2012 Post Draft Thoughts

With the 2012 draft behind us and young athletes dreams having been realized; I thought it was time for the SportsT4nk to storm back onto the scene with some judgements and considerations.

First, we must address the obvious: The Cowboys.

Long story short; I give them a draft grade of B.  I never thought they would draft Morris Claiborne because I thought he would never be there at 14 and I never thought they would trade up 8 spots to get him, so he was not someone that I even considered as an addition to a very inept secondary.  Truth be told, I was clamoring for Mark Barron...you're welcome Tampon Bay!!!

Short story longer; I am a cautiously optimistic about this pick.  I think he has potential to be a great defensive back in this league for years to come, but "potential" never won me nothin.  "Potential" is merely an unopened beer; it wont tickle your taste buds and it sure wont get your drunk. 

It just concerns me slightly that they moved up 8 spots and gave up a second round pick to draft someone who is coming off wrist surgery, is wearing a cast on his hand as we speak, and wont even be able to participate in rookie training camp which opens up this weekend.  He likely wont even be able to participate until the full training camp opens this July.  Not to mention, the Wonderlic test.  Do I care that the kid got a 4 on the test?  NO!  No, I do not.  Not at all.  What does concern me is the fact that he said to himself, "Well, I know I am expected to take this test along with every other rookie prospect, but i don't feel like it.  Nah.  It doesn't ask one football question and it says NOTHING about who I am nor how I play football so I don't think I'm gonna take this stupid-ass test."  Now, not that I think the Wonderlic is important, but its the "attitude" he has that made him decide not to put forth any effort that concerns me.

I feel that very attitude translates to not wanting to study game film.  Not wanting to participate in team meetings.  And, eventually not wanting to listen to coaches because he feels he is 'Above the Law.'  I don't know that this will be how he carries himself as a professional football player, but in my best estimation this is definite cause for concern.  Especially, when the all-too-egotistical and "lazy" Dez Bryant sits in the same locker room.  Do me a favor Jason Garrett, don't put their lockers beside each other and don't let their pompous attitudes become a standard in your underachieving locker room.  Thanks!

In 2011 the Cowboys secondary couldn't cover a dead bug, but one other glaring issue was their overall attitude.  The team as whole seemed to have a sense of entitlement which was brought on by the high expectations of the fans, media,coaching staff, and the idiot owner.  I think they need high character guys who are concerned with putting forth effort, practicing hard, and maintaining a high level of conditioning while operating as a "team."

With all that said, THEREIN lies my cautious optimism with the #6 pick in this years draft.  God Speed, young Morris Claiborne....GOD SPEED, my son.  I'm rooting for you.

Other than the obvious BIG NAME pick in this years draft there were a few other guys that I am rather hopeful for.  One guy who was on my draft board that we actually took was Kyle Wilber from Wake Forest.  I like his size and he seems to fit well within the 3-4 scheme.  He isn't much of a pass rusher but he is a run stuffer and should be able to cover pretty well underneath.  I think he helps create a lot of competition at the linebacker position and he will hopefully have some production as a Cowboy.

I like the "value" we got with Safety Matt Johnson from Eastern Washington.  This guy is big, fast, and had 17 interceptions while in college.  Its too early to truly tell, but I feel pound-for-pound that he is the best pick we had that wasn't an undrafted free agent.  The guy can cover, hit, and should be a starter for us within the next year or two.  I think he has the great character that Morris Claiborne apparently lacks and that should translate into a future defensive leader.  My only concern is a torn bicep that he endured in his college career, but hopefully that doesn't mean he has a penchant for injuries.

Between the last two draft years I almost feel as though the Cowboys have drafted FAR TOO MANY players who seem to spend more time in the trainers room than the trainers themselves.

We may have grabbed some undrafted free agents that could prove to be true assets to the team at some point in the future.  I would have absolutely been smitten with CB Eddie Whitley from Va Tech if he didn't tear his ACL.  The kid can cover and play multiple positions in the secondary, he is tall, fast, and knows how to defend, BUT I don't like that kind of injury. Running back Lance Dunbar might be an interesting project out of North Texas, but the guy who I think was the very best pick in the draft was Adrian Hamilton from Prairie View A&M. 

This guy had unbelievable stats in college and he looks great on film.  I realize he is from a small school but you cant deny his stats and he may be the guy that Anthony Spencer never was.  Without a doubt, I will be watching him VERY closely.

Hopefully, this draft proves to help grow the Dallas defense into the playoff contender they should have been last year.  If the defense fails miserably AGAIN this year it will be obvious that the problem lies with the fat, unshaven, unkempt D Coordinator.

As far as the rest of the league, congrats to the Browns for getting the future of the running back position in the NFL.  Now they just need to somehow acquire more weapons on offense so they don't wear him out like the Kardashians wear out "fake."  Shame on the Dolphins for drafting a one year starter at QB who happens to be a converted wide receiver with more blown leads in the fourth quarter in one year than any team in NFL franchise history with the 8th pick in the draft.  Don't worry Matt Moore, your job is safer than Bill Gates.  The Colts may have drafted a franchise QB but they so wildly dismantled this team in an effort to rebuild that it will take another 3-4 years for them to even be relevant again.  Speaking of relevance, the complete and utter debacle that is the Saints have successfully managed to become the "Aints" again for the next year or more.  Break out the brown bags.  I think the Eagles had a great draft and that upsets me because when you look at that roster loaded with talent; I feel they are primed to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year.  The Giants took David Wilson who I feel will be a good back along with Rueben Randle at wideout while Carolina stole WR Joe Adams in the late rounds.  The Rams did a great job finding a back to lessen the load on an aging and worn Steven Jackson in Isiah Pead and may have taken some key players to help on defense as well.  The Cardinals were smart to take Michael Floyd to compliment Fitz and I feel confident John Skelton will have a breakout year with the weapons he now has in the passing game.  He just needs Chris "Glass-Beanie" Wells to stay healthy.  I am ecstatic that the Redskins took RGIII since he is merely a great athlete but completely lacks the ability to be an NFL QB and will likely be taking your order at the Wendy's drive-thru within the next 3-4 years.  The ironic thing is that the best QB on the Redskins roster was drafted in the fourth round well after the coveted RGIII, his name is Kirk Cousins. 

Speaking of QB, Russell Wilson now rides on the Seahawk train and will have some time to sit behind Matt Flynn for a year (give or take 8 games) before he takes the NFL by storm.  Someone please tell me how the best QB in the draft never got picked up until round three?  Really?!?!  Am I the only person on the planet that knows how to conduct the trusty "eye test"?  Do these scouts, GM's, and NFL coaches watch football with their eyes open, or do they just use "The Force"?  This guy was overlooked due to his size, but nobody bothered to measure the size of his heart, his leadership ability, nor his love of the game.  Here's to you R. Dub!!  I BELIEVE!

Overall, I feel there was a tremendous infusion of talent into the NFL with this years draft class; more so than years past, and I think we are in store for an incredible season.  I firmly believe there will be a TON of parity this year and division leads will likely change from week to week.  I think it will come down to the final 2-3 weeks of the season before playoff teams are firmly locked in.  Many teams got better.  Many teams clearly recognized their flaws and necessarily improved one side of the ball over another through the draft (i.e. the Pats, Pack, and Cowboys).  And many teams will be in contention as the season draws to a close.  Many teams that most were not expecting.

Here's to football.  Here's to the Cowboys improved defense.  And here's to drinkin frosty cold ones while sittin on the couch on Sundays.  The season cant get here fast enough and the beer cant be cold enough for September 5th!

Go Cowboys!!!

FIN