News: Dallas Cowboys: The calm before the off-season storm

[CCBoy]

Dallas Cowboys: The calm before the off-season storm

http://thelandryhat.com/2016/03/02/dallas-cowboys-calm-off-season-storm/

Dallas Cowboys fans should have a sense of calm regardless of what happens this off-season due to the team’s player development plans.

This off-season, I’ve taken a wait and see approach with our Dallas Cowboys. For example, I’m usually excited about the NFL combine. I used to enjoy watching offensive linemen sprint 40 yards with the greatest of intensity, but this year I passed. Usually, I could tell you every free agent available and if they were restricted or unrestricted. This year, something is different.

Usually, the Cowboys have one weakness that Cowboy Nation goes crazy about trying to fix. This off-season it was initially the backup quarterback position. Of course, that wouldn’t be a discussion if they had started my man, Kellen Moore earlier. We just have to wait and see if the front office agrees. Last year, the entire world assumed we’d use one of our eight picks on a running back. Had that been a prop bet in Vegas, most of us would be homeless.

Despite a 4 – 12 record, the Cowboys are still one of the most offensively talented teams in the league. Of course there’s always room for improvement. I would be surprised if they kept wide receiver Devin Street. With the fourth pick in this year’s draft, Laquon Treadwell would be an upgrade over Street and our number two receiver Terrance Williams.

...I would love to grab either Ezekiel Elliott or Derrick Henry at the running back position. I’d go with Henry over Elliott because he is built to move the pile and fix our short yardage problems. The Cowboys’ converted 34.55% of their 3rd downs which ranked them 26th in the league. I’ll say that most of that was due to atrocious quarterback play from Matt Cassel and Brandon Weeden. For comparison sake, the conversion rate was 47.09% for Dallas in 2014.

Our recognizable offensive free agents are mostly backups: Guards Ronald Leary and Mackenzy Bernadeau; running backs Lance Dunbar, Robert Turbin and Tyler Clutts; tight end James Hanna. Of the names listed, Hanna is the only guy I’d like to return and that’s due to Gavin Escobar‘s Achilles’ injury. Side note: Why offensive coordinator Scott Linehan fails to use this kid like Jimmy Graham was used in New Orleans is baffling!!!

The defensive side of the football should have a lot of new faces. Free agents include: Linebacker Rolando McClain and Kyle Wilber; defensive linemen Greg Hardy, Jeremy Mincey, Jack Crawford and Nick Hayden; cornerback Morris Claiborne; safeties Danny McCray and Jeff Heath. I’m good with letting them all walk.

I liked cornerback Deji Olatoye last year and corner Terrance Mitchell when he was at Oregon. I’d rather see defensive tackle David Irving over Hayden and Jack Crawford. The defense was serviceable without McClain and Hardy during their suspensions last year. Cowboy Nation has done nothing but call Claiborne a bust, I’m sure you don’t want him back. So, I see no need to panic because upgrades are always welcomed.

The Cowboys have been focusing on defense in the draft for years. Everyone calls last year’s draft a defensive one because they selected cornerback Byron Jones and defensive end Randy Gregory with their two two selections. Taking a closer look, Dallas has usually drafted more defensive players – 65% of their picks have been used for defense.

Cowboys Draft Breakdown

Year

Total Picks

Defensive Picks

2015

8

5

2014

9

7

2013

7

3

2012

7

5

Total

31

20...

 

[Carson]

Not saying we need to sign the top free agent, but it'd be nice to get a top tier guy.

It does aggravate me seeing the Giants linked to guys like Vernon, Gipson, Williams etc.

I know we need the low tier guys to complete a roster, but give us one guy to smile about!

 

[visionary]

This is no better than a blog

How anyone can start the argument again that Moore should be the primary back up tells you you're now in la la land and can't take the writers opinion seriously because he died not have football knowledge or the ability to be objective

These are the same people who were happy with Brandon weeden

 

[ElGatoGrande]

This is no better than a blog

How anyone can start the argument again that Moore should be the primary back up tells you you're now in la la land and can't take the writers opinion seriously because he died not have football knowledge or the ability to be objective

These are the same people who were happy with Brandon weeden

Honestly, you can read that kind of lightweight opinion on any given message board from any given poster.

 

[CCBoy]

At least this blog does give a lot more perspectives that include points way beyond - it's all a bunch of crap, and they are no more than idiots, levels.

Then an immediate it's all on Jerry and the 20 year thing...

Hell, if one can't rewatch games from two or four years ago, and not enjoy watching the games...you are not a fan of the sport or our Cowboys. Some of them still make me proud of the players for Dallas. They are competitive...and that is a start, every year.

This article points towards a period between now and the start of free agency. They give a pretty good perspective of alternatives and even some of the potentials that are involved...

At least they are discussing and giving a fan potential direction for personal apprehensions and emotions that they have...not someone passing a ripple bottle around a scornful group at the proverbial burn barrel.

By the way, if they are no better than a blog, where is YOUR discussion of those events and progress on subject, to begin with...

Gripping is the lowest form of participation, and the 'blog' is leagues above that very level!

 

[CCBoy]

Instead of signing ten low end producers for $10 million or so, would you prefer to sign a pair, such as DT Malik Jackson and DE Mario Wiliams, and throw in the dead money value from maybe the release of Carr? There can be directions taken from a start point, that don't insulate one's intelligence as well.

 

[KingintheNorth]

sees that he likes Henry over Elliott.

Immediately stops reading and posts sarcastic response.

 

[Idgit]

Honestly, you can read that kind of lightweight opinion on any given message board from any given poster.

Nothing wrong with it, though. Sites that specialize in positive or hopeful take serve a purpose. Some people like reading them.

I'm not a fan of those sites myself, but only because, as you say, they read like positive posts in a forum. I like the format where people can debate lightweight takes better.

Then again, I also believe both Moore and Weeden are in the conversation re: backup and third string QBs in the NFL for a reason. It's a hard job. The easiest thing in the world to observe is that these guys aren't good enough to win consistently with. But then nobody promised every team there'd be enough QBs good enough to win with that everybody gets two of them. Some jobs really are hard to fill, and we're better off being realistic about that than we are having a fit that we weren't able to fill it twice.

 

[CCBoy]

Nothing wrong with it, though. Sites that specialize in positive or hopeful take serve a purpose. Some people like reading them.

I'm not a fan of those sites myself, but only because, as you say, they read like positive posts in a forum. I like the format where people can debate lightweight takes better.

Then again, I also believe both Moore and Weeden are in the conversation re: backup and third string QBs in the NFL for a reason. It's a hard job. The easiest thing in the world to observe is that these guys aren't good enough to win consistently with. But then nobody promised every team there'd be enough QBs good enough to win with that everybody gets two of them. Some jobs really are hard to fill, and we're better off being realistic about that than we are having a fit that we weren't able to fill it twice.

Good snapshot at how hard it actually is filling slots in the NFL...especially at the team's most important slot.

Until the Cowboys landed DeMarcus Ware, it took the team almost a whole decade to arrive at a valid star on the outside of a defensive line.

Just possibly, talk about the lightweights can show the values that still have to be weighed and mined to arrive at a realisticly tough defense as well...with equally important team pieces for rushing the opponent's quarterback.

There has to be room to support that as well...

 

[cowboyblue22]

the writer talks about having a wait and see attitude about this team and the offseason that's really where I am at until they get the defense fixed they will not be competitive with the better teams on the league.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Nothing wrong with it, though. Sites that specialize in positive or hopeful take serve a purpose. Some people like reading them.

I'm not a fan of those sites myself, but only because, as you say, they read like positive posts in a forum. I like the format where people can debate lightweight takes better.

Then again, I also believe both Moore and Weeden are in the conversation re: backup and third string QBs in the NFL for a reason. It's a hard job. The easiest thing in the world to observe is that these guys aren't good enough to win consistently with. But then nobody promised every team there'd be enough QBs good enough to win with that everybody gets two of them. Some jobs really are hard to fill, and we're better off being realistic about that than we are having a fit that we weren't able to fill it twice.

"Lightweight" wasn't supposed to mean "positive", it's breezing through a lot of yay or nay opinions without providing much, if any, reasoning for your opinions. I will backtrack a little to say this blog isn't that bad, I have to remind myself that sometimes the target audience is fans that are not as demanding when it comes to new information.

 

[jazzcat22]

This is no better than a blog

How anyone can start the argument again that Moore should be the primary back up tells you you're now in la la land and can't take the writers opinion seriously because he died not have football knowledge or the ability to be objective

These are the same people who were happy with Brandon weeden

I basically stopped reading after the Kellen Moore comment in the article. Just skimmed through. Glad i didn't really read it. He wants to let just about every FA walk. So let's replace half the team concept, just doesn't work.