COWBOYS Q&A SCOUTING DIRECTOR JEFF IRELAND
COWBOYS Q&A SCOUTING DIRECTOR JEFF IRELAND
By RICK HERRIN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Jeff Ireland's job is about to get real intense.
The Cowboys vice president of college and pro scouting will be in Indianapolis this week scouring talent at the NFL Scouting Combine. More than 330 prospects are expected to attend.
Ireland, 35, will look to find the next pieces to the Cowboys' foundation. He is coming off a very successful start in his first draft in 2005 as head of the scouting department.
It yielded defensive cornerstones in linebacker DeMarcus Ware and defensive ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty.
The Cowboys will select 18th in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 29-30.
The Cowboys' needs include offensive tackle, linebacker, safety and wide receiver.
Ireland, who replaced Larry Lacewell, keeps sharp with a relentless work ethic and relies on a veteran scouting staff.
How do you feel about your first draft class?
You feel good that in the first year you know about all of them, with the exception of [safety Justin] Beriault. I feel good about Ware, Spears, [running back Marion] Barber and Canty. [Linebacker Kevin] Burnett was coming on until he got hurt. And [offensive tackle Rob] Petitti, he hung in there and got 16 starts in him and you got a full season of evaluation. You know how to make him better. You feel confident that after one year they are going to be contributors for a while. Hopefully some of those guys can be superstars.
Do you think last year's draft makes the expectations greater for you?
I have to follow that up, there's no doubt about that. I have to follow it up with solid drafts. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was a world championship football team. It takes consecutive good drafts. We're going to try and put together a few drafts and get some help in free agency and try to get this championship back in Dallas.
Do you think last year's draft makes the expectations greater for you?
Last year was easy. I knew all the players. I had been to 40 or 50 schools. So this year is a little bit harder for me because I may not have the leg up that I did. I have seen less and I am in the office a little more and involved in the pro side of things. Still, I've got a good grasp of what's out there.
What is the key to hitting on a draft prospect?
The key is doing your homework. I'm not going to make this process any more complicated than it needs to be. You have to have discipline in your work ethic. You've got to be grinders. You have to work extra. It's no secret. You have to feel confident by draft time that you have done your homework and done the due diligence that is necessary for every player you have on your board.
How much do you talk with coach Bill Parcells and owner Jerry Jones about players?
I am constantly communicating with them about what I've seen during the week. I try not to keep any secrets from them. You try to concentrate on the guys you are interested in. Once you have that group, we grind on them and meet on them and listen to Bill and Jerry about certain philosophies that they are looking for. We've got a blueprint we try to follow.
What's your schedule like?
During the fall, I'm on the road 3-4 days a week. During the season, I'm at all the games, home and away. Mondays and Tuesdays I'm usually in the office watching tape and grading. It's long days and short nights and that's what your body gets used to, and you try to balance yourself with your family. You have to have a supportive spouse.
Is this the job you always wanted?
It is a dream job. You like trying to be able to build something. I definitely had that aspiration (being scouting director). It's my dream to build a Super Bowl winner. I want to be a part of a championship team and be a part of building that process from the ground up. I'm very fortunate that I am the director now and can be a major influence in what happens here.
ONLINE: dallascowboys.com
IN THE KNOW
Cowboys scouting department
Jeff Ireland, vice president of college and pro scouting
Chris Hall, college scouting coordinator
COLLEGE
Tom Ciskowski, assistant
director of college scouting
Mike Murphy, national scout
Drew Fabianich, Midwest scout
Tommy Hart, West Coast scout
Walter Juliff, Southeast scout
Mitch LaPointe, West scout
Henry Sroka, Southwest scout
John Wojchiechowki, Northeast scout
PRO
Brian Gaine, assistant director of pro scouting
Sam Garza, pro scout
Will McClay, pro scout
Jim Dodson, pro scouting assistant
By RICK HERRIN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Jeff Ireland's job is about to get real intense.
The Cowboys vice president of college and pro scouting will be in Indianapolis this week scouring talent at the NFL Scouting Combine. More than 330 prospects are expected to attend.
Ireland, 35, will look to find the next pieces to the Cowboys' foundation. He is coming off a very successful start in his first draft in 2005 as head of the scouting department.
It yielded defensive cornerstones in linebacker DeMarcus Ware and defensive ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty.
The Cowboys will select 18th in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 29-30.
The Cowboys' needs include offensive tackle, linebacker, safety and wide receiver.
Ireland, who replaced Larry Lacewell, keeps sharp with a relentless work ethic and relies on a veteran scouting staff.
How do you feel about your first draft class?
You feel good that in the first year you know about all of them, with the exception of [safety Justin] Beriault. I feel good about Ware, Spears, [running back Marion] Barber and Canty. [Linebacker Kevin] Burnett was coming on until he got hurt. And [offensive tackle Rob] Petitti, he hung in there and got 16 starts in him and you got a full season of evaluation. You know how to make him better. You feel confident that after one year they are going to be contributors for a while. Hopefully some of those guys can be superstars.
Do you think last year's draft makes the expectations greater for you?
I have to follow that up, there's no doubt about that. I have to follow it up with solid drafts. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was a world championship football team. It takes consecutive good drafts. We're going to try and put together a few drafts and get some help in free agency and try to get this championship back in Dallas.
Do you think last year's draft makes the expectations greater for you?
Last year was easy. I knew all the players. I had been to 40 or 50 schools. So this year is a little bit harder for me because I may not have the leg up that I did. I have seen less and I am in the office a little more and involved in the pro side of things. Still, I've got a good grasp of what's out there.
What is the key to hitting on a draft prospect?
The key is doing your homework. I'm not going to make this process any more complicated than it needs to be. You have to have discipline in your work ethic. You've got to be grinders. You have to work extra. It's no secret. You have to feel confident by draft time that you have done your homework and done the due diligence that is necessary for every player you have on your board.
How much do you talk with coach Bill Parcells and owner Jerry Jones about players?
I am constantly communicating with them about what I've seen during the week. I try not to keep any secrets from them. You try to concentrate on the guys you are interested in. Once you have that group, we grind on them and meet on them and listen to Bill and Jerry about certain philosophies that they are looking for. We've got a blueprint we try to follow.
What's your schedule like?
During the fall, I'm on the road 3-4 days a week. During the season, I'm at all the games, home and away. Mondays and Tuesdays I'm usually in the office watching tape and grading. It's long days and short nights and that's what your body gets used to, and you try to balance yourself with your family. You have to have a supportive spouse.
Is this the job you always wanted?
It is a dream job. You like trying to be able to build something. I definitely had that aspiration (being scouting director). It's my dream to build a Super Bowl winner. I want to be a part of a championship team and be a part of building that process from the ground up. I'm very fortunate that I am the director now and can be a major influence in what happens here.
ONLINE: dallascowboys.com
IN THE KNOW
Cowboys scouting department
Jeff Ireland, vice president of college and pro scouting
Chris Hall, college scouting coordinator
COLLEGE
Tom Ciskowski, assistant
director of college scouting
Mike Murphy, national scout
Drew Fabianich, Midwest scout
Tommy Hart, West Coast scout
Walter Juliff, Southeast scout
Mitch LaPointe, West scout
Henry Sroka, Southwest scout
John Wojchiechowki, Northeast scout
PRO
Brian Gaine, assistant director of pro scouting
Sam Garza, pro scout
Will McClay, pro scout
Jim Dodson, pro scouting assistant
posted by The Gryphon at 7:06 PM
<< Home