SIGN VETS: Toniu Fonoti, Charles Spencer, Ashley Lelie, Dan Morgan ...

[alancdc]

I don't know if this is an mistake but this has to be downright pathetic for a lineman

Being here in Carolina I believe that weight should have been 350.

 

[MetalHead]

You're talking about players who couldn't make far lesser talented rosters."

End of dumb thread.

 

[starfrombirth]

Dan Morgan, if recovered from his achilles tear, would be a FINE BACKUP. IF HEALTHY, he would be a super upgrade to either Burnett or Carpenter. He could also backup James. Morgan did NOT retire over concussions, go and look it up, Morgan would have played for the SAINTS THIS SEASON if his leg responded quicker to treatment.

He originally DID retire because of concussions ( I saw the interview on "Outside the lines") He came back but shouldn't have. He is a head hunter true but he tackles with his head and is a concussion waiting to happen. No thanks to Morgan.

 

[Tass]

He originally DID retire because of concussions ( I saw the interview on "Outside the lines") He came back but shouldn't have. He is a head hunter true but he tackles with his head and is a concussion waiting to happen. No thanks to Morgan.

So he's the Anti-Barbie, then?

BTW, when Fonoti first came out of college I thought 'Wow! There's the guy that can replace Larry Allen.' Then the Chargers got him. He's now available but I confess that I don't know how good or bad he has been as a pro. Is his problem coachability/technique or is he just one fat, lazy buggah(pardon my Hawaiian-flavored pidgin english)?

 

[Va_BoysFan4 Life]

Other than Sims and possibly Lelie............Dallas already have better talent on the team and do not need to tinker to much with the roster.

 

[dfense]

All guys who've been cut more than once from bad teams.

I'd like to see the list of players you want to cut for any of these losers.

 

[Chuck 54]

It's time to forget about the losers cut by other teams. Dallas has as much depth as any team in the NFL right now. IN the FA, salary cap, modern age, you are never going to have but so much depth.

We don't need to cut guys who can develop into starters for other guys who play only special teams. Once Davis is in place, our special teams will be fine with the players on our roster.

We don't need a 3rd string QB taking up someone else's position right now. I'm happy going with two vets on the 53 and a developmental on the practice squad who knows our offense in case we need him in an emergency.

WE are in great shape at every position except WR, and we have plenty of depth there 3-4 games into the season. We're still looking for an impact WR in the draft, FA, or a trade, but my guess is that will not take place until the next offseason.

Dallas is not the same thin, pathetic team we were 5 years ago. We're not going to improve ourselves with the castoffs from other teams.

 

[Brandon]

cowboysjoe, is that you?

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Jerry needs to get quality experienced depth players for this SB run.

Sign:

OG Toniu Fonoti 6'4 350

- already experienced and SUCCESSFUL in Houck's scheme

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/tracker/player?id=4117


QB Chris Simms 6'5 230

- not crazy about him as 2nd string, but more than capable 3rd

WR Ashley Lelie 6'3 200 4.35

- Dallas needs a deep speed complement to T.O., Lelie's 17.2-yards-per-catch average is the highest among active NFL receivers (his main problem is he is injury prone)


ST/LB Carlos Polk 6'2 260 4.78
- ST madman & very familiar w/Wade's scheme

http://tsn.sportingnews.com/nfl/articles/20010405/307945.html

Sign & Place on IR:

OL Charles Spencer 6'4 340

- versatile: can play OG & OT; great size, aggression & agility for Houck scheme

ILB Dan Morgan 6'2 245 4.55

-can play either ILB spot: heat seaking missle who is also a playmaker in coverage

The general rule of thumb is that you don't want to sign too many veterans because their careers are almost over with and in the meantime you wind up cutting a young player with upside, who is also less likely to get injured.

A good example is we could've signed a veteran linebacker in 2003 & 2004 and cut Bradie James to make room. Instead we kept James around and he's turned into a solid starter.

We've already got 11 O-Lineman, and there's no reason to get another unless he can play center better than Proctor can. And Fonuti has been terrible for most of his career anyway. I think Spencer's problems have been injury related, but again...he can't play center so there's no real reason to get him.

I'm not too high on Lelie because he can only run one type of route but more importantly he can't catch. And Morgan is done with. The Saints took a chance on him because of his concussions and other injuries and wound up cutting him early on. He's never been able to stay healthy as well.

So outside of Simms and Polk, these guys are not worth signing and you wouldn't want to sign this many veterans anyway.






YAKUZA

 

[AKATheRake]

This is my first post here but BAT is not short on good ideas to add depth to this roster. Of course all 6 of his suggestions won't happen and I am sure BAT knows the odds on that as well, but 2 or 3 suggestions definitely not out of the questions. I'd take Fonoti over at least 3 of our OL currently on our roster.

Lelie, very good idea, not sure how fast he can get acquainted with Romo and our system however but for what we need, we know he can run those deep routes and that's what we'd need him on anyways. He won't have to catch up much on that.

If Morgan is willing to back up not bad at all, you know he is capable of starting at least a few games if one of our current starters like James goe's down, although Morgan doe's need to brush up on his 3-4 I'm more than positive. I'd be more than happy with Carlos Polk for ST's and he know's Wades scheme as well. I'd cut Rogers for Polk in a heart beat.

As for signing and stashing on IR not a bad idea, we will have to risk some of our OL currently on the roster being picked up by other teams before we could re-sign them.

-- One last thing, none of us are completely right, nore is any professional in this game so we don't have to be so critical of one another. Insightful posts, wrong or right is why I read blogs anyways. So in myopinion for what it matters please be as insightful and provide as many reasonable ideas as possible, and respond with as much insight as possible. Seems like alot of diehard fans in the same boat here that understand this game even beyond the X's and O's. Thanks for the insight BAT and insightful responses on BATS post.:starspin

 

[goons]

What I've heard about Lelie is that he came into camp, didn't work very hard, didn't have a very good attitude, had a lot of ticky-tack injuries, and never did enough to impress coaches. He held out in Denver, and lost almost $1million. He wined when they talked about bringing in TO and then whined more when they did bring in Javon Walker. Lelie was a 1st round pick and has 1st round talent. He put up a 1000yd season in Denver. He bombed in Atlanta and in camp in SF, but if he can get his head right and realize he has to work his way back or go get a job at Taco Bell, he's worth a look. If he's still playing Mr Bigtime, let him go be a douchebag for someone else.

 

[AKATheRake]

Goons brought up a very good point that we sometimes forget, what is in the guys head and is he going to be a positive force in the locker room. Absolutely, if he understands he's just like Hurd, Austin and Stanback, here to compete for 3-5 WR, prove himself as a team player and contribute when his # comes up, the deep talent is there. But Goons is "dead on" correct in my opinion, only if his moxie is right.

 

[deadrody]

How about no to all

and don't try again

ever

Nice. Real nice. And with self promoting spam as a sig. Real impressive.

 

[big dog cowboy]

This is my first post here.....

To

The

CowboysZone!!!!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Brandon London, Simms and maybe Carlos Polk are the only players I'm interested in signing

only London is who I really want us to sign

 

[AKATheRake]

Thank you very much Big Dog Cowboy. Been reading since early July, now it's time to get down in the action with you good folks. Hope to offer good insight.

 

[dcfanatic]

Of course we need vets, for crucial backup positions_e.g. QB, interior OL, WR, LB. We need vets b/c they are either familiar with the scheme (Houck's or Wade's), or are able to start in the NFL in case of injury.

By the by, the Cowboys are one of the youngest teams in the NFL. LEADERSHIP could be a reason why the team falters down the stretch.



Rehabbing a player for next year is alien to you? You are supposed to be the "fanatic" around here, you should know that the Cowboys were extremely successful doing this with Marco Columbo, you know, the starting RT. Teams in the NFL used to stash players w/potential on IR all the time, except in this case, these are legitimate injuries.

So the Cowboys stashing a LB, who isn't a 34 LB, who wants to retire because of VARIOUS injury concerns would be the same situation as we were in at Right Tackle when we took a chance on Colombo?

What about the first round and a second round draft picks backing up the starters that are already on the football team who have been with the team for some time now?

Nice reach, but it was strike three and you're out...

Of your mind if you think the Cowboys want anything to do with Dan Morgan, lol.

 

[BAT]

So the Cowboys stashing a LB, who isn't a 34 LB, who wants to retire because of VARIOUS injury concerns would be the same situation as we were in at Right Tackle when we took a chance on Colombo?

First of all, I don't get the patronizing tone, did I insult you by putting my opinions on this board? Secondly, why can't you see the similarities between Columbo and Morgan? Fact is, Morgan has had a much more productive career than Columbo EVER had before signing w/the Cowboys. Many thought that Columbo's injury was a career ENDER and that he was another busted first round pick. Columbo puttered around on the Bear's roster, on the IR as much as the playing field for SEVERAL seasons. When in fact, Columbo just needed to get off the field and concentrate on rehab for an entire year. Morgan's concussions & various injuries (its his achilles right now) are of concern, but if healthy, he would be a tremendous backup. Cowboys are one of the very few teams who can take this risk. If it doesn't pan out, what do the Cowboys lose_James Marten? Alan Ball? If it does pan out, the Cowboys have a pro bowl player who plays w/speed, suddeness and hostility, all traits that have been sadly lacking in Cowboys LB depth. IMO, the risk of losing players like Marten or Ball is worth that.

What about the first round and a second round draft picks backing up the starters that are already on the football team who have been with the team for some time now?

Seriously, this is the cherry on your argument?? Burnett, a FA next season looking for a big payday and a starting position, AND CARPENTER????

Not admitting a mistake is even more foolish than the actual mistake. Carpenter WAS A MISTAKE.

Nice reach, but it was strike three and you're out...

Of your mind if you think the Cowboys want anything to do with Dan Morgan, lol.

Unlike others here, I have never professed to have any inside info/influence with the Cowboys, all I am offering are my thoughts and reasons.

The baseball metaphor was a nice touch though, my handle being BAT and all.

 

[dcfanatic]

First of all, I don't get the patronizing tone, did I insult you by putting my opinions on this board? Secondly, why can't you see the similarities between Columbo and Morgan? Fact is, Morgan has had a much more productive career than Columbo EVER had before signing w/the Cowboys. Many thought that Columbo's injury was a career ENDER and that he was another busted first round pick. Columbo puttered around on the Bear's roster, on the IR as much as the playing field for SEVERAL seasons. When in fact, Columbo just needed to get off the field and concentrate on rehab for an entire year. Morgan's concussions & various injuries (its his achilles right now) are of concern, but if healthy, he would be a tremendous backup. Cowboys are one of the very few teams who can take this risk. If it doesn't pan out, what do the Cowboys lose_James Marten? Alan Ball? If it does pan out, the Cowboys have a pro bowl player who plays w/speed, suddeness and hostility, all traits that have been sadly lacking in Cowboys LB depth. IMO, the risk of losing players like Marten or Ball is worth that.



Seriously, this is the cherry on your argument?? Burnett, a FA next season looking for a big payday and a starting position, AND CARPENTER????

Not admitting a mistake is even more foolish than the actual mistake. Carpenter WAS A MISTAKE.



Unlike others here, I have never professed to have any inside info/influence with the Cowboys, all I am offering are my thoughts and reasons.

The baseball metaphor was a nice touch though, my handle being BAT and all.

Ok, lets start over. I wasn't being patronizing. If I sounded like I was I am sorry.

I was being light hearted about it, that's all.

You said to sign Morgan and put him on IR, so how are we losing any players?

And their situations are vastly different. Colombo just need to strengthen his lower body because he could not work out for a year due to the knee injury.

Morgan is a walking talking medical report. He has never played a 16 game season because he's always hurt. He has played 4 games over the last two seasons and has opted to retire.

You really want him over Carpenter and Burnett?

I can see where I would have taken him when he came out of Miami over them, but now he's just a shell of that player who's career is over.

I liked the idea of Polk. I would have liked the idea of Fonoti when he first left San Diego. Spencer, if he wants to be a backup Guard then yeah sign him to the vet minimum after we beat Cleveland. Simms, I can't see why he want him and I can't see why he wants to come here and be the 3rd QB. Lelie, why sign him and try to 'fix' his career when he have three young WR's already on the team (Hurd, Austin, Stanback) who don't need fixing?

Don't take it so personal that people aren't going gaga over your opinions bro. We are all Cowboys fans.

And yes, I think the idea of Andy Studebaker getting a look see was a good one. I even threw up some vids for people to check out.

 

[chargrove]

I'm not up to speed on those other dudes mentioned in the first post, but I wouldn't trust Ashley Lelie on my NFL roster any further than I could throw him. He obviously has issues which he needs to outgrow very soon or he will be (a) a fourth string guy who kinda hangs around bad teams (like a post-Cowboys Alvin Harper) or (b) playing arena ball.