- Long Ball, Special Heineken Correspondent
I’m sure many of you have been wondering “Where was Long Ball when all this T.O. stuff was goin’ down?” Well, if you must know, after 2 or 3 BEvERages of my buddy Jimmy Johnson’s choice (come on, you all know the song – “Here’s to good friends, tonight is kind of special . . .”), I was snoozin’ in my La-Z-Boy, only to be awakened by the news on the TV (yep, the big screen was still on!)
Immediately, my razor-sharp senses said “You haven’t even gone through the hang-over yet!”, but I knew I had to review my Drafttek strategy. However, I don’t know if a whole lot changes from a draft perspective – let’s take a look at the Cowboys’ current roster:
Dallas Cowboys Roster Analysis
Wide Receivers
|
84 |
WR |
6-0 |
205 |
5 |
NW Okla State |
|
|
|
Astala-Bye-Bye T.O. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
86 |
Stanback, Isaiah (4.6 Forty) |
WR |
6-2 |
208 |
2 |
Washington |
|
87 |
Warren, Paris (4.7 Forty) |
WR |
6-0 |
213 |
4 |
Utah |
|
11 |
Williams, Roy (4.48 Forty) |
WR |
6-3 |
220 |
5 |
Texas |
|
10 |
Wilson, Travis (4.47 Forty) |
WR |
6-1 |
213 |
3 |
Oklahoma |
|
19 |
Austin, Miles (4.47 Forty) |
WR |
6-3 |
216 |
3 |
Monmouth |
|
17 |
Hurd, Sam (4.59 Forty) |
WR |
6-2 |
196 |
3 |
Northern Illinois |
|
|
40 Times – NFL Draft Scout.com |
|
|
|
|
|
Does anything stick out to you? The roster has a group of wide receivers that range in height from 6’ up to 6’3”, weigh from 196 to 220 pounds, and for the most part, are possession receivers. Miles Austin has some speed and Roy Williams can motor, but that’s about it – and there are no small, quick receivers that excel at route running and explode out of their breaks. The keepers on the current roster are Crayton, Williams, Austin and Hurd – they may hang on to Stanback and/or Wilson.
My original plan was to take one of the small, fast receivers to double as a KR in the later rounds. However, at #51 in the 2nd round, Dallas could select Brian Robiskie (6’3”, 209, 4.48 – look familiar?), Kenny Britt (6’3”, 218, 4.5), Juaquin Iglesias (6’1”, 210, 4.5) or at #69 in the 3rd round take Mohamed Massaquoi (6’2”, 210, 4.62) or Louis Murphy (6’3”, 203, 4.32).
Anyway, you can see my dilemma – is the solution via the draft, trade or free agency. Tell me what you think and pass the Tylenol, please!
I don’t think they need to focus on a WR to replace TO. They have 3 good RB’s, one of the best TE in the business and a good WR in Roy Williams. I think they should focus their draft on defense (SS, FS, ILB, DL) and offensive line. If you have a good defense and a good offensive line, the weapons they have will get the job done.
Comment by Ed — March 7, 2009 @ 3:16 am
Ed, you’re a man after me own heart, and must have been reading my “Big Uglies” series. The foundation of every team does begin with the offensive line — I agree and have come around to the conclusion that the Cowboys do not need to reach for a WR!
Comment by Long Ball — March 7, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
Let’s hope Jerruh sees it the same way.
Comment by Ed — March 9, 2009 @ 1:09 am
Heya Long,
I could solve your WR problem. How about a trade – perhaps we send Javon Walker your way for, lets see, what would be fair…how about a free ticket to a cowboys game this year? Or maybe a cowboys T.O jersey.
I kid, I hope for a lot from Walker this year, but I figured hey, J.Jones might want to know what the market looks like.
Take care buddy,
Tim, Raiders Team Needs
Comment by Tim — March 13, 2009 @ 5:12 am
Ah Timothy, your facetiousness is only outweighed by your sarcasm! However, if memory serves me correctly (Denny Crane!), Dallas did make a run at Javon Walker before Big Al dug up more tomato cans of money buried in his back yard.
I am intrigued by what Austin Miles can bring to the table, if he remains healthy for a full year. He does have some speed and was beginning to show some promise prior to his injury. Hurd and Crayton are solid possession receivers and Williams needs to come through — do I really sound like Cousin Jerruh?
I would like to pick up a small, quick receiver in the later rounds.
Comment by Long Ball — March 15, 2009 @ 12:25 am