jday
Well-Known Member
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Okay, this issue is going to have enough threads to knit a quilt as big as a football field, but if not just for my own peace of mind, let me see if I can justify cutting T.O.. And keep in mind, I was one of those who, while I don't consider myself a apologist, did support keeping T.O. with his contribution in mind and the fact that it hurt the Cap more than it helped.
Pro
Along with keeping T.O., I have also been a supporter of the idea of a more balanced attack in 09, considering the other weapons we have, particularly in our stable of backs. The combination of Barber, Felix, and Choice, could prove to be an adequate replacement for T.O.'s production.
Con
How much of T.O. as a decoy contributed to the success of these players, whom all have never known this offense without T.O.? That, to me, is the only big question. Look at NY without Plaxico. Without Plaxico, teams were able to crowd the box with 8, and it didn't matter if it was Jacobs, Ward, or Dixon running the ball, they were pretty much stuffed at the line.
Pro
Witten, Roy Williams, Martellus Bennett, Miles Austin, and Patrick Crayton should all still be able to make defenses pay for that approach. In particular, I am hoping for RW, Martellus, and Miles Austin to have break out years in 09 to make up for what we lost in T.O.
Con
Was T.O. really the source of the problem? Or was the media largely responsible for the cancer T.O. was made out to be? Personally, I think much more was made of T.O.'s presence than the problems it was sighted for causing. Take for instance the charge that he was a lockerroom cancer. Only the media has made this claim. Now the bigger question is, could the media in fact be the biggest problem with team chemistry? And does the removal of T.O. solve this problem one way or the other?
Pro
It could be argued, even if T.O. wasn't a cancer but merely the catalyst to the media becoming a cancer, that the problem is still solved.
Con
But is it? Because what if the Cowboys continue to lose. Who then becomes the scapegoat? Romo? Wade? Garrett? Jerry Jones? The truth is, we as fans and the media will always find someone to point a finger at in the wake of losing? And since the Cap is rendering quite a few casualties, particularly on defense, losing could very well be something we see quite a bit of in 09. Currently, DE, DT, ILB, SS, and CB all need to be addressed with the losses of Chris Canty, Tank Johnson, Zach Thomas, Kevin Burnett, Roy Williams, Anthony Henry, and Pacman Jones. All 7 players were starters on defense. That's 7 of 11 starting players. Pretty significant turnover. And now we may have to focus on WR, as well. Not good.
Pro
Are these losses going to be felt to the extent that our defense becomes a revolving door? Can, what should become, 11 picks overall be used to shore up the losses we have experienced? Personally, I think if our focus is defense up front, players like Jarron Gilbert, Dorell Scott, David Bruton, Daniel Holtzclaw, and (possibly) Domonique Johnson could still be available at the point of our first five picks and could provide ample production to replace the loss of the aforementioned Free Agents. Furthermore, the acquisition of Keith Brooking, many have argued, is an upgrade to Zach Thomas and Scandrick and Jenkins are decent replacements for Anthony Henry and Pacman.
Con
That is relying on quite a bit of youth to be productive. Do we really think that a combination of rookies and sophmore players can provide the same impact as the players we lost?
Pro
I'm not asking for the same impact. I'm asking for an impact that affords our offense the ability to outscore the other team. Having a defense that is as good as the Steelers or Baltimore is only necessary if you have an offense like they have. We, on the other hand, have players who can score at any time at any point on the field.
Con
Not necessarily. Not only does the cutting of T.O. create a void at WR, it also, in a way, creates a void at OL. Because now we are asking an OL that we currently have to become good at run blocking an screen plays and sweeps, when due to their overall size and lack of speed, are more geared towards a passing offense. So, those high pick you are spending on defense, might be needed to pick up a younger offensive lineman or two that can get to the second level to seal the edge and/or lead block down the field in screen situations.
Pro
Believe it or not, those types of players should still be available late in the 2nd day. Guys like Lydon Murtha and Ryan Delrosal might not be the most technically sound blockers, but for their size they have good wheels (Lydon at 6-7 306 ran a 4.89 and Ryan at 6-5 313 rana 4.94). So long as they aren't getting matadored out of the way, they could be effective in holding up a LB or two long enough for our speedster Felix to get around the corner and up the field for positive yardage.
Con
Okay, but what receivers will be available late in the second day?
Pro
Johnny Knox maybe. What type of receiver are we looking for in the draft, after spending our 1st, 3rd, and 5th on bringing in Roy Williams? Is there any receivers in the draft who will available with our 51st pick overall who would replace our top 3 receivers? I'm guessing no, so if anything we are looking for someone who can compete to be a situational slot receiver. Knox, at 6-0 185 and a 4.34 40, would be ideal used in this role, and could be available as late as the 5th round if not later.
Con
Still not sold. There are too many question marks behind every player. Roy Williams showed us nothing. Patrick Crayton is inconsistent. Miles Austin is an injury waiting to happen and still hasn't proven he can be a reliable option. Felix injured first year. Barber looked better as a back up. Choice came in at the end of the year; how will he play seeing significant carries throughout the season? Bennett has ability, no question there, but he's still young, and has already had a brush with off the field issues. Same could be said of Anthony Spencer and his excellent training camp never seemed to translate to gameday, as he consistently got tide up with blockers and moved no further. Romo - every time he throws, I close my eyes and hold my breath as I don't know what to expect, be it a good pass or a horrible interception. The OL as a whole is inconsistent and their success in 07 was in large part due to Romo's ability to move around; to many mental errors led to sacks, penalties and injuries in 08. The DL will only have two experienced full time starters in the rotation next year. The linebacking core is probably the one bright spot of this entire team, considering we have with Demarcus Ware and Bradie James, but after those two players, we have question marks with Greg Ellis being an aging veteran and Keith Brooking who is new to the team. Behind these players, outside of Anthony Spencer, whom I have already touched on, is Bobbie Carpenter who has already been dubbed a bust and Justin Rogers who barely made the 53 man roster in 08. Ken Hamlin has been inconsistent and was considered the primary reason we lost in Baltimore with two huge missed tackles that led to 2 offensive touchdowns, one after the other. Jenkins doesn't seem to have a killer instinct, as he avoided contact in a few situations in 08. Am I missing anyone? Every player on this team, for the exception a few players, is wearing a question mark. Can you honestly say that all those questions will be answered positively in 09?
Pro
No. I can say welcome to football. That is why it is considered the chess of sports. Granted, the Cowboys have far more questions going into 09 than they did going into 08, but what does that mean? I would say the Cowboys had more questions going into 07 than they did in 06 and they had a 13-3 season in 07. Who knows what can happen. Just because a team experiences alot of turnover, doesn't mean they can't have success. It is what it is. Like it or lump it, you'll still watch every preseason and regular season game. The upside of this situation is our hopes will be tempered and this team will not be dubbed the paper champion. If we see another 9-7 season, it's not like we went into this season with the same expectations as we had in 08, and chances are we will see more turnover that many of the doom and gloomers have been praying for (e.g. Wade will be gone, and a new coach will likely want to bring his own staff). The good news is, we are nowhere close to needing to scrap the team, as a whole. We still have alot of talented youth and Romo should have several more years in him. A Super Bowl is not out of reach with any given team. As we've seen, if they can get hot at the right time, anything can happen.
Pro
Along with keeping T.O., I have also been a supporter of the idea of a more balanced attack in 09, considering the other weapons we have, particularly in our stable of backs. The combination of Barber, Felix, and Choice, could prove to be an adequate replacement for T.O.'s production.
Con
How much of T.O. as a decoy contributed to the success of these players, whom all have never known this offense without T.O.? That, to me, is the only big question. Look at NY without Plaxico. Without Plaxico, teams were able to crowd the box with 8, and it didn't matter if it was Jacobs, Ward, or Dixon running the ball, they were pretty much stuffed at the line.
Pro
Witten, Roy Williams, Martellus Bennett, Miles Austin, and Patrick Crayton should all still be able to make defenses pay for that approach. In particular, I am hoping for RW, Martellus, and Miles Austin to have break out years in 09 to make up for what we lost in T.O.
Con
Was T.O. really the source of the problem? Or was the media largely responsible for the cancer T.O. was made out to be? Personally, I think much more was made of T.O.'s presence than the problems it was sighted for causing. Take for instance the charge that he was a lockerroom cancer. Only the media has made this claim. Now the bigger question is, could the media in fact be the biggest problem with team chemistry? And does the removal of T.O. solve this problem one way or the other?
Pro
It could be argued, even if T.O. wasn't a cancer but merely the catalyst to the media becoming a cancer, that the problem is still solved.
Con
But is it? Because what if the Cowboys continue to lose. Who then becomes the scapegoat? Romo? Wade? Garrett? Jerry Jones? The truth is, we as fans and the media will always find someone to point a finger at in the wake of losing? And since the Cap is rendering quite a few casualties, particularly on defense, losing could very well be something we see quite a bit of in 09. Currently, DE, DT, ILB, SS, and CB all need to be addressed with the losses of Chris Canty, Tank Johnson, Zach Thomas, Kevin Burnett, Roy Williams, Anthony Henry, and Pacman Jones. All 7 players were starters on defense. That's 7 of 11 starting players. Pretty significant turnover. And now we may have to focus on WR, as well. Not good.
Pro
Are these losses going to be felt to the extent that our defense becomes a revolving door? Can, what should become, 11 picks overall be used to shore up the losses we have experienced? Personally, I think if our focus is defense up front, players like Jarron Gilbert, Dorell Scott, David Bruton, Daniel Holtzclaw, and (possibly) Domonique Johnson could still be available at the point of our first five picks and could provide ample production to replace the loss of the aforementioned Free Agents. Furthermore, the acquisition of Keith Brooking, many have argued, is an upgrade to Zach Thomas and Scandrick and Jenkins are decent replacements for Anthony Henry and Pacman.
Con
That is relying on quite a bit of youth to be productive. Do we really think that a combination of rookies and sophmore players can provide the same impact as the players we lost?
Pro
I'm not asking for the same impact. I'm asking for an impact that affords our offense the ability to outscore the other team. Having a defense that is as good as the Steelers or Baltimore is only necessary if you have an offense like they have. We, on the other hand, have players who can score at any time at any point on the field.
Con
Not necessarily. Not only does the cutting of T.O. create a void at WR, it also, in a way, creates a void at OL. Because now we are asking an OL that we currently have to become good at run blocking an screen plays and sweeps, when due to their overall size and lack of speed, are more geared towards a passing offense. So, those high pick you are spending on defense, might be needed to pick up a younger offensive lineman or two that can get to the second level to seal the edge and/or lead block down the field in screen situations.
Pro
Believe it or not, those types of players should still be available late in the 2nd day. Guys like Lydon Murtha and Ryan Delrosal might not be the most technically sound blockers, but for their size they have good wheels (Lydon at 6-7 306 ran a 4.89 and Ryan at 6-5 313 rana 4.94). So long as they aren't getting matadored out of the way, they could be effective in holding up a LB or two long enough for our speedster Felix to get around the corner and up the field for positive yardage.
Con
Okay, but what receivers will be available late in the second day?
Pro
Johnny Knox maybe. What type of receiver are we looking for in the draft, after spending our 1st, 3rd, and 5th on bringing in Roy Williams? Is there any receivers in the draft who will available with our 51st pick overall who would replace our top 3 receivers? I'm guessing no, so if anything we are looking for someone who can compete to be a situational slot receiver. Knox, at 6-0 185 and a 4.34 40, would be ideal used in this role, and could be available as late as the 5th round if not later.
Con
Still not sold. There are too many question marks behind every player. Roy Williams showed us nothing. Patrick Crayton is inconsistent. Miles Austin is an injury waiting to happen and still hasn't proven he can be a reliable option. Felix injured first year. Barber looked better as a back up. Choice came in at the end of the year; how will he play seeing significant carries throughout the season? Bennett has ability, no question there, but he's still young, and has already had a brush with off the field issues. Same could be said of Anthony Spencer and his excellent training camp never seemed to translate to gameday, as he consistently got tide up with blockers and moved no further. Romo - every time he throws, I close my eyes and hold my breath as I don't know what to expect, be it a good pass or a horrible interception. The OL as a whole is inconsistent and their success in 07 was in large part due to Romo's ability to move around; to many mental errors led to sacks, penalties and injuries in 08. The DL will only have two experienced full time starters in the rotation next year. The linebacking core is probably the one bright spot of this entire team, considering we have with Demarcus Ware and Bradie James, but after those two players, we have question marks with Greg Ellis being an aging veteran and Keith Brooking who is new to the team. Behind these players, outside of Anthony Spencer, whom I have already touched on, is Bobbie Carpenter who has already been dubbed a bust and Justin Rogers who barely made the 53 man roster in 08. Ken Hamlin has been inconsistent and was considered the primary reason we lost in Baltimore with two huge missed tackles that led to 2 offensive touchdowns, one after the other. Jenkins doesn't seem to have a killer instinct, as he avoided contact in a few situations in 08. Am I missing anyone? Every player on this team, for the exception a few players, is wearing a question mark. Can you honestly say that all those questions will be answered positively in 09?
Pro
No. I can say welcome to football. That is why it is considered the chess of sports. Granted, the Cowboys have far more questions going into 09 than they did going into 08, but what does that mean? I would say the Cowboys had more questions going into 07 than they did in 06 and they had a 13-3 season in 07. Who knows what can happen. Just because a team experiences alot of turnover, doesn't mean they can't have success. It is what it is. Like it or lump it, you'll still watch every preseason and regular season game. The upside of this situation is our hopes will be tempered and this team will not be dubbed the paper champion. If we see another 9-7 season, it's not like we went into this season with the same expectations as we had in 08, and chances are we will see more turnover that many of the doom and gloomers have been praying for (e.g. Wade will be gone, and a new coach will likely want to bring his own staff). The good news is, we are nowhere close to needing to scrap the team, as a whole. We still have alot of talented youth and Romo should have several more years in him. A Super Bowl is not out of reach with any given team. As we've seen, if they can get hot at the right time, anything can happen.
