Cowboys Blog Official

Parcells Guys Editorial - Will Bill and Jerry Do It Again?

Think back for a moment to the 2004 Draft. We all knew that the Cowboys were going to take a running back with their first round pick. We were all wrong as the Cowboys traded out of the first round and wound up selecting Julius Jones in the second round. Will the Cowboys do it again this year?

Personally I say no way would I trade out again. This team needs some impact players in the worst way and they need them now. I don't think trading down and accumulating any 3rd, 4th and 5th round picks does anything for the 2005 Cowboys.

There should be a different philosophy heading into this draft for Coach Parcells and Mr. Jones. Going into last year's draft the Cowboys were coming off a successful 2003 campaign where the team was headed in the right direction, or so it seemed. After a dismal 6-10 record last season I think both of these guys must feel like the time is now, and I mean right now, to get this team back on the winning track!

Now granted, after all was said and done the Julius Jones deal was considered genius by many. The Cowboys wound up with a quality running back and a first round selection this year, but I don't think the Cowboys can afford to take the chance that this will happen two years in a row. Not after so many unsuccessful drafts in recent years and the fact that other than Jones the 2004 draft wasn't so great.

Last season's draft might even be considered an incomplete if anyone was grading the performance of the players chosen. The second round pick, Right Tackle Jacob Rogers, never got in one game and is now projected to back up Flozell Adams at left tackle. The 3rd and 4th round picks, Offensive Guard Stephen Peterman and Cornerback Bruce Thornton, never had a chance as both were sent to Injured Reserve with season ending knee injuries. Peterson was lost in preseason and Thornton went down in early in the season. The fifth round pick, Tight End Sean Ryan was on and off the roster a number of times and was a non factor. Here's the best part, all three seventh rounders made the team. Wide Receiver Patrick Crayton, and Cornerback's Nate Jones and Jacques Reeves were on the field for a number of games. They played like seventh rounders, but at least they contributed for Coach Parcells.

The Cowboys should go into the draft on April 23rd thinking about getting two first rounders that can contribute in 2005 and beyond. I say concentrate on the Defensive End and Safety position with the two first round picks. Maybe a Wide Receiver if USC's Mike Williams makes it anywhere near the 11th pick, not likely though. Take the rest of the draft to look for a Right Tackle and maybe a Linebacker. A lot of people are saying go after a back up running back, I don't think that is going to happen. A good backup runner may already be on the roster, Eric Bickerstaff or ReShard Lee will do an adequate job behind Jones. Besides, this team has enough holes that at no point should they be looking for quality backups at any position.

Wouldn't it be something if the Cowboys shocked the world and traded up in the draft for a guy like Mike Williams or the Linebacker from Texas, Derrick Johnson. We all know how much Coach Parcells and Mr. Jones hate losing, so this may be the year us Cowboy fans are dropping our jaws come draft day.

See ya all next week, Go Cowboys!