my nfldb column.

[jterrell]

It’s like the Holidays for football fans. The combine is in full swing and free agency is opening up. Lots of guys are being cut to allow them to enter free agency and to avoid big roster bonuses that are becoming a norm in contracts.

Obviously on the Cowboy front no news is bigger than the signing of Drew Bledsoe.
I have received a dozen or so emails asking specifically about and Drew and honestly am glad I have taken time to digest the situation. My initial reaction was that the guy can’t play. But that is probably too harsh and then some. So I had to step back and breakdown the guy a bit.
Year Team G GS Att Comp Pct Yards YPA Lg TD Int Tkld 20+ 40+ Rate
2002 Buffalo Bills 16 16 610 375 61.5 4359 7.15 73 24 15 54/369 45 13 86.0
2003 Buffalo Bills 16 16 471 274 58.2 2860 6.07 54 11 12 49/371 28 2 73.0
2004 Buffalo Bills 16 16 450 256 56.9 2932 6.52 69 20 16 37/215 31 9 76.6

I took a second to reflect and to be balanced here are the pros and cons.

Pros:
1. Knows BP and Bill can develop an offense around his skills.
2. Is signed reasonably if reported deal of 12 mil over 3 years is accurate with only 2.5 mil up front.
3. Is a veteran who has been to the Super Bowl.
4. Can make all the throws on the field.
5. Plays a lot of games and will play hurt. Didn’t miss any games last 3 seasons.

Cons:
1. Completely immobile.
2. Takes sacks at alarming rate: 47 last season.
3. Not willing to help develop younger talent as Brady took his job in previous location.
4. Will throw the ball up for grabs.
5. Gets gun-shy after hard hits and takes a lot of hard hits.

In the end it comes down to the fact I think this is a BP bus driver deal. He knows what BP can do and feels he can give Drew the same type of weapons as Drew Henson and Bledsoe will do more with them. I agree. Henson is gonna deal with pressure better because he has great mobility but if Bledsoe has good WRs he will hit them. In the end Bledsoe can be successful here and that really is what matters most. But I am not going to go out and buy any Cowboys #11 jerseys unless they have White on the back of them.

Other Free Agent targets:
I have heard from reasonable sources that Dallas is talking to Kareem McKenzie, Jason Ferguson, and Gary Baxter.
I have heard from less confirmed sources Dallas has spoken to Laverneous Coles, Jonas Jennings, and Ken Lucas.

Dallas will certainly look to add a Defensive Tackle who can anchor the point against the run. Ferguson is just below Pat Williams in that regard but played for and was drafted by BP. He is also younger than Williams and likely to be cheaper. Pat Williams did play college ball in Texas though.

Dallas will also add a CB if possible. Gary Baxter played his college ball at Baylor. BP took another former Big 12 rover type in Marcus Coleman and made him a very successful big CB.

BP stated there were 8 spots he wanted to upgrade. The 2 above and RT are reportedly at the top of that list of 8. Kareem McKenzie is a former BP drafted guy and is a pure RT. He would be a huge upgrade over Tucker there.

The rest of the 8 is probably LB, DE opposite Greg Ellis, RG (where Steve Peterman and Ben Noll a have a very real chance to unseat Andre Gurode), backup RB and kick returner, and Free Safety.

Dallas will get a couple of those players in the draft but free agents to monitor include:
Chris Hope, Will Demps, Derrick Blaylock, Dominic Rhodes, Antonio Pierce, Derrick Burgess, Reggie Hayward (who has relatives in the area), Ed Hartwell, Jeremiah Trotter, and all the guys mentioned above.

It is a busy time of the year but do enjoy it.

[TRIPLETS]

Originally Posted by jterrell

It’s like the Holidays for football fans. The combine is in full swing and free agency is opening up. Lots of guys are being cut to allow them to enter free agency and to avoid big roster bonuses that are becoming a norm in contracts.

Obviously on the Cowboy front no news is bigger than the signing of Drew Bledsoe.
I have received a dozen or so emails asking specifically about and Drew and honestly am glad I have taken time to digest the situation. My initial reaction was that the guy can’t play. But that is probably too harsh and then some. So I had to step back and breakdown the guy a bit.
Year Team G GS Att Comp Pct Yards YPA Lg TD Int Tkld 20+ 40+ Rate
2002 Buffalo Bills 16 16 610 375 61.5 4359 7.15 73 24 15 54/369 45 13 86.0
[View Full Quote] 2003 Buffalo Bills 16 16 471 274 58.2 2860 6.07 54 11 12 49/371 28 2 73.0
2004 Buffalo Bills 16 16 450 256 56.9 2932 6.52 69 20 16 37/215 31 9 76.6

I took a second to reflect and to be balanced here are the pros and cons.

Pros:
1. Knows BP and Bill can develop an offense around his skills.
2. Is signed reasonably if reported deal of 12 mil over 3 years is accurate with only 2.5 mil up front.
3. Is a veteran who has been to the Super Bowl.
4. Can make all the throws on the field.
5. Plays a lot of games and will play hurt. Didn’t miss any games last 3 seasons.

Cons:
1. Completely immobile.
2. Takes sacks at alarming rate: 47 last season.
3. Not willing to help develop younger talent as Brady took his job in previous location.
4. Will throw the ball up for grabs.
5. Gets gun-shy after hard hits and takes a lot of hard hits.

In the end it comes down to the fact I think this is a BP bus driver deal. He knows what BP can do and feels he can give Drew the same type of weapons as Drew Henson and Bledsoe will do more with them. I agree. Henson is gonna deal with pressure better because he has great mobility but if Bledsoe has good WRs he will hit them. In the end Bledsoe can be successful here and that really is what matters most. But I am not going to go out and buy any Cowboys #11 jerseys unless they have White on the back of them.

Other Free Agent targets:
I have heard from reasonable sources that Dallas is talking to Kareem McKenzie, Jason Ferguson, and Gary Baxter.
I have heard from less confirmed sources Dallas has spoken to Laverneous Coles, Jonas Jennings, and Ken Lucas.

Dallas will certainly look to add a Defensive Tackle who can anchor the point against the run. Ferguson is just below Pat Williams in that regard but played for and was drafted by BP. He is also younger than Williams and likely to be cheaper. Pat Williams did play college ball in Texas though.

Dallas will also add a CB if possible. Gary Baxter played his college ball at Baylor. BP took another former Big 12 rover type in Marcus Coleman and made him a very successful big CB.

BP stated there were 8 spots he wanted to upgrade. The 2 above and RT are reportedly at the top of that list of 8. Kareem McKenzie is a former BP drafted guy and is a pure RT. He would be a huge upgrade over Tucker there.

The rest of the 8 is probably LB, DE opposite Greg Ellis, RG (where Steve Peterman and Ben Noll a have a very real chance to unseat Andre Gurode), backup RB and kick returner, and Free Safety.

Dallas will get a couple of those players in the draft but free agents to monitor include:
Chris Hope, Will Demps, Derrick Blaylock, Dominic Rhodes, Antonio Pierce, Derrick Burgess, Reggie Hayward (who has relatives in the area), Ed Hartwell, Jeremiah Trotter, and all the guys mentioned above.

It is a busy time of the year but do enjoy it.

going right according to my plan...see> back to doomsday thread.

[31hammer]

I think Derrick Burgess could be an option in OLB in 3-4. Great pass rushing skills. If you watched NFC championship game he almost played like a LB, to contain Vick in the pocket, by not letting Vick get to the outside

[Hollywood Henderson]

Good stuff JT...
It will be interesting to see what Parcells does with lots of cash available...

[jterrell]

Originally Posted by 31hammer

I think Derrick Burgess could be an option in OLB in 3-4. Great pass rushing skills. If you watched NFC championship game he almost played like a LB, to contain Vick in the pocket, by not letting Vick get to the outside

I agree.
He also got pressure on Brady while Kearse was invisible.
He plays the run quite well and could be a decent 3-4/4-3 player if we do use both schemes.
That 56 jersey number looks good as a rusher.

[Dallas31]

Originally Posted by jterrell

Dallas will get a couple of those players in the draft but free agents to monitor include:
Chris Hope, Will Demps, Derrick Blaylock, Dominic Rhodes, Antonio Pierce, Derrick Burgess, Reggie Hayward (who has relatives in the area), Ed Hartwell, Jeremiah Trotter, and all the guys mentioned above.

I'm pretty sure that Dominic Rhodes already resigned with Indy...

[Cbz40]

Very well done jt.

Looking forward to March 2 as I'm sure everyone else is.

The only good thing I can say about the Bledsoe signing is that it seems BP and JJ have a plan, decided on a QB, moved quickly and signed him.

The win now theme is fine by me if they continue the samr strategy through out FA. Choose the players you want and get them signed.

"But I am not going to go out and buy any Cowboys #11 jerseys unless they have White on the back of them." If you happen to hear of a source for that jersey.......PM me.......I would like to send out a few to some of my favorite posters with a note saying "I told you so"

[jterrell]

Originally Posted by Dallas31

I'm pretty sure that Dominic Rhodes already resigned with Indy...

Colts | Rhodes Contract Update - from www.KFFL.com
Wed, 23 Feb 2005 09:52:54 -0800

Updating a previous report, Mike Chappell, of the Indianapolis Star, reports the two-year contract signed by Indianapolis Colts RB Dominic Rhodes is worth $4.75 million, which also includes a $2 million signing bonus.

You are right. I flat missed that.

[jterrell]

Originally Posted by Cbz40

Very well done jt.

Looking forward to March 2 as I'm sure everyone else is.

The only good thing I can say about the Bledsoe signing is that it seems BP and JJ have a plan, decided on a QB, moved quickly and signed him.

The win now theme is fine by me if they continue the samr strategy through out FA. Choose the players you want and get them signed.

"But I am not going to go out and buy any Cowboys #11 jerseys unless they have White on the back of them." If you happen to hear of a source for that jersey.......PM me.......I would like to send out a few to some of my favorite posters with a note saying "I told you so"

I agree win now. I (forget BP) am too old to keep losing. LOL.

http://www.greyflannelauctions.com/s...rom=151&To=200

http://search.ebay.ca/danny-white_Fo...Z1QQsofocusZbs

For Danny White.

OR
http://www.cowboysonlineproshop.com/

If you want to send out Bledsoe 11's.

[Cbz40]

Thanks jt

[dbair1967]

Originally Posted by Dallas31

I'm pretty sure that Dominic Rhodes already resigned with Indy...

you are correct...I think I heard on the radio they gave him something like 2 million dollars...kinda makes it look more and more like they will trade James, otherwise giving the backup that much money makes little sense

David

[adbutcher]

Great article JT!

Ditto on Derrick Burgess, he would be a good signing. He was almost dominate in the game against the Falcons.

[Zaxor]

Originally Posted by jterrell

It’s like the Holidays for football fans. The combine is in full swing and free agency is opening up. Lots of guys are being cut to allow them to enter free agency and to avoid big roster bonuses that are becoming a norm in contracts.

Obviously on the Cowboy front no news is bigger than the signing of Drew Bledsoe.
I have received a dozen or so emails asking specifically about and Drew and honestly am glad I have taken time to digest the situation. My initial reaction was that the guy can’t play. But that is probably too harsh and then some. So I had to step back and breakdown the guy a bit.
Year Team G GS Att Comp Pct Yards YPA Lg TD Int Tkld 20+ 40+ Rate
2002 Buffalo Bills 16 16 610 375 61.5 4359 7.15 73 24 15 54/369 45 13 86.0
[View Full Quote] 2003 Buffalo Bills 16 16 471 274 58.2 2860 6.07 54 11 12 49/371 28 2 73.0
2004 Buffalo Bills 16 16 450 256 56.9 2932 6.52 69 20 16 37/215 31 9 76.6

I took a second to reflect and to be balanced here are the pros and cons.

Pros:
1. Knows BP and Bill can develop an offense around his skills.
2. Is signed reasonably if reported deal of 12 mil over 3 years is accurate with only 2.5 mil up front.
3. Is a veteran who has been to the Super Bowl.
4. Can make all the throws on the field.
5. Plays a lot of games and will play hurt. Didn’t miss any games last 3 seasons.

Cons:
1. Completely immobile.
2. Takes sacks at alarming rate: 47 last season.
3. Not willing to help develop younger talent as Brady took his job in previous location.
4. Will throw the ball up for grabs.
5. Gets gun-shy after hard hits and takes a lot of hard hits.

A fair assessment my friend...I still think with bledsoe you have to have...so to speak...by that I mean you "have to have" an excellent O-line, good to very good receivers a very good running game..etc...

I still wish I could see the upside that you all see....but first things first if the O-line doesn't get fixed...its over before its begun and thats the truth of it as far as I can see...

again a very good post and I hope it goes like you see it and not like I see it

Zaxor

[jterrell]

Originally Posted by Zaxor

A fair assessment my friend...I still think with bledsoe you have to have...so to speak...by that I mean you "have to have" an excellent O-line, good to very good receivers a very good running game..etc...

I still wish I could see the upside that you all see....but first things first if the O-line doesn't get fixed...its over before its begun and thats the truth of it as far as I can see...

again a very good post and I hope it goes like you see it and not like I see it

Zaxor

I definitely agree with the have to have assessment. Thats kinda what I was getting at with my BP bus driver comments. Bledsoe is not going to "Vick" teams to wins. He needs time in the pocket. Sometimes he needs A LOT of time in the pocket.

But he is signed early so the coaching staff can get the playbook together now. The good OL we put together will help any QB and the scheme should be easily run by Henson as well. It will very likely be a play-action based system featuring Julius, throws to Witten and KJ in the 10 to 15 yard range and lots of deep attempts to Glenn and Morgan or any other deep threat we obtain.