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Latest News
2007 SCHEDULE
PRE-SEASON
Thu Aug 9 INDIANAPOLIS
(FOX) 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 18 DENVER (BSM)
7:00 pm
Sat Aug 25 @ Houston
(BSM) 7:00 pm
Thu Aug 30 @ Minnesota
(BSM) 7:00 pm
REGULAR SEASON
1. Sun, Sept. 9 NY GIANTS
(NBC) 7:15 pm
2. Sun, Sept. 16 @ Miami
(FOX) 3:05 pm
3. Sun, Sept. 23 @
Chicago (NBC) 7:15 pm
4. Sun, Sept. 30 ST. LOUIS
(FOX) Noon
5. Mon, Oct. 8 @ Buffalo
(ESPN) 7:30 pm
6. Sun, Oct. 14 NEW
ENGLAND (CBS) 3:15 pm
7. Sun, Oct. 21
MINNESOTA (FOX) Noon
8. Sun, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
9. Sun, Nov 4 @
Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15
pm
10. Sun, Nov. 11 @ NY
Giants (FOX) 3:15 pm
11. Sun, Nov. 18
WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon
12. Thu, Nov. 22 NY JETS
(CBS) 3:15 pm
13. Thu, Nov. 29 GREEN
BAY (NFL) 7:15 pm
14. Sun, Dec. 9 @ Detroit
(FOX) Noon
15. Sun, Dec. 16 PHILLY
(FOX) 3:15 pm
16. Sat, Dec. 22 @
Carolina (NFL) 7:15 pm
17. Sun, Dec. 30 @
Washington (FOX) Noon
PRE-SEASON
Thu Aug 9 INDIANAPOLIS
(FOX) 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 18 DENVER (BSM)
7:00 pm
Sat Aug 25 @ Houston
(BSM) 7:00 pm
Thu Aug 30 @ Minnesota
(BSM) 7:00 pm
REGULAR SEASON
1. Sun, Sept. 9 NY GIANTS
(NBC) 7:15 pm
2. Sun, Sept. 16 @ Miami
(FOX) 3:05 pm
3. Sun, Sept. 23 @
Chicago (NBC) 7:15 pm
4. Sun, Sept. 30 ST. LOUIS
(FOX) Noon
5. Mon, Oct. 8 @ Buffalo
(ESPN) 7:30 pm
6. Sun, Oct. 14 NEW
ENGLAND (CBS) 3:15 pm
7. Sun, Oct. 21
MINNESOTA (FOX) Noon
8. Sun, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
9. Sun, Nov 4 @
Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15
pm
10. Sun, Nov. 11 @ NY
Giants (FOX) 3:15 pm
11. Sun, Nov. 18
WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon
12. Thu, Nov. 22 NY JETS
(CBS) 3:15 pm
13. Thu, Nov. 29 GREEN
BAY (NFL) 7:15 pm
14. Sun, Dec. 9 @ Detroit
(FOX) Noon
15. Sun, Dec. 16 PHILLY
(FOX) 3:15 pm
16. Sat, Dec. 22 @
Carolina (NFL) 7:15 pm
17. Sun, Dec. 30 @
Washington (FOX) Noon
| Cowboy's Trivia Question of the Week! Who is the oldest player on the Cowboys' roster? Last Week's Answer: Danny White |
JD’s Cowboys Off-Season Mock 2.0
Free Agency is just over a week away and I’m excited to see where
the familiar faces are going to land. Dallas probably won’t be too
active in free agency which is sad because it is fun when your team
signs new players. In reality though it means we have been drafting
good enough where we are spending all our money on our good
young players.
The real stories involving the Cowboys will involve Ken Hamlin and
Flozell Adams. It appears both will hit the open market which
worries me. They can come back to Dallas if they want to, but the
will get better offers elsewhere. I’m worried the team we put out on
the field next year won’t be as good as last year’s team.
Dallas has roughly ten million dollars to spend on free agents. That
is not a lot when you consider that roughly four million of that will go
to restricted free agent tenders for Marion Barber and Chris Canty.
Dallas appears to be in discussions with Barber on a long-term
deal. That would probably cost us at least another million in
available money. I’m not real thrilled with that idea if it is a huge
contract. I love Barber and I have no questions to as how he will do
as a starter, but I’m not big on giving backs big contracts unless
they are truly special. Why not draft a guy on the first day that can
hopefully be good enough that you only have to re-sign Barber next
season if you need to. The best case scenario would be that the
rookie would be amazing and make Barber expendable.
As you can see, we aren’t going to be making a lot of moves. In
fact, we may not sign a single player from another team. We simply
don’t have the money to. Now, if Daniel Snyder can manipulate the
salary cap year after year to keep signing free agents I’m sure we
can, but I don’t know that we are going to ask a bunch of guys to re-
structure their contracts just so we can sign someone else.
Zach Thomas is the only guy definitively linked to Dallas. I hated
the idea at first, but it does make some sense. Many seem to think
he is washed up, but statistically his best two seasons of his career
were 2005 and 2006 in Nick Saban’s 3-4. The guy can probably
still play, but in the end unless he wants to come in for close to the
veteran’s minimum I will have to pass. I would like to upgrade over
Akin Ayodele, but Bobby Carpenter or Kevin Burnett needs to be
the guy that does that. Signing Thomas either means one of them
is going to be traded or that they both flat out suck. You don’t sign
a 34 year old at a position with two promising young guys behind
two solid veterans unless you have serious questions makrs which I
just don’t see. Inside linebacker seems to be the deepest position
on the team, so this signing probably won’t happen.
Free Agency
RB Marion Barber
DE Chris Canty
FS Hamlin
CB Benny Sapp
The only position I see the Cowboys maybe looking for a guy at is
cornerback. I would love to get Drayton Florence from the
Chargers. He is a solid starter probably comparable to Anthony
Henry. He was forced to be the 3rd corner in San Diego with the
emergence of Antonio Cromartie. He is good enough to start and
will want to. That is the problem as we can’t really offer him a
starting job. He may be better than Henry, but he may not be.
Another solution would be to sign him instead of Ken Hamlin and
move Henry to free safety. The bottom-line is that I would expect us
to sign a corner even if it is only for depth. In fact, it is more likely
that it is some other team’s third or fourth corner. We need depth
as Henry and Newman will likely be the only corners on our roster
with experience.
Some people will say re-sign Jacques Reeves. This isn’t likely for
two reasons. Some team will be dumb enough to say, “This guy
started most of the season for a 13-3 team, he is good enough to
be our nickel corner.” Veteran nickel corners get paid pretty well. I
wouldn’t give him anything over the league minimum. He could be
our 4th corner behind a rookie 1st round pick, but I don’t really want
to see him around. The guy we sign may not be any better, but at
least he would be a fresh face that could bring some optimism. I will
throw Benny Sapp’s name out there for entertainment, but there
are tons of guys out there and the reality is the Chiefs may want
him back.
The name you see missing from this list is obviously Flozell Adams.
My gut feeling is telling me we won’t re-sign him. He is going to hit
the open market and some team is going to offer him more money
than we will. He wants to stay in Dallas, but that doesn’t mean he
will give us a discount.
I would be nervous going into next season with Adams, but why
prolong the inevitable? Flozell is going to be gone sooner or later.
Why not find his replacement now if you think that guy is on the
roster? We seem to have two solid young options in Pat McQuistan
and Doug Free. Our last resort would be moving Leonard Davis to
left tackle although that is unlikely as we really only have Corey
Procter as a viable option and he is the backup for all three interior
spots. McQuistan could play guard, but if he can’t play tackle he
probably won’t make much of a guard either.
The one guy I would like us to make a move for if we have the
money is Bernard Berrian. He would give us a young speed threat
that we lack. The will be many teams interested in him though, and
he will probably get paid too much for what he is. He is a good #2,
but he is pretty one dimensional. The positive though even if we
overpay a little is that we don’t have to spend a 1st round draft pick
on either a rookie or Roy Williams.
Draft
I’m still reading rumors that Detroit’s Roy Williams has a good
chance of landing in Dallas. The Lions are asking for a 1st and a
3rd next season. Dallas is likely seeing if they can get that price
lowered even though I would fine giving up that much to get him. It
is rare that you can get a really good young receiver from another
team. This guy had 1300 yards receiving in 2006. Usually the only
guys that are available are bad apples like Moss or T.O., but that
isn’t the case with Williams. As far as I know, he is a good guy.
I think this deal will eventually get done. I will say we give them our
second first round pick plus a third next year. That is a great deal
in my opinion. I love Mario Manningham and Limas Sweed, but
what are the chances they end up being as good as Roy Williams,
a guy who was a Top 10 pick that has lived up to expectations. I
would put it at maybe 40%. Even if that is the case, it will likely take
a couple of years for them to develop. Why not bring in a 26 year
old that can help you win the Super Bowl in 2008 in addition to
being your #1 receiver well into the next decade.
Mock Draft
1a – CB Aquib Talib Kansas
He may very well be long gone by this point, but hopefully either
him, Mike Jenkins, or Leodis McKelvin will slip to #22. Talib is a big
athletic corner with great ball skills. The only thing he may lack is
elite top end speed though you couldn’t notice when he returned
multiple INTs for TDs in his career.
1b – Roy Williams Trade
2- RB Jamaal Charles Texas
I’ve always been impressed with this guy ever since he had the
great freshman season when Texas won the National
Championship. He is one of those guys that should have stayed in
school another year. He has good size and he is very fast and
agile. Fans of Felix Jones, this guy is very similar. He needs to
work on running between the tackles, but he has the size and agility
to excel in that area. This is a guy that has serious star potential if
he works hard enough.
3 – CB Trae Williams South Florida
We need another cornerback, but who it may be should depend on
what type of corner we have already taken. Talib can come in and
be your 3rd corner immediately. A guy like Rodgers-Cromartie may
not contribute at all his rookie season. If we took him, I’d want to
get a guy with experience here. If the guy is Talib, we can gamble
on a raw guy with potential.
Williams is an undersized cornerback with a lot of heart. He has
great speed and good ball skills, but he can get outmuscled by
bigger receivers. You see lots of guys that are short succeed in
the NFL and he looks to be another one that can do so.
4 – RB Tashard Choice Georgia Tech
Choice is a good all-around running back. He won’t wow you will his
size or speed, but he is simply productive. He is more of a sure
thing as Charles. I’m pretty sure this guy could come in and be a
decent backup next season if needed.
5 – QB Matt Flynn LSU
6 – C John Sullivan Notre Dame
7 – OLB Curtis Gatewood Vanderbilt
These picks will have an uphill battle even making the team. Flynn
is a good developmental guy. Sullivan could give us depth at guard
and center. Gatewood is a true linebacker that has happens to be
a good pass rusher. Guys like that are rare.
Free Agency is just over a week away and I’m excited to see where
the familiar faces are going to land. Dallas probably won’t be too
active in free agency which is sad because it is fun when your team
signs new players. In reality though it means we have been drafting
good enough where we are spending all our money on our good
young players.
The real stories involving the Cowboys will involve Ken Hamlin and
Flozell Adams. It appears both will hit the open market which
worries me. They can come back to Dallas if they want to, but the
will get better offers elsewhere. I’m worried the team we put out on
the field next year won’t be as good as last year’s team.
Dallas has roughly ten million dollars to spend on free agents. That
is not a lot when you consider that roughly four million of that will go
to restricted free agent tenders for Marion Barber and Chris Canty.
Dallas appears to be in discussions with Barber on a long-term
deal. That would probably cost us at least another million in
available money. I’m not real thrilled with that idea if it is a huge
contract. I love Barber and I have no questions to as how he will do
as a starter, but I’m not big on giving backs big contracts unless
they are truly special. Why not draft a guy on the first day that can
hopefully be good enough that you only have to re-sign Barber next
season if you need to. The best case scenario would be that the
rookie would be amazing and make Barber expendable.
As you can see, we aren’t going to be making a lot of moves. In
fact, we may not sign a single player from another team. We simply
don’t have the money to. Now, if Daniel Snyder can manipulate the
salary cap year after year to keep signing free agents I’m sure we
can, but I don’t know that we are going to ask a bunch of guys to re-
structure their contracts just so we can sign someone else.
Zach Thomas is the only guy definitively linked to Dallas. I hated
the idea at first, but it does make some sense. Many seem to think
he is washed up, but statistically his best two seasons of his career
were 2005 and 2006 in Nick Saban’s 3-4. The guy can probably
still play, but in the end unless he wants to come in for close to the
veteran’s minimum I will have to pass. I would like to upgrade over
Akin Ayodele, but Bobby Carpenter or Kevin Burnett needs to be
the guy that does that. Signing Thomas either means one of them
is going to be traded or that they both flat out suck. You don’t sign
a 34 year old at a position with two promising young guys behind
two solid veterans unless you have serious questions makrs which I
just don’t see. Inside linebacker seems to be the deepest position
on the team, so this signing probably won’t happen.
Free Agency
RB Marion Barber
DE Chris Canty
FS Hamlin
CB Benny Sapp
The only position I see the Cowboys maybe looking for a guy at is
cornerback. I would love to get Drayton Florence from the
Chargers. He is a solid starter probably comparable to Anthony
Henry. He was forced to be the 3rd corner in San Diego with the
emergence of Antonio Cromartie. He is good enough to start and
will want to. That is the problem as we can’t really offer him a
starting job. He may be better than Henry, but he may not be.
Another solution would be to sign him instead of Ken Hamlin and
move Henry to free safety. The bottom-line is that I would expect us
to sign a corner even if it is only for depth. In fact, it is more likely
that it is some other team’s third or fourth corner. We need depth
as Henry and Newman will likely be the only corners on our roster
with experience.
Some people will say re-sign Jacques Reeves. This isn’t likely for
two reasons. Some team will be dumb enough to say, “This guy
started most of the season for a 13-3 team, he is good enough to
be our nickel corner.” Veteran nickel corners get paid pretty well. I
wouldn’t give him anything over the league minimum. He could be
our 4th corner behind a rookie 1st round pick, but I don’t really want
to see him around. The guy we sign may not be any better, but at
least he would be a fresh face that could bring some optimism. I will
throw Benny Sapp’s name out there for entertainment, but there
are tons of guys out there and the reality is the Chiefs may want
him back.
The name you see missing from this list is obviously Flozell Adams.
My gut feeling is telling me we won’t re-sign him. He is going to hit
the open market and some team is going to offer him more money
than we will. He wants to stay in Dallas, but that doesn’t mean he
will give us a discount.
I would be nervous going into next season with Adams, but why
prolong the inevitable? Flozell is going to be gone sooner or later.
Why not find his replacement now if you think that guy is on the
roster? We seem to have two solid young options in Pat McQuistan
and Doug Free. Our last resort would be moving Leonard Davis to
left tackle although that is unlikely as we really only have Corey
Procter as a viable option and he is the backup for all three interior
spots. McQuistan could play guard, but if he can’t play tackle he
probably won’t make much of a guard either.
The one guy I would like us to make a move for if we have the
money is Bernard Berrian. He would give us a young speed threat
that we lack. The will be many teams interested in him though, and
he will probably get paid too much for what he is. He is a good #2,
but he is pretty one dimensional. The positive though even if we
overpay a little is that we don’t have to spend a 1st round draft pick
on either a rookie or Roy Williams.
Draft
I’m still reading rumors that Detroit’s Roy Williams has a good
chance of landing in Dallas. The Lions are asking for a 1st and a
3rd next season. Dallas is likely seeing if they can get that price
lowered even though I would fine giving up that much to get him. It
is rare that you can get a really good young receiver from another
team. This guy had 1300 yards receiving in 2006. Usually the only
guys that are available are bad apples like Moss or T.O., but that
isn’t the case with Williams. As far as I know, he is a good guy.
I think this deal will eventually get done. I will say we give them our
second first round pick plus a third next year. That is a great deal
in my opinion. I love Mario Manningham and Limas Sweed, but
what are the chances they end up being as good as Roy Williams,
a guy who was a Top 10 pick that has lived up to expectations. I
would put it at maybe 40%. Even if that is the case, it will likely take
a couple of years for them to develop. Why not bring in a 26 year
old that can help you win the Super Bowl in 2008 in addition to
being your #1 receiver well into the next decade.
Mock Draft
1a – CB Aquib Talib Kansas
He may very well be long gone by this point, but hopefully either
him, Mike Jenkins, or Leodis McKelvin will slip to #22. Talib is a big
athletic corner with great ball skills. The only thing he may lack is
elite top end speed though you couldn’t notice when he returned
multiple INTs for TDs in his career.
1b – Roy Williams Trade
2- RB Jamaal Charles Texas
I’ve always been impressed with this guy ever since he had the
great freshman season when Texas won the National
Championship. He is one of those guys that should have stayed in
school another year. He has good size and he is very fast and
agile. Fans of Felix Jones, this guy is very similar. He needs to
work on running between the tackles, but he has the size and agility
to excel in that area. This is a guy that has serious star potential if
he works hard enough.
3 – CB Trae Williams South Florida
We need another cornerback, but who it may be should depend on
what type of corner we have already taken. Talib can come in and
be your 3rd corner immediately. A guy like Rodgers-Cromartie may
not contribute at all his rookie season. If we took him, I’d want to
get a guy with experience here. If the guy is Talib, we can gamble
on a raw guy with potential.
Williams is an undersized cornerback with a lot of heart. He has
great speed and good ball skills, but he can get outmuscled by
bigger receivers. You see lots of guys that are short succeed in
the NFL and he looks to be another one that can do so.
4 – RB Tashard Choice Georgia Tech
Choice is a good all-around running back. He won’t wow you will his
size or speed, but he is simply productive. He is more of a sure
thing as Charles. I’m pretty sure this guy could come in and be a
decent backup next season if needed.
5 – QB Matt Flynn LSU
6 – C John Sullivan Notre Dame
7 – OLB Curtis Gatewood Vanderbilt
These picks will have an uphill battle even making the team. Flynn
is a good developmental guy. Sullivan could give us depth at guard
and center. Gatewood is a true linebacker that has happens to be
a good pass rusher. Guys like that are rare.
Zach Thomas Will Make An Impact
Dallas signed Zach Thomas today. The deal is for 1 year and 2
million dollars with another million in easy to obtain incentives. A lot
of fans may be down on this move, but I like it.
Thomas is only a year removed from a two year stretch were he
recorded 329 tackles in a 3-4. That doesn't sound like a guy that
doesn't have anything left. He missed some time last season due
to concussions, but he doesn't have a history of concussions.
There is obviously a risk involved in signing a 34 year old, but to
me the possible rewards outweight the risk. At worst, you waste 2
or 3 mil on a guy that doesn't help you much. At best, you get a
Hall of Fame linebacker who can potentially still play at a Pro Bowl
level. Zach Thomas is a playmaker which is something we lack at
inside linebacker. Akin Ayodele is solid, but he has always struck
me as a guy that we needed to upgrade if at all possible.
Thomas is a definite upgrade. The guy has more tackles than any
player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Let that sink in for a few
seconds. He is also a lot more athletic and he is much better in
coverage. The main thing he brings to the table though is
leadership. We lack a true leader on defense and now we have
one. He also has tons of heart which is another thing I think we
could use more of. Cowboys fans will fall in love with this guy when
they see him play. He is a better version of Dat Nguyen who was
one of my favorite players to ever play for Dallas.
This move likely means the end for Akin Ayodele in Dallas. We
don't really need him for depth considering we have both Carpenter
and Burnett who both seem fairly capable. Look for him to be
traded or cut sometime this off-season although it may not be until
after June 1st.
This move also tells me that we have plenty of ways to create salary
cap space. With Barber and Canty's projected tenders, Hamlin's
franchise tag, and this signing, on paper we wouldn't even have
enough money to re-sign Flozell Adams. I kind of doubt that is the
case because we are still talking to him and his agent and I don't
think we would sign Thomas if it meant no shot at Adams.
This move to me says an awful lot about Bobby Carpenter and
Kevin Burnett. I thought Burnett looked better than Ayodele last
season, but we jumped at the opportunity to bring in a veteran at a
spot with two high draft picks. If either guy looked very good, we
wouldn't have made this move.
Another Juicy Rumor
I read a report that says Dallas is pursuing DeAngelo Hall. A
proposed trade has Dallas sending their 1st pick (#22), a 4th
rounder, Anthony Henry, and Akin Ayodele for the Falcons two 2nd
round picks. The draft picks pretty much even out according to the
draft pick value chart (maybe a slight edge to Dallas) which
basically makes it Henry and Ayodele for Hall. Now that doesn't
really solve our CB problem since we would still only have two good
ones, but we would get younger. Another snag is the guaranteed
money left on Henry's contract. A third and potentially the biggest
snag would be Hall's contract. We would want to sign him to an
extension as he becomes a free agent next season. He would
command nearly as much as Asante Samuel and if we could afford
that why not just go after Samuel and give up nothing.
Dallas signed Zach Thomas today. The deal is for 1 year and 2
million dollars with another million in easy to obtain incentives. A lot
of fans may be down on this move, but I like it.
Thomas is only a year removed from a two year stretch were he
recorded 329 tackles in a 3-4. That doesn't sound like a guy that
doesn't have anything left. He missed some time last season due
to concussions, but he doesn't have a history of concussions.
There is obviously a risk involved in signing a 34 year old, but to
me the possible rewards outweight the risk. At worst, you waste 2
or 3 mil on a guy that doesn't help you much. At best, you get a
Hall of Fame linebacker who can potentially still play at a Pro Bowl
level. Zach Thomas is a playmaker which is something we lack at
inside linebacker. Akin Ayodele is solid, but he has always struck
me as a guy that we needed to upgrade if at all possible.
Thomas is a definite upgrade. The guy has more tackles than any
player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Let that sink in for a few
seconds. He is also a lot more athletic and he is much better in
coverage. The main thing he brings to the table though is
leadership. We lack a true leader on defense and now we have
one. He also has tons of heart which is another thing I think we
could use more of. Cowboys fans will fall in love with this guy when
they see him play. He is a better version of Dat Nguyen who was
one of my favorite players to ever play for Dallas.
This move likely means the end for Akin Ayodele in Dallas. We
don't really need him for depth considering we have both Carpenter
and Burnett who both seem fairly capable. Look for him to be
traded or cut sometime this off-season although it may not be until
after June 1st.
This move also tells me that we have plenty of ways to create salary
cap space. With Barber and Canty's projected tenders, Hamlin's
franchise tag, and this signing, on paper we wouldn't even have
enough money to re-sign Flozell Adams. I kind of doubt that is the
case because we are still talking to him and his agent and I don't
think we would sign Thomas if it meant no shot at Adams.
This move to me says an awful lot about Bobby Carpenter and
Kevin Burnett. I thought Burnett looked better than Ayodele last
season, but we jumped at the opportunity to bring in a veteran at a
spot with two high draft picks. If either guy looked very good, we
wouldn't have made this move.
Another Juicy Rumor
I read a report that says Dallas is pursuing DeAngelo Hall. A
proposed trade has Dallas sending their 1st pick (#22), a 4th
rounder, Anthony Henry, and Akin Ayodele for the Falcons two 2nd
round picks. The draft picks pretty much even out according to the
draft pick value chart (maybe a slight edge to Dallas) which
basically makes it Henry and Ayodele for Hall. Now that doesn't
really solve our CB problem since we would still only have two good
ones, but we would get younger. Another snag is the guaranteed
money left on Henry's contract. A third and potentially the biggest
snag would be Hall's contract. We would want to sign him to an
extension as he becomes a free agent next season. He would
command nearly as much as Asante Samuel and if we could afford
that why not just go after Samuel and give up nothing.