Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
April 14, 2005, 6:44 PM (CDT)
IRVING, Texas - Before sitting down in front of the microphone Thursday to discuss a variety of NFL Draft issues, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones made it clear just what his real intentions were for the afternoon briefing.
"It's a hard job trying to talk about this draft without giving ya'll any idea about what we're going to do or thinking about doing," he said.
That's the art of saying something without saying much at all, and that's basically how pre-draft press conferences usually go.
Jones certainly wasn't going to tip the Cowboys' cap for the April 23-24 NFL Draft, but he did overtly express his fondness for his team's current draft position, especially sitting there at No. 11 in the first round, with No. 20 as well.
"First of all, relative to what we've seen so far, the 11th pick is a good place to be," Jones said on Thursday at Valley Ranch. "I don't want to rule out at all an opportunity if a key player from another team drops down and we can move down a few places and can pick up a pick on the first day there, you'd have to do that just to move a few places because of the numbers of players and some of the things we've talked about, it's a mixed bag up there (and) because of that you might be more willing to move down a few spots. That would affect that pick.
"So, going in Saturday, I like the 11th pick there. We can be good and we can get real good value there with what is likely to be there."
And when Jones is talking value, he doesn't mean just in terms of getting a quality player. The owner said he is expecting quite a few calls coming into the Cowboys' war room Saturday morning soliciting trades.
"We'll have a lot of business there," Jones said with a wink and a smile.
At this point, with about a week remaining before the start of the draft, teams rarely rule out any scenario. In fact, Jones said he wouldn't rule out drafting a running back at No. 11, especially if either Auburn's Cadillac Williams or Cedric Benson of Texas were to fall to that spot. However, if either of those backs were still on the board, Jones said it would likely create an even greater desire for the Cowboys' 11th pick, which would inflate the value.
"I think that you've got a situation where the teams out there will factor in their needs," Jones said. "And as you get on down to the five through 11 spots there, I think there is a chance that someone would slip there. And then we could do some real good business right there regarding some consideration in moving some spots."
Remember, Jones is no stranger to making draft-day deals. In fact, since he bought the team in 1989, the Cowboys have arguably made as many trades involving first- and second-round picks as any other team in the league.
Of course, the Cowboys traded last year's first-round pick (21st overall) to Buffalo for a second and a fifth last year, and this year's first-round pick, which turned out to be the 20th overall pick.
Now, depending on what the Cowboys do with the 11th pick, it's certainly possible they would consider moving No. 20 as well. However, don't expect the Cowboys to trade down from both spots unless they find trade opportunities they simply can't pass up.
Expect the Cowboys to seek at least a third-round choice in any deal involving their first-round picks, considering they currently don't have a pick in that round after sending this year's third to Houston last year for quarterback Drew Henson.
So as it currently stands, the Cowboys have the 11th and 20th picks in the first round and the 10th in second round (42nd overall). And that is all for the first day - as of now - not picking again until Sunday's fourth round.
But history, especially the Cowboys' draft history, suggests there will be a deal or two done on Saturday. Don't expect the Cowboys to let 50 picks go by without getting involved somehow - even if that means possibly trading a pick from 2006 to get to play a little more in the 2005 draft.
And Jones' draft briefing Thursday wasn't the only happening out at Valley Ranch.
As expected, the Cowboys entertained about 20 draft prospects, visiting with players ranging from possible first-round picks to some who could become undrafted free agents. Among the potential first-round picks visiting were Southern Cal wide receiver Mike Williams and Maryland linebacker/defensive end Shawne Merriman, two players who could be available when the Cowboys are on the clock at No. 11.
Other possible first-round picks visiting Thursday included Oklahoma defensive end Dan Cody, Georgia defensive end David Pollack, Florida State defensive tackle Travis Johnson and Oklahoma safety Brodney Pool.
Jeff Ireland, who was finally introduced as the team's new vice president of pro and college scouting, replacing longtime veteran Larry Lacewell, said not to read too much into Thursday's visits. Ireland said players such as Texas linebacker Derrick Johnson and Oklahoma wide receiver Mark Clayton were two players the Cowboys knew enough about, so it was better to use one of their allotted 20 visits on other players more information was needed on to properly evaluate.
"We can only bring in 20 guys and we know Derrick (Johnson)," Ireland said. "He's close by. We have two scouts who live in Austin. What else did we need to know? He's a great football player. He's a great kid. And the same thing with Clayton. Mark's a great kid. We just felt like we knew enough to make an educated decision on all of these players, and we didn't need anything else on those guys."
And remember, draft strategies have certainly kicked in at this point.
The Cowboys, along with the rest of the NFL, have already started tossing out the smokescreens. So any player who visited - or didn't visit - might not be as revealing as one would assume.
Now Ireland did reveal one the favorite traits he looks for while evaluating players for the draft.
"I want big, strong, fast, smart guys that will help make us a successful football team," Ireland said.
Yeah, the draft must be right around the corner. The clich�s are flying left and right, and while scouts, coaches and even owners and general managers might be talking draft, none are really saying much of anything.
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