Offseason Do-Over

[TheMarathonContinues]

I agree with you. I truly think they were worried about TR's confidence several years back. I don't think that applies today. Recently, they were just over confident that TR would stay healthy with the run game we had last year. And if he did get scuffed up, it would be a game or two.

I mean I don't have a argument against you about them potentially worrying about Romo's confidence. That may or may not be true I don't know but one thing I can say is that i've never considered Romo lacking any confidence. He had some unfortunate moments at the end of a few games but he never lacked the confidence. Probably could argue he had too much at one point.

Belichick won several games with Matt Cassel. Mike Tomlin is getting by with Michael Vick and Landry Jones. Also, didn't Garrett sign off on Weeden?

I don't think it's impossible to win a few games without your best players, especially when you have leads in 3 of those games.

I know, I know. Garrett isn't responsible for that. Yet, somehow he's responsible for 12 wins?

In Romo We Trust.

Okay but you are aware that the Cowboys are missing more than Romo? How many games would the Steelers win without Antonio Brown and Roethlisberger? As far as Garrett signing off on Weeden.....I mean what other choice did he have? Jerry saying he has the prettiest throwing motion he's ever seen says enough about what that move was about. I won't fault them for liking Weeden at one point. Former 1st round pick. They probably trusted McClay and other scouts opinion on him. There's a lot ot like on film. But there's nothing to like on the field. They failed on Weeden. I won't fault them for failing. It happens.

Harris has already said the money was not the bottom line with him signing in NY. It was a factor, of course. he's not dense.
But he wanted to play more of a role on offense if possible. He said Dallas just wanted him to play special teams and be a blocking WR. He said he understood that but wanted more opportunities. NY promised him that.
He already has as many or more receptions this year than in any year with Dallas....and maybe 3x as many as last year.

I'm not rueing the loss of Harris but I always wondered why he wasn't more part of this offense then he was. Everytime the guy stepped on the field he was doing something well. Whether it was tackling, being a gunner, returning punts or catching a screen pass.......I won't fault them for losing Harris. Chances are Harris wouldn't be really helping our receiving core out right now.

Yes, they had to decide if they wanted to keep him or cut him. They might have tried to play hardball at the end of training camp but Scandrick injury probably kept them from doing it.

Right and honestly it was the right move. This team is better with Carr then without him.

 

[perrykemp]

Right. So people are going to act like Jones didn't suck in his last two destinations but goes back to the Packers and has his solid but inconsistent career once again revived.

I wouldn't say he "sucked" for the Raiders -- he did have 73 receptions (for a very paltry 666 yards) and he did lead the Giants in the preseason receiving....

However, your (and others above) point is spot on that the Cowboys QB2/QB3 throwing to Jones would very likely not be as successful as it has been with Rodgers throwing to him.

 

[bayeslife]

Good post. I know it's used as a comedic line around here, but the team really has bought into "the process." They're looking to build a perennial contender in the mold of New England and Pittsburgh. It starts on the lines and with good middle round drafting. They've now properly invested in the lines so I think you'll see a lot more focus on the skill positions this year. We really lack explosion and depth at those skill spots. That will be addressed this offseason.

You look at this roster and how their players under contract match up with their current salary cap and you have to feel good. They can get a couple blue chip players now to round out their roster and make the final punch punch in the draft next year. This team is a sprinkle away from greatness.

 

[DFWJC]

He was not making a decision. It's not as if the Cowboys were offering him 12M and he had to decide between that and the 17M offered by the Giants.

His choice was 17M with the Giants or slightly over the veterans minimum from the Cowboys.

I was just passing on what Harris was saying his goals where.
From what Garrett said, it did sound like they certainly offered Harris more than vet min though...just less than Beasley.. Not sure where you got that from. Again, not worth bickering over though.
I've not been one in the camp that thinks Dallas should have offered him NY money.

 

[Oh_Canada]

For me it's Jones or drafting Diggs. Wr position was thin.

Bringing in someone to play the one-tech and challenge Golden Cock and the always injured Terrell McClain.

 

[hornitosmonster]

Chris Johnson is the one we missed out on

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

Cowboys have Corey White, Scandrick, Patmon, Carr and Claiborne. That's more than enough at corner.

This is a simple case of quantity over quality.

 

[DFWJC]

For me it's Jones or drafting Diggs. Wr position was thin.

Bringing in someone to play the one-tech and challenge Golden Cock and the always injured Terrell McClain.

Minnesota stole Diggs in the 5th, that's for sure.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

This is a simple case of quantity over quality.

Well if that's your opinion fine I believe they are good enough to win with that unit. The safeties? Not so much. I can draft another corner in any round. I can't find a safety. And if I think Byron Jones can play it why not?

 

[tyke1doe]

If it's a real off-season do over...

1. Do not extend Garrett.
2. Sign coach who believes that coaching improves teams, not clapping.
3. Lock Jerry in janitor closet.
4. Cut Weeden. Sign Tyrod Taylor.
5. Use 3rd round pick on Florida Gator Matt Jones and not on Florida Gator Chaz Green.
5. Use 4th round pick on Stefon Diggs instead of Damian WIlson.
6. Sign Hardy to 2-year deal instead of 1.

I'm with you on #5.

 

[xwalker]

Chris Johnson is the one we missed out on

The Cowboys are averaging more rushing yards per game than AZ. McFadden 152 yards the other day far surpasses any game that CJ has had this season.

 

[Zordon]

Marked you down for giving up. Will re-visit at end of year.

Ok you do that.

 

[DeaconMoss]

I'm with you on #5.

So you are trading up for Jones? Cmon man.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Is there a more over paid player in the league that Brandon Carr? Guy must have compromising photos of the entire front office.

Yes sir, his name is Bob Griffin 3

 

[fortdick]

I want a head coach who can find a way to win a few games even with valuable players out injured. Actually, I just want a head coach who actually contributes in a real way, not some made up pretend way. I'm dumb that way.

And I want a goose that lays golden eggs. Neither thing exists.

 

[fortdick]

Romo is a top 10 quarterback in this league and coming off his best year. What on earth type of controversies would be created by bringing in a backup? A

You don't understand. Folks think we should have signed Aaron Rogers during the off season. There is absolutely no reason we can't have the best players in the NFL as our back ups. You can do it in Madden, so you can do it in the NFL.

 

[tyke1doe]

So you are trading up for Jones? Cmon man.

Actually, I didn't realize Jones wasn't there when we picked in the third round. Even so, we took Damien Wilson in the fourth. Is Wilson a better pick than the draft choice we would have given up to get Jones?

 

[dfense]

Harris failed time and time again as a 3rd receiver. Hindsight

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

1. Crawford and Beasley's contracts are looking funny in the light. We laughed at the Giants for the Harris contract but he at least put a win in their win column. We should have also picked up the 5th year option on Mo. (Didn't realize it was 11 mill.)
2. Chris Johnson begged to come here, we should have taken a flyer. He looks great in Arizona.
3. We should have cut Weeden and signed Matt Schaub immediately after the season ended.
4. Brandon Carr should have been forced to take a paycut. He got chewed out by Hardy for poor effort on a tackle on Vereen at the end of the 1st half. That dawg player in KC, never showed up in Dallas.
5. Sign Terrance Knighton and sign Justin Durant. JD had great chemistry with Ro, he was one of our best run defenders. Knighton signed for pennies with the Skins. Once we lost we lost T-Mcclain, we lost our only DT with size. This theory that we can just spin ends down is not working. Marinelli's stubbornness about the DT position is starting to frustrate me. Crawford and Hayden were getting pushed around like rag dolls on Sunday.

I think Brandon carr contract got forced because we lost scandrick. we had until the end of TC to release Carr and not owe him anything, but once scandrick injury happened it kind of forced our hands.

I think we should have signed CJ. agreed. but they weren't sold on Randle, thus they wanted insurance for a work horse back and that's why we signed mcfadden and CJ is not a work horse back. if the injury to dunbar doesn't happen, probably not an issue

not sold on knighton.....not a fit for our defense.

not sold on schuab..who is more Brad Johnson than anything....

 

[Bullflop]

As has been mentioned, James Jones would have been nice.

Holding off on extending Crawford might have been a prudent choice as well.

Do SOMETHING for the safety position. I'm tired of safety being a glaring weakness every single year. Byron Jones might end up being part of the solution, but that means CB becomes a more glaring need again.

With Byron Jones being so versatile, we might have a choice of taking either a CB or Safety through the draft and if needed, use Jones at either position other than the one we pick the rookie for. That's the advantage of having someone like Jones. Admittedly, it wouldn't be ideal to be switching him around so much but if there's little choice but to do so, at least he has extraordinary adaptability.