What Effective NFL Front Offices Do

[Bobhaze]

Stephen Jones has famously (foolishly) said the last couple of years that the “Cowboys won’t be market setters” when paying players. Sounds good in theory, but 31 other teams don’t intend to play that way. In fact, most of the good NFL teams have people in place whose jobs are on the line and they make decisions accordingly.

The best NFL front offices go into the free agency and draft period with a clear, proactive plan, knowing what the market prices will be for the players they want. They won’t get all of them, but they also will spend less time “dumpster diving” after other teams have executed their plans.

I believe a good NFL FO does the following:

• They have a clear, proactive off season plan in place that is coherent and is followed from day one.
• They are NOT “waiting to see what other teams do”.
• They know exactly the players they want and realistically how much it will cost to get them.
  
• They work hard to sign their best players before the market prices go up. (Yes, I know the Cowboys started negotiating with Dak last year, but again, SJ doesn’t want to “set the market”, smh)
• They move on quickly from older players who may be popular, but are no longer in their prime, and not worthy of a roster spot.
• They use cap space in alignment with their plan/philosophy- not just based on “how much cap space we have left”.
• They hire experts to run their front offices whose jobs are dependent on winning, not dependent on who their dad is.

This is just a short list. There’s so much more.
To be fair, the off season still has time left. The Cowboys are certainly not finished tweaking things in FA, and then there’s the draft. But I can’t help wishing we had people in charge whose jobs were dependent on winning- not who their Daddy is.

 

[Rockport]

The Cowboys go into the free agency and draft period with a clear, proactive plan, knowing what the market prices will be for the players they want. They don’t get all of them, but they also spend less time “dumpster diving” after other teams have executed their plans.

 

[Bobhaze]

The Cowboys go into the free agency and draft period with a clear, proactive plan, knowing what the market prices will be for the players they want. They don’t get all of them, but they also spend less time “dumpster diving” after other teams have executed their plans.

Rock, what is their plan? I’m not seeing it yet. Maybe there is one. But it’s not clear yet to me. Maybe you can shed some light.

 

[Rockport]

Rock, what is their plan? I’m not seeing it yet. Maybe there is one. But it’s not clear yet to me. Maybe you can shed some light.

The short answer is we're not suppose to know their plan. They just hired a complete new coaching staff. We really do not know what McCarthy and the staff has determined based on their analysis of the current roster. They know obviously and the moves being made so far reflect some of that. The process of building a team to meld into the current roster based on their analysis is presently underway. It will be underway until the opening game. There's no need to panic and question the team as to what you think they are not or are doing. It's happening as we speak. Next, the salary cap is one of the most difficult things to manage for a football organization. Every team has different philosophies and they are constantly changing from year to year. For example, take the Tampa Bay Bucs. They've made a decision to go all in at the QB position for the next 2 years with Brady. That decision influences many other aspects of managing the cap. Another example is the Eagles. They went all in on free agency a few years ago and a few years previous from that with the "Dream Team". Their first attempt failed, the 2nd attempt got them a Super Bowl but they are now paying the price salary cap wise. They Cowboys management of the cap in recent years has allowed them the freedom to delve more into free agency as far as the higher tier this year if they want. They've done a bit of that with signing Cooper, Jarwin and McCoy and I think you'll see some more before it's all over. By the way, all 3 of those signings are very team friendly. They can move away from Cooper after 2 years quite easily as it pertains to the cap and any hit from his contract. They are trying to do Dak's deal as well in a team friendly manner. I'm a bit surprised that deal hasn't been done yet and a little disappointed in both sides to be quite honest.

If we pay attention over the next few months I think we'll start to see and understand what their plan has been and will be as long as this current coaching staff is in place. But their's always anomalies that could happen. For example Jerry could decide *** the salary cap next year and go all in for an attempt to win 1 more Super Bowl before he rides off into the everlasting sunset.

Bottom line is they of course do have a plan and it's good that we don't know exactly what it is as it would tip off other teams in regards to player acquisitions. Let this acquisition time play out and we can discuss more come the week before opening day.

 

[Verdict]

Stephen Jones has famously (foolishly) said the last couple of years that the “Cowboys won’t be market setters” when paying players. Sounds good in theory, but 31 other teams don’t intend to play that way. In fact, most of the good NFL teams have people in place whose jobs are on the line and they make decisions accordingly.

The best NFL front offices go into the free agency and draft period with a clear, proactive plan, knowing what the market prices will be for the players they want. They won’t get all of them, but they also will spend less time “dumpster diving” after other teams have executed their plans.

I believe a good NFL FO does the following:

• They have a clear, proactive off season plan in place that is coherent and is followed from day one.
• They are NOT “waiting to see what other teams do”.
• They know exactly the players they want and realistically how much it will cost to get them.
  
• They work hard to sign their best players before the market prices go up. (Yes, I know the Cowboys started negotiating with Dak last year, but again, SJ doesn’t want to “set the market”, smh)
• They move on quickly from older players who may be popular, but are no longer in their prime, and not worthy of a roster spot.
• They use cap space in alignment with their plan/philosophy- not just based on “how much cap space we have left”.
• They hire experts to run their front offices whose jobs are dependent on winning, not dependent on who their dad is.

This is just a short list. There’s so much more.
To be fair, the off season still has time left. The Cowboys are certainly not finished tweaking things in FA, and then there’s the draft. But I can’t help wishing we had people in charge whose jobs were dependent on winning- not who their Daddy is.

You have been cranking out some great stuff, especially recently. This post, I can’t quite get on board with.

I think the Cowboys have a “plan” and that plan is to wait, get a strategic signing here or there when the opportunity arises (good player at good cap value) and not overpay for average talent. I think they also try to fill roster “holes” so they can go BPA in the draft.

Initially they had very little cap room so they went dumpster diving in free agency. Last year they traded for Quinn (great value-good cap hit) and will get more than they gave up in draft pick compensation. They signed Cobb on a short term deal and will get a comp pick out of him. If they do that every year they will build a hell of a roster.

I dont think it is coincidental that the Cowboys did better last year in free agency than they have in prior years because they had more cap room to go after a few players.

In prior years in free agency I do think they failed at the dumpster diving because they wasted some cap room on players that couldn’t actually play and you could have just as easily added UDFA’s that don’t cost you anything.

I like your posts. Keep them coming. McCoy seems like a Cobb level signing to me, if he has anything left in the tank.

 

[Bobhaze]

You have been cranking out some great stuff, especially recently. This post, I can’t quite get on board with.

I think the Cowboys have a “plan” and that plan is to wait, get a strategic signing here or there when the opportunity arises (good player at good cap value) and not overpay for average talent. I think they also try to fill roster “holes” so they can go BPA in the draft.

Initially they had very little cap room so they went dumpster diving in free agency. Last year they traded for Quinn (great value-good cap hit) and will get more than they gave up in draft pick compensation. They signed Cobb on a short term deal and will get a comp pick out of him. If they do that every year they will build a hell of a roster.

I dont think it is coincidental that the Cowboys did better last year in free agency than they have in prior years because they had more cap room to go after a few players.

In prior years in free agency I do think they failed at the dumpster diving because they wasted some cap room on players that couldn’t actually play and you could have just as easily added UDFA’s that don’t cost you anything.

I like your posts. Keep them coming. McCoy seems like a Cobb level signing to me, if he has anything left in the tank.

Great response.
My concern at this point may be tainted somewhat by the past failures. IMO, This FO has certainly not “earned” much room for trust based on the only thing that really matters in pro sports- winning.

I’m still a Cowboys fan of course. And I’m still hoping for a good offseason. The draft could certainly be a real boost. There’s certainly some great talent to be had for sure. My hesitation to credit this FO includes my frustration with SJ with his “we aren’t going to set the market”, which eventually means you’re either going to overpay for the talent you want or potentially lose them. I just think that’s a foolish starting point for the richest team in pro sports.

 

[zack]

To me they do have a plan. They have a new coach and had a lot of free agents on the roster this year. I think that the guys that they got signed were the targets they wanted. I am fine with who they signed. The guys that they decided to not sign were smart moves as well. I would have liked Quinn, but he was too expensive. Jones to me is just a guy and certainly not worth what he got paid by the Dolphins. Collins, Heath, Witten are all replaceable. I think that they do have a plan and it is working fine. I think that there will be some good opportunity to add another DE and DT by exercising patience.

 

[Reid1boys]

you are about to see how having Tom Brady made the Pats front office look like geniuses. Now with him gone... all of the sudden the front office will start sucking.
IM thinking that the Chiefs front office is about to start having the best GM in the business for the next decade.

 

[jaythecowboy]

Stephen Jones has famously (foolishly) said the last couple of years that the “Cowboys won’t be market setters” when paying players. Sounds good in theory, but 31 other teams don’t intend to play that way. In fact, most of the good NFL teams have people in place whose jobs are on the line and they make decisions accordingly.

The best NFL front offices go into the free agency and draft period with a clear, proactive plan, knowing what the market prices will be for the players they want. They won’t get all of them, but they also will spend less time “dumpster diving” after other teams have executed their plans.

I believe a good NFL FO does the following:

• They have a clear, proactive off season plan in place that is coherent and is followed from day one.
• They are NOT “waiting to see what other teams do”.
• They know exactly the players they want and realistically how much it will cost to get them.
  
• They work hard to sign their best players before the market prices go up. (Yes, I know the Cowboys started negotiating with Dak last year, but again, SJ doesn’t want to “set the market”, smh)
• They move on quickly from older players who may be popular, but are no longer in their prime, and not worthy of a roster spot.
• They use cap space in alignment with their plan/philosophy- not just based on “how much cap space we have left”.
• They hire experts to run their front offices whose jobs are dependent on winning, not dependent on who their dad is.

This is just a short list. There’s so much more.
To be fair, the off season still has time left. The Cowboys are certainly not finished tweaking things in FA, and then there’s the draft. But I can’t help wishing we had people in charge whose jobs were dependent on winning- not who their Daddy is.

The Cowboys really bungled the Dak contract. They should have been first to get Dak signed before Goff and Wentz even got done. They could have even gotten it done before Russell Wilson. They still haven't offered 110+ million guaranteed which is what it would take to actually get a deal done.

 

[Bobhaze]

To me they do have a plan. They have a new coach and had a lot of free agents on the roster this year. I think that the guys that they got signed were the targets they wanted. I am fine with who they signed. The guys that they decided to not sign were smart moves as well. I would have liked Quinn, but he was too expensive. Jones to me is just a guy and certainly not worth what he got paid by the Dolphins. Collins, Heath, Witten are all replaceable. I think that they do have a plan and it is working fine. I think that there will be some good opportunity to add another DE and DT by exercising patience.

Good stuff. I agree so far with letting several of our FAs go. But here is where my frustration is mostly centered:

• Knowing exactly the players we want and realistically how much it will cost to get them. SJ always feigns surprise at the asking price for some of the guys we want. I realize that’s posturing.

• Working as hard to sign our best players before the market prices go up. (Yes, I know the Cowboys started negotiating with Dak last year, but again, SJ doesn’t want to “set the market”, smh) Sometimes you gotta accept market value.

 

[JoeKing]

@Bobhaze's clairvoyant powers are failing him so he just assumes the worst... the Cowboys have no plan.

 

[Kwyn]

Stephen Jones has famously (foolishly) said the last couple of years that the “Cowboys won’t be market setters” when paying players. Sounds good in theory, but 31 other teams don’t intend to play that way. In fact, most of the good NFL teams have people in place whose jobs are on the line and they make decisions accordingly.

The best NFL front offices go into the free agency and draft period with a clear, proactive plan, knowing what the market prices will be for the players they want. They won’t get all of them, but they also will spend less time “dumpster diving” after other teams have executed their plans.

I believe a good NFL FO does the following:

• They have a clear, proactive off season plan in place that is coherent and is followed from day one.
• They are NOT “waiting to see what other teams do”.
• They know exactly the players they want and realistically how much it will cost to get them.
  
• They work hard to sign their best players before the market prices go up. (Yes, I know the Cowboys started negotiating with Dak last year, but again, SJ doesn’t want to “set the market”, smh)
• They move on quickly from older players who may be popular, but are no longer in their prime, and not worthy of a roster spot.
• They use cap space in alignment with their plan/philosophy- not just based on “how much cap space we have left”.
• They hire experts to run their front offices whose jobs are dependent on winning, not dependent on who their dad is.

This is just a short list. There’s so much more.
To be fair, the off season still has time left. The Cowboys are certainly not finished tweaking things in FA, and then there’s the draft. But I can’t help wishing we had people in charge whose jobs were dependent on winning- not who their Daddy is.

What makes you think that all of your “requirements” aren’t being met by the Cowboys FO?

fo you really think that after 20 years in the business, Stephen isn’t even qualified to do the job?

If so, you must be implying that he is somehow mentally deficient. An idiot or imbecile who, despite 20 years in the same business, has learned nothing.

Use your brain

 

[Doomsday101]

I have watched many teams go out and set the market and fall flat on their face. Making bonehead deals and over paying in FA is not a solution. In past years Jerry was accused of going after the shiny object. Dallas has had the talent to win and because they have not it cost a HC his job. Few people covering the NFL claimed Dallas did not have the talent. I know attack Jerry is a good way to make a mark around here but fact is you will find few who saw lack of talent. Hell Urban Myers said any HC would want to coach the team they have based on talent.

 

[zack]

Good stuff. I agree so far with letting several of our FAs go. But here is where my frustration is mostly centered:

• Knowing exactly the players we want and realistically how much it will cost to get them. SJ always feigns surprise at the asking price for some of the guys we want. I realize that’s posturing.

• Working as hard to sign our best players before the market prices go up. (Yes, I know the Cowboys started negotiating with Dak last year, but again, SJ doesn’t want to “set the market”, smh) Sometimes you gotta accept market value.

I think that the Dak thing is an agent driven issue and yes, I wish they would have got the deal done already. I think both are at fault. If anything. My complaint with Jerry on the Dak issue now is that they should draw a line in the sand even more so than ever. There was an unprecedented amount of QB's in the market this year and could have played hardball. I would have totally paid Brady $30 mil/year for two years and rescind the tag and draft a QB. Usually, there isn't any leverage with QB's and this year there is.

 

[Bobhaze]

What makes you think that all of your “requirements” aren’t being met by the Cowboys FO?

fo you really think that after 20 years in the business, Stephen isn’t even qualified to do the job?

If so, you must be implying that he is somehow mentally deficient. An idiot or imbecile who, despite 20 years in the same business, has learned nothing.

Use your brain

Let me ask you- What gives you confidence in this front office? I’m not being sarcastic. I’m sure Jerry and Stephen have learned some things. I would welcome what you think those things are.

And I’m not saying Stephen Jones is a complete idiot. On the contrary, I believe he’s pretty smart. I’m not convinced he’s “football management smart” based on his results. And I don’t see how anyone could argue either of these points:
1. He qualified for the job because of his dad.
2. Unlike other NFL executives, his employment is not based on his team’s on field success.

 

[Doomsday101]

Let me ask you- What gives you confidence in this front office? I’m not being sarcastic. I’m sure Jerry and Stephen have learned some things. I would welcome what you think those things are.

And I’m not saying Stephen Jones is a complete idiot. On the contrary, I believe he’s pretty smart. I’m not convinced he’s football management smart based on his results. And I don’t see how anyone could argue either of these points:
1. He qualified for the job because of his dad.
2. Unlike other NFL executive, his employment is not based on his team’s on field success.

For me because this team had the talent last year to win. Others looking at this team saw no reason personnel wise why Dallas should not win. Front office is the reason for the talent, because they failed front office was forced to fire the HC but give me a break this team has had to the talent to win.

 

[Bobhaze]

@Bobhaze's clairvoyant powers are failing him so he just assumes the worst... the Cowboys have no plan.

Joe...I must confess. I have no clairvoyant powers. Lol. But I am a student of history.

 

[JoeKing]

Joe...I must confess. I have no clairvoyant powers. Lol. But I am a student of history.

So historically the Cowboys have had no plan?

 

[Bobhaze]

So historically the Cowboys have had no plan?

Certainly not one that has translated into big time success on the field the last two decades plus. Is there another NFL franchise that would keep the same people in place getting these kind of results? Other than the bungles?

 

[ultron]

I have a lot of respect for your opinions Bob, but I gotta say I don’t fully agree. The Cowboys have done an outstanding job drafting some top tier talent.

They nailed the whole offensive line, the best RB in the league, Dak in the 4th, Gallup, DLaw in the 2nd, Lee in the 2nd, LVE, took a chance on Jaylon, switched Byron from safety to CB and now he’s the top paid CB in the league, got Quinn for a 6th, Awuzie and Lewis have been better than people think. The only spot where they really haven’t had success is DT and Safety. Some may add the coach as well lol.

Other than that I would say they are a top 5 front office. I think the chiefs got lucky taking Mahomes with the 10th pick (Bears moved up in that draft and took Trubisky 2nd or 3rd), the Ravens got lucky with Lamar (took him 32nd), Patriots got Brady in the 6th round.

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. I don’t think the Cowboys have been lucky, but I think they are damn good at putting together a very good roster.

Let’s see what a different coaching staff can do!