Free Agency signing thoughts

[jterrell]

Randall Cobb: Cobb has been a bit more productive than Beasley over the past 3-4 seasons but fell off badly last year missing 9 games. Cobb can help you in the slot and the on the outside. He runs solid routes, is tough and knows where to sit down in zones. He's not as quick as Beasley offers much more physicality and can extend plays through that. Expect Cobb to be WR3 with the chance he takes WR2 if Gallup doesn't show the expected improvement.

Devin Smith: Hail Mary type signing on a former high draft pick who's done nothing. IP then PUP guy Smith was raw and never showed any development before injury robbed him of showing anything. Could fight way onto roster as a special teamer. 6' 200 is great size if he has any speed left after injury.

Kerry Hyder: Rotational guy who will help by playing 3T. SDE and anything else you want. Great attitude and a guy who has had an 8 sack season at 3T before injury. This was Texas Tech's last really good DL.

Chris Covington: Rod type dude at 290 but a nose tackle sort. Has some NFL experience but is only 25.

George Iloka: Interesting fit as Dallas doesn't really like interchangeable Safeties anymore. He's been a FS in a cover 2 mostly but would likely end up a box guy for Richard. Richard and McClay love their physical prototypes though and Iloka is probably about the perfect Cover 1/3 Box safety. 6'4" and 225 is almost exactly what Kam Chancellor was. I like the signing as DAL has 3 safeties last year and occasionally play a 4th guy who was really just a special teamer if someone was dinged up. Frazier can't play FS at all so this move means 3 guys can and 3 guys can also play SS and all 4 guys can play special teams.

FA losses:
Bease: Beasley is a proud dude. He wouldn't have made it this far without that but at 29 not sure he made the right call. Not sure financially it is really a win over the long haul. Fully expect him to keep his Texas digs and just rent in Buffalo. Wish him the best though and hope he tortures that AFC.

Damien Wilson: Solid, solid backer who gave DAL great value as a draftee but was always going to be gone as LB4 can't make any real money in this system..

Geoff Swaim: Good on him getting paid but TEs are simply being paid more on the market than DAL values them. Was always going to be gone as few chances to lock down TE1 ended up with him injured it seems.

Gone fishing:
DI: He hated football. Nothing else to it.
TWill: Local guy who you wish the best for but it really is hard to understand how a professional WR never caught the ball away from his body with his hands. I was taught that in 9th grade. Even DBs practice hands drills.

 

[Verdict]

Randall Cobb: Cobb has been a bit more productive than Beasley over the past 3-4 seasons but fell off badly last year missing 9 games. Cobb can help you in the slot and the on the outside. He runs solid routes, is tough and knows where to sit down in zones. He's not as quick as Beasley offers much more physicality and can extend plays through that. Expect Cobb to be WR3 with the chance he takes WR2 if Gallup doesn't show the expected improvement.

Devin Smith: Hail Mary type signing on a former high draft pick who's done nothing. IP then PUP guy Smith was raw and never showed any development before injury robbed him of showing anything. Could fight way onto roster as a special teamer. 6' 200 is great size if he has any speed left after injury.

Kerry Hyder: Rotational guy who will help by playing 3T. SDE and anything else you want. Great attitude and a guy who has had an 8 sack season at 3T before injury. This was Texas Tech's last really good DL.

Chris Covington: Rod type dude at 290 but a nose tackle sort. Has some NFL experience but is only 25.

George Iloka: Interesting fit as Dallas doesn't really like interchangeable Safeties anymore. He's been a FS in a cover 2 mostly but would likely end up a box guy for Richard. Richard and McClay love their physical prototypes though and Iloka is probably about the perfect Cover 1/3 Box safety. 6'4" and 225 is almost exactly what Kam Chancellor was. I like the signing as DAL has 3 safeties last year and occasionally play a 4th guy who was really just a special teamer if someone was dinged up. Frazier can't play FS at all so this move means 3 guys can and 3 guys can also play SS and all 4 guys can play special teams.

FA losses:
Bease: Beasley is a proud dude. He wouldn't have made it this far without that but at 29 not sure he made the right call. Not sure financially it is really a win over the long haul. Fully expect him to keep his Texas digs and just rent in Buffalo. Wish him the best though and hope he tortures that AFC.

Damien Wilson: Solid, solid backer who gave DAL great value as a draftee but was always going to be gone as LB4 can't make any real money in this system..

Geoff Swaim: Good on him getting paid but TEs are simply being paid more on the market than DAL values them. Was always going to be gone as few chances to lock down TE1 ended up with him injured it seems.

Gone fishing:
DI: He hated football. Nothing else to it.
TWill: Local guy who you wish the best for but it really is hard to understand how a professional WR never caught the ball away from his body with his hands. I was taught that in 9th grade. Even DBs practice hands drills.

I'm not sure how these signings will turn out but it seems like a nice risk vs reward checklist of players. It's pretty consistent with what we have done over the past few years. None of them are swing for the fences type of contracts but some of the players could be.

If these signings allow us to go BPA and draft like we have in prior years, then we have a shot to have another great draft.

Bottoms up! Cheers!!

 

[Redball Express]

Randall Cobb: Cobb has been a bit more productive than Beasley over the past 3-4 seasons but fell off badly last year missing 9 games. Cobb can help you in the slot and the on the outside. He runs solid routes, is tough and knows where to sit down in zones. He's not as quick as Beasley offers much more physicality and can extend plays through that. Expect Cobb to be WR3 with the chance he takes WR2 if Gallup doesn't show the expected improvement.

Devin Smith: Hail Mary type signing on a former high draft pick who's done nothing. IP then PUP guy Smith was raw and never showed any development before injury robbed him of showing anything. Could fight way onto roster as a special teamer. 6' 200 is great size if he has any speed left after injury.

Kerry Hyder: Rotational guy who will help by playing 3T. SDE and anything else you want. Great attitude and a guy who has had an 8 sack season at 3T before injury. This was Texas Tech's last really good DL.

Chris Covington: Rod type dude at 290 but a nose tackle sort. Has some NFL experience but is only 25.

George Iloka: Interesting fit as Dallas doesn't really like interchangeable Safeties anymore. He's been a FS in a cover 2 mostly but would likely end up a box guy for Richard. Richard and McClay love their physical prototypes though and Iloka is probably about the perfect Cover 1/3 Box safety. 6'4" and 225 is almost exactly what Kam Chancellor was. I like the signing as DAL has 3 safeties last year and occasionally play a 4th guy who was really just a special teamer if someone was dinged up. Frazier can't play FS at all so this move means 3 guys can and 3 guys can also play SS and all 4 guys can play special teams.

FA losses:
Bease: Beasley is a proud dude. He wouldn't have made it this far without that but at 29 not sure he made the right call. Not sure financially it is really a win over the long haul. Fully expect him to keep his Texas digs and just rent in Buffalo. Wish him the best though and hope he tortures that AFC.

Damien Wilson: Solid, solid backer who gave DAL great value as a draftee but was always going to be gone as LB4 can't make any real money in this system..

Geoff Swaim: Good on him getting paid but TEs are simply being paid more on the market than DAL values them. Was always going to be gone as few chances to lock down TE1 ended up with him injured it seems.

Gone fishing:
DI: He hated football. Nothing else to it.
TWill: Local guy who you wish the best for but it really is hard to understand how a professional WR never caught the ball away from his body with his hands. I was taught that in 9th grade. Even DBs practice hands drills.

I do not think we are done.

So far OK for me.

We are going to need more DL help and I do not think we can afford to draft more Tacos.

Which is what the draft has for us at 58.

I think a trade is going to happen before the regular season or the trade deadline like with Cooper.

We will see.

Our pass rush is going to be very weak this year. Could be terminable for our playoff chances if not fixed.

 

[beware_d-ware]

I think Covington was a nice add. He is the perfect Marinelli 1T type, has already been a successful run stuffer in the pros, and came cheap.

George Iloka: not a difference maker, but not Jeff Heath. Good signing. He could be in line to start.

Randall Cobb: I am kind of torn about him. He's a cheaper alternative to Beasley, but $5 million for a dude who looked washed last season is kind of rich in my book. Wish we still had Ryan Switzer here playing for like $1 mil.

Kerry Hyder is a JAG and a long shot. Devin Smith is longer still.

Beasley didn't want to be here so I don't mind letting him go. Wilson, Swaim, T-Will, etc, won't be missed.

Overall, it's just been your normal Cowboys FA period of bargain bin shopping, although I don't see any Nolan Carrolls in this group.

 

[Verdict]

I do not think we are done.

So far OK for me.

We are going to need more DL help and I do not think we can afford to draft more Tacos.

Which is what the draft has for us at 58.

I think a trade is going to happen before the regular season or the trade deadline like with Cooper.

We will see.

Our pass rush is going to be very weak this year. Could be terminable for our playoff chances if not fixed.

While I would not rule out anything, I think Tank has a better chance of getting traded than Cooper.

 

[Tangle_Foot]

Why is no one talking about Cody McElroy... that's right, Cody McElroy . A tight end with Short Stop & Basketball experience. This guy pulled rebounds off the rim and fielded ground balls off his shoe tops. This gives him an enormous catch radius... no excuses Dak

 

[xwalker]

Why is no one talking about Cody McElroy... that's right, Cody McElroy . A tight end with Short Stop & Basketball experience. This guy pulled rebounds off the rim and fielded ground balls off his shoe tops. This gives him an enormous catch radius... no excuses Dak

The first rule of Cody McElroy is you DO NOT talk about Cody McElroy...

 

[Hadenough]

This FA period has been a disappointment! They havent improved at all because everyone they signed are no more than backup players. This is like shuffling the chairs around in a room. They havent brought in one guy that is considered an impact player.
As we sit back and wait the Rams go out and sign Clay Matthews to a 2 year 16 mil contract that really equates to 1 year for 5.5 mil if they want out. Thats what I call a bargain for a guy who has made big plays his entire career. He is going to be one of their DE pass rushers.

 

[Stash]

A specific thought about the Randall Cobb signing. Dak is going to need to change the way he plays for Cobb to succeed in the slot. A big part of Beasley's frustrations - and rightly so - was that Dak was often late in throwing to him. Dak has to "see it to believe it", and it's a habit he has yet to break. Beasley would be open, Dak would be late delivering the ball, and the defender would have time to react. Cobb will often times be even less open, but Rodgers had the experience and confidence to thread the needle and throw it anyway. If Dak can't or won't do the same, I don't expect Cobb to get a whole lot of opportunities.

 

[Pants]

If Quinn and McDowell also come to Dallas, then does that open them up to just about anything in the draft? or, would adding those two, plus Covington and Hyder mean that they are done on the DL (other than to sign DLAW)?

 

[unionjack8]

Randall cobb really is the only guy I see having an impact.
The others are truly meh to me.
It's quite obvious that this front office doesn't intend to better itself through free agency.
The demarcus Lawrence tag has hamstrung the offseason but it needn't have mattered. They believe they have the draft figured out and whilst that's mainly true in the top round the depth we should be getting from later rounds just isn't there...

 

[Stash]

If Quinn and McDowell also come to Dallas, then does that open them up to just about anything in the draft? or, would adding those two, plus Covington and Hyder mean that they are done on the DL (other than to sign DLAW)?

My own opinion would be that there are still many questions on the defensive line and therefore still much work to do.

Consider that as of now, Lawrence hasn't even signed his franchise tag tender, much less the thought of a long term deal.

And most of the other defensive linemen of not are under one year contracts, or on shaky ground in terms of sticking around.

And even if a trade for Quinn does go through, I'd expect it to be a short term extension rather than a long term one if it does happen.

Overall, there is a ton of uncertainty as to who stays and who goes on the defensive line.

 

[OmerV]

Nice supplemental peices, but no dramatic upgrades. Essentially they allow us to be more focused in the draft.

 

[RodeoJake]

I like the Cobb signing. He adds a dimension that Cole didn't give us.

Hyder could be a good reclamation project.

Covington could be an eye popper signing if he plays like he did in his limited snaps for the Texans. Houston has deep Dline talent and he just didn't get many snaps.

Iloka doesn't excite me, but I hope he proves me wrong.

Don't know enough about the others to have an opinion.

 

[Whyjerry]

Randall Cobb: Cobb has been a bit more productive than Beasley over the past 3-4 seasons but fell off badly last year missing 9 games. Cobb can help you in the slot and the on the outside. He runs solid routes, is tough and knows where to sit down in zones. He's not as quick as Beasley offers much more physicality and can extend plays through that. Expect Cobb to be WR3 with the chance he takes WR2 if Gallup doesn't show the expected improvement.

Devin Smith: Hail Mary type signing on a former high draft pick who's done nothing. IP then PUP guy Smith was raw and never showed any development before injury robbed him of showing anything. Could fight way onto roster as a special teamer. 6' 200 is great size if he has any speed left after injury.

Kerry Hyder: Rotational guy who will help by playing 3T. SDE and anything else you want. Great attitude and a guy who has had an 8 sack season at 3T before injury. This was Texas Tech's last really good DL.

Chris Covington: Rod type dude at 290 but a nose tackle sort. Has some NFL experience but is only 25.

George Iloka: Interesting fit as Dallas doesn't really like interchangeable Safeties anymore. He's been a FS in a cover 2 mostly but would likely end up a box guy for Richard. Richard and McClay love their physical prototypes though and Iloka is probably about the perfect Cover 1/3 Box safety. 6'4" and 225 is almost exactly what Kam Chancellor was. I like the signing as DAL has 3 safeties last year and occasionally play a 4th guy who was really just a special teamer if someone was dinged up. Frazier can't play FS at all so this move means 3 guys can and 3 guys can also play SS and all 4 guys can play special teams.

FA losses:
Bease: Beasley is a proud dude. He wouldn't have made it this far without that but at 29 not sure he made the right call. Not sure financially it is really a win over the long haul. Fully expect him to keep his Texas digs and just rent in Buffalo. Wish him the best though and hope he tortures that AFC.

Damien Wilson: Solid, solid backer who gave DAL great value as a draftee but was always going to be gone as LB4 can't make any real money in this system..

Geoff Swaim: Good on him getting paid but TEs are simply being paid more on the market than DAL values them. Was always going to be gone as few chances to lock down TE1 ended up with him injured it seems.

Gone fishing:
DI: He hated football. Nothing else to it.
TWill: Local guy who you wish the best for but it really is hard to understand how a professional WR never caught the ball away from his body with his hands. I was taught that in 9th grade. Even DBs practice hands drills.

Net positive. Heath not starting is a major positive. Quinn is a big need. Off-season is also a big negative if they can’t get Lawrence done.

 

[ItzKelz]

I hope I am wrong about Cobb....but I never saw anything that made him more than just a guy. Beasley was just a guy too. Hopefully the difference in Cobbs game will be beneficial to Dak and the offense.

 

[Verdict]

This FA period has been a disappointment! They havent improved at all because everyone they signed are no more than backup players. This is like shuffling the chairs around in a room. They havent brought in one guy that is considered an impact player.
As we sit back and wait the Rams go out and sign Clay Matthews to a 2 year 16 mil contract that really equates to 1 year for 5.5 mil if they want out. Thats what I call a bargain for a guy who has made big plays his entire career. He is going to be one of their DE pass rushers.

If the Cowboys had signed Clay Matthews to the contract that the Rams did you guys would be flipping out. That dude isn't anything special. He's done or almost done. That's why he is no longer a Packer.

 

[jazzcat22]

A specific thought about the Randall Cobb signing. Dak is going to need to change the way he plays for Cobb to succeed in the slot. A big part of Beasley's frustrations - and rightly so - was that Dak was often late in throwing to him. Dak has to "see it to believe it", and it's a habit he has yet to break. Beasley would be open, Dak would be late delivering the ball, and the defender would have time to react. Cobb will often times be even less open, but Rodgers had the experience and confidence to thread the needle and throw it anyway. If Dak can't or won't do the same, I don't expect Cobb to get a whole lot of opportunities.

This is where I hope Kitna can help improve Dak on.

 

[jazzcat22]

If the Cowboys had signed Clay Matthews to the contract that the Rams did you guys would be flipping out. That dude isn't anything special. He's done or almost done. That's why he is no longer a Packer.

Matthews has been done for a few years now. Making the occasional play that still made him seem relevant. Maybe a change will help him, but I don't see him as that impact player for that big contract.

 

[Pants]

My own opinion would be that there are still many questions on the defensive line and therefore still much work to do.

Consider that as of now, Lawrence hasn't even signed his franchise tag tender, much less the thought of a long term deal.

And most of the other defensive linemen of not are under one year contracts, or on shaky ground in terms of sticking around.

And even if a trade for Quinn does go through, I'd expect it to be a short term extension rather than a long term one if it does happen.

Overall, there is a ton of uncertainty as to who stays and who goes on the defensive line.

I agree, I think (IF DLAW IS SIGNED), that the DLine is a little better than last year with Quinn and McDowell on board....I have to see those guys in action with DLAW taking up a lot of company to see if the DLine is going to be OK...I am not sure if adding someone else via the draft at 58 (for example) makes that group any better this year, but maybe long-term

I do like seeing the 1-year deals at the moment - seems (to me) to be tied to Garrett....so if they can him after the season, then it is likely that these 1-year guys didn't pan out and it doesn't kill the future