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By Clarence E. Hill Jr.
chill@star-telegram.com
IRVING -- The final numbers on the 2011 Dallas Cowboys' draft are revealing.
Of the team's eight selections, six were offensive players and two play defense.
It's not only the fewest defensive players picked in the draft since Jerry Jones took over as team owner in 1989, it is also the fewest since 1962.
After making 58 draft-day trades since 1989 to earn the nickname "Trader Jerry," Jones made no draft-day moves for only the second time in his tenure. The first was in 2000.
Two conclusions can be drawn:
New coach Jason Garrett already has had a huge impact on the Cowboys' overall philosophy.
The Cowboys are putting much of the blame for last season's franchise-worst pass defense on former coach Wade Phillips and expect immediate improvement because of the addition of new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
The Cowboys want to address their glaring defensive needs at end, safety and possibly cornerback in free agency and see Ryan as their biggest off-season defensive move.
"We are absolutely excited about Rob Ryan coming in here as our defensive coordinator," Garrett said. "He was hired for a reason. He does an outstanding job, and we expect him to do an outstanding job with our defense."
Jones said Ryan's style and philosophy should bring a better result.
"We should give Rob Ryan some due here relative to how he is going to do some things differently," Jones said. "Because of the way our defensive personnel is, I do feel it is going to be able to play better than last year. I do feel we underachieved last year. I want to say that without throwing Wade under the bus. Rob and what he brings is going to be a plus for our personnel."
In judging how well this draft will turn out, recent history is not a good barometer. The Cowboys had three starters in 2010 from the previous three drafts combined and six players drafted in 2009 are no longer with the team.
But with Garrett in the room, that's where hope abounds.
Outside of his red hair, there is nothing cute about Garrett. He is businesslike and straightforward. And that's how the Cowboys handled his first draft as head coach.
They got what they wanted at the top of the draft in USC tackle Tyron Smith and they accomplished a stated goal of improving the offensive line and the running game with selections of Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray in the third round, Missouri State guard/center David Arkin in the fourth, steamrolling Georgia fullback Shaun Chapas in the seventh and Wisconsin guard/center Bill Nagy in the seventh. The other offensive player was East Carolina receiver Dwayne Harris in the sixth.
The two defensive players were North Carolina inside linebacker Bruce Carter in the second and Buffalo cornerback Josh Smith in the fifth. Both are expected make an immediate impact on special teams.
"I don't have an empty feeling," Jones said. "We needed to address the offensive line and we did in a big way. I'm really pleased."
chill@star-telegram.com
IRVING -- The final numbers on the 2011 Dallas Cowboys' draft are revealing.
Of the team's eight selections, six were offensive players and two play defense.
It's not only the fewest defensive players picked in the draft since Jerry Jones took over as team owner in 1989, it is also the fewest since 1962.
After making 58 draft-day trades since 1989 to earn the nickname "Trader Jerry," Jones made no draft-day moves for only the second time in his tenure. The first was in 2000.
Two conclusions can be drawn:
New coach Jason Garrett already has had a huge impact on the Cowboys' overall philosophy.
The Cowboys are putting much of the blame for last season's franchise-worst pass defense on former coach Wade Phillips and expect immediate improvement because of the addition of new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
The Cowboys want to address their glaring defensive needs at end, safety and possibly cornerback in free agency and see Ryan as their biggest off-season defensive move.
"We are absolutely excited about Rob Ryan coming in here as our defensive coordinator," Garrett said. "He was hired for a reason. He does an outstanding job, and we expect him to do an outstanding job with our defense."
Jones said Ryan's style and philosophy should bring a better result.
"We should give Rob Ryan some due here relative to how he is going to do some things differently," Jones said. "Because of the way our defensive personnel is, I do feel it is going to be able to play better than last year. I do feel we underachieved last year. I want to say that without throwing Wade under the bus. Rob and what he brings is going to be a plus for our personnel."
In judging how well this draft will turn out, recent history is not a good barometer. The Cowboys had three starters in 2010 from the previous three drafts combined and six players drafted in 2009 are no longer with the team.
But with Garrett in the room, that's where hope abounds.
Outside of his red hair, there is nothing cute about Garrett. He is businesslike and straightforward. And that's how the Cowboys handled his first draft as head coach.
They got what they wanted at the top of the draft in USC tackle Tyron Smith and they accomplished a stated goal of improving the offensive line and the running game with selections of Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray in the third round, Missouri State guard/center David Arkin in the fourth, steamrolling Georgia fullback Shaun Chapas in the seventh and Wisconsin guard/center Bill Nagy in the seventh. The other offensive player was East Carolina receiver Dwayne Harris in the sixth.
The two defensive players were North Carolina inside linebacker Bruce Carter in the second and Buffalo cornerback Josh Smith in the fifth. Both are expected make an immediate impact on special teams.
"I don't have an empty feeling," Jones said. "We needed to address the offensive line and we did in a big way. I'm really pleased."