Lone Star Struck

Help could be on the way for the Cowboys as the official start of free agency begins in a little less than an hour.

As expected, the Arizona Cardinals released safety Antrel Rolle this afternoon to avoid ponying up a $4 million roster bonus. Expect the Cowboys to take a long, hard look at bringing Rolle in to fill the ever-vacant safety position.

Rolle is a young 27-years old, and played cornerback for the first few years of his career before being moved to safety. Because his résumé includes a stint at cornerback, he could be the candidate the Cowboys are looking for to provide adequate coverage at the safety position. If Dallas pulls the trigger on Rolle, expect Ken Hamlin to be shown the door.

Dallas could also look to add some depth at nose tackle with Jamal Williams and Jason Ferguson now on the open market. Keep in mind that Wade Phillips coached Jamal Williams in San Diego. He could be a good investment if the price is right.

Also remember that since Antrel Rolle, Jamal Williams, and Jason Ferguson were released by their respective teams instead of simply becoming unrestricted free agents, the free agent restrictions imposed on the final 8 playoff teams would not count against the Cowboys.

Should be an interesting next couple of hours.

Over the next few weeks leading up to the draft, I will put together a Cowboys Draft Series covering prospects and positions that I feel the Cowboys will be most interested in come the first round on April 22. The main factors for choosing the prospects to watch include the Cowboys’ position in the draft and players that fit their schemes on offense and defense. This week I will focus on the wide receiver position. There are many potential prospects that the Cowboys will likely be interested in, especially in this year’s fairly deep receiver class. Here are a few names to put on your list.

Jordan Shipley – Texas, 5′11″ 193

Jordan Shipley is a name that is tangled up somewhere in the top 10 of the receiver prospects list. One of the best receivers in recent Texas Longhorns history, and easily the most prolific punt returner in the team’s history, Shipley is a guy who could probably play slot receiver immediately, as well as return kicks and punts. He may not be the biggest or or the fastest, but he has the work ethic that coaches love. He is a high character player and someone you want in your locker room. It’s hard to say exactly where Shipley will go in the draft, but I would imagine the Cowboys will have him targeted anywhere from rounds 2 through 4. Some people have compared him to Wes Welker, and I would not immediately disagree. As a lifelong Texas Longhorns fan, I would love to see Shipley in a Cowboys uniform.

Golden Tate – Notre Dame, 5′10″ 199

Tate is another guy who’s name has been seen all over the top 10 receivers prospect list. Living 45 minutes from Notre Dame’s campus, I was able to witness Golden Tate’s surprising athletic ability last season. He has extremely soft hands and the open-field moves of a running back. He also possesses great speed and the ability to catch the ball in a tight window. He also had the benefit of being in a pro style offense at Notre Dame and that should help him at the next level. Like Shipley, Tate is probably a slot guy who could provide you with explosiveness on special teams. I would not anticipate Tate making it past the second round and if he is still on the board when the Cowboys select in the late second round, this could be their guy.

Marty Gilyard – Cincinnati, 6′0″ 187

Gilyard is another receiver that is cut in the mold of Tate and Shipley. A bit smallish, but someone who could flourish in the slot and possibly even on the outside. Has all the quickness and athletic ability that you look for, and like Tate and Shipley again, is extremely hard to tackle in the open field. Could take over the punt and kick returning duties immediately and provide a much needed spark. Another high character player who you would love to have on your team. He will probably go somewhere between the late second to mid-third rounds, and just like the previous two receivers, Dallas will have their eye on him.

Jacoby Ford – Clemson, 5′9″ 186

Ford is a guy who did not have near the amount of production that Shipley, Tate, or Gilyard had at the college level. But his official 4.28 40-yard dash time at the combine suggests that he possesses the speed to be a game breaker. Probably more of a slot guy who you would design certain packages for to try to get him the ball in open space. Could most certainly be a terror in the return game if he fine tunes his return skills. Reminds me of someone like Roscoe Parrish of the Buffalo Bills or Eddie Royal of the Denver Broncos; someone who can take it to the house at any time in the return game and contributes fairly to the receiving game as a speed threat. Ford’s draft stock will probably go up after his blazing 40 time, but he could be available as late as the 4th round. If he stays on the board that long, I would look for Dallas to trade up to grab him.

Demaryius Thomas – Georgia Tech, 6′3″ 224

Thomas is a player who posted stellar numbers in 2009 for a Yellow Jackets offense that was very run oriented. He has a huge frame that reminds you of Terrell Owens and the speed to go with it. His frame enables him to shield defenders and go up and get the catch. There is some uncertainty surrounding Thomas, as he just recently broke his foot and will be unable to participate in the combine or his pro day. His raw talent and upside makes him one of the biggest gambles in the draft, and he is likely to be a boom or bust player. He is probably a solid second round pick and Dallas may take a look at him if he is still sitting on the board in the late second round.

As the NFL Draft quickly approaches and festivities at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis get underway, big names like Ndamukong Suh, Tim Tebow, and Sam Bradford will take the spotlight and dominate the headlines. But as we have seen in past drafts, it is sometimes the not-so-famous prospects from smaller schools that go on to make the biggest splash in the NFL (see Marques Colston, Tim Hightower, Joe Flacco, Brandon Marshall). Like in every draft, there are sure to be a few small school gems in this draft as well. Here are a few names to keep an eye and ear out for as the draft nears.

Vladimir Ducasse – Offensive Lineman, UMass

Vladimir Ducasse was not a name that appeared high on many teams’ lists until his performance at the Senior Bowl. Ducasse certainly has the size that you like in an NFL lineman, measuring 6 foot 4 and 332 pounds at the combine. He also has the intangibles that you look for as well, with great agility and footwork. He played offensive tackle at UMass, but would likely slide inside to guard in the pros. He may be a bit raw right now since his first exposure to football was in 2002, but he possesses tremendous upside. This year’s draft is the deepest in easily a decade for offensive linemen and Ducasse could go as early as the late first round for a team looking to fill voids along the offensive line. If he slides into the late second round however, look for the Cowboys to seriously consider him to add much needed depth to their interior line.

Brandon Lang – Defensive End, Troy

Another small school product that has flown under the radar, Brandon Lang had a fairly productive career rushing the quarterback at Troy, registering 19 sacks in his last two seasons. At 6 foot 4, 256 pounds, Lang is a “tweener” who will likely make the transition to outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. The NFL Combine will go a long way in determining where Lang goes in the draft. His 40-yard dash time as well as his 3-cone drill time will help determine if he is athletic enough to switch to outside linebacker. If he is still on the board when Dallas picks in rounds 3 to 4, they will strongly consider him. Given the recent success of pass rushers coming out of Troy (Demarcus Ware, Osi Umenyiora), he could be well worth the risk. As a man named Bill Parcells used to say, “You can never have too many linebackers.”

Jared Veldheer – Offensive Tackle, Hillsdale

Jared Veldheer is another name that has climbed up the draft boards in recent months with his performance in the Texas vs the Nation Invite in 2009.  Hailing from tiny, ultra-conservative Hillsdale College, up in my neck of the woods, there is no doubt that Veldheer possesses the fantastic size that teams look for in a left tackle, at 6 foot 8, 312 pounds. He also possesses rare athleticism for his size and has exceptional footwork. Like Brandon Lang, the combine will help determine where he will go in the draft. Pending the results, he could go as early as the second round. Given the aging of Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo, Dallas will certainly be interested in his services.

With the 44-6 smackdown from last season’s finale on their minds, the Cowboys came out with their six guns smokin’ on Sunday at Cowboys Stadium and put a fork in a Philadelphia Eagles team that had previously won six straight games. The Boys almost effortlessly exercised their previous December demons, finishing off the regular season with three straight wins.

Dallas’ 24-0 blowout marked the second straight week they have held their opponent scoreless, a feat that had never before happened in Dallas Cowboys history.

Fans, coaches, players, and front office personnel could not ask for a better way to ride into the playoffs than what has taken place the last three weeks.

• December 19: The Cowboys march into the Superdome and convincingly end the Saints’ undefeated season in a game the “experts” said was an impossible win for the Cowboys (AHEM Tony Dungy, who by the way has jumped on the Cowboys bandwagon).
• December 27: Dallas travels up to D.C. and embarrasses the Redskins 17-0.
• January 3: Dallas thumps the Eagles 24-0 to win the NFC East and clinch the #3 seed in the NFC.

Aside from winning their last three games, the Cowboys defense silenced a lethal Saints offense, and held the Redskins and Eagles to zero points inconsecutive weeks.

Tony Romo is playing the best football of his career, throwing only one interception in the month of December compared to seven touchdowns.

The offense is becoming more balanced, and is relying more on its talented run game to open up the passing game.

After watching the last three weeks transpire, it’s hard for critics to deny the legitimacy of a team that rolled over the undefeated Saints, shut out division foes in back to back weeks, and convincingly took the NFC East.

But the critics still remain.

Since the naysayers cannot scrutinize Tony Romo for inconsistent December play, the defense for giving up big plays, or the receivers for not making big plays, they have decided to pull a more petty argument out of their arsenal of nonsense.

“It’s too difficult to beat a team three times in a year.”

This statement is so ridiculous and irrelevant that it’s hard to believe “experts” and “analysts” even bring it up anymore.

It’s about as stupid as Hammerin’ Hank Goldberg on Sunday saying something to the tune of “Jacksonville is 20:1 against the odds in temperatures below thirty degrees.”

Last time I checked players weren’t basing their game plans on Vegas odds.

Apparently the “analysts” didn’t watch the Cowboys run the Eagles out of Cowboys Stadium, onto Tom Landry Freeway, and back to DFW International before the fourth quarter even started.

The Cowboys are a more talented team than the Eagles and they will prove that on Saturday night. Period.

So let Desean Jackson do his talking.

Let the trashy Eagles employees do their spitting as they stand in awe of our palace.

Let Eagles fans and the city of Philadelphia show how classless they are.

Like my old man said this week, “Let ‘em spit, because they sure can’t play football.”

Is there anything more glorious than waking up the day after a win and watching/hearing the critics eat crow?

ESPN should have felt ashamed on Sunday morning, after tearing into Roy Williams all week about “guaranteeing a win,” even though those words never left his mouth.

What I would have given to see the look on Tony Dungy’s face when he heard Tony Romo say that his incredibly foolish “no chance” comment inspired Dallas to come out with both barrels blazing at the Superdome last night.

‘Tis the season.

Saturday’s win over the 13-0 Saints marked the second time since 2006 that the Cowboys have beaten a heavily favored undefeated team. The other instance came in 2006 when Dallas thrashed the high flying 9-0 Indianapolis Colts.

As the saying goes, “that’s why they play the games.”

December woes can no longer be pinned on Tony Romo, who has played arguably the most consistent football of his career over the past four weeks. The man has not thrown an interception since November 22 against the Washington Redskins, a game which the Cowboys won. He also has not thrown more than one interception in a game since week two against the Giants. Romo is playing error-free football during the point of the season that matters the most for a playoff hopeful team.

As we saw on Saturday, the running game is also starting to emerge during the month in which running the ball wins games. The rushing attack has been inconsistent all season, and with three capable running backs in the Cowboys’ stable, there is simply no excuse to have a lackadaisical running game. Grinding it out on the ground will be the key to victory in the next two weeks against division foes.

On the other side of the ball the Cowboys have played hard-nosed defense at a level that has gone without praise for most of the season. The play in the secondary has been consistent for the first time in years, even with the injury to Ken Hamlin. Mike Jenkins has emerged as a Pro Bowl caliber cornerback, and defenses are starting to realize that throwing away from Terence Newman is not a viable strategy anymore. Anthony Spencer has finally emerged as a pass rushing threat opposite Demarcus Ware, and Keith Brooking has solidified the inside linebacker spot with outstanding play. Jay Ratliff is also having a Pro Bowl season, and with the play of Igor Olshansky, the ‘Boys are not regretting their decision to let the Giants overpay Chris Canty.

Up until a few weeks ago, special teams was also playing at a very high level. With the unfortunate erosion of Nick Folk, the best Cowboys fans can do is cross their fingers and hope Shaun Suisham can kick well until another viable option becomes available.

Don’t count ‘em out just yet Cowboys fans. As we have seen in past years, the team that plays their best ball in December has the most success in the playoffs. If the things we all saw on Saturday night are any indication of the brand of football the Cowboys plan to play for the rest of the season, they have a great shot.

There is certainly no absence of story lines as 2009 training camp comes to an end in the Alamo City.  Position battles, new faces, and players past are but a few of the most popular headliners going into this year.  The house-cleaning done by Jerry and Stephen Jones in the off-season has left several important positions vacated and free for the taking.  And with that, here are a few positions to keep a watchful eye on as pre-season play progresses. 

 

Wide Receiver

Wide receiver is, without a doubt, the unprecedented position of interest heading into this year.  The most popular topic is obviously the departure of Terrell Owens, who spent the last three seasons as the most productive receiver the Cowboys have had since Michael Irvin.  Owens’ departure means that Roy Williams will take the reigns as the number one receiver in the Dallas offense.  Many are quick to scrutinize the unproductive season Williams had last year, but nary a soul remembers that Williams did not arrive in Dallas until the week six bye, and had very little time to learn the playbook.  Many also forget that nagging injuries hampered Williams for most of the season and affected his speed, quickness off the line, timing with Romo, etc.  With Williams at full health this year, look for him to give the Cowboys good production as the number one receiver.  Also look for Patrick Crayton to regain the number two receiver spot that he held two years ago.  Many also forget that Crayton posted stellar numbers as the number two receiver in 2007.  The Cowboys also went without Sam Hurd for a good portion of last year, and were without Miles Austin’s services for several weeks, as well.  Look for the Cowboys to use Mile Austin’s size and speed to stretch the field, and look for Hurd to be used in multiple receiver formations.  The fifth wide receiver position will likely be up for grabs between Isaiah Stanback, Manny Johnson, and Jesse Holley, who won the final roster spot on 4^th and Long.  Youngsters on the outside looking in include Mike Jefferson, Travis Wilson, Kevin Ogletree, Julian Hawkins, and Willie Reid.  For what it’s worth, I asked Isaiah Stanback via Twitter if he thought Jesse Holley was any good, to which he replied simply, “I’m better.” 

 

Secondary

It seems like the secondary tops these lists every year for one reason or another, and this season is no different.  Watchful eyes will be locked on the secondary this year to see if the departures of several key veterans will pay dividends.  Gone is safety Roy Williams, who since 2002 had been a staple in the Dallas secondary.  Though he had several outstanding years with the Cowboys, Williams seemed to fall off the map the past several years.  He became a severe liability in pass coverage, and his run support also became less effective.  To replace Williams, the Cowboys signed Gerald Sensabaugh from Jacksonville.  Sensabaugh is better known for his coverage skills, having also played stints at cornerback for the Jaguars.  Also gone is cornerback Anthony Henry, who was traded to Detroit in exchange for Jon Kitna.  Looking to fill Henry’s shoes are second year players Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick.  Jenkins would seem to have the edge because of his first round draft status.  But Scandrick, who looks to be the steal of the 2008 draft, showed last year that he is also worthy of the starting job.  It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys will split time between these two young talents, if that is the approach they decide to pursue.  I personally believe the Cowboys have three very talented rookies in Michael Hamlin, DeAngelo Smith, and Mike Mickens.  Both Mickens and Hamlin were both projected to go as high as the second round in this year’s draft, and it will be exciting to see if they live up to their pre-draft stock.  Eyes will also be upon Pat Watkins to see if he can be a key contributor in the secondary after a nagging neck injury last season landed him on injured reserve. 

 

Linebacker

With Greg Ellis little more than an afterthought in Dallas, outside linebacker will also be an area of interest heading into the season.  The Cowboys drafted Anthony Spencer (A fellow Boilermaker) several years ago with the intent of grooming him to replace Greg Ellis.  To answer the question that my favorite Smiths song asks, the time is certainly now for Spencer.  He has undoubtedly shown signs of being DeMarcus Ware’s counterpart the last two seasons, but has been somewhat inconsistent due to a few injuries and playing behind Ellis.  At full health this year, Spencer will benefit from the constant attention that DeMarcus Ware demands from offenses, and will compliment him well on the opposite side.  The Cowboys linebacking corps will also have a new face in the middle, with Keith Brooking arriving from Atlanta.  He should be a much better fit next to Bradie James than Zach Thomas was last year.  The Cowboys also have four talented rookies joining the linebacker corps this year in Jason Williams, Victor Butler, Brandon Williams, and Stephen Hodge.  With Greg Ellis gone, look for Butler and Brandon Williams to shoulder the backup outside linebacker duties.  Jason Williams will be battling for playing time at nickel linebacker with Bobby Carpenter, and Hodge will provide depth at middle linebacker.  Look for all of these rookies to contribute heavily on special teams, as well.  One linebacker everyone should have on their radar is Bobby Carpenter.  He has not exactly lived up to expectations since arriving in 2006, but it is much too early to toss him onto the scrap pile with a bust tag.  Carpenter has gotten less than a fair shake since arriving in Dallas, having been moved around to different linebacker spots multiple times.  It would appear, for now at least, that Carpenter has found a home at nickel linebacker, a title previously held by Kevin Burnett.  If Carpenter excels at the nickel linebacker spot early on, expect him to get more playing time in other packages, as well. 

As the start of another football season grows closer with each passing day, the chills of autumn grow more intense as they go up and down my spine.  Hold onto your hats fellow Cowboys brothers and sisters, for this season promises to bring much excitement.  I can feel it in these silver and blue bones of mine. 

 

Extras

In the past couple of weeks, I have done quite a bit of networking with several Cowboys players on Twitter, routinely chatting with names like Martellus Bennett, Isaiah Stanback, Gerald Sensabaugh, and Jason Williams.  Having the opportunity to network with men that I call my heroes is truly amazing.  As a boy knowing I wanted to “do John Madden’s job,” I never would have fathomed that I would be able to chat with players from my favorite team with the mere click of a button.  I want to thank these gentlemen for taking time out of their hectic schedule to network with fans such as myself.  Keep it real Cowboys fans.

In a draft where the Cowboys didn’t make a pick until the third round, 12 players were selected in the second day of the draft to add tremendous depth and talent to an already stacked roster.  Although most of the picks aren’t household names or especially ’sexy’, there is certainly no absense of talent in any of the players selected by the Cowboys.  And with that, here is a rundown of the draft class of 2009.

 

Jason Williams - Outside Linebacker, Western Illinois

Like most Cowboys fans, I scratched my head when Jason Williams’ name was announced at the podium.  But the more I read about him, the more excited I became about the pick.  From tiny Western Illinois, Williams has the exceptional size and speed to play linebacker in Dallas’ 3-4 scheme.  The selling point for me were the outstanding statistics racked up by Williams last year.  As a senior for the Leathernecks, he forced 6 fumbles and had 17 tackles for loss.  Williams also ran the fastest 40-time of any linebacker, registering times in the 4.4 range.  Williams has all the tools to be an outstanding linebacker for the Cowboys for years to come.  Look for him to get on the field early in passing situations and especially on special teams.  Cowboys fans need not worry about the opinions of ‘analysts’ like Mel Kiper of Jason Williams.  If you remember, Kiper was the one who scrutinized the Cowboys for taking Demarcus Ware over Shawne Merriman.  We all know how that turned out. 

 

 

Robert Brewster – Offensive Tackle, Ball State

With significant depth issues last year after Kyle Kosier went down with injury, drafting an offensive lineman was a neccesity in this draft.  Robert Brewster is a gargantuan specimen, standing at 6 foot 4 and weighing in at 325 pounds.  Though he played primarily offensive tackle at Ball State, look for the Cowboys to slide him inside to guard due to his enormous size and his earth moving ability.  One would have to think that Brewster would eventually replace Kyle Kosier at left guard in the coming years.  In the mean time, look for the Cowboys to utilize Brewster’s versatility and his ability to provide depth at the guard and tackle position. 

 

 

Stephen McGee – Quarterback, Texas A&M

Though the Cowboys traded for Jon Kitna earlier this year, there was reason to believe that they would pull the trigger on a quarterback prospect in the second day of the draft.  The Cowboys get a terrific development project in Stephen McGee, who possesses the frame and arm strength that will certainly be effective at the NFL level.  Though he may not be much more than a backup for the Cowboys in the next couple of years, he will be a definite upgrade over Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger.  McGee has all the tools to step in for Tony Romo in case of injury and play effectively.  McGee is a great value pick for the Cowboys in the fourth round.  It will be interesting to watch him develop in the coming years. 

 

 

Victor Butler – Defensive End, Oregon State

With the selection of Victor Butler, the Cowboys acquire another athlete with great size who can put pressure on the quarterback.  Butler provided a significant pass rush for the Beavers, registering 22.5 sacks in the last 2 years.  Butler played defensive end in college, but he will most certainly move to a linebacker spot in the 3-4 scheme.  Like Jason Williams, look for Butler to play a great deal on special teams, and look for the Cowboys to utilize his pass rushing ability in passing situations. 

 

 

Brandon Williams – Defensive End, Texas Tech

In Williams, the Cowboys get one more pass rushing specialist to add to their already stocked arsenal.  Like Jason Williams and Victor Butler, Brandon Williams had an extremely successful senior year, recording 12.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks for the Red Raiders.  At 6 foot 5, 252 pounds, Brandon Williams projects to be an outside linebacker for the Cowboys.  He will provide great depth behind Demarcus Ware, Greg Ellis, and Anthony Spencer.  Look for Brandon Williams to contribute mostly on special teams.  But don’t be surprised to also see him contribute in pass rushing situations as well, like his fellow pass rushing counterparts from this draft. 

 

 

DeAngelo Smith – Cornerback, Cincinnati

With the imminent departure of Pacman Jones at the end of last season, the Cowboys needed to add some depth at the cornerback position.  Like all the defensive players selected by the Cowboys, DeAngelo Smith had an exceptional college career.  He had 10 interceptions in his last two years with the Bearcats, 8 coming in one season.  He will help make cornerback one of the deepest positions on the roster, and will also provide the Cowboys with some return ability on special teams.

 

 

Michael Hamlin – Safety, Clemson

It’s been no secret in recent years that safety has topped the list of needs in Dallas.  Michael Hamlin was a great value pick for the Cowboys in the fifth round, as many analysts and mock drafts projected him to go as high as the second round.  The Cowboys get a player with great size in Hamlin, who is of no relation to Ken Hamlin.  Michael Hamlin had 6 interceptions his senior year at Clemson, and should provide some stiff competition for the starting safety spot opposite Ken Hamlin. 

 

 

David Buehler – Kicker, Southern Cal

Certainly one of the most suprising picks of the draft.  David Buehler possesses surprising strength and size for a kicker.  Buehler amazingly benched 25 reps at the combine, more than a handful of linemen who tested out.  He also ran a 4.5 40-yard dash, faster than his fellow USC teammates, Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews.  Don’t expect Buehler to unseat Nick Folk as the starting kicker, but look for him to provide some competition in training camp and possibly win the kickoff specialist job.  Buehler is also a great tackler, and his intriquing physical prowess will certainly be interesting to watch on special teams.

 

 

Stephen Hodge – Safety, Texas Christian

The Cowboys got a hometown product in Stephen Hodge.  He is exceptionally big for a safety, but ran a decent 40-yard dash at the combine.  He will join a now crowded secondary, and will likely be a backup.  Hodge was terrific on special teams at TCU, so look for him to contribute very early in that aspect.  He has the ability to take over the title of ‘Special Teams Ace’, a label that was left vacant by Keith Davis. 

 

 

 

 

John Phillips – Tight End, Virginia

The Cowboys were obviously looking for depth behind Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett when they drafted John Phillips.  Phillips is a great blocker, and has some history with Cowboys tight end coach John Garrett, who coached for Virginia prior to his arrival in Dallas.  With the loss of Tony Curtis, look for John Phillips and Rodney Hannah to battle it out for the number three tight end spot in training camp. 

 

 

 

Mike Mickens – Cornerback, Cincinnati

Having drafted his teammate DeAngelo Smith two rounds earlier, the Cowboys pulled the trigger on another talented cornerback from Cincinnati in Mike Mickens.  This pick could be the steal of the entire draft in my mind.  Had it not been for a knee injury during his senior year, Mickens would have gone in the second or third round without question.  He had 6 interceptions during his junior year, and 4 interceptions his senior year, despite being hampered by his knee.  Once he gets healthy, look for Mickens to have a significant impact in the secondary. 

 

 

Manuel Johnson – Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

One has to believe that the Cowboys would have pulled the trigger on a receiver much earlier in the draft had a decent talent fallen into their laps.  Manuel Johnson was overshadowed in a talented Oklahoma offense that included Juaquin Iglesias and Jermaine Gresham, but still put up decent numbers, catching 42 passes for 714 yards and 9 touchdowns.  He isn’t as tall as you would like, but has exceptional hands and runs great routes.  Look for him to do battle with Isaiah Stanback for the number five receiver spot in training camp, with the loser most likely getting cut or sent to the practice squad. 

 

 

 

Extras

Is there a worse group of analysts on the planet than the ones that covered the draft on ESPN?  The analysis and commentary started out terrible with the likes of Chris Berman and Keyshawn Johnson on the first day, and got exceptionally worse on the second day when Trey Wingo and Ron Jaworski took over their duties.  And of course Mel Kiper was unfortunately present for both days, and Todd McShay chimed in with irrelevent analysis periodically as well. 

Seriously, these guys are the most sorry cast of analysts I’ve ever seen in my life.  If it wasn’t Keyshawn Johnson chiming in at every given moment about USC, then it was Ron Jaworski refusing to shut up about a no name quarterback from Central Washington.  Couple all that with the fact that Trey Wingo doesn’t know a single thing about football, and it made for an extremely annoying afternoon of irrelevent, talking heads analysis. 

What’s more annoying, Mel Kiper’s inaccurate analysis of every single pick, or his horrendous hair?  His hair is so bad that it actually takes away your focus on his exceptionally terrible analysis.  My good friend Mark compared Mel’s bush to the hair of Eddie Munster.  Surprisingly accurate to say the least.

On one occasion, when the Cowboys were on the clock at #117, they traded the pick to Tampa Bay, and moved down three spots to #120.  When the Bucs drafted Kyle Moore from USC, Trey Wingo reported that he was drafted by the Cowboys, rather than the Bucs, totally oblivious of the fact that they had traded the pick.

On another occasion, the Cardinals drafted Herman Johnson from LSU.  After the Cardinals made the pick, these morons talked for five minutes about how big of an impact he would have for the Carolina Panthers. 

Erin Andrews did a commendable job of being equally as annoying as the group of talking heads.  She shoved her microphone into the face of nearly every first round pick moments after they stepped off the stage with Commissioner Goodell.  And how ridiculously stupid was the reporting that she did with Quan Cosby and Bill Cosby?  Not only was Bill Cosby clearly not interested in answering her irrelevent questions, but he was asleep half the time as well.  If this wasn’t enough, she rudely continued her nagging questions after it was quite clear that Quan Cosby was not going to be drafted. 

Equally as annoying was the horrifically stupid electronic draft board that Michael Smith fiddled with for both days.  Why it was neccessary to implement such a pathetic piece of equipment is beyond me. 

The worst thing of all, though, had to be the EA Sports virtual player breakdown that Tom Jackson toyed with in the studio.  What is more hilariously stupid than watching a fat, former player analyzing a player’s abilities while standing amongst life-sized virtual players?  I know it’s their job to promote EA Sports, but this was so outlandish that it made me never want to buy Madden ever again. 

For those of you who were able to watch the draft on NFL Network, consider yourselves lucky, for this was the poorest reporting and analysis that I have ever seen in my life.  It is truly unbelievable that these guys actually get paid for such horrific commentary.  The self-proclaimed draft experts, Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, may have given a low draft grade to the Cowboys, but they, as well as their fellow colleagues certainly get an F in my book for their God-awful coverage of the 2009 NFL Draft.

With the 2009 NFL Draft but a few days away, a fair share of uncertainty surrounds draft day for the Cowboys.  Without a first round pick this year, it will be interesting to see what kind of player the Cowboys can get with their second round pick.  The Cowboys have 11 picks this year, so look for them to do the wheeling and dealing that their drafts have become famous for.  The Cowboys have no glaring needs this year, so taking the “best player available” approach is an option that will definitely be laying on the War Room table come Saturday.  With that being said, here are a few names to be on the lookout for.

 

Jarron Gilbert – Defensive End, San Jose State

I first came across this guy’s name while doing research on draft prospects in early 2009, and was quite impressed with what I saw.  At 6 foot 5, 288 pounds, Gilbert possesses the frame to play defensive end in the 3-4 scheme.  Not only does Gilbert have the rare build that 3-4 defenses covet, but he has the speed and athleticism to play the run effectively.  If anybody questions the athleticism of this young man, they need to watch the video on YouTube of him jumping out of a swimming pool.  Amazing.  If he’s around when the Cowboys are on the clock in round two, look for them to strongly consider him.  Gilbert would provide instant depth and flexibility on an already talented defensive line. 

 

James Casey – Tight End, Rice

If ever there was a year that the Cowboys have no need whatsoever for a tight end, it’s this year.  But the more information I unearth about James Casey, the more I understand why his services would tickle the fancy of the Cowboys, who brought him in for a final workout on Wednesday.  Casey’s hands, skills, and build would project him to be an H-back of sorts, similar to Chris Cooley.  Though the Cowboys are loaded at tight end, drafting an H-back prospect wouldn’t be such a bad idea due to the lack of a clear-cut #2 receiver.  A big athlete like Casey would give the Cowboys a weapon that could exploit the flats effectively and take additional pressure off of the receiving corps. 

 

Brian Robiskie – Wide Receiver, Ohio State

A great receiving class is one of the many headliners of this year’s draft.  Players such as Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin will certainly be off the board early in the first round.  But behind them are also some very talented receivers, and Brian Robiskie is definitely among them.  His father Terry Robiskie is an assistant coach for the Falcons and a former player.  One has to believe that Brian’s football-oriented background would make his transition to the NFL that much easier.  He does not possess blazing speed, but has decent hands and runs terrific routes.  His 6 foot 3 frame also makes him an attractive potential addition to a Cowboys receiving corps that would welcome more help and competition. 

 

Zack Follett – Outside Linebacker, Cal

The departure of Kevin Burnett in free agency coupled with the minimal depth behind Demarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, and Greg Ellis would indicate that adding a linebacker this weekend looks to be a must for the Cowboys.  With that being said, Zack Follett would be a great addition in the middle rounds.  Follett possesses size that is essential when playing linebacker in the 3-4 scheme.  But the most impressive thing about Follett has to be his play last season for the Golden Bears, where he had 23 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks.  His pass rushing skills and his ability to play the run would make him a great addition to the linebacking corps.

As the old saying goes: A year older, a year wiser. 

In my short 19-year life I have come to realize that every single hiccup within the Dallas Cowboys organization will make front page headline news. 

How much more evidence do Dallas Cowboys faithfuls need to prove that the rest of the world despises the Dallas Cowboys? 

I could only laugh and shake my head in disbelief when I arose from my sleepy slumber this morning and every media outlet on the face of the planet had this little alleged spat between Romo and Owens on the front page.  Words like amazing, astounding, or mind-blowing can’t even come close to describing this malarkey. 

The story immediately hit me right in the face when I jumped on the internet soon after waking up and saw it on AOL’s main page.

Turned on the television soon after getting out of the shower.  Not only did the two Mikes and the most biased personality ever, Skip Bayless, have this slander on lockdown, but CNN and Fox News also had short pieces on it as well.

Caught a glimpse of the television again while working out at the gym.  Sportscenter had two big stories on the situation as did Outside the Lines, which included a psychiatrist from Philadelphia talking about ”what makes T.O. tick.”  Hell, they even had a Cowboys tab on that annoying little ticker at the bottom of the screen. 

You gotta be kidding me. 

As an avid fan of professional and college football, I cannot even call ESPN legitimate anymore.  In fact, one could liken a morning episode of Sportscenter to The View; biased, opinionated reporting, off-topic discussions, and irrelevant conversations. 

NFL Live has also become somewhat of a humorous joke with the likes of Trey Wingo and the most sorry cast of hypocritical, washed-up NFL veterans I have ever seen.  These guys speak horribly and routinely get names wrong.   

As a Cowboys fan, it is quite amusing to see Keyshawn Johnson drowning in his own jealousy.  The man is so envious of Terrell Owens that he can’t help but take a shot at the Cowboys every chance he gets.    

As a loyal fan, I refuse to turn my back on the team I have loved since being brought into this world, and will have my boy T.O.’s back against what the media says all day, every day.

All the man wants is the football, and to win.  Is that too much to ask for?  

Keep it real Cowboys fans.

Wade Phillips and the rest of the Cowboys coaching staff will find out what kind of talent they have waiting in the wings when Dallas kicks their first preseason game off tonight against the Chargers.  Unlike many Regular Joe fans, I enjoy watching preseason and the players who are given a chance to prove themselves.  Here are a couple players to keep an eye out for in tonight’s game. 

 

 

Zach Thomas

Even though he will play but a few series tonight, keep a watchful eye on #55 as he puts on the star for the first time.  It will be interesting to see how Thomas plays in the 3-4 defense, which is known to use linebackers bigger than Thomas’ 5-11, 230 pound frame.  If the front three can occupy San

Diego’s offensive linemen, it will free up Thomas to run around and make many plays. 

 

 

 

 

Adam Jones

For obvious reasons, many an eye will be fixed on the secondary to see what Adam Jones can do.  Whether you love him or hate him, Adam Jones headlines the best secondary in the league and possibly the best in team history.  Though we won’t see his punt returning abilities tonight, Jones should see much playing time, and one can only hope that Dallas’ new #21 can bring back memories of a #21 from the past. 

 

 

 

 

Felix Jones

Though his playing time may be limited, it will also be interesting to see what Felix Jones can do.  Dallas drafted Jones in the first round to be a complement to Marion Barber and to be a “Jack-of-all-trades” kind of back.  Watch for Dallas to line Jones up in multiple formations and take advantage of his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. 

 

 

 

 

Tank Johnson

Personally, I will have my eye on the trenches, eagerly awaiting to see how well Tank Johnson has progressed.  Dallas faced scrutiny and criticism from all directions when they signed Johnson during the season last year, but it looks as though the Cowboys will get the last laugh.  According to many articles I’ve read, Johnson has greatly improved from last season and is pushing Jay Ratliff for playing time.  Look for the coaching staff to take advantage of Ratliff’s versatility and bump him out to defensive end when Johnson is in at nose guard.  

All Dallas Cowboys and LoneStarStruck fans, stop skimming the obituaries.  Stop endlessly surfing the web for answers.  Derek Sanders has not died.  He has not been stranded in the wilderness.  He has not been washed onto the shores of a desert island.  Contrary to popular belief, I am alive and kicking and anxiously awaiting to start of another season of Dallas Cowboys football. 

Now I have two Christmases a year marked on my calender.  My second Christmas comes in late April, when two days of draft mayhem occur and ultimately make or break a team’s success in the coming years.  Here is my breakdown of Dallas’ 2008 draft picks. 

 

Felix Jones - Running Back, Arkansas 

Many fans and analysts had Jones penciled in as one of Dallas’ first round picks, and how right they were.  Forget all the criticism Mel Kiper and the clowns over at ESPN dished out to the Cowboys for not drafting Rashard Mendenhall.  Mendenhall is a big downhill runner and the Cowboys already have that in Marion Barber.  Dallas was looking for lightning to match Barber’s thunder heading into this year’s draft and they certainly got that in Jones.  They needed a scat back who they can line up in multiple formations to spread the defense out.  Jones has all the speed and open field moves as well as All-American kick returning abilities and will provide Tony Romo with yet another weapon to torch defenses with.

 

Mike Jenkins - Cornerback, South Florida

If you were glued to your television on draft day as I was, you sort of got the feeling Dallas was looking to nab Jenkins when they traded up three spots in the first round to get him.  Even though there were three cornerbacks drafted before him, many had him ranked as the best corner in the draft.  Although Dallas lost both Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones in free agency, Jenkins is a definite upgrade and will join a now impressive and crowded secondary.  He might not get alot of playing time this year if Pacman Jones is reinstated, but he has all the skills and speed to become a starter for years to come. 

 

Martellus Bennett – Tight End, Texas A&M

A couple hours before the draft day chaos ensued, I wrote down a list of players who I thought Dallas would take a look at.  As I jotted down Martellus Bennett’s name, I turned to my brother and said "They’re gonna draft this guy now that Fasano is gone."  The Cowboys got quite an athlete in Bennett, who has a basketball-like frame and exceptional hands and ball skills.  He is also an outstanding blocker and should provide the Cowboys with extra blocking beef when they line up in multiple tight end formations.  Like Felix Jones, Bennett will add one more weapon to Tony Romo’s arsenal of firepower.

 

Tashard Choice – Running Back, Georgia Tech

The second day of the draft was filled with classic draft day wheeling and dealing which the Cowboys have become famous for.  As I watched Jerry geniusly trade down farther and farther, I received a call from a buddy who was also enjoying Jerry’s draft day brilliance.  "What the hell is Jerry Jones doing?!" he yelled.  We soon saw Jerry’s masterful trickery pay off when Tashard Choice’s name was called.  This could be my favorite pick of the whole draft.  With the running back depth dwindling, Dallas drafted Choice, a "between the tackles" runner to back up Marion Barber.  A guy who idolized Emmitt Smith, Choice is a team player and a natural born leader.  Choice does not have blazing speed, but runs with passion and heart, much like Emmitt and should spell Barber well in the upcoming years. 

 

Orlando Scandrick – Cornerback, Boise State

One word came to mind after Orlando Scandrick’s name was called.  Steal.  Scandrick ran the fastest 40-time for cornerbacks at the 2008 combine, but his stock took a nose-dive due to off the field issues.  Never being known to shy away from speed and talent, the Cowboys rolled the dice on Scandrick in the fifth round with the intent of adding more depth to their secondary.  Scandrick has all the tools to be a fine corner in the NFL.  I believe the roll of the dice will pay big dividends for the Cowboys in the near future. 

 

Erik Walden – Defensive End, Middle Tennessee State

Every year, Dallas seems to draft a guy in the lower rounds with the intent to develop him and polish his football skills.  Erik Walden is this year’s "project".  Walden certainly looks the part of a 3-4 linebacker, and has the size and speed to play in the NFL.  It will probably take a few years for him to develop into a contributor on defense, but he should help on special teams right away. 

 

As I kicked back and enjoyed highlights of all 17 of the Cowboys’ games a couple weeks back, many players caught my eye with their surprising success.  As everyone knows however, highlights always show the good, but not always the bad and the ugly.  And with that, here are a few players I thought had disappointing years for the silver and blue.

 

Julius Jones

Julius Jones tops this list without question in my mind.  Going into a contract year, I expected Jones to have a breakout season and have success that would turn Jerry Jones’ head enough to re-sign Jones to a lucrative deal.  That however was far from the case.  Jones started all 16 regular season games, but failed to record a 100-yard outing.  He amassed a mere 588 yards and only saw the end-zone twice this season.  Many could argue that Jones’ lack of success was due to Marion Barber getting most of the carries later on in games.  But it seemed as though Jones lacked the explosiveness and downhill style of Barber.  Jones was often seen dancing around in the backfield trying to make something happen rather than hitting the hole.  I feel that Jones’ performance this season will be his ticket out of Dallas via free agency.  This year’s draft could produce arguably the best crop of running backs in 10 years, and I expect the Cowboys to nab one of these runners early in the draft. 

 

Roy Williams

As Plaxico Burress strolled into the endzone untouched on the very first play of the 2007 season, we all gave our best ‘here we go again’ look when we spotted Roy Williams trailing 10 yards behind Burress.  The play ended up being a great summary for Williams’ season.  Williams was frequently the guilty party for busted coverages and long touchdown passes.  He was also the culprit for many long runs, often whiffing on the tackle trying to produce a big time hit.  Although a vulnerability many a time this year, Roy Williams is still a major part of the Cowboys defense.  All the babble about him being released or traded need to be silenced and talk of him moving to linebacker needs to be put to rest.  He will return to Dallas at safety next year.  Maybe his number change to 38 will bring back the welcomed sight of Roy laying a good lickin’ on wide receivers.  And let’s hope that Dave Campo won’t teach an old dog new tricks, but revert him back to his old ones. 

 

Jacques Reeves

As Roy Williams was having his routine problems in coverage, Jacques Reeves was having issues of his own.  Opposing quarterbacks routinely locked Reeves in their crosshairs, often with successful results.  While Reeves possesses game-changing speed, he often looked lost in coverage and a step slower than everyone else.  Although Reeves gained much game experience this season, it’s safe to say he won’t be Dallas’ top priority as far as re-signing goes.  While they might bring Reeves back at the right price, he will more than likely end up in a different uniform next year.  Look for Dallas to pick one of the stellar corners in the draft.

As I enjoyed my Monday off thanks to one of the most influential figures in American history, I watched highlights of every game the Cowboys played this year in an attempt to help my still heavy heart.  As it turns out, reflecting on our successful season was just what the doctor ordered.  Here’s a list of players who I thought had surprisingly successful years. 

Greg Ellis

I’ll put up with a little off-season belly-aching from Greg anytime as long as he buckles up and goes to work like he did this year.  Seriously, hats off to this guy for his monstrous play this year.  When the complaining started in the summer, everybody including me thought it was time for Greg to hang up his spurs.  But you kind of got the feeling that Greg had a giant chip on his shoulder after his first game back against the Rams.  You could commonly spot Ellis in the backfield racking up sacks and stripping the quarterback.  He was a great compliment to Demarcus Ware and I see no reason why he should not be back next year flustering quarterbacks with his counterpart. 

Ken Hamlin 

The Cowboys could not have asked for anything more than what they got from Ken Hamlin this year.  They signed the guy to a one-year deal in the off-season, hoping his play would do justice for a bigger contract next year.  It’s safe to say Dallas found a baller in Hamlin.  He constantly made interceptions at key times in games and was the leader in the secondary when it came to getting everyone lined up in the proper formation.  I’d venture to say that Hamlin had a bigger presence in the secondary this year than Roy Williams.  Expect Hamlin to receive a fat pay raise from Mr. Jones and stay in Dallas for awhile.

 

Patrick Crayton

We all held our breath in the summer and hoped that Terry Glenn would be ready at some point this season.  But when week 1 rolled around, it appeared that Terry Glenn would be resting his moneymakers a little longer than initially expected.  No problem.  Insert Patrick Crayton.  After seeing Crayton perform at a high level the first few weeks of the season, it was obvious that he was no longer a pup from Northwestern Oklahoma State.  The offense ran like a well-oiled machine and never missed a beat with Crayton lined up opposite Terrell Owens.  Now, we can still sit in our favorite Sunday armchair and daydream about what could have been with Owens, Crayton, and Glenn on the field at the same time, but it seems as though Dallas has found a franchise wide receiver in Patrick Crayton.

It’s finally here.  The day Cowboys fans everywhere have been waiting for.  The day the Cowboys prove all the critics wrong yet again and beat the Giants for the third time this season. 

The critics have been on the prowl the last couple weeks.  In fact, I’d venture to say they stepped their game up a notch.  Everything under the sun was used to prove the Cowboys had no chance of winning today.

Tony Romo didn’t play well down the stretch.  And his mind definitely could not have been on football since he was in Mexico during the bye week. 

Terrell Owens is hurt.  He won’t be a factor in the game.

Assistant coaches are being interviewed for head coaching jobs.  It has to be distracting the team.

Nobody can beat a team three times in one season.

Heck, someone living under a rock would never know the Cowboys even went 13-3, won their division, clinched a first round bye and home field advantage. 

It’s sure something to listen to the critics rip on the Cowboys.

Tony Romo was in Mexico?  Are you kidding me?  That’s really going to play a factor in this game?  I don’t think so.  Tony Romo is a professional athlete, and pro bowler at that.  I’m sure he has some sort of clue about how to manage his time and get ready for a big playoff game, but that’s just me.

Terrell Owens will play no factor in this game?  That gives me quite a chuckle from when I hear analysts try to make that argument.  They must not have seen Super Bowl XXXIX, when Terrell Owens picked apart the Patriots secondary for 122 yards, just a couple months removed from surgery to repair his broken ankle.  I will in no way be surprised when Terrell Owens comes out today and torches the Giants secondary like he did in the first two games.

I feel stupid for analysts who think Dallas’ assistants getting interviewed is going to impact their focus on the task at hand.  If this team or any professional team is affected by their assistant coaches being interviewed by other teams then they might as well go back to playing Pop Warner with their kids.

And last, I’m not sure how analysts even make a valid argument about it being extremely difficult for a team to beat someone three times in a year.  I guess Dallas shouldn’t even take the field to play the game since the analysts seem to think it will be harder than robbing Fort Knox.  I vividly remember the Cowboys beating New York quite soundly up in East Rutherford in week 10.  And when they make the argument that the Giants have won 8 consecutive road games, they fail to mention that the last time they lost on the road, it was at the hands of Dallas at Texas Stadium.

The only thing I have left for my fellow Cowboys friends before I retire to my comfy armchair is to take TO’s advice from earlier this week and "Get your popcorn ready."