*****COWBOYS 2017 Offseason Thread*****
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Last: 8 yr ago by jtstanley4621
Thanks for posting. That schedule is horrendous. First 4 - 5 games tough.
5 night games and only 2 at noon all season. I guess we can all go back to church this season.
Chargers first time on Thanksgiving since the merger
The number of prime time games for us this year is ridiculous... but not as ridiculous as those last 4 games. Tough!!!!
thats looking like a 10-6 at best type season. there are some tough stretches .
Sort of agree, but let's not forget, the Cowboys were the best regular season team last year... they brought their A game consistently every week (at least until Dirty Sanchez got under center).Orlando Ayala Cant Read said:
thats looking like a 10-6 at best type season. there are some tough stretches .
Based on last year, it's no longer "oh crap, look who we have to play".... it's the other teams saying, "oh crap, we have to play the Cowboys". Get some!!!!!!
I think the draft is really coming into focus the more I read/listen. It's becoming pretty clear that if we want a (possible) difference making DE it's gonna have to be our 1st pick. All the guys after that are projected to be a bunch of 3-4 sack JAGs.
I'm starting to wonder if DE is the odd man out in favor of CBs, Safety, & other best player available in the draft. We definitely have the bodies we need already on the D-line... the same can't be said about CB and Safety. Guys like Tyrone Crawford, Irving, D-Law, & Collins have enough "potential" to possibly make our D-line somewhat formidable along with pretty solid rotation guys (Paea, Mayowa, Thornton, Tapper, & Damonster).
I'm not ready to make a prediction just yet, but I'm starting to feel like the 1st round DE's on the Cowboys board are gonna be wiped out by the time we get to 28 and we are gonna go a different direction... and by the time we pick again in the 2nd there will be too many CBs, etc. with higher grades.
I'm starting to wonder if DE is the odd man out in favor of CBs, Safety, & other best player available in the draft. We definitely have the bodies we need already on the D-line... the same can't be said about CB and Safety. Guys like Tyrone Crawford, Irving, D-Law, & Collins have enough "potential" to possibly make our D-line somewhat formidable along with pretty solid rotation guys (Paea, Mayowa, Thornton, Tapper, & Damonster).
I'm not ready to make a prediction just yet, but I'm starting to feel like the 1st round DE's on the Cowboys board are gonna be wiped out by the time we get to 28 and we are gonna go a different direction... and by the time we pick again in the 2nd there will be too many CBs, etc. with higher grades.
agree, i think difference making edge rushers will be off the board at 28. there will however be some nice options in the secondary.
also interesting...what if Foster is there now at 28? i don't see Dallas taking him w their past issues but you never know. he's still a big time playmaker that would be hard to pass up.
also interesting...what if Foster is there now at 28? i don't see Dallas taking him w their past issues but you never know. he's still a big time playmaker that would be hard to pass up.
I think the Cowboys will want a pass rusher but the better value will be at CB because teams passed on them prior to the Cowboys pick because of all the positional depth.
It'll be fun to see how they handle it and I bet Jerry either wants to trade up into the top 15 or trade out of the first. Trades are fun and there's nothing fun about where they're drafting.
It'll be fun to see how they handle it and I bet Jerry either wants to trade up into the top 15 or trade out of the first. Trades are fun and there's nothing fun about where they're drafting.
Listening to Stephen in particular, I think it's pretty clear the Cowboys will maintain their current strategy of best player available, but for this year the best player is restricted to Defense for the first couple rounds at least.
I don't think your hypothetical about Foster is unreasonable. Even though they feel really good about their current group of LB'ers, I don't think they'd hesitate to pull the trigger if he was there and he is high on their board.
And the mocks are no help at all really, they are all over the place. I think the problem is the prospects this year. There is your usual 5-10 guys that really stand above the rest... but the next tier of players is really big! It really is hard to separate certain players that might go top 20 with guys that go late 2nd / early 3rd.
I guess that's a good thing since Dallas is picking late in every round, but it's gonna make scouts jobs difficult. I have confidence Will McClay will find us some good ones!!!
I don't think your hypothetical about Foster is unreasonable. Even though they feel really good about their current group of LB'ers, I don't think they'd hesitate to pull the trigger if he was there and he is high on their board.
And the mocks are no help at all really, they are all over the place. I think the problem is the prospects this year. There is your usual 5-10 guys that really stand above the rest... but the next tier of players is really big! It really is hard to separate certain players that might go top 20 with guys that go late 2nd / early 3rd.
I guess that's a good thing since Dallas is picking late in every round, but it's gonna make scouts jobs difficult. I have confidence Will McClay will find us some good ones!!!
corleoneAg99 said:
I think the Cowboys will want a pass rusher but the better value will be at CB because teams passed on them prior to the Cowboys pick because of all the positional depth.
That right there is the big wild card and sorta what I was eluding to in my post above. There is a very large group of CBs this year and it's very hard to rank them in order. So much talent here.
It makes it hard because you start playing mind games... is it worth it to draft a CB at 28 when there might be a very comparable guy at 60?
On the other hand, sometimes you just gotta count your blessings and not over-complicate things... CB is the most dire need on this team right now and the draft is loaded with them. Just go out there and get one right away and then, if it works out, go get another one in the 3rd/4th round. Problem solved.
That Chargers game looks like the only time that the Cowboys will wear blue.
Honestly I couldn't argue at all against the strategy of "pick the highest ranked defensive player" for about the first 4-5 rounds. There's not really a position in my head on defense where I would say we're stacked or set. d-line and corner being the weakest.
With Cowboy first pick, you take the best defensive lineman available.
With second pick, you take the best secondary player available.
With third pick, you take the best linebacker available.
Keep it simple.
With second pick, you take the best secondary player available.
With third pick, you take the best linebacker available.
Keep it simple.
What do y'all think of Reuben Foster?
I think he was a legit badass at Bama. But now you see some off the field stuff is coming out. Nothing too insane I guess, mostly just that strange argument with a hospital worker at the combine and now the failed drug test or whatever. If he dropped to the second round, I would LOVE for the cowboys to draft him. Doesn't seem like he'd drop out of the first though, even with those issues.
I think he was a legit badass at Bama. But now you see some off the field stuff is coming out. Nothing too insane I guess, mostly just that strange argument with a hospital worker at the combine and now the failed drug test or whatever. If he dropped to the second round, I would LOVE for the cowboys to draft him. Doesn't seem like he'd drop out of the first though, even with those issues.
Quote:
What do y'all think of Reuben Foster?
I think he was a legit badass at Bama. But now you see some off the field stuff is coming out. Nothing too insane I guess, mostly just that strange argument with a hospital worker at the combine and now the failed drug test or whatever. If he dropped to the second round, I would LOVE for the cowboys to draft him. Doesn't seem like he'd drop out of the first though, even with those issues.
Please no. Haven't we taken enough fliers on high draft picks that will make the HOF if all their injury/personal issues magically go away? Foster is a liar and not smart. His positive drug test was at the combine was due to dilution. He says he had a GI bug and was chugging gatorade and water. Guess what, people with acute gasteroenteritis don't get diluted urine. They get the opposite, and they have to chug gatorade and water just to get the urine back to normal. Heck, it can take quite a bit of IV fluids to dilute a dehydrated person's urine out that much. He's straight up lying and not smart enough to pass a scheduled drug test. We already have that position filled.
All that said, Jerry trades his first for an early second and picks him up as a "steal"
Is Foster another Rolando McLain? Stud Bama linebacker that can't keep his chit together without Saban breathing down his neck?
Even if it was just Gregory by himself that didn't turn out the way he did we coulda possibly taken a chance on Foster. (Instead we have other knuckleheads on the team too costing this team valuable defenders)
But now, I think if you factor logic and reason into it, and their need for reliable help (obviously reliable in the sense that nobody can predict injuries but you can at least do your homework on a guy's background) you gota pass on Foster.
That said, I wanted Spence last year. However, by all accounts Spence had cleaned his life up completely by the time draft day had rolled around. And had been problem free for 2 yrs. He's also a model citizen and team mate now in Tampa.
A lot of mocks have TJ Watt going after that 28th pick and some mocks have him going well after that 28th pick into the middle of the 2nd almost. But he's a guy I'm very intrigued by. Lotsa people feel like he's a gamer at the next level. At this point, I would actually like that pick I think but the Cowboys might see it as a reach at 28.
But now, I think if you factor logic and reason into it, and their need for reliable help (obviously reliable in the sense that nobody can predict injuries but you can at least do your homework on a guy's background) you gota pass on Foster.
That said, I wanted Spence last year. However, by all accounts Spence had cleaned his life up completely by the time draft day had rolled around. And had been problem free for 2 yrs. He's also a model citizen and team mate now in Tampa.
A lot of mocks have TJ Watt going after that 28th pick and some mocks have him going well after that 28th pick into the middle of the 2nd almost. But he's a guy I'm very intrigued by. Lotsa people feel like he's a gamer at the next level. At this point, I would actually like that pick I think but the Cowboys might see it as a reach at 28.
Don't forget about the possibility of trading back. There's def a legit chance the cowboys can take Watt without reaching.
Watt is definitely a name that has started popping up. Him and that guy from Houston (Bowser). Both are considered more of a Rush OLB, but that translates about the same as a Right DE, which is exactly what we need.
There are definitely still DEs that will be there at 28 worth taking (guys that will help this team)... the same quality of guy will NOT be there for us in the 2nd. The question is, will the DE at 28 be ranked high enough compared to a CB that is still there and may be higher on the board.
It's tough because there will be starting caliber CBs still available in the 2nd/3rd round. Tough.
There are definitely still DEs that will be there at 28 worth taking (guys that will help this team)... the same quality of guy will NOT be there for us in the 2nd. The question is, will the DE at 28 be ranked high enough compared to a CB that is still there and may be higher on the board.
It's tough because there will be starting caliber CBs still available in the 2nd/3rd round. Tough.
Every time I see Bowser mentioned I picture this guy
I imagine this guy
I'd be elated with Watt. He's basically a Jalon Smith type linebacker. Imagine is Smith comes back even close to form and you add Watt... that is two very versatile edge backers who are great pass rushers.
more random reading online..... and i think Watt makes a ton of sense for Dallas even at 28. while it may not be a steal or anything on the surface, it would be a pick that would be very very solid and might turn into a steal looking back on it.
at the same time, i also get the feeling reading that same stuff Watt might very well be one of those picks that comes completely unexpectedly early in the draft too when nobody expects him to be the guy. like i wouldn't be shocked at all to see him go between picks 10 and 20 at all.
at the same time, i also get the feeling reading that same stuff Watt might very well be one of those picks that comes completely unexpectedly early in the draft too when nobody expects him to be the guy. like i wouldn't be shocked at all to see him go between picks 10 and 20 at all.
I'm not gonna pretend to be a Big10 follower, but my thoughts on TJ Watt were that he was a pretty flat footed or slower LB. You seem to like him a lot. Is it something you've seen in his play? Pre draft hype? Or his surname that has your motor running?
No, also have not seen him enough to call him any kinda 100% surety or anything. However, from his highlights I absolutely love his tenacity and his ability to flight off blocks. Every play he's on the field his motor seems like it doesn't turn off. I can't speak to his speed but again, judging from the tape he just seems to be around the ball a ton and love the block shedding seemingly every play. Also, love the awareness he displays in situations.
Also, the fact that he's still kinda new to defense tells me he's got upside.
No doubt pedigree is a consideration here though. Not only the Watt pedigree, but you also have a Wisconsin pedigree that has paid off some in recent years in the NFL.
Also, the fact that he's still kinda new to defense tells me he's got upside.
No doubt pedigree is a consideration here though. Not only the Watt pedigree, but you also have a Wisconsin pedigree that has paid off some in recent years in the NFL.
Watt is a tough one. He is so new to the position that you're probably looking at a guy that doesn't contribute much for a year or two. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to play DE, but he is undersized and will also have to learn to hold that edge decently enough to not be a complete liability out there.
Overall though, I like his chances to turn into a solid player.
Overall though, I like his chances to turn into a solid player.
I get it, thanks for the reply. If I had my choice, I'd still hope to trade down. There just isn't a guy in the 28 spot I find all that great. Would rather get an extra pick in the 2nd or 3rd.
Watt had 11 sacks in what I believe was his 2nd year playing the position. He already exhibits some solid technique and tested better than expected at the combine. I'm not sure that he's a pure DE but I'd take him and figure out how to use him later.
His name is a huge factor if you think he shares his brother's work ethic. JJ was good in college and turned himself into an NFL MVP caliber player. That wasnt luck. At worst, TJ is a good player who is a great locker room guy. At best he's another beast in development.
His name is a huge factor if you think he shares his brother's work ethic. JJ was good in college and turned himself into an NFL MVP caliber player. That wasnt luck. At worst, TJ is a good player who is a great locker room guy. At best he's another beast in development.
Regardless of the name/pedigree/work ethic, Watt is a guy with one good year at a position. I think he's a guy that will make a GM look like either a genius or an idiot.
I'm not sure where I fall on him personally. I still feel like I would rather have Charles Harris over him, but who knows. I also think it's unfair to him to assume he'd make as big of strides as his brother.
I'm not sure where I fall on him personally. I still feel like I would rather have Charles Harris over him, but who knows. I also think it's unfair to him to assume he'd make as big of strides as his brother.
It was his 1st year at the position.
And undersized? He's 6'5 252lbs... that's plenty big for a rush end, but if he's drafted to a 4-3 he'll be 260+ by the time football starts.
I'd love the pick.
And undersized? He's 6'5 252lbs... that's plenty big for a rush end, but if he's drafted to a 4-3 he'll be 260+ by the time football starts.
I'd love the pick.
He had pretty much the same number of sacks in 1 year at Wisky than his brother did in 2 years. I think he is going to be a good one.
maybe moot, as i mentioned in an earlier post hearing more and more chatter that he's that one guy some team might take totally unexpectedly early in the draft.
Sometimes, Watt looked stiff to me.
Grab the best defensive lineman with your first pick.
Grab the best defensive lineman with your first pick.
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