They say QB is the most important position. BUT

[The Fonz]

Give me a franchise QB and I'll take my chances.

We don't have him yet.

 

[Number1]

3 of the 4 finalists from this past year, including the Super Bowl winner, made it despite average (Foles) to well below average (Keenum, Bortles) league QBs because they had either a great defense (Vikings, Jags) or a very good overall team (Eagles) around them.

Build a great team with what we have, pay our defense, pay our offensive line... we may not have to pay Dak more than average 4th round second contract value, unless he earns it. I'm not going to give an average QB Kirk Cousins money just because it's the current market value. I'm only paying a top 10 QB that kind of money, if not I'm building around the rest and drafting replacements every 5 years.

yes, the Boys need great investment on D, on the DL they'll be looking hard for 4 DTs, if you think about the likely game 1 DTs:

Irving, PEDs on top of PEDs
Ward, we'll see but he can play either spot and they wanted him in draft
Collins, when healthy he wins the majority of battles either spot
Price, well, no body pushes him around
and IMO, they'll keep the best D1 not on the list above for the 53 man

I can't see paying any of theses guys until they deliver, and I'll lay money a high round pick is used for a DT in 2019

At LB there's plenty of investment - it's show me time

At DB as well, however - there is no FS to run this secondary on the field as of now, not that Jones ever actually did. Woods will get every chance to take the spot and run with. But he don't really fit Kris' preference for big rangy DBs.

that said, I'd be really tempted to play Heath's 4.4 speed at FS and let Fraizer and Woods work SS/NS.

 

[Roadtrip635]

QB is the most important position in football, period. Having a great defense is important, but that's 11 positions not 1. The QB position makes more impact on a team than any other single position. There is a reason teams gamble and reach for QBs in the draft, even when they know the chance and consequence of failure. The difference is how you build the rest of the team.

 

[NotForLong]

3 of the 4 finalists from this past year, including the Super Bowl winner, made it despite average (Foles) to well below average (Keenum, Bortles) league QBs because they had either a great defense (Vikings, Jags) or a very good overall team (Eagles) around them.

Build a great team with what we have, pay our defense, pay our offensive line... we may not have to pay Dak more than average 4th round second contract value, unless he earns it. I'm not going to give an average QB Kirk Cousins money just because it's the current market value. I'm only paying a top 10 QB that kind of money, if not I'm building around the rest and drafting replacements every 5 years.

Then we might actually have a chance then

 

[millennial_legend]

QB is the most important position in football, period. Having a great defense is important, but that's 11 positions not 1. The QB position makes more impact on a team than any other single position. There is a reason teams gamble and reach for QBs in the draft, even when they know the chance and consequence of failure. The difference is how you build the rest of the team.

The big thing is not paying $20+ million for an average QB when you can usually find another average QB on the market at a low price or in the 2nd-4th rounds of the draft for the rookie price.

Heck, Mike White could be a phenom and we have him for 4 years for really, really cheap. He'll have to outplay Dak in preseason and Dak will have to suck for awhile during the season for him to actually get to play, though.

 

[Roadtrip635]

The big thing is not paying $20+ million for an average QB when you can usually find another average QB on the market at a low price or in the 2nd-4th rounds of the draft for the rookie price.

Heck, Mike White could be a phenom and we have him for 4 years for really, really cheap. He'll have to outplay Dak in preseason and Dak will have to suck for awhile during the season for him to actually get to play, though.

The going rate even for average QBs is high. The QBs not on rookie contracts making less than $20 million are Tannehill, Keenum, Bortles, Dalton, Tyrod, McCown and goes even more downhill from there. Sure just get a rookie QB, no problem, you must be a very new Cowboy fan to have forgotten about the QB wasteland we had from Aikman to Romo with the stellar QBs like Quincey Carter, Anthony Wright, Clint Stoerner, Chad Hutchinson etc.

For every Dak, there's 20 Christian Hackenbergs, Paxton Lynchs, Connor Cooks, Johnny Manziels, Tom Savages, EJ Manuels, Geno Smiths, etc. Mike White might be a phenom, but he also might be the next Bryce Petty. People think it really is that easy, but forget what Dak did in his rookie year was literally, historic.

I understand not wanting to over pay, but it's also not wise to intentionally go cheap at possibly the most important position in team sports. You may not always get what you pay for, but if you're not willing to pay it's going to cost the team more in the long run.

 

[HungryLion]

The big thing is not paying $20+ million for an average QB when you can usually find another average QB on the market at a low price or in the 2nd-4th rounds of the draft for the rookie price.

Heck, Mike White could be a phenom and we have him for 4 years for really, really cheap. He'll have to outplay Dak in preseason and Dak will have to suck for awhile during the season for him to actually get to play, though.

You can “usually” get an average QB in free agency or in the mid rounds of the draft?

What’s your definition of “usually”.

Average QB’s in free agency typically get paid big bucks also. Look at Kirk Cousins.

Also, how many mid round draft picks at QB absolutely suck and never end up being even an average starter?

Go look it up. The hit rate on mid round QB’s isn’t anytjing close to “usually”.

No reason to rush to resign Dak. I hope they make him finish out the last 2 years to see where he is at by then.

But I think you are underselling how hard it is to find a quality starting QB in the NFL.

 

[millennial_legend]

You can “usually” get an average QB in free agency or in the mid rounds of the draft?

What’s your definition of “usually”.

Average QB’s in free agency typically get paid big bucks also. Look at Kirk Cousins.

Also, how many mid round draft picks at QB absolutely suck and never end up being even an average starter?

Go look it up. The hit rate on mid round QB’s isn’t anytjing close to “usually”.

No reason to rush to resign Dak. I hope they make him finish out the last 2 years to see where he is at by then.

But I think you are underselling how hard it is to find a quality starting QB in the NFL.

Exactly. And how many of teams that do that win? That's the exact recipe for getting yourself mired in mediocrity forever. Constantly winning between 6 and 10 games every year, playoffs about once every three years or so, and first round fodder every time you get there.

Exhibit A: Cousins' teams.
Exhibit B: The Lions of most of the past decade.
Exhibit C: The Dolphins of most of the past decade.
Exhibit D: Most of Alex Smith's teams.

I could list more if I spared the thought. You never get close to winning anything significant nor do you ever get any premium draft picks.

Definitely, no rush to re-sign Dak.

 

[HungryLion]

Exactly. And how many of teams that do that win? That's the exact recipe for getting yourself mired in mediocrity forever. Constantly winning between 6 and 10 games every year, playoffs about once every three years or so, and first round fodder every time you get there.

Exhibit A: Cousins' teams.
Exhibit B: The Lions of most of the past decade.
Exhibit C: The Dolphins of most of the past decade.
Exhibit D: Most of Alex Smith's teams.

I could list more if I spared the thought. You never get close to winning anything significant nor do you ever get any premium draft picks.

Definitely, no rush to re-sign Dak.

I agree with that last part. They should have him play out his contract, unless he plays absolutely lights out this season. Then if they need they can franchise tag him, to maintain leverage in re-signing him.

I just also think it’s very very hard to find even a mid level starting QB in the NFL. And the risk is. You spend years stuck bottom feeding, because you can’t find a good QB. Like the cowboys dealt with post Aikman, and pre Romo. Like the current Browns, the Bills, etc.

Of course the Cowboys didn’t invest highly enough in QB, post Aikman. And that was part of the reason why They sucked for so long. Thankfully they got lucky finding Romo.

 

[millennial_legend]

I agree with that last part. They should have him play out his contract, unless he plays absolutely lights out this season. Then if they need they can franchise tag him, to maintain leverage in re-signing him.

I just also think it’s very very hard to find even a mid level starting QB in the NFL. And the risk is. You spend years stuck bottom feeding, because you can’t find a good QB. Like the cowboys dealt with post Aikman, and pre Romo. Like the current Browns, the Bills, etc.

Of course the Cowboys didn’t invest highly enough in QB, post Aikman. And that was part of the reason why They sucked for so long. Thankfully they got lucky finding Romo.

It's a lot better to be bottom feeding and stockpiling high draft picks than to be chronically hovering around 8-8 every year for a decade. That's the absolute worst.

 

[Hadenough]

Or, he gets the ball back on a defensive takeaway midway through the 4th quarter with a two-score lead, in New England, with a chance to go to the Super Bowl... and proceeds to go three-and-out.

That, and the Small Balls Doug (Doug Pederson is 'Big Balls Doug') Marrone decision to punt on the ensuing 4th and inches when they had Fournette and 6'6" Bortles, in compilation with the ensuing 3rd & 18 they gave up, will haunt the Jags, the city of Jacksonville and Jags fans from Florida to London for all of eternity.

That just goes to show you that even a #1 defense can only carry a mediocre QB so far. Jags had thier foot on Brady’s neck and let him come up for air. They really blew that game.

 

[Hadenough]

If they could Aaron Rodgers would have won a few more Superbowls by now.

It’s a crime that GB hasn’t built a defense to help Rogers. I’m pretty sure they have had the cap space they just choose not to spend it.

 

[Diehardblues]

It's a lot better to be bottom feeding and stockpiling high draft picks than to be chronically hovering around 8-8 every year for a decade. That's the absolute worst.

Yea for most teams but Jerry can sell the heck out of 8-8. We’re the highest grossing mediocre franchise in sports history.

Jerry just can’t sell 1-7 or 3 straight 5-11. Romo kept Cowboys in contention selling hope each year. Dak has the same potential. That’s all Jerry needs.

 

[millennial_legend]

That just goes to show you that even a #1 defense can only carry a mediocre QB so far. Jags had thier foot on Brady’s neck and let him come up for air. They really blew that game.

I blame it on the coaches more than Bortles though. They had a stud in Fournette and they chose to punt on 4th & inches up 10 midway through the 4th quarter. And then they give up an excruciating 3rd & 18 on the ensuing drive which would have all but ended the Patriots season if the Jags had held the sticks there. That was the ball games.

 

[HungryLion]

It's a lot better to be bottom feeding and stockpiling high draft picks than to be chronically hovering around 8-8 every year for a decade. That's the absolute worst.

I don’t know. The NFL is different than the NBA. That’s the worst in the NBA.

But you can still build an NFL team having picks in the middle of the rounds in the NFL. It’s harder, than having top 5 picks. But it’s very doable compared to the NBA.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

You can “usually” get an average QB in free agency or in the mid rounds of the draft?

What’s your definition of “usually”.

Average QB’s in free agency typically get paid big bucks also. Look at Kirk Cousins.

Also, how many mid round draft picks at QB absolutely suck and never end up being even an average starter?

Go look it up. The hit rate on mid round QB’s isn’t anytjing close to “usually”.

No reason to rush to resign Dak. I hope they make him finish out the last 2 years to see where he is at by then.

But I think you are underselling how hard it is to find a quality starting QB in the NFL.

Look how many QBs we went through between Aikman and Romo. Most were horrible.

 

[Blackspider214]

22-11 is empty without playoff victories.

Yet Romo is somehow praised and was a career loser.

 

[CATCH17]

Coaching, QB play, Defense.

If you have all 3 you can win it all.

If you have 2 of the 3 and 2 of them are great then you can win it all.

 

[Roadtrip635]

Exactly. And how many of teams that do that win? That's the exact recipe for getting yourself mired in mediocrity forever. Constantly winning between 6 and 10 games every year, playoffs about once every three years or so, and first round fodder every time you get there.

Exhibit A: Cousins' teams.
Exhibit B: The Lions of most of the past decade.
Exhibit C: The Dolphins of most of the past decade.
Exhibit D: Most of Alex Smith's teams.

I could list more if I spared the thought. You never get close to winning anything significant nor do you ever get any premium draft picks.

Definitely, no rush to re-sign Dak.

Finding a quality QB just isn't easy and stockpiling picks doesn't always work, having an average/ below average QB doesn't increase your chance to win consistently. Having a good QB increases your chances, but you still have to build a team around them.

Exhibit A: The Browns, been stockpiling picks for a decade and still haven't been able to find even an average QB, much less a good one
Exhibit B: The Bengals have an average to good QB in Dalton and has a very team friendly contract, how has that helped them win a playoff game?
Exhibit C: The Vikings, they have had a pretty good defense for a few years, but still only seen the playoffs twice in the last 5 years because of inconsistent QB play.
Exhibit D: The Bills, another team that has had pretty good defenses in recent years, but have been struggling to find a QB for a couple of decades
Exhibit E: The Saints, Brees is widely considered an "Elite", not good, but "Elite" QB and few people would argue he hasn't been worth the money he makes, but yet he went through four 7-9 seasons in a 5 year stretch before last years playoff appearance. Maybe the Saints shouldn't have decided to resign an aging QB to $25 million/yr contract, with a young roster, when it's apparently so easy to find a QB. They could have let Brees walk and sign Keenum and use the saving in other areas of need.

 

[waving monkey]

If Prescott gets big money we better win fast or we won’t be able to afford supporting cast very long around him. Which we saw what that means. He was reduced to below average.

This is not an unreasonable observation however, if the team keeps drafting well the we can resupply the loses with quality back ups.