When trying to figure out Jerry's moves on draft day, look to the not-so-distant past

[BulletBob]

The Mosley Blog got me to thinking about this year’s overall draft strategy.

I believe that Jerry is continuing to try to build this offense directly in the image of the team of the 1990s that won 3 Super Bowls for him.

He already has several pieces in place:

1. A solid/dominating offensive line. This was the most difficult piece of the puzzle, and the one that caused the most grief. I believe that this year, with all of the players returning, this unit will rival the 1990s line.
2. An accurate, franchise QB. Romo is Jerry’s man. While he has yet to prove he is worthy to fill Aikman’s shoes over the long haul, I think he is well on his way.
3. A passionate, top-tier, #1 WR. Anyone doubting Owens’s ability to make critical plays and provide nightmare matchup scenarios for opposing DCs as Irvin did is simply not paying attention.
4. A reliable, solid, receiving-threat TE for critical first-downs. I firmly assert that we have all of this and more in one Jason Witten (to take nothing away from Jay Novacek).
5. A play-making #3 WR, who can convert on 3rd down. I believe that Crayton nicely parallels (and is actually better than) the equivalent Kelvin Martin-type receiver.

In addition, Jerry spent a ton of money to keep the guy managing this whole thing in Dallas, a guy who was a first-hand eye witness to the greatness of the 1990s offense, and who still believes in its philosophy.

So, what’s missing? What final pieces might Jerry be looking to fit into place either through the draft or via trade to put the whole puzzle together for Red?

1. A game-changing, league-leading RB. I love Marion Barber as much as the next fan. However I get the feeling that Jerry doesn’t think he is capable of being the threat that Emmitt Smith provided for the team back in the 1990s
2. A field-stretching, complimentary #2 WR. I don’t think that Patrick Crayton will ever amount to the deep threat that was Alvin Harper. Could Terry Glenn be? Depends on his comeback progress, no? How about Stanback? Does anyone know?
3. A lead-blocking, hole-opening, pass-catching, bruising FB. I really think we’ve been searching hard for this one. I’m not sure that Cricket can fill the role. Hoyte couldn’t. We could continue to use Witten/Fasano as lead blockers. However, I get the feeling that Garrett and Jones are still out there Moose-hunting.

In summary, on draft day, look to the past to get insight on how Jerry and company will move to get the final puzzle pieces in place. I think this is why the Pacman trade seems so critical. It allows us much more flexibility on draft day to make the final moves required on the offensive side of the ball.

Harkening back to that Mosley scenario, let’s say that Mendenhall or McFadden drop out of the top 10 (unlikely as that may be, it is not impossible – see Mayock mock draft). If it only costs us our 3rd round pick to trade with Denver and move up to #12 get either of these two RBs, I say that Jerry pulls the trigger. That takes care of missing piece #1 (at least in Jerry’s mind).

That leaves us with our 22 or 28 slot pick in round 1. Suppose Jerry trades that for either Williams or Boldin … missing piece #2 is in place (and I’d say in either case an upgrade over Harper).

We move into round 2 with options. We’re still looking for missing piece #3 (FB), but Round 2 may be too much of a reach. We could either: draft the highest-rated CB on the board, or move down to the next round (recoup our third) and grab one of the top FBs (sounds like a very plausible path for Jerry, no?).

Regardless of the moves on draft day, I suggest to you the roadmap is the same – straight back to the 1990s.

 

[Rampage]

1. A game-changing, league-leading RB. I love Marion Barber as much as the next fan. However I get the feeling that Jerry doesn’t think he is capable of being the threat that Emmitt Smith provided for the team back in the 1990s

jerry will move up to either #4,#5, or #6 and get this taking care of.

 

[fortdick]

"Moose hunting!" I love it!

One word: Owen Schmitt

 

[BHendri5]

A game-changing, league-leading RB. I love Marion Barber as much as the next fan. However I get the feeling that Jerry doesn’t think he is capable of being the threat that Emmitt Smith provided for the team back in the 1990s

That Persosn is #27 from Rutgers, Ray Rice

Jerry is keeping his mouth shut, letting everyone think, McFadden, Mendenhall, Stewart, Jones etc. etc.
He will pull the trigger in the second round for Ray Rice, unless someone else has their sights set on him then Jerry will make a move to get in fornt of the team that has their sights on Rice.

Ray Rice will be wearing the star

 

[Bob Sacamano]

A game-changing, league-leading RB. I love Marion Barber as much as the next fan. However I get the feeling that Jerry doesn’t think he is capable of being the threat that Emmitt Smith provided for the team back in the 1990s

That Persosn is #27 from Rutgers, Ray Rice

Jerry is keeping his mouth shut, letting everyone think, McFadden, Mendenhall, Stewart, Jones etc. etc.
He will pull the trigger in the second round for Ray Rice, unless someone else has their sights set on him then Jerry will make a move to get in fornt of the team that has their sights on Rice.

Ray Rice will be wearing the star

...no he won't

 

[zrinkill]

"Moose hunting!" I love it!

One word: Owen Schmitt

Goodlord ..... I agree with dfort.

 

[jswalker1981]

Or we could just stay put, get a corner at 22, trade the 28 for a wr, and draft a rb in the 2nd. But I really think the x-factor in this draft is to see how far Stewart falls.

 

[STSINAZ]

better improve the passrush and secondary situation ....

 

[The Rawhide Kid]

1. A game-changing, league-leading RB. I love Marion Barber as much as the next fan. However I get the feeling that Jerry doesn’t think he is capable of being the threat that Emmitt Smith provided for the team back in the 1990s

jerry will move up to either #4,#5, or #6 and get this taking care of.

:laugh1: :laugh1: I LOVE IT!

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

It is not a bad team to model yours after. But lets make a better one shall we.

 

[jobberone]

A game-changing, league-leading RB. I love Marion Barber as much as the next fan. However I get the feeling that Jerry doesn’t think he is capable of being the threat that Emmitt Smith provided for the team back in the 1990s

That Persosn is #27 from Rutgers, Ray Rice

Jerry is keeping his mouth shut, letting everyone think, McFadden, Mendenhall, Stewart, Jones etc. etc.
He will pull the trigger in the second round for Ray Rice, unless someone else has their sights set on him then Jerry will make a move to get in fornt of the team that has their sights on Rice.

Ray Rice will be wearing the star

You mean you want Ray Rice to be wearing a star.

 

[jobberone]

better improve the passrush and secondary situation ....

I second the second notion for improving the secondary.

 

[Primetime0201]

A game-changing, league-leading RB. I love Marion Barber as much as the next fan. However I get the feeling that Jerry doesn’t think he is capable of being the threat that Emmitt Smith provided for the team back in the 1990s

That Persosn is #27 from Rutgers, Ray Rice

Jerry is keeping his mouth shut, letting everyone think, McFadden, Mendenhall, Stewart, Jones etc. etc.
He will pull the trigger in the second round for Ray Rice, unless someone else has their sights set on him then Jerry will make a move to get in fornt of the team that has their sights on Rice.

Ray Rice will be wearing the star

HAHAHAHAHA Rice is a joke compared to McFadden... LMAO! Look at McFadden's college career and Peterson's and he even makes him look like a joke. Combine as well. Get outa here with this Ray Rice stuff not even an option. LMAO

 

[SMCowboy]

The Mosley Blog got me to thinking about this year’s overall draft strategy.

I believe that Jerry is continuing to try to build this offense directly in the image of the team of the 1990s that won 3 Super Bowls for him.

That I could not agree with me.

He already has several pieces in place:

1. A solid/dominating offensive line. This was the most difficult piece of the puzzle, and the one that caused the most grief. I believe that this year, with all of the players returning, this unit will rival the 1990s line.

1. 
   
   He has his huge dominating line (except for Kosier) who I don't think will be here for much longer, that is what Marten, Free, and McQuisten are here for. One of the other two will most likely replace Marc Columbo. But yes, he does have his starting base on the OL.
   

   [*]An accurate, franchise QB. Romo is Jerry’s man. While he has yet to prove he is worthy to fill Aikman’s shoes over the long haul, I think he is well on his way.

   Jerry has definately tied his horse to Romo.
   

   [*]A passionate, top-tier, #1 WR. Anyone doubting Owens’s ability to make critical plays and provide nightmare matchup scenarios for opposing DCs as Irvin did is simply not paying attention.

   Owens is the closest thing to a Michael Irvin in the league today, IMHO.
   

   [*]A reliable, solid, receiving-threat TE for critical first-downs. I firmly assert that we have all of this and more in one Jason Witten (to take nothing away from Jay Novacek).

   Yeah, I think Witten is better than Novacek.
   

   [*]A play-making #3 WR, who can convert on 3rd down. I believe that Crayton nicely parallels (and is actually better than) the equivalent Kelvin Martin-type receiver.

That is exactly why Jerry locked up Crayton long term, while he is adequate as a #2 WR, he is a great #3 WR. And definately more of a threat than K-Mart was for us.

In addition, Jerry spent a ton of money to keep the guy managing this whole thing in Dallas, a guy who was a first-hand eye witness to the greatness of the 1990s offense, and who still believes in its philosophy.

Garrett's tie to the 90's team is why Jerry Jones has been trying to find a way to get Garrett back to Dallas since he left.

So, what’s missing? What final pieces might Jerry be looking to fit into place either through the draft or via trade to put the whole puzzle together for Red?

1. A game-changing, league-leading RB. I love Marion Barber as much as the next fan. However I get the feeling that Jerry doesn’t think he is capable of being the threat that Emmitt Smith provided for the team back in the 1990s

1. 
   
   Given the fact that we haven't seemed to try harder to lockup Barber long term, but I am still not so sure that Barber isn't very close to an Emmitt Smith, neither were known for great speed, or game changing plays, but both were very difficult to bring down and had a knack for finding holes. I think that this is the one position where Jones doesn't want a copy of the 90's team, I think he has learned that in todays NFL, you need 2 RB's to be successful. And is instead looking more for a homerun threat to team up with Barber. But given the fact that he doesn't seem to have put much emphasis on signing Barber long term yet, maybe you are right.
   
   

   [*]A field-stretching, complimentary #2 WR. I don’t think that Patrick Crayton will ever amount to the deep threat that was Alvin Harper. Could Terry Glenn be? Depends on his comeback progress, no? How about Stanback? Does anyone know?

   
   I agree completely that Jones is looking for another Alvin Harper, someone who can strech the field. That is why he was interested in Javon Walker, while I am not sure Walker is a true #1 WR, he is great at stretching the field and making big plays.
   
   

   [*]A lead-blocking, hole-opening, pass-catching, bruising FB. I really think we’ve been searching hard for this one. I’m not sure that Cricket can fill the role. Hoyte couldn’t. We could continue to use Witten/Fasano as lead blockers. However, I get the feeling that Garrett and Jones are still out there Moose-hunting.

No, Hoyte was definately not the type of FB that Jones is looking for, that is why he was released. And I definately agree with the type of FB that Jerry Jones has in mind. However, I am not so sure that we are not set with Anderson in that role, one of the things that he did best was his blocking, that is why he beat Hoyte out of the job.

In summary, on draft day, look to the past to get insight on how Jerry and company will move to get the final puzzle pieces in place. I think this is why the Pacman trade seems so critical. It allows us much more flexibility on draft day to make the final moves required on the offensive side of the ball.

Harkening back to that Mosley scenario, let’s say that Mendenhall or McFadden drop out of the top 10 (unlikely as that may be, it is not impossible – see Mayock mock draft). If it only costs us our 3rd round pick to trade with Denver and move up to #12 get either of these two RBs, I say that Jerry pulls the trigger. That takes care of missing piece #1 (at least in Jerry’s mind).

I definately agree with you on the trading up part, but I don't see Dallas trading up for any RB, unless his name is Darren McFadden. And the reason that Jones would move up in round 1 for McFadden isn't because he is an Emmitt Smith, but because he is such a dangerous offensive weapon, with the ball in his hands.

That leaves us with our 22 or 28 slot pick in round 1. Suppose Jerry trades that for either Williams or Boldin … missing piece #2 is in place (and I’d say in either case an upgrade over Harper).

This is one I don't see happening. Boldin is the opposite type of WR that Harper was, Boldin does not excel at stretching the field, he excels at making the tough catches over the middle, which is exactly where Owens is best at also, running the crossing routes and then making things happen once the ball is in his hands. The type of WR that Jones wants is another Harper someone who you have to respect deep, thus opening up the middle of the field for TO to do what he does best. Thus the real interest in Javon Walker, you had to atleast respect Javon Walker as a deep threat. What Jones learned with Alvin Harper is that the #2 WR doesn't have to be a guy that would excel as a #1, or even make a decent #1 WR. But what he does have to be is a WR who can make big plays and stretch the field when lined up opposite an elite #1 WR like Irvin (or TO). Jones is no doubt looking to add a WOW factor to the offense and WR is a good spot to look for him to add it at. But I don't see him adding it via trade, look for him to add a WR in the second or third round who excels at stretching the field. Maybe even in the early second after probably trading back from #28.

We move into round 2 with options. We’re still looking for missing piece #3 (FB), but Round 2 may be too much of a reach. We could either: draft the highest-rated CB on the board, or move down to the next round (recoup our third) and grab one of the top FBs (sounds like a very plausible path for Jerry, no?).

Don't buy that FB is one of the missing pieces, look instead for a complementary RB, Jerry Jones has been the leader of the pack in saying that in todays NFL, you need more than 1 RB, you need two quality RB's. Look for him to try and add a home run threat at RB in round 2 (Felix Jones, Jamall Charles, Chris Johnson type of RB).

Regardless of the moves on draft day, I suggest to you the roadmap is the same – straight back to the 1990s.

No doubt Jones is trying to build an offense very similar to the one from the 90's. But he has also learned alot from the mistakes of the 90's. One of those mistakes was trading back when he needed quality not quantity of players. He has also learned that in the NFL today you need two RB's. To pretend that Jones wants an exact copy of the 90's offense is being nieve and sell Jones short. He has learned alot in the past 10 years, and while his basic plan still no doubt is very similar to the 90's offense, lets not over simplify things either.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

The only way McFadden is a Cowboy is if he falls out of the top 10. It's really silly to think that Jerry is going to trade at the very least his 2 first rounders, and possibly more, to move up into the 4-6 spot in order to draft one player. Not when we NEED corner help (and again don't give me the 'we'll be good' if we get Pacman cause you can't rely on that) and possibly even WR depth. I just don't see us giving up that much just to have one player.