Cowboys - Draft and the future

So the draft has come to a close, and the pundits are screaming for the heads of Jerry Jones and his Dallas Cowboys. Many criticize Jones pick of Arkansas running back Felix Jones - and for what? The Cowboys moved well during draft day, gathering up some extra picks while addressing needs in the secondary and the backfield. While some say the Illinois running back we passed on may turn out to be a slam dunk in the NFL, the fact is he was a mirror image of Dallas' own Marion Barber - a tough nosed runner without breakaway speed. Jones brings instant speed to a team that, for all its offensive output in 2007, lacked just that down the stretch. Barber is a great runner, who can be the #1 guy in Dallas, but the reality is he never breaks out into the open field. Felix Jones did this continuosly in Fayettville, finishing in the top 5 in yards per carry in NCAA history last year (8.7 y/carry). The potential for a potent one-two punch with Barber breaking down the D with his pounding style and Jones running away from a worn down defense should excite any Cowboys fan.

Further, through trades, the Cowboys have positioned themselves to make a run at a veteran reciever who can be ready to contribute to the team this year. Folks screamed bloody murder that Dallas didn't address the need for a compliment to T.O. in this year's draft. However, if you look at the pool of candidates, there didn't appear to be a breakout star readly to come in and start right away who could outdo the performance of even Patrick Crayton last year (50 catches with 7 TDs). No doubt armed with this knowledge, Jerry and Co. went out to stockpile a few extra picks in next year's 2009 draft in what appears an attempt to make a run at eiher Roy Williams, Chad Johnson, or Anquan Boldin.

For me, I'm all about Williams. This is the tall reciever who has shown he can go up and get it in the red zone, which would be a welcome addition to a team stuck on finding only Jason Witten when they get close to the endzone. However, any of the three would vault the Cowboys to Patriots level insofar as talent alone goes. There are those out there who are terrified of Chad Johnson. Based on my previous post regarding Pacman Jones, you can safely assume I am not one of them.

So back off national media. The Cowboys may have pulled off the coup of the offseason, should we find out that Jones and his boys have been able to add speed in the backfield, speed in the return and special teams play, a top tier corner in the secondary, and perhaps a top 5 elite reciever to line up alongside T.O.

"We make free throws when we need them"

Sitting here, as Kansas just made their OT steal for the first points of the extra frame, I'm reminded of what Memphis head coach John Calipari said heading into this year's NCAA basketball tourney. Regarding his Tigers apparent inability to make free throws, Calipari claimed his boys would make them when they needed them. Well, with about 2 minutes to go tonight in the most important game of their careers, the Tigers needed them, and hardly made any. Down the stretch, Memphis missed 4 of their last 5 important shots from the charity stripe. Apparently, Coach Cal, you needed them tonight...

P.S. Kansas just dunked all over the thugs from Memphis. And white guys from Kansas celebrate really funny.

Check in tomorrow to make sure the Jayhawks stay ahead...