Long…apologies.
QB: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Mike White
I won’t draw this out too long – most of you know I where I stand with Dak. I don’t think it’s wise to back the brinks truck up for him. I have no time for Cooper Rush and am interested more in Mike White. This IS a position need and needs to be addressed.
RB: Ezekiel Elliott, Rod Smith, Darius Jackson
Zeke is great, Rod is solid. I would love to see a COP back with speed to burn and who can catch the ball.
FB: Jamize Olawale
As far as full backs go – he is fine. I would much prefer a scheme that does not require a roster spot taken up by a FB. Please get a new OC.
WR: Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns, Tavon Austin (PR), Noah Brown, Lance Lenoir, Terrance Williams (IR), Cedrick Wilson (IR)
I was not a huge fan of the trade and am still not – because the price not the player. I think Cooper is better than expected and he balled – no doubt and I admit I was incorrect on his talent. However, I still am not thrilled with the 1rst round pick traded. I think a 2nd round with additional pick could have gotten the job done. Loved the Gallup draft pick last year and he did NOT disappoint in his rookie campaign. He played great in the playoffs and during the year, he handled his business. Gallup could have had at 2-4 more TD’s where he was missed while wide open. Grrr….Dak. LOL.
I believe that Hurns injury likely means he played his last down for Dallas – sorry but business is business. I am completely OK with Dallas walking away from Beasley, Williams and Austin. Brown is an OK depth player. WR is another need in FA/draft.
TE: Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, Rico Gathers, Geoff Swaim (IR)
They came on late – but this may be the worst position group of our team. The Rico experiment can end anytime now. This group is a MUST upgrade.
Oline:
LT: Tyron Smith, Cameron Fleming
LG: Xavier SuaFilo
Joe Looney, Adam Redmond, Travis Frederick (NFI)
RG: Connor Williams, Zack Martin (INJ), Parker Ehinger (IR), Marcus Martin (IR)
RT: Lael Collins
Some general thoughts: We have elite talent and depth here. Yet it still doesn’t seem to come all together. Coaching? I think Tyron is not the same guy we saw 2 years ago. Looney was impressive in replacing Fred. I really hope he can return at full health, despite Looney’s good play Fred’s leadership was missed.
Collins is Average and slightly over-rated imo. Williams the rookie was bull rushed a lot and had an up and down year – not surprising for a rookie. He needs a good offseason in the weight room. Overall this on paper is still our best position group (Maybe LB). Not a need for FA/draft imo.
Front 7:
DT: Tyrone Crawford, Antwaun Woods, Maliek Collins, David Irving, Caraun Reid, Richard Ash (IR)
DE: DeMarcus Lawrence, Taco Charlton, Randy Gregory, Dorance Armstrong, Daniel Ross, Datone Jones (IR)
MLB: Jaylon Smith
OLB: Leighton Vander Esch (W/M), Damien Wilson (S), Sean Lee (W), Justin March-Lillard (S), Joe Thomas (W), Chris Covington (S)
I really like the growth and depth of our front 7. The play of Smith and LVE is VERY encouraging. I love the speed and scheme flexibility they provide. It’s probably time to trade Lee or offer him the LB Coach job.
We flashed some pass rush early in the year, but that pressure was NOT consistent toward the end of the year. Lawrence should be kept. If Gregory can keep his affairs straight he looks good. Taco hopefully grows up. The thing that is missing for me, is a 1T. We really need someone to push the pocket and draw some double teams to let our fast LB’s mop up the run game. If Richard is given the DC job this will be the single biggest item I will be watching.
CB: Chidobe Awuzie, Byron Jones, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis (KR)
S: Jeff Heath (SS), Xavier Woods (FS), Kavon Frazier (FS), Darian Thompson, Jameill Showers (IR)
Us fans who were YELLING to play Jones at CB were proven right. He was a Top 8 CB in the league. He needs to be signed. I thoughts the entire CB group showed big improvement, but would still like to see more INT’s. The safety group is serviceable and Heath has heart, but I think can all agree that another Safety would be welcomed. Are we making an Earl Thomas run still after the injury?
K: Brett Maher
P: Jones
For a rookie Maher was decent – impressive range. Missing extra points and short FG’s will get you cut quickly. Happy to give him another year. Jones is great – one of the best.
Coaches:
Head Coach: Jason Garrett, Off Coord: Scott Linehan, QB Coach: Kellen Moore, RB Coach: Gary Brown, WR Coach: Sanjay Lal, TE Coach: Doug Nussmeier, OL Coach: Marc Colombo, OL Coach: Paul Alexander, Def Coord: Rod Marinelli, DL Coach: Leon Lett, LB Coach: Ben Bloom, DB Coach: Kris Richard, DB Coach: Greg Jackson
I won’t go on anther epic rant about why Garrett is not a good HC, it’s a waste of my time and keystrokes. Jerry likes him and he’s coming back. Now, I can live it ONLY if the following happens. Linehan – GONE, Kellen Moore -really? BYE. This whole offense needs a reboot and fresh set of eyes. I want someone young from college, not some old school dinosaur still running air coryell. I want to maximize the pressure we put on defenses, with motion, picks, speed and
the fact our Oline can punch you in the mouth and have Zeke gash 7 in the box. I’m not being over dramatic when I say – this decision to fire Linehan will have a 5-7 year negative impact on the team. It will burn the Zeke and Oline years and keep Dak stagnant on his progression curve.
It’s time to let Richard take the DC ob. If Rod wants to be DLine coach-fine by me. They rest of the group aside from Columbo and Lal – can all disappear too. Although, I hear internally our management is high on Nussmeier. Anyone know why?
Next year:
I see another battle with Philly for the division. The Giants are improving, but too many holes still. The Redskins are going to be a dumpster fire imo.