Rick Gosselin: Jimmy Johnson left the Cowboys after the 1993 season. With Jerry Jones running the draft room, the Cowboys have not carded an A for a draft since then. Until now.
Jones and Bill Parcells engineered the best draft of the post-Johnson era, receiving one of three A's on the NFL grade card. And that A could become an A-plus a year down the road if defensive end Chris Canty recovers from an eye injury that could force him to spend the 2005 season on the sideline. Because of the injury, Canty was a Top 40 talent that slid to Dallas in the fourth round.
The Cowboys had the best first day on this draft. Landing the speed of Demarcus Ware and the size of Marcus Spears was the dream scenario of Jerry Jones and Bill Parcells. The Dallas defensive front got bigger and faster overnight. Good players often come to those who don't trade down. Justin Beriault and Rob Petitti in the sixth round was a good way for the Cowboys to close the draft out. The second day is what makes a good draft great. For a change the Cowboys made some superb second-day draft picks in Canty, Beriault and Petitti.
Grade: A
Today in History
1999: A final autopsy reveals that former Cowboys offensive lineman Mark Tuinei died of a lethal combination of heroin and a form of the drug ecstasy. The death was ruled an accident.
Picture of the Day
AP
Green Bay Packer Jim Taylor runs with a Bart Starr pass as Mel Renfro (20) leaps high in air too late to break up the pass during the NFL Championship game, Jan. 1, 1967, in Dallas. At left is Cowboys Chuck Howley (54).
