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Columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor answered your questions in his weekly e-mail newsletter - Inside the Dallas Cowboys. Here are some highlights.
Q: How desirable a place to play is Dallas for a free agent? Will last year's huge step backwards hurt them much or is it all just about who offers the most money?
Leigh Buchalter
TAYLOR: You got it right with your second question. Almost always, it’s about money. Players have short careers, so they have to make the most money possible. Dallas, though, is always a destination point because the cost of living is great because it's not high, there’s no state income tax, it’s three hours from each coast, the organization has tradition and the owner wants to win.
* * *
Q: In the second round of the draft, what was the tipping point in the Cowboy’s brain trust thinking when they chose Bruce Carter instead of Da Quan Bowers? Being more of a 4-3 than a 3-4 defensive lineman (plus injuries) where was Da Quan ranked on the Cowboy’s draft board?
Garlon Frost
TAYLOR: The biggest reason, aside from his knee issues, is that he’s a 4-3 defensive tackle. There’s not a good spot for him in the 3-4 because he’s not big enough to thrive in this defense. I don’t know where the Cowboys ranked him. He might not have even been on their board because of his medical condition.
* * *
Q: What prevents players from jumping to the CFL or the UFL during the lockout?
Jim Allison, Buena Park, Calif.
TAYLOR: Nothing. But those leagues pay considerably less than the NFL . The top CFL players earn about $100,000. The NFL minimum is about $425,000.
* * *
Q: Do you think Jason Garrett has a blueprint for a draft philosophy? How many drafts do you think it will take to confirm we are seeing a consistent draft philosophy has been put in place?
Jeff Owen, New Hampshire
TAYLOR: The Cowboys, for the most part, have had a pretty consistent draft philosophy over the past few years. The emphasis, I think, will be more like the Bill Parcells philosophy. That is to say the Cowboys will draft players with strong track records of performance from big schools. They want intelligent players with leadership capabilities and good character. If there is a choice between two players, they will take the guy who has the higher grade in those intangibles. Physical skills matter, but so do intangibles.
* * *
Q: I recall John Phillips being a kid with a special talent that if he can come back from his torn ACL will he make big gains this year. Am I overstating this guy?
Darrell Clauson, Wamego, Kan.
TAYLOR: Yes, you’re overstating his importance. Don’t forget, he’s a third-string tight end. That said, he did some good things, and I think he can be a solid contributor. He’ll help with the running game and moving the chains. More important, he’ll make Martellus Bennett play even better because Phillips will be a threat to his playing time.
Q: How desirable a place to play is Dallas for a free agent? Will last year's huge step backwards hurt them much or is it all just about who offers the most money?
Leigh Buchalter
TAYLOR: You got it right with your second question. Almost always, it’s about money. Players have short careers, so they have to make the most money possible. Dallas, though, is always a destination point because the cost of living is great because it's not high, there’s no state income tax, it’s three hours from each coast, the organization has tradition and the owner wants to win.
* * *
Q: In the second round of the draft, what was the tipping point in the Cowboy’s brain trust thinking when they chose Bruce Carter instead of Da Quan Bowers? Being more of a 4-3 than a 3-4 defensive lineman (plus injuries) where was Da Quan ranked on the Cowboy’s draft board?
Garlon Frost
TAYLOR: The biggest reason, aside from his knee issues, is that he’s a 4-3 defensive tackle. There’s not a good spot for him in the 3-4 because he’s not big enough to thrive in this defense. I don’t know where the Cowboys ranked him. He might not have even been on their board because of his medical condition.
* * *
Q: What prevents players from jumping to the CFL or the UFL during the lockout?
Jim Allison, Buena Park, Calif.
TAYLOR: Nothing. But those leagues pay considerably less than the NFL . The top CFL players earn about $100,000. The NFL minimum is about $425,000.
* * *
Q: Do you think Jason Garrett has a blueprint for a draft philosophy? How many drafts do you think it will take to confirm we are seeing a consistent draft philosophy has been put in place?
Jeff Owen, New Hampshire
TAYLOR: The Cowboys, for the most part, have had a pretty consistent draft philosophy over the past few years. The emphasis, I think, will be more like the Bill Parcells philosophy. That is to say the Cowboys will draft players with strong track records of performance from big schools. They want intelligent players with leadership capabilities and good character. If there is a choice between two players, they will take the guy who has the higher grade in those intangibles. Physical skills matter, but so do intangibles.
* * *
Q: I recall John Phillips being a kid with a special talent that if he can come back from his torn ACL will he make big gains this year. Am I overstating this guy?
Darrell Clauson, Wamego, Kan.
TAYLOR: Yes, you’re overstating his importance. Don’t forget, he’s a third-string tight end. That said, he did some good things, and I think he can be a solid contributor. He’ll help with the running game and moving the chains. More important, he’ll make Martellus Bennett play even better because Phillips will be a threat to his playing time.
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