George: Cowboys' D has multiple needs, but draft upgrades have to start here ...

[waving monkey]

Upgrading the line is top priority, but help also needed at linebacker, cornerback

Stephen Jones acknowledges that re-signing Pro Bowl players Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray tops the Cowboys’ priority list this offseason.

But not far behind for the Cowboys’ executive vice president is upgrading the club’s defense.

That’s why Cowboys scouts locked in on three defensive areas a few weeks ago when watching many of the nation’s top draft prospects practice at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

The Cowboys want to upgrade the front, middle and back of their defense. When the draft begins April 30, they’ll be looking for help along the defensive line, at linebacker and at cornerback.

“Our goal here more than anything, more than the obvious of Dez and DeMarco, is to improve our defense,” Jones said. “That’s where our focus will be. It won’t just be defensive front, although that’s first and foremost.”

link/http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sports/...but-draft-upgrades-have-to-start-here-....ece

 

[Macnalty]

Sounds like CB/Safety are on the menu if the talent is there in the first couple of days. We are picking 27 and when looking at the available talent pool we have some chances of getting a contributor with our early picks.

 

[Proximo]

As a fan I'm not being picky about what positions we draft early- as long as they end up being legit contributors in 2015 and have an impact. It would be amazing if we could find the defensive equivalent of what Zach Martin ended up being for us last year. Wishful thinking, I know.

 

[Galian Beast]

Something people need to realize is that right now we have the building blocks for a top flight offense. The crux of that being Tony Romo. That means on top of everything else the window is short.

We don't have the time it's going to take to build the defense through the draft as we have the offense for the most part. We're going to have to make some free agent investments into the defense to hasten the rise towards being a credible/good defense.

This becomes a matter of prioritization and resource management. Where can you get away with having an average or mediocre player? Where do you need a stand out, and where do you need a catalytic player?

One thing a lot of people forget and I don't blame them because it's hard to try and rely on him, but Sean Lee was the best defensive player on our team before he was hurt. Him coming back, assuming he plays to form, is like signing a pro bowl quality player in the offseason.

We didn't have a single pro bowl player on this defense last year, and while the pro bowl is a bit overrated, I do believe that is telling.

If we could add a pro bowl caliber player to the secondary and one to the defensive line, that would go a long way towards elevating this team next year, and this is obviously in tandem with players added through the draft.

Antonio Cromartie to replace Brandon Carr
Jason Pierre Paul to replace George Selvie

Those are the two biggest non Cowboys signings I think we should make.

There are some other free agents that I think we should go after in free agency, but those are the primary ones.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I'd prefer keeping Carr at a reduced price and bringing in a cb in free agency or the draft.

 

[mahoneybill]

I'd prefer keeping Carr at a reduced price and bringing in a cb in free agency or the draft.

Carr, in a defined role ( man coverage) and reduced price, makes sense.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'd prefer keeping Carr at a reduced price and bringing in a cb in free agency or the draft.

Both.

 

[jazzcat22]

By releasing Carr, then signing Cromartie. And needing to sign Dez & Murray. There will be nothing left to sign any of our own FA's, and certainly no one else then to help the defense. And Cromartie is not that huge of a difference maker. So the defense really would not be improved talent wise.
Keep Carr, hopefully at a reduced deal. Sign all of our own FA's they want to keep.
Then can sign several FA's at key spots, though not top tier, but who can contribute.

Draft BPA.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Something people need to realize is that right now we have the building blocks for a top flight offense. The crux of that being Tony Romo. That means on top of everything else the window is short.

We don't have the time it's going to take to build the defense through the draft as we have the offense for the most part. We're going to have to make some free agent investments into the defense to hasten the rise towards being a credible/good defense.

This becomes a matter of prioritization and resource management. Where can you get away with having an average or mediocre player? Where do you need a stand out, and where do you need a catalytic player?

One thing a lot of people forget and I don't blame them because it's hard to try and rely on him, but Sean Lee was the best defensive player on our team before he was hurt. Him coming back, assuming he plays to form, is like signing a pro bowl quality player in the offseason.

We didn't have a single pro bowl player on this defense last year, and while the pro bowl is a bit overrated, I do believe that is telling.

If we could add a pro bowl caliber player to the secondary and one to the defensive line, that would go a long way towards elevating this team next year, and this is obviously in tandem with players added through the draft.

Antonio Cromartie to replace Brandon Carr
Jason Pierre Paul to replace George Selvie

Those are the two biggest non Cowboys signings I think we should make.

There are some other free agents that I think we should go after in free agency, but those are the primary ones.

I would agree with most of this. This team absolutely, positively cannot go into next season without significant upgrades to the DL and its passrush. That means acquiring at least one quality defender that can get to the QB via FA or trade if possible. The longshot approach with Melton/Spencer/Mincey yielded some possibly decent rotational players but this team needs a for real starter and they need one NOW.

 

[basstapp]

By releasing Carr, then signing Cromartie. And needing to sign Dez & Murray. There will be nothing left to sign any of our own FA's, and certainly no one else then to help the defense. And Cromartie is not that huge of a difference maker. So the defense really would not be improved talent wise.
Keep Carr, hopefully at a reduced deal. Sign all of our own FA's they want to keep.
Then can sign several FA's at key spots, though not top tier, but who can contribute.

Draft BPA.

You would just need to restructure smith, cut Melton and Watson and you would open a ton of cap space.

 

[Galian Beast]

By releasing Carr, then signing Cromartie. And needing to sign Dez & Murray. There will be nothing left to sign any of our own FA's, and certainly no one else then to help the defense. And Cromartie is not that huge of a difference maker. So the defense really would not be improved talent wise.
Keep Carr, hopefully at a reduced deal. Sign all of our own FA's they want to keep.
Then can sign several FA's at key spots, though not top tier, but who can contribute.

Draft BPA.

First the cap doesn't exist within just one year, second that all depends on how much signing Cromartie would cost.

Again, I said we shouldn't re-sign Murray.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Cowboys need to continue what they have been doing on defense especially along the dline. Replace Hayden and Selvie with two productive players and suddenly the line looks a ton better. You don't have to blow your wad on Suh, just upgrade those two players with a couple of good players and the improvement should continue. Draft the best possible player you can at 27 or later in a trade down. As the author says the team can use help at all three levels on "d".

 

[Cowboy06]

Cowboys need to continue what they have been doing on defense especially along the dline. Replace Hayden and Selvie with two productive players and suddenly the line looks a ton better. You don't have to blow your wad on Suh, just upgrade those two players with a couple of good players and the improvement should continue. Draft the best possible player you can at 27 or later in a trade down. As the author says the team can use help at all three levels on "d".

I agree, but you should always build closer to the ball in my opinion. Get the line together and the rest becomes easier to address.

 

[xwalker]

First the cap doesn't exist within just one year, second that all depends on how much signing Cromartie would cost.

Again, I said we shouldn't re-sign Murray.

Cromartie played on a 1 year, 3.5M contract in 2014. He'll be 31 in April so I don't see him getting a big raise this year. If he is available for 3.5M then Carr would need to play for 3.5M if he wants to stay, IMO.

 

[xwalker]

Cowboys need to continue what they have been doing on defense especially along the dline. Replace Hayden and Selvie with two productive players and suddenly the line looks a ton better. You don't have to blow your wad on Suh, just upgrade those two players with a couple of good players and the improvement should continue. Draft the best possible player you can at 27 or later in a trade down. As the author says the team can use help at all three levels on "d".

Yes, almost any free agent would be an upgrade over Hayden and Selvie.

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

Hopefully we'll have some free agents that see the potential in this team and are willing to sign team friendly contracts to win now. Seattle lucked out in 2012 when a bunch of lineman signed relatively cheap to assemble a team there. We don't need big names, just a bunch of productive dlineman

 

[Derinyar]

The Cowboys can make the money to do virtually anything they want to. The question isn't if they can sign someone the question is if they should. I'd argue they need to sign one good pass rusher this off season. You can't depend on a rookie pass rusher to actually produce in year one. Most of the guys are not strong enough and don't have enough technique to really add a whole lot in year one. I'm not saying you don't draft a guy for DE or 3 tech, I'm just saying you probably shouldn't depend on that guy being a huge instant upgrade to the defense year one. I'd really like to see us sign someone like Justin Houston or another slightly less premier pass rusher to the defense.

 

[Risen Star]

Something people need to realize is that right now we have the building blocks for a top flight offense. The crux of that being Tony Romo. That means on top of everything else the window is short.

We don't have the time it's going to take to build the defense through the draft as we have the offense for the most part. We're going to have to make some free agent investments into the defense to hasten the rise towards being a credible/good defense.

This becomes a matter of prioritization and resource management. Where can you get away with having an average or mediocre player? Where do you need a stand out, and where do you need a catalytic player?

One thing a lot of people forget and I don't blame them because it's hard to try and rely on him, but Sean Lee was the best defensive player on our team before he was hurt. Him coming back, assuming he plays to form, is like signing a pro bowl quality player in the offseason.

We didn't have a single pro bowl player on this defense last year, and while the pro bowl is a bit overrated, I do believe that is telling.

If we could add a pro bowl caliber player to the secondary and one to the defensive line, that would go a long way towards elevating this team next year, and this is obviously in tandem with players added through the draft.

Antonio Cromartie to replace Brandon Carr
Jason Pierre Paul to replace George Selvie

Those are the two biggest non Cowboys signings I think we should make.

There are some other free agents that I think we should go after in free agency, but those are the primary ones.

I've been making this same point, minus the CB nonsense.

We have a shot the next year or two, maybe three with Romo. We do not have the time for a patient rebuild of the defense. We're going to have to win it all with the offense carrying the load. So I am not against loading up on offense to get the team over the hump and I certainly want to see aggressive FA signings on either side of the ball while Romo still has some throws left in his arm and his back remains intact.

You can do this while still drafting properly. You don't have to mortgage your future. This just isn't the time to be patient. I'm not interested in putting together a great 2018 defense with no QB on the roster.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I've been making this same point, minus the CB nonsense.

We have a shot the next year or two, maybe three with Romo. We do not have the time for a patient rebuild of the defense. We're going to have to win it all with the offense carrying the load. So I am not against loading up on offense to get the team over the hump and I certainly want to see aggressive FA signings on either side of the ball while Romo still has some throws left in his arm and his back remains intact.

You can do this while still drafting properly. You don't have to mortgage your future. This just isn't the time to be patient. I'm not interested in putting together a great 2018 defense with no QB on the roster.

I really hate giving you likes. But this post is how it's going for the Boys in a nutshell. It really is do or die for Romo, Witten and the like.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

OK first let me say that i do not forget to remember that for the first time ever i approach thew new seasonings with none to little interest in our offense. some here might ask, ask "but gimmie, why?"
I will tell you why. The offense is a well-tuned machina and there are no big worries about that team next year.

So my thing is defense (and joely richardson, whose restraining order ends this month) and how to upgrade it.

The reality is, we are not flush with cash to REALLY make big splash in our defense.

Here is my thinking about what we will do:

Jerra will be about stop-gap?
1. Aging FAs who might want to end there career in Dallas.
2. Hope we get lucky in the draft with a corner
3. Save ONE BIG WAD OF MONEY FOR A RUN-STUFFER. i HATE TO SAY IT BUT SUH COME TO MIND.

That is it. Not much to go on but the defense in meine expansive mind is what our spring will be about.
Lee will be back but I am not impressed with him. I am hoping that Bruce Carter finally lives up to his potention.
But really, mens, we cannot keep up the pretense with journeymens like like selvie, etc. Something half to happen and I hope it is at least 3 surprise (quality) defensive mens.

Holla