The Importance of roster building

[Bobhaze]

We all know the best way to improve your football team is through the draft. It’s the cornerstone of every NFL team. But we should also realize that good drafts alone can’t make your team a title contender. It takes being able to construct a complete complimentary roster, constructed where the whole is better than the sum of its parts.

The Cowboys have been decent at drafting. Especially with players on offense. Not the best but certainly better than many teams. But IMO where we have fallen short has been our ability to build a complimentary roster. Meaning the players all collectively supporting the team’s strengths. Not only draft picks but also FAs. That all requires total roster building skills. And it’s hard work. It takes time, planning, and great skill to build a roster. It’s been missing here for too long.

This front office has seemed to focus too much on its stars and not enough on its complimentary role players, who aren’t on big contracts but play key roles. I’m hoping that is changing. There are a few positive signs. We will see soon.

All the great Cowboys teams of the 70s and 90s had rosters full of role players. Sure that was pre-salary cap but many of the best teams today are good at finding a supporting cast. The last several years this team has fallen apart when a few starters have missed games due to injury. And I’m not just talking about QB injuries.

Here are some key parts of having a complete complimentary roster and where we may stand:

• Having a decent, experienced swing T on offense. Ty Smith is a great LT…when healthy. Which he hasn’t been for a long time. We must have a quality swing T to support this line.(Remember the Atlanta game in 2017?) Do we have that guy? Not sure we do.
• Having several DBs who can cover different styles of receivers. In today’s NFL, coverage matchups are critical. You have to be able to cover speedy WRs, quick RBs and slot WRs, and big TEs. With some of our new bigger corners and with guys like Jourdan Lewis who can cover the slot, we may have some good options.
• Having multiple pass rushing options-being able to pressure a QB is a must to have defensive success. With the addition of Parsons, and with hopes that DLaw and Gregory will be available all year, and perhaps a youngster like Anae who could develop, maybe we can have a reliable pass rush. It hasn’t been there for a long time. Here’s hoping.
• Having some run stuffers on the DL- having at least a couple of big butted hogs that can clog up running lanes has been missing for too long. Do we have any? Don’t have to be stars. Just guys that can play a role. Remains to be seen.
• Having a competent backup QB- everyone knows if you lose your starting QB for the season, the season is probably lost. But what if your starter is just going to miss two games? Do we have a backup that can be counted on to win one or two games? I don’t see that guy on this roster now.

Those are just a few of the key roster building places where we have not been very good. Hoping that is changing this year with the new faces we’ve added.

Bottom Line: Stars alone aren’t enough to carry a team. You can’t be a contender with only 22 quality players. It takes having a roster that can absorb some injuries and still perform well. It takes having a roster that is constructed beyond its starters. Let’s hope we’ve made some progress this year!

 

[kskboys]

When we should be looking at nice complementary players and role players in the mid/late rounds, we instead are drafting projects, stiff box S's, and LB's who lack the physical attributes to contribute.

 

[MyFairLady]

Sell some jerseys or get the hell off my football team.

 

[Bobhaze]

When we should be looking at nice complementary players and role players in the mid/late rounds, we instead are drafting projects, stiff box S's, and LB's who lack the physical attributes to contribute.

Great point. Our philosophy seems to be to draft a “star” in round one, draft a major risk on a guy with an injury and first round talent, and then take a bunch of long shots. Often don’t seem to be complimentary players.

 

[Diehardblues]

When we should be looking at nice complementary players and role players in the mid/late rounds, we instead are drafting projects, stiff box S's, and LB's who lack the physical attributes to contribute.

Right.

Finding talent in 1st and 2nd rounds is much easier task. But finding the complimentary pieces in mid to late rounds often builds the depth for real contenders.

And why the fact we have hit on early round picks overall at least offensively isn’t how we’d define we have done well in the draft.

It presents a perception we have but with the exception of a Gallup for example not many contributing from mid to late round picks. Gallimore is maybe another who’s contributed. But it’s more the exception not the rule with our franchise. And why we are so devastated with injuries. No depth.

 

[john van brocklin]

We all know the best way to improve your football team is through the draft. It’s the cornerstone of every NFL team. But we should also realize that good drafts alone can’t make your team a title contender. It takes being able to construct a complete complimentary roster, constructed where the whole is better than the sum of its parts.

The Cowboys have been decent at drafting. Especially with players on offense. Not the best but certainly better than many teams. But IMO where we have fallen short has been our ability to build a complimentary roster. Meaning the players all collectively supporting the team’s strengths. Not only draft picks but also FAs. That all requires total roster building skills. And it’s hard work. It takes time, planning, and great skill to build a roster. It’s been missing here for too long.

This front office has seemed to focus too much on its stars and not enough on its complimentary role players, who aren’t on big contracts but play key roles. I’m hoping that is changing. There are a few positive signs. We will see soon.

All the great Cowboys teams of the 70s and 90s had rosters full of role players. Sure that was pre-salary cap but many of the best teams today are good at finding a supporting cast. The last several years this team has fallen apart when a few starters have missed games due to injury. And I’m not just talking about QB injuries.

Here are some key parts of having a complete complimentary roster and where we may stand:

• Having a decent, experienced swing T on offense. Ty Smith is a great LT…when healthy. Which he hasn’t been for a long time. We must have a quality swing T to support this line.(Remember the Atlanta game in 2017?) Do we have that guy? Not sure we do.
• Having several DBs who can cover different styles of receivers. In today’s NFL, coverage matchups are critical. You have to be able to cover speedy WRs, quick RBs and slot WRs, and big TEs. With some of our new bigger corners and with guys like Jourdan Lewis who can cover the slot, we may have some good options.
• Having multiple pass rushing options-being able to pressure a QB is a must to have defensive success. With the addition of Parsons, and with hopes that DLaw and Gregory will be available all year, and perhaps a youngster like Anae who could develop, maybe we can have a reliable pass rush. It hasn’t been there for a long time. Here’s hoping.
• Having some run stuffers on the DL- having at least a couple of big butted hogs that can clog up running lanes has been missing for too long. Do we have any? Don’t have to be stars. Just guys that can play a role. Remains to be seen.
• Having a competent backup QB- everyone knows if you lose your starting QB for the season, the season is probably lost. But what if your starter is just going to miss two games? Do we have a backup that can be counted on to win one or two games? I don’t see that guy on this roster now.

Those are just a few of the key roster building places where we have not been very good. Hoping that is changing this year with the new faces we’ve added.

Bottom Line: Stars alone aren’t enough to carry a team. You can’t be a contender with only 22 quality players. It takes having a roster that can absorb some injuries and still perform well. It takes having a roster that is constructed beyond its starters. Let’s hope we’ve made some progress this year!

Great Article !
Key depth is so important !

 

[JoeKing]

The right players matched with the right scheme matter. But which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Do we design the scheme and then draft players that fit that scheme or do we draft the best players then design the best scheme for those players? These are things that matter when it comes to roster-building.

 

[Bobhaze]

The right players matched with the right scheme matter. But which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Do we design the scheme and then draft players that fit that scheme or do we draft the best players then design the best scheme for those players? These are things that matter when it comes to roster-building.

Yeah but it’s way more than that. Matching talent to scheme is important and vice versa, but even before you follow those steps, you have to evaluate what you are trying be and how to get there. Have a philosophy you’re building around. Sometimes it feels like this FO’s plan is to just draft a few stars and fill in around them haphazardly.

I’m usually hard pressed to see what the philosophy is around here. Other than reacting to its obvious deficiencies. This year’s draft looks like that- a reaction draft. React to obvious deficiencies, then draft to fix it. And maybe that will work this time. It hasn’t worked in the recent past because despite the obvious talent at many positions, the role players around them have fizzled.

For all those reasons and others, I’m excited to see what this team is going to be in the next few months. It’s too early to know, but we can hope.

 

[jazzcat22]

The right players matched with the right scheme matter. But which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Do we design the scheme and then draft players that fit that scheme or do we draft the best players then design the best scheme for those players? These are things that matter when it comes to roster-building.

Draft the players and create a scheme.
That is what was supposed to happen with Nolan. But they did not go by that.

You can always find ways to use talent. You cannot have a scheme and find the players. Then you are reaching, and that does not work. We seen that for too many years on defense.

 

[JoeKing]

Draft the players and create a scheme.
That is what was supposed to happen with Nolan. But they did not go by that.

You can always find ways to use talent. You cannot have a scheme and find the players. Then you are reaching, and that does not work. We seen that for too many years on defense.

When inheriting a team, a new regime must, as you say, draft the players and then create a scheme but after you have done that, in proceeding years the draft can be more catered to the scheme already in place.

McCarthy's first year was a pitiful effort to take over a team and execute his vision of what this team should look like. The defense utterly collapsed. McCarthy was given a second chance and assigned the task to correct what went wrong. The hiring of Dan Quinn seems to have been a good first step. Quinn's stamp was all over the draft this year. Free agency and the draft were catered to the vision of Quinn's defensive scheme.

 

[Big_D]

Major they’ve made of w

When inheriting a team, a new regime must, as you say, draft the players and then create a scheme but after you have done that, in proceeding years the draft can be more catered to the scheme already in place.

McCarthy's first year was a pitiful effort to take over a team and execute his vision of what this team should look like. The defense utterly collapsed. McCarthy was given a second chance and assigned the task to correct what went wrong. The hiring of Dan Quinn seems to have been a good first step. Quinn's stamp was all over the draft this year. Free agency and the draft were catered to the vision of Quinn's defensive scheme.

Pitiful effort? Lamb diggs gallimore biadisz on top of this draft. The defense sucked before he got here. They didn’t just collapse last year! It’s been an ongoing problem for a long time!

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I don't think its a matter of them wanting stars. If you find a star in the 4th round that doesn't hurt you lol.

Cowboys issues personnel wise have come they don't draft consistently well at certain positions. They don't have enough Anthony Hitchen type picks. Their mid rounders aren't hitting well enough. Their 1st rounders are doing well.

It might be changing though. They have a few mid round picks from the past 2 or 3 years that look rather impressive honestly.

 

[Rockport]

We all know the best way to improve your football team is through the draft. It’s the cornerstone of every NFL team. But we should also realize that good drafts alone can’t make your team a title contender. It takes being able to construct a complete complimentary roster, constructed where the whole is better than the sum of its parts.

The Cowboys have been decent at drafting. Especially with players on offense. Not the best but certainly better than many teams. But IMO where we have fallen short has been our ability to build a complimentary roster. Meaning the players all collectively supporting the team’s strengths. Not only draft picks but also FAs. That all requires total roster building skills. And it’s hard work. It takes time, planning, and great skill to build a roster. It’s been missing here for too long.

This front office has seemed to focus too much on its stars and not enough on its complimentary role players, who aren’t on big contracts but play key roles. I’m hoping that is changing. There are a few positive signs. We will see soon.

All the great Cowboys teams of the 70s and 90s had rosters full of role players. Sure that was pre-salary cap but many of the best teams today are good at finding a supporting cast. The last several years this team has fallen apart when a few starters have missed games due to injury. And I’m not just talking about QB injuries.

Here are some key parts of having a complete complimentary roster and where we may stand:

• Having a decent, experienced swing T on offense. Ty Smith is a great LT…when healthy. Which he hasn’t been for a long time. We must have a quality swing T to support this line.(Remember the Atlanta game in 2017?) Do we have that guy? Not sure we do.
• Having several DBs who can cover different styles of receivers. In today’s NFL, coverage matchups are critical. You have to be able to cover speedy WRs, quick RBs and slot WRs, and big TEs. With some of our new bigger corners and with guys like Jourdan Lewis who can cover the slot, we may have some good options.
• Having multiple pass rushing options-being able to pressure a QB is a must to have defensive success. With the addition of Parsons, and with hopes that DLaw and Gregory will be available all year, and perhaps a youngster like Anae who could develop, maybe we can have a reliable pass rush. It hasn’t been there for a long time. Here’s hoping.
• Having some run stuffers on the DL- having at least a couple of big butted hogs that can clog up running lanes has been missing for too long. Do we have any? Don’t have to be stars. Just guys that can play a role. Remains to be seen.
• Having a competent backup QB- everyone knows if you lose your starting QB for the season, the season is probably lost. But what if your starter is just going to miss two games? Do we have a backup that can be counted on to win one or two games? I don’t see that guy on this roster now.

Those are just a few of the key roster building places where we have not been very good. Hoping that is changing this year with the new faces we’ve added.

Bottom Line: Stars alone aren’t enough to carry a team. You can’t be a contender with only 22 quality players. It takes having a roster that can absorb some injuries and still perform well. It takes having a roster that is constructed beyond its starters. Let’s hope we’ve made some progress this year!

I think they've done a real good job of roster building but a real bad job of hiring coaches. Quinn seems to have gotten the defense on his side. MM needs to show his pedigree this year. Special teams needs to be solid. Offense needs to stay healthy. I think the players they have are good enough to take this team far this year.

 

[Ranched]

Each club is different & how many players are kept at each position depends on the type of O & D each team plays. If a club plays a 3-4 base D, the team will keep more LB's than defensive linemen etc...

Interesting enough, a majority of these decisions are/were made in July & August before any real football is played.

 

[ArtClink]

Great post Hazey! It would make a difference if our head coach had any power. The hc can certainly make recommendations, but Jerry and son have the last word in everything, and I mean everything. Just from fan's viewpoint over the past 25 years, it's obvious Jerry determines the starting lineups, he said so in a preseason game interview a few years ago. If Jerry drafted you high, you will start regardless of performance. If Jerry is paying a lot of money, you will start regardless of performance. If Jerry is fond of you, you will start regardless of performance and be rewarded with a fat contract.

Since the hc has very limited power, it diminishes what he can do with roster building. What kind of identity we have as a team/roster is shaped by what Jerry feels like copying this year. Ironically, the only thing he refuses to mimick in a Super Bowl winner is the separate owner and GM model.

We CAN win a divisional game this year, but it's sad the team has to try to win with the distraction of HBO Hard Knocks, the constant interviews and the quotes the Jones cartel create daily. Then there's the three-ring circus atmosphere our players have to perform in where winning on the field always takes a back seat to Jerry winning at the box office. It's also paramount that Jerry "feels comfortable" with the head coach (always a yes man sans Parcells) and the rest of the organization (no strong, credentialed head coaches need apply unless they are winning to hand in their man card).

If we can manage to win with all those restrictions (including a part time, non-football intellect GM) imposed, then it is a miracle. I know things won't change, but this is the reality for a Dallas Cowboy player in 2021 and we have to all pretend that this organization is run like the other teams. Players sign here for the high profile/visibility games and endorsements but not because they think they can win a ring.

I'd love to be wrong and hopefully this year will be different but I follow history and it ain't on our side...

 

[Bobhaze]

Great post Hazey! It would make a difference if our head coach had any power. The hc can certainly make recommendations, but Jerry and son have the last word in everything, and I mean everything. Just from fan's viewpoint over the past 25 years, it's obvious Jerry determines the starting lineups, he said so in a preseason game interview a few years ago. If Jerry drafted you high, you will start regardless of performance. If Jerry is paying a lot of money, you will start regardless of performance. If Jerry is fond of you, you will start regardless of performance and be rewarded with a fat contract.

Since the hc has very limited power, it diminishes what he can do with roster building. What kind of identity we have as a team/roster is shaped by what Jerry feels like copying this year. Ironically, the only thing he refuses to mimick in a Super Bowl winner is the separate owner and GM model.

We CAN win a divisional game this year, but it's sad the team has to try to win with the distraction of HBO Hard Knocks, the constant interviews and quotes the Jones cartel create daily. Then there's the three-ring circus atmosphere our players have to perform in where winning on the field always takes a back seat to Jerry winning at the box office. It's also paramount that Jerry "feels comfortable" with the head coach (always a yes man sans Parcells) and the rest of the organization (no string, credentialed head coaches need apply unless they are winning to hand in their man card).

If we can manage to win with all those restrictions (including a part time, non-football intellect GM) imposed, then it is a miracle. I know things won't change, but this is the reality for a Dallas Cowboy player in 2021 and we have to all pretend that this organization is run like the other teams. Players sign here for the high profile/visibility games and endorsements but not because they think they can win a ring.

I'd love to be wrong and hopefully this year will be different but I follow history and it ain't on our side...

Yeah. History is a stubborn thing ain’t it Artie? If we are able to finally win a divisional playoff game this year, it will probably be because our stars stayed mostly healthy and we had some role players make a difference.

 

[ArtClink]

Yeah. History is a stubborn thing ain’t it Artie? If we are able to finally win a divisional playoff game this year, it will probably be because our stars stayed mostly healthy and we had some role players make a difference.

Agreed. I hope we can finally get the 25 year monkey off our back!

 

[RS12]

We all know the best way to improve your football team is through the draft. It’s the cornerstone of every NFL team. But we should also realize that good drafts alone can’t make your team a title contender. It takes being able to construct a complete complimentary roster, constructed where the whole is better than the sum of its parts.

The Cowboys have been decent at drafting. Especially with players on offense. Not the best but certainly better than many teams. But IMO where we have fallen short has been our ability to build a complimentary roster. Meaning the players all collectively supporting the team’s strengths. Not only draft picks but also FAs. That all requires total roster building skills. And it’s hard work. It takes time, planning, and great skill to build a roster. It’s been missing here for too long.

This front office has seemed to focus too much on its stars and not enough on its complimentary role players, who aren’t on big contracts but play key roles. I’m hoping that is changing. There are a few positive signs. We will see soon.

All the great Cowboys teams of the 70s and 90s had rosters full of role players. Sure that was pre-salary cap but many of the best teams today are good at finding a supporting cast. The last several years this team has fallen apart when a few starters have missed games due to injury. And I’m not just talking about QB injuries.

Here are some key parts of having a complete complimentary roster and where we may stand:

• Having a decent, experienced swing T on offense. Ty Smith is a great LT…when healthy. Which he hasn’t been for a long time. We must have a quality swing T to support this line.(Remember the Atlanta game in 2017?) Do we have that guy? Not sure we do.
• Having several DBs who can cover different styles of receivers. In today’s NFL, coverage matchups are critical. You have to be able to cover speedy WRs, quick RBs and slot WRs, and big TEs. With some of our new bigger corners and with guys like Jourdan Lewis who can cover the slot, we may have some good options.
• Having multiple pass rushing options-being able to pressure a QB is a must to have defensive success. With the addition of Parsons, and with hopes that DLaw and Gregory will be available all year, and perhaps a youngster like Anae who could develop, maybe we can have a reliable pass rush. It hasn’t been there for a long time. Here’s hoping.
• Having some run stuffers on the DL- having at least a couple of big butted hogs that can clog up running lanes has been missing for too long. Do we have any? Don’t have to be stars. Just guys that can play a role. Remains to be seen.
• Having a competent backup QB- everyone knows if you lose your starting QB for the season, the season is probably lost. But what if your starter is just going to miss two games? Do we have a backup that can be counted on to win one or two games? I don’t see that guy on this roster now.

Those are just a few of the key roster building places where we have not been very good. Hoping that is changing this year with the new faces we’ve added.

Bottom Line: Stars alone aren’t enough to carry a team. You can’t be a contender with only 22 quality players. It takes having a roster that can absorb some injuries and still perform well. It takes having a roster that is constructed beyond its starters. Let’s hope we’ve made some progress this year!

Or........we could load up on skill players whose jerseys are best sellers.

 

[Bobhaze]

Agreed. I hope we can finally get the 25 year monkey off our back!

That monkey has turned into a 400 lb gorilla. It gets bigger every year this team doesn’t at least win a divisional playoff game.

Or........we could load up on skill players whose jerseys are best sellers.

Apparently that’s been the plan, lol.

 

[75boyz]

Sell some jerseys or get the hell off my football team.

I laughed. Kinda loud. Good one.