Free Agency so far

[Fla Cowpoke]

Doesnt hurt to have 4 CBs with starting experience

When 3 of them would be considered mediocre to average at best, I am not sure it is a good thing.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Yep. I think we should bring back Hardy for a year and draft the best DL at 34 (most likely an interior). I think we need to give T. Crawford some help (and some competition) at 3-tech. I'd be happy going into the season with a DL of:

WDE - Hardy/Gregory
3DT - Crawford/rookie
1DT - Thornton/McClain
SDE - Lawrence/Irving

That's not including Russell and Jack Crawford (if resigned) who can help out at DE and DT.

Really hope that Russell has improved....everyone has forgot about him or dismissed him, but sometimes it takes a little more time to make the jump. Also isn't McClain more of a 3 tech?

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

They have an elite but old qb, the time is now so they traded a de that just got busted for drugs and is in the last year of his contract for a former first round guard (to protect brady) and a second round draft pick.
Then they got one of the top 7 te in the game to pair along with the best in the game. If I was a patriot fan I'd be feeling pretty good about those moves.

Yeah, I love what the Pats have done. Bennett with Gronk and Brady could be scary.

 

[Beast_from_East]

I think Scandrick being hurt was a bigger blow than people give it credit. Think about it...we lost the league leading rusher (that was our fault), our top 5-10 in the league QB, our top 3 in the league receiver played hurt or was missing the whole season, and our top CB was gone all season. I think if the three injured players are back to full strength and we draft the right RB to go with DMac that we can be right back into it.

I think Thornton is a BIG upgrade from Hayden in the run defense. I agree that the pass rush is still a concern. Assuming Hardy does not come back I can see Long or Jason Jones as a vet addition and then the obvious choice is Bosa at #4, but my pet cat is Nassib in the 2nd round. I think we will see an improved Crawford after the shoulder surgery and I think DLaw will be moved to the Weak side and have a monster year. .

I think pass rush is our biggest problem right now, we almost have to take Bosa at 4 if he is there.

 

[Beast_from_East]

So every free agent bar one that had come in, chose to sign somewhere else. - not an upgrade, except Thornton. And he is changing position. Steven and Jerry have said since the season ended, that an upgrade at backup QB was a main priority - fail. CB no upgrade, puts the leverage back in Carr's hands - just like last year. No upgrade at DE, chose to sign else where.
So, now that we can only barging basement hunt, we will not really upgrade anywhere, except a 2 down 1-tech.
If the purpose of free agency is to plug holes so you can take best available in the draft. Again, fail. Now we have to find pass rush, CB, RB, LBers, Safety, DT depth etc, etc, etc
And still their stated # 1 priority is has not been addressed.
Not what I had hoped for at all ...

I think all of us are disappointed in how this team is shaping up. I am not being negative (I read the warning sticky), I am just saying that this team has a lot of holes and that so far not very many of those holes have been addressed and you cant fill everything with the draft.

Pass rush is the main problem as of right now, if you assume Romo plays all 16 games. If Romo goes down, the plan appears to be Kellan Moore to fill in. I highly disagree with this move and I predict we will be in the same situation as last year, we will lose virtually every game Romo does not play. However, for the sake of argument, lets say Romo makes it through 16 games. The pass rush is laughable at this point, we have no Hardy and Gregory is suspended for 4 games. Our only pass rushing threat right now is DLaw and that is it.

We are basically forced to take Bosa at pick 4 now, I just don't see how we can go into the season with what we have at DE and there are really no good options in free agency left at DE.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

My problem with your problem is this: (lol)

You weren't going to fix the pass rush in free agency.
The best pass rusher available was our own guy. Hardy. And he is the best BY FAR.
The best young talent was Vernon... he of less sacks last year than DLaw. He had less than 1 sacks every 2 games but got paid like a Pro Bowler.
Mario Williams graded out worse on tape than people realize but he was a bnig name so there were cries for him.

And you weren't going to fix CB.
The top CB and pass rushers were franchised. These were guys worth big deals who could have been lead horses.
The available players were and are not that good.
No CB who is better than Orlando Scandrick was available.
So we were once again going to be paying CB1 money for CB2.
And the team wisely did not. They looked for cheaper options and resigned a guy whose got lots of knocks but plenty of upside.

Janoris Jenkins is more reliable than Mo to be sure, but he's probably not a "better" CB on any given play.
STL chose to let him leave. He was a good CB2, much like Brandon Carr that can help but got overpaid mightily.

You don't win in free agency by hitting home runs. The top 5 teams in spend the last decade are avaraging less than .400% in wins.
Teams who do well in free agency draft well, resign their own and cherry pick good values.

Talent matters a heck of a lot but in this era of football after QB it is almost always about price per pound.
What are you getting for said player at said price.
Seattle didn't accidently win all those games with huge bargains for Russell and a couple DL. Once they paid them it's been tougher.
See Kaep in SF. Same deal. Lots of guys who are average making peanuts and amazingly you can compete with anyone.
Because you then have money to add average to above average players to fill holes and you can resign your own continuing their development and getting them for their peak years.

Dallas entered free agncy with a bottom 5 spend. They "could" have made moves and improved to about middle of the pack but they were never toucvhign the cash available to Jax, Oak, NYG and some of these teams who went for it.
They have been very calm and effective thus far.
Even stealing Hanna back before he could head to San Diego. --and quietly he was a huge need as blocking TE is key for this offense.
We got the 1T upgrade it never seemed Rod would allow and we've lost next to nothing of meaning yet.

Free agency isn't close to over. This was just round 1 when the players are at their shiniest and priciest.

Really great post, surprised there aren't more likes. If we have health this year, we should be able to rebound from last year's disappointment and contend in the NFC East. I like the idea of adding Elliott who I think can become the back Murray was, but with home run potential. That ground control offense can get us back to 2014 where we protected the defense.

DE is a huge concern, the biggest the team has. I don't like every other position but this is the one that is probably make or break for the team. Would love to think a rookie or even two could fix this, but history says no. So it's back to trying to scheme a pass rush, and honestly I don't think that is Marinelli's strong suit.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I think all of us are disappointed in how this team is shaping up. I am not being negative (I read the warning sticky), I am just saying that this team has a lot of holes and that so far not very many of those holes have been addressed and you cant fill everything with the draft.

Pass rush is the main problem as of right now, if you assume Romo plays all 16 games. If Romo goes down, the plan appears to be Kellan Moore to fill in. I highly disagree with this move and I predict we will be in the same situation as last year, we will lose virtually every game Romo does not play. However, for the sake of argument, lets say Romo makes it through 16 games. The pass rush is laughable at this point, we have no Hardy and Gregory is suspended for 4 games. Our only pass rushing threat right now is DLaw and that is it.

We are basically forced to take Bosa at pick 4 now, I just don't see how we can go into the season with what we have at DE and there are really no good options in free agency left at DE.

We are probably better off trying to improve the team at a different spot than we are at reaching for a DE. History says rookie pass rushers aren't very impactful. We might be better off adding Myles Jack to take Wilber/Hitchens spot than we are having Bosa start in place of David Irving or whoever would be our starting De opposite Lawrence.

 

[Beast_from_East]

8-8 is way better than 4-12, so he's right. Unfortunately, i can't see us doing better because the front office (and many fans) completely overrate the talent every year.

The problem now is that perception is reality and the perception around the league is that you only go to Dallas to get paid, not win games.

That is why free agents like Long picked New England over us and I cant say I blame him. If the money is close, why would you come to Dallas over the Pats?

The only reason to sign with Dallas would be for more money or more playing time. If a player can get roughly the same or at least close enough money and playing time, why wouldn't they sign with a team that goes to the playoffs every single season compared to a team that goes maybe 1 time in 5 years?

And I am not dogging the team or the organization here, I am just objectively looking at the situation and why free agents appear to not want to sign here anymore.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Looking PFT's top 100 list, some names of interest still.

S - Reggie Nelson - I don't get why he hasn't been signed by anyone. 8 ints a year ago should get you at least a sniff from other teams. Also had 14 passes defended and the int numbers aren't a fluke....he had 4 the year before and 12 passes defended. Tackle numbers are good. Yes, he is older....so he gets a 2 yr deal,maybe 3. Why not?

LB/DE - Courtney Upshaw - played as a LB for Baltimore in the 3-4, would be a DE here. We have a huge dearth at DE right now. Wouldn't he be better than what we have? Probably not a big dollar signing either, and is very effective against the run.

DE - Dwight Freeney - Wants to keep playing, 8 sacks last year to lead the Cardinals. He would only be a situational player but would instantly be the best pass rusher on the team.

CB - Patrick Robinson - Was a mediocre corner but had a great year last year in SD. Rated 28 out of 118 CB's by PFF. Can't believe he hasn't been signed but guys who have never had a season as good as he did a year ago have been resigned like Claiborne, Carroll and a few others.

CB - Tony Jefferson - RFA - Cardinals have said he isn't part of their future, want to get bigger and faster in secondary. Great for them, but he is better than what we have outside of Jones. Many Cards media insiders thought for sure he would get 2nd rd tender but Cards only have right to match. Two sacks, two int's (one for a TD) and 3 forced fumbles a year ago would be an improvement in Dallas. Should be cheap as well.

Are these guys world beaters? No, but they are comparable players in Robinson and Jefferson that would be much cheaper than Carr and would let us cut him. Nelson would be a great replacement for Church, actually has ball skills and probably would be a cap savings as well compared to Church. Freeney would be a great spot player, fits the system and still gets to the QB. Upshaw is young, is a good run defender and might be able to develop a pass rush as a hand down passs rusher instead of as a LB.

 

[big dog cowboy]

My problem with your problem is this: (lol)

You weren't going to fix the pass rush in free agency.
The best pass rusher available was our own guy. Hardy. And he is the best BY FAR.
The best young talent was Vernon... he of less sacks last year than DLaw. He had less than 1 sacks every 2 games but got paid like a Pro Bowler.
Mario Williams graded out worse on tape than people realize but he was a bnig name so there were cries for him.

And you weren't going to fix CB.
The top CB and pass rushers were franchised. These were guys worth big deals who could have been lead horses.
The available players were and are not that good.
No CB who is better than Orlando Scandrick was available.
So we were once again going to be paying CB1 money for CB2.
And the team wisely did not. They looked for cheaper options and resigned a guy whose got lots of knocks but plenty of upside.

Janoris Jenkins is more reliable than Mo to be sure, but he's probably not a "better" CB on any given play.
STL chose to let him leave. He was a good CB2, much like Brandon Carr that can help but got overpaid mightily.

You don't win in free agency by hitting home runs. The top 5 teams in spend the last decade are avaraging less than .400% in wins.
Teams who do well in free agency draft well, resign their own and cherry pick good values.

Talent matters a heck of a lot but in this era of football after QB it is almost always about price per pound.
What are you getting for said player at said price.
Seattle didn't accidently win all those games with huge bargains for Russell and a couple DL. Once they paid them it's been tougher.
See Kaep in SF. Same deal. Lots of guys who are average making peanuts and amazingly you can compete with anyone.
Because you then have money to add average to above average players to fill holes and you can resign your own continuing their development and getting them for their peak years.

Dallas entered free agncy with a bottom 5 spend. They "could" have made moves and improved to about middle of the pack but they were never toucvhign the cash available to Jax, Oak, NYG and some of these teams who went for it.
They have been very calm and effective thus far.
Even stealing Hanna back before he could head to San Diego. --and quietly he was a huge need as blocking TE is key for this offense.
We got the 1T upgrade it never seemed Rod would allow and we've lost next to nothing of meaning yet.

Free agency isn't close to over. This was just round 1 when the players are at their shiniest and priciest.

This all day.

 

[visionary]

Welcome to same time as last year...we don't make the panic jerk moves that most fans want, they panic. By the time the draft ended, going into TC, all looked very well, with the exception of who would emerge as the top RB.
It took a while, after the Randle experiment, but DMC came out pretty decent. It's just other major derailments happened. We know what those were.

Well, Carr doesn't have leverage at all. The Cowboys do. Don't think they will bow down to pay Carr. Last year it was not cost effective to release Carr. This year it is. There are options at CB still.
I do not look at the 4-12 record and say we will suck, it is basically the same team as the 12-4 season, but with better players from last years draft. That will be improved more with this years draft.

DE seems to be the biggest issue right now, but it's not over yet. Panic, no not time for that. Not even close. Would we all feel better if it was addressed, yes. However given the history of most posters, No matter who is brought in, or signed, there will be a lot of whining and negativity toward the player and the FO....get ready for it...LOL....

You keep giving us the example of last year as if that was a great success lol

What was the record last year?

 

[Sydla]

At this point, I just wonder if they front office knows they missed some opportunities here and are now just going to sit and roll the dice and hope some guys they like don't get snapped up and they can get them really cheap in a few weeks.

For example, there is no logical reason they shouldn't be talking to other CBs and Ss right now. Regardless of whether they want to take Ramsey at 4 or not, they could use another vet CB and S.

They are taking patience and frugal free agent spending to a whole new level this year.

 

[erod]

We'd all like to see more in free agency. But let's see what the roster looks like come mid-August.

Lavishing in free agency is almost never a recipe for success. The Thornton pick-up was probably more important than we currently realize, and retaining our own was really important.

It comes down to a collar bone and a good draft anyways.

 

[jazzcat22]

You keep giving us the example of last year as if that was a great success lol

What was the record last year?

....you know what it was and know the reasons why....

 

[ICP]

Yeah, I love what the Pats have done. Bennett with Gronk and Brady could be scary.

Pats are a very well run franchise, for the most part their personnel moves are spot on and more often than not improve the team. Cowboys are the Anti-Pats

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

We'd all like to see more in free agency. But let's see what the roster looks like come mid-August.

Lavishing in free agency is almost never a recipe for success. The Thornton pick-up was probably more important than we currently realize, and retaining our own was really important.

It comes down to a collar bone and a good draft anyways.

To field a playoff team, we need a great, great draft and healthy Tony.

 

[Sydla]

We'd all like to see more in free agency. But let's see what the roster looks like come mid-August.

Lavishing in free agency is almost never a recipe for success. The Thornton pick-up was probably more important than we currently realize, and retaining our own was really important.

It comes down to a collar bone and a good draft anyways.

That's probably the same way our front office looks at it thinking this team is SB contender if Romo just stays healthy.

I tend to think that's a poor outlook but whatever..............

 

[DFWJC]

Here's my issue.

The goal of any offseason is to try and improve. And you can do that between FA and the draft. The Thornton signing solves an issue for sure. So that was a nice signing.

But are you really going to be happy with having basically the exact same secondary as last year with maybe a 3rd round DB thrown in there somewhere and hoping Scandrick is healthy? I wouldn't be.

Chris Long would be a nice depth move but who is the pass rusher on this team. Who improves that pass rush? A mid to later round DE isn't going to do that.

This isn't a post to suggest we should have thrown cash around like crazy in FA but it is slightly bizarre that this front office seems to think what we had last year was pretty damn good and there is no reason to try to fix some areas other than thinking they'll kill the draft.

It'd be nice to add another true contributor to the secondary via FA or draft.
Aside from that, I do think tangible upgrades from last year will be from
1) getting our best DB back in Scandrick
2) Byron Jones in year 2

But yeah, one more true contributor would make it better.

 

[erod]

That's probably the same way our front office looks at it thinking this team is SB contender if Romo just stays healthy.

I tend to think that's a poor outlook but whatever..............

Imagine if Romo stayed healthy, and Dallas somehow added Ezekiel Elliott and Josh Doctson.

 

[cowboyblue22]

this team with their actions believes that if tony and dez are healthy they will be competitive in their division. their are not many players in the draft that will make a huge difference in the record they are betting on health and the team they last year.