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Cowboys will be busy during combine week
February, 16, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys head to Indianapolis this week for the NFL scouting combine with plenty of work to do, and not all of it will have to do with the draft.
Working their own free agents: One of the reasons why the Cowboys bring their bus is to conduct business during the day. They will have meetings with a number of agents during the week to set groundwork for what they will and won’t be able to do in free agency. Some talks might actually heat up this week, but don’t look for the big deals to come down with Dez Bryant or DeMarco Murray. The smaller deals, however, could get into focus. The Cowboys have 16 unrestricted free agents. Maybe they keep half of them, a little more or a little less. With free agency beginning March 10, it is difficult to get a premium free agent to sign unless you just bowl them over with the numbers. And that won’t happen.
Working the other free agents: Everybody knows there is tampering going on during the course of the combine, but nobody really raises a stink because everybody is doing it. If an agent has a player on the Cowboys, don’t you think he might raise the specter of another client joining the team? Would the team not listen? There is a reason some deals happen just minutes into free agency. The groundwork was laid at the combine.
Coaches say hello: Because the Cowboys staff coached the Pro Bowl, their introduction to the college players was a little delayed. They did not go to the Senior Bowl to view some of that talent up close. They have spent the last couple weeks studying players in preparation for the combine. In addition to the 60 official interviews, the coaches also have as many unofficial meetings with players during the course of the week as well.
Needs and wants: The Cowboys need help at every level of defense, from the line to the linebackers to the secondary. The level of need will grow or slow based on what the Cowboys do in free agency. The best plan is to cover the needs in free agency at a base level so you’re not desperate in the draft. The Cowboys will also meet with players at positions of strength just to be covered. And don’t be surprised if a quarterback ends up on their list of interviews. It doesn’t mean they will draft Tony Romo’s successor this year. It just means they are covering all of their bases.
Meetings, meetings, meetings: Stephen Jones has perhaps the longest week of anybody with the organization. He will be in Competition Committee meetings for the early part of the week. This committee meets to review the changes they made last year and the possible changes they would like to see in 2015. The official changes are voted on at the Owners Meetings next March. Do you think Jones will mention the overturned Bryant catch against the Green Bay Packers?
February, 16, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys head to Indianapolis this week for the NFL scouting combine with plenty of work to do, and not all of it will have to do with the draft.
Working their own free agents: One of the reasons why the Cowboys bring their bus is to conduct business during the day. They will have meetings with a number of agents during the week to set groundwork for what they will and won’t be able to do in free agency. Some talks might actually heat up this week, but don’t look for the big deals to come down with Dez Bryant or DeMarco Murray. The smaller deals, however, could get into focus. The Cowboys have 16 unrestricted free agents. Maybe they keep half of them, a little more or a little less. With free agency beginning March 10, it is difficult to get a premium free agent to sign unless you just bowl them over with the numbers. And that won’t happen.
Working the other free agents: Everybody knows there is tampering going on during the course of the combine, but nobody really raises a stink because everybody is doing it. If an agent has a player on the Cowboys, don’t you think he might raise the specter of another client joining the team? Would the team not listen? There is a reason some deals happen just minutes into free agency. The groundwork was laid at the combine.
Coaches say hello: Because the Cowboys staff coached the Pro Bowl, their introduction to the college players was a little delayed. They did not go to the Senior Bowl to view some of that talent up close. They have spent the last couple weeks studying players in preparation for the combine. In addition to the 60 official interviews, the coaches also have as many unofficial meetings with players during the course of the week as well.
Needs and wants: The Cowboys need help at every level of defense, from the line to the linebackers to the secondary. The level of need will grow or slow based on what the Cowboys do in free agency. The best plan is to cover the needs in free agency at a base level so you’re not desperate in the draft. The Cowboys will also meet with players at positions of strength just to be covered. And don’t be surprised if a quarterback ends up on their list of interviews. It doesn’t mean they will draft Tony Romo’s successor this year. It just means they are covering all of their bases.
Meetings, meetings, meetings: Stephen Jones has perhaps the longest week of anybody with the organization. He will be in Competition Committee meetings for the early part of the week. This committee meets to review the changes they made last year and the possible changes they would like to see in 2015. The official changes are voted on at the Owners Meetings next March. Do you think Jones will mention the overturned Bryant catch against the Green Bay Packers?
