FanPost

Jairus Byrd....

I would like to start off my fanpost offering up a job well done to KD Drummond and his 'Salary Cap Manifesto'. His piece might be the most comprehensive and well written article that I have seen from ANYONE who covers the Dallas Cowboys. He debunked many of stereo types that I had believed as fact. I believe it is a shame that the ESPN Dallas guys are so weak and don't take the time to examine these issues in depth. Thanks to Mr. Drummond's explanation of the Cap, it appears we will have more Cap room to play with this year. If I was a betting man, I would bet that Ware to takes the pay cut (incentive laden deal) giving us even more flexibility.

Why not make a run at Jairus Byrd?

"In 2013, per Pro Football Focus’ game charting, Byrd was targeted 22 times on 359 passing snaps played. He gave up a ridiculously low 83 total yards (51 after the catch) in just 11 receptions, which is especially impressive for a player who defends the deep half a great deal of the time. Byrd gave up just one touchdown and intercepted four passes. No qualifying safety — including those who play in the box most of the time — gave up fewer total yards. In 2012, Byrd was targeted 21 times in 561 passing snaps, allowing 16 receptions for 156 yards (76 of those after the catch), no touchdowns, and five picks."

The production is elite and the number to acquire him might not be cost prohibitive. Byrd is an Earl Thomas type player, a perfect complement to Barry Church who plays the role of the hammer. Byrd and Church would be one of the better Safety groups in the NFL. It would turn a position group that is thought of as a liability into a position group that would be feared. Signing Byrd would allow us to focus on the Defensive Line in the draft, or even another position of need.

Let's talk acquisition cost. Tampa Bay’s Dashon Goldson, who signed a five-year, $41.25 million contract as a free agent last March is probably going to be the comp. We will probably have to do better than $8 million per year to get Byrd, as rumor has it-- he turned down a deal with Buffalo that would have made him the highest paid Safety in the game. This is just conjecture on my part, but I think Byrd knows he is going to get paid well no matter where he is signs, so why lock in long-term to Buffalo? Besides, taxes in New York are extraordinarily high and I think that played a factor into his decision making. This is where the great State of Texas has an advantage. If we paid him $9 million per year, his 'net-net' would still be higher than the $10 million offered in Buffalo.

I know we paid retail for Carr and he hasn't quite lived up to expectations, but if we added a player like Byrd- it might take some pressure off of Carr and raise his level of play. I think we all could get excited about this projected Secondary of... FS-Byrd SS-Church CB- Carr CB-Scandrick/ Claiborne

If we go into the draft with Byrd signed, then we can focus on getting our Defensive line squared away.

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