For most, the Dallas Cowboys' free agency plans have left people shaking their heads.
Why? Because everyone is hanging onto Jerry Jones' "bust the budget" quote, and since the Cowboys have done anything but that, the moves that have been made are being scoffed at.
The moves of Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, PJ Locke, and Cobie Durant have been made with a clear idea in mind -- they all fit into Parker's scheme.
Then the trades of Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas were done, seemingly because they didn't fit into Parker's scheme, and instead of trying to force it, the franchise moved on.
But one thing is clear, and that is the Cowboys are getting players to fit what Parker wants to do. No, they aren't the big-name players many fans and national media want, but they all serve a purpose for Parker.
And they are still quality signings.
Still, it appears what the Cowboys are doing is lost on some.
Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano has listed the Cowboys as one team that should be panicking after free agency.
"I have no clue what the Cowboys are doing, especially on defense," Manzano wrote. "With all the trades they’ve made since the start of last season, they essentially swapped Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa for Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary. I don’t think you can call that a win for the organization, and they still have holes in the secondary and at linebacker.
"On offense, it seems Jerry Jones will take his time working out a long-term extension with George Pickens, sticking to the familiar theme of overpaying his star players. Or maybe Jones trades Pickens before the season, just like he did with Parsons last year. Again, no clue on what this team is doing."
Firstly, you can't grade the Micah trade yet. That will take years.
But if the Cowboys hit on their two first-round draft picks, one of which they got for Parsons, then that conversation can begin.
And Gary, Williams, and Clark aren't a bad trio, and yes, having Micah would be ideal, but the franchise made the decision it did, and now, the defense is in overhaul mode.
But for me, to say you don't have a clue what Dallas is doing may show the lack of attention to the bigger picture (or, as our Mike Fisher says, get your information from Frisco, not Bristol).
Dallas had made moves for a specific reason, and that is to bring in players who Parker feels fit what he wants to do. Yes, there are needs at corner and linebacker, with the latter a big ticket item right now with Jordyn Brooks and Azeez Al-Shaair being mentioned by various outlets.
As far as panicking? Given that we are only in March, and the draft is yet to come, I can't see a reason why Dallas would be in that mindset, at least right now.