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Aggressive Start Will Make Drafting Simpler
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - Asked a week ago about the Cowboys' upcoming approach to free agency, Jason Garrett's words now could be considered prophetic.
"Hopefully we can address some of the issues we feel like we have on our team with some players we feel are attractive, and then we can go into the draft and draft as purely as possible," the head coach said.
By "purely," Garrett meant immune to need. Draft the best player on the board, if possible.
Three days into this year's signing period, the Cowboys are already approaching that goal.
They've signed six players to fill six particular needs, most notably cornerback Brandon Carr (five years in the $50 million range) to replace waived long-time starter Terence Newman with another young press cover guy. The rest – Kyle Orton, Makenzy Bernadeau, Lawrence Vickers, Brodney Pool and Dan Connor – have been necessary, if not splashy, moves.
•They needed a veteran replacement for retiring backup quarterback Jon Kitna. Orton is 29, still in his prime, and a starter for the majority of his career. Beyond Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn, he might have been the most coveted QB on the market.
•They wanted more size and competition on the interior offensive line. Guard Bernadeau isn't a household name, but he's a 308-pounder with starting experience who, despite signing a four-year deal, isn't necessarily a progress stopper for young linemen like 2011 fourth-round pick David Arkin. Bengals guard Nate Livings, another veteran starter, also visited Thursday at Valley Ranch.
•They wanted to maintain a true fullback presence on the 53-man roster. Despite their original intentions to tender restricted free agent Tony Fiammetta, they jumped at Vickers – another proven lead blocker – when he became a salary cap cut in Houston on Tuesday.
•They needed a third inside linebacker to team with signal-caller Sean Lee and 2011 second-round pick Bruce Carter. Connor, a college teammate of Lee's, provides insurance for Carter's development now that Keith Brooking and Bradie James are free agents. Whether he starts or jumps into sub-packages, Connor will play.
•And with Abram Elam a free agent, they wanted a safety who's also familiar with Rob Ryan's scheme. Pool is just that, but by signing him to a one-year deal, the Cowboys keep opportunities open for a talented backup like Barry Church or perhaps a 2012 draft pick.
"I think we're getting close. I think we're not there yet," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said. "We've still got work to do, but I think we can get that done. Obviously we've taken a big step with what we did that first day.
"Our goal is to hopefully take care of most of our needs and then we can get in that draft and have the chance to take that best player available."
Clearly, the organization had no illusions about their position in the NFC pecking order. They finished 8-8, one win short of the NFC East title, but they also lost four of their last five in December/January to miss the playoffs for the second straight year.
They knew they had to improve some starting positions as well as their general depth, creating competition across the roster. Nothing is guaranteed, but their pro scouting department found nice pieces last year, too: wide receiver Laurent Robinson, Fiammetta, cornerback Frank Walker.
So, what could be left? Backup tight end: Martellus Bennett left for the Giants, and free agent target Kellen Davis re-signed with the Bears. Wide receiver: Robinson couldn't pass up $32 million from the Jaguars. And team officials have said they can never find enough pass rushers, even with outside linebacker Anthony Spencer returning with the franchise tag.
Not there yet, as Jones said. But it's been a fast start – one of the most proactive in recent memory.
Aggressive Start Will Make Drafting Simpler
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - Asked a week ago about the Cowboys' upcoming approach to free agency, Jason Garrett's words now could be considered prophetic.
"Hopefully we can address some of the issues we feel like we have on our team with some players we feel are attractive, and then we can go into the draft and draft as purely as possible," the head coach said.
By "purely," Garrett meant immune to need. Draft the best player on the board, if possible.
Three days into this year's signing period, the Cowboys are already approaching that goal.
They've signed six players to fill six particular needs, most notably cornerback Brandon Carr (five years in the $50 million range) to replace waived long-time starter Terence Newman with another young press cover guy. The rest – Kyle Orton, Makenzy Bernadeau, Lawrence Vickers, Brodney Pool and Dan Connor – have been necessary, if not splashy, moves.
•They needed a veteran replacement for retiring backup quarterback Jon Kitna. Orton is 29, still in his prime, and a starter for the majority of his career. Beyond Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn, he might have been the most coveted QB on the market.
•They wanted more size and competition on the interior offensive line. Guard Bernadeau isn't a household name, but he's a 308-pounder with starting experience who, despite signing a four-year deal, isn't necessarily a progress stopper for young linemen like 2011 fourth-round pick David Arkin. Bengals guard Nate Livings, another veteran starter, also visited Thursday at Valley Ranch.
•They wanted to maintain a true fullback presence on the 53-man roster. Despite their original intentions to tender restricted free agent Tony Fiammetta, they jumped at Vickers – another proven lead blocker – when he became a salary cap cut in Houston on Tuesday.
•They needed a third inside linebacker to team with signal-caller Sean Lee and 2011 second-round pick Bruce Carter. Connor, a college teammate of Lee's, provides insurance for Carter's development now that Keith Brooking and Bradie James are free agents. Whether he starts or jumps into sub-packages, Connor will play.
•And with Abram Elam a free agent, they wanted a safety who's also familiar with Rob Ryan's scheme. Pool is just that, but by signing him to a one-year deal, the Cowboys keep opportunities open for a talented backup like Barry Church or perhaps a 2012 draft pick.
"I think we're getting close. I think we're not there yet," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said. "We've still got work to do, but I think we can get that done. Obviously we've taken a big step with what we did that first day.
"Our goal is to hopefully take care of most of our needs and then we can get in that draft and have the chance to take that best player available."
Clearly, the organization had no illusions about their position in the NFC pecking order. They finished 8-8, one win short of the NFC East title, but they also lost four of their last five in December/January to miss the playoffs for the second straight year.
They knew they had to improve some starting positions as well as their general depth, creating competition across the roster. Nothing is guaranteed, but their pro scouting department found nice pieces last year, too: wide receiver Laurent Robinson, Fiammetta, cornerback Frank Walker.
So, what could be left? Backup tight end: Martellus Bennett left for the Giants, and free agent target Kellen Davis re-signed with the Bears. Wide receiver: Robinson couldn't pass up $32 million from the Jaguars. And team officials have said they can never find enough pass rushers, even with outside linebacker Anthony Spencer returning with the franchise tag.
Not there yet, as Jones said. But it's been a fast start – one of the most proactive in recent memory.