royallypwned Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 http://www.examiner.com/x-14770-Dallas-Sports-Examiner~y2009m9d9-Cowboys-2009-draft-class-vanishing-in-front-of-our-eyes This is not a positive article praising the Cowboys. So there shouldn't be anyone complaining like last time I posted an article here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tr1 Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 In April, the Cowboys selected twelve players in the NFL Draft, tied with the Patriots for most for any team. It was the most taken by Dallas since the fifteen drafted in 1992. That was prior to the first year the Cowboys won the Super Bowl in the 90s, but don’t take that as a sign. Following the draft, many experts rated the Cowboys’ draft as below average. Others gave a more positive grade when they learned of the Cowboys’ strategy behind its selections. Dallas had drafted a number of players who excelled at special teams and were brought in to improve the Cowboys in that area. It may take another year to find out if it will work out that way with the draftees dropping like flies before the season has even started. The 2008 draft was golden, and the Cowboys had half the number of picks as this year. Early returns for the 2009 draft should call it a “swing and a miss.” But of course the season hasn’t started yet, so it is possible for that to at least change to “foul ball.” It might not be until next season before Dallas registers any kind of hit. Let’s take a look at the twelve players taken in April and what their status is now. The first pick was linebacker Jason Williams, in the third round. He might contribute at some point this season, but not yet. He suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason game against the 49ers and will miss about another month. Another third-rounder, offensive lineman Robert Brewster, was likely lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle before training camp even began. He was placed on the non-active PUP -- physically unable to perform -- list. The difference between the PUP and the Injured Reserve (IR) is that a player on the PUP list isn’t guaranteed to miss the season, while that is the case with those placed on IR. Dallas made three fourth round selections, the first being quarterback Stephen McGee. He sprained an MCL in the Titans game and is likely out for another couple weeks. But when he returns, it should just be to the practice squad. Next was Victor Butler, the first healthy player on this list. He moved to the strong side linebacker spot to fill in for Brandon Williams. Williams was taken ten picks after Butler, but he tore his ACL against the Titans and was placed on the IR, ending his season before it began. Defensive back DeAngelo Smith was grabbed in the 5th round. He lasted until the end of the preseason cuts. But he failed to make the team, and was subsequently signed by the Cleveland Browns. Then comes Michael Hamlin, brought in to help improve the situation at safety. He broke his arm against the 49ers and is out a few weeks. Kicker David Buehler will very likely start the season as the Cowboys’ new kickoff specialist. He also isn’t really a normal kicker. He is more of a physical specimen who so happens to be able to kick. He won’t do the typical kicker thing and stand around hoping his teammates tackle the returner, and become the last resort should they be unable to do so. It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to predict he will lead all NFL kickers in tackles this season. The sixth round brought another linebacker, and another injury. Stephen Hodge missed most of the preseason, had surgery on an injured knee, and was placed on the IR. Tight end John Phillips has performed well and is also one of the select few healthy ones from the draft class. He is the third TE behind Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett, but he will see the field occasionally and should see plenty of action on special teams. Cornerback Mike Mickens was the second to last pick, in the seventh round. He met a similar fate to that of college teammate at Cincinnati, DeAngelo Smith. But unlike Smith, Mickens cleared waivers after getting cut, and landed on the Cowboys’ practice squad. Dallas’ final pick was wide receiver Manual Johnson. He was also cut and is on the practice squad. Of the twelve players drafted, only three will contribute on opening day: Butler, Buehler, and Phillips. In fact, the most positive player the Cowboys’ found may be a guy who wasn’t even drafted. Kevin Ogletree was signed as a free agent and made the team as the fifth wide receiver, behind Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin, and Sam Hurd. He impressed enough people in the preseason to warrant the nod on the 53 man roster. But while he may be a diamond in the rough, it doesn’t cover up the fact that the 2009 draft has turned into a disaster for the time being. The injured rookies may turn out to be good players down the road, so it’s too early to call the draft a complete failure. That wouldn’t be quite fair. The unlucky thing for Dallas is that it’s draft class has pulled a Houdini, and the first game is still four days away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tr1 Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Is anyone really surprised? Jerruh is back to being the GM he was before Bill arrived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jones Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 He was without Parcell's in 2008 too and that draft looks to be something special. It's too early to entirely write this one off. It's full of developmental types with a focus on improving what was a miserable special teams unit last year. It's particularly hard to judge a draft the first week of a season when the first two picks are going to spend an extended period of time injured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royallypwned Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 He was without Parcell's in 2008 too and that draft looks to be something special. It's too early to entirely write this one off. It's full of developmental types with a focus on improving what was a miserable special teams unit last year. It's particularly hard to judge a draft the first week of a season when the first two picks are going to spend an extended period of time injured. yeah I definitely wasn't grading the draft with this article, just simply stating that the draftees seem to be disappearing. I'll wait and see if anyone will do something when they get back from injury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jones Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 yeah I definitely wasn't grading the draft with this article, just simply stating that the draftees seem to be disappearing. I'll wait and see if anyone will do something when they get back from injury. I know you weren't grading this draft yet, but others seem to be. It's also funny to me how some people praise Parcell's drafting. He hit gold in 2005 but 2004 turned out terrible and 2006 was pretty bad as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 To summarize the picks based on this article: Jason Williams- Hurt, expected back, VERY talented and showed a good motor in the preseason before injury. HARDLY a bust... Robert Brewster- tore his pec before TC even started, they are hopeful he can come back after six weeks and play again this year. Is a talented player who WOULD HAVE ABSOLUTELY made the team this year if not for the injury. Stephen Mcgee- injured his MCL, is on the 53 and will continue to be on the 53. Is a developmental qb and has shown enough to continue the development. Victor Butler- Healthy playing and doing well. Is certainly going to contribute bigtime to our coverage units and come in for Pass rush support. Brandon Williams- Injured, been fighting it all preseason with his shoulders, then blew out his ACL. Deangelo Smith- never showed enough during TC to warrant keeping...certainly a miss. Mike Hamlin- Was playing well then broke his wrist. Will be back at some point this year, and they are high on him. Seems like a good pick. David Beuhler- IS our Kickoff specialist and is everything they thought he would be. Hardly a bad pick, especially if he is one of the best in the league at touchbacks... John Phillips- kid has played extremely well at TE and could probably be much higher up on most NFL team's depth charts. Very good pick in the 6th.. Stephen Hodge- Injured since day 1....jury still out..Probably won't amount to anything but he is a 6th round pick... Mike Mickens- was only ok in TC but it is rumored that he is still have some effects from a knee in college. Cut and signed to PS...i would say bust for now, but has a chance to turn it around at some point later this year or next... Manual Johnson- don't think anyone thought he would make the team...PS though. So out of the 12 picks, I count 4 busts....5 picks who will contribute this year....and 3 injuries of which their could be a player or two out of that.... I can't believe the knee jerk over reactions to their draft class to this point. They have been hit by the injury bug if anything....but it will get better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tr1 Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 So out of the 12 picks, I count 4 busts....5 picks who will contribute this year....and 3 injuries of which their could be a player or two out of that.... I can't believe the knee jerk over reactions to their draft class to this point. They have been hit by the injury bug if anything....but it will get better. To summarize, you have a bunch of new draftees who can't contribute... I'm glad you have the luxury of waiting a couple of years. :rotflmao: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kapolani Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 To summarize, you have a bunch of new draftees who can't contribute...I'm glad you have the luxury of waiting a couple of years. :rotflmao: Glass houses homeslice... :hysterical: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doncherry Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I don't know too many people who were happy with the Dallas draft right after it happened, and now it actually seems worse. Hopefully there will be a couple of guys who can contribute in the future, and it is too early too grade, but honestly, it seems like a crappy draft, now moreso than ever.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouvan59 Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 So out of the 12 picks, I count 4 busts....5 picks who will contribute this year....and 3 injuries of which their could be a player or two out of that....I can't believe the knee jerk over reactions to their draft class to this point. They have been hit by the injury bug if anything....but it will get better. So out of 12 picks you have 4 busts and 8 that you really don't know about. You and the Cowboys can be high on the all you want but until they contribute on the field they are questionable at best. If I recall you guys were drooling over Pat Watkins and Bobby Carpenter as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Ed Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 RP - You may have to go into the witness protection program to go to the grocery store down there in Irving. Good read though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royallypwned Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 RP - You may have to go into the witness protection program to go to the grocery store down there in Irving. Good read though. lol well I hope not, since I was just stating facts. I felt I needed to write more of a negative article for once, since everything before it had been positive. But like I mentioned earlier in this thread: I wasn't stating an opinion as to whether this draft was a failure yet, b/c it really can't be labeled one this early. All I'm saying is that the rookies have been pretty unlucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallasfan Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 my problem with the draft was all the trading down. They really should've traded up for Max Unger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Ed Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 RP - I agree. You can't really judge a draft class for two full seasons. What about Jerruh's World? Have you been yet? Writing about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royallypwned Posted September 11, 2009 Author Share Posted September 11, 2009 RP - I agree. You can't really judge a draft class for two full seasons.What about Jerruh's World? Have you been yet? Writing about it? yes I have been and yes I wrote about it: http://www.examiner.com/x-14770-Dallas-Sports-Examiner~y2009m8d23-The-Jerry-World-experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Ed Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Nice read. I missed this one. Damn that board is big.:yikes: What is the smoking policy? Take the tour and get back to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spec138 Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Nice read. I missed this one. Damn that board is big.:yikes:What is the smoking policy? Take the tour and get back to us. It's non smoking pretty much everywhere IIRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Ed Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 It's non smoking pretty much everywhere IIRC. No cigar bar, VIP area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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