NFL: Cowboys should have plenty of options at draft
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
If Jerry Jones is as forthcoming as Thomas Dimitroff was Monday, today's Dallas Cowboys' pre-draft news conference could generate even more buzz than the photos circulating on the Internet of Jessica Simpson licking icing from Tony Romo's face.
While Cowboys fans checked out the salacious shots from Romo's 28th birthday party Sunday, Dimitroff was at the Atlanta Falcons' headquarters discussing all the calls he's received from other teams about trading the No. 3 pick.
"There's definitely been some interest," the Falcons' GM told reporters in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Atlanta has four of the top 48 picks in the two-day event, which starts at 2 p.m. Saturday.
With two picks in the first round (Nos. 22 and 28), the Cowboys also have plenty of options, including swapping one for the veteran receiver Jones has said he would like to pair with Terrell Owens. Dallas could also either trade up if a coveted player falls or trade down for more picks.
"The ammo or the consideration to do some of those things are there," Jones told reporters in Dallas last week. "But on the other hand, the best value in the draft could very easily be in the bottom 10 picks of the first round.
"We are in an enviable spot."
Jones could also address a variety of other subjects, including the status of the proposed trade with Tennessee for suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, when he meets with reporters at noon in Irving.
But the draft will be topic No. 1. Positions of need for the Cowboys are running back, cornerback and receiver.
Most mock drafts have Dallas taking Arkansas running back Felix Jones at No. 22 and either Kansas corner Aqib Talib or Arizona corner Antoine Cason at No. 28.
Playing in Darren McFadden's shadow, Felix Jones rushed for 1,117 yards and 11 TDs in 2007. He also led the Southeastern Conference in kickoff returns with 18 for 564 yards and two TDs.
Talib, who graduated from Berkner High School in the Dallas suburb of Richardson, was a consensus All-America choice in 2007 after helping the Jayhawks go 12-1 and win the Orange Bowl.
But Talib's college career wasn't without its missteps. Talent evaluators from nine NFL teams confirmed he admitted in interviews at the NFL Combine in February he tested positive for marijuana three times at Kansas, ProFootballWeekly.com has reported.
Unlike Talib, Cason has a spotless record. The winner of the 2007 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back returned two of his five interceptions last season for TDs.
"He's a remarkable young man," Arizona defensive coordinator/secondary coach Mark Stoops said in a phone interview. "He's works extremely hard and lives right and does the right things."
The Cowboys also are said to be eyeing two former Texas standouts, receiver Limas Sweed and running back Jamaal Charles. Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly also is reportedly on their radar screen.
Express-News Staff Writer
If Jerry Jones is as forthcoming as Thomas Dimitroff was Monday, today's Dallas Cowboys' pre-draft news conference could generate even more buzz than the photos circulating on the Internet of Jessica Simpson licking icing from Tony Romo's face.
While Cowboys fans checked out the salacious shots from Romo's 28th birthday party Sunday, Dimitroff was at the Atlanta Falcons' headquarters discussing all the calls he's received from other teams about trading the No. 3 pick.
"There's definitely been some interest," the Falcons' GM told reporters in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Atlanta has four of the top 48 picks in the two-day event, which starts at 2 p.m. Saturday.
With two picks in the first round (Nos. 22 and 28), the Cowboys also have plenty of options, including swapping one for the veteran receiver Jones has said he would like to pair with Terrell Owens. Dallas could also either trade up if a coveted player falls or trade down for more picks.
"The ammo or the consideration to do some of those things are there," Jones told reporters in Dallas last week. "But on the other hand, the best value in the draft could very easily be in the bottom 10 picks of the first round.
"We are in an enviable spot."
Jones could also address a variety of other subjects, including the status of the proposed trade with Tennessee for suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, when he meets with reporters at noon in Irving.
But the draft will be topic No. 1. Positions of need for the Cowboys are running back, cornerback and receiver.
Most mock drafts have Dallas taking Arkansas running back Felix Jones at No. 22 and either Kansas corner Aqib Talib or Arizona corner Antoine Cason at No. 28.
Playing in Darren McFadden's shadow, Felix Jones rushed for 1,117 yards and 11 TDs in 2007. He also led the Southeastern Conference in kickoff returns with 18 for 564 yards and two TDs.
Talib, who graduated from Berkner High School in the Dallas suburb of Richardson, was a consensus All-America choice in 2007 after helping the Jayhawks go 12-1 and win the Orange Bowl.
But Talib's college career wasn't without its missteps. Talent evaluators from nine NFL teams confirmed he admitted in interviews at the NFL Combine in February he tested positive for marijuana three times at Kansas, ProFootballWeekly.com has reported.
Unlike Talib, Cason has a spotless record. The winner of the 2007 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back returned two of his five interceptions last season for TDs.
"He's a remarkable young man," Arizona defensive coordinator/secondary coach Mark Stoops said in a phone interview. "He's works extremely hard and lives right and does the right things."
The Cowboys also are said to be eyeing two former Texas standouts, receiver Limas Sweed and running back Jamaal Charles. Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly also is reportedly on their radar screen.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:50 AM
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