Cowboys Team Report
Posted: January 7, 2008
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL/STRATEGICAL ANALYSIS Jeff Ireland's departure shakes up the team's scouting department, but management believes it can handle the loss.
Ireland won't be replaced, but his top aides remain. Tom Ciskowski will continue to handle college scouting and Brian Gaine will run pro scouting.
Team brass believes Ireland's departure won't be a problem because of the way the scouting system is structure. It is based on each player receiving an aggregate grade from assessments of six members of the personnel department. That's how the player is ranked on the draft board, which prevents one organization member having too much sway over a prospect's ranking.
The team could take a significant hit on if assistant head coach Tony Sparano leaves, as expected, to become Dolphins coach. It also faces the prospect of losing offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who is being wooed to coach the Ravens.
Sparano and Garrett played a huge role in the season's offensive success. It would be difficult to replace either one.
SCOUTING REPORT
Safety Roy Williams must be a difference-maker in the playoffs. Williams is physical and can deliver create game-changing hits. He's at his best near the line of scrimmage, where he can make an impact against the run.
Williams is nearly as good in coverage because he goes after a big hit instead of making a safe tackle. He struggles because he doesn't always stay low in his backpedal, which means he can't quickly shift left or right. And he's so aggressive that he can be fooled on play-action.
FREE-AGENT BUZZ
With Jay Ratliff and Patrick Crayton re-signed, the front office can turn attention to Marion Barber and Chris Canty. Both can become restricted free agents.
Barber is a Pro Bowl player who averaged nearly 5.0 per carry, despite splitting time with Julius Jones. Canty has improved every year and is close to becoming a dominant player. Each will receive long-term deals because management believes each player has a key role in the organization's future.
Jones becomes an unrestricted free agent at season's end and has no interest in staying with the team. He wants an opportunity to be the primary ball-carrier -- not a starter in name only.
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL/STRATEGICAL ANALYSIS Jeff Ireland's departure shakes up the team's scouting department, but management believes it can handle the loss.
Ireland won't be replaced, but his top aides remain. Tom Ciskowski will continue to handle college scouting and Brian Gaine will run pro scouting.
Team brass believes Ireland's departure won't be a problem because of the way the scouting system is structure. It is based on each player receiving an aggregate grade from assessments of six members of the personnel department. That's how the player is ranked on the draft board, which prevents one organization member having too much sway over a prospect's ranking.
The team could take a significant hit on if assistant head coach Tony Sparano leaves, as expected, to become Dolphins coach. It also faces the prospect of losing offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who is being wooed to coach the Ravens.
Sparano and Garrett played a huge role in the season's offensive success. It would be difficult to replace either one.
SCOUTING REPORT
Safety Roy Williams must be a difference-maker in the playoffs. Williams is physical and can deliver create game-changing hits. He's at his best near the line of scrimmage, where he can make an impact against the run.
Williams is nearly as good in coverage because he goes after a big hit instead of making a safe tackle. He struggles because he doesn't always stay low in his backpedal, which means he can't quickly shift left or right. And he's so aggressive that he can be fooled on play-action.
FREE-AGENT BUZZ
With Jay Ratliff and Patrick Crayton re-signed, the front office can turn attention to Marion Barber and Chris Canty. Both can become restricted free agents.
Barber is a Pro Bowl player who averaged nearly 5.0 per carry, despite splitting time with Julius Jones. Canty has improved every year and is close to becoming a dominant player. Each will receive long-term deals because management believes each player has a key role in the organization's future.
Jones becomes an unrestricted free agent at season's end and has no interest in staying with the team. He wants an opportunity to be the primary ball-carrier -- not a starter in name only.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:51 PM
<< Home