What's your favorite and worst single offseason move?

[Galian Beast]

Favorite - signing Hardy. Off-field issue aside, when it's all said and done, he will make a HUGE difference on defense. No question biggest addition to the team.

Worst - Hayden or the 1T in general. I don't understand it but Rod loves him.

Hayden had 570 snaps last year to compare that to Crawford who had 625. McClain had 325 (but wasn't healthy most of the year). Melton had 424 (was also not healthy).

McClain should be healthier this year, and Melton's snaps are going to be replaced by a crew mostly of defensive ends.

You also have Whaley potentially making the roster, and potentially increased roles if Coleman and Bishop make the team.

The amount of snaps at that 1 technique is pretty small, and I bet Hayden doesn't see more than 400 snaps this year assuming people are healthy.

 

[dogunwo]

Your analysis reveals a misunderstanding of the linebacker position. You see the position as overcrowded, only because you don't realize that these linebackers serve very different purposes. Many of them are here specifically to shore up what was an atrocious special teams last year, and weren't brought in to start or even be back ups.

Don't be surprised if we took 7 or maybe even 8 linebackers to the 53 man roster.

No your assumption reveals that you think people don't understand since they don't agree with you. The already signed a special teams LB in free agency and drafted one after wards. They still are bringing in guys just for special teams. RB was more of a need.

 

[Stash]

Signing McFadden as a counter to losing Murray. Hands down the worst move. Best move is easy--Collins.

Thanks for saving me the trouble of typing this, much appreciated!

 

[AsthmaField]

Hayden had 570 snaps last year to compare that to Crawford who had 625. McClain had 325 (but wasn't healthy most of the year). Melton had 424 (was also not healthy).

McClain should be healthier this year, and Melton's snaps are going to be replaced by a crew mostly of defensive ends.

You also have Whaley potentially making the roster, and potentially increased roles if Coleman and Bishop make the team.

The amount of snaps at that 1 technique is pretty small, and I bet Hayden doesn't see more than 400 snaps this year assuming people are healthy.

Hayden is fine for what he is. He isn't going to make a lot of plays in the passing game... but nobody is at that 1-tech spot. It is just the nature of this defense.

Every defense has players at one position or another that are just blue collar guys who don't pile up stats. Hayden and the 1-tech is Dallas'.

Everyone wants a blue chipper at every position, I suppose, and I wouldn't mind upgrading the 1-tech myself. I wanted Grady Jarrett or Michael Bennett in the draft when they started sliding... but Marinelli just doesn't see either of them as much of an upgrade at that position when they would be asked to do the same things that Hayden is.

The truth is that I thought Jarrett would rotate some at the 3-tech spot to give Crawford a rest... when Marinelli all along planned on using Mincey/Hardy/J Crawford inside in the nickle to provide a pass rush.

Instead of one of the DT's that wouldn't have provided as much inside rush as the bigger DE's... the team was able to add a LB like Wilson or a swing tackle like Green, both of whom can really help upgrade their position groups.

Adding Gregory in the second round... besides really adding talent to the DE group... gives Marinelli more flexibility to use some of his bigger DE's inside, IMO and might have taken away any chance of drafting a DT.

 

[VACowboy]

Looking at Green you have to see that there was an early run on offensive linemen, and the Cowboys wanted to make sure they got their swing tackle.

A lot of people thought Frederick was a reach too.

Offensive line is a big deal to this team, and I think the depth they're creating is going to keep our offense productive for many years to come.

I figure there's a reason the Cowboys' scouts and coaches do what they do for a living while I post about it on a website, so like I said, I'll wait and see. But if they were really sticking to their board like we think they were, they wouldn't have drafted a swing tackle out of need because there'd been a run on o-linemen. I have no way of knowing whether Green would have been available a round later or not, but I can't help but think a guy like TJ Clemmings wasn't a lot higher on their board. Green may turn out to be the team's RT of the future for all anybody knows. If I'm making that pick, though, I'm not taking Green.

 

[xwalker]

Hayden is fine for what he is. He isn't going to make a lot of plays in the passing game... but nobody is at that 1-tech spot. It is just the nature of this defense.

Every defense has players at one position or another that are just blue collar guys who don't pile up stats. Hayden and the 1-tech is Dallas'.

Everyone wants a blue chipper at every position, I suppose, and I wouldn't mind upgrading the 1-tech myself. I wanted Grady Jarrett or Michael Bennett in the draft when they started sliding... but Marinelli just doesn't see either of them as much of an upgrade at that position when they would be asked to do the same things that Hayden is.

The truth is that I thought Jarrett would rotate some at the 3-tech spot to give Crawford a rest... when Marinelli all along planned on using Mincey/Hardy/J Crawford inside in the nickle to provide a pass rush.

Instead of one of the DT's that wouldn't have provided as much inside rush as the bigger DE's... the team was able to add a LB like Wilson or a swing tackle like Green, both of whom can really help upgrade their position groups.

Adding Gregory in the second round... besides really adding talent to the DE group... gives Marinelli more flexibility to use some of his bigger DE's inside, IMO and might have taken away any chance of drafting a DT.

I think Ken Bishop has better upside as a 1tech than Jarrett. IMO, Jarrett is more of a combo 1/3 tech.

I would to see Bishop beat out Hayden.

 

[Galian Beast]

No your assumption reveals that you think people don't understand since they don't agree with you. The already signed a special teams LB in free agency and drafted one after wards. They still are bringing in guys just for special teams. RB was more of a need.

They're still bringing guys in because they want competition there. This team is putting an emphasis on special teams this year, and I think you've missed that. They didn't have the running backs graded out as high as you concluded they would, and as a result they valued their running backs on the roster higher than the ones available in the draft. Drafting Wilson made a lot of sense, as was drafting Hitchens the year before him. Linebackers get hurt, and you want quality depth behind them. They signed some veteran linebackers in case we weren't able to re-sign McClain, but they're still looking towards the future of that position. Conflating that with their acquisitions for the special teams simply because the players "play" linebacker is a mistake. Similar to people who are upset that we re-signed McCray, the reality is we didn't sign him to play safety, we signed him to help our special teams, that cost us a lot of points last year, and I'm sure if I looked back at it probably cost us some games.

 

[Galian Beast]

I figure there's a reason the Cowboys' scouts and coaches do what they do for a living while I post about it on a website, so like I said, I'll wait and see. But if they were really sticking to their board like we think they were, they wouldn't have drafted a swing tackle out of need because there'd been a run on o-linemen. I have no way of knowing whether Green would have been available a round later or not, but I can't help but think a guy like TJ Clemmings wasn't a lot higher on their board. Green may turn out to be the team's RT of the future for all anybody knows. If I'm making that pick, though, I'm not taking Green.

When you're sticking to your board, I think you also have to look at the trends in the draft. If you think you can get a player in a later round, even if you have him rated higher, you do that. That's exactly how ended up getting Gregory.

 

[The Quest for Six]

He was a signing in response to losing Murray.

I don't care what they are paying him, he is a weak replacement.

Murray needed the Cowboys more than the Cowboys needed Murray......He'll never come close to 1800 yards with the Eagles......but he took them money and it was smart not to over pay him....Julius Jones, Troy Hambrick and Marion Barber, they were suppose to be the next big thing in Dallas too, how did that work out...Murray, the one year wonder doesn't make him the end all be all as a running back.....McFadden was brought in for a cheap look, not as a Murray replacement.....he may not even make the team but this offensive line will make the running back, not the other way round....holes you can drive a truck through at times,, even Randle, Williams, or McFadden can do that!!

 

[unionjack8]

Best : Gregory & Collins

Worst : Jasper Brinkley. Looking at the roster as it stands now it was a signing made out of desperation. Brinkley would have been around in FA for a lot longer and i feel we overpaid for a 2 down lber that wont see the field. If not for guaranteed money he may not even make the cut.

 

[JoeKing]

Best move... Hardy (if his suspension is reduced)
Worst... no long term Dez deal

Honorable mention... Collins

 

[Idgit]

Hated losing Durant, but it was probably the right call. Not backing up Romo gets my vote for worst move.

Tough to beat getting a top 15 player with some heart as an UDRFA as far as best moves go.

 

[jday]

We're not done yet but for me favorite: The Collins Coup.... Least: no resolution to CB contracts... Carr not cut or paycut.. scandrick wanting more $.

A. Getting 3 players with 1st round grades.
B. Not getting an equal to uprade replacement for Demarco Murray.

 

[jaybird]

Best Move: Letting all those players leave in FA, netting us a ton of picks in next years draft.

Worst Move: No long term Dez Bryant contract

Best post yet

 

[ColeBeasley11]

BEST - Signing Hardy, I think our D improves dramatically when he finally can play

WORST - Chaz Green, really hoped we would move up for Duke Johnson

 

[Craig]

Favorite: Not wasting high picks or cap space on Rb

Least: not having a deal done with dez i guess?

I really had a tough time coming up with something for "least favorite". This has been an outstanding offseason

 

[MagicMan]

Best moves were getting the 3 first round talent players, and Greg Hardy. Very good moves on the part of the FO.

Worst move, maybe premature, but appears no plan on replacing Murray. For a team that made only one hard offer to Murray, take or it leave it offer....you would have thought they had at least couple sure bet options lined up. Well, if McFadden and company are the option, in legal terms.....we are in deep dooooddooooo.

But we shall see, still hopeful in having someone brought in.

 

[AsthmaField]

I think Ken Bishop has better upside as a 1tech than Jarrett. IMO, Jarrett is more of a combo 1/3 tech.

I would to see Bishop beat out Hayden.

You and me both. I like Bishop better than Hayden for sure.

As for Jarrett, like you, I saw him as a guy that could take snaps at both spots.

 

[big dog cowboy]

It wasn't the defense that got us to 12-4 last year. It was the ground game.

While that is true we wouldn't have won the Super Bowl with that defense and everyone knows it.

 

[xwalker]

Hayden is fine for what he is. He isn't going to make a lot of plays in the passing game... but nobody is at that 1-tech spot. It is just the nature of this defense.

Every defense has players at one position or another that are just blue collar guys who don't pile up stats. Hayden and the 1-tech is Dallas'.

Everyone wants a blue chipper at every position, I suppose, and I wouldn't mind upgrading the 1-tech myself. I wanted Grady Jarrett or Michael Bennett in the draft when they started sliding... but Marinelli just doesn't see either of them as much of an upgrade at that position when they would be asked to do the same things that Hayden is.

The truth is that I thought Jarrett would rotate some at the 3-tech spot to give Crawford a rest... when Marinelli all along planned on using Mincey/Hardy/J Crawford inside in the nickle to provide a pass rush.

Instead of one of the DT's that wouldn't have provided as much inside rush as the bigger DE's... the team was able to add a LB like Wilson or a swing tackle like Green, both of whom can really help upgrade their position groups.

Adding Gregory in the second round... besides really adding talent to the DE group... gives Marinelli more flexibility to use some of his bigger DE's inside, IMO and might have taken away any chance of drafting a DT.

I don't need a blue chip 1tech. I would be happy with Bishop and McClain and just giving Hayden's spot to a young guy somewhere on the DL. It is good to have Hayden going into TC because there have been a lot of injuries between this time of year and game 1 in recent seasons; however, at the cut down date they should seriously consider moving on from Hayden. He would likely remain available if they wanted to recall him during the season.