WHAT DO COWBOYS NEED? AND WHAT THEY DON'T...
By mark rogers
February 13, 2009
Now that National Signing Day is over, and we're into the 2010 classes being fought over in the college ranks, it's time for all football fans to focus attention on the NFL draft.
Since I have an insanely, frustrating love for the Dallas Cowboys, let's go over what they should be looking for in the draft and what they shouldn't...in my opinion:
Backup QB - This may be the #1 need on the team. If not #1, then it's very close to the top. Brad Johnson is no longer serviceable, and every time I want to get a good laugh I watch Brooks Bollinger's first pass as a Cowboys against the Giants. There are a lot of good QBs in this year's draft - Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez, etc...but Dallas doesn't need to get one of the prime time guys. Just get someone who can come in and learn the system just like Romo did. Maybe a Cullen Harper, Hunter Cantwell or Curtis Painter. This is a huge need.
Offensive Line - just about any team in the NFL can make a good pick by going with an O-Lineman. Flozell Adams is getting old, Kyle Kosier's had injury issues. It never hurts to have too many offensive lineman.
Wide Receiver - Sure we've got Terrell Owens, but he's 35 and nobody would be surprised if he wasn't a Cowboy next year somehow. Whether or not Romo and Roy Williams will get on the same page is up in the air. Miles Austin can't stay on the field. Isaiah Stanback and Sam Hurd get hurt a lot, too. There's been talk of acquiring Anquan Boldin, but I doubt Jerry would spend the kind of money it would take to get him after making the Williams deal last year. There are some interesting free agents out there, but I say try to get another good receiver in the draft. Hakeem Nicks? Jarrett Dillard? There are many good WRs in the draft this year.
LB - We do have two of the best, most consistent LBs in the league in Demarcus Ware and Bradie James. But there are lots of question marks in the rest of the corps. Will Zach Thomas be around or be lost to free agency? Does he have anything left? Same question for Greg Ellis. Great player, but how much longer can he go? If Thomas stays, Kevin Burnett may opt out of Dallas. Bobby Carpenter is not panning out. LBs in the draft that could be around for a while (meaning into the second and third rounds) include Scott McKillop, Jasper Brinkley, Antonio Appleby, Nic Harris, Ian Campbell and Rashad Bobino.
The Cowboys don't need any running backs. We have one of the best, if not the best, RB stable in the league with Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.
Stay away from corners. Orlando Scandrick, Mike Jenkins, Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry will be mainstays for years with one potential exception...
...Anthony Henry. He could be moved to safety. A move I'd almost prefer. We don't need to draft a safety. We could move Henry there full-time and have Ken Hamlin and Pat Watkins in the rotation. Plus Keith Davis is a great locker room guy and knows his role in the defensive backfield and special teams. Notice I didn't mention Roy Williams.
We're also set at TE. Jason Witten may be the best all-around player at that position in the NFL. Martellus Bennett, despite being young and doing stupid stuff, is a TD magnet and big--play maching. He has the potential to be a great blocker, too.
We're set at DL. Jay Ratliff in the middle. Marcus Spears at end. Don't let Chris Canty get away in free agency, and we're set. We also have very good backups that could continue to develop.
I think that about does it. So we need a QB, WR, OL and LB or a combination of any of those positions. The draft is April 25-26. About 70 days away!!!
And by the way...the first college football game is Thursday, September 3 at 6 PM. South Carolina vs. North Carolina State!!!!! Let the countdown begin!!!
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