Signed by Cowboys Cowboys sign LB Joe Thomas

theebs said:

I don’t understand the sarcasm.

They lost Wilber a special teams contributor mostly and replaced him with a vet lb with a little experience who if he makes the team and he gameday roster will fill that role.

Not sure why anyone would be mad or happy about a signing like this. Seems like normal nfl operations.

Keith smith and Kyle Wilber role players with big st responsibilities leave in free agency and are replaced by olawale and Thomas. Pretty standard stuff

Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure he'll make the team since our linebacker room currently looks like this: Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, Damien Wilson, camp body (Tre'von Johnson) and camp body (Justin March-Lillard). Even if we bring in a vet MLB, we have two spots to fill between Thomas and draft picks.

However, like Wilber, he's ultimately a player you want pushed off the roster by better players.

SeanLee50 said:

30 for 30. What if I told you, how Joe Thomas was the missing piece

Click to expand...

Missing piece? Unknown piece? Piece of garbage? Cheap piece? here a piece there a piece? Your tell is as valid as any

some of you just cant help yourself..first off this isn't the first signing, they have resigned their own players, big names brought back or extended..than Olalwale and now this kid..so they aren't splash names and depth is needed theres 53 players and 10 PS guys , so this kid isn't a big name but he might be ok for fill in for depth.. GB used him the same way, did they get grief for having him on their roster?

The only odd thing i find in these signings is they seem to go back to old players instead of new ones.. are they so scared of their own evaluations that they simply fall back to old ways , IE going back to an EX because its comfortable and takes little effort? LOL they seem to do this A LOT..

SeanLee50 said:

It’s not Joe Thomas per say. Joe Thomas is fine and good depth.

But we still have glaring holes at LG, MLB, FS.

Yes, the draft is in April. But most know you’re expecting a lot to draft a day one starting LG, MLB etc.

If we sign guys like Derrick Johnson, Tre Boston, Allen Hurns than everyone is ok with Joe Thomas.

But like years past, we know it’s likely to be Joe Thomas and two other special teams guys.

Click to expand...

I expect it to be Joe Thomas and some OL who should be a backup but probably can start at guard and some receiver who should be a backup but possibly can start.

I'm not sure we do anything at MLB before the draft because we've got Lee, Wilson and Smith as a possible starting group. I'm not sure we do anything at FS because we've got Heath as a potential returning starter. (I actually think we need a quality SS over a FS anyway, but Dallas might consider Woods and Frazier as fill-ins there.)

I think the speculation over Earl Thomas has fans thinking Dallas is seeking a free safety, but from what I read, Seattle contacted Dallas about a possible trade, not the other way around.

blueblood70 said:

some of you just cant help yourself..first off this isn't the first signing, they have resigned their own players, big names brought back or extended..than Olalwale and now this kid..so they aren't splash names and depth is needed theres 53 players and 10 PS guys , so this kid isn't a big name but he might be ok for fill in for depth.. GB used him the same way, did they get grief for having him on their roster?

The only odd thing i find in these signings is they seem to go back to old players instead of new ones.. are they so scared of their own evaluations that they simply fall back to old ways , IE going back to an EX because its comfortable and takes little effort? LOL they seem to do this A LOT..

Click to expand...

Familiarity. Both players earned their stripes elsewhere, and having had them here previously, the Cowboys know what kind of attitude and work ethic they have.

Just because the Packers didn't give a tender offer to Thomas doesn't mean they didn't want him back. It just means they may have wanted him back at a cost less than $2.9M per season. The Cowboys made the same choice with FB Keith Smith. They wanted him back, but didn't give him a tender offer. The result is that both players left for better offers elsewhere, Smith with the Raiders, and Thomas with the Cowboys.

Now, as it's being reported, Thomas contract must be incentive laden, because the reports talk about the upper limit of his compensation, but don't actually give the details of his contract. He was playing well the year before the Packers selected Blake Martinez, who replaced him in the starting lineup. This is an indication to me that he's best suited for a backup role, but can be a spot starter. Well, the Cowboys need a backup MLB, whether Jaylon Smith is the starter, or the Cowboys sign Bowman or draft a young MLB in April. And I've got no issue with the Cowboys offering Thomas incentive pay if he exceeds expectations. I don't know why any fan would have a problem with that.

Bottom line: The Cowboys now have a backup MLB on the roster. They still need a backup WILL, and either a starting MIKE or starting SAM LB - depending on where they play Smith. Also, LB's are good to have for special teams, because they bring both bulk and speed.

Sydla said:

Yeah and you often can get those guys on cheap one year deals.

Let’s hope the contract floated is bogus.

Joe Thomas as a throw in FA is fine. Joe Thomas as the first FA signing and possibly one the few we actually sign? Well that’s just funny.

Click to expand...

Everything I've read is he's a better version of Wilber, better coverage skills. I think folks who want a big signing are just undervaluing this signing.

gimmesix said:

I expect it to be Joe Thomas and some OL who should be a backup but probably can start at guard and some receiver who should be a backup but possibly can start.

I'm not sure we do anything at MLB before the draft because we've got Lee, Wilson and Smith as a possible starting group. I'm not sure we do anything at FS because we've got Heath as a potential returning starter. (I actually think we need a quality SS over a FS anyway, but Dallas might consider Woods and Frazier as fill-ins there.)

I think the speculation over Earl Thomas has fans thinking Dallas is seeking a free safety, but from what I read, Seattle contacted Dallas about a possible trade, not the other way around.

Click to expand...

look i detect much sarcasm but really Frazier and Woods are very young and show promise, they could be more than fill ins.. developing your own talent before over paying and over reaching for FAs that are no guarantee pother than killing the cap and becoming progress stopper for the young guys..Im not fan of heath but as a backup im good, im pretty much out on Jones but id rather keep him at S and let the new DB coach find whats missing with him..hes got size, speed, and talent but his natural instincts aren't there and he needs Honing for sure..if they aren't thrilled with any of these guys as front line starters id rather than trade up and get James than trade for Thomas for S..id luv thomas on the roaster but not for the price it will take for guy on the downside of his career..

blueblood70 said:

some of you just cant help yourself..first off this isn't the first signing, they have resigned their own players, big names brought back or extended..than Olalwale and now this kid..so they aren't splash names and depth is needed theres 53 players and 10 PS guys , so this kid isn't a big name but he might be ok for fill in for depth.. GB used him the same way, did they get grief for having him on their roster?

The only odd thing i find in these signings is they seem to go back to old players instead of new ones.. are they so scared of their own evaluations that they simply fall back to old ways , IE going back to an EX because its comfortable and takes little effort? LOL they seem to do this A LOT..

Click to expand...

The problem is that right now, we have holes in the starting lineup, including LB. And they logically can't fill all of them in the draft.

So I think that's where people are confused and disappointed. We have a clear need for a MLB and there were some out there and what they deliver in FA to the tune of like $4.6MM over two years is a special teams guy and someone who is more likely a backup, at best, at LB.

There's the confusion.

I'm a little surprised that he'll be averaging more than $2 million a year. I would have thought Dallas would have paid him similar to what Wilber got from the Raiders: 2 years, $2.75 million. Of course, maybe Thomas can play linebacker a little better than Wilber did.

Sydla said:

The problem is that right now, we have holes in the starting lineup, including LB. And they logically can't fill all of them in the draft.

So I think that's where people are confused and disappointed. We have a clear need for a MLB and there were some out there and what they deliver in FA to the tune of like $4.6MM over two years is a special teams guy and someone who is more likely a backup, at best, at LB.

There's the confusion.

Click to expand...

Would much have a guy like Bowman for one year 7 million then Thomas and Olawale for two years and similar numbers

Chuck 54 said:

Everything I've read is he's a better version of Wilber, better coverage skills. I think folks who want a big signing are just undervaluing this signing.

Click to expand...

Except I never said I wanted a big signing. But I won't be fooled into thinking this was some smart, shrewd signing. It's not. It's blah, which seemingly is their free agency plans - just add blah guys.

gimmesix said:

I'm pretty sure he'll make the team since our linebacker room currently looks like this: Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, Damien Wilson, camp body (Tre'von Johnson) and camp body (Justin March-Lillard). Even if we bring in a vet MLB, we have two spots to fill between Thomas and draft picks.

However, like Wilber, he's ultimately a player you want pushed off the roster by better players.

Click to expand...

True he doesn't have the potential to be a key player, and you would like to have a younger guy with the potential for that, but the reality is every team will always have role players who add depth and handles special teams. Having a top player waiting in the wings at every position just isn't possible.

SeanLee50 said:

Would much have a guy like Bowman for one year 7 million then Thomas and Olawale for two years and similar numbers

Click to expand...

Exactly. It's like they learned nothing from last year when they could have likely had a decent mid-level FA for the cost of signing three guys that didn't even make it through October on the roster.

They are going to keep pounding that bottom of the barrel with the hope, someday, they might actually get lucky.

Jumbo075 said:

Just because the Packers didn't give a tender offer to Thomas doesn't mean they didn't want him back. It just means they may have wanted him back at a cost less than $2.9M per season. The Cowboys made the same choice with FB Keith Smith. They wanted him back, but didn't give him a tender offer. The result is that both players left for better offers elsewhere, Smith with the Raiders, and Thomas with the Cowboys.

Click to expand...

Thomas was making less than $700,000 last year. If they wanted him back, it would probably have not cost anywhere near what he got from Dallas.

When teams do not make tender offers, they are either looking for savings or the players don't fit what they want to do any longer.

Kevin Smith was primarily a cost issue as the Cowboys don't have the cap space. Green Bay is not in that position.

blueblood70 said:

look i detect much sarcasm but really Frazier and Woods are very young and show promise, they could be more than fill ins.. developing your own talent before over paying and over reaching for FAs that are no guarantee pother than killing the cap and becoming progress stopper for the young guys..Im not fan of heath but as a backup im good, im pretty much out on Jones but id rather keep him at S and let the new DB coach find whats missing with him..hes got size, speed, and talent but his natural instincts aren't there and he needs Honing for sure..if they aren't thrilled with any of these guys as front line starters id rather than trade up and get James than trade for Thomas for S..id luv thomas on the roaster but not for the price it will take for guy on the downside of his career..

Click to expand...

Frazier is a limited strong safety who would be a liability in coverage. His upside is at best Barry Church. I don't know what Woods is at this point. However, I do believe the Cowboys' view is close to what you are stating here, except that they like Heath more than you do. The Cowboys will risk that these guys can be good enough over "over-reaching" and "progress stoppers."

Both from statements made by Stephen and Jerry, and from prior actions, it's abundantly clear the Cowboys plans are to draft key players, and keep their own key players to build the team. They are NOT going to be signing the Talibs, etc. as free agents. Thomas is a replacement for Wilbur and/or Hitchens, and a backup for Lee or Wilson. At 223 lbs. he's not there to compete for the Mike spot.

If anyone expects the Cowboys to sign a top free agent, they'll likely be waiting a long time...

Here's another way to look at it. Signing Thomas for what they did doesn't fix a clear hole on this team. He's a backup and while it's nice to have decent depth at LB, you still have a big need at LB.

However, if you took the $2.3MM AAV for Thomas and added it to say what you offered Fleming and he signs, you've essentially fixed a clear hole - LG. It frees up the draft and allows you to be a bit more flexible. Sure, you can take an OG, but now you can take one later as a project.

By signing a guy like Thomas and then not addressing any real needs, you are still in the same situation where now you basically have to draft for need in the first 2-3 rounds because you have to come out of this draft with a starter at LB and OG (and not to mention DT likely as well).

LACowboysFan1 said:

Both from statements made by Stephen and Jerry, and from prior actions, it's abundantly clear the Cowboys plans are to draft key players, and keep their own key players to build the team. They are NOT going to be signing the Talibs, etc. as free agents. Thomas is a replacement for Wilbur and/or Hitchens, and a backup for Lee or Wilson. At 223 lbs. he's not there to compete for the Mike spot.

If anyone expects the Cowboys to sign a top free agent, they'll likely be waiting a long time...

Click to expand...

No one has said they should sign a top free agent.

But there are guys in that middle tier that won't cost an arm and a leg and can fix some holes that allow you to be more BPA in the draft than our current situation where we have to draft based largely on need (unless they have some other acquisitions up their sleeves).

Sydla said:

Here's another way to look at it. Signing Thomas for what they did doesn't fix a clear hole on this team. He's a backup and while it's nice to have decent depth at LB, you still have a big need at LB.

However, if you took the $2.3MM AAV for Thomas and added it to say what you offered Fleming and he signs, you've essentially fixed a clear hole - LG. It frees up the draft and allows you to be a bit more flexible. Sure, you can take an OG, but now you can take one later as a project.

By signing a guy like Thomas and then not addressing any real needs, you are still in the same situation where now you basically have to draft for need in the first 2-3 rounds because you have to come out of this draft with a starter at LB and OG (and not to mention DT likely as well).

Click to expand...

does it matter what order its in? do you think the DC FO doesn't know now that Cooper is no longer available that its need they have to fill? do all you guys on here feel they have zero ideas on their current and future needs? im sure they have long list of available guards and tackles that they have or already contacted for a look..juts because its not reported 24/7 doesn't mean they aren't coming up with solutions..LBs and Saftey are much less of need at this point IMO than shoring up the OL at LG and Swing tackle..they know this im sure, they saw last year that this was the main issue in that slide mid season after Smith went down etc ..Maybe Bowman comes in or someone similar the ex skins LB etc..maybe we get the hitchens replacement in the draft or hes on the roster..you cant have PB type guys at every position..finding a solid guy who knows the position and can simply play, he doesn't have to be a star, the NFL faces are starts but the real glue IMO is the role players and the players that sometime go unnoticed.. The NBA is built of the Super Star(s) but the NFL is built on managing the cap and that means building 60+% of your team with solid players, not big names..