You're GM, what would you do to make this team competitive next year?

WhizKid

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You're GM and you have to make the team competitive for next year. This involves not getting rid of Romo and discussion of why we can't be competitive, blah blah blah. That discussion is already in most of the threads here. This is about moves you can make to improve the team next year and make them a 9+ win team. Also, this involves keeping Garrett with the possibility of ridding yourself of Callahan. Kiffin is gone, but you have the option of keeping Marinelli as DC. Also, I am not saying this way is the only way, just wondering what everyone else would do if they had to put a competitive team on the field next year. Just an exploration of thoughts, not trying to be argumentative. Boring boring Saturday.

First, I analyze what I feel the team needs next year to succeed.

Offense
I think depth wise we need to add a tackle to compete with Free. Free seems to be the type of player who performs better when someone is giving him a run for his money. Competition is great and this is a necessary move. In the end you play the best man available.
-Acquire RT to compete with Free(doesn't have to be top tier.

At guard it would be wise for the Cowboys to draft a Guard. Get somebody young on the line to compete with the starters but with high upside that could possibly replace a starter. Specifically at the right guard position. Although, I wonder if resigning Waters is an option and if he'd be willing to come back. If so, competition at the Left Guard position would be nice and the depth would make me a lot more comfortable considering the bad knees of Leary.
-Draft a guard, bring more youth to the line and insurance in case of injuries

I definitely look at adding a WR in the off season. I'm likely to release Miles Austin. While I like Dez, WIlliams, and Beasley, I think it is essential to add another body to this squad. This can be done through FA. We just need a body that can step in when we need them and be more effective than Austin this year(not hard to do)
-Add one WR for depth purposes

I stay put at RB. Others may not agree, but I do feel like Randle has some game to him and will only improve.

Defense
At defensive end I am definitely looking to spend money here with whatever room we make available and acquire a rush end. This probably means the release of Ware, but It's not that I think he has lost it, I just think he is better suited for a 3-4. Depth wise, there are some bodies right now I would keep for next year. Selvie will already be here and he is must keep for depth given starting experience in this defense. Actually this is probably where I stop keeping DEs on this team. I resign Spencer to cheap one-year contract(his wiggle room in contract talk is very tight). With Tyrone Crawford coming back we would have Spencer and Crawford on one end with the FA DE and the drafted DE on the other end. Selvie would be good moving around being a body when we need him.
-Release Ware, Sign a FA DE, Draft a DE

Defensive tackle would be me bringing back Hatcher. Given his age, his contract SHOULD not be that ridiculous (although I believe there was chatter about the contract he wants in the off season). I would draft a DT early in next year's draft. I keep Nick Hayden for depth and bring in a DT to rotate with the starters. Somebody not too expensive but is sold against the run, with some strength penetrating the middle. Basically, if we can't get pressure on the QB, having somebody who could stop the run makes a huge difference in at least making an offense one dimensional through the pass.
-Keep Hatcher, draft a DT, sign a rotating DT

At linebacker we'll definitely have Lee, Carter, Durant, and Holloman back. I think keeping Wilber to backup Durant is key for depth. Now I eo have some concerns with Carter's play, but I am willing to give him one more year as I think improved defensive line play will make everybody on defensive play better. Given that and Carter being a little slow to learn the new scheme, he should have it down next year. With that being said, I am definitely drafting another LBer and early to not only provide depth, but gives us options at the end of the season if Carter does not pan out or Sean Lee has another season-ending injury(I know it's not season-ending now, but it sure feels like it).
-Draft a linebacker

At CB I am def keeping Sterling Moore. I think CB squad with Carr, MO, Scan, and Moore is very strong, especially given the improved line play.

I give another "big" signing to a Free Safety to play next to Church. We need somebody with some range and speed back there and is good against the pass. Personally, I would think about playing Church closer to the line and possibly at the WLB position, but I'm a GM and should not be able to make that decision. lol But I think having Wilcox backup Church and Heath backup the FS gives us solid depth and options in the future when it comes to making a decision with Church. I think Wilcox has potential to be what Church is another year behind him should help him learn and gives us depth. Depth has killed us, over and over again.
-Sign a FS

Moves to Make (*italics are must make moves)
Draft

*Defensive End
*Defensive Tackle

Linebacker
Guard
Off. Tackle(possibly)
Wide Receiver(possibly)
-Obviously BPA in the draft, but keep an eye in these players, especially the on the DL in the first 3 rounds

FA
*Defensive End
Safety
Defensive Tackle
Wide Receiver
Off. Tackle(Possibly)

Resign
Spencer
Hatcher

Release
Ware
Austin

Restructure(REALLY I just suck at this cap thing and am basing this off everybody else's cap analysis)
Carr
Romo

I would try and make a run for Gary Kubiak. But if Callahan were to stay, I hope there is some realization that this team does need to run more with Murray here and the effectiveness of our run blocking.

*improve pass rush
*Improve pass protection
*improve depth
*release old and expired heroes

What would you do? Where would you make your moves? How would you improve the team for next year?

In the end as long as we work on the trenches the team will compete next year and the years after. And if we could make life easier on the QB, when we do draft one, the transition will be much easier for that QB to succeed. I strongly believe you build those trenches first, because if that QB does not work out when he is in there, the protection will only help and the option to run the ball is there.
 
I believe the team is relatively close. But I also believe the window for the cast of players is rapidly aging.

1. Redo every swinging contract you can to get as much money as possible. Romo, Ware, Witten, Mo, Carr, Scandrick, Lee, Rowdy.
2. See if Waters will play one more year.
3. Search the FA market for a guard if 2 fails. (I actually prefer this, but it requires bringing in someone other than the cast offs like Bernadeau and Livings. Thus 2 may be a better option.)
4. Draft DE, DTs, S, OL
5. Depending on the status of Dunbar, you have to address the back-up to Murray. Either Dunbar heals and can play, or you need a replacement. A snot slinger that can get the tough yards and give Murray a breather.
6. Hire a play caller that has an imagination and move Callahan to OL only.
7. Advise Kiffin his days of retirement have begun.
8. Announce to the world that Jason Garrett is on a one year contract. Win. No excuses, even injury will not save him. The NFC Championship game is the goal. Anything short and this is clean house time.
9. Hire an asst head coach/advisor/shamin to be the sounding board for Garrett, and to manage game clock decision from the sidelines, and an added brain for personnel decisions that is really in touch with the league. An experienced coach who understands. A Dan Reeves type.
10. Hire an expert on stretching and conditioning to augment the current staff and end the ham string issues.
11. Retain Selvie.
12. Offer some type of burnt sacrifice - Jerry maybe- to the Gods of football health for a season where all players are on the field for all games.
 
I totally disagree, TwoDeep. We aren't close at all. 3-7 outside of the lame NFC East.

--Romo's back will be a longterm problem.
--After Hatch leaves we won't have one single good d-lineman (Ware is toast)
--We have nothing sure at safety
--Our cornerbacks are a mess aside from Scandrick
--We have one good linebacker and he can't stay healthy
--Witten will be one year older.
--We have zero depth on the o-line

This is not a time to go all in. Not even close.
 
Step 1. Hire one of our excellent GMs on the board. Have a contest to determine who is most expert at GMing here. Hire them to be in charge of the shindig.

Step 2 ?????

Step 3 Profit
 
I totally disagree, TwoDeep. We aren't close at all. 3-7 outside of the lame NFC East.

--Romo's back will be a longterm problem.
--After Hatch leaves we won't have one single good d-lineman (Ware is toast)
--We have nothing sure at safety
--Our cornerbacks are a mess aside from Scandrick
--We have one good linebacker and he can't stay healthy
--Witten will be one year older.
--We have zero depth on the o-line

This is not a time to go all in. Not even close.

The way the team is assembled, this is the only play. Otherwise you start the fire sale and the four years of rebuilding with a crippled QB and his Lottery winning salary screws, blues and tattoos this team.

I appreciate your opinion. But to subscribe to it means scorched earth for Dallas. Jerry doesn't have the gut, gonads or brain cells to make that call.
 
I totally disagree, TwoDeep. We aren't close at all. 3-7 outside of the lame NFC East.

--Romo's back will be a longterm problem.
--After Hatch leaves we won't have one single good d-lineman (Ware is toast)
--We have nothing sure at safety
--Our cornerbacks are a mess aside from Scandrick
--We have one good linebacker and he can't stay healthy
--Witten will be one year older.
--We have zero depth on the o-line

This is not a time to go all in. Not even close.

I agree its about time to just nuke this thing and take our lumps for a few years, 8-8 5-11 whats the big diff. All we heard this last off season was just wait till you see the D. Well they got turnovers and did little else but collapse every other game. You cant count on Lee, Carter look lost, Mo is a bust, Ware is done, Hatcher will be gone, Church is ok, Carr looks like toast. It goes on and on and on and Romo is falling apart, yep nuke this puppy to the ground
 
The way the team is assembled, this is the only play. Otherwise you start the fire sale and the four years of rebuilding with a crippled QB and his Lottery winning salary screws, blues and tattoos this team.

I appreciate your opinion. But to subscribe to it means scorched earth for Dallas. Jerry doesn't have the gut, gonads or brain cells to make that call.

Your right they wont but darn they need to. Only guy on this team that should be touchable is Dez and Fredrick. They did good on the center and Smith other then that blow this sky high
 
The way the team is assembled, this is the only play. Otherwise you start the fire sale and the four years of rebuilding with a crippled QB and his Lottery winning salary screws, blues and tattoos this team.

I appreciate your opinion. But to subscribe to it means scorched earth for Dallas. Jerry doesn't have the gut, gonads or brain cells to make that call.

This
Gotta go all in for the next 2 years with romo
 
I totally disagree, TwoDeep. We aren't close at all. 3-7 outside of the lame NFC East.

--Romo's back will be a longterm problem.
--After Hatch leaves we won't have one single good d-lineman (Ware is toast)
--We have nothing sure at safety
--Our cornerbacks are a mess aside from Scandrick
--We have one good linebacker and he can't stay healthy
--Witten will be one year older.
--We have zero depth on the o-line

This is not a time to go all in. Not even close.

Jarius Byrd if we can get him. Agree on cut Austin as he didn't bring anything at the end of he season even when healed .....
 
I totally disagree, TwoDeep. We aren't close at all. 3-7 outside of the lame NFC East.

--Romo's back will be a longterm problem.
--After Hatch leaves we won't have one single good d-lineman (Ware is toast)
--We have nothing sure at safety
--Our cornerbacks are a mess aside from Scandrick
--We have one good linebacker and he can't stay healthy
--Witten will be one year older.
--We have zero depth on the o-line

This is not a time to go all in. Not even close.
How do you do it?
Time and time again you post absolute nonsense. Its almost impressive at this point. lol
 
Please... nobody say this team is close. We are saddled with veterans that are used to losing and have very little to anything to offer. Pathetic coaching staff, no GM, barely any money to spend, etc. It is going to take a very long time to fix this team. Jerry might have to die or sell the team.
 
I don't think there's anything that can be done to make the Cowboys a serious contender next year. I'd suggest a complete multi year rebuild but first I'd recommend firing me and bringing in an actual legitimate GM with personnel success on his resume. Someone like Eric DeCosta from Baltimore would be ideal.

Before I left though I would fire the Director of Personnel as the fraud he's always been.
 
I don't think there's anything that can be done to make the Cowboys a serious contender next year. I'd suggest a complete multi year rebuild but first I'd recommend firing me and bringing in an actual legitimate GM with personnel success on his resume. Someone like Eric DeCosta from Baltimore would be ideal.

I like Eliot Wolf for a young man on the come.
 
"Make this team competitive next year?" What? 8-8 the past two years and 8-8 or 9-7 this year. Three straight years playing for the NFC East championship. I'd call that being competitive. How many one-point games this year? 3 or 4? You can call the Cowboys many things but expecting them to be 'not competitive' is strange. There is nothing I see on the horizon for next year that would make the Cowboys seem not competitive.

Now, if you are talking about super bowl competitive. That is a different question.

First thing I would do is get the cap under control by cutting Ware and Austin as June 1st cuts. I would draft best player available regardless of position. I would look at the Eagles offensive tape and try to mimic a lot of what they are doing on offense. The players need something new and innovative. Open the offense up. On defense, I'd try to draft 3 LBs preferable in the 3-7th rd because our LB play, other than Lee when healthy, has been atrocious this year. I'd try to stay away from any big contracts for the next two to three years. I'd also consider trading Claiborne for a 2nd rd if I got any takers.
 

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