Mike Lombardi's Dallas Free Agent Target

[Alexander]

Teams that succeed in free agency know exactly what their scheme requires at every position, then find players to fit those requirements. The Giants did it with defensive tackle Damon Harrison. The Falcons did with center Alex Mack. The expensive deals they shelled out were definitely worth it, because Atlanta and New York scouted inside out. How many teams will emulate those big-ticket signings and find the perfect marriage of scheme, need, and player? I’m looking at these four teams:

1. Dallas needs to go all in for Chargers defensive end/linebacker Melvin Ingram. He fits their scheme perfectly, gives the Cowboys an elite pass rusher from the edge, and improves an already solid defense. Why overpay Jason Pierre-Paul for past performance when you can splurge on a blue-chipper hitting his prime?

https://theringer.com/the-four-rules-of-nfl-free-agency-896742242e29#.vck58cttl

 

[Rockdoc]

thats what i have been saying
Ingram is a no brainer. sign him, draft a pass rush DE later and be done with it for awhile

 

[Alexander]

thats what i have been saying
Ingram is a no brainer. sign him, draft a pass rush DE later and be done with it for awhile

First they have to clear the cap room to put the Open sign on the front door. Can't compete with other teams until that happens.

 

[Sydla]

Spotrac estimates JPP will get around $14MM and Ingram will get around $17MM.

Yeah, I don't think we are signing either.

 

[Bowdown27]

I'd love Ingram but I don't think we get him. Someone will overpay

 

[Supercowboy1986]

Ingram is a very nice player and would without a doubt be an upgrade.

Unfortunately this will be a salary issue.

 

[Stash]

I see both Ingram and Nick Perry as 'contract guys'. Both disappointed for several years and finally had good season right before it was time to get paid.

I have the feeling that both of them will be vastly overpaid and have their new teams soon regretting it when they trend back to the guys they've been in the past.

 

[Alexander]

I'd love Ingram but I don't think we get him. Someone will overpay

What is with this "overpay" thing? So we assume someone else overpays when the reality is we simply can't compete?

There is very little "right price" when you are talking about free agents in their prime. If they are bargains, there is a reason. Too old, injured, etc.

 

[Typhus]

Ingram would be great if we were still running a 3-4, and probably still OK if we had cap to spend despite that he doesn't really fit what we are doing here.
A 247lb OLB does not make a pass rushing DE in this Marinelli scheme, unless we discover that Jaylon is a complete bust and can not play, but that still is not a pass rushing DE.
There is no defensive end in FA that is going to solve this issue,, time to accept that and move forward.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

Ingram would be great if we were still running a 3-4, and probably still OK if we had cap to spend despite that he doesn't really fit what we are doing here.
A 247lb OLB does not make a pass rushing DE in this Marinelli scheme, unless we discover that Jaylon is a complete bust and can not play, but that still is not a pass rushing DE.
There is no defensive end in FA that is going to solve this issue,, time to accept that and move forward.

Ingram is 6-2, 265. That's plenty big for a RE

 

[phildadon86]

It actually amazes me that after 4 years of barely any FA spending people still think we are going to change....

 

[erod]

First they have to clear the cap room to put the Open sign on the front door. Can't compete with other teams until that happens.

The salary cap is a complete fallacy. Any needed room could be created. They could sign 10 Ingrams if they really wanted to.

 

[Alexander]

I see both Ingram and Nick Perry as 'contract guys'. Both disappointed for several years and finally had good season right before it was time to get paid.

Ingram is slightly different than Perry.

In 2015, Ingram had 10.5 traps and 8.5 last year. He also had seven forced fumbles in the past two years.

Perry had injury concerns like Ingram, but never hit above four sacks until this past year. He seems much more like the showing out to get paid type.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

I see both Ingram and Nick Perry as 'contract guys'. Both disappointed for several years and finally had good season right before it was time to get paid.

I have the feeling that both of them will be vastly overpaid and have their new teams soon regretting it when they trend back to the guys they've been in the past.

Ingram was just as good the year before. I wouldn't lump him in with the contract guys.

 

[waldoputty]

Ingram would be great if we were still running a 3-4, and probably still OK if we had cap to spend despite that he doesn't really fit what we are doing here.
A 247lb OLB does not make a pass rushing DE in this Marinelli scheme, unless we discover that Jaylon is a complete bust and can not play, but that still is not a pass rushing DE.
There is no defensive end in FA that is going to solve this issue,, time to accept that and move forward.

i thought ingram was 265lb?
we use a lot of 3 man front also, especially in passing downs.
could see him as LB/RDE combo.

 

[Alexander]

They could sign 10 Ingrams if they really wanted to.

Who cares? They don't want to and won't.

If there is any fallacy, it is the belief that Dallas is suddenly going to stop doing what they are doing, which is skirting the edge of the cap until they clear themselves of the albatross contracts.

 

[erod]

It actually amazes me that after 4 years of barely any FA spending people still think we are going to change....

I agree, but I think this might be different.

In recent years, there hasn't been that one clean free agent that very directly addresses an area of need that would make a big impact.

Ingram is that kind of player. He's exactly what Dallas needs, along with a healthy defensive draft.

Imagine adding Ingram, an Alabama defensive lineman, and Jaylon Smith to the front 7.

 

[waldoputty]

What is with this "overpay" thing? So we assume someone else overpays when the reality is we simply can't compete?

There is very little "right price" when you are talking about free agents in their prime. If they are bargains, there is a reason. Too old, injured, etc.

people have been conditioned by past salary cap problems...

market price is market price based on supply and demand.
lol if you want to play, you have to pay

 

[Stash]

Ingram was just as good the year before. I wouldn't lump him in with the contract guys.

I concede that point, but, like Perry, his first several years in the league were disappointing. And he turned it around at or near his contract season.

And maybe there's a good amount of my skepticism that's simply a gut feeling and not trusting any of these guys not to coast once they get that big payday.

 

[John813]

Not expecting it.

We'll sign another unknown that scored high on the SPARQ, that we were high on in the 20XX draft and hope that him, draftee, Tapper or Mayowa can give us pressure from the RDE.