TE position could see some changes!

[fivetwos]

Yeah, but Bradie James is not one of those guys that belong in that category, Again I gave you other instances maybe it's just been a while since you've seen him play but I've been watching some of his old videos because I believe Barham's going to end up being a lot like him.

I mean do you need more videos to watch of Bradie James before you realize how much we miss that type of player especially at linebacker do we need to reference last year on what bad an average really looks like? The way Jay Ratliff was one of our better lineman so I think that you're memory is very flawed try some vitamins.. LOL

Think that you have mixed up with JAG or just an average player is and what it means as their roles on a team.. You can't always have a top heavy built roster guys that you keep mentioning or what actually makes your team better..

This is why teams like Seattle, New England made the Super Bowl last year with not a single player with double digit sacks yet they were in the top of that category one was in top five the other was in the top 10 of pass rush and sack numbers how is that that's right they're deeper with those types of players so I'm just saying I think that I understand what you're trying to say but you're using the wrong examples...

And I understand another name I would put in there would be Jalen Smith had all the talent in the world an injury set him back but there were several seasons he led or it was at least in the top five in tackles but that doesn't make him great it made him very average sometimes steady but he was just filler on the team, not Bradie James.

We have a difference of opinions on what players fit the category yes I fully understand what you're trying to say.. I believe Ferguson would actually Be better in a different offense last year he was trying to cover up a lot of bad tackles they weren't sending them out very deep because it couldn't block for very long and I think it hurt his numbers..

Believe this will be that year that says on a major decline or last year was an anomaly...

I don’t need to see more of James. He was a solid player, not at all great.

If you feel as if he is slightly better than that I’m ok with it and you made your point. This was about Ferg, not James.

I just always think of the Wade era defense (built by Parcells) that was good but not good enough. You saw it, you know what I mean. Maybe you don’t agree, but you know what I mean.

 

[blueblood70]

I don’t need to see more of James. He was a solid player, not at all great.

If you feel as if he is slightly better than that I’m ok with it and you made your point. This was about Ferg, not James.

I just always think of the Wade era defense (built by Parcells) that was good but not good enough. You saw it, you know what I mean. Maybe you don’t agree, but you know what I mean.

No I think Bradie James was great just not elite Just not All Pro type that doesn't make him just good he was a great starter for the Dallas Cowboys and I believe he also played for the Texans his highlights speak for themselves he didn't just go abuse the running back he wrote downhill sideways chased down some of the best quarterbacks the mobile quarterbacks like Steve Young I mean he was basically tracking down Mcnabb and some of these other guys and you're telling me he's just good no you do need to look at the highlights because this was a long time ago and people really forget If you compare him to the linebackers we've had the last decade he was great that's my point We're not trying to compare him to some of the best like the All Pros but just as a player you can count on He was great right now I would take him over just about any of the middle linebackers we've had over the last decade..

you Brought him up, Therefore I'm get my say it no I didn't think he was just good he was great he was better than Hitchens and Hitchens and Wilson next to each other that might have been blended in with the almost retired Sean Lee was was the best I can remember because it's been that bad here...

And this league is full of them if the Kansas City Chiefs believe that hitchens and Wilson was good enough for their team and they were going to Super Bowls at the time I think that's where fans lose sight of what they deem great good all Pro, Pro Bowler...

My opinion Brady James was great Not just good great steady it's exactly what most teams are looking for when they can't find the All Pro they need that other guy that you could just count on..

I mean what else do you want from the guy he literally played for the Cowboys for 9 seasons and six of those seasons he led the team in tackles and then look at the highlights he didn't just kind of do his job he was tracking down some of the most mobile quarterbacks and he was laying the wood to running backs.. Take three of those right now for this defense this year..lol

Again, I understand what you were trying to say I just telling you you used the wrong guy as an example..

You know that old saying you don't appreciate what you got until it's gone well I think some of y'all forget how bad our linebackers have been the last decade and forget just how good some of these other guys were even if they weren't all pros it doesn't matter lots of teams are built with guys just like Brady James and yes I keep bringing up Anthony Hitchens because him and Wilson and that group was the last steady consistent group you can count on in a very long time at linebacker..

 

[fivetwos]

No I think Bradie James was great just not elite Just not All Pro type that doesn't make him just good he was a great starter for the Dallas Cowboys and I believe he also played for the Texans his highlights speak for themselves he didn't just go abuse the running back he wrote downhill sideways chased down some of the best quarterbacks the mobile quarterbacks like Steve Young I mean he was basically tracking down Mcnabb and some of these other guys and you're telling me he's just good no you do need to look at the highlights because this was a long time ago and people really forget If you compare him to the linebackers we've had the last decade he was great that's my point We're not trying to compare him to some of the best like the All Pros but just as a player you can count on He was great right now I would take him over just about any of the middle linebackers we've had over the last decade..

you Brought him up, Therefore I'm get my say it no I didn't think he was just good he was great he was better than Hitchens and Hitchens and Wilson next to each other that might have been blended in with the almost retired Sean Lee was was the best I can remember because it's been that bad here...

And this league is full of them if the Kansas City Chiefs believe that hitchens and Wilson was good enough for their team and they were going to Super Bowls at the time I think that's where fans lose sight of what they deem great good all Pro, Pro Bowler...

My opinion Brady James was great Not just good great steady it's exactly what most teams are looking for when they can't find the All Pro they need that other guy that you could just count on..

I mean what else do you want from the guy he literally played for the Cowboys for 9 seasons and six of those seasons he led the team in tackles and then look at the highlights he didn't just kind of do his job he was tracking down some of the most mobile quarterbacks and he was laying the wood to running backs.. Take three of those right now for this defense this year..lol

Again, I understand what you were trying to say I just telling you you used the wrong guy as an example..

You know that old saying you don't appreciate what you got until it's gone well I think some of y'all forget how bad our linebackers have been the last decade and forget just how good some of these other guys were even if they weren't all pros it doesn't matter lots of teams are built with guys just like Brady James and yes I keep bringing up Anthony Hitchens because him and Wilson and that group was the last steady consistent group you can count on in a very long time at linebacker..

Yes I brought him up and of course you get your say. Maybe the comp was slightly off but I’d say not really. Not enough to get all bent over it anyway.

I made the comp because I always saw those guys as not terrible, but not a difference maker, and thats what Ferguson is IMO.

Nothing against James.

 

[blueblood70]

Yes I brought him up and of course you get your say. Maybe the comp was slightly off but I’d say not really. Not enough to get all bent over it anyway.

I made the comp because I always saw those guys as not terrible, but not a difference maker, and thats what Ferguson is IMO.

Nothing against James.

Understand what you're saying but a lot of people would say that about Martellus Bennett Very athletic more of a playmaker but he always felt like he was better than Jason Witten but sometimes steady and good Be on the get open enough catch balls in traffic move the chains it may not look great to you but sometimes you have to have that guy on your team Now it'd be nice to have the backup with a little bit more juice and I believe that's what we're talking about Yes somebody needs to step up probably take Scoon Maker's job And yes this is what this thread is about and I would like to see some changes hell if Ferguson doesn't step up this year I'm not a fanboy of his I'd let him go next year as well i'm sure they made his contract very cap friendly towards the end you just boot his **** out..

But yes I hope some of these guys step up that is the comp that's coming around with Trig is he might be a lot like Martellus Bennett Like all of it LOL Let's just hope he keeps the craziness to the lowest setting and it does what the coaches want and try not to be in the doghouse like Blue got last year...

 

[AmericanCowboy]

Ferguson signed a huge contract last year. He is not going anywhere and is the starter for the foreseeable future

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Jake Ferguson had a nice bounce back season, 80 plus catches and 8 TD's. Most of his catches are more underneath check down, but they are very important for the offense. Games that he did struggle, the offense did the same, which suggests his importance to the unit.

Schoonmaker a former 2nd rd pick that has failed to make much of an impact. Now in his contract season where he will be fighting to earn a roster spot, he may even be a prime trade candidate.

Spann-Ford-he is also will be playing on his final contract year. Was making an early impact in camp before an injury took place. More of just a high end run blocker at this point. He also isn't guaranteed a roster spot.

Fant-he is that depth piece at the position which the team can control at a low rate.

Luepke-he has the versatility to play RB/FB/TE where the staff thinks highly of his skillset. They have said that want to find more ways to get him involved within the offense, also a strong special team player that makes him a roster lock.

Trigg/DJ Rogers both received 200k guarantee money to sign with the team. Both will have the opportunity to win a roster spot. Trigg has a skillset that the others just don't have in the passing game, which makes him a player to watch.

trade a 4th and schoon to miami for Brooks. call it a day.

I am not sure why Luepke is on the team. what does he bring? 71 yards rushing. 105 catching. is his blocking so good that he deserves a spot!?

 

[fivetwos]

Understand what you're saying but a lot of people would say that about Martellus Bennett Very athletic more of a playmaker but he always felt like he was better than Jason Witten but sometimes steady and good Be on the get open enough catch balls in traffic move the chains it may not look great to you but sometimes you have to have that guy on your team Now it'd be nice to have the backup with a little bit more juice and I believe that's what we're talking about Yes somebody needs to step up probably take Scoon Maker's job And yes this is what this thread is about and I would like to see some changes hell if Ferguson doesn't step up this year I'm not a fanboy of his I'd let him go next year as well i'm sure they made his contract very cap friendly towards the end you just boot his **** out..

But yes I hope some of these guys step up that is the comp that's coming around with Trig is he might be a lot like Martellus Bennett Like all of it LOL Let's just hope he keeps the craziness to the lowest setting and it does what the coaches want and try not to be in the doghouse like Blue got last year...

Fair enough, but the Bennett comp doesn’t go much past position.

Really here, sorry I hit a nerve, but I’m just trying to say that Ferg is a good TE, but he isn’t great. Doesn’t matter as they might not need him to be in this offense.

 

[blueblood70]

Fair enough, but the Bennett comp doesn’t go much past position.

Really here, sorry I hit a nerve, but I’m just trying to say that Ferg is a good TE, but he isn’t great. Doesn’t matter as they might not need him to be in this offense.

yeah it does martellus Bennett is a lot like Triggs on and off the field that is his comp and we're talking about a guy who can spread the field and run the seams big play guy versus a guy like Whitten who is closer to Ferguson whether you want to believe it or not we are having the same conversation..

OK Marty B, did go elsewhere and play better than he did here as our number two but he would never have gonna have the career that Whitten had because he was in a steady offense with quarterback that used him as a security blanket.. They just didn't trust Martellus Bennett at the time but that is the kind of guy you would want to break open the field You need both on your team..

Maybe it's been a while but same thing with Anthony Fasano... I just think Ferguson's a step up above that type of guy but it doesn't mean we don't need another guy to spread the field from that position..

This will be open for debate at the end of this year because it'll be that kind of year are we going to prove Ferguson we've seen the best of him and he's on a decline or was last year an anomaly..

I bet we find out if they actually had better tackle play this year from both sides because constantly keeping in your tight ends to block because of that it keeps them from being utilized in bigger play situations..

 

[fivetwos]

yeah it does martellus Bennett is a lot like Triggs on and off the field that is his comp and we're talking about a guy who can spread the field and run the seams big play guy versus a guy like Whitten who is closer to Ferguson whether you want to believe it or not we are having the same conversation..

OK Marty B, did go elsewhere and play better than he did here as our number two but he would never have gonna have the career that Whitten had because he was in a steady offense with quarterback that used him as a security blanket.. They just didn't trust Martellus Bennett at the time but that is the kind of guy you would want to break open the field You need both on your team..

Maybe it's been a while but same thing with Anthony Fasano... I just think Ferguson's a step up above that type of guy but it doesn't mean we don't need another guy to spread the field from that position..

This will be open for debate at the end of this year because it'll be that kind of year are we going to prove Ferguson we've seen the best of him and he's on a decline or was last year an anomaly..

I bet we find out if they actually had better tackle play this year from both sides because constantly keeping in your tight ends to block because of that it keeps them from being utilized in bigger play situations..

The WR duo currently here ought to really open things up for Ferguson. I felt the same last year though and it didn’t really go that way.

Again, I’m not unhappy with the guy, I just think he is good, not great….which is much better than not being good in the first place, which we have seen our share of.

Peace…..and I surrender!

 

[DandyDon52]

TE does seem to be a weak area, maybe it gets better this season.
It does depend on coaches, how they teach them to play,and how they use them, and how much, what situations.
I think last season they just tended to use the WR more. They didnt throw to the RB much either.

 

[beware_d-ware]

I wouldn't trade a Whataburger combo meal for Schoonmaker on his $2M 2026 salary.

Ferguson's got some game, but his legs are dead. He's got a floor as a checkdown guy but zero ceiling above that, kind of like an end-of-the-line Witten.

BSF's got a little game. I would be willing to expand his role with more snaps (at Fergy and Schoonmaker's expense), and see what he makes of them.

 

[blueblood70]

Ferguson signed a huge contract last year. He is not going anywhere and is the starter for the foreseeable future

I haven't looked at the details but I can I would hardly call it huge compared to some of these other positional players they were getting 50 million a year to rush to pass her 25 million for other positions of course quarterback we know that receivers now hitting 42?

He seriously he's a starting tight end he's not dynamic but he signed for a very friendly deal an average tight end money You get average tight end play with occasional big play the man's steady..

Pretty much made the same money as an aging Dallas Goddard, well less, I looked it up as it stands right now Ferguson was pushed out of the top 10, The highest paid tight end makes about 20 right now but then it runs down a list of a some at 14 some at 12 some at 11 and then you get to guys like Ferguson who make arounds 12.5..

0h and the other guy you know that used to be here, Dalton apparently makes 12.6 million, Goedert -14.6, So at four years 50 million that puts him right about the same price as Dalton Schultz..

How is that overpaid I don't call that huge I call that right in the same market that he belongs in.. However, with only just under 28 million guaranteed. You can literally cut him loose after this season and really it would have been a 2 year $28 million contract and then you can move on to the next guy I'd hardly call that huge That's where you look the guarantees he only counts like 7 million under the cap this year he was prepaid quite a bit of money so therefore you could literally cut him after this year with almost zero money left in dead cap..

I mean A lot of these deals were smartly done Regardless of what you think of Jerry Jones he usually gets the best out of these types of deals just because exactly that we really didn't look at all the details but you can get out of his contract after this year for only 14 per year each that's not that bad I mean what is Dallas Goddard really done lately to deserve close to 15 I'd say they're all right in the wheelhouse they're supposed to be..

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

TE's are in high demand, just look at the quantity that was drafted this year. I think they could get a 5 at worst a 6 for him.

We aren't exactly loaded at tight end talent. So why would you trade him away for a 5th or 6th?

Answer: He hasn't done much....as you stated, and his contract is about to be an issue.

So if you like the idea of trading him...even though we need MORE tight end talent, not less.....why would another team give up draft capital for him?

Answer: like many Cowboy fans....you feel our trash, is highly coveted by other teams.

 

[blueblood70]

We aren't exactly loaded at tight end talent. So why would you trade him away for a 5th or 6th?

Answer: He hasn't done much....as you stated, and his contract is about to be an issue.

So if you like the idea of trading him...even though we need MORE tight end talent, not less.....why would another team give up draft capital for him?

Answer: like many Cowboy fans....you feel our trash, is highly coveted by other teams.

This contract is not a problem If we're talking about Ferguson's deal technically it only had $28 million guaranteed therefore it's a two year $28 million contract which is not outside the area where he's being paid with other guys like Dalton Schultz and Dallas Goddard they're all in that same range..

Has zero guaranteed money next year That means he was already prepaid his cap hits were really small last year and this year if you cut him after this season that's it There's no cap implications..

There's a small dead cap hit but again zero guaranteed dollars that means you got the guy for two years 28 million it seems like a slight overpayment but really I'm not saying that he's paid about the same area of guys around his same level And I bring up Dalton Schultz because he just got one for $12.6 million and Dallas Goddard got his for 14.6

So no I wouldn't trade him this year but this is the year for him to prove he's more like he was the year before and that he could get better but if he looks like he's just on a decline then you cut bait with him after this year it's not a problem at all you could just flat out cut him But if you talking about trades you can do a trade for a 6th or 7th round pick or if you get lucky maybe you can find a 5th for next offseason..

 

[charron]

Fergy- Clear TE#1 here.
Schoon- No reason to keep him at all. Trade or cut him.
Spann-ford- Good summer player, does ok in the regular season. Good trade bait but not good enough to keep around.
Fant- Not good enough to keep around, cut candidate
Trigg/DJ Rogers If they show they this staffsomething this summer. I'd keep both and see who develops.

Leupke- Good enough to keep around if they are willing to use him, good ST player.

 

[blueblood70]

Fergy- Clear TE#1 here.
Schoon- No reason to keep him at all. Trade or cut him.
Spann-ford- Good summer player, does ok in the regular season. Good trade bait but not good enough to keep around.
Fant- Not good enough to keep around, cut candidate
Trigg/DJ Rogers If they show they this staffsomething this summer. I'd keep both and see who develops.

Leupke- Good enough to keep around if they are willing to use him, good ST player.

Look Hunter is not really a tight end but he's a good flex player they need to use them more even as a running back everyone's worried about who would be the power back type If something happens to Williams in a game well that 'd be him immediately elevate him Obvious rundowns And then you bring in others like Davis and Blue as a compliment and then if it's a long injury then you bring in Mafah..

But I don't look at my at him as a tight end I mean others mentioned it in this thread with Lamb and Pickens assume they'll be here the whole year there's not a lot of other balls to go around.. So a chain mover in Ferguson that's what he is he could block a little bit He catch the ball in traffic gives you some touchdowns last year it was the fumbles that really threw off his numbers and the way people are looking at him..

This year he has to prove to the Cowboys the fans don't matter that front office they set this contract up to really it's two years for 28 million that's only 14 per he has no guaranteed money after this year therefore you can cut him with very little cap implications so he has to prove right now that he can be what they were expecting him to be If not hopefully these young kids do show enough and it might be time like this says to purge the tight end group going into 2027 starting over...

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Wonder how many we are keeping?
Leupke is an FB or TE on the final roster........it matters IMO.

 

[blueblood70]

I wouldn't trade a Whataburger combo meal for Schoonmaker on his $2M 2026 salary.

Ferguson's got some game, but his legs are dead. He's got a floor as a checkdown guy but zero ceiling above that, kind of like an end-of-the-line Witten.

BSF's got a little game. I would be willing to expand his role with more snaps (at Fergy and Schoonmaker's expense), and see what he makes of them.

You all make me laugh and not in a good way II get the joke Usually we say we wouldn't trade him for a cup of coffee that's not true if you take $2 million in today's day and age is a lot You realize that there are rookies coming out of college I haven't done a thing yet that are making more money than that They're making more money in college than that we're talking about mostly a blocker occasional catch guy he has a role here I don't care if he's here or not but to say he's not worth the combo meal is ridiculous $2 million is nothing when you look at all the starting salaries and money people are making now I mean when you're paying a pass rusher $50 million a year you're thinking 2 million is too much for a role player no it's relevant they they all move up together..

That is bottom feeder veteran type money right there that's chump change..

I mean Prescott can pull that out of his sock right now..LOL That's right it's sock money.. Torrent people are talking about the 12.5 million that Ferguson is making but that doesn't really kick in it's not that much it's the same as Dalton Schultz and Dallas Goddard I mean it's not that much money nowadays It's about $9 million less than a elite player at the position I'd say you're right where you're supposed to be..

2 million that should be considered a veteran minimum now I don't where that is but I'm betting it's really near there I mean he's had two undrafted free agents that you don't even know can make the team getting a guarantee $200,000 each of these two Titans we're talking about that's just to show up if they get cut after two games that's what they make if they stay the whole season that's what they make...

Now I do agree I mean shcoonaker is pretty much done after this year unless he has a remarkable production increase..

There's no need to keep them here next year he's one of those replaceable players... Even this season however you want to look at it I don't know what they're going to do let's hope these rookies play really well and knock a bunch of low hanging fruit off the roster let's see what they got..

 

[blueblood70]

Wonder how many we are keeping?
Leupke is an FB or TE on the final roster........it matters IMO.

He's not going anywhere hunter is more than that he's a fullback hybrid tight end but he's also your emergency rundown running back Like if something happened to Williams in a game he's the one that comes in for short yardage I and then if it's long term of course you would look at other people but he can actually be the by myself obvious rundown running back..

So there isn't anything interesting there he's staying He's not gonna be considered a tight end he's a fullback and they only want therefore he's on the roster just at fullback..

Of course they might consider going short at tight end knowing that he could play that position Hell you can probably turn Mingo into a tight end he might be better at a tight end be that Martellus Bennett type...

As a matter of fact it's the only way I think Mingo makes his roster but that's a whole nother thread..

 

[Cowboyny]

We aren't exactly loaded at tight end talent. So why would you trade him away for a 5th or 6th?

Answer: He hasn't done much....as you stated, and his contract is about to be an issue.

So if you like the idea of trading him...even though we need MORE tight end talent, not less.....why would another team give up draft capital for him?

Answer: like many Cowboy fans....you feel our trash, is highly coveted by other teams.

If they feel they are ok at the position, then they would consider getting something for him. Many TE's due take time to develop, hell Dalton Shultz almost was released after a few unproductive seasons.