News: Position Series: Linebacker Corps Had High Production, But Upgrades Needed

[CCBoy]

Position Series: Linebacker Corps Had High Production, But Upgrades Needed

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...ker-corps-had-high-production-upgrades-needed


...Pressing Matters: The big question mark at linebacker centers on the future of Rolando McClain, who is an unrestricted free agent for the second straight year. McClain just finished his second one-year contract, and like his first season with the team, it’s not easy to gauge his performance. At times, he flashed the ability that made him a first-round pick of the Raiders back in 2010. Other times, he didn’t make a big difference. After serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, McClain played in 11 of 12 games, finishing with 97 tackles (third on the defense) with two sacks. His interception return for a touchdown against the Dolphins was the Cowboys’ only defensive touchdown of the season. The Cowboys might not take an aggressive approach in re-signing him, but will likely pay close attention when he tests the free-agent waters.

2015 Evaluation: While the expectations of Sean Lee and McClain together were supposed to produce better results, it was still a solid campaign for the linebacking unit. Lee became the first traditional linebacker (4-3 scheme) for the Cowboys to make the Pro Bowl since Dexter Coakley in 2003. He led the team with 156 tackles, while McClain (97) and Anthony Hitchens (85) ranked third and fourth, respectively. Lee’s issues with injuries were somewhat improved, but he still played just 78 percent of the snaps, causing him to miss a $2 million bonus he would’ve collected had he played 80 percent of the defensive snaps.

Need More From … This was supposed to be a breakout season for Anthony Hitchens, who still finished fourth on the team in tackles, but the “wow” moments from him weren’t there in 2015. Hitchens battled injuries throughout the year, causing him to miss some practice time. But overall, the Cowboys need Hitchens to step into a consistent role – part of that is giving him a consistent position. His versatility has been a bonus in his first two years, but like all young players, getting a solid position in place will help his development...

 

[CCBoy]

Would the signing of Durant and McClain, the drafting of Myles Jack, and Sean Lee make Dallas up with the very best defenses at linebacker?

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

Would the signing of Durant and McClain, the drafting of Myles Jack, and Sean Lee make Dallas up with the very best defenses at linebacker?

Too many other questions need to be answered first. Is Lawrence going to pick up where he left off? Was Crawfords shoulder a big reason why he was meh this year? Will Gregory play to his potential? Do we resign Hardy? What changes are we making in the secondary? I think if we sign those guys and draft Jack it's a great start, the other questions will need to be answered with some yes's though for the defense as a whole to succeed. I still believe in Rod

 

[CCBoy]

Too many other questions need to be answered first. Is Lawrence going to pick up where he left off? Was Crawfords shoulder a big reason why he was meh this year? Will Gregory play to his potential? Do we resign Hardy? What changes are we making in the secondary? I think if we sign those guys and draft Jack it's a great start, the other questions will need to be answered with some yes's though for the defense as a whole to succeed. I still believe in Rod

So do I, my friend.

 

[CCBoy]

Three free agents the Cowboys can sign for a Super Bowl run
http://thelandryhat.com/2016/02/13/three-free-agents-cowboys-super-bowl-run/




...There is already a lot of talk swirling around amount to the Cowboys will draft in the first-round with their fourth overall selection, but no one can really predict what direction the team may go because we still don’t know what positions are addressed through free agency.

Over the past few off-seasons the Cowboys have been relatively active, but have really been able to spend wisely and kind of stayed away from the big name free agents that would cost more against the salary cap.

I think that this off-season we could see Jerry Jones target some of the bigger names in free agency and spend a little bit more to add some needed pieces to the team.

Let me tell you why I think this will happen.

First of all, the Cowboys are in pretty good shape salary cap wise and can probably sign a number of big name free agents if that’s the direction they want to go.

As of right now, the Cowboys are approximately $12 million under the salary cap and can create even more of a cushion if they decide to restructure some of their players such as Tyron Smith, Tyrone Crawford, and figuring out what to do with Brandon Carr.

Secondly, I think that Jones wants to pretty much go all in because Tony Romo’s window is closing and it’s just a matter of time until his playing days are over.

We all just witnessed the Denver Broncos win a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning attempting to resemble the player he once was, but unlike Manning, Romo still is playing in a high level when he’s healthy.

If Jones wants to make a run at the Super Bowl then it could start as early as the 2016 season.

Fortunately, there are quite a few players that will be available in free agency that can come in and not only fill some of the holes on the roster, but make an immediate impact by improving the talent level of those particular positions.

If I’m Jerry Jones these are the players I would target free agency to ensure that the Cowboys are giving themselves the best chance to make it back to the playoffs...

Free-Agent Target #1: Lamar Miller, Running Back

It may surprise you, but if you’ve read some of my previous articles you would know that Lamar Miller is my number one target for the Cowboys to go after in free agency.

Miller’s skill set and running style fits in perfectly with the Cowboys offense and will make fans completely forget about DeMarco Murray ever rejoining the team.

Don’t get me wrong, I think that Darren McFadden had a fantastic year once he finally took over the starting role, but the offensive line had to change their blocking scheme to help accommodate McFadden’s strength and hide his weaknesses.

They wouldn’t have to do that with Miller as the lead back and could get back to running that zone blocking scheme that they were so successful with when DeMarco Murray was the leading rusher in the NFL.

I don’t think that Miller will break the bank in free agency and I can see him signing a contract similar to what Mark Ingram signed with the New Orleans Saints last year.

Mark Ingram signed a four year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, including a $3,600,000 signing bonus, $7,600,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4 million.

Honestly, I think the Cowboys will have to offer a contract in the range of what they offered DeMarco Murray last year to make sure he is wearing a star on his helmet 2016...


Free-Agent Target #2: Mario Williams, Defensive End

The Cowboys are in desperate need of an experienced defensive end with the departure of Greg Hardy and Jeremy Mincey, and that’s where Mario Williams enters the picture.

Technically, Williams is still under contract with the Buffalo Bills, but it is rumored that the two sides will part ways at some point in the off-season.

Williams never really fit into Rex Ryan’s defense and had a down year in 2015 because of it.

In 2014, Williams had 14.5 quarterback sacks and I believe that he would be the perfect addition to star opposite Demarcus Lawrence for the Cowboys defense in 2016.

Lawrence finally started to break out towards the end of the season in 2015 and looks to build on that success heading into next season. The only other defensive end that really has any playing experience is Randy Gregory, but like Lawrence he is considered somewhat undersized for the position and could be a liability in the run game.

The scary thing is Lawrence is the only defensive end that has registered a quarterback sack (8) in the NFL that is on the Cowboys roster. That is definitely something that has to change.

Williams would come in and fill the role that Julius Peppers filled under defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli in Chicago and would instantly improve the Cowboys pass rush the way they thought that Greg Hardy would last year.


At 31, Williams will probably be the third best option in free agency as a pass rusher behind only the Super Bowl MVP Von Miller and Miami Dolphins free agent defensive end Olivier Vernon. Both Miller and Vernon will most likely return to their respective teams, so that leaves Williams as the Cowboys top pass rushing target and possibly the most affordable...

Free-Agent Target #3 – Trumaine Johnson, Cornerback


Like defensive end, the Cowboys are extremely thin at the cornerback position and are lacking players with very much NFL experience.

Orlando Scandrick will be penciled in as one of the starting cornerbacks, but even he is coming off a major knee injury that cost him the entire 2015 season.

The Cowboys will have to make a business decision regarding Brandon Carr’s contract situation and even he may not be with the team once the 2016 season kicks off.

I believe that the Cowboys need to address the position in both free agency and through the draft.

Brandon Carr has kind of left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth in regards to paying a high salary contract to a cornerback in free agency, but there is one player that I think the Cowboys would benefit from adding to the roster.

Trumaine Johnson is a 6-2, 208 pound cornerback that is just starting to put things together on the field and that could be extremely beneficial when it comes to the Cowboys.


Johnson has struggled with injuries and consistency thus far in his NFL career, but he was finally able to put things together in 2015 and become a productive player in the St. Louis Rams secondary.

It is no secret that the Cowboys defense has struggled to create turnovers and fortunately that is one area where Johnson excelled at in 2015 when he’s able to haul in seven interceptions.

Personally, I think defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli will fall in love with Johnson due to the fact that he is good in both press man and off man/zone coverage which would allow Marinelli to play different coverages in the secondary then he has been able to in the past. Both Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne were better at press man and struggled in zone coverages.

According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson is the fifth best cornerback available in free agency and ranks second only behind Josh Norman allowing a 55.0 passer rating when targeted. PFF also has them ranked as the 19th best cornerback in 2015 with a overall player grade of 82.2...

 

[Kolemmitt]

I like all of those moves, but I do not see Dallas spending money on a FA RB. The other two would not surprise me at all.

 

[CCBoy]

I like all of those moves, but I do not see Dallas spending money on a FA RB. The other two would not surprise me at all.

This is what is committed to running back, right now, for this season:

1. $2,150,000 1.37% for Darren McFadden
2. $525,000 0.34% for Michael Hill
3. $525,000 0.34% for Rod Smith

This is what was paid for last season:

1. $271,764 0.2% Robert Turbin
2. $1,542,000 1.12% Lance Dunbar

Resigning both Turbin and Dunbar would take the cap hit up to around $4,000,000.

If Lamar Miller were added, it would be in the neighborhood of about $4,000,000.

That would push the entire RB positional group, thus constructed, to about $8,000,000.

Joseph Randle's hit for 2015 was $322,514.

If Dallas is still very cap conscious, things may go as you project, and a replacement salary in the range of Randle's last season via a day two or three running back drafted.

 

[Teague31]

Adding those three would be huge for this team

 

[gmoney112]

Three free agents the Cowboys can sign for a Super Bowl run
http://thelandryhat.com/2016/02/13/three-free-agents-cowboys-super-bowl-run/




...There is already a lot of talk swirling around amount to the Cowboys will draft in the first-round with their fourth overall selection, but no one can really predict what direction the team may go because we still don’t know what positions are addressed through free agency.

Over the past few off-seasons the Cowboys have been relatively active, but have really been able to spend wisely and kind of stayed away from the big name free agents that would cost more against the salary cap.

I think that this off-season we could see Jerry Jones target some of the bigger names in free agency and spend a little bit more to add some needed pieces to the team.

Let me tell you why I think this will happen.

First of all, the Cowboys are in pretty good shape salary cap wise and can probably sign a number of big name free agents if that’s the direction they want to go.

As of right now, the Cowboys are approximately $12 million under the salary cap and can create even more of a cushion if they decide to restructure some of their players such as Tyron Smith, Tyrone Crawford, and figuring out what to do with Brandon Carr.

Secondly, I think that Jones wants to pretty much go all in because Tony Romo’s window is closing and it’s just a matter of time until his playing days are over.

We all just witnessed the Denver Broncos win a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning attempting to resemble the player he once was, but unlike Manning, Romo still is playing in a high level when he’s healthy.

If Jones wants to make a run at the Super Bowl then it could start as early as the 2016 season.

Fortunately, there are quite a few players that will be available in free agency that can come in and not only fill some of the holes on the roster, but make an immediate impact by improving the talent level of those particular positions.

If I’m Jerry Jones these are the players I would target free agency to ensure that the Cowboys are giving themselves the best chance to make it back to the playoffs...

Free-Agent Target #1: Lamar Miller, Running Back

It may surprise you, but if you’ve read some of my previous articles you would know that Lamar Miller is my number one target for the Cowboys to go after in free agency.

Miller’s skill set and running style fits in perfectly with the Cowboys offense and will make fans completely forget about DeMarco Murray ever rejoining the team.

Don’t get me wrong, I think that Darren McFadden had a fantastic year once he finally took over the starting role, but the offensive line had to change their blocking scheme to help accommodate McFadden’s strength and hide his weaknesses.

They wouldn’t have to do that with Miller as the lead back and could get back to running that zone blocking scheme that they were so successful with when DeMarco Murray was the leading rusher in the NFL.

I don’t think that Miller will break the bank in free agency and I can see him signing a contract similar to what Mark Ingram signed with the New Orleans Saints last year.

Mark Ingram signed a four year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, including a $3,600,000 signing bonus, $7,600,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4 million.

Honestly, I think the Cowboys will have to offer a contract in the range of what they offered DeMarco Murray last year to make sure he is wearing a star on his helmet 2016...


Free-Agent Target #2: Mario Williams, Defensive End

The Cowboys are in desperate need of an experienced defensive end with the departure of Greg Hardy and Jeremy Mincey, and that’s where Mario Williams enters the picture.

Technically, Williams is still under contract with the Buffalo Bills, but it is rumored that the two sides will part ways at some point in the off-season.

Williams never really fit into Rex Ryan’s defense and had a down year in 2015 because of it.

In 2014, Williams had 14.5 quarterback sacks and I believe that he would be the perfect addition to star opposite Demarcus Lawrence for the Cowboys defense in 2016.

Lawrence finally started to break out towards the end of the season in 2015 and looks to build on that success heading into next season. The only other defensive end that really has any playing experience is Randy Gregory, but like Lawrence he is considered somewhat undersized for the position and could be a liability in the run game.

The scary thing is Lawrence is the only defensive end that has registered a quarterback sack (8) in the NFL that is on the Cowboys roster. That is definitely something that has to change.

Williams would come in and fill the role that Julius Peppers filled under defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli in Chicago and would instantly improve the Cowboys pass rush the way they thought that Greg Hardy would last year.


At 31, Williams will probably be the third best option in free agency as a pass rusher behind only the Super Bowl MVP Von Miller and Miami Dolphins free agent defensive end Olivier Vernon. Both Miller and Vernon will most likely return to their respective teams, so that leaves Williams as the Cowboys top pass rushing target and possibly the most affordable...

Free-Agent Target #3 – Trumaine Johnson, Cornerback


Like defensive end, the Cowboys are extremely thin at the cornerback position and are lacking players with very much NFL experience.

Orlando Scandrick will be penciled in as one of the starting cornerbacks, but even he is coming off a major knee injury that cost him the entire 2015 season.

The Cowboys will have to make a business decision regarding Brandon Carr’s contract situation and even he may not be with the team once the 2016 season kicks off.

I believe that the Cowboys need to address the position in both free agency and through the draft.

Brandon Carr has kind of left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth in regards to paying a high salary contract to a cornerback in free agency, but there is one player that I think the Cowboys would benefit from adding to the roster.

Trumaine Johnson is a 6-2, 208 pound cornerback that is just starting to put things together on the field and that could be extremely beneficial when it comes to the Cowboys.


Johnson has struggled with injuries and consistency thus far in his NFL career, but he was finally able to put things together in 2015 and become a productive player in the St. Louis Rams secondary.

It is no secret that the Cowboys defense has struggled to create turnovers and fortunately that is one area where Johnson excelled at in 2015 when he’s able to haul in seven interceptions.

Personally, I think defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli will fall in love with Johnson due to the fact that he is good in both press man and off man/zone coverage which would allow Marinelli to play different coverages in the secondary then he has been able to in the past. Both Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne were better at press man and struggled in zone coverages.

According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson is the fifth best cornerback available in free agency and ranks second only behind Josh Norman allowing a 55.0 passer rating when targeted. PFF also has them ranked as the 19th best cornerback in 2015 with a overall player grade of 82.2...

I think Brian has been reading my posts.

 

[Kolemmitt]

This is what is committed to running back, right now, for this season:

1. $2,150,000 1.37% for Darren McFadden
2. $525,000 0.34% for Michael Hill
3. $525,000 0.34% for Rod Smith

This is what was paid for last season:

1. $271,764 0.2% Robert Turbin
2. $1,542,000 1.12% Lance Dunbar

Resigning both Turbin and Dunbar would take the cap hit up to around $4,000,000.

If Lamar Miller were added, it would be in the neighborhood of about $4,000,000.

That would push the entire RB positional group, thus constructed, to about $8,000,000.

Joseph Randle's hit for 2015 was $322,514.

If Dallas is still very cap conscious, things may go as you project, and a replacement salary in the range of Randle's last season via a day two or three running back drafted.

I'm all for spending the money on Miller, I just think Jerry gets a "rule" in his mind and sticks to it.

To me, with all that we have dedicated to the O-line to not get a top flight RB is like paying for the body of a Ferrari, getting the best tires possible, buying a great stereo, but then going cheap on the engine. A top flight RB and a healthy Romo and Dez would put this team right back into the playoffs and even into the Superbowl mix. What makes it worse is that it is a buyers market for RB's. Guys like Miller and Martin would have commanded a lot more just a few years ago, but we still feel the need to go cheaper.