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First day of draft likely to be snoozer for Dallas Cowboys
12:49 AM CDT on Wednesday, April 22, 2009
There's nothing Jerry Jones likes better than wheeling and dealing on draft day, but Saturday is probably going to be pretty boring for the Cowboys' owner.
That's because, as of now, he has only one pick Saturday – the 51st overall.
It's hard to move up when that's all the ammunition you have. So don't expect the Cowboys to do much on the first day of the draft.
Jerry will probably make a lot of phone calls and inquiries, but without a first-round pick – they sent it to Detroit for Roy Williams – then Dallas won't be able to get into the first round.
Now, I would expect the Cowboys to move all over the place Sunday, considering Dallas has two fourth-round picks and three fifth-round picks. Jerry can move all over the board with those picks.
If he wants to move up in the third round, he can use the fourth-round picks to do so. If he wants a certain player in the fourth round, he can use his multiple fourth-round picks or fifth-round picks to get the job done.
If he exercises patience on Day 1, Jerry can control the draft on Day 2. It doesn’t get any better than that for him.
Q: Do you think they would consider trying to go after Brian Robiskie in the 2nd round? He's the best available receiver in the draft because he's ready to contribute right away. Robiskie is a polished route runner, has great hands, knows how to run block, has great size to compete, special teams experience and is fast enough to get separation.
Mattai Sinclair
TAYLOR: The Cowboys brought in Brian Robiskie, who was one of 30 prospects the Cowboys brought to Dallas for a closer inspection, which means they like him. In the past, the Cowboys have drafted players they had brought to Dallas to meet the coaches and owner. Dallas needs a receiver, though they don't like drafting them, so it will be interesting to see whether they pull the trigger on it.
The Cowboys are one injury to Roy Williams away from disaster. It's hard to believe they would feel comfortable without adding another playmaker, a player with size and speed who can stretch the field.
Q: I'm just curious of your working relationship with Cowboys coaches and management. You write some damaging, yet truthful things which they need to hear. How do you get your job done if they don't speak to you, based on the things you write? I am assuming there at times when they don't speak to you.
Tony Julien
TAYLOR: I wouldn't assume that. People don't always like the truth, but what can you say when it's the truth? I covered the Cowboys for 12 seasons, and I've been writing opinions about them for three years. I've spent more time around the players and front office than most. I don't have a problem with players, coaches or Jerry because I'm always around. I don't hide. If someone has a problem with me, then they don't have to look for me. We can talk about it and agree or agree to disagree. Truth is always a defense.
Q: What are the chances Dallas will move up and draft Josh Freeman?
Tom Lanious
TAYLOR: I don't think that's going to happen, although the Cowboys need to draft a quarterback. Freeman is probably going in the first round or early in the second round. Considering Tony Romo remains the starter, I don't see a scenario where the Cowboys would use their picks in the third or fourth rounds to acquire Freeman.
Q: I've read you mention that Bill Parcells used to say Romo needed to be coached through the whole game. So what exactly does Wade Wilson do as quarterbacks coach?
Roman Aguilar, San Jose, Calif.
TAYLOR: You're taking that a little too literally. Bill Parcells' point is that Romo didn't need too many pats on the butt during a game. Parcells believed Romo needed someone to give him an honest assessment of his performance during the game because he was prone to make mistakes.
Q: Sometimes good receivers make a quarterback look better. Other times, good quarterbacks make receivers better, which is what I hope happens with Romo in 2009. Give Romo a break. He isn't to blame for everything that went wrong in 2008.
N. T. Umamaheswaran, Washington, D.C.
TAYLOR: No one is saying Romo is the sole reason Dallas went 9-7 and missed the playoffs last year. Actually, T.O. received much more blame than Romo. What folks want Romo to do is protect the ball and lead the team to wins in the games that matter most at the end of the season. When that happens, they'll get off his back.
Q: Where will safety Roy Williams find a home?
George McCabe
TAYLOR: That's a good question. Right now, no one knows the answer. There's still a spot for Williams in the NFL. His mission and his agent's job is to find the right spot because Williams needs to be on a team where he can play in the box and doesn't have much coverage responsibility. That's hard to do in today's NFL, where everyone seems to get the ball thrown to them. You can't hide players who struggle to cover.
Q: What are the Cowboys doing with Bobby Carpenter? From Day 1, he's been bounced from inside to outside and back several times. The one time he truly got to play in the playoffs, he did great. Then the bouncing continued. How can he be expected to do anything when it seems like he really hasn't been treated fairly?
Greg Henesy
TAYLOR: Do you think the Cowboys don't want him to succeed. Carpenter's problem is that inside linebackers in the 3-4 have to be physical players who take on blocks, shed them and then go make the tackle. For some reason, Carpenter isn't a physical player. He's huge and powerful and strong but he doesn't attack blockers. Until he does, he's going to struggle.
Q: I keep seeing the gripes on Flozell Adams but understand he is deaf in one ear. Is this a problem that can be cured with a hearing aid or some type of surgery? If so, why hasn't something been done?
Jack McReynolds, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
TAYLOR: That has nothing to do with the false starts. He needs to focus and concentrate more, especially when he's dealing with speed rushers. You only hear about hearing issues when he struggles – not when he plays well.
Q: Jacques, what do you think of our new Jeff Ireland & crew? Do you have confidence in our draft department?
Scott Euart, Lake Tahoe, NV.
TAYLOR: Why wouldn't I? Tom Ciskowski did a heck of a job last year. Think about it. Felix Jones, Martellus Bennett, Tashard Choice and Orlando Scandrick were all significant contributors who helped the Cowboys win games last year. Mike Jenkins was OK but didn't progress as quickly as expected. That's a lot of good players in one draft. No reason to think Ciskowski won't have another good draft this year.
Q: Can someone please explain to me why there is any thought within the organization that Miles Austin can fill the No. 2 spot.
Janatry E. Sanders, Northern Va.
TAYLOR: During the preseason and regular season, Austin showed he had the ability to get deep and make plays. He has showed steady progress each of his three years in Dallas. It's safe to assume he'll be better this year. And with more opportunities because T.O. isn't here and Romo can spread the ball around, then you can assume that he'll get better and be a difference-maker this season. At some point, you have to let the young boys play.
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