10. As I wrote yesterday afternoon, the Cowboys talked to the Miami Dolphins about trading up. And Texas safety Earl Thomas was indeed one of their three targets in Thursday's NFL Draft. The others: Idaho offensive lineman Mike Iupati and Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant. No matter which one of those fell, when Jerry Jones drops only 29 spots (swapping a third-round pick for New England's fourth) to nab at 24 what his organization feels is a Top 10 player, it's a value pick.
9. Talked to Bryant moments after he got the call from Jones. The kid may have immaturity issues, or, as some folks are calling it, "life skills issues", but he was extremely humble and courteous on 105.3 The Fan with myself, Bill Jones and Brad Sham. Can't remember the last time a diva referred to me as "sir."
8. In 1998 Jones passed on a receiver named Randy Moss. At the time the Cowboys were reeling from public relations hits in the form of Michael Irvin, et al. In '98 it was the right move to choose Greg Ellis, but deep down the passing of Moss has haunted Jones. Now, with a sanitized locker room and goodwill on the uptick, the Cowboys can afford to absorb a game-changing player whose transgressions are confined to lying about lunch with Deion Sanders and being habitually tardy. Bryant will require babysitting, but not bodyguarding.
7. In 2002 the Cowboys drafted a talented receiver with character issues named Bryant. In 2010 the Cowboys drafted a talented receiver with character issues named Bryant. Here's hoping Dez works out better than Antonio.
6. Whether he admits it or not, the drafting of Bryant is an admission by Jones. An admission that Roy Williams is an underachieving disappointment. If Williams was the player who Jones was counting on, Bryant wouldn't be a Cowboy this morning.
5. Sorry Jesse Holley fans dreamers. His chances of ever catching a regular-season pass for the Cowboys just further diminished. And I imagine Kevin Ogletree and Sam Hurd don't exactly have a pep in their steps today, either.
4. As Bryant continued to slide toward Dallas at No. 27, we could see activity in Dallas' Valley Ranch war room steadily escalate. Said Jones, "You get to twitchin' and people started getting excited, talking in tongues." What the what? Jones celebrated the deal by sitting back in his leather chair, patting son Stephen on the back and taking a swig of iced tea.
3. In college Bryant reminded me of Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree. It's trite, but he was a man amongst boys. Remember, he's bigger and faster than Michael Irvin. The bonus? He's a premier kick returner. No more need for dudes like Allen Rossum.
2. If you want to criticize the pick I totally see your point. In the past months proven, productive NFL receivers such as Anquan Boldin (Cardinals to Ravens for a 3rd and 4th), Santonio Holmes (Steelers to Jets for a 5th) and Brandon Marshall (Broncos to Dolphins for two 2nds) have been traded for relatively cheap price tags.
1. Jones capped his giddy night with a hilarious - albeit unintentional, I think - zinger out at Valley Ranch. The owner/GM was comparing Bryant's tardiness to that of a certain former Prez from Arkansas. "But boy when Clinton got there," Jones said, "he brought the wood."
