Brian Price is our big FA signing

[gimmesix]

Playing 5-tech lining up over the OG and playing DT and lining up over an OG are not that different.

I also wouldn't characterize him as a part-time player the last couple of years. I doubt there are many DL who played more snaps than he did last year.

He also is a rarity - he can probably play LDE in a 4-3, DE in a 3-4, DT in a 4-3 and 3-tech. The only position which he isn't ideally suited for is NT.

The only problem with Hatcher was between coming from a small school program and missing so much time from injury early in his career that his breakthrough year was #6 in the league. We thought so little of him that we paid Spears 3 times as much money as we did Hatcher and only brought him back after no one in the league showed any interest in him. He was definitely a late bloomer. I only hope that means he will be able to play a lot in his 30s since his body hasn't gotten the abuse of a lot of big-time football for a man of his age but only time will tell. You could easily argue that last year was the best of his career. He was a handful for the opposition all-year long.

I actually didn't care that Hatcher was leaving in free agency because he had shown so little his first five years, flashing some pass rushing ability and not doing well at all against the run. When we brought him back and moved him to the right side of the line, the light just went on for him and he became a disruptive player against the pass and run.

He's a clear starter for this defense at DT.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Love Price. I wanted him in the first round that year if that is what it took to get him. VERY high on him out of the draft. Let's hope he plays up to his potential.

 

[Bullflop]

Knowing what Price has had to endure getting himself ready for his return, you can't help wanting the best for him. The pain he's had to endure is a testament to his devotion to the game and his determination to return to playing shape. I'll be pulling for him to reap the benefits of what he's gone through to recover. If he manages to return to what he was in college, he may be the best thing to happen to the Cowboys in years. Granted, it's a considerable gamble but it's one that surely appears to be one that's well worth taking.

 

[followthestar]

I'm not really worried about the DL for 2013. They have far more talented options on the DLine than on the OLine and at Safety, IMO.

I can only echo these thoughts. The OL is my #1 issue, with safety a close second. If I were GM my first two picks would be OG and FS.

 

[Risen Star]

Our DL is in worse shape than people think. We've got two aging, expensive players on the edge and no backup to speak of in the pipeline, Ratliff may have been done three years ago, Hatcher is on the downside of his career, Lissemore's a career backup and Crawford may or may not be a player for the future.

I agree it's in better shape than the OL but it's still a huge issue.

This is why I gave our offseason last year an F grade. We blew our FA resources failing to adequately address these critical areas. You knew we couldn't follow up that spending with more this year. The cap doesn't allow it. We also blew our 1st and 2nd round picks without adding a single player on either line to really begin to improve this team.

As we stand today, the Cowboys are the same team. I don't know how much a bargain FA signing or two and 6 draft picks is going to change that.

 

[speedkilz88]

Hatcher is coming off his best season.

 

[Risen Star]

Hatcher is coming off his best season.

I agree but he's at that age where you can expect a downward trend.

 

[speedkilz88]

Wear and tear on their bodies is the problem, not age. He has only 27 starts, he has little wear and tear.

 

[Risen Star]

Wear and tear on their bodies is the problem, not age. He has only 27 starts, he has little wear and tear.

I don't agree. I don't care how many starts he has, age matters. He's got plenty of wear and tear on a body now entering it's 30's.

 

[Woods]

Wear and tear on their bodies is the problem, not age. He has only 27 starts, he has little wear and tear.

Agreed. I think he should be fine for another couple of years.

That said, I think we should add at least 1 more quality DL this year via the Draft.

 

[Hoofbite]

Playing 5-tech lining up over the OG and playing DT and lining up over an OG are not that different.

I also wouldn't characterize him as a part-time player the last couple of years. I doubt there are many DL who played more snaps than he did last year.

He also is a rarity - he can probably play LDE in a 4-3, DE in a 3-4, DT in a 4-3 and 3-tech. The only position which he isn't ideally suited for is NT.

The only problem with Hatcher was between coming from a small school program and missing so much time from injury early in his career that his breakthrough year was #6 in the league. We thought so little of him that we paid Spears 3 times as much money as we did Hatcher and only brought him back after no one in the league showed any interest in him. He was definitely a late bloomer. I only hope that means he will be able to play a lot in his 30s since his body hasn't gotten the abuse of a lot of big-time football for a man of his age but only time will tell. You could easily argue that last year was the best of his career. He was a handful for the opposition all-year long.

Will you share a bit of what you think about Price's prospects in terms of health?

Seems like a pretty odd situation all around. Do you have any experience with this type of procedure? Is this a pretty confident fix or is the area compromised to a certain extent compared to the rest of the population?

 

[Hoofbite]

I don't agree. I don't care how many starts he has, age matters. He's got plenty of wear and tear on a body now entering it's 30's.

It would be nice if everyone was 27 and awesome. Just not the case.

I really don't have a problem with older players so long as they aren't viewed as long term options with big contracts.

Hatcher played well last year and doesn't come with a big cap hit. I don't think he's on the downside yet and even if he is, what he gave last year was well worth the cap money he took up.

If a guy's production outweighs his cap hit, age doesn't really concern me so long as the team doesn't think that guy will play for another decade.

 

[AKATheRake]

An aging Ratliff who has seen better days and an unknown with Hatcher at DT. We need a DT this draft.

Sean Lissemore and by next off season the Josh Brent situation should be confirmed. That's when we'll know exactly if we need a DT.

In this draft, if the best player available is a DT then we will get one. History shows that we draft a player for the d-line every other year. Just not high round picks.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Sean Lissemore and by next off season the Josh Brent situation should be confirmed. That's when we'll know exactly if we need a DT.

In this draft, if the best player available is a DT then we will get one. History shows that we draft a player for the d-line every other year. Just not high round picks.

Of course. But to say we have Lissemore and an unknown in Brent makes us find at DT is hilarious. As drafting for the DL every other year, a 3-4 DT, no we haven't.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

My bad, meant to say a 4-3 DT, we haven't drafted lately.

 

[Eskimo]

Will you share a bit of what you think about Price's prospects in terms of health?

Seems like a pretty odd situation all around. Do you have any experience with this type of procedure? Is this a pretty confident fix or is the area compromised to a certain extent compared to the rest of the population?

I've never seen or treated his condition so I"m afraid I can give no insight into his chances of maintaining health while putting all that stress across the surgical site. I would argue that by this point the bones should have fully remodeled and reached their full strength. He should have had adequate time to fully stretch out and strengthen his hamstrings and glutes. It is hard to say how much rust he has built up from the layoff.

Wish I could tell you guys more but I've just never seen it or really heard of someone going through this procedure.

 

[Eskimo]

It would be nice if everyone was 27 and awesome. Just not the case.

I really don't have a problem with older players so long as they aren't viewed as long term options with big contracts.

Hatcher played well last year and doesn't come with a big cap hit. I don't think he's on the downside yet and even if he is, what he gave last year was well worth the cap money he took up.

If a guy's production outweighs his cap hit, age doesn't really concern me so long as the team doesn't think that guy will play for another decade.

Hatcher is in the last year of a 3 year deal for $6M. He is probably one of the biggest non-rookie contract bargains in the whole league.

If he looks like he is playing great again next year we should probably try to get another 3 year extension done during the season. If he shows signs of dropping off then I'd wait until FA and try to get him to a bargain basement deal to provide a bit of depth and contribute as a PT player for a couple more years. I don't think he should look like he is going to fall of a cliff because he appears to be getting better from the experience he has finally gotten the last two years and is more a power than a speed player.

We definitely have to play it careful with him and we can't give him a Rat-like extension at his age. Even if he shows that he has taken his game up a notch I would not offer more than 3 years and $5M per season just because of the probability of a dropoff just being around the corner.

Hatcher has been a Godsend to this front 7 with all the injury issues to Rat and Ware.

 

[Eskimo]

Sean Lissemore and by next off season the Josh Brent situation should be confirmed. That's when we'll know exactly if we need a DT.

In this draft, if the best player available is a DT then we will get one. History shows that we draft a player for the d-line every other year. Just not high round picks.

I still really hope Brent returns next year. I think he has a good heart but makes horrible decisions with alcohol. He needs to commit to abstinence and get one of those breathalysers for his car. Then he should come back to play and set up a trust for Brown's kid so he is taken care of properly.

We desperately need a player like Brent on our DL. He is a young, strong, agile 1-tech DT. Guys like him don't grow on trees and his level of play was really coming on strong last year.

 

[pacy]

I can already see it in th newspapers: THE RIGHT PRICE ! :laugh2:

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Brian Price is a man I'm rooting for but he's a lottery ticket. 99.9% of lottery tickets just say "thanks for playing, try again".