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Cowboys Top 20 Players

Jerry Jones recently commented that he receives lists from outside GM's rating the top 20 players on our team.

Star-divide

He also said that Terence Newman is usually the top or top two rated cowboy on that list.  It made me wonder.  Who would I rate the top cowboy and, further more, the top 20 cowboys.  I tried to think how each player compares to others around the league at the same position, but it's not an easy exercise.  Here is my attempt at a top 20 list:

1. Terrell Owens
2. Jason Witten
3. Terence Newman
4. Tony Romo
5. Demarcus Ware
6. Greg Ellis
7. Flozell Adams
8. Leonard Davis
9. Marion Barber
10. Ken Hamlin
11. Brady James
12. Nick folk
13. Anthony Henry
14. Andre Gurode
15. Mat McBriar
16. Marc Colombo
17. Chris Canty
18. Jay Ratliff
19. Marcus Spears
20. Roy Williams
 

Poll
Who would you rate the top cowboys player?
  • Terence Newman
  • Tony Romo
  • Jason Witten
  • Terrell Owens
  • Demarcus Ware

  244 votes | Results

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

4 recs | Comment 136 comments

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Comments

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Here's mine...

1. DeMarcus Ware
2. Terrence Newman
3. Terrell Owens
4. Jason Witten
5. Tony Romo
6. Flozell Adams
7. Marion Barber
8. Leonard Davis
9. Greg Ellis
10. Ken Hamlin
11. Bradie James
12. Anthony Henry
13. Andre Gurode
14. Jay Ratliff
15. Chris Canty
16. Mat McBriar
17. Marc Colombo
18. Roy Williams
19. Marcus Spears
20. Felix Jones

by xazinto on May 23, 2008 8:53 PM CDT   0 recs

I like

your list BigE. I definitely have to go with T.O. as number one, but it’s a VERY close second with T-New.

My popcorn's ready!

by CowboyBawler4 on May 23, 2008 9:11 PM CDT   0 recs

For Newman to beat out Ware

he would have to cut out those occasional dropped ints. If Ware had more moves though there would be no question he is the best on the team, but that can definitely be learned.

1. Ware

2. Newman

3. Witten

4. Romo

5. Barber

6. T.O.

7. Leonard Davis

8. Ratliff

9. Flo

10. Ellis

11. Hamlin

12. McBriar

13. Bradie James

14. Chris Canty

15. Dre Gurode

16. Tank (came on at the end of last season and should be even better this year)

17. Anthony Spencer

18. Pat Watkins (special teamer extraordinaire who is an underrated safety)

19. Felix Jones

20. Nick Folk

by quincyyyyy on May 23, 2008 10:36 PM CDT   0 recs

Doh! I forgot Colombo here is the fixed rankings

1. Ware

2. Newman

3. Witten

4. Romo

5. Barber

6. T.O.

7. Leonard Davis

8. Ratliff

9. Flo

10. Ellis

11. Marc Colombo

12. Hamlin

13. McBriar

14. Bradie James

15. Chris Canty

16. Dre Gurode

17. Tank (came on at the end of last season and should be even better this year)

18. Anthony Spencer

19. Pat Watkins (special teamer extraordinaire who is an underrated safety)

20. Felix Jones

by quincyyyyy on May 23, 2008 10:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

lol...why even mention Felix Jones is your going to list him at #20 ?????

TO #6 ????

ahhh…forget it….”it’s only a game”

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on May 23, 2008 10:47 PM CDT   0 recs

As much as I love T.O.

he drops the ball too much, but on most teams in this league he would be number 1. Too bad for him the Cowboys have a talented roster.

by quincyyyyy on May 23, 2008 10:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You mean....

On every team in the league outside of New England. Seriously…dude was All-Pro last year.

by GhettoBear04 on May 29, 2008 6:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

dude....Barber, who has yet started a regular season game is not rated over TO by anyone who's knows anything about football.

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on May 23, 2008 11:10 PM CDT   0 recs

Well I just did

Barber carried this team on his back for an entire half against the Giants front 7 in a play off game.

by quincyyyyy on May 23, 2008 11:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it's the second half that matters guy......where was he ??

ahhh…forget it…...let me put it this way…go to the rankings from the previous posters….cuz they sure to have a better grasp of talent and importance to the team….

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on May 23, 2008 11:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the o-line fell apart in the second half

you can’t expect Barber to block for himself as well.

by quincyyyyy on May 23, 2008 11:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

But it was all him in the first half?

C’mon. As much as I love him, he’s not better compared to other RB’s than TO is compared to other WR’s. Think about this, TO is paid as much as any receiver in the league (or was last year), but MBIII just got a contract that isn’t top 3.

by GhettoBear04 on May 29, 2008 6:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and..oh...btw ...You take TO off this team and we'd be lucky to reach .500 ....

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on May 23, 2008 11:12 PM CDT   0 recs

Disagree

This team would still be good without TO, assuming we prepared for life without him. We’re not elite, but still in the playoff hunt I think.

by grapejoos on May 24, 2008 4:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Are we prepared ???? I think not....

Seeing there is no evidence to assume Terry Glenn will be 100% come September’s Game 1, I’ll have to exclude him from this debate…..

Crayton n Stanback
Crayton n Hurd
Crayton n Austin

Not exactly scaring anyone…look for a Witten double team and 9 in the box blitzing on every play.

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on May 24, 2008 5:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I meant prepared in the sense of practicing and gameplanning without him

I don’t think that those WR combos scare anyone either, but the Saints had a very good passing attack the last two years without a roster that scared many. We have enough guys that can make big plays in the passing game (even if they are not WRs) that we would survive. Even without TO, I don’t think our WR corps is any worse than, say, Philly’s. Or NE’s two years ago. You can still move the ball through the air without a bonafide #1 WR, but it sure helps to have one of those guys.

Thankfully, we have TO this year, and next year if it’s not him, it’ll be another stud WR (or both!)

by grapejoos on May 25, 2008 4:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ehh...

We would become like Denver, Seattle, or Pittsburgh of a few years ago. Talented QB, good running game. It would be the difference between being a dark horse/long shot and being a favorite.

by GhettoBear04 on May 29, 2008 6:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

use the reply button ??? how do you think i'm replying ??

geeez…go to bed guy..

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on May 23, 2008 11:21 PM CDT   0 recs

my top 5

1 TO
2 ROMO
3 WARE
4 NEWMAN
5 WITTEN

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on May 24, 2008 12:30 AM CDT   0 recs

+1

Can’t argue with any of those picks.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on May 24, 2008 1:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

after this season

I think Romo becomes one. I think he really cuts down on his turnovers, and leads us to the promised land.

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on May 24, 2008 6:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that's alot of "thinking"

Let’s just hope his mind isn’t “thinking” about some media starved trailer trash has been.

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on May 24, 2008 11:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ware
Owens
Adams
Romo
Witten

by Zak on May 24, 2008 11:07 AM CDT   0 recs

My top 10

Ware
Romo
TO
Witten
Newman
Davis
Adams
Barber
Hamlin
Ellis

by grapejoos on May 24, 2008 4:10 PM CDT   0 recs

i LIKE IT

Just can’t put a right guard over a left tackle, especially a guy who failed at LT

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on May 24, 2008 6:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Age and false starts

That’s why I put Bigg over Adams as it is, but point taken. I originally had Adams first but changed it when I thought about those false starts. These are our top 10 impact guys IMO, as in, guys we would miss the most with an average player at the same position (though maybe Romo should be #1 under that logic). I think Ware is the best LB in the entire NFL, and I’m not ready to say that about Romo, hence Ware going #1.

by grapejoos on May 25, 2008 4:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I hear you.

I do believe Romo is top 3. There are only 2 quarterbacks better then Romo in my opionon..

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on May 25, 2008 5:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Me too

Brady and Manning. Romo is on the next tier. Only a ring will put him on the first tier.

by grapejoos on May 25, 2008 11:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1`That would be my top 10 as well Grapejoos

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on May 24, 2008 5:30 PM CDT   0 recs

Hmm, it depends

On whether we’re ranking actual player value or their contributions on the field.
If we’re speaking of their immediate ability on the field:
Romo
Ware
Newman
Owens
Witten
Ellis
Flo
Leo Davis
Hamlin
Gurode

by BudLight on May 24, 2008 10:28 PM CDT   0 recs

That's about right

I think TO and Newman are about a dead heat (though Newman will certainly be somewhat more replaceable this year than last), but that looks about right to me. The fact that there can be serious debate over a list of 10+ players (all pro bowlers) is pretty awesome.

by grapejoos on May 25, 2008 4:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We won without Newman!

We looked horrible without TO.

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on May 25, 2008 5:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I can see your point

But think back to the quality of our pass defense without him. Compare, for instance, Plaxico’s performance against us in game 1 (no Newman) to his showing during the other two games.
As for the other games we played without him, we were fortunate to draw Miami, STL, and Chicago.

by BudLight on May 26, 2008 10:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

OK

But A.Henry drew plaxico the next games because of his size. Newman wasn’t reason plaxico didn’t kill us the 2nd and 3rd times we played.

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on May 26, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not Henry exclusively

They alternated depending on which side of the field Plaxico took.
In addition, don’t rule out that offenses may actually change their offensive gameplan to accommodate for the fact that one of their WRs is being neutralized.

by BudLight on May 28, 2008 12:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

RE:

Top 10

Romo
TO
Newman
Ellis
Davis
Ware
Witten
Felix
Barber
Flozell

by Longhorn on May 25, 2008 12:26 PM CDT   0 recs

wow..

Ellis over Ware? Ware had more sacks?

Davis over Flo. Once again how do you rank a right guard over a left tacke,especially since leonard davis failed a lt already?

Felix jones has never played an NFL snap, he is rated higher barber?

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on May 25, 2008 2:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

re:

yes, Ellis is a better all around player, still. Look what Ware did without Ellis. Ellis has been rather beastly without Ware.

Yes. Davis is a beast.

Yes. And, so, why do you have to play an NFL snap to be better? You saying Dmac is not better than Justin Fargas? Adrian Peterson wasn’t better than Chester Taylor?

by Longhorn on May 25, 2008 6:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

no way

There is no way Greg Ellis is a better all around player.. NO way.. Ware has to fight of double teams, Ellis benefits from all attention Ware attracts. There is a reason why Greg Ellis’s 1st double digit sacks season came with D. Ware on the other side. Plus DWAre doubled up greg ellis in tackles..

Davis wasn’t not a beast until he got on a team with 2 pro-bowlers already on the line. flozell has been holding down left tackle for 11 years, the most important postion on the line.

Can you really assume D-mac is better? Fargas started 7 games last year and rushed for 1k yards and 4.5 yds a carry.

AP was better and D-mac and Felix jones are no AP. You are saying felix jones is already at a pro bowl level? For every AP there are 2 Cedric Bensons..


Yes. And, so, why do you have to play an NFL snap to be better?

Are you serious with the number of busts in the NFL in the 1st round? Go look at the Top 10 players drafted in 2005. Then look at the RB’s, 3 backs in the top 5, and none of them are a better then MB3..

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on May 25, 2008 7:27 PM CDT to parent up   1 recs

wow

there is so much wrong with that post, i don’t even know where to start. I’ll let you bask in what you wrote for a bit.

by Longhorn on May 25, 2008 8:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

hmmm

I made that much sense you can find a hole.. I love it..

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on May 25, 2008 11:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

nah

so many holes that i don’t have the time to worry about the insignificance of that post.

by Longhorn on May 26, 2008 4:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You definitely don't have the time

Because he’s right. The fact that you rated Ellis of Ware proves my point for me.

by ChrisRichey on May 26, 2008 9:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1000

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on May 26, 2008 10:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

nah

guess you can’t see what Ware did without Ellis. Pretty pathetic.

by Longhorn on May 28, 2008 10:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Really?

In 3 games without Ellis (what a sample size!), Ware had 2 sacks and 1 stuff.

In 13 games with Ellis, Ware had 12 sacks and 8 stuffs (and 4 forced fumbles).

He was a little better with Ellis, and it always helps as a pass rusher when you have another pro bowl rusher on the other side.

My question for you, though, is how you think Ellis would do without Ware, if he is in fact superior. Ellis is a great spot rusher. Ware is a great every-down LB. Ware had 84 tackles in 16 games. Ellis had 31 in 13 games. I don’t see how you can conclude that Ellis is more valuable, though he was certainly a big lift to the defense, including Ware.

by grapejoos on May 28, 2008 11:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ware is better than Ellis

To try and justify otherwise is ridiculous.

Ellis is good, but Ware is great and still hasn’t reached his peak yet.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on May 27, 2008 4:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My top 20

Romo
T.O.
Ware
Newman
Witten
Barber
Ellis
Hamlin
Adams
Davis
Gurode
Canty
Ratliff
Thomas
James
McBriar
Folk
Crayton
Henry
Williams

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 26, 2008 8:31 PM CDT   0 recs

I forgot about Zach

If he’s healthy, wow.

It’s amazing to think our top 5 guys are probably all top 3 or 4 at their position in the league. I don’t think New England gets close to that.

by BigE on May 26, 2008 10:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No especially with no A.Samuel

Talent is not the issue with this team. That is why Wade is on the hot seat after 13 win season.

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on May 26, 2008 10:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My Opinion: the 20 Most Valuable

I think you have to look at this two ways:

If you define the most valuable guys on the Cowboys roster as the guys who will be the most important to the success of the franchise for not only next year, but also the next five, then here is my opinion, roughly in order:

1. Tony Romo
2. DeMarcus Ware
3. Terrell Owens
4. Terrance Newman
5. Jason Witten
6. Anthony Spencer
7. Flozell Adams
8. Mike Jenkins
9. Leonard Davis
10. Chris Canty
11. Andre Gurode
12. Ken Hamlin
13. Tank Johnson
14. Marc Columbo
15. Anthony Henry
16. Greg Ellis
17. Brady James
18. Felix Jones
19. Matt McBriar
20. Nick Folk

If value is defined as the guys most important to winning only next season, then the 20 guys would be, roughly in order as follows:

1. Tony Romo
2. DeMarcus Ware
3. Terrell Owens
4. Terrance Newman
5. Jason Witten
6. Greg Ellis
7. Flozell Adams
8. Anthony Henry
9. Leonard Davis
10. Chris Canty
11. Andre Gurode
12. Ken Hamlin
13. Tank Johnson
14. Marc Columbo
15. Anthony Henry
16. Anthony Spencer
17. Brady James
18. Zach Thomas
19. Matt McBriar
20. Nick Folk

by Cowboy Louie on May 27, 2008 7:47 AM CDT   0 recs

Marion Barber?

He doesn’t crack the top 20 in either category? I think he’s gotta be on both, especially given the new contract. Also, Tank over Ratliff? Interesting.

by grapejoos on May 27, 2008 10:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Rats(liff)!!

How could I forget about Ratliff?! Yeah, he’s really important and would be top ten on both lists. And the sleeper could be Jason Hatcher. I’m hoping his play in minicamp and exhibition games forces Dallas to get him on the field.

Nah, I didn’t forget about Barber. My opinion (which is in a slim minority indeed) is that the Cowboy running backs are interchangeable parts because:

- The Cowboys are a passing team
- The NFL is a passing league
- The Cowboys use a running back-by-committee approach (which I think is a great approach)

Given those three arguments, I don’t think Barber or any other running back the Cowboys have on the roster is critical to the success of the team. Management obviously completely disagrees with my opinion based on the recent contract MB3 signed. In MB3’s case, I think he is a nice running back, but not an elite back and not an every down player in this system. Nothing against him personally – I really enjoy watching him run.

Felix Jones sneaks in on the five year list because I have heard that Dallas may be using him a bit like Marshall Faulk, where he splits wide or lines up in the slot. That type of back is much more valuable than a traditional garden-variety running back. But Felix Jones is simply a guess on my part. I don’t follow college football closely so I have never even seen him play a game. Same goes for Mike Jenkins.

by Cowboy Louie on May 27, 2008 11:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Interesting theory on MB3, but consider this:

Even if you concede the idea that the Cowboys and the league are based on the pass, there are some items that point to how critical a back like MB3 is to our success.

Running the ball in the redzone, and being able to punch it in for TD’s is a big lift to an offense. Passing patterns are squeezed in the redzone, limiting the playbook and helping the defense a little. Also, bad things can happen on passing downs, and you just need one at the wrong time and you’re kicking a FG at best. A sack, a holding penalty to save the QB, a tipped ball that ends up with the defense, the QB just making a bonehead decision. Sure, some bad things can happen on run plays but outside of a fumble, they’re pretty safe. Passing plays by nature are a little more dicey than runs. If you can run in the redzone and score TD’s, advantage offense.

Moving the chains on 3rd and short is a big psychological weapon. It’s not always about how much you run, it’s about when and where you run, and how successfully. Nothing bums out a defense more than not stopping a third down, and if you can pick up the 2 or 3 yards on the ground, they feel helpless. This is even magnified when the offense is running out the clock when they’re ahead.

More abstractly, even passing offenses will need the threat of a running game. Sometimes you just can’t get the QB protected like you want and the only thing that might slow down that rush is an effective running game. You don’t have to control the game with the run, but you need to do it enough to make the defense think.

On these things alone I think MB3 is crucial to our success. Not every back scores TD’s at the pace MB3 does and there’s no denying he’ll get you the tough yards. Plus, he’s a pretty good receiver out of the backfield and can be a good blitz blocker. There’s a lot to like about his game.

by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on May 27, 2008 11:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

MB3 is a redzone scoring machine. That cannot be overstated. Not to mention his contribution between the 20’s and his catching ability and pass blocking ability. He’s as solid as they make ‘em.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on May 27, 2008 4:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Also:

Look at the NYG and Philly defenses. The Giants specialty on D is rushing the passer and love getting into 3rd and long situations so that they can get all 3 of their pass-rushing DE’s on the field at the same time. The way to attack defenses that specialize in pass rushing is to have an effective running game. It helps combat their specialized pass rush lineup by running at smaller guys (with a physical RB) and by keeping them off the field all together (avoiding 3rd and longs).

Look at the lineup of the Philly D. Their best front 7 player is Trent Cole, who is solid in rush defense, but earns his rep as a pass rusher. Now look at their secondary. They have 3 pro-bowl caliber guys back there: Dawkins, Samuels, and Sheppard (plus Sheldon Brown isn’t bad either). Their secondary ranks among the best in the league. Their front 7 isn’t scary at all. The worst player in their secondary is their SS (Mikell).

So 2 out of the 3 teams the Cowboys play twice a year have defenses that are specialized to stop the passing game, albeit in completely different approaches. There may be divisions where having a good passing game gets you farther than a good running game (NFC South? AFC North?), but this ain’t it.

by GhettoBear04 on Jun 2, 2008 5:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Interesting Opinion.....

That is an interesting opinion, but the statistics I’m looking at would imply that the pass defenses of Philly and the Giants are nothing special and that Dallas was every bit as successful against those teams as their other 2007 opponents. Consider:

During the 2007 regular season, the Cowboys averaged 256 yards passing and 2.25 passing TD’s per game. In the five games against the two division rival teams you believe specialize in pass defense, the Cowboys averaged 266 passing yards and 2.4 passing TD’s. I believe the numbers would have been considerable higher if TO didn’t miss the final Eagles game and play hurt in the playoff game.

For further proof, the pass defenses of our NFC East brethren were ranked as follows in 2007: Giants – 11th, Eagles – 18th, Washington – 16th.

This is a passing offense. The quarterback, #1 wide receiver and tight end are among the top three at their respective positions in the NFL. The offensive line is an outstanding pass blocking line. The Dallas offense does not let defenses dictate to them; on the contrary, it attacks them with the passing game regardless of where the defense strength lies. Barring injury, Dallas is going to successfully throw against every team.

The Cowboys need their running game to be a consistent credible threat. They do not need or want it to be the focus of the offense. There are many running backs that could provide a consistent, credible threat in the running-back-by-committee approach. Romo, Witten, TO, and the offensive line are critical to the success of the offense. #2 wide receiver, running back and fullback/h-back/#2 tight end are not. Marion Barber is a luxury – he is better than what Dallas needs at running back. That would be great if the NFL operated in a salary cap-free environment, but it does not. Dallas may have paid market value for Barber, but it overspent on the running back position. That money could have been better spent elsewhere.

by Cowboy Louie on Jun 2, 2008 8:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

Preach it.

by Mandmeisterx on Jun 3, 2008 8:02 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Good post.

You are right in that we are a pass-first team with a excellent secondary component running game. But I think that the Cowboys’ versatility is one of their huge strengths; it’s part of the reason why their offense is better than the Seahawks or Saints (pass-happy offenses that lost their running games last year),

The Eagles. I think we can all agree that adding Samuels improves their secondary, especially considering it moves everyone else down a notch. They now have 3 good CB’s and a good FS in Dawkins. Add to that their blitz-heavy packages, and it’s easy to see that they are a team designed to stop the pass and should be better at it this year. This doesn’t mean we should abandon the pass, but I think it’s natural to assume that more run plays will be called that day. Especially when you consider that they have one playmaker (Trent Cole) in their front 7 and their SS isn’t fantastic either.

The Giants. They were a very different team between the first and last time that we played them. With the development of 3 good pass rushers plus good blitzing linebackers, they are a team that feasts off of 3rd and long. So obviously avoiding third and long is important and a strong running game is a way to avoid that. Additionally, in part because of how (overly) aggressive they can be and in part because of the smaller size of some of their pass rush guys (Osi, Tuck), it seems like they are team that can be run on by a team with a big offensive line. Which is exactly what we have and exactly what we did to them in the first half (2nd quarter) of the playoff game.

Again, I’m not saying that this is a run-based offense. Just that having a strong run game makes beating the other two most competitive teams in the division a lot easier. I agree that there are at least 5-10 other guys in the league right now that you could plug back there and still get the necessary production. While Barber got paid like a top 5-7 back just now, I don’t have a big problem with it because we had the space, I’m assuming this contract will look average in a year or two, and I’m really happy they didn’t pay him like a top 3 RB.

Lastly, be careful about looking at stats over a small sample size (2 or 3 games).

by GhettoBear04 on Jun 3, 2008 1:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That makes sense and all,

But to pay high end money to a guy that shares carries in a pass first offense seems real dumb to me. I just don’t get justifying giving LJ money to a guy that’s going to touch the ball 15 times a game on average.

by Mandmeisterx on Jun 3, 2008 1:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

so who

should we have gotten instead?

we could just play our rookies… big risk and unknown, how solid are they in blitz pick-up and receiving, etc.

derek lassic or troy hambrick anyone? sherman williams? fine if you don’t think barber is worth the money, but i’m not of the opinion that you can just put anyone back there and we’ll be fine because we’re an elite passing team, or because our O-Line is that awesome, or because we have Houck, etc.

by Scoobay on Jun 3, 2008 2:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not implying that.

But I do think we overpaid the guy a ton. If you’re paying a guy that kind of money, shouldn’t he be carrying the full load? Not to mention that the worst case would be that you let him play this year out on his one year tender and see what the rookies can do for you, and what he can do for you as the starter. Then, come next offseason, or even in the middle of the season, you can act on what you know. That’s the path they took with Romo, and it seemed to work out just fine. Nothing wrong with knowing what you’ve got.

by Mandmeisterx on Jun 3, 2008 2:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We were paying BOTH Glenn and TO top $$$

You can make a case that MBIII should be a bigger priority than our #2 receiver, especially with Witten.

Sorry, but I don’t buy the “pass offense” primarily argument. Any team that becomes too one-dimensional will eventually fail. We need balance, and MBIII is the key to that balance.

Even with the AMAZING numbers we put up last year, we still spent considerable time establishing the run, and using the run to put teams away in the 4th quarter. To belittle this aspect of the offense is over-simplifying it.

Tar Heels football will surprise this year

by DalaiLuke on Jun 3, 2008 11:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Argument is not for one dimensional

Please don’t equate the argument presented of a passing offense as being or moving toward being one dimensional. In every post, we (at least I) have been careful to say that we need a consistent, credible running game.

The argument we are making is that we do not need Marion Barber and his high priced contract to accomplish that. Julius Jones and his 3.6 ypc and Marion Barber with his 4.8 ypc (team average = 4.2 ypc) can be relaced by a few guys who average around 4.2—4.4 ypc at a far cheaper price….and the offense will hum along just fine. For me, this is all about how to best spend the most limited resource a team has: the salary cap. Again, in an uncapped environment, I’m 100% for signing Barber.

by Cowboy Louie on Jun 4, 2008 7:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs