Five Players to Bench

[Creeper]

I'll play the game for a bit, but it's just a game because Bland and Ferguson are not going to get benched. Remember, Jerry extended them after the Parsons trade to deflect some of the criticism he got for making such a dumb trade. Benching them now only subjects Jerry to even more criticism. It's not happening.

Steward is an odd guy to be on this list. He will go to the bench when Porter is ready to play. He's a backup.

Dee Winters is an interesting choice here. He really is not the player we were told he was. But When Overshown comes back he could replace Winters. Overshown has looked raw in many ways and will make mistakes but he had some speed to his game when he was healthy and they need that. I like the Barron suggestion. He is supposed to be good in coverage. That is a weakness of Winters.

Tyrus Wheat? Why is he on this list. I would need to check but this week was the first time I have seen him on the field, and even then it was just for a few plays. I know people are calling for more James Houston but as good as he might be as a pass rusher, he is equally bad against the run. Give him more plays in passing situations, but I don't want him on the field on first downs or short yardage plays.

When the Cowboys are healthy in the secondary again, They will move Downs back to the slot, Porters to one side and I think it will be Bland outside. But I prefer Durant. He has his limitations, one being top end speed, but he can stay on his feet and be stickier than Bland on most other routes.

 

[SFloridaCowboy]

When Ferguson was drafted, he was touted as another ascending Wisconsin football product with a high football IQ. We saw some flashes of a terrific player. He has now obviously lost 2-3 steps, lost explosion, overall athletic ability and cannot escape from anyone.

 

[Bagman]

oh hell no to Schoon. worst blocking TE on the team. Ferg used to be a much better blocker, but he looks like he has no interest in it this year. Spann Ford deserves majority of the snaps. his blocking will help with running game and his hands are good enough. he can also run after the catch.

I love Spann Ford. Would prefer he start but I wouldn't overwhelm him. Anything to get Fergy off the field until he gets his head out of his ***

 

[805BoysInBlue]

I'm at EZ and Lawrence(I know not a starter but I would still give someone else his high snap count)
I'm for whatever reason sticking with Gary (whom I also think sucks but lesser of evils)and Houston as the other starter edge. I'll go Houston for EZ and Miller for Lawrence for now.

Replace Bland at corner with Durant the split second Durant is healthy enough. In the meantime put anybody else in Blands spot. Anybody.

I am not even sure I can type with a straight face Barron for Winters at linebacker. I surely can't suggest Shemar James he's another no instincts Murray/Liuafau type.
But for the sake of having a 4th body I'll go Barron for Winters.

That leaves the most obvious Steele but is there anyone on the roster good enough to replace him? Not sold on Jones and definitely not Shelton.
Is Nate Thomas still on the roster/healthy?

Bout all I got for my 5.

***...lmao Lawrence has a better pass rush win rate than anyone on this team. Give him more snaps and keep Vin and gary off the field.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

I don't think we can. Too many DB's that are hurt. Ferguson, at this point, is better than Spann-Ford. Spann-Ford is strong and can hit people on ST's but he's not the answer at TE just yet. I don't think he fully understands the playbook. Dak has told him twice already where to lineup, one cost us a timeout in the 2nd half against the Bucs. Plus, he has concrete hands.

But I do understand this though. Both are not playing well at all.

Qbs often direct spots....come on.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

I love Spann Ford. Would prefer he start but I wouldn't overwhelm him. Anything to get Fergy off the field until he gets his head out of his ***

So you think its possible to remove it at this point?

 

[Whyjerry]

Bench the old paternity dodger and his nepo boy. Anything other than that is pointless.

 

[Robster8989]

When Ferguson was drafted, he was touted as another ascending Wisconsin football product with a high football IQ. We saw some flashes of a terrific player. He has now obviously lost 2-3 steps, lost explosion, overall athletic ability and cannot escape from anyone.

I've actually been one who has defended Fergs the last few years, but I can't excuse the drops, fumbles and whiffs on blocks.

 

[CATCH17]

Winters and Bland….

Im not benching Ferg until someone else proves they can

Spann-Ford has earned more play with his body of work.

That’s without Fergs terrible play.

He’s better than Ferg at everything but route running.

 

[CATCH17]

***...lmao Lawrence has a better pass rush win rate than anyone on this team. Give him more snaps and keep Vin and gary off the field.

Yep..


It’s time for more Malachi. He’s earned it.

Start rewarding players who are playing well regardless of contract or team status.

Speed, Malachi, Spann-Ford all need more playing time if not just outright be named starters.

 

[Captain43Crash]

I'm not trying to make this an "I told you so post", but I remember in the off-season many on this board were acting like we were a contender, based on having a great Offense, and then the moves we made on D, including Parker.

I figured Parker was young and would take some lumps.
But more importantly, I did not think we improved defensively as much as many others did.

We had 1 position of strength defensively last year (DT), and huge needs at Edge, LB, S and CB.

We signed 1 major FA (Thompson), whom I felt was one of the lower quality Safeties available (Lake, Curl etc).
I know he's been hurt but I didn't feel this was a home run by any means. And Locke sucks.

We traded for Gary, a player I felt was declining and had a bad contract. We gave up a 4th for him. I thought we should have just kept Clowney, who is a better player than Gary.
I mean Edge was a weak position after the Micah trade, why lose the best Edge we had when his price was minimal. Bad GMing, and we gave up a nice pick too.

We completely whiffed at LB in FA,, which was unforgivable with how deep the position was in FA, and was our biggest area of need, then traded for Winters. Everyone acted like Jerry knew something the Niners didn't. Winters is a low roster player, a depth piece, nothing more. He's one of the lowest rated starting LBs in the league. Same guy who thought Kenneth Murray was a starter told us Winters was a steal.

We did next to nothing at CB, even though it was a huge weakness. Durant is OK, that's about it. We were told Revel was going to blow up. Have we heard this BS before? Revel is barely an NFL player. I support the JPJ trade. He's a real NFL CB. Bland just looks done.

I never thought Clark was that good, and he's not, hasn't been for years. Now Quinnen is playing like a chump (2nd highest paid DT in football). Oggy is actually playing well for a depth piece.

I'm still high on Downs, but not so much on Thompson or Locke.
So S is iffy to me.

We barely have any real NFL players at Edge/OLB. EZ is getting to the point he needs to show something, and has not. Lawrence gets a pass for now.

The bottom line is our talent sucks and so does our coaching.
We have one legit NFL LB (Barham).
We have 2 legit CBs (JPJ and Durant)
We have no legit Edge players.
Our Safeties are meh (though I'm still high on Downs)
We have names (and $$$) inside (Quinnen, Clark) but neither is performing to their expectations at this point.

Of course out biggest issue is our GM. He thinks we are 1 player away, and is willing to trade valuable draft capital to get "over that hump".
The truth is this organization lacks any leadership.
Watching what Roseman is doing in Philly.
He realizes they suck and is making moves to be able to retool. They have all their picks next year except 3, and 2 1s and 2 2s in 2028, and he's not done.
We need decisive professional football leadership, instead we have Jerry Jones. It's sad what this once great franchise has become.

Your analysis is pretty spot on with most of these players!

Has Kenny Clark made a play all year? I saw Ozigi get back vs Seattle today.

EZ has been overrated since day 1. So overrated!!!

To me Revel doesn’t have the agility, quickness or change of direction to be NFL level CB.

We picked up Winters. Very mediocre LB. Was there any chance we could have offered Dre Greenlaw more money than the Whiners did.

 

[AyeAtey]

I'm not trying to make this an "I told you so post", but I remember in the off-season many on this board were acting like we were a contender, based on having a great Offense, and then the moves we made on D, including Parker.

I figured Parker was young and would take some lumps.
But more importantly, I did not think we improved defensively as much as many others did.

We had 1 position of strength defensively last year (DT), and huge needs at Edge, LB, S and CB.

We signed 1 major FA (Thompson), whom I felt was one of the lower quality Safeties available (Lake, Curl etc).
I know he's been hurt but I didn't feel this was a home run by any means. And Locke sucks.

We traded for Gary, a player I felt was declining and had a bad contract. We gave up a 4th for him. I thought we should have just kept Clowney, who is a better player than Gary.
I mean Edge was a weak position after the Micah trade, why lose the best Edge we had when his price was minimal. Bad GMing, and we gave up a nice pick too.

We completely whiffed at LB in FA,, which was unforgivable with how deep the position was in FA, and was our biggest area of need, then traded for Winters. Everyone acted like Jerry knew something the Niners didn't. Winters is a low roster player, a depth piece, nothing more. He's one of the lowest rated starting LBs in the league. Same guy who thought Kenneth Murray was a starter told us Winters was a steal.

We did next to nothing at CB, even though it was a huge weakness. Durant is OK, that's about it. We were told Revel was going to blow up. Have we heard this BS before? Revel is barely an NFL player. I support the JPJ trade. He's a real NFL CB. Bland just looks done.

I never thought Clark was that good, and he's not, hasn't been for years. Now Quinnen is playing like a chump (2nd highest paid DT in football). Oggy is actually playing well for a depth piece.

I'm still high on Downs, but not so much on Thompson or Locke.
So S is iffy to me.

We barely have any real NFL players at Edge/OLB. EZ is getting to the point he needs to show something, and has not. Lawrence gets a pass for now.

The bottom line is our talent sucks and so does our coaching.
We have one legit NFL LB (Barham).
We have 2 legit CBs (JPJ and Durant)
We have no legit Edge players.
Our Safeties are meh (though I'm still high on Downs)
We have names (and $$$) inside (Quinnen, Clark) but neither is performing to their expectations at this point.

Of course out biggest issue is our GM. He thinks we are 1 player away, and is willing to trade valuable draft capital to get "over that hump".
The truth is this organization lacks any leadership.
Watching what Roseman is doing in Philly.
He realizes they suck and is making moves to be able to retool. They have all their picks next year except 3, and 2 1s and 2 2s in 2028, and he's not done.
We need decisive professional football leadership, instead we have Jerry Jones. It's sad what this once great franchise has become.

"The truth is this organization lacks any leadership."

Bingo. Big Time. Key ingredient and intangible.

 

[cowboyec]

they need to bench parker.
start there.

 

[75boyz]

***...lmao Lawrence has a better pass rush win rate than anyone on this team. Give him more snaps and keep Vin and gary off the field.

Fair enough provided youre gonna use this same wait to see if he develops strategy as EZ. And we see how productive thats been.
*Sarcasm extreme.

This defense needs sacks yesterday so my post was geared more towards who "might be able" to step up. You say the youngin' I say the old man.

No worries.
Either way just get 'er done.

 

[ratkinson]

oh hell no to Schoon. worst blocking TE on the team. Ferg used to be a much better blocker, but he looks like he has no interest in it this year. Spann Ford deserves majority of the snaps. his blocking will help with running game and his hands are good enough. he can also run after the catch.

He brings much needed toughness to the team. Cowboys' need to stock up on this trait.

 

[big dog cowboy]

At 2-3, the Cowboys need to stop making excuses and start holding players accountable! Bland and Steward have to step up in coverage, and Ferguson needs to protect the football. I’d give Brevyn Spann-Ford more opportunities and make these guys earn their snaps.

We can’t keep watching the same mistakes week after week and expect different results. This team has too much talent to keep playing inconsistent football. It’s time for the coaching staff to make some tough decisions and put the players on the field who give Dallas the best chance to win.

 

[charron]

I would rather start Revel now and deal with his learning curve than continue to start Bland. Bland can come off the bench when we need to give up big plays.