RustyBourneHorse
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 40,573
- Reaction score
- 46,711
I know this is probably as pointless as a circle because Jerry probably won't do this. However, here's my 4 year plan for the Dallas Cowboys with where we are sitting. Yes, I'm aware this is my 3rd post game thread in 24 hours, but this is an idea that I've been thinking about.
In order for me to layout my plan if I were running the team, we need to look at Dak's current contract situation. Here's the link for it. https://overthecap.com/player/dak-prescott/4848
As I've stated, in the previous threads, we are looking at a multi-year rebuild regardless of what we do because of Jerry's lack of effort since 2018. However, there is a way that this can be done, and, if Jerry or Stephen (if Jerry dies within these 4 years) are smart, can shorten the rebuild to our next possible window.
Firstly, I know we are 3-3, but we have been torched at home the last 3 times, and our schedule isn't getting any easier. Let's have a look at our remaining schedule (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/schedule/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys)
Between the time periods of our bye week and Thanksgiving where we host the Giants, our next opponents are at the 49ers, at the Falcons, home against Philly, home against Houston, and at Washington. Realistically, I think we go maybe 2-3 down that stretch (at best), which takes us to 5-6. That's the best case scenario. Even if we go that route, the likelihood of us making the playoffs, much less going further, isn't very good. Especially with the NFC being so competitive. Realistically, with the way the entire NFC North is playing along with the Bucs and the Falcons in the NFC South, we probably need 10 wins to make the playoffs as the 7th seed. Tell me, do you realistically think we can make the playoffs with our remaining schedule? Do you think we have any chance of competing?
So, here's where phase one of the plan comes in. I use this bye week to start shopping players. We are going to need draft picks, especially since the Joneses don't use free agency. Right now, especially after what happened to Hutchinson (hope he heals up quickly), I think the Lions probably would gladly give up 2 first round picks for Micah Parsons if not more. So, in this plan, we get a first in 2025 and 2026, a long with a 4th in 2025 and a 3rd in 2026. This gets a player who's going to want a lot of money to a team that can realistically sign him. We would then continue to try to shop as many players as possible. Maybe someone like Ferguson. I think we could probably trade him to a team like the Ravens for a few picks. Let's say we get a 2nd in 2025 and a 4th in 2026. We would then call up Fant from the PS.
So, following this, we now have 2 1st round picks, 2 2nd round picks, a 3rd, at least 2 4s and the rest of our pick assortments for 2025, and a lot of picks in 2026 too.
Then, following the schedule that I posted, let's say the season ends and we are sitting with a 6-11 record. Probably realistic (could be worse if the team implodes). This probably gives us around a 7th or 8th overall pick. So, Mike is gone.
Now, let's look at Dak's contract before we look at the next set of coaches that we hire. That's where the link from earlier from "Over the Cap" comes in. As you look at that link, you'll see that, assuming we do no cap maneuvering with Dak's contract, the earliest we can cut Dak (with a 1 June cut) with cap relief and not too bad of a cap hit would be 2026 where we would receive just north of $40,000,000 in cap savings a dead cap of nearly $28,000,000. The following year, we would receive cap savings of $45,000,000 and only a dead cap of nearly $17,000,000. So, assuming we take our cap medicine on Dak in 2025 and don't restructure him (and, why would we? There's no point in that), we would likely be 1 June cutting him in 2027. In other words, under the plan that I'm working with, we would have 2 years left with Dak after this season. So, that's the framework by which the remainder of this plan is exercised.
So, we would hire the coaches I mentioned in the previous thread that I posted. Either Ben Johnson or Glenn (DC Lions), Saleh at DC, and Foerester at OC (With Bones retaining his ST position).
Entering the draft, let's say the Lions win the SB over the Ravens, so our two picks in the 1st round are the 7th and 32nd overall. I would then try to trade down a bit from the 7th. Let's say we trade down to around pick 12 (sound familiar) and receive another 1st next year from a team like the Seahawks who may want a QB but were too good for the top 10 spots. I'll say in this trade down, we get the 12th pick, a 3rd, and a first next year (giving us 3 in 2026). With this pick, we go Jeanty to address our running back situation. Then, with our other first, I would get the best road grading olineman possible (likely a guard to replace Zach). Then, with our two 2nd round picks, I'd go for the best NT available in the draft and the next most physical olineman. So, with our first 4 picks, we'd have the best back in the draft, a new guard, a top NT, and another olineman to replace Steele who sucks. The remainder of that draft is spent getting linebackers, pass rushers, and a new tight end to replace Ferguson.
That season, we would be improved as we'd have a more physical team. But, we get an 8-9 record, which puts us around the 16th pick spot. Mainly because we wouldn't have a lot of weapons.
Using at least our first and the first we got from the Seahawks trade (who probably pick around the 12th spot), we would trade up to the top pick and take Manning. The other first round pick we have would be used to get a WR. I'd then use the rest of the draft for pass rushers, more linebackers, and a CB. This means we enter the 2026 season with Dak starting and Manning waiting in the wings, Jeanty, Lamb, a first round rookie WR, a physical line that can run block well and pass block, and a physical defence.
Now, you may be wondering why I have both Dak and Manning. See, having the two of them is good. See, most teams just throw a rookie out there into the fire. In our case, we can either 1 June Dak that offseason (or trade him if he waives his no trade clause), or let him play things out while Manning learns the pro game. Then, sometime that 2026 season if Dak is playing badly, if Dak gets hurt, or the following season, Manning would make his Cowboys debut. Meanwhile, Dak gets the 1 June cut of 2027. Meanwhile, Manning would take over the 2027 season as the starter with what would be a team glistening with talent.
Oh, and I'd also say we probably go to the playoffs with the squad (regardless of Manning taking over or not) in 2026, so we probably are picking 24th overall if we go one and done. So, we use the 1st rounder in 2027 to fill any remaining weaknesses we might have. Say, maybe one more nasty pass rusher. Now, we have a team entering 2027 with next to no weaknesses and a kicker in Aubrey who is still a beast.
With this plan, I think this team goes to and wins a SB in 2027 or 2028. I think the team would be so lethal that we would have a night and day improvement. It would mean a painful rest of this season and probably a painful 2025, but I think, following this plan and assuming no major injuries or suspensions, the Dallas Cowboys could find itself winning a title finally. And, we'd have a QB on a rookie contract when that time happens.
In order for me to layout my plan if I were running the team, we need to look at Dak's current contract situation. Here's the link for it. https://overthecap.com/player/dak-prescott/4848
As I've stated, in the previous threads, we are looking at a multi-year rebuild regardless of what we do because of Jerry's lack of effort since 2018. However, there is a way that this can be done, and, if Jerry or Stephen (if Jerry dies within these 4 years) are smart, can shorten the rebuild to our next possible window.
Firstly, I know we are 3-3, but we have been torched at home the last 3 times, and our schedule isn't getting any easier. Let's have a look at our remaining schedule (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/schedule/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys)
Between the time periods of our bye week and Thanksgiving where we host the Giants, our next opponents are at the 49ers, at the Falcons, home against Philly, home against Houston, and at Washington. Realistically, I think we go maybe 2-3 down that stretch (at best), which takes us to 5-6. That's the best case scenario. Even if we go that route, the likelihood of us making the playoffs, much less going further, isn't very good. Especially with the NFC being so competitive. Realistically, with the way the entire NFC North is playing along with the Bucs and the Falcons in the NFC South, we probably need 10 wins to make the playoffs as the 7th seed. Tell me, do you realistically think we can make the playoffs with our remaining schedule? Do you think we have any chance of competing?
So, here's where phase one of the plan comes in. I use this bye week to start shopping players. We are going to need draft picks, especially since the Joneses don't use free agency. Right now, especially after what happened to Hutchinson (hope he heals up quickly), I think the Lions probably would gladly give up 2 first round picks for Micah Parsons if not more. So, in this plan, we get a first in 2025 and 2026, a long with a 4th in 2025 and a 3rd in 2026. This gets a player who's going to want a lot of money to a team that can realistically sign him. We would then continue to try to shop as many players as possible. Maybe someone like Ferguson. I think we could probably trade him to a team like the Ravens for a few picks. Let's say we get a 2nd in 2025 and a 4th in 2026. We would then call up Fant from the PS.
So, following this, we now have 2 1st round picks, 2 2nd round picks, a 3rd, at least 2 4s and the rest of our pick assortments for 2025, and a lot of picks in 2026 too.
Then, following the schedule that I posted, let's say the season ends and we are sitting with a 6-11 record. Probably realistic (could be worse if the team implodes). This probably gives us around a 7th or 8th overall pick. So, Mike is gone.
Now, let's look at Dak's contract before we look at the next set of coaches that we hire. That's where the link from earlier from "Over the Cap" comes in. As you look at that link, you'll see that, assuming we do no cap maneuvering with Dak's contract, the earliest we can cut Dak (with a 1 June cut) with cap relief and not too bad of a cap hit would be 2026 where we would receive just north of $40,000,000 in cap savings a dead cap of nearly $28,000,000. The following year, we would receive cap savings of $45,000,000 and only a dead cap of nearly $17,000,000. So, assuming we take our cap medicine on Dak in 2025 and don't restructure him (and, why would we? There's no point in that), we would likely be 1 June cutting him in 2027. In other words, under the plan that I'm working with, we would have 2 years left with Dak after this season. So, that's the framework by which the remainder of this plan is exercised.
So, we would hire the coaches I mentioned in the previous thread that I posted. Either Ben Johnson or Glenn (DC Lions), Saleh at DC, and Foerester at OC (With Bones retaining his ST position).
Entering the draft, let's say the Lions win the SB over the Ravens, so our two picks in the 1st round are the 7th and 32nd overall. I would then try to trade down a bit from the 7th. Let's say we trade down to around pick 12 (sound familiar) and receive another 1st next year from a team like the Seahawks who may want a QB but were too good for the top 10 spots. I'll say in this trade down, we get the 12th pick, a 3rd, and a first next year (giving us 3 in 2026). With this pick, we go Jeanty to address our running back situation. Then, with our other first, I would get the best road grading olineman possible (likely a guard to replace Zach). Then, with our two 2nd round picks, I'd go for the best NT available in the draft and the next most physical olineman. So, with our first 4 picks, we'd have the best back in the draft, a new guard, a top NT, and another olineman to replace Steele who sucks. The remainder of that draft is spent getting linebackers, pass rushers, and a new tight end to replace Ferguson.
That season, we would be improved as we'd have a more physical team. But, we get an 8-9 record, which puts us around the 16th pick spot. Mainly because we wouldn't have a lot of weapons.
Using at least our first and the first we got from the Seahawks trade (who probably pick around the 12th spot), we would trade up to the top pick and take Manning. The other first round pick we have would be used to get a WR. I'd then use the rest of the draft for pass rushers, more linebackers, and a CB. This means we enter the 2026 season with Dak starting and Manning waiting in the wings, Jeanty, Lamb, a first round rookie WR, a physical line that can run block well and pass block, and a physical defence.
Now, you may be wondering why I have both Dak and Manning. See, having the two of them is good. See, most teams just throw a rookie out there into the fire. In our case, we can either 1 June Dak that offseason (or trade him if he waives his no trade clause), or let him play things out while Manning learns the pro game. Then, sometime that 2026 season if Dak is playing badly, if Dak gets hurt, or the following season, Manning would make his Cowboys debut. Meanwhile, Dak gets the 1 June cut of 2027. Meanwhile, Manning would take over the 2027 season as the starter with what would be a team glistening with talent.
Oh, and I'd also say we probably go to the playoffs with the squad (regardless of Manning taking over or not) in 2026, so we probably are picking 24th overall if we go one and done. So, we use the 1st rounder in 2027 to fill any remaining weaknesses we might have. Say, maybe one more nasty pass rusher. Now, we have a team entering 2027 with next to no weaknesses and a kicker in Aubrey who is still a beast.
With this plan, I think this team goes to and wins a SB in 2027 or 2028. I think the team would be so lethal that we would have a night and day improvement. It would mean a painful rest of this season and probably a painful 2025, but I think, following this plan and assuming no major injuries or suspensions, the Dallas Cowboys could find itself winning a title finally. And, we'd have a QB on a rookie contract when that time happens.
