COWBOYS OFFSEASON BATTLEPLAN: THE DADDYS VERSION (opinion)

Cowboys Dad

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I know I post here less often than I should but I hope Im given some leeway with this thread here.

2006 OFFSEASON: THE DADDY STRIKES FIRST! Being where I was unavoidably absent for a long stretch late in the season this year I felt it would only be appropriate if I was the first to release a comprehensive battle plan for the coming free agency period and a realistic target list for day one of the NFL Draft 2006. Any who know me, know that when I list a player I am not doing so for effect, or to single out a position, this is THE individual whom I feel will help the Cowboys avoid what seems to be becoming a yearly series of holes that cost them an opportunity to go deep into the playoffs. Unlike some of my bretheren here (and the soon to be decided upon rat) I am not a believer in the theory that a team, especially the Cowboys and their current salary cap situation, has to go into a season with holes and further I think it is a deadly mistake counting on a lesser player simply because one will have to spend a little more to secure the position. So without further adieu, let me be the first here at the Hitchin Post to unleash THE Winning Fomula!

FREE AGENCY

1) Ephraim Salaam OT Jacksonville Jaguars- I choose to select Ephraim on the basis of two things. First this is the single biggest hole on the roster and it MUST be addressed first. Second the class of Tackles in free agency this year doesnt excite me all that much and Ephraim is a solid player with a proven track record opening holes for Fred Taylor and keeping Byron Leftwich somewhat clean in the pocket. It would have been wiser for Bill and Jerry to get up off the cash last year and get say Kareem Mckenzie but we live and learn. As you will see I have a plan that will add some pop to the Tackle position in order to push Ephraim and Flozell for that matter to a higher level as well as provide insurance for both as far as injuries while keeping Ephraim locked on the right side even should Flo go down.

2)Steve Hutchinson OG Seattle Seahawks- Of all the free agents I will list here Steve is going to be the most difficult to bring in, due to the market for him and his asking price, however by the same token he brings the most bang for the buck of all of them as well. We know that he and Walter Jones comprised what most believe was the best left side of an offensive line in football, as well Steve brings his recent trip to the big game and the nasty taste losing it left in his mouth. I dont think you balk at price, the only question about him is whether the Seachickens Tag him, and if they dont, then how quickly can you get him signed. Some say what about Rivera, I say, Id love to have the rotation of Allen Hutchinson and Rivera, the ultimate goal of the offseason is to get rid of the useless crap that comprises the bulk of the Cowboys backup linemen and be certain that you will have a sturdy line as well as the depth to take an injury hit at either guard or tackle.

3) Koren Robinson WR Minnesota Vikings- Time to have some fun with this thing now. This should have been done last year when the guy was looking for any chance that was possibly out there. As is evidenced by his willingness to perform the menial job of returning kicks, as well as the non existance of off the field issues, this kid is finally putting it all together. He is big, he is fast, and he has that explosive factor that only so many WR have. He has a desire to reestablish the fact that he is an elite calibre WR the way he was at NCSTATE and never got the chance to be at Seattle where the idiot Mike Holmgren continued to start the likes of Bobby Engram and Jerome Pathon ahead of him. Correct last years mistake and you then allow Keyshawn and Glenn to return to their roles as very productive secondary threats.

4)Bart Scott Inside Linebacker Baltimore Ravens- This again should shock noone at all here. First because we are all aware with Dats impending retirement that there is no beef in the middle of the linebacker corps. Second because many here know how fond I am of the style and intensity that is demanded of defensive players from the Baltimore Ravens. That experience of starting a good many games in place of the great Ray Lewis in the middle of that angry aggressive defense is something that should be considered heavily when signing this fella. While noone is Ray Ray, this kid was explosive, aggressive and has speed to burn as well as solid instincts to the ball and he is a punishing tackler. Again just like Salaam and Robinson this kid will not break the bank as far as yearly salary or signing bonus yet will come in and his play will be at a higher level than most free agent signed linebackers. His youth, lack of playing time before the last eight weeks last year, and his desire to start and be a factor will all help in negotiations, and the cant miss nature of this kids skill set will blow you away when he gets here. Scott is this years Anthony Henry sign. (Still cant believe people dont realize what the boys have in Henry. Injuries happen, the kid is a rock solid dominator. Both are really, henry and this kid Scott.)

5) Derek Smith, Sam Cowart Veteran Linebackers- Okay so im bending my own rules a bit here. However I maintain that one of these two guys is the target. With the additions of Bart Scott and one of these two the middle of the run defense will become a bermuda triangle wheter or not they keep Laroi Glover or not. Ferguson Scott and Derek Smith, or Sam Cowart will take runners in and make them disappear. All of these three qualify as tackling machines from where I sit.

6) Kevin Mawae C New York Jets- Yes I know Mr Mawae has a little wear and tear on his treads, however as bad as Al Johnson turned out to be last year even a couple good years from the elderstatesman will be worth it. I mean its not like the guys not a proven commodity. His arrival will allow for Al Johnson to join Andre Gurode, Torrin Tucker, et al on the short train to adios ville.

7) Adam Vinatieri K New England- This would end all of the disasterous, and cantakerous debate over how it can be that everyone else ALWAYS makes their field goals and how Dallas can always miss. I admit a bit Pricey, but well worth it.




The Draft Day One is in the next post.
 

AbeBeta

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No good analysis includes Andra Davis as a free agent.

He signed with the Browns like 2 months ago now.
 

Cowboys Dad

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Heres the Draft portion, just day one.


Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 5:08 pm Post subject: OFFSEASON CONTINUED With the Free agency portion out of the way let me finish this battle plan with a target for the first day of the draft.


2006 NFL Draft


Round 1 Pick 18 Cowboys Select: Marcus Mcneil OT Auburn- Here is where I solidify, as I said I would, the tackle position. The arrival of Mcneil gives the roster three capable, and ready Tackles as opposed to the ONE it currently has. Mcneil is big athletic and mean, he plowed the road for the Caddy, and Ronnie Brown up untill last year . His attitude is what is most attractive to me personally, I want em mean like Larry Allen and as tough as they come cause this line needs to resemble the road graders of the Aikman Irvin Emmitt days as opposed to its current Swiss Cheese appearence.


Round 2 Martin Nance WR Miami (Ohio)- Okay now this guy gets me excited. Six foot five inches tall, athletic in the air, and runs a 4.33, Whos numbers coming out of college do those resemble? The kid had 14 TDs last year and over 1200 yards. You cant teach em and with the arrival of Nance and Robinson (through free agency) Drew should NEVER have to pull the ball down with the threats hell have running around. Nance will also factor in when you consider he, Robinson and Crayton will comprise three fifths (or sixths if my hunch that Terrence Coppers special teams play will force Parcells hand at this position) of the WR corps for a number of years to come.


Round 3: Trade Back- Nothing really exciting at this point and dealing back a ways allows you to pick up another pick.

Round 3 aftert trade back: Anthony Schlegel Inside Linebacker Ohio State- sense a theme here? This kid will come in and add to the special teams as well as add depth playing behind the two free agents that were signed. Again sticking to the thought that these are the positions that MUST be addressed and made sure of going into the season, Schlegel is just what the doctor ordered here. Again if you pay close attention, you bring in the veteran free agent to play the position, and you get the next guy on the roster. The competition for playing time will make them all better, and will create an aggressive mentality from the first practice of camp. Its not a bad thing to see the holes and fix them.

Pick acquired in back up (Fourth Round??) Charlie Whitehurst QB Clemson- Whitehurst was somewhat hindered by Tommy Bowdens spread em out and run the ball mentality. He is perfect size, has good armstrength and above average accuracy. I think right here with the first ten things done and in place you get a gift of potentially your franchise QB in a place where you cant pass him up. Big strong and mobile I think in two or three years Charlie Whitehurst will be a starter in the NFL somewhere, will he just be a starter or will he be the franchise stud, thats why hes available in round four, but hes worth it under the previously stated conditions.


So there you have my full out battle plan to make this thing work. Please bear in mind that I did not play the wild cards I am still considering. I mean if the mocks continue to have Jay Cutler going at 16 I would have to go up the two three or four spots in round one to land what amounts to the guranteed franchise QB of the future. However I cant see that happening as folks start to break down film and watch him at the combine and pro workouts. Also not mentioned here is the possibility of signing TO. Obviously things would change in regard to both Korob and Nance if Owens were brought in.

Finally in closing, you must realize that this is an absolute ideal situation battle plan. I know that any part of it may or may not be brought to pass by Jerry and Bill, and I will continue to give my opinions on their moves as well as see if I can utilyze what they actually do to make adjustments and still get ALL the holes filled so there are no questions when camp opens other than which stud new MLB (Scott Andra Davis or Schlegel) is going to have to wait his turn. This however is the PERFECT gameplan to be ready to play in Super Bowl 41 and be the first to Six world Titles. That you can take to the bank because the Daddy said so!
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AbeBeta

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Draft portion is better -- since, unlike the FA portion, none of those guys are off the board yet.

but I doubt we go with an OT in the first. that is not where you get an RT
 

Cowboys Dad

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And you are correct on Davis, Im certain that I was looking at someone else and brainlocked on Davis. Thanks for the correction, and I respect your comments, Just think this would be ideal.
 

junk

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A little bit ILB heavy perhaps?

I like Scott and Smith as potential ILBs opposite James. Smith as a hard nosed vet leader. Scott as an up and coming youngster. But only one or the other, not both.

I could see one ILB via FA and one through the draft. Need some depth there although Shanle/Fowler might be OK as long as they are depth/ST/nickel backers.
 
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