Monday, April 13, 1998

It's time the Cowboys had a decent draft

By Candy Reagan / Abilene Reporter-News

The Dallas Cowboys will be looking for defensive linemen, offensive linemen, linebackers and wide receivers when they go to the draft board this weekend.

Sound familiar? It should. These are the same holes the Cowboys have been trying to fill for the last four years. In fact, the Cowboys have used 21 of their last 35 draft choices on these positions. Yet here we are again.

That, my friend, is a sign of poor drafting.

Much has been said about the Cowboys' aging players and free agent defections, but one of the key reasons the Cowboys sunk from Super Bowl champs to bottom of the barrel is an inability to find quality replacements in the draft.

If Chan Gailey and Jerry Jones want to turn things around in Dallas, they need to start this weekend.

Nowhere is the ineffectiveness of the last four drafts more evident than at defensive end. Twice between 1994 and 1997, the Cowboys used their first pick on a defensive end in an effort to replace Charles Haley -- Shante Carver in 1994 and Kavika Pittman in 1996. Neither has been impressive, thus this weekend, the Cowboys will likely make it three out of the last five first picks spent on defensive ends.

Offensive line is another example. Six offensive linemen were drafted during '94, '95 and '96, but only two are still with the team -- Larry Allen, the best pick of the last four years, and Clay Shiver, whom the Cowboys are looking to replace.

One out of six is not a good record.

So what should the Cowboys do this weekend? Here's my opinion:

With the first pick they should try again to get a good defensive end. Not only have the Cowboys been unable to replace Haley, but Tony Tolbert has never-ending knee problems. This is a critical need.

The Cowboys, who pick eighth, shouldn't have to take a long shot. They ought to get a quality player. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing the Cowboys trade up to get the number three pick and take Andre Wadsworth, a defensive end from Florida State considered by many to be the best player in the draft.

But even if they don't, they can still get a dominant defensive end and finally fill Haley's shoes.

Second, the Cowboys should try again for an offensive lineman. According to all the analysts, this draft is deep in good offensive linemen. It's true the Cowboys have addressed this problem somewhat in free agency. But depth is critical on the offensive line, and the Cowboys haven't had any in years.

The Cowboys have many depth needs, but none is as critical as offensive line.

Now here is what the Cowboys should not do:

1. Do not draft Randy Moss. Speculation has it that the Cowboys might be tempted to take Moss -- considered a potential franchise wide receiver -- if he is still available by the eighth pick. The Cowboys should resist the temptation.

The thought of Moss teaming up with Michael Irvin is admittedly an attractive one. But Moss comes with character questions, and the last thing the Cowboys need is someone who may be trouble. He's not worth the risk.

2. Don't trade down. I'm tired of the Cowboys getting a lot of mediocre players. The Cowboys need quality over quantity. I'd rather have one dominant player than a bunch of career backups.

Of course, the Cowboys do have two big differences in this year's draft. First, they have Gailey, and I'm betting he proves to be a good judge of talent.

Second, they have a high pick. Let's hope that between the two, the Cowboys can find a way to change their luck.

Because I, for one, am tired of talking about the same old problems.

Candy Reagan, a local free-lance writer and avid sports fan, writes a weekly sports column commenting on sports happenings. You may contact her by e-mail at reagan@camalott.com.