Offseason news

[jarntt]

Raiders sign Keith Smith. In further news the Cowboys are interested in ?

I did like Smith last year and would have been happy bringing him back for about half of what the Raiders gave him, but certainly not a guy we "need"

 

[jarntt]

Anyone remember how well NaVorro Bowman played for the Raiders after SF let him go? He is a FA, right?
I thought Bowman played well against us and in general last year. Would seem a great fit for us and probably Not too costly.

 

[scotsman1948]

I did like Smith last year and would have been happy bringing him back for about half of what the Raiders gave him, but certainly not a guy we "need"

And in further developments the Cowboys are showing interest in ? and ?

 

[jarntt]

And in further developments the Cowboys are showing interest in ? and ?

There is an outside chance we sign one of the big names, but only if their demands come down, which is why it is an outside chance. More likely we will sign 2 or 3 guys that are "first guy off the bench" or "marginal starter" types. My guess is one or two OL, a LB and maybe a WR.

I think as we sit here today our two biggest needs are LB and OG with WR close behind. I'd love to sign Novarro Bowman, Terrelle Pryor (I think Crabtree gets more $'s and years than we want but would like him) and a guy that can play OT/OG that can start at OG if needed and be our swing Tackle. I would call that a very good offseason for this team. That would help to plug our holes and combined with a good draft would make us a stronger team.

 

[DALLAScornhusker]

Crabtree could be a walk in starter. Justin Pugh can be a swing tackle and guard. There are guys like Vacarro and Reid available for that opening in the seconday. But with so many draft picks, we could keep gathering young legs back there.

 

[jarntt]

On the field I think Pugh and Vacarro would be very big additions for this team, but I think both will get bigger salaries than we would be looking to give them. Pugh would be fantastic at LG if his back is better, but it was a big issue last year

 

[DALLAScornhusker]

Would like to at least fix some of the problems before the draft, and preferably before the good FAs are gone. We have what....10 draft picks? 5 in the top 4 rounds. Have to assume those 5 make the team, and hope we get contributions from them. We need better depth at OT, need starter at OG, IMO a starter at WR, better depth at TE, depth at RB, starter at one safety, depth at all 3 LB spots, and depth at DT. So minimum of 10 new faces. So it is likely we need to add around 5 FAs.

 

[jarntt]

Would like to at least fix some of the problems before the draft, and preferably before the good FAs are gone. We have what....10 draft picks? 5 in the top 4 rounds. Have to assume those 5 make the team, and hope we get contributions from them. We need better depth at OT, need starter at OG, IMO a starter at WR, better depth at TE, depth at RB, starter at one safety, depth at all 3 LB spots, and depth at DT. So minimum of 10 new faces. So it is likely we need to add around 5 FAs.

I think that is something close to what the team is hoping to do. Some UDFAs and other draft picks will also make the team and some guys currently on the roster will be cut. We aren't bringing in 5 FAs signed to deals big enough that assume they make the team, but I bet we bring in at least 5 guys and probably at a lot of the spots you listed

 

[PDay8810]

10 new faces?
While I agree it would be nice, I don't see how that is possible unless it's draft picks and 1st year players. All I read on this board is how we must stop kicking the can down the road, yet many of the same people want us to sign expensive free agents. I just don't get it, but that must be cause I don't get wrapped up in cap numbers.

 

[PDay8810]

And in further developments the Cowboys are showing interest in ? and ?

you expected the cowboys to be players in the first couple of days of the free agent period?

 

[DALLAScornhusker]

10 new faces?
While I agree it would be nice, I don't see how that is possible unless it's draft picks and 1st year players. All I read on this board is how we must stop kicking the can down the road, yet many of the same people want us to sign expensive free agents. I just don't get it, but that must be cause I don't get wrapped up in cap numbers.

Yes, 10 including the draft picks/udfa.

 

[PDay8810]

Yes, 10 including the draft picks/udfa.

This I could see cause that's the direction this team has shown to be all about the last few seasons.

"Would like to at least fix some of the problems before the draft, and preferably before the good FAs are gone"

It's this I have trouble seeing....maybe one but that would most likely come with questions.

 

[tomodach10]

If it helps us to get our cap in order for next year and the future, I am all for not doing much in free agency. We have got to get in better cap shape. No more kicking the can down the road!!!

 

[jarntt]

10 new faces?
While I agree it would be nice, I don't see how that is possible unless it's draft picks and 1st year players. All I read on this board is how we must stop kicking the can down the road, yet many of the same people want us to sign expensive free agents. I just don't get it, but that must be cause I don't get wrapped up in cap numbers.

I think it is very likely we have about 10 new faces (maybe more?) from last year's roster on the week 1 roster and many will be draft picks/1st year players and probably around 3 or so free agents. we need to churn this roster some. We will likely have 5 plus FAs that leave to replace, a few guys that are cut and then there are injuries that will put guys on IR. But because we DO kick the can down the road there won't be any "expensive free agents" or maybe there will be one. I could see us making one splash move if it's the right guy at the right position and price. It may cost us a guy like Crawford though - I am already assuming Scandrick is gone.

 

[DALLAScornhusker]

This I could see cause that's the direction this team has shown to be all about the last few seasons.

"Would like to at least fix some of the problems before the draft, and preferably before the good FAs are gone"

It's this I have trouble seeing....maybe one but that would most likely come with questions.

Well, I listed 10 spots we need help in a previous post. There are a couple guys still unsigned that can start at two of our weaker spots.

 

[scotsman1948]

you expected the cowboys to be players in the first couple of days of the free agent period?

well to put it in simplistic terms: YES I would like to see the Cowboys involved in the action

 

[jarntt]

I think FB is a spot we likely go dirt cheap or if Gathers is going to finally make the game day roster and Hanna isn't cut we may just go Hanna as an H-Back and no FB. Personally when you commit to the run like we should I am in favor of a FB

 

[jarntt]

well to put it in simplistic terms: YES I would like to see the Cowboys involved in the action

Last years haul:

Player POS AGE Years Total Contract Value Guaranteed Money 1st year Cap Hit
Terrance Williams WR 27 4 17.0 million 9.5 million 2.3 million
Nolan Carroll CB 30 3 10.0 million 3.0 million 2.0 million
Byron Bell RT 28 1 2.5 million 0.3 million tbd
Stephen Paea DE 28 1 2.0 million 0.5 million 1.9 million
Jonathan Cooper OG 27 1 2.0 million 0.5 million 1.7 million
Damontre Moore DE 24 2 1.7 million 0.1 million 0.8 million
Brice Butler WR 27 1 1.1 million 0.3 million 1.1 million
Darren McFadden RB 29 1 1.0 million 0.1 million 0.7 million
Kellen Moore QB 27 1 0.8 million 0.1 million 0.6 million
David Irving DT 23 1 0.6 million - 0.6 million
Total 38.6 million 14.3 million 11.7 million

Signing guys just to sign them isn't always great either.

 

[jarntt]

If Cooper is still unsigned in a week or two I wouldn't be surprised to see him back here on a small deal with little guaranteed money. Then you still go there in the draft and try to find an upgrade, but if not he becomes your floor.

 

[PDay8810]

I sure didn't question the number of new faces. Draft choices and 1st year kinda players is expected. I think in todays NFL, most teams turn over 20% of the roster which is 10, 11 guys. I just think it's not in the cards to expect Dallas to be players for high end free agents unless they come with a health risk. I also think most teams kick the can down the road for the business side of working the cap. Thus the Fredrick situation this year. The trick will always be the right kinda guy, but unexpected injury can happen to any player. There is a risk but a risk that has to be taken to improve your roster if you expect to be a playoff contender