Most of us Dallas fans are very frustrated with our defensive line, which according to ESPN's positional series here had a paltry 10.5 sacks. Anthony Spencer has also been criticized for not getting to the QB more. In the first game versus the Giants, Dallas didn't hit Eli Manning once in 50 drop backs. That is bad.

But you don't get hit when you just chuck the ball to who ever is covered by a bad corner back as soon as you drop back.

Dallas is tied for the 7th most sacks in the NFL in 2011.

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I was reading ChiaCrack's post about a possible switch to the 43, and I read BED's writing on the O-Ring Theory. They gave me a lot to think about, and so I tried to plan a way to spend resources in a way that eliminates deficient play universally.

O-Ring Theory implies that eliminating weakness is more valuable than gaining strengths when the weaknesses cause systemic failure. A result of this is the diminishing value of the 2nd WR. A terrible 2nd WR requires as much coverage as an average WR, and is just as likely to be covered. A bad WR is a weakness you can cover up. A bad Secondary is not. Dallas's spending on WR Roy Williams has seriously hindered the team to this time, because of the misspent assets he represents.

Dallas has enough stars. Demarcus Ware can be enough of a pass rush, Most of us fans believe Dallas have sufficient to great skill position players. What I want Dallas to emerge with in 2012 is an incredible offensive line and defense.

Dallas can achieve that goal by spending moderately on several young veteran FAs. FA is going to have a large impact on Dallas' draft, probably changing who Dallas selects #1. Jerry has been talking like he plans to spend. I hope he spends on young players for cheap. Knowing Jerry like we do, he'll target a star player.

I don't even know who is headed for free agency right now. Houston letting Mario Williams go is not a foregone conclusion. Dallas can achieve a great offensive line and defense through the draft and with it's own players and I'll explore that here.

Ultimately our defense and interior offensive line are so bad its going to take more than one offseason to put Dallas in the Superbowl. Dallas needs a habit of developing mid-round players at guard and in the secondary to keep costs low. These are the players who satisfy the O-Ring theory. Your 2nd, 3rd, 4th CB and Ss can be Just A Guys -- JAGs. JAG ain't so Bad! Merely adequate allows the other star players to shine. A guard can afford to be a JAG. This is a plea to give Nagy, Holland and Arkin space to battle it out for a starting Guard spot. This is one Guard spot for 2012.

Dallas needs a couple of competitive centers to both start and back up. Maybe Kolwalski gets stronger. I can only see Dallas signing someone to at least back up Konz if we draft him. At least Dallas will have some foresight this time and not suddenly launch in to the season adrift at this spot.

Picking at 14 will not land Dallas a value worthy Cornerback or Safety, bit it will land an elite Guard or Line Backer.

I hope the 43 defense is practically a forgone conclusion. Fixing the 34 has become an albatross for Jerry and the Fanbase. Dallas produced an historic worse defense in 2010. Dallas has a proud defensive history. Our fans remember good 43 defenses. Our management must also see the Giants, clinging on, then getting results from their investment in pure pass rushers and a 43.

It's my view you'll never see Ware in coverage again. LDE, he never leaves the field, practically. Multifaceted has made this team less focused.

Anthony Spencer will be retained at a reasonable price. I expected him to be like Willie McGinist, and he's not. Spencer has produced about 5.66 sacks a year the last 3 years, with 4 a year over his career, while McGinest produced 7.1 a year over his career. Spencer seems like a great run down (1st and 2nd down) DE and a great 3rd, rotating DE. Still, forced to be the #2 pass rushing threat, he's adequate and not leaving a gashing sore on defense. Adequate Antony.

Jay Ratlif I'm hoping to see him lined up at DT, in the 3 spot, which puts him directly in front of a guard. Our good and developing NTs will line up on the other side on the center, in between the center and the guard. He'll force Jay in to many 1 on 1 situations. It could be a good season for him.

I like the specialization of the 43, more than anything. It takes a thin position, which is DLine, and thickens it quickly.

a front 4 of:

Ware | Spears | Ratliff | Spencer

vs

Ware | Spears | Ratliff | Coleman | Spencer

We're making the unit more focused and decreasing their responsibilities. Responsibility is the key word in a 34 -- Belicheck's great defenders in 2001-05 were all pretty old and had survived in the league for ever. He had even had a role in drafting them when he was DC in New England in the mid 90s. Dallas hasn't had a staff that consistent, allowing for an almost decade long relationship. I hope Garrett gets that chance.

Our LBs - Another thing I like about this is it separates Lee from Ware, so now two elite players, two levels.

Carter | Lee | Must Draft...

Last 34 comment- based on resigning Spencer, switching to the 43 basically switches out Kenyon Coleman with a new LB. We can't draft JJ Watt because no one is like him this year, but I agree with ChiaCrack that we can draft Luke Kuechly, but won't.

Our secondary, today as far as I can tell-

Jenkins | Elam | Sensabaugh | Scandrick

Newman used to be really good now he's way below average. The secondary above looks average. There are no draftable upgrades that will impact it immediately.

Dallas can either draft Luke Kuechly or David DeCastro in my view. That is a really tough decision. So many needs and a Roy Williams trade does that to you. I sense this year, Dallas fans will not know months in advance who the Cowboys will select, unlike with Bryant, Smith and others.

I believe Dallas will draft Guard first, David DeCastro. He represents a serious investment in countering the best assets of the Giants and Eagles defense. 2 Elite tackles + 1 elite guard and 2 ok players is a recipe for a dominant offensive line and a time eating ground game. Score in the red zone, force them to pass, line up DWare. If DeCastro is gone Konz of Wisconsin would seriously help a deficient area. Either way I see pick one shoring a weakness of ours and dulling a strength of our opponent's.

This is why pick one will go to the offense. Protect Tony Romo, impact the Giants and Eagles, help the Cowboys score in the running game, give FB Tony Fiamata meaning, and eat time off the clock. Dallas's best assets are Demarcus Ware and it's passing game. This could elevate the running game up to Tony Romo's passing game. That would be 3 strengths, one move.

1. GUARD David DeCastro or Center Konz of Wisonsin

Defense the rest of the way; Dallas needs somebody to play LB and CB.

The Galloping Ghost!

This man on the left legitamized professional Football in the 1920s. He became very famous playing at the University of Illinois. Many people scoffed at professional football. When he signed with the Bears, their attendance doubled.

This man was a legitimate star long before he got to the NFL. In many ways, every season, young star players are the glue of NFL teams, and a source of hope for the fans. Trying to significantly cap the biggest stars of college upon entering the NFL doesn't represent their true impact on the game.

Dallas's need along the defensive line is molded by two concepts, the 3 man line and the 4 man line.

Presuming Dallas retains Stephen Bowen, the goal is to have a player who plays every spot of a 3-4 and a 4-3 on the field at the same time, so you can transform your defense, gaining new match ups and causing confusion. As it stands Dallas needs to substitute guys like Marcus Spears and Igor off the field on third downs. Stephen Bowen would come on to the field, and line up next to Jay Ratliff. Anthony Spencer and DWare would line up as DEs.

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Jerry Jones is hard to pin down. Clearly he's united with ownership but his goals have often been at odds with other owners. He doesn't want a Salary Cap, (his stance in 1993) which the majority of teams do. He does not like Revenue Share (on going complaint), which other teams do, and he likes Free Agency, where better players can be bought.

This whole time I've been trying to see what Jerry would like from a Labor Stand Point, and what I conclude is that Jerry Jones stands alone, or with very few, who may actually get what he wants. If the NFLPA is decertified and the Teams have to negotiate with each player individually, then there will effectively be

• no salary cap
• no revenue share
• Free Agency

Jerry Jones get's the NFL he's always wanted - basically rules like Premiere League Soccer;  or similar to the Yankees of MLB.

I'm doing this draft just as the NFL Combine is getting under way. I'm very excited there's a lot of great players from Central Texas. Von Miller from Texas A&M looks to go in the top 5 and Aaron Williams of University of  Texas may be chosen late in the 1st round. In addition to that, Cam Newton, one time student at Blinn College, just East of Austin, West and North of Houston, vies for the top pick, #1 over all. Has Cam Newton ever lost in College Football?

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In 1999 Torry Holt was a rookie for the St Louis Rams on his way to a Superbowl, playing along side All Pro Issac Bruce. 11 years later Dallas drafts Dez Bryant to play with mystery player Roy Williams and WR ace Miles Austin.

His rookie stat line reads very similar to what many prognosticators have said Dez Bryant will achieve. Torry Holt, #23, Rookie, 15 games, 52 catches for 788 yards, 6 td.

Dez Bryant will be fortunate to equal this, because Torry ran many deep routes in St Louis, giving him yardage in huge chunks. Dez is a larger more physical player even more capable of big plays through broken tackles , but Torry made his career with deep, long routes and winning hands. Dez will get to return kicks as well, which may bring him up to Torry’s production. Dez Bryant's physical stature will give him more chances to score from close in.

For the Cowboys, though, Patrick Crayton was reliable for roughly the same production in Dallas. So, with him leaving, I’d imagine our offense will produce similar to last years, rather than better.

The only good chance of getting better at scoring is Martellus Bennett showing up and Witten becoming a Red Zone target again. Perhaps Doug Free makes a larger than anticipated impact in the run game, and with fewer false starts. Will more Felix Jones and less Marion Barber help both players?

Partly inspired by TK19's "Show Me Players", These are my Top 5 players on the Dallas Cowboys roster, who have the Physical dimensions to dominate at their position but haven't done it. These guys, if they figured it out, could help Dallas field the best team in the NFL.

5. Jason Hatcher, L DE. He was drafted out of Grambling State. When drafted, he fielded a 4.8 40 at 285 lbs, a truely great physical specimen, with 6'6 height. He had 10.5 sacks as a senior and looked like he could be developed in to a formidible defensive linemen. However, he's going in to year 4 now and we're still waiting. Last year, he had the fewest snaps of all DEs at about 320 (Igor had the most at about 520). According to ProFootballReport.com, though, he was the 10th most productive 3-4 DE in the league in those snaps. As a physical marvel, he'd seem to have potential to generate 8 sacks in a year, .5 a game. He's either going to accomplish that this year, or leave with no one even mentioning his exit.

4. Bobby Carpenter, LB. Speed, strength, size he seems like a complete package. Right now we're just happy he's contributing on a regular basis. I for one think he out played the player he replaced, Kevin Burnett, if only because he brough impressive size to Nickle Back role. However, with his speed, if he ever contracted rabbies, he could be blowing FBs up and knocking guards in to QBs. We're still waiting, but he still has this potential. Often when I see running plays, they run right at Bobby, and he ends up pushed back 3 or 4 yards.

3. Martellus Bennett, TE. His physical abilities are staggering. Runs routes like a WR, he's pretty fast, and he's a freaking giant. If he was even half as reliable as Jsaon Witten, Dallas would be fielding 2 of the 5 most dangerous TEs in the NFL. His weakness catching balls last year prevented Dallas from really threatening people with the two TE offense. If Bennett delievered on his excellent physical potential, the two TE offense of Dallas could be the scourge of the NFL.

2. Roy Williams, WR. The Fan Base's reigning punching bag. What do you say about his physical dimensions? He's cut like Jevon Kearse and almost as big. He's fast, strong, he can knock his opponents down. He just never does anything reliably. If he performed at a career peak with Dallas, we're talking 1,300 yards and 12 TDs type of season. He has the physical attributes to be a dominate pressence at WR. We're still waiting. If Roy E Williams lived up to what Jerry traded for him, and what his measurables say are possible, Dallas would be fielding one of the greatest WR combos of all time, between him and Miles Austin. That dou would simply beat up the the great dous from the 70s.

1. Patrick Watkins, S. He's tall, rangy, and quick to accelerate. He crumples people on ST like they were sacks of potatoes. His size, and the area he can cover make him ideally suited to be a lone center fielder. He's as tall as the tallest WR. He's as fast as many of the fastest. He actually has a couple highlights in his career that show his eye popping speed - a fumble return, some great ST tackles. But he seems unable to track the ball in the air. He just doesn't seem to see above the horizon. In an era of airplanes, he only sees the tanks. He would of been a dream in the 80s, just crashing the LOS, looking for the ball carrier. If he could just learn to track balls in the air, he has the physical dimensions to change the way teams evaluate safeties.

I took the list of picks from here, the No Logos Needed 2010 multi-blogger draft. I didn't make these picks I'm just writing my analysis of them. I'm attempting to be impartial. I thought a few were poor, but I'm trying to justify each of them. This is an exercise in seeing other people's points of view, in a few of the following cases. Also, this draft took place persumably over a very long period of time, and some boards have shifted radically since the time this draft first started

No Logo Needed's 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs

1. St. Louis Rams: Joe Sports Fan
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
St Louis realizes it can't over leverage itself with a risky QB and attendant contract. They continue to pour money in to their defensive line. Given their Head Coach's success with the NYGs as their D-Coord, is this a suprise at all?


2. Detroit Lions: The Wayne Fontes Experience
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
An inside disruptor, he compliments Vanden Bosch and helps strengthen the whole Defense in the middle of the field.


3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucs Central
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
They once signed Torrin Tucker off the Cowboys roster. They still have a hole at LOT. Hard to imagine. Can one player make the running game a threat again and revitalize the passing game at the same time? He'd go a long way towards that.


4. Washington Redskins: The Curly R
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Chris Samuels had an excellent 10 year career, played under 4 or more head coaches, one of whom was a Hall of Famer. Trent Williams is likely to follow in his footsteps, with Mike Shannahan a possible Hall canidate, and 4 or more other Head Coaches to come in the next 10 years.


5. Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs Report
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Kansas City gets the most NFL ready OT prospect who has the least upside. What does that matter? A quality starter at LOT goes a long way. This team needs athletic blocking to keep up with new feature back Jamaal Charles. The last time KC featured a Texas Alumni at RB he was spectacular, but he also benefited from spectacular LOT play. Kansas fans are hoping it happens twice. So does Matt Cassel, whose honey moon was rained on by his shotgun wedding. He needs to lead his team to the endzone to keep his job; reporters in KC are already smelling blood in the water. He needs tools and protection to do so.


6. Seattle Seahawks: Dave Krieg's Strike Beard
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Pete Carrol doesn't know how to win with anything less than top end skill players. Bradford didn't get to finish out his college career like he liked, but he'll get a chance to ease in to the NFL riding pine behind Hassleback. Until Halloween or so. Sam Bradford, a potential 1st over all, is tremendous value here.


7. Cleveland Browns: No Logo Needed
Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee
The Browns have Joshua Cribbs. Everyone else is replaceable, sub par, or ineffectual on their roster as its built now. I heard a rumor that supposedly, quietly, the Browns have built a quality tandem at Corner Back. Eric Berry would psuh their secondary in to the upper echelon of the NFL. If their Front 7 ever got a sack, people might actually take notice.


8. Oakland Raiders: Just Blog Baby
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
The Raiders failed on Robert Gallery, a can't miss game-tape prospect whose measurables raised a couple flags. Bruce Campell is the other side of a balanced equation, can't miss measurables and flag raising game tape. Maybe the other side of the formula includes a succesful NFL career? One of these Raider picks is bound to work!


9. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo Sports Now
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Buffalo seeks relevancy. Des Moines, Iowa on the other hand is content. Toronto Bills make much more sense to me. Or the LA Bills. "Dollar Bills" if they move to LA. Jimmy Clausen uniquely had a losing record at Norte Dame. Unique because most QBs graduate there with a winning record. So do most top end NFL QB draft picks. Horse/Cart problem. Brady Quinn didn't do anything coming from that same system going to a Browns squad who's offense he was supposedly familiar with. Lee Evans is the real deal at WR. If Clausen is even as good as half of current NFL startes, Evans could post explosive numbers. Buffalo may need a top draft QB to get any excitement going. They're just less talented all around than the Jets, Miami or New England.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Black and Teal
Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
Jack Del Rio likes tough smart players in the middle of his defense. The MLB is the most middle player there is. Other possibilities include a safety or a DT, two more midfield positions. Jaguars play a brand of football that cannot afford mistakes. Their winning season a couple years back involved multiple 20 play drives on Offense. That is the sign of mistake free football. A team lacking explosive play makers on either side of the ball needs smart error free players. McClain brings that. He's also tough and packs a wallup, which fits their run first, out muscle mentality.

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears): Bronco Talk
Mike Iupati, G, Iowa
The highest guard ever drafted? Or is that Robert Gallery? I don't have an almanac that can verify this. This is a commitment to the run game. Broncos got Knoshown, a slower but slippery back with a lot of power. And by slow, I just mean in 40 times. They have a ball control quarterback and an explosive WR. Committing to the run means little things like, 7 play drives instead of 5. 7 plays gives you a handful more chances for your stud WR to bust a big play.

12. Miami Dolphins: Playoff Bound Sports
Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Bill Parcels and company see past his lack of size and inability to tackle a Heisman winning Running Back to see his play making on thrown balls. Miami has gone through safeties of late like Zsa Zsa Gabor went through husbands. None of them work at the very least because the premise was wrong from the begining. Who is rushing the passer? Miami is looking for the big play on defense here, a rangy centerfielder who will come up with INTs. In this NFL, he is the last guy you want tackling Ronnie Brown. Thankfully, there's usually a no tackling rule at practice. According to theory, in a well run 3-4, RBs won't make it past the front 7.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Niners Nation
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Strength to a strong position. Leap frogging a laundry list of needs, a play making threat to compliment and then replace Frank Gore is too valuable for San Fran to pass up. San Fransisco has more needs on the OLine, but yet another 1st round pick remains. San Fransisco is poised to seriously challenge the Cardinals in 2010 if they draft right -- and if Alex Smith plays like his better games of 2009 more often.


14. Seattle Sehawks (from Denver Broncos): Dave Krieg's Strike Beard
Charles Brown, OT, USC
Familiarity breeds favoritism? Seattle fixes the gaping hole Walter Jones left when he retired. This is the OT that will protect Sam Bradford for the next ten years. He better be able to move, because that's one of Bradford's strengths. Say a prayer for Sam Bradford.

15. New York Giants: Ultimate NYG
Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas
It's hard to say who would of been more important to the Giant's success on defense last year. All we have is failure to sift through. Antonio Pierce, who Kindle would be coached up to replace, was a formidible foe to his rivals largely because he understood them so well. That sort of play analysis is hard to come by, and Kindle will have big shoes to fill. He's to slow to be a 4-3 OLB. He practically has to be an ILB in a 4-3, a gate crasher, who's best plays come charging straight at the QB. Maybe he's just another undersized DE for the Giants.

16. Tennessee Titans: Music City Miracles
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Derrick Morgan is a fine prospect who will fill Vandenboch's hole at DE. Long standing holes at WR might be addressed by Dez Bryant. Derrick Morgan will probably replicate Vanden Bosch's numbers; and if so, the Titans will still be out of the playoffs. Not Derrick Morgan's fault, he's a good player who will deliver on his draft status.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers): Niners Nation
Taylor Mays, S, USC
Taylor Mays fixes a hole at safety, and gives the 49er's a legit chance to run something like a 46 Defense that Mike Singletary used to play. Mays played a true centerfield role at USC, and when used there allowed the D to function as if they only had 3 secondary players on the field.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers Today
Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee
Dan Williams projects to the middle of Pittsburgs Defense. He'll add youth to an aging lineup help stop the Bengals from running all over Pittsburg. Pittsburgh is suddenly fielding an old Defense.

19. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcoholic
Sean Witherspoon, OLB, Missouri
A year later they replace Keith Brooking, getting an emotional leader and regular fire starter. Everyone likes that in a linebacker.

20. Houston Texans: Houston Die Hards
Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Houston always needs cornerbacks. Every year. Houston chooses a Florida player due to pedigree.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Bengal Stripes
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Great value, they attempt to replace Chris Henry. Without Henry's speed and skills, the Bengals entire offense seized up. Bengals get great value, and draft another player whose past haunts him. Dez's past looks pretty harmless to me. He's the kind of guy who would of been drawn to a semi-pro league.

22. New England Patriots: Blauhg: A New England Patriots Blog
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Having enjoyed great slot play, NE seeks to insure Wes Welker's recovery. Never mind their Defense. They'll send the pick up truck by a retirement home in Mississippi, where everyone once played football. Two Norte Dame players selected in the 1st round. Did they win the National Title?

23. Green Bay Packers: Lombardi Ave
Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU
Aaron Kapman moved to the Jaguars, unhappy with being in a 3-4. Jerry Hughes will immeaditely slide in to his spot. He used to be a Running Back; he played for a statistically strong defense, and he's a well rounded athlete.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Iggles Blog
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Superior defense relies on CBs and Pass Rushers. This is one of many draft picks Philly will use in the first 100 picks to fix many holes in their defense.

25. Baltimore Ravens: The Ebony Bird
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Ozzie Newsome, as an ex TE, looks to get a complete TE who will help with their always dedicated run game as well as catch passes from Flacco. Gresham will have to be one of the 3 best TEs in the AFC to live up to this draft pick, quickly; and Top 5 NFL soon thereafter.

26. Arizona Cardinals: Voice of the Cardinals
Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan
Arizona has many aging players at multiple defensive positions. Their coach is a product of the Cowher Steeler's years. He will keep choosing pass rushers and letting old ones go.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Blogging the Boys
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Dallas gets a top end prospect many people are scared off of. As a junior transfer there's not much Div 1 game tape of him. He didn't even start tell later in the season. Thats what scouts and measurables are for. He gives Dallas a paltry insurance at our Defense's most essential spot -- where ever D Ware lines up. Just wait tell you see all three of these guys smothering Eli Manning.

28. San Diego Chargers: Bolt Hype
Tyson Alualu, DT, California
Everyone knows Shawne Merriam had a bad season. One understated cause is the loss of Jamal Williams, who was hurt. Williams used to command double teams, limiting the double teams facing the edge rushers. San Deigo is trying to recreate that matchup problem here.

29. New York Jets: Jets Twit
Jared Odrick, DE/DT, Penn State
Jets get a young player for their already established defense.


30. Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota Sports Zone
Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
Minnesotta secondary was something you could scorch. Their looking to address that. They would of loved Jared Odrick to supplement the WIlliams wall. Incase they get suspended for drugs. Or too old.

31. Indianapolis Colts: The Indy Football Report
Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Colts were close to perfect last year. Maybe adding a player they can pray will end up as a catalytic play maker will help them.

32. New Orleans Saints: MooseDenied
Everson Griffen, DE, Southern Cal
Adding youth to a pretty good but aging position on their roster.

I'm hoping the Eagles ship out McNabb, chasing off one of the best players in their franchise's history.

It's been a long time since Donavan completed a 4th & 30 pass in the play offs, and it's been a long time since McNabb bought over 15 sec of pocket time before hurling it down field vs the Cowboys.

McNabb made the proBowl in 2009, and hadn't since 2004. His trade prospects may never be better than right now, to get value in return. Raiders have a long history of taking on older players and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him there.

As a watcher of the NFC East, I predict doom and gloom for the Eagles. Kolb is going to struggle for these reasons:

1) He telegraphs his throws, staring down his intended target.

2) He has a slow delivery

3) He's going to be following a very good QB and his struggles will be magnified. He does not have the physical talent Aaron Rogers brought, or the tired fan base. Philly fans are cannibals.

This is the only signifigant video I could find on the guy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEI331uXFZ0

   AustonianAggie's 2010 NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0.
  
   My venture is to show that if Dallas hangs tight at 27 there will invariably be a desirable player availble; a player we thought would be picked high above 27 will fall to 27, and perhaps more than once. So largely, I'm going to select players Dallas may of wanted.
  
   I'm also using a variety of Big Boards to pick players from, so I'm not relying on my arbitrary opinions.
   The big board I'm using are an amalgamation of www.draftcountdown.com,   football.about.com/od/nfldraft/a/nfldrafttoppros.htm, and newnfldraft.com/
  
   1.  St. Louis (1-15)     Gerald McCoy* DT Oklahoma  - St Louis has no ownership right now; they need to select great players but they cannot afford to select the face of the franchise when the ownership is ambivilent. St Louis will intentionally avoid a high QB for this reason; they are not ready for a brand. If the next would-be owners are financially tied to a QB they don't want, it may unsettle certain negotiations. Don't worry, I'm sure St Louis will be selecting this high again next year.  McCoy is usually considered a better pass rusher than Suh, therefore McCoy goes higher. This was the perception before that Neb vs Tex game.
     
   2. Detroit (2-14)
        Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska - easy pick; inject some more juice in to Detroit's front four; Suh may better compliment Vanden Boch than McCoy would.
  
   3. Tampa Bay (3-13)
         Eric Berry* S Tennessee - Value pick; helps their Defense, which needs new, young, talent at every level.
  
   4. Washington (4-12)  Sam Bradford* QB Oklahoma - Mike Shannahan has always relied on star power at QB, Elway to Plummer to Brian Grese to that kid in Chicago. Shannahan w/o a QB he can hype is like guitar player with out a guitar. Everytime the shine wears off, Shannahan shipped that QB off too. Bradford has better mobility than Clausen, and Shannahan tends towards roll outs. I can't recall Shannahan ever picking a Tackle high; if he believes in his OLine system, he will draft a lower round Tackle who's measurables are smaller but faster than top draft tackles.
            
   5. Kansas City (4-12) Russell Okung OT Oklahoma State -- A truely FUBAR franchise; what do you fix? Their best success in the last decade featured elite tackle play. While their staff is totally new, that tradition (and hole) remains. They also have a QB they traded for, who needs protection.
  
   6. Seattle (5-11) Anthony Davis* OT Rutgers -- Like KC above, Seattle's success was built on superior OLine play. Pete Carrol likes dynamity skill players, but CJ Spiller is all over the board, and I think Carrol won't mess with Matt Hasselbeck. This year.
  
   7. Cleveland (5-11) Jimmy Claussen QB Notre Dame -- seriously. 2 Norte Dame qbs in a row is tough to swallow, but Holmgrem is all about developing gifted QBs, and Eric Mangini's ties to ND's old staff probably help. Also, the Browns need an indentity, unlike St Louis, who would profit from a lack of identity for this year.
  
   8. Oakland (5-11) Joe Haden* CB Florida -- In a shocker Oakland does something sensical and picks a great value. Good CBs have good measurables even to Al Davis.
  
   9. Buffalo (6-10) Derrick Morgan* DE Georgia Tech -- among many needs, better DE play is especially useful. Apparently Jason Piere-Paul's measurables make him competitive with Morgan, but Morgan is more polished and immeaditely useful.
     
  10. Jacksonville (7-9) Jason Pierre-Paul DE South Florida -- Jacksonville signed Kapman to help their pass rush. What else helps pass rushers? more pass rushers. Jacksonville needs better safety play but they've had success usually getting safeties lower. Last year, having let Sensi go and draining their depth, their play was unusually bad as the season wore on. Remember Demarcus Ware was chosen by Dallas on Measurables alone. Piere-Paul could have similar success.
 
 
  11. Denver - from Chicago (7-9) - Earl Thomas* S Texas -- Hard to foresee this team. Defense was a failure down the stretch. Do they draft a guy to play with Brian Dawkins? I'm going with the highest rated Defensive player. Only Elvis is a sure thing on this team. It's either Rolando McClain or Earl Thomas. ILB or S; depends on whose rated higher on their board. But I'm picking players Dallas supposedly wants so Earl is off the board.
 
 
  12. Miami (7-9) Rolando McClain* ILB Alabama -- Easy choice, BP loves LBs, loves thumpers, loves size, loves winners,  and loves Nick Saban players. Would Miami select Earl Thomas if he was here? I'm not sure, Thomas is small for what BP likes in Safeties. Rememember how BP went on and on about Darren Woodson's size.
 
  13. San Francisco (8-8) Trent Williams OT Oklahoma -- No to Dez Bryant, they just drafted that Texas Tech phenom WR last year. Theres some real value picking here, but I see a team hungry for more power up front. And I see Bryan Bulaga falling due to short arms.
 
 
  14. Seattle - from Denver (8-8) Dez Bryant* WR Oklahoma State -- Value meets need. Pete Carrol will want to start collecting exceptional skill players at some point. I almost had Bryan Bulaga here, coming in as a guard and back up tackle, immeaditely repairing their OLine. But Dez is just too good and the value to high. Instant excitement for Hasselback and franchise.     
 
  15. New York Giants (8-8)  C.J. Spiller RB Clemson -- the only RB everyone projects in the 1st round. They've been running the same running plays for 6 years in NYC. Their power game still works, but add a little speed and the big play to the Running Game and their Offense is back in business. They could go for Taylor Mays as well, as they actually NEED quality Safety play, hello round 2 and good bye to Taylor Mays question marks. 
 
  16. Tennessee (8-8) Brandon Graham DE Michigan. Not as big as Fisher would like, I bet - but at 265 definitely a normal 4-3 DE. Known for his relentless attack, he fits the mold vacated by Vanden-Boch (the only current NFLer I've mentioned twice). 
 
  17. San Francisco - from Carolina (8-8) Mike Iupati G Idaho -- San Fran will inevitably gravitate towards smash mouth the longer Mike Singlatary coaches there. What better way to juice your power run game than add two very powerful Oline players? You got a back, a QB you think you can work with, a below average blocking TE (but elite pass catcher). Their D could use some help but the immeadite improvement on Oline and in the Running Game explicitly will help their D the most.
 
  18. Pittsburgh (9-7) - Bryan Bulaga* OT Iowa -- a fexible, well coached OT who can and probably will end up playing anywhere. A lot of services have him higher ranked than this but his measurables suggest he slides. I don't like Iowa offensive linemen, but in Pitt he'll get good coaching and can definitely help them in a lot of spots. A lot of people say he's the 10th best person in this draft I just don't agree.
 
  19. Atlanta (9-7) -- Carlos Dunlap* DE Florida -- More Pass Rushers needed. More run stuffers needed to. They've got a lot of work to do to up their toughness over all.
 
  20. Houston (9-7) -- Kyle Wilson CB Boise State -- they need another CB for like the billionth year in a row. Really, I'd say Dan Williams, to compliment the other DT they've got. Dan Williams would really help that D Line, but I'm picking players that will hinder the Cowboys.
   
  21. Cincinnati* (10-6) -- Taylor Mays S USC They really need a field stretcher and supposedly they need better safeties. Well, they actually tolerated S Roy Williams, so let them take a guy built like Roy, with more speed. Honestly Roy was 100X the play maker Taylor Mays was in College.
   
  22. New England* (10-6) --  Sergio Kindle OLB Texas -- let the reconstruction of their Defense Begin!  They need pass rushers like Russia needs a military. With out it no one cares what they do.
   
  23. Green Bay* (11-5) -- Bruce Campbell* OT Maryland. Lots of questions surround this guy. GB had a pretty good Defense last year. There are no CBs worthy of this slot, and no one doubts that GB needs to fix their OT position. 
 
  24. Philadelphia* (11-5) -- Everson Griffen* DE USC -- they have a variety of needs, but who doesn't need more pass rushers? Dan Williams is also a possibility, but when in doubt, draft the guy who weighs 265 lbs and runs a 4.65 40.
   
  25. Baltimore* (9-7) -- Brian Price* DT UCLA -- New Blood at 3-4 DE. Dan Williams cannot supplant their reigning NT.
 
  26. Arizona* (10-6) -- Dan Williams DT Tennessee -- They need a 3-4 OLB (not available at value) or a 3-4 DE, so I want to give them Odrick. Dan Williams is just too valuable at this slot, and the Cards are starting a 34 year old at NT.
 
  27. Dallas* (11-5) -- Maurkice Pouncey* C Florida -- FINALLY HERE!!! We're looking at these players being available: Maurkice Pouncey* C Florida, Arrelious Benn WR Illinois, Jared Odrick DT Penn State, Kareem Jackson* CB Alabama, Brandon Spikes ILB Florida, Ryan Mathews* RB Fresno State. Spikes measurables are sinking him at least past this point. Mathews won't supplant Felix. Odrick is viable, and I'm unaquanted with Kareem Jackson. Either way there are at least two players whose value match this slot; Odrick and Pouncey. Supposedly Pouncey is a highly flexible interior player who could immeaditely play LG, and back up the center. Dallas will be able to improve at least one starting role with this choice.
   
  28. San Diego* (13-3) Ryan Mathews* RB Fresno State -- Is this a reach? Maybe but this is an ongoing rumor already.
   
  29. New York Jets* (9-7) Jonathan Dwyer*, RB Georgia Tech -- Maybe a reach, but some rank him this high; Jets cut Thomas Jones, and signed LT. LT is not going to carry the ball 250 times. And I believe the Jets coach is infatuated with having star power at his skill positions.
 
  30. Minnesota* (12-4)  Patrick Robinson CB Florida State -- it's either him or the Alabama CB. Minny needs secondary help.
   
  31. Indianapolis* (14-2) Brandon Spikes ILB Florida -- What do they need? A thumper and some attitude
 
  32. New Orleans* (13-3) Jared Odrick DT Penn State -- DE improvement

I've slowly come to think of them as very sleazy and underhanded, begining with their purchase by Zygi Wilf.

The evidence: The Minnesotta Vikings remain immune from drug regulation. Here

The Vikings tampered with Green Bay to get Brett Favre here  I for one don't believe the denials; I do believe a lack of concrete evidence.

The Vikings insert the first poison pill in to a contract, undoing years of negotiations to maintain team rights for RFAs here

So what is it? Are they just creative and aggressive? Or underhanded and sleazy?