Stephen Jones on FA losses

[Alexander]

Isa Abdul-Quddus
Lardarius Webb
Aaron Williams
T.J. McDonald
Jairus Byrd

Some pretty decent options actually. I think neither Williams or Webb would impact comp picks.

Webb or McDonald are the only appealing options. The two are old, injured or both.

 

[tyke1doe]

Jeff Heath may very well start this year.

I like Stephen's comments on "3rd contracts" too -- good philosophy to have.

Explain, please? Thanks.

 

[tyke1doe]

It would be nice if Rob Phillips had a good enough grasp of the English language to actually convey what the **** he means.

His "the side of the ball" comment jumped out at me too. Ugh!

 

[Wood]

lol tell us how you really feel Stephan. I find his honesty refreshing.

 

[tyke1doe]

Sounds like Marlon Humphrey if he's there at #28.

 

[waldoputty]

Webb or McDonald are the only appealing options. The two are old, injured or both.

i believe webb has had serious neck? injuries. mcdonald supposed to have trouble in coverage.

 

[Alexander]

i believe webb has had serious neck? injuries. mcdonald supposed to have trouble in coverage.

Well, there is a reason they are still unsigned at this bottom of the barrel stage in free agency. When I said appealing, I did not necessarily mean good.

 

[Alexander]

A few other safeties still wandering around in the free agent wasteland (not counting Robert Blanton who already visited):

Rashad Johnson, Titans
Daimon Stafford, Titans
Duke Ihenacho, Commanders
Donte Whitner, Commanders
Kelcie McCray, Seahawks
Jeron Johnson, Seahawks
Shamarko Thomas, Steelers
Antonio Allen, Jets
Jamarca Sanford, Saints
Roman Harper, Saints
Baccari Rambo, Dolphins
Duke Williams, Colts
Rafael Bush, Lions
Michael Griffin, Panthers
Jonathan Meeks, Bills
Dashon Goldson, Falcons

Some other released vets: Corey Graham, James Ihedigbo, Kendrick Lewis, Sergio Brown

The corners include Revis, Shields, Verner, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Leodis McKelvin, Brandon Boykin, Robert McClain, B.W. Webb, Kyle Wilson, Leon Hall, Patrick Robinson, Traman Williams, Brandon Flowers, Greg Toler, Mike Jenkins, Jerraud Powers, Corey White, Crezdon Butler and Shareece Wright.

 

[haleyrules]

why not do a count.
48 and that is not counting Romo and Moore the DE who may be crazy.

. I like Crazy DE. Thats just what the Cowboys need. Hire Haley to mentor me...

 

[big dog cowboy]

"We are not going to get any better on defense if we just keep paying the guys we got,” Jones said. “What we have to do better on defense is we have to get pressure on the passer. And we have to make plays on the ball. We have to do that better."

“Obviously we haven’t been doing that with the guys we got. So how do you get better if you keep paying the guys you got who aren’t making plays on the ball a lot of money?”

Doesn't sound like Stephen is rueing any of the FA losses either.

 

[Sydla]

The fear here is they force pick defensive players in the draft because they have to.

They've had a decent run in the draft taking the best player on the board regardless of whether it's offense or defense.

But when you leave this many holes open on defense, you can't help but sit there at the draft table and possibly take a lower rated defensive player because you "need" to fill a hole you left open in FA.

 

[haleyrules]

The club could do a lot worse than Jeff Heath. I like the idea of him getting a chance.

 

[conner01]

If Heath is our Day One starter, this team is in trouble.

I don't think so myself. I think church was a solid player but not a super star and we won with him. You really can't have it both ways. If church was nothing special then replacing him with a jag wouldn't make that much difference and Heath seems to at least not be a liability

 

[Cebrin]

nice stuff. But was i the only one who had to mute that creepy voice? i was waiting for chris wallace to pop out.

A little past the one minute mark and I had to hit mute.

 

[Stash]

It's fair to be skeptical.

But I find it funny how most of the fanbase gives David Irving the benefit of the doubt as a guy who deserves a chance to start despite only flashing for a few games, yet Heath isn't given the same benefit of the doubt.

Both are UDFA's, physically gifted, flashed for a few games, played behind JAG's on a weak unit.

Yet Heath doesn't get the same love.

He got "love" from the team by them re-signing him to that 4-year deal, more than anything else, that tells you the team saw enough in him to want to keep him around. Actions, not words. Fans can say what they want, but I give more credence to what the team actually does.

Heath is one of the few playmakers the team had in their secondary. Taking a look at those film highlights, you'll be a lot less worried about the guys that have walked out the door. Most, if not all of them, look like the Keystone Cops out there.

 

[conner01]

The fear here is they force pick defensive players in the draft because they have to.

They've had a decent run in the draft taking the best player on the board regardless of whether it's offense or defense.

But when you leave this many holes open on defense, you can't help but sit there at the draft table and possibly take a lower rated defensive player because you "need" to fill a hole you left open in FA.

That's certainly a concern. I personally don't like buying players in free agency because it really rarely gets you what you pay for. But losing 4 secondary players creates a real need.
But it does play to the strength of this draft and if they can stay disciplined, then you can still go BPA early. I've thought at 28 the BPA was going to be a DB, or WR all along. No way to really know but pass rushers just seem to be the position where teams jump on them early and I think the quality will be depleted by 28. But it's my guess and no way to know but if a rusher fell and you took him at 28 the depth at db still will be decent in next two rnds

 

[Stash]

"We are not going to get any better on defense if we just keep paying the guys we got,” Jones said. “What we have to do better on defense is we have to get pressure on the passer. And we have to make plays on the ball. We have to do that better."

“Obviously we haven’t been doing that with the guys we got. So how do you get better if you keep paying the guys you got who aren’t making plays on the ball a lot of money?”

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article140955943.html

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Sounds like we're doing what we want.

It does sound accurate. And it points out the hypocrisy of fans who want to criticize the players for disappointing while they're here but then want to rue when they leave.

If nothing changes, nothing changes.

 

[Stash]

i believe webb has had serious neck? injuries. mcdonald supposed to have trouble in coverage.

I think it's Aaron Williams (formerly of the Bills and Texas) that has the neck issues.

 

[visionary]

Doesn't sound like Stephen is rueing any of the FA losses either.

Yep
When a seasoned GM like Stephen who has a track record of building championship teams speaks, I listen and am comforted

 

[DanTanna]

I agree with everything S.Jones said there. He does sound like he's less emotional than Jerry, and will stick to the plan of success - build from the LOS, then get fancy.