Cowboys Team Report: Inside Slant
FOXSPORTS
Inside Slant
DRAFT REVIEW
By all accounts, there was nothing exciting or compelling about the Cowboys' draft. Though they made a few trades to add picks, it was devoid of fireworks.
The best word to describe the Cowboys' draft is solid, which is good news for them.
With no obvious needs, the Cowboys had myriad options before them. But they resisted all temptation and took the best available players and best fits for next season and the future.
Early on, the Cowboys relied on a familiar formula, choosing Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter with the 18th overall pick.
No surprise there. The Cowboys have only taken two offensive players in the first round since 1990 and none since tight end David LaFleur in 1997.
In choosing Carpenter, who will play opposite 2005 top pick DeMarcus Ware at outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense, the Cowboys also relied on familiarity.
Carpenter is the son of Rob Carpenter, who played for coach Bill Parcells with the Giants. Parcells likes players with NFL bloodlines. Bobby Carpenter said he already knows what to expect from Parcells.
"My dad told me he's brutally honest and that he will get the most out of you as a player," Bobby Carpenter said. "It's something that excites me. Growing up, I was always a fan of teams he coached for. To have a chance to play for him, it's almost like a dream come true."
Parcells was unavailable for comment. But there was no doubting the influence he had on the pick and on the Cowboys' draft.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the addition of Carpenter was evidence of his long-term commitment to the 3-4 defense that the Cowboys went to last season, at Parcells' urging.
Though the Cowboys considered North Carolina State's Manny Lawson, Jones said Carpenter was the best fit for the Cowboys because of his experience at Ohio State. Carpenter played strong-side linebacker in college and is already adept at rushing the passer, playing the run and dropping into coverage. Lawson would have had to learn a new position after playing defensive end in college.
"Carpenter lets us continue down that road with the 3-4," Jones said.
The choice of Notre Dame tight end Anthony Fasano in the second round also had Parcells' fingerprints on it.
Parcells has long been fascinated with the tight end position, going back to his Giants days with Mark Bavaro. Now he has two starting-quality tight ends with the Cowboys. Fasano will pair with Pro Bowler Jason Witten in a two-tight end, one-back offense.
Jones said the Cowboys are phasing the fullback out of the offense and will go with the two-tight end set to get more production from the offense. He said it will help the blocking as well. Witten will line up next to receiver Terry Glenn and Fasano will line up next to receiver Terrell Owens.
Fasano is already familiar with the Cowboys offense because he ran a similar scheme last year under Parcells protege Charlie Weis.
Fasano caught 47 passes last season at Notre Dame.
The Cowboys chose Grambling State defensive end Jason Hatcher in the third round. Though he is raw, he is said to have a tremendous upside and reminds many scouts of Patriots star Richard Seymour.
The Cowboys got a much-needed kick returner in the fourth round with LSU receiver Skyler Green and filled a need at free safety with the selection of Pat Watkins of Florida State in the fifth.
A closer look at the Cowboys' picks:
Round 1/18 -- Bobby Carpenter, LB, 6-3, 255, Ohio State
The Cowboys have been eyeing Carpenter since the end of the season. He was a safe pick because Cowboys know they are getting a solid player, but he is an ideal pick because he fits what they want to do.
Round 2/53 -- Anthony Fasano, TE, 6-4, 258, Notre Dame
Will likely start in a two-tight end, one-back offense with Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten. Caught 47 passes last season at Notre Dame but is versatile enough to be a huge factor in ground game.
Round 3/92 -- Jason Hatcher, DE, 6-6, 283, Grambling State
Adds depth behind starters Marcus Spears and Chris Canty. Needs development because of poor coaching, but could develop into dominant player.
Round 4/125 -- Skyler Green, WR, 5-9, 197, LSU
Gives the Cowboys an upgrade as a kick and punt returner. He returned four punts for touchdowns at LSU.
Round 5/138 -- Pat Watkins, FS, 6-4, 211, Florida State
A rangy player who should excel immediately on special teams. He's also good in coverage and could fill the team's need for a true free safety.
Round 6/182 -- Montavious Stanley, DT, 6-2, 313, Louisville
Fills a need of depth at nose tackle behind starter Jason Ferguson. Durability is a concern after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle last season.
Round 7/211 -- Pat McQuistan, T, 6-6, 315, Weber State
The Cowboys finally got some help for the offensive line. However, McQuistan is clearly a down-the-road project. His twin brother Paul was picked in the third round by the Raiders.
Round 7/224 -- E.J. Whitley, T, 6-5, 309, Texas Tech Offers size and pass-blocking ability, but obviously needs work as a run blocker. Didn't get much experience doing it at pass-happy Texas Tech.
Inside Slant
DRAFT REVIEW
By all accounts, there was nothing exciting or compelling about the Cowboys' draft. Though they made a few trades to add picks, it was devoid of fireworks.
The best word to describe the Cowboys' draft is solid, which is good news for them.
With no obvious needs, the Cowboys had myriad options before them. But they resisted all temptation and took the best available players and best fits for next season and the future.
Early on, the Cowboys relied on a familiar formula, choosing Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter with the 18th overall pick.
No surprise there. The Cowboys have only taken two offensive players in the first round since 1990 and none since tight end David LaFleur in 1997.
In choosing Carpenter, who will play opposite 2005 top pick DeMarcus Ware at outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense, the Cowboys also relied on familiarity.
Carpenter is the son of Rob Carpenter, who played for coach Bill Parcells with the Giants. Parcells likes players with NFL bloodlines. Bobby Carpenter said he already knows what to expect from Parcells.
"My dad told me he's brutally honest and that he will get the most out of you as a player," Bobby Carpenter said. "It's something that excites me. Growing up, I was always a fan of teams he coached for. To have a chance to play for him, it's almost like a dream come true."
Parcells was unavailable for comment. But there was no doubting the influence he had on the pick and on the Cowboys' draft.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the addition of Carpenter was evidence of his long-term commitment to the 3-4 defense that the Cowboys went to last season, at Parcells' urging.
Though the Cowboys considered North Carolina State's Manny Lawson, Jones said Carpenter was the best fit for the Cowboys because of his experience at Ohio State. Carpenter played strong-side linebacker in college and is already adept at rushing the passer, playing the run and dropping into coverage. Lawson would have had to learn a new position after playing defensive end in college.
"Carpenter lets us continue down that road with the 3-4," Jones said.
The choice of Notre Dame tight end Anthony Fasano in the second round also had Parcells' fingerprints on it.
Parcells has long been fascinated with the tight end position, going back to his Giants days with Mark Bavaro. Now he has two starting-quality tight ends with the Cowboys. Fasano will pair with Pro Bowler Jason Witten in a two-tight end, one-back offense.
Jones said the Cowboys are phasing the fullback out of the offense and will go with the two-tight end set to get more production from the offense. He said it will help the blocking as well. Witten will line up next to receiver Terry Glenn and Fasano will line up next to receiver Terrell Owens.
Fasano is already familiar with the Cowboys offense because he ran a similar scheme last year under Parcells protege Charlie Weis.
Fasano caught 47 passes last season at Notre Dame.
The Cowboys chose Grambling State defensive end Jason Hatcher in the third round. Though he is raw, he is said to have a tremendous upside and reminds many scouts of Patriots star Richard Seymour.
The Cowboys got a much-needed kick returner in the fourth round with LSU receiver Skyler Green and filled a need at free safety with the selection of Pat Watkins of Florida State in the fifth.
A closer look at the Cowboys' picks:
Round 1/18 -- Bobby Carpenter, LB, 6-3, 255, Ohio State
The Cowboys have been eyeing Carpenter since the end of the season. He was a safe pick because Cowboys know they are getting a solid player, but he is an ideal pick because he fits what they want to do.
Round 2/53 -- Anthony Fasano, TE, 6-4, 258, Notre Dame
Will likely start in a two-tight end, one-back offense with Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten. Caught 47 passes last season at Notre Dame but is versatile enough to be a huge factor in ground game.
Round 3/92 -- Jason Hatcher, DE, 6-6, 283, Grambling State
Adds depth behind starters Marcus Spears and Chris Canty. Needs development because of poor coaching, but could develop into dominant player.
Round 4/125 -- Skyler Green, WR, 5-9, 197, LSU
Gives the Cowboys an upgrade as a kick and punt returner. He returned four punts for touchdowns at LSU.
Round 5/138 -- Pat Watkins, FS, 6-4, 211, Florida State
A rangy player who should excel immediately on special teams. He's also good in coverage and could fill the team's need for a true free safety.
Round 6/182 -- Montavious Stanley, DT, 6-2, 313, Louisville
Fills a need of depth at nose tackle behind starter Jason Ferguson. Durability is a concern after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle last season.
Round 7/211 -- Pat McQuistan, T, 6-6, 315, Weber State
The Cowboys finally got some help for the offensive line. However, McQuistan is clearly a down-the-road project. His twin brother Paul was picked in the third round by the Raiders.
Round 7/224 -- E.J. Whitley, T, 6-5, 309, Texas Tech Offers size and pass-blocking ability, but obviously needs work as a run blocker. Didn't get much experience doing it at pass-happy Texas Tech.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:57 PM
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