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2012-2013 Offseason: Pre-Selection Catch
Up And Other Considerations
- April 25,
2013
At 6:30 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- It has been a long offseason for
some and even longer for others . . . but the arrival of the 2013
NFL Draft makes it worth the wait for pro football lovers.
Before discussing the selections that may alter the future of both
players and teams forever, "The Tortured Cowboys Fan" needs to touch
upon topics that brought on plenty of stormy fan weather.
Discomfort
Jerry Jones met the end of the Cowboys’ 2012 year with a vow to make
the offseason “uncomfortable” . . . and certainly aiming to instill
– in his organization – a little fear.
Rob Ryan – by all accounts – was dealt an unhealthy deal last
season. His return for a third year was expected and with
valid reason. His starting defensive unit continued to struggle with
his “exotic” play-calling and – when the injuries began to pile up –
no one would have blamed him if he broke down and started balling.
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- He was handed lukewarm leftovers
from the low end of the street . . . and told to find a way to
more-than-compete.
Ryan swallowed his pride, shelved his (chaotic) scheme, and still managed to make it work – with lesser talent – and a watered down
theme. The Cowboys’ bare-cupboard defense – all things considered –
played surprisingly well . . . before the last game of the season when the wheels fell off, and it all went to hell.
The NFL is often referred to as “Not For Long.” Ryan may look like
Dude Lebowski, but he certainly did not expect a Dallas dismissal
that must have sent him reaching for a bong. Considering what
preceded Ryan, it was hard to call Jerry all wrong.
Jerry was convinced – by Bill Parcells – to quite literally buy into
a 34 defense back in 2003 . . . and with little continued growth
since the Big Tuna’s exit – Jerry was no
longer willing to pay the patience fee. Ryan may have unfairly
become collateral damage from a bigger issue, but Jerry was clearly
in no mood to hand out a tissue.
Ryan seemingly received a raw deal, but his simplified success with
less – with average results when armed with healthy starters . . .
downgraded his appeal.
Enter Monte Kiffin – with more of a meat-and-potatoes scheme that
should create more high-motor-driven confusion . . . for the opposing team.
Everyone knows Monte from his superb days with Tampa Bay. While he
delivered average results with USC, Jason Garrett – with Jerry in
tow – is determined there will be plenty good to see . . . from a
defense that should be revitalized and rearing to go.
While Garrett had a hand in course-correcting his defense, he has
been experiencing a heavy dose of Jerry’s discomfort and is in need
of a serious rinse. He is said to be (involuntarily) handing off his
play-calling effort, and the press conference questions – since that
time – have been rather intense.
It is expected that Bill Callahan will be the offensive play-calling
man . . . but Jerry, err, Jason can always choose to change that
assumed offseason plan.
The Cowboys suffered through well-chronicled inconsistency – on
offense and defense – and often
delivered no better than average. There was still faint hope Joe
DeCamillis could give Dallas some much-needed lift with a special
teams gift. He needed to coax more from his troops and develop something the Cowboys could regularly leverage.
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- Dwayne
Harris experienced some return game success, but it was not enough
to prevent more DeCamillis duress. “Joe D” had enough – from faulty
practice facilities to poor performance stuff – and went off to the
Chicago Bears . . . giving Rich Bisaccia a chance to split special
teams hairs.
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- The discomfort is far from over and
– even with dynamite draft decisions – the Cowboys' coaching staff
will probably gladly accept a four leaf clover.
Bend To Spend
Tony “Lightning Rod” Romo and Anthony Spencer (for hire) were the
top offseason priorities for “America’s Team” . . . but there was a
legit fear of funding limits to that dream.
Fans – those who really understood – were relieved to see months of
speculation end with Romo being renewed for years to come in the
Cowboys’ hood.
Romo – earned or not – received “fair market value” . . . even if
his last performance should have ended with him dodging and ducking
an angrily-thrown steel-toed shoe.
Fans – those who are irate – need to accept that Romo still has
ample opportunity to do something other than seal the Cowboys’ fate.
He still has a chance – with reasonable roster improvements around
him . . . to give his self-made deficiencies a trim and bring the
Cowboys back to the playoff dance.
Anthony Spencer was coming off a year with a pricy franchise tag . .
. and when fans least expected it, he did anything but lag. He led
the team in sacks, took on more of a leadership role, and did his
best – in the absence of many others – to fill in the defensive
holes.
Fan curiosity remains – though – on when missing starters return to
health and are ready to go . . . to see if Spencer will devolve back
into his former defensive flow. Spencer has now been franchised for
the second year in a row and – if he wants something long-term
– he may have to show even more get-up-and-go.
Cowboys Nation will get their chance to see if Spencer can finally,
regularly, and realistically function as the defensive bookend
everyone had always envisioned over there – opposite DeMarcus Ware.
Fans should shake themselves and never forget – just a few
years ago – when Anthony "Took Plays Off" Spencer thought it was
acceptable to occasionally quit.
The Cowboys had a rather ridiculous number of contracts to blend,
but they proved – once again – to be one of the best in the league
at bend to spend.
Will They Or Won’t They?
Fans and prognosticators are aligned on what the Dallas Cowboys need
to reestablish their disconnected playoff feed.
Dallas needs more quality and depth up and down the roster. They
need more options on the offensive line, at running back, at safety,
at cornerback, and on the defensive line . . . and if they can
address most of these areas, improvement they should be able to
foster.
Will they stand pat . . . and select the best available talent just like “the
man in the funny hat?” Will they trade up or trade down? Will they
look smart or resemble a clown?
We shall see. We always do.
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