Draft History: 1996

IRVING – The Cowboys have spent the past two years defending the decision that made Shante Carver their top NFL draft choice, saying they would do it again. Saturday, they did.

Concerned with Charles Haley's chronic back problems and periodic retirements, Tony Tolbert's declining performance playing on aching knees and growing disappointment in Carver, the Cowboys traded themselves out of the first round and chose defensive line prospect Kavika Pittman of McNeese State with the 37th overall pick.

"I wasn't surprised I got drafted, just how high I got drafted," Pittman said. "Most people had me as a third- or fourth-rounder. Charles Haley played at James Madison, and people asked a lot of questions about him. Now he's got five Super Bowl rings."

With one trade after another, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones attempted to replace the talent stripped from the reigning world champions through three years of unrestricted free agency. Twelve picks after congratulating themselves with high-fives for making Pittman the second coming of Carver, the Cowboys traded up for inconsistent Randall Godfrey of Georgia, the last speed linebacker the team coveted.

Jones said that in choosing Pittman and third-rounder Mike Ulufale, a defensive tackle from BYU, the team has consciously decided against pursuing veteran free-agents such as Tony Casillas, Ray Childress or Jumpy Geathers.

Coach Barry Switzer called the prospects dedicated to the defensive line completely necessary. He has mentioned Haley might be restricted to a situational pass-rush role after his second back operation. He reminded Saturday that Tolbert had double-knee surgery this off-season.

Haley is preparing for his 12th season, Tolbert his eighth and both have long-term, big-money contracts. Those were considerations, scouting director Larry Lacewell said.

"I think we have to be very realistic," he said. "We do have problems. Let's be realistic about Charles Haley. Let's be realistic about Tony Tolbert. We had injury problems with both of those players a year ago, and they're certainly not getting younger.

"We're sitting out there last season when Haley was gone or hurt - whatever he was sometimes - with two defensive ends and that is it. I'm glad we have Shante Carver, I'll tell you. And now we have another."

The Cowboys had Texas defensive end Tony Brackens with a higher grade on their draft board. But they preferred Pittman when it came to the term that has broad-sided many drafts: potential.

The chance for Brackens disappeared in the trade-down with Washington, whose coach is former Dallas offensive coordinator Norv Turner. The Cowboys dropped from 30th to 37th, confident, if not certain, Pittman or Brackens would be there. Brackens went to Jacksonville with the 33rd pick.

The trade-off for the Cowboys was the Redskins' third-round pick was used for Florida State center Clay Shiver, who provides insurance as Pro Bowler Ray Donaldson recovers from a dislocated ankle.

The Cowboys had to call upon another former Cowboys coach to win position for Godfrey. But the much-anticipated trade between the Cowboys and Miami's Jimmy Johnson was reduced to a minor transaction that pushed the Cowboys' from 60th overall in the second round to 49th.

They used the Miami pick to scramble in front of the San Diego Chargers for Godfrey after missing higher-rated linebackers John Mobley, Reggie Brown and Ray Lewis in the first round. Those prospects vanished when Mobley went 15th, Brown 17th and Lewis 26th.

"We got the player we wanted," Switzer said of Pittman.

Considering his background as a NCAA Division I-AA player, Pittman probably should not anticipate heavy playing time as a rookie for the reigning Super Bowl champions. But then his competition is merely Carver, former free agent Hurvin McCormack, 1995 seventh-rounder Oscar Sturgis and Darren Benson, a supplemental pick last summer from a junior college.

Pittman (6-5 1/2, 265) could increase his size to 280 pounds and therefore has the potential to play defensive tackle as well as an outside pass-rusher.

While that background might preclude him from immediately becoming an impact player, it does not necessarily remand him to unlimited mediocrity. After all, Haley is a former fourth-rounder from NCAA Division II James Madison and Leon Lett a seventh-rounder from NAIA Emporia State.

"The transition will be tough, but I think I can make it," Pittman said.