A Few Questions About Will McClay

[TwoDeep3]

Due to the Houston team naming McClay as a possible candidate for GM, this is the question I have.

Were Jerry Jones to relinquish the GM position {and there is only one way Jerry will remove himself as GM and I will miss Jerry for the comedic relief he tosses out, not meaning to on Jerry's part] would you be pleased or angered that Will McClay takes over as GM?

If you don't believe McClay would do a good job, who would YOU hire?

Do you believe Stephen will assume the GM role as his father did?

What would the results be if Stephen were GM?

I'd like to see an unfettered Will McClay turned loose on the draft and decisions concerning free agency and such. So I would not have a problem with it. However saying that, I'm not certain many of the people here truly understand all the things in the purview of the GM. I surely do not. So deciding one guy or another would be perfect or even good is subjective at best.

So I'm not certain I have an idea of who would be a good GM were McClay not named. Hell, I wanted Bobby Carpenter, so there's that.

I do not believe Stephen will be GM. I think he would move to President with a hands on attitude, but not as much as Jerry ever did. He surely would want to make his mark as the owner/President, and that would require actually winning play-off games.

If Stephen were to assume the GM role, I don't see this team doing much more than it has over the last two decades.

 

[Bleu Star]

Do not let McClay go...Period. move him into the GM role Jerry. Don't be your usual aloof silly self. Keep that man....

 

[Aven8]

If we lose McClay this team will sink so low it will not even be funny. While I'm not convinced yet he's some great GM, as it's hard to tell with the structure here, the pattern has been way different since he became the man over Chidowsky. Chid was a fan of small school diamonds in the rough, where it appears McClay like big time school players who have played on the big stage.

 

[Risen Star]

Due to the Houston team naming McClay as a possible candidate for GM, this is the question I have.

Were Jerry Jones to relinquish the GM position {and there is only one way Jerry will remove himself as GM and I will miss Jerry for the comedic relief he tosses out, not meaning to on Jerry's part] would you be pleased or angered that Will McClay takes over as GM?

Pleased because that would mean accountability back at the GM position. If McClay can't do it you fire him and get another. The process would be right even if the current option isn't the guy to do it. (Though he might be)

If you don't believe McClay would do a good job, who would YOU hire?

I've always pined for Eric DeCosta of the Ravens. Long before he became the assistant GM there.

Do you believe Stephen will assume the GM role as his father did?

Of course. He's his father's son. Stephen has spent many years in a position he's thoroughly unqualified for. Why would this be any different?

What would the results be if Stephen were GM?

Probably not much different. While he doesn't share Jerry's penchant for taking dumb risks that hurts the team he is also ultra conservative and his inactivity can also have the same team killing effect. Neither is a talent evaluator. Neither knows what a winning football team looks like. Neither is a team builder. Neither have a vision. I don't see much of a change.

 

[Risen Star]

If we lose McClay this team will sink so low it will not even be funny. While I'm not convinced yet he's some great GM, as it's hard to tell with the structure here, the pattern has been way different since he became the man over Chidowsky. Chid was a fan of small school diamonds in the rough, where it appears McClay like big time school players who have played on the big stage.

I miss Chid.

 

[Aven8]

I miss Chid.

You miss the guy that turned turned WR's into Safeties huh?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I remember thinking that if Stephen took over things would get better.

I thought this because as exciting as it was on draft day or the start of FA with Jerry bringing in top over paid (for the most part) FAs and not getting return value on them (with maybe a very few exceptions) and him trading away picks willy nilly or getting taken on draft trade deals (although now they say they use a different chart wink wink).

I thought that Stephen, as he started getting more influence or power now and going forward, would stop some of the moves like Trading picks for Galloway that never paid off or bringing in older multiple FAs on their last contracts and not getting return value for them.

He has helped in that area...the problem is instead of just picking and choosing certain ones and trying to weed out the bad ones and keep the good ones...it has turned into a full blown complete 180 degree turn around in philosophy where there are pretty much NO big FA add ons...at least not in a while. There are also less big time trade ups...Last huge one was Mo...then Tank. However they failed to trade up a couple of times to get Lynch and Cook when in the old days Jerry would have met the other teams required trade demands and possibly throw in an extra unneeded pick for the hell of it.

So...Let's say in the future Jerry has passed on or the family has deemed him unable to continue in his role due to medical reasons.

Stephen is the Owner.

Stephen may actual decide to let someone else have the title of GM.

Here is something to consider however.

What if that GM says...Stephen, we need to bring in this FA, this FA and this one and two of those FA's are going to be paid a LOT of money to bring them in and say the last one is a good deal. On top of that Stephen, Once we clear those positions in FA...that leaves us to make one big dramatic move in the draft...we need to move up to the top of the draft and get this one Generational/Franchise player (whether it be QB, DE or other).

Would Steven open the purse strings and would Stephen be willing to make those gambles. We know the old Jerry would in a heart beat...Not so sure Stephen would.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

You miss the guy that turned turned WR's into Safeties huh?

Don't know if Chid was here at that time, probably not as it was long ago....but they drafted the one RB out of ohio state with the idea of turning him into a slot receiver.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I miss Chid.

What about Ciskowski, do you miss him too?

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Posted this in the other thread about McClay but seems like a good fit here:

It is really hard to tell with McClay, because we don't actually know what are his moves and what aren't. I wasn't actually sure when he came aboard so I went to the Cowboys team page to see. I went to the "Coaches & Executives" page and it was weird, because McClay is listed nowhere on that page. It has all the coaches, and all the Jones family...but no McClay.

His job description is that he basically is a unifier within the organization, working to get everyone on the same page, from Jerry all the way down to each scout. He supposedly is a non stop machine of reviewing players, searching for fits for the Cowboys. His biggest activities seem related to free agent acquisitions but he apparently has some say in the draft as well. The problem is when evaluating him you don't necessarily know when he deserves blame or praise.

I think the first draft he was involved in here was the 2014 one, which was pretty decent at the top with Martin, Lawrence and Hitchens. Not much after that with only Terrence Mitchell playing still as far as I can see. THe 2015 draft has pretty much turned into a stinker. Byron Jones has not made the switch from athlete to football player and likely is in his last year with the team in 2018 unless something changes. Randy Gregory, well, let's just say whoever believed he could put the weed down got played. Chaz Green looks like he will be out of the league soon, and Damien Wilson is mediocre to average at best. Swaim has hung on and I guess for a 7th rounder has been ok, but overall this draft is not so hot. I would say one more year to evaluate 2016 but so far so good. The Jaylon Smith risk probably wasn't his doing. Same with evaluating the last draft, but initial signs look pretty promising.

If free agency is McClay's baby, then it is hard to see what the hype around him is for. He initially was involved in researching pro personnel around the league and an article I found said his best additions he brought in include Laurent Robinson, Tony Fiammetta, Ernie Sims, George Selvie, Nick Hayden and Rolando McClain. I'd go 50-50 on that group as being positive, with Robinson, Selvie and McClain being good additions. Our offseason free agent acquisitions, mainly lately, have been awful. Nolan Carroll, Cedric Thornton, Stephen Paea, Robert Blanton, Damontre Moore, Jonathan Cooper, Byron Bell, Joe Looney, Benson Mayowa, Alfred Morris, Darren McFadden, Andrew Gachkar, Greg Hardy and Corey White are probably the best known. Of these, the only ones worth a dang while here are Cooper, Morris, McFadden and maybe Hardy. Not exactly a record to be exceedingly proud of. The one thing to consider is that these have all been "value" picks for the most part, guys that for one reason or another where cheaper than they might have been if not for certain issues.

So, trying to determine just exactly how important McClay is really isn't very easy. The Cowboys organization makes it hard to put the blame, or praise, on just one person.

 

[CowboysRule]

I feel like I remember reading an article several years back where Stephen said in an interview that when he takes over the team he will hire a GM to take care of those duties.

 

[MileyDancer]

I believe Stephen would be an equally terrible GM like daddy, but for other reasons, but i am not sure he'd be as hard-pressed on having that title as daddy.

 

[cowboy_ron]

I remember thinking that if Stephen took over things would get better.

I thought this because as exciting as it was on draft day or the start of FA with Jerry bringing in top over paid (for the most part) FAs and not getting return value on them (with maybe a very few exceptions) and him trading away picks willy nilly or getting taken on draft trade deals (although now they say they use a different chart wink wink).

I thought that Stephen, as he started getting more influence or power now and going forward, would stop some of the moves like Trading picks for Galloway that never paid off or bringing in older multiple FAs on their last contracts and not getting return value for them.

He has helped in that area...the problem is instead of just picking and choosing certain ones and trying to weed out the bad ones and keep the good ones...it has turned into a full blown complete 180 degree turn around in philosophy where there are pretty much NO big FA add ons...at least not in a while. There are also less big time trade ups...Last huge one was Mo...then Tank. However they failed to trade up a couple of times to get Lynch and Cook when in the old days Jerry would have met the other teams required trade demands and possibly throw in an extra unneeded pick for the hell of it.

So...Let's say in the future Jerry has passed on or the family has deemed him unable to continue in his role due to medical reasons.

Stephen is the Owner.

Stephen may actual decide to let someone else have the title of GM.

Here is something to consider however.

What if that GM says...Stephen, we need to bring in this FA, this FA and this one and two of those FA's are going to be paid a LOT of money to bring them in and say the last one is a good deal. On top of that Stephen, Once we clear those positions in FA...that leaves us to make one big dramatic move in the draft...we need to move up to the top of the draft and get this one Generational/Franchise player (whether it be QB, DE or other).

Would Steven open the purse strings and would Stephen be willing to make those gambles. We know the old Jerry would in a heart beat...Not so sure Stephen would.

Stephen did say a couple of years back that when the time comes he would hire a GM rather than assume the position as it is now.

 

[Longboysfan]

Stephen will not be the owner.
The three will be the ownership group. Stephen, Charlotte, Jerry Jr.

Charlotte will - or should - be in charge of everything Dallas Cowboys. Hers is the tie breaker vote.
Stephen will be president of Football operations.
Jerry Jr. will be in charge of special projects.

 

[DallasEast]

I'd like to see an unfettered Will McClay turned loose on the draft and decisions concerning free agency and such.

I could see that happening but I doubt the greater public would notice McClay's greater behind-the-scenes actions. Jones would continue as front man for all player transaction announcements. And while he might state player acquisitions were accomplished through coordinated front office efforts, Jones would still present the same facade of being the 'true' catalyst behind every trade or pick.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I had hope for Stephen years ago, but lately he sounds more and more like his daddy.

I have no doubt he'd keep the structure basically the same. If you haven't noticed, Stephen is highly impressed with himself.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Posted this in the other thread about McClay but seems like a good fit here:

It is really hard to tell with McClay, because we don't actually know what are his moves and what aren't. I wasn't actually sure when he came aboard so I went to the Cowboys team page to see. I went to the "Coaches & Executives" page and it was weird, because McClay is listed nowhere on that page. It has all the coaches, and all the Jones family...but no McClay.

His job description is that he basically is a unifier within the organization, working to get everyone on the same page, from Jerry all the way down to each scout. He supposedly is a non stop machine of reviewing players, searching for fits for the Cowboys. His biggest activities seem related to free agent acquisitions but he apparently has some say in the draft as well. The problem is when evaluating him you don't necessarily know when he deserves blame or praise.

I think the first draft he was involved in here was the 2014 one, which was pretty decent at the top with Martin, Lawrence and Hitchens. Not much after that with only Terrence Mitchell playing still as far as I can see. THe 2015 draft has pretty much turned into a stinker. Byron Jones has not made the switch from athlete to football player and likely is in his last year with the team in 2018 unless something changes. Randy Gregory, well, let's just say whoever believed he could put the weed down got played. Chaz Green looks like he will be out of the league soon, and Damien Wilson is mediocre to average at best. Swaim has hung on and I guess for a 7th rounder has been ok, but overall this draft is not so hot. I would say one more year to evaluate 2016 but so far so good. The Jaylon Smith risk probably wasn't his doing. Same with evaluating the last draft, but initial signs look pretty promising.

If free agency is McClay's baby, then it is hard to see what the hype around him is for. He initially was involved in researching pro personnel around the league and an article I found said his best additions he brought in include Laurent Robinson, Tony Fiammetta, Ernie Sims, George Selvie, Nick Hayden and Rolando McClain. I'd go 50-50 on that group as being positive, with Robinson, Selvie and McClain being good additions. Our offseason free agent acquisitions, mainly lately, have been awful. Nolan Carroll, Cedric Thornton, Stephen Paea, Robert Blanton, Damontre Moore, Jonathan Cooper, Byron Bell, Joe Looney, Benson Mayowa, Alfred Morris, Darren McFadden, Andrew Gachkar, Greg Hardy and Corey White are probably the best known. Of these, the only ones worth a dang while here are Cooper, Morris, McFadden and maybe Hardy. Not exactly a record to be exceedingly proud of. The one thing to consider is that these have all been "value" picks for the most part, guys that for one reason or another where cheaper than they might have been if not for certain issues.

So, trying to determine just exactly how important McClay is really isn't very easy. The Cowboys organization makes it hard to put the blame, or praise, on just one person.

I like your font

 

[LocimusPrime]

Whoever drafted Byron jones should be fired or just leave

 

[TwoDeep3]

Stephen will not be the owner.
The three will be the ownership group. Stephen, Charlotte, Jerry Jr.

Charlotte will - or should - be in charge of everything Dallas Cowboys. Hers is the tie breaker vote.
Stephen will be president of Football operations.
Jerry Jr. will be in charge of special projects.

Jerry Jr. is Fredo.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I thought that Stephen, as he started getting more influence or power now and going forward, would stop some of the moves like Trading picks for Galloway that never paid off or bringing in older multiple FAs on their last contracts and not getting return value for them.

I have found the Galloway trade to be a watershed moment for Jerry. Up until that point he piddled in the draft and did littel in FA. The Irvin injury forced Jerry to think about the relationship between receivers and the QB. Up until that point he was buying spares to replace Harper. But Jerry make a bold move.

The hindsight POV was this was a mistake. Had Galloway not gone down in the first game, and Rocket stayed healthy, this team had the weapons to be a top team. But success was scuttled in the first regular season game.

Likewise, the year Irvin went down was the Greatest Show on Turf. But Dallas was at the top of the league for yards and such offensively. That was a season I would have loved to see Rocket and Irvin holding court.

Woulda, shoulda, coulda, I suppose.