Bill Barnwell offseason report cards on Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Philly, Washington

[Gameover]

Last year his play fell off significantly which is why he retired I imagine. But he wasn't the third worst tackle in the league. We only gave up 28 sacks last year.

7 by him, Dak prevented at least another 5

 

[LocimusPrime]

The new 'Philly Blunt'?!

 

[jobberone]

7 by him, Dak prevented at least another 5

7 is not a great deal. Avg or a little less. All QBs save some sacks by throwing it away or running. Hard to speculate.

 

[big dog cowboy]

This wasn't a great draft for offensive linemen, but it probably wouldn't have hurt Dallas to use a mid-round pick on one.

This is a easy one for me. You don't reach for so-so OL with those important draft picks. I'd rather the Cowboys spend those important mid-round draft picks rebuilding the defense (Lewis and Woods) or adding key offensive and special teams weapons (Switzer). Backup OL's can be signed in August if needed. It's not like there is no backup OL on the roster. Actually I'm intrigued by a couple of them.

 

[viman96]

And no mention adding last year's draftees Jaylon Smith and Charles Tapper to this years team. Having them along with this years draft class. Smith should be ready to go for camp and Tapper will be a big help with his speed. Mickey said on Talkin Cowboys Tapper was in the running for a starting DE spot before he got injured. I give the Cowboys offseason an A-. The A+ would have been if we got something for Tony.

Neither Smith or Tapper has anything to do with this offseason when it comes to moves the team made.

 

[Direwolf63]

This is a easy one for me. You don't reach for so-so OL with those important draft picks. I'd rather the Cowboys spend those important mid-round draft picks rebuilding the defense (Lewis and Woods) or adding key offensive and special teams weapons (Switzer). Backup OL's can be signed in August if needed. It's not like there is no backup OL on the roster. Actually I'm intrigued by a couple of them.

With all the extra picks the Cowboys get next year, I see at least 2 o-lineman drafted.

 

[Nova]

For once, I would like to see an offseason grade not soley based on 'needs filled'.

Teams have a finite resource of acquisition power.

Filling every single need would likely handicap a team in the future, so teams make tradeoffs; for example, not throwing too many resources at an OL that already features 4 first round talents in exchange for heavy investment into the defense and a haul of draft picks for next year.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

I can see why he didn't factor Smith and Tapper in the grade. We're hoping both are able to go and play at a high level, but we're not certain.

Sure, again we don't know if any of our rookies this year will play at a high level also. But they are seen as additions anyways by the writer.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Gee, could the difference be the relative health of the players? We've got two guys with significant injuries that they may not be able to come back from

Both players are healthy now and will be ready for camp. They wouldn't if still injured.

Charles Tapper: I have a birth defect, it's called 'L5 pars defect.' ... Me not being in the best shape coming to the Cowboys was what happened to me. Coming from OU I was sitting about 275-280 [pounds]. So coming here I was about 280, 275 trying to play a five-technique. As we all know [Rod] Marinelli, he didn't like that. So he was running and running me. It's kinda more of a fatigue injury I would say than injury of any sorts. Right now I'm feeling better than I ever felt in my life condition-wise, core-wise, strength, flexibility and everything.

 

[Gameover]

7 is not a great deal. Avg or a little less. All QBs save some sacks by throwing it away or running. Hard to speculate.

You think Free's defender, sweeping at Dak's feet is speculating?


I like Free btw

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Neither Smith or Tapper has anything to do with this offseason when it comes to moves the team made.

Additions to the roster, period. You have your viewpoint on this, I have mine. Both were on IR last year, not on the 53.

 

[Idgit]

Last year his play fell off significantly which is why he retired I imagine. But he wasn't the third worst tackle in the league. We only gave up 28 sacks last year.

I think he was playing a bit hurt and probably got sick of it. Hard to feel too bad for the guy with his 10 year NFL salary and pension, but he took a lot of crap. For a solid role player who came in the 4th round and gave us however-many starts, Doug took a lot of heat. He had that one year after he renegotiated his deal to stay here where people got off his case, and that was it. The rest of the time he was overpaid garbage without much regard for his actual performance on the field.

 

[viman96]

Additions to the roster, period. You have your viewpoint on this, I have mine. Both were on IR last year, not on the 53.

But they were not moves made by the team. I get they will be available this year but the article was about 2017 offseason moves made by the NFCE teams.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

But they were not moves made by the team. I get they will be available this year but the article was about 2017 offseason moves made by the NFCE teams.

I look at it as additions to this years roster which weren't on the 53 for any game last season. Writer has a narrow viewpoint.

 

[haleyrules]

Imagine if the defense has a strong start.

Tell you what. The defense just might have a great start. Its hard to say how this season will shake out. Its something to really look forward too.

 

[dallasdave]

Tell you what. The defense just might have a great start. Its hard to say how this season will shake out. Its something to really look forward too.

All the way BABY !!!!

 

[haleyrules]

Did you not see his final season? Dude became a human turnstyle and wiped out big plays with penalties.

Sure. Free has many good qualities also. Any player that stays 12 plus yrs with the same club can not be totally bad? In recent years he looked worse than he played mainly because his colleagues were considerably more talented. In fact, his teammates have implied he was a great teammate and leader of the squad and the glue that held it together, at times.

 

[haleyrules]

Eagles just upped their grade. They signed Blount giving them now an upgrade at RB now too.

The Eagles are going to be a bigger pain in the butt this year than people realize.

Yep. The division rivals have upgraded.

 

[haleyrules]

I don't know how Romo's situation could have been handled better. It was the No. 1 off-season story. The Cowboys, Romo, Jerry, Stephen, et.al., were hounded on what would happen to Romo. Aside from Jerry and Co. keeping their collective mouths shut, I think everyone knew the fate of Romo, which is why neither Arizona, Denver or Houston offered up anything for him.

It was obvious. It could be something as simple as Romo simply not being physically able to play. I thought about that lastseason when Ole Jerry didn't force him back in the lineup at some point in the regular season. No club had serious interest in a Tony Romo even for free?? That is hard to believe.

 

[jobberone]

You think Free's defender, sweeping at Dak's feet is speculating?


I like Free btw

i think QBs bare some responsibility to avoid sacks by moving in or out of the pocket and throwing the ball timely in or out of bounds. You can't persuade many with one play scenarios.