Blogging The Boys

Agrree with you rabble,

great work OCC .
strengthen the interior OL , keep Romo upright .we score more points.
Ryan wants DB’s ?, then give hime some !!. FA and draft.

+ ENIAC

dunkman - February 18, 2012 reply

I believe Jerry is usually telling the truth

The only issue is that these days he’s only 1 voice of 3 instead of the Cowboys God. We don’t hear as much from the other 2 major voices, Garrett and Stephen.

But I do believe that Jerry loves the spotlight and 90% of the time is telling the truth of what he believes.

As I’ve pointed out before the Cowboys are bad liars. Everyone saw the Tyron Smith and Dez Bryant picks coming a mile away. When they speak about players they don’t lie, they tell the truth.

sounds like CB is major priority in this years draft.

the more i read around the web it sounds like Dallas will address the Center position in FA & there faith in a couple Guards is already in house. Spencers comments sounded like he wants a long term deal closer to the $8 million tag but he wouldn’t complain about the franchise tag if Dallas took that route. the only way i see Spencer back in a Cowboys uniform is with the tag bc someone always over pays & he can play in either 3-4 or 4-3. Butler could be the back up plan but i wouldn’t be shocked if they drafted another OLB in the 2nd-3rd rounds.

I read the tea leaves much the way you do, DCN

Agree 100% OCC !!! Rec'd.

Made a comment in an earlier post that mirrors your write-up. I think we will re-sign our FAs- Spencer,Fia,Robinson,Holland,Elam,and possibly MB,then get some vets to fill gaps. Possibly a Lowery or Routt at DB,Morrison or Davis at ILB,and a center(Meyers???). #2-3 QB is still up in the air for me and I think Jones did a pretty good job punting.The right FA signings and we can go BPA in the draft again.Few more years of that and we will be the team everybody says"the only way to win SBs is to do what Dallas does".If Romo can be protected and the back of the defense holds up better,next year could finally be our long overdue #6 bling!!! That would put a huge smile on my face. JMHO.

NVCowboy4Life - February 19, 2012 reply

reading that just made my stomach feel like garbage

sounds like jerry still thinks this is a super bowl caliber team and that all you have to do is coach up the talent you have

hey jerry, denial is not just a river in egypt .. god i’ve never seen a bigger loser when it comes to being a gm in professional sports .. jerry is the absolute worst and it’s not even close

sounds like another horrible season for the cowboys and their fans .. jerry just simply doesn’t care about improving this roster

so i guess all we have to look forward to is another lack luster FA period and another draft of reaches and head scratches

this team could go 3-13 and jerry and stephen would just sit around and make excuses and than fire garrett and ryan and claim that new coaches will fix everything

what will it take for the fans to understand the cowboys have one huge hole to fill and that’s at GM and we all know that’s never going to happen

just get used to being a mediocre, laughing stock in your division, conference and league

you say Jerry is the biggest loser GM ever?,

you heard of Matt Millen?.

sure have

but the lions did the right thing and got rid of him and now their team is going in the right direction and breezing right by the cowboys

jerry knows he’s a horrible GM .. he just doesn’t care enough about winning to do anything about it

at least detroit finally admitted it’s mistake and corrected it .. something you never see from jerry and company at valley ranch

don’t you think there’s a logical reason why the cowboys are 120 – 120 over the last 15 yrs with all of 1 playoff win or is that just a coincidence for you

Jerry is the " owner " and GM ,he won't fire himself.

our record in the past 15 years is atrocious considering the franchises history.
Jerry is here till he dies, so we have to live with him.
only hope is Stephen and Jason can push him into better decisions.

+1

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

how many super bowls did Millen win?

JJ is 3 for 3. If you are giving all the credit to Jimmy Johnson, remember Jones was savaged for firing Landry and bringing in Johnson. Also, remember that the number of successful college coaches who have transitioned to championship NFL coaches in the last 30 years may be one, Johnson. Certainly, the field is littered with the high profile failures. So there are any number of less successful GM’s than Jones. The biggest problem may be that the early success taught the wrong lessons and he thought there were shortcus—Haley, Sanders—when that is the exception and not the rule.

Anyway, it is pretty clear that Stephen is taking over the personnel side. JJ will, however, be the face of the franchise as long as he wants to. Just don’t assume that he is making all the personnel decisions. Remember too, that it was Jones who insisted o n Ware over Spears and Merriman. How did that work out? Of course, he was the one who overpaid for Williams and Galloway. Point is, yes, he has made some bad decisions but he has also made some good ones. Lighten up. Besides, he seems more preoccupied with the stadium part of the GM’s job and is letting Stephen take the lead with player acquisition.

My biggest criticism is not his player selection but that he gets too close to the players which undermines the head coach even if he backs the head coach every time. It still leaves the impression that they can go around the head coach even thought they are wrong. Just look at Terrell Owens and how shocked he was to be cut.

swj010 - February 18, 2012 reply

if there hitting more then they're missing then it should work out

Point is, yes, he has made some bad decisions but he has also made some good ones.

theres nothing there that says this team will be in worse shape then last year.

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

Yes there is

There’s plenty.

You ALWAYS have to figure in your competitors ability to improve. If they improve at a greater rate, then your team declines by default.

I’ll be honest – I’m concerned. I do think Jerry has an idea in mind but I just don’t think he’s got the right people around him to make that idea a reality. Jerry needs someone to tell him he’s full of s*&t sometimes and to laugh at him out loud at some of the ideas he has in terms of personnel. He needs someone to keep him in check – otherwise I can tell his smooth talking and smiling to his sons and coaching staff is eventually met w/ a “well, I guess that might work…”

i get Dallas needs to worry about the rest of the East

i was meaning it about Dallas and Dallas only. all the week areas everyone already knows and JJ is just confirming it. thats all i meant by it

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

honestly, TJ, I think Stephen Jones has become that person

I sure hope so

Time will tell…

i dont get your doom and gloom attitude

what did JJ say that was so bad?

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

this defense is terrible and he loves it

the fact that the cowboys have to send 7 or 8 guys just to get pressure and many times they still can’t get close to the qb

the giants showed the blueprint to winning a super bowl

the giants don’t have to blitz to put pressure on the qb .. compare jpp/tuck/umenyiora to ware/spencer/ratliff .. not even close

the cowboys are about 7 or 8 good players away from being a contender

they need huge holes at g/c, as well as, dline, linebacker and secondary

outside of ware, ratliff & lee the entire rest of the defense stinks

-1

lurn2tipe

Damnsammit - February 18, 2012 reply

The OFFENSIVE LINE

look at the players names above. There’s only 1 potential pro bowler and that’s ONLY if he stays at RT. If he moves to left, which everyone speculates he will, then he’ll be going against better pass rushers and will be compared against a better group of tackles.

If Jerry’s only concern along the O line is C, then be prepared for another 8-8 season.

JJ didnt say only the C though

he said overzealous with younger playerS. hes saying the interior of the Oline

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

it sounded like Center was the priority in Fa & they liked the youglies from last season

and C should be the priority

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

Like the youglies from last season

That’s the thought process I have a problem with…

When I’m at work, I don’t stand up in front of the company and say I don’t have a problem w/ the 3 worst workers I have. It’s embarrassing to them because everyone knows they’re not very good. It’s embarrassing to me because I’m sure there are a few who think I’m completely bonkers for doing so – some might even speculate I’m being sarcastic and am throwing my bottom 5% under the bus. But most importantly, it draws attention to the company in a negative light. I could very well just say NOTHING and no one would be the wiser.

Tryon Smith will be great at LT. Remember he has a chance to be much better than he is . Four years from now he will be TWICE the player he is now.

Yeah, Tron was drafted to be a great LT and I think he will be

He was the best RT in the league last year. I have no doubt he’ll be a solid LT in his sophomore season. By year 3 I’m expecting pro-bowl.

Year 3 first team all pro

Ya know, I try real hard to be optimistic

I do think Tyron Smith will have a good if not great NFL career. But 3 time first team all pro?

That would mean he’s better than Joe Thomas, Jason Peters, DBrickshaw Ferguson, etc. There are ONLY 2 OTs named all pro every year. Jake Long wasn’t named all-pro this year.

I’d be satisfied if Tyron was able to continue to start and play at least 14-17 games each season (including palyoffs) and his career will span more than 8 seasons. He’ll be considered if not reach the pro bowl in at least 3 of those seasons. maybe an all pro season, but I’m Ok if he never gets there.

We don’t need Tyron to be all-pro. In fact, that almost hurts the team in that JJ will have to allocate all-pro $ in the next contract. And all-pro LT $ is BIG money. If Tyron can be a solid player, and he’s paid adequately but not overpaid, then that’ll mean more $ for other SOLID players on the team.

Professor Ch@os - February 18, 2012 reply

I think he meant first team all pro in year 3

Not 3 times

Ain't that the truth.

The o-line is a problem but that’s not why they went 8-8 the D was the reason and mistakes by the QB in the jets and lions game!!!

Coop1228 - February 18, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Special teams in the Jets game, going for it on 4th and goal in the Lions game.

In addition to the D.

Nickthegrip - February 18, 2012 reply

It's a stretch to think that the OL doesn't need 2 more starters. It's also a stretch to

think that those starters are currently on the roster.

i'm a believer that Callahan & Wolick will get youglies fixed at Guard

Center looks to be the biggest issue not on the roster. i’m not saying Nagy, Arkin, Killer K, Costa or Kosier are pro bowl material but there is some potential & Callahan needs to get the most out of them.
they need to protect Romo but giving up on 2 draft picks the next season is crazy

Not giving up, just want Tony protected. What good are we if the Yuglies can't do the job and Tony gets Killed?

Exaggerating more than a bit there aren't you?

Jerry never said he loved the D. He said the DL was a position of strength and that we would see several new faces in the secondary. How is that loving the D when he is saying we need several new players?
We don’t send 7-8 guys just to get pressure.

Do the Giants have a great DL? Yes they do, I would love to have a couple of those guys.

Jerry also said the interior of the OL was a issue. That was obvious also, but he acknowledges it.

I hate Jerry as GM

I love the cowboys. I avoid putting money in Jerry’s pocket. I’m not some fair weather clown who jumps ship for another team. I can only root for the Cowboys. So, in the mean time, I’ll hope for the best, not everything he says is ridiculous. And he did get Laurent Robinson last season. If the cowboys can shore up the line & secondary, they’d be a much better team.

JannyDones - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

except one problem

you can’t give him credit for finding laurent robinson if he than doesn’t spend the money to keep him here

how many gm’s can say that they drafted 12 players in 1 draft and not 1 starter in the group and only 3 back ups left from the group .. victor butler, stephen mcgee & jon phillips

OUCH

Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) - February 18, 2012 reply

Wrong

He doesn’t get credit for signing a player to a huge contract if that player spends the whole year on IR. Laurent Robinson had a fantastic season in 2011. That doesn’t mean he will have one in 2012. He gets credit, because he found a great player last year. We don’t know what Laurent Robinson will be next year. I hope he is great and I hope he plays for the Cowboys, but if keeping Laurent Robinson prevents us from getting a veteran Defensive Back or a good Offensive Lineman, then keeping him is a mistake.

What’s a bigger priority O-Line, Secondary, or a good WR?

Laurent Robinson was our best wide receiver last year. But, keeping him is a luxury.

I would argue that O-line is our biggest priority.

As far as Jerry’s draft, of course he sucksat the draft. I would never argue otherwise. I hate the dude as GM. Check my first post.

JannyDones - February 19, 2012 reply

Isnt this the same vanilla, not too revealing

type of talk you expect any GM to give you this time of year? You don’t expect him to sound desperate about a particular need do you?

What's the alternative?

If “admitting there’s a hole at x position” translated into “suddenly being able to replace x position with pro-bowlers,” then pessimism might be helpful. But I just don’t see how that’s realistic.

Conversely, if “we look good at x position” translates into, “we expect people already on the team to contribute rather than trying to bring in a whole new D-line and O-line every year,” then only optimism is realistic.

Jerry’s mentioned problems at the center of the O-line, the need to use Romo’s prime years, and the need to get better in the secondary. All three of these are factors that any stats-based look at the Cowboys will bear out. Given cap room, do we really want to get into a bidding room for a position we’re deep and young at (guard) or a position where the only top prospect doesn’t fit our defense particularly well (pass rusher)? Or do we want to address our two top needs (Center and defensive back) and add new talent everywhere through a BPA draft?

This doesn’t mean we’re a Superbowl team. It does mean there’s only one way to get better.

boyman - February 18, 2012 reply

hey more respect to al davis and matt millen

besides that i agree

ratware - February 18, 2012 reply

Jones should still be sending Valentine's cards to...

Little Danny Snider, the ghost of Al Davis and Mike Lynn

Cowtoys - February 18, 2012 reply

weezbo1, and you are who exactly?

I don’t know what article you just read, but one thing I do know is JJ wants to win. It is more than obvious he doesn’t think this is a SB caliber team. He realizes there are major holes, so yes, he DOES care about improving the roster, and says as much in this article. One thing JJ is also recognizing here is the opportunity of a full off-season of work with Ryan at DC, and a heck of a lot more time to jell and understand his system on Defense. You, like Hatcher, are only part of the problem by pointing fingers and for you, it is claiming it is JJ who is the problem. You are obviously unarmed and inept when it comes to explaining the real reasons for the Cowboys not winning a SB year in and year out. Can you point to the other 31 teams who didn’t win the SB, and tell me WHY it is they didn’t win it all? Was it also due to their GM’s, or are there credible reasons why they are in the same boat as the Cowboys? JJ has 3 SB’s under his belt as Owner/GM, but yet I keep hearing from the haters the team won’t win a SB as long as he is the GM. Time to come up with a credible and sound argument. And btw, the Cowboys are not the laughing stock of the division. That is held by the Redskins, who have fully earned it. Maybe that is just it. You are a trolling 4skin fan who can’t feel any better about himself unless you are bashing your conference enemies. Typical, and predictable.

jsrdc - February 18, 2012 reply

We seem to have attracted several of these guys lately.

Can’t tell if they are trolls, or just guys that post in the style of Yahoo comments, etc.

Rena - February 19, 2012 reply

There seems to have been a DC.com influx.

Nickthegrip - February 19, 2012 reply

good post OCC

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

hit post too early

everything in there is dead on what Dallas needs. better interior Oline, new DBs and younger on D. isnt that primarly what everyone is saying on here?

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

Shocking to think the people running the team know our weak areas !!.,

to read some on here you would think they are idiots.
they will fix this organisation and the team.
no doubts.

than answer me this

if jerry and company know how to fix everything than why haven’t they fixed it already

isn’t 15 years enough of a sample

you happy with a record of 120 – 120 over 15 yrs with one playoff win

jerry loves fans like you because he can manipulate you just like he does his coaches and players

if you accept mediocrity that’s exactly what you are going to get

At what point have i said i am happy with our record in the last 15 years?,

i said above that our record is atrocious , where i disagree with you is the Jerry is here till he dies . hope Stephen or Jason can push him in the right direction now.
Jerry has proved he can’t fix things himself , he needs help from his son and the HC.
these are the facts, you might not like them but Jerry will still be in charge till he dies.

since Romo has taken over Dallas is like 47-30ish (didnt look it up)

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

biggest FA acquisition this year will be

anthony spencer .. enough said

i doubt Spencer gives Dallas a discount & i doubt they give him 8.5 million

Maybe they give him 4 yrs $30 mil

The alternative is to sign a JAG and/or draft a guy early (and spend that $8 mil elsewhere) but realize if you draft a guy who played DE in college might take awhile before he’s ready to do anything but rush from a 3-point stance …

DB23 - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

For that money

he should be allowed to WALK!!!!

If they don't sign

Spencer, you are just adding another problem to the list like him or not.

Change the rules and smart folks change their minds

The salary cap forces some issues. Jerry was slow to adapt to the salary cap environment as he tried to extend the good times. It is always hard to make changes, it is harder to change when you are successful. It is hardest when the success you enjoyed was directly linked to yourself changing the existing environment.

Jerry was succesful as he found a way to pay for talent. Teh additional revenue was tdh source of the 2nd dynasty.

The league caught on to the additional revenue and tried to create parity through the salary cap. The teams that figured out the newe rules such as New England were successful.

Jerry might be slow, but he catches on. After he hired Bill, we got out of the caphell hole we dug ourselves. Sign mid range mid dollar FA to fill holes and then upgrade the talent through the draft.

The salary cap means lots of quality depth throughout the roster. Spend too much on stars, particulary on FA, and you have to skimp on quality backups. When the inevitable injury occurs you have holes that other teams can exploit.

We have had issues with the OL and DB for years.

Garrett made major changes to the offense when he took over. He cut old unproductive guys – RW, MBIII, Choice, Davis, Gurode. We had to make changes to fit from the uncapped salary year to the new salary cap.

Garrett radicaly remade the OL. We should have done it years ago. Yet, just as if the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is today.

We started two years ago on the OL. First, we remade all the backups, Last year, we cleared out the the old and unproductive and went younger and cheaper.

Yet Garrett had to adapt with the OL. Gurode and Holland were among the last cuts as he took as much time as possible to evaluate the new guys – Costa, Kowalksi, Nagy, Arkin, and Smith.

Then, he signed Dockery as a Plan B to have a veteran backup. He got injured and Plan C was to bring back a healthier, more motivated Holland. Holland, was and is SLOW, and does not fit the Garrett prototype OL. Yet he was the anchor in the middle and the OL was much better when he returned.

Too bad, he can’t snap the ball – that experiment died an ignoble death two years ago in training camp – as he does fit the prototype CENTER – bigger, and stronger to allow the rest of the OL to use their better quckness and mobility.

Plan D was Loper – the King of the Roster Transactions.

The work with the OL continues. We need at least one more interior lineman. We can re-sign Holland and either draft or sign a FA guard or center. I think Kowalski is a better center than Costa, but I suspect that the team did not want ANOTHER rookie on the OL last year.

We went younger and cheaper on the DB and ST two years ago. There is a short term cost with young inexperienced guys. Whether it turns out right is a long term process. WE still have a ways to go to find out.

We hired a new D Coordinator last year, only to have the bizarre off-season basically without coaches. We tried to adapt with Elam to help install the new Ryan D. The Romo camp helped but was not the same as having the coaches.

I expect major changes to the Defense this year. James, Brooking, Newman, Ball and maybe Elam are going. A big question has been discussed about Spencer.

Dr-P - February 18, 2012 reply

jerry always blames the coaches

the players are coddled in this organization .. they receive none of the blame ever

jerry just keeps changing coaches

the cowboys have had 6 head coaches in 15 years and god knows how many assistants and coordinators have changed hands as well

good organizations don’t change their coaching staff and philosophy every 3 or 4 years like the cowboys have done

maybe if jerry realized the problem was the horrible talent evaluating going on in that stretch we might have a chance

go look at the steelers .. they’ve had 3 HC’s in the last 40 years .. no surprise they contend every year

weak argument, and even weaker example of the Steelers

There is no contending in this league. You either win it all, or you are in the same boat as the rest of the 31 teams. There is no second place in this league. The Giants have had Fewell for the past two years at DC. They won 2 SB’s in the past 4 years, and Coughlin was the coach around for both of them, but different asst coaches, and btw, Coughlin was the Giant’s 16th coach in franchise history. For GB, Capers came on in 2010, and they won the SB a year later, with McCarthy as their 14th coach in franchise history. The Saints, who won a SB in 2009, hired Greg Williams that year, and Sean Payton came on as their 14th coach in 2006. Your argument is weak. I just named 3 recent SB winning teams, and pointed out the HC and asst. coaching changes. So your last line is ridiculous and irrelevant. Lastly, your being a supposed Cowboys fan is even weaker. If you are so disgusted with the team, I hear the Texans are always looking for band wagoners.

jsrdc - February 18, 2012 reply

Reading the Tea Leaves

1) Guaranteed Kowalski + Costa aren’t starting at Center…hello FA or Rookie.

2) Bradie James and Keith Brooking will be replaced by Crowder/D’Qwell Jackson + a Rookie.

3) First Rd is BPA: DeCastro, Kirkpatrick, Pass Rusher.

4) Expect 2-3 DBs drafted.

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

We need to sign a FA center

There’s only 1 rookie center that I trust to start this year and it’s going to cost you a 1st round pick.

My draft strategy hasn’t changed much since January. Draft the BPA in the 1st round and make sure you have a guard and a defensive back in your shopping cart by the end of round 3.

Hopefully we get a 4th round supplemental pick and can add good depth to this team by picking BPA with 2 picks in the 4th round.

Ware could show his age by 2014 and Ratliff seems to already be declining so I think this is the last draft that will matter for the Romo/Ware/Ratliff Cowboys. Their sophmore season will be 2013 and probably the last good year of the superbowl window. So we need to get the right players in.

Brian Broaddus

guesses that they’ll give Nagy first shot at C new year. Thinking seems to be that Nagy > Costa + add a big G and the whole interior goes up a notch. We shall see.

DB23 - February 18, 2012 reply

That means they'd target DeCastro as their first option at #14

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

id be perfectly cool with this

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

and this is my fear of fears

People forget Nagy was worse than Costa when he was in the lineup.

This is Alan Ball all over again. Safety not good? Replace him with a 7th round pick! Center not good? Replace him with a 7th round supplemental pick!

True but

one might argue that (1) Nagy is really to small to play G, but could play C and (2) Nagy with a full offseason could be better than Costa in 2012. Not saying this will happen, but could be argued.

Can’t add high-priced vets or day 1/2 picks everywhere. They’re going to have to take a chance on young guys getting better and improving from within at some spots—like I hope they give Lissemore a real chance to displace Coleman.

Worth noting that the 2 coveted FA Cs this year were originally 6th (Myers) and 7th (Wells) rd picks …

DB23 - February 18, 2012 reply

Problem is we're an old team

We’ve only got 2012 and 2013 where our players are in their primes. 2014 is a hope at this point.

So it’s once again a question of how much do you want to risk it on one player? If you’ve only got 2 years left how much faith do you want to put in your 7th round supplemental pick to not put your QB on injured reserve?

Romo was on IR in 2010, in 2011 he had broken ribs and a throwing hand injury. If we bring back the same characters isn’t he going to end up on IR again? And then season’s over and we have to look to 2013.

I agree

I can’t believe they’ll trust the interior OL to the yuglies as starters. It’s a bit schizophrenic with Holland at guard. He isn’t the prototype JG wants. Can he play center? Can he call signals? I want DeCastro so bad, but I’m seriously concerned he’ll be gone.

Based on OCC the likely choice will be Dre or Jenkins at CB.

I agree that resigning Spencer at the right price is likely, since RR seems to like him. We do need more pressure from the front 7 though.

Or you

sign Nicks. Put an ecperienced guard next to your new baby left tackle.

That is

my plan. I think if Nagy could beat out the guards and start, he has GOT to be better than the centers on the roster. Sign Nicks and if DeCastro is there in the draft and BPA, you’ve got an O-Line for years to come.

I think 3-4 picks will be used in these next two drafts

To find the heir apparents for Romo, Witten, Ware, and Ratliff.

I agree with your draft strategy.

I’d like to see a veteran Center.

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

One of the reasons why I love drafting a rush linebacker with our 1st round pick

With Spencer hitting free agency, it makes a nice coincidence to draft a good rush linebacker to solidify LOLB and be the heir apparent to Ware. That’s why I like Melvin Ingram so much.

i have seen tape of melvin and he didn't impressed me

i’d rather go with soem project in the third like bruce irvin, if he doesn’t pan out i know i didn’t waste a first round pick for him, bruce irvin i think he can turn into something with good coaching he has been playind end just like 3 years

ratware - February 18, 2012 reply

After the combine I'll have a better idea for who they target

at rush OLB.

I like Melvin Ingram, but I also like Vinny Curry, Bruce Irvin, and Johnathan Massaquoi. Whoever has the best combine testing for 40 time, vertical leap, broad jump, short shuttle, and 3 cone will be their guy.

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

+1,000,000 on a FA Center

theres 3 decent centers available in FA, Meyers, the guy from Green bay & the Patriots. all 3 are solid choices but i’d like to see what the guy from NE looks like after his injury last season. he hadn’t missed a game until then & sounded like he’d be healthy/cheap this season.

Not quite

2 = Carter

I meant for depth

Carter is the starter if healthy and ready

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

The only thing that scared me was this quote

We like Costa, now. But it’s a question of combinations in there. If you look at size, if you look at things like that you’ve got to be careful before all of them are like that, size wise or experience wise

When I watched the Cowboys line play last season it wasn’t a series of ill-fitting parts I saw, it was just TERRIBLE play in general.

In any system on any team in any league Costa is a BAD center.

I think there’s a lot of ways to build an o-line and the problem the Cowboys have right now isn’t that they have great players that don’t work well together. The problem is that their players in the middle of the line are bad and they need to upgrade the talent level.

not saying JJ never has, but he doesnt throw players under the bus

JJ also said TO was gonna be a Cowboy and was cut shortly after. JJ knows Costa might have a role with Dallas a backup no need to undermine that.

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

Jerry's biggest fault is overvaluing his own talent

Remember in 2010 we had the highest payroll in the league and Jerry was bragging about a home superbowl. He was absolutely sure that 6-10 team was the most talented in the league. In the early 2000s he was talking about winning Superbowls with those horrible 5-11 teams. He deludes himself.

I’m just really hoping he hasn’t once again deluded himself into believing that he actually has talented interior linemen, it’s just that the chemistry was wrong so if he just adds Carl Nicks to fix the “chemistry” then the line will all of a sudden be dominant.

agreed

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

That is not his BIGGEST fault

but it is one of the main ones…

Jerry biggest fault is that he can’t be objective about his team period. He’s too ‘close’ to it. It’s too personal for him. He falls in love w/ some of his players and their talent and looks over their faults/personalities. It’s evident in his constant drafting of WRs, LBs, CBs and RBs w/ early (1st – 3rd round) picks. It’s prevalent whenever he resigns guys who have “break out” seasons for one year – like MBIII and Austin. And, it’s evident in how he runs his franchise w/ the building of a new stadium. The stadium is nice but ticket prices are high as hell and the city of Arlington will be trying to make up the cost for the next 20 years…

agreed, seems alot of times JJ is more of a fan then a owner/GM

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

The City of Arlington is thrilled with the $ coming their way from the stadium.

It is way over what was projected when the deal was made.

No doubt about it......

talent overvalue, clinging to players, worshipping resumes etc are a Cowboy issue. The fan base supports it here all the time as well.

It’s the culture, trading Ware and Ratliff for a certain level of compensation would be a better signal of change. I don’t expect it. Just like waiting t fire all the coaches this year instead of last, what was the message there? It’s a status quo culture.

Cwon1 - February 18, 2012 reply

You do not

trade the best weak side LB ever to play the game. There is no value you can get for the ’best player ever" at a position.

Amen

Yeah, you ride Ware until he falls apart

And when he can’t play ROLB you flip him to LOLB.

He’s a Cowboy for life and you ride that horse as long as he goes. You don’t trade hall-of-famers.

It's reflective of the status quo culture.......

You have to move beyond. In the end he’s a past peak pile of deadmoney, that’s the endgame. The Cowboys are a rebuilding team, this is what can’t be faced by ownership and fans alike. Same arguments over the oline were made three years ago.

It’s a business, he’s probably sick of it by now. The Pats, Greenbay, Houston, Detroit, Saints might have the capital in their planning to bid. A team making a run should be the one to bid.

Ratliff should go as well.

Cwon1 - February 18, 2012 reply

It's not reflective

of status quo culture. It is reflective of not being able to get equal or superior value. Let’s make this real simple. Who, in the entire NFL do you trade Ware for? I mean I don’t see the Pats trading Tom Brady!! What on earth are you talking about?

Tyrone Jenkins - February 19, 2012 reply

The idea that Ware.....

has a relative value of Brady or for that matter Romo is crazy. The Cowboys will be paying, if very lucky, 500 k per sack for the next 3-4 years. More likely 750k per sack.

What really is going on is buying into “we’re almost a superbowl team” yet again. The Cowboys are rebuilding, you trade your payroll oldest first and get on with it.

I know it’s past peak to go further, that’s the point.

Cwon1 - February 19, 2012 reply

Ya know, your argument does make sense

if and only IF you speak in terms of return on monies invested. Regardless of whether Ware’s sack actually cost 500k or 1M per sack, you’re negating/ignoring the fact that he obtained the sack in the 1st place.

Way back when, the Boys traded Herschel Walker for the moon. It was one of the smartest trades the franchise (actually ANY sports franchise) has ever seen. But, that was only because they were able to 5 players and 8 picks (3 of which were 1st round picks for the next 3 years) and the team was a WHOLE LOT WORSE than they are now.

No, when you factor in that Ware is better at his position than Walker was at his, the question of compensation comes up. Jevans asked the question of “who, in the entire NFL do you trade Ware for?” That question has gone unanswered because whoever it wold be would have to be more than the Walker trade. And nowadays, no team would be willing to do that.

So, you don’t even ATTEMPT to trade Ware for fear of what Ware might think not to mention what the league would think of the Cowboys in terms of desperation.

Not going to happen

Ware does mean as much to our defense as Tom Brady and Tony Romo do to their respective offenses. He’s literally the best player at his position and no one is going to give up Herschel Walker draft picks for him.

The Patriots don’t trade Tom Brady, Vince Wilfork, or Wes Welker. There’s a core of special players on every great team that makes it what it is.

There’s some guys you just don’t trade. Ware is one of those guys.

Blue Eyed Devil - February 19, 2012 reply

thats probably why they hired Callahan to get it fixed.

I’m just really hoping he hasn’t once again deluded himself into believing that he actually has talented interior linemen

Now THAT

is the real danger. OMG!!!

He is a salesman 1st and foremost

once you realize that, you understand that what comes out of his mouth is for the audience, and is not ness. what he actually believes

BigBad Joe - February 20, 2012 reply

yup

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

they also said

they have money and won`t be afraid to spend.

resign Robinson and Fiametta
sign a veteran C
FS like Popeye
and a stud CB.

ziggy19 - February 18, 2012 reply

I pretty much agree with everything you wrote.

One thing.

JJ: I’m into not squandering the prime years of Romo"

That you already did sir. See the 2008 draft and the Roy Williams trade.

Done. Finito.

Sharksbreath - February 18, 2012 reply

We should be looking at Two Superbowls

Sharksbreath - February 18, 2012 reply

Imagine if we had Clay Matthews with that 1st rounder we traded for Roy Williams

Clay Matthews had 50 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and 6 sacks last year.

Spencer had 66, 4, and 6. Matthews is way overated

Coakey - February 18, 2012 reply

Interesting you left our the 3 interceptions and 9 batted down passes Matthews had

If Matthews was Ware’s bookend it wouldn’t matter how bad our secondary was. We’d have been a very deep playoff team in 2009.

didnt see that, but stil,l imo he is overated. In 2010 he was the toast of the town

people even taking him over Ware, then in 2011 when he got all the attention from OC’s his numbers dropped big time. I’m not defending Spencer, just dogging Matthews

Coakey - February 18, 2012 reply

Ware > Matthews

Don’t get me wrong, I think Matthews is great but he’s by no means the best. Ware is the best by a mile.

Clay Matthews ISN'T overrated. Quit talking out your a$$.

Clay Matthews career numbers since being drafted in 2009:

161 tackles; 29.5 sacks; 4 INTs; 6 FFs; 3 TDs

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

I love Ware, and I also appreciate what Matthews does

I’m not going to bash one and praise the other. I’ll throw Spencer under the bus for not being as good as Woodley or Matthews. Those two play the same 34 OLB position as him.

Either of those two opposite Ware and this defense is substantially better.

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

+1 Rohpuri

I think that

is somewhat backwards logic. People just assume this is a talent issue with Spencer but it is more than that. Woodley plays in a totally different scheme and is treated like Ware is treated as the preferred rush LB. The same could be said of Mathews in that he is the preferred rush LB in the Green Bay 3-4. Ware is the preferred or “elephant” LB in the Dallas defense and not Spencer. So when it is 1st and ten and the offense can run or pass, if it is a pass play, Ware, Woodley, and Mathews are going to be the rush LB. Spencer is not. It makes a big difference. If Woodley or Mathews were on the Cowboys, they would be in the same position as Spencer.

With regards to the Steelers

James Harrison plays the DeMarcus Ware role. James Harrison plays Spencer’s postion.

Since 2007 when Harrison became a starter and Woodley was drafted, those two have combined for 102 sacks. They’re NFL’s best pass rush tandem.

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

WOW Harrison plays both sides . Amazing for one player.

How does he do that ?

lol

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

Harrison plays

the weakside (Ware’s side) normally but Woodley was hurt this year so Harrison flipped and played the strong side (Spencer’s side). But the larger point is still the fact that the Steelers play the Dick LeBeau zone blitz scheme. That scheme allows DEs to get into pass coverage and frees up more pass rush opportunities for the guys on the second and third level of the defense.

It also doesn’t change the basic point that whether it’s Woodley, Harrison, Mathews, etc. they would be in the same position as Spencer in the Cowboy scheme because none of them is better than Ware at rushing the passer.

Matthews was battling injuries all season in 2011

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

and then he says the OL doesn't suck and that they like costa

to be honest i really think this defense need help but i would sacrifice that for a dominant OL, konz, glenn and carl nicks, uff if that doesn’t translate into +30 point per game then garrett indeed sucks

ratware - February 18, 2012 reply

I'm in the minority

but since the Roy Willie fiasco, the FO has been doing a decent job. Bringing back Spencer might not be ideal but we got too many holes to fill as it is.
I think that more than anything on the O line we need a center. So id rather a top tier corner than DeCastro.
They also cleared lots of cap space in one year.

hbdc - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

I'm with you, last year was a success

They nailed it with Tron, and surprised us all by being right on DeMarco Murray. They found Nagy deep in the draft who looks like a capable backup. They did an excellent job of jettisoning all the bad contracts.

My only beef with them was the horrible Jay Ratliff extension. The grimace-inducing numbers they gave to Sensabaugh and Scandrick are concerning but I can see why they did it.

But if last year was about jettisoning bad players, this year needs to be about adding good players. They fixed their cap situation but it’s all so many numbers on a page unless they turn it into high-quality starters.

That Ratliff extension was bad! I think it was like a lifetime acheivment award

Coakey - February 18, 2012 reply

Jerry has this thing where he believes in "Cowboys for life"

He believes that great Cowboys should be “Cowboys for life.” A lot of the 90s Cowboys expressed dissatisfaction with Jerry letting Emmit go to the Cardinals.

So you’ve seen Jerry since then try to make guys he likes Cowboys for life. I think Jerry sees Ratliff like Vince Wilfork and tried to do the same thing Bellicheck did. Unfortunately, last year we saw how Wilfork is dominant and how Ratliff is declining every year.

Ratliff was in the Pro Bowl ... why???

name recognition

He deserved it

Ratliff is still really good. As in, best in the NFC this year. It was a pretty unspectacular year for NT’s, but no one really played better in the NFC than Ratliff. He isn’t more than average as a traditional two-gapper, but as a one-gap player, he is still a monster. We’ll be in huge trouble whenever his play falls off. Geno Atkins was a better pass rusher, Sione Pouha was a better run stopper, but Ratliff was the most complete nose tackle, surprisingly.

Scientia - February 18, 2012 reply

I think his play is falling off

2008 – 7.5 sacks
2009 – 6 sacks
2010 – 3.5 sacks
2011 – 2 sacks

That’s a trend.

I think he’ll bounce back this year but those 6-sack years where he was a monster are long behind him I believe. I think he’s been downgraded from “great” to “very good” and soon will be downgraded to “good”. Meanwhile, as his play becomes increasingly average his salary will increase.

Good teams like the patriots trade players like that for a 1st round pick.

Jerry signs them to 40-million deals and guarantees them through their age-35 season.

He's still good, but you're right

The money was not invested wisely.

I really do agree, but now that he would be a free agent, what is your plan? Please don’t say Brent or Lissemore. Would you throw 75% of that at Pouha or Soliai or Franklin?

And now that we are talking value … we could have traded Ware for the Von Miller pick and had enough money left over to buy another all star (or capable C and G).

Why doesn’t everyone do that? Because it sucks to treat players and fan loyalties like tinker toys. (Although losing sucks too).

I would throw some Soliai's way.

I would have let Rat walk at those numbers. Terrible signing by Jerry.

what is with the bashing the Ratliff extension?

while I don’t nessacarily agree with it it isn’t as bad as everyone is making it out to be…
Signed a seven-year, $48.625 million contract. The deal contains $18 million guaranteed.

the bold is the important part. of that, 11.2 million is signing bonus and the rest I imagine is salary that is guaranteed.

as long as Ratliff stays on the team for 4 more years(not out of the question, and should clear off the guaranteed salary) then more than likely Dallas would only have 4.8 million in “dead money” from the extension…..

Yeah, that's the problem

You guaranteed a declining player through his age-34 season and you’re still going to take a $5 million hit to your cap when you cut him.

if that is the biggest issue

Heck then it isn’t as bad as you all are making it out to be….we took how big of a hit for Gurode, Williams, and Flozell? I would fill the <5 mill in “cost of Business” expense…

I think it's a big deal

We just endured 6-10 and 8-8 seasons largely because of contracts like that.

Rewarding a player with a big contract who is turning 30 is likely

to be a bad investment. If you sign an elite player make sure, barring injury, he’s likely to produce for the majority of his contract. Rat’s contract is bad because he can’t continue to take the beating at NT. If he switches to DE, he might improve his longevity and productivity, but JJ must emulate Belichick and replace older players with new blood..

The Ratliff

deal is actuall a 5 year extension of his original contract which and starts in 2013. He will get his 10 mil signing bonus in 2013 and the Cowboys can allot 5mil in 2013 and 5mil in 2014 for Ratliff and the guranteed amount for the contract is complete. They could cut him after 2014 and there would be no cap hit. Considering his cap hit in 2012 is 6.4 mil, they actually got cap relief going forward for the 2013 and 2014 years.

A plan for interior D line

That’s easy. First, who’s the highest drafted Dallas D lineman after Spears (who was drafted in the 1st round). That would be Hatcher – 3rd round. EVERYONE else is either a 6th round pick or later.

To make a better D line is the same way to make a better O line, or LB corps, or defensive secondary or WR group or QBs. You DRAFT them with higher picks!!!!!

You want a better option to Ratliff extension – how about taking a 2nd round pick (or higher) for the next 2 years and draft the best 330 NT prospect. Now, you gotta do the due diligence; you can’t just draft a guy there when he doesn’t deserve it. But to get a Suh or Raji or Ngata – you gotta commit a high draft pick to them, coach them, surround them w/ adequate backup players and DEs and then you still have to hope and pray that they turn out to be pretty good.

Matter of fact, given the draft selections used on the Dallas D line, it’s a wonder they’re as good as they are (which to me is average to below average).

That's correct Tyrone

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

"I think he’ll bounce back this year"

Why, BED? You’ve just made it clear he’s in decline. Why would that stop—other than we all want it to?

He's not done

He’s still a very good defensive lineman.

But I thought he was going to bounce back after 2010s 3.5 with the Rob Ryan scheme and instead his stats dropped. So what do I know?

Yep

If they are paying Newman 9M and Ball 1M to be a CB, then Scandrick at 5M sort of makes sense. The problem is … Newman should be making 1M and Ball off the team.

Good post and if we follow this path I will applaud JJ, and yet ...

Yet … last year we tried to trade up for Ingram (at the cost, in hindsight, of Carter and Murray … 2 guys we are banking on) and some other guy. JJ struggles with temptation, it seems, to find the magic bullet (e.g., Ingram = Emmitt Smith) but can we blame him that much?

If we had gotten Asomugha last year, what would have been the result …?

No Newman, a win against the Giants, possibly a Super Bowl (on any given day, we are in the game against anyone but the Eagles).

Anyway, a big FA center name would still fit into what JJ said.
If not, do you think he is banking on an extra year of training to right the problem?
If not, then pick Konz in round 1? If Nagy is good enough to start for us, then why not his star teammate?

Agreed

you and I think alike – I just hit send on my comment above which states the same thing…

No On Konz

medical history of blood clots

burmafrd1944 - February 18, 2012 reply

That Georgia guy, Jones in the 2nd?

If not, then it’s Costa.

I really believe they can figure a way to structure contracts that are cap friendly well into

the future. If Carr or Nicks (both young), etc., are indeed that good sign them to a 6-7 year deal with a good signing bonus spread out over those years. Have all their guaranteed money in the first 3-4 years of the contract. The the worst case scenario would be to take the cap hit if they don’t last the lifetime of the contract. With increases in the salay cap over those years these cap hits should have a mininal impact on the roster.

Is Guard ever worth 10M ???

They can’t sway the game enough to warrant that much money, right … compared to CB??

As a signing bonus over 6-7 years? I think so. Nicks is 26 and has a good 6 years barring injury.

They can sway a game

If they’re so bad your QB gets knocked out—you can win some (Dallas) or a lot (Pats) with lousy CB play if the rest of the team is good enough.

DB23 - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

That is

exactly the right move and you could get both of those players this year.

(listening, but shaking my head)

nicks: then we cannot afford smith in 3 years, unless we trade free.
carr: is he THAT much better then kirkpatrick?

Sure, you'll be able to afford Smith. He's worth the big contract, but guys over 30 should be allowed to go.

That’s where we shoot ourselves in the foot. Paying big money to players who are not likely to perform for the duration of the contract.

BluegrassCowboy - February 18, 2012 reply

Fix the line first

I still want us to take Decastro 14 and trade our third this year and one next to Cincy at 21 for Conz. If you look at all of our FAs we will have about 13 to 18 roster positions to fill. If we draft 8 that means we still have to sign at least 7 to 10 FAs.
After money for draft picks we should have about 15 or 16 million to sign that many. Big time fixes aren’t coming in FA this year I don’t believe.
Next year we will loose 20.9 mil of dead money from our cap along with an increase in the cap. That is when I see us making the move in FA to fill our remaining needs and draft BPA.

Trade a 1st and 3rd for Konz?

Not only no, but hell no.
This IMO is shades of RW all over again. Quit throwing our premium draft picks away when you can get another guy who is almost as good for the single 3rd rounder.

The offensive line or bust cult

zzz

I see no strategy in the Cowboys

Same old rhetoric from Jerry. Talking a lot and saying nothing is something he has mastered over the years.

bevomav - February 18, 2012 reply

There is no plausible reason to believe in Jerry or what he says.

Remember when he said he wasn’t trying to trade for Roy Williams ? That trade has been devastating.

Jerry doesn’t know how to build a team. He isn’t smart enough. He likes Costa. Not really much else to say.

Jerry deserves what he has on this team. Bottom line is he is more interested in being the face of Dallas than winning. He loves being on tv. he loves press conferences. Moreso than winning. He doesn’t care that he is the reason Dallas sucks. He gets to be on tv and talk out the side of his neck. He needs to go away. He needs to go swimming in a volcano.

sorta disagree

i think theres nothing more JJ wants then to win. now im not saying hes done evrything in his power to do this tho. hes made alot of mistakes in 20+ yrs no doubt. hopefully hes learned from these and SJ and JG are making more of the decisions so JJ doesnt have to.

Mensa i know youll come back and bash JJ and bash what ive said and thats cool. JMHO

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

Nah Yehti No reason to bash you. You have your opinion and that's cool.

That’s what this blog is about.

There will be changes, wait and see.

Money to spend in FA and a full comp of draft choices, coming off an 8-8 season, there better be changes.

DIRE WOLF - February 18, 2012 reply

How do you know Jerruh is lying from Feb-April?

His lips are moving

burmafrd1944 - February 18, 2012 reply

JJ tries to glorify his legacy as a GM

Its annoying.

My psychiatric evaluation of his ‘cowboy for life’ contract extensions is that they tend to be public validations of some earlier good decision he made. Rat is a great player and does anyone criticize his first contract extension?

But the reality is that he’s being asked (and paid now) to make up for deficiences in DE and he can’t. I doubt Wilfork could do it either.

ProBowlFactory - February 18, 2012 reply

Wait, he said "we like Costa, right now"?

Did I read that right. Is that a typo? I was under the impression that Phil Costa was absolutely horrible

didnt say they like him to start for the next 10yrs

he might have meant as a career backup

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

Time for the Costa highlight reel!

http://vimeo.com/34295539

hahahaha Costa SMH

how did Romo get up after that hit against Philly, the last “highlight”

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

he kinda' didn't, that was the play that broke his throwing hand on Christmas Eve

As you can tell, Costa clearly missed his block and it cost us a crucial game against the Eagles and almost put Romo on IR.

lol Costa clearly misses his block alot. him getting pancaked i actually LOled

yehti - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

We are screwed if we don't improve the interior of the OL.

ProBowlFactory - February 18, 2012 reply

Of course he could have met right now

as in “for now”, like we don’t have a better option than him right now…

Best "Under the Radar" Free Agents Cowboys Should Target

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012/2/18/2808457/best-under-the-radar-free-agents

jerry_jones_killed_our_cowboys - February 18, 2012 reply

I hate to argue with OCC cause he's smarter than me

But being smarter than me is not saying a hell of a lot!

First off, this is know as the ‘silly season’. Basically if team officials lips are moving, they’re lying.

Second, if any team is dumb enough to telegraph intentions to their competition they deserve to stay in 8 -8 purgatory.

Let’s say Jerry is indeed a dope and talks too much. He’s talking about protecting Romo. I agree with that. He says they ’like Costa, now." WTF? Costa should get better with weight training and OTAs and camp, but betting your franchise QB on him 2 years in a row is nuts. When JJ says ’middle of the O-line, he means center and guards. The Cowboys will go after Nicks and/or DeCastro, move Nagy or Arkin to Center with Costa as a developing backup.

In a CB rich draft, I wouldn’t burn high picks on an elite CB when I can get a marked upgrade over what I have by exploiting the drafts depth. I don’t recall our D-line as a strength either. Other than D Ware I don’t think we had a rush that struck fear in our opponents. I also don’t think we were getting primarily beat with quick/short passes which would indicate opponents were under rush pressure and out DBs couldn’t cover.

If we could upgrade our D line and strengthen our rush, we could be a tough defensive team without elite corners.

Build both lines. Have very good backups for the inevitable injuries and rotations. We will be a playoff contender.

Jim Vance - February 18, 2012 reply

You know what?

I could have taken the exact same quotes from Jerry, and drawn the exact opposite conclusions, and they probably still would have made some kind of sense. It is silly season indeed.

One.Cool.Customer - February 18, 2012 reply

LOL

Is there any chance OCC, we can revisit Jerry comments last off-season that were made before the Combine and Draft which related to personnel decisions?

That way we can see if Jerry tipped his hand as to who they’re targeting.

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

That could be interesting indeed. I may look into that if the current news-free situation continues much longer.

One.Cool.Customer - February 18, 2012 reply

I like that idea. We’re going to be starved for content until mid-March free agency anyway.

Sweet

Rohpuri - February 18, 2012 via mobile reply

Nah, it won't last much longer.

The underwear olympics start in just a few days.

Do you have any players in mind?

For DL, OL.

Hat, if you're asking me

I would be delighted to see Nicks or DeCastro step into that O-line. I think either one would make it solid for a long time.

D line, Coples and Poe, Jones kid from Syracuse and Mercilus primarily because he has a cool name for a rusher. If he lived up to his potentail I’m sure he will be called, ‘Ming’ the Merciless!

I like Poe because he’s such a load that he would occupy blockers and we will have two lightning quick LBs who could wreak havoc.

I would love to have Mario Williams opposite D Ware, but I might be getting carried away with my wish list.

Jim Vance - February 18, 2012 reply

costa set lift records at Maryland

so it is not a question of strength. He just has slow feet; and with those short arms he has to get close to the other guy. Not a good combination at all.

burmafrd1944 - February 18, 2012 reply

120+ comments and no one pointed this out

If the Cowboys believe the core personnel is in place, they won’t be going after bif names in free agency.

I haven’t read the comments yet, but I am sure that it would have been corrected by now

I was surprised it hadn't been mentioned

I assume it has been fixed? or did you leave it in to annoy the “Grammar Police”?

AustonianAggie - February 18, 2012 reply

was busy thinking about what your wrote, rather than correcting your grammar.

I caught it but didn't care. I got the gist.

ty everybody for ignoring a typo

but … if u like urban slang … we cut most of the bif players already (davis, gurode)

Looks like you brought out the best

in the Realist Fans camp, Mr. Customer. Just mention JJ and…

stubabe - February 18, 2012 reply

the state of the cowboys is very sad

i can’t see the cowboys contending for a super bowl anytime soon .. certainly not in the next decade or so

when your owner/gm constantly tries to prove or validate what gr8 job he’s done by handing out stupid contract after stupid contract to players who haven’t done anything except have 1 good season and than holds on to that player to try and prove some point (marty b, carpenter, barber .. the list is just simply too long to write)

than he thinks hiring a new coaching staff every 3 or 4 years and forcing his players to learn completely new offensive and defensive systems .. i don’t think any HC has been here longer than 4 years since jimmy johnson

he does all this while preaching continuity

he’s turned one of the proudest most respected sports franchises into an absolute embarrassment

never give up , It is just that the Cowboys need to do things differently.

AustonianAggie - February 18, 2012 reply

I find it incredibly depressing that Jerry thinks our D-line is one of the strengths of our team.

I feel like I am taking crazy pills. I sincerely hope that he doesn’t go on the cheap again with players like Coleman and Spears. If they neglect this area again, teams like Philly will shred us again.

juniorb - February 18, 2012 reply

You need a vision or philosophy

that you whole hardedly believe in is the proper way to build a winning program. You must stick with that core vision and not significanly diverge from it. Build your program with the type of players both from athletic and character standpoints that will keep you winning long term. I think JG, with being on SB winning teams as a player, working with and mentoring under quality coaches such Jimmy J, Sabin and others,as well as coming from a football family,is ready for the task. When JG talks about the “process”, It is more than just a boring moniker.

nycowboysfan - February 18, 2012 reply

mostly this is spot on

but the Anthony Spencer conclusion was a bit of a leap.

The Cowboys pass rush situation is far worse than anyone thinks it is

Can we really expect DeMarcus Ware to get 19.5 sacks next season? Reggie White didn’t get 19.0 sacks EVERY season neither did Lawrence Taylor/Bruce Smtth or any other pass rusher who ever played the game.

What happens if he "only" has 12 ( a great number for anyone else) What do we do if he only gets 9.0 (it could happen)

Not only that Ratliff is going on 30 so is Jason Hatcher – the next best rusher the Cowboys have after Spencer.

If DeMarcus Ware tails off the Cowboys would have the very worst pass rush and perhaps the very worst defense in the NFL.

Completely agree, that's what made last year so annoying

So many things fell into place

- Ware has a career year
- Tyron Smith and DeMarco Murray explode onto the scene like rookies rarely do
- The team found Fiametta and Laurent Robinson on the scrap heap
- Romo single-handedly guts out a win against the 49ers despite injuries to every offensive skill position

And despite all those great breaks for this team, all they could muster was 8-8. So disappointing.