Wheat's (Bufford's) guide to a successful Dallas offseason

[Wheat]

You folks have been going back and forth on who to keep, trade, sign, extend, etc....... and I wanted to share my outsiders view, position by position.

QB- If the Tuna returns...the Bledsoe should also. He's got enough in him to manage a game. He won't win you a ton of a games, but with a decent OL, he won't lose them either. Think Trent Dilfer but better. ALSO, its time to decide who the future at QB is also. This doesn't mean that its always a slam dunk. But, you need to settle on a #2 and groom him for the future. Is it Henson? Romo? A rookie or FA? Lock that in and prep that guy to be a snap away from the field.

RB- When JJ is healthy, he's a beast. But, he's not very healthy. I like Barber also. I still think you need a big RB for goalline gut situations. This could be a draft of FA situation also. I wouldn't go after a Jamal Lewis though. Maybe take a gamble on a guy who's been hurt, but not is looking for some playing time. A Duce Staley (ok...he's a bad example). basically, you gotta plan for JJ to miss a few games a year now, so keep and eye out for some depth there I don't know anything about your FB situation.

TE- Extend Witten....keep Campbell. That simple.

OL- Ok, you need new tackles. This should be a draft priority if you want your pass protection and running game to work. I'd even label this as the most important offseason topic for your front office. OL! OL! OL! There is no reason your QB should be sacked 7 times in a game. this would be a good RFA situation where you go after a guy from another team, and maybe it costs you a mid round pick, but you get a solid guy

WR- Keyshawn and Glenn are talented mofo's....but they aren't young. If you think a guy like Crayton is the future in a starting roll. You lock him up, if not. Then you go look for guys who can start, or will be ready in the next season or two. Somebody who can be mixed in to keep your vets fresh, but also get this guy some playing time. T.O. is not the answer for any team. If you guys want to go after him, its your funeral. I'd say this is a draft solution. Maybe the best WR you can get after you draft a tackle or two. The Steelers won't let Randel El go, but as a Skins fan...I'd love to steal that guy

DL- Are you staying with the 3-4? going back to the 4-3? What's the deal? I love your rookies. Maybe find a legit NT or whatever that spot is called in the middle of the line in a 3-4. Other than that, I'd go for depth.

LB- Is Dat done? I'd go the FA route to add some depth here....and bounce Barrow out. I could have told you guys he was done. He never took a snap for D.C. Also, in my world, I'd use Roy Williams as a tweener of LB and Safety more. I think he's so much better in run support than pass support.

CB- Henry is ok, I was never a fan. I'd look for a guy who's challenge for the #2 spot next to Newman who's been a stud a times. But Henry as the nickel would be excellent. this is where you find a guy who could play nickel/dime or a safety spot if needed

Safeties- You've got Roy....and then what? This should be a focus. I don't know where you find solid guys for this spot. We've got a reject from the Giants who came into his own here. I'm happy with Ryan Clark. I think a blue collar guy who knows how role would be good. He doesn't need to make a ton of INT's or cause a lot of fumble. Just make the clean tackle, and don't mess up. I'd look for 2 of these guys so I could have Roy lining up as a LB sometimes.

Kickers- You need a new one, 'nuff said.

I know it looks like I am suggesting a ton of turnover, but I'm not. Its mostly depth and planning for the future.

thoughts?

 

[Glenn Carano]

Not bad. Disagree with what you say about Henry, I think we're in pretty good shape at CB. At tackle, I think we need one more starter as Flozell will be back next year. The two guys that started for us this year(Tucker and Pettiti) will then be backups.

 

[Concord]

You folks have been going back and forth on who to keep, trade, sign, extend, etc....... and I wanted to share my outsiders view, position by position.

QB- If the Tuna returns...the Bledsoe should also. He's got enough in him to manage a game. He won't win you a ton of a games, but with a decent OL, he won't lose them either. Think Trent Dilfer but better. ALSO, its time to decide who the future at QB is also. This doesn't mean that its always a slam dunk. But, you need to settle on a #2 and groom him for the future. Is it Henson? Romo? A rookie or FA? Lock that in and prep that guy to be a snap away from the field.

:ralph:

That's not saying much.

This is what the Cowboys have come to at Quarterback...Sad Indeed.

 

[Wheat]

Dilfer in that home stretch got the job done in Baltimore. He played within his ability, rode the running game, and made the throw when he needed to.

That's what I meant.

 

[DBoys]

Good post

 

[Jarv]

Dilfer in that home stretch got the job done in Baltimore. He played within his ability, rode the running game, and made the throw when he needed to.

That's what I meant.

I actually thought Dilfer was a good QB. Talk about your bus drivers.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Legit DT/NT would help them out a lot, IMO.

Good post Bufford, I agree with most of your take.

 

[Concord]

Dilfer in that home stretch got the job done in Baltimore. He played within his ability, rode the running game, and made the throw when he needed to.

That's what I meant.

I know what you mean.

I just expect more from a Cowboy QB.

After Staubach and Aikman...I guess I'll never be satisfied.

 

[Concord]

I actually thought Dilfer was a good QB. Talk about your bus drivers.

Did you really have to say that?

 

[Jarv]

Did you really have to say that?

You know, I was a bus driver for the New Cannan school system as I worked my way through College. Of course Norwalk State Tech didn't have a football team...But I played LB'er in HS and I hardly make mistakes..Well except I did almost run over David Letterman once on main street in New Cannan...But the kids shouted stop Jarv stop (Kinda like Forest Gump, quite a football player himself).

 

[EndGame]

Not bad. Disagree with what you say about Henry, I think we're in pretty good shape at CB.

Ditto that. Barring an Aaron Glenn retirement, this is one position that doesn't need tweaking. I'm assuming, of course, that Henry's injury bug goes away. Since he's never had that sort of problem before, I think that's a safe assumption.

 

[Hiero]

I think Barber did quite well in Goalline this year. He always keeps his legs moving and churning forwards. He is a strong kid.

Agree on QB. Bledsoe for now, and I have absolutely zero idea who the future is. Word is that we turned down a 3rd rd pick for Romo from the Jets, that has to mean something about Romo.

TE lockdown Witten for the rest of his career or until he is old.

WR Crayton is a future starter, but Copper is just a special teams guy. we need another young good receiver here, but may not happen til 2007.

RT is our biggest need imo. Draft Marcus McNeill and keep FLo at LT. those two would make a world of difference.

DE is set for the next 7-10 years with Canty and Spears. Parcells seems to like Thomas Johnson at NT. I see us going after another young guy who is a mountain of a man and letting go of glover. Parcells is great at finding NT's later on. maybe kwakou robinson from virginia they play the 3-4 there.

LB I htink we should draft another lb first day. it depends on where burnett ends up but as of now hes olb, so we need an ilb. Kai Parham from Virginia in the 2nd would be perfect( played ilb in the 3-4 and has really good size).

CB we are set. we have the two main guys and a couple solid rookies.

FS another bigtime need. we could get Pat Watkins in hte 3rd hopefully, or anyone there as long as they area good cover safety and have speed to recover on some deep balls. Having agood cover safety will really help Roy do what you said, which is obviously what he is best at.

K we need to sign mike vanderjagt or another good vet FA.