View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Maverick41 
Joined: 15 Oct 2005 Posts: 19579 Location: RIP to My Boy, B2TB (Nik Evans)
|
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 1:37 pm Post subject: In-House Free Agency Decisions: Who Goes and Who Stays |
|
|
|
So Dallas has 17 unrestricted free agents this offseason. In the past three offseasons combined the Cowboys have had 47 UFAs and have re-signed 13 of them (including Rolando McClain twice).
So here is the list of Dallas' UFAs, put in code format so you guys can easily copy and arrange them how you like in your own projections.
Code: | Mark Sanchez - Quarterback
Kellen Moore - Quarterback
Darren McFadden - Running Back
Lance Dunbar - Running Back
Terrance Williams - Wide Receiver
Brice Butler - Wide Receiver
Gavin Escobar - Tight End
Ron Leary - Offensive Guard
Jack Crawford - Defensive Lineman
Terrell McClain - Defensive Tackle
Rolando McClain - Linebacker
Andrew Gachkar - Linebacker
Justin Durant - Linebacker
Brandon Carr - Cornerback
Morris Claiborne - Cornerback
Barry Church - Safety
JJ Wilcox - Safety |
Here are my projections...
RE-SIGNS
Kellen Moore - Quarterback
Brice Butler - Wide Receiver
Jack Crawford - Defensive Lineman
Andrew Gachkar - Linebacker
JJ Wilcox - Safety
I think Moore gets the edge over Sanchez due to smaller outside demand and Linehan's high view of him. I might still expect a Josh McCown or Shaun Hill to get called in, however.
Butler Didn't step up this season like he and the Cowboys wanted. I think he gets a one-year deal to come back and prove something for 2018 free agency. Potentially gets a second, non-guaranteed year.
Jack Crawford loves Dallas and Marinelli likes his positional flex. I think the "want-to" on both sides means he's back. Gachkar is sort of the same way. He's planted his family in the Metroplex and is a Bisaccia favorite on special teams.
I think Dallas picks one of either Wilcox or Church, but not both. I also don't think they'll allow both to walk. Ultimately I think Wilcox gets the edge because of his age, the huge strides he made in 2016, and the stronger outside forces that will pull at Barry Church.
LEAVES VIA FREE AGENCY
Mark Sanchez - Quarterback (Atlanta)
Darren McFadden - Running Back (Baltimore)
Terrance Williams - Wide Receiver (Washington)
Gavin Escobar - Tight End (New England)
Ron Leary - Offensive Guard (Tampa Bay)
Terrell McClain - Defensive Tackle (Tampa Bay)
Brandon Carr - Cornerback (Detroit)
Morris Claiborne - Cornerback (New Orleans)
Barry Church - Safety (Tennessee)
Kyle Shanahan is interested in taking Matt Schaub with him to San Francisco, so Atlanta will need a backup QB. Steve Sarkisian was a mentor to Sanchez at USC. Seems like a good fit.
Baltimore has consistently gambled on older players in free agency (Steve Smith, Eric Weddle, Justin Forsett) and they will need a veteran back to split carries with Kenneth Dixon since Terrance West appears likely to leave.
The Redskins like Terrance Williams and they could potentially be without DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. In Williams they get younger, cheaper, and improved blocking on the outside.
Gavin Escobar to New England just makes too much sense to me. Martellus Bennett will be leaving town and the Patriots love big, athletic tight ends to couple with Gronk. We also know Belichick's history of reclamation projects.
I think both Leary and McClain leave for Tampa. The Bucs are young, talented, and have lots of cap space. The left side of their line is in desperate need of repairing before they can be legitimate NFC contenders, and signing in Tampa would mean Ron Leary could return home to Louisiana twice a year to play the Saints. McClain grew up in Florida and has all of his immediate family currently living in the Tampa area.
Brandon Carr acknowledged he was considering retirement after the season, but I don't see it. Athletes do tend to get a little more sentimental in their decision-making when they start to wind down their careers though, so a return home to Michigan to a contending Lions team that could stand to upgrade across from Darius Slay would make sense.
I don't have any clue where Morris Claiborne goes. I don't know where he would view a "fresh start" and I don't know which team wants to risk his injuries. New Orleans' pass defense was terrible last year and he's a Louisiana kid, so that's my best guess.
As I mentioned, Church could potentially be in the other category and this could potentially be Wilcox. Ultimately I think another team steps up and offers money that Dallas won't, and the Titans could stand an upgrade over Da'Norris Searcy as they look to contend in 2017.
RETIREMENT
Lance Dunbar - Running Back
Rolando McClain - Linebacker
Justin Durant - Linebacker
Dunbar probably seems like an odd one to have on this list, but that knee injury was devastating. He drew little interest as it was last offseason and he didn't do anything this year to show he had returned to form. I think the phone never rings and he hangs up his cleats.
McClain is an obvious one.
Justin Durant played admirably on short notice for the Cowboys, but he was on the verge of retirement when they called. I think he's ready to move on with his life after football.
So who do you guys have us re-signing? _________________
bossvegas wrote: | to be fair some people just don't like traffic signs |
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
DaBoys 
Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 8293 Location: Not a fan of Linehan.
|
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 1:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
The only must keep on the list is Terrell McClain imo. I'd argue Leary too. Don't know that we can afford both, but if we are going to restructure for FA those are the FAs it should be.
Realistically I see:
McClain
Wilcox/Church(1)
Kellen Moore
Coming back. They may let McClain walk and let Thornton play the 1, but I feel like McClain is the better player. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
matt79511
Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 5023
|
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 2:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
Those seem like reasonable, well-founded and researched FA predictions. I definitely agree that Dallas will let the majority of their FAs walk this year and only keep a select few for very affordable prices. Losing Carr and Claiborne would hurt but it is a possibility.
I think Jacksonville is a pretty strong candidate to pursue Ron Leary. They have OL issues, mountains of cap room and a repeatedly demonstrated affinity for our castoff OLs. _________________
Adopt-a-Cowboy 2016: Sean Lee- 145 tackles (93 solo, 52 assisted), 1 PD, 1 FR, 13 TFLs, 977/982 defensive snaps played excluding the meaningless Week 17 game against the last place Eagles |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
WizardHawk 
Joined: 31 Jan 2009 Posts: 15678 Location: Hawkeye State
|
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 4:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
Smite - #1 priority
Church'Wilcox - most likely Church
Sanchez - His relationship with Dak is very good.
On the bubble....
Mo/Carr - I think one of them has a decent chance of returning.
Butler - Going rate for a decent #2WR is about $6m/yr. I think Butler sticks. _________________
Kiltman on the sig & avy |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
DaBoys 
Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 8293 Location: Not a fan of Linehan.
|
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 8:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
WizardHawk wrote: | Smite - #1 priority
Church'Wilcox - most likely Church
Sanchez - His relationship with Dak is very good. |
But he is not.
Kellen Moore looked better in his starts, and his relationship to our amazing OC Scott Linehan is very good. If Linehan has a say I bet he picks Moore.
I am on board with signing one Mo or Carr. I think Mo is about to get paid in FA though. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
WizardHawk 
Joined: 31 Jan 2009 Posts: 15678 Location: Hawkeye State
|
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 9:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
DaBoys wrote: | WizardHawk wrote: | Smite - #1 priority
Church'Wilcox - most likely Church
Sanchez - His relationship with Dak is very good. |
But he is not.
Kellen Moore looked better in his starts, and his relationship to our amazing OC Scott Linehan is very good. If Linehan has a say I bet he picks Moore.
I am on board with signing one Mo or Carr. I think Mo is about to get paid in FA though. |
Well, technically speaking, neither is worth a roster spot. But, I suppose Moore probably gets the nod. I mean, his QBR of 19 is nearly 4x better than that of Sanchez's. _________________
Kiltman on the sig & avy |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
TD-ES-JJ
Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Posts: 2147
|
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 11:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
WizardHawk wrote: | DaBoys wrote: | WizardHawk wrote: | Smite - #1 priority
Church'Wilcox - most likely Church
Sanchez - His relationship with Dak is very good. |
But he is not.
Kellen Moore looked better in his starts, and his relationship to our amazing OC Scott Linehan is very good. If Linehan has a say I bet he picks Moore.
I am on board with signing one Mo or Carr. I think Mo is about to get paid in FA though. |
Well, technically speaking, neither is worth a roster spot. But, I suppose Moore probably gets the nod. I mean, his QBR of 19 is nearly 4x better than that of Sanchez's. |
I'd take a late rd or UDFA over either of them, because they both have proven that they suck. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
resilient
Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Posts: 4683 Location: where old school ballers go to die
|
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 12:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
I cant think of a single reason why I would want Sanchez on this team. I would rather take the chances of drafting a QB late and hope for a long shot to come in (and become a Dak/Romo) then to let a definite BAD QB take a roster spot. Plus late rd picks are cheaper than Sanchez. _________________ it's not the SKILL of a man, but the WILL of a man. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
cowboysdreamer
Joined: 09 Feb 2013 Posts: 58 Location: Essex,Ontario Canada
|
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 9:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
1) Darren McFadden (RB) resign to a manageable back up contract some where down the road last year they lost their faith in Alfred Morris so that's another question mark in the run game. McFadden still showed that he's a reliable running back when he came back late last year. He's good coming out receiving the ball and good blocker. He'll probably except a fair manageable contract to stay with Cowboys.
2) Kellen Moore (QB) is probably the QB resigned if they cant talk Romo into remaining with the Cowboys as the back up QB @ a lower priced contract and having good odds to get to the Super Bowl down the road. Romo needs to realize that no other team is going to touch him with a 10 foot pole if he doesn't lower his contract price @ his age and injury history the last few years. I'm not saying he doesn't have the ability anymore its just how the finances play out in sports now a days. The Cowboys got lucky last year finding a reliable starting QB in Dak Prescott and Tony needs to look back when he stepped in to replacing Drew Bledsoe and he became the starter. It's time to either come to grips with Karma rolling around and the shoes on the other foot or work with the Jone's and help the Cowboys to make that trade that he may possibly want.
3)JJ Wilcox (S) would be the safety that I feel needs to be resigned he had the best season out of any of the other secondary players. Church has had injuries lately and is probably going to get big money offers from other teams.
4) Mo Claiborne (CB) when healthy he's their best corner but he's always injured unless he excepts an incentive contract that reflects the amount of time played on the field instead of the sidelines then he needs to be let go.
With all the remaining free agents on this Cowboys team I would look elsewhere to either sign key positioned players that have had friendly Cap hits in 2016 and look to the draft. Very heavy loaded draft with wide receivers , secondary , front loaded for defensive line. The Cowboys need to work their magic and finding a few gems late in the draft like Anthony Brown , Tony Romo to name a few of past finds. With the direction that the Cowboys are heading it's going to be hard for other free agents to turn down the Cowboy's offers if these players want to win a Super Bowl. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
matt79511
Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 5023
|
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 9:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
If we trade Romo to Denver, it'd be nice to get Siemian back so we don't have to bother with overpaying Butt Fumble or some other veteran, or relying on a late round/UDFA rookie to back up Dak. Could also maybe get Bryce Petty from the Jets. _________________
Adopt-a-Cowboy 2016: Sean Lee- 145 tackles (93 solo, 52 assisted), 1 PD, 1 FR, 13 TFLs, 977/982 defensive snaps played excluding the meaningless Week 17 game against the last place Eagles |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
DalCowboyzRule 
Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 23395
|
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 12:34 am Post subject: Re: In-House Free Agency Decisions: Who Goes and Who Stays |
|
|
|
Just gonna make a scale 1-10, 1 being don't want them back and 10 being want them back.
Mark Sanchez - Quarterback 3
Kellen Moore - Quarterback 6
Darren McFadden - Running Back 6
Lance Dunbar - Running Back 3
Terrance Williams - Wide Receiver 5
Brice Butler - Wide Receiver 7
Gavin Escobar - Tight End 3
Ron Leary - Offensive Guard 2 (not worth the $ when we have Collins)
Jack Crawford - Defensive Lineman 2
Terrell McClain - Defensive Tackle 9
Rolando McClain - Linebacker 0
Andrew Gachkar - Linebacker 4
Justin Durant - Linebacker 5
Brandon Carr - Cornerback 8 OR Morris Claiborne - Cornerback 8
Barry Church - Safety 7 OR JJ Wilcox - Safety 6 _________________
 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
CowboysFan96
Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Posts: 51 Location: New York, NY
|
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 10:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
Lance Dunbar - Running Back
Brice Butler - Wide Receiver
Ron Leary - Offensive Guard
Terrell McClain - Defensive Tackle
Brandon Carr - Cornerback
Morris Claiborne - Cornerback
Barry Church - Safety
This is who I want back if we can make it work. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
ware94
Joined: 02 Dec 2005 Posts: 1590 Location: Birmingham, Alabama
|
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 10:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
Bold prediction: Where Romo lands is where you'll see Williams land. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
CowboysFan96
Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Posts: 51 Location: New York, NY
|
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 12:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
ware94 wrote: | Bold prediction: Where Romo lands is where you'll see Williams land. |
Didn't Williams just get quoted saying he preferred Dak's leadership style over Romo? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Desperado82 
Joined: 20 Feb 2010 Posts: 37656 Location: Somewhere in the middle
|
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 12:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
CowboysFan96 wrote: | ware94 wrote: | Bold prediction: Where Romo lands is where you'll see Williams land. |
Didn't Williams just get quoted saying he preferred Dak's leadership style over Romo? |
He did say it was a bold prediction.  _________________
^^^El Rammy |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|