NFL
By: Greg Rector
Hello everyone. So the draft and free agency have taken place and as per usual the Dallas Cowboys made the news. Some positives, and as is usually the case, some of the moves were suspect in the eyes of some. For me, it was business as usual in both areas. Let’s go over all of it.
So Long
The Cowboys parted ways with Amari Cooper, and La’el Collins and lost via free agency Randy Gregory, Cedric Wilson, and oft penalized left guard Connor Williams. While many fans were upset with Cooper and Gregory leaving, sorry not sorry but the moves didn’t cause me much consternation. When you have a 1-3 recent playoff record being emotionally attached to a certain player isn’t helpful. The moves for me moved players who had been less than stellar in those key moments (Cooper) or in Gregory’s case a player who had very limited availability over 6 seasons. I have long bemoaned the country club atmosphere and the just happy to be there mentality that has seemed to exist in Dallas for far too long. I will grant you the way things went down with Gregory, is somewhat ominous for the future when it was learned that his agent and rumors are there are several others who will not deal with Cowboys CEO, Executive VP, and Director of player personnel none other than Stephen Jones the heir apparent for good old JJ. That is something to keep an eye on. Might also explain the reason despite rumors of “due diligence,” some bigger name-free agents end up elsewhere. I know I’m a mean old curmudgeon for not being emotional about changes, tough luck folks, I put winning before the emotional attachments to players.
The Draft
The Cowboys used all 9 picks in the 2022 draft. With the 24th pick they chose Tulsa OT Tyler Smith and here’s where the normal Jones family nonsense started. Smith is a physical specimen, he has a mean demeanor and the potential is there to be a contributor. However, it’s not at left tackle as the Jones’ suggested after the pick was announced. Smith will be a left guard to start with and they should have left it at that. Trying to sell the fanbase that he is a future left tackle is terrible. The young man was the most penalized player in NCAA football, the post-mortem on the team after the loss to the Niners in the playoffs was penalties were far too numerous, and of course, they go out and draft the player that led the nation in penalties?? As well Smith was graded by the vast majority of the scouting world as a late second or early third-round prospect who would be a guard at the next level. I am not mad at the pick, I’m mad with the way the Jones’ tried to justify the choice. Smith’s “Traits,” won out over all else. With coaching, he can be taught how to use his hands properly, and in time improve his footwork so he might be serviceable at left tackle in the future.
This was the theme for this draft in spades. The Cowboys drafted traits and toughness. Go through all nine picks and that holds true. So I am calling this draft class for Dallas “T-Squared.” As always you cannot judge a draft class for 3 years. This really holds true considering the Cowboys were through the first four rounds picking towards the end of each round. Besides Smith, Sam Williams should be part of a rotation of edge players with Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler (Our big free agency addition) sophomore Chauncey Golston, and Tarrell Basham. After nailing 6 of the 10 draft picks last year, this year with such a wild draft class, I managed to have two guys, Jalen Tolbert the wide receiver from South Alabama, and 5th round pick Matt Waletzko from North Dakota a tackle that in my opinion has better technique than Smith as of today, he simply needs to add the weight and strength to fill his 6’7″ frame. Tolbert meanwhile will be looked to help alleviate the expected early-season absence of Michael Gallup in the receiving corps. The thing I love about Tolbert when you watch him is his ability to use tempo and not just straight speed to get open. Ask former or current defensive backs what gives them fits, you’ll learn it’s not the speed demons as much as it is guys who can be deceptive. The one other pick of note was LB Damone Clark from LSU. Clark required a spinal fusion surgery after the Cowboys medical team discovered a herniated disc at the combine. He may not play until next year or much later this season. If he does play and can contribute many observers say the Cowboys have another draft weekend steal.
The last piece of the draft after the seven rounds is the frenzy to sign undrafted free agents. The Cowboys signed 20 of them. Six of them were in this very deep draft that I had with draftable grades. the biggest name is Markquese Bell a safety from HBCU school Florida A&M. Keep an eye out for him.
Rest of the Off-Season
The rookies finished with their first mini-camp and today they got to have their first time with the veterans. On to the OTA’s and then finally training camp in Oxnard, CA. The schedule release last week of course has become a big event. I think it gets too much attention but that is the way of the NFL now, they are masters at keeping themselves at the forefront of the sports world. Meanwhile, this old guy will be continuing to study our opponents for 2022, and focusing on our NFC East rivals who all improved this off-season. the work doesn’t stop. Enjoy your summer folks.
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregCowboys and get your gear HERE
