We had a clear plan

[Sarge]

Thanks to Pittsburgh for selecting Shazier and Decastro, so we can have clear plan.

Lol

 

[reddyuta]

Shazier would have been wasted on this defense,he needs a good line to be really effective with his speed.

 

[jnday]

I agree with your statement that we had a plan, but the cards didn't fall like we hoped they would. Lawrence may turn out to be well worth the trade up. That remains to be seen. I hope it works out that way.

The one thing in your post that I disagree with is your suggestion that we drafted to win now, while preparing for the future. Lawrence was a "win now" pick. If we had been preparing for long term team success we would have stayed put and not moved up for Lawrence. The opportunity cost of moving up was a 3rd round pick (and presumably a potential starter) to get Lawrence, thus arguably extending the time it will take to rebuild with one less player/pick. I'm not saying that it was a bad more .... or a good move .....it is too early to know that, but let's be real, that was a "win now" move whether you agree with the decision they made or not.

It had hints of a desperation move with a touch of panic. They were scared of going into the season without a DE and he was the last pass rusher left on their list.

 

[jnday]

When making a plan, it's incumbent that the planner have a plan A, B, C, etc. I think the Cowboys were prepared in that regard.

They didn't look happy from the pictures in the warroom. I don't think they were happy to go the route they went, but the draft didn't fall their way.

 

[noshame]

They better win now because they'll never be able to re-sign all three first round picks on the OL.

 

[speedkilz88]

The good news is that we have one more year of Doug Free at RT, so missing out on Turner was not a total loss.

Root for Parnell and Weems

 

[big dog cowboy]

Apparently part of our plan was for Pittsburgh to take our target at 15 leaving us with the offensive lineman.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Wrong. The plan was to draft one of 4 guys if they were available or possibly trade down. It's crystal clear the player you referenced wasn't the only targeted player we had in our draft sights or available at the time we were on the clock. Nice try and another jab at the FO however.

 

[DallasEast]

They better win now because they'll never be able to re-sign all three first round picks on the OL.

That's a legitimate concern, but it's also one which should be expected by the front office. Nothing should prevent the scouting staff to continue evaluating quality mid-round offensive linemen talent in upcoming drafts; and help supplement the offensive line until Smith, Frederick, or Martin begin pressing the limits of the team's salary cap. And I do mean quality mid-round offensive linemen talent. No more David Arkins.

 

[jnday]

Root for Parnell and Weems

Parnell has the physical ability and talent. He was supposed to challenge for the starting job last year, but injuries set him back early and he never recovered. If he doesn't beat Free out this year, I think he is done with having a chance to start. I would like to see him start this year just for the reason that Free would be there to take over if he doesn't play well. I have noticed that the coaches are all quite about him and he doesn't receive the praise that he once did.

 

[ConstantReboot]

I'm glad that Shazier was snatched so the team was forced to make the smart decision and go with the OL. Giving up next years 2nd to move into the end of the 3rd still shows their incompetence (unfortunately).

Im not a big fan of Martin and certainly wanted defense in the 1st round. Would have loved it if we traded up to try and get Donald. But I would not have gone with Shazer in the first round. We need passrushers to fix this defense. Not linebackers.

 

[jazzcat22]

Parnell has the physical ability and talent. He was supposed to challenge for the starting job last year, but injuries set him back early and he never recovered. If he doesn't beat Free out this year, I think he is done with having a chance to start. I would like to see him start this year just for the reason that Free would be there to take over if he doesn't play well. I have noticed that the coaches are all quite about him and he doesn't receive the praise that he once did.

Mini camps and TC hasn't started yet though. So maybe they will start again. I agree, this is his year to take over. If not, they will move on, draft an OT next year if another doesn't emerge this year to possibly challenge.

 

[casmith07]

I have been making the argument for some time now that we are still a a round of Free Agency and another draft away from contention. But perhaps your right...with a little Marinelli magic, this defense could blossom and considering the state of the NFCE, it is not out of the realm of possibilities that this team reach the playoffs. From there, it's all about who gets hot at the right time. I'm a long way from being sold on this team, but I'll at least admit your argument has merit; especially if this team could simply stay healthy.

This team now as constructed has high potential to do something big. I still agree, however, that we're one more off-season away from being truly ready to compete where people can start levying some kind of expectations.

 

[arglebargle]

Every team has a "plan" for the draft. And each team feels great and publicly says so even after they had to go with Plan B, version 5.0 after things changed on the fly. It is all part of the draft chess game.

All in all, we wanted to address both lines, we did that.

More interested in the results than the warm fuzzies that a "plan came together". If we picked the right players, it will be self evident.

No plan survives contact with the enemy. And....

 

[AKATheRake]

I thought Quarles and Jeffcoat were good value at UDFA but obviously Marinelli isn't in to them.

I like the job he did as a DC in Chicago but he certainly didn't put the personnel together on that defense. He coached them up.

Coached the slugs we had on the DL last year too. Just don't know if he's necessarily the best talent evaluator.

So although I do like Marinellis blessing on a player he's going to have to coach I don't think that's the end all on choosing players for this defense.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Parnell has the physical ability and talent. He was supposed to challenge for the starting job last year, but injuries set him back early and he never recovered.

My patience is running thin with him. I've read several times that on paper he is better than Free. Come training camp it's time to prove it on the field.

 

[TwoDeep3]

As Mike Tyson said, "They all have a plan until they get hit."

 

[jazzcat22]

I thought Quarles and Jeffcoat were good value at UDFA but obviously Marinelli isn't in to them.

I like the job he did as a DC in Chicago but he certainly didn't put the personnel together on that defense. He coached them up.

Coached the slugs we had on the DL last year too. Just don't know if he's necessarily the best talent evaluator.

So although I do like Marinellis blessing on a player he's going to have to coach I don't think that's the end all on choosing players for this defense.

I think they felt, as many other teams also, Jeffcoat was a tweener. too small for one position, too slow for another. I was kind of hoping for them to get Jeffcoat, but also didn't know if he was a good fit. I for one, applaud this, as I am tired of the tweener guy and the injured guy [with using higher picks], but FA is ok on some of the injury types. Late draft picks ok if they will be ready for camp.

 

[visionary]

Great post OP, here is what I got

1. This time we had a plan. Why is that significant? Have we not had a plan previously? I would think ALL teams "have a plan"

2. We want to win now and build for the long term. Can you show me an NFL ream that does not want to win now and build for the future ?

3. God dislikes us and the media (mayock in this case) hates us

These revelations are certainly ground breaking

 

[Sasquatch]

It had hints of a desperation move with a touch of panic. They were scared of going into the season without a DE and he was the last pass rusher left on their list.

Surely, they were aware that next year's draft is supposed to have a good number of solid DE prospects.

 

[Risen Star]

Every team has a "plan" for the draft. And each team feels great and publicly says so even after they had to go with Plan B, version 5.0 after things changed on the fly. It is all part of the draft chess game.

All in all, we wanted to address both lines, we did that.

More interested in the results than the warm fuzzies that a "plan came together". If we picked the right players, it will be self evident.

It'll be tough to overcome getting absolutely nothing from your 3rd and 4th round picks.

I have no doubt the first two players will be legit.