Tuesday Tidbits

Rafael:

Wasn’t Todd Haley that guy that BP took a swipe at on the sideline earlier in the season when Haley was yelling at a referee? Maybe BP likes his fire and passion and thinks he’s ready?

I have been hearing rumors that Key is upset about his contract and may want out before next season. I don’t believe the rumors, but I was wondering if anyone has heard anything about this. Is it just another hoax like the BP retirement rumors?

Sterling,

Haley was indeed the guy. He’s worked with Parcells before. He’s a fiery guy.
Makes you wonder who would be hired as WR coach.

BTW, are you the guy who suggested Mike Solari as a OL possibility? Herm Edwards is beginning his interviews of assistants today. It seems Al Saunders is gone, which does not please the rest of the KC offensive staff, from what I’ve read. Keep an eye on that one.

Also, Bill Muir, Parcells’ old OL coach in New York reupped with Tampa Bay yesterday, so he’s out as a candidate, if Parcells is looking at all to replace Sparano.

Rafael:
I was the one behind Solari and I’m still in the hunt and yes, certainly there’s the chance that he might be let go, but there’s one problem, if Saunders gets a HC job likely most of the Offensive staff of Kansas will follow him, including Solari.

BTW, hearing that Fasano’s entering the draft only makes me more proactive in the Ellis and Glover trades because if Dallas manages to have 2 second rounders Fasano will be up there in the Draft Board.

Dont know if its Longwell but get a top-tier FA kicker…#1 off season priority in my eyes. That could be good for 2 or 3 games alone next year.

I think the first thing we have to do is get our staff completed, I think Payton goes and Zimmer stays. If we don’t go get an OC, which I doubt we would, BP likes all the power, I think Haley moves up to OC.

2nd, we have to tell LA and Glover that in order to stay they have to reconstructure their deals a little. LA is overpaid, and he needs to take a pay cut. As for Glover, we have to see if he is willing to take a little less money and play with Fergie again in a 34.

3rd, get a K. I would like Longwell, hes a proven guy and probably wants out of GB. But I dont care what it takes, get a proven name, not another Cortez or Suishum.

Chandus,

Why would TE be a priority for the Cowboys? .. I just don’t see that one. If Dallas manages 5 first day picks, I think they will target OLB and NT with their first two, and then C, FS, QB, and/or ILB with their other 3. I don’t see TE as a day one selection, with Witten here and Dallas expected to resign Cambell.

Priorities for the offseason:

1. Left Tackle (Draft) = Our first or second round pick. Flozell to man the spot until this guy develops and beats him out.
2. Right Tackle (FA) = #1 priority in FA and should be one of our only big ticket pickups. WR & possible LB are other real possibilities.
3. Left Guard (Draft) = Peterson should make his jump, but need a low rounder just in case
4. Center (FA) = Mawae anyone? AJ in his third (really second) year should develop lessening the need.
5. Right Guard (Draft) = Late rounder to back up/develop behind Rivera
6. Free Safety (Draft) = Should be our third round pick.
7. WR (FA and Draft) = t.o. is doubtful, now that Philly is playing games. The kid from AZ State is being projected to us. This will be solved, one way or the other…no worries.
8. Kicker (FA) = In order of preference, Vinieteri, Longwell or Janakowski. However, history doesn’t bode well.

That’s 4 FA’s and 5 draft picks.

What? No LB?

No. Thorton, Burnett, Ware, and James are our starting five. Singleton, Shanle, and Fowler are fine backups. Just not a priority.

anyones better than cundiff this past month

Fighter,

There is no way Parcells ignores the LB position. He realized early in camp that he had no SOLB, and talked about that need all season. Most likely our first selection will be used for OLB. .. Chad Greenway or Bobby Carpenter would fit there nicely. Kamerion Wimbley is a possibility later on if both of those guys are gone by #18.

F-15- I think your a couple years early in starting to replace Adams. He is what, about 30 years old. This is his prime for the next couple years. If a stud tackle fall to us thru the draft or FA, great but I’m more concerned about finding a replacement for LA and the Center. Both are much more urgent than LT. I’m also in the camp that believes (hopes) Rivera had an off year and will be back full force this year.

I agree that RT should be addressed in FA, Who knows, maybe Pettiti develops into the LT your looking for.

My list
HIGH PRIORITY: RT, Center, Kicker

MEDIUM PRIORITY: FS, Guard

LOW PRIORITY: LB, WR

Reasonable upgrades anywhere else where available.

You know, I was thinking the same thing. LB was a problem.

But there’s been a lot of talk about Thornton and Singleton, combined with Fujita, being more than capable.

No way our #1 pick is anything other than WR or OT. In order of probabilities:
1. Marcus McNeil – OT – Massive dude. Just goes against the grain of history, but this year may be an exception.

2. Derek Hagen – WR – Holmes and Moss are just too short. This guy is big, fast, and polished.

3. Michael Huff – S – Just don’t see him falling that far. But if he does…see #4

4. Best Athlete Available – If Young, Hawk, or the Brick unexplainably fall, we’d have to take them.

I just don’t see BP going after a LB on the first day. We have Thornton going on his third year. Singleton should be back. Fujita as well. Include Ware and you’ve got 4. Won’t keep more than that.

Sean,

You’ve got to have a capable back up that is developing. It usually takes three years for an OL to really develop.

For reference, see Erik Williams, Mark Tuinei, Nate Newton, etc.

A first round OL usually is able to step in (see Pace, Walter Jones).

I know I picked OT #1 on probabilities, but the best first round picks are your skill players…but they’re also boom/bust types. I say BP plays it safe. Another Greg Ellis-type pick.

What would you guys pay for Longwell or Vinieteri? I would be very suprised if BP would ever consider Janicowski(sp). He’s a head case, questionable character and had a worse year than our kicking carousel. We made 71% of our kicks. Janetowski hit 67%. Of course that doesn’t take into consideration distance or kick-offs.

F-15- Have you already dismissed Pettiti? I’m putting him in that developmental role. I agree with you about the time to develop. I think we missed big when we let Ron Stone go. He was a very solid, productive guard for many years after we gave up on him(I think there were some salary cap considerations as well).

Sean and Fighter,

So far Parcells has spent one high draft choice on offensive linemen, and I think this trend will continue. Unless of course a player he really covets falls to him in a good value spot. .. Most fans including myself, give up on players too quickly, but Parcells understands that there is a timeline for developement at each position. I think we all should just stop and think about some of our young players that we gave up on. Formost, we, including myself, were cutting and releasing Bradie James. Now he is a fixture on our defense. Young players need time to develope, especially offensive linemen. The Falcons who sport the best rushing game in the league start two 7th rounders, a 4th, a 2nd, and Matt Lehr (a 5th). The Broncos who are the #2 rushing team and allowed only 28 sacks start two 4ths, a 7th, and an undrafted FA. If we give the younger linemen time to develope, then there is not a great need to draft linemen early. Plus offensive linemen is one of the positions that good players are usually available later in the draft. Parcells studies the history of each position drafted, and the trend seems to be that you’ll find better value with O-linemen later in the draft. ..

Fighter-I also have a hunch that BP was seeing what Newman could do as a WR for special situations. Having another burner to put on the field at the right time could relieve the pressure to get another WR. As long as we have the depth at corner that would seem to be economical from a $ and roster spot perspective. BP now has confidence in Newman as a corner and will expand his role anyway he can to get the playmaker on the field.

Raf,

Speaking of history of the value of each position in the draft, what kind of info do you have on that? .. I am a believer that a team should draft a OL each year, and a QB just about every year too. These two positions seem to have the greatest value after round 1. Do you have anything to compare each position?

I just read about Marcus McNeil. Um… that guy is a freak.
Height: 6-9 | Weight: 338 | 40-Time: 4.97
We get him in the first, Glover gets us an extra 2nd rounder –
2a. Jay Cutler – QB – Vandy

2. Gabe Watson – NT – Michigan Height: 6-4 | Weight: 331 | 40-Time: 5.10

Ellis gets us another 3rd rounder -
3a. OLB Thomas Howard UTEP Height: 6-3 | Weight: 240 | 40-Time: 4.47

3b. Jason Allen – FS – UT –
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 202 | 40-Time: 4.50

4. TE Tim Day Oregon Height: 6-4 | Weight: 265 | 40-Time: 4.75

From here, OGs and WR/PR/KR

Cincinnati will take Glover, because he’s a short term solution at DT that will get their defense solidified, and provide veteran leadership to a squad on the cusp. And he’ll be happy to go – if Carson recovers. Same goes for Broncs.
Both will trade a first for him, because he’s better than they’ll get through the draft, and he’ll play at a sustained Pro Bowl level through this Super Bowl window they both have opened for the next 3 years.

cowboys resigned ahmad merritt today and a cb from the cfl, dont remeber his name.

dont know if anyone has mentioned this, but what about reggie wayne? the guy is only 27 and indy probably cant afford him and edgerin. hell probably be seeking some high money and i dont know if wr is a position we are gonna throw alot of moeny at yet, but the guy can play…

Anyone interested in safety Dwyane Slay from Texas Tech? 6’3" and 214 lbs. Averages 12.5 tackles per game and hits like a ton of lead. I like his killer instinct which is something this defense needs. He can play FS or SS and may be available in the 3rd round.

I hear alot of bad things about Gabe Watson, hes def a hit or miss guy, but I love his size. I love Marcus McNeil with our 18 pick, hes the guy I want, either him or Michael Huff.

Joey2zs,

You do know that McNeil has stenosis? The same problem that ended Michael Irvin’s career?

I’ve read he has to “change his workout routine” because of it. He’s tempting but I’d have ten doctors check him out before I spent on pick on him. One Marco Rivera is enough.

I’d like to see us sign L.J. Shelton or McDougle as FA’s at RT and LeCharles Bentley at Center. Move Pettiti to Guard and try to gradually phase him in to play behind either LA or Rivera. We don’t need to waste a draft pick on another guard this year. An OT in the late rounds…yes, but this draft we need to shore up the LB corps and get an NT.

Pettiti was only ever considered a high draft pick at one time because he got the better of that stud DE Mathias Whatever from BC and that DE Tuck from ND back when he was in college. Two games and that got the scouts’ attention, that shows how hard it is to evaluate college OT’s. He doesn’t have the footwork and quickness to play OT in the NFL, but he definitely has the size and could develop the skills to play OG if he was mentored along and not thrown into the fire like last year. You can’t teach size, but you can skills, and guard might be better for him. He dropped to the 6th round because he showed up to the Senior Bowl overweight and claimed he was injured halfway through the game and left. He claimed he couldn’t work out at the combine because his toe hurt. The only reason BP took him is because he has size and upside and was a low risk that late in the draft. Gurode may come along at Guard too, but not as a Center. Tucker I don’t hold out much faith for, but since no one else will want him as a RFA this year we can probably re-sign him for cheap and we need to have a reserve anyway. Personally I’d rather see him working the drive-up at BK, but BP will probably hang onto him.

I’m sure BP will draft at least one O-Lineman this year, probably an OT in the 3rd round or later. I would be astonished if he bites on one of these potential 1st rounders, I think he feels the sting of some of these recent higher round O-Line bustouts and doesn’t want to cast his fate on another one.

Also, as Rafael has pointed out previously, Marcus McNeil has a degenerative disease in his spine and could likely be prone to back problems. I doubt BP and JJ are going to want to take that risk. Ferguson is a projected Top 6 pick and I see zero chance of him being there at #18.

joey2zs:

I’d love to pick Cutler in the 2nd round too…and so would about 30 other teams, but the team who picks him in the 1st round will already have the rights to him unless he falls further than Aaron Rodgers did last year.

mike:

Reggie Wayne is a stud, but I can guess he is going to have a lot of suitors in this FA market. I wonder if we can afford a high priced guy like that and still plug all the other higher priority holes we’re going to need to address? He would be a great pickup if there is still cap room.

ironmike:

I don’t know much about this Slay guy, but he sounds interesting. I also like his name, especially for a banger safety. How good is he in coverage though? I am going to look into that guy and find out more about him, he sounds intriguing.

Bit of trivia on Mangini – he coached in Melbourne, Australia in 1991/92 – in our local amateur adult league. Needless to say his team demolished everyone else and won the title both years he coached. Probably not saying much since our teams would have struggled to beat a decent high school team, but I thought it might be interesting….

Watching Samuels take that interception last week off the man-zone deception they ran was pretty impressive – especially seeing as how the DB’s are supposed to be their achilles heel.

sean, i might cry if we got vineteri
having a kicker like that would be so beneficial to our record, as i say for the tenth time, we lost at least two games because we missed chip shots
think about it guys, its consistent around the league
good kickers = good records

look at the frikin patriots, they have possibly the best kicker in the nfl and they are a dynasty, or were, if you can close out games with your kicker, you can get to the super bowl

joey2zs:
Cutler’s already mentioned as the third rated QB, Leinart and Young will be gone in the top 5 selections, that’s why Cutler won’t make it to the 2nd Round, he’s a prospect that’ll prove that he played in a bad team and that’s why he will be drafted in the 1st Round.

EricR:
You certainly have short term memory, after this season you should know the value of a couple of TE’s that can catch the ball, Dallas didn’t had that and they paid for it as teams knew that when Campbell and Pierce where on the field they could take a player out of coverage purposes and send him to jam the box. How many times was the box jammed by 6 to 7 man fronts in running plays? With a couple of TE’s that are a threat receiving the ball and blocking for the run you can take advantage of that with short passes that turn into long gains. Imagine this depth chart: Witten, Campbell and Fasano, that’s a Parcells dream made true.

http://media.putfile.com/DwayneSlay

I hope this link works. The line on him is that he lacks speed and is not proven in coverage, but he hits like a Mack Truck. He forced 8 fumbles this year due to vicious hits. He is big and could make an impact on special teams which BP would like. He is projected to go in the third round. I swear I’m not his agent but I believe Michael Huff will be gone on day one so if we could get Slay on day 2, especially if there are possible additional picks that might come with the trade of Ellis or Glover, then he is an interesting pick. I would love to see the Boys get someone with killer instinct on D.

EricR, I love a tight end depth of Whitten, Campbell, and Fasano…yep, really do,

but I also like a secondary with the likes of Huff and Roy Williams at safeties, and Henry and Newman at the corners..backed up by Aaron Glenn, Jacques Reeves, Pat Watkins, and Justin Beriault…

a defensive line that retains the services of La’Roi Glover, yet gets the addition of a player such as a stud nose tackle…say Haloti Ngata, Gabe Watson, or Rodrique Wright…because the Cowboys effectively still run both the 3-4 and the 4-3, yet still need more of a physical push in the center in the base 3-4! This would allow for Glover to now play four positions, two DE’s on the 3-4, nose tackle in the 3-4, and the DT in the 4-3…increasing his presence on the field as well as increasing the inside pressure with the addition of the mammoth nose tackle to the mix…

Next, also, in the linebacker group, I am hoping for a bookend OLB to be the pass rushing presence that is needed on a constant basis, to push the odds in favor of a playmaking secondary that the Cowboys should have…here, a player such as Carpenter, or in the next round Manny Lawson, would add to the mix strongly…

A little stroking to both La’Roi Glover and Larry Allen, and a strong implication of a possible ‘last Super Bowl chance’ might make both lower their salary demands such as they are workable for a two year period and the acquisition of a top level right tackle and free safety during the free agency period…a lot to ask of aged and high quality veterans, but both love the game, and the Cowboys…

by the way, the two street level free agents signed were:

CB Byron Parker-who was in camp with Jacksonville and played in the CFL this past season

and

WR Ahmad Merritt who spent four years in Chicago and almost made the squad prior to an injury and medical settlement after the third exhibition game…a strong special team’s player, both as a returner and on coverage teams.

If the two Cowboys would rework their contracts, then the signing of two important free agents will be in order…

First, (salivating profusely), from the projected free agent safeties for this off season:

Chris Hope-Pittsburgh
Wil Demps-Baltimore
Corey Chavous-Minnesota
Dextor Jackson-Tampa Bay
Lance Schulters-Miami

Just mark me down for one of the top three, money and all…first ‘no compromise’ need filled.

Next, to the second ‘no compromise’ need-offensive tackle:

Jon Runyon-Philadelphia
Jeff Backus-Detroit
Kevin Barry-Green Bay
LJ Shelton-Cleveland
Tom Ashworth-New England
*Jason Fabini-Jets (if released)
Bob Whitfield-Giants

Here, I’d say that Backus has the strongest potential to completely fulfill the needs at the Cowboy right tackle…and if Flozell were hurt again, could backup there also. Here, any of these alternatives would be workable and give the Cowboys a little breathing time with other posiblities and player development…

Myself, I will believe a ‘real’ place-kicker being brought into camp, when I see it!!

My third target of opportunity, would be at the outside linebacker position…on the strong side.
The names of Julian Peterson and also of David Thorton are being kicked around, but they are indeed, long shots, but they would open up the draft completely, for the Cowboys…

Since Peterson has to be very disgruntled in San Francisco, I would say that I would make him my last top paid candidate to become a free agent for the Cowboys in this off season…

Thus, making the free agent signings of importance for this off season, targeted, as being, say:

FS Chorey Chavous
OT Jeff Backus
OLB Julian Peterson

This would give the Cowboys a starting offensive line of:

LT Flozell Adams
LG Larry Allen
C Al Johnson/Andres Gurode
RG Marco Rivera
RT Jeff Backus

This could vastly change the effectiveness of this unit going into the 2006 season…but leave a long term consideration to be solved, as well as quality of depth problem to be worked…

After such an effective free agent signings, the Cowboys could then enter the draft, trade Greg Ellis for an additional second round selection, and then accomplish approximately the following:

Rd 1- NT Rodrique Wright Texas 6’5" 320
Rd 2a- OT Andrew Whitworth LSU 6’6" 325
Rd 2b- DE/OLB Manny Lawson NC St 6’6" 255
Rd 3- OG Charles Spencer Oklahoma 6’4" 330

Day Two could then be used to address the position of fullback, tight end, and an additional defensive end candidate…

Sean, I’m glad you mentioned Ron Stone and the Cowboys letting him go. He made the probowl with the Giants more than once. I was at the Niners/Cowboys playoff game in 94 at Candlestick Park. If LA had been replaced by Stone in that game the Cowobys would have won. LA played RT and it was obvious, from my endzone seat, that LA could not move quickly enough, because of an ankle injury, to take on the OLB rush. Ken Norton had a field day running by LA on alomst every down. If Switzer had seen it, which every Cowboy fan in the stadium could, Stone could have made the diference. Barry said (much) later that that he should have used Stone. We could have had four SB’s in a row for crying out loud.

CCBoy:

I’m sure Backus would be a HUGE improvement over what we have at OT. The main reason I like Shelton better is because I think BP isn’t just looking for a RT that can pass protect, but even more he wants one that will help establish a dominant running attack. The Lions haven’t had a dominant running attack since Barry Sanders left, and they were primarily a pass-first offense, so the verdict is kind of out on whether Backus could bring a strong run blocking presence to the Cowboys. Maybe he can, maybe he can’t.

Shelton, on the other hand, blocked for a RB who gained 1200 yards and played on an O-Line that gave up a LOT less sacks than the Lions did last season blocking for a FAR more immobile Browns QB than eitehr of the Lions QB’s. I also think the Cowboys could get him at a lot lower salary than Backus will command. I will admit that Backus is a very good young OT and never gets injured, I would be happy with either one of them, I just prefer Shelton.

I like any of the FS free agents, but lately my eye has been on Marlon McCree from the Panthers. I don’t know if we will be able to afford him either, but he would be a great safety to have back there with Roy.

As far as your draft boards…I’ll wait until the Senior Bowl and the combines are over.

Sterling,

I have been hearing rumors that Key is upset about his contract and may want out before next season. …

The business about Johnson and his contract arises from his comments last summer. At that time, there were rumors that Keyshawn was trying to get his contract renegotiated. He eventually came out and stated that he was willing to work under the existing contract for this (2005) season, but might be looking to rework that contract next year, based on his production. As you recall, Johnson had 70 receptions for 981 yards in 2004. He might have thought that a similar season in 2005 would justify a raise.

In fact, Johnson’s production in 2005 was slightly down (71 receptions for 839 yards), in that he was not able to get deep nearly as often. Whether he feels that he still deserves a raise is unknown, as well as how he would react were he not to get one. He just hasn’t said anything about it since last summer. Until he does say something on this matter, any speculation about it, is just that — speculation.

One further comment on this matter. It has come up because of an article written by Mike Fisher for Ranch Report. In his first sentence, he wonders if people might want to be rid of Johnson and his me-first, selfish attitude. In the last sentence of that article, he suggests that the Cowboys might replace Johnson with Terrell Owens. The inconsistency of those two statements, even when separated by several paragraphs, struck me as stunning.

Mr. Bill:

Thanks for the clarifiation. It figures that Fisher would be behind this rumor…he’s a drama queen.