Here's a quick look at some links from stories you may have missed over the past week.
SUNDAY
Do Cowboys Take Too Much Heat For Late Season Fades? | Dallas Morning News
Takes a look at schedule difficulty that goes deeper than just overall record. This article was written with much more depth by ColdHardFootballFacts a short while ago, here.
2011 Tackling: The Cornerbacks | Pro Football Focus
No Cowboys make the Bottom 20 or the Top 20, but the article does throw some clown mascara on the Eagles trio of corners for their matador-like season. Hey, they beat us twice. We gotta clutch to something.
FRIDAY
Jerry Jones Year In Review (video) | The Mothership
Included here, Jerry saying Dallas will go with the BPA approach to the draft. (angle courtesy of DMN writeup)
"Not at the cost of not taking the best player available," the team's owner and general manager responded. "If we're going to pinpoint a player that's probably best served in a free-agent decision. But when we get in that draft, we need to look at where we've got them on that draft board, where we've place them. That's a process I feel very good about.
"Now, if you're trying to jerry-rig that board to help at a certain position, first of all, nothing's assured that that player can come in and play for you that year. It's important to us that we look to real positions of need, and say, 'Well, if we're going to do something different, different from within, then we probably need to address that first and foremost in free agency.'"
FRIDAY (cont)
Joe Baker Expected To Be Hired As Assistant Secondary Coach | Sports Day
Baker was the linebackers coach for former Bucs head coach Raheem Morris' regime. He'll become the second set of eyes on the Cowboys troubled area, helping out Jerome Henderson, who came over from the Cleveland Browns to replace longtime Cowboys coach Dave Campo. Baker was a teammate of Jason Garrett while at Princeton.
Cowboys Show Interest In Stanford Routt | ESPN Dallas
Recently released Oakland Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt has several stats that stand in opposition of each other, but it appears Dallas is kicking the tires. He only allowed a 47% completion percentage, but had 17(!) penalties called on him. His PFF grades have never been complimentary since they began grading players in '08. From then til now: +0.1, -7.6, -9.3 and -6.7 last year.
What To Do With Anthony Spencer? | ESPN
Nothing earth-shattering here, but the franchise tag option would keep Almost Anthony in tow for about $8.8 million of that $20 million Stephen Jones has to play with.
THURSDAY
McBriar Expects Full Recovery | Star Telegram
After successful surgery to remove a cyst, the Aussie punter now is focused on trying to return to Dallas once FA starts March 13th.
"He’s lucky, and I’m lucky because this is what I’ve been interested in," [Dr.] Spinner said. "There are lots of reasons why people have drop foot. Most are not related to tumors or this type of cyst."
"I don’t know how it’s going to end up," he said. "I really do hope that I stay in Dallas, but I guess for the time being, just getting healthy is my main focus. I’ve been given no reason not to believe that it would come back to where it was."
0 recs | 81 comments
I'm glad Jerry is going with BPA
this has got to be an improvement.We are not going to tip our hand this draft.Looks like we will get a good player at 14 or if no one knows who we want then they may have to move up to keep us from taking them.
I don’t think any of the Decastro stuff is coming from us so go with the BPA if it’s Richardson then take him.
(Qualifier: please don’t take Jenkins.)
TCB Orange Dino - February 12, 2012
No way they take a RB.
No way they take a RB in the first for the next 5 years
thebigham - February 12, 2012
what if BPA ia a WR are you going to be glad?
ratware - February 12, 2012
Can never have enough good receivers.
Look what happened when Bryant and Austin were both out. If the BPA is a WR, take him.
Mikellie - February 13, 2012
interesting
ratware - February 13, 2012
Mikellie does have a point tho
Austin n Dez are both injury prone, before this past season Laurent couldn’t stay on a team cause of injuries but I really don’t want this to turn into a Detroit situation.
DarkKnight88 - February 13, 2012
what about calling it a green bay situation?
mahuebel - February 13, 2012
If BPA = DeCastro
Then sign me up!
thebigham - February 12, 2012
TBH - I think I'm getting the feeling that you are a fan of DeCastro
or am I reading almost every single post incorrectly lol
KD Drummond - February 12, 2012
He really wants
Brockers, Ingram, or Upshaw. This DeCastro thing is just a smoke screen to throw off the scent.
Rohpuri - February 12, 2012 via mobile
haha!
thebigham - February 12, 2012
It looks like
if he feels they need a guard (and Lord knows they do), they’re going to go FA. Here comes Nicks.
jevans1729 - February 12, 2012
Maybe the lord knows they need a guard
but I don’t understand why everyone on this board think so. We have some young, decent players competing for those spots, and have gotten some decent value off of waiver wires.
I wish people would distinguish between a fan-based itch to absolutely dominate at some position (e.g., Center) and a coach-based recognition that we don’t have serviceable players competing for the position (e.g., defensive back). The first is a wish. The second is a need.
boyman - February 13, 2012
Did u enjoy watching romo get beat up this season?
Cause I didn’t enjoy it one bit, that’s back-to-back yrs now the qb has suffered some serious injuries so the interior part of the line is absolutely a need, costa definitely wasn’t serviceable either.. If romo, witt, ware, rat are gonna win now they need upgrades on the lines cause their window will be closing fast.. Maybe a couple yrs later these youns guns will be good but right now i don’t see how ur trust in arkin, nagy, costa is warranted but to each his own… Killer k actually looked like he held his side down pretty good but I’d like to see more n as far as the secondary goes I agree they need @ least 2 more starting quality guys.
DarkKnight88 - February 13, 2012
Sigh.
Quarterbacks getting hit do not mean that you have a bad O-line. You have to at least ASK how often the QB gets hit, and how long he holds onto it before getting hit. You also have to ask whether the fault lies with our much-excused LT, Free.
Keep dreaming about drafting such a strong line that Romo never touches dirt. The rest of us are here in the real worlds, where incremental improvement to the O-line is always helpful but hardly such a dire need as you and your lord seem to think.
boyman - February 13, 2012
I'm sorry boyman did u see me mention that i want an oline
where romo “never” ever gets hit? Perhaps ur blind i don’t know n don’t really care.. I am asking for a line that can protect the qb enough from constantly taking vicious hits tho I don’t think that’s wishing for too much.. This real world u speak of yea I’ve been living that for the past 15 yrs witnessing 1 playoff win, isn’t it funny how the last time this team was a championship contender they actually had a (wait for it) strong oline, coincidence? Naw but ur obviously the smartest one on this blog, jerry just should hire u to run the team.
DarkKnight88 - February 13, 2012
haha!
thebigham - February 12, 2012
"Now, if you're trying to jerry-rig that board..."
Jerry-rig, indeed.
That has certainly happened in the past (see: Quincy Carter and Dwayne Goodrich).
Hopefully, he’s learned his lesson. This sound bite suggests he has (or that JG has convinced him of the long-term correctness of a BPA strategy).
rabblerousr - February 12, 2012
Or they caught him before his 4th scotch....
BVandy - February 12, 2012
LOL
I cant believe he said Jerry rigged LOL
Archie Barberio - February 12, 2012
haha sometimes i wish jerry would just stop talking
DarkKnight88 - February 13, 2012
I always wish Jerry would stop talking.
I hate him being the face of the franchise.
football mensa - February 14, 2012
As do I mensa as do I
DarkKnight88 - February 14, 2012
Tony Romo out played Tiger Woods today
Once again Romo let down by a teammate when it counts. Oh I forgot, we need to blame Tony and Jason Garrett for Tiger Woods’ choke job.
Rohpuri - February 12, 2012 via mobile
That's pretty good.
I miss Woods being good.
BlueNSilverBlood - February 12, 2012
He's still good...just not great.
Mikellie - February 13, 2012
Tiger could
have shot 60 and he and Romo would not have won that Pro-Am.
jevans1729 - February 12, 2012
Not when you've got sandbaggers there claiming a 15 handicap.
The tournament originally wanted to make Romo a +3 handicap. For those that don’t know, that means Romo would have had to ADD 3 strokes to his score. I think they finally just made him a 0, but I am too lazy to look it up right now.
fs65 - February 12, 2012
Romo is really a 3, not quite a scratch (0)
Terry - February 13, 2012
Quickhits
Don’t franchise A. Spencer. 8.8 million is WA…….Y too much. I’m thinking 3-4 mil.
BPA sounds good to me, unless it’s Richardson. We simply don’t need a RB.
Stanford Routt- Kick the tires for sure. He could most assuredly help us, but no big/ridiculous contract. 4-5 mill is a gracious plenty. We also have to cut Newman to free up that money.
Nicks- He would be a good pickup, but again don’t break the bank.
faniva - February 12, 2012
Nicks will sign for 8.5-9 million....
whether that is here or elsewhere. That would most certainly break the bank in Dallas considering the free agents we need to sign.
BVandy - February 12, 2012
Spencer deserves at least 10 million
he’s a boss and he should get a big contract
Archie Barberio - February 12, 2012
You forgot your sarcastic font lol
Dynamicduo - February 12, 2012 via mobile
lol, read the new sig
Archie Barberio - February 12, 2012
I'm starting to come around to that view
I’m all for BPA but if the draft is deep in G and CB, then why not take the DE/OLB?
ScottB1985 - February 12, 2012
Agreed - he will get close to $10 somewhere
not in Dallas though
scraig - February 12, 2012
A little tribute to Almost Anthony
He’s gamer, he’s a baller (shut yo mouth), a playmaker (almost), shot caller (yeah right). He (looks the part). His best asset, is defending the run. If he rushes the passer, he can’t get it done. He shattered the mold! Predicting a 7 seven sack season qualifies as BOLD! When it comes to giving QBs a scare, he’s no DeMarcus Ware.
Rohpuri - February 13, 2012 via mobile
lol ya added 1 tooo many zero's lol
IRONRAVEN - February 13, 2012
They can leave Routt, for sure.
Why bring in another well-blow-average CB?
Don’t we have four of those already?
Remember that those 17 penalties are part of a reputation he has earned, and are each as good or better than a completion.
BlueNSilverBlood - February 12, 2012
Stanford Routt
in his last 30 starts: 28 passes deflected, 6 INTs, 1 pick 6, and ~45-50% completions; the past two seasons, QBs posted a QB rating of 68 and 82 against him.
compare with Tnew
Newman in his last 30 starts: 17 passes deflected, 9 INTs, 1 Pick6, 60+% completions; the past two seasons, QBs posted a QB rating of 91 and 88.5 against him.
Stanford Routt is also 6’1, has long arms to play press-man/bump and run coverage. He also runs a 4.29 40
The reason the Raiders cut him this year is because their new regime wants to go younger and save cap space. If he was on the roster as of Friday, the Raiders would’ve owed him $5million. Currently they only have $3million and change to spend under the cap. The have a younger version of Stanford Routt, who they drafted in the 3rd round last year, DeMarcus Van Dyke, whose 6’1 and runs a 4.28 40. There’s also talk the Raiders will cut Richard Seymour. Since they don’t have any picks in the top 64 this year, they need to improve the team via FA.
Rohpuri - February 13, 2012 via mobile
thanks for the stats
and yes, the Boys need some “below average” (if you mean non-elite, signable for a few million rather than 9 million) players at a lot of positions in order to get rid of some can’t-play-the-game-anymore (Newman) or never-could-play-the-game (Ball) players.
Then we draft well and hope we develop some truly outstanding players over the next 2-3 years.
boyman - February 13, 2012
I would disagree strongly.
Yeah, TNew needs to be released. But we need to focus on finding solid replacements. I classify below average as anyone who has a negative PFF grade, 0 would be average. 2010 is the perfect example of having a solid pass rush but no coverage, and the carnage that ensues. I contest that we could pretty much leave our Dline the same, upgrade our secondary, and our D’s productivity would increase exponentially. (I did not say I want to leave our D-Line the same, we need another OLB and a true NT, IMO.) Our line is adept at causing pressure, we need CBs who key in on forced throws and don’t give up STUPID penalties while making a play on said forced throw.
BlueNSilverBlood - February 13, 2012
I'm all with you
about improving our defensive backs. I just think that we’ve let this need get SO bad that we need to draft 2-3 hot prospects to try to get much better. I think Rout (or another cheap option like him) could fill in while we these draftees are developing.
boyman - February 13, 2012
Add in his 28 holding/PI penalties as catches and look back at his stats
KD Drummond - February 13, 2012
It was a coaching philosophy in Oakland
that team consistently leads the league in penalties.
Nnamdi his last year in Oakland had 8 or 9 PI/Holding penalties on him, Routt played had 11 that year.
Rohpuri - February 13, 2012 via mobile
I would actually sign Routt for the right price
size and speed man
penalties yes, but I read some stuff that was Pro Routt and Anti Routt
he is a little polarizing because some of his metrics looked great but the TD’s and penalties stood out
for the right price I would love to have him, I like his game
Archie Barberio - February 13, 2012
No picks in the top 64 wow smh
I feel for Raider fans I really do our team was in a similar position just a couple yrs ago.. I was thinking the trade for palmer was a 1st this yr n either a 1st/2nd next yr depending on if they went to the playoffs.
DarkKnight88 - February 13, 2012
It was a first...
and a conditional second that could become a first if the Raiders make the AFC title game in 2011 or 2012.
White Wolf - February 13, 2012
Cutting your best defensive player makes no sense. (Seymour)
Would you cut Ware ?
football mensa - February 14, 2012
Calling it now.
Cowboys won’t make the playoffs.
TXHC - February 12, 2012
Orly?
BrickTop - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Yarly.
TXHC - February 13, 2012
No.
BrickTop - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Well, that's like, your opinion man.
TXHC - February 13, 2012
What year?
Because they will make the playoffs next year and the year after that, and the year after that, and the year after that……….
Mikellie - February 13, 2012
LMFAO
Alright, you’ve had enough of the Kool Aid. You’re cut off.
TXHC - February 13, 2012
Penalties are often a function of getting beat.
You grab on to reel them in. You push off because they have position. 17 penalties is a lot. The last thing we need is another player lacking discipline. The Raiders paid Routt big money as part of the departure of Nnamdi Asomugha. They paid him handsomely, and now they’re having buyer’s remorse not even a year later. Although he’s a cap casualty, apparently the Raiders didn’t think he was worth what they gave him. He won’t come cheap because several teams are kicking the tires.
White Wolf - February 12, 2012
Someone else can carry that baggage, please.
BlueNSilverBlood - February 12, 2012
Absolutely.
Picking him up on the cheap to see if he can stick on the roster is one thing, but looking at him to be any kind of serious solution is another.
TXHC - February 12, 2012
PFF tackling....
Alan Ball was #2 overall with only one missed tackle…
PacmanJones - February 12, 2012
That settles it.
That site is pure garbage, and anybody that actually pays money to view it should demand a refund.
TXHC - February 12, 2012
lmfao i guess PFF shouldn't be the end all be all then if that's the case.
DarkKnight88 - February 13, 2012
they did not say coverage, they said tackling.
you should read it like he was in position to make a tackle for 31 times, and he missed only one of those – but in the other 60 occasions he got caught out of position, and others had to make his job.
slowmotion80 - February 13, 2012
+20
Mikellie - February 13, 2012
exactly- the stats tell you exactly what is measured.
it is when you try to use the stats to extract additional meaning that they “don’t work”.
Quick, tell me the egregious missed tackles he had that you remember that PFF is missing.
KD Drummond - February 13, 2012
Alan Ball
he is actually a decent player, I really wouldn’t mind keeping him for ST/depth and a #4 CB role because I know he can play sometimes
its a love/hate thing I got with Ball because he flashes some potential and flashes some god awful play in the same series
Archie Barberio - February 13, 2012
if Ball worked out at FS
we would be so well of right now
he had the size speed and athleticism to play there, but lacked the intelligence
shame, I really thought that was going to work out
Archie Barberio - February 13, 2012
*off
Archie Barberio - February 13, 2012
ok, it was not 60, i used a number to describe how i meant what stats measured.
i am sure that for PFF missed tackle =/= blown coverage & another guy’s tackle.
every time i saw Ball in the backfield, my throat narrowed, blood pressure went noticeably up, and prayed for tha pass rush be able to reach the QB before he releases the ball towards Ball.
however, i can tell you one example when Ball’s inability to keep up with his man came to our advantage: his pick, when he was hopelessly lost but somehow ended up with the ball right in front of his face.
yes, he is good for a thing or two – like being a 4th or 5th CB, an emergency safety, or a special teams body.
but again that is my opinion.
(btw does PFF have an agregated data set on Ball’s coverage?)
slowmotion80 - February 13, 2012
Priority #1 for me
Is Carl Nicks, give him 7year $63M, that’s $9M per year for a guy who is arguably the best player at his position and he’s only 26, will be 27 when the season begins. What this does is a multitude of things for our offense, we are able to have a more dominate running game with a road grater like Nicks, much more success with short yardage downs running between Nicks and Smith, once he is inevitably moved to the left side, and last, It will create more time for Tony to find his weapons in the passing game. That my friends is why I believe Carl Nicks is the most crucial signing for our beloved Cowboys.
KJDH2154 - February 12, 2012
I hope so. He does seem a bit big though for what JG prefers though right?
I would still do backflips if Dallas signed him.
ScottB1985 - February 12, 2012
I hate to toot my own horn but I've been arguing for years
that we have a scheduling problem in December more than anything. For example, in tHe ‘08 collapse, we played Baltimore, NY, Pittsburgh, and well Philly (can’t blame the schedule for that unmentionable game though).
ScottB1985 - February 12, 2012
on the other hand, the League's interest is to have high rating matches with plenty on the line come the end of December.
that means tough NFC East rivalry matches until the division becomes what NFC West had been last year and the year before.
slowmotion80 - February 13, 2012
Gotta beat the best to be the best.
Mikellie - February 13, 2012
Not making excuses. We didn't deserve to make the playoffs
Just saying part of the reason is we have played tougher teams in December. Though I’m kinda pissed that we miss field goals in Dec against the Cardinals but make them against the Redskins and Dolphins in November lol
ScottB1985 - February 13, 2012
When does Dallas become a tougher team ?
We are never the tougher team in December. Other teams love to play us in December. It’s an automatic win.
football mensa - February 14, 2012
Although not likely a team would do this
But if the Cowboys designated Spencer as a non-exclusive franchise player, then other teams could be free to negotiate with him. The Cowboys would have the option to match any contract offers, if they don’t then the team that signs Spencer would have to surrender 2 first round picks.
This is what I remember from my sports law class, can anyone verify this?
Rohpuri - February 12, 2012 via mobile
well, that would keep Spencer with the team for sure.
be good or bad, he is not worth two first round picks for sure.
i wouldn’t even give two firsts for Ware, that’s one starter (even if an exceptional one) for the price of two starters, plus a truckload of money.
slowmotion80 - February 13, 2012
They just have to give up 2 first-round picks if they don't let
the Cowboys match their offer. Of course they will let the Cowboys match their offer.
That doesn’t mean that Spencer will be a Cowboy. It’s just one way to manage the bidding. Spencer likes it in Dallas and would probably let the Cowboys match any offer anyway.
The real question is what offers he will get and whether the Boys will want to match it. That will determine whether Spencer stays here.
boyman - February 13, 2012
If some team wants to give up 2 first round picks for Spencer
I’ll start doing cartwheels and backflips I’ll be so happy
ScottB1985 - February 13, 2012
How about a transition tag? Or is that considered a slap in the face. I think I’ve only seen kickers get this tag haha.
starmesh23 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
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