Cowboy Draft Thread - Page 2 - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Drbio · 04-24-2003, 10:01 PM

I always watch the draft. I don't know why, but I've caught he first round for years.

Dooby · 04-25-2003, 07:56 AM

I love the draft. The Ticket's coverage rivals ESPN's. Norm lives for this stuff. Their coverage is certainly are better than the national radio shows.

jayC · 04-25-2003, 12:46 PM

Jets give up two later picks for No. 4
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW YORK -- Although a few details remain to be worked out, ESPN.com has learned the New York Jets and Chicago Bears agreed in principle Friday to a trade involving respective first-round draft choices.

New York will move up to the fourth overall spot in the first round and, it is believed, surrendered its two choices later in the round, No. 13 and No. 22, to make the quantum leap up the board. It is not certain yet if Chicago gave up anything else in the deals.

It is not secret the Bears have been shopping their first-round choice, but the team assumed most likely to land it was New England, which wanted to deal up for a shot at Kentucky defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson.

There are no indications of who the Jets want to select at the No. 4 spot. The team has an aging defense and conventional wisdom was that New York would use the draft to bolster that unit.

But the Jets also lost star receiver Laveranues Coles in free agency and could use the fourth overall pick to replace him. Coach Herm Edwards has hinted that the only two wide receivers he considered worthy of first-round status are Charles Rogers of Michigan State and Andre Johnson of Miami, both of whom are thought to be top five prospects.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

Its rumored that the boys want Robinson, Terrance Newman, and Johnson from Miami.

jayC · 04-25-2003, 12:49 PM

Let's make a deal

Rumors of draft-day trades keep swirling
Posted: Thursday April 24, 2003 1:57 PM
Updated: Thursday April 24, 2003 7:19 PM

Less than 48 hours away from the start of Saturday's first round, here's the latest round-up of NFL Draft rumors, smokescreens and possible maneuvering:

New England wants to move up. Dallas wants to move down. If there's a deal in the top 10 waiting to happen, some believe it'll more than likely involve Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells getting something done with the team that employs his son-in-law, Patriots director of player personnel Scott Pioli, and his former coaching protégé, Bill Belichick.

But it's hard to lay odds on a Cowboys-Patriots trade, because New England is by no means talking to just one or two teams. The Patriots and Bears have been in contact this week, and at one point it looked like New England's offer to ship its two first-rounders (No. 14 and 19) to Chicago for the No. 4 pick might happen. Then the Patriots sought to get a second-rounder in 2004 back from the Bears and talks cooled.

New England wants to get up to take Kentucky defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson. But the Patriots probably have to get to Chicago's No. 4 spot to assure themselves of that pick. At No. 5, their likely target would be Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman.

The Cowboys are the real mystery team in the top 10. In the past 24 hours, we've heard each of the following scenarios involving Dallas:

-- It wants to trade down to get one of the prized defensive tackles who figure to come off the board in the No. 11 through 16 range, plus acquire extra picks to fill more needs. As we said, New England is the most likely trade partner in that case.

-- Jerry Jones wants to sit tight and take Newman, while Parcells is more inclined to take Robertson at No. 5 or move down. Insiders say Parcells always starts his rebuilding projects by focusing on the defensive front seven, and won't spend a high first-round pick on a cornerback.

-- Others say Parcells isn't as sold on Robertson as many have assumed and doesn't buy that he's a younger version of Warren Sapp. Parcells points to Robertson's modest sack total in college to back up his assessment, and sources say Robertson only moved ahead of Penn State defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy on the Cowboys' board on Wednesday.

-- There are some indications that the Cowboys have been sniffing around Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs, and could surprise people by making him the pick at No. 5.

-- The Cowboys and Texans could be talking trade, with Dallas going up to No. 3 to have their choice between Robertson and Newman, given that No. 4 Chicago has the same two players 1-2 on its board. That would mean the Texans could get Miami receiver Andre Johnson cheaper, at No. 5 rather than No. 3, plus an extra pick.

-- And lastly, the wild-hare rumor of the week is Cleveland dealing quarterback Tim Couch to Dallas for a package of draft picks, but not the Cowboys' No. 1. The trade would settle the lingering quarterback questions of two teams with one move.

Somewhat curiously for a team that's trying to improve its 31st-ranked defense, the Lions are shopping third-year defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. The Jets are very interested and are said to be offering a low second-round pick in exchange for Rogers, who was a steal for Detroit in 2001's second round.

What gives? No. 2 Detroit may just be trying to shop its most marketable defensive commodity, in the hopes of extracting a first-rounder from some team that drafts just beyond the run of big-time defensive tackles. Or the Lions may be trying to motivate Rogers, who had a disappointing, injury-plagued second season after a stellar rookie year. Rogers is said to have gotten off to a shaky start with new Lions head coach Steve Mariucci, who doesn't think he's disciplined enough in terms of the team's off-season workout program.

Rogers' agent, Kennard McGuire, confirmed Wednesday that he has asked the Lions for a trade, given that they acknowledge shopping his client. But Detroit didn't grant McGuire's request to speak to other teams, and the Lions made it clear that they want to rebuild the relationship. Rogers, who had ankle surgery last year in training camp and broke his thumb in Week 2, has two years remaining on his rookie four-year deal.

"They're listening to offers from teams that have called," McGuire said. "Given that Shaun knows what they think of him now, we've asked for a trade. We weren't given much hope of being allowed to seek that, but we're going to keep our fingers on the pulse."

The draft, of course, is loaded with quality defensive tackles. The Lions likely won't take anything less than a first-rounder, but some team might decide that it's a better gamble to take a chance on landing the 2001 version of Rogers, rather than an unproven player in this year's draft.

Arizona is not as locked in on Suggs as has been commonly believed. He remains a possibility, but the Cardinals are serious about other options, such as Washington State cornerback Marcus Trufant or trading down. The Saints and Cardinals have talked, and New Orleans has a better deal on the table to get up Arizona's No. 6 than they do to trade with No. 7 Minnesota.

The Saints in either case would be moving to land Trufant, unless Newman should somehow linger beyond the top five.

Arizona doesn't seem to have one player it has fallen in love with, and thus can be enticed to move down. That said, head coach Dave McGinnis isn't among those who think Suggs' second slow 40 time has damaged his draft status.

"I don't know where the perception came from that he was a 4.5 guy," McGinnis said Wednesday night. "Nobody was ever saying he was. He's a 4.8 guy, but he plays extremely fast from the line to the quarterback. We've got him evaluated as a football player, not just as a workout guy."

Suggs fills a need for the Cardinals. So does Trufant. So would a receiver, although neither of the big two are expected to be there at No. 6. So a trade into the middle of the round -- New Orleans holds No. 17 and 18 -- makes some sense.

As for the Saints, they're talking to the Cardinals, Vikings, Ravens and at least one other top 10 team. Ideally, they want to get up into the top seven and take Trufant or Newman, but they're uncertain whether anyone will pull the trigger on the other end. If Trufant should last until No. 10, a deal with Baltimore could come into play.

New Orleans is more likely to trade up than to sit tight, and is willing to give up both of its first-rounders. The Saints are asking to get something back in the way of a 2004 pick in order to surrender both of this year's No. 1s, but they probably won't be able to extract that unless they get two teams bidding against one another.

If Houston and Dallas would trade spots, with the Cowboys taking Robertson at No. 3, the Texans would be taking a gamble that Andre Johnson would last until No. 5. But what if the Bears were inclined to pass on Newman at No. 4 and instead ruin the Texans' plan by shopping their pick to the receiver-needy Jets?

New York in that scenario would move up to get Johnson, leaving Houston with the choice of either Newman or trading down. Others believe the Texans would be happy getting Utah offensive tackle Jordan Gross somewhere in the top 10.

Sources in Minnesota say the Vikings remain 50-50 to trade out of the No. 7 slot, but don't have a team that's considered hot to deal with them. If they stay put, the three players Minnesota is said to be focusing on are Kennedy, Trufant and Gross.

But an executive from another NFC team is convinced that Minnesota has put out a smokescreen on Kennedy, with the real intention of selecting University of Georgia defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan.

Whatever they're thinking, the Vikings like their position. They say sitting seventh in a draft that goes about 12 players deep leaves them with nothing but good choices. While owner Red McCombs wouldn't mind getting out of the No. 7 spot to avoid paying a top 10 signing bonus for the second year in a row, Minnesota officials insist that's not their primary concern.

Be it Kennedy or Sullivan, the Vikings are likely to take a defensive tackle if they sit tight, believing that they addressed the need for a No. 1 cornerback with Denard Walker in free agency.

No. 9 Carolina is worried that its top choice, Gross, might go off the board right ahead of them, to No. 8 Jacksonville. If both Gross and Trufant are gone, the Panthers would likely look to trade down with a team that's eager to take Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich.

That team would likely be No. 10 Baltimore, which is committed to selecting Leftwich if he's there when its turn comes up. Most league observers don't believe Carolina is prepared to take Leftwich, having signed Jake Delhomme during free agency.

Which highly regarded prospect is the leading candidate to fall out of the draft's top 10? Some league insiders believe it could be Suggs, if he gets past the Cardinals at No. 6. If the Cardinals opt for Trufant or a trade down, Suggs could last until No. 11 Seattle, or even later.

No. 12 St. Louis is thought to be eyeing Georgia linebacker Boss Bailey, providing it can't trade up a few notches and get its first choice, Trufant. But if Bailey doesn't go to the Rams, he could tumble all the way to the Saints at No. 17 or 18. Cleveland at No. 21 would be thrilled if Bailey somehow lasted into the round's bottom third.

In the strange but true department, the Bengals' No. 1 pick, Southern Cal quarterback Carson Palmer, is represented by agent David Dunn. So? So that gives Palmer something in common with David Klingler, Ki Jana Carter, Akili Smith and Dan Wilkinson. At one point, all four of those previous Bengals first-round picks were represented by Leigh Steinberg and his former partner, Dunn.

Dooby · 04-25-2003, 05:34 PM

***TRADE ALERT***

Chicago Bears traded their No. 4 pick to the New York Jets in exchange for their two first-rounders, Nos. 13 and 22, plus an undisclosed conditional pick.

Dooby · 04-25-2003, 05:34 PM

Anybody hear the rumored Couch-trade, where we send a package to Cleveland for Tim Couch?

Just211 · 04-25-2003, 08:03 PM

the Couch trade is bogus, Dallas is talking to Cleveland about RB Jamel White for a 3rd round pick. And there is also a rumor that has Dallas interested in Redskin corner Fred Smoot for a 3rd rounder as well.

If both these are true, and they are players Parcells covets, then I see him trading down an picking up picks to trade.
Also IMO it's gonna be Robertson or a trade. Jerry is supposed to want Newman, not Parcells.
I see Dallas moving down a few spots, picking up a 3rd rounder, and drafting the either DE Suggs, or the best DT on the board. while at the same time adding either White or Smoot.

And I also heard that Parcells isn't to high on Hutch, and it'll be an even battle between him and Quincy in camp.

Drbio · 04-25-2003, 11:04 PM

I heard the Couch rumor as well. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported it and said ti would help both teams. Sounds too good to be true, but it is being talked about.

Just211 · 04-26-2003, 12:51 AM

Couch to Dallas rumor is bogus

Link to article about couch

Drbio · 04-26-2003, 01:00 AM

Just211- good link, but how many times have the DMN and the FWST reported opposite sides of the same story? Just a thought. Noone is going to come out and tip their hands right before the draft.

I can't imagine the Browns wanting to ditch Couch, but in this league....who the heck knows?

ames7 · 04-26-2003, 11:37 AM

It's Newman.

Drbio · 04-26-2003, 12:47 PM

HELLO NEWMAN!

MFFL · 04-26-2003, 01:34 PM

<< It's Newman. >>

Thank goodness. I was worried for awhile.

Murphy3 · 04-26-2003, 02:17 PM

edit

Just211 · 04-26-2003, 10:33 PM

great Day One

got the shut down corner in Newman
got a starting Center that makes the line start to look solid
and altough i didn't think they'd take a TE, they got the best TE in the draft in the 3rd round in Witten.

Really need to find DL depth, especially at DT, and if they want it, there are still some good RB's available on Day 2. IMO I see possibly a rb(Suggs, Smith, Pintrose) a DL (Long, or a diamond in the rough) and depth at OL(panchos,plenty of others), and possibly even another CB(Weathersby, Garrett,Walton,Babers) or a Safety, and possibly a WR too (hopefully Battle late, and he'll be a steal)and Bradie James for LB depth wouldn't be bad either, I KNOW i named every position,but there is still some quality out there, and Dallas could use a little of everything
.

So Far so good, let's hope day 2 is just as good , Dallas has a lot of nice options so they should add some quality depth tomorrow.

Drbio · 04-26-2003, 11:34 PM

Those are soem good suggestions Just211. And I agree....a very solid day one.

MavKikiNYC · 04-27-2003, 07:33 AM

<< "Bill was very involved. He has tremendous respect from me, and I really do listen to his input," Jones said. "He influences the decisions that we make." >>

Comments anyone?

Drbio · 04-27-2003, 12:45 PM

Reports out of Detroit werethat the Cowboys tried to make a later trade to trade down. They also tried trading with NE and some other teams. Since noone would trade to their liking, they stuck with Newman. I'm pretty confident that Jerry listened to Bill and it just didn't pan out like they wanted. So, ending up with NEwman is a pretty good consolation. If you look at the other picks thus far (Center, TE, Linebacker) it looks like a typical Bill Parcells draft.

FilthyFinMavs · 04-27-2003, 01:30 PM

I don't know why but if the Cowboys would've traded for 2 first rounders I saw McGahee being one of those picks.

Drbio · 04-27-2003, 01:43 PM

<< I don't know why but if the Cowboys would've traded for 2 first rounders I saw McGahee being one of those picks. >>

He's an interesting pick for Buffalo. I would have loved for the Cowboys to have gotten him in the draft. I doubt he plays this year, but he could have been a #1 pick had it not been for that horrific injury.

Dooby · 04-27-2003, 03:01 PM

<< great Day One

got the shut down corner in Newman
got a starting Center that makes the line start to look solid
and altough i didn't think they'd take a TE, they got the best TE in the draft in the 3rd round in Witten.

Really need to find DL depth, especially at DT, and if they want it, there are still some good RB's available on Day 2. IMO I see possibly a rb(Suggs, Smith, Pintrose) a DL (Long, or a diamond in the rough) and depth at OL(panchos,plenty of others), and possibly even another CB(Weathersby, Garrett,Walton,Babers) or a Safety, and possibly a WR too (hopefully Battle late, and he'll be a steal)and Bradie James for LB depth wouldn't be bad either, I KNOW i named every position,but there is still some quality out there, and Dallas could use a little of everything
.

So Far so good, let's hope day 2 is just as good , Dallas has a lot of nice options so they should add some quality depth tomorrow. >>

Wow, 211, you got the 3 positions right. LB, Corner and WR and you managed to name the linebacker. Props to you.

Dooby · 04-28-2003, 08:35 AM

Another good first day, followed by a disapointing second day. Interesting to note the trade for a running back.

In the DMN, there is a quote from Jerry that says Hutch is ahead of Quincy in competing for the starting job next year, but that it is by no means a sure deal.

Drbio · 04-28-2003, 08:44 AM

Quincy still gets consideration?

Ugh.

Drbio · 04-28-2003, 08:45 AM

That has to be Jerrys refusal to admit he blew it when he drafted Carter in the first place. Carter should have gone in the 4-5th rounds..not the second.

Dooby · 04-28-2003, 08:47 AM

<< That has to be Jerrys refusal to admit he blew it when he drafted Carter in the first place. Carter should have gone in the 4-5th rounds..not the second. >>

Nope. If Quincy gets the starting job back, it will effectively be Parcells telling Jerry that he was a moron, for giving Hutch the job in the first place.

Drbio · 04-28-2003, 08:52 AM

The other side of the coin is so true as well....

Drbio · 04-28-2003, 08:52 AM

Here are the new Cowboys.....

Rd./Pick Player, Pos., School (click player name for profile)
1/5 Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State Grade
2/38 Al Johnson, C, Wisconsin Grade
3/69 Jason Witten, TE, Tennessee Grade
4/103 Bradie James, LB, LSU Grade
6/178 B.J. Tucker, CB, Wisconsin Grade
6/186 Zuriel Smith, WR, Hampton Grade
7/219 Justin Bates, OG, Colorado Grade
Aveion Cason, 2nd year RB
(trade from Detroit for a seventh-round draft pick (236th overall) )

aexchange · 04-28-2003, 08:53 AM

<<

<< That has to be Jerrys refusal to admit he blew it when he drafted Carter in the first place. Carter should have gone in the 4-5th rounds..not the second. >>

Nope. If Quincy gets the starting job back, it will effectively be Parcells telling Jerry that he was a moron, for giving Hutch the job in the first place. >>

no diggity no doubt.

we'll see how it pans out. payton turned a big bag of nothing kerry "i'm an alcoholic and closet racist" collins into a decent QB. lets see what he can do w/ our two spares.

Dooby · 04-28-2003, 08:54 AM

Add:
Aveion Cason, 2nd year RB (trade from Detroit for a seventh-round draft pick (236th overall) )

Drbio · 04-28-2003, 08:55 AM

I think we all agree that QB is an area of ummmmmm...weakness.

Drbio · 04-28-2003, 08:56 AM

<< Add:
Aveion Cason, 2nd year RB (trade from Detroit for a seventh-round draft pick (236th overall) ) >>

Done. He is a toolsy guy. Parcells old RB coach in Detroit recommended him. I'm always wary of things like that. Why didn't they want him if he was so toolsy?

Drbio · 04-28-2003, 09:03 AM

Bradie James - LB

Ummmmm Ok · 04-28-2003, 09:07 AM

Terence Newman
SELECTED BY DALLAS , ROUND 1, PICK 5, OVERALL PICK 5
CB | (5-10, 189, 4.39) | KANSAS STATE

Notes: Lettered in football, track, basketball and baseball in high school and really stood out on the track circuit, running the 100 meters in 10.36 seconds and the 200 meters in 21.6 seconds. Has been a track All-American at Kansas State. Was the Big 12 outdoor 100-meter champion in 2001 and finished fifth in the NCAA indoor 60 meters in '02. Football redshirt in 1998. Played in every game but did not start in '99, when he had eight tackles, one pass broken up and one interception, and he returned seven kickoffs for 209 yards. Played in all 13 games and got one start in the team's nickel package in '00. Started every game in '01 and won second-team All-Big 12 honors. Had 20-3-1 in '00 and 51-14-3 in '01, when he also blocked two kicks and returned nine kickoffs for 211 yards. Started every game and won the Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back) in '02 after having 54 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 14 passes broken up and five interceptions. Also played offense and had four catches for 98 yards and a touchdown, and returned 26 punts for 388 yards with two touchdowns. Returned 13 kickoffs for 370 yards.

Positives: A very good athlete with rare speed and makeup speed. He is quick and sudden, breaks on the ball quickly, can jump through the rafters and is fluid and athletic enough to flip his hips and not lose much in transition. He also is excellent at blocking kicks because of his explosiveness. His hands are good enough that he doubled as a wide receiver and returned punts. Blew up the Combine with sub 4.4 40 times, a 41-inch vertical jump, an 11-foot, four-inch broad jump and running the short shuttle in 3.83 seconds.

Negatives: Doesn't have as much experience as you would like but will be a 25-year-old rookie. Tackling needs to improve because he does not wrap. Lean build might be an issue for some. He is not a hitter. Ducks his head on impact. Can be outmuscled and gets overpowered too often. Doesn't get a strong jam and cannot stuff receivers off the line.

Summary: Newman has all the physical tools and will be the top cornerback drafted, in part because of his return skills. Scouts say his age doesn't matter and that he has the potential to be a No. 1 cornerback quickly and start as a rookie.

Al Johnson
SELECTED BY DALLAS , ROUND 2, PICK 6, OVERALL PICK 38
C | (6-3, 305, 5.15) | WISCONSIN

Notes: High school shotput champion who also lettered in football and basketball. Has competed as a weight man on the Badgers' track-and-field team. Cousin, Ben Johnson, also started on the Wisconsin line and enrolled the same year as Al in 1998, when both of them redshirted. Al lettered in '99, took over as the starting center in the second game of the 2000 season, started the last 11 games that year and every game in '01. Convicted of drunk driving in June of '99 and charged with a DUI in October of '02. Was a finalist for the Rimington Award (top center) and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and the media while starting every game for the third straight season. Had a solid showing at the Senior Bowl.

Positives: Aggressive, quick and agile. Has good balance, gets good knee-bend and has the feet to pass block and slide. Gets good position and sustains his blocks. Is a leader who is smart, explosive and intense. Once he gets his hands on defenders, he usually wins the battle. Adjusts well to get out on linebackers. Is flexible and fundamentally sound. Good short-snapper. Good flexibility. Very athletic with great change of direction. Leader.

Negatives: Doesn't snap for placement kicks. Needs polish in pass protection and can be overpowered at the point of attack. Only overpowers smaller players. Doesn't finish blocks. Not real good in space. Lacks upper-body strength.

Summary: Great technician and consistent blocker who is easily one of the top three centers in the draft.

Jason Witten
SELECTED BY DALLAS , ROUND 3, PICK 5, OVERALL PICK 69
TE | (6-5, 264, 4.75) |

Notes: Entered the draft after his junior season. High school All-America tight end and defensive end. Enrolled in 2000 as a defensive end but was needed on offense, where he started twice in extra-TE sets and caught his first pass for 11 yards. Was the best tight end in the Southeastern Conference in '01, although, technically, he only started two games. Caught 28 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns during the season and had 6-125-0 vs. Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. In 2002, was the leading receiver with 34-452-5, starting 12 of 12 regular-season games and earning All-SEC honors as a junior. Also started Peach Bowl (5-41-0). Finalist for the Mackey Award given to the nation's top tight end.

Positives: Big, fast, strong and athletic. Competes hard. Has very good hands and can stretch defenses. Is physical and flashes dominating ability as a blocker. Can make the tough catch and run over and away from defenders. Has a great upside. Very strong with a 455-pound bench-press. Only 20 years old.

Negatives: Not that fast. Inconsistent and not dominating as a blocker. Does not have thick legs and can improve running after the catch. Could have used another year in school.

Summary: Because of his potential, size and strength, will be drafted in the first two rounds.

Bradie James
SELECTED BY DALLAS , ROUND 4, PICK 6, OVERALL PICK 103
LB | (6-2, 242, 4.75) | LSU

Notes: Did not start but rotated in as a freshman. Started all but one game in 2000 and every game in '01. Coaches' second-team All-Southeastern Conference in 2000 and first-team in '01. Had 41 tackles, seven for loss and three sacks in 1999; 110-8-5 in 2000; and 113-8-3 in '01. Led the team in tackles in '02 for the second straight season with 147, when he saw a lot of action at middle linebacker. Also recorded 8½ tackles for loss, three sacks and his first career interception. Was named first-team All-SEC by the coaches and Associated Press and was a 2002 Scholar-Athlete.

Positives: Has good size, strength and straight-line speed. Good leader and team captain. Plays very hard, competes well, chases and hustles. Much better in space. Has some blitz potential. Looks the part because he is big and aggressive. Has a strong upper body (can bench press 400-plus pounds). Can hit. Played the weak and strong side, as well as the middle, but is probably best-suited on the weak side. Loves the game.

Negatives: Has limited lateral and reverse movement and is not a man-on-man cover guy. Is on the stiff side and has trouble playing low with leverage, taking on and shedding blocks, and changing directions. Will get knocked off balance. Needs to learn to play the game lower, with better leverage and use of hands. Doesn't really play to speed or strength. Fails to close on backs in the open field.

Summary: Physically intimidating inside presence with good size who should be a first-day pick, but lacks top speed and is not the most athletic linebacker available.

No Pick in round 5

B.j. Tucker
SELECTED BY DALLAS , ROUND 6, PICK 5, OVERALL PICK 178
CB | (5-10, 188, 4.32) | WISCONSIN
By Pro Football Weekly

Notes: Was born in West Africa but grew up in the United States. High school sprint champion in the 100 and 200 meters. Runs track at Wisconsin and finished second in the Big Ten 100-meter dash in 2002. Played enough as a true freshman in '99 to earn a letter but really did not play that many snaps on defense and was in on just one tackle. Top backup and nickel back in 2000, when was in on 22 tackles and broke up seven passes. Started the first two games in '01. Had 15 tackles and broke up two passes. Placed second in the Big Ten outdoor track meet in '02. Then in the fall, lit up the gridiron for 74-7 and five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

Positives: He has rare timed speed and outstanding athletic ability and fluidity, enough to play cornerback in the NFL. Has run as low as a 4.31 on a fast surface according to Wisconsin coaches. Will go up and get the ball and flashes top playmaking ability and recovery speed.

Negatives: Gives way too much cushion and can't jam. Lost his starting job after two games in '01. Tentative and soft in run support. Has a track body and mentality. Raw. Lacks size to match up with bigger receivers. Doesn't always play as fast as timed speed. Can improve change of direction.

Summary: Track guy playing football who, like former Badgers WR Tony Simmons, may be able to make an immediate impact because of his excellent speed, but is likely to come up short on football intelligence and toughness.

Justin Bates
SELECTED BY DALLAS , ROUND 7, PICK 5, OVERALL PICK 219
OG | (6-3, 300, 5.41) | COLORADO

Notes: High school fullback and weight man. Scored 1,100 on his SAT. Redshirted in 1998. Started six games at offensive tackle in '99, moving there from guard after Victor Rogers was hurt. Started nine games at guard and one game at tackle in 2000. Started every game at split tackle in '01 and won some All-Conference notice last year. Was the highest grader on a top offensive line that included Rogers and Andre Gurode in '01. Had no penalties and was responsible for just half a sack in '01. Pulled left quad at Combine and did not finish running drills.

Positives: Smart and versatile. Can play guard or tackle. Sets up quickly, gets pretty good fits on the second level, positions his body and places his hands well. Generally gets the job done.

Negatives: Lacks great size and play strength. Is not very aggressive, and at times you could even question his intensity level and focus. It seems he does not always play and practice like football is that important to him. Rarely finishes his blocks. Gets beat by speed off the edge in pass protection. Played better as a junior than as a senior. Lacks upper body strength.

Summary: Best bet may be as a guard, but he must show more nastiness and determination and that football is really important to him.

Dooby · 04-28-2003, 09:09 AM

<<

<< Add:
Aveion Cason, 2nd year RB (trade from Detroit for a seventh-round draft pick (236th overall) ) >>

Done. He is a toolsy guy. Parcells old RB coach in Detroit recommended him. I'm always wary of things like that. Why didn't they want him if he was so toolsy? >>

Saves a couple hundred k under the cap for Detroit, I suppose. Although, I cannot imagine their cap situation being much worse than Dallas'. Cowboys have pretty good luck on trades like these. Remember Patrick Jeffers?

Just211 · 04-28-2003, 05:17 PM

I think Jerry saying Hutch and Quincy will compete for the job is great. Don't hand it over to anyone, make them earn it. reports have said Parcells isn't sold on Hutch, so who knows what will happen.
Which could explain why he signed another QB. It's a rookie free agent TONY ROMO. ESPN has him ranked as the #14 QB.

Romo, Tony Eastern Illinois #17
.........................YEAR COMP YARDS TD INT YD/COMP
Height: 6'2"......... Freshman: 49% 396 3 2 16.5
Weight: 230# ........ Sophomore: 59% 2,097 27 12 15.8
40-Time: 4.9 ......... Junior: 67% 2,068 21 6 15.0
Age: 23 .......... Senior: 63% 3,165 34 16 12.3
HOMETOWN: Burlington, Wisconsin.
PREP: Lettered in football and basketball. Played just two seasons of football. Passed for over 300 yards in first game.
COLLEGE: Redshirt in 1998. Started one game as a freshman. Started as a sophomore and junior. Led the nation in passing efficiency as a junior. Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior. Started ten games as a senior.
STRENGTHS: Experienced and productive three-year starter. Has NFL size. Can buy time with feet. Intelligent, makes very good decisions. Quick release. Accurate. Very good touchdown to interception ratio and yards/completion. Hard worker.
CONCERNS: Lacks arm strength. Must avoid forcing the ball into coverage. Has played versus lower level of competition (Division I-AA).

Drbio · 04-28-2003, 05:20 PM

For what it's worth, Mel Kiper today on the Dan Patrick Show said the Cowboys had the second best draft in the league this year. Arizona of course was dead last.

Ummmmm Ok · 04-28-2003, 05:39 PM

Arizona's Draft.

1 17(17) BRYANT JOHNSON WR PENN STATE
Summary: Could move up to the top of the second round with a good workout.

1 18(18) CALVIN PACE DE WAKE FOREST
Summary: If he had more speed, Pace would be an elite talent. As is, he's a mid-round, risk-reward prospect.

2 22(54) ANQUAN BOLDIN WR FLORIDA STATE
Summary: Raw, lacks top-end speed and may not be fully recovered from an ACL injury, but he should be a first-day pick because of his natural size, athleticism and huge upside.

3 6(70) GERALD HAYES MLB PITTSBURGH
Summary: One of the top players at his position, Hayes should be a top 40 pick but must improve his quickness and change of direction to be a player at the next level.

5 6(141) KENNY KING DT ALABAMA
Summary: Is not quite a true tackle or end but should be selected as a combination guy who could play both.

6 4(177) REGGIE WELLS OT CLARION
Summary: No info

6 37(210) TONY GILBERT MLB GEORGIA
Summary: Can make it as a two-down run-down type of linebacker if he can do well on special teams. Best-suited to play inside in a 3-4 defense.

Notable: In his first year presiding over the draft, vice president Rod Graves swapped the sixth overall choice in the first round for picks No. 17 and No. 18, an indication that the Cardinals still feel they need quantity, and that one premier player would not be able to turn things around.
Will start as rookie: Both first rounders, wide receiver Bryant Johnson and defensive end Calvin Pace.

Best value: Getting linebacker Gerald Hayes, a tackling machine, in the third round was a pleasant surprise. But an even better value selection was Tony Gilbert, another linebacker, in the seventh round. Gilbert isn't pretty and is a limited athlete, but he's all football player.

Boom or bust: Some will argue that the Cardinals grabbed Pace (18th overall) too high, but he was the third-rated defensive end on their board, and would not have been around for them in the second stanza. For a club that had just 65 sacks over the past three seasons, Arizona had to secure someone who could rush the passer.
Grade: C+

I don't see a problem here? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Well except they all are a bunch of what if's. Their only good pick was getting Hayes at the 3rd.

Murphy3 · 04-28-2003, 07:05 PM

Personally, I liked the cowboy's draft..day one and day two.

The cowboys picked up three guys on day one that should compete for starting positions at the CB, Center, and TE positions.. of course, i think all three start, including witten, by mid way through the season.

Plus, they picked up a linebacker that loves to hit and should be a contributor..maybe eventually a starter.

And, they picked up several guys that should be able to compete for roster spots because of their special teams abilities..and picked up a running back that could become a decent third down guy.

All in all, i can't see giving the cowboys anything less than a "B".. of course, you can't really tell until a year or two from now at the earliest

southern_sweets · 04-28-2003, 07:13 PM

Just curious, did anyone pick Jared Lorenzen?

Just211 · 04-28-2003, 09:31 PM

only pick I didn't care for 2much was the receiver. He better be one hell of a returner. I was mainly pissed because I was hoping if the Boys picked a WR late it would be Arnaz Battle, who was picked about 4 picks later. I don't understand taking project WR's 2 years in a row(Deveran Johnson). IMO the Cowboys are still at the point where every pick counts. If they wanted a project, they could have picked a DT. they really need some depth there. BUt besides that they had a great draft.