The Dallas Cowboys have a problem evaluating talent. In the past five seasons, the only four players brought in worthwhile are linebacker Sean Lee, receiver Dez Bryant and running backs Felix Jones and DeMarco Murray. In the previous four seasons, the Cowboys acquired a core group of players that still lead the team today. Is that a coincidence? Not a chance. The Cowboys have dropped the ball on draft day since Bill Parcells left.
Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas recently interviewed Parcells about his tenure in Dallas, but something Archer pointed out really stuck with me. A vast majority of the Cowboys’ current core players were either drafted or signed by Parcells.
During his four-year tenure from 2003 through 2006, Parcells drafted the following Cowboys: linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Bradie James, defensive tackle Jay Ratliff, tight end Jason Witten, cornerback Terence Newman, defensive ends Jason Hatcher and Marcus Spears, long snapper L.P. LaDouceur and punter Mat McBriar. Parcells also signed receiver Miles Austin and quarterback Tony Romo as undrafted free agents.
James, Newman and Spears are all less significant parts of the team now, but they were each major defensive contributors at certain points in their careers. As for the other eight players, Dallas wouldn’t have been anywhere near .500 this season without them.
During the Parcells era, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones backed off and allowed his coach to draft talented players. The result was the franchise’s first two playoff appearances since 1999. The Cowboys hadn’t experienced anything like Parcells since Jimmy Johnson solidified the “America’s Team” label.
Since Parcells left, Jones has been in charge of drafting players. The Cowboys have made the playoffs twice since Parcells left, primarily due to the play of the personnel he acquired during his four years in Dallas.
The Cowboys desperately need an actual general manager, but Jones won’t step down until he croaks. If he had any sense, he’d see the difference in talent brought in since Parcells left. Parcells would likely become the Cowboys’ general manager if Jones would allow it.
Of course, that’s very unlikely. However, the Cowboys could hire recently fired Indianapolis Colts’ executive Bill Polian. Now that will be a brilliant move, but again, Jones is way too stubborn to admit he’s not a good general manager.
The evidence is in the enchiladas; the talent brought in by the Cowboys since Parcells left is way below average, with the exception of guys like Laurent Robinson. Only Jerry Jones could run both Bill Parcells and Jimmy Johnson out of town.
Maybe he’ll consult someone like them before this year’s draft and try to bring in more guys like Felix Jones, DeMarco Murray, Sean Lee and Dez Bryant. Then again, those might have just been lucky picks. Either way, the Cowboys need some help in the front office. With the personnel difference since the Parcells era, it’s obvious Dallas isn’t a winning franchise with Jones at the helm.
Follow Jeric Griffin on Twitter @JericGriffin
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And even Felix was a reach pick. Rashard Mendenhall was picked with the very next selection and Chris Johnson right after that. Ouch. And a couple of guys taken in the second round taken after Felix-Matt Forte and Ray Rice. Double Ouch. Now im depressed. Carry on
Dumb article. Why give Parcells the credit for the aquisitions Jerry Jones made? Parcells didn’t even want to draft Ware, he wanted Spears. Jones found a way to get both. No mention of Tyron Smith or Laurent Robinson as quality pickups either. News flash, ever since he bought the team, Jones has been at the helm. That’s 3 rings under his watch. Idiot writers blame all the bad stuff cuz “Jerry is in charge”, but the good stuff happened then Parcells or Johnson were responsible. You can’t have it both ways. If you don’t know what you are writing about, back away from the keyboard.
Exactly JR. my sentiments exactly.