Wade, Anthony, Ken, Jason, Brian, Leonard and Brad...

[dcfanatic]

In relation to the success of this team in 2007 how would you rank the importance of the signing or drafting of these seven guys.

* The way I listed them is the order I rank them.

1. Wade Phillips - Head Coach, nuff said.

2. Anthony Spencer - This team need another pass rusher in the worst way or the defense will never get off the field on third down.

3. Ken Hamlin - He will be a leader from the FS spot that this team lost and has never had since Darren Woodson left.

4. Jason Garrett - He will need to keep Tony Romo moving forward and becoming an even better NFL QB.

5. Brian Stewart - These players are going to be looking for him on a daily basis to help decipher the 'ins and outs' of this defense.

6. Leonard Davis - He needs to upgrade the RG spot and help get the power running game moving the chains once again in Big D.

7. Brad Johnson - He will hopefully just be a good sounding board for Tony and Jason. Let's hope he never has to play for any significant amount of time.

What do you guys think?

 

[heavyg]

All looks pretty good to me. The only head scratcher to me is the signing of Johnson? I mean is he really any better than Bledsoe? I have all the faith in the world in Romo. But injuries happen. Do we really want to rely on Brad Johnson if Romo goes down?

 

[DallasEast]

All looks pretty good to me. The only head scratcher to me is the signing of Johnson? I mean is he really any better than Bledsoe? I have all the faith in the world in Romo. But injuries happen. Do we really want to rely on Brad Johnson if Romo goes down?

IMO, Bledsoe didn't care for the label of backup at that stage of his career. The guy retired instead of taking that role with any NFL team.

Good list. I would move Davis ahead of Garrett and Stewart. Our offensive line has been very fluid over the past few years. There is always a slight chance he doesn't integrate well into the line and regress any improvement the other four linemen made together last season. I highly doubt that, but if it were to happen, it would affect Romo's protection up the middle and his run blocking for Jones and Barber. Both circumstances would be factors in Garrett's planning in particular.

 

[Idgit]

1 for obvious reasons
4 coaching can't be overrated, plus this is a huge year for Romo's development
3 b/c of his role as a defensive QB
5 can coaching be underrated, probably, but Wade gets some credit for defense, too
2 how much of an improvement will he be over a healthy Ellis? this year?
6 Davis' signing is important, b/c it's really going to help our interior running game and keep teams from blitzing up the middle and should let us move Romo in the pocket all year


7 Meh. I think he's an ok signing, but he's a stepdown from Bledsoe in everything but attitude. He can win a game or two for us, but if Romo's out for a long period, I think we have real problems

 

[baj1dallas]

1 Hamlin - Crucial weakness last season
2 Johnson - Absolutely must have capable backup in case of injury
3 Spencer - Second major weakness with Ellis injured
4 Davis - last real weakness and depth & versatility
5 Phillips - Positive attitude needed
6 Stewart - Defense was one of the best in the league first half last year
7 Garrett - Little to no impact, Sparano currently better offensive mind (Garrett might end up better)

 

[Angus]

1 for obvious reasons
4 coaching can't be overrated, plus this is a huge year for Romo's development
3 b/c of his role as a defensive QB
5 can coaching be underrated, probably, but Wade gets some credit for defense, too
2 how much of an improvement will he be over a healthy Ellis? this year?
6 Davis' signing is important, b/c it's really going to help our interior running game and keep teams from blitzing up the middle and should let us move Romo in the pocket all year


7 Meh. I think he's an ok signing, but he's a stepdown from Bledsoe in everything but attitude. He can win a game or two for us, but if Romo's out for a long period, I think we have real problems

I agree with you.

How some people can rate as necessary for success an exchangeable player ahead of the coach calling the plays is incomprehensible.

Turn it around. Who can ruin the season easier? A coach in charge or a player, one of many?

 

[jobberone]

Nothing wrong with the list. I think safety and pass rush are the major issues. I think Ellis is more important than Spencer although both needed. The coaches will look brilliant if we win. Nothing will be right if we lose too much.

 

[ZeroClub]

In relation to the success of this team in 2007 how would you rank the importance of the signing or drafting of these seven guys.

* The way I listed them is the order I rank them.

1. Wade Phillips - Head Coach, nuff said.

2. Anthony Spencer - This team need another pass rusher in the worst way or the defense will never get off the field on third down.

3. Ken Hamlin - He will be a leader from the FS spot that this team lost and has never had since Darren Woodson left.

4. Jason Garrett - He will need to keep Tony Romo moving forward and becoming an even better NFL QB.

5. Brian Stewart - These players are going to be looking for him on a daily basis to help decipher the 'ins and outs' of this defense.

6. Leonard Davis - He needs to upgrade the RG spot and help get the power running game moving the chains once again in Big D.

7. Brad Johnson - He will hopefully just be a good sounding board for Tony and Jason. Let's hope he never has to play for any significant amount of time.

What do you guys think?

I hope Brad Johnson doesn't turn out to be especially important. I'd replace Johnson on your list with Nick Folk.

This could be a complete miss on my part because Folk might have a bad summer and not make the team, but if Folk wins the battle versus Automatica, Folk is gong to be a difference maker (one way or the other) in several games - kickers always are.

I'm hoping that Leonard Davis is going to be such an every down force that he'll end up being the clear #1 player addition. But who knows?

 

[jobberone]

I hope Brad Johnson doesn't turn out to be especially important. I'd replace Johnson on your list with Nick Folk.

This could be a complete miss on my part because Folk might have a bad summer and not make the team, but if Folk wins the battle versus Automatica, Folk is gong to be a difference maker (one way or the other) in several games - kickers always are.

I'm hoping that Leonard Davis is going to be such an every down force that he'll end up being the clear #1 player addition. But who knows?

That's a great point about the kicker. He will likely make the team. It makes a big difference to be able to kick the ball into the EZ every time. Even better to be able to kick it over the end line.

 

[big dog cowboy]

1 for obvious reasons
4 coaching can't be overrated, plus this is a huge year for Romo's development
3 b/c of his role as a defensive QB
5 can coaching be underrated, probably, but Wade gets some credit for defense, too
2 how much of an improvement will he be over a healthy Ellis? this year?
6 Davis' signing is important, b/c it's really going to help our interior running game and keep teams from blitzing up the middle and should let us move Romo in the pocket all year


7 Meh. I think he's an ok signing, but he's a stepdown from Bledsoe in everything but attitude. He can win a game or two for us, but if Romo's out for a long period, I think we have real problems

Spencer's impact will be bigger than you expect and Johnson is a step up over Bledsoe.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

All looks pretty good to me. The only head scratcher to me is the signing of Johnson? I mean is he really any better than Bledsoe? I have all the faith in the world in Romo. But injuries happen. Do we really want to rely on Brad Johnson if Romo goes down?

Bledsoe was not about to play second fiddle to the kid who unseated him, the 3rd time its happened to teh poor chap in his career.

Johnson was willing to be a back up. And honestly, Bledsoe was far form efficient last year, and probably cost us a few games early on there. Johnson in my oppinion, at this point, is less gun shy than Bledsoe.

If Romo were to get hurt, I don't want to see the same thing we saw for 1 1/2 season here....drop back, pat pat pat pat, Sack/INt.

 

[Hoofbite]

1. Wade - He was brought in because he is supposed to have the recipe for making a monster defense. This team has all the tealent, hes supposed to make it happen and with that side of the ball being the weak spot, hes #1.

2. Spencer - After the injury to Ellis, the pass rush was horrid. This guy needs to be what the team hopes he can be.

3. Davis - Rivera has been a mess. Even if fat, lazy leonard shows up he will still upgrade that position.

4. Stewart - Like said above, this guy is important in making sure the players get the knowledge of the scheme down.

5. Hamlin - FS has been a huge weak spot but if Wade does his job, Hamlin's job should come mighty easily. If the pressure is on the QB, it won't be the need it has been and more then likely Davis could man the FS spot and succeed.

6. Garrett - Might be low but I don't see him as a huge piece in 07'. I think he was brought in to be a huge piece moving forward. The Offense was stellar last year and I can live with how it performed. He does have a huge job in keeping Romo on pace but as far as what he brings to the team in 07', I don't think its as much as the others. You ask about future of the franchise and hes at the top of the list.

7 - Johnson - Hopefully he doesn't need to be anything more then a scab. If so, not good news.