Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket: Norm Hitzges on the Draft
Recap by InmanRoshi from a sports forum:
I don’t think the Cowboys will deal the #22 pick, because they think that there will be a very good runner there. More and more, it looks like that runner is Felix Jones. He’s a very good compliment to Marion Barber. He may not be there at #22. Even if he is there, there is always a chance Jerry trades down … because Spencer was the Cowboys’ guy last year, and he was sitting there at their pick and Jerry still traded down and to trade back up to get him. But for now let’s put the choice of Felix Jones in the #22 pick. Now, with the #28 pick, my gut says they will deal. I don’t think they will be able to get the veteran WR they want with the #28 pick, but I do think they will try to deal down into the 2nd round and pick up a WR there because there are red flags about every single WR in this draft and none of them are worth the 28th pick. CBs in that area have their own problems as well. #28 isn’t looking like a very good pick for a CB or a WR. That pick could look real good to someone else, especially for teams picking high looking for QBs that didn’t get Matt Ryan like Miami, Atlanta, Kansas City, Baltimore, Chicago. The Cowboys could trade down with one of those teams into the early 2nd and one of those WR’s or CBs will still be there.
I do believe the club will get Pac Man Jones eventually, but you’re never going wrong drafting a cornerback. Also, don’t be surprised if the Cowboys draft an offensive tackle who could convert to guard in the first day. Cousins from UTEP is one of those guys who may slip into the 4th.
Callers: Do the Cowboys draft a strong safety for Roy to platoon with, and who are they looking at CB to replace Jaque Reeves?
CB’s who the Cowboys could take early in round 2 include Tracy Porter who the Cowboys have brought in for a visit, Brandon Flowers who has great instincts but runs slow and Justin King. The end of round two include Terrence Wheatly from Colorado. Terrel Thomas from USC. I think there are probably two – three safeties that go in the entire first day. Terrell Johnson from Arkansas State who is a strong safety type & Kenny Phillips and Zibowski (sp) from Notre Dame. It’s a terribly weak safety class.
Everyone in the draft has to ask themselves about Winconsins’ Jack Ikegwuonu. He’s a borderline 1st/2nd round talent who totally blew out his knee and won’t play this year. Aside from the injuries he also has other question. But someone with an extra 4th our 5th round pick is going to draft him and stash him for a year. Players heal, and if some team feels they can afford to wait a year … and that should include teams like the Cowboys who feel good about their current team … someone will draft him and stash him.
Could the Cowboys move up to draft a top CB like Cromartie?
I don’t see the Cowboys moving up to get a CB because that’s moving up to get a backup player … especially if they add Pac Man. I do think the Cowboys will add a CB at some point, but look at late 2nd. There will be a good crop of CB’s there in the late 2nd . Talib might even slide to that range if teams are scared off by his drug problems. They might even wait until the 3rd where there are another handful of good players there.
Frank Okam?
He has some natural tools, but when you’re listed as a constant underachiever in college that’s not a good label. I expect middle rounds .. maybe 4th. He’ll have to shed that label as under achiever. The best noseguard in the draft is Reubens from Ohio State.
Cowboys interest in Jamal Charles and Limas Sweed?
The Cowboys have shown interest in both of them. I don’t think either player is a candidate is #22 and I don’t think either will be there in the late 2nd round … so you’re looking at #28. If they take Felix at 22, Charles is no longer a candidate. If they trade down into the 2nd , I think Sweed is a candidate. Sweed really wasn’t all that productive in college. Look at Jordy Nelson .. maybe not the same athlete and doesn’t jump as high … but they have the same height, weight and ran similartimes. Nelson caught 122 passes just in his senior year. Sweed caught 124 in his entire career. Sometimes we just don’t put enough weight in production. There is a DE from Miami called Calias Campbell who will be drafted in the first round, and he didn’t produce anything .. he just worked out well. It’s the bane of a coach’s existence … guys who look great in the uniform and don’t give it to you on Sunday. I don’t believe college players who don’t play hard are going to start playing hard once they become millionaires and have a posse around them.
I don’t think the Cowboys will deal the #22 pick, because they think that there will be a very good runner there. More and more, it looks like that runner is Felix Jones. He’s a very good compliment to Marion Barber. He may not be there at #22. Even if he is there, there is always a chance Jerry trades down … because Spencer was the Cowboys’ guy last year, and he was sitting there at their pick and Jerry still traded down and to trade back up to get him. But for now let’s put the choice of Felix Jones in the #22 pick. Now, with the #28 pick, my gut says they will deal. I don’t think they will be able to get the veteran WR they want with the #28 pick, but I do think they will try to deal down into the 2nd round and pick up a WR there because there are red flags about every single WR in this draft and none of them are worth the 28th pick. CBs in that area have their own problems as well. #28 isn’t looking like a very good pick for a CB or a WR. That pick could look real good to someone else, especially for teams picking high looking for QBs that didn’t get Matt Ryan like Miami, Atlanta, Kansas City, Baltimore, Chicago. The Cowboys could trade down with one of those teams into the early 2nd and one of those WR’s or CBs will still be there.
I do believe the club will get Pac Man Jones eventually, but you’re never going wrong drafting a cornerback. Also, don’t be surprised if the Cowboys draft an offensive tackle who could convert to guard in the first day. Cousins from UTEP is one of those guys who may slip into the 4th.
Callers: Do the Cowboys draft a strong safety for Roy to platoon with, and who are they looking at CB to replace Jaque Reeves?
CB’s who the Cowboys could take early in round 2 include Tracy Porter who the Cowboys have brought in for a visit, Brandon Flowers who has great instincts but runs slow and Justin King. The end of round two include Terrence Wheatly from Colorado. Terrel Thomas from USC. I think there are probably two – three safeties that go in the entire first day. Terrell Johnson from Arkansas State who is a strong safety type & Kenny Phillips and Zibowski (sp) from Notre Dame. It’s a terribly weak safety class.
Everyone in the draft has to ask themselves about Winconsins’ Jack Ikegwuonu. He’s a borderline 1st/2nd round talent who totally blew out his knee and won’t play this year. Aside from the injuries he also has other question. But someone with an extra 4th our 5th round pick is going to draft him and stash him for a year. Players heal, and if some team feels they can afford to wait a year … and that should include teams like the Cowboys who feel good about their current team … someone will draft him and stash him.
Could the Cowboys move up to draft a top CB like Cromartie?
I don’t see the Cowboys moving up to get a CB because that’s moving up to get a backup player … especially if they add Pac Man. I do think the Cowboys will add a CB at some point, but look at late 2nd. There will be a good crop of CB’s there in the late 2nd . Talib might even slide to that range if teams are scared off by his drug problems. They might even wait until the 3rd where there are another handful of good players there.
Frank Okam?
He has some natural tools, but when you’re listed as a constant underachiever in college that’s not a good label. I expect middle rounds .. maybe 4th. He’ll have to shed that label as under achiever. The best noseguard in the draft is Reubens from Ohio State.
Cowboys interest in Jamal Charles and Limas Sweed?
The Cowboys have shown interest in both of them. I don’t think either player is a candidate is #22 and I don’t think either will be there in the late 2nd round … so you’re looking at #28. If they take Felix at 22, Charles is no longer a candidate. If they trade down into the 2nd , I think Sweed is a candidate. Sweed really wasn’t all that productive in college. Look at Jordy Nelson .. maybe not the same athlete and doesn’t jump as high … but they have the same height, weight and ran similartimes. Nelson caught 122 passes just in his senior year. Sweed caught 124 in his entire career. Sometimes we just don’t put enough weight in production. There is a DE from Miami called Calias Campbell who will be drafted in the first round, and he didn’t produce anything .. he just worked out well. It’s the bane of a coach’s existence … guys who look great in the uniform and don’t give it to you on Sunday. I don’t believe college players who don’t play hard are going to start playing hard once they become millionaires and have a posse around them.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:22 PM
<< Home