Yahoo! - Jason Cole - Cowboys LB Spencer plays role in Jones’ legacy"

[RainMan]

Um, please. Jerry was just listening to Ciskowski and Wade on Spencer and I'm sure Jenkins as well.

Don't get me wrong, he gets credit for listening to his football people and not making picks on his own like he has in the past. But let's not act like he made the decision to draft these guys on his own.

You're entirely right, but I don't see how that diminishes the fact that Jerry is undoubtedly improving as a football man. Part of being good at anything is surrounding yourself with good people and listening to them. There's no doubt Bill Walsh, Jimmy Johnson or Mike Holmgren are good coaches. But their quality as a coach was undoubtedly enhanced by their ability to surround themselves with coaches who could make them better -- guys like Shanahan, Turner and Gruden, respectively.

GMs are no different. Is there a GM in the league that doesn't lean heavily on scouts? And I think this is where Jerry has improved. There were stories in the late 90s that Jerry would be told one thing by his right-hand scout, and then run off and do the exact opposite.

Nowadays, he's finally listening. And he's listening to good football men. For that, I do credit Jerry for finally 'getting it.'

 

[skinsscalper]

I know they don't do it all on their own, but guys like Polian and Parcells when he was a GM would actually evaluate the players themselves.

Actually I am agreeing with what you guys are saying. It's the article that kind of makes it sound like the GM is the one scouting out these guys and picking them.

But for the record, this is why I've never had a problem with Jerry being the GM as long as he has a great head scout (Ciskowski) and will go by the draft board without getting crazy and picking his pets (like Quincy).

It's just like how the article gives Jerry credit for cutting Ellis. That's almost like giving him credit for cutting TO when the truth is he was one of the few guys in the entire organization who really wanted to keep him. Okay, he gets credit for doing it, but Stephen and Garrett and Wade (or whoever it was) had to twist his arm to do it.

I agree (regarding T.O.), but the fact remains, he did it. There was a time that he wouldn't even entertain the idea of dumping a WR that had just scored 38 TDs over the previous 3 seasons and he would pay $9,000,000 to play for someone else.

He wouldn't even entertain it. Times they are a changin' , brother.

 

[Doomsday101]

I admit I was very leery of letting Ellis go. Spencer was doing some good things but just was not making big plays. I'm really proud of the guy he has worked his tail off and has elevated his game to a new level and has been such a big part of the current hot streak we are on. 7 sacks in six games not to mention the other things he brings to the mix.

 

[Hostile]

How do you find out more about people like Ciskowski and the other staff? You don't hear much about them anywhere.

I do a couple of things. First I simply do a Google search on his name. I put the names in quotation marks so that the search is narrowed. Sometimes I find out something that draws a link. For instance back in the 80's Ciskowski was a coach at ASU. I know someone who works in the ASU sporting department. So I send an e-mail. That friend might ask around for me.

I discovered that Ciskowski worked at Miami with Butch Davis under Jimmy Johnson. So I may do a search with "Jimmy Johnson Ciskowski" and find some comments about him by Jimmy.

Mostly I have noticed that certain posters are simply smart when it comes to the team. I noticed that about theebs. If you do a search on this site you will find where theebs starts mentioning him. You also begin to notice that many articles that said Jeff Ireland also mentioned Ciskowski. It led me to start putting 2 and 2 together. Ireland was relying on the man for some reason. I just wanted to find out why.

Why was Jerry so willing to let a good football man like Jeff Ireland leave? because he knew what he still had. From there it's just a matter of filling in the details.

I hope that made sense. I woke up with a terrible headache today and my thoughts are kind of muddled.

 

[yimyammer]

I do a couple of things. First I simply do a Google search on his name. I put the names in quotation marks so that the search is narrowed. Sometimes I find out something that draws a link. For instance back in the 80's Ciskowski was a coach at ASU. I know someone who works in the ASU sporting department. So I send an e-mail. That friend might ask around for me.

I discovered that Ciskowski worked at Miami with Butch Davis under Jimmy Johnson. So I may do a search with "Jimmy Johnson Ciskowski" and find some comments about him by Jimmy.

Mostly I have noticed that certain posters are simply smart when it comes to the team. I noticed that about theebs. If you do a search on this site you will find where theebs starts mentioning him. You also begin to notice that many articles that said Jeff Ireland also mentioned Ciskowski. It led me to start putting 2 and 2 together. Ireland was relying on the man for some reason. I just wanted to find out why.

Why was Jerry so willing to let a good football man like Jeff Ireland leave? because he knew what he still had. From there it's just a matter of filling in the details.

I hope that made sense. I woke up with a terrible headache today and my thoughts are kind of muddled.

thanks, good stuff. You really do have to make more of an effort to find out about these behind the scenes guys.

Sometime in the future, I hope to read another great post of yours about Ciskowski and the other behind the scenes people that most fans don't know much about but contribute to our success (You and Theebs should collaborate on that).

What's the next move for Ciskowski? In other words, what position could he be hired to do by another team that would put us at risk of losing him? GM?

 

[Cowboy Brian]

That is why, in a subtly significant way, linebacker Anthony Spencer(notes) may be as important to Jones’ legacy as the palace that is Cowboys Stadium. If Spencer and some of the other young defensive players Jones has acquired over the past three years continue to play well, Dallas may win another Super Bowl.

Really? so you mean to tell me if young players play well, you win games and could win the Super Bowl... Thanks

 

[FLcowboy]

Um, please. Jerry was just listening to Ciskowski and Wade on Spencer and I'm sure Jenkins as well.

Don't get me wrong, he gets credit for listening to his football people and not making picks on his own like he has in the past. But let's not act like he made the decision to draft these guys on his own.

I give him credit for keeping Ciskowski and Wade, and the other coaches. However, there are some linebackers drafted this year who are struggling mightily. Somebody has to step up for them.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

I give him credit for keeping Ciskowski and Wade, and the other coaches. However, there are some linebackers drafted this year who are struggling mightily. Somebody has to step up for them.

Who are you referring to?

 

[Hostile]

thanks, good stuff. You really do have to make more of an effort to find out about these behind the scenes guys.

Sometime in the future, I hope to read another great post of yours about Ciskowski and the other behind the scenes people that most fans don't know much about but contribute to our success (You and Theebs should collaborate on that).

What's the next move for Ciskowski? In other words, what position could he be hired to do by another team that would put us at risk of losing him? GM?

As an FYI, here is the article from DC.com about Ciskowski's hiring. At the bottom there is a list of our scouts, the behind the scenes guys. Note his positive comments about Jerry. That is why people immediately doubted he was anything other than a Jerry puppet. I would say GM is possibly a next step for him if he wants it. I think he will stay.

******************
Ciskowski Named Scouting Director; Staff Finalized

Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
June 5, 2008 5:55 PM

IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys had filled the position a few months ago, but not until Thursday did they make it official.

Tom Ciskowski, who has been a part of the team's scouting department for the past 16 years, was finally named director of college and pro scouting on Thursday, virtually replacing Jeff Ireland, who left to join Bill Parcells as the Miami Dolphins general manager.

Ciskowski directed preparation for this year's NFL Draft and pro free agency, along with his previous role of assistant director of college scouting after Ireland departed.

"It was a hectic couple of months," said Ciskowski, who was an easy choice for team owner Jerry Jones to replace Ireland.

In fact, Jones even stated more three months ago that he expected Ciskowski to take over, although an announcement was never imperative.

"Jerry's been up front with me from the start. I feel real comfortable with what my role's going to be with this organization," Ciskowski said. "There's direct lines of communication; I can go to Jerry at any time. I'll e-mail him about different things and we'll visit. I take it as a compliment and it's a nice gesture on his part. He basically allows me to structure the department how I want but I'm in continuous communication with him. He's always been very, very supportive."

Ciskowski recently finished his seventh season in his role of assistant scouting director, which oversaw college prospects and helped the Cowboys organize their draft board.

When he joined the Cowboys in 1992, Ciskowski was a scout administered by the BLESTO Scouting Combine. Ciskowski became an area scout in 1993, working in the west for five years before moving to the southeast from 1998-2000.

The Cowboys also finalized their entire scouting department, which included the addition of Bill Dekraker, who has scouted for Carolina, Washington and Arizona. The Cowboys also changed some roles for veteran scouts such as Walter Juliff, Sam Garza and Drew Fabianich.

Here's a look at the Cowboys' scouting directory for the upcoming season:

Tom Ciskowski - Director of College and Pro Scouting
Chris Hall - College Scouting Coordinator
Drew Fabianich - National Scout
Walter Juliff - National Scout
Bill Dekraker - Midwest Area Scout
Sam Garza - Southwest Area Scout
Mitch LaPoint - Southeast Area Scout
Henry Sroka - West Area Scout
John Wojciechowski - Northeast Area Scout
Judd Garrett - Assistant Director of Pro Scouting
Will McClay - Pro Scout
Keith O'Quinn - Pro Scout
Jim Dodson - Pro Scouting Assistant
Rich Behm - Scouting Assistant

 

[yimyammer]

As an FYI, here is the article from DC.com about Ciskowski's hiring. At the bottom there is a list of our scouts, the behind the scenes guys. Note his positive comments about Jerry. That is why people immediately doubted he was anything other than a Jerry puppet. I would say GM is possibly a next step for him if he wants it. I think he will stay.

******************
Ciskowski Named Scouting Director; Staff Finalized

Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
June 5, 2008 5:55 PM

IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys had filled the position a few months ago, but not until Thursday did they make it official.

Tom Ciskowski, who has been a part of the team's scouting department for the past 16 years, was finally named director of college and pro scouting on Thursday, virtually replacing Jeff Ireland, who left to join Bill Parcells as the Miami Dolphins general manager.

Ciskowski directed preparation for this year's NFL Draft and pro free agency, along with his previous role of assistant director of college scouting after Ireland departed.

"It was a hectic couple of months," said Ciskowski, who was an easy choice for team owner Jerry Jones to replace Ireland.

In fact, Jones even stated more three months ago that he expected Ciskowski to take over, although an announcement was never imperative.

"Jerry's been up front with me from the start. I feel real comfortable with what my role's going to be with this organization," Ciskowski said. "There's direct lines of communication; I can go to Jerry at any time. I'll e-mail him about different things and we'll visit. I take it as a compliment and it's a nice gesture on his part. He basically allows me to structure the department how I want but I'm in continuous communication with him. He's always been very, very supportive."

Ciskowski recently finished his seventh season in his role of assistant scouting director, which oversaw college prospects and helped the Cowboys organize their draft board.

When he joined the Cowboys in 1992, Ciskowski was a scout administered by the BLESTO Scouting Combine. Ciskowski became an area scout in 1993, working in the west for five years before moving to the southeast from 1998-2000.

The Cowboys also finalized their entire scouting department, which included the addition of Bill Dekraker, who has scouted for Carolina, Washington and Arizona. The Cowboys also changed some roles for veteran scouts such as Walter Juliff, Sam Garza and Drew Fabianich.

Here's a look at the Cowboys' scouting directory for the upcoming season:

Tom Ciskowski - Director of College and Pro Scouting
Chris Hall - College Scouting Coordinator
Drew Fabianich - National Scout
Walter Juliff - National Scout
Bill Dekraker - Midwest Area Scout
Sam Garza - Southwest Area Scout
Mitch LaPoint - Southeast Area Scout
Henry Sroka - West Area Scout
John Wojciechowski - Northeast Area Scout
Judd Garrett - Assistant Director of Pro Scouting
Will McClay - Pro Scout
Keith O'Quinn - Pro Scout
Jim Dodson - Pro Scouting Assistant
Rich Behm - Scouting Assistant

Good stuff, I bet that was rough on him to get leapfrogged by Jeff Ireland. I like Jerry's thoughts on continuity and hope we can keep a lot of people like this and coaches in place for a nice long run with a succession plan in place for the Garrett clan

 

[BAZ]

10/4/2009 (during the Broncos game)

10/20/2009

11/2/2009

11/26/2009

*slow clap*

 

[Arch Stanton]

Never heard of Gaine.


I've been satisfied with the drafts. I realize it's a crap shoot anyways. Last years draft was one of our best with where we were, IMO.

If I remember rightly Gaine was more involved in identifying and assessing NFL FA's rather than the draft.

 

[DCBoysfan]

Jerry and the entire staff has done a great job over the years, we have good young talent we not over the salary cap.