My FA essentials

[gimmesix]

I don't think there are many things Dallas needs to do in free agency this year, just primarily take care of some of their own unrestricted FAs and add maybe one or two outside FAs.

Resign:
Dez Bryant (taken care of through franchise tag, but long-term deal would be better)
Doug Free or Jermey Parnell (would prefer Parnell because of wear and tear, but it probably will be Free)
DeMarco Murray, or acquire an equivalent FA (we need a quality back to continue what we're doing)
Rolando McClain/Justin Durant/Bruce Carter (some combination of two of the three, with McClain preferable because of what he brings to this defense)

Sign:
A stud left DE

For the right price (near vet minimum), bring back:
Dwayne Harris (don't really have a return replacement)
Anthony Spencer (good for the rotation)
George Selvie (also good for the rotation, but lesser than Spencer)
Henry Melton (who I don't think will return for the right price while we have a bevy of backup candidates)
Tyler Clutts (upgradeable, but OK on the cheap)
C.J. Spillman (good special teammer)
James Anderson (just possible depth)
Nick Hayden (only as a depth possibility, with hopes he would be beaten out by what we've got)

If we resign the essential players and sign a stud left DE, we won't be hampered by a necessity in the draft and can just concentrate on upgrading positions, even if we don't bring back any of the right price players.

We already have some potential replacements for some of them: DEs Ben Gardner, Jack Crawford and Lavar Edwards; DTs Chris Whaley, Davon Coleman, Ken Bishop, Amobi Okoye; OT Darrion Weems. (We don't really have a replacement for Clutts, though, but could possibly find a cheap option in FA if he leaves, and we don't really have a returner replacement for Harris unless anybody believes a combination of Lance Dunbar and Cole Beasley could do the trick.)

 

[Wolf2k5]

I have a FA question that doesn't need it's own thread so I'll piggyback on this one. Will we start getting FA news on Sat when teams are allowed to talk with FAs or will they not even be able to agree to terms and announce until the 10th?

 

[jazzcat22]

I have a FA question that doesn't need it's own thread so I'll piggyback on this one. Will we start getting FA news on Sat when teams are allowed to talk with FAs or will they not even be able to agree to terms and announce until the 10th?

Probably won't be announced until the 10th. But I'm sure most of the rumors can be taken as if it already happened.

 

[xwalker]

I don't think there are many things Dallas needs to do in free agency this year, just primarily take care of some of their own unrestricted FAs and add maybe one or two outside FAs.

Resign:
Dez Bryant (taken care of through franchise tag, but long-term deal would be better)
Doug Free or Jermey Parnell (would prefer Parnell because of wear and tear, but it probably will be Free)
DeMarco Murray, or acquire an equivalent FA (we need a quality back to continue what we're doing)
Rolando McClain/Justin Durant/Bruce Carter (some combination of two of the three, with McClain preferable because of what he brings to this defense)

Sign:
A stud left DE

For the right price (near vet minimum), bring back:
Dwayne Harris (don't really have a return replacement)
Anthony Spencer (good for the rotation)
George Selvie (also good for the rotation, but lesser than Spencer)
Henry Melton (who I don't think will return for the right price while we have a bevy of backup candidates)
Tyler Clutts (upgradeable, but OK on the cheap)
C.J. Spillman (good special teammer)
James Anderson (just possible depth)
Nick Hayden (only as a depth possibility, with hopes he would be beaten out by what we've got)

If we resign the essential players and sign a stud left DE, we won't be hampered by a necessity in the draft and can just concentrate on upgrading positions, even if we don't bring back any of the right price players.

We already have some potential replacements for some of them: DEs Ben Gardner, Jack Crawford and Lavar Edwards; DTs Chris Whaley, Davon Coleman, Ken Bishop, Amobi Okoye; OT Darrion Weems. (We don't really have a replacement for Clutts, though, but could possibly find a cheap option in FA if he leaves, and we don't really have a returner replacement for Harris unless anybody believes a combination of Lance Dunbar and Cole Beasley could do the trick.)

Good post.

The stud FA DE is the key. They need to find a way to get that done although the options are limited. The top 2 are Hardy and McPhee, IMO.

They can manage at LB even if they have to sacrifice spending much there in order to get the FA DE.

I would be OK taking the risk of Ryan Willaims, Randle and a draft pick replacing Murray without a free agent. I don't normally like to go into the draft with specific position focus, but there are so many options in the draft at RB that I wouldn't worry to much about going that route.

If they re-sign any of Hayden, Selvie, Spencer, etc., they should do it without any guaranteed money such that they can cut them after training camp for no cost.

They do have a lot of options at DT with the guys you named and with Brent and T. McClain being healthy. I really like Bishop and I recently reviewed Whaley's college game footage and came away very impressed.

I think Dunbar could be a good Kick Returner but I don't know if he can return punts. Have they tendered or re-signed Dunbar?

I would be hesitant to use Beasley as a punt returner because of the injury risk at his size.

 

[xwalker]

I have a FA question that doesn't need it's own thread so I'll piggyback on this one. Will we start getting FA news on Sat when teams are allowed to talk with FAs or will they not even be able to agree to terms and announce until the 10th?

There will be reports of who they are talking with, but I doubt if we see many "Cowboys have agreed to terms with player X" before the actual start of FA.

 

[Doc50]

I don't think there are many things Dallas needs to do in free agency this year, just primarily take care of some of their own unrestricted FAs and add maybe one or two outside FAs.

Resign:
Dez Bryant (taken care of through franchise tag, but long-term deal would be better)
Doug Free or Jermey Parnell (would prefer Parnell because of wear and tear, but it probably will be Free)
DeMarco Murray, or acquire an equivalent FA (we need a quality back to continue what we're doing)
Rolando McClain/Justin Durant/Bruce Carter (some combination of two of the three, with McClain preferable because of what he brings to this defense)

Sign:
A stud left DE

For the right price (near vet minimum), bring back:
Dwayne Harris (don't really have a return replacement)
Anthony Spencer (good for the rotation)
George Selvie (also good for the rotation, but lesser than Spencer)
Henry Melton (who I don't think will return for the right price while we have a bevy of backup candidates)
Tyler Clutts (upgradeable, but OK on the cheap)
C.J. Spillman (good special teammer)
James Anderson (just possible depth)
Nick Hayden (only as a depth possibility, with hopes he would be beaten out by what we've got)

If we resign the essential players and sign a stud left DE, we won't be hampered by a necessity in the draft and can just concentrate on upgrading positions, even if we don't bring back any of the right price players.

We already have some potential replacements for some of them: DEs Ben Gardner, Jack Crawford and Lavar Edwards; DTs Chris Whaley, Davon Coleman, Ken Bishop, Amobi Okoye; OT Darrion Weems. (We don't really have a replacement for Clutts, though, but could possibly find a cheap option in FA if he leaves, and we don't really have a returner replacement for Harris unless anybody believes a combination of Lance Dunbar and Cole Beasley could do the trick.)

Good assessment.

I think we'll sign a blue collar DT, and then make JJ's one splash with Hardy. Selvie and Hayden are most likely gone if some of young-un's are making progress, and I agree that Melton will probably walk for $$, along with Parnell.

 

[gimmesix]

I would be OK taking the risk of Ryan Willaims, Randle and a draft pick replacing Murray without a free agent. I don't normally like to go into the draft with specific position focus, but there are so many options in the draft at RB that I wouldn't worry to much about going that route.

They do have a lot of options at DT with the guys you named and with Brent and T. McClain being healthy. I really like Bishop and I recently reviewed Whaley's college game footage and came away very impressed..

Just these couple of things.

I really don't like the idea of having to go into the draft looking for a running back because you don't know what you're going to get. There have been plenty of busts at the position ... and I don't trust the players we have to be able to carry the load if we draft a bust.

Although a similar thing could be said about our DTs (who knows what we've really got in Coleman, Bishop, Whaley, etc.), I'm not overly concerned about those positions because I think we can cobble together good enough at the less important NT spot and have a stud at the 3-tech in Crawford who makes Melton expendable. We just need for the backups to be good enough to hang in there and give him a break.

 

[gimmesix]

Good assessment.

I think we'll sign a blue collar DT, and then make JJ's one splash with Hardy. Selvie and Hayden are most likely gone if some of young-un's are making progress, and I agree that Melton will probably walk for $$, along with Parnell.

I don't know on the blue-collar DT. I think if we want one, we'll just resign Hayden on the cheap. I think we like Tyrone Crawford enough as the 3-tech starter to let who his backup will be work itself out among the many options (Coleman, Whaley, Okoye, McClain, possibly Bishop, possibly Jack Crawford). I think the 1-tech will be split among Brent and McClain if Hayden walks, although Bishop could unseat one of them if he shows improvement.

I'm not super happy about that because I'd like to have more proven quality on the interior DL, but I think Dallas will continue to get by there while adding reinforcements through the draft.

 

[xwalker]

Just these couple of things.

I really don't like the idea of having to go into the draft looking for a running back because you don't know what you're going to get. There have been plenty of busts at the position ... and I don't trust the players we have to be able to carry the load if we draft a bust.

Although a similar thing could be said about our DTs (who knows what we've really got in Coleman, Bishop, Whaley, etc.), I'm not overly concerned about those positions because I think we can cobble together good enough at the less important NT spot and have a stud at the 3-tech in Crawford who makes Melton expendable. We just need for the backups to be good enough to hang in there and give him a break.

It is a risk no doubt, but they have to take some risks somewhere. They could add a free agent RB but then that makes them thinner somewhere else.

RB is the only position that I would be OK going into the draft wanting to get one that could contribute as rookie. They would have to have some amount of faith in either or both of Ryan WIlliams and Randle. My take is that the draft pick would just increase the probability of getting good production from the position.

I think both Ryan Williams and Randle have NFL talent. Williams issue is injuries and Randle's issue is intelligence of lack thereof. I wouldn't plan on either of them being a workhorse that gets 90% of the carries, but as part of a RB by committee, I feel fairly confident about them.

 

[phildadon86]

There will be reports of who they are talking with, but I doubt if we see many "Cowboys have agreed to terms with player X" before the actual start of FA.

Yeah i dont think we will hear much cowboy news until FA settles down

 

[gimmesix]

It is a risk no doubt, but they have to take some risks somewhere. They could add a free agent RB but then that makes them thinner somewhere else.

RB is the only position that I would be OK going into the draft wanting to get one that could contribute as rookie. They would have to have some amount of faith in either or both of Ryan WIlliams and Randle. My take is that the draft pick would just increase the probability of getting good production from the position.

I think both Ryan Williams and Randle have NFL talent. Williams issue is injuries and Randle's issue is intelligence of lack thereof. I wouldn't plan on either of them being a workhorse that gets 90% of the carries, but as part of a RB by committee, I feel fairly confident about them.

I don't think we would have to go thinner elsewhere to get a back. We would have to create the money for one, but I don't think getting one would cost Dallas who it wants to bring in in FA because I don't see Dallas doing much in FA.

I can't see a team that has finally found its balance risk losing it with players who have not shown they can carry the load.

 

[xwalker]

Good assessment.

I think we'll sign a blue collar DT, and then make JJ's one splash with Hardy. Selvie and Hayden are most likely gone if some of young-un's are making progress, and I agree that Melton will probably walk for $$, along with Parnell.

They have a lot of options at DT. The options at DE seem far fewer, at least in terms of possible upside.

Crawford is obviously the top player.

Josh Brent is a reasonable NFL player that was neither great or terrible in the little bit of game actions that he saw in 2014.

Bishop and T. McClain showed some flashes in 2014 and both have some ability to play either the 1tech or 3tech spot.

Any of Brent, Bishop or a healthy T. McClain have the potential to be much better than Hayden.

There is a list of guys with some amount of talent after that. Whaley and Coleman have some possible upside. Jack Crawford was better at DT than DE in very limited action.

At DE, after Mincey and Lawrence, there's not much to be excited about. Selvie and Spencer seem like stopgap options. Gardner was a good college player but has ho-hum measurable(s). Lavar Edwards had decent measurable(s) but has not done much.

I would be OK rolling with what they've got at DT if they could get a top free agent DE and maybe a DE in the draft or 2nd free agent DE.

 

[wileedog]

I would be OK taking the risk of Ryan Willaims, Randle and a draft pick replacing Murray without a free agent. I don't normally like to go into the draft with specific position focus, but there are so many options in the draft at RB that I wouldn't worry to much about going that route..

Completely on board with this. I love the idea of getting a young stud RB in this draft - and there certainly is potential for that this year - to groom and grow with these young OLmen. Perfect situation to put a young QB into as well once we have to move on from Romo in a few years, whereas Demarco might be hitting his wall at the same time as Tony if we sign him long term.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

It is a risk no doubt, but they have to take some risks somewhere. They could add a free agent RB but then that makes them thinner somewhere else.

RB is the only position that I would be OK going into the draft wanting to get one that could contribute as rookie. They would have to have some amount of faith in either or both of Ryan WIlliams and Randle. My take is that the draft pick would just increase the probability of getting good production from the position.

I think both Ryan Williams and Randle have NFL talent. Williams issue is injuries and Randle's issue is intelligence of lack thereof. I wouldn't plan on either of them being a workhorse that gets 90% of the carries, but as part of a RB by committee, I feel fairly confident about them.

I agree with this. The on area I do have concerns with would be Blitz Pickup. Backs, usually have it or they don't so if you have it, you can come in and produce in the running game fairly early. The Blitz pickup is where they kinda fall down and that is a concern for me. It's a concern for me with Williams as well but that's a different discussion. Rookie backs will eventually hit the wall but that's going to happen with any rookie at any position. It is what it is. However, a well thought out distribution of carries should help that out greatly IMO. As you mentioned in your earlier post, it's unlikely that any Rookie will have to carry the load all on their own.

 

[xwalker]

I don't think we would have to go thinner elsewhere to get a back. We would have to create the money for one, but I don't think getting one would cost Dallas who it wants to bring in in FA because I don't see Dallas doing much in FA.

I can't see a team that has finally found its balance risk losing it with players who have not shown they can carry the load.

I guess I'm just skeptical of how much any of the free agent RBs bring to the table.

Who are your top 3 free agent RBs if they can't re-sign Murray? It would have to be somebody that is significantly cheaper because if the were going to pay up for a RB, they would just keep Murray.

Mark Ingram (how much cheaper is he compared to Murray?)
?
?

 

[xwalker]

I agree with this. The on area I do have concerns with would be Blitz Pickup. Backs, usually have it or they don't so if you have it, you can come in and produce in the running game fairly early. The Blitz pickup is where they kinda fall down and that is a concern for me. It's a concern for me with Williams as well but that's a different discussion. Rookie backs will eventually hit the wall but that's going to happen with any rookie at any position. It is what it is. However, a well thought out distribution of carries should help that out greatly IMO. As you mentioned in your earlier post, it's unlikely that any Rookie will have to carry the load all on their own.

Yes, that's a significant concern. Randle was OK in the few opportunities he got in Pass Pro. I assume that they have ingrained Pass Pro concepts into Ryan Williams since he's been here.

Some of the RBs in this draft look decent as Pass Pro but several just didn't do much of it. If they did going into the draft with Ryan Willams and Randle as the top veterans, then I would expect them to learn towards one of the stockier RBs in the draft.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I guess I'm just skeptical of how much any of the free agent RBs bring to the table.

Who are your top 3 free agent RBs if they can't re-sign Murray? It would have to be somebody that is significantly cheaper because if the were going to pay up for a RB, they would just keep Murray.

Mark Ingram (how much cheaper is he compared to Murray?)
?
?

I suspect that there will be some descent talent available for us at RB and I also think that they will be cheaper. Right now, there are several backs but all of them are looking at teams like Indy (who has lots of money) and the Cowboys who are being rumored to offer 7 Mil to Murray and they are all thinking that they could come in and get paid. Now, that might be true or it might not but once the clubs who need backs sign players, the market should come back to earth and I think you sign some good talent for 4 million or so, maybe less?

 

[Doc50]

I don't know on the blue-collar DT. I think if we want one, we'll just resign Hayden on the cheap. I think we like Tyrone Crawford enough as the 3-tech starter to let who his backup will be work itself out among the many options (Coleman, Whaley, Okoye, McClain, possibly Bishop, possibly Jack Crawford). I think the 1-tech will be split among Brent and McClain if Hayden walks, although Bishop could unseat one of them if he shows improvement.

I'm not super happy about that because I'd like to have more proven quality on the interior DL, but I think Dallas will continue to get by there while adding reinforcements through the draft.

Agreed.

While I like the flock of potential we have at DT, it's not clear if any are ready to be major contributors, and we have gathered this flock somewhat in response to our loss of depth 2 years ago. Clearly, we need a stronger group at DE, and some of these guys won't be here in September. Should be a very interesting camp.

 

[gimmesix]

I guess I'm just skeptical of how much any of the free agent RBs bring to the table.

Who are your top 3 free agent RBs if they can't re-sign Murray? It would have to be somebody that is significantly cheaper because if the were going to pay up for a RB, they would just keep Murray.

Mark Ingram (how much cheaper is he compared to Murray?)
?
?

Must admit that I'm holding out hope that we find a way to acquire Peterson if we lose Murray. I think we can get Peterson for less than we would have to pay Murray, but I also think Peterson is a shorter-term option.

Barring that, I think we'll let the market sort itself out, pick up a proven vet on the cheap and then draft an RB after the first round.

 

[visionary]

Essentials:
1. Hardy or sheard
2. McCourty, FS
3. AP