We’re a week into free agency season and its looking a little grim around The Star.
So far the Cowboys have lost eight players – roughly 15% of the roster – to other teams. The defense, with five departures, has been hardest hit.
Dallas has retained three of its free agents so far – two of them special teams players – while signing one free agent from another team.
The Cowboys stole Eric Kendricks away from the 49ers.
San Francisco thought they’d gotten the former Vikings and Chargers linebacker.
Only to have Dallas swoop in and reunite him with Mike Zimmer, his former coach in Minnesota. Getting Kendricks improves the Cowboys’ running defense.
The retention of Jourdan Lewis at cornerback for one more year – along with special teamers C.J. Goodwin and Trent Sieg – were also good moves to make.
But they pale in comparison to what the Cowboys have lost – and will long struggle to replace.
The Departed
Last week Dallas released both receiver Michael Gallup and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. Given Gallup’s bloated contract and Vander Esch’s neck issues, they needed to go.
But the Cowboys could not – or did not – try to match the offers made to Tyron Smith (LT – Jets); Tony Pollard (RB – Titans); Dorance Armstrong (DE – Commanders); Tyler Biadasz (C – Commanders); Dante Fowler (DE – Commanders); and Neville Gallimore (DT – Dolphins).
With the exception of Armstrong, losing the other seven players doesn’t come as a surprise. Although three of them going to an NFC East rivals stings a bit.
But not finding their replacements draws concern, especially in Pollard’s case.
If Dallas wasn’t going to pursue Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, or Saquon Barkley then letting Pollard walk makes no sense.
Frankly, after those three backs, I’d rather have Pollard back. I know everyone is clamoring for J.K. Dobbins right now but I’m just not seeing it.
What has he done in his three years in Baltimore that even comes close to comparing with Pollard?
As of today, the Cowboys’ running back room consists of Deuce Vaughn and Hunter Luepke. I don’t see a lot of options available in free agent running backs to improve the room.
So, is the plan to wait until the draft and either reach for a running back in the first round – none are projected first rounders in this year’s draft – or pray a good back remains late in the second round?
Better question: Is there even a plan? Because if there is, I’m not seeing it.
The Definition Of Insanity
A quote often mistakenly attributed to Albert Einstein goes: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”
The Star is an insane asylum. Every year for over a decade the Cowboys have basically sat out the first two days of free agency. Then they go diving into the bargain bin.
This system hasn’t worked.
This system will never work.
Yet, the front office in Dallas does it again and again. And Cowboys Nation is on its last nerve about it.
It’s especially maddening when you see the Eagles’ effortlessly adding pieces repeatedly.
Even the Giants and Commanders managed to load up.
But in Dallas? Crickets.
I’ve seen it mentioned on social media that the Cowboys today are a worse team than the one that got crushed by the Packers two months ago.
I can’t argue the point. In fact, as it stands now, I’d put Dallas as staring at a fourth place finish in the NFC East if the season started tomorrow.
And I’m not seeing any help coming in the form of the free agent crumbs or draft picks – at least not enough to hope for anything better than finishing ahead of Washington.
Another 12-win season and back-to-back Division titles? You’re dreaming.
And don’t even bother fantasizing about an NFC Title game or Super Bowl appearance.
Not with this roster. And not with this front office.
What’s A Cowboys’ Fan To Do?
I’ve seen calls to boycott the home opener. Let Jerry see an empty stadium and feel every ounce of embarrassed shame that comes with it.
Honestly, I doubt it would impact him that way at all.
So a boycott is a waste of time. Especially since enough people are out there that would still go to the game – or sell there tickets to the opposing teams fans.
As nice as it would be to see that happen, it won’t.
That being said, I had planned on making the trek down from Colorado to catch either the Ravens or Texans game at AT&T Stadium this year.
Those plans are scrapped. I see no reason to waste my time and money on this train wreck.
And that’s what the 2024 Dallas Cowboys are already shaping up to be – an 18-week, 17-game-long train wreck.
When Will It Stop?
The madness will not end until the Jones family sells the team.
Whoever the next owner is will literally need to clean house. I mean fire everyone and fumigate the facilities in Frisco and the stadium in Arlington.
He’ll need to hire a GM who knows what he’s doing and rebuild the entire organization from the ground up.
In short, we need to repeat 1989. Yes, that means going through a couple of years of growing pains before getting back to championship-caliber football.
I’m willing to go through that as long as I can believe in the people running the show. I have no such faith in the current front office.
Maybe this time around the owner’s ego won’t get in the way and send the organization into three decades of insanity.
In the meantime, welcome to The Star’s “Misery And Despair Bar and Grill”.
We serve the salty tears of another season of frustration on tap. Crying towels are provided free of charge.
Judging by this first week of free agency, it looks like we’re going to need them for awhile yet.