Cowboys board gets leaked and so?

So the Cowboys board got released, it doesn't matter as much with the draft over with.  It would be devastating had the results been released prior to the draft on the other hand.

What it does do is allow us to follow who the Cowboys could or argue should of had had they really stuck to their own stated philosophy of having a pure draft.  Simply focus on the offensive/defensive lines and get the best player available at those positions.

Using their own board as a starting board.  I will do 2 versions of this, one with the trade made with the Vikings and the other without any trade at all.  If I choose to take a different player than the one Dallas selected then that player is removed completely as impossible to accurately know when they would have gone had Dallas not taken them.

Version I (No Trade)

1st pick - Sharrif Floyd

Second Round pick - Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
 * I would of chosen Sylvester Williams from UNC whom the Cowboys had 4 slots lower than Hunt. I had a fourth round grade on Hunt.

Third Round pick - Jordan Hill, DT from Penn State
* Since I already picked 2 defensive tackles in the draft, I would select the next highest lineman which is UCLA's Datone Jones whom they had 4 slots later.

Fourth Round Pick - Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn
* This makes 4 defensive lineman drafted.  The highest available offensive lineman would of been Earl Watford, a guard from James Madison.

Fifth Round pick - Brandon Jenkins, DE
* I pass on Jenkins since already selected 4 defensive lineman, the next highest offensive lineman is tackle Ricky Wagner from Wisconsin.

Sixth Round pick - Mike Buchanon, DE from Illinois
* I pass on Buchanon since already picked 4 d lineman therefore the highest rated o-lineman is Reid Fragel, an offensive tackle.
Version II (with trade)

1st pick - Travis Frederick

Second Round pick - Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
 * I would of chosen Sylvester Williams from UNC whom the Cowboys had 4 slots lower than Hunt. I had a fourth round grade on Hunt.

Third Round pick - Jordan Hill, DT from Penn State
* Since I already picked 2 defensive tackles in the draft, I would select the next highest lineman which is UCLA's Datone Jones whom they had 4 slots later.

 (Second) Third Round pick - Everett Dawkins, DT from Florida State
* Since I already picked 2 defensive tackles in the draft. The next highest offensive lineman is USC Khaled Holmes, also a center. The next highest rated defensive end is Damontre Moore from Texas A&M. The cowboys had a late 3rd round grade on Moore but a early 4th round grade on Holmes.

Fourth Round Pick - Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn
* This makes 4 defensive lineman drafted.  The highest available offensive lineman would of been Earl Watford, a guard from James Madison.

Fifth Round pick - Brandon Jenkins, DE
* I pass on Jenkins since already selected 4 defensive lineman, the next highest offensive lineman is tackle Ricky Wagner from Wisconsin.

Sixth Round pick - Mike Buchanon, DE from Illinois
* I pass on Buchanon since already picked 4 d lineman therefore the highest rated o-lineman is Reid Fragel, an offensive tackle.

 What does this mean? 

First of all, it confirms one thing we already knew.  The cowboys were complete idiots for trading off 18 with Floyd available.

Second, it confirms something we knew prior to the draft, it was rich in defensive lineman. Every pick except for the trade down in the first round had a defensive lineman as the highest rated lineman available. But thanks to our insane general manager, we took advantage of this defensive lineman rich draft by selecting zero!  Our defensive line is a strength according to Jerry because DeMarcus Ware is there (wrong side of 30 coming of another injury riddled year), Jason Hatcher (wrong side of 30 in last year of contract), Jay Ratliff (wrong side of 30, declining production and DUI pending) and Anthony Spencer (29 and in last year of contract).

Third, the Cowboys did not like the depth of offensive lineman in this draft. They did a good job of not reaching for any offensive lineman, Frederick was the highest rated lineman regardless of offensive/defensive after the trade down to 31. Wish we thought like the most successful teams do in the league, Baltimore took 5 lineman & the 49ers who picked 4 in the draft.

It confirms this organization run by Jerry Jones simply just does not get it. It's important to keep these type of things in mind during the offseason when we drink the Cowboys koolaid and think this team will actually be a serious contender.

The shame is we will look back at this core in the near future and think they were talented enough to be contenders but the failure of the organization not knowing how to manage the cap or build a team kept them from coming close to getting a 6th Superbowl in Dallas.

Did Jerry Have A Plan On Draft Day?

When Dallas traded down from #18 to eventually pick Travis Frederick at #31, my initial reaction was furious because could of had an elite grade player in Shariff Floyd. Two things can happen to change that feeling.

One: Shariff Floyd can turn into a bust, his short arms, inconsistent motor and lack of production can translate into a inconsistent player that fails to flip the switch and turn into a excellent player for the Vikings.

Two: The player Dallas acquired in the trade, Terrence Williams from Baylor can turn into a solid starting receiver to go along with Dez Bryant and away we go.

It should be noted that whether or not Travis Frederick works out has no change in how I felt about the trade. If Frederick doesn't work out it will only make me more upset about how the draft turned out. You have to get extra value in the trade otherwise you should have just kept your ass where you were.

So, the extra value in that trade is Williams, a 6-2 & 205 pound receiver from the spread offensive at Baylor. Here's an idea of what this kid can do well, as the draft goes along, you reach a point usually in the 3rd round where you look for things the player can do well instead of worrying about what they can't do with 1st or 2nd round picks. I agree with comments made by Bob Sturm..."Williams is an exceptional route runner who gets out of his breaks and is where he is supposed to be.  He has strong body control and also uses his frame to gain position on inside routes with ease at the college level.  He is fantastic against the sideline and catches those balls over his shoulder like a natural.  He also runs the post routes with the type of speed that will crush safeties that bite on a run-fake." DallasCowboys.com writer Bryan Broaddus mentioned Williams' sideline awareness as well as a huge positive during his time at Baylor and seen it during the OTAs.

Now what comes next is things he doesn't well, limited route experience, body catcher and showed on multiple instances to take eye off the ball looking for the safety when running across the middle.  I disagree with Sturm that Williams gets out of his breaks with ease, I saw a player who is slow out of the breaks and really has to power down when changing direction. This was confirmed by his combine results that test for that, the 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. Williams did not finish in the top 10 of all receivers on either test and he was considerably slower than other top receivers in the NFL with similar size coming out of college, AJ Green, Julio Jones & Demaryius Thomas.  You cannot be a big receiver who is slow out of his breaks and a body catcher, if you cannot generate separation you have to have amazing hands to attack the ball for your quarterback and not drop it in tight quarters.

One last thing is Williams did not face hardly any press coverage in college which isn't his fault but always hurts young receivers transition into the NFL making an immediate impact. Usually the rookie receivers who do make instant impacts come out of the slot since they don't have to deal with a corner right on their nose at the snap.

But remember, a 6-2 receiver with good frame and excellent downfield speed who runs good routes, just needs to expand on routes he's familiar with and learn to become a more consistent hand catcher. The point is he needs time and one of the few situations where the cowboys have the luxury of time at receiver.

Look at the wide receiver position for Dallas in 2013, Dez Bryant as your lead without question, Miles Austin as the #2 and when Austin gets hurt (not if but when) you can feel confident about Dwayne Harris being able to make plays on the outside or in the slot. Next up is Cole Beasley that everyone around here wants to see get more chances out of the slot. Factor in redshirt rookie Danny Coale can have a chance to show Garrett what he did for years at Virginia Tech. That is 4 receivers who we know can play on Sundays.  Many were puzzled when Dallas picked Terrence Williams with a premium 3rd round pick and I think they do have a plan for Williams as well as the time to let him learn what has taken Dez two years to do.

The plan is simple, Terrence Williams is the replacement for Miles Austin after the 2014 season.

I've been frustrated by Miles Austin's constant hamstring and overall injury problems, factor in the drops that hurt him in 2012 and emergence of Dez last season, I'm ready to plan for his departure.

The cowboys salary cap mess caused them to restructure Miles Austin's deal which complicates the plan slightly. Here is his cap hit figures for the last remaining years on his contract.

2013     $3,588,400
2014     $8,248,400    
2015     $9,636,400    
2016     $12,558,400

I suggest the plan is to release Austin after the 2014 season, saving Dallas $1.7 million in cap space paying an approx $5.1 cap penalty.

This starts a two year clock for Terrence Williams to learn how to be a NFL receiver and take over for Miles Austin.  The problem is we have 2 years left of Miles Austin's hamstrings, drops and frustrating play to deal with.

Oh and just incase you forgot Jerry, Dez Bryant's contract runs out after that 2014 season and you are going to need that money to pay that man.

It's good to have a plan in place, that is the GM's responsibility, now its on the coach & player to execute it.

How to shop when you have no money and don't take credit cards?

Free Agency is all about overpaying for players with experience versus filling needs with younger, cheaper players who haven't done it via the draft.

The goal is to build the roster via the draft and fill those few holes in free agency to take your team to the next level.  Obviously Jerry missed that lesson but no point getting into that mess as it does us no good.

So how can you fill holes when you don't have much money to work with and a aging roster.  The answer is not through free agency!

The Cowboys should stay out of the free agency market this year, target role players with a lot of one year deals. Sign older players who were not resigned or released from their previous employers due to their age, not necessarily their play.

Then they need to build through the draft and play all the young players who you need to find out what you have.

So who are the veterans who can be those older or role players who would be willing to come here to Dallas on a one-year deal.  Well, first question to ask yourself is why would a free agency want to go anywhere on a one-year deal.  The answer is someone coming off a subpar year, injuries and looking to hit it big the next year.  A lot like former Cowboy & Seahawk Ken Hamlin and the plan worked perfectly for both parties until his play no longer warranted the compensation given.

Onto the potential targets, be prepared for a short and unimpressive list as cheap and one-year deals being on the must have list.

#1 Israel Idonije, DE from the Chicago Bears
Why he's available?
He's 33 years old and not a speed terror rusher in the mold of Aldon Smith or Von Miller. His best football is obviously behind him and teams are hesitant signing players over the age of 30 to multi-year deals especially lineman.

Why you should want him?
What if I told you Idonije had more sacks and QB pressures than recently franchised Henry Melton?  He had 9 sacks and 37 QB pressues playing over 500 snaps in 2012.  That is a durable and highly productive player at any age.  Is he a player I want to depend on as a full-time starter, probably not but depth along the defensive line is ALWAYS a good thing.  The guy is holding out to after the draft to get a 2 or 3 year deal in the area of 3 million a year for any team that did not address pass rusher in the draft.  I would cut Doug Free in a second and target Idonije to get better up front.

#2 Kellen Davis, TE also from the Bears
Why he's available?
As Idonije fell into the category of age being the primary factor he's available, Davis is there as he's coming off a subpar year. He had just 19 receptions for 229 yards getting only 2 TDs from Jay Cutler. He's never been a big receiving threat but his run blocking took a big hit as did the rest of the team in 2012. Fact is if your not a receiving threat from the tight end position and you did not open up holes for the back on the edge, interest will be low in free agency.

Why you should want him?
John Phillips has signed with Tampa Bay leaving a hole for the blocking tight end in Dallas. I do believe this job should be opened up for James Hannah to have every opportunity to take and show us what he can do. However the team will carry 3 tight ends on the roster and a blocking tight end will be necessary which is why I mention Davis here.  In 2011, Davis had a 4.9 run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus and hopes would be for him to return to that form in 2013 in Dallas.

#3 Laurent Robinson, WR of the Jaguars
Why he's available?
The Jaguars signed Robinson in 2012 to a 5-year for 32.5 million but released him after just one season taking a 9 million cap hit to do it. Robinson has always been a injury concern dating back to his days with the Rams and Chargers. He had major issues with concussions during his time in Jacksonville and even considered retirement at one time due to the injuries. The Jaguars drafted Justin Blackmon out of Oklahoma State and made the decision to part ways with Robinson as no faith he can recover from the injuries and be a regular contributor at the price they paid.

Why you should want him?
Did you watch #81 for the Cowboys during the 2011 season?  Enough said...but the Cowboys need a receiver who can get open on the outside, Miles Austin & Dwayne Harris cannot do it consistently. This team has too many slot receiver options and not enough guys who can make things happen on the perimeter. The instant chemistry Robinson built up with Romo cannot be under estimated especially considering how difficult its been for receivers to click quickly with Romo (Dez, Roy Williams and Ogletree).

Trimming the fat off this Cowboy team

I get sick looking at these numbers of under performing players making too much money and interesting to see how many were on the list of questionable moves when they were brought in.

Doug Free - $5.3 million

Perhaps the Cowboys most disappointing offensive lineman especially in regard to compensation is Doug Free. He can't hold up in pass protection and just really struggles vs counter moves from even average NFL pass rushers. His run blocking has been better and more so when he pulls and can get out in space. Bottom line, he should not be starting on this team and I need to find out what I have in Jeremy Parnell during this year before I add offensive tackle to need list in the offseason. But I highly doubt Parnell will see the field without an injury because this organization does not have faith in playing young players on the offensive line.

Dez Bryant - $3.6 million

Outside of the offensive line, no other player is holding back the offensive line more than Dez, simple as that. Romo has little to no confidence in Bryant, the more simplified the offense gets the more of a contribution this knucklehead can make. He is the poster boy for lack of accountability, preparation and football IQ that is flooding throughout the entire roster. His route running, attitude and character have not improved to the level expected in his NFL career and I would be trying desperately to trade him in the offseason, seriously Jacksonville asking for Laurent Robinson straight up. But this organization will continue to throw Dez out there and he will frustrate you to the point you want to bench him, then during the same game make a play that makes you think "if only he was consistent, oh what a player."

Orlando Scandrick - $2.9 million

Dallas paid Scandrick to go along with Mike Jenkins to form a solid tandem of corners to last them next 5-6 years, plan didn't work. Unfortunately for Scandrick, he's still the same player he was as a rookie, a solid cover corner but who is not a consistent tackler, comfortable pressing at the line nor able to make a play on the ball when in position. He's a solid nickel corner but he's paid like a top starting corner.

Marcus Spears & Kenyon Coleman - $2.7 and $2.3 million totalling $5 million

The strongside defensive end position has been a sore spot for Dallas for years and they keep thinking former first round pick Marcus Spears is going to show up. He's a 2 down run stuffing end who gives you nothing as a pass rusher and even when Spears is in position to stuff the run, rarely does he finish the play. His impact would be solid if he finished plays he is in position to make. Yet because Dallas had no depth, they resigned Spears to an extension that he did not earn. Coleman has been an adequate player for Dallas mostly because they put him in position that he is most comfortable in, 2-down run stuffer and just bull rush in pass rush situations. Unlike Spears, Coleman plays his role well stuffing the run and just simply not allowing anywhere for ballcarriers to go. These players are situational average players but paid like full-time solid starters, wasted money. This team should insert Sean Lissemore into the starting lineup once he returns from injury and move on from these guys in the offseason. Develop and play your younger players.

Dan Connor - $2.1 million

Unfortunately for Connor, he never had the inside track to the inside linebacker job as second year pro Bruce Carter took the job and ran with it. I argued when Dallas signed Connor that he did not fit the scheme as he was not the thumper inside backer needed to stand up to guards in the hole, stack and shed blockers to make plays in the running game. Connor was a huge liability in man coverage at Carolina and hoped he could step up in Sean Lee's absence as the weakside inside backer job better suited his skills. Then he got hurt and now just seems the season will be lost for him. He is signed through next season and would provide good depth behind Lee but again, he is not well suited for the thumper backer job in Dallas.

Felix Jones - $1.8 million

If it wasn't for Dez, Felix would be the most frustrating offensive player on this team. Fact is, he still is. First of all, he let a 3rd round pick take his job last year in DeMarco Murray and then showed up out of shape to training camp this year failing the opening conditioning test. Factor in several times he's run without confidence, showing poor vision and a lack of burst we saw as a rookie. He is as good as gone in the offseason and with Murray's lack of ability to stay healthy, runningback will again be on the list of needs in the offseason.

Mackenzy Bernadeau - $1.8 million Dallas signed Bernadeau knowing he was not a finished nor a day one plug in and go starter after being a backup during his time in Carolina. They were hoping to find a player on the rise and give him an opportunity to play. Unfortunately they have gotten a above average run blocker and a below average pass blocker. His play has improved since nearly being benched in favor of Derrick Dockery but fact is, the quality of play for Bernadeau is not on the level of the contract given.