Practical Objectives (Roster)

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It seems as though many on this board are expecting too much out of one offseason. I know we have Dak for a couple of more seasons and the “window” with Dak is perceived to be short. But I believe that is shortsighted.

Practically there are too many holes to fill in one offseason with legitimate, proven players and a rookie draft class, unless we happen to strike pay dirt with some UDFAs and lesser known players that come in and out perform expectations.

Too many people believe that we must re-sign Pickens. I do NOT believe this is the right move. In order to extend Pickens Jerry is going to have to overpay Pickens. That’s going to wreck the cap and limit options going forward.

I don’t believe that it is very realistic to build a Super Bowl roster for next season, so the goal should be to make a serious run the year after next. We need to be constructing the roster to allow flexibility in completing this roster year after next.

I know Pickens should be tagged. And he will be. But Pickens should get shipped out in a trade so that we can fix this defense. IF PICKENS IS WORTH $35M per year on a long term deal, he is worth at least a first round pick. Regardless I ship him out to the highest bidder.

Pickens could get us a legit premium draft pick, or picks, but we should also be looking to add a player or players along with those draft picks that bolster the depth on this roster cheaply. It can be a starter but even cheap quality depth will help for that run two years from now. Maybe a middle tier receiver along with the pick or picks.

If I am Jerry and co I am playing the long game and trying to maximize the ammo that those two first round picks provide me. The Cowboys will need to decide whether taking player(s) at 12 and 20 will be more impactful (based on the totality) or whether a trade (or trades) back will be of more assistance in the long run.

This team needs to get it RIGHT this offseason. But RIGHT doesn’t mean COMPLETE. It doesn’t mean we can’t TRY to fill all the holes (we definitely should) but not at the expense of creating cap hell for a one or two year window.

That’s why I’m moving Pickens. I’m going to keep my salary cap healthy and I’m going to try to replace him with the next Pickens or St. Brown or whoever. I’m going to trust in my development of Flournoy. I’m not giving up on a superior receiving corps but I’m not building it at the expense of the defense.

I’m also taking real football players in the draft. No more forced picks of Bossman Fat, Taco, or Hill. If my next Tyron Smith is there at 12 or 20 I’m pulling the trigger on him. If Dak’s replacement is there, he’s a Cowboy.

If the Cowboys will stop trying to fill holes with draft picks and just draft good football players we will RAPIDLY acquire talent. We also have to be aggressive in free agency. A couple of legitimate defenders should be picked up in free agency.

WE REALLY DONT WANT TWO THINGS:

1. Reaching for need in the draft
2. Wrecking the salary cap adding one or two more players that won’t put us over the top because we are not two or three players away.

I know this is a long post, but that’s my view of the situation. The worst case scenario is wrecking the cap and then having 5-10 more years of mediocrity. Let’s build this the right way.
 
Sorry but I disagree. Signing Pickens is all about length of contract and guaranteed money. Jerry has been playing the long game for 30 years and has gotten us no where. The cap is just a tool if you work it correctly.

We have been in situations because they didn't work the cap or contracts correctly but they seem to be doing better. Believe they will be far more proactive this year in free agency especially on the D side.

Jerry is what 84 or so. I think he wants another Super Bowl before he leaves this world and even 2 years might be to long.
 
2. Wrecking the salary cap adding one or two more players that won’t put us over the top because we are not two or three players away.
If we had kept and overpaid Parsons i would agree 100%.....but the fact is that we picked up two great DTs and still have an extra 1st rd pick.

2 more above average defensive starters in the draft and 2 proven above average defensive starters in free agency and the defense can have a chance of getting top 16.
 
It seems as though many on this board are expecting too much out of one offseason.
Cowboys need 5-6 legit defensive players. They have the salary cap and draft picks to make that happen and still keep Pickens.

Don't underestimate how much good coaching matters. And how much bad coaching there was last year.
 
I'm not expecting too much but maybe hoping for too much out of the draft and Free Agency. It'd be nice if we could get legit plug-and-play starters at LB, CB, Safety and Edge and maybe someone to compete at RT. Too many needs to go after a LT and I think it's worth giving Guyton another go.

The only wrong thing to do with Pickens is to let him walk. Tag and trade is probably the best move and I'd think he would command at least a first-round pick, maybe more. I wouldn't be distraught over signing him long-term if they can work some magic and still be able to get a couple outside FAs, as well as re-sign Javonte.
 
The problem that I see is that some people are overlooking the fact that the players we need may not be on the board when we draft. At that point you either go a different direction or reach for need.

Reaching for need is a fool’s errand. We need to add quality players in the draft. If it fills a need all the better.
 
Sorry but I disagree. Signing Pickens is all about length of contract and guaranteed money. Jerry has been playing the long game for 30 years and has gotten us no where. The cap is just a tool if you work it correctly.

We have been in situations because they didn't work the cap or contracts correctly but they seem to be doing better. Believe they will be far more proactive this year in free agency especially on the D side.

Jerry is what 84 or so. I think he wants another Super Bowl before he leaves this world and even 2 years might be to long.
Jerry has most definitely not been playing the long game.

He’s been playing the one player away game for years.
 
The problem that I see is that some people are overlooking the fact that the players we need may not be on the board when we draft. At that point you either go a different direction or reach for need.

Reaching for need is a fool’s errand. We need to add quality players in the draft. If it fills a need all the better.
That's true. What happens if they have their sights on the Safety Downs at 12 or another premium defensive player, but both get taken before the Cowboys' pick? Their next defensive player, however, is someone who they think will still be there at 20. But sitting there at number 12 is Jordan Love, the top RB in this year's draft. I would rather draft him, then reach on a guy at a position of need with a draft ranking in the bottom half of the 1st round or top of the 2nd round.
 
Get 3 starters in FA 2 in the draft
Doesn't seem like a difficult strategy does it - at least not for other teams. Give me 2-3 difference makers in FA over the same 7-8 dollar-store JAGs we have been getting, only to see half of them not make the final 53-cut or end up getting cut during the season, like Elam.
 
It seems as though many on this board are expecting too much out of one offseason. I know we have Dak for a couple of more seasons and the “window” with Dak is perceived to be short. But I believe that is shortsighted.

Practically there are too many holes to fill in one offseason with legitimate, proven players and a rookie draft class, unless we happen to strike pay dirt with some UDFAs and lesser known players that come in and out perform expectations.

Too many people believe that we must re-sign Pickens. I do NOT believe this is the right move. In order to extend Pickens Jerry is going to have to overpay Pickens. That’s going to wreck the cap and limit options going forward.

I don’t believe that it is very realistic to build a Super Bowl roster for next season, so the goal should be to make a serious run the year after next. We need to be constructing the roster to allow flexibility in completing this roster year after next.

I know Pickens should be tagged. And he will be. But Pickens should get shipped out in a trade so that we can fix this defense. IF PICKENS IS WORTH $35M per year on a long term deal, he is worth at least a first round pick. Regardless I ship him out to the highest bidder.

Pickens could get us a legit premium draft pick, or picks, but we should also be looking to add a player or players along with those draft picks that bolster the depth on this roster cheaply. It can be a starter but even cheap quality depth will help for that run two years from now. Maybe a middle tier receiver along with the pick or picks.

If I am Jerry and co I am playing the long game and trying to maximize the ammo that those two first round picks provide me. The Cowboys will need to decide whether taking player(s) at 12 and 20 will be more impactful (based on the totality) or whether a trade (or trades) back will be of more assistance in the long run.

This team needs to get it RIGHT this offseason. But RIGHT doesn’t mean COMPLETE. It doesn’t mean we can’t TRY to fill all the holes (we definitely should) but not at the expense of creating cap hell for a one or two year window.

That’s why I’m moving Pickens. I’m going to keep my salary cap healthy and I’m going to try to replace him with the next Pickens or St. Brown or whoever. I’m going to trust in my development of Flournoy. I’m not giving up on a superior receiving corps but I’m not building it at the expense of the defense.

I’m also taking real football players in the draft. No more forced picks of Bossman Fat, Taco, or Hill. If my next Tyron Smith is there at 12 or 20 I’m pulling the trigger on him. If Dak’s replacement is there, he’s a Cowboy.

If the Cowboys will stop trying to fill holes with draft picks and just draft good football players we will RAPIDLY acquire talent. We also have to be aggressive in free agency. A couple of legitimate defenders should be picked up in free agency.

WE REALLY DONT WANT TWO THINGS:

1. Reaching for need in the draft
2. Wrecking the salary cap adding one or two more players that won’t put us over the top because we are not two or three players away.

I know this is a long post, but that’s my view of the situation. The worst case scenario is wrecking the cap and then having 5-10 more years of mediocrity. Let’s build this the right way.
They are taking bids on Pickens because of his agent. They could very well tag and trade him if a deal can't be reached.
 
So this is another Pickens hate thread in disguise. You were the same way toward Dez......

You would be surprised by the large percentage of Cowboys outside this board who want Jerry to sign him to a long-term deal.
 
Going to have to disagree with the OP. Pickens is affordable. We just need to restructure some key players like Dak and Lamb. Plus, the cap just went up around $20–25 million, so we can afford to sign Pickens and spread the cap over many years.

If you look at the defenses of both Seattle and Philadelphia, there were no glaring stars that totally dominate. Seattle, with all the pressure they put on their opponents, doesn't have one player with more than eight sacks.

We don't need stars on defense. We need good players who are coached up to become stars.

This is simply what Dallas doesn't do. That's why our drafts have been absolutely abysmal. If we don't fix that, nothing will.
 

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