Whither Nate Jones?
by Dave Halprin on Mar 12, 2008 1:23 PM CDT
in Dallas Cowboys News
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PrintWhere will Nate Jones end up? Could it be with the Vikings, the team he is visiting today?
Free agent CB Nathan Jones, who has spent the past four seasons with Dallas, is scheduled to visit Winter Park today. Jones is known as a solid special teams player and attended Rutgers at the time when Vikings special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro was the defensive coordinator there.
Or will he follow the Cowboys Castoff gravy train to the Big Tuna?
He might not be the last, with the Dolphins talking to free-agent CB Nate Jones about a possible visit.
Kalvin McRae is a running back from Ohio. In this article he was asked about his experiences at the combine, specifically about the interviews with each team. His response:
"I can’t even remember all of them," McRae said. "The hardest interview for me to do was the interview with the (Dallas) Cowboys ... They drew up a play for me and told me what the responsibilities of everyone were and what my responsibility was, and I had to spit it back to them, and that was hard to do."
The Cowboys staff is doing their homework.
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were going to resign Jones to be our
nickel CB. c'mon...lol
Actually, I think Ball has a shot at it. They really like him.
by Cowboys81 on Mar 12, 2008 2:50 PM CDT reply actions
If Ball was better, don't you think
he would have been our 4th corner this year instead of Jones?
Well one had 4 years experience and
the other was a one year player so I think not. The problem with Ball is he is inexperienced. CB is a hard position to learn as a rookie coming into the NFL. If you think any of these CB's are coming in here and starting right off the bat barring injury your kidding yourself. That includes DRC, Jenkins, Mckelvin.
Q & A from Mickey that mentions Ball:
What is the analysis on Courtney Brown and Alan Ball? Are they capable of stepping up and realistically competing for the starting cornerback position? Or are they to be viewed as career backups who will only enter the game in nickel and dime packages?
Mickey: I don't know about career, but at least for the 2008 season that is what you hope these two seventh-round draft choices would compete for in their second seasons. Remember now, Ball is a corner and Brown was moved to free safety. Ball will get a chance to compete for the third corner spot, but as for the second, I'm not so sure that is open for competition. Say what you want about Anthony Henry, but he did lead the team with six interceptions. And I don't think Terence Newman is taking a backseat to anyone any time soon. The scouting staff is high on Ball as a corner, I know that. As for Brown, he just needs some seasoning, having played at a lower level in college (Cal Poly) and mostly in man on the corner, and now switching positions. The Cowboys like the way he finds the ball, along with his speed.
So yes, they are high on ball the reason I said he may get his chance at being the nickel CB.
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cf...
by Cowboys81 on Mar 12, 2008 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
I don't think many want a rookie to come in and start, though nickel CB is a different matter (I'm fine with that). Henry is a good player, and he should start. The issue will be who steps in if (or more likely, when) Henry and/or Newman get hurt.
Still, I'm hoping Ball can take that job, even if we draft a CB high. We have to prepare for life after Henry and Newman, regardless of who is our nickel CB this year.
Counting on Ball or Jones or Butler
to come in and be the 3rd CB is too depressing to think about.
Dallas will draft a CB in the first and that guy should be able to beat out the other guys.
Dont count on it
especially if we draft King or Flowers which seems likely. It's looking more and more Ball has a legit shot.
by Cowboys81 on Mar 12, 2008 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions
How is that likely?
King and Flowers are 2nd to 3rd rounders. You honestly think the Cowboys are going to pass up the chance to take a future starting CB in the 1st round? There is a lot better chance that we take CB at #22 then see what happens as far as RB, WR, DT.
I'm not excited because Mickey Spags writes a blurb about how the coaching staff likes Ball. They liked Reeves too and we know how that turned out.
Hey if the guy turns out to be a player, then great, but until then, he's just a guy.
by APerfectStar on Mar 12, 2008 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions
agree Tom....
Dallas will draft a CB in the first and that guy should be able to beat out the other guys.
And if he doesn't beat them out, we've failed miserably.
by BoyzRback07 on Mar 12, 2008 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah well then we better trade up
because it's not going to happen. Were not trading up for a any of these players.
by Cowboys81 on Mar 13, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
the question is will there be a CB to take at 22
probably not. Tom, do you really think any of these CBs we've been talking about for weeks will be available at 22? The Cowboys are high on Ball, we desperately need another RB to compliment MB3. Felix Jones is going to be the 22nd pick for us, I have no doubt in my mind. Even if one of these guys were drafted I don't think they would beat out a player who's been here for two seasons and knows the defense. Not for the first year anyway.
When was the last time you saw a rookie getting alot of playing time barring injury on this team? Parcells would never, ever play a rookie unless he had to on his defense and I don't see Wade doing it either.
Your seeing a lot of mocks now having us takee King or Flower at 28 because many realize we are taking a RB at 22 and the CBs I mentioned will be gone.
I'm just saying don't be surprised if we take a CB late first or in the second round.
by Cowboys81 on Mar 13, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree Cowboys81
My feeling is that our targets at #22 should be McKelvin, DRC or Mendenhall. If those guys are gone, trade down, pick up a second and draft a guy like Tracy Porter in the 2nd. I really think this kid is a player.
Tracy Porter is the real deal....
And has always been my back up plan in case DRC & Co...get plucked up early...I'd take Porter at #28....cuz he won't get past pick #40.
by BoyzRback07 on Mar 13, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I think #28 is too high for Porter
I say we trade down in the middle of the 2nd rd, pick up an extra 3rd or 4th, and nab him there.
Why pick up Porter at #28 when he'll be available in the 2nd rd?
no chance he'll be there in the mid-late 2nd.
some mocks have him going to Miami at pick #32...He is every bit of a late first round talent...
by BoyzRback07 on Mar 13, 2008 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
I think there is a chance be available in 2nd rd
Outside the top ten, mock drafts aren't really a good indicator of where a player will be drafted. Its just fans and sportswriters opinions of where they think those players will be drafted but in reality they have no clue since they have no idea how the team's actual draft boards are constructed.
So never say a player has no chance to slide to a certain round or number because outside the top 5-10 players, nobody really has a clue how the draft will unfold.
never said he wouldn't be a 2nd rounder..
but I assure you he will not be available at pick #61 of the second round...I would bet you 1,000,000 dollars and feel quite confident.
by BoyzRback07 on Mar 13, 2008 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I never he would either
I said trade down to the middle of the 2nd...gonna read more closely boyz.
he's not making it to the mid 2nd....
so open your eyez Terry. !!!...lol
by BoyzRback07 on Mar 13, 2008 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions
wow..lol...Cowboys new man crush is Ball ?
Even if one of these guys were drafted I don't think they would beat out a player who's been here for two seasons and knows the defense. Not for the first year anyway.
He has been with the team less than a year, six months, one season......ummm.ok.
Dude...your 7th round, practice squad member would have no chance of playing ahead of DRC, McKelvin, or Jenkins...1 season of being a scout team player at Valley Ranch, doesn't give him the edge over anyone...I really hope the guy pans out, and a season in the system maybe he's gained some strength and experience, but as you so meticulously pointed out to me about Courtney Brown, HE(Ball) was a 7th round pick for a reason...
You can either cover or you can't, being here on the practice squad doesn't assure he's better than anyone...And Ball is nowhere in same league of these elite guys, physically, skills set wise, or playmaking abilities... I have no idea how your coming up with this stuff..
by BoyzRback07 on Mar 13, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree boyz, Ball isn't any better than Jones
at this point. He'll have to really improve greatly to become our #3 CB.
Its funny to hear people talking up Ball now because the same was said of Reeves and Jones a few years ago.
it is funny....
Hopefully he does develope into a good special teams guy, and dime back...but if he's our starting slot CB opening day...I'm going to crawl in a hole and die.
by BoyzRback07 on Mar 13, 2008 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions
If you want to place a little side bet
on that let me know. Unless it's a CB taken in the top 10 he is not going to start at the nickel for us. Like I said the organization is high on Ball as Mickey pointed out. They want him to compete for the nickel spot and they think he can. The problem with him is he was a little inexperienced.
Whether it's DRC, Jenkins your asking a whole lot for an inexperience rookie to come in here and be a major contributor on the nickel, which is basically a starter these days. There are no Deion Sanders in this draft class. If one of these players were a top 10 selection they may be forced to start because of there high draft status and salary, but there will be no rush to start an inexperience draft pick selected mid first or second round.
Courtney Brown was a CB that has never played a lick of safety before, so to expect him to beat out a FS that played at a high level through college and now two years in the NFL would be a bit much to ask from Brown.
Mark it down. The nickel CB will be a player already on this team or a veteran, but not a rookie barring injury. He may get some special teams play, but he won't start at the nickel. Everyone wants a rookie to come in and save the day, but it just doesn't happen that way for the most part. People have to relax a little on the expectations of a rookie, since it's a position that is so difficult to transition from the college ranks to the NFL.
by Cowboys81 on Mar 13, 2008 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Check your current mocks lately Cowboy81?
I see us with Jenkins at #22! He is a CB if I'm not mistaken. LOL
I am reading the other Dallas reporters, not named Mickey, and they seem to be leaning towards CB at #22 (maybe not Jenkins, but a CB anyway) and then a WR at #28, and a RB in the 2nd (specifically Rice) for Dallas. Main point being, RB is looking less likely to be from the 1st round at all.
Not saying it will happen, but I do think it is more likely than your suggestions of a RB at #22 and CB at #28.
I'm also curious why you are so sure that our 1st round, or even 2nd round CB, will not be the 3rd best CB on the roster by some point next season. You must have no faith in the scouting dept.
A 7th round CB, in his second year, is not going to suddenly be better than a 1st round rookie CB. If that theory were true, every team would simply draft CB's low and wait a year for them to spontaneously transform into first round quality. It doesn't happen that way. Especially, when they don't play their rookie year.
by APerfectStar on Mar 14, 2008 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Could be
I'm also curious why you are so sure that our 1st round, or even 2nd round CB, will not be the 3rd best CB on the roster by some point next season. You must have no faith in the scouting dept.
Because when on this team have you seen a rookie CB starting? Parcells never did it and I see Wade in the same mold. Nickel CB is basically a starter now so to expect a rookie to come in a learn Wades defense his first training camp is a little much to ask for. None of these CB's are great by any means this draft so it could be even more of a stretch. DRC is probably the most talented out of the bunch, but probably needs the most work also. Do I think DRC, Jenkins or Mckelvin could be a replacement for Henry or Newman, absolutely, but not this year, maybe not next year either.
I keep saying don't forget a veteran being picked up at some point. If that happens there is your nickel CB.
Jenkins won't be there at 22, but who knows. One of the better Mocks on the web have him going at 16.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub...
I don't think Wade is thrilled with plugging a rookie in at the nickel. Maybe this is the reason why we are seeing the PacMan rumors flying. If it has to come down to starting a rookie we may have to, but I really don't think that's Wade's intention going into training camp.
by Cowboys81 on Mar 14, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Pacman is the best solution....
But we still need to draft the best CB available....
preferably trading up to get DRC...
by BoyzRback07 on Mar 14, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
you're on Cowboys81
If we draft a CB in the 1st 2 rds, he's our nickel CB opening day, barring injury.
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