SI King: MMQB: Stop killing the Cowboys

[Fla Cowpoke]

I am excited to see what Frederick does for the interior of our OL. I think it is going to be day and night improvement regardless of where he is and who is lined up next to him.

 

[DBOY3141]

I am excited to see what Frederick does for the interior of our OL. I think it is going to be day and night improvement regardless of where he is and who is lined up next to him.

Me too. I'm hoping he's lined up next to Brandon Moore.

 

[coult44]

It cracks me up that everyone says we can't judge the draft until two or three years. But, as soon as someone says something positive about our draft, we jump all over it. Which way is it? You can judge our draft right now.. How? By looking at the success level of our drafts during the past two decades..

 

[Gameover]

In 2003 you probably could've started at center or guard, this team was that deprived of talent in any area.

Again, thank goodness for BP - guy at least made this team relevant again.

Romo made the team relevant again.Bill got lucky!

See Miami

 

[btcutter]

14. Stop killing the Cowboys. Just stop. Dallas got the No. 1 center on many boards at 31 (Travis Frederick), filling a gaping hole; an offensive tight end to someday replace Jason Witten (Gavin Escobar) at 47; and a 51-game starter at wideout from Baylor, Terrance Williams (who averaged 19 yards a catch last year) at 74. As one GM told me Sunday: "Frederick might be a reach, but if you get a starter for your team for six or eight years -- at any position -- isn't that worth the 31st pick overall in a lousy draft?"



Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-n...ing-monday-morning-quarterback/#ixzz2RsQEU3S9

 

[Wood]

14. Stop killing the Cowboys. Just stop. Dallas got the No. 1 center on many boards at 31 (Travis Frederick), filling a gaping hole; an offensive tight end to someday replace Jason Witten (Gavin Escobar) at 47; and a 51-game starter at wideout from Baylor, Terrance Williams (who averaged 19 yards a catch last year) at 74. As one GM told me Sunday: "Frederick might be a reach, but if you get a starter for your team for six or eight years -- at any position -- isn't that worth the 31st pick overall in a lousy draft?"



Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-n...ing-monday-morning-quarterback/#ixzz2RsQEU3S9

I think its a mistake to say Escobar will replace Witten. Escobar will never be good run blocking TE and will stay in H-back, slot wide TE/WR. Dallas is obviously going with NE attack. Hernandez will never replace Gronk also. Two different players at two different positions.

 

[Hawkeye19]

He's not nearly the athlete that Gurode was so he'll have to make up for it with his smarts.

Gurode was a much better talent than this guy but Fredericks knowledge of the game really stands out when he is playing. Gurode was very shaky in that area.

Agreed.

Frederick's confidence and intelligence are huge gains for this OL. Obviously, we took him 15 spots higher than he probably would have gone, and we didn't get the best trade to fall 13 spots... but as a player-- there's a lot to like about TF.

 

[hra8700]

The quote from another gm that would make me feel better is "frederick wasnt a reach at 31, we had him there on our draft board", not: yeah, he was a reach, but "yada yada yada". If he was a reach in a bad draft then presumably bpa would have had even more potential to start for 8 years...

 

[cowboysooner]

Agreed.

Frederick's confidence and intelligence are huge gains for this OL. Obviously, we took him 15 spots higher than he probably would have gone, and we didn't get the best trade to fall 13 spots... but as a player-- there's a lot to like about TF.

The problem with the trade is if they get the 61 pick instead of 74 they may take Bennie Logan and it becomes a question if Terrance Williams makes it from 74 to 80. Williams probably does not get there as Allen, Goodwin and Wheaton went in those 6 picks.

People are happier about a draft when you come out and say I got my starting center, a "starting" tight end for my base offense, a starting 1 technique and competition at safety and a #2 back.

People aren't excited about getting rid of $5.5 and $3.5 million of salary a year from now, but that's alot of cap relief.

 

[jterrell]

The quote from another gm that would make me feel better is "frederick wasnt a reach at 31, we had him there on our draft board", not: yeah, he was a reach, but "yada yada yada". If he was a reach in a bad draft then presumably bpa would have had even more potential to start for 8 years...

a higher rated player at a lesser position of need doesn't have a better chance to start.

had we taken geno smith at 31 does he start over tony romo?
does tyler eifert start over witten?
kawann short over jason hatcher?

frederick is a walk in starter at 31 which makes it a heck of a good pick.

he may not make pro bowls but he'll be help us along our weakest area.

we were told long before the draft the talent after about 16 or so was about identical through 4 rounds.

cbs had 5 OGs in the top 100 players. 3 of those guys went top 20 and pugh who was 56 went at 19.

cbs had frederick at 53 but the highest rated OC by a full round.

had dallas ignored frederick for bpa we'd have really heard about ignoring the big uglies then.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

If Frederick can be as good as Gurode, whom was a 2nd round converted guard - then I'd be thrilled. But a pick at the end of the 1st in this years draft is the equivalent of a mid round 2nd in an average to above average draft.

Wasn't Larry Allen a 2nd round pick?

I'm just sayin...

 

[rwalters31]

Dallas DID have a solid draft.
They hit solid singles or doubles at every pick. It could turn out that 5-6 of these guys may still be around even for a second contract. That's real solid work if you're thinking long term.

Maybe none of us would have drafted exactly the same--I know I wouldn't have.

But I'm a scientist/businessman sitting in front of a freaking pc (or iPad).
So easy for me to say.

9 of 32
Dallas Cowboys

Floyd Engel: (C ) Owner Jerry Jones put coach Jason Garrett on the big clock in the sky at the owner’s meetings. Win or lose your job. He then “helped” him by trading down to reach up for center Travis Frederick (pictured). Enjoy unemployment, JG.


Marvez: (F) Oops! They traded down 13 slots in the first-round and were then forced to reach for Frederick after more desirable players were chosen elsewhere. The second-round pick of tight end Gavin Escobar made little sense considering the Cowboys had far more pressing needs at guard, running back and safety.



Schrager: (C ) I didn’t love the Frederick pick or the Escobar selection in the first two rounds, but I really like adding Terrance Williams to the offense. It seems like the Cowboys had a different draft grade on Frederick than other teams.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

He's not nearly the athlete that Gurode was so he'll have to make up for it with his smarts.

Gurode was a much better talent than this guy but Fredericks knowledge of the game really stands out when he is playing. Gurode was very shaky in that area.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=59906&draftyear=2002&genpos=og

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=90293&draftyear=2013&genpos=C

The day you actually look something up before claiming it might be the first.

Same 10 yard split. Fred had significantly better (>.3s) shuttle and 3-cone. Gurode had an better vertical and marginally better broad jump.

Could Gurode bench 500 and squat 700? I don't know but I know Frederick can.

But hey evaluate OG on 40 times please....

'Not nearly' is just ignorant.

 

[cowboyfan4life2]

People are entitled to their opinion, and if we get 4 or 5 solid players out of the draft, I will eat crow. But I have to question our draft on a few levels, I don't understand reaching for frederick, taking a tight end in round 2 when you have other needs, and taking a safety in round 3 who is very raw. Time will tell, but with the cowboys track record of late, its hard not to knock them.

 

[Oh_Canada]

This wasn't a lousy draft-it was lousy at the top end, but it had plenty of depth.

Wonder if Werder spoke to the same GM King did? Or was it only the ones who had negative things to say?

Frederick was a solid pick and I like Schwenke better.

 

[Nightman]

The Cowboys got 7 players rated in the 2/3 rds and only started with 6 picks. I think the Boys had a B+ draft considering where they started. And Magee had a 4th rd grade.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

Frederick reminds me of Gurode physically. Gurode could have been a great NFL player but had focus issues. He was said to be very intelligent and sounded intelligent in interviews; however, on the field he just seemed to lose focus and awareness at the very worst times.

I really think some players like Gurode and MartyB might have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD or ADHD).

Frederick is very intelligent. He is an Engineering major. On the local radio interview he was talking about creating apps and "I use a lot of Linux" etc.. It was not the typical interview with an athlete.

Being an engineering major myself, I think the main thing to take away from him graduating early with his degree is dedication. He clearly doesn't have a problem applying himself fully to accomplish a goal. He will be a guy like Lee, who is always around VR studying IMO. Wouldn't be surprised to see him really take over the O-line and become the leader of the bunch. Lots of intangibles to like.

 

[PullMyFinger]

He's not nearly the athlete that Gurode was so he'll have to make up for it with his smarts.

Gurode was a much better talent than this guy but Fredericks knowledge of the game really stands out when he is playing. Gurode was very shaky in that area.

Gurode didnt have the power this guys has either. When Frederick gets his hands on you its over.

 

[DFWJC]

9 of 32
Dallas Cowboys

Floyd Engel: (C ) Owner Jerry Jones put coach Jason Garrett on the big clock in the sky at the owner’s meetings. Win or lose your job. He then “helped” him by trading down to reach up for center Travis Frederick (pictured). Enjoy unemployment, JG.


Marvez: (F) Oops! They traded down 13 slots in the first-round and were then forced to reach for Frederick after more desirable players were chosen elsewhere. The second-round pick of tight end Gavin Escobar made little sense considering the Cowboys had far more pressing needs at guard, running back and safety.



Schrager: (C ) I didn’t love the Frederick pick or the Escobar selection in the first two rounds, but I really like adding Terrance Williams to the offense. It seems like the Cowboys had a different draft grade on Frederick than other teams.

That's a pretty good recommendation for Dallas if you have dessenting votes from those three bozos.

FWIW, I would have done the draft differently. Just saying those guys generally have no clue.