While the destitute frolic through the brothel

[erod]

Dallas has never been as terrible on FA spending as people like to believe.

La'Roi glover was a great pickup. Hamlin initially came on a 1-year deal. Williams and Galloway were trades, albeit poor ones. Carr got market value.

The number of big name FAs the Cowboys have signed in the cap era is minimal, and none have really been debacles. I mean, who was the worst FA they signed...Marco Rivera who got hurt? Mike Vanderjagt? Anthony Henry?

The point wasn't how good they were. The point was that big-money free agents couldn't fix rosters that were too broken.

 

[erod]

One question. if Stephen Jones and Jerry are so smart. how come they have won 2 playoff games in almost 20 years?

They weren't smart, and now they are. I don't even recognize the Cowboys these days, all learned-up and making good decisions.

Jerry backed off and let McClay, Garrett, and his son build a plan to stick to.

 

[KingintheNorth]

Free agent spending and being smart are not mutually exclusive. You can do both and the Cowboys should be more aggressive than passive. This team is ready to compete for a championship now. Romo's window is closing and he deserves the Front Office's best effort, not coupon-clipping and bargain-hunting.

 

[tyke1doe]

And so, my beloved Cowboys leave us waiting in the parlor like a nervous 16-year-old on a first date with the hottest girl in school. It's the biggest night of our life, and just another date for her.

Yeah, but it might end up being the biggest night of her life too.

 

[Future]

The point wasn't how good they were. The point was that big-money free agents couldn't fix rosters that were too broken.

Nobody in the world, sans Daniel Snyder, thinks that signing FAs alone can do that.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Eloquently put. Cowboys are being smart.

smart for them... but someone else, maybe being smart at the other end of the spectrum..

 

[erod]

Yeah, but it might end up being the biggest night of her life too.

Go get 'em, Tiger.

 

[dragon_mikal]

Zack Martin, George Mincey, Rolando McClain, Anthony Hitchens, Demarcus Lawrence, Terrell McClain, Henry Melton, Sterling Moore......

Irrellevent if the team doesn't commit to the run game.

Solid drafting and good coaching got this team to the playoffs. Keeping its playmakers will get it to the SB.

 

[erod]

Nobody in the world, sans Daniel Snyder, thinks that signing FAs alone can do that.

Oakland, Miami, Washington, Tampa, Jacksonville, plus Arizona a few years ago.......there's a reason they draft top five every year.

 

[erod]

Irrellevent if the team doesn't commit to the run game.

Solid drafting and good coaching got this team to the playoffs. Keeping its playmakers will get it to the SB.

As Garrett rightly said, before last year, they COULDN'T commit to the run game. They ran with smoke and mirrors before, and could not convert on short yardage to save their lives. Now, they can.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

The thing about big name players is they once were no names who could play. We need to be smart and draft or get those "no names" who can play and be that player someone overpays for or who everyone wants. That's how you get somewhere in this league, having those players and several of them during their early years....

 

[dragon_mikal]

As Garrett rightly said, before last year, they COULDN'T commit to the run game. They ran with smoke and mirrors before, and could not convert on short yardage to save their lives. Now, they can.

I don't know about that. There were plenty of games over the last few years where most on here were left scratching their heads wondering why the team wasn't running the ball more. Times where the running game seemed effective but was abandoned anyway.

Sure the offensive line is the best it's been in a long time and credit Jerry and company for that but I think Scott Linehan had a big impact on overall offensive philosophy. I credit Garrett for listening to others on his staff and adjusting to this team's strength.

I'm not saying I want Jerry to throw money around on overpriced players but I would like him to keep the playmakers they currently have on the roster.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

He was the best example actually. Great player, but Dallas didn't win squat while he was here. That was a Jacksonville-like signing.

That was not a Jacksonville like signing.

Jacksonville is going whole hog in this FA...We waited and got got Glover later in FA (not the first day from memory) and we got him a decent price.

The only thing Jacksonville like it is the idea that we did not go to a superbowl with him.

Other than that he was one of the best FA values the cowboys got in a time when they were piss poor at working FA.

 

[Thefeelofcotton]

This is one of the best pieces I've seen on the Cowboys situation. I agree with every single word the Cowboys need to be patient and get the players they want, not the big name people.

 

[erod]

The thing about big name players is they once were no names who could play. We need to be smart and draft or get those "no names" who can play and be that player someone overpays for or who everyone wants. That's how you get somewhere in this league, having those players and several of them during their early years....

Beasley, Hitchens, Patmon, Crawford, Leary, Wilcox, Church, Williams, Lawrence, etc.

I don't know about that. There were plenty of games over the last few years where most on here were left scratching their heads wondering why the team wasn't running the ball more. Times where the running game seemed effective but was abandoned anyway.

Sure the offensive line is the best it's been in a long time and credit Jerry and company for that but I think Scott Linehan had a big impact on overall offensive philosophy. I credit Garrett for listening to others on his staff and adjusting to this team's strength.

I'm not saying I want Jerry to throw money around on overpriced players but I would like him to keep the playmakers they currently have on the roster.

Linehan never ran the ball like that anywhere else, ever.

Garrett said before the season he thought they could commit to the run finally, and that everything before was based on misdirection and counter because they couldn't generate consistent push on obvious running downs.

 

[AsthmaField]

One question. if Stephen Jones and Jerry are so smart. how come they have won 2 playoff games in almost 20 years?

The current direction of the franchise has evolved over the last few years and was cemented when Garrett and Stephen's voice became so strong in the organization.

They are running things the way most people think they should be run now. Youth, energy, sensible cost... all of these are now important to the team while big names from the past and huge dollars for guys who have never done anything in a Cowboy uniform are avoided at all costs.

These Cowboys are building through the draft and with reasonably priced free agents.

 

[dragon_mikal]

Beasley, Hitchens, Patmon, Crawford,


Linehan never ran the ball like that anywhere else, ever.

Garrett said before the season he thought they could commit to the run finally, and that everything before was based on misdirection and counter because they couldn't generate consistent push on obvious running downs.

In any case we'll have to wait and see. I know where I stand and I respect your stance as well. Let's just hope the team goes further next year no matter the outcome of this offseason.

 

[MWH1967]

very nice erod....sweet title brother...

 

[tm1119]

I'd just love to know who these guys are that we want that are going to be "good value"...Mincey was a solid cheap signing last year, but you're kidding yourself if you think another guy like him is going to help this D take the next step. I fully understand not getting worked up over the top guys signing else where, but there really isn't much left at this point. I think fans have a right to be annoyed as we watch the possibilities dwindle down to almost no options left that will help the team next year.

 

[Fletch]

smart for them... but someone else, maybe being smart at the other end of the spectrum..

Maybe. Statistics though, show that most teams that spend big bucks fail to reach their goals. It was also said somewhere big spenders spend to make up for drafting failures.