Moore: Cowboys in serious bind at DE after whiffing on Chris Long

[DandyDon1722]

If the offensive line is as good as people say, why would you also need to make such a huge and costly investment for a running back as well?

And if you need the upgrade that badly, why didn't you sign a proven guys without sacrificing your #4 overall pick too?

Excellent point Stash and here's my answer and I admit it's not all that great.

The running game was pretty good last year considering how awful the QB play is but I simply don't trust McFadden to be both as healthy and effective as he was last year.
As to why they didn't sign Miller or Forte I think they thought they were going to get some defensive line help in FA and didn't want to spend the money and they got caught with their pants down. Now they're in trouble because there's nobody left on the roster. Who the hell is our RB if McFadden goes down?

I also think there are more resources in a deep draft to help the defense at a less costly investment.

So - because we didn't address it (as you mentioned) I think we have to go with Elliott. Now, if we went Bosa or Ramsey and got Henry in the 2nd, I'm all in.

Honestly - Whatever it takes to win.

 

[jobberone]

Because he's a dime a dozen player. Teams don't waste their time or money scouring for other teams' dime a dozen players that they likely already have.

No he's right about needing steady players in rotation. They can't all be stars anymore. You are UNLIKELY to see a DL like the old Doomsday(s) or the 90s one. We couldn't keep the 90s team together and that's the reason to have Jack Crawfords and Irvings on your team. Crawford is an interesting player. He may stay a journeyman or he may get a bit better. If the latter then you have scored. Will he ever be a star? Unlikely....there's that word again....but he fills a need.

The answer has been there for awhile and it is a PR coup to....have.....to resign Hardy....reluctantly. Maybe he matures a bit.

 

[Stash]

That's the thing. Hardy and either the 1st or 2nd round draft pick makes the DL on paper go from 'uh-oh' to 'oh-no.'

You'll definitely hear at least one "Oh no!" If they use the #4 overall pick on it.

But I love the idea of getting a Kevin Dodd in round 2 to develop for the future.

Whatever really went on, the longer FA goes on, the better the chances we end up bringing Hardy back. If the conversation's going to be had, we'll probably be hearing about it this week or next.

I hope so. I really feel like it makes the most sense, even if it means just buying yourself an extra year until a young player develops or another free agent option surfaces. But a panic move of using the #4 overall pick on it looks like following up one mistake by making another to me.

 

[Primetime42]

Mario Williams is a proven quitter too. Almost everyone here wanted him lol

I'm not one of them.

 

[Stash]

Excellent point Stash and here's my answer and I admit it's not all that great.

The running game was pretty good last year considering how awful the QB play is but I simply don't trust McFadden to be both as healthy and effective as he was last year.
As to why they didn't sign Miller or Forte I think they thought they were going to get some defensive line help in FA and didn't want to spend the money and they got caught with their pants down. Now they're in trouble because there's nobody left on the roster. Who the hell is our RB if McFadden goes down?

I don't trust that either, never have. That's why I was all-in on Lamar Miller. But if they missed on that, I'm not following up that mistake by making another one with the #4 overall pick on top of it.

I also think there are more resources in a deep draft to help the defense at a less costly investment.

I agree. Kevin Dodd in round 2 looks a lot better to me than Bosa at #4 overall. And that's not a bash of Bosa's ability, but a criticism of the draft investment and reasoning behind it.

So - because we didn't address it (as you mentioned) I think we have to go with Elliott. Now, if we went Bosa or Ramsey and got Henry in the 2nd, I'm all in.

Honestly - Whatever it takes to win.

I see what you're saying, and even if I don't agree with it, I appreciate your even-keel response.

 

[Idgit]

You'll definitely hear at least one "Oh no!" If they use the #4 overall pick on it.

But I love the idea of getting a Kevin Dodd in round 2 to develop for the future.

I hope so. I really feel like it makes the most sense, even if it means just buying yourself an extra year until a young player develops or another free agent option surfaces. But a panic move of using the #4 overall pick on it looks like following up one mistake by making another to me.

You and I have always been on the same page about Hardy. And we're on the same page re: this draft, too, I think. If we were to bring Hardy back short-term, then QB at 4, DL in the 2nd, and a RB and WR somewhere down the line I've gone from pretty dissatisfied with last season to pretty pleased with the age and depth of the roster heading into 2016.

 

[funkytown]

No he wasn't needed. He isn't better than anything we had.

True, he isn't better than anything we HAD. Hardy, Gregory, Lawrence, Mincey.

But we don't HAVE those guys. Who is your starting Defensive ends right now for week 1? Gregory suspended. Lawrence? Who knows what his recovery time will be from back surgery.

So while Long may not be an impact player, he is better than what we have. Which is nothing.

 

[Primetime42]

I personally have seen him numerous times live in football at the college and pro level, and I respectfully disagree.

And I've personally seen him live numerous times with the Jets, sometimes from the sideline. We'll agree to disagree.

 

[Stash]

You and I have always been on the same page about Hardy. And we're on the same page re: this draft, too, I think. If we were to bring Hardy back short-term, then QB at 4, DL in the 2nd, and a RB and WR somewhere down the line I've gone from pretty dissatisfied with last season to pretty pleased with the age and depth of the roster heading into 2016.

Yep. I'm right there with you, step for step.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

So basically, with arguably our greatest need being pass rush this offseason, we are left scrambling to grab a guy like Andre Branch or Jones who might be able to bring " a little" pass rush.

Their best option of even having an average pass rush this year is re-sign Hardy. And they won't do that. So slice it anyway you want, they have failed to fix a need that they stressed was very important.

Oh and thinking the draft solves the pass rush problem is fool's gold.

Actuall the first words out of Jerry's mouth after the season was to upgrade the backup QB. That hasn't happened. He later said that pass rush wasn't want was expected and needed to be upgraded. That hasnt happened.

This team will forever be in the trail position of they keep drafting the same positions early in the draft. CBs and DEs keep getting resources with nothing to show for it. And again this year DE and CB seem to be needed. What happened to not drafting for need.

Great drafting! People praise McClay but he keeps making the same mistakes of those before him. Quit drafting CBs and DEs early, you're terrrible at it.

 

[coult44]

Leonard Williams for the Jets had a pretty impressive rookie season.

Actually not bad at all, but around here 3 sacks doesn't impress folks.

 

[boysfanindc]

Figures the cornerback shows up.

I'd change those dinner plans to McDonald's.

But can the Super Size?

 

[Alexander]

That Adrian Clayborn miss is actually looking bad now too. That is how grave it is looking.

 

[boysfanindc]

I don't want it to be all they do, but I actually like the thought of bringing back Jack Crawford as a rotational DE. Young, cheap and has some room to grow.

I think as a backup/rotation guy brings something to the D.

 

[Satchel89]

I know they need help at DE but Chris Long was not going to make or break the Cowboys season. Everyone is going crazy on Twitter because he skipped out on lunch with Garrett. The guy is average to me. I just never thought he was all that great

 

[jobberone]

Actuall the first words out of Jerry's mouth after the season was to upgrade the backup QB. That hasn't happened. He later said that pass rush wasn't want was expected and needed to be upgraded. That hasnt happened.

This team will forever be in the trail position of they keep drafting the same positions early in the draft. CBs and DEs keep getting resources with nothing to show for it. And again this year DE and CB seem to be needed. What happened to not drafting for need.

Great drafting! People praise McClay but he keeps making the same mistakes of those before him. Quit drafting CBs and DEs early, you're terrrible at it.

You don't quite drafting because you fail. You get better at it IF that really is the case. Roughly half the number 1s are not what you'd like no matter who is drafting. We are drafting well in the first three rounds lately.

 

[8FOR!3]

Chris Long never really excited me. He hasn't had an overly productive season since 2013. At the age of 30 I'd say he's peaked. May fit in a lot better in New England but I doubt he was gonna do big things in Dallas.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Stop bluffing and get some real playas' in da hizouse, Kraked and Foosball CHAMPIONSHIIIIIIIiiiIIiiIiiIIiiiiIPS!

 

[jobberone]

Stop bluffing and get some real playas' in da hizouse, Kraked and Foosball CHAMPIONSHIIIIIIIiiiIIiiIiiIIiiiiIPS!

Feeling perky today are we?!

 

[TheCount]

Actually not bad at all, but around here 3 sacks doesn't impress folks.

Hell, there were people proclaiming Aaron Donald a bust because he didn't start right away.