Cowboys & Pats to swap players? (1 Viewer)

[Urinal Mint]

From the news blog:

Patriots Scout Cowboys Practice, Deal Looming?

Rick Herrin, Fort Worth Star-Telegram - [Full Article]

Patriots VP of player personnel Scott Pioli, who is also HC Bill Parcells' son-in-law, attended Tuesday's afternoon practice. Parcells had said the Cowboys would do a scout swap with select teams to evaluate players for a potential trade. The Cowboys are in need of wide receiver help and have the luxury of linebacker and defensive line depth to offer.

The Cowboys were purposely starting and giving a lot of playing time to LBs Scott Shanle and Ryan Fowler as a showcase for possibly moving them elsewhere to pick up WR depth. From the awesome Cowboys Blog run by Rafael Vela:

While discussing his desire for another veteran WR last week, Bill Parcells mentioned the possibility of “scout swapping.” This is a practice he started with then Packers’ GM Ron Wolf in the ’90s; Parcells’ team and Wolf’s would send scouts to each other’s camp and see if there were players they could trade.

It appears the Cowboys may be taking this practice one step higher. I’ve learned from a source that Cowboys’ V.P. of College and Pro Scouting Jeff Ireland visited New England recently and that Patriots’ GM Scott Pioli will be in Oxnard on Tuesday. No word on which players interest the respective teams.

Update: The Boston Globe reports the Pats have been scanning the waiver wire looking for inside linebackers. Tedy Bruschi’s broken wrist has left New England thin inside and the Falcons ripped them for nearly 200 yards rushing in their preseason opener.

I’m sure Pioli will look at all surplus positions on the Cowboys roster, but Scott Shanle and Ryan Fowler might be targets.

So, to sum all this up... who might NE look to be moving? Branch is certainly too "high profile" to be trade bait at this point. The only other guys on the roster that looks "hands off" to me are Troy Brown, Reche Caldwell, Chad Jackson, and Zuriel Smith (who was a Cowboy in '03 and '04).I don't know anything about the other WRs on the roster, but nothing jumps out at me as a must-have player. Perhaps a Pats fan can give some insight.

Anyway, FWIW...

 

[Urinal Mint]

Mr. Vela posts an interesting aside on his blog that definitely could stir things up at Valley Ranch:

I’m trying to figure out whom the Patriots could offer Dallas in exchange for a surplus ILB or CB. The pieces don’t seem to fit. They’re even thinner at receiver than Dallas. And before you let your fantasies run wild and throw Deion Branch’s name out, know that he’s looking for a Reggie Wayne-like contract. One with a signing bonus in eight figures. Now, put that idea aside and let’s get back to business…

People down thread have mentioned backup nose tackle, and that’s a possibility, but try this one out for size — kicker.

Bill Parcells has expressed some frustation with Mike Vanderjagt’s output, or lack thereof. He hasn’t kicked off yet in camp. He’s nursing a sore leg. If Vanderjagt does come around, his short kickoff leg may force Dallas to keep a kickoff specialist, something the special teams obsessive Parcells would rather not do.

The Patriots, on the other hand, are watching a kicker’s duel. Veteran Martin Grammatica and rookie Stephen Gostkowski have nailed every kick put in front of them. Gostkowski was New England’s fourth-round pick in April’s draft. His big price tag and longer kickoff leg give him the current edge. Age has robbed Grammatica of his long-distance cannon, but reports from Pats camp suggest he can still get kickoffs to the goal line with some frequency. If Vanderjagt’s sore leg takes too long for Parcells’ liking, Dallas might look to New England for insurance.

 

[David Yudkin]

At this stage, the Patriots probably have the worst WR depth in the entire league. IMO, they don't have anyone to trade, cause if they did they'd be playing him.

 

[msommer]

At this stage, the Patriots probably have the worst WR depth in the entire league. IMO, they don't have anyone to trade, cause if they did they'd be playing him.

Abd before the Branch rumours start - Branch is not at camp so sending scouts there to watch him not practice does not make a lot of sense

 

[code]

At this stage, the Patriots probably have the worst WR depth in the entire league. IMO, they don't have anyone to trade, cause if they did they'd be playing him.

My first thought as well...they may feel a need at LB, but they don't appear to have any "capital" at WR to make this kind of deal...

 

[Bankerguy]

I would think Dallas may be looking at OL...which the Pats have some depth.

 

[Urinal Mint]

I agree, which is why I thought the kicker angle was intriguing.Title edited to reflect unsuredness.

At this stage, the Patriots probably have the worst WR depth in the entire league. IMO, they don't have anyone to trade, cause if they did they'd be playing him.

 

[Boston]

I've heard that if a deal goes down it would possibly be a Cowboy LB for a Patriot Olineman. The Pats are pretty well stacked with young O lineman so this makes sense. The word is the kid from Cal has looked good so maybe Brandon Gorin is a possibility. He's not a stud but a solid backup who has played a decent amount over the years including the playoffs.

 

[Urinal Mint]

If Dallas does have one thing right now, it's a cupboard full of talented young LBs. I think upwards of 8-9 on the roster right now that could be 1st/2nd string on many teams in the league.

I think Parcells would keep 30 LBs on his roster if he could.

 

[Urinal Mint]

And I still think Dallas makes a run at Charles Rogers if he becomes available, just like they did Peerless Price last season.

 

[Boston]

If Dallas does have one thing right now, it's a cupboard full of talented young LBs. I think upwards of 8-9 on the roster right now that could be 1st/2nd string on many teams in the league.

...and the Pats are the opposite. For whatever reason the Pats have neglected this position even though it was very apparent they had exposure last year. Monty Beisel is definetly not the answer and outside of Banta-Cain (and he's by no means a definite) they don't have much that can help this year outside of the big three (Bruschi-Vrabel-Colvin). Mincey and Woods look like solid prospects but it's incredibly unlikely they could contribute this year. After that you have guys like Izzo, Gardner, Brown and Alexander and none of these guys are anything more than special teamers and/or role players.One other thing to remember is any Dallas LB in camp has been working in the 3-4 which makes the transistion to Foxboro a little smoother. After Monty Beisel's piss poor performance last week against second teamers I wouldn't be surprised at all if some kind of deal is worked out.

 

[Boston]

By the way the Pats have recently been bringing in free agents like Clairborne and Sharper. Not sure if anything will come out of that but I can't picture them not adding another LB or two prior to the season.

On another note they have been practicing more in the 4-3 of late. This makes a ton of sense simce LB is thin and with the development of Wright the Pats can move Jarvis Green into a starting role and have Wright as a rotation guy since he can play both inside and out.

 

[Bankerguy]

And I still think Dallas makes a run at Charles Rogers if he becomes available, just like they did Peerless Price last season.

I would say that Minny would be his likely landing spot.

 

[dudaman]

I've heard that if a deal goes down it would possibly be a Cowboy LB for a Patriot Olineman. The Pats are pretty well stacked with young O lineman so this makes sense. The word is the kid from Cal has looked good so maybe Brandon Gorin is a possibility. He's not a stud but a solid backup who has played a decent amount over the years including the playoffs.

From Today's Boston Globe:Roping a Cowboy?

Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli was present at the Dallas Cowboys' practice yesterday, apparently to scout players for a possible trade. The Cowboys have some depth at linebacker, which is an area of need for the Patriots. One possible target is Scott Shanle (6-2, 245 pounds), who started the Cowboys' exhibition opener against the Seahawks in what some considered an audition. The 26-year-old Shanle, a four-year veteran who played at Nebraska, started eight games last season and has a background in the 3-4 defense under Bill Parcells. The Cowboys are seeking help at offensive tackle and receiver, and the Patriots have some depth at the tackle spot. The Cowboys had a member of their scouting staff in Foxborough this week.

 

[Boston]

I've heard that if a deal goes down it would possibly be a Cowboy LB for a Patriot Olineman. The Pats are pretty well stacked with young O lineman so this makes sense. The word is the kid from Cal has looked good so maybe Brandon Gorin is a possibility. He's not a stud but a solid backup who has played a decent amount over the years including the playoffs.

From Today's Boston Globe:Roping a Cowboy?

Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli was present at the Dallas Cowboys' practice yesterday, apparently to scout players for a possible trade. The Cowboys have some depth at linebacker, which is an area of need for the Patriots. One possible target is Scott Shanle (6-2, 245 pounds), who started the Cowboys' exhibition opener against the Seahawks in what some considered an audition. The 26-year-old Shanle, a four-year veteran who played at Nebraska, started eight games last season and has a background in the 3-4 defense under Bill Parcells. The Cowboys are seeking help at offensive tackle and receiver, and the Patriots have some depth at the tackle spot. The Cowboys had a member of their scouting staff in Foxborough this week.

Maybe it's a coincidence but the Herald had an article on the kid from Cal looking promising at the RT spot. That gives them three potential players who can play that spot in O'C, Gorin and Kazcur (if he ever returns from his injury). BB has started rookie O lineman before in Light, Koppen and Mankins (and Kazcur due to injury last year) so they have flexibility here. The thing that drives me nuts is their lackluster LB situation is absolutely no surprise and with 13 million in cap space this issue should have been resolved in the offseason when they had more options.

 

[dudaman]

The thing that drives me nuts is their lackluster LB situation is absolutely no surprise and with 13 million in cap space this issue should have been resolved in the offseason when they had more options.

I'm disaapointed to see that Freddie Roach hasn't made more of an impact - and now appears to be dinged up.There was a report in the Globe over the weekend that Jamie Sharper (big whoop, right?) was in for a look-see last week.Also LOL @ Parcells getting tired of T.O. and Vandy's acts....neither one of those guys are Parcells-type guys - he is clearly not doing the grocery shopping - at least not all of it.

 

[Boston]

The thing that drives me nuts is their lackluster LB situation is absolutely no surprise and with 13 million in cap space this issue should have been resolved in the offseason when they had more options.

I'm disaapointed to see that Freddie Roach hasn't made more of an impact - and now appears to be dinged up.There was a report in the Globe over the weekend that Jamie Sharper (big whoop, right?) was in for a look-see last week.Also LOL @ Parcells getting tired of T.O. and Vandy's acts....neither one of those guys are Parcells-type guys - he is clearly not doing the grocery shopping - at least not all of it.

Yeah, it doesn't sound too encouraging on Roach. Looks like we're seeing why he went undrafted. Woods and Mincey show some promise but they're more along the lines of prospects. Kind of like minor league pitchers who if they develop could contribute in the big leagues. It would really be a stretch to think they could make any type of impact this year.

 

[redman]

And I still think Dallas makes a run at Charles Rogers if he becomes available, just like they did Peerless Price last season.

I would say that Minny would be his likely landing spot.

I've seen a few posts suggesting this (obviously in response to K-Rob's arrest). Has this actually been reported anywhere? I wonder whether this is actually true given that such a signing wouldn't appear to be the particular style of that coach or owner (especially after K-Rob's relapse), and it's much more the risk-taking style of Jerry Jones IMHO.

 

[cowboyz]

cowboys need a backup g, procter and peterman are crap. does NE have any backup Gs? and also an NT. pepper johnson is very young

T doesn't look too bad with colombo, pettiti, and fabini (as the season goes on). although Parcells doesn't know who will be the backup swing T let along the starting RT.

i bet parcells would've taken o'callaghan if jacob rogers hadn't been a bust. probably shied away due to all the injuries.

 

[Bankerguy]

And I still think Dallas makes a run at Charles Rogers if he becomes available, just like they did Peerless Price last season.

I would say that Minny would be his likely landing spot.

I've seen a few posts suggesting this (obviously in response to K-Rob's arrest). Has this actually been reported anywhere? I wonder whether this is actually true given that such a signing wouldn't appear to be the particular style of that coach or owner (especially after K-Rob's relapse), and it's much more the risk-taking style of Jerry Jones IMHO.

Don't read too much into my comment. Just my opinion, not really based on anything real concrete.Just a gut feeling. Also, with Minny in the same Division, he can share the offensive playbook to help the Vikes D. CRog would also be very familiar with the DB's (Strengths/Weaknesses).Jerry is a risk taker, but not so much with the thugs. BP does not want guys getting suspended for 4 games for drug use. See Quincy Carter for further evidence.

 

[Ridgelake]

Gorin is the Patriots Olineman being discussed in the Shanle trade.

I'd be very surprised if Charles Rogers ends up in Dallas. Do you really think Parcells wants a drug user on his team? He's run all the bad characters out of town. TO may be an #######. But he's no druggie and he does play hard.