Closer look at the roster - 17 of top 22 players should be replaced

[Parcells4Life]

When looking into the offseason the case can be made that it is a blessing and a curse that so many holes exist on this team.

On defense, with the exception of the 2 corners due to money and resources, an attempt at an upgrade should be made at the other 9 positions. Yes even Sean Lee because it's apparent now he will not stay healthy.

On offense the only 3 players I would saw are above replacing are Smith, Frederick and Dez. Murray like Lee will miss 2-3 games every year.

Now I don't say all these players NEED to be replaced but the odds are no matter what players we sign in FA or pick in the draft, there's a good chance it will be an upgrade over what we have. So for those who say we HAVE to target the DL, there are so many other needs and holes on this team it's amazing we went 8-8. I think we're actually in a very similar position to the Colts a few years ago when they lost Manning and it showed just how little talent was around the QB.

Now with Romo on his last legs, it's about to be very apparent just how little talent is around him.

 

[Direwolf63]

You can draft any position other than QB and TE and improve the team. A ball hawk safety has been needed for years. But even that won't be much help until the d-line is fixed.

There are so many holes on this team and so little cap space to fix it and it's going to take several years to turn this thing around And that's only if Jerry makes good decisions.......something he is incapable of.

 

[Nirvana]

You wouldn't want to change the OL at all if you can avoid it. They are playing as a unit now and you see it in the rushing yards and improved pass protection.

I think the team is misguided if it steers towards other targets than the front 7 in the early rounds of the draft. If a playmaker drops in the first would be my only exception.

 

[Future]

I don't think its practical, but I've said it before. You could go into next season's opening day with like 40 new guys and have the same results.

Tony, Dez, Tyron, Fred, and DeMarco...maybe Witten. The entirety of the rest of the team could be replaced and you'd get the same 8-8 record with just those guys.

 

[dragon_mikal]

On offense I think they should keep the current OL and maybe bring in a mauler type at guard for depth...they improved as the year progressed last year.

At WR they should cut Austin and ride with Dez, Williams, Harris and Beasley...why Harris doesn't get more playing time I'll never know.

At TE they're still set with Witten but Escobar should be more involved in the game plan as he is much more a big play threat IMHO.

At RB they need to bring in a bruiser to complement Murray and use Murray more...especially in the passing game. The offense should revolve around this guy.

On defense they need a legitimate FS and to upgrade the DL. Get a pass rush that is consistent and the defense will be improved immediately. I think they should also be looking to replace Carter because the guy gives up on plays too often IMHO. His lack of effort is troubling. Lee is damaged goods but he'll be starting because of his contract.

Basically...improve the defensive line (pass rush) and safety play and actually use the playmakers on offense the way they should be used (balance is key) and this team could make some noise.

 

[basstapp]

I don't think its practical, but I've said it before. You could go into next season's opening day with like 40 new guys and have the same results.

Tony, Dez, Tyron, Fred, and DeMarco...maybe Witten. The entirety of the rest of the team could be replaced and you'd get the same 8-8 record with just those guys.

You really believe that. I am not comfortable at 8-8, but Church, Scandrick, Ware, Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr, Williams, Beasley, Dan Bailey, Sterling Moore are all better then street free agents or rookies coming out of the draft. We would be lucky to win 3 games with 40 new players...

 

[visionary]

not practical but a stark reminder of what we are faced with

esp in view of the fact that our GM proclaimed before this season that this is the best job he has done (you cant make this stuff up)

 

[CowboyFan4Eva]

THis entire franchise needs to be washed.....

I know i know, cuz of contracts , romo isn't going anywhere.....

But at this point....I think it's better for romo(and others) and the cowboys if Romo ended up some where else...

Bring in a real Head coach, give him authority of assistant coaches/player transactions....

get Jerry out of the locker room. Out of football decisions. Off the sidelines. Away from the field and players.


Draft a number 1 stud QB. And run with it......

Nauhhh, Let's go for that 9-7 season , pray the other NFCE teams suck again, and jump up and down like we have won the Super Bowl after making the playoffs. Then get slaughtered in the first round by Arizona.....

 

[Future]

You really believe that. I am not comfortable at 8-8, but Church, Scandrick, Ware, Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr, Williams, Beasley, Dan Bailey, Sterling Moore are all better then street free agents or rookies coming out of the draft. We would be lucky to win 3 games with 40 new players...

It would be almost impossible for the defense to be any worse. There's 25 or so players right there. You could replace Costa, Livings, Harris, Hanna, Esco, Tanner, Randle, Dunbar, Orton, Parnell, Bern, Beas, Ladouceur, without batting an eye. The guys you mentioned are good players for the most part, but they don't really have an impact on whether or not we win or lose. After the last two atrocious years on defense, I don't think any of those guys are irreplaceable.

I'm not saying replacing 40 guys would make us better necessarily, but this team is so devoid of playmakers and consistency that you might not notice any difference.

And fwiw, Moore was a street free agent and Beasley and Church both went undrafted.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

get Jerry out of the locker room. Out of football decisions. Off the sidelines. Away from the field and players.

That is the crux of our problems.
Solve that and everything else looks realtively easy.
If only one could find something meaningful for Jerra to do at the seniors center.

 

[DBOY3141]

we've replaced players and coaches over the last 17 years and nothing has changed. nothing will until the GM has changed....so maybe in 10 years if we're lucky.

 

[basstapp]

It would be almost impossible for the defense to be any worse. There's 25 or so players right there. You could replace Costa, Livings, Harris, Hanna, Esco, Tanner, Randle, Dunbar, Orton, Parnell, Bern, Beas, Ladouceur, without batting an eye. The guys you mentioned are good players for the most part, but they don't really have an impact on whether or not we win or lose. After the last two atrocious years on defense, I don't think any of those guys are irreplaceable.

I'm not saying replacing 40 guys would make us better necessarily, but this team is so devoid of playmakers and consistency that you might not notice any difference.

And fwiw, Moore was a street free agent and Beasley and Church both went undrafted.

You are basically name given depth players. I think harris is a great player, Bern played excellent down the stretch and I definitely wouldnt want to David arkin over him. The rest of the guys are for depth purposes or rookies. Can we improve the defense ? Yes, but that doesn't mean we can blow up or whole entire team. Our defense was very inconsistent and partly be blamed on injuries. We played a lot of teams competitively eagles, chargers, chiefs, vikings etc. We had a couple of terrible games lions, saints, bears, packers.

 

[Doc50]

I understand the points made about our aging and mediocre to low talent, and how few young stars there are; but experience and continuity in a system and with the guy next to you is actually quite valuable.

You can look at many of the "dynasty" type teams and wish for that level of stardom on their rosters, but upon close scrutiny you will find that many of those household names were past their prime in skills -- they stayed productive (and became famous) because of experience and chemistry. A higher percentage of such players can be found in the HOF, even if their stats don't necessarily measure up (compare 'Boys vs Steelers of the 70's).

So, if that's the case, ask any player on our roster if we're building chemistry and continuity -- virtually all have said yes, and furthermore, they say that JG has been a great coach and leader. And there are some folks on the roster who are known for speaking their mind, so it's probably not appropriate to say that they're just being politically correct.

Therefore, when you think about improving our play, it would make sense to focus on the obvious areas of weakness, the particular skill set needed, and the proper mind set as well -- methodically going through the process of finding the right kind of guy.

Uhh........Oh, my God!! What have I become?

 

[Nightman]

When looking into the offseason the case can be made that it is a blessing and a curse that so many holes exist on this team.

On defense, with the exception of the 2 corners due to money and resources, an attempt at an upgrade should be made at the other 9 positions. Yes even Sean Lee because it's apparent now he will not stay healthy.

On offense the only 3 players I would saw are above replacing are Smith, Frederick and Dez. Murray like Lee will miss 2-3 games every year.

Now I don't say all these players NEED to be replaced but the odds are no matter what players we sign in FA or pick in the draft, there's a good chance it will be an upgrade over what we have. So for those who say we HAVE to target the DL, there are so many other needs and holes on this team it's amazing we went 8-8. I think we're actually in a very similar position to the Colts a few years ago when they lost Manning and it showed just how little talent was around the QB.

Now with Romo on his last legs, it's about to be very apparent just how little talent is around him.

If you are talking about the team that finished the season, you could make some big changes on the defense. But on offense all I would change is letting Austin go and bringing in a FB and some OL depth. 17 out of 22 is crazy. They have already changed almost 45 players over the last 3 years.

 

[Parcells4Life]

If you are talking about the team that finished the season, you could make some big changes on the defense. But on offense all I would change is letting Austin go and bringing in a FB and some OL depth. 17 out of 22 is crazy. They have already changed almost 45 players over the last 3 years.

It's not saying I would change 17 of the 22 players, that's not realistic in today's NFL, it was more a point that whatever player we get in the draft or can afford to sign in FA is likely to be an upgrade given how many holes we have. We can truly stick to take the best player available and not necessarily focus on a particular position need.

For those who say the OL is in great shape, I'd argue this line was built more for pass blocking outside Frederick and Smith. When teams knew we were going to run and we had to get that yard, the line couldn't get it done. Both guards and the RT could in particular be upgraded to get more maulers. For the most part defenses played to guard against the pass since it was an anomaly when we'd run and that's why we got yards. Not often we could run and be successful against 7 man fronts like the 49ers and Seahawks do.

 

[Future]

You are basically name given depth players. I think harris is a great player, Bern played excellent down the stretch and I definitely wouldnt want to David arkin over him. The rest of the guys are for depth purposes or rookies. Can we improve the defense ? Yes, but that doesn't mean we can blow up or whole entire team. Our defense was very inconsistent and partly be blamed on injuries. We played a lot of teams competitively eagles, chargers, chiefs, vikings etc. We had a couple of terrible games lions, saints, bears, packers.

I'm not really sure what your point is here...you're basically agreeing with me. The depth guys are bad, therefore, they can be replaced. "Depth" is more than half your roster. This team gets absolutely 0 from its backups.

 

[car351]

THis entire franchise needs to be washed.....

I know i know, cuz of contracts , romo isn't going anywhere.....

But at this point....I think it's better for romo(and others) and the cowboys if Romo ended up some where else...

Bring in a real Head coach, give him authority of assistant coaches/player transactions....

get Jerry out of the locker room. Out of football decisions. Off the sidelines. Away from the field and players.


Draft a number 1 stud QB. And run with it......

Nauhhh, Let's go for that 9-7 season , pray the other NFCE teams suck again, and jump up and down like we have won the Super Bowl after making the playoffs. Then get slaughtered in the first round by Arizona.....

spot on. And you should post more. Totally agree, but then there's the reality thing with the current owner/GM and we are all left returning back to our quasi-depressed state of mind.

 

[Verdict]

When looking into the offseason the case can be made that it is a blessing and a curse that so many holes exist on this team.

On defense, with the exception of the 2 corners due to money and resources, an attempt at an upgrade should be made at the other 9 positions. Yes even Sean Lee because it's apparent now he will not stay healthy.

On offense the only 3 players I would saw are above replacing are Smith, Frederick and Dez. Murray like Lee will miss 2-3 games every year.

Now I don't say all these players NEED to be replaced but the odds are no matter what players we sign in FA or pick in the draft, there's a good chance it will be an upgrade over what we have. So for those who say we HAVE to target the DL, there are so many other needs and holes on this team it's amazing we went 8-8. I think we're actually in a very similar position to the Colts a few years ago when they lost Manning and it showed just how little talent was around the QB.

Now with Romo on his last legs, it's about to be very apparent just how little talent is around him.

I know we have a few holes, but to say that many players need to be replaced is pretty far fetched. You don't win as many games as we did (and could have easily won 3 or 4 more) and have literally nothing on the roster. That is just too far fetched to be taken seriously.

 

[CowboyFan4Eva]

I know we have a few holes, but to say that many players need to be replaced is pretty far fetched. You don't win as many games as we did (and could have easily won 3 or 4 more) and have literally nothing on the roster. That is just too far fetched to be taken seriously.

We have romo. Witten is good. Ware. But those guys are getting older.......
We do have some young guys ...DEZ, lee, tfred, twill, others.....

But I think every position should be up for competetion. And, We desperately need a new attitude.

We play in an underperforming NFCE division. Any other division and this team wouldn't win 6 or 7 games.....maybe the AFCE is just as bad.....? But NE is the clear winner there......

And, we could've easily lost 3 or 4 games that we won....

This team is what it is......8-8. 3 years now......and, It's not getting any better without drastic change in leadership and personnel......

 

[TTexasTT]

17 ???