Blogging The Boys

Baked Potato Soup - February 14, 2012 reply

but if we dont sign Spencer back

dont we have to look at a pass rusher in the first ?

So much of what will happen will depend on the upcoming FA period

BigBad Joe - February 14, 2012 reply

Victor Butler

Key19 - February 14, 2012 reply

so rolling the dice on Butler and Carter

rather not

BigBad Joe - February 14, 2012 reply

I'd love to get Routt

He’s a solid CB, with penalty troubles. That can be fixed. Getting him opens the draft up even more for us, because we would have solidified our secondary and won’t be bound to a certain position in the draft.

CBs get penalties because they got beat.

CBs who get beat lack instincts (or skill behind instincts,) and look like our secondary for last five years.

COWBOYS DIE HARD SON - February 15, 2012 reply

It helps to know

That Routt was targeted more times this past season than ever before in the past, most likely due to the departure of Nnamdi, I wouldn’t expect that to be a trend that would continue on a different team but he did also give up a high in TD’s as well which alarms me. Yet somehow had one of the best completion against percentages. You should be as confused about him as I am now, thanks.

I am not much more confident in him than our current CBs, overall.

That’s all I am saying.
We have signed a LOT of mediocre FAs lately, while letting some talented players go. I am saying the trend must end. Bring in gifted players when possible.

BlueNSilverBlood - February 15, 2012 reply

Couples tops my short list for the 14th pick

Couples
Decastro
Richardson
Kirkpartick

If we draft Richardson

are we going to trade Murray? I dont get why a lot of people want Richardson..

BrickTop - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

As I understand it..

people are trading Felix in this scenario. I’d be pissed if we took Richardson. RB is the least of our worries. We shouldn’t spend pick 14 on one.

BigDumbFace - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

I agree

BrickTop - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

IMO you gotta take the best players

yes you have felix for one more year but after that you dont. if this guy is as good as a mccoy or AP how do you justify passing up on him.

starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - February 14, 2012 reply

but is he going to be able run behind a crappy o-line

i think Barry and Eric are two of the few RB’s who could and we know Trent isnt close to that.

get Routt, Get Decastro and then work from there. They could franchise Spencer and let him go for draft picks and then fill up the front 7 with maybe one brekout guy(Calais Campbell e.g.) and then a bunch of serviceable vets

why would the line be crappy

yes they will need to sign a player like Nicks or Meyers but I think they will be fine. The OL has some young up and coming talent. They just need to add a piece or two.

Franchise Spencer is a terrible idea

I also value Decastro more than Richardson. See above. Couples, Decastro, Richardson, Kirkpatrick

So if DeCastro

is there and Richardson is there you take Richardson? Really??!! BPA is a relative term. How do you justify passing up on a guard as good as Steve Hutchinson to get a RB you don’t need?

if decastro is there...

you take him. Then draft Gilmore or Minnefield round 2. That would be a great first 2 rds.

#DBoyZ - February 14, 2012 reply

You surely take

him if your choices are Richardson versus DeCastro. We’re trying to win now.

I don't value RB's that highly.

McCoy had a fantastic season. Eagles go 8-8. AP, people talk about him like he’s one of the greatest ever, the Vikings have only been good when they had a QB. MJD led the league in rushing, the Jaguars are terrible.

I wouldn’t take a RB in the top-20. I don’t care how good he is.

I agree, the days of dominating running offenses are over

It’s clearly a passing league now and will stay that way

the league goes back and forth

not anymore...passing game is here to stay

It's here until the rules change. Which they will eventually, but not in the short term.

But a RB is not only the least of our needs right now, they are not the impact player they once were.

This is where I disagree with those that say go BPA. What if a RB is the BPA in the first 3 rounds this year and next? Are you really going to bring in 6 new RBs?

The draft selection has to consider area of need. Or you have to trade to where the BPA better meets the teams needs.

staubachfan - February 15, 2012 reply

amen. I don't think there really is such a thing as a first round running back anymore

especially when you can kinda just plug guys in and go a bit. A blue chip running back does not equal a blue chip corner, D lineman, pass rushing linebacker, or receiver anymore

phoenix11 - February 14, 2012 reply

Adrian Peterson? LT? Emmitt?

I mean if the guy will get you 10K yards he’s worth a top 20 pick.

Only one of those guys ever played in a Super Bowl

Now, if you want to go back to the early 2000s, and earlier, when the NFL was a run-first league, then you can make a case for a guy like Richardson. The Cowboys traded up to get Dorsett for exactly that reason; he was the missing piece for a team already set for the Super Bowl otherwise.

You're right.

Neither of them played in a Super Bowl, I guess Tony Romo’s absolute trash and Bob Lilly wasn’t worth a damn until 1971.

If you can promise me that Richardson will get 10k yards...

I mean obviously Richardson might not that good.

But still, even in today’s NFL there’s RBs that are worth a top 10 pick. Richardson is about 12th on my list of Cowboys picks, so I don’t want him that much anyways, but I definitely think that he may be one of those RBs that’s worthy of the top ten pick. Great top end speed, great durability, and great vision.

Omar, Best RB in draft was taken #32, Ingram.

We got DeMarco Murray, who smashed AP’s OU records, in third.
IDK, a lot of good RBs taken outside of 1st round over last ten years.

Well you're making a few errors here.

The best RB in the draft LAST YEAR was taken 28th, that was Mark Ingram. That class was particularly weak, and Trent Richardson is better than his former teammate. They were splitting time, but Richardson is pretty much Ingram with breakaway speed. So just because the best guy last year was taken 28th, doesn’t mean that there isn’t a guy this year that’s twice as good.

Yes, lots of good RBs are taken later in the draft. However, in a re-draft usually those guys would go quite a bit higher. Evaluation of RB has improved tremendously in the past, guys that people would have been high on in the past yet turned out to be busts are getting sniffed out a lot earlier. I mean can you name 10 players better than AP, McCoy, or Ray Rice in their draft classes? The argument is “no to Richardson, RBs aren’t worth a top 10 pick,” in most cases I agree but Richardson is a special player and quite a bit better than most RBs. He AP/LT potential.

As far as Murray or AP? Which one would you rather have? Honestly. I’m glad they have Murray, but if I could get AP instead I’d take that offer in a heartbeat.

10K yards? WOW, I will trade up to the top 5 for that. /grin

Rena - February 14, 2012 reply

Yeah there's guys that are still worthy of top 10 picks

I can’t think of 10 better player’s in Ray Rice’s draft class than Ray Rice, same for McCoy.

What you are

saying is that you need more than a running game. The Eagles certainly didn’t go 8-8 because of McCoy and the Jags had a lot more problems than MJD. The running game is not the be all and end all for certain.But it surely helps the passing game.

Yes. I oversimplified.

Those teams had a bunch of success running the ball, though. It didn’t equate to wins the way that throwing does. We can throw. We can’t stop the throw. We can run more than enough already. We don’t need to spend a top-15 pick on a guy that might be special at RB. We already have that guy and we got him in the 3rd.

Exactly

If I could trade DeMarco Murray for Trent Richardson I'd give DeMarco a piggy back ride to his new desitnation

I need to see this kid play.

Because I have seen his name thrown around lately by a few serious fans, and we have bigger holes than RB, IMO…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5D70hJrb8o

Here's some footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abk3HgvwEeI

My preference in the first is still OL. DeCastro is my guy. I agree there’s bigger needs, and while Richardson would be 12-14 players down my list for the Cowboys’ first pick I wouldn’t let DeMarco Murray keep me from getting Trent Richardson.

Not bad,

but I’ll raise you DeMarco Murray’s college highlight.
Admittedly, I am a huge fan of this kid.

I'll pay for a Limo

Make a little bit more comfortable

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Sure.

All I’m saying is that I wouldn’t trade the 14th pick for Richardson. There will continue to be RB’s that are very good, maybe even worthy of top-10 consideration.. I just see a RB with the kind of talent that has to be taken at 14 is a luxury.

Plug Richardson into the team this past year and I bet we aren’t much better. Plug your favorite pass rusher or cover guy on this team and we’re in the playoffs.

Richardson over Choice?

Okay that’s kind of a joke, I mean I agree RB isn’t a huge need, but Richardson’s still on your list if you’re the Cowboys, maybe 15 or so spots down the list but on it none the less. I wouldn’t be thrilled with him as the pick, but on the whole I wouldn’t hate it either.

I'd drive Murray to Valley Ranch, pick up Murray, and drive him to his new team

If we traded him after getting Richardson.

Rohpuri - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

You know what I mean. Damn Iphone typo

Rohpuri - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

Everybody harps on Balance on Offense

Yet in these posts we throw that concept out the window. In the NFL it is not either a running OR a passing game, it is competence in both.
NE shows us every year that defense can be schemed to take away one or the other, but Never both…. so a good back can be a difference maker with a bad line…or a serviceable back with a good line… but both passing and running must be a force to progress into the post season (unless you have the 85 Bears or the Bucs or Raven’s defense overbalancing the other side of the equation).

LiveNDieBlue - February 14, 2012 reply

Taking OL at #14 addresses both the running & passing games

No way I take Richardson over DeCastro

Exactly.

BWAREofDWARE94 - February 14, 2012 reply

Pipe dream at 14

He is not going to be there.

TARHEEL PAUL - February 14, 2012 reply

Coples

Lazy….would hate it if we drafted him…..I am a Tar Heel through and through….he drove me nuts this last year taking plays off….pass on QC

If Kirkpatrick was there @ 14, I'd take him, personally. He prob won't be, though.

If he is there at 14 then take him. But I don’t think he will be. So choose BPA. Sign routte if it’s contract friendly. Good $ and terms 3 yr deal. Need FA center a must. I still think we should trade Felix for a 2 nd rounder. We can pick up Trent Richardson or trade up for him. He is durable. IMHO.

We can't get a 2nd for Felix

The RB position has declined greatly in value and any team willing to give up a 2nd for Felix when they can get the same (if not better production) in later rounds and even UDFA would be cheating themselves. Not a knock on Felix because I think he’s a good back, especially in our offense, but I don’t see it even remotely possible. That said if a team were to offer a 2nd I’d take it and laugh at them for the foreseeable future.

Bermystar - February 14, 2012 reply

smokin the good stuff?

Anybody who thinks we can get a second round pick for Felix is clearly higher than a kite. The rest of the league has seen him play enough to know what kind of a back that is. Complementary at best all you gotta do is snag a shoelace and he goes down.

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

All Felix is worth is a 5th rd pick at best

I wish

If a second round pick was the smallest possibility you’d have to take that deal and throw a party. I just don’t even see that as realistic. Would be nice tho.

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Jerry should have taken that 2nd rd pick the bengals were offering for Bennett

That would have been bad.

The Bengals would have taken Dez Bryant with the pick and not Gresham

Trueblue122 - February 14, 2012 reply

No, we would have gotten the pick. They would have gotten Bennett.

fs65 - February 14, 2012 reply

They offered a 2nd not a 1st

Trueblue122 - February 15, 2012 reply

2nd round picks had nothing to do with Dez; ours or a potential one from Cincy.

The Patriots get the Cowboys’ 27th overall pick and a third-round pick (90th overall).
The Cowboys get the first-rounder (24th) and a fourth-rounder (119th overall).

fs65 - February 15, 2012 reply

That last bit is completely unwarranted

Hes a lot more powerful and better at breaking tackles than a lot of people give him credit for.

mahuebel - February 14, 2012 reply

+1

The stats show is he very good at breaking tackles and getting yards after contact.

Dream on

His 5.1 YPC career avg shows he's better than he's being given credit for here

with a small sample size. He is injury prone and can't sustain the carries over 2-3 games without getting hurt

You call 458 carries a small sample size?

He’s missed 6 games in the past three seasons.

Yes compared to his peers it is.

Hes had 2 seasons of carries in 4 years. And just because he dressed for a game didn’t make him healthy to play in it. He is always hurt!

Felix is a situation guy and that is what he will always be. Add on top of that he is never healthy and you got yourself a first round bust. Trade him, let him walk, or pay in a small contract and only give him 10 touches a game.

Yes, he's a complimentary back. He's also one of the best in the NFL in that role.

Over the past three seasons he’s averaged just over 142 carries per (without compensating for the 6 games he missed). Only 32 RBs had more carries last season. Based on how many teams use a RB by committee approach, not every team has a RB with as many carries as Felix over the past three years.

Felix was #37 in carries in 2011, even after missing 4 games. Of the 36 RBs that had a greater workload, only 14 of them were more efficient doing it. That’s not bad for a complimentary, injury prone RB.

thats all I was saying

He’s average at best, i don’t know what running back these guys were watching when they saw a hard to tackle #1 type running back. Must have been Murray. Cause since We drafted Felix Jones all I’ve seen is a running back with bad feet and one go to move- turn upfield and run. He was barely the second best back Arkansas. C’mon?!

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

That's not bad

He was barely the second best back Arkansas. C’mon?!

Considering the #1 RB was a two-time All American, two-time runner up for the Heisman and only the 2nd player in NCAA history to win the Doak Walker Award (best college RB) twice, not to mention the #3 RB on that team was Peyton Hillis.

hated that pick

I haven’t been able to wrap my arms around that pick since we took him. I just always figured i was missing something but after watching him play for the last couple years I know why

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

As for Dre K

I’m onboard and have been for sometime now. If we can’t land him and Jenkins isn’t on our board the depth at the position in rounds 2 and 3 give us the flexibility to go BPA and address the trenches (on either side) or OLB. I think we are in a good position this draft to greatly improve our team.

Bermystar - February 14, 2012 reply

Jenkins...

Meh…not high on him whatsoever… anyone feel the same?

Boyzfan94 - February 14, 2012 reply

I like Jenkins

You always have to like the guy that coaches feel will do best on the other teams Primary WR. A couple years ago, he followed both AJ Green and Julio Jones around the field in man coverage during the entire games in college. He gave up a few passes but I don’t believe he allowed TDs to either guy.

While he isn’t the biggest guy (5’9"), he can definitely cover a Victor Cruz in the slot, DeSean Jackson all over the field and bottle up Santana Moss (or whoever they make their #1 guy). Draft guys to win your division and worry about the other things later.

thegloryyears - February 14, 2012 reply

I wouldn't take Jenkins

his size alone is concerning, Giants WRs would eat him alive.

All this about height is crazy ain’t to many 6’1 6’2 CB in the world!!!

Coop1228 - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

You're missing a lot if you just looking at the 5'9

I don’t know his other measurables, we all will after the combine. If the kid measures out 5’9, but with ungodly long arms, a vert above 37", does 15+reps on the bench, has a 10 ft broad jump, a crazy 3-cone time, runs a 4.3 40, and shows good agility in drills. who will give a damn if he’s 5’9?

And he might not be very far off those numbers.

Ceasaleo - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

he did well against julio and a.j.

starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - February 14, 2012 reply

You can't say that in a vacuum. Julio and AJ's quarterbacks were not NFL starter caliber and could not throw into tight windows.

fs65 - February 14, 2012 reply

WR's are bigger all over

Corners are not, how many tall guys you know can cut and rotate their hips and have an quick explosive broad jump most solid corners do?

I believe Darrelle Revis is barely 6 feet correct? yet he still has the quickness, explosiveness, and strength to bother guys like Fitz, Dre, Marshall, Boldin, Vincent Jackson, etc

Revis is 5-11 actually

see here:

Height: 5114
Weight: 204
40 Yrd Dash: 4.38
20 Yrd Dash: 2.49
10 Yrd Dash: 1.46
225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump: 38
Broad Jump: 10’5"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.08
3-Cone Drill: 6.56

I am Ironman!!! - February 15, 2012 reply

How high can he jump?

Im not high, but he might.

One thing in regards to the off field issues

People are forgetting that Garrett and Saban are really close. If Saban says to Garrett that what happened was out of character for Dre that would probably go a long way to the Cowboys drafting him if he was still available at 14.

aubatron2011 - February 14, 2012 reply

Good Point

Bermystar - February 14, 2012 reply

Trade back

1. Re-sign Spencer
2. Sign a 2nd Tier G in FA
3. If DeCastro is available at 14, take him. If not, trade back to pick up an additional 3rd.
4. Select Janoris Jenkins.
5. Use the extra 3rd to move into position to draft Mark Barron.

thegloryyears - February 14, 2012 reply

That would be great if it happened

Mark Barron is going to be a steal for who ever drafts him

djthumpl - February 14, 2012 reply

How do those trades work out on the draft-value chart?

Post combine things will be clearer

Dre has great size, but I keep thinking his 40 time is going to make people say “uh oh.”

If he has a great 40, chances are he won’t be there at 14.

Cowtoys - February 14, 2012 reply

if he's above 4.5 that's fantastic

4.5 and I’d still see him as a good value, at his size he can be a bit slower playing zones

I am Ironman!!! - February 15, 2012 reply

Cone drill is just as important for a cb and typically a tougher task for taller CB's

Dynamicduo - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

actually 3-cone is more important for pass rushers

breaking it down:

40 time- top end speed
10/20 yard splits- acceleration to top end
broad/vertical-“burst”
20yard shuttle- short area quickness
3-cone drill- agility around the “edges”

What makes Revis so good is his combination of good shuttle time(4.08) plus his 40 time(4.38). that combined with his size/strength(5-11,208 with a 16 225 rep) means that he can play press coverage on the outside(the size/strength) yet even if he is beat has the speed(that 4.38 40) and agilty(the 4.08 SS time) to Change direction and still mirror a WR. Combine that with his 38 inch vertical, and Revis can fight for virtually any ball that a QB can throw to a WR….

Now if you are looking at a pass rusher, you want to focus on the 3-cone time more, especially for a DE/OLB

what makes Ware so dangerous is his combination of SS time/3-cone time and his size/strength

at 250 lbs Ware put up a 4.07 SS time, a 3-cone of 6.85, and a vertical of 38.5 in

what that means is that Ware can do several things as a Pass rusher. He can “explode of the line”(38+" vert) then he can turn the corner(6.85 3-cone) or if the OT blocks him there, can stop and go inside of him(the 4.08 SS time) it also factors into the run game.

Ideally if you are looking at Jenkins you are wanting to see this:
a sub 4.4 Forty
a SS time of no greater than 4.1
a vertical of 40+ (to counter his 5-9 height)
and at least 12-15 reps on the 225 bar

then you want to see him replicate those at a pro day, as confimation

if he puts up those numbers, at both the combine and pro day, then the debate becomes simply about his “Character” as he will have shown the measurables to play the CB position….

This isn't going to happen......

they should pick a lineman of either side.

Trading down might make sense as well. The Cowboys need numbers.

Cwon1 - February 14, 2012 reply

Kirkpatrick Would be Fine at 14

But, with the CB position being so deep, we can get a really good CB at 45. Makes me wonder if its more beneficial to go after DeCastro at 14 and a guy like Minnefield/Johnson at 45.

inwittenitrust - February 14, 2012 reply

if Kirk' is there

If he falls to us at #14 I think the fit is too good to pass up. Been watching Wisconsin film and if the rumors hold any water, Konz is that Alex Mack/Pouncey bro’s type Center that could anchor that spot for us for the next ten+ years. And is projected late first to early second round as of now.

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

what about 2 free agent cb signings?

say they can sign routt and someone like porter/carr from KC. if that was the case then the DE position and oline can consume the two first picks. as the article says cb runs deep in this draft class, and it could be addressed in the 3rd or 4th, as well as the saftey position.

rockkicker - February 14, 2012 reply

Porter really lost some money when the Saints lost in SF

Porter lost money

because he sucks.

yeah i dont like the guy either. he would be a bad signing

Where

is Clairborne mocked to go? Top 5? Top 10? How much would it take to trade up for the guy? Just curious.

Dub_TC - February 14, 2012 reply

Claiborne #5 to Tampa Bay

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

wouldn't surprise me..

to see Claiborne go as early as 3 to Minnesota, considering they have to deal with The Pack and Megatron twice a year.

NikkiM - February 14, 2012 reply

I think the conversation woul start with

the 14th pick, the 45th pick and next year’s 1st.

wow

he’s that good? Bring on Kirkpatrick!

Dub_TC - February 14, 2012 reply

Im just speculating what it would take to move from the 14th pick to say the 4th or 5th pick

I rather just stay put and let the draft come to us.

too much to ask

He’s clearly the best back in the draft and I think will be for a long time in the league. But our list of needs has running back at the bottom

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Wait I thought we were talking about Claiborne the CB?

oops

Well that kinda works the same way tho. That’s just too much to give in order to move up for one player.

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

If we can get a 3 Rd for Felix I would do it. But 4th or 5 th I’d rather keep him. For center I like jones from Georgia or Brewster from Ohio st in the 2 nd and 3 Rd respectively.

I would jump at a third round pick for Felix,

but this isn’t likely to happen. This is Jones last year in his contract. Why would a team give up a 3rd round pick to get a guy that they could sign as a FA next year, and would have to resign in a year if they made the trade this year? Especially considering you can get good RB in the 3rd.

Grimlock83 - February 14, 2012 reply

I don’t think Claiborne is worth it. We r not one player away. Maybe next year or yr after do that for a dynamic player.

kirskpatrick is going to be just an slightly above average corner not worthy of a top 15 pick

price is too high

It’s gonna take too much to trade up for him. Doesn’t make sense.

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

I agree, I don't think he has the foot speed to be a great cb. Jenkins has much better upside

Dynamicduo - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

Like decastro or trade back for Barron or still.

We really need to hit incubus draft badly. The 2009 draft killed us

Sorry iPhone. In this draft.

There will be plenty of choices at #14

What we do in FA will help determine our draft board. BPA is the way to go. Our needs are many, so get the guy rated the best on the board. I believe that if he’s there either DeCastro or Coples are the best we can hope to be available at #14. There certainly are others that would make me smile, Ingram, Jenkins, Dre, Upshaw, Perry. We should land someone who will start for us.

pfloyd1 - February 14, 2012 reply

+ FA

Yep, def a wait and see because everything we “know” today is likely to change based on the FA signing period

BigBad Joe - February 14, 2012 reply

Looks like they might need to trade up for DeCastro

Arizona took Peterson last year, so unless one of the tackles fall to them I see them taking DeCastro, maybe Ingram or Upshaw if they have a good combine. Is he worth losing a 4th and a 5th to get instead of Kirkpatrick or Jenkins? I dunno, right now I’m leaning towards yes.

Absolutely not.

Why do that instead of paying talent like Nicks or even Grubbs? DeCastro is not a QB. I’m for signing Nicks first and going from there.

Depends on how much Nicks costs, how much other players cost, etc. etc.

Grubs I’m not as interested in, he’s definitely good and above average but I don’t feel that he’s good enough to justify a high pick.

I'd rather take DeCastro than have Grubbs

Rohpuri - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

Yeah

Too much money for Grubbs and in three years I’m pretty sure DeCastro leaves Grubbs in the dust.

every guard in the league will be eatin this kid's dust

The way DeCastro pushed players around in the PAC-12 last year was impressive. I ended up just watching him every snap during games, I could care less who Andrew Luck was by the end of the game. He had enough time to wright a novel the that Stanford pocket.

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Yeah I'd be willing to trade up for DeCastro.

Definitely willing to jump the Cards for him.

no doubt about it

He’s that guy we want up front

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Paying Nicks $9M per is a steep opportunity cost that will severely limit filling the many other needs in FA

C (which was a far weaker link than OG), CB (possibly more than 1), ILB, backup QB, S, not to mention Spencer, Laurent Robinson, Fiametta, McBriar, etc.

And Grubbs graded out about as well as Holland last season.

Think about it

this way Jahri Evans signed a 7 year 56.7 mil deal in 2010. His cap hits for 2011 and 2012 will be 4.7 mil each. Would you sign Nicks if his cap hit is 5 mil a year for let’s say the next 2 years? Because, that is very doable.

Not if it meant leaving one of the other needs listed unaddressed

Besides that, I prefer to avoid the Danny Snyderbrenner style contracts that defers the balance of guaranteed $ indefinitely, increasing the likelihood of finding the team in cap hell with each passing year further into the deal.

Based on the first two years of that Jahri Evans deal, the Saints will be forced to cut him, commit a disproportionate amount of cap space to him toward the end of that deal or re-negotiate/extend his deal.

Nine times outta ten when you’re forced to re-negotiate/extend a contract that’s become too cumbersome it means you’ve overpaid. Not only will he be getting more/new guaranteed $, but that will be in addition to the guaranteed $ he’s already pocketed that was deferred. It may not have shown up on his 2011 and 2012 cap figures, but you can bet it will be coming out of future years caps.

Accounting tricks in a hard cap environment is nothing more than a game of musical chairs. You can play the game for awhile, but eventually it catches up with you and the music stops. The Danny Snyderbrenner model of cap management is a textbook example of how not to run an NFL franchise.

Steinbrenner won seven championships under his rule of the Yankees

Snyder’s won zero, don’t lump them together. You’re better than that.

Steinbrenner also plays in a league without a spending limit

Danny Snyderbrenner = Redskins owner Daniel Snyder who has attempted to emulate Steinbrenner’s model in a hard capped league and found himself in the midst of cap hell on numerous occasions as a result. That was the point of my rant above.

Baseball contracts

are guranteed. NFL contracts are not. It’s not deep.

Excuse me

but where is the word “guranteed” stated in the Jahri Evans deal that was outlined? There is no gurantee in the Evans deal. NFL contracts are not guranteed unless agreed to by the parties. The Saints could cut Evans tomorrow and all they would have to worry about is the pro rated signing bonus cap hit. This is the Terrell Owens argument with the Eagles. I see his point.

What you failed to mention is that Jahri Evans deal cost the Saints $9.6M

against the cap the year he was signed, not $4.7M. That’s half the ’Boys available cap space. Considering that deal was signed two years ago and Nicks is considered the superior player, how much more do you think he will command? Does that still sound appealing?

The pro rated signing bonus (+ guaranteed roster bonuses & salary in some cases) is what I was talking about. If the Saints cut Jahri Evans tomorrow they would have a $7.2M hole in their salary cap and nothing to show for it. These are the same types of deals Daniel Snyder was so fond of signing. How’d that work out for him?

dacolan - February 15, 2012 reply

Actually,

the Jahri Evans deal cost the Saints $8.714 mil in 2010 which was an uncapped year and 2012 is not uncapped. Therefore, the Cowboys obviously would not construct the deal in the same way. Evans’ salary for 2012 is $3 mil with a signing bonus of $1.714 mil. If he were cut tomorrow, only his prorated signing bonus would go against the cap since signing bonuses are paid up front. His salary would not go against the cap because he would be cut and he has no gurantee. He is due to make 7 mil+ in 2013. Here is the link. http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-orleans-saints/jahri-evans/

jevans1729 - February 15, 2012 reply

Let's bring this back to the original point

Earlier in this thread you asked, “Would you sign Nicks if his cap hit is 5 mil a year for let’s say the next 2 years? Because, that is very doable.”

Any market value contract you sign Nicks to that is structured to only cost $5M for the next two years will blow up the cap starting in year three. What’s the point of signing a 27-year-old All Pro guard with $20M guaranteed (Jahri Evans had $19M guaranteed) if you have to tear up the contract two years later?

My point being you’re not signing Nicks with such a low cap hit without regretting it later, and committing any more than that sacrifices the team’s ability to address numerous other holes.

dacolan - February 15, 2012 reply

Pretty much the most reasoned take here.

why make things difficult

Grab routt because he’s an instant up grade either way, then they need to draft coples, and resigned Spencer, get soliai for NT so ratliff and coples can play DE, go for barron followed by a corner, more offensive line, then make sure you get nicks as a FA

jaykub24 - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

I would love Soilai for NT.

Kirkpatrick at 14 is $$ well spent.

We absolutely need to shore up the DB’s. Kirkpatrick is tall, fast and has been well tested in the SEC. I see him as a very good long term investment.

eightball - February 14, 2012 reply

so it routt…….and penelties can be taught away ask mike jenkins

jaykub24 - February 14, 2012 reply

The penalties and dirty style of play may cover up some cover deficiencies

That’s my biggest concern.

Mighty Blue Star - February 14, 2012 reply

i thinkits worth the risk im mean something happened when you go from the year he had before to about the same year if not a lil better just filled with penelties………….

jaykub24 - February 14, 2012 reply

Say No To Potheads

Potheads ain’t RKG.

Boversimplification

starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - February 14, 2012 reply

Randy Moss?

shoot you right, now way Dallas could work with him from 98-2008. such an RKG and that pothead label will stick with him forever and ruin his career

really?

Ya cause historically coke heads have worked out better for us. C’mon people? That RKG bull$#!+ needs to go, We need to get the best players we can get.

P.N.Westernboysfan - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app reply

MICHAEL IRVIN!!!

Kill the potheads aren’t RKG crap!

Mike was off that white girl, and still ballin.

Ceasaleo - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

Yeah, right I am not advocating illegal drug use but,

Thomas Jefferson and George Washington both grew and smoked pot. Are you saying that they are not RKG’s? Just asking. And yes this is provable fact.

I'd actually be shocked if Garrett selects Kirkpatrick

Doesn’t seem to be his RKG…our pick at 14 will be clean and safe like Smith was last year.

As I said above Garrett's close to Saban.

If Saban says he is an RKG, Garrett would probably select Kirkpatrick he was available at 14.

aubatron2011 - February 14, 2012 reply

I think Garrett will ultimately pass that judgement

He would but having a close friend who he trusts a lot.

Might help him make the decision. If Saban raves about Kirkpatrick to Garrett, and says the pot charges were out of character for him, and says “Jason, if he’s available when you pick and you don’t choose him because of a mistake, that’s a mistake on your part.” It might be a moot point because Dre might not be available.

aubatron2011 - February 14, 2012 reply

Kirpatrick

is guilty of nothing per the D.A. which is why the charges were dropped. Get over it.

ProBowlFactory - February 15, 2012 reply

I expect he wasn't even in possession

I bet he was hanging out with some friends and they happened to have some pot on them and might not have known or did but wasn’t partaking in such actions. However the media will spin it to sell, just like they did when Tom Brady said “hopefully we’ll be in a parade in boston next week” and spun it into saying Brady was guaranteeing a championship. Yes, media does this all of the time…

I doubt NFL teams care if he is convicted or not really. What they care about is the facts.

And the point that he put himself in that position in the first place.
Just saying the charges were dropped doesn’t mean that they say oh, ok, and erase that off of their notes and ignore it like it never happened.

Rena - February 15, 2012 reply

Well that loses him points in my book.

it's funny how hard the NFL is on pot

but hands out painkillers like they’re vitamins. The morality of the pot is not in play its the stupidity of the timing. However all charges vs Kirkpatrick were dropped

i agree

AustonianAggie,

I could not have said it any better! You are right on the $

Kirkpatrick is the right kind of guy

if he can cover Hakeem Nicks.

Johnny Cage - February 14, 2012 reply

Jenkins would be better at man coverage.

pfloyd1 - February 14, 2012 reply

+1

I hope he can also cover Jackson and Maclin

eightball - February 14, 2012 reply

he's big enough to jam those guys hard

that’s the plan anyway

i don't lie kirkpatrick but yes, he would jam desean easy

desean dissapear when he plays physical corners

LOL

But I think you mean Victor Cruz

Yeah, him, too.

Mine was an attempt to be short & pithy, but this venue doesn’t allow it. =)

Johnny Cage - February 15, 2012 reply

The Cowboys want a taller guy outside at CB

Their current FA target: Stanford Rout 6’1 195 and their target last year of Patrick Peterson 6’0 220 should give us an indication of what they are looking for. Routt ran a 4.27 forty, and Peterson ran a 4.38

The Cowboys ideally want a tall CB who can run between around a 4.3-4.4 forty. Someone who can keep up with Nicks, Cruz, Jackson, Maclin (inside the NFC East), as well as keep up with Torrey Smith, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, and AJ Green (AFC North WRs they’ll see this year), and also bother them in coverage.

I don’t see Janoris Jenkins as being their guy unless both his speed numbers and vertical numbers are better than Dre Kirkpatrick’s.

Some other guys to look out for:

Stephon Gillmore 6’1 193; Chase Minnifield 6’0 185; Trumaine Johnson 6’2 204; Josh Norman 6’0 203, and Cliff Harris 5’11 168

Rohpuri - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

With regards to Patrick Peterson

it should say “one of their draft targets last year.”

Rohpuri - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

The height

thing is way overblown. Recovery speed is more important. Height is important in the red zone but not really that important everywhere else. Janoris Jenkins has already proven he can cover A.J. Greene and Julio Jones. Had it not been for his arrests, he would be the top cover corner in the draft. As far as the NFC East is concerned, other than Nicks, Cruz, Jackson, and Maclin are not that tall.

The Cowboys need the best cover guy they can get regardless of size. Scandrick is no world beater in the slot. If the Cowboys are that concerned about size, they should target someone like George Iloka in the 2nd round at free safety. That solves a lot of problems. BTW, J. Jenkins will run sub 4.4 at the combine.

One.Cool.Customer - February 15, 2012 reply

NFC East WRs Cowboys will face next season

Giants (2 games)
Hakeem Nicks- 6’1 208
Victor Cruz-6’0 205
Mario Manningham*-6’0 185

Eagles (2 Games)
Jeremy Maclin-6’0 198
DeSean Jackson*-5’10 175
Jason Avant-6’0 212

Redskins (2 Games)
Santana Moss-5’10 205
Anthony Armstrong-5’11 182
Leonard Hankerson-6’2 209

I only count 3 smurfs.

Rohpuri - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

Interesting list

Here’s who those teams’ defenses will face:

6’2 Miles Austin
6’2 Dez Bryant
6’2 Laurent Robinson (If the Cowboys do the right thing)

and possibly also:
6’3 Raymond Radway
6’3 Teddy Williams
6’5 Andre Holmes

that is a scary line up

if the Cowboys can upgrade the line….hint hint

I am Ironman!!! - February 15, 2012 reply

cliff harris?

that fella is light as a feather

I think he'll be a nice option to have vs DeSean Jackson

Rohpuri - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

but what about the other NFL receivers

besides it has been cheked you just need to play a lot of press to frustrate desean, a tall heavy corner could do that, or janoris, or boykin, cliff harris is like my weight and i’m thin

Last year

They also targeted Nnamdi in free agency. He’s 6’2 210

Rohpuri - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

OL question ??

Are we giving up on the young O-linemen from last year? Coming out of camp both Garret and Jerrah said that Costa was showing great promise. I think one of them said he was having the best camp of any lineman. I thought Kolwalski played well in spot duty. Also, both Nagy and Arkin reportedly showed some promise in camp and early in the season. All of this was done with a limited off-season.

Signing Nicks and/or drafting Decastro seems like an admission that we whiffed on another handful of o-lineman.

Can we build a credible o-line with what we have and give Rob some defense help?

eightball - February 14, 2012 reply

How so?

Siging Nicks or DeCastro still leaves a need at 2 OL positions.

I like the idea of signing Myers and DeCastro that allows someone to be groomed into the C spot in 2-3 years and we still need another G to step up.

Exactly

By drafting DeCastro you’re not giving up on Akrin or Nagy, you are however coming to the (correct) realization that it’s highly unlikely that both players end up being starting caliber, let alone the level of production that DeCastro can provide. If One of Nagkrin can start and the other backs up I’d say that’s a dream come true scenario.

Did you watch any of the Cowboys games last season?

Center was horrible! But then, none of the guys you mentioned, except for Costa and Kowalski, play center. DeCastro, however, could be a day-one starter and year-two Pro Bowler at guard, letting the others fight it out for the other guard spot.

That isn’t giving up on the other young guys; it is being realistic by saying that DeCastro is far-and-away better than any of them. Give the others another year or two and one of them may start at the other spot.

Costa probably played his way out of a job with the Cowboys.

arkind didn't see the field

how can you say he showed promise, bill nagy by the way could be something if he gets stronger, phil costa has the same problem but i already don’t like him, he’s a waste of time

Ratware, I agree on both points

Nagy showed me tons of heart and a good amount of potential. A real offseason weight program with Woichek I think will turn him into a good, solid lineman for us. And I too am sick of hearing about Costa. Let him go develop whatever potential he has somewhere else. JMHO, but I’m with you.

nice dude

we agree on both points
costa was throwed in a year early, gurode should have been released this year i said that since the beginning, now i’m mad at costa he ashamed us, bill nagy is the replacement of kosier

Isn't Kirkpatrick more of a zone guy?

Usually the problem with taller defensive backs is that they are a bit stiff in the hips and/or get awfully leggy in and out of breaks. I’ve heard Kirkpatrick is pretty loose, but I’ve also heard that he’s probably best fit for the zone. Considering the Cowboys don’t run zone, wouldn’t Kirkpatrick be a bad fit here? Can anyone clarify for me?

Scientia - February 14, 2012 reply

NFL Draft Scout believes he's better suited for off-coverage

Rohpuri - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

i remember reading he sucks in off coverage

i might be wrong

DRAFT DAY

Call me crazy but Dallas needs picks in this draft more then what they have. Here we go sign OG Nicks or Grubbs and make a run at N.Hardwick from SD. That takes care of the line. This would be the starting line up for OL- LT Smith, LG Kosier,Arkin or Nagy, C Hardwick RG Nicks,Grubbs, RT Free. On the defense I wouldn’t give Spencer 8mil a yr to a player who takes plays off and admits it. Go after M.Williams and pay him. Him and Ware would put lots of pressure on the QB which should help the D. I would sign Routt and get rid of TN. Maybe Dallas signs Moss to a 1yr deal with incentives and trade DEZ or MILES for draft picks. With the 14th pick trade down or out of 1st round for more picks in 2nd or 3rd round. I’m crazy what can i say so would you if you lived in NJ and the Giants just won the SB.

COWBOYSFAN-NJ - February 14, 2012 reply

Lmao I guess u have forgotten about the sallery cap and all the other players we need to sign to fill a full team. The moves you've talked about take up nearly all of our free money and fill 1/3 the needs

Dynamicduo - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

I live in

NJ too and I’m trying to find some of the stuff you are smoking. :-) :-)

I don't think either WR is worth much in a trade

this is the worst time of year to trade players.

I’d love Hardwick but I doubt Dallas can sign both Nicks and Mario; that would be most people #1 and #2 FA.. On top of that we need CBs. I’d sign Routt or one of the other CBs — there’s a couple good ones; I’d also sign Hardwick because Dallas needs a center even more than a guard.

Randy Moss isn’t going to offer much, so I don’t find him useful. I’d look at other Guards because I think Nicks + a quality CB and a C is too expensive

Not to mention they can pick up one of the other top WR's that are a FA and not lose the draft picks.

Rena - February 14, 2012 reply

I can see the losers of the WR sweepstakes looking to trade for someone.

We should privately

be looking to shop Miles Austin for draft pick(s)

Rohpuri - February 14, 2012 via mobile reply

Rohpuri, No disrespect, but why would that be a good idea?

I do not think we could actualy get much for him at this time of year, and then you would be taking one of our team strengths and making it much weaker. JMHO

Archie Barberio - February 14, 2012 reply

if Kirkpatrick is there at 14

I would be thrilled and we would finally have a franchise type CB

Btw guys

I did a 6 round Dallas Cowboys mock draft using Mocking The Draft’s 6 Rounder from Monday as my template. It followed the similar format to what O.C.C. did yesterday. Please comment and rec if you like it.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012/2/14/2797074/rohpuris-spin-on-mtds-latest-mock-draft-cowboys-edition

Rohpuri - February 14, 2012 reply

Personally, I think Kirkpatrick would be a good fit..

If he can hit like he does in his highlights package. That’s what we need. We need to give the other receivers a reason to worry against us. Receivers aren’t scared to hang themselves out there for a spectacular catch because we don’t have anyone back there that puts the fear into them. We need a hard hitting corner and hard hitting safety and then turn it into a game of how many hard hits and tackles we can get. Or who can get the best one. I have a feeling that Bruce Carter will be our hard hitting linebacker and may lay a few people out this year but it needs to get contagious on the team so we can get our swagger back.

Frankster_1 - February 15, 2012 via mobile reply

Frankster I would luv to see some players on

this team clean an opposing wr’s clock but w/ the rules of today n the way goodell has softened up the game I think the days of hard hitting players like Lott, L.T, killer Ray in his prime, Roy etc are pretty much done.

Not necessarily (although i do agree about Goodell's plan and effect)

I’m not a fan of the cheapshots or leading with your helmet, but if you hit someone even if it’s just once (and i know it may be called hitting a defenseless player) but if you do it just once, then the receivers won’t be so aggressive. that hit will always be in the back of their mind. I saw Bruce Carter hurt a couple players when he was on special teams. none of his hits were illegal or even borderline, but they were effective. That’s when i knew we had a player.

The Giants seemed to lose their concentration (for a moment) when the Patriots started hitting them hard (Chung and i don’t remember the other one). i thought that was going to turn the Super Bowl in the favor of the Patriots, but they didn’t keep it up though.

The Steelers and Ravens have a reputation for hitting hard all the time. Their defenses are ranked in the top 10 every year. We need to get aggressive. I like Ware a lot but sometimes i see him hug the player and protect him on the way down. I like his sportsmanship, but if i was a quarterback and i knew that Ware was not out to hurt me, i would not be so scared and would stand in the pocket just a split second longer. Those split seconds are what gave their receivers time to get open. I don’t think we should change the way we play for the league. If they win, i’m sure Jerry will pick up the fine tab. It may not happen, but i would like to see it.

Frankster_1 - February 15, 2012 reply

U are so right in regards to the ravens/steelers

that’s the type of D i want, preferably the ravens.. Now I’m not sure on the stats or anything but would u know where pitt/bal rank as far as penalties go or do the refs let more stuff slide do to them having built a certain reputation? I’d forgotten that the gnats players were dropping like flies i was impressed by how hard the pats d was hitting.. Bruce Carter was impressive on special teams but who did he hurt in the process? If u can’t remember its all good i’ll take ur word for it n in that case Bruce needs to be starting asap.

As far as leading w/ the helmet goes eh there’s a reason why players wear em, i don’t have a problem w/ that personally, football is a physical game if it was meant to be finesse everybody would play.. The only thing I agree w/ is treating concussions more seriously but other than that goodell can kick rocks for all I care, he hasn’t done much to improve the game imo… U made a valid point on d-ware that’s the only thing I can honestly knock the guy for, he’s not as physical as he could potentially be.. Now this team can probably do w/out Suh’s like dirty play but they absolutely need some mean n nastiness I want teams to fear for that side of the ball.

i don't know the penalty stats, but it seems if you have a reputation for being nasty...

you’ll get penalized more easily (like Harrison of the Steelers). Like i said though, i don’t want to be a dirty team, just a hard hitting feared team.

The game i think Bruce Carter put a smackdown on the guy was against Philly. It was a punt towards the end of the first half. Jeremy Maclin was returning it. When i saw it the live, it looked nasty and i think Maclin stayed down for a while. But they went to commercial and didn’t replay it. I’ve tried looking for the video, but was unable to find it. But if you have that first game against Philly, you should be able to see it.

Frankster_1 - February 15, 2012 reply

Agreed

Like i said though, i don’t want to be a dirty team, just a hard hitting feared team.

If Bruce knocked someone out against philly I probably forgot about anything positive that happened cause the way our boys came out flat was just f’n inexcusable, I went to bed very very angry that nite.. All losses suck but not even showing up against ur div rival 2x along w/ that new years game just gets under my skin.

I know what u mean.

Let’s hope this upcoming year we have a winning season and we go 6-0 in the division.

Frankster_1 - February 15, 2012 reply

I could live w/ those results every season lol

if there’s a playoff birth in there i’d call that pretty successful.