255 Comments to ‘Get Ready for the Rookies’: »

CHARB:

FYI

HBO has Costas Now has a show about the sports media and blogging.

CHARB:

poorly written, sorry.

Costas Now on HBO has an interesting show about the sports media.

We should be thankful, this blog isn’t dumbed down and reduced to the lowest common denominator.

Bluecheese:

Crap. I hate this. We now have 4-5 months to see how all these guys go together and how good these rookies will be. I want news, news, and more news!.

BTW, I’ll be donating via paypal to send Raf to Oxnard.

Raf, do you get much $ from your sponsors? Do you do this full time? Do you have another career, and if so, can you share with us? (if you already have, sorry, I missed it)

Jim Vance:

Raf,

Was that an obtuse reference to Erik Williams or since I’ve only lived here for a couple of years am I lacking some historical perspective?
Can you help me understand how does Erik Williams relate to our rookies?

cormanman:

Is anyone aware of any site that ranks each team’s FA haul?

I can find lists of guys that we get after the draft but I am just far too busy to break each guy down.

I am wondering if we got any obvious steals and also how different teams ranked.

I can tell that the kid from Tech is a great fit for us and I think he’s got a real shot, but I wonder about other notable free agents.

cormanman:

Another thing that just came to mind.

Having additional picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds might make it easier for us to take a guy in the supplemental draft (provided anyone is worth a flyer).

Rafael Vela:

Jim Vance,

The Cowboys had large draft classes back then and everybody was interested in seeing if they were any good. The Metroplex press was filled with gushing quotes like, “the coaches are quietly excited by Erik Williams skills” or something to that effect.

My point is if any of these guys shows some “wow” at the rookie camp, the team — and the often negative press — won’t be able to contain it.

Silence means they’re not sure.

Raul Villaronga:

… or package those 2 picks with another for, say, a veteran WR before the June 1 cut date? …

Hmmm?

kameleon_o:

Jim Vance,

I think Raf is talking about how the local media was gushing about how good Erik Williams looked back when he was drafted. I guess he means that we should start hearing right away which rookies look like real finds and which ones don’t.

Jim Vance:

Thanks for the clarification guys.

kameleon_o:

I’m with Cormanman. I think that WR from Texas Tech is the guy that I want a good look at. Everyone was screaming for the Cowboys to get themselves a slot guy like Wes Welker last year, and this guy looks like a clone or something.

I know that a lot of fans have a man crush on Austin, his size and speed will do that to you, but I don’t think he makes it this year. We don’t need him for his return ability anymore so he’s going to have to show something as a WR. As of now he’s just another Randle Williams.

kameleon_o:

…or package those 2 picks, and maybe another, and move up for Michael Crabtree??

realist:

I don’t know, I can’t resist-
but the argument is not “MUTE”-
If it was, we wouldn’t hear it, and therefore it wouldn’t be much of an argument!
Hard to have a silent argument.

The argument is “Moot”, or a moot point, is what you mean.
(Regarding Jones vs. Mendenhall)

This creepy movie flashing over on the right is bugging me. “Frontiers”? Never heard of it.

Bluecheese:

Austin has stone hands. You could argue that he lost that Washington (I think it was the Washington game) by his two big drops. You have to prove it in games, not practice or preseason.

Rich:

About that tight end we got in the 2nd round- Some sources say he has good blocking skills, others that he doesn’t.

Any clarification? Raf?

kameleon_o:

http://www.onnetworks.com/videos/draftguys-tv/profile—danny-amendola—wr?autoplay=true

kameleon_o:

TE in the 2nd round?? That’s the first I’ve heard of it!!! Say it ain’t so!!!! I refuse to believe it. You guys are just messing with me.

kameleon_o:

Bluecheese,

I’ve been referring to Austin on another site as Miles “Brick Hands” Austin. Guess we have the same opinion of him. That’s why I compared him to Randle Williams. They both had all the measurables of a top flight WR, they just couldn’t catch. One big special teams play apiece and that’s it.

cormanman:

I just donated $25 toward the Training Camp fund. I used the PayPal link on the bottom left hand portion of the page. It was easy and I feel rewarded because I know that the money will not be stolen from a warlord in Darfur. Instead it will be pooled with other contributions to fuel my obsession with America’s Team. (some claim that there are two America’s teams, I’m talking about the non-cheating version).

I appreciate this forum and all of the work that goes in to providing the coverage, though it would be oh so much more rewarding with some scantily-clad members of the finer sex. If only there were a cheap and easy place to find pictures of hot naked chicks online…

cormanman:

Ahem, I meant stolen BY a warlord.

(not stolen for a warlord).

You get the gist. I am very concerned about the warlord problem over there.

realist:

Money is in at Amazon.
I need to look up tc dates, see if I can get down there

thejoker_18:

Kam,

As much as I like Austin, I’d have to compare him to Randal Williams too.

But at least Austin left his college as the career leader in receptions. So at least that leaves some hope compared to Williams who couldn’t catch in the NFL or in college haha.

dallasdawg:

Raf,

This is the list I found of rookie free agents we have signed:

Danny Amendola - WR, Texas Tech
Drew Atchison - TE, William & Mary
Mark Bradford - WR, Stanford
Andrew Brecher - OT, Harvard
Julius Crosslin - FB, Oklahoma State
Dowayne Davis - SS, Syracuse
Marcus Dixon - DE, Hampton
Brandon Hale - OT, Sam Houston State
Keon Lattimore - RB, Maryland
Jay Ottovegio - P/K, Stanford
Daniel Polk - WR, Midwestern State
Darrell Robertson - DE, Georgia Tech

I’ve also seen somewhere that we signed Adarius Bowman. Can you confirm this list?

Is that Bradford guy out of Stanford the guy who caught that game-winning TD pass to beat USC? If he is, that would be a great intangible to have.

I’ve stated before that I love the Amendola pick-up. I’m also pleased with the addition of Lattimore, the RB out of Maryland. He’s a typical Maryland back that is physical and packs a punch. He is quick and a good blocker, and he led the ACC last year with 13 rushing TDs. I’m surprised this guy wasn’t hyped more.

Any thoughts on these other guys?

kameleon_o:

joker,

Good point. At least Austin actually caught the ball somewhere. He just hasn’t shown that he can do it here yet. I think this is his last chance.

buster:

Cormanman - NO, NO, NO!!! In an effort to support our Dallas Cowboys, and one of our newest secondary members - the one with the, albeit fun yet potential career ending, hobby - Raf must swear under oath that none of the donated money will go towards the viewing, soliciting, enjoying, or patronizing any establishments that may contain scantily clad, or naked, women. You know, those places with the pole in the middle of the room.

Jesse NY:

Hello All,

As we all know it`s very hard to rate the success of a draft so soon.

In fact we now have enough info to rate the 05 - 06 draft.

Even last years draft is hard to guage. Can anyone truly say what type of player Spencer will be ? Looks promising but cannot really judge him as a success or failure. In 1-2 more years we will know.

Back to 08 draft. Like the 1st 2 picks, after that it gets muddled for me. Hopefully there will be a diamond in the rough with 1 or 2 of these UFA signed over the last 2 Days.

If Jenkins can contribute largely this year & Felix Jones is even some of what I seen at Ark we did very well. Anything elese would be cream on top.

My only problem with this roster is & for the last 2 years has been Roy Williams!

He is slow !!!! & constantly gets beat by most TE`s RB`s , let`s not even talk about WR`s.

Hey he was never a speedster , but made up for it with ok speed , hard hits & sure tackling. In the last 2 years he shows hardly any speed, I watched every game last year & only seen a handfull of hard hits, But I did see a ton of missed tackles from him.

Let`s be real JJ made a mistake with his contract ! But we must get rid of him. He is a player that it seems we have to change around our D some to back him up ! He is no longer an asset but a liabilty. Trade him, cut him whatever .

Bottom line IMO Roy Williams MUST GO !!!

Raf / Raul, I will definitely contribute this year.

Your insight which I mostly agree with on this team cannot be found on any other media outlet. I really don`t see how any true Cowboy fans cannot use this site regularly.

Thanks for all your effort. I am really looking forward to making a run this year to take home the Lombardy trophy.

BP always says the circus doesn`t stay in town forever & I think we will peek over the next 2 years !

NOWS THE TIME !!!!

Go Cowboys.

2008 World Champions !!!

Hey that`s got a nice ring to it doesn`t it ?

VA Dallas Fan:

How soon do you think the negative goons at DMN will start to change their tune about Felix? I bet they’ll love him by the end of September.
I can’t believe how negative the Dallas press is. They talk like Mendenhall is the next Emmitt or Dorsett, I bet only Breer saw Mendenhall play this season. The rest are just talking heads that are consumed w/ negativity and can’t say anything positive.

Boy from Oz:

Jesse - I saw an article on the boys with an insider saying with these DB pickups, Roy is going to get 100 less plays than last year.

Unless #38 magically restores his powers, next year is his last year. (but he’ll probably still make the Pro Bowl - who is he sleeping with?)

Boy from Oz:

They are already throwing out a few 2009 mocks already…

I saved one from last year and it had us picking Adarius Bowman with the 25th pick. “The next TO”

And he can’t even get picked up as a FA - he is still unsigned…

TCBinNYC:

I have a point I want to make about the Wide Receiver position. All the “draft experts” I have seen liked the Dallas draft with the exception of not taking a highly ranked Wide Receiver. Jerry admitted he tried to make a trade, but it just wasnt there. So, here we are without a true #2 receiver opposite TO (ok, maybe Glenn is healthy and back to form, but I doubt it.) But, will Jerry be the one laughing last?

Just because the three big-time WRs mentioned in trade talks (Bolden, Ocho and good Roy Williams) werent traded on draft day doesnt mean they wont be traded at some point. Chad Johnson is the most likely because he’s making a stink and pissing off the team. But did you notice all three of those teams took WRs in the draft? Arizona took Early Doucet in the 3rd (great value, by the way.) Detroit took Kenneth Moore in the 5th. And Cincy took THREE WRs in 2nd rounder Jerome Simpson (reeeeeach), 3rd rounder Andre Caldwell, and 7th rounder Mario Urrutia. Clearly Cincy is bracing themselves for possibly not having Stinko.

Another interesting point is that the two teams besides Dallas being rumored to be in the WR market also took receivers high. Washington took both Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly in the second round. They don’t need any more WRs with Moss, Randle El and Thrash in the mix. And Philly took highly touted DeSean Jackson in the 2nd round. They might still be looking for a big time receiver, but their need has certainlu diminished. Also, with the rumors that they have a deal to send Lito Shepherd to Jacksonville, they have less amunition to deal.

Finally, Dallas picked up 2 extra picks (3rd & 4th rounders) in the 2009 draft they could include in a trade.

I can see a scenario where Chad Johnson continues to anger the Bengals and they are forced to trade him. Dallas could offer a a 2nd, 3rd & 4th in the 2009 draft for Johnson. Or maybe Marcus Spears and a 2nd.

Dallas might be the only team interested in a big-time receiver at this point. And they could get a better one than any of those guys in the draft.

sam0807:

I think defensive end Darrell Robertson of Georgia Tech, Texas Tech’s Danny Amendola WR, and Mark Bradford WR from Stanford could challenge for spots on the team at those positions. All great pickups post draft!

rha:

Thanks Realist, point taken.

rha:

VA,

Yep, Cry in my Breer and Jean-Jacques label Mendenhall as a franchise back. Where does that come from? I think he went 23 didn’t he?

CaptainComeback:

Great Point TCB, Exactly the points I just logged on to make, my last blog for a while because I need to focus my energies on my Celtics. Seems like I have a knack for liking a team who has a great regular season record but doesn’t perform in the playoffs.

ANYWAY, My point about the WR position that was unaddresed. Even if we did draft a WR in the second or third or third round chances are they wouldn’t have started this year and maybe even next. You guys all know JJ like I do, he will get us another WR. Wether it’d trading for them or signing a FA next year. Jerry knows that while we have one of the best WR core in the NFL when TG is healthy he also knows they are both going to be 35 before the yeas closes out and the sand in the hour glass slowly comes to the end. Jerry doesn’t believe in drafting WR’s and waiting for them to develop. Let’s look at the long list of WR’s Jerry has signed or traded for:
Ragib Ismail
Ernie Mills
James McKnight
Joey Galloway
Keyshawn Johnson
Terrell Owens

Look at the list Jerry drafted and failed with:
Jimmy Smith (Jerry to impatient to wait)
Antonio Bryant
Randall “thrill” Williams
Shelby Hill

JERRY HAS NEVER had success in drafting a WR. NEVER! NEVER! If you want to use Alvin Harper as an example, take a look at his stats in Dallas then in Tampa. Alvin Harper was a nice compliment…that’s all.

Jerry will get us another receiver my friends, I promise you!!!

CaptainComeback:

My bad on a couple things:
Jeerry didn’t draft Jimmy Smith, my bad, I spaced.

Also forgot to add:
Terry Glenn and
Patrick Jefers to the list

rha:

Regarding Miles Austin, the guy can get separation, and those guys don’t fall off trees. My bet is we think we can teach him to catch. He won’t be long in camp if he drops the ball, his time is up.

CaptainComeback:

Correction again, Jerry did draft Jimmy Smith

CaptainComeback:

Also forgot about “Speedy” Alexander Wright.
This only makes my point stronger.

The Dallas Cowboys just don’t have luck when it comes to drafting WR’s Relax my friend Mr Jones. will bring us another talented Wideout soon. Relax.

Ridgelake:

Ocho Stinko does seem like the most likely trade candidate at this point, given how much noise he’s causing. But a couple of things to keep in mind.

1) Philly has a lot more ammo than we do. They have 2 #1s next year, plus Lito Sheppard. If Philly wants Stinko, they can easily outbid us.

2) IIRC, Jerry has never traded with Cincy. And also IIRC, Jerry was very critical of Cincy and their ownership’s management style regarding revenue generation. Wasnt it Jerry who quipped that he could get them $10 mil a year with a snap of the fingers by selling the stadium naming rights? This all happened when the CBA and revenue sharing deals were being negotiated a couple of years ago. I can’t imagine Cincy’s owners and management appreciated being mocked by Jerry. That sure can’t help potential negotiations for Stinko.

AustonianAggie7:

Amendola may or may not turn out to be good, but it’s probably going to take him at least a year to grow in to a guy even worthy of a roster spot.

He cannot step in this year and catch 60 passes. If he’s going to be like Wes Welker, it’s going to be in 2009, 2010.

cormanman:

He doesn’t have to catch sixty passes. If he would come in and convert 15 first downs that would be a great use of a #5 or 6 WR.

With Witten and Owens and Barber & Jones there’s not 60 balls out there for anyone.

AustonianAggie7:

What I’m saying is, that for Amendola to succede he’d have to be in the top 10% of NFL route runners, and he’s not there yet. He’s likely to end up on the practice squad for at least a year.

Now, I can’t say he’s not for sure, but I doubt he is.

Playmaker:

I found the team’s rationalization of no WRs interesting. They say Glenn is working out with the team and working with the QBs. They say their young WRs were ranked as 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks compared to the rookies coming out.

Personally, if Glenn cannot be the starter, I would like to see Sam Hurd given a shot at being the #2. I think Crayton can be a very good #3.

sgtcwby:

Raf,

Thanks for all great insight you give to all of us Diehard Cowboy news hungry fans.

I just donated $50 to help support the cause.

I may not post very often, but I visit this site at least once a day, if not more.

Again thanks and continue to feed us the food we need to survive.

“HOW BOUT’ DEM COWBOYS!”

THEAIRFORCEBAT2:

CaptainComeback:

You have a good little analysis on Jerry’s drafting of wideouts.

However you can’t just throw Alvin Harper away like that. Harper was never drafted to be a number 1 wideout. He was a good number 2.

Plus I think you have your facts a little messed up.

Jerry wasn’t that impatient to wait with Smith, Smith had a broken leg and then there was a rift because Jerry didn’t think it was football related and refused to pay for his injury.

I don’t however you can say “You can’t count Alvin Harper because he wasn’t a number 1 wide receiver or had a bad career other places.”

He was still a factor in the field.

The thing is… you can say that about drafting widereceivers for almost every owner/GM. There isn’t a franchise that hasn’t had bad receiver picks.

To say that Jerry will NEVER draft a wideout is absurd. Jones would have gotten Calvin Johnson last year if he was in the top 5.

Your making promises that you don’t have enough information to make.

AustonianAggie7:

THEAIRFORCEBAT2: I’ve noticed that some franchises are very good about 1st round WRs, some consistently hit 50%, and others consistently fail.

Rams choose good WRs in the 1st every time
Detorit is 50%
Jags fail everytime

Ridgelake:

Indy seems pretty good at picking WRs too. But the sample size is so small with individual teams that you can’t give a defendable conclusion for anyone.

AustonianAggie7:

I agree Ridgelake. However, there are some consistent things between what Indy & the Rams look for.

Their WRs seem to look alike, thin guys with good routes, good quickness, but not exceptional strength or size.

Physically the players aren’t powerful, but are graceful.

Detroit seemed to keep drafting Size/Speed guys, as did the Jags.

Brushpile:

I don’t watch much college football anymore so haven’t posted during this draft period.

However, I read this blog almost every day and appreciate the thoughts of all you guys on the various players.

By the way, I am putting a check in the mail tomorrow.

Go Cowboys!!!

maxdout:

there is one more wr no one mentioned-mike sherrard. remember him? he broke his femur two years in a row. dallas gave up on him(rightfully so). i think he was first round pick. once he got healthy i think he had couple productive, not spectacular, years. and yes kudos to all of you that had dallas picking felix. you were right and i was wrong. i’ll never doubt you guys again. how long am i grounded?haha

Jim Vance:

Wide Receivers drafted in the 1st round have a failure rate (not becoming starters) of 66%.

That’s a bad bet in anybody’s book and you can see why Jerry doesn’t want to draft a wide receiver early.

Also, the percentage of draft failures decreases every 10 picks..ie: the first 10 have a higher success rate than the second 10, and the second 10 have a higher success rate than the last 10. I imagine the failure rate continues to increase as you go farther down the draft.

Wide Receivers have the highest failure rate of any position drafted.

With these kind of stats, you can understand why Jerry would prefer to trade for a proven starter.

DissentingVoice:

I believe Sherrard was drafted by Landry in ‘86 before Jerry took over.

Gray:

sam0807:

I agree with you on DE Darrell Robertson. I was very surprised he was not drafted. He needs to add some muscle but after watching him 3-4 games this past year I thought he had potential to be a good player - very athletic.

I will be surprised if Danny Amendola or Mark Bradford make the team. Who are they going to beat out? Miles Austin?? I guess if Glen does not make it back then Dallas would have one more spot but I would still be surprised.

I thought Dallas did pretty well in the draft. I was some what surprised they did not add an ILB - surprised when they passed up ILB Bell and let the Browns draft him.

It was obvious Dallas was not very high on this years WR class. It looked like the Skins were so it will be interesting to see how that plays out over the next few years.

Raf - $ on the way. Good job as always.

BigSky:

My Czechs in the male, too. Keep up the good work at camp, Raf and Raul.

Just read that JJT article you guys were mentioning. One thing that is glaringly apparent - he really hates Bobby Carpenter. I personally hope that he steps up and does well this year. I also hope the change of number does the “thong” good this year. That autographed football on my shelf shrinks each year.
Like everybody else, I was yelling at the tv every time our pick came up in the draft and it was traded to another team. It’s been mentioned here before, but JJ must be up to something stockpiling those extra picks for 2009. Maybe we will pick up a FA wide receiver during training camp. My fingers are crossed.
Keep up the good work, regular bloggers. This is the one site that I visit every day.

BigSky:

One other thing I have to mention. In 30 days, I rotate back to San Antonio from Germany. And now the training camp is in Oxnard. Come on!

Lone Star:

Now that the dust has settled I’ve decided to trust Jerry again (afterall, there isn’t alot of point in doing anything else). I think that without the signing of Crayton we may have reached for a WR. That would have satisifed many people (including me) - but it was a bold more to say that that there was no one available that was better than what we already have.That must be why JJ is worth so much! Let’s hope that there is a deal in the pipeline for an upgrade at the WR position - and perhaps the signing of ZT was just so that he could entice is brother-in-law to Texas?

Bluecheese:

Wasn’t Jimmy Smith’s non-football injury an appendicitis or ruptured bowel or something?

I’d love someone to take Austin’s roster spot. I still hold a grudge for his big late season drops. A fast, prototypical wr who can’t catch is a useless as tits on a boar pig.

Bluecheese:

Who is Zach Thomas’ bro-in-law?

boyzrockin:

Lonestar - I wanna give jerruh a chance, but doesnt he have to earn it? Parcells rebuilt this team after some really bad years in the draft, free agency and coaching (95-03). I find objectivity on these blogs to be sorely lacking…sometimes. Jerry, after jimmy j, drove our boys into the ground because he gets blinded by his ego. Parcells came in and rebuilt this team. Of course he had some guys that didnt pan out in drafts and free agency - every coach does. ALL the numbers say that Parcels rebuilt the structure for us to have a winnung team. Jerry by HIMSELF has shown a tendency to pick players, but not know how TO BUILD A TEAM. God I hope he learned some things from Parcells. Just look at 95-02, then look at 03-06. For 7-8 years it was miserable with no real direction. Parells brought direction. I know most of you guys are Parcells haters, but you have nothing to really base it on. Last year was mostly Parcells players, just like Switzer in 94, 95. PLEASE JERRUH BACK AWAY FROM THE EGO AND LET REAL FOOTBALL GUYS MAINTAIN OUR GREAT TEAM.

boyzrockin:

jason taylor, DE miami

boyzrockin:

bluecheese: i think hurd is our most dependable backup wr. look at craytons huge mistakes in the giants playoff game - huge mistakes. i think those mistakes warranted taking a chnace on sweed or someone. esp with glenn being 50/50 and to being 33.

CaliFanInTx:

boyzrockin,

I’m a Parcells guy…best thing that could have happened to this team 4 years ago.

But I think Jerry knows what he is doing…looking back Jerry made to big mistakes that got the Cowboys to the low point they were at a few years ago…

1. Not understanding the intricacies of the salary cap. Being too loyal and holding onto players too long.

2. Throwing a hail mary for Joey galloway because he felt with 2/3 of the triplets still in place, he had another shot at the Superbowl.

Neither of these mistakes are likely to happen again…

Lone Star:

boyzrockin,

I think Parcells did a great job in rebuiling this team, and it is easy to loose sight of what the difference he made. You make a good point that JJ is largely unproven since BP left. I hope that Jerrah has learnt a lesson, and that he’s listening to “football” people, and that last season wasn’t a one off.

pecos_slim:

rha made a great point re: Felix vs. Mendenhall.

Mendenhall is a #23 back. He is not a “franchise back”. He is not Adrian Peterson.

Felix is a #22 back.

Ronnie Brown was the first back taken in the 2005 draft. Did Miami get torched for drafting Ronnie over Cedric Benson? Over Cadillac Williams? 3 RBs went in the first 5 picks. 3 “franchise backs”. How are they doing?

I suggest that each of the 3 teams picked the highest quality RB that was right for their team, for their system.

I think we did the same thing with Felix over Mendenhall, at least that’s what JJ was thinking. And I think that’s the right way to go about it. Will he be proven a genius or a goat. As many have said, time will tell.

I think our banter about the question is just fine, but publishing incessant articles about it in DMN is just plain stupid.

I don’t recall pundits railing on Carolina for taking DeAngelo Williams over Joseph Addai in 2006. Who’s the better back? Addai. Were they failures for having drafted Williams? They probably wish for Addai now, but they were both Rd 1 20-32 picks. That’s the way I see this question. Let it ride and we’ll see how Felix does!

cormanman:

Zack Thomas tried to kick my ass in a bar fight one time. We were both at Tech at the same time.

I say “he tried” because I got the hell out of there.

True story.

Bluecheese:

Cormanman,

Discretion is the better part of valor most of the time.

Jon B.:

cormanman…..

us so is Zach another bad character guy added to our team. Or was he doing the right thing?

pecos_slim:

boyzrockin:

Parcells haters. How can you hate the guy, unless you are one that has fallen prey to his vindictive, manipulative and childish demonstrations of ego and hubris? He’s never behaved that way towards me. TO probably hates the man. Antonio Bryant, surely. Randy Galloway, undoubtedly.

But I don’t hate him. I am very appreciative of his uncanny ability to “build a team.” He did that for Jerry. Also, his ability to teach - he is very transparent about how he makes his picks and builds the talent around him. This is priceless.

JJ is a decent GM today for one reason. Tuna.

Having said that, I am glad BP is gone. His behavior toward Zach Thomas brother-in-law says it all. That kind of cold shoulder is the stuff that makes my teenage daughter cry. He may be a “genius”, but Tuna thereby confirmed he is a small man, despite his considerable corpulence.

I love him, yet I resent him. No, I don’t love him. I’m torn by Tuna.

birdness:

“I think Parcells did a great job in rebuiling this team”

Me too, but he’s didn’t do much as a coach. Who predicted 13 wins (besides Fighter)? Wade came in and motivated the team. Bill stayed with Old Man Vinnie, the Statue Bledsoe, he was forced into playing Romo. Of course he did keep Romo around long enough to develop.

jarhead:

rha and pecos slim,
taylor has backed off his criticism of late, but he maintains that mendenhall is the better back b/c he is “franchise” capable, as you said above.

Maybe he is right, maybe not. be that as it may, i still dont understand his logic/rationale. The other criticism i have heard amounts to this: “dallas drafted a backup in the 1st round.”

dallas is serious about keeping MB. he went to the pro bowl last year and has an insane number of TDs. Mendenhall is going to put MB on the bench??!?!

i dont think so. Mendenhall would thus be a “backup” too, at least this year. If dallas intended to throw MB away after this year, mendenhall may have been the better pick, but they have every intention of signing MB to a long term deal (they’re just not going to overpay to do it). he is, after all, more of a known than mendenhall, and he is young still (24).

assuming he may get injured or may walk as a FA next year, dallas hedged its bets with what appears to be a very sound pick in choice. however, they’d probably rather keep MB, and although they are far apart at this point, dallas is likely confident they can get something done (next post).

birdness:

“Let it ride and we’ll see how Felix does!”

There’s no choice, Felix Jones is now our guy, Mendenhall never was. Intead of crying about Jerry’s stupid a$$ pick, let get behind Felix - yeah!

nwhargis:

I know alot of people are down on Austin, some on crayton, But I personaly think Austin, Crayton and Hurd will all be better this year. They are all young players .This is Austin third year, its make or break time for him.

realist:

Realist = Larry, for those who care

RHA, If you were referring to the “mute” thing, I was just kidding around, bored late at night. I always notice stuff like that, that one was funny, because, you know, a “mute” argument-
I wish my parents had had Mute arguments when I was a kid!

birdness:

Barber may want a long term deal, but his agent wants to get him a LT, LJ long term deal. There’s a chance that Marion won’t extend for less than $40 million.

Barber is tendered through 09 (did he sign?) Jerry can make a deal, or franchise hime in 10. Otherwise, after that Felix is the man.

jarhead:

i’ve also read some pundits that suggest that MB has all the leverage in his future negotiations with the boys.

nothing could be further from the truth.

MB will play in a contract year this year. There are now, what appear to be, two good RBs on the roster (this season will tell us alot on them).

Dallas also currently holds 6 picks in the first three rounds of next year’s draft (though one theory, with teeth i think, holds that JJ might trade a first and third or fourth to get a WR before the season).

Thus, dallas has put themselves in a position to weather the loss of MB should it occur (at least in a sense as to make it as seamless as possible).

This does not in any way make MB and his agent’s position any stronger.

Even more important, MB is in a one year deal unless he signs our other offer. He will get alot of playing time and risks injury. Should he be injured, he stands to lose a ton of potential money. Every game he plays without signing a long term deal is thus a substantial risk.

So no, i dont think MB is holding JJ and son over the fire, not at all.

The same is true of Tnew. With the drafting of a first round CB and the signing of pacman (should he be reinstated), dallas is in a position to weather the loss of Tnew and remain competitive.

I beleive dallas will try hard to sign Tnew and MB to long term deals, but make no mistake, they will not pay through the nose for either of them.

One player will get “break the bank” money, as i’ve said before. His name is Demarcus Ware.

birdness:

It’s not Crayton, Austin and Hurd. They are good young WRs without the massive egos of top prospects.

The problem is Glenn MIA, Stanback MIA and nobody stepping up at big moments, coupled with Jerry’s lack of addressing the situation.

He passed on WR at every pick, but it’s okay because we have the next Welker on our team.

realist:

Are we really going to go Parcells + or - again!!

Here’s a point people forget:
Jerry’s “Bad Years” were during a time when we had our hands tied a lot by the salary capto some of our older big names. We still had a lot of our big names, and were winning for a while and had lower draft choices.

Also, no one really understood the SCap at first, it’s taken a while for all teams to learn how to work with it.

Parcells, came in at a time when no stars were eating huge chunks of Cap, and had some low picks to work with……And most teams, not just him, had figured out how to work with the cap.

Make a list, and for every good move BP made, you can think of a loser one (or Tex will for you)

birdness:

“Dallas also currently holds 6 picks in the first three rounds of next year’s draft”

What do we have? a 3rd from the Lions and a 4th from the Browns, anything else?

realist:

Jarhead, in no way shape or form should we pay MB anything CLOSE to what he’s asking. I hope JJ sees as clearly as us!

I don’t think he’s got more than 2-3 years left at his pace.

jarhead:

And speaking of RBs. The other thing i’ve read lately, including by some bloggers on this post, is that dallas made the same mistake this year as when they passed on stephen jackson.

I dont know why this is still said while jackson’s overall performance in the NFL is flat out ignored.

He has had one “banner” year (06). he had 2300 all purpose yards and 16 TDs that year (he also played his only full season). that year, the rams were 8-8.

granted, jackson has done more than julius jones, but he hasnt carried his team to the SB, and really hasnt done much other than that in 2006 (go look at his 04, 05, and 07 numbers, you wont be impressed).

No one can convince me that, if jackson was on our team, we would have won last year’s playoff game against NY and beaten the pats in the SB.

maybe, just maybe, jackson isnt the end all, be all of RBs.

jarhead:

birdness,
next year:
1st round x 1
2nd round x 1
3rd round x 2
4th round x 2 (if pacman doesnt work out it is x 3).

realist,
i agree with the first part of your statement. Dallas will not pay MB what he is asking (nor do they have to with their two new rookies).

I dont agree that MB has been playing at some killer pace that will end his career at 26 or 27. in fact, he has NOT been played at the level that jackson was in 06 in st louis. That will hold true this year with choice and jones on the roster.

thus, i think paying MB a 5 - 6 year deal (in the range of our offer) is a sound investment, as long as we play him in the same role.
BTW, jones will sign a 5-6 year deal this year too.

Becho:

6 picks in the first 3 rounds, what???

I have not heard that, do you mean first 4.

birdness:

After that draft, Jackson is a top RB, not the top RB but he’s good. JuJones still has something to prove.

Who knows what Felix or Mendenhall will be. I fully understand what each is expected to be. Bitching will not change our roster.

For all of Mendenhall’s potential greatness, several teams with equal or greater need at RB passed on him too - the Steeler’s didn’t.

jarhead:

yes, first FOUR rounds.

sorry, long night.

jarhead:

birdness,
you made my point. jackson is a good RB.

so what?

why all the criticism of dallas for not drafting a “good” RB and trading down instead.

i dont get it.

jarhead:

last year jackson rushed for barely over 1000 yards. He had 5 TDs and 5 fumbles (though only 2 were lost).

why in God’s name are we still getting ripped for not drafting him??

jarhead:

Is it possible that in 04 JJ and BP looked at jackson and decided he wasnt going to be the next walter payton/emmitt smith/jim brown and thus didnt draft him?

is it possible that this year, JJ and company decided that mendenhall wouldnt be either and that jones fit more with their personnel and what they wanted to do, and thus drafted him?

cowboy bert:

What??!

Julius was disappointing! Now he’s gone, so Dallas has nothing! Spears continues to be disappointing! We should let him leave, even for nothing!

Jackson is great! He had one good year! How many did Julius have, or Spears?!

Jerry is an idiot! I don’t have to have evidence, because Galloway says so, and that makes it true!

And other similarly emotional arguments that make no actual sense.

jarhead:

cowboy bert,
whats scary is JJT is actually trying to make sense, he just isnt.

Becho:

i agree jarhead, the jackson point at this time is moot because he has declined. he may never be the same. he definitely has not had more than one really good year as well.

cormanman:

Zack Thomas is a good guy as far as I know. Our near bar brawl was just a testosterone issue.

Tech had played an out of town game in the afternoon that Saturday. I went to a bar that night (this would be fall of 94 I think, maybe 93). Anyway, me and four buddies at a bar. We sit next to table of 6 hot coeds. The drinks start flowing. We become more charming. They become more flirty. We end up mixing the tables and all sitting together. About 12:30 that night Zack and about 7 other members of the Tech football team turn up. Apparently they just got back into town from this out of town game. It turns out those were their girlfriends or dates or something like that. The girls were there waiting on the guys to get back in town. Of course the girls never mentioned anything about this.

At first we didn’t know it was the Tech football team (we were pretty hammered and half these guys were backup LBs and guys who’s faces we didn’t recognize). I was 6′ 200 pounds and in great shape and one of my buddies was 6′3″ and 245. So when these big dudes start talking trash our first response was to bow up.

Then we see Zack Thomas walk up. Somehow within the next 60 seconds we came to realize that this was the Tech football team. That girl that I had my hand on her thigh belonged to Zack Thomas (or at least she did that night). Zack backed me into a corner and I was about to at least go down swinging when the girl ran out in front of me and then went to Zack and begged him to just drop it. She told him that we didn’t know that the girls were taken.

Needless to say I didn’t stick around to see how he reacted. As soon as she had his attention I got the flock out of there. It was so cool, like a scene from a movie. I am running out the front door of that bar and my buddies had already gotten to the car and had it running out on the street. I literally jumped in the window as the car was in motion and we took off.

That’s all I remember of that night. I’m sure that we proceeded to get absolutely wasted after that.

And in all seriousness, that is a 100% true story.

Becho:

at this point we do not know who will be a better pro back between jones and mendenhall. all we know is that jones’1 playing style fits better. it is going to be a crap shoot.

one more point, jones can be an every down back. at 5′11 and 207 lbs, he is almost the same size as emmitt who played at 215 or barry who played at 210.

jarhead:

becho,
my theory is this:

the pundits build these guys up to incredible proportions. i remember jackson getting stroked and stroked by all of them, kiper, berman, jaws, you name it. “look at this,” “look at that.” “This guy is a shoo-in.”

then he’s on the board at 26 and the cowboy’s faithful are salivating, i mean salivating. the clouds have parted, the savior is in our grasp!!!

no one is asking, “umm, if this guy is SOOOO good, how come….”

then JJ/BP pass him up. ARRRGGGHHHHHHHH….we’re screwed, screwed i say!!!!!

my brother is the worst about this.

the bitterness is so great, some never look back and say, “hey, maybe he wasnt the savior after all.”

jarhead:

ok, i gotta go to bed.

good night.

Becho:

zack thomas makes 17 mil over the next two years. with ware, spencer and ellis already on the roster we may be wise to shy away.

I also hope we do not get a FA WR unless it is bouldin. That money is best spent elsewhere and we will need the high draft picks next year.

cowboy bert:

Jarhead, the really scary part is I don’t have to read JJT’s article to have a good idea what it said or the level of logic in it. Give me a topic and I can produce one of his “arguments”. What a waste of protoplasm.

dafino13:

Is everyone ready for some football?
ttp://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/04/ware-says-cowboys-are-off-to-flying-star.htm

dafino13:

Woops!
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/04/ware-says-cowboys-are-off-to-flying-star.html

Jon B.:

If Pat Watkins washes out at Safety……….Do the Boys try him out at WR before they cut him.

He played some WR in the Red Zone at FSU.

Just a thought……he has WR size and speed.

Tex:

Jerry Jones received a four-year MBA in Organizational Management from B. Parcells… for a whopping sum, Tex might add.

However, this team is better off with Jason Garrett or Wade Phillips, see 13-3. The Tuna got old quickly in the Lone Star heat; he embarrassed himself with the whole T.O. saga, never won a playoff game or division, and illegally raided the Cowboys organization during the weeks leading up to the playoffs… a violation and major distraction.

Jerry Jones rebuilt this roster from DeMarcus Ware and Ken Hamlin to Terrell Owens and Leonard Davis. In the end, the Parcells legacy will be one of failure for this Organization. He never fit in Texas, ran off both Emmitt Smith and Larry Allen… and will never be a true Dallas Cowboys.

And lay off training camp, pace yourself like Tex… this season begins in January. Wade Phillips is all in, and Romo is the best QB never to win a playoff game.

Tex:

Super Bowl or Bust!

THEAIRFORCEBAT2:

Tex with all due respect,and remember I did say with all due respect, your opinions ain’t worth a velvet painting of a whale and a dolphin getting it on.

burmafrd:

As usual like any defense attorney Tex leaves out a lot of the truth.

Jerrah was a disaster in virtually every way from 96 on.

We were 5-11 THREE STRAIGHT YEARS
Tex, do you have a BRAIN AT ALL?

BP kept us from becoming the BUNGLES or the KITTY KATS. Or even worse the CARDINALS.

He straightened up the ENTIRE organization and got rid of a lot of dead wood (Lacewell- Tex does your pathetic excuse of a brain remember HIM?)

ok RANT OVER.

Outside of the POS Donny Tex is the one other that needs to get the boot.

Becho:

hell yeah mot@#$%^er

Becho:

dudes you ruined my awesome response to Tex’s superbowl or bust comment

Becho:

burmafrd,

i never am bothered by donny or tex but i sure do hate having to hear you mention it all the time. in with the good air out with the bad air buddy.

dizzypac:

http://www.bangcartoon.com/2007/pacmandallas.htm
pretty funny even know its about our team but they have some other funny cartoons also.

THEAIRFORCEBAT2:

I have decided only to respond to Tex with movie quotes from this point on…. that last one should be pretty easy for anybody to figure out.

dizzypac:

test?

Jim Vance:

I like Parcells and I do think he did good things fr the Cowboys organization. Unlike the Pope, he is not infallible in his decisions.

He has a system, and he implements that system where ever he goes. It’s especially effective with organizations that are in disarray because his system brings structure and rules and organization. When you bring structure and rules and organization to a team that is in disarray you can see tangible results pretty quick.

Part of his system is the way he establishes the hierarchy of power, and it is a very old fashioned philosophy…my way or the hiway.

He plays head games, he’s petty and mean sometimes, he has favorites….John Clayton said on the radio today that Parcells likes to come in to a team and belittle and get rid of the teams leaders…in effect to say..”I can get rid of them, I can get rid of anybody..you better shape up.”

It works, but I think there are better ways.

His weakness is his loyalty..and he will hang with a guy he likes, far too long, and that can damage a team.

Jim Vance:

Airforce your movie reference flew right past me, can you explain for me?

CaliFanInTx:

Vance,

Have to agree with you on your assessment of Parcells…

We needed him 4 years ago, but I think he does more harm than good if he stays too long. Maybe, that’s why he keeps moving around…

CaliFanInTx:

Parcells is like penicillin…once you’re cured you don’t need to keep taking it…

Tighthead:

Parcells strength is getting a team from the lower echelon up closer to the top echelon. Not sure he is so good at sealing the deal in today’s NFL however.

boyzrockin:

Agreed, but without the 4 yr Parcell reign we would still have drafts filled with shante carvers. we NEEDED parcells 5 yrs ago to rebuild talent and get direction. parcells strength isnt game week/day coaching. his strength is building a team. honestly does anyone remember 95-02….the boys were lost in all areas from free agency to coaching to the draft. hopefully jerruh has learned some lessons for those abyssmal 7 yrs.

boyzrockin:

I thank GOD for parcells or we would likely still be floundering in jerruhs unbridled ego. piecemeal building a team without any real direction….aka oakland raiders. im glad parcells is gone, but thankful he was here for 4 yrs to rebuild the guts of our great team.

boyzrockin:

Im so stoked that we seem to finally, hopefully be really strong in the secondary. Heres my dream scenario…we get to the superbowl…roy wms lucks into some easy ints, ala larry brown in 95. We get offered a ridiculous trade to rid ourselves of roy…ala larry brown…something like al davis gives da raiders 1st pick next year. sweet, no more popular led legged roy that we have to play because uninformed fans love him so much. hes a sever liability - be gone roy. i love roy, but he couldnt cover john “100 year war” mccain. go boys, win the division in 2008 with a record of 12-4.

boyzrockin:

I love the idea of numerous TE sets for the boys this year. This bennet kid from a@m is a play maker and will burn many a linebacker. plus he can block really well. then you add felix the cat and we are instantly better on offense - good riddance orange julius running into the line and falling down. i truly think our only ? is wr. limas sweed may turn out to be a real playmaker.

boyzrockin:

im calling it now. put up or shut up. superbowl this year. dallas v. indianapolis. winner…its a toss up.

Chandus:

What was one of the things in Bill Parcells’ tenure that took more heat from the media and fans?

That the team could look unbeatable here and there, then the team would lay an egg and Parcells would walk up and say: “We can gameplan for this, that and that, in the end, the ones executing the plan are the players.”

That made a lot of folks haters, it sounded as if he was washing his hands, but his comments can also be applied to when the team was winning, they executed and at times to perfection.

And that’s the only thing that has me worried, the team changed the Head Coach, OC and DC and we still saw a team that looked unbeatable here and there and a punching bag in few others. Is it the core of players? I don’t know, but after this past season some of Parcells critics need to look at the situation with a bit more objectivity.

jodster:

cormanman: did you ask Zach “Gimmie Three Steps?” Glad you made it out alive…..

rha:

Airforce, what movie?

Ridgelake:

Re:Parcells

The game passed him by as a coach. He was easy to gameplan against and he was not willing to adapt.

But his philosophy on building a team is still valid. How to evaluate players. Skill sets. Personality profiles. Etc. The talent level now versus before he got here is enourmous. I give credit for that to Parcells.

Californioca:

Fans - perhaps there’s been discussion elsewhere about this, but who will be our NT this year?