When was the last time Dallas signed an impactful Def player?

[Shane612]

Rolando McClain 2014 season he was a top 5 linebacker

Who?

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Trying to think of the last time Dallas signed in an impactful defensive player that actually worked for Dallas. Not just re-signing a player or signing a big name player at the end of his career. Signed a big name free-agent defensive player then that player was actually good for his contract or the majority of his contract. Brandon Carr maybe in 2012? The last true defensive free agent signing that had a great impact at Dallas to me is La’roi Glover all the way back in 2002.

This is why I laugh when posters worrying about Dak's contract not allowing us to sign other free agents. Jerry and Stephen DON'T spend big on free agents outside their own, they just don't. Hell, even if you look at our OWN players on the D side of the ball, I see only 1 (LVE), maybe 2(Diggs) coming down the pipe for a huge deal(s).

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Not many "good players" make it to free agency though.

The only time it seems to happen is if
A. The player is asking for way more than what their production validates (like Clowney)
B. The team is stuck between two very good and/or expensive players that the team feels like it can only keep one (Dak vs Byron)

But most teams EASILY avoid that situation B.

Lucky for us, we were able to get something for our overpaid FA DE (Griffin). It looks like the Titans will get nothing for dealing with Clowney's BS after paying $12 million for a year.

Exactly ........good post

 

[Tussinman]

I mean I think a better question is when’s the las time a big time defensive free agent been available? People were saying Clowney was the best free agent out there and he was heavily flawed and overrated.

2019 Packers signed three fringe pro bowlers all in one offseason (Amos and both Smith's)

We're not talking generational talent but still very very good players that immediately improved performance significantly day 1

That's the problem with the cowboys, they justify the upper class free agents as too expensive as grounds to only get budget guys. There's so many holes throughout the years that mid to upper mid at positions of need would have been significant upgrades

It's like saying Lexus is too expensive so I'm going to buy a stock Corolla. It's like shouldn't I be targeting a Camry or Avalon ?

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

Smh. Sensabaugh at best was C+. Same for Hamlin. So frustrated w the front office for never getting a real safety for 20+ yrs. Then they wonder why we have no playoff success in that same time span

That tells you had bad we have muffed up that position since GS.

 

[Plankton]

Lynn Scott

 

[G2]

Owens or Leonard Davis.

 

[dsturgeon]

Quinn was bad at run coverage, but good at pass rush

 

[INCowboysFan]

Quinn was bad at run coverage, but good at pass rush

so glad we didn't resign him. Chicago has gotten 9 tackles and 1 sack in return for a 5 year, $70M contract with $30M guaranteed.

 

[dsturgeon]

so glad we didn't resign him. Chicago has gotten 9 tackles and 1 sack in return for a 5 year, $70M contract with $30M guaranteed.

Me too. Gregory is good at run defense and a better pass rusher

 

[cowboyec]

And Everson Griffen, McCoy and Poe except they all tanked. This team is committed to the draft and that brought in the young guys like LVE, Diggs, Hill, Gallimore, etc. That is where the improvement will come from.

agreed.
but Aldon Smith has been an impact for good on this defense.
i agree on the draft.
that is where our strength comes from.

 

[Hardline]

Owens or Leonard Davis.

The question was about defensive players.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

2019 Packers signed three fringe pro bowlers all in one offseason (Amos and both Smith's)

We're not talking generational talent but still very very good players that immediately improved performance significantly day 1

That's the problem with the cowboys, they justify the upper class free agents as too expensive as grounds to only get budget guys. There's so many holes throughout the years that mid to upper mid at positions of need would have been significant upgrades

It's like saying Lexus is too expensive so I'm going to buy a stock Corolla. It's like shouldn't I be targeting a Camry or Avalon ?

I knew someone would mention the Packers......but those were not big time free agents. Especially Preston Smith. He was not playing well with the Commanders. If those are big time free agents then you might as well consider Gerald McCoy a big time free agent.

 

[dsturgeon]

Thomas our LB, was a very good signing

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

it is easy to get down on the FO about how the FA crop worked out this year but it happens to everyone. How many time have they resisted signing the "gotta have" player but no one gives them credit when the player flops elsewhere?

good on them for understanding Clowney for who he is.

I agree. And that's free agency. IMO, I'd stay away from the Clowney type guys and go after the guys who have something to prove.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Stephon Gilmore, Suh (with the Rams), Calais Campbell (with the Jaguars) along with Bouye of the top of my head. They are out there. It depends on how good your coaching, system, and front office assembles the team. There are other, less stellar but solid signings. Foolish to assume it does not happen with other teams, as it does and will continue to do so in the future.

Those guys were not "big time free agents". AJ Bouye was a Brandon Carr type signing. Gilmore was solid in Buffalo but he didn't become a All Pro until he got to the Patriots. Nobody considered him the best corner in the league until he got to the Patriots.

 

[Tussinman]

I knew someone would mention the Packers......but those were not big time free agents. Especially Preston Smith. He was not playing well with the Commanders. If those are big time free agents then you might as well consider Gerald McCoy a big time free agent.

No McCoy was a guy 6 years removed from his prime. That's completely different than zadarius and amos trending up to their primes. Even Preston had a very solid 2018 year before hitting the market

That's the problem, Jerry wants flashy names not guys in there mid 20s who can legimatetly start

 

[HowardC]

Anthony Henry was pretty good.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

No McCoy was a guy 6 years removed from his prime. That's completely different than zadarius and amos trending up to their primes. Even Preston had a very solid 2018 year before hitting the market

That's the problem, Jerry wants flashy names not guys in the mid 20s who can legimatetly start

I'm not talking about removed from prime or in prime or none of that. I'm speaking on salary. We are discussing "big time free agents". And Those guys were not big time free agents.

And you are not correct. Jerry and co. have been bargain bin shopping for some time now they just have failed. Cowboys have failed in free agency. It happens. Its not because of who the type of player they are picking they are just missing.

 

[Ken]

Quinn was bad at run coverage, but good at pass rush

That was a trade.