is gone, and he should be. He's not worth $ 6.25 million dollars, not even close. I was so glad to see two hybrids picked. Wade Phillips knows how to teach them.

Bobby Carpenter's time in Dallas should be over. Let the young player play. Don't let a borderline mediocre player block him. You were a 9-7 team. Get younger and faster inside. Jason Williams is a pressure player.

Special teams got better today. I do wonder if Dallas would have taken Chris Clemons. The Dolphins took him right in front of us, and he can blaze.

 

[mperfection]

Long weekend, alot of picks. No sexy or headline grabbing moves (unless we count the RW trade, as we probably should). But in the end, we got 12 guys that will add alot of depth and competition in a number of areas. We got good value with most of our picks. We have the makings of a huge upgrade at the LB position. We drafted several good DB prospects.

Some people here are extremely bitter that "their guy" didnt get picked. But alot of guys we all expected to be drafted early werent. Duke Robinson was a player that MANY people in this forum thought that not only we should pick in the 2nd rd, but that TRADING UP for him would have been a good move. We see that wasnt such a good idea now, but HAD we done that, probably 75% of the people crying and complaining would be talking about what an awesome move it was and how much they liked the draft. (And I am not picking on anyone that liked this guy, am just using this to make a point)

When you look at our roster, the worst positions on the team last yr were the safety position, backup QB and the special teams coverage units. After the main part of free agency and the draft these areas have CLEARLY been upgraded.

We added alot of competition today. We added some good depth. We added ALOT of team speed. Will all 12 of these guys make the team? Probably not. However I wouldnt be shocked if 10 or 11 made it at all. I wouldnt completely rule out all 12 making it. The bottom part of the roster needed a day like today badly.

I love Jason Williams as a nickel ILB and special team demon. In a yr or two, he should be a quality starter at ILB. I think Robert Brewster has a chance to push some people here and maybe at some point this yr be our starting LG, and he can probably swing out to RT in a pinch. And from the sounds of it, there were several teams looking at this guy right around where we took him. Stephen McGee is an ideal developmental #3 QB. Victor Butler and Brandon Williams appear to be ideal 3-4 OLB candidates, and both guys could easily win jobs here as key backups and special team aces this yr. Clearly Greg Ellis is probably gone, and Anthony Spencer knows he has hungry competition behind him if he doesnt produce the way everyone thinks he should. Justin Rogers is a scrub and is gone. Bobby Carpenter is probably gone, or maybe we get lucky and get someone to trade us something for him before the season begins. Deangelo Smith, Stephen Hodge and Mike Mickens were value picks, and Smith/Mickens especially have alot of upside for us. Many people thought Michael Hamlin would be a good addition in the 3rd rd, and we got him late on day two. Manual Johnson could push for the 4th/5th WR spot in time. That leaves the kicker Buehler, who was a surprise pick. Maybe it was to be exactly what they claimed (kickoff specialist) but maybe it was because he was the best kicker in this draft, we had a ton of picks and they believe that somewhere down the road, he could return us more than the late 5th rd pick we invested on him. Year in and year out it seems some team/'s get desperate for a kicker either due to their veteran flaming out or getting injured. And if we keep him this yr, we get an upgraded kickoff unit and perhaps can trade him for something of value next yr. John Phillips was a tremendous add as the 3rd TE. An all around guy who has received excellent position coaching, has good size, hands and work ethic.

Whether people want to believe it or not, we do have a very strong core group of players. Most of our backup players are guys we now know have little chance of developing into starters or have extremely limited upside, that isnt the case after today.

I like it. Would I have loved a trade up for somebody like Hakeem Nicks or Delmas? Sure, and it would have been a "sexy" headline grabbing move. But we didnt have the real ammo we needed to do it, and made the best of what we did have.

We're a better team today than we were after that debacle in Philly, and thats all that matters.

I agree - Barring injury, 9-11 players drafted today WILL make this team.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Great post.

Very good post David.

Not a sexy draft-- Just very workman like.

Totally agree.

Maybe we didn't hit any tape-measure home runs today, but you can win with with singles and doubles, too.

 

[dmq]

I have given up on grading drafts. Its just too hard to know what these guys will do in the pros. Realistically, if one guy becomes a star and another becomes a starter, we had a darn good draft.

 

[STAR GAZER]

Nice post.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Totally agree.

Maybe we didn't hit any tape-measure home runs today, but you can win with with singles and doubles, too.

so this was an Oakland Athletics type of draft?

 

[RS12]

I believe in the Jimmy Johnson approach to draft, give me playmakers. Nobody here jumps out as a play maker. Not saying it cant happen for a couple guys, right now, not apparent. Also Jerry should have insisted on having Roscoe Parish thrown in on the Bills trade, and they were dying to give away. The kicker pick could have been had later.

 

[dbair1967]

I believe in the Jimmy Johnson approach to draft, give me playmakers. Nobody here jumps out as a play maker.

Gee thats strange, reading the bios on them it appears everyone of them (other the K and OL) are guys who made tons of plays.

 

[parchy]

Gee thats strange, reading the bios on them it appears everyone of them (other the K and OL) are guys who made tons of plays.

C'mon, you can't be that daft...

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I believe in the Jimmy Johnson approach to draft, give me playmakers. Nobody here jumps out as a play maker. Not saying it cant happen for a couple guys, right now, not apparent. Also Jerry should have insisted on having Roscoe Parish thrown in on the Bills trade, and they were dying to give away. The kicker pick could have been had later.

Hamlin, DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens are all ball-hawks

Victor Butler and Brandon Williams combined for 41 sacks last 2 years

Jason Williams forced a record-tying 14 fumbles, Brandon Williams forced 7 last 2 years

Manuel Johnson had 7 TDs in 3 games against Texas, Baylor and TCU, only he and Malcolm Kelly ever accomplished that feat at Oklahoma

Stephen Hodge: 8 sacks in '07, 10 TFL in '08

 

[masomenos]

Very good post.

I think you're spot on with your analysis and I wouldn't be shocked if all 12 guys were on the roster next year. Over the past two days, our team has gotten better. Not only is there hungry talent at the bottom of the roster, but some of these guys really will make an impact on ST. We'll have better field position next year, we'll have more pass rushers and better depth. This draft wasn't quite on par with last years, but it was a good draft.

I'm excited to see these guys in camp!

 

[Bach]

Bottomline, the Eagles and Giants had vastly superior drafts compared to us. We couldn't afford to have a poor draft and this is below average at best.

No first, no second. A couple of reaches when we finally did pick in the 3rd and 4th. We were definitely drafting for special teams and then going for quantity at LB and DB instead of quality.

Jerry should take notes from teams like NE, NYG, and Philly. But seeing how he's been in the league for 20 years and in control of personnel for much of the last 15, if he doesn't get it by now, I doubt he ever will.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Great post David. Right on the money!

I especially the effort made by Stephen and Jerry to concentrate on drafting solid football players (not projects!), players who love the game, have a strong work ethic and high character.

Training camp bettle for roster spots will be great to watch this summer.

 

[RS12]

Jerry should take notes from teams like NE, NYG, and Philly. But seeing how he's been in the league for 20 years and in control of personnel for much of the last 15, if he doesn't get it by now, I doubt he ever will.

We all knew Jerry was beyond help as a GM when Wade was allowed back on the return flight from Philadelphia. Should have ridden back Gray Hound.

 

[dbair1967]

Bottomline, the Eagles and Giants had vastly superior drafts compared to us. We couldn't afford to have a poor draft and this is below average at best.

No first, no second. A couple of reaches when we finally did pick in the 3rd and 4th. We were definitely drafting for special teams and then going for quantity at LB and DB instead of quality.

Jerry should take notes from teams like NE, NYG, and Philly. But seeing how he's been in the league for 20 years and in control of personnel for much of the last 15, if he doesn't get it by now, I doubt he ever will.

So you are assuming all (or most of) the guys they drafted will be good and the guys we drafted wont. The Giants dont look so mart if Nicks doesnt develop quickly or busts. If Jason Peters plays the way he did last yr the Eagles dont look so smart. Macklin is far from a sure thing.

And we didnt have a 1st because we traded for a bigtime WR last yr. Had the Eagles or Giants traded a 1st for Edwards or Boldin, everyone would give them credit for that. You need to do the same for us.