jday
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 9,321
- Reaction score
- 13,284
7 starters from the defense and 1 starter from the offense have been released, traded, or left via free agency.
On defense:
Pacman Jones
Anthony Henry
Zach Thomas
Kevin Burnett
Tank Johnson
Chris Canty
Roy Williams
While T.O.'s release may have a negative impact on offensive production in 09, it's our deficiencies in our defense that really concerns me. In our nickel defense, that is 7 of the 11 faces who would have been on the field (for the exception of maybe Roy dependent on the situation). The Keith Brooking acquisition, considering his comfort in Wade's system and his age, might be an improvement over Zach, but that still leaves 6 positions in question that at the moment we have to assume the Cowboys intend to replenish with our current back ups and/or the draft (which by the way we have no 1st round pick in). Olshansky, for me, would be an excellent pick up for the Cowboy's for the right price, but considering all the teams who are moving to the 3-4, is asking price very well may have gone up.
Pacman Jones. I'm divided. For the exception of the incident that led to his suspension early in 08, from what I understand he was a model player. He was early for practices and meetings, and while he sucked in Punt returns, was a top performer for Dallas in coverage. I know many in the wake of this losing season were calling for the heads of many players the media dubbed as cancer's, but I still have not seen enough proof to suggest that was truly the case. Another offseason with this club, and I think he may have proven to be a great acquisition in 09; but we will never know. The question now is Jenkins and/or Scandrick ready to match up to top tier receivers and contain them. Personally, I'm not confident. Scandrick plays with intensity and passion which I like, but these same attributes can cause him to get lost and coverage as he tends to bite on the opportunities for big plays. Jenkins was inconsistent, but proved to be a servicable option in Tampa Bay when Terence and Anthony were injured, and Pacman was suspended. Scandrick and Jenkins both kept Galloway and Antonio Bryant in check for close to an entire half. That was an impressive showing for both rookies.
Chris Canty. I don't think people realize just how much we will miss him. I'm sure Ware does. Being the leading sack machine for the team, Ware knows many of those sacks would not have happened were it not for Canty doing his job. If Olshansky isn't picked up, his loss should be addressed first, as the number of 3-4 ready DE will not be available for long in the 2nd day, if at all.
Kevin Burnett. Like Canty, is loss very well may be underestimated. In terms of coverage skills, he is one of the best LB's we have, which is why he plays in most Nickel and Dime packages. However, aside from his situational contribution, he was also our leading tackler in Special Teams, which means he very could have developed into a great OLB in the 3-4, should Ellis be released and Spencer prove to be a bust. A reliable tackler, great speed, and great coverage skills. Considering he has not yet accepted an offer, it is still possible that we can retain his services. My hope is that we do, but I doubt other teams fail to see where he can contribute.
Tank Johnson. "I'm a free agent, baby!" I know, I know, I know. He shouldn't have said it. It was stupid. And, it has been argued, that he didn't really do much to be worth keeping around, anyway. But the problem with this determination is how do you measure a DL contribution in the 3-4? It's extremely diffiucult, actually. Blocker-eaters do not get alot of credit, which is why for the exception of Ratliff, who was a bit of an anomaly at NT, some how compiling the stats of a DE in a 4-3 as a NT in the 3-4 (which is why he went to the Pro Bowl), DL are not supposed to have huge stats. Tank Johnson, in a back up role mind you, had 22 tackles, 13 of which were solo and 1 sack in 08. Casey Hampton, the starting DT for the Super Bowl champion Steelers had 22 tackles 13 of which were solo and 1 sack. Hmm. Our back up had mirror stats of the starter for the Super Bowl champions. Does this not speak volumes? The point is you can't just look at a DL stats and assume they add nothing to the rotation. They very well may just be doing their job, so that others can do theirs.
I have put together a dream draft scenario in which we acquire the services of Jarron Gilbert, Dorell Scott, Daniel Holtzclaw, David Bruton, and Domonique Johnson with our first 5 picks overall, but the likelyhood of that happening, I realize, are pretty slim. Domonique Johnson will most likely be considered the fastest CB available, despite his dismal showing at the combine and, again, with several teams moving to the 3-4, Dorell Scott and Jarron Gilbert will likely be considered hot commodities. Nevertheless, given that scenario, I think I would be a little more comfortable with our situation, which is much more dire than I think people truly understand, as far as being contenders in 09.
On offense:
Terrell Owens
Brad Johnson
Joe Berger
Terrell Owens, I pro/con in this thread http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148021, so I'm not going to do that here, but I will say I'm beginning to accept it as a possible addition by subtraction, despite the obvious negative side, for the following reasons. 1. No more excuses for the rest of the team or coaching staff, 2 no more placing emphasis on the involvement of one player, wins will be contigent on how balanced the gameplan and execution is, 3. Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, and Miles Austin will likely get more time to develop their connection with the QB, which should lead to improved production from all three, and, lastly, 4. there will be more carries to spread over Barber, Felix, and Choice, whom I would say are collectively better than Earth, Wind, and Fire of NY (which, incidentally, is no longer).
We traded Anthony Henry for John Kitna to replace Brad Johnson. While I love having John Kitna over Brad Johnson, if Romo stays healthy in 09, the loss of Anthony Henry may prove this move to be stupid. Of course, hind sight is 20/20, but Anthony Henry was still a solid option as CB, when the release of Pacman Jones already made this position look depleted. Now there is talk of moving Scandrick to FS and Hamlin to SS. Not only does this further deplete our stable of CB's (now featuring only Newman, Jenkins, and Ball), but Hamlin is not a SS. His missing the two tackles that lossed the game to Baltimore screams that much. And changing a CB's position to Safety one year removed from college might be asking a little much.
Joe Berger played for Dallas? Personally, if the Cowboys didn't see fit to replace Flozell who averaged at least one penalty per game and was routinely a turnstile for speedy DE/OLB, then I haven't much to complain about on this loss.
In essence, while the loss of T.O.'s production does concern me, it's our defense that I think very well may be in trouble. Unless the Cowboys can acquire the services of a few CB's and/or DL via free agency, hoping that the draft will rebuild this defense to it's 08 form might be asking a little much.
On defense:
Pacman Jones
Anthony Henry
Zach Thomas
Kevin Burnett
Tank Johnson
Chris Canty
Roy Williams
While T.O.'s release may have a negative impact on offensive production in 09, it's our deficiencies in our defense that really concerns me. In our nickel defense, that is 7 of the 11 faces who would have been on the field (for the exception of maybe Roy dependent on the situation). The Keith Brooking acquisition, considering his comfort in Wade's system and his age, might be an improvement over Zach, but that still leaves 6 positions in question that at the moment we have to assume the Cowboys intend to replenish with our current back ups and/or the draft (which by the way we have no 1st round pick in). Olshansky, for me, would be an excellent pick up for the Cowboy's for the right price, but considering all the teams who are moving to the 3-4, is asking price very well may have gone up.
Pacman Jones. I'm divided. For the exception of the incident that led to his suspension early in 08, from what I understand he was a model player. He was early for practices and meetings, and while he sucked in Punt returns, was a top performer for Dallas in coverage. I know many in the wake of this losing season were calling for the heads of many players the media dubbed as cancer's, but I still have not seen enough proof to suggest that was truly the case. Another offseason with this club, and I think he may have proven to be a great acquisition in 09; but we will never know. The question now is Jenkins and/or Scandrick ready to match up to top tier receivers and contain them. Personally, I'm not confident. Scandrick plays with intensity and passion which I like, but these same attributes can cause him to get lost and coverage as he tends to bite on the opportunities for big plays. Jenkins was inconsistent, but proved to be a servicable option in Tampa Bay when Terence and Anthony were injured, and Pacman was suspended. Scandrick and Jenkins both kept Galloway and Antonio Bryant in check for close to an entire half. That was an impressive showing for both rookies.
Chris Canty. I don't think people realize just how much we will miss him. I'm sure Ware does. Being the leading sack machine for the team, Ware knows many of those sacks would not have happened were it not for Canty doing his job. If Olshansky isn't picked up, his loss should be addressed first, as the number of 3-4 ready DE will not be available for long in the 2nd day, if at all.
Kevin Burnett. Like Canty, is loss very well may be underestimated. In terms of coverage skills, he is one of the best LB's we have, which is why he plays in most Nickel and Dime packages. However, aside from his situational contribution, he was also our leading tackler in Special Teams, which means he very could have developed into a great OLB in the 3-4, should Ellis be released and Spencer prove to be a bust. A reliable tackler, great speed, and great coverage skills. Considering he has not yet accepted an offer, it is still possible that we can retain his services. My hope is that we do, but I doubt other teams fail to see where he can contribute.
Tank Johnson. "I'm a free agent, baby!" I know, I know, I know. He shouldn't have said it. It was stupid. And, it has been argued, that he didn't really do much to be worth keeping around, anyway. But the problem with this determination is how do you measure a DL contribution in the 3-4? It's extremely diffiucult, actually. Blocker-eaters do not get alot of credit, which is why for the exception of Ratliff, who was a bit of an anomaly at NT, some how compiling the stats of a DE in a 4-3 as a NT in the 3-4 (which is why he went to the Pro Bowl), DL are not supposed to have huge stats. Tank Johnson, in a back up role mind you, had 22 tackles, 13 of which were solo and 1 sack in 08. Casey Hampton, the starting DT for the Super Bowl champion Steelers had 22 tackles 13 of which were solo and 1 sack. Hmm. Our back up had mirror stats of the starter for the Super Bowl champions. Does this not speak volumes? The point is you can't just look at a DL stats and assume they add nothing to the rotation. They very well may just be doing their job, so that others can do theirs.
I have put together a dream draft scenario in which we acquire the services of Jarron Gilbert, Dorell Scott, Daniel Holtzclaw, David Bruton, and Domonique Johnson with our first 5 picks overall, but the likelyhood of that happening, I realize, are pretty slim. Domonique Johnson will most likely be considered the fastest CB available, despite his dismal showing at the combine and, again, with several teams moving to the 3-4, Dorell Scott and Jarron Gilbert will likely be considered hot commodities. Nevertheless, given that scenario, I think I would be a little more comfortable with our situation, which is much more dire than I think people truly understand, as far as being contenders in 09.
On offense:
Terrell Owens
Brad Johnson
Joe Berger
Terrell Owens, I pro/con in this thread http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148021, so I'm not going to do that here, but I will say I'm beginning to accept it as a possible addition by subtraction, despite the obvious negative side, for the following reasons. 1. No more excuses for the rest of the team or coaching staff, 2 no more placing emphasis on the involvement of one player, wins will be contigent on how balanced the gameplan and execution is, 3. Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, and Miles Austin will likely get more time to develop their connection with the QB, which should lead to improved production from all three, and, lastly, 4. there will be more carries to spread over Barber, Felix, and Choice, whom I would say are collectively better than Earth, Wind, and Fire of NY (which, incidentally, is no longer).
We traded Anthony Henry for John Kitna to replace Brad Johnson. While I love having John Kitna over Brad Johnson, if Romo stays healthy in 09, the loss of Anthony Henry may prove this move to be stupid. Of course, hind sight is 20/20, but Anthony Henry was still a solid option as CB, when the release of Pacman Jones already made this position look depleted. Now there is talk of moving Scandrick to FS and Hamlin to SS. Not only does this further deplete our stable of CB's (now featuring only Newman, Jenkins, and Ball), but Hamlin is not a SS. His missing the two tackles that lossed the game to Baltimore screams that much. And changing a CB's position to Safety one year removed from college might be asking a little much.
Joe Berger played for Dallas? Personally, if the Cowboys didn't see fit to replace Flozell who averaged at least one penalty per game and was routinely a turnstile for speedy DE/OLB, then I haven't much to complain about on this loss.
In essence, while the loss of T.O.'s production does concern me, it's our defense that I think very well may be in trouble. Unless the Cowboys can acquire the services of a few CB's and/or DL via free agency, hoping that the draft will rebuild this defense to it's 08 form might be asking a little much.