The 2009 Cowboys Draft Thread

[D-Unit]

Originally Posted by johnstonolb

After watching the GMEN game so far I would invest the entire offseason in getting stronger in the middle -- NT, ILB, Safety, Guards, Tackle, Backup QB.

Ha. I didn't need this game to tell me that. ...if my week 9 rankings give any clue...

[thule]

Ya I would have to agree...those seem pretty standard dallas draft needs at this point. The worst thing about the ILB position is that it won't be to replace Bradie....but only to find a wilb of the future.

Just taking a look at some FA's that may be available.
DL talent is sick this year.
Peppers/Haynesworth/Suggs
Now Haynesworth is such a player...and should be a lock to resign...but this wouldn't be the first top DL in the NFL the titans let get away because of the paycheck they didn't wanna write. If Haynesworth is available I give the farm for him...is that even possible "i have no doubt stephen could figure it out"?

My dark horse is Marcus Tubbs. Now I haven't watched much of seattle this year...but that defensive front seven has been tough the past couple of years and him in the middle must have been a part of that. Is he a potential target?

Another interesting guy who could be out there is Ray Lewis...now call me crazy but if Ray Ray is out there bring him to big d....I seem to remember us as a potential target a couple of years ago.

And then looking into the secondary I see my favorite guy...that we should have snatched up a long time ago. Darren Sharper living up in vikes/packer country I've watched him over the years...and he'd be absolutely perfect as a stop gap safety.

Dawkins is up to be a FA too....although I can't see him playing in a dallas uniform.

[johnstonolb]

Originally Posted by thule

Ya I would have to agree...those seem pretty standard dallas draft needs at this point. The worst thing about the ILB position is that it won't be to replace Bradie....but only to find a wilb of the future.

Just taking a look at some FA's that may be available.
DL talent is sick this year.
Peppers/Haynesworth/Suggs
Now Haynesworth is such a player...and should be a lock to resign...but this wouldn't be the first top DL in the NFL the titans let get away because of the paycheck they didn't wanna write. If Haynesworth is available I give the farm for him...is that even possible "i have no doubt stephen could figure it out"?

My dark horse is Marcus Tubbs. Now I haven't watched much of seattle this year...but that defensive front seven has been tough the past couple of years and him in the middle must have been a part of that. Is he a potential target?

Another interesting guy who could be out there is Ray Lewis...now call me crazy but if Ray Ray is out there bring him to big d....I seem to remember us as a potential target a couple of years ago.

And then looking into the secondary I see my favorite guy...that we should have snatched up a long time ago. Darren Sharper living up in vikes/packer country I've watched him over the years...and he'd be absolutely perfect as a stop gap safety.

Dawkins is up to be a FA too....although I can't see him playing in a dallas uniform.

Count me OUT of anymore silly Jerry Jones flashy, big name signing. Last thing this team needs is another "washed out" wanna be Pro Bowler with a big contract.

The only player worth his salt b/c of the position he plays is Haynesworth. Problem wiht him is he is a known loafer who is playing for contract. Where have I seen this before .........

This entire organization needs to get BACK TO doing it via the draft and developing players internally as well as low priced FA who still think they need to earn it.

Regardless of Cap, here is my offseason....... Cuts/Move One/Life is Better Elsewhere/Trade ....

1 Greg Ellis (done)
2 Roy Williams SS (useless)
3 Bradie James (slow)
4 Zach Thomas (small)
5 Courtnery Brown (soft)
6 Bollinger and Brad Johnson (useless)
7 Tank Johnson (over-rated and not a 3-4 DT)
8 Spears (back-up NT at best)
9 Hurd/Crayton trade 1 of 2 -- got no room for both
10 Bye bye Pacman

Reposition within the Team

1 Burnett Starts as an ILB
2 Carpenter back to OLB where he belongs
3 Spencer starts as WOLB
4 Ware to SOLB
5 Watkins to SS
6 Felix Jones Starts -- 10-15 carries per game
7 MBIII -- 10-15 carries per game
8 TO, yes, to 3rd Down WR -- Start Austin and Roy Williams. Doesn't like it? Bye bye TO -- you really have lost that quickness at the LOS and you aligator arms drive me nuts.
9 Consider Flo in competition with Colombo for 1 of 2 Tackle positions. Flo is killing us right now and looks more like a RT than a LT.
10 Start Free or McQusitan -- need more quickness at the LOS we are fat and slow

Trade/Sign/Resign/I am sure there are more that I have no clue about

1 Gabe Watson should be available (NT)
2 Ryan Fowler should be available as real run thumper (ILB)
3 Chris Simms or Griese should be available (Back up QB)
4 Someone from below needs list

Draft
1 OL, high end of the draft -- take a pick at G,C,T
2 Safety, someone to beat out Watkins or Hamlin
3 ILB, someone to push the current crop
4 Young QB with some pocket presence -- pls no Spread Options guys, Pro-Set guys please
5 NT, get big bodies.

[LonghornsLegend]

Why should Felix Jones start? Do you know how good he is in pass-protection? People are so quick to brush players to the side, Barber is an excellent blocker on passing plays and as soon as the rest of the team plays pathetic somehow what he does goes over looked...I want Felix to touch the ball 15 times as much as the next guy, but the pass-protection between the two isn't even close right now.

[johnstonolb]

Originally Posted by LonghornsLegend

Why should Felix Jones start? Do you know how good he is in pass-protection? People are so quick to brush players to the side, Barber is an excellent blocker on passing plays and as soon as the rest of the team plays pathetic somehow what he does goes over looked...I want Felix to touch the ball 15 times as much as the next guy, but the pass-protection between the two isn't even close right now.

I love MBIII, as long as we go 50/50 on carries and touches.

As far as blocking goes -- well, Felix needs to learn and that happens on the field.

Jones, 1st and 2nd, MBIII passing. MBIII run that draw really well so ..... But definately 50/50 - Jones needs more touches.

OT: Another offseason thing is getting rid of this putrid coaching staff. No sure who wants to work in Dallas with Jerry Owner/GM/Coach/QC Coordinator but worth a try ....

[Staubach12]

Here's my offseason:

-Fire Phillips
-Promote Jason Garrett to HC

Release
-Brad Johnson
-Roy Williams (SS)
-Montrae Holland
-Brooks Bollinger

FAs
-Miles Austin - Resign
-Sam Hurd - Resign
-TO - Resign
-Colombo - Resign
-Tank - Let him go
-Thomas - 1 year deal

FA Signing
-JP Losman
-Dawan Landry

Draft
2. Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama
Solid all around. Exactly what we need back there. Only recently began looking at him a lot, and I love what I see.

3. Alex Boone, LT, Ohio St
Underrated IMHO, and if he's here, then we should go after him.

4. Kraig Urbik, OG, Wisconsin
He could battle for the starting LG position from the get-go IMO.

4. Curtis Taylor, S, LSU
We need tons of help at safety. Everyone back there except Hamlin is trash. Here's the end of the total re-haul. Taylor is another jack of all trades as far as playing the position goes, which is good.

5. Chase Holbrook, QB, NM St
Yes, he needs coaching and even then he's no sure thing. But I like the potential as a backup.

5. Ron Brace, DT, BC
Good depth value here.

6. BPA
7. BPA
7. BPA

[Burns336]

Originally Posted by Staubach12

Here's my offseason:

-Fire Phillips
-Promote Jason Garrett to HC

Release
-Brad Johnson
-Roy Williams (SS)
-Montrae Holland
-Brooks Bollinger

FAs
-Miles Austin - Resign
-Sam Hurd - Resign
-TO - Resign
-Colombo - Resign
-Tank - Let him go
-Thomas - 1 year deal

FA Signing
-JP Losman
-Dawan Landry

Draft
2. Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama
Solid all around. Exactly what we need back there. Only recently began looking at him a lot, and I love what I see.

3. Alex Boone, LT, Ohio St
Underrated IMHO, and if he's here, then we should go after him.

4. Kraig Urbik, OG, Wisconsin
He could battle for the starting LG position from the get-go IMO.

4. Curtis Taylor, S, LSU
We need tons of help at safety. Everyone back there except Hamlin is trash. Here's the end of the total re-haul. Taylor is another jack of all trades as far as playing the position goes, which is good.

5. Chase Holbrook, QB, NM St
Yes, he needs coaching and even then he's no sure thing. But I like the potential as a backup.

5. Ron Brace, DT, BC
Good depth value here.

6. BPA
7. BPA
7. BPA

Sign a safety and then draft a safety with our first pick?

Also, IIRC T.O. is not a FA this year. Didn't he just get a 3 year extension last year?

As much as I like Hurd, he could be replaced with Patrick Turner in the 6th round if we wanted to.

[Bengals78]

I think Rashad Johnson is the best fit for Dallas at S.
He is a very smart and talented player who could step up and be a leader. He showed today against LSU that he can ballhawk like no other. His OT interception showed great awareness being able to get both feet in.

[D-Unit]

Haha. I see Rashad Johnson opened some eyes today.

I doubt we spend our first pick on someone in the secondary. It's gotta be on the DL or OL. Period.

[Bengals78]

Ive been open to Rashad for awhile now. I just think he fits really well in Dallas.

[M.O.T.H.]

Originally Posted by Burns336

Sign a safety and then draft a safety with our first pick?

Also, IIRC T.O. is not a FA this year. Didn't he just get a 3 year extension last year?

As much as I like Hurd, he could be replaced with Patrick Turner in the 6th round if we wanted to.

It will be interesting to see what becomes of Hurd. He'll def. have better opportunties elsewhere. As for us, though...we probably wont even bring in another receiver.

T.O.
Roy
Crayton
Miles
Stanback

Your 6th guy is just going to be inactive. A waste of a roster spot, really. Plus, if you actually believe Stanback can be something...it's not the greatest idea to keep bringing in more WRs to cloudy up the position. You only need 5 on the roster and that is probably what we stick at.

[chrlopez1]

I think we can go either OL or S in round 2 or 3. I think you will see a lot of our players be released and picked up by other teams. i truly think Hurd and Columbo would be picked up right away..possibly to Miami. I do Hurd, but I think he will never be anything more than a slot reciever. I actually like him better than Austin, but we will see.

A quick rundown of positons we might need next year:

RB: NO
QB: 4-5
WR NO
OL: 2-3
DL: 3-4
TE: NO
LB 2-3 I think if one falls we take him....
CB NO
S: 2-3

Remember: WE have our #2 and than Cleveland's 3 and than our 4 and Detroit 4. So Detroit #4 will be like a late 3, and than we have our 4.

2: Safety
3 OL
4 Detroit LB or maybe QB...this would be a good spot
4 Dallas LB or DL

[thule]

3. Alex Boone, LT, Ohio St
Underrated IMHO, and if he's here, then we should go after him.

4. Kraig Urbik, OG, Wisconsin
He could battle for the starting LG position from the get-go IMO.

No thanks to Alex Boone. He has played like a scrub all year...and has no where near the footwork to play on the edge in the NFL. He is a hard worker...but one of those guys that has tapped into most of his potential...he just doesn't have the ceiling to go in this draft imo. I have a hard time finding any team to draft him. He doesn't have long arms...he doesn't have a strong lower body....he doesn't have finese feet.....he lunges to overcompensate for his strength issues....I just don't see how he could make it in the NFL period.

I actually went to school with Urbik for awhile. I'm not sure how his game would translate in the NFL...but on the inside he might do alright.

[Burns336]

Originally Posted by M.O.T.H.

It will be interesting to see what becomes of Hurd. He'll def. have better opportunties elsewhere. As for us, though...we probably wont even bring in another receiver.

T.O.
Roy
Crayton
Miles
Stanback

Your 6th guy is just going to be inactive. A waste of a roster spot, really. Plus, if you actually believe Stanback can be something...it's not the greatest idea to keep bringing in more WRs to cloudy up the position. You only need 5 on the roster and that is probably what we stick at.

Yeah I agree. I love Hurd's work ethic and attitude. He isn't one of those guys that you want to let go. I'm just not sure if he gives you more than Crayton. He's probably a bit slower and not as good as finding holes in the defense. He's better from an age standpoint.

I could see Hurd getting a really good role in Miami. Ginn could be on his way to breaking out next year. Bess is doing ok. Camarillo has stepped up. Hurd could probably win the #2 though following the release of Hagan and seeing Wilford on the inactive list.

[Burns336]

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Haha. I see Rashad Johnson opened some eyes today.

I doubt we spend our first pick on someone in the secondary. It's gotta be on the DL or OL. Period.

I know you are in agreement with me when I say that we can plug as much talent as we want into the secondary but they won't look anything other than average until we have a D-line.

I still think Watkins/Hamlin is a sufficient safety duo. Sure, Watkins isn't an all star, but you don't need him to be. As long as he can tackle, which he can, and he is decent enough in coverage, which he is -- he'll do just fine.

We've got so much talent in the secondary that we shouldn't even consider using a pick on it unless someone extremely talented fell.

On a side note, I must say Taylor Mays had his best game of the season against Cal. With Kevin Ellison out he stepped up. He'd be my early USC homer pick.

[Staubach12]

Originally Posted by Burns336

Sign a safety and then draft a safety with our first pick?

Also, IIRC T.O. is not a FA this year. Didn't he just get a 3 year extension last year?

As much as I like Hurd, he could be replaced with Patrick Turner in the 6th round if we wanted to.

Ah, my bad on the extension. And yes, I'd like to have a lot of help at safety.

[johnstonolb]

Thought on Johnson the QB from Tulsa for us??

[D-Unit]

Here's my fun attempt at imagining a semi-realistic ideal Off Season. Enjoy!

Quarterback:

QB Chris Simms is signed in FA.



QB Tony Romo
QB Chris Simms

Running Backs/Fullbacks:

Stay the same.

RB Marion Barber
RB Felix Jones
RB Tashard Choice
FB Deon Anderson

Wide Receivers:

Sam Hurd is let go.

WR Terrell Owens
WR Roy Williams
WR Patrick Crayton
WR Miles Austin
WR Isaiah Stanback

Tight Ends:

Stay the same.

TE Jason Witten
TE Martellus Bennett
TE Tony Curtis

Offensive Line:

Marc Columbo is re-signed.
3rd Round: OG Tyronne Green



LT Flozell Adams
LG Tyronne Green
C Andre Gurode
RG Leonard Davis
RT Marc Columbo

Defensive Line:

2nd Round Pick: NT BJ Raji


Tank Johnson is not re-signed. Enters FA.
Igor Olshansky is not signed in FA. Sorry folks.
Jay Ratliff moves to DE.

DE Chris Canty
NT BJ Raji
DE Jay Ratliff

Linebackers:

OLB Greg Ellis loses starting spot.
ILB Kevin Burnett is not re-signed. Enters FA.
ILB Bradie James goes nowhere.
ILB Zach Thomas is let go. Does not complete his 4yr, $19M dollar contract.


ILB Eric Barton is signed in FA.

OLB DeMarcus Ware
ILB Eric Barton
ILB Bradie James
OLB Anthony Spencer

Secondary:

Anthony Henry moves to Safety.
Ken Hamlin is signed to a long term contract.



CB Terence Newman
CB Mike Jenkins
NB Orlando Scandrick
FS Anthony Henry
SS Ken Hamlin

No Safety drafted in Round 2 or 3.

[johnstonolb]

A couple of things

1) I can't see why on earth we resign Hamlin to a long term deal. He is ok and that is about it -- plus he is a better SS and we already have "good enuff" SS types. If he comes moderately priced -- sure.

2) I can see Burnett being let go as FA but in favor of Bradie? Cut Bradie for crying out loud.

3) Barton can play. Nice name

4) BJ -- how about Ron Brace later in the draft (bigger than Raji and stronger though not as quick I think). 2nd rounder -- go best available OL sooner rather than later.

5) Wha happin to Roy Williams?

6) Henry to FS is correct and a good use of talent.

7) Spears to NT please -- let him go off at the buffett table and the weight room. Marcus Spears 6'4, 360 lbs sounds dreamy. Hire Larry Allen to be his strength and conditioning coach (and eating).

8) Any NT worth getting in FA????????????????????? Other than Watson whose contract expires but I think he is a RFA.

[thule]

D your lack of interest during the offseason is sickening :P

We just gave Hamlin a big deal this offseason.

I'm pretty confused with the Zach Thomas contract talk...he was only signed to a one year deal with an option to extend to another year...so no idea where that 4 year 16mill is coming from.

Screw moving Henry to safety....decrease his playing time and only play him in sub packages...he is so good playing passing situations on the inside...but with his injury history....the last thing I want to see is him hitting a guy like Brandon Jacobs 10 yards down the field as our last line of defense....the guy just seems like he'd be better off playing 20-30 snaps on defense vs. 50-60...which should keep him off the injury train also...so no to safety for me.

[Macarthur]

D-Unit, I think that's a very solid off season.

I've read somewhere that this is a very good draft for LB and S. I think it would be wise to get us a safety sometime on the second day.

[D-Unit]

Originally Posted by thule

D your lack of interest during the offseason is sickening :P

We just gave Hamlin a big deal this offseason.

I'm pretty confused with the Zach Thomas contract talk...he was only signed to a one year deal with an option to extend to another year...so no idea where that 4 year 16mill is coming from.

Screw moving Henry to safety....decrease his playing time and only play him in sub packages...he is so good playing passing situations on the inside...but with his injury history....the last thing I want to see is him hitting a guy like Brandon Jacobs 10 yards down the field as our last line of defense....the guy just seems like he'd be better off playing 20-30 snaps on defense vs. 50-60...which should keep him off the injury train also...so no to safety for me.

haha. Yeah, just double checked that. Guess I was behind on the times. I thought we just franchised him.

As for Zach...

Per Rotoworld:
2/23/2008: Signed a four-year, $19 million contract. The deal included a $1 million signing bonus. Another $1 million is available in first-year incentives. Years two through four can void based on 2008 playing time. 2008: $1 million, 2009-2011: Voidable Years, 2012: Free Agent


On Henry:
I don't like the idea of giving him all that money to have him limited in Sub Packages. When he has his legs under him, Henry is a very good player for us. It's when he tries to play through injury that he becomes a liability. ...and he usually will try to play through it, which is probably more of a bad thing for us. It's always his legs that are giving him problems. Never his upper body, so as a Safety, I don't see him being to flimsy. In fact, I think he has one of the more bigger upper bodies for corners in the NFL. He's just got to get past those leg injuries. Last season it was his knee that bothered him all season long. This season, a high ankle sprain in the preason... then a deep thigh bruise that's currently hindering his quads. He's got a great nose for the ball. I think his transition to FS would be ideal. ...and hey, at worse, he could still split time up there. I just think his days as a corner are coming to a close. They tinkered with the idea this preseason. Next season, should be a more permanant move. It also puts Hamlin at SS where he should be, imo.

[D-Unit]

Originally Posted by johnstonolb

A couple of things

1) I can't see why on earth we resign Hamlin to a long term deal. He is ok and that is about it -- plus he is a better SS and we already have "good enuff" SS types. If he comes moderately priced -- sure.

2) I can see Burnett being let go as FA but in favor of Bradie? Cut Bradie for crying out loud.

3) Barton can play. Nice name

4) BJ -- how about Ron Brace later in the draft (bigger than Raji and stronger though not as quick I think). 2nd rounder -- go best available OL sooner rather than later.

5) Wha happin to Roy Williams?

6) Henry to FS is correct and a good use of talent.

7) Spears to NT please -- let him go off at the buffett table and the weight room. Marcus Spears 6'4, 360 lbs sounds dreamy. Hire Larry Allen to be his strength and conditioning coach (and eating).

8) Any NT worth getting in FA????????????????????? Other than Watson whose contract expires but I think he is a RFA.

I hate Bradie with the best of them, but unfortunately, I don't see him going anywhere.

Ron Brace is a guy I kinda like... I guess.

Roy Williams is a goner. I forgot about him. Thanks, I'll update.

Nope, no NT in FA worth going after. Unless anyone likes Cole Colin from GB...

Gabe Watson is a RFA. Zona can match or we'd have to give up a draft pick compensation.

[thule]

Really Really weird...

Cowboys Sign Thomas

Drew on Thomas Deal part 1

Drew on Thomas Deal part 2

I just don't believe those rotoworld numbers

[D-Unit]

Originally Posted by thule

Really Really weird...

Cowboys Sign Thomas

Drew on Thomas Deal part 1

Drew on Thomas Deal part 2

I just don't believe those rotoworld numbers

Well... at least my assumption could be right with him gone after this season either way. haha.