Jonathan Estrada
Wichita, Kans.
In the second half of the Giants game, the Cowboys went no-huddle and was successful. Do you think they should let Romo go no-huddle more next season?
Nick: You're right, the offense seems to work more efficiently with no-huddle and at the end of halves, but it's not something you can always do. If you have a three-and-out, your defense is right back on the field again and probably not as effective. Now there is a big difference between hurry-up and no-huddle. The Cowboys use the no-huddle a lot, but it doesn't mean it's a fast-break tempo. I think the no-huddle is something we're seeing a lot more in the NFL and keeps the quarterback more in charge of the personnel and the play-calling.
William Houchins
Beaver, W.Va.
Might this be the year the team drafts a young QB to compete with Stephen McGee? I believe the jury is still out on this guy.
Nick: I think the jury is definitely out on him, whether it's just to be a backup to Romo or even a potential starter one day. The question is where do you get this backup QB? I'd say maybe the middle rounds once again like you did with McGee, but this time get a guy that doesn't need to completely rework his mechanics and is maybe someone who ran more of a pro-style offense.
Keith Drexler
Tampa, Fla.
With so many Cowboy players going into free agency this year, which one do you think Jerry Jones will target the most to re-sign?
Nick: That's a tough question. With guys out there like Laurent Robinson, Abram Elam, Anthony Spencer, Keith Brooking, Mat McBriar and Bradie James to name a few, it'll be an interesting offseason. I think Spencer is the key player in this equation. While he hasn't been as productive as you'd like from a first-round pick, he might be better than anything else you can get. Remember, you have to decide on him long before the draft rolls around. Robinson and McBriar will probably be targeted to return, but they might want to test their market value as well.
Patrick
Austin, Texas
These retread coaches who returned to Dallas (i.e.: Campo and Houck) seem to have run their course. When they were brought back it almost had a "greatest hits" feel to the hiring process, based on past performance more than future potential. Am I wrong in believing that their tanks are empty and they should have never been brought back?
Nick: You can always make a case for that. It's like if they were so great, then why did you not keep them the first time? But let's not just keep it at Campo and Houck, because Jerry Jones has done this before with guys like Paul Pasqualoni, Wade Wilson, Ernie Zampese and even Mike Woicik now as the strength coach. It works in some cases because the circumstances are always different, but there is a strong case to be made for getting fresh voices in here. I tend to side with you on that one.
John
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Two questions here in reference to Jerome Henderson:
1) The Cleveland Browns finished No. 2 in pass defense, however 30th in rush defense. Couldn't those pass stats be inflated due to Cleveland not being able to stop the run?
2) Honestly, would any secondary coach have made a difference on the 2011 Cowboys? It came down to not having the personnel.
Nick: Not sure if you're in favor of Henderson coming in or not, or basically saying it's hard to judge a defensive backs coach sometimes, which is true. More than anything, like the previous answer about a different voice, it's probably something the secondary needs, to get a guy like Henderson with a new approach. As far the second part, I think secondary coaches can make some difference, but you're right, this team needs more playmakers. These guys aren't always out of position, but don't always make the play on the ball. That's not all coaching. It's personnel, like you said.
Bill M.
Dallas, Texas
What is the purpose of giving Bill Callahan the offensive coordinator title if he is not going to be calling plays? It seems we gave him this title just for the sake of being able to tell the fans "see, we got an offensive coordinator." It sounds like the same thing as hiring a GM although Jerry still makes personnel decisions.
Nick: Can't disagree with you there. Hudson Houck said last week the "running game coordinator" was just a title and he had no different duties last year. I'm not sure what Jimmy Robinson does as the "assistant head coach" either. I think that's the way it goes sometimes in the league. It's good for coaches to have these titles when they're going for other jobs and maybe it's a way to justify the fact that Callahan turned down an offer to remain the Jets' offensive line coach.
John Sparks
Virginia Beach, Va.
We're average this year and we've been average for 15 years (because even the 13 - 3 team collapsed in postseason). How can this be fixed?
Nick: Not sure there is one good answer here. It's not really broken in a lot of areas, but there are tons of cracks. I think the way it gets fixed more than any other is through the draft. This team just hasn't been as fortunate in landing mid-round players to come in and start. I know it's not easy to get a fifth-round pick to start, but yes, it happens. For the most part, the Cowboys have struggled to get consistent help through the draft, including 2009 when they had 12 picks and don't have a real starter to show for it.
Brian McDaniel
Jersey City, N.J.
There are a lot of good-to-great receivers in free agency this upcoming offseason. Do you think because of the depth there that Laurent Robinson's price tag may be cheaper?
Nick: There is a chance for that, but there isn't a real way of knowing until free agency hits. And with that, you run the risk of not getting him back. I think the Cowboys would like to have Robinson return, but they won't break the bank for their No. 3 receiver. So I would imagine Robinson and his agent shop his surfaces around, banging the 11-touchdown drum like they should, but if the money isn't what they want, the Cowboys could then land him once again.
Wichita, Kans.
In the second half of the Giants game, the Cowboys went no-huddle and was successful. Do you think they should let Romo go no-huddle more next season?
Nick: You're right, the offense seems to work more efficiently with no-huddle and at the end of halves, but it's not something you can always do. If you have a three-and-out, your defense is right back on the field again and probably not as effective. Now there is a big difference between hurry-up and no-huddle. The Cowboys use the no-huddle a lot, but it doesn't mean it's a fast-break tempo. I think the no-huddle is something we're seeing a lot more in the NFL and keeps the quarterback more in charge of the personnel and the play-calling.
William Houchins
Beaver, W.Va.
Might this be the year the team drafts a young QB to compete with Stephen McGee? I believe the jury is still out on this guy.
Nick: I think the jury is definitely out on him, whether it's just to be a backup to Romo or even a potential starter one day. The question is where do you get this backup QB? I'd say maybe the middle rounds once again like you did with McGee, but this time get a guy that doesn't need to completely rework his mechanics and is maybe someone who ran more of a pro-style offense.
Keith Drexler
Tampa, Fla.
With so many Cowboy players going into free agency this year, which one do you think Jerry Jones will target the most to re-sign?
Nick: That's a tough question. With guys out there like Laurent Robinson, Abram Elam, Anthony Spencer, Keith Brooking, Mat McBriar and Bradie James to name a few, it'll be an interesting offseason. I think Spencer is the key player in this equation. While he hasn't been as productive as you'd like from a first-round pick, he might be better than anything else you can get. Remember, you have to decide on him long before the draft rolls around. Robinson and McBriar will probably be targeted to return, but they might want to test their market value as well.
Patrick
Austin, Texas
These retread coaches who returned to Dallas (i.e.: Campo and Houck) seem to have run their course. When they were brought back it almost had a "greatest hits" feel to the hiring process, based on past performance more than future potential. Am I wrong in believing that their tanks are empty and they should have never been brought back?
Nick: You can always make a case for that. It's like if they were so great, then why did you not keep them the first time? But let's not just keep it at Campo and Houck, because Jerry Jones has done this before with guys like Paul Pasqualoni, Wade Wilson, Ernie Zampese and even Mike Woicik now as the strength coach. It works in some cases because the circumstances are always different, but there is a strong case to be made for getting fresh voices in here. I tend to side with you on that one.
John
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Two questions here in reference to Jerome Henderson:
1) The Cleveland Browns finished No. 2 in pass defense, however 30th in rush defense. Couldn't those pass stats be inflated due to Cleveland not being able to stop the run?
2) Honestly, would any secondary coach have made a difference on the 2011 Cowboys? It came down to not having the personnel.
Nick: Not sure if you're in favor of Henderson coming in or not, or basically saying it's hard to judge a defensive backs coach sometimes, which is true. More than anything, like the previous answer about a different voice, it's probably something the secondary needs, to get a guy like Henderson with a new approach. As far the second part, I think secondary coaches can make some difference, but you're right, this team needs more playmakers. These guys aren't always out of position, but don't always make the play on the ball. That's not all coaching. It's personnel, like you said.
Bill M.
Dallas, Texas
What is the purpose of giving Bill Callahan the offensive coordinator title if he is not going to be calling plays? It seems we gave him this title just for the sake of being able to tell the fans "see, we got an offensive coordinator." It sounds like the same thing as hiring a GM although Jerry still makes personnel decisions.
Nick: Can't disagree with you there. Hudson Houck said last week the "running game coordinator" was just a title and he had no different duties last year. I'm not sure what Jimmy Robinson does as the "assistant head coach" either. I think that's the way it goes sometimes in the league. It's good for coaches to have these titles when they're going for other jobs and maybe it's a way to justify the fact that Callahan turned down an offer to remain the Jets' offensive line coach.
John Sparks
Virginia Beach, Va.
We're average this year and we've been average for 15 years (because even the 13 - 3 team collapsed in postseason). How can this be fixed?
Nick: Not sure there is one good answer here. It's not really broken in a lot of areas, but there are tons of cracks. I think the way it gets fixed more than any other is through the draft. This team just hasn't been as fortunate in landing mid-round players to come in and start. I know it's not easy to get a fifth-round pick to start, but yes, it happens. For the most part, the Cowboys have struggled to get consistent help through the draft, including 2009 when they had 12 picks and don't have a real starter to show for it.
Brian McDaniel
Jersey City, N.J.
There are a lot of good-to-great receivers in free agency this upcoming offseason. Do you think because of the depth there that Laurent Robinson's price tag may be cheaper?
Nick: There is a chance for that, but there isn't a real way of knowing until free agency hits. And with that, you run the risk of not getting him back. I think the Cowboys would like to have Robinson return, but they won't break the bank for their No. 3 receiver. So I would imagine Robinson and his agent shop his surfaces around, banging the 11-touchdown drum like they should, but if the money isn't what they want, the Cowboys could then land him once again.