Dallas Cowboys: 2011-????

[RevanFan]

I think that it is remarkable how some players will spend years as the backup and then get their shot as the starter. It happens in the NFL today but you have to really get out of that 1-3 years and they start mentality when playing this game. Most guys play and want a winning program within a couple of years and aren't willing to put the time and effort into development.
How long would you say is a good rule of thumb, before you can develop a team that has winning talent on it?

In real life or Madden?

[madden07eurocat]

I think that it is remarkable how some players will spend years as the backup and then get their shot as the starter. It happens in the NFL today but you have to really get out of that 1-3 years and they start mentality when playing this game. Most guys play and want a winning program within a couple of years and aren't willing to put the time and effort into development.
How long would you say is a good rule of thumb, before you can develop a team that has winning talent on it?

In real life or Madden?

If your being realistic about it. In Madden everyone wants to win, like, NOW!

[RevanFan]

I think that it is remarkable how some players will spend years as the backup and then get their shot as the starter. It happens in the NFL today but you have to really get out of that 1-3 years and they start mentality when playing this game. Most guys play and want a winning program within a couple of years and aren't willing to put the time and effort into development.
How long would you say is a good rule of thumb, before you can develop a team that has winning talent on it?

In real life or Madden?

If your being realistic about it. In Madden everyone wants to win, like, NOW!

If I were a GM, I'd give it at least three seasons for a player to develop. Bill Parcells had a policy of giving players three seasons to show their worth. If you hadn't impressed by then, you were gone. Take Tony Romo for example. They almost got rid of him in 2004, but Quincy Carter got busted for drugs and Romo kept his spot. When Romo's third season rolled around, he was the #2 quarterback and taking the occasional regular season rep. He had shown enough to Parcells that Parcells kept him around. The next season, he became the #1 at halftime against the Giants. I generally agree with that. A player doesn't have to be a starter after three seasons, but he at least has to be contributing in a meaningful way.

[madden07eurocat]

Good philosophy!

[RevanFan]

The Cowboys have 11 free agents in the 2062 offseason. 10 are unrestricted and 1 is restricted. Most notable are TE Donny Brown, DE Austin Stills, and FS Barron Carter--all Pro Bowlers--along with Super Bowl hero and backup quarterback Terry Newman. Newman is expected to seek a starting job elsewhere. Other than that, nothing is known.

Code: Select all

QB Terry Newman
QB Shane Cobb
TE Donny Brown
TE Ron Spielman
DE Austin Stills
NT Henry Benivieni
ILB Steve Sanford
CB Alton Fryar (Restricted)
FS Barron Carter
FS David Stahlman
LS Spencer Anthony

[RevanFan]

The Cowboys have given CB Alton Fryar a one-year tender to bring him back to the team.

Additionally, the Cowboys will reportedly have Eric Barnes and Dee Grant compete for the left tackle job. Along with that shuffle, they will play Wally Lewis primarily at guard. One more change Dallas is considering is moving last year's defensive rookie of the year, Sedrick Jackson, to inside linebacker. That signals that Dallas is expecting to lose Steve Sanford in free agency, and they want to try to keep Jackson involved with Chris Franks regaining his starting job now that he's recovered from injury. Jackson would obviously be a top choice should Franks have another injury, but the team is hopeful he will come back strong.

Code: Select all

QB:

#16 Dwight Fraser
#4 Terry Newman         FA
#3 Shane Cobb         FA
#5 Alan Bickleman

RB:

#32 Chris Fitzgerald
#29 Bobby Parrish
#23 Isaac Fitzgerald
#37 Lee Griffin

FB/TE:

#87 Charlie Parker
#85 Allen Brown

WR:

#13 O. J. Joyce
#19 Jerry Harrison
#11 Reginald Boren
#80 Ernie Blackmon
#15 Kalen Jones
#81 Eugene Clewett
#10 Lance Vaughan
#14 Darrell Platt
#86 Jeff Johnson

TE:

#83 Donny Brown         FA
#88 Chris Snell
#89 Ron Spielman         FA

LT:

#73 Eric Barnes
#63 Dee Grant

LG:

#71 Josh Harris
#60 Mark Rhodes

C:

#69 Brent Newberry
#65 Darren Pittman

RG:

#72 J. T. Simpson
#75 Wally Lewis

RT:

#76 Anthony Diaz
#79 Roland Tate

LE:

#66 Torry Douglas
#95 Mark Campbell
#55 Glenn Boston

RE:

#70 Austin Stills         FA
#94 Jeremy Drennan
#90 Jared Banks

NT:

#98 Eddie Hall
#99 Henry Benivieni         FA

LOLB:

#52 Chris Franks
#49 Dexter Walker

ILB:

#57 Floyd Larsen
#50 Junior Swan
#43 Sedrick Jackson
#56 Steve Sanford         FA
#51 Scott Wells
#58 Newton Cobb

ROLB:

#93 Eric Terrell
#54 Marco Carnillo
#48 Mike Burnsides

CB:

#30 Trent Dickey
#31 Roy McGee
#24 Troy Langford
#38 Alton Fryar
#28 Jeff Tate
#26 Richie Willis

FS:

#35 Barron Carter         FA
#27 Corban Cross
#20 David Stahlman         FA

SS:

#40 Jimmy Gray
#21 Connor Humphrey
#33 Julio Vinson

K:

#2 Jeff Stevens

P:

#6 J. T. Hall

LS:

#91 Spencer Anthony      FA

[RevanFan]

Before free agency begins, Dallas has locked up two of their free agents. First, DE Austin Stills signed a two-year contract. Stills is 37 years old, but is coming off the best season of his career. Dallas isn't going to let him leave after a 37 sack season, no matter his age. Second, NT Henry Benivieni signed a four-year contract. This gives the team needed depth at nose tackle, and with Alex Castle retired, Benivieni may finally get to contribute on a regular basis. He will be under contract until age 30.

Code: Select all

QB:

#16 Dwight Fraser
#4 Terry Newman         FA
#3 Shane Cobb         FA
#5 Alan Bickleman

RB:

#32 Chris Fitzgerald
#29 Bobby Parrish
#23 Isaac Fitzgerald
#37 Lee Griffin

FB/TE:

#87 Charlie Parker
#85 Allen Brown

WR:

#13 O. J. Joyce
#19 Jerry Harrison
#11 Reginald Boren
#80 Ernie Blackmon
#15 Kalen Jones
#81 Eugene Clewett
#10 Lance Vaughan
#14 Darrell Platt
#86 Jeff Johnson

TE:

#83 Donny Brown         FA
#88 Chris Snell
#89 Ron Spielman         FA

LT:

#73 Eric Barnes
#63 Dee Grant

LG:

#71 Josh Harris
#60 Mark Rhodes

C:

#69 Brent Newberry
#65 Darren Pittman

RG:

#72 J. T. Simpson
#75 Wally Lewis

RT:

#76 Anthony Diaz
#79 Roland Tate

LE:

#66 Torry Douglas
#95 Mark Campbell
#55 Glenn Boston

RE:

#70 Austin Stills
#94 Jeremy Drennan
#90 Jared Banks

NT:

#98 Eddie Hall
#99 Henry Benivieni

LOLB:

#52 Chris Franks
#49 Dexter Walker

ILB:

#57 Floyd Larsen
#50 Junior Swan
#43 Sedrick Jackson
#56 Steve Sanford         FA
#51 Scott Wells
#58 Newton Cobb

ROLB:

#93 Eric Terrell
#54 Marco Carnillo
#48 Mike Burnsides

CB:

#30 Trent Dickey
#31 Roy McGee
#24 Troy Langford
#38 Alton Fryar
#28 Jeff Tate
#26 Richie Willis

FS:

#35 Barron Carter         FA
#27 Corban Cross
#20 David Stahlman         FA

SS:

#40 Jimmy Gray
#21 Connor Humphrey
#33 Julio Vinson

K:

#2 Jeff Stevens

P:

#6 J. T. Hall

LS:

#91 Spencer Anthony      FA

[RevanFan]

On the first day of free agency, Dallas sent offers to TE Donny Brown, FS Barron Carter, QB Shane Cobb, and LS Spencer Anthony

[RevanFan]

QB Shane Cobb has quickly agreed to a contract with Dallas. He has been re-signed for the next four seasons. Very little of the contract is guaranteed, but he will serve as quality insurance should Dallas not find the heir apparent to Dwight Fraser soon. Cobb is getting too old for that role to fall to him, but he's been in the system for a long time and plays well when called upon.

Baltimore is the second team to offer a contract to FS Barron Carter. QB Terry Newman has received offers from Indianapolis, Green Bay, and the Los Angeles Chargers. ILB Steve Sanford has offers from Atlanta and Seattle.

[RevanFan]

QB Terry Newman is officially off the market after two days. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts, who were in desperate need of a quarterback. At 26 years old, the Colts are hoping Newman is just entering his prime, and will build off of his very promising relief performances for Dallas. ILB Steve Sanford has received an offer from Green Bay. FS David Stahlman has an offer from the New York Giants.