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Something's going on with Romo missing so much time; I'm not sure how much heart Rolando McClain has
SportsDayDFW.com
Published: 04 August 2014 07:22 PM
Updated: 04 August 2014 07:22 PM
SportsDay columnist Rick "Goose" Gosselin hosted a chat Monday morning to talk everything sports. Here are some of the highlights:
Question: What would be the minimum amount of production Rolando McClain needs, and what amount of minimum success would the Cowboys need to make the trade worth it?
Gosselin: At this point, I just want to see him get to opening day. He has quit on his last two teams. I'm not sure how much his heart is into this. He has the talent to be the middle linebacker the Cowboys need to replace Sean Lee. But I still want to see if he has the heart to do it. He came at a slight cost, however, so anything he contributes will be a plus. Ideally, you'd like for him to win the starting middle linebacker job. He has the most talent of anyone out there. If he's not a starter, I'd worry about him sticking around.
Question: So would you give Dez a big-dollar, long-term contract and pay him like a franchise cornerstone? I say no. I think he's a great player but wide receiver is an easy position to fill in today's NFL and Cowboys have other holes I'd rather spend that money on. Maybe even trade Dez this season for picks if Cowboys start slow. Agree?
Gosselin: I'd wait until the end of the season to extend Bryant. I certainly wouldn't give him the money right now. That's going to tie up a lot of cap dollars going forward with Romo, Smith and Bryant. I agree with you -- receivers are among the easiest to find because there are so many of them. Let him play out the contract and then decide if he's going to be worth the money he'll be asking. Regardless of what I think, I see the Cowboys paying Bryant to keep him. He's a draft pick they hit big on and Jerry likes keeping those success stories around.
Question: Did Romo look 100 percent to you or do you believe they are hiding something from the media in regards to his back?
Gosselin: I'm concerned. Something's going on with Romo missing so much time thus far in camp. They said he'd be a full go with camp started. He hasn't been. I don't think his body is football ready yet. That may be part of the problem. I also want to see how he reacts after he's been hit a few times. But the Tony Romo I saw in Oxnard in July is not the Tony Romo I've seen in recent falls. This appears to be a more cautious player.
Question: Good Morning Goose. Thank you for hosting today's chat. I know it is still early but who has stood out to you on the offensive and defensive lines?
Gosselin: I'd be surprised if Tyrone Crawford isn't the best defensive lineman. He stood out to me during the week I was there. The question is where do you play him? Tackle> End? Right side? Left side? All I know is he'd be one of the four I start on opening day. And, after having the year off, he's fresh. Tyron Smith jumps out at me on offense, for obvious reasons. He's a cut above everyone in camp. He dominates one and all. And I think Zack Martin was a quality addition. I think he's going to be an asset from opening day, just as Travis Frederick was last season.
Question: What are your expectations for this version of our defensive line based on their performance in practices against what should be one of the better offensive lines in the league. Will we get consistent pressure with them minus two of the main contributors from last year?
Gosselin: The Tampa 2 historically needs an elite inside rusher (Warren Sapp) and an elite edge rusher (Simeon Rice) to become dominant. I see quantity but I don't see the quality. Henry Melton was once elite but he missed most of last season with an injury. He and Tyrone Crawford would probably pencil in as the top guys. Rod Marinelli is going to have to get it done with quantity over quality, keeping fresh legs on the field to try to take advantage of tiring offensive legs. I'm just not sure if the Cowboys can get back to the 34 sacks of a year ago, much less the 40+ they would need to become serious contenders. Again, I know I sound like a broken record on this, but the best thing the Cowboys can do is run the ball, control the clock and protected what on paper is an overmatched defense. The less this defense plays, the more I'll like it.
Question: I was surprised that Ken Boatright was signed so late, for a two-year deal. I would expect someone on the open market at this point would get a 1 year minimum. Should we read anything into this, or is the contract completely non-guaranteed ?
Gosselin: Read into it the Cowboys are desperate for quality end play with the departure of Ware and the injury to Lawrence. If you can't build your quality, then continue to build your quantity. That's what Marinelli is doing. He's going to try to generate a pass rush by rotating eight defensive linemen, trying to keep fresh legs on the field against the tiring legs of blockers. Boatright gives them another body. Defensive linemen are scarce at this time of year, which was why he could command a two-year deal. If the Cowboys didn't give it to him, someone else would.
SportsDayDFW.com
Published: 04 August 2014 07:22 PM
Updated: 04 August 2014 07:22 PM
SportsDay columnist Rick "Goose" Gosselin hosted a chat Monday morning to talk everything sports. Here are some of the highlights:
Question: What would be the minimum amount of production Rolando McClain needs, and what amount of minimum success would the Cowboys need to make the trade worth it?
Gosselin: At this point, I just want to see him get to opening day. He has quit on his last two teams. I'm not sure how much his heart is into this. He has the talent to be the middle linebacker the Cowboys need to replace Sean Lee. But I still want to see if he has the heart to do it. He came at a slight cost, however, so anything he contributes will be a plus. Ideally, you'd like for him to win the starting middle linebacker job. He has the most talent of anyone out there. If he's not a starter, I'd worry about him sticking around.
Question: So would you give Dez a big-dollar, long-term contract and pay him like a franchise cornerstone? I say no. I think he's a great player but wide receiver is an easy position to fill in today's NFL and Cowboys have other holes I'd rather spend that money on. Maybe even trade Dez this season for picks if Cowboys start slow. Agree?
Gosselin: I'd wait until the end of the season to extend Bryant. I certainly wouldn't give him the money right now. That's going to tie up a lot of cap dollars going forward with Romo, Smith and Bryant. I agree with you -- receivers are among the easiest to find because there are so many of them. Let him play out the contract and then decide if he's going to be worth the money he'll be asking. Regardless of what I think, I see the Cowboys paying Bryant to keep him. He's a draft pick they hit big on and Jerry likes keeping those success stories around.
Question: Did Romo look 100 percent to you or do you believe they are hiding something from the media in regards to his back?
Gosselin: I'm concerned. Something's going on with Romo missing so much time thus far in camp. They said he'd be a full go with camp started. He hasn't been. I don't think his body is football ready yet. That may be part of the problem. I also want to see how he reacts after he's been hit a few times. But the Tony Romo I saw in Oxnard in July is not the Tony Romo I've seen in recent falls. This appears to be a more cautious player.
Question: Good Morning Goose. Thank you for hosting today's chat. I know it is still early but who has stood out to you on the offensive and defensive lines?
Gosselin: I'd be surprised if Tyrone Crawford isn't the best defensive lineman. He stood out to me during the week I was there. The question is where do you play him? Tackle> End? Right side? Left side? All I know is he'd be one of the four I start on opening day. And, after having the year off, he's fresh. Tyron Smith jumps out at me on offense, for obvious reasons. He's a cut above everyone in camp. He dominates one and all. And I think Zack Martin was a quality addition. I think he's going to be an asset from opening day, just as Travis Frederick was last season.
Question: What are your expectations for this version of our defensive line based on their performance in practices against what should be one of the better offensive lines in the league. Will we get consistent pressure with them minus two of the main contributors from last year?
Gosselin: The Tampa 2 historically needs an elite inside rusher (Warren Sapp) and an elite edge rusher (Simeon Rice) to become dominant. I see quantity but I don't see the quality. Henry Melton was once elite but he missed most of last season with an injury. He and Tyrone Crawford would probably pencil in as the top guys. Rod Marinelli is going to have to get it done with quantity over quality, keeping fresh legs on the field to try to take advantage of tiring offensive legs. I'm just not sure if the Cowboys can get back to the 34 sacks of a year ago, much less the 40+ they would need to become serious contenders. Again, I know I sound like a broken record on this, but the best thing the Cowboys can do is run the ball, control the clock and protected what on paper is an overmatched defense. The less this defense plays, the more I'll like it.
Question: I was surprised that Ken Boatright was signed so late, for a two-year deal. I would expect someone on the open market at this point would get a 1 year minimum. Should we read anything into this, or is the contract completely non-guaranteed ?
Gosselin: Read into it the Cowboys are desperate for quality end play with the departure of Ware and the injury to Lawrence. If you can't build your quality, then continue to build your quantity. That's what Marinelli is doing. He's going to try to generate a pass rush by rotating eight defensive linemen, trying to keep fresh legs on the field against the tiring legs of blockers. Boatright gives them another body. Defensive linemen are scarce at this time of year, which was why he could command a two-year deal. If the Cowboys didn't give it to him, someone else would.
