The Changing of the Guard (long)

[Stash]

It's more on coaching than players. the fact that we had names like Romo, Dez, Witten, Lee...etc
and haven't been able to string together two playoff wins in one year speaks to coaching.

The carousel of players, is a game by the staff to keep them safe and us distracted.
We need new coaching and a competent GM.

 

[Hawkeye19]

I agree with much of what you said, excluding the suggestion that this was "long" in your title...for me, this is about as short and sweet as I get.

But I think your right about the reasons behind why Dez is in the Front Offices crosshairs. But money is also part of that conversation, as well.

As to your suggestion that the Cowboys will leap to address WR or OL, I'm not so sure. Of course, much depends on what happens tomorrow, but at the same time, if you look at how they handled the draft last year, even if they do cut Dez (in much the same way they allowed the entire secondary to walk last offseason) I think they are going to take a hard look at how the draft unfolds in the first day to determine the order. In other words, if there is a run on WR early on the first day, then you are probably right...they'll go get their receiver. But, if by 19 the majority (if not all) the top tier receivers are still available, they will look for help elsewhere and my guess is they'll look to trade up higher into the second round and address WR there following either taking an offensive lineman, or a player that helps the middle of their defense (DT, LB, S...of course, I'm leaning towards LB).

I would love to see a DL, LBer, or Derwin James in round one-- but this team is offensively minded and their stubborn perspective has always been: great OL, punishing ground game, time control offense, and a bend-but-don't break D = success. They got it right in 2016 and I have to give them credit-- but I think we need to really land another playmaker at each of the 3 levels on defense in order to really contend for a championship.

I'd be shocked if WR isn't the pick in round one. If there is a run on WRs-- I expect a trade back for an OL. Their priority is protecting and complimenting Dak. Defense got the overhaul and attention last year, this year is all (unfortunately) about "Dak friendliness" lol... would love to be wrong though

 

[jazzcat22]

You nailed it here. In today's NFL, there is no "long run". It's now a 4-year league. If you don't win anything within 4 years, you're essentially reloading with an almost totally different team.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/2014_roster.htm

By my rough count, about 12 players remain from the 2014 team, less than one-third. And that's counting the three specialists who rarely see the field.

You don't maintain status quo. You're either contending or rebuilding.

I believe Bill Parcells said after he first came here, usually a team replaces about 1.3 of their roster every year, except the very talented ones. They will be less, but at some point they will hit that 33% level too.

But that is a big difference their only 12 players remain, that tells me this team has not done a very good job of getting and retaining good players.

Was that about the time McClay came along though?

 

[Hawkeye19]

I can't figure out any benefit whatsoever in cutting Dez now. Right before the draft, with few players left to spend your newfound cap space on. Unless there are players they haven't even talked to for lack of money. Even then, I think they could have gotten an extension or two done to free up that money.

Completely agree. I just think this FO think Hurns is able to be "Dez lite" and that they will add in the draft.

 

[blueblood70]

new PROCESS RESET LOL

 

[Hawkeye19]

And yet we keep on building a team for the future, for the long run. Yep having built in excuses for keeping Garrett while losing...becasue we are building for the long run....

well guess what, if you keep saying you are building for the long run, you are not building at all. Because you are never going for it while you have it in front of you.

it is like a revolving door...let's get rid of Romo, build for the long run...let's get rid of Dez, build for the long run...let's get rid of Witten, build for the long run...yet 3 years later at 8-8....guess what...

People will now say...let's get rid of Zeke, let's get rid of Dak and their contracts and ...build for the long run....

Yep.

That said-- if the FO is right about Dak in the end-- then cutting older players like Romo, Dez etc will look like smart, aggressive moves in retrospect. Clearing cap for the future success.

In all honesty-- just looking at Dez's production last year-- I believe they think they can easily replace it at a fraction of the cost and get rid of the headaches and antics to boot. It's risky-- but this coaching staff's fate is now entirely in the hands of Prescott. If he fails next year-- coaching staff is overhauled and the way has been cleared the past two years to get younger and get out from some bad contracts.

 

[jazzcat22]

Completely agree. I just think this FO think Hurns is able to be "Dez lite" and that they will add in the draft.

"lite" means less, so that means less big plays which means less wins.

Hurns will be a compliment to the WR's as in Harper to Irvin type help.

 

[jazzcat22]

Yep.

That said-- if the FO is right about Dak in the end-- then cutting older players like Romo, Dez etc will look like smart, aggressive moves in retrospect. Clearing cap for the future success.

In all honesty-- just looking at Dez's production last year-- I believe they think they can easily replace it at a fraction of the cost and get rid of the headaches and antics to boot. It's risky-- but this coaching staff's fate is now entirely in the hands of Prescott. If he fails next year-- coaching staff is overhauled and the way has been cleared the past two years to get younger and get out from some bad contracts.

Agree about Dak and the coaching staff and their fate may be tied to Dak. But they will miss Dez tremendously if he is not here. So Jerry gets .00002% more money in his pocket compared to his net worth. Is that risk worth taking of not making the playoffs, or being a one and done team in the playoffs...again.

no I did not do any math on that % number

 

[MCMetal69]

Yep.

That said-- if the FO is right about Dak in the end-- then cutting older players like Romo, Dez etc will look like smart, aggressive moves in retrospect. Clearing cap for the future success.

In all honesty-- just looking at Dez's production last year-- I believe they think they can easily replace it at a fraction of the cost and get rid of the headaches and antics to boot. It's risky-- but this coaching staff's fate is now entirely in the hands of Prescott. If he fails next year-- coaching staff is overhauled and the way has been cleared the past two years to get younger and get out from some bad contracts.

The problem with that line of thinking is that this coaching staff has never shown an ability to adapt or be innovative in any way.For argument's sake , let's say they draft Ridley ; his body type indicates he's not going to be anywhere near as effective as you're going to want a true deep threat wide-out to be on every down , much less capable of blocking on a run-first team........................Predictability is one of the glaring problems this offense has , as has been mentioned numerous times on these threads....................

 

[Hawkeye19]

"lite" means less, so that means less big plays which means less wins.

Hurns will be a compliment to the WR's as in Harper to Irvin type help.

I know. But I just think this FO think we are run first anyway. Why pay #1 WR money when you don't value #1 WR production as an offensive philosophy? Garrett and Linehan are forever droning on and on about "taking what the defense gives you" and "hitting the open guy" etc... IMO-- when Dez melted down in the Seattle game, I think Stephen Jones said "I'm done." The production on the field is not worth the distraction and it was damn clear Dak felt he had to force balls to Dez to try and appease him.

The company line will be "audition by subtraction" when they release him tomorrow-- and they will add some talent in the draft going forward-- but I still think this is more about Dez's attitude and lack of production than it is about money (again-- saying what I think the FO is thinking about the situation--not my opinion. I think Dez should be a Cowboy next year-- but just don't see that realistically happening at this point)

 

[jday]

I would love to see a DL, LBer, or Derwin James in round one-- but this team is offensively minded and their stubborn perspective has always been: great OL, punishing ground game, time control offense, and a bend-but-don't break D = success. They got it right in 2016 and I have to give them credit-- but I think we need to really land another playmaker at each of the 3 levels on defense in order to really contend for a championship.

I'd be shocked if WR isn't the pick in round one. If there is a run on WRs-- I expect a trade back for an OL. Their priority is protecting and complimenting Dak. Defense got the overhaul and attention last year, this year is all (unfortunately) about "Dak friendliness" lol... would love to be wrong though

I clearly see both sides of the argument.

Like you, I lean towards the Cowboys addressing defense early and often coming up in the draft. They could use an addition at every level of the defense.

But...

More than anything, though, the Cowboys need to be right about Dak being the next Franchise QB of the Dallas Cowboys. That trumps everything. Because if he isn't that will set them back for years while they try to find their next most important player on the team. So, the emphasis on being Dak-friendly to a certain extent is understandable. For me, though, if that's the stance your taking, the friendliest thing they could do is give him more time in the pocket by fixing the offensive line. Beyond that, improve the defense so you can give him more opportunities to score as the defense shuts down the opposition on third down. Wide Receiver in this scheme just really isn't as important as I think most people tend to make it. If they can catch and simply be where ever they are supposed to be at the top of their route, that's all you really need to win with this team. Speed and run-after-the-catch ability are nice to have's...not have to have's like the aforementioned qualities.

And that's what I really think this WR shake-up is about. Romo most likely spoiled the current receivers because of his ability to read defenses and know where his guy's where going to be regardless if they ran a crisp route or not. Dak's not there yet, so rather than try to teach old dog's new tricks, they are bringing in new dogs who will from the outset recognize Dak as the unquestioned leader of their team and hopefully assist in his ascension to greatness...or at least, that's what I think they are thinking...

 

[Stash]

I believe Bill Parcells said after he first came here, usually a team replaces about 1.3 of their roster every year, except the very talented ones. They will be less, but at some point they will hit that 33% level too.

But that is a big difference their only 12 players remain, that tells me this team has not done a very good job of getting and retaining good players.

Was that about the time McClay came along though?

I think two issues stuck out to me. They weren't prepared for Romo's retirement, and they weren't happy with much, if any, of their defense. Very few names remain there, outside of Lee and Crawford.

But it reinforces the point, and one that teams like the Eagles and Rams are making abundantly clear. There is no slow build in this league. You go for it when you can, or you spin your wheels until ownership gets tired and finds somebody else who will go for it.

Or you hope to have an owner in your corner trying to force your success.

 

[Hawkeye19]

The problem with that line of thinking is that this coaching staff has never shown an ability to adapt or be innovative in any way.For argument's sake , let's say they draft Ridley ; his body type indicates he's not going to be anywhere near as effective as you're going to want a true deep threat wide-out to be on every down , much less capable of blocking on a run-first team........................Predictability is one of the glaring problems this offense has , as has been mentioned numerous times on these threads....................

I think the FO and coaching staff is what is preventing long term success-- and as you (rightly) pointed out-- predictability is a HUGE part of that. The little success that they have (2014, 2016) reinforces an arrogance to maintain continuity and a hope that they can achieve success with their philosophy.

You only have so many resources-- and with DLaw getting the tag-- they are going to do everything they can in their power to try and set the table up for a repeat of 2016 from an offensive standpoint. Book it. I hope it works-- but I have my doubts about this staff's ability to adapt, and effectively manage game situations.

 

[Stash]

Completely agree. I just think this FO think Hurns is able to be "Dez lite" and that they will add in the draft.

If they think that for a second, they're wrong. Hurns is what he is, a nice #2 receiver.

 

[MCMetal69]

I really like the addition of Hurns ; in my opinion this year rests on Dak getting better and the O-Line playing like they did 2 years ago...........

 

[Verdict]

With the ascendancy of Dak Prescott-- the Cowboys are in the process of reforging the core of this team. Older players are and will continue to be phased out. Last year-- it was Romo's release. This year it is Dez. Next year will be Witten. Sean Lee will be gone after two more years.

The FO is paving the way to make this team "Dak friendly". This is his team now. They thought Romo had 2-3 years left-- but his injury and Dak's surprise performance has forced them to accelerate the transition. It is a fact of life in any organization. The old leadership has to depart in order for the new leadership to establish its own identity.

Whether you like Dak or not-- the last two off-seasons have been about getting younger, and clearing the table of old guard leaders.

People say Dez getting cut is about the money. Wrong. It's about attitude and his ego/influence on the team. He's getting cut tomorrow because his antics/attitude/distractions outweigh his production and are getting in the way of Dak's development.

The only older players that you will see stick around will be "company guys" like Lee and Witten-- but they will be phased out too eventually. For better or worse-- the next 3-5 years of this franchise's success ride on their betting that Dak is "the guy".

If he stumbles badly-- it will take a season or two to recover, shift, and go in another direction to find a franchise QB. They are going to eliminate any and every excuse/hinderance that could possibly prevent Dak's success.

As much as we want defense in round one... prepare yourselves for a WR or OL. Defense will be addressed in rounds 2-4.

They don't want to hear it but this post is spot on. I think the team would seriously contemplate a receiver at #19, I just don't think that the talent falls that way. Whoever they take at #19 is going to be be a reach at WR.

Guard is a different story. I think you could argue that Wynn, Hernandez and maybe even Price are worth pick #19. We could trade back a few spots and still get one of them. I think they solidify this OL and help Dak out.

 

[jazzcat22]

I know. But I just think this FO think we are run first anyway. Why pay #1 WR money when you don't value #1 WR production as an offensive philosophy? Garrett and Linehan are forever droning on and on about "taking what the defense gives you" and "hitting the open guy" etc... IMO-- when Dez melted down in the Seattle game, I think Stephen Jones said "I'm done." The production on the field is not worth the distraction and it was damn clear Dak felt he had to force balls to Dez to try and appease him.

The company line will be "audition by subtraction" when they release him tomorrow-- and they will add some talent in the draft going forward-- but I still think this is more about Dez's attitude and lack of production than it is about money (again-- saying what I think the FO is thinking about the situation--not my opinion. I think Dez should be a Cowboy next year-- but just don't see that realistically happening at this point)

But without a true WR threat, the team loads up the box to stop the run, and / or blitzes the heck out of Dak. Knowing there is no WR threat to burn them.
give Dez one on one and he can be that guy again.
So he had a down year, and was playing injured, with tendonitis in his knee. I don't buy the meltdown reason why Stephen said he is done. I don't even buy into that media fan driven meltdown at all. But that is just my opinion.

Dez will be missed regardless, because this coaching staff has never shown any evidence they can change things up for the better. So with the lesser player, cheaper cost player, they will be even more lost. Talent is talent, and Dez still has it if used right.

 

[Hawkeye19]

I clearly see both sides of the argument.

Like you, I lean towards the Cowboys addressing defense early and often coming up in the draft. They could use an addition at every level of the defense.

But...

More than anything, though, the Cowboys need to be right about Dak being the next Franchise QB of the Dallas Cowboys. That trumps everything. Because if he isn't that will set them back for years while they try to find their next most important player on the team. So, the emphasis on being Dak-friendly to a certain extent is understandable. For me, though, if that's the stance your taking, the friendliest thing they could do is give him more time in the pocket by fixing the offensive line. Beyond that, improve the defense so you can give him more opportunities to score as the defense shuts down the opposition on third down. Wide Receiver in this scheme just really isn't as important as I think most people tend to make it. If they can catch and simply be where ever they are supposed to be at the top of their route, that's all you really need to win with this team. Speed and run-after-the-catch ability are nice to have's...not have to have's like the aforementioned qualities.

And that's what I really think this WR shake-up is about. Romo most likely spoiled the current receivers because of his ability to read defenses and know where his guy's where going to be regardless if they ran a crisp route or not. Dak's not there yet, so rather than try to teach old dog's new tricks, they are bringing in new dogs who will from the outset recognize Dak as the unquestioned leader of their team and hopefully assist in his ascension to greatness...or at least, that's what I think they are thinking...

100% agree.

If Dak is the next great QB we have caught "lightning in a bottle" in the 4th round. But if he isn't, we will be going through a scrape and rebuild next year and will be several years out from contending.

On the positive side-- Dak's production when he has a solid OL in front of him is quite promising. Which really underlines the instability at LT. When Tyron was out-- our offense was screwed and Dak does not have overall talent to elevate the play of his team mates like Romo did. Dak needs a very strong supporting cast in order to succeed.

 

[Verdict]

I really like the addition of Hurns ; in my opinion this year rests on Dak getting better and the O-Line playing like they did 2 years ago...........

Hurns replaces Dez for less than half the cost. If Dex stays, he will compliment the other receivers. Hurns is versatile. But he is better than Dez now so we don't have to force the issue.

 

[Fletch]

BS

Bitter Sweet. I know, right?