Twitter: Rod Marinelli is the reason we have Taco instead of TJ Watt

[GenoT]

McClay really liked TJ that year. The coaches (Rod) thought Taco would be a better fit because he played with his hand in the dirt in college, whereas Watt was more of a projection since he mostly rushed the passer while standing.

Imagine where this defense would be if we had Watt at RE. Rod gotta go.

Now wait just a doggone minute here!!?!

According to a lot of posters on this board, Will McClay is the “REAL GM”, while Jerry simply has the title.

If that’s so, what kinda “REAL GM”, especially if he really likes a player, allows himself to be overruled by an assistant coach — even if that assistant coach is the DC?

Something’s fishy here...

 

[Denim Chicken]

The larger question is why does Rod Marinelli have a job after his defensive line got shredded against the Rams?

Why does Richard?

 

[Sydla]

Yeah, and everyone passed on Lawson who's better than both.

And we took Switzer over Kittle. Where wold we be at TE if we drafted Kittle?

You can do the revisionist thing all day for all teams.

The bigger issue here is that the situation showed a lack of ingenuity on the part of this staff. They took the kid who was the prototypical "build" that Marinelli wants at DE over the kid who simply was more productive, largely because they couldn't quite figure out a way to use Watt.

 

[JBell]

Yeah, and everyone passed on Lawson who's better than both.

And we took Switzer over Kittle. Where wold we be at TE if we drafted Kittle?

You can do the revisionist thing all day for all teams.

Everyone knew we were going EDGE at #28 that year. Over in the Draft Zone, probably about 80% of us were on the Watt bandwagon.

The fact that McClay said in his post-draft press conference that year that they really liked TJ and thought he was explosive + this tweet from Broaddus just proves how close we really were to taking Watt. But we let a guy who scouts players for a living (and is very good at it) get overruled by our coaching staff. That's a problem.

 

[gimmesix]

Charlton over Watt has been one of the few poor first-round decisions the Cowboys have made since McClay has been here. Whatever formula was used to make that decision should be permanently cast aside. If it was all Marinelli, then keep him out of the war room. If it was Garrett, then McClay should have the final voice on who we draft. We can't go back and change the decision, but we can learn from it.

 

[jrumann59]

Randy Gregory is listed at 6'5", 242 lbs.

And Gregory only plays passing downs. Do you want your 1st round pick only playing passing downs.

 

[Denim Chicken]

The bigger issue here is that the situation showed a lack of ingenuity on the part of this staff. They took the kid who was the prototypical "build" that Marinelli wants at DE over the kid who simply was more productive, largely because they couldn't quite figure out a way to use Watt.

I'll give them a pass on this one based on recent 1st round success. Suffice to say Rod likely had his draft card pulled for this one.

 

[Stash]

I don't hate the decision and the Cowboys took the guy they felt could be an every down player instead of taking an undersized DE that would most likely only be a pass rush specialist in a 4-3.

You don't take a 1 trick pony with your first pick and that is what we would be doing if we had drafted Watt to play DE in a 4-3 for us.

No, take the "no-trick pony" instead...

 

[davey999]

And Gregory only plays passing downs. Do you want your 1st round pick only playing passing downs.

As opposed to Taco, who doesn't play at all?

 

[gimmesix]

The bigger issue here is that the situation showed a lack of ingenuity on the part of this staff. They took the kid who was the prototypical "build" that Marinelli wants at DE over the kid who simply was more productive, largely because they couldn't quite figure out a way to use Watt.

Marinelli isn't exactly known for ingenuity. He's all about technique, execution, etc.

 

[Stash]

The larger question is why does Rod Marinelli have a job after his defensive line got shredded against the Rams?

Because this team allows people to stick around far too long based on past reputation over current results. All about feelings.

 

[Stash]

And Gregory only plays passing downs. Do you want your 1st round pick only playing passing downs.

Do you prefer yours not playing at all?

 

[CATCH17]

No, take the "no-trick pony" instead...

Too early to say Taco won't be good.

 

[Sydla]

And Gregory only plays passing downs. Do you want your 1st round pick only playing passing downs.

Gregory was a 2nd round pick. Hardly a big difference in draft picks there.

 

[JustChip]

I don't hate the decision and the Cowboys took the guy they felt could be an every down player instead of taking an undersized DE that would most likely only be a pass rush specialist in a 4-3.

You don't take a 1 trick pony with your first pick and that is what we would be doing if we had drafted Watt to play DE in a 4-3 for us.

I generally agree; however, I trust McClay over Rod so, if McClay wanted TJ, that's what we should've done IMO. That said, circumstances and fit matter and there's only a loose correlation to TJ's success in Pittsburgh and automatically assuming the same or similar production here in this system; although I think it's safe to say that, up to this point, TJ would've had more success than Taco. This year is a litmus test for Taco.

 

[jrumann59]

Do you prefer yours not playing at all?

Touche.

Personally I think Watt would only be pass rush specialist and everyone here would complain that he needs to do more. I think he would be mediocre in 4-3 then leave after his rookie deal and light it up in a 3-4.

 

[Stash]

Charlton over Watt has been one of the few poor first-round decisions the Cowboys have made since McClay has been here. Whatever formula was used to make that decision should be permanently cast aside. If it was all Marinelli, then keep him out of the war room. If it was Garrett, then McClay should have the final voice on who we draft. We can't go back and change the decision, but we can learn from it.

Marinelli should be given draft weekend off. The image of his excitement gushing over never was defensive tackle Joey Ivie tells you everything you need to know about any influence he should have. None.

Let him show up to work Monday and find out if he's got any presents under the tree.

 

[CATCH17]

I generally agree; however, I trust McClay over Rod so, if McClay wanted TJ, that's what we should've done IMO. That said, circumstances and fit matter and there's only a loose correlation to TJ's success in Pittsburgh and automatically assuming the same or similar production here in this system; although I think it's safe to say that, up to this point, TJ would've had more success than Taco. This year is a litmus test for Taco.

The elephant in the room is Randy Gregory when it comes to Taco's production.

TJ Watt would have to beat out Gregory for his production to look anything like it does in Dallas.

 

[Stash]

Too early to say Taco won't be good.

For you maybe. My eyes work pretty well.

 

[jrumann59]

Gregory was a 2nd round pick. Hardly a big difference in draft picks there.

Except Gregory actually played down DE in college exclusively.