After an extremely disappointing season that saw the Cowboys finish 6-10, it's obvious the Cowboys need to make many changes. Wade's already gone, though I don't believe he was the biggest of the problems. The players quit on him and the thought around the league is the Cowboys roster is going to look drastically different next season. I'm going to play as Jason Garrett and Jerry Jones and give my input on each position group, each player, and determine who needs to be demoted, let go, or anything in between by giving them one of 4 classifications.
"Lock" means there's no chance I'm letting them go.
"Safe" means I'm not counting on something better coming along and chances are, I'm keeping them.
"Up in the Air" means either I'm not sold on their talent or their contract outweighs their production.
"Gone" means they simply need replaced or their contract is up and I expect them to sign elsewhere.
Again, this is what I think, not necessarily what I think will happen. I'll be starting with the Quarterbacks.
Quarterback
Players - Tony Romo, Jon Kitna, Stephen McGee
Tony Romo
Contract Status - 2011 Base Salary: $9 Million, Signed through 2013
Date of Birth - 4/21/1980
2010 Stats - Played in 7 Games, 1605 Passing Yards, 69.5 Completion %, 7.5 Average Yards per Completion, 11 Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, and a 94.9 QB Rating
Individual Analysis - Tony Romo is the starter. Duh, I know. He's the franchise and everything offensively revolves around him. I expect him to reestablish himself as a top 10 Quarterback next year.
Roster Spot - Lock
Jon Kitna
Contract Status - 2011 Base Salary: $2.6 Million, Signed through 2013
Date of Birth - 9/21/1972
2010 Stats - Played in 10 games, 2365 Passing Yards, 65.7 completion %, 7.4 Average Yards per Completion, 16 Touchdowns, 12 Interceptions, and a 88.9 QB Rating
Individual Analysis - He was thrown into a tough situation, but he responded better than I thought he would. He's definitely on the older side at 38, but he's reliable. He knows the offense and has plenty of work put in with these players, which gives him the edge on anybody else behind Romo. I don't like him as an every week starter, but as Romo's backup, you could do a lot worse.
Roster Spot - Safe
Stephen McGee
Contract Status - 2011 Base Salary: $480,000, Signed through 2012
Date of Birth - 9/27/1985
2010 Stats - Played in 2 games, 238 Passing Yards, 50.0 Completion %, 5.4 Average Yards per Completion, 2 Touchdowns, 0 Interceptions, 81.4 QB Rating
Individual Analysis - Stephen McGee has all of the tools physically and I was impresses in his ability to take care of the football, but he seems like he doesn't read things very quickly and is indecisive. He's still young and his problems are consistent with being a young Quarterback. If I was Garrett, I'd give him another year. I believe in Parcells' rule of giving a player 3 years to prove himself.
Roster Spot - Up in the air
Group Analysis - This unit is set up pretty good. Romo is a franchise Quarterback and then you've got the seasoned veteran behind him in Jon Kitna. The Cowboys will bring in another Quarterback(probably an undrafted free agent) to compete with McGee, be a training camp arm, and possibly earn a spot on the practice squad. Maybe the rookie impresses and replaces McGee on the 53 man roster. It'd suck to give up on a 4th round pick so soon, but if you keep the best players.
Position Grade - A-
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Former Cowboys' Defensive Coordinator Candidate: Greg Manusky
Greg Manusky - Was hired by the San Diego Chargers on Friday. Like Vic Fangio, here's his numbers as a coordinator.
2007 San Fransisco
T-12th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(7)
28th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(89.9)
21st in Sacks(31)
22nd in Pass Defense(227.7)
T-4th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(3.8)
22nd in Rush Defense(118.5)
25th in Total Defense(346.2)
20th in Scoring Defense(22.8)
21 Takeaways
2008
T-29th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(12)
19th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(85.0)
16th in Sacks(30)
20th in Pass Defense(219.2)
T-8th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(3.8)
13th in Rush Defense(106.8)
13th in Total Defense(326.0)
23rd in Scoring Defense(23.8)
18 Takeaways
2009
T-16th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(9)
9th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(76.2)
T-3rd in Sacks(44)
21st in Pass Defense(229.4)
T-2nd in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(3.6)
6th in Rush Defense(97.0)
15th in Total Defense(326.4)
4th in Scoring Defense(17.6)
33 Takeaways
2010
T-26th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(11)
26th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(90.0)
T-14th in Sacks(36)
24th in Pass Defense(231.1)
2nd in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(3.5)
6th in Rush Defense(96.7)
13th in Total Defense(327.8)
16th in Scoring Defense(21.6)
22 Takeaways
2007 San Fransisco
T-12th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(7)
28th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(89.9)
21st in Sacks(31)
22nd in Pass Defense(227.7)
T-4th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(3.8)
22nd in Rush Defense(118.5)
25th in Total Defense(346.2)
20th in Scoring Defense(22.8)
21 Takeaways
2008
T-29th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(12)
19th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(85.0)
16th in Sacks(30)
20th in Pass Defense(219.2)
T-8th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(3.8)
13th in Rush Defense(106.8)
13th in Total Defense(326.0)
23rd in Scoring Defense(23.8)
18 Takeaways
2009
T-16th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(9)
9th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(76.2)
T-3rd in Sacks(44)
21st in Pass Defense(229.4)
T-2nd in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(3.6)
6th in Rush Defense(97.0)
15th in Total Defense(326.4)
4th in Scoring Defense(17.6)
33 Takeaways
2010
T-26th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(11)
26th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(90.0)
T-14th in Sacks(36)
24th in Pass Defense(231.1)
2nd in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(3.5)
6th in Rush Defense(96.7)
13th in Total Defense(327.8)
16th in Scoring Defense(21.6)
22 Takeaways
Former Cowboys' Defensive Coordinator Candidate: Vic Fangio
Vic Fangio was hired by the San Fransisco 49ers Friday to coach under Jim Harbaugh as he did at Stanford. Since I spent a lot of time and effort in getting his numbers, here they are. You can see his numbers as a coordinator.
1995 Carolina Panthers
- T-21st in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(9)
- 2nd in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(66.2)
- T-14 in Sacks(36)
- 14th in Pass Defense(215.7)
- 3rd in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(3.5)
- 10th in Rush Defense(98.5)
- 7th in Total Defense(314.2)
- 8th in Scoring Defense(20.3)
- 36 Takeaways
1996
- T-18th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(8)
- 7th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(68.7)
- 1st in Sacks(60)
- 19th in Pass Defense(200.9)
- 26th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.2)
- 8th in Rush Defense(97.6)
- 10th in Total Defense(298.5)
- 2nd in Scoring Defense(13.6)
- 38 Takeaways
1997
- T-23rd in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(10)
- 13th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(76.2)
- 23rd in Sacks(36)
- 9th in Pass Defense(187.9)
- 17th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.0)
- 22nd in Rush Defense(123.3)
- 15th in Total Defense(311.2)
- T-13th in Scoring Defense(19.6)
- 22 Takeaways
1998
- T-19th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(10)
- 26th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(88.6)
- 21st in Sacks(37)
- 28th in Pass Defense(231.8)
- T-23rd in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.3)
- 26th in Rush Defense(133.3)
- 30th in Total Defense(365.1)
- 27th in Scoring Defense(25.8)
- 33 Takeaways
1999 Indianapolis Colts
- T-11th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(8)
- 22nd in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(83.9)
- T-12th in Sacks(41)
- 19th in Pass Defense(219.1)
- T-24th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.2)
- 18th in Rush Defense(107.2)
- 15th in Total Defense(326.3)
- 17th in Scoring Defense(20.8)
- 23 Takeaways
2000
- T-9th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(6)
- T-18th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(83.6)
- T-12th in Sacks(42)
- 18th in Pass Defense(213.9)
- T-21st in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.3)
- 25th in Rush Defense(120.9)
- 21st in Total Defense(334.8)
- 15th in Scoring Defense(20.4)
- 26 Takeaways
2001
- T-21st in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(9)
- 28th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(91.9)
- 16th in Sacks(40)
- 27th in Pass Defense(225.0)
- T-28th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.6)
- 25th in Rush Defense(132.2)
- 29th in Total Defense(357.2)
- 31st in Scoring Defense(30.4)
- 25 Takeaways
2002 Houston Texans
- T-6th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(5)
- 19th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(82.1)
- 18th in Sacks(35)
- 10th in Pass Defense(196.3)
- T-13th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.1)
- 28th in Rush Defense(130.6)
- 16th in Total Defense(326.9)
- 20th in Scoring Defense(22.2)
- 21 Takeaways
2003
- T-27th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(10)
- 28th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(86.2)
- 31st in Sacks(19)
- 31st in Pass Defense(232.0)
- T-21st in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.4)
- 31st in Rush Defense(148.1)
- 31st in Total Defense(380.1)
- 27th in Scoring Defense(23.8)
- 22 Takeaways
2004
- T-9th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(7)
- 21st in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(88.7)
- 32nd in Sacks(24)
- 24th in Pass Defense(225.9)
- T-22nd in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.4)
- 13th in Rush Defense(115.2)
- 23rd in Total Defense(341.1)
- T-15th in Scoring Defense(21.2)
- 30 Takeaways
2005
- T-25th in Pass Plays Over 40 yards Allowed(10)
- 31st in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(100.0)
- 14th in Sacks(37)
- 24th in Pass Defense(220.1)
- 30th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.6)
- 32nd in Rush Defense(143.9)
- 31st in Total Defense(364.0)
- 32nd in Scoring Defense(26.9)
- 16 Takeaways
Cowboys' Defensive Coordinator Candidate: Rob Ryan
Rob Ryan
2004 Oakland Raiders
2005
2006
2007
2008
Cleveland Browns 2009
2004 Oakland Raiders
- T-9th in Pass Plays Over 40 Yards Allowed(7)
- 32nd in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(99.4)
- 31st in Sacks(25)
- 30th in Pass Defense(245.3)
- T-6th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(3.7)
- 22nd in Rush defense(125.8)
- 30th in Total defense(371.0)
- 31st in Scoring Defense(27.6)
- 18 Takeaways
2005
- T-14th in Pass Plays Over 40 Yards Allowed(7)
- 29th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(90.7)
- T-18th in Sacks(36)
- 18th in Pass Defense(202.7)
- T-15th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.0)
- 25th in Rush Defense (128.1)
- 27th in Total Defense(330.8)
- 25th in Scoring Defense(23.9)
- 19 Takeaways
2006
- T-4th in Pass Plays Over 40 Yards Allowed(5)
- 7th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(74.1)
- T-19th in Sacks(34)
- 1st in Pass Defense(150.8)
- T-11th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.0)
- 25th in Rush Defense(134.0)
- 3rd in Total Defense(284.8)
- 18th in Scoring Defense(20.8)
- 23 Takeaways
2007
- T-25th in Pass Plays Over 40 Yards Allowed(9)
- 12th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(78.9)
- 18th in Sacks(27)
- 8th in Pass Defense(195.8)
- 32nd in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.8)
- 31st in Rush Defense(145.9)
- 22nd in Total Defense(341.6)
- 26th in Scoring Defense (24.9)
- 26 Takeaways
2008
- T-22 in Pass Plays Over 40 Yards Allowed(9)
- 12th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(79.3)
- 13th in Sacks(32)
- 10th in Pass Defense(201.3)
- 29th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.6)
- 31st in Rush Defense(159.7)
- 27th in Total Defense(360.9)
- 24th in Scoring Defense(24.3)
- 24 Takeaways
Cleveland Browns 2009
- T-23rd in Pass Plays Over 40 Yards Allowed(13)
- 24th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(90.6)
- T-8th in Sacks(40)
- 29th in Pass Defense(244.7)
- 29th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.6)
- 28th in Rush Defense(144.6)
- 31st in Total Defense(389.3)
- 21st in Scoring Defense(23.4)
- 19 Takeaways
2010
- T-16th in Pass Plays Over 40 Yards Allowed(8)
- 17th in Quarterback Rating Versus The Defense(84.8)
- 25th in Sacks(29)
- 18th in Pass Defense(220.7)
- 27th in Average Yards Per Carry Allowed(4.1)
- 27th in Rush Defense(129.4),
- 22nd in Total Defense (350.1)
- 13th in Scoring Defense(20.8)
- 28 Takeaways
Analysis - Rob Ryan is a big name. So naturally, he's going to enthrall fans by that alone. Statistically, he's very mediocre. His run defenses have ranked 25th or worse every year as a coordinator. I mean, honestly, everything across the board has been bad. He had the top ranked pass defense in in 2006 and the 8th in 2007. But besides that, nothing really impresses me. I've seen him on the sideline, and as a Ryan, it's no real surprise, but he's a fiery guy. He comes from a good defensive coaching pedigree, so I'm sure he can get his point across to his players. I just wonder about his ability to put together a game plan, make in-game adjustments, and how well he uses his players. I've read that he's not very good at using his players like they're supposed too.
He's certainly a big name, but his track records leaves a lot to be desired. I know, Oakland and Cleveland aren't exactly overflowing with talent, but even still. Unless he didn't have any say in the defense, which I'd find pretty hard to believe, even though in Oakland he had Al Davis running the team in the ground. In Cleveland he was working under Eric Mangini, who is a defensive guy. So he might have had his hand in the defense somewhere. I wouldn't blame him.
This hire would make a lot of sense and maybe he's just a product of trying to coaching on a bad team. He'd have everything he could possibly want here. There's no reason he can't succeed in Dallas.
This hire would make a lot of sense and maybe he's just a product of trying to coaching on a bad team. He'd have everything he could possibly want here. There's no reason he can't succeed in Dallas.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Dallas Cowboys need to improve in April
As anybody watching the Cowboys play this season could see, this team needs change. And if you didn't see them play even once, shame on you for one, just simply look at their record and their place in the division. A team with so much 'talent' to finish so poorly is unacceptable.
Jason Garrett has taken the challenge and at times, seemingly, the burden of building and sustaining a playoff caliber Cowboys team. The Cowboys have the money and the glamor and the history to lure talent through free agency. Unfortunately, you cannot build a team through free agency. It's too expensive and the players, generally, don't make it to free agency unless there's issues somewhere. You're team will also get old very quickly if you continue to try to build through adding veteran players.
You have to build teams through the draft. It's tough, but it's absolutely essential if you want to have a good team for years to come. And the Cowboys haven't really had a successful one, by my standards, since 2005 and even that's kinda iffy.
You have to build teams through the draft. It's tough, but it's absolutely essential if you want to have a good team for years to come. And the Cowboys haven't really had a successful one, by my standards, since 2005 and even that's kinda iffy.
Look at the drafts since '05:
| 2005 - Dallas Cowboys | ||||
| Rd | Sel # | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | 11 | DeMarcus Ware | OLB | Troy State |
| 1 | 20 | Marcus Spears | DE | Louisiana State |
| 2 | 42 | Kevin Burnett | LB | Tennessee |
| 4 | 109 | Marion Barber | RB | Minnesota |
| 4 | 132 | Chris Canty | DE | Virginia |
| 6 | 208 | Justin Beriault | DB | Ball State |
| 6 | 209 | Rob Petitti | T | Pittsburgh |
| 7 | 224 | Jay Ratliff | DE | Auburn |
| 2006 - Dallas Cowboys | ||||
| Rd | Sel # | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | 18 | Bobby Carpenter | LB | Ohio State |
| 2 | 53 | Anthony Fasano | TE | Notre Dame |
| 3 | 92 | Jason Hatcher | DE | Grambling State |
| 4 | 125 | Skyler Green | WR | Louisiana State |
| 5 | 138 | Pat Watkins | FS | Florida State |
| 6 | 182 | Montavious Stanley | DT | Louisville |
| 7 | 211 | Pat McQuistan | T | Weber State |
| 7 | 224 | E.J. Whitley | C | Texas Tech |
| 2007 - Dallas Cowboys | ||||
| Rd | Sel # | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | 26 | Anthony Spencer | OLB | Purdue |
| 3 | 67 | James Marten | OT | Boston College |
| 4 | 103 | Isaiah Stanback | WR | Washington |
| 4 | 122 | Doug Free | OT | Northern Illinois |
| 6 | 178 | Nick Folk | K | Arizona |
| 6 | 195 | Deon Anderson | FB | Connecticut |
| 7 | 212 | Courtney Brown | CB | Cal Poly-S.L.O. |
| 7 | 237 | Alan Ball | CB | Illinois |
| 2008 - Dallas Cowboys | ||||
| Rd | Sel # | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | 22 | Felix Jones | RB | Arkansas |
| 1 | 25 | Mike Jenkins | CB | South Florida |
| 2 | 61 | Martellus Bennett | TE | Texas A&M |
| 4 | 122 | Tashard Choice | RB | Georgia Tech |
| 5 | 143 | Orlando Scandrick | CB | Boise State |
| 6 | 167 | Erik Walden | LB | Middle Tennessee State |
| 2009 - Dallas Cowboys | ||||
| Rd | Sel # | Player | Position | School |
| 3 | 69 | Jason Williams | LB | Western Illinois |
| 3 | 75 | Robert Brewster | T | Ball State |
| 4 | 101 | Stephen McGee | QB | Texas A&M |
| 4 | 110 | Victor Butler | DE | Oregon State |
| 4 | 120 | Brandon Williams | DE | Texas Tech |
| 5 | 143 | DeAngelo Smith | DB | Cincinnati |
| 5 | 166 | Mike Hamlin | DB | Clemson |
| 5 | 172 | David Buehler | K | USC |
| 6 | 197 | Stephen Hodge | LB | Texas Christian |
| 6 | 208 | John Phillips | TE | Virginia |
| 7 | 227 | Mike Mickens | CB | Cincinnati |
| 7 | 229 | Manuel Johnson | WR | Oklahoma |
| 2009 - Dallas Cowboys | ||||
| Rd | Sel # | Player | Position | School |
| 3 | 69 | Jason Williams | LB | Western Illinois |
| 3 | 75 | Robert Brewster | T | Ball State |
| 4 | 101 | Stephen McGee | QB | Texas A&M |
| 4 | 110 | Victor Butler | DE | Oregon State |
| 4 | 120 | Brandon Williams | DE | Texas Tech |
| 5 | 143 | DeAngelo Smith | DB | Cincinnati |
| 5 | 166 | Mike Hamlin | DB | Clemson |
| 5 | 172 | David Buehler | K | USC |
| 6 | 197 | Stephen Hodge | LB | Texas Christian |
| 6 | 208 | John Phillips | TE | Virginia |
| 7 | 227 | Mike Mickens | CB | Cincinnati |
| 7 | 229 | Manuel Johnson | WR | Oklahoma |
| 2010 - Dallas Cowboys | ||||
| Rd | Sel # | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | 24 | Dez Bryant | WR | Oklahoma State |
| 2 | 55 | Sean Lee | LB | Penn State |
| 4 | 126 | Akwasi Owusu-Ansah | DB | Indiana(PA) |
| 6 | 179 | Sam Young | OT | Notre Dame |
| 6 | 196 | Jamar Wall | DB | Texas Tech |
| 7 | 234 | Sean Lissemore | DT | William & Mary |
There's not many players who are still in the league, much less on the Cowboys roster. A lot of people will point to Jerry Jones and his perceived lack of football knowledge and he definitely deserves some of the blame. How much, is anyone's guess. Whatever the reason, it's imperative that the Cowboys improve on who the choose through the draft.
I'm not saying their struggles through the draft in recent memory are the reason the Cowboys finished 6-10 this season. My thoughts on their downfall have been fairly well documented. I believe not being able to draft properly has kept this team, when good, from being great.
This team has talent. It's on the older side, but again, they have the players to win a lot of games. It's the coaches job to get those players to mesh and play as a unit. It's his job to get the most out of those players every day. It's his job to get them to focus on the task at hand. And it's the owners job, and in this case, the GM's job also, to allow the coach to do his job.
Drafting better will just makes things easier for everyone involved.
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