Cowboys defense for 2015

[Bowdown27]

We have so many of our own guys to resign before I even think about signing other free agents.

 

[xwalker]

Jerry Hughes Jerry Hughes Jerry Hughes . Hometown guy , productive and cheap .

Hughes is interesting. Good sack stats. I pulled up a couple of their games to review him. I was not wowed. They played a 4 man line in the snaps I reviewed but he was standing like a 3-4 LB. I guess it's all about cost.

I also reviewed Carolina and Greg Hardy. He is a Wow player. I don't know what he would cost considering his legal issues.

 

[Bluefin]

Jerry Hughes Jerry Hughes Jerry Hughes . Hometown guy , productive and cheap .

Good pass rushers rarely come cheap in free agency.

If Dallas is interested in Jerry Hughes, they will need to be prepared to overpay for his services if multiple teams enter the bidding.

 

[AmishCowboy]

I wouldn't let McClain get to FA

 

[Bluefin]

We have so many of our own guys to resign before I even think about signing other free agents.

How many unrestricted free agents do you want to keep?

Dez Bryant is a given, long term deal or the Franchise tag.

Rolando McClain, provided it doesn't take crazy money.

Doug Free, if he's reasonable, or Jermey Parnell.

Dwayne Harris, for the right price, but he may want to go elsewhere for more snaps at WR.

Anyone else can come back on minimum deals or they can walk.

 

[KingintheNorth]

Unfortunately his thoughts are more Madden then NFL.

Was this "Madden"?
TJ Ward signed a four year $22.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos on March 11, 2014
DeMarcus Ware signed a three year, $30 million contract with the Denver Broncos on March 12, 2014
Aqib Talib signed a six year, $57 million contract with the Denver Broncos on March 12, 2014
Emmanuel Sanders signed a three year $15 million contract on March 17, 2014


But I can see why you thought signing JPP, KJ Wright, and Chris Culliver was so unbelievable.

 

[big dog cowboy]

We need 2 corners that are fast and that can tackle. We also need a fast safety that can tackle and cover.

Didn't we say that a year ago also?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

If JPP was the guy from 3 years ago it would be impossible to acquire him. I'm not thinking about that version of JPP, I'm thinking of the version that played well against us two weeks ago and beat Tyron Smith several times. Even that recent version is a considerable upgrade from what we have now.

Add DLaw and a #1 pick to the November 2014 version of JPP and you have the pass rush this team is critically missing.

But understand that there is a reason why guys like this are available. They aren't very good. If you can get him for what you got Mincey for than i'm for it. But when I say i'm not for JPP its because I know the price tag will warrant his potential that he showed 3 years ago. IMO, his potential has expired.

JPP is not a very good pass rusher. Its not even comparing him to what he was 3 years ago. The guy simply can't get to the quarterback. What he did against Tyron...i'd credit it more so to a bad day from Tyron than I would a okay day from JPP.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Was this "Madden"?
TJ Ward signed a four year $22.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos on March 11, 2014
DeMarcus Ware signed a three year, $30 million contract with the Denver Broncos on March 12, 2014
Aqib Talib signed a six year, $57 million contract with the Denver Broncos on March 12, 2014
Emmanuel Sanders signed a three year $15 million contract on March 17, 2014


But I can see why you thought signing JPP, KJ Wright, and Chris Culliver was so unbelievable.

And now they are trying to lowball Demariyus Thomas and Julius Thomas. The way they were spending this offseason on older talent I was wondering what they were going to do when some of their younger pieces contracts come up.

 

[big dog cowboy]

JPP is not a very good pass rusher. Its not even comparing him to what he was 3 years ago. The guy simply can't get to the quarterback.

Thank you.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

Good pass rushers rarely come cheap in free agency.

If Dallas is interested in Jerry Hughes, they will need to be prepared to overpay for his services if multiple teams enter the bidding.

i just meant cheap compared to JPP .

 

[ccb04]

Paul Kruger is the starter.

It would seem Jabaal Sheard is best suited for LDE in the 4-3, he had immediate success playing in that front.

And if Dallas in interested, it shouldn't cost much to sign him.

But the bigger need will be looking for a RDE.

Yep...they paid Kruger quite a bit and used the 6th overall pick in 2013 on Barkevious Mingo. Sheard has also been playing with a foot injury, and it was initially believed he'd be done for the year & need surgery.

I like Sheard quite a bit. IIRC, he also played RDE during his first 2 seasons. Think he could play either though.

Some guys I'd be interested in (which others have mentioned).....

- Justin Houston (very likely too expensive)
- Jabaal Sheard
- Jerry Hughes
- JPP (think he could potentially thrive at LDE...but wouldn't overpay)
- Brian Orakpo (on a prove it type of deal given injuries)

Hardy's legal issues & potential cost would seemingly make him a less likely consideration.

Definitely want to see them primarily continue to build through the draft though. Also curious to see what happens with Marinelli at seasons end...and what direction they might go if he were to leave.

 

[jterrell]

They always do.

It will be interesting to see if the team can restrain itself from keeping too many of their own and overpaying to do so.
It seems Dallas has taken a hard line with how much they are willing to pay DeMarco Murray. Will they hold to it?
The Cowboys need to be prudent with these free agents.
It's doubtful either player is interested in taking a huge, multi-year pay cut to remain on the roster.
Brandon Carr is due $27.1M and Henry Melton is due $24M over the next three seasons.
I want to cut the cord and use that money on other players.
I agree about Bruce Carter and Justin Durant.
I'd like to get Rolando McClain locked up prior to free agency if at all possible.
Building through the draft is hugely important, but the edge rush issue is too glaring for the team to wait that long to try and address it.
They've got to do something in free agency.
If Carr is released, I'd like to add a veteran corner at a modest price and hopefully find another one during the draft.
Then we'd have, Orlando Scandrick, Morris Claiborne, Sterling Moore (RFA), Tyler Patmon, veteran FA and a rookie draft pick with some good competition to claim a roster spot between the reserve
He's definitely worth an invite to Valley Ranch to see what it would cost.

They could cut Carr but he'd be cheaper to restructure and his play plus the recent CB market are huge motivations for him to take a simple pay cut.
He's also a really good teammate and locker room guy so has value beyond that he is toast.
He'd be a heck of a lot better with a good safety over the to because he can tackle and play the run.

Melton is interesting because he is a quality player. He'll be cut or renegotiated for sure. That's the way his deal was set up. He probably does get the money now.
I've come full circle and largely because he plays DE now some. I think he has SDE, 3T value and they'll pay him the 9m but as a bonus to spread it over 3-4 years.

After Melton I'd look at Avril or other guys who want to hardcore rush 30-40 snaps a game. We've got some run stuffers in place.
And you can bet we'll continue to draft DL as they really are quite expensive in FA.

I do believe they'll keep a hard line with Murray. RB are short term solutions and by the time they get big money all but a small handful have been going down hill.
They can add a runner through the draft or FA but also could just use Randle and Williams next year. That'd be a boon to the cap.
All that said, hopefully Murray is properly invested in being a Cowboy and running behind that ridiculous OL so returns.

Where I'd have real interest in offensive FA is the right vet WR. A cheaper guy who could compete for WR2/WR3 snaps.

Safety is IMHO the weakest area on the team. Church is a mediocre player and Wilcox is a big hitter. Heath is really fast but not very instinctual(same problem as Bruce Carter).
I'd be looking to add a starter and lead dog there. Value is usually really good in the late r1 area for Safety.

End of the day I think we'll look a lot like this year. NFL teams seldom make wholesale changes and ones that do seldom win anything.
Continuity is very important.

Also players cost the most money the day they sign deals and the day they get cut. It is expensive to rid yourself of players.
See Ratliff, Ware et al.

 

[jterrell]

Yep...they paid Kruger quite a bit and used the 6th overall pick in 2013 on Barkevious Mingo. Sheard has also been playing with a foot injury, and it was initially believed he'd be done for the year & need surgery.

I like Sheard quite a bit. IIRC, he also played RDE during his first 2 seasons. Think he could play either though.

Some guys I'd be interested in (which others have mentioned).....

- Justin Houston (very likely too expensive)
- Jabaal Sheard
- Jerry Hughes
- JPP (think he could potentially thrive at LDE...but wouldn't overpay)
- Brian Orakpo (on a prove it type of deal given injuries)

Hardy's legal issues & potential cost would seemingly make him a less likely consideration.

Definitely want to see them primarily continue to build through the draft though. Also curious to see what happens with Marinelli at seasons end...and what direction they might go if he were to leave.

Sheard is interesting. Problem is he's never been effective. He has great speed, solid size and looks like a pass rusher but 23 sacks for his career is pretty soft. He also can only play weakside here in base defense which means he is a back up to DLaw.
Jerry Hughes will be too expensive. He's like Sheard but more proven as a pass rusher. He'll hit double digit sacks this year and was a terror in college. His issue is injury. Still he's a 40M+ guy.
JP- NYG are desperate for pass rush and DL. They won't give up on JPP unless the money is obscene. He's a 30m+ guy.
Houston is a 3-4 OLB and will get 50 mil+.
Orakpo is Spencer. He's got 100m potential but could have UDFA level play due to injuries. Would love to get him on a make good deal but so would 31 other teams.

Hardy is the most talented of the group and if you want to gamble he's your guy.
He's the Charles Haley of this list.

 

[BlindFaith]

They do it way too often for it not to be part of the scheme. It normally works OK as long as a LB maintains outside leverage but when the LB gets pinned inside then it creates a big opening for the RB.

I don't know if the LB is required to "read" the DE or it they are supposed to know that the DE is crashing down based on the defensive play call.

The tape is Game Rewind from NFL.com.

See 4-3 Under thread.

 

[jterrell]

Was this "Madden"?
TJ Ward signed a four year $22.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos on March 11, 2014
DeMarcus Ware signed a three year, $30 million contract with the Denver Broncos on March 12, 2014
Aqib Talib signed a six year, $57 million contract with the Denver Broncos on March 12, 2014
Emmanuel Sanders signed a three year $15 million contract on March 17, 2014


But I can see why you thought signing JPP, KJ Wright, and Chris Culliver was so unbelievable.

Denver took a Madden approach to win it all this year.
They have a legendary all-time QB and offense so were willing to sell their souls for this title run.

I wasn't trying to offend you but what you suggest and the example you used are extreme outliers.
Dallas has cap issues already and will play it close to the vest again this year.
They aren't going to cut a bunch of guys and make wholesale changes unless they decide to hire new coaching staff.
If they somehow get to the Super Bowl then yes that probably changes.

 

[ccb04]

Sheard is interesting. Problem is he's never been effective. He has great speed, solid size and looks like a pass rusher but 23 sacks for his career is pretty soft. He also can only play weakside here in base defense which means he is a back up to DLaw.
Jerry Hughes will be too expensive. He's like Sheard but more proven as a pass rusher. He'll hit double digit sacks this year and was a terror in college. His issue is injury. Still he's a 40M+ guy.
JP- NYG are desperate for pass rush and DL. They won't give up on JPP unless the money is obscene. He's a 30m+ guy.
Houston is a 3-4 OLB and will get 50 mil+.
Orakpo is Spencer. He's got 100m potential but could have UDFA level play due to injuries. Would love to get him on a make good deal but so would 31 other teams.

Hardy is the most talented of the group and if you want to gamble he's your guy.
He's the Charles Haley of this list.

With Sheard, 15.5 of his 23 sacks came in his first 2 seasons while playing DE. He essentially averaged 55 tackles & 7.5 sacks a year as a rookie & 2nd year player at DE. Sheard may be among the 'more affordable' options with some upside. The Cowboys like to heavily rotate players, and he & Lawrence could potentially form a solid/young tandem at RDE. At 6-4/280, I'd like to see Mincey help replace Spencer & Selvie in a rotation at LDE...possibly with Ben Gardner or a draft pick.

I agree about Hughes. One issue others have brought up regarding his production (and that I somewhat agree with), is that he plays on a talented DL with players like Marcell Dareus (10 sacks), Mario Williams (12 sacks), and Kyle Williams (5 sacks). As it stands now, Hughes is 3rd on the Bills with 9.5 sacks. They all certainly benefit from one another.

Agreed with the Giants & JPP.

As I mentioned in my OP...Houston would likely be far too expensive. Yep, he's been a 3-4 OLB going back to his college days...but he's a very solid pass rusher that has the size (6-3/258), to play DE in the Cowboys scheme.

On the money on Orakpo.

Would love to add Greg Hardy's talent...but not his troubles. Of course, it's those troubles that would/will make him available.

 

[jterrell]

With Sheard, 15.5 of his 23 sacks came in his first 2 seasons while playing DE. He essentially averaged 55 tackles & 7.5 sacks a year as a rookie & 2nd year player at DE. Sheard may be among the 'more affordable' options with some upside. The Cowboys like to heavily rotate players, and he & Lawrence could potentially form a solid/young tandem at RDE. At 6-4/280, I'd like to see Mincey help replace Spencer & Selvie in a rotation at LDE...possibly with Ben Gardner or a draft pick.

I agree about Hughes. One issue others have brought up regarding his production (and that I somewhat agree with), is that he plays on a talented DL with players like Marcell Dareus (10 sacks), Mario Williams (12 sacks), and Kyle Williams (5 sacks). As it stands now, Hughes is 3rd on the Bills with 9.5 sacks. They all certainly benefit from one another.

Agreed with the Giants & JPP.

As I mentioned in my OP...Houston would likely be far too expensive. Yep, he's been a 3-4 OLB going back to his college days...but he's a very solid pass rusher that has the size (6-3/258), to play DE in the Cowboys scheme.

On the money on Orakpo.

Would love to add Greg Hardy's talent...but not his troubles. Of course, it's those troubles that would/will make him available.

Sheard's numbers have trailed off 4 straight years.
That is a major concern.
If he was gonna be cheap he'd already be extended but the Browns have shelved those talks a couple times and now benched him.
He apparently only feels comfortable on the LE side but he's weak versus the run.

He is a young guy so he has some upside but those early positive number years where for really bad teams where he was a high draft pick and defaulted a starting gig.

In the end it's about the money.
Rosenhaus is usually(read always) out for biggest bucks.

 

[ccb04]

Sheard's numbers have trailed off 4 straight years.
That is a major concern.
If he was gonna be cheap he'd already be extended but the Browns have shelved those talks a couple times and now benched him.
He apparently only feels comfortable on the LE side but he's weak versus the run.

He is a young guy so he has some upside but those early positive number years where for really bad teams where he was a high draft pick and defaulted a starting gig.

In the end it's about the money.
Rosenhaus is usually(read always) out for biggest bucks.

He spent last season making the transition to 3-4 OLB & had 5.5 sacks while rotating with 1st round pick Barkevious Mingo on the right side. He also missed 3 games in 2013, thus further hampering his production. Former Browns DC Ray Horton said he could play on both sides in the 3-4...and he initially was working on the left side, before switching back to the right side. Kruger starts on the left side.

As mentioned, he's been rotating with Mingo since they went to the 3-4. Additionally, he recently sustained a foot injury that they initially thought would end his season, but it turned out he didn't need surgery & returned. He's not benched, but rather on a snap count in a rotation with Mingo. And he has been one of the few players for them that's been decent vs. the run, as the team as a whole has struggled.

Personally, I see producing on really bad teams as a positive. Despite talent lacking around him...he had 55 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles while starting on the right side as a rookie. In his 2nd season, he had 55 tackles & 7 sacks. In other words, his production wasn't coming on the coat tails of others.

I agree about Rosenhaus. And while I don't think he'll come 'cheap'...he may not command what some of the other pass rushers might. Injuries & a position change have indeed hampered his production over the past 2 seasons, and that may factor into things. In addition to contracts received by guys like Avril, Bennett, etc...who had more production on their resumes.

As far as Cleveland is concerned...not sure he's ever been in their long-term plans. While the Browns did have initial contract talks, they paid Kruger quite a bit of money to play LOLB...and drafted Barkevious Mingo with the 6th overall pick in 2013 to play on the right side. Not to mention...he was more productive in the 4-3 at DE.

In the end...he's not a guy I'd wrap up significant/elite cap money in. Then again, I could say that about pretty much all of the free agent pass rushers. However, If a decent contract could be reached...I think he & Lawrence could potentially be a solid/young tandem at RDE.

 

[BigStar]

That was one of my takeaways from yesterday, if Crawford keeps up this level of play it likely means Melton won't be back. There were moments when you could see Melton's option being exercised but that looks very doubtful now - and if Crawford stays at this level Melton will want to go to a guaranteed starting spot and Dallas won't want to pay a lot for a part time player. I'd like to see Melton come back on a make-good contract identical to the one he signed this year but I can't see that happening now.

For the other moves, I'd love to see a DE like JPP, along with high draft picks at DE and CB.

1 Tech will be better next year with Brent, Bishop and maybe Okoye.

I think Carr restructures his contract down but stays on the team. He has been inconsistent but there aren't a lot of quality CBs in the game and fewer that are available in the offseason. Prefer to go with a draft pick here too but understand a mid range vet to compete with Claiborne would really assist in revamping the group as well (only so many picks and this teams track record post rd 3 is rancid).

Getting an aging veteran to play Nickel FS in centerfield will also help this team quite a bit for a reasonable hit on the salary cap.

I think the LBs next year are McClain, Sean Lee and the winner of Durant/Hitchens competing.

The crying need on this team is a pass rush and if you add a FA, a high draft pick and get improvement from DeMarcus Lawrence you will be OK. Just like the DT's this year, moving Mincey. Selvie and maybe Spencer to backup roles will help the team considerably by having OK starters turned into quality backups.

This looks realistic and maybe outside of a Kyle Wilson type player @ cb (only if moderate contract) and cutting Carr would be preferable. I know the team left that option open to them by intentionally not re-negotiating his contract during the "round up" restructures this past off season though it would have provided added relief.
JPP could really thrive if he regains to form and believe he likes playing in the spotlight but again only for modest prove it type of deal (name recognition alone probably won't allow that to happen unfortunately).
Agree with the LBs but would let Durant leave in FA with Hitchens showing potential and team likely needing every million. I would like to move on from Church if possible to allow Wilcox to switch over, or sign/draft a rangy coverage FS to get away from the consistent SS/SS backfields that have been on poor display the last several years. Edge rushers should definitely take priority next year in the draft (why does the team usually draft only one @ a need position and call it a day...gotta get that 5 WR). I see Lawrence as an ideal SE in this scheme after gaining some weight. I don't want to judge him too harshly seeing as his lack of burst could easily be related to his leg injury (well dur )