The 2009 Cowboys Draft Thread - Page 10

LonghornsLegend · 10-18-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Positions of needs as I see it:

1. NT: Supposed "most important" position in a 3-4, which we regularly refuse to address. Enough can't be said about Ratliff and his play, but I believe he can be as disruptive from the end position as he is at NT. And yes I know Wade's 34 is a bit different from the traditional 34, seeing that lineman are responsible for only 1-gap, but watching the Browns with Rogers, NE with Wilfork, and when healthy PIT with Hampton, you see what a big talented NT can do for the 34. Grabbing a NT would kill two birds with one stone; address the need for a disruptive guy at the end position (Ratliff) and add that oh so needed mountain in the middle.

2. LT: Flozell continues on his decline, though he is still pretty good when he is on. The guys we have now (Free, McQ) don't seem to be ready or able to play LT effectively, so I would prefer to grab one early this year.

3. LG: Kosier can be upgraded, Proctor doesn't look to good, and we have no idea what is up with Holland. Adding another big Road grader type there would be ideal IMO. I was BIG on Duke Robinson before the Roy trade, but that seems unlikely now. But you never know, Guards tend to fall during the season.

4. ILB: This one is tricky. I was one of the biggest Bradie supporters for some time, but after bringing in Zach, and seeing how he can dissect plays and weave through traffic, I kind of want more of it. I don't see us replacing Bradie or Zach next year, but developing one wouldn't be a bad idea.

5. S: I would preferably grab a veteran player rather than draft a guy, but there aren't many names out there in FA (Darren Sharper, Mike Brown, John Lynch) that excite me. I was holding on to the possibility that Watkins could develop, and he still might, but he hasn't shown anything to be gitty about.

6. QB: Purely Developmental.

I agree with that, which is why I wouldn't mind keeping some of those extra picks in the middle round, maybe one trade up, but we could take a NT, ILB, SS, or a G in one of those middle rounds and hope we find a steal...I'm leaning towards LT in the 2nd right now, but I haven't found out who are the 2nd rd LT's just yet.

Watching Jamal Williams this past Monday and what he can do in the middle, and Kris Jenkins, you can certainly see the difference, if we do part with Canty I'm pretty sure Ratliff can play RE but unless we retain Tank we are starting rookies at NT and LE, so I don't think we would want to go that route...I don't think Hatcher is anything more then a pass rush specialist and I was expecting him to make some noise this year.

D-Unit · 10-21-2008, 01:42 AM

Week 8

With no first rounder in the 2009 draft, this board will reflect much different names. With a late 2nd rounder a high possibility, here are the names of guys that intrigue me.

* Barring an elite prospect being available in the late 2nd round, I don't think the Cowboys will take a DB with that pick. I think if they address Safety, that it will come later in the draft. Perhaps as early as the 3rd round, but I don't see it happening with their first pick in the draft. So I won't include any S's on my board... even though I'm intrigued by Patrick Chung, Michael Hamlin and Rashad Johnson.

* I know we need to shore our OL, but we simply have bigger needs on defense. Specifically in the front 7. We need more talent and better talent. We can't stop RBs. We just can't.

1. NT Terence Cody, Alabama 6-5, 368
Love Cody, but I have to admit the hype was getting to be too much. He's still very much a project and needs to continue to develop his body and his game. Still a rare specimen and flashes football ability. In the mid to late 2nd, is exactly where I think his value lies.

2. DT DeMarcus Granger, Oklahoma 6-3, 310
Granger is a difference maker when he is in the game. An excellent run stuffer. At 6-3, 305 and the frame to add more, Granger could be our solution to repairing the front 7.

3. Frantz Joseph, FAU 6-3, 235
Not having a first round pick will be fun. I'll have to bust out names of guys who I haven't mentioned before, but would consider at the end of Round 2. Frantz is exactly the type of guy I want to bring up. He's one of my favorites out there just because of the way he's flying under the radar. On the field it's another story, he literally flies all over the field and is always where the action is at. He's built like a tank and would be awesome in the middle of our defense.

4. Gerald McRath, Southern Miss 6-3, 220
Tenacious defender, has the frame to add more bulk. He's just a junior but he's got enough hype around him to make him think about jumping to the NFL.

5. DT Vance Walker, Georgia Tech 6-2, 295
ESPN's ACC Midseason Defensive MVP. Walker is the unsung hero on one of the most talented DLs in the nation. He's a powerful bull rusher that gets under blockers' pads, drives legs and collapses the pocket.

6. DT Fili Moala, 6-5, 295
He was once touted at a Top 3 pick, but now that sensibility has hit home, he should fall somewhere in the second round. A solid tackler with a nose for the ball, Moala makes a real impact in the front 7 whether it's noticed or not.

7. DT Peria Jerry, Ole Miss 6-3, 295
Disruptive player on a tough SEC defensive line. His attention makes things easier for Greg Hardy. At 6-3, 295, I like him as a 3-4 DE in our system.

8. DT Dorell Scott, Clemson 6-4, 320
Not sure if he's a 2nd rounder, but I do like what little I've seen of him. Frequently faces double teams and has a nice awareness. Has a bigger body than anybody we currently have at NT.

9. DT/DE Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU 6-3, 290
Doesn't get as much media hype as Tyson Jackson, but might be the better player. I think we would draft him as a DE.

10. DT Alex Magee 6-3, 297
Not getting a lot of hype, but Magee is smart, disruptive, has good hands, and can handle the point of attack against double teams.

Archive
Week 1
1. S Taylor Mays
2. WR Michael Crabtree
3. OT Andre Smith
4. LB Ray Maualuga
5. LB James Laurinaitis
6. OG Herman Johnson
7. OG Duke Robinson
8. OT Ciron Black
9. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey
10. OT Jamon Meredith

Week 2
1. S Taylor Mays
2. WR Michael Crabtree
3. OT Andre Smith
4. LB Rey Maualuga
5. OT Ciron Black
6. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey
7. LB James Laurinaitis
8. OG Duke Robinson
9. OG Herman Johnson
10. S Michael Hamlin

Week 3
1. S Taylor Mays
2. WR Michael Crabtree
3. OT Andre Smith
4. DT Terrance Cody
5. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey
6. OT Ciron Black
7. DT BJ Raji
8. OG Duke Robinson
9. LB Brandon Spikes
10. DT Terrance Taylor

Week 4
1. S Taylor Mays
2. LB Sean Weatherspoon
3. OT Andre Smith
4. WR Michael Crabtree
5. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey
6. LB Brandon Spikes OT Ciron Black
7. DT Terrance Cody
8. DT BJ Raji
9. DT Sen'Derrick Marks
10. OT Jason Smith

Week 5
1. LB Rey Maualuga
2. LB Sean Weatherspoon
3. OT Andre Smith
4. LB Brandon Spikes
5. S Taylor Mays
6. DT Terrence Taylor
7. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey
8. DT BJ Raji
9. DT Terrance Cody
10. WR Brandon Tate

Week 6
1. LB Sean Weatherspoon
2. LB Brandon Spikes
3. DT BJ Raji
4. S Taylor Mays
5. DT Terence Taylor
6. DB Michael Jenkins
7. OT Ciron Black
8. DT Sen'Derrick Marks
9. OT Phil Loadholt
10. DE Tyson Jackson

Week 7
*** ROY WILLIAMS TRADE ***

DiG · 10-21-2008, 08:59 AM

D - Does Frantz play inside or outside at FAU? I hadnt heard much about him so I looked him up. Lombardi and Butkus watch list to start the season. Looks like he went to BC his freshman year then transferred to FAU. What kinda LBer is he?

LonghornsLegend · 10-21-2008, 09:01 AM

Lol the big bodies, I like it...Safety anyone? I think we address one spot at least by the 4th now, Courtney Brown hasn't shown a damn thing, Watkins has been injured and hasn't played well either, were gonna have to take a flier on somebody.

D-Unit · 10-21-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Thirty

D - Does Frantz play inside or outside at FAU? I hadnt heard much about him so I looked him up. Lombardi and Butkus watch list to start the season. Looks like he went to BC his freshman year then transferred to FAU. What kinda LBer is he?

Frantz plays MLB. He's a beasting tackling machine.

Macarthur · 10-21-2008, 02:57 PM

I think I really like the idea of getting a massive NT and moving Ratliff to DE. Canty has regressed, IMO, and is not worthy of a big extension. I wouldn't mind keeping him, but at a very affordable price.

I also like the idea of a fast as hell LB. I wouldn't even mind him being a bit undersized if he's fast and aggressive.

I really don't think we should spend a first day pick on a safety. If Wade can't find a guy to plug in beside Hamlin and be serviceable, then he needs to go.

I think we almost have to do go DL and/or OL with those first two picks.

Burns336 · 10-21-2008, 05:08 PM

Anyone else here like Clay Mathews?

I think he is a guy that can be had in the later rounds and could be used inside or outside depending on where the need is at. Solid Depth and a bit of a project, but definitely a guy I wouldn't mind bringing in seeing that Zack is at the end of the line, Bradie is terrible, KB cant stay healthy, and Barbie is Barbie.

Seems like one of the hardest workers on SC. I think he's very underrated. He's been playing DE just to get on the field and he's played pretty well. Good bloodlines.

D-Unit · 10-21-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns336

Anyone else here like Clay Mathews?

I think he is a guy that can be had in the later rounds and could be used inside or outside depending on where the need is at. Solid Depth and a bit of a project, but definitely a guy I wouldn't mind bringing in seeing that Zack is at the end of the line, Bradie is terrible, KB cant stay healthy, and Barbie is Barbie.

Seems like one of the hardest workers on SC. I think he's very underrated. He's been playing DE just to get on the field and he's played pretty well. Good bloodlines.

Reminds me of Dallas Sartz... I dunno about him just yet.

Burns336 · 10-21-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macarthur

I think I really like the idea of getting a massive NT and moving Ratliff to DE. Canty has regressed, IMO, and is not worthy of a big extension. I wouldn't mind keeping him, but at a very affordable price.

I also like the idea of a fast as hell LB. I wouldn't even mind him being a bit undersized if he's fast and aggressive.

I really don't think we should spend a first day pick on a safety. If Wade can't find a guy to plug in beside Hamlin and be serviceable, then he needs to go.

I think we almost have to do go DL and/or OL with those first two picks.

Watkins is good enough, we're blind if we think putting more money/draft picks into the secondary is going to change anything.

The problem is in the front 7 and the scheme. We don't utilize the corners like we should and the front 7 doesn't do anything to make them look better.

D-Unit · 10-21-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns336

Watkins is good enough, we're blind if we think putting more money/draft picks into the secondary is going to change anything.

The problem is in the front 7 and the scheme. We don't utilize the corners like we should and the front 7 doesn't do anything to make them look better.

Glad I'm not the only one thinking that.

Burns336 · 10-21-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Reminds me of Dallas Sartz... I dunno about him just yet.

He just seems like one of those guys who is "a football player" to me.

I could see someone like Parcells/Bellichek scooping him up in the 4th or 5th and making him a solid player on the team.

Burns336 · 10-21-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Glad I'm not the only one thinking that.

I just know from watching the chargers over the last few years that you can have complete schmo's at Safety and be dominant.

It starts in the front 7 and with pressure. I also think the reigns need to be let off on the corners as well. We're just inviting teams to pick us apart with a 3 step drop. No amount of pressure is going to help that aspect of it.

Fact remains that the talent is there, we've got a lot of money invested back there, and they aren't going to look better unless things look better up front.

johnstonolb · 10-21-2008, 10:20 PM

A 3-4 starts with a NT -- look at the Jets D miracle transformation with Jenkins.

We need a real two gap beast at NT. Our DEs are already big lumbering types that are better two gap-ers than one-gap. 3 DL can eat up 5 OL if you keep them fresh.

Once you do this you can find more athletic, sideline to sideline ILBs that can cover and gang tackle.

It all starts from the inside to the outside.

LonghornsLegend · 10-22-2008, 12:17 AM

I think we are all under that agreement, at least for the most part, if we had to reach to get that NT we have been looking for I'm all for it.

D-Unit · 10-22-2008, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornsLegend

I think we are all under that agreement, at least for the most part, if we had to reach to get that NT we have been looking for I'm all for it.

I dunno about that. Everytime I mention that we should move Ratliff to DE and find a real 2 gap NT, a lot of guys keep posting that Ratliff is great at NT. Same thing happened when we had Jason Ferguson and I kept saying he's not good enough. He doesn't get double teamed... yatta yatta yatta... people said then that Ferg was great at NT. This endless want of mine for a real 3-4 NT has been going on for a long looooooooong time. ...and not everyone has always felt that way.

johnstonolb · 10-22-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Unit

I dunno about that. Everytime I mention that we should move Ratliff to DE and find a real 2 gap NT, a lot of guys keep posting that Ratliff is great at NT. Same thing happened when we had Jason Ferguson and I kept saying he's not good enough. He doesn't get double teamed... yatta yatta yatta... people said then that Ferg was great at NT. This endless want of mine for a real 3-4 NT has been going on for a long looooooooong time. ...and not everyone has always felt that way.

Well, FWIW, I always felt Parcells had it wrong for today's pass happy NFL. He always had smaller, 2 Gap NT with bigger ILB. I feel it is better to have a bigger NT and smaller ILB.

Kind of like Pittsburgh, SD, Baltimore (when they ran it) even New Engalnd now with Wolfork -- though their ILB have been slower and bigger.

My ideal 3-4 is two DE running 310, a NT running 350. Their job is eat up blockers and in pass rush situations collapse the pocket. Don't let blockers get to the next level of your D.

Your OLB should be tall and versatile like a Ware, 6'4 plus --- guys who can cover flats and press the Tackles with thier speed rush. That way you have 6-8 guys who can run and tackle and cover ... etc.

Right now, we are slow in the middle of the field -- it shows in the passing D game -- and unless the NT blows pass the G/C combo we get nothing up the middle. I also think our DEs are not bad as rushers -- but they are just not 1 Gap dude.

Burns336 · 10-22-2008, 04:45 PM

I am, and have been, on board with moving Ratliff to DE. I don't care if he wants to be in the middle or if he thinks he likes the middle better. Someone, probably not wade, needs to man up and tell him to move to the outside and play hard.

If we could stick some chub in the middle and add an athletic ILB (like kb57) we'd be so much better.

I wish Burnett could stay healthy because I love what he brings, but it just isn't happening.

The reason we have a loser like Bradie James in the middle is because he is supposed to be good in run support, which he isnt.

Our D is basically screwed as it. It won't get better. We need an NT first and we need to find a good ILB somewhere.

D-Unit · 10-22-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns336

I am, and have been, on board with moving Ratliff to DE. I don't care if he wants to be in the middle or if he thinks he likes the middle better. Someone, probably not wade, needs to man up and tell him to move to the outside and play hard.

If we could stick some chub in the middle and add an athletic ILB (like kb57) we'd be so much better.

I wish Burnett could stay healthy because I love what he brings, but it just isn't happening.

The reason we have a loser like Bradie James in the middle is because he is supposed to be good in run support, which he isnt.

Our D is basically screwed as it. It won't get better. We need an NT first and we need to find a good ILB somewhere.

Well basically Bradie James is not a good fit at ILB in the 3-4 because he is a 4-3 WLB who got peg legged into the position when we made the transformation. We need to move on.

Burns336 · 10-22-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Well basically Bradie James is not a good fit at ILB in the 3-4 because he is a 4-3 WLB who got peg legged into the position when we made the transformation. We need to move on.

Yes, but somehow I find it hard to believe that this team is going to move on from their "Captain" who Wade is constantly overhyping. "Yeah well even though the stat sheet only had Bradie in on 80 tackles, we had him for like 120. Bradies great, he's all over the field, always around the ball!?!?"

We can only hope for an injury that forces someone else into the lineup. I wanted that elbow to keep him out for 6 weeks so badly.

johnstonolb · 10-22-2008, 08:37 PM

To add insult to injury, we keep resigning JAGs to large contracts when rookies and younger guys would be just as good.

Roy SS was a bad signing. Bradie was a bad signing. TNew, yes, is a bad signing. Crayton, Flo, Greg Ellis and, even, TO. All these guys are either mediocre or on the wrong side of 30. Also we never use the Franchise tag to squeeze them for an extra year of production once they get old -- Flo and TNew being great examples.

I keep saying we need to give young guys a chance on the field but we never do. Whenever the Franchsie is faced with the choice of a) let young guy on the roster play or b) resign for big money a big name over-rated player to a multi year contract with big upfront money -- we always go with over rated big name and big money.

Greg has two replacements, Carp and Spencer.
Crayton was replacable by Hurd.
Bradie by Burnett.
Roy SS by either Watkins or Davis.
TNew, by any one of the rookies.
TO has Austin, Stanback and now Roy Williams.
Flo is the only one I will give some slack on this one since LT is tough to find but hell either Free or McQuistan can play or not......

But whatever, I know folks fall in love with guys but frankly your ability to rejuvenate your roster is key to staying on top. You need to let slightly above average Vets go and replace them with unknowns that have promise. The perfect example is Pittsburgh and Indy -- they frequently let big names walk and usually the replacements are pretty good.

Not syaing every time you do it -- but a lot more than what we do.

johnstonolb · 10-22-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns336

Yes, but somehow I find it hard to believe that this team is going to move on from their "Captain" who Wade is constantly overhyping. "Yeah well even though the stat sheet only had Bradie in on 80 tackles, we had him for like 120. Bradies great, he's all over the field, always around the ball!?!?"

We can only hope for an injury that forces someone else into the lineup. I wanted that elbow to keep him out for 6 weeks so badly.

It is hard to be a Captain when you are below average at your job.

Frankly, I am sick of seing a) Bradie going to the wrong gap and running into his own guy and b) get beat to the corner by a RB or TE in the flat.

I can say the same of Roy Williams. Slow with no instincts then the 1 time of 10 they actually make a big hit people are cheering like lunatics. Dude, did you miss the last 9 plays?????????

D-Unit · 10-22-2008, 08:47 PM

I don't give a crap who's a captain. Dan Campbell was a team captain for us. It doesn't mean they get to keep their job.

Burns336 · 10-22-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Unit

I don't give a crap who's a captain. Dan Campbell was a team captain for us. It doesn't mean they get to keep their job.

Yeah but he was a captain because he was the locker room leader or something or Parcells had a prior hard on for him before he got to Dallas or something like that.

James is just nothing. He doesn't have any meaningful experience, he's never been on any teams that did anything, he's never been anything special. He can't cover worth a ****. He overruns plays constantly....

and the second he makes a tackle he does this *** ass dance.

I hate Bradie James I wish he would roll and ankle so bad.

Everyone just needs to look back to where I said before this season started that since Roy wasnt going to play as much, Bradie will be more noticeably ****** because we have someone else to watch suck now.

Just think, Bradie had more tackles than Akin, and now Zach has more tackles then Bradie. It magnifies how bad Akin was, but at the same time reinforces how bad Bradie is when a player in his prime can't out tackle a 35 year old undersized walking concussion.

chrlopez1 · 10-24-2008, 12:32 AM

Please correct me if I am wrong

Round 1 No Pick
Round 2 Our Pick
Round 3 Clevelands Pick
Round 4 Our Pick and Detroit Pick
Round 5 Our Pick and Tenn Pick (pacman suspension)
Round 6 Maimi Pick
Round 7 Our Pick and Detroit Pick

We will have our regular 2nd and a high Cleveland 3 rd.

Round 4 a pick in the top 10 plus our Pick

Round 5 two picks

Round 6 a top half pick

Round 7 picks.

9 total picks...I think very good...i think we will be able to reach in the latter round for solid back-up plus we have

Here is kind of were we might be picking if we get our stuff together..........

Round 2 57 (Dallas Pick)
Round 3 72 (Cleveland)
Round 4 97 (Detroit)
Round 5 121
153
160
172
193
217

Burns336 · 10-26-2008, 02:17 AM

Officially wanting Clay Mathews.