Late Shopping season opens

Schulters is an injured player, he won’t be signed unless a team enters in panic mode for an injury on his roster, the Cowboys have time with him, they just need to check, and fast, if they don’t need him or won’t need him. Other than Schulters, I just can’t think of another “we must sign”. The last I heard of Kyle Turley was that he was at 260lb because he was looking to play DE and not wanting to play OT for back problems, so he’s out of my book.

I think the boys should stand pat on what they have. There isn’t much out there to like in the june 1 cuts. The only possibility would be a RT such as Stuessie but he is long in the tooth now and a contract for more than a year would be dangerouse. Perhaps an incentive contract but some fool will overpay for these guys.

Safety will be ok. if you listen to BP, he says that Hunter will play Safety in the nickel. It gets glossed over but thats about half the plays on defense. And who knows, he could play more. Sure i’d be nice to have a full time player out there like woody but FS isn’t exactly a high profile/impact position. A good FS gets a couple of pics but is largely unknown in the defense. your DEs, OLBs and CBs are the known players…………

THE ONLY PERSON WE SHOULD LOOK AT IF HE GETS CUT IS CHAVOUS. I THINK WE ARE SOLID WITH WHAT WE HAVE AT RT

my only question is when does all this start ? today? or from here on out? and i am dying to know when does our guys start to thin out.and who might that be.

jess,

do you mean cuts for the cowboys? I know that we need to be down to around 84-85 players by camp but that also depends on how many of the nfl europe players we keep. for each nfle player, we get an extra roster spot for a while. we have three nfle players so we could have 3 extra spots until the season starts or the nfle player is cut.

hey, spagnola talked about larry allen going to RT like some one posted on the last article.

the main reason why players get cut on June 1 is because teams don’t want to pay the salaries that the player is wanting, or the team is in salary cap hell. however, we are not in salary cap hell, and there are only a couple of guys that bp doesn’t like. but i think he will take to camp just for the competition.

i do agree that the only player that i would go after if he was cut would be chavous. i still like kyle turley also. what is wrong with him.

shulters is not injured he couldve practiced with his team vut was told to stay home, if i read the article right. so to me the guys hyealthy, he shouldnt command to high a price this year, next year might be a different story. i would rather pay a few extra dollars (if possible) to get chavos. hes a better player and student of the game. even if we dont get anyone id still be happy with what we have done so far this year.

Darrell M:

Turley missed all of last year with a back injury and recently was as much at 70 pounds below his playing weight, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Parcells is worried about Davis as a Starting FS taking away from our Special Teams, yet compared him to Lester Hayes?

Uh…..Hey Bill let Bierault, Hunter, Dantzler, A Train, Barber, Polite, Scott, Reeves, Thornton, and few of those LBs that are not starting make up the difference on Special Teams………plus who says a starting guy cannot play Special Teams……..Dexter Coakley was a special teams stud……if Davis is a Lester Hayes type…….I want him on the field as much as possible. Bierault even got ole number 40 from the equipment guys. Maybe they are psychic and see the 2nd coming of ole Bill Bates.

I think the Cowboys will be true to their word and not sign a Tackle. Possibly an FS, but maybe not the ones we are mentioning. Bill knows there will be other players to look at off of practice rosters and camp casualties. I also think the bigger need was at Corner, which we addressed with 2 FA signings and a healthy Hunter and the sophomore committee of Frazier, Jones, Reeves, Thornton. While Frazier probably showed us the most, any one of these guys could improve dramatically or be considered for FS in passing situations……..I do think we need an FS with coverage strong suite though cuz we lost Coakley a LB that could cover and we got a lot of rookies up front……so an FS that has Lester Hayes ability………would be very nice Bill. Hunter wants to stay at CB, probably so he can flee the team after a decent season for big bucks, but if we need an FS stick him back there and see what he has. If he can stay healthy and play pay him bigger bucks to play FS.

Looking at our Offensive line with the addition of Rivera and Al Johnson playing better and looking the part of recent high round draft pick at C, we are pretty solid on the O line for the first time in a while. If all we have is a question at RT and have guys like Peterman, Vollers, Pettiti, Gurode, Tucker(who knows if he is around much longer), and all the other usual suspects I think we can have one heck of an offensive line.

I am liking the matchup of a two TE set, with Juice Jones the lone back, and WR of Key and Glenn. Is it a run, draw or pass. The Defense is going to have to commit to the run in with that combination and Witten is lethal down the middle or it could be a screen to Jones, and Key and Glenn are going to get lonely coverage by CBs. Use the same setup even on a 3rd down situation, it will force the defense into some interesting situations……..and given a vet like Bledsoe who can recognize coverage and audible………..Dallas is going to be a threat in that formation. Campbell albeit a better blocker, is still a decent reciever at TE, and Witten is a stud who may draw double coverage. Now you got Key or Glenn open……..probably not getting double coverage but still a threat……..and then the old Draw or just a good old fashion run………that formation reminds me of what we did with Emmit and Novacek albeit we used Moose as that other threat to run or catch……..but we burned teams that stacked the line to stop Emmit……..and guys……..Drew Bledsoe can still air it out……..he is by far the best thing we have had at QB since Troy retired.

I live in DC and personally I think Rod Gardner is a good WR. Washington is willing to let him mainly because of differences between him and the team’s offensive philophophy. He’s a former 1st rounder (pick 15) and is a good mid to deep level threat.

In reality he could be a very solid 2nd WR for any team and a really good 3rd WR. For Dallas, he would give Quincy Morgan a battle for the 3rd WR spot…actually, from what I’ve seen of Morgan, I’d say Gardner is the better WR.

Dallas is getting old at the WR position and I can’t imagine that both Keyshawn and Glenn will both be around next year. They need someone capable of taking over one of those starting positions. Yes, they will eventually need to draft a young stud, but why not plan a little and pick up a guy that may eventually be able to fill that role without putting all your eggs into the draft. Gardner could be that player. He is still very young and would probably do much better with any other team than he has in Washington due to the fact that the Skins haven’t had any decent at QB since he’s been there.

He may not come cheap and I’m sure there will be other teams in pursuit of him, but he could definitely help the Cowboy WR corp.

Aside from Corey Chavous for THE RIGHT PRICE, we should stand pat on free agent signings. I dont see anyone else out there worth the trouble except Turley, but from what I’ve read he is in a world of hurt medically speaking. Since it would appear (speculatively) that both Tucker and Gurode are done, I wonder if we could get a low draft pick for either or both. We’ll find out towards the end of training camp when other teams have been hit by injuries and/or rookies/FA’s that didn’t live up to expectations.

who knows if bp agent hasn’t told him that there is a player that is going to be available. that is how we came across a couple of players now. bp has a inside scoop on players through his agent, and there are a lot of player that wants to play for bp and the dallas cowboys. i am sure that there are going to be some veteran out there that wants to win now. and might sign with us for a good price with incentives. i have faith in bp. he has something up his sleeve besides his arm.

how old is Gardner? 26ish?

His numbers are not bad, I never really watched him other than when the Cowboys are beating up on the Redskins.

I do think we need some youth at WR, that will work with and develop alongside Henson and Romo. I mean if either of those guys is the future of the franchise it would be nice if they had a reciver they are comfortable with. I was thinking David Terrel out of Chicago, but Tom Brady and Bill Belichek scooped up the former Michigan Teammate.

Morgan at least showed up in better shape and has been working with Henson and Romo. I do not remember A Bryant doing that. Maybe Quincy has something to show us yet, Crayton and Copper look promising. Who knows maybe one of these other kids Merrit, Crowder, Rector has Smith has something also. Bill has found some gems at WR in later rounds.

I do wonder what happens if Glenn or Key go down again. But hey Bill didn’t see the need to add anybody in the draft or FA so it is his team he is going to bat with. I guess Witten and Campbell will help out and the 2 TE set.

james

i agree with what your saying completely. as for rod gardner he will prolly demand high dollar at first to see if he can get it. he is a decent receiver and would be a good 3rd or 4th wr for us, but would he accept that role and would you move another young developing player down again?? i wouldnt.
i have no problem with standing pat with what we have on our team. and as for davis leaving special teams, if you remember tasker from the bills, special teams guru teams actually had to plan around him certain special teamers are as big as a catalyst as a decent f.s. maybe bp sees that moving him would actually be a loss..

why not let him play both?

maybe he just plays kickoff coverage and punt coverage? and then FS duties if he wins the spot?

i know alot of people do it, but being a fulltime fs and doing special teams is alot. maybe bp feels his special teams play would suffer.

I think well be all right at WR right now. Last year Morgan was playin a little hurt (I think, or hope so for the cowboys sake). Plus we have decent 4 and 5 recievers with Copper and Crayton who is still learning the in and outs of the WR position being that Crayton played QB in college. I see no need to end up in salary cap trouble for a WR that might end up not being on the field much since were playing with the 2 TE set that will involve only 2 WRs

i don’t think we need gardner. if you guys remember he gets shut down by good cornerbacks and we seem to shut him down almost every time we play them. we need to focus on right tackle,or maybe free safety. i like cory chavous and if we have an inkling of a chance to get him we should jump at the chance to get him. we are o.k at right tackle with everybody we have competing for the spot.i hope bill does the right thing.

Wasn’t that Gardner who was unaware of the clock and his place on the field when Roy nailed him in-bounds to let the clock run out on the ’skins chances for one last play?

LOL it sure was, that hurt. That is one hit he’ll probably never forget LOL

ROY brings it………Looking forward to seeing Roy at SS with a couple of good CBs and some help in the front seven.

He should have a very special year!!!

Starstruck:

In his defense, Gardner never really had a chance of getting out of bounds. When he had to turn for the pass, it brought him inside, instead of turning towards the sideline.

I put that on the QB, not the WR.

But it was still a great hit! :-)

Raul

I could have selective memory but as I remember it, while the pass drew him inside, Gardner did not attempt to turn and get out of bounds, like his first thought was to go up field and score. It appeared to me that stopping the clock didnâ€â"¢t occur to him until he was flat on his back, reaching for the line with the ball and the clock gone.

However differently we seeing it going down, the outcome was same. Roy nailed him, half over! :)

Wow. A rather anti-climatic, uneventful day unless you were hoping for the Pats to waive QB Chris Redman or OT Lance Nimmo—uh-oh, he use to be with the J-E-T-S! (psych, he was post-Parcells).

KFFL.com says Chavous is a no-show because he is unhappy with his contract. Doesn’t sound like he comes inexpensively.

All is not lost on today StarStruck! Spurs advance to finals!!!

i dont know how much money we have left but hes young and could be with us for a while if we look at him.

If we could get chavous it would be over for the rest of the league…………….you guys might say thats a little wishful thinking, but screw it. DONE DEAL!

Guys going out and spending a huge amount of money on a FS would simply be a waste. We have young talent, and as Glenn said about Davis, this guy is going to be something special. I think the special teams comment about Davis maybe true but if earns the FS spot that is where he will play and the ST might actually improve. I know how can a special team improve by losing there best player. Two or three years ago Davis was an UDFA, then he was cut. Later he resingned and played and stared in the NFLE. Once back at Valley Ranch he cracked the 53 man roster as a special teams ace. After busting his balls he will likely earn a starting spot at FS. Other players who this who may be bubble guys will work so hard on special teams to try to impress BP as they will know that effort on ST might earn a starting spot on the D or O.

Two questions,,,
How has Bruce Thornton looked in so far? How much experience does “Thud” Williams have in pass coverage from college?

i seen where ray buchannon said that he would go back to playing FS if he had to.. that wouldn’t be a bad idea… if the money is right. the same goes for chavous. bp is saying that he doesn’t want to talk away from special team by putting davis at FS. if i am not mistaken; he said that he would put hunter at FS in on the nickel defense. well, that is going to be about 45% of our defense. that would cut down on the plays that davis is in on defense. if a guy reminds you of a hall of famer. you haave got to play him. even if it is just part time. what would be so wrong with him play FS say only half the time.

with this offense; i am hoping the defense gets plenty of rest. that should spare him so time on the bench too!! i am hoping that we need him on kickoffs more than returns.

(unrelated)

Help! Iâ€â"¢m in the San Francisco area and wonâ€â"¢t be able to see most of the Cowboyâ€â"¢s preseason games (preseason is not broadcast on Direct TV). Are there any nerdy fans around Dallas on this blog who have a Tivo (or another DVR) and are able to share the games via BitTorrent or another sharing mechanism?

Iâ€â"¢ll post this a few more times hoping for a response….

Sorry Carioca wish I could help,but don’t know any nerdy Cowboys fans..I think we shipped them all off to San Francisco……lol

Gotta love those S.F. 49er Training vids though……….

Every one keeps on talking about Corey Chavous, do we even know if he is going to get cut. Let say he does, IMO i think the boys should save thier cap (He wont come cheap) and just use Kieth Davis he has definately proven himself on special teams and I am rooting for him in the free saftey position. If Chavous gets cut and will sign with us at the right price I think we should get him but I am still rooting for Davis if we don’t. And with this nasty front 7 we will have this year and the pressure they will create and the erratic passes they will force I think anyone of our db’s have a shot at getting 5 picks this year.

GOOOO COWBOYS!!

i know davis could be a good fs, all im saying if we go after any free agents i would make it chavos. i guarentee hes better then davis now and prolly better then davis will become. im not saying we should deffinetely get him, just hes the only 1 i would get. i hope to god davis proves me wrong and becomes an annuall pro bowler but all i know is facts and past performances to go by…

I know what you mean if Dallas was going to get any saftey I would want it to be Chavous too.

**************"BREAKING INJURY NEWS***************

Anyone have any news on Q Morgan???
The FWST site has a thread that says sirius radio has a news report on Morgan and he sufferd a injury o his shoulder tod. Could be bad??? Nothing on the ticket or 103.3 espn that i’ve heard. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

i am surprised that no one is saying anything about getting ray buchannon. he is unemployed. he said on nfl total access last night that he wouldn’t mind going back to FS if a team needs him to. i say if the price is right. maybe we need to take a sneak peek at him to see what he offers.

CF: if morgan is hurt we’ll need to pick up 3rd receiver. IMO last year’s rooks aren’t 3rd receiver material (yet). I wasn’t counting on much from Morgan and there are some choices out there in FA so I don’t think we’ve got reason to be too worried. Plus, run of the mill serviceable receivers shouldn’t cost too much.

However next year, its obvious to me, we need at least one WR in the first day of the draft. probably in the first or 2nd round.

WR Koren Robinson and CB/FS Bobby Taylor have been released from the Seahawks.

Also cut was WR Jonnie Morton

I would be one to try and get Buchanon. He is an Interception machine. He just gives up the big play alot. He could be a good insurance policy if none of our guys step up to be our FS. I am currently pulling for Davis and Berriault.

Does anyone know if Calvin Hill still works for the Cowboys? He could work with a Koren Robinson about getting some of his priorities straight, but I would be wary of signing this problem child (e.g. Quincy Carter) under any circumstance. He’s talented but I think these types of projects fall under Parcells’ “thugs” category.

Johnnie Morton, Keyshawn, and Glenn……..we might as well call Denver and TRADE for Jerry Rice too. Better yet, lets ask Drew Pearson to come back he can add some more stats to his possible HOF bid.

If Morgan is hurt, lets go with the youth movement. Koren Robinson looks like he falls in the Hoodlums and Thugs category. Substance abuse and a DUI, I also do not remember the Seahawks having anybody other than Jerry Rice who could actually catch the ball all that well.

While Crayton and Copper may not be “ready” to play third wideout looks like they may get the opportunity. Who knows by the end of the year they might be 1 and 2 if Glenn or key gets hurt. What the hech lets keep all our RBs, trade for Travis Henry and let Drew Henson run the option. Barry Switzer would be proud. Bring back the wishbone!!!

On a serious note maybe Tyson Thompson gets a look at WR and or H-Back. Can Newman or Henry run routes too? Maybe we do a little old Deion at third wideout and let T-New line up at wideout. Witten could actually line up as WR if he had too, if we have a third TE step up and it was a long passing down, why not use your best reciever which he was last year.

Koren is a punk/thug, I would say if were going to bring in someone to fill the role of 3 if quincy is out for any period of time, bring in Jonnie morton , no nonsense plays hard lays out for balls like terry glenn, he would be a solid 3 man and probably wouldn’t push the money package. I honestly think the FS will come from within especially the way Parcells has been raving about Davis lately, don’t need experience back there and don’t need an expensive guy, fill it with someone on the payroll who will play hard, I think we could plug in Scott/Beriault/Davis/Reeves/Hunter, basically anyone of those guys could fill that role, with three stellar Corners, and a rock Solid SS we don’t need a probowler at FS just a role player who will actually probably look like a star now with our pass rush, and better corners.

Amen

Star,

As you know. Sobriety is not anything Calvin Hill, or for that matter even Jesus Christ can fix. The individual has to want that. Koren made a public statement about being alchohol free a few days before his DUI.

Now having said that, Bill has taken on cases in the past. Everybody deserves a 2nd Chance, but it looks like he will be going after chance 3 or 4. I ain’t opposed to that if it is for league minimum and say he regularly attends AA and NA and gets involved with some community service. If Morgan is hurt, and Robinson was considered a third WR that ain’t something that is as character important as say your starting QB. I guess it could be considered. He dealt with LTs issues, and finally told all his players that sobriety and drugs were no longer a Giants Coaching and Management issue but an NFL issue. He had been acting as the go between and was more liberal than the new drug policy the league instituted back then. He told the guys, hey it is out of my hands now.

He hangs up signs in the locker room and then brings in a DUI and league suspended substance abuse guy? I am not sure that is the kind of WR Bill wants on his “train”. If the guy was worth a 2nd look wouldn’t Mike Holmgrem take a look. He who beat the Pats and Parcells in a Super Bowl, and pretty good coach in his own right. I doubt BP is going to be that guy. Then again, maybe he gets the call that he probably made to Herman Edwards last year about Quincy Carter…….give the kid a shot……..Carter actually one a game or two for the NYJ before going AWOL…….

if you cannot stay sober for a few years and a several hundred thousand dollar salary every year………then when? I mean from an economic standpoint be sober for ten years, make your money then retire and be a drunk….if that is your choice……at least you got paid……..

koren can staw away, hes a dumba55 as far as im concerned. dont want mortin either 3rd wr is not as important as a strating fs to me. buchanon has 47 int, but like lil said he gives up alot of big plays with his gambles. ive already said who id get if he doesnt cost a huge amount is chavos is all i want, unless a young ronnie lott comes out of retirement.

im hearing about peerliss price of atlanta and peter warrick form cinny being cut last i heard they were no toooo bad. does anybody have any comments on them and if we should try if they are cut?

peerless is good so is warrick but i woulodnt waste a dime on wr, we have enough depth and youngsters, unless morgan is seriously hurt.

We do not need another WR why would you pay someone that much when odds are with are o-line and rbs and bp we will pound the ball. So its not as if you need a stud recieverat the slot we are not the Rams. As a matter of fact i cant even remember a 3rd WR being that important. sure its nice to have depth but we already got good WRs.But i still think FS is very important to any team and that if we can get a guy that has experience but isnt (“washed up” ala Ray Buchanon)we should. But if bp thinks Davis could do it i trust in bp

did peerless play in Buffalo with Bledsoe? or was he already gone.

He has never really clicked with Vick, but Mike, Dunn and Duckett seem to all like to run anyway. I read he was overpaid and could be a cap casaulty…….but not sure he improves our lot a whole lot.

If Key and Glenn are healthy all year we will be fine at WR with a 2 TE set anyway. Copper and Crayton were promising, Zuriel maybe too. Rector has some great stats from a small school and BP is trying him out at KR PR……….I was sort of for a WR in the Draft this year, but I think BP has had his eyes on the young kids working out with Henson and Romo. If he thought we needed a WR he could have had any number of them. Even at Burnetts pick in the 2nd there were plenty of WRs that were promising…….so he valued a LB a lot more than a WR.

I guess he has seen something he likes. I would not mind if Crayton and Copper continued to improve and get more playing time. For his age, Key is still old reliable even across the middle and Terry Glenn was absolutely phenomenal catching everything thrown his way prior to injury. With Bledsoe and Glenn reuniting and big target Witten plus a bunch of promising RBs that can catch and maybe Thompson lining up at WR as well, we can survive on what we got.

I thought David Terrel looked the most promising. He had played with Henson at Michigan, and was a first round pick with overpaid salary for his production but he had youth and potential on his side. If we did not go after him, and we obviously got Thomas from Chicago so we knew how to call Illinois………I doubt we are going to go after Koren, Gardner, Morton or Price. Maybe in next years draft………

I could see BP adding a WR and a QB if available next year. Going to camp with Bledsoe as an incumbent and Henson and Romo time to FISH or CUT BAIT………and the Rookie player to be named later.

We have our First and 2nd round picks next year, with all the drafts on Defense this year, and a lot of youth on the O Line to work in………QB and WR could be next years look. If Barber, Thomas and Jones are all solid RBs………all young……….Witten is a Stud………O line shaping up…….a lot of youth on D Line and at LB you got to figure it would be time to fix the future at WR and QB. Glenn, Key and Bledsoe cannot play forever. Hopefully Henson and Romo improve and we can go strictly for the playmaker we all would like to see at WR.

he was gone

I read an article on ESPN saying that next years draft is going to be deeper and more talented at WR than it has in the last 3 years. Now that is suprising because they have said the same thing the last 2 years and they have actually been right. Especially since the last 2 years there has been at least 4 WR gone by the 1st round. Hopefully they are right because by next year we need to get our WR playmaker out there. Then can you imagine what the other teams coaches would have to plan for their game. Bledsoe/Henson/Romo, Julius, Barber, Witten, Campbell, Keyshawn, Glenn, Morgan, Crayton, Copper, and our Playmaker at WR. Key, Glenn, and Morgan might be out of a job and that might not be a bad thing if it’s because we have a talented, playmaking WR. Also just some input on next years WR draft class. There seems to be a very good theme to it. Fast, Strong, Tall, and great hands. Lets hope there are some good WR left by pick # 32 because that’s where we’ll be picking from next year. :) GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mick has a GREAT article on dallas’ site that was just posted today , june 2nd, and there’s also another great article on jeff robinson which made me happy

the way we drafted if 4 of the defensive players become starters then id think it was a success. then next year focus on offense with a few defensive picks (opposite of this year) we would have an excellent foundation for at least 3-4 years to come. i really like the approach jj, and bp took this offseason ive never been more anxious for a season to start since early to mid nineties.

mike i agree……..i am very optimistic with our drafts. Where would you draft all seven picks on Offense. I guess we could add another O Lineman in the Mix. Maybe 2 WRs…….a QB if there is one out there.

Interesting the Cowboys are one if not the only team only carrying 3 QBs to training camp. That means a lot more snaps and work for Bledsoe, Henson and Romo. I am thinking Bill is going to have Henson and Romo out there a lot in Preseason maybe even starting a game or two. I doubt he wants Bledsoe playing more than half a game.

If our FS does not show himself this season I guess we could add another one of those, and you can always add another CB to the roster. The way Bill drafted this year, if he is still unhappy next I could see him going after another LB. He still does not have the physical line up he covets although he is getting there. Hopefully we are looking more like the Eagles and Patriots and drafting for backups and youth instead of having to find possibly 5 rookies to fill starting roles on the Defense.

there is no way that i would get any receiver from seattle. the only WR that i would get is peerless or morton. that is if i would even get one. i like some of the young guys too. i seem to like crowder the most though. he is very fast and has been working on his route running this offseason.

i would like to get chavous or buchannon. i think they are both good. as for as buchannon giving up big plays last year. the raiders defense was like dallas’s last year. with no pass rush. i don’t see people talking trash about roy williams getting beat by T.O. and plan oh out ran by many WR’s. i think in our defense; ray would be great. as long as he understands to play FS, and let Roy play SS. with the concept of “nothing gets behind me” additude.

if we don’t get a FS; i say let Davis and Hunter share time there. Let Hunter play FS in the nickel, and Davis in the base defense.

(off topic) Peppi Zellner and Troy Hambrick are both AWOL at Cards mini-camp……somethings never change!

that might be a good thing for the cards. they problaby have drew rosenhouse (spelling?) for an agent and think they need a raise.

hahaahaha!!!

they need to raise up off their a$$ and get to work.

A thought about right tackle. One idea would be to move Adams to right tackle. We have several players who would probably be good at right tackle. How about Rogers, Pititti et. al.?

Im sorry. I meant we have several players who would proably be good at LEFT tackle. It is Rogers and Pittitti’s normal position. They both have plenty of experience on that side. It seems to be the change that they cannot easily accomplish. Adams could do it though.

Tony,

That was my speculation also. It seems easier to move a veteran over there and let the natural LTs compete for it. Maybe BP was afraid to do it since we favored running to that side with Allen and Adams a strong suite. But sometimes having a really good guard next to an average tackle can still make a good line, besides those big boys love to RUN BLOCK anyday over pass protection.

I still think with all the recent drafts of Offensive lineman, and the guys on the team it will work itself out. Hopefully everyone stays healthy.

where is rafael? just curious cuz i havent heard from him in awhile

who said that we can’t start running the ball to the right side. you have marco, and maybe adams, and you have one of the best blocking TE’s in the league over there as well. why not run to the right this year. i agree with putting one of the rookies on the left. that is if they can gaurd bledsoe’s blindside. that would be the only thing that bothers me. i am sure that if bp, and bledsoe feels safe about it; i will be ok too.

i would draft first the best wr there is, then maybe o-line la is getting older but he still has some good years left, if barber or thompson work out and a-train sticks then we wouldnt need any rb. te i think we are fine for a few years to come. if these younger o-line guys work out, then stock pile more defense and wr next year. itd be more take best player available any position.

how about allen to the rt and gurode to the lg spot? then the right is awesome, and youd have an all pro adams next to gurode and johnson (who is gonna be a pro bowler) on the other side of him. i think thats sounds excellent to me. i think then we could run left, right wouldnt matter thats a good 3 yd push by itself. emmitt was a awesome back, but he did have 1 of the best o-lines in history blocking for him. give the same to jj and he could hit 1,500-1,700 yds if healthy, and the same as he was last year when healthy.

Why would we draft a RB?? We need young OL and a young WR. Julius is in his 2nd year, and hes here for many years to come. No way we will draft another RB for a long time. Thompson is an UNDRAFTED FA. The odds of him doing really anything are very long. I don’t blame any of us for having faith in 7th round picks and undrafted FA’s, but theres a reason they are not picked up sooner. Petiti in a few years may be good, but I dont think a 6th round pick is ready to start for us. Same thing for Beirult, who is really a SS. I don’t think Thompson will even make the team. Barber is a good backup and A-Train is here for ONE year. And I would forget about Chavous or Buchanon, no way in my mind do we sign another player. Chavous is going to be too expensive, and Buchanon is old. Let’s for once let the young kids play and try to develop them instead of screwing up our cap for years to come.

si.com has some cool articles on “legends in wrong uniform” and “great players jumpin the shark” (or something like that) and its sorta embarassing because they name a lot of players either who played with the ’boys or were on the boys (like emmitt and deion)

Already talking next year? And I thought I was looking forward too much when talking about the 53-man roster……….

Next year first rounder: CB. Pete Hunter gone through FA, Aaron Glenn probably retired, we still have Henry and Newman, but after them, everything uncertain.

why is everyone talking about next year. did i miss something here. has the 2005 season came and gone already. i am looking forward to this year. i am excited to see what is in store for us “now”. next year, we might be drafting a punter and a field goal kicker. who knows!!! and as far as getting another veteran. if big bill thinks we need one then get one. if not then save the cap money. we don’t want to end up like the titans, or the cowboys of old. say like a couple of year ago when we couldn’t afford to pay attention much less a decent player.

lou
 i never said draft a rb, i put if the guys after jj dont work out then you have to. i also put we need an o-line if you read it again youll see that in there. chavos is young what would be wrong with signing him, if its a decent price? as far as screwing up our cap its not screwing it up to use it on good players who will contribute on a daily basis. chavos brings alot more then just a fs to a team to, if you read about him or watch the nfl network youd know hes a student of the game has like 1,000 tapes he watches on players. the guys a future coach, and theres nothing wroing with having a extra coach on the field playing fs directing some younger guys and being a leader…

and theres alot of undrafted fa that play as well as start in the nfl.

would you take the 2 down year or so for another run of 4 years with 3 super bowls? i sure as hell would.

Cowboys just signed I.Reese to a one year deal so I think
that kills any chances for Chavous.

Reese will provide some experience in the secondary. Living up near buffalo i kno about this guy, and when he is healthy he can play. he was hurt at the end of the last two seasons, but hopefully he can stay healthy. But he provides a starter at safety while some of the younger guys can grow up a bit. good move for the boys signing a solid veteran for a good price

Is he a good tackler???

I assume you know but…Reese started out a Cowboy, now it looks like he may end one. These guys got cut: Tickles, Reid, Price, Finely, Evans & Dahl.

Reese is like Davis. They are both ST aces. whose to say that he wasn’t brought in to back up Davis, and fill the void on ST.

what are reeses height, weight and all that, how long has he played and is he who we are looking for? i hope so cause then we only have one question mark left and we all know what that is.but i am def interested in reeses height and weight if anybody can chime in it would be great.

Reese is listed 6-2, 195lbs, this is his eighth season. Read about him @dc.com.

To save $3 million in salary-cap space, the 49ers released right tackle Scott Gragg, a 6-8, 315 lbs. eleven-years vet who started all 16 games last season. He spent his first five seasons @ the NYG.

I wonder if he’s on the radar?

i wouldnt want any of the niners rejects. they had the worst o-line last year, and hes not going back?? uhh no. reese good pick up real cheap hes been here before so you know what you gonna get out of him.
matt
i agree i think hes here to fill the void of davis moving to the starting spot at fs, then reese can go to the special teams unit. or maybe davis starts a few games in the season with reese starting the season the starter.

thanks alot starstruck. he sounds like he has the height for saftey not sure about the weight maybe he should talk to tucker about putting on sdome pounds. lol.

It’s a good signing, but for everyone who wants Chavous, we can’t put all our money into our secondary. We’re going to have to lock up Roy pretty soon in a couple of years, look at the money we gave Newman and Henry, so why pay for a FS when Davis or maybe Hunter can do the job. As for next year’s pick its all about WR and OL. No RB or CB with our first pick. A CB would be insane. Our entire cap space would be go to our corners and safeties. Look at the money 1st round corners are guarenteed. I agree that its premature thinking of next year, but no way we could waste a 1st round pick with a CB.

Police are looking for Sean Taylor(Redskins)…..person of interest in an assault/attack………GO COWBOYS!!!

mike

Iâ€â"¢m not endorsing Gragg but I am curious if heâ€â"¢s on the Cowboysâ€â"¢ radar as veteran insurance, like Reese. I doubt it. I donâ€â"¢t think he is solely responsible for the 49ers woes last season nor is necessarily untalented as you are implying. You have to be pretty good to last ten years in the NFL. That he is older and was due $3 million entering his eleventh season, sixth with the team, indicates that he is a classic cap-casualty. The niners need the cap space. Graggâ€â"¢s big, heâ€â"¢s experienced and presumably healthy. If he came cheap for a year, he could be successful with the talent surrounding him at Dallas, as much as any of the current Plan-A young guns vying for the RT spot. Personally, I want to see Kurt Vollers step up and win it.

I think Reese is an awesome move very solid, here is a guy who has plenty of experience in this league at 6’2" 190+ can cover and hit, pretty versatile if I remember correctly when first in Big D we played him at CB a little. I like him should probably wini the FS job or at least raise the competition for it and be solid backup and special teams guy. but I think he’ll end up starting just my opinion, and Newman, Henry, Roy, Reese, and Glenn in when in the nickel makes a pretty solid secondary, plus if we have one of the better pass rushes this year will make them even better.

GO BOYS!

Yes I agree,I remember Reese when he played with the Cowboys before.He was young then but was a very capable “cover” safety…Good addition and low cost investment!He now has years of experiance under his belt and will make a great ST ace and centerfielder for us……..

I still like Davis starting though and Reese taking over his role as ST ace. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Keith Davis and think that he could be a playmaker for us back there. I think now with Reese there, if an injury was to happen he could step in and start. I say its Davis’ job to lose.

starstruck
im not saying hes not capable like you said anyone whose been in the league as long as he has has talent and is capable. i read some stuff on him and i think it was something like his time has passed. im gonna look for it and ill post it for you and everyone else, but if bp likes him go for it i believe hell do whats best..

Whoever starts………depth and competition makes a team better!Bank on that!

guys this is completely off subject but my dad is a HUGE Tom Landry fan, and i remember the cowboys having Landrys hate put on their jerseys to salute him after he passed away. i was just wondering if there is any way out there to get one of those jerseys if they are still available.

i dont know maybe if a player signed 1 and its for sale?? are you talking an actually players jersey, or replica?

Reese was brought in for the simple fact that he was a good insurance policy that signed the vaterans minimum and only a 25,000 signing bonus which isnt even enough to by you a nice car these days. While Reese is a solid contender and a good veteran i think he was brought here to make Davis better and to be the special teams guy to take Davis’s place, thats what was parcell’s problem about moving davis to a fulltime safety, he loses his best special teamer, now he has another one in Reese who can also carry the load if needed. Good move by BP, hats off to him, Reese is their for several reasons, little cap space, mentor to the youngins, special teamer, and a great insurance policy.. Parcells is a damn genius

it doesnt matter it can be authentic or a replica.. or hell maybe even where i might be able to find one of the patches that they had and then have it tailored on for him.

im not hearing near enough as i should about good ol A Train. i was wishing for that momnet forever just hopeing th ecowboys could have a power back and an elusive guy.. if you guys wanna look backa couple of years ago when Tampa had both alstott and Dunn in their prime that was an AWESOME HB-FB punch in the face. Dunn would get by with and has the speed to run right around you and put them barry sanders moves on you (julius) and A Train can almost literally run right over you and not look back to notice it just like Alstott used to do. but thomas has more speed than alsott ever had and i think thats a big plus. i am hoping they will put thomas back there at fullback so that defenses will not know which back to cover, and then it give more reps to both barber and julius. i think it would be VERY smart for them to do so

im hearing good ol Mick Spagnola saying Allen might be playing the RT position and letting his backup fill the void at LT, im not too sure about this one guys, i think we migth ahev jumped the gun Parcells has specifically said “dont guess cuz yall will be wrong, every last one of you” i think he was including Mick too guys.. i think they will either solve it from within or if its not what parcells is looking for he will find it somewhere else and it will prolly leave us all wondering “what the hell?” and scratching our heads, but hey thats the same thing we all did when he elected to drop out of the first round and pick up julius in the second when they had their choice of any back in the draft last year.

why is everyone talking about the saftey position.. just cuz it hasent been announced yet i dont think we should be complaing or citchin or even looking for new players, look what we have. Davis.. this man got shot outside of a club and since he has straightened up his acty parcells has been raving about this guy, he said he even liked him before hand and it was very hard to cut him, not he states " he certainly has a knack for finding the ball" which is what we ned back their.. i mean call me crazy but i wanna guy that gets some picks back there and looks like the next Ed Reed. Then we have Beriult, rookie but i think he has tons of potential, this man is another roy willaims with avergae cover skills, i hope he can develop and he was projected as a starter over scott when hunter said he wouldnt play CB and before all this free agent signings and talk. and speaking of hunter.. look who finally came around and got his head outa his ass.. good decision on his part, i think he would be a very very very very good S but hey if parcells only wants him to play in the nickle thats fine with me. considering the simple fact that he is still on the feild a lot of plays. and then with the new signing of Reese.. i think this guy can carry the load and agin he was simply brought in for insurance if someone else cant carry the load.. awesome competetition at S if we cant find at least one Diamond in the rough i think were looking in all the wrong places

we have probably the best o and D lines in the nfl right nowonsidering our deptha nd one real problem whcih to me isnt really that big of a problem adn thats at LT… we got 3 pro bowlers on the o line one hell of a center that is completly underrated, the best two tight end sets in the league right now, cuz we have a spectacular blocker and a prow bowl reciever in witten. again we only have the lt to worry about and again BP has something up his sleeve. D line.. where the hell do i start fellas???? glover, ellis, spears, ware, ferguson, canty (who in my opinoin can be the steal of the draft when he gets through rehab.) and more depth than you can imagine.. pro bowlers will be wearing a lot of stars on their jerseys on the NFC’s side, cuz these guys will only make eachother better.. im heairnlarry allen is in bettter ophysically mentally and sociallly then he has been in a very long time.. one coach even said he is as strong as a house. thats saying a lto, cuz that mans as big as a house.. parcells was quoted saying he has been doing things this offseason he has never seen anyone do in his entire coaching carreer and is in the best shape of his life… cant wait fro the season to start

alright guys your turn to talk a while.. sorry. go cowboys

sorry guys couldnt shut up.. i wanna give this thompson guy a chance seriously it hink we will regret it if we dont. if we release him i think it will be one of the biggest mistakes in cowboys history.. well next to the signing of ryan leaf (LOL) and passing on randy moss..j/k.. but seriously i hear this guy has tremendus speed and good hands.. not moss’s hands but good enough, i wouldnt mind putting him out there.. but all im hearing from him is that he will be on the practice squad.. and thats just a waste when you have that talent and then you see whats on the roster in glenn johnson morgan copper and crayton, now they are all good and im happy with all of um but they arent big playmaker mike irvin, and imlookin for someone with that explosivness, and hell we might already have it and arent giveing him chance enough

i agree with a lot of your points casual…..i think the secondary is very much improved. I think Chandus called for another CB in the draft next year, and you can never have enough good corners………but I am optimistic that Reeves, Thornton, Jones one of those guys steps up…….and Lance Frazier looks like a keeper……..Glenn is good for 2 more years…….at least I think if he is a nickel back and is not playing too many snaps he should be fine……….in that old Darryl Green mode.

I think our biggest problem will be transitioning and utilizing the 3-4 and our new talent…….along with our existing talent ant the 4-3. I think we are still going to see a lot of 4-3 defense………50% or more. At least next year. I think you will see mostly 3-4 in preseason and practice. But come opening day we will use both.

A Train is not mike Alstott. But he is a bigger more powerful back, albeit not as powerful as his size and frame would have one believe. I think Polite might be a guy that can give us some of that Alstott running……..one thing about a big strong fullback who can hang on to the ball………if he can get into the secondary he can cause a lot of HAVOC……..but I agree when Bill uses 2 back sets we could see Polite or Barnes whoever makes the team………along with Jones, Thomas and Barber maybe even Thompson or BPs favorite Bickerstaff. I think it will be interesting to see. I think our backfield went from one of the worst last year………except for when JJ got healthy……..to potentially one of the best………and Bill likes having a change of pace RB……..

I think our best line up looks to be the two TE set with 2 WRs…….and one back……..or one WR and 2 backs……the defense would never know if we are going to run…….pass………play action………and Drew Bledsoe is as good a PLay Action guy as there is……..also a veteran qb like himself…….will hopefully get us a few defensive offsides on the snap count………

I think we have potentially an 11-5 team. If the Defense Gels……..maybe even a little better. One think about Parcells is he usually wins those close games. I think we will be in our fair share, but I think we are also going to CLOSE out some games. Something we failed to do last year with big leads in the 3rd quarter and not winning the ball game. That has got to change. Lets go Cowboys!!!!

Yeah I think it all depends on if the defense gels together. If we do that we can easily go 11-5. Our offense, which has been our achilles heel for so many years, will be fine. Witten and Julius are going to have monster years. You know what you will get out of our WR’s and Bledsoe, and our O-Line is probably the best in the league. Its all on our defense. If it gels, watch out. Our ST could improve though, and I for one aren’t optimistic on seeing Cundiff back. I like the guy but unless were playing NY every game we need someone with a stronger leg.

Gardener is a real threat at wr. i would love to see him as cowboy. i think his potential is huge. hes a great jumper and a real threat deep. Ive seen him burn some guys. hell probably want big bucks, but he could be a FANTASTIC pickup and spare us using a r1 on a wr next year. probably not worth what hell be asking though. has minn. cut chavous yet? Is it a done deal that he will be cut?

I agree that witten and jones will step into the elite this year. Watching those two on o and roy and terrance on d will be a pleasure the likes of which boys fans havent had much of the last ten years. laffy allen will also be fun to watch this year. I know hes slipped the last few years, but hearing parcells rip on him has really been annoying to me. the cowboys website(far inferior to this one) said at times he seemed to be PLAYING with the dls in mini camp!

I meant LARRY ALLEN. no disrespect to the big guy!

Having a QB who excels in play-action is a MAJOR plus,I haven’t watched bledsoe enough to decern that but if he’s good then it would bring an added dimension to our offense.All NFL QB’s can take the snap and drop back,but being able to freeze the safeties and linebackers and cause misdirection to the opposing defense’s is an added weapon……with a good over the middle possesion receiver(Keyshon)a fast elusive back to hit the “flat”(JJ) and a dominating TE(Witten), play action could provide us with many first downs and potential long gains…..GO COWBOYS!!!!

That’s the way I see the Reese signing. Cheap pickup to let the young guys learn and then a good ST guy to replace Davis when he moves up to start. I predict after the bye week, 8 games in, is when we’ll see one of the kids (Davis?) take over at FS.

if you wanna see how good bledsoe will be this year, go to http://cowboys.mostvaluablenetwork.com

there is an AWESOME story on bledsoe and why he will be good this year
YOU ALL have to check it out seriously

Not to rain on anyones parade about the D but did anyone see
Mike Z’s comments about the 3-4 vs. the 4-3?He said the 3-4
involves alot more thinking ….. whereas the 4-3 you just line
up and go.His general tone wasn’t too up beat about the transition
I think the D is going to have some struggles before they start to
dominate.

Becker,

You are on the right track about Z’s comments. He’s never worked with the 3-4, so this is going to be a learning thing for him too. By the time the bye week comes around we’ll know whether or not the D will gel this year, especially with all the rookies we got.

we are improved drastically depth wise on defense. if they jell, and adjust to the 3-4 the defense will be tough. offense just having jj for a whole year will be a huge bonus, if a-train plays good thats a huge step over eddie george. o-line is better the younger guys have an extra year under his belt, l.a. is in better shape, adams has lost some weight, and rivera should = alot of running holes and good protection for bledsoe. special teams we werent to bad last year and that should be better this year as well with are draft picks and some guys we brought in. mcbriar had a good year and should be better this year. cundiff, i wish we had some compettion for him i like him but we could be better there as well. theres alot of optimism going into this year, double digit wins sounds good to me…

The defense looks solid now, especially with the signing of Iz Reese. We now have someone with starting experience at FS, along with Lynn Scott. We’ll see if any of the other guys will be good enough to bump Reese out of the starting role.

Mike,

A-train will definitely make a big difference to our running game, because he’s a solid runner and will be a great complement to Julius. Our offensive line will also be much improved with the addition of Rivera and Larry and Flozell reporting to camp in better shape, regardless of who steps up to play RT.

Spags made an interesting prediction on DallasCowboys.com, that Larry may be moved to RT, where he started his career. That would make sense, if Petitti, Rogers or anyone else for that matter, can play well enough to replace Larry at RG. We’ll see, but I think all will be well, especially with Dan Campbell returning.

agreed

James,
I give Zim alot of credit for speaking his mind and not giving
the standard “company line” rah, rah, Bs we usually get.
Zim also mentioned that the palyers are going to have to
communicate alot more something else that they didn’t
have to do in the 4-3…..it almost seems as if the vets are
going to have a harder time with the transition than the
younger guys…..just my take though

I’ve been out of town for a few days, so I haven’t been able to post any comments, but I’m back now, and I see you guys have continued with the strong observations I love to see. My thoughts here are on the defense. I am one of the guys who IS optimistic about the defense, but cautiously. We certainly look good on paper. Looks like we had one hell of a draft. I just worry that it will take more than one year for all of the peices to fit properly. There are just too many unknowns right now. Like Parcells said, we don’t know what’s going to happen the first time we get hit in the mouth. I do know this, we WILL get hit in the mouth by someone this year. I hope we will respond by hitting that team right back in the mouth, only harder.

Also, this is a new defense for Zimmer. I know he has immersed himself in every aspect of the 3-4, as well he should, but I’m just not sure that we’ll see the magic happen in the first year. I say that because I just don’t want anyone to give up on the guys if things don’t progress as quickly as we all hope they will. Give it some time, and I think that we will see what we’re hoping for. I could be wrong, and we could turn the corner this year. I’d like nothing more, but being realistic, I am prepared for some struggles on defense this year.

I agree Rob2 the talent is there i think the draft was very good
and the team in general seems more focused…..but like you
i err to the side of realism.I think they will be very good I just
don’t think they are ready to dominate

What has really impressed me is the leadership of L. Allen and
L. Glover at the past mini camp .Both of them taking rooks aside
and showing them moves etc.Especially L. Allen who clearly did
get along with B.P. his first year.A very encouraging sign.

Everything that’s happended this off-season has been encouraging, especially the resurgence of Larry Allen. That’s HUGE. I don’t care which position he occupies, but I also have to remain realistic about our chances this year. I honestly think we’re looking at a 10-6 season. I would not be unhappy with that because it takes us back to where we were 2 years ago. We can really build from there with this new young defense. I have to believe that the offense becomes Parcells’ project at that point as well.

It looks like Cleveland is going to let Verba go. If Dallas picked him up then we would know who are starting ROT is going to be. Realistically itâ€â"¢s very unlikely, because he is looking for a big payday so will probably want more then Dallas would be willing to part with.

On the side of hope is the fact that Cleveland is willing to cut him after signing two replacements. He might not get the huge contract he wants this year and be willing to sign a one year deal so he can compete for a big contract at the beginning of next years free agency.

Also is it just me or is there something foul in Cleveland. Players have been flying out of there even if it means making less money. The new GM publicly states that he feels no obligation to keep any of the promises made by his predecessor. Just the kind of guy I would want to work for….NOT!

Trey,
I don’t know if something is foul in Clvd or if it is a sign of
the times.Coaches and gm’s don’t have 5 or 6 years to
build a team they get maybe 3 at max to show results
if they don’t they are gone.The salary cap makes it very
tough to rebuild if the prior group screwed up.What alot
of coaches and gms do to save they’re jobs is sign high
priced free agents.That way they can say hey we at least
tried to do something…..it is also a good way to cover for
lousy drafts.
Speaking of free agents….the eagles D coach JJ said in
espn the mag that J Kearse will now play right end only
to try and take advantage of slower tackles…..so i don’t think
Dallas missed the boat there.