He is ranked around #43 on most draft boards. I am surprised. Chris Johnson ran a 4.24 at the combine and made his opponents look like Jr. High kids. As you watch the clip, see the space that he creates as he runs, both running away from people and doing a Tony Dorsett-like spin move. He might be ranked as a second round choice, but if he is around at #28, I say snag him.
Nick Eatman has now decided “why not?” regarding Pacman Jones. Gee, Nick, I can think of about a bazillion reasons why not. But, as I have stated before, Jerry Jones hasn’t asked me to be an honorary GM. (Though I would have to think that either Trip or I would make a fine one).
Since I am getting a sinking feeling that Pacman is soon to have a star on his helmet, let me think through this for a minute.
Since the Cowboys can’t seem to get over their infatuation with Mr. Jones, I have adapted an old Coasters’ song for the occasion (my apologies to that great singing group for the damage to this classic tune). Unfortunately, I could only bring myself to work out one verse. Perhaps I will compose more if this thing actually comes to fruition. Let’s pray it doesn’t come to that…
ALONG CAME JONES
I plopped down in my easy chair and turned on Channel 3
A bad receiver called Plaxico was burnin’ poor Jacques Reeves
He tripped him at the line of scrimmage and said with an evil laugh,
“If you don’t give me the deed to your ranch*
I’ll burn you in the second half!”
And then he tricked him (and then)
He tied him up (and then)
He turned on the afterburners (and then, and then…!)
[Chorus:]
And then along came Jones
short thin Jones
stripper pole Jones
”let it rain” Jones
Along came long, lean, convict Jones
NFL.com is reporting that Dallas is very interested in getting Pacman Jones from the Titans. It has been expressed on this site (and bunches of others) that we don’t need the suspended CB.
Apparently, Jerry Jones has decided that we aren’t the GM. All I know is that if we get him, they need to redo the contract to be weighted heavily with incentives and demands, so that if the stripper pole guy screws up we don’t end up paying him big bucks for sitting in jail.
Now that most of the big name free agents and trade bait have been dealt and signed, don’t be surprised if the Cowboys sort through the left overs, looking for some deals. No, this won’t be the “WoW” that Jerry hinted at earlier. Look for that in the draft. But there are still a few serviceable folks out there that can help on special teams or provide some depth.
Some defensive backs or offensive lineman would be an obvious choice. Perhaps a running back or two. Who knows who might be brought in, if they are expected to contribute mainly on special teams? Official position is much less important in that situation. Who cares what number someone is wearing if they are a wedge buster?
No doubt, whoever comes in will most likely be a drop-off from Keith “Killer” Davis in that regard. Maybe one of the rookies will surprise us and be a monster on the kickoff team. But I doubt if any free agents will fill that role so capably as Davis did. However, there can still be some cheap options out there that can be contributors on special teams.
Plus, it would be nice to have a few veteran options for depth, since we are going to be relying heavily on rookies at some key positions.
So, no, don’t expect the Cowboys to deal for Ocho Cinco or anyone like that, but don’t get caught off guard if they do bring in some lesser known folks for a talk. This is the time that they were really targeting anyone during free agency.
The FWST has the only new articles today about the Cowboys. Have you heard there is this great running back coming out of Arkansas? You must have heard, right? Every national sports source out there has written, at least one time, that Jerry Jones is chomping at the bit to trade up and grab him. Not so fast.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram:Mac Engel points out that Jerry Jones has never drafted a player from the University of Arkansas. So much for his “love of Arkansas players”.
“I’ve got a [stripper] pole in my house now,” (Pacman) noted. Who says people can not change?
“Do not touch him — and not because he introduced “making it rain” to the middle-class, suburban-guy lexicon or because he’s a world-class screw-up. He did, and he is.”
I just thought I would throw up a few clips of some potential RB choices that the Cowboys might have. Some are obvious choices, some are just guys that have shown some potential and may even be around in later rounds.
Felix Jones
This guy might be available a little later. Tashard Choice.
Football Outsiders has come up with an evaluation of the NFC East and overall, it is pretty good. They spend too much time worrying about the coaching situation in Dallas (you know, is Garrett going to replace Wade if the Cowboys don’t start strong. I mean, really, how many coaches coming off of a 13-3 season are in the hot seat - well, except maybe Marty Schottenheimer).
But some good evaluation. It was originally posted on March 4, so some of the info is dated. But still a good look at all four teams and the upcoming year. They discuss the needs of each team, etc. Certainly worth reading.
Dallas Morning News:Nate Jones has signed a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. As I’ve said, I don’t feel this is a loss. The Cowboys can do better, cheaper, at this position. I’m not even convinced Jones is a better corner than Alan Ball, Evan Oglesby or Courtney Brown. Jones joins Jason Ferguson and Keith Davis as former Cowboys who have signed with the Dolphins.
Dave Halprin at Blogging The Boys says cornerback and running back are the Cowboys top priorities, followed by wide receiver. I have receiver ranked a little higher than he does but clearly all three spots need to be filled. Early.
Kickholder at Know Your Dallas Cowboys has some polls up where you can vote for the greatest Cowboys by number. Jerseys 1, 2 and 3 are up. I voted for Mat McBriar (1), Lin Elliott (2) and Richie Cunningham (3).
Cowboys Beat agrees with the strategy this offseason. The Cowboys are set for success for a long time, if they can just keep the core together. It’s hard to argue with what they are doing. And he has a Marion Barber video up.
Rafael Vela of The Boys Blog thinks the Cowboys view on Isaiah Stanback will determine where they will draft a wide receiver. I understand the point, and I know the Cowboys are high on Stanback, but I doubt he will have any effect on where the Cowboys draft a wide receiver. Stanback was chosen with the understanding it would take him a few years to transition to wide receiver. And his switch is no sure thing. I expect the Cowboys to take a wide receiver no later than the 2nd round.
Yakuza Rich isn’t very impressed with the media’s predictions about the Cowboys heading into the offseason. The Dolphins were supposed to have pillaged our roster by now, weren’t they? Jason Ferguson and Keith Davis is what they have so far. And it can be argued that neither player came cheap.
The Landry Hat pokes some fun at Clarence Hill of the FWST. Hill, via KKFL, is reporting the Cowboys are trying to sign DeMarcus Ware, Terence Newman, Chris Canty and Marion Barber III all to long term deals. And Landry Hat does not want McFadden at the cost of two first rounders. I can’t make up my mind on that one. I can see benefits both ways. But I think I’m leaning towards keeping the picks at this point. And under no circumstances would I want to trade all the way up to number one to take him.
Lone Star Struck points out that, while Zach Thomas only played in five games last year, his production was the same as all of his other seasons. There was no statistical dropoff in his play. I also wrote something similar to this when the Cowboys signed Thomas. I think Thomas was a good signing.
A little draft talk. There is a rumor Kevin Jones might get released. And a trip back in time. Later today, I’m going to do a check of all the Cowboys blogs. And tonight, I’ll have something up about the draft.
And Tim MacMahon still thinks the second round is where the Cowboys should get a running back. He has just about got me convinced. This is not a bad strategy at all. But we will still have to see how everything falls on draft day.
Dallas Cowboys: Mickey Spagnola also says that the first round may not necessarily be the way to get a running back. And I agree, especially with the depth in this draft. But again, everything depends on what all the other teams do. If a runner like Chris Johnson or Jamaal Charles is the target, and you can get him in round two, that will allow you to get a top notch WR and CB.
Dallas Morning News: The Cowboys handed out performance-based bonuses yesterday. This is an NFL program for players with lower salaries and the money does not count against the salary cap. Sam Hurd got the biggest cut of the $3.1 million.
Patrick Crayton was a chatterbox last season. For awhile there, any show that had an NFL player on it, had Crayton. He wasn’t scared of the Patriots. He wasn’t scared of the Giants. The Cowboys had the most prolific offense in history.
“I dropped a big pass and everybody can say one play didn’t make all the things, but it’s a big turning point in the game,” he said. Crayton said that drop will stay with him for a while.
I’m not saying that. I absolutely think Crayton is the reason we lost that game. He had an uncharacteristically horrible game. And not only did he drop a huge pass, but he didn’t even run hard on a route that could have sealed the game, after Romo made a very nice throw under pressure.
Crayton is still a good player. And I think he will be going forward. And I’m glad the Cowboys signed him. But he lost that game and he better not start trying to minimize it.
According to Trotter, the Cardinals gave Larry Fitzgerald some enormous escalators in his contract, which they never intended to pay. Apparently they had a gentleman’s agreement to redo the deal if Fitzgerald hit the escalators.
The salary cap is not complicated stuff. The league has been dealing with it since the 90s. You put the fluff money in base salary at the end of the contract. Not in bonuses in the middle of the contract. Apparently the Cardinals have yet to master these small nuances.
Dallas Morning News: Jean-Jacques Taylor says the Cowboys will miss Keith Davis. He has an attitude that is perfect for special teams play. I agree with this mostly. I wouldn’t have minded the Cowboys keeping him around for $1.7 mil per season. That is about the range, I think where he remains valuable.
Mickey Spagnola says it is a shame that Julius Jones didn’t work out with the Cowboys. And he quotes a scout who is still blaming Parcells. Not me. Not anymore. Not for Julius. Maybe he will recapture that ability we all saw his first few years in the league. I hope so. But I’ve given up on him. I think he is just not mentally tough enough.