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Latest News
2007 SCHEDULE
PRE-SEASON
Thu Aug 9 INDIANAPOLIS
(FOX) 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 18 DENVER (BSM)
7:00 pm
Sat Aug 25 @ Houston
(BSM) 7:00 pm
Thu Aug 30 @ Minnesota
(BSM) 7:00 pm
REGULAR SEASON
1. Sun, Sept. 9 NY GIANTS
(NBC) 7:15 pm
2. Sun, Sept. 16 @ Miami
(FOX) 3:05 pm
3. Sun, Sept. 23 @
Chicago (NBC) 7:15 pm
4. Sun, Sept. 30 ST. LOUIS
(FOX) Noon
5. Mon, Oct. 8 @ Buffalo
(ESPN) 7:30 pm
6. Sun, Oct. 14 NEW
ENGLAND (CBS) 3:15 pm
7. Sun, Oct. 21
MINNESOTA (FOX) Noon
8. Sun, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
9. Sun, Nov 4 @
Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15
pm
10. Sun, Nov. 11 @ NY
Giants (FOX) 3:15 pm
11. Sun, Nov. 18
WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon
12. Thu, Nov. 22 NY JETS
(CBS) 3:15 pm
13. Thu, Nov. 29 GREEN
BAY (NFL) 7:15 pm
14. Sun, Dec. 9 @ Detroit
(FOX) Noon
15. Sun, Dec. 16 PHILLY
(FOX) 3:15 pm
16. Sat, Dec. 22 @
Carolina (NFL) 7:15 pm
17. Sun, Dec. 30 @
Washington (FOX) Noon
PRE-SEASON
Thu Aug 9 INDIANAPOLIS
(FOX) 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 18 DENVER (BSM)
7:00 pm
Sat Aug 25 @ Houston
(BSM) 7:00 pm
Thu Aug 30 @ Minnesota
(BSM) 7:00 pm
REGULAR SEASON
1. Sun, Sept. 9 NY GIANTS
(NBC) 7:15 pm
2. Sun, Sept. 16 @ Miami
(FOX) 3:05 pm
3. Sun, Sept. 23 @
Chicago (NBC) 7:15 pm
4. Sun, Sept. 30 ST. LOUIS
(FOX) Noon
5. Mon, Oct. 8 @ Buffalo
(ESPN) 7:30 pm
6. Sun, Oct. 14 NEW
ENGLAND (CBS) 3:15 pm
7. Sun, Oct. 21
MINNESOTA (FOX) Noon
8. Sun, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
9. Sun, Nov 4 @
Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15
pm
10. Sun, Nov. 11 @ NY
Giants (FOX) 3:15 pm
11. Sun, Nov. 18
WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon
12. Thu, Nov. 22 NY JETS
(CBS) 3:15 pm
13. Thu, Nov. 29 GREEN
BAY (NFL) 7:15 pm
14. Sun, Dec. 9 @ Detroit
(FOX) Noon
15. Sun, Dec. 16 PHILLY
(FOX) 3:15 pm
16. Sat, Dec. 22 @
Carolina (NFL) 7:15 pm
17. Sun, Dec. 30 @
Washington (FOX) Noon
| Cowboy's Trivia Question of the Week! Who is the oldest player on the Cowboys' roster? Last Week's Answer: Danny White |
You Can’t Have a Corner at #22
Most rational Cowboys fan will tell you cornerback is the biggest
need for the Dallas Cowboys. Most including myself want to select
one with our first pick. That is appearing less and less possible as
the weeks go by. Nearly every mock I see lately has McKelvin,
Rodgers-Cromartie, Talib, and Jenkins all gone by #22. There isn’t
another player worthy of that selection at corner so we must look in
another direction.
Now Talib reportedly tested positive for marijuana on three different
occasions while at Kansas as did Mario Manningham. That could
help Talib slip to the Cowboys, but then again I don’t know if that
would make us pass him up as well. I doubt it. He is said to have
some other character questions as well though so I’m not too high
on the possibility of drafting him. For the sake of this article and the
possible scenario, we will go ahead as if all four of the top corners
are not options for one reason or another.
I see three positions as options at #22 if one of those corners is not
available. These positions are wide receiver, running back, and
safety. Safety isn’t a huge need, but if Kenny Phillips is available I
would strongly consider taking him. Chances are either Hamlin or
Williams will be gone after this year so we may need a safety.
Phillips is a great all-around safety who is considered by most a
Top 15 talent. Another safety option is Reggie Smith. He played
corner too, but nine times out of ten a corner/safety tweener is
going to end up playing safety and judging by his 40 times in the
4.6 range I don’t see him being an exception to that rule. We could
still draft him, but I don’t think he solves the cornerback issue.
Running back is a logical position to select here. Many mocks have
Felix Jones going to Dallas at #22, but I think that is a tad too early
for him. I would take any of the later mentioned receiving options
over him. Jonathan Stewart won’t be available until training camp,
but I wouldn’t mind having him if he is available. He isn’t the speed
compliment, but there is little doubt he could handle a full load in 09’
if needed which is not necessarily true for Felix Jones, Ray Rice, or
Jamaal Charles.
The final option is wide receiver. Jerry would like to trade for a
veteran, but if he can’t he will take a wide receiver early. He says
he isn’t crazy about having to wait on a receiver to develop, but he
has to do it at some point or another. Besides, there are plenty of
rookie receivers that could help us. Would Limas Sweed or
DeSean Jackson be immediate starters? No, but that doesn’t mean
they might not be a good upgrade over Sam Hurd. If we could get
500-600 yards receiving out of a rookie receiver that would be
doing great and I think that is within reason. A running back would
make a more immediate impact, but you can make the argument
that a runner taken at any point on the first day will make an
immediate impact while the longer you wait for a receiver the less
likely that becomes. I would argue taking Jackson in the 1st and
Ray Rice in the 2nd would help the team more than Felix Jones and
say Andre Caldwell in the 2nd. Both runners are going to help, and
Jackson has a better chance to make your team better from Day 1
than Caldwell does.
Limas Sweed, Devin Thomas, and DeSean Jackson head the
receiver class. Jackson is a perfect compliment to Terrell Owens.
He is only 5’10 169, but he is electrifying as a receiver and return
man. He probably will never be an elite receiver, but he can put up
good numbers. He isn’t just a fast and quick athlete though. He is
a productive receiver who has great hands. He runs good routes
and will go up and fight for the football. He could be a guy that
could really help us out next season even if he doesn’t put up big
receiving numbers which he probably won’t and might never will.
Thomas is the most talented receiver in the draft but he is raw. I
don’t see us helping us at all next season which does not sound
attractive.
Sweed has everything you look for in a #1 possession receiver. He
has great hands, runs good routes, and he is deceptively fast. He
has four years starting experience and I could see him being a guy
that could come in and give your receiving corp a boost immediately.
If I had to put money on it I would guess we would select one of the
receivers if Jerry can’t get a trade done for a veteran. I would be
okay with any of the three. Malcom Kelly was in that mix but he ran
a slow 40 at his workout. He is going to run again so he might
sneak back into the mix. I don’t really have a preference. The
scouting department knows more about them than I do. I just want
us to take who we think is the right guy.
At #28 the focus would shift back to corner. We might try to trade
down, but more likely we will reach a bit for a corner. We could take
Felix Jones if available or maybe Mario Manningham if a receiver
wasn’t taken at #22 though. I think you have to go with corner
though because you may miss out on the eight or nine really good
corners in this draft if you wait until the 2nd round.
My choice would be Brandon Flowers. He is short and he didn’t run
a great 40, but he is a football player. Look at his highlights on
Youtube. The guy thinks he is a linebacker. He has amazing ball
skills as well. His speed and aggressiveness suggest he would be a
perfect zone corner, but he played very well in man coverage at
Virginia Tech. This is important because we play mostly man. If
you are looking for a shutdown corner, this isn’t your guy, but if you
want a reliable starter in this league that brings and attitude to your
defense this is your guy.
The two other corners I would consider would be Antoine Cason
and Tracy Porter. Porter has tons of upside. He is a finesse corner
with great speed and ball skills. He is risky, but he could develop
into an All-Pro. Cason is a far safer pick. He has solid athletic
skills, but what really sets him apart is his on the field production,
evident by him winning the Thorpe Award. He has been one of the
top corners in the country for three years now. His intangibles, ball
skills, and cover skills are through the roof. He is intelligent and a
hard worker. He will never be a star, but he is the most NFL ready
corner in the draft and he will be a quality starter for a long time.
He isn’t going to be a Champ Bailey or a Terence Newman, but he
could be someone along the lines of an Anthony Henry or a Lito
Sheppard. Cason makes sense for the simple fact that you should
be able to plug him in the nickel from Day 1 and not have to worry
about too many growing pains.
The Pacman Jones saga will not effect the draft. It appears sides
are getting close to a deal as of Sunday, but the Cowboys aren’t
banking on Pacman. Anything they would possibly get from him
would be looked at strictly as a bonus.
Most rational Cowboys fan will tell you cornerback is the biggest
need for the Dallas Cowboys. Most including myself want to select
one with our first pick. That is appearing less and less possible as
the weeks go by. Nearly every mock I see lately has McKelvin,
Rodgers-Cromartie, Talib, and Jenkins all gone by #22. There isn’t
another player worthy of that selection at corner so we must look in
another direction.
Now Talib reportedly tested positive for marijuana on three different
occasions while at Kansas as did Mario Manningham. That could
help Talib slip to the Cowboys, but then again I don’t know if that
would make us pass him up as well. I doubt it. He is said to have
some other character questions as well though so I’m not too high
on the possibility of drafting him. For the sake of this article and the
possible scenario, we will go ahead as if all four of the top corners
are not options for one reason or another.
I see three positions as options at #22 if one of those corners is not
available. These positions are wide receiver, running back, and
safety. Safety isn’t a huge need, but if Kenny Phillips is available I
would strongly consider taking him. Chances are either Hamlin or
Williams will be gone after this year so we may need a safety.
Phillips is a great all-around safety who is considered by most a
Top 15 talent. Another safety option is Reggie Smith. He played
corner too, but nine times out of ten a corner/safety tweener is
going to end up playing safety and judging by his 40 times in the
4.6 range I don’t see him being an exception to that rule. We could
still draft him, but I don’t think he solves the cornerback issue.
Running back is a logical position to select here. Many mocks have
Felix Jones going to Dallas at #22, but I think that is a tad too early
for him. I would take any of the later mentioned receiving options
over him. Jonathan Stewart won’t be available until training camp,
but I wouldn’t mind having him if he is available. He isn’t the speed
compliment, but there is little doubt he could handle a full load in 09’
if needed which is not necessarily true for Felix Jones, Ray Rice, or
Jamaal Charles.
The final option is wide receiver. Jerry would like to trade for a
veteran, but if he can’t he will take a wide receiver early. He says
he isn’t crazy about having to wait on a receiver to develop, but he
has to do it at some point or another. Besides, there are plenty of
rookie receivers that could help us. Would Limas Sweed or
DeSean Jackson be immediate starters? No, but that doesn’t mean
they might not be a good upgrade over Sam Hurd. If we could get
500-600 yards receiving out of a rookie receiver that would be
doing great and I think that is within reason. A running back would
make a more immediate impact, but you can make the argument
that a runner taken at any point on the first day will make an
immediate impact while the longer you wait for a receiver the less
likely that becomes. I would argue taking Jackson in the 1st and
Ray Rice in the 2nd would help the team more than Felix Jones and
say Andre Caldwell in the 2nd. Both runners are going to help, and
Jackson has a better chance to make your team better from Day 1
than Caldwell does.
Limas Sweed, Devin Thomas, and DeSean Jackson head the
receiver class. Jackson is a perfect compliment to Terrell Owens.
He is only 5’10 169, but he is electrifying as a receiver and return
man. He probably will never be an elite receiver, but he can put up
good numbers. He isn’t just a fast and quick athlete though. He is
a productive receiver who has great hands. He runs good routes
and will go up and fight for the football. He could be a guy that
could really help us out next season even if he doesn’t put up big
receiving numbers which he probably won’t and might never will.
Thomas is the most talented receiver in the draft but he is raw. I
don’t see us helping us at all next season which does not sound
attractive.
Sweed has everything you look for in a #1 possession receiver. He
has great hands, runs good routes, and he is deceptively fast. He
has four years starting experience and I could see him being a guy
that could come in and give your receiving corp a boost immediately.
If I had to put money on it I would guess we would select one of the
receivers if Jerry can’t get a trade done for a veteran. I would be
okay with any of the three. Malcom Kelly was in that mix but he ran
a slow 40 at his workout. He is going to run again so he might
sneak back into the mix. I don’t really have a preference. The
scouting department knows more about them than I do. I just want
us to take who we think is the right guy.
At #28 the focus would shift back to corner. We might try to trade
down, but more likely we will reach a bit for a corner. We could take
Felix Jones if available or maybe Mario Manningham if a receiver
wasn’t taken at #22 though. I think you have to go with corner
though because you may miss out on the eight or nine really good
corners in this draft if you wait until the 2nd round.
My choice would be Brandon Flowers. He is short and he didn’t run
a great 40, but he is a football player. Look at his highlights on
Youtube. The guy thinks he is a linebacker. He has amazing ball
skills as well. His speed and aggressiveness suggest he would be a
perfect zone corner, but he played very well in man coverage at
Virginia Tech. This is important because we play mostly man. If
you are looking for a shutdown corner, this isn’t your guy, but if you
want a reliable starter in this league that brings and attitude to your
defense this is your guy.
The two other corners I would consider would be Antoine Cason
and Tracy Porter. Porter has tons of upside. He is a finesse corner
with great speed and ball skills. He is risky, but he could develop
into an All-Pro. Cason is a far safer pick. He has solid athletic
skills, but what really sets him apart is his on the field production,
evident by him winning the Thorpe Award. He has been one of the
top corners in the country for three years now. His intangibles, ball
skills, and cover skills are through the roof. He is intelligent and a
hard worker. He will never be a star, but he is the most NFL ready
corner in the draft and he will be a quality starter for a long time.
He isn’t going to be a Champ Bailey or a Terence Newman, but he
could be someone along the lines of an Anthony Henry or a Lito
Sheppard. Cason makes sense for the simple fact that you should
be able to plug him in the nickel from Day 1 and not have to worry
about too many growing pains.
The Pacman Jones saga will not effect the draft. It appears sides
are getting close to a deal as of Sunday, but the Cowboys aren’t
banking on Pacman. Anything they would possibly get from him
would be looked at strictly as a bonus.
JD's Final Cowboys Mock Draft
This mock is a little different than most that you are seeing. These
are the picks I think we should make if the guys are available, not
necessarily what I think we will actually do. I will do a separate mock
later next week of what I think we are actually looking to do early in
the draft.
1a - WR DeSean Jackson 5'10 175 4.35 Cal
I don't see this happening, but for my money this is the pick. Critics
will say he will never be a number 1 receiver. I would agree with
them. He has a great chance to be one heck of a number 2 though
which is all we need. You couldn't ask for a better compliment to
Terrell Owens. This guy is explosive. He is a better version of Ted
Ginn Jr. He is a dynamic returner, but he is also a good receiver.
He knows how to run routes and he will up and fight for the football.
He is a guy that could come in and help us next season. He might
not but up big receiving numbers, but he could return punts and he
gives our offense an element it currently lacks. He wouldn't start,
but I think we is the perfect guy to plug in as the 3rd receiver with
the explosive Owens and usually sure handed Crayton.
A bunch of mocks have Dallas taking Jackson at #28, but I don't see
how he would last that long. Ginn went in the Top 10 last year and
Jackson is a better prospect. #9 was high for Ginn, but #28 is too
low for a guy with that kind of big play ability.
I don't see this happening because Jerry doesn't seem fond of the
idea of drafting a wide receiver in the 1st. He wants to win now.
Jerry is eyeing a veteran receiver and I would like to have one too,
but if that doesn't work out this is a great option. I think T.O.'s
replacement will come from another team. Sometime in the next few
years we will bring in a stud receiver. Dallas is an attractive place to
play and Jerry will work to make it happen. Still though, if we bring
in Roy Williams two years from now and Owens is gone, we still
need a 2nd receiver. If Crayton isn't good enough with Owens he
certainly isn't good enough with Williams or anyone else for that
matter.
1b - Trade #28 + a 4th for early 2nd + early 3rd
Teams are usually looking to trade back late in the 1st, but this year
seems more plausible than ever. Last year we needed Quinn's fall
to give us that possibility. This year is much easier as a bunch of
teams needing QBs are going to wait until the 2nd round to get
them. Some team will get nervous and trade up a bit to get the guy
they want out of the four or five guys in that range with a 2nd round
grade. I see a scenario similar to when Buffalo traded up to draft J.
P. Losman in 2004. Dallas will be more than willing to bail because
the value for corners isn't going to be there.
Also, pay close attention to the Marion Barber contract negotiations.
If we sign him to a mega-deal, I don't see us taking a runner in the
1st round. That is too many resources being put into one position
especially one like running back were talent is relatively abundant.
Felix Jones is a possibility at #28 though.
2a - CB Brandon Flowers 5'10 189 4.58 Virginia Tech
This pick for me comes down to Flowers and fellow Corner Antoine
Cason. Either guy would be a good option, but I give Flowers the
edge. I wish he ran a better forty, but that is about the only knock
on him. He also seems to have more game speed than Cason or
Aqib Talib.
2b - CB Charles Godfrey 6'0 207 4.44 Iowa
A prospect with experience at both corner and safety. I think Dallas
would put him at safety after taking Flowers, but he is athletic
enough to play corner. Probably isn't going to help right away, but
that isn't a necessity since we already selected Flowers.
3a - RB Jamaal Charles 5'11 200 4.38 Texas
I really like this guy as a player. I actually don't see how he isn't just
as good of a prospect as Felix Jones. He is a bit faster and
everything else is similar. Most rankings I have seen though have
him being a late 2nd or early 3rd round guy. I would be happy with
Charles, Ray Rice, Matt Forte, or Kevin Smith. Any of those guys
would be excellent back runners.
3b - NT Ahtyba Rubin 6'3 315 5.22 Iowa St.
Prototypical nose tackle prospect. Very stout and has a good
motor. Not the most athletic guy, but knows how to play the position.
5 - RB/FB Jacob Hester 5'11 226 4.62 LSU
Tough and dependable. He isn't great at any one phase, but he
can block, catch, and run. He would play fullback for us, but he is a
guy that could help carry the load if Barber got injured. You need
guys like this on your team. He can contribute immediately on
special teams and he is a guy you know is gonna bring his give his
all each and every day. After last season, this guy could run for
mayor of Baton Rouge and win in a landslide.
6 - Traded to Tennessee for Pacman Jones
I still expect this deal to get done before the draft. If the Titans wait
until after the draft they will have to wait an entire year to get any
kind of compensation from a team since the draft will have already
happened.
7- DE/OLB Kroy Biermann 6'3 246 4.82 Montana
Dominated his level with 16 sacks last season. Has the potential to
play OLB, but he is more likely to be a potential situational pass
rusher.
This mock is a little different than most that you are seeing. These
are the picks I think we should make if the guys are available, not
necessarily what I think we will actually do. I will do a separate mock
later next week of what I think we are actually looking to do early in
the draft.
1a - WR DeSean Jackson 5'10 175 4.35 Cal
I don't see this happening, but for my money this is the pick. Critics
will say he will never be a number 1 receiver. I would agree with
them. He has a great chance to be one heck of a number 2 though
which is all we need. You couldn't ask for a better compliment to
Terrell Owens. This guy is explosive. He is a better version of Ted
Ginn Jr. He is a dynamic returner, but he is also a good receiver.
He knows how to run routes and he will up and fight for the football.
He is a guy that could come in and help us next season. He might
not but up big receiving numbers, but he could return punts and he
gives our offense an element it currently lacks. He wouldn't start,
but I think we is the perfect guy to plug in as the 3rd receiver with
the explosive Owens and usually sure handed Crayton.
A bunch of mocks have Dallas taking Jackson at #28, but I don't see
how he would last that long. Ginn went in the Top 10 last year and
Jackson is a better prospect. #9 was high for Ginn, but #28 is too
low for a guy with that kind of big play ability.
I don't see this happening because Jerry doesn't seem fond of the
idea of drafting a wide receiver in the 1st. He wants to win now.
Jerry is eyeing a veteran receiver and I would like to have one too,
but if that doesn't work out this is a great option. I think T.O.'s
replacement will come from another team. Sometime in the next few
years we will bring in a stud receiver. Dallas is an attractive place to
play and Jerry will work to make it happen. Still though, if we bring
in Roy Williams two years from now and Owens is gone, we still
need a 2nd receiver. If Crayton isn't good enough with Owens he
certainly isn't good enough with Williams or anyone else for that
matter.
1b - Trade #28 + a 4th for early 2nd + early 3rd
Teams are usually looking to trade back late in the 1st, but this year
seems more plausible than ever. Last year we needed Quinn's fall
to give us that possibility. This year is much easier as a bunch of
teams needing QBs are going to wait until the 2nd round to get
them. Some team will get nervous and trade up a bit to get the guy
they want out of the four or five guys in that range with a 2nd round
grade. I see a scenario similar to when Buffalo traded up to draft J.
P. Losman in 2004. Dallas will be more than willing to bail because
the value for corners isn't going to be there.
Also, pay close attention to the Marion Barber contract negotiations.
If we sign him to a mega-deal, I don't see us taking a runner in the
1st round. That is too many resources being put into one position
especially one like running back were talent is relatively abundant.
Felix Jones is a possibility at #28 though.
2a - CB Brandon Flowers 5'10 189 4.58 Virginia Tech
This pick for me comes down to Flowers and fellow Corner Antoine
Cason. Either guy would be a good option, but I give Flowers the
edge. I wish he ran a better forty, but that is about the only knock
on him. He also seems to have more game speed than Cason or
Aqib Talib.
2b - CB Charles Godfrey 6'0 207 4.44 Iowa
A prospect with experience at both corner and safety. I think Dallas
would put him at safety after taking Flowers, but he is athletic
enough to play corner. Probably isn't going to help right away, but
that isn't a necessity since we already selected Flowers.
3a - RB Jamaal Charles 5'11 200 4.38 Texas
I really like this guy as a player. I actually don't see how he isn't just
as good of a prospect as Felix Jones. He is a bit faster and
everything else is similar. Most rankings I have seen though have
him being a late 2nd or early 3rd round guy. I would be happy with
Charles, Ray Rice, Matt Forte, or Kevin Smith. Any of those guys
would be excellent back runners.
3b - NT Ahtyba Rubin 6'3 315 5.22 Iowa St.
Prototypical nose tackle prospect. Very stout and has a good
motor. Not the most athletic guy, but knows how to play the position.
5 - RB/FB Jacob Hester 5'11 226 4.62 LSU
Tough and dependable. He isn't great at any one phase, but he
can block, catch, and run. He would play fullback for us, but he is a
guy that could help carry the load if Barber got injured. You need
guys like this on your team. He can contribute immediately on
special teams and he is a guy you know is gonna bring his give his
all each and every day. After last season, this guy could run for
mayor of Baton Rouge and win in a landslide.
6 - Traded to Tennessee for Pacman Jones
I still expect this deal to get done before the draft. If the Titans wait
until after the draft they will have to wait an entire year to get any
kind of compensation from a team since the draft will have already
happened.
7- DE/OLB Kroy Biermann 6'3 246 4.82 Montana
Dominated his level with 16 sacks last season. Has the potential to
play OLB, but he is more likely to be a potential situational pass
rusher.