End of year review

[MichaelWinicki]

Then we go a different route. I don't want a 2nd round/3rd round QB under this staff. If we had guys who could probably identify a quality QB, not like Weeden/Cassel, then I would want one later in the draft. I just think that it's as close to a no brainer as you can possibly get when it's in the top 5, but we just need to make this count if possible. A top 4 pick doesn't come around every year.

Agreed.

Two QB's probably won't go before Dallas chooses.

Still not sure either guy is worth the pick at #4.

We'll see what happens over the next 4 months.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I really doubt it unless someone trades up ahead of us. That being said, I'd love to trade with a team that would covet one of the QBs.

I would love to trade down, but I would be afraid Miami might go after Elliot. The furthest you could trade down is 9th without risking losing Elliot to the Giants.

Agreed. Probably 1 will be there. I'm not sold on either one (yet) so maybe a trade-down makes the most sense.

 

[jazzcat22]

Sorry, but that's the most ridiculous mentality out there. The vast majority of 1st round drafted quarterbacks fail to become franchise QBs, and even more fail to become elite QBs.

Examples and Stats?

 

[dallasdave]

Front Office -

I think the Front Office made a couple glaring mistakes in the off season. It starts with the decision to franchise Bryant and let Murray walk. I felt like it would have been much wiser to sign Bryant earlier, especially since they ended up overpaying him anyways. I think you could have traded Murray and at least got some value for him.

I think they should have released Carr and saved a lot of money going forward. I made numerous suggestions on who I felt they should have gone after, and maybe they wouldn't have been great, but I think they would have been better.

And the last mistake is in the evaluation of Weeden as the most improved player on the team in the offseason. Not sure what they saw to suggest that, but it wasn't the case. We should have gone after Matt Moore or Colt McCoy, either of whom I believe given the time to learn the system could have guided this team to the playoffs in Romo's absence.

Coaching Staff
Can't say that I'm enjoying this coaching staff, certainly not like I was in 2014. I think there certainly need to be changes here. I've never liked Garrett and even if this team finds success, I believe it will be in spite of him. It's a rare day that I've ever seen him out coach an opposing coach. I think we have one of the most vanilla offenses in the NFL, and can't imagine that Detroit was this cornbread. I'd love to replace Garrett with either Sean Payton if he becomes somehow available or Josh McDaniels who I think given a better environment than Denver, would excel. No one better to bring along a quarterback than him.

With the rest of the coaching staff and as to whether to keep them or not, my question is have you developed a single player drafted outside of the first round into a quality NFL player within three years?

Scott Linehan - Really liked what he did in 2014, hated what he did this year. I'd give him one more year, but wouldn't mind if he was replaced if the Head Coach is replaced.

Wade Wilson, QB Coach - Should absolutely be gone.
Gary Brown, RB Coach - Murray and Dunbar (He should stay).
Derek Dooley, WR Coach - No one, he should leave.
Michael Pope, TE Coach - No one, he should leave.
Frank Pollack, OL Coach - Tougher question. I guess you could say he developed Parnell, but I was never big on him in the first place. Thought he was the biggest downgrade on the team this year from Callahan. I would consider replacing him.

Rod Marinelli - I think he has largely transformed this defense and with an offense, would have produced a top 10 defense. A few bad injuries put him behind the gun as well. I'd certainly give him another year. Only reason why I might fire him is that he doesn't seem to be evolving with the NFL. His loyalty to players like Church, Heath, and Hayden, is pretty frustrating to me.

Jerome Henderson, Secondary - Technically, I'd give him credit for Scandrick, but for the secondary as a whole, I think this guy definitely needs to leave. Not sure why he was retained in the first place. We haven't had a good secondary since like 2009.
Joe Baker, Safeties - No one, should be fired.
Matt Eberflus, Linebackers - I think he should be retained. Done pretty good things with pretty much all of our linebackers.
Ben Bloom, Defensive Ends - You can kind of say he has developed Lawrence, but it was too slow, and hasn't done nearly enough with Gregory despite the injury. Maybe he gets another year, but I wouldn't be shy about looking around.
Leon Lett, Defensive Tackles - Definitely should be fired, but we definitely need to invest more in the tackles. Angry that I didn't see more from Crawford this year.

Rich Bissacia - Should have been fired a long time ago.

Players
Who should stay and who should go

Gone
Morris Claiborne
Mackenzy Bernadeau (we should draft a backup center at a much cheaper price, cost us nearly 3 million last year)
Jeremy Mincey
Matt Cassel
Kyle Wilber
Danny McCray
Jeff Heath
Tyler Clutts
Robert Turbin

Cut
Brandon Carr
Barry Church


Stay
Greg Hardy (I sign him for the right price for another year, to ensure that both Lawrence and Gregory can make due without him).
Rolando McClain (I resign him for another year, to buy us time to draft his replacement)
Lance Dunbar (For the right price)
James Hanna (For the right price)
Jack Crawford (For the right price)
Ron Leary (Tender)

Free Agency/Draft
My Goal for Free Agency would be to drastically increase the speed on offense and add a catalytic player on defense.

I would love to get a speedy receiver in the draft, but I am not convinced that this coaching staff could develop that player in the time Romo has remaining. I would much rather draft a running back than a wideout.

I think free agency is where we need to get a receiver, and I think the obvious choice is Alshon Jeffery. Not necessarily the fastest receiver in the game, but he is a big play receiver, who would back the defense off. I would also consider making a trade for Josh Gordon who will likely be an RFA. Highly risky player, but combined with Bryant would certainly give us an imposing offense. In 2013, he had 30 plays of 20 yards or more, leading the league. He also lead the league with plays of 40 or more with 9.

You trade for Josh Gordon (obviously not selling the farm to get him, maybe a 4th or 5th round draft pick) and you draft Ezekiel Elliot in the 1st round and combine that with Bryant, Beasley, and Williams, and this offensive line, and I think you probably have the best offense in the NFL. You would also retain McFadden in this scenario, with Dunbar.

So I'd try to get either Gordon as risky as that could be or Jeffery, if you could not pull the move off.

I do not think addressing the quarterback position in the first round is a prudent decision. There is no amazing QB in this draft, and drafting one in the first round would be a terrible reach. I do think there are options out there to address the QB position in free agency or a trade.

Bradford is a free agent.
Kaepernick may be released, and would be a free agent.
Matt Moore will once again be a free agent.
RG3 and Manziel are actually good options for backups as well, despite what people may think about them.

Especially if we put all these pieces around them, none of these quarterbacks should fail to win a few games.

The defense doesn't need nearly as much help. I believe we have half of the defense now with Scandrick and Jones. You get Weddle or Berry in free agency, and now you're 3/4ths to a decent secondary. The question becomes what do you do about the 4th spot. I don't see many likely options in free agency, so you would probably have to address this a couple times in the draft. One thing you could do, though I wouldn't be a huge fan of it is get Weddle or Berry play them at FS, play Wilcox at SS, Jones and Scandrick at CB.

You also definitely need to bring in a 1 technique finally. Mebane or Ngata might be options here. I know a lot of people don't like Ngata, but he is definitely still a huge upgrade from Hayden. Fairley might be a cheap option as well.

I don't think you need to transform the defense next year. I think you get Scandrick back, you get probably a better Lawrence and Gregory, and probably a better Hardy and Crawford. Hopefully you have Sean Lee and McClain for the whole year, and a better Hitchens and Wilson, not to mention Jones. I think this defense is probably on the right track, and playing with a lead more, they will be able to be more aggressive as a result.

A few additions here and there that don't break the bank probably give us a great defense. One thing we might keep an eye on is whether or not the Bills keep Mario Williams before we keep Greg Hardy. Williams is a much better player than Hardy, though I think we can get Hardy to come back for a lot cheaper. Williams is also 30 now, turning 31 in January.

Good write up

 

[jazzcat22]

Browns will take Bosa over a QB.
Titans won't go QB. SD may take one if they look at a future QB to replaces Rivers.
Then we can take Goff or Lynch, who ever is still there.

If we don't then SF takes him. Or if SD doesn't, and SF does, then the Giants may take one too, to replace Manning eventually.

Then in 5 years we will have Moore at QB, be 2-14 every year while SD and NY or SF are in the SB with new QBs from the 2016 draft.

We will be laughed at for years....as to why we didn't pick a QB .....

This is a prophecy folks....so hope we pick the QB to change history....

 

[dallasdave]

Browns will take Bosa over a QB.
Titans won't go QB. SD may take one if they look at a future QB to replaces Rivers.
Then we can take Goff or Lynch, who ever is still there.

If we don't then SF takes him. Or if SD doesn't, and SF does, then the Giants may take one too, to replace Manning eventually.

Then in 5 years we will have Moore at QB, be 2-14 every year while SD and NY or SF are in the SB with new QBs from the 2016 draft.

We will be laughed at for years....as to why we didn't pick a QB .....

This is a prophecy folks....so hope we pick the QB to change history....

Our back up QB's are the worst in the whole NFL !!!! Dallas has to do something !!!!

 

[Rockport]

Front Office -

I think the Front Office made a couple glaring mistakes in the off season. It starts with the decision to franchise Bryant and let Murray walk. I felt like it would have been much wiser to sign Bryant earlier, especially since they ended up overpaying him anyways. I think you could have traded Murray and at least got some value for him.

I think they should have released Carr and saved a lot of money going forward. I made numerous suggestions on who I felt they should have gone after, and maybe they wouldn't have been great, but I think they would have been better.

And the last mistake is in the evaluation of Weeden as the most improved player on the team in the offseason. Not sure what they saw to suggest that, but it wasn't the case. We should have gone after Matt Moore or Colt McCoy, either of whom I believe given the time to learn the system could have guided this team to the playoffs in Romo's absence.

Coaching Staff
Can't say that I'm enjoying this coaching staff, certainly not like I was in 2014. I think there certainly need to be changes here. I've never liked Garrett and even if this team finds success, I believe it will be in spite of him. It's a rare day that I've ever seen him out coach an opposing coach. I think we have one of the most vanilla offenses in the NFL, and can't imagine that Detroit was this cornbread. I'd love to replace Garrett with either Sean Payton if he becomes somehow available or Josh McDaniels who I think given a better environment than Denver, would excel. No one better to bring along a quarterback than him.

With the rest of the coaching staff and as to whether to keep them or not, my question is have you developed a single player drafted outside of the first round into a quality NFL player within three years?

Scott Linehan - Really liked what he did in 2014, hated what he did this year. I'd give him one more year, but wouldn't mind if he was replaced if the Head Coach is replaced.

Wade Wilson, QB Coach - Should absolutely be gone.
Gary Brown, RB Coach - Murray and Dunbar (He should stay).
Derek Dooley, WR Coach - No one, he should leave.
Michael Pope, TE Coach - No one, he should leave.
Frank Pollack, OL Coach - Tougher question. I guess you could say he developed Parnell, but I was never big on him in the first place. Thought he was the biggest downgrade on the team this year from Callahan. I would consider replacing him.

Rod Marinelli - I think he has largely transformed this defense and with an offense, would have produced a top 10 defense. A few bad injuries put him behind the gun as well. I'd certainly give him another year. Only reason why I might fire him is that he doesn't seem to be evolving with the NFL. His loyalty to players like Church, Heath, and Hayden, is pretty frustrating to me.

Jerome Henderson, Secondary - Technically, I'd give him credit for Scandrick, but for the secondary as a whole, I think this guy definitely needs to leave. Not sure why he was retained in the first place. We haven't had a good secondary since like 2009.
Joe Baker, Safeties - No one, should be fired.
Matt Eberflus, Linebackers - I think he should be retained. Done pretty good things with pretty much all of our linebackers.
Ben Bloom, Defensive Ends - You can kind of say he has developed Lawrence, but it was too slow, and hasn't done nearly enough with Gregory despite the injury. Maybe he gets another year, but I wouldn't be shy about looking around.
Leon Lett, Defensive Tackles - Definitely should be fired, but we definitely need to invest more in the tackles. Angry that I didn't see more from Crawford this year.

Rich Bissacia - Should have been fired a long time ago.

Players
Who should stay and who should go

Gone
Morris Claiborne
Mackenzy Bernadeau (we should draft a backup center at a much cheaper price, cost us nearly 3 million last year)
Jeremy Mincey
Matt Cassel
Kyle Wilber
Danny McCray
Jeff Heath
Tyler Clutts
Robert Turbin

Cut
Brandon Carr
Barry Church


Stay
Greg Hardy (I sign him for the right price for another year, to ensure that both Lawrence and Gregory can make due without him).
Rolando McClain (I resign him for another year, to buy us time to draft his replacement)
Lance Dunbar (For the right price)
James Hanna (For the right price)
Jack Crawford (For the right price)
Ron Leary (Tender)

Free Agency/Draft
My Goal for Free Agency would be to drastically increase the speed on offense and add a catalytic player on defense.

I would love to get a speedy receiver in the draft, but I am not convinced that this coaching staff could develop that player in the time Romo has remaining. I would much rather draft a running back than a wideout.

I think free agency is where we need to get a receiver, and I think the obvious choice is Alshon Jeffery. Not necessarily the fastest receiver in the game, but he is a big play receiver, who would back the defense off. I would also consider making a trade for Josh Gordon who will likely be an RFA. Highly risky player, but combined with Bryant would certainly give us an imposing offense. In 2013, he had 30 plays of 20 yards or more, leading the league. He also lead the league with plays of 40 or more with 9.

You trade for Josh Gordon (obviously not selling the farm to get him, maybe a 4th or 5th round draft pick) and you draft Ezekiel Elliot in the 1st round and combine that with Bryant, Beasley, and Williams, and this offensive line, and I think you probably have the best offense in the NFL. You would also retain McFadden in this scenario, with Dunbar.

So I'd try to get either Gordon as risky as that could be or Jeffery, if you could not pull the move off.

I do not think addressing the quarterback position in the first round is a prudent decision. There is no amazing QB in this draft, and drafting one in the first round would be a terrible reach. I do think there are options out there to address the QB position in free agency or a trade.

Bradford is a free agent.
Kaepernick may be released, and would be a free agent.
Matt Moore will once again be a free agent.
RG3 and Manziel are actually good options for backups as well, despite what people may think about them.

Especially if we put all these pieces around them, none of these quarterbacks should fail to win a few games.

The defense doesn't need nearly as much help. I believe we have half of the defense now with Scandrick and Jones. You get Weddle or Berry in free agency, and now you're 3/4ths to a decent secondary. The question becomes what do you do about the 4th spot. I don't see many likely options in free agency, so you would probably have to address this a couple times in the draft. One thing you could do, though I wouldn't be a huge fan of it is get Weddle or Berry play them at FS, play Wilcox at SS, Jones and Scandrick at CB.

You also definitely need to bring in a 1 technique finally. Mebane or Ngata might be options here. I know a lot of people don't like Ngata, but he is definitely still a huge upgrade from Hayden. Fairley might be a cheap option as well.

I don't think you need to transform the defense next year. I think you get Scandrick back, you get probably a better Lawrence and Gregory, and probably a better Hardy and Crawford. Hopefully you have Sean Lee and McClain for the whole year, and a better Hitchens and Wilson, not to mention Jones. I think this defense is probably on the right track, and playing with a lead more, they will be able to be more aggressive as a result.

A few additions here and there that don't break the bank probably give us a great defense. One thing we might keep an eye on is whether or not the Bills keep Mario Williams before we keep Greg Hardy. Williams is a much better player than Hardy, though I think we can get Hardy to come back for a lot cheaper. Williams is also 30 now, turning 31 in January.

Sorry but the first paragraph was so wrong I couldn't in good conscience read any more.

 

[noshame]

We will take a qb in the first. He will start some games this year.

 

[slomoxn]

I don't follow college football, (Vegas UNLV); so don't know anything about Elliott, but is he good enough to go as high as 1-10 or is it we just need a young running back? His highlights had holes like Murray's last year so I have no clue how well he runs when the hole isn't there. As far as QB I would really like them to go after Kaepernick, young, mobile and has an arm; let him sit behind Tony and learn, get a real qb coach that can teach him. (Not Wilson, no one has developed under him). Wouldn't it be better to find a body to put in the (is it one technique) to plug the middle and can also collapse the pocket, we know Hayden is not the guy. Just asking questions here because the defensive line although improved can't rely on Hardy every game all game.

 

[Galian Beast]

Examples and Stats?

Please see my new post about drafting QBs

 

[waving monkey]

A biased a OP as I've read

 

[DandyDon1722]

So let's take a look at both of these players.

Is Alshon Jeffery worth a franchise tag? I would say no. I don't think he is a top 5 receiver in the league. That would be crazy expensive to tag him.

Cleveland is definitely tired of Gordon. There is a chance he never even plays again. I'm not sure he can stay out of trouble. That being said, I would probably offer Cleveland a 3rd or a 4th for Manziel and Gordon.

Josh Gordon is an RFA, and you would have to start him with probably at least a 2nd round tender, but that's if you even want him on your team for another year. After that you'd have to franchise him. You probably want to get rid of both these guys, and both these guys could help Dallas. Give them a 4th for them.

Excellent post on the season review and I agree on everything - I mean everything.

Also I think Jeffrey could be another Laurent Robinson. He's just a solid guy that runs good routes, somebody Tony could depend and somebody that could take advantage of the attention paid to Dez.

Love Berry would settle on Weddle, don't hate Manziel if he really wants to be here and love Elliott in the draft. I think an explosive running back completely opens up the offense again.

I know the whole years sucked but we're not that far off.

Sign me up!

 

[Dhragon]

Sorry, but that's the most ridiculous mentality out there. The vast majority of 1st round drafted quarterbacks fail to become franchise QBs, and even more fail to become elite QBs.

Since it is far, far, far less likely to get a good/great/elite/franchise QB without risking the high first round pick, what is the solution then? To just go with a below average vet or keep prancing out late round QBs who have a hail Mary's chance only to ever pan out?

As risky as it is to go QB with a high first round pick, it is by far the most likely option to get a franchise QB.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I appreciate your write up, even though I disagree with most of it. No way in blue hetes do I draft a RB in the first round. Don't need to and we have much much bigger needs than RB. I don't go out and spend a lot of FA money on a WR either. Again, much bigger needs on this team than WR. I do like the idea of trading back in the first round, I don't think any of the QB available this year are worth a 4th pick overall. I trade back and take the best DB on the board. If it is a Safety or CB doesn't really matter, we need both and having Jones gives us a little flexibility here since I think he could develop into a very good FS or CB if he is allowed to just concentrate on one of them. I would pick up a QB in the 2nd. That QB will be developed by Romo for a couple of years and would be good to go when his time comes.

I like Weddle in FA. I like the idea of a cheap but solid DT in FA. I would resign McClain as well. Hardy maybe depending on the money but we have invested pretty decent in the DE position over the last couple of years, so if they decide it is sink or swim time with them, I am good with that as well. I would pick up a RB in the 3rd or 4th round.

 

[DeaconMoss]

Free Agency/Draft
My Goal for Free Agency would be to drastically increase the speed on offense and add a catalytic player on defense.

I would love to get a speedy receiver in the draft, but I am not convinced that this coaching staff could develop that player in the time Romo has remaining. I would much rather draft a running back than a wideout.
Here are some good WR Draft options:
Quinshad Davis
Pharoh Cooper
Mike Williams

I think free agency is where we need to get a receiver, and I think the obvious choice is Alshon Jeffery. Not necessarily the fastest receiver in the game, but he is a big play receiver, who would back the defense off. I would also consider making a trade for Josh Gordon who will likely be an RFA. Highly risky player, but combined with Bryant would certainly give us an imposing offense. In 2013, he had 30 plays of 20 yards or more, leading the league. He also lead the league with plays of 40 or more with 9.

You trade for Josh Gordon (obviously not selling the farm to get him, maybe a 4th or 5th round draft pick) and you draft Ezekiel Elliot in the 1st round and combine that with Bryant, Beasley, and Williams, and this offensive line, and I think you probably have the best offense in the NFL. You would also retain McFadden in this scenario, with Dunbar.

So I'd try to get either Gordon as risky as that could be or Jeffery, if you could not pull the move off.

I do not think addressing the quarterback position in the first round is a prudent decision. There is no amazing QB in this draft, and drafting one in the first round would be a terrible reach. I do think there are options out there to address the QB position in free agency or a trade.

Bradford is a free agent.
Kaepernick may be released, and would be a free agent.
Matt Moore will once again be a free agent.
RG3 and Manziel are actually good options for backups as well, despite what people may think about them. +1

Especially if we put all these pieces around them, none of these quarterbacks should fail to win a few games.

The defense doesn't need nearly as much help. I believe we have half of the defense now with Scandrick and Jones. You get Weddle or Berry in free agency, and now you're 3/4ths to a decent secondary. The question becomes what do you do about the 4th spot. I don't see many likely options in free agency, so you would probably have to address this a couple times in the draft. One thing you could do, though I wouldn't be a huge fan of it is get Weddle or Berry play them at FS, play Wilcox at SS, Jones and Scandrick at CB. Run to the podium for Jalen Ramsey

You also definitely need to bring in a 1 technique finally. Mebane or Ngata might be options here. I know a lot of people don't like Ngata, but he is definitely still a huge upgrade from Hayden. Fairley might be a cheap option as well. Somehow someway, Hayden has to be upgraded. He is simply not an impact player.

I don't think you need to transform the defense next year. I think you get Scandrick back, you get probably a better Lawrence and Gregory, and probably a better Hardy and Crawford. Hopefully you have Sean Lee and McClain for the whole year, and a better Hitchens and Wilson, not to mention Jones. I think this defense is probably on the right track, and playing with a lead more, they will be able to be more aggressive as a result.

A few additions here and there that don't break the bank probably give us a great defense. One thing we might keep an eye on is whether or not the Bills keep Mario Williams before we keep Greg Hardy. Williams is a much better player than Hardy, though I think we can get Hardy to come back for a lot cheaper. Williams is also 30 now, turning 31 in January +1.

+1

 

[DogFace]

Sorry, but that's the most ridiculous mentality out there. The vast majority of 1st round drafted quarterbacks fail to become franchise QBs, and even more fail to become elite QBs.

I would add many of the top qb's are former first rounders.

 

[DeaconMoss]

A very weak year for QBs in the draft combined with having a elite franchise QB on their last years. It would be a mistake to reach for a QB just because you have a high draft pick.

Cleveland has been doing this for years. So has Detroit and Oakland. Not sure why people don't acknowledge that.

Yep thats why you get Jalen and roll the dice with later picks like Hogan and\or Brissett

 

[SuspectCorner]

QB first round. You may not think there's a franchise QB out there but you DON'T know. Since none of us knows, let's get one of the top 2, and find out.

i don't like the idea that the cowboys are forced to draft-by-position, such as locking their sights on the top-rated QB available with their first pick. to me - that's 'chasing' the position instead of making the best pick. while i do agree they should plan on drafting a QB - i think the team would be better off to go with their board and take the BPA in the first round. and if first-round BPA ends up being a QB... so much the better.

 

[erod]

Frank Pollack, OL Coach - Tougher question. I guess you could say he developed Parnell, but I was never big on him in the first place. Thought he was the biggest downgrade on the team this year from Callahan. I would consider replacing him.

Keep in mind, the Cowboys ran the ball better this year than Washington. Let's not overrate Callahan.

 

[Doomsday101]

All I can say is this has been the most disappointing season I have seen from the Cowboys is a long time. Frankly there were some players I would have put their suite case with all belongings in their locker outside the locker room and tell them don't bother entering the locker room.

I think there are several coaches and players who need to look themselves in the mirror as to how dedicated they really are to this franchise. Right now I question the heart of many on this team