Now that the draft has come to a conclusion, what do you think that our most glaring need is? It can be personnel. But if you want to make a coaching analogy or assess a need there, too, that would be intersting.
Why do you think it is the most glaring need?
And the whole trick to this is that you have to provide an UPSIDE or make a positive point in regards to the current personnel we have as prospects, and so forth, at the position of need.
In other words, state what you don't like. But also provide an objective thought that may give you a sense of optimism (if you're able to do that).
First, the biggest glaring need I see for the cowboys is backup NT, I know that Wade Phillips says that he likes smaller NTs, but if you look at history, dominant NTs have had big huge NTs. Bears in their heyday, Patriots now, and yes, even the chargers, whom do they have big huge Jamaal Williams whom is 6-3 1/2 and about 344, now is that a slim small NT like Philllips says he wants. If you remember, Buffalo in their prime of the 3-4 had a smaller NT, and what did the cowboys big huge offensive line do, run all over them and throw. Big NT in 3-4 is way to go.
next like a someone posted, next is our WR position, we have 2 old wrs in glenn and TO, crayton is just a 3rd down receiver, he doesnt have speed to be a # 2 or # 1 receiver. Scanback is very fast, if and thats a big word, IF he can recover from a serious foot injury, but the speed is there, and then he is going to miss all of the offseason work, thats a lot to ask for a rookie guy that hasnt played alot of Wr, he did play his sophomore year, and i remember watching him tear usc up, but again, he has to relearn wr position, just hoping though he can help us on punt returns. It scares me to see Newman returning punts, your star cb.
Our offensive line will be this time next year a big plus. Doug Free called the Freak due to his speed in the 40, 5.09 for a guy that is 6-6, 315 or so, and you got to remember, reason why he fell he had a foot fracture his senior year, was wearing a boot to walk in during the week, then he would play the game, you and i know, you cant plant that foot real good if its fractured. So, we got a steal in him, its true he has got to get stronger in the upper body, but he is pretty strong in his legs. Next, Marten will take over for Colombo if he doesnt stay in 2 years, if you look at offensive linemen, there are 12 offensive linemen from Boston College that are playing in the NFL, they just turn out pro style offensive linemen. Then, you have McQuistan whom I think will beat out Kosier at LOG. Then, you have big Leonard Davis at ROG and Colombo at RT, with Gurode coming on at Center. So, our offensive line is set for the next 5-7 years.
Now to the questionable defensive backfield. I think Henry is losing just a step or half a step, but how do you stop or help that, with a pass rush, with getting Spencer, so teams cant double up on Ware all the time, we will have a better pass rush. Will it be super this year, no, I think it will take 8 games or so for defense to come on, Wade Phillips said it takes about a year for team to come on his new defense. We have played versions of it at times last year and year before when we went after Manning in the colts game for example, so I am thinking if offense can keep us in the games till about 8th or 10 game, then the defense will really come on. What could help our defense is if we go out and sign Randall Godfrey, whom was cut by San Diego, is he a 3 down player no, but he can help our young players till they learn the fine points of wade phillips defense, kinda like when parcells brought in richie anderson, keyshawn, and a OT from the Jets, cant remember his name right now, but he played pretty good first 7 games or so till he got hurt.
I think like one person reported that we have fixed our cornerback problem with the signing of Courtney Brown. Do you guys remember Sehorn, cornerback for the Giants? He was a cornerback from arizona i think found in the 6th or 7th round, that was about 6-1, 205 with 4.35 in 40 and he did pretty good. This Brown guy is 6-1 206 or so, with 4.32 to 4.37 in 40, avg about 4.34 in 40 with a 41 1/2 inch vertical leap. He needs to get just a little stronger in bench press, 17 reps i think, but no team threw a touchdown on him the last 2 years, and he had 7 interceptions his junior year. He just needs experience, and help from Newman.
Watkins will be our starting free safety after he learns from Hamlin about more coverage and directing defensive backfield, and if Hamlin shows something then we can resign him, but better option is Watkins, with his 44 inch vertical leap i think he has and his 4.48 in 40, not real deep speed, but most free safeties arent super fast. Also, if you think about it, at times, Roy and Hamlin can alternate or switch safety spots, so you dont know which safety is coming on blitzes, hamlin is just a good hitter at roy, or pretty close in other words. I have heard reports which surprised me, but the Cowboys maybe thinking about if they can beef up Hall, so he can play safety, he is more a director in the backfield where he played college.
I think we will if we can get McFadden at running back with our # 1 pick next year, and with our 2nd # 1 get a impact young WR, then we will have 2 impact young players. Norm was on the ticket and he was saying he thinks the browns are still a top 5 team to pick in the 1st round next year, which norm thinks they will play brady quinn at QB, and most QBs have a hard time at QB their first year, look at Leinhart, he had a rough time his first 9 games or so. So, with a top 5 pick we can trade up if need be and get McFadden.
Fnally, if Jason Garrett doesnt get too cute and change a whole lot on offense, we were top in scoring last year, believe it or not, so why change too much, slowly change it, so your players can slowly digest it, and just play on the field, not think, then play. That will be a key too. But, Jason Garett did learn from 2 of the best, Norv Turner and the guy that was offensive coordnator for the Dolphins, cant think of his name. Change up some, so teams dont know what your doing, and surprise them, then save some more for later in the year, for big surprises.
Other thing that will help, i have heard that Parcells would beat the team up have them play more physical during the week of regular season, and have them play if hurt, no matter what, but Wade Phillips doesnt do that, the guys will be fresher and eager to play. Thats the biggest thing I heard, that the players are excited about, they will be allowed to attack and attack on defense and offense, whereas parcells liked to play a close game by the vest.
Why do people keep saying our WR need is glaring. It's not glaring if you have to VERY good WR's. Glaring would be if we had two 4th round rookies starting at WR. Our starting WRs are in their 30s, but they are one of the best 1-2 WR tandems in the league. Follow that with Crayton, Miles, and Hurd. We are in good shape this season. We only need to look to the future which the future has no baring on this season and therefore not a glaring need.
