IRVING – With the NFL draft three weeks away, the Cowboys are upping their preparedness by meeting with some prospects this week, including three Texas players: cornerback Aaron Ross, safety Michael Griffin and offensive lineman Justin Blalock.
Each team is allowed to meet with 30 prospects prior to the draft, though the Cowboys have broken up their sessions throughout the week to make it less hectic for the front office, coaches and scouts in meeting with the players.
Teams like to bring in prospects for more in-depth interview sessions as well as for follow-up medical exams but the players do not work out.
The Cowboys have not drafted a Longhorn since selecting receiver Wane McGarity in the fourth round of the 1999 draft.
Ross won the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back after recording six interceptions last season. Griffin had four interceptions and 126 tackles, and Blalock, a Plano East graduate, can play tackle or guard, making him attractive to teams.
Despite signing Ken Hamlin to shore up the free safety spot, the Cowboys will get up-close looks at three top safeties in Griffin, Miami's Brandon Meriweather and Florida's Reggie Nelson, who is expected to arrive today.
All are considered mid- or late-first round picks, and the Cowboys hold the No. 22 spot in the first round.
Other players who have visited or will meet with the team later in the week include: Auburn guard Ben Grubbs, who is considered the top guard in the draft, Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis, Ohio State running back Antonio Pittman, Ohio State receiver Anthony Gonzalez, Akron guard Andy Alleman and Missouri Southern offensive tackle Allen Barbre, whose 4.84 40-yard dash was the best among the offensive linemen at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Next week the Cowboys are scheduled to host, "Dallas Day," in which local players from the Dallas and Fort Worth areas visit and work out. In 2004 that workout helped them draft receiver Patrick Crayton (DeSoto) and cornerback Jacques Reeves (Lancaster). Texas A&M safety Melvin Bullitt (Garland) is expected to be part of the workout on April 13.
