CFZ This team has done some good things. What it should do now to take the next step

[Bobhaze]

I think the kid is the main decision maker these days, and he is conservative to a serious fault.

Doesn’t want to be exposed for all to at he isn’t….which is qualified to be an NFL GM.

McClay is the actual GM, and may even actually suggest adding an impact FA or two, only to have the kid chime in with the idea that a mid round draft pick can do the same job for a fraction of the cost.

Secret sauce I think he called it.

The secret sauce guy needs a lot more help from Will McClay.

 

[Creeper]

The have to keep moving forward. Do not let the roster weaken because of free agency. Use free agency to get stronger.

Just improve the DL, get a CB, a WR, and get healthy on the OL.

 

[Diehardblues]

Being in the final 8 and only losing a game by 1 score on the road and having 6. wins against playoff teams certainly makes you a contender. Throw in that they beat the Eagles who have an excellent chance at winning the whole thing.

Yes, we beat the Egirls without Hurt. Without Hurt playing they almost lost the division and home field.

You keep saying “ contender “. Are you referring to SB contender. I feel there’s a difference between a playoff contender and serious SB contender which I layed out in previous post.

The Cowboys did make some progress this year. We made playoffs in consecutive seasons for first time since 2006-2007 and won our first road playoff game since 1992. If we can become a consistent playoff participant winning playoff games we could emerge as a more serious SB contender. But eventually we will need to end the NFL’s longest losing streak in Super Bowl era in Divisional round for everyone to consider us a serious SB contender.

 

[fivetwos]

The secret sauce guy needs a lot more help from Will McClay.

I mean, I don’t want to call him cheap because the vault is open for their own draftees, but that makes it all the more clear they don’t know the rest of the league all that well.

The opinion by committee thing really hurts, and one thing I’m hoping is mitigated with Jerry’s eventual departure several decades from now.

I wonder how long they are going to let him talk publicly and embarrass himself, the family, and the fans of a once very proud franchise. Probably a while.

The stopwatch thing was cute. Wonder if they used the results that he came up with.

 

[Diehardblues]

some people dont want to see anything negative said about " their team" lol
They avoid reality, and see thru rose colored glasses. when it comes to their team or certain players they like.
I think people adopt a team or players, and these become like a child to them. And no one likes people bashing their child even if it is true.

The Cowboys and jones boys deserve to be bashed , on a regular basis for their lack of success, esp in post season.
The eagles with roseman are making the cowboys and jones boys look like the 3 stooges.

The three stooges comment reminded me of this old pic I have from old site. Note the stooges in background. Don who produced many photo shops for me gets all the credit. I only came up with the idea, he did the rest.

 

[Diehardblues]

The secret sauce guy needs a lot more help from Will McClay.

Will’s role is over played by many fans as they are hoping he’s becoming more of our GM. But he’s mainly just an executive talent scout.

Will isn’t making the final decision on draft picks, personnel moves or contracts not to mention coaching decisions which are all major responsibilities of a GM.

 

[kskboys]

Being in the final 8 and only losing a game by 1 score on the road and having 6. wins against playoff teams certainly makes you a contender. Throw in that they beat the Eagles who have an excellent chance at winning the whole thing.

Not a super bowl contender.

 

[75boyz]

Bob has a solid plan as always in his OP which he invest much time and analysis on presenting in this forum .

I’m not sure we can apply normal strategy with our dysfunctional leadership. But we can adjust our expectations and outlook.

It doesn’t appear especially from Jethro’s most recent statements that our priorities align with his.

Yeah, you nailed it hear bro.
I hafta admit, the Joneses recent long term commitment speeches on keeping their 2016 dynamic duo on the roster is not what I would call a good future recipe for team success, lol

 

[Robster8989]

I don’t expect anything different either. But I enjoy at least putting it in writing for my own psyche, lol.

I agree with this Bob, but I very much appreciate the topic.
We are not in great cap position, but neither are we in poor position.
The cap is going to be expanding tremendously in the coming years, and that should continue. The league is the dominant force in ratings, and that will continue and even expand.
We may see a 300 mil cap as soon as 26 or 27.

I see a lot of posters on here do what the Jones' do. They act like the cap is static and cannot be manipulated. The facts are quite different. Not saying we should resign Schultz, that depends on the contract, but I see a lot of posters say "no way should we give him 10 mil per year!", but 10 mil per for the next 4 years is like 6-7 mil APY over the last 4 years. People don't seem to get that. It's like they have a number fixed in their heads and it stays there, and as I said, the cap is not static.
A young player signed to a 4 or 5 year deal can be not only a valuable player but also a valuable contract.
Due to the signing bonus, the first year cap hit can be kept quite low, helping to fit into a teams cap structure. The 2nd year can be restructed, freeing up valuable cap space. I understand eventually you'll have to pay the piper, but better to do that when the cap is 300 verses when the cap is 220. I'd still likely let Schultz walk, as I think he will be in the 4/60 range, and we have other options and other fish to fry with our limited space.

So, you're right, we can be a player in FA. I think Payne is out of the budget. Just saw Sportrac upped his MV from 5/75 to 5/100. With Diggs, Lamb and Parsons coming up, we would be smart to be sensible. (Plus, I don't think Wash lets him just walk).
Now a guy like Tomlinson (MV 3-25 according to Sportrac), may be a nice addition and fit better into our budget. We could keep his 2023 number at about 4.

Ran a quick mock, moved back a few spots in R1 picking up an extra 3rd.
Grabbed Torrence in 1, Hyatt in R2, Bigsby and Musgrave in R3, then moved my 4th and next years 4th and got Campbell late in the 3rd. I would resign Pollard and Steele (roughly 4/40 with first year cap at 4) I'd keep Peters and maybe look into a vet TE like Marcedes Lewis. Torrence next to Tyler on the left side, TB in the middle and Martin/Steele on the right Pollard and a power back like Bigsby and this team should be able to run. Lot's a quick hits and slants/screens and then PA and shots down the field.

Torrence is a road grader. Put him next to Tyler on the left side for the next decade and we'd have something special.
Hyatt is in the Tyreke Hill mold, a speedster who can really put pressure on a D and stretch the field (Mims from OK is another). Hyatt and CD and Pollard should be elite at YAC. Musgrave is a big TE who can stretch the middle and get deep, plus I like Fergi and Hendershot too. Bigsby is a power runner and also a good pass catcher. That team would be young, powerful and full of playmakers, guys who could turn short passes into home runs, a good fit for MM's offense. I like the idea of adding youth, speed and playmaking to the O in the draft.

Moving on from Tyron and Zeke would pay for that, get us to 0 now as we are currently about 7 mil over the cap, and give us space to sign our picks. 25 mil combined in space if released June 1 for Tyron/Zeke. I love em but it's time to say goodbye.

Then use restructures to make some space for the D. I keep Wilson, sign Tomlinson and then maybe a vet CB (Byron Jones will be released and hit the market, maybe someone like him with a value deal). I'd even be open to releasing Lewis is we got someone like Jones. I'd keep LVE is the price is right, but Jack Campbell is a perfect, fill the gap, run stuffing LB for us.
15-20 mil on D could make us better and deep, and that could be paid for by restructing Martin and Gallup (possibly Armstrong).
I'd try to not touch Dak or Tank unless I had to, but I would if I had to.

QB's- Dak/Rush/3rd stringer
RBs- Pollard/Bigsby/Davis
TEs- Ferguson/Hendershot/Musgrave/Lewis/McKeon
OL- Tyler/Torrence/TB/Martin/Steele Peters/Waletzko/Ball/Farniok/5th round pick G
WRs- Lamb/Gallup/Hyatt/Tolbert/Simi/Turpin/vet

DTs-Tomlinson/Osa/Hankins/Watkins/Gallimore/Golston/Bohanna
DEs- Tank/DA/Micah/Williams/Fowler/Mckinley
LBs- LVE/Campbell/Clark/Cox/Harper
S- Kearse/Wilson/Hooker/Israel/Bell
CB- Diggs/Jones/Bland/Wright/Joseph/Lewis/5th round pick/Godwyn

I figure the savings from Tyron and Zeke pays for the picks and offensive signings, and about 20/22 mil in restructures pays for the D signings.

That team would be talented, young, deep and fit in the cap structure moving forward.

 

[The Fonz]

 

[rambo2]

Not a super bowl contender.

They certainly were.

 

[1972COWBOY]

A new doctrine on strict rules of game play discipline and not let being a Cowboy get to ones head.

 

[DandyDon52]

One reason jones boys now shy away from expensive FA,
is in the past they picked the wrong guys, and they didnt pan out
for one reason or another.

So wanting them to do it, just think about what if they pick the wrong guys again?

 

[Bobhaze]

I agree with this Bob, but I very much appreciate the topic.
We are not in great cap position, but neither are we in poor position.
The cap is going to be expanding tremendously in the coming years, and that should continue. The league is the dominant force in ratings, and that will continue and even expand.
We may see a 300 mil cap as soon as 26 or 27.

I see a lot of posters on here do what the Jones' do. They act like the cap is static and cannot be manipulated. The facts are quite different. Not saying we should resign Schultz, that depends on the contract, but I see a lot of posters say "no way should we give him 10 mil per year!", but 10 mil per for the next 4 years is like 6-7 mil APY over the last 4 years. People don't seem to get that. It's like they have a number fixed in their heads and it stays there, and as I said, the cap is not static.
A young player signed to a 4 or 5 year deal can be not only a valuable player but also a valuable contract.
Due to the signing bonus, the first year cap hit can be kept quite low, helping to fit into a teams cap structure. The 2nd year can be restructed, freeing up valuable cap space. I understand eventually you'll have to pay the piper, but better to do that when the cap is 300 verses when the cap is 220. I'd still likely let Schultz walk, as I think he will be in the 4/60 range, and we have other options and other fish to fry with our limited space.

So, you're right, we can be a player in FA. I think Payne is out of the budget. Just saw Sportrac upped his MV from 5/75 to 5/100. With Diggs, Lamb and Parsons coming up, we would be smart to be sensible. (Plus, I don't think Wash lets him just walk).
Now a guy like Tomlinson (MV 3-25 according to Sportrac), may be a nice addition and fit better into our budget. We could keep his 2023 number at about 4.

Ran a quick mock, moved back a few spots in R1 picking up an extra 3rd.
Grabbed Torrence in 1, Hyatt in R2, Bigsby and Musgrave in R3, then moved my 4th and next years 4th and got Campbell late in the 3rd. I would resign Pollard and Steele (roughly 4/40 with first year cap at 4) I'd keep Peters and maybe look into a vet TE like Marcedes Lewis. Torrence next to Tyler on the left side, TB in the middle and Martin/Steele on the right Pollard and a power back like Bigsby and this team should be able to run. Lot's a quick hits and slants/screens and then PA and shots down the field.

Torrence is a road grader. Put him next to Tyler on the left side for the next decade and we'd have something special.
Hyatt is in the Tyreke Hill mold, a speedster who can really put pressure on a D and stretch the field (Mims from OK is another). Hyatt and CD and Pollard should be elite at YAC. Musgrave is a big TE who can stretch the middle and get deep, plus I like Fergi and Hendershot too. Bigsby is a power runner and also a good pass catcher. That team would be young, powerful and full of playmakers, guys who could turn short passes into home runs, a good fit for MM's offense. I like the idea of adding youth, speed and playmaking to the O in the draft.

Moving on from Tyron and Zeke would pay for that, get us to 0 now as we are currently about 7 mil over the cap, and give us space to sign our picks. 25 mil combined in space if released June 1 for Tyron/Zeke. I love em but it's time to say goodbye.

Then use restructures to make some space for the D. I keep Wilson, sign Tomlinson and then maybe a vet CB (Byron Jones will be released and hit the market, maybe someone like him with a value deal). I'd even be open to releasing Lewis is we got someone like Jones. I'd keep LVE is the price is right, but Jack Campbell is a perfect, fill the gap, run stuffing LB for us.
15-20 mil on D could make us better and deep, and that could be paid for by restructing Martin and Gallup (possibly Armstrong).
I'd try to not touch Dak or Tank unless I had to, but I would if I had to.

QB's- Dak/Rush/3rd stringer
RBs- Pollard/Bigsby/Davis
TEs- Ferguson/Hendershot/Musgrave/Lewis/McKeon
OL- Tyler/Torrence/TB/Martin/Steele Peters/Waletzko/Ball/Farniok/5th round pick G
WRs- Lamb/Gallup/Hyatt/Tolbert/Simi/Turpin/vet

DTs-Tomlinson/Osa/Hankins/Watkins/Gallimore/Golston/Bohanna
DEs- Tank/DA/Micah/Williams/Fowler/Mckinley
LBs- LVE/Campbell/Clark/Cox/Harper
S- Kearse/Wilson/Hooker/Israel/Bell
CB- Diggs/Jones/Bland/Wright/Joseph/Lewis/5th round pick/Godwyn

I figure the savings from Tyron and Zeke pays for the picks and offensive signings, and about 20/22 mil in restructures pays for the D signings.

That team would be talented, young, deep and fit in the cap structure moving forward.

I appreciate what you put into this. Some good thinking.

The thing that jumps out to me that this team absolutely needs to truly compete for a championship is adding two beasts on the interior DL. Odighizhua has been good at times and Hankins occasionally too. But Osa isn’t an every down guy and Hankins‘ best days are behind him. We need to either draft a great interior DL and/or sign one in FA.

I have been mystified for years why this FO does not value the trenches on defense.

They certainly were.

The last time they were a serious contender- based on how far they advanced- was 1995.

 

[DandyDon52]

A new doctrine on strict rules of game play discipline and not let being a Cowboy get to ones head.

I read sean paytons opening speech, and he said toughness and discipline
would be key for him and that may not work for some.
meaning that and my way or take the highway out.

 

[DandyDon52]

I appreciate what you put into this. Some good thinking.

The thing that jumps out to me that this team absolutely needs to truly compete for a championship is adding two beasts on the interior DL. Odighizhua has been good at times and Hankins occasionally too. But Osa isn’t an every down guy and Hankins‘ best days are behind him. We need to either draft a great interior DL and/or sign one in FA.

I have been mystified for years why this FO does not value the trenches on defense.

The last time they were a serious contender- based on how far they advanced- was 1995.

jerry thinks all you need is a good to great de or 2, he always thought charles hailey
was what made their defense great.

 

[DandyDon52]

The three stooges comment reminded me of this old pic I have from old site. Note the stooges in background. Don who produced many photo shops for me gets all the credit. I only came up with the idea, he did the rest.

thats great lol thanks for posting.
you know if the 3 stooges had bought the team in 96, they would at least have the same # of SB wins as the jones boys ! [for the last 27 years]

 

[CowboyRoy]

There’s no reason the players can’t be added to get them over the top, but they actually have to do it, and not worry so much about the 2026 cap. I’m not asking for a Rams situation, but don’t go relying on mid round picks to be studs immediately.

The more I think about it, it all comes down to QB play in January. If Dak is going to throw it to the other team, it may not matter who they add or don’t add.

He is capable, just has to be used correctly…a huge part of which is a solid run game….which was shot by the end of the last two seasons. They need to figure out why, fix it, and not be forced to rely on Daks arm to win playoff games.

And yep, dumping Zeke would be a nice start, but the powers that be don’t seem to agree. Things like that are what irritates me much more than losing games. Don’t even know your players names? Don’t know the opponents best players names? Embarrassing.

That is the common mistake. When people think it’s all about qb play. The rest of the team is more important by far.

You need a championship roster so your qb has to do as little as possible.

Having an elite qb allows you to win one with a little lessor team. But you still need a great team.

We don’t have the team to win without an elite qb. Need to keep getting better.

I actually like the last few years we’re cowboys have not “gone for it”. We weren’t ready. Now and in the next two years is the time. We must spend now to win.

 

[CowboyRoy]

There’s no reason the players can’t be added to get them over the top, but they actually have to do it, and not worry so much about the 2026 cap. I’m not asking for a Rams situation, but don’t go relying on mid round picks to be studs immediately.

The more I think about it, it all comes down to QB play in January. If Dak is going to throw it to the other team, it may not matter who they add or don’t add.

He is capable, just has to be used correctly…a huge part of which is a solid run game….which was shot by the end of the last two seasons. They need to figure out why, fix it, and not be forced to rely on Daks arm to win playoff games.

And yep, dumping Zeke would be a nice start, but the powers that be don’t seem to agree. Things like that are what irritates me much more than losing games. Don’t even know your players names? Don’t know the opponents best players names? Embarrassing.

Most think it’s all about qb play. The team around the qb is more important.

You need a championship roster so your qb has to do as little as possible.

Having an elite qb allows you to win one with a little lessor team. But you still need a great team.

We don’t have the team to win without an elite qb. Need to keep getting better.

I actually like the last few years we’re cowboys have not “gone for it”. We weren’t ready. Now and in the next two years is the time. We must spend now to win now.

 

[Starstruck22]

Whatever any Cowboys fan may feel after another disappointing end to a season, this team has done some very good things in the last five years. Here’s a quick review of the positives:

• Making the playoffs in back to back years for the first time in 15 years
• Making the playoffs in 3 of the last 5 seasons, going 2-2.
• Won a road playoff game for the first time in 30 seasons.
• Drafts have improved the last 5 years, giving us 13 of our 22 starters from the last 5 drafts.
• We improved our defense from the worst in team history to one of the best in the NFL in 2 years.
• Hired a real NFL head coach. Whatever you think of Mike McCarthy, he’s way better than Jason Garrett who apparently can’t get a head coaching job at any level.

BUT…let’s also put this in context with some of this organization’s BAD habits and results the last three decades.

• Since our last SB appearance in the 1995 season, the Cowboys have made the playoffs only 12 of the last 27 seasons (about 40%)
• In the first 36 seasons of Cowboys football, the team won 31 playoff games. In the last 27, they have won 5.
• Two of the team’s biggest division rivals have been to 5 Super Bowls with 4 different head coaches and 4 different QBs since the Cowboys last won a divisional playoff game.
• Teams winning conference championships and SBs tend to be more aggressive these days.

So…what must this organization do NOW to take the next step to more seriously pursue a championship?

• If this organization feel like it is CLOSE to a championship, it MUST be willing to to take some risks in Free Agency, and not act like the “future cap“ is their master. The draft alone is no longer enough.
• We should pursue 2 impactful FAs at certain key positions where our weaknesses are clear. Such as interior DLinemen, OL, maybe WR.
• Be more open to making impactful trades too.
• Go for it now if you’re close. Makes zero sense not to!

Bottom Line: If this front office feels we’re really close to a championship they should GO FOR IT!!! Why wouldn’t you? If they don’t feel we are close, ok…then be conservative. If we keep doing what we’ve been doing, why are we going to get better results?

I honestly believe this off-season will determine if we make the playoffs for the third straight year or fall back to the old habits of making the playoffs 40% of the time.

Get rid of LVE. We need two more run stuffing mobile linebackers, two more competent 1 tech, get rid of Zeke draft replacement, a #2 reciever with speed.