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2020-2021 Offseason:
Post-Selection Follow Up And Other Revelations
May 7,
2021 At 11:23 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf-
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The stage was set. Each prognosticator (from pro flair to armchair)
had a heavily-researched bet. 32 “war rooms” were locked and loaded.
Fans would soon find out which organizations were prepared with
adjustable visions (to avoid comfortable, lazy decisions) and which
were determined to remain outmoded.
“The Tortured Cowboys Fan” – not too unlike so many others – had a
handful of “best player available” candidates in mind when imagining
how best the Dallas Cowboys could peel the first-round rind. They
could have gone with (A) yet ANOTHER explosive offensive weapon, (B)
yet ANOTHER offensive protector to reduce the risk to
their new
$166M man, or (C) a new defender to replace at least one ruinous
roster pretender.
EVERY possibility for “America’s Team” (from pure fantasy to
sobering reality) was still in play in the NFL Draft of 2021 until the
fourth pick in round one. After the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York
Jets, and San Francisco 49ers chose three consecutive quarterbacks
(Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, BYU's Zach Wilson, and North Dakota
State's Trey Lance, respectively), the Atlanta Falcons targeted none
other than tight end extraordinaire Kyle Pitts out of University of
Florida so, sooo selectively.
GM Jerry was not the only person on Earth “infatuated” with the
multi-talented tight end. “Everyone” – from excited fans to
horrified haters – was envisioning a Cowboys offense that may, MAY
have become truly unstoppable with one of Florida’s former gators.
So, with the first pipe dream having quickly lost its steam, the
next potential BPA was University of Oregon offensive tackle Penei
Sewell. 100% blind faith in a revitalized “Great Wall Of Dallas” –
powered by recently-repaired tackles Tyron Smith and La’el Collins –
would only be granted by a myopic fool. While a former Cowboys
strength could come righteously roaring back, “hopes and prayers”
for a return of that wall’s former glory will not be quite enough to
consistently protect high-dollar Dak.
The Cincinnati Bengals (who desperately needed to restock their
offensive line to help prevent their second-year star quarterback
from breaking his spine) were expected to take their shot from the
5th spot but inexplicably passed on Sewell for a certain LSU wide
receiver over which many teams did, indeed, drool. The Miami Dolphins (who
had vertical game concerns) also aimed with the 6th pick for a
particularly-shifty University of Alabama receiver known to leave
defensive backs with terrible turf burns. Just when it seemed Sewell might
actually slide another step down the first-round ladder (with The
Tortured Cowboys Fan slowly giggling like the Mad Hatter), the Detroit
Lions with the 7th pick effectively told Cowboys Nation to slow
their roll with Sewell anticipation. That was the second Cowboys fantasy
pick that failed to click.
Northwestern University offensive tackle Rashawn Slater was still,
STILL on the board, and such an alleged overcorrection of “The
(Once) Great Wall Of Dallas” would have been adored. Though the
Cowboys first pick was close enough for Cowboys Nation to
frenetically shout, Dallas (with multiple defensive options right
around the “corner”) chose to be patient and let it play out.
After (a mighty untimely) back surgery altered the trajectory of
Virginia Tech defensive back Caleb Farley, University of South
Carolina defensive back Jaycee “Son Of Joe” Horn assumed the role
for which his father believed he was born. The Carolina Panthers
used the 8th pick of the first round to keep Horn’s feet planted
firmly on (North) Carolina ground. Yes, Horn was and is universally
viewed as perhaps too handsy to ring the self-control bell on a
defensive unit needed (let alone expected) to perform under a
low-penalty spell.
The Cowboys – and GM Jerry in particular – had already waited “THIS
long.” There was no reason to hastily trigger an accident, err,
decision so vehicular. It was now on the Denver Broncos (with the
9th overall selection) to make Dallas’ restraint right or prove them
horrifyingly wrong. The rumor mill had the Broncos determined to
move on from current starting quarterback Drew Lock, but Denver
drafting a QB (or trading with the Green Bay Packers for the
beyond-disgruntled Aaron Rodgers) was not quite carved in bedrock.
“With the 9th pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos select
Pat Surtain, Jr., defensive back, Alabama,” said NFL Commissioner
Roger Goodell (followed by a sizeable, Surtain-seeking segment of
Cowboys Nation collectively yelling “GO TO HELL!”).
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“I felt a great disturbance in the 2021 NFL Draft, as if millions of
anticipant voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly
silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.” – Every Cowboys
fan expecting Dallas to trade up and sacrifice whatever it took to
secure a highly-prized first-round rook’ (rather than indulging a
perceived trade-back dead end).
America’s Team would eagerly go all-in on “the highest-rated
defensive player in the draft” back in 2012. GM Jerry traded up to
the sixth spot in the first round for the (leaguewide-recognized)
best shutdown corner “since Deion Sanders” (around which a solid
secondary then-defensive-coordinator Rob Ryan and
then-secondary-coach Jerome Henderson could hopefully, mercifully
craft). Yes, even ESPN “NFL Draft Experts” Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay
were onboard in the belief Morris Claiborne could have his way.
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While initial fear was allayed over a preseason wrist surgery that
was delayed, there were unrelated and unrelenting injuries spanning
his five-year Dallas career which turned Claiborne into a
disappointment whom the Cowboys ultimately, permanently had to
shelve. “And, AND” it turned out that (Claiborne’s suggested
disinterest or agent-claimed learning disability) producing a score
of 4 out of 50 on the Wonderlic (Contemporary Cognitive Ability
Test) – where "20" represents average intelligence – made little
difference.
Claiborne was the highest-rated, highest-drafted defensive back by
the Dallas Cowboys since Terence Newman was selected in 2003 at the
5th overall spot (though Newman played much, MUCH longer before his own abilities were determined to have been officially shot).
Nonetheless (before we further digress), the Cowboys were finally on
the clock. Tick tock, tick tock. TE Kyle Pitts, OT Penei Sewell, DB
Jaycee Horn, and DB Patrick Surtain II had all been selected. GM
Jerry and son Stephen were well into plan B of their day-one
strategy before too many splash-centric fans could start feeling
dejected.
“The Dallas Cowboys have traded the 10th pick to the Philadelphia
Eagles.” – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (followed by some but not
all members of Cowboys Nation screaming “Sleeping, err, trading with
the enemy SHOULD BE ILLEGAL!”).
“The Cowboys seemingly traded down from 10 to Philly’s 12 with
little concern and ONLY received the Eagles’ third-round pick in
return?!” you howl (wondering how on “Wheel Of Misfortune” Dallas
could not buy at least ONE MORE vowel before throwing in the
negotiation towel).
“What on Earth happened to ALL THOSE ‘REPORTED’ PHONE CALLS?!” you
demand (ignoring how – depending on the “NFL Draft Value Chart” and
which particular players were still available to 10 – things did not
go as greedily planned). All those would-be trade partners needed to be
within closer reach of more than one long-gone target in order for
Dallas to broaden their trade-back market. Thus, dreams of desperate
teams stumbling over each other to offer a treasure trove of draft
choices for the Cowboys’ first pick simply did not stick.
“B-BUT they let Philly draft stud wide receiver DeVonta Smith out of
Alabama!” you continue to vent (perhaps forgetting the Eagles still
need to rebuild their offensive line before their passing game can
generate consistent stamina and to prevent their quarterback Jalen
Hurts from becoming irreversibly bent).
“Another perpetually-mismanaged team” – the Chicago Bears – would
set off fantasy flairs when they traded up to 11 for Ohio State’s
Justin Fields, their very latest quarterback of the future. As with
the Eagles, if the Bears cannot improve their offensive line,
momentarily-excited fans will simply turn to each other and say: “As
you (miserably) were.”
America’s Team – one again – was on the clock, but Dallas was ready
to rock. There would be no delay as they made their play.
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“Oh, my GAWD! HOW ‘BOUT THEM COWBOYS! Whoooooooooo! Whooo! And with
the 12th pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Micah
Parsons, linebacker, Penn State!” said Kinikia Burdine, U.S. Army
veteran (momentarily assuming the identify of Drew Pearson and
daring local boo birds to take the bait). Parsons himself strolled
onto the elevated runway that led to Commissioner Goodell and
proceeded to jump into his arms soon after (playfully unconcerned
that his own relatively-robust 22-year-old frame being supported by the
comparatively-corpulent 62-year-old
league administrator might set off blood pressure alarms).
Thankfully, their embrace did not send Goodell to the hereafter, and
they averted a nationally-televised disaster.
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A player like Parsons was EXACTLY what the Dallas Cowboys needed to
restock (yet another) position so key (now, permanently without the
perpetually-injured Sean Lee). Dallas desperately required an
otherwise HEALTHY, new, prototypical linebacker to groom, with but
the mentally unreliable (?) Jaylon Smith and the physically
unreliable Leighton Vander Esch filling out two of three starting
roles in their rather brutal linebacker room. He ran a 4.39 40-yard
dash and amassed 192 tackles in 26 games. Add in 6.5 sacks, 19
tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, along with five pass
deflections, and Parsons is just the type of multi-role defender to
(reasonably and realistically) force some of the best offensive play
designs to go up in flames.
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“And yet, AND YET” there remained a noticeable sector of Cowboys
Nation behaving like a certain “Lost in Space” actor shouting “Oh,
the PAIN! We’re doomed! DOOMED!” They were still, STILL in shock
over not seeing their favorite team make a splashy trade-up for a
talented corner pup (to help improve a 2020 secondary that could
best be described as “exhumed”).
The Tortured Cowboys Fan stopped chasing “the sparkly” decades ago
in favor of shoring up the primary and secondary lines that help a(n
offensive or defensive) unit get up and GO. Build (or rebuild) from
the (bedrock) inside (to the splashy) out, and then fans will have
something about which they can positively shout.-
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While there was no
player at defensive end or nose tackle who had the first-round grade
to make a QB’s bones crackle, there still was Parsons. If a
ball-carrier (once again and easily) escaped the grasp of the
Cowboys’ defensive line, and the Dallas secondary was too busy
chasing receivers downfield to mind, Parsons is the promising,
sideline-to-sideline, diagnosing Doberman and triangulating terror
to ensure not ALL Dallas linebackers are too physically limited or
in a mental bind.
“B-BUT, dude! He is so screwed! Parsons opted out of the 2020
season, and that is like preparatory treason!” you insist (believing
there will be a BIG price to be paid for all the senior year games
he missed). While you would be hard pressed to find any NFL
“decider” who did not pause at the idea of selecting a player based
upon year-old information, and though GM Jerry conveyed his belief
that opt out draftees are "compromised," he also indicated it
ultimately did not impact his rationalization.
“What if, WHAT IF he suffers the curse of (former Cincinnati Bengals
running back) Ki-Jana Carter?!” you shriek (about the Cowboys’
latest penciled-in starter) as your anxiety level nears its peak
(seriously expecting a rusty Parsons to make it but three plays into
his first preseason game before suffering a horrible injury just the
same). Fans have no choice but to hope “the highest-rated defensive
player in the draft” in 2021 can, indeed, return to his 2019
physique and remain healthy enough in his rookie year to get it
done.
“OK. Ok. Ok. What if Parsons’ past as an alleged, key
hazing participant in
a 2020 lawsuit – in which he was held in ill repute by a
former Penn
State teammate – should somehow negatively impact the
Cowboys’ future fate?” you suggest in the style of Leo Getz. There
was a darkly-comedic number of (robotic) denials and no charges were
filed. The “Second Chance Duo” of GM Jerry and son Stephen have
clearly placed their bets (and “up to 11” their expectations have
been dialed).-
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Parsons represents the Cowboys’ latest attempt to give their defense
a sturdier cap with some hoped-for linebacker heaven into which they
can tap.
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The Tortured Cowboys Fan admittedly, naively hoped – following a
fan-debated first selection – that Dallas might (attempt to) trade
back into the bottom half of the first round with the goal of
acquiring the second-highest graded offensive tackle (to make “The
Great Wall Of Dallas” more sound with some invaluable HEALTH,
refined technique, solid run-blocking, and promising pass
protection). The Los Angeles Chargers – (with their own offensive
line woes and) picking at 13 – made the greedy vision of
Northwestern University offensive tackle Rashawn Slater wearing a
Dallas Cowboys’ uniform quickly careen into a “too late” ravine.
The Dallas Cowboys did the only (?) thing they seemingly could have
done (at pick 44 in round two) by picking “you know who,” err,
Kentucky defensive back Kelvin Joseph to fulfill what practically
EVERYONE expected them to do with selection number one.
“B-BUT they passed up on so many other cornerbacks and safeties . .
. SAFETIES who were graded higher!” you exhaustedly wheeze (as if
your lungs were on fire). YES, Yes, yes, the Cowboys could have
attempted to trade up and nab any of the following (or remained
persistent with the hopes that one or more of them would slip to
give their patience a less-hollow ring):
Round 2 – Pick 22 – Tennessee Titans – Caleb Farley, DB, Virginia
Tech (whose 2017 torn ACL and 2020 back condition, err, surgery may
convince all but a few risk-taking teams to believe his injury
history could eventually become a wreck).
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Round 2 – Pick 26 – Cleveland Browns – Greg Newsome II, DB,
Northwestern University.
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Round 2 – Pick 29 – Green Bay Packers – Eric Stokes, DB, University
of Georgia.
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Round 2 – Pick 33 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Tyson Campbell, DB,
University of Georgia.
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Round 2 – Pick 36 – Miami Dolphins – Jevon Holland, SAF, University
of Oregon.
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Round 2 – Pick 40 – Atlanta Falcons – Richie Grant, SAF, University
of Central Florida.
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Round 2 – Pick 43 – Las Vegas Raiders – Trevon Moehrig, SAF, TCU.
Being THAT close to selecting Moehrig – the top-rated
strong-and-free safety hybrid in many NFL circles – was potentially
so big. “But, BUT” the Dallas Cowboys chose that guy from Kentucky.
Time will soon tell if they were fortunate with a player so plucky
or deservedly (?) unlucky.
Joseph was suspended from LSU in 2019 due to a violation of "team
rules,” right before their bowl game (for more-than-allegedly
attending a party with other violating teammates, err, fools). An
avoidable shame. An ego-bruised (?) Joseph decided to enter the NCAA
transfer portal, but he later committed to playing in LSU's spring
games and reversed course. He would change his tune once more that
summer, re-enter the portal, and transfer to Kentucky to make
official the will-he-or-won't-he divorce. Joseph would then opt out
of Kentucky's final game of the 2020 season for a seemingly strange
reason.
“He came in and visited with me after my press conference today.
Kelvin, he’s a good young man, and I appreciate what he did for us.
He just didn’t, I don’t know how to phrase it. He didn’t really want
to opt out, but he didn’t want to play this week . . . I can’t just
have him out there standing around saying, ‘I’m not playing in this
game.’ That’s not how we’re going to do this at Kentucky.” –
Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops (bewilderedly describing a
situation with a player who – with but two games remaining and an
NFL future gaining – suddenly did not give two poops or wanted to be
among the healthy-scratch troops).
Neither the coaching staff at LSU nor Kentucky were sad to see (the
undeniably-talented) Joseph was no longer a member of their
respective teams, as was widely reported. Nothing to deny and
seemingly undistorted.
While Joseph does not (initially) appear to be another impulsive
penalty-magnet like current Cowboy Rashard Robinson (who upon returning from his
two-game PED suspension may be in for more journeyman free agent
fun), the Cowboys’ newest defensive wingman (with 4.34-second
40-yard speed, loads of confidence, and hawkish hands to deflect or
intercept all he can) should have plenty of training camp and
preseason opportunities to become a significant piece of Dan Quinn’s
plan. [Pending Preseason Competition] Pairing Joseph with
second-year stud Trevon Diggs could convert the Cowboys’ secondary
into rarely-seen turnover pigs.
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The marshmallow middle of Dallas’ defensive line – again and again –
has been a morbidly-sore subject over which both prognosticators and
fans have continued to vehemently object. If your defensive line
resembles the soft center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop, your
defense faces a domino effect in which your edge rushers,
linebackers, safeties, and corners often consecutively struggle to
stop opponent after opponent from figuring out how few licks it
takes before their offenses begin to productively pop. At some point
during free agency, the draft, training camp, or preseason, the
Cowboys had to try (ever harder) to address defensive tackle for
every conceivable reason. And – with a “middle man” target for which
they have been in the market – Dallas selected UCLA’s Osa Odighizuwa
(pronounced Oh-sa Oh-diggy-zoo-wa) to help them make more opposing
ground games look like BLAH.
While the 6’2” project-like “Diggy” is oddly similar in stature to
Antwaun “Odd Man Out Of The” Woods, his collegiate results suggest
greater reliability (in healthy availability) and productivity in
tormenting anyone – from quarterback to running back – determined to
generate a positive yield from the offensive backfield.
Being the top-ranked high school heavyweight wrestler in the nation
helped pave his way to UCLA. Being a three-time state champion in
Oregon with 131 CONSECUTIVE victories certainly did not hurt his pro
football trajectory. One might even suggest that leverage is Diggy's
preferred beverage.
“Zoo” – and his menagerie of wrestling moves – joins 2019
second-rounder Trysten Hill (still recovering from his 2020 ACL
spill?) and 2020 third-rounder Neville Gallimore (along with free
agent additions Carlos Watkins and Brent Urban) to see if they can
collectively find and maintain some defensive tackle grooves.
As with Dallas’ first two picks, there were other options which
would have forced them to engage in some trade-up tricks.
Round 2 – Pick 38 – New England Patriots – Christian Barmore, DT,
Alabama.
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Round 3 – Pick 72 – Detroit Lions – Alim McNeill, DT, NC State.
“But, BUT” Dallas was determined to stick with a plan of
“materializing more without sacrificing (much of anything) to
score.”
Diggy (the brother of former UCLA and NFL defensive lineman for the
New York Giants, Owa Odighizuwa) is a familiarly-odd combination of
size, athletic skill, and relentless motor that perhaps, PERHAPS
translates into a smaller version of former Cowboys Jay Ratliff and
Tyrone Crawford (who were – of course – routinely viewed as
undersized in the 4-3 before their high-motor efforts became more
realized). Then, again, Quinn’s goal for Diggy could be more in-line
with former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, or a
more recent, still-active example in Atlanta Falcons defensive
tackle Grady Jarrett (if he should so dare it). No matter his
assigned or preferred learning model, there is no room to doddle.
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If it is, indeed, true that the very best teams (re)build from the
inside out, then after defensive tackle, Dallas was not wrong for
adding a defense end (with no guarantee of DeMarcus “Tank” Lawrence
returning to being even remotely 2017 or 2018 stout). This extra
third round pick – as a result of the first-round trade with
Philadelphia – will hopefully stick to make the Cowboys’ defensive
line rotation healthia’ and perhaps impactfully wealthia’. While
project-esque Chauncey Golston is not known for great strength or
speed, it could be his long arms, large hands, and relentless motor
which help him reliably perform the containment, tackling, and
sacking deed.
Though Dan Quinn (like former Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Rod
Marinelli) believes the more capable and rotational pass-rushers the
merrier, a defensive line “room” already jam-packed with DeMarcus
Lawrence, Randy Gregory, Brent Urban, Tarell Basham,
and Dorance Armstrong, as well as the still-shrink-wrapped,
second-year player Bradlee
Anae should (ideally) make for critical competition resulting in a
stronger interior and edge rushers no longer inferior. Add in both
Micah Parsons and – GASP – Jaylon Smith coming off the edge from the
Lawrence Taylor / “Elephant” position and surviving to the final-53
could be quite the battle royale mission. If Golston can make it
(while escaping rookie injuries that would break it), he will not have been
given the chance to fake it.
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During his time with the Seahawks, Dan Quinn had at his disposal
long and lanky ballhawks. He had 6’3” cornerback Richard Sherman and
6’4” cornerback Brandon Browner. Rounding out his defensive deluge
was 6’3” safety Kam Chancellor and 5’10” Earl Thomas (who always
played HUGE), conditioning opposing receivers to believe almost ever
route they ran would be a major downer.
While 6’4” Nahshon Wright fits Quinn’s preferred secondary profile,
Wright is more of a raw (hybrid corner / safety) project than even
the Cowboys have had in a while. He has the requisite nose to hall
in the 50 / 50 ball, but his ultra-thin frame requires more meat to
physically compete. YES, Yes, yes, Richard Sherman famously was a
fifth-round pick, but time will soon tell if tepid-tackling Nahshon
is doomed to smell or if he, too, takes to Quinn’s counseling
right-quick.
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While some believe Jabril Cox was the Cowboys’ original third-round
aim, it was in the fourth-round when they staked their second
linebacker claim. The former grade school quarterback turned
receiver turned linebacker turned defensive back neither let a torn
ACL – and the resultant waning interest by top division one schools
– nor a 2019 torn labrum in his shoulder dampen his determination to
eventually, methodically convert any remaining 2020 doubters into
2021 fools.
Though the multifaceted Cox looked and performed like a man among
boys at North Dakota State – and fit right in upon transferring to
LSU (where much greater expectations typically come true) – the
not-so-lofty (?) expectation in Dallas is that he will reinforce his
starting potential (so 2021 eventual?) rather than allow Cowboys
Nation watch yet another stud-turned-faulty linebacker lay mentally
or physically in state).
Aside from perhaps adding 10-20 pounds to better make the rounds, if
Dan Quinn can initially offer Cox schematic protection from a
consistent, collegiate inability to decipher misdirection – before
he can be coached towards reasonable correction – the Cowboys might
just have another desperately-needed dose of linebacker inspiration.
Just imagine – if you will (separate altogether from Keanu Neal with
his Darren Woodson-esque, hybrid linebacker appeal) – 6’3” 245lb Micah Parsons, 6’3” 231lb Jabril Cox, 6’2” 240lb Jaylon Smith, and 6’4” 255lb Leighton Vander
Esch delivering a (GASP) healthy, productive, and SIZEABLE thrill
for at least (or at most) ONE year. Here! HERE!
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“W-WHAT ABOUT the Cowboys being able to ESCAPE Jaylon’s base salary
for 2021?!” you anxiously inquire (knowing Dallas was under the gun
to perhaps jettison one “centerpiece” member of their two-headed
linebacking dumpster fire). The fifth day (March 21, 2021) of the
new league year – for better or worse – already came and went, thus,
Smith’s base salary will leave a guaranteed dent. Maybe Dan Quinn
can prevent GM Jerry from prematurely calling a hearse.
The more-than-potential reality, however, is that Dallas’
once-dynamic dream of “Van Jaylon” will be incredibly hard to keep
alive. GM Jerry may eventually tell 54 (through a brutal buyer’s
market trade or being cut-yet-still-paid) to “head out the door, as
your consecutive-season results have been pretty poor.” He may also
have to tell Vander Esch (unfortunately exposed without the adoption
of his fifth-year option) – in his best Sammy Hagar voice – that he
simply has no choice. “I can’t drive 55!”
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The Tortured Cowboys Fan has helped turn the health of the Cowboys’
offensive line into a subject of seriously snowballed concern. It
matters not – once again – if left tackle Tyron Smith and right
tackle La’el Collins have both been cleared to return to practice if
they end up being available on game day only every now and then.
Tyron (for as great as he has been and for as long as he has played
injured to avoid appearing a has-been) is closer to the end of his
career than the beginning, and even the remote possibility of the
Cowboys’ dismissing that fact would have one-and-all opposing
defenses absolutely grinning.
Thus – in the face of so many calls for Dallas to draft fresh
defensive blood before their 2020 unit sinks further into the mud –
they selected Marshall University offensive tackle Josh Ball and
drove discerning fans right up the wall! Ball represented the THIRD
time during the 2021 NFL draft that Dallas chose to grant
“questionable character with promising talent” a potential,
career-saving life raft.
While Ball was selected out of Marshall, it was only after he first
left Florida State University in 2018 from which he was suspended by
a school judicial panel after being found guilty of “dating
violence,” err, over 11 different incidents of DOMESTIC violence
involving a girlfriend. A November 2017 joint resolution keeps him
away from his victim and allows him to neither admit nor deny any
wrongdoing. Based upon the focus of post-draft media questions, he
will apparently be spending his NFL career insisting he has moved on
and continuously poo-pooing. Ohhhh, and there was yet ANOTHER
incident involving Ball and self-choking, but into this mess we
will no further digress.
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The Tortured Cowboys Fan (perhaps like others) sees Ball as someone
who (may have the moldable NFL skill to thrill but) is mentally
busted and (at least off the field) cannot be trusted. Ball is not
someone who has had trouble putting down the pipe, but he clearly
has had trouble being in the same room with an independent woman and
deciding NOT to swipe. The cut-your-losses preference is to see
someone like Ball suffer a “turn in your playbook” defeat, but he is
a better-than-average athlete with the requisite “nastiness” to
compete.
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More than a few teams made post-draft claims that Simi Fehoko
(pronounced Sih-mee Fay-ho-ko) was a big, fast guy on which they had
their collective, draft-weekend eye. He is prototypically-big, more
than acceptably-fast, and – with skill in the slot and an affinity
for the deep ball haul – he can more than give it the old college
try.
Fehoko has the height, weight, speed, and (somewhat-routine)
penchant for YAC pretty savage to deliver a 20+ yards-per-catch
average. Before he can begin making secondaries burn, the
(somewhat-raw) fit-and-finish on his skills (particular to
route-running, launch physicality off the line, boundary footwork,
and blocking) must go through a training camp and preseason churn.
An inability to expand beyond go routes could quickly place him on
the outs (at a roster position that did not urgently require his
acquisition).
Who knows? Maybe the cousin of former NFL tight end and H-back
Alfred Pupunu will get the opportunity to treat Cowboys Nation to a
similar touchdown celebration (taking the football and pretending to
twist off the top of a coconut to immense crowd elation). Perhaps
even more impossibly-sinister would be Fehoko’s accelerated
development – GASP – resulting in Michael “Contract Year” Gallup’s
diminished involvement.
“WHAT?! You want to encourage Michael to Gallup out of town?! you
scream (assuming The Tortured Cowboys Fan is willfully jinxing
Dallas’ three-headed, wide receiving monster dream). Nope! Not at
all “BUT, But” the Cowboys could, should, and would potentially have
a promising replacement coming along if Gallup ends up commanding an
impossible new-contract haul. If the needs-depth-and-improvement
Cowboys – or ANY team claiming to have mastered the forward-thinking
theme – cannot look more than two inches in front of their
collective face, then they deserve to continue stumbling all over
the place.
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As with “a few” of the Cowboys’ other picks over which fans may
continue to object, Quinton “Big Bo” Bohanna is perhaps at most a
one-technique, defensive line project. He is a rather heavy dude
with a wide body best described as shapelessly-crude. Big Bo may be
two inches taller and (relatively) two pounds heavier than former
zero-technique defensive tackle and two-time Super Bowl champion
Vince Wilfork, but it might be the ultimate Dan Quinn victory to get
Bohanna to generate similar A-gap torque. If he can occupy the
meddlesome middle, (healthy and available) Cowboys’ linebackers
might accomplish more than a little.
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While the Cowboys CHOSE not to display trade-up aggression in
attempting to draft the likes of (Patrick Surtain or) Jaycee Horn,
it was over his far-less-expensive South Carolina playing partner
that they were less torn. Israel Mukuamu is a comparatively a
project, but his 6’4” height and condor-like 34-inch wingspan are
mailable materials over which the size-sensitive Dan Quinn will
rarely object. Mukuamu has spent time at both cornerback and safety
(which could make his pending NFL career rather lengthy). He is yet
another player to have opted out of part or all of the 2020, but
Dallas (as with Parsons and Joseph) expects his health and
availability to be sunny (rather than preseason punished and
horribly stiff). Israel’s coached-up, opportunistic potential has a
gleam (especially against tight ends down the seam), and Quinn’s
preferred Cover 3 may, MAY position him to be right on the money.
Mukuamu could perform like former 6’3” Cowboys’ safety Michael Downs
– pretty darn good to sometimes great – or Israel could suffer a
6’5” Pat Watkins-esque fate.
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Matt Farniok – the second of two offensive linemen Dallas found
selectable – brings the cherished experience of being rather
flexible. Though simply succeeding as ANY category of offensive
lineman in the NFL can be hard, Matt spent his college career
more-than-reasonably playing right tackle, center, AND guard. He has
the ability to play schemes in both zone and gap, thus, having a
better chance to bypass some college-to-NFL hurdles or avoid THE
mental trap.
Pending the health (questionable until proven otherwise) of the
Cowboys’ existing tackle guys, fans should expect Farniok to be more
of a guard and center lock. “And, AND” depending upon your
perspective, the (current) lack of (Joe) Looney and the presence of
still-unproven Tyler Biadasz is reason enough to keep Farniok on
interior line alert if early season center results begin to hurt.
Farniok’s natural leadership skill is also not-at-all a bad thing to
have in (just?) a role player that typically does not sport looks
that kill. Deploying the now-former, two-time captain of Nebraska
should do wonders at a position where second and third stringers
more often than not go deer-in-the-headlights DUH!
“WHA?! You seem determined to needle practically EVERYONE before
your draft review is done!” you ‘fess up so flabbergasted. Though
“practice makes perfect,” it does not prevent a(n
opponent-triggered) game day defect that gets your quarterback
blasted. The starting members of the offensive line are ALL on
notice to prove they can reasonably survive 17 regular season games
without their reliability becoming tragically bogus. Yes, backups
are included, as it is in quality DEPTH where the Cowboys’ deepest
o-line problems are rooted.
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Good Quote Or Bad Bloat?
"We couldn't be more pleased that the emphasis of the
draft and the side of the ball that we're addressing in the draft is
working out for us, and that's our defensive players." – GM Jerry
(who, along with son Stephen, allowed America’s Team to answer the
prayers of many within Cowboys Nation who for years had been
screaming for more defense quite clearly). One might even say the
Coneheads got their way (in consuming mass quantities to better
overcome defensive deficiencies).
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“B-BUT what happens when the offensive line – once again – goes into
untimely decline?!” you understandably spasm (knowing that a
desperately-improved defense will not be enough to better-support
another 2020-esque offensive line chasm).
While The Tortured Cowboys Fan was (again) among the staunch
minority in wanting to spend Dallas’ first 2021 draft pick on a new,
eventually, and expectedly-potent offensive tackle – rather than
waiting for the newly-healed Tyron Smith to reestablish his
(former?) awesome seniority, GM Jerry and Co. believed they could
both satiate the ENORMOUS need on defense while (brazenly?) testing
their hopes and prayers that Tyron (at minimum) will need no more
than some lite mid-to-late season spackle.
Otherwise, the Cowboys’ roster collection at this time of year – and
that of EVERY NFL team – currently conveys a John Wick theme, along
with a Viggo Tarasov bent to those fans who still wish to vent
(until one or more draft weekend darlings officially make at least a
week one, 53-man dent).
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Cowboys Nation – as has ALWAYS been the case – can only collectively
sit back (in person during training camp in Oxnard, California, or
during preseason in Frisco, Texas at The Star, or more likely on
social media), while providing (awesome or alarmist) armchair
prognostication, and anxiously watch (what they hope is a HEALTHY
and heated) competition unfold.
Players – from beginners to long-time veterans – can only perform
and hope the training camp / preseason “Turk” does not approach them
with the Grim Reapers’ scythe while wearing an extremely-tight-fitting
tee-shirt that reads: “On your results, coach is simply unsold.”
But WAIT, There Is Still MORE IN STORE!
The draft is where most teams go for premium, (immediately or
eventually) day-one-starter value, but the undrafted free agent
“after party” is where teams then go (like truly “classy” shoppers
on “Black Friday”) to fill their hidden treasures or special teams
queue.
If fans think confidently turning in your made-to-order draft card
(versus potentially inviting trade suitors into your yard) against a
10-minute clock creates some serious anxiety, consider all the
undrafted free agents whom already-exhausted representatives from
each team are feverishly calling with maximum urgency. The moment
“Mr. Irrelevant” was selected, teams changed directions to
aggressively pursue their undrafted free agent reflections.
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Ponder none other than Tony Romo – “That Announcer Guy” – and how
aggressively he was pursued on-the-fly. Tony was – in 2003 – at the
center of the “Eastern Illinois Triangle” that Dallas nearly failed
to wrangle. Just imagine if fellow Eastern Illinois alum Sean Payton
failed to convince Romo to accept a $15,000.00 bonus from Dallas to
officially sign. The Denver Broncos (with another Eastern Illinois
alum in Mike Shanahan) were waiting with $25,000.00 of their own on
the other line.
And it is with THAT possibility of a pittance payout that one and
all teams aggressively attempt to nab any and every draft-worthy
player who was (perhaps mistakenly) left out. Though some (but not
all) members of Cowboys Nation love, LOVE to spout how “there is no
such thing as salary cap hell,” the NFL team owners’ purposeful,
artificial limiter annually encourages one or more of the league’s
big spenders to be more of an even-handed distributor.
The more unpolished gems a team can find and (re)condition into a
player whom everyone wished they would have signed, the more a
team’s money becomes free from their own high(er)-priced players and
a future salary cap bind. “And, AND” Dallas is “just a bit” under
the forward-planning gun with 34 players entering a contract year in
2021.
"And, AND, AAAAAAAND" of the 11 veteran free agents Dallas
previously signed (at the very least) to compete within their Oxnard
training camp tenement, only ONE of them was signed to more than a
one-year commitment. A key few of those players – of course – have
"bet on themselves" and a one-year, by-design, greener-pastures
divorce (no matter how enjoyable and successful Dan Quinn proves to
be as a defensive coaching source?). They (health and performance
pending) are expecting other teams to step up in 2022 with
post-pandemic offers far more significant (perhaps making the vision
of those key additions remaining past 2021 into rather wishful
sentiment). Even with Cowboys Nation always focused on the here and
now (and how), the Dallas Cowboys – by every reasonable measure –
must consistently "think about the future."-
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“Well, WHO are the latest, previously-overlooked beneficiaries of
the Cowboys’ after party decisions?!” you eagerly inquire (imagining
undrafted steal after steal with sugar plum visions).
Dallas is in the “timely” process of “collecting autographs” from
between 10 and 15 of these potential diamonds in the rough. These
would-be-star-spangled-studs must be prepared to make competition
for too few opportunities mighty tough. All 32 NFL teams are facing
an immediate training camp limit of 90 roster spots,
all-but-ensuring the nerves of at-risk players will be tied into
knots. This is something the recently re-signed (and now-cut)
Antwaun Woods understood can “sometimes” be not so good.
Who Will Have The Back Of Dak?
Not-so-surprisingly-absent from the Cowboys’ initial post-draft
craft was any public pursuit of the quarterback who would reasonably
keep Dallas’ offense on track in the absence of Dak. The retirement
of “2020 NFL Comeback Player Of The Year” Alex Smith – along with
the signing of fellow journeyman Colt McCoy by Arizona – meant at
least two potential free agent targets are not available to fit the
Cowboys’ highly-desired backup QB persona.
Until scientists can clone former, sturdy, comfortable, and
confident Miami Dolphins quarterback Don Strock, most teams will
continue struggling to take backup QB stock. Mike McCarthy’s own
historically-consistent challenges (outside of a “Matt Flynn
Moment”) finding-and-developing such quarterbacking players towards
being reasonably able to answer “next man up” prayers unnecessarily
add to Dallas’ offensive layers.
What was that? “What about Andy Dalton?!” He intermittently
performed (behind an incomplete offensive line that eventually began
to settle down) like a high-priced QB (trying to repair a reputation
that when times get tough, he begins to drown). He looked so pleasin’
against the Minnesota Vikings earlier in the regular season, but
when faced with a 2020, week 17, win-and-potentially-get-in against the New York
Giants, Andy reverted to his red-headed defiance and could not avoid
some Cincinnati-style double-faultin’.
What was that? “What about former McCarthy student Brett Hundley?”
He gagged during his big day in Green Bay, and only the Packers’
division rivals thought it was remotely funny. What was that? “Yeah,
remember Louisville star Brian Brohm?” Yup. His gaudy college stats
could not translate to the pro game, and he should have simply
stayed home.
What was that? "W-What [giggle], what about [UNCONTROLLED LAUGHTER]
. . . Ben DiNucci?!" What about him? His future – without some
serious improvement on his mechanics – will only lead to (both fans
AND coaches enduring) more panics.
What was that? "What about Garrett Gilbert?!"
For ONE game against
an ailing, misfiring Pittsburgh Steelers team, the journeyman QB
played his heart out and – though Dallas narrowly lost – his effort
and moxie ensured that failure did not so-painfully hurt. GG
deserves a solid chance to win the backup QB competitive dance.
What was that? "What about Cooper Rush?" After a rookie year
preseason, deep-ball tease, Rush remains Jason Garrett's
underdeveloped legacy mush, scratchin' flees.
What was that? “What about Jeff Driskel?” A journeyman who
(outside
of an admirable 2019 performance by he against Big-D) has been just
a bit better than dismal.
What was that? “What about Robert Griffin III?” His spot duty in
Baltimore – even since escaping his nightmare experience in
Washington (where RG3 and his wounded knee appeared all-but-done) –
has smelled more like a rose and less like a turd. And yet, AND YET,
RG3’s greatest moments of pro football success (including being the
2012 NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year to be clear) have simply not
been as a Dallas-preferred 3P (Prescott-esque Pocket Passer) or
hadn’t you heard?
While it is laughably true that the role of backup QB – since the
NFL’s adoption of a cap on salary – has (by design) been a victim of
the league’s cherished yearly parody (versus a return to the days of
Joe Montana backed up by Steve Young hilarity), the Cowboys (with a
still-questionable offensive line and a perhaps a
purposely-less-mobile Dak Prescott) must aggressively continue
giving retreads and late-round draftees their offseason / preseason
shot.
Will They Or Won’t They?
Now that America’s Team has made the selection of their latest
youth-movement injection, will the majority of these defensive picks
bring much-needed performance correction or suffer final-cut
rejection?
Will each newly-drafted-but-unsigned player make it safely through
the front entrance of The Star before suffering an inexplicable
injury with a hopeful 2021 season still to mar? They could but will
they manage to escape the Cowboys’ communicable condition of balsa
wood?
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Will fans have to wait for the ever-present roster churn before they
learn who will maneuver themselves into the best position to earn
(quality playing time and money to burn)?
Will Dan Quinn be able to blend the old with the new and produce a
better-than-average defensive stew? YES, he absolutely can, but will
all his ingredients stick to the plan?
Will each player’s best ability remain his availability (followed by
visual acuity, mental stability, system adoptability, coachability,
and serviceability)? YES, sadly, availability is in ever-shortening
supply these days, but will the Dallas Cowboys suddenly enjoy a
change in their injury ways?
We shall see. We always do.
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