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Headset Games
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - In 2011, expect a vastly different Cowboys roster from the 6-10 group in 2010.
Or should we?
A year ago Jerry Jones indicated change was likely, even after an 11-5 finish and NFC Divisional Round appearance. His comments at the NFL scouting combine last February: "(After 2008), it was not any fun in the off-season. Everybody was pointing fingers. We were pointing fingers. I want some of that right now.
"I want some people nervous. I want our players nervous."
Then came the most quiet offseason in recent memory. The Cowboys wound up returning 20 of 22 starters on offense and defense, the only real shakeup on April Fool's Day when veteran left tackle Flozell Adams and safety Ken Hamlin got pink slips. The team also changed kickers, but David Buehler was already on the roster as a touchback-maker.
Jones wasn't blowing smoke last February. He didn't want the organization propping its feet up, satisfied that the 13-year playoff drought was over. He didn't like how the Vikings dominated them in the second round, 34-3. Wade Phillips' extension was proof: two years, not more.
The Cowboys' roster stability didn't supply evidence of his urgency, of course. But there were other factors. The uncapped rules cut the unrestricted free agent pool in half, weakening the talent level. The changes in free agent eligibility made it easier to retain several key players who otherwise would have been unrestricted. Because the Cowboys were a "Final Eight" team, they could sign only one unrestricted free agent to a starting salary of at least $5.81 million, compared to an unlimited group at less than $3.86 million. (Hard to reel in a big fish that way.) And they chose to stay flexible for future extensions, one being Miles Austin's this past September.
Two weeks ago, Jones predicted "a lot more turnover" to the roster this time around. He's right. No way will Jones and Jason Garrett stand pat given the way this team underachieved. Just don't expect a complete overhaul.
Other than the draft, I'll argue Garrett's current coaching search might be the most critical piece to the Cowboys' offseason makeover.
Think about it: the draft is scheduled for late April, as usual, lockout or no lockout. The Cowboys should be able to snag at least one immediate starter at No. 9 overall. The draft is the most efficient, cost effective way to upgrade personnel, and they absolutely have to do it this year. Get deeper and younger without having to overpay for guys like Nnamdi Asomugha.
But a lockout would delay all free agency and roster additions. No one has a timetable for a CBA resolution right now. It could be summer for all we know.
Granted, this would affect all 32 teams. But the Cowboys would have a hard enough time staying cohesive with their current group if team activity is prohibited for months and months. Imagine trying to blend in a bunch of new key players that can't be signed until right before the season, assuming there is a season.
Even if this thing gets settled fairly quickly, let's face it, the core of this team isn't changing. Tony Romo is still the quarterback. Felix Jones is a featured running back. Miles Austin and Jason Witten are the key passing targets. DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff man the defense.
It's up to Garrett and his staff - however different it may look in the coming days - to get the most out of them.
That's why Garrett is really doing his homework this week. He has to surround himself with the best possible people to help carry out his message. The Cowboys were much more competitive under Garrett but still had imperfections, as he pointed out. They were more prolific on offense in the final eight games and forced twice as many takeaways on defense, but somehow still leaked large amounts of yards and points.
Defensive coordinator - whether it's Paul Pasqualoni or someone from the outside - is a huge hire, maybe as big or bigger than any roster move they could make between now and next season.
Sure, some players will get shuffled. Looks like seventeen are scheduled to be free agents, most notably five starters (Alan Ball, Doug Free, Kyle Kosier, Gerald Sensabaugh, Marcus Spears) and three key backups (Stephen Bowen, Sam Hurd, Jason Hatcher). Even though some of those players should be back, 17 out of 53 is 32 percent. That's pretty close to the annual one-third turnover most teams have.
Maybe offensive line and safety is tweaked, as expected. Maybe guys like Marion Barber or Roy Williams aren't back, as constantly speculated.
But the best players will still be here. As Troy Aikman said on his weekly radio appearance (KTCK-AM) Wednesday, this team is talented enough to win. They've done it before. Heck, they won five games out of 10 without Romo.
Jones hired Garrett full-time because he's convinced he can bring the core back to its previous level. And in an offseason filled with uncertainty, these coaching decisions will be just as important as the player decisions.
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - In 2011, expect a vastly different Cowboys roster from the 6-10 group in 2010.
Or should we?
A year ago Jerry Jones indicated change was likely, even after an 11-5 finish and NFC Divisional Round appearance. His comments at the NFL scouting combine last February: "(After 2008), it was not any fun in the off-season. Everybody was pointing fingers. We were pointing fingers. I want some of that right now.
"I want some people nervous. I want our players nervous."
Then came the most quiet offseason in recent memory. The Cowboys wound up returning 20 of 22 starters on offense and defense, the only real shakeup on April Fool's Day when veteran left tackle Flozell Adams and safety Ken Hamlin got pink slips. The team also changed kickers, but David Buehler was already on the roster as a touchback-maker.
Jones wasn't blowing smoke last February. He didn't want the organization propping its feet up, satisfied that the 13-year playoff drought was over. He didn't like how the Vikings dominated them in the second round, 34-3. Wade Phillips' extension was proof: two years, not more.
The Cowboys' roster stability didn't supply evidence of his urgency, of course. But there were other factors. The uncapped rules cut the unrestricted free agent pool in half, weakening the talent level. The changes in free agent eligibility made it easier to retain several key players who otherwise would have been unrestricted. Because the Cowboys were a "Final Eight" team, they could sign only one unrestricted free agent to a starting salary of at least $5.81 million, compared to an unlimited group at less than $3.86 million. (Hard to reel in a big fish that way.) And they chose to stay flexible for future extensions, one being Miles Austin's this past September.
Two weeks ago, Jones predicted "a lot more turnover" to the roster this time around. He's right. No way will Jones and Jason Garrett stand pat given the way this team underachieved. Just don't expect a complete overhaul.
Other than the draft, I'll argue Garrett's current coaching search might be the most critical piece to the Cowboys' offseason makeover.
Think about it: the draft is scheduled for late April, as usual, lockout or no lockout. The Cowboys should be able to snag at least one immediate starter at No. 9 overall. The draft is the most efficient, cost effective way to upgrade personnel, and they absolutely have to do it this year. Get deeper and younger without having to overpay for guys like Nnamdi Asomugha.
But a lockout would delay all free agency and roster additions. No one has a timetable for a CBA resolution right now. It could be summer for all we know.
Granted, this would affect all 32 teams. But the Cowboys would have a hard enough time staying cohesive with their current group if team activity is prohibited for months and months. Imagine trying to blend in a bunch of new key players that can't be signed until right before the season, assuming there is a season.
Even if this thing gets settled fairly quickly, let's face it, the core of this team isn't changing. Tony Romo is still the quarterback. Felix Jones is a featured running back. Miles Austin and Jason Witten are the key passing targets. DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff man the defense.
It's up to Garrett and his staff - however different it may look in the coming days - to get the most out of them.
That's why Garrett is really doing his homework this week. He has to surround himself with the best possible people to help carry out his message. The Cowboys were much more competitive under Garrett but still had imperfections, as he pointed out. They were more prolific on offense in the final eight games and forced twice as many takeaways on defense, but somehow still leaked large amounts of yards and points.
Defensive coordinator - whether it's Paul Pasqualoni or someone from the outside - is a huge hire, maybe as big or bigger than any roster move they could make between now and next season.
Sure, some players will get shuffled. Looks like seventeen are scheduled to be free agents, most notably five starters (Alan Ball, Doug Free, Kyle Kosier, Gerald Sensabaugh, Marcus Spears) and three key backups (Stephen Bowen, Sam Hurd, Jason Hatcher). Even though some of those players should be back, 17 out of 53 is 32 percent. That's pretty close to the annual one-third turnover most teams have.
Maybe offensive line and safety is tweaked, as expected. Maybe guys like Marion Barber or Roy Williams aren't back, as constantly speculated.
But the best players will still be here. As Troy Aikman said on his weekly radio appearance (KTCK-AM) Wednesday, this team is talented enough to win. They've done it before. Heck, they won five games out of 10 without Romo.
Jones hired Garrett full-time because he's convinced he can bring the core back to its previous level. And in an offseason filled with uncertainty, these coaching decisions will be just as important as the player decisions.