Dallas Cowboys War Room

[SoxFan01605]

Quote: Originally Posted by Krioniq

Forgot about Sensabaugh. I'd bring him back if we can do it without breaking bank. Also, about the staff, I'm not convinced that we were ever really outcoached in any game in the back half of our season. Garrett's offense looked anemic today because of the poor play of our offensive line, and the defense gave up points partially due to the offense putting them in poor situations and often. I feel like that 1) we need to start preparing for the departures of aging players on the line (Adams), 2) we need to just get better on the line in general (I personally feel like Romo makes them look a bit better than they actually are due to his ability to extend the play with his feet), and 3) we need to get a legitimate threat opposite of Miles Austin (*cough* somehow get rid of Roy Williams for someone who is actually decent *cough*).

I agree with this. Really, the only coach that would be an obvious upgrade over Phillips would be Cowher, and I don't know if it's reasonably worth the money it would cost to bring him in or if he would even be interested anyway. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have him be the HC of this team, I just don't know how realistic that prospect is.

I have not been Wade's biggest supporter, but he's clearly got the players attention, is good with the defense (schemes, personnel, etc), and certainly had them in position to be successful this year, and really each year he's been here. Garrett is a decent OC, and I think that consistency is likely more important at this point than anything that could be brought in.

Our defense could still use some upgrades in the secondary (safety, as usual) and the OL got exposed as the very one-dimensional unit they are IMO. I agree with the assessment that Romo helps their appearance in pass protection and that they need to start looking for potential fill-ins for guys like Flo. I'm intrigued to see how Free plays into the decisions made there...he played admirably when filling in for Columbo. At the very least, depth for the OL is a must. Depth at WR would be nice too...and hopefully their is fair competition for who will be the starting pair at WR. I think if we can forget contract and compensation based expectations for Williams, he can better contribute in a more situational role.

Special teams needs the most work (as a unit) as they again need to address the kicker situation and while their coverage has been mostly fine, their blocking has been very hit or miss.

It sounds like a lot of "needs" for this team, but really it's mostly about depth IMO. I'm honestly happy with this team's performance this year. I know a lot of people hopped on the hype train down the stretch and felt let down (and I do feel they could have clearly performed better in this last game) but I thought they overachieved based on realistic expectations most had for the team after the prior year. They should definitely be in the hunt next year, yet again.

[elgreazy1]

I agree, Cowboys need to address some depth, lock up Austin & possibly Sensabaugh this offseason as their main goals.

As we saw, Flozell's decline has hit a big time drop but that's no knock on him; the guy was never a technical blocker and mainly used size & strength. Now with much less athleticism, you can't count on him too much. Free filled in great for Columbo, but I think he worked better at RT; who knows though, he was trust into LT against an All Pro on Sunday so his debut there didn't look too positive. The OL is getting up their in age, so I'm hoping at some point the front office starts drafting some blue-chip talent & not just prospects to begin to mold. The 90's Cowboys were successful largely from the OL, when they disappeared we got some very mediocre teams; I'm hoping JJ learned this last time and keeps the OL as a strength.

Sensabaugh, IMO, really helped the defense. With being a great cover guy it really allowed the CBs to play man most games and free up the rest of the defense. The LBs were able to focus less on coverage & more on pressure. As for the safety position, I'm not sure what the heck happened to Ken Hamlin. THe guy came in as a pretty good FA and even made the Pro Bowl his first season in Big D but since then he's been relatively quiet aside from picking up penalties. I'd love for the Cowboys to go looking for either an athletic enforcer or a big-time playmaker to rome deep.

The resiging of Austin is a no-brainer and I'm sure they'll get it done. I can't forsee Miles asking to break the bank, but at the same time with no salary cap upcoming next year he might as well ask for a lot. Maybe Jerry Jones will work this out and pay Austin deservedly -- as much as Roy Williams -- so there are no issues. I still like Crayton because he doesn't excell at anything but he's above average at everything: returns, slot, stong or weakside WR, etc. I think Ogletree will step in down the line and contribute but I'd still like to see the Cowboys get another solid addition here even if it's merely a stop-gap vet who is a contributor.

Special teams... well, IMO, go out there and spend the big money on a kicker if they really need it. I think the organization saw first hand what not having a great kicking game can do. Buehler & McBriar have their parts down perfectly, but unless Buehler can start kicking they really need to go after someone. 10+ missed FGs by Folk & 2+ more by Suisham means more points, more wins, more consistancy, more confidence, etc.

[elvistatexas]

we need sum thugs on that oline like we use to have and get either brandon marshall r vincent jackson tha hell with roy williams he needs 2 go

[Hooe]

Quote: Originally Posted by elvistatexas

we need sum thugs on that oline like we use to have and get either brandon marshall r vincent jackson tha hell with roy williams he needs 2 go

Assuming there's no new collective bargaining agreement, the Cowboys are limited by the "Final Eight" rule with regard to what free agents they can sign. I don't remember the exact wording of the rule, however.

Also, though I wouldn't mind seeing Roy Williams out of town either, we aren't trading for Marshall or Jackson. Who / what would we give up, and, particularly after how much we gave up for Williams, would it really be worth it? Honestly, I think we could do reasonably well with Austin, Crayton, and Ogletree as our top three wide receivers, particularly when combined with Witten, Bennett, and Phillips at TE as well as our three-headed backfield of Barber, Jones, and Choice.

That said, if we let Roy Williams go, we probably ought to draft a receiver at some point early in this year's draft.

[Hooe]

It's quiet. Too quiet.

Other teams are at least poking around at RFA Gerald Sensabaugh. If we lose him (and we'd get a second-round draft pick in return if we did), safety becomes a need unless Wade and Jerruh are comfortable playing Alan Ball and the Hamlins (Ken and Michael). Not sure if I'd be happy with that scenario, however, at least on paper going into the season.

[tonybologna]

Quote: Originally Posted by Krioniq

It's quiet. Too quiet. Other teams are at least poking around at RFA Gerald Sensabaugh. If we lose him (and we'd get a second-round draft pick in return if we did), safety becomes a need unless Wade and Jerruh are comfortable playing Alan Ball and the Hamlins (Ken and Michael). Not sure if I'd be happy with that scenario, however, at least on paper going into the season.

I hope we keep Sensabaugh. He played really well for us last season.

[Hooe]

Found at least one reason why we've been so quiet: we're already paying our on-roster players $153 million, by far the tops in the NFL. It appears Jerruh was banking on having an uncapped year.

[mm boost]

Mock drafts are predicting Taylor Mays, and I personally believe he has some serious potential. The guy flat out kills people, and he as freakish athlete. This is what we need in our secondary. With some work on his fundamentals mainly in the passing game, he could be a great addition to our defense.

If not Taylor Mays, I believe going after Darren Sharper would be a hell of a pick up. I know a lot of people bring out the age card for their argument, but look at it like this. Brooking is on up there in age, and he had a great season. His main contribution, though, was the energy he brought to the field. Everyone around him fed off his energy and defensive mindset, and everyone (IMO) played at a better level. With so much youth in our secondary, Darren Sharper would bring some serious energy, skills, knowledge and experience to the table. This would help out the guys around him, which is really our only weakpoint on the defense (safety position). Gerald Sensabaugh had a decent season, but Hamlin played atrocious (IMO). I think if we could pick up either of these guys, it would be a step in the right direction.

I have this gut feeling deep down inside of me that Dallas might be contemplating trading for Brandon Marshall. I don't know why, but I just do. Williams (with some work), Marshall, Austin, Crayton, Ogletree, O'Holley....we'd have a pretty solid receiving corp. Dallas probably won't go for Marshall, though, because I am sure Jerruh has his eyes on getting a solid first round pick. We will find out soon enough I reckon!

Is any other avid cowboy fan on here freaking PISSED OFF that every time you sign on dallascowboys.com that they ONLY news we are getting is about the freakin pacquiao fight and about "It was 1969....." This is NOT news damnit!

Ok I am done.