Dallas Scouting Director Tom Ciskowski defends draft picks
BY MIKE BALDWIN
Dallas Cowboys scouting director Tom Ciskowski said the organization is pleased with the recent draft despite criticism for selecting Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee in the fourth round and concentrating on special teams players.
With no picks the first day and 12 selections the second day, the Cowboys added depth at linebacker and the secondary but didn’t address what some felt were the biggest needs — safety and wide receiver.
"Because a lot of these players will be good special teams players, the media has misconstrued that all they can do is play special teams,” said Ciskowski, an Oklahoma native. "That’s not true at all. We drafted football players that can play special teams.
"Because we signed (three veteran free agents), for the most part we have our 22 starters penciled in. But some of these draft picks will be quality backups that can ascend into starters.”
After a mediocre career at Texas A&M, McGee has been the Cowboys’ hot-button selection. He started only three games his senior year, but the Cowboys contend McGee was miscast with the Aggies and that he’s a strong-armed, mobile, pro-style quarterback with potential.
"He didn’t lose his job. He got hurt,” Ciskowski said. "We have (Tony) Romo in his prime. We have (Jon) Kitna, who probably will be good for two years. (McGee) is going to be able to develop and can ascend to being a backup, maybe even a starter.
"We have the perfect situation (at quarterback). We have our starter. We have a veteran who can fill in and give us a chance to win if something happens to (Romo). Then you have a young guy who can learn. We can take our time with him.”
Ciskowski, who grew up in Medford, attended Cameron and coached at several colleges, including East Central and Oklahoma State before becoming a scout with the Cowboys 17 years ago, has a reputation for evaluating players beyond 40-yard dash times and Wonderlic scores.
His career began to rise in 1994 as an area scout when he strongly urged Dallas to select offensive lineman Larry Allen. A potential Hall of Famer from Sonoma State, Allen proved to be one of the top picks in franchise history.
Ciskowski, 53, also is credited for convincing owner Jerry Jones five years ago to place more emphasis on scouts’ evaluations, a strategy that overrode some of Bill Parcells’ opinions.
Last year, the Cowboys’ first draft under Ciskowski, received rave reviews. This draft has received lower marks, although it takes a couple of years before a draft can be accurately graded.
The Cowboys drafted four linebackers, Cincinnati’s two starting cornerbacks and USC kicker David Buehler, who will kick off and also be a cover man on special teams, a unique combination.
"We feel good about this group,” Ciskowski said. "When you look at the history of this league, there are good players in the third, fourth and fifth rounds. The more picks you have the more will stick.
"Granted, you’d love to be in the first round and get a player like Felix Jones (in the 2008 draft). But we knew we didn’t have a No. 1. We tried to get good football players with no intentions of taking a backup or a special teams guy.”
Dallas Cowboys scouting director Tom Ciskowski said the organization is pleased with the recent draft despite criticism for selecting Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee in the fourth round and concentrating on special teams players.
With no picks the first day and 12 selections the second day, the Cowboys added depth at linebacker and the secondary but didn’t address what some felt were the biggest needs — safety and wide receiver.
"Because a lot of these players will be good special teams players, the media has misconstrued that all they can do is play special teams,” said Ciskowski, an Oklahoma native. "That’s not true at all. We drafted football players that can play special teams.
"Because we signed (three veteran free agents), for the most part we have our 22 starters penciled in. But some of these draft picks will be quality backups that can ascend into starters.”
After a mediocre career at Texas A&M, McGee has been the Cowboys’ hot-button selection. He started only three games his senior year, but the Cowboys contend McGee was miscast with the Aggies and that he’s a strong-armed, mobile, pro-style quarterback with potential.
"He didn’t lose his job. He got hurt,” Ciskowski said. "We have (Tony) Romo in his prime. We have (Jon) Kitna, who probably will be good for two years. (McGee) is going to be able to develop and can ascend to being a backup, maybe even a starter.
"We have the perfect situation (at quarterback). We have our starter. We have a veteran who can fill in and give us a chance to win if something happens to (Romo). Then you have a young guy who can learn. We can take our time with him.”
Ciskowski, who grew up in Medford, attended Cameron and coached at several colleges, including East Central and Oklahoma State before becoming a scout with the Cowboys 17 years ago, has a reputation for evaluating players beyond 40-yard dash times and Wonderlic scores.
His career began to rise in 1994 as an area scout when he strongly urged Dallas to select offensive lineman Larry Allen. A potential Hall of Famer from Sonoma State, Allen proved to be one of the top picks in franchise history.
Ciskowski, 53, also is credited for convincing owner Jerry Jones five years ago to place more emphasis on scouts’ evaluations, a strategy that overrode some of Bill Parcells’ opinions.
Last year, the Cowboys’ first draft under Ciskowski, received rave reviews. This draft has received lower marks, although it takes a couple of years before a draft can be accurately graded.
The Cowboys drafted four linebackers, Cincinnati’s two starting cornerbacks and USC kicker David Buehler, who will kick off and also be a cover man on special teams, a unique combination.
"We feel good about this group,” Ciskowski said. "When you look at the history of this league, there are good players in the third, fourth and fifth rounds. The more picks you have the more will stick.
"Granted, you’d love to be in the first round and get a player like Felix Jones (in the 2008 draft). But we knew we didn’t have a No. 1. We tried to get good football players with no intentions of taking a backup or a special teams guy.”
posted by The Gryphon at 9:50 PM
<< Home