The Time Is Now filter

[CouchCoach]

When considering anything the Cowboys will do in this off season, the Time is Now filter should be used because that's what this hire at HC was all about.

Their Own FA's - they will err on the side of keeping the team together because the window is open but it is unknown how long that will be. The dominant feeling the Joneses have is this team has the talent to get it done and underachieved. Talent gets the nod and coaching the blame.

Other Teams FA's - They usually hold back until the second wave; however, they saw some real success from teams that stepped up to pay for the better talent. GB, SF, SEA, all made significant additions and were in the final four. The Cowboys have some space and can create more. They've got to pay to play and they know it.

The QB - They do not want a tagged QB going into this season, they have a new HC and need stability at that position and want to send the message "this is our guy", most importantly from the new HC, considered to be a QB guru. No ?'s about the QB position. They want this behind them and sooner than later and might surprise us with what they're willing to do to get that done.

The Draft - They need players that can play from the get go, no Jaylon Smith or Trysten Hill's here and don't be surprised if they trade up or back up into the 1st round to get multiple starters. They need players to play now.

Big Mike was smart, he did his homework, studied the team, and came prepared to sell the Joneses that he could win with these guys with a couple of tweaks here and there. Exactly what the owner wanted to hear. The owner, once the decision was made to move on, made it clear he wanted an experienced NFL HC for one simple reason, the Time Is Now.

So, when we're debating moves they can make, I'd keep pushing everything through that filter. Does this move put them in a better position to win now? Because Now is all that matters.

And while that's a 5 year contract with Big Mike, in the owner's mind, it's a 2 year contract to get this team to at least the NFCCG. That's what the owner needs and wants and that's exactly what the new HC sold him.

 

[zrinkill]

 

[Ky31]

When considering anything the Cowboys will do in this off season, the Time is Now filter should be used because that's what this hire at HC was all about.

Their Own FA's - they will err on the side of keeping the team together because the window is open but it is unknown how long that will be. The dominant feeling the Joneses have is this team has the talent to get it done and underachieved. Talent gets the nod and coaching the blame.

Other Teams FA's - They usually hold back until the second wave; however, they saw some real success from teams that stepped up to pay for the better talent. GB, SF, SEA, all made significant additions and were in the final four. The Cowboys have some space and can create more. They've got to pay to play and they know it.

The QB - They do not want a tagged QB going into this season, they have a new HC and need stability at that position and want to send the message "this is our guy", most importantly from the new HC, considered to be a QB guru. No ?'s about the QB position. They want this behind them and sooner than later and might surprise us with what they're willing to do to get that done.

The Draft - They need players that can play from the get go, no Jaylon Smith or Trysten Hill's here and don't be surprised if they trade up or back up into the 1st round to get multiple starters. They need players to play now.

Big Mike was smart, he did his homework, studied the team, and came prepared to sell the Joneses that he could win with these guys with a couple of tweaks here and there. Exactly what the owner wanted to hear. The owner, once the decision was made to move on, made it clear he wanted an experienced NFL HC for one simple reason, the Time Is Now.

So, when we're debating moves they can make, I'd keep pushing everything through that filter. Does this move put them in a better position to win now? Because Now is all that matters.

And while that's a 5 year contract with Big Mike, in the owner's mind, it's a 2 year contract to get this team to at least the NFCCG. That's what the owner needs and wants and that's exactly what the new HC sold him.

I like this assessment...I expect us to players in FA this yr as well, my thought being that we are usually a yr behind the ball when it comes to league success we will draft the safety(as KC did with Thornhill, they also signed the honey badger)...we’ll also spend money and resources on the D-line as Green Bay did...just my thought!

 

[McKDaddy]

I wholeheartedly agree with your premise. The big question is what discussion was had about the QB position.

If a new deal is reached, would lead you to believe MM signed off that he was comfortable. If we reach a tag situation, it might very well indicate that MM said he wasn't convinced and wants options.

 

[Stash]

When considering anything the Cowboys will do in this off season, the Time is Now filter should be used because that's what this hire at HC was all about.

Their Own FA's - they will err on the side of keeping the team together because the window is open but it is unknown how long that will be. The dominant feeling the Joneses have is this team has the talent to get it done and underachieved. Talent gets the nod and coaching the blame.

Other Teams FA's - They usually hold back until the second wave; however, they saw some real success from teams that stepped up to pay for the better talent. GB, SF, SEA, all made significant additions and were in the final four. The Cowboys have some space and can create more. They've got to pay to play and they know it.

The QB - They do not want a tagged QB going into this season, they have a new HC and need stability at that position and want to send the message "this is our guy", most importantly from the new HC, considered to be a QB guru. No ?'s about the QB position. They want this behind them and sooner than later and might surprise us with what they're willing to do to get that done.

The Draft - They need players that can play from the get go, no Jaylon Smith or Trysten Hill's here and don't be surprised if they trade up or back up into the 1st round to get multiple starters. They need players to play now.

Big Mike was smart, he did his homework, studied the team, and came prepared to sell the Joneses that he could win with these guys with a couple of tweaks here and there. Exactly what the owner wanted to hear. The owner, once the decision was made to move on, made it clear he wanted an experienced NFL HC for one simple reason, the Time Is Now.

So, when we're debating moves they can make, I'd keep pushing everything through that filter. Does this move put them in a better position to win now? Because Now is all that matters.

And while that's a 5 year contract with Big Mike, in the owner's mind, it's a 2 year contract to get this team to at least the NFCCG. That's what the owner needs and wants and that's exactly what the new HC sold him.

I agree with most everything here and I have been saying the same things regarding my feelings on how this team will now approach the offseason.

But I do differ on the quarterback. I think they can go into the season with him playing under the tag if they can't reach a reasonable deal with he and his agents. Nobody needs any "this is our guy" message.

 

[Diehardblues]

When considering anything the Cowboys will do in this off season, the Time is Now filter should be used because that's what this hire at HC was all about.

Their Own FA's - they will err on the side of keeping the team together because the window is open but it is unknown how long that will be. The dominant feeling the Joneses have is this team has the talent to get it done and underachieved. Talent gets the nod and coaching the blame.

Other Teams FA's - They usually hold back until the second wave; however, they saw some real success from teams that stepped up to pay for the better talent. GB, SF, SEA, all made significant additions and were in the final four. The Cowboys have some space and can create more. They've got to pay to play and they know it.

The QB - They do not want a tagged QB going into this season, they have a new HC and need stability at that position and want to send the message "this is our guy", most importantly from the new HC, considered to be a QB guru. No ?'s about the QB position. They want this behind them and sooner than later and might surprise us with what they're willing to do to get that done.

The Draft - They need players that can play from the get go, no Jaylon Smith or Trysten Hill's here and don't be surprised if they trade up or back up into the 1st round to get multiple starters. They need players to play now.

Big Mike was smart, he did his homework, studied the team, and came prepared to sell the Joneses that he could win with these guys with a couple of tweaks here and there. Exactly what the owner wanted to hear. The owner, once the decision was made to move on, made it clear he wanted an experienced NFL HC for one simple reason, the Time Is Now.

So, when we're debating moves they can make, I'd keep pushing everything through that filter. Does this move put them in a better position to win now? Because Now is all that matters.

And while that's a 5 year contract with Big Mike, in the owner's mind, it's a 2 year contract to get this team to at least the NFCCG. That's what the owner needs and wants and that's exactly what the new HC sold him.

Totally agree CC.

This hire of Fat Mikey is allllllll about winning now. If he doesn’t reach at least the championship game in 2 years. Adios amigo !!

 

[CouchCoach]

I wholeheartedly agree with your premise. The big question is what discussion was had about the QB position.

If a new deal is reached, would lead you to believe MM signed off that he was comfortable. If we reach a tag situation, it might very well indicate that MM said he wasn't convinced and wants options.

Just my guess but I don't think Big Mike coming in with "I am not sold on this QB and will need another" gets this deal done in 12 hours.

I think any HC being considered had to come with "I can win with this QB". I don't think the Joneses are blowing smoke with how they feel about Prescott. Just look at his national exposure, no other QB comes close. He's already a media star without accomplishing anything of substance in the playoffs.

The biggest surprise of this season will be the tagging of Prescott. Not that I am not in favor of that and having options but that's not Booger. He goes all in and is willing to take his lumps if he's wrong but if he wants a player to remain a Cowboy, he will be a Cowboy. He had to be coerced into letting Owens and Bryant walk with a double team from his son and HC.

And the fact that Prescott is going for the gold? Some owners wouldn't like that but this one? Loves it. He sees himself in these dealings. After all, he was the one to show the other owners how much they were leaving on the table by not going for the gold. He would rather not pay it as the owner but the gambler and wildcatter in him eats this up.

 

[CouchCoach]

I agree with most everything here and I have been saying the same things regarding my feelings on how this team will now approach the offseason.

But I do differ on the quarterback. I think they can go into the season with him playing under the tag if they can't reach a reasonable deal with he and his agents. Nobody needs any "this is our guy" message.

I disagree stash because Prescott is their guy. They have a new HC, and QB guru on top of that, and anything less than a deal that locks him up sends the wrong message. When Cousins got tagged, they weren't sure they liked him, even though he kept asking them.

The Joneses are predisposed to signing him and were last season and he played on the last year of his rookie deal and put up his best numbers.

If it were me, I would tag him and do it at first chance but I am not as sold on him as they are. I'd want some options but then if I did tag him, I would feel forced to get a QB with that 1st pick but that does not pass the Time Is Now filter.

I believe the Joneses were looking for validation in their opinion of Prescott and no candidate not sharing that would have been considered. They got a HC for this QB.

 

[CouchCoach]

Totally agree CC.

This hire of Fat Mikey is allllllll about winning now. If he doesn’t reach at least the championship game in 2 years. Adios amigo !!

Greg, I think he'd better get close this season. He'd better win the East and look like one of the top 4 NFC teams. I think the Joneses are convinced they have the talent.

 

[Stash]

I disagree stash because Prescott is their guy. They have a new HC, and QB guru on top of that, and anything less than a deal that locks him up sends the wrong message. When Cousins got tagged, they weren't sure they liked him, even thought he kept asking them.

The Joneses are predisposed to signing him and were last season and he played on the last year of his rookie deal and put up his best numbers.

If it were me, I would tag him and do it at first chance but I am not as sold on him as they are. I'd want some options but then if I did tag him, I would feel forced to get a QB with that 1st pick but that does not pass the Time Is Now filter.

I believe the Joneses were looking for validation in their opinion of Prescott and no candidate not sharing that would have been considered. They got a HC for this QB.

I don't categorically deny or disagree with any of those points. I believe that they all want to get a Prescott deal done. But not to the point where they're going to allow the player or his agent to hold them hostage for a contract that he doesn't deserve. That played itself out on the fact that unlike all of the other teams, they didn't jump on the bandwagon to give him a big money deal like the Eagles did with Wentz and the Rams with Goff. Both of those moves are actually subject to being questioned to some degree or another, and the Joneses didn't rush to line up and do the same.

I'm not saying unequivocally that they won't sign him, but I am stating that it's also not a guarantee that they will.

 

[jazzcat22]

I disagree stash because Prescott is their guy. They have a new HC, and QB guru on top of that, and anything less than a deal that locks him up sends the wrong message. When Cousins got tagged, they weren't sure they liked him, even thought he kept asking them.

The Joneses are predisposed to signing him and were last season and he played on the last year of his rookie deal and put up his best numbers.

If it were me, I would tag him and do it at first chance but I am not as sold on him as they are. I'd want some options but then if I did tag him, I would feel forced to get a QB with that 1st pick but that does not pass the Time Is Now filter.

I believe the Joneses were looking for validation in their opinion of Prescott and no candidate not sharing that would have been considered. They got a HC for this QB.

The tag window is from 2/25 to 3/10, players need to be tagged at this time.

Legal tampering of FA's 3/16 to 3/18 as FA starts at 4 PM EST on the 18th.

 

[Stash]

Greg, I think he'd better get close this season. He'd better win the East and look like one of the top 4 NFC teams. I think the Joneses are convinced they have the talent.

I find it hilarious that the guy (Greg) who's had ridiculous patience with Jason Garrett, suddenly puts a mandate on a Super Bowl winning coach in Mike McCarthy.

 

[G2]

When considering anything the Cowboys will do in this off season, the Time is Now filter should be used because that's what this hire at HC was all about.

Their Own FA's - they will err on the side of keeping the team together because the window is open but it is unknown how long that will be. The dominant feeling the Joneses have is this team has the talent to get it done and underachieved. Talent gets the nod and coaching the blame.

Other Teams FA's - They usually hold back until the second wave; however, they saw some real success from teams that stepped up to pay for the better talent. GB, SF, SEA, all made significant additions and were in the final four. The Cowboys have some space and can create more. They've got to pay to play and they know it.

The QB - They do not want a tagged QB going into this season, they have a new HC and need stability at that position and want to send the message "this is our guy", most importantly from the new HC, considered to be a QB guru. No ?'s about the QB position. They want this behind them and sooner than later and might surprise us with what they're willing to do to get that done.

The Draft - They need players that can play from the get go, no Jaylon Smith or Trysten Hill's here and don't be surprised if they trade up or back up into the 1st round to get multiple starters. They need players to play now.

Big Mike was smart, he did his homework, studied the team, and came prepared to sell the Joneses that he could win with these guys with a couple of tweaks here and there. Exactly what the owner wanted to hear. The owner, once the decision was made to move on, made it clear he wanted an experienced NFL HC for one simple reason, the Time Is Now.

So, when we're debating moves they can make, I'd keep pushing everything through that filter. Does this move put them in a better position to win now? Because Now is all that matters.

And while that's a 5 year contract with Big Mike, in the owner's mind, it's a 2 year contract to get this team to at least the NFCCG. That's what the owner needs and wants and that's exactly what the new HC sold him.

I maintain that defense is the biggest need, specifically at DT and safety.

 

[CouchCoach]

I maintain that defense is the biggest need, specifically at DT and safety.

And I agree with you unless they do not re-sign Cooper and/or Jones and that changes the team board. They went deep on DB's in one draft and what did that get them?

Big Mike likes him some big boys in the middle but he also likes him some studs on the back end. And Nolan wants DB's with ball skills.

 

[willia451]

I don't see how anyone can look at this defense and ST and say we'll make it to the NFCCG this coming season. It is also true the offense struggled against playoff caliber defenses.

Some of that can indeed be fixed by coaching. Better game management. More accountability. Play calling. New ST coach. Etc.

But ALL of it?

I have no idea what is going through the Jones family hive mind. But we need help at DT, LB, DB, and LT at a minimum. Imagine if Sean Lee decides to retire in March and LVE proves ineffective after his surgery. Then it gets even MORE sketchy.

We'll see.

 

[Stash]

I maintain that defense is the biggest need, specifically at DT and safety.

I'd add cornerback to that list.

 

[CouchCoach]

I don't categorically deny or disagree with any of those points. I believe that they all want to get a Prescott deal done. But not to the point where they're going to allow the player or his agent to hold them hostage for a contract that he doesn't deserve. That played itself out on the fact that unlike all of the other teams, they didn't jump on the bandwagon to give him a big money deal like the Eagles did with Wentz and the Rams with Goff. Both of those moves are actually subject to being questioned to some degree or another, and the Joneses didn't rush to line up and do the same.

I'm not saying unequivocally that they won't sign him, but I am stating that it's also not a guarantee that they will.

I do think it is and I think that was one of the reasons they floated that 40M figure out there last year, getting the fans used to a much higher number when the deal is actually inked.

Ya know, we do not look at these deals like the GM's do. They take guarantee and prorate that over the term and that's the number. If they want to do a comparison on how that stacks up, they project the salary for that position out over the term.

Prescott could very well be the highest paid QB in the NFL for about a week. By 2021, I will be surprised if he's in the top 10. This QB salary thing is a runaway train and these GM's have to figure out where to jump on and off. You can bet the league has crunched the numbers and made a forecast of where it's headed along with the cap and the QB's disproportionate share of the increase.

Cousins tagging started this by raising the floor and the comps changed from where the best QB is paid to where the highest paid is. And Cousins ended up with the first all guaranteed contract at 3 X 28M, what has he accomplished except getting paid?

There are 6 QB's in the 30-35M range right now, 3 didn't make the playoffs and only 1 made the final 4. QB's are not paid on accomplishment but on the value to that team to keep them. And the lack of available options.

 

[Stash]

I do think it is and I think that was one of the reasons they floated that 40M figure out there last year, getting the fans used to a much higher number when the deal is actually inked.

Do you actually know who "they" is?

Ya know, we do not look at these deals like the GM's do. They take guarantee and prorate that over the term and that's the number. If they want to do a comparison on how that stacks up, they project the salary for that position out over the term.

Prescott could very well be the highest paid QB in the NFL for about a week. By 2021, I will be surprised if he's in the top 10. This QB salary thing is a runaway train and these GM's have to figure out where to jump on and off. You can bet the league has crunched the numbers and made a forecast of where it's headed along with the cap and the QB's disproportionate share of the increase.

And you advocate for jumping on board a "runaway train".

Cousins tagging started this by raising the floor and the comps changed from where the best QB is paid to where the highest paid is. And Cousins ended up with the first all guaranteed contract at 3 X 28M, what has he accomplished except getting paid?

And showed the rest of the league exactly what mistakes NOT to make.

There are 6 QB's in the 30-35M range right now, 3 didn't make the playoffs and only 1 made the final 4. QB's are not paid on accomplishment but on the value to that team to keep them. And the lack of available options.

So 3 out of 6 haven't shown they're worth it then. Not exactly a ringing endorsement to rush into the practice as you're advocating, is it?

 

[CouchCoach]

I don't see how anyone can look at this defense and ST and say we'll make it to the NFCCG this coming season. It is also true the offense struggled against playoff caliber defenses.

Some of that can indeed be fixed by coaching. Better game management. More accountability. Play calling. New ST coach. Etc.

But ALL of it?

I have no idea what is going through the Jones family hive mind. But we need help at DT, LB, DB, and LT at a minimum. Imagine if Sean Lee decides to retire in March and LVE proves ineffective after his surgery. Then it gets even MORE sketchy.

We'll see.

willia, not talking about what we think, what do you think the Joneses think?

I agree with your assessment and that's if they keep everybody but all the Joneses heard during the season was talent...talent....talent. The Cowboys have as good as any team and are underachieving.

And your post doesn't take into account what the other teams that were in the NFC playoffs will do. We seem to focus inwardly when discussing the Cowboys and not on what the teams that were better then the Cowboys will do to stay that way.

 

[Diehardblues]

I find it hilarious that the guy (Greg) who's had ridiculous patience with Jason Garrett, suddenly puts a mandate on a Super Bowl winning coach in Mike McCarthy.

Sure, obviously didn’t have a mandate with what appeared a Dead-End situation with Jerry’s favorite Puppet.

But public pressure changed everything with Jerry finally after all of these years. It really didn’t have anything to do with lack of success as Jerry would have continued down the same path.

This hire is alllll about winning now though as Coach has correctly assessed. Jerry thinks this team is good enough to win now. Or he at least has sold that perception to the public and wants to make every effort to see it through.

The good news I hope with Jerry being forced to get out of his comfort zone is we will return to churning thru HC 2-4 years again until he hits the jackpot or croaks.

And yea, I’m having fun with Fat Mikey much like y’all did with the Clapper. You gotta love the Homer Wagon mimick. Thanks to Coach for spurring the thought in me. Should be a fun season .