Archive for April, 2011

There is a duality in nature.  Yin/Yang.  The glass is half empty/full.  It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.  The Dallas Cowboys 2008 draft is the very embodiment of this duality.  Players have simultaneously been amazing and awful all within their short careers. We’ll review the 2008 draft to see whether the choices made by the Cowboys were the correct ones or whether the Cowboys missed horribly.  Unfortunately, the answer may be a yes to both depending upon your viewpoint. 1st round Felix Jones at 22 Pro-Bowl: No Starter: No Still on the team: Yes Player(s) you could [...]

ESPN writers took the time to rank the NFL’s top ten quarterbacks. In all actuality, the list was a top 11 because Tony Romo and Joe Flacco tied with 5 points in the scoring system. Tom Brady was voted as the best quarterback in the league, with Peyton Manning coming in a close second. Rounding out the top five was Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger. Philip Rivers just missed out on top five honors. Speaking of Romo: Clayton and Sando each had him at No. 9. AFC North blogger James Walker had Romo at No. 10. That was [...]

Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara has been one of the prospects linked to the Dallas Cowboys during the pre-draft process. Today, Amukamara took his skills to the Sports Science lab and put on an impressive showing. Here is a look at the segment: Amukamara has been sliding out of the top ten in recent draft projections, but if the Cowboys make a move back into the draft he could still be a target for Dallas. Here is what our friend Larry McDaniel of WithTheFirstPick.com says of Amukamara, “Amukamara is what you want in a corner. He is a tactician that possesses [...]

With the uncertainty revolving around the ruling to lift the NFL lockout and the owners request for a stay, players have to wonder what will happen to their offseason workout bonuses. Offseason workouts were set to start on March 21, but the lockout prevented them from starting. A handful of players on the roster are set to lose a percentage of their salary if they fail to complete the workout program. Injured players are obligated to complete a rehab program from their injury. Here is the list of players and what they are supposed to make, courtesy of ESPN Dallas: DeMarcus [...]

A handful of Cowboys players — quarterback Stephen McGee, offensive tackle Sam Young, o-lineman Phil Costa, Chris Gronkowski and star receiver Miles Austin — showed up at Valley Ranch today. According to the players, they were unable to workout and did not see any coaches. There is some confusion between the NFL and players as to what they are allowed to do as a result of the temporary lockout lift by Judge Susan Nelson. Owners have filed a motion for a stay to halt the ruling so the appeals process can play out.

In the last three drafts the Cowboys have had 24 picks and of those 24 picks only 3 have become starters. The best pick in the last three years has to be last years 1st round pick Dez Bryant. Bryant when healthy and out of trouble showed glimpses of a top notch receiver who could claim the number one receiver spot from Miles Austin in years to come. Since 2008 the Cowboys have drafted 24 players: 3 starters, 13 backups, 4 players are on other teams, 3 are out of the league and 1 is on the PUP/injured reserve list. Other than Bryant only [...]

Is the lockout over? According to Judge Susan Richard Nelson it is, Judge Nelson ruled in favor of the players this afternoon thus lifting the lockout. However owners are reportedly going to immediately file for a stay in the ruling until they can have their arguments  heard before the United States Circuit of Appeals for the 8th court. Neither side has commented on this and won’t until offical posting by Judge Nelson. Now while the immediate impact of this is not known, if the NFL appeal is not heard it will have to open the door to the NFL players. They will then have [...]

Despite being locked out from organized team activities and team facilities, many Dallas Cowboys players are taking the personal responsibility to stay in shape and are working out at multiple local gyms. According to a report on ESPN Dallas, the players are currently individually working out while trying to organize a big group workout in the upcoming months. “There’s always certain ways you can take on the lockout,” said DeMarcus Ware. “I just go along with what I need to do — work out and keep my teammates ready and just get ready for the season. It’s all we can [...]

Rich Gosselin produces a needs-based mock draft which has the Cowboys taking Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt. Cowboys Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Stephen Jones outlines the Cowboys draft day plans. Stephen Jones also believes starting quarterback Tony Romo ‘has every bit of five or six years left in him, if not more.’ Could the Cowboys roll the dice once again on draft day and swing a trade? ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay discuss what the Cowboys should do on draft day. A list of potential Cowboys draft selections graces ESPN.com.

Former head coach Bill Parcells took the time to discuss last-minute draft preparation with ESPN’s Mike Tirico. During Parcells time with the Cowboys he had some great first round picks such as DeMarcus Ware and Terrence Newman, but his next picks — Marcus Spears and Bobby Carpenter — left a bit to be desired.