Quality Roster Building: Every position can be upgraded

[Bobhaze]

One of the worst habits too many fans get into (and Jerry used to) is to look at certain positions on the roster and say, “We’re set at that position”, then go into a draft as if certain positions or players were set in stone. That’s a recipe for nightmares like the 2000-2002 drafts we had or the infamous 2009 draft disaster. Fortunately, the FO has learned some good things about roster building.

In today’s NFL, it’s always good practice to view the roster every year with a desire to improve at every position. Last year’s “decent” starter can be this year’s below average player. We should never assume most players stay as effective as they were the year before.

Sure there are some stars or exceptional players, but the best GMs and HCs in this league are not committed to keeping “pet cats” around if there are better players to be had, especially in backup positions.

Depth is one of the hardest commodities to acquire in the NFL and I think the Cowboys are slowly getting better about building overall roster talent instead of the “fantasy football” style team building they used to have about 10-15 years ago. That style was based on having a few “stars” you paid almost all your cap space for, and then filled out the rest of your team with JAGs that wouldn’t start for 20 other teams.

In other words, when you build a team the right way, every position is in need of a potential upgrade. Whatever happens by the end of this offseason, I hope our FO has looked at upgrading every position. Having 15-20 new players every year is great if almost every one of them is better than the guys they replaced.

There may be 10-15 guys on this team that make up the core and cannot be replaced. Everyone else is replaceable with someone better. At least potentially.

Let’s get better at all positions!

 

[Whyjerry]

Not sure I agree. The cap forces you to make concessions. Can’t stack the roster. RB can’t be improved. LB can’t be improved. CBs can’t be improved. Interior OL is set. WR is set.
Can’t improve QB with this draft. I still think the goal is always best available player at a position of need.

 

[xwalker]

One of the worst habits too many fans get into (and Jerry used to) is to look at certain positions on the roster and say, “We’re set at that position”, then go into a draft as if certain positions or players were set in stone. That’s a recipe for nightmares like the 2000-2002 drafts we had or the infamous 2009 draft disaster. Fortunately, the FO has learned some good things about roster building.

In today’s NFL, it’s always good practice to view the roster every year with a desire to improve at every position. Last year’s “decent” starter can be this year’s below average player. We should never assume most players stay as effective as they were the year before.

Sure there are some stars or exceptional players, but the best GMs and HCs in this league are not committed to keeping “pet cats” around if there are better players to be had, especially in backup positions.

Depth is one of the hardest commodities to acquire in the NFL and I think the Cowboys are slowly getting better about building overall roster talent instead of the “fantasy football” style team building they used to have about 10-15 years ago. That style was based on having a few “stars” you paid almost all your cap space for, and then filled out the rest of your team with JAGs that wouldn’t start for 20 other teams.

In other words, when you build a team the right way, every position is in need of a potential upgrade. Whatever happens by the end of this offseason, I hope our FO has looked at upgrading every position. Having 15-20 new players every year is great if almost every one of them is better than the guys they replaced.

There may be 10-15 guys on this team that make up the core and cannot be replaced. Everyone else is replaceable with someone better. At least potentially.

Let’s get better at all positions!

The 2009 draft failed because the players they picked were not good.

They had planned to draft OC Max Unger at #51. Seattle traded up and drafted Unger at #49.

The Cowboys didn't have a backup plan and traded down.

They thought they could makeup for not having a 1st by drafting a large quantity of players.

The only player they had highly rated but passed on drafting was LeSean McCoy. They had Felix and Barber at RB. In retrospect they should have drafted McCoy but most teams would not have done that in their position.

A coach or scout made an off the cuff reference to drafting some players for special teams. He was referring to the later round pick which included a kicker. He did not mean they went into that draft to draft special teams players with the earlier picks.

People have since confused that quote about special teams players with a quote by Jerry in regards to the 1995 draft. Jerry literally did mean they picked backups and special teams players.

In 1995 they didn't draft in the 1st round. Sherman Williams was their initial pick in the 2nd and he was picked to be Emmitt's backup.

Tom Ciscowski started to get less power in the organization after the 2009 draft and Will McClay started to have a bigger role.

After the 2013 draft Ciskowski was basically sent to the basement and had his stapler taken away. That was the year they had DT Floyd rated as the BPA but Marinelli said during the draft that he Floyd was not worth a 1st round pick. Jerry decided to over-rule Ciskowski and traded down. Ciskowski had failed to review prospects with the coaches.

 

[Bobhaze]

Not sure I agree. The cap forces you to make concessions. Can’t stack the roster. RB can’t be improved. LB can’t be improved. CBs can’t be improved. Interior OL is set. WR is set.
Can’t improve QB with this draft. I still think the goal is always best available player at a position of need.

Improving the roster doesn’t mean signing a bunch of expensive FAs or paying big bucks to all your best players. Improving the roster at each position is usually done through a combo of the draft, smart FA signings and constant talent evaluations. It’s not about “stacking” the roster, just improving.

 

[Nightman]

The 2009 draft failed because the players they picked were not good.

They had planned to draft OC Max Unger at #51. Seattle traded up and drafted Unger at #49.

The Cowboys didn't have a backup plan and traded down.

They thought they could makeup for not having a 1st by drafting a large quantity of players.

The only player they had highly rated but passed on drafting was LeSean McCoy. They had Felix and Barber at RB. In retrospect they should have drafted McCoy but most teams would not have done that in their position.

A coach or scout made an off the cuff reference to drafting some players for special teams. He was referring to the later round pick which included a kicker. He did not mean they went into that draft to draft special teams players with the earlier picks.

People have since confused that quote about special teams players with a quote by Jerry in regards to the 1995 draft. Jerry literally did mean they picked backups and special teams players.

In 1995 they didn't draft in the 1st round. Sherman Williams was their initial pick in the 2nd and he was picked to be Emmitt's backup.

Tom Ciscowski started to get less power in the organization after the 2009 draft and Will McClay started to have a bigger role.

After the 2013 draft Ciskowski was basically sent to the basement and had his stapler taken away. That was the year they had DT Floyd rated as the BPA but Marinelli said during the draft that he Floyd was not worth a 1st round pick. Jerry decided to over-rule Ciskowski and traded down. Ciskowski had failed to review prospects with the coaches.

the 2009 Draft was bereft of talent from top to bottom .... the was no strong alternative to Unger

it was a horrible draft to have a lot of late picks

 

[PhillySpecial]

the 2009 Draft was bereft of talent from top to bottom .... the was no strong alternative to Unger

it was a horrible draft to have a lot of late picks

Wasn't the 2009 draft the one that had no players remaining in the NFL after 4 or 5 years? I'm pretty sure there was one such draft class, but don't remember which one. I think 2009 might be the one.

 

[Captain-Crash]

I hope we don't upgrade the qb position. We already have a guy better than Tom Brady,Rodgers and Brees.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Wasn't the 2009 draft the one that had no players remaining in the NFL after 4 or 5 years? I'm pretty sure there was one such draft class, but don't remember which one. I think 2009 might be the one.

Important in analyzing 2009, if true.

You or Nightman got evidence of the lack of talent, particularly where we were picking?

 

[America's Cowboy]

I hope we don't upgrade the qb position. We already have a guy better than Tom Brady,Rodgers and Brees.

Dak says HI... and GO FOLLOW ANOTHER TEAM.

 

[Nightman]

Important in analyzing 2009, if true.

You or Nightman got evidence of the lack of talent, particularly where we were picking?

Only one Top 10 even made a Probowl..... #1 Matt Stafford

Besides Unger, McCoy, Mike Wallace and Henry Melton there wasn't much talent after the 2nd round

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft

 

[Jipper]

Not sure I agree. The cap forces you to make concessions. Can’t stack the roster. RB can’t be improved. LB can’t be improved. CBs can’t be improved. Interior OL is set. WR is set.
Can’t improve QB with this draft. I still think the goal is always best available player at a position of need.

it's not just about the starter, it's also about depth...example is zeke...sure we can t get a better starter but we certainly can improve the backup or COP....

I think that's also part of what he was getting at

 

[PhillySpecial]

Important in analyzing 2009, if true.

You or Nightman got evidence of the lack of talent, particularly where we were picking?

I just looked at the 2009 draft. It wasn't that one. I thought there was a draft class not long ago where there were no players left in the NFL past 4 or 5 years.

 

[Whyjerry]

Improving the roster doesn’t mean signing a bunch of expensive FAs or paying big bucks to all your best players. Improving the roster at each position is usually done through a combo of the draft, smart FA signings and constant talent evaluations. It’s not about “stacking” the roster, just improving.

Of course. I didn’t say expensive FAs is the way. I just didn’t agree with the concept of improve at every position. For example, Dallas has 2 great young LBs and Sean Lee. Let’s say they had a top 10 pick and the best available was a LB. it would be a wasted pick because they need help at S and DT. If they didn’t think the S was worth a top 10 trade down until you get better value. That is my thoughts for what it’s worth.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Wasn't the 2009 draft the one that had no players remaining in the NFL after 4 or 5 years? I'm pretty sure there was one such draft class, but don't remember which one. I think 2009 might be the one.

No, it was bad but not close to being that bad. #1 pick Matthew Stanford and many others are still in the league.

He’ll, #5 pick Mark Sanchez is still hanging on.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Important in analyzing 2009, if true.

You or Nightman got evidence of the lack of talent, particularly where we were picking?

It was especially bad. The guy taken at our slot, #51 overall, Andy Levitre had a decent career. But nothing to get upset over.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Only one Top 10 even made a Probowl..... #1 Matt Stafford

Besides Unger, McCoy, Mike Wallace and Henry Melton there wasn't much talent after the 2nd round

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft

Funny enough, Arian Foster and Michael Bennett went undrafted that year.

 

[jterrell]

One of the worst habits too many fans get into (and Jerry used to) is to look at certain positions on the roster and say, “We’re set at that position”, then go into a draft as if certain positions or players were set in stone. That’s a recipe for nightmares like the 2000-2002 drafts we had or the infamous 2009 draft disaster. Fortunately, the FO has learned some good things about roster building.

In today’s NFL, it’s always good practice to view the roster every year with a desire to improve at every position. Last year’s “decent” starter can be this year’s below average player. We should never assume most players stay as effective as they were the year before.

Sure there are some stars or exceptional players, but the best GMs and HCs in this league are not committed to keeping “pet cats” around if there are better players to be had, especially in backup positions.

Depth is one of the hardest commodities to acquire in the NFL and I think the Cowboys are slowly getting better about building overall roster talent instead of the “fantasy football” style team building they used to have about 10-15 years ago. That style was based on having a few “stars” you paid almost all your cap space for, and then filled out the rest of your team with JAGs that wouldn’t start for 20 other teams.

In other words, when you build a team the right way, every position is in need of a potential upgrade. Whatever happens by the end of this offseason, I hope our FO has looked at upgrading every position. Having 15-20 new players every year is great if almost every one of them is better than the guys they replaced.

There may be 10-15 guys on this team that make up the core and cannot be replaced. Everyone else is replaceable with someone better. At least potentially.

Let’s get better at all positions!

The bigger issue is you don't build rosters for one year.
That is the largest mistake any team or Madden GM makes.
You consistently need to draft true to your board which means best player in your system and on your roster.
Should you draft Marty B with an entrenched HOF TE? Probably not. Should you draft a SDE when you have DLaw? Tougher call but if that is the best talent left than yes.

The team must continually look to improve cap efficiency. Right now 1 team does that. NE.And they are a dynasty for a reason that goes beyond great coaching and a great QB.

 

[Bobhaze]

Of course. I didn’t say expensive FAs is the way. I just didn’t agree with the concept of improve at every position. For example, Dallas has 2 great young LBs and Sean Lee. Let’s say they had a top 10 pick and the best available was a LB. it would be a wasted pick because they need help at S and DT. If they didn’t think the S was worth a top 10 trade down until you get better value. That is my thoughts for what it’s worth.

What about depth at each position? The draft isn’t just about getting starters, right?
For example- Yes, we have a great RB in Zeke, but that doesn’t make us “set” at that position. Do we have the best backup we could get? What if Zeke went down? At LB, we have 3 really good players, but do we have depth? Improving the roster should include looking at every position.

 

[Captain-Crash]

Dak says HI... and GO FOLLOW ANOTHER TEAM.

Thanks snowflake.

 

[GenoT]

While I agree that a team should routinely be contemplating upgrading most years at most positions, under a hard salary cap, you gotta time it right.