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SportsDayDFW.com writer David Moore chatted with fans on Monday and discussed the Dallas Cowboys and the off-season. Here are some highlights:
Do you think the Dallas Cowboys will go after Nnamdi Asomugha?
I think a lot of teams will go after Asomugha. Players of his proven ability rarely hit the free agent market. Look for a bidding war. It's whether or not the Cowboys want to take part. There are also some other issues that add an element of intrigue to this: Does he have a good enough relationship with Rob Ryan from their days together in Oakland that he would give the Cowboys a longer look than he would otherwise? And just when does free agency start and what will the system be? The impending lockout puts all that on hold.
Has the rest of the coaching staff been decided and they’re just waiting till after the Super bowl to make the announcements? If not, is it because we are looking at hiring from one of the Super Bowl teams?
It's my understanding the staff is not in place, but close. I don't get the impression that any of the coaches on the Super Bowl are on the list. The official announcement will come after the Super Bowl. The league frowns on staging any sort of event in the host city that takes away from the main event.
Do you see Jerry making at least one big free agent signing?
He has not made a big splash in free agency the past few seasons. But these things go in cycles. The fact he hasn't done so, the fact this past season was such an abject failure, I would say every bone in Jones' body cries to make at least one flashy free agent signing.
I also think it makes some sense. This team has so many positions to address it's impossible to do it all through the draft.
Do you think the top 3 receivers next season will be Dez Bryant , Miles Austin and Kevin Ogletree?
Well, we know Austin and Bryant are locks. At the moment, I'd say Ogletree, but that's not a lock. Roy Williams will have a chance to remain with this team if he takes a pay cut. Will he do it? Should he do it? It's hard to say. He has said he would like to finish his career here, but at what price?
In my mind, there is a chance Williams stays. But so much baggage has been associated with his stay here - much of it not of his own doing - that it may be best for the two sides to part amicably and to plug a younger player into that spot.
And don't dismiss Sam Hurd. He's driven to prove he can be more than a special teams’ force. He wants to contribute at receiver. He will be given a chance this off-season - if there is an off-season with the looming lockout.
Should the Cowboys have waited for Jeff Fisher?
Some people will make that argument. But would you rather get a young assistant driven to prove he can be a head coach or a proven head coach who has come off of a long association with one team? The two head coaches in this Super Bowl are both in their first head coaching jobs. If you pick the right person, it makes sense. We'll soon find out if Jason Garrett is the right person. Jerry Jones is convinced he is, so I think this decision makes sense.
Why do you think we have had such a hard time developing offensive lineman?
The Cowboys appear philosophically averse to putting young offensive linemen on the field. They want a finished product, which is difficult to develop when the guy doesn't get playing time. This is one area where the team must change. I don't know if it can continue to fill in spots on the line through free agency. They need to develop their own players and anchor those positions long-term.
What offensive line free agent should Dallas take a look at?
Baltimore's Gared Gaither ended the season on injured reserve with a bad back but if he's healthy, he would be an upgrade at offensive tackle. I'd keep Indianapolis tackle Charlie Johnson in mind as well. New England guard Logan Mankins is about as good as it gets on the free agent market.
What is your opinion on Texas A&M’s Von Miller? If he is there at the ninth pick, do we take him? If not, who do you think the Cowboys take?
Miller was outstanding at the Senior Bowl. He may be a guy on the rise. Does he rise all the way to No. 9? I'm not sure he goes that far. It's my belief the Cowboys should take the top offensive lineman, cornerback or defensive tackle available at that spot. It doesn't sound like there will be an offensive lineman worthy of a pick that high. By process of elimination, I'd go cornerback or D-line, in that order.
Nebraska's Prince Amukamara and LSU’s Patrick Peterson, who could be gone by then, are two names to keep in mind at cornerback. Alabama's Marcell Dareus or Oregon State's Stephen Paca are considerations in the line.
Are there any rumors on who might buy the naming rights to the Cowboy's stadium? My dark horse is Nike since they will take over the NFL contract from Reebok and Jerry has done business with them in the past.
There are some rumors out there and it sounded like something was close, but since it's not in place now before the game you wouldn't think there would be a sense of urgency to get something down. Why attach your name to the stadium after the Super Bowl when you don't know how long a lockout will last? For what it's worth, Nike is not one of the possibilities I've heard in the rumor mill.
Do you think the Dallas Cowboys will go after Nnamdi Asomugha?
I think a lot of teams will go after Asomugha. Players of his proven ability rarely hit the free agent market. Look for a bidding war. It's whether or not the Cowboys want to take part. There are also some other issues that add an element of intrigue to this: Does he have a good enough relationship with Rob Ryan from their days together in Oakland that he would give the Cowboys a longer look than he would otherwise? And just when does free agency start and what will the system be? The impending lockout puts all that on hold.
Has the rest of the coaching staff been decided and they’re just waiting till after the Super bowl to make the announcements? If not, is it because we are looking at hiring from one of the Super Bowl teams?
It's my understanding the staff is not in place, but close. I don't get the impression that any of the coaches on the Super Bowl are on the list. The official announcement will come after the Super Bowl. The league frowns on staging any sort of event in the host city that takes away from the main event.
Do you see Jerry making at least one big free agent signing?
He has not made a big splash in free agency the past few seasons. But these things go in cycles. The fact he hasn't done so, the fact this past season was such an abject failure, I would say every bone in Jones' body cries to make at least one flashy free agent signing.
I also think it makes some sense. This team has so many positions to address it's impossible to do it all through the draft.
Do you think the top 3 receivers next season will be Dez Bryant , Miles Austin and Kevin Ogletree?
Well, we know Austin and Bryant are locks. At the moment, I'd say Ogletree, but that's not a lock. Roy Williams will have a chance to remain with this team if he takes a pay cut. Will he do it? Should he do it? It's hard to say. He has said he would like to finish his career here, but at what price?
In my mind, there is a chance Williams stays. But so much baggage has been associated with his stay here - much of it not of his own doing - that it may be best for the two sides to part amicably and to plug a younger player into that spot.
And don't dismiss Sam Hurd. He's driven to prove he can be more than a special teams’ force. He wants to contribute at receiver. He will be given a chance this off-season - if there is an off-season with the looming lockout.
Should the Cowboys have waited for Jeff Fisher?
Some people will make that argument. But would you rather get a young assistant driven to prove he can be a head coach or a proven head coach who has come off of a long association with one team? The two head coaches in this Super Bowl are both in their first head coaching jobs. If you pick the right person, it makes sense. We'll soon find out if Jason Garrett is the right person. Jerry Jones is convinced he is, so I think this decision makes sense.
Why do you think we have had such a hard time developing offensive lineman?
The Cowboys appear philosophically averse to putting young offensive linemen on the field. They want a finished product, which is difficult to develop when the guy doesn't get playing time. This is one area where the team must change. I don't know if it can continue to fill in spots on the line through free agency. They need to develop their own players and anchor those positions long-term.
What offensive line free agent should Dallas take a look at?
Baltimore's Gared Gaither ended the season on injured reserve with a bad back but if he's healthy, he would be an upgrade at offensive tackle. I'd keep Indianapolis tackle Charlie Johnson in mind as well. New England guard Logan Mankins is about as good as it gets on the free agent market.
What is your opinion on Texas A&M’s Von Miller? If he is there at the ninth pick, do we take him? If not, who do you think the Cowboys take?
Miller was outstanding at the Senior Bowl. He may be a guy on the rise. Does he rise all the way to No. 9? I'm not sure he goes that far. It's my belief the Cowboys should take the top offensive lineman, cornerback or defensive tackle available at that spot. It doesn't sound like there will be an offensive lineman worthy of a pick that high. By process of elimination, I'd go cornerback or D-line, in that order.
Nebraska's Prince Amukamara and LSU’s Patrick Peterson, who could be gone by then, are two names to keep in mind at cornerback. Alabama's Marcell Dareus or Oregon State's Stephen Paca are considerations in the line.
Are there any rumors on who might buy the naming rights to the Cowboy's stadium? My dark horse is Nike since they will take over the NFL contract from Reebok and Jerry has done business with them in the past.
There are some rumors out there and it sounded like something was close, but since it's not in place now before the game you wouldn't think there would be a sense of urgency to get something down. Why attach your name to the stadium after the Super Bowl when you don't know how long a lockout will last? For what it's worth, Nike is not one of the possibilities I've heard in the rumor mill.
