Seahawks sign DT Hankins

[TheMarathonContinues]

their options weren’t pollard though..they passed on Derrick Henry, Aaron jones, Barkley, moss, Jacob’s, ekeler, even the Dillon’s and foreman cheap guys etc. there options weren’t only Hankins, they passed on reader, Stewart, aarmstead, Williams, jones, kinlaw etc.
That doesn’t include the linebackers they passed on.

So no pollard and Hankins weren’t the only options. The cowboys are worse right now at o line, d line, running back and corner until Gilmore comes back and yes Hankins can be replaced again it’s hoping that mazi can be the one to replace him.

While the nfl is always risky and unexpected things happen, the championship teams mitigate their risk. The cowboys are doing the opposite and that’s the point.

The options were players the caliber of Pollar and Hankins no?

I can't stress it enough I don't care bout protecting the Cowboys money and I don't care bout their salary cap. I would've signed Barkley or Henry and drafted a RB.

But that doesn't mean it's smart to do. Teams have shown and contenders have shown you don't invest money in running back. You draft a running back.

As far as DT goes....I would've taken any of those guys above. But the reality is they did invest a 1st rounder in a DT last year and he should be starting. If he's not ready to start then they have bigger issues.

 

[CTcowboy203]

The only part I don't agree with is what I've bolded. I don't think the Joneses think that way. I think they believe they've got the core of those 12-win teams and if they just draft well to add to that core, they can compete with anyone. They are "all in" on doing what it takes to keep that core because they view that as the path to a title.

Which is fine

Ok well let' look over the past 3 years....let Gregory go, Chido, Xavier Woods, Connor Williams....these were all starters.

This is my point though. Why spend money on average DT talent when you can just go to your underachieving 1st round talent from last year? You have that on the team already. We needed a Chris Jones or Wilkins impact on defensive line.

no they didn’t, a Grover Stewart, Sheldon rankins, dj reader level player would make a huge impact in stopping the run and making life easier on linebackers like Kendrick’s who is on essentially a $3m per year deal.

You don’t have “average” on the team right now, you have underachieving, unproven, and unimpressive on the team right now. Sure, Chris jones and Wilkins are home runs but sometimes hitting a double or a single is a huge step.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

The problem I see with the draft and DTs is they are like tight ends coming out of the draft. They need time to develop and it's rare to get a good one right off the bat unless you are drafting high and still have some luck on your side.

Say Mazi improves a bit. Going with Mazi and a rookie is a huge risk.
Maybe they'll sign a free agent but it's just odd on what they are doing.
No talks with Prescott on a possible extension to lower his cap hit till July. No talks with CDL to lock him up/reduce cap hit.
No money to "sign" even the lower tier free agents.
Stephen is looking like the next Mike Brown.

Hawkins was replaceable, but I'm not seeing a replacement yet.

I think Osi and Mazi are the starters. Wouldn't be two rookies.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

The only part I don't agree with is what I've bolded. I don't think the Joneses think that way. I think they believe they've got the core of those 12-win teams and if they just draft well to add to that core, they can compete with anyone. They are "all in" on doing what it takes to keep that core because they view that as the path to a title.

I think that's exactly what they think and they aren't really wrong. Their core is in tact. So them losing guys like Biadiz and Armstrong won't matter. Problem is......they are building on their core strictly through the draft and I don't get why. Why they think that's a winning formula.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Which is fine

no they didn’t, a Grover Stewart, Sheldon rankins, dj reader level player would make a huge impact in stopping the run and making life easier on linebackers like Kendrick’s who is on essentially a $3m per year deal.

You don’t have “average” on the team right now, you have underachieving, unproven, and unimpressive on the team right now. Sure, Chris jones and Wilkins are home runs but sometimes hitting a double or a single is a huge step.

So when they drafted Mazi last year what was the point? Did they not think he had potential to be a home run or even a double or single? If they still feel the way about him now that they did last year then why would you spend money on a progress stopper?

 

[shabazz]

This offseason is going exactly as planned

 

[fivetwos]

The only part I don't agree with is what I've bolded. I don't think the Joneses think that way. I think they believe they've got the core of those 12-win teams and if they just draft well to add to that core, they can compete with anyone. They are "all in" on doing what it takes to keep that core because they view that as the path to a title.

Yeah I’m gonna agree with that.

They truly do think their plan is working. It’s run by potentially the largest narcissist in the world, so it adds up.

I don’t even know what I’d like to see happen anymore. The only real way out is several very bad years in a row and they cave and go the Parcells route. Even if they give away power, whoever they hire would still be handcuffed by the lack of free agent spending.

They basically have to luck into a QB that’s way better than anyone else to have a shot….unless they somehow one day get the idea that NO TEAM can draft well enough to make their plan work, let alone them.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Right, so it’s a crap shoot. lol. We have no idea. Championship teams don’t go into years consistently with that level of risk if they are serious about “stopping the run” and running the ball.

That’s the entire point. They rely entirely on the draft - which is hope. Free agency you are over paying for established proven talent. That’s why u pay more. The cowboys can do BOTH. The draft and free agency. They do nothing in free agency and the results are always the same.

You can’t just completely ignore one of the three main components of building a roster ; trades, free agency, draft. They don’t need to go crazy with blank checks but they can be smart and make good signings.

Well I'm not arguing this is a a "Championship team". This is just a team with championship goals but they certainly dont run themselves like a championship team.

And I'm certainly not excusing them for ignoring free agency. I Jus think you have to spend smart. And spending smart revolves around using your capital effectively. And like I said above, I would've signed Jones and Wilkins and worried about the rest down the road. But as far as building a roster? It's not smart to invest money in DT when you just invested a 1st rounder in your DT position unless you don't think he's any good.

 

[John813]

I think Osi and Mazi are the starters. Wouldn't be two rookies.

Say Mazi starts at the 1 tech/whatever Zimmer runs.
Is he ready to take 55-70% of snaps and then a rookie for the remaining snaps? After being a super raw rookie.

Osa is entering his 4th year. He's been solid, but can he handle more than 45-50 snaps a game?

Then after those two it's Carl Davis. Who the Dallas Cowboys website has at 194lbs lol.

Sure, they may draft 1 or 2, but that's a very green rotation at DT. And for nearly a decade they have seen their DT's be the weak spot on defense.

Free agency still has some guys, but surprising the team didn't want to really retain Hankins. Even at his post peak stage he still provided average play at times.

 

[fivetwos]

Say Mazi starts at the 1 tech/whatever Zimmer runs.
Is he ready to take 55-70% of snaps and then a rookie for the remaining snaps? After being a super raw rookie.

Osa is entering his 4th year. He's been solid, but can he handle more than 45-50 snaps a game?

Then after those two it's Carl Davis. Who the Dallas Cowboys website has at 194lbs lol.

Sure, they may draft 1 or 2, but that's a very green rotation at DT. And for nearly a decade they have seen their DT's be the weak spot on defense.

Free agency still has some guys, but surprising the team didn't want to really retain Hankins. Even at his post peak stage he still provided average play at times.

I actually think he was a little better than average.

When he went down in December things got noticeably worse.

Then again that coincided with playing good teams, so who knows….but it is a little surprising that they didn’t even bring back a guy at a position of extreme need who will play for cheap.

I mean, what exactly is going on here?

 

[blueblood70]

It is different this year despite what some in the media and in the organization will tell you. Every year we all say the same thing. We have to run the ball and stop the run to get to where we want to be. And we have actually regressed in both areas as of now. There is no way Zimmer took the lame duck job without mentioning that I need my LBs and my DTs to be "this size " to be able to fix the problem. Maybe he only saw Kendricks a s a fit in FA. Who knows But late camp cuts aren't going to solve the problem. You aren't going to hit on all draft picks. Your starters are getting worse. Your back-ups are worse. You still have dead money. And you still need to find long term replacements for Martin and Lawrence and maybe Dak. And you cant do half of that without FA and /or trades.

"regressed in both areas as of now"

Says the person who doesn't realize as of now is only seven days into free agency and a process that could take all six months before the regular season to build a team!@!!!

it's funny, not in a good way, it'd be like reviewing a movie off of the previews only, good or bad, you do realize that right or right now I could pronounce the Texas Rangers season as a total failure... they're not going to win one game this year, you know why I can say that cause they haven't even played one game this year, it's how you play on the field it's how the teams assembled by game one and even then the process there's a trade deadline like we made in 2018 with amari Cooper flip the whole season around, you all have this season already DEAD in the water seven days into a six month process..

There are literally hundreds of players out there still available in free agency there's gonna be more released you have the draft you have all kinds of options with six months to go and not any team I know has been pronounced the Super bowl winner off the first seven days of free agency literally insane y'all have lost your mind !!

Of course "as of now" anybody already predicting things, as of now, it's ridiculous, you all are ridiculous!!! You don't think it's possible to fill the holes that we have on this team with good players they're all out there you act like if you don't get the players in the first seven days it's over like it's a blueprint spend big the first seven days & you're golden for the Super bowl right show me where that's true?? ******!!!

 

[Blitzen]

Our "aging" QB is young for the position. Most QBs are just now hitting their best prime years or in the midst. Dak is only 30!
Now, it's one thing to argue that he's not good enough or that we should go with a rookie deal, but to call Dak an aging QB at 30 after he just had his best season as a pro (with no run game) is not accurate.

He has lost considerable agility-and he was never fleet of foot. He will be 31 before next season. People need to quit thinking all the QB’s will somehow play well into their 40’s-they aren’t baseball pitchers. He is aging-and in a few short years will likely be backup material.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Say Mazi starts at the 1 tech/whatever Zimmer runs.
Is he ready to take 55-70% of snaps and then a rookie for the remaining snaps? After being a super raw rookie.

Osa is entering his 4th year. He's been solid, but can he handle more than 45-50 snaps a game?

Then after those two it's Carl Davis. Who the Dallas Cowboys website has at 194lbs lol.

Sure, they may draft 1 or 2, but that's a very green rotation at DT. And for nearly a decade they have seen their DT's be the weak spot on defense.

Free agency still has some guys, but surprising the team didn't want to really retain Hankins. Even at his post peak stage he still provided average play at times.

I'm not agreeing with their approach but ti seems to be they are going with Osa and Mazi. It for sure is risky. But I mean at the same time can it get worse than last season? CAn't really give up more than 220 yards rushing....

 

[Blitzen]

The Joneses are a walking contradiction. I simply think this free agent class for Dallas was viewed differently than others. Some were allowed to leave because they fit the former defensive coordinator's scheme better than Zimmer's. Some were allowed to leave because they didn't play up to their contract or what they would receive in free agency. Some were allowed to leave because the team had replacement options in hand. We've done all three of those before under the Joneses' current FA strategy. But I think how it has come together this year is making some view it as something it is not.

IMO, if they were playing the long game, then they would have not signed a 32-year-old linebacker to a one-year contract. If they were playing the long game, they would not have re-signed a third corner to a one-year deal. They would have just let their young players fill those positions because this year doesn't really matter.

I believe what we are seeing is their typical MO, but it's a version of it where it worked out that the defensive changes and who we had as free agents meant very few of them were going to be brought back. Why sign any of them, especially to one-year deals, if this is being viewed as a rebuilding or lame-duck season? We could have just as easily filled all those roster spots with rookies and UDFAs.

Even with Hankins, it looks like Dallas tried to bring him back for one year for cheap, which tells me the team is still using its typical free agent philosophy. I think in the end that will be more clear, even if they don't bring in more replacements before the draft.

I think they are throwing Zimmer a bone-in terms of those signings. They are friendly with Zimmer and are being hospitable but not generous. I kinda doubt he gets lots of freedom in the draft or the first round pick (maybe 2nd round but I doubt it).

 

[blueblood70]

I'm not agreeing with their approach but ti seems to be they are going with Osa and Mazi. It for sure is risky. But I mean at the same time can it get worse than last season? CAn't really give up more than 220 yards rushing....

It only seems like that because we're one week into a process in which you know this front office is gonna draft first see what they didn't get in the draft and then they're gonna go through the free agents that are left or make a trade and they will fill out the roster then we can decide who they're going with right now that's just who's on the roster by the way oses not bad but how do we know that we're not gonna get sweat from Texas in the draft they don't know that but once they do know then they'll know who to pick up that's left in the free agent market which right now there's a lot and there could be a trade be made we trade for hankins the very guy we're sitting here talking about we made a trade for a couple years back and now he's just a one year player he is not irreplaceable come on guys!!

 

[Sydla]

I think Osi and Mazi are the starters. Wouldn't be two rookies.

And there is literally nothing behind them in terms of quality depth. Nothing.

And there is an assumption here that Mazi is actually starter quality. Which may may not accurate.

Hence why what the Cowboys are doing here in FA is beyond idiotic and stupid. I can't tell if they don't care or Jerry and his son really are stupid.

 

[CTcowboy203]

So when they drafted Mazi last year what was the point? Did they not think he had potential to be a home run or even a double or single? If they still feel the way about him now that they did last year then why would you spend money on a progress stopper?

They thought he could be a plug in and play guy and he sucked. Wasn’t close to ready. So they were wrong last year and you think they’ll be a better team by doubling down on him?

The goal should be to win right now. If you can upgrade the position, a position of need and it can have residual effect across the whole defense then it’s not a progress stopper

 

[Sydla]

I'm not agreeing with their approach but ti seems to be they are going with Osa and Mazi. It for sure is risky. But I mean at the same time can it get worse than last season? CAn't really give up more than 220 yards rushing....

It absolutely can get worse. If they sign a few bargain bin jags in a few weeks and Mazi Smith turns out to be a dud, that's going to be the worst DT rotation in the NFL.

 

[CTcowboy203]

Well I'm not arguing this is a a "Championship team". This is just a team with championship goals but they certainly dont run themselves like a championship team.

And I'm certainly not excusing them for ignoring free agency. I Jus think you have to spend smart. And spending smart revolves around using your capital effectively. And like I said above, I would've signed Jones and Wilkins and worried about the rest down the road. But as far as building a roster? It's not smart to invest money in DT when you just invested a 1st rounder in your DT position unless you don't think he's any good.

But it’s smart to hold the position hostage with a player that’s shown nothing

 

[CTcowboy203]

It only seems like that because we're one week into a process in which you know this front office is gonna draft first see what they didn't get in the draft and then they're gonna go through the free agents that are left or make a trade and they will fill out the roster then we can decide who they're going with right now that's just who's on the roster by the way oses not bad but how do we know that we're not gonna get sweat from Texas in the draft they don't know that but once they do know then they'll know who to pick up that's left in the free agent market which right now there's a lot and there could be a trade be made we trade for hankins the very guy we're sitting here talking about we made a trade for a couple years back and now he's just a one year player he is not irreplaceable come on guys!!

Replacing jags with hopefully just as good jags will hopefully make us as good as last years team….spoiler alert ; last years team wasn’t good enough.