Random Thoughts

by I am Ironman!!! on Jun 2, 2011 4:53 AM CDT

I have had several Ideas rattling around my head the past few weeks, but I haven't had the ability to put them in a individual Fanpost, so here are a few random thoughts that have occurred to me since the Draft:

First off I just want to say that what Romo and the Cowboys are doing is awesome. While I was expecting something to happen, these "OTA-Like" workouts go far beyond what I was expecting. Yet I am curious about something, what I call "Romo's Conundrum". Basically it boils down to this: if a rookie, let's say Tyron Smith, shows up and wants to participate in the workouts, can Romo ask a veteran (e.g. Marc Colombo) to step aside? Would the vet cause a scene? If he does, who does the team back-up? Romo, or the other vet? Does Romo have enough respect "built up" to get the support? Just something to watch for...

Now I am a member of Battle Red Blog, which is the Houston Texans SB Nation site, which BTW for those that don't know, is the new residence of the ever popular Wade Phillips.....Now there has been a lot of discussion about Mario Williams over there, and it seems like Wade is apparently going to use Mario as an OLB....Basicallly Mario is going to be their DeMarcus Ware...Now the funny thing about this is that Mario Williams is 6-6 290 lbs...closer to Ratliff in terms of size.....My question is this, why couldn't Wade use Ratliff in the same role as he is using Mario, which is in an "Elephant" role....in other words, where is all this "creative" stuff coming from? Why couldn't he do this here in Dallas?

Jerry Jones also has a "problem". No, not with his drinking, but with the Cowboys. More specifically, free agency. There are several "big names" out there that Jerry could go out and possibly get. Specifically I am talking about Nnamdi Asomugha and possibly Logan Mankins. Yes I know Mankins got the "franchise tag", but when free agency starts up (if it does), that may be worthless. So as an ode to Jerry, here is a little something:

"To splash or not to splash, that is the question."

Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer
through salary cap hell, in pursuit of the bling,
or to take arms against the 30 something players and oppose them
and by opposing them, to be the Eagles.
Destined never to get over the hump.
Yet always young contenders, with plenty of salary cap room.
The heartache and lost millions of dollars spent,
that comes with not getting the bling, is it necessary?
To get the bling, perchance even multiples, ah, there is the rub.
For can this roster get the bling as it stands?
Or does it need Nnamdi?

Nice isn't it?...(crickets chirping)...Ok I see how it is...How about YOU try and rewrite Shakespeare at 5 am on only one cup of coffee!!!!...(wild applause)...that's better.

Last Random thought...well not so random...Doug Free is a freak. How did this guy fall to the fourth round again? I think we may need to do some testing. A human should not be able to move like this:

Height: 6-6
Weight: 324
40 Yrd Dash: 5.19
20 Yrd Dash: 2.96
10 Yrd Dash: 1.78

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 22
Vertical Jump: 30
Broad Jump: 09'03"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.53
3-Cone Drill: 7.38

You want a comparision? OK here is the "New guy" Tyron Smith:

Height: 6-5
Weight: 307
40 Yrd Dash: 4.93
20 Yrd Dash: 2.87
10 Yrd Dash: 1.69

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 31
Vertical Jump: 29
Broad Jump: 09'01"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.68
3-Cone Drill: 7.47

Bear in mind the weights as you puruse the data....

Free at nearly 20 lbs heavier, nearly matches or beats Tyron Smith in virtually every category, except bench press... Yes Dallas got themselves a steal in the fourth round....

Ohh and in case you were wondering how Tyron "stacks up" against other "non freaks of Nature"? here is D'Brickishaw Fergeson:

40 Yrd Dash: 5.08
20 Yrd Dash:
10 Yrd Dash:

225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump: 30
Broad Jump: 8'11"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.85
3-Cone Drill: 7.62

Yeah, I think Tyron will be pretty good...if he keeps his head screwed on right....

Well those are just some random thoughts I have had...just something to chew on until we get some real football. As always I invite comments and criticisms, so have at it BTB! See you in a few...

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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Comments

Doug Free in Tyron Smith

Oughta be a good combo for many yrs. I don’t care if Jerry makes a splash or not in FA just so long as we get servicable FS help OG and DE (hope I’m not asking too much. Good post by the way.

by Bermystar on Jun 2, 2011 6:18 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Doug Free n Tyron Smith sorry

by Bermystar on Jun 2, 2011 6:19 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

FA

i like your FA priorities.

by jfdebois on Jun 2, 2011 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Props

For the Shakespeare. 5AM or no, that was pretty good.
I think the workouts are probably facilitating to all who show. If there was 40 participants, then they had more than one field going at a time, or were already rotating. I’d like to believe in the whole team first thing, but you’re right, these men have mouths to feed, that apparently ate more than the $6m worth of food from the first contract.
Do not claim to know much about Wade, but maybe he did not move Rat because Rat did not want to move. His best performance has been at NT, maybe he likes being there?

Give me UR calls! Give me highstepping by CBs and PRs entering the endzone! Give me screaming on the sidelines and headbutting! Give me Fortitude, Solidarity and VIOLENCE! Bring me CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Bring me Ridolin LOL! - B'nSB

by BlueNSilverBlood on Jun 2, 2011 8:29 AM CDT reply actions

Nmandi

I am not arguing if Nmandi is a great player or not…. he is. Can he make the cowboys better at CB … yes he can. However I can’t believe there are people out there who want to sign a 30 year old CB after all the long term contract fiascos we have (and dont even think he will be willing to sign a 2 or 3 year contract he knows this is his last chance to cash in). I think it was Einstein who said the definition of insanity is doing the same thong over and over and expecting a different result. Also I remember 2 years ago M Austin abusing him so let the eagles shell out all the money it will take to get him, between Vick and Nmandi they will be bankrupt for years. I wouldnt mind Mankins if the price is right (although i think this would have to be an uncapped year in order to dump the contracts necessary to afford him). Oh and yes D Free is a beast and the #1 priority in FA.

by jfdebois on Jun 2, 2011 9:12 AM CDT reply actions

I like your thinking.

doing the same thong over and over

- Formerly fan since '65.

by fs65 on Jun 4, 2011 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Good stuff Ironman

Ode to Jerry is great.

Though I would say one thing, I do not believe Free was over 320lbs when he did his pro day measurables. In college he was closer to 310-315. But still, he certainly had some good measurables for agility, though I assume his bench reps dropped him a bit and I believe he “slipped” to the 4th as many had him going late 2nd or 3rd.

"I am a true believer. Anthony Spencer will have 7 or more sacks in 2011 and Stephen Bowen can ball!" - Kegbearer
"Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control." - Tom Landry

by Kegbearer on Jun 2, 2011 10:10 AM CDT reply actions

I'll certainly take a stronger Doug Free

by Specific on Jun 2, 2011 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I seriously doubt he was still lifting 22 reps by the time he became a starter.

by Kegbearer on Jun 2, 2011 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

actually Keg

I do not believe Free was over 320lbs when he did his pro day measurables.

those are combine measurements…not Proday, so he was 320+ when he did those numbers….unless you think he was wearing ankle weights at the weigh-in…..

With the 9th Pick Dallas Selects Tyron Smith...Romo Weeps in Joy, and Bennet says"I might get to go out in the Pass Pattern now!"

by I am Ironman!!! on Jun 2, 2011 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Fair enough

But his college bio and school website and stuff from when he was in college lists him at 315, as does an old BTB post, and wikipedia (though I am not a big wiki allknowing believer). Of course, that could be his freshman weight, who knows…and in the end I don’t htink it’s a big deal, whether 315 or 325, Free is a very agile and mobile lineman.

by Kegbearer on Jun 2, 2011 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions

true

as i said in my post…the man is a freak…

With the 9th Pick Dallas Selects Tyron Smith...Romo Weeps in Joy, and Bennet says"I might get to go out in the Pass Pattern now!"

by I am Ironman!!! on Jun 2, 2011 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions

His power was one reason for the slide

The other reason was that coming out of Northern Illinios he did not play against big competition. Many scouts liked him but most thought he was a development player coming into the NFL with a ton of upside potential. His development IMHO is more a testament to the vets on the team than Houck the OLine coach

by Birddog26 on Jun 2, 2011 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions

To splash or not to splash's...

Outstanding.

Need? Nnamdi No. Mankins No.

To be or not to be, that is the question.

Gentlemen, we’re 0-16. Let’s change that.

by tanstaafl on Jun 2, 2011 10:57 AM CDT reply actions

just want to say thanks for the Edit OCC

much appreciated….

With the 9th Pick Dallas Selects Tyron Smith...Romo Weeps in Joy, and Bennet says"I might get to go out in the Pass Pattern now!"

by I am Ironman!!! on Jun 2, 2011 2:48 PM CDT reply actions

don’t mention it.

by One.Cool.Customer on Jun 2, 2011 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

consider it not mentioned.....

With the 9th Pick Dallas Selects Tyron Smith...Romo Weeps in Joy, and Bennet says"I might get to go out in the Pass Pattern now!"

by I am Ironman!!! on Jun 3, 2011 4:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Wade

is a DC in Houston, under a strong, organized head coach. He has some vitally important things he didn’t have in Dallas: time (even being a poor head coach takes time away from dreaming up defensive schemes), structure (Kubiak does all the leadership stuff that Wade apparently struggled with), and comfort (less pressure in Houston, even less for a DC, and improving weak defenses is something Wade’s done a dozen times in the NFL). I expect Houston to have a much improved defense, and Wade will again remind people of what a great DC he is.

by greatwhitenorth on Jun 2, 2011 3:32 PM CDT reply actions

Wade was, is and always will be a DC

It’s his most-effective Peter Principle-proven position. Period.

Nothing about that should be difficult for anyone to comprehend. Including Wade. But apparently it is.

Gentlemen, we’re 0-16. Let’s change that.

by tanstaafl on Jun 2, 2011 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions

can't blame him for trying

I already know that I’d be a failure as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, but if Jerry offered me the job I’d definitely take it.

by greatwhitenorth on Jun 2, 2011 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I see your Wade Phillips and raise you a

Dave Wandstadt :-) or Dave Campo :-)

He who laughs last, thinks slowest
Well.....my days of not taking you seriously have certainly come to a middle
"Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name"

by BigBad Joe on Jun 3, 2011 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Not a good track record

with “Dave’s.” At least you know in the future not to hire a “Dave” again. A Tom or a Jimmy? Go for it… :-)

Just get it done already...

by tommy d. on Jun 4, 2011 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Jason seems to be a good bet....

With the 9th Pick Dallas Selects Tyron Smith...Romo Weeps in Joy, and Bennet says"I might get to go out in the Pass Pattern now!"

by I am Ironman!!! on Jun 4, 2011 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions

You hope. ;-)

Just get it done already...

by tommy d. on Jun 4, 2011 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Who was

the better Cowboy coach, Tom or Jimmy? I know there is no true answer, one guy did it in the salary cap era, one before, but, it’s a nice question to be able to ask. Considering how great both coaches were…

Just get it done already...

by tommy d. on Jun 4, 2011 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Really?

Every Cowboy fan would agree Tom Landry. Without a doubt. Tom>>>>>>>>>>>Jimmy

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player

by thebigham on Jun 5, 2011 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Not necessarily every fan.

A lot of the younger guys do not even remember Landry. The one thing Landry has is longevity. Jimmy was here for a very short, yet highly productive period. Both were very good coaches, but neither of them were truly great IMO.

Wars are won in the trenches and we need some new big uglies!

by BigDinLA on Jun 5, 2011 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions

I am one of those "younger" guys at 25

You got to know where you been before you can move forward. Knowing the history and legacy of a this storied franchise is part of the fun in being a Cowboy fan. Talking about the 5 rings and not knowing how 2(should of been 5!) of them were won is just lazy.

Tom Landry isn’t great? Please read up on him, behind Lombardi no one was better than Landry.

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player

by thebigham on Jun 5, 2011 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

i agree, by far Landry.

I was just hoping to get an interesting response or two. And I did get one, ahem… “interesting” one.

Just get it done already...

by tommy d. on Jun 6, 2011 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm sorry, but I have to do this:

The only thing Landry has going for him is longevity? Not truly great? C’MON MAN!! If he is not one of the greatest coaches in NFL history… than who is?

His nickname is the “Innovator.” He invented the 4-3 defense as a defensive mastermind with the Giants in the 50’s. Helped create that defense that was one of the best ever. A defense that led the Giants to 3 championship appearances in 4 years with one title. He created the “flex defense” made popular by the Doomsday Defenses of the 70’s that dominated opponents for a decade.

He went to 5 friggin’ Super Bowls and won two!! And these little tidbits are just half the story. His legacy can be put up against ANY coach, not just in football, but in all of sports.

I have to ask, what shaped your opinion to think he is not great?

Just get it done already...

by tommy d. on Jun 6, 2011 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Heck yeah!

Lombardi trophy would be Landry trophy if we did not drop Ice bowl and prior year’s championship game. All time great coach and Cowboy!

by BlueNSilverBlood on Jun 7, 2011 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Tommy, I see by your other posts that you know what you are talking about, but you made a mistake.

The salary cap did not start until 1994, so both Tom and Jimmy did it the same. But Landry is the better.

- Formerly fan since '65.

by fs65 on Jun 10, 2011 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Also, if memory serves correctly...

Doug Free was still recovering from a foot fracture at that time. So those numbers could have been even better. Injury is also what helped Free end up in Dallas as his performance slumped his senior year because he played with groin and then foot injuries. If he remained injury free there’s no way he makes it to the forth round (it’s a miracle he did anyway).

Doug Free is the luckiest thing to happen to the Dallas Cowboys since Tony Romo.

by Luke. on Jun 2, 2011 5:16 PM CDT reply actions

Preparation. Check.
Opportunity. Check.
Yep, guess it’s Luck.

Gentlemen, we’re 0-16. Let’s change that.

by tanstaafl on Jun 3, 2011 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions

You are right, I forgot about his injury

But I realy would not call it luck. He did show a ton of potential that paid off for him and the Cowboys. In the 4th IMO Free was not a reach and I felt good about that pick. I thought taking Marten in the 3rd and Stanback in the early 4th was a big reach.

by Birddog26 on Jun 3, 2011 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree, that's why I'm saying we got lucky.

Before injuries Free was talked about as a potential 1st rounder. Even with his injury and underperformance his senior year he was still projected by most as a 2nd round pick. In the 3rd round, needing a Tackle, we took the extremely limited Tackle James Marten and left the far superior talent Doug Free on the board. The fact that Doug Free was still on the board when our 4th rounder came up is what I regard as Dallas being very, very lucky.

by Luke. on Jun 3, 2011 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Faux iambic pentameter FTW

IS this a bling which I see before me?
The golden circle moving toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.
Art thou not, beautiful vision, sensible
To feeling as to sight? or art thou but
A bling of the mind, a false creation,
Proceeding from JJ’s heat-oppressed brain?

We live life forwards and understand it backwards

by tdships on Jun 3, 2011 1:45 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs