Cowboys need to stop faking, let Will McClay do his job in free agency

[gmoney112]

They are all related. Marinelli's track record is that he can command a great defense with veteran talent. He hasn't been good at developing young talent. Therefore, if the Cowboys want to have a good defense, they need to stop listening to Marinelli about which players in the draft he can turn into big talents, and just give him the already proven talent.

If Marinelli is the one making decisions on draft personnel, then McClay is free to walk. That's his job.

I guarantee you he's not the one saying Rod's making his decisions for him.

 

[AsthmaField]

I'm not as low on the DT situation as some others. Actually I think it's a decent group.

DE is a "car-wreck".

I agree that the DT's are pretty solid. Collins is going to be a very nice player and if they manage to resign McClain, those two along with Thornton and Crawford (who I'm not crazy about either) and Irving playing there part time should make a good group.

I disagree about the DE position. I see it as more of a "train-wreck" than a "car-wreck".

 

[stilltheguru88]

I agree that the DT's are pretty solid. Collins is going to be a very nice player and if they manage to resign McClain, those two along with Thornton and Crawford (who I'm not crazy about either) and Irving playing there part time should make a good group.

I disagree about the DE position. I see it as more of a "train-wreck" than a "car-wreck".

That's an average group to me. I'd upgrade McClain and Thornton is possible to make it a LEGIT good group

 

[AsthmaField]

That's an average group to me. I'd upgrade McClain and Thornton is possible to make it a LEGIT good group

I gotcha, but I think Collins is going to be really good. Yeah, I'd like better than McClain and Thornton too but with the needs at edge rusher and in the secondary, you could let the DT's ride and up the talent at those other spots. I mean, unless someone you just really love falls to you in the draft or there is a FA DT that you love... the DE's and secondary needs the attention.

For me though, it all comes down to opportunity and what is available either in the draft or FA. I don't like to force it at any position... particularly one where we have some decent players at like DT.

And for a 1-tech, I think I like McClain more than you do.

Overall though, you and I are pretty much on the same page, I think.

 

[stilltheguru88]

I gotcha, but I think Collins is going to be really good. Yeah, I'd like better than McClain and Thornton too but with the needs at edge rusher and in the secondary, you could let the DT's ride and up the talent at those other spots. I mean, unless someone you just really love falls to you in the draft or there is a FA DT that you love... the DE's and secondary needs the attention.

For me though, it all comes down to opportunity and what is available either in the draft or FA. I don't like to force it at any position... particularly one where we have some decent players at like DT.

And for a 1-tech, I think I like McClain more than you do.

Overall though, you and I are pretty much on the same page, I think.

I love Collins. But we differ on the edge issue. I'd rather corner the market on DT and punish teams up the middle. FA Bennie Logan/Poe, draft Jaleel Johnson round 2. We'd have Logan starting next to Collins and Johnson and Crawford rotating in. I bet the edges start to look a little better then. Edge, I'd just get a cheap guy to rotate with Irving/Tapper on the strong side and draft a guy in rounds 3-4 with some talent. That's just my dream though

 

[AsthmaField]

If Marinelli is the one making decisions on draft personnel, then McClay is free to walk. That's his job.

I guarantee you he's not the one saying Rod's making his decisions for him.

Dallas follows the consensus from Garrett, Stephen, McClay, the scouts and the rest of the coaches so much, I think it is pretty much impossible to say who is really is making the personnel decisions.

Is it McClay? I mean, partially... but he closely adheres to Garrett's RKG wishes. Garrett and Stephen both want physical, tough players who love to play football. That's the kind of guy they draft... particularly with high picks. Marinelli wants guys with high motors (which also follows with Garrett's RKG). That is the kind of guys Dallas drafts. Linehan loved Dak.

They all have so much input (particularly Garrett) that to say McClay has been great drafting is folly. It is all of them. Really, it is Garrett's vision for the type of team and type of player that the team drafts to, and it is the driving force behind most of the teams recent draft success.

We simply have no idea who McClay would have drafted without all the input from Garrett and the rest of them.

Free agency would be the same. Any player will have to adhere to Garrett's RKG guidelines and will have to be a high character guy (they learned their lesson with Hardy). He would also have to be young enough to play out the contract while still in his prime and the front office (Stephen) would have to think any high price free agent is at least close to worth what his open market price is (because they won't grossly overpay for free agents as they've said numerous times).

All of that is very difficult to find in a high priced Free agent. First off, most of those types never hit the open market (like Berry this year or Dez a couple of year's ago). Their original teams just don't let those guys get away most of the time. Usually, there are some issues with the guys that are available... like they've gotten too old or they have off the field issues.

If someone does fit the guidelines Dallas follows, then they are usually outrageously priced like Vernon or Jenkins this past offseason. And while Dallas isn't in cap hell and they can spend big if they wish... there are teams that have crazy money available and will spend it. It makes no sense to get in a bidding war for someone like Vernon. Like Stephen said last year... you pay average talent like it is really good and good talent like it is elite. That is just bad business. It is going to come back to bite the Giants that they spent that huge. It was just Reese's desperation that caused him to spend it. He couldn't draft good players so he just over spent like hell to get some.

Vernon had 8.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble as a starter while David Irving had 4 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in a rotational role. Irving cost next to nothing and Vernon cost upwards of $100M. That's just not smart.

So, while some might say that it isn't important to name who Dallas should get from the defensive free agents... that we should just let McClay spend to get some good one's... I think the issue is exactly that: Who is even going to be available that fits their criteria and is good enough to even spend big on. There aren't going to be many of them out there, if there are any.

I would love a big time free agent pass rusher too but there is a whole lot going against Dallas doing it... and that starts with who will even be available.

 

[AsthmaField]

I love Collins. But we differ on the edge issue. I'd rather corner the market on DT and punish teams up the middle. FA Bennie Logan/Poe, draft Jaleel Johnson round 2. We'd have Logan starting next to Collins and Johnson and Crawford rotating in. I bet the edges start to look a little better then. Edge, I'd just get a cheap guy to rotate with Irving/Tapper on the strong side and draft a guy in rounds 3-4 with some talent. That's just my dream though

Logan is a guy I'd love to get... but I don't think Philly will let him go. I've been wrong before though.

I generally agree that a really good inside push helps the ends more than most people think. When a QB can't step up in the pocket, it makes life really hard on the OT's (and much easier for DE's).

I still lament Dallas not moving up just a few spots to draft Aaron Donald... though I love Zack Martin.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Logan is a guy I'd love to get... but I don't think Philly will let him go. I've been wrong before though.

I generally agree that a really good inside push helps the ends more than most people think. When a QB can't step up in the pocket, it makes life really hard on the OT's (and much easier for DE's).

I still lament Dallas not moving up just a few spots to draft Aaron Donald... though I love Zack Martin.

I just for once want Dallas to try something innovative instead of waiting for the patriots to give them an idea. Soon as the pats invest in 4 good dts is when Dallas will follow suit

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

No offense, but I remember hearing that same mantra about guys "stepping up" in this area prior to the 2016 season too.

You don't feel like they stepped up? I feel like a lot of guys did. The whole rookie class did. I thought Sean Lee did. Irving and Mayowa stepped up.

 

[KD Drummond]

You still failed to address the point of my post. How is McClay the draft genius except when it fails then it's Marinelli? Then all of a sudden McClay is the man that should run FA? How are you certain McClay isn't already instrumental in the FA process and (possibly) an influential presence in avoiding overpaying in FA? And what was the last defensive guy we "should have gone out and got" in FA that we missed out on?

LMAO - Are you high?

You think you're going to come at me like you did and I'm going to spend one second of my time proving how shortsighted your comment was?

Believe whatever you want to believe, Chauncey.

 

[Stash]

You don't feel like they stepped up? I feel like a lot of guys did. The whole rookie class did. I thought Sean Lee did. Irving and Mayowa stepped up.

Sure, just obviously still not enough when it mattered most.

The defense definitely outperformed the low expectations I had. But at the same time, the thing I was most worried about - and attacked the most for saying - was that the lack of pass rush would be their undoing, and that still came to pass.

And while Irving and Mayowa did step up, Lawrence and Crawford didn't, especially when it mattered most. And pass rush is still this team's most drastic need if they want to contend next season.

 

[KD Drummond]

What's the cost to cut Thornton?

It's not horrible, only his first year and his SB were guaranteed, total $6m. So there's $3.75 million of unamoritzed bonus that would need to be accounted for. Do it now, it's all dead money on this year's cap. Do it after June 1st (which isn't June 1st anymore, it's in May) and it's $1.25m dead money this year, $2.5m dead money in 2018.

That's not the hurdle, at least by itself.

Thornton only played 275 snaps last year, meaning if they cut him now they paid $6 million for 275 snaps. They aren't doing that without throwing this year's $3 million in base salary at it to see if he improves. They made a bad call projecting him as a penetrating one-tech. I didn't like the signing because it's hard enough to envision someone in a similar scheme.. projecting pass rushing skills from a guy in a 3-4 who doesn't rush was highly questionable. Just gotta hope he plays better in Year 2, he'll be here.

 

[KD Drummond]

McClay has hits. And misses.
Let us not idolize him, yet, stout fellows.

No doubt, but he's had more hits than misses in my estimation and it doesn't make sense to sit in the corner scared to make a mistake when you A) know you can absorb a contract and it not submarine you in future years and B) finally have someone who is making great personnel decisions to mitigate the risk.

There's risk in every football move. Letting fear of that risk cripple you when you've covered as many bases as possible is bad business imo.

 

[Stash]

It's not horrible, only his first year and his SB were guaranteed, total $6m. So there's $3.75 million of unamoritzed bonus that would need to be accounted for. Do it now, it's all dead money on this year's cap. Do it after June 1st (which isn't June 1st anymore, it's in May) and it's $1.25m dead money this year, $2.5m dead money in 2018.

That's not the hurdle, at least by itself.

Thornton only played 275 snaps last year, meaning if they cut him now they paid $6 million for 275 snaps. They aren't doing that without throwing this year's $3 million in base salary at it to see if he improves. They made a bad call projecting him as a penetrating one-tech. I didn't like the signing because it's hard enough to envision someone in a similar scheme.. projecting pass rushing skills from a guy in a 3-4 who doesn't rush was highly questionable. Just gotta hope he plays better in Year 2, he'll be here.

Frustrating to see what appears to be yet another 'miss' on the defensive line.

From Hardy and Gregory not realizing the opportunity they had, to paying Crawford to be a guy that he isn't, to signing Thornton to be a guy that so far, he isn't. To drafting Tapper and his bad back and getting nothing from his rookie year.

It's been one thing after another.

 

[Stash]

No doubt, but he's had more hits than misses in my estimation and it doesn't make sense to sit in the corner scared to make a mistake when you A) know you can absorb a contract and it not submarine you in future years and B) finally have someone who is making great personnel decisions to mitigate the risk.

There's risk in every football move. Letting fear of that risk cripple you when you've covered as many bases as possible is bad business imo.

You didn't mention any potential names in your article. What players did you have in mind to pursue? Who do you like?

 

[KD Drummond]

You didn't mention any potential names in your article. What players did you have in mind to pursue? Who do you like?

I'll be posting my annual offseason manifesto once I return from vacation (it will be up by end of next week). It will have my pecking order for DEs with where I expect them to land financially and at what point I think Dallas should get into the game.

 

[Stash]

I'll be posting my annual offseason manifesto once I return from vacation (it will be up by end of next week). It will have my pecking order for DEs with where I expect them to land financially and at what point I think Dallas should get into the game.

Sounds good. I look forward to reading it.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[IrishAnto]

McClay has hits. And misses.
Let us not idolize him, yet, stout fellows.

Show me the man who doesn't have misses?

However drafting players who have a high probability of missing from the "go get" e.g. Gregory, Smith
just exacerbates the problem.

And I would bet the blame for that lies with our resident wildcatter.

 

[KD Drummond]

OK, that's likely it for now for me here folks... near impossible to stay active on boards. Feel free to engage me on Twitter @KDDrummondNFL or @TheCowboysWire. My personal acct is mixed bag of everything. The latter is strictly football.

Cheers to you all- you have had a great community for a long time.

 

[skinsscalper]

LMAO - Are you high?

You think you're going to come at me like you did and I'm going to spend one second of my time proving how shortsighted your comment was?

Believe whatever you want to believe, Chauncey.

Like I thought, you got nothing.