Which draft camp do you ascribe?

[erod]

There are two very distinct - and logical - schools of thought regarding the Cowboys draft. Folks seem either at one end or the other, very few in the middle.


Camp 1

This draft shows there is no plan and no identity with this organization. The team needed big, mean, trench players, and drafted exactly one, and he was a reach out of desperation because the top guards were nabbed early, and a couple of more went unexpectedly after the trade down.

Then, the draft went perimeter again with shiny toy receivers, pass-catching tight ends that are horrible blockers, running backs, and small-school project defensive backs.

None of these picks will make much of a difference because Dallas will still get wiped out on the line of scrimmage. They didn't even bother to sign additional lineman among undrafted free agents.

Here comes 8-8 again.


Camp 2

This was a very clever draft because it ignored the public pressure and brought in players that will all contribute in a signficant way immediately, especially the top six. First, Frederick will start up front, (2) Escobar gives them the tight end that Marty B was supposed to be so they can run the New England offense, (3) Williams gives them a true wideout that will allow Miles to work from the slot, (4) Wilcox could be the steal of the draft and the next great safety here in time, (5) Webb will replace Scandrick and make more plays on the ball, and (6) Randle is a clone of Murray which should provide a more rested and consistent running game in the event of another injury. And Matt Johnson and Danny Coale are virtually rookies all over again.

Plus, free agency can still bring in a needed offensive lineman, and Ronald Leary and Phil Costa are a bigger part of things than we currently realize.

Plus, Kiffen claims that he has what he needs up front in his scheme, and that the secondary was more important to address. We need to trust his judgement and be patient.


So which camp do you most fall?

 

[Future]

I don't think those two have to be mutually exclusive.

 

[ufcrules1]

Camp # 1 easily. With that said, I think we can still address the oline in FA. The Dline we are screwed on and it will show.

Plus, Kiffen claims that he has what he needs up front in his scheme, and that the secondary was more important to address. We need to trust his judgement and be patient.

I would guess Callahan felt the same way with the oline last year with the scrubs he brought in. That didn't turn out so great.

 

[Picksix]

I actually fall into both. Overall, I think we took a lot of players who can play and contribute fairly quickly. At the same time, I wish we would have focused more on the trenches. We'll see.

 

[coogrfan]

I'm definitely in camp 1...except that I think 8-8 might be too optimistic.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

For me, so much of it depends on things like:

How good will Ronald Leary be?

If Costa is healthy, how much of an impact will he have?

Will we sign Tyson Clabo?

Is Escobar the right guy for the roving TE spot? If so, how much of an impact will that have on the offense?

Are Johnson and Church as good as the staff thinks they are?

All giant factors into this.






YR

 

[ufcrules1]

I'm definitely in camp 1...except that I think 8-8 might be too optimistic.

Nah, we can get to 8-8, heck we did it the last 2 years with very similar teams to exactly what we have right now. The problem with 8-8 is it puts you around #18 in the draft which essentially screws you out of a top 10 draft pick. Also, watching the playoffs from home when we were so close is a punch to the gut.

 

[CATCH17]

We need to get lucky with some guys that are already on the roster as well.



Lissemore

Crawford

Leary

Costa

Arkin



If any of those guys could play at an above average level for us this year it would be so huge.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Camp 2. Our drafting il has improved substantially lately because we are going BPA, and now people want us to go back to a strategy that has been shown to be inferior.

 

[Miller]

Camp 1 1/2. Thought Frederick was a reach. Thought Escobar was not needed and the WR/S combo seem raw and need work. I don't see a direction... Well it changes yearly. But theses guys have talent so who knows. Thus the 1/2

I'm confused on how people can say this is all part of a Garrett progression when we only ran the hurry up late in games and rarely ran NE like packages. So now that has been our plan...with a 4.84 TE on other side of Witten?

 

[coogrfan]

Camp 2. Our drafting il has improved substantially lately because we are going BPA, and now people want us to go back to a strategy that has been shown to be inferior.

Did you happen to notice how many teams in the first three rounds of this draft decided that the BPA was a lineman?

 

[DenCWBY]

I don't think those two have to be mutually exclusive.

I'm leaning towards camp 1 because I do not have the confidence that this organization (coaching staff with inclu JJ) can utilize these picks correctly. Esp Escobar and a 3rd TE set.
Just my opinion, but apparently, someone on staff didn't recall the troubles we had last year on both sides of the line. Injuries will play a part this season and more likely to those that are older. Our Dline is old and the depth chart is weak. So far we look to be banking on a pourous oline (like last year) and paper mache Dline that was owned most of the season due to injuries and off field issues. We're also praying that our 2 starting safeties (who have barely played last season) will be healthy and effective this year.

Although we reached for our Center, I do hope he can anchor our line and that we pick up some FA help (better than we did last year). I like the RB pick and I hope the CB pick will be able to sideline Scandrick for good. I guess we're now going to try to emulate the Pats offense and pretty much do away with a FB? Romo aint no Brady but Brady does have protection.

It remaims to be seen how this team will look but if you fail to protect Romo than you just wasted $17m per year and at least 3 years at the most important position on your team. No matter how many toys you have at other positions your not going to win playoff games without a good QB.

 

[HoustonSucks]

I'm in the middle. How on earth are we supposed to know until a year/two/three down the line? Combine that with not knowing what other FA movement will happen prior/around June 1st.

You could draft the number 1 overall pick thinking you have a sure thing and have him go all Ryan Leaf on you, yes?

How can we know? They had a plan that got waylaid imo and had to improvise and make the best of that cards that fell to them. What that result will be? No idea.... just crossing my fingers and waiting for June 1st.

 

[john van brocklin]

There are two very distinct - and logical - schools of thought regarding the Cowboys draft. Folks seem either at one end or the other, very few in the middle.


Camp 1

This draft shows there is no plan and no identity with this organization. The team needed big, mean, trench players, and drafted exactly one, and he was a reach out of desperation because the top guards were nabbed early, and a couple of more went unexpectedly after the trade down.

Then, the draft went perimeter again with shiny toy receivers, pass-catching tight ends that are horrible blockers, running backs, and small-school project defensive backs.

None of these picks will make much of a difference because Dallas will still get wiped out on the line of scrimmage. They didn't even bother to sign additional lineman among undrafted free agents.

Here comes 8-8 again.


Camp 2

This was a very clever draft because it ignored the public pressure and brought in players that will all contribute in a signficant way immediately, especially the top six. First, Frederick will start up front, (2) Escobar gives them the tight end that Marty B was supposed to be so they can run the New England offense, (3) Williams gives them a true wideout that will allow Miles to work from the slot, (4) Wilcox could be the steal of the draft and the next great safety here in time, (5) Webb will replace Scandrick and make more plays on the ball, and (6) Randle is a clone of Murray which should provide a more rested and consistent running game in the event of another injury. And Matt Johnson and Danny Coale are virtually rookies all over again.

Plus, free agency can still bring in a needed offensive lineman, and Ronald Leary and Phil Costa are a bigger part of things than we currently realize.

Plus, Kiffen claims that he has what he needs up front in his scheme, and that the secondary was more important to address. We need to trust his judgement and be patient.


So which camp do you most fall?

Really depends on if we sign any free agent offensive linemen.

If we dont, I think we are looking at 8 and 8 again and hope Tony does not killed while running for hs life.

 

[erod]

I think we all have a very hopeful eye on free agency for another lineman. That's got to happen for this draft to make sense.

 

[GoCowboysGo]

I don't know what to think. Coach Kiffin says the Defensive Line is a strength of the team, but to my eyes and having watched every game since 1974 it seems like a glaring weakness with little push up the middle and opposing QBs having so much time to make throws, and throwing our DBs under the bus. The Cowboys did not address the D line during the draft nor did the Cowboys sign a DL free agent.

The second problem is one of the worst O-lines in team history, proof is they turned in the worst rushing performance in a season in team history. I know there are big injury issues, especially Costa and Kowalski. But the proof is in their performance, especially Doug Free (ironically bad last name).

For all the problems I see in the O and D lines we drafted or signed 1 rookie.

 

[DenCWBY]

I think we all have a very hopeful eye on free agency for another lineman. That's got to happen for this draft to make sense.

True.
The other side of the coin is watching other teams utilizing their picks smartly. The better teams actually made sence for their future. They moved back and pick up a lot of applicable picks or moved up and get the man they wanted which fit into their scheme.
For example: I like the Barkley pick at Phili. They will showcase him, shelf him for a trade for future draft picks when the QB's start falling down in the league. If Barkley proves to be a player, they may use him if Vick goes down. The eagles like the Pats leave themselves options (Kolb/Cassell) for the future QB or picks where our picks are either going to make it on our team or bust. If they bust, (a la M. Bennett) we get nothing in return. Perhaps we are just holding on to them too long and not developing players early enough to adjust? Just venting.

 

[jnday]

What about camp three? Didn't expect much in the way of trenches. Not surprised in the lrast bit. Have little faith in Dallas's drafts. Numb.


That is where I was at before the draft and nothings changed.

 

[GoCowboysGo]

What about camp three? Didn't expect much in the way of trenches. Not surprised in the lrast bit. Have little faith in Dallas's drafts. Numb.


That is where I was at before the draft and nothings changed.

Completely agree, sadly.

 

[erod]

I don't know what to think. Coach Kiffin says the Defensive Line is a strength of the team, but to my eyes and having watched every game since 1974 it seems like a glaring weakness with little push up the middle and opposing QBs having so much time to make throws, and throwing our DBs under the bus. The Cowboys did not address the D line during the draft nor did the Cowboys sign a DL free agent.

The second problem is one of the worst O-lines in team history, proof is they turned in the worst rushing performance in a season in team history. I know there are big injury issues, especially Costa and Kowalski. But the proof is in their performance, especially Doug Free (ironically bad last name).

For all the problems I see in the O and D lines we drafted or signed 1 rookie.

Seems ludicrous to me, too......but.

I almost puked every time I saw Ware and Spencer dropping into coverage in Ryan's scheme. Happened ALL the stinking time.

In Kiffin's scheme, that will not happen. Our best two pass rushers will be actually rushing the passer every time the other team tries to pass.

Novel concept, eh Rob Ryan?