I hope no one is truly panicking over these day one FA defections

[Yakuza Rich]

2013 SB Seahawks team. In free agency they added:

- Cliff Avril
- Michael Bennett
- Tony McDaniel
- Antoine Winfield

Huh?

Winfield didn't even play for the Seahawks.

McDaniel was a low priority FA. Avril and Bennett were not exactly top tier FA's. They got good value out of McDaniel, Avril and Bennett which is the key point in all of this. And their defense was still built thru their LB's (Wright and Wagner) along with their DB's (Sherman, Thomas and Chancellor) all were built thru FA.




YR

 

[big dog cowboy]

*** PERSONAL ATTACKS NEED TO STOP ***

 

[Bleu Star]

Technically no player is irreplaceable. We could lose Bryant tomorrow and then draft say Corey Davis and he turns into the next Bryant.

The question isn't whether or not we lost anyone who was irreplaceable. The real question is who are we getting to replace them?

Actually no. My question was and remains did we lose an irreplaceable player. You're the one trying to flip it over.

 

[Sydla]

Huh?

Winfield didn't even play for the Seahawks.

McDaniel was a low priority FA. Avril and Bennett were not exactly top tier FA's. They got good value out of McDaniel, Avril and Bennett which is the key point in all of this. And their defense was still built thru their LB's (Wright and Wagner) along with their DB's (Sherman, Thomas and Chancellor) all were built thru FA.




YR

Whoops on Winfield, he was a practice squad signing. My bad.

Avril and Bennett weren't elite FAs but they weren't chum off the street either. And both were KEY players for them in their SB season. Seattle realized that their drafting only took them so far, so they filled a big need with quality FAs on defense. That's what good teams do.

So to say the Seahawks relied solely on the draft is bogus.

And let's note, not one person here has stated the Cowboys need to start grabbing top level, highly paid free agents. So let's not act like that's the point people have been making. And no one has suggested that the team still shouldn't continue to build through the draft. Right now......... Lawrence, Tapper, Jones, Lee, Smith, Collins, Crawford, Brown are all starters/potential starters that came from the draft.

But there are still holes in the defense that the FO should be looking to fill with mid-level guys that aren't cap crushing and can improve the team in 2017. I have no problems with them staying out of the elite FA, big money game. But they seem to have gone to the opposite extreme........... ignore FA and wait until the bargain bin actually has a sale of their own.

 

[Alexander]

When have the Seahawks used FA for a stop gap measure on defense? Brandon Browner?

I must have missed where the Seahawks drafted Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. Both were signed as stop gaps and turns out they were better than anyone thought.

And we don't have a 'pure reliance on the draft' as I have mentioned players like T. McClain, Thornton, Ro. McClain, Carr, Hardy, Durant, Corey White, etc. That's a pure fallacy.

You are saying we shouldn't repeat the sins of the past and that we won't, yet mention several horrible free agent acquisitions.

I thought we were talking the here and now and per some like you, the only right approach is to draft them.

The problem isn't the idea of free agency.

The problem is we are poor at identifying defensive talent, period.

Now we are going to rely on that very special skill and will end up using one vehicle to do it.

 

[Alexander]

*** PERSONEL ATTACKS NEED TO STOP ***

Well if we stopped attacking Dallas' personnel choices, what would we have to talk about?

 

[LifetimeBoysFan]

I'm sure we want to by buyers BUT if T.McClain is getting 21M in this market, I'm happy see us waiting it out longer, or staying out of it. That's paying full retail for real gold and getting fool's gold in return.

 

[BlueStar22]

I was worried at first but then I thought, guys like Church, good guys, homegrown guys. Not an impact player. Doesn't force too many turnovers other than balls that hit him in the chest. On the other hand, I think Leary is a better player that Collins, NOW. Hope Collins bounces back.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Every single player is a replaceable fringe player that overshot his talent level on occasion and warmed someone's heart along the way. But they are ALL replaceable. Leary aside... we knew we were going to lose him and La'el will fill in just fine.

But on the defensive side of the ball, cmon man...
Can we please not pretend as though that was the glaring weakness of our team last year. We could draft 7 picks this year and they would probably all maintain at least the level of play we had last year out of these salary thief's. Let them go play elsewhere and prove to others that they are exactly what we thought they were. There's good reason why our DL rotation was weak and our secondary was a combination of part time infirmary warriors and toast left in the toaster too long.

Some of our rooks from last year will step up on the DLine, Jaylon will rock, and we will draft nicely. I think we will also find some bargains in FA now that the day one fire sale is over.

Keep the faith. Nothing has truly been lost...

The only reason I am starting to panic a little is that Carr,Williams, and Wilcox havent signed anywhere yet. My only fear is we wind up resigning them.

But all these defections, although not to alarming, are a perfect example of how you never waste an opportunity like we did this year. Garrett completely blew an amazing chance to win a SB with his horrid coaching in the Packers game. Some people always assume that we will improve from year to year. That couldnt be farther from the truth. Case and point this year we are losing nearly half our contributors on defense. There is no guarantee the Cowboys will have a season like last season.

 

[CCBoy]

The only reason I am starting to panic a little is that Carr,Williams, and Wilcox havent signed anywhere yet. My only fear is we wind up resigning them.

But all these defections, although not to alarming, are a perfect example of how you never waste an opportunity like we did this year. Garrett completely blew an amazing chance to win a SB with his horrid coaching in the Packers game. Some people always assume that we will improve from year to year. That couldnt be farther from the truth. Case and point this year we are losing nearly half our contributors on defense. There is no guarantee the Cowboys will have a season like last season.

If they are resigned, they will be on the cheap side of the street...at that point.

 

[LittleD]

Well if we stopped attacking Dallas' personnel choices, what would we have to talk about?

Watch out...you'll have to visit the penalty box.

 

[CCBoy]

Watch out...you'll have to visit the penalty box.

Sounds like a hockey game to me...

 

[LittleD]

Sounds like a hockey game to me...

It seems like that around this place from time to time. Lots of sticking and checking!

 

[sean10mm]

I love how Cowboys fans, who have been burned by the BIG FREE AGENCY MOVES AND TRADES, WHEELIN' AND DEALIN', YEEEEHAW approach blowing up in their face more than maybe any fanbase in the NFL the last two decades... are constantly disappointed when they don't get that again.

Fun stuff.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Every single player is a replaceable fringe player that overshot his talent level on occasion and warmed someone's heart along the way. But they are ALL replaceable. Leary aside... we knew we were going to lose him and La'el will fill in just fine.

But on the defensive side of the ball, cmon man...
Can we please not pretend as though that was the glaring weakness of our team last year. We could draft 7 picks this year and they would probably all maintain at least the level of play we had last year out of these salary thief's. Let them go play elsewhere and prove to others that they are exactly what we thought they were. There's good reason why our DL rotation was weak and our secondary was a combination of part time infirmary warriors and toast left in the toaster too long.

Some of our rooks from last year will step up on the DLine, Jaylon will rock, and we will draft nicely. I think we will also find some bargains in FA now that the day one fire sale is over.

Keep the faith. Nothing has truly been lost...

I normally would agree. none of the guys are that great. but with that said, its not each individual player, but total sum of the parts in this case. we lost 3/4 of defensive secondary. church, is not a great SS, but he was the glue back there. mcclain is a rotational player that got starter money. jack Crawford was a situational players. so the total volume of snaps lost is a concern. on top of that cohesiveness of the unit. it takes time for players to come together. this is not like baseball or somewhat basketball.

 

[MaineBoy]

Actually no. My question was and remains did we lose an irreplaceable player. You're the one trying to flip it over.

Actually, you are the "flipper" by ignoring the most important part of the equation: how will they be replaced with no cap space and in just one draft before the next season ? Sure, if the losses are all replaced by players better than what we lost..but that ain't gonna happen. Was this a troll post ? Also, a big key to the Patriot's success is that they are solid across the board. No matter how good our offense is, we are not winning with a Junior Varsity defence. We already needed to fix the pass rush and now we need to fix most of the secondary too ? With no cap money and one draft. Yeah, keep celebrating about the losses.

 

[Bleu Star]

Actually, you are the "flipper" by ignoring the most important part of the equation: how will they be replaced with no cap space and in just one draft before the next season ? Sure, if the losses are all replaced by players better than what we lost..but that ain't gonna happen. Was this a troll post ? Also, a big key to the Patriot's success is that they are solid across the board. No matter how good our offense is, we are not winning with a Junior Varsity defence. We already needed to fix the pass rush and now we need to fix most of the secondary too ? With no cap money and one draft. Yeah, keep celebrating about the losses.

I love you folks that go to the extemes. Hilarious. "no cap space". Hahah

Just in case you and any of the other overreactors weren't aware, this draft is chock full of DBs. I can't wait to see us go to work. Ware most likely returns and we move up in the first to get an other impact player.

Oh.. & we aren't in cap hell. Just to clear that little extreme declaration up...

Such impatience..lol

 

[cowboy_ron]

No action on day one of FA actually is a pretty good sign....most of the time teams that are the most active on day one are not very good teams due mainly to poor drafting. The giants spent 200M last year on their defense and it bought them a wild card one and done team and are continuing again this year.

I worry less about the teams active in FA....I'll start worrying more when they improve their drafting.

 

[Bleu Star]

No action on day one of FA actually is a pretty good sign....most of the time teams that are the most active on day one are not very good teams due mainly to poor drafting. The giants spent 200M last year on their defense and it bought them a wild card one and done team and are continuing again this year.

I worry less about the teams active in FA....I'll start worrying more when they improve their drafting.

Amen...

 

[BrassCowboy]

This makes zero sense when you are not in a good position to actively make improvements after downgrading.

But have at it.

Don't forget to cross your fingers in April.

Well you get what I was saying right? They were getting rid of weak players that are overpaid and have hit their ceiling for players that may be better for our team and besides free agency ain't over.