New Orleans Could Get the Cowboys' Offseason Rolling

The Cowboys have been carrying a pick-up full of tight ends the past three years…to include three active and an additional TE on the practice squad…my feeling, is that the problem will be addressed in the Day Two of the draft, since depth at this position this year, seems to be pretty strong…and the Cowboys already have the services of:

Jason Whitten
Dan Campbell
Sean Ryan
Brett Pierce

Campbell will be recovered from the surgery by the start of next season, the thing that makes me think that we need another good TE (Pierce is a good blocker, one that isn’t in Campbell’s neighborhood, but a struggling pass catcher, he’s worst than Campbell…) is that Campbell earlier in the season didn’t looked like the Campbell before his foot injury, he just struggled too much, I don’t think he can go through a full season of fulltime work.

Now enters Fasano, if he’s there by the time the 3rd Rounder comes, he’s a no-brainer, just like Witten was. But it’s said that lightning doesn’t strike twice… Let’s see if Parcells takes his lucky charms again to the big dance.

While I agree with most of you on some great talent that could help, including Fasano, Watson, etc…we all know the top three problems…OL, OL, OL.

To paraphrase Clinton (yes, this may be a first for me and rather sickening), “It’s the OL, stupid”

I see a similar approach being used by BP/JJ as last year:
FA signings to fill RT, WR, & FS. Draft 3 lineman, hoping one or two pan out (three would be a clean sweep)…and taking some fliers on talent that dropped for one or another reason in the second day.

Isn’t it funny, that like last year, most “experts” have us taking a WR? Maybe, but history says BP takes a shotgun approach to the OL.

Rafael,

I don’t understand your fixation on a third TE, when 3 or 4 positions on the OL were substandard and no backup has proven capable, FS and LB on D, and a kicker on ST, all must be considered higher priorities.

I’d even put WR, QB, and head coach ahead of TE.

I agree, a 3rd TE would be nice but its a lower priority than OL, FS, LB and K. Certainly not a 3rd rounder this year. RT for a year or two would be good. I think Pettiti will be there eventually but it takes 2-3 years to develop lineman. Maybe even put Pettiti at guard to protect him from lateral movement.

anyway, who could be get at Center: LeCharles Bentley? He is over 300lbs

Don’t count on Parcells taking an O-lineman early in the draft. These guys are hit and miss at best and some of the best today are 3rd round and lower picks that developed over time and are 6 to 8 years into their NFL careers.

Many of the can’t miss freaks out of college have been steroid users and don’t last. Age makes these guys stronger and the experience gained is invaluable.

These guys also play well into their 30s very successfully so there are always guys on the FA market.

Of course there are very few Orlando Pace’s out there and you wouldn’t pass on those, but they would have to be LTs and they go within 10 picks.

a 2 tight end set would be great especially if we elect to keep Pettiti around and need to max protect. when looking at a Tight End are they lokely to focus on a pure blocker to replace Campbell or someone like Vernon Davis out of Maryland? Being a Maryland grad I watched this guy alot this year and he is a BEAST.

If we solve our OT issues our 2 TE set improves with the talent we have on board already. I’m not against taking a stud if it falls that way but I wouldn’t make big moves along those lines.

I was shouted down for this last week by several members but it is not just the OL and TE….we need a good FAST wide receiver too. Keyshawn is getting older and also just had some surgery so that may have some impact on that posoition vis a vis the draft.

Fighter 15,

Look again. I didn’t say Parcells would take a TE in the first round, or spend huge money on free agency to get one. I simply said TE is on the priority list and I believe that. I can’t say where it sits on the list, but I believe it’s there.

Synergy

Don’t want to shout you down, but we could have a speedster blazing down the side line wide open and the only thing Bledsoe will see is the hole in Texas Stadium with the current line we have. If we don’t fix the revolving doors we call offensive line men around here nothing else matters.

I agree about TE needs. It has always been a position that BP has put a high priority on having depth at throughout his coaching career. I wouldn’t be surprised to see BP draft Fasano as long as the other higher priorities are already taken care of. Maybe it’s a coincidence that Chandus mentioned Fasano, but it’s an interesting coincidence that BP had tremendous success with another Italian-American TE out of Notre Dame named Mark Bavaro. Fasano even looks a little bit like a young Bavaro in the face. Plus Fasano is from BP’s home state of New Jersey and being coached by BP’s old assistant Charlie Weis definitely helps his candidacy. Let’s hope Belichick doesn’t draft the kid before we get our chance.

synergy:

We’d all like to see a burner at WR, it would bring a lot of excitement to the team. If you have followed Parcells career and watched his coaching style, then you already realize why that is not likely to happen. BP’s priority is on running the football with power and authority. He uses that to control the time of possession and (ideally) to reduce the probability of turnovers. Wide receiver has never been a high priority in his offenses, and he has shown a tendency to favor TE’s in the passing game. The only two big name receivers I can ever recall one of his teams drafting are Keyshawn and TG, and both those guys are already on our team. It may not excite everybody, but that is just the way BP coaches.

Sterling,

Good points, which I’ll take in reverse:

1. Quick, name the superstar WR on the Super Bowl champion Bucs;
2. Quick, name the superstar WR on the Super Bowl champions Ravens;
3. Quick, name more than one WR on the three time Super Bowl champion Pats;
4. Real fast, name the star receiver on either of Parcells’ title winning Giants teams;

That’s five of the six title teams this decade that didn’t have what we would consider a marquee WR. And those Giants teams didn’t either. I don’t think WR will be a top priority this offseason.

On to the TE part. I’m going to throw out a very preliminary projection to show how I think the o-line will be addressed this year and how the other holes will be filled. I’m going on two assumptions.

— The first is that Dallas only trades one of the Glover/Ellis duo. For argument’s sake, I’ll say Glover, since he’s got the bigger contract and probably the higher market value. — I’m going to be modest in what he brings. I’ll say a late third round pick.

I then see the offseason going something like this:

I. Free agency: three medium to small contract pickups, at more “meat and potatoes” positions:

1. Kevin Barry, RT, Packers
2. Derek Smith, ILB, 49ers
3. Fred Beasley, FB, 49ers

There are other options. I think Tom Ashworth of the Pats could also be signed at RT. The point is that he and Barry are both RTs and would therefore be mid-ticket signees, not the high-priced guys like Jeff Backus or Matt Lepsis, who will cost a mint because they play LT.

At FB, you might see a Tony Richardson or William Henderson, since Parcells wants his FBs to play special teams and I don’t think Beasley does that.

II. Draft Given the influx of Juniors, and we’ll probably see 50 of them when it’s all said and done, the sliding of seniors could see something like this:

1. Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa
2. LaRon Landry, FS, LSU
3A. Anthony Fassano, TE, Notre Dame
3B. Charles Spencer, OG, Pitt
4. Johnny Jolly, NT/DT, Texas A&M

Overall, you get two OLs, one who can play immediately and one to groom. The LB and FS positions are addressed. And a late first day pick is used to bolster depth at TE. You also see a FB and another big, two-gap DL to replace the vet you let go.

The names may change from those here, but I see this type of philosophy coming up.

Bill Parcells almost always takes a tightend in the draft, he likes good blocking tightends, and you can never have enough of them on the team for his type of offense.I think sean Ryan is a guy that could develop into a good tighend, Pierce is more of a pass catching tightend than a blocking tightend.
With KJ, Glenn, Crayton as the starters and Copper who bill says has really come along this year, I dont think that Wide reciever will be a big need for the draft, yes we are getting up there in age at that position, but I think if we take a wideout, it will be in the late rounds, that is a position that will have to be addressed next year for sure.
Depending on who we pick up in free agency, I think the draft will consist of a tackle, guard, linebacker, safety, fullback, kicker and a tightend.I really think the Cowboys will move down this year in the draft to acquire more picks unless a major player they target is there for the taking.

Derrick,

Yes, I forgot kicker, which will certainly be signed.

Rafael and Derrick,

I think you guys are spot on with how the draft and free agency will pan out.

In free agency, a mid-priced guy to play RT. Perhaps one of the better FBs out there. Perhaps a kicker upgrade. Possibly a FS.

The draft, going OLB with a guy like Greenway makes a lot of sense. Maybe a guy like Dumervil. Essentially a bookend, pressure guy to Ware.

I can also see Dallas drafting a NT. Fergie is not young. The other Dlinemen are physically better suited for end.

As mentioned, TE may well be a high priority. Adding a guy like Pope from Georgia, or Lewis from Maryland would make for an interesting combo with Witten.

One thing that I found interesting is looking at the Patriots’ drafts in recent years. Their first rounders since 1999 have been: Dlinemen Seymour, Warren, and Wilfork; TEs Graham and Watson; OL Mankins and Woody; and LB Katzenmoyer. Parcells and Bellichek share a lot of similarities in approach. Not surprising given their history together. So what this tells me is to watch out for the Dlinemen and TEs. LBs and interior Oline too.

We also don’t have a fourth round pick.

The Rivera situation is really starting to worry me on the line. He had surgery recently on his elbows, this coming off Back surgery during last offseason. Is this guy falling apart before our very eyes.I really wished now that we sign Mark Wahle last year, a guy I wanted to be signed instead. Jerry on the first day of free agency should target Jeff Backus from Detroit, over pay him alittle if you have too to acquire him and plug him in at right tackle.Another player is the center Bentley out of New Orleans. I think its time to cut larry Allen and move on, too much money on a overated Guard who’s not a probowl player anymore even though he’s still beibg voted there and get some youth on this line, we cant go into this season with three guys starting over thirty on this line. We now know Peterman has an injury again that needed surgery on his ankle, I guess thats the reason why he couldn’t get in a game. WHY cant this team draft offensive linemen that can play. New Englands is in the playoffs with two rookies on the left side. We have to do a better job in this area and fast.
Another area on this team that bothers me is the kicker position, a player that usually leads your team in points and our philosophy is to root through the scrap heap for anyone that can tie a shoe for the position.Its time to spend some money on this position. I really like the kicker from Colorado, Crosby, but to get him, you might have to use a second round draft pick on him, and we all know the cowboys wont do that.

Rafael:

Great points on everything as always. If passing won Super Bowls Dan Fouts & Company would have at least 2 Super Bowl rings. So would Marino and his crew. It is all about imposing your will on your opponent on the ground, controlling the clock, and keeping your offense on the field. Even the Super Bowl Champions that were thought of as having great passing attacks were run first/pass second offenses. That’s what wins.

I agree with your assessment of about 3 free agents signings. I could see a 4th signing only if we clear enough cap room by trading BOTH Ellis and Glover. My free agent picks are:

1. L.J. Shelton, RT, Browns
2. LeCharles Bentley, C, Saints
3. Dexter Jackson, FS, Bucs

If we get a 4th then any of the FB’s you mentioned would be great improvements over Polite.

The draft is hard to call at this point because so much can and will happen between the Senior/Hula Bowls and the combines. Assuming the FA needs are filled, my first day draft priorities would be:

1st Round: Run stuffing ILB or dominant pass rusher true OLB or player that can be DE/OLB hybrid. We have to replace Dat and we have to get have than just one pass rusher on this team. Ahmad Brooks and Kamerion Wimbley are interesting possibilities.

2nd Round: The position that doesn’t get addressed in the 1st round. Carpenter or Schlegel from Ohio St. and Spencer Havner from UCLA all look good to me.

3rd Round: Nose Tackle. Gabe Watson from Michigan or if he’s not there then that Bababooey guy from Stanford might work (since we don’t have a 4th rounder). I’m also liking the idea of Fasano in this round more and more. BP’s draft history also lends some evidence that a TE may be his pick. That guy from Colorado, Klopfenstein is a gamer. I have seen him blow some games wide open with his speed and catching ability and his blocking is very good. He’s a giant and if he or Fasano were paired with Witten we could run 2 TE sets all the time out of the base offense and the defenses wouldn’t know if we were running or passing or which TE to cover. It could be pretty dangerous.

The draft is all conjecture at this point. So much will happen before April.

Raf,

We still have Brett Pierce and Sean Ryan on the roster. Pierce was out the whole year, but if I remember right, BP liked the potential of both of them. I have to think that we would only get another TE if Campbell can’t some back, and at that it would have to be a vet. I just don’t see us having the cap money to spend on a TE, or spending another pick on a project TE, if BP still thinks he might have something in one of the young guys.

altercall,

When Ryan was drafted, I recall saying at the end of his rookie camp that he didn’t feel he had gotten what he wanted at the TE position, which to me meant that they were carrying Ryan because they needed a third TE but would drop him in a heartbeat if a better option emerged.

Would you want to go 16 games with him or Pierce as your main options if Campbell or Witten got hurt?

Raf,

What Parcells can always do, once he has a FB, is do what KC does at times by playing with 6 offensive linemen. The Cowboys need a blocking TE if anything and those guys are often ubdrafted FA, or later round selections. I don’t think Fassano is a viable option. We already have receiving threat with Witten from that position.

Ahh, Chad Greenway! I think he and Carpenter are the most likely candidates for the 18th overall selection. Greenway could slip with all the juniors coming out. That would be nice!

IMHO, I still think long before TE, FS, and offensive linemen Dallas selects a NT. Parcells may trade up in the 2nd round if Gabe Watson is still there. These types are just extremely rare.

Same scenario as you proposed I think its:

RD 1- Greenway
RD 2- Watson
Rd 3- Brodie Croyel
Rd 3- Ryan Young or Greg Blue

… What do you think of Lawrence Vickers?

Derrick:
Is Jeff Backus a RT? I know that he’s good in pass protection, but he’s below average in run blocking as Jones runs right and not for much. The pass protection would be much better with him on the field, the running game wouldn’t and he will be a high cap guy.

On the other hand, L. J. Shelton could be a better RT than LT, he’s a beast run blocking and is good enough in pass protection (he struggles too much with speed rushers). But he’s a LT that will want to get paid like a LT, even if he plays RT.

Now, Ashworth is an experience RT that’s good in pass protection and good in run blocking, his only setback, and that’s why he’s going to be let go, is that he has been injured alot. He’s the type of “low risk-high reward” player. Barry also fills the bill, as he’s the main reason for some of the big games of Gado.

EricR:
What do I think of Vickers? I don’t know what to think of him as of now, I can say just one thing, if he thinks that he’s going to move the pile in the Pros at 235 pounds (his college weight)he might be dreaming. He needs to add from 10 to 20 pounds and he might never be in the NFL what he was in college with that weight.

I really don’t think that there’s a FB ready for the NFL in the Draft, that’s why I think that FB has to be addressed with a guy like Beasley of SF or Jonathan Wells of Hou.

BTW, Sean Ryan is a pass catching TE, he hasn’t played in the league because he isn’t even an average blocker. Brett Pierce’s in Campbell’s mold, he’s a good blocker, but he doesn’t have the speed nor the hands to be taken seriously by a Defense. Campbell’s blunder in the KC game (the pass that Surtain nearly intercepted) should be taken in consideration while talking of how much importance does a couple of TE’s that can catch the ball brings to the table.

I’ll post the needs as I see them:

- RT: Will be solved through FA. Names to watch: Tom Ashworth, NE; L. J. Shelton, Cle.; Jon Runyan, Phi.; and Kevin Barry, GB.

- OLB: For those mentioning David Thornton of Indianapolis as a posibility in FA, he’s 6-2, 230 pounds and not much of a pass rush specialist. Then there’s Peterson of SF, where he plays OLB in a 3-4, he’s going to be retained because they depend on him. Other than those, there’re just 2 guys that fill the bill, Scott Fujita (our own FA) and Hunter Hillenmeyer (RFA-Chi.). The position will be solved through the Draft as Kalen Thorton is an undrafted DE that’s playing OLB.

- K: Vinatieri, Vanderjagt and Rackers will be signed again by their teams, but they’re the top guys. Other names: Josh Brown, Sea.; Ryan Longwell, GB; Joe Nedney, SF; and Todd Peterson, Atl.

- FS: Solved through FA. Names to watch: Chris Hope, Pit.; Will Demps, Bal.; Dexter Jackson, TB; and Marlon McCree, Car.

- TE: A couple of TE’s that can catch the ball’s a luxury for teams that don’t play 2 TE’s sets much. How much does Dallas plays in 2 TE’s sets? Try something close to 60% of the snaps. The position should receive more depth through the Draft.

And that’s it, obviously C, WR, G and ILB have their levels of need, but Al Johnson can be a good C with good support, he got support from LA but not from his right side. At WR Glenn might have found what he needed to do to, conditioning wise, to make it through a whole season in one part (look at Parcells comment on him). Key is definetely productive for a TE (yes, AW, I’m again on that). Crayton could be back to where he was earlier in the season and Copper’s been mentioned by Parcells alot. Another receiver will be added in the Draft, but late. At G, Peterman is an interesting case, he hasn’t received time in the lineup as he’s just a LG, and one that might not be as good as LA yet. Rivera came to Dallas because based on his history he was a really healthy player and a leader, things went horribly wrong for him this year, so I’ll wait for him to show why he was signed to the deal he got in Training Camp. Remember that serviceable Guards can be found in the June 1st cuts. And finally, de we really need a ILB? Burnett is headed of the JLB job in the offseason, Shanle and Folwer showed in this season that they can do a decent job paired with James, so there’s depth and a good level.

Raf,

I really don’t know a whole lot about either guy, but I thought I remembered BP saying something about one of them being a steal where we got them. It may have been Pierce, I’m not sure. But either way, I’m pretty confident that we had a young TE not named Witten that BP said was impressing him.

If I remember right, Pierce is supposed to be a good blocking TE, and Ryan was supposed to be more of a pass catcher. Honestly, as our 3rd TE, I would rather have a good blocker. If Campbell goes down, we only use him for blocking anyway. If Witten goes down, there’s really nobody out there thaht could replace what we would lose. Plus, Pierce is a pretty good special teams player, so that helps.

I’m just saying that I think that we have a decent situation at TE, and we don’t need to spend FA money on a 3rd TE, unless Campbell can’t come back. Now, could we spend a 5th rounder or so on one, sure. I just think we have too many holes to spend a vet minimum or a top 4 pick on a mainly special teams player.

is it time to start worring about keyshon and his surgeries? or is it just they are “clean up” surgeries? terry glenn played all 16 games for the third time i think in his career. crayton was looking good before his injury, copper got some praise from BP but didnt copper have like 1 catch this year? i think WR is a higher priority then some people think. should be right behind RT and LB…

Chandus:

I like your roster ideas, we’re on the same wavelength with FA’s and the draft. I don’t think a lot of folks appreciate just how much deception and havoc can be created by having two good pass catching TE’s that are solid blockers as well. That 2 TE set that BP likes to run is great for the running game and creates a lot of problems for defenses trying to read the offense from the same formation over and over. The only place we differ is on the LB’s. I think it has been a problem for Parcells and Zimmer since training camp and the initial switch to the 3-4. Having Dat and Singleton go down just made it even worse, and there is a very good chance that neither one of them will be back next season. Obviously that’s why we signed Fujita and Barrow during the season, and I don’t think BP wants to rely on either of them or Shanle, Burnett, and Fowler to carry the load next year. I am glad James had a breakout year so we only have to get 2 more LB’s instead of 3, but we still lack enough depth to play a 3-4. We have to get a run stopper after the way we got gashed in the running game the last half or the season.

mike:

I get the feeling that BP has the offensive skill players set in his mind already. Barring serious injuries I think he’s gonna ride the horses he brought here…his ‘guys’. I get the feeling he is more concerned about building a team around position players and will let the next head coach draft or sign his own guys for the skill positions. His window of opportunity is just too small now to bring along new skill players and he already has his guys here and in place. That’s just my take on it from watching the way Parcells has done business at the places he’s been in the past.

Not sure that I’m sold on taking a TE Day 1. If we do though, (and if we have extra picks from a Glover/Ellis trade) Fasano would be the guy to do it with.

Off topic here, but what do you all think about Barrick Nealy (QB) from Texas State. He was compared to Vince Young a lot here. Saw him play during the playoffs and could see why they would. How about a mobile QB in the later rounds? I would keep an eye on him. A sleeper, who knows.

everyone this surgery was just a minor one to remove some lose cartilage. he’s already running around! its not like he’s going to be still recovering next season

I don’t see BP drafting any QB’s unless JJ makes him. I think he’s cast his lot with Bledsoe and will let his successor address any future QB for this franchise.

Volrath:
I’d be happier with Pinegar instead.

Sterling:
I know about the LB’s, that’s why I mentioned OLB and ILB, I’ll make my case clearer with the perfect Free Agency and Draft in my eyes:

- Dallas signs back Dan Campbell, Scott Fujita and Keith Davis.

- Dallas trades Greg Ellis to Denver for their 3rd Rounder.

- Dallas trades La’Roi Glover to Atlanta for their 3rd and 5th Rounders.

- Dallas trades with Chicago for Hunter Hillenmeyer (OLB/ILB), he’s a RFA with a 5th Rounder as compensation.

- Dallas grabs Tom Ashworth (RT-NE), Ryan Longwell (K-GB), Chris Hope (FS-Pit.) and Jonathan Wells (FB-Hou.) through UFA.

- And the Draft goes like this:
Round 1: Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa.
Round 2: Jason Spitz, G/C, Lousville.
Round 3a: Babatunde Oshinowo, NT, Stanford.
Round 3b: Anthony Fasano, TE, Notre Dame.
Round 3c: Paul Pinegar, QB, Fresno St.
Round 5a: Jabari Levey, OT, South Carolina.
Round 5b: Ben Obomanu, WR, Auburn.
Round 5c: Mike Kudla, DE/OLB, Ohio St.
Round 7: Adam Jennings, WR/Ret, Fresno St.

BTW, I know that talking about the Draft is pure speculation as players get injured and go up and down in the Draft boards as they train in front of the world, but talking about Free Agency is also speculation. Those are the problems of looking next year with passion.

Eric R,

I don’t like Watson. He’s a monster for a few plays, but then disappears. He’s fat and fat players won’t cut it for this staff.

Sterling,

The FA o-linemen are good, but if you go for Bentley, you can only afford him. He’s young and will be one of the most sought after OLs this year, regardless of position. I think RT is a much bigger priority; if you had somebody you could trust there, then yes, I’d go Bentley, but if you acquire him and still have a gaping wound at RT, then what?

Chandus,

I thought about Spitz as a second round short lister, but the more I read about Spitz the less I like him. I think Kiper vastly overrated him and the OL from Cal and they will drop as the spring goes on. Kiper always had a few guys who leap up into his top 25 early and then disappear. I think Spitz is one of those guys. I like Spencer’s upside and those of a few OTs much more than his. But it’s early.

Rafael:
I saw the Gator Bowl, and while Spitz wasn’t flawless at RG, he was a big part of the 150 yards that Bush and company made that day and he didn’t allowed a sack. But it’s really early, 4 months to go…

Rafael:

I don’t like Watson too much either, I have heard he is very lazy and dogs it on certain plays because of lack of conditioning and competitiveness. He sounds like a boom or bust pick.

That guy Babatunde guy from Stanford sounds a lot better to me. I saw him shut down USC’s running game in the first half year before last. He’s a behemoth, but he can motor and he must be smart to go to Stanford. Sounds like a more solid pick to me.

Nice picks Chandus. If you take any basic combination or permutation of your picks, Eric R’s, Rafael’s, and the ones I put up as well as many other people on here I think you end up with a serious contender either way. There seems to be a general consensus building amongst all of us on how this offseason’s personnel moves should proceed and our only differences are based on our impressions of seeing these players in games from last season. I am sure when BP and his guys get a really good up close look at these players they will pick the right ones. I have a lot of faith in BP’s ability to evaluate talent and get the right guy for what he needs.

I definitely agree that it’s always great fun to speculate on this stuff. I remember last year (2004 season) I started thinking about it around week 10 because we were so far out of the hunt. That’s why I watch college football all day long on Saturdays and on Thursday nights is to see who might make a good future player for the Cowboys!! Other than my university and an occasional rivalry game I could care less who wins. I just want to look for guys who can help the Cowboys win the Super Bowl.

What I meant by saying that it is all speculation at this point and that things will change is that I must have seen at least a dozen mock drafts last year that had us drafting everyone from Carlos Rogers to Troy Williamson to Mike Williams to Derrick Johnson to Antrel Rolle and of course Shawne Merriman. A lot of so called draft analysts had us taking a CB because our secondary got smoked so bad that year or a WR because many draft analysts don’t understand BP’s priorities and try to put their own onto the team.

We ended up addressing CB in free agency so it was a moot point at draft time. Of course BP didn’t bother taking a WR because we already have two good ones. Very few people had us taking Ware until just a few weeks before the draft, and no one had us taking Ware back in January. I saw a few mocks that had us taking Spears, but not many and those were about a month or so before the draft after we had signed Ferguson and it was clear that there would be a switch to the 3-4.

It is early, but it is fun to dream about this stuff too.