2016 Offseason

[Manster7588]

All sounds good, but I'd say watching the DL play last year there should be no egos to check. This team desperately needs better play from its front four.

 

[jarntt]

I'm not saying they are All Pros or anything, but don't you get the feeling our entire DL will be out for the "team" and not themselves and will be willing to do whatever they are asked? When you have a DC that wants to rotate and move guys around, that has to be a good thing. Looks like all egos checked at the door. I really like this group. I hope they step up and produce. The old saying may just apply here: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Tyrone Crawford Discusses Injury Rehab, Possibility Of Playing DE

Another article along the same lines and also Kind of what I was thinking

To Build An Effective Defensive Line, Marinelli Says It’ll Take Every Rushman

 

[jarntt]

Zach Mettenberger - QB - Titans
Zach Mettenberger is on the roster bubble after the Titans signed Matt Cassel to be their No. 2 quarterback.

The Titans probably missed the boat to trade Mettenberger after he started six games and averaged 7.9 YPA with an 8:7 TD:INT ratio as a 2013 rookie. Forced into duty last season, "Mett Show" averaged a measly 5.6 YPA with a 4:7 TD:INT ratio across four starts. With two years left on his rookie deal, Mettenberger is cheap and could possibly bring back a late-rounder if dealt.


Source: ESPN.com
May 11 - 10:24 AM

 

[Nasty_Magician]

There are still some decent players available in NFL free agency

I would welcome Melton back in a heartbeat for the right price.

 

[Bmurph]

There are still some decent players available in NFL free agency

I would welcome Melton back in a heartbeat for the right price.

Yeah me too, always kinda liked the dude. Guess its the Longhorn thing

 

[Godstree]

If Dwight Freeny was cheap I would consider him to spell our line. But it would have to be cheap and incentive laden. He did pretty good for AZ for the last part of the year.

 

[jarntt]

If Dwight Freeny was cheap I would consider him to spell our line. But it would have to be cheap and incentive laden. He did pretty good for AZ for the last part of the year.

Absolutely. You do whatever you can to improve the talent on the team and if the bottom of the roster guys get dropped to do so, so be it. The idea that our DL, safeties and really any spot can't be improved is silly. This team needs to get better talent. But, at the same time, you don't just go signing every veteran that used to be good. We need to know that Freeney is going to be a big contributor for us before we go cutting a young guy that may be OK this year and a key player down the road. It's a balancing act.

 

[Manster7588]

If Dwight Freeny was cheap I would consider him to spell our line. But it would have to be cheap and incentive laden. He did pretty good for AZ for the last part of the year.

I wonder if teams have contacted Dwight or is he waiting to sign after all the offseason workouts are complete. Maybe he's saying I'll sit until the end of week 2 preseason games are complete.

 

[jarntt]

I wonder if teams have contacted Dwight or is he waiting to sign after all the offseason workouts are complete. Maybe he's saying I'll sit until the end of week 2 preseason games are complete.

I bet teams would love to sign him after week 1 so his contract isn't guaranteed. From Dwight's POV I bet he would love to sign over the Summer so he doesn't have to go through the full off season workouts/practices.

 

[Manster7588]

I bet teams would love to sign him after week 1 so his contract isn't guaranteed. From Dwight's POV I bet he would love to sign over the Summer so he doesn't have to go through the full off season workouts/practices.

Agree on both accounts. I dont think hes in too much of a hurry to work out in the hot summer heat.

 

[jarntt]

and he probably figures he's only playing in the nickel and doesn't need camp to learn how to pin his ears back and do his patented spin move...

 

[UK Cowboy]

There are still some decent players available in NFL free agency

I would welcome Melton back in a heartbeat for the right price.

I think Boldin would look very interesting in Dallas. He would get straight man coverage, and be a 1st down machine

 

[Godstree]

Absolutely. You do whatever you can to improve the talent on the team and if the bottom of the roster guys get dropped to do so, so be it. The idea that our DL, safeties and really any spot can't be improved is silly. This team needs to get better talent. But, at the same time, you don't just go signing every veteran that used to be good. We need to know that Freeney is going to be a big contributor for us before we go cutting a young guy that may be OK this year and a key player down the road. It's a balancing act.

Agreed. From what I remember He is a high motor guy who can get after the QB. I am not so sure how much he has left in the tank and wouldn't want to risk a guy being cut who could be a decent contributor down the road.

 

[jarntt]

Agreed. From what I remember He is a high motor guy who can get after the QB. I am not so sure how much he has left in the tank and wouldn't want to risk a guy being cut who could be a decent contributor down the road.

Exactly and at this point, I doubt he has enough in the tank to help an NFL team, but you kick the tires and find out. For us we have 2 DEs coming back after week 4 (depending on what happens with Lawrence). So in week 5 is there a spot for him? IMO only if he shows he still has 10 sack potential.

 

[Godstree]

Exactly and at this point, I doubt he has enough in the tank to help an NFL team, but you kick the tires and find out. For us we have 2 DEs coming back after week 4 (depending on what happens with Lawrence). So in week 5 is there a spot for him? IMO only if he shows he still has 10 sack potential.

Weeks 1-4 are our weak spot for sure with the dumb club sitting. But if he is resting for several plays every set of four he might be able to get it going? Kick the tires and find out.

I also liked the Boldin train of thought. He was always a beast. He lacks speed but he is one savvy SOB and can move the chains.

 

[PDay8810]

how cheap you guys think a guy like Freeny would come? Boldin?
vet minimums for years of service would about be the only way I'd give it a second thought on either and I'm not sure I could accommodate the role they would both expect

 

[Bmurph]

Sort of an offseason move

The Cowboys are making a big move to shake up their secondary this season
Byron Jones is the key to revamping the team's maligned defensive backfield

When the Dallas Cowboys made Byron Jones their first-round pick in 2015, his versatility was part of the draw. Jones began his college career at the University of Connecticut as a cornerback, moved to safety after two games and stayed there through the end of his sophomore year, then moved back to corner for his junior and senior seasons.

He could play on the outside, in the slot, or on the back end, and for a team with needs all over the secondary, that kind of flexibility made a great deal of sense.

The Cowboys took advantage of that versatility during Jones' rookie season, using him all over the field. He played left and right corner, slot corner, and free safety. He matched up with No. 1 wideouts, No. 2s, slot guys and tight ends. He made himself useful all over.

"Honestly I was just doing what I was supposed to do and coached to do," Jones said, per ESPNDallas.com. "They gave me a great challenge, and I tried to step up and meet it as best I could. That was something they told me when they drafted me with me being a versatile player. That was part of the deal."


Byron Jones will be sticking to one position in Year 2. USATSI

That won't continue in his second season. Jones is moving to safety full time. "His range is really good," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "He's got good vision back there. I'm real excited to get him in a spot. We moved him around so much last year, so hopefully we get him in a position to use his talent and his vision. He is really smart."

Jones himself said that while sticking at one position will simplify things a bit in terms of the position-drill work he has to go, sticking at safety brings different challenges from playing corner. "You've got to know a little bit more [at safety]," Jones said. "You've got to understand offenses a little bit better. [At corner], it's knowing your side or your receiver."

The Cowboys have been using the tandem of Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox at safety (with Jeff Heath backing them up) for a couple years now, and it has left much to be desired. They've ranked 20th and 29th in Football Outsiders' DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average, which adjusts performance for down, distance, and opponent) against deep passes (15-plus yards) the last two seasons. Jones' range and ball skills should hopefully give Dallas the upgrade it's been looking for on the back end of the defense, even if they still badly need to upgrade their cornerback situation.

 

[PhoenixEagles1]

and he probably figures he's only playing in the nickel and doesn't need camp to learn how to pin his ears back and do his patented spin move...

He's gotta stay with AZ. I think its the year of the Cardinals. My buddy was in Vegas and I jumped all over that 15-1 for the Cards to win the SB. I grabbed 5 $100 bets at 15-1. Cards win it this year I have $7500 coming my way. But me betting on them is probably the kiss of death.

Oh... by the way, for the gamblers out there, never bet anything that will win you $2000+ on an individual ticket cause they will take out taxes. I did 5 separate $100 bets so I can cash each one in untaxed.

 

[jarntt]

He's gotta stay with AZ. I think its the year of the Cardinals. My buddy was in Vegas and I jumped all over that 15-1 for the Cards to win the SB. I grabbed 5 $100 bets at 15-1. Cards win it this year I have $7500 coming my way. But me betting on them is probably the kiss of death.

Oh... by the way, for the gamblers out there, never bet anything that will win you $2000+ on an individual ticket cause they will take out taxes. I did 5 separate $100 bets so I can cash each one in untaxed.

I was going to ask you if that was why you split it. Shouldn't you also have bought at different casinos? Or that doesn't matter?

 

[jarntt]

how cheap you guys think a guy like Freeny would come? Boldin?
vet minimums for years of service would about be the only way I'd give it a second thought on either and I'm not sure I could accommodate the role they would both expect

I would guess they don't get too much, but don't see either bothering for the vet minimum. It's always difficult with FAs in their last year or so. My opinion is usually that you need to have an open spot on the roster or think the person will play enough to be a major contributor because it is always a short term move with possible long term repercussions (cut a kid). I think Boldin is only an option if he starts and I doubt he does. Beasley is fine as a slot/3rd Down receiver. We have some playable guys and a guy in Butler we probably want to get more snaps and we play a lot of 2 TE sets. So Boldin doesn't make sense as an extra WR at his age. But if the team thinks he is good enough to start then I would be fine with it. He is probably a better fit for a team looking for a #3 WR.

Freeney I think can help an NFL team. It just comes down to salary and who else we like/don't like hat is in camp. Even though not any stars we do have a lot of DL that are going to make this team. We didn't sign the kid from Oak to sit and we still have the two dopes coming back week 5 and a couple of other players and draft picks. If we don't think we have 4 decent pass rushers I'd take a good look at Freeney. If we do, we would need to have a young player we are willing to cut if we sign him and that could be a mistake. Ideally we play him for 4 weeks and then cut/trade him when the other guys come back unless he is a stud pass rusher. If I'm him, I'm not going for that and I guess he needs to sign after week 1 so his contract doesn't become fully guaranteed. So now we may be down to 3 weeks? I like the idea of Freeney helping pour pass rush, but not sure it's practical.