JJT: Spencer A Good Move (Q n A)
07:57 PM CDT on Tuesday, May 8, 2007
When the Cowboys decided to use a first-round pick on linebacker Anthony Spencer last week, it was a good move.
No one really knows whether Greg Ellis will return from his ruptured Achilles' tendon and be the same quality player he's always been.
So the Cowboys had to take Spencer. This defense simply doesn't work without two legitimate pass rushers, and three should not be considered an abundance.
If Ellis doesn't like it, he should get over it.
This isn't like last year, when the Cowboys asked him to switch from defensive end to linebacker, which he hadn't played since high school. Ellis had every right to be angry about that move because they put his roster spot in jeopardy for an experiment.
That's not the case this year.
Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips are doing what's best for the team and the club's future. Ellis is nearing the end of his career as a starter, whether it's this year or a year or two down the road.
The Cowboys must prepare for the future. This helps them do it, because Spencer can be a situational pass-rusher until he's ready to take over the job full time, whether it happens this year or next.
But he is a first-round pick, so it's going to happen at some point. When it does, Ellis' career in Dallas isn't over. He has the skill to be a situational pass-rusher and be an impact player because he has a knack for getting to the quarterback and making big plays.
Not having to play first and second down should also prolong his career. Ellis, a former first-round pick, has an ego like every other quality player.
He just doesn't need to let it get in the way this year.
COWBOYS Q&A
Q: There was talk the Cowboys received a trade proposal on draft day that would've allowed them to move into the top five of the draft. Is it safe to assume that the player requested was either Terence Newman or DeMarcus Ware, or maybe even Roy Williams?
Ed Tam
TAYLOR: Word is Detroit's Matt Millen wanted a king's ransom that included Pro Bowl linebacker Demarcus Ware for the No.2 pick. The Cowboys thought about it but then decided – as they should have – not to pursue the deal. Ware is too valuable and with T.O. and Terry Glenn, there wasn't a pressing need this season to add a wideout
•••
Q: Now that Jerry is back in the saddle again, I have concerns that he will keep a few players just because he drafted them or paid them free-agent bonuses – ot because they are actually better than others left over from Bill Parcells. This happened in the past before Parcells came. Your thoughts?
Elenita Ravicz, San Antonio
TAYLOR: It doesn't matter whether it's Jones or Parcells, you're always loyal to players that you brought into the organization. Parcells' pet projects are well known. Guys like Daleroy Stewart and Ryan Young who never did anything. Jerry will have loyalty to the guys he adds to the roster. You just hope those guys can play.
•••
Q: Do you think there's any chance the Cowboys would try and re-sign Keyshawn Johnson now that he's been released?
Bob Best, Tecumseh, Okla.
TAYLOR: Keyshawn remains a nice player, but there's no chance the Cowboys ask him to come back. First, Keyshawn wouldn't want to come back and be a third receiver behind T.O. and Glenn. His ego wouldn't allow that to happen, which is understandable considering he was the first player taken in the 1996 draft. Secondly, the Cowboys want to get younger at receiver – not older.
•••
Q: Does this draft negate the entire 2006 draft?
Niklas Distasi
TAYLOR: I don't think so. Call me silly, but you can always find room on your team for good players. If Bobby Carpenter is a good player, then Wade Phillips will find a role for him. The same with Anthony Fasano. The Cowboys can still run sets with two tight ends or with an H-back that can take advantage of Fasano's skills. But it's up to those players to prove they deserve an opportunity with this team.
•••
Q: I know this is far-fetched, but is there any chance of the Cowboys packaging a No. 1 and Julius Jones for disgruntled Larry Johnson?
John T. Gold, Salt Lake City
TAYLOR: You're right, this is far-fetched. I appreciate your efforts to get the Cowboys a big-time runner, but I don't think Julius would work with the Chiefs' power-running game, and there's no way at all for a deal like that to work without giving the No.1 pick they received from the Browns. Besides, the Chiefs maintain they have no interest in trading Johnson. If a deal would've happened it, it would've probably occurred on draft day.
•••
Q: We all like to believe Dallas has the players it needs to get to a Super Bowl, but my eyes tell me otherwise. I wish they would have kept the picks and taken the best players available with those picks. That No.1 pick next year is nice, but I want to win now
Mike Roberts
TAYLOR: Here's the deal: The Cowboys didn't think there was much depth in this draft, which is why they wanted to trade down in the first round and trade out of the second round. If you talk to the Cowboys, there weren't a lot of players they believed were ready to contribute as starters this year, which is why they took the approach they did. Whether you believe it or not, the Cowboys like their starting 22. You can tell from their approach on draft day.
•••
Q: My question is what you make of the rumors surrounding the Cowboys' interest in LaDainian Tomlinson's backup, Michael Turner. Was there a firm offer made, and how far do you think Jerry would go to procure his services?
Paul Freeman, Atlanta
TAYLOR: The Cowboys didn't make a firm offer for Michael Turner because they knew it was going to be a high price. Besides, he'll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and they can get him without having to give up any draft picks next year. For the Cowboys to add Turner, they would've had to get rid of Julius Jones. Otherwise, adding Turner would've meant three running backs on the roster capable of starting. Depth is good, but that's too much.
•••
Q: Why didn't the Cowboys didn't look at Justin Blaylock in the second round? Despite Leonard Davis' signing, can a team ever have enough offensive linemen?
Ben Clark, Atlanta
TAYLOR: Blaylock is considered more of a guard than a tackle as it relates to his long-term progress. The Cowboys don't need a guard with Leonard Davis and Kyle Kosier locked up for at least the next four seasons. They needed help at tackle, which is why they selected James Marten and Doug Free with their second and third picks of the draft.
•••
Q: Even if you put aside the need for a young receiver or young nickel corner back, doesn't this team really need a young havoc-causing nose tackle to make the 3-4 effective?
Korede Alabi, Portland, Ore.
TAYLOR: The Cowboys definitely need a good nose tackle, because there's no guarantee how long Jason Ferguson will be able to play at the top of his game. Ferguson is a good player who had a strong season. But the Cowboys like Jay Ratliff at the backup spot, and he's played well in limited opportunities. Nose tackle didn't have anything to do with the secondary being torched last December.
•••
Q: How huge was it to pull off the steal they made with the Eagles to obtain Spencer while the Eagles took Kevin Kolb with their first pick in the draft?
Greg Mastrangelo
TAYLOR: I wouldn't say it was a steal to acquire Spencer with the 26th pick of the first round. They paid a big price for it. But they needed a pass-rusher, and the defense had no chance to improve without one because you don't know what you're going to get from Ellis at this point of his career as he's coming off a ruptured Achilles' tendon.
When the Cowboys decided to use a first-round pick on linebacker Anthony Spencer last week, it was a good move.
No one really knows whether Greg Ellis will return from his ruptured Achilles' tendon and be the same quality player he's always been.
So the Cowboys had to take Spencer. This defense simply doesn't work without two legitimate pass rushers, and three should not be considered an abundance.
If Ellis doesn't like it, he should get over it.
This isn't like last year, when the Cowboys asked him to switch from defensive end to linebacker, which he hadn't played since high school. Ellis had every right to be angry about that move because they put his roster spot in jeopardy for an experiment.
That's not the case this year.
Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips are doing what's best for the team and the club's future. Ellis is nearing the end of his career as a starter, whether it's this year or a year or two down the road.
The Cowboys must prepare for the future. This helps them do it, because Spencer can be a situational pass-rusher until he's ready to take over the job full time, whether it happens this year or next.
But he is a first-round pick, so it's going to happen at some point. When it does, Ellis' career in Dallas isn't over. He has the skill to be a situational pass-rusher and be an impact player because he has a knack for getting to the quarterback and making big plays.
Not having to play first and second down should also prolong his career. Ellis, a former first-round pick, has an ego like every other quality player.
He just doesn't need to let it get in the way this year.
COWBOYS Q&A
Q: There was talk the Cowboys received a trade proposal on draft day that would've allowed them to move into the top five of the draft. Is it safe to assume that the player requested was either Terence Newman or DeMarcus Ware, or maybe even Roy Williams?
Ed Tam
TAYLOR: Word is Detroit's Matt Millen wanted a king's ransom that included Pro Bowl linebacker Demarcus Ware for the No.2 pick. The Cowboys thought about it but then decided – as they should have – not to pursue the deal. Ware is too valuable and with T.O. and Terry Glenn, there wasn't a pressing need this season to add a wideout
•••
Q: Now that Jerry is back in the saddle again, I have concerns that he will keep a few players just because he drafted them or paid them free-agent bonuses – ot because they are actually better than others left over from Bill Parcells. This happened in the past before Parcells came. Your thoughts?
Elenita Ravicz, San Antonio
TAYLOR: It doesn't matter whether it's Jones or Parcells, you're always loyal to players that you brought into the organization. Parcells' pet projects are well known. Guys like Daleroy Stewart and Ryan Young who never did anything. Jerry will have loyalty to the guys he adds to the roster. You just hope those guys can play.
•••
Q: Do you think there's any chance the Cowboys would try and re-sign Keyshawn Johnson now that he's been released?
Bob Best, Tecumseh, Okla.
TAYLOR: Keyshawn remains a nice player, but there's no chance the Cowboys ask him to come back. First, Keyshawn wouldn't want to come back and be a third receiver behind T.O. and Glenn. His ego wouldn't allow that to happen, which is understandable considering he was the first player taken in the 1996 draft. Secondly, the Cowboys want to get younger at receiver – not older.
•••
Q: Does this draft negate the entire 2006 draft?
Niklas Distasi
TAYLOR: I don't think so. Call me silly, but you can always find room on your team for good players. If Bobby Carpenter is a good player, then Wade Phillips will find a role for him. The same with Anthony Fasano. The Cowboys can still run sets with two tight ends or with an H-back that can take advantage of Fasano's skills. But it's up to those players to prove they deserve an opportunity with this team.
•••
Q: I know this is far-fetched, but is there any chance of the Cowboys packaging a No. 1 and Julius Jones for disgruntled Larry Johnson?
John T. Gold, Salt Lake City
TAYLOR: You're right, this is far-fetched. I appreciate your efforts to get the Cowboys a big-time runner, but I don't think Julius would work with the Chiefs' power-running game, and there's no way at all for a deal like that to work without giving the No.1 pick they received from the Browns. Besides, the Chiefs maintain they have no interest in trading Johnson. If a deal would've happened it, it would've probably occurred on draft day.
•••
Q: We all like to believe Dallas has the players it needs to get to a Super Bowl, but my eyes tell me otherwise. I wish they would have kept the picks and taken the best players available with those picks. That No.1 pick next year is nice, but I want to win now
Mike Roberts
TAYLOR: Here's the deal: The Cowboys didn't think there was much depth in this draft, which is why they wanted to trade down in the first round and trade out of the second round. If you talk to the Cowboys, there weren't a lot of players they believed were ready to contribute as starters this year, which is why they took the approach they did. Whether you believe it or not, the Cowboys like their starting 22. You can tell from their approach on draft day.
•••
Q: My question is what you make of the rumors surrounding the Cowboys' interest in LaDainian Tomlinson's backup, Michael Turner. Was there a firm offer made, and how far do you think Jerry would go to procure his services?
Paul Freeman, Atlanta
TAYLOR: The Cowboys didn't make a firm offer for Michael Turner because they knew it was going to be a high price. Besides, he'll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and they can get him without having to give up any draft picks next year. For the Cowboys to add Turner, they would've had to get rid of Julius Jones. Otherwise, adding Turner would've meant three running backs on the roster capable of starting. Depth is good, but that's too much.
•••
Q: Why didn't the Cowboys didn't look at Justin Blaylock in the second round? Despite Leonard Davis' signing, can a team ever have enough offensive linemen?
Ben Clark, Atlanta
TAYLOR: Blaylock is considered more of a guard than a tackle as it relates to his long-term progress. The Cowboys don't need a guard with Leonard Davis and Kyle Kosier locked up for at least the next four seasons. They needed help at tackle, which is why they selected James Marten and Doug Free with their second and third picks of the draft.
•••
Q: Even if you put aside the need for a young receiver or young nickel corner back, doesn't this team really need a young havoc-causing nose tackle to make the 3-4 effective?
Korede Alabi, Portland, Ore.
TAYLOR: The Cowboys definitely need a good nose tackle, because there's no guarantee how long Jason Ferguson will be able to play at the top of his game. Ferguson is a good player who had a strong season. But the Cowboys like Jay Ratliff at the backup spot, and he's played well in limited opportunities. Nose tackle didn't have anything to do with the secondary being torched last December.
•••
Q: How huge was it to pull off the steal they made with the Eagles to obtain Spencer while the Eagles took Kevin Kolb with their first pick in the draft?
Greg Mastrangelo
TAYLOR: I wouldn't say it was a steal to acquire Spencer with the 26th pick of the first round. They paid a big price for it. But they needed a pass-rusher, and the defense had no chance to improve without one because you don't know what you're going to get from Ellis at this point of his career as he's coming off a ruptured Achilles' tendon.
posted by The Gryphon at 1:56 PM
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