Two Options for how to fill the Cowboys roster holes

by Becho on Feb 12, 2012 3:05 AM CST

As we look at the Cowboys and their needs, one point strikes me with the most gravity. There are too many needs and the Boys cannot fill all the roster holes completely from the outside (FA/Draft). I don’t see the Cowboys looking for talent from only one direction, they will have to take a risk on some players already on the roster and trust that solutions coming from either FA or the draft fill the roster sufficiently.

I charted a few potential rosters and current players whom we will be counting on to step up are in italics. Free agents and draft picks are simply bolded. If you think you can do a better job, add your suggestion in the comments and I will add them to the post if they are worthy and rational. Later on I will add a poll asking which one was best.

Some notes: I got specific with important free agents and the top 3 draft picks. After that I hope you do not mind my lack of specificity. The vague designations would simply be depth players anyway. Feel free to do the same.

Position

Team 1 (4-3)

Team 2 (3-4)

Team 3 (BPA)

Ziggy

Offense

Romo*

McGee

C. Hene (MIA)

Romo*

McGee

Mid round pick

Romo*

McGee

Late round pick

Romo*

Orton

McGee

F. Jones

D. Murray*

P. Tanner

F. Jones

D. Murray*

P. Tanner

F. Jones

D. Murray*

T. Richardson (1st)

F. Jones

D. Murray*

P. Tanner

C. Washington

Fiamenta*

Fiamenta

Bryant*

Austin*

Ogletree

Mid round pick

J. Holley

R. Radaway

Bryant*

Austin*

L. Robinson (DAL)

J. Holley

R. Radaway

Bryant*

Austin*

L. Robinson (DAL)

J. Holley

R. Radaway

Bryant*

Austin*

L. Robinson (DAL)

J. Holley

R. Radaway

D. Harris

Witten*

Phillips

Late round pick

Witten*

Phillips

Late round pick

Witten*

Phillips

Late round pick

Witten*

Phillips

G. Bryan (6th)

Free*

T. Smith*

Parnell

Free*

T. Smith*

Parnell

Free*

T. Smith*

Parnell

Free*

T. Smith*

Parnell

Nagy*

Koiser*

Akrin

Holland

Nicks* (NO)

Koiser*

Akrin

Mid round pick

Nagy*

Koiser*

Akrin

Holland

Mid round pick

Koiser*

L. Nix* (4th)

Akrin

Nagy

C. Meyers* (HOU)

Kowalski

Nagy*

Kowalski

Costa

C. Meyers* (HOU)

Kowalski

D. Koppen* (NE)

Kowalski

Defense

Ratliff*

Lissemore*

J. Brent

K. Coleman

Ratliff*

J. Brent

Ratliff*

J. Brent

Ratliff*

J. Brent

Ware*

Williams (HOU)*

Hatcher

Mid round pick

Lissemore*

Hatcher*

K. Coleman

M. Spears

Lissemore*

Hatcher*

K. Coleman

M. Spears

Hatcher*

C. Geathers*

Lissemore

Spears

D. Hamilton (7th)

OLB

Carter*

K. Morrison (BUF)*

Albright

Butler

Ware*

M. Ingram (1st)*

V. Butler

Albright

Ware*

Albright*

V. Butler

J. Massaquoi (3rd)

Low Cost FA

Ware*

B. Irvin* (3rd)

V. Butler

B. Roy (4th)

ILB

Lee*

B. Wagner (3rd)

Lee*

Carter*

B. James (DAL)

Low Cost FA

Lee*

Carter*

Mid round pick

Low Cost FA

Lee*

Carter*

M. Kendricks (5th)

Jenkins*

Scandrick*

Kirkpatrick (1st)

Late round pick

Low Cost FA

Jenkins*

Scandrick*

J. Allen (HOU)

C. Minnefeild (3rd)

Late round pick

Jenkins*

Scandrick*

T. Thomas (NYG)

S. Gilmore (2nd)

Jenkins*

Finnegan* (TEN)

Scandrick

B. Boynkin (2nd)

J. Taplin-Ross

Sensabaugh*

M. Adams (CLE)*

McCray

Church

M. Martin (2nd)

Sensabaugh*

D. Lowry (JAC)*

McCray

Church

M. Martin (2nd)

Sensabaugh*

M. Adams (CLE)*

D. Lowry (JAC)

McCray

Church

Sensabaugh*

M. Barron* (1st)

Church

McCray

M. Butler

Sp. T.

Bailey

McBriar

C. Jones

Ladouceur

* Starters

Team 1 brings in a solid center and banks on the guards. I like this bet, it gives the youglies opportunity and the vets will at least be serviceable if none of the youglies emerge. This option also leaves enough money and picks free to really make some improvements to the D as it shifts toward a 4-3. There are serious depth issues at LB, and those dreaming of Super Mario should take note of this challenge.

Team 2 solidifies the offense and makes smart buys on Defense. None of the FAs on D should be expensive but this unit will be boom or bust. This team is a lot like the Saints and Packers, where a strong offense could make for an opportunistic D.

Team 3 makes no splashes in free agency, but the small solid purchases set up BPA in the draft. I took T. Richardson but this could easily translate to a Q. Couples or DeCastro. Competition at guard, consistency at center, and real attention paid to the secondary. The versatility of Lowry and Adams allows the team to carry less CBs, and they will need to as they try quantity over quality at the LB position. In this situation we are really counting on our LBs, especially Carter, Butler, and Albright.

Poll

Which team do you like best?

Team 1

22 votes

Team 2

17 votes

Team 3

6 votes

Team Ziggy

10 votes

55 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I am all for trying to get Mario Williams

by Jonathan Stern on Feb 12, 2012 5:03 AM CST reply actions

So then what do you do about the LBs

with Super Mario taking up about 8 mil in cap space there is not much left to focus on the OL and DBs. Above I put a lot of effort into the secondary and left the LBs looking weak. If I decide to change something from above it may be a switch of the picks. Add a L. Kuechly in the first and a take a CB in the third.

by Becho on Feb 12, 2012 8:47 PM CST up reply actions

If we get Mario we get DB and OL in the draft. This is a good draft for both of them.

We should easily be able to get one nice OL and one nice DB in the draft. Probably we could get two of each.

At any rate we don’t need to fill in every OL position . We get one good one or two good ones in the draft and then we get by with Arkin Nagy Parnell Costa for the rest.

No way to you spend all your free agency and draft to focus on the OL over everything else.

If we go BPA would would easily be able to give the OL and DBs some nice help.

But there is no one like Mario Wiliams in this draft except Coples / maybe Brokers and they aren’t as isn’t as good.

The DeMarcus Ware against the league pass rush and the mediocre defensive ends the Cowboys have are as big problem as any.

If we don’t upgrade our pass rush our defense will continue to be like the Patriots. Their defense absolutely sucks, it is why they lost the Superbowl. .

by Jonathan Stern on Feb 13, 2012 3:02 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, sorry...

I thought this was a porn site.

"If you are prepared, you will be confident, and will do the job." Tom Landry
"The difference between extraordinary and ordinary, is that little extra". Jimmy Johnson

by Mikellie on Feb 12, 2012 8:52 AM CST reply actions

DP in Big D

Jerry does Dallas!

We have the ability to fill every hole but not sure Jerry is the stud to get it done.

Being realistic here this is what I hope The Boys do.

In Free agency
Center Dan Koppen
Cornerback Cortland Finnegan
Quarterback Kyle Orton
Wide Receiver Laurent Robinson
Fullback Tony Fiammetta

In the Draft
Rd 1 Mark Barron SS Alabama
Rd 2 Brandon Boykin CB Georgia
Rd 3 Bruce Irvin OLB West Virginia
Rd 4 Brett Roy OLB Nevada
4 comp Lucas Nix OG Pittsburgh
Rd 5 Mychal Kendricks ILB California
Rd 6 George Bryan TE North Carolina State
Rd 7 Dominique Hamilton DT Missouri

the new roster
QB
Tony Romo Kyle Orton Stephen McGee

WR
Miles Austin Dez Bryant Laurent Robinson
Jesse HolleyRaymond Radway Dwayne Harris

RB
DeMarco Murray Felix Jones
Phillip Tanner Chauncey Washington

TE/FB
Jason Witten Tony Fiammetta
John Phillips George Bryan

OT / G / C
Tyron Smith Kyle Kosier Dan Koppen
Lucas NixDoug FreeKevin Kowalski
David Arkin Jermey Parnell Bill Nagy

DE / DT
Jason Hatcher Jay Ratliff Clifton Geathers
Josh Brent Sean Lissemore
Marcus Spears Dominique Hamilton

LB
DeMarcus Ware Sean Lee Bruce Carter
Bruce IrvinVictor Butler Brett Roy
Mychal Kendricks

CB / S
Mike Jenkins Cortland Finnegan
Orlando Scandrick Gerald Sensabaugh
Mark Barron Barry Church Justin Taplin-Ross
Brandon Boykin Danny McCray
Mario Butler

specialists
Dan Bailey Chris Jones L.P. LaDouceur

by ziggy19 on Feb 12, 2012 8:55 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

I could live that draft. Well done Ziggy.

by oldboysfan on Feb 12, 2012 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

OG & DT are our biggest needs.

They need to be addressed way before the 4th and 7th rounds. Fix the lines, everything else become better…period.

"If you are prepared, you will be confident, and will do the job." Tom Landry
"The difference between extraordinary and ordinary, is that little extra". Jimmy Johnson

by Mikellie on Feb 12, 2012 3:44 PM CST up reply actions

Are they our biggest needs?

Like I said we are going to have to roll the dice on some players already on our roster. Nagy, Akrin and Special K showed something in their rookie year. That says a lot for rookie OLmen that did not have a full offseason. Koiser and Holland are both serviceable bets and good backup plans. IMO a center could also be a big help to those players. I think this is a good place to take a chance.

I think the DL was hurt a lot after Hatcher went out. Lissemore showed some promise. Bret keeps getting stronger and at 320 he could play the backup nose. Coleman played well, he rated out excellently. Hatcher, Ratlif, Lissemore, with Coleman, Brent, and a Draft Pick; again arguably a good place to count on our players.

by Becho on Feb 12, 2012 5:16 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly

by signing free agent Koppen we would now have the outside of the line covered with Smith as LT, Koppen in the middle and Free back at RT where he was better. Having talent on both sides of the guards will make their job easier.
As far as the D Line we have lots of bodies at the position.
Clifton Geathers, Josh Brent, Sean Lissemore are young guys that need more playing time next season.
Jason Hatcher, Jay Ratliff, Marcus Spears are all veterans that would benefit from rotating in players. This gives us 6 men on the D Line which is plenty strong.

Dominique Hamilton would be 7 and could play End or Nose and could be worked into the lineup.

by ziggy19 on Feb 12, 2012 7:38 PM CST up reply actions

I like Meyers better than Koppen

but that is splitting hairs. Koppen would be much cheaper. I think you could still fit in a veteran saftey or OLB.

The line in a 3-4 is not as important as other parts. You have size and potential. I think it is solid. The only place I disagree is Spears over Coleman. Coleman out played him this last year and his contract is cheaper.

by Becho on Feb 12, 2012 9:07 PM CST up reply actions

I have no idea why

the signed Spears but he probably counts more against the cap if we cut him.

by ziggy19 on Feb 12, 2012 11:42 PM CST up reply actions

I like the Hamilton kid out of Mizzou. Looks like he could become something special.

40yr fan who loves his Lord and Savior,Beautiful Wife,kids and 2 Pits,America,and Americas Team.
Searching for at least 2 more Super Bowl wins and more kool-aid.
Totally excited about new coaches and this teams future.

by NVCowboy4Life on Feb 13, 2012 4:36 AM CST up reply actions

if they cut him after june 1st

he would save the cowboys about 700,000 this year but cost them about 1.3 in dead money next year.

by Becho on Feb 13, 2012 8:30 AM CST up reply actions

this where i disagree

The line in a 3-4 is not as important as other parts

…
NT might be just as important as Line Backers in the 3-4 & with DEs like Watt, Smith tearing it up the old run stoppers like Spears or Coleman are making the DL pretty important piece to a sucessfull 3-4

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 13, 2012 2:12 PM CST up reply actions

+1, The lineman are the most important pieces in any scheme.

3-4, 4-3, hybrid, whatever, they all need good LOS play. Those big guys on the LOS (offense and defense) can not be undervalued and those positions can not be neglected. I understand that those aren’t the flashy picks people want to see in a draft, but these guys allow everyone else on the offense and defense work effectively. Once we get ours straight I don’t think we should go a draft without taking a D/O lineman IMO.

by DCB* on Feb 13, 2012 4:55 PM CST up reply actions

our secondary sucks. There are lots of college teams that have better group of defensive backs than the Cowboys. Probably any team in the top 20.

by Jonathan Stern on Feb 13, 2012 8:07 PM CST up reply actions

i think you have a little money left to spend even

i will post it up later

by Becho on Feb 12, 2012 4:27 PM CST up reply actions

Team 2 looks good

I like Nagy at C instead of G. If they sign Nicks I do not think they’ll go OL in rd1. Not sure there’ll be a rusher or CB in rd3 who can play right away, so grab your OL prospect then after CB and OLB. I wouldn’t be surprised if they trade down in rd1 for an extra pick in rd2or3 to throw at the D.

by DB23 on Feb 12, 2012 10:15 AM CST via mobile reply actions

double penetration?

by ratware on Feb 12, 2012 1:31 PM CST reply actions

hardcore pornography.

lets leave it at that.

Each week, play whoever is standing across the field from you, whenever and wherever. If you match up well, exploit it and win. If you don’t, then get very crafty in your game play and try to "steal" a win anyway. Repeat process until no more games remain, and confetti rains down from a retractable roof and Roger Goodell is handing out hardware. - hookerhome

in aeternum amicus meus vivit sua musica non morietur
A Friend of mine lives forever, his music will never die.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1FHzJruAg
RIP Chuck Shuldiner - Father of Death Metal

by Nick Castillo on Feb 12, 2012 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

Or just a sense of humor?

#demarcusvstheworld
Cowboys wishlist: RG3

by accidental innuendo on Feb 13, 2012 7:40 AM CST up reply actions

Loved the old headline, haha

I’m torn b/w Teams 1 and 2. I think you’re partially right in both cases, but it’s so difficult to tell until we get into FA. One thing I’m still unsure about myself is whether the Cowboys even want a big splash in FA i.e. Williams or Nicks.

However, I think I might lose my mind if the Cowboys draft if the Boys draft Richardson.

#demarcusvstheworld
Cowboys wishlist: RG3

by accidental innuendo on Feb 13, 2012 7:39 AM CST reply actions

I would love Richardson at 14

he is getting compared to AP. talk about a violent burst through the hole. Him and Murray would win a game or two each year single handedly. Decastro, Richardson, those two are one two in my book.

by Becho on Feb 13, 2012 8:28 AM CST up reply actions

While I don't disagree that Richardson is a premier talent

It seems foolhardy to draft a RB in the first round. It’s an option that’s so far removed from what this team could actually use from a first round hit.

The only justification I could see for him being the BPA available at 14 is that the Cowboys wanted to play it safe, and Decastro was already picked. But still, I would have to think the defense would be a higher priority.

#demarcusvstheworld
Cowboys wishlist: RG3

by accidental innuendo on Feb 13, 2012 9:28 AM CST up reply actions

you never know in Jerrys offense. those RBs have the right shaped rump he gets excited.

he like Felix’s rump & it got him picked in the 1st round even though at the time they assumed MB3 was the full time guy & Felix was a wow factor as a change of pace back.
solid logic

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 13, 2012 2:17 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I really hope they think this through if the situation arises

Richardson has to be waaay better than the next guy on the board for the Cowboys to consider this pick.

#demarcusvstheworld
Cowboys wishlist: RG3

by accidental innuendo on Feb 13, 2012 6:34 PM CST up reply actions

I would take him and trade him to the highest bidder.

by Jonathan Stern on Feb 13, 2012 3:03 PM CST up reply actions

Ok, I'm listening

Can you tell me what other teams you think will be willing to do this?

#demarcusvstheworld
Cowboys wishlist: RG3

by accidental innuendo on Feb 13, 2012 6:35 PM CST up reply actions

He is the best back since Peterson. Some team is going to come calling.

by Jonathan Stern on Feb 13, 2012 8:05 PM CST up reply actions

Team Ziggy is perfect except for...

The first round pick :(

#demarcusvstheworld
Cowboys wishlist: RG3

by accidental innuendo on Feb 13, 2012 6:39 PM CST reply actions

Ugh. I voted team Ziggy because he is the only person with Dwayne Harris, but then I saw Barron with first pick.

My feeling is that you are right, we will be rolling with some of our own players, and I would say the O and D lines (except maybe for a C, depending on how our coaches feel about Nagy,) and WR.
Speaking of which, why did you give Harris no love?
Anyways, here is my squad:
QB – Romo, McGee, Nick Foles or Kellen Moore (3rd,)
RB – Murray, Jones, Tanner
FB – Fiammetta
OL – Smith, Free, ArkIn, Nagy, Kowalski, Costa, Parnell Chris Meyers (That’s right! Steal him from Houston! Durable zone blocker, going into eighth season, but has little wear and tear. If no Meyers, Scott Wells from GB.) Decastro (1st,)
TE – Witten, Phillips, Micheal Egnew (5th,)
ST – Bailey, McBriar, Holley (Forbath?)
DL – Rat, Brent, Hatcher, Spears, Poe (2nd,)
LB – Ware, Butler, Lee, Carter, Lemon, Spencer
CB – Jenkins, Scandrick, Ball, Cletis Gordon (Bring him back, FA from CAR,) Jamell Fleming (4th,)
S – Sensi, Elam

That is a pretty sexy team, with only 4 FA signings, and five draft picks (rd,).
Only 40 players, also. We have plenty of room to fill out.
Players not neccesarily listed by depth. Also, I tried to keep the draft realistic, but prob is not perfect. What do you think?

What is the star now? A fallen piece of hardened plastic? The heaviest franchise in American sport? A false idol adored by many millions? The epitome of all that can be achieved with hard work? All that can be lost with too strong a sense of entitlement? A welcome coping mechanism, distracting from the real negativity on Earth? A bonding and separating agent?

by BlueNSilverBlood on Feb 14, 2012 2:36 PM CST reply actions