How would you rank our needs this offseason?

[supercowboy8]

Frankly yes. I think tackles should be the only O linemen that should go in the first; and only ones like Smith. And LA types only come around very rarely; none of those you mentioned are even close.

Well I guess NFL GM and Scouts aren't as smart as you.
Sorry man but your wrong, a top quality OG or C is hard to find. Sure you can find a ok player but great ones are hard to find and our OL shows that right now. I agree with NFL scouts and GMs and say if a OG or C is worth a first round grade then draft them in the first. DeCastro and Konz are special talents and will deserve 1st round picks.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The way I look at this is what positions are in most need for the Cowboys that will help them (most) take down Green Bay/New Orleans.

And I don't see a 1st round center or guard being more important when it comes to competing against GB/NO than a all-around 3-4 or a CB.

NOW, if a fantastic interior lineman is available when the Cowboys pick, I could see the logic... But all things being equal I'm going defense in the first round and maybe again in round two.

 

[jnday]

The way I look at this is what positions are in most need for the Cowboys that will help them (most) take down Green Bay/New Orleans.

And I don't see a 1st round center or guard being more important when it comes to competing against GB/NO than a all-around 3-4 or a CB.

NOW, if a fantastic interior lineman is available when the Cowboys pick, I could see the logic... But all things being equal I'm going defense in the first round and mabe again in round two.

What better way to help a defense than keep them off the field and fresh ? A good line can control the ball and clock . Thinking like yours will ensure an average line and average is not good enough .

 

[MichaelWinicki]

What better way to help a defense than keep them off the field and fresh ? A good line can control the ball and clock . Thinking like yours will ensure an average line and average is not good enough .

Certainly there is some merit in what you're saying.

The Cowboys came very close to losing against two bad teams because they allowed two very, very average at best QB's to dice up their secondary.

 

[jnday]

Certainly there is some merit in what you're saying.

The Cowboys came very close to losing against two bad teams because they allowed two very, very average at best QB's to dice up their secondary.

Bad oline play has hurt the Cowboys for the last 3 years . What's 2 games , with Jenkins out , compared to 3 years of constant problems ?

 

[VACowboy]

The way I look at this is what positions are in most need for the Cowboys that will help them (most) take down Green Bay/New Orleans.

Excellent way to look at it. If you can beat them you can beat anybody.

And I don't see a 1st round center or guard being more important when it comes to competing against GB/NO than a all-around 3-4 or a CB.

If Konz's health is clear, I think he's the type of C who can have a Mangoldish effect on the offense. Put an excellent OL in front of Romo and Murray, and the Dallas O will control the ball, beat up the Green Bay defense, score a bunch of points and run away with the ball and hide in the fourth quarter. Green Bay and NO don't play great defense themselves. Punch them in the teeth for 60 minutes. They are not physical teams.

NOW, if a fantastic interior lineman is available when the Cowboys pick, I could see the logic... But all things being equal I'm going defense in the first round and maybe again in round two.

Which defensive player selected between 24 and 32 do you see having significant immediate impact?

 

[Zaxor]

The way I look at this is what positions are in most need for the Cowboys that will help them (most) take down Green Bay/New Orleans.

And I don't see a 1st round center or guard being more important when it comes to competing against GB/NO than a all-around 3-4 or a CB.

NOW, if a fantastic interior lineman is available when the Cowboys pick, I could see the logic... But all things being equal I'm going defense in the first round and maybe again in round two.

I'm with ya...The defense is in desperate need of upgrading

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Which defensive player selected between 24 and 32 do you see having significant immediate impact?

I don't have any specific player in mind at this point... Way too early for that.

I just want the Cowboys to follow their board.

No reaches, be it for an offensive or defensive player.

But if you had three players or equal ranking, DE, CB or G, then I'm leaning towards one of the defensive players.

 

[VACowboy]

I don't have any specific player in mind at this point... Way too early for that.

I just want the Cowboys to follow their board.

No reaches, be it for an offensive or defensive player.

But if you had three players or equal ranking, DE, CB or G, then I'm leaning towards one of the defensive players.

Agreed. I just don't see a better player than a healthy Konz at #27.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Agreed. I just don't see a better player than a healthy Konz at #27.

Well, lots of time between now and then to see who ranks where.

And of course I doubt our rankings will match up with how the Cowboys see things.

 

[xwalker]

Agreed. I just don't see a better player than a healthy Konz at #27.

Konz would be great at #27, IF the long term medical is a non-issue and he actually declares for the 2012 draft.

 

[VACowboy]

Well, lots of time between now and then to see who ranks where.

Yep!

And of course I doubt our rankings will match up with how the Cowboys see things.

Never do.

Konz would be great at #27, IF the long term medical is a non-issue and he actually declares for the 2012 draft.

Yeah, lots of if's, which is why I'm mocking Ben Jones in round 2 instead.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The other factor in all this is the the question of how aggressive the Cowboys are going to be when it comes to going after other teams free agents.

As we know Jerry tried making an expensive play for another corner this season.

To me corner is about the last position you want to try to fix through free agency due to the (some would say) over-valuation of corners when it comes to the contracts they receive.

I think if either Newman is released or he stays, the Cowboys need one more decent corner.

Guards and 3-4 DE's seem to be a little less costly.

 

[VACowboy]

The other factor in all this is the the question of how aggressive the Cowboys are going to be when it comes to going after other teams free agents.

As we know Jerry tried making an expensive play for another corner this season.

To me corner is about the last position you want to try to fix through free agency due to the (some would say) over-valuation of corners when it comes to the contracts they receive.

I think if either Newman is released or he stays, the Cowboys need one more decent corner.

Guards and 3-4 DE's seem to be a little less costly.

A FA guard would be ideal, IMO.

 

[supercowboy8]

A FA guard would be ideal, IMO.

Carl Nicks would be very nice.
also add Calsis Campbell and Anotino Garay and I would be happy. But even if we get Nicks I would still want DeCastro or Zeitler.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Carl Nicks would be very nice.
also add Calsis Campbell and Anotino Garay and I would be happy. But even if we get Nicks I would still want DeCastro or Zeitler.

I understand the desire to have all those resources added to the offensive line, but I don't see that happening. Not with two young guards waiting in the wings.

I could see one, and under the right conditions two guys added to the interior of the offensive line... And don't forget a swing tackle could also be needed. But that's a lot to ask out of one draft and a still kinda tight salary cap situation.

I don't think you can ignore the defense being that it's performing at a lower level than the offense.

 

[visionary]

good discussion

given the expected price tags, i would go

OG and NT in FA (cheaper positions)

CB, OC, OLB in draft (more expensive positions)

 

[VACowboy]

good discussion

given the expected price tags, i would go

OG and NT in FA (cheaper positions)

CB, OC, OLB in draft (more expensive positions)

That's a pretty good strategy.

I know it has to be done, but I hate drafting pass rushers high. It's so hit or miss.

I haven't seen Mercilus play. Is he as good as his stats? Hobbout Upshaw?

He's not a pass rusher, but I can speak for Minnifield. I'd take him at #25 and laugh all the way home.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

good discussion

given the expected price tags, i would go

OG and NT in FA (cheaper positions)

CB, OC, OLB in draft (more expensive positions)

I gotta admit, until I hear even a small whisper from the Cowboy brain trust concerning the NT position I'm going to stay clear of that and assume that the two guys manning the position this year will be the same next year.

Now you didn't mention DE... which has been hot & cold for most of the season. Neither Coleman or Spears has been consistent. And Hatcher's quite often hurt.

I think a good 3-4 DE, who can defend run and pass equally well would be give this defense a huge boost. And I think it's easier finding a good DE than it is a good quality NT. Most of the perspective NT's I see coming out are more on the "blob" side and don't look to be guys that are going to supply any sort of pass rush. Lots of folks wanted Phil Taylor this past draft and he's been kinda bad supplying any sort of pass rush.

 

[supercowboy8]

I gotta admit, until I hear even a small whisper from the Cowboy brain trust concerning the NT position I'm going to stay clear of that and assume that the two guys manning the position this year will be the same next year.

Now you didn't mention DE... which has been hot & cold for most of the season. Neither Coleman or Spears has been consistent. And Hatcher's quite often hurt.

I think a good 3-4 DE, who can defend run and pass equally well would be give this defense a huge boost. And I think it's easier finding a good DE than it is a good quality NT. Most of the perspective NT's I see coming out are more on the "blob" side and don't look to be guys that are going to supply any sort of pass rush. Lots of folks wanted Phil Taylor this past draft and he's been kinda bad supplying any sort of pass rush.

you want a 3-4 DE that can stop the run and be a monster in the pass rush, Calais Campbell would be a great RDE in Ryan 3-4 system.