Dallas Cowboys free agents
by Dave Halprin on Dec 31, 2008 1:00 AM CST
in News
63 comments
Todd Archer posted the list of UFA's, RFA's and ERFA's in an article on Tuesday. I'll take my shot at their future then you do the same in the comments.
Unrestricted free agents
OG Joe Berger: Not worth it. We could use upgrades for backups in the middle of the line, someone better can surely be found.
QB Brooks Bollinger: Depends on how much he wants. He could be a stop-gap backup but the Cowboys need to look at developing a future QB who could push Romo and come in during injury. One thing is for sure, Brad Johnson has got to go.
LB Kevin Burnett: Tough call only because I think he'll get some good offers from other teams. Can definitely play on third downs but could he play consistently against the run? With Zach saying he's leaving ILB is a position of need so that might push the franchise to keep him.
DE Chris Canty: Another tough one because he should also get other offers. Physically, he's just want you want in a 3-4 DE but he's never produced the way we hoped.
S Keith Davis: Love his effort but he's not the solution as a starting safety. We can only keep him if he comes very cheap.
DT Tank Johnson: Hasn't produced and screamed "I'm a free agent" immediately upon entering the locker room after the Eagles game. Buh-bye.
LB Carlos Polk: Actually made plays on special teams, I would like to see them keep him.
LB Zach Thomas: He sounds like he doesn't want to be here and the one-year experiment wasn't exactly successful. I don't see it.
Restricted free agents
WR Miles Austin: They should keep this kid. I thought they should have used him more at the end of the year at receiver. He finally learned to catch the ball and has size and speed.
DE Stephen Bowen: Occasionally made plays when given a chance. Good guy to have as a backup.
TE Tony Curtis: Time to go.
WR Sam Hurd: Don't know if he really will have a chance, he's buried on the depth chart. Might be time for new blood.
OG Cory Procter: No way!
Exclusive rights free agents
TE Rodney Hannah: Could at least replace Curtis as the third TE.
P Sam Paulescu: Welcome back Mat McBriar, goodbye Sam.
RB Alonzo Coleman: Just don't see room for him on the active roster.
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Id love to keep Brooks, Burnett and Canty
and cant wait till tank leaves. I want to see what Austin can do if he stays healthy.
One question though, what is “Exclusive rights free agents”? And how is that different from a restricted free agent?
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 31, 2008 1:04 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Canty
Unless he comes relatively cheap, I’d let him walk. I do think Burnett is a keeper. His injury history would give me pause though. BTW, is Pat McQuistan not a free agent?
by troysboys on Dec 31, 2008 1:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Tough Subject
To me, I’ll have to wait and see what else is out there in free agency at most of these positions before declaring our guys have to go. They’ve got some solid middle round draft picks, but next year – assuming they have a lot better luck with injuries – they should be seriously contending. I’d hate to leave some of these spots to unproven rookies. On the surface though, I’d keep Canty, Burnett, Bowen, Austin, Hurd, Hannah, and Polk.
Norm filled in for Dunham and Miller this morning (The Ticket Sports Radio for all of you non-Dallas bloggers) and said that cutting T.O. would only cost a little over a million in dead money next year. Yes, his bonus would accellerate, but his high salary next year nearly covers that accelleration. I would cut T.O. I’m not convinced that Romo will ever feel free to spread the ball around like he needs to with T.O. on the team. I think having T.O. here is stunting Romo’s development. I’d make a run at T.J. Whoseyourmama from Cincy, get RWII healthy, play Austin as number 3, rotate Crayton and Hurd as 4 and 5 in some order, then draft a couple of rookies and let them and Hurd fight it out for number 6.
Grizz is right about Hannah. Huge upside and he can easily replace Curtis.
This should be an interesting thread.
by SteveCop on Dec 31, 2008 2:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
what you have to realize about the TO situation
Bob and Dan explained this as well today. People keep claiming that cutting TO would cost us only a million to 700,000 dollars in cap space next year. You have to realize that this is an EXTRA million. TOs salary currently will count a little over 8 million next year and if we cut him, his accelerated bonus will bump that up to about 9 million against the cap. If you cut TO we would be paying 9 million for nothing rather than 8 million for a wide receiver. His original cap hit doesn’t just disappear and free up a magical 8 million. JJ talked about the cap today and said that the Cowboys are going to have a hard enough time working out a deal with Ware thats within the cap so dont expect a free agent of Houz’s caliber to land here. Especially if we cut TO and his absence costs us 9 mill instead of his presence costing us 8
by longhorn3621 on Dec 31, 2008 2:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
no.....
T.O. signed a three-year, $27 million extension with a big, ol’ signing bonus last summer, but getting rid of him wouldn’t do much damage to the salary cap. Per Todd Archer’s calculations, the Cowboys would take a hit of only $680,000 on next season’s cap if they cut T.O.
by Boyzfan94 on Dec 31, 2008 10:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
its an EXTRA 680,000
added to his hit that already comes in a little over 8 million
by longhorn3621 on Dec 31, 2008 11:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
No Long...thats not what it says......
the Cowboys would take a hit of only $680,000 on next season’s cap if they cut T.O.
A large chunk of his bonus is already paid out….I think it’s low also, but it says right there we would only take a 680K hit on the cap for cutting him…Maybe Grizz can confirm this..I think that’s the whole point of the article that it wouldn’t cost much to cut TO.
by Boyzfan94 on Dec 31, 2008 11:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Article
That is the stickiest decision the Cowboys brass will make this off-season.
T.O. signed a three-year, $27 million extension with a big, ol’ signing bonus last summer, but getting rid of him wouldn’t do much damage to the salary cap. Per Todd Archer’s calculations, the Cowboys would take a hit of only $680,000 on next season’s cap if they cut T.O.
There are plenty of folks who think that removing T.O. from the Valley Ranch locker room would have a magical effect on the Cowboys’ chemistry. NFL Network’s Terrell Davis and ESPN’s Cris Carter advised the Cowboys to let T.O. go yesterday for those reasons. Based on the pattern of T.O.‘s career, it’s difficult to see his relationships with Jason Garrett and Tony Romo improving after he took public shots at them this season, although Wade Phillips assured us that he believes everything will be just fine with those guys.
And there’s also the matter of T.O.’s declining production. While he might not have lost a step at 35, he is coming off his worst non-suspended season since he became a household name.
Nevertheless, it’ll be awfully tough to talk Jerry Jones into getting rid of T.O, although Garrett, Romo and Jason Witten might try.
by Boyzfan94 on Dec 31, 2008 11:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
ok
im just saying exactly what they spent ten minutes trying to explain to the listeners on the radio yesterday. they were saying that it was either pay 8 million for TO or pay 9 million for no TO. Im no cap expert or anything but that is what they said
by longhorn3621 on Dec 31, 2008 11:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It does sound awfully cheap to cut a player who just signed a 3 yr. deal, but Jerry is a master
of the cap….you could be right, who knows. I guess well find out at some point….
by Boyzfan94 on Dec 31, 2008 11:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My Understanding
of T.O.‘s contract is this: when they orginally signed him, although it was a three year deal, in reality it was basically a series of three, one-year deals that they could walk away from at any time and not get killed by the cap. The way I understand the one he just signed, it was the same kind of deal. I don’t think his salary is guaranteed, therefore you wouldn’t have to pay the 8 mil if he’s gone.
I say let him be gone, tell Romo he’s the leader of the offense, and on every single pass play, he is to throw to whoever is open. If there’s nobody open, throw it away. If he can’t do that, take a sack and try and make it up on the next play. If he can’t, then punt. The one thing he doesn’t need is a diva in his ear demanding passes. And I know all the great receivers demand passes. Irvin did. But Troy learned early on that Irvin would shield the defender with his body and catch the pass, even if it didn’t look like he was open. Owens doesn’t do that. I’ll bet Owens has dropped more balls in his three years here than Irvin did his entire career.
It’s just time to move on and let Romo develop without that distraction.
by SteveCop on Dec 31, 2008 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If i am jerry..
I am don’t pay someone 8 mil in dead money, especially since I love TO.
TO and Wade will be here.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Dec 31, 2008 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think T.O. is going anywhere
Jerruh loves him, so that’s that. However, I’m not sure about the numbers, salary is salary, if you’re not on the team you don’t get it unless it was guaranteed, so how would we end up spending 8 million for T.O. if he’s not around? The bonus money DOES accelerate but the salary would not count if he’s cut. At least that’s my take. I think that, of all the guys that came into the season lower on the pecking order on the roster, that other than Ratliff Kevin Burnett had arguably the most impact. He is a darned good cover LB and Special Teamer. Well worth whatever they paid him. He went through the whole season healthy for the first time and showed what he can de. He will surely get some offers, but unless it’s break the bank type of deal from someone (Miami?) I would keep him. Tank is a goner which leaves us with just Ratliff inside, which means there is no viable replacement for Canty outside if he is allowed to leave, (Hatcher is another guy who has not stepped up) so we may be forced to keep him even if it’s for mare than he’s worth. Zach Thomas has backed off the retirement talk a bit, so he may still be an option inside. I think that Austin should be kept at any cost, he can have a big time impact. Polk is another guy who should be kept, he’s a great ST’er and can backup at a position of need, ILB.
by John Boy on Dec 31, 2008 6:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I hope we keep Austin and Burnett
These guys make plays and those are the players you want and neither are trouble makers.
It would be nice to keep Canty, but with Ware needing to re-signed soon, we might not be able to afford to keep him.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Dec 31, 2008 7:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don't understand the Tank hating
The guy has come in here this year. Played hurt. Tried to be a locker room leader. Show guys how to play. He works hard. He made some plays on the field. Not a single off field problem since he’s been here..
Not saying the guy is a pro bowler. Hardly. But he is a solid rotation guy. Why run off a guy who can at least play, doesn’t cause a lot of distractions, and should come at a reasonable salary?
I generally agree with the other comments from Grizz.
by Ridgelake on Dec 31, 2008 7:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
uh..because he doesn't want to be here.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Dec 31, 2008 8:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He allegedly was shouting "I'm A Free Agent and I'm Outta Here" after the philly game
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
by Seanrude on Dec 31, 2008 8:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Im starting to think that was more out of frustration over the loss than anything else.
If he really didnt care he wouldnt have been screaming on the sidelines during the game
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 31, 2008 8:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
thats was absolutley false reporting. he said no such thing
I suspect he was totally frustrated by the play of the team, but I still wouldn’t resign him, he’s a backup at best and I think he’d be better served as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 one gap defense
by Deke on Dec 31, 2008 8:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's why I said 'allegedly'
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
by Seanrude on Dec 31, 2008 8:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dude...it was all over the TV
I saw it myself…Hamlin was trying to calm him down…he kept shouting I am the F*** outta here…agreed he might have been frustrated…but he has not done enough to warrant that outburst…if it was ware then he has the right to vent
by thejanusman on Dec 31, 2008 10:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Who to keep....
Keith Davis (career special teams guy), Polk, and of course Austin. Get rid of the rest and don’t forget that guy Wade too….
by goat3000 on Dec 31, 2008 8:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Austin – Lock him up
Burnett – tough call with his injury history but I would try to keep him if the price is right, he’ll get offers from other teams
Hannah – supposedly huge upside and probably comes cheap anyway
Bowen – definately if he can be had cheap
Canty – I wouldn’t even try. He’ll get a number of decent offers and Dallas shouldn’t match them. Seems like a rotation guy at the most.
The most important thing to get done is getting Ware signed……don’t wait, get it done.
The rest aren’t worth commenting on as far as I"m concerned.
by StillHateTheGiants on Dec 31, 2008 9:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I have still not totally given up on the coaching situation. If by some miracle that changed, personnel needs might change as well. Could Mike Shanahan make Jerry change his mind? TO has lost a step…..it’s time for him to go.
by AZ Cowboy on Dec 31, 2008 9:55 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I would go hard after Shanahan
I know he would have to remake the OL but based on their performance this year I’d take him over them anyway. Give him a defense with the potential of ours and the offensive tools here already and I think it would be a good move.
by StillHateTheGiants on Dec 31, 2008 10:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
The O-Line doesn't fit him...
He will have to revamp the entire O-Line…with the money Jerry has vested in our O-Line….i doubt he agrees to take a cap hit and revamp the O-Line. The upside for Shanahan is he likes Romo….he might just be what we need for Romo
by thejanusman on Dec 31, 2008 10:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dude
Mike Shanahan is a .500 coach the last four seasons.
His defense has been awful. Who’s gonna run it for him here?
So you remake the o-line. I’m all for that, but in the meantime, getting Shanahan doesn’t guarantee this team any more wins than before.
by Rafael Vela on Dec 31, 2008 10:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Shanahan is a WC guy anyway and it wouldn't fly here...He also wants control and we know that's not happening..
He would be a bad fit here…
by Boyzfan94 on Dec 31, 2008 10:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
One
playoff win in the last 10 years ……. not that great.
but that’s one more than Dallas has in 10 years!!
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by what_the_crap on Dec 31, 2008 10:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He was rebuilding.
He didn’t have a Qb, finally got one the team was heading in the right direction. The D stunk, I will give you that. That is why we need to keep Wade as DC or try to hire one of the coaches from Pitt or Ravens who has learned Lebeau or Ryan. Like Spags from Jimmy Johnson.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Dec 31, 2008 10:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
All for Mike Shanahan.
Would love to see him here mentoring Garret. Would also love to see Wade as the DC but that does not happen in this league. You have to go elsewhere for a few years and come back ala Campo. Denver fan base seems a little shocked at the change right now. I have a feeling Jerry is too. Maybe he would not have endorsed his staff, had he seen this coming. Really not a fan of recycling coaches, but anything is better than Wade for 2009.
by goat3000 on Dec 31, 2008 10:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Anyone! would be better?!?
So let’s see, hmmm, how about Campo as HC? Would THAT be better? Or maybe bring Switzer back? At least he’s won a SB.
by John Boy on Dec 31, 2008 10:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i will be so happy to see matt mcbriar next year
Superbowl or Bust?
by MrMinority on Dec 31, 2008 10:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
From
Mort’s chat ….
brandon (Indiana): Does Bill Cower come back if Jerry Jones gives him a call?
SportsNation Chris Mortensen: (11:20 AM ET ) No and Jerry’s not going to do that. Not a match there. Now Shanahan might be very appealing to Jerry and that’s the one development I am monitoring.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by what_the_crap on Dec 31, 2008 10:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Rick Albany NY: Mort, with all of your talk about Shanahan possibly being of interest to Jerry Jones, how would Shanahan fit with the personel and scheme that Dallas runs both offensively and defensively?
SportsNation Chris Mortensen: (11:28 AM ET ) Rick, a very smart question. Offensively, Shanahan was a huge Romo guy. The Cowboys are three deep at RB with Barber, Jones & Choice. The O-line may be less athletic that Shanahan prefers and the WRs probably would thrive. On defense, Shanahan wanted to fool around with a 3-4 in Denver but didn’t have the players. Cowboys do.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by what_the_crap on Dec 31, 2008 10:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that transcript just underscores that,
Mort is only talking to hear his voice and fill the airwaves. His comments mean nothing, and can be applied to hundreds of coaches in the NFL.
by Joey2zs on Dec 31, 2008 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i think
this team needs to get younger, it has been quietly getting old again.
obv cutting johnson and letting zach walk takes a 6 mos off the age, but the team needs to get younger and the way to od that is to let FA’s walk and restock via the draft
by 325424 on Dec 31, 2008 10:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Shanahan has been coaching for 14 years.
I wouldn’t be suprised if he took a year off.
by elharpo on Dec 31, 2008 10:51 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but not according to Mark Schlereth...
And he’s one of about 2 guys I like at ESPN. He said something to effect of Shanny is obsessed with coaching and can’t get enough of it. He was excited in Denver because Cutler is “a year away from QBing in the Super Bowl.” Plus the love this dude has for Romo is no secret. Again, the jury is still out with me on this decision, but we shall see…
by AikmanNailedMySis on Dec 31, 2008 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The OL is definately creeping up there....I think all are over 30 now...
As far as players leaving….Burnett and Canty are the two that are interesting…I think a choice is going to be made on who to let walk and it could come down to how they feel about Jason Hatcher starting. If they let Canty walk, Hatcher should be the player to replace him. Plug in Ratliff at the other DE spot and were looking pretty good. Go balls to the walls for Bart Scott at ILB and have Carpenter as his backup. Try Spears again at NT and draft one also.
OLB- Ware/Spencer
DE-Ratliff/Hatcher
NT-Rookie or FA/Spears
ILBs-James/Bart Scott?
by Boyzfan94 on Dec 31, 2008 11:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Why spears at NT
don’t you think if he and Ratliff could just swap, they’d have done so by now at some point in the past 3 years?
by Joey2zs on Dec 31, 2008 11:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They experimented with Spears at NT and he did well apparently..
We all know Ratliff is playing out of position and many here believe if he was playing the whole season at DE he would’ve been even better. I commend Ratliff for playing out of position and doing a great job, but to expect that for the long haul is unreasonable. There were many games he made plays, but there were many that he was swallowed up by bigger lineman and disappeared. We need a big, nasty space eater that would command double teams. Ratliff at DE would be insane good.
by Boyzfan94 on Dec 31, 2008 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
no no no no
i don’t doubt Rat needs to be one on one with guys. He’ll be a holy terror. It’s Spears at NT that I don’t get. If he’s the answer there, then why hasn’t he been the answer there previously?
by Joey2zs on Dec 31, 2008 12:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
ok...forget about Spears at NT
take him out of the mix…make him a backup DE. Go out and get a NT because we all know we need a space eater…This is the last year of Spears’s contract and he won’t be back. Either trade him, maybe Miami or use him as a role player because he is not cutting it as a 3-4 DE. Might as well start the transistion next year….
by Boyzfan94 on Dec 31, 2008 1:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Love me some Hannah
He looked fantastic in the preseason. Reminds me of Cooley.
by Joey2zs on Dec 31, 2008 11:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Burnett, Canty
if they’re too expensive, see ya later. Neither one has ever really done much. Burnett is always – ALWAYS – injured. There’s no way on earth he’d ever man the ILB spot on 1st and 2nd down for more than a few weeks without breaking in half.
Canty’s a UVA guy, so he’s smarter than most, but he’s lazier than most or just not good. Unless someone thinks they can flip the switch on the mammoth of a man, he’s just taking up a roster spot that would be better manned by a guy who gives a crap… Ratliff.
by Joey2zs on Dec 31, 2008 11:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed on Burnett
use the extra money to go after Bart Scott…..Hatcher would fill in nicely for Canty…
by Boyzfan94 on Dec 31, 2008 11:22 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Why is Barbie still on our team? Is it contractual???
by AikmanNailedMySis on Dec 31, 2008 11:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
yeah, and
who cares? So Bobbie Carpenter isn’t Lawrence Taylor? so what? He seems fine on special teams and is probably making his way into the starting line up slowly. He looks the part.
if he was a 3rd round pick, this isn’t a topic. he won’t command big dollars at any point until he’s an established starter, so quit the hue and cry.
by Joey2zs on Dec 31, 2008 11:53 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
fwiw,
My dad works for a high-end real estate company in the metroplex, and Stephen Bowen is apparently looking to buy a house from them. I’d bet he stays.
by MeanMr.Mustard on Dec 31, 2008 11:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I hope so, he's one of underrated players
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Dec 31, 2008 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Free Agents we should Keep
We should keep Burnett and Canty but only if they come cheap the only one we should spend a little more to keep is KB because I think he would be able to start at ILB if he could stay healthy. I would love to keep Tank if they would be more like the pats and the ravens and switch between 3-4 and 4-3 lines we have the personel to do this we should take advantage of all the pieces we have. Stephen Bowen will also be here next year that guy is a player.
by willc23 on Dec 31, 2008 3:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Canty - not again
Jerry has a habit of overvaluing and overpaying his guys – Hamlin, Crayton, some of the O line, etc.
Canty is provides very average production with what seems to be a better than average toolbox. We don’t need underachieving role players contributing to the sense of entitlement that plagues this squad.
by I_miss_Switzer on Dec 31, 2008 11:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Following up on my own comment
It would be much easier to send Canty packing if Jason Hatcher had shown any significant progress in the last two seasons.
by I_miss_Switzer on Jan 1, 2009 12:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Keep Austin for sure
Keep Bowen, very cheap, good backup
Keep Hannah, very cheap, may have upside
Keep Polk, vet ST’er and cheap
Burnett, keep if he can be held onto for a reasonable contract.
Canty, he’s broken my heart with a lackluster performance during his contract year. I’d only re-sign him if he had a very reasonable price tag, but my gut says some team will over pay for the prototype 3-4 DE.
Bullet Davis, he’s very good on ST, but I think the Cowboys could get a decent equivalent in the draft. Either way I wouldn’t be too upset.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on Jan 1, 2009 4:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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