Off-season step one: House cleaning

[conner01]

Do

You have two chances. Caleb Downs (long shot) and Dillon Thieneman. Both are chess piece type players. Thieneman "should" be there at 20 if you want him. Problem is that they haven't prioritized the safety position since they drafted Roy Williams (8th overall pick) in 2002. Williams was the last Cowboy safety to make the pro-bowl (2007).

I think only way they’d take Dillon is after a trade back but I like the player. Since we have nothing after the first rnd till later, a trade back and add a 3rd would be nice

 

[ArtClink]

I think the problem with your theory is that Jerrah knows he doesn't have many years left. Meaning, thoughts of a gradual rebuild don't enter his whiskey-soaked grey matter.

There's no telling what goes through Jerry's brain lol!

 

[Diehardblues]

What surprised me the most is all of the coaching changes we made.
Anybody have a list .

Seems like everytime I opened the paper or turned on local sports we we were bringing in another coach. But I guess I missed when we fired the others except Eberflus.

 

[deerhunter11]

The problem with releasing everyone off that list is who will be their replacements? You can't count on FA to fill all their spots, and then with drafting, it doesn't guarantee they will be "starter-ready". I'm okay with releasing most of these, BUT, I would consider keeping Hooker, Thomas and Steele. I know everyone hates Steele, but do we have someone on the team who could take his place? Many have suggested moving Guyton to RT, but then, who plays LT? It's a tricky situation.

One thing is for sure and for certain Terrence Steel must be replaced he was absolutely terrible at pass blocking last season at right tackle. Wilson and Hooker are liabilities in deep pass coverage as well, Dallas must find solid replacements at both offensive tackle and completely rebuild both starting safeties.

 

[RodeoJake]

The problem with releasing everyone off that list is who will be their replacements? You can't count on FA to fill all their spots, and then with drafting, it doesn't guarantee they will be "starter-ready". I'm okay with releasing most of these, BUT, I would consider keeping Hooker, Thomas and Steele. I know everyone hates Steele, but do we have someone on the team who could take his place? Many have suggested moving Guyton to RT, but then, who plays LT? It's a tricky situation.

Even with Guyton and Steele, I have to wonder who's gonna play LT? Is Guyton a better RT than Steele?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Now is the time to prove that this organization is serious about winning again. It’s time to start cleaning house. Time to release players that are not in future plans. Time to let go of guys that either cost too much, aren’t what we need anymore, or are just not good enough.

Who needs to be released?
Here’s a list of players who need to be released for cap savings and/or just aren’t what we need:

• S Donovan Wilson - hits like a freight train but couldn’t cover his grandma. Designate him a June 1 cut and we save approximately $7 mil.
• RT Terance Steele - Another guy who should get a June 1 cut. Saves about $13 mil in cap space.
• S Malik Hooker - Is 30 now and is not the future. Making him a June 1 cut saves around $6 mil in cap space.
• DE Sam Williams - I believe he is now a free agent but we should just let him walk. Never showed he was capable of fulfilling his potential. Goodbye.
• LB Logan Wilson - turns 30 this yr. Will not be part of this defensive rebuild. Can save about $6 million with his release.
• LB Kenneth Murray - he was a joke last year at LB. Pretty sure he was just on a one year deal so…adios KM.
• DL Solomon Thomas - getting older, costs 3 million next yr…not a lot but he can’t be considered a key cog in our future.
• S Marquese Bell - every time I see him in the field it reminds me of watching him get trucked over and over in the run game vs the packers in that playoff disaster. He needs to go.

These are just the major names. The Cowboys need not only a talent face lift - especially on defense. They need a complete reset on D.

If JJ is serious about swimming in FA waters, we need to start cutting bait.

We have holes….some of these
Moves create even more holes.

 

[deerhunter11]

We just hope Jerry doesn't drown before hitting the waters!!

That's just a part of having Ol Jerry as the GM, it comes with the territory. You can expect very late contract negotiations with key players resulting in wasted cap. Questionable players signed that do not necessarily fit the schemes that are being run, but we are hoping and praying that Ol Jerry's many bone head moves are a thing of the past right. Ol Jerry has claimed to have changed his ways, let's all hope this is the case and football minds can make some important football decisions here in Dallas going forward. Ol Jerry was quick to decide on the franchise tag for Pickens, let's hope he remains quick when it comes down to an extension with Pickens as well. I think you keep this starting offense intact, bring in a couple of good offensive tackles, and let the scouts, and Christian Parker find his defensive players that fit Parkers new scheme. This is a commonsense approach to championship team building; this is my opinion.

 

[deerhunter11]

That's a good start. All 4 need cut. Entire new Safety crew is needed.

Dono, Hooker, Bell, Thomas. What is the point of keeping any of them?

Great Post, if these moves are not done, no playoffs period. How many young quarterbacks torched this safety room last season. Parker is going to demand speed and ball skills from his safety chore next season, and through free agency and the draft this can be done. Can you imagine a healthy Minkah Fitzpatrick with a blue-chip Caleb Downs or Dillon Thieneman.

 

[Pentagruel]

Now is the time to prove that this organization is serious about winning again. It’s time to start cleaning house. Time to release players that are not in future plans. Time to let go of guys that either cost too much, aren’t what we need anymore, or are just not good enough.

Who needs to be released?
Here’s a list of players who need to be released for cap savings and/or just aren’t what we need:

• S Donovan Wilson - hits like a freight train but couldn’t cover his grandma. Designate him a June 1 cut and we save approximately $7 mil.
• RT Terance Steele - Another guy who should get a June 1 cut. Saves about $13 mil in cap space.
• S Malik Hooker - Is 30 now and is not the future. Making him a June 1 cut saves around $6 mil in cap space.
• DE Sam Williams - I believe he is now a free agent but we should just let him walk. Never showed he was capable of fulfilling his potential. Goodbye.
• LB Logan Wilson - turns 30 this yr. Will not be part of this defensive rebuild. Can save about $6 million with his release.
• LB Kenneth Murray - he was a joke last year at LB. Pretty sure he was just on a one year deal so…adios KM.
• DL Solomon Thomas - getting older, costs 3 million next yr…not a lot but he can’t be considered a key cog in our future.
• S Marquese Bell - every time I see him in the field it reminds me of watching him get trucked over and over in the run game vs the packers in that playoff disaster. He needs to go.

These are just the major names. The Cowboys need not only a talent face lift - especially on defense. They need a complete reset on D.

If JJ is serious about swimming in FA waters, we need to start cutting bait.

Out of these names I would keep Solomon Thomas and Hooker and Bell if the draft and FA doesn’t easily provide a replacement. They are serviceable and cheap. Sam Williams I am on the fence on. If Parker wants him around and they can keep him on an inexpensive deal then fine, otherwise he should be gone. The rest can be replaced by players already on the roster or by vet minimum type players (and you’d probably improve).

 

[Bobhaze]

We have holes….some of these
Moves create even more holes.

With great organizations, moves create opportunities to get better. Hanging on to what you have…when you’re not that good anyway?

I just think that kind of thinking is exactly what gave us the last 3 decades.

 

[JoeKing]

No disrespect intended here…but what does Solomon actually bring that makes him valuable?

Leadership.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

With great organizations, moves create opportunities to get better. Hanging on to what you have…when you’re not that good anyway?

I just think that kind of thinking is exactly what gave us the last 3 decades.

I mean it depends if you don’t think they are that good anyway then I agree with your thinking. I believe if this defense can get to the 15-20 range we can win some games.

But using your logic if we aren’t that good anyway then what’s the point of it all?

 

[Bigtex67]

I don't care. FA and draft is a good start. It's impossible to get 4 new Safeties that are worse than the 4 we have now.

Plenty of draft capital and money to get LB's, Edge and CB's this off season. Plenty.

Jerry Jones.....challenge accepted......

 

[kskboys]

We have holes….some of these
Moves create even more holes.

Don't see how. The only starting quality LB on the roster is Overshown. We have zero FSs. Releasing bad players does not create a hole.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Don't see how. The only starting quality LB on the roster is Overshown. We have zero FSs. Releasing bad players does not create a hole.

You are gonna do nothing just replace them with players of the same caliber though. Except you will use the limited resources you have to do it.

 

[kskboys]

You are gonna do nothing just replace them with players of the same caliber though. Except you will use the limited resources you have to do it.

OK. Not seeing how that's bad.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

OK. Not seeing how that's bad.

To put it in perspective knowing I have needs on defense I’d hate to cut Steele and spend a 1st on a tackle. Some might like that. I personally would hate it.

 

[irishline]

June 1st is only when it hits the budget. It doesn’t hinder any team in FA. In fact it’s designed to help teams make choices so they can make moves NOW.

I am a little confused by what you said here. Designated June 1st releases are not to help teams make moves now. The money stays on the books until June 1st, meaning they cannot use that cap space NOW (as you stated). Maybe we are saying the same thing and I just am misunderstanding, if so, my apologies.

"This what lead to the NFL’s creation of the Post June 1 designation. What a team is allowed to do is declare a player a post June 1 cut and get the benefit of the June 1st salary cap treatment while also avoiding any offseason payments or guarantees from kicking in.

That being said there is a catch to this rule and this is often overlooked. The team has to carry a player at his full salary cap charge until June 1st even though he has been released from his contract. So the dead money split does not occur in March. It does not help the team create cap room for free agents. It simply gives the team more cap room to use during the rookie signing period and to function when cap accounting expands from 51 players in the offseason to the full roster during the season."

https://overthecap.com/explaining-the-post-june-1-designation

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Steele is trash but he might be worth keeping bc we can’t make too many holes at once

 

[Bobhaze]

I am a little confused by what you said here. Designated June 1st releases are not to help teams make moves now. The money stays on the books until June 1st, meaning they cannot use that cap space NOW (as you stated). Maybe we are saying the same thing and I just am misunderstanding, if so, my apologies.

"This what lead to the NFL’s creation of the Post June 1 designation. What a team is allowed to do is declare a player a post June 1 cut and get the benefit of the June 1st salary cap treatment while also avoiding any offseason payments or guarantees from kicking in.

That being said there is a catch to this rule and this is often overlooked. The team has to carry a player at his full salary cap charge until June 1st even though he has been released from his contract. So the dead money split does not occur in March. It does not help the team create cap room for free agents. It simply gives the team more cap room to use during the rookie signing period and to function when cap accounting expands from 51 players in the offseason to the full roster during the season."

https://overthecap.com/explaining-the-post-june-1-designation

From Google AI, CBS Sports and Overhead cap.com:
How a post June 1 designation Helps Teams:

• Significant Cap Savings: By designating a player as a post-June 1 release (even if done in March), teams can defer part of the cap penalty to the following year. For instance, a cut that would normally create $0 in space might create millions of dollars in relief.
• Two-Player Limit: Teams can use this designation on up to two players to maximize savings.
• Rookie/Veteran Flexibility: It helps teams manage the salary cap during the rookie signing period and provides room to add veteran talent later in the offseason.
• Player Benefit: Players cut with this designation can sign with new teams immediately, rather than waiting until June 2nd to find a new team.

Look at the player benefit in the last bullet. The June 1 designation allows a player who’s been cut to sign with a new team before June. It benefits the team by providing immediate cap space.