2012 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Heading for Deja Vu?

As the NFL offseason draws closer, talk of how the Dallas Cowboys can improve their numerous weaknesses is in full swing. Starting that conversation, at least from this far out, is where the Cowboys might be headed with their first selection in the 2012 NFL Draft in April.

I have made it no secret that I don’t think releasing Terence Newman means any kind of improvement for the Cowboys, especially given that Dallas won’t pick until the 14th pick. Each year, the few, and I stress, few NFL-ready cornerbacks available are gone in the top eight-to-10 selections.

Despite the fact I strongly believe that a pass-rusher or an immediate upgrade to the interior of the offensive line is a realistic goal in this year’s draft, I’m not opposed to upgrading the cornerback position if a player with the right skill set is there.

Don’t look now, but that player likely will be there.

Then again, the reason that player might be there is the problem.

It was reported this week that Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick was arrested in Florida for possession of cannabis and released on $120 bond.

Most mock drafts project Kirkpatrick to be chosen within the top 10 picks, regardless of what happens via trades or other ranking changes post-NFL Scouting Combine, which takes place in February. 

Chances are, however, that this could all change due to Kirkpatrick’s potential legal situation.I certainly would never judge or pass on a given player on the basis that he smokes cannabis for whatever reason he chooses and the numbers clearly state that most Americans completely agree. But until cannabis prohibition is eliminated in the United States, it remains a potential obstacle for a given player in the NFL as far as whether or not he will be on the field or in a courtroom somewhere—or behind bars.

So if you are Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones, what do you do if Kirkpatrick is sitting there once your team goes on the clock in the first round?

Kirkpatrick has the look of a future shutdown cornerback in the NFL and there are very few of these in existence—especially given how the NFL keeps handing the passing game more and more advantages as it tries to mimic arena leagues around the country.

And perhaps the term “shutdown” is a bit much, but Kirkpatrick looks to be the about closest thing you can find towards that desired end.  

I can already see Kirkpatrick, a sure top-10 selection prior to his going “420” on us, rapidly falling towards the Cowboys in the first round in numerous mock drafts. Barring a stellar performance at the NFL Scouting Combine and a very clear explanation as to what happened with the cannabis, this fall will likely hold up come April.

Universally regarded as the No. 2 corner available this spring, Kirkpatrick stands an astounding 6’3” and weighs in at around 190 lbs. His speed isn’t that of the top corner, Morris Claiborne of LSU, but it is still more than adequate.

His unusual height would give him the potential to out-jump some of today’s tallest wide receivers and this why Kirkpatrick could rank higher on some team's draft boards than even Claiborne, who stands only 6’0”.Most Cowboys fans can recall the cruel dilemma faced by Jones heading into the 1998 NFL Draft. The Cowboys, having failed for several years in trying to add another Alvin Harper opposite Michael Irvin, had to carefully weigh the pros and cons of drafting Randy Moss out of Marshall.

Like Kirkpatrick, Moss had been popped for dealing too close to cannabis and also fell substantially in the draft with respect to where his talent level actually was.

Jones passed on Moss, a move that probably set the Cowboys back numerous years considering that Irvin would be done in less than two seasons and the amazing moves Jones made in trying to offset that decision. It didn’t help that Moss beat Dallas, usually quite badly, in every game in which he faced a Dallas defense.

Expect Kirkpatrick to be available to Jones for the taking at the 14th selection this coming April. It’s ironic because Jones, less than two years ago, dove headfirst into the Dez Bryant sweepstakes in what many feel was his attempt to right the apparent wrong of letting Moss slip away in 1998.

Like Kirkpatrick, Bryant didn’t have such a good week either in being involved in an apparent altercation with a rap artist at a Miami, Florida night club. Apparently, he wasn’t arrested during the incident but in the court of public opinion, Bryant is guilty as charged.

I’ll do business with one who enjoys cannabis over a guy who gets into violent altercations and does not pay his bills any day.

Consider that former Cowboys center Mark Stepnoski has been a supporter of legalizing cannabis since high school. In fact, he even went so far as to leave the United States in order to not be treated like a criminal for his position—Stepnoski has three Super Bowl rings by the way.

Happy birthday, Mark.

In time, Kirkpatrick will have to decide which kind of NFL player he wants to be.

And so will Jerry Jones.