We’ve narrowly avoided it for so long, that we forgot what a loss like this feels like. When a kicker’s miss really hurts the team’s chances of winning. When a coach forgets how to use the clock and his timeouts. When the offensive linemen don’t know when the ball is being hiked. Sound familiar? As was the trend earlier in the year, again we have to stew over a loss that should have been a win. And it still leaves a sour taste in our mouths. As painful as it is (even for me writing this), let’s take one final look at what happened on Sunday, and go over some quick points. (more…)

The following are the draft grades issued immediately after the 2010 NFL Draft for the Cowboys.  The Cowboys’s 2010 opponents are also listed. Where a grade is not listed, the source has not released the information yet.  There is some analysis of whether the opponents drafted impact players who will contribute in a game against the Cowboys.  While other contributing writers to The Landry Hat may elect to give draft grades, I feel only one grade is appropriate, “Incomplete”.  Not one ball has been caught for a first down, not one over exuberant touchdown celebration has been performed, and not one 15 yard penalty has been called for taunting.

Dallas Cowboys

CBS Sports: B-

You have to like the Cowboys going up to get Bryant. This is a player who will help the passing game in a big way. Forget the off-the-field issues. They were overrated. He can play.

Fox Sports: B

With the uneven play of Roy Williams, owner Jerry Jones wanted a playmaker opposite Miles Austin and he moved up in the draft to get Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant, who will wear Micheal Irvin’s No. 88 jersey. Bryant’s upbringing and the fact that he lied to NCAA investigators about his involvement with Deion Sanders and got suspended troubled some teams, but not the Cowboys, who will build a support system around him.

USA Today: C

They hope they’ve landed the next Randy Moss after moving up three slots in the first round for Dez Bryant, considered the draft’s best receiver. Bryant, though, fell because of questions about his maturity. Inside linebacker Sean Lee might be a hit. But Dallas didn’t draft a left tackle, increasing the odds of Flozell Adams re-signing.

ESPN (Mel Kiper): B-

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis:  This draft was not about filling voids; it was about confidence.  The year the Cowboys traded down with the Cleveland Browns (who took Brady Quinn), the Cowboys organization showed confidence in Tony Romo.  This year, the Cowboys are showing confidence in Alan Ball (or Mike Hamlin) and Doug Free to replace Ken Hamlin and Flozell Adams.  It also may show a lack of confidence in Roy Williams.  While experts certainly had their checklist of voids on the Cowboys roster, the Cowboys felt quite differently.  If the Cowboys were drafting in the top 5 of the first two rounds, the first two picks would still be identical.  Dez Bryant (a top 5 (or 10) talent) and Sean Lee (#16 on the Cowboys draft board).  They may be polar opposites in regards to character, but both project as being contributors in their rookie year, and assuming greater roles in subsequent years.

Owusu-Ansah was drafted in the fourth round.  According to Dave Campo, he is as athletic as some of the top safeties in the draft.  How quickly can he acclimate to the safety position?  Are the Cowboys getting a workout wonder, or a small school gem?

Washington Redskins

CBS Sports: B-

Fox Sports: C

USA Today: C-

ESPN (Mel Kiper): C-

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis:  The Redskins had 1 pick in the top 100. Trent Williams will likely start as a rookie.  The Cowboys play the Redskins week one on National TV.  Presuming DeMarcus Ware is healthy, McNabb will either have a rough night or Williams will prove he is worth the 30+ million he was paid on day 1.

Chicago Bears

CBS Sports: C

Fox Sports: C

USA Today: C-

ESPN (Mel Kiper): B

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis: Chicago traded their first round pick to Denver for Cutler.  Their 2nd round pick went to Tampa Bay for Gaines Adams.  They drafted two players who were well respected despite being 2nd day picks.  Regardless, the Bears’s draft should not affect the outcome of the game when they play in the 2nd week.

Houston Texans

CBS Sports: C

Fox Sports: C

USA Today: C-

ESPN (Mel Kiper): B

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis: The Texans replaced Dunte Robinson with Kareem Jackson (1st round).  Ben Tate should receive carries, and Trindon Holliday may have an opportunity as a kick returner.  The Texans are a formidable team and they will have rookies contributing.

Tennessee Titans

CBS Sports: B

Fox Sports: B

USA Today: C-

ESPN (Mel Kiper): C+

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis: The Titans seemingly had a good draft though I only recognize a few names.  They did draft Myron Rolle.  I root for Rolle to become and effective player, though I resent the media’s portrayal of him being victimize.  Today’s episode of Pardon the Interuption had Micheal Wilbon suggesting Rolle fell into the 6th round because the NFL didn’t feel comfortable with an intelligent African-American.  The RACE CARD?  Did anyone opine that Rolle was a first or second day talent?  People watched film (not me), but I would assume someone would have seen him play effectively and would scream it from the roof tops.

Minnesota Vikings

CBS Sports: C+

Fox Sports: C+

USA Today: C

ESPN (Mel Kiper): C-

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis:  Pairing anyone with Adrian Peterson creates a dynamic duo.  Gerhart will replace Chester Taylor and will provide Peterson with much needed rest.  I liked Gerhart as a prospect, and I love Gerhart as a Vikings (to my dismay as a Cowboys fan).  Behind the Vikings offensive line, Gerhart will have an automatic 3 yards per carry.  If he has any wiggle and power, that number will go up.

It’s an understatement to say the Cowboys had difficult defending against the Vikings’s defensive line.  Fortunately, Everson Griffen, a fourth round pick, may only provide rest to the starters in 2010.

New York Giants

CBS Sports: A

Fox Sports: B-

USA Today: C

ESPN (Mel Kiper): B

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis:  The Giants draft suggests that changes are forthcoming along the defensive line.  The same group that has harassed Romo may be shuffled and I can only hope to the detriment of the Giants’s pass rush.

Jacksonville Jaguars

CBS Sports: B-

Fox Sports: C-

USA Today: D

ESPN (Mel Kiper): D

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis: I don’t believe the Jaguars will be a top team in 2010.  Alualu may start along the defensive line, but he shouldn’t be an impact player.  The Jaguars are receiving a ton of negative press because they “reached” for Alualu.  If the Jaguars thought Alualu could be drafted in the 20′s of the first round, they certainly would have traded down.  It’s possible the 49ers called.  It’s also possible the 49ers had 2 top players on their board, Alualu and Anthony Davis.  Certainly the Jaguars wouldn’t trade down and allow the 49ers to draft the player they coveted.

I resent experts saying teams reached when the drafted player wouldn’t be there the next time the team picked (in this instance 74th overall in the 3rd round).  Also, finding a trade partner isn’t a given.  Also, if Alualu becomes the best of the defensive linemen drafted in the first round, suddenly it is a great pick and absolutely not a reach.  I believe experts get so upset because they absolutely did not see it coming.

Green Bay Packers

CBS Sports: C+

Fox Sports: B

USA Today: C

ESPN (Mel Kiper): B-

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis:  I hate Green Bay so much.  First they snake Bryan Bulaga away from the Cowboys (though the Cowboys still would have taken Dez Bryant over a very talented tackle).  I don’t give grades, but Bulaga is an A+, with extra credit.

Detroit Lions

CBS Sports: C

Fox Sports: B

USA Today: A

ESPN (Mel Kiper): B+

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis:  The Lions will be formidable.  When the Cowboys play the Lions, it will be in Dallas.  We will be spared the indignance of being mocked by Lions fans (regarding Roy Williams).  In regards to their draft, they will have contributors.  Gurode will have his hands full with Suh.  This may be a game where Jason Garrett falls in love with the pass only to leave Cowboys fans asking, “Why?”

New Orleans Saints

CBS Sports: C

Fox Sports: C

USA Today: C

ESPN (Mel Kiper): C

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis:  The Saints drafted a CB, Patrick Robinson, after a season where they were torched in the secondary.  While they were a Super Bowl winning team, the secondary needed a ton of help.  They did not draft a safety, so expect Darren Sharper to re-sign with the Saints.

With any luck, the Cowboys will have a repeat performance against a good, but not great Saints team.

Indianapolis Colts

CBS Sports: B-

Fox Sports: B

USA Today: C

ESPN (Mel Kiper): C

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis:  Why do analysts give the Colts mediocre grades.  Don’t they know it just makes them look foolish in 3 years?

Philadelphia Eagles

CBS Sports: A+

Fox Sports: B-

USA Today: B-

ESPN (Mel Kiper): B+

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis:  Unfortunately, I really like what the Eagles did in the draft.  They are a talented team that is only getting more so.  Expect Allen to be an immediate starter, with Graham being an immediate contributor.  Fortunately, they did not address the linebacker position until the 4th round.  While they did trade for Ernie Sims, he does not appear to be a substantial upgrade over Will Witherspoon.  Hopefully the Eagles weakness on defense in 2009 will be the same in 2010.

Arizona Cardinals

CBS Sports: B+

Fox Sports: B

USA Today: C

ESPN (Mel Kiper):  B+

NFL.com:

The Landry Hat (Joe D.): Incomplete

Analysis: They replaced good players (Boldin & Dansby) via the draft picking up Andre Roberts, WR, and Daryl Washington, LB.  Certainly the void left by Boldin and Dansby will be filled by players currently on the roster and the aforementioned rookies.  Fortunately, the Cowboys will benefit from the void and make every effort to exploit the mismatch in talent.

Draft time and free agency in the NFL is a lot like Christmas.

Your franchise gets new toys.

The Cowboys have a few different types of toys on their wish lists through free agency and the draft, with the most glaring needs at free safety, offensive tackle, middle linebacker and slot receiver. Here are the players that should be at the top of the Jerry Jones’ wishlist, should he decide to pursue them in free agency or with the 27th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Free Safety: Antrel Rolle of the Cardinals figures to be released by his team according to the Chicago Tribune. Please, oh please, oh pretty please, let this happen. Rolle would be the best unrestricted free agent on the market by a mile and would probably partner well with strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh, provided that Sensabaugh gets a new contract or at least a tender from the Cowboys (which he probably will). If the Cowboys want to get some depth at free safety from the draft, they’ll probably look at Texas’ Earl Thomas. Thomas had a good combine and he’ll be enticing to the Texans, who have the 20th overall pick. We’d have to leapfrog them to get to that pick. The Seahawks at 14 or the 49ers at 17 make a lot of sense, as they’d be glad to stockpile picks. If not Thomas, then Georgia’s Reshad Jones could be a good pick in the second or third round and Florida’s Major Wright could be on the board as late as the fourth round.

Offensive Tackle: We need to start planning for Flozell Adams riding into the sunset NFL style-playing a disgraceful year or two with the Raiders, Rams or Bears. Unfortunately, the talent pool is shallow and shrinking as teams tender their tackles. The best name that hasn’t been tendered as of yet is San Diego’s Marcus McNeal. He’s only missed two starts in his whole career and he allowed 5 sacks in 16 games last year. He’s going to get a tender, probably a first and third round tender. If the Chargers put only a first round tender on McNeal, Jerry might be tempted to pull the trigger as this year’s tackle class is extremely top heavy. Names like Trent Williams, Anthony Davis and Charles Brown might be gone by pick 27. The best move again is to move up. Bryan Bulaga is one of two offensive tackles who are polished enough and question-free enough to start from game 1. The only problem is that he might go within the first 15 picks. But left tackle might be the most important position for any team looking to do anything in the NFL, so moving up could be worth it. The next best left tackle prospect could be Indiana’s Roger Saffold and he might be around in the draft’s third round. The talent drops off very sharply here.

Middle Linebacker: Keith Brooking, the newest hero for the Cowboys’ defense is not going to be too far behind Adams. He’s 34 now and he’ll turn 35 during next season. We have to be looking for his replacement as well unless Bobby Carpenter or Jason Williams does anything. The biggest name in free agency this year is Cardinal inside backer Karlos Dansby. Again, the talent pool is shallow here and teams will throw boatloads of money at Dansby. There are other names out there like Larry Foote, but Jerry should look to continue the trend of getting younger at this position. Florida’s Brandon Spikes might be a good choice in the second or third round. He does have some deficiencies in the zone defense, but he has the size and the attitude to take on and beat offensive linemen.

Slot Receiver: This might be the position of minimal need as Patrick Crayton is still smart and serviceable and Kevin Ogletree keeps on doing everything right to get himself a starting spot. But the slot position is a position for an obvious mismatch. That’s where guys like Brandon Stokley when he played for the Colts, Wes Welker of the Patriots and Percy Harvin of the Vikings really made opposing defenses sweat. A free agent who would meet that need is Davone Bess of the Dolphins. He’s coming off of a season that saw him catch 71 passes. If we were to address this need in the draft, it’d obviously be in the later rounds. However, there are plenty of guys who fit the mold of a shifty slot receiver who’d still be around on Day 2 of the draft, when the Cowboys usually succeed. A guy who has been shooting up teams’ draft boards is Andre Roberts from The Citadel. The guy was the best receiver on the South team at the Senior Bowl and he turned in a good combine, posting a 4.4 40-yard dash time. He was a top performer in the 40, the broad jump, the 3-cone drill and the 20-yard shuttle. The guy is just plain old athletic and he was dangerous as a punt returner, another need for the Cowboys. He’ll need work at reading NFL defenses and beating press coverage, but he won’t be pressed into service right away.