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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 |
2008 NFL Draft Instant Analysis
We always hear that it takes three years to accurately rate a draft
class. That is true, but who wants to wait three years? What lies
ahead is my knee jerk reaction to all the picks.
1a - RB Felix Jones - B
I probably would have taken Mendenhall. I'm wasn't the biggest
Felix Jones supporter but we could have done a lot worse. Maybe
I'm too optimistic, but once the pick was made I was fine with it. I
actually stick up for Jerry on this debate. I would have taken
Mendenhall, but I challenge all the fans and writers who are
outraged by this decision. I think either way we were getting a good
player. Jones is a better compliment. Mendenhall is a slightly faster
Barber who could have started for us if Barber left after next
season. He probably would have lasted five years and we would
have been looking for someone else. The reason we took Jones is
because he can help us more next year. He will return kick-offs for
us and he gives us a dimension we lack on offense. The longevity
could also be a plus. If Jones is only a part-time back for us, he
could conceivably have a productive 7 or 8 year career as our "#2"
option.
1b - CB Mike Jenkins - A+
Anyone who criticizes Jerry for not taking Mendenhall must at least
applaud him for this move. Jenkins was the 2nd rated corner on
their board and they got him at #25. If they would have taken him at
#22, Mendenhall and Jones would have been selected back to back
at picks #24 & #25. The trade-up was necessary because Jenkins
wouldn't have gotten past San Diego at #27. The trade wasn't
terribly costly either as we gave up a 5th and a 7th.
I also find it interesting that the Cowboys said they liked the depth at
cornerback better than running back for the late 1st-2nd round
range. Jones seemed fine taking Brandon Flowers if forced to at
#28, but he seemed less than thrilled about the options at running
back after Mendenhall and Jones.
2 - TE Martellus Bennett - B
The more I think about this pick the more I like it. We had a need at
tight end after trading Anthony Fasano. Bennett should also be an
upgrade over Fasano as both a blocker and receiver. Bennett is
the one player we could draft that might actually start for us. He will
probably get more playing time than Jenkins (I hope because that
means Pacman is playing) and he might even play more than Felix
Jones.
I think the value at this pick was good as well. He was considered by
most as a Top 3 tight end and the most complete of the bunch. We
didn't reach for him like we did for Fasano two years ago.
4 - RB Tashard Choice - B+
This pick finally came on Day 2 after four or five trades. All of the
wheeling and dealing ended up getting us a 3rd and 4th rounder
next year. That extra 3rd could help for ammunition for Roy
Williams. Jerry also might have wanted to do that so if he used a 1st
on a veteran receiver he would still have enough picks in the middle
rounds to have a productive draft.
Choice was a good choice (pun intended). He gives us even more
depth at running back. He isn't spectacular, but he is a good runner
with great instincts and toughness. He reminds me a lot of Marion
Barber except he isn't quite as powerful. I wouldn't be totally
surprised to see Choice get more carries than Felix Jones early next
year as he should have a much easier transition to the pro game
since he played in Chan Gailey's pro-style offense. This guy will be
a dependable back up for us and he is a high character player who
should excel on special teams.
5 - CB Orlando Scandrick - A-
We traded up losing a 7th to pick Scandrick. He was a player
originally projected to go in the first three rounds. He ran a 4.32 at
the combine and he started all three of his seasons at Boise St. Him
and Jenkins give us excellent depth at corner with or without
Pacman Jones. It is crazy to think that if Pacman comes in and
takes care of his business that Mike Jenkins and Scandrick would be
our 4th and 5th options at corner. A position of weakness may very
well be the deepest on the team. I also like this pick because we
probably need to keep six corners on the roster because Jones isn't
reliable so this pick may seem like overkill but I don't think it is.
6 - DE Erik Walden - ?
I don't think anyone is capable of grading this pick as I doubt
anyone knows who this guy was before he was selected. He is 6'2
240 and he runs a 4.75 40. He was a very productive pass rushing
defensive end at Middle Tennessee. I have been predicting a late
round pass rusher and this guy fits the bill. He is undersized, but he
should project to OLB in our 3-4. I've never heard of this guy, but
the last time we took someone I didn't know we took Pat McQuistan
who seems to have been a pretty solid pick. You can't have too
many pass rushers so I won't argue with taking one. There is also a
great chance this guy makes the team if he can play special teams.
I wasn't impressed with Justin Rogers last season so the 4th OLB
spot is up for grabs.
Another option I've seen proposed is him playing fullback. I don't
know his demeanor, but his size and athleticism would be perfect for
the position. Teams getting good fullbacks the past few years have
been getting them from the linebacker ranks. Now, Hoyte was an
unathletic inside thumper turned fullback as is the guy up in Green
Bay. This guy would seem to be wasting considerable pass rushing
skills, but he definitely has the athleticism needed to be a good
fullback and special teams player. And, he does seem undersized
to play 3-4 OLB, but usually when a guy plays defensive end in
college size isn't a big issue for his playing linebacker no matter how
big he really is. I doubt we do that from Day 1, but that is an
interesting possibility. Hoyte was too slow and stiff to be a
linebacker so he moved to fullback. I just don't see a talented pass
rusher moving to fullback.
Overall - B+
I don't have any real complaints with this draft. We got some guys
that can make an immediate impact and we acquired two picks for
next season. You can never really fill every single need. I would
have liked a receiver, but after we didn't take one in the first two
rounds there wasn't a lot of point in taking one. Is a late round
receiver even going to make our team? He would be fighting a
tough battle with the six receivers on our roster now who all show
promise. Even if he did make the team, he wouldn't help. Jerry
Jones also seems pretty enthusiastic about Terry Glenn. I have my
doubts, but maybe he can at least contribute next season.
The other two positions that would have been nice would have been
safety and nose tackle. Still, a late round pick might not even make
the team at either one of those spots. I don't think safety is a big
need until next season so I'm kinda glad we waited. Heck, Anthony
Henry might can move to safety this season if Roy plays that bad
with all our new depth at cornerback.
I would like to have gotten a true nose tackle, but we have good
depth there. Ratliff is a solid starter and Tank Johnson is a good
backup. I really don't see us keeping seven defensive lineman so I
guess there wasn't much room for a young nose tackle.
I'm starting to get better at guessing what Jerry Jones is thinking on
draft day. Many people had Dallas taking a quarterback, and I knew
that would not happen. He never drafts quarterbacks. He prefers
signing free agents and trying to develop them. Tony Romo's
emergence made him feel even more strongly about this philosophy.
Besides, it has to be tough to draft a young quarterback when you
have a Pro Bowler that didn't even get drafted. We will need a
backup QB soon, but I think we are better off going after another
veteran instead of trying to draft one.
I can also say I'm really not surprised Jerry didn't take a receiver. I
wanted him to take one, but he just does not draft receivers.
Stanback is the only WR I can think of that he drafted in the past
five years. He seems to prefer trading or signing for veteran
receivers. Look at the receivers we've had this decade. They've
been pretty good, and all of them have been veterans. Galloway,
Ismail, Johnson, Glenn, and Owens. That is a pretty good list. The
Galloway trade was a mistake, but I wish we would have stuck with
him a few more years as he is still producing at a high level. We
may not be calling that a Jerry blunder if we would have been on the
right side of his recent string of 1000 yard seasons.
We always hear that it takes three years to accurately rate a draft
class. That is true, but who wants to wait three years? What lies
ahead is my knee jerk reaction to all the picks.
1a - RB Felix Jones - B
I probably would have taken Mendenhall. I'm wasn't the biggest
Felix Jones supporter but we could have done a lot worse. Maybe
I'm too optimistic, but once the pick was made I was fine with it. I
actually stick up for Jerry on this debate. I would have taken
Mendenhall, but I challenge all the fans and writers who are
outraged by this decision. I think either way we were getting a good
player. Jones is a better compliment. Mendenhall is a slightly faster
Barber who could have started for us if Barber left after next
season. He probably would have lasted five years and we would
have been looking for someone else. The reason we took Jones is
because he can help us more next year. He will return kick-offs for
us and he gives us a dimension we lack on offense. The longevity
could also be a plus. If Jones is only a part-time back for us, he
could conceivably have a productive 7 or 8 year career as our "#2"
option.
1b - CB Mike Jenkins - A+
Anyone who criticizes Jerry for not taking Mendenhall must at least
applaud him for this move. Jenkins was the 2nd rated corner on
their board and they got him at #25. If they would have taken him at
#22, Mendenhall and Jones would have been selected back to back
at picks #24 & #25. The trade-up was necessary because Jenkins
wouldn't have gotten past San Diego at #27. The trade wasn't
terribly costly either as we gave up a 5th and a 7th.
I also find it interesting that the Cowboys said they liked the depth at
cornerback better than running back for the late 1st-2nd round
range. Jones seemed fine taking Brandon Flowers if forced to at
#28, but he seemed less than thrilled about the options at running
back after Mendenhall and Jones.
2 - TE Martellus Bennett - B
The more I think about this pick the more I like it. We had a need at
tight end after trading Anthony Fasano. Bennett should also be an
upgrade over Fasano as both a blocker and receiver. Bennett is
the one player we could draft that might actually start for us. He will
probably get more playing time than Jenkins (I hope because that
means Pacman is playing) and he might even play more than Felix
Jones.
I think the value at this pick was good as well. He was considered by
most as a Top 3 tight end and the most complete of the bunch. We
didn't reach for him like we did for Fasano two years ago.
4 - RB Tashard Choice - B+
This pick finally came on Day 2 after four or five trades. All of the
wheeling and dealing ended up getting us a 3rd and 4th rounder
next year. That extra 3rd could help for ammunition for Roy
Williams. Jerry also might have wanted to do that so if he used a 1st
on a veteran receiver he would still have enough picks in the middle
rounds to have a productive draft.
Choice was a good choice (pun intended). He gives us even more
depth at running back. He isn't spectacular, but he is a good runner
with great instincts and toughness. He reminds me a lot of Marion
Barber except he isn't quite as powerful. I wouldn't be totally
surprised to see Choice get more carries than Felix Jones early next
year as he should have a much easier transition to the pro game
since he played in Chan Gailey's pro-style offense. This guy will be
a dependable back up for us and he is a high character player who
should excel on special teams.
5 - CB Orlando Scandrick - A-
We traded up losing a 7th to pick Scandrick. He was a player
originally projected to go in the first three rounds. He ran a 4.32 at
the combine and he started all three of his seasons at Boise St. Him
and Jenkins give us excellent depth at corner with or without
Pacman Jones. It is crazy to think that if Pacman comes in and
takes care of his business that Mike Jenkins and Scandrick would be
our 4th and 5th options at corner. A position of weakness may very
well be the deepest on the team. I also like this pick because we
probably need to keep six corners on the roster because Jones isn't
reliable so this pick may seem like overkill but I don't think it is.
6 - DE Erik Walden - ?
I don't think anyone is capable of grading this pick as I doubt
anyone knows who this guy was before he was selected. He is 6'2
240 and he runs a 4.75 40. He was a very productive pass rushing
defensive end at Middle Tennessee. I have been predicting a late
round pass rusher and this guy fits the bill. He is undersized, but he
should project to OLB in our 3-4. I've never heard of this guy, but
the last time we took someone I didn't know we took Pat McQuistan
who seems to have been a pretty solid pick. You can't have too
many pass rushers so I won't argue with taking one. There is also a
great chance this guy makes the team if he can play special teams.
I wasn't impressed with Justin Rogers last season so the 4th OLB
spot is up for grabs.
Another option I've seen proposed is him playing fullback. I don't
know his demeanor, but his size and athleticism would be perfect for
the position. Teams getting good fullbacks the past few years have
been getting them from the linebacker ranks. Now, Hoyte was an
unathletic inside thumper turned fullback as is the guy up in Green
Bay. This guy would seem to be wasting considerable pass rushing
skills, but he definitely has the athleticism needed to be a good
fullback and special teams player. And, he does seem undersized
to play 3-4 OLB, but usually when a guy plays defensive end in
college size isn't a big issue for his playing linebacker no matter how
big he really is. I doubt we do that from Day 1, but that is an
interesting possibility. Hoyte was too slow and stiff to be a
linebacker so he moved to fullback. I just don't see a talented pass
rusher moving to fullback.
Overall - B+
I don't have any real complaints with this draft. We got some guys
that can make an immediate impact and we acquired two picks for
next season. You can never really fill every single need. I would
have liked a receiver, but after we didn't take one in the first two
rounds there wasn't a lot of point in taking one. Is a late round
receiver even going to make our team? He would be fighting a
tough battle with the six receivers on our roster now who all show
promise. Even if he did make the team, he wouldn't help. Jerry
Jones also seems pretty enthusiastic about Terry Glenn. I have my
doubts, but maybe he can at least contribute next season.
The other two positions that would have been nice would have been
safety and nose tackle. Still, a late round pick might not even make
the team at either one of those spots. I don't think safety is a big
need until next season so I'm kinda glad we waited. Heck, Anthony
Henry might can move to safety this season if Roy plays that bad
with all our new depth at cornerback.
I would like to have gotten a true nose tackle, but we have good
depth there. Ratliff is a solid starter and Tank Johnson is a good
backup. I really don't see us keeping seven defensive lineman so I
guess there wasn't much room for a young nose tackle.
I'm starting to get better at guessing what Jerry Jones is thinking on
draft day. Many people had Dallas taking a quarterback, and I knew
that would not happen. He never drafts quarterbacks. He prefers
signing free agents and trying to develop them. Tony Romo's
emergence made him feel even more strongly about this philosophy.
Besides, it has to be tough to draft a young quarterback when you
have a Pro Bowler that didn't even get drafted. We will need a
backup QB soon, but I think we are better off going after another
veteran instead of trying to draft one.
I can also say I'm really not surprised Jerry didn't take a receiver. I
wanted him to take one, but he just does not draft receivers.
Stanback is the only WR I can think of that he drafted in the past
five years. He seems to prefer trading or signing for veteran
receivers. Look at the receivers we've had this decade. They've
been pretty good, and all of them have been veterans. Galloway,
Ismail, Johnson, Glenn, and Owens. That is a pretty good list. The
Galloway trade was a mistake, but I wish we would have stuck with
him a few more years as he is still producing at a high level. We
may not be calling that a Jerry blunder if we would have been on the
right side of his recent string of 1000 yard seasons.
My Ears Love Felix Jones
I probably would have taken Rashard Mendenhall instead of Felix
Jones on Saturday, but I certainly have no problem with either
player. I will tell you though my ears love Felix Jones. Let me
explain.
For the past two years I have heard about how Marion Barber
should start or how Marion Barber isn't that good or how Julius
Jones should get more carries. If we would have selected
Mendenhall, how many pre-season games would it have taken for
some fans to be clamoring for Mendenhall to start. I wish I was
joking, but I'm not. He could have one good game against 2nd
string defense and fans would be ready to kick Barber to the curve.
For better or for worse, at least everyone will know the roles of our
running backs.
What I just mentioned doesn't really matter for the team's
performance, but I will discuss some other issues that have come
up the past few days. Maybe I just want to defend Jerry Jones
because I think he did a good job overall in the draft, but I like the
Felix Jones pick more and more.
First off, any article I read that says Mendenhall is faster than Felix
Jones needs to have a crash course lesson on the value of a forty
time. Mendenhall ran .01 seconds raster than Jones. A forty time
can only confirm what you already know. Look at the highlight reels
on Youtube. The only back more explosive than Jones in the draft
was McFadden. Not Mendenhall, heck not even Chris Johnson who
blistered the turf with a 4.24. Speed can be manufactured. If you
don't believe me, google Marion Barber's combine 40 time. It was
4.48. Teams didn't fall for it though which is probably why he
slipped to the 4th round. They regret that now, but not because he
is faster than he thought. He is a good running back, but he runs
about a 4.7 on the football field. Mendenhall isn't slow, but I don't
see him breaking a ton of big runs in the NFL. He probably has
above average speed for an NFL running back which is what his 40
would indicate. Jones is one of the fastest runners in the NFL and I
would say that no matter if he ran a 4.3 or a 4.5.
I also find several comments by Jerry Jones fairly interesting. He
says he would have taken Johnathan Stewart over Jones if
available. I find this weird since he is even more of a power back
than Mendenhall and he is injured. That comment kind of takes the
whole idea that we took Jones only because he was the best
compliment. Stewart was the worst possible compliment. That
coupled with the fact that Carolina passed on Mendenhall for
Stewart makes me wonder if there is more than meets the eye with
Mendenhall.
I dug up some information that could have been pretty influential.
First, he couldn't even get playing time behind Saints undrafted
free agent Pierre Thomas his first . He really was an unknown until
this year. Felix Jones got ample playing time behind one of the
best college back ever and Mendenhall can't even get on the field
with Thomas ahead of him. By all accounts, Mendenhall was a
hard worker when he was the guy, but rumors are that the coaches
at Ilinois were less than thrilled with his work ethic when he wasn't
THE GUY. Is he matured, or would that have been a problem being
the backup in Dallas? He probably has matured, but that still
makes you wonder. That is just one more reason that probably
tipped the scale in Jones's favor because his work ethic or
willingness to split carries has never been questioned.
I probably would have taken Rashard Mendenhall instead of Felix
Jones on Saturday, but I certainly have no problem with either
player. I will tell you though my ears love Felix Jones. Let me
explain.
For the past two years I have heard about how Marion Barber
should start or how Marion Barber isn't that good or how Julius
Jones should get more carries. If we would have selected
Mendenhall, how many pre-season games would it have taken for
some fans to be clamoring for Mendenhall to start. I wish I was
joking, but I'm not. He could have one good game against 2nd
string defense and fans would be ready to kick Barber to the curve.
For better or for worse, at least everyone will know the roles of our
running backs.
What I just mentioned doesn't really matter for the team's
performance, but I will discuss some other issues that have come
up the past few days. Maybe I just want to defend Jerry Jones
because I think he did a good job overall in the draft, but I like the
Felix Jones pick more and more.
First off, any article I read that says Mendenhall is faster than Felix
Jones needs to have a crash course lesson on the value of a forty
time. Mendenhall ran .01 seconds raster than Jones. A forty time
can only confirm what you already know. Look at the highlight reels
on Youtube. The only back more explosive than Jones in the draft
was McFadden. Not Mendenhall, heck not even Chris Johnson who
blistered the turf with a 4.24. Speed can be manufactured. If you
don't believe me, google Marion Barber's combine 40 time. It was
4.48. Teams didn't fall for it though which is probably why he
slipped to the 4th round. They regret that now, but not because he
is faster than he thought. He is a good running back, but he runs
about a 4.7 on the football field. Mendenhall isn't slow, but I don't
see him breaking a ton of big runs in the NFL. He probably has
above average speed for an NFL running back which is what his 40
would indicate. Jones is one of the fastest runners in the NFL and I
would say that no matter if he ran a 4.3 or a 4.5.
I also find several comments by Jerry Jones fairly interesting. He
says he would have taken Johnathan Stewart over Jones if
available. I find this weird since he is even more of a power back
than Mendenhall and he is injured. That comment kind of takes the
whole idea that we took Jones only because he was the best
compliment. Stewart was the worst possible compliment. That
coupled with the fact that Carolina passed on Mendenhall for
Stewart makes me wonder if there is more than meets the eye with
Mendenhall.
I dug up some information that could have been pretty influential.
First, he couldn't even get playing time behind Saints undrafted
free agent Pierre Thomas his first . He really was an unknown until
this year. Felix Jones got ample playing time behind one of the
best college back ever and Mendenhall can't even get on the field
with Thomas ahead of him. By all accounts, Mendenhall was a
hard worker when he was the guy, but rumors are that the coaches
at Ilinois were less than thrilled with his work ethic when he wasn't
THE GUY. Is he matured, or would that have been a problem being
the backup in Dallas? He probably has matured, but that still
makes you wonder. That is just one more reason that probably
tipped the scale in Jones's favor because his work ethic or
willingness to split carries has never been questioned.