PFW Edholm: Cowboys’ rookie class not getting it done

[WoodysGirl]

Posted Nov. 05, 2009 @ 3:08 p.m.
By Eric Edholm

Jerry Jones surprised many when he made a series of trades down in the draft to accumulate more picks. It was clear he believed the team needed more depth at a number of positions, but so far the 12-man draft class has come up short.

Third-round LB Jason Williams, the top pick, hasn't played much since returning from injury. Fourth-round LB Victor Butler flashed with two late sacks against the Panthers but hasn't seen the field much since. Fifth-round S Mike Hamlin backs up his namesake, Ken Hamlin, but does little more than contribute on special teams. Sixth-round TE John Phillips is mostly a blocker.

The most impressive draft pick has been kickoff specialist David Buehler, who is on pace to shatter the team's season record for touchbacks and also plays on coverage teams. But other than that, the class is a bust. There is future promise with OL Robert Brewster, who is on injured reserve, and No. 3 QB Stephen McGee, but there might not be a future front-line starter among them.

http://profootballweekly.com/2009/11/05/cowboys-rookie-class-not-getting-it-done

 

[Frozen700]

mike Jenkins is...and thats all that matters

 

[Cover 2]

They're rookies. They're not always going to produce right away. Also Buehler has been pretty good.

 

[tomson75]

Edholm = Dumb

 

[WoodysGirl]

mike Jenkins is...and thats all that matters

Jenkins is a 2nd year player...

aka "Sophomore Sensation" according to Wade.

 

[jobberone]

It's hard for a rookie to step in and be a big contributor in their first year. RBs can do it. Sometimes even a QB. The occasional WR. Unless you draft a blue chip prospect then it generally takes time for a rookie to start.

We just didn't have the top draft choice to make a big splash this year. There are some interesting players in that draft.

 

[NMfan]

Draft class with no first round pick is a bust before even reaching the midseason? Huh?

This writer is a bust. Halfway through his article I can tell he will never amount to anything. Touché

 

[gimmesix]

It's hard for a rookie to step in and be a big contributor in their first year. RBs can do it. Sometimes even a QB. The occasional WR. Unless you draft a blue chip prospect then it generally takes time for a rookie to start..

We also have few, if any, spots where they can challenge for playing time.

Brewster was going to be a backup this year at best. McGee, third QB.

It was doubtful Jason Williams was going to earn any role except on special teams. Butler and Brandon Williams had a chance, though, of contributing some as subs ... and Butler has to an extent, as well as playing well on special teams.

Injuries took B. Williams and Hodge out of the equation. Mike Hamlin also has been hurt and would have had a hard time anyway dislodging Ken Hamlin and Sensabaugh as a rookie.

Buehler has contributed the most because there is a defined role for him, which also could be said of Phillips.

So that leaves three out of 12 that haven't worked out, and Manny Johnson showed enough near the end of preseason to stick around on the PS.

Mickens was kept for potential on the PS but not enough that we were willing to fight Tampa for him, while DeAngelo Smith didn't show enough potential, either. ... The funny thing is, many considered them to be among our best picks in this draft.

 

[Gordon]

We also have few, if any, spots where they can challenge for playing time.

Brewster was going to be a backup this year at best. McGee, third QB.

It was doubtful Jason Williams was going to earn any role except on special teams. Butler and Brandon Williams had a chance, though, of contributing some as subs ... and Butler has to an extent, as well as playing well on special teams.

Injuries took B. Williams and Hodge out of the equation. Mike Hamlin also has been hurt and would have had a hard time anyway dislodging Ken Hamlin and Sensabaugh as a rookie.

Buehler has contributed the most because there is a defined role for him, which also could be said of Phillips.

So that leaves three out of 12 that haven't worked out, and Manny Johnson showed enough near the end of preseason to stick around on the PS.

Mickens was kept for potential, while DeAngelo Smith didn't show enough of that. ... The funny thing is, many considered them to be among our best picks in this draft.

Exactly. It's not as though any of these guys were expected to come in and shake up the team right away. The writer says himself that they were mostly added for depth, so what exactly was he expecting?

If anything, the draft class has exceeded my expectations thus far given the impact Buehler has had as well as the all around special teams improvement.

 

[jobberone]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jobberone
It's hard for a rookie to step in and be a big contributor in their first year. RBs can do it. Sometimes even a QB. The occasional WR. Unless you draft a blue chip prospect then it generally takes time for a rookie to start..

We also have few, if any, spots where they can challenge for playing time.

Brewster was going to be a backup this year at best. McGee, third QB.

It was doubtful Jason Williams was going to earn any role except on special teams. Butler and Brandon Williams had a chance, though, of contributing some as subs ... and Butler has to an extent, as well as playing well on special teams.

Injuries took B. Williams and Hodge out of the equation. Mike Hamlin also has been hurt and would have had a hard time anyway dislodging Ken Hamlin and Sensabaugh as a rookie.

Buehler has contributed the most because there is a defined role for him, which also could be said of Phillips.

So that leaves three out of 12 that haven't worked out, and Manny Johnson showed enough near the end of preseason to stick around on the PS.

Mickens was kept for potential on the PS but not enough that we were willing to fight Tampa for him, while DeAngelo Smith didn't show enough potential, either. ... The funny thing is, many considered them to be among our best picks in this draft.

Hence the reason why rookies have a hard time contributing a lot that first year or so. Esp on a contending team with no real spots open for competition.

 

[jchocolate82]

This dude is an idiot cause anyone with any kind of football knowledge knows you cant even begin to address a class as bust till at least 3yrs following that draft year. This class has had bad luck with injuries thats for sure but it wasnt like many of them were gonna get much playing time to begin with cause we were so set at most of the positions.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Before the season opener at Tampa, I didn't think this class would make a big impact. We knew Buehler would but the rest would take time. To make an evaluation after only 7 games is pretty stupid. Not even the most hardcore Cowboy fan could have reasonably expect any of the rookies to step on the field and make a big difference.

 

[Frozen700]

Jenkins is a 2nd year player...

aka "Sophomore Sensation" according to Wade.

yea i know that........just saying, hes getting it done..so we dont need any other D players to step up yet.....it doesn't make much sense

but i feel his presence and having 2 corners that can really play.....makes up for other areas

 

[mldardy]

Edholm = Dumb

This is a case of 'I can't think of anything bad to say about the Cowboys currently so why don't I make up something no one cares about'

 

[gimmesix]

Before the season opener at Tampa, I didn't think this class would make a big impact. We knew Buehler would but the rest would take time. To make an evaluation after only 7 games is pretty stupid. Not even the most hardcore Cowboy fan could have reasonably expect any of the rookies to step on the field and make a big difference.

Of course, the only guy other than Buehler who appears he might be able to make a big impact this year was undrafted, Kevin Ogletree.

I think we all knew that Butler and the two Williams were going to have some learning pains working at different positions than they were used to in college. But we also knew Dallas wasn't planning to have to rely on them for major roles.

It's nice to have that luxury with all these picks so they can have time to adjust without having to make all their mistakes in games.

 

[dirtycallahan]

Brewster went to IR? Last thing I recall he was on the PUP list.

 

[kiheikiwi]

I am torn on this subject - while I agree that injuries and a complete draft for special teams means we cannot judge this draft yet by the lack of production. I was, and am still disapointed that with all the draft day wheeling and dealing,tradeing down time and again, we never got that 5th round pick back or any other picks for this years draft.
have to listen to a co-worker who is a Patriot fan, bleeting on about how they always try to pick up extra draft picks where possible. (***) and thought last year was the perfect oportunity for us to do just that. Specially knowing this year is potentially rated a very good draft.
It was the late 90's when Jerry and Co. got too cute drafting nothing but back up's. Very similar to last year !
I think we have some potential players for down the road, but, all in all - a very disapointing draft. We were the only team in the NFC East not to improve our team comming into the year, so hopefully another year or two from now, some of these players will start to deliver. i.e. brewster, both Williams's, Hodge, Hamlin and Victor Butler. Lack of production this year from our picks does not worry me, lack of foresight does.
Let me say though, as a fan, my limited knowledge of our draft statagy or reasoning for useing our picks as they did - does not make me any less joyful at where we stand today, heading into tomorrows game.!

 

[WoodysGirl]

Brewster went to IR? Last thing I recall he was on the PUP list.

I read something recently that he's likely headed to IR since he hadn't started working on his upper body strength until last week or so.

 

[eightysiX]

i wouldn't say our draft was a bust, but than again i wasn't expecting much going into the draft. Although i do wish we would of got some more picks for this upcoming draft that didn't happen. We had a pretty good 08 draft so i wasn't concered too much and we cant complain too much our ST is much better even though most of the credit has to go to couch D.

 

[Deefens]

Absolute garbage...I wonder how many teams had 7 rookies make the roster (plus 2 or IR, and 1 on PUP). And the Cowboys aren't exactly a rebuilding team. These guys all seem to be the type of hard-working team-players that helped change the atmosphere around here. How this clown earns a living writing this crap is beyond me.