Cowboys Nucleus Has At Least A Two Year Run In It
by KD Drummond on Feb 10, 2012 8:00 AM CST
in Dallas Cowboys General
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PrintThere's a question that's been brewing in my head for a while. If the Cowboys max out on their projected cap space, how will that affect the future of the team?
I'm no salary cap expert, I don't even play one on the internet; as tempting as that can be. I know the basics, how a signing bonus gets prorated over the life of the contract to calculate the cap impact for each year of the deal; as well as how the bonuses get accelerated for a cut player depending on when they get released. I do have some semblance of a base. I have a spreadsheet that lists the majority of last year's cap numbers before August's purge; but that does nothing more for me than put a visual to the well traveled report that Dallas could be playing with $20 million in free agency. I'll give you three guesses who helped me with the spreadsheet and the first two don't count.
Now, I've seen in several places that the expected 2012 cap is going to be around $125 million. The $20 million being bandied about for Dallas to play with is contingent on their release of Terence Newman, which would save them about $6 million off the cap this year, and put $4 million in dead money on the 2013 cap.
But outside of that, Dallas seems to be sitting pretty moving forward.
The Cowboys currently have 23 players under contract for 2013 (according to rotoworld.com), and that includes Newman. Not only that, but the heavy hitters on the payroll, the players commanding the most dollars, are signed for the next few years. Dallas could easily augment its roster with a splashy vet or two, and still be able to extend their own guys or dabble in the market again the following year.
Follow the jump to see the roll call.
Here's a look at the players the Cowboys front office have molded their long term strategies around.
| Offense | Signed Through | Defense | Signed Through |
|---|---|---|---|
| Witten, Jason | 2017 | Ratliff, Jay | 2017 |
| Austin, Miles | 2016 | Scandrick, Orlando | 2016 |
| Free, Doug | 2016 | Sensabaugh, Gerald | 2016 |
| Arkin, David | 2014 | Ware, DeMarcus | 2015 |
| Bryant, Dez | 2014 | Carter, Bruce | 2014 |
| Chapas, Shaun | 2014 | Newman, Terence | 2014 |
| Harris, Dwayne | 2014 | Spears, Marcus |
2014 |
| Murray, DeMarco | 2014 | Taplin-Ross, Justin | 2014 |
| Nagy, Bill | 2014 | Brent, Josh | 2013 |
| Smith, Tyron | 2014 | Hatcher, Jason | 2013 |
| Kosier, Kyle | 2013 | Lee, Sean | 2013 |
| Romo, Tony | 2013 | Lissemore, Sean | 2013 |
A couple of notes.
- Being an NFL player is nothing like other sports or even coaching; players will often go into their walk year of a contract and play it out without a new deal. That, however, isn't the Jerry Jones way. 2012 will be huge for Tony Romo.
- The Cowboys offensive core really has a good three seasons in it on their current deals. There is still work to be done for the middle of the offensive line.
- It would appear that even if Dallas spends a large part of that $20 million in cap space, as long as they work with decreasing deals (larger money up front) they should be able to be players in the 2013 market as well and will probably need to.
- If Sean Lee turns in a start to 2012 like he did 2011, expect him to be the next in-season extension handed out by Jerry.
- Probably my next article, but man that Jason Witten contract is a little scary, no?
- Scarier thought. If they weren't released last August, Leonard Davis, Marc Colombo, Roy Williams and Marion Barber would have been on this list. With a total 2012 cap hit of about $33 million.
- Next year might only have two relevant free agent decisions for Dallas. CB Mike Jenkins and RB Felix Jones. QB Stephen McGee, OLB Victor Butler TE John Phillips and C Phil Costa could earn themselves an extended stay with a lot more production in 2012.
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Well, I hope that McGee doesn't get a chance at a lot more production next
year, if you know what I mean.
Also, I kind of agree on Witten's contract. I can't prove it, and don't want to
believe it, but to me, he looked slower this year. I’m happy he’ll retire a Cowboy, but I kind of wonder if he’ll stay uber productive until 2017.
i love me some Witten - but you're correct in that he looked slower in 2011
and can’t break a tackle to save his life…
Giants simply arent any better than the Cowboys and thats simply a fact - Terry
The Giants are NOT better than the Cowboys...thats the reality - Terry
Wow ... you actually do watch some games
and can’t break a tackle to save his life…
Witten suffers from the belief that he is still 24 years old and/or a running back. He’ll make 1 guy miss out of 10. He should use his size/strength and just run through people instead of run around him.
Was it the Jets game that he could have just bowled through some DB into the endzone but tried to get cute and got taken down short of the end zone? This was right before the Romo fumble.
yes - i watch every game - closely...thanks for noticing
and yes – all he had to do was put his shoulder into Jim Leonhard (a guy he outweighs by 80lbs) and he probably straddles the sideline for the final 3 yards as they were almost running parallel
another play was a 3rd down deep in Giants territory in the final game when the Cowboys were coming back – he needed to fight for a couple of inches but he didn’t make it…and then 4th down Romo takes the quick snap and they get stuffed – drive over
coincidentally – it was Witten in the Seattle playoff game that couldn’t get into the endzone that led to Romo’s infamous Seattle slip…
anyways – he’s a surefire HOF player and love that he’s a Cowboy – just wish he fought a little harder for yards
Giants simply arent any better than the Cowboys and thats simply a fact - Terry
The Giants are NOT better than the Cowboys...thats the reality - Terry
Nitpick.
I’m trying to agree with you here. I very much remember Witten “not” getting that first down in the Seattle game. I’m, to this day, pretty certain that he DID get enough for a first. We would have scored a touchdown if they had gotten that call right. Dammit.
by BigDumbFace on Feb 10, 2012 8:51 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
I think he fights for extra yards..
but I don’t think he is that great at it.
'Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'
I agree on that one
You have to play to your strengths — Witten’s strength is not running around guys or making them miss. Maybe when he was young, but he has to learn to change is tactics to suit his capabilities.
The Witten contract doesn't really bother me
Witten is elite – perhaps he’ll be paid in 2015 and beyond for past production (much like Rat is being paid now).
What scares me is the FREE contract. $32 mil over 4 years? I think that’ll make him the highest paid RT (if he’s moved there) in the league. Does anyone really think he’s better than Tyson Clabo, Damien Woody, Erik Pears, Ryan Diem or Willie Colon? Some of the guys on the list are injury prone and/or retiring but made far less than $8 mil / yr and were more productive.
by Tyrone Jenkins on Feb 10, 2012 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
The Cowboys can always restructure Free's contract
Hey Washington... D.C. stands for Dallas Cowboys
Jerry the GM…if we could only find a way to get rid of that guy…
Twitter: @silva918
Free will probably continue to get better through our three years.
Witten and Rat are my favorite Cowboys. But their contracts are unrealistic. Neither will be playing in ’17, prob not ’16. Maybe Jerry has faith that they will retire with THE STAR when the time comes. If a player retires, their cap hits disappear, I believe.
What is the star now? A fallen piece of hardened plastic? The heaviest franchise in American sport? A false idol adored by many millions? The epitome of all that can be achieved with hard work? All that can be lost with too strong a sense of entitlement? A welcome coping mechanism, distracting from the real negativity on Earth? A bonding and separating agent?
by BlueNSilverBlood on Feb 10, 2012 10:38 AM CST up reply actions
Quite a gamble
Jerry Rice, best WR to ever play the game (some say the best player to ever play) played for 3 other teams AFTER San Fran. He was in the league for 20 years…
Players rarely retire prior to contract end.
by Tyrone Jenkins on Feb 10, 2012 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, it is.
I believe in Rat and Witten’s character, though. They both had to have known they weren’t playing until ’17. What do I know, though?
What is the star now? A fallen piece of hardened plastic? The heaviest franchise in American sport? A false idol adored by many millions? The epitome of all that can be achieved with hard work? All that can be lost with too strong a sense of entitlement? A welcome coping mechanism, distracting from the real negativity on Earth? A bonding and separating agent?
by BlueNSilverBlood on Feb 10, 2012 1:45 PM CST up reply actions
Football is a game of inches ...
he needed to fight for a couple of inches but he didn’t make it…and then 4th down Romo takes the quick snap and they get stuffed
I loved the call — it is a classic Tom Brady play. However, he needed to do it faster.
You cannot let the defense get set on a 4th and 1 sneak. That is the key to the play — catching the defense off-balance.
Witten is one of my favorite players
but he wont see the end of his contract that ends in 2017.He probably has 2, maybe 3 solid years left here. I saw an article that says dont be surprised if we drafted a TE relatively high either this year or next to be his replacement. If they can find the next Gronkowski I’m all for it. Never too early to start thinking about the future, just like QB…
3 and that maybe stretching it considering his contract
He is going to have to restructure. That said, I think Ratliff’s future on this team is alot more in question than Witten. I’m not sure he is here after next season..
yup, Rat I can see gone in 2013
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
Terry - if you think Witten is catching 90 balls/year for next 5 years you're crazy
i think he can keep his current production up for another 2-3 years – then we’ll see a decline…
and with a contract to 2017 – that means he needs to restructure or be released
Giants simply arent any better than the Cowboys and thats simply a fact - Terry
The Giants are NOT better than the Cowboys...thats the reality - Terry
Witten > Tony G
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
If Gonzo can do it so can Witten
He’s only 29 or 30, he’s still got a lot of good years left. Really great players who don’t have health concerns can be very productive well into their 30s, Witten is no exception.
In Romo we Trust
What a crock !!
If Gonzo can do it so can Witten
Different kind of athlete, different kind of player. Gonzales has much more natural thletic ability than Witten.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Feb 10, 2012 4:34 PM CST up reply actions
Witten > Tony G
Without a doubt. Future will show you.
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
The future may never come.
That you can’t deny. Fandom clouding your judgement again.
As it stands Gonzo > Witten
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Feb 10, 2012 11:53 PM CST up reply actions
As much as I enjoy watching Jason Witten.
I will not argue with anyone who tells me Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez were more athletic than Witten. It’s a simple fact. Those two were pretty good power forwards in basketball…Gates never played a down of football until he became a SD Charger, and Tony G was actually given a tryout by the Miami Heat when he had his first contract dispute with the Chiefs.
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
Of course as it stands Witten hasn't been playing as long.
You are over compensating on your “realist” shtick.. Witten > Tony G
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
Witten's Decline Is Already Here
. . . this is like criticizing Muhammed, I know, but Witten has played hard and tough for many years now. His body is showing wear and tear. Just look at his red zone production. Dallas is on thin ice at TE, at a time when TE offensive productivity is at a premium. The Martellus pick is looking more and more suspect . . . Phillips is an overacheiver. Maybe Dallas should go steal a TE in free agency.
Witten - the right call
I’m with others here and I hope I’m wrong but Witten is just looking slower. The idea that he’s going to be good for multiple years seems far fetched at his age. When you see the benefit the Patriots got from tight ends, among others, got from the TE position, it puts Witten’s performance in an even dimmer light.
I know talking about Witten’s decline is heresy and I"m a Cowboy apostate for even daring to talk such talk so I might as well double down and ask if the Cowboys should be thinking about resigning Bennett. He was better catching the ball and with his speed and size, he COULD be a handful. To me, and there were several plays like this last year, he’s not physical enough. It’s like he thinks he’s a feathery 6’ flanker who will make the pretty catch when he could just go up and out-muscle smaller DBs. He’s obviously got that meanest in him when he blocks. I just wonder if he might be a revelation if Garrett gave him an opportunity to catch 50 or more passes.
Galveston Dave
You guys are blind
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WittJa00.htm
Look hes had one of his best season this past year. The patriots don’t have an Austin Dez LR to take away targets from Gronk, Same with Graham. The only person playing you can say is better than Witten is Tony G. Witten will be able to perform at this level for another 5 years. He doesn’t rely on skills that diminish with age. He relies on position, coverages, and his great hands.
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
Witten can't do what Gronk can. Realism at it's finest.
Witten has been a great Cowboy. A great player. Maybe a hof career. Why is it so hard to admit that someone may be better ? No shame in that. Even more realism.
Same with Graham.
The Saints don’t have any wr’s ?
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Feb 11, 2012 8:48 AM CST up reply actions
Too Simplistic Arguments
Barely touched on in this debate on Witten’s place in the hierarchy of NFL tight ends is the difference situations each one face. Just off the top of my head we are considering Athleticism, Excellence over time, Supporting Cast, and Offensive Scheme to name a few. Thus let’s rate them subjectively among multiple variables and see how the rankings change:
1) Athleticism
2) Excellence over time
3) Supporting Cast
4) Offensive Scheme
5) Dependability (being were you are supposed to be and in-tune with the QB)
Gronk may be an athletic freak, but he only has one season, has a great QB and coach, along with terrible receivers, thus he is a focus of the offense. I have no clue how he rates on #5. Did he have a better season than Witten, yes, but let’s see how he does over 4-5 years before the anointing oil comes out.
Gonzo, is the Gold Standard because of his play overtime. Depending on how much longer he plays, Witten may not be able to catch him in Stats or longevity
Gates, very Athletic, but more injury prone and does not have the track record of Witten. He also has become less of the offense’s focus over the last couple of years (see Vincent Jackson), partially from injuries.
Graham…same as Gronk. He has done it for two years now, but let’s see how things go forward. He has a better passing QB than Witten, not to mention the protection Brees gets. I also think NO has a better offensive scheme than Dallas and defenses can’t focus on just one player effectively, thus teams don’t game plan for graham.
One other thing to consider is how defenses adapt to the break-out years of Gronk and Graham going forward. Will both stay healthy and be able to excel has other teams learn how to play them? One thing that makes Witten and Gonzo so great is their ability to perform at a high-level over many years.
by Through Thick And Thin on Feb 11, 2012 10:09 AM CST up reply actions
kind of hard to see him losing a step
he was never the fastest guy… he relies on being where he’s supposed to be, when he’s supposed to be there… he’ll be a solid player for the next few years, but that doesn’t mean we can’t draft someone next year to play with him
by CowboysFan4Life on Feb 10, 2012 8:30 AM CST up reply actions
I agree
Witten has a gift for getting open and it doesn’t rely on his speed
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by AustonianAggie on Feb 10, 2012 9:44 AM CST up reply actions
Another thing I have noticed lately.
He seems to catch the ball and then sort of slow down and look to see who is coming at him, which kills his momentum and lets the defender push him back. I know I saw plays where if he had just kept going forward instead of trying to find a way to cut around the defender, he would have made another two or three yards, at least, which would have been big a couple of times.
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
You know what I saw him doing a lot.
Was springing a player for another 5 yards by making a great downfield block. He would come out of no where to cross the face of a defender allowing our man to run free another 5 yards or so.
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
Witten and Ratliff
These contracts gave fair market value to two players who were underpaid for way too long.
The problem – the deals have come simply too late in their careers. By 2014 I think we’re going to be stuck with both to avoid having 8-10 mil accelerated to that years cap for either one.
The best part is...
it only takes one year to win it all.
Broaddus reporting that Cowboys scouts looking at Routt this morning.
“If money is not right, don’t see this happening, important.” He adds.
Founder & Editor of SouthOrangeJuice.Com
Bye, Bye, Bobby!
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Routt is a jag. We have enough of those.
I brought up the Witten stuff about 2 months ago. Rat too. Thank you contracts are one of Jerry’s problems. If Dallas doesn’t win the superbowl in 2 years it’s time to tear down and rebuild.
KD has it right. 2 years , or it won’t happen.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Feb 10, 2012 9:05 AM CST up reply actions
2nd in the league in TDs scored against him. 17 penalties. Sounds like Al Davis' last Debacle.
This makes me happy
Drop Newman in June(4 mil)
Drop Kosier(2 mil)
Drop Holland
Drop Dockery
Drop Elam
Drop Bennett
Drop Ball
Drop Brooking
Pick up Laron Landry or Michael Griffin(4 mil a year), Peyton Hillis(5 mil), and Carl Nicks or Ben Grubbs(7 mil).
(Note…I would scratch any one of these guys, excluding the guard pick-up if Campbell is not franchised by the Cardinals)
Keep Spencer(4 mil).
Keep James(2 mil)
Trade Austin and Felix to the Browns for pick 22 and a 4th
Draft Kirkpatrick(1/14), Konz/Decastro…?(1/22)(Note…If the coaching staff feels one of our young guards is progressing enough to not take an IOL early, we could move on a guy like Alshon Jeffrey or Brandon Thompson here), Burfict(2), Ta’amu(3), Joe Adams(4/101), Michael Brewster(4/113), Ryan Broyles(5), Cliff Harris(6) OL/TE/P (7)
With this set-up we have plugged nearly all of our holes and have a solid infusion of hard nosed youth.
Yeah, so we get rid of Felix and he’s an Arkansas guy and Jerry is an Arkansas guy. Well, so is Peyton Hillis(Change of pace-short yardage) and so is Joe Adams(Slot-Return).
So, we get rid of Austin. Huge contract and nice return from an undrafted guy. We now how Broyles and Adams, plus the reserve guys that I think are pretty deep.
Ta’amu will help us move Rat outside.
Burfict, Kirkpatrick, Landry, and Harris bring some attitude to this D.
There are sooo many upsides. Plus we get a guy named Cliff Harris and one with the last name Landry on our team.
Destiny.
Couple of isues
Elam, Holland, Bennett, etc. wouldn’t be drops. They’re already off the team.
Second, you want the Cowboys to fill EVERY need they have next year. That isn’t smart thinking as it leads to overspending and going after players who aren’t that great but just happen to be available at the time (like Landry or Griffin).
I do like your thinking about Campbell as I think signing him would go a long way in terms of improved pass rush. If he is somehow acquired, the Spencer really isn’t needed and would be too expensive.
The Boys have to find a better way of balancing the old w/ the new. Drafting players brings in more talent (hopefully) but is ALWAYS bring in less knowledge. You can’t have a team full of rookies as there isn’t enough corporate knowledge to go around. But, you can’t have a team full of vets as their isn’t enough youth plus vets are more expensive.
by Tyrone Jenkins on Feb 10, 2012 10:03 AM CST up reply actions
Holland
Is still signed through next year I thought?
Either way, Jerry says he wants to spend all of his money this year.(not usually a great idea. But, we already have our core setup with livable contracts that they’ll have to live with due to afew poor seasons. Plus, the capis projected to stretch significantly over the next few years)
On the Landry/Griffin thing. I like the safeties we have, but they’re too similar. Weneed a range guy or a pounder to mix in there.
The only 3 down rookie defender we’d be using is Kirkpatrick. Harris would take Ball’s place. Ta’amu for situational nose. Burfict for situational ilb 2.
Broyles is coming off an acl thing, but is Miles made over.
Adams is Patrick Crayton on crack.
Konz\DeCastro are starters pposite Nicks/Grubbs day one.
Brewster can battle it out with the rest of our young guys for center.
by mfoster on Feb 10, 2012 11:00 AM CST via Android app up reply actions
Who are the S starters
Sensy and Church? McCray? Taplin-Ross?
Elam is a FA. Dallas doesn’t have a starting caliber FS on the roster.
by Tyrone Jenkins on Feb 10, 2012 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
They don't have a starter period at any safety spot.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Feb 10, 2012 4:38 PM CST up reply actions
Landry has a chronic achilles problem that has landed him on IR the past two seasons
and may require surgery.
“Michael Griffin has been abysmal in coverage in the past.” —KC Joyner
Grubbs graded out about as well as Montrae Holland last season, and was absolutely destroyed in the AFC championship game. Pass.
Love Campbell, but no way he makes it to FA. Spencer is serviceable and you can’t fill every hole in one off season. Re-signing him is probably the team’s best option, but I think we can do better than James. I’d like to see them sign a vet ILB capable of starting to a Brooking-like contract.
And no way do I trade Austin and Felix for pick 22 and a 4th.
School of Belichick
How do you think the Pats always have so many dang draft picks?
They churn the roster.
I am a huge Miles and Felix fan. But, if there are quality free agents(Hillis, Steve Johnson)to be landed for the same price or better and you can aquire draft picks. Do it!
by mfoster on Feb 10, 2012 11:26 AM CST via Android app up reply actions
If Hillis and Stevie Johnson were obviously as good/better than Felix/Miles
and could be had for the same/less $, why wouldn’t Cleveland just sign them themselves and save their draft picks?
System.
Felix may not be as attractive a trade piece as Austin. But,that’s the thing. They’d be a package deal and they both fill huge needs for Cleveland. Austin is the deep threat possesion slot guy they need to compliment the size of Cribbs and Little. Felix is the solid blocking explosive catch out of the backfield guy Holmgren needs. They’re both proven commodities.
They don’t want Hillis anyhow.
by mfoster on Feb 10, 2012 7:16 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Cleveland isn't dumb enough to trade for Felix.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Feb 10, 2012 11:55 PM CST up reply actions
Nobody Is Going
to give you a one and a four for Austin and Felix.
Fantasy Football is awesome.
by Johnny Cage on Feb 12, 2012 11:49 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I'm wondering how much he'll warrant on the open market
Looked like he was a good player before last season, but now I’m not so sure. I do think he’s better than Newman at this point, but how much? And how much is that worth? Would be nice to secure some veteran depth going into the draft. If we draft a CB in the first two rounds and pick up a guy like Routt and get better at FS, doesn’t our secondary look a lot better?
Excellent article
But you’re missing some players (Rotoworld is kinda quirky – you have to go player by player and view contract details). Spears is signed through 2015. Coleman through 2012. And, that would make 6 D lineman signed on the team in total. Also, Robert Gallaway signed a futures contract.
I think Coleman needs to go and Geathers (who is an RFA) shouldn’t be resigned. If Calais Campbell can be had for about $6-8; like 4 yr / $25 million or so, then the Boys should seriously consider. We’ve all been debating team needs and one thing that is a definite is pass rush. In RR’s scheme, that means both OLB and DE. Campbell has shown he can do that in a 3-4 and so can Hatcher.
yep, missed Spears extension
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by KD Drummond on Feb 10, 2012 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
Cab Calloway???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08wOPt-2PeE
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by AustonianAggie on Feb 10, 2012 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
I think we'd all love to see Campbell in a Dallas Uni
But I really doubt it’s going to happen and certainly not for the money you want him at. They’ll probably franchise him. And even if they don’t he’s a pass-rushing DE that’s still fairly young and has been to the Super Bowl. It’s going to be a bidding war.
Actually, I think the tear down and rebuild
has already begun- build started two drafts ago and tear down began last off season with the release of the scarier players KDD cites above. It will continue w/ releases of Newman, lack of pursuit of James, etc.
What I believe they’re trying to do is rebuild for a last push before Romo exits. I hope someone is able to talk Jerry off the ledge of trying to patch all the holes in one off-season and getting us back into salary cap hell.
There’s been a lot of insightful discussion here about the importance of the interior OL. With a very young T. Smith and relatively young Free, growing a young O-line together while fixing the defense, both of which I think will take at least a couple of offseasons, is the smart way to move forward.
This and next off-season will be absolutely critical in determining whether the Cowboys reside in the upper or lower third of the league come 2013-2014.
" ... Any one of 500 coaches could have won those Super Bowls." Jones later denied saying such a thing -- sober. So he qualified it with, yet another, infamous quote: It "was just the whiskey talking."
"...it may be the whiskey talkin', but the whiskey says I miss you, everyday..."- Fountains of Wayne
I certainly hope that those who say Stephen Jones is taking more control
are correct in their assessments.
I still think we’ve given some strange deals in the last year though. Scandrick and Spears come to mind.
Listeneing to Sirus Radio
they were saying last night some 600 FAs are hitting the market this offseason. They expect alot of one year deals to occur because of it. There are alot of teams that have 30, 40 and even 50 million under the salary cap so are measly 20 millions is nothting compared to those teams. Speaking of one year deals I expect Elam to get another one. Not what people want to hear, but I think their options are limited this year.
The Bengals are 60 mil under the cap.
They have 2 first round picks and they were good this year with a rookie qb. When Romo retires Jerry will go the Bledsoe route again and it will be more of the same.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Feb 10, 2012 4:42 PM CST up reply actions
See, I think Garrett and Stephen won't let this mistake happen again.
I expect them to draft Romo’s replacement either this year or next year. If it’s this year, I think the guy will be Kirk Cousins. If it’s next year dark horse pick is Tyler Wilson, unless the team completely craps the bed and finishes with the number 1 overall pick, if that happens, I think it will be Matt Barkley.
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
Cousins will be a career backup.
Wilson and Landry Jones. I prefer Wilson at this point. There will be someone come out of no where. Ya Barkley will probably be number 1. So I pose the question….if Dallas bombs in 2012 do you try and trade up for Barkely ? Meaning trade the true tradeable commodities we have on this team.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Feb 11, 2012 8:54 AM CST up reply actions
Must spend to Salary Cap in new CBA
Speaking of Salary Cap Hell/Space…I remember reading that for the 2012 year and beyond that the CBA requried all teams to spend something like 96-99% of the salary cap on their players every year. This includes all the player benefits, salaries, and dead money from other years etc.
If the above is true, then all those teams with 30, 40, 50 million in cap space HAVE to spend like crazy this off season and will probably make for some very interesting contract terms.
by Through Thick And Thin on Feb 10, 2012 11:27 AM CST reply actions
3rd???
I heard something about KC and Tampa being the two big players this year. Both w/ more than 50 million. But, that the ’Boys were stepping into FA in 3rd with around 20.
by mfoster on Feb 10, 2012 1:26 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Add the Bengals, Titans and Jags to that list of teams with room
From a Sun-Sentinel Article:
Every NFL team will have surplus money to use next season if they desire. But some will need that money just to help clear room under the cap to function next season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, for instance, will only carry over $506,570 but are projected to be about $25 million over the cap.
The Jets will carry over $8.4 million but are projected to be more than $4 million over the cap. Add the $5 million needed to sign rookies and it appears the Jets will need to cut payroll.
The cap for 2012 has not been set, but it is projected to be between $121-125 million, with teams being able to borrow another $2 million from future caps.
The Patriots are projected to be more than $20 million under the cap next season and could carry over $6.7 million.
Among teams who could bid for Manning or Flynn, the Washington Redskins have $13.6 million in carryover cash and could be $30 million or so under the cap.
Seattle has a $112 million cap number and has a $21.2 million surplus from the past year, so expect the Seahawks to join the Redskins as big spenders this offseason.
Arizona ($7 million) and Cleveland ($9 million) also have carryover cash and some cap space as well.
Jacksonville can carry over $31.7 million and will be about $17 million under the cap; Tampa Bay has more than $25 million and will be more than $20 million under.
Among teams that have the projected cap space to make big moves in free agency: Cincinnati Bengals ($80.6 million), Tennessee Titans ($92.7 million) and Kansas City ($95.8 million).
Teams that will need to tighten their belts considerably next season include: Detroit Lions ($122.8 million), Carolina Panthers ($122.7 million), Oakland Raiders ($140.8 million) and New York Giants ($124.7 million).
There's always money in the banana stand.
I will be mega stunned if Peyton ever plays again.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Feb 10, 2012 4:43 PM CST up reply actions
Manning, P
I think he plays again and plays at a high level. The fusion thing is not that big a deal from the bone standpoint. The fusion site will be and is today stonger than before. It is the nerve thing that is the problem and by all accounts, this has stabilized and thus, there should be no reason he can’t regain the strength necessary to return to normal. Obviously today he is weak and noodle arm . . . but that is to be expected until he has recovery time.
The only thing that can make me smile about the Gnats:
They have a bunch of players that now want to get PAID, and they are already at the cap. LOL.
In the 17 seasons from 1966-1982, the Cowboys went at least to the conference championship game 14 times. In the 16 seasons from 1996-2011, the Cowboys have won 2 wild card games.
Gmen have 21 free agents.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Feb 10, 2012 11:57 PM CST up reply actions
Victor Cruz wants $$
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
The big question is.. will he go on Dancing with the Stars?!?!
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
he's got another year on his rookie contract though.
They have Cruz by the balls.
by StarloverinWNC on Feb 11, 2012 1:32 PM CST up reply actions
The thing is, there is a cash provision in the salary cap floor. It can't be met with bonus's, etc.
Cash Minimum (Guaranteed Spend)
In 2011 and 2012, there is league-wide commitment to cash spending of 99% of the Cap.
In 2013-16 and 2017-20, this number drops to 95%. Also during these years, each team must commit to cash spending of 89% of the Salary Cap.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/We-have-a-proposed-deal.html
Much of the conversation about the league’s salary cap has centered around the cap floor that all teams must spend to. Per Andrew Brandt of NFP, that cap floor will be 99 percent of the cap for the first two years of the deal, then drop to 95 percent for the next eight. More importantly, in those final eight years, a cash floor of 89 percent will be enacted – this will prevent teams from tying up cap space in bonuses and incentives, and force teams to spend 89 percent of the cap in actual dollars to its players.
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2011/7/24/2291147/new-nfl-cba-revenue-sharing-salary-cap-floor
Guys, this may be an oversimplification, but
The projected TV revenues alone for 2012 and 2013 total 20 billion dollars. This figures nearly doubles to 39.5 billion in 2014-2015. That means that each team in 2014-2015 will receive somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 million per year with roughly half going to the players. Assume that each team has other revenue sources totalling 50 million, just a wild guess. That would translate to roughly 325 million as the players “share” per year. Assume that 50-100 million go to benefits, etc., ergo, the salary cap should increase to somewhere between 225-275 million. The salary cap hits, dead money, we are talking about appear relatively inconsequential when considering the projected salary caps in 3-4 years.
Wish you were here and comfortably numb.
Spend spend spend
We are the freakin’ Dallas Cowboys. My son is 2. Don’t make him a Texans fan Jerry.
by mfoster on Feb 10, 2012 11:45 AM CST via Android app up reply actions
That is your job.
Be a good dad and make him a Cowboys.
In the 17 seasons from 1966-1982, the Cowboys went at least to the conference championship game 14 times. In the 16 seasons from 1996-2011, the Cowboys have won 2 wild card games.
fs ur sig makes me smh
jerry take ur things n just go to the moon or something.
"Some people wear Superman pajamas, Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas. But Chuck Norris wears Sean Lee pajamas. That is all." --sirjason22
"I'm gonna punch you in the ovary, that's what I'm gonna do. A straight shot. Right to the babymaker." --Ron Burgundy
by DarkKnight88 on Feb 10, 2012 7:18 PM CST up reply actions
I'd rather he just hire a GM.
BTW, are you shaking your head at me or with me?
In the 17 seasons from 1966-1982, the Cowboys went at least to the conference championship game 14 times. In the 16 seasons from 1996-2011, the Cowboys have won 2 wild card games.
I'm shaking my head with u
cause that statement is true n it makes me sad
"Some people wear Superman pajamas, Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas. But Chuck Norris wears Sean Lee pajamas. That is all." --sirjason22
"I'm gonna punch you in the ovary, that's what I'm gonna do. A straight shot. Right to the babymaker." --Ron Burgundy
by DarkKnight88 on Feb 10, 2012 7:36 PM CST up reply actions
Shaking Head With You
and shedding a tear. Jerry the GM = massive failure post Hershel Trade time.
Trust me
The boy has a piece of turf from the stadium, a ball that I personally fetched about 20 signatures on (including Stephen Jones. Ha), 4 jerseys, a helmet, and a blanket with his name on it. Cowboys are kiiind of a big deal around here.
Kid’s got a better arm than I do.
by mfoster on Feb 10, 2012 7:55 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Father of the Year.
/wipes tear from corner of eye
In the 17 seasons from 1966-1982, the Cowboys went at least to the conference championship game 14 times. In the 16 seasons from 1996-2011, the Cowboys have won 2 wild card games.
This may be an oversimplification continuation, but
that seems to me like an opportunity for smart teams to retain the best players on their rosters and never let them sniff free agancy. Leaving chumps to overpay for cast-offs.
" ... Any one of 500 coaches could have won those Super Bowls." Jones later denied saying such a thing -- sober. So he qualified it with, yet another, infamous quote: It "was just the whiskey talking."
"...it may be the whiskey talkin', but the whiskey says I miss you, everyday..."- Fountains of Wayne
Yup, I was going to bring this up sometime soon.
We could backload or give huge signing bonuses to smoeone like LR knowing the cap hit will be rather small in the coming years.
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
This can bite us in the end.
Jerry tries to sew up contracts early for his “stars” only to have them sink into mediocrity.
I'm curious about salary cap growth as well.
This year it remains fairly stable from last year, but my understanding was that we would see significant growth in the coming years.
I wonder how SJ is factoring this in. This is the type of thing that leads me to believe, (even though I don’t necessarily agree with it), we will see a major signing, like Nicks.
Great Salary Cap Explanation
Go here to learn all the cap will work goign forward:
by Through Thick And Thin on Feb 10, 2012 12:15 PM CST reply actions
$125 million(ish) in 2013 to $155 million(ish) in 2014
according to this back-of-the-envelope salary cap accounting:
…I don’t have time to go look all this up at the primary source, so just secondary sources today
by Through Thick And Thin on Feb 10, 2012 12:20 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, I was just preparing a similar post. By my dirty math, I came to roughly the same numbers.
The Cowboys will push as much money into 2014 as they can.
by One.Cool.Customer on Feb 10, 2012 1:16 PM CST up reply actions
need to be a little careful projecting the cap
The TV networks will be putting a lot of eggs in the NFL basket; actually cutting down on Prime Time money to sink it into the NFL. However that might come to bite them. There is a clause I believe in the contracts that if the TV networks do not have a certain amount of revenue then the amount going to the NFL will drop accordingly. That is why the Cap will probably only grow 5-10 million a year for the next few years instead of the 30-40 million some will claim.
by burmafrd1944 on Feb 10, 2012 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
With this salary cap thing changing in the coming years
it looks like its going to be set up for the teams that have a strong nucleus of YOUNG good players to succeed. ( all the more reason to hit paydirt with those draftpicks.) Jerry is in position to get his dynasty back. No wonder he was so involved in the new deal. He knows he screwed this team up and isn’t going to give up until he figures out a way to redeem himself. We as fans must demand this. This is our team. With out us, nothing he does is possible. He may own the team, have the final say, and be the man who controls " the big red button" but I believe he truly loves the Dallas Cowboys and will go to his grave knowing he gave it his best to keep this America’s Team. Rest in peace Tom Landry…
by letsgtld on Feb 10, 2012 2:03 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I’ll give you three guesses who helped me with the spreadsheet and the first two don’t count.
1. Woden OCC
2. HAL OCC
3. Lee Ford?
That's one small step...
lmao
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Trade Values......Defense
In terms of draft value points, what are Ware and Ratliff worth in the current market?
I just don’t see it happening in numbers of players in the current mix. I’d rather get closer to scratch on the defense. How many of what kinds of picks could the Cowboys get?
I realize it’s unlikely and extreme.
Ware could offer a nice return. I think the Pats would jump all over that.
And they have the picks to offer. Rat might get you a 4th. Rat will be another player held onto by Jerry longer than he should have.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
Cap relief.....
Again, regarding Ratliff. t’s hard to measure based on what appears how much dead money is retained in a trade;
9/9/2011: Signed a seven-year, $48.625 million contract. The deal contains $18 million guaranteed.
It looks like he was held too long already if a 4th is all there is.
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