Another Trade Target?

Look for John Abraham also to come into play. He is not happy with the Jets offer and wants to also get back to Parcells.

I like Abraham over Howard.

We got three draft picks………11,20, 42……..I think we can find a Safety or Good CB with one of those picks………..a DE possibly……….a WR………probably………..maybe a LB………Parcells has shown he can draft good players. Like he said……….if I am going to cook the meal, I want to buy the groceries.

Jon,

Here’s the issue with Abraham: (I won’t call it a problem since I have been in favor of trading for him a long time) he will cost at least a first round pick.

Are you willing to give up the 11th pick for him? In some ways he’s a proven, if somewhat injury prone, version of Shawne Merriman. Given that, would New York accept the 11, or would they want more?

There’s also the issue of money. He’ll want more than Darren Howard cost. Right now, he’s claiming he wants at least as much as Jevon Kearse got from Philly. Now, that may be posturing in the New York press, but however you slice it, Abraham won’t be cheap, in compensation or money.

I think Pete Hunter has a great chance at being are free saftey. Look for Bill and Jerry picking up either Howard or Abraham and possible draft choice to be used as back up on saftey and widereceiver. Dont forget about Woody Danttzler(saftey)

I think Pete Hunter is a good possibility at safety. Dantzler is a stretch, though I like his athleticisim and willingness to learn any position. I really hope the ’Boys finish the deal for Howard. That would be an incredible front four!

Is it possible that Dallas is looking at Darius to give themselves a player-for-player trade opportunity with New Orleans?

If Abraham is truly unhappy and not going to report to the Jets………then his stock drops. Dallas can step in as an opportunity. Number 11 draft pick I think we can keep and maybe give up the 20 we got from Buffalo.

I like the DE, LB and CB available in the Draft. I also like Parcells input in our draft. We have had enough of Shante Carver, and the lets figure out if we can medicate Demetrius Underwood. I think Merriman, Pollack, Roth, and others the kid from Texas at LB if he is still around are all players and will be around for a while. I even like their ability to contribute right away. I do not want Dallas to overpay for a DE, but like all of you I want a Pass Rusher. Imagine Ellis if he had another Pass Rusher. He should have been a Pro Bowler last year, with no help on the other end. Although Glover does a good job on run and pass. I would like to see Ellis with a legitimate pass rush on the other end. Whether it be Draft or trade or Abraham or Howard.

There is one way to make our pass coverage that much better, a PASS RUSH to go with it. How many times did Charles Haley and others get a rush on the QB that led to a sack or better yet a turnover. Our Defense adds another end and I think we are going to be sick on the Defense.

Wiley had some legitimate complaints also. We played him out of his position, then had him off the field all together on third down. Not sure what that was all about. I am disappointed in his performance, but I also blame his position coach and staff. If a guy is brought in to rush the passer, than by golly let him rush the passer. I guess he was not a Parcells guy. Perhaps his attitude overall led to his playing time. Who knows, but we cannot afford another failure at DE. We need a 15 sack sackmaster whether it is a great end in the 4-3 or a Lawrence Taylor style OLB either way give us a pass rush.

In the pass happy flag friendly NFL your Pass Rush has better opportunities than your Corner backs.

First off, I want to say that this is a great website for Cowboy fans. I just stumbled upon it yesterday and I like the fact that there is some intelligent discussion regarding the Cowboys instead of the typical childish banter you see on some message boards.

OK, here is my take on the Cowboys personnel needs. Obviously, their biggest needs are DE, S, and probably LB. They are also going to need another WR, a backup RB, an OT, and possibly another CB. It’s going to be impossible for them to meet all those needs this offseason, but if I were GM here’s what I’d do:

DE: I’d trade for Howard. Unfortunately, it will probably cost them a second round draft choice, but this year’s crop of DEs doesn’t look that strong in the draft and Howard will instantly make that front four one of the best in the league. This is the most difficult decision for the team to make because not only do you give up a draft pick, but it’s also going to cost a lot of money AND you are getting a guy who is nearing 30. I just don’t think they have a choice on this one. It’s just too bad Eric Obogu and Kenyon Coleman aren’t good enough to not make this trade a necessity.

S: Forget Donavan Darius. He’s a SS and they need a FS. I’d be prepared to go into the season without anything solid at this position. Unless they can trade down with one of their first round picks and pick up an extra second or third round pick the way they did with Roy Williams a few years ago, I think getting a starter from the draft isn’t doing to happen. I’d try to grab a solid backup late in draft (pick #5) and/or get a journeyman via free agency or possibly a restricted free agent that doesn’t come with any compensation (the guy from Minnesota?) and just open up the competition along with Pete Hunter, Keith Davis, and Woody Danzler. Just having a better front four, a better CB (Henry), and playing Roy Williams where he belongs, will instantly make their secondary better without the need for a top tier FS.

LB: Shawne Merriman or bust with the pick #11. That would give them Merriman, Ngyuen, and Singleton as the starters along with Bradie James, Kalen Thorton, and Scott Shanle as backups. One of those backups are bound to turn into a solid contributor. While that’s not a stellar LB corp, it’s good enough to get the job done.

WR: The best available guy at pick #20. If there is more than one can’t miss pick, say Clayton and Williamson, I’d trade down a little, pick up an extra second or third rounder, and pick the WR that is still available when it’s time to pick. They absolutely need a young star at the WR position. Keyshawn and Glenn aren’t getting any younger and Quincy Morgan is, at best a 4th WR.

RB: Najeh Davenport. They need to steal this guy way from Green Bay. He’s a restricted FA and can be had for a 4th rounder and won’t break the bank. He’s proven, very big, and offers the perfect compliment to Julius Jones. A contingency plan to not signing Davenport would be to use a 4th rounder to pick up the best guy in the draft.

OT: Find a journeyman in FA for insurance purposes or try to get lucky late in the draft (sixth or seventh rounders). I don’t think this is a position the Cowboys are going to be able to fill this offseason. They are going to have to make do with a combination of Vollers, Tucker, and Rogers. The team is in a bad position here because of two prior mistakes. 1.) Rogers shouldn’t have been drafted at #2. Either he is a complete bust or they should have been able to get a higher quality player with such a high draft choice. 2.) They should have signed Mike Wahle instead of Marco Rivera. Wahle is younger and can also play the tackle position. Rivera is relegated to guard and may not be able to play at all if the back surgery doesn’t go well. I’d rather have Wahle at tackle and play Tyson Walter at guard then have Rivera at guard and nothing at tackle. Although, if Rivera is back at full speed, it’ll be great to have a guy with some leadership on that offensive line.

CB: Grab another journeyman and/or use some late draft picks (sixth and seventh rounders) and open up the competition with all the young corners they currently have on their roster. Maybe Hunter is the third corner if they find a better safety or just swap him out on obvious pass plays. Maybe Frazier or Thorton can step up.

Unfortunately, all pieces of the puzzle won’t be in place for the season, but there is always next year to fill in the gaps.

I like your thought process on the DE. But I disagree I think there are a few legitimate pass rushers in the this draft. Roth looks impressive. Both Codys. James and Pollack are interesting. Also a few good OLBs in this draft. Johnson, Merriman possibly the best. Lots of decent CBs.

I strongly agree that a BETTER Pass Rush will help our Secondary. Remember the McNabb pass the longest play in NFL history. Does anybody disagree that Charles Haley would have had him by then. Also would have made him pay. You cannot ask any corner including Deion in his PRIME to guard a reciever that long. With the more mobile QBs Vick, Culpepper, McNabb, and even Rothlisberger I think SPEED at the DE or OLB should not be underestimated. Would LT have chased down Vick from behind like he did to Montana or Theisman. I do not know, but I doubt he would have caught him either. Look at the Cots Freeney that guy is only 260 and got to the QB more than anybody on our team. A good pass rusher is a good pass rusher regardless of size. Haley was undersized by NFL standards but played it tough even with back problems.

A great DE will definitely make our secondary better. I think we have enough players on our team to fill the Free Safety. Hunter probably our best shot and has good size and athleticism. We also drafted a bunch of other CBs and the rookie from Baltimore that played a lot in the second half. I think we can have a decent secondary with Newman, Henry, Hunter, Williams, and possibly the combination of Scott, Davis, Frazier, Jones, Reeves and possibly one of our draft picks. The defense side of the ball looks better in the draft except WR and RB. Dantzler is an interesting Athelete, but he looks more like a Special Teams player and trick play guy at this point. I like him as an Option QB at the goal line. Something I would be worrrying about with Anderson and Jones and maybe Witten lined up in a Wishbone………at the Goalline…….I know it sounds Oklahoma but hey it works……….besides the NFL does not see it much and it would confuse the Defense. Dantzler could run it, he could throw it, or he could pitch it. I am not sure he can play Safety and if so I figure it takes him a year or two to figure out that side of the ball. Although he could be great if he picks it off and perhaps he would with his QB experience.

We failed to score a lot last year. In my opinion primarily due to our poor blocking on 3rd down. We had so many 3 and out plays. With Jones looking like a Stud and give him 25 or more touches a game, I think we can eat up the clock and play old school Dallas Cowboys ball control offense. Add a deep threat WR and we could put points on the board just like in the 90s. Actually quite similarly. However, our Super Bowl squads always had Premier pass rush and great defense. Even when nobody went to pro bowls. Hech Jimmy Johnson was rotating 7 and 8 guys on the front four and they all went on to be starters on other teams even if for just a little while. The old days had guys like White, Martin, and Too Tall. That kind of pressure up front makes your secondary better. Everson Walls was pick off specialist with a good pass rush.

Imagine Williams, Newman, and Henry if they have confidence in the Running Defense of our Front Seven as well as a pass rush. They can play it tougher at the line. They can take a few more risk. They can push around TO and the other Wideouts in our division, which looks less talented after the Redskins and Giants are done with their FA period.

I do not care what form our Pass Rush takes. May it be a great OLB in the spirit of LT the best ever at pass from the Linebacker position, or a great DE in the spirit of Haley, Bruce Smith, Reggie White, and our own guys like Too Tall, Martin and White………..but somebody please PUSH UP the middle……break around the end………..and get to the QB. Haley faced double teams and still made it to the QB……….where is our next Charles Haley.

How did Tony Dungy find Freeney and get a sackmaster like that?

Jones, Lee, Anderson, Bickerstaff……..and? I think we can get a late RB in late round, a walk on or FA even during Training Camp cuts. RBs unfortunately for them of the backup kind are plentiful. No need to draft high for one. Jones looks like a stud, if Lee can learn to block he has shown the ability to run. Parcells likes Bickerstaff heart and story and keeps him around to show the Prima Donnas that hard work pays off and Eric has shown to be a tenancious guy even a FB if needed. I would draft WRs two to every RB we take. If Bickerstaff had not been injured last year………..would George have sat out even more. If LEE could block he would have had 800 yards by the time Jones got healthy. With Rivera on the O Line, Adams and Allen are going to get BETTER. I like our Center and we have enough drafts and talent on the team to fill the other tackle. The O Line will help all our Running Backs, Just ask Emmit he will tell you Newton, Allen, Williams, Stepnoski and Tuinea used to get an awful lot of dinners, plane tickes, and Rolex when Emmit was racking up yards and winning Rushing Titles. Jones with Rivera, Johnson, Allen and Adams along with some good TEs…………we got ourselves another 1600 yard running back.

We can get an RB in 6th round who can ride the pine and give Jones a breather. Anderson, Lee and Bickerstaff are good RBs. I would rather us add another good FB if one is available. Do not forget the great blocking Johnston provided Emmit but also as a threat and safety out of the backfield for Aikman. How many times did Moose or Cosbie get that 3rd and 6 or 7 catch for a First down that kept that drive alive that we finished with a 10 yard dash from Emmit. I like Jones for the HB lets get a FB and another WR to go with him.

We just signed what could be a pretty good back up RB to a one year contract. Emmit Smith would be a nice back up. We all know what he can do when he is fresh. He did’nt look to bad to me last year, and Arizonas line can’t hold a candle to ours. Think about it.

Nice thought, But I think Parcells is going to look for a change up type of running back. Jones is basically a similiar but faster and younger Emmit Smith. If I had to guess it will be more of a bruiser.

I am close to the family of D.D.. The rumor is true. he is planning to lose ten pounds to more effectively produce at the S.S. position.

Correction F.S..

I like the idea of seeing Emmit out there for one last roundup. I agree let him play behind Julius, hell he gained 937 yards with the Cards………he looks good to me for 5-10 carries a game………and we know he can block on passing downs……….that was never a probelm.

Boon is probably right maybe a bruiser of a runner. He always like a combo at RB, Hampton and Anderson for example. I think Dallas has some ok guys with Lee, Bickerstaff, Anderson, and either anothre draft pick or so. Are there any good FBs out there? An underated position anymore but look at the few guys that run with well………Alstott………Merril Hodge back in the day………our own Moose…….lets go get another guy that can Block every down and get tough yards occassionally………

I also think Pete Hunter is the answer at FS we need a FS with Coverage skills and range this will allow #31 wreck havoc at the line but none of this will matter if we are not able to get pressure up front

do you guys think theres a chance of D.D ending up in big D? wow id be scared to go im=n the middle of the field if i was a reciver thats for sure.