Roster musings...

[silverbear]

By my list, the Cowboys' roster currently stands at 83... yes, the roster limit is 80, but the 6 draft picks aren't yet under contract, and won't be until a day or two before the start of camp, so the roster is officially at 77...

Which means they can, and likely will, bring in another 3 undrafted rookie free agents for minicamp this weekend... they often invite 2 or 3 players for "workouts" at the same time, which are more or less an extended audition...

The roster breakdown is 4 QBs, 8 RBs-FBs, 5 TEs, 10 WRs, 12 OL, 10 DL, 14 LBs, 16 DBs, 4 special teams... this is a roster pretty light on offensive and defensive linemen, and in spite of the number of defensive backs, short on safeties too... I'd like to see 2 more undrafted rookie free agent offensive linemen signed, and a nice big undrafted rookie free agent nose tackle type, too... you're certainly gonna want more than 12 offensive linemen and 10 defensive linemen when you get to two-a-days this summer...

Now, I still see the Boys making a move for a veteran QB, and with each passing day, making a play for Chris Simms would seem to be eminently logical... he's all but out the door there anyway, they have like 18 QBs on the roster, I'm sure the Bucs would be happy to get a late round pick for him... in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Jerry didn't stock up on picks next year with an eye toward trying to pick up some veteran talent later on this offseason... guys like Simms...

And guys like Matt Jones, who I have read is odd man out in Jacksonville, and might be available for a reasonable price... the article where I read about this mentioned the Cowboys as possibly being interested... for the right price, Matt wouldn't be a bad addition, he averages just a little under 40 catches per 16 games played... I think he could be effective as a 3rd receiver, if called on, with a ceiling of 50-60 catches in a season... I think Tony Romo could get used to having Matt's big frame out there, he makes for a rather large target... he ain't Roy Williams, but we'll take care of adding him next year... LOL...

Somehow, I could see the Cowboys making both moves, sending along some of those extra picks they stockpiled for next season (nothing as high as that third rounder, though)...

 

[Stash]

And guys like Matt Jones, who I have read is odd man out in Jacksonville, and might be available for a reasonable price... the article where I read about this mentioned the Cowboys as possibly being interested... for the right price, Matt wouldn't be a bad addition, he averages just a little under 40 catches per 16 games played... I think he could be effective as a 3rd receiver, if called on, with a ceiling of 50-60 catches in a season... I think Tony Romo could get used to having Matt's big frame out there, he makes for a rather large target... he ain't Roy Williams, but we'll take care of adding him next year

This would be the next 'reasonable target' on my radar.

Jones has been a disappointment to date, but there's plenty of talent yet to be developed. He can be criticized for a less than stellar work ethic, but Jacksonville gets plenty of criticism for having a less than stellar coaching staff trying to develop him.

The Cowboys have a great receivers coach who I feel could do wonders for this kid. And that's just what he is, a kid.

He's 25 years old with plenty of football ahead of him.

He's 6'6" and can flat out fly.

I think Jones could be a great compliment to Owens and at least a great 3rd receiver with Owens and Crayton.

I would do what it takes to acquire him.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

Good call ! I'd take Simms over Johnson in an instant , and think Matt Jones would make a nice addition too . I'd rate Jones ahead of both Hurd and Austin , so it would be an improvement . Just as long as they don't cost too much .

 

[Stash]

Good call ! I'd take Simms over Johnson in an instant , and think Matt Jones would make a nice addition too . I'd rate Jones ahead of both Hurd and Austin , so it would be an improvement . Just as long as they don't cost too much .

What would your 'cost limit' be for Matt Jones?

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

What would your 'cost limit' be for Matt Jones?

Good question . Maybe a 4th if they would take it . I'd think about a 3rd even if there was a training camp injury , and especially if T. Glenn wasn't looking good . I think Jones has some potential and has never had a real good QB tossing him the ball . Garrard is a nice QB , but he's no T. Romo .

 

[Stash]

Good question . Maybe a 4th if they would take it . I'd think about a 3rd even if there was a training camp injury , and especially if T. Glenn wasn't looking good . I think Jones has some potential and has never had a real good QB tossing him the ball . Garrard is a nice QB , but he's no T. Romo .

That's about what I was thinking - a 4th rounder.

It allows Jacksonville to 'save face' a bit and Dallas already has an extra one for 2009.

I think a change of scenery, coaching, and scheme could do a lot of good for this guy.

And what quarterback wouldn't want a 6'6" target?

I cringe whenever someone mentions Terry Glenn's name. And that's not a slight against him by any means, I think he's a great receiver and a key contributor - when healthy.

But I have no confidence that he can get or stay healthy enough to be a dependable contributor.

I think Matt Jones could be a nice pickup for now and in the future.

And if we don't do it, someone else probably will.

 

[NorthTexan95]

Nonononono ... 4th round is too high. I wouldn't give anymore than a 7th. I just don't see how he would be any better than the guys we currently have.

 

[joseephuss]

If Dallas wants Chris Simms, then they should just wait until he is released by Tampa. There is no sense in wasting a draft pick to trade for him. Be patient and wait for Simms or any other veteran QB they may be interested in obtaining to be cut. Of course I don't think any of the veteran QBs that will be cut are really worth it. None are better than Brad Johnson. That is not a compliment to Brad at this point. It is just a statement on how few quality QBs are out there.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

That's about what I was thinking - a 4th rounder.

It allows Jacksonville to 'save face' a bit and Dallas already has an extra one for 2009.

I think a change of scenery, coaching, and scheme could do a lot of good for this guy.

And what quarterback wouldn't want a 6'6" target?

I cringe whenever someone mentions Terry Glenn's name. And that's not a slight against him by any means, I think he's a great receiver and a key contributor - when healthy.

But I have no confidence that he can get or stay healthy enough to be a dependable contributor.

I think Matt Jones could be a nice pickup for now and in the future.

And if we don't do it, someone else probably will.

I agree , Glenn is done in my book . Hope I'm wrong because I really like the guy , but I'll be surprised if we ever see him on the field again .

 

[Stash]

I agree , Glenn is done in my book . Hope I'm wrong because I really like the guy , but I'll be surprised if we ever see him on the field again .

And I would rather be pleasantly surprised by him contributing than terribly disappointed by counting on it.

The team was smart enough to get an insurance policy against Pacman not being able to play, they should do the same with Glenn.

Different reasons of course, but ultimately the same end result.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I keep hearing the problem with Matt Jones is that he just isn't into football. While he may possess physical traits that most of us would be thrilled to have, he is just kind of meh on the whole thing.

 

[Stash]

I keep hearing the problem with Matt Jones is that he just isn't into football. While he may possess physical traits that most of us would be thrilled to have, he is just kind of meh on the whole thing.

I've heard that too. But I would also factor the kind of environment he's had in Jacksonville. To the best of my knowledge, he hasn't gotten particularly good coaching there. Considering the learning curve he had to make from QB to WR, that may be a factor in his being yet to realize his potential. Ray Sherman is a great coach and he may be able to get more out of Jones that others have.

Is an acquired 4th round draft choice too much to risk to find out?

 

[speedkilz88]

Jacksonville only gave a 6th round pick for Troy Williamson, I would offer them that for Matt Jones.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Is an acquired 4th round draft choice too much to risk to find out?

If he is going to be released then yes.

Pacman only cost us a 4th.

Pacman >>>>>>> Matt Jones

 

[Stash]

If he is going to be released then yes.

Pacman only cost us a 4th.

Pacman >>>>>>> Matt Jones

I don't disagree.

But we all know why we got a player of Pacman's skills at a discount rate.

And if he gets released, we would have to contend with every other team looking for a receiver.

I think an acquired 4th rounder is worth keeping him away from a team like the Eagles who could still use a receiver with size. And obviously, a 4th rounder is the top of what I would offer. I would start negotiations with a low round draft pick.

But that's me......

 

[Angus]

The grass is always greener . . . . . Matt Jones?

Would Simms be satisfied to be a backup? And how would Romo react to someone about the same age as a backup who was thought by many when he came out to be a first round pick?

 

[joseephuss]

The grass is always greener . . . . . Matt Jones?

Would Simms be satisfied to be a backup? And how would Romo react to someone about the same age as a backup who was thought by many when he came out to be a first round pick?

Simms should be passed the point where he feels like he is deserving or entitled to being a starter. It was only a few that thought Simms would be a first round pick. Since he ended up being a 3rd round pick, I doubt that really factors in at this time. I doubt Romo would be threatened. Still Simms is not worth trading to get. I am not even sure if he is worth signing as a back up once he is released, but definitly not worth a draft pick.

 

[Sandyf]

Why would Dallas give anything for Simms or Johnson? Both will get released and probably before training camp.

There is no way Tampa Bay is taking more than 5 QBs to camp so they will probably release Simms and Gradokowski (SP) before camp and probably after June 1st.

Same goes for Matt Jones. He will be a June 1st cap cut especially with Williamson and Porter there now.

So we need to sit tight and just pick them up after June 1st.

 

[Maxmadden]

Why would Dallas give anything for Simms or Johnson? Both will get released and probably before training camp.

There is no way Tampa Bay is taking more than 5 QBs to camp so they will probably release Simms and Gradokowski (SP) before camp and probably after June 1st.

Same goes for Matt Jones. He will be a June 1st cap cut especially with Williamson and Porter there now.

So we need to sit tight and just pick them up after June 1st.

Where opportunity meets need.

 

[Woods]

Why would Dallas give anything for Simms or Johnson? Both will get released and probably before training camp.

There is no way Tampa Bay is taking more than 5 QBs to camp so they will probably release Simms and Gradokowski (SP) before camp and probably after June 1st.

Same goes for Matt Jones. He will be a June 1st cap cut especially with Williamson and Porter there now.

So we need to sit tight and just pick them up after June 1st.

I agree with you on Simms.

I think we can just wait for him to be released.