ESPN Insiders: Dallas in Trouble

Brandon777 · Post by **Brandon777** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 10:13 pm

I was pleased when I read this article. Sorry Gambit

ESPN Insiders: Dallas in Trouble
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Dallas losing ground in NFC East

By Darrell Trimble
NFL Insider
Send an Email to Darrell Trimble

Friday, April 9
Updated: April 9
12:18 PM ET

When the Dallas Cowboys finished their season with a crushing loss to the Carolina Panthers, they went into the offseason with $16 million in cap space and a plan to increase the talent level on the team. But over a month into the process, the Cowboys are a much weaker on paper.

The Cowboys' biggest areas of need were running back, defensive end, offensive line and quarterback. And so far little if anything has been done to make sure those positions will be stronger in 2004.

Granted, when Parcells coaches a team he finds ways to get the most out of the talent he has at his disposal. Last year wasn't the first time in his coaching career that he took a team that looked lean on paper and propelled it into the postseason.

That being said, the team's offseason has been far from successful. One of the strongest parts of Dallas' squad was the receiving corps. But one of the major moves Parcells made was to trade Joey Galloway for Keyshawn Johnson. Given the fact that Galloway disappeared as the season progressed the move could be considered an upgrade, but teams usually look to strengthen their weakest joints, not their strongest ones. The Cowboys needed help along the defensive line, specifically at end. Dallas was forced to blitz a lot to generate pressure on the quarterback. The Cowboys brought in Marcellus Wiley to replace Ebenezer Ekuban., and Wiley should prove to be a better player. But he was let go by San Diego because he only had nine sacks in his last two seasons.

The only other major move the team made was to trade a third-rounder in 2005 to acquire quarterback Drew Henson. He is no doubt a fine prospect, but the chances of him contributing next year are slim. Quincy Carter may have his share of warts, but it's highly doubtful that a player who hasn't thrown a meaningful pass in three-and-a-half years could play better than Carter did last season.

The news has gotten worse for the Cowboys as they just lost cornerback Mario Edwards and announced that offensive lineman Larry Allen won't be back next year. Edwards gave up his share of big plays in 2003, but he is a quality starting corner. He might not be worth the $18 million the Tampa Bay Bucs gave him, but now there is a hole that no one on the roster is ready to fill.

Allen suffered through some injuries last season and his performance slipped, but losing him makes a questionable offensive line just plain bad. There are significant question marks at every position along the line except left tackle. Parcells and the Cowboys still have the draft and June 1 cuts to make the necessary improvements, but not much talent is expected to be available this summer.

The lack of activity is especially disturbing because the NFC East is shaping up to be one of the toughest divisions in football. The Eagles have made major additions after reaching the conference championship game three straight years. The Giants underachieved but brought in a new coach and made some key additions. The Washington Redskins were as active as always and brought in a proven coach to lead the new recruits.

If the Cowboys don't turn their offseason around, they could finish at the bottom of the standings.

SoCalSkinFan · Post by **SoCalSkinFan** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 11:08 pm

It is nice to finially see an article that actually sees it right. Everything that it said is true. The Pukes haven't done anything to improve their team this offseason. Now that Allen is not returning, the O-line will be hurting. Given that Allena is getting old but he was one of the best linemen. I don't see the Pukes doing anything next season.

Brandon777 · Post by **Brandon777** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 11:20 pm

SoCalSkinFan wrote:It is nice to finially see an article that actually sees it right. Everything that it said is true. The Pukes haven't done anything to improve their team this offseason. Now that Allen is not returning, the O-line will be hurting. Given that Allena is getting old but he was one of the best linemen. I don't see the Pukes doing anything next season.

It was nice to read this. I'm so use to reading crap against the Redskins. It's about time I read something negative about Dallas.

cjpck44 · Post by **cjpck44** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 7:27 am

Ah ha! And the world is finally right again.

Wingman · Post by **Wingman** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 7:56 am

You watch, one of the resident Cowboy "experts" will come in here screaming about this article claiming a bias or conspiracy. Oh and then they will start beating the drum of the Redskins will be in salary cap hell...how old is that getting? Well, it looks like someone in the national media isnt drinking the Dallas kool-aid.

skinsfaninroanoke · Post by **skinsfaninroanoke** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 8:19 am

not now they won't Wingman - ya went and blew their ambush ::snicker::

Texas Hog · Post by **Texas Hog** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 1:48 pm

something tells me that Jones isn't going to sit on all that cap room and waste one half of the time he's got left with the flounder

regardless I like the notion that their OL will be in flux all year...that ought to spell major problems for quincy and his new RB

kkryan · Post by **kkryan** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 3:20 pm

Texas Hog wrote:something tells me that Jones isn't going to sit on all that cap room and waste one half of the time he's got left with the flounder

regardless I like the notion that their OL will be in flux all year...that ought to spell major problems for quincy and his new RB

He wont be sitting on anything cuz Larry Allen will take up half of that sixteen million they were under the cap. More of that cap room gets eaten by Galloway, Meshawn, and Wiley. The only thing Jerry is sitting on is his plastic man face!!!

kkryan · Post by **kkryan** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 3:25 pm

Wingman wrote:You watch, one of the resident Cowboy "experts" will come in here screaming about this article claiming a bias or conspiracy. Oh and then they will start beating the drum of the Redskins will be in salary cap hell...how old is that getting? Well, it looks like someone in the national media isnt drinking the Dallas kool-aid.

The cap hell thing is not gonna happen. When they renegotiate the TV contracts after '05, everyones cap is likely to increase significantly. This is what Snyder is counting on. If that doesn't happen, we may be in some trouble.

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 4:08 pm

This was a great article. Its basically saying that Dallas Sucks!!!!

You can't get much better then that. People want to bash Danny for getting top notch players every year. AT LEAST HE'S DOING SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jerry Jones is just sitting on his behind playing golf.

General Failure · Post by **General Failure** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 5:22 pm

Redskins Rule wrote:This was a great article. Its basically saying that Dallas Sucks!!!!

You can't get much better then that. People want to bash Danny for getting top notch players every year. AT LEAST HE'S DOING SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jerry Jones is just sitting on his behind playing golf.

Odd. I always thought of articles bashing the Skins to be based on the premise that Snyder is trying to play fantasy football and causing a high rate of roster turnover.

kkryan · Post by **kkryan** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 6:13 pm

GF, the thing that irritates me about the media is that they look for reasons to bash Snyder. Not that they have to look too far. I think he will be a good owner once he learns how to conduct business in the NFL. He is attacked because of age, wealth, and stature...not to mention he is shrewd. Snyder has made numerous mistakes but if they win do you think the media will say nice job Dan??? I think not. Writers like to call Steinbrenner the evil owner but you never here that coming out of Boston and they do the very same thing.

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 6:24 pm

I think that everyone who picks on Steinbrenner HATES THEM YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!

Noone hates Boston the same way they HATE THEM YANKEES!!!!

Thats why Boston doesn't get it like New York.

I think alot of owners hate Danny because he has a team that hasn't done anything since he took over. But he has the ONLY team in the league that is actually making a profit.

He's so freakin young and yet he's showing up these older owners (some of whom belong in a nursing home) how to do business in todays NFL. These older owners voted for the salary cap and they got it. Only Danny knows how to use it to make a profit for the team!!!!

Wouldn't that piss you off too?

kkryan · Post by **kkryan** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 6:28 pm

Redskins Rule wrote:I think that everyone who picks on Steinbrenner HATES THEM YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!

Noone hates Boston the same way they HATE THEM YANKEES!!!!

Thats why Boston doesn't get it like New York.

I think alot of owners hate Danny because he has a team that hasn't done anything since he took over. But he has the ONLY team in the league that is actually making a profit.

He's so freakin young and yet he's showing up these older owners (some of whom belong in a nursing home) how to do business in todays NFL. These older owners voted for the salary cap and they got it. Only Danny knows how to use it to make a profit for the team!!!!

Wouldn't that piss you off too?

Yeah but Jerry Jones IS making a pretty pennie!!!!

RedskinsRule56 · Post by **RedskinsRule56** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 6:31 pm

Dallas made one big move and that was getting Keyshawn and I actually think that move is a downgrade! I think Galloway is better then Meshawn other then that they did not add anyone. They lost Ebenezer Ekuban and Mario Edwards! I smell a Redskins sweep of Dallas this year bring out the brooms

SoCalSkinFan · Post by **SoCalSkinFan** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 7:40 pm

I have no understanding on how the Puke fans actually think that the Pukes are going to win the SB this year. They all brag that they signed Wiley (a Charger reject and an underachiever), Hensen (a former baseball player that hasn't throw a pass in 4 years) and getting Meshawn (a self center, big mouth cancer that will ruin the team with his attitude) while the lost Allen (one of the best linemen to play in years), Galloway (a receiver that did do much with the Pukes but is a very reliable receiver), Edwards (there best CB last year). They still don't have a RB, I know, wait until the draft, a QB that is very inconsistant, an O-line that cant ever open a door let alone open a hole for a non-existant RB and a D-line that could put pressure against a pop warner team. To me, all this adds up to a possible 8-8 season at the best. Parsell won't even have enough magic up his sleeve to make this team competative.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 7:48 pm

Oddly, I'm more than willing to take this with the same grain of salt that I waste when I read how the Insiders think we suck.
Don't get me wrong, it's nice to read them finally writing something about somebody else, for a change. It's just that if I'm so sure they're off the mark about us, am I being totally objective if I say, "Yeah, they're right !" when they go off on the Cowboys ? Nah. I know how I feel about Dallas, but I really don't think those people at ESPN have Clue One about what they're supposed to be doing.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 9:06 pm

If the Giants finish ahead of the Cowboys this year in the standings, I will give up trying to understand this sport...

kkryan · Post by **kkryan** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 10:17 pm

Steve Spurrier III wrote:If the Giants finish ahead of the Cowboys this year in the standings, I will give up trying to understand this sport...

Dallas wasn't that good last year. We beat more .500 teams than they did. Sure they made the playoffs but that was Parcells. They were lucky in the fact they got to play a weak Giants team twice and a undisciplined Spurrier team twice. Not to mention the Cards and the Lions. The only teams they dominated did not win more than five games. They have no QB, RB, and their offensive line without Allen will be a joke. The cornerback position on defense will be their undoing. And with Allen, Galloway's, and Meshawn's contracts they wont have much cap room left to improve. So basically they suck!!

portis26 · Post by **portis26** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 10:47 pm

Philly on the other hand...

gambit187 · Post by **gambit187** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 10:52 pm

LOL finally something for you guys to laugh and rib me on..but you know what dont matter

Wiley was better then Ekuban

Edwards was geting flagged all year Pete Hunter and Donald Mitchell will be better.

QC got us there last year and will do the same this year , unless he gets beaten out by Henson.

The only think i worry about is Larry Allen, but somehow stuff will work out. My big Tuna from Jersey will have us ready . What they failed to mention is how well Tuna and Jerry will wheel and deal with the draft and after June 1.

The article has some valid points thats all i can say.

kkryan · Post by **kkryan** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 11:03 pm

gambit187 wrote:LOL finally something for you guys to laugh and rib me on..but you know what dont matter

Wiley was better then Ekuban

Edwards was geting flagged all year Pete Hunter and Donald Mitchell will be better.

QC got us there last year and will do the same this year , unless he gets beaten out by Henson.

The only think i worry about is Larry Allen, but somehow stuff will work out. My big Tuna from Jersey will have us ready . What they failed to mention is how well Tuna and Jerry will wheel and deal with the draft and after June 1.

The article has some valid points thats all i can say.

And you think Hunter wont be flagged all year?? I give you the Qb and RB situation but the oline is decimated and you cant expect a college player to come in and take up the slack.

kkryan · Post by **kkryan** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 11:07 pm

How is Dallas going to wheel and deal with the cap hits of Allen, Galloway, Keyshawn, Wiley, and signing of your draftees. If Allen counts 8 million himself you guys cant have that much room to manuever.

gambit187 · Post by **gambit187** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 11:25 pm

kkryan wrote:How is Dallas going to wheel and deal with the cap hits of Allen, Galloway, Keyshawn, Wiley, and signing of your draftees. If Allen counts 8 million himself you guys cant have that much room to manuever.

Here is your answer

If the Cowboys waited until after June 1 to move him, it would count $2.06 million on the cap, but about $6.2 million in 2005.

As it currently stands, Allen is expected to count $5.5 million on the salary cap this year, including a base salary of $3.5 million.

Since the Cowboys have not spent much on the free-agent market this season, still with about $8 million under the cap, it's possible the Cowboys could take the whole hit before June 1, clearing his entire contract off the books immediately.

kkryan · Post by **kkryan** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 3:52 am

I was suspecting they will take the whole hit this year because they have not been active in free agency for a reason!! Thanks for the info Gambit