Does anyone else remember this, or is it a figment of my imagination? (1 Viewer)

[Doug Drinen]

In the 1992 draft, the Cowboys had two firsts, two seconds, and two thirds. Their first pick was #17, where they took cornerback Kevin Smith, who ended up being a respectable player.

Anway, my recollection is that Smith was signed before he was picked.

I couldn't find any verification of this via google, but I (think I) remember it very clearly. The Cowboys had people with ready-to-sign contracts at the homes (or draft parties) of a few players. As soon as Dallas went on the clock, they signed Smith to the contract, and then picked him. They may have done the same thing with their other first round pick (linebacker Robert Jones, another decent-but-not-great player), but I don't specifically recall that. I remember thinking it was a pretty shrewd move by Jimmy Johnson, and wondering why other teams didn't copy it.

Does anyone else remember this, or have I officially lost whatever shreds of sanity I was formerly clinging to?

 

[Christo]

 

[Andy Herron]

I can't honestly say. It certainly "sounds like" Jimmy Johnson though.

I know he was very intent on his players being signed and ready for training camp.

He had no patience for holdouts or the like at all.

 

[DWidmar]

I do know this was going on during the Jimmy Johnson era but to which level I do not specifically remember. IIRC they would have preliminary contract negotiaions and get the money part close and then they were able to sign them shortly after they drafted them. I thought they would actually negotiate with a couple of players they were considering and then pick the one that was still there or the one they wanted more. I always wondered why more teams didnt do this but it sounds like for anyone who is not the #1 pick you cant do it anymore.