The Cowboys Draft - Can they Find the Talent?
by Jim Vance on Apr 1, 2009 11:00 AM CDT
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PrintWith the draft coming this month I wanted to take another look at where successful teams find their talent. Businesses, governments and the military all look for successful models on which to build their future strategy. We know we need some help on defense and we need it in the middle - so I wanted to take a look at the league's top defenses to see if they offer us any guidance.
I have hope.
In an attempt to match up to the Cowboys - if a team played a 3 - 4, I included their nose tackle but I did not include the two defensive tackles if the team played a 4 - 3. I also only used the middle linebacker on a 4 - 3 team because I wanted to look at inside linebackers and not outside rushers. In summary, you will see a middle linebacker and two safeties from a 4 - 3 team and a nose tackle, two inside linebackers and two safeties from a 3 - 4 team.
Where did the players on these successful teams find their players?
The five best defenses in the NFL in 2009 ranked by fewest yards allowed ;
1) Titans
S. Tulluch MLB (4th round)
C. Hope Safety (3rd round)
M. Griffin Safety (1st round)
2) Giants
A. Pierce MLB (UDFA)
J. Butler Safety (UDFA)
M. Johnson Safety (7th round)
3) Dolphins
J. Ferguson NT (7th round)
A. Ayodele ILB (3rd round)
C. Crowder ILB (3rd round)
Y. Bell Safety (6th round)
R. Hill Safety (7th round)
4) Steelers
C. Hampton NT (1st round)
J. Farrior ILB (1st round)
L. Foote ILB (4th round)
T. Polamalu Safety (1st round)
R. Clark Safety (UDFA)
5) Ravens
H. Ngata NT (1st round)
R. Lewis ILB (1st round)
B. Scott ILB (UDFA)
E. Reed Safety (1st round)
J. Leonhard Safety (UDFA)
Number of players in the rounds in which they were drafted
|
1st round |
7 |
|
2nd round |
0 |
|
3rd round |
3 |
|
4th round |
2 |
|
5th round |
0 |
|
6th round |
1 |
|
7th round |
3 |
|
UDFA |
5 |
What this tells me is that while the Cowboys don't have a first round selection, the majority of the players in those positions that we need came in rounds three or lower. With our 11 picks (if we chose to use them all) we have a good chance of finding upgrades at our defensive needs positions. These may not be superstars but they are serviceable and viable upgrades.
I have hope.
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Jim...
You’re a numbers giant. You don’t watch out, Mr. Joyner is going to ask you to help him watch film.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
off topic but..
is anyone going to the draft this year at Radio City Music Hall? How do you get tickets and how much do they normally cost?
Tickets are free ...
on a first come, first served basis. And by first come, that means like the evening before. You will have to stand for hours upon hours. I went 3 years in a row (missed the last two years) and it can be a beating. 3 years ago they started handing out line passes so that you can go home and sleep and not have to wait in line all night. They have a lot of sponsors and free activities outside the main room. At least they did at MSG and the Javits Center. I havent been since its been at Radio City.
given how the draft has grown you'd think it'd be less painful to attend
and probably more expensive
by AustonianAggie on Apr 1, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I think you need to be a JETS fan... as in J...E...T...S... jetsjetsjets
Otherwise you need to pay off the doorman like it’s a swanky nightclub
Tar Heels started this college Bball season with one goal in mind - that loss to Kansas in last year's final 4 will make this team all bid-ness!
Yes they can
find the talent if they do their homework. I don’t think we are going to find the next Ray Lewis, or Demarcus Ware at 51 and below, but I would be extremely happy with a Fergie in the 4th. The problem is, until you put a helmet and shoulder pads on them you really don’t know what they can do at this level. Even the most talented college player in the world is JAG when he comes into the league.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
So it looks like Jay Cutler...
Is definitly getting traded.
That’s nuts. I’m not a big Jay Cutler fan, but how many times does a Pro Bowl QB get traded the next year?
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
This is on par for when Elway left the Colts
there is the air of irony. I hope he doesn’t end up in our Division
by AustonianAggie on Apr 1, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Cutler to Washington
Chris Mortensen was on ESPN radio this afternoon and said Danny-boy was angling to get Cutler. Tampa is the number one, Wash. second. Detroit liked Stafford yesterday but a known commodity like Cutler beats a big maybe – and they could trade #20 and #33 then still have #1.
I can only see Cutler in DC if Denver loves Jason Campbell
and I don’t know about that. DC doesn’t have a 2nd round pick. They have the 13th
in round one.
If Denver trades Cutler they need to get a veteran in return or a QB who can replace
him. If they go rookie, I think they’ll go for Sanchez. But I also think that they’ll get
really, really high to grab him. I’m looking at Seattle at 4 as a possible destination
for them. Everybody has them taking an OT, but Matt Hasselbeck is 33 and isn’t
getting any less mistake prone.
I think they’re gonna take a QB.
If Denver gets cute and trades Cutler without landing a young replacement, McDaniels
and his new GM will be crucified.
In short, it’s possible they could mess this up EVEN MORE.
I could see detroit
especially if leadership in Denver is actively angry at cutler
by AustonianAggie on Apr 1, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions
they would have to get creative
I don’t think Cutler, as good as he is, is worth the top pick. But he’s worth more than the 20th pick. It may take something like Detroit shipping their two #1s to Denver for Cutler and the 13th.
Denver then has their pick of the board, so if they want one of the newbie QBs, they can get him.
I'd rather have Shaun Rogers and Brady Quinn if I'm Denver
Of course, I’d REALLY rather have JAY CUTLER, my incredibly CHEAP, YOUNG FRANCHISE QB! Who is 13-1 when his defense holds the other team under 21 points!
I can’t believe this trade is gonna happen. It’s insane.
But Cutler is at the point where it seems like he’s being a bit of a whiny b-tch about the whole thing…so maybe McDaniels hand is being forced. Who can tell in these situations.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
I'd rather trade #1 myself
Keep those other two picks. There’s going to be good value there and they won’t have to shell out $35 mill guaranteed. I don’t think I’d have the stones myself to draft a player #1 overall that WASN’T a QB.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
+1 It's Nuckin Futs
Man, this whole thing really backfired on McDaniels. Right or wrong, he’s had the shortest honeymoon since Lane Kiffin. If his team can’t compete at a high level sans Cutler, Bronco nation is going to be calling for his head on a stick. Wonder what they’ll get in return.
by Boundforbeach on Apr 1, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
probably McDaniels head on a stick
(thats what Bronco Fans are going to get out of this)
And some people think Jerry Jones is like Al Davis.. Pat Bowen has certainly climbed the crazy owner list
by AustonianAggie on Apr 1, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Isn't Dallas opening in Denver?
I’d much rather face Chris Simms than Cutler at altitude.
Hells yeah.
At Denver with Chris Simms and no Brandon Marshall?
Thats awesome.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Cutler's an idiot
If I were paying some snot nosed kid 48 mil and he wouldn’t return my phone calls I’d track his a$$ down. We’ll never know the whole story, but do you want a whiner leading your men? I hope he winds up behind a line more porous than swiss cheese. Let his body get as hurt as his feelings and he’ll realize he had it pretty good.
by steelyeyedmissle on Apr 1, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
List of fools for April fools
1. McDaniels
2. Cutler
3. Bowlen
4. Montecito Tex :)
by Boundforbeach on Apr 1, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
which we don't, as you, Terry, know
Tar Heels started this college Bball season with one goal in mind - that loss to Kansas in last year's final 4 will make this team all bid-ness!
Cutler reeks of Jeff George
"Oh... Oh, that's giving me a clue. Yeah, ye-yeah, I've got a raging clue right now." Hardly Boy 2 South Park episode, "The Mystery of the Urinal Deuce"
I was StarStruck at TBB/BSR, now...
Great comparison!
That’s probably the closest comparison you can make.
Although I think Cutler has been more successful and isn’t AS much of a jerk on the field.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Cutler is definitely coming off like a massive peckerhead.
And yes, he hasn’t had a winning season since high school, but he has been 13-1 for the Broncos when they’ve held the opponents to under 21 points. One thing that does need to be pointed out is anyone who insists Cutler didn’t have a solid running game backing him last year are flat-out wrong. The Broncos still ranked 12th in rushing and averaged 4.8 ypc. The real problem with their run game was that they weren’t able to run as much as they would have liked to (their opponents finished with over 80 more rushing attempts on the season) because of their paper mache defense that ranked in the bottom six in all major categories. Maybe Cutler just sees the perfect smokescreen to allow him to get as far away from that swiss cheese defense as possible with the boy wonder douchebag coach being the icing on the cake.
Maybe Cutler’s attitudinal deficiencies will always hold him back from being truly great but I don’t want to see him anywhere near the NFC East.
I think that Cutler is way better than George......
one thing I heard on Sirius today would be to trade Quinn and Sean Rodgers for Cutler. Pretty good deal if you ask me for both sides since Denver is trying to go 3-4. Where’s Numba 1 cause he reaaaaalllly like Sean Rodgers?
I am not so sure I would go so far as to say that...
Cutler is way better than George was. Given the point they are at in their career, Cutler’s numbers are slightly better than George’s. They were both 1st round picks with huge arms. I think one of the biggest differences was that Cutler is on a better team than Jeff George was with a better offensive line.
BVandy.....
I do agree with you on that and Cutler did have Shanahan to work with him. I do think that Cutler is way better than what a lot of guys want to give him credit for. Has he handled this situation correctly? Probably not, but I think you have to separate his talent and upside away from this situation. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that even in Detroit he could be very successful with Calvin Johnson.
I agree
No way Cutler has a better arm than George, there was a reason he was a number one overall draft pick, the dude’s arm was unbelievable, could make any throw look so easy.
He never made it because he was a head case which he has in common with Cutler.
In Romo we Trust
talent can be had in any round
thats why teams pay their scouting depts good money, to find the gems that definitely exist in latter rounds.
In Romo we Trust
cutler
so with denver likely trading cutler, won’t that mean they will need to draft a qb first instead of a 3-4 defender? maybe good news for us.
Don't they have two picks before #51
I heard the Panthers would consider trading Peppers ($17 million franchise tag) for Cutler.
since McDaniels comes in w/ offensive coordinator experience
he’ll probably devalue the need for a talented QB, like even Cutler
by AustonianAggie on Apr 1, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions
that doesn't make sense to me
I would think an offensive coach would realize the need for a really good qb unlike a defensive coach.
In Romo we Trust
I've not persoanlyl studied up on the subject
but a lot of folks note that HCs believe they can fix problems in the specialty field; so if a HC is an offensive mastermind, he doesn’t need Elway to run his show. Historically this doesn’t pan out, but look at Indy, and with the exception of Dwight Freeney, Indy + Tony Dungy have been going cheap on defense ever since he got there
by AustonianAggie on Apr 1, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions
there is a difference between fixing a problem
and not having a franchise qb to work with. The NFL is a qb league, in todays game you can’t really advance far without a really good one. Brad Johnson was the last non franchise qb to lead his team to a championship and that was 7 years ago.
Any offensive coach worth his salt should realize that.
In Romo we Trust
I think people always marginalized Brad Johnson's contributions
he was awful last year but over the course of his career he was a solid winner, Minnesota should of held on to him and let Randal Cunningham go – if Minnesotta hadn’t cut him so quick after that 98 season, he’d of been Minnesota’s franchise QB
by AustonianAggie on Apr 1, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree
Brad Johnson was a better QB than he got credit for.
He just got pummeled by father time.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
I agree
Brad Johnson was a better QB than he got credit for.
He just got pummeled by father time.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Much more likely that.......
…….since McDaniels comes in with an inflated sense of self-worth because he came up the Patriot Way, he’ll be another massive flop like Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weiss. He’s already off to a smashing start.
I think they should
take Harrel from TTU. I don’t care what anyone says, I just remember the dude letting everything flow around him. I just could not get over how calm he was in the sea of confusion swirling around him. He didn’t move around as much as float in the pocket.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
i really like Harrell too..
especially at the cost..maybe a late pick….his big mark against him isn’t accuracy, it isn’t reading defenses its taking a snap under center and mechanics of a drop back pass. Isn’t that what coaching is for, and he mastered TTs system which means he should be able to learn any system. He has a love for the game and is a leader on and off the field. He reminds me of Tom Brady, with how calm he is under center and how he makes his throws right as the pass rush is about to get him. We all want a QB that we can either flip for picks in a few years or push Romo to become great or possibly over take him and become great.
by nicholas.rodriguez on Apr 1, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions
thats what I meant by late pick
He might make it to UDFA.
by nicholas.rodriguez on Apr 1, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't expect us to pick him up,
but being a Tech Ex. It would brighten my day a little. I just think he would do better in more of a spread offense or even a West Coast offense. His arm isn’t the strongest, but he is very accurate and cool under fire. Sometimes it’s like he’s playing catch with the receivers and no one else is even on the field. I just don’t know how he would adjust to NFL speed.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
Anyone...
Who live in OKC or around there, I guess Jason Witten is going to be signing autographs at Penn Square on Saturday.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Off topic but...
Yesterday on NFL Network, Warren Sapp, and I believe he was speaking of Roy Willimas, said that the Cowboys were in trouble because T.O. was gone and Williams could only run a 9 route. Was he implying that Williams’ foot injury limits him or that the route was the only one he could run? I thought 9 routes were for speed guys, not for a possession guy like Williams. Although I’m sure Williams does have some kind of speed.
Don't listen to Sapp
"They’re just dogs."
by Carl Shelton Hates Dogs on Apr 1, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions
A defensive tackle...
making remarks about a widereceiver.
Beautiful.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Sapp
is Anti-Cowboys everything if you watch NFLN
"They’re just dogs."
by Carl Shelton Hates Dogs on Apr 1, 2009 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Haha
Dude, I gotta ask you about your name. Haha what is up with that? Inside joke?
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Read FanPost "Chances of 'Boys signing Vick....?"
"They’re just dogs." - Carl Shelton in defense of Michael Vick killing dogs
by Carl Shelton Hates Dogs on Apr 1, 2009 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Lol...
i don’t think he really hates dogs, he was just emphasizing that Vick wasn’t killing any people. Yes what he did was wrong, but there are guys who is much worse. If he didn’t kill any of the dogs then I would just think of it as the dog version of MMA. The worst thing he did was take the animals life but we have all killed insects, what makes it soo different besides the perception. When an ant bites you, you automatically kill it right, if a dog bit you and you killed it you would nearly get hanged when there isn’t too much difference.
BTW..I kill insects but wouldn’t kill a dog, just pointing it out
by nicholas.rodriguez on Apr 1, 2009 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Front page apology?
"They’re just dogs." - Carl Shelton in defense of Michael Vick killing dogs
by Carl Shelton Hates Dogs on Apr 1, 2009 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Horrible defense IMO
"They’re just dogs." - Carl Shelton in defense of Michael Vick killing dogs
by Carl Shelton Hates Dogs on Apr 1, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I never heard of a fly or mosquito being a man's best friend...lol.
George Teague, Brock Marion, the Roy Williams-of-old: Where are you?
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions
The problem wasn't just that they were fighting these dogs.
They were torturing the damn things. When they didn’t prove themselves as fighters they electrocuted them. Smashed their heads against concrete and so forth. Not to mention the way they trained these dogs. How do you train a dog like that?? By stealing someone’s cat or little dog and letting their Pit tear the Holy sh** out of it. Let it get the taste of blood. This is more than just dog fighting. It was cruel and sadistic torture of animals AND the execution of the pets, the friends, of others just so a millionaire could make a few more bucks and get some kicks.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
Speaking of pit bulls.....
we’ve had a rash of attacks in the last week here. One little boy was attacked by one and a lady was out jogging and got attacked by two. Fortunately, she just got bit on the legs. Kinda scary
I guess I'm just sensitive about them.
I lost my dog to an illness a few months ago and I know that if some scum bag stole him just so he could throw him in a pen to teach his pit how to kill then I don’t honestly know what I would do to that person. It wouldn’t be pretty. Whether or not it’s “just a dog” or not sadism is never excusable.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
I agree......
I’m the proud owner of a cute little spoiled Sheltie.
I've got two little Yorkies and my boy who died, Dobby, was a Yorkie too.
They’re like kids to my girlfriend and I. Spoiled rotten kids.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord,
but if someone stole my Annastasia to teach their pit to kill, and I found them, they would find out about hell on earth. My dog is part of my family and if you mess with my family I will make sure you don’t do it twice.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
Agree GunsUp.....
Plus, I’m outnumbered in my household. With a husband and two sons, the only thing I have to keep us on a level playing field is my little female Sheltie. She has the personality of me in a dog’s body-Feisty, stubborn and opinionated. So I guess that means that some of you guys may not like my dog huh? LOL
+1000000000000
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
The whole situation could've been avoided......
….If Vick and these other combat enthusiasts would’ve just pitted worthless idiot hanger-on members of their respective entourages against one another in a fight to the death.
LOL.
Yeah, that would have been a lot better.
Remember that movie with Van Damme called Kickboxer?? Where they tied rope around their hands and glued glass to their fists?? Vick could have just done something like that.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
Yeah I remember his comment about how the skins were going to bury the boys season
in DC and how it would be fitting because the stadium is near some veteran’s cemetary; man that made me lol when I think of that comment.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
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