Five Free Agents The Cowboys Could Sign In Wake Of The Rolando McClain Suspension

[TwoDeep3]

The Dallas Cowboys, and their fans, received the bad news that middle linebacker Rolando McClain will be suspended for the first 10 games of the 2016 season. This comes as a big blow to the Cowboys defense as McClain is a big, physical and athletic presence in the middle of the Cowboys defense capable of playing all three downs. Last year wasn't his best, but he's still the best talent the Cowboys have in the middle and one of the better players on their defense. Now the Cowboys have to figure out what they'll do without him for most of the season.

Of course Dallas could choose to fill the role internally. My guess would be they don't want to move Sean Lee back to the middle after his successful conversion to the weak side. So assuming he stays where he is, Anthony Hitchens is likely the next candidate. He has experience playing there for the Cowboys, but his play at linebacker was very inconsistent last year. In this offseason when McClain was absent, journeyman Andrew Gachkar got most of the first-string reps in the middle. That was likely because Hitchens was manning the strong side, a position they thought he would be starting at in 2016. The Cowboys also have the combination of Kyle Wilber, Damien Wilson and Mark Nzeocha. While the Cowboys may very well go with what they currently have, it doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

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http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...ld-sign-in-wake-of-rolando-mcclain-suspension

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'd pass on all 5.

 

[Bullflop]

I think Anthony Hitchens probably holds more promise at MLB than any of those listed in the preceding article.

 

[Cowboy06]

No thank you. Let's find some young talent and let the coaches coach them up. Signing older players when the defense is perhaps not good is only stunting development. JMO

 

[DogFace]

I'm with you all. Stick and develope.

 

[Alexander]

This organization is far too veteran adverse to bother with any of these players. Durant has a slim chance, considering we already know the player and tried to keep him last year.

The "progress stopper" concept Stephen Jones used to get Terrell Owens out the door has stuck and allows the unbridled optimistic streak to become part of the culture.

"Let's see what we have in the young players" only works if you have the right ones. We are not good enough at identifying defensive talent to get away with it.

The LB corps needs a veteran, if for nothing else to keep players like Nzeocha and Damien Wilson motivated and thinking they have to fight for a job. But it won't happen.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Beggars can't be choosers and we have zero depth at LBer. I would definitely consider bringing Durant back. We aren't going to find a talent to replace Ro in one player-- but we can potentially add a couple pieces that can insure we aren't trotting out camp fodder in case someone gets hurt.

We're already thin on the DL... It would be a mistake for this FO to sit back and do nothing to stop the bleeding on defense. Make a trade. Sign Durant. Do something that shows the fanbase you aren't completely alright with fielding a wretched defense in 2016.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Durant shined in Marinelli's defense before, I'd love to have him back if he's still physically capable.

 

[Alexander]

I'm with you all. Stick and develope.

We stuck with players like Costa, Proctor, Ogletree, Weems and for years. They never developed.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Beggars can't be choosers and we have zero depth at LBer.

Gachkar, Hitchens, King, Lee, Nzeocha, Wilbur, Wilson.

We aren't beggers and taking McClain off that list for 10 games doesn't put us in panic mode.

 

[DogFace]

We stuck with players like Costa, Proctor, Ogletree, Weems and for years. They never developed.

Yes. That happened but, most of these guys are young and have shown some promise. Hichens had a decent rookie year. Wilson had one bad play. I don't think after two years we should put either in the Costa category.

We also stuck with Romo. Arguably, Murray and some others I'm sure.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Gachkar, Hitchens, King, Lee, Nzeocha, Wilbur, Wilson.

We aren't beggers and taking McClain off that list for 10 games doesn't put us in panic mode.

Hitchens is the only player in that list that has shown an ability to start consistently. He's also shown a propensity for injury. Gachkar is a STer and a spot starter. Everybody else on that list are JAGs.

You do realize that Lee is the only good thing we have at LBer at the moment right? When has he ever played 16? I'm not in "panic" mode. I'm in "the front office should do a competent job" mode.

They gambled and lost. Fine. Now-- do the right thing and at least improve the quality of your depth. Vet guys like Durant/Lofton/Ryan may not be a long term answer-- but right now I'd take them coming in for Lee or Hitchens over anybody else on the roster.

 

[Alexander]

Yes. That happened but, most of these guys are young and have shown some promise. Hichens had a decent rookie year. Wilson had one bad play. I don't think after two years we should put either in the Costa category.

We also stuck with Romo. Arguably, Murray and some others I'm sure.

Hitchens is not part of the equation. He will be relied upon to start somewhere. It is more about Nzeocha and Wilson. I don't even see where they have proven anymore than any of the supposed talented players I mentioned. Are we so secure in our abilities to judge fit and talent on that side of the ball where we can simply cross our fingers? It is a foolish gamble. If the two are good enough, they will be able to fight off the competition. This progress stopper ideology does not work.

 

[iceberg]

Beggars can't be choosers and we have zero depth at LBer. I would definitely consider bringing Durant back. We aren't going to find a talent to replace Ro in one player-- but we can potentially add a couple pieces that can insure we aren't trotting out camp fodder in case someone gets hurt.

We're already thin on the DL... It would be a mistake for this FO to sit back and do nothing to stop the bleeding on defense. Make a trade. Sign Durant. Do something that shows the fanbase you aren't completely alright with fielding a wretched defense in 2016.

what exactly did ro do that wasn't so irreplaceable?

damn sure wasn't drug use.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think Dallas should look to bring in a FA losing McClain cuts into any depth we had in the LB core, this notion you are cutting into someone else playing time? please, if you play good ball you will get playing time but you also have to look to the overall team and the prospect that injury can and do happen.

 

[Alexander]

this notion you are cutting into someone else playing time? please, if you play good ball you will get playing time but you also have to look to the overall team and the prospect that injury can and do happen.

Exactly. Are we that insecure that we see adding veterans looks like a failure on the draftees?

Sure seems like it.

 

[DogFace]

Hitchens is not part of the equation. He will be relied upon to start somewhere. It is more about Nzeocha and Wilson. I don't even see where they have proven anymore than any of the supposed talented players I mentioned. Are we so secure in our abilities to judge fit and talent on that side of the ball where we can simply cross our fingers? It is a foolish gamble. If the two are good enough, they will be able to fight off the competition. This progress stopper ideology does not work.

You're probably right. I still think they can't be put in the Costa category and we'll have to find out about Wilson and Nzeocha. I don't see any of the vets mentioned as overwhelming players. Maybe Durant would be ok but, I'd like a young guy to step up. I think we've drafted ok recently and maybe one of these guys can be decent.

We stil have time to find out.

 

[Alexander]

We stil have time to find out.

Time is irrelevant. Either the players can play or they can't. I just don't see the logic in not protecting yourself in case they can't.

Are we that cheap that we are not willing to take the financial risk on a vet? Seems like it.

 

[TheFinisher]

I'd take a look at A.J. Hawk. He's been saying he's looking for the right opportunity and he'd be a reliable bridge option for this year.

He's 32 so obviously is on the downside of his career but looking at the other options available they're all in similar situations. Hawk has always been a true pro and would be a great influence on the young guys. Blue collar guy.

 

[jrumann59]

Durant shined in Marinelli's defense before, I'd love to have him back if he's still physically capable.

yes he did in 16 games over TWO seasons