Norm Hitzges 2014 plan sucks

[Galian Beast]

Good thing we got rid of Tanney, darn talent, WE DONT WANT THAT HERE. We keep older stop gap guys. THat way we know that position can be held back, LIKE A BOSS.

Even if we had kept Tanney, releasing Orton would still only save 200k dollars...

 

[ShiningStar]

Even if we had kept Tanney, releasing Orton would still only save 200k dollars...

and Tanney would have experience. Im sold.

 

[ShiningStar]

Getting under the cap will require cutting players AND restructuring Romo if we want to do anything this year. It's basic math, and it isn't hard. Restructuring Romo doesn't make things difficult later either.

Also doesn't mean that cutting a player saves us money either. Ask Seattle how building their defensive line in free agency worked out for them.

WE ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING THIS YEAR

 

[coult44]

GB, thanks for your insight. I enjoy reading your thoughts a lot. Here's my question. Why not restructure Romo, and think about drafting his replacement? I say think about because it would only be if one of the top guys fell to us in the first or second round. In the last few drafts there have been some surprises where QB's ended up slipping way down for one reason or another. If one of the top 3-4 guys dropped all the way to 16, wouldn't you have to take a chance? If for no other reason than Romo's health concerns. Even if he does get back to 100%, it would benefit whoever was drafted to learn behind Tony and Kyle for a couple of years...I'm the first one that says we need to draft 100% defense. DL and S being top priority. But I think we have to start thinking QB at some point, especially if a good one is there...

 

[Galian Beast]

GB, thanks for your insight. I enjoy reading your thoughts a lot. Here's my question. Why not restructure Romo, and think about drafting his replacement? I say think about because it would only be if one of the top guys fell to us in the first or second round. In the last few drafts there have been some surprises where QB's ended up slipping way down for one reason or another. If one of the top 3-4 guys dropped all the way to 16, wouldn't you have to take a chance? If for no other reason than Romo's health concerns. Even if he does get back to 100%, it would benefit whoever was drafted to learn behind Tony and Kyle for a couple of years...I'm the first one that says we need to draft 100% defense. DL and S being top priority. But I think we have to start thinking QB at some point, especially if a good one is there...

Drafting Romo's replacement early this year, means diverting resources in the draft from DL to QB. That doesn't help romo. What helps Romo is putting every ounce of draft and free agent resources into the defensive line, and creating a defense that doesn't suck. This investment isn't only in Romo, it is also in whatever Quarterback eventually replaces Romo.

You could have the first overall pick and it wouldn't be wise to draft a Quarterback. This team doesn't need a Quarterback, it needs improvements on defense, and it needs improvements on the offensive line. Anything other than that is a detrimental move for this team. Let's say we had Philip Rivers on this team. Would we be a better team? I don't think so. Unless you're going to draft a QB who is head over heels better than Romo (of which I don't think exists in the NFL), then any resources you put towards that position while the team has holes elsewhere isn't going to help us win games.

 

[ShiningStar]

This will be an excellent plan when Romo is on the sideline and we still dont have a qb to lead the team. great planning chief. This is like insuring the corvette while its still in the shop year after year.

 

[coult44]

Drafting Romo's replacement early this year, means diverting resources in the draft from DL to QB. That doesn't help romo. What helps Romo is putting every ounce of draft and free agent resources into the defensive line, and creating a defense that doesn't suck. This investment isn't only in Romo, it is also in whatever Quarterback eventually replaces Romo.

You could have the first overall pick and it wouldn't be wise to draft a Quarterback. This team doesn't need a Quarterback, it needs improvements on defense, and it needs improvements on the offensive line. Anything other than that is a detrimental move for this team. Let's say we had Philip Rivers on this team. Would we be a better team? I don't think so. Unless you're going to draft a QB who is head over heels better than Romo (of which I don't think exists in the NFL), then any resources you put towards that position while the team has holes elsewhere isn't going to help us win games.

As much as I see your Points about defense, you have to acknowledge that Tony is more than likely never going to be the same guy again. I've always been a Romo apologist, but it's time to see that it's coming to an end...two back surgeries in one year is not good...

 

[ShiningStar]

As much as I see your Points about defense, you have to acknowledge that Tony is more than likely never going to be the same guy again. I've always been a Romo apologist, but it's time to see that it's coming to an end...two back surgeries in one year is not good...

chances are great at some point Romo will be on the sideline now GBs plan is to have a stellar defense, so the offense cant score. I dont know, maybe he thinks all the scoring will come from the defense and the special teams, but convential wisdom has proven time and time again, you need to get the ball into the endzone to win the games. Like i have said I dont care the game, I dont care who you are up against, I dont even care about their stats, you have one job, JUST ONE, you have to score more points than they do. Thats, decry it all you wish people, is the only way to win teh game, shocking to many, its not how sharp your uniform is, or your modeling contract, its who has the most points at the end of 1 hour. If your corvette cant pass the line, the busted up chevette will still win.

 

[Galian Beast]

As much as I see your Points about defense, you have to acknowledge that Tony is more than likely never going to be the same guy again. I've always been a Romo apologist, but it's time to see that it's coming to an end...two back surgeries in one year is not good...

Even if Romo isn't the same player when it comes back from this, he would still give you a better chance than floating it up on a chance at getting a QB who is better than him. And let's not say two back surgeries in the same year as if they were related. One was a cyst and the other was herniation. For now there is no reason to believe Romo won't come back and be himself. So until then you have to plan accordingly. I'd rather have Orton play 16 games and fix the defensive line, than draft a qb in the first round with the crew we have at our disposal.

 

[ShiningStar]

Even if Romo isn't the same player when it comes back from this, he would still give you a better chance than floating it up on a chance at getting a QB who is better than him. And let's not say two back surgeries in the same year as if they were related. One was a cyst and the other was herniation. For now there is no reason to believe Romo won't come back and be himself. So until then you have to plan accordingly. I'd rather have Orton play 16 games and fix the defensive line, than draft a qb in the first round with the crew we have at our disposal.

which only proves im right, you are STILL not making the playoffs. but you are STILL going to need a qb, WHY not give him this year to get experience?

 

[Galian Beast]

which only proves im right, you are STILL not making the playoffs. but you are STILL going to need a qb, WHY not give him this year to get experience?

Because as I said, you still have Romo who is still a franchise QB. Until the day he can't go, you give him every opportunity.

If you think otherwise, please look at the multitude of teams that have drafted 1st round QBs to no avail.

 

[ShiningStar]

Because as I said, you still have Romo who is still a franchise QB. Until the day he can't go, you give him every opportunity.

If you think otherwise, please look at the multitude of teams that have drafted 1st round QBs to no avail.

and HOW many times has Romo gotten us to the playoffs?

 

[Galian Beast]

and HOW many times has Romo gotten us to the playoffs?

It's a team sport, Sport.

 

[ShiningStar]

It's a team sport, Sport.

fine, than find me the next qb, and lets get him some experience with a team that has no pressure on them. Sporty sport.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

Drafting Romo's replacement early this year, means diverting resources in the draft from DL to QB. That doesn't help romo. What helps Romo is putting every ounce of draft and free agent resources into the defensive line, and creating a defense that doesn't suck. This investment isn't only in Romo, it is also in whatever Quarterback eventually replaces Romo.

You could have the first overall pick and it wouldn't be wise to draft a Quarterback. This team doesn't need a Quarterback, it needs improvements on defense, and it needs improvements on the offensive line. Anything other than that is a detrimental move for this team. Let's say we had Philip Rivers on this team. Would we be a better team? I don't think so. Unless you're going to draft a QB who is head over heels better than Romo (of which I don't think exists in the NFL), then any resources you put towards that position while the team has holes elsewhere isn't going to help us win games.

So in your mind, we are 4-5 rookie draft choices from getting to the super bowl?

I'm the biggest Romo guy on the forum, but reality is that by the time this team is really ready to make some noise, it will be time to replace Romo. It's taken 2 years to solidify the OL, (if you can say it is solidified), you really can't expect a bunch of rookies to come in and solidify the DL.

Like it or not, the Cowboys are rebuilding, but they are not doing it in the traditional way, they are doing it by fielding an average team, rather than taking their lumps in one year and starting over the next. The way they're doing it now, by the time they think they're finished, another problem area will spring up.

 

[ChooChoo73]

I don't need your help I can assure you. I do respect your post and posts in the past. I am not of the mindset to create room his year. I am not interested in the scramble to be able to participate in free agency. Just the opposite. I want two things: A culture change away from borrowing from our older players' contracts and a shift towards relying on our coaches to grow our young talent.

I believe we will not break free from our current dilemma of not having a true system in place to fit players into while Jones/Garrett exists. I think they add talent arbitrarily instead of building a team and identity. Therefore, a young draft pick is more valuable than a free agent. At least the draftee will grow up in the dysfunction and find his spot while more sr. free agent players struggle to assimilate.

I am still in part aligned with some of your wants for this team but I don't shed any sweat over creating any more room than needed to be compliant and pay our draft picks and rookie free agents. I certainly want to get out of the Ware (16 mill or whatever the #), Orton (zero future), Austin (see Ware), and Carr (see Ware) business.

Aren't you tired of 8-8? These threads are yearly and you advise more of this type of action. What changes then do you propose to unlock the Cowboy magnetic pull towards 8-8?

 

[cowboysooner]

If you trade Orton the guarantee follows the contract. As a practical matter, it does not matter if they rob Peter or pay Paul. With the way carryover provisions work in the cba whether they restructure romo to a minimum or 10 million it really does not matter. Overall spending will really be the measure of where we are with the cap.

I can certainly see the logic of what Norm is saying. This is a team with an upper 90's passer rating and a running back that averaged more than 5 ypc which was either first or second for full time everydown backs. The defense was in the upper third for turnovers forced, yet we are 8-8. If the qb gets hurt this team will be a bottom 5 team. Use that to your advantage like Indy did.

 

[Hoofbite]

Getting under the cap will require cutting players AND restructuring Romo if we want to do anything this year. It's basic math, and it isn't hard. Restructuring Romo doesn't make things difficult later either.

Also doesn't mean that cutting a player saves us money either. Ask Seattle how building their defensive line in free agency worked out for them.

Restructuring Romo in 2014 would almost guarantee an additional restructure in 2015.

If restructured down to $1M in base, his 2015 cap hit would be over $27M.....it's already scheduled to be over $25M (or about $4M more than 2014).

If restructured in 2015 (I moved $14M of his $17M base), he's all but guaranteed to be on the roster for 2015, 2016, and 2017 and even if the team cut him prior to 2018 they'd still have over $8M in dead space.

So, you restructure him now and you're basically committing for 4 more seasons for a guy coming off his 2nd back surgery in a year and who's going to be 34 to start the season. You don't restructure him and you can cut him after 2016 and only have $5M in dead money.

So ask yourself, you want to see a 37 or 38 year old guy 3-4 seasons removed from 2 back surgeries with unknown amounts of punishment still yet to be received starting for your favorite team at a cap hit over $24M?

That's what you'd get if you restructure him in 2014.

 

[KB1122]

The reason to get rid of Orton is that if Romo is missing big parts of the year, then you want to lose for draft position to find his replacement. That is if we don't trade up for Johnny Football. I've never liked the Orton signing, and it turned out to be a failure.

There is no way that I restructure Romo and move money into the future.

 

[Galian Beast]

So in your mind, we are 4-5 rookie draft choices from getting to the super bowl?

I'm the biggest Romo guy on the forum, but reality is that by the time this team is really ready to make some noise, it will be time to replace Romo. It's taken 2 years to solidify the OL, (if you can say it is solidified), you really can't expect a bunch of rookies to come in and solidify the DL.

Like it or not, the Cowboys are rebuilding, but they are not doing it in the traditional way, they are doing it by fielding an average team, rather than taking their lumps in one year and starting over the next. The way they're doing it now, by the time they think they're finished, another problem area will spring up.

The Cowboys have been rebuilding for the last 3 years.

There are 5 players on the offensive line, there are 4 on the defensive line. Of which 1 is already gone, and 2 others are free agents, and the other is heavily overpaid.

The offensive line was a completely different scenario. And honestly we took things entirely too slow with the offensive line getting guys like Bernadeau and Livings, and we put a guy like Costa in a starting position when he wasn't at all prepared for it. In other words we did little to nothing the first year to actually reform the oline. We also didn't have the same amount of money tied up in the oline as we did the d-line.

We've rebuilt every position on our team outside of QB and defensive line. It's the last thing we need to do, and it can be done in a year, just ask Seattle.