What was the plan this offseason?

[NorthwestDallas40]

I cannot remember a more directionless offseason. We had 4th pick in every round. We had no key free agents of our own to sign. We were out of salary cap hell. And we no doubt knew of looming suspensions to Gregory, Lawrence, and McClain. And the division is there for the taking with easiest schedule (on paper) in the league... Yet, we did virtually nothing to improve the team for this year (Ezekiel Elliot notwithstanding). Our only external signings were Cedric Thornton, Alfred Morris, and Justin Durant. We let premier players at need positions, like Olivier Vernon and Josh Norma,n go to our division rivals. And we did not even jump into negotiations for reasonable contracts like the ones Mario Williams and Jason Pierre-Paul got. Then, in the draft, we take a flier on a guy in the 2nd round that may never play football at the level he previously did, if at all, rather than getting a guy who could help immediately, like Myles Jack. Nor did we do much of anything to improve the backup QB situation, a main reason we were 4-12 last year.

This is not a rant, but a serious question: what was the plan?

 

[Stash]

Hope, lots and lots of hope.

Very similar to the plans of the past several years.

 

[SHAMSzy]

Return to 2014 form with running game. Hope for better health (Romo, Dez, Scandrick). Don't overpay FA's so that you can resign your own guys (Martin, Frederick).

FA has never been the answer.

 

[GrizCowboy]

1. Ignore the obvious back up quarterback problem --- Check.
2. Start the season with 2 rush ends on drug suspensions --- Check
3. Start the season with the starting MLB on suspension --- Check
4. Waste another season of Romo, Witten, Dez, a yound stud RB and a amazing offensive line -- Check.

Seems to me a lot was accomplished.

 

[batman36]

I cannot remember a more directionless offseason. We had 4th pick in every round. We had no key free agents of our own to sign. We were out of salary cap hell. And we no doubt knew of looming suspensions to Gregory, Lawrence, and McClain. And the division is there for the taking with easiest schedule (on paper) in the league... Yet, we did virtually nothing to improve the team for this year (Ezekiel Elliot notwithstanding). Our only external signings were Cedric Thornton, Alfred Morris, and Justin Durant. We let premier players at need positions, like Olivier Vernon and Josh Norma,n go to our division rivals. And we did not even jump into negotiations for reasonable contracts like the ones Mario Williams and Jason Pierre-Paul got. Then, in the draft, we take a flier on a guy in the 2nd round that may never play football at the level he previously did, if at all, rather than getting a guy who could help immediately, like Myles Jack. Nor did we do much of anything to improve the backup QB situation, a main reason we were 4-12 last year.

This is not a rant, but a serious question: what was the plan?

I wish I had a valid answer. I don't!

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Return to 2014 form with running game. Hope for better health (Romo, Dez, Scandrick). Don't overpay FA's so that you can resign your own guys (Martin, Frederick).

FA has never been the answer.

Tell that to Denver, who signed Demarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, TJ Ward and won a super bowl.

 

[Aven8]

Tell that to Denver, who signed Demarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, TJ Ward and won a super bowl.

Don't forget that dude named Peyton!

 

[gimmesix]

I cannot remember a more directionless offseason. We had 4th pick in every round. We had no key free agents of our own to sign. We were out of salary cap hell. And we no doubt knew of looming suspensions to Gregory, Lawrence, and McClain. And the division is there for the taking with easiest schedule (on paper) in the league... Yet, we did virtually nothing to improve the team for this year (Ezekiel Elliot notwithstanding). Our only external signings were Cedric Thornton, Alfred Morris, and Justin Durant. We let premier players at need positions, like Olivier Vernon and Josh Norma,n go to our division rivals. And we did not even jump into negotiations for reasonable contracts like the ones Mario Williams and Jason Pierre-Paul got. Then, in the draft, we take a flier on a guy in the 2nd round that may never play football at the level he previously did, if at all, rather than getting a guy who could help immediately, like Myles Jack. Nor did we do much of anything to improve the backup QB situation, a main reason we were 4-12 last year.

This is not a rant, but a serious question: what was the plan?

The belief by the coaches and front office is that this team would have been in contention last year if we had not lost Romo and Bryant for extended periods. I cannot say that belief is wrong because the running game was productive despite losing Murray and the passing game not really being a threat.

The team was 12-4 in 2014 and almost made it to the NFC Championship Game without any real stars on defense, so the team believes it can be in the running again. I don't think the team didn't want to improve the defense, but its clear the plan isn't to overspend to improve the defense.

Instead, the plan seems to be for Marinelli to make what he has at least good enough that the offense can carry the team to similar results as 2014's. There is no belief that this team is in danger of going 4-12 again unless it loses Romo. However, the team didn't seem to learn from last season that without Romo, it can't win and it needs to at least build a team around him that can win a few games without him.

In other words, patchwork defense and great offense worked in 2014, so let's do it again.

 

[SHAMSzy]

Tell that to Denver, who signed Demarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, TJ Ward and won a super bowl.

Good point. FA just always seems to be a disaster for us.

 

[DFWJC]

Not that he was available or that I'm saying it would've been the right pick, but if they had drafted Bosa then people would at least have thought they addressed a more serious need.

Pretty much everyone was saying they needed help at DE and DT.
They added Thornton at DT and drafted Collins...so check that box.
But acquiring Mayowa and drafting Tapper has most thinking they came up short at DE. Especially given the two young guys are suspended.

Guess we'll see how it goes.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I cannot remember a more directionless offseason. We had 4th pick in every round. We had no key free agents of our own to sign. We were out of salary cap hell. And we no doubt knew of looming suspensions to Gregory, Lawrence, and McClain. And the division is there for the taking with easiest schedule (on paper) in the league... Yet, we did virtually nothing to improve the team for this year (Ezekiel Elliot notwithstanding). Our only external signings were Cedric Thornton, Alfred Morris, and Justin Durant. We let premier players at need positions, like Olivier Vernon and Josh Norma,n go to our division rivals. And we did not even jump into negotiations for reasonable contracts like the ones Mario Williams and Jason Pierre-Paul got. Then, in the draft, we take a flier on a guy in the 2nd round that may never play football at the level he previously did, if at all, rather than getting a guy who could help immediately, like Myles Jack. Nor did we do much of anything to improve the backup QB situation, a main reason we were 4-12 last year.

This is not a rant, but a serious question: what was the plan?

There was no plan. Many are wondering the same thing.

I think the fools in the FO truly think they have a SB contender on their hands. Its almost laughable.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Good point. FA just always seems to be a disaster for us.

1. Denver was not in salary cap hell
2. They know what they are doing over there
3. They had lots of great players on D already.

 

[zrinkill]

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But mostly this

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[LocimusPrime]

Return to 2014 form with running game. Hope for better health (Romo, Dez, Scandrick). Don't overpay FA's so that you can resign your own guys (Martin, Frederick).

FA has never been the answer.

John Elway and his superbowl winning defense would disagree with you. The Broncos built that defense in two off seasons with plenty of free agent acquisitions

 

[Stash]

John Elway and his superbowl winning defense would disagree with you. The Broncos built that defense in two off seasons with plenty of free agent acquisitions

To say nothing of adding the right coach in the right role.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

When it comes to the NFL "Hope rules" is the name of the game for almost all NFL teams.

I still think this is a 10-6 team.

Some of these threads are going to be a hoot.

 

[Sydla]

Return to 2014 form with running game. Hope for better health (Romo, Dez, Scandrick). Don't overpay FA's so that you can resign your own guys (Martin, Frederick).

FA has never been the answer.

You could have played in FA without damaging your chances to resign your own guys.

The excuse that we couldn't be more active in FA because of future contracts for our guys is a total myth.

 

[Nightman]

Tell that to Denver, who signed Demarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, TJ Ward and won a super bowl.

We gamble on every other aspect of team building but we forgo FA because Carr was a bust

Not every signing has to be a huge bargain or a huge question mark

There are good players that aren't injured or druggies or quitters

 

[kiheikiwi]

Am i the only one who is reminded right now of the 2009 draft ? (The backup draft)
That was an unmitigated disaster. The arogance of this front office in thinking, we're close, just draft some backups and we are off to the super bowl !
This offseason feels just the same.
We have gone from a 1st round MLBer to a 4th rounder. We have gone from two 2nd round DE's to a 5th rounder and an FA. Our corners have not changed. No backup QB bought in. Even our prized off season get was an undrafted DT.
Smells like an arogant FO to me. Im pissed.

 

[Nightman]

You could have played in FA without damaging your chances to resign your own guys.

The excuse that we couldn't be more active in FA because of future contracts for our guys is a total myth.

Their guys or our guys...what's the difference......we have no problem overpaying our guys but are scared to death of signing their guys....you still have to make good choices, just like the draft...we didn't abandon the draft after we screwed up with Claiborne