The first installment of many in what is now the offseason for the Cowboys....now what? This team clearly overachieved this year - partially due to the coaching and partially due to a pretty good defense. I predicted that this team would go around 8-8, with 9-7 being a very positive year. In no way did I predict that this team would make the playoffs, especially before week 17. All season long, the Cowboys success has followed that of the QB and the RB. Sure, the defense is its strength, but it wasn't going to win games for them. It was just going to allow them to stay in most of the games to the end. It is the QB/RB that made the "W's". If those positions made the plays, they won. If they didn't, they lost. So, what does Parcells do with a 10-6 team? We will have a lot of cap space next year....a lot. My opinion is that he does a lot of changing....IF HE CAN. Here's where it gets tricky. Let's look at the offense, the two aforementioned positions first. I think it is pretty much a given that Hambrick is not the starting halfback next year. The problem is....who? I can't see who will be cut (or why Dallas would want them). As far as the UFAs available, I don't see one that will knock Parcell's socks off. A rookie? Maybe. How about a QB? Common sense tells you Carter won't be the starter next year. But don't be so quick. Maybe he will be. Who else will there be? Trade for Warner? He's still got question marks surrounding him. Brunnell? There will be some competition for him and Parcells typically signs guys at his price. Peyton Manning is a UFA LOL!!! Like that will happen (eye roll). This will be interesting, but my guess is that someone else will be in Dallas next year. I am sure that there will be some OL depth and maybe a starter next year. Larry Allen may be a surprise cut, especially with his large salary. Al Johnson will be back from injury to provide some more depth too. Its too early to go into other potential changes, such as Galloway. Let me make one thing clear. Jason Whitten will not get one third place vote for rookie of the year, but TE isn't exactly the position to turn heads, especially with this offense and QB. However, for his position, Whitten is one of the best rookies this year....and I think this was a good rookie class. Defense. This one gets tricky. DC Mike Zimmer is getting a look-over from Nebraska. Parcells is a big Zimmer fan in only one year, and is giving him comparisons to Belichek. I think if Zimmer is gone, you are going to see more changes on defense than if Zimmer stays. Either way, I think the DL gets another good player. Parcells wants the front 7 to be bigger. The MLB is the first place that a major improvement could be made (bigger). However, Nguyen has made a fan of Parcells this year with his attitude, work ethic, and play. Maybe he stays now. Ekuban is a free agent, and I think he leaves or gets signed for a lot less. The Redskins have a habit of taking our castoffs, so maybe he ends up there. I think he gets replaced with a pass rush specialist. Dallas needs more pressure on the QB. You could argue an upgrade in other places, but I think that is the way it shakes out as of now. As I said, more to come....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Cowboy71 wrote: Defense. This one gets tricky. DC Mike Zimmer is getting a look-over from Nebraska. Parcells is a big Zimmer fan in only one year, and is giving him comparisons to Belichek. I think if Zimmer is gone, you are going to see more changes on defense than if Zimmer stays.</div> Whew. Zimmer turned down Nebraska. That was close.
Cowboy, If im not mistaken based on parcells history he loves players that use to play for him. Could you guys make a move for keyshawn? I never ever thought parcells would trade for terry glenn and sign adrian murrell. Its no secret that keyshawn is tunas favorite when it comes to the wr postion. Im hoping that dallas makes a move for keyshawn so we can dump his salery. I really think the boys will go rb ifs its the draft or by trade. Cory dillon and travis henry seem to be the odd men out and could be moved for picks. Also dont be suprised to see garrison hearst cut. Duce staley,thomas jones are free agents. Dallas has many options in the offseason. Better beleive bill will get some players to help this team in the offseason.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Bucs40etrain wrote: Cowboy, If im not mistaken based on parcells history he loves players that use to play for him. Could you guys make a move for keyshawn? I never ever thought parcells would trade for terry glenn and sign adrian murrell. Its no secret that keyshawn is parcells favorites when it comes to the wr postion. Im hoping that dallas makes a move for keyshawn so we can dump his salery. I really think the boys will go rb ifs its the draft or by trade. Cory dillon and travis henry seem to be the odd men out and could be moved for picks. Also dont be suprised to see garrison hearst cut. Duce staley,thomas jones are free agents. Dallas has many options in the offseason. Better beleive parcells will get some players to help this team win. </div> Bucs, I'm not sure about Keyshawn yet. I think it depends on Galloway and whether they cut him or not. I'm not sure what they cap hit on him would be.I would be surprised if Parcells trades for Keyshawn or very many other players. It sounds like he will be pretty careful that the Cowboys don't do another Galloway deal. You are right that Parcells likes "his guys". As he was with the Bucs, Keyshawn would be both good and bad for us. I'm not sure he was as good for the Bucs as he cost them in $$$, but it appears Parcells tends in most cases to sign "his guys" more on Parcells terms ($$$) than the players terms. Antonio Bryant will be a Cowboy next year. Galloway and Glenn could both be there too or they could both be gone. I say Glenn probably stays as #3, but if they can upgrade Galloway for a possession receiver for the same money, I say go for it. It is a good possibly that we pursue one or more of the RBs above, but it would probably depend on what we come away with in the first round of the draft. I think its likely that the Cowboys will go after a RB if there is a good one left when they draft. They will probably have a new QB, but I don't see them finding one late in the first round that will meet their needs. Parcells wants to start winning now. A rookie QB starter isn't in their interests at this time. If a starting RB isn't there in the first round, I think they will still take one in the middle rounds and then go after a FA vet.
Here is the info that I was looking for. Receiver Joey Galloway's 34 catches in 2003 do not equate to his $8 million cap figure for 2004. If the Cowboys release him before June 1, he would count $5.3 million against the 2004 cap, saving them roughly $2.8 million. If they release him after June 1, he would count just $1.8 million in 2004, saving them $6.3 million. Sounds like if he is going to stay in Dallas, he is going to take a big paycut. Larry Allen, Ryan Young, and Darren Woodson are also considered on-the-bubble.
We have the same problem with key in tampa we take a cap hit if we release him. I dont think tampa wants much for key other then someone taking over his contract. I edited my post up cause i looked it over and i didnt like how i had one word on one line lol. I also put a post in gereral forum cowboy about the current up to date salery cap numbers for all nfl teams. If ya get a chance take a look. Happy posting.
