Author |
Topic: Cowboys Offseason Report (Read 1210 times) |
|
Philosopher King
of Fantasy Football
Site Administrator
GBRFLer
Champ - '94, '99, '02, '04
I love ''the Gridiron''!
  
Posts: 19699
Back to top
|
 |
Re: Cowboys Offseason Report
« Reply #2 on: Feb 25th, 2005, 6:16pm » |
 Quote  Modify
|
More coming in on the Parcells-Bledsoe reunification front... HOT off "The REAL Feed":
NFL ROUNDUP: Reports: Cowboys set to reunite Bledsoe, Parcells
FREEP: Football (23.02.2005 10:19)
IRVING, Texas -- Drew Bledsoe was released Tuesday by the Buffalo Bills, and within hours, according to several reports, agreed to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
|
|
 Logged |
|
|
|
Tony_O
Guest
Back to top
|
 |
Re: Cowboys Offseason Report
« Reply #3 on: Mar 3rd, 2005, 1:31am » |
Quote Modify
 Remove
|
Dallas picks up two "BIG" defensive additions!
Cowboys guarantee $20M to free agent pickups
By Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com
In their first offseason moves aimed at aiding their transition to a 3-4 defense and patching a porous secondary, the Cowboys made two significant free agent strikes Wednesday, ESPN.com has learned.
The Cowboys reached contract agreements with a pair of top-shelf unrestricted veterans -- defensive tackle Jason Ferguson of the Jets and cornerback Anthony Henry of the Browns -- investing about $20 million in guarantees. Ferguson was the top defensive tackle available in the veteran pool and Henry was viewed by many as the best young cornerback in free agency.
With their additions, the Cowboys are confident that "Big D" can once again field a big defense.
Jason Ferguson
Defensive Tackle
New York Jets
Profile
2004 SEASON STATISTICS
Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int
59 39 20 2 4 0
The addition of eighth-year veteran Ferguson is a key for the Cowboys, since he likely will man the critical nose tackle position in the new defense. He can also play nose tackle in the standard 4-3 front, which Dallas figures to use on occasion as well.
Ferguson, 30, will sign a five-year, $21.5 million contract that includes a $9 million signing bonus. The deal will pay him a whopping $11.5 million in the first two seasons and $13.5 million in the first three years.
Henry will get a five-year, $25 million deal. The fourth-year veteran will bank a $10 million signing bonus, a $1 million roster bonus in 2005 and a $1 million roster bonus in 2006. He will be paid $18 million over the first three years of his contract.
Credit the salesmanship of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and coach Bill Parcells, the man who drafted Ferguson while coaching the Jets, with convincing the defensive tackle to sign. Earlier in the evening, Ferguson informed agent Jimmy Sexton that he wanted to fly home to Memphis to discuss the offers from the Cowboys and the Jets with his wife. But Jones prevailed, hustling home from a league meeting in Atlanta earlier in the day, to help recruit Ferguson.
Ferguson clearly agonized over his decision, and the Jets felt confident they could get him back, but Dallas raised its offer and clearly made a strong sales pitch.
Although he has never played in the Pro Bowl and never registered more than 4½ sacks in a season, Ferguson was a highly coveted player in this year's free agent pool, and the competition for his services was heated. So determined were the Jets to keep him that, on Tuesday, the team dispatched assistant general manager Mike Tannenbaum to Memphis, unannounced, to meet with Sexton.
Several other teams, beyond the Jets and Cowboys, were also in pursuit and most of them phoned Sexton shortly after the free agency period began.
A former University of Georgia standout, Ferguson, a seventh-round pick in 1997, is known primarily as a run-stuffer, but will, at times, push the pocket from the inside. He has three or more sacks in each of the last three seasons and, while those numbers are not huge, they are solid figures for a nose tackle.
Ferguson is coming off a very strong 2004 season in which he totaled 59 tackles and 3½ sacks. In 101 appearances, including 83 starts, Ferguson has 369 tackles, 20½ sacks and six forced fumbles.
Securing the highly-regarded Henry provides Dallas an emerging young cornerback to pair with second-year veteran Terence Newman. A first-round choice in the 2003 draft, Newman had a sometimes brilliant rookie season, then regressed in 2004, in part because the Cowboys did not adequately address the corner spot opposite him.
Anthony Henry
Cornerback
Cleveland Browns
Profile
2004 SEASON STATISTICS
Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int
76 67 9 0 0 4
That the Cowboys had made Henry a free agency priority was reflected by the fact they moved quickly to fly him to Dallas early Wednesday morning, arranging the trip only a few minutes after the signing period officially began at 12:01 a.m.
Henry, 28, is blessed with excellent size (6 feet 1 and 205 pounds), a quality that Parcells prefers in his cornerbacks. He plays a physical style but still has enough speed to run upfield with wide receivers and to overcome the emphasis on illegal contact in the secondary.
A three-year starter, Henry played particularly well in 2004, notching 76 tackles, four interceptions and 12 passes defensed. Ironically, his best statistical season came in his rookie year, when Henry registered a league-high 10 interceptions in 2001, playing the "nickel" cornerback role.
The former South Florida star, a fourth-round pick in the '01 draft, has 239 tackles, 17 interceptions and 49 passes defensed in 61 games, including 39 starts.
Henry was one of three unrestricted free agents mentioned publicly by the Browns' new football regime as players they wanted to retain. Sources said, however, that Cleveland never came close to re-signing the four-year veteran.
|
|
Logged |
|
|
|
Fantasy Field General
Fmr. CBFLer
Champ - '06
# 169
How 'bout them Cowboys!!!
Posts: 976
Back to top
|
|
Re: Cowboys Offseason Report
« Reply #4 on: Apr 26th, 2005, 9:29pm » |
Quote Modify
|
CB Glenn to the Cowboys?
This would be a great pickup and would be the icing on top of the cake for a rebuilt defense that will help push the Cowboys back to the playoffs. Now all we need to do is get Freddy Mitchell to help the offense!!!
By Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
April 26, 2005, 7:15 PM (CDT)
IRVING, Texas - For only the second time in the last six years, the Cowboys went through an entire draft without taking a cornerback, having selected 10 in the previous five drafts.
However, the Cowboys are getting close to acquiring a veteran cornerback in free agency, one with ties to not only the state, but to the head coach as well.
Aaron Glenn, an 11-year veteran, was released by the Texans on Tuesday after spending three seasons as the "hometown guy" in Houston, not far from where he grew up in Humble, Texas, and has been in contact with the Cowboys about a possible deal.
But Glenn likely won't be without a team for long. It appears the 32-year-old and former Texas A&M standout is close to reuniting himself with Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells, who coached him three seasons with the Jets. The Cowboys went into late Tuesday night talking with Glenn and a deal could be reached as early as Wednesday. Reports out of Houston claim the two sides already had reached a tentative agreement.
Glenn started his career with the Jets in 1994, playing eight seasons in New York, including three when Parcells was head coach (1997-99). A two-time Pro Bowler with the Jets, Glenn was drafted by the Texans in the 2002 expansion draft and quickly became a local favorite. Glenn earned another trip to the Pro Bowl in 2002, when he had five interceptions, including a pair of interception returns (70 and 65 yards) for touchdowns in one game against the Steelers.
This past season with the Texans, Glenn finished second on the team in both interceptions (five) and pass deflections (11), and had 59 tackles, starting all 16 games. In 11 seasons, Glenn has started all but one of his 154 career games played, and has missed only 12 in his career.
If signed, Glenn will join an ever-growing list of former players to reunite with Parcells, including quarterback Drew Bledsoe and defensive tackle Jason Ferguson, during this off-season. And since Parcells took over in Dallas in 2003, he has re-signed former players such as wide receivers Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Dedric Ward, fullback Richie Anderson, quarterback Vinny Testaverde and offensive tackle Ryan Young.
|
| « Last Edit: Apr 26th, 2005, 9:32pm by PrimeTime » |
Logged |
|
|
|
Red Zone Master
# 179
oh Lord, deliver us from the fury of the Norsemen!
  
Posts: 1045
Back to top
|
|
Re: Cowboys Offseason Report
« Reply #5 on: Apr 28th, 2005, 11:00am » |
Quote Modify
|
on Apr 26th, 2005, 9:29pm, PrimeTime wrote:CB Glenn to the Cowboys?
This would be a great pickup and would be the icing on top of the cake for a rebuilt defense that will help push the Cowboys back to the playoffs. Now all we need to do is get Freddy Mitchell to help the offense!!! |
|
Yikes! If the Dallas faithful are pinning their hopes on Freddie Mitchell and Aaron Glenn, then I'd be ready for some heartache!
I'm not convinced Bledsoe can do any better for this offense than Vinny did. Delta Burke is more mobile than these guys! And Dallas' o-line, while OK running the ball late last season, still has questions. On top of that, their instituting a new D scheme (3-4) so expect some subpar performances early.
They may be better than 6-10 this year, but I don't see them unseating PHI. They'll need a wildcard. I think 1 NFC wildcard is coming out of the NFC North this year. Mark it down! DET or CHI will make the playoffs this year! So if I'm correct, their fighting for the last wildcard, which I think will be a longshot.
Go ahead and make January vacay plans! 
|
|
Logged |
3 straight underperforming seasons, one nitwit head coach, 2 problem child WRs, 1 collosal trade bungle....but a wild boat party with booze and hookers!!!????? Priceless.
|
|
|
Fantasy Field General
# 322
LoneStar LynchMob
Posts: 763
Back to top
|
|
Re: Cowboys Offseason Report
« Reply #8 on: Apr 28th, 2005, 10:23pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Apr 28th, 2005, 10:06pm, PrimeTime wrote:I guess you missed the humor in the Freddie Mitchell piece.
That was for all the Philly fans here who actually think he is good.  
Bledsoe should be ok. He will not be asked to do too much. He didn't look too bad when the Bills started to run the ball last year. They signed Marco Rivers to take over at RG. Their only problem spot on the line is RT where Torrin Tucker (6'6 315) started last year. He has good size, but is not very athletic. Last years 2nd round choice, Jacob Rogers (from USC) should be healthy after last years training camp knee injury and ready to challange for the starting RT spot.
Their line is not as bad as you might think. On the left side they have LT Adams (6'7 343) and LG Allen (6'3 325) both All Pros although Allen is aging. Center Al Johnson (6'5 296) improved all year and should continue to improve in his second year of starting. RG Marco Rivera (6'4 310) is very solid. As I mentioned they need Rodgers (6'6 305) or Petitti (6'5 347) to beat out Tucker for the RT job.
Remember, their Defense gave up 405 points last year. It is hard to pass block when the other team knows you must pass the ball.
I think their plans for this year are evident. Ball contol and tough defense. Their defense will be much improved which should help their offense. (If that makes any sense)
|
|
Makes perfect sense, PT! Good analysis. If Adams and Allen can continue to hold the left side and the 'Boys improve on the right, there may be some running room for Jones and then maybe Bledsoe won't take the beating that Testaverde did! I look for the 'Boys to be a better team on both offense and defense and maybe, MAYBE make a run at the playoffs...let's keep our fingers crossed! GO COWBOYS!!!
|
|
Logged |
All Hail Emperor Landry I...The Original DUKE Of DOOM!!!!!!!
2003 Insane League CHAMPION!
2004 Insane League Championship Game Runner-up!!
2005 Score Wars III: Revenge of The DUKE!!!...aaah, NUTS!!
|
|
|
Red Zone Master
# 179
oh Lord, deliver us from the fury of the Norsemen!
Posts: 1045
Back to top
|
|
Re: Cowboys Offseason Report
« Reply #11 on: Apr 29th, 2005, 11:42am » |
Quote Modify
|
on Apr 28th, 2005, 10:06pm, PrimeTime wrote:| That was for all the Philly fans here who actually think he is good. |
|
I think Freddie Mitchell is the only one in PHI who thinks Freddie Mitchell is good!
This is the time of year when most fans can look at their team through rose-colored glasses, high off the draft, and see "a real shot!". I'm sure I do the same for my Vikes.
But with concerns at C & RT, there's no denying the Dallas O-Line has questions. As such, Bledsoe is going to have the exact same problems Vinny did last year. DAL only managed to score > 21 pts 3 times last year. IMHO, they're going to need more than the effect of a better D to make the playoffs.
|
|
Logged |
3 straight underperforming seasons, one nitwit head coach, 2 problem child WRs, 1 collosal trade bungle....but a wild boat party with booze and hookers!!!????? Priceless.
|
|
|
Fantasy Field General
# 322
LoneStar LynchMob
Posts: 763
Back to top
|
|
Re: Cowboys Offseason Report
« Reply #12 on: Apr 29th, 2005, 6:19pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Apr 29th, 2005, 11:42am, captainpurple wrote:
I think Freddie Mitchell is the only one in PHI who thinks Freddie Mitchell is good!
This is the time of year when most fans can look at their team through rose-colored glasses, high off the draft, and see "a real shot!". I'm sure I do the same for my Vikes.
But with concerns at C & RT, there's no denying the Dallas O-Line has questions. As such, Bledsoe is going to have the exact same problems Vinny did last year. DAL only managed to score > 21 pts 3 times last year. IMHO, they're going to need more than the effect of a better D to make the playoffs. |
|
And all three times the 'Boys scored 21 or more, they had a healthy Julius Jones in the backfield. Remember, Dallas had practically NO RUNNING GAME until Jones recovered from his shoulder injury. Opposing teams can come after the QB all they want if they know you can't run the ball.
If Jones can stay healthy, the "D" improves like it should AND they can "beef up" the right side of the line...The DALLAS COWBOYS might have a real shot at the playoffs. I know those are alot of "ifs" to deal with, but those are Parcell's concerns...GO COWBOYS!!!
|
|
Logged |
All Hail Emperor Landry I...The Original DUKE Of DOOM!!!!!!!
2003 Insane League CHAMPION!
2004 Insane League Championship Game Runner-up!!
2005 Score Wars III: Revenge of The DUKE!!!...aaah, NUTS!!
|
|
|
Gridiron Great
GBRFLer
Champ - '14, '23
# 5
Posts: 3340
Back to top
|
|
Re: Cowboys Offseason Report
« Reply #15 on: May 1st, 2005, 9:16pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on May 1st, 2005, 8:56pm, Philly wrote:| I agree that the Cowboys should be much improved this coming year. But you've seen enough of the Eagles to know that they can win with the likes of Dorsey Levens, James Thrash, AJ Feeley... do you really think they'd be a middle of the pack team without Freddie Mitchell, Terrell Owens, and Corey Simon? |
|
I don't even see the Cowboys being that improved. They drafted some rookies. So the odds of them being any good are 50-50.
And remember, who is at the offensive helm of the Cowboys,,,,Drew Bledsoe. The glimmer of hope the Cowboys have is Julius Jones. If he can repeat what he did last year, then the Cowboys have a chance to contend for a Wild Card. (who else in the NFC will step up?)
|
|
Logged |
"Every rule has an exception....the exception can't become the rule"
|
|
|
UFF Primetime Prophet
# 29
Pay, I said pay attention, son.
Posts: 5675
Back to top
|
|
Re: Cowboys Offseason Report
« Reply #17 on: May 2nd, 2005, 9:04am » |
Quote Modify
|
on May 1st, 2005, 9:16pm, DirkDiggler wrote:
I don't even see the Cowboys being that improved. They drafted some rookies. So the odds of them being any good are 50-50.
And remember, who is at the offensive helm of the Cowboys,,,,Drew Bledsoe. The glimmer of hope the Cowboys have is Julius Jones. If he can repeat what he did last year, then the Cowboys have a chance to contend for a Wild Card. (who else in the NFC will step up?) |
|
If we look at things objectively (and I'm trying to here), the Cowboys should have a solid running game with Julius Jones and a slightly improved offensive line. Jason Witten is a weapon at TE and Bledsoe, if given time, should be good enough.
They should be much improved on defense. They had no pass rush last year (which should change this year) and their defensive secondary paid the price for it. They added an underrated CB in Anthony Henry and he'll complement Terence Newman well.
And, the Cowboys may have had the best draft (on initial review) of any team in the NFL.
Looking at the schedule, I think Dallas will finish anywhere between 8-8 and 10-6. If they win a couple of those swing games and finish 10-6, they could find themselves with a playoff game.
|
|
Logged |
|
|
|
Red Zone Master
# 179
oh Lord, deliver us from the fury of the Norsemen!
Posts: 1045
Back to top
|
|
Re: Cowboys Offseason Report
« Reply #21 on: May 2nd, 2005, 11:45am » |
Quote Modify
|
on May 2nd, 2005, 9:55am, BarnabyWilde wrote:Sorry, I meant 9-7.
...get yourself a 32 oz. big gulp full of shut the fuck up!!!!!!!!!  |
|
is that served hot or cold?
|
|
Logged |
3 straight underperforming seasons, one nitwit head coach, 2 problem child WRs, 1 collosal trade bungle....but a wild boat party with booze and hookers!!!????? Priceless.
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Games
Login
Register
Reply
Notify of replies
Send Topic
Print
