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Catching up with the Cowboys

After a busy week for the Cowboys that topped off an offseason of moves, I thought it would be a good time to review the significant changes made at Valley Ranch since the end-of-the-season debacle against the Eagles.

QB - Getting a backup to Tony Romo was a priority. The Cowboys dumped the pop-gun Brad Johnson and allowed Brooks Bollinger to hit the free agent market. In a move that was a mild surprise, they traded for Jon Kitna instead of waiting for the Lions to release him. Avoiding any chance of a bidding war for his services, Dallas shipped CB Anthony Henry to Detroit. Dallas now has to decide if they want to carry a third QB on the roster and decide if they draft one or wait to sign either a FA or UDFA after the draft.

RB - No real change in personnel although how they are used is open to question. Jerry Jones made noises about possibly starting Felix Jones and returning Marion Barber to the closer role. Tashard Choice is still waiting in the wings to get his touches and the Cowboys finalized the position by keeping ERFA Alonzo Coleman.

FB - The Cowboys stand pat with Deon Anderson and bring back Julius Crosslin.

WR - I don't know if you guys heard about this but the Cowboys cut their #1 WR, a guy called Terrell Owens but also known as T.O. That move elevates Roy Williams (henceforth known as RW without the 2) to the #1 spot. Backing him up will be Patrick Crayton and more than likely both Miles Austin and Sam Hurd, both players were RFA's and the Cowboys slapped second-round tenders on them. At that level it's a good bet they will be back in a Cowboys uniform. Rounding out the crew is Isaiah Stanback.

TE - With Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett firmly entrenched at the top of the roster, the Cowboys didn't offer a tender to RFA Tony Curtis, instead keeping ERFA Rodney Hannah in the fold.

OL - No movement among the starting five. The Cowboys placed a second-round tender on Cory Procter and picked-up a $500,000 bonus for Montrae Holland, securing both backups for the 2009 season. They did lose UFA Joe Berger to the Dolphins.

DL - Chris Canty took the money and ran to the Giants but was quickly replaced by Igor Olshansky at a much more economical price than what Canty received. They tendered Stephen Bowen at the second-round level assuring his return and decided to let Tank Johnson hit the FA market.

LB - Zach Thomas was given his walking papers to the FA market when the Cowboys brought in veteran Keith Brooking from the Falcons to man the ILB position opposite Bradie James. Matt Stewart, another Falcons' alum and Phillips' player, was brought in while last year's nickel LB Kevin Burnett is currently testing the FA waters.

CB - The Cowboys thinned the herd at the position by releasing Pacman Jones early in the offseason and recently traded starter Anthony Henry to the Lions in the Kitna deal. This probably means that Mike Jenkins is elevated to a starting corner spot opposite Terence Newman. Orlando Scandrick, who had a great rookie year playing the slot in the nickel, could find himself playing some free safety this year. With all these moves the Cowboys will probably bring another player in either in FA or the draft and will give Alan Ball a chance to grab some playing time.

S - Starter Roy Williams was given his outright release to the satisfaction of many Cowboys fans (as well as negating the need to designate players as RW1 and RW2.) Keith Davis is currently testing free agency although I'm sure the Cowboys would want him back for special teams if they can afford it. As previously mentioned, Orlando Scandrick could play a role at free safety, shifting Ken Hamlin over to strong safety.

Coaches - Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart was shown the door and instead of replacing his position the Cowboys just handed the job to head coach Wade Phillips. They dumped the woeful Bruce Read from special teams and brought in Joe DeCamillis who has history with Wade Phillips. And in one of the most curious non-moves, they attempted to bring in Dan Reeves as a consultant only to have the deal blow up over contractual issues. CSI Dallas is still dissecting the death of that deal.

That about covers it all. Of course if I missed something I'm sure you'll let me know in the comments. I didn't bother to cover all the bottom of the roster moves.

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thx for the summary

it all looks pretty good when you put it all together at this point.

the FA moves are starting to wash away that foul taste left over from last season, and getting me excited again anticipating what is to come…

by scottmaui on Mar 8, 2009 2:14 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Where ya been scottmaui?

We’ve missed you eternal optimism and ability to find silver linings in the storm clouds over Valley Ranch. Glad tou see your back!

by WB3forMB3 on Mar 8, 2009 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

thx

i’ve been posting more lately (and still reading every day), but kind of took a break for a while when not much was happening…

by scottmaui on Mar 8, 2009 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I am a little concerned about moving Hamlin to strong safety because of his questionable tackling… Say what you will about Roy Williams in coverage, but on 3rd and 3, he was going to stop that RB from getting the first.

by Barrett14 on Mar 8, 2009 2:22 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

If...

He didn’t took a bad angle.

Even his tackling skills were eroding.

by Chandus on Mar 8, 2009 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Glad somebody else noticed that.

I keep hearing people say that he couldn’t cover anyone but he was a great tackler. Maybe 2 to 3 years ago.

by TARHEEL PAUL on Mar 8, 2009 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

what I'm warried about is

even if we draft a CB he’ll not be ready to play right away, and if an injury happens lets say in training camp to either Newman, Jenkins or Scandrick, basically we are toast

by dcfanz on Mar 8, 2009 3:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Injuries are always a concern...just look at what happened to the Boys' last year

But assuming we won’t have to deal with multiple guys being out for extended periods of time, I think we’ll be ok for 2010. Alan Ball seems to be impressing the coaching staff, and there are a ton of #3 and #4 CB’s left on the open market. I think we are justing waiting for the prices to o down even more and perhaps see what is available in the draft..

by CaliFanInTx on Mar 8, 2009 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Problem is

Newman, last couple of years he always seems to be injured at the beginning of the season and misses games and when he returns, he plays trough injuries. Is age catching up with him or is it a chronical ailment I dont know. Any thoughts?

by dcfanz on Mar 8, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Newman has had some bad luck the past 2 seasons.

Is this a trend? I don’t know, but I’m guessing the Cowboys medical staff has a clearer picture and have relayed those facts to management. T New is still relatively young, so I don’t think age is the factor, yet. As with any team, you’re only an injury or two from not making the playoffs. In the order of concerns, I wouldn’t rank CB’s as our most concerning.

by CaliFanInTx on Mar 8, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good point

I do like what I saw out of Ball. We definitely need to add veteran depth, though. There are still some nice names out there.

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Mar 8, 2009 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can't say that I've been Jerry's biggest fan...

I remember how he forced Jimmy out and the Galloway trade a decade ago. I remember how we were in cap hell when the salary cap started. I was very nervous when Parcells left and I started to be concerned that we were going back to the NFL cellars, but I have to admit that I have been somewhat impressed the last 2-3 years. We seem to be handling our business very well as it pertains to player acquisition. We’re drafting extremely well (it seems like our scouting dept is doing a very good job and Jerry is actually listening), we are in good control of our cap dollars and aren’t overpaying for players, we’re very selective in gree agency, and we seem to be very “proactive” in our approach. There actually seems to be a plan in place and we’re not just shooting from the hip…I have to say that I think Jerry has become a pretty good GM…

by CaliFanInTx on Mar 8, 2009 3:41 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm still not sure about TO, first

he gave him a huge contract than he cut him a year earlier…little boneheaded

by dcfanz on Mar 8, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Very few people complained about the contract extension at the time.

Hindsight is 20/20. Jerry gave up some money, but it was a contract that was structured to not be crippling.if they had to gid rid of TO. Boneheaded would be Albert Hayneworths contract.

by CaliFanInTx on Mar 8, 2009 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yep...

It looks crappy now, but stuff happens.

Dallas makes me act like Christian Bale......

by AirforceBat on Mar 8, 2009 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Let's also hip-hip harray.....

WP…..he is, for one thing, gotten JJ to listen to him and, secondly, has placed his imprint on this Cowboys’ team…….

the “Aagh Shucks” guy is showing some of his football smarts and his convincing skills that are usually used on his defensive unit to buy into his system and improve their manner of play…..

Let’s give WP his due……..since we know that the football brains behind all these moves litterly come back to the so called “marshmellow” guy……

Let’s not be fooled by his laid-back demeanor……..the guy is a players coach and can develope players for his schemes of play and, gets the most out of them…….

and if he can do this with defensive players he can also do this with the offensive players……

I think this year he will take a more active role with his offensive players which he neglected last year, allowing his co-equal salaried coach JG to totally run the offense.

by Geeter on Mar 9, 2009 5:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rauuuuuul

Where are you man?

Dallas makes me act like Christian Bale......

by AirforceBat on Mar 8, 2009 8:04 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Forgive me, Im just gonna do this on every post until I create a buzz

Chris Carr, Chris Carr, Chris Carr,
Chris Carr, Chris Carr, Chris Carr,
Chris Carr, Chris Carr, Chris Carr

HATERADE: Two scoops of Eric Allen, add water and stir.

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Mar 8, 2009 8:53 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

What about Josh Bullocks??

I remember when he came out I was hoping we’d draft him but I haven’t paid attention to how he has done with the Saints. I always thought he’d end up being a good FS

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

by kameleon_o on Mar 8, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So...

you’re saying you want Chris Carr?

Dallas makes me act like Christian Bale......

by AirforceBat on Mar 8, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Would Mike Brown come on for a 1 year deal??

And is he healthy?? I’d say that even at his age if he’s healthy he’s better than anything else we’ve got at safety except for Hamlin

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

by kameleon_o on Mar 8, 2009 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think that would be a good bet as well...

I don’t know if he’s very healthy though.

Dallas makes me act like Christian Bale......

by AirforceBat on Mar 8, 2009 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

AFB, I just saw that several DB's seem to still be on the market.

Seems like the money is starting to dry up. Leigh Bodden, Dre Bly, and Chris McCallister are all still available. Would one of the last two be worth bringing in?? Or would they just hamper young guys.

As far as Chris Carr, he’d at the least be a very good special teams player.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

by kameleon_o on Mar 8, 2009 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dre Bly

Would be a nice addition as nickle corner.

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Mar 8, 2009 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Clue me in...

What is it about Chris Carr that’s so buzz worthy?

Oh... Oh, that's giving me a clue. Yeah, ye-yeah, I've got a raging clue right now.

I was StarStruck at TBB/BSR, now...

by icStars on Mar 8, 2009 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's a decent nickel corner

Plus, he’s a good return man. I haven’t watched much of him but I’ll bet he’d be an upgrade over Alan Ball.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

by kameleon_o on Mar 8, 2009 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Boy's Secondary

I remember when the 49rs started 3 rookies in the secondary and kicked our butts in the NFC championship. I look forward to the Boys finding two more “Scandricks” in this years draft and solidifying our secondary.

by tddorsett on Mar 8, 2009 9:35 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

safety

I’m really starting to get worried about the safety position. Do you think the Cowboys will address this issue in FA or will they wait for the draft?

Is Jermaine Phillips still avialable? What about Sean Jones?

by beautifultyrant on Mar 8, 2009 10:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah...

I’m worried about depth too.

Scandrick is a corner not a safety. I hope they don’t play him too much at safety; he might be too small. Don’t you think?

by beautifultyrant on Mar 8, 2009 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If he can get 200

He could be ok.

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Mar 8, 2009 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

and Hamlin is more of a FS than SS

neither of them are great run stoppers. OScan does love to hit but it doesn’t sound like he’s going to be playing S full time. and when he is at S then you need another nickel corner, which could be Ball, but nothing behind him. having OScan play the “star” gives nice flexibility for different packages, but we still need more depth at all 3 positions and a safety who can play when OScan isn’t.

by scottmaui on Mar 9, 2009 1:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Depth?

I can’t even imagine Scandrick at FS and Hamlin at SS, both would be out of position.

by makeit6 on Mar 9, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

more depth
By the way, they gave S Abram Elam the lowest-possible tender ($1.01 million) for a restricted free agent. That means they’ll have the right of first refusal, but would receive no compensation if he goes elsewhere.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2009/02/in-the-long-run-cutting-coles.html

The Ravens assigned a $1.01 million low tender to restricted free agent safety Dawan Landry and didn’t tender restricted free agent running back P.J. Daniels, officially making him an unrestricted free agent today.

http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/lofiversion/index.php/t8015.html

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Mar 8, 2009 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Does anyone know.

If Dallas extended Burnett a contract offer?

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Mar 8, 2009 11:04 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

What could the Cowboys offer him?

He’s been making the rounds for the past week and still hasn’t gotten any nibbles, or at least not a “good enough” offer. I think it’s safe to say that the Cowboys want him back, and f he doesn’t get an offer somewhere else, they’ll offer him a contract. Why would the Boys set the market for him? What would be a safe tender (given Burnett’s injury problems)?

by CaliFanInTx on Mar 8, 2009 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes Wmillion

They did make an offer to Burnett about a week before FA but it wasn’t enough to keep him from testing the waters. Neither the Cowboys nor his agent revealed what the offer was. See this post.

by Dave Halprin on Mar 8, 2009 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Anyone know all our 2009 draft picks?

Thanks for the roundup, Grizz. Could you post a round-by-round listing of the Cowboys’ 2009 draft picks?

Texas slang in a Big Apple minute, by a friendly OED consultant. http://www.barrypopik.com

by barrypopik on Mar 8, 2009 11:24 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I sure can, this is without compensatory picks which haven't been determined yet.

Round 2 Pick #19 Overall #51
Round 3 Pick #5 Overall #69 (from Cleveland)
Round 4 Pick #17 Overall #113
Round 5 Pick #1 Overall #129 (from Detroit) | Pick #20 Overall #148 | Pick #30 Overall#158 (from Tennessee)
Round 6 Pick #24 Overall #184 (from Miami)
Round 7 Pick #1 Overall #193 (from Detroit) | Pick #18 Overall #210

by Dave Halprin on Mar 8, 2009 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

here's the list I got...drafttek.com

2nd round- #51
3rd round- #69
4th round- #97
4th round- #113
5th round- #148
5th round- #158
6th round- #184
7th round- #193
7th round- #210

Grizz, How did you obtain your figures ? Detroits’ 5th rounder- #129 ?

We pull off another trade while I was sleeping last night ?

by CowboysRnumba1 on Mar 9, 2009 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're right, I inverted the 4th and 5th round pick from Detroit on my chart

Should read:

Round 2 Pick #19 Overall #51
Round 3 Pick #5 Overall #69 (from Cleveland)
Round 4 Pick #1 Overall #97 (from Detroit0 | Pick #17 Overall #113
Round 5 Pick #20 Overall #148 | Pick #30 Overall#158 (from Tennessee)
Round 6 Pick #24 Overall #184 (from Miami)
Round 7 Pick #1 Overall #193 (from Detroit) | Pick #18 Overall #210

by Dave Halprin on Mar 9, 2009 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks Grizz

For some reason I thought we had two 4th round picks. I didn’t know we had three 5th rounders.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

by kameleon_o on Mar 8, 2009 11:35 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere based on playing time, we would be getting a 3rd and 4th.

JJ and JR didn’t exactly light it up, but they played on bad teams that had them playing most of the time.

by CaliFanInTx on Mar 9, 2009 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

why is that?

Just curious as to why you think getting out of the first round seems like genius right now. I’m not a big draft guy, so I don’t follow it all that closely – for me it’s just an excuse to drink some beer while watching football stuff.

by Cowboy Louie on Mar 9, 2009 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

With the salary cap issues in 2010, it was going to be tough signing players drafted in the first round.

Kinda funny how NE could have gotten a 1st for Cassel, but opted for a 2nd. Part of it was Belichick giving Pioli a parting gift, but traditionally, you see NE trade down into the 2nd and 3rd rounds, apparently those rounds offer better risk reward.

by CaliFanInTx on Mar 9, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's Crazy Talk

Every year just about every player signs (Except for Eli, “Daddy says I can’t be a Charger”). Just because the better prospects are drafted earlier doesn’t mean teams can’t find hidden gems like Romo and the Rat. If Jerry and company do their homework, the Boys should have enough picks to patch the holes.

by birdness on Mar 9, 2009 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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