Getting better quickly requires a change in off-season strategy. Will our FO do it?

[Bobhaze]

Frankly, unless our front office approaches this year’s off-season differently, we will not be able to re-tool this roster fast enough to be a serious contender in 2025. There are Swiss cheese sized holes in this roster that require a major infusion of talent that can play at a high level now, not waiting until players “develop”.

The cold truth is we have depended almost solely on the draft to refresh the talent pool which puts all the pressure on each and every draft pick being a home run. Without at least 3-4 quality free agents that can not only plug holes but actually have positive impact, we will probably remain a mediocre team.

How did we get here?

• The front office apparently STILL has not learned in the modern NFL era, you cannot be a serious contender relying solely on the draft.
• Relying solely on the draft to improve your roster is slow and is always a gamble.
  • Very few players in the draft are just plug and play with immediate improvement at that position. Only guys like Parsons or Lamb or Tyler Smith have done that in the last 5 years. Most players - even good ones - take some time to develop.
  • Last year our FO apparently believed the 2024 draft would fix their offense-season inactivity. It didn’t.
  • The 2023 draft has not been great so far, putting us in a deeper roster squeeze. First and second round picks Mazi Smith and Luke Schoonmaker have been major disappointments. Those guys by now should be solid starters. DeMarvion Overshown was a star in the making but with two blown out knees, his reliability is in serious question.
• Free agency is the tool used by real contenders who understand you need some impact FAs to shore up areas where the draft didn’t. If you’re serious about competing, you cannot just dumpster dive,
• Understanding how to manage the cap is essential. And the Jones boys either don’t know how or refuse to learn. It’s either of those.
• I did not like the Dak Prescott new contract. It was a mistake in my view. But we’re stuck with it for at least two-three years. That’s just the reality of having a short sided GM. But it also means if we’re going to make applesauce out this rotten apple situation, we better be aggressive NOW!

So what should be done?

1. Decide what kind of team you are trying to be. FIRST. Otherwise you are just collecting players - in other words playing fantasy football.
2. Do a hard assessment of your current talent. Some players need to go. Be willing to cut some people. Honestly, I believe Jerry keeps players way too long for sentimental reasons. That will kill your team every time.
3. Create some additional cap space. A quick example- designate Trevon Diggs as a June 1 cut. He has an out this year in his deal. Two knee surgeries tell me he’s not worth it anymore. Nothing against Diggs. But you can’t be sentimental!
4. Draft and select FAs that support the kind of team you want. It’s not enough just to acquire talent. You must acquire the RIGHT talent that fits what you want to be,
5. Be open to an impactful trade. I would strongly consider trading Parsons. Maybe it could translate into acquiring Myles Garrett who IMO is better and still young enough to have impact for years. He would cost less than Parsons and be less of headache.

This is just scratching the surface. But the bottom line to me is this: If we keep using the same old off-season approach to retooling a roster, we are going to keep getting what we’ve been getting. Which is four wild card wins in three decades.

 

[kskboys]

And w/ the huge salaries butting up against the cap, we desperately need a void year to dump salaries into.

 

[Bobhaze]

And w/ the huge salaries butting up against the cap, we desperately need a void year to dump salaries into.

When I hear SJ lie saying “We can’t do anything because of the cap”, I just want someone to ask him how Philly does it with a $55 mil a year QB, AJ Brown with a deal almost exactly like Cedee Lamb’s, a RT making about what our RT is making….this could go on and on.

We don’t have to keep saying we are hamstrung by the cap. Unless these guys don’t know what they’re doing or know but refuse to do it.

 

[acr731]

Neither Jerry or Stephen gives a spit about winning. Don't expect them to change anything.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Frankly, unless our front office approaches this year’s off-season differently, we will not be able to re-tool this roster fast enough to be a serious contender in 2025.

Good post Bob!

There is too much upgrading that needs done to make the Cowboys a serious contender in 2025. Even if (huge IF) the FO approaches this off season differently. Even if they approach it very aggressively. It's going to take a concentrated effort this off season and next off season to get the Cowboys to that point.

 

[Diehardblues]

When I hear SJ lie saying “We can’t do anything because of the cap”, I just want someone to ask him how Philly does it with a $55 mil a year QB, AJ Brown with a deal almost exactly like Cedee Lamb’s, a RT making about what our RT is making….this could go on and on.

We don’t have to keep saying we are hamstrung by the cap. Unless these guys don’t know what they’re doing or know but refuse to do it.

Absolutely. Also their key players they are paying are doing more than ours on the bigger stages.

And they hit on the draft. The Cowboys for a team which relies on the draft miss too often on top picks.

 

[LonnieElam]

Neither Jerry or Stephen gives a spit about winning. Don't expect them to change anything.

Anyone who thinks they do is delusional or naive.

 

[Diehardblues]

Good post Bob!

There is too much upgrading that needs done to make the Cowboys a serious contender in 2025. Even if (huge IF) the FO approaches this off season differently. Even if they approach it very aggressively. It's going to take a concentrated effort this off season and next off season to get the Cowboys to that point.

Needs:
OL, RB, WR, DE, DT, LB

We can’t afford to miss on any picks. And it still won’t be enough.

I’d say we are looking at another 3rd place finish. And missing playoffs again. 8-9 wins is optimistic.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Frankly, unless our front office approaches this year’s off-season differently, we will not be able to re-tool this roster fast enough to be a serious contender in 2025. There are Swiss cheese sized holes in this roster that require a major infusion of talent that can play at a high level now, not waiting until players “develop”.

The cold truth is we have depended almost solely on the draft to refresh the talent pool which puts all the pressure on each and every draft pick being a home run. Without at least 3-4 quality free agents that can not only plug holes but actually have positive impact, we will probably remain a mediocre team.

How did we get here?

• The front office apparently STILL has not learned in the modern NFL era, you cannot be a serious contender relying solely on the draft.
• Relying solely on the draft to improve your roster is slow and is always a gamble.
  • Very few players in the draft are just plug and play with immediate improvement at that position. Only guys like Parsons or Lamb or Tyler Smith have done that in the last 5 years. Most players - even good ones - take some time to develop.
  • Last year our FO apparently believed the 2024 draft would fix their offense-season inactivity. It didn’t.
  • The 2023 draft has not been great so far, putting us in a deeper roster squeeze. First and second round picks Mazi Smith and Luke Schoonmaker have been major disappointments. Those guys by now should be solid starters. DeMarvion Overshown was a star in the making but with two blown out knees, his reliability is in serious question.
• Free agency is the tool used by real contenders who understand you need some impact FAs to shore up areas where the draft didn’t. If you’re serious about competing, you cannot just dumpster dive,
• Understanding how to manage the cap is essential. And the Jones boys either don’t know how or refuse to learn. It’s either of those.
• I did not like the Dak Prescott new contract. It was a mistake in my view. But we’re stuck with it for at least two-three years. That’s just the reality of having a short sided GM. But it also means if we’re going to make applesauce out this rotten apple situation, we better be aggressive NOW!

So what should be done?

1. Decide what kind of team you are trying to be. FIRST. Otherwise you are just collecting players - in other words playing fantasy football.
2. Do a hard assessment of your current talent. Some players need to go. Be willing to cut some people. Honestly, I believe Jerry keeps players way too long for sentimental reasons. That will kill your team every time.
3. Create some additional cap space. A quick example- designate Trevon Diggs as a June 1 cut. He has an out this year in his deal. Two knee surgeries tell me he’s not worth it anymore. Nothing against Diggs. But you can’t be sentimental!
4. Draft and select FAs that support the kind of team you want. It’s not enough just to acquire talent. You must acquire the RIGHT talent that fits what you want to be,
5. Be open to an impactful trade. I would strongly consider trading Parsons. Maybe it could translate into acquiring Myles Garrett who IMO is better and still young enough to have impact for years. He would cost less than Parsons and be less of headache.

This is just scratching the surface. But the bottom line to me is this: If we keep using the same old off-season approach to retooling a roster, we are going to keep getting what we’ve been getting. Which is four wild card wins in three decades.

Will the front office do it?
well, let me give you a simple answer. NO

I was looking for font size 180, but there wasn't one.

 

[Diehardblues]

Anyone who thinks they do is delusional or naive.

But the hype will continue. Jethro and Dakster already saying we are a SB contender. Rinse and repeat.

 

[Bobhaze]

Good post Bob!

There is too much upgrading that needs done to make the Cowboys a serious contender in 2025. Even if (huge IF) the FO approaches this off season differently. Even if they approach it very aggressively. It's going to take a concentrated effort this off season and next off season to get the Cowboys to that point.

I agree with you Big Dog…there are more holes than options to fix in one year.

This FO has little to zero foresight about what they’re doing or have on their roster. They wait to get rid of people until it’s obvious even to fans. They keep sentimental attachments to players they shouldn’t (Zeke, re-signing Witten when he was washed, signing Gallup to a big deal after a major knee injury)

 

[slick325]

Frankly, unless our front office approaches this year’s off-season differently, we will not be able to re-tool this roster fast enough to be a serious contender in 2025. There are Swiss cheese sized holes in this roster that require a major infusion of talent that can play at a high level now, not waiting until players “develop”.

The cold truth is we have depended almost solely on the draft to refresh the talent pool which puts all the pressure on each and every draft pick being a home run. Without at least 3-4 quality free agents that can not only plug holes but actually have positive impact, we will probably remain a mediocre team.

How did we get here?

• The front office apparently STILL has not learned in the modern NFL era, you cannot be a serious contender relying solely on the draft.
• Relying solely on the draft to improve your roster is slow and is always a gamble.
  • Very few players in the draft are just plug and play with immediate improvement at that position. Only guys like Parsons or Lamb or Tyler Smith have done that in the last 5 years. Most players - even good ones - take some time to develop.
  • Last year our FO apparently believed the 2024 draft would fix their offense-season inactivity. It didn’t.
  • The 2023 draft has not been great so far, putting us in a deeper roster squeeze. First and second round picks Mazi Smith and Luke Schoonmaker have been major disappointments. Those guys by now should be solid starters. DeMarvion Overshown was a star in the making but with two blown out knees, his reliability is in serious question.
• Free agency is the tool used by real contenders who understand you need some impact FAs to shore up areas where the draft didn’t. If you’re serious about competing, you cannot just dumpster dive,
• Understanding how to manage the cap is essential. And the Jones boys either don’t know how or refuse to learn. It’s either of those.
• I did not like the Dak Prescott new contract. It was a mistake in my view. But we’re stuck with it for at least two-three years. That’s just the reality of having a short sided GM. But it also means if we’re going to make applesauce out this rotten apple situation, we better be aggressive NOW!

So what should be done?

1. Decide what kind of team you are trying to be. FIRST. Otherwise you are just collecting players - in other words playing fantasy football.
2. Do a hard assessment of your current talent. Some players need to go. Be willing to cut some people. Honestly, I believe Jerry keeps players way too long for sentimental reasons. That will kill your team every time.
3. Create some additional cap space. A quick example- designate Trevon Diggs as a June 1 cut. He has an out this year in his deal. Two knee surgeries tell me he’s not worth it anymore. Nothing against Diggs. But you can’t be sentimental!
4. Draft and select FAs that support the kind of team you want. It’s not enough just to acquire talent. You must acquire the RIGHT talent that fits what you want to be,
5. Be open to an impactful trade. I would strongly consider trading Parsons. Maybe it could translate into acquiring Myles Garrett who IMO is better and still young enough to have impact for years. He would cost less than Parsons and be less of headache.

This is just scratching the surface. But the bottom line to me is this: If we keep using the same old off-season approach to retooling a roster, we are going to keep getting what we’ve been getting. Which is four wild card wins in three decades.

Great post once again, Bullet.

I don't know if this front office is humble enough to change course or admit that their way hasn't worked completely. I don't know if they are agile enough to
change course or direction from solely using the draft and occasional small trades as the only ways to build a contender. Do they have the sense to know the type of player FA, trade, and draft fits the team they want to be, I don't know.

We shall see in March. Starting with how they handle Parsons contract negotiations and free agency.

 

[Diehardblues]

Our opportunity to reset and rebuild for future were forfeited when we resigned Prescott and Lamb too.

As a result we’ll continue trying build around them. Look for focus in draft to shore up offensive weapons.

 

[LonnieElam]

But the hype will continue. Jethro and Dakster already saying we are a SB contender. Rinse and repeat.

I don't feel like even the dumb casuals are buying it anymore. We certainly aren't.

 

[Diehardblues]

I don't feel like even the dumb casuals are buying it anymore. We certainly aren't.

All it will take is winning a few games or getting off to a good start. Some fans just want to believe.

While we are ways off from elite teams we aren’t a bottom feeder. We could still win 8 or 9 games and be an outlier in playoff contention until final weeks.

Everyone is down after 7 win season but we’re only a year removed from the 12 win highs which drove the upbeat for a good while.

 

[fivetwos]

I remember when they signed Leonard Davis to a big money deal. They said “this is what you have to do when you miss on a top draft pick.”

What happened to that? All the success change things?

 

[CTcowboy203]

To answer this the best I can……no

 

[fivetwos]

All it will take is winning a few games or getting off to a good start. Some fans just want to believe.

While we are ways off from elite teams we aren’t a bottom feeder. We could still win 8 or 9 games and be an outlier in playoff contention until final weeks.

Everyone is down after 7 win season but we’re only a year removed from the 12 win highs which drove the upbeat for a good while.

Yep, the worst spot to be. Not good enough for a deep playoff run but not awful enough to get better quickly.

I expect that they will continue to beat up on the bad teams (there’s plenty of those…as bad as last year was, 11 teams were worse) and get demolished by the better ones.

Of course they got to use the injury excuse last year, meanwhile they were getting stomped well before those kicked in. Stephen likes to cry over injuries and the cap….as if they are the only team that needs to deal with that.

 

[kskboys]

When I hear SJ lie saying “We can’t do anything because of the cap”, I just want someone to ask him how Philly does it with a $55 mil a year QB, AJ Brown with a deal almost exactly like Cedee Lamb’s, a RT making about what our RT is making….this could go on and on.

We don’t have to keep saying we are hamstrung by the cap. Unless these guys don’t know what they’re doing or know but refuse to do it.

At least part of it is high quality rook cap hits. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean. Just look at all those top players on rook contracts. Huge huge huge factor.

And how did they get them? It was absolutely huge for them trading away Wentz. You could conceivably conclude that the Eagles don't have the Carter/Davis combo w/o the Wentz trade. And w/o that combo, the Eagles don't win the super bowl.

It helps that their QB signed a longer term deal so they can win now. Most people don't understand how badly Dak screwed us by insisting on top of the market back to back short term deals. Where in hades are we going to push the money?

 

[kskboys]

All it will take is winning a few games or getting off to a good start. Some fans just want to believe.

While we are ways off from elite teams we aren’t a bottom feeder. We could still win 8 or 9 games and be an outlier in playoff contention until final weeks.

Everyone is down after 7 win season but we’re only a year removed from the 12 win highs which drove the upbeat for a good while.

Unless the Gnats get a QB.