Are we being realistic with FA expectations?

[gimmesix]

It's easy to look at our needs and who might be available in free agency and start listing our wants, but the Joneses rarely do what any of us want. I try to keep my FA expectations fairly low. This year, I've been thinking we might get players like Nakobe Dean, Quincy Williams, Von Miller, Reed Blankenship and Asante Samuel Jr.

But I'm not sure that's low enough based on our usual free agent/cheap trade additions. I mean, last year did anyone have DE Payton Turner on their list, or LB Kenneth Murray, or CB Kaiir Elam of LB Jack Sanborn? Maybe Sanborn because he had played for Eberflus. I mean, even on offense, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders were coming off two bad seasons, so therefore they were cheap. We just happened to hit on Javonte (not so much on Sanders).

Our best hope for a decent signing might be something like the Dante Fowler signing last year (which does give me hope for a Von Miller). He had 10 sacks and cost us slightly more than our typical free agents. Of course, we probably should not be surprised if our FA DE signing this year is Fowler again because he'll be even cheaper coming off a down season, and if we re-sign Clowney, we may not want to invest much more into the DE spot in FA.

 

[Reality]

For me, it comes down to this.

Sanborn was signed because he was familiar with Eberflus' system. It's the same reason Zimmer brought in Kendricks the year before. I don't fault a first year defensive coach bringing in a player who can teach and lead their system, at least not for a one year deal. The goal of course is for either that player to be solid or better or another player eventually learns the system and plays well enough to replace them.

As I have posted in other threads, the Cowboys have spent 30 years trying to sign two types of players. They either focus on splash players in an effort to fix problems from the previous year with a better player or they sign reclamation projects in some manner such as disappointing high draft picks other teams gave up on or those who suffered injuries that are would-be diamonds in the rough.

What the Cowboys need to do on defense is let Parker decide which players to get. I'm not saying that because he's smart (because he is) or that he knows better than anyone else. I'm saying it because they need to sign players that fit Parker's system through performance and intangibles.

In other words, they need solid players that will play well within Parker's system. They don't need a Parsons level player. They need 11 solid players. Guys who do their job, make few mistakes, understand what the other 10 players are doing and know how to tackle consistently.

Splash players should always be considered bonuses, not vital pieces. When they become vital to winning, teams become one player injury or bad performance away from losing.

 

[kskboys]

Depends. I am wanting 3-5 solid FA pickups on D, and hopefully a decent vet OLT in case Guyton doesn't take the next step.

Topnotch FAs are way too expensive, and we need a pile of solid players on D.

If one is wanting a bunch of name players, top 5-10 types, then yes, that person is being unrealistic.

 

[blueblood70]

It's easy to look at our needs and who might be available in free agency and start listing our wants, but the Joneses rarely do what any of us want. I try to keep my FA expectations fairly low. This year, I've been thinking we might get players like Nakobe Dean, Quincy Williams, Von Miller, Reed Blankenship and Asante Samuel Jr.

But I'm not sure that's low enough based on our usual free agent/cheap trade additions. I mean, last year did anyone have DE Payton Turner on their list, or LB Kenneth Murray, or CB Kaiir Elam of LB Jack Sanborn? Maybe Sanborn because he had played for Eberflus. I mean, even on offense, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders were coming off two bad seasons, so therefore they were cheap. We just happened to hit on Javonte (not so much on Sanders).

Our best hope for a decent signing might be something like the Dante Fowler signing last year (which does give me hope for a Von Miller). He had 10 sacks and cost us slightly more than our typical free agents. Of course, we probably should not be surprised if our FA DE signing this year is Fowler again because he'll be even cheaper coming off a down season, and if we re-sign Clowney, we may not want to invest much more into the DE spot in FA.

First of all, I'm looking at the title only, Is this a trick question ?


I think all fans have unrealistic expectations with team building, as if they can operate without a cap, and pay any player anything they want just as long as they're on the team,


That's what a fan wants, they want super name power, they want big time names, so they can cheer for them, regardless of what the team has to do to get them, and almost always it's unrealistic.

This has nothing to do with our front office in my opinion this is a fan issue the expectations are always way off from reality..

 

[thunderpimp91]

It all depends on how serious Jerry & Stephen are about contending in 2026. If they want to hang around the rim and just be relevant for 18 weeks they'll give us another budget FA season. Under this scenario they'll simply try to sell us on 2 early draft picks, a new DC, and a few budget reclamation projects....we know how that story ends.

If they're serious about making a legitimate run this year they will actually go out and spend some money. Make a decision early on Pickens so you don't have a $30m tag holding up other moves and go get 3-4 2nd/3rd wave players who can actually help your defense. The path is there for a serious season in 2026 if Jerry is OK actually prioritizing wins over his balance sheet.

 

[blueblood70]

For me, it comes down to this.

Sanborn was signed because he was familiar with Eberflus' system. It's the same reason Zimmer brought in Kendricks the year before. I don't fault a first year defensive coach bringing in a player who can teach and lead their system, at least not for a one year deal. The goal of course is for either that player to be solid or better or another player eventually learns the system and plays well enough to replace them.

As I have posted in other threads, the Cowboys have spent 30 years trying to sign two types of players. They either focus on splash players in an effort to fix problems from the previous year with a better player or they sign reclamation projects in some manner such as disappointing high draft picks other teams gave up on or those who suffered injuries that are would-be diamonds in the rough.

What the Cowboys need to do on defense is let Parker decide which players to get. I'm not saying that because he's smart or that he knows better than anyone else. I'm saying it because they need to sign players that fit Parker's system through performance and intangibles.

In other words, they need solid players that will play well within Parker's system. They don't need a Parsons level player. They need 11 solid players. Guys who do their job, make few mistakes, understand what the other 10 players are doing and know how to tackle consistently.

Splash players should always be considered bonuses, not vital pieces. When they become vital to winning, teams become one player injury or bad performance away from losing.

Correct That's a very accurate and realistic comment...

It goes beyond that though, it was more than just Sanborn, Murray and James were also picks by Eberflus, maybe he's handcuffed a little bit on what the Cowboys are willing to do, but those are his guys, They traded up in the draft to get James, and now we have to purge almost our entire linebacker core,

because they're not going to fit Parkers scheme, and well they didn't play well last year either.

 

[Cowboyny]

It's easy to look at our needs and who might be available in free agency and start listing our wants, but the Joneses rarely do what any of us want. I try to keep my FA expectations fairly low. This year, I've been thinking we might get players like Nakobe Dean, Quincy Williams, Von Miller, Reed Blankenship and Asante Samuel Jr.

But I'm not sure that's low enough based on our usual free agent/cheap trade additions. I mean, last year did anyone have DE Payton Turner on their list, or LB Kenneth Murray, or CB Kaiir Elam of LB Jack Sanborn? Maybe Sanborn because he had played for Eberflus. I mean, even on offense, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders were coming off two bad seasons, so therefore they were cheap. We just happened to hit on Javonte (not so much on Sanders).

Our best hope for a decent signing might be something like the Dante Fowler signing last year (which does give me hope for a Von Miller). He had 10 sacks and cost us slightly more than our typical free agents. Of course, we probably should not be surprised if our FA DE signing this year is Fowler again because he'll be even cheaper coming off a down season, and if we re-sign Clowney, we may not want to invest much more into the DE spot in FA.

When we look at the roster, there just are too many holes to just use the draft process to fill.

Based on prior history, new DC's are allowed to add some of their former players to help with the transition. Quinn, Zimmer, Eberflus all did this to some degree. Now these weren't tier 1 signings, but players who can help with the scheme transition.

Usually when they lose a player at a premium position, they tend to go big in finding their replacement. Lost Martin, used a 1st rd pick on Booker. Tyron to Guyton. Let's see what they do about Diggs and Parsons.

The rest of fa, are probably going to be more bodies at need positions-the bottom of the barrel types. This would also include bringing back some depth pieces already on their roster. This will cover them somewhat, where they can go bpa at a position of need.

 

[phildadon86]

It's easy to look at our needs and who might be available in free agency and start listing our wants, but the Joneses rarely do what any of us want. I try to keep my FA expectations fairly low. This year, I've been thinking we might get players like Nakobe Dean, Quincy Williams, Von Miller, Reed Blankenship and Asante Samuel Jr.

But I'm not sure that's low enough based on our usual free agent/cheap trade additions. I mean, last year did anyone have DE Payton Turner on their list, or LB Kenneth Murray, or CB Kaiir Elam of LB Jack Sanborn? Maybe Sanborn because he had played for Eberflus. I mean, even on offense, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders were coming off two bad seasons, so therefore they were cheap. We just happened to hit on Javonte (not so much on Sanders).

Our best hope for a decent signing might be something like the Dante Fowler signing last year (which does give me hope for a Von Miller). He had 10 sacks and cost us slightly more than our typical free agents. Of course, we probably should not be surprised if our FA DE signing this year is Fowler again because he'll be even cheaper coming off a down season, and if we re-sign Clowney, we may not want to invest much more into the DE spot in FA.

The last time this team spent more than 7 million on a player in FA was Brandon Carr.

That was in 2012.

 

[kskboys]

It all depends on how serious Jerry & Stephen are about contending in 2026. If they want to hang around the rim and just be relevant for 18 weeks they'll give us another budget FA season. Under this scenario they'll simply try to sell us on 2 early draft picks, a new DC, and a few budget reclamation projects....we know how that story ends.

If they're serious about making a legitimate run this year they will actually go out and spend some money. Make a decision early on Pickens so you don't have a $30m tag holding up other moves and go get 3-4 2nd/3rd wave players who can actually help your defense. The path is there for a serious season in 2026 if Jerry is OK actually prioritizing wins over his balance sheet.

There are good budget FAs available, but you have to have a heady GM to pick them. Since we don't, if Jerry is serious he'll let Schotty/Parker pick them and pray they have the ability.

 

[kskboys]

Loves long walks on the beach...

Is good friends w/ Tim Tebow...

 

[phildadon86]

Is good friends w/ Tim Tebow...

That makes him almost perfect.

 

[cald0d30s0]

“We like our guys”

 

[AstroPilota]

Is good friends w/ Tim Tebow...

Tebow would probably be better at LB than most of what we got right now, lol.

 

[thunderpimp91]

There are good budget FAs available, but you have to have a heady GM to pick them. Since we don't, if Jerry is serious he'll let Schotty/Parker pick them and pray they have the ability.

I have no issues with budget FAs, but we have too many holes to not go after a couple bigger fish too. Javante Williams was a fantastic budget FA a year ago, and GP was a fantastic budget trade...but then we also went the budget route with Elam, Sanborn, Murray, etc. The hit rate on those players isnt high enough and we need to actually pay for a couple of known assets to create some stability to the roster. If they are serious about turning around the defense there is no excuse to not to get a $10m per year LB, and another $10m player in the secondary. Pair that with a couple buy low reclamation projects and 2 1st round picks and we have something to work with all of a sudden.

IMO this is a team that should be all in right now given the age of the QB....I don't think you can draft your way out of this mess in a season, and I don't think the arguments for 'If we can just get into the low 20 rankings as a defense the offense can carry us" is valid.

 

[slick325]

I'll believe they will be active early in FA when I see it.

I have so many years of PTSD that there is no part of me that believes this year will be any different. Sad...I know. Hopefully, the Jones boys prove me wrong.

 

[Bobhaze]

It's easy to look at our needs and who might be available in free agency and start listing our wants, but the Joneses rarely do what any of us want. I try to keep my FA expectations fairly low. This year, I've been thinking we might get players like Nakobe Dean, Quincy Williams, Von Miller, Reed Blankenship and Asante Samuel Jr.

But I'm not sure that's low enough based on our usual free agent/cheap trade additions. I mean, last year did anyone have DE Payton Turner on their list, or LB Kenneth Murray, or CB Kaiir Elam of LB Jack Sanborn? Maybe Sanborn because he had played for Eberflus. I mean, even on offense, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders were coming off two bad seasons, so therefore they were cheap. We just happened to hit on Javonte (not so much on Sanders).

Our best hope for a decent signing might be something like the Dante Fowler signing last year (which does give me hope for a Von Miller). He had 10 sacks and cost us slightly more than our typical free agents. Of course, we probably should not be surprised if our FA DE signing this year is Fowler again because he'll be even cheaper coming off a down season, and if we re-sign Clowney, we may not want to invest much more into the DE spot in FA.

When your front office fully understands how to use the salary cap to get what it needs to contend, you can do a lot more than we typically do. The cap is complex but it is not as black and white as Stephen Jones seems to treat it.

Sadly, because Stephen Jones treats the salary cap like it’s a one year snapshot, he’s never really learned how to put together a “go for it” time. He uses the cap as an excuse to not take chances rather than an opportunity to reach for another Lombardi.

Jerry used to brag about his riverboat gambler ways but that was a long time ago before SJ started acting like the salary cap was just too damn hard for his entitled brain to have to work to understand.

When some of us say the Jones FO is THE problem to getting better, this is a big part of why.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

As stated before.......Jerry has changed. The Parsons fallout from Parsons trade and negotiations changed him. Hell, even Dak admitted that he senses a more motivated Jerry. I know I am a minority on this but fans are going to see a Jerry like we have not seen since the 90s. Get ready.....LOL

Clowney and Pickens before March 3rd. Then 3-4 quality free agent signings are what I expect.......

 

[DallasEast]

As stated before.......Jerry has changed. The Parsons fallout from Parsons trade and negotiations changed him. Hell, even Dak admitted that he senses a more motivated Jerry. I know I am a minority on this but fans are going to see a Jerry like we have not seen since the 90s. Get ready.....LOL

Clowney and Pickens before March 3rd. Then 3-4 quality free agent signings are what I expect.......

Bookmarked for August 1st review.

 

[zrinkill]

Business as usual.

And some "fans" will be shocked when they do what they usually do.

 

[zrinkill]

As stated before.......Jerry has changed.