Hypothetical question- If Garrett were retained

[dbair1967]

I still think he's getting fired barring the miracle playoff berth, but say he isnt.

What changes would you think are reasonable that would improve the team (staff, personnel, both etc etc)

I could see them making a play for Norv Turner to come here. I also think Rob Ryan is getting replaced (whether its by Garrett or the new HC). I think DeCamillis is getting replaced too.

Fixing the OL is the most obvious need. They need two, and perhaps 3 new starters up front. Costa showed improvement at C, but we didnt get to see enough of him to know if he can be counted on. I think Tyron Smith is fine at LT. Livings isnt great but until yesterday, his play wasnt that bad.

If they stick with the 3-4, I think they are looking at 2 new starters on the DL (Hatcher, either Lissemore or Crawford at the other DE. They'll need a new NT regardless)

Spencer is making the decision on him more and more difficult each week. Do they franchise him again and see if he puts up another big year, or do they go ahead and sign him longterm, and hope this year isnt an abberation? The other 3 spots are locked and loaded with Ware, Lee and Carter.

We're in good shape with the top-2 CB's, although I'd strongly consider drafting a challenger to Scandrick for the 3rd CB spot. Both safety spots have to be changed. Maybe Church recovers and earns one spot, or maybe Matt Johnson emerges next yr like Church did this offseason. Thats best case scenarios, and they cant/shouldnt count on that. I'd draft one and maybe even two safeties.

I think drafting a solid backup RB and probably a developmental QB will be on the menu as well.

 

[Midswat]

If Garrett is retained, I would expect/hope for the following:

• Jason to hand off play calling responsibilities to someone else. Most obvious candidate in my mind is Bill Callahan. Jerry seems adament that he wants his coach to call plays on one side of the ball (see his ridiculous "when ur head coach does it, the offense feels like he helped them score that td!!!" line recently).
  
  But I think Jason had previously alluded to him not being against delegating this responsibility once someone knew the team as well as he did (paraphrasing). I think this off season would be a perfect time for Bill to take over that role.
  
• I'm okay with retaining Rob Ryan. I think it's hard to judge the defense for two main reasons:
  1. They've been gashed by injuries unlike anything I've seen in a while. The entire middle of the defense is gutted.
  2. They've gotten no help from the offense. Rob gets to call his "D" with the lead about as often as cr122 gets to feel the warm embrace of a woman (once every six weeks or so).
  
• They dedicate the early part of the draft to rebuilding the offensive line. Yes, I know we need a pass rusher. Yes, I know we need new bodies on the Dline. But the offensive line is far and away our most glaring need. We average 29 rushing yards a game on 42 carries. Romo gets hit on every drop back. Every offensive highlight this year starts with either Romo or Murray desperately trying to avoid free rushers.
  
  You fix the Oline, the offense ups the time of possession. The offense sustains drives. The offense scores points. All three benefit the defense immensely.
  
  Franchise Spencer as a band aid over that whole needing a pass rusher thing. And use the later parts of the draft for Dlineman. We do better drafting them late than we do offensive lineman, without question.

 

[Jon88]

I'm not in favor of keeping Spencer. He's 29 and hasn't put up great numbers until this year.

We need to find some way to fix the offensive line. I have no f'ing idea why we can't find lineman past the second round, but we can't. If we get it fixed, we'll be in good shape.


New coaching staff
Let Spencer walk
Do something to fix the offensive line - new C, RG, RT (That means not signing garbage to protect Romo, Jerruh)
New starter at NT - cut Ratliff (another nice extension, hillbilly)
Get rid of Scandrick (another one, dipshit)
Does Miles want to keep playing? I have no idea. We need him, but we don't need him eating up so much cap if he's going to mail it in.

 

[Midswat]

I'm not in favor of keeping Spencer. He's 29 and hasn't put up great numbers until this year.

That's why you franchise him and keep him on another 1 year deal. Then focus on developing Kyle Wilbur or replacing Spencer during the 2014 season.

 

[dbair1967]

I cant believe I had a post deleted.

 

[Jon88]

That's why you franchise him and keep him on another 1 year deal. Then focus on developing Kyle Wilbur or replacing Spencer during the 2014 season.

There's no way he goes for that. He'll be looking for a longer deal. It would be hard to get one next year at 30 years old.

 

[dbair1967]

I think if Garrett stays he might give up playcalling duties, although I still dont see any issue with "playcalling"

The issue is blocking. I dont care who calls plays, if people dont block the plays arnt going to work.

Just looking at the Cinci game the other day, other than the reverse call to Dez Bryant (which I did think was a bad call, because the OL was getting beaten so badly that the odds of executing that play at that time were pretty slim) what other play "calls" were questionable, or bad?

 

[dbair1967]

There's no way he goes for that. He'll be looking for a longer deal. It would be hard to get one next year at 30 years old.

People said he wouldnt go for it this past year either, but he signed the deal didnt he.

 

[Midswat]

There's no way he goes for that. He'll be looking for a longer deal. It would be hard to get one next year at 30 years old.

Well, he could hold out, but would you pass up on a 10+ million dollar paycheck for a 16 game season?

I think if Garrett stays he might give up playcalling duties, although I still dont see any issue with "playcalling"

The issue is blocking. I dont care who calls plays, if people dont block the plays arnt going to work.

Just looking at the Cinci game the other day, other than the reverse call to Dez Bryant (which I did think was a bad call, because the OL was getting beaten so badly that the odds of executing that play at that time were pretty slim) what other play "calls" were questionable, or bad?

Relinquish playcalling to that he can focus on game management, which is where his attention needs to be anyways.

 

[Jon88]

Spencer is basically mortgaging the future for one good season of pay if he signs the deal. What kind of contract would he get at 30 versus this offseason?

 

[Midswat]

Spencer is basically mortgaging the future for one good season of pay if he signs the deal. What kind of contract would he get at 30 versus this offseason?

Question still stands, Jonathan. Do you really think he'd hold out and not sign a guaranteed 10+ million dollar deal for one years work?

 

[Jon88]

Question still stands, Jonathan. Do you really think he'd hold out and not sign a guaranteed 10+ million dollar deal for one years work?

If he's offered a bigger contract by someone else, yes.

How did you know that was my name, by the way?

 

[Jon88]

I need an answer.

 

[Midswat]

If he's offered a bigger contract by someone else, yes.

Do you not know how the franchise tag works?

 

[Jon88]

Do you not know how the franchise tag works?

Yes, I know how it works but he could also tell the team beforehand that he would rather not be franchised and wants to just move on.

 

[Midswat]

And the team could go "Cool story bro" and still franchise him.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

I think there are very few changes. We'll use FA and draft resources on OL, a DL, and a safety, and that's it.

Continuity rules. Injuries were to blame.

 

[Jon88]

And the team could go "Cool story bro" and still franchise him.

Right, if we want to be dicks and use him for a year.

 

[Midswat]

Right, if we want to be dicks and use him for a year.

... at 10.5 million dollars.

I wish I'd get "used" like that.

 

[Jon88]

... at 10.5 million dollars.

I wish I'd get "used" like that.

He would be paid well, but that's essentially all we would be doing.

If he wants to play elsewhere I would completely understand.