and I’m not saying Unger wouldn’t have moved to center eventually, but not Immediately.

And yes, they would have drafted him to be a quality backup right away. Anyone the Cowboys draft will be a backup their rookie year, we don’t have any holes other kicker.

He plays because he is the brains of the operation.

Haynesworth is one of the best and strongest DT’s in football. Kosier is not the only one who has had a hard day against that guy. Earlier on you said that listing the 3 playoff games Colomob’s struggled in wasn’t sufficient evidence. But now you list 1 game where Kosier struggled against arguably the best DT in football as evidence he’s got to go.

I’ll say it again, I’m not against upgrading Kosier. If it can be done it should no doubt. But it’s not a cure all for this Oline by far. It doesn’t fix the penalties. It doesn’t fix the pass protection. It doesn’t fix the poor second level run blocking. Kosier is actually good in all those areas. This Oline gave up 34 sacks and melted down (again) in the playoffs with a QB who’s great at avoiding sacks and has a quick release (and from the stats I’ve seen Kosier was responsible for 1 sack in the 16 regular season games. That leaves a lot for the other guys doesn’t it).

If all we do is replace Kosier and nothing else then we’ll go through what we’ve been through the last four years straight; the Offensive Line being the leading culprit for our missing the playoffs or being our exit from the playoffs. We’ve been "making a run" with these exact same guys for three years and three years straight they disappointed (of which Marc Colombo is top of the list not Kosier).

The first order of business for improving this Oline is giving back to Doug Free the job he earned with his outstanding debut stretch at RT last season. That move immediately upgrades pass protection, upgrades second level blocking and lowers penalties. With Free being young there’s plenty of room for him to improve his already very good game and make it great. Imagine that; a great pass protector at Tackle for Tony Romo.

The second move is to try and find the most talented Olineman we can in the draft (anywhere Tackle, Guard, Center).

Third is to give Brewster (or new draft pick) all the help they can to challenge Kosier for the LG position.

It came from a DMN reporter I think?

Either way, where there is smoke, there is fire.

And didn’t Parcells say Gurode lacked the mental capacity (maybe not in those terms) to play LG?

And now he’s playing center?

Who are the guys past the third round that everyone is just raving about?

I’m not being a smartass either, I’m seriously wondering.

The Jets did good but they also grabbed positions that are going to get more acclaim.

Seattle had a good first two picks but I didn’t think Deion Butler was lighting it up.

Most of the value was in the first two rounds.

Besides Kenny Britt who did Tennessee draft that was a constant contributer to a mediocre season.

All the value looked to be in the first round and a half.

They tried to trade up to get Unger, but no one bit.

Basiclly the Roy trade killed them.

otherwise were not going to find starting quality lineman in free agency.

Actually, many people said Loadholt wouldn’t amount to much and he seemed solid for the Vikes…

Second round pick, seventh offensive lineman overall, was a Pro Bowler his rookie year.

Helped Tomlinson to his record year (most of his long runs came left side that year).

Was not called for a holding penalty his entire rookie season.

he was drafted #23 last year and is an absolute stud.

no way no how does he leapfrog McCoy or Suh!

Suh and McCoy could go 1-2

I’m just saying he could be gone before dallas.

and I am pretty sure that Ziggy Hood plays DE for the Steelers since he is only 300 pounds.

One…more…time!!!

JUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUICE WILLIAMS!!!

…don’t fault the guy with elite deep speed for that.

How does he get so open against us???

Browns could and should take a WR now that Edwards is gone.

Bills? It all depends on the T.O. thing. Bryant at #9 would not surprise me.

Word around South Florida is that Tuna will absolutely pick a WR and that they are fed up with Ginn. They would go with a bigger WR.

Titans certainly could go WR as they still need help spreading teams out to take more advantage of CJ’s speed, but I think you’re right and they will go defense.

Also, don’t rule out the Pats either. Welker’s future is uncertain and Brady still has a lot left. Julian Edelman is not the answer.

Ravens’ bigggest need is at WR, IMO, and Tate would be a solid choice for them. They could go CB too.

 There is absolutely no way you can with certainly that a player who was injured his rookie year is a bust which is essentially what you’re saying when stating our draft was a huge failure.

Projecting how a college player will perform at the next level is not the same analogy at all.

I think a stud OT will be there at #27.

The problem is that he won’t start in 2010.

Can Jerry subjugate his need to be splashy and make the smarter pick?

I dunno. I am counting on Stephen to help him get to the right place.

Just to be clear, I wouldn’t want us to trade down now. I think that you are of course right that we should let the chips fall to see if some teams react in a way that is unexpected. I suppose my point was that if things go as I think they will (always a risky business) than it appears as of now (minus combine numbers and such) that the greatest value will be in trading down.

As far as your questions, here are my thoughts:

Ducasse? I would trade down for sure if he is the best guy available at our positions of need.

Dan Williams? I actually would have a hard time deciding this one. I have long been on the bandwagon to switch Rat to DE, and Williams might just be the guy to do it since by all accounts he is that prototypical 3-4 NT. On the other hand, there are some concerns about his consistency and if he does in fact fall this far, I am sure we could find some willing draft partners looking to trade back to get him. This decision I would have to trust to professional scouts.

Benn and/or Tate? I would personally be inclined to trade down (unless one of them puts up insane or very unexpected numbers at the combine). I think to invest a first rounder in a position that is as risky as WR when we have more pressing needs (plus I like the depth in this year’s WR class) would not be that great. Like I said though, if one or both of them have a really impressive showing at the combine, I would perhaps reconsider my position.

I’m sure this years draft board will be photographed and put out shortly

Igniting a firestorm of controversy. Was that the real board, or was it a smokescreen cleverly planted?

I can’t see him getting by the 49ers, Giants, and Steelers.

As for Louis Delmas, I agree he was a good player last year, but he came from a smaller school and did not run nearly as well as Thomas will. It also helps with the successful string of Texas DBs who have played well in the last few years.