Dak's window is closing-have to go veteran route to fix D

[kskboys]

We've blown it-the minute Parsons was traded.

1) Front office under-estimated the capability of the offense
2) Front office under-estimated how Parsons improved the play of others on DEF (Osa, Diggs, Wilson etc). Without him they are just average
3) Parsons should have been re-signed with pieces added in free agency that you could afford.

Way before that.

We blew it the minute we drafted Schoonmaker/Overshown/Sam Williams/Kelvin Joseph/LVE/Nashon Wright etc

Hey, I know no team hits every draft pick, DUH, but we miss way too many.

 

[kskboys]

100%.

If we had committed to fixing the run in free agency and the draft, and re-signed Parsons, a lot of these massive gaps in defense would've been covered up, as they had been for the years that Parsons was on the team. We all knew we needed better a better DL in the draft. But we waited until the 7th round to draft one. We all knew we needed better LBs in free agency and the draft, but we traded for and signed scrubs off the trash heap.

Jerry and Stephen could've set the defense up to be even league average, which would have been enough with the way the offense is playing, but Jerry's feelings got hurt and he cost the team the season a week before it began to prove a point.

But nooooooooooooooooooooooooo, we just had to have another OL, an injured CB, and a lightly built pass rusher.

 

[Cowboyny]

It is a shame, if the defense was just average this team is probably 5-1 at worst. Personnel wise other than Bland, Revel, and Carson they're probably starting over with a rebuild in the secondary. 2 LBs will be needed, then I'm not sure about the dline. I think the group has potential but it's so hard to evaluate when your lbs and secondary leave wide open receivers. When Revel and Carson are back I would pair them with Bland to see how that comes together. I'm still torn what to do with Diggs, but willing to try him as a coverage safety, the only issue is tackling may be subpar.

I think Diggs wants out in the worse way. He was benched and he is the only one complaining and not taking any accountability. As I have said recently, edge, mlb, safety and more depth at corner

 

[Cowboyny]

Makes a lot of sense........use the $42M we were going to pay Micah to sign the 2-3 impact players AND still have your four 1st round picks. That's potentially

3.....impact free agents
4....1st round picks
2.....2nd round picks

Total of potentially 9 top talented players, you can completely rebuild this D

That’s if they make a priority to fix the unit. Watch a 1st rd tackle, wr or te coming

 

[Steve007]

Figure Dak has 3-4 years left of being a high-level starter. Makes zero sense to rebuild the defense with a bunch of young prospects. Either you blow it all up or try to fix your need areas with proven NFL Talent. We all know that Eberflus is on burrowed time and he isn't the sole reason why the defense is terrible, but he isn't going to survive after this season.

The first question, is who do we replace Eberflus with and what type of scheme fits this roster?

With the current players we have under contract, I see these needs:

Edge, MLB, Free Safety, Corner, NT-I think the 1st three are priority, where the last two might be more depth.

MUST sign or trade for 2 impact defenders within these three positions and try to fill out the roster with those extra picks acquired in the Parsons trade. As I have been saying for weeks, Edge players have a long, developmental curve, go get your veteran pass rusher, then it becomes easier to fill out the defense.

Dak's window has already closed. Look at the Cowboys cap hit on Daks contract in the next 3 years. If the Cowboys had a good FO it could take a few years to fix.

 

[HMJYay]

Man Dak’s cap hit is 50 million this year, then 68 million and then 74 million. For an above average aging QB. He’s shown over and over again the type of player he is. You think age and a bigger contract will fix it? That’s Jerry thinking there man. lol

 

[Pass2Run]

We've blown it-the minute Parsons was traded.

1) Front office under-estimated the capability of the offense
2) Front office under-estimated how Parsons improved the play of others on DEF (Osa, Diggs, Wilson etc). Without him they are just average
3) Parsons should have been re-signed with pieces added in free agency that you could afford.

Front office severely overrated Eberflus' competence as an NFL coach.

Chicago figured it out. Why can't we?

 

[zekecowboy]

Dak is not a pressure and playoff QB

His “window” is closed as he har shown again and again

Trade Pickens and Diggs
Load up on picks
Pick a rd 1 QB
Rebuild

Why don't we just trade Dak for picks since he is not a pressure playoff QB? If he says no, let him sit on the bench and let Milton get some experience. Dallas sees if Milton improves and our record gets better, i.e., better draft pick.

 

[baltcowboy]

The Cowboys have an elite offense. Maybe the best offense in the NFL if the offense is healthy. For once we as fans need to hold the Joneses accountable. There is no reason the Cowboys shouldn’t be able to attack free agency and the draft like the Eagles did in 2024. We have cap space and draft picks. Use them!!!!!!

 

[Majic]

Front office severely overrated Eberflus' competence as an NFL coach.

Chicago figured it out. Why can't we?

Because when hiring coaches, their competence is not evaluated first. It's 'can Jerry work with them' that come first.

 

[Chasing6]

Figure Dak has 3-4 years left of being a high-level starter. Makes zero sense to rebuild the defense with a bunch of young prospects. Either you blow it all up or try to fix your need areas with proven NFL Talent. We all know that Eberflus is on burrowed time and he isn't the sole reason why the defense is terrible, but he isn't going to survive after this season.

The first question, is who do we replace Eberflus with and what type of scheme fits this roster?

With the current players we have under contract, I see these needs:

Edge, MLB, Free Safety, Corner, NT-I think the 1st three are priority, where the last two might be more depth.

MUST sign or trade for 2 impact defenders within these three positions and try to fill out the roster with those extra picks acquired in the Parsons trade. As I have been saying for weeks, Edge players have a long, developmental curve, go get your veteran pass rusher, then it becomes easier to fill out the defense.

I don't disagree, but that means we would need to pass on Pickens and spend that money on Defense.

 

[Chasing6]

That wouldn't fix the defense. That's the problem. Say they didn't trade Parsons. By your thinking they would only need one more impact player. With Parsons, do you think the defense is one impact player away?

Not even close.

 

[Chasing6]

100%.

If we had committed to fixing the run in free agency and the draft, and re-signed Parsons, a lot of these massive gaps in defense would've been covered up, as they had been for the years that Parsons was on the team. We all knew we needed better a better DL in the draft. But we waited until the 7th round to draft one. We all knew we needed better LBs in free agency and the draft, but we traded for and signed scrubs off the trash heap.

Jerry and Stephen could've set the defense up to be even league average, which would have been enough with the way the offense is playing, but Jerry's feelings got hurt and he cost the team the season a week before it began to prove a point.

In no circumstances would I pay a Defensive player QB money. Zero.

 

[Chasing6]

That wouldn't fix the defense. That's the problem. Say they didn't trade Parsons. By your thinking they would only need one more impact player. With Parsons, do you think the defense is one impact player away?

I strongly disagree. This season is realistically over. We are not a SB contender, even if we could trade for anyone 1 defensive player of our choice. Could we limp into the playoffs, maybe but that is about it.

First legit decision needs to be made on whether we can afford Pickens or not. Hindsight Jerry would have been smart to extending him immediately after we traded for him.

We know he won't, but Jerry should be talking now to Pickens Agent to get a feel for what it will take to sign him. If it is out of our range and we lose to Washington, he should be shopped immediately. In no scenario, do I want a 3rd round comp pick for Pickens in 2027.

Extending or tagging Pickens, most likely means we once again will not be active in FA for an impactful defensive player.

I would rather trade up for a top 5 pick(significantly cheaper) and use money on a FA.

Trading picks for a Veteran player that most likely will then need a new contract just seems like a waste of both for only 1 player. We need a lot of help on defense.

 

[Cowboyny]

Dak's window has already closed. Look at the Cowboys cap hit on Daks contract in the next 3 years. If the Cowboys had a good FO it could take a few years to fix.

They can create as much space as they want, but they have decided against it. Teams backload deals all the time to kick the can later

 

[Cowboyny]

I don't disagree, but that means we would need to pass on Pickens and spend that money on Defense.

They can do both if they stop being so afraid with cap spending.

 

[CowboyoWales]

They can create as much space as they want, but they have decided against it. Teams backload deals all the time to kick the can later

As a self confessed CAP Worrier I have to agree with you.....we play the CAP card because Jerry goes year to year HOPING that we're in the race and LUCK will see us to a Championship......he always buys a ticket for the Lottery, when someone else is buying 100.

 

[CowboyoWales]

I don't disagree, but that means we would need to pass on Pickens and spend that money on Defense.

As @Cowboyny said we can do both. Dak is playing as well as ever, so why give up on what looks like his favorite WR, indeed, there may of been an argument if Pickens was signed and the decision was whether to extend CeeDee. You add to the strength, dont do the Jerry "that worked, but lets see whether we can do it cheaper".
This Defense needs a total rethink. Eberflus appears to be a one trick pony and is a waste of a year, especially as we dont have the players (and dont have the skillset, nor inclination) to play his scheme.

This isnt a draft/sign an elite player and HOPE, we need to start with the premise of what we want to do (which with Dak at the helm, is a Defense that can assist us getting an early lead....everything needs to be focused early,,,,not a Defense that requires Diggs making the first tackle on a run play). . Its devise the strategy (now) and work out if anyone is worth retaining.....most of this Defense, inc Clark, Diggs is cuttable,

 

[Cowboyny]

As a self confessed CAP Worrier I have to agree with you.....we play the CAP card because Jerry goes year to year HOPING that we're in the race and LUCK will see us to a Championship......he always buys a ticket for the Lottery, when someone else is buying 100.

the right play would be push everything into the yr when Dak’s contract expires. Use this window to see if you can win a Championship. If it doesn’t work out, perfect time to rip it all down.

You don’t have to build an elite defense, just one who is the middle of the pack as this offense is young, talented and many players still haven’t peaked

 

[Hawkeye0202]

the right play would be push everything into the yr when Dak’s contract expires. Use this window to see if you can win a Championship. If it doesn’t work out, perfect time to rip it all down.

You don’t have to build an elite defense, just one who is the middle of the pack as this offense is young, talented and many players still haven’t peaked

Exactly........a defense that can give us 3-4 stops a game would be good enough with this offense.