Trusting the scouting department to.....

[Kevlee06]

find players who can rush the passer. Thats what the Cowboys need to do. I know the draft is a crapshoot when predicting who is gonna fall to you. But instead of trading picks/players and signing more guys to HUGE deals the Boys need to take a step back and identify players who they KNOW will fill that pass rushing need.
Treating the offseason like the Deadskins is not the awnser. The Cowboys have already done well in free agency, I say focus now on cheap FA signings and the draft.

[Hoov]

I agree, with the draft picks we have and BP making decisions we should have no problem finding a player who can bring the pressure. I wouldn't mind the cowboys adding a D-lineman who can be had cheap and who will sign for 1 or 2 years for added depth though.

[WoodysGirl]

You know you're asking alot, right?:D Trust the scouting department to actually find a pass rusher when they haven't found one before? Hmmm, I don't know Kev. I'll think about it.

[Kevlee06]

I just have a funny feeling we're being set up for a 3/4 year run instead of being in good financial shape for twice that amount.

At some point you HAVE to get better from within. And their have been some positive steps recently. But all this money being thrown around now could make it difficult to sign the guys that are being drafted in a few years.

[Kevlee06]

You know you're asking alot, right?:D Trust the scouting department to actually find a pass rusher when they haven't found one before? Hmmm, I don't know Kev. I'll think about it.

Well Lacewells gone, soooooo

[WoodysGirl]

Well Lacewells gone, soooooo

yeah I forgot about that. :p:

As for your other post. Like someone mentioned to me yesterday, when the new CBA is extended, the salary cap is going up. So all these "expensive" free agents really won't be that big of a hit since should be in the 100 mil range. I've actually seen 115 mil farther down the road.

As for re-signing some of our draft picks later, like T-new and Roy and Witten. I think these FAs contracts run out right around the time it'll be time for them to re-up. And since they're not backloaded, I think we'll be fine.

[jksmith269]

yeah I forgot about that. :p:

As for your other post. Like someone mentioned to me yesterday, when the new CBA is extended, the salary cap is going up. So all these "expensive" free agents really won't be that big of a hit since should be in the 100 mil range. I've actually seen 115 mil farther down the road.

As for re-signing some of our draft picks later, like T-new and Roy and Witten. I think these FAs contracts run out right around the time it'll be time for them to re-up. And since they're not backloaded, I think we'll be fine.


I think its funny just 10yrs ago the cap started out around 34mil and here we are talking about caps of 115mil.....If you ask me the players 10yrs ago were better and they played for less money....Something is wrong with this picture......

[Hoov]

You know you're asking alot, right?:D Trust the scouting department to actually find a pass rusher when they haven't found one before? Hmmm, I don't know Kev. I'll think about it.

Drafting has been better since BP arrived.

[Mike 1967]

I think its funny just 10yrs ago the cap started out around 34mil and here we are talking about caps of 115mil.....If you ask me the players 10yrs ago were better and they played for less money....Something is wrong with this picture......


Yep and it is just getting worse IMO.

How do you motivate a guy to go out and bust his hump after cutting him a 20 million dollar check ?

And it will probably be a 50 million dollar check in the very near future.

Where will it end ?

[Mike 1967]

Drafting has been better since BP arrived.

I agree.

In regards to drafting DE's.....I think you can throw all the past historical data out. Parcells is in the mix now and Lacewell is gone.

Parcells has yet to draft a Defensive Lineman....I'm very interested to see how he does.

[Hoov]

Yep and it is just getting worse IMO.

How do you motivate a guy to go out and bust his hump after cutting him a 20 million dollar check ?

And it will probably be a 50 million dollar check in the very near future.

Where will it end ?

Added to this that guys who play great and are paid less than other guys at the same position go seeking a big payday when they become FA, some of them thinking the big money with the new team is pay for what they have already done in the NFL, and compensation for being "underpaid" all those previous years. to me that is scary.....sign a player to big money that he feels he has already earned based on past performance, meanwhile he hasn't done SQUAT for your team!!!!

[Hoov]

I agree.

In regards to drafting DE's.....I think you can throw all the past historical data out. Parcells is in the mix now and Lacewell is gone.

Parcells has yet to draft a Defensive Lineman....I'm very interested to see how he does.

Me too. Didn't he draft Ferguson in 6th or 7th round. Now he has #11 and #20 to work with.

[WoodysGirl]

Drafting has been better since BP arrived.

I know. I was j/k. Bringing a little humor to the board.

Mike 1967 = It won't end because as long as the owners make in the billions off these athletes blood, sweat, and tears. I'm all for athletes getting the most money they can. They have a short life-span in this league and then they have to move to the real world. On this board we talk about guys like Howard at 28 being old. When in reality, he's just getting started in his life. Say his career ends at the end of that 6-year contract he wants. He's 34-35. God say the same, he's got 40-50 more years to go. Why not set himself and his family up to be in a good position to prosper in his next life?

The downside is that some guys do slack after cashing the big check, but then that's why NFL contracts are not guaranteed. They can cut 'em and move on. Like the Jags did when they signed Hugh Douglas and then cut him after a year. Not to say he wasn't motivated, but he wasn't producing. While it's fun and entertainment for us, it's also a business.

[Mike 1967]

Mike 1967 = It won't end because as long as the owners make in the billions off these athletes blood, sweat, and tears. I'm all for athletes getting the most money they can. They have a short life-span in this league and then they have to move to the real world. On this board we talk about guys like Howard at 28 being old. When in reality, he's just getting started in his life. Say his career ends at the end of that 6-year contract he wants. He's 34-35. God say the same, he's got 40-50 more years to go. Why not set himself and his family up to be in a good position to prosper in his next life?


Eventually the whole thing is going to cave in on itself.

IMO there will come a point when arena league football becomes more entertaining than the NFL.

In the arena league you will at least have guys fighting and scratching to make it big...or simply because they love the sport.

In the NFL you will have billionaires....the majority of which are more driven by desire for Bling Bling than for the sport. So once they get the Bling Bling where is the motivation to compete at a high level.

[Doomsday101]

Eventually the whole thing is going to cave in on itself.

IMO there will come a point when arena league football becomes more entertaining than the NFL.

In the arena league you will at least have guys fighting and scratching to make it big...or simply because they love the sport.

In the NFL you will have billionaires....the majority of which are more driven by desire for Bling Bling than for the sport. So once they get the Bling Bling where is the motivation to compete at a high level.

The motivation is many of these guys are highly competitive which is how they were able to make in the NFL. I think most realize for the fame they seek it takes performance on the field to be in the lime light. I'm not saying that all players are this way but I think a vast majority do understand that there are 2 sides to sports 1 is the business side and the other is the game itself. I have tried to watch area league football and it is a joke

[Mike 1967]

The motivation is many of these guys are highly competitive which is how they were able to make in the NFL. I think most realize for the fame they seek it takes performance on the field to be in the lime light. I'm not saying that all players are this way but I think a vast majority do understand that there are 2 sides to sports 1 is the business side and the other is the game itself. I have tried to watch area league football and it is a joke

I think most of them are motivated by the money because the money has become so big.

Fame and love for the game are still ingredients....but they continue to become a smaller and smaller piece IMO as the money continues to grow.

The sport becomes less a sport and more a business.

[Doomsday101]

I think most of them are motivated by the money because the money has become so big.

Fame and love for the game are still ingredients....but they continue to become a smaller and smaller piece IMO as the money continues to grow.

The sport becomes less a sport and more a business.

I disagree, I think players still want center stage and to get it you have to perform. Granted money is a big issue because they all know their career is extremely short so you need to do what you have to for you and your family. Manning got a hugh contract and it did not slow him down a bit and there are many others in the same boat who have continued to play at a high level even though they are set money wise. You can't play this game at the level they do without some passion for it.

[Mike 1967]

I disagree, I think players still want center stage and to get it you have to perform. Granted money is a big issue because they all know their career is extremely short so you need to do what you have to for you and your family. Manning got a hugh contract and it did not slow him down a bit and there are many others in the same boat who have continued to play at a high level even though they are set money wise. You can't play this game at the level they do without some passion for it.

Passion for money is one of the strongest passions there is. I would argue the strongest. Because with money you can buy everything else (women, prestige, power, fame). So there is definitely passion driving them to perform. That is exactly my point. But once you get the money...the passion dwindles because the motivation driving you has already been secured.

Yes there are Mannings and Emmitt's.....but IMO they are the exception not the rule. And IMO they will become an ever dwindling majority as the salary cap continues to sky rocket.

Only time will tell.

[Doomsday101]

Passion for money is one of the strongest passions there is. I would argue the strongest. Because with money you can buy everything else (women, prestige, power, fame). So there is definitely passion driving them to perform. That is exactly my point. But once you get the money...the passion dwindles because the motivation driving you has already been secured.

Yes there are Mannings and Emmitt's.....but IMO they are the exception not the rule. And IMO they will become an ever dwindling majority as the salary cap continues to sky rocket.

Only time will tell.

Again I disagree, you don't make it in pro sports because of the money alone, these guys tend to be very goal oriented and as I said very competitive, these guys could be out playing a game of pickup basketball and they will fight tooth and nail to win and that is not something you can just turn off because of a pay check.

[Mike 1967]

Again I disagree, you don't make it in pro sports because of the money alone, these guys tend to be very goal oriented and as I said very competitive, these guys could be out playing a game of pickup basketball and they will fight tooth and nail to win and that is not something you can just turn off because of a pay check.

Then we disagree.

[Doomsday101]

Then we disagree.

It appears that way.

[jay cee]

I know. I was j/k. Bringing a little humor to the board.

Mike 1967 = It won't end because as long as the owners make in the billions off these athletes blood, sweat, and tears. I'm all for athletes getting the most money they can. They have a short life-span in this league and then they have to move to the real world. On this board we talk about guys like Howard at 28 being old. When in reality, he's just getting started in his life. Say his career ends at the end of that 6-year contract he wants. He's 34-35. God say the same, he's got 40-50 more years to go. Why not set himself and his family up to be in a good position to prosper in his next life?

The downside is that some guys do slack after cashing the big check, but then that's why NFL contracts are not guaranteed. They can cut 'em and move on. Like the Jags did when they signed Hugh Douglas and then cut him after a year. Not to say he wasn't motivated, but he wasn't producing. While it's fun and entertainment for us, it's also a business.

Great points WG, most fans want the players to remember the business aspects of the game when the player wants more money.

But when a player does like that Jet player did this year and refuse to play with a serious injury because his contract was ending, many fans get angry. That was a business decision.

Some fans still bring up the fact that Emmitt Smith held out after the 1st superbowl victory. He made a business decision and it worked out in his favor, but a lot fans were angry about that.

[hipfake08]

I just have a funny feeling we're being set up for a 3/4 year run instead of being in good financial shape for twice that amount.

At some point you HAVE to get better from within. And their have been some positive steps recently. But all this money being thrown around now could make it difficult to sign the guys that are being drafted in a few years.

Thanks. Well stated.
If we overspend now we doom ourselves to being the Deadskins in a few years. :skins:

[ravidubey]

find players who can rush the passer. Thats what the Cowboys need to do. I know the draft is a crapshoot when predicting who is gonna fall to you. But instead of trading picks/players and signing more guys to HUGE deals the Boys need to take a step back and identify players who they KNOW will fill that pass rushing need.
Treating the offseason like the Deadskins is not the awnser. The Cowboys have already done well in free agency, I say focus now on cheap FA signings and the draft.

My impression is the Cowboys feel the same way, but they have to explore every option especially when a proven commodity like Howard becomes available.

I mean, if they go for three pass rushers with their first three picks they should end up with at least one, right? But this is Dallas and the Cowboys are one of the worst drafting teams around. Goodrich, Larrimore, Edwards anyone?

[btcutter]

My impression is the Cowboys feel the same way, but they have to explore every option especially when a proven commodity like Howard becomes available.

I mean, if they go for three pass rushers with their first three picks they should end up with at least one, right? But this is Dallas and the Cowboys are one of the worst drafting teams around. Goodrich, Larrimore, Edwards anyone?

Dallas has had horrible draft records but M. Edwards isn't one of them. He was drafted in the 6th round and we got a few yrs of starting CB out of him. That's pretty darn good for a 6rd pick. If all our 6 and 7rders turned out like that, we'll have great depth and contending every yr without having to sign FA.

[jobberone]

There's no difference in the competitive spirit of some NFL players and those of some weekends golfers who I've seen fight over a missed putt for less than $20.

Some people just compete and will do so as soon as the competition begins. They aren't thinking money during a play. At least some of them.

[Doomsday101]

There's no difference in the competitive spirit of some NFL players and those of some weekends golfers who I've seen fight over a missed putt for less than $20.

Some people just compete and will do so as soon as the competition begins. They aren't thinking money during a play. At least some of them.

In professional sports I think that is most of them

[Seven]

Well Lacewells gone, soooooo

Here's to a healthy, happy life to Lacewell.......Somewhere else!!

[Seven]

My impression is the Cowboys feel the same way, but they have to explore every option especially when a proven commodity like Howard becomes available.

I mean, if they go for three pass rushers with their first three picks they should end up with at least one, right? But this is Dallas and the Cowboys are one of the worst drafting teams around. Goodrich, Larrimore, Edwards anyone?

Please stop using Jerry's drafts as a comparasion. Getting very, very old.http://cowboyszone.com/forums/images/icons/icon11.gif

[ravidubey]

Dallas has had horrible draft records but M. Edwards isn't one of them. He was drafted in the 6th round and we got a few yrs of starting CB out of him. That's pretty darn good for a 6rd pick. If all our 6 and 7rders turned out like that, we'll have great depth and contending every yr without having to sign FA.

Dallas's scouting and talent evaluation is so bad they were calling around the league on draft day wondering why Edwards was plummeting. If they had had a 3rd round pick, they might have drafted him on the draft's first day. That's how bad the talent evaluation is in Big D. The Cowboys would have been a far superior team had they drafted Mel Kiper's board from 1994 onwards.

You honestly have to try to be as bad as Dallas has been. Heck, we would have done better with a monkey, a dart board, and seven darts each year. Honestly, I'm a software engineer and the Cowboys under Jones and Lacewell remind me of a junior programmer who didn't go to school but is learning bits and pieces here and there. Just barely knowledgable to be dangerously bad.