On draft day we should have only one goal

[X-Dawg]

-Trade down as far as we can - pick up an extra pick and take our Future Center: Mangold in the low first round.
It's not a sexy pick - but it's a massive hole we need plugged up.

 

[t.o.boys81]

Not a bad goal.

 

[Manster68]

-Trade down as far as we can - pick up an extra pick and take our Future Center: Mangold in the low first round.
It's not a sexy pick - but it's a massive hole we need plugged up.

That is a nice thought X-Dawg, but Dallas already signed Gurode and Johnson is already under contract.

The only way Dallas goes after Mangold is if Parcells moves Gurode back to guard.

I seriously doubt that happens, my friend.

It seems to me like the Cowboys are staying with Johnson and Gurode at center this season. Getting Bentley was nearly impossible, and the coaching staff obviously doesn't think overpaying for the other center candidates in free agency was worthwhile.

The Cowboys are just going to have to play the hand they currently have.

Hopefully Johnson can break out and prove us all wrong.

 

[big dog cowboy]

but it's a massive hole we need plugged up.

Not really. Johnson/Gurode to fight it out there. Bigger hole exists at OLB and FS. I'll buy we need to upgrade the C position. But massive hole? Nah.

 

[Bryan8284]

Isn't Mangold very much like Johnson in size?

 

[Future]

-Trade down as far as we can - pick up an extra pick and take our Future Center: Mangold in the low first round.
It's not a sexy pick - but it's a massive hole we need plugged up.

oh i beg to differ...grr baby

 

[Rumor]

No way...FS & OLB first...

 

[dbair1967]

-Trade down as far as we can - pick up an extra pick and take our Future Center: Mangold in the low first round.
It's not a sexy pick - but it's a massive hole we need plugged up.

Mangold is not a sure thing...in fact he rated about on par with guys like jeff Faine and Al Johnson and will probably be drafted right around in that area...Faine and Johnson have been major disappointments to say the least

drafting interior OL's is almost always a waste of a high pick

David

 

[THUMPER]

Our one goal on draft day is DON'T REACH! Last year we did well by taking good, solid players rather than reaching on anyone and looking for that "diamond in the rough" that Jerry loves to uncover. Jeff Ireland's presence is what made the difference last year and hopefully that will continue in this draft.

 

[Anguillidae]

From another board :

Matt Mosley column

Cowboys need a new center: Esteemed e-mailer Jonathan Cook from Annapolis, Md., writes: “Any chance the Cowboys trade down to low in the first and try to grab [Ohio State center] Nick Mangold? Is he good enough to be a next 'Stepnoski' type at center? Trade to the low first and you might be able to grab another second as well. A good center could make all the difference on the line.”

Jonathan is not alone in his desire for improvement at center, but I don’t see the Cowboys going after Mangold or any other center early in the draft. They were pleased with Andre Gurode’s development at that position last season, and contrary to popular belief, no one has given up on former second-round pick Al Johnson.
The knock on Johnson is that he’s not big enough to take on some of the huge nose tackles across the league. In the past, he’s played at about 305 pounds, which is 10-15 pounds lighter than Parcells would prefer.
Here’s the good news: Johnson is up to 317 pounds, and he hasn’t used the fast-food plan to get there. In fact, he stops by this one sushi restaurant in Irving at least three times per week. I might be in the minority here, but my gut tells me Johnson will win the job. Gurode might be bigger and stronger, but Johnson gives you a lot more versatility because of his quickness.

I think we should give Al one more year to prove if he's our future center. I think he can be.

 

[Longboysfan]

We are going the route of best player available.
Trade down if the player we are targeting is not on the wish list of anyone just in front of us.
And it does not have to be far - enough to pick up a replacement in the 4th round.
or drop and give up the 1st rounder & the 5th rounder to get a lower 1st round pick and a 3rd round pick. For a player who will be playing this year also. With the Owens signing we are looking to win it all this year.
The last few drafts have shown - most every team is picking a player they will put into the lineup. That is in the first two rounds.
Then they go to their best player available. Well maybe not the Eagles.
Where they throw a lot of picks at one position.
But this year they should fall into line and get a player who can step right in.
Plus this is the highest their original picking slot has been in 4 or 5 years.
Me.
I think Oakland will go QB and take one of the top three QB's in the draft.
I know this may not be breaking news to anyone - but it's just thoughts that are driving me in this direction.

And we will extend some players contracts and look to sign anyone who is a Camp cut who we can use on the O line.

And it looks like Tucker is gone. Signed offer sheet yesterday.

 

[theogt]

Horrible idea. AJ is the likely future center. SOLB is the biggest need. Also, none of this BPA-talk. We're not going best person available. We're going OUTSIDE LINEBACKER.

 

[CowboyWay]

Horrible idea. AJ is the likely future center. SOLB is the biggest need. Also, none of this BPA-talk. We're not going best person available. We're going OUTSIDE LINEBACKER.

No way. We need more lineman than anything else on this team.

Best Lineman Available in what we should draft. What happens if Flozell goes down, or Fabini goes down this year? That means we have to put Tucker (if he's here) or God help us all Pettiti in there. Our season is over if that happens.

A big name linebacker is a sexy pick, but it not our most desperate need.

If any of you have any of the boys games taped last year or tivo'd, go back and look at our pathetic offensive line. Then watch our linebackers. If you say linebacker is a bigger need than O-lineman, you need to have your eyes checked.
Games are won and lost in this league in the trenches. Always have been, always will be.

 

[CowboyChris]

-Trade down as far as we can - pick up an extra pick and take our Future Center: Mangold in the low first round.
It's not a sexy pick - but it's a massive hole we need plugged up.

glad you arent running things at Valley Ranch.

 

[acheman]

Yeah and that ONE goal should be to IMPROVE our team with each pick. Not just one certain player.

 

[JackMagist]

No way. We need more lineman than anything else on this team.

Best Lineman Available in what we should draft. What happens if Flozell goes down, or Fabini goes down this year? That means we have to put Tucker (if he's here) or God help us all Pettiti in there. Our season is over if that happens.

A big name linebacker is a sexy pick, but it not our most desperate need.

If any of you have any of the boys games taped last year or tivo'd, go back and look at our pathetic offensive line. Then watch our linebackers. If you say linebacker is a bigger need than O-lineman, you need to have your eyes checked.
Games are won and lost in this league in the trenches. Always have been, always will be.

Not in the first round and probably not in the second or third. Sexy or not here is what I believe will happen:

1st: SOLB (Lawson/Carpenter/??)
2nd: QB (Whitehurst) or Best OL available if Whitehurst is gone.
3rd: FS (best available)

WE probably would not go FS until the 4th but we don't have a 4th. Of course this could all change with a trade down to get a 4th round or higher pick. I do agree that any additional pick we get on the first day will go to Best OL Available.

 

[DandyDon]

No way. We need more lineman than anything else on this team.

Best Lineman Available in what we should draft. What happens if Flozell goes down, or Fabini goes down this year? That means we have to put Tucker (if he's here) or God help us all Pettiti in there. Our season is over if that happens.

A big name linebacker is a sexy pick, but it not our most desperate need.

If any of you have any of the boys games taped last year or tivo'd, go back and look at our pathetic offensive line. Then watch our linebackers. If you say linebacker is a bigger need than O-lineman, you need to have your eyes checked.
Games are won and lost in this league in the trenches. Always have been, always will be.

Of course, you are going with the theory that Pettiti wouldn't have improved in the off season......we'll see......

 

[CowboyWay]

Of course, you are going with the theory that Pettiti wouldn't have improved in the off season......we'll see......

Only one way you get better at OT position, and it ain't in the offseason. Its practice and gametime. OG, or Center, they can hit the wieghts and get better. OT isn't that easy. You can short shuddle or you can't. I do not see Pettiti getting any better. Even if he made huge strides, he would be average AT BEST.

The guy was HORRIBLE last year. Rookie or not, this kid is a backup AT BEST.

I hear Al Johnson has been hitting the wieghts pretty good this year, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, but not Pettiti. He just flat out Stunk. He might be able to play guard, but he's no tackle.

I like the idea of getting Carpenter too for LB. But there is only 3 good OT's in this draft and we need to get one with our first pick. After that take best player available at either Guard, Safety, or LB.

 

[theogt]

Of course, you are going with the theory that Pettiti wouldn't have improved in the off season......we'll see......

It doesn't matter if Petitti improves or not. Fabini is the starter this year and next unless injured. Kosier and Peterman will compete at LG. Whoever wins that competition should be a competent starter. Flo's back of course. AJ isn't nearly as bad as he's made out to be on this board. He'll improve over the off-season and his injury will be fully healed. O-line isn't a pressing need, but if BPA in the second round is an OL we'll take him.

 

[Sasquatch]

Our one goal on draft day is DON'T REACH! Last year we did well by taking good, solid players rather than reaching on anyone and looking for that "diamond in the rough" that Jerry loves to uncover. Jeff Ireland's presence is what made the difference last year and hopefully that will continue in this draft.

BPA, even if it's non need position like RB, TE, and CB. Improve talent pool, acquire ammo for future trades, and let the draft come to you.