According to my numbers - Dallas might need 3 DL starters next year

[Wood]

The more I look at Draft the more cross-eyed I become about it. Lets look at DL over next 12 months:

Dallas has two expiring contracts (Spencer & Hatcher). The other two starters will be 33 & 32 for next season (Ratliff & Ware respectively). The 'other guy' Lissemore will be in his 4th season.

Lissemore looks more like rotation guy in 4-3 because he lacks first step to be true 3-tech guy in Kiffin formation. He also lacks ability to anchor in 1-tech. Last year I saw him take step back with power offensive lineman who were driving him off the line. He is very valuable in rotation role because of his versatility but don't see him as starter.

Ratliff sack numbers from 2008 (7.5, 6, 3.5, 2, 0). Its almost fraudulent for Cowboys brass to keep straight face about being ok with Jay going forward. His numbers have declined across the board. He is at a stage where he could be very effective coming off the bench as rotation guy but will not hold up as starter over 16 games.

Ware is HOF player and deserves to be treated as such. I expect somewhat of bounce back season but he will be 32 heading into next season.

* That leaves Ware as your only main cog heading into next season. What did Dallas do on draft day...nothing! Then they told you they like their DL. Somebody has to right? Note: Sharriff Floyd (Vikings) & Demontre Moore (Giants) were available when Dallas was on clock. Instead they selected: Travis Frederick & Terrance Williams. You might be hearing about that again over next few seasons.

 

[Future]

Crawford should be ready to start next year, its possible that Brent is back (event hough many might not want him), and if Price is worth anything, he could be valuable. While I do think we'll need another edge rusher, I don't think there is going to be huge turnover on the DLine.

 

[DBOY3141]

Good points.

I see them extending Spencer so he will be back next year.

Crawford will be starting his 3rd year by then and was a 3rd round pick.

Maybe Price has overcome the personal issues and health and shows the skills that made him a 2nd round pick a few years ago by Tamp Bay (hoping for a Columbo type player here).

Wilbur was DE in college until Wake Forest switched to a 3-4. This is his 2nd year so next year maybe he adds bulk and becomes solid.

Add a draft pick next year and it could all turn out OK or it could be bad. We shall see.

 

[CashMan]

Terrible terrible post, I trust the scouts and Jerry when it comes to drafting.

/sarcasm

 

[TheRomoSexual]

In 2014, I think it I possible that we have a starting lineup of Ware Price Crawford Spencer.

 

[CashMan]

In 2014, I think it I possible that we have a starting lineup of Ware Price Crawford Spencer.

If Price can not stick with the Bears, what makes you think he will here? Where is Dallas getting money for Spencer?

 

[Idgit]

They're probably thinking Brent, Crawford, Lisemore, Ware, and Spencer going forward, knowing they'll have to replace Rat and Hatcher in the offseason. That's doable with one FA and one high draft pick.

They must not have thought much of the ability of Demontre Moore to upgrade the unit, overall.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

If Price can not stick with the Bears, what makes you think he will here? Where is Dallas getting money for Spencer?

Yes, because players never catch on elsewhere. And what do you mean, find money for Spencer? You do realize that extending Spencer will result in immediate an and significant cap relief, right?

 

[CashMan]

Yes, because players never catch on elsewhere. And what do you mean, find money for Spencer? You do realize that extending Spencer will result in immediate an and significant cap relief, right?

What I am saying is, Marinelli(sp?) was the D-Cord in Chicago, if he couldn't use him there, what makes you think, he can here?

Spencer being signed this year, creates money THIS year, if he is signed to a contract. Dallas just added Romo to next years cap, and I am pretty sure they are either over the cap next year or close to it. So, now Spencer is on next years cap with the contract. So, where do they get the money? You can only restructure so many guys, and when you cut players, some of their money turns into dead money.

 

[HoosierCowboy]

3 things I keep in mind:

--every team is imperfect; you do the best with what you have
--players surprise you; we have a new scheme by a coach wise enough to adapt a bit to what we have
--at this point, we don't know who will be on our roster when the season starts

 

[TheRomoSexual]

What I am saying is, Marinelli(sp?) was the D-Cord in Chicago, if he couldn't use him there, what makes you think, he can here?

Spencer being signed this year, creates money THIS year, if he is signed to a contract. Dallas just added Romo to next years cap, and I am pretty sure they are either over the cap next year or close to it. So, now Spencer is on next years cap with the contract. So, where do they get the money? You can only restructure so many guys, and when you cut players, some of their money turns into dead money.

Considering his sister/best frien was killed about a month before he was traded to Chicago, I'll give him a pass for that time. And thank you for your obvious cap recitation -- under your logic, the Cowboys are pretty screwed considering they can't sign anyone!

 

[xwalker]

They can always re-sign Spencer if needed.

Next offseason they will be able to sign Free Agents at the beginning of Free Agency because they will not Franchise Spencer again and they will not have Romo counting 16.8M against the cap. Also, they will not have the 5M "Mara" penalty.

Also, I'm starting the rumor that Jerry is going to trade the entire set of 2014 draft picks to move up to #1 overall and draft DE Jadeveon Clowney.

 

[jterrell]

So basically you guys don't believe Monte Kiffin??

He is the one saying he needs more LB but we are set at DL.
His quote was that he couldn't get a seat in the DL meeting but the LB meeting had 5 guys total.

Listed DL currently.
9 DT. Yes, 9.

Jason Hatcher, best DL last year and player in his prime.
Tyrone Crawford. 2nd year 3rd rounder who was raw coming in.
Sean Lissemore. Rotational guy who can play both a 1 and 3 in select series.
Ben Bass. Former Aggie and Plano kid who is a 2nd year guy.
Rob Calloway. Big DT. signed 3 year deal. A 1 tech.
Nick Hayden. former low round pick out of Wisc. Has 13 career starts.
Brian Price. Former 2nd round pick and Pac 10 player of the year. Issues galore but talented enough to be a pro bowl level DT.
Monte Taylor. Young practice squad type.
Ig Ikpo. Young depth quick DT. Raw as rain.

2 NT.
Jay Ratliff, multiple Pro Bowler.
Josh Brent. Won't play in 2012 but fair indication he'll be back with team since we held his rights this long and he has been working out.

3 LB we know are DEs
Ware....
Spencer. Everyone wants to cut him except the Cowboys. In his prime and imho if he can play SDE he'll get extended.
Wilber. 4th rounder last year moves to back up Ware.

That's 13 DL. Perhaps Kiffin has a clue?

 

[Idgit]

What I am saying is, Marinelli(sp?) was the D-Cord in Chicago, if he couldn't use him there, what makes you think, he can here?

Spencer being signed this year, creates money THIS year, if he is signed to a contract. Dallas just added Romo to next years cap, and I am pretty sure they are either over the cap next year or close to it. So, now Spencer is on next years cap with the contract. So, where do they get the money? You can only restructure so many guys, and when you cut players, some of their money turns into dead money.

I agree that Price looks like a journeyman to me. Not expecting big things for him. But they cut him in CHI to make room for Okoye, which is pretty understandable.

I hope the guy gets his career on track. It'd be great for us if he did, but he's going to have to overcome a lot to do it. Even if he's physically and emotionally in a place to do it, just getting back to where you can play with confidence at this highest level carrying all that baggage won't be easy.

 

[xwalker]

So basically you guys don't believe Monte Kiffin??

He is the one saying he needs more LB but we are set at DL.
His quote was that he couldn't get a seat in the DL meeting but the LB meeting had 5 guys total.

Listed DL currently.
9 DT. Yes, 9.

Jason Hatcher, best DL last year and player in his prime.
Tyrone Crawford. 2nd year 3rd rounder who was raw coming in.
Sean Lissemore. Rotational guy who can play both a 1 and 3 in select series.
Ben Bass. Former Aggie and Plano kid who is a 2nd year guy.
Rob Calloway. Big DT. signed 3 year deal. A 1 tech.
Nick Hayden. former low round pick out of Wisc. Has 13 career starts.
Brian Price. Former 2nd round pick and Pac 10 player of the year. Issues galore but talented enough to be a pro bowl level DT.
Monte Taylor. Young practice squad type.
Ig Ikpo. Young depth quick DT. Raw as rain.

2 NT.
Jay Ratliff, multiple Pro Bowler.
Josh Brent. Won't play in 2012 but fair indication he'll be back with team since we held his rights this long and he has been working out.

3 LB we know are DEs
Ware....
Spencer. Everyone wants to cut him except the Cowboys. In his prime and imho if he can play SDE he'll get extended.
Wilber. 4th rounder last year moves to back up Ware.

That's 13 DL. Perhaps Kiffin has a clue?

I think Alex Albright will be a DE also, especially with the signings of Durant and Sims, Holloman in the draft and Magee as a UDFA.

They seem to have plenty of DTs and Strong-Side DEs but Wilber appears to be the only true backup to Ware; although, Spencer could take some snaps at WDE with Crawford or one of the other potential SDE backups coming in for Spencer.

FYI - Price looked like a potential Bad-Arse in 2011 (after surgery).

 

[jterrell]

What I am saying is, Marinelli(sp?) was the D-Cord in Chicago, if he couldn't use him there, what makes you think, he can here?

Spencer being signed this year, creates money THIS year, if he is signed to a contract. Dallas just added Romo to next years cap, and I am pretty sure they are either over the cap next year or close to it. So, now Spencer is on next years cap with the contract. So, where do they get the money? You can only restructure so many guys, and when you cut players, some of their money turns into dead money.

perhaps chicago has a better dl?
if marinelli thought price was useless why would he still be on the roster?

cap situation in 2014 looks bad now but gets much better once you remove miles austin, doug free and other very likely cuts. plus of course we'll do more restructures again as we have yearly.

we also get a draft class next year.

 

[Idgit]

So basically you guys don't believe Monte Kiffin??

He is the one saying he needs more LB but we are set at DL.
His quote was that he couldn't get a seat in the DL meeting but the LB meeting had 5 guys total...

This is what I keep coming down to. There aren't a ton of things I like about having a DC who's older than dirt, but the fact that he probably knows the talent needed to run his defense is definitely one of them. We can pretty much trust Kiffin/Marinelli to know their personnel needs. Which means we should be worrying about LBs about now. Though I do like the two guys we added this weekend to that group a lot, considering where we got them.

 

[12+88=7]

Dallas will have a starting OLmen, a starting WR, a starting safety, and a possible replacement for Murray should Dallas choose not to resign him.

When the 2013 draft is looked back on down the road, if Dallas got four starters out of it, what grade would Dallas receive?

This doesn't even include the TE, who could be the replacement of Witten.

The DL is good enough for this year, or at least that's what Kiffen and the defensive staff believes. Let's see how the pieces fit and then the staff can make the proper assessments and address the DL in the 2014 draft or free agency.

 

[CashMan]

perhaps chicago has a better dl?
if marinelli thought price was useless why would he still be on the roster?

cap situation in 2014 looks bad now but gets much better once you remove miles austin, doug free and other very likely cuts. plus of course we'll do more restructures again as we have yearly.

we also get a draft class next year.

IDK, why is Dalton Williams on the roster?

By cutting Austin and Free, that is going to carry dead money next year. I haven't seen yearly restructures like this, so I have no idea what you are talking about.

Seems to be the answer every year. Another draft, wait another draft.

 

[xwalker]

IDK, why is Dalton Williams on the roster?

By cutting Austin and Free, that is going to carry dead money next year. I haven't seen yearly restructures like this, so I have no idea what you are talking about.

Seems to be the answer every year. Another draft, wait another draft.

Austin's cap hit from being cut will be smaller than normal because he received his "signing bonus" in his 1st year salary. His actual signing bonus was Zero.

Cutting Free will result in about 4M of dead-money in 2014.

Despite the dead-money, there is still significant cap savings from cutting them. In Free's case it is the choice of about 10M to keep him or 4M to cut him.

Overall, the Cowboys will not have Spencer on a 10.6M Franchise Tag or Romo at 16.8M on the final year of his previous contract like they did when Free Agency started this year. Also, the 5M "Mara" penalty will be gone.