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 have had instead:  Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, DeSean Jackson, Ray Rice

Analysis:  The 2008 NFL draft will be considered the year of the running back.  With several 1000 yard backs and one 2000 yard back in the draft class, the Cowboys seemingly made a less than ideal decision taking Felix Jones.  My criticism at the time of the draft was that you don’t take a complementary player when there is a do it all back available.  Jones’ 40 time was comparable to several running backs in the draft to include Mendenhall.  Jones was slower than Chris Johnson who ran a 4.2 40 time.  However, Jone was explosive in 2008 with an average yards per carry of 8.9.  That has since decreased to 5.9 and 4.3.  The Cowboys offensive line may be partly to blame, but it does not appear that Jones will be able to carry the entire offensive load that Mendenhall does for Pittsburgh, or be the truly explosive presence that Chris Johnson is for the Titans.

At the time of the 2008 draft, the Cowboys were considering Mendenhall.  They were concerned that he was not as effective in a two back system, whereas Jones was productive and effective at Arkansas with Darren McFadden.  This swayed their decision and Jones was the pick.  Considering Mendenhall’s statistics, you cannot say that they were prescient with their analysis.  Mendenhall was injured in 2008.  In 2009, he ran for over 1000 yards behind a much maligned offensive line with an average of 4.6 yards per carry.  In 2010 he averaged 3.9 yards per carry for 1200+ yards.  He had a good season until he fumbled the ball in the Super Bowl.

Outside of a running back, the Cowboys wanted a playmaker on special teams.  It is a broken record with the Cowboys.  They draft a multi-purpose talent in the first round only to minimize their contribution on special teams.  The franchise has done this with Terrance Newman, Felix Jones, and now Dez Bryant.  The Cowboys management either has no gumption, or no direction in this regard.  The point being is that DeSean Jackson would have fit the role of offensive weapon and special teams dynamo.  Jackson reportedly failed his drug test at the combine which then caused the Cowboys to take him off of their board.  Jackson has not had any reported instances of failed drug tests since, however, he has had bouts of immaturity on the field and off.

Considering the potential productive talent available at the time of this pick, the Cowboys cannot have a high grade.  Jones has been productive in stints.  Behind a rebuilt offensive line, he may have a breakout season.  However, Jones looked slow last year, rarely made any defender miss, and is at best an explosive complementary player.  Cowboys management seemingly will force him into the role of an every down back, which will probably fail.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: C-

(more…)

One more small point.  Losing a road division game in the first week of the season isn’t the worst thing that can happen.  The Cowboys will face these same Redskins in week 15 in Dallas.  It is more important that the Cowboys are playing good football in week 15 than they are in week 1.

So if we take the position that the sky isn’t falling, which 0-1 playoff caliber team may actually be in trouble?

Cincinnati:  Cincinnati was dominated and blown out.  The final margin was only 14 points, but the game was ugly early and if the Patriots wanted to, they could have completely dominated Cincy from start to finish.  Don’t blame Terrell Owens (though he did have a drop the first pass in his direction), Cincy is just not good enough.

Carolina:  I may be the only person on Earth who has Carolina as a playoff contender; however, that was contingent upon Matt Moore and the rest of the offense protecting the ball.  Moore had three interceptions and the Panthers had another three fumbles, losing two.  I don’t expect Moore to have a repeat of his dreadful outing, but certainly the bloom is off the Panther rose.

Atlanta:  The Steelers are a tough competitor at home and their defense is whole again with Polomalu returning to the defensive backfield.  The Falcons played well, but not better than a Steeler offense lead by Dennis Dixon.  Losing a road game to an AFC opponent is a best case scenario if a team must picks its poison.  Matt Ryan did have an interception late, but there is little reason to lose faith in this NFC South Contender.

Indianapolis: Call it a Super Bowl hangover, call it the Houston Texans being due, call it Sue because it really doesn’t matter.  The Colts looked small against the Texans who pushed the Colts around the field.  Second year player, Arian Foster, appears to be pro-bowl bound.  The Colts may have closed the gap in score, but they appear to have a ton of work in front of them to return to last years Super Bowl caliber form.

Philadelphia:  Kolb was unimpressive.  He was also concussed.  Stewart Bradley was also concussed.  And yet there they were playing in the game; after sending Brian Westbrook back into action last year only to see him concussed again, I have sincere doubts that this Philadelphia training staff understand the severity of concussions.  Philly has bigger problems brewing.  Vick has not returned to his pre-prison form, but he is much closer than he was last year.  Vick played well enough that he will have a starting job next year in the NFL and there will be a serious push for him to be the permanent starter in Philadelphia over Kolb.  Philly fans always want what is hidden behind door number 2, regardless of what prize is already in their grasp.  Otherwise, the defense stymied a good Packers offense despite giving up 27 total points.

As a Cowboys fan, Vick as a permanent fixture at QB would be a challenge year in and year out.   We have seen Vick play at his best, and the good news is that his best isn’t good enough to lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl.

San Francisco:  San Francisco had a similar situation as the Cowboys did.  They were playing a team with a new coaching staff and they were uncertain of how the Seahawks players would be utilized.  The difference was that the Cowboys made adjustments quickly and played a solid defensive game.  The Niners play New Orleans next week and I would all but guarantee a Niners victory.  If not, their 0-2 start may prove difficult to overcome.

Vikings:  The Vikings will be just fine, unfortunately.  Favre is using the regular season to get into game shape.  That’s the Shaquille O’Neal approach and Cowboys fans can only hope that Favre is still rusty in week 6 when the Cowboys travel to Minnesota.