Really happy with our offseason so far

[Galian Beast]

I think free agency started out really slowly, and while I'm not happy that we didn't resign some of our players, I wasn't happy that they didn't seem more proactive with some of these contracts. I think had we been able to get Dez signed we could have franchised Murray and gotten some value out of him, while controlling where his destination was. Hell, maybe we could have traded him for Peterson straight up.

That brings me to my largest complaint about the offseason. I would have at least liked to get CJ Spiller here rather than McFadden, but all of my complaints would go out the window if we got Peterson.

I also think we should have gotten Cromartie, especially given the situation we find ourselves in with our corners.

I think a cornerback group containing Jones, Cromartie, and Scandrick would have been a strength.

That being said, the draft and the addition of La'el Collins was an amazing coup. A lot of people aren't happy with Chaz Green, but I'll take it for what it is worth with him. I think we have enough position flex to give this kid as much time as he needs to develop into at least a quality swing tackle for us. A position that I think a lot of people undervalue.

I think Wilson was necessary given the injuries that naturally happen at the linebacker position.

I hope Ryan Russell can make this team and like that he has gotten off to a good start in rookie mini camp. It would be an awesome sign if both he and Gardner made the roster, either way our defensive end depth is pretty impressive either way, and whoever wins the 5th and 6th spots (assuming we take 6) should be huge upgrades over their counterparts from last year.

I think we're also looking a lot better at defensive tackle than a lot people might think.

Crawford, Hayden, Whaley, McClain, Bishop, and Coleman... I think there is a lot of potential there, but it should be noted that 1 technique on this defensive line is like strong side linebacker in the linebacker corp, it is the least important position for us.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think free agency started out really slowly
I'm not happy that we didn't resign some of our players
I wasn't happy that they didn't seem more proactive with some of these contracts
I think had we been able to get Dez signed we could have franchised Murray
That brings me to my largest complaint about the offseason. I would have at least liked to get CJ Spiller here rather than McFadden
I also think we should have gotten Cromartie
A lot of people aren't happy with Chaz Green, but I'll take it for what it is worth with him

I'm not convinced you are really happy with our off season so far.

 

[Galian Beast]

I'm not convinced you are really happy with our off season so far.

I'm not a homer or a used car salesman

1. La'el Collins signed as an UDFA beating out 31 other teams in the pursuit
2. Drafting Gregory in the 2nd round
3. Signing Greg Hardy
4. Re-signing Rolando McClain, the linebacker I most wanted us to re-sign
5. Really interested in seeing if Farmer can be a player for us
6. Really excited about Byron Jones and rebuilding this secondary
7. Think Ryan Russell might have been a huge steal. I think he like Sheard was played out of position and as a result wasn't allowed to shine.

 

[JBS]

This team is making much better decisions than the ones you wanted them to make

This team isn't closing their own window by signing older players...this team is bringing in talented young players and attempting to sustain success for the long haul...

 

[ghst187]

This team isn't closing their own window by signing older players...this team is bringing in talented young players and attempting to sustain success for the long haul...

True and what happens is a lot of teams that weren't necessarily great end up with a super bowl title just by being good and hanging around year after year then one year, things just break their way...see Pats, steelers, Green Bay, Indy, Baltimore, etc.

 

[Galian Beast]

This team is making much better decisions than the ones you wanted them to make

This team isn't closing their own window by signing older players...this team is bringing in talented young players and attempting to sustain success for the long haul...

Thinking about long term sustainability is really important, but you also have to take advantage of the players you have in the moment and the opportunities you have in the moment.

Everyone knows that it is a bad thing to be shortsighted but what's less known is that it is also a mistake to be think too much about the long term. The NFL and football and even life in general exists in the short term, the medium term, the long term. You've got to live in the present with consideration for the future, but trying to build a team for 8 years from now isn't how this sport works.

Our best chance to have success is with Tony Romo, and that means we're probably looking at a 3-6 year window here. The salary cap increases over time and that has to be taken into account, it also needs to be taken into account that once you build your team up, future draft picks are less likely to make the team or make immediate impacts.

We're in a situation where we are grossly over paying Carr, but by cutting him we would seriously weaken the secondary. That wouldn't have been an issue had we got Cromartie.

I think the argument for Peterson has been made to death, you either see it or you don't.

I think most people would agree that CJ Spiller is a better player than McFadden and would have been a better fit for this offense. That he has been more durable and had more success as a starter in this league.

 

[Galian Beast]

True and what happens is a lot of teams that weren't necessarily great end up with a super bowl title just by being good and hanging around year after year then one year, things just break their way...see Pats, steelers, Green Bay, Indy, Baltimore, etc.

With all due respect, that is a poor analysis of those teams. The Pats didn't have things break their way, they had great defenses when they first started winning super bowls, and then they build a great offense over time, and rebuilt their defense. What did the Patriots do last year? They went out and signed Revis and Browner, which helped put them over the top.

Green Bay built one of the best offenses in the league as did Indy, Baltimore and Pittsburgh did the same on defense. Outside of the Giants who put together a great pass rush, I don't think any team won the super bowl and got lucky in doing so. Seahawks had one of the best defenses in the nfl the last few years.

The Cowboys are putting together what could be a great defense, but we're not quite there yet. I think Cromartie could have helped. I think CJ Spiller was a back of similar caliber to Murray, who could have stepped in here and had success. I don't think McFadden is one of those backs. I turn my attention to Peterson now, because I feel like he is one of our last best options to have a catalytic player on this offense who can take us to a higher level this year and for a few more years.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Way better off season than anybody couldve wished for. Im so pumped for this season

 

[ShiningStar]

CJ Spiller i can agree with.

Who we lost im ok with. The only reason im upset over Murray, yes i think we could have kept him, im not sorry to see him go and yes i have dreaded the AP talk, why, i cant see how this board always screamed to go younger, but a chance to get an aging RB with injury problems and that becomes the new rally?

Great way to play free agency.

Wonderful draft.

waltzing into TC with our heads held high.

coaching staff looks nice, i did have reservations about Callahan leaving, some posters were awesome in their review of the new Oline coach.

we get back some players, some players will have that one second off season under their belt and be hungrier. Who hasnt like what Rod has started to establish on defense on the team. and now we are bragging about our Oline again. Not just some line but an offensive line that could impose its will.

RB corp seems iffy, i didnt get what i wanted in the draft, but we signed a young buck. Got a vet, and have 2 potential and 1 shifty back and thats not bad.

Full steam ahead this year. Forgot what the past was about. Its behind us. This is our team, aside from some tweaking. It will refine itself, define itself and go out and show the NFL who it is. Our offensive line is looking good.

ST is where everyone should be saying "what are we going to see, where is the shuffling happening and who is going to emerge.

Great offseason, lets keep it rolling, bust out the gear, clean off the dust, and band together and say whatever comes at us, we stand by our team.

 

[Galian Beast]

CJ Spiller i can agree with.

Who we lost im ok with. The only reason im upset over Murray, yes i think we could have kept him, im not sorry to see him go and yes i have dreaded the AP talk, why, i cant see how this board always screamed to go younger, but a chance to get an aging RB with injury problems and that becomes the new rally?

Great way to play free agency.

Wonderful draft.

waltzing into TC with our heads held high.

coaching staff looks nice, i did have reservations about Callahan leaving, some posters were awesome in their review of the new Oline coach.

we get back some players, some players will have that one second off season under their belt and be hungrier. Who hasnt like what Rod has started to establish on defense on the team. and now we are bragging about our Oline again. Not just some line but an offensive line that could impose its will.

RB corp seems iffy, i didnt get what i wanted in the draft, but we signed a young buck. Got a vet, and have 2 potential and 1 shifty back and thats not bad.

Full steam ahead this year. Forgot what the past was about. Its behind us. This is our team, aside from some tweaking. It will refine itself, define itself and go out and show the NFL who it is. Our offensive line is looking good.

ST is where everyone should be saying "what are we going to see, where is the shuffling happening and who is going to emerge.

Great offseason, lets keep it rolling, bust out the gear, clean off the dust, and band together and say whatever comes at us, we stand by our team.

I'm glad you agree with me on Spiller. Getting Peterson doesn't preclude us from going younger in the future. Does AP have an injury history? Outside of his ACL tear he has missed a total of 9 games in his career. AP's age shouldn't be associated with the dreaded running back at 30 rule. AP breaks all sorts of standards and people familiar with him know not to doubt him. He is a freakish player who is stronger and faster than most running backs. Looking at him individually you can see he is still the same dominant running back and should be behind this line dominant for quite a few more years.

I wanted to keep Callahan, but it was obvious that he wanted out. I think Pollack (or any offensive line coach) could get this group to perform.

 

[TheEnigma]

This is why you don't panic 48 hours into free agency.

 

[Galian Beast]

This is why you don't panic 48 hours into free agency.

I don't think people were panicking 48 hours into free agency.

I think people were concerned, and rightfully so, that we didn't address some things we should have. I think those concerns are still valid til this day.

I'm not sure we did enough at corner or at running back given what we're up against and what we're dealing with. I hope these positions don't end up holding what could be a really good team, hostage.

You can't pay Carr 8 million dollars, you don't know if Claiborne can get healthy, and you don't know if Scandrick is prepared to holdout for more money. If you signed Cromartie, you could have cut Carr, and Scandrick wouldn't feel as though he had leverage. You would have been set at corner.

If you signed Spiller, I don't think there would be as much of a demand for trading for AP, but to go into the season without a legitimate back, when that was a huge position of strength for us last year certainly is a red flag. We've seen this offense held hostage by certain positions in the past, and I would hope that we are beyond that. I think Adrian Peterson makes a lot of sense right now. Not only frees us, but puts us over the top, and makes defenses extremely one dimensional.

 

[gmoney112]

I don't think people were panicking 48 hours into free agency.

I think people were concerned, and rightfully so, that we didn't address some things we should have. I think those concerns are still valid til this day.

I'm not sure we did enough at corner or at running back given what we're up against and what we're dealing with. I hope these positions don't end up holding what could be a really good team, hostage.

You can't pay Carr 8 million dollars, you don't know if Claiborne can get healthy, and you don't know if Scandrick is prepared to holdout for more money. If you signed Cromartie, you could have cut Carr, and Scandrick wouldn't feel as though he had leverage. You would have been set at corner.

If you signed Spiller, I don't think there would be as much of a demand for trading for AP, but to go into the season without a legitimate back, when that was a huge position of strength for us last year certainly is a red flag. We've seen this offense held hostage by certain positions in the past, and I would hope that we are beyond that. I think Adrian Peterson makes a lot of sense right now. Not only frees us, but puts us over the top, and makes defenses extremely one dimensional.

You can't pay Carr 8 million dollars? Says who?

Signing Cromartie wouldn't have made a bit of difference with Scandrick, that is pure hyperbole to back up the fact you wanted to sign Cromartie.

We didn't. We CAN pay Carr 8 million dollars, and probably will, and Scandrick would be in the same situation regardless. Only difference is we'd have Cromartie, who's 31 and inexperienced in our system, instead of Carr.

 

[guag]

True and what happens is a lot of teams that weren't necessarily great end up with a super bowl title just by being good and hanging around year after year then one year, things just break their way...see Pats, steelers, Green Bay, Indy, Baltimore, etc.

And then you have Cinderella teams like the Giants who have only made the playoffs 3 times in the last 8 seasons (and won more than 9 games only 4 times in the last 12 years), and somehow have 2 Super Bowl wins to show for it.

Ugh I hate the Giants so much.

 

[Galian Beast]

You can't pay Carr 8 million dollars? Says who?

Signing Cromartie wouldn't have made a bit of difference with Scandrick, that is pure hyperbole to back up the fact you wanted to sign Cromartie.

We didn't. We CAN pay Carr 8 million dollars, and probably will, and Scandrick would be in the same situation regardless. Only difference is we'd have Cromartie, who's 31 and inexperienced in our system, instead of Carr.

Paying Carr 8 million dollar is absolutely ridiculous. He isn't an elite cornerback, and that is elite money.

Scandrick is holding out, because he realizes he is the only steady starting caliber cornerback on the roster.

I can tell you right now, one way or another Carr will not be on this team at 8 million dollars week 1 of the season. And I'm willing to sig bet you on that.

 

[JBell]

We should've signed Dez, traded Murray for Peterson, and gave 50 mil to Cromartie and Spiller.

You were on a roll there, surprised you didn't mention Suh.

 

[waving monkey]

This team is so much better built each year over the last three/four years.
This off season has been luck and guts.
Think back just last year at this time and the arguments on this board about
the owner,coach ect. The whole argument/discussion on this board has changed.
The happiness level of the fan base has gone from glum to excitement.

Lam not trying to highjack this thread but the thought popped into my mind
as I read the thread of small woes.That's pretty great,

My discontent is an unsettled RB out here 'where news is questionable'.
I bet we add to the RB group. Jerry is itchin to bust a move.

 

[gmoney112]

Paying Carr 8 million dollar is absolutely ridiculous. He isn't an elite cornerback, and that is elite money.

Scandrick is holding out, because he realizes he is the only steady starting caliber cornerback on the roster.

I can tell you right now, one way or another Carr will not be on this team at 8 million dollars week 1 of the season. And I'm willing to sig bet you on that.

It's not your money. It may be ridiculous, but who cares? I'd rather have him at 8 million of JJ's money than cut him, that'd just be completely irrational.

Scandrick is holding out, not because of Brandon Carr, but because of the going rate for CB's in general. It is what it is, do you really think his agent advised him to sit out because Carr is making money, or because his agent knows the Market Value of Cornerbacks and knows that we're getting a complete steal on Scandrick? Cromartie would have made no difference. Scandrick knows he's not getting the going rate in the NFL.

I'll bet you that Carr is on the roster, he either accepted a pay cut or is getting paid 8 million. There is 0 chance he's cut this season.

 

[Galian Beast]

It's not your money. It may be ridiculous, but who cares? I'd rather have him at 8 million of JJ's money than cut him, that'd just be completely irrational.

Scandrick is holding out, not because of Brandon Carr, but because of the going rate for CB's in general. It is what it is, do you really think his agent advised him to sit out because Carr is making money, or because his agent knows the Market Value of Cornerbacks and knows that we're getting a complete steal on Scandrick? Cromartie would have made no difference. Scandrick knows he's not getting the going rate in the NFL.

I'll bet you that Carr is on the roster, he either accepted a pay cut or is getting paid 8 million. There is 0 chance he's cut this season.

It's not my money, but it is a percentage of the salary cap for a player who isn't worthy of it.

Holdouts are about leverage, and the only reason he thinks he can hold out is because he has some. He thinks the cowboys might bend and pay him given how shallow they are at the position. If we were fully stocked, he wouldn't risk his money. He is under contract and the only leverage he has is his position on the depth chart relative to the health and financial stability of claiborne and carr respectively.

Scandrick is the 47th highest paid corner in the league. I don't think he is a #1 corner and is being paid fairly for his abilities.

 

[Galian Beast]

We should've signed Dez, traded Murray for Peterson, and gave 50 mil to Cromartie and Spiller.

You were on a roll there, surprised you didn't mention Suh.

Straw man arguments are generally made when someone can create a strong counter argument to a valid argument.

Cromartie starting off saying he would have taken less. I think we could have gotten him for less than the Jets since this is one of the places he really wanted to go. I think Spiller makes a lot more sense than McFadden, but we wouldn't need AP if we got Spiller, so the only reason you would try to combine scenarios is to create a straw man.

I never wanted Suh. I think we have a developing star in Crawford, and couldn't see why everyone wanted us to get Suh. Never seemed like the right fit here. Wanted QB money and got it.