SI.Com mock: F. Jones and DRCromartie to Dallas

[Cowboys2008]

Personally I don't think we settle for anyone less than McFadden at the RB position in the first round. And if we don't get him we go WR and CB with our first 2 picks instead.

It's not as if we're vacant at the position as it is. We have Barber. A Pro Bowl Touchdown Rushing Beast. IMO getting McFadden is not as much about complimenting Barber in the running game as it is throwing a hopefully impossible to stop combination of 2 great backs at defenses.

Barber doesn't need any help. That's not the point. All just smoke-screens for us going for the big kill (McFadden) or drafting players we really want in one of our other two needs (cb/wr).

 

[masomenos]

By the way, if you'd take time to notice, I didn't say all those things could've been said about Dorsett, just some. He had great vision and didn't run upright. He was, however, considered by many to be too small to be an every down back and was considered just a "speed" back. We all know that he started for us for over a decade and retired with pretty good numbers. He was also never hurt. Jones could provide the same type numbers. Who knows.

I honestly just don't see a real comparison between the two other than speed. While Dorsett had speed to bounce it outside it certainly wasn't his only ability. Like you said he started for us for a long time and had a terrific career, but was a complete RB who could hit holes quickly and make cuts from there. It's just something that isn't as readily evident in Jones' game. Where Dorsett would take it outside when the opportunity presented itself, Jones seems to use that as his first option, just sprinting to the outside and trying to turn the corner.

 

[miamicowboy21]

Do you realize Reggie Bush averaged 8.7 YPC in his last season? He's a terrific RB in the NFL.

Reggie bush played in the Pac 10... the last time I checked that's not the SEC. Again felix jones isn't being asked to be a savior here just a backup to spell barber. The guy isn't projected to be a first round pick for nothing.

 

[masomenos]

IMO, vision is the KEY word.

ALL great RBs vision. Everyone from TD, to Marcus Allen, to Emmitt, etc.

Does F Jones have the vision to be a terriffic RB? I don't really know, since I don't get a chance to watch much college football over here.

But I'm interested in peoples' opinions.

You're completely right about vision being the key. And I don't think Jones has it at all.

 

[zeromaster]

While I like Felix Jones and would certainly be happy with selecting him, I'm becoming a bit torn. Do we go after a change of pace explosive back like Jones to team with Barber, or do we go after a more complete back that could replace Barber if he sustained a serious injury, such as Mendenhall or Rice? Tough question. If you could be assured Barber won't get hurt, the choice is simple. However, there is no such assurance. Of course, the biggest thing influencing who we draft is who will still be available.

Count me in the second (all-around) camp. If the Cowboys are convinced that Barber is not an every down back, then some form of durability is in question. I understand the homerun appeal some of these guys represent.

I'm not questioning Barber's heart by any means. But if the braintrust (minus Lacewell) believes that the load needs to be shared, make sure than the other back isn't too limited in what he can do. If that means giving up a little speed for versatility, I'm okay with that. Whether the team is, we'll know in a couple months.

 

[Woods]

You're completely right about vision being the key. And I don't think Jones has it at all.

From a lot of the stuff I'm reading on various sites, I'm getting this impression as well . . . . Of course, they are just opinions . . . .

I think Jones would be a nice 3rd down back or change of pace back, but I'm not convinced he could carry the load in case MBIII was injured.

And for a change of pace back/3rd down back, I wouldn't spend a 1st round pick.

 

[baj1dallas]

I just think he's a one trick pony. Speed to the outside. I don't think he's going to be very effective in the NFL. He seems to lack vision, patience and strength. Seems to have bust written all over him to me.

ever watch him play?

 

[masomenos]

ever watch him play?

Yes...

 

[Nexx]

Speed is exactly what we need to compliment Barber. I would be fine with Felix spelling Barber.

thompson has plenty of speed, a lot of good that does for us. if you want a speed back, i'd much rather have jarjar charles.

 

[FCBarca]

Personally I don't think we settle for anyone less than McFadden at the RB position in the first round. And if we don't get him we go WR and CB with our first 2 picks instead.

It's not as if we're vacant at the position as it is. We have Barber. A Pro Bowl Touchdown Rushing Beast. IMO getting McFadden is not as much about complimenting Barber in the running game as it is throwing a hopefully impossible to stop combination of 2 great backs at defenses.

Barber doesn't need any help. That's not the point. All just smoke-screens for us going for the big kill (McFadden) or drafting players we really want in one of our other two needs (cb/wr).

Agree...Unless lightning strikes in that 1st round, a RB should fall behind CB and WR in terms of priorities...It's a loaded draft with RBs and would much prefer getting a versatile cutback runner with some speed...Last time we had a runner with 'speed' that couldn't cut was....Julius Jones???

 

[peplaw06]

While I like Felix Jones and would certainly be happy with selecting him, I'm becoming a bit torn. Do we go after a change of pace explosive back like Jones to team with Barber, or do we go after a more complete back that could replace Barber if he sustained a serious injury, such as Mendenhall or Rice? Tough question. If you could be assured Barber won't get hurt, the choice is simple. However, there is no such assurance. Of course, the biggest thing influencing who we draft is who will still be available.

I don't think that's a tough question at all. Why would draft a guy in the first round who would be a one trick pony so to speak?

You don't draft first rounders to be complimentary players. you draft them in hopes they can be THE guy. If you don't think Jones can be THE guy, then I say sayonarra.

 

[Aliencowboy]

Don Banks' newest mock draft sends Felix Jones and the Cromartie-cousin our way in Rd 1

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/don_banks/02/14/mock.draft2.part1/index.html

Me likey.

or
#22 Cromartie

Send #28 to Det. for Roy Williams would be even better then
take a RB like Jammal Williams in the 2nd.

 

[Hostile]

Don Banks' newest mock draft sends Felix Jones and the Cromartie-cousin our way in Rd 1

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/don_banks/02/14/mock.draft2.part1/index.html

IMO, this would be a great Draft if we got those 2.

 

[This is Our Year]

That would be my PERFECT 1st round. Man I might wet my pants if that was our first round. Than we take a WR in the 2nd round OMG this would be great!

 

[Rockytop6]

Do you have scouting reports to back those thoughts? I'm seriously interested because he is likely on our radar.

I would prefer Rice myself. He isn't the flashy pick but I think over the long hall he will be a very productive player for a long time.

 

[bleedin' blue]

That is a 1st round I could live with...

 

[newlander]

I agree with Woods and masomenos. I've seen Jones play and he's a nice, fast athlete, but the holes he ran through were massive, he didn't have to put his head down and consistently get tough yards like RB's do in the NFL. I think he's a reach in the first round guys. Alien has the right idea: take Cromartie at #22, trade #28 to Lions for Williams-that should be enough to get it done and take the best available RB in the second round. Then concentrate on best player available in rounds 3-7. If they do that, they could even bring Flo back. Probably won't happen because some desperate crap team like the Lions will come in and over pay for him.

 

[Jaxonsdaddd]

Since we all know Mcfadden will be long gone I really hope that Mendenhall or Stewart are there at #22. As I think they are the #2 and #3 backs in the draft. Its hard to imagine three running backs going in the first 21 picks. Then take Cromartie at #28 and send our #2 and #4 to Detroit for RW.

I would be thrilled

 

[DallasKnight]

I could live with that 1st round. I'm not sure about using one of our 1st round picks for a complimentary back that won't start. 1st round picks should be starters. I'd almost rather trade one of them to Detroit for Williams, or take a young WR there, and then take a back in the 2nd round, like Slaton.

 

[khiladi]

Reggie bush played in the Pac 10... the last time I checked that's not the SEC. Again felix jones isn't being asked to be a savior here just a backup to spell barber. The guy isn't projected to be a first round pick for nothing.

Per some who watch Arkansas football on this site, most of Felix Jones big runs were a result of breaking it to the outside. The NFL, the defense is way faster, as most rookies will argue, so simply beating the defense to the outside isn't going to work. Further, these plays of Jones, they often occured when McFadden was in the game. What this alludes to is that Jones runs weren't up the gut, but they employed 'deception', that centered around McFadden.

That is why Felix Jones scares some people.