L. Neal a possibility?
by Starred4Life on Jun 9, 2008 3:11 PM CDT
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PrintFrom Rotoworld.com:
Free agent Lorenzo Neal is hoping to latch on with either the Cowboys, Steelers, or Broncos.
I can't understand why the Cowboys haven't pursued this option yet, especially when you consider that he'll likely be playing for the veteran minimum. I've liked what I've seen out of Cricket Anderson too, but he's certainly no Lorenzo Neal, that's for sure. I don't think it's a coincidence that the last 4 (different) RBs to run behind him have gained over 1,000 yards. As long as that leg is healthy, I'd love for the Cowboys to sign him. Thoughts?
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Too old....
Fullback is such a physically demanding position—You can’t play that long…. I don’t think a 37 year old coming off of a broken leg can do it much longer. I’d rather see Cricket get a chance, and keep bringing in rookies and youngers to play this position from now on.
waste of time and a roster spot
He’s 37, why so many of you want every rejected old player is beyond me.
Much too old
Neal is both old, slow, and more importantly coming off a major injury. As hakrjak mentioned we have the Criket who is younger and had a promising start prior to his shosuld injury. Criket along with choice can and will shoulder the load.
I could see if we didn't already have a good FB
but Cricket will do just fine, a FB isn’t going to be a difference maker in our offense.
In Romo we Trust
They could bring him in for a look
But only as a back up in case Cricket gets injured during the season. In other words, check him out but don’t sign him unless Dallas needs a street FA at some point during the season. Wouldn’t hurt to cover all bases.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
cricket is gonna be good
Anderson flashed a lot of potential last year. Why would we gamble on an old beaten up veteran instead of developing a talented and young fullback who could be solid for years? It’s the wrong decision to pick up Neal from an executive’s standpoint.
grabbing
Grabbing a guy with his ability to block would make sense to me. I am indifferent.
"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"
i'm with you, Wmillion
and here’s why:
- Houck is back to shore up our run-blocking deficiencies. Possibly to install the glory days style of blocking during the Triplets era.
- And that type of blocking depended heavily on an effective lead-blocking FB—Moose Johnston.
- Lo Neal and the Son of Bum were together in San Diego.
- With Neal’s age and injury last season, he’ll probably be more open to a minimum deal for a chance to play for a potential SB contender.
- Neal will be a HUGE asset blocking for MB3 in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Normally, i would be on the “let’s depend more on the younger player” side of the fence, but seeing how much trouble our offense had scoring when TO missed a few games due to injury… i’m of the mindset that we need a little bit more variety on offense, and Lorenzo Neal could play a key role.
"Jerry Jones offers more second chances than a tent revival." -- Kevin Sherrington, The Dallas Morning News
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by silverblue5 on Jun 10, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
FB very limited in our offense
We don’t line up a FB enough to warrant that other roster spot, unless he can play special teams. Given his age and injuries, I don’t see that happening.
Anderson is the future
If he stays healthy, he adds a pass-catching dimension with some speed that Neal doesn’t.
The other thing to think about is that, generally speaking, any time the FB is in the game, we won’t be playing Martellus Bennett or Tony Curtis, two guys who probably add more flexibility to the offense.
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
who needs flexiblity
When you have Lorenzo blowing up middle linebackers? He would take a lot of pressure of Romo since we would be a very dominate rushing team.
"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"
If Cricket isn't a lockdown fullback yet, absolutely
Neal is the best blocking fullback since Daryl Johnston and is in great shape. Give him a look.
by GhostofGaryHogeboom on Jun 13, 2008 4:51 PM CDT reply actions
All good points
Coach Parcells used to quote “you can’t stop progress” meaning you need young guys moving up each year in the team. The salary cap also requires 9-10 rookies each year to make the team. Taking away several of those to sign ify veteran free agents weakens the future and threatens the cap (even the veteran’s minimum is far more than rookie scale).
Another factor is the Cowboy’s ability to sign free agents depends on trust and our record of success in being loyal to veteran free agents that sign with us is important. Thus we sign those who we are convinced can start. Any others will be unhappy and unfairly signed if we cut them after training camp.
I wonder if fullbacks that are primarily lead blockers have even more wear and tear than running backs and a 37 year old lead blocker like Neal has nearly emptied his tan?.
That said, Neal may still be signed for training camp. If we do I think it fairly says we have determined that he still can get after it. If he has I I will rejoice!
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