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Monday, April 14, 1997

How to get back to the Super Bowl

BE PREPARED AND DRAFT A STARTER

By Gary W. Morris

Folsom, CA.

FIRST.. THE DRAFT:

In the past couple of drafts we did not feel we could draft anyone that could start for the 'Boys. Well this year, we know that there is at least one position that needs filling with a playmaker...Wide Receiver.

The priority in the Draft for Dallas should be as follows:

( 1.) - Move up in the Draft as far as possible to insure that they get "THE" receiver of the decade.... ****** Yatil Green 6-2 1/2 200lbs 40 Time = 4.35 *******

Reason #1: Fill the most glaring weakness.

Reason #2: What if the Cowboys have to operate without Michael Irvin for *ANY* reason what-so-ever next year.

Reason #3: Think how it would be with two Incredible receivers out there at the same time. Then with Bjornsen and Moose the Cowboys will have the passing engine running on all four cylinders.

Reason #4: This is one of the really few **BIG** speedy receivers to come along in the draft in the last few years that is worth really getting excited about.

Reason #5: The 'Boys need a lift in the spirits, get people out to see something exciting again. This move would be a tremendous Marketing move, but I listed it last because it IS really the last reason to do it. Just think how many new fans will come out to see Orlando Pace in a RAIDER uniform....When its a playmaker, its really excitement!

Jerry should use the same kind of inspiring energy that he used to insure he got Deion. Some Receivers in the past have brought this kind of excitement to a FEW teams. Like the way the 49'ers moved up to get J.J. Stokes. Well the jury is still out on STOKES and like I said, not all teams felt the way the 49'ers did about Stokes, but everybody is talking about mister green....This guy is for real, in a big, big way.

If Larry Lacewell can convince Jerry to go after this guy with the same energy that he went after Deion, then Yatil Green will be a Cowboy this year!!! But he will probably go in the top 5 or 6 in the draft so Jerry would have to move into the 3 - 6 position to be sure to get him.

Michael will retire someday and this IS THE GUY to fill his shoes. Get him now while we have a chance. Re-structure Troy's and who ever else's contract to have the CAP room to do it and then make the trades to move up, PLEASE!!!!

( 2. ) - With the next best pick available, get the best run stopping Defensive Lineman. The defense was great last year in every catagory, but it could use a big lift from a Big Run Stuffer.

( 3. ) - Next another Offensive Lineman is in order.

( 4. ) - And then fill out the rest with SPEEDY outside Linebackers and more Offensive Lineman.

SECOND...THE PRE-SEASON WISH LIST:

The next big priority on the 'Boys list should be bringing the Offensive Line into the Pre-season in "Pounding" shape. This is probably one of the big reasons why the running game suffered last year....the "O" line was way out of shape and as usual felt they could use the pre-season to play themselves into shape.

But as soon as one of the lineman was injured, the rest of them were played sparingly to avoid more of them getting hurt, and this kept them from getting into shape until the fourth game of the regular season, instead of the fourth game of the pre-season.

This year the new conditioning coach should make sure that these guys are IN SHAPE before the pre-season.

Imagine if you were playing basketball and were asked to put on a twenty pound weight belt and see just how well you could play compared to how well you can play without it. Like most people the extra weight makes you tire faster and play sluggish.

Ask MOOSE how much better he feels, or Bjornsen how much better he feels when they are at their proper playing weight. Both have added weight on purpose and later felt it was a mistake. Well, the lineman are no different, they need to be at their proper playing weight BEFORE camp, and not depend upon "PLAYING" themselves into shape.

THIRD...KEEP MR. THOMAS AT END:

This was a great move....bringing back Broderick Thomas at Defensive End. Our next Charles Haley. Thomas can be a double digit sack leader, he had 4 1/2 with very limited playing time. Just in the nick of time too, because Haley will probably be released on June 2nd. That date helps the 'Boys "CAP" wise.

FOURTH...LET BJORNSEN DEVELOP:

Even the great Jackie Smith and also Jerry Rice have dropped critical passes. Don't hold the couple of passes Bjornsen dropped against him. He will become a PRO BOWL TightEnd in my opinion. One of the TWO GREAT SUPRISE draft picks in the last couple of years. The other one being LARRY ALLEN, of course.

More draft insight in my next article.

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Gary Morris

Sr. Software Engineer

USCS International

El Dorado Hills, CA.