Cowboys Off-season Thread - Page 4 - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

alexamenos · 03-06-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

2, 4, 5, 9. I watched so many last year because of my fantasy teams(i had warner, leinart, james, boldin and fitz on various teams at various times.) He was GREAT last year. You can make an argument that he was a contract year player if you want but he was flat out dominant last year.

As for ware, i didnt take much from that because there really isnt anyone else that rushes like ware that i can think of. Ware is really fast but he mostly tries to use his speed as a momentum boost to just give himself more power to run over people. Obviously that wouldnt work against big. It was nice to see if your a fan of big but its not really anything to hang your hat on.

You guys will be pleasantly suprised with him if he plays lt. Im a bit scared of him as an rt though. I thought he would be an upgrade but the more i think about it, the only times ive really seen him struggle were at rt.

5-0 fan is the shiznit...who else would have the scouting dope on an AZ Cardinals offensive lineman?

mkat · 03-06-2007, 06:57 PM

davis is not an ambi-tackle.

LonestarROB · 03-09-2007, 04:44 PM

'Boys have resigned Colombo to 2 year deal.

jleefilled · 03-09-2007, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonestarROB

'Boys have resigned Colombo to 2 year deal.

great news..

jly · 03-09-2007, 07:02 PM

glad to hear that. so i suppose that is the end of rivera now?

Male30Dan · 03-09-2007, 07:59 PM

This is definitely the end of Rivera... After June 1st of course - otherwise it is like a 3 million cap hit this year!

Dirkgreatness · 03-10-2007, 05:52 PM

Nguyen Excited About Returning To Cowboys

IRVING, Texas - He returns in a much different role than he's familiar with. He doesn't exactly look the same as we remember.

But he's back in the NFL again. He's coaching the sport he loves the most. And that has a smile on his face again.

For Dat Nguyen, that's one thing that hasn't changed about the former Cowboys linebacker.

"I'm just so happy to be back here, with the Cowboys again," said Nguyen, who has shed at least 20 pounds from his listed playing weight of 238 pounds. "It's a new role for me. It's going to be a challenge. But I couldn't be more excited about being back here and I'm ready to get started."

Nguyen, considered an overachiever his entire playing career, now begins his journey into coaching, starting at the bottom of the Cowboys' staff.

After retiring from the game because of knee and neck injuries, Nguyen was completely out of football in 2006. But that hiatus didn't last long. Since he can't play again, Nguyen has positioned himself as close to the action as possible, joining the Cowboys' staff as an assistant linebackers/quality control coach.

So less than two years after being a teammate to more than half the players on the current roster, Nguyen is now Coach Nguyen to them. But he said he expects that to be an easy transition.

"I think it will be easy just because of the respect that we have," Nguyen said of the current players. "I think they respect me and I definitely respect them. I was one guy that had everybody as a friend.

"Being back, I think I can benefit those guys and they can benefit me as well."

One reason Nguyen said he believes he was able to play seven years in the NFL was his ability to evaluate personnel, whether it was his opponents or even his teammates.

So while Nguyen is among the 10 new coaches on the staff, his familiarity with the roster should help ease his transition.

"I understand what their strengths and weaknesses are," he said. "In a way, I think I'll be able to contribute. Maybe not in a big way, but I'll be able to contribute. That's all I really want to do."

Last year, Nguyen said it nearly killed him not being able to play, much less contribute.

"The beginning of the year wasn't bad because I knew I couldn't do it anymore," Nguyen said. "But I started watching more games and when you watch games, you started missing it. I felt like I could put these guys in better position to make plays. And whatever it is, you feel like you can contribute.

"When I was sitting at home later in the year, I just felt like I could contribute. When Coach (Wade) Phillips got the job, I was fortunate to get an interview and he agreed to give me an opportunity."

While Phillips didn't have any ties to Nguyen, he simply relied on the members of the organization that did.

"You didn't hear anything but great comments about how a super person he is and a greater worker he is; all the things you're looking for," Phillips said. "And a great coach, he has all the attributes going in. And everyone says, everything that Dat does, he's going to do well. I feel real positive about that."

Nguyen will work closely with veteran coach Paul Pasqualoni, the team's overall linebackers coach, along with handling the quality control duties for the defense.

"It's going to be different," Nguyen said of his new role. "It's like anything you do. It's going to be different until you get adjusted. But once you do, it'll be like second nature. It'll be a challenge, but I'm ready for it."

Being ready for challenges has always been Nguyen's trademark, even dating back to his illustrious career at Texas A&M, where he was an All-American linebacker.

A third-round pick of the Cowboys in 1999, Nguyen battled injuries his first two years before leading the team in tackles in 2001 with 172 stops, the third-highest single-season total in club history.

Nguyen led the Cowboys in tackles in 2001, 2003 and 2004. But when the Cowboys switched to the 3-4 scheme before the 2005 season, Nguyen knew it would take a demanding toll on his body. And just three games into the season, Nguyen suffered a neck injury that eventually sidelined him for three games. He returned as a backup for four more games but was never the same.

He ended 2005 on injured reserve and officially announced his retirement last off-season.

"I knew my best wasn't good enough anymore," Nguyen said. "I worked so hard, just to get the edge. To find that edge, I had to work so much harder than everyone else. And then when I got hurt, I knew I had to work 10 times harder. I just thought it wasn't worth it anymore.

"To do that much, just to have a chance . . . I knew one day it was going to end. Unfortunately, it happened the way it did. I wish I could've played a little longer - everybody does. But you have to walk away from the game eventually."

Nguyen was able to walk away, but he ran at the opportunity to return as a coach.

While the Cowboys will stick with the 3-4 defense, Phillips' version will have some differences from last year's scheme.

"It's actually a lot like what I played at A&M," Nguyen said. "Not taking anything from (Bill) Parcells, but his style used bigger linebackers that were more physical and demanding on a player - on his body. In this defense, you allow the players to go make plays. It's just a little bit different."

There are lots of changes for Nguyen these days. A new job, new role and even a new look. But he's back with the Cowboys and having fun again.

And with that, things aren't so different after all.

http://dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id...43322A8A91EDDE

Dirkgreatness · 03-12-2007, 04:59 PM

The Cowboys aren't exactly shopping Julius Jones, but they've told teams that have inquired about him that he's for sale for the right price. Cowboys owner-GM Jerry Jones apparently is prepared to hitch his wagon to the team's other young running back, Marion Barber.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...nfl/index.html

untitled · 03-23-2007, 05:35 PM

Ken Hamlin signed a 1-year deal with the Boys for $2.5 mil.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2809953

Five-ofan · 03-23-2007, 05:38 PM

how much of a bonus did we give johnson? I know its nuts and we wont actually do it(nor would he) but id much prefer david carr. We could always cut johnson and sign carr.

sike · 03-23-2007, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirkgreatness

The Cowboys aren't exactly shopping Julius Jones, but they've told teams that have inquired about him that he's for sale for the right price. Cowboys owner-GM Jerry Jones apparently is prepared to hitch his wagon to the team's other young running back, Marion Barber.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...nfl/index.html

interesting if true.

I'd be for it...if JJ got fetch something nice...

Five-ofan · 03-23-2007, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sike

interesting if true.

I'd be for it...if JJ got fetch something nice...

i doubt hed get alot. rbs arent that valuable as trade commodities and better rbs have been traded for very little this offseason

ocelot_ark · 03-23-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by untitled

Ken Hamlin signed a 1-year deal with the Boys for $2.5 mil.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2809953

Woo Pig. Hamlin will teach Roy Williams how to hit people hard AND get a few interceptions along the way.

dirno2000 · 03-23-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocelot_ark

Woo Pig. Hamlin will teach Roy Williams how to hit people hard AND get a few interceptions along the way.

didn't know that Hamlin was a razorback. That at least partially explains Jerry's interest. Nice signing, especially since it's just a one year deal.

btw, roy had 5 picks last year....only one safety in the league had more.

Five-ofan · 03-23-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirno2000

didn't know that Hamlin was a razorback. That at least partially explains Jerry's interest. Nice signing, especially since it's just a one year deal.

btw, roy had 5 picks last year....only one safety in the league had more.

roy has always had a knack for getting picks. he cant cover worth a crap but he has better hands than most dbs.

ocelot_ark · 03-23-2007, 08:50 PM

Yeah, I was kinda kidding, 'cause Hamlin's not much of an interception guy. But he'll f'ing KILL someone coming across the middle.

dirno2000 · 03-23-2007, 08:59 PM

I guess this means that we won't be drafting Nelson or Griffin in the first round.

chumdawg · 03-23-2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirno2000

I guess this means that we won't be drafting Nelson or Griffin in the first round.

I wouldn't be so sure. Where else are they going to go? I think they now have the luxury to take the best player available--if it's a safety, it's a safety.

And on Roy getting picks...well, let's just say he had a lot of balls go his direction...

dirno2000 · 03-23-2007, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

I wouldn't be so sure. Where else are they going to go? I think they now have the luxury to take the best player available--if it's a safety, it's a safety.

And on Roy getting picks...well, let's just say he had a lot of balls go his direction...

You're right. This signing coupled with what we've done on the O-line allows us to take the best player available. There's not one position where we would draft a player and need him to make an immediate impact.

If I was drafting for position I'd go wide out. We're a little long in the tooth and there are some nice prospects that could still be around at 22. We may have out choice of Bowe, Meachum, Rice or Jarrett.

Murphy3 · 03-23-2007, 10:57 PM

Well, your assumption with that statement is that Greg Ellis will be back and be completely healthy playing at the level he played at pre torn achilles....The Cowboys definitely need someone else that can apply pressure on the QB.

dirno2000 · 03-23-2007, 11:06 PM

Actually I think that anything we get from Ellis this year will be a bonus. An ACL at his age is going to be tough to recover from.

Bobby Carpenter started coming on late in the season and played prett well against Seattle. With another year in the weight room and the more agressive Phillips 3-4 i'm not terrified of playing him opposite Ware.

But yea, a 3-4 team can always use another good LB.

Five-ofan · 03-23-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirno2000

Actually I think that anything we get from Ellis this year will be a bonus. An ACL at his age is going to be tough to recover from.

Bobby Carpenter started coming on late in the season and played prett well against Seattle. With another year in the weight room and the more agressive Phillips 3-4 i'm not terrified of playing him opposite Ware.

But yea, a 3-4 team can always use another good LB.

if we draft a linebacker in the first round i will not watch a single cowboys game this year.

Murphy3 · 03-24-2007, 12:24 AM

Yeah, Carpenter looked like he might be able to play some at the NFL level in a couple of games... I don't think it's wise to put too many eggs in that basket. Tony Dumas looked pretty damn good at times for the Mavs as well.....

It's obvious that the 'boys didn't have enough of a pass rush next year. It needs to be addressed in some capacity or there's going to be a pretty good chance that it'll be a weakness again this year.

I won't be shocked if Carpenter can play a little... but the 'boys do need more of a pass rush regardless of whether or not Carpenter can play.

Flacolaco · 03-24-2007, 12:50 AM

the 'girls are the biggest non-story ever right now

mkat · 03-24-2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirno2000

I guess this means that we won't be drafting Nelson or Griffin in the first round.

i don't know. my theory is this...(it sounds a bit crazy)...maybe they're looking at movie roy to LOLB. he brings the rush but he could cover small distances, he can take down guys bigger than he is..he might be a bit small, but he could play LB. I mean, Lawrence Taylor was 6-3 237...Roy is 6-0 229. not a *huge* difference.

this allows you to put hamlin at SS and draft a good FS.

a little crazy, i know.

chumdawg · 03-24-2007, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Yeah, Carpenter looked like he might be able to play some at the NFL level in a couple of games... I don't think it's wise to put too many eggs in that basket. Tony Dumas looked pretty damn good at times for the Mavs as well.....

It's obvious that the 'boys didn't have enough of a pass rush next year. It needs to be addressed in some capacity or there's going to be a pretty good chance that it'll be a weakness again this year.

I won't be shocked if Carpenter can play a little... but the 'boys do need more of a pass rush regardless of whether or not Carpenter can play.

I certainly hope he can play a little! First round draft choice and all.

I expect him to have a long and productive career. Here's hoping he blossoms in Phillips's defense.

Five-ofan · 03-24-2007, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkat

i don't know. my theory is this...(it sounds a bit crazy)...maybe they're looking at movie roy to LOLB. he brings the rush but he could cover small distances, he can take down guys bigger than he is..he might be a bit small, but he could play LB. I mean, Lawrence Taylor was 6-3 237...Roy is 6-0 229. not a *huge* difference.

this allows you to put hamlin at SS and draft a good FS.

a little crazy, i know.

thats been mentioned for 2 years. he could play lb. the reason im against drafting lbs is that weve poured so much into lb the last couple of years its ridiculous, you have to hope you were right.

chumdawg · 03-24-2007, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

thats been mentioned for 2 years. he could play lb. the reason im against drafting lbs is that weve poured so much into lb the last couple of years its ridiculous, you have to hope you were right.

You know what Parcells used to say. Linebackers and tight ends: keep 'em comin'. You can never have too much.

Five-ofan · 03-24-2007, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

You know what Parcells used to say. Linebackers and tight ends: keep 'em comin'. You can never have too much.

fine, keep drafting them but we are begining to look like the freakin lions with wrs. dont draft them in the first round.

chumdawg · 03-24-2007, 02:23 AM

Those poor Lions.

What would you like to see in the first round, then? OL, maybe?

Five-ofan · 03-24-2007, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Those poor Lions.

What would you like to see in the first round, then? OL, maybe?

justin blalock.

chumdawg · 03-24-2007, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

justin blalock.

Well, I'm pretty sure they will have the chance to, if they so desire.

Five-ofan · 03-24-2007, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Well, I'm pretty sure they will have the chance to, if they so desire.

i doubt they will and honestly i dont blame them. he will most likely grade out a few picks lower than the cowboys draft but a guy who could play pretty any line position but center and who has the combo of talent and intelligence that he has would be extremely valuable. i actually think hes alot safer pick than levi jones who will be a top 10 pick. then again the nfl has a tendency to do some really stupid things when evaluating lineman like dbrickashaw ferguson being the consensus number 1 line prospect when he wasnt close to the college player mcneil was(who happened to again be much better than him in their rookie years)

Dtownsfinest · 03-24-2007, 08:04 PM

Anthony Henry, Terrence Newman, Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin as your secondary? All under 30 and all are solid. Couldn't ask for a better core of guys. Is there a better core?

mkat · 03-25-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

Anthony Henry, Terrence Newman, Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin as your secondary? All under 30 and all are solid. Couldn't ask for a better core of guys. Is there a better core?

you still need a cover FS.

Dtownsfinest · 03-25-2007, 11:45 PM

Ken Hamlin is a cover free safety. He's actually one of the safety's who can cover.

Five-ofan · 03-26-2007, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

Ken Hamlin is a cover free safety. He's actually one of the safety's who can cover.

i honestly wonder if its possible for you to know less about football. hamlin is a hitter.

chumdawg · 03-26-2007, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

i honestly wonder if its possible for you to know less about football. hamlin is a hitter.

Be that as it may, he also has extraordinary coverage skills, at least on deep balls (our Achilles last year).

mkat · 03-26-2007, 12:35 AM

from all i've heard, he's a roy williams clone...just less talented after getting bashed in the head.

dirno2000 · 03-26-2007, 12:43 AM

I don't watch enough Seahawks games to comment on is coverage abilities but he're a pre-season scouting report from ESPN:

Hamlin has an impressive combination of size and speed. He is physical and aggressive, but also fluid. He has solid communication skills in the secondary. He has above-average key-and-diagnose ability and instincts in coverage. He has very good hips and transition skills for a free safety. He has good range and play speed in deep zones. He makes up a lot of ground and can recover from mistakes when the ball is in the air. He has good awareness in short zones and good ball skills. He can match up in against tight ends in man-to-man. He continues to improve in man and zone coverage. He runs the alleys and is a tough insert player in run support. He takes solid angles and is a very good last line of defense. But an offseason incident that led to a scary head injury could compromise Hamlin's playing style. He drops his head and can miss going for knockout shots, which is undisciplined and now potentially dangerous. He attacks downhill and can get into trouble on play action. He needs to be more disciplined in space.