It's that time of year again. Not sure it goes as quickly for some of you as it does for me. Life now flies by faster and faster each year. I'd like to drag anchor and throw out a drogue.
People are still very emotive right now and I understand that. I seemed to take the disappointment well this year. Not sure if that was because I see a bright future with more chances in the coming years or I've got used to it over the now 53 years I've been a fan. I'm not saying it was easy just a bit easier than the heart wringing losses that have in the past bothered me for months and some for nearly 50 years now....the Ice Bowl. I've never gotten over it and never forgiven the Packers for the loss.
Anyway time to turn the page and drive my hopes up the slopes.
A few thoughts before I begin.
First I think Garrett has built a contender and he deserves his recognition.
Second, I hope you people realize the kind of year Dak had. Rookies aren't supposed to play like that and I was more than pleasantly surprised by his play. I have zero doubts he'll continue to grow as a QB. He's not a RGIII by any stretch of the imagination.
Third, you got to see a special back in Zeke. He has specail speed, good enough vision, is extremely strong with great lean and finish. As long as he keeps his speed he'll produce like he did this year.
I'd like to give some kudos to Witten who somehow managed to improve his game....not a lot but you could see it. What a privilege to see what will be a first ballot HOFer who is also quite a gentelman and team player. Another round of applause for Sean Lee who still has those incredible instincts and reaction to the play. He's a pro's pro.
Honorable mention to the OL although they deserve more, Beasley who finally got the looks he's deserved, and Mr Money.....Dan Bailey.
Now to the roster. I like Parcells' way of listing needs as in the title so I'll follow that and go from there.
Musts are the higher priority so I'll start there.
Musts
Backup QB
I'm assuming we are going to lose Romo in some manner. I'm not opposed to drafting a backup to train but they say lightning doesn't strike twice......even if it does it's rare ok. It'll take a year or two at least to train a backup....assuming we don't have one on the roster in Moore which I don't like a great deal. So we need to find a veteran backup. It ain't anyone on the roster IMO. And good luck with that. That's an offseason priority and my guess is they WON'T find anyone better than Moore which I find disturbing.
CB
We have Carr, Claiborne, McFadden, Scandrick and Brown as current players of note. We have McKinnon, Seamster, and Showers in the wings. There is nobody there that blows my dress up. Two or more will be gone IMO. I'm drafting one high and taking 2 low as well as loading up on UDFAs. I'm going to add a vet or even two likely a S and a CB via FA. This is an area that has to get better.
I'd move Jones back to CB if we don't have enough in TC. Otherwise I'd leave him and Wilcox to play S. Jones needs to be a better FS.
LB
We need another cover LBer and this guy needs to come somewhere in the first 5 rounds preferably R1-3. If Lee goes down who you gonna call? If they're convinced Smith can play next year then this is not a must.
DE/Edge rusher
Lawrence is a SDE (5). Irving is a hybrid WDE/SDE. Mayowa is an unproven 7. Davis is a more unproven 7. Tapper is a 5/7 more a 5. He's even more unproven. Wood and Jones are not even known by most here is my bet. They're 5/7s, too.
If you're paying attention to the paperwork you are even more alarmed than from watching them play. We don't gots much people!
Here is your biggest must. We need to draft a 7 who can bend and turn the corner in a hurry. And here is where you add your 3/4 edge rusher whom I'd hope to draft R1. I'd even trade up for this guy. You aren't getting a sure fire guy drafting that low so you'd better do your homework, get your mojo beans out, and cross your fingers you hit on this guy. This is where you consider taking a risk player. The alternative....which I like as well or better since we're at 27, is to get a vet.
That's all my musts although I'm tempted to put S there. If you do I won't argue with you one dittle.
Needs
Safety
While I'd love to have a ball hawking S....and we may end up with one via FA...we don't have to have one. But we need better safety play. Church is a blue collar worker who is always there with a dented up old lunch box. He's limited in cover. Has been and always will be. You can work with less than perfect as long as its dependable. Wilcox is a wild card. I've liked the player always but I grew disappointed in his lack of improvement in coverage as well as tackling and poor angles of attack. He is a SS though not a FS.
RT/Swing Tackle
Free felll off this year. Whether injury or just all of it catching up we need better. He's also your swing tackle although we have two other players capable of playing LT. So we're here in the need area. We may have that guy already but we need a swing tackle and a right tackle. Green is your RT awaiting. He needs to get and stay healthy so his game can improve. I'm assuming he's your guy. IDK the contract status of Free so I'll leave it up to the gang to comment on our ability to keep him as a backup who can also compete at RT. I'd be looking at taking a RT around R4 at the latest IF they're going to draft one. My guess is they won't unless that guy is clearly in another tier than other options.
Wants
TE
Witten will be back. You can take that to the bank. Swaim is a capable traditional TE who can catch some. Hanna is also a traditional TE although I'm not certain why his speed was never used. I haven't the foggiest about Escobar and I'll leave it to the usual discussion. Huge disappointment for me. Rico is a huge unknown. I think he makes the 53 but I wouldn't bet a plug nickel on that. We need a hybrid TE although for the life of me I don't understand why they can't use one properly. I'm sure there are legit reasons only the coaches know but I'd love to hear it. We can manage with what we have if one doesn't fall in our lap.
WR
Dez is the X. Beasley is the SL. After that it's wide open IMO. I like Butler. He's big and fast. More importantly he can catch. He can also play the X and that's a huge plus IMO. Williams is an ok Z. He's a mixed bag of big plays and oh noes. This offense needs two good Xs and Zs if it's going to take another step up offensively. I like the idea of a Garcon etc coming on board. There's your second Y who can also play the SL. If you want to put this in the must or need area I won't argue. Parcells used to say he collected LBs. I'd collect WRs and DBs if I were the coach.
Mentions
Center-we have a backup but I'd like to get better so a C/G would be just great.
3RB-we have two all purpose RBs. I'd like to have a specialist who could line up at receiver and run all the routes out of the backfield and from motion. Dunbar just doesn't produce. Give me a Sproles clone.
That's all I want to type. I could add more but I'm sure some will fill in the gaps.
I would like to say what a pleasure this season was even if it ended prematurely. I look forward to another year as a fan and I really enjoy being a part of this forum.
Me tea is salty from the tears of a clown. It is rare that such a thoughful and emotive post is cast on the waters of our collective diaspora of faith and enthusiam. Aftert the debacle last week.
Allow me to make some observations:
I am troubled that you are so old. But you seem full of pep, old fellow. Further, in the past, I should have written to you with more respect.
Also I am troubled your mention of a dress.
Another troubling thing is that you mentioned the Ice Bowl without mentioning Jackie Smith dropping that pass in the Super Bowl. Do you know how that affected me, a handsome but vulnerable child? Like a rapier that shredded me heart!
Also, though I thoroughly enjoyed your long post, simply put, you desire TOO MUCH.
Let's say say our creepy and enigmatic Jaylon rehabs properly and becomes a force. Well, that takes some pressure off our draft needs. Imagine him playing with Lee?
Also, let's say we pick up a decent CB in FA. Less pressure, sire.
Now let us assume that our first three picks are D linemen and DEs.
That is my thought.
An austere but effective draft, old fellow.
Yes, we many needs, but we have to winnow them down and be realistic.
And I heartedly agree on a need for a QB backup. Ironic innit, that we already have a quality backup who is packing up to go elsewhere...
Anyone for Kaepernick? Just a thought... I dont care if he is not patriotic. If we once hired Hardy, then to bar was reset, wasn't it?
Wonderful post, bloke! I am past the heartache inflicted by the Packers. Mabe it was because that I never expected our success this year!
