sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
Jeff Sullivan
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
This story originally appeared in Dallas Cowboys Star Magazine.
To lockout or not to lockout, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune … never mind. Honestly, there's going to be a 2011 NFL season, this is an absolute mortal lock. The rest of the back-and-forth, who knows the where, why, when and how of the resolution, for me, still saying it's sooner rather than later, but for now, let's talk about what we do know, at least on some level, with that being the draft.
Lots to discuss, starting with the complete and utter upheaval of the top-10 picks from this time two months ago when the college football season ended. Always been fascinated with how much can change after, you know, there are no more games to play. Season's over. Here are the best players for the NFL. Whoa there, he ran such-and-such a 40 and completed 87 straight passes at his Pro Day, he should vault up 18 picks than previously projected despite the fact the player in question hadn't played a single second of competitive football. Regardless, the system is what it is and this is what we're looking at.
In terms of the Cowboys, though, this is most-wonderful news in the present. For, as always, teams are falling in love with quarterbacks and workout warriors alike, oftentimes one and the same, and a defensive stud is going to fall into the ninth slot, where Dallas is slated to pick. There has been some speculation about dealing down, but that doesn't seem plausible to me in any way, shape or form. Actually, there's a better chance of the team moving up. Yes, up. This isn't likely, either, would say five percent or so.
It's going to be defense. Can almost guarantee that. Am even guessing Jason Garrett told Rob Ryan that during the interview process, that the personnel currently in place could be altered to his liking come the 2011 opener, including a first-round pick. Not saying Garrett promised Ryan the pick, just that he mentioned the likelihood.
Have to say it's been stunning the consistency of the Cowboys selection in mock drafts by the national pundits. Just this past week, Mel Kiper released his third take, and as in the first two, Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara was tabbed. Kiper cited him as the best pure technician at the corner position. He also wrote "any whispers that this guy could project better at safety are unfounded. He's a potential Pro Bowl corner." Honestly, one would hope any top-10 selection in any draft would possess Pro Bowl/All-Star status.
Not just Kiper, either. Every mock draft on the planet from mid-January through this very moment has the Cowboys taking Prince. Can't imagine everyone being right. That just doesn't happen. Also, there's this: As much as seemingly the entire base feels like the cornerbacks were a major issue last season, the reality is they weren't. Did Mike Jenkins regress? Sure, to a degree, more so tackling-wise than coverage, and this quite honestly is more commitment to each and every snap of the football than anything else. Terence Newman performed at his usual Pro Bowl-caliber level. Have said this before, but once again: Newman is the most underappreciated Dallas Cowboys player of the last 15 years.
Now, the Cowboys need more secondary depth. They should and will carry four or five corners out of camp whereas last year there were just three and as we all know, free safety is a problem. But Orlando Scandrick was much-improved in 2010 and will make an impact somewhere, so this isn't the dire need many are proclaiming. There really isn't a position of weakness per se, it's the same problem Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones faced when inheriting the team in 1989. The defense needs more youth and more speed, and not necessarily in that order.
As for me, the absolute best possible pick for Dallas would be Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller. Yes, fully aware he likely won't be there at No. 9, even if quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton are off the board, not to mention the possibility of Alabama wideout Julio Jones sneaking into the top 8. Most believe he's a lock at No. 5 to Arizona, who needs a quarterback more than any team in the NFL, which is really saying something considering Carolina and Minnesota are still members of the league.
But this kid wants to play for the Cowboys in the worse way and that's a good thing. I like that. Back in the day, seemed like half the players Dallas selected grew up Cowboys fans. Maybe he falls a few picks, maybe he doesn't, so send a second-round pick in 2012 or whatever it takes and grab him. Have long been an advocate of taking the best defensive player available in this upcoming draft, at least from a Cowboys perspective, but more and more, it seems like Miller is that player, even if a few defensive tackles are slated above him in certain mock drafts. Even more than Kiper, my No. 1 draft guru in terms of trusting his instincts is Mike Mayock of the NFL Network and he raves about Miller. Gil Brandt likes him, too. Everyone does.
Here's another way to look at this: What's the safest pick on the board? There are busts every year among the top-9 picks, just to use this number as it's the Cowboys' slot. Too early to cite anyone from 2010 as a bust. Going back to 2009, DE Tyson Jackson at three, OT Andre Smith at six and WR Darrius Heyward-Bey at nine are looking like oops while in 2008, DE Vernon Gholston (sixth) has already been released by the Jets. Another end, Derrick Harvey, picked eighth, played in 15 games last season and finished with 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
That said, for me, the three safest picks among the projected top, let's say 12, are wide receivers A.J. Green and Jones and Miller. Dallas does not need a wideout, thus, it's Miller. And how can fans not love how vocal the local product from Desoto was in his desire to play for the Cowboys, telling ESPN Radio, "I always saw myself with that blue star on the side of my helmet. So of course I'm a big Cowboys fan." Heck, his family even has a Ring of Honor in their game room at home. This would inject a ton of energy into the team as a whole entering camp, especially if Dez Bryant can build on his stellar rookie season.
For the 47th time, please, oh please, may these eyes never again see Bryant returning kicks. Punts are okay, kickoff returns are basically kamikaze missions. Not a good idea.
So, in closing, it's Von Miller come Thursday night, April 28. If he doesn't fall to No. 9, here's guessing the Cowboys find a way to make it happen, much like they did last year with Bryant.
Oh, almost forgot. Don't worry about where Miller plays within the 3-4. Who cares? He can play anywhere, there are a lot of snaps in a football season, there are four linebackers in the 3-4, and this kid can play any of them. Line him up like a Darren Woodson fifth linebacker in lieu of two safeties on first down, move him around up front, rush four, rush none, drop him back in coverage, over the tight end … heck, put him on the video board. Could absolutely care less. Just draft him. Trust me, Rob Ryan will find a place for him.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
This story originally appeared in Dallas Cowboys Star Magazine.
To lockout or not to lockout, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune … never mind. Honestly, there's going to be a 2011 NFL season, this is an absolute mortal lock. The rest of the back-and-forth, who knows the where, why, when and how of the resolution, for me, still saying it's sooner rather than later, but for now, let's talk about what we do know, at least on some level, with that being the draft.
Lots to discuss, starting with the complete and utter upheaval of the top-10 picks from this time two months ago when the college football season ended. Always been fascinated with how much can change after, you know, there are no more games to play. Season's over. Here are the best players for the NFL. Whoa there, he ran such-and-such a 40 and completed 87 straight passes at his Pro Day, he should vault up 18 picks than previously projected despite the fact the player in question hadn't played a single second of competitive football. Regardless, the system is what it is and this is what we're looking at.
In terms of the Cowboys, though, this is most-wonderful news in the present. For, as always, teams are falling in love with quarterbacks and workout warriors alike, oftentimes one and the same, and a defensive stud is going to fall into the ninth slot, where Dallas is slated to pick. There has been some speculation about dealing down, but that doesn't seem plausible to me in any way, shape or form. Actually, there's a better chance of the team moving up. Yes, up. This isn't likely, either, would say five percent or so.
It's going to be defense. Can almost guarantee that. Am even guessing Jason Garrett told Rob Ryan that during the interview process, that the personnel currently in place could be altered to his liking come the 2011 opener, including a first-round pick. Not saying Garrett promised Ryan the pick, just that he mentioned the likelihood.
Have to say it's been stunning the consistency of the Cowboys selection in mock drafts by the national pundits. Just this past week, Mel Kiper released his third take, and as in the first two, Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara was tabbed. Kiper cited him as the best pure technician at the corner position. He also wrote "any whispers that this guy could project better at safety are unfounded. He's a potential Pro Bowl corner." Honestly, one would hope any top-10 selection in any draft would possess Pro Bowl/All-Star status.
Not just Kiper, either. Every mock draft on the planet from mid-January through this very moment has the Cowboys taking Prince. Can't imagine everyone being right. That just doesn't happen. Also, there's this: As much as seemingly the entire base feels like the cornerbacks were a major issue last season, the reality is they weren't. Did Mike Jenkins regress? Sure, to a degree, more so tackling-wise than coverage, and this quite honestly is more commitment to each and every snap of the football than anything else. Terence Newman performed at his usual Pro Bowl-caliber level. Have said this before, but once again: Newman is the most underappreciated Dallas Cowboys player of the last 15 years.
Now, the Cowboys need more secondary depth. They should and will carry four or five corners out of camp whereas last year there were just three and as we all know, free safety is a problem. But Orlando Scandrick was much-improved in 2010 and will make an impact somewhere, so this isn't the dire need many are proclaiming. There really isn't a position of weakness per se, it's the same problem Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones faced when inheriting the team in 1989. The defense needs more youth and more speed, and not necessarily in that order.
As for me, the absolute best possible pick for Dallas would be Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller. Yes, fully aware he likely won't be there at No. 9, even if quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton are off the board, not to mention the possibility of Alabama wideout Julio Jones sneaking into the top 8. Most believe he's a lock at No. 5 to Arizona, who needs a quarterback more than any team in the NFL, which is really saying something considering Carolina and Minnesota are still members of the league.
But this kid wants to play for the Cowboys in the worse way and that's a good thing. I like that. Back in the day, seemed like half the players Dallas selected grew up Cowboys fans. Maybe he falls a few picks, maybe he doesn't, so send a second-round pick in 2012 or whatever it takes and grab him. Have long been an advocate of taking the best defensive player available in this upcoming draft, at least from a Cowboys perspective, but more and more, it seems like Miller is that player, even if a few defensive tackles are slated above him in certain mock drafts. Even more than Kiper, my No. 1 draft guru in terms of trusting his instincts is Mike Mayock of the NFL Network and he raves about Miller. Gil Brandt likes him, too. Everyone does.
Here's another way to look at this: What's the safest pick on the board? There are busts every year among the top-9 picks, just to use this number as it's the Cowboys' slot. Too early to cite anyone from 2010 as a bust. Going back to 2009, DE Tyson Jackson at three, OT Andre Smith at six and WR Darrius Heyward-Bey at nine are looking like oops while in 2008, DE Vernon Gholston (sixth) has already been released by the Jets. Another end, Derrick Harvey, picked eighth, played in 15 games last season and finished with 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
That said, for me, the three safest picks among the projected top, let's say 12, are wide receivers A.J. Green and Jones and Miller. Dallas does not need a wideout, thus, it's Miller. And how can fans not love how vocal the local product from Desoto was in his desire to play for the Cowboys, telling ESPN Radio, "I always saw myself with that blue star on the side of my helmet. So of course I'm a big Cowboys fan." Heck, his family even has a Ring of Honor in their game room at home. This would inject a ton of energy into the team as a whole entering camp, especially if Dez Bryant can build on his stellar rookie season.
For the 47th time, please, oh please, may these eyes never again see Bryant returning kicks. Punts are okay, kickoff returns are basically kamikaze missions. Not a good idea.
So, in closing, it's Von Miller come Thursday night, April 28. If he doesn't fall to No. 9, here's guessing the Cowboys find a way to make it happen, much like they did last year with Bryant.
Oh, almost forgot. Don't worry about where Miller plays within the 3-4. Who cares? He can play anywhere, there are a lot of snaps in a football season, there are four linebackers in the 3-4, and this kid can play any of them. Line him up like a Darren Woodson fifth linebacker in lieu of two safeties on first down, move him around up front, rush four, rush none, drop him back in coverage, over the tight end … heck, put him on the video board. Could absolutely care less. Just draft him. Trust me, Rob Ryan will find a place for him.
