Bleacher Report - Articles by CowboysPride

Owner, Coach, Player...What's Up Here?

CowboysPride — Sat, 23 May 2009 08:51:16 -0400

It depends upon the sphere of application here. An engineer would concentrate upon the qualities of execution and develop methods of dissecting each and every aspect of inclusion.

This would quickly include speed of player, ability for change in direction, strength in short torque situations, explosiveness, starting speed from a zero point vantage, and ability to sustain energy levels and still retain explosive ability.

Each of us fans do our own tabulations to such demonstrators in players. These do affect direct applications on the carpet.

Then you have a coaching advantage. Teams respond to the direction given them from a coaching perspective.

This specific aspect can be bypassed by players and even be successful to a degree, as in football, the whole progression is dependent upon their own actions on the carpet under the lights.

Given their own direction, a group of players, people, or gang on the block will always digress and revert to a chaotic interaction 100 percent of the time. The time necessary to bind individual tendencies are subservient to the settling of personalities.

This defeats team considerations to a large degree. Team success here become rudderless and limited by an opponent being prey to a singular and random strength that this team can use.

When attempting to observe and give credence to aspects of both coaching influences and player talents it all occurs in the context of a game setting.

Even here, it all boils down to whether a team is successfully competitive and if not sustained over a period of time by winning, then it boils down to team successes or failures in a win and loss view.

That not withstanding, the current NFL is all about a yearly accosting of records and the potential to change everything within the time frame of from one to three seasons.

So the objectivity of individual influences of either players or coaching staffs are limited to view beyond scores weekly and overall yearly wins accumulated.

Without areas of concentrated observation and some relationship drawn and tracked, fans are then reduced to administering scores to the responsible members in this picture and grading coaching potential strictly upon team achievements.

This is for better or worse. The clamor by the fan becomes lateral in his pursuits and he demands change when that yearly total doesn't meet his level of personal demands.

More and more, with the social aggressiveness involved in the expected role of a fan today, this becomes a clamor for team dominance and the asking for head felling intensely by that team's supporters if failure has to be endured for even a single season.

Coaching has a focused role, that has to be reflected in a mode of interaction for their respective players and now, perceptions by the media and fans as well.

The degree of interactions has been expanded into a constant bombardment by the media and observers as well.

The immediate function of the coaching staff is first to cultivate a team-supportive climate that continually addresses the extremes of dynamics and sacrifice demanded for participation in the NFL.

If the culmination of all combined coaching directives does not accumulate a successfully rewarding level of reference for the player, that player loses focus and personal reward adequate to sustain a focus of technique and aggressive personal receptiveness to sustain his role in NFL games.

A coach thus has to support a player-directed motivation and leadership, yet retain the line of disjointed discipline required to keep it continually motivating, and not lose the respect of the team in the process.

These attributes are reflective in association, but a picture of wins and losses don't address the particulars of style, schemes, techniques required, and an overriding influence of individual team history and successes.

Certain things can be observed in this progressions of coaches, such as Washington settling in upon a physically demanding set of veterans and stocked both sides of the ball.

To this group were added a crunch-delivering set of running backs and this ball of function was wrapped in a strictly baseline diet coach of Joe Gibbs.

Mike Ditka got a no nonsense team of huge and aggressive players and then set a top-notch running back to control flows of the opponent's game.

Jimmy Johnson sold his neighbor's wife, the city's cash flow, and his own owner down the stream to get a whole group of top notched and top end producers backed by an offensive line completely capable of mauling every defense they approached.

New England's head coach, Belichick, set up a transitional team that accumulated talent by first acquiring older and thus cheaper veterans that were tied into a system, and then starting to accumulate increasing amounts of draft choices to build a dynamic and replenishing group of inserts as the older parts wore out.

Those all were the fan and media observable view of the actual rewards of function, but not the workings themselves.

The player is dependent upon the amount of work that he receives during the course of a single season. This then is accumulative as long as his body shape remains at the optimum side of function.

As time accumulates in a particular player, technique, and sustainability of that technique is as important as the aspect of top end dynamics of that talent by the player.

This reverts back to the role and function of the coach, who imparts that onto the player.

For a period of time, individual players were allowed to play around with such directions on their own, but increasingly it is necessary to share the work, stress, and toil of individual development and successes to progress a team directed sense of accountability and trust.

Here again, is where the coaching staff starts to be directive as to levels of accumulated successes. The goal levels thus become higher and the ability to reintegrate them in a team setting improves as well.

This isn't yet a complete systems analysis of what affects the aspect as concentrated as play on carpet.

This is where the owner/GM enters the picture. With the multi-millions and even billions of dollars that enter the cash flow picture, sustainability, bottom line expenses, and maximum organizational safeguards are employed in addition to direct relationships of wins and losses.

The gate returns and outward cash flows inward become the business bottom line of these very organizations.

This is the nature of the beast at the professional levels of a sport, as it all is glued together by a team's ability to pay for what is put onto the field. Gate returns governs the ownership selection of coaches and thus, team character and play.

Some of a large group of owners are more than content to judge relative successes with the bottom line market value of their teams in their local and adjust expectations accordingly.

Even here, although, not all coaches see themselves limited by cash flow once their team walks onto the field. Some of these very coaches are able to direct all within their own realm and integrate player talents into their own schemes and systems of play.

When one takes a progressive ownership group, and watches where it moves and gives it's support, a variety of tendencies are at work here also. Uniformity is often the exception in these areas.

Some of the owners of franchises chose a dominant leader and relinquish all functional team controls over to them and sustainability reverts to gate revenues. Then there are figures dominate all player acquisitions and then expect those given the tasks to win with what they are given.

Next, you have sustainability of organizations, that are enhanced with an accumulation of time and interaction among coaching staffs themselves. The longer a group of good coaches are together, the stronger the transition periods of time reflect discipline and quality of play on the field.

In today's pattern of merry-go-rounds of coaching shifts to opponent teams and a chance to move up...there is a depletion to sustainable coaching staffs. This becomes a further problem for the owners/GM's of organizations.

Even with good talent, a continual shift and change in top team direction and discipline is diminished with this type of constant change.

A team such as Philadelphia has been riding a combination of a group of long standing coaching staff, not allowing cap to be a limiting feature as to base talent on the team, and using the draft to continually accumulate choices and result in a general rise in team talent as well.

Here, Dallas has accumulated both with a picture of bringing it to the field on the season that is started. At present, resources have all been directed to a stable team now, that in addition has a very broad base of youth from which to again grow and maintain.

Player strengths only have dominance as it plugs back into a team directed strength and ability to attack specific aspects of an opponent. Here again, coaching directs this.

It then becomes necessary, for the coaching staff to in addition to sustainable features and ability to develop and maintain individual talents and strengths, but to meet the demands of a continually more educated and copycat league within the NFL itself.

A game-time generalship is thus needed with input by all parts of that coaching staff to maintain an adaptive element during game time itself.

Here is were accumulated knowledge with an older and in place staff and full knowledge of the metrics of their interactions during 'the show' become dominant.

This discernible element can have as much application in a game as ability to maintain optimum potential in both scheme and players.

These elements thus are subjective to owner perspectives and such variables as bottom line wins and losses, which can cause a clamor strictly reflective of change. No, what we have is a flow chart all interrelated...from owner, to coaches, and then to the player.

Jerry Jones, Wade Phillips, and Tony Romo are all part of a functioning franchise as well as NFL team. Each has a role in the function. Jerry Jones has the role of providing the environment of stability and the ability to maximize at each point in the process of selection.

Wade Phillips has to ensure that technique of each player is developed and integrated into a successful scheme of team play that during game conditions is adaptive to changes on that field and maximizes both scheme and player strengths.

The players have to maintain a sense of team directed and successful interaction as well as individual accountability to do all he is tasked with. They are all inter-related come game time.

The failure of any one of those participating groups affects team product. For this group of participants in this year's Dallas Cowboys, I feel there is a fine level of commitment and determination by all involved. Direction has been established at all three levels of observation...now, we shall see how it all comes to view come GAME DAY!

CCBoy is a CP Staff Writer/Analyst...you can read more of his work at cowboyspride.net

All Right, Let's Take a Look at the State of the Cowboys

CowboysPride — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:25:11 -0400

If one were to take the most pessimistic look possible at the goings-on with the Cowboys, what would that look like when presented?

Next, if it really isn't as bad as the worst of naysayers imply, then where does it fall and how realistic is optimism in this picture?

Fair enough a start point? If so, then let's start on a evaluative journey....involving the Dallas Cowboys.

To start with, the top of the flow chart has to receive some scrutiny. Here, to start with a negative vein, many fans and media alike have been not too subtly calling for the head of none other than Jerry Jones himself.

The mental associations start with his flashy participation and high profile tendencies around any and everything involving changes in the Dallas Cowboy organization.

Now to be honest, one has to evaluate this negative view and see what is involved in this projection. First, the charge, meddlesome and overbearing to the detriment of the organization.

Now, proof here is almost purely subjective except when an observer puts his own values and associations in place as indicators of change. To be fair here, the negative view has to be assumed and followed through with. So, here goes....

Jerry Jones has a history of putting his ego in the way of team constructive decisions and in the process has limited the dynamics of those placed in charge of directing the team to success.

The list of head coaches for the Dallas Cowboys has been a turnstile of short termed and ill prepared coaches that have served mainly as an extension of the ego of Jerry Jones himself.

To do this, we must look at supportive facts of the franchise itself...so let's start that journey first.

The Cowboys joined the NFL as a 1960 expansion team.[2] The team's national following might best be represented by its NFL record of consecutive games in front of sold-out stadiums.

The Cowboys' streak of 160 sold-out regular and post-season games began in 1990, and included 79 straight sellouts at their home, Texas Stadium, and 81 straight sell-outs on the road.[3]

An article from Forbes Magazine, dated Sept. 10, 2008, lists the Cowboys as the most valuable sports franchise in the United States, and second in the world (behind the United Kingdom's Manchester United), with an estimated value of approximately $1.612 billion, ahead of the Washington Redskins ($1.538 billion) and the New England Patriots ($1.324 billion).[4]

They are also one of the wealthiest teams in the NFL, generating almost $269 million in annual revenue.[5]

The Cowboys have been one of the most successful teams of the modern era (since 1960). The team has won five Super Bowls and eight conference championships.

The Cowboys have more victories (41) on Monday Night Football than any other NFL team; the Miami Dolphins are second with 39 and the San Francisco 49ers are third with 38.[6]

They hold NFL records for the most consecutive winning seasons (20, from 1966 to 1985) and most seasons with at least ten wins (25).

The team has earned the most post-season appearances (29), a league record of 56 post-season games (winning 32 of them), the most division titles with 20, the most appearances in the NFC Championship Game (14), and the most Super Bowl appearances (8).

The Cowboys also played in two NFL championship games before the NFL's 1970 merger with the American Football League.

The Cowboys became the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in just four years (a feat that has been matched only once since, by the New England Patriots). They are second only to the Pittsburgh Steelers with most Super Bowl wins (tied with the San Francisco 49ers with five each).

The Cowboys' success and popularity has earned them the nickname "America's Team". Before the 2008 season an ESPN's Page 2 statistical comparison of all teams since the AFL-NFL merger had the Cowboys narrowly beat out the Pittsburgh Steelers for the top of its Ultimate Power Ranking.[7]

That is the story of the Dallas Cowboys to present, but let's start to single out the part that belongs with the Jerry Jones portion of that journey....

As the Cowboys suffered through progressively poorer seasons (from 10–6 in 1985 to 7–9 in 1986, 7–8 in 1987, and 3–13 in 1988), Bright became disenchanted with the team.

During an embarrassing home loss to Atlanta in 1987, Bright told the media that he was "horrified" at Landry's play calling. Bright sold the Cowboys to Jerry Jones on February 25, 1989.

Jones immediately fired Tom Landry, the only head coach in franchise history, replacing him with University of Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson. With the first pick in the draft, the Cowboys selected UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman.

Later that same year, they would trade veteran running back Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for five veteran players and eight draft choices.

Although the Cowboys finished the 1989 season with a 1–15 record, the worst record since the team's inception, "The Trade" later allowed Dallas to draft a number of impact players to rebuild the team.

Johnson quickly returned the Cowboys to the NFL's elite. Skillful drafts added fullback Daryl Johnston and center Mark Stepnoski in 1989, running back Emmitt Smith in 1990, defensive tackle Russell Maryland and offensive tackle Erik Williams in 1991, and safety Darren Woodson in 1992.

The young talent joined holdovers from the Landry era such as wide receiver Michael Irvin, guard Nate Newton, linebacker Ken Norton Jr, and offensive lineman Mark Tuinei, and veteran pickups such as tight end Jay Novacek and defensive end Charles Haley.

In 1992 Dallas set a team record for regular season wins with a 13–3 mark. In January 1993, only three years after their 1–15 season, the Cowboys earned their first Super Bowl trip in 14 seasons.

Dallas crushed the Buffalo Bills 52–17 in Super Bowl XXVII, during which they forced a record nine turnovers.

Johnson became the first coach to claim a National Championship in college football and a Super Bowl victory in professional football. The following season, they again defeated the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVIII, 30–13.

The Cowboys sent a then-NFL record 11 players to the Pro Bowl in 1993: Aikman, safety Thomas Everett, Irvin, Johnston, Maryland, Newton, Norton, Novacek, Smith, Stepnoski, and Williams.

Only weeks after Super Bowl XXVIII, however, friction between Johnson and Jones culminated in Johnson stunning the football world by announcing his resignation.

Jones then hired former University of Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer to replace Johnson. The Cowboys finished 12-4 in 1994, but missed the Super Bowl by losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, 38-28.

In 1995, Jones lured All-Pro cornerback Deion Sanders away from San Francisco, and Dallas once again posted a 12-4 regular season record.

The Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 at Sun Devil Stadium in Super Bowl XXX for their fifth world championship. Switzer joined Johnson as the only coaches to win a college football National Championship and a Super Bowl.

Yet the glory days of the Cowboys were again beginning to dim as free agency, age and injuries began taking their toll. The Cowboys went 6-10 in 1997, with discipline and off-field problems becoming major distractions.

As a result, Switzer resigned as head coach in January 1998 and former Steelers offensive coordinator Chan Gailey was hired to take his place.

Gailey led the team to a 10-6 record in 1998 and an NFC East championship, but was let go after an 8-8 playoff season in 1999, becoming the first Cowboys coach who did not win a Super Bowl.

Nonetheless, the Cowboys posted more wins in the 1990s than any other NFL team.

2000s

Defensive coordinator Dave Campo was promoted to head coach, but he could only post three consecutive 5-11 seasons.

Many fans and media were beginning to blame Jerry Jones for the team's ills, noting that he refused to hire a strong coach or general manager, preferring to hire coaches who did not want to be involved with personnel duties so that Jones himself, as GM, could manage them.

Jones then lured Bill Parcells out of retirement to coach the Cowboys. The Cowboys became the surprise team of the 2003 season, posting a 10-6 record and a playoff berth by having the best overall defense in the NFL.

However, during the next two seasons, the Parcells-led Cowboys missed the playoffs. The Cowboys then finished an up-and-down 2006 season with a 9-7 record and a playoff appearance, but after a last second loss in the Wild Card Game against the Seattle Seahawks, Parcells retired and was succeeded by Wade Phillips.[11]

In his first season as head coach, Phillips and his coaching staff led the franchise to its best seasonal start ever, a conference-best 13-3 record, and the franchise's 16th NFC East championship title, the most of any team in that division. (Washington, New York and Philadelphia are tied for second with seven championships each.)[12]

The Cowboys were eliminated by the (eventual Super Bowl Champion) Giants in the divisional round of the playoffs, the first NFC #1 seed to so falter since the 1990 playoff re-alignment.*(taken from Wikipedia)

Now, those indicators tend to show, despite the criticisms levied against the owner and GM, Jerry Jones, his organization has continued to progress continually back to the top levels of successes in the NFL, on a basis of wins and losses. That is a strong indicator of team directions.

On the specific consideration of specific control of the team, Jerry showed the entire world that he was not afraid to give full controls to a strong figurehead. He did this when he lured Bill Parcells out of retirement to head his Cowboy organization.

Under the direct leadership, control, and player acquisition of Bill Parcells, the team gained strengths, yet lacked post-season successes as an organization.

This was an indicator that Jerry Jones alone was not the mediating factor in a lack of successes here.

Further, the Dallas franchises' greatest win season, 13-3, occurred under the leadership of Wade Phillips following the departure of Bill Parcells. The nucleus of that Parcells' lead team, the 13 All Pro players were not enough alone, to reach the desired results in the playoffs.

That team was beaten by a strongly motivated and talented Giant team that grew to be the strongest team in the field over the course of that Super Bowl push.

The failure of this team was not more to the lack of talent, leadership of it's head coach, or it's owner and GM, Jerry Jones-but more to the direct accomplishments of those same New York Giants.

The complete list of Coaches who have been at the head of the Dallas Cowboys is as follows:

Coaches
Note: Statistics are correct as of the 2008 NFL season.

# Name Term Regular Season / Playoffs Achievements Reference
GC W L T Win% / GC W L Win%

Dallas Cowboys

1 Tom Landry* 1960–1988 418 250 162 6 .607 / 36 20 16 .556
AP Coach of the Year (1966)[6]
Sporting News Coach of the Year (1966)[6]
UPI NFL Coach of the Year (1966)[6]
UPI NFC Coach of the Year (1975)[6]
2 Super Bowl championships (1971, 1977)
5 NFC championships (1970, 1971, 1975, 1977, 1978) [7]

2 Jimmy Johnson 1989–1993 80 44 36 0 .550 / 8 7 1 .875
AP Coach of the Year (1990)[6]
UPI NFC Coach of the Year (1990)[6]
2 Super Bowl championships (1992, 1993) [8]

3 Barry Switzer 1994–1997 64 40 24 0 .625 / 7 5 2 .714
Super Bowl championship (1995) [9]

4 Chan Gailey 1998–1999 32 18 14 0 .563 / 2 0 2 .000 [10]

5 Dave Campo 2000–2002 48 15 33 0 .313 — — — — [11]

6 Bill Parcells 2003–2006 64 34 30 0 .531 / 2 0 2 .000 [12]

7 Wade Phillips 2007–present 32 22 10 0 .687 / 1 0 1 .000 [13]

Now, if one goes back to the Landry era, he will notice that even the greatest of Cowboy coaches didn't win a NFC Championship victory until year ten of his being at the helm.

What would this tell to a realistic person decrying the point that there has been ten years since the last Super Bowl period for his beloved Cowboys?

Aside from bemoaning the fact, it is a real indicator that Super Bowls don't grow on trees nor do they occur at an outrageously high rate even for the best of franchises...since the Cowboy organization is the second leading owner of Lombardi trophies.

Landry's Super Bowl victories occurred in years 11 and 17, respectively.

Now, in the era of Jerry Jones, he has accomplished three Lombardi trophies in a period of now twenty years. As to team victories, that has taken an upswing to recent years as well.

Continuing on the status of the Cowboys when compared to an All Time Power ranking, the Cowboys have still retained their top place as of 2008:

Page 2's ultimate NFL power rankings, Nos. 1-10
By Thomas Neumann

Updated: Sept. 17, 2008

Which franchise is king of the NFL?

This is what 32 teams set out to decide each year through a 16-game regular season and subsequent playoff tournament. ESPN.com even breaks down its NFL power rankings on a weekly basis.

But which franchise is the best in the NFL … period?

To answer that question, Page 2 created power rankings on steroids -- the ultimate power rankings. This study analyzes data since the AFL-NFL merger in the 1970 season through the 2007 season.

This starting point eliminates any question of competitive disparity between the NFL and its former rival leagues, the AFL and the AAFC.

Teams that joined the NFL after 1970 are admittedly at a disadvantage for scoring in some categories, but they have a consequent advantage in negative categories.

Additionally, regular-season winning percentage is weighted heavily to give these teams a fair appraisal.

1. Dallas Cowboys

Pct. SB Play. W ≥ 12W ≤ 4W All-Pro MNF CC CPD Busts Total
.594 5-3 26 10 2 56 69 6 2 1 1,498

The Cowboys might not be your team, but they are indeed America's Team.

Since the merger, no team has displayed as much consistent excellence across as wide a variety of criteria as Dallas.

During the NFL's modern era, the Cowboys lead the NFL in Super Bowl berths and playoff victories. No other team has won a Super Bowl under three different coaches.

The Cowboys have ranked in the top three in scoring 11 times and in scoring defense eight times since 1970, advancing to the NFC Championship Game an astonishing 14 times in that period.

Only Pittsburgh has had more first-team All-Pros. Only San Francisco has had more seasons of 12-plus wins. Only Miami has had more "Monday Night Football" appearances. How good are the Cowboys? So good that they won a Super Bowl with Barry Switzer as coach.

Certainly, the Cowboys have had their share of off-the-field issues. That's a case study for another day. What we'd really like to know is…how did these guys ever lose to the Lions and Cardinals in the playoffs?!

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pct. SB Play. W ≥ 12W ≤ 4W All-Pro MNF CC CPD Busts Total
.603 5-1 23 6 0 62 57 2 0 2 1,495

The Steelers narrowly missed out on bragging rights to the top spot. But before you blame Page 2, notice that Dallas was penalized with two "crushing" postseason defeats to Pittsburgh's zero.

Left off that list was the Steelers' loss to San Diego in the 1994 AFC Championship Game, which occurred days after some Pittsburgh players met with a choreographer to make plans for a music video for a Super Bowl rap song called "The Blitzburgh."

Embarrassing? Certainly. Crushing? Probably not.

So if you need to blame someone, we suggest Neil O'Donnell. Those two dubious interceptions to the Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX amount to a 50-point swing.

On the positive side, Pittsburgh has enjoyed the NFL's most stable coaching situation -- consider that the Steelers have employed as many head coaches since the merger (three) as the Falcons have in the past nine months.

Pittsburgh also leads the league in first-team All-Pros since 1970, with nine players being so honored at least five times. The Steelers have advanced to 13 AFC Championship Games, winning six.

*(this comparison was provided by ESPN)

Now, maybe a complete analysis of all of the regular and end of season results can yield a truly definable relationship:

Season Team League Conference Division Regular season Post-season Results Awards
Finish Wins Losses Ties
Dallas Cowboys
1960 1960 NFL Western 7th 0 11 1
1961 1961 NFL Eastern 6th 4 9 1
1962 1962 NFL Eastern 5th 5 8 1
1963 1963 NFL Eastern 5th 4 10 0
1964 1964 NFL Eastern 5th 5 8 1
1965 1965 NFL Eastern 2nd 7 7 0
1966 1966 NFL Eastern 1st 10 3 1 Lost NFL Championship Game (Packers) (34-27) Tom Landry (NFL COY)
1967[5] 1967 NFL Eastern Capitol 1st 9 5 0 Won Conference Playoffs (Browns) (52-10)
Lost NFL Championship Game (Packers) (21-17)
1968 1968 NFL Eastern Capitol 1st 12 2 0 Lost Conference Playoffs (Browns) (31-20)
1969 1969 NFL Eastern Capitol 1st 11 2 1 Lost Conference Playoffs (Browns) (38-14) Calvin Hill (Off. ROY)
George Andrie (Pro Bowl Def. MVP)
1970 1970 NFL NFC East 1st 10 4 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (Lions) (5-0)
Won Conference Championship (49ers) (17-10)
Lost Super Bowl V (Colts) (16-13) Chuck Howley (SB MVP)
Mel Renfro (PB Def. MVP)
1971 1971 NFL NFC East 1st 11 3 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (Vikings) (20-12)
Won Conference Championship (49ers) (14-3)
Won Super Bowl VI (1) (Dolphins) (24-3) Roger Staubach (SB MVP)
1972 1972 NFL NFC East 2nd 10 4 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (49ers) (30-28)
Lost Conference Championship (Redskins) (26-3)
1973 1973 NFL NFC East 1st[6] 10 4 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (L.A. Rams) (27-16)
Lost Conference Championship (Vikings) (27-10)
1974 1974 NFL NFC East 3rd 8 6 0
1975 1975 NFL NFC East 2nd 10 4 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (Vikings) (17-14)
Won Conference Championship (L.A. Rams) (37-7)
Lost Super Bowl X (Steelers) (21-17) Tom Landry (NFC COY)
1976 1976 NFL NFC East 1st 11 3 0 Lost Divisional Playoffs (L.A. Rams) (14-12)
1977 1977 NFL NFC East 1st 12 2 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (Bears) (37-7)
Won Conference Championship (Vikings) (23-6)
Won Super Bowl XII (2) (Broncos) (27-10) Tony Dorsett (Off. ROY)
Harvey Martin and Randy White (SB co-MVPs)
1978[7] 1978 NFL NFC East 1st[8] 12 4 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (Falcons) (27-20)
Won Conference Championship (L.A. Rams) (28-0)
Lost Super Bowl XIII (Steelers (35-31)
1979 1979 NFL NFC East 1st[9] 11 5 0 Lost Divisional Playoffs (L.A. Rams) (21-19)

1980 1980 NFL NFC East 2nd[10] 12 4 0 Won Wild Card Playoffs (L.A. Rams) (34-17)
Won Divisional Playoffs (Falcons) (30-27)
Lost Conference Championship (Eagles) (20-7)
1981 1981 NFL NFC East 1st 12 4 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (Buccaneers) (38-0)
Lost Conference Championship (49ers) (28-27)
1982[11] 1982 NFL NFC 2nd 6 3 0 Won First Round (Buccaneers) (30-17)
Won Second Round (Packers) (37-26)
Lost Conference Championship (Redskins) (31-17)
1983 1983 NFL NFC East 2nd 12 4 0 Lost Wild Card Playoffs (L.A. Rams) 24-17
1984 1984 NFL NFC East 4th 9 7 0
1985 1985 NFL NFC East 1st[12] 10 6 0 Lost Divisional Playoffs (L.A. Rams) (20-0)
1986 1986 NFL NFC East 3rd 7 9 0
1987[13] 1987 NFL NFC East 4th 7 8 0
1988 1988 NFL NFC East 5th 3 13 0
1989 1989 NFL NFC East 5th 1 15 0
1990 1990 NFL NFC East 4th 7 9 0 Emmitt Smith (Off. ROY)
Jimmy Johnson (NFL COY)
1991 1991 NFL NFC East 2nd[14] 11 5 0 Won Wild Card Playoffs (Bears) (17-13)
Lost Divisional Playoffs (Lions) (38-6) Michael Irvin, (Pro Bowl MVP)
1992 1992 NFL NFC East 1st 13 3 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (Eagles) (34-10)
Won Conference Championship (49ers) (30-20)
Won Super Bowl XXVII (3) (Bills) (52-17) Troy Aikman (SB MVP)
1993 1993 NFL NFC East 1st 12 4 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (Packers) (27-17)
Won Conference Championship (49ers) (38-21)
Won Super Bowl XXVIII (4) (Bills) (30-13) Emmitt Smith (SB MVP)
Emmitt Smith (NFL MVP)
1994 1994 NFL NFC East 1st 12 4 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (Packers) (35-9)
Lost Conference Championship (49ers) (38-28)
1995 1995 NFL NFC East 1st 12 4 0 Won Divisional Playoffs (Eagles) (30-11)
Won Conference Championship (Packers) (38-27)
Won Super Bowl XXX (5) (Steelers) (27-17) Larry Brown (SB MVP)
1996 1996 NFL NFC East 1st[15] 10 6 0 Won Wild Card Playoffs (Vikings) (40-15)
Lost Divisional Playoffs (Panthers) (26-17)
1997 1997 NFL NFC East 4th 6 10 0
1998 1998 NFL NFC East 1st 10 6 0 Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Cardinals) (20-7)
1999 1999 NFL NFC East 2nd[16] 8 8 0 Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Vikings) (27-10)
2000 2000 NFL NFC East 4th 5 11 0
2001 2001 NFL NFC East 5th 5 11 0
2002 2002 NFL NFC East 4th 5 11 0
2003 2003 NFL NFC East 2nd 10 6 0 Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Panthers) (29-10)
2004 2004 NFL NFC East 3rd 6 10 0
2005 2005 NFL NFC East 3rd 9 7 0
2006 2006 NFL NFC East 2nd 9 7 0 Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Seahawks) (21-20)
2007 2007 NFL NFC East 1st 13 3 0 Lost Divisional Playoffs (Giants) (21-17) Greg Ellis (CBPOY)
2008 2008 NFL NFC East 3rd 9 7 0

Total 432 316 6 All-time regular season record (1960–2008)
32 24 All-time postseason record (1960–2008)
464 340 6 All-time regular season and postseason record (1960–2008)
5 NFL Championships, 10 Conference Championships, 19 Divisional Championships

Except for 2000-2002, when Dallas was coming out of the period of the "Triplets," and the team finished at the bottom of the NFC East just above the Cardinals, the Cowboys have returned to being completely competitive within the NFC East which consistently has a direct correlation with strength of playoff opportunity and even playoff success.

Maybe the relationship within that division is proving more of an indicator than a misdirected approach negatively directed towards Jerry Jones.

It appears that the franchise has not been tarnished as to product on the field, even while under the ownership of Jerry Jones.

Maybe one would like to seek some association with the coaching and support staff themselves:

Current Dallas Cowboys staff

Front Office
Owner/President/General Manager – Jerry Jones
Executive Vice President/COO – Stephen Jones
Director of College and Pro Scouting – Tom Ciskowski
Assistant Director of Pro Scouting – Judd Garrett

Head Coaches
Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator – Wade Phillips
Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator – Jason Garrett

*(if one notices, there is already a special relationship right here. There is a head coach, but closely followed by an Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator as well) They as a pair are the dynamics at the top of the coaching staff for this Dallas Cowboy team.

Offensive Coaches
Quarterbacks – Wade Wilson
Running Backs – Skip Peete
Wide Receivers – Ray Sherman
Tight Ends – John Garrett
Offensive Line – Hudson Houck
Offensive Assistant/Quality Control – Wesley Phillips

Defensive Coaches
Defensive Line – Todd Grantham
Linebackers – Reggie Herring
Assistant Linebackers/Defensive Quality Control – Dat Nguyen
Secondary – Dave Campo
Secondary – Brett Maxie

Special Teams Coaches
Special Teams – Joe DeCamillis

Strength and Conditioning
Strength and Conditioning – Joe Juraszek

Here is the coaching description of Wade Phillips in the professional ranks:

NFL coaching

Phillips began his professional coaching career in Houston as the linebackers coach in 1976 for the team coached by his father, as well as defensive line coach in 1977–1980.

He remained on his father's staff as the pair headed for New Orleans. Bum stepped down as head coach of a struggling Saints team in late 1985, and Wade stepped in as interim head coach.

He spent the next three years as the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles and then four more in the same position for the Denver Broncos.

Phillips replaced Dan Reeves as head coach for the Broncos in 1993, but was fired after a mediocre 1994 season in which management felt he lost control of the team.

The most successful coaching stop for Phillips was at Buffalo. He always kept the team competitive and in the playoff hunt. A loss to the Titans in the 1999 playoffs haunted Phillips for the rest of his time at Buffalo.

In this same season, he caused a controversy when he inserted Rob Johnson as starting quarterback at the last game of the season, after Doug Flutie was the starter the whole year and led the team to the playoffs.

He has the distinction of having been replaced by a father and a son from two head coaching positions, by Jim Mora at the New Orleans Saints and by Jim Mora Jr. at the Atlanta Falcons. He also has twice replaced Dan Reeves as a head coach.

On Feb. 8, 2007, he was named the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, replacing the retired Bill Parcells.

He was chosen after Jerry Jones interviewed 10 potential replacements, including former Cowboys and former San Francisco 49ers Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner, former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and former Cowboys quarterback Jason Garrett.

In the 2007 NFL Playoffs he led the Cowboys to another playoff loss, making his playoff record 0–4. The Cowboys failed to make the playoffs in 2008. The season ended with a 44-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, preventing a wildcard playoff berth.

Prior to the 2009 season, Phillips also took over as defensive coordinator, replacing the fired Brian Stewart. Phillips called defensive plays for the final 10 games of the 2008 season after Stewart was stripped of the responsibilities.

The strength of Wade Phillips is the defensive side of the ball. Many good teams have functioned quite well with a head coach that dominates on one side of the ball.

Wade has previously coached both defensive line and linebackers at the professional levels, and had strong groups at both positional groups. His periods as a defensive coordinator were usually marked by very strong as well as productive defenses.

He was effective at almost everywhere he was in this capacity. In Dallas, he is assisted in the secondary, by yet another very strong coach, in the person of Dave Campo. Campo himself, has many years as a Defensive Coordinator and even as head coach, so he knows well how to integrate a group of players into an efficient system.

He also has a very demonstrated ability and success with the secondary itself. The success of the young corners is an immediate indicator of his continued effectiveness there.

What he is not, is a magician.

If he only has the talent of practice squad players, then that stings all the way through the defensive alignments.

That stated, the coaches on the defensive side of the ball aren't the problems of failure.

Next, a look at the offensive side of ball...Jason Garrett:

Professional career

He signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 1989 and 1990. In 1991 Garrett started at quarterback for the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football, but suffered a separated shoulder in the season opener. He rebounded the following year to lead San Antonio to a 7-3 record. In 1992, Garrett also played for the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League.

In 1993, Garrett went to the Dallas Cowboys, where he was a backup to Troy Aikman on the 1993 and 1995 Super Bowl winning teams. In eight seasons with the Cowboys, Garrett played in 39 games and completed 165 of 294 passes (56.1%) for 2,042 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions.

The highlight of his career with the Cowboys occurred on Thanksgiving Day, 1994, when Garrett, starting in place of an injured Troy Aikman, led the Cowboys over the Green Bay Packers by completing 15 of 26 passes for 311 yards and 2 touchdowns in a second-half comeback.

In 2008, the game was named the fourth-best moment in the history of Texas Stadium by ESPN.[3]

In 2000, he went to the New York Giants, where he appeared sparingly as the backup to Kerry Collins from 2000–2003. In 2004, after a short stint as a backup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he went to the Miami Dolphins.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, he became the quarterback coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2005–2006 and then, in January 2007, he was hired by the Dallas Cowboys as offensive coordinator.

His influence made the Cowboys the second best offense in the NFL making him an attractive head coaching prospect. Despite persistent offers from the Baltimore Ravens and the Atlanta Falcons, Garrett refused head coaching jobs and opted to remain in Dallas.

His salary in the 2008 season will be close to $3 million and will be the highest paid assistant coach in the NFL. With Garrett staying, some expect him to succeed Wade Phillips as the head coach of the Cowboys, though there is nothing within his contract to suggest this.

On Dec. 29, 2008, the Detroit Lions received permission to speak to Garrett regarding the teams head coaching vacancy according to ESPN sources. The Denver Broncos interviewed him in January 2009 as a possible replacement for recently fired coach Mike Shanahan.

He was also a finalist for the St. Louis Rams head coaching position, to replace Jim Haslett, the interim head coach.

Ultimately, he lost the job to Steve Spagnuolo after appearing a lock to become their next head coach. When word leaked that Garrett was flying to meet with the Rams, fans flooded the ticket office with angry calls.

Jason has had success as a coach, and has extensive experience as a player before that. He is very well grounded on all phases and possible views from a variety of sources on the offensive side of ball. He is a real talent and viewed by the league as such.

Despite his talents, just as all other coaches, he will be directly tied to the product on the field. If injuries crash a very talented offensive unit for a second year, then he well could become another coaching casualty, as could Wade Phillips.

This fact of life in the NFL, does not change their very high pedigrees and abilities on each's respective side of the ball. The supporting coaches for both sides of the ball are as strong also.

This group, make no mistake, does have the potential to lead a very efficient team to any kind of post-season success.

They aren't a point of failure by their own strengths alone...in any consideration. Any failures will not rest upon their abilities individually or a group.

Perhaps there was leakage in how the quality of Hall of Famers that would indicate a direct link between Jerry Jones and failure of the franchise...well, here's the record of all Hall of Famers from the Cowboys:

Pro Football Hall of Famers
Troy Aikman: Class of 2006 (QB 1989–2000)
Tony Dorsett: Class of 1994 (RB 1977–87)
Michael Irvin: Class of 2007 (WR 1988–1999)
Tom Landry: Class of 1990 (Head Coach 1960–88)
Bob Lilly: Class of 1980 (DT 1961–74)
Mel Renfro: Class of 1996 (S/CB 1964–77)
Tex Schramm: Class of 1991 (Pres/GM 1960–89)
Roger Staubach: Class of 1985 (QB 1969–79)
Randy White: Class of 1994 (DT 1975–88)
Rayfield Wright: Class of 2006 (OT 1967–1979)
Bob Hayes: Class of 2009 (WR 1965–1975)

There, except for the entrance of Bob Lilly and Roger Staubach, all of the rest of the Hall of Famers entered during the ownership of Jerry Jones. Maybe the image of the whole Cowboy organization hasn't been tarnished beyond recognition as well!

Now, here is the current roster for the Dallas Cowboys:

Quarterbacks
5 Rudy Carpenter
3 Jon Kitna
7 Stephen McGee
9 Tony Romo

Running Backs
34 Deon Anderson FB
24 Marion Barber
23 Tashard Choice
30 Alonzo Coleman
39 Julius Crosslin FB
28 Felix Jones
35 Keon Lattimore
45 Asaph Schwapp FB

Wide Receivers
19 Miles Austin
84 Patrick Crayton
83 Julian Hawkins
17 Sam Hurd
87 Manuel Johnson
85 Kevin Ogletree
86 Isaiah Stanback
11 Roy E. Williams
10 Travis Wilson

Tight Ends
80 Martellus Bennett
44 Rodney Hannah
49 Jamar Hunt
89 John Phillips
82 Jason Witten

Offensive Linemen
76 Flozell Adams T
79 Robert Brewster T
60 Travis Bright G
75 Marc Colombo T
70 Leonard Davis G
68 Doug Free T
62 Ryan Gibbons G/T
65 Andre Gurode C
64 Montrae Holland G
61 Greg Isdaner G
63 Kyle Kosier G
77 Pat McQuistan T
71 Cory Procter G/C
69 Matt Spanos G/C
66 Mike Turkovich G

Defensive Linemen
95 Tim Anderson NT
72 Stephen Bowen DE
92 Marcus Dixon DE
97 Jason Hatcher DE
99 Igor Olshansky DE
90 Jay Ratliff NT
78 Junior Siavii NT
96 Marcus Spears DE
67 Casey Tyler NT

Linebackers
51 Keith Brooking ILB
57 Victor Butler OLB
54 Bobby Carpenter ILB
98 Greg Ellis OLB
55 Stephen Hodge ILB
56 Bradie James ILB
53 Steve Octavien OLB
50 Justin Rogers OLB/ILB
93 Anthony Spencer OLB
52 Matt Stewart ILB
94 DeMarcus Ware OLB
59 Brandon Williams OLB
58 Jason Williams ILB

Defensive Backs
20 Alan Ball CB
35 Tra Battle SS
27 Courtney Brown FS
42 Jerome Carter SS
26 Ken Hamlin FS
36 Michael Hamlin SS
37 Mike Hawkins CB
21 Mike Jenkins CB
33 Mike Mickens CB
41 Terence Newman CB
32 Orlando Scandrick CB
43 Gerald Sensabaugh SS
31 DeAngelo Smith FS
25 Pat Watkins SS

Special Teams
18 David Buehler K
6 Nick Folk K
91 L. P. Ladouceur LS
1 Mat McBriar P

81 Active, 0 Inactive

Next, let's look at who departed from the Cowboys this year:

Terrell Owens
Kevin Burnett
Chris Canty
Anthony Henry
Zach Thomas
Roy Williams
"Killer" Davis
Adam Jones
"Tank" Johnson
Joe Berger
Brad Johnson

From that list are 'seven' starter types, and four backups in quality. Three of the 'starters' were in the secondary. Although the starters across the board, were of a professional quality, I don't think anyone will miss the deletion of those four in the secondary from this year's team.

Anthony Henry was on the borderline of being starting quality on this very Cowboy team. Replacing the secondary play of Roy Williams and Davis is nothing less than an upgrade in on the field play here.

At the conclusion of last season, the weakness of this very same safety group is what put the team continually at risk through the whole month of December.

Ken Hamlin could not focus on a favorable area while in his "quarterback" role. This affected his play as well.

With the addition of Sensabaugh, who is much better in coverage than was Roy Williams over the past three seasons, the whole secondary puts on a difference face.

The two 'rook' cornerbacks of last year, Michael Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick, present a very aggressive, as well as mobile, change at cornerback.

They take some of the emergency out of the role of Terrence Newman. Not pressed nearly as badly as in previous years due to lack of talent and injuries, Newman should be much more at ease in his dominant role now. His game should move a little more forward in aggressiveness and effectiveness as well.

If Mickens and Ball meet current expectations, the corners will be a very a very aggressive, young, and fast group with real coverage skills this year.

This whole group will be without baggage of a centerpiece who was a sneeze away from constant turmoil...even more than those presented on the offensive side of ball. Something that wasn't addressed much this off season as well.

The group at safety is assuming a completely different picture from that of last season. This group is changing and we shall have to await somewhat, on what that part of the secondary in actuality proves out to be. I have my thoughts here...although.

The Cowboys made a decision to go stronger towards strong pass defenders than another linebacker type in the box area. The strength of Sensabaugh is very similar to that of Ken Hamlin when he joined the Cowboys. I think that Sensabaugh is every inch the defender that Hamlin was when he inked up with Dallas.

A solid season by him, and this secondary is off and running and growing in ability to interact. This will be a trying season in some respects, as they have to forge a common ground, but this is both a youthful but strong skilled secondary now.

It has grown in depth and ability to produce accountability both before and after a ball gets to a receiver. That will be a benefit of more of a team element to play in this secondary.

This group should renew a sense of 'layer' to the defensive side of the ball. That will increase the ability to slow down opponent's movements of the ball. Dallas should be getting stingier to move the ball upon this season. I see that as a big plus to the team.

Next on the defensive side, is the consideration of the linebacker group. Here, youth will be served sooner than later.

When this occurs, you have very aggressive play and some mental lapses, but that will be kept to a minimum with Keith Brooking and Greg Ellis both on the roster for this season.

I'm not so worried about the loss of Kevin Burnett. He was a good fit in the packages phase of the defense, but his skillset can be reproduced with a combination of players.

Bobby Carpenter has the skillset already, believe that one or not, to fit right into a role of running and moving laterally.

This is the real key to a package linebacker in the middle. Bobby Carpenter really should fill the bill here. That is, unless one of the two linebackers in this draft-Jason Williams or Steven Hodge doesn't sneak up and claim it after adjustments.

These two rookies have a lot of speed and coverage athleticism that could be focused in this capacity from the start. I feel confident that the requirement for effective coverage by the middle linebacker in packages will be filled by the mix on the roster at present.

I think that the blend of Ellis and Anthony Spencer will get very good mileage this season. I really don't like the second burner view that Spencer has been receiving by some of the media and fans alike. This is his coming out party in a Cowboy way of progression.

Although, I wouldn't discount the ability of Greg Ellis to reach his double digit mark one more time. I think pressure is the tune of direction for this team. The two added 'rook's-Victor Butler and Brandon Williams were selected for this very reason.

Now, there are four 'rooks' with three foreseeable slots there for the taking. That means that all will be on the line for all the participants in camp this year.

That said, there should be real directed activity towards getting the pressure on opposing quarterbacks and keeping it there. Someone should drop out of this group, whether it is a 'rook' going to the practice squad.

This will prove out under the watchful eyes of this Cowboy coaching staff who already know talents and expectation for directions that have to be proven out.

Coaches already have the mental set to take this group of players forward...well forward into a New Stadium as well.

This is part of what has been evolving this off season. The redefining of workable parameters of expectation, commitment, coaching enforcement, team directed goals, and additionally dedicated and socially supportive teammates.

The team has been highly involved in character development, changed to team acceptable goals and performances. The whole mood of Valley Ranch has changed in the process.

An "all me" and smothering player such as TO is no more. A criminally challenging as well as attitudianl nightmare such as Adam Jones or even a cantakerous player such as Tank Johnson are no more.

A self limiting yet undeniably unrewarding player such as Roy Williams has moved on. In their place as come commitment, determination, and a team PRIDE. That's COWBOY PRIDE to those who have forgotten the words!!

Now, a fan can cry and bemoan all the complications, implications, and derivations all negative if he wants to...yea, that's his prerogative. But, if you ask me, this boils down to three basic ingredients.

The first of which is on the offensive side of the ball. Where the early successes of a Jerry Jones directed team involved the "Triplets," this version of the Cowboys has the same 'Triplet' concept updated for the demands of this era's NFL.

There is a group of running backs that averaged a whopping 4.5 yards a carry last season. This on top of Marion Barber and Felix Jones being out for expansive periods of last season.

When the team under the direction of Jason Garrett, starts to use that fact, then a multitude of other events will happen as well.

Then, there is the "Golden Boy," Tony Romo. He eerily resembles Roger Staubach to within a single stat point or another to the exact point that Roger was when he arrived and started his career with Dallas. That is high cotton, to you Texas Boys.

He will bring that same gamesmanship to this year's season, now that his focus target is no longer demanding half of his focused time for success. The ball will be moving around. It will then be going to the group that now is the receiver portion of this newer version of the "Triplets."

With the individual strengths and variety that this group retains, it will become much hard for defenses to have to defense and recognize the same abilities that existed with a single TO on field, since those same qualities will be there only in the form of a group of players that can match every single ability contained in TO.

If you hadn't noticed there, was that TO had started to drop many more balls, get caught up on the line of scrimmage much more frequently, and not change any more but a few games in actuality.

The Cowboys now have that same player, but in a multitude of shapes and view which makes it much harder to see and pick up as such.

Tom Landry's principal of confusing the opponent is get amplified about ten times and being let out onto the field this season.

It may take some time, as with the original Landry format, and the first arrival of the "Triplets," but rest assured, THEY'RE HERE!

I've already touched upon the defensive and offensive parts of this picture. The other definable change comes in special teams play.

First, a very effective special team's coach is recovering from his dramatic injuries as we discuss this now. He is the echo of change going to hit the field for our Cowboys. This draft was not all directed towards special team's play as some would have you think.

That stated, it did incorpoate fresh legs and young aggressive attitudes that will be leaders on these teams. The speed and talent of these new additions will be seen from the very start.

Why did the team draft a kicker? We all know now. The very fine place kicker from last season, Nick Fok just had hip surgery. Not only to protect the team's interest in a top notched kicker, but to add to covereage effectiveness the Cowboys drafted a very talent player-David Buehler.

This was a case of attention to minute details and not a case of asleep at the wheel by the talent evaluators on this draft.

They were challenged and brought that aspect to the carpet in what other teams will feel from this very group: challenged!

The strength of the defense, offense, and special teams are not improved from that of last season, even if at it's onset, there were 13 All Pro Players on its roster.

Lastly, I will mention the free agent additions to this Cowboy team. From them will be expected leadership, further direction, and quality of performance on a steady basis.

The players on this list include:

QB Jon Kitna
MLB Keith Brooking
SS Gerald Sensabaugh
DE Igor Oshansky

Did someone say EEEEEEEEGOR?

Now, if I have to explain this group to you, you haven't been paying ANY attention to this very long and directed article...so I won't even try.

Now, How about them COWBOYS?

CowboysPride is A Cowboys forum and news source...stop by and say howdy

Martellus Bennett : You asked, He Answered!

CowboysPride — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:28:09 -0400

Martellus Bennett recently sat down with our own KK and graciously answered some fan questions. We thank MartyB in advance for his graciousness and dedication to his fans.

Cowboyspride: What NFL player, past or present, would you say is most like you?

MartyB: I would say I'm the Greg Jennings of TEs. I like what he does after he catches the ball.

C: You played basketball in high school and college. How, if at all, has that helped you as a Tight End?

MB: I think it has helped me a lot. My handling the ball skills and footwork has improved so much from guarding the smaller guys.

C: Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzales also played basketball. Do you draw any comparisons to them and/or additional confidence from their NFL success?

MB: Hopefully one day I will be as good as those guys or even better.

C: When you get drafted, do you get to pick your number or is it already picked for you?

MB: They have a few put to the side you can choose from.

C: Do you ever get any flack from being so vocal sometimes and accessible to fans?

MB: LOL! Yea, I do get flack from everybody, even the fans. It's funny sometimes though.

C: Had you not chosen football, which NBA team would you liked to have been drafted by?

MB: The Lakers. They are like the Cowboys of the NBA. Although I love the Bulls...Hmmm, yeah...scratch that about the Lakers. The Bulls have the best colors, LOL.

C: Since T.O. is no longer with the team, do you see a change in the offense to get you on the field more? Do you believe there will be more 2 TE sets or having you out in a flanker's position while Witten is on the field?

MB: That's a good question. I have no idea really, I played flanker in college a lot, so maybe I will get a chance to try it out this year.

C: How is your relationship with Jason Witten? Is he more of a mentor or more of a competitor for playing time?

MB: We are very cool. It's a growing relationship. He's both...he will teach you, but you're not just going to come in and get his spot. He's an awesome player and works just as hard as anyone out there. But it's always a competition. The early bird gets the worm so to speak.

C: Can you tell me a little about the show, "Hardknocks", and if you enjoyed doing it?

MB: I enjoyed it, It was fun. I liked the producer and the people behind it. It was a blast.

C: How did the way you were portrayed in "Hard Knocks" affect you? Did it give you extra incentive to show what kind of player you are?

MB: I didn't really care. I mean. I know who I am and I gonna do my thing regardless of what it is said about me.

C: What does the opportunity to play for the Cowboys mean to you?

MB: Just a chance to play the game I love everyday for a living is a dream come true.

C: Did you ever think that you would have the chance to play for this team?

MB: LOL! I had no idea who I would play for. I am just glad that I look good in Cowboys Blue. hahahaha

C: What was the first thing you thought when you got drafted in '08?

MB: I didn't know what to think until after I talked to Jerry, but it was just a relief to get drafted and I told myself this was just the beginning.

C: Are you and Jason Witten pretty close? And what has he taught you (if anything) while out on the field?

(See question from Larry Bud).

C: Have you got to meet Jessica Simpson yet?

MB: LOL

C: What, if any, pranks did you have pulled on you when you first came to the Cowboys? Or was there anything that you had to do being a rookie, a hazing of sorts?

MB: Naw, not really. Just carry pads and get Gatorades for everyone in the TE room. There were only five people, so it wasnt that bad.

C: Can you tell us a little more about what you like to do in your free time away from football?

MB: I do pretty much everything...bowling, fishing, every video game you could think of writing etc.

C: How's your musical career?

MB: It is just getting started, I love music.

C: Do you have family here in the Dallas Area?

MB: Naw, not really.

C: What do you think about star athletes that encounter troublesome times off the field or during off season that result in fines or suspensions? Do you think that being it is off the field or on their own time..that it should play a factor in their NFL career? Should they be fined or suspended?

MB: Hmmm. I would say yes and no. The thing is...once you're part of a franchise, you're always representing them. Although it is on your own time, it reflects back on the organization. If you can't play because of something you did at home, then the organization, the team, they are losing out. It's like you have a helmet on at all times, lmao. It just doesn't protect you in a car accident or from making mistakes 'cause it's invisible.

C: What is it like to be a role model for today's youth?

MB: It's a joy to have people looking up to you and having the ability to help change others lives.

C: Is there a defining moment in your career, that you can look back on and say or feel that is the reason that you chose football over the other sports?

MB: I can't say one specific thing. I think every moment out on the field is a defining moment.

C: Do you have any pre-game rituals...favorite shirt, favorite meal...lucky rabbit's foot?

MB: Nooooooooo, LOL! I like to watch Monk. I guess that counts, right? LOL

The REAL Direction of the Dallas Cowboy's Offseason

CowboysPride — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:33:29 -0400

It is continually mentioned things just weren't addressed...

Leaving last season, there were some areas of concern that needed to be addressed. The foremost of all of these was the horrible coverage on coverage teams. DeCamillas was immediately brought in to redirect the conduct on special teams.

The nature of this part of the game was upgraded by a better group brought in by this draft. The inability for this unit to stop the opponent without major field position changes lost Dallas as many games last year as any other feature being addressed...first. That whole climate has changed-FACT.

Now, much of the short comings in the special team's play was due to a kicker's inability to kick deep for coverage units to excel. Then, with BOTH Felix Jones and Miles Austin injured for most of the season, return abilities dwindled as well. While Felix Jones was able to return for the team, the team was the 6th best in the NFL.

He averaged a whopping 27.1 yards a return. With Miles Austin healthy, this is a major advantage different from last season. Heck, even Stanback may prove, now healthy, to even be a major contributor there.

On the punt return side, Terence Newman has great skills that can be used in crucial games, as well can those of someone like Scandrick, and one of the new secondary 'rooks' is pretty polished as well. Reliability is found in Crayton for punts. He doesn't muff punts and his average is surprisingly respectable on punt returns.

Next, add in the field position consideration that dramatically returns with the healthy return of Mat McBriar. Now, with the addition of a drafted David Buehler, in the FIFTH round, the team can use it's kicking game more directed.

This special team's group should project up with the very best in the NFL this year, in all phases of that part of the game. That is 1/3 of a game's fight...

Now, as to NOT addressing problems...c'mon, quite ignoring the facts of the matter here:

So, here then, is the Cowboy's list of primary needs that needed to be addressed in free agency or in the draft.

1. A solid backup quarterback

Well, the team only went out and traded for Jon Kitna, who is a very capable and proven leader. He has a complete arsenal of throws and knows how to lead a team through rough times as well.

In addition to this, the Cowboys drafted one of the top five quarterbacks in this draft, Stephen McGee and did NOT reach for him via where he was selected. They got very good value for him at the top of the COWBOY's draft.

2. A starting middle linebacker

Here, in free agency, the Cowboys signed Keith Brooking. He is a proven commodity that still has much credibility at this point in his career. Everyone has been saying the Ray Lewis was operating on fumes for the past four seasons.

Nay-sayers would have called New England idiots for signing a whole group of 'senior citizen' the very year they rode them to the Super Bowl, and four consecutive years following that challenged the entire NLF with them.

This was solved, but not enough yet, as the top pick in this draft...the COWBOY part of it, was a player who will quickly push for this very position. The Cowboys drafted the fasted linebacker and one of the most talented in this draft—Jason Williams. He WAS the top player selected by this draft group.

3. At least two cornerbacks

Don't look now, but Dallas took the most productive pair of cornerbacks in collegiate football last year. The Cowboys drafted both, Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith from Cincinnati.

Heck, Macklin was a complete steal that dwarfs the picking of Canty by Parcells four drafts ago. Macklin was the number nine cornerback in this entire draft, with isolated coverage abilities.

He only lead collegiate play in interceptions, and the pair together were unmatched in collegiate play.

4. A starting caliber strong safety

Early on in the free agency, Dallas signed a very productive Sensabaugh. He is starting quality and is an aggressive defender that creates turnovers.

In addition to this, the Cowboys drafted Michael Hamlin, a coverage safety, and Steven Hodge who has similar abilities to Darren Woodson when he came onto the Cowboy's team. Hamlin was considered top 100 by many sources.

He was All-ACC in 2008, first team.

5. Another serviceable offensive lineman

Now I can understand the disappointment in not getting Unger with the top pick in the draft...hey, that would have been nice, but it just didn't happen. The team moved on, maybe fans should also.

The team then DID pull the trigger on a very talented, aggressive, and motivated Robert Brewster. He fits the requirements of bringing a 'smash-mouthed' player onto the roster. This was a much lower priority, yet Jerry hit the need high in the draft that HE had....

All the mumbling going on is on a mystical lack of projection in the offensive side of the ball, as the defense has got defineably better and more long termed in the process.

The offense just isn't going to disappear. Roy Williams is somewhat in a comparable situation to what Terry Glenn was at his arrival with Dallas. Teams had written him off somewhat, yet he came on strong.

Roy Williams had a single All Pro season, and then had to deal with a dysfunctional period due mostly to his team's mishaps and misadventures directed from it's leadership side. That organization only killed the careers of three other top notched receivers that entered into it's dungeons.

This offseason, mid-level free agents were refusing to sign more lucrative contracts to be with them. Lucas was one that chose not to accept a higher contract to the Lions both in trade considerations and in free agency.

He's still on the market. As are other prominent veteran players that could add much to many teams, to include the Cowboys.

That is a cap consideration, but if Dallas had to pay out first and second round money on players not going to hit the field, they wouldn't be in position to sign any of these possible targets.

The point here, is that the team is STILL in position to do so, if it feels that the depth of strength isn't quite what it wants, after observing and working with this group of 'rooks'...but Jerry being stupid, c'mon naw, take your tar and feathers to another city, if you are looking to be a fan.

Jerry walked the talk and did what could have been done, following doing just EXACTLY what the fans wanted, and get rid of obvious sources of conflict and media agitations-Tank Johnson, Adam Jones, AND TO.

Start punching holes in some REAL facts and not a bunch of desires for a 'kill for' collection of ball cards...if you want bling supersized, I have a bunch of old Alan Ameche, Walt Garrison, Calvin Hill, and Johnny Unitas cards you can have....as to Cowboy football, it's alive and STILL doing well in Dallas.

This year's Cowboys will be playing much more 'smash-mouthed' on both sides of the ball. The defense was strongly headed there even at the end of the season. That defense has been expanded and additional talents for attacking have been accumulated in the draft.

That side of the ball has had an influx of talent once again, yet, has a very young nucleus of players still gaining in polish on the carpet.

On the offense, heading into this coming season is the undeniable wealth of talent brimming at the running back position. While injured much, Marion Barber ended up with 885 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns; not to mention 52 receptions with 417 yards receiving and 2 additional touchdowns catching the ball.

Tashard Choice, against the very top teams in the NFL, only averages 81.3 yards rushing and 40.8 yard receiving in those last four games. That is some hard nosed running to be brought to the table this year, with a healthy offensive line now.

Then is the addition of Felix Jones, who only in 30 carries amounted a dazzling 266 yards and an amazing 8.9 yards per carry.

Everyone says teams will merely camp in the box area...well, let them, as Martellus Bennett and Jason Witten will eat their sack lunches and then say 'thank you' afterwards...with a very tall set of Roy Williams and Miles Austin to be hot on a heartbeat.

Now as to the constant slap of Bill Parcells versus Jerry Jones comparisons...let that 'wildcat' formation try coming up against a Wade Phillips' 4-6 aimlessly visualizing, and SEE what happens!

(If you enjoy reading Cowboys, be sure to check out Cowboysrpide.net, where you can find all the latest talk and news.)

Cowboys' Draft: The Rah Rah Factor

CowboysPride — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:44:47 -0400

Do Cowboys fans have anything to cheer about?

The NFL Draft is now in the books, and it, to me, is just another sad chapter in the ongoing saga of the franchise. I'm thinking of googling over to cozycamper.com and ordering up some crap-proof clothing as we're sure to see a bunch of that stuff coming our way in the season ahead. I shudder to think about what comments we will have to endure from our NFC East counterparts in cyberspace.

We did not trade-up in this draft to secure anyone that would fill any of our glaring needs. With all of the picks we had, we could have bundled several of them together and selected a player or two to help out this season. Who needs all those picks anyway? Jerry saw fit to actually trade down! This says volumes about his foresight and where "HE" thinks this franchise is in competition for a playoff spot this coming season. Does anyone else think he is looking through rose-colored glasses?

Do Cowboys fans have anything to cheer about?

Free Agency came and went. Well, mostly went. T.O. is gone, along with Chris Canty, Pacman, and Kevin Burnett. Parcells (Miami) is still "picking our bones" for any bits of meat left to be found there. At least we got a backup quarterback. Rah Rah.....

We still don't have a real football General Manager. Or a coach that has ever won a playoff game...not that I think we'll be participating in this year's playoffs. Will this next summer camp be known as "Camp Cupcake II?"

Do Cowboys fans have anything to cheer about?

Well, there "IS" the new stadium....

Has anybody checked the plumbing in the restrooms there?

Well, it ain't like Jerry and Stephen didn't TRY to warn us...

CowboysPride — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:23:55 -0400

Jerry Jonessaid that Saturday was liable to be boring, perhaps even frustrating for us...

It was...

And Stephen hinted that the conventional wisdom about the Boys not using all 11 picks, instead doing some trade ups until they only had 8 or 9 picks might be wrong, and the Boys might use all 11 picks... then the Boys go out and trade down, and pick up one MORE pick...

So, let's review some of the other things they said, which a lot of us (including me) passed of as a smokescreen:

The Boys might not draft a QB this year...

The Boys probably wouldn't draft a WR too early...

The Boys would probably look for OL help...

I'd suggest that those clues might be more valid than some of the lies Jerry's fed us in the past... perhaps this year, they were trying to give us advance notice of their overall draft philosophy...

Another thing that Jerry hinted at was that pick 101 might be one that other teams would covet, so don't be surprised if that pick is involved in some kind of a trade...

SilverBear is a CP contributor and Draft Guru.

Join all the discussion at Cowboyspride.net

How to Speed up the NFL Draft Process

CowboysPride — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:20:00 -0400

Well, today (Saturday) the long-awaited event begins...and so does the agony of waiting and waiting for the Cowboys to "get on the clock."

Does this bug you as much as it does me? I think a few rules changes are in order concerning the draft. How about these, for instance?

1. When a team that is "on the clock" trades away its pick, on its next pick, that team is penalized the same number of minutes that it used before the trade.

2. Teams that "trade up" into the current selection have only 30 seconds to make their selection. After all, they traded up to get a particular player, right? Let's hear their pick!

3. When any team is "on the clock," television coverage MUST BE limited to coverage of their draft "war room." Let us SEE what it is that is delaying their selection!

4. Teams that DO NOT USE their full allotted time to make a selection automatically get one-fourth of the remaining time on the clock ADDED to their next selection time. That ought to speed up the process.

5. Finally (and with full prejudice), any team NOT having a star on their helmet will receive two minutes less clock time than the ones who do have that star on their helmet.

Anybody got any other ideas as to how to speed up the draft process?

(Southernstar is a CP contributor, writer. To read more of his posts, stop by cowboyspride.net).

Dallas Cowboys Draft: Shooting Blanks (Humor)

CowboysPride — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:28:46 -0400

Always looking to make a "big splash", Dallas Cowboys' beloved owner Jerry Jones once again pulls out his trusty six-gun on the eve of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Bullet No. 1

Thursday morning, Jones decides to remove Flozell Adams from the starting lineup. Adams is replaced by Leonard Davis while he is put at backup right guard.

Bullet No. 2

On Thursday, without any fanfare, Jones secretly signs free agent Jeremy Bridges, offensive right guard from Carolina. Bridges is a 6'4", 326-pounder with seven years of NFL experience.

He comes very cheap, and will compete with Ryan Gibbons, Montrae Holland, and Kyle Kosier for the starting spot this season.

Bullet No. 3

Tonight, Jones makes a deal with either Miami, Baltimore, New England, or Carolina for their first-round pick in Saturday's draft. He gives up our second, third, and the first of our two fourth round picks.

With the newly acquired first round pick, Jones hopes to land one of the top three or four wide receivers in this draft. Even a No. 5 would suffice.

Bullet No. 4

With the 117th pick (fourth round), Dallas picks a quarterback.

Bullet No. 5

Jones points the gun at Wade Phillips. Threatening to shoot him, he fires Wade and orders him from the war room. He then announces that Jason Garret is the new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

He discharges the gun into the air and calmly blows the smoke from the barrel.

Bullet No. 6

Jones turns the gun on himself. Pointing it at his left temple, he pulls the trigger. Too bad they're only blanks...

(SouthernStar is a Cowboysrpide.net contributor. To read more, drop by and say hi.)

Cowboys' 2009 Draft Priorities—Offensive Line

CowboysPride — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:22:39 -0400

This will be the first in a series of position analyses looking at specific players at specific positions the Boys might be targeting. We start with the offensive line because, in my opinion, that's where the Boys should be focusing—in both trenches.

I thought I'd take a little different approach to analyzing the upcoming draft, a position-by-position look at which players might be available to the Boys, in which rounds. I figured that first, I'd look at the offensive linemen, since I consider that to be a top priority in this draft. In particular, I think they need quality depth at center and guard, though I wouldn't turn up my nose at a quality tackle too. Players with an asterisk are my "pet cats."

SECOND ROUND:

Max Unger, C/OG/OT, Oregon: 6'5", 310 pounds, 5.25 second 40. Might be off the board by pick 51.

*Eric Wood, C/OG/OT, Louisville: 6'4", 310 pounds, 5.2 second 40. Might also be off the board by pick 51.

*Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma: 6'5", 330 pounds, 5.3 second 40. Projects to go in the low 50s on a lot of draft boards.

Realistically, Robinson is the only one of this group likely to slip to pick 51, but he's one of my favorites in this draft. I'd be happy to draft him in the second round. And as I think the 'Boys badly need a quality backup center, if either Unger or Wood (or even Alex Mack, which is highly unlikely) fell to pick 51, I'd have to take a long look at them, too.

THIRD ROUND:

Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma: 6'8", 330 pounds, 5.45 second 40.

Kraig Urbik, OG, Wisconsin: 6'5", 330 pounds, 5.25 second 40.

Andy Levitre, OG/C, Oregon State: 6'3", 306 pounds, 5.3 second 40.

Honestly, none of these three really excites me, I'd look elsewhere in the third round. At the same time, the 'Boys have shown some interest in Loadholt and Levitre.

FOURTH ROUND:

Troy Kropog, OT, Tulane: 6'6", 310 pounds, 5.3 second 40.

*Antoine Caldwell, C/OG, Alabama: 6'3", 310 pounds, 5.25 second 40.

Tupou Fenuki, OT/OG, Oregon: 6'5", 316 pounds, 5.2 second 40.

*TJ Lang, OG/C, Eastern Michigan: 6'4", 316 pounds, 5.1 second 40.

If the 'Boys weren't able to grab one of the blue-chip centers early in the draft, Caldwell or Lang would offer terrific value here; they've shown some interest lately in Lang.

FIFTH ROUND:

Jaimie Thomas, OG, Maryland: 6'4", 325 pounds, 5.3 second 40.

Joel Bell, OT, Furman: 6'7", 316 pounds, 5.1 second 40.

*Louis Vasquez, OG, Texas Tech: 6'5", 335 pounds, 5.25 second 40.

*Cornelius Lewis, OG, Tennessee State: 6'4", 330 pounds, 5.2 second 40.

There are a few nice guards likely to still be on the board this late, Vasquez and Lewis are my favorites. The 'Boys apparently like Lewis.

SIXTH & SEVENTH ROUNDS:

*Roger Allen, OG, Missouri Western: 6'3", 325 pounds, 5.45 second 40.

*Robert Brewster, OG, Ball State: 6'4", 325 pounds, 5.3 second 40.

Travis Bright, OG, BYU: 6'4", 320 pounds, 5.25 second 40.

*Dallas Reynolds, OG/C/OT, BYU: 6'5", 310 pounds, 5.3 second 40.

Matt Slauson, OG/OT, Nebraska: 6'6", 315 pounds, 5.25 second 40.

*Ryan Delrosal, OT, Dixie State: 6'5", 316 pounds, 4.95 second 40.

Dallas Reynolds would be an excellent choice late in this draft, he can back up every line position. Ryan Delrosal's computer numbers are quite intriguing, in spite of his low level of competition.

PRIORITY UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FREE AGENTS:

Every year at the end of the draft, there are still a number of intriguing offensive line prospects who go undrafted, and this year will be no exception. The following are some of the line prospects who, in my opinion, will not be drafted, but will be in some team's training camp.

*Jose Valdez, OT, Arkansas: 6'5", 316 pounds, 5.2 second 40.

Juan Garcia, C/OG, Washington: 6'2", 306 pounds, 5.3 second 40 (injuries hurt his draft stock, he could be a steal).

Robby Felix, C, UTEP: 6'2", 306 pounds, 5.2 second 40. I went to UTEP, allow me my bias. Felix is a little smaller than I generally like my linemen, but he's very hardnosed.

*Cedric Dockery, OG, Texas: 6'3", 316 pounds, 5.35 second 40. Another player coming back from injury, his big brother Derrick is a well-regarded guard in the league.

*Tim Henderson, OG, Northwestern State (La.): 6'3", 325 pounds, 5.3 second 40.

Antonio Dixon, OL/DT (conversion project), Miami: 6'3", 325 pounds, 5.2 second 40. I think he's too slow to be successful as a NT, but might be quick enough to play OG.

Calvin Dority, OG/C, North Carolina:6"3", 310 pounds, 5.2 second 40.

David Washington, OG/C, Oklahoma State: 6'3", 310 pounds, 5.25 second 40.

Ben Person, OG, Ohio State: 6'3", 325 pounds, 5.3 second 40.

Jonathan St. Pierre, OG/C, Illinois State: 6'3", 310 pounds, 5.3 second 40.

Terrell Nemons, OL/DT, Tulsa: 6'2", 330 pounds, 5.35 second 40. Another NT conversion project, some scouts project him to OG.

Matt Eichelberger, OL/DT, Washington State: 6'4", 316 pounds, 5.25 second 40. One final NT conversion project.

OK, there's over 30 offensive linemen that I'd be targeting in this draft. I could justify going with an offensive lineman at pick 51, but I could also make a case for waiting until the fourth round before drafting a blocker, then taking two before the draft concludes (say Caldwell or Lang in the fourth, then either Vasquez or Lewis in the fifth, or alternatively, Reynolds or Delrosal in the seventh).

And then once the draft concluded, I'd want to try to sign two or three of the priority UDFAs mentioned above, say two from among Dockery, Vasquez and Henderson, then one of the other centers (Garcia, Felix, Washington, St. Pierre or Dority).

(SilverBear is a CP Writer/Contributor. To read more of his draft analogies, join us hereCowboyspride.net)

Dallas Cowboys Possible Undrafted Free Agent Rookies—Offense

CowboysPride — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:15:47 -0400

Immediately after the draft, several people rush to compile lists of undrafted free agent rookies for the Boys to pursue. I figured with all the analyzing I have been doing lately, this might be a good time to get a head start on that list.

Each year, there are players everybody expects to be drafted who are not. When the draft is over, I'll add a number of them to my watch list. Conversely, some of the players I mention here might wind up drafted by a team; though at this point, I consider it unlikely. I'll be identifying players who might be drafted by putting them in bold fonts.

In each position, players are rated according to my draft grades for each, the highest rated players listed first.

QUARTERBACK:

David Johnson, Tulsa: 6'2", 220 lbs, 4.9-second 40-yard dash

Drew Willy, Buffalo: 6'3", 216 lbs, 4.85-second 40-yard dash

Chase Holbrook, New Mexico State: 6'4", 240 lbs, 5.06-second 40-yard dash

Greg Micheli, Mount Union: 6'1", 210 lbs, 4.95-second 40-yard dash

Keith Null, West Texas A&M... 6'3", 225 lbs, 4.95-second 40-yard dash

Billy Malone, Abilene Christian: 6'2", 235 lbs, 5.05 second 40-yard dash

IMO, there's an usually high number of intriguing QBs who might not be drafted this year.

RUNNING BACK:

Chris Ogbonnaya, Texas: 6'0", 220 lbs, 4.5-second 40-yard dash especially effective as a receiver out of the backfield

Bernard Scott, Abilene Christian: 5'10", 200 lbs, 4.45 second 40-yard dash

Jamall Lee, Bishop's: 6'1", 220 lbs, 4.4-second 40-yard dash perhaps the best RB prospect to ever come out of Canada, rare size/speed ratio

Tyler Roehl, North Dakota State: 5'10", 235 lbs, 4.55 second 40-yard dash
could also be a prospect at FB, but I think he has skills as a power ballcarrier

Stan Zwinggi, Texas State: 5'10", 186 lbs, 4.35-second 40-yard dash
raw speed, he might get a look at WR if he can't cut it at RB

The Boys don't have much of a need at RB, but one of these players might interest them after the draft.

FULLBACK:

Marquez Branson, Central Arkansas: 6'2", 245 lbs, 4.55-second 40-yard dash
unusual speed for a fullback

Frank Summers, UNLV: 5'9", 240 lbs, 4.65-second 40-yard dash
squat, compact, powerful...

David Johnson, Arkansas State: 6'2", 260 lbs, 4.7-second 40-yard dash
has the size I like in a FB

Jason Cook, Mississippi: 5'11", 245 lbs, 4.7-second 40-yard dash

Zeek Zacharie, Lousiana-Monroe: 6'2", 235 lbs, 4.65 second 40-yard dash, he might eventually wind up moving to H-back

Jake O'Connell, Miami-Ohio: 6'3", 250 lbs, 4.65-second 40-yard dash, another possible H-back conversion??

If one of the three players in blue slides out of the draft, I sure hope the Boys show an interest.

TIGHT END:

Carson Butler, Michigan: 6'5", 250 lbs, 4.7-second 40-yard dash, moved to DE as a senior, which suggests he's a physical player...

John Nalbone, Monmouth:. 6'4", 250 lbs, 4.65-second 40-yard dash

I'm not real impressed with the TEs this year.

WIDE RECEIVER:

Jamarko Simmons, Western Michigan: 6'2", 230 lbs, 4.5-second 40-yard dash,
is he a king-sized receiver, or a super-swift TE??

Marko Mitchell, Nevada: 6'4", 216 lbs, 4.4-second 40-yard dash, a favorite of mine...

Dudley Guice, Northwestern State (La.): 6'3", 210 lbs, 4.4-second 40-yard dash,
I'm not shocked to learn he's rising on a lot of draft boards, not with those computer numbers.

Jason Chery, Louisiana-Lafayette: 5'11", 190 lbs, 4.45-second 40-yard dash, coveted more for is abilities as a kick returner than his skills as a receiver

Brennan Marion, Tulsa:. 6'0", 186 lbs, 4.5-second 40-yard dash, might not be a burner, but he can apparently stretch the field, as evidenced by his amazing 27.6 yards per reception average the last two seasons

Charly Martin, West Texas A&M: 6'1", 206 lbs, 4.5-second 40-yard dash, pretty much dominant at a low level of competition

Julian Edelman, Kent State: 5'11", 195 lbs, 4.5-second 40-yard dash, a conversion project from QB, seems to be similar to Patrick Crayton coming out of college

There are a few nice WRs still likely to be looking for work when the 09 draft concludes.

CENTER:

Robby Felix, UTEP: 6'3", 305 lbs, 5.2-second 40-yard dash, a little smaller than I generally like my offensive linemen, but he compensates by being hardnosed and scores major points with me for being a Miner.

David Washington, Oklahoma State: 6'3", 310 lbs, 5.25-second 40-yard dash, can play guard too

Jonathan St. Pierre, Illinois State: 6'3", 310 lbs, 5.3-second 40-yard dash, another who can play guard

Jonathan Bedore, Kansas State: 6'3", 310 lbs, 5.25-second 40-yard dash, and a third center who can swing to guard in a pinch

Brandon Johnson, Iowa State: 6'3", 320 lbs, 5.25-second 40-yard dash, the biggest of my sleeper center prospects

As far as I'm concerned, there aren't a lot of centers out there who would be worth a look after the draft, but this bunch isn't too shabby

OFFENSIVE GUARD:

Matt Slauson, Nebraska: 6'5", 316 lbs, 5.25-second 40-yard dash, might be able to play tackle as well

Travis Bright, BYU: 6'4", 320 lbs, 5.25-second 40-yard dash

Juan Garcia, Washington: 6'2", 306 pounds, 5.3 second 40-yard dash, had his last two seasons ruined by injury, but if he's past that injury bug, he might be a steal, can play center too

Cedric Dockery, Texas: 6'3", 316 lbs, 5.3-second 40-yard dash, I can't figure out why Dockery isn't higher rated, to this Horns fan he looks as good as his brother Derrick did coming out of college, I'd definitely be targeting Dockery if he goes undrafted

Tim Henderson, Northwestern State (La): 6'3", 325 lbs, 5.3-second 40-yard dash, love his size, worry about his level of competition...

Calvin Dority, North Carolina: 6'3", 310 lbs, 5.3-second 40-yard dash, another guard who can play some center

Ben Person, Ohio State: 6'3", 325 lbs, 5.3-second 40-yard dash, I wonder why he wasn't more dominant in college...

Chris Jamison, Troy: 6'2", 316 lbs, 4.95-second 40-yard dash, any time you're over 315 lbs and can run the 40 in under 5 seconds, you're gonna wind up on my draft list

Terrell Nemons, Tulsa: 6'2", 330 lbs, 5.3-second 40-yard dash, a DT in college, he's too slow to stay on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL, but might make a nice guard

Matt Eichelberger, Washington State: 6'4", 316 lbs, 5.25-second 40-yard dash, another DT conversion project...

Sam McNaulty, Clark (Atlanta): 6'4", 320 lbs, 5.1 second 40-yard dash, from a very small school, he can really motor for such a big guy

Chet Hartley, Kansas: 6'4", 316 lbs, 5.25-second 40-yard dash

Jovan Potter, Central State (Okla.): 6'1", 316 lbs, 5.3-second 40-yard dash, I worry about how short he is

Curtis Crouch, North Carolina State: 6'5", 325 lbs, 5.05-second 40-yard dash, terrific computer numbers, but was a huge disappointment for the Wolfpack, should be better than he was

Brent Todd, Memphis: 6'3", 320 lbs, 4.95 second 40-yard dash

That's a pretty big group of guard types who should still be on the board after the draft.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE:

Jose Valdez, Arkansas: 6'5", 316 lbs, 5.15-second 40-yard dash, one of my pet cats

Ryan Delrosal, Dixie State: 6'5", 316 lbs, 4.95-second 40-yard dash, terrific workouts the last few weeks might have boosted his stock to the point where he'll be drafted

Sean Sester, Purdue: 6'8", 325 lbs, 5.3-second 40-yard dash, tall, and from a passing offense, his career has been derailed by a series of injuries...

Jeremy Ashcraft, Arkansas Tech: 6-7, 316 lbs, 5.25-second 40-yard dash, hope Jerry has his Hillbilly Mafia working overtime, keeping him up to date on all the small college prospects from the great state of Arkansas

Bob Swift, Northern Iowa: 6'7", 316 lbs, 5.2-second 40-yard dash, obviously, I like my tackles tall

Kyle Howard, Wyoming: 6'6", 316 lbs, 5.2-second 40-yard dash, can play some guard, too

All in all, I'm not impressed with the quality of the tackles likely to still be on the board at the end of the draft, but these few caught my attention.

Next up, the likely defensive undrafted rookie free agents.

(Written by SilverBear, SilverBear is a CP Contributing Writer and Draft Guru. If you'd like to read more of SilverBear join us at cowboyspride.net )

Dallas Cowboys: Possible Undrafted Rookie Free Agents—Defense

CowboysPride — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:09:01 -0400

Continuing now with the defensive side of the ball, here is a look at some prospects who are likely to go undrafted, but might be worth bringing to camp. Those players who might get drafted (but probably won't) will be listed with an asterisk.

Again, there will be players from this list that another team falls in love with, who will be drafted to the surprise of most of the experts, and conversely, there will be players who slide out of the draft who currently carry a draftable grade—obviously, the latter group would quickly be added to the watch list. This is a preliminary take on some players worth looking at, who might not be drafted:

Defensive Line:

*Everette Pedescleaux, DE/DT, Northern Iowa—6'6", 306 pounds, 4.95 second 40—I think he'll end up being drafted, because he seems to be rising on most draft boards I see these days—played DT in college, but his numbers scream 3-4 DE to me.

*Khalif Mitchell, DT/DE, East Carolina—6'5", 316 pounds, 5.05 second 40—Another cusp prospect who might or might not be drafted.

Jeremy Navarre, DE/FB, Maryland—6'3", 286 pounds, 4.95 second 40—I'm intrigued by the scouts who think he could play some FB.

*John Gill, DE, Northwestern—6'3", 300 pounds, 4.9 second 40—played DT in college, but his size/speed ratio suggests a move to 3-4 DE is in his future. Gill is one of my sleepers that I'll be watching after the draft.

*Vaughn Martin, NT, Western Ontario—6'3", 330 pounds, 5.0 second 40—This Canadian prospect is gaining attention in recent weeks after a super workout at his Pro Day. I think he looks like an NFL NT, and might make a nice run-stuffing wide-body. His 40 times suggest he can do a little more than just clog up the middle.

Rhyan Anderson, DE, New Mexico State—6'3", 285 pounds, 4.7 second 40—Played on a totally lousy defense, but he has 3-4 DE size and OLB speed.

Marlon Favorite, NT, LSU—6'1", 316 pounds, 5.1 second 40—Short and squatty, like a nose tackle should be.

Myron Pryor, NT, Kentucky—6'1", 320 pounds, 5.1 second 40—Short and squatty, like a nose tackle should be. Hmm, that line sounds vaguely familiar...

Louis Ellis, NT, Shaw—6'2", 315 pounds, 5.1 second 40—Nice computer numbers, but how many NFL caliber players did he face at Shaw?

Linebackers:

Daniel Holtzclaw, ILB, Eastern Michigan—6'1", 245 pounds, 4.7 second 40—A pure 4-3 ILB, but good enough that I'd be willing to see if he could fit into a 3-4, if he were to go undrafted.

Robert Francois, OLB/ILB, Boston College—6'2", 245 pounds, 4.6 second 40—Rising up draft boards, may now carry a draftable grade (or not).

Brad Jones, OLB, Colorado—6'3", 230 pounds, 4.55 second 40—A little light in the seat for a 3-4 OLB, but is fast enough that he might make a nice WILB.

*Dan Skuta, OLB, Grand Valley State—6'3", 250 pounds, 4.7 second 40—The 'Boys reportedly like him, perhaps well enough to spend a seventh round pick on him.

Julius Williams, OLB, Connecticut—6'2", 250 pounds, 4.6 second 40—That's motoring pretty good for a 250-pounder.

Branden Long, OLB/DE, Michigan—6'3", 255 pounds, 4.6 second 40—A "tweener" conversion project from DE to 3-4 OLB—reportedly squats 600 pounds. That's intriguing.

Dave Philistin, ILB/OLB, Maryland—6'-2", 235 pounds, 4.6 second 40.

Mike Rivera, OLB/ILB, Kansas—6'2", 245 pounds, 4.65 second 40.

Dakota Walker, OLB, Georgia Southern—6'3", 240 pounds, 4.7 second 40—Hey, he's got a cool name, and he played for a perennial FCS powerhouse.

*Brandon Swain, OLB/DE, West Texas A&M—6'5", 255 pounds, 4.75 second 40—One of my pet cats, he was dominant as a junior, struggled with injuries as a senior.

Clayton Mullins, OLB/ILB, Miami-Ohio—6'1", 240 pounds, 4.65 second 40.

Chase Bullock, ILB/OLB, Maryland—6'2", 240 pounds, 4.65 second 40—The 'Boys have shown some interest in Chase, so have the 'Skins (among other teams).

Defensive Backs:

Tony Carter, CB/KR, Florida State—5'9", 180 pounds, 4.4 second 40—The 'Boys reportedly like him, mostly for his potential in the return game, though they like his toughness too.

Glover Quin, CB/FS, New Mexico—5'11", 205 pounds, 4.5 second 40.

De'Von Hall, SS, Utah State—6'2", 210 pounds, 4.5 second 40.

*Bradley Fletcher, CB/FS, Iowa—6'1", 195 pounds, 4.45 second 40—The 'Boys are high on him, perhaps high enough to spend a seventh round pick on him.

Nate Ness, FS, Arizona—6'0", 195 pounds, 4.45 second 40.

Michael Ray Garvin, CB/KR, Florida State—5'8", 175 pounds, 4.25 second 40 (that's not a typo)—Another small but very fast Seminole the 'Boys seem to like, again probably because of what he offers on special teams.

*Ryan Palmer, CB, Texas—5'8", 190 pounds, 4.5 second 40—I don't have nearly enough Longhorns on my post-draft watch list.

Wopamo Osaisai, CB/KR, Stanford—5'10", 195 pounds, 4.45 second 40.

*Ryan Mouton, CB/WR/KR, Hawaii—5'9", 186 pounds, 4.45 second 40—Here's a classic waterbug for you, a multi-talented sleeper who can fill in at a number of different positions if needed. I'm pretty sure that he's faster than that 4.45 40 time, at least on the field.

*Jason McCaunty, CB/KR, Rutgers—5'11", 195 pounds, 4.3 second 40—Speed kills, and Jason has it. He has pretty good size for somebody with sprinter's speed, too.

*Bryan Williams, FS, Akron—5'11", 195 pounds, 4.35 second 40—Williams must have been the fastest strong safety in the NCAA last year, but at that size, he's going to have to make the move to FS in the pros.

*Greg Toler, CB, St. Paul's (VA)—5'11", 195 pounds, 4.45 second 40—St. Paul's is so tiny, even I don't know where it is (except that it's in Southwest Virginia), and I've lived in Virginia for about 35 years now. But the 'Boys have learned about Toler, so have the 'Skins and a few other teams.

William Middleton, CB/KR, Furman—5'10", 195 pounds, 4.45 second 40.

*DJ Clark, CB/FS, Idaho State—6'1", 200 pounds, 4.5 second 40—One of my sleepers, he played CB in college but I think he'll wind up at FS in the pros.

*DeAndre Wright, CB/KR, New Mexico—5'11", 200 pounds, 4.5 second 40—I actually like Wright better than his higher-rated teammate Quin; in his junior year, it was Wright that opposing offenses avoided (he was hurt much of his senior year). His numbers don't leap off the charts at you, but he seems to have cover ability.

*Jamar Love, CB, Arkansas—6'0", 190 pounds, 4.35 second 40 (but I'm always suspicious of 40 times for the Hogs, they must have an ultrafast track)—I'll bet Jerry has all the draftable Razorbacks on his radar.

*Jerome Byrd, SS/OLB, Oregon—6'1", 225 pounds, 4.5 second 40—Started his college career in the defensive backfield, then moved to OLB. Seems small for that position in the NFL, but ran a sub-4.5 second 40 at his Pro Day workout, and even before then, some scouts were projecting him to SS. Would be quite strong for that position, he benches a little over 400 pounds.

Vincent Butler, CB, New Mexico State—5'10", 186 pounds, 4.35 second 40—Again, the Aggies' defense was horrible, so you have to be suspicious of any of their defensive players. But Butler has speed, and that will get him a shot in some team's training camp.

So, there's nearly 40 defensive players who are unlikely to extremely unlikely to be drafted. I'll bet that 35 of these players are still looking for work after the draft, and I'll bet there's at least a few bonafide NFL prospects in this group.

(Written by SilverBear, SilverBear is a CP contributor and special Draft Analyst. If you want to read more of SilverBear join him at Cowboyspride.net )

Dallas Cowboys' Offensive Mindset for the Draft

CowboysPride — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:56:46 -0400

As a long suffering fan, please allow me to show you what and how I see the offense headed...

I do not see Miles Austin as being a top-notch receiver. I feel that he is much more a contributor that selectively finds his places to shine. He, by himself, won't highlight this offense.

To totally rely upon both Jason Witten and Roy Williams, I just don't see the Cowboys being able to get them open enough just to dominate. They are good receivers, but I just don't see enough dynamics to yield a top shelf offense. Teams will double up on them, but in the box so as to be also able to defense the Dallas run....as teams did last season with TO and Witten there.

Dallas has a very productive quarterback, so Tony Romo's throwing will dominate much of each and every game. He will be given slightly over half of the plays within which to succeed. Just slightly below half, will be in the hands of the three running backs for the Cowboys.

This will fall back upon just how strong the assembled offensive line is. The line still should be coming into full function in year three of this specific group. They should be able to push their full potential this year.

Many have asked how Dallas would overcome not having a TO type receiver to dominate the landscape. Well, with both Bennett and Witten, the Cowboys are finally, after three years following his departure, able to run a pretty fair double tight end set that Bill Parcells envisioned.

It could well be the foundation of a power running game, and a spring board for more. Having Roy Williams, Miles Austin, Bennett and Witten all on the field does increase a strong compliment for a run game.

Play action now becomes a game break and changer, as both Roy W and Austin can break the deep pattern off with added pressure of a run lingering.

Also, their speed and size works well against current defensive back size...so quick responding slants, seams, and outs will be productive. This also adds to the use of more screens and backs into open areas to create mismatches and big, quick moving gainers as well. This will be a big part of the staple of the offense that presents right now.

Just by adding a three receiver set, odds improve for medium range completions. Put Roy W, Austin, and Crayton on the field all at once, and there better be some intense pass rushing...or one of them will push issues and get open for a big gainer.

Healthy, they are still a good group. Injure one, and we don't know what we have, which was your quandary.

Add one more deep speedster, via the draft...and here, Jerry targeting such a player as Harvin or Haywood-Bey could be enough for this entire section of receivers to turn the corner. Flooding the secondary with the likes of Roy W, Austin, Harvin, Crayton, Felix Jones, and Witten would drive quite a few present defensive coordinators pretty grouchy.

If this isn't the direction by Jerry, then my guess is the team either attempts to shore up the future of the defense in this draft...or looks to long termed solutions to bolster the offensive line.

Since Dallas has shunned the high visibility types of player changes, I don't look for a major price being laid out, and a continual and incremental approach via the draft. Within-round changes being the changes that I look to occur...which means look around where picks are located until at least Day Two.

Jerry is still looking for more gunpowder, and has not been bit by that tendency up until now...move down some, and acquire stronger depth and special team's contributors. Improvements there, makes the team harder to beat as well.

As to the break down of current issues at receiver....

1. It's not getting any better until a player or two are added...whether via the draft, free agency, or from both resources.

2. There are many more indicators of the performances of Austin than a failed period during the lingering of injury. First, we have indicators by the organization that it is putting faith in the receiver. He was replacing Patrick Crayton as the No. 2 receiver prior to his being injured. That is team confidence being shown.

They further endorsed him with the type of contract that he was offered by the organization. Also, the Jets didn't just up and offer him a visit and attempt to work out the details that would include a second round draft pick, if Austin did not pass their player evaluation process as well.

All told, that is some pretty high level endorsements in the NFL. Not only this, but he has performed well in training camps and exhibition games for the past two seasons.

That we as fans can throw up a whole series of projections of a negative vein, doesn't change his demonstrated ability and viable place on the current Dallas roster. It is now his turn to be a contributor on this team.

That he was injured this past season, was unfortunate, but doesn't change how he can still contribute.

3. The Cowboys functioned pretty well, having only Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton. Despite a level of success, does someone now rush and claim that Roy Williams now isn't on par with a career ending Terry Glenn? Or that Roy Williams with an upgrade to Patrick Crayton is not at least better?

4. The price of doing business in the NFL can not suddenly be ignored. It is always better to gain in the draft and pay less in free agency. Always has been and unless the cap is abolished...always will be.

5. First, the team will 'attempt' to achieve an upgrade in the draft, and gain a long-termed solution at the position. If they are not successful, then a veteran will probably be given consideration. The fact remains, that a team-enhancing receiver will be available at the top parts of round two.

The price to move up and acquire such a roster enhancing person does not break the bank, on either picks or cap. That will be the team's effort....first.

Myself, I'd think that if JERRY really wanted to take a changed direction with him out of this draft...that he would mortgage a little of the 2010 draft and go get him a real showpiece at receiver, while the iron was hot. I would retain most of the rest of this year's picks, and target very durable and strong roster upgrades.

This would end up being a very ferocious camp and upon up the team completely, to directional changes that includes a dominant aggressive team mood...yea, WITH Wade Phillips at the helm. Give Jason Garrett some real motivational juices at creating under that premise, and I think that he will own up to the demands of being creative. He is still a pretty sharp developer at the present.

Time will tell if they will be given the opportunity...

(CC Boy is aCowboyspride.net contributor and author. If you would like to read more of CC...drop by and say hi.)

Cowboys' 2009 Draft Priorities: Tight End

CowboysPride — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:50:55 -0400

Last and probably least, we come to the TEs in this draft class.

I wouldn't have thought the Boys would be particularly interested in tight ends this time around, but they have demonstrated some level of interest in the likes of James Casey from Rice, Anthony Hill from North Carolina State, and John Phillips from Virginia, so maybe they're in the market after all (or maybe they're just practicing due diligence).

If they do draft a TE this year, my hunch is that it will be a blocking type TE rather than a receiver. I say that because Witten, Bennett, and Hannah are more receiving types than pure blockers.

As a result, while I ordinarily look for TEs who can run a 4.7 40 or better, I'm willing to relax that to about a 4.8 for a really good blocker. On the other hand, I won't be looking for smallish TEs, I want them to weigh at least 245 pounds, and 260 would be better.

Second Round

James Casey, TE, Rice, 6' 3", 245 Pounds, 4.7 Second 40

To be honest, I don't understand why the Boys would be interested in any TE likely to go this high, especially not one who's more of a receiving threat than a blocking threat, but Casey has unusual athleticism, and can pose opposing defenses a variety of problems, up to and including apparently being able to run the Wildcat.

So, even though I don't see TE as a big need, I'd be content with Casey at pick 51.

Sixth Round

Dan Gronkowski, TE, Maryland, 6' 6", 255 pounds, 4.75 second 40

With a name like Gronkowski, you just know he's got to be hard-nosed, and he is.

Anthony Hill, TE, North Carolina State, 6' 5", 260 pounds, 4.8 second 40

Hill is more the blocking type TE that I'm looking for.

John Phillips, TE, Virginia, 6' 6", 260 pounds, 4.75 second 40

I'm a UVa fan, so I'm always in favor of adding a Cav or two.

Priority Undrafted Rookie Free Agents

Carson Butler, TE, Michigan, 6' 5", 260 pounds, 4.75 second 40

The Wolverines moved him to DE his senior year, suggesting he's pretty physical.

John Nalbone, TE, Monmouth, 6' 4", 250, 4.65 second 40

Just to give Miles Austin a homeboy on the roster, LOL.

Clearly, if the Boys want to add a lead blocker out of the backfield, there will be some options on the board late in the draft.

(SilverBear is one our CP Contributors and Draft Experts, and you can read more of what he has to say at cowboyspride.net)