Players that Got Away?

[CalPolyTechnique]

I was taking a look at a former draft pick we let walk who's had had pretty solid career.

Former 3rd rounder, Maliek Collins, as a pure 3-tech has been every bit the pressure player (and more) that Osa Odigy has been. In just his two past seasons (2023-2024) he's racked up 10 sacks and already has another 3.5 sacks this season for the Browns. During the same span, Osa has only registered 7.5 sacks and just 1 this season.

 

[jazzcat22]

Remember when fans on here hated Collins. Many the same ones that hate Mazi?

 

[boysfanperiod]

Is that due to how we develop players or our scheme? Why do these players do so much better on a different team?

 

[Risen Star]

Yeah Maliek has really become a force. Same with Muhammad in Detroit. He wasn't even good enough to make this team.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Every single guy on this list except Micah people wanted out here. Fanbase want you gone until they realize it wasn’t you.

 

[RodeoJake]

Every single guy on this list except Micah people wanted out here. Fanbase want you gone until they realize it wasn’t you.

Can't imagine why most on that list wanted outta Dallas.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Can't imagine why most on that list wanted outta Dallas.

Yeah, and moronic or not, it was Jerry and the FO who got rid of them. Not the fan base.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Scheme and supporting cast matter. Collins has been very up and down since leaving Dallas, but is it a coincidence that hes absolutely exploded now that he is on the same DL as Myles Garrett? Last year he played with Nick Bosa and tied his career high in sacks. Football isn't quite the rocket science we try to make it out to be....ultimately most of it becomes a math problem. There are 5 OL and if you have an elite player to command double teams half the time it frees up guys like Collins for 1v1 matchups. Put Collins back on the Cowboys and he is a non factor because we don't have the edge players to take attention off those interior players. Collins is a fairly average player, but can be elevated on good defenses.

This is the frustration many fans have in the Cowboys always sitting out free agency. Its not like they have to go after top players, but go spend $10M on a guy like Collins while you had a Micah Parsons and OSA on rookie deals and have an actual strength of your team. Instead we have a tendency to waste superstar players by expecting them to elevate garbage around them. They finally were proactive on offense in bringing in Pickens to match with Lamb and its worked out quite well so far. Lets see some of that same energy on the other side of the football too.

 

[Carson]

Every single guy on this list except Micah people wanted out here. Fanbase want you gone until they realize it wasn’t you.

How in the heck is Woods #1? He has 1 pick and the Titans stink

 

[montgod]

I was taking a look at a former draft pick we let walk who's had had pretty solid career.

Every single guy on this list except Micah people wanted out here. Fanbase want you gone until they realize it wasn’t you.

At first I was thinking this would be a Rico Dowdle post.

Unfortunately, this was an even more telling post towards the defensive/personnel miscues and a viewpoint of what this team might have looked like if some players had been retained. With so many coaching changes, the biggest issue seems to always be how a player fits into the coaches scheme instead of the coach/staff being smart enough to change towards the talent they had.

In the end, it always comes back to the FO and coaching.

 

[Johannes44]

Every single guy on this list except Micah people wanted out here. Fanbase want you gone until they realize it wasn’t you.

The trend of guys leaving the Cowboys and performing continues. But hey more greek dancing and leadership should do the trick.

 

[Carson]

The trend of guys leaving the Cowboys and performing continues. But hey more greek dancing and leadership should do the trick.

Don’t forget Ping pong tables!!!

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Can't imagine why most on that list wanted outta Dallas.

The players didn’t want out the fans did.

 

[805BoysInBlue]

Wonder what Dak would look like since so many want him gone. This proves we have some dumb fans and dumb front office.

 

[charron]

The problem is they only stay here if they get paid the max for their position.

 

[Sydla]

Remember when fans on here hated Collins. Many the same ones that hate Mazi?

Except Mazi isn’t good. Collins was at least serviceable here.

Odd post.

 

[thunderpimp91]

The problem is they only stay here if they get paid the max for their position.

Yeah I'm sure Maliek Collins demanded maximum money from the Cowboys and when he didn't get it couldn't wait to be the *checks notes*.....47th paid interior DL in football with the Raiders.

The issue is the Cowboys love star power and have found a formula to stay relevant....pay top guys at their position, let the mid tier free agents walk to collect those comp picks. What you're left with is enough talent to stick around the middle of the pack most years, but will always have a few flawed areas on your roster that keep you from being a legitimate contender.

 

[NDGAEDE]

Funny how Maliek looks better playing next to Myles Garrett, while Osa's production has dropped off now that he's not playing next to Micah Parsons.

 

[jazzcat22]

Except Mazi isn’t good. Collins was at least serviceable here.

Odd post.

Not odd, just the truth.

also, do you remember how Collins was actually posted about, it was about the same as Mazi.
Though we are talking what a 3rd rounder to a 1st rounder.

 

[jazzcat22]

Wonder what the list is for current Cowboys players and what their grades are, that came from other teams.