Defense wins championships so what areas on D, needs adjustments?

[LocimusPrime]

^Right there. Improve all three levels right up the middle. The Cowboys will be a top 5 D.

Exactly

Big Fatty 1T and a legit MLB. I would certainly welcome an upgrade at either safety spot. I like the guys back there too so i don't see it as a huge need either. If thomas or a top notch S is there go for it.

agreed...that would plAce this D on a championship level

 

[hornitosmonster]

Defense wins championships

Rethink that, The Eagles are not winning a championship on the their defensive side alone. Watch today as the Falcons destroy the Eagles.

 

[4lifecowboy]

More power in the middle of d line, an enforcer in the secondary.

 

[CCBoy]

More power in the middle of d line, an enforcer in the secondary.

A strong defensive tackle via the draft in a draft strong in candidates. Secondary, sign a top free agency for the current secondary.

 

[4lifecowboy]

A strong defensive tackle via the draft in a draft strong in candidates. Secondary, sign a top free agency for the current secondary.

The defense is close.

 

[CCBoy]

The defense is close.

I'm still curious about Scandrick...but an 'upgrade' could be very productive in the secondary.

I'm an ex-college linebacker, so I'm very interested in that group becoming a rock of foundation for the Cowboys, not just functional.

 

[Doomsday]

I am confused by all the defensive tackle talk.

I suggested that Irving should be playing RDE, and got laughed at. I would play him at DE on early downs and slide him inside on passing downs.

If I am wrong why is DT a need, if Collins and Irving are going to playing DT? Wouldn't that make DE a bigger priority?

When they talked about DE last year, all the measurables they talked about with wing span etc, all screamed Irving to me.

 

[gjkoeppen]

A strong defensive tackle via the draft in a draft strong in candidates. Secondary, sign a top free agency for the current secondary.

Where as the Cowboys will have more cap space than they have ever had they also have some players they will want to resign or extend. Martin, Lawrence, Irving, Hutchinson. Once those are done there will no money to go out and spend on free agents. In fact they probably will have to restructure some contracts to sign those 4 players. I'm opposed to restructuring contracts because all that does is add dead money down the road. But I serious doubt the Cowboys will sign any top free agents because of the cap unless they let those players walk and if they do there's still not enough cap space to sign players as good in free agency and still have any money to sign other positions.

 

[hornitosmonster]

Where as the Cowboys will have more cap space than they have ever had they also have some players they will want to resign or extend. Martin, Lawrence, Irving, Hutchinson. Once those are done there will no money to go out and spend on free agents. In fact they probably will have to restructure some contracts to sign those 4 players. I'm opposed to restructuring contracts because all that does is add dead money down the road. But I serious doubt the Cowboys will sign any top free agents because of the cap unless they let those players walk and if they do there's still not enough cap space to sign players as good in free agency and still have any money to sign other positions.

Doesn't cutting Dez free up some serious $$$. I don't know because I'm not a capologist

 

[CCBoy]

Where as the Cowboys will have more cap space than they have ever had they also have some players they will want to resign or extend. Martin, Lawrence, Irving, Hutchinson. Once those are done there will no money to go out and spend on free agents. In fact they probably will have to restructure some contracts to sign those 4 players. I'm opposed to restructuring contracts because all that does is add dead money down the road. But I serious doubt the Cowboys will sign any top free agents because of the cap unless they let those players walk and if they do there's still not enough cap space to sign players as good in free agency and still have any money to sign other positions.

Signing again, Martin; Lawrence; Irving; and Hitchens can likely create immediate cap room to sign a significant free agent if desired...and then, the best players remain afterwards. We're off and running.

 

[gjkoeppen]

Doesn't cutting Dez free up some serious $$$. I don't know because I'm not a capologist

It would free up 8.5 mil but but none of the writes for DC think there is any chance the Cowboys will release him. I personally think he's no longer an elite receiver and the past couple of seasons he hasn't played well enough to justify 16.5 mil for 2018. And that doesn't even take into account his temper tantrums he's had on the field and sidelines.
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[CCBoy]

It would free up 8.5 mil but but none of the writes for DC think there is any chance the Cowboys will release him. I personally think he's no longer an elite receiver and the past couple of seasons he hasn't played well enough to justify 16.5 mil for 2018. And that doesn't even take into account his temper tantrums he's had on the field and sidelines.
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Sometimes that is how pride manifests itself in a football player. I won't begrudge Dez for caring at those levels.

 

[gjkoeppen]

Signing again, Martin; Lawrence; Irving; and Hitchens can likely create immediate cap room to sign a significant free agent if desired...and then, the best players remain afterwards. We're off and running.

I think you need to do your math again. Those 4 will cost more than what will be available on the cap and there won't be any money left over to sign any free agents. There's only going to be like 17-18 mil and divide that by 4 and you're not going to get them to sign for 4.5 mil each for 2018. Then there's the money that's got to be there for the draft pool. Big time free agent signings will be out of the question this year or any year in the near future.
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[armadillooutlaw]

I am confused by all the defensive tackle talk.

I suggested that Irving should be playing RDE, and got laughed at. I would play him at DE on early downs and slide him inside on passing downs.

If I am wrong why is DT a need, if Collins and Irving are going to playing DT? Wouldn't that make DE a bigger priority?

When they talked about DE last year, all the measurables they talked about with wing span etc, all screamed Irving to me.

Collins and Irving are both fits at 3T not 1T so if they get a really good 1T then Collins can go back to the 3T and you can move Irving around more

 

[CCBoy]

I think you need to do your math again. Those 4 will cost more than what will be available on the cap and there won't be any money left over to sign any free agents. There's only going to be like 17-18 mil and divide that by 4 and you're not going to get them to sign for 4.5 mil each for 2018. Then there's the money that's got to be there for the draft pool. Big time free agent signings will be out of the question this year or any year in the near future.
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Look into how this team renegotiates contracts for proven veterans on it's team...your statement just isn't true.

Just for a starter...

Savings from cutting players:
Scandrick 3M
Witten 6.5M
Crawford 6M
Dez 12.5M
Mayowa 2.75M
Hanna 2.75M

https://cowboyszone.com/threads/cap-impact-of-cutting-players-reviewed.392741/


xwalker provided this as well

The issue of dead-money in regards to cutting or keeping a player is a waste of time and confuses the issue. If Mayowa was set to make 20M, but the dead-money was 19M for a net 2018 gain of 1M, many people would post that they might as well keep him because you would only gain 1M by cutting him. In reality it would cost 20M for a player that is borderline worth 2.75M.

Scandrick is very cheap for a veteran CB. If you look at CB salaries, most veterans with a pulse get paid more than 3M. The decision on Scandrick would not be cap related but more about his likely inability to handle being a backup without causing lockerroom problems.

Another benefit of having cap space is that they can wait until after training camp to make decisions about players like Scandrick, Crawford, etc.. If they are satisfied with the replacements, then they can cut them and save the money. If not, then keep them another year.

 

[gjkoeppen]

Look into how this team renegotiates contracts for proven veterans on it's team...your statement just isn't true.

They have slowed way down on that because Stephen realizes all that does is put dead money on the cap down the road. No matter how you want to juggle the cap, in reality the Cowboys won't be shopping for ANY top free agents this year or any year in the near future.
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[CCBoy]

They have slowed way down on that because Stephen realizes all that does is put dead money on the cap down the road. No matter how you want to juggle the cap, in reality the Cowboys won't be shopping for ANY top free agents this year or any year in the near future.
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Reread the above post...I expanded it for discussion.

Last pre season, the Cowboys were predicted to be the very most unlikely participant in free agency...

32
Dallas Cowboys: ($12.9 million)


The Cowboys restructured two contracts Monday to get under the cap, but that doesn’t mean they’ll have much money to spend. A few more restructures are likely to come as they try to make room for their own free agents – Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr and Barry Church. Don’t expect any big splashes here.

Now, prove that that relationship has not changed...

 

[kskboys]

It does. To be more specific, if you want to beat playoff QB's, you must get in their face and stay there. Giants, PITT, both rode their disruptive DLine to 2 super bowl wins w/ average QB's.

 

[CCBoy]

1. Heading into the 2018 offseason, the Cowboys may not have as many needs as you may think.
2. On offense, the team is basically set, except at left guard. Dallas may use a middle-round pick on a running back and a few on the offensive line, but expect most of their 2018 draft picks to be saved for the defense.
3. One common need that has been discussed lately is at wide receiver. However, it's hard to imagine the Cowboys using a high draft pick at that position considering how much money they are projected to spend there in 2018.
4. According to Spotrac, Dallas is projected to spend the most money on their wide receiver corps in the league in 2018. The unit is projected to account for more than $26 million in 2018 cap space.
5. Assuming Dallas saves at least two of their top-100 picks for defense, you can assume they will likely look at two positions: nose tackle and linebacker.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2747894-taking-stock-of-dallas-cowboys-2018-nfl-draft-picks

 

[Doomsday]

Collins and Irving are both fits at 3T not 1T so if they get a really good 1T then Collins can go back to the 3T and you can move Irving around more

Everyone was saying just 2 days ago that Collins is better as a 1-tech.