CFZ The fastest way we could build a real contender

[CTcowboy203]

Then please explain how Will receives so much credit for our good drafts but not any blame for the bad ones.

If he’s teeing it up the good picks for our owners selections then he’s certainly doing it for the misses as well.

Will could be as much of the problem as Jethro & Son . It’s a collective effort.

No, we must blame Jerry for all the bad things and the good stuff happens only in spite of him. These are the rules

 

[Bobhaze]

Then please explain how Will receives so much credit for our good drafts but not any blame for the bad ones.

If he’s teeing it up the good picks for our owners selections then he’s certainly doing it for the misses as well.

Will could be as much of the problem as Jethro & Son . It’s a collective effort.

I thought I just did,

 

[Diehardblues]

I thought I just did,

I feel Will is getting too much credit for the better draft picks and not enough blame for the misses.

We can’t blame our owners for the misses and credit Will for the hits.

 

[Diehardblues]

No, we must blame Jerry for all the bad things and the good stuff happens only in spite of him. These are the rules

Not many bigger critics of our ownership than me but I feel there’s a double standard crediting Will with our good draft picks and then blaming our owner for the misses.

 

[CTcowboy203]

Not many bigger critics of our ownership than me but I feel there’s a double standard crediting Will with our good draft picks and then blaming our owner for the misses.

I understand. You are right in thinking that imo

 

[plasticman]

Most of us watched that SB game Sunday night and thought, “As currently constructed, our roster isn‘t nearly good enough to compete with these teams.” We have quite a ways to go to be on that level.

So what would be the fastest way we could be able to build a roster that is complete enough to compete for a championship? (I didn’t say “BEST” way. I said “fastest“ way) I know many Cowboys fans will say “Get a new QB”, but we know that isn’t happening. Others will say, “Get a new GM.” Sadly, that isn’t happening anytime soon either. So what can we do this off-season?

Here are two things we must first understand:

• Without a great QB, you must have a great defense. Period. Or at least one that can get critical stops in critical moments. Dak is a good QB IMO, just not a great one. You can win playoff games with him with a great defense. Without it, forget it.
• Without a great QB, you must also have a very good running game. Thats a non-negotiable. A good running game takes a lot off your QB and also allows your defense to rest while your offense eats some clock.

So…with that in mind, here’s what we must do this off-season to get to that next level:

• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent starting LBs. Big enough to stop the run but quick enough to drop back into some coverages. We cannot go into 2024 with small LBs anymore.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent DTs. Big, strong run stuffers than can start and be effective immediately. No Day 3 developmental projects. Either first or second rounders that are plug and play and/or one stud FA. I Know lots of people like Hankins as a re-sign FA but he’s just ok. We like him because he’s better than anything we’ve had but that doesn’t make him great or indispensable.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 1 excellent starting OL. Our OL is aging and injury prone (Tyron, Zack Martin and Terrance Steele have all missed games last two years) and we are probably losing Tyler Biadaz to FA. We need to either draft a good C or develop one who’s already here and draft another young starter.
• Either by draft of FA- acquire an excellent starting RB- Pollard is likely gone (too expensive) and they misused him last yr anyway. He’s best when he has 12-15 touches max. I would draft a RB in rounds 3-5 that can play right away and pair him with an affordable vet FA in a committee approach. Our current guys like Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn are not worth much IMO. Maybe keep one.
• Make some key June 1 cuts to save cap space.
  • Cut Michael Gallup. No brainer.
  • Cut Cooper Rush. Trey Lance is now the backup and will need lots of preseason action.
  • Cut LVE. He’s a big injury risk and won’t cost much to cut but will save some.
  • Cut Nashon Wright. He’s terrible. That simple.
  • Several others not mentioned

So in short, in order for this team to put together a true contender that can seriously compete in the playoffs, we need to get much better on defense, (need 2 top notch LBs and 2 quality DTs that are ready to play NOW) and much better in the running game (add a quality OL and 2 good RBs that can start and play well NOW) Add improved coaching too.

The changes above give us a chance. Running it back without the above changes? Not a chance.

I like that LB's seemed to be at the top of your list. We need a monster. My greatest concern on offense is the running attack, obviously. I like your approach. The Cowboys are going to have to look every place they can to find a quality RB. I think they need to go free agency to shore up their O-line.

 

[xwalker]

Most of us watched that SB game Sunday night and thought, “As currently constructed, our roster isn‘t nearly good enough to compete with these teams.” We have quite a ways to go to be on that level.

So what would be the fastest way we could be able to build a roster that is complete enough to compete for a championship? (I didn’t say “BEST” way. I said “fastest“ way) I know many Cowboys fans will say “Get a new QB”, but we know that isn’t happening. Others will say, “Get a new GM.” Sadly, that isn’t happening anytime soon either. So what can we do this off-season?

Here are two things we must first understand:

• Without a great QB, you must have a great defense. Period. Or at least one that can get critical stops in critical moments. Dak is a good QB IMO, just not a great one. You can win playoff games with him with a great defense. Without it, forget it.
• Without a great QB, you must also have a very good running game. Thats a non-negotiable. A good running game takes a lot off your QB and also allows your defense to rest while your offense eats some clock.

So…with that in mind, here’s what we must do this off-season to get to that next level:

• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent starting LBs. Big enough to stop the run but quick enough to drop back into some coverages. We cannot go into 2024 with small LBs anymore.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent DTs. Big, strong run stuffers than can start and be effective immediately. No Day 3 developmental projects. Either first or second rounders that are plug and play and/or one stud FA. I Know lots of people like Hankins as a re-sign FA but he’s just ok. We like him because he’s better than anything we’ve had but that doesn’t make him great or indispensable.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 1 excellent starting OL. Our OL is aging and injury prone (Tyron, Zack Martin and Terrance Steele have all missed games last two years) and we are probably losing Tyler Biadaz to FA. We need to either draft a good C or develop one who’s already here and draft another young starter.
• Either by draft of FA- acquire an excellent starting RB- Pollard is likely gone (too expensive) and they misused him last yr anyway. He’s best when he has 12-15 touches max. I would draft a RB in rounds 3-5 that can play right away and pair him with an affordable vet FA in a committee approach. Our current guys like Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn are not worth much IMO. Maybe keep one.
• Make some key June 1 cuts to save cap space.
  • Cut Michael Gallup. No brainer.
  • Cut Cooper Rush. Trey Lance is now the backup and will need lots of preseason action.
  • Cut LVE. He’s a big injury risk and won’t cost much to cut but will save some.
  • Cut Nashon Wright. He’s terrible. That simple.
  • Several others not mentioned

So in short, in order for this team to put together a true contender that can seriously compete in the playoffs, we need to get much better on defense, (need 2 top notch LBs and 2 quality DTs that are ready to play NOW) and much better in the running game (add a quality OL and 2 good RBs that can start and play well NOW) Add improved coaching too.

The changes above give us a chance. Running it back without the above changes? Not a chance.

Add 6 high quality starters...

That would make any team a contender.

They're 16M over the cap. Cutting Gallup is a raindrop in the ocean.

 

[xwalker]

Most of us watched that SB game Sunday night and thought, “As currently constructed, our roster isn‘t nearly good enough to compete with these teams.” We have quite a ways to go to be on that level.

So what would be the fastest way we could be able to build a roster that is complete enough to compete for a championship? (I didn’t say “BEST” way. I said “fastest“ way) I know many Cowboys fans will say “Get a new QB”, but we know that isn’t happening. Others will say, “Get a new GM.” Sadly, that isn’t happening anytime soon either. So what can we do this off-season?

Here are two things we must first understand:

• Without a great QB, you must have a great defense. Period. Or at least one that can get critical stops in critical moments. Dak is a good QB IMO, just not a great one. You can win playoff games with him with a great defense. Without it, forget it.
• Without a great QB, you must also have a very good running game. Thats a non-negotiable. A good running game takes a lot off your QB and also allows your defense to rest while your offense eats some clock.

So…with that in mind, here’s what we must do this off-season to get to that next level:

• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent starting LBs. Big enough to stop the run but quick enough to drop back into some coverages. We cannot go into 2024 with small LBs anymore.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent DTs. Big, strong run stuffers than can start and be effective immediately. No Day 3 developmental projects. Either first or second rounders that are plug and play and/or one stud FA. I Know lots of people like Hankins as a re-sign FA but he’s just ok. We like him because he’s better than anything we’ve had but that doesn’t make him great or indispensable.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 1 excellent starting OL. Our OL is aging and injury prone (Tyron, Zack Martin and Terrance Steele have all missed games last two years) and we are probably losing Tyler Biadaz to FA. We need to either draft a good C or develop one who’s already here and draft another young starter.
• Either by draft of FA- acquire an excellent starting RB- Pollard is likely gone (too expensive) and they misused him last yr anyway. He’s best when he has 12-15 touches max. I would draft a RB in rounds 3-5 that can play right away and pair him with an affordable vet FA in a committee approach. Our current guys like Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn are not worth much IMO. Maybe keep one.
• Make some key June 1 cuts to save cap space.
  • Cut Michael Gallup. No brainer.
  • Cut Cooper Rush. Trey Lance is now the backup and will need lots of preseason action.
  • Cut LVE. He’s a big injury risk and won’t cost much to cut but will save some.
  • Cut Nashon Wright. He’s terrible. That simple.
  • Several others not mentioned

So in short, in order for this team to put together a true contender that can seriously compete in the playoffs, we need to get much better on defense, (need 2 top notch LBs and 2 quality DTs that are ready to play NOW) and much better in the running game (add a quality OL and 2 good RBs that can start and play well NOW) Add improved coaching too.

The changes above give us a chance. Running it back without the above changes? Not a chance.

The fast way would be to coach-up Trey Lance to beat out Dak, then trade Dak.

Use the cap space and picks to acquire the needed players at other positions.

 

[plasticman]

Not many bigger critics of our ownership than me but I feel there’s a double standard crediting Will with our good draft picks and then blaming our owner for the misses.

That's because Jerry doesn't know the first thing about evaluating talent. He is an amateur compared to the guys he hired. That's not the case in every other NFL team. Their GM came with a 20 year long list of credentials and achievements that justified their promotions at each level of the field.

They typically started as assistant scouts and their ability and skills got them through scout, regional scout, assistant director, director of player personnel and right up to GM. They earned their way to their titles. When they make decisions, it is based on their own experiences with recommendations from his staff.

Jerry's choices are based on his staff with an added twist of weird perception that what he wants to happen will happen.

I can imagine times when staff members are advising against a pick and Jerry overrules them. I'm not saying it happens really often and I think it happens less now. However, I do think it has happened.

 

[Bobhaze]

Add 6 high quality starters...

That would make any team a contender.

They're 16M over the cap. Cutting Gallup is a raindrop in the ocean.

Well, according to what I’ve seen at the site “Over The Cap”, the Cowboys can save $9.5 million in cap space if they release Gallup as a post-June 1 cut. They also say the Cowboys will then have a $4.35 million dead cap hit from that.

It doesn’t cover everything but it’s more than a raindrop in the ocean.

 

[Diehardblues]

That's because Jerry doesn't know the first thing about evaluating talent. He is an amateur compared to the guys he hired. That's not the case in every other NFL team. Their GM came with a 20 year long list of credentials and achievements that justified their promotions at each level of the field.

They typically started as assistant scouts and their ability and skills got them through scout, regional scout, assistant director, director of player personnel and right up to GM. They earned their way to their titles. When they make decisions, it is based on their own experiences with recommendations from his staff.

Jerry's choices are based on his staff with an added twist of weird perception that what he wants to happen will happen.

I can imagine times when staff members are advising against a pick and Jerry overrules them. I'm not saying it happens really often and I think it happens less now. However, I do think it has happened.

Of course. I understand . Like Parcells said you have to convince Jethro to go against his instincts. But Will is still teeing up the selections our owner is making . Good and bad.

Too often I’m seeing fans credit Will for all of the good picks and our owner the bad picks. It’s a double standard. I think Will could be part of the problem as well with all of the misses.

 

[Flinger]

Hilarious responses...

Bob - respect man. You do us a good service with well thought out prose... sometimes agree, sometimes don't... but good for you. I wish I had your energy, desire and interest to post my own views. So, kudos sir...

But real world? Of does everybody believe in genie's? lol

No offense, but stirring up the masses by simply ordering up a few excellent DT's, LB's, RB's, C's... getting rid of any depth because "he sucks"... wow... no consideration for draft position - today or in the past, no consideration for injuries or recovery time from injuries, cap repercussions, coaching philosophies, etc?

A friend of mine who still works for the NFL in his 70's having played for the Cowboys in the Ice Bowl told me after the GB game - the NFL knows the Cowboys don't have a running game and that makes Dak a sitting duck because they are 1 dimensional. Then, he said no one, including DQ, can make a defense work with so many injuries that force the DC to put players into positions they would not normally find themselves. Eventually the NFL exploits those weaknesses. The QB of the defense was out and not replaced (LVE). Diggs was out. Gilmore injury the week before was key. Forced DQ to move to a zone coverage and away from their normal man. But Gilmore was 1 armed and DQ knew he wouldn't be able to jam WR's at the line of scrimmage - and, GB knew it too.

So, what do they do now? Jerry says "We are all in"...

Don't forget, he's the ringmaster in the center ring that calls the entire show...

 

[Blackrain]

Most of us watched that SB game Sunday night and thought, “As currently constructed, our roster isn‘t nearly good enough to compete with these teams.” We have quite a ways to go to be on that level.

So what would be the fastest way we could be able to build a roster that is complete enough to compete for a championship? (I didn’t say “BEST” way. I said “fastest“ way) I know many Cowboys fans will say “Get a new QB”, but we know that isn’t happening. Others will say, “Get a new GM.” Sadly, that isn’t happening anytime soon either. So what can we do this off-season?

Here are two things we must first understand:

• Without a great QB, you must have a great defense. Period. Or at least one that can get critical stops in critical moments. Dak is a good QB IMO, just not a great one. You can win playoff games with him with a great defense. Without it, forget it.
• Without a great QB, you must also have a very good running game. Thats a non-negotiable. A good running game takes a lot off your QB and also allows your defense to rest while your offense eats some clock.

So…with that in mind, here’s what we must do this off-season to get to that next level:

• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent starting LBs. Big enough to stop the run but quick enough to drop back into some coverages. We cannot go into 2024 with small LBs anymore.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent DTs. Big, strong run stuffers than can start and be effective immediately. No Day 3 developmental projects. Either first or second rounders that are plug and play and/or one stud FA. I Know lots of people like Hankins as a re-sign FA but he’s just ok. We like him because he’s better than anything we’ve had but that doesn’t make him great or indispensable.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 1 excellent starting OL. Our OL is aging and injury prone (Tyron, Zack Martin and Terrance Steele have all missed games last two years) and we are probably losing Tyler Biadaz to FA. We need to either draft a good C or develop one who’s already here and draft another young starter.
• Either by draft of FA- acquire an excellent starting RB- Pollard is likely gone (too expensive) and they misused him last yr anyway. He’s best when he has 12-15 touches max. I would draft a RB in rounds 3-5 that can play right away and pair him with an affordable vet FA in a committee approach. Our current guys like Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn are not worth much IMO. Maybe keep one.
• Make some key June 1 cuts to save cap space.
  • Cut Michael Gallup. No brainer.
  • Cut Cooper Rush. Trey Lance is now the backup and will need lots of preseason action.
  • Cut LVE. He’s a big injury risk and won’t cost much to cut but will save some.
  • Cut Nashon Wright. He’s terrible. That simple.
  • Several others not mentioned

So in short, in order for this team to put together a true contender that can seriously compete in the playoffs, we need to get much better on defense, (need 2 top notch LBs and 2 quality DTs that are ready to play NOW) and much better in the running game (add a quality OL and 2 good RBs that can start and play well NOW) Add improved coaching too.

The changes above give us a chance. Running it back without the above changes? Not a chance.

I completely agree with this post we got to get better in the trenches we have to be able to stop the run and we have to be able to run the ball.

If we hit on our first three draft picks and somehow pull out a center a defensive tackle and a running back that can all play day one we have about half the battle fixed.
Now we just need another defensive tackle and a couple high quality linebackers not sure if Jerry's All in policy includes actually being active and free agency but we are going to need to be.
I am also not against trading Micah if we can get a Herschel Walker type boatload of draft picks.
My gut feeling tells me this guy is ready to get paid and then either slack off or get hurt have seen it happen here too many times.
This would give us enough pics to fix all our problems and have enough guys on rookie contracts to actually be able to build something before they all needed to get paid.

 

[Wildcat711]

Not many bigger critics of our ownership than me but I feel there’s a double standard crediting Will with our good draft picks and then blaming our owner for the misses.

Owner is ok.. it's the GM who is very ordinary.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

you know just as well as everyone on here that Jerry can't be fired and Stephen is just waiting to take over for him should he depart for greener pastures. Jones family is
never giving up the keys to Frisco.

Then we will never win anything.

 

[Kwyn]

Most of us watched that SB game Sunday night and thought, “As currently constructed, our roster isn‘t nearly good enough to compete with these teams.” We have quite a ways to go to be on that level.

So what would be the fastest way we could be able to build a roster that is complete enough to compete for a championship? (I didn’t say “BEST” way. I said “fastest“ way) I know many Cowboys fans will say “Get a new QB”, but we know that isn’t happening. Others will say, “Get a new GM.” Sadly, that isn’t happening anytime soon either. So what can we do this off-season?

Here are two things we must first understand:

• Without a great QB, you must have a great defense. Period. Or at least one that can get critical stops in critical moments. Dak is a good QB IMO, just not a great one. You can win playoff games with him with a great defense. Without it, forget it.
• Without a great QB, you must also have a very good running game. Thats a non-negotiable. A good running game takes a lot off your QB and also allows your defense to rest while your offense eats some clock.

So…with that in mind, here’s what we must do this off-season to get to that next level:

• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent starting LBs. Big enough to stop the run but quick enough to drop back into some coverages. We cannot go into 2024 with small LBs anymore.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent DTs. Big, strong run stuffers than can start and be effective immediately. No Day 3 developmental projects. Either first or second rounders that are plug and play and/or one stud FA. I Know lots of people like Hankins as a re-sign FA but he’s just ok. We like him because he’s better than anything we’ve had but that doesn’t make him great or indispensable.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 1 excellent starting OL. Our OL is aging and injury prone (Tyron, Zack Martin and Terrance Steele have all missed games last two years) and we are probably losing Tyler Biadaz to FA. We need to either draft a good C or develop one who’s already here and draft another young starter.
• Either by draft of FA- acquire an excellent starting RB- Pollard is likely gone (too expensive) and they misused him last yr anyway. He’s best when he has 12-15 touches max. I would draft a RB in rounds 3-5 that can play right away and pair him with an affordable vet FA in a committee approach. Our current guys like Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn are not worth much IMO. Maybe keep one.
• Make some key June 1 cuts to save cap space.
  • Cut Michael Gallup. No brainer.
  • Cut Cooper Rush. Trey Lance is now the backup and will need lots of preseason action.
  • Cut LVE. He’s a big injury risk and won’t cost much to cut but will save some.
  • Cut Nashon Wright. He’s terrible. That simple.
  • Several others not mentioned

So in short, in order for this team to put together a true contender that can seriously compete in the playoffs, we need to get much better on defense, (need 2 top notch LBs and 2 quality DTs that are ready to play NOW) and much better in the running game (add a quality OL and 2 good RBs that can start and play well NOW) Add improved coaching too.

The changes above give us a chance. Running it back without the above changes? Not a chance.

I’m on board with the analysis and priorities

Unfortunately, hat’s seven day one/two picks or high quality free agents and we just don’t have the resources for that.

 

[Carter]

we cripple ourselves because Jerry and Stephen overpay the guys the like. We cant have the Top paid QB, CB, LB and WR and still field an elite team especially in the trenches. But they will do exactly that or make them atleast Top 3 in their position.

 

[Sarge]

If you can’t stop the run, you’re going NOWHERE.

 

[Blackrain]

The fast way would be to coach-up Trey Lance to beat out Dak, then trade Dak.

Use the cap space and picks to acquire the needed players at other positions.

And in all seriousness while we're at it trade Micah also for a giant pile of pics mirroring the Herschel Walker trade rebuild this whole team with quality young first round players on rookie contracts.

Hey Jerry said he wanted to go all in with all those number one pics it would be hard not to get a little further in the playoffs even for Jerry.

 

[big dog cowboy]

prob a wasted pick on a TE we didn’t need.

That comment makes no sense.