The Cowboys Are Quiet As Mice. Be Prepared for Some Surprises

Rafael:

Let’s also not forget the fact that last year the team needed a QB. That is always some big cheese to throw down. That is something that sometimes gets lost in this discussion of teams like Cleveland, etc. that supposedly have tons of cap space, but may not so much after they have to pay the big $$ required for a QB in UFA.

Thanks for reminding me of the Wahle issue. I was deadset all last January and February on the Cowboys signing him once FA started. I have to admit, I was happy to get Rivera at the time, but IMHO the Wahle vs. Rivera situation is yet another reason to pay up for younger guys like Bentley to fix those kind of holes. I still believe Wahle would have been the better choice.

BTW – From the last very unusual thread…about Kraft getting the ‘silver’. A lot of that was due to the previous Pat’s owner hiring Parcells, and Kraft hiring Belichick after Carroll got the axe. We’ve now got Parcells, Bledsoe, and Terry Glenn. We may end up with McGinest too before it’s over. That is just one more reason to sign Vinatieri and be done with it. Afterall, it’s a copycat leauge!! ;)

I’m new to this website, but have been visiting it for some time now and I have to say that its very informative and a great place to visit for Cowboy fans. OK, a little on my views: I love the Cowboys and hate the Redskins and it’s that very reason that even though it’s good for the NFL for the CBA to get approved, I am thinking like a self serving Cowboy fan and hope the owners reject it. CBA or not, the Cowboys will be able to do well in free agency…probably better than most teams. The Redskins on the other hand are cooked and I would love to see them have to completely dismantle their team to get under the cap. Now for my free agency predictions:

Adam Vinetari—My gut feeling just tells me that the Cowboys are going to sign him. The Cowboys have been quiet on all free agency fronts and there have been no rumours linking Vinetari to any team, to me that’s smells like a deal. Jerry Jones can kill two birds here, obtain the best kicker in the NFL while at the same time getting a guy that is highly marketable. That fact that Bill Parcells drafted him also doesn’t hurt. I’m sure it’s been tough for Parcells to see the Patriots win 3 super bowls with all the players he drafted…why not get the one back that can still play another 5 plus years.

T.O—Not going to happen. I just don’t see T.O., Keyshawn, and Terry Glenn all on the same team. All three are over 30 and it leaves no room for Patrick Crayton or any other young guy to develop. While that trio of WRs would be deadly, I would just be surprised if Jerry Jones and Bill Parcells would want to take a chance of getting embarrassed by the guy most likely to make that happen in the NFL.

Offensive Line Help—While I would love to see Bentley in a Cowboy’s uniform, I see Parcells going after at least one of the two Jets that were released recently. Fabini and Mawae are durable guys and have rarely missed a start in their career. Parcells loves his old guys and loves their durability. I put Fabini at an 80% chance of coming to the Cowboys and Mawae at 50%. Yes, that would make our line extremely old, but it was also make it very experienced and just the kind of line Bledsoe needs to stand behind. There is nothing wrong with having an old line like that as long as we have some young guys waiting in the wings. The draft is filled with talented guards and tackles and our roster still the likes of Al Johnson, Jacob Rogers, Stephen Peterman, and Rob Petitti…all of whom could still turn out to be productive in the NFL.

Lavar Arrington—cross this one off your list. I live in DC and on the news last night, he said he wanted to play in the NFC East but that it will be awfully difficult to put on a Cowboys jersey. You have to love the guys heart with a comment like that. Lavar is a great guy, great in the DC community, but he has gotten a ton of criticism here for not playing in the defensive scheme installed by Greg Williams. He’s a playmaker at times but makes a lot of mental mistakes that cost big time and I can’t see Parcells going for that. I give it a 0% chance that he will be in a Cowboys uniform in ’06.

Safety—We are going to have to spend all that cap money somewhere and this is going to be one place we are going to do it. You can forget Corey Chavous, he’s washed up. I see them making a play for one of the big names out there. I’m not sure which one maybe Chris Hope; either way it will be a known guy and not a second rate player.

Other than those predictions, I’m sure they will consider bringing in some help at the LB or DT spot but I honestly think those will be more of the stop gap nature especially the DT position…they’ll look to fill that with a young player somewhere in the draft. TE is also a mystery to me, but if I were them I would go after a stud in the draft and pair him up with Witten for years to come.

Sam:

Good stuff. I agree with all your points. Makes for a nice read.

Thanks Sterling, as you can see I’m anxious for this thing to get started.

I think they sign Matt Bryant right away. He’s not too expensive, still an upgrade, Parcells knows him (even compared him to Matt Bahr once), and he played at Baylor and doesn’t seem to want to re-sign with the Bucs.

After that, they’ll probably go after a veteran, mid level cost, tackle.

I think the big question is whether or not they pursue Lavar Arrington. I’m just hoping they go after a FS as well, but something tells me they won’t.

Raf
I think another possible candidate to follow Vinny and the jets to Dallas is someone you didn’t mention. Marcus Coleman was also a former Parcells guy (wasn’t he?) and I think he’s a very real candidate and probably the best FA Safety available (based on production and price).

Sterling,
I have to disagree on your comment regarding Cleveland. I think they believe that Charlie Frye is the future at QB and they still have Dilfer. I don’t think they’ll target a QB this year.

Sam,
I agree with Sterling about what you wrote.

I think everyone on this site has covered possiblities for OT, LB, S, and FB. FA TEs and WRs haven’t really been discussed very much because those positions are top priority. Even though we may not bring in a TE or WR, here’s my list of guys that haven’t been mentioned for those positions that may not command a huge deal to sign.

TE
Chris Baker. He showed a lot in the games I watched him. I think the Jets would have wanted to keep him except for their cap trouble and the fact they traded that first rounder for Jolley.

Teyo Johnson – 6’6", 260. Great hands. I’m not sure if he’s such a great blocker though which may be his downfall. Last year, he was stuck on a team with a QB (Warner) who never learned how to utilize the TE position so his stats were terrible. I’m not sold on him, but he’s a possibility as far as FAs goes.

I think the TEs that will be taken on day 1 in the draft have more potential than either of these players, but they would make good choices if we don’t draft one.

WRs
Finneran. The guy is very solid. Decent speed, great hands and a huge target (6’5"). He’s had good, consistent production in his career while playing with a bad passing QB. He must be on the radar of some teams and may command a decent price, but he’s worth considering IMHO.

Charles Lee. He filled in very nicely for the Bucs when Keyshawn was suspended. Watching him in those games, you can see he’s got a lot of potential and he’s another WR with size (6’3", 227). He’s way under the radar…maybe too much so.

Marc Boerigter. Only in the league for 3 years. Flashed a lot of potential in his rookie season (8 TDs) and also has good size (6’3", 220). I don’t think he was utilized by KC enough since most of the balls go to Gonzo, Holmes/Johnson, and Kennison.

Reche Caldwell. For those of you who want the, smaller, explosive WR, I think he fits that mold very well. He has been a kick returner in the past as well. Biggest problem with him is he’s an injury risk and we have one of those in Glenn already. To look at that in a positive light however, he should be relatively cheap because of that injury past and he may not have been able to show his full potential. Glenn stated that he went through different training than ever before and that helped him get through the season. Maybe he could teach Caldwell??

Overall, I like the youth and upside to David Givens more than any other FA receiver. Brady is exceptional at spreading the ball around so Given’s stats do not show his ability. He’s not in this list as he’ll be asking for some big money, but I wouldn’t mind spending it on him if we have enough after OT, K, C, and S needs are met.

Sam,

I agree with everything except safety position. Are there really any good safeties in FA.Hope would be the best available option, but he wants too much money for a mediocre player. I agree he is probably the best avail but to me he is not worth a 10mil signing bonus which is what he is going to want.

I would look to the draft board for a safety. In FA I would concentrate on the following:
1) Kicker
2) OT
3) LB

Our value in FA lies with these positions. Maybe BP sees someone out there I don`t. I wish there was a value at the safety position in FA, but unless someone is unexpectedly released I am not happy with these choices.

Jesse NY, I don’t disagree with you. I’m not really sure who is the top dog out there at the safety position, but I just think they are going to address that need in free agency and not in the draft. They need a solution there and putting a rookie back there isn’t going to make their secondary that much better than it was last year. Sure, maybe if they used one of their top 2 picks on a safety, but those picks can be better spent. Maybe Hope isn’t the guy; it may just come down to the right experienced guy at the right price.

Sam,

Why would you be opposed to using a top draft pick on a safety? If one of the better ones are still on the board 1st or even better 2nd round I would not be shy to draft high here. Especially if we can beef up LB through FA.With Newman & Henry @ the corners a top round selection paired up with Williams would solidify our secondary for years. LB is very important in the 3-4 scheme I agree, but the value of a good safety is of equal importance. Well BP pulled Henry out last year, maybe there is a safety on someones practice squad or someone he knows wants out of another team. Hoprfully he know what he is doing @ this point.

I very much enjoyed reading your column. I look forward to more posts from you.

Raf,

I think of the former Jets, 3 are definate possibilities. It wouldn’t suprise me at all if Sowell and Fabini or Mawae were Cowboys come Friday. Taking 2 linemen may not allow enough space for younger linemen to develope, and believe it or not I truely believe that Parcells has the Cowboys future well in mind when he approaches each off-season.

I have taken some lip for this since he first had troubles in Philly, but I have always said that I would take TO on my team any day. Owens a Cowboy? Yep .. I think so anyway.

I think Will Demps would be a better pick up than Chris Hope. Hope has said that he views himself as a top 5 safety in the L. Hope will be alought more exspensive and I think Demps could be almost as good. I would prefer to spend big money on Williams when it’s time.

The only problem is I believe Demps is coming off of a ACL tear last year.