The Official Dallas Cowboys 2010 Off-Season Thread

[ribosoma]

Originally Posted by FINtastic

Apparently Sharper's arthroscopic surgery a couple months ago wasn't quite arthroscopic knee surgery. It was microfracture surgery.

I'll go ahead and say that I'm glad the Cowboys didn't go after him.

Woops, I almost posted that his agent says he will be back with the Saints. Sorry.

I, too, am glad he didn't come to Dallas.

[MavsX]

Originally Posted by FINtastic

Apparently Sharper's arthroscopic surgery a couple months ago wasn't quite arthroscopic knee surgery. It was microfracture surgery.

I'll go ahead and say that I'm glad the Cowboys didn't go after him.

sounds like another festivus miracle

[Underdog]

Yes, please...

Cowboys And Rams Discussing Carpenter-For-Barron Swap

link

IRVING, Texas - As of Thursday, the Cowboys and Rams were discussing a straight-up trade to send linebacker Bobby Carpenter to St. Louis for offensive tackle Alex Barron, a 2005 first-round pick.

The teams are attempting to work out contractual details of the proposed deal, which could be finalized by Monday. Barron, a restricted free agent, must first sign his second-round level tender ($1.809 million) before he can be traded.

Barron has started 74 of 76 games for St. Louis, which made him the 19th overall selection in the 2005 draft out of Florida State.

Carpenter, picked 18th in 2006, has just one regular season start in his career, only earning a recurring role on the Cowboys defense in passing situations last season. He has been on the trading block several times in recent years, and was reportedly offered to teams during the NFL draft last month. Carpenter is nearing the end of the five-year, $10.8 million contract he signed as a rookie from Ohio State.

While Barron may get a chance to compete with three-year vet Doug Free for the starting left tackle position, he would most likely give the team an experienced backup capable of playing on either end of the line. The 6-7, 315-pounder made 27 starts at right tackle his first two seasons before switching to the left side in Week 2 of 2007. He went back to the right side for 15 starts in 2008, then moved to left tackle again in 2009. The Rams drafted Baylor tackle Jason Smith with the No. 2 overall pick in the '09 draft, and picked Indiana lineman Rodger Saffold at the top of the second round in this year's lottery.

Carpenter has been edged out of the Cowboys long-term plans as well. The team traded up for Penn State inside linebacker Sean Lee in this year's second round after selecting Western Illinois' Jason Williams with its top pick last year, a third-rounder.

An outside linebacker in Bill Parcells' 3-4 at the beginning of his career, Carpenter moved inside when Wade Phillips took over in 2007, but was never able to beat out Bradie James or free agent additions Akin Ayodele, Zach Thomas or Keith Brooking for playing time. Twice a second-team All-Big 10 selection as a 4-3 outside linebacker for the Buckeyes, the 6-2, 249-pound Carpenter never displayed the physicality necessary to gain significant time in the Cowboys' base defense. He may be a better fit in the 4-3 front the Rams utilize.

Carpenter became the subpackage linebacker last year when the Cowboys lost Kevin Burnett to San Diego in free agency. This followed three seasons when his impact was made almost entirely on special teams. He had 48 tackles and two sacks in 2009, playing mostly on third down.

Barron had trouble with false start penalties early, committing 22 of the fouls, with five holding calls his first two years when he was credited with 14.5 sacks allowed. His early motion flags have been on the decline since then, down from nine in 2007, to seven in 2008, then five last season. He has been caught holding eight times during that span, including five holdings in 2009, tied for the most in the league. He has allowed 7.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons.

Uncertainty at left tackle is new to the Cowboys, who were able to pencil in Flozell Adams in that spot the last 11 seasons. Adams was released in April when the team decided it had seen enough to start Free, who had nine appearances and seven starts last year, most of his action coming at right tackle.

The Cowboys are moving 2009 third-round pick Robert Brewster to left tackle, and sixth-round rookie Sam Young will begin his career on the right side. Brewster and Young both started every game of their collegiate careers at Ball State and Notre Dame, respectively. Brewster suffered a torn pectoral muscle that cancelled his first pro season before training camp last year.

Fifth-year lineman Pat McQuistan could slide to guard, which the Cowboys recently addressed by retaining Montrae Holland, their only unrestricted free agent. Coaches have also considered playing right guard Leonard Davis at tackle in an emergency.

[DirkFTW]

Barron had trouble with false start penalties early, committing 22 of the fouls, with five holding calls his first two years when he was credited with 14.5 sacks allowed. His early motion flags have been on the decline since then, down from nine in 2007, to seven in 2008, then five last season. He has been caught holding eight times during that span, including five holdings in 2009, tied for the most in the league. He has allowed 7.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons.

We wouldn't want a left tackle who dropped our false-starts per game statistics now would we.

[MavsX]

sweet dude

[u2sarajevo]

What kind of draft picks will we have to give up to pull that off?

As I was reading the headline my brain wanted it to say "Williams" was to be dealt, but then I realized who it was talking about and I was like "cool".

That's Carpenter for you, you forget he's there.... he's THAT insignificant.

[u2sarajevo]

After listening to Norm talk about the guy I'm not as excited. I had no idea who he was.

I mean, true he started for them. The problem with that is that "them" is St. Louis.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by u2sarajevo

After listening to Norm talk about the guy I'm not as excited. I had no idea who he was.

I mean, true he started for them. The problem with that is that "them" is St. Louis.

This guy isn't going to be a starter.

And a bag of chips is more valuable than Booby Carpenter, so I'll take it!

[ribosoma]

This is a good trade for both teams. Barron has the physical tools to be a starting left tackle, but, like Leonard Davis when he played for the Cardinals, seemed disinterested at times playing for a horrible team. Carpenter really never fit here. He was too small to shed blocks as a 3-4 outside 'backer, and he lacked the instincts to play inside. He can play outside in a 4-3 scheme, though, and he does have talent. He stands out as the most puzzling draft choice in the Parcells era to me just because Parcells was the only person in the league who saw him fitting in a 3-4 scheme.

What was a position of weakness with the Cowboys last season is starting to come together. In Hudson Houck, the Cowboys have one of the best offensive line coaches in the history of the NFL (if not the best, outright). That fact alone makes bringing in talented linemen who need work on technique and focus such a good investment. Barron may not be the answer, but Carpenter was on his way out, and the Cowboys were actually able to get something of value for him. Kudos to Jerry for that.

I think some other acquisitions may be coming soon. It will be interesting to see what veterans get cut when training camps open throughout the league and teams have to start trimming their rosters. There will be other veteran linemen and some veteran defensive backs who will be salary cap casualties for teams looking to cut big contracts before the next collective bargaining agreement kicks in.

[Mavericks Rockets Fan]

I sure hope they get this trade done. I'm still upset over the fact that they waited all the way to the 6th Round to get an OT. This Alex Barron guy better be good...

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Mavericks Rockets Fan

I sure hope they get this trade done. I'm still upset over the fact that they waited all the way to the 6th Round to get an OT. This Alex Barron guy better be good...

Like ribosoma said, there's bound to be some cap casualties from other teams this summer - we still have a good chance of swiping a veteran OT.

[mkat]

Originally Posted by Mavericks Rockets Fan

I sure hope they get this trade done. I'm still upset over the fact that they waited all the way to the 6th Round to get an OT. This Alex Barron guy better be good...

i don't think he'll beat out Free at LT, but he'd be a very solid backup.

[FINtastic]

Yeah, I think you have to be thrilled to get something of value in return for Barbie, who wasn't going to see the field with the drafting of Lee and continued growth of Jason Williams. To get a backup swing tackle who was good enough to start 74 games in his career isn't bad at all. Hopefully we never have to see the guy take the field, but I don't think I would be horrified if we suffer an injury along the line and see this guy step in (at least in the short term).

So I say this trade is a win.

[MavsX]

happy with the trade. I remember being excited to have carpenter here..but frankly he sucked.

[92bDad]

I read a few days ago, a comparison of picking up Barrons (SP?) to when the Cowboys picked up Derrick Kinnard (SP?)

They made an interesting point, in that this is not specifically a pick up of a 16 game starter, but rather a pick up of a player who can come in for a period of time, either as a rotation back-up or for a few games should another player go down...and thus be a fair to solid player who will keep the OL from being exposed.

Basically they made a point that your OL is only as strong as your weakest player...making a point about a crew of OL can have 3 pro-bowlers, 1 average player and then 1 guy who flat out sucks...and that group will simply suck as that 1 guy gets beat.

But you could have an OL crew of 1 Pro Bowler and 4 average guys and collectively they will fair better simply because of the lower blown plays.

They used some Cowboy teams as examples...the year that the Cowboys went on to beat the Steelers in the Superbowl, which was with Kinnard. Then they used a recent team (Can't remember which year), the Cowboys had expected to do great things, but as some OL went down, they were forced to play a deep OL Backup which turned out to be a failed experiement.

And the end of the day, they simply need OL guys who can provide positive contributions if and when they actually play.

This trade isn't going to be headline material at the end of the season, most of us will forget about it...but the odds are, this will not be a player that anyone notices as a bust...which for OL, the goal is to go unnoticed, after all...we only notice who screws up when it comes to lineman.

[clutch#41]

Roy Williams Ready To Compete!

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nfl...ory?id=5186011

[MavsX]

Originally Posted by clutch#41

Roy Williams Ready To Compete!

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nfl...ory?id=5186011

he sounds pretty confident. let's hope he can back that up.

[Underdog]

It's a slooow day in Dallas sports when Tony Romo's participation in the US Open is the biggest news of the day...

[ty]

Originally Posted by Underdog

It's a slooow day in Dallas sports when Tony Romo's participation in the US Open is the biggest news of the day...

Lemme help ya out there...

LINK
Austin cozying up to Kim Kardashian?




Tony Romo is out of the celebrity dating game, but his favorite receiver is reportedly romancing a Hollywood diva.

According to the National Enquirer, Miles Austin is dating Kim Kardashian, who apparently has a fondness for skill players. Kardashian, a well-rounded woman who is basically famous for being pretty and coming from a reality-show family, used to date Reggie Bush.

The Enquirer stretches the truth about as often as Austin stretches the field, so we can't say for sure whether the report is accurate. But it wouldn't exactly be stunning if a good-looking wide receiver who will soon have an eight-figure contract hooked up with a beautiful Hollywood starlet.

It's well known that Austin loves LA, spending a lot of his free time there. That included the first two weeks of the Cowboys' strength and conditioning program this spring.

There's no question that Austin at least has some interest in Kardashian. She's one of the 15 people he follows on Twitter. The favor has yet to be returned, so maybe Miles has work to do to win over Ms. Kardashian.

[DirkFTW]

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by DirkFTW

[MavsX]

wut

[DirkFTW]

I think the Enquirer is on to something...

[ty]

Originally Posted by DirkFTW

I think the Enquirer is on to something...

Rep button got c-blocked.

[MavsX]

Originally Posted by DirkFTW

I think the Enquirer is on to something...

Hey I've been to TAO before.

[mavspwnage]

Got DeMarcus Ware's autograph today.

[FINtastic]

Originally Posted by mavspwnage

Got DeMarcus Ware's autograph today.

That's right, I think I remember seeing something about him having an autograph session. Did you have to wait in line for it forever?

He just seems like a great dude.

[mavspwnage]

Originally Posted by FINtastic

That's right, I think I remember seeing something about him having an autograph session. Did you have to wait in line for it forever?

He just seems like a great dude.

Didn't have to wait long at all. Even being towards the back of the line. And it was worth it even if I had to wait longer. It was at a Sam's Club, and it was away from the front, towards the back. So a lot of people in the store had no idea it was going on. The line wasn't long.

Plus, before he started signing, he did an interview sitting right in front of where I was in line. He was facing precisely where I was. At one point, I was getting my camera ready to take a picture. He was in the middle of answering a question, and he took the time to smile for my camera. lol

And of course, when I reached the front and got his autograph, he was nice as hell with a huge smile on his face.

[GermanDunk]

Originally Posted by mavspwnage

Got DeMarcus Ware's autograph today.

Four times Pro Bowler ? Not bad, man. Not bad.

[mavspwnage]

Here are some pics:


This was when he was doing an interview, pre-signing.



Now signing.



This is him signing for me...





And this is the result!

[MavsX]

pretty badass man. Good work. I'm jealous

[FINtastic]

I'm extremely jealous as well. Which Sam's Club was this?

[mavspwnage]

Originally Posted by FINtastic

I'm extremely jealous as well. Which Sam's Club was this?

The one on Park Lane near Central.

[MavsX]

i'm kind of bummed that OJ is with the Rams again.

[DirkFTW]

Cowboys, Bryant agree on deal
By Calvin Watkins
ESPNDallas.com

The Cowboys announced they agreed to terms with first-round pick Dez Bryant on Thursday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bryant, the 24th pick of the draft, is expected to report on time for Cowboys training camp on Saturday in San Antonio.

...

Link

Maybe it's just the lack of football speaking, but AWESOME! A Crabtree-esque situation would have been such a bucket of cold water...

[ty]

Originally Posted by DirkFTW

Maybe it's just the lack of football speaking, but AWESOME! A Crabtree-esque situation would have been such a bucket of cold water...

"You're WELCOME!"

[Underdog]

Yay!

[MavsX]

very happy that Dez signed so soon. No drama. Very happy about this. Lets go cowboys!

[92bDad]

What the Cowboys with NO DRAMA, say it aint so!!!

Awesomeness!!!

Rangers keep winning, Cowboys keep signing... ...life in Dallas is Good

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Great to hear about Bryant.

I'm verrrry excited about this coming season.