Cowboys FA Losers

[boozeman]

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/52758/59/free-agency-winners-and-losers

Losers — Cowboys


It’s possible the Cowboys simply couldn’t afford DeMarco Murray. That doesn’t change the fact that they’ve lost the foundation of their offense. It’s not just that Murray carried the load last season. It’s that he took it off Tony Romo, giving Dallas’ overanalyzed quarterback rare breathing space. So it’s incorrect to say the Cowboys are “only” losing 449 touches and 2,261 yards from scrimmage. They’re also putting the weight of the world back on Romo’s shoulders. It’s a weight that’s often crushed both player and team, a weight that will feel heavier than ever in 2015 unless some combination of Darren McFadden, young holdovers and draft picks can replicate Murray’s smashing dual-threat success.

I know a lot of people say that Dallas "loses" because of Murray, but the complete and utter lack of activity on the DL is astounding to me.

It is one thing to bank on the draft.

But we are now going to have to bank on the draft for a pass rush AND a running game.

That means basically a home run and one of the better drafts in team history.

We will be the Chiefs in 2016. One great radar blip of a year and then a ridiculous regression to the mean which shows exactly how fickle the NFL is and how it can change from season to season. Banking on one year's success is a losing proposition.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

We were free agency losers last year as well. So I don't really give a shit.

Honestly I just want Greg Hardy. It probably won't happen and that's fine but I think he is the kind of signing that could help to push this defense over the top. Without him we probably remain muddled in mediocrity on defense and probably won't see any drastic difference on that side of the ball for another year or two.

Our offense will be fine. The hand wringing over a RB is ridiculous.

 

[ravidubey]

I think as important as Murray was last year equally important was the Cowboys' commitment to running the football. I think they need to blitz the draft for RB and find both an every-down grinder and a breakaway threat. I'm greedy that way, but Dallas can't skimp on this position. I would prefer a RB in round 1 or 2, but in this draft we could get by with a 3rd or 4th. I mean, why go cheap when it's proven what that position means to the team?

As for DT, I think there were opportunities out there in Fairley and Hardy, but they couldn't match cap space with St Louis and Oakland-- or apparently anyone.

Last year we had reclamation projects in Durant, Carter, McClain, Mincy, and Melton that all panned out to some degree.

This year those opportunities look bare. Lee, maybe McClain...

So it does come down to the draft. I could see two RBs and three defenders in the first five rounds. The talent is RB and DT, and that lines up with our needs nicely.

Dallas needs a 1-technique DT and a LDE to complement Crawford and Lawrence. Michael Bennett at the end of the 2nd works if they find their RB in the 1st round. If Eddie Goldman drops to 27 I think the whole organization ejaculates in rhythm, and then we're looking at the best RB at the end of round 2.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I think as important as Murray was last year equally important was the Cowboys' commitment to running the football.

This is definitely correct. Our success had more to do with a balanced attack then it did with Murray's talent specifically. No matter who our RB is next year we need to show that same commitment to the run. With this offensive line there is no reason not to.

 

[NoDak]

As for DT, I think there were opportunities out there in Fairley and Hardy, but they couldn't match cap space with St Louis and Oakland-- or apparently anyone.

Fairley already signed with the Rams.


Edit: Misread. I thought you were saying both were still out there.

 

[boozeman]

Our offense will be fine. The hand wringing over a RB is ridiculous.

It is only ridiculous if you thought the offense was "fine" with the QB slinging it all over the place 40 times a game.

We will have to get a RB in the draft. Period.

Otherwise, the first time McFadden gets stuffed consistently because he can't run to the right hole, Garrett and Linehan will start losing trust in the OL.

If you could assure me of getting a good back in the first three rounds, I get the point.

There is still the very very stark reality of the DL sucking out loud.

If we signed Murray back, or instead got some D help, I would not give a shit just like you.

Last year, we actually had a competent RB. We knew our running game could work back in 2013, there just was no trust.

We are, right now, a worse team than we were after the last free agency period and are banking on the draft to save us on multiple fronts.

 

[ravidubey]

This is definitely correct. Our success had more to do with a balanced attack then it did with Murray's talent specifically. No matter who our RB is next year we need to show that same commitment to the run. With this offensive line there is no reason not to.

It will benefit us no matter what, but I fear the coaches will backslide the more Randle and Williams get stuffed. D-Mac will be injured and/or cut by then.

I normally wouldn't want to reach in the draft, but this draft looks to be loaded with running backs. We need one of the impact guys in a class like this.

The Cowboys's identity should produce a top 3 rusher every season, so there's no reason that guy shouldn't be elite at the position.

 

[Rev]

You can draft Dline in the first two rounds and still get a good prospect at RB in the third. Dont see the problem with the RB situation. Its not like Murray was a first rounder himself.

I understand and fully agree with you on the pass rush/dline argument. Dont know why they sat on their asses.

 

[VA Cowboy]

Need a HR at DL and RB in first 3 rounds and that doesn't account for defensive backfield, LB or 2nd DL. Cant expect to fill every need only through draft.

 

[boozeman]

Cant expect to fill every need only through draft.

Why not?

The arrogance that was gained off of one 12-4 season is impressive.

We went from an oh shit we are gonna suck it's a rebuilding year and I am not sure if I want this head coach back to back off bitch we got this.

All it took was one good year for the stupid and optimistic nature of our brass to come right back in.

 

[Simpleton]

Why not?

The arrogance that was gained off of one 12-4 season is impressive.

We went from an oh shit we are gonna suck it's a rebuilding year and I am not sure if I want this head coach back to back off bitch we got this.

All it took was one good year for the stupid and optimistic nature of our brass to come right back in.

I wouldn't say that this is a return to some previous nature at all. I agree that we should be more proactive, especially with guys like Sheard, Fairley and Knighton who all got 1-2 year deals for around 4-5 a year. I wouldn't say this is a return to anything though, this is literally exactly what we did last offseason.

Last year we lost Ware and Hatcher and signed who in free agency, Mincey and McClain?

The only difference this year is that we're losing a guy in his prime coming off a huge year, although that prime could definitely already be over. My main point though is that we didn't really do shit last offseason either, doesn't mean I'm not concerned about the state of our DL though.

 

[VA Cowboy]

Why not?

The arrogance that was gained off of one 12-4 season is impressive.

We went from an oh shit we are gonna suck it's a rebuilding year and I am not sure if I want this head coach back to back off bitch we got this.

All it took was one good year for the stupid and optimistic nature of our brass to come right back in.

Thats not what I mean. Let me rephrase it, its not likely we can fill all those needs just thru the draft.

 

[boozeman]

The only difference this year is that we're losing a guy in his prime coming off a huge year, although that prime could definitely already be over. My main point though is that we didn't really do shit last offseason either, doesn't mean I'm not concerned about the state of our DL though.

The goal should be continuous improvement.

We improved last season, almost by accident and fortune.

And we are expecting that to duplicate itself?

2014 should have been a springboard, not an indicator that we finally figured it out.

If we did, we would have a Lombardi.

 

[boozeman]

Thats not what I mean. Let me rephrase it, its not likely we can fill all those needs just thru the draft.

We can't and we won't.

But bet your ass Jerry, Stephen and the rest of them will be thinking that we did the day after the draft.

They had a chance to respond in FA. They failed.

They chose to hold to a fiscal standard. While in one way, I agree, in another I don't.

We should have had one real goal in this offseason. That was to fix the fucking defense.

We have done zero to do that, either by retaining players or by acquiring new ones.

Add on the loss of the one thing that kept us afloat, the running game and the identity that came with it, I fail to see what a couple of rookie draft choices, even if we absolutely nail them all, will do to restore that loss.

There is a balance. If the running game was still a strength, I would be fine with relying on the draft for the defense...even as awful as it was.

 

[p1_]

I am more concerned about the defense than filling the rb hole. I think we can find a suitable running back in the draft, but I feel we need quality experience on defense in addition to drafting talent. I don't like that it appears we have no plan for free agency to address the defensive needs.

 

[L.T. Fan]

We were free agency losers last year as well. So I don't really give a shit.

Honestly I just want Greg Hardy. It probably won't happen and that's fine but I think he is the kind of signing that could help to push this defense over the top. Without him we probably remain muddled in mediocrity on defense and probably won't see any drastic difference on that side of the ball for another year or two.

Our offense will be fine. The hand wringing over a RB is ridiculous.

Think so huh?

 

[Simpleton]

The goal should be continuous improvement.

We improved last season, almost by accident and fortune.

And we are expecting that to duplicate itself?

2014 should have been a springboard, not an indicator that we finally figured it out.

If we did, we would have a Lombardi.

I agree, I'm just saying what we are doing now is no different than what we did last year really, one way or the other.

Generally I agree with the philosophy of building through the draft and not overpaying someone like Murray but we have to address either the DL or RB in free agency, we can't leave it all to the draft. That's basically the crux of the issue now.

Give me Randy Starks and maybe a Jared Allen or Michael Johnson and I might start changing my tune.

 

[boozeman]

Give me Randy Starks and maybe a Jared Allen or Michael Johnson and I might start changing my tune.

You really think we sign a veteran like Starks or Allen?

And Michael Johnson is visiting other teams and we might need to be competitive with money. No can do.

 

[Smitty]

Fairley already signed with the Rams.


Edit: Misread. I thought you were saying both were still out there.

The RAMS?? How many fucking DLs does that team need?!

 

[boozeman]

The RAMS?? How many fucking DLs does that team need?!

Hey, were are collecting fullbacks.

Signed two of 'em the last few days.