Is a Free Agent DE a must?

[Stash]

Like many of you, I have been playing GM, and contemplating various scenarios raegarding the Cowboys. How they can maintain the momentum that carried them to a 12-4 season and a playoff win, and how they can build upon what they have and take things to that next level.

And no matter how many times I do it, one thing seems very clear to me. To make a marked improvement defensively and take the next step to being a championship caliber team, they must get much better pass rushing production. And, while scheme and player improvement will help, one factor keeps occurring to me.

I feel this team has no choice but to be aggressive in free agency and sign a quality defensive end.

While I think drafting a defensive end is a great idea, I have faced the reality that it would be overly optimistic to expect a rookie to come in and immediately cure this team's ills. Rare is the rookie pass rusher who lights up the league right 'out of the box'.

And given this team's current situation, I think it is imperative to strike while the iron is hot. I feel the organization needs to take that next step and kick the door in for a championship, and to me, that adds up to bringing in an experienced, proven pass rusher capable of making a difference this year.

Some fans prefer Jason Pierre-Paul, some like Greg Hardy, and others like Jerry Hughes, and while I have my own choice, I would be happy with any of them as I feel each would provide a huge boost to the pass rush. I just feel that the only way to make a huge defensive improvement is by getting one of them.

What do the rest of you think?

Is it necessary? Am I panicking and risking ruining the cap and the future?

Let me know how the rest of you feel.

 

[Doomsday101]

Like many of you, I have been playing GM, and contemplating various scenarios raegarding the Cowboys. How they can maintain the momentum that carried them to a 12-4 season and a playoff win, and how they can build upon what they have and take things to that next level.

And no matter how many times I do it, one thing seems very clear to me. To make a marked improvement defensively and take the next step to being a championship caliber team, they must get much better pass rushing production. And, while scheme and player improvement will help, one factor keeps occurring to me.

I feel this team has no choice but to be aggressive in free agency and sign a quality defensive end.

While I think drafting a defensive end is a great idea, I have faced the reality that it would be overly optimistic to expect a rookie to come in and immediately cure this team's ills. Rare is the rookie pass rusher who lights up the league right 'out of the box'.

And given this team's current situation, I think it is imperative to strike while the iron is hot. I feel the organization needs to take that next step and kick the door in for a championship, and to me, that adds up to bringing in an experienced, proven pass rusher capable of making a difference this year.

Some fans prefer Jason Pierre-Paul, some like Greg Hardy, and others like Jerry Hughes, and while I have my own choice, I would be happy with any of them as I feel each would provide a huge boost to the pass rush. I just feel that the only way to make a huge defensive improvement is by getting one of them.

What do the rest of you think?

Is it necessary? Am I panicking and risking ruining the cap and the future?

Let me know how the rest of you feel.

As I have said a number of times, mid range FA and drafting has gotten us to this point, I don't change course.

 

[Galian Beast]

At the very least we should get Sheard and play him at strong side defensive end. Mincey and Lawrence can battle it out for the RDE throughout the season, but personally I'd like to see us get a slew of defensive linemen in free agency, similar to what Seattle did.

If we got Sheard and a RDE in free agency and Paea or Fairley, I think our team would show the results of that. For the price of Greg Hardy we can probably get Sheard and Hughes, and still have money left over for Paea or Fairley.

We would also be free to do what we want in free agency on the offensive side of the ball in terms of a running back and a tackle.

It's about dollars and sense.

 

[Dwight]

I prefer either Jason Pierre-Paul or Greg Hardy.

Then find some hungry low price (solid) free agents as Dallas did last offseason.

Once the draft comes along go BPA (RT, DT, LB, DE, WR, or S).

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

It's Jerrys M.O. to take a DE high and/or sign the best Free Agent. Last season was somewhat different in approach, though DE Demarcus Lawrence was drafted early in the 2nd.


Signing one of the best FAs probably isn't a must or a lock as some of the best FAs flop... still you'd think DE would be a high priority for state of this Franchise while fielding the 2015 Defense.

 

[alpha]

Give me two of these DEs: McPhee, Graham, Sheard, Clayborn, Klug; and one of these DTs: Paea, Harrison, Fairley. I'd wager you could get all three for close to what it takes to sign Suh alone.

 

[Eskimo]

I do think we need to sign a DE but I don't think it has to be a top-tier guy like Hardy or JPP. I'd be fine with a good scheme fit amongst the next tier of guys like Graham, Sheard, McPhee.... I definitely would like to draft two more DL to add to the mix in the first 3 rounds to add more talent to that side of the ball.

 

[Kaiser]

To make a marked improvement defensively and take the next step to being a championship caliber team, they must get much better pass rushing production. And, while scheme and player improvement will help, one factor keeps occurring to me.

I feel this team has no choice but to be aggressive in free agency and sign a quality defensive end.

While I think drafting a defensive end is a great idea, I have faced the reality that it would be overly optimistic to expect a rookie to come in and immediately cure this team's ills. Rare is the rookie pass rusher who lights up the league right 'out of the box'.

I agree with every word of that. I want to draft a DE high but you can't count out of production from a rookie unless you take someone in the top half of the draft or you get lucky on the pick.

Pressure off the edge is exactly what is limiting this team, add that and you can put the other pieces in place to have a Super Bowl caliber team. I do want to draft a DE high in the draft but you are going to have to add a guy like Hardy or JPP if you really want to make the jump to the next level.

 

[Galian Beast]

Give me two of these DEs: McPhee, Graham, Sheard, Clayborn, Klug; and one of these DTs: Paea, Harrison, Fairley. I'd wager you could get all three for close to what it takes to sign Suh alone.

Exactly right. You can build an entire defensive line rather than sign Suh. This defense can be a lot better if we're smart about it.

People are overly consumed with the idea of building the defense through the draft. You want to build your team in general through the draft, you don't necessarily need to draft a position group through it. It'll take a long time to hit on all the players you need, and we have a limited window.

It's better to replace players on offense who are getting too expensive through the draft, players you can plug in around a bunch of other vets, than to try to draft rookies to man the defensive line.

 

[Galian Beast]

I do think we need to sign a DE but I don't think it has to be a top-tier guy like Hardy or JPP. I'd be fine with a good scheme fit amongst the next tier of guys like Graham, Sheard, McPhee.... I definitely would like to draft two more DL to add to the mix in the first 3 rounds to add more talent to that side of the ball.

I want to walk into the draft with no holes on the defensive line or on the team in general.

To accomplish that we probably need to sign 3 linemen in free agency.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Yeth, definitively a blue chip FA DE. Now about the money . . . .

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Like many of you, I have been playing GM, and contemplating various scenarios regarding the Cowboys. How they can maintain the momentum that carried them to a 12-4 season and a playoff win, and how they can build upon what they have and take things to that next level.

And no matter how many times I do it, one thing seems very clear to me. To make a marked improvement defensively and take the next step to being a championship caliber team, they must get much better pass rushing production. And, while scheme and player improvement will help, one factor keeps occurring to me.

I feel this team has no choice but to be aggressive in free agency and sign a quality defensive end.

While I think drafting a defensive end is a great idea, I have faced the reality that it would be overly optimistic to expect a rookie to come in and immediately cure this team's ills. Rare is the rookie pass rusher who lights up the league right 'out of the box'.

And given this team's current situation, I think it is imperative to strike while the iron is hot. I feel the organization needs to take that next step and kick the door in for a championship, and to me, that adds up to bringing in an experienced, proven pass rusher capable of making a difference this year.

Some fans prefer Jason Pierre-Paul, some like Greg Hardy, and others like Jerry Hughes, and while I have my own choice, I would be happy with any of them as I feel each would provide a huge boost to the pass rush. I just feel that the only way to make a huge defensive improvement is by getting one of them.

What do the rest of you think?

Is it necessary? Am I panicking and risking ruining the cap and the future?

Let me know how the rest of you feel.

The way I look at it, getting to the QB is a major priority and the DL is a major priority in a Marinelli defense. At least one dominating pass rusher would be great and we can do it by drafting and developing players (time consuming and no guarantees on your pick) or paying a free agent (costly from day one). The thing is though, after that rookie contract is over in 3 or 4 years (about the time he's finally peaking) you will have to pay that player the going rate for a stud pass rusher. How much did you really save going the draft route and what new holes will you have when you finally get the DL fixed?

That being said, the Patriots seem to focus on being stout and balanced throughout their defense, no big stars in the front seven but absolutely no glaring weaknesses either.

 

[lwehlers]

the cowboys need to wait until after the first two weeks and then find another mincey signing to help the defensive ends. I do not see a veteran defensive tackle signed in free agency this year unless a veteran that is released that will not command a big signing bonus.

 

[Doc50]

Recent draft success using the strategy of filling holes in FA and being able to take the BPA will most likely be continued.

JJ may be reaching some kind of maturity, or at least isolated moments of clarity.

 

[Picksix]

The way I look at it, getting to the QB is a major priority and the DL is a major priority in a Marinelli defense. At least one dominating pass rusher would be great and we can do it by drafting and developing players (time consuming and no guarantees on your pick) or paying a free agent (costly from day one). The thing is though, after that rookie contract is over in 3 or 4 years (about the time he's finally peaking) you will have to pay that player the going rate for a stud pass rusher. How much did you really save going the draft route and what new holes will you have when you finally get the DL fixed?

That being said, the Patriots seem to focus on being stout and balanced throughout their defense, no big stars in the front seven but absolutely no glaring weaknesses either.

I have no proof, but I often hear (and tend to agree) that it's typically cheaper to resign your own than to sign guys away from other teams. Whether it's getting guys extended early, or getting a bit of a hometown discount, or being able to spend more time constructing a creative contract, that seems to be the case.

 

[Galian Beast]

I have no proof, but I often hear (and tend to agree) that it's typically cheaper to resign your own than to sign guys away from other teams. Whether it's getting guys extended early, or getting a bit of a hometown discount, or being able to spend more time constructing a creative contract, that seems to be the case.

I think that may be true in general, but every case is different. I also think that there comes a time when you aren't necessarily in the position to just rely on signing your own players and drafting players.

We're there on defense.

 

[xwalker]

Like many of you, I have been playing GM, and contemplating various scenarios raegarding the Cowboys. How they can maintain the momentum that carried them to a 12-4 season and a playoff win, and how they can build upon what they have and take things to that next level.

And no matter how many times I do it, one thing seems very clear to me. To make a marked improvement defensively and take the next step to being a championship caliber team, they must get much better pass rushing production. And, while scheme and player improvement will help, one factor keeps occurring to me.

I feel this team has no choice but to be aggressive in free agency and sign a quality defensive end.

While I think drafting a defensive end is a great idea, I have faced the reality that it would be overly optimistic to expect a rookie to come in and immediately cure this team's ills. Rare is the rookie pass rusher who lights up the league right 'out of the box'.

And given this team's current situation, I think it is imperative to strike while the iron is hot. I feel the organization needs to take that next step and kick the door in for a championship, and to me, that adds up to bringing in an experienced, proven pass rusher capable of making a difference this year.

Some fans prefer Jason Pierre-Paul, some like Greg Hardy, and others like Jerry Hughes, and while I have my own choice, I would be happy with any of them as I feel each would provide a huge boost to the pass rush. I just feel that the only way to make a huge defensive improvement is by getting one of them.

What do the rest of you think?

Is it necessary? Am I panicking and risking ruining the cap and the future?

Let me know how the rest of you feel.

My list:
Hardy
McPhee


They have a lot of young guys on the roster that could possibly step up at DT, but at DE it just how much can Lawrence improve and not much behind that.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Use the Seattle blueprint... They signed Avril and Bennett.. And drafted Irvin... 2 mid levels and a draft pick...

 

[Galian Beast]

Use the Seattle blueprint... They signed Avril and Bennett.. And drafted Irvin... 2 mid levels and a draft pick...

I think we already have our Irvin pick in Lawrence.

 

[MichaelValentino]

If they don't get a starting DE in FA, is there anyone you expect to be available at no. 27 who will be an impact player this year at the position?