Dallas Cowboys Free Agency: Why Things Are Going Just Fine
By Reid Hanson
The Dallas Cowboys may have a lot to do this off season but remain patient because things are going just fine…
It happens every year at about this time. Fans start freaking out. Internal free agents depart while external free agents get snatched up. If you’re a fan of a team like the Dallas Cowboys, playing the waiting game can be excruciating.
This off season has been especially difficult for Cowboys Nation. Only three days into free agency and the Dallas Cowboys have already lost four starters: DT Terrell McClain (Redskins), SS Barry Church (Jacksonville), Ronald Leary (Denver), and Doug Free (retirement).
While it’s irresponsible to treat these losses as nothing, they aren’t cornerstone subtractions either, nor are they really surprises. Ok, Doug Free’s retirement was pretty surprising but it only came a year before we all expected and there are a few contingency plans in place.
Mistakes happen when teams are too afraid to replace replaceable players. Arguably all of the Dallas Cowboys internal free agents are replaceable. And most importantly, they are replaceable at a lesser cost.
The losses aren’t painless but they are certainly digestible. Much more digestible than overspending just to maintain the status quo.
Terrell McClain was my top-ranked player on the 2016 defensive line. But having missed the better portion of two of the last three seasons, he’s hardly a player to trust and build around.
Not to minimize the 1 technique DT position but Rod Marinelli can find an adequate replacement anywhere.
Ronald Leary was an unsung hero on the Cowboys offensive line but the guard position is regarded as the easiest position to replace on line. It’s essentially the 1-technique of the offensive line.
Barry Church is another significant loss at an extremely replaceable position. The Dallas Cowboys notoriously use their strong safety in the box to stop the run. Without the coverage responsibilities of the free safety (Bryon Jones), the strong safety is often more linebacker than defensive back. Therefore it’s more of a plug-and-play position.
More from Dallas Cowboys
- West coast, Texas coast, burnt toast: Cowboys don’t need more runs
- Brandin Cooks will change the way defenses play the Dallas Cowboys
- Why the Dallas Cowboys defensive X-Factor is EDGE Sam Williams
- Dallas Cowboys: 3 head coach options if McCarthy fails in 2023
- Dallas Cowboys: Is CB Jourdan Lewis a tradeable asset?
While that is probably minimizing Barry Church’s role, it’s pointing out that his spot is the most easily replaced in the entire secondary. Just like the 1-technique is to the defensive line and the guard is to the offensive line.
The losses aren’t painless but they are certainly digestible. Much more digestible than overspending just to maintain the status quo.
Right tackle is big deal but it may end up being a blessing in disguise. I’ve been lobbying for moving La’el Collins to right tackle for over a year now. This may force the Dallas Cowboys to do just that.
Finances cannot be ignored on the offensive line and the Dallas Cowboys will soon be paying three of their linemen top-5 money for their respective positions.
Since guard is considerably more replaceable than tackle, La’el Collins only has a future on this team if he plays tackle. Guard will likely be a revolving door for the next decade while tackle could see moderate financial investment.
Next: Contrary to popular belief, the Cowboys will be active in free agency
At the end of the day these losses are far from crippling. The Dallas Cowboys may have holes to fill but filling those holes with better and/or cheaper options is doable to say the least. In coming days more Cowboys will depart and worry will set in but this is the kind of discomfort good teams persevere through.