Cowboys 2022: The Fix

[Gaede]

Ceedee isn’t built to play the Deebo role. You use TP for that role and put him on the field at same time as a healthy Zeke.

It's perplexing that they have Zeke run routes more than TP. Pollard was basically half receiver in college. It's one of the reasons we drafted him!

 

[Brax]

Like it or not, the Cowboys are not going far until they get a consistent running game.

The defense was good enough if the Offense had shown up vs the 49ers.

Plan Summary:
- Center @ about 2-years, 20M.
- Option of 2 TEs that will be drafted somewhere between the Cowboys 1st and 2nd round picks.
- Coaches that are available.

Hire the 49ers assistant Offensive Line coach...the 49ers have 3 OL coaches...
- The 2 assistant OL coaches have both been OL coaches in college.
- My top choice would be Bill Callahan, but he is the Browns OL coach now.
- The best year for the Cowboys OL in 2 decades was 2014 with Callahan.
- The Cowboys ran a zone blocking scheme in 2016 when Zeke was at his best.
- They run both zone/man now, but not the same outside zone focused scheme as back then.

Alternate Option: Hire ex Rams OL coach Aaron Kromer.
- He was their OL coach when their running game dominated in 2018.

Sign OC Ryan Jensen in free agency.
- Age 31. Pro Bowl this season.
- Alternates: Ben Jones, Corey Linsley
- Cheap Alternate: Nick Martin (Not highly rated, but...)

Move La'el Collins to LG
- Steele is much better at RT than LT.
- Collins does not appear to be an option at LT.
- Tyron's injury issue was not his back/neck.

Draft TE Trey McBride or Jalen Wydermyer.
- Both are considered good blockers and elite receiving TEs.

Sign TE Robert Tonyan (Packers)
- Should not be expensive...coming off a knee injury.
- At least as good receiving as Schultz/Jarwin and a better run blocker than either.
- Alternate option: TE Marcedes Lewis.
- Lewis is old (37) but still a quality blocker and better receiver than blocking TEs like Blake Bell.

Spend some legit time in the offseason designing/practicing plays with CeeDee at RB.
- See 2021: Deebo Samuel & Cordarrelle Patterson
- Having a legit WR in the backfield forces a decision by defenses.
- With Deebo in the backfield, the Cowboys often had Diggs designated to cover him.
- That basically makes Diggs a Strong Safety vs the run which is not good.
- Yes, Deebo is a thicker player. Pre-Draft Deebo 5-11, 214. CeeDee 6-2, 198, but...

Draft a RB before the 5th round.
- Don't let having Zeke on the roster prevent drafting one.
- 2022 is highly likely Zeke's final year with the Cowboys.
- Zeke's salary is guaranteed in 2022.
- Pollard will be a free agent after 2022.

Draft a big, athletic WR in the mid/late rounds.
- Consider a run after catch WR that can plays snaps at RB.

Draft a Left Tackle prospect.
- Don't force a pick, but if a High Upside player is near-BPA at some point, then draft him.

Hire Vic Fangio to replace D-Coordinator Dan Quinn (assuming Quinn becomes a Head Coach).
- He is a proven NFL D-Coordinator and unlikely to get signed away as a Head Coach in the future.

There's only one major change needed a new HC, the one now in charge is just as bad as the last.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

So copy a 49ers team that barely made the playoffs? Also, our defense is nowhere near San Fran’s.

Here’s my plan:

1. Fire GM
2. Fire coaches
3. Draft defense
4. Sign veteran OL(s)

 

[Hawkeye19]

Like it or not, the Cowboys are not going far until they get a consistent running game.

The defense was good enough if the Offense had shown up vs the 49ers.

Plan Summary:
- Center @ about 2-years, 20M.
- Option of 2 TEs that will be drafted somewhere between the Cowboys 1st and 2nd round picks.
- Coaches that are available.

Hire the 49ers assistant Offensive Line coach...the 49ers have 3 OL coaches...
- The 2 assistant OL coaches have both been OL coaches in college.
- My top choice would be Bill Callahan, but he is the Browns OL coach now.
- The best year for the Cowboys OL in 2 decades was 2014 with Callahan.
- The Cowboys ran a zone blocking scheme in 2016 when Zeke was at his best.
- They run both zone/man now, but not the same outside zone focused scheme as back then.

Alternate Option: Hire ex Rams OL coach Aaron Kromer.
- He was their OL coach when their running game dominated in 2018.

Sign OC Ryan Jensen in free agency.
- Age 31. Pro Bowl this season.
- Alternates: Ben Jones, Corey Linsley
- Cheap Alternate: Nick Martin (Not highly rated, but...)

Move La'el Collins to LG
- Steele is much better at RT than LT.
- Collins does not appear to be an option at LT.
- Tyron's injury issue was not his back/neck.

Draft TE Trey McBride or Jalen Wydermyer.
- Both are considered good blockers and elite receiving TEs.

Sign TE Robert Tonyan (Packers)
- Should not be expensive...coming off a knee injury.
- At least as good receiving as Schultz/Jarwin and a better run blocker than either.
- Alternate option: TE Marcedes Lewis.
- Lewis is old (37) but still a quality blocker and better receiver than blocking TEs like Blake Bell.

Spend some legit time in the offseason designing/practicing plays with CeeDee at RB.
- See 2021: Deebo Samuel & Cordarrelle Patterson
- Having a legit WR in the backfield forces a decision by defenses.
- With Deebo in the backfield, the Cowboys often had Diggs designated to cover him.
- That basically makes Diggs a Strong Safety vs the run which is not good.
- Yes, Deebo is a thicker player. Pre-Draft Deebo 5-11, 214. CeeDee 6-2, 198, but...

Draft a RB before the 5th round.
- Don't let having Zeke on the roster prevent drafting one.
- 2022 is highly likely Zeke's final year with the Cowboys.
- Zeke's salary is guaranteed in 2022.
- Pollard will be a free agent after 2022.

Draft a big, athletic WR in the mid/late rounds.
- Consider a run after catch WR that can plays snaps at RB.

Draft a Left Tackle prospect.
- Don't force a pick, but if a High Upside player is near-BPA at some point, then draft him.

Hire Vic Fangio to replace D-Coordinator Dan Quinn (assuming Quinn becomes a Head Coach).
- He is a proven NFL D-Coordinator and unlikely to get signed away as a Head Coach in the future.

Nice post! I love that your plan addresses C and blocking TE. Both areas were liabilities this year. And if we want to run the ball more effectively— we need to upgrade both of those positions for sure

Not sure about moving La’El to LG. I like Steele at swing tackle. I think we should invest a pick in a LG. At #24 we should be able to acquire a decent OG prospect. Or we sign a G in FA and go after C at #24. Either way— we need to shore up the middle of the OL.

I would go after Fangio as well. The DC from Balt is out there now as well. I think either guy would be able to grow the D with Parsons.

 

[Jarv]

No……pollard is our Debo Samuel.

but I’m all for give lamb more of a role.

Do you think we'll resign Pollard? What's a fair contract?

 

[Zordon]

You wasted a lot of time and effort: if the word “Jerry” is not part of all that typing then it ain’t fixing the problem.

I NEVER read more than a paragraph. When I see long drawn out posts, I keep on scrolling.

Be better posters.

When someone writes out a well thought out post like OP and provides us proactive suggestions/fixes please don't muck up the thread with bottom of the barrel low IQ replies.

 

[charron]

Doesn't address the accountability issue. Be it a real GM or HC someone needs the ability to hold coaches and players accountable. The emphasis should be put on whatever it takes to win, cut, bench, add whatever player or coach is needed to win and not wait till the off-season to make a move or change.

 

[Batman1980]

Need a consistent Oline to have a consistent running game. It's a no brainer.Lol. I NEVER read more than a paragraph. When I see long drawn out posts, I keep on scrolling.

You still need runningbacks who can create when there's no hole and can break one when the blocking is there. Zeke is no longer that player.

 

[glimmerman]

Yep.
#1 - FIRE THE O-LINE COACH AND HIRE A NEW ONE THAT POWER BLOCKS.

Offense….Get the O-Line on track and draft some linemen. We always grab a RB and QB in later rounds. Williams can go. We need to do something at WR unless Wilson can be the next Gallup. Cooper is disappointing but nobody will pick up his contract. Turner may step up..

Defense….Grab a LB if a good one falls to us. I see Gregory leaving and Parsons stepping up. We will need a safety and I think our Defense will be ok..

ST….. Get me a kicker and see about signing our punter..

We need a solid great draft. Maybe have to move around..

 

[Aven8]

Like it or not, the Cowboys are not going far until they get a consistent running game.

The defense was good enough if the Offense had shown up vs the 49ers.

Plan Summary:
- Center @ about 2-years, 20M.
- Option of 2 TEs that will be drafted somewhere between the Cowboys 1st and 2nd round picks.
- Coaches that are available.

Hire the 49ers assistant Offensive Line coach...the 49ers have 3 OL coaches...
- The 2 assistant OL coaches have both been OL coaches in college.
- My top choice would be Bill Callahan, but he is the Browns OL coach now.
- The best year for the Cowboys OL in 2 decades was 2014 with Callahan.
- The Cowboys ran a zone blocking scheme in 2016 when Zeke was at his best.
- They run both zone/man now, but not the same outside zone focused scheme as back then.

Alternate Option: Hire ex Rams OL coach Aaron Kromer.
- He was their OL coach when their running game dominated in 2018.

Sign OC Ryan Jensen in free agency.
- Age 31. Pro Bowl this season.
- Alternates: Ben Jones, Corey Linsley
- Cheap Alternate: Nick Martin (Not highly rated, but...)

Move La'el Collins to LG
- Steele is much better at RT than LT.
- Collins does not appear to be an option at LT.
- Tyron's injury issue was not his back/neck.

Draft TE Trey McBride or Jalen Wydermyer.
- Both are considered good blockers and elite receiving TEs.

Sign TE Robert Tonyan (Packers)
- Should not be expensive...coming off a knee injury.
- At least as good receiving as Schultz/Jarwin and a better run blocker than either.
- Alternate option: TE Marcedes Lewis.
- Lewis is old (37) but still a quality blocker and better receiver than blocking TEs like Blake Bell.

Spend some legit time in the offseason designing/practicing plays with CeeDee at RB.
- See 2021: Deebo Samuel & Cordarrelle Patterson
- Having a legit WR in the backfield forces a decision by defenses.
- With Deebo in the backfield, the Cowboys often had Diggs designated to cover him.
- That basically makes Diggs a Strong Safety vs the run which is not good.
- Yes, Deebo is a thicker player. Pre-Draft Deebo 5-11, 214. CeeDee 6-2, 198, but...

Draft a RB before the 5th round.
- Don't let having Zeke on the roster prevent drafting one.
- 2022 is highly likely Zeke's final year with the Cowboys.
- Zeke's salary is guaranteed in 2022.
- Pollard will be a free agent after 2022.

Draft a big, athletic WR in the mid/late rounds.
- Consider a run after catch WR that can plays snaps at RB.

Draft a Left Tackle prospect.
- Don't force a pick, but if a High Upside player is near-BPA at some point, then draft him.

Hire Vic Fangio to replace D-Coordinator Dan Quinn (assuming Quinn becomes a Head Coach).
- He is a proven NFL D-Coordinator and unlikely to get signed away as a Head Coach in the future.

I love the plan X but who is our OC and calling these imaginative plays?

 

[xwalker]

I love the plan X but who is our OC and calling these imaginative plays?

Cooper said that they only run plays that they practiced that week.
- He implied that those plays are a relatively small sub-set of the playbook.

To me, that points to either dumb players or issues with assistant coaches not getting it done.
- Head Coaches and Offensive Coordinators take that approach when they don't think players can execute the full playbook.

I think Kellen Moore is a good (not great) play caller for passing plays; however,...
- He appears to leave the design of run plays to someone else.
- A great offense needs run & pass plays that complement each other.

CeeDee Lamb has great ability, but I'm not sure about his route running prowess.
- Wilson, a far less physically talented player, appears to be a better route runner and smarter player.

Dak really needs what Romo had in Witten.
- Schultz only got open because KM schemed him open or when defenses over-focused on the Cowboys WRs.
- Witten could get himself open on a consistent basis.
- Also, the lack of blocking ability by both Schultz and Jarwin is a huge limitation.

 

[Creeper]

Like it or not, the Cowboys are not going far until they get a consistent running game.

The defense was good enough if the Offense had shown up vs the 49ers.

Plan Summary:
- Center @ about 2-years, 20M.
- Option of 2 TEs that will be drafted somewhere between the Cowboys 1st and 2nd round picks.
- Coaches that are available.

Hire the 49ers assistant Offensive Line coach...the 49ers have 3 OL coaches...
- The 2 assistant OL coaches have both been OL coaches in college.
- My top choice would be Bill Callahan, but he is the Browns OL coach now.
- The best year for the Cowboys OL in 2 decades was 2014 with Callahan.
- The Cowboys ran a zone blocking scheme in 2016 when Zeke was at his best.
- They run both zone/man now, but not the same outside zone focused scheme as back then.

Alternate Option: Hire ex Rams OL coach Aaron Kromer.
- He was their OL coach when their running game dominated in 2018.

Sign OC Ryan Jensen in free agency.
- Age 31. Pro Bowl this season.
- Alternates: Ben Jones, Corey Linsley
- Cheap Alternate: Nick Martin (Not highly rated, but...)

Move La'el Collins to LG
- Steele is much better at RT than LT.
- Collins does not appear to be an option at LT.
- Tyron's injury issue was not his back/neck.

Draft TE Trey McBride or Jalen Wydermyer.
- Both are considered good blockers and elite receiving TEs.

Sign TE Robert Tonyan (Packers)
- Should not be expensive...coming off a knee injury.
- At least as good receiving as Schultz/Jarwin and a better run blocker than either.
- Alternate option: TE Marcedes Lewis.
- Lewis is old (37) but still a quality blocker and better receiver than blocking TEs like Blake Bell.

Spend some legit time in the offseason designing/practicing plays with CeeDee at RB.
- See 2021: Deebo Samuel & Cordarrelle Patterson
- Having a legit WR in the backfield forces a decision by defenses.
- With Deebo in the backfield, the Cowboys often had Diggs designated to cover him.
- That basically makes Diggs a Strong Safety vs the run which is not good.
- Yes, Deebo is a thicker player. Pre-Draft Deebo 5-11, 214. CeeDee 6-2, 198, but...

Draft a RB before the 5th round.
- Don't let having Zeke on the roster prevent drafting one.
- 2022 is highly likely Zeke's final year with the Cowboys.
- Zeke's salary is guaranteed in 2022.
- Pollard will be a free agent after 2022.

Draft a big, athletic WR in the mid/late rounds.
- Consider a run after catch WR that can plays snaps at RB.

Draft a Left Tackle prospect.
- Don't force a pick, but if a High Upside player is near-BPA at some point, then draft him.

Hire Vic Fangio to replace D-Coordinator Dan Quinn (assuming Quinn becomes a Head Coach).
- He is a proven NFL D-Coordinator and unlikely to get signed away as a Head Coach in the future.

I like the plan, but anywhere you suggest signing a FA I know it will probably not happen unless Jerry changes his thinking or the FA will sign for under $3 million. Also I agree with trying to move Collins back to LG, but I would draft a backup plan just in case that does not work out as expected. I do know this team will not be good enough until they fix the problems at LG and C. I have not given up on Biadasz just yet. He was basically a rookie this year after playing only a little last year. But I think think he improved in some areas over the course of the year so maybe he will be better next year.

Changing the offensive strategy to a more balanced game plan is essential because it takes the weight of the team off Dak. Now, who is going to tell Dak to stop changing plays from runs to passes at the LOS?

 

[xwalker]

Doesn't address the accountability issue. Be it a real GM or HC someone needs the ability to hold coaches and players accountable. The emphasis should be put on whatever it takes to win, cut, bench, add whatever player or coach is needed to win and not wait till the off-season to make a move or change.

Who could they have benched?

Maybe Zeke, but I think the team saw his issues as injury related, not lack of effort.

They held La'el accountable by not immediately making him the starter when he returned from suspension.

They cut Jaylon.

They benched Connor Williams when he had too many penalties.

Gregory's snap count percentage in contested games ranged from 43% to 74%.
- i.e. They didn't just automatically give him a majority of the snaps.
- They moved Anae to the practice squad when he screwed up.
- When Nickel CB Lewis gave up a big play, they brought in Joseph to replace him.
- They reduced Kazee's snap count in games when Wilson was available.
- Kazee's snaps were further reduced when both Wilson and Hooker were available.

Cooper played a season low 34% of snaps after missing 2 games with Covid.
- He was off 17 days. I don't think his snap count was reduced due to the illness.

 

[Cowboyny]

Plan should be first about hiring a successful OL Coach, not keeping MM's friend in charge. As for the personnel side, have to address 3 positions: Center, LG, TE. Expectation is 2 can be upgraded, where the 3rd probably has to come in house.

 

[FiveSuperBowls]

Like it or not, the Cowboys are not going far until they get a consistent running game.

The defense was good enough if the Offense had shown up vs the 49ers.

Plan Summary:
- Center @ about 2-years, 20M.
- Option of 2 TEs that will be drafted somewhere between the Cowboys 1st and 2nd round picks.
- Coaches that are available.

Hire the 49ers assistant Offensive Line coach...the 49ers have 3 OL coaches...
- The 2 assistant OL coaches have both been OL coaches in college.
- My top choice would be Bill Callahan, but he is the Browns OL coach now.
- The best year for the Cowboys OL in 2 decades was 2014 with Callahan.
- The Cowboys ran a zone blocking scheme in 2016 when Zeke was at his best.
- They run both zone/man now, but not the same outside zone focused scheme as back then.

Alternate Option: Hire ex Rams OL coach Aaron Kromer.
- He was their OL coach when their running game dominated in 2018.

Sign OC Ryan Jensen in free agency.
- Age 31. Pro Bowl this season.
- Alternates: Ben Jones, Corey Linsley
- Cheap Alternate: Nick Martin (Not highly rated, but...)

Move La'el Collins to LG
- Steele is much better at RT than LT.
- Collins does not appear to be an option at LT.
- Tyron's injury issue was not his back/neck.

Draft TE Trey McBride or Jalen Wydermyer.
- Both are considered good blockers and elite receiving TEs.

Sign TE Robert Tonyan (Packers)
- Should not be expensive...coming off a knee injury.
- At least as good receiving as Schultz/Jarwin and a better run blocker than either.
- Alternate option: TE Marcedes Lewis.
- Lewis is old (37) but still a quality blocker and better receiver than blocking TEs like Blake Bell.

Spend some legit time in the offseason designing/practicing plays with CeeDee at RB.
- See 2021: Deebo Samuel & Cordarrelle Patterson
- Having a legit WR in the backfield forces a decision by defenses.
- With Deebo in the backfield, the Cowboys often had Diggs designated to cover him.
- That basically makes Diggs a Strong Safety vs the run which is not good.
- Yes, Deebo is a thicker player. Pre-Draft Deebo 5-11, 214. CeeDee 6-2, 198, but...

Draft a RB before the 5th round.
- Don't let having Zeke on the roster prevent drafting one.
- 2022 is highly likely Zeke's final year with the Cowboys.
- Zeke's salary is guaranteed in 2022.
- Pollard will be a free agent after 2022.

Draft a big, athletic WR in the mid/late rounds.
- Consider a run after catch WR that can plays snaps at RB.

Draft a Left Tackle prospect.
- Don't force a pick, but if a High Upside player is near-BPA at some point, then draft him.

Hire Vic Fangio to replace D-Coordinator Dan Quinn (assuming Quinn becomes a Head Coach).
- He is a proven NFL D-Coordinator and unlikely to get signed away as a Head Coach in the future.

I like it. What about the plan for the defense?

 

[MaineBoy]

Be better posters.

When someone writes out a well thought out post like OP and provides us proactive suggestions/fixes please don't muck up the thread with bottom of the barrel low IQ replies.

so quantity equals quality in your eyes huh ? Excuse us for having an opinion, hater.

 

[xwalker]

I like the plan, but anywhere you suggest signing a FA I know it will probably not happen unless Jerry changes his thinking or the FA will sign for under $3 million. Also I agree with trying to move Collins back to LG, but I would draft a backup plan just in case that does not work out as expected. I do know this team will not be good enough until they fix the problems at LG and C. I have not given up on Biadasz just yet. He was basically a rookie this year after playing only a little last year. But I think think he improved in some areas over the course of the year so maybe he will be better next year.

Changing the offensive strategy to a more balanced game plan is essential because it takes the weight of the team off Dak. Now, who is going to tell Dak to stop changing plays from runs to passes at the LOS?

My primary point was to show how the team could have a fairly drastic improvement with minimal changes.

Yes, I don't actually expect them to sign a free agent at the cost level of Ryan Jensen; although...
- They did give Greg Zuerlein a 7.5M contract.
- They paid Neal 4M for 2021 when they knew he would be a part time player.

Interior OL tend to be the best bargains in free agency and the worst value in the draft.
- i.e. Draft picks are cap management investments.
- When you draft an interior OL and he becomes a starter on a rookie contract, you save the cost of a veteran starter.
- If that pick was a pass rusher, OT, WR, etc.., then the team saves more by not paying a veteran starter at those positions.

• Example:
  • Zack Martin: 14M APY
  • Joey Bosa: 27M APY
  • TJ Watt: 28M APY

• For more recent contracts than Martin:
  • OC Frank Ragnow: 13.5M APY (He is considered a top 3 OC, and ranked #1 by some).
  • Top Interior OL contract: 16M APY (signed in 2021)

• Conclusion:
  • "Buy" Interior OLinemen in Free Agency
  • Draft Pass Rushers, WRs, LTs, CBs

 

[xwalker]

I like it. What about the plan for the defense?

It was at the end of the OP:

Hire Vic Fangio to replace D-Coordinator Dan Quinn (assuming Quinn becomes a Head Coach).
- He is a proven NFL D-Coordinator and unlikely to get signed away as a Head Coach in the future.

If they re-sign the players that they want to keep on defense, then they have a quality defensive roster.
- Obviously we always want improvements, however,...
- If they keep Gregory/Kearse/LVE, then additions in the draft are a bonus.
- Gallimore looks like the real deal. I'm sure that he was less than 100% when he returned this season.
- If Gallimore comes out of training camp fully healthy, then the DT position looks decent.
- Odighi in his 2nd season should be even better than this year.
- Hill is better than the average 4th DT on other teams.

 

[charron]

Who could they have benched?

Maybe Zeke, but I think the team saw his issues as injury related, not lack of effort.

They held La'el accountable by not immediately making him the starter when he returned from suspension.

They cut Jaylon.

They benched Connor Williams when he had too many penalties.

Gregory's snap count percentage in contested games ranged from 43% to 74%.
- i.e. They didn't just automatically give him a majority of the snaps.
- They moved Anae to the practice squad when he screwed up.
- When Nickel CB Lewis gave up a big play, they brought in Joseph to replace him.
- They reduced Kazee's snap count in games when Wilson was available.
- Kazee's snaps were further reduced when both Wilson and Hooker were available.

Cooper played a season low 34% of snaps after missing 2 games with Covid.
- He was off 17 days. I don't think his snap count was reduced due to the illness.

Yes Zeke.

Seems Quinn did a good job playing guys based on performance and or based on ability. But it was the exact opposite for the offense. According to coop both starting receivers were barely able to run yet they don't give anyone else a shot till games out of reach. Doubt most people would honestly say Zeke doesn't give 110%, but effort isn't his issue. Our offense for the last 12 years has been just run the same guys out there regardless of injuries or who's actually producing. Maybe I expected Mike to help more when the offense struggles, that's my bad.

 

[xwalker]

Do you think we'll resign Pollard? What's a fair contract?

Pollard is under contract for 2022.