Rarely does a 13-3 team have this many question marks

[Killerinstinct]

With the large number of free agents and the Romo issue this is shaping up to be an extremely important offseason.

3/4 of the starting defensive backfield could be gone and one key contributor as a backup
Starting LG could be gone.
WR2 and his backup could be gone.
Unless Morris is kept, or Mcfadden re-signed backup RB is an issue
DE is a sore spot
DT might need an addition.
RT might be an issue
Who will be the backup QB?
Jaylon Smiths uncertainty makes the LB position not set in concrete.

I like to view these question marks as an opportunity to improve the team in most cases.

Carr, Claiborne and Wilcox. None of these guys have lived up to their potential but amazingly all 3 showed some glimpses of what they are capable of. Contract years have a way of bringing out the best in people.

Church has outplayed expectations but really could stand to be upgraded. I think an improvement at SS makes the entire defense better.

I am fine if all 4 are gone but it would require using some resources.

Leary leaving is probably not a big problem as we have his replacement in house.

WR 2 is not a huge issue to me either as there will be some quality receivers in the draft and there are usually some decent low priced FA's available for our needs. Worst case scenario is Butler is re-signed and he shouldn't be too expensive.

RB I would like to see Mcfadden re-signed but this might be his last chance to get paid so he might be looking for more than we can offer.

DE looks like an area that will definitely need to be addressed and possibly twice.

DT If DE is addressed then Crawford and even Irving can move to DT and it is resolved.

RT Chaz Green is the key. Do they think he is going to be ready? If not keeping Free one more year might be in the works as well as finding another RT via draft or FA. I personally would like to see us move on from Free.

QB I would like to see Moore re-signed as backup and he shouldn't break the bank.

LB let's hope Jaylon Smith is ready to go this year and he is what he was believed to be.

Will we be plugging in replacements or will we be upgrading? That is the key to this offseason. IMO!

 

[rwalters31]

With the large number of free agents and the Romo issue this is shaping up to be an extremely important offseason.

3/4 of the starting defensive backfield could be gone and one key contributor as a backup
Starting LG could be gone.
WR2 and his backup could be gone.
Unless Morris is kept, or Mcfadden re-signed backup RB is an issue
DE is a sore spot
DT might need an addition.
RT might be an issue
Who will be the backup QB?
Jaylon Smiths uncertainty makes the LB position not set in concrete.

I like to view these question marks as an opportunity to improve the team in most cases.

Carr, Claiborne and Wilcox. None of these guys have lived up to their potential but amazingly all 3 showed some glimpses of what they are capable of. Contract years have a way of bringing out the best in people.

Church has outplayed expectations but really could stand to be upgraded. I think an improvement at SS makes the entire defense better.

I am fine if all 4 are gone but it would require using some resources.

Leary leaving is probably not a big problem as we have his replacement in house.

WR 2 is not a huge issue to me either as there will be some quality receivers in the draft and there are usually some decent low priced FA's available for our needs. Worst case scenario is Butler is re-signed and he shouldn't be too expensive.

RB I would like to see Mcfadden re-signed but this might be his last chance to get paid so he might be looking for more than we can offer.

DE looks like an area that will definitely need to be addressed and possibly twice.

DT If DE is addressed then Crawford and even Irving can move to DT and it is resolved.

RT Chaz Green is the key. Do they think he is going to be ready? If not keeping Free one more year might be in the works as well as finding another RT via draft or FA. I personally would like to see us move on from Free.

QB I would like to see Moore re-signed as backup and he shouldn't break the bank.

LB let's hope Jaylon Smith is ready to go this year and he is what he was believed to be.

Will we be plugging in replacements or will we be upgrading? That is the key to this offseason. IMO!

The word is out that the Cowboys will let all the DL go except two. The draft and UDFA will be the DL this year. I mean, how bad can that be when last years DL could not put pressure on the other teams QB? Same results but younger. What do you say?

 

[robjay04]

Most teams have a lot of question marks every season. Free agency tends to do that. I would bet over half of our team is different now compared to 2014. You just need a good core of guys today in the NFL, we have that and we have a QB making 700K which is a huge advantage.

Chances are, we will sign back several of our own guys, try to moderately upgrade a few of our free agents and rely on the draft.

Heck I believe our 4-12 team had even more questions last season.

 

[Bullflop]

For this team to progress to a 13-3 regular season record as they did, to me, it serves to emphasize the impact that Dak and Zeke had on the offense to glean as much success as they did. They did so, despite a limited defense. If the defense progresses sufficiently to allow them to be better than average, another 13-3 season might even be repeatable, despite a tougher schedule being in store for us next season.

 

[Thomas82]

Don't forget about our situation at TE. Witten might retire after next season, we have 2 other TEs coming back from season-ending surgeries, and a basketball player trying to make the transition to football.

 

[Killerinstinct]

Don't forget about our situation at TE. Witten might retire after next season, we have 2 other TEs coming back from season-ending surgeries, and a basketball player trying to make the transition to football.

With the amount of immediate needs we have right now I hope we wait another year to draft a TE.

I figure at best we will get 4 contributors out of the draft. We can maybe stretch that if We can find a KR in later rounds or a Backup O-lineman. This is assuming we don't draft any injured players that we end up redshirting and that is a big if since we do that a lot.

 

[RJ_MacReady]

The word is out that the Cowboys will let all the DL go except two.

Where did you hear this?

 

[xwalker]

The word is out that the Cowboys will let all the DL go except two. The draft and UDFA will be the DL this year. I mean, how bad can that be when last years DL could not put pressure on the other teams QB? Same results but younger. What do you say?

Nobody knows that. It's just random speculation from the media.

 

[big dog cowboy]

With the large number of free agents and the Romo issue this is shaping up to be an extremely important offseason.

3/4 of the starting defensive backfield could be gone and one key contributor as a backup
Starting LG could be gone.
WR2 and his backup could be gone.
Unless Morris is kept, or Mcfadden re-signed backup RB is an issue
DE is a sore spot
DT might need an addition.
RT might be an issue
Who will be the backup QB?
Jaylon Smiths uncertainty makes the LB position not set in concrete.

I like to view these question marks as an opportunity to improve the team in most cases.

Carr, Claiborne and Wilcox. None of these guys have lived up to their potential but amazingly all 3 showed some glimpses of what they are capable of. Contract years have a way of bringing out the best in people.

Church has outplayed expectations but really could stand to be upgraded. I think an improvement at SS makes the entire defense better.

I am fine if all 4 are gone but it would require using some resources.

Leary leaving is probably not a big problem as we have his replacement in house.

WR 2 is not a huge issue to me either as there will be some quality receivers in the draft and there are usually some decent low priced FA's available for our needs. Worst case scenario is Butler is re-signed and he shouldn't be too expensive.

RB I would like to see Mcfadden re-signed but this might be his last chance to get paid so he might be looking for more than we can offer.

DE looks like an area that will definitely need to be addressed and possibly twice.

DT If DE is addressed then Crawford and even Irving can move to DT and it is resolved.

RT Chaz Green is the key. Do they think he is going to be ready? If not keeping Free one more year might be in the works as well as finding another RT via draft or FA. I personally would like to see us move on from Free.

QB I would like to see Moore re-signed as backup and he shouldn't break the bank.

LB let's hope Jaylon Smith is ready to go this year and he is what he was believed to be.

Will we be plugging in replacements or will we be upgrading? That is the key to this offseason. IMO!

That is the primary reason I don't get all the posts from people saying we should let TWill and Butler go at WR and let Mo and Carr at CB and so on. There are only so many draft picks and mid level FA's that the Cowboys can sign.

Some of the Cowboys FA's will need to be resigned. That is just the harsh reality of the situation. The moaning and groaning will be very loud when that happens. But you can only fill so many holes each off season.

 

[Killerinstinct]

The word is out that the Cowboys will let all the DL go except two. The draft and UDFA will be the DL this year. I mean, how bad can that be when last years DL could not put pressure on the other teams QB? Same results but younger. What do you say?

Well I guess Mcclain could be gone. Jack Crawford and Davis will likely be gone and there is a chance we move on from Thornton too but Dlaw, Mayowa, Irving, Crawford, Tapper, Collins will all be here. Gregory will be here too although he won't be available. We definitely need more DE's.

 

[Killerinstinct]

That is the primary reason I don't get all the posts from people saying we should let TWill and Butler go at WR and let Mo and Carr at CB and so on. There are only so many draft picks and mid level FA's that the Cowboys can sign.

Some of the Cowboys FA's will need to be resigned. That is just the harsh reality of the situation. The moaning and groaning will be very loud when that happens. But you can only fill so many holes each off season.

I agree but if your not improving your falling behind. The key will be which FA's are brought back and what resources are used in the draft and FA. Will is result in upgrading the team or not? That is what is important.

 

[xwalker]

With the large number of free agents and the Romo issue this is shaping up to be an extremely important offseason.

3/4 of the starting defensive backfield could be gone and one key contributor as a backup
Starting LG could be gone.
WR2 and his backup could be gone.
Unless Morris is kept, or Mcfadden re-signed backup RB is an issue
DE is a sore spot
DT might need an addition.
RT might be an issue
Who will be the backup QB?
Jaylon Smiths uncertainty makes the LB position not set in concrete.

I like to view these question marks as an opportunity to improve the team in most cases.

Carr, Claiborne and Wilcox. None of these guys have lived up to their potential but amazingly all 3 showed some glimpses of what they are capable of. Contract years have a way of bringing out the best in people.

Church has outplayed expectations but really could stand to be upgraded. I think an improvement at SS makes the entire defense better.

I am fine if all 4 are gone but it would require using some resources.

Leary leaving is probably not a big problem as we have his replacement in house.

WR 2 is not a huge issue to me either as there will be some quality receivers in the draft and there are usually some decent low priced FA's available for our needs. Worst case scenario is Butler is re-signed and he shouldn't be too expensive.

RB I would like to see Mcfadden re-signed but this might be his last chance to get paid so he might be looking for more than we can offer.

DE looks like an area that will definitely need to be addressed and possibly twice.

DT If DE is addressed then Crawford and even Irving can move to DT and it is resolved.

RT Chaz Green is the key. Do they think he is going to be ready? If not keeping Free one more year might be in the works as well as finding another RT via draft or FA. I personally would like to see us move on from Free.

QB I would like to see Moore re-signed as backup and he shouldn't break the bank.

LB let's hope Jaylon Smith is ready to go this year and he is what he was believed to be.

Will we be plugging in replacements or will we be upgrading? That is the key to this offseason. IMO!

The primary question this off-season is re-sign average type players that you know how they fit in the scheme and in the locker-room or go outside to look for possibly better players that are more expensive but that you don't know personally or how well they fit in the scheme.

It is basically:
Safe/average vs Risk/above-average

They won 13 games with guys like Carr, Church and TWill as starters but all of them have limitations. It's easy to say just re-sign Carr and Claiborne for cheap but then they're not going to sign a better more expensive player because Carr is still going to get over 4M and Claiborne is still going to get at least about 3M.

They could have had huge problem this season without TWilliams. Dez has a lot of limitations as a #1 WR and Beasley is great but limited from a scheme perspective due to size. Butler was way too inconsistent to replace TWill. Witten is great but also puts limitations on the scheme due to his lack of speed. Counting on a draft pick to replace TWill is very risky. WR is a position where rookies often struggle. On the other hand, I don't think anybody really wants to give TWill a big contract that ties him to the Cowboys long term.

RB - Not worried. They can re-sign McFadden or it's not hard to find one in FA or the draft. Rookies often do well at this position. Worse case they keep Morris.

OG - Not worried. They obviously have Collins to replace Leary.

LB - Not worried. They really only play 2 LBs for the vast majority of snaps. Hitchens is good enough if they don't find a better MLB. They could consider having Wilson compete with Hitchens this year because he looked quite good at SLB. Nacho showed impressive physical ability in the preseason but was derailed by injuries. Jaylon is obviously a possibility.

DT - Not worried. Collins was really good an will get better. Thorton is a decent rotation player. T.Crawford and Irvin are options here.

QB - Not worried. If the starter is out, the backup is likely to struggle regardless. I would go with Moore and consider another 4th round pick.

Safety - Not worried. I wouldn't be concerned if Heath has to start but I'm sure one of Wilcox/Church will return. How expensive could Wilcox be considering that he was demoted to backup? This is also a position that might have a few decent free agents available that would not be extremely expensive like CB/DE.


RT - Very worried. If Free were less expensive, then I would say project Green as the starter with Free as the backup and consider drafting one in the mid rounds; however, with Free's salary, it would be good to use that on a better player. They need a quality backup if Green is projected to be the starter because he might not stay healthy.

WR2 - Very worried. The cost for TWill is going be significant despite his limitations. TWill would be fine if Dez was a pure #1 WR like Julio Jones, but in reality Linehan has to consider the problems with Dez in regards to route running when implementing the scheme. That puts more emphasis on what the other WRs can do.

CB - Very worried. They need to make the right decision on this one. Carr and/or Claiborne re-signed or go for a higher quality FA like Trumaine Johnson? Draft early?

DE - Very worried. This is going to be hard to find in FA or the draft. The likely immediate impact DEs in the draft will likely be gone by #28. In FA, the top guys probably won't hit the market (Chandler Jones likely Franchised or re-signed by AZ). I don't really want JPP, but I can't see the Giants ever letting the Cowboys outbid them for him. I like Nick Perry from the Packers. He had 11 sacks and was in a 3 man rotation with Peppers and Clay Matthews. He is a 3-4 OLB there but has ideal size to play RDE in Marinelli's scheme. The Packers tend to let players get away more than other teams so there is a good chance that he leaves.

 

[xwalker]

Well I guess Mcclain could be gone. Jack Crawford and Davis will likely be gone and there is a chance we move on from Thornton too but Dlaw, Mayowa, Irving, Crawford, Tapper, Collins will all be here. Gregory will be here too although he won't be available. We definitely need more DE's.

McClain - It's really hard to know how much T.McClain will cost. If they can sign him a contract similar to what they gave Thorton (4M average), I think he will return.

Thorton - Likely to stay. His salary is just 3M for 2017.

Davis - I thought Davis flashed and showed more potential than J.Crawford but he was benched for some games so the coaches might not think they same way; although, injury might have been a factor.

J.Crawford - Try hard guy but if he is one of the top 8, then they probably have not upgraded much. Too small at DT and too slow at DE.

Mayowa - Flashed some potential. Decent as the backup RDE but need to find a starter in front of him.

DLaw - Needs to be a LDE. Worst case have him rotate with Irving or T.Crawford at LDE.

Collins - Should continue to be one of the starting DTs. Played mostly 3tech but with a full year of NFL strength training could likely be the starting 1tech if they want to put T.Crawford or Irving at 3tech.

Tapper - Good upside is he remains healthy, but they should not count on him when making off-season decisions.

Bottom Line: If they could add a legit, well above average RDE, then all the other positions will likely work out fine. If they can't find a legit full time starting RDE, then they might need to consider a high quality pass rush specialist or even consider drafting a guy that plays both LB and DE similar to how Seattle used Bruce Irvin in the past.

 

[erod]

The biggest issue is the overconfidence brought on by 13-3.

This team could easily have been 8-8 or 9-7. It could have been 0-6 in the division, too.

Every season is different.

 

[Killerinstinct]

The primary question this off-season is re-sign average type players that you know how they fit in the scheme and in the locker-room or go outside to look for possibly better players that are more expensive but that you don't know personally or how well they fit in the scheme.

I agree. I personally would like to see us make some major upgrades at some key positions as opposed to re-signing some of our own.

Your assessment of particular position groups is sound but I have differing opinions on a few.

SS - I have long wanted to upgrade this position and I think it would make the entire defense better. If I could only sign one FA I would go after Berry. I would much prefer this than signing a few average guys at different positions.

WR- As a run first team and one that uses it's TE and WR 3 more than some I don't consider this a huge need and I think there are any number of low cost FA's or even mid round draft picks that can fit the need. If we had less holes to fill then in an idea world I would be looking at a big play WR. Also, Dez needs to be a bigger part of the offense and him and Dak seemed to be getting on the same page late in the year. I think spending major resourced at WR would be diminishing returns

RT - I worry about less than others. Chaz Green is due for some health but even if he is injured again we have a couple of Guards with position flex that could move to RT. Collins and Martin. I know it is not ideal but if Cooper ends up sticking then I consider this a decent option if Green misses time. I think it is time to move on from Free and if we didn't draft a RT I don't think it is the end of the world.

DE - I agree with most of what you said but I don't think it has to be a given that a rookie DE can't contribute significantly. We just have to get the right one. He doesn't even have to be good at everything. A one trick pony that can speed rush added to a healthy DLaw and hopefully Tapper can contribute would upgrade the defense tremendously. Trying to sign a DE via FA is very risky IMO. At least one that would tremendously upgrade what we have. It would be pricey.

CB - I think we are stuck bringing back one of Carr or Claiborne but we should definitely draft one early. I would draft one every year until we have 3 that are so good there is no way to upgrade the position.

Give me a speed rusher, a stud SS and a CB drafted in the first 2 rounds and I would feel like the defense could be much improved. Especially if Dlan and Tapper contribute next year. If we can sign one FA of significance at one of these 3 positions there are plenty of RT's and WR's in the 3rd or 4th rounds that would fit the bill. If we can get a draft pick for trading Romo then we can add one more major piece as well. A second CB, another DE etc.

 

[Killerinstinct]

I don'r know how that happened but the body of this post is my response and not what xwalker said.

 

[AzorAhai]

The biggest issue is the overconfidence brought on by 13-3.

This team could easily have been 8-8 or 9-7. It could have been 0-6 in the division, too.

Every season is different.

They could have just as easily been 16-0.

 

[Bluefin]

I don'r know how that happened but the body of this post is my response and not what xwalker said.

Same thing happened to me a while ago.

I had multiple quotes in a post and the forward slash "/" in the second [/QUOTE] bracket somehow got removed from one quote and messed it up.

It's probably something like that.

 

[tyke1doe]

Rarely have there been 13-3 teams.

 

[Killerinstinct]

Same thing happened to me a while ago.

I had multiple quotes in a post and the forward slash "/" in the second

bracket somehow got removed from one quote and messed it up.

It's probably something like that.[/QUOTE]

I'm sure I screwed up something. I was trying to reply without the entire body of the post I was applying to appearing in my reply.