McGinest Signs with Cleveland

that really sucks, BP and JJ better have more then a big bang coming. i wouldve loved to see willie chasing down mcnabb for us

I’m getting the feeling that we’re not going o do much this offseason. We’ll get a K I’m sure, but who knows who that will be. I also would expect a couple more young “who is he” guys. It looks to me like JJ wants to keep plenty of room to sign our guys back next year.

there’s still a huge list of fre agents for all positions. There’s a list at ranchreport.com that has pretty good names such as Milloy at S, Fabini, etc….there’s still plenty to choose from…including veteran kickers.

i watch all the bears game living a couple hours from there and was able to watch edinger when he was with the bears. hes deffinetely an upgrade and he kickoffs which is better then vande. but he seemed to miss some important kicks. i want a kicker with ice water in his veins. i dont want to see the redskins celebrating on our field ever again, and vin wouldve made sure they didnt. but i guess, in Bill we trust

http://nfl.com/news/story/9310144

Interesting question #6

6. What team or teams have done the best job of improving the roster with free-agent signings?
    
Answer: A) Cleveland. Signing two starting offensive linemen plus a punter and wide receiver Joe Jurevicius is a great start for 2006.

B) Washington. Adam Archuleta, Andre Carter, Christian Fauria and Antwaan Randle El were very good signings.

C) Dallas. Signed Akin Ayodele, who has played outside linebacker but can play inside in a 3-4, and Kyle Kosier. Both will start and help.

D) Minnesota. (If it ends up with Hutchinson.)

Above post Notice no mention of the Skins

try again no mention of the Skisn overpayng for some players and restructuring veteran players for less than stellar teammates

I’m as dissapointed as any other fans about Willie. But one thing to keep in mind. It takes 2 to tango. Willie obviously felt comfortable in Cleveland with Romeo. And I doubt we would have topped the $12 mil over 3 years and $6 mil guaranteed.

Regarding Edinger: He is less than 50% in the last 2 years from 30-39 yards. His career FG % is 75%. This doesnt sound like the upgrade that we need.

huh? B)Washington?

sorry shoop…too slow reading

hey guys, if we end up with Fabini and a decent kicker then our off season wouldn’t have been a loss…right?

Here’s a big bang sure to increase the animosity in our rivals games.

Sign:
Terrel Owens
John Runyan
Lavar Arrington
Charles Woodsen

I cant see us doing it but they are all still available and play positions of need.

Guys, for the past couple of days I have been pissed off, trying to figure out why WE weren’t making the noise I thought we would. Asking myself, why is BP not burning the midnight oil at the ranch. I finally figured it out. They know exactly what they want and who they want to get. No cause for alarm. Let’s let this bad boy play out and at the end of the day, I bet we’ll all be pretty happy! I have a feeling they have something up their sleeves.

I can’t believe we let Chris Hope slip away, whats next Vineteri?

what’s more interesting is the jump in salaries, wow. so use to seeing these massive salaries compared to $35 mil in 1994

Did anyone else see that agent Carl Poston has been suspended for 2 years. That is great.

Apparently, it has something to do with Arrington’s last contract. On top of that Randy Moss’s agent was also arrested for possession of crack cocaine. Rosenhaus is next, I feel it! Hopefully, he will go down before they committ TO to the boys.

mgg, I’m with you as far as our FA participation thus far. BP and JJ are the professionals here. I can wait and hope we do well with our future signings. I like reading everyones ideas but would rather not have the personal attacks thrown in. Unless, of course, a Redskin fan pops in.

I thought we were creting the big bang and all…but now I read both JJ and the Tuna are taking a break in Florida and some Island….back to work guys…get some people signed.

I don’t see chris hope as a great loss. If Stevens, the Seattle TE, had held on to the football in the SB the Seahawks would have won the game. Only the drops saved Hope and his mates from looking pretty bad.

biotrek,

I’d take Woodson too. With all the youth up front, and the way our defense was beat last year .. he is a really nice fit. If Ware, Canty, Spears, and the rest of the youngans can develope and create a nice pass rush … I would love to see a ball hawking safety that can also cover slot receivers or tight ends. Woodson would be our equivalent to Troy Pol. .. I am with you .. but try convincing the rest of these guys!!

Hope, Chavous, and Demps are all gone!! .. So guys unless you want a rookie starting back there you better start getting on this ship!

Notice we’ve heard no news of Julian Peterson?

Maybe he is BP’s ace up his sleeve.

shoop,

From KFFL.com
Mike Sando, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports the Seattle Seahawks have scheduled free agent LB Julian Peterson (49ers) for a visit

just sign a kicker and everthing will work its self out

i’s this team planning on entering thi sseason with basically the same team?because i’ve seen more players being lost than anybody being signed you’re dropping players left and right but not replacing anybody,when you had so many holes to fill this year.so where does this leave our team overall?i’f we’re counting on flo coming back and everything is going to be alright we are all dead wrong,because our line was just okay with flo in there.yeah we had a winning record before flo went out but we were going nowhere. and i just don’t see with what’s left out there is it enough to get this team over the top?draft picks usually don’t have an impact right away so this season could be another project.and qb is going to be a major issue i’f we don’t get protection and the future isn’t bright at qb either.

We add TO. Vanderjagt or Vin and an Offensive Lineman. We’re good to go. We’ll be fine. The O-Line has to be a priority.

If we add TO, he instantly makes our offense better. Running lanes open up and less pressure on the line. He’s an ahole, but we’ll deal.

I am new to this site but am liking it. Football in March is great!!

Great to see so many die-hard Cowboy fans out there!!

Where did this “big bang” theory come from? What have I missed? Did JJ promise a big bang some time in the past?

Forgive me for not knowing, but someone please fill me in.

CWBoy,

Nick Eatman of dallascowboys.com has been predicting a “big bang,” but we odn’t know what, thus the speculation.

Glad to have you on board. Lots of new faces.

Surfing around tonight, I can’t believe the idiocy of Pete Prisco of cbs sportsline. I think I disagree with almost every one of his analyses of the FA signings. Talk about a mediot.

The “big bang” theory came from a story on ranchreport.com last week which said a really big signing was coming I think. Other than Adoyele, nothing has happened.

I kind of knew Hope wasnt coming here, but I really, really wanted McGinest. Now we still need an OLB. That messes up our draft board, here’s how I see somethings happening:

1st pick- Either FS or OLB. Scott or Winston should fall to 49, where we can get them. Id be happy with either, tho I like Scott alot better. Now, that leaves us Ko Simpson and maybe Donte Whitner. I hope BP did his scouting on this one because other than Huff I dont see a clear cut starter from day 1 at FS. At OLB, we can go Bobby Carpenter, or Manny Lawson or Kamerion Wimbley.

Whats more important, OLB or FS? Thats a hard one, good thing BP makes the decisions and not me.

Also, Aaron Brooks was released and Joey Harrington wants out. PLEASE no one mention these guys as pickups, they are busts and I wouldnt waste a penny on either of them.

kerrycowboy it’s been a tough week,constantly watching espn or the nfl network late at night i’m talking 3 or 4 in the morning,get up tired as hell go to work log in to the blog,check every hour nothing yet, go home watch more t.v nothing yet,log in again nothing,back to t.v ti’ll 3 or 4 nothing.i am done or my wife will divorce me or i will loose my job.can we please just sign vinateri and i will be somewhat relieved even though it’s more than that we need.

The “Big Bang” came from the Ranch Report.

… My theory is one or two players have already been signed, but the Cowboys executives are waiting to come back from vacation to introduce them. Just a theory, but both the Chiefs and the Broncos are now “running the other direction” when T.O.‘s name is mentioned. Almost as if they do not want to be tampering with another team’s player. If K.C. and Denver were both looking to aquire Owens in a possible trade with Philly, you would think that the interest would heat up if they didn’t have to pay any compensation to the Eagles. That has not been the case. .. If it is true that Parcells and Jerry are on vacation (which makes sense because the delay in the start of free agency), then surely they will wait for both to get back in town to introduce their “big” signings. .. I have the feeling Owens and possibly more have signed with the Boys!!

First post to the site! So refreshing to be able to talk with sensible fans with actual hope of winning, considering I live in Browns country full of hopeless douchebags.

JJ has said that he wants to fill needs through free agency, enabling him to draft the best players available in April. So far, no kicker, no free safety, and no starting offensive linemen. In short, not one signing thus far that would improve the team. He has released the three best locker-room leaders we had in Glover, Johnson, and Campbell. Obviously I realize that JJ and BP know more about what’s going on than I do, but I can’t see how much “better” they can make the team with what’s currently available, especially considering what they’ve let go.

My takes:

In my opinion, which corresponds with most opinions, our biggest needs to start the off season were OL and K. IF, and I mean IF we fixed nothing else we’de be much better and a possible contender.

We have addressed a little bit of the OL need by siging Kozier. He is solid if nothing else and fits BP’s m.o. for versatile OLinemen. So that is positive.
Watch Akin be our biggest LB FA aquisition ever, whcih may not be saying much, but better than Hardy and Singleton, and who can forget Coryatt who never suited up.
So another positive.
DEFINITE upgrades.

Now for K, my gut tells me AV has a better than 50/50 chance of wearing the Star.
HE makes us better immediately!! and if nothing were to change from last year, we’de be AT LEAST 2-3 games better and make the playoffs. That would be lots of confidence for a mostly young group of guys going into potentially BP’s last year.

Now for the guesswork and possible scenarios maybe I am dreaming about panning out:

I personally don’t want to see America’s Team, MY team, YOUR team, sell out to a cancer like T.O. I personally have met one of T.O.‘s cousins thru a work relationship and most of T.O.’s family doesn’t even like him or deal with him according to him. He called his own cousin an ass. On top of that this particular cousin pulled a gun on a co-worker about half a year after I met him, so it RUNS in the family…..I am telling you guys that “think” you’d like to see T.O. become a Cowboy, WE, OUR team cannot reward a BABY that isn’t even mature enough not to park in his coaches parking spot. Yes, I’m sure BP can control him but it isn’t about that. It’s about setting a precedence on catering and CRATERING to cry-baby, psychotic athletes that can even get away with murder mind you………

So that being said, I like us going after Javon who is only 27-28 and though he is coming off an injury had 89 grabs and 12 TD’s just 2 seasons ago. I do not think TO or KEY did that within their 1st 3 years.
Also, I like taking a WR in the first round if Santonio is there are get the speed burner Jackson. Now you’d be talking about a STABLE of WR’s that could be around and TOGETHER for about 5-8 years with Crayton, Walker, and Jackson/Holmes.

BP needs to sign Fabini to shore up the RT for at least 4 years or so, and we can pick up a decent OL in the 2-4 rounds who can provide depth initially and potentially start one day.
OR, watch Runyan still be available up til about training camp and though it would only be stop gap for a season or 2, may provide us enough time to find or develop his replacement not to mention keep Drew as healthy as possible until we find his successor.

I do not believe it can be stressed enough that JJ DOES want to keep some $$ to sign Newman, Williams, and Witten next year so keep that in mind too. Very important to keep those guys. The salary cap increases again 7 mil next year if I’m not mistaken but no need to break the bank for players that cannot be around 5 years or more.

I can see for the draft:

1st: If Winston Justice is there taking him. But we have never drafted a OL that high if I’m not mistaken so not sold on that.
Santonio Holmes or Chad Jackson, most likely Jackson from what I hear.
2nd: FS Josh Bullocks, who I’m telling you, by mid season will not look like a rookie anymore. Not all world, mind you, but very steady.
Or, an excellent OL that is too heard to pass up at this point.
3rd: FS is not in the 2nd round or OL, or a project like OLB Manny Lawson if still there.

Another possibility is BP wanting and liking Rob’s son Bobby, and trading down to get him and picking up an extra 2nd or 3rd pick.

NO T.O. though and I’ll be happier than I would be with him.

Thanks Eric R, Lou C, and Len.

Well, as far as OLB or FS I think FS is most pressing since Akin could play OLB with either him manning SOLB or there has been talk of switching Ware to the SOLB. I know the talk is of Akin being an ILB but if we had to, Fowler could continue Inside and Akin play the outside with Shanle, Burnett, and Thornton playing backup at OLB. BP liked Thornton an aweful lot so we’ll see how he has recovered and come along.

As far as NT which I have not talked about yet, I know BP talked of Spears playing some nose last year and I think he could 10-15 snaps a game, and could be what BP had in mind as far as using Greg E more…..also could be planning more 4 man fronts especially against teams that play with 3 wide outs. Ellis is “horrible” at dropping into coverage either if he has to, JUST periodically to throw a wrench at the opponent’s plans if need be from time to time.

that last post should have said: Greg E ( ISN’T ) horrible at dropping into coverage a couple of times a game or so.

sports center reported..that dallas was 1 of 4 teams interest in “shaub”
back up QB from he falcs.

hes pretty good …but that is not a main priarity in my eyes…not this year anyway..

Eric R,

Do you really think that can be? It really does make sense. If so, than I have been worrying for nothing. I had never thought about that, but you’re absolutely right. I know BP is at some baseball teams training camp, and that would make perfect sense for them not to announce the signing of players yet.

Oh, one other thing. I think LA’s days in Dallas are numbered but probably not counting down this year. I think he will be here one more year and then not be resigned next year, and think about how much cap space THAT would free up along with the bump up of the cap next year. Enough to sign Williams, Newman, and Witten long term? and use $$ for big bangs this year??

Iron Man,

You may be on to something there. Through all the discussions I have seen lately, none have talked about a backup quarterback. Is it the most glaring need? NO. But if Bledsoe goes down, we do no better than 8-8 in my eyes. Gotta have someone that has some playing time to pick up the slack. Could QB one of the players in maybe a big bang acquisition?

I like that Ironman and militarydude.

And thank you for your service to our country!!

Word I’ve heard is the Jets would like to get their hands on Shaub from the Falcons. Wonder if the Boys might look to go after Shaub and then make a deal with the Jets to move up in the draft. That could leave the Cowboys with the 4th pick. With Bush probably going 1, and NO taking D’Brickashaw (since they recently signed Brees), and the Titans taking Leinart, that could leave the Boys with the pick of the litter. My take is they would look at Cutler for the QB of the future, or OLB with A.J. Hawk.

militarydude:

I have heard NO likes Mario Williams and Leinart to the Titans so the Brick would fall to us if we had the 4th, which I would not mind a bit.

How would we go about getting Shaub and moving up to 4th?

Oh, I think I read you now……get Shaub and trade him for the 4th……

biz spent last two days in hospital nothing but espn suck no in fo happy to be back home

All kinds of things are suddenly occuring to me now. Who provides a pass rush up the middle now especially on sure passing downs or late in games when the opponent may be forced to throw?

I can see Greg E manning a tackle position and rushing from the middle as well as Marcus. Then of course Ware from the outside, and if healthy Thornton and/or Ayodele from the other side. Bobby Carpenter could also excell at that, even in his first year, if we were to pick him up.

Who plays the nickel/dime LB on sure passing downs? Shanle? James? Burnett if healthy? Burnett can move.
I see a glaring concern there, among other needs.

CWBoy,

Sorry for taking so long. Had to put the kids to bed. Not sure how we could pull off the Shaub trade for sure, but the Falcons need a safety, running back, and corner. Safety and corner are out of the question for us, so maybe we look at one of two backs in a one for one trade (Barber or Thompson). BP showed he can get talent out of late round RB picks. Then we work with the Jets to move up in the draft by offering them a swap in positions along with a second round pick. Some may argue that it wouldn’t be worth losing a second rounder, but to get the QB of the future, stud OLB, or as you say, “Brick”, it might be worth it!

Eric, Good thinking. Maybe it’s time for a vacation ‘after’ the big-bang signings were completed. Everybody goes and takes a break while the rest of us schmucks go nuts trying to figure out whats happening. Too good to be true? We’ll know soon.

CWBoy,

I meant to say we work with the Jets to move up in the draft by offering them a swap in first round positions along with Shaub or a second round pick.

militarydude:

very interesting….. BP was trying aweful hard to see each week what he could get out of each RB, especially Barber seemed like. I think he is pretty sold on Julius and I am too with a proper line in front of him, so that brings up an interesting scenario.
I think it would have to be Barber, I don’t think Thompson could bring that. I hate to see Barber go because you have to have 2 backs that can play, but BP is good at getting RB’s in late rounds, as you said, and/or Sowell if we get him could be something like a Richie A or Mike Anderson type that can run the ball 6-8 times a game. (actually Mike Anderson is better than that, but you may see my point)

I like the idea of getting the possible QB of the future now, so he can get some tootiledge under Drew.

IRON MAN,

If Atlanta allows Schaub to get away from them, they are a lot dumber than I thought, and they will live to regret it.

Also, I have been wondering where the big bruising back BP likes so much is……he likes to have a back in the 230+ range if nothing to be a change of pace back-up so maybe we find that sort of back to replace Barber going along with your scenario.

No one associated with the Cowboys ever said, or even intimated, that there was going to be some kind of ‘big bang’ from the Cowboys at the start of free agency. What they did say was that they had done their homework and were ready.

So, what happened?

Kozier and Ayodele happened. Those were two guys that few people had even heard of, but who were sought after by several teams. We went after them and got them. That is the very definition of ‘homework’. Only time will tell whether that ‘homework’ was fruitful. But, they got two people they did research on.

So, has anything gone wrong? I believe they have been aced out at kicker. They wanted Longwell all along, with Bryant as their principal backup. But, they lost the bidding war with Longwell, and Bryant disappeared at almost the same time.

As for Vinatieri, I don’t think he was ever in their plans, probably because they felt they would be wasting their time trying to pry him away from New England. That they would spend hours negotiating, make him an offer, and he would waltz back to New England. Perhaps they have changed their minds, now that their best candidates are gone. But, I have seen no evidence of any interest in Vinatieri, as yet.

That leaves us with Vanderjagt, Edinger, and Mare (if released) — maybe Brown, if we could get him away from Seattle. All of them are better than Cortez, but none of them excites me.

As for Chris Hope. I’m sorry, but I never could see the fuss over him. The Steelers didn’t want him back. They signed Clark to replace him. Clark had been cut by the Redskins, who then went and signed Archuletta to replace him. Archuletta is a minor-league Roy Williams. I don’t believe we were ever interested in ANY of those guys.

Obviously, with Johnson’s release, we now have a major hole at receiver. I have already expressed my opposition to bringing in Owens. That leaves me three options, in this order of preference: Walker (trade), Johnson (re-sign), Moulds (if cut). I don’t think there is anyone else out there that could replace Johnson acceptably. Owens would obviously fill the void. I just want no part of him, but will swallow hard and accept it, if he is signed.

My only other real concern is offensive tackle. I have no idea what the Cowboys have in mind here. It could be that they will now wait until the draft, to see if the right player is available in the first two rounds. If not, there will still probably be someone out there in free agency who could start for us.

I don’t really care that much about free safety or blocking tight end or fullback or backup nose tackle or (further) upgrades at linebacker from this part of free agency. Those types are always available, if they are not addressed by the draft.

Here’s another scenario regarding the Schaub trade. Atlanta is really high on DE Abraham from the Jets. But the Jets are looking for Shaub and a seconder rounder. What if there was a three way trade where Atlanta gets Abraham (and a really big salary) from the Jets, the Jets get Shaub from Atlanta and a second round pick from the Boys, the Boys swap positions with the Jets and get Cutler, Hawk or Brick. Might work…..

militarydude:

Could work but I just think that Atlanta and the Jets would make a trade between themselves, for that particular scenario.
If ATL wants Abraham enough, they trade Shaub and a 2nd rounder easy enough.

Mr Bill:

I agree with you on what we have already gotten in FA. We have done pretty well with those 2. I think Ayodele will be this year like Henry was last year, as someone mentioned earlier, but hopefully play the WHOLE season.

militarydude:

Didn;t mean to shoot down your scenario, I do understand what you are saying.

If we did move up to 4th I don’t know who I’d want more. Brick or Cutler.
Brick could be the Michael Jordan of Tackles in a few years if there ever was such a thing.

CWBoy and Mr. Bill,

I agree with both of you. I think most Boys fans have overreacted to us not jumping out of the gates like a herd of elephants. We did last year with the likes of Rivera, and look where it got us. Look at “shoop” Comment 5. above regarding our grading on FA thus far. Looks like we are number 3 on somebody’s list overall. And that’s with only 2 outside signings. I think Akin is going to be solid, but something about Kosier makes me think BP has hit a homerun. This guy can play pretty much any position on the line. Talk about depth and versatility, especially for late in the season when injuries are catching up to everyone.

militarydude,

So basically, the Jets would be trading the #4 pick in the draft, for our picks at #18 and #49. They are also trading Abraham for Schaub straight up.

You must not think much of the Jets’ ability to bargain. They are getting Schaub and a second rounder for Abraham, but are also trading down from #4 to #18, with no further compensation.

1. and #49 might get us as high as #10. We would probably have to throw in next year’s first rounder to get up to #4.

CWBoy,

No problem on shooting holes in anything I say. Better than those real bullets. As for your question on Cutler or Brick, my first reaction would be to go with Brick. He could make an instant impact. But it seems most teams take OL in later rounds and they usually work out OK. My money would be on the QB of the future. Let’s face it, Henson and Romo are long shots.

Eric……nice theory……but…..if TO were a Cowboy Jerry Jones could not wait to spend to show that hole that the dollar was burning in his pocket. He would call a press conference in Antartica if he had too…….

but this is the age of the internet…..the cell phone….the video conference……a player an agent a coach and an owner don’t have to board planes……or throw shrimp on the barbie together to sign a contract….

somebody mentioned Stephen Jones……and I believe Dallas already made up its mind on TO a while ago……BP and JJ have enuff contacts in the biz to know the real skinny on TO…..hech Michael Irvin and JJ still talk…..and for some reason Irvin is TOs mouthpiece in the media…….don’t you think Mike wants to see TO catching TDs in Dallas……Don’t you think Michael would love a little revenge on the Eagles……that cheered his injury…..

when or how it happens……TO will be a Cowboy……and here is the beauty of it……he will be like KJ….he is going to shut up and play……..

Rosenhaus……..we might not like him but he ain’t no dummy……the longer TO is unsigned the higher the bids might well become…..or even going into the training camps……a WR gets hurt…..and TO gets signed….a talent like TO does not need to know the whole playbook like a QB……he already knows how to run a post, slant, go, or to block the guy in front of him. There ain’t no hurry for Drew or TO to sign up. He could still be a FA through the draft.

Peterson, Mathis, Abraham, there are still plenty of talented players out there that can play OLB……..Dallas can still sign plenty of players……..I look for a new deal from Witten either after FA ends……or after the draft….but they will ink a long term deal with bill parcells……everybodys all american…….did James get an extension yet? They are going to have to pay James, Williams, TNEW, and others…….TNew is going to want and deserve A Henry Pay…..

Mr. Bill,

The Jets would get the QB they are looking for, dump a ton of salary cap space with Abraham, they would swap with us in the first round, but they would get two second rounders.

militarydude,

You’re right about QB and I hope I’m wrong but I already think Romo is better than Henson ever will be, and that’s not saying much, but I like Romo as the 3rd QB most definitely. But time will tell on Henson. He’s getting snaps now in Europe and that could help.

I think we’ll trade that 18th pick though for more picks and get a couple of projects that have great upside, like a Manny Lawson sort of guy for OLB and/or one of those mammoth OL’s that could turn out to be a good/great one. I also like Eric Winston if he is there in the 2nd round. I say nab him and I think we could be thinking something like that.

Good night fellas!!

Gotta love all these theories. Better reading these than watching the NBA though!

Night folks!!

If we were to move up I wouldnt take a QB this year, I would go after 4 players in this order:

1. DBrick
2. Ngata
3. Huff
4. Davis

Its nice to dream, 1 % chance of happening but you never know. I wouldnt give up a future pick though because we need a WR and QB soon.

HERES SOME COWBOYS NEWS…

- The Boys may soon give an offer sheet to K Josh Brown of the Seahawks. They would be able to match, but are supposedly matching the Hutchinson deal so wheres the cap room?

- Keyshawn said on Sirius radio that theres a real good chance hes going to resign with Dallas when all is said and done.

militarydude,

How do the Jets get two second rounders? That wasn’t in your initial post. We only have one to trade. Do they get one from the Falcons? Then, why do they even need us to make the trade?

Actually, it’s not a 3-way trade at all, since there is nothing between the Falcons and the Cowboys. It’s two separate straight-up trades, and would be evaluated as such.

So, if you can persuade the Jets to trade their #4 for our #18 and #49, more power to you. I’m all for that. I just don’t think they are that naive.

Wouldn’t we all crap if the ycame back and announced AV, TO and John RUnyan all signed.

NOt even close to likely but it would be funny

If’s all around. Here’s my if’s:

If we sign TO, if we resign KJ, if we sign PK Josh Brown – we then get 1 or 2 capable o-linemen – a Runyon or Fabini kind of guy. That fills some of our most glaring holes.

Then, we don’t break the Cowboy’s bank and we get to draft the best players still available at our “needs” positions in the draft, with an opportunity to possibly trade down and get a couple more picks for this year and next year. Maybe we get a Bobby Carpenter, a Ko Simpson, a Reggie McNeal, an Andrew Whitworth…..

That would still give us cash to get utility players after the spending sprees cool down.

This mcginnist signing bothers me more than any other yet. Not ‘cause we desperatley needed him or anything, but because I KNOW we had at least some interest in him. Theres no two ways about it. We sat on our butts while someone else went out and got him. That makes it hard to calm yourself by telling yourself that we already have our plans set. I think that makes two, willie M and Ryan Longwell that we’ve let get snatched away from us.

bigE:
I’m not so sure that you would have liked to sign McGinest to a three year deal worth that much, that means that he will be there until he finishes his contract and he may have 2 years of Football in his body as a part timer, not so sure about 3…

Jon:
Nope, he’s going to get Henry’s type of signing bonus ($11Ms) and Brian Williams type of money ($32Ms), that’s what happens when you have a new CBA and the prices go up. Henry’s deal is worth $25Ms.

BTW, this post is certainly less dramatic than the last one, certainly there were guys almost crying that Dallas has been so quiet…

BTW, I’ve been thinkin about the NT job more and more, and I’m now wondering if an upgrade is indeed necessary, I mean, Ferguson can man the position if he gets some rest from time to time (when he was on the field, teams didn’t ran through him, Olines pushed Canty and Spears to the sides, leaving holes, that’s how teams ran inside with him on the field, look it up).

And then you face the comments made by Parcells when he introduced to the media that he was moving to the 3-4 as the main defense for his versatility.

How versatile was the Defense this past season? They played with 2 schemes, the main Defense and the Nickel. That’s what almost every team uses! Main and Nickel, main and nickel! They did changed form a 3 man front to a 4 man front, but all 3-4 teams do the same, often sending one of their OLB as another DE, which is what Dallas also made.

So how much versatile can this Defense be? With the addition of Ayodele they have the right mix of players at LB to play some 4-3, too.

And that’s when you hear Parcells comments on Ellis: “This veterans don’t always understand how things need to be done. We’re finding ways to get him more to the field”.

That sounds to me as Parcells keeping the 3-4 so much last year because he wanted to see them react in the good times and in the bad times (good time-with the full depth at LB/bad time-when the team was playing with just 5 LBs) he had a lot of rookies that needed to learn. Now Parcells knows that he can count on the guys of the 3-4.

It’s time for seeing how versatile the Defense can be, maybe something like this:

3-4 Main:
RDE – Canty/Ellis
NT – Ferguson/Johnson/Ratliff
LDE – Spears/Ratliff
WSLB – Ware/Burnett
WILB – James/Singleton
SILB – Ayodele/Singleton
SSLB – A draft pick/Burnett

4-3 option:
RDE – Ellis/Ware
DT – Canty/Spears
DT – Ratliff/Spears
LDE – Spears/Ware
OLB – Singleton/Burnett
WILB – James/Singleton
OLB – Ayodele/A draft pick

And nickel:
RDE – Ware/A draft pick
DT – Canty/Spears
DT – Ratliff/Spears
LDE – Ellis/A draft pick
LB – Singleton/Burnett
LB – James/Burnett

Chandus:

Did Canty line up at some DT last year? I can’t recall but I think he might have. BP has talked about Spears at NT some, I figure maybe 8-15 snaps a game. Also don’t forget about K Coleman in there at DE. BP has called him one of his strongest players physically and is now an excellent back-up.

I see Greg E rushing more from inside this year, as he did early in his career, on sure passing downs. He played some DT at times if you recall. Thomas Johnson also, BP seems to like, maybe he can get 8-10 snaps at DT this year and fill in well enough.

Burnett is still in the air, and I would grade Shanle above him right now, and I think BP does too.

Another DT possibility is Lance Legree. Serviceable but not a monster by any means.

Teams will have a harder time running up the middle this year with Ayodele. He his quite strong in short space and hard to run through. Where he has a problem is tackling in space, which is why I think he is considered an ILB, but again I think BP is getting and was looking for a utility type guy who would also be a great starter. Ayodele could play “outside” once he learnes more of the nuances of the position in a 3-4.

BP apparently feels very hampered by the number of guys you can suit up each week, so it looks like he is getting guys that may be able to play more than one position which is very smart.

Another reason I hope we get FB Sowell because he is a special teams ace and can catch well out of backfield.

Chandus,

Since Ferguson usually only plays for two downs, and then gets replaced, he might be able to hold up all year. But, we still need someone we could count on, in case Ferguson gets injured.

But, there are still guys like Grady Jackson out there, who could be signed as backup. Those types will probably still be around after the draft. If all else fails, we could bring back Willie Blade. … Just kidding.

klbk.com which is klbk channel 13 a CBS affiliate station is reporting that the Cowboys have signed receiver Terrell Owens to an undisclosed contract which will be announced at a Monday press conference