Cowboys Cut Linebacker Dan Connor, Restructure Orlando Scandrick & Mackenzy Bernadeau

Pro Football Talk is reporting that the Cowboys have cut ties with linebacker Dan Connor. The idea of cutting Connor has been circulating for a while now, either that or forcing him to take a pay cut to remain with the team. Dallas needed to shed around $7 million after designating Anthony Spencer with the franchise tag.

They created nearly half of that space by cutting linebacker Dan Connor.

Connor, who was due to earn a base salary of $3 million this year, previously had been given the dreaded pay-cut-or-get-out ultimatum. Since he was in the final year of his contract, the move creates at least $3 million in cap space.

With the emergence of Sean Lee and Bruce Carter, the only spot even remotely available was the strong side, the Cowboys had no plans to offer up that spot. So at $3 million as a backup, and with the team needing cap space, this decision was definitely coming.

In other cap-related news, Orlando Scandrick has restructured his contract to help get under the cap.

Cornerback Orlando Scandrick confirms he has restructured his contract to help the Cowboys clear cap space

— Clarence Hill (@clarencehilljr) March 11, 2013

In addition, Todd Archer reports that they restructured Mackenzy Bernadeau, too. Now the Cowboys are just $2 million over the cap and still need a little more maneuvering today. Could be Jay Ratliff who gets restructured next.

Late Breaking:

Nose tackle Jay Ratliff has also agreed to restructure has contract and it will be submitted to league office today, saving the Cowboys $2m

— Clarence Hill (@clarencehilljr) March 11, 2013