So, who is our hightest priority to re-sign?

by John Boy on Feb 2, 2008 12:32 PM CST Comment 17 comments

Is it Flozelle, to protect Romo's backside? The Barberian to give the team some sense of toughness on offense? Or how about Ken Hamlin at FS?

Personally, I am assuming that Barber is going nowhere so from my perspective I think that more hinges on Hamlin's status than it does on Flo's status. If Flo leaves, or is allowed to leave, then they at least have someone they THINK can play the position. That's not really the case for Hamlin, though I'm sure they hope that Watkins can do the job. But it's far from a sure thing. If they can get Hamlin re-signed then that gives them tremendous flexibility in the secondary, with all sorts of moving parts. if RW doesn't come back around then Hamlin could go to FS, replaced by either Watkins or Henry (if they get a CB), he could stay at FS and essentially keep the same role as this year, etc etc. None of this is meant to minimize Flo's importance to the team, it's just that I think Hamlin is a more vital signing at this point. Of course, all bets could be off depending on future signings.

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well

i would tender for barber and protect him for at least a year. then i think Flo, i hear you on Hamlin but if we lose our LT things could go downhill in a hurry

by 325424 on Feb 2, 2008 12:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well...

obviously I think Barber is the most important guy to sign on the offensive side of the ball; however, I don't think he's going anywhere anyway. Between Flo and Kenny, I really think Hamlin is the more appropriate guy to re-sign. I think he contributes more to the team. Besides, it'd be nice to see a game where we have no false starts, thanks Flo.

My popcorn's ready!

by CowboyBawler4 on Feb 2, 2008 12:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think Hamlin

is top priority. MB3 is a RFA so he isn't going anywhere unless a team is willing to give up a 1st and 3rd round pick which seems unlikely. So Hamlin and Adams are really the two glaring UFA. Like you mentioned Adams has replacments ready and willing. At this point in Adams career I don't think he is worth the 10 mil or so to franchise him if a contract can't be hammered out. I wonder how much it would cost to franchise Hamlin? Probably less than Adams.

The Beast of the East is back!!!!

by Cowboys81 on Feb 2, 2008 12:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wouldnt resign Flo

At some point you have to trust your drafting and play the kids (McQ,Free, Marten).

The eagles or the pats would not resign him and your o-line is too expensive as it is with Davis and Gurode.

IF and I were going to retain and its a big IF, i would do it for one year at the Franchise level, not the exclusive franchise level, instead of guaranteeing him 15-18 mill over 3 years (only 8-9 million for Tackle) and explore any trade offers for him (I would take a second for Flo)

by MysterD on Feb 2, 2008 1:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

I stated this same point in another thread. We have guys we drafted waiting to play. I would use the money on acquiring FA's or resigning our own UFA or RFA's.

The Beast of the East is back!!!!

by Cowboys81 on Feb 2, 2008 1:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

$7.455 million OR $6.895 million

2008 franchise tender.
Offensive line $7.455 million.

2008 transition tender.
Offensive line $6.895 million.

Each club can designate one franchise or one transition player among its veteran free agents. A franchise player is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries of last season at his position, OR 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. He can negotiate with other clubs. His club can match a new club's offer, or receive two first-round draft choices if it decides not to match.

A transition player receives a minimum offer of the average of the top 10 salaries of last season at the player's position OR 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation.

Flo's 2007 salary was $5,006,240.
120% would amount to $6,007,488.

Therefore if Flo were made a "exclusive" franchise player the $7.455 M figure would apply. If made a "transition" player the $6.895 M figure would apply.

Flo's 2007 CAP charge was $7,006,240. A 450 K raise to keep a Pro Bowl LT isn't out of line.

Flo say's he wants to stay in Big D. The Boys could offer him a back-loaded 4 year contract for an average of 7 million per year (28 million total), If they gave him an 8 million bonus, that would leave 20 million in salary over 4 years. To minimize the early years salaries and still comply with the CBA 30% rule, it could have salaries of (2008) 3.233 M, (2009) 4.202 M, (2010) 5.462 M, (2011) 7.103 M. That would make his 2008 and 2009 CAP numbers less than this year, and if his play declines after 2009 he could be cut with a very manageable accelerated bonus hit.

by DeRat on Feb 2, 2008 10:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Extensive work on the cap numbers!

Well done!

I personally think we're in a sell-high opportunity with Flo. Question is whether getting a two and the cap room is worth giving up a year or two of him being here, then walking. And the answer to that is somewhere between Free, McQuistan, and Hud.

by Keynes on Feb 3, 2008 2:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hamlin for sure

I think Hamlin and Newman are about our only sure things in the secondary. Roy is just too inconsistent at this point to count on him full time. It seemed like Hamlin was in on every tackle this year. I'd much rather keep him.

I may be in the minority, but I have a feeling that Flo just finished his last great year. I expect age to start to catch up with him. It's time to start getting the young guys involved.

by rhbgsherb on Feb 2, 2008 1:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hamlin is younger

The sooner the better. There are at least possible replacements behind Flo (Free and McQ), Hamlin is all we got at FS. I like Watkins, but you can't argue he's not in the same league as Hamlin yet.

"On my signal...unleash Hell." Demarcus Maximus Decimus Ware

by APerfectStar on Feb 2, 2008 10:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Correction

but you can't argue he's in the same league as Hamlin yet.

"On my signal...unleash Hell." Demarcus Maximus Decimus Ware

by APerfectStar on Feb 2, 2008 10:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't rule out Courtney Brown..

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 3, 2008 1:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Flo and Hamlin are equally important to re-sign

We simply aren't as good both offensively and defensively without either guy.

Free might be a good LT in time, but he's not quite at Flo's level yet, and Watkins and Brown simply aren't as good as Hamlin, bottom line.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 3, 2008 11:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

In Romo we Trust

I guess you better change that
Run Romo Run

I think Free or Mcq will do just fine

or draft OT

Otah or Williams

Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh (12/1)
Height: 6-6. Weight: 340.
40 Time: 5.24.
Projected Round: top 25
Started every game for Pittsburgh in 2006, protecting Tyler Palko. Not a bad 40 considering his 340-pound frame

Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
Height: 6-6. Weight: 320.
40 Time: 5.13.
Arm: 32 7/8.
Projected Round: top 25
Mike Mayock labeled Chris Williams as his No. 3 offensive tackle in this class. After a solid Senior Bowl, Williams very well could be the third tackle taken.

Co-captain of Vanderbilt's football team, Williams simply doesn't allow sacks. His 40 at his size is remarkable.

by Arkcowboys on Feb 4, 2008 12:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

that makes no sense ark

you say I should change my signature to read run Romo run and then you say Flo and McQ will do just fine. If thats the case, why would Romo be running?

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 4, 2008 7:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

flo is the man ...

if you think otherwise you need to hit the pipe again...let me see a stud lt or a semi stud safty....crackheads goe easy...

"I guess I'm gonna fade into Bolivian." Mike tyson.

by hashishkabob on Feb 4, 2008 2:55 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

we have

two tackles we drafted that could replace adams,barber is the biggest need, just get him for the long term and be done with it. I tought Hamlin was on a two years option deal. but he is the next need to be signed guy.

by thefan on Feb 4, 2008 4:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

But Barber is RFA

He'll be tendered at a 1st and 3rd compensatory level.
I agree we need to sign him, but Flo and Hamlin are UFA's and we'd be far more likely to lose one of them to a team willing to pay out the butt for their services.

Looking at it from a strictly financial point of view, Flo is going to cost a lot for a small return (1 year possibly), whereas Hamlin is younger, won't cost as much, and his cap hit can be spread out over a longer period.

Not that a solid LT isn't more important, but we did draft 2 tackles last year, we have McQ, and we could conceivably draft another OT this year.

"On my signal...unleash Hell." Demarcus Maximus Decimus Ware

by APerfectStar on Feb 5, 2008 2:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs