Old vs New

[dfense]

He had a lot of help but still did not look like the player of old.

He did play a different position to.

Even ware looked more refreshed reverting to a OLB than DE.

 

[visionary]

I'm a believer in the ONE big free agent signing in an area of need.

Otherwise, draft well and comb the cheap free agent scrap heap for bargains.

I want Suh because I believe he transforms the defense immeasurably.

That is true
However if we are wiling to live with it, Greg Hardy could do the same and an impact DT is easier to find in the bottom of rd 1

 

[xwalker]

I'm unclear on what that has to do with what I said

Sorry, I should have quoted the OP.

 

[DallasInDC]

I agree with the OPs premise, that sustainable success requires having young players who can meet the physical demands of 16+ game season, but you do need a select number of grizzly veterans to provide leadership and a mature perspective (I also think it is more effective if they have considerable playoff experience).

My personal opinion on how to build a championship team is to:

1) use FA for depth.... There is usually a reason why players hit the open market which usually translates to either having a flaw in their game or wanting to be paid more than the value they will actually bring. Use midlevel FAs to be role players, fill out the depth chart with experienced backups and rotational guys. Never bring in high priced FA. The percentage of those who match the value of their contact is probably less than 10%. That's too much risk to take on.

2) never trade up more than 1-2 slots. The value is rarely their from what you get compared to picks you use... If you build your team through the draft, you need all the picks you can get. Trading down is fine if the player value is not the win you pick-this is where you have to trust your board.

3) build inside out... Every year take at least one interior lineman in the first three rounds.

4) take a qb in the first five rounds every three to four years and give them time to learn the game and develop behind a starter for at least two years. (place just as high (if not higher) value on intelligence/decision making as you do on physical attributes).

5) constantly churn the bottom of the roster... Looking for roleplayers, depth, ST players and/or the occasional diamond in the rough probowl type player. the cowboys have done a good job at this and hopefully will continue to do so. It's these type of players along with the mid to low cost FAs that allow you to keep your super stars without killing the cap.

6) typically avoid RBs, CBs DTs, ILBs TEs, and safeties in the top 10 (definitely top 5) draft slots. I would tyically reserve those for OL (preferably OTs), DEs, QBs, WRs, and OLBs.

7) continue the focus on RKGs. I have bought into JGs approach on players who were team captains/leaders, students of the game, and have a passion for the game... Not just the money.

Just my philosophy if I was an NFL GM.

 

[rwalters31]

I agree with the OPs premise, that sustainable success requires having young players who can meet the physical demands of 16+ game season, but you do need a select number of grizzly veterans to provide leadership and a mature perspective (I also think it is more effective if they have considerable playoff experience).

My personal opinion on how to build a championship team is to:

1) use FA for depth.... There is usually a reason why players hit the open market which usually translates to either having a flaw in their game or wanting to be paid more than the value they will actually bring. Use midlevel FAs to be role players, fill out the depth chart with experienced backups and rotational guys. Never bring in high priced FA. The percentage of those who match the value of their contact is probably less than 10%. That's too much risk to take on.

2) never trade up more than 1-2 slots. The value is rarely their from what you get compared to picks you use... If you build your team through the draft, you need all the picks you can get. Trading down is fine if the player value is not the win you pick-this is where you have to trust your board.

3) build inside out... Every year take at least one interior lineman in the first three rounds.

4) take a qb in the first five rounds every three to four years and give them time to learn the game and develop behind a starter for at least two years. (place just as high (if not higher) value on intelligence/decision making as you do on physical attributes).

5) constantly churn the bottom of the roster... Looking for roleplayers, depth, ST players and/or the occasional diamond in the rough probowl type player. the cowboys have done a good job at this and hopefully will continue to do so. It's these type of players along with the mid to low cost FAs that allow you to keep your super stars without killing the cap.

6) typically avoid RBs, CBs DTs, ILBs TEs, and safeties in the top 10 (definitely top 5) draft slots. I would tyically reserve those for OL (preferably OTs), DEs, QBs, WRs, and OLBs.

7) continue the focus on RKGs. I have bought into JGs approach on players who were team captains/leaders, students of the game, and have a passion for the game... Not just the money.

Just my philosophy if I was an NFL GM.

By George I think you have it! You most have been reading some of my post.

 

[DallasInDC]

By George I think you have it! You most have been reading some of my post.

I think the philosophy I layed out is pretty straight forward. The real key is having a strong scouting group that is good at identifying not only the physical talent of players, but the intangibles. They have to be in synch with the coaching staff, their schemes, the type of players that best fit that scheme, and often overlooked, the type of players that respond to the coaches methods (i.e., we should hire a full time behavioral psychologist as part of the scouting team). And most importantly, they need to stick with the philosphy...don't deviate. Consistency in approach is key. That is why i was glad we were able to lock up our top 3 coaches and it looks like we will keep McClay. The one thing i like about JG, is that he established the process and is sticking to it. Eventually it will belcome ing. ined in the culture the entire organization from the front office, to the coaches, to the players. Once we are fully intergrated winning will become second nature.

 

[skinsscalper]

if living ff success from 4 years ago gets you 12.5 sacks this past season I'll take it

And if JPP could actually put up similar numbers two years in a row I would too. He never has and is the biggest pile of fool's gold in this entire FA class. I'll pass and never look back.

 

[JoeKing]

An unproven commodity (young players) will never trump a proven commodity (veterans) just because of youth. Nothing trumps experience.