Dallas94Ware

So apparently they exercised Micahs 5th year option today. Not really a surprise at all. But with how much he likes to talk, I'm surprised he isn't crying about his contract minutes after the announcement

I bet McClay regrets those words. And Jerry regrets that pick. To be fair. I never thought Mazi was a bad pick. Just the WRONG pick. Bergeron was better. Porter was better. Levis had star written right across his forehead. And if this team was going to trade up for a certain Memphis QB in 2016, you gonna tell me they couldn't even consider Will Levis in the late 1st with Dak making as much as he was making and two seasons out from being out of contract? There were just better options. Nose tackle no longer controls the defensive run game like it used to. It plays a part. Or can. In the right system. But backs are too agile for that now. And there's far too much wide angle, zone running going on to make the nose so much of a factor. Too few teams isolation run often enough to make a nose tackle a top pick unless that nose tackle is also going to heavily impact the passing game. Which was not what Mazi showed on tape at all, they can project him to do so all they want. But reality was, he never once showed a knack for it. True noses are Too big, too slow, too easily taken out of play with a playcall. You want to shore up the run D, you bring in some real downhill linebackers with a fast first step who can react quickly and get to the edge just as quickly. Relying on your nose to stuff the inside gap to stop the run is so 1998. Back when isolation runs right at the gut of the front 7 was the primary mode of ball transportation As to the initial point. I haven't watched the doc on Roku since last year. But I remember the debate over yes I believe 13th and 14th, and it being settled by a "run defense is a must" response. And oddly. Who wasn't involved in that discussion? The god damned defensive coordinator....

Sucks that this would never happen. But I just did this on NFL draft buzz: 1.24 Jackson Powers Johnson, C, Oregon 2.56 Junior Colson, LB, Michigan (Trade back with Bengals, receiving 3.97 and 4.115, and OT Cody Ford) 3.97 Braelon Allen, RB, Wisc 4.115 Brenden Rice, WR, USC 5.174 KT Levesten, OT, K State (Another trade, don't remember the specifics) 6.214 Kaelen King, CB, Penn St 6.216 JD Bertrand, LB, ND 7.233 Matthew Jones, G, Ohio St 7.244 Evan Williams, S, Oregon Didn't really know much about the last two picks other than I've heard of them before. King I really like late in the draft. Getting a veteran OT in Cody Ford definitely made missing out on an early OT worth it to land JPJ in round 1. Both of which (JPJ and the veteran OT) were really surprises to me. Colson in round 2, we could only be so lucky. Ironically, Brooks went 1 pick earlier in round 2 and Benson went 29th in round 1. However it shakes out over this weekend. I think I'm as excited this year as I was in 2016 when we were the 4th pick. Because so much of this coming season rides on what this team does right now. Will it lead to the end of the McCarthy era? The Dak era? Both? Will it cement a legacy for Dak that keeps him in Dallas? Will it lead to a week 7 firing of McCarthy? Lol .. both of their jobs are in a sense, completely on the line. And whether or not this team capitalizes on the career and rise of a 4th round pick to MVP finalist and the sincere quality of this current roster is just as on the line.

Ideally, yes. Absolutely. Abso-freaking-lutely, at that. You tag him that 7th season and then look to move him to a team willing to pay him. Or you use a transition tag and bait some team into signing him to an offer sheet and allow you compensation. I didn't at all mean you just let him walk away. At that matter you tag him that second time and just hold onto him even if he refuses to play, but cross your fingers that he will.

All in on the draft. Oh no. They really ARE going to draft Brooks in round 1 aren't they LOL Or worse. Trade up for another TE...

Never said I'd want that to happen at all. Keep saying the opposite actually. What I am saying is that I'm prepared for it if so, with all the reports suddenly popping up that he is their biggest draft target. Depending on how round 1 fleshes out, we have ALL absolutely seen this team do crazier things. I'd rather see them trade out of the first entirely if it doesn't flesh out in their favor. But I wouldn't put anything past Jerry.

Not position, but run defense, at the expense of anything else. The 2023 NFL Draft behind the scenes special on roku caught the exchange on camera. With McCarthy selling Jerry on Mazi by reiterating that they went into this discussing that run defense takes priority (paraphrasing, I think it was actually much more damning than that... I did watch it almost a year ago now lol

Mazi was a need pick ... They went into the draft thinking one thing and one thing only: fix the run defense. On that Roku draft special, McCarthy even says it himself when he and Jerry are debating between "an offensive linemen" (likely Bergeron) and Mazi Smith. That to remember they came into this today wanting to make run defense their priority. But Bergeron was the better overall player, and even if they didn't view guard as a worthwhile pick, there were still other options such as Porter Jr that were definitely ahead of Mazi. I do think a trade back is probably the best option if your only remainders at tackle are the guys who probably fit best at RT or aren't the ideal day 1, top of the depth chart guys. Such as Guyton and Mims. Who I keep seeing mocked to Dallas solely out of need, but really not accounting for how well they really fit both as a LT and as an immediate starter. Dallas needs someone who can help there now, and most don't believe that either of those guys are the "now" solution, particularly at LT. Of course that doesn't mean Dallas agrees, though. I think there are some decent options already on the roster who need to step up or step out at OT. Guys who've sat around lifting weights, practicing and taking up space in the meeting rooms for 2, 3 years now who need to really compete this year. I think if you do go IL because it's the best option at the time, you can still save Tyler for LG if one of these guys shows he can, at the least, play with enough experience to not be a complete turnstile out there at LT.

Ideally you spend it on an LT if you aren't passing up a better player from elsewhere. They can't go into this thing thinking LT in round 1 is a must or bust. Otherwise you end up with a subpar player who might answer a need, but likely be gone in a few years at best. And in round 1 that's a wasted pick. At worst they end up picking another Mazi.

Center is very possible even with JPJ possibly gone. Graham Barton is definitely a solid prospect at center who can start on day 1. Moving out to guard and Tyler to tackle is also an option depending on what happens in camp at LT, and id suspect they likely add a guy later in the draft to at least compete there. I'd be against moving Tyler, as it would remind me too much of what they did to Lael Collins - he went from top 5ish guard to top 15-20ish RT. It wasn't a good enough trade off for me regardless of RT being more "valuable" ... I would hate to see a potentially perennial all pro guard become a possible pro bowl selection every few years at tackle. His traits, what makes him so good, are just better inside. That said, Barton could do either position inside which gives them a lot of flexibility on how things play out in the rest of the draft and in camp. The pick would make way too much sense if Barton is available. And I'd be on board with the pick since he's immensely talented with good footwork, a real nasty streak in the run game, and as I said, a day 1 starter especially at center. Also @DaBoys where's your draft contest this year man? Was looking forward to it

I don't want to see the Cowboys pick a position of need over a superior assortment of players. Their needs are glaring this year, and selecting for need over overall talent is what led Dallas to pick all those draft busts from 94 to 2003, and select their more recent flops in Claiborne, Taco and potentially(and likely) Mazi. If we really need an OL but the guys left grade out as players much lower than some corner or WR or position of less pressing urgency, do not take that OL. Grab a couple with good traits you can build on, later in the draft. And add the best damn talent you can with those earlier selections. Draft for need over talent too often and you will end up picking ever so slightly earlier in the draft each following year until you're picking in the top 5 wondering why your team sucks...

Note the word intern... Most interns are not paid employees, but volunteering their time just to get experience down on their resume. But Jerry's been really good with former players, especially guys who couldn't really cut it but had the heart and passion. A lot of scouts, current and past, have been failed late round picks and UDFAs. Anyway, if he was tapped to follow Cameron Davis on that visit, Id say they think pretty good things about the work ethic he's displayed and the work he's done to this very early point in his internship. If he keeps it up he could find himself as an actual, paid and employed scout. Here or elsewhere.

Because of all the links to J. Brooks out of Texas, and it looking more and more likely he becomes a strong consideration for Dallas as early as the 24th pick (I damn sure hope not, but crazier has happened), and a likely sprint to the podium in round 2...I wanted to dig up the few notes I initially had on Brooks and study him harder today. And then share what I see with you guys, so you don't all jump off a bridge if he is a round 1 pick (hopefully after a trade back if so) or does somehow last until their second round pick. Comparisons: Todd Gurley, Breece Hall, JK Dobbins. And a deeper throwback for fun, Ahmad Bradshaw First thing to note is his start/stop ability. He can stop on a dime, hit his top gear, stop again, plant his foot and change direction all with exceptional quickness and ability. He uses this start/stop/change of direction quickness to both allow blockers to get in position when at the second and third level as well as to make defenders miss. And make them miss he certainly does. He is not easy to get a hold of. Which plays to one of his bigger weaknesses in a lack of physicality and breaking tackles. In all the carries I watched - and I've honestly watched them all at least once today - I could count on one hand the amount of times he used physical play to break a tackle. Breaking tackles and physically pushing piles is not his forte; he could certainly improve here with time in a pro weight room and a pro s&c coach working with him, and his frame seems suitable for adding more lower body strength. But overall he doesn't need to be physical and break tackles to be effective. His start/stop ability and quickness in shifting directions allows him to more readily evade defenders, out run defenders, and get himself into angles that makes it impossible for a defender to grab him. So while the lack of physical play is a weakness, it isn't an outright detriment because of how good he is at evading the need to be physical. When a defender does get a hand on him but isn't in a good position to wrap up or make a solid tackle, OR when a defender gets a pop on him at a poor angle, he shows fairly good contact balance to stay upright. I wouldn't call contact balance a strength or a weakness to his game. It's more on an average par for a pro runner. But again, considering how good he is at evading the contact and taking angles that make it tough to tackle him, the level of contact balance he does possess is more than enough to be effective. He shows great patience when in the second and third levels, allowing blockers to get in position and utilizes that excellent start/stop/cut ability to allow the next level blocks to take shape and accelerate into daylight as it plays out. This patience also carries over to his behind the line play, showing the patience and vision needed to allow the play to develop and make better use of the holes created. There were a few carries where I wondered what he saw that made him slow down as if waiting for a block to take shape or a hole to form, when from my point of view, you could see that hole was not going to come where he seemed to wait for it. That doesn't mean he didn't see something that dictated him showing the patience he did, but anticipating something that doesn't come did result in a few too many negative plays for my liking. Sometimes you just have to force the issue when it doesn't develop fast enough, and his lack of physicality and preference for evasion prevents him from outright forcing that issue. But this too, overall, plays right into another strength of his - cutting out wide when the inside stacks and the hole doesn't develop. Rather than being physical and forcing it for a shorter gain but still at least positive yardage, he makes use of that outstanding stop/start/cut ability to bounce outside of the stacked box, get to a wider, outside the tackle angle that puts him an advantageous angle in terms of making it tougher on a linebacker to get him in time, and hits his top gear quickly to turn a stacked, stuffed and unopened box into a good chance for a tremendous gain. He gets on the safeties quickly when coming up the middle. When his patience pays off and the line gets him a good lane past the second level, Brooks is on the safeties in a heart beat. I don't know what his 40 time would have been. And honestly, for guys like Brooks, it doesn't matter. It isn't his straight line speed that makes him good. It's how quickly he stops and starts again at an angle that gives him an advantage. That being said, he is definitely fast - because watching how quickly he gets from linebacker level to safeties level is exceptional. And once he is at that safety level, once more his start-stop-cut ability makes him a very tough guy to defend in the open field. It's his open field ability that also makes him effective as a pass catcher. I can't say for certainty what his hands really are. As most of his receptions were easy, simple to catch stuff on screens and other blitz beaters out of the backfield. Little dump off stuff that doesn't require a whole lot of route running and receiver skills. But he's proven he is able to catch those dump offs and blitz beater routes out of the backfield when called upon, and because he is so good in the open field, he can turn those simple and easy catches into consistent, solid gains. What makes this kid potentially special is that he can be a consistent chain mover but ALSO possesses the key traits of someone able to turn simple run designs into big gains with regularity. The comparisons I made are more in the running style than in talent or potential, because I really believe he has the ability to be better than any of those guys are or were. And by a very wide margin. But in the style in which he plays, I think the comps work. I absolutely grade him as a first round talent, just at a position that isn't so much a first round grade position so often anymore,outside of those generation making players. And I wouldn't say Brooks is a generation making kind of player...and if he was, there wouldn't be talk of him maybe being there at 54, but rather likely a top 10 selection. That doesn't mean he doesn't develop into a generational talent though - his gifts are pretty special. And with some muscle put onto his frame, some experience in putting together his vision with game speed awareness and game speed knowledge of how the defense is going to unfold, this kid could absolutely become very special. ....still not OK with him anywhere between 24 and 32. But with a trade back, and with specific situations that perhaps unravel as Dallas waits for their turn...I could see it working out for them if they went that route. Still wouldn't be thrilled. But I'd understand it. The kid really can be special. Let's not all go crazy if the crazy happens.

@Northland as well... And sorry for the length here, but I can't explain how it makes sense (even if it makes me unhappy as a fan) without mentioning all of the many factors and possibilities that could all likely happen to make Brooks at 24 make sense.. I mean I wouldn't say it's any more a reach than Gibbs was last year. Brooks is a very good player who could boost this offense to where it should have been if Pollard performed to expectations. I think the problem with him at 24 is that there are indeed other pressing needs to resolve, and likely very good players available who are capable of solving those needs. But I don't see Guyton or Mims are the solution at OT, because both have a ton of "upside" (that's a dirty word in my opinion) but don't seem all that capable of coming in right now and resolving a vital weakness. Both of them MAY even be more suited, long haul, for the right side over the left. JPJ could be gone as early as the Eagles, could last into the early to mid 20s, and if so, jumping a couple teams to get him Id be so onboard with. Waiting it out could.be risky. But if it works. Great. But I'd say improbable. So what really is left at that point? Probably some good receiver options. The OT guys I mentioned likely will be there, but again, likely not an instant improvement. That other center I keep forgetting his name. Came in for a 30 visit I believe. He'd be a good option depending on how they view him. And then, the linebackers. Junior Colson at 24 could be viewed as a reach depending on what's available, but still makes sense to me given the clear fit between ability, need, and fit to the scheme, as well as being an instant improvement and likely a starter from day 1. A few cornerback options noteworthy at 24 may still be there, but depending who else remains, I can't see corner being the pick. Especially in a corner class that doesn't really impress me.much. Perhaps there's a QB lingering on the board that entices Jerry enough. Or another team at least, to inquire on a trade... So all this considered...if you add in the fact that this team is madly in love with over selecting players for the sake of the 5th year option. And that Brooks surgeon/doctor is this teams surgeon/doctor (and they have drafted many players with medical flags before who worked with their team physicians, trusting in their doctors ability and having the inside scoop). Not to mention, Brooks is absolutely a first round grade in talent and ability, just not in his position which has been heavily devalued. And if the medicals are good, he is absolutely and unequivocally the best RB on the team from day 1 and it's not even close. And not that it matters much, but he's also a Texas guy, so a rather local star which is certainly marketable.... Put all of that together and him going at 24 makes sense. Again, depending on who is still available. And if guys worth taking at other key need positions truly are gone, which leaves Brooks as the top graded player at a key need position left on the board....then ideally you at least look to move back a few spots, as Brooks at 24 sounds far less favorable than say, Brooks and a 3rd round pick at the 29th or 30th pick. Depending on the scenario and how this thing plays out. I really could see it happening. And it would make some sense. But it would really dishearten me. I'd still rather take a guy with huge potential at LT, even if he may not be higher graded than Brooks and/or need a year or two to clean up his game and make him suitable to start. And play Asim or someone else inside, with Tyler outside again. Than select a RB in round 1 when there are so many needs this team needs to address and a draft class very heavy on high quality "project level" prospects that address several of those needs. I don't know guys. I really wouldn't be happy doing it. But I think I would understand if they did it, depending on how the draft goes on the way to 24. But I think I'd even rather trade out of the first round entirely and add more selections, than take a running back in round 1. Not because Brooks isn't 1st round talented, but because this team has too many voids to go and fill the absolutely least valuable (albeit very impactful) position of those voids, with it's highest valued pick.

I think people are expecting too late a pick for Brooks. With all the hype linking him to Dallas I watched him a lot today. I can really see why he gets the attention. And I'm no pro scout. I was barely a flicker on a candle during my coaching and scouting days. So if I see it. They do too ... If he really lasts till 54, Id be so happy. But realistically, in your scenario, Brooks would have to be the guy at 32nto ensure they get him. Knee or not, I see a ton of Todd Gurley there. And despite his flash in pan sizzling out fast due to a degenerative knee problem of his own, that kid was electric, star studded, and bound for greatness before that injury resurfaced.

Just doing my job! Catch you next time, same obvious time, same obvious channel!

There is... It's called the other team.(And yeah, Aaron Rodgers)

This. Yeah I'm not sure why everyone is so up in arms about Lamb. Other guys haven't been extended either, JJ from the same draft class no less and has been on Lambs current level since stepping out on the field for his first rep. The deal will get done. Jerry pays his top guys even when he shouldn't. And this one he should. And if he doesn't. That still kind of makes sense to me. 30ish mil a year for one receiver is a seriously high asking price. That's QB level cap hits we are talking about. I would totally understand if they let Lamb play out his fifth year, tag him, then let him play out that sixth year before finding that payday elsewhere. Replacing what he can do wouldn't be easy, but it certainly could be easier than being stuck in another Dez Bryant situation where the price paid exceeds the on field product. Lambs been great, but he's been that top level OPOY caliber receiver for only one season. Why rush to pay him like he's done it his whole career, when frankly, he has zero leverage right now?

Should do, or will do? Cause if it's a will do, you need to add draft a RB. Because all reports from the media who typically are in the know with Dallas related stories, is that the team is in love with Brooks and views the fifth year option as a way to offset a potentially slow start due to his knee recovery. Brooks' surgeon/doctor is also the team doctor, so they have the best medicals on him possible. And we have heard this story many times before right before draft day. And with the likelihood very small that a top OT prospect will be available at 24 (note:, TOP prospect, Guyton and other projects with potential may well be good options, but are the upper tier guys will be gone) and JPJ likely gone too soon as well, the team may have their pick between the best pure Lb and the pick of the litter at RB. But as this is obviously a should do, I'm going to say trade back. If they absolutely are in love with Brooks and want that fifth year to offset his recovery or a slow start from his recovery, then trading back later in the first makes the most sense. He will still be there, unless there is a team as crazy and dysfunctional as ours.

Brooks in the first round is looking more and more likely. Unless Dallas makes a move back up high into the 2nd or late in the first, he is going to be the 24th pick. And I'm going to break my TV.

If, IF, this is actually true...addition by subtraction makes sense to me. Good as he is and as disruptive he can be to an offense, no one player is above the team or above the locker room and it's chemistry. Furthermore, Parsons is at his absolute best when we really don't need him to be. When we have a huge lead and the entire defense is getting home. When the team is teetering on a loss and we need him to impact the game and make the difference, he is often nowhere to be found. If he's also a problem with his outspoken, look at me style - which really has already bothered me as a fan - then send him packing. I'm sure even on the low end you can yield a mid first round selection, or swap for another good player and a lesser pick.

Continuing with my NFL comps of the QBs this year that emphasize more of their cons and draw backs than their maximized potential... Bo Nix is a bit of enigma. Auburn Bo Nix was horrendous. Oregon Bo Nix almost makes you view him as a high first round selection. And that overall growth as a player is definitely a plus on its own. His system that relied on a lot of early down throws that kept the ball behind or just barely last the LOS were frustrating, and then just as frustrating when in true pass plays, he played deep too often - almost as if he had forgotten that the idea is to move the chains. Almost like these new Baseball players who think every at bat needs to be a home run instead of realizing that sometimes just getting on base can really help your team. This is his biggest flaw and drawback and could really hinder his growth in the NFL. If he comes into the pros playing deep and giving such consistent oversight to the more common NFL plays, it could be doom for his career. But his the growth he showed from Auburn to Oregon, the way he grasped and embraced the new system and put together his quick release, good footwork, and solid arm to work together combined WITH what I think is his biggest con has me comparing him to our own Tony Romo. Someone with a very good career who won a lot of games, threw a lot of scores, but who's "gutsy" play seeking the home run and knack for playing deep also caused more turnovers than he ever needed to throw, and while it never outright held the team back from playoff success, a combination of factors both individual to the player and team wide prevented playoff success. And this is still even a more positive comp for Bo Nix, but still quite emphasizes his biggest con And lastly, Michael Penix. A truly reliable dissector of defenses presnap, who arguably could enter the league about as mentally prepared as any of the 'top' prospects at the position because of how consistently he was identifying and adjusting presnap. But he has one huge con that overshadows many of his pros, and outweighs any other con you can point out about him. And while playing deep, playing hero ball Tony Romo style like I comped for Nix above, certainly could fit here too... Its His flat delivery of the football that worries me most. The trajectory is often lower than it needs to be and flattens out far too much over the middle. I like that he is successful in most of his decisions over the middle. But in the NFL a flat throw over the middle is a pick almost every time. Linebackers in the NFL can cover. They can be pretty fast. And some of them are even as athletic as most safeties, and able to jump into that flat lane trajectory. It gives me a lot of pause when I listen to analysts who say he could slip into the late first, because for all of the talent there is to build on and work with, this one huge con is the biggest problem of any of the other prospects. Fixable? Yes. Easily fixed? No. And for that, I compare him to Geno Smith. Geno turned his career around and fixed his two biggest flaws, one of them being a flat throw over the middle. But early on, that flat trajectory made it impossible for teens to rely on him as a starter despite all of the good there was to work with.

Parsons and Lawrence are still a solid core on the DL. Clark is still a young LB that looked ready to become a real playmaker. Overshown was on the trajectory before injury to be a rookie of note, and could.still be special. Diggs and Bland are one of the best corner duos in the NFL. On the OL, Biadasz was nothing special. He was decent. But nothing you can't replace with a cheap vet or middling draft pick if you bring in the right guy, cause they don't need to be special to live up to the standard Biadasz set. Tyron is probably the biggest loss, but first round looks increasingly like a OL selection - and even if not. Tyler at LT and Bass at LG will surprise people. Bass reminds me of Ron Leary. And Leary was the best LG this team had before Tyler landed here. Dak is still Dak. An MVP contender every year. Maybe not the MVP. But always contending. Lamb is quietly the best do it all WR since Diggs first couple years in Buffalo. And Rb...what did Pollard do for us this season, really? Just contribute? I can name 6 runners in the draft who, paired with Dowdle and hopefully Vaughn, could do the same thing for this team that Pollard did. They're still a good team. With more holes to fill than before. But still a damn good team. Will they win 12? I don't think so. But will they lose 12? I think that even less than I think they'd win 12. Will they have a higher pick than 24 next year? Right now I'd bet on a resounding YES. But top 10? I just don't see the guys they lost as being worth 6 or 7 wins/losses to end up at 5-12 or 6-11 and netting s pick that high.

I've been so stuck on the QBs of this draft class because I'm so "thirsty" (to use some old Brooklyn slang) for Dallas to at least contemplate taking one in first 2 rounds, as I've been for them to do the last 2 drafts - I wanted Hooker or Levis, and Willis the year before, to be precise. And this really is a hell of a class. I don't think all of these guys are going to be as great as analysts say. There's an omg level length of list of cons for each guy. Each of them have a lot to overcome to reach their potential. And with this last round of game film I've watched, nothing in my thought patterns have really changed. Except I've really put in some deep effort to study the cons more this time around. And make some NFL comparisons for each guy that emphasizes more what their cons could cause them to become rather than just considering their potential. Caleb Williams to me, his biggest con or flaw is having a very bad clock in his head. Especially in the pocket. He waits a little too long for his key route to develop and it often results in him taking off out of the pocket, scrambling around, and jumping through proverbial hurdles that lends itself to a simple 2 or 3 yard gain or a total misfire and incompletion as opposed to having just checked it down for 6 yards earlier in the play. This can become very problematic in the pros, because those quick check downs when a route takes too long to develop become an essential part of NFL offensive success. When you let it run on too long and have to attempt some miracle, it lends itself to bad plays in the NFL more than successful ones. And in that, I compare him most to Baker Mayfield. Not a bad player. Not a superman either. The ability was there for him to be a superman. But his internal clock and looking to play big too often has often held him back. Next is Drake Maye. Unfortunately for Maye he has been spoken of less and less with Daniels being more the talk of the town at #2 now. But he is very talented. His biggest con or drawback from what I watch, is his reliance on his arm more than his brain. He puts the ball in harms way too often, and the ball sometimes comes out too flat at the second and third level because he processed what he saw too slow, and tries to gun it in there. Which reminds me a ton of Jay Cutler. Not a bad career. But could have and should have been a better career if he stopped relying on what his arm was capable of, and learned to see things and digest them faster, so the ball could come out on time with a better placement and with less risk. Jayden Daniels has the physical abilities that just make you eager to see what he will be in 3 or 4 years. His mobility. The arm. The deep ball. The quick release. But when you factor in how inconsistent he is with putting it all together, it's troubling. He never seems to keep his legs, arm and release working together often enough - you see it at times, and it's awesome. But too often you see him break containment and pocket and immediately look for the play with his legs. Or have a pocket in the midst of collapse and a clear lane to escape. But he is so committed to the pass and stuck with eyes up the field that it results in a sack-fumble or some other negative play. Then you see plays where he has this super fast release getting the ball to a short target on perfect timing, and then others where his release is such a long and drawn out windup and then compounding the issue is how slowly he recognized the opening, resulting in a breakdown of timing. Because of this, I make the comparison to Kyler Murray. All of the tools to be special. And if the tools come together, look out! But if they continue to work opposite of each other, he will be stuck in a constant circle of wow--ugh--wow--ugh, just like Murray. Lastly for now. McCarthy. The game manager on proverbial steroids. None of the truly special traits you hope for, but all of the essential traits you need. Smoothest, cleanest throw of all the guys in the draft. But with one big, glaring drawback - that being exactly what makes him intriguing. That he has all of the essentials and basically none of the special, next level stuff. Which at the end of the day, could leave him stuck in a relative zone of mediocrity. Where he may put together an above great but below special season now and then, but overall does just enough to win plenty of games but never do enough to cross the hurdles needed to put on the ring. This leaves me comparing him to Derek Carr. Carr has had a good career. And should continue to. Problem is, he was in MVP consideration that one season, and has made a couple pro bowls. But I don't think anyone is exactly considering him a top QB or an upper tier player at his position. And that is where McCarthy could end up stuck.

I hate to say rebuild. Because they don't need to rebuild! The team is talented and has a very strong group of young players that other teams wish they had picked. What is likely on the horizon given this situation as it is, is Dallas on the verge of a transition period. An overpaid QB, an overachieving yet somehow also overachieving HC, it's just time to do or die for them. Sink or swim. And if they sink, it is set up perfectly to transition to the new leadership of the team. A new HC, a new QB, and a new direction. But not a rebuild. You don't rebuild a 12 win team after 3 straight 13 win seasons. You simply do all you can to transition it to new leadership while retaining the key points that won you 12 games for 3 straight seasons. Further, outside of a total collapse from Dak or some weird situation where the coaches plug in Lance or Rush and bench Dak from week 1, or trade him, or he gets hurt, there is little chance this team has such a year in which they obtain a top 10 pick. The team itself is just too good. Even with Rush I could see them winning 8 to 10 games. What I personally think the idea is, is much simpler. Shadeur Sanders and his dad Deion are set to move to the NFL next year. Deion has said he would "Eli" his son Shadeur to make sure he goes where Deion wants him to. He's maintained a great relationship with Jerry and loves the city of Dallas. It's not unfathomable to think this is set up so that when Dak's contract is up, McCarthys is also, and Zimmer only got a 1 year deal, that Jerry forks over a butt ton of money to bring Deion here. Tags Dak, trades him and a first round pick or multiple first round picks, to go get Shadeur. And transition this very good team to a new leadership under Deion, quarterbaced by Shadeur, who gets the added benefit of competing with a similar styled talent in Lance or even sit on the bench and develop while Lance plays. Tons of possibilities really. Mine is just a wishful thinking. And I don't think you're wrong per se. I just think calling it a.rebuild when your team is actually very good. Is going a little too far. And expecting the team to tank itself into a top 10 pick is also unlikely, for the same reason - they are too good to lose that many games.