Keep an eye on these players

[Verdict]

There are several vets that were at one time highly rated. Some of them may be able to help Dallas out if they chose to fill in a spot or two. Here are a few of interest:

1. Julius Thomas. Pass catching tight end. This guy isn't the type of player that the Cowboys generally covet, because he is a very marginal blocker and that may be putting it mildly. But if the Cowboys decide in TC to add even more weapons to Dak's arsenal he has pass catching ability and he would probably be cheap because of recent injuries and lackluster production.

2. Luke Joekel. This guy has been largely been a bust based on his #2 draft position, but he was drafted to play OT but he may be better suited to play guard. Dallas loves high draft pick reclamation projects and Joekel may want to up his street cred by playing with this OL. He would project as a backup and he would probably be better than any current backup guard we have. But if he is a backup guard he would probably also have to be able to backup center.

3. Johnathan Hankins. This one makes so much sense in so many levels. Google Johnathan Hankins news and oddly you really won't find much of anything. He has played on multiple teams over the past few year. That' seems a bit odd based on his production. Maybe his asking price is too high. If so that's a valid reason to pass on him. Otherwise it's pretty hard to argue he isn't a significant upgrade for us at the 1 Tech. 320 lbs. We can hope, right?

 

[cowboyec]

in all honesty Id love Hankins here...but I dont think they share that view.

 

[Verdict]

in all honesty Id love Hankins here...but I dont think they share that view.

Maybe they don't want to put money in the 1 Tech position. I get it. But the level of player vs what we have---to me it's a no brainer upgrade onnthe talent side. I'm hoping the money gets in line.

 

[ShiningStar]

Maybe they don't want to put money in the 1 Tech position. I get it. But the level of player vs what we have---to me it's a no brainer upgrade onnthe talent side. I'm hoping the money gets in line.

everyone keeps telling me JJ wants to win the SB and do whatever it takes. Here we are proving them wrong with JJs stamp of approval

 

[cowboyec]

fat-bellies either move the chains or get the opponents off the field.
can NEVER have enuff fat-bellies.

 

[Sydla]

Hankins is said to want a decent contract. There's also the line of thinking that he doesn't want to have to work for all of camp so he'll sit on the sidelines until a few weeks before the season starts.

I have little doubt we have no interest at all. This front office has bungled the DT spot for years, so I suspect they think what they have is great.

 

[cowboyec]

hey...anybody remember that time when Dallas traded upto the 1st pick...and everyone thought they would draft a rocket and instead drafted a DT....remember that....that was awesome.

 

[DFWJC]

everyone keeps telling me JJ wants to win the SB and do whatever it takes. Here we are proving them wrong with JJs stamp of approval

So if he ignores the coaching staff and goes out and pays for a player they don't want, that's a good thing?

 

[Verdict]

So if he ignores the coaching staff and goes out and pays for a player they don't want, that's a good thing?

Good point.

 

[ShiningStar]

So if he ignores the coaching staff and goes out and pays for a player they don't want, that's a good thing?

the coaching staff at the top hasnt been altered, so the others will either have to work against him or fall in line. Their jobs might be on the line either way. Everyone knows JG is not going anywhere.

Again, if the posters tell me JJ is dedicated to winning, Hankins contract isnt going to kill them. People want to trade for ET and his contract would be bigger. Whys it so hard to bring in Hankins

 

[Dwight]

Jonathan Hankins would be the logical free agent due to him being solid at stopping the run and keeping olinemen away from LBs.

However, FO and Coaches feel they probably have something better which truly asinine.

 

[DFWJC]

the coaching staff at the top hasnt been altered, so the others will either have to work against him or fall in line. Their jobs might be on the line either way. Everyone knows JG is not going anywhere.

Again, if the posters tell me JJ is dedicated to winning, Hankins contract isnt going to kill them. People want to trade for ET and his contract would be bigger. Whys it so hard to bring in Hankins

Again, you are assuming that we actually want Hankins that badly.
I don't think if his coaches forcefully pound the table for him to go get a player that Jerry wouldn't try to do it.

I can sure see a case where we should look into it. But I'm not Rod Marinelli

No worries. We can just disagree on this.

 

[Sandyf]

Interesting take on those three. Thomas would be a nice target but in this offensive scheme you have to BLOCK and to say Thomas isn't much of a blocker is an understatement. I could see him going to the Chargers with all the injuries they have had at TE.

Jockel could be one of those under the radar guys that shows up at OG and maybe with the right coaching at RT although I really like the makeup of our starting 5 and backups currently. Think we have something here with them that could help make a serious run at the playoffs and beyond.

Oh the DT1 spot, seems to be on everyone's mind and want list except for the Cowboys defensive staff. Believe we will see Collins in a couple of weeks that is enough time for him to get ready. Ward has been impressive and appears to be a great fit for this defense. Jones has also looked pretty good at DT (both 1 and 3 reps). Many of us have Price as just another guy but he has been giving Frederick and Martin fits on many plays and beat Williams on a couple of swim moves so as long as he is showing he can be at least decent/good then Hankins is out of the picture. Show be an interesting camp over the next 5 weeks to see if they bring in another DT especially a 1 tech.

One name to remember depending on how he recovers is Malik McDowell, who Seattle cut then after clearing waivers went on their IR. He may or may not play again although according to his agent, he is working hard to return although most likely not this year. I still believe that a trade is going to go down sometime in training camp that brings Earl Thomas here and what is to say that Seattle doesn't throw in McDowell to get Dallas to the 3rd round pick they want since there is no guarantee that McDowell ever plays. Dallas is known to take chances on a guy like McDowell with the hopes that he does come back. Just a thought.

 

[ShiningStar]

Again, you are assuming that we actually want Hankins that badly.
I don't think if his coaches forcefully pound the table for him to go get a player that Jerry wouldn't try to do it.

I can sure see a case where we should look into it. But I'm not Rod Marinelli

No worries. We can just disagree on this.

the owner doesnt get it both ways. There is nothing on our table right now better than Hankins. Anything is speculation. You dont tell me "im dedicated to winning" than avoid getting a piece that could raise the level of your team. This will fail with JJs stamp of approval. Hes not dedicated or thinking of the SB, its going to take a while but fans will understand it.

 

[Verdict]

Again, you are assuming that we actually want Hankins that badly.
I don't think if his coaches forcefully pound the table for him to go get a player that Jerry wouldn't try to do it.

I can sure see a case where we should look into it. But I'm not Rod Marinelli

No worries. We can just disagree on this.

I am wondering why he hasn't stuck with a team. That's a bit of an odd thing with his talent level. He's a very fast, talented big man.

Additionally, I don't think he counts in the draft pick compensation formula because he was cut and after a certain date the signings don't count if I remember correctly.

If Dallas signs him they could sign him to a one year deal and maybe net a 3rd rounder by letting him walk next year. You have to factor that in too.

 

[Verdict]

Interesting take on those three. Thomas would be a nice target but in this offensive scheme you have to BLOCK and to say Thomas isn't much of a blocker is an understatement. I could see him going to the Chargers with all the injuries they have had at TE.

Jockel could be one of those under the radar guys that shows up at OG and maybe with the right coaching at RT although I really like the makeup of our starting 5 and backups currently. Think we have something here with them that could help make a serious run at the playoffs and beyond.

Oh the DT1 spot, seems to be on everyone's mind and want list except for the Cowboys defensive staff. Believe we will see Collins in a couple of weeks that is enough time for him to get ready. Ward has been impressive and appears to be a great fit for this defense. Jones has also looked pretty good at DT (both 1 and 3 reps). Many of us have Price as just another guy but he has been giving Frederick and Martin fits on many plays and beat Williams on a couple of swim moves so as long as he is showing he can be at least decent/good then Hankins is out of the picture. Show be an interesting camp over the next 5 weeks to see if they bring in another DT especially a 1 tech.

One name to remember depending on how he recovers is Malik McDowell, who Seattle cut then after clearing waivers went on their IR. He may or may not play again although according to his agent, he is working hard to return although most likely not this year. I still believe that a trade is going to go down sometime in training camp that brings Earl Thomas here and what is to say that Seattle doesn't throw in McDowell to get Dallas to the 3rd round pick they want since there is no guarantee that McDowell ever plays. Dallas is known to take chances on a guy like McDowell with the hopes that he does come back. Just a thought.

What sort of contract is McDowell on?

 

[Verdict]

the owner doesnt get it both ways. There is nothing on our table right now better than Hankins. Anything is speculation. You dont tell me "im dedicated to winning" than avoid getting a piece that could raise the level of your team. This will fail with JJs stamp of approval. Hes not dedicated or thinking of the SB, its going to take a while but fans will understand it.

Well salary cap hit has to factor in the decision.

 

[DBOY3141]

Interesting take on those three. Thomas would be a nice target but in this offensive scheme you have to BLOCK and to say Thomas isn't much of a blocker is an understatement. I could see him going to the Chargers with all the injuries they have had at TE.

Jockel could be one of those under the radar guys that shows up at OG and maybe with the right coaching at RT although I really like the makeup of our starting 5 and backups currently. Think we have something here with them that could help make a serious run at the playoffs and beyond.

Oh the DT1 spot, seems to be on everyone's mind and want list except for the Cowboys defensive staff. Believe we will see Collins in a couple of weeks that is enough time for him to get ready. Ward has been impressive and appears to be a great fit for this defense. Jones has also looked pretty good at DT (both 1 and 3 reps). Many of us have Price as just another guy but he has been giving Frederick and Martin fits on many plays and beat Williams on a couple of swim moves so as long as he is showing he can be at least decent/good then Hankins is out of the picture. Show be an interesting camp over the next 5 weeks to see if they bring in another DT especially a 1 tech.

One name to remember depending on how he recovers is Malik McDowell, who Seattle cut then after clearing waivers went on their IR. He may or may not play again although according to his agent, he is working hard to return although most likely not this year. I still believe that a trade is going to go down sometime in training camp that brings Earl Thomas here and what is to say that Seattle doesn't throw in McDowell to get Dallas to the 3rd round pick they want since there is no guarantee that McDowell ever plays. Dallas is known to take chances on a guy like McDowell with the hopes that he does come back. Just a thought.

Seattle cut McDowell a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Stash]

There are several vets that were at one time highly rated. Some of them may be able to help Dallas out if they chose to fill in a spot or two. Here are a few of interest:

1. Julius Thomas. Pass catching tight end. This guy isn't the type of player that the Cowboys generally covet, because he is a very marginal blocker and that may be putting it mildly. But if the Cowboys decide in TC to add even more weapons to Dak's arsenal he has pass catching ability and he would probably be cheap because of recent injuries and lackluster production.

2. Luke Joekel. This guy has been largely been a bust based on his #2 draft position, but he was drafted to play OT but he may be better suited to play guard. Dallas loves high draft pick reclamation projects and Joekel may want to up his street cred by playing with this OL. He would project as a backup and he would probably be better than any current backup guard we have. But if he is a backup guard he would probably also have to be able to backup center.

3. Johnathan Hankins. This one makes so much sense in so many levels. Google Johnathan Hankins news and oddly you really won't find much of anything. He has played on multiple teams over the past few year. That' seems a bit odd based on his production. Maybe his asking price is too high. If so that's a valid reason to pass on him. Otherwise it's pretty hard to argue he isn't a significant upgrade for us at the 1 Tech. 320 lbs. We can hope, right?

Just my own opinion on these names, but here goes:

1. Julius Thomas - Peyton Manning made this guy, like he did Eric Decker. He hasn't come close to being the guy he was when he had Manning throwing to him. And as you said, he brings none of the blocking that Dallas covets.

2. I recently looked up Joeckel myself out of curiosity to see if he had signed anywhere. I was shocked by how little interest or news there was. Looking into his history, his career to date hasn't been good. He once had a Chaz Green game where he gave up 5 sacks in a single game before the Jaguars let him go.

He was then paid $8 million last year to play left guard for the Seahawks. Another of their own recent blunders. When he wasn't injured, he was mediocre. I'm willing to bet that he still wants to start and still expects to get paid, both of which would rule him out for Dallas.

If, by some chance he would want to "play at home" in Texas, and be looking to resuscitate a career on life support, it's possible, by I think the chances are slim at best.

3. Money money money money money. Hankins is all about getting paid. And that's well documented for anyone who wants to look it up. But fans of the idea want to ignore that fact in order to keep their hopes alive. While I agree that I'd like to see more respect for, and more investment made in the 1-tech position, I'm resigned to being disappointed and resigned to the fact that the Cowboys have no interest in this player or his contract demands.

 

[ShiningStar]

Well salary cap hit has to factor in the decision.

has the salary cap really hurt any team recently? i could be wrong, but i think teams survive it.