Hill: Why not Johnny Manziel to the Cowboys?

[boozeman]

Checkdowns: Manziel to Dallas Would Require “Draft Day” Drama

By Rob Phillips on April 25, 2014 • ( 2 )


*Three years ago, Tony Romo uttered this magical cliché after beating the 49ers with a broken rib: “It’s football season and usually football players play football during football season.” This week, what a great way to salute his return to team workouts following back surgery: It’s football offseason and usually football players lift football weights during football offseason. Welcome back, Tones.Cowboys-Goalpost

*If Johnny Manziel winds up a Dallas Cowboy, as the Worldwide Leader hypothesized this week, it will mean one of two things: 1) Texans GM Rick Smith pulls a Sonny Weaver Jr. from “Draft Day”: he discovers no Aggie teammates attended Manziel’s birthday party last December, passes on him with the top pick and sparks a Johnny Football free-fall all the way to Jerry Jones at No. 16. 2) Jerry pulls a Sonny Weaver Jr. from “Draft Day”: he mortgages the team’s entire future, trades three first-rounders and moves up for Manziel because, well, Romo’s retiring.

*Jokes aside, this just can’t happen for two reasons: 1) Manziel will not fall out of the top 10. Besides the intrigue of his unique talent, he’s a walking turnstile for teams that need butts in seats. Frankly, I’m shocked the Jaguars aren’t drooling all over themselves at No. 3 with a chance at this marketing dream: Tim Tebow with actual talent. 2) If Romo is truly healthy, and if the Cowboys are truly all-in for the remainder of his prime, then they’re not trading up several spots – and losing several draft picks in the process – for a rookie quarterback who can’t help them until at least 2016.

*Will the schedule be as tough as it looks? Impossible to say because inevitable injuries will impact the Cowboys and their opponents. Regardless, they still must play five of their final seven games away from home. Brutal. A 7-4 record entering December may be required.

*As second-place finishers in the NFC East, the Cowboys by rule would’ve been slotted against San Francisco in any season because the Niners also finished second in the NFC West. But it’s just plain bad luck to draw the entire West division this year. Road trip to Seattle? Eeeesh.

*Early-season swing game: Sept. 28 at home vs. the Saints. Last November’s 49-17 loss in New Orleans was Dallas’ first truly bad loss of 2013, and things plunged from bad to historically bad for the defense in the final six weeks. Standing up to Sean Payton and Drew Brees could build confidence entering the second quarter of the season.

*Contrary to conspirators’ beliefs, the NFL isn’t screwing the Cowboys in December. The league generally prefers late-season division games for everyone because there’s more intrigue with more at stake.

*No sarcasm intended here: I look at the list and think, “On paper the Cowboys could win all 16 and lose all 16.” Nearly every game is a toss-up. Maybe that’s just the league’s “Any Given Sunday” parity. But it also speaks to the 8-8 track they’re on until proven otherwise.

 

[L.T. Fan]

U

Checkdowns: Manziel to Dallas Would Require “Draft Day” Drama

By Rob Phillips on April 25, 2014 • ( 2 )


*Three years ago, Tony Romo uttered this magical cliché after beating the 49ers with a broken rib: “It’s football season and usually football players play football during football season.” This week, what a great way to salute his return to team workouts following back surgery: It’s football offseason and usually football players lift football weights during football offseason. Welcome back, Tones.Cowboys-Goalpost

*If Johnny Manziel winds up a Dallas Cowboy, as the Worldwide Leader hypothesized this week, it will mean one of two things: 1) Texans GM Rick Smith pulls a Sonny Weaver Jr. from “Draft Day”: he discovers no Aggie teammates attended Manziel’s birthday party last December, passes on him with the top pick and sparks a Johnny Football free-fall all the way to Jerry Jones at No. 16. 2) Jerry pulls a Sonny Weaver Jr. from “Draft Day”: he mortgages the team’s entire future, trades three first-rounders and moves up for Manziel because, well, Romo’s retiring.

*Jokes aside, this just can’t happen for two reasons: 1) Manziel will not fall out of the top 10. Besides the intrigue of his unique talent, he’s a walking turnstile for teams that need butts in seats. Frankly, I’m shocked the Jaguars aren’t drooling all over themselves at No. 3 with a chance at this marketing dream: Tim Tebow with actual talent. 2) If Romo is truly healthy, and if the Cowboys are truly all-in for the remainder of his prime, then they’re not trading up several spots – and losing several draft picks in the process – for a rookie quarterback who can’t help them until at least 2016.

*Will the schedule be as tough as it looks? Impossible to say because inevitable injuries will impact the Cowboys and their opponents. Regardless, they still must play five of their final seven games away from home. Brutal. A 7-4 record entering December may be required.

*As second-place finishers in the NFC East, the Cowboys by rule would’ve been slotted against San Francisco in any season because the Niners also finished second in the NFC West. But it’s just plain bad luck to draw the entire West division this year. Road trip to Seattle? Eeeesh.

*Early-season swing game: Sept. 28 at home vs. the Saints. Last November’s 49-17 loss in New Orleans was Dallas’ first truly bad loss of 2013, and things plunged from bad to historically bad for the defense in the final six weeks. Standing up to Sean Payton and Drew Brees could build confidence entering the second quarter of the season.

*Contrary to conspirators’ beliefs, the NFL isn’t screwing the Cowboys in December. The league generally prefers late-season division games for everyone because there’s more intrigue with more at stake.

*No sarcasm intended here: I look at the list and think, “On paper the Cowboys could win all 16 and lose all 16.” Nearly every game is a toss-up. Maybe that’s just the league’s “Any Given Sunday” parity. But it also speaks to the 8-8 track they’re on until proven otherwise.

Repost

 

[Clay_Allison]

True but I have yet to hear anyone step up and outline the things that make Wilson a bad coach. Initially the thought was put forth that he didn't develop QB's but that was pretty much debunked as to his tenure with Dallas. I don't know if he is a good coach or not but some have strong opinions so I assume they have a reason for thinking so. I haven't seen the reasons he is a bad coach but I am open to anyone's reasons and evaluations.

Sure, none of us have worked with the guy so we don't "know" he's a bad coach.

On the other hand he is definitely a symptom of the kind of pseudo-nepotism that always plagues Jerry's coaching staffs. We're always stuck with leftovers from the last failure. We never get to clean house and start over. Even when guys are let go they keep coming back.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Sure, none of us have worked with the guy so we don't "know" he's a bad coach.

On the other hand he is definitely a symptom of the kind of pseudo-nepotism that always plagues Jerry's coaching staffs. We're always stuck with leftovers from the last failure. We never get to clean house and start over. Even when guys are let go they keep coming back.

That certainly describes Jones but it doesn't answer anything about the ability of the coaches. A lot of coaches have come through the system and left. Some are pretty good and have displayed their abilities elsewhere so it's not necessarily defining just because Jones hired them.

 

[boozeman]

I am not defending Wilson. I am saying you can't hold up the qb development test to judge him. Dallas hasn't been in that mode during Wilson's tenure.

I am guessing it wasn't in Oakland or Chicago either.

The fact is the guy is not a QB whiz. You know it, so does everyone else.

This idiotic distraction about how he has not have the clay to mold is just foolish. If Wilson were fired tomorrow, he would not be a hot commodity for someone to add to their staff unless they knew the coach.

 

[Clay_Allison]

That certainly describes Jones but it doesn't answer anything about the ability of the coaches. A lot of coaches have come through the system and left. Some are pretty good and have displayed their abilities elsewhere so it's not necessarily defining just because Jones hired them.

But the results this team gets from those hiring practices are right there in black and white.

 

[L.T. Fan]

But the results this team gets from those hiring practices are right there in black and white.

That may be the case but it's off topic about the Matter of what makes Wilson a bad coach.

 

[p1_]

Why all the consternation over Wade Wilson? YAll must really be bored.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Why all the consternation over Wade Wilson? YAll must really be bored.

Yeah we are. Care to join us? Seems as though it is the consensus that Wilson is a bad coach and I didn't know one way or the other about him so I wondered what makes him a bad coach. So far I still don't know. Can you shed any light on this?

 

[L.T. Fan]

I am guessing it wasn't in Oakland or Chicago either.

The fact is the guy is not a QB whiz. You know it, so does everyone else.

This idiotic distraction about how he has not have the clay to mold is just foolish. If Wilson were fired tomorrow, he would not be a hot commodity for someone to add to their staff unless they knew the coach.

Thanks for your input and I get it. You don't know either.

 

[boozeman]

Again, it amazes me that Wade Wilson is getting defended.

Just because people are so polarized against Manziel? Wow.

He may cause some divorces.

 

[skidadl]

Dang it, I don't want to but I'm gonna have to agree with the old fart here. So far this Wade disagreement has nothing to do with football and more to do with just not liking him.

 

[boozeman]

Dang it, I don't want to but I'm gonna have to agree with the old fart here. So far this Wade disagreement has nothing to do with football and more to do with just not liking him.

I get not liking him. Go back in our limited archives. He was basically a Junior Favre to me with all the Johnny Football stuff.

But I have come around. I don't think he is a great guy, a hero or a savior.

But I am not dumb enough to think the kid can't play football.

He is not Tebow reincarnate.

Put him in a system which plays to his strengths...stretch zone, lot of play action and his liberty to do what he wants after that...he can be a winner.

Is that in Dallas?

If it happens, great.

Well, honestly...I don't give a shit anymore.

If Jerry wants to entertain me. Do it, bitch.

I am done trying to pretend we have the potential to ever be a sane franchise again.

He's not dying and if he did his dumb son is taking over.

Just entertain me. I give up. You win. If that means JF...bring it.

 

[NoDak]

Jesus, take the wheel.

 

[Clay_Allison]

That may be the case but it's off topic about the Matter of what makes Wilson a bad coach.

What makes anybody a bad coach? None of us are position coaches. How should we know what he does?

 

[Clay_Allison]

I get not liking him. Go back in our limited archives. He was basically a Junior Favre to me with all the Johnny Football stuff.

But I have come around. I don't think he is a great guy, a hero or a savior.

But I am not dumb enough to think the kid can't play football.

He is not Tebow reincarnate.

Put him in a system which plays to his strengths...stretch zone, lot of play action and his liberty to do what he wants after that...he can be a winner.

Is that in Dallas?

If it happens, great.

Well, honestly...I don't give a shit anymore.

If Jerry wants to entertain me. Do it, bitch.

I am done trying to pretend we have the potential to ever be a sane franchise again.

He's not dying and if he did his dumb son is taking over.

Just entertain me. I give up. You win. If that means JF...bring it.

I could see pairing JF up with Pete Carmichael Jr and running a New Orleans style offense.

 

[Carl]

This certainly isn't impossible. I don't think Jerry necessarily wants to draft a QB this year. I think Jerry really wants to draft D-lineman (You can tell from our visits at least that we are looking). However I think Manziel is a unique talent that Jerry may view as too good to pass up at 16. I don't know however if Jerry wants him that bad that he would trade up for him. I mean Claiborne wasn't a need really either, Jerry just fell in love with the player.

The only pick I feel comfortable saying is highly likely for Dallas at 16 if he is available is Aaron Donald. But even that with Jerry could be in question.

Different drafts. Different trades. There is no way we trade up in this draft. Not going to happen. and if we trade down, people will moan about the compensation, but this will be a hard draft to trade down. Best you can do is an additional 3rd if you drop 14 or so spots. Just like last year. Too many good players ranked 80-120.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Jesus, take the wheel.

 

[ravidubey]

It's really hard to project how Manziel's ability to improvise changes as a pro. He's slow, small, and lacks a cannon. NFL defenses react too quickly for a lot of the bullshit he pulled off in college to stand. Against college defenders a guy like Mike Evans can dominate by just showing up, but not in the NFL.

But... that Alabama game really stands out. Manziel didn't win, but he kept firing and forcing Alabama to answer.

NFL Football has become all about QB play in the 4th quarter when the defense has already shown you every look you're going to see and fatigue sets in.

Some QB's will their team to big plays while others can't get it done. Manziel has proven he has the will, leadership ability and at times very good accuracy. I just imagine him getting the shit kicked out of him in the NFL.

 

[L.T. Fan]

It's really hard to project how Manziel's ability to improvise changes as a pro. He's slow, small, and lacks a cannon. NFL defenses react too quickly for a lot of the bullshit he pulled off in college to stand. Against college defenders a guy like Mike Evans can dominate by just showing up, but not in the NFL.

But... that Alabama game really stands out. Manziel didn't win, but he kept firing and forcing Alabama to answer.

NFL Football has become all about QB play in the 4th quarter when the defense has already shown you every look you're going to see and fatigue sets in.

Some QB's will their team to big plays while others can't get it done. Manziel has proven he has the will, leadership ability and at times very good accuracy. I just imagine him getting the shit kicked out of him in the NFL.[/QUOTE


That's pretty much my sentiments as well. I don't think he can bring his game to the NFL and survive with his physique. The best of OLs can't protect his style of play. To try causes holding penalties and false starts because of the constant apprehension. Personally I love the kid as a college player but I have my doubts about him being successful in the pros.