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Draft Checkdowns: Why I Half-Expected Mr. Football Here Today
BY ROB PHILLIPS on MAY 9, 2014
*As NFL columnist Mike Freeman tweeted, the Internet lives this morning.
I wanted to believe Jerry Jones would keep his word and pass on Johnny Manziel. I really did. But like most of you, I didn’t fully buy his pre-draft pledge until “Zack Martin” came out of Roger Goodell’s mouth.
As logical as it seemed to avoid a first-round quarterback if – if – team brass was indeed confident about Tony Romo’s long-term health, my mind kept drifting back to one game, one moment from 2012.Jerry_Jones_Draft
Remember when Jerry admitted he was in “awe” of Robert Griffin after he made “at least three plays that were about as rare as anything I’ve seen” in the Redskins’ Thanksgiving beatdown over Dallas?
There was a rival’s respect in Jerry’s words. Some frustration with his own team’s poor play. And, just a tinge of envy for a division opponent that had made a bold move – the kind Jerry thrives on – to trade up and draft the next face of the NFL, a transcendent talent who would match his dynamic on-field play with league-best merchandise sales.
Flash forward to Thursday night. There sat another rock star prospect, another Texas native, sucking down water like a Sahara cactus, begging for his home state to get him out of that green room. Could Jerry really pass on a kid with RG3-like appeal?
Well, he did. For an offensive tackle – the third first-round lineman he’s taken in the last four years.
I still can’t quite believe it.
*Can someone at Nielsen isolate the Cowboys’ 10 minutes on the clock? Might be a ratings record. We just Quaidwatched the most suspenseful TV sports moment in a non-competitive environment since, well … The Decision. This time Cleveland gets a little redemption: Johnny’s taking his talents to the Cuyahoga River banks. (Major League, baby!)
*Seems like a good landing spot for Football. The Browns’ franchise has stunk, but it does have a good young roster. Johnny should benefit from playing in a quieter city that doesn’t tug its athletes in a million directions. He also might be the only guy who can make those uniforms cool again.
*Judging by Twitter reaction, some of you were pleased with the Martin pick. And, some of you hated it. Yes, I’ve agreed all along that Dallas needed defense first. But in this instance they stuck to their board and took the best guy left – after clear temptation to trade back based on the War Room cam reactions.
Isn’t this what people want Jerry to do – draft smart? Plus, offensive tackle/guard is a big need for this team in the next year, as I wrote earlier this week. Doug Free’s almost a free agent, and the 34-year-old quarterback has a bad back, remember? They’ve got no chance if he can’t make it through the season.
*I know what walk-up music I would’ve chosen: break that glass, hit the Stone Cold Steve Austin theme, give me a hell yeah and pass me a cold Robweiser after I shake hands with the commish.
BY ROB PHILLIPS on MAY 9, 2014
*As NFL columnist Mike Freeman tweeted, the Internet lives this morning.
I wanted to believe Jerry Jones would keep his word and pass on Johnny Manziel. I really did. But like most of you, I didn’t fully buy his pre-draft pledge until “Zack Martin” came out of Roger Goodell’s mouth.
As logical as it seemed to avoid a first-round quarterback if – if – team brass was indeed confident about Tony Romo’s long-term health, my mind kept drifting back to one game, one moment from 2012.Jerry_Jones_Draft
Remember when Jerry admitted he was in “awe” of Robert Griffin after he made “at least three plays that were about as rare as anything I’ve seen” in the Redskins’ Thanksgiving beatdown over Dallas?
There was a rival’s respect in Jerry’s words. Some frustration with his own team’s poor play. And, just a tinge of envy for a division opponent that had made a bold move – the kind Jerry thrives on – to trade up and draft the next face of the NFL, a transcendent talent who would match his dynamic on-field play with league-best merchandise sales.
Flash forward to Thursday night. There sat another rock star prospect, another Texas native, sucking down water like a Sahara cactus, begging for his home state to get him out of that green room. Could Jerry really pass on a kid with RG3-like appeal?
Well, he did. For an offensive tackle – the third first-round lineman he’s taken in the last four years.
I still can’t quite believe it.
*Can someone at Nielsen isolate the Cowboys’ 10 minutes on the clock? Might be a ratings record. We just Quaidwatched the most suspenseful TV sports moment in a non-competitive environment since, well … The Decision. This time Cleveland gets a little redemption: Johnny’s taking his talents to the Cuyahoga River banks. (Major League, baby!)
*Seems like a good landing spot for Football. The Browns’ franchise has stunk, but it does have a good young roster. Johnny should benefit from playing in a quieter city that doesn’t tug its athletes in a million directions. He also might be the only guy who can make those uniforms cool again.
*Judging by Twitter reaction, some of you were pleased with the Martin pick. And, some of you hated it. Yes, I’ve agreed all along that Dallas needed defense first. But in this instance they stuck to their board and took the best guy left – after clear temptation to trade back based on the War Room cam reactions.
Isn’t this what people want Jerry to do – draft smart? Plus, offensive tackle/guard is a big need for this team in the next year, as I wrote earlier this week. Doug Free’s almost a free agent, and the 34-year-old quarterback has a bad back, remember? They’ve got no chance if he can’t make it through the season.
*I know what walk-up music I would’ve chosen: break that glass, hit the Stone Cold Steve Austin theme, give me a hell yeah and pass me a cold Robweiser after I shake hands with the commish.