No Aso? No Mankins? No Way!
by AmericasBoys on Feb 5, 2011 1:33 AM CST
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PrintAmericasBoys Free Agency Edition
All of this is contingent on the NFLPA and the owners coming to an agreement, which I believe will be in place before the lockout date. With the excitement generated this week; having two of the NFL’s greatest franchises (along with ours) face off and the prospect of setting the Super Bowl attendance record, neither side will endanger the popularity of the sport. The players have taken a beating in the courts over the last week. Particularly, with the ruling, that they will lose health benefits in the event of a lockout.
In any job the health coverage of an individual and their family is a major component, which the players cannot continue without. Without medical coverage, players requiring surgery and rehab could stand to lose a chunk of the season. This is certainly an underlying issue that may push this entire process along. For a team like the Cowboys with approximately $25 million in cap space (under the old structure), and holes to fill, it will be vital to sign free agents prior to the draft, thus allowing the team to draft the BPA for most of their draft positions.
Release
Roy Williams
MBIII
Keith Brooking
Igor Olshansky
Let Walk
Jason Garrett will be afforded the opportunity by Jerry Jones to purge the roster of players who stand to undermine the culture he is seeking to institute, regardless of how much the players are owed. This season stung the entire franchise from the top down to us fans more than any season before. The return on Jones's investment in Garrett’s culture is far greater than the players. This team will get significantly younger, and slightly mirror the Pats model under Garrett. Garrett shares similar values to Belichick and brought in Rob Ryan because of the same ideology. Garrett, Ryan, and Stephen Jones will begin to sway Jerry’s outlook on the team and long term success.
As target Number 1, don’t think Garrett has forgotten about Williams’s involvement in the trio of whiners who complained in highly publicized "private" meetings about Romo’s targets and Garrett’s play calling. TO and Crayton have been shown the door and RW is next on Garrett’s hit list. Williams also threatens to challenge the quiet, workmanlike approach Garrett expects from his team. If we can get a late round pick for him great, but it isn’t likely and cutting him will send a bigger message. MBIII chose a more subtle approach by violating Garrett’s dress code, but the final game of the season indicated what Garrett thinks of Barber’s antics.
Colombo and Brooking have declined too much to keep on the roster. Barron never had it to begin with. Sensabaugh can be upgraded, but I wouldn’t be disappointed having him back. Hurd is extremely valuable on ST, but I think McCray proved he is ready to be our ace. Ball and Hatcher could be retained for depth, but need to be let go to avoid being progress stoppers. The next two players are the toughest to decide on. It would be a tough call to let Kosier walk in lieu of cutting Davis, but Bigg graded out better than Kosier and will improve with an upgrade at RT. Also the team can only take so many cap hits in one off season.
Newman is in italics because he is the one which is most up in the air. He has enough value to remain a starting CB, but his release creates significant cap space that may net the team more FA flexibility. Our CB play WILL greatly improve this season under Ryan’s defense and actually getting help from our safeties.
Re-Sign
Doug Free needs no explanation. Bowen has already peaked Rob Ryan’s interest and Marcus Spears will return after learning his market value is not as high as he believes it to be. Spears’ responsibilities as a 34 end are often overlooked, but he adequately fills a role. Spears and Anthony Spencer are not the flashy 1st round picks we hoped they would be, but they both do a good job holding the line in run support, which allows Ware and Ratliff to get pressure. The cap space saved by releasing heavy contracts will allow the team to re-sign these few players, and add to the cap space available to sign other players in FA.
Free Agent Signing
Jerry will make a splash signing but not the big name we all expected. RR will ask Jones to get him a traditional nose tackle to push the pocket, and Franklin fits that need. This opens up many stunting possibilities for Ratliff coming off the end with Spencer and Ware. The thought of Spears holding the LOS, Franklin pushing the pocket backward, and Ratliff, Ware, and hopefully Spencer terrorizing QB’s is incredible. Wait and we’ll be bringing MLBs and DBs on the blitz as well!!
Ryan’s tendencies to blitz his DB’s means the team will need athletic safeties, a spot Michael Huff will fill perfectly. He has decent ball skills, is a willing tackler, and has experience in Ryan’s system. Huff will have no problem filling Sensabaugh’s SS spot.
Blalock will step in for Kosier, and hopefully give the team a hometown discount. We all know Kosier makes the calls and holds the line together, but it’s time to get younger on the OL. It starts this year with replacing Kosier and Bigg and Gurode in succession each season after. Gaither is a risk/ reward signing who will compete with a mid round RT and may come cheaper due to his injury risks. Jerry may relent on some issues, but I just don’t see him drafting a RT before the 2nd Round. He has always shown a desire to pay for his line rather than develop it.
If Newman is indeed released a couple of other players to keep an eye on may be Mike Sims-Walker, D’Qwell Jackson, and Chris Gocong. Sims- Walker performed better in one game at Dallas Stadium than RW has in 3+ seasons, he can fill Roy’s spot without the mouth depending on his asking price. Otherwise Roy’s spot will be fought for by Ogletree/ Drafted Rookie. Jackson and Gocong both have the experience in Ryan’s system and he may sign the player he values more. I believe RR will try to bring Huff and one of these MLBs to help lead his defense up the middle.
Prior to the draft I think our starting lineup will fill out as shown below. I’m not convinced Newman is gone before draft day, as that may tip Jerry’s hand for his draft plans. Outside of Jenkins and Huff the secondary is very fluid. Depending on our selections Newman’s release post draft may see AOA moved back to CB, and will free up the money to plug holes we may not be able to rely on rookies for (3rd WR/ 3rd MLB).
WR- Bryant LT- Free LG- Blalock C- Gurode RG- Davis RT- Gaither WR- Austin
TE- Witten QB- Romo HB- Jones H-Back- Phillips
OLB- Spencer DE- Spears NT- Franklin DE- Ratliff OLB- Ware
MLB- James MLB- Lee
CB- Jenkins FS- AOA SS- Huff CB- Newman/ Scandrick
Draft Edition is coming in the next day or two- Jerry will upgrade the trenches in FA because he loves to draft shiny new toys. Our first selection will be a big time player with the balance of our draft spent on depth. My gut feeling before doing the draft edition: With Garrett’s ability to lead the offense in the top of the league, not much needs to change. Jerry and Ryan are targeting a LB/ DB to wreak havoc on defense.
Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.
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Nice post, I enjoyed reading it but don’t have time to share too many thoughts. It was really well thought out and more importantly pragmatic. Why not have Scandrick at the other CB spot and McCann at the slot? I think we really need to give AOA a shot at safety, if everything can click we can finally have another game breaking Darren Woodson type in the back field. He’s got insane speed, strength and ball skills.
I know this doesn’t count for much, but in Madden 11 I like to sub in AOA at FS and he plays a lot like Polamalu, his physicalratings are beastly but he’s
Thanks man I really appreciate the feedback. I have followed this site for a long time and you guys who post often influenced me to share my thoughts on the direction of the team. If the cba gets worked out and Jerry could pull off the above I feel like it leaves us with very few holes and puts us in position to do whatever we want in the draft rather than what we have to do, which is always a good feeling heading into that weekend. I could live with those starting lineups and to think we can add 2 players in the top 40 to that is incredible.
Some good...
Some not so much. While I like your FA choices on the whole, not sure getting them all’s realistic. And when it comes to OL I’m always leery about drastic change. That’s one unit that needs bonds within itself, heavily reliant on each other, the “different” guys in the locker-room. They’re a different breed, OL guys. So I might hazard re-signing Kosier/Davis, if inexpensive, Kosier because of signal-calling and Davis because with kick in the effort butt under the new regime and with a new RT he could still be serviceable for another year. Dream contracts there would be inexpensive one-year deals with an option. Get our onboard depth guys rotated in to see if they fit long-term a bit more than we have to date. Plus there’s what draft day brings, likely mid- to late-round on OL, but we’ll see.
Pick up Blalock, throw him back to his natural right-side play at RT. Sign Huff. Keeps the FA risk low, considering we don’t know how that’s going to pan out CBA-wise. Just being cautious and all this could change as draft/FA/CBA and the works evolves in the off-season.
Point After (rule change): You score, you kick. Debate welcomed.
Good points
The Falcons have been playing Blaylock on the side opposite where he would feel at home. However, that also has developed his ability to play either side. If he is FA I would do whatever it takes to sign him, and I explained why a while back in the discussion about him and my kid going to school and playing together. I would also TRY to do whatever it takes to GET WATKINS IN THE DRAFT. Also capable of playing either guard position, and maybe of learning center as well, and of starting at either guard position right now. Folks, this is not a BOY out of school, this is a GROWN MAN who has worked in the real world, not just gone to school his whole life. Between 27 year old Blaylock and 26 year old Watkins, we are set for at least 8 seasons at guard/OL depth with flexibility and the right attitudes to flourish under Garrett. I also would take, if he is still there, Sands in the 3rd. He already looks like a devastating SS prospect, but with his size, 25-30 added pounds of muscle in the workout room with some serious legal supplements would qualify him to be a seriously skilled LB. Think Hollywood Henderson without the baggage (Landry said his inability to properly handle and utilize Henderson was his single biggest failure.) He already hits like a LB, and covers as good as any LB in the league and has good speed, but even left at SS I think he is a keeper and a weapon to assist the CB in locking down the other team’s star receiver over about 6’2" in height. He also appears to have the ATTITUDE which will allow him to flourish in the Garrett program, and according to his teammates, has the leadership ability which we will need 3 or 4 of on each side of the ball at least. I think Watkins might qualify as a leader like that also. Firemen are not usually followers. Peoples lives can’t wait for someone who is looking to be led. The Williams receiver replacement is an idea, but somehow we still need to explore finding either down in the draft or in FA a sure handed, excellent route runner to be our slot. Why does Witten have to be our ‘slot’ go to guy year after year? And to add another option there along with Witten would make our pass offense very dangerous, indeed. Remember, we also must improve our flexibility and our depth, and players such as these, even in a few years, will still be valuable in those areas. Hopefully our 2nd and 5th will let us move up to get Watkins, but I would almost be willing to give the 2nd and 4th to get him. If we could get our stud DE at 9, trade down for a OT and the ability to move up and GET Watkins or use the 2nd and 4th or 5th as required to do that, and still have Sands left at our 3rd round position (a couple of the top safeties will be gone by then I would expect), I think we would be 3 out of 3 at that point and that would make the draft a winner no matter what else happens. Then just getting Blaylock and Huff if nothing else in FA would make the whole off-season a winner.
Ya know,...
I’ve kind of turned around on Watkins, of late. Didn’t think much of him compared to other choices, say a month ago. But looking since then, and it’s had nothing whatsoever to do with Senior Bowl one-time stuff, I think I’d like to see this guy in a Cowboys uniform. He’s impressed me and he’s (was) at a position draft-wise I’d expend the pick. At least, he was, prior to the SB, and it’s just how that and the Combine affect his positioning by draft-day, but when he was lower, if it was that way, I’d say grab him.
And it’s got nothing to do with a wee bit of pride I’d take in having another canuck on the Cowboys. Well, ok, maybe a smidgen.
Point After (rule change): You score, you kick. Debate welcomed.
Maybe
he will get the serious flu and look bad at the combine, otherwise, I think there is no way he (the BEST G in the draft) will be there at 40. If someone takes a shine to him, I can see him going as high as the last few picks of the 1st round. I don’t think anything we do will get us from 40 to the 1st, but if he is there at the beginning of the 2nd I would try to make a trade up move with NE at 33, although they may want him for theirselves. In which case we lose. If for some crazy reason he were there at 40, they had darn sure better jump on that fast. But the best player at any single position is almost never there that far down.
Oh yeah...
And I really liked your No’s to Mankins and Asomugha, staying away from the high-priced, high-hyped FA’s. Makes for a strategy that looks at other options and if we did go the high-hyped route, so be it. But holds to the “be prepared” dictum.
Point After (rule change): You score, you kick. Debate welcomed.
T Newman
I think he stays. He played hurt most of the year and the Newman bashing must stop. The problem with the CB’s is no safety support. The Steelers don"t have very good CB’s. But they do have great safety support. ( it also dosn"t hurt that their DB’s get away with all kinds of crap that ours would not. But thats another story.) The point is we are just fine at CB. Get some pressure on the QB, some talent at safety and there will be no more sucking Alan Balls in 2011.
TNew stays agreed
CB’s not the problem, as you said, safety is. Newman-bashing’s unwarranted to the extreme it’s been. He’s serviceable, can still play a part in this D and the cap hit wouldn’t impact what we would like to do in FA.
Point After (rule change): You score, you kick. Debate welcomed.
+1
without good Safeties the CBs look like crap. NT, LB & Safeties are the most important positions in the 3-4
Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth! Garrett & Ryan working as a team should create a physical environment at Valley Ranch that shows up on gameday.
I think
Blalock and Huff would be HUGE wins for us in free agency
low risk contracts
by Archie Barberio on Feb 5, 2011 10:20 AM CST reply actions
Signing Franklin would be huge
…but it’s not going to be cheap.
"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
- John Wooden (God rest his soul)
idk
he’s too old for my taste
if it were 4 years ago yeah
Id much rather draft a nose
by Archie Barberio on Feb 5, 2011 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
Well, there's one pure nose worthy of going in the first 2 rounds and it's Phil Taylor
and he has some work ethic and conditioning issues, so nothing is going to come easy.
NT’s are at a premium in this new 3-4 heavy NFL.
"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
- John Wooden (God rest his soul)
Yeah and Franklin is really the only "elite" FA NT.
After that it is guys like Shaun Rodgers or Alan Branch.
If he's looking...
for anything remotely near franchise-tagged cash level, I seriously question the worth. For any DL guy, Ngata included. What’s happened to skew that figure is so unrealistic it’s laughable. Not that a franchise tag and long-term contract equate that way anyways. Unlikely SF franchises him again, not at the 12mil idiocy, more likely extension or let him hit FA. Less expensive, he’s a possibility despite some on/off play.
What range do you figure he’s looking for and worth in your eyes? Would it be a consideration to look at Soliai as an alternative?
Unrelated, have you been keeping up on Harbaugh’s moves much? I haven’t as yet, but so looking forward to him going after Carroll again, like bringing their rivalry into the pros. Could make for some interesting 2011 NFC West games.
Point After (rule change): You score, you kick. Debate welcomed.
No on Soliai
I’d think Franklin will let Ngata set the market price and look for 2 million less per year.
"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
- John Wooden (God rest his soul)
Ugh!
- Signing (back problems).
- Keeping Leonard Davis…
- Moving Ratliff to End…
- Replacing both Safeties with a couple of unknowns with no depth behind them…
I can’t disagree more with those points.
Arnold, almost 5 years of good memories, you'll be missed.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
Keeping Leonard
not a good look at all
the biggest puss on the team
go save ducks Leonard, go save ducks
by Archie Barberio on Feb 5, 2011 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
Agree
no damaged goods or REFURBS. Davis and Columbo, gone, if someone has to stay make it Kosier to help our newly acquired (hopefully) OG help get the gist of the system a bit faster. I do think the possibility of any DL ending up in any position on any given play is something Ryan is going to be doing, and Ratliff has the flexibility to be part of that plan, definitely. The two safeties in place now might as well be unknowns, their production last season made it seem that way.
You wouldn’t take Huff as part of fixing our safety issues, Chandus?
Point After (rule change): You score, you kick. Debate welcomed.
He had a good year, but in previous years he was even benched by Rob Ryan. Talk about a pick that couldn’t fulfill the expectations aound him, he was the 7th pick in 2006.
If you sign him, who would you get? His 2010 form? The one of previous years? Something in the middle? And how much will you pay for one of those types of production?
Arnold, almost 5 years of good memories, you'll be missed.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
Good points
I’m thinking the overall to-date performance would prove beneficial in negotiating terms (cost, incentives, the works) and that the maturing/being-seasoned would lend itself to a middle-to-2010 type of performance level (anything exceeding it would be gravy). Perhaps not, it’s always a crap-shoot (hopefully not on the crap side).
Plus, I figure if Ryan saw fit to call for or ok the deal there’s got to be something there. Not only because he’s a bigger head about these things than guys like me. Benching guys plays into maturing some, if you know what I mean, and if Ryan looks, says it kicked a guy’s butt to perform, that’s a good thing. Not that that’s happened, but if the Cowboys express interest I have to believe both JG/RR are onboard with it, if not driving it, and that would say it all for me. I know it’s not at that stage and it’s only us speculating, as yet.
All that said, if Ryan nixes any interest, that says it all. And that call itself could prove wrong for all we know.
Point After (rule change): You score, you kick. Debate welcomed.
Being back in Texas in front of the "Home" crowd could really help Huff.
IMO this kid has the ability to be the safety everybody thought he could be. Seeing as how he is a ’Horn,playing for the ’Boys could be the needed incentive.
Cowboys For Life!!!! Win,Lose,or Lose Horribly!!!
by NVCowboy4Life on Feb 6, 2011 5:40 AM CST up reply actions
Ouch
Beat me to it, to boot.
But every case ain’t the same, so nobody knows till it’s prrf in the pudding.
There, both sides covered.
Point After (rule change): You score, you kick. Debate welcomed.
C.Woodson didn't do well with the Raiders either.
its hard to tell with some of those players with all the turnover at the coaching.
Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth! Garrett & Ryan working as a team should create a physical environment at Valley Ranch that shows up on gameday.
Why?
Sensabaugh is fine. What we need is a competent, play-making FS.
"The Angels are like the villain in the movie that isn't dead until he's been stabbed 150 times in the bath tub, yet he still might come back up one more time." - Eric Nadel
MSW
Mike Sims Walker would be awesome
Roy Williams isnt even equal to MSW, crazy
by Archie Barberio on Feb 5, 2011 11:36 AM CST reply actions
Huff is so OVER-RATED
i rather bring Alan Ball back. I understand he played college ball in Texas and ya’ll Texas boys want him back in Texas, but this kid flat out suck. Go back and watch highlights of Raiders game, you will see #24 a lot, that not a good sign for DB.
We shouldn't let Kosier walk..
Sign him for another year.. he’d be very beneficial to the rooks
FEAR the STAR.
Not to mention that Koiser makes all the line calls instead of Gurode.
Cowboys For Life!!!! Win,Lose,or Lose Horribly!!!
by NVCowboy4Life on Feb 6, 2011 5:42 AM CST up reply actions
So, what about Olshansky?
I don’t see his name listed anywhere. What did you have them doing with him? Trade him to Houston? Demote him to depth? Cut him outright?
Rabid and luvin' it
Lol. He is so insignificant, he wasn’t even worth mentioning. It would be worth seeing if Houston would give us something for him, but otherwise he is out the door.
The Cowboys can DRAFT a solid, play from day one interior lineman to replace Kosier or Davis and set that position up for years. It’s time to DRAFT and develop offensive line talent just as the team drafts and develops DEFENSIVE line talent. The game is won in the trenches.
Mr, Jones only need look back on his teams of the 90’s to see the model of building a strong contender. It starts at the line.
I’d trade down, get Gabe later in the first, and then draft a mid round guard or move Brewster to guard. Jerry seems to like sizzle more than steak. Those flashy players he can generate buzz and sell jerseys with. O line doesn’t fit that bill and so it ain’t a priority with him.
Are you for real
there are no available o-lineman at 9 give it a break and I DON’T SEE A PLAYER who teams are gonna trade up for it cost too much example if new england who has the most ammo in this draft wanted some one at 9 it would cost them 17 plus 33 according to the draft pick trade chart
Well YOU are not a GM.
How can you know if a team will trade up until you see who is drafted. There are several potential players teams could covet. Did you think Jacksonville was going to take Tyson Alualu? No and neither did anyone else. So what if it cost NE 17 and 33, they have two picks in each of the 1rst 3 rounds. They do not have the room for that many new players realistically because they have had a ton of draft picks for several years now. I could easily see Bill moving up for a player he truly valued.
AOA is the future fs
Would hate for huff to slow his progress down. If I’m not mistaken he was considered a bust just a few years ago and did not live up to his potential under Ryan maybe he’s not a good choice for our new scheme. I do love the fact you stay away from overpriced free agents. Also T New may not be what he once was but we need the depth and is still better than most options. With all your other cuts/let them walk I say don’t let the door hit you on your way out. Good insightful post man.
I appreciate you stayed out of the bidding wars for the "big name" guys, way to expensive.
“Speaking of deals, Kraft expressed optimism that Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins could be retained despite Mankins’ recent statements that he doesn’t expect to be back and that he doesn’t want to be franchised.
"Well, Logan Mankins is one of the best players on the team, and I think there’s been a little misunderstanding about some things that have been written," Kraft said. "I hope he’s with us for a long term and we’re going to try to do whatever we have to do to make sure that happens." "
Statement Pat’s owner Robert Kraft made yesterday about Mankins. He also gave his view of the CBA.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Robert-Kraft-sounds-off-on-CBA-mess.html
25 million under?
where did u see that? Everything I’ve seen and read is the Boys will be up against it.
its not going to be easy dumping those guys if there is a new CBA
They all have 4-8 million remaining on their signing bonuses (Roy has 12 million left I believe, his contract was ludicrous, and Newman has a similar amount).
The only way this is possible is if there is a situation where we can dump these players either now or without penalty right before the new CBA is brought into effect. Otherwise, their signing bonus will still accelerate and they will be nearly impossible to cut.
Otherwise, I like your post – but I’d like to add Gocong. Gocong, Huff and Blalock would be a good haul at a relatively small cost. And frankly we need ilb help/depth.
Nnamdi
We need this guy to shut down one side of the field. Do what ever it takes to get him. the rest of this article is crap. Horrible other than getting Gaither.
the CBA needs to happen before we send anyone packing bc the FA list is slim atm.
Davis, Colombo, RW, MBIII, Igor, Spears, Hatcher, Ball & Sensabaugh all need to go. i would keep Brooking until Wade offered a 6th/7th rd pick or as a backup to Lee until they have better. Spears will find someone to overpay & he’s just a progress stopper for the next guy in house or drafted. Ball sucked at CB so they tried to move him to FS with zero success & its to easy to replace a JAG like him. AoA is totally unknown & it wouldn’t be until training camp before you knew what he could offer so i can’t see him penciled in as a starter just yet. i would feel better about Young or Lissemore starting then AoA atm but that could change once i see him in TC
TNewman still has some value but i wouldn’t mind getting another CB somewhere in the draft. i would also find out what Scandrick & McCann can do real quick so they know which direction to go.
Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth! Garrett & Ryan working as a team should create a physical environment at Valley Ranch that shows up on gameday.
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