jday
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Hat tip goes to @IrishAnto
My unbridled optimism here lately has invited the occasional reality check from fellow bloggers…as well it should…were I in my right mind, I’d give the man in the mirror quite the tongue-lashing! Trouble is, I’m rarely if ever in my right mind. I think I might be left-brained, because I left it somewhere a long time ago.
Anywho, I have to admit, the offensive line is a concern. The Cowboys current options to replace Leary if La'el moves to Right Tackle never measured up to their draft billing (Jonathan Cooper). The option to replace Free, if La'el stays at Guard, has simply not been able to remain healthy (Chaz Green). Behind those two is even more uncertainty.
Recently Stephen Jones hinted that once a portion of Romo’s salary falls off the cap, they may entertain some trade options. The first question that popped in my head was what position would they target? So, I went through the various positions from top to bottom and the following are the conclusions I came to:
I don’t see them adding anyone to the defensive line until they find out exactly what they have in Taco and Tapper. DT is a slim possibility, as they already have Maliek Collins and an improvement at 1-tech would likely cost too much draft capital.
I doubt they would add a linebacker if Jaylon is in fact ready to play. It wouldn’t make sense to trade for a guy who is most likely going to be a backup.
The secondary is definitely off-limits, as the majority of their new additions via the Draft and Free Agency are there and I can’t see them making a move to add a progress-stopper.
So, while defense is riddled with questions, I think the Cowboys will stand pat on that side of the ball.
On offense, it’s pretty clear the Cowboys are set at WR, TE, RB and QB. Granted, you might not like Moore as a backup option but at the same time, Dak is not the same injury risk that Romo was, so I could certainly see them rolling into the season with what they have.
That leaves offensive line. To determine potential options, I am looking at the teams that added offensive tackle talent high in the draft, where I believe a potential trade could develop.
The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Cam Robinson. They currently have Branden Albert (LT, 32) and Jermey Parnell (RT, 30) listed as their current starting Tackles. Cam, for the moment, is being listed at LT, but given Parnell’s history with the Cowboys, it is possible that they would move Cam or Albert to RT to compensate for Parnell’s loss and trade him to the Cowboys to whom he would likely have the most value.
The Denver Broncos added Garrett Bolles. The Broncos will likely immediately slide Garrett Bolles into the starter position at LT considering that the Offensive Tackles of a year ago underperformed. Donald Stephenson (LT, 28) and Ty Sambrailo (RT, 25) are the current offensive tackles listed. However, last year the RT was Russell Okung who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers March 9, 2017. So, if the Broncos look to move someone it would most likely be Stephenson, who has largely underperformed in his role. The question is would moving him to RT on an offensive line that features 3 Pro Bowlers help his game? He could certainly be had on the cheap, in my opinion.
Ryan Ramczyk went to the Saints. Zach Strief (RT, 33) and Terron Armstead (LT, 25) are the current tackles. Ryan will likely replace Zach, which could make him available. Forget about Terron…there is no way they are letting him walk. Behind Terron, however, is Khalif Barnes (LT, 35), who they could possibly dangle as trade bait, but I'd rather see what options come available following final cuts then giving up draft capital for someone who may very well be released during final cuts, if not sooner.
I briefly took a look at the Guards taken in this year draft, and I could not find anyone behind them that I thought might be an improvement over what the Cowboys already have. But, to be fair, I didn't look very hard, because my ideal scenario involves La'el staying right where he is at Left Guard.
So out of the above possibilities, I could certainly see Jermey Parnell making a return to Dallas…and with Free gone and a better chance at starting for a team like the Cowboys, I’m pretty sure that’s a return he would be eager to undertake. Furthermore, if I’m not mistaken, his cap hit for the Cowboys would be 6.5 and the guaranteed money has already been paid, so the move would be doable for the Jaguars.
Anyone got any better ideas?
My unbridled optimism here lately has invited the occasional reality check from fellow bloggers…as well it should…were I in my right mind, I’d give the man in the mirror quite the tongue-lashing! Trouble is, I’m rarely if ever in my right mind. I think I might be left-brained, because I left it somewhere a long time ago.
Anywho, I have to admit, the offensive line is a concern. The Cowboys current options to replace Leary if La'el moves to Right Tackle never measured up to their draft billing (Jonathan Cooper). The option to replace Free, if La'el stays at Guard, has simply not been able to remain healthy (Chaz Green). Behind those two is even more uncertainty.
Recently Stephen Jones hinted that once a portion of Romo’s salary falls off the cap, they may entertain some trade options. The first question that popped in my head was what position would they target? So, I went through the various positions from top to bottom and the following are the conclusions I came to:
I don’t see them adding anyone to the defensive line until they find out exactly what they have in Taco and Tapper. DT is a slim possibility, as they already have Maliek Collins and an improvement at 1-tech would likely cost too much draft capital.
I doubt they would add a linebacker if Jaylon is in fact ready to play. It wouldn’t make sense to trade for a guy who is most likely going to be a backup.
The secondary is definitely off-limits, as the majority of their new additions via the Draft and Free Agency are there and I can’t see them making a move to add a progress-stopper.
So, while defense is riddled with questions, I think the Cowboys will stand pat on that side of the ball.
On offense, it’s pretty clear the Cowboys are set at WR, TE, RB and QB. Granted, you might not like Moore as a backup option but at the same time, Dak is not the same injury risk that Romo was, so I could certainly see them rolling into the season with what they have.
That leaves offensive line. To determine potential options, I am looking at the teams that added offensive tackle talent high in the draft, where I believe a potential trade could develop.
The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Cam Robinson. They currently have Branden Albert (LT, 32) and Jermey Parnell (RT, 30) listed as their current starting Tackles. Cam, for the moment, is being listed at LT, but given Parnell’s history with the Cowboys, it is possible that they would move Cam or Albert to RT to compensate for Parnell’s loss and trade him to the Cowboys to whom he would likely have the most value.
The Denver Broncos added Garrett Bolles. The Broncos will likely immediately slide Garrett Bolles into the starter position at LT considering that the Offensive Tackles of a year ago underperformed. Donald Stephenson (LT, 28) and Ty Sambrailo (RT, 25) are the current offensive tackles listed. However, last year the RT was Russell Okung who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers March 9, 2017. So, if the Broncos look to move someone it would most likely be Stephenson, who has largely underperformed in his role. The question is would moving him to RT on an offensive line that features 3 Pro Bowlers help his game? He could certainly be had on the cheap, in my opinion.
Ryan Ramczyk went to the Saints. Zach Strief (RT, 33) and Terron Armstead (LT, 25) are the current tackles. Ryan will likely replace Zach, which could make him available. Forget about Terron…there is no way they are letting him walk. Behind Terron, however, is Khalif Barnes (LT, 35), who they could possibly dangle as trade bait, but I'd rather see what options come available following final cuts then giving up draft capital for someone who may very well be released during final cuts, if not sooner.
I briefly took a look at the Guards taken in this year draft, and I could not find anyone behind them that I thought might be an improvement over what the Cowboys already have. But, to be fair, I didn't look very hard, because my ideal scenario involves La'el staying right where he is at Left Guard.
So out of the above possibilities, I could certainly see Jermey Parnell making a return to Dallas…and with Free gone and a better chance at starting for a team like the Cowboys, I’m pretty sure that’s a return he would be eager to undertake. Furthermore, if I’m not mistaken, his cap hit for the Cowboys would be 6.5 and the guaranteed money has already been paid, so the move would be doable for the Jaguars.
Anyone got any better ideas?
