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Arlington Hosts “Dallas Cowboys Draft Day Party 2008" continued..
Kristi Scales - Sideline Reporter for The Dallas Cowboys Radio Network
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More than just fun & games, the draft day party provided up-to-the-second exclusive coverage of the NFL Draft.  Large video screens showed exclusive live feeds from the Valley Ranch “War Room”.  On a huge main stage, Cowboys broadcaster Brad Sham hosted the coverage with analysis provided by former Cowboy Nate Newton, Desperados quarterback Clint Dolezel, and Cowboys sideline reporter Kristi Scales.  The Dallas Cowboys television department provided video feeds from Valley Ranch so that Sham could conduct live, exclusive, interviews with team owner Jerry Jones, head coach Wade Phillips, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, defensive backs coach Dave Campo, and tight ends coach John Garrett. 

Former Cowboys great Randy White added a Hall of Fame presence by appearing live on stage for a Q&A session.  Current Cowboys DeMarcus Ware, Bradie James, Isaiah Stanback and Jason Hatcher also took part in Q&A sessions on the main stage.    

As the afternoon progressed, anticipation mounted as the Cowboys moved closer to their first round draft selections.  Excitement ran particularly high when the Cowboys were “on the clock” and just seconds away from announcing their picks.  

Loud cheers erupted when the team drafted running back Felix Jones with the 22nd overall pick.  Just moments later, the Cowboys traded-up from the 28th spot and landed at #25 overall to select cornerback Mike Jenkins which elicited another raucous cheer from Cowboys fans.  Both Jones and Jenkins were highly regarded entering the draft, and both are expected to contribute immediately to the team’s winning ways in the upcoming 2008 season.

The response of fans was overwhelmingly positive, not only to the Cowboys’ draft selections, but to the party itself.  Fans took photos of themselves posing with the team’s five Super Bowl Championship trophies.  The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and Desperados Dancers not only performed on-stage, but spent hours signing autographs.  Sponsor booths provided entertainment such as video games or the chance to provide “play-by-play” of Cowboys video highlights. 

Of all the interactive exhibits, however, the most popular was the tour of the new stadium construction site.

“As of this weekend, we’re right at sixty percent of completion,” Hill noted.  “They’ve made great progress on the roof.  The glass as well as the lower bowl are going in.  We’re about ninety percent through with all of our concrete work which is the structural work.  We’re focusing a lot of our attention on the inside which includes the suites, the club areas, restrooms, concession stands, and all the stuff you can’t see from the outside.  We have about 1,200 workers that are working two shifts and on weekends, so things are going extremely well.”

By the time next year’s Draft Day Party rolls around, the stadium will be near 100% completed.  And, if the team makes as much progress as the construction crews, maybe there will be a SIXTH Super Bowl Championship trophy for fans to enjoy.