sago1
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I know it's way to early to take another look at our 2007 draft but frankly I'm tired of anything connected to this past Sunday's game. You gotta admit evaluating our draft only 6 games into the season is a reach but why not.
Most draft experts gave us anywhere from a B to a C. One or two were much less generous. So how does our draft look so far? And yes, we'll take another look at this question at season's end.
1. Grade Unknown. We own Cleveland's first round pick. At this point doesn't look like it will be a top 10 but we can always hope Cleveland collapses--nothing personal of course.
2. Grade B-. First rounder OLB Anthony Spencer. He won the starting OLB job (by default due Ellis achilles injury problem). He looks pretty good against the run & has registered at least 1(?) sack. BTW: Gave him the B cause he's shown he is a starter.
3. Grade Incomplete. Third rounder OT James Marten. His play in TC shows he needs a lot more time to develop & doubt he sees the field this season at all. He does have a nasty disposition on the field which I always like.
4. Grade Incomplete. Fourth rounder WR Isiah Stanbach. Injuried when drafted & didn't participate in TC until the end. Appeared in 1 preseason game & made 2 catches, one of which was an excellent TD reception. Doubt he gets any playing time until later in the season.
5. Grade Incomplete but positive. Fourth rounder OT Doug Free. In TC he showed a lot of promise at LT replacing Adams who recovering from a knee scope. Cowboys really like his athleticism, speed & nasty dispostion. After participation in 08 offseason weight conditioning program, he probably competes against OT Pat McQuistan to replace Adams at LT.
6. Grade A. Sixth rounder Kicker Nick Folk. Won kicking job in preseason. Has made all his FG kicks except one which was blocked in Bear game; also has done pretty good job in kicking. Won Buffalo game with several FG kicks and excellent on-side kick culminating in a 53 yard FG which won the game. Forced rekick (when loser coach called time out just before kick was made). Cooly made 2nd attempt to win the game--again. Won Diet Pepsi player of the week for his performance in that game.
7. Grade C-. Sixth rounder Deon Anderson. Replace Hoyte at FB when Hoyte got injuried. Has made several nice catches but his blocking is a work in progress.
8. Grade C-. Seventh rounder FS Courtney Brown. Drafted as a CB but moved to FS; did make the roster. Has played on ST but not contributed as yet at FS. Work in progress and coaching staff likes him.
9. Grade Incomplete. Seventh rounder CB Alan Ball. Signed to PS but latest word is he showing lot of improvement in last 2 weeks. Could be signed to the roster at some point.
CONCLUSION: Spencer playing well enough to keep OLB job even if Ellis able to play more. Folk was a great pick; we wouldn't have won the Bills game w/o him. Two players (Anderson & Brown) have at least contributed on ST w/Anderson briefly starter at FB due to injury. Remaining 4 judged incomplete cause they've made no contribution but offer promise in 08 season.
From my perspective we've got 2 starters so far out of this draft (Spencer & Folk). Essentially the rest are a work in progress. I'd give us a solid B but that grade could improve dramatically as the season moves along & also depending who we able to draft with Cleveland pick in 08.
I'm not going to address whether we would have been better served using 1-2 picks on positions of need cause we simply can't turn the clock back. But it is very obvious now that Jerry Jones was wrong when he thought we had a good player at every position. Hopefully he rectifies some of our problem areas in the next draft or FA.
Yes, I know there is nothing sexy in here, but makes me feel better discussing something different for a change.
Most draft experts gave us anywhere from a B to a C. One or two were much less generous. So how does our draft look so far? And yes, we'll take another look at this question at season's end.
1. Grade Unknown. We own Cleveland's first round pick. At this point doesn't look like it will be a top 10 but we can always hope Cleveland collapses--nothing personal of course.
2. Grade B-. First rounder OLB Anthony Spencer. He won the starting OLB job (by default due Ellis achilles injury problem). He looks pretty good against the run & has registered at least 1(?) sack. BTW: Gave him the B cause he's shown he is a starter.
3. Grade Incomplete. Third rounder OT James Marten. His play in TC shows he needs a lot more time to develop & doubt he sees the field this season at all. He does have a nasty disposition on the field which I always like.
4. Grade Incomplete. Fourth rounder WR Isiah Stanbach. Injuried when drafted & didn't participate in TC until the end. Appeared in 1 preseason game & made 2 catches, one of which was an excellent TD reception. Doubt he gets any playing time until later in the season.
5. Grade Incomplete but positive. Fourth rounder OT Doug Free. In TC he showed a lot of promise at LT replacing Adams who recovering from a knee scope. Cowboys really like his athleticism, speed & nasty dispostion. After participation in 08 offseason weight conditioning program, he probably competes against OT Pat McQuistan to replace Adams at LT.
6. Grade A. Sixth rounder Kicker Nick Folk. Won kicking job in preseason. Has made all his FG kicks except one which was blocked in Bear game; also has done pretty good job in kicking. Won Buffalo game with several FG kicks and excellent on-side kick culminating in a 53 yard FG which won the game. Forced rekick (when loser coach called time out just before kick was made). Cooly made 2nd attempt to win the game--again. Won Diet Pepsi player of the week for his performance in that game.
7. Grade C-. Sixth rounder Deon Anderson. Replace Hoyte at FB when Hoyte got injuried. Has made several nice catches but his blocking is a work in progress.
8. Grade C-. Seventh rounder FS Courtney Brown. Drafted as a CB but moved to FS; did make the roster. Has played on ST but not contributed as yet at FS. Work in progress and coaching staff likes him.
9. Grade Incomplete. Seventh rounder CB Alan Ball. Signed to PS but latest word is he showing lot of improvement in last 2 weeks. Could be signed to the roster at some point.
CONCLUSION: Spencer playing well enough to keep OLB job even if Ellis able to play more. Folk was a great pick; we wouldn't have won the Bills game w/o him. Two players (Anderson & Brown) have at least contributed on ST w/Anderson briefly starter at FB due to injury. Remaining 4 judged incomplete cause they've made no contribution but offer promise in 08 season.
From my perspective we've got 2 starters so far out of this draft (Spencer & Folk). Essentially the rest are a work in progress. I'd give us a solid B but that grade could improve dramatically as the season moves along & also depending who we able to draft with Cleveland pick in 08.
I'm not going to address whether we would have been better served using 1-2 picks on positions of need cause we simply can't turn the clock back. But it is very obvious now that Jerry Jones was wrong when he thought we had a good player at every position. Hopefully he rectifies some of our problem areas in the next draft or FA.
Yes, I know there is nothing sexy in here, but makes me feel better discussing something different for a change.
