Cowboys Needs Analysis

dwmyers

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I'm posting this because it seems as if too many needs analyses floating around out there confuse "wants" (e.g. QB) with needs (RT)..

Scale:
1 - Immediate replacement required.
2 - Starter quality player(s) needed, backup quality in place.
3 - Starter(s) in place, backup or better starter needed.
4 - Depth required.
5 - No need at this point.

QB - 4 Despite cries that we need the best possible quarterback now, Bledsoe had the best year at QB the Cowboys have had since Aikman retired. Romo and Henson are adequate backups. It would be nice to draft the QB of the future, but if we don't, it's not as if this team is hurting.

RB - 4 to 5. This team could do nicely with JJ, Barber and Thompson. This trio gives this team more depth than the Cowboys have had in years. Still, Parcells has spoken about wanting one big back and two shifty guys, and what we have are three shifty guys. If a truck of a running back were to fall to us under BPA situations, I'd not be upset at all.

TE - 4 This score could change depending on how the free agent situation with Campbell develops.

WR - 3 to 4 Again, this score is based on assumptions, and that assumption is the continued health and ageless play of Terry Glenn and Keyshawn Johnson. WIth those two healthy, and with the development of Crayton, we have adequate starters and adequate depth. The age factor, however, makes it worthwhile to look at wide receiver talent.

OL - 2. This area is probably the one of greatest need. At right tackle, we need someone of at least average skills, and at center, we're getting overpowered at times. Our guards are old. The line, even when everyone is healthy, is very thin and the loss of a quality starter here was felt throughout the last half of the season. For that reason, it is not enough to plug a body into right tackle. Some consideration has to be taken to keeping quality depth across the line. It looks as if we need at least two new bodies here. A free agent center wouldn't hurt.

DE - 5. For years our line has been neglected, and last year that changed dramatically. 3 quality players were added in Spears, Canty, and Raitliff. The result was a better pass rush, even if that wasn't seen as often in the last half of the season. The only issue is Ellis, our most talented defensive end, and whether he is destined for trade bait.

DT/NT - 3. If Glover leaves, I'd say this is a 1 priority; if they keep him, this is the one area of the line where quality depth is a still a factor. Glover is a little light for a NT, and needs to be spelled. Jason Ferguson is decent, but hardly a NT stud. If we had studs at NT, then other teams wouldn't have averaged 4 yards a carry on this team. NT is a work in progress.

LB - 3 to 4. We could make do with Shanle, Fujita, Ware, etc., and of course Thornton and Burnett are recovering from injuries. But you really need 6-7 guys who can bring it here. Some of our older guys don't have ideal combinations of size and speed, and leave the middle vulnerable to power running. There are good linebacker prospects in this draft, but their rankings seem fluid at the moment. Its hard to project where you can get talent and how much you would have to pay for the talent available. Some of the good looking prospects are being called "3-4 linebackers" and that kind of name is a bit like calling a hammer a "military hammer". The draft cost goes up proportionally.

CB - 3 to 4. If Anthony Henry is healthy, and Aaron Glenn remains in good shape, then we're in the best shape we've been in the secondary in a while. Dr Z said that Newman was the best cover corner in the league, but quality depth behind Henry would be nice. Glenn is getting up there in age, a fast young CB in the 3rd slot wouldn't hurt.

S - 2 to 3. Roy is fine at SS, but we need a FS that is more than a special teamer pretending to be a starter.

Punter - 5 McBriar was erratic at times, but when he's on, he booms them.

Kicker - 1. Cundiff didn't cut it. Minimally, we need a kicker who makes a chip shot of anything inside the 40 and has a chance out to 50.
 

ddh33

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Kicker is the biggest need.

OL is right there on it's heels. I think some of the improvement will come from within, but there is definitely a need for more quality depth.

Depending on what happens with Glover and Ellis, I think the DL might need some work. The Nose Tackle position is especially concerning to me.

I've got OLB and FS next on the list.

I would like more options in the passing game too. That can be filled in a couple of different ways.
 

dwmyers

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ddh33 said:
Kicker is the biggest need.

OL is right there on it's heels. I think some of the improvement will come from within, but there is definitely a need for more quality depth.

Depending on what happens with Glover and Ellis, I think the DL might need some work. The Nose Tackle position is especially concerning to me.

I've got OLB and FS next on the list.

I would like more options in the passing game too. That can be filled in a couple of different ways.

I think FS is a higher priority than linebacker, but both are positions we could live with if necessary. Linebacker has injured players returning that could help, and S has Beriault coming back (yes, he isn't a pure FS, but he could spell Roy Williams, which would mean fresh legs in the S position late in the game).

At linebacker, all the talk about Bobby Carpenter is interesting, but he's exactly the guy who is so hard to pin down to a draft value. The range of his valuation seems to be about one whole round currently, high around 25 or so and low around 50is. His size and speed, though, make him a real prospect for a team like ours, running a 3-4.

David.
 
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