Dallas Cowboys link dump

by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on May 5, 2008 2:17 PM CDT in News Comment 32 comments

Backup QB Richard Bartel gets some digital ink. Turns out the KC Chiefs wanted to put him on their active roster at the end of last season but Bartel decided to stay put.

"It was nice to know you're wanted," said Bartel, a Grapevine High School graduate. "You want to compete, and they were offering that, but what made the decision easy was the organization kind of affirming me and telling me I'm doing a good job here, and if I do the things I'd been doing, I may have a shot to stay."

You guys have heard my complaint about Bartel always throwing long in camp last year. The Cowboys have been working with him on that

What first caught the Cowboys' attention last year was Bartel's arm strength, but [Wade] Wilson has worked on Bartel's touch on shorter throws. The next part of his growth will be decision making.

More on the Cowboys suddenly full running back position.

Peter King ranks us as the #4 team in the NFL right now.

4. Dallas. The Cowboys still need a receiver; the thought of Patrick Crayton playing crunch-time minutes in a playoff game has to be a nightmare to any Cowboy fan. But there's not much else they need to win the NFC.

I'm assuming Pacman Jones will be reinstated, though I have no inside information; and if he does play, he'll be a huge threat on the other side of Terence Newman. If he doesn't, rookie Mike Jenkins' development will have to progress faster than Wade Phillips would like. Otherwise, the Cowboys haven't changed much. Explosive offense with a power running game, pressure defense with what could be a much better secondary. That's how you win in the NFL.

Still need a receiver? Wade Phillips says we don’t need no stinkin’ new receiver.

Martellus Bennett trades basketball dreams for football glory.

Also, we need some FanPosts from you here on BTB. We've only had one in the past few days and that was about the Dallas Stars! I know you guys got some things to say, let's get the FanPosts rolling again.

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Top in NFC

Of the teams King ranks in the top 5, we’re the only one from the NFC. We have arguable the most competitive division in the league, but the less competitive conference, which bodes well for chances of a shot at the SB, if we can just get past those pesky gnats!

by scottmaui on May 5, 2008 3:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, Wade's wrong.

His assertion that we don’t need a receiver is as absurd as the whole “second round” playoff loss theory. Our offense stunk over the last quarter of the season, as we failed to score a TD in 2 of the last 3 games. Then, in the first round playoff loss, Romo threw for only 201 yards on 36 attempts, which is 5.58 yards per attempt, the lowest of any QB that weekend, and the only one under 7.5 yards/attempt besides Hasselbeck in the snow (the Seahawks got waxed by Green Bay 42-20, and Favre was the next lowest per attempt, likely due to weather).

If an injury to T.O. can make our entire offense fall apart like that, then damned right we need some better receivers. They better find one or one of these guys better step up this year, or we will be where we were last year when the Super Bowl rolls around. Even Wade’s first press conference was not exactly a glowing review of the guys on our roster. He essentially said that they really wanted someone better, but no one was available, so we have to just make do. That’s not a ringing endorsement.

by Baked Potato Soup on May 5, 2008 5:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Baked, you make a few good points, but...

you ignore the fact that this offense put up record breaking numbers throughout the regular season when the bye and home-field were on the line.

We ran into a Giants defense that was peaking, and we played a bad half of football. If you want to draw conclusions based on those 30 minutes of football and ignore the “entire package”... well… it’s just a bit short-sighted at the very least.

TO and Witten are among the best at their positions. TGlenn is one of the top #2 guys (hell, he was really our #1 in 2006), Crayton got the job done all year until dropping a HUGE pass in the final game. We drafted EXCELLENT RB and TE depth, Romo’s a Pro Bowler, we locked up the O-Line to contracts…

At some point the salary cap comes into play. It happened to be a WR for the Cowboys. I actually think it was the PERFECT place to rely on what we already had. Rather than go thin elsewhere, we are counting on a stable of young talented receivers to step up. I for one agree with Wade supporting this group.

Tar Heels football will surprise this year

by DalaiLuke on May 5, 2008 10:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not just talking about the Giants.

Our offense was in big trouble for the last quarter of the season, not just the playoff game. Most of those record breaking numbers were put up prior to that point. Basically, after the first half of the Green Bay game, our offense became very average. Even in the 2 games the Cowboys won, Romo’s yards/attempt is poor.

I doubt Terry Glenn will contribute to this team in 2008. Crayton was solid as the 10th best player on our offense, until the Cowboys needed him to step up – when T.O. got hurt and in the playoffs.

I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but this is a real issue for this team. I understand that they have salary cap ramifications, but it can always be worked out. The true question is what is this team’s window? They have maybe 1-2 years, counting this year, that T.O. is a superstar, Flozell is Pro Bowl level, and Newman is a stud.

Hey, I hope I’m wrong and Wade’s right, but I don’t see that our offense really improved, or that their is a plan for if T.O. gets hurt again. His last 3 complete seasons, he has gotten injured – knee, finger, ankle.

by Baked Potato Soup on May 6, 2008 2:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another Interesting Article

http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/StreetCred/2008/05/05/NFL_Schedule_Breakdown

Ranks Dallas with 4th hardest Schedule and New England with easiest.. Wow

by Wmillion on May 5, 2008 5:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

Our schedule is pretty tough, but I didn’t realize it was that tough. I guess I don’t process that all of the division teams had good records, I just assume those games will always be tough no matter what the records were.

NE’s schedule is a travesty. I don’t understand how the NFL couldn’t have made it harder. I know they play in the worst division in football and all, but they actually had a difficult schedule last year (they played almost every elite team in the regular season). I know there’s not much the schedule-makers can do to adjust difficulty, but jeez. They’ll only miss going 16-0 again because Belicheck won’t want to…it was such a huge distraction for them last year.

by grapejoos on May 5, 2008 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll tell you way

the NFL has a set schedule wherein all the divisions rotate playing each other. There are only 2 games per year that are predicated by a team’s previous record.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 5, 2008 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Explanation needed

Thanks Terry. I read this before but I guess I didn’t realize that in addition to your own division and a division from an opposing conference, you also play another division in your own conference. Makes sense now…so the Pats are playing the AFC East, NFC West, and AFC West this year…AKA 3 of the worst divisions in football. Ugh.

I guess IND and PIT are as tough as they can get for the elective games, but man. Any other year and it would be so irritating.

by grapejoos on May 5, 2008 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

err

...WOULDN’T be so irritating.

by grapejoos on May 5, 2008 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Star WR

How can afford to acquire a Super-Star/Wow WR?

We have to get MB3, TO, CANTY, Newman, and D Ware done..

It appears to me the option is to develop a young WR..

by Wmillion on May 5, 2008 5:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

You forgot Hamlin, too.

I don’t see any way this happens this season. After this season, there’s a little more flexibility in that you could let TO/MB3/Newman go to help pay for a new WR, and perhaps try to exploit the potential uncapped year more. I don’t see it working, though. Elite WRs cost a lot and we don’t have enough cap room to re-sign our own guys at this point.

by grapejoos on May 5, 2008 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are Right

I forgot about Hamlin.

Tough decisions. Do you let TO go because he is getting older and you can get younger at WR? Do you let the MB3 go because RB’s can be replaced? Do you like Newman and Trust the Pac-man?

Jerry has some decisions to make.

by Wmillion on May 5, 2008 7:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

TO is staying!

You just dont fine guys like him that easily. Not every team has a TO. Even with his age his body is in such good shape its like hes still 28. I say he has 3 more years left in him.

Its my Money, And I want it NOW!

by thebigham on May 5, 2008 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Wade

our WR corp is fine, Stanback will shock people.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 5, 2008 8:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll be shocked if he makes it onto the field.

If he catches more than 24 passes this year, I’ll be pleasantly amazed.

by Baked Potato Soup on May 5, 2008 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not saying necessarily

he’ll break out this year, but in a couple years, I see him doing special things .

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 5, 2008 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see Stanback as our 3rd WR this season...

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 5, 2008 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and #1 receiver in a few years

when T.O. decides to call it quits.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 6, 2008 7:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Terry

I sure hope so, but wasn’t this guy a college QB?

How many former QB’s make the transition to WR and become Legit #1’s?

I have seen nothing to believe he can be #1!

by Wmillion on May 6, 2008 8:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

lets see

there’s Hines Ward, Antwan Boldin is pretty good, and not to mention one of my favorite receivers of all time, Drew Pearson, just to name a few.

If you haven’t seen anything to believe he can become a legit #1 WR, then you really weren’t paying attention last season as showed he tremendous potential in training camp and pre season after he recovered from his foot injury.

Not to mention the Cowboys coaches have been singing his praises saying none of our CBs can cover him in practice.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 6, 2008 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

HMMM...

These are all guys who played qb f/t in high school, not college. That is totally different..

I am sorry, but Training Camp and 4 catches in the pre-season is not enough for me to project someone to be a legit number 1-

by Wmillion on May 6, 2008 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Randle El maybe?

I haven’t seen anything to indicate he’s a #1 WR either (I haven’t seen much of anything, doesn’t mean nothing is there), but Randle El is the only pure college QB I can think of who has been productive as a WR in the NFL. Stanback did play a little WR in college, but only early on.

As far as I’m concerned, if he can develop into a legitimate slot receiving threat, then I’m happy.

by grapejoos on May 6, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ward played QB at Georgia

people said the same thing to me when I projected that Romo would be a star before the 2006 season, how’d that turn out?

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 6, 2008 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Terry

Every Sports fans makes predictions are you trying to tell me you are 100% on your predictions?

I haven’t been on the blog long enough to go against what you are saying, but i doubt it..

Ward played very little QB at Georgia.

I hope Stanback can become a #1- He just has some major obstacles in his way. Staying Healthy, Changing Positions, and finding playing time.

by Wmillion on May 6, 2008 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no, I'm just telling you this kid is an amazing athlete

and has all the tools to be a star. Whether he stays healthy will be the real question in my mind, but talent wise, the kid has few peers. If you watch tape of him, that fact just jumps out at you.

I just don’t how you can say he doesn’t have a shot of being great just because he was a QB in college, this fact just means his learning curve will be steeper and his development might take a little longer than a player who actually played WR in college. Its nothing that can’t be overcome.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 6, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs