The need for depth

[dwmyers]

One of the biggest problems with the Cowboys' development in recent years is Jerry's insistence on people that can play now. It kills the idea of player development and it kills the notion of building a team. The net result is that chronic issues tend to be solved with high priced free agents (Rivera, Ferguson) and it cuts markedly into depth. If you're not developing somebody, who do you throw into the breach when your starters are down?

For three years now we've had promising but thin teams. I don't think we take the Cowboys to the next level unless we end this trend. It's hard to get through a 16 game season on your game 1 starters.

I am a little hopeful in that Jeff Ireland seems to have his head on straight. I have no objections to his comment that a safety or linebacker is what we're looking at in round 1. FS is a known hole, and linebacker needs an infusion of talent and depth.

So we'll see. What I can say is that adding 1-2 stars and no depth is a prescription for the same kind of collapse as we suffered this year. Believe me, if it isn't Flo it'll some other component where there isn't an adequate backup behind the "main man".

David.

 

[big dog cowboy]

One of the biggest problems with the Cowboys' development in recent years is Jerry's insistence on people that can play now.

During those "recent years" you are reffering to, what Cowboy draft picks do you think we should have tried to develop more?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

During those "recent years" you are reffering to, what Cowboy draft picks do you think we should have tried to develop more?

exactly, the only rookies we've been able to rely on to develop more, are the ones Parcells has brought in, but since they're so young, and it's only been 3 years, we had to rely on veterans, either former Parcells' players, or high-priced FAs (Rivera, HENRY, Ferguson) to field a competitive team, as the rookies of the '03 and onward draft classes, progress

good point, blame Jerry

 

[Bob Sacamano]

One of the biggest problems with the Cowboys' development in recent years is Jerry's insistence on people that can play now. It kills the idea of player development and it kills the notion of building a team. The net result is that chronic issues tend to be solved with high priced free agents (Rivera, Ferguson) and it cuts markedly into depth. If you're not developing somebody, who do you throw into the breach when your starters are down?

For three years now we've had promising but thin teams. I don't think we take the Cowboys to the next level unless we end this trend. It's hard to get through a 16 game season on your game 1 starters.

I am a little hopeful in that Jeff Ireland seems to have his head on straight. I have no objections to his comment that a safety or linebacker is what we're looking at in round 1. FS is a known hole, and linebacker needs an infusion of talent and depth.

So we'll see. What I can say is that adding 1-2 stars and no depth is a prescription for the same kind of collapse as we suffered this year. Believe me, if it isn't Flo it'll some other component where there isn't an adequate backup behind the "main man".

David.

I agree with the premise of what you're saying, but reconstructing the whole roster, from the bottom, up, which Parcells has done, isn't going to find yourself with much depth, esp. this early into the rebuilding phase, notice that only Ellis, Glover, Larry Allen and Roy Williams remain from Pre-Parcells teams

exp. of what I'm saying, it's taken Mike Holmgren 7 years to construct, and field the type of team he has today, one with quality depth, and alot of talent on both sides of the ball amongst the starters, and one challenging for a Super Bowl title, while we're only heading into year 4, one which we need to see more out of this team, starter and depth wise, but it's still a little early

 

[conner01]

depth is a product of good drafting. and up untill the last couple of yrs we did'nt do a good job, thus no depth. those 5-7 rnd picks should be your depth but when you miss early, and late you can't develope depth. i think you will see more depth this year as we get more and more holes filled and then look for depth

 

[Nors]

The talent/depth of this team is 100% upgraded from what was here in 2003 When Parcells arived.


Tackle, FS aside we are in great shape heading into this offseason!

 

[Galian Beast]

I agree with the premise of what you're saying, but reconstructing the whole roster, from the bottom, up, which Parcells has done, isn't going to find yourself with much depth, esp. this early into the rebuilding phase, notice that only Ellis, Glover, Larry Allen and Roy Williams remain from Pre-Parcells teams

exp. of what I'm saying, it's taken Mike Holmgren 7 years to construct, and field the type of team he has today, one with quality depth, and alot of talent on both sides of the ball amongst the starters, and one challenging for a Super Bowl title, while we're only heading into year 4, one which we need to see more out of this team, starter and depth wise, but it's still a little early

Erickson left Homlgren a fairly decent team which hovered around the .500 department. Parcells is fixing a team that has been going downhill since the mid 90s... and really had no core to build off of. Other than Larry Allen and Flozell Adams, which isn't the biggest thing to brag about our offense is completely new since Parcells got here. Pretty much the same with our defense. We went 5-11 3 years in a row...

and quite frankly I don't see a HUGE difference between us and th seahawks. Seattle has had success for years, but they never really went anywhere until now.

If Flozell didn't go down this year, I see us being where Seattle is now. Look what our team did to Carolina with no offense to speak of. We fix this offense (starting with the line), and we're home free.

 

[Galian Beast]

The talent/depth of this team is 100% upgraded from what was here in 2003 When Parcells arived.


Tackle, FS aside we are in great shape heading into this offseason!

nors we still have holes on this team. Big ones.

LT - Flozell is coming off an injury
LG - Allen is losing steps, and he is so expensive we probably won't even keep him.
C - Al Johnson continues to under perform.
RG - Rivera has been a bust so far (hopefully he is healthy next year, and plays better, still a hole though)
RT - Petitti was the worst starting tackle in the nfl this year.

If we resign Campbell, and get a speed threat receiver in addition to fixing the oline, we'll be good.

On defense we also need a NT for the future. Nguyen is retiring so we need another inside linebacker. We need another outside linebacker opposite of Ware. We need a free safety as well. And probably more corner depth.

Not to mention we need a kicker.

 

[Rush 2112]

One of the biggest problems with the Cowboys' development in recent years is Jerry's insistence on people that can play now. It kills the idea of player development and it kills the notion of building a team. The net result is that chronic issues tend to be solved with high priced free agents (Rivera, Ferguson) and it cuts markedly into depth. If you're not developing somebody, who do you throw into the breach when your starters are down?

For three years now we've had promising but thin teams. I don't think we take the Cowboys to the next level unless we end this trend. It's hard to get through a 16 game season on your game 1 starters.

I am a little hopeful in that Jeff Ireland seems to have his head on straight. I have no objections to his comment that a safety or linebacker is what we're looking at in round 1. FS is a known hole, and linebacker needs an infusion of talent and depth.

So we'll see. What I can say is that adding 1-2 stars and no depth is a prescription for the same kind of collapse as we suffered this year. Believe me, if it isn't Flo it'll some other component where there isn't an adequate backup behind the "main man".

David.

When did Ireland say the team is looking safety/LB in one?

Link?

Thanks

 

[Nors]

When did Ireland say the team is looking safety/LB in one?

Link?

Thanks

My money is on no link -

 

[Hostile]

When did Ireland say the team is looking safety/LB in one?

Link?

Thanks

http://dallascowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47516&highlight=ireland

I'm pretty sure this article is what he is speaking about. Bottom of section 1.