Ten things you might not know about Will McClay

garyv

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http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...rious-draft-guru-talent-evaluator-will-mcclay

10 things you might not know about Cowboys' mysterious draft guru, talent evaluator Will McClay
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James D. Smith/AP

Dallas Cowboys player personnel director Will McClay before an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The Cowboys defeated the Commanders, 24-23. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)

By Rainer Sabin, Staff Writer Contact Rainer Sabinon Twitter:mad:RainerSabin DMN

Who is the mythic Will McClay, whose influence is felt in the Cowboys' inner-most circles when it comes to scouting? Take a look at 10 things you might not know about the Dallas Cowboys senior director of college and pro personnel.

1. Sticking with Dallas
The Detroit Lions pushed hard to pry him away from the Cowboys to be their general manager, but McClay chose to stay and honor his contract that he signed with Dallas.

"We certainly think highly of Will and what we've put together back there in the scouting department," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told 105.3 The Fan's G-Bag Nation show [KRLD-FM] this summer. "I think he feels like there's unfinished business and wants to be here. So it's certainly a compliment to us that he's not interested in interviewing to be a general manager this year.

"But at the same time, I know and we know that he's certainly very capable and one of the up-and-coming bright stars in this league."

In addition to his current position listed above, McClay has also served as the Cowboys' pro scouting coordinator from 2009-10 and the director of football research from 2011-13.

2. So what does he do, exactly?
Marc Serota/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - JULY 25: Dallas Desperados Head Coach Will McClay and winner of the Lineman of the Year Award, Colston Weatherington of the Dallas Desperados pose with trophy at the ADT ArenaBall Awards Gala at the Louisiana SuperDome during ArenaBowl XXII weekend on July 25, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

We'll let Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett explain that one:

"Will does a really good job facilitating all of that communication and making sure we're all on the same page about how we see the player and what his role will be and that's invaluable," Garrett said to SportsDay's Jon Machota. "Making sure everyone is aligned is critical and communicating, over-communicating challenging each other, that's all part of the personnel process and he does a really good job in his role."


[content added by staff]
 
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Zimmy Lives

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garyv said:
http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...rious-draft-guru-talent-evaluator-will-mcclay
Click to expand...

Good article but I'm still not sold on McClay's ability to find talent in every round.

Picks he made in the last two rounds need time to pan out but he has to have a great draft this April if the Cowboys expect to improve their football team and compete for a playoff spot, with or without Romo.
 
DCBoysfan

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I'm glad he decided to not to take the Lions job, it thinks it's important for the Jones to have someone they can trust.
 
CCBoy

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Zimmy Lives said:
Good article but I'm still not sold on McClay's ability to find talent in every round.

Picks he made in the last two rounds need time to pan out but he has to have a great draft this April if the Cowboys expect to improve their football team and compete for a playoff spot, with or without Romo.
Click to expand...

Two years agao...first round yielded Martin and Lawrence. Last draft yielded Jones and Gregory. Now, understand what a good draft entails...
 
popp1234

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CCBoy said:
Now present a case why that is a legitimate thought process...beyond starting out crying in the wind.
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Perhaps you've never heard Larry Lacewell tell his story of recommending players to Jerry.
 
Zimmy Lives

Zimmy Lives

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CCBoy said:
Two years agao...first round yielded Martin and Lawrence. Last draft yielded Jones and Gregory. Now, understand what a good draft entails...
Click to expand...

Those are expected, CCBoy. They were all high draft picks. Gregory is TBA....

Great personal guys are the ones who find hidden gems in rounds 4-7. So far, McClay has not found many but he has to be given time for his picks to prove themselves. Tick tock...the clock is ticking....
 
CCBoy

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popp1234 said:
Perhaps you've never heard Larry Lacewell tell his story of recommending players to Jerry.
Click to expand...

And what year was that when Jason Garrett was the head coach...again? Larry Lacewell, he's the one who went with Bill Parcells and was shortly fired from MIami? Oh you go...
 
popp1234

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CCBoy said:
And what year was that when Jason Garrett was the head coach...again? Larry Lacewell, he's the one who went with Bill Parcells and was shortly fired from MIami? Oh you go...
Click to expand...

My friend, I think you are completely missing what I am saying. Anyway, thank you very much for your service. :thumbup:
 
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CCBoy

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Zimmy Lives said:
Those are expected, CCBoy. They were all high draft picks. Gregory is TBA....

Great personal guys are the ones who find hidden gems in rounds 4-7. So far, McClay has not found many but he has to be given time for his picks to prove themselves. Tick tock...the clock is ticking....
Click to expand...

There are quite a few from the past two drafts that are presently with the team...tick tock or not, that goes with a league of bottom turn-overs in the present NFL.

There have been some recent figures on site, of how few later are top dogs on a team. Is that really a problem? Not really, the team already has more than two who were even non-drafted and starters now.
 
CCBoy

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popp1234 said:
My friend, I think you are completely missing what I am saying. Oh well, thank you for your service. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

No, that's not the problem from the start. Lacewell gives advice to Jerry. Jerry listens to quite a few prior associated people. He even listens to Gil Brandt. But that talk is just that, now. The team invested in a very strong Scout Department and have added strength to it recently. That isn't a problem from the onset.

The need for continued growth in the secondary and in the defensive line, doesn't derail current directions as well as offset defineable strengths already in place on offense.

With the high level of picks in the draft coming up, three players with starting quality talents should be pretty easily acquired. That is a strong number of really potential starters in a single draft. That has nothing to do with gossip around ol' Jerry and a trusted opinion in the field.

As to specifics of selection associated with 'Jerry,' that is a mis-nomer from the start. Jerry may have been shooting for a single star, as a general direction, but always listened to his head coaches and staff, otherwise. Find anyone in organization that has stated to the contrary, beyond a specific start type situation. Finances, cap managements, and even how players are developed upon rosters. Sometimes, journeymen play a role as well. And unless the lower draft picks really have a lot going for them, they re-enter a competition for roster spot. That part is just a part of development, not initial selection.
 
texbumthelife

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I like the continuity McClay brings and he certainly seems to have a football mind (something the Jones boys need), but he is not beyond reproach. I think it's important this team takes on the "what have you done for me lately" approach to every position, whether it is players or personnel. The draft is important every year, but the Cowboys have really put all their eggs in one basket this year, so McClay needs to knock the 2016 draft out of the park. If he can do that, the Cowboys will be set, but may have a hard time keeping him.
 
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