USAToday: Inside Slant - Dallas Cowboys
There was a lot of talk about the Cowboys getting a receiver in the 2008 draft.
That didn't happen.
The Cowboys resolved early on that a rookie was not going to help because the position lacked great quality in this year's draft crop.
"When we went into this draft, there was no looking through rose-colored glasses that we were going to solve our second receiver challenge the way we'd like to, offsetting Terrell," owner Jerry Jones said. "That was a little unrealistic because it's so hard to get receivers to play at that level no matter how accomplished they are."
The Cowboys would have had a decision make in the second round if Texas receiver Limas Sweed was available. But he was drafted by the Steelers a few picks earlier so the Cowboys chose to take tight end Martellus Bennett.
Jones tried to lobby the team brass to move up in the second round to get a receiver but was rebuffed.
"We just didn't want to push it this year with this not being a deep draft for receivers," executive vice president Stephen Jones said. "You can't make something out of what's not there."
As far as a veteran addition is concerned, the Cowboys never made a serious offer for veterans Chad Johnson, Roy Williams or Anquan Boldin. They didn't think a deal was possible.
That doesn't mean the Cowboys won't make a run at a veteran before the start of the season.
Vice president Stephen Jones said they would be willing to make a player-for-player trade to get a proven veteran, but also said it takes two to tango.
Not getting a receiver does little to diminish concerns at the position. Terrell Owens will be 35 next season though he has shown no sign of slowing down. Terry Glenn missed 15 games last season and will be 34 in 2008. There is no guarantee he will be back, though the Cowboys remain hopeful.
Patrick Crayton had career-high production in yards, catches and touchdowns and remains a valuable option, but he is a No. 3 receiver. Sam Hurd has the potential to make plays. The Cowboys are also hopeful that Isaiah Stanback is progressing in his development from college quarterback to pro receiver.
"I've got to go ahead and say this," Jerry Jones said. "If not between the younger receivers that we've got and Terry Glenn, if you want to say we can pull one out of the hat on campus, as Bill would say, it's possible for us to pull one out of the hat on campus."
NOTES, QUOTES
—LB Akin Ayodele was a throw-in addition to the trade that sent tight end Anthony Fasano to Miami for a fourth-round pick.
Ayodele had been a man without a job since the Cowboys signed linebacker Zach Thomas. He was likely going to be cut in training camp.
"I hadn't had a chance to sit down with Akin since Zach Thomas," owner Jerry Jones said. "But I knew I was going to. When I sat down with him, I knew he was going to say, 'Give me a chance to go play' because he knew the crowd that was there. So, frankly, not to take anything away from Akin, that deal was totally done around Fasano."
—Jersey numbers have been assigned too rookies and newcomers. Running back Felix Jones will wear No. 28. Cornerback Mike Jenkins will wear No. 31. And tight end Martellus Bennett will wear No. 80. Safety Roy Williams changes from No. 31 to No. 38. Pacman Jones will likely wear No. 21 in honor of Deion Sanders.
—The Cowboys didn't draft a quarterback but they looked hard at USC's John David Booty before he was picked by the Vikings. The Vikings traded up with the Packers to get Booty in the fifth round. The Cowboys said they are fine not drafting a quarterback and say they are in the market for a veteran to be the third quarterback behind Tony Romo and Brad Johnson.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We've gone through this once. I don't think there's a guy we can depend on more than Tank. I think we've helped him. The program here is special. The player, himself, has to commit to it, and Tank did that, and I'm hoping for a similar experience." — Coach Wade Phillips comparing the acquisition of Pacman Jones to Tank Johnson.
That didn't happen.
The Cowboys resolved early on that a rookie was not going to help because the position lacked great quality in this year's draft crop.
"When we went into this draft, there was no looking through rose-colored glasses that we were going to solve our second receiver challenge the way we'd like to, offsetting Terrell," owner Jerry Jones said. "That was a little unrealistic because it's so hard to get receivers to play at that level no matter how accomplished they are."
The Cowboys would have had a decision make in the second round if Texas receiver Limas Sweed was available. But he was drafted by the Steelers a few picks earlier so the Cowboys chose to take tight end Martellus Bennett.
Jones tried to lobby the team brass to move up in the second round to get a receiver but was rebuffed.
"We just didn't want to push it this year with this not being a deep draft for receivers," executive vice president Stephen Jones said. "You can't make something out of what's not there."
As far as a veteran addition is concerned, the Cowboys never made a serious offer for veterans Chad Johnson, Roy Williams or Anquan Boldin. They didn't think a deal was possible.
That doesn't mean the Cowboys won't make a run at a veteran before the start of the season.
Vice president Stephen Jones said they would be willing to make a player-for-player trade to get a proven veteran, but also said it takes two to tango.
Not getting a receiver does little to diminish concerns at the position. Terrell Owens will be 35 next season though he has shown no sign of slowing down. Terry Glenn missed 15 games last season and will be 34 in 2008. There is no guarantee he will be back, though the Cowboys remain hopeful.
Patrick Crayton had career-high production in yards, catches and touchdowns and remains a valuable option, but he is a No. 3 receiver. Sam Hurd has the potential to make plays. The Cowboys are also hopeful that Isaiah Stanback is progressing in his development from college quarterback to pro receiver.
"I've got to go ahead and say this," Jerry Jones said. "If not between the younger receivers that we've got and Terry Glenn, if you want to say we can pull one out of the hat on campus, as Bill would say, it's possible for us to pull one out of the hat on campus."
NOTES, QUOTES
—LB Akin Ayodele was a throw-in addition to the trade that sent tight end Anthony Fasano to Miami for a fourth-round pick.
Ayodele had been a man without a job since the Cowboys signed linebacker Zach Thomas. He was likely going to be cut in training camp.
"I hadn't had a chance to sit down with Akin since Zach Thomas," owner Jerry Jones said. "But I knew I was going to. When I sat down with him, I knew he was going to say, 'Give me a chance to go play' because he knew the crowd that was there. So, frankly, not to take anything away from Akin, that deal was totally done around Fasano."
—Jersey numbers have been assigned too rookies and newcomers. Running back Felix Jones will wear No. 28. Cornerback Mike Jenkins will wear No. 31. And tight end Martellus Bennett will wear No. 80. Safety Roy Williams changes from No. 31 to No. 38. Pacman Jones will likely wear No. 21 in honor of Deion Sanders.
—The Cowboys didn't draft a quarterback but they looked hard at USC's John David Booty before he was picked by the Vikings. The Vikings traded up with the Packers to get Booty in the fifth round. The Cowboys said they are fine not drafting a quarterback and say they are in the market for a veteran to be the third quarterback behind Tony Romo and Brad Johnson.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We've gone through this once. I don't think there's a guy we can depend on more than Tank. I think we've helped him. The program here is special. The player, himself, has to commit to it, and Tank did that, and I'm hoping for a similar experience." — Coach Wade Phillips comparing the acquisition of Pacman Jones to Tank Johnson.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:18 PM
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