News: Cowboys 2016 Free Agency: Five Defensive Ends Still Available That Dallas Should Explore

CCBoy

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Cowboys 2016 Free Agency: Five Defensive Ends Still Available That Dallas Should Explore
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...ency-five-defensive-ends-still-available-that




The Dallas Cowboys have been minimal players in free agency and this has been discussed many times over. Whether it's the right move or not is still up for debate, but it was generally known they wouldn't get into bidding wars - Stephen Jones pretty much told the fanbase a few weeks ago this would be the case. Still, one area where it was thought they might spend some money was at defensive end. They never did get involved to any degree on the big names and they sat out the second wave. Now that we're down to bargain time in the NFL free agency period, could the Cowboys finally make some moves? If so, here are five targets to bolster their defensive line rotation, mainly at defensive end.

1. Jack Crawford (Dallas) - The news has been very quiet in regards to the Cowboys free agent. He hasn't been linked to any other team and hasn't been re-singed by the Cowboys. Crawford may never be a starter on a consistent basis, but he is an excellent rotational guy who could end up playing multiple positions, as he has already done for Dallas. This one makes the most sense, a player the Cowboys know, who knows the defense and is a solid contributor.

2. O'Brien Schofield (Atlanta) - It was reported early on in free agency that Dallas had an interest in the hybrid strong-side linebacker/rush defensive end. When Dallas made their switch to a 4-3 defense, it was said they wanted to emulate the Seattle Seahawks. Schofield is a former Seahawk and his old team is reportedly interested in bringing him back. He also hasn't ruled out the Falcons, but he's waiting for the right deal. Dallas could get in on the negotiations and utilize him as a hand up strong-side linebacker against the run, and a hand down pass rusher against the pass. Something they tried intermittently with Kyle Wilber.

3. Mike Neal (Packers) - Very similar to the Schofield description above. He played an outside linebacker role in the Packers 3-4 but could make the switch to hand down defensive end. Neal is also being looked at by the Seahawks who are trying to fill the role that Bruce Irvin used to play for them...
 

KingintheNorth

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Yikes...
ScrapingBottomofBarrel.jpg
 

erod

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Isn't Julius Peppers out there, too? Not saying I want him, but I think he's there.
 

qlaz2000

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Jerry did not go after a DE on purpose so that he can have an excuse to get Hardy. To me Hardy is the best DE on the market and easily a top 10 DE in the league. He doesn't have to be a choir boy in my book. We knew his baggage when we signed him last year and nothing changed but some pictures that came out.

Hardy will be a Cowboy on a 1-2 year deal and he will post 10+ sacks....
 

Doc50

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Jerry did not go after a DE on purpose so that he can have an excuse to get Hardy. To me Hardy is the best DE on the market and easily a top 10 DE in the league. He doesn't have to be a choir boy in my book. We knew his baggage when we signed him last year and nothing changed but some pictures that came out.

Hardy will be a Cowboy on a 1-2 year deal and he will post 10+ sacks....

He would not have been signed if he hadn't agreed to clean up his act......which he was unable to do.
I don't think he got a "confrontation with coaches and teammates" clause in his contract, nor was there a bonus for disrespect and anger mismanagement.
 

qlaz2000

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He would not have been signed if he hadn't agreed to clean up his act......which he was unable to do.
I don't think he got a "confrontation with coaches and teammates" clause in his contract, nor was there a bonus for disrespect and anger mismanagement.

Just play football. there are over 2000 different personalities in the NFL, some who are worst than Hardy. Pretty much what I see is Hardy being blackballed. Their are others players who have DUI's, manslaughter charges, drug use and all kinds of other charges against them but are still in the league. Hardy made a mistake and I know he regrets it, I don't know this is a tricky situation. I say sign him for another year if we don't I will not cry but as of right now he gives our D the best change to improve.
 

Kaiser

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Jerry did not go after a DE on purpose so that he can have an excuse to get Hardy. To me Hardy is the best DE on the market and easily a top 10 DE in the league. He doesn't have to be a choir boy in my book. We knew his baggage when we signed him last year and nothing changed but some pictures that came out.

Hardy will be a Cowboy on a 1-2 year deal and he will post 10+ sacks....

I agree, but knowledgeable posters like CASmith said the word was Hardy quit giving 100% when the team started losing badly. It would explain the dropoff in production at the end of the season. If that is true, the team could have decided they are going to move on from Hardy no matter what.

But its clear the best outcome for Hardy is another one year, incentive based contract. With the FA market playing out this way and depending on the team's draft board, you could see a situation where bringing Hardy back and having to light a fire under his behind is a much better option. Given how he played prior to last year, I think its a good gamble he reverts to his previous form.
 

tm1119

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Hardy it is...

Crawford, Jason Jones Mike Neal, and Schofield are all serviceable role players, but I'd only be happy if we signed at least 2 of them.

Crawford and Neal + a 2nd round pick (Carl Nassib) be enough?
 

egn22

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What about Dwight Freeney what's going on w him?
 
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I agree, but knowledgeable posters like CASmith said the word was Hardy quit giving 100% when the team started losing badly. It would explain the dropoff in production at the end of the season. If that is true, the team could have decided they are going to move on from Hardy no matter what.

But its clear the best outcome for Hardy is another one year, incentive based contract. With the FA market playing out this way and depending on the team's draft board, you could see a situation where bringing Hardy back and having to light a fire under his behind is a much better option. Given how he played prior to last year, I think its a good gamble he reverts to his previous form.

It was a tumultuous year for Hardy filld with hyper-scrutiny and criticism. Then he's on a new team that was supposedly playoff ready and the wheels fell off. I was depressed and I wasn't even out there.

Maybe he could return to form this year,,,
 

CCBoy

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At least he wasn't a sex offender and he surely couldn't be as much a locker room drain as was TO...
 

65fastback2plus2

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I agree, but knowledgeable posters like CASmith said the word was Hardy quit giving 100% when the team started losing badly. It would explain the dropoff in production at the end of the season. If that is true, the team could have decided they are going to move on from Hardy no matter what.

I dont blame hardy...heck I quit on the team at 9 losses myself too.
 

CCBoy

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8 sacks in 11 games last season w the cardinals. We aren't exactly in a position to be picky

I think the team is hedging the free agency list, with journeymen still having a strong youth to their pictures.
 

gimmesix

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8 sacks in 11 games last season w the cardinals. We aren't exactly in a position to be picky

He's the rotation player I'd consider, but I think he is simply sitting back looking for the right deal ... from what I've read. And we seem wary about paying players over 30.
 

Hoofbite

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Jerry did not go after a DE on purpose so that he can have an excuse to get Hardy. To me Hardy is the best DE on the market and easily a top 10 DE in the league. He doesn't have to be a choir boy in my book. We knew his baggage when we signed him last year and nothing changed but some pictures that came out.

Hardy will be a Cowboy on a 1-2 year deal and he will post 10+ sacks....

Last year he was Top 5.

If Dallas gives him another chance to disappoint, maybe next year he'll be Top 20.
 
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