This is a continuation of the draft analysis.  Draft grades are often handed out well before the prospects lace up their shoes for the first rookie training camp.  It takes three years to determine whether a draft was indeed a “good” draft or riddled with busts.  As stated previously, all teams SHOULD get an incomplete immediately after the draft, but they don’t.  So let’s look back at the 2007 Cowboys draft class to see whether the grades given at the time were even close (C from SI, B from Yahoo Sports, B from CBS sports).  Also, keeping in mind that it isn’t about who you take, but rather who you didn’t take (take Sam Bowie, please).

Anthony Spencer in 1st round at 26th overall

Pro-Bowl: No, but plays at a high level and will undoubtably reach the pro-bowl in the next few years

Starter: Yes

Still on the team: Yes

Player(s) you could have had instead: Brandon Meriweather, Jon Beason, Tony Ugoh, Sidney Rice, and LaMarr Woodley

Analysis:  Spencer showed flashes of talent in his first two years, but he ushered in the post – Greg Ellis era.  He is capable in pass coverage, is a very good pass rusher, and plays the run well.  2009 was a breakout season for Spencer and expectations are he will continue to improve in 2010.  The other available players are as good, but not necessarily better than Spencer.  As a side note, the Cowboys traded down and acquired the Browns first round pick the following year.  They then proceeded to trade up to draft Spencer.  Essentially the Cowboys gave a 3rd and 5th for a 2008 1st round pick which became Felix Jones.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: A+ for Spencer and A+ for Felix Jone the following year

James Marten in the 3rd round at 67 overall:

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: No

Still on the team: No

Player(s) you could have had instead:  Originally the Cowboys were drafting at 53 and elected to trade down.  Players available at 53 and beyond were Ryan Kalil (center for the Carolina Panthers), Jacoby Jones, Trent Edwards, Micheal Bush, and other players who have contributed but not made their mark in the NFL.

Analysis: Marten is currently with the Chicago Bears and has played for three different teams in 3 years.  While he certainly has been a bust, it is not compounded by the availability of great players at a similar position or at a position of need.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: F+ (the plus because we didn’t miss out on any future superstars)

Isaiah Stanback in 4th round at 103rd overall

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: No

Still on the team: No

Player(s) you could have had instead: Daniel Sepulveda, Doug Free (which would allow for taking another player with the other 4th round pick)

Analysis:  Stanback was a project and like most projects he did not pan out.  He was only with the Cowboys for only 2 injury riddled years.  It felt like he was with the team for much more than that.  He was cut to allow room for Kevin Ogletree who shined in his brief 2009 appearances.  Stanback played for the New England Patriots in 2010 catching 3 balls for 22 yard.  He doubled his career production!

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: F+ (the plus because we didn’t miss out on any future superstars)

Doug Free in 4th round at 122nd overall:

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: Yes

Still on the team: Yes

Player(s) you could have had instead: LeRon McClain, Steve Breaston, and Kevin Boss

Analysis: Free played effectively when Marc Colombo was injured during the 2009 season.  There were nearly no drop off in the quality of play.  Amazingly enough, Free had a highlight (as an offensive lineman) when he ran down the field and was run blocking an Eagles defensive back.  Free will be a cornerstone player to usher in a new younger era of the Cowboys offensive line.  Whether he will play right or left tackle will be a mystery, but his play in 2009 provides Cowboys fans a reason to be optimistic.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: B+

Nick Folk in 6th round at 178th overall:

Pro-Bowl: Yes

Starter: Yes

Still on the team: No

Player(s) you could have had instead: Mason Crosby

Analysis:  Folk was amazing for 2 years and suffered in 2009 after having hip surgery.  While the injury may have healed, Folk’s confidence was lost during the season.  Folk has joined the NY Jets for the 2010 season.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: B+ (Crosby is kicking effectively for the Green Bay Packers, but the grade is still high as he was an effective player taken in the 6th round)

Deon Anderson in 6th round at 195th overall

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: Yes

Still on the team: Yes, though that may not be the case after the 2010 draft.

Player(s) you could have had instead: No one of note.

Analysis:  Anderson may not be on the team for 2010 due to an off the field gun related issue.  Reports have the Cowboys considering full-backs in the 2010 draft.  Anderson has played in 38 games the past three seasons.  He has been an effective blocking tight end in an era where the tight end is being phased out.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: B+

Courtney Brown in 7th round at 212th overall

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: No

Still on the team: No

Player(s) you could have had instead: Tyler Thigpen,

Analysis:  Brown was on the team for 2 years playing in 17 games.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: D+

Alan Ball in 7th round at 237th overall

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: No

Still on the team: Yes

Player(s) you could have had instead: Ahmad Bradshaw, Matt Moore

Analysis:  Ball is presently 1st or 2nd on the depth chart as Ken Hamlin was released this off-season.  Ball started three games and was praised by Wade Phillips.  The Cowboys are reportedly in the market for a safety to replace Hamlin, but it is possible that Ball’s performance in 2009 helped to make the decision to move past Hamlin a reality.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: B+

Final analysis: The perfect draft would have been Anthony Spencer, Ryan Kalil, Doug Free, Steve Breaston, Mason Crosby, Deon Anderson, Alan Ball, and possibly Ahmad Bradshaw.

Unlike 2006, the Cowboys actually drafted several of the ideal picks.  Nick Folk was amazing for two years and that certainly should not be ignored.  All in all, this was a good draft by the Cowboys finding starters in Spencer, Free, Folk, Anderson and possibly Ball.  Final grade based on all of the above, A-.  In another 2 years, the grade can continue to improve, especially if the tandem of Spencer and DeMarcus Ware becomes unstoppable.

Stanback wasn’t highly touted out of college. He was selected in the fourth round, after an average career with the Washington Huskies. His speed was attractive. He came to the Cowboys, who wanted to use him as a wide receiver. For three years we saw nothing from the guy. No touchdowns. No kick returns. No acrobatic catches.

For three years we watched Stanback sit the bench with injuries and play poorly in preseason.

With that said, here is the list of players the Cowboys released:

RELEASED

OL Travis Bright, BYU
DB Courtney Brown, Cal Poly
*QB Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State
TE Scott Chandler, Iowa
FB Julius Crosslin, Oklahoma State
DE Marcus Dixon, Hampton
LB Tearrius George, Kansas State
OL Ryan Gibbons, Northeastern
DB Jeremy Haynes, McNeese State
*WR Jesse Holley, North Carolina
WR Mike Jefferson, Montana State
WR Manuel Johnson, Oklahoma
RB Keon Lattimore, Maryland (waiver/injured)
CB Mike Mickens, Cincinnati
WR Willie Reid, Florida State
DE Derreck Robinson, Iowa
FB Asaph Schwapp, Notre Dame
NT Jonas Seawright, North Carolina
DB DeAneglo Smith, Cincinnati
WR Isaiah Stanback, Washington
LB Matt Stewart, Vanderbilt
DB DeAngelo Willingham, Tennessee

*practice squad

On Friday night, the Dallas Cowboys beat the Tennessee Titans 30-10.

But in the NFL preseason, it isn’t about the final result: it’s about the individual performances.

At the first Cowboys game in Jerry Jones’ masterpiece stadium, a true billion-dollar baby, there were some individual winners. And there were some losers. Thankfully, there were more winners than losers

Winner #1: Dallas Cowboy fans

Take a look at that new stadium! Wow. Just wow. There is nothing like that place in the entire NFL. Everyone from Fox Sports gushed about it at some point, as they should have.

Winner #2: Tony Romo

Our starting quarterback put in a good, consistent, clean performance. Granted, the Titans defense is suffering from losing Albert Haynesworth, but that was still a pretty strong unit that lined up opposite Romo for most of the first half. Did he care? No. Romo went 18-of-24 for 192 yards. More importantly, he was patient in his passing and found the open receiver instead of locking in on one target (15 Cowboys caught passes on Friday night). All of our quarterbacks looked good, completing at least 75 percent of their passes with Jon Kitna and rookie Stephen McGee finding the end zone.

Winner #3: The Defense

The 3-4 is looking pretty good. There weren’t too many spectacular plays, but there were signs that guys are catching on — Anthony Spencer hauling down speedster Chris Johnson on a dumpoff from Kerry Collins was particularly impressive — and this defense is going to be a strong point. Our run defense was particulary good, limiting Johnson and LenDale White to 7 yards on four carries. Mike Jenkins did let Titans receiver Justin Gage slip by him for a touchdown, one of the low points for the Dallas defense. But I was encouraged that veteran corner Terence Newman ran over to instruct Jenkins on his blunder right after the play.

Winner #4: Kevin Ogletree

There’s a fight going on for the fifth reciver spot between Ogletree and converted quarterback Isaiah Stanback. Ogletree emerged as the clear favorite after this game, making three grabs for 37 yards. None of his catches were as pretty as his one-handed, over the shoulder touchdown reception from Stephen McGee.

Winner #5: Felix Jones

Felix Jones put all NFL defenses on notice in this game. His message was clear: pay attention to me or I’ll make you pay. His 42-yard reception to move into Tennessee territory within the final two minutes of the first half changed the game and his one-yard touchdown to cap the drive displayed his versatility.

Loser #1: Special Teams

Uuuuuuuuugh. The first play in the new stadium, a long return from Miles Austin, gets called back for a holding call. Another penalty from Gerald Sensabaugh gifts Tennessee great field position and they get their only touchdown of the game from it. Granted, it’s early and there’s time to fix these things, but if we’re going to be a serious contender, we need to fix our special teams. Even Nick Folk missed a field goal. That was uncharacteristic of him, and I hope it’s a one-time thing. One bright spot was rookie David Buehler sending two kickoffs deep into the end zone.

Loser #2: Isaiah Stanback

With the play of Kevin Ogletree, Stanback is on thin ice in the first place. And on a night where nearly every Dallas receiver caught a ball, Stanback had a big ol’ goose egg when it came to receptions. Even Keon Lattimore caught a pass for goodness’ sakes. If Ogletree can continue to produce in the offense, Stanback is gone.

Loser #3: Pat Watkins

Watkins is another guy who needs to have a strong preseason to ensure his spot on the team. So what does he do? He streaks down the field on punt return for more than 20 yards while out of bounds, gifting the Titans with 15 more penalty yards. Not good, Pat.

Loser #4: The Run Game

I wasn’t impressed with the run game on Friday night. Our stable of running backs produced a paltry 111 yards on 35 carries, a 3.2 yard average. I’m attributing this to Tennessee’s defense. Still, we need to be able to consistently run the ball if we’re going to be a playoff team.

Loser #5: Jerry Jones/The NFL

This honor has to be split. There’s a huge fuss about the height of the huge videoboard that I like to call “The Jerrytron.” Jones put it five feet above the league minimum of 85 feet and is refusing to move it. He comes across looking like the jerk even though he’s within the regulations of the NFL. Someone NFL official had to know about this and Jerry must have done his homework before hanging this $30 million behemoth. It’s just more ammo for the Cowboys/Jerry Jones haters out there and a headache for Cowboys fans. Pardon me, but I’m more worried about what’s happening on the field.