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| Andrew Perna & The RGM Cowboys Forum. 29th March, 2008 - 1:58 pm
 Here at RealGM our heart beats thanks to the thousands upon thousands of posters that frequent our forums on a daily basis. With the NFL season still months from kicking off, but the ever-important NFL Draft just weeks away, what better time than now to check in with the people who care about football even more than some of the players on the field?
2007 Record: 13-3 (1st in NFC East)
Additions: Zach Thomas, LB
Subtractions: Julius Jones, RB (SEA), Keith Davis, S (MIA), Nathan Jones, CB (MIA), Jacques Reeves, CB (HOU)
Draft Picks: 22nd (from CLE) and 28th
The Answers
1. What was the best thing(s) that happened in 2007?
studcrackers: Finding out that Tony Romo is legit and hopefully will continue to be considered the third best quarterback in the league. Seeing this team win thirteen games, knowing Terrell Owens is not a distraction anymore, seeing Leonard Davis actually prove he was worth the huge contract we gave him and the progression of DeMarcus Ware and Marion 'The Barbarian' Barber.
blue_gold7: Tony Romo's contract.
your_dallas_mavericks: Beating the Giants twice in the regular season.
2. What was the worst thing that happened in 2007?
studcrackers: The loss in our first playoff game as our streak of postseason futility continued (despite the fact that we beat ourselves more then the Giants beat us.) The collapse really took place on the offensive line in the second half of that game against New York. After they handled Green Bay, there was a noticeable drop off in intensity; the T.O. ankle injury might’ve hurt us a little too.
blue_gold7: The loss of Terrell Owens down the stretch.
your_dallas_mavericks: Losing to the Giants in the Divisional Playoffs.
3. Who had a breakout season?
studcrackers: I’d say Romo because he had a lot of naysayers and doubters heading into the season. Also, Marion Barber.
blue_gold7: Patrick Crayton.
your_dallas_mavericks: A lot of Cowboys: Romo, Barber, Deon Anderson, Witten, Crayton, Ware, Ellis, Spencer, Canty, Ratliff, Bradie James, Henry, Hamlin, and Folk!
4. Who was the biggest disappointment?
studcrackers: Roy Williams, but I don’t think the blame should always fall on him. Also, the confirmation that Bill Parcells wasted a first rounder on Bobby Carpenter aka Mr. Special Teams.
blue_gold7: Terry Glenn, doesn’t seem to be his fault though.
your_dallas_mavericks: Julius Jones by far – he rushes for 1,000+ yards a year ago and doesn’t even reach 600 last season and without an injury!
5. How could the team have been more successful?
studcrackers: From a regular season standpoint nothing, we won two games we shouldn’t have. At times the defense wasn't as good as it could’ve been and when Ware was taken out of the game the pass rush suffered. Our cornerback play was inconsistent mainly due to Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry being in and out of the lineup.
blue_gold7: If we found someone that doesn't get burnt in coverage like Roy Williams.
your_dallas_mavericks: Start Barber from opening snap, keep Aaron Glenn, and trade a little depth in other positions for more cornerback or wide receiver depth.
6. What do you make of the team’s offseason progress at this point?
studcrackers: They re-signed Flozell Adams for longer than I would’ve liked and franchised Ken Hamlin, which I didn’t enjoy because losing him wouldn’t have bothered me. We lost Jacques Reeves, but I'm sure his replacement will be better. Zach Thomas should provide leadership and prove he's still got a little something left in the tank. Overall, we’ve had an okay offseason thus far; at least they didn’t go overpay for anyone. We’ve got too many future free-agents to worry about.
blue_gold7: It has been a good offseason so far, in my opinion. Retaining Flozell was key for this team, as well as Romo. Jones is pretty creative at doing what he does, that’s why I love him. Now, go and get Pacman.
your_dallas_mavericks: I am extremely satisfied. At least we aren’t the Raiders and didn’t spend all our money foolishly. Our frugality and commitment to "keeping our own" will help us in the end. However, I don’t think making a play for Oakland cornerback Fabian Washington would have been a bad move.
7. Where are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
studcrackers: Cornerback, receiver for when Owens is gone, and a running back to be Barber’s backup and 1-2 punch. If an offensive lineman slid that we really liked, I wouldn’t mind taking a chance on him even in the first round. Also, a safety to replace Keith Davis primarily on special teams.
blue_gold7: a) Running back (should’ve kept Thompson), b) defensive back (Williams’ pass coverage is nonexistent) and c) WR (not sure what Glenn is going to do, but with Owens, Crayton, Witten, and Stanback I don't see any major problems here yet.)
your_dallas_mavericks: Two cornerbacks, two wide receivers, two running backs, one safety, and one guard – that's 8 picks.
8. Who do you hope the team drafts with their first pick?
studcrackers: There's not a particular person I want, just the positions as long as it’s not Mario Manningham and we don’t trade our picks to get McFadden. Being an Indiana fan, I like James Hardy with our lower first-rounder and maybe Jamaal Charles if we take a runner in the second or third round. If Jonathan Stewart or Rashard Mendenhall slip to seventeen, I’d trade up before the Texans and select one of them. For cornerback, I like pretty much all of them, though Aqib Talib seems too slow. Rodgers-Cromartie would be nice, as would Leodis McKelvin, if either somehow slipped.
blue_gold7: Felix Jones.
your_dallas_mavericks: Whatever cornerback is available. A running back can wait a round or two, and a receiver can be taken either at twenty-eight and/or in a later round.
9. Which player will be on the hot seat in 2008?
studcrackers: Williams will get criticized regardless; he just seems to be hated by everyone here. Barber will need to prove he can handle the season as a starter in the 20-25 carry range. He wore down in the Giants’ game, but I think that was because we ran him like 10-to-12 times plays on one drive, which hurt him later in the game. Ken Hamlin needs to prove last season wasn’t a fluke to get himself a long term deal. And Romo struggled in the last month, really the whole team needs to show they can play in December because we've struggled the last 4 Decembers.
blue_gold7: Roy Williams.
your_dallas_mavericks: Patrick Crayton, Jay Ratliff, Tank Johnson, Terence Newman, Anthony Henry and, of course Roy Williams.
10. What are the realistic expectations for 2008 at this point?
studcrackers: We will make the playoffs in what is arguably the toughest division in football (definitely the NFC), but it's a crapshoot from there especially if we play a divisional opponent. We are a Super Bowl contender, there's a bit of homerism in that, but when you win thirteen games, your expectations should be high.
blue_gold7: Playoffs are likely, the Super Bowl is realistic.
your_dallas_mavericks: A 12-4 regular-season record. No less than the NFC Championship Game, if not a Super Bowl victory.
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