Having a good off-season: Fortune favors the bold

[big dog cowboy]

In other words, we can not say the Seahawks have now provided the only template for winning a Super Bowl. The sampling is too small........

Having a good running game and a great defense is a tale as old as time. No more proven championship winning formula ever.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The bengals have sunk gobs of space into their QB/WR room - and they are really good. But they have a really bad defense…like ours has been. Ouch.

Also, their OL has been suspect for YEARS and can't keep Burrow healthy.

 

[fivetwos]

Building a great defense would be my focus. I agree with you the QWilliams move only makes sense with other big upgrades to an historically bad defense.

And yes, “Born on 3rd base” Jones does not have the stones to make bold moves. His old man used to.

That goes all the way back to Deion Sanders. I don’t think they win in 95 without him, and was well worth his money at the time. Stephen wanted cap responsibility, which would have accomplished exactly what?

As I’ve said several times, I don’t think they are on the same page, and they alternate getting their way, which is why the plan appears to be all over the place rather than one specific direction.

If I’m Jerry I put my foot down and do what I want to, but that’s probably not a good thing since he doesn’t have much in the way of talent evaluation skills and has more than proven so. No one gets better at anything in their 80s.

 

[fivetwos]

Maybe. But doesn’t winning with Darnold suggest that teams gave up on him far too early. See also, Mayfield, Baker.

The poster boys for guys that aren’t ready to play right away but they are forced to due to salary and draft status….and impatience.

 

[Verdict]

The poster boys for guys that aren’t ready to play right away but they are forced to due to salary and draft status….and impatience.

Agreed.

 

[Verdict]

I wouldn't exactly call what Seattle did "stumbling"....but, to each his own, I suppose.

Now, if the Cowboys ever were to make it to the Super Bowl, I'm sure it would be more like a "stumble" for them!!! LOL

I feel ya. But I don’t think anyone would have looked at Seattle’s roster in game one and said “Man that’s a Super Bowl roster right there!”

 

[rambo2]

I wouldn't exactly call what Seattle did "stumbling"....but, to each his own, I suppose.

Now, if the Cowboys ever were to make it to the Super Bowl, I'm sure it would be more like a "stumble" for them!!! LOL

The 2 point play was a historic stumble. You take away that historic fluke play and it completely changes the outcome of their season and some other team wins the Super Bowl.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Jazz I mostly agree with you.

But where I disagree with most Cowboys fans is with Pickens. I would either sign Pickens and trade Lamb or keep Pickens and trade Lamb.

I know it’s a controversial opinion. But look at what Sea did last off-season. They had DK Metcalf and Jackson Smith-Njigba. They traded Metcalf and used the capital to help build their great D.

IMO we aren’t going to compete for a championship with two of the highest paid WRs in the league. We all know JJ loves him some WRs. It hasn’t resulted in anything the last 30 years.

Now let's ask you this haze, who would get you more back in a trade? Lamb or Pickens?

 

[Bobhaze]

Now let's ask you this haze, who would get you more back in a trade? Lamb or Pickens?

Great question Coogs. And I’m not sure. Probably Lamb because he’s been more consistent than Pickens. Lamb has never been accused of being “volatile” or taking games off.

Because Pickens is younger, some teams might prefer him. But lamb is still only 26.

I would not keep both Lamb and Pickens.

 

[Diehardblues]

Ok, so let's say Jerry decides stay off his yacht and be bold in free agency. Do you trust him to make the right choices and moves?

I don't.

No I don’t but I’d prefer him getting up to the plate and taking a big swing.

Unfortunately his biggest fear is hitting rock bottom. Mediocre has served him well.

His QB and offense can keep him hovering around .500. If he can’t get Pickens and Williams resigned he’ll be looking to find more key positions on offense. And hopefully hit on some talent on defense in draft.

We’ll see but I wouldn’t expect too many bold moves. We have to make some Cap room if we do.

 

[Diehardblues]

Great question Coogs. And I’m not sure. Probably Lamb because he’s been more consistent than Pickens. Lamb has never been accused of being “volatile” or taking games off.

Because Pickens is younger, some teams might prefer him. But lamb is still only 26.

I would not keep both Lamb and Pickens.

I’d like to see us get back some draft capital from Pickens.

 

[Diehardblues]

Now let's ask you this haze, who would get you more back in a trade? Lamb or Pickens?

I guess we can trade Pickens if he’s under Franchise Tag? Not sure how that works?

I know unconditional or transition FT team would have to give up 2 1st rounders. But that’s not the one we used. Cause it allows other teams to bid on player.

DYK @Bobhaze

 

[Coogiguy03]

Great question Coogs. And I’m not sure. Probably Lamb because he’s been more consistent than Pickens. Lamb has never been accused of being “volatile” or taking games off.

Because Pickens is younger, some teams might prefer him. But lamb is still only 26.

I would not keep both Lamb and Pickens.

your last sentence says it all, too much allocated to 1 position, yes it can be done, but is it worth it?

 

[Diehardblues]

your last sentence says it all, too much allocated to 1 position, yes it can be done, but is it worth it?

It’s worth it if QB can carry without as much supporting cast.

Cause you must have a QB. Then how great they are after receiving Market Contracts can determine how much support teams can afford to surround them.

Teams that draft the best replacing Cap moves usually can do the best supporting highly paid QB’s.

Teams can still be built old fashion way thru draft. But the windows close quickly once second contracts come up. And you must hit consistently even with middle and some late round picks.

 

[Coogiguy03]

It’s worth it if QB can carry without as much supporting cast.

Cause you must have a QB. Then how great they are after receiving Market Contracts can determine how much support teams can afford to surround them.

Teams that draft the best replacing Cap moves usually can do the best supporting highly paid QB’s.

Teams can still be built old fashion way thru draft. But the windows close quickly once second contracts come up. And you must hit even with middle and some late round picks.

very true

 

[Bobhaze]

I guess we can trade Pickens if he’s under Franchise Tag? Not sure how that works?

I know unconditional or transition FT team would have to give up 2 1st rounders. But that’s not the one we used. Cause it allows other teams to bid on player.

DYK @Bobhaze

My understanding is you can trade a guy on the tag as a part of a process.

The traded player must first sign the one-year tag offer with the current team. Then the team that makes the trade can also negotiate a long-term contract with the player as part of the trade deal if they choose.

It’s not done that often but it is do-able.

 

[Diehardblues]

My understanding is you can trade a guy on the tag as a part of a process.

The traded player must first sign the one-year tag offer with the current team. Then the team that makes the trade can also negotiate a long-term contract with the player as part of the trade deal if they choose.

It’s not done that often but it is do-able.

Thanks

Guess the team we trade him too can’t just assume the Tag, they must offer him a contract?

Doesn’t seem likely another team would offer much in trade unless they were going to offer him a regular contract.

 

[zekecowboy]

It’s a fair question. But I would add we already know what we get when JJ and SJ just play penny poker.

I would rather see these guys take some chances and fail than to not take any chances and have another season of “hanging around the rim”.

I don't believe Dallas was hanging around the rim. More like fell in the toliet. Dallas had the worst defense in the league.

 

[Diehardblues]

I don't believe Dallas was hanging around the rim. More like fell in the toliet. Dallas had the worst defense in the league.

But the point was “hangin round the rim “ is the immediate priority.

Jethro has used another phrase “ remaining relevant and interesting.”

 

[Diehardblues]

I feel ya. But I don’t think anyone would have looked at Seattle’s roster in game one and said “Man that’s a Super Bowl roster right there!”

No, but NFL can turn around quickly this era for some if you make right moves.Some teams looked on the upswing last year. Seattle made some key moves in coaching, FA and draft.

Look how Pats turned it around. Bears were another upturning potential. Denver. And some gained momentum and got better as season went. And some took a turn for worse.

The thing that’s so frustrating for Cowboys fans is we are seeing teams turn it around quickly with either great coaching changes, great drafts , hitting on a QB , active FA’s or combinations thereof.

It can be done. But as Bob is saying here we aren’t really even trying. Cause it means you must risk flopping which is Jethro’s biggest fear, hitting rock bottom and having to start over.