Both teams exited the playoffs without a victory. Is the team that just ponied up for the 2023 cap for a player in better position than a team that spread that cap to limit their future potential? Rolling cap so both ways factors in on the future. Paying Pollard franchise RB type money I judge as would have been a mistake. Got a season of hindsight to now judge even more accurately. With the knowledge the cowboys obtained this season by tagging Pollard…a couple of things changed. His contract leverage depreciated. Not thinking, league wide, he’s being viewed as the elite level RB like some might have seen him as previously building towards. So they can sign that same player long term for cheaper now. But more importantly they paid to see whether he was truely the answer or not. Which I don’t think he passed the test. Think they paid that tag to learn they’d rather move on. Easily seeing how they could instead prefer to poach our RB. Decent chance the cowboys make the deal with Swift this offseason instead. So gave several reasons to support them using the tag. 
 

That’s all without getting all into their decision of needing to bail out from Zeke. But what were the other options? For a franchise that you’d have to believe they had done strong hope to be more than just competitive this season. Gotta tag a Pollard …much more than you can just completely ignore the position…like we did with LB, for  example.

But can’t see how you can separate cap management and player selection? Completely intertwined. I even would argue the most important factor in cap management would be exactly player selection. 

It’s better cap management to be overpaying good players of team need than spreading out more modest level numbers to a bad player. 

I don’t subscribe to the theory of pushing cap hits to the future so much. To cap out a team and also have those players counting so massively against the future seasons was just terrible. Almost crippling. Makes no sense with a team you can’t justify as believing can be contending to win it all. Without all the dead weight baggage of past players cap money on the last three seasons just imagine how strong and formidable the Championship Window could have been. Once you are into that window….then you can start backloading things. Difference in being capable of adding a McCaffrey and Hargrave, monster contracts, instead of growing weaker and losing talent. Putting together a great team like the old Niners and Cowboys did…being able to add that super expensive final piece by grabbing Neon Deon Sanders. Not watching so many quality starters departing over 7 mil type contracts or less like what happened.

Cap management  observations is exactly why I understood this seasons team would be lesser before the new league year even began. Which made it all the more clear about what really was the situation going on with the roster.  I never considered 2023 Eagles as being the best roster. Wasn’t just preferring different players or all those factors. It was gaping roster holes that couldn’t be overcome. Not talking just light on the backups here. Which we were.

Slay said Wilson, 41, told him he would have returned as the defensive backs coach even after being passed over for the DC job. Instead, Sirianni fired him, not believing Wilson would be able to work with Desai.

This is referring to how the Dennard Wilson situation played out this last offseason. I’m of the mindset Dennard would have been a much wiser hiring than Desai/Patricia fiasco. But had always made the assumption that Dennard left being disgruntled over being passed over. Made things seem much more understandable of a reasoning for losing Dennard. That Rosie fired him and moved on from him is criminal. Not really criminal. But easily just basing things on the D coaching decisions, fire-able offense(s).

  Obviously is more knowledgable fans read any move made by this team as not Siri’s decision. He could have done like Pedey and stood his ground against Rosie to force being fired. But this quote from Slay putting the decision on Siri’s plate just isn’t accurate. Slay is a super intelligent player. He understands and realizes to know better. But no way in his situation he’s coming out negative towards the GM he’s looking to very potentially be negotiating with here very shortly. Plus the very open admittance by Siri of not being in charge of the D(or the O) pretty much means Slay doesn’t have much to lose or worry about concerning the HC. 

3 hours ago, cunninghamtheman said:

The idea of ponying up for a very legit playmaker like Saquan is very interesting thought and idea. Kind of a counter to the Niners beating us on the McCaffrey trade. Except for we don’t have to relinquish draft picks. But not seeing the contracts even in the same ballpark. Swift should command 7.5 mil per year over four years. Just my educated guess here. Saquan going to need to be in the 12 mil per year over four years type deal. Just my opinion here. But RB money is cheap comparatively to most any other positions. A rotational DT probably cost that much of our standards of quality at the position. So I like the idea of springing for the big playmaker instead for the 12 mil. Getting big bang for the buck on that deal. Usually favored a Two Headed Monster approach. But Saquan or McCaffrey are on the level of worth going for it with. Saquan does have significant milage on him. Significant injury history. Bunch of wear and tear on him. But no questioning the elite level of talented athlete and player he is. He’s a difference maker.

You like the idea of getting the playmaker but also want to pay Kelce and Cox $20 mil?

3 hours ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Think about if you didn’t have the theoretical philosophies all coinciding with Rosie. That instead of paying Slay and Bradberry. They pay Saquan and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. A RB and S. Team would have two elite playmakers instead of over the hill hyper prioritized CBs. Actually be cheaper and save money by bringing in the difference making players at the lesser desirable positions of weighted need. More money and better talent. Win/win….if you don’t just shutoff the idea of acquiring a S and RB instead as being wrong.

Yeah....coinciding with Banner and Reid and still lingering

What power does Siri have to command respect and get any players or coaches to side with him on much of anything? He’s just the guy to take on the press conferences. Make the big gameday decisions potentially. But will Moore or Fangio change their thoughts(playcalls, personnel or strategy) for Siri’s wishes as the HC? I don’t see why? It’s their butts on the line and they were signing on to be in charge of their side of the ball.

  Basically if Siri doesn’t like a player…but the coordinator and Rosie do…what happens? I believe that player stays right here and still starts. Fangio and Moore actually have more power than the HC. DC and OC are going to do things their way. Expressing directly to Rosie their needs and wishes for players and such. Scouting, cap and availability are all factors, no doubt. But what voice will Siri even have in player selection? About as low a voice, decision making power, as it gets. Our Eagles aren’t going to be any reflection of Siri. Rosie has the money team and scouting departments he’s basing everything on to begin with. Then he will turn to Fangio and Moore for their scheme and player type needs. Siri will be around to do the media press conference selling all us fans all about he brought or chose all the players because of whatever factors. He’s really taken an extremely hard hit. Got the job here based on being a HC that isn’t going to run things to begin with. In the best of times he was setup to be way too near a puppet. Now puppet feels like a kind way to put his position. He’s a team spokesperson. Assuming that he at least still has the reach here to make the kick or go for it on fourth down decisions. Calling TOs. Challenge flags. He can set the schedules for controlling practice intensities and times.

3 hours ago, cunninghamtheman said:

My viewpoint I just don’t look at things nearly the same way as Rosie…and probably many fans. I’m willing to shift and adjust any and all formulas so everything works out into putting together the Contending…more to the point…a Championship team. I’m all about taking in the current landscape each offseason. So I don’t look at things so much about paying any certain player more than I’d like for any positions. Not really limited by much of any of that. Want to acquire the best difference making talented players. Want to make sure I cover the whole roster with quality players at least at a capable enough to start level. Decisions based on value first. So you want to sign the best bargain quality players first as priority. But if a position Rosie traditionally doesn’t believe in springing for…I have to pony up for because of the limited available quality options? Gotta fit that guy into the salary cap. It’s a part of putting together the Championship Puzzle.

Agree.... the Banner/ Reid method that Lurie has....and why he keeps Howie around... it's nice in theory....but as I've said since AR was here....you need to draft a Ray Lewis over a Todd Herriman.  This extreme is where they get in trouble.  

Personally.. I don't care if the janitor picks the players... just get the right ones.

50 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Cap management  observations is exactly why I understood this seasons team would be lesser before the new league year even began. Which made it all the more clear about what really was the situation going on with the roster.  I never considered 2023 Eagles as being the best roster. Wasn’t just preferring different players or all those factors. It was gaping roster holes that couldn’t be overcome. Not talking just light on the backups here. Which we were.

Imagine being a Dallas fan and having those holes every year

1 minute ago, joemas6 said:

You like the idea of getting the playmaker but also want to pay Kelce and Cox $20 mil?

They are both still quality starters. Also string leadership and vet experience with the league and franchise. Two players that have always just been Eagles. Both bring the traits that make others around them better. They both express the mindset of Eagles practice hard. Both teach NFL professionalism to any levels of experience and talented players. Both are guys that display the mentality of you suit up and play under and conditions that it’s even possible. Playing hurt is just standard for them. Coach has to tell either he can’t suit up any week. Cox is our second best DT. Having a huge influence on all these Dline(whole team really). Kelce you just can’t ask for a player that won’t quite. Adversity and pressure aren’t going to break him. Plus he’s the brains running our blocking protections. Just missing him on calling that assignment each play would be a considerable loss. There will be a noticeable slide in our blocking if he does retire. Not talking about his playing ability itself here. Speaking of his knowledge and wisdom. Just no way Jurgens is already near that level with Kelce…just on the diagnosing each plays situation at hand.

26 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Slay said Wilson, 41, told him he would have returned as the defensive backs coach even after being passed over for the DC job. Instead, Sirianni fired him, not believing Wilson would be able to work with Desai.

This is referring to how the Dennard Wilson situation played out this last offseason. I’m of the mindset Dennard would have been a much wiser hiring than Desai/Patricia fiasco. But had always made the assumption that Dennard left being disgruntled over being passed over. Made things seem much more understandable of a reasoning for losing Dennard. That Rosie fired him and moved on from him is criminal. Not really criminal. But easily just basing things on the D coaching decisions, fire-able offense(s).

  Obviously is more knowledgable fans read any move made by this team as not Siri’s decision. He could have done like Pedey and stood his ground against Rosie to force being fired. But this quote from Slay putting the decision on Siri’s plate just isn’t accurate. Slay is a super intelligent player. He understands and realizes to know better. But no way in his situation he’s coming out negative towards the GM he’s looking to very potentially be negotiating with here very shortly. Plus the very open admittance by Siri of not being in charge of the D(or the O) pretty much means Slay doesn’t have much to lose or worry about concerning the HC. 

What negotiations will Slay have with Howie any time soon?

2 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

They are both still quality starters. Also string leadership and vet experience with the league and franchise. Two players that have always just been Eagles. Both bring the traits that make others around them better. They both express the mindset of Eagles practice hard. Both teach NFL professionalism to any levels of experience and talented players. Both are guys that display the mentality of you suit up and play under and conditions that it’s even possible. Playing hurt is just standard for them. Coach has to tell either he can’t suit up any week. Cox is our second best DT. Having a huge influence on all these Dline(whole team really). Kelce you just can’t ask for a player that won’t quite. Adversity and pressure aren’t going to break him. Plus he’s the brains running our blocking protections. Just missing him on calling that assignment each play would be a considerable loss. There will be a noticeable slide in our blocking if he does retire. Not talking about his playing ability itself here. Speaking of his knowledge and wisdom. Just no way Jurgens is already near that level with Kelce…just on the diagnosing each plays situation at hand.

But you just said you preferred the playmaker over the rotational tackle?

12 minutes ago, joemas6 said:

Yeah....coinciding with Banner and Reid and still lingering

Banner much more than AR. AR stepped up in power with KC. They targeted S early in the draft. They grabbed Bolton at LB. Wasn’t Edwards-Helaire a first round RB? AR was a lineman himself. So obviously he believes big time in them. Took the big T with their real high pick to start. But hasn’t been shy and showed any lack of desire to have S,LB or RB. Even let the best WR walk away. Still one it all. 

4 minutes ago, joemas6 said:

What negotiations will Slay have with Howie any time soon?

Whether he can work anything out to remain on our team. Just like he did this past offseason.

9 minutes ago, joemas6 said:

Imagine being a Dallas fan and having those holes every year

What holes? Don’t see Dallas roster as having been lesser than hardly anybody for the last several years. Personal and roster wise? They should have been a contending team for the last few years. No question. 

2 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Banner much more than AR. AR stepped up in power with KC. They targeted S early in the draft. They grabbed Bolton at LB. Wasn’t Edwards-Helaire a first round RB? AR was a lineman himself. So obviously he believes big time in them. Took the big T with their real high pick to start. But hasn’t been shy and showed any lack of desire to have S,LB or RB. Even let the best WR walk away. Still one it all. 

AR not really drafting in KC though.

5 minutes ago, joemas6 said:

But you just said you preferred the playmaker over the rotational tackle?

I’m saying it’s all about looking at the whole picture. Don’t base the decisions on one guy. It’s the whole 53 being put together. Every decision regardless of position affects everybody else. Fletch is a leader and role model. On top of being the starting DT still. Or if you prefer to label him DE in what could be referred to as a 3-4 arrangement? Whatever you call him. I’d expect him to log more snaps than Davis or Milton in 2024.

Just now, cunninghamtheman said:

What holes? Don’t see Dallas roster as having been lesser than hardly anybody for the last several years. Personal and roster wise? They should have been a contending team for the last few years. No question. 

Their run defense is awful.   The problem with Dallas... and you can see some fans much like yourself who like the flash over the substance... Dallas lights it up vs the bad teams and Jerry promotes the players very well.   

Their roster has holes...OL depth, lacking in the running game even though stupidly paying $10 mil to Pollard....and Mazi Smith...lol. 

They had to lose players due to cap... imagine Cooper next to Lamb... with Ferguson and Shultz at TE.  

3 minutes ago, joemas6 said:

AR not really drafting in KC though.

Please…think he respects their GM and all…but he controls that franchise. Why he chose to coach for them. What they paid to bring him in for. 

2 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

I’m saying it’s all about looking at the whole picture. Don’t base the decisions on one guy. It’s the whole 53 being put together. Every decision regardless of position affects everybody else. Fletch is a leader and role model. On top of being the starting DT still. Or if you prefer to label him DE in what could be referred to as a 3-4 arrangement? Whatever you call him. I’d expect him to log more snaps than Davis or Milton in 2024.

Do you want to pay Cox or the $12million playmaker?

1 minute ago, joemas6 said:

Their run defense is awful.   The problem with Dallas... and you can see some fans much like yourself who like the flash over the substance... Dallas lights it up vs the bad teams and Jerry promotes the players very well.   

Their roster has holes...OL depth, lacking in the running game even though stupidly paying $10 mil to Pollard....and Mazi Smith...lol. 

They had to lose players due to cap... imagine Cooper next to Lamb... with Ferguson and Shultz at TE.  

They brought in A WR this past season. We lost so many more players than they did this past season. No idea how you got to that thinking after we lost so many starters while adding so very little. Their Oline is easily in the same conversation as ours of quality. Been very strong position group for them.