Free agency will not officially begin until the start of the new league year in March. But over the next days and weeks, you'll be hearing all sorts of speculation, whispers and rumors about which players the Cowboys could conceivably be targeting in free agency.
Cortland Finnegan, Brent Grimes, Brandon Carr and many more names will pop up as potential candidates for the Cowboys' secondary. To help you stay on top the who's who in the cornerback market, we've compiled a little free agent cornerback primer with key stats for all the free agent cornerbacks who played at least 25% of their teams' snaps in 2011.
After the break, we look at the top 20 free agent corners, how they held up in pass coverage and how they ultimately graded out.
Obviously, stats are not the only thing that counts in evaluating free agents. But stats do help a little to form a picture of a player you may have never heard of, or whom you've never watched play.
All of the stats below are highly contingent upon the scheme, position, number of snaps, type of defense and many other variables that affect a players' numbers. Just because one guy has a better defensive passer rating (to use just one example) than another guy doesn't automatically make him better. So don't take the rankings as gospel, rather, use them as an orientation as you navigate the Cowboys' options among free agent corners.
Free agent corners in pass coverage
Quick explanation of the stats we'll use below:
Burn rate: number of catches a corner allows versus the number of balls thrown at the receiver he is covering. For example, a burn rate of 80% would mean that opponents have completed eight of ten passes thrown at the receiver the cornerback is covering. The lower the number the better.
Defensive Passer Rating (DPR): uses the same data and formula used for the passer rating for the quarterback (i.e. completion percentage, yard per attempt, touchdowns and interceptions), but applies them to a defender, where they become completion percentage allowed (aka 'burn rate'), yards per attempt allowed, touchdowns allowed and interceptions made. The lower the number the better
NFL rank: DPR ranking among 109 corners who played on at least 25% of their teams' snaps in 2011.
| Name | Team | Snaps | Targets | Receptions | Yds | TDs | INTs | DPR | Burn Rate | Burn Rate Rank | |
| Brent Grimes | ATL | 706 | 56 | 25 | 258 | 2 | 1 | 62.9 | 44.6 | 5 | |
| Brandon Carr | KC | 1,030 | 79 | 39 | 511 | 3 | 4 | 61.7 | 49.4 | 13 | |
| Jason Allen | HST | 508 | 71 | 36 | 435 | 4 | 4 | 65.2 | 50.7 | 17 | |
| Jarrett Bush | GB | 297 | 37 | 19 | 302 | 2 | 2 | 74.4 | 51.4 | 19 | |
| Richard Marshall | ARZ | 847 | 54 | 28 | 394 | 2 | 3 | 64.9 | 51.9 | 20 | |
| Carlos Rogers | SF | 1,024 | 106 | 56 | 761 | 3 | 6 | 61.9 | 52.8 | 26 | |
| William Gay | PIT | 970 | 83 | 44 | 457 | 2 | 2 | 67.2 | 53.0 | 28 | |
| Donald Strickland | NYJ | 331 | 50 | 28 | 334 | 2 | 0 | 89.9 | 56.0 | 41 | |
| Tim Jennings | CHI | 1,028 | 110 | 63 | 700 | 0 | 2 | 68.8 | 57.3 | 47 | |
| Al Harris | SL | 362 | 29 | 17 | 292 | 1 | 0 | 104.4 | 58.6 | 52 | |
| Alan Ball | DAL | 498 | 51 | 31 | 448 | 1 | 1 | 87.7 | 60.8 | 63 | |
| Will D. Allen | MIA | 676 | 59 | 36 | 340 | 2 | 0 | 88.2 | 61.0 | 64 | |
| Kelly Jennings | CIN | 403 | 49 | 30 | 397 | 3 | 0 | 107.3 | 61.2 | 65 | |
| Eric Wright | DET | 1,043 | 120 | 75 | 842 | 5 | 4 | 83.4 | 62.5 | 71 | |
| William Middleton | JAX | 400 | 30 | 19 | 164 | 1 | 1 | 74.9 | 63.3 | 76 | |
| Cortland Finnegan | TEN | 1,142 | 82 | 52 | 456 | 2 | 1 | 81.1 | 63.4 | 77 | |
| Antwaun Molden | NE | 306 | 36 | 23 | 325 | 3 | 2 | 97.6 | 63.9 | 79 | |
| Rashean Mathis | JAX | 542 | 45 | 30 | 383 | 3 | 1 | 106.1 | 66.7 | 87 | |
| Aaron Ross | NYG | 999 | 84 | 57 | 811 | 6 | 4 | 102.8 | 67.9 | 91 | |
| Tracy Porter | NO | 706 | 73 | 52 | 622 | 2 | 1 | 100.4 | 71.2 | 99 |
"Burn Rate" is a stat that is often discounted with an argument favored by Asomugha apologists: A player is "so good" that opposing offenses are simply not throwing his way. A look at the numbers should clear that right up.
On average, the 109 corners in this analysis were target on 9.3% of their defensive snaps. The lowest value with 4.9%, is indeed held by Nnamdi Asomugha, closely followed by the Rams' Bradley Fletcher with 5.6% (whom nobody will confuse for a shut-down corner) the highest value is 15.1%, held by the Jets' Donald Strickland. So yes, there are differences in number of targets per corner, but these depend on a lot of factors, only one of which is the quality of the corner in question.
In any case, the much more important question is how successful a given corner is once he's targeted, and the Burn rate answers that question. A burn rate below 50% is an excellent value for a corner in today's NFL.
Of the starting corners in the league, the Jets' Darrelle Revis (41.2%) and the Steelers' Ike Taylor (41.7%) led the league. Asomugha (61.7%) ranks 68th among all 109 corners in this analysis. To put that rate in context, Mike Jenkins (51.9%, 22nd) and even Alan Ball (60.8, 63rd) are better, with Terence Newman (62.8%, 74th) only slightly off the pace.
Overall 2011 Corner Grades
We'll use the Pro Football Focus grades for this second exercise. Once again, just to make sure we have the definitions right:
PFF Grades: PFF look at game tape, assign a grade for every play and then ‘normalize’ the data so that the average player for a given position is graded at zero. The higher the positive grading the better the performance and vice versa.
However, these grades are cumulative. Say you have two players who consistently are graded with a +1.0 per game. However, one is injured after eight games, the other plays the full 16 games. The result: one player gets a +8.0 for the season, while the other gets a +16.0 although they basically played the exactly the same.
| Rank | Name | Team | Age | Snaps | Overall Grade | Pass Rush | Coverage | vs. Run | Penalties |
| 2 | Brent Grimes | ATL | 28 | 706 | 16.0 | -0.2 | 12.3 | 2.0 | 1.9 |
| 3 | Cortland Finnegan | TEN | 27 | 1,142 | 15.8 | -0.4 | 9.6 | 6.4 | 0.2 |
| 7 | William Middleton | JAX | 25 | 400 | 10.0 | -0.2 | 3.1 | 6.4 | 0.7 |
| 9 | Carlos Rogers | SF | 30 | 1,024 | 9.9 | -0.9 | 5.8 | 2.9 | 2.1 |
| 17 | Tim Jennings | CHI | 28 | 1,028 | 7.4 | -0.2 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 0.7 |
| 22 | Al Harris | SL | 37 | 362 | 4.4 | -0.2 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 1.5 |
| 30 | Brandon Carr | KC | 25 | 1,030 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 3.9 | -1.3 | -0.3 |
| 44 | Jason Allen | HST | 28 | 508 | 0.4 | 0.0 | -1.8 | 2.2 | 0.0 |
| 45 | William Gay | PIT | 27 | 970 | 0.1 | -0.3 | -2.8 | 2.9 | 0.3 |
| 47 | Rashean Mathis | JAX | 31 | 542 | -0.1 | 0.0 | -2.7 | 3.4 | -0.8 |
| 48 | Donald Strickland | NYJ | 31 | 331 | -0.2 | -0.8 | -0.7 | 1.5 | -0.2 |
| 52 | Richard Marshall | ARZ | 27 | 847 | -1.2 | 1.0 | 2.9 | -2.4 | -2.7 |
| 53 | Aaron Ross | NYG | 29 | 999 | -1.4 | -0.3 | -3.8 | 2.3 | 0.4 |
| 56 | Jarrett Bush | GB | 27 | 297 | -2.1 | -1.9 | -1.9 | 0.5 | 1.2 |
| 69 | Kelly Jennings | CIN | 29 | 403 | -3.4 | 0.4 | -6.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 |
| 78 | Will D. Allen | MIA | 33 | 676 | -4.7 | -3.9 | -4.0 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| 80 | Antwaun Molden | NE | 26 | 306 | -5.2 | 0.0 | -5.6 | 1.1 | -0.7 |
| 81 | Alan Ball | DAL | 26 | 498 | -5.3 | 2.0 | -5.1 | 0.1 | -2.3 |
| 91 | Tracy Porter | NO | 25 | 706 | -7.6 | -0.9 | -5.6 | 0.0 | -1.1 |
| 105 | Eric Wright | DET | 26 | 1,043 | -14.1 | -1.1 | -8.3 | -2 | -2.7 |
Expected Points Added EPA for 2012 free agent corners:
Expected Points Added: EPA is a metric developed by Brian Burke at Advanced NFL Stats. It measures the impact a given player has on a given play by comparing the result of the play to the league average results on plays from that down and distance (details here). The result is calculated as expected points a team would score as a result of that play. The higher the value the better.
Because this stat measures the impact per play, the more plays (or snaps) a corner has, the higher his EPA will be. So in addition to EPA/game, I've added EPA/ 100 snaps to normalize that effect.
Rank indicates position among 163 NFL corners.
| Rank | Name | Team | Age | Snaps | EPA/Game | EPA/100 snaps |
| 5 | Carlos Rogers | SF | 30 | 1,024 | 3.42 | 5.0 |
| 13 | Cortland Finnegan | TEN | 27 | 1,142 | 2.81 | 3.9 |
| 18 | Eric Wright | DET | 26 | 1,043 | 2.55 | 3.9 |
| 36 | William Gay | PIT | 27 | 970 | 2.08 | 3.4 |
| 42 | Richard Marshall | ARZ | 27 | 847 | 1.06 | 3.8 |
| 44 | Brent Grimes | ATL | 28 | 706 | 1.98 | 3.1 |
| 46 | Tim Jennings | CHI | 28 | 1,028 | 1.93 | 2.8 |
| 55 | Al Harris | SL | 37 | 362 | 1.77 | 3.4 |
| 63 | Aaron Ross | NYG | 29 | 999 | 1.68 | 2.7 |
| 67 | Rashean Mathis | JAX | 31 | 542 | 1.62 | 2.7 |
| 73 | Tracy Porter | NO | 25 | 706 | 1.46 | 2.7 |
| 85 | Jarrett Bush | GB | 27 | 297 | 1.29 | 5.2 |
| 89 | Brandon Carr | KC | 25 | 1,030 | 1.24 | 1.9 |
| 93 | William Middleton | JAX | 25 | 400 | 1.22 | 2.8 |
| 98 | Jason Allen | HST | 28 | 508 | 1.16 | 3.2 |
| 106 | Kelly Jennings | CIN | 29 | 403 | 0.95 | 2.6 |
| 131 | Will D. Allen | MIA | 33 | 676 | 0.78 | 1.5 |
| 133 | Alan Ball | DAL | 26 | 498 | 0.74 | 2.1 |
| 137 | Antwaun Molden | NE | 26 | 306 | 0.69 | 2.5 |
| 144 | Donald Strickland | NYJ | 31 | 331 | 0.63 | 2.8 |
There are a number of further free agents that are not included in these lists, some of them on the verge of retirement (Ronde Barber, Bucs) some of them coming off injuries (Terrell Thomas, Giants).
Alan Ball and Frank Walker are free agents, and Terence Newman is likely to have played his last season as a Cowboys. The draft will not be sufficient to provide the type of depth the Cowboys will need at corner next season, so a free agent or two will have to be brought in.
Now that you have all this data, who do you think the Cowboys should go after, and are there candidates here that you haven't thought about before?
4 recs | 196 comments
good list, more crazy rate formulas for me to learn though...
i would like to see carr as a cowboy, great character and leadership to match his talents. plus hes only 25
rockkicker - January 10, 2012
Agree, would be an AWESOME pick up.
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Sign top free agent corner and draft top rated available corner in 1st round. Finnegan or Carr and kirkpatrick. Would really solidify
bige444 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
My top 3
Cortland Finnegan, Brent Grimes and Brandon Carr. Any one of those 3 would transform our defense, and maybe then I wouldn’t have to be yelling at my TV every single play because our starting CB is 10-20 yards back from the line…
Static - January 10, 2012
I just dont like Finnegan
He’s not real popular here in Nashville either. Let tht sink in.
Musiccitynorm - January 10, 2012
How is he not popular there?
He is their top corner, is a hard hitter and is leaps and bounds better in coverage than T.New. Not to mention he has pretty good hands for a CB
Static - January 10, 2012
I've heard he's a jerk
DIRE WOLF - January 10, 2012
Good I want him even more. This defense needs some balls.
Alpha - January 11, 2012
RKG?
No not really, think small Brandon Jacobs,,,, he is all mouth and no brains, he draws persoanl fouls because he’s pissed off damned be the team,
Musiccitynorm - January 10, 2012
I think the fight he had with Andre Johnson show it the best what kind of character he is.
Dre is probably one of the most mellow and likable people in the league, but Finnegan even managed to get in a fight with him. He has a rumor for being one of the dirtiest players in the NFL.
He may be an awesome corner, but not the kind of guy I’d like to root for.
chrmc - January 10, 2012
As it is, it seems like we already get flags thrown at us
we don’t need more coming our way
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Watch the video of that again
He got under Andre’s skin and it was Andre who first started to push and fight. I also took a look at most of his other incidents and they all looked very very minor compared to other “dirty” players.
Look up his name on google and you’ll find a bunch of people dogging on him, but in each of those blogs he is defended by Titans fans talking about him off the field and how he does a ton for the Tennessee area and how he plays with emotion. And we all know that playing with emotion brings some good and bad things.
You can also go look at almost any player from the Tennessee Titans and you’ll see similar tactics used, where they try to get under other players skins and have them called for penalties, its just their thing. If he comes here, I’m sure the coaches would put an end to it. Hell, now that the Titans have a new head coach I haven’t really heard any bad stories about Finnegan. I’d love to see him wearing a star.
Static - January 10, 2012
Well...
This season Finnegan was voted number 3 on the list of dirtiest players http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2011-11/players-poll/story/midseason-player-poll-ndamukong-suh-voted-dirtiest-player-by-landslide
And in 2010 he was quoted for saying that he aspires to being the dirtiest if he can.
http://ten.247sports.com/Article/Titans-defensive-back-admires-veteran-Steelers-receiver-he-is-ab-858
Whether he has achieved his goal or not, I still think it is a mentality I’d rather keep from the DC locker room.
chrmc - January 10, 2012
well everyone knows tennessee is racist
matt575 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
all of Tennessee?
BigDumbFace - January 10, 2012 via iPhone app
His owner flips the bird to the public at games
seems like he’s just falling in the company line
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - January 10, 2012
Didn't realize
Grimes was a FA this year. I still like Finnegan best, but can’t go wrong with either one.
sirjason22 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
about finnegan
i get nervous about his attitude and how it would transfer over to a rob ryan defence, but hey, maybe it could work. he is really talented.
rockkicker - January 10, 2012
This
Is a important part of the equation. Put a guy like finnagan with a DC who likes to talk trash yell cuss get his guys pumped up. Rob loves attitude and asks for attitude from his players. And from what I’ve heard actually tells his players that alittle dirt is what football is all about. Now tell a guy like finnagan this and I promise you its a recipe for disaster. Grimm I like and Carr Thomas too might get him cheap since he was hurt all year. But finnagan hell no. Please god draft 7 CB before you waste time and money on this guy.
Sado44 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
What is the deal with everyone wanting pieces of garbage?
I don’t care if finnegan signed to play for free he’s trash, why would u want him in our locker room? He’s a virus. Very talented but that doesn’t matter if he ruins a teams chemistry.
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Where did you read this?
I’ve seen other players call him dirty from other teams, but I haven’t read or seen anything saying that he is disruptive. I’d love to read/see it if I’m wrong though
Static - January 10, 2012
I didn't read anything I made my personal opinion from watching him play.
He obviously could care less about his team. He does stupid crap, like throwing punches and it costs his team. Watch him play and it’s pretty obvious what type of guy he is.
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
He walked out of camp over a contract dispute, he threw a punch in a game
And has been fined ejected for punching a player and slamming a guy after the wistle by his face mask. Good finnegan issues and A TON of stuff comes up
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Google**
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Wow, what chemistry does this team have?
traderchris - January 10, 2012 via mobile
How bout T-New
DIRE WOLF - January 10, 2012
sigh :(
Musiccitynorm - January 10, 2012
Think he'll get a contract somewhere next year?
DIRE WOLF - January 10, 2012
probably
not sure we will cut him though, I think they whould have cut him already.
Musiccitynorm - January 10, 2012
Isn't his contract up?
DIRE WOLF - January 10, 2012
no I don't think so, I thought they just signed him to a loooooong contract.
I could be wrong
Musiccitynorm - January 10, 2012
Under contract thorough 2014
DIRE WOLF - January 10, 2012
Damn, he made 8m in 2011.
DIRE WOLF - January 10, 2012
8 mil stolen
Antonio S - January 10, 2012
Stealing from your employer is grounds for termination
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
whould=should
Musiccitynorm - January 10, 2012
Hamlin and Flozell were cut in April 2010. At the time. that was considered a “friendly” gesture by the Cowboys, as it allowed both players to at least try to find new teams before training camp. An “unfriendly cut” would be during or after training camp, when a player’s chances of finding a new team dimish strongly.
The Cowboys could cut Newman in April and would still be doing right by Newman.
One.Cool.Customer - January 10, 2012
they'd be doing right by their fans as well
1youngwiz - January 10, 2012
definitely not as a starter
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - January 10, 2012
Pick one of these guys up (pick a card, any card)
and then focus the draft on the other holes. OG, OLB, etc. At least one of those three holes needs to be filled in FA. Good post.
Pharm.D. - January 10, 2012
I like Brandon grimes or Brent Carr!
Both are very good and would make a HUGE difference in this defense. Brent Carr is young too, very intriguing. Who knows though, the price has to be right.
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Cowboys will have plenty of cap space to get whoever they want this year so money isnt
that big of an issue
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
Yeah but CB's are expensive and we don't want to pay asomugha money
We need a Lot in free agency.
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
There is no Scrabble like talent available this year so it might not cost that much.
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
I have no love or respect for Nnamdi Asomugha
I really cant stand him and his beavis and butthead haircut
screw him
go eat cheesteaks and get high cholesterol Nnamdi
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
It's Brandon Carr and Brent Grimes
Got the names mixed up.
BWareofDWare - January 10, 2012
I wonder where Alan Ball will be next season...
My money is on Goodwill. I hear they have jobs for those who have barriers to employment.
sirjason22 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Working for Whataburger
pfloyd1 - January 10, 2012
No you have to at least be half way competent at the job
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
LOL
pfloyd1 - January 10, 2012
Wait a minute here
I dont want him at Whataburger anymore than I want him in our secondary. Let him go to Mickey Ds
sexililkitti - January 10, 2012
Welcome to the blog, kitti
Here’s your welcome rec to get you started in style.
One.Cool.Customer - January 10, 2012
At Mickey Ds they pictures on the registers. I dont think even could crew that up. Well maybe.
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
Kinda like you butchered that sentence?
j/k
fs65 - January 10, 2012
Someone actually got that. good for you
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
And here's your Rec!
Welcome aboard.
fs65 - January 10, 2012
i assume you are female
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - January 10, 2012
That would be a safe assumption to make
not a rah rah go team chick tho.
sexililkitti - January 10, 2012 via mobile
i was just hoping with a username like that
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - January 11, 2012
welcome ..mlady
IRONRAVEN - January 11, 2012
Haha
Funny thing is I bet we keep him this is his rookie season as a CB and well you know there are alot of worse out there. With campo gone maybe they think that a new mentor and teacher will do him good. Who’s to say it won’t he has the size and speed to be a good player just to me he followed his coaching to a tee. So maybe a good coach can get him where the fo thought he would be this year.
Sado44 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
OCC, am I reading this right
But it seems from just looking at the teams these guys play for, the schedules and the divisions they play in, that burn rate & dpr won’t give us the full picture since the talent at QB and WR isn’t equal across the 8 divisions.
For instance, I’d like to know what Carlos Rodgers’ burn rate and dpr was when he played with WAS, as he had 6 games against Dallas, NYG, Phi WRs. Where as now, playing 6 games against NFC West stiffs (only legit WR is Fitzgerald) he was still giving up over 50% completions.
Similarly, while Bradon Carr posted a sub 50% burn rate, I’d like to know the quality of KC’s competition, especially since the Chargers were the only AFC West team with legit WRs outside of KC’s Dwayne Bowe.
On the other hand, I’m more intriuged by Brett Grimes, as he posted those numbers against better WRs on the Falcons’ opponents.
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
really
DIRE WOLF - January 10, 2012
I'd be happer with a Whatabuger.
DIRE WOLF - January 10, 2012
With jalapenos and cheese
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
with fries and a coors light
DIRE WOLF - January 10, 2012
Never had a whataburger?
Is it exclusive to Texas, or do they have them in CA as well?
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Here you go
thebigham - January 10, 2012
funny guy
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
LOL
Antonio S - January 10, 2012
checkers > whataburger
although i appreciate jack-in-the-crack though
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - January 10, 2012
Carr played against the patriots, green bay, Detroit, buffalo (early in the yr when they torched teams), Pittsburg, Chicago, and the jets.
He played a lot of good receivers
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
fair enough
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
U brought up a very valid point. I had to look it up to see myself.
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Fair point
These stats are not adjusted for strength of opponent. Neither are they adjusted for the strength of the other CBs on your team (who may or may not divert traffic your way), they’re not adjusted for defensive role (the slot guy is going to get more targets than the corners manning the outside, they’re not adjusted for the strength of a team’s pass rush etc. etc.
One.Cool.Customer - January 10, 2012
E=mc2
DIRE WOLF - January 10, 2012
F=G(m1m2)/r^2
fs65 - January 10, 2012
yeah he played next to flowers
and normally has Berry back there as well.
and like my mans and them said, the AFC West is devoid of quality WR’s outside of Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd
Demaryious Thomas
Eric Decker
Jacoby Ford
Heyward-Bey
Denarious Moore
and all three teams were quite dysfunctional on offense for the most part of this season
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - January 10, 2012
Sucks we can't see Terrell Thomas there
ACL tears really suck. But the good thing is that it happened at the beginning of the season so he has plenty of time to heal. I think it normally takes 9 months for an ACL recovery. It happened in August, so by may he should be ready to go, which is time for OTAs and all of that after the draft has concluded and the rookies have had their mini-camp.
ProBowlFactory - January 10, 2012
Brandon Carr please
ratware - January 10, 2012
RG III goin pro
glad to see him enter, more talent falling to Dallas
Trueblue122 - January 10, 2012
he's a top 3 pick
he had absolutely nothing to gain by staying.
clark - January 10, 2012
Thank God or RGIII
pfloyd1 - January 10, 2012
I wonder if the Luck vs RGIII argument is going to pick up steam now.
Tom Ryle - January 10, 2012
for St. Louis
it doesnt matter who Indy takes, I think Peyton could mold both of them into quality
do the Rams want to give up on Bradford now or sell that pick?
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - January 10, 2012
No way do they give up on Bradford. He has what it takes just needs some talent
to throw to and on defense. think ive heard this all before somewhere.lol
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
I seriously doubt that many teams will be willing to take on Bradford's contract
Grimlock83 - January 10, 2012
Indy said they are taking Luck.
Rena - January 11, 2012
as awesome as this seems
I just don’t think Jerry would have given Scandrick starter money to be a nickel corner. Therefore, I think if we go after a CB it will be with the nickel spot in mind, meaning we won’t seriously contend for Grimes or Finnegan. I’d love to be wrong, but we’re talking about a proud man here.
clark - January 10, 2012
Vaild
Rummob - January 10, 2012
We will more then likely sign someone like Middleton as a Nickel and allow Scandrick to excel or fail on the corner.
Rummob - January 10, 2012
that would be an ideal outcome
clark - January 10, 2012
Middleton gets my vote in that scenario
One.Cool.Customer - January 10, 2012
Scandrick cannot get the job done, so if this is the case we r in for another frustrating yr against the pass.
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Scandrick is just inconsistent, much like Jenkins
They both can be effective corners.
clark - January 10, 2012
I disagree. I don't think he will ever be more than a slot cb.
If he is that good, why didn’t he play over Newman some this year?
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Valid question,
but we paid him like a starter. So that’s what he’ll be.
clark - January 10, 2012
Probably true. That's why I think we will draft a cb.
We paid scandrick a lot, but I
If we draft a cb it wouldn’t cost too much. One of the writers brought up this point in another post.
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
because nobody could play the slot better than him
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
+!
Playing corner in the slot is very tough and hwile Scandrick did get beat, he was better there than any other CB on our roster would be. He did play on the outside when New and or Jenkins were injured, but moved back into the slot in nickel and dime.
Kegbearer - January 11, 2012
I think everyone needs to understand
Just how far a coaches coaching goes in the play of the players. Its obvious campo was teaching our corners to play the eyes and hands of the reciever. Its an old practice and alot of older coaches taught this technique. Since the ball was thrown about half as much as it is now days this technique worked well. We have all seen this in our secondary we all know this is a problem with our corners. Now I honestly believe that with a new corner coach with modern techniques who’s to say he won’t be a very good corner. He is physical and has amazing recovery speed which has been show cased this season. Don’t discount coaching guys. Is all I gotta say.
Sado44 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Bring in a solid fa corner for competition
If Scandrick is good enough, he will win the job. If not, his contract money is only big in the first year, he can then slide back to nickel or we can pitch him out the door to start a fast food chain with Ball and Newman
Nardfather - January 10, 2012
actually it would be more like medium speed food chain with those three
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
and the food would always be burned
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
Well played
Nardfather - January 10, 2012
Thank you thank you
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
That really was good.
fs65 - January 10, 2012
In todays NFL
the 3rd cb is a starter. They play so much that you better have at least 3 really good ones are you’re going to be in trouble. Just like the 3rd WR.
TARHEEL PAUL - January 10, 2012
Yup
TNew is done and we need a starting corner, even if Scandrick wins the #2 job.
Kegbearer - January 11, 2012
No question we need to sign at least 1 corner. We probably can't afford 2.
Grimes or Carr would be ok by me. If Finnegan draws personal fouls frequently, I wouldn’t want him on the roster. Those penalties are among the worst backbreakers in football.
pfloyd1 - January 10, 2012
We would be stupid to not be ecstatic to add Finnegan
These metrics take penalties into account, and he’s still a very effective corner. Don’t let anecdotal observations get in the way of statistical evidence.
clark - January 10, 2012
I completely disagree.
He brings serious negativity in the locker room. He’s garbage, he cars about himself and not his team. He’s thrown punches, walked out of training camp, and slammed players by there face mask after the play. Why would u want that type of guy in ur locker room. Good franchises don’t take these type of players FOR A REASON.
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I like the RKG mantra as much as the next guy
but let’s not make Finnegan out to be Pacman Jones.
clark - January 10, 2012
That's true
But he’s still got some concerns.
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I always ask myself why wouldn't teams resign their own FAs rather than let them go. If it's a money issue and they really feel they can't afford to keep the guy, ie., our own Chris Canty for example,
then I’d go after him. If it’s not a money issue, then I want to know why they wouldn’t resign the guy. If the Titans let him walk, I want to know why.
pfloyd1 - January 10, 2012
the titans let everybody walk, they don't like to pay anyone. Bud Adams is the anti-Jerry Jones
Chris Johnson rushed for 2000+ yards and he wouldn’t pay him. He let Kearse, and Vandenbosh walk. You have to consider what team is letting him walk.
just4fun - January 11, 2012
I agree
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
Here's what I'd do to fix the secodary
1) Release Newman, Allan Ball, and Frank Walker; don’t re-sign Abe Elam.
2) Sign either Carr or Grimes
3) Draft Chase Minnifield (CB from Virginia) in the 2nd Rd.
4) Draft Markelle Martin (FS from Oklahoma St) in 3rd Rd.
5) Draft Josh Robinson Jr (CB from UCF) in the 4th Rd.
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I would like that
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
You are forgetting one thing.
Elam was the QB of the secondary, Sensi can’t/won’t do it. So a 4th rounder will? Not saying he can’t just was that accounted for?
thebigham - January 10, 2012
thats why I would rather have signed Elam to a two year deal instead of paying Sensabaugh
he is a SS playing FS, out of position and doesn’t want to lead
awesome right
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
I have a feeling both are coming back.
thebigham - January 10, 2012
Elam was the QB of a garbage secondary
and was garbage himself.
No one in this secondary, outside of Jenkins and Scandrick should be comfortable in their job status. Part of it was Campo (I think) and the other part of it was how utter garbage the bulk of these guys are.
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I would sign ...
Tyvon Branch from Oakland to replace Elam.
Cowick22 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Is Tyvon Branch an URFA?
Rohpuri - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Finnegan was flagged five times this season, one penalty declined
Scandrick, Newman and Ball were all flagged five times each as well.
One.Cool.Customer - January 10, 2012
OCC, what are your thoughts on Finnegan?
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
In a pass happy league even the top tier CBs are gonna have flags thrown on them
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
Listen to his coach and his teammates
They are all very complimentary of him. He plays hard and is quite good in pass coverage. Public opinion is colored by a few sportscenter clips of the guy and by the fact that he has no college pedigree – he’s a seventh round pick from Samford. Not Stanford. Samford.
One.Cool.Customer - January 10, 2012
I would kill for Finnegan
I will sacrifice Terence Oldman if I have to
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
I think the NYG already sacrificed T-Old in that last game
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
I'd be in favor of Finnegan
In all honesty, I’d rather have DB who gets under WR’s skin and might pick up a flag or two, rather than a DB who picks up a flag for PI because he was out of position to make a play (See Terence Newman’s career).
Finnegan is Jeff Fisher tough minded player, and this team has been lacking those guys since the 1990s.
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Grimes should be the guy if available
Grimes all the way, been a fan of his since I saw him jump out of their dome in 09.
Finnegan doesn’t interest me at all: do you have his numbers from past seasons? I think his numbers this year are beafed up from his divisional games (Gabbert and Painter and I think Yates for a game).
I haven’t watched Carr as much, but I bet he’d be good.
I didn’t realize Rogers was a FA. He had a great season but wasn’t much before it so I’d be careful; someone will probably overpay.
BlueStarDude - January 10, 2012
I like grimes as well but Carr is younger and close to as good.
We kill two birds with one stone, get much younger and much better at the same time.
Dynamicduo - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I live in San Diego and see Carr quite a bit
He is solid, young, and can cover. It would be a nice pickup
Nardfather - January 10, 2012
Rogers was a steal for SF
They gave him a 1-year 2.125M contract. Had we signed him before the 2011 season and dumped Newman, given his production, we would probably be playing this weekend instead of SF.
Just to give you an idea on Rogers’ pedigree, he was picked 2 spots before DeMarcus Ware in the 2005 draft. I looked up his stats, and he was OK in Washington before moving to SF. Out of curiousity, I looked at Charles Woodson stats. Woodson had 17 interceptions in the 8 years he was with the Raiders and 37 interceptions in the 6 years he was with the Packers.
The moral of this story? Sometimes a different system(?), different coach(?), change of scenery(?) can make all the difference in the world. You wouldn’t think a cornerback would be so much more productive after 8 years, but the numbers don’t lie.
That being said, I’ve read where he would like an extension from SF, and even if he hit free agency, he would be expensive.
The long and the short of it is that a guy’s production can change (for better or for worse). We are going to get a new DB coach, and all the players will get a full off-season to pick up Ryan’s schemes. Will that make a difference with the players we keep, sign, draft? As a fan, I hope so.
Conn Cowboy - January 10, 2012
Re: Franchise Tags
This is a decent resource to use when gauging who might actually make it to FA: http://bolttalk.com/threads/free-agents-we-can-probably-expect-to-be-tagged.26176/
Obviously it’s just one person’s opinion, but the points seem valid. Sucks for the Calais Campbell fans around here.
clark - January 10, 2012
I knew we have no shot at Campbell, it was a pipe dream
too bad we didnt draft him over Bennett or moved up for him
we passed on Terrell Thomas for Bennett, thats killing me still
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
That Bennett pick will haunt us
Best to let it go Chia, no sense in living in the past
Nardfather - January 10, 2012
trying not too
Jacob Tamme is a free agent
I would love to get that guy
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
Yeah we need a quality seond te
It will help Witten stay fresh
Nardfather - January 10, 2012
Not sure what to make of a site that thinks the Cowboys will franchise Bradie James
One.Cool.Customer - January 10, 2012
LMAO!!!
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
LOL
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
or Dockery!
yeah right.
StarloverinWNC - January 10, 2012
Cowboys will go cheap at corner - Scandrick making $7 million
Scandrick will be the 5th highest paid Cowboy in 2012.
Cowboys will not have 2 expensive corners. I expect them to only sign a nickel back.
Blue Eyed Devil - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I dont agree
Dallas has a problem I’m getting word they know where it lies and that tells me that they will spend what needs to be spent. If it works into there plan and scheme I’d say price doesn’t matter if they can afford it. Good signs are when jj talks about vast improvement next year.
Sado44 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Scandricks contract is only paying big this first season and then is relatively low for reaminder
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
agree, it's akin to the Ware and Austin contracts.
which have since been restructured. but they are gearing up for a run in the next couple of years, you can see it in the details of how they are structuring contracts.
StarloverinWNC - January 10, 2012
I don't agree.
Last year, we saw the Cowboys try to jump in the mix for Nnamdi. I think even had we gotten him and gotten rid of Newman, that Scandrick would have gotten his extension since there was nothing substantial to change their opinion of him in between the two decisions. As such, I fully expect us to look at corner as a place to invest in. I think Jerry realizes the value of having three good corners and thinks Scandrick is that #3. I think we will look for a guy to start opposite Jenkins in free agency.
And I realize that $7M is a lot for a nickel back, but I would say that looking at the cash flows later on in the contract that Dallas certainly doesnt look at him as a cornerstone for their future.
Creasy729 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
we have no shot at Carr
KC is going to do everything they can to get him back
I personally love Finnegan and think he is a dream fit for Rob Ryan, he is a lockdown corner who is extremely physical
people take this RKG thing to another level and its getting out of hand
Finnegan loves football, plays hard, and is a hard worker, all the RKG mentality
people watch one little fight and they got scared, so they are writing him off
we need a Finnegan on this team, I am tired of Mr Nice Guys who pick up opposing players off the ground at the end of the play
I want mean, physical players with passion
Grimes same thing as Carr, ATL is going to do everything they can to get him back
I would take Tracy Porter in a heartbeat, I would take Terrell Thomas in a heartbeat
I am not high on Aaron Ross, but I would even sign him because he is an upgrade over what we have, the dude is fast and could be a bargain contract for us who at the very least gives us some talent speed and depth
I am not high on Ross, but I would love to get him in Dallas
its just that I am tired of what we have at corner besides Jenkins and to some degree Scandrick
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
I too would take Tracey Porter
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I just like him
he has swag
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
He's still young (25) and he possess play making ability
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
playmaking ability and speed
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
Ignoring the stats?
I haven’t seen enough of the Saints to judge Porter, but according to the burn rate table and PFF grades, he is about the worst free agent available. No thanks!
doomsdayreturns - January 10, 2012
Yeah but teams are having to constantly play catch up against the Saints so
they are throwing more than normal
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
No. Just no.
He’s an OKAY third CB to have, but give me Grimes. Possibly get Porter as insurance.
Unique - January 11, 2012
+a bajillion
yehti - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I see your Bajillion and raise you a Bajillion!!
Willy H - January 10, 2012
I'd take Porter anyday
and then another corner in the first round unless Barron is still there when we pick. If so at least oned of the top corners should slip to were we pick in the second round.
sexililkitti - January 10, 2012
cornerback is another area we neglected in the draft over the years
since 2008, we haven’t drafted a CB high at all
I am tired of this 3-4 defense, I loved it when it worked and we had the right personnel but I cannot stand it anymore
too much trickery and gimmicks, we obviously don’t have players who are smart enough and have a high football IQ to run it
really wouldnt shock me to see us draft smart players from here on out, since 2010 it looks like we are drafting that way, smarter players
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
i want the 4-3 back also. seems to me we already have the pieces for a very good 4man dline.
DavidLaFleur - January 10, 2012
yeah I think we have a bunch of 4-3 talent
if we played a 4-3 I would resign Spencer, he would be really good as a 4-3 DE
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
Spencer is not quite 6-3 . That is too short for a 4 -3 end.
Jonathan Stern - January 10, 2012
he is listed at 6'3
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
in college he was 6-2
Jonathan Stern - January 11, 2012
tell that to Elvis Dumervil of the broncos
TARHEEL PAUL - January 10, 2012
with all due respect that is a very exceptional case.
Landry’s Cowboys had ends who were 6-5 – 262 and 6-9 275
Jimmy Johnson had Tony Tolbert 6- 6 260 and Charles Haley 6-5 235.
Jonathan Stern - January 11, 2012
Our problem has been how we have invested in the defense, not the defense itself.
And I know one of the common complaints about the 3-4 is the picks you have to spend on LBs., but that point always makes me laugh because in the 4-3 you have to spend so many picks on the D-line. You don’t really escape prioritizing a unit no matter what system you run.
Creasy729 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I dont see us signing a CB in free agency
its either going to be a guard or DL
at least drafting two corners in the draft gives me hope
one early, one later
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
What we do in march will dictate what happens in april
If we get a CB in March look for DeCastro in April.
Antonio S - January 10, 2012
Or they could go Defense in April
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
Drafting OLB or DE & getting a G/C
Drafting OLB or DE # 1 will fix the seconday. Getting a G/C will keep them off the field.
However, Scandrick and Jenkins don’t stay healthy enough so I think will need to sign a top 5 corner though.
Kevin Templar - January 10, 2012
if Oldman I mean Newman scored a TD and did the Cruz salsa............he would get injured
fragile old man
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
Terence Newman has dislocated his hip following a salsa celebration after a touchdown
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
No that was his uterus falling out Chia. Get it right. lol
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
lol
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
Dont you mean Jenkins?
Antonio S - January 10, 2012
Newmam would get flagged for excessove celebration
because his hamstrings are so weak he might fall to the ground during the celebration.
Rohpuri - January 10, 2012 via mobile
LOL
Archie Barberio - January 10, 2012
Im not sure how we go in the draft
But there is alot of upside to this offseason. Decastro is a good pick but feel like he won’t make it past 11 and with rg111 in now leaves us with a posibilty at Dre or upshaw who I was very impressed with last night. If we draft a big nt in the first 3 rounds then I feel like we might make the Ratliff move to lock down our front seven with Spencer resigned to a average deal. Either way with fa and draft this defense can be fixed this year and next year we get our final pieces and Garrett gets his first Superbowl visit. This is my hopes. But we will see
Sado44 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I would like Finnegan or Grimes
but I’d like Finnegan the most. I know your guys worries about Finnegan’s attitude and I had the same worries until I saw something on him last week while watching NFL Films on ESPN 2. He’s actually a really good guy and Jeff Fisher was praising him for his hard work, competetiveness, and good character. He seems like he’s kinda misunderstood. Not neccessarily dirty just he goes all out 100% every single play. A great competitor. I know he has a bad rep but like I said, I think he’s misunderstood and after seeing this piece on him he seems like a great guy and RKG for the Cowboys.
Nets2410 - January 10, 2012 via Android app
Let’s get Grimey.
Kevin L - January 10, 2012
Cbs
Brent grimes is too small… We would be foolish to think he will play at this high a level going forward… Carlos Rogers is a 1 yr wonder… Take Brandon Carr, finnegan, and draft Upshaw…. That’s the formula for winning the NFC east next season…
drobe86 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Why no Terrell Thomas?
Injury?
Tyrone Jenkins - January 10, 2012
Injury
I like Terrell thomas but you don’t know what u will get.. Aaron Ross has grown on me in recent weeks though… And he’ll be inexpensive
drobe86 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Either of these guys would be cheap coming off of injuries and an upgrade in the DB talent
StrosSouth - January 10, 2012
Like Finnegan also
Think this team needs a guy that plays a little dirty. A guy that will fire up this team. I’ve watched him play he plays every down hard. And is a damn good corner something Dallas hasn’t had for a long time. This secondary needs fixed this offseason. The offense is set hopefully they resign Robinson. Course need Costa to work in the offseason how to hike Romo the ball.
beerman2619 - January 11, 2012
Get Grimes.
Although, a smart GM would get two CB from this list and draft another one later on in the draft.
Unique - January 11, 2012
My thinking as well
if we go Porter and Thomas via FA and draft the best availible corner we should be in good shape and able to focus on other needs.
sexililkitti - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Question about Newman:
Can we see his first/second half splits? I recall his first few games were pretty solid, ESPN Dallas even wrote a career renaissance piece about him, however in the second half he got demonstrably worse. Given his age, the decline of his skills, and where he’s at in his career I tend to believe that his second half was the Newman that we should expect going forward.
Omar Little - January 11, 2012
Agree on Newman's 1st half
I seem to remember Newman playing well from the time he returned from injury until about Thanksgiving. Only real beef seemed to be his coming out of games late due to being gassed. I think it was the Dolphin game where things started to go downhill, and it only got worse till the end of the season.
Elkmgr - January 11, 2012
There has been rampant speculation that Newman was injured, but no confirmation.
Through week 11, PFF graded Newman with 4.7, an indication that he was playing well overall. For the last six games, PFF gave him a combined -13.8. Something was very wrong with Newman.
One.Cool.Customer - January 12, 2012
Yeah, that's about what I remember
He was injured in week 1, another thing that pissed me off about the Jets game every corner was hurt, and I recall he played fairly well for several weeks. Then he just hit a massive wall. Maybe he’s not as cooked as I thought he was, maybe he was hurt. +4.7 isn’t bad at all, if he played like that all season they’d be in the playoffs. Likewise, if he played at the pace of the last six games all season he woulda been cut by Thanksgiving.
Omar Little - January 12, 2012
Cornerbacks
One thing to note is that whoever we acquire needs to have good man to man cover skills. Zone coverage seems to be something that Ryan’s D doesn’t hold up well with although more pressure from the front seven will make CBs look much better.
As the CBs, find it hard to believe that Atlanta will not retain Grimes and he is the #1 target in my book. Finnegan or Carr would be the next in line and then for a depth guy, I would go after Thomas eventhough he is coming off ACL surgery. He has plenty of upside, would require probably a “show me” type contract and allow us to still pick a CB in the 3rd or 4th round of the draft also.
CBs are definitely needed but we also have to upgrade the S position and possibly a Landry signing at FS and move Sensabaugh to SS would be a good move. The draft isn’t a place to find any safety this year. The only one I would consider is Barron SS Alabama and then not until minimum mid 2nd round but won’t be surprised to see him in the 1st round for some team. This is a very weak D line and S class.
sandyf - January 12, 2012
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