Stephen Jones: ‘Cowboys Can Find Nose Tackles Later In The Draft

[RS12]

Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of the Dallas Cowboys, Stephen Jones, spoke candidly to the media about the Cowboys draft process late Wednesday while preparing for the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine. During his interview with reporters, Jones was asked about Dallas’ need for defensive line help as pertaining to the first round of the draft. Here’s how he responded:

“Well, I think you get in a lot of trouble if you focus on one spot. I’m mean, you start targeting something and drafting for need. We all know that will get you in trouble. So, I don’t think it’s to anyone’s surprise that it’d be nice to come out of the draft, at some point, with a defensive front guy, defensive lineman or two. But no, I don’t think we can just say ‘Hey, we’re going to take the first two picks and that’s got to be defensive lineman.’ No. I think you get in trouble that way.”

Jones went on to talk in great detail about the problems the Cowboys draft war room experienced last year when there was an apparent disagreement between scouts and coaches concerning defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd.

http://thelandryhat.com/2014/02/20/...-draft/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[supercowboy8]

Marinelli said this last year. He viewed Floyd as a 1 tech. Said you don't take 1 tech DT in the 1st. You can find those any later in the draft.

I agree you don't just draft for need. Now a position of need player rated the same or close to another player with out the need is different.

 

[casmith07]

We're probably going to be looking at linebackers and rush ends early.

I wonder how likely it would be that we trade up for Khalil Mack.

 

[Risen Star]

Yes. I can tell by how quickly the found a true 3-4 nose tackle when they made that switch.

 

[Beast_from_East]

So the scouts had Floyd graded correctly, but the defensive coaches basically said they didn't want him.

So the scouts wanted Floyd and the coaches wanted to pass if I am understanding this correctly............but wasn't Garrett like freaking pissed after this all went down?

So the scouts and Garrett wanted Floyd, but the defensive coaches convinced Jerry to pass and trade down?

I agree with Stephen, it was a joke the way that was all handled.

 

[LatinMind]

We're probably going to be looking at linebackers and rush ends early.

I wonder how likely it would be that we trade up for Khalil Mack.

Or like every other team official this time of the yr. Trying a little too hard to smoke screen.

 

[SportsGuru80]

Kony Ealy could be the choice... But don't be shocked if Pryor is the pick.

 

[Leadbelly]

Wouldn't Center be in kind of the same category -- positions you can usually find later in the draft?

I liked Fred and Floyd was not my favorite by any means, but I feel like Kiffin/Marinelli/Jones were letting perfect be enemy of the good when it comes to the DL positions. This was the later 1/3 of round one and a highly regarded DT dropped in our lap. A physical, high effort, mobile 1-tech DT is nothing to dismiss.

And let's pay no mind to Floyd being penciled in at 3-tech in Minnesota for Mike Zimmer.

 

[LatinMind]

Wouldn't Center be in kind of the same category -- positions you can usually find later in the draft?

I liked Fred and Floyd was not my favorite by any means, but I feel like Kiffin/Marinelli/Jones were letting perfect be enemy of the good when it comes to the DL positions. This was the later 1/3 of round one and a highly regarded DT dropped in our lap. A physical, high effort, mobile 1-tech DT is nothing to dismiss.

And let's pay no mind to Floyd being penciled in at 3-tech in Minnesota for Mike Zimmer.

I cant believe Sharrif is still a topic for Dallas fans. The guy had 19 tackles and 2 sacks for Vikings. The Cowboys made the smartest choice of the draft.

 

[burmafrd]

love how we continue to ignore the lines because 'we can always find them later in the draft'

yeah we have done so well late in the draft on the lines.

Lets see as regards drafting after the 4th round in the last 10 years...

1 DL player in the Rat
If you count Leary -UNDRAFTED- we have found one OL.

Yeah we do so well on the lines late in the draft

 

[Alexander]

Or like every other team official this time of the yr. Trying a little too hard to smoke screen.

People keep saying "smoke screen" when the real truth is, the best drafting teams barely talk at all.

The Joneses tip their hands more than most teams.

 

[Risen Star]

People keep saying "smoke screen" when the real truth is, the best drafting teams barely talk at all.

The Joneses tip their hands more than most teams.

Well you know as well as I do that you CAN find NTs later in the draft. But you can also find those coveted CBs and TEs, so I'm not sure what the point is.

It's the dismissive attitude from these two idiots when it comes to the trenches that disturbs me.

 

[casmith07]

Or like every other team official this time of the yr. Trying a little too hard to smoke screen.

Also could be a ton of that.

 

[RS12]

“Well, I think you get in a lot of trouble if you focus on one spot. I’m mean, you start targeting something and drafting for need. We all know that will get you in trouble

Who said Stephen never says anything intelligent.

 

[tantrix1969]

So the scouts had Floyd graded correctly, but the defensive coaches basically said they didn't want him.

So the scouts wanted Floyd and the coaches wanted to pass if I am understanding this correctly............but wasn't Garrett like freaking pissed after this all went down?

So the scouts and Garrett wanted Floyd, but the defensive coaches convinced Jerry to pass and trade down?

I agree with Stephen, it was a joke the way that was all handled.

There were a few reports that said Garrett was wanting Eifert not Floyd then and Jerry let him take Escobar in the 2nd as a consolation prize

 

[AsthmaField]

love how we continue to ignore the lines because 'we can always find them later in the draft'

yeah we have done so well late in the draft on the lines.

Lets see as regards drafting after the 4th round in the last 10 years...

1 DL player in the Rat
If you count Leary -UNDRAFTED- we have found one OL.

Yeah we do so well on the lines late in the draft

Well, he did say NT, which is only one out of 4 DL positions. A 3-tech DT and both DE's are probably positions that they would use a first round pick on.

 

[visionary]

People keep saying "smoke screen" when the real truth is, the best drafting teams barely talk at all.

The Joneses tip their hands more than most teams.

The joneses verbal diarrhea is a sad pathetic attempt by frick and frack to be recognized as "real football guys" all the while all it does is expose their lack of competency and exposes both as faux GMs

 

[Idgit]

Well, he did say NT, which is only one out of 4 DL positions. A 3-tech DT and both DE's are probably positions that they would use a first round pick on.

Of course, this. Add to it the very real likelihood of finding that one tech in later rounds like most teams do, and what he's saying makes perfect sense. But then, what's that got to do with fan overreaction, anyway? We're going to complain about every report that mentions anything said by Jerry or Stephen Jones, no matter what the content is, from here until the draft, no matter what. Literally.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Of course, this. Add to it the very real likelihood of finding that one tech in later rounds like most teams do, and what he's saying makes perfect sense. But then, what's that got to do with fan overreaction, anyway? We're going to complain about every report that mentions anything said by Jerry or Stephen Jones, no matter what the content is, from here until the draft, no matter what. Literally.

Ah... yep.

 

[unionjack8]

So they woukdnt take ndamokung suh ? O nick fairley? Oneof them plays the 1 tech.....