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Wishful Thinking?
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - Lists, lists, lists.
That's about all we've got anymore. Top 10 of this. Top 12 of that. Five guys to remember for this and seven players who will compete for that.
I guess that's where we are these days in all of sports. It's not good enough to just see or read about a certain player or position. But let's rank them and see where it stands compared to others.
That's really our society in general. We're always trying to see how one thing stacks up to another. Nothing wrong with that.
This week, I figured I'd get into the main topic we're all thinking about anyway - and that's free agency. When - and yes it's looking more like a "when" than an "if" - this lockout comes to an end, the free-agent signing period will likely be upon us soon after.
So just who will be on this team a month from now? That's rarely a question asked in late June. If this team gets to training camp on time, there will likely be 10-15 new players on the roster, including a handful of significant veteran free agents.
It's weird to think the makeup of a team can be so different in a short amount of time. But that's the state of the league for this year and it's the same for every team. No sense in complaining about it - it's just a different dynamic this year.
Despite not being able to act on anything, you have to think teams are ready to pounce when this deal goes through. Just what are the Cowboys' top priorities and needs? That's the question we're all trying to figure out.
So I'll try to play GM for a day. And it's not easy considering we don't know what the logistics of a lockout will be, but I'm going to guess there will be a salary cap of some kind. It wouldn't be logical to assume the teams and players are going to go through all of this and then come up with another uncapped season.
OK, so here's my list. I've got 10 players to sign if I'm the Cowboys, based on all of the new rules and nuances from a new CBA. Some of them are your own free agents, guys from other teams and even undrafted rookies.
Yeah, I know it's probably not this black and white, but it's late June and we're scrambling, so go with me here. These are the 10 players I'd realistically try to sign if I'm the Cowboys.
Now usually we'd do a countdown from 10 to 1, but since this is a priority thing, you don't get the luxury to go that way. So let's start with the first player who should be signed once this thing is over and work backward.
Remember, this is a Cowboys wish list:
1. Doug Free - He's the top priority for the Cowboys. Even with the drafting of Tyron Smith, the team must solidify Free and it'll likely cost them more than they're anticipating. If teams are forced to spend all of the proposed new salary cap, then it might drive up the cost to re-sign Free. But with Marc Colombo's age and injury concerns and really no experienced backup behind that, the Cowboys MUST get Free signed and locked up for years to come.
2. Nnamdi Asomugha - Now, I'm not saying cornerback is actually the second-highest priority here. It's definitely not. But if you're going to get this guy, and something tells me the Cowboys are one of the favorites to land him, then you probably can't wait around here, because the price won't be dropping. If he's on the radar, then go get him and you'll have a good idea how much money is left - if any - to spend on other guys. This guy still has three or four really good years left in him and he can solidify the secondary real quick. Get Asomugha and it should alleviate some of the pressure on the safety position.
3. Stephen Bowen - And to think he may not even be a starter. But he's young, he's tough, smart and can be a really big part of a defense. Bowen showed last year he can hold his own if he's asked to start. Personally, I think he's better suited to come off the bench in a rotation because he's a better pass-rusher than a run-stopper. Either way, there needs to be room for him on the roster.
4. Gerald Sensabaugh - I just like his versatility. Get him re-signed and it still allows you to pick and choose for the other safety position. Sensabaugh is probably a better strong safety, but can play free as well. If he's signed, then you have your choice of still getting any safety on the market, or even promoting from within. With Sensabaugh in the fold, you could conceivably let the likes of Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Barry Church and Alan Ball fight it out for the other starting spot. However . . .
5. Abram Elam - Forget that last sentence, let's get a veteran in here. This team has been trying to figure it out at safety for years. Sign Elam up and you've got a player that is familiar with Rob Ryan's defense and even with the Cowboys organization, having played a season here in 2006. He'd be relatively cheap compared to the likes of Michael Huff, Eric Weddle, Quitin Mikel and Dawan Landry.
6. Kyle Kosier - I wouldn't think the Cowboys give him a long-term deal seeing that he's 32 years old, but Kosier still has some good years left. It just doesn't seem like David Arkin has a chance to be ready to start this year. And even though Montrae Holland would be a solid contributor, his services might be needed at right guard, depending on what the Cowboys decide to do with Leonard Davis.
7. Marcus Spears - While there are some out there who think the Cowboys should bring in another veteran defensive end such as Cullen Jenkins or Kris Jenkins, re-signing Spears would probably be cheaper and possibly just as effective. If his job is to shore up the run defense, Spears is proven to have done that. Maybe his demand will be lower than usual coming off last year's injury. But from understanding his position, his effectiveness on the field and his presence in the locker room, keeping Spears would be a big plus.
8. Sam Hurd - Captains are hard to come by. Say what you want about the special teams play from last year, but Hurd was still the team's best player. It might be hard to convince him to stay for a relatively lower price, but his contributions were vital last year. We know what Hurd is as a receiver, but let's be honest, he'd be the clear-cut No. 4 receiver if camp started today. Behind Miles, Dez and Roy, Hurd is the fourth-best - way ahead of Kevin Ogletree, Jesse Holley and Manny Johnson.
9. Joe Lefeged - He's one of the top safeties that didn't get drafted. The Rutgers standout is tough, physical and smart and knows where he needs to be on the field. At this point, you might as well try to get the best available rookie safety, and other than Clemson's DeAndre McDaniel, Lefeged is right there at the top.
10. Terrence Toliver - Another undrafted free agent with some name recognition. Many thought Toliver might go in the middle rounds but his was name never called. He played big-time college football and that might help his transition to the NFL, considering the lack of an offseason this year. With the Cowboys' wide receiver depth so thin, a player like Toliver might have a legit chance to come in and make the squad.
There's 10 free agents the Cowboys could go after once this thing is done. That'd be my own personal wish list. Maybe you think a veteran free agent defensive end is missing, but I think this team should stand pat with their own guys here. Bowen and Spears can be effective, and maybe I'm hedging my bet that Rob Ryan's defense can get a little more out of them.
The Asomugha thing is tricky because I'm not 100 percent convinced that signing him is the smartest thing to do. But I really believe the Cowboys will go after him and if that's the case, then time can't be wasted. You have to sign Free and Asomugha early to see how much money will be left to spend.
There's no way the Cowboys can feasibly sign all of these players, but then again it's a wish list. No one ever gets their complete list anyway.
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - Lists, lists, lists.
That's about all we've got anymore. Top 10 of this. Top 12 of that. Five guys to remember for this and seven players who will compete for that.
I guess that's where we are these days in all of sports. It's not good enough to just see or read about a certain player or position. But let's rank them and see where it stands compared to others.
That's really our society in general. We're always trying to see how one thing stacks up to another. Nothing wrong with that.
This week, I figured I'd get into the main topic we're all thinking about anyway - and that's free agency. When - and yes it's looking more like a "when" than an "if" - this lockout comes to an end, the free-agent signing period will likely be upon us soon after.
So just who will be on this team a month from now? That's rarely a question asked in late June. If this team gets to training camp on time, there will likely be 10-15 new players on the roster, including a handful of significant veteran free agents.
It's weird to think the makeup of a team can be so different in a short amount of time. But that's the state of the league for this year and it's the same for every team. No sense in complaining about it - it's just a different dynamic this year.
Despite not being able to act on anything, you have to think teams are ready to pounce when this deal goes through. Just what are the Cowboys' top priorities and needs? That's the question we're all trying to figure out.
So I'll try to play GM for a day. And it's not easy considering we don't know what the logistics of a lockout will be, but I'm going to guess there will be a salary cap of some kind. It wouldn't be logical to assume the teams and players are going to go through all of this and then come up with another uncapped season.
OK, so here's my list. I've got 10 players to sign if I'm the Cowboys, based on all of the new rules and nuances from a new CBA. Some of them are your own free agents, guys from other teams and even undrafted rookies.
Yeah, I know it's probably not this black and white, but it's late June and we're scrambling, so go with me here. These are the 10 players I'd realistically try to sign if I'm the Cowboys.
Now usually we'd do a countdown from 10 to 1, but since this is a priority thing, you don't get the luxury to go that way. So let's start with the first player who should be signed once this thing is over and work backward.
Remember, this is a Cowboys wish list:
1. Doug Free - He's the top priority for the Cowboys. Even with the drafting of Tyron Smith, the team must solidify Free and it'll likely cost them more than they're anticipating. If teams are forced to spend all of the proposed new salary cap, then it might drive up the cost to re-sign Free. But with Marc Colombo's age and injury concerns and really no experienced backup behind that, the Cowboys MUST get Free signed and locked up for years to come.
2. Nnamdi Asomugha - Now, I'm not saying cornerback is actually the second-highest priority here. It's definitely not. But if you're going to get this guy, and something tells me the Cowboys are one of the favorites to land him, then you probably can't wait around here, because the price won't be dropping. If he's on the radar, then go get him and you'll have a good idea how much money is left - if any - to spend on other guys. This guy still has three or four really good years left in him and he can solidify the secondary real quick. Get Asomugha and it should alleviate some of the pressure on the safety position.
3. Stephen Bowen - And to think he may not even be a starter. But he's young, he's tough, smart and can be a really big part of a defense. Bowen showed last year he can hold his own if he's asked to start. Personally, I think he's better suited to come off the bench in a rotation because he's a better pass-rusher than a run-stopper. Either way, there needs to be room for him on the roster.
4. Gerald Sensabaugh - I just like his versatility. Get him re-signed and it still allows you to pick and choose for the other safety position. Sensabaugh is probably a better strong safety, but can play free as well. If he's signed, then you have your choice of still getting any safety on the market, or even promoting from within. With Sensabaugh in the fold, you could conceivably let the likes of Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Barry Church and Alan Ball fight it out for the other starting spot. However . . .
5. Abram Elam - Forget that last sentence, let's get a veteran in here. This team has been trying to figure it out at safety for years. Sign Elam up and you've got a player that is familiar with Rob Ryan's defense and even with the Cowboys organization, having played a season here in 2006. He'd be relatively cheap compared to the likes of Michael Huff, Eric Weddle, Quitin Mikel and Dawan Landry.
6. Kyle Kosier - I wouldn't think the Cowboys give him a long-term deal seeing that he's 32 years old, but Kosier still has some good years left. It just doesn't seem like David Arkin has a chance to be ready to start this year. And even though Montrae Holland would be a solid contributor, his services might be needed at right guard, depending on what the Cowboys decide to do with Leonard Davis.
7. Marcus Spears - While there are some out there who think the Cowboys should bring in another veteran defensive end such as Cullen Jenkins or Kris Jenkins, re-signing Spears would probably be cheaper and possibly just as effective. If his job is to shore up the run defense, Spears is proven to have done that. Maybe his demand will be lower than usual coming off last year's injury. But from understanding his position, his effectiveness on the field and his presence in the locker room, keeping Spears would be a big plus.
8. Sam Hurd - Captains are hard to come by. Say what you want about the special teams play from last year, but Hurd was still the team's best player. It might be hard to convince him to stay for a relatively lower price, but his contributions were vital last year. We know what Hurd is as a receiver, but let's be honest, he'd be the clear-cut No. 4 receiver if camp started today. Behind Miles, Dez and Roy, Hurd is the fourth-best - way ahead of Kevin Ogletree, Jesse Holley and Manny Johnson.
9. Joe Lefeged - He's one of the top safeties that didn't get drafted. The Rutgers standout is tough, physical and smart and knows where he needs to be on the field. At this point, you might as well try to get the best available rookie safety, and other than Clemson's DeAndre McDaniel, Lefeged is right there at the top.
10. Terrence Toliver - Another undrafted free agent with some name recognition. Many thought Toliver might go in the middle rounds but his was name never called. He played big-time college football and that might help his transition to the NFL, considering the lack of an offseason this year. With the Cowboys' wide receiver depth so thin, a player like Toliver might have a legit chance to come in and make the squad.
There's 10 free agents the Cowboys could go after once this thing is done. That'd be my own personal wish list. Maybe you think a veteran free agent defensive end is missing, but I think this team should stand pat with their own guys here. Bowen and Spears can be effective, and maybe I'm hedging my bet that Rob Ryan's defense can get a little more out of them.
The Asomugha thing is tricky because I'm not 100 percent convinced that signing him is the smartest thing to do. But I really believe the Cowboys will go after him and if that's the case, then time can't be wasted. You have to sign Free and Asomugha early to see how much money will be left to spend.
There's no way the Cowboys can feasibly sign all of these players, but then again it's a wish list. No one ever gets their complete list anyway.
