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The Cowboys have just signed Judd Garrett as their Assistant Director of Pro Scouting. The Cowboys now have three Garrett’s spread throughout the organization. Jason Garrett leads the way as Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordination, John Garrett as Tight Ends Coach, and now Judd Garrett. Putting Judd in Pro Scouting will spark speculation that this team is being groomed for Garrett in 2009. Everyone can say what they want to be politically correct, but c’mon, if this is not a sign, then I don’t what else is… Plugging in Judd in the Pro Scouting Department is good news for Jason Garrett, he’ll have more say in which type of players he’ll want scouted.

From DMNBlog:

Judd Garrett will be named the Cowboys’ assistant director of pro scouting, according to multiple sources. Judd Garrett is the younger brother of Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and tight ends coach John Garrett. For the last two seasons, Judd Garrett was the St. Louis Rams’ tight end coach but asked for a leave of absence due to family matters. Judd Garrett’s wife passed away last year.

Judd Garrett replaces Brian Gaine, who left to work as the Miami Dolphins assistant player personnel. (DMN)

The Parcells era came and went, but the one area he failed to fix was the secondary. One year removed and one year under Wade Phillips and the secondary has not been fixed; however, last year’s addition of Ken Hamlin was one step in the right direction. Hamlin performed so well he earned himself a trip to Hawaii.

You can say what you want about stats, INTs, ratios and and all that, but visual proof every sunday was enough for me to determine the secondary would be our achilles heel. Phillips is slowly getting his players in the secondary, he wants physical playmaking defensive backs, and last year’s Ken Hamlin was a start. The rest of the year we played with low round talent and it showed. Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones had significant playing time due to Newman’s foot injury, and our weakness was obvious the first week Newman was out. Reeves and Jones got burnt year round. Then you have Anthony Henry, part of that dismal 2005 free agent class. Henry has been plagued by injury and the constant target when lined up opposite Newman. Henry is adequate, but very upgradeable.

Fast forward to this past weekend and the Cowboys addressed the secondary with three quality draft picks when you consider we traded a 4ht rounder for Jones. Phillips is upgrading the secondary with his type of defensive back, and the lineup has already been upgraded on a 13-3 team. Let’s look at the secondary from 2007 to the current state:

Starting Secondary, 2007:

Terence Newman
Anthony Henry
Roy Williams
Ken Hamlin
Jacques Reeves
Nate Jones

Projected Starting Secondary, 2008:

Terence Newman
Anthony Henry
Roy Williams
Ken Hamlin
Mike Jenkins
Adam Jones
Orlando Scandrick 

The Quality of players has been upgraded significantly with Jenkins, Jones, and Scandrick. At the minimum Jenkins will be a starting nickel/dime corner, and same for Jones and Scandrick. That’s a solid upgrade to a bad unit the year before. If any of the starting corners go down, I feel very confident in Jenkins or Jones stepping in. Last year, I was dreading the times Reeves was in there.

Despite these upgrades, the job is not done. Hamlin needs to be re-upped to a long term deal, and SS needs to be upgraded either by shifting some current players into the safety position or via the draft. Basically, Roy Williams will NOT be here in 2009. As we approach mini camp, and training camp it will be interesting to see where Anthony Henry lines up. Could we see Henry move to FS, and Hamling to SS? Roy could be completely downgraded if we see these scenarios. Its already been proven that Roy was a liability on 3rd downs, and thus benched. To me it doesn’t matter what down it is, Roy gets burnt on any down. He’s a nice guy, but his playing quality never rebounded after Darren Woodson retired, and that was several years ago now.

2009 will continue with upgrades in the secondary with a safety. Keep it going Wade.

With the draft less than two weeks away, the draft boards are nearly completed, but the Cowboys are not hinting where they plan on taking this draft. One thing is for sure, the Cowboys need to hit on their first day picks. I believe our first 4 picks of this draft will play pivotal roles on both sides of the ball this year. We have all seen the latest mock drafts out there, and in all seriousness none are ever near accurate. I’m going to throw my hat into it now with my prediction on our first day picks.

#22: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

This year has a good crop of defensive backs, and the Cowboys weakness on defense remains in the secondary. Talib has the physical tools, confidence, and swagger we haven’t had in the secondary since Deion Sanders was back there. I don’t see DRC or McKelvin lasting to #22. Talib would probably be phased in at nickel corner at first, and that’s already a huge upgrade from Reeves in 2007. Eventually, Henry will get injured as in years past, at which point, Talib will take stranglehold opposite Newman and won’t look back.

Alternate: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

#28: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

Ask me a few weeks ago, about this scenario, and I would probably not have thought much of it, but looking at how the draft could shape up, taking Balmer in the first round would make a lot more sense to me than I thought before. Balmer can be a stout force in the 3-4, he has all the measurables, and he may not even make it to #28, but if he’s there, we take him. We recently re-signed Jay Ratliff, and he’s been solid at NT while Ferguson was gone. Ratliff came out of college as a DE, but had that versatility in his resume and we’ve capitalized on it. Spears will not be back next year, so we’d have Hatcher and would need another DE. Ratliff can be in rotation with Hatcher and Balmer. This being said, I see the Cowboys taking another DE in this draft for just this very scenario. We’re going to need more depth at DE.

Alternate: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

#61: Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas

I’d like to have Chris Johnson in the 2nd round, but he probably won’t last until late into the 2nd round. I believe Charles will be there, and he’ll make a great change-up back to MB3. He has the speed and game breaking runs we can use to keep defense unbalanced between play calls.

Alternate: Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana

#92: Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech

Adding Royal would be a solid pick, and he could easily be gone in the 2nd round, and may not make it late into the 3rd round, but if you’re going to wait to add a receiver, 3rd round is the latest you can wait, and if Royal is there the Cowboys take him. He has game breaking ability, he’s elusive, speed, and solid in the return game. We know Owens, and Crayton are starting WRs. We’re not sure what the status of Glenn will be, I think he’s future will be determined after the draft. Sam Hurd probably makes the team, Austin is out. Stanback is another question mark, potential doesn’t answer squat for me, I want to see him get extensive play in the preseason, otherwise add another receiver with Royal - a solid WR.

Alternate: Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia

So, that’s where I’m on for day one of the draft:

#22: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
#28: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
#61: Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas
#92: Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech

Alternate Picks:

#22: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
#28: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
#61: Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
#92: Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia

If the draft went with all the alternate picks, I’d be very happy with the first day of the draft. Sweed would be a good addition to the draft. I still believe Garrett wants that taller Alvin Harper type receiver to play opposite T.O. and Sweed would fit the bill. Kenny Phillips would be the insurance pick for the future at safety. We have to see what plays out with Hamlin’s contract and whether or not Roy Williams remains with us past 2008. Phillips is a playmaker and would be a solid fit in our system. Tracy Porter is a cornerback the Cowboys like and he already visited Valley Ranch, so you know he’s on the radar. Owen Schmitt is your Moose Johnston FB in this year’s draft, and if Garrett wants to get his Moose it starts and ends with Schmitt somewhere in this draft. Last year the Cowboys were looking at Brian Leonard, but he got scooped up by the lowly Rams. Schmitt would be the guy this year in my opinion.

Trading out of the First Round:

Don’t be surprised if the Cowboys trade that #28 pick to a team that wants to move back into the first round. I see more value in the 2nd and 3rd round this year, so trading out and grabbing some more picks would be great with me.

Trading for Veteran Receiver Scenario:

I think if the Cowboys are going to trade for a Veteran receiver we’ll hear about it a few days before the draft, a contract would need to be negotiated, and the draft pick relinquished to whatever team we trade with. The trade would be hefty though, I’m guessing a 1st rounder and 2nd rounder or 1st rounder this year and 1st rounder next year. Like I said in a previous article, Jerry almost set a precedent in trading picks for a receiver when he gave up alot for Galloway, albeit he was restricted, it still gives GMs some leverage in wanting more picks from Jerry knowing he would do it. Would Jerry give up two first round picks for Anquan Boldin or Roy Williams, you cannot say no, because he very well could, and what teams would pass on two first round picks for a WR, especially average teams like the Cardinals and Lions. How many players are we away from getting over the top? If Jerry thinks we are 1 or two players away, we’ll see this crazy trade come true for sure. For me though, we’re still a few players away from a championship roster. The secondary was never fixed by Parcells and remains the Achilles heel of the defense. How sold are you on the front 3? See, we still have some shortcomings. You can have a dominating offense, but if your defense is not just as good, then it won’t matter. The defense still has some catching up to do.

DMN’s Calvin Watkins is reporting that the Cowboys will allow Flozell Adams to test the free agency market. The Cowboys will see where his price goes, and if its too high it’ll be Pat McQuistan battling it out for starting LT next season.

Calvin “Lucky” Watkins reports that the Cowboys will let Flozell Adams test the open market before extending a deal to the Pro Bowl left tackle.

If the price for Adams is too high for the Cowboys, Pat McQuistan starts at left tackle.

Doug Free might have something to say about that in training camp. Either way, if Jerry can’t come up with the cash to keep Flo around, an inexperienced second-day draft pick will be protecting Tony Romo’s blindside. (DMN)

This news may suggest that the Cowboys will at least franchise tag Ken Hamlin. I’ve been saying this for awhile…the Cowboys can let one of these two go, but NOT both. The secondary has been shaky before Parcells got here, and he could not fix it, Phillips now has the job in his lap, please continue to fix the secondary by keeping Hamlin, letting him go takes the secondary and the defense in reverse.

Remember that corney trivia show “The Weakest Link” ? Well, our secondary is the Weakest Link, and we’ll be saying goodbye to several of the all-star toast masters this offseason. I’m talking about Nate Jones and Jacques Reeves.

All this jive about trading up for an unproven running back is a pipe dream, and anyone endorsing such a manuever is also smoking crack. What this team needs is a secondary. Think about it, who do we really have? We have Terence Newman, and that’s it. Ken Hamlin SHOULD be re-signed asap; but, its also likely that he can make even more money elsewhere. Henry is one of those Parcells bust free agent signings, injury prone, gets burnt alot, just not good enough, just average. Roy Williams is a wasted spot, and an easy target if you want to convert a 3rd and long… We don’t have a championship secondary, and we certainly do not have a depth.

The mission should be about upgrading the secondary first and foremost and nothing but. I’ll entertain the idea of drafting a WR and another DE, but we need to fix that secondary. Parcells inherited Roy Williams, and drafted Terence Newman, but after that he was unable to fix the secondary. He tried various players at safety and cornerback, but at the end of the day it was a disaster. Phillips comes in and adds Ken Hamlin, ok, so now we’re getting somewhere. Phillips needs to have some command and get the secondary going, find us the next Cromartie!

Its all about upgrading the secondary or bust…seriously.

With the Cowboys early bounce from the playoffs, the Cowboys have spent zero time moping around, instead, the Cowboys have been very busy, and as always staying in the news because everyone wants to be a Cowboy at heart…

With Jason Garrett deciding to stay in Dallas, the Cowboys will be plenty ready for another go in 2008, and if anything, this team can only get better. Another year in the Phillips 34 and the Garrett High Octane attack, the sky is the limit. We’re young, and we’re on our way up, we have not peaked.

Jerry Jones, and the rest of the Cowboys Braintrust are in Mobile, Alabama attending this year’s Senior Bowl. The first topic of interest is the re-signing of Marion Barber III. Barber is part of the Quadruplets, he demands the best in his fans, and he fills seats. Jerry knows that Barber is explosive and a main component in this years success, and will be a staple on offense. Barber will be re-signed soon. Jerry has talked with Drew Rosenhaus and the deal will get done soon.

Trade Rumors are always part of the offseason, often these rumors are just that - rumors; however, this does help the average die hard bide their time with interesting rumor topics galore on their favorite blogs and message boards.

The latest rumor has Jerry shopping Marcus Spears and Bobby Carpenter. Trading Spears is good for the team. Its time to get Hatcher in there next to fellow playmaker Jay Ratliff, these two guys on the D-line will be very disruptive. Spears had another typical year, and is now a certified bust, so knowing this, I don’t expect higher than a 3-4th rounder for him.

Carpenter being shopped is risky to me. He’s a solid tackler, he made plays all year long on special teams, and he provides solid depth at LB. If you’re going to trade Carpenter, we better draft another good linebacker on day one because you cannot depend on the health of an aging star in Greg Ellis, and the oft injured Kevin Burnett. This being said, I’d rather trade Spears over Carpenter.

New Coaches

The Cowboys have not wasted anytime in replacing their coaches that have bounced to Miami. The Cowboys have signed Todd Grantham , a former Defensive Coordinator of the Browns (2005) and Coach with the Texans (2002-2004), just seeing these two teams on his resume does not excite me much considering how bad those defenses were during those time spans. He does provide NFL experience, and Wade has always had a strong group of defensive assistants on his squads, so his blessing on this new hire should be ok. We will see.

Condition Guru, Joe Jurasek was also extended a new contract and will remain in Dallas. Good job keeping him here.

Jerry acted fast, and stopped the bleeding by keeping Garrett, and Phillips is staying on top of his staff by hiring “his” type of coaches. We could see an even better defense with his own hirings.

With Jason Garrett returning to the Cowboys, all attention will now return back to player contracts, and atop the must-do’s is signing Marion Barber to a new deal. Part of Garrett’s decision to return to Dallas is because of certain players, and having MB3 as “his” running back is paramount, not some rookie or free agent scrub. Barber is a proven back, tough, and runs with authority. Pounding the rock into the endzone is his mission each time he gets his hands on the ball. Who what not want a running back like Barber on their team

Signing Barber is a now brainer. Barber’s agent Drew Rosenhaus will meet with Cowboys executives at the Senior Bowl and talks will officially begin there. Below is the article I wrote earlier in the season, but a reprint was in order considering Barber is on everyone’s mind right now. The Cowboys are comprised of Quadruplets, and Barber is a cornerstone of this core.

Barber has voided the last year of his rookie contract, so he will be a Restricted Free Agent at the end of the season if he is not given a new contract sometime before then. Getting Barber a new deal should be a high priority. If the Cowboys wait until the offseason, the Cowboys will give Barber the highest tender. This would mean if the Cowboys did not match an offer from another team, then the Cowboys would get a 1st and 3rd round pick. You can just about guarantee there will be some teams that will give that up for Barber at this stage of his career. Last season, it was rumored that some teams were considering giving up such draft picks to get San Diego’s Michael Turner when he was a RFA. Barber is a better back than Turner, so you can just imagine that outcome.

Jerry and Stephen Jones will not let this happen. We can expect to pay Barber a pretty good contract though. With Barber dominating in the running game and becoming one of the most popular players amongst fans, along with Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, he’ll be getting a nice contract. He’ll be known as Millionarion Barber, I coined it here first, so just remember that! (haha)

How much?

This is speculation on my part on the potential size of a new contract, but let’s look at some recent contracts from some of today’s “elite” running backs and make a guess.

Thomas Jones was traded to the Bears this offseason, and his contract was redone. With Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, Jones signed a 4yr deal for $20 million.

Larry Johnson held out this offseason and landed a deal at 6yrs for $45.05 million.

LaDainian Tomlinson has the fattest contract amongst running back at 8yrs for $60 million.

Clinton Portis also hit the jackpot, but Redskin’s fans are not getting the bang for the buck, more like, he’s banged up for the buck. Portis signed a 8yr deal for $50.5 million

Edgerrin James signed a 4yr deal for $30 million to play for the Cardinals

So, that’s a quick background on what some of these other guys are making. If I had to guess how much Barber would make, I would think it would be a 6yr deal for $35-45 million at the minimum, but could easily be higher than that. The whole two-back system may have some effect on the maximum size, just because he would be splitting carries with some other RB.

What About McFadden?

I don’t see Jerry making a big trade to get Darren McFadden, you can just about count that out. The Browns are playing alot better than we expected them to play; however, if we go all the way into the offseason without giving Barber a new contract, this will open the door for all the McFadden draft day trade rumors galore. For me though, I’d rather have Barber in Dallas any day. He’s proven, he’s tough as nails, and he’s the real deal at so many levels.

For now, I would tell Jerry to get Barber and Romo new contracts signed, sealed, and delivered during the bye week. These are core guys, guys that will be known as the Quadruplets. Witten, TO, Barber, and Romo are the Quadruplets that Jerry must keep together as long as possible.

Barber has a new official site up and running now, click it here!

Alright, Jerry Jones has made some genius offseason moves in signing Terrell Owens in 2006, and then in 2007 he signed Jason Garrett before a head coach was even hired. Now comes another defining moment in Cowboys lore. The latest news on Garrett has him leaving Atlanta without a contract signed, so that makes two stops: Baltimore and Atlanta, and no contract. This bodes well for Cowboys Nation. We want Garrett back, Jerry knows exactly what is at stake here.

Jerry will have his chance to meet with Garrett in a serious one-to-one meeting in which Jerry will make Garrett the highest paid Offensive Coordinator in NFL history, that I’m sure about. In addition, he’ll get the Assistant Head Coach title. Garrett is a very smart guy and this should be the right decision for him. Show consistency with a high powered offense, build upon this past season and improve its prowess even more. Signing Garrett will also surely guarantee Barber will be signed next. Garrett is going to have some more say so on offensive personnel and having his “Emmitt” will be a premium.
Jerry, you’re on the clock, make it happen sir! Git’r done.

The latest news on Jason Garrett had him heading to Baltimore today, and by searching some Ravens boards, the feeling there is that its close to being a done deal; however, Garrett is scheduled to meet with the Falcons on Tuesday. We should know something concrete very soon.

It looks like Garrett will be gone, and this leaves Phillips without any offensive minds on his staff. What will he do? Can you say Cam Cameron. I would expect Cameron to be hired on just as soon as Garrett signs wherever he ends up. Cameron’s specialty is being an offensive coordinator; moreover, he runs the same system Garrett installed here. Stay tuned.

Now that my anger with tears have let up, I’m going to take a look into the future - a bit more realistically. Right now, it looks like Jason Garrett will end up in Atlanta or Baltimore, he is interviewing with both clubs for the second time. Garrett as the HC for the Cowboys is not going to happen.

Here’s what IS going to happen though: Garrett will probably get a HC job elsewhere this season. Sparano is gone. Jerry will keep Wade Phillips around another year. I suspect the Cowboys will have a difficult year next year with the schedule they’ve earned this year. Its been said that “Player Coaches” have strong 1st years, but the subsequent years are less than stellar (Dungy is the exception) The Cowboys should have a winning record, but I feel that the Cowboys will not be 13-3 under Wade next year. After its all said and done, another one and done will be the last straw. Jerry Jones knows this team will need a return to discipline and this means Jerry will pull “The Chin” out of retirement. Bill Cowher will be the Cowboys coach in 2009.

The one position that is throttling down the defense is SS. Roy Williams cannot return in 2008. He MUST be traded for whatever you can get. As long as Roy is back there, it will not matter how many Ware’s are upfront, the pass to Roy is money for every team in the league. You know that problem with have with 3rd down stoppages? That’s Roy alot of time.