C
Cr122
Guest
http://www.cowboysnation.com/2011/06/pending-free-agency-plugging-biggest.html
Posted by Rafael at Friday, June 24, 2011
FS Eric Weddle
Rumored progress in CBA negotiations has raised expectations on free agent spending. Subsequent rumors claim the unrestricted free agency limits will be set at four years.
What would the team's strategy be in such CBA conditions? Let's look at the team's draft decisions. The Tyron Smith selection was based in part on the lack of quality options in free agency and the fact that free agency was the worst performing position on the offense last season. Moving RT's output from among the league's worst to league average would produce a major improvement in unit productivity, all other positions being constant.
With that in mind, where can the Cowboys turn when the market opens? Many of the team's moves need to be defensive, keeping talent in house. I can't see the Cowboys going crazy on the market, thought a couple of well-considered signings could do for the defense what a so-so Smith rookie season could do for the offensive line.
In House Products
1. Re-sign Doug Free. The Cowboys have made it clear that re-signing Free is a priority. It will cost them, but there's no alternative. Free will be one of the most coveted players on the market if Dallas doesn't act quickly to extend him. When is the last time a top-quality, young left tackle hit the market? Has it ever happened?
Alternatives do exist. Dallas could pursue Sean Locklear, who played a plus game at right tackle in 2010, but that would mean force feeding the left tackle spot to Tyron Smith. Not the course to take if Dallas wants to rebound this year.
2. Re-sign Kyle Kosier -- He's older, but he's Mr. Steady. And that age should keep his cost reasonable. Moreover, the list of free agent interior linemen is frightening. The Chris Chesters and Daryl Colledges are a step down.
3. Re-sign Stephen Bowen -- of all the Cowboys free agent defensive ends to be, he's the one to prioritize. He's a plus pass rusher, though that could make him attractive to a lot of other teams, given that he's played effectively in a three-man and a four-man front.
Outside Targets
1. Eric Weddle -- the worst performing role on the defense the last couple of years has been free safety. Picking this up to league average would provide a big boost to the secondary. Think of the jump Dallas's D took in 2007 when Ken Hamlin replaced Keith Davis with a Pro Bowl caliber year.
I give Weddle the nod over Michael Huff because he's younger and has been more consistent. He's the one big-ticket player I'd pursue on defense, partly because decent free agent cornerbacks get obscene amounts of money. Really good ones get unprintable amounts. Johnathan Joseph aside, they're all on the wrong side of 30.
2. Cullen Jenkins -- He's a big risky, because he's 30 and has had some injury problems the last couple of years. He's also a relentless pass rusher, and a severe drop-off in pressure by the front seven contributed to the secondary's breakdown.
Sign Jenkins, re-sign Bowen, and Dallas would have three linemen who have ranked in the top 20 in pass rush productivity the last three years, according to this system.
Posted by Rafael at Friday, June 24, 2011
FS Eric Weddle
Rumored progress in CBA negotiations has raised expectations on free agent spending. Subsequent rumors claim the unrestricted free agency limits will be set at four years.
What would the team's strategy be in such CBA conditions? Let's look at the team's draft decisions. The Tyron Smith selection was based in part on the lack of quality options in free agency and the fact that free agency was the worst performing position on the offense last season. Moving RT's output from among the league's worst to league average would produce a major improvement in unit productivity, all other positions being constant.
With that in mind, where can the Cowboys turn when the market opens? Many of the team's moves need to be defensive, keeping talent in house. I can't see the Cowboys going crazy on the market, thought a couple of well-considered signings could do for the defense what a so-so Smith rookie season could do for the offensive line.
In House Products
1. Re-sign Doug Free. The Cowboys have made it clear that re-signing Free is a priority. It will cost them, but there's no alternative. Free will be one of the most coveted players on the market if Dallas doesn't act quickly to extend him. When is the last time a top-quality, young left tackle hit the market? Has it ever happened?
Alternatives do exist. Dallas could pursue Sean Locklear, who played a plus game at right tackle in 2010, but that would mean force feeding the left tackle spot to Tyron Smith. Not the course to take if Dallas wants to rebound this year.
2. Re-sign Kyle Kosier -- He's older, but he's Mr. Steady. And that age should keep his cost reasonable. Moreover, the list of free agent interior linemen is frightening. The Chris Chesters and Daryl Colledges are a step down.
3. Re-sign Stephen Bowen -- of all the Cowboys free agent defensive ends to be, he's the one to prioritize. He's a plus pass rusher, though that could make him attractive to a lot of other teams, given that he's played effectively in a three-man and a four-man front.
Outside Targets
1. Eric Weddle -- the worst performing role on the defense the last couple of years has been free safety. Picking this up to league average would provide a big boost to the secondary. Think of the jump Dallas's D took in 2007 when Ken Hamlin replaced Keith Davis with a Pro Bowl caliber year.
I give Weddle the nod over Michael Huff because he's younger and has been more consistent. He's the one big-ticket player I'd pursue on defense, partly because decent free agent cornerbacks get obscene amounts of money. Really good ones get unprintable amounts. Johnathan Joseph aside, they're all on the wrong side of 30.
2. Cullen Jenkins -- He's a big risky, because he's 30 and has had some injury problems the last couple of years. He's also a relentless pass rusher, and a severe drop-off in pressure by the front seven contributed to the secondary's breakdown.
Sign Jenkins, re-sign Bowen, and Dallas would have three linemen who have ranked in the top 20 in pass rush productivity the last three years, according to this system.
