An Unpopular Decision

[Stash]

As this is a slow time of year for legitimate news, I thought it might be fun to engage in a hypothetical scenario to encourage conversation and debate. Before we get started, I'd like to preface by telling everyone that it's simply an expertise, with no real impact or weight. Don't get worked up about it! This is simply an exercise for fun, and based on individual opinions. There is no right or wrong answer.

Here the scenario, "You have the Comm", you steer the Cowboys ship and can do whatever you'd like.

What one decision would you make that you can safely assume would be unpopular with many of your fellow Cowboys fans, but one that you feel would be in the team's best interests long term?

For example, would you trade Prescott rather than paying him?

Would you trade or cut another player on the team?

Would you give Garrett an extension before or during the season?

Something along those lines.

Here's mine:

I would try to showcase Byron Jones for a trade rather than attempting to re-sign him. My thinking is this. I believe that it is more about Kri Richard's techniques, player attributes, and system than it is about first round athletic talent. And it is more about aggressiveness and physicality than it is about pure speed. I think that Richard is capable of developing cornerbacks who are good enough that the team won't have to pay what would likely be another huge contract to keep Jones.

And I think that process has already begun. I think he has systematically restocked the cornerback room with "his guys", and players who meet his athletic requirements. He has kept Donovan Olumba on the roster, and added Michael Jackson in the draft, along with UDFA Chris Westry' "his kind of guys".

I believe that the Cowboys made one mistake in this year's draft, they decided to take Tony Pollard ahead of Houston CB Isaiah Johnson. I think they had a decision to make on which player they needed to draft first, and they guessed wrong. I can only speculate, but I believe that Pollard would have been there with their second fourth round pick whereas Johnson was drafted by the Raiders immediately after the Pollard pick. I think they'd like to have that one back (though they'd never admit it!)

The cornerback position is entering a transition period, much like wide receivers did. Players were shipped out and replaced and I think Richard is doing the same with his corners. Jones and Anthony Brown are due for free agency next year and I think the team is actively pursuing replacements for either or both.

This is not a knock on Jones, a fine player and upstanding person, he's a great team guy. But I think the team is faced with having too many big contracts to pay out, and something has got to give. I'd make the decision to trade Byron Jones for what I could get in draft capital for next season and not have to worry about that big contract or losing him for a 2021 comp pick. I realize it would be short term pain for a team I think can contend, but I trust that as he did with Jones and Awuzie, Richard could quickly have a capable replacement ready to step in.

I know it won't be popular, hence the premise of this thread, but that's the way I'd play it.

Anyone else have any unpopular decisions they'd make?

 

[Diehardblues]

I’d fire Jerry as GM and Stephen as VP.

I’d name Aikman VP and Garrett GM. Then let them run Cowboys Football naming their own HC and staff.

Although I’d hope this would be a popular decision for most much to my recent surprise there are some supporters for Jethro and Son.

 

[kskboys]

I’d fire Jerry as GM and Stephen as VP.

I’d name Aikman VP and Garrett GM. Then let them run Cowboys Football naming their own HC and staff.

"Unpopular" decision.

 

[jazzcat22]

I agree that they could have got Pollard a little later.
Are you saying showcase Jones in TC for a trade, or wait until after the season. Not sure if the picked up his 5th year option or not, can't remember.

They are deep on the OL, but we seen how injuries can hurt that and effect the entire offense. But I think they are deep enough to trade 1 as many would agree that player should be Collins. not unpopular at all.
But what if the traded 2 of them, since many seem to high on Hyatt. Which I am not one of them. But trade Collins and Su'a-filo. As they drafted McGovern, and Redmond filled in decent enough as well. Then this allows Hyatt or someone else to develop.
Even if they only get future draft picks instead of say, a S from it. Or get both.

We all want them to trade Taco, again, not unpopular. But he has 2 years left and if he has a breakout year, they have a 5th year option. But what if Hyder looks good, but is even with Taco, as he looks good. Trade Hyder who is on a one year deal over Taco? Or Armstrong?

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

I'd trade Zeke after this year, getting as many draft picks as I can. Trade those draft picks back to 2021. Then trade my whole entire draft, if needed, to get Trevor Lawrence. Of coarse I'd have to trade Dak or franchise him for two years, then let him walk.

Getting big and physical on defense while having a pure pocket passing franchise QB. That is how the, nine Superbowl appearing six Superbowl winning, New England Patriots are built.

Why? Because I want us to be a dynasty again.

 

[Diehardblues]

I’d of gone after a QB in FA or draft.

A prolific passing QB could elevate this otherwise talented offense to top 10.

 

[kskboys]

My unpopular move: I'd look to trade Tyron Smith. Why: Back issues.

 

[jazzcat22]

I'd trade Zeke after this year, getting as many draft picks as I can. Trade those draft picks back to 2021. Then trade my whole entire draft, if needed, to get Trevor Lawrence. Of coarse I'd have to trade Dak or franchise him for two years, then let him walk.

Getting big and physical on defense while having a pure pocket passing franchise QB. That is how the, nine Superbowl appearing six Superbowl winning, New England Patriots are built.

Why? Because I want us to be a dynasty again.

This would make us draft top 10 for years, not make us a dynasty again.
But it is an unpopular thread theme.

 

[Stash]

I agree that they could have got Pollard a little later.

Yeah, as good as the draft may have been overall, there seems to be a consensus that Pollard was a reach. It's the pick I'm currently least thrilled about, but what's done is done and I hope the team is proven right.

Are you saying showcase Jones in TC for a trade, or wait until after the season. Not sure if the picked up his 5th year option or not, can't remember.

Yeah, we picked up his 5th year option, that's what he's playing under this year.

Yes, I'd look to trade him at any point prior to the in-season deadline this year.

They are deep on the OL, but we seen how injuries can hurt that and effect the entire offense. But I think they are deep enough to trade 1 as many would agree that player should be Collins. not unpopular at all.
But what if the traded 2 of them, since many seem to high on Hyatt. Which I am not one of them. But trade Collins and Su'a-filo. As they drafted McGovern, and Redmond filled in decent enough as well. Then this allows Hyatt or someone else to develop.
Even if they only get future draft picks instead of say, a S from it. Or get both.

There was chatter about an O-lineman for Karl Joseph, but the Cowboys seem to want to see what they have first and possibly revisit that later.

We all want them to trade Taco, again, not unpopular. But he has 2 years left and if he has a breakout year, they have a 5th year option. But what if Hyder looks good, but is even with Taco, as he looks good. Trade Hyder who is on a one year deal over Taco? Or Armstrong?

They'd have to show up in preseason to get anything for them. But maybe you get a late round conditional pick? That's always better than nothing.

 

[starfan1]

I don’t have any real reason for doing this and I like the player but I’d put zeke in the trading block this year not next as he’d all leverage then and garner an additional 1st maybe more

With those picks you fill in your gaps with top notch talent at safety and CB. Or you get you top tier talent to compete with Dak if he falters this year

Weber and pollard you’re up. It’s just hypothetical

 

[baltcowboy]

I would offer up Jaylon Smith for two first round picks next year. The linebacker market is weak. JAYLON is young and should have a monster year. I believe he will ask for a contract similar to Tank. Guess what, on the open market he would get it.

 

[CF74]

Positions that need upgrades or more fortification:

1-Tech
TE
FS/SS
QB-2

We are very adequate everywhere else on the roster and with a few younger fa’s or experienced vets and man we are banging on the door for a run. I believe we should make some noise the way it is now definitely a competitive roster in place.

Garrett is totally on the hot seat right now, I just don’t know who you would realistically replace him with though. If you bring in a new coach and they start tearing down and rebuilding what we have it could set us back 2-3 more years.

Marinelli is an enigma, surely we could upgrade his role I’m just not sold on Kris at the moment though.

I’m letting the season play out before paying Dak and I’m still thinking about drafting a QB early next year unless White steps up in preseason, I just don’t see it though.

I’m on the fence about not resigning Zeke after his fifth year option expires. We can just draft another back in the second or third round and we’ll be fine, tough call since we spent a Top 4 pick on him. 50/50 here...

I might consider keeping Byron Jones if he continues to dominate and let somebody else walk instead.

I’m playing Williams at RT if he beats out La’el.. Looney or McGovern at LG assuming T-Fred is good, let the battles begin...

 

[baltcowboy]

I would offer up Jaylon Smith for two first round picks next year. The linebacker market is weak. JAYLON is young and should have a monster year. I believe he will ask for a contract similar to Tank. Guess what, on the open market he would get it.

 

[kskboys]

Positions that need upgrades or more fortification:

1-Tech
TE
FS/SS
QB-2

We are very adequate everywhere else on the roster and with a few younger fa’s or experienced vets and man we are banging on the door for a run. I believe we should make some noise the way it is now definitely a competitive roster in place.

Garrett is totally on the hot seat right now, I just don’t know who you would realistically replace him with though. If you bring in a new coach and they start tearing down and rebuilding what we have it could set us back 2-3 more years.

Marinelli is an enigma, surely we could upgrade his role I’m just not sold on Kris at the moment though.

I’m letting the season play out before paying Dak and I’m still thinking about drafting a QB early next year unless White steps up in preseason, I just don’t see it though.

I’m on the fence about not resigning Zeke after his fifth year option expires. We can just draft another back in the second or third round and we’ll be fine, tough call since we spent a Top 4 pick on him. 50/50 here...

I might consider keeping Byron Jones if he continues to dominate and let somebody else walk instead.

I’m playing Williams at RT if he beats out La’el.. Looney or McGovern at LG assuming T-Fred is good, let the battles begin...

So, what's your unpopular decision?

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

As this is a slow time of year for legitimate news, I thought it might be fun to engage in a hypothetical scenario to encourage conversation and debate. Before we get started, I'd like to preface by telling everyone that it's simply an expertise, with no real impact or weight. Don't get worked up about it! This is simply an exercise for fun, and based on individual opinions. There is no right or wrong answer.

Here the scenario, "You have the Comm", you steer the Cowboys ship and can do whatever you'd like.

What one decision would you make that you can safely assume would be unpopular with many of your fellow Cowboys fans, but one that you feel would be in the team's best interests long term?

For example, would you trade Prescott rather than paying him?

Would you trade or cut another player on the team?

Would you give Garrett an extension before or during the season?

Something along those lines.

Here's mine:

I would try to showcase Byron Jones for a trade rather than attempting to re-sign him. My thinking is this. I believe that it is more about Kri Richard's techniques, player attributes, and system than it is about first round athletic talent. And it is more about aggressiveness and physicality than it is about pure speed. I think that Richard is capable of developing cornerbacks who are good enough that the team won't have to pay what would likely be another huge contract to keep Jones.

And I think that process has already begun. I think he has systematically restocked the cornerback room with "his guys", and players who meet his athletic requirements. He has kept Donovan Olumba on the roster, and added Michael Jackson in the draft, along with UDFA Chris Westry' "his kind of guys".

I believe that the Cowboys made one mistake in this year's draft, they decided to take Tony Pollard ahead of Houston CB Isaiah Johnson. I think they had a decision to make on which player they needed to draft first, and they guessed wrong. I can only speculate, but I believe that Pollard would have been there with their second fourth round pick whereas Johnson was drafted by the Raiders immediately after the Pollard pick. I think they'd like to have that one back (though they'd never admit it!)

The cornerback position is entering a transition period, much like wide receivers did. Players were shipped out and replaced and I think Richard is doing the same with his corners. Jones and Anthony Brown are due for free agency next year and I think the team is actively pursuing replacements for either or both.

This is not a knock on Jones, a fine player and upstanding person, he's a great team guy. But I think the team is faced with having too many big contracts to pay out, and something has got to give. I'd make the decision to trade Byron Jones for what I could get in draft capital for next season and not have to worry about that big contract or losing him for a 2021 comp pick. I realize it would be short term pain for a team I think can contend, but I trust that as he did with Jones and Awuzie, Richard could quickly have a capable replacement ready to step in.

I know it won't be popular, hence the premise of this thread, but that's the way I'd play it.

Anyone else have any unpopular decisions they'd make?

I don’t think you can categorize Pollard over Johnson as a mistake. Both players were on the board and they obviously valued Pollard more. They missed out on getting Johnson with their next pick.

 

[Jake]

I’d fire Jerry as GM and Stephen as VP.

I’d name Aikman VP and Garrett GM. Then let them run Cowboys Football naming their own HC and staff.

Although I’d hope this would be a popular decision for most much to my recent surprise there are some supporters for Jethro and Son.

Stockholm syndrome

 

[Stash]

I don’t think you can categorize Pollard over Johnson as a mistake. Both players were on the board and they obviously valued Pollard more. They missed out on getting Johnson with their next pick.

It's just my opinion, as I stated.

And I'm also of the opinion that Pollard was viewed by the vast majority as a reach pick, and therefore someone they likely could have drafted later. History shows that Isaiah Johnson clearly wasn't, as he was taken with the very next pick.

Also take note of the fact that the Cowboys ultimately traded that subsequent fourth round selection, I think that supports the theory that they "guessed wrong" and the player they thought and hoped would be available there, wasn't.

I'm not alone in that belief either:

"The Trade Downs

The Cowboys had just drafted RB/WR Tony Pollard with the No. 128 pick and handshakes, hugs, fist pumps and high-fives were on full display from the Cowboy War Room Cam.

After three picks in the first four rounds, there was still another selection to look forward to, which was pick number at slot No. 136. Then something happened. The Cowboys traded down with the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas received picks No. 149 and 213 in exchange.

As Stephen Jones confessed, there were some that got away.

“We lost some guys that we were right on the cusp of getting. At the same time, we had a good board put together and felt good how we went about it. We traded back a few times, which I think usually happens when you lose a guy or two, not necessarily trying to make a quick pick. I felt good about doing that, and we ended up picking up a couple players.”

There are likely two players who likely fell into that category: Houston corner Isaiah Johnson and Charleston DE John Cominsky.

Johnson was not a pre-draft visitor but was a Kris Richard favorite and it would have been no surprise if he were chosen. Richard worked out Johnson pre-draft and there is scuttlebutt he gave Johnson a heads up that Dallas would indeed draft him. The Cowboys instead chose a specialty player in Pollard and Johnson promptly went with the very next pick.

Cominsky on the other hand was an “Official 30” visitor. He went to the Falcons at pick No. 135, right in front of the Cowboys’ noses one spot ahead of them.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/20...19-nfl-draft-pivotal-moves-trades-selections/

 

[ESisback]

I’d fire Jerry as GM and Stephen as VP.

I’d name Aikman VP and Garrett GM. Then let them run Cowboys Football naming their own HC and staff.

Although I’d hope this would be a popular decision for most much to my recent surprise there are some supporters for Jethro and Son.

Shocked! I am intrigued by the idea of Aikman and Garrett running things. I do, however, like what Stephen and McClay have done the last few years.

 

[Jake]

I'd trade Zeke after this year, getting as many draft picks as I can. Trade those draft picks back to 2021. Then trade my whole entire draft, if needed, to get Trevor Lawrence.

 

[jrumann59]

As this is a slow time of year for legitimate news, I thought it might be fun to engage in a hypothetical scenario to encourage conversation and debate. Before we get started, I'd like to preface by telling everyone that it's simply an expertise, with no real impact or weight. Don't get worked up about it! This is simply an exercise for fun, and based on individual opinions. There is no right or wrong answer.

Here the scenario, "You have the Comm", you steer the Cowboys ship and can do whatever you'd like.

What one decision would you make that you can safely assume would be unpopular with many of your fellow Cowboys fans, but one that you feel would be in the team's best interests long term?

For example, would you trade Prescott rather than paying him?

Would you trade or cut another player on the team?

Would you give Garrett an extension before or during the season?

Something along those lines.

Here's mine:

I would try to showcase Byron Jones for a trade rather than attempting to re-sign him. My thinking is this. I believe that it is more about Kri Richard's techniques, player attributes, and system than it is about first round athletic talent. And it is more about aggressiveness and physicality than it is about pure speed. I think that Richard is capable of developing cornerbacks who are good enough that the team won't have to pay what would likely be another huge contract to keep Jones.

And I think that process has already begun. I think he has systematically restocked the cornerback room with "his guys", and players who meet his athletic requirements. He has kept Donovan Olumba on the roster, and added Michael Jackson in the draft, along with UDFA Chris Westry' "his kind of guys".

I believe that the Cowboys made one mistake in this year's draft, they decided to take Tony Pollard ahead of Houston CB Isaiah Johnson. I think they had a decision to make on which player they needed to draft first, and they guessed wrong. I can only speculate, but I believe that Pollard would have been there with their second fourth round pick whereas Johnson was drafted by the Raiders immediately after the Pollard pick. I think they'd like to have that one back (though they'd never admit it!)

The cornerback position is entering a transition period, much like wide receivers did. Players were shipped out and replaced and I think Richard is doing the same with his corners. Jones and Anthony Brown are due for free agency next year and I think the team is actively pursuing replacements for either or both.

This is not a knock on Jones, a fine player and upstanding person, he's a great team guy. But I think the team is faced with having too many big contracts to pay out, and something has got to give. I'd make the decision to trade Byron Jones for what I could get in draft capital for next season and not have to worry about that big contract or losing him for a 2021 comp pick. I realize it would be short term pain for a team I think can contend, but I trust that as he did with Jones and Awuzie, Richard could quickly have a capable replacement ready to step in.

I know it won't be popular, hence the premise of this thread, but that's the way I'd play it.

Anyone else have any unpopular decisions they'd make?

It will be tough with Jones, after a hip surgery. I guess it depends on what you are trying to get but it could take him 4 weeks into the season to get back into rhythm and where he feels confident in that hip