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2019-2020 Offseason:
Pre-Selection
Catch Up And Other Considerations
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April 22, 2020 At
11:39 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf-
- Jason Garrett was gone from
“America’s Team” but (for better or worse) far from forgotten. Mike
McCarthy was on and charged with urgently extinguishing all that
turned rotten.
“The Tortured Cowboys Fan” joined millions of other members of
“Cowboys Nation” in expectation of another long-yet-hopeful
offseason of self-reflection (for both fans and the organization)
towards potential, future-proofed correction.
McCarthy wasted no time in assembling a staff constructed from
coaches both young and old . . . in favor of concepts both
aggressive and bold (the consistent absence of which caused Jason
Garrett's last opportunity as Cowboys' head coach to definitively
fold).
Meanwhile, the NFL and NFLPA came to a “somewhat hasty” arrangement
on a new collective bargaining agreement. Fans will eventually learn
the success rate of the NFL’s strategic focus. (1) More (but still
relatively limited) funds for the little guy. (2) More (but not
nearly enough) health benefits for the retired guy. (3) Far, FAR
less punitive attention on the recreational marijuana guy. Such
emphasis may prove to be a worthwhile achievement . . . or just some
shrewd (pre-new-network-television deal) hocus pocus.
Then, like an uninvited superfan from a particularly-despised
division rival, COVID-19 announced its (much more
potent-than-expected) arrival with an unthinkable challenge to human
survival. People – from all walks of life around the world – have
found themselves hurled into an existence of best-laid, every day
strategies becoming long-delayed tragedies.
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And with every second, minute, hour, day, week, and month that has
passed with many (but far from ALL) trying their best
to mask up and be socially distant, people have understandably been
demanding “Coronavirus be gone . . . this very instant!”
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The sooner fans (as part of a larger, societal effort)
choose safe, healthier living over dangerously infectious
giving . . . the closer they will get to what they want
(even if – at best – it is presented in a fan-less format, looking
particularly gaunt).
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"What a long strange trip it's been." – from “Truckin’”
by the Grateful Dead.
Well, Cowboys Nation and pro football fans around the world (who
have survived a certain lifestyle thief) can finally breathe a sigh
of relief! No, no, this is not about the long-sought refund for the
Las Vegas weekend plan that did not pan, but (perhaps) the next best
thing for a stay-at-home crowd desperate for entertaining reasons to
get LOUD!
The 2020 NFL draft has (practically) arrived to – once again – grant
32 organizations multiple opportunities to refresh through talented
new recruits with whom they hope to quickly mesh. A flurry of
(voluntary and involuntary) personnel changes occurred in a hurry
along the way to help shape the Cowboys’ needs on this first of 2020
NFL draft day.
Key Pre-Draft Departures
Star cornerback Byron “Senator” Jones left for the Miami Dolphins
who gave him a contract befitting a “shutdown corner” stud. Time
will tell if – in a new system – the classy human being and
four-tool defender will be able to develop a fifth by shaking the
label of low-turnover dud.
As a brief aside, watching Byron Jones in pass coverage oddly
reminds of a scene from the 2011 remake of “Clash of the Titans,”
starring Sam Worthington as Perseus. He leads a team of
(mostly-brave) warriors into Medusa’s lair with the goal of severing
her head (which would later be critically important in turning the
horrifying Kraken to stone before it could kill Andromeda). One of
his team members - Eusebios (played by Nicholas Hoult) – is
(understandably) scared to death of Medusa . . . even though it is
their shared “win or go home” mission to behead her. Eusebios is
told to keep his eyes down. With every “route” he takes towards the
ball-carrier, err, Medusa, he nervously reminds himself to keep his
“eyes down!” Byron Jones – somewhat like Eusebios (and save for two
happy accidents) – simply could not bring himself to break from a
rigid scheme that made (regular attempts at) interceptions into a
distant dream.
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Defensive end Robert “The Mighty” Quinn (who performed for the
Cowboys with no such fear) left for the Chicago Bears (following one
of his best performances in years). Just when it appeared a bookend
match for DeMarcus Lawrence might develop a long-term feel (after
acquiring Quinn from Miami for a sixth-round steal), the “Monsters
Of The Midway” offered him a sweet-as-honey deal. Alas, another
player – perhaps from this year’s draft – will able to help “Tank”
lay more sack-tastic tread for significantly less bread.
While there seemed a good chance the arrival of Mike McCarthy meant
slot receiver Randall Cobb might stick around for a longer-term
dance, he left for the Houston Texans (who had some ‘splaining to do
after abruptly trading away star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins).
And – as part of an uncoordinated, unplanned group exodus –
defensive tackle Maliek Collins, free safety Jeff Heath, and none
other than tight end Jason Witten have all left for the Oakland,
err, Las Vegas Raiders. Yes, it is going to be hard to get used to
that new variation on a classic, historic NFL franchise (and
exponentially harder for legions of loyal Oakland fans, a great many
of whom may become understandable haters).
Maliek was a role player at a spot where – no matter who was at the
top of the rotation – the Cowboys interior defenders routinely
looked like they were on vacation. Jeff Heath – forever
underappreciated by the masses – simply did the best he could
(whether as a special teams maven or a free-roaming raven,
somewhat-consistently bringing the wood).
While Maliek and Heath have followed a friendly face (in Rod
Marinelli) to a new place, Witten was not expected to keep pace.
Sure, he made it known (rather loudly) that he would like to coach
one day, but he also planned on continuing to play (if a desirable
coaching opportunity did not suddenly come his way?). Most members
of Cowboys Nation expected Witten to grant McCarthy much more than a
look-see. Perhaps when he did not receive sufficient (or any?)
coaching staff consideration, he decided to indulge a one-year Vegas
vacation.
Jon Gruden (previously among an exclusive list of head coaching
targets for many Cowboys fans) admittedly did not have plans for
another tight end, but he (much like former boss and mentor Al “The
Godfather” Davis) puts a premium on Witten’s veteran leadership,
work ethic, and toughness blend. Witten is another rare Dallas
Cowboys superstar who will finish his career in different colors
than preferred but – with the vast majority of his accomplishments
occurring in white, silver, and electric blue – his primary team
association (at retirement or for Hall Of Fame enshrinement) will
never be blurred.
While fans will always have fond memories of iron man Witten,
recently-retired Pro Bowl center Travis “Fredbeard” Frederick was a
critical player with whom fans had also become quite smitten. The
sudden end to his playing career has created yet another direction
in which the Cowboys’ draft day and (continued) free agent efforts
must steer.
Perpetual practice squad performer and (promising-yet-inconsistent)
wide receiver Lance Lenoir has, once again, been waived. Time will
soon tell if McCarthy will become the latest Cowboys head coach to
have caved (in to giving Lenoir yet another shot at a roster spot).
Michael Bennett – the equally independent-minded brother of
Martellus – is an unrestricted free agent (courtesy of GM Jerry’s
willingness to alter his contract as part of Bennett’s willingness
to accept a trade to Dallas from the New England Patriots). Even if
the still-capable Bennet was willing to return, fans must imagine he
was mightily turned off by so many “so-called leaders” who – when it
was REALLY time to flip the late-season switch – behaved like
listless invertebrates.
Setting The Tone In Stone
"I think when you talk about needs, you can't have enough good
football players, and I always point to my past experience in 2010.
It took 77 players to win a Super Bowl. I'm not a believer in
"you're one player away or two players away from winning a
championship." So, you have to . . . you want as many veterans as
you possibly can. I'm really looking forward to coaching a more
experienced football team. That rookie class is so important in
really bringing that veteran group and that rookie class together as
really where the good teams take a good step, particularly in
November. So, paying attention to those types of things and making
sure that how we install and lay out this offseason program to where
we're able to get the veterans up to snuff, but more importantly, in
that rookie orientation, when that new group comes in, we can get
that meshed as fast as we can." – Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Mike
McCarthy in February 2020 (making it abundantly clear in which age
group he is placing his readiness money).
McCarthy has set the tone and – as far as The Tortured Cowboys Fan
is concerned – it should be carved in stone.
3D (Draft Day Design)
Heading into the draft, the Cowboys – drum roll, please – need to
keep and upgrade a variety of pieces to improve their craft. They –
in adopting McCarthy’s new systems with no intention of rebuilding –
are not merely restocking this time around. If they do not get their
selections right, best laid plans (to actually compete for a
championship in 2020) could run aground. Though, with this draft
offering a deeper well of talent than has been amassed in years,
there would appear to be plenty of opportunities to allay fan fears.
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After consecutive drafts with an offensive bent, it is long overdue
for Dallas to make a more defensive dent. The Tortured Cowboys Fan –
an extraordinary sorter – has ranked the Cowboys multifaceted needs
in the following order. If one or more teams crap the board,
however, and an unexpected talent (or “best player available”)
slides to their draft position, then Dallas would be forgiven for
breaking from their preplanned mission.
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Rod Marinelli has exited and – with his departure – a
different type of run-stuffing, interior defensive lineman must be
targeted. The Cowboys’ current tackles (Antwaun Woods, ‘tweener
Tyrone Crawford, and Trysten Hill) have been no fun against the run
(and often absolute torture). Woods has been unable to escape
routine nagging injuries, Crawford is still recovering from
double-hip surgeries, and Hill has thus-far displayed nil.
Recently-signed veteran free agents (and former 2019 teammates)
Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe could make quite the interior pair.
They seem raring to go (and armed with the knowledge that Dallas may
still draft an up-and-coming competitor). They also know their
roster spots (like all but the most skilled of positions) are
predicated on earning your keep, not about what is necessarily fair.-
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One thing that remains implicitly clear and exactly why defensive
(or nose) tackle
is at the very top of this list so incredibly dear. The Dallas
Cowboys’ defense – even at its historical best – has succeeded
from the INSIDE out rather than the OUTSIDE in,
because what painfully remains following the departure of your
erstwhile shut down corner . . . is the original (interior) sin. If
the run-focused defensive interior is not upgraded, followed closely
by the QB-pressuring defensive edge (in support of more secondary
freedom not to be dumb), any claim of significant and sustainable
defensive improvement will be a HOLLOW pledge.
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After receiving his well-earned pay day, DeMarcus
“Tank” Lawrence was not the same from play to play. Robert Quinn
picked up the slack, but the result was awfully one-sided in the
total number of sacks they were expected to collectively stack. Now
that Quinn is no longer in, the Dallas Cowboys expect to benefit
from the hoped-for-but-not-promised reinstatements of one
perpetually-troubled Randy Gregory and newly-signed free agent Aldon
Smith. If this were Star Wars, one might be asking: “Hey, who the
hell invited those trouble-making Sith?” These players have two key
details in common: top notch, dust-covered physical
skills (one more than the other) and chrome-plated
influential addictions (that – in the past – have caused them and
their teams serious afflictions).
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Even if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell DOES reinstate
them, fans will learn soon enough if they will be back to enjoying
elegant entrees . . . or microwaved Raman. As with the nose tackle
position, new defensive line coach Jim Tomsula is also tasked with
providing defensive end with improved punctuation! Perhaps Tomsula
(who enjoyed success with Smith during their time on the San
Francisco 49ers) views himself and Smith as the hopeful equivalent
of Phil Jackson and Dennis Rodman? Time will soon tell if Tomsula
will be allowed to help both Gregory and Smith overcome
their career-stalling spells.
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"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream."
Simply replace “ice cream” with “free safety” (or “one great hybrid
safety”), and you get the picture. No disrespect to a good Xavier
Woods, but the need for a true, ball-hawking AND hard-hitting hybrid
free safety that even remotely reminds of (a player possibly capable
of holding) Darren Woodson(’s jock strap) is the opposite of
conjecture. Yes, Dallas has – compared to almost any other role on
the roster – regularly, almost deliberately abused the safety
position with imposter after imposter. Now that Jeff Heath and Kavon
Frazier are gone (along with their truly-cherished special teams
leadership), there are opportunities abound to help steady the
Cowboys’ secondary ship.
While Newly-added free agent Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is clearly a
(still-capable) bridge player, he has been given a second chance (by
for his former Green Bay head coach) in what will effectively be
another contract year. Like any veteran looking (perhaps) for
another pay day before no longer being asked to play, the former
Packer, Redskin, and Bear is expected to do his level-best to
silence every naysayer.
2nd-year player Donovan Wilson (with the nose for the ball he
displayed during the 2019 preseason) – along with any new draftees
or free agent pickups – needs to be given the opportunity to
compete. No kinda’, no sorta’, no teasin'. Darian Thompson (after
being ranked the third to fifth best safety prospect in the 2016
draft) spent the first three years of his NFL career on a bit of a
life raft. He may be a lanky hybrid safety / cornerback reserve, but
he is surely as ready as any other (on the bubble) player to show he
can serve. "I have served and will be of service." - John Wick ("a
man of purpose" who knows how to make it all click).
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The Tortured Cowboys Fan has stated again and again that
UNTIL Leighton “The Wolf Hunter” Vander Esch is physically-cleared
to return to practice, has demonstrated his mental and physical
readiness to go from practice to preseason competition, and
more-than-survived that opposition . . . America’s Team would be
foolish to (arrogantly?) ignore the ever-present and
maddeningly-common attrition at his roster position.
Jaylon “Predator” Smith is healthy but flakey in pass-coverage. Sean
“General” Lee remains a fantastic, knowledgeable veteran so dear who
has chosen to hold on against the return of an injury overage for
(at least / most) another year. The multifaceted Joe Thomas has been
a starter in the past but – of potentially being the same in Nolan's
system in an injury pinch – there is no promise, it is no cinch.-
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2019 rookie Luke Gifford flashed some LVE
skill, but his availability proved hard to fulfill. Gifford’s
injuries (including a preseason high ankle sprain and a week 15 left
arm fracture) made consistent productivity hard to capture. Justin
March-Lillard is a sturdy, reliable guy who should receive a bit
more playing time – within Mike Nolan’s aggressive system – to show
how well he can fly.
What was that? What about Chris Covington? Before he can even hope
to get started with McCarthy’s regime, he may be done. The
third-year player may never be allowed to remove enough of his
shrink-wrap to demonstrate how much talent may (or may not) be there
for Nolan to tap.
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Whether Byron Jones was a true “shutdown corner” or
not, Dallas now has a gaping hole at a most critical spot. Nolan’s
(and defensive backs coach Al Harris’) preference for aggressive ball-hawks ensures the Cowboys’ remaining
group of secondary underachievers (restrictive scheme or not) will
be demonstrate they are believers. Those similarly-positioned
players who have survived Byron’s departure to the Dolphins (Anthony
Brown and Chidobe Awuzie) came into the league with the requisite
fierceness that Kris Richard (seemingly) tried like the dickens to
scheme right out (often leaving them – like Byron – chasing the
player rather than zeroing in on the ball on route after route).
Perhaps Nolan’s scheme will help Brown and Awuzie to display a
better-than-all-or-nothing-balance to reverse such defensive
secondary sins.
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While the overlooked (?) C.J. Goodwin has been quite the journeyman
(seven teams – including the Cowboys – in six years), his fusion of
skills (as a basketball player-turned-walk-on-wide receiver in
college and a corner in the pros) presents tantalizing potential for
the one coach who may finally be able to trigger the right gears.
Yes, seven other coaches have already taken their shot at the same
task Nolan may, MAY attempt but – with so many teams always seeking
their next LONG arm of the law (like the successful 6’ 3” Michael
Downs or the comparatively-failed 6’ 5” Patrick Watkins) – Nolan is
the last person who wants to be held in no-effort contempt.
Time will soon tell if recently-added Maurice Canady (formerly of
the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets) and Saivion Smith (formerly
of the Jacksonville Jaguars) are more grist for the mill . . . or
are simply passing through, unable to fulfill.
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“That damn Dan Bailey! If that guy had not gotten injured,
the Cowboys’ kicking situation would not have become so morbidly
blurred!” – you irrationally say (trying to take their kicking woes
and just blame them away). While Dallas’ kicking quandary did,
indeed, begin with an injury-impacted Bailey no longer makin’ ‘em
daily, he is two years removed from the Cowboys’ picture, and one
Brett Maher only succeeded in becoming a cockeyed fixture. He
almost, ALMOST could not miss from quite the long chasm, but
everything else was at the mercy of a consistent spasm.
Journeyman Kai Forbath (who ironically lost the kicking job to
none-other-than Dan Bailey due to his own injury so many years ago)
was brought in to help save the special teams day. Compared to the
unreliable Maher (none too pleasin’), Kai went a nothing-to-lose 10
for 10 on field goals to close out the season. Forbath’s own career
has realized enough irregularity, however, that Dallas must seek
still further alternatives to protect against the continuation of
such disparity.
Though recently-signed veteran Greg Zuerline – he with the
(formerly?) fabulous foot from the Los Angeles Rams – would easily
appear to be the lead dog to help the Cowboys escape their kicking
fog . . . Kai Forbath needs to generate some serious competition to
ensure the right plumber has, indeed, been chosen to remove the
clog.
Some (but not all) fans – perhaps against their collective will –
might recall one Mike Vanderjagt . . . and how the final year of his
NFL career went unceremoniously splat. He joined Dallas following a
VERY successful run with the Indianapolis Colts that suddenly went
sideways. While everyone hoped his out-of-character inaccuracy would
subside with a change of scenery, his was unable to put out the
blaze, no matter the new kicking greenery.
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SEE the earlier references to Travis Frederick’s
retirement and the impact of “The Great Wall Of Dallas” no longer
being acceptably intact. While some (but not all) teams can find a
free agent fill-in (like Joe Looney or Xavier Su'a-Filo) that
actually sticks, it is often (but not always) more beneficial to
draft your own to freshly-mold the habits and technique of the
desired o-line fix.
The Tortured Cowboys Fans would – of course – be remiss if a
reminder was not made of one left tackle’s well-managed back condition
so many continue to carelessly dismiss. While Tyron Smith is
preparing to enter his 10th season and even broaching his eventual
career end is considered tantamount to treason, the Cowboys must
continue to be on the lookout for alternatives to swing tackle
Cameron Fleming (who too often appeared to play like a lemming). If
Tyron’s back should S4 (Suddenly Suffer Significant Stress) – as was
the 2017 case – the team (and a certain star quarterback) can
ill-afford to send out a backup who is quite-literally all over the
place.
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“But the Cowboys JUST signed Amari Cooper to a
mammoth new 5-year, $100M deal! And with $60M guaranteed, where is
the new receiver appeal?” – you incredulously inquire (apparently
paying little heed to the clear-and-present roster depth fire).
Amari “Crisp Route Trooper” Cooper, Michael "Can Get Up" Gallup,
Devin "My Speed Ain’t No Myth" Smith, and Noah "(Miraculously) Still
In Town" Brown all return, and such thin proven depth could leave a
burn. With slot receiver (and one-time Cole Beasley replacement)
Randall Cobb gone, Lance Lenoir booted from the practice squad for
the umpteenth time, and Tavon “No Wealth Of Health” Austin allowed
to walk, there needs to be more-and-better depth about which Dallas
should talk.
There is, of course, the (remote?) possibility of returning to an
old-yet-familiar horse. While Dez Bryant left the organization under
undesirable circumstances, the people responsible for his ouster
(save for one owner’s son) are now gone which greatly improves his
chances. He has made it abundantly clear that he would accept ANY
receiving role (even that of a hybrid tight end who can take more
than a 10-yard stroll).
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Dez only wishes (at the moment) to return to Dallas to, once more,
help them towards winning the Super Bowl chalice. Dez has been “in
the lab” trimming his non-existent flab, demonstrating catches with
hands like a crab, and he merely seeks the opportunity to take a
stab.
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- “The team no longer has Witten! Nor do
they have his patented 10-yard catches which – like clockwork – he
STILL so easily snatches! If Dallas does not try to draft an
equally-capable tight end, such an oversight could ensure they are
painfully bitten!” – you insist (giving neither willing-and-able
Blake Jarwin nor the untapped potential of Dalton Schultz a
realistic chance to triumphantly arise from the training camp
competition mist).
Recently-signed tight end Blake Bell may be “just another
journeyman” (going from the San Francisco 49ers to the Minnesota
Vikings to the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Super Bowl Champion
Kansas City Chiefs) in five seasons, but if McCarthy and Co. think
he may be more than a low-use caboose, they must have their
at-first-glance reasons.
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- Oh, brother! This position – more than any other –
triggers the worst nightmares of Cowboys Nation. Dak Prescott
remains unwilling to accept his franchise tag deal and with any of
the Cowboys’ long-term offerings, none of them (to this point) have
provoked enough of the desired number of years or financial appeal.
While Prescott and the Cowboys continue playing their game within
the game, backup Cooper Rush is in-no-way considered viable within
the starting quarterback frame. Perhaps – more than drafting better
talent to stack behind Dak – is the more valid reality of procuring
the right free agent veteran to backstop Prescott’s attack. Either
way, Dak’s impressive toughness since entering the league is no
excuse to not proactively prepare for that dreaded moment (should it
ever occur) when he suffers untimely fatigue.
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- While long-time incumbent Chris “The Puntisher” Jones did
experience a (temporary?) dip in his average distance and downed
significantly fewer punts inside the 20, special teams TACKLING may
prove to be where they spend any money. Newly hired special teams
coordinator John “Bones” Fassel – if judged by his performance with
the Los Angeles Rams – has a few corrective tricks up his sleeve to
help Jones reset his game and earn his clams.
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Will They Or Won’t They?
The 2020 NFL draft is just a little less than a day away. While Las
Vegas will clearly lose out on all the fan and tourist money that
comes with hosting such an event, everyone knows an online-only
flavor of the draft will help prevent an even worse COVID-19
infection dent.
Will the NFL and all 3rd parties involved be able to pull off a
smooth show while ensuring unexpected bandwidth issues are quickly
solved?
Will there be a team that desperately needs to unload an
on-the-field-talent turned off-the-field-toad?-
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Will the Dallas Cowboys be ready with their sharpest selection sword
if-and-when one or more teams crap the draft board?
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Will America's Team be among the more aggressive post-draft teams
who pursue players unable to escape from the dreaded undrafted free
agent theme?
We shall see. We always do.
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