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Thursday, April 10, 1997

Drafting a plan

By Brian Comerford

New York

The 1997 offseason for the Dallas Cowboys has been an interesting one to say the least.

Faced with their most precarious position with regards to the salary cap since the limit has been imposed, and many roster question marks, the Cowboys had to be bracing themselves for a major talent depletion; depletion that could place their hopes for a fourth Super Bowl title in six years in ruin. In an amazing turn of events, the depletion has not been as severe as forecasted, and the future may not be so bleak after all.

A plan has to be enacted to keep the Boys in the mix for the Lombardi trophy, an on the field answer to Jerry Jones' committee to keep his players out of the headlines (I'll address this later). The plan is relatively simple to implement, and if it reaches it's fruition, it can reap benefits for years to come. What the Cowboys need to focus on is simple; procurement of talent through the draft.

In recent years (or at least since Jimmy Johnson was fired), the Cowboys have been passive in their drafting strategy. They have opted to trade down in the last two drafts, to stockpile mid to later round picks, and most of all, to save money. The Boys may have saved money, but it has cost them in a lack of quality talent added in the 95 and 96 drafts. The belief that the core starters are fine, and need no pushing from younger players (drafted to be special teams players and backups at best) has been a mistake.

Aside from Eric Bjornson (still a bit of a question mark) and Randall Godfrey, these two drafts have added virtually nothing as far as major contributors (or even starters) are concerned. It makes one wonder if the failed attempts to trade up to get DE Willie McGinest (The Boys had a deal worked out with the Rams to swap their pick and Alvin Harper for the fifth overall pick to get McGinest, who went fourth to NE), and the subsequent foolish dealing of a second round pick (turned out to be William Floyd) to move up five slots to draft DE Shante Carver (A bust who would have been available at the 28th slot in the draft) in the 94 draft has made Jones a little gun shy about dealing up. This dealing down business obviously hasn't worked, so it may be time to get a little daring, and deal up for a change. A big time player needs to be added to the mix to help recharge the batteries of the Cowboys.

There certainly aren't many positions lacking for players on this roster. On defense, the middle of the DL is weak without Leon Lett, and is in dire need of a run stuffer. Young players such as Mike Ulufale (a 3rd rounder last year) and Darren Benson (on and off retiree) may turn out to be that kind of player, but right now, with both players coming off reconstructive knee surgery, they are question marks. A player like a Myron Elzy, or a Rick Terry, or an Antonio Anderson would help a bit in clearing this up, and should be available in the late second or third rounds.

The linebacking corps is in need of fresh blood as well. Darrin Smith likely will not be back, and Godfrey Myles, Smith's backup, may be headed to the Broncos. Alan Campos (a 5th rounder last year) is unproven, and there is little depth outside of Jim Schwantz. This needs to be taken into account as well. In the secondary, the starters are set, but the reserves are again a question mark. Alundis Brice, who looked awful last preseason starting, is recovering from a broken kneecap suffered rehabbing the same knee. Wendell Davis (a 6th rounder in 96), who showed potential late last year, is also recovering from knee surgery. At safety, Roger Harper, who was expected to push Brock Marion for the FS position, showed up in horrible shape, broke his arm, and contributed little to the defense last year. Charlie Willliams is a fine coverage man. The only problem is it's on special teams. A body is needed here as well.

On offense, the backfield is fine, but the WR corps and OL need immediate help. At WR, other than Michael Irvin, there are no sure things. Billy Davis is a special teams player, Stepfret Williams was never given a chance, and Oronde Gadsden broke his eye socket in the preseason, and never came back. There are rumors (seem like fact at this point) that Alvin Harper will return after June 1, and that Kevin Williams, finding no market for his skills, will be back for one more year. This is where a move is needed. The Cowboys should go back to two old Jimmy Johnson formulas: trade up for an impact player, and go back to your roots. In other words, trade up to get Yatil Green from Miami. He's a big time difference maker, and just what the doctor ordered. Green can free Irvin from the double coverage he's been subject to since Harper left, and energize the offense. The Boys will need to trade up into the top 7 to get him, but it's worth it. Green will be a big time, much needed playmaker for years to come.

The OL needs some young faces as well. The backups to the starters are raw, and Tuinei (38), Newton (35) and Donaldson (39) are not getting any younger. Clay Shiver may be a player. Shane Hannah has returned from his retirement, but who knows how long it will take him to contribute anything. George Hegamin is nothing more than a big towel waver. John Flannery has knee concerns. Youth is needed, as in a OT and a OG. Maybe Jamie Nails and Frank Middleton will do it. They can be had from the second round on out. This is critical to the Boys success. No OL, no running game. No running game, no success in the playoffs. Check out last season for proof.

As was mentioned earlier, Jones needs to set his sights high, like he did with this new committee to oversee the behavior of his players. This committee is a great idea, and is long overdue, but the players have to be willing to buy into it to make it work. Remember, if a guy doesn't buy in, it's tough to cut him because of signing bonuses counting against the cap. Cutting these guys can mean cap suicide, and can cripple a team's ability to compete down the road. Hopefully, the players do buy in, so their images will be as good football players and not what the off the field nonsense shows they can be. As far as the draft goes, thinking big is also the key to success.

Again, the players have a part in this too, but Jerry Jones needs to start out by doing as he did with this player control manuever; think big.

It's the Cowboy way.

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