Star search
observer
range of challenges facing the Cowboys in personnel
decisions this off-season. Notice that her quarterback
recommendations (Billy Volek -and- Rivers, if available),
placed in the "Real must" (yes) or "luxury" category (and
I think we're all familiar with who perceives an upgrade
at the QB position as a luxury -- does Jones? Conflicted
messages have been sent).
These QB moves, which I strongly favor, were first men-
tioned by yours truly on February 9, 2004, in the following
article:
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http://www.google.com/groups?selm=40285d00_17%40Output.100ProofNews.com
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Excerpt:
... Billy Volek may be the answer. On the rookie front, the
QB who stands out on many fronts as far as the Cowboys
and possibilities at or near draft spot 22 is Philip Rivers
(4 years of experience, 5 Bowl wins, son of a coach, Brady-
like qualities). ...
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Posted on Sun, Feb. 29, 2004
Star search
Cowboys must be careful as they look for talent
By Jennifer Floyd Engel
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
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http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/sports/football/8071405.htm
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Complete article:
About twice a week, I get an e-mail suggesting I'd be better
off writing about what women were intended to write about,
mainly cooking. Obviously, these people have never exper-
ienced dinner at my house, where anything beyond pasta is
an adventure.
What the friendly suggestions reminded me of this week,
with NFL free agency beginning Wednesday, was Cowboys
coach Bill Parcells' famous quote from his days in New Eng-
land. "If I'm going to be asked to cook the meal," he said,
"I'd like to be able to pick the groceries."
Yes, it's shopping time again in the NFL and who better than
me to help the Cowboys prepare their "grocery" list?
The key to preparing a good meal, as well as a good team
in a free agency world, is determining what you can't survive
without, what you probably need some more of, and what
stuff would be nice but you'll be all right without it. Parcells
calls these his "must dos," "need to dos" and "want to dos."
One of the problems the Cowboys have this off-season is
they have a lot of "musts" and "needs" in addition to "wants."
So they need to establish the real musts, the kind-of musts,
the real needs, the kind-of needs, and change wants into "if
we have any money left over, we'll try to gets."
----
}}} Real must {{{
Running back
And not just any running back. They need a carry-the-mail
kind of back or a committee of backs who together will be
able to handle the workload Parcells wants. But there are
not a lot of these type backs in free agency. There is the
rare chance that salary-cap woes will force the Tennessee
Titans to release Eddie George. If that doesn't happen, the
Cowboys would be wise to draft a back. Options should be
available in the first round, and a steal might be available in
the second round.
Draft: Michael Turner (Northern Illinois), Maurice Clarett (Ohio
State), Chris Perry (Michigan), Greg Jones (Florida State)
Free agency: Leon Johnson, Duce Staley, Garrison Hearst,
Corey Dillon, Eddie George, Thomas Jones
Trade: Kevan Barlow
The pick: Draft Turner. The Cowboys probably need to sign
a back and draft a back, which makes Staley a perfect fit with
fullback Richie Anderson and a rookie. The concern is whether
Turner will be around when the Cowboys select in the second
round.
----
}}} Real need {{{
Offensive line
The Cowboys are returning four of five starters on the line, as
well as getting back center Al Johnson, who missed all last
season with an injury. There aren't holes, but there are ques-
tions. Right tackle Ryan Young has been battling a knee injury
and contemplated retirement. Right guard Andre Gurode is
coming off of a not-so-great year. And left guard Larry Allen
is showing wear and tear. The Cowboys need to improve their
line, which should improve the running game and quarterback
play.
Draft: Shawn Andrews (Arkansas), Carlos Joseph (Miami),
Nat Dorsey (Georgia Tech)
Free agency: Damien Woody, John Tait, Jeno James
Trade: No one worth pursuing
The pick: Sign James. He is a player on the rise and well worth
the investment.
----
}}} Kind-of need/want {{{
Wide receiver
They probably could survive with the receivers they have, but
trading for Keyshawn Johnson would be like getting something
for nothing. Joey Galloway was not going to be on this team
next season. The proposed trade to send Galloway to the Buc-
caneers for Johnson allows the Cowboys to get something for
Galloway.
Draft: Michael Clayton (LSU)
Free agency: Darrell Jackson, Kevin Dyson
Trade: Keyshawn Johnson
The pick: Trade for Johnson. The draft is deep for receivers
and somebody hot might be available in the Cowboys' first
three picks, but trading Joey Galloway for Johnson would make
the Cowboys better immediately.
----
}}} Kind-of musts {{{
Letting defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban and cornerback Mario
Edwards test free agency leaves blanks on the Cowboys' depth
chart. Though neither Edwards nor Ekuban dazzled anyone, they
are infinitely better than the players left to plug the holes.
--
Defensive end
The draft is stocked at defensive end. But Ekuban was drafted
to fill just such a hole. Drafting linemen is tricky. In fact, the closer
you get to the line of scrimmage, the harder it is to predict whether
a player will live up to his potential. The Cowboys might be wise
to handle this hole in free agency.
Draft: Antwan Odom (Alabama), Kenechi Udeze (USC),
Marquise Hill (LSU)
Free agency: Jevon Kearse, Grant Wistrom, Al Wallace
Trade: No one worth pursuing
The pick: Sign Wallace. The Cowboys need an impact player
opposite Greg Ellis, and their draft track record has not been
great. It's better to go get a somewhat proven albeit cheaper
talent such as Wallace.
--
Cornerback
When free agency opens, there are going to be some great
cornerbacks out there. The glut could drive prices down, or the
best of the bunch might end up receiving huge salaries.
Draft: Nathan Vasher (Texas), Dunta Robinson (South Carolina),
Keith Smith (McNeese State).
Free agency: Antoine Winfield, Shawn Springs, Troy Vincent,
Ahmed Plummer
Trade: No one worth pursuing
The pick: Sign Plummer. There are varying opinions on whether
the draft is deep for corners, and the Cowboys are unlikely to
use a high pick on a corner for the second consecutive year. But
they have to find somebody to play opposite Terence Newman
and the price might be steep on some of the free agents.
----
}}} Real must or luxury {{{
The category depends on who you talk to; the position is ...
--
Quarterback
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he does not see the Cowboys
bringing in somebody to compete with Quincy Carter, which rules
out signing any type of accomplished free agent. That leaves the
door open for drafting a quarterback, if the right one should fall to
them. It could set them up for the future.
Draft: Philip Rivers (N.C. State)
Free agency: Brad Johnson, Vinny Testaverde, Billy Volek
Trade: Patrick Ramsey, Jay Fiedler
The pick: Sign Volek. If Rivers is there at No. 22 in the first round,
the Cowboys should take him, but they also should also sign some-
one like Volek as competition for Quincy Carter next season.
Cowboys' free agents
----
Unrestricted free agents (4)
RB Michael Bates -- The Cowboys need a kick returner, but they
might not want to pay the veteran minimum of $760,000.
C Gennaro DiNapoli -- The Cowboys need to bring him back in case
Al Johnson has trouble returning from his injury.
CB Mario Edwards -- A three-year starter who is likely best suited
as a third corner. The Cowboys want him back, but only at a bargain
price.
DE Ebenezer Ekuban -- This former first-round pick has been a
huge disappointment with only three sacks in the past two seasons.
He could return at a bargain price for depth purposes.
----
}}} Restricted free agents (9) {{{
Players who can negotiate with other teams while the Cowboys
retain right of first refusal. The Cowboys will receive draft pick
compensation if they tender a player a minimum one-year offer
of $628,000 and he signs elsewhere. [insert -- tenders have
been offered to all of the following -- end insert]
DT Willie Blade -- Developed into a starter and strong contributor
in 2003.
RB Aveion Cason -- Will be hard-pressed to make the team in train-
ing camp.
OT Javiar Collins -- Showed little progress in three years and will
be hard-pressed to make the team in training camp.
RB Troy Hambrick -- Is not a featured back, but could help as part-
time running back, part-time fullback and special teams contributor.
C Matt Lehr -- Though not a long-term answer, emergency stint as
a 16-game starter last season endeared him with Bill Parcells.
S Lynn Scott -- Produces little on special teams and is not close
to starting potential; might have seen his final days with the Cowboys.
LB Markus Steele -- Improved as a special teams performer in
2003, and could return in similar role next season.
TE James Whalen -- A niche player who never found a role in 2003.
Don't know how that changes for 2004.
WR Randal Williams -- Solid special teams player who must finally
find a way to contribute as a receiver if he hopes to stick in 2004.
----
}}} Exclusive rights free agents (4) {{{
Players who can only sign with the Cowboys if they are offered a
one-year contract at the minimum salary for 2004. That's $305,000
for second-year players and $380,000 for third-year players.
[insert -- offers made to all of the following -- end insert]
RB Erik Bickerstaff -- Impressed the Cowboys in practice last sea-
son, and will get a chance to show his stuff in training camp.
PK Billy Cundiff -- Had a huge sophomore season after struggling
as a rookie; could become one of the league's better kickers.
CB Andrew Davison -- Must be a contributor on special teams and
develop as a backup corner.
OT Torrin Tucker -- Cowboys are looking for him to develop into
a long-term answer at right guard. Can assume that role in 2004?
----
}}} On the bubble {{{
Players under contract whom the Cowboys must make salary
decisions about in the off-season:
WR Joey Galloway -- Production is not worth an $8 million cap
figure. Will receive a restructured contract, be traded or be cut.
OG Larry Allen -- Past his prime, had a rough first season with
Parcells and not playing up to $5.5 million cap figure.
OT Ryan Young -- No longer a starter. If the Cowboys cut him
before Wednesday, they could save $900,000 off the 2004 cap.
SS Darren Woodson -- Is due a $1.2 million roster bonus.
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