Signed by Cowboys Cowboys Sign S Keanu Neal

[Big D]

Does he get to wear #22?

 

[Carson]

Does he get to wear #22?

It’ll be 42

 

[armadillooutlaw]

He's a SS/big linebacker type. Reminds me of Barry Church, and Donovan Wilson too, lol.
I'm sure they will try to use him in a way that doesn't just cancel Wilson out.

 

[AsthmaField]

A few things on this pick up:

• It appears that they’re going to use Neal as a hybrid LB which makes me happy because I’ve been wanting to get more agility and twitch at LB. He will likely play LB in passing situations and SS on run downs.
• Neal is extremely physical and nearly as big as Deion Jones who played Will LB in Quinn’s defense (and Lavonte David in Tampa). He should be really good in that spot when he’s situationally used there.
• While he’s a little athletically limited for a SS, he will be in the upper tier of athletes at the LB position. His change of direction and speed will be a real upgrade over what Dallas has been doing at nickel LB.
• While everyone will write articles saying that Dallas signed Safety Neal, I don’t think this is going to compete with other signings or draft picks at FS like Hooker, Kazee, Grant or Moehrig. This doesn’t change their need at that position at all IMO.
• As a guy who has been saying I’d like to see Dallas draft JOK, this move probably does make Koramoah less likely, I’d think. They’re very similar and Neal will be used just like I was wanting Dallas to use JOK.
• Lastly, Neal knows Quinn’s overall defense very well and he’ll be able to assist implementing his vision and concepts in Dallas.

Overall, it was a very nice addition right where the defense needed it. I think it was a really good idea to inject some twitch and athleticism into the LB position. Neal is a good player and his limitations that I didn’t like at safety absolutely won’t apply to Will LB, I’m extremely glad that Quinn is making that move and addressing one of my biggest issues with the defense. Quickness at LB has been missing for a long time because of the front office’s near obsession with length and size at LB. Very happy that Quinn saw it.

 

[StuckMojo]

Neal tore his ACL in 2018 and Achilles in 2019

 

[USArmyVet]

A Hater is someone who is always *****ing. That would be you.

Funny considering you are the only one in this thread that is complaining about other people. That is all you do and your act gets old real quick. I would think even you get tired of your own BS when you look in the mirror.

 

[Parcells4Life]

I’m not taking Wilson off the field in any run downs. His presence was night and day in performance of the D. Maybe on 3rd and long where you need more coverage skills more than tackling machines.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Well that's a start at least.... gots to get either Kazee or Hooker, preferably Hooker, but we'll see which one will take the deal. Then we go best CB at #10 if he drops in our lap.

 

[king987]

I’m cool with the signing. Should help the defense without restricting the team financially.

One or two more signings like this would be nice, then hopefully focus more on BPA in the first two days of the draft. Fingers crossed.

 

[Risen Star]

Great. Just got back from an outing to the boonies.

You are a man's man.

 

[Carson]

He's a SS/big linebacker type. Reminds me of Barry Church, and Donovan Wilson too, lol.
I'm sure they will try to use him in a way that doesn't just cancel Wilson out.

Looks like SS in run downs and will slide up to LB in passing situations

 

[Risen Star]

Big upgrade at what position?

 

[Rockport]

Funny considering you are the only one in this thread that is complaining about other people. That is all you do and your act gets old real quick. I would think even you get tired of your own BS when you look in the mirror.

Truth hurts huh.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

Looks like SS in run downs and will slide up to LB in passing situations

He probably matches up better in coverage vs TEs and RBs better than the likes of Jaylon and LVE, to be honest, so it could work.

 

[Rockport]

You are a man's man.

No, just someone with morals.

 

[Risen Star]

I would not feel comfortable signing any of these players we have signed to anything other than a one year prove it contract.

I don't want to have to burn a tag on Jake McQuaide next year.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Funny considering you are the only one in this thread that is complaining about other people. That is all you do and your act gets old real quick. I would think even you get tired of your own BS when you look in the mirror.

LOL, me, me, me, me, ME, ME, ME......

 

[Carson]

He probably matches up better in coverage vs TEs and RBs better than the likes of Jaylon and LVE, to be honest, so it could work.

Pretty much my thinking. If we shift to nickel and dime Smith leaves the field and we go with LVE / Neal

 

[CoachD]

Well we fix that issue no need to draft a guy now best FA signing in a long time!

 

[armadillooutlaw]

A few things on this pick up:

• It appears that they’re going to use Neal as a hybrid LB which makes me happy because I’ve been wanting to get more agility and twitch at LB. He will likely play LB in passing situations and SS on run downs.
• Neal is extremely physical and nearly as big as Deion Jones who played Will LB in Quinn’s defense (and Lavonte David in Tampa). He should be really good in that spot when he’s situationally used there.
• While he’s a little athletically limited for a SS, he will be in the upper tier of athletes at the LB position. His change of direction and speed will be a real upgrade over what Dallas has been doing at nickel LB.
• While everyone will write articles saying that Dallas signed Safety Neal, I don’t think this is going to compete with other signings or draft picks at FS like Hooker, Kazee, Grant or Moehrig. This doesn’t change their need at that position at all IMO.
• As a guy who has been saying I’d like to see Dallas draft JOK, this move probably does make Koramoah less likely, I’d think. They’re very similar and Neal will be used just like I was wanting Dallas to use JOK.
• Lastly, Neal knows Quinn’s overall defense very well and he’ll be able to assist implementing his vision and concepts in Dallas.

Overall, it was a very nice addition right where the defense needed it. I think it was a really good idea to inject some twitch and athleticism into the LB position. Neal is a good player and his limitations that I didn’t like at safety absolutely won’t apply to Will LB, I’m extremely glad that Quinn is making that move and addressing one of my biggest issues with the defense. Quickness at LB has been missing for a long time because of the front office’s near obsession with length and size at LB. Very happy that Quinn saw it.

Good thoughts. I would still love to land Moehrig to have that long term rangy free safety.
Not that any rational person thinks that Neal is a great player, but he isn't the type of bum we are accustomed to this front office signing.
Not great, but decent player.