Dallas Cowboys Rookie Suffers Big Setback, RoMac Still Absent, OTAs Continue

[Idgit]

What does that say about our FO?

I think most teams are willing to handle players on a case by case basis if the players are good enough. If the guy thinks the season takes a lot out of him and wants to spend as much time as he possibly can with his kids, even to the point of missing optional practices, I'm actually ok with that. He's just got to be good enough that he can get away with it. We pretty obviously talked a lot up front given the connections we had to this player, and whatever was agreed to it, the team seems happy with it. I don't like the message it sends, but I do think we can afford the random exception now and then.

What I don't like about McClain is that, on top of the exception management you have to do with him, he's also a constant suspension risk. I hate that we keep putting ourselves in those situations. Add on top of it the soft tissue injuries he gets--maybe because he's missing team conditioning time--and the guy's almost more trouble than he's worth. Almost.

 

[BigStar]

I think most teams are willing to handle players on a case by case basis if the players are good enough. If the guy thinks the season takes a lot out of him and wants to spend as much time as he possibly can with his kids, even to the point of missing optional practices, I'm actually ok with that. He's just got to be good enough that he can get away with it. We pretty obviously talked a lot up front given the connections we had to this player, and whatever was agreed to it, the team seems happy with it. I don't like the message it sends, but I do think we can afford the random exception now and then.

What I don't like about McClain is that, on top of the exception management you have to do with him, he's also a constant suspension risk. I hate that we keep putting ourselves in those situations. Add on top of it the soft tissue injuries he gets--maybe because he's missing team conditioning time--and the guy's almost more trouble than he's worth. Almost.

That's solely what I'm referring to, not so much the specifics involved in his contract. That's a terrible strategy and definitely lacks any long term thinking that we as fans are coaxed to believe via JJ/SJ/JG outside of the hope for Jaylon. It's sad. Odd enough, just like any fan I love Ro when he is "on", but his talent doesn't warrant a year to year rental unless you don't have the stones to sign another more reliable FA/draft pick that can play now. We didn't and re-signed him almost immediately. How old is Romo again?

 

[Echo9]

I think most teams are willing to handle players on a case by case basis if the players are good enough. If the guy thinks the season takes a lot out of him and wants to spend as much time as he possibly can with his kids, even to the point of missing optional practices, I'm actually ok with that. He's just got to be good enough that he can get away with it. We pretty obviously talked a lot up front given the connections we had to this player, and whatever was agreed to it, the team seems happy with it. I don't like the message it sends, but I do think we can afford the random exception now and then.

What I don't like about McClain is that, on top of the exception management you have to do with him, he's also a constant suspension risk. I hate that we keep putting ourselves in those situations. Add on top of it the soft tissue injuries he gets--maybe because he's missing team conditioning time--and the guy's almost more trouble than he's worth. Almost.

"Almost" being the key here. I think we all know that (when motivated) Ro can not only fill the MLB spot, but be a real difference maker. That said, I'm also sure we are all hoping for full recovery from Jaylon Smith so we aren't chained to the drama of it all.

 

[Stash]

I think most teams are willing to handle players on a case by case basis if the players are good enough. If the guy thinks the season takes a lot out of him and wants to spend as much time as he possibly can with his kids, even to the point of missing optional practices, I'm actually ok with that. He's just got to be good enough that he can get away with it. We pretty obviously talked a lot up front given the connections we had to this player, and whatever was agreed to it, the team seems happy with it. I don't like the message it sends, but I do think we can afford the random exception now and then.

What I don't like about McClain is that, on top of the exception management you have to do with him, he's also a constant suspension risk. I hate that we keep putting ourselves in those situations. Add on top of it the soft tissue injuries he gets--maybe because he's missing team conditioning time--and the guy's almost more trouble than he's worth. Almost.

I'm seriously critical of the fact that this team showed zero interest in James Laurinitis when the Rams released him. New Orleans signed him for a song and he's quickly becoming their defensive leader while calling plays and controlling alignments. A dependable leader who has never missed a game in his career.

Meanwhile, Dallas is still doing a dance with a guy who clearly doesn't want to do what it takes to play football, but just get paid.

And we gave him a raise?

 

[Wolfpack]

I'm seriously critical of the fact that this team showed zero interest in James Laurinitis when the Rams released him. New Orleans signed him for a song and he's quickly becoming their defensive leader while calling plays and controlling alignments. A dependable leader who has never missed a game in his career.

Meanwhile, Dallas is still doing a dance with a guy who clearly doesn't want to do what it takes to play football, but just get paid.

And we gave him a raise?

One is a RKG and the other isn't.

 

[TheHerd]

One is a RKG and the other isn't.

This staff rates their "comfort" with a player WAY WAY above everything else. Ro has been here and knows the defense. so the staff is comfortable with him.

 

[AsthmaField]

I'm seriously critical of the fact that this team showed zero interest in James Laurinitis when the Rams released him. New Orleans signed him for a song and he's quickly becoming their defensive leader while calling plays and controlling alignments. A dependable leader who has never missed a game in his career.

Meanwhile, Dallas is still doing a dance with a guy who clearly doesn't want to do what it takes to play football, but just get paid.

And we gave him a raise?

Laurinitis isn't nearly the physical presence that Ro is. He simply can't do what Ro can.

Laurinitis will of course look good in OTAs. His brain isn't what is getting old. His speed and his body are going... That's what made me not want to sign him. He's breaking down and moves like an OLman.

I agree with you often... Just not in this case.

 

[Stash]

Laurinitis isn't nearly the physical presence that Ro is. He simply can't do what Ro can.

Laurinitis will of course look good in OTAs. His brain isn't what is getting old. His speed and his body are going... That's what made me not want to sign him. He's breaking down and moves like an OLman.

I agree with you often... Just not in this case.

No problem. We're all entitled to our opinions.

But for a guy you're claiming is "breaking down", he hasn't missed a single game in his career.

Conversely, the guy Dallas is paying hasn't played a full season in his.

 

[AsthmaField]

No problem. We're all entitled to our opinions.

But for a guy you're claiming is "breaking down", he hasn't missed a single game in his career.

Conversely, the guy Dallas is paying hasn't played a full season in his.

Well he tends to run around blocks instead of taking them on. He isn't nearly as physical as Ro... So it is no wonder he stays healthy

 

[Stash]

Well he tends to run around blocks instead of taking them on. He isn't nearly as physical as Ro... So it is no wonder he stays healthy

Despite that claim, he still managed much better tackle numbers than McClain did. Although he was actually on the field in order to do it...

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

From the article:


Seriously? Good to know "we shouldn't give up on him just yet"

On Garrett's team, that a rookie showed enough that they found a role for him is significant. Most rookies struggle to find the field.

Lucky is probably the fastest guy on offense atm and it appears he has put in a lot of upper body work to beat the press and try to work outside. If nothing else he has a role in the slot.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I agree. Whatever it is going on with the dude, the team knows about it and is tolerating it. Even going back to the start of the offseason, they'd identified him as somebody they were excited to resign. Whatever his part of the deal is, he's living up to it.

I don't like him, though. He makes some electrifying plays, but I hate depending on him. And I hate that he can legitimately be gone at any point because he's got substance issues.

Yep.............there is no other team in the NFL it appears that will accept his "I dont practice or do voluntary" attitude. But of course the Cowboys will. I guess because Garrett is trying sooo hard to find the RKG's and change the culture here in Dallas.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Bingo. There's a ton that goes on behind the scenes. I trust that the staff has it under control.

Oh yah sure they do. Like with Gregory, Lawrence and Randle?

Blind devotion, what a wonderful thing.

 

[Idgit]

Yep.............there is no other team in the NFL it appears that will accept his "I dont practice or do voluntary" attitude. But of course the Cowboys will. I guess because Garrett is trying sooo hard to find the RKG's and change the culture here in Dallas.

There's no way of knowing what agreements the team and this player have in place. He's done the same thing each of the prior seasons he's been here, and the organization was explicitly pleased with his work last year as evidenced by Stephen Jones' comments about McClain prior to free agency.

I'm on record as not liking McClain in the first place, but it's not because he misses the voluntary workouts. I don't like that he comes in out of shape, gets soft tissue injuries that could be avoided if he were better conditioned, and the balances on the edge of suspension all the time.

That said, you're probably wrong that there's not another team in the league who would tolerate him. NE would have signed him last season, for example. Either way, it's a claim you aren't in any position to support with actual evidence. And the RKG policy for the Cowboys has been explained so many times it's no longer funny anymore. Just go back and read what the coach has said about it publicly to know where McClain fits in. It's one of those things where the team obviously is more willing to work with this player than I would be, but then, that's bound to happen with 53 players on an active roster each season.

 

[CowboyRoy]

There's no way of knowing what agreements the team and this player have in place. He's done the same thing each of the prior seasons he's been here, and the organization was explicitly pleased with his work last year as evidenced by Stephen Jones' comments about McClain prior to free agency.

I'm on record as not liking McClain in the first place, but it's not because he misses the voluntary workouts. I don't like that he comes in out of shape, gets soft tissue injuries that could be avoided if he were better conditioned, and the balances on the edge of suspension all the time.

That said, you're probably wrong that there's not another team in the league who would tolerate him. NE would have signed him last season, for example. Either way, it's a claim you aren't in any position to support with actual evidence. And the RKG policy for the Cowboys has been explained so many times it's no longer funny anymore. Just go back and read what the coach has said about it publicly to know where McClain fits in. It's one of those things where the team obviously is more willing to work with this player than I would be, but then, that's bound to happen with 53 players on an active roster each season.

And on the other side of the coin you are in on position to say there WAS other teams interested.

I cannot know for sure you are right. But there didnt seem to be any suitors this year now was there? Nobody signed him and he was out there for a bit. And he definitely didnt get anything better than what the Cowboys were offering at a one year deal. So one could surmise that there definitely isnt much of a market out there for him. And its not a stretch to imagine there wasnt one out there at all. Certainly not more than one or two teams willing to take the chance or take in our RKG. Sometimes all you have to do is use a little deductive reasoning.

 

[CowboyRoy]

There's no way of knowing what agreements the team and this player have in place. He's done the same thing each of the prior seasons he's been here, and the organization was explicitly pleased with his work last year as evidenced by Stephen Jones' comments about McClain prior to free agency.

I'm on record as not liking McClain in the first place, but it's not because he misses the voluntary workouts. I don't like that he comes in out of shape, gets soft tissue injuries that could be avoided if he were better conditioned, and the balances on the edge of suspension all the time.

That said, you're probably wrong that there's not another team in the league who would tolerate him. NE would have signed him last season, for example. Either way, it's a claim you aren't in any position to support with actual evidence. And the RKG policy for the Cowboys has been explained so many times it's no longer funny anymore. Just go back and read what the coach has said about it publicly to know where McClain fits in. It's one of those things where the team obviously is more willing to work with this player than I would be, but then, that's bound to happen with 53 players on an active roster each season.

I want a good laugh this morning so please explain to me what RKG means again. These are the things we already know are eliminated based on the players we have or had here:

-Beats up his GF or is bi polar with a social disorder,a and is late to meetings (Kraken)
-Steals underwear and doesnt listen to the coaches (Joe Randle)
-Gets drunk, kills his friends in car crashes (DT forgot his name)
-Doesnt like to practice or enjoy the game, retired twice in 6 years in the league (McClain)
-Fails drug tests, cant stay off the weed, has bi polar and anxiety problems (Randy Gregory)

 

[Idgit]

I cannot know for sure you are right. But there didnt seem to be any suitors this year now was there? Nobody signed him and he was out there for a bit. And he definitely didnt get anything better than what the Cowboys were offering at a one year deal. So one could surmise that there definitely isnt much of a market out there for him. And its not a stretch to imagine there wasnt one out there at all. Certainly not more than one or two teams willing to take the chance or take in our RKG. Sometimes all you have to do is use a little deductive reasoning.

As I explicitly said, he's not the type of player I want on the team, but it's not up to me.

As for the offer stuff, let's just leave it that I'm right that you cannot know. There's no need to go surmising re: how many suitors he 'seemed' to have. He extended on March 9th.

And, even if he hadn't, yes, it is a stretch to imagine--or rather, to 'deduce'--that no other team was interested in him.

 

[Idgit]

I want a good laugh this morning so please explain to me what RKG means again. These are the things we already know are eliminated based on the players we have or had here:

-Beats up his GF or is bi polar with a social disorder (Kraken)
-Steals underwear and doesnt listen to the coaches (Joe Randle)
-Gets drunk, kills his friends in car crashed (DT forgot his name)
-Doesnt like to practice or enjoy the game, retired twice in 6 years in the league (McClain)
-Fails drug tests, cant stay off the weed, has bi polar and anxiety problems (Randy Gregory)

If you want a good laugh, put in the very minor work it requires to lookup this discussion from any of the other eleventy-billion times it's been had on this site. Or look up what the coach himself has to say about it. It's really not that hard to figure it out what the approach is. Knock yourself out.

 

[CowboyRoy]

As I explicitly said, he's not the type of player I want on the team, but it's not up to me.

As for the offer stuff, let's just leave it that I'm right that you cannot know. There's no need to go surmising re: how many suitors he 'seemed' to have. He extended on March 9th.

And, even if he hadn't, yes, it is a stretch to imagine--or rather, to 'deduce'--that no other team was interested in him.

How about we just change it from "no other teams" to "very few teams". Would that make it a little more palatable for you to discuss?

At a one year deal for 2.5 million, surely its not a stretch to surmise that not many were interested at any kind of a contract. Surely you can deduce that there was not a big market out there for him offering multiple years at 5 to 8 million per season and he simply turned it down correct?

 

[CowboyRoy]

If you want a good laugh, put in the very minor work it requires to lookup this discussion from any of the other eleventy-billion times it's been had on this site. Or look up what the coach himself has to say about it. It's really not that hard to figure it out what the approach is. Knock yourself out.

Oh I have listened loud and clear over the years to him at it has changed since he started saying it. It keeps getting smaller and smaller as to what it really means. To the point where it doesnt mean anything. And then we can also deduce that although they MAY be looking for whatever RKG they think they want, they clearly dont follow it. So again, it means nothing anyway. As I am sure even you can deduce.

What kind of RKG definition would include the Kraken, Gregory, Randle, and McClain? One that you would have to laugh at.