Free agent scorecard

[northerncowboynation]

I think we looked at the "next man up philosophy" and improved the "next man up" on paper. Yet to be seen on the field. If Collins moves back to LG that's a big improvement over Cooper. The question is RT. Is Flemming an improvement over Collins at RT? He'll be given every opportunity to earn the job but who is his competition? Chaz Green? My point is we lack depth at T unless we keep Collins at RT with Flemming as the swing. At one time I would have said G high in the draft now I'm thinking T. One thing I don't want to see is continual experimentation with Collins back and forth between LG and RT to see what he is best at. Make the decision and stick with it. IMO he's a better LG than RT.

As far as Scandrick, we replaced him last year and I think we'll draft a RB somewhere to replace Morris. Replacing Hitch, yep that falls on Jaylon and a draft pick, probably 2

 

[gimmesix]

Ya know we may not be as bad off as some think at safety. Frazier and Woods weren’t bad towards the end of year and Heath hits hard and has a knack for being around the ball. We need either depth or drafting a gem. I wouldn’t go safety in the first 2 round unless it’s a 1st first rounder that slipped somehow.

We tried to limit when we played Frazier so he didn't get exposed in coverage. Heath settled down at free safety after we gave him less run-stopping responsibilities because he was doing a poor job at it. Woods played more nickel corner than safety, but did well in that role. We might can mix and match the three of them and get by, but I don't think it will be a strength unless we address it early in the draft or in another way.

 

[gimmesix]

Yeah, I'm referring to the players in total, not just their last years stats.

Butler played 261 snaps and Thompson played 474. Almost double.

Butler saw 23 targets, Thompson saw 69(nice) exactly 3 times more.

Butler obviously outplayed Thompson last year while on the field.

I have knowledgable football friends who are unfortunately also Packers fans. They said that before Blake Martinez started going off that Joe Thomas was their best LB. I now have high hopes for Thomas, considering they know what they're talking about. I have nothing else to go off of regarding Thomas.

I'm not sure I buy that on Butler. One way that you outplay another player is by earning playing time. Butler went into last season on a one-year, prove-it deal expecting to challenge Williams for the No. 2 role. Instead, he put up numbers similar to what he has throughout his six-year career.

Thompson ended up starting 10 games, which means he was going up against No. 1 or No. 2 corners more than Butler was. Now, he might have had lesser competition for a starting role, but still he's done it while Butler has been no more than a fourth receiver.

I hope your friends are right on Thomas. I've come to expect little from free agents beyond what they've already shown. There's always hope that the players are ascending, but you don't know.

 

[charron]

Why replace Morris? Morris wasn't a #1 back when Zeke went down. The dude split time with Smith for whatever reason. Smith will be our #2 back with the 3rd being a draft pick.

 

[gimmesix]

Why replace Morris? Morris wasn't a #1 back when Zeke went down. The dude split time with Smith for whatever reason. Smith will be our #2 back with the 3rd being a draft pick.

Need three backs. It doesn't necessarily mean we have to get a veteran replacement, but we need to fill that third roster spot.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

I'm not sure I buy that on Butler. One way that you outplay another player is by earning playing time. Butler went into last season on a one-year, prove-it deal expecting to challenge Williams for the No. 2 role. Instead, he put up numbers similar to what he has throughout his six-year career.

YOU CAN'T COMPARE THE BILLS WR DEPTH CHART LAST YEAR TO OURS. IF THOMPSON HAD BEEN ON OUR TEAM LAST YEAR HE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE 5TH/6TH/CUT WR.

Thompson ended up starting 10 games, which means he was going up against No. 1 or No. 2 corners more than Butler was. Now, he might have had lesser competition for a starting role, but still he's done it while Butler has been no more than a fourth receiver.

CORNERBACKS DONT SUB OUT WHEN WR DO....? IT HAS ABSOLUTELY NO BEARING IF YOU STARTED OR NOT ON WHETHER YOU'LL SEE A 1 OR 2 CB. NONE WHAT SO EVER.

I hope your friends are right on Thomas. I've come to expect little from free agents beyond what they've already shown. There's always hope that the players are ascending, but you don't know.

HE'S YOUNG. IM GLAD WE ARE THE ONES GIVING HIM A SHOT.

 

[jterrell]

It's possible.

However, Thompson caught 38 passes for 555 yards in 16 games (10 starts) last season, which is better than anything Butler ever did year. It's questionable what role he'll be given here. It's certain that Dallas doesn't see him as a starter, but where is he in the pecking order (fourth? fifth?). Obviously, Hurns is expected to have a much bigger role on offense.

Joe Thomas started one game last year after starting seven in 2016, so it's clear that Green Bay didn't see him as a starter. He did have 70 tackles the year he started, 5 passes defensed and 1 interception. However, he finished with 14 tackles in 12 games last year, and I'm not sure how many of those were on special teams.

GB had drafted 4 LBs in the past 3 drafts. Joe Thomas was simply passed up by younger, cheaper dudes.
But he has a decent role here as cover backer and STs guy.
Thomas is essentially Wilber who can play nickel backer instead of only SAM.

 

[jterrell]

Thompson is here with his WR Coach.
That's part of why we signed him. Same as why we went after Coates.
Thompson has a big enough role on special teams to pretty much guarantee he makes the team.

 

[CouchCoach]

That is better than last off season because we did not maintain and never did replace Leary. The MLB position is one that can be addressed and it's not unusual to see highly drafted LB's starting right away. Safety is another issue and not as easy to slide a rook in there with all of the read and react that he must command.

And unless all of the drafts picks are in a bus wreck on the way to the OTA's, we should not have what we had last season as that was unreal. All of these young players needing reps and we couldn't get any of them on the field. At least Miles Austin waited until he played to jack a hammy.

Hopefully, we will do better in the 1st than we did last season as I consider Charleton a borderline bust because our first pick should take a starting job on D. We'll see how he progresses but I would prefer a player that spends more time on the rudiments of the position than that stupid sack celebration. He was not impressive for a first rounder.

 

[jterrell]

Although Lewis may play Scandrick's nickel spot, Jones moving to corner in place of his roster spot creates a roster opening at safety. (Just saw that I forgot about Bene Benwikere as a lost FA.)

What we've got returning at corner is Awuzie, Brown and Lewis, with Brown moving over. If we go with five, Duke Thomas or Marquez White might have a shot.

What we've got at safety is Frazier, Heath and Woods. I expected us to add a veteran safety in free agency to get that number up to four before the draft.

The safety market is pretty good for teams. Dallas may end up with a guy they didn't feel like they could afford.
Chances are after the draft with 5-6 more safeties of note added to teams the market will be pretty ugly until guys start suffering injuries in camp.

Reid/Boston and others may have to grab a 1 year make good deal to reboot in FA in 2019.

But if we play more Cover 3 and cover 1 then old Tampa 2 (which makes sense given Richard is here now) we may just go real heavy with CBs and slight Safety.

 

[jterrell]

That is better than last off season because we did not maintain and never did replace Leary. The MLB position is one that can be addressed and it's not unusual to see highly drafted LB's starting right away. Safety is another issue and not as easy to slide a rook in there with all of the read and react that he must command.

And unless all of the drafts picks are in a bus wreck on the way to the OTA's, we should not have what we had last season as that was unreal. All of these young players needing reps and we couldn't get any of them on the field. At least Miles Austin waited until he played to jack a hammy.

Hopefully, we will do better in the 1st than we did last season as I consider Charleton a borderline bust because our first pick should take a starting job on D. We'll see how he progresses but I would prefer a player that spends more time on the rudiments of the position than that stupid sack celebration. He was not impressive for a first rounder.

Leary and Free.
Team planned to push Green with Cooper as protection up for Leary.
When Free retired it left a whole Collins had to fill.

Collins << Free
Green << Cooper << Leary

then Tyron 17 << Tyron any other year.

Equal OL not good.

I am all for drafting an OL top 3 rounds.

 

[Jumbo075]

Dallas has spent this free agency period essentially replacing players the team has lost, released or has chosen not to re-sign. Here's a rundown:

OFFENSE
Fullback
Jamize Olawale for Keith Smith (tie)
Running back
????? for Alfred Morris
Wide receiver
Allen Hurns for ???? (incomplete)
Deonte Thompson for Brice Butler (slight upgrade)
Offensive line
Cameron Fleming for Byron Bell (major upgrade)
Marcus Martin for Jonathan Cooper (downgrade)

DEFENSE
Defensive end
Kony Ealy for Benson Mayowa (slight upgrade)
Linebacker
Joe Thomas for Kyle Wilber (slight upgrade)
????? for Anthony Hitchens (incomplete)
Secondary
????? for Orlando Scandrick (incomplete)

So the only position we didn't upgrade in free agency IMO (or at least come out even) was the guard spot, but Fleming likely either starts there or at right tackle, which would move La'el Collins back to guard.

It remains to be seen what we do to replace Morris, Hitchens and Scandrick. (Since we're moving Byron Jones to corner, he technically replaces Scandrick and we instead need to replace Jones at safety.)

Jaylon Smith is the replacement for Hitchens. That was ALWAYS the plan. If Jaylon is back up to 100%, then that is likely an upgrade.

 

[Setackin]

Sooo RB in round 1! Book it!

 

[Jumbo075]

Need three backs. It doesn't necessarily mean we have to get a veteran replacement, but we need to fill that third roster spot.

The Cowboys will take 4-5 RB's to training camp.

 

[OmerV]

Thompson is here with his WR Coach.
That's part of why we signed him. Same as why we went after Coates.
Thompson has a big enough role on special teams to pretty much guarantee he makes the team.

You are right to mention special teams. I think Thompson's kickoff return ability may be something Cowboy fans are overlooking.

 

[theebs]

Yeah, I have a feeling even if they draft a RB in the mid to late rounds, Morris will be brought back in after the OTA's.

I have heard Morris say twice since he signed here he wouldn’t have signed if he k ew they were taking Zeke. Then they deactivated him at the end of 16 and no one ever explained to him why that happened. He wasn’t happy.

Can’t see him ever coming back here

 

[OmerV]

I have heard Morris say twice since he signed here he wouldn’t have signed if he k ew they were taking Zeke. Then they deactivated him at the end of 16 and no one ever explained to him why that happened. He wasn’t happy.

Can’t see him ever coming back here

If he's still looking for a job he would come back. Can't make that kind of money working anywhere else. Besides, while he may have hoped for a bigger role with Dallas, he knew a 2 year $3.5 million contract didn't exactly scream "starter" or "job security" and he also knew the Cowboys had the returning starter from the year before (McFadden). And from the interviews I've seen, he is a very humble, respectful kind of guy. Obviously his first hope would be to find a team that will give him a bigger role, but I don't think his pride would prevent him from signing with Dallas if that were the best of his options.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Dallas has spent this free agency period essentially replacing players the team has lost, released or has chosen not to re-sign. Here's a rundown:

OFFENSE
Fullback
Jamize Olawale for Keith Smith (tie)
Running back
????? for Alfred Morris
Wide receiver
Allen Hurns for ???? (incomplete)
Deonte Thompson for Brice Butler (slight upgrade)
Offensive line
Cameron Fleming for Byron Bell (major upgrade)
Marcus Martin for Jonathan Cooper (downgrade)

DEFENSE
Defensive end
Kony Ealy for Benson Mayowa (slight upgrade)
Linebacker
Joe Thomas for Kyle Wilber (slight upgrade)
????? for Anthony Hitchens (incomplete)
Secondary
????? for Orlando Scandrick (incomplete)

So the only position we didn't upgrade in free agency IMO (or at least come out even) was the guard spot, but Fleming likely either starts there or at right tackle, which would move La'el Collins back to guard.

It remains to be seen what we do to replace Morris, Hitchens and Scandrick. (Since we're moving Byron Jones to corner, he technically replaces Scandrick and we instead need to replace Jones at safety.)

Scorecard? Cowboys get a D.

 

[charron]

Need three backs. It doesn't necessarily mean we have to get a veteran replacement, but we need to fill that third roster spot.

Thats why i said our 3rd back should be a draft pick. Might be an undrafted guy who can be a receiving threat that rides the bench like dunbar used to.

 

[Them]

...not a lot of Cap $$$ this season again....not sure if it was by luck or accident, but I'm glad they haven't really overpaid for a FA.
I'll give them a C-...that's better than the typical F anyway!