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djb · 04-21-2002, 01:58 PM

Cowboys big winner on draft's first day
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Sometimes in the NFL draft you are lucky. On other occasions you are simply good. And in those rare instances when both elements converge -- when the moon and the stars and the sun and your draft board are all perfectly aligned -- then you are golden.

Working the speed-dial with powers of prestidigitation on Saturday, his first exposure to the klieg lights since losing 80 pounds and getting that nip-and-tuck procedure on his face and neck, Dallas Cowboys owner (and also the general manager, he is generally quick to remind) Jerry Jones was certainly the draft's golden boy.

Call him king for a day because, as the team's recent draft record will attest, everything could blow up in Jones' new tighter-than-Scrooge countenance on Sunday afternoon. On this day, though, Jones maneuvered his way around the war room like the commander-in-chief. And while none of the other 31 franchises were forced to run up the white flag, a salute to the oft-criticized Jones might be in order.

Vilified for years, because it seemed like Jimmy Johnson took the Cowboys' draft magic with him when he departed in 1993, the hands-on Jones dipped into his bag of tricks on Sunday and yanked out a few rabbits. During his alcohol-fueled diatribe at the annual NFL meetings in '93, on that infamous night when Jones and Johnson promulgated the beginning of the end of their working relationship, the Dallas owner suggested that even he might be able to coach his team.

Truth be told, given the CEO nature of the coaching gig anymore, perhaps he could have. Problem was, Jones didn't understand the personnel game, at least not as much as he felt he did. But nearly a decade later, and with Johnson dissecting every move as an analyst for ESPN, the light bulb went on for Jones and he finished the day with a nice bounty.

Strong safety Roy Williams. Offensive lineman Andre Gurode. Wide receiver Antonio Bryant. Cornerback Derek Ross.

Even given the presence of the last two choices, whose past disciplinary woes figure to take a little more luster off the famous star on the side of the Cowboys helmets and who might need to be placed on immediate curfew, it was an impressive haul. And making it even more so was that Jones, with some assistance from his two sons and from personnel director Larry Lacewell, orchestrated it all under the scrutinizing gaze of the man who redefined draft wheeling and dealing.

During the television coverage, Johnson delivered insights into the art of the deal as he had rewritten it, and Jones finally showed he had read every chapter of the book. So make Jones and the Cowboys, in a tight finish with the San Diego Chargers, the biggest winner on the first day of the lottery. And tune in Sunday to see if the momentum continues.

Source: Cowboys big winner on draft's first day

04-21-2002, 01:58 PM	#8
djb Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 5,279	Cowboys big winner on draft's first day By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com Sometimes in the NFL draft you are lucky. On other occasions you are simply good. And in those rare instances when both elements converge -- when the moon and the stars and the sun and your draft board are all perfectly aligned -- then you are golden. Working the speed-dial with powers of prestidigitation on Saturday, his first exposure to the klieg lights since losing 80 pounds and getting that nip-and-tuck procedure on his face and neck, Dallas Cowboys owner (and also the general manager, he is generally quick to remind) Jerry Jones was certainly the draft's golden boy. Call him king for a day because, as the team's recent draft record will attest, everything could blow up in Jones' new tighter-than-Scrooge countenance on Sunday afternoon. On this day, though, Jones maneuvered his way around the war room like the commander-in-chief. And while none of the other 31 franchises were forced to run up the white flag, a salute to the oft-criticized Jones might be in order. Vilified for years, because it seemed like Jimmy Johnson took the Cowboys' draft magic with him when he departed in 1993, the hands-on Jones dipped into his bag of tricks on Sunday and yanked out a few rabbits. During his alcohol-fueled diatribe at the annual NFL meetings in '93, on that infamous night when Jones and Johnson promulgated the beginning of the end of their working relationship, the Dallas owner suggested that even he might be able to coach his team. Truth be told, given the CEO nature of the coaching gig anymore, perhaps he could have. Problem was, Jones didn't understand the personnel game, at least not as much as he felt he did. But nearly a decade later, and with Johnson dissecting every move as an analyst for ESPN, the light bulb went on for Jones and he finished the day with a nice bounty. Strong safety Roy Williams. Offensive lineman Andre Gurode. Wide receiver Antonio Bryant. Cornerback Derek Ross. Even given the presence of the last two choices, whose past disciplinary woes figure to take a little more luster off the famous star on the side of the Cowboys helmets and who might need to be placed on immediate curfew, it was an impressive haul. And making it even more so was that Jones, with some assistance from his two sons and from personnel director Larry Lacewell, orchestrated it all under the scrutinizing gaze of the man who redefined draft wheeling and dealing. During the television coverage, Johnson delivered insights into the art of the deal as he had rewritten it, and Jones finally showed he had read every chapter of the book. So make Jones and the Cowboys, in a tight finish with the San Diego Chargers, the biggest winner on the first day of the lottery. And tune in Sunday to see if the momentum continues. Source: Cowboys big winner on draft's first day