Cowboys to sign MLB Jasper Brinkley

[dbair1967]

Source: Jasper Brinkley agrees to deal

March, 12, 2015



By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys have reached an agreement with linebacker Jasper Brinkley on a two-year deal, according to a source.

Brinkley has to pass a physical before it becomes official.

The Cowboys have lost Justin Durant (Atlanta Falcons) and Bruce Carter (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) in free agency, Brinkley would become the second free agent to join the roster with Keith Rivers, who played for the Buffalo Bills last season.

Brinkley, who turns 30 in July, started 11 of 16 games for the Minnesota Vikings in 2014 and had 54 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. After a three-year run with the Vikings from 2009-12, he played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2012.

Brinkley is a middle linebacker and two-down player, which could allow the Cowboys to use Sean Lee at the weak-side linebacker position as he returns from a torn ACL. The Cowboys have considered using Lee, who played middle linebacker in 2013, on the weak side in case Rolando McClain returned in 2015.

McClain, who the coaches credited with 108 tackles in 12 games in 2014, is a free agent and the team has had discussions about him returning. He is facing a four-game fine for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, according to sources.

 

[Sheik]

This is what I was talking about when I demanded we improve the defense.

Clearly.

 

[dbair1967]

Probably camp fodder and maybe a vet backup

 

[Sheik]

Mostly joking.

But I'm not sure what to think so far of this offseason/FA. It's young, but it's very underwhelming so far.

 

[NoShame]

I don't mind this pickup. 2 down player. Here to help stop the run. Wilfork would be a nice addition in that regard as well. Wonder what he would ask.. I'd still like to see McClain back considering our options right now too

 

[jnday]

I don't see how anybody can think that this jag and Rivers will upgrade the LBs over Carter and Durant.

 

[NoShame]

I don't see how anybody can think that this jag and Rivers will upgrade the LBs over Carter and Durant.

Did you read somewhere that they're brought in to be full time starters? I'm assuming they're gonna be role players.

 

[cmd34]

Holy Crap. We are not fucking around.

 

[Omegasupreme]

Yup. Lose Durant and Carter and pick up David Brinkley. Wonder why Brinkley started so infrequently?!

Packer game. Garrett new contract. No Durant. Murray signed by the Eagles. Jed Collins and a part time LB named Jasper for the win.

Can this get any worse.

 

[Midswat]

Durant and McClain had a shit ton of question marks hanging over them too when they signed them. Turned out ok

I'm giving these guys the benefit of the doubt in the meantime. Call it the marinelli effect.

 

[dbair1967]

Can this get any worse.

I wonder this exact same thing every time I read one of your posts. Unfortunately the answer continues to be yes.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

Holy Crap. We are not fucking around.

Liked him in college but isn't he a Bradie James type big, immobile run specialist? Not what I think of when I think of this defense.

 

[jnday]

Did you read somewhere that they're brought in to be full time starters? I'm assuming they're gonna be role players.

They don't even have starters right now unless you want to depend on Lee. Solid role players are what left the team. Jags are the replacement.

 

[dbair1967]

They don't even have starters right now unless you want to depend on Lee. Solid role players are what left the team. Jags are the replacement.

Anthony Hitchens kinda showed he was more than a jag, and Rolando mcClain is apparently going to be retained

They still need some further depth, but a LB corp of Lee/McClain/Hitchens could be pretty solid if they stay healthy

 

[jnday]

Anthony Hitchens kinda showed he was more than a jag, and Rolando mcClain is apparently going to be retained

They still need some further depth, but a LB corp of Lee/McClain/Hitchens could be pretty solid if they stay healthy

Hitchens is the only "dependable" LB on the roster and he is coming off a rookie season. Lee is made of glass, so they better have a starting quality LB to fill in while Lee is injured. RoMac is a nut case and the reports out of Dallas said the coaches were constantly concerned with his issues on and off the field. The LB position went from being a strength to being a big question . With the defense being average at best, this offseason is not showing any upgrades. Hardy signing may help, but he is a big gamble with baggage. It is rare for rookies to step in and make a difference, so I think they have screwed up. A long term plan is fine except when their QB is playing year to year due to injuries and age. I didn't want any big signings, but I had hoped they would have built on the players that produced the 12-4 record. This offseason is a step backwards. It reminds me of how Tom Benson used to run the Saints. If they won a few games, he would get rid of the players in the offseason to keep from paying them. That was during the paper bag wearing years.

 

[dbair1967]

you are greatly exaggerating J

Carter was benched multiple times the past few years...Durant has missed half of the 32 games he has played since he has been here

They signed Brinkley for depth and he would qualify as average depth...a veteran who has started for a number of years. Kyle Wilbur and keith Rivers are also veterans with starting experience.

Then there's the draft, I am reasonably sure we'll see another LB added at some point, maybe even early

 

[NoShame]

Hitchens is the only "dependable" LB on the roster and he is coming off a rookie season. Lee is made of glass, so they better have a starting quality LB to fill in while Lee is injured. RoMac is a nut case and the reports out of Dallas said the coaches were constantly concerned with his issues on and off the field. The LB position went from being a strength to being a big question . With the defense being average at best, this offseason is not showing any upgrades. Hardy signing may help, but he is a big gamble with baggage. It is rare for rookies to step in and make a difference, so I think they have screwed up. A long term plan is fine except when their QB is playing year to year due to injuries and age. I didn't want any big signings, but I had hoped they would have built on the players that produced the 12-4 record. This offseason is a step backwards. It reminds me of how Tom Benson used to run the Saints. If they won a few games, he would get rid of the players in the offseason to keep from paying them. That was during the paper bag wearing years.

Bruce Carter - 4 for $20.5 million
Justin Durant - 3 for $10.8 million

You were gonna pay that to retain them?

Way too much for Carter and Durant finished the last two seasons on IR.

As of now it looks like we'll have Lee back and be resigning McClain. Hitchens played well last year and was a 4th round rookie at that. Brinkley is a very good run stuffing LBer and Rivers is a decent vet backup. As it seems, both players were acquired on the cheap. I'd be shocked if we didn't draft a LB this draft. Thats really not that big of a difference from what we had down the stretch last season.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I definitely would have brought Durant back at that price and still signed Rivers and drafted a OLB fairly high.

 

[jnday]

Bruce Carter - 4 for $20.5 million
Justin Durant - 3 for $10.8 million

You were gonna pay that to retain them?

Way too much for Carter and Durant finished the last two seasons on IR.

As of now it looks like we'll have Lee back and be resigning McClain. Hitchens played well last year and was a 4th round rookie at that. Brinkley is a very good run stuffing LBer and Rivers is a decent vet backup. As it seems, both players were acquired on the cheap. I'd be shocked if we didn't draft a LB this draft. Thats really not that big of a difference from what we had down the stretch last season.

From what I read, Carter's deal is not that much of a cap hit. These contract numbers that are reported gives a maximum amount possible on the deal. Carter has had his problems switching schemes, but he has been good once he figured it out. Add the fact that he is a playmaker, and I consider it a loss. Please don't mention Lee. He has no place in conversation about being a starter for an entire season. He is great the few games that he plays, but he can't stay on the field. It was a waste of cap space to resign Lee with his health history. I am ok letting Durant go and RoMac is a ticking time bomb.

 

[jnday]

you are greatly exaggerating J

Carter was benched multiple times the past few years...Durant has missed half of the 32 games he has played since he has been here

They signed Brinkley for depth and he would qualify as average depth...a veteran who has started for a number of years. Kyle Wilbur and keith Rivers are also veterans with starting experience.

Then there's the draft, I am reasonably sure we'll see another LB added at some point, maybe even early

Who is gonna start? I have no faith in RoMac or Lee starting very many games. It is poor judgement to depend on either of them.