Ten things you might not know about Will McClay

[Alexander]

No its not. I'd wager to day you haven't looked at what keeps a good GM at any other team. You just assume that the grass is greener.... Um... Somewhere.

Wrong. As usual.

Ted Thompson has been extremely effective in delivering the goods from the middle rounds with five starters in recent years all picked outside of the third round. Elway drafted players like Travathan and Jackson in the middle rounds and they were crucial pieces to a title.

What gets a GM fired is when they bungle the qb position. Not whether they get lucky on a 7th rounder.

So what will McClay do about that to keep his job?

Elway had to buy Manning and failed to keep his heir. Is he going to get fired now?

 

[Alexander]

Did anyone (me) reference a great personnel guy? I think not. However, if McClay is a great personnel guy, he will find gems in rounds 4-7. Otherwise, he is just another personnel guy. No more, no less.

There you go. But I guess the title of "guru" is thrown around way too much.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

There you go. But I guess the title of "guru" is thrown around way too much.

The title of personnel guru is thrown around way too often. I believe in will McClay but, as I mentioned earlier, the clock is ticking and he has to deliver.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

What players have the Cowboys drafted rounds 4-7 are starting for the Cowboys or are difference makers. Most are backups and role players at best. It's time for Mclay to show he can find top talent not just JAGS.

But that is what those rounds are for lol. You don't go into those rounds expecting to find perennial pro bowlers. You guys need to really look at what's reality and what's fiction when it comes to finding talent in the draft.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Wrong. As usual.

Ted Thompson has been extremely effective in delivering the goods from the middle rounds with five starters in recent years all picked outside of the third round. Elway drafted players like Travathan and Jackson in the middle rounds and they were crucial pieces to a title.



So what will McClay do about that to keep his job?

Elway had to buy Manning and failed to keep his heir. Is he going to get fired now?

We've had starters outside of the early rounds as well.

Also green bay is lucky to have the best qb in the NFL.

Also gb just had one of its most unproductive seasons where said qb complained about the team not doing enough to improve it around him.

Also if you Google Ted Thompson and dissatisfied... There are a number of articles blaming him for wasting Rodgers' golden years. And this is your shining example?

Also I'm embarrassed for you.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

True, but hitting on just a few of those types of players periodically is the difference between a GM (or in this case facilitator) keeping their job or getting fired. A "find" in the middle rounds is what forges reputation. That has not happened yet.

Well I do agree with that. That would be more realistic t expect that from him. But even those guys seem to have their faults. Like the Seahawks who I'm sure everyone envys here can hit in the mid rounds but can't draft in the 1st or 2nd round to save their lives.

Also, how much sAy does McClay have? Are we to believe that if he wants a player but Jerry or Steohen don't that he will override them?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Did anyone (me) reference a great personnel guy? I think not. However, if McClay is a great personnel guy, he will find gems in rounds 4-7. Otherwise, he is just another personnel guy. No more, no less.

I thought you were the one saying what a great personnel guy is. I'm asking you what great personnel guys are you referring to. Because IMO, the Cowboys have been about as good or bad as the rest of the league in that regard.

What exactly is McClay being judged on? He's not the only scout or the only voice in that draft room but why has he become the face of blame?

 

[texbumthelife]

I hear what you are saying but who is responsible for the lack of talent on this team....

Cmike
Butler
Gregory
Wilcox
Chaz Green
Swain

I see Mclay bringing in JAGS instead of top talent. The 2015 season exposed a serious lack of talent on the Cowboys. Just look at the current state of the DL. This team was a mess in 2015 and doesn't look like they willing to add any new talent in 2016

I guess maybe I wasn't completely clear. I was saying that McClay hasn't really been anything special. He's definitely not been some god send of a talent evaluator or at acquiring it. He does however have a very bright football mind.

 

[Frosty]

Remmeber when we went 12-4 and then won the offseason bringing in 3 first round talents and signing the top free agent on the market in Greg Hardy?

How'd that translate into success last year? Oh wait... This was a talented team that couldn't cope with losing its two best offensive players and it's best secondary player.

Stop worrying about winning in March and remember this ball club is better than last year showed. (REALLY)

This is exactly my point, Nothing has Translated into Success. IF this team was able to develop or bringing in talent it would NOT BE so inconsistent. McClay has not done anything different...

History repeats itself....the numbers dont lie.
2009 11-5 One and done in the playoffs
2010 6-10 Wade gets Fired
2011 8-8
2012 8-8
2013 8-8
2014 12-4
2015 4-12

 

[Frosty]

You want top talent in the later rounds. Sounds reasonable.

He has to HIT on someone in rounds 4-7... anyone....Scandrick was the one of the very few late round draft picks that succeeded (not under McClay). Its not about winning in March,, but is about bringing in talent so you can be competitive in the season.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I thought you were the one saying what a great personnel guy is. I'm asking you what great personnel guys are you referring to. Because IMO, the Cowboys have been about as good or bad as the rest of the league in that regard.

What exactly is McClay being judged on? He's not the only scout or the only voice in that draft room but why has he become the face of blame?

Your question in bold will be the focus of my response.

Will McClay has, to date, been very effective finding plug-and play players in free agency. He should receive credit. Where he is yet to be judged is in his ability to find quality talent -- players who improve the 53-man roster -- in every round of the draft. Talent needs time to develop; patience is the key at this point.

If Will McClay is going to be touted as some draft "guru" by media, fans, Cowboys, etc., his draft picks are going to have to produce above and beyond what is considered the norm. I'm not talking about adding backup depth to the roster, any one of 32 personnel guys can do that. I'm taking about being able to find the hidden talent in each round that will make the Cowboys a better football team capable of competing at a high level with or without one or two missing key players.

Don't get me wrong, I like McClay. Where we see things differently, I think, is I expect him to prove his worth by hitting on at least four of this year's draft picks. By hitting I mean make the team, improve the talent, and compete for a starting job somewhere. If he does that, he would be worthy of the "guru" label. As of today, he is just another personnel guy with potential and high expectations.

 

[BigStar]

At the very least, Hayden has been solid and shown up for work each and every day.

When you lack talent, you better be on time

 

[BigStar]

No its not. I'd wager to day you haven't looked at what keeps a good GM at any other team. You just assume that the grass is greener.... Um... Somewhere.

It isn't.

What gets a GM fired is when they bungle the qb position. Not whether they get lucky on a 7th rounder.

That's why they should be looking for the next one very soon? Same page there, but the eggs in one basket approach can blow up in your face. TRY to nip it in the bud while you have the opp.

 

[Alexander]

We've had starters outside of the early rounds as well.

During the reign of McClay as the "guru"? Who?

Since 2012, Hitchens has been the only starter and I hardly call that a glowing success you want to bring it up. Hmmm, must be like giving him credit for Ernie Sims.

Even if being generous, that is one starter outside of the first three rounds in three years or more.

Hang your hat on that. Knock yourself out.

Also green bay is lucky to have the best qb in the NFL.

And Dallas has Romo. Per the views of some here that is about the same, or are you saying he is inferior?

Also gb just had one of its most unproductive seasons where said qb complained about the team not doing enough to improve it around him.

That is part of the problem. They view a wildcard win and a divisional loss as "unproductive". They have standards, real ones. Especially after seven straight seasons in the playoffs including a world title.

Us? We view the same (first in several years) as some sort of sign for the future and "success". You know, just like you do.

Also if you Google Ted Thompson and dissatisfied... There are a number of articles blaming him for wasting Rodgers' golden years. And this is your shining example?

Wait, so help me understand. They have wasted the majority of Romo's golden years and have squandered his prime by failing to get him the proper talent. And this is any different?

Also I'm embarrassed for you.

I realize you believe this is an insult, but you paid me a great compliment. Thanks.

As long as you never agree with a thing I say, I know I am on the right track.

 

[Alexander]

I thought you were the one saying what a great personnel guy is. I'm asking you what great personnel guys are you referring to. Because IMO, the Cowboys have been about as good or bad as the rest of the league in that regard.

Fair point and I think you get it.

What exactly is McClay being judged on? He's not the only scout or the only voice in that draft room but why has he become the face of blame?

To me it is hard to judge him on much beyond pro personnel honestly.

Sounds to me his job description in regards to the draft is facilitating, not making the picks. He just helps like, you know, here and there. Bridges the "communication" gap between scouts and coaches (strange if you ask me, but whatever), but no final say. Usually the real GM does that themselves, but we have a shined up middle man with a title.

But that does not stop people from hanging the "draft guru" label. That's fine, just be prepared to defend the belief with results that are not there yet. Jury is still out.

 

[DC Cowboy]

I hear what you are saying but who is responsible for the lack of talent on this team....

Cmike
Butler
Gregory
Wilcox
Chaz Green
Swain

I see Mclay bringing in JAGS instead of top talent. The 2015 season exposed a serious lack of talent on the Cowboys. Just look at the current state of the DL. This team was a mess in 2015 and doesn't look like they willing to add any new talent in 2016

Per the article, he gives all his info/recommendations to Jerry and Stephen correct? Then Jerry and/or Stephen makes the decision, if I understood the article correctly. So can you really blame the draft or FA signing on him? Just asking.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

What exactly is McClay being judged on? He's not the only scout or the only voice in that draft room but why has he become the face of blame?

Some Cowboy fans like him and some think he is a good thing for the cowboys and that idea of people liking him (whether it is liking him too much or not) drives some here crazy. I will tell you this, if the new guy Lionel Vital gets any good praise from the cowboy fans there will be some coming out to poo poo on that as fast as they can as well. Never mind that Jerry has final say on the draft and transactions. If someone appears to be doing a decent job and the fans like it, even if some of it is over the top...you can guarantee that a few will come in to poo poo all over it.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

During the reign of McClay as the "guru"? Who?

Since 2012, Hitchens has been the only starter and I hardly call that a glowing success you want to bring it up. Hmmm, must be like giving him credit for Ernie Sims.

Even if being generous, that is one starter outside of the first three rounds in three years or more.

Hang your hat on that. Knock yourself out.


And Dallas has Romo. Per the views of some here that is about the same, or are you saying he is inferior?


That is part of the problem. They view a wildcard win and a divisional loss as "unproductive". They have standards, real ones. Especially after seven straight seasons in the playoffs including a world title.

Us? We view the same (first in several years) as some sort of sign for the future and "success". You know, just like you do.



Wait, so help me understand. They have wasted the majority of Romo's golden years and have squandered his prime by failing to get him the proper talent. And this is any different?



I realize you believe this is an insult, but you paid me a great compliment. Thanks.

As long as you never agree with a thing I say, I know I am on the right track.

Two things.

Of course Romo is inferior to Rodgers. And has been surrounded by better more balanced teams.

Next, the articles I referenced are not just about this year. They talk of Thompson wasting Rodgers' prime.

This is your God?

Puny God.

 

[JoeKing]

Will Clay is the best thing to happen for the Cowboys since the triplets where brought together under Jimmy Johnson. I'm bewildered by those on this thread that think they know better than him(and you know who you are).

 

[Alexander]

Will Clay is the best thing to happen for the Cowboys since the triplets where brought together under Jimmy Johnson.

Wow. Just wow.

Does not say much for what has been done since then, does it.