After another loss, a question for the Board

[Woods]

....

Is our approach to FA in 2005 going to be similar to 2004, in your opinion?

I am NOT saying to blow up our cap on useless FAs, but IMO I think we need to dish out money on quality FAs, rather than necessarily wait until the end and give "somewhat" serious money to nearly washed up FAs.

I don't think we should use Snyder's approach, but isn't there a middle ground? I think that there must be.

IF we don't add a couple of decent FA pick-ups to our two number 1 picks next year, we still won't have enough ammunition. We'll probably end up around 7-9 to 9-7 area next year.

I realize not every hole can be filled in this era of the salary cap, but I don't see why we couldn't pick up around 2 solid FA - not superstars - next yearr and add our 2 1st rounders and show a competitive team next year.

[slick325]

....

Is our approach to FA in 2005 going to be similar to 2004, in your opinion?

I am NOT saying to blow up our cap on useless FAs, but IMO I think we need to dish out money on quality FAs, rather than necessarily wait until the end and give "somewhat" serious money to nearly washed up FAs.

I don't think we should use Snyder's approach, but isn't there a middle ground? I think that there must be.

IF we don't add a couple of decent FA pick-ups to our two number 1 picks next year, we still won't have enough ammunition. We'll probably end up around 7-9 to 9-7 area next year.

I realize not every hole can be filled in this era of the salary cap, but I don't see why we couldn't pick up around 2 solid FA - not superstars - next yearr and add our 2 1st rounders and show a competitive team next year.

I hope not. Coach Parcells and Mr. Jones are very smart men and would not be where they are professionally and economically if they did not learn from mistakes made. This offseason needs to be one of aggressive fiscal responsibilty. John Abraham and Kendrell Bell can be had for big dollars but they are 26 years old and could end their careers in Big D so the contracts should be long enough to lessen the cap burden. Marcus Coleman at FS would be a cheap fit but a good one nonetheless. He is a "Parcells Guy" and would probably come on board enabling Dallas to move Roy Williams to SS. Those moves coupled with having two, sad to say, high 1st round picks can solidify the defense for years to come. IMO, we should draft a DT and CB with those two picks.

Yes, that would mean an extraordinary amount of cap used on the defensive side of the ball but we have that luxury because of the contracts we gave to Drew Henson, Julius Jones, Keyshawn, Glenn and Quincy Morgan. Normally a team ties up most of it's money in the QB, RB and/or WR, the cheap approach to finding a franchise QB we have used can pay huge dividends if Henson and Jones pan out.

[Eddie]

I hope not. Coach Parcells and Mr. Jones are very smart men and would not be where they are professionally and economically if they did not learn from mistakes made.


I'm not really sure Jerry Jones has learned a THING fro his mistakes. In his mind, he hasn't made any mistakes. 10 years of horrible drafting has not only continued, it thrives in Big D.

the cheap approach to finding a franchise QB we have used can pay huge dividends if Henson and Jones pan out.

You mean the SAME cheap approach which caused us to go three straight 5-11 seasons???

[slick325]

I'm not really sure Jerry Jones has learned a THING fro his mistakes. In his mind, he hasn't made any mistakes. 10 years of horrible drafting has not only continued, it thrives in Big D.



You mean the SAME cheap approach which caused us to go three straight 5-11 seasons???

It's a big IF Eddie, I know. IF Henson pans out he has a long contract and even meeting incentives shouldn't be able to void too many years.

[SA_Gunslinger]

i'm not in favor of any move that will put us in a cap stranglehold down the line. if that means being conservative in FA again....so be it.

[dbair1967]

These people that continue to blame Jones and Parcells for not spending money need to take a SERIOUS look at the people who were available and ask themselves would these people REALLY help here. The concensus opinion was that this years free agent crop was the worst ever, and the play on the field by most of the "names" that people wanted has proven it without a shadow of a doubt.

Now the 05 free agent class looks like it might be considerably stronger, and the players available might be more worth the investment in cap funds...spending money just for the ske of spending it in todays salary cap world is plain stupid

David

[Eddie]

These people that continue to blame Jones and Parcells for not spending money need to take a SERIOUS look at the people who were available and ask themselves would these people REALLY help here. The concensus opinion was that this years free agent crop was the worst ever, and the play on the field by most of the "names" that people wanted has proven it without a shadow of a doubt.

Now the 05 free agent class looks like it might be considerably stronger, and the players available might be more worth the investment in cap funds...spending money just for the ske of spending it in todays salary cap world is plain stupid

David


I don't fault the lack of movement in FA ... but it's the horrible drafting which really pisses me off.

I have no reason to believe JJ won't screw up our 2 #1's. He's going to take another speed DE and make him play a Contain D.

Then he's going to trade our second #1 for 2 2nd rounders whom BP won't play because he doesn't trust them.

[SA_Gunslinger]

These people that continue to blame Jones and Parcells for not spending money need to take a SERIOUS look at the people who were available and ask themselves would these people REALLY help here. The concensus opinion was that this years free agent crop was the worst ever, and the play on the field by most of the "names" that people wanted has proven it without a shadow of a doubt.



right ON brotha!

[Kittymama]

right ON brotha!

The magic words are "quality FAs". How do you find them? I might point out that the much-maligned Dedric Ward was considered a quality FA by New England last year, when they signed him & he helped them to the Super Bowl. Washington spent a ton of money on what they thought were quality FAs. How many people were howling for Brunell or Collins? Yet, despite the insane bonus Brunell got (& Randy Galloway claiming that Collins could be the next Jake Delhomme), you could argue that Vinny is playing better than either--& he costs much less & realizes he's here to step aside for Henson/Romo, where neither of them will. Yes, you could argue that a Dillon & a TO are a sure thing. However, I wonder how well Dillon would have fit in here with pouters like AB on the team. Maybe Parcells figured he could only handle a certain number of headcases. Plus, he's really only good for this year & maybe next anyway. Yes, you can say the same about Eddie--but again, who would you rather have mentoring Julius Jones?

We keep complaining about a few FAs--but look at the ones we have picked up over the past 2 years that panned out: Richie Anderson, Dan Campbell, LaRoi Glover, Keyshawn (yes), Terry Glenn. The hard reality about FAs is that you don't know. The Bucs (& a lot of other people) thought they were getting a terrific receiver in Joey Galloway. Many experts thought Jevon Kearse couldn't stay healthy. Yet Joey goes down in his first game, while Kearse is playing better than he did for years with the Titans. Could we have used an experienced CB? You bet. But I challenge anyone to show that the ones who were signed this year were worth the huge bonuses they got. Winfield? Well, he looks good against the crappy teams Minny has played, but I notice he couldn't get it done against Philly or Detroit. Who wants to think he'll be the difference-maker should the 2 meet in the playoffs? Champ Bailey? Probably--but there was no way the skins were going to send him to a rival team.

[chicago JK]

People may laugh, but I hope we follow the eagle method.


-don't give name players over thirty big long term contracts (there are exceptions)
-find players that fit your system
-draft well

Eagles after going after their first big free agents in TO and Kearse still have a ton of cap room next year. Andy Reid and front office has done an excellent job throughout the years...there problem is that they just can't win the big game.