Looking ahead

[ddh33]

No use in looking back. It's over and done with. So what now?

The first point of interest is going to be the coaching staff. Who stays, who goes, and who replaces the ones who leave?

After that, I'll be most interested in seeing who the team goes after in free agency. It really can't be emphasized enough that this wasn't Wade's team. I'm interested to see what happens when this team gets more of his kind of players. That probably means a little more speed, especially on defense.

Along those lines, I'll be interested to see which players leave. I'm afraid that Terry Glenn is done. Some of the guys are free agents, so they will be gone too.

And like everyone else, I want to see the team add to the key parts that are already here. Unlike some who are extremely pessimistic and negative right now, I'm excited about the future. Yeah, I hate the loss from yesterday, but I really do think this team is going to challenge for years to come.

I think the team desperately needs another corner. I don't have any confidence in any corner not named Newman.

I really want more speed and big-play ability at receiver. Crayton is solid, his terrible day yesterday not withstanding. TO is aging, but he's a force. He could use a little help though.

While we're getting some help, I really want Barber to get some more legit help. Julius Jones was more of a detriment this season than an addition. He's not a bad player, but for whatever reason, it was a bad fit.

I want better FB play too. Hoyte may have been playing hurt, but he didn't do much for me. I thought the offense got worse after Deon Anderson was injured.

It should be a fun and interesting off-season. And though it's starting too early, it's starting today.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

So...

Who, besides Julius Jones, lost a starting job yesterday?

 

[ddh33]

Oliver Hoyte lost one throughout the season, in my opinion.

I'll be interested to see what happens on the OL. Flozell's contract situation could get interesting.

Crayton is what he is too. He's a good role player, but this team could really use another weapon that could eat up some of his snaps.

Ayodele is a solid but unspectacular player. I would like a little more playmaking there.

Anthony Henry scares me. I think he's solid, but I would like more back there.

I don't really expect Jacques Reeves back next season either.

I don't think either return specialist is beyond being replaced.

Keith Davis might not be back either. I think he's a starter in Miami next season.

 

[Bach]

So...

Who, besides Julius Jones, lost a starting job yesterday?

Hopefully Crayton and Roy

 

[Chocolate Lab]

You can always count on ddh for a solid, thoughful post.

It will be interesting to see the players we go after, and let go or demote. I pretty much agree with you, though, on the ones who need to be upgraded. I just hope we go with a few of the mid-tier or cheaper guys like Kosier and Hamlin (who I desperately hope we keep) rather than one or two of the big-name, expensive FAs.

Even before that, though, I'm ready to get Sparano and whoever else on the coaching staff is leaving out of here and see who we can get to replace them. I'm not so sure we can't find people of equal quality out there, depending on who we lose.

 

[ddh33]

Agree completely, Chocolate.

I don't really expect Dallas to go after huge names this summer. For one thing, I think Jerry feels pretty good about the star-power on the team, and I think they'll try to make sound financial decisions.

Getting Hamlin back next season is important, in my mind. I love his fire and leadership, and that makes up for any flaws.

I think the coaching situation is most pressing. Like most, I expect to lose Tony Sparano. Unlike some, I don't really expect to lose Garrett. I If the team does, I do think that Ray Sherman stays. That's important. And if you are trying to find a brand new offensive coordinator, I can easily see a lot of guys wanting this job, including people like Cam Cameron.

I really like the idea of bringing in Hudson Houck for the OL. I think he would be a great hire. But this is a good place to be for coaches and players, even if a lot of fans have already forgotten it.

 

[Big Country]

Oliver Hoyte lost one throughout the season, in my opinion.

I'll be interested to see what happens on the OL. Flozell's contract situation could get interesting.

Crayton is what he is too. He's a good role player, but this team could really use another weapon that could eat up some of his snaps.

Ayodele is a solid but unspectacular player. I would like a little more playmaking there.

Anthony Henry scares me. I think he's solid, but I would like more back there.

I don't really expect Jacques Reeves back next season either.

I don't think either return specialist is beyond being replaced.

Keith Davis might not be back either. I think he's a starter in Miami next season.

Dallas needs a dynamic middle linebacker...

James did better this season than last, but I don't even see Ayodele anymore I swear... I don't even remember his name called this season except for a few times.

We need a meateater back there that can instill some attitude...

 

[BigBlacKahuna]

Agree completely, Chocolate.

I don't really expect Dallas to go after huge names this summer. For one thing, I think Jerry feels pretty good about the star-power on the team, and I think they'll try to make sound financial decisions.

Getting Hamlin back next season is important, in my mind. I love his fire and leadership, and that makes up for any flaws.

I think the coaching situation is most pressing. Like most, I expect to lose Tony Sparano. Unlike some, I don't really expect to lose Garrett. I If the team does, I do think that Ray Sherman stays. That's important. And if you are trying to find a brand new offensive coordinator, I can easily see a lot of guys wanting this job, including people like Cam Cameron.

I really like the idea of bringing in Hudson Houck for the OL. I think he would be a great hire. But this is a good place to be for coaches and players, even if a lot of fans have already forgotten it.

Wll said ddh!

 

[LarryCanadian]

This is a very good thread, and the key to the future.

There aren't a ton of holes, but they need to be indentified. What remains frustrating is that certain positions that have been achilles heels for a long time remain so. Secondary, safety, FB, WR depth, etc.

Injuries played a roll. It seems we tried to address these, but then wham, our depth wasn't there.

Let's assume Juilus is gone. Tyson Thompson regressed, bad injury the year before or not. So we need 2 running backs. I say one slasher/speed guy to complement Barber, and one all round guy that can fill in, in case of injury. A veteran maybe? Our running back stable needs to be better. Guys like Grant etc from other teams seem to be able to step up, but I don't think we had such a guy this year if Barber would have gone down.

FB. Hoyte was hurt, but all he is is a blocker. Good attitude etc. I totally agree that Cricket was a much bigger loss than ever expected. If we are going to use a FB at all (many teams don't) then we need one that can block, catch, and RUN a bit too. Or just go with one guy and keep another dynamic running back that might only play a few plays, but gives some explosiveness/playmaking. This team still lacks roll players, and spark plugs (something I hoped Stanback would and still will become). A weakness for Years! Cricket did look promising. But get a vet maybe in camp?

We need a punt returner PERIOD. Maybe a kick and punt guy. Crayton is relatively sure handed, but is not a gifted return guy. He fair catches everything even when it looks like he as room. He is good after catch receiving, but doesn't seem to have wiggle running forward. He's strong but not elusive after catching punt. This has been a weakness again for YEARS.

Safety I'm at a loss at. I don't think you can keep playing Roy for most of game though. That's way too big a risk next season. It cost us over and over this year. I think we draft here and need to resign Hamlin.

CB. I think we might need 2 here. 1 veteran FA that can contribute ifthere is one out there, and a high draft pick. You need 3 or 4 solid corners nowadays. Reeves is fast, but too risky still. Newman and Henry are injury prone. Henry I like, but often is too far off the ball. I hate that huge cushion. WE'VE had the HUGE CUSHION problem for years as well. I'd rather get burned on a long bomb than watch teams dink and dunk us.

LT, all depends on how much Flo wants. If it's too much, maybe we need to fill all the above holes with his Cap money.

WR. I'd even be willing to trade ONE of our first rounders, if we get a YOUNG FA. Williams from Detroit? Can we steal Fitzgerald somehow? I think he is a top 5 receiver next year and with a team like this. We need to draft another too, one with proven ability (not a project, we have enough with Stanback as a converted QB, and Hurt Austin being late guys or undrafted). Crayton is a good 3rd WR, a possession guy role player. I don't think he scares anyone as a 2nd receiver. Upgrade means to have a guy after TO. Glenn is probably done, or at best 1 year removed, and will be risky regardless.

LarryCanadian

 

[DC_Addict]

If parcells wants Crayton, Jaques Reeves and Roy Williams in Miami, then he can friggin' have 'em. It would be good riddence.

 

[maxsports]

Crayton isn't going anywhere. They just signed him

 

[Thick 'N Hearty]

Absolutely love this thread. Helps me keep my mind off yesterday.

If we look at free agency, there could be some help to fill a few holes. One RB I've liked for a while is J. Fargas at Oak. I know the Raiders sucked, but he shined on a bad team. He's a fast and hard runner. Over 100 yards several times this year.

i like the ideas of Fitzgerald or possibly RW from Detroit filling the WR spot. Maybe even Ocho Cinco. He was on Mike & Mike the other morning and pretty much said he doesn't expect to return to Cincy. That would be a pretty nice duo for Romo to throw to.

I'll do some more research on other FA possibilities and get back with you. Again, love the thread!

 

[Woods]

We need 2 CBs, and we don't re-sign Reeves. We get one vet CB who fits as a dependable number 3, and we draft another CB, possibly in Round 1.

This is our most glaring weakness, IMO.

We also re-sign Hamlin.

Our other most significant weakness is a true number 2 WR. Again, we get one in FA. We need a guy who can step in Day 1.

Finally in FA, we pick up one vet RB, maybe a guy like Fargas, if the price is right. (We need a total of 2 RBs.) I think both JJ and Thompson are gone.

In the Draft, we get 1 more RB, 1 more CB, 1 more WR and then we can look to possibly pick up a FB, maybe a NT (move Ratliff to DE), and OL.

 

[LarryCanadian]

I'd have no problem with Fargas. Don't know how much he'd cost.

I would still draft a shifty, scat/speed back though, but you could probably get that type of role player in 3rd round or later.

LarryCanadian

 

[Woods]

I'd have no problem with Fargas. Don't know how much he'd cost.

I would still draft a shifty, scat/speed back though, but you could probably get that type of role player in 3rd round or later.

LarryCanadian

I think if in FA we can get

1. a number 3 CB

2. a true number 2 WR, and

3. one RB to replace either JJ/Thompson

Plus,

we re-sign Hamlin and maybe Flo, depending on how much he's asking for, we'd be successful leading up to the Draft.

I don't think this is unreasonable.

 

[bysbox1]

Absolutely love this thread. Helps me keep my mind off yesterday.

If we look at free agency, there could be some help to fill a few holes. One RB I've liked for a while is J. Fargas at Oak. I know the Raiders sucked, but he shined on a bad team. He's a fast and hard runner. Over 100 yards several times this year.

i like the ideas of Fitzgerald or possibly RW from Detroit filling the WR spot. Maybe even Ocho Cinco. He was on Mike & Mike the other morning and pretty much said he doesn't expect to return to Cincy. That would be a pretty nice duo for Romo to throw to.

I'll do some more research on other FA possibilities and get back with you. Again, love the thread!

This team is really not that far away. A couple of solid moves and some better coaching decisions and we could be as dominating as the Patriots right now. This is what I see:

On Offense:

I think getting Chad Johnson would be huge. I think he's a better option than Detroit's Roy Williams (who is really similar to TO in terms of play). Chad stretches the field and has great hands. He can come in and contribute immediately. I don't think Cincy will trade him to Miami since they are in the same conference.

I still think we need a big time RB. Marion is great for the 2 back system, but I think we need a back that forces defenses to respect play action passsing and makes them keep 8 men in the box. That way you can dictate your game plan instead of defenses dictating what our offense does.

On O-line, I don't think you will see much except Flo getting resigned. I don't see him going anywhere. There's not much else out there (besides Travelle Wharton from Carolina) and I don't think you want to take a chance on protecting Romo's blindside.

On Defense:

I don't think you will see much happen on the Dline. Ferguson comes back, and we have Tank next year. I think that will help our running game and keep Offensive Linemen off of our Linebackers.

I don't think you will see much movement with our linebackers. I think they will wait to see how your dline does when Ferguson comes back.

Our secondary needs to be revamped. Hamlin needs to be resigned, and then we have Newman. I think everyone else (including Roy Williams) is expendable. Roy may get a pass this year due to salary cap implications. But we need to get 2 solid corners either through FA or the draft to play the kind of pressure defense that Wade likes. I think Asante Samuel, Mike Doss, Marcus Trufant, and Dayton Florence are all free agents.

I have a weird feeling that you will see a big move on draft day though. Jones covets McFadden and McFadden just turned pro. I think you will see Jerry make a huge push to move up in the draft. I don't know if that's good or bad. It will depend on if we can fill our major needs in free agency. That would mean getting a WR, 2 CBs, resigning Hamlin and Flo, and giving Barber an offer that would either keep him here or forces another team to give up a first round pick.

We also to find verteran leadership out there. To be honest with you, the more I think about the Ray Lewis thing, the more I like it. He's a veteran leader and commands locker room respect. We could use one guy like that on Offense (I wish we could get Kurt Warner here to back up Romo. He would be a perfect veteran leader like that) and one guy on Defense.

Just my .02$.

 

[Dallas]

We need a real solid #3 CB. They don't have to be spectacular but they should be able to man up more often than not.

We need a solid #2 WR - I would love to get Fitzie or RW

We need a good RB. What is the status of Turner in SD? Get his butt to Dallas JJ. Could we give them our low #1? Is that so bad?

Stanbeck needs to play more. I hope he has one heck of an offseason. I am looking forward to seeing this kid play.

Punt return ace. We need a Hester or someone other than Crayton. PLEASE!!

 

[Oh_Canada]

I think the Boys really need a run stuffing NT, which would allow Ratliff to play his true position which is the end spot in the 3-4. There are a few destined to be available through the draft which is where I would look to fill the role.

A corner....no doubt. I would love to see Drayton Florence here as the nickel back and a rookie...hello Antoine Cason to challenge for the starting role. Kid has speed and highly intelligent, something that is sorely lacking in our secondary.

A backup to the Barberian. Someone suggested Justin Fargas which is a decent idea. My only concern with him.... was his performance related to his sudden grasp of the position or the incentive a contract season provides? Personally I would rather draft a young speddy back and sign someone like Mewelde Moore or Jesse Chatman in free agency.

Speed/Smarts at Safety---They need someone who can cover sideline to sideline....the place to find it is through the draft, I just don't see anyone on the horizon the free agency.

Wideout--Glaring need. I love me some Roy Williams, but the asking price will be very high. Bryant Johson is my second choice, to me he is a solid #2, who will not complain and prove to be a nice red zone threat for Romo. If they want speed the obvious choice would be Berrian. I would also look to the draft to improve the depth/youth of the position.

Special Teams-- A punt returner PLEASE and some wedge busters in free agency/late draft. Eddie Royal will be available somewhere in the third round or later....TAKE A LONG LOOK Jerry, this guy is GOLD. Speaking of ST, please fire Read.

A really early Xmas present would be Karlos Dansby, but something tells me that is a far-fetched idea with little chance of happening.

 

[AmishCowboy]

We need a real solid #3 CB. They don't have to be spectacular but they should be able to man up more often than not.

We need a solid #2 WR - I would love to get Fitzie or RW

We need a good RB. What is the status of Turner in SD? Get his butt to Dallas JJ. Could we give them our low #1? Is that so bad?

Stanbeck needs to play more. I hope he has one heck of an offseason. I am looking forward to seeing this kid play.

Punt return ace. We need a Hester or someone other than Crayton. PLEASE!!

I agree that these are all needs, should be able to fill most of these in the Draft.

 

[Woods]

This team is really not that far away. A couple of solid moves and some better coaching decisions and we could be as dominating as the Patriots right now. This is what I see:

On Offense:

I think getting Chad Johnson would be huge. I think he's a better option than Detroit's Roy Williams (who is really similar to TO in terms of play). Chad stretches the field and has great hands. He can come in and contribute immediately. I don't think Cincy will trade him to Miami since they are in the same conference.

I still think we need a big time RB. Marion is great for the 2 back system, but I think we need a back that forces defenses to respect play action passsing and makes them keep 8 men in the box. That way you can dictate your game plan instead of defenses dictating what our offense does.

On O-line, I don't think you will see much except Flo getting resigned. I don't see him going anywhere. There's not much else out there (besides Travelle Wharton from Carolina) and I don't think you want to take a chance on protecting Romo's blindside.

On Defense:

I don't think you will see much happen on the Dline. Ferguson comes back, and we have Tank next year. I think that will help our running game and keep Offensive Linemen off of our Linebackers.

I don't think you will see much movement with our linebackers. I think they will wait to see how your dline does when Ferguson comes back.

Our secondary needs to be revamped. Hamlin needs to be resigned, and then we have Newman. I think everyone else (including Roy Williams) is expendable. Roy may get a pass this year due to salary cap implications. But we need to get 2 solid corners either through FA or the draft to play the kind of pressure defense that Wade likes. I think Asante Samuel, Mike Doss, Marcus Trufant, and Dayton Florence are all free agents.

I have a weird feeling that you will see a big move on draft day though. Jones covets McFadden and McFadden just turned pro. I think you will see Jerry make a huge push to move up in the draft. I don't know if that's good or bad. It will depend on if we can fill our major needs in free agency. That would mean getting a WR, 2 CBs, resigning Hamlin and Flo, and giving Barber an offer that would either keep him here or forces another team to give up a first round pick.

We also to find verteran leadership out there. To be honest with you, the more I think about the Ray Lewis thing, the more I like it. He's a veteran leader and commands locker room respect. We could use one guy like that on Offense (I wish we could get Kurt Warner here to back up Romo. He would be a perfect veteran leader like that) and one guy on Defense.

Just my .02$.

I don't think we're going to acquire 2 CBs in FA. At least 2 good CBs.

I think we've got to try and get one in FA and one in the Draft.

But I agree that we need a real number 2 WR through FA.

We should aim to re-sign Hamlin and Flo, depending on price.

I would prefer to keep our two Round 1 draft picks.