The Landry Hat » draft pick

Will Roster Management ‘Ripple Effects’ Continue To Plague the Cowboys?

Brad Austin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:00:50 +0000

While reading through current Dallas Cowboys articles on Saturday March 24th, 2012, one unsettling trend seemed to emerge quickly and consistently. Not one single news story on the main links page was addressing something positive accomplished in the 2012 free agency period. Let’s take a look at some of the stories of the day. First I’ll provide the headline in paraphrase form, to be followed with a hopefully relevant analysis and relation to the point of this article.

Marion Barber to Retire

This first story made me begin to reflect upon the ripple effects of past lackluster decision making within the organization, and their lingering consequences which damaged the Cowboys in future years. As for the later years of Marion Barber, he was simply a grossly overpaid player in his last contract by an overzealous Jerry Jones. And the Cowboys were forced to keep him in 2010 past his production warranting his ability to help the team and his financial value being anywhere near justified.

In 2008 Barber was re-signed for 7 years/$45 mil / $16 mil guaranteed. With 2010 being his final season wearing the star, Barber rushed for only 374 yards and 4 touchdowns , while posting a career low 3.3 per rush average. I still vividly recall a majority of Cowboys fans becoming very vocally displeased with being forced to hang on to Barber the last few years. And after fulfilling just 3 years of his huge deal, creating a size-able chunk of remaining dead money upon his release, and one season with the Bears, The ‘Barbarian’ is turning in his spiked battle club. Ouch. (more…)

Dallas Cowboys 2012 Tight Ends: To Be or Not to Marty B, that is the question

Brad Austin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:00:37 +0000

When evaluating the tight end position and deciding how to improve upon the group’s 2011 results, the Dallas Cowboys only have one pressing decision to make this offseason. Do they bring back Martellus Bennett and assume the certain hefty raise in pay above his $771,250 salary cap expense of 2011? Or part ways after four years invested in the former Texas A&M standout to forge an alternate path. Since the purpose here is to assess the tight end group as a whole, the Marty B discussion is putting the cart before the horse. Let’s first analyze the tight ends already secured on the Cowboys 2012 payroll.

1) Jason Witten (2012 Salary cap expense = $5,841,000 / contract expires 2017)

The 2011 season was business as usual for the 7 time Pro Bowler, simply another brilliant season turned in by the ever consistent tight end and team leader. Once again he proved without a doubt his game and intangibles are worth every penny he collects in Dallas. On November 13, 2011, Jason Witten eclipsed Ozzie Newsome with the third most catches by a tight end in NFL History. In a season where wide receiver injuries were aplenty, Witten helped pick up the slack by leading all Cowboys receivers with 942 total receiving yards. In addition, 2011 was Jason’s fifth straight season surpassing the 900 yard receiving mark. Mr. Consistency played in every game for Dallas, logging a minimum of three catches each week. 2011 was simply Jason Witten being the Jason Witten Cowboys fans know and love, one of the best tight ends in the league and a surefire Hall of Fame selection. (more…)

2012 NFL Draft Order First Round; The Dallas Cowboys get the #14 Pick

Steven Mullenax — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:36:52 +0000

With the end of the NFL regular season ending last night as the Dallas Cowboys lost to the New York Giants, the order in this year’s NFL Draft came more into focus. And with prized future stars like Standford’s QB Andrew Luck and Oklahoma State’s WR Justin Blackmon hanging in the balance, draft order is prominent in the minds of teams who are not in the playoffs.

For the Dallas Cowboys, the draft gives the team a chance to fill the holes in their offensive line and defensive secondary. Both areas struggled mightily this year and it is expected that these positions will get the most attention early on in the draft. Click the following link to see the draft order for the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft so far: (more…)