Cowboys $25 million under the cap

[SALADIN]

Just heard on Norms show that the Cowboys could have $25 million dollars to spend in FA next year.

Steven Jones was on with Big Dick (can I say that?) yesterday and he did say that the Cowboys would have about $20 million dollars of cap space available. Plus the $5 million that was added by the NFL yesterday could leave the Cowboys with some pretty deep pockets this off season. AJT (Cap expert) help me out here.

No excuses this time, use it or lose it.

With that kind of money you can get 2 CB's, 2 DE's, a DT and a WR. The conservative approach hasn't worked. You can't expect to spend Ford money and get a Cadilac.

It cost to floss

Who would you spend that money on? McAllister, W. Jones, D. Breez...

[TheHustler]

McAllister would be nice. Doubt the ravens let him see FA though.

[wileedog]

McAllister would be nice. Doubt the ravens let him see FA though.

Agreed on both counts.

[Champsheart]

Just heard on Norms show that the Cowboys could have $25 million dollars to spend in FA next year.

Steven Jones was on with Big Dick (can I say that?) yesterday and he did say that the Cowboys would have about $20 million dollars of cap space available. Plus the $5 million that was added by the NFL yesterday could leave the Cowboys with some pretty deep pockets this off season. AJT (Cap expert) help me out here.

No excuses this time, use it or lose it.

With that kind of money you can get 2 CB's, 2 DE's, a DT and a WR. The conservative approach hasn't worked. You can't expect to spend Ford money and get a Cadilac.

It cost to floss

Who would you spend that money on? McAllister, W. Jones, D. Breez...

If for some reason, which I doubt all 3 were available I would sign Abraham, Rogers, Hasselbeck.

[CowboyChris]

with 25 million, i would FIRST sign a legit QB in the offseason, and then basically revamp the whole defense with the change. but i would add that a stud WR should be added in the draft. thats how i would go about it.

[Yeagermeister]

McCallister signed an extension earlier in the season. :iggles:

[chicago JK]

That is great news. Although as the Skins have shown, high paid free agents isn't the way to build a team. The Skins actually made some nice pickups this offseason but they are as bad as they were in '03 record wise. It is nice way to add a few players to surround your talent already on your roster.

The draft is still the lifeblood of a team. Free agency is typically guys who are either overpaid or players lacking in production/or up in age. There are exceptions, but more often than not they fit in the above category.

Now that we are in excellent cap standing, I hope we don't blow it all this offseason. I plan and hope to be in excellent cap position for the long term. This is where Philly and Balt. have excelled. Draft well, lock up your key players and let players over 30 get their big money elsewhere.

[SALADIN]

Agreed on both counts.

Must be nice to have that kind of talent you refuse to let go of. (sigh) :cry:

[Juke99]

WOWZA...can you imagine all the special team's players and TE's we can sign? :)

OK...

Fingers crossed on this...teams have become very astute at protecting their best players...franchise tags...creative contracts etc....there's not the wealth of guys available each season that there used to be...

And not to quote Spags but often, there's a reason why their prior team let them walk...

So, crummy as it is to be looking toward next season while this one is still in progress, at least we can have hope.

[SALADIN]

That is great news. Although as the Skins have shown, high paid free agents isn't the way to build a team. The Skins actually made some nice pickups this offseason but they are as bad as they were in '03 record wise. It is nice way to add a few players to surround your talent already on your roster.

The draft is still the lifeblood of a team. Free agency is typically guys who are either overpaid or players lacking in production/or up in age. There are exceptions, but more often than not they fit in the above category.

Now that we are in excellent cap standing, I hope we don't blow it all this offseason. I plan and hope to be in excellent cap position for the long term. This is where Philly and Balt. have excelled. Draft well, lock up your key players and let players over 30 get their big money elsewhere.

I agree Chi-town, but the Cowboys may arguably be the worst team at drafting over the last 10 years.

T. Owens, J. Kearse, C. Dillion have made huge impacts on their respective teams and I doubt if any of them can be called overpaid.

[Doomsday101]

Dallas does need to be more aggressive than last off-season but being aggressive does not mean go out and over pay for players either. Some of these high priced FA are not playing up to the money teams have spent to get them

[crazylegs]

Is $25 million enough?

I mean if every team has $25 million to spend then that alone won't buy a good CB next year.

Relatively speaking where does this $25 million put us compared to the rest of the league?

[wileedog]

T. Owens, J. Kearse, C. Dillion have made huge impacts on their respective teams and I doubt if any of them can be called overpaid.

Jevon Kearse 7 1/2 sacks for $66M?

Few of the CBs lived up to their large contracts.

Brunell? Complete waste of money. Collins has been so so, but he's on a terrible team. Warner got benched for a rookie. Garcia won't be in Cleveland long.

Berry was probably the guy we really whiffed on.

[Dye]

Is $25 million enough?

I mean if every team has $25 million to spend then that alone won't buy a good CB next year.

Relatively speaking where does this $25 million put us compared to the rest of the league?

c'mon adam...where are the heck are you! we need cap info on other teams! :D

[Yeagermeister]

Berry was probably the guy we really whiffed on.

If Zimmer had gotten a hold of him I'm sure he'd only have 2 sacks also.

[SALADIN]

Jevon Kearse 7 1/2 sacks for $66M?

Few of the CBs lived up to their large contracts.

Brunell? Complete waste of money. Collins has been so so, but he's on a terrible team. Warner got benched for a rookie. Garcia won't be in Cleveland long.

Berry was probably the guy we really whiffed on.

He's not making $66M THIS YEAR. Let's see what he does over the course of the contract :rolleyes:

Who said anything about Brunell, Collins, Warner or Garcia?

[Doomsday101]

Only thing that scared me on Kearse was his injury problems that is a lot of money to pay out on a player who even his former team was concerned about those injuries.

[Yakuza Rich]

Is $25 million enough?

I mean if every team has $25 million to spend then that alone won't buy a good CB next year.

Relatively speaking where does this $25 million put us compared to the rest of the league?

I believe we are on par to be in the top 3. Of course this could even be more since it doesn't include cuts and unexpected cuts which would increase our cap room even more.

If it were to me, the top 5 targets would be:

1. Ken Lucas CB Seattle
2. Jason Ferguson NT Jets
3. Will Demps FS Baltimore
4. Andra Davis MLB Cleveland
5. John Kitna QB Cincinnati

Rich..............................
remember calling Kitna "greener than Augusta National" once upon a time.

[wileedog]

He's not making $66M THIS YEAR. Let's see what he does over the course of the contract :rolleyes:

Fine, he's making 8M+ this year.

Ellis is making 2M+ this year and has more sacks.

But you're right, lets see how it goes over the coarse of the contract.

Who said anything about Brunell, Collins, Warner or Garcia?

You pointed out 3 "successful" free agent signings. I was just pointing out some not so successful ones.

Free agency is not a cure all, and you don't always get what you pay for. But then we learned that with Wiley.

[CaptainAmerica]

It's really all about the QB position. Sure, you have to have a decent team surrounding him, but look at the top teams and think where they would be right now if they didn't have the guy they have behind the center. One way or the other we have to get a top-flight QB if we are going to move up to the next level.

I know that's easier said than done, but that's what we are facing this off-season.

[tyke1doe]

I agree Chi-town, but the Cowboys may arguably be the worst team at drafting over the last 10 years.

T. Owens, J. Kearse, C. Dillion have made huge impacts on their respective teams and I doubt if any of them can be called overpaid.


You do know that the Eagles and Patriots were championship-level teams without adding those players, don't you?

You only sign big-ticket free agents like those (or in the case of Dillion, trading for one) if you're one or two players away from the Big Show (or in the case of the Pats, wanting to preserve your mini-dynasty).

Dallas is hardly a player away from the Super Bowl.

[SALADIN]

You pointed out 3 "successful" free agent signings. I was just pointing out some not so successful ones.

Free agency is not a cure all, and you don't always get what you pay for. But then we learned that with Wiley.

I never said that FA was the cure all ??? ???

Maybe this year we'll draft some players that can actually contribute this year and find 4 or 5 veterans that can do the same. Players who you don't have to cross your figures about like Wiley.

The players that I pointed out were all producers for their previous teams and have continued to produce like Glover. Those are the kind of players I hope the Cowboys look at not the ones you roll the dice on.

:confused:

[SALADIN]

You do know that the Eagles and Patriots were championship-level teams without adding those players, don't you?

You only sign big-ticket free agents like those (or in the case of Dillion, trading for one) if you're one or two players away from the Big Show (or in the case of the Pats, wanting to preserve your mini-dynasty).

Dallas is hardly a player away from the Super Bowl.

And at the beginning of 2003, how many players was Carolina away from being in the Super Bowl?

[BrownSugar]

Just heard on Norms show that the Cowboys could have $25 million dollars to spend in FA next year.

Steven Jones was on with Big Dick (can I say that?) yesterday and he did say that the Cowboys would have about $20 million dollars of cap space available. Plus the $5 million that was added by the NFL yesterday could leave the Cowboys with some pretty deep pockets this off season. AJT (Cap expert) help me out here.

No excuses this time, use it or lose it.

With that kind of money you can get 2 CB's, 2 DE's, a DT and a WR. The conservative approach hasn't worked. You can't expect to spend Ford money and get a Cadilac.

It cost to floss

Who would you spend that money on? McAllister, W. Jones, D. Breez...
Is that my cuz, T-Murph, in your sig line?? So you think he might go in the 2nd round? We're hoping and thinking that he may go late 1st or some time in the 2nd. Let's keep our fingers cross that he has a good showing in the Bowl game on the 1st!! :crossed:

[TheSkaven]

with 25 million, i would FIRST sign a legit QB in the offseason, and then basically revamp the whole defense with the change. but i would add that a stud WR should be added in the draft. thats how i would go about it.
Yes. It all starts with the QB, though those guys don't fall off trees. Vinny is too old to take a team to the playoffs and Henson/Romo are both not ready.

Hasslebeck would be a good addition if he becomes available. If not, Kurt Warner would be fine if we can keep him protected.

[BrownSugar]

Jevon Kearse 7 1/2 sacks for $66M?

Few of the CBs lived up to their large contracts.

Brunell? Complete waste of money. Collins has been so so, but he's on a terrible team. Warner got benched for a rookie. Garcia won't be in Cleveland long.

Berry was probably the guy we really whiffed on.
Yeah, but you have to think about the fact that a lot of vets (unless they were former Parcell's players) don't want to have to come here and go through such a rough training camp, they feel like they've paid their dues...that's the reason why Berry decided upon AZ instead of us, didn't he sign for cheaper $ there, or was that someone else?

BTW, Saladin, how did we get an extra 5 million?

[Cbz40]

If we are 25Mil inder the cap then there should be no excuses for dumping Vinny and signing a QB. Nor any reason for not giving the D a complete ovrthaul.

Just get it done. ;)

[MinnesotaCowboy]

You took the words right out of my mouth, Brown Sugar! Berry did not want to play here but he did get a few more bucks with Arizona.

[xpistofer]

I believe we are on par to be in the top 3. Of course this could even be more since it doesn't include cuts and unexpected cuts which would increase our cap room even more.

If it were to me, the top 5 targets would be:

1. Ken Lucas CB Seattle
2. Jason Ferguson NT Jets
3. Will Demps FS Baltimore
4. Andra Davis MLB Cleveland
5. John Kitna QB Cincinnati

Rich..............................
remember calling Kitna "greener than Augusta National" once upon a time.

outstanding choice of names.
i would be surprised to see demps available, but if he is...

also, out of all the vet qb's, i could actually live with kitna for a year while henson/romo continue to learn. it would be cool to see a guy like him succeed here for a little while.

lucas & ferguson are almost locks, imo. we know how parcells feels about both and they should definitely be available.

dont know too much about davis - but i am not displeased with dat.

i would consider these guys the perfect group of free agency signings.
please let it be so.

[VThokie7]

Don't forget that with the new TV contract the NFL signed the Cap will be seeing a significant increase come next season too. That only adds to the huge amount of space we already have. And with the cap most likely going up the next few years there is no reason to be frugal again like this season and place ourselves in the same position

[MichaelWinicki]

I never said that FA was the cure all ??? ???

Maybe this year we'll draft some players that can actually contribute this year and find 4 or 5 veterans that can do the same. Players who you don't have to cross your figures about like Wiley.

The players that I pointed out were all producers for their previous teams and have continued to produce like Glover. Those are the kind of players I hope the Cowboys look at not the ones you roll the dice on.

:confused:


So you're saying Dallas can fix all of its problems through free agency? :D

[crazylegs]

Don't forget that with the new TV contract the NFL signed the Cap will be seeing a significant increase come next season too. That only adds to the huge amount of space we already have. And with the cap most likely going up the next few years there is no reason to be frugal again like this season and place ourselves in the same position

If the teams get more $$$$$ then the few FA players available get more money, the teams don't get more players.

It's a supply and demand thing!

[SALADIN]

Yeah, but you have to think about the fact that a lot of vets (unless they were former Parcell's players) don't want to have to come here and go through such a rough training camp, they feel like they've paid their dues...that's the reason why Berry decided upon AZ instead of us, didn't he sign for cheaper $ there, or was that someone else?

BTW, Saladin, how did we get an extra 5 million?


The Dallas Morning News is reporting that there would be a $5 million dollar increase in the 2005 salary cap.

And I know that's your family Suge. I've been checking him out for the last couple of years and I think he's a terrific all a round player. He can return kicks, he's a great down field blocker, better hands than I expected and does most of his damage after the ball is in his hands.

I've even seen him on a few reverses and not only does he have the speed to turn the corner but he's also a great open field runner. I've also seen some leadership qualities in him more this year than last year.

I'm hoping for more defense with the 1st two picks but depending on what Buffalo does one of the two could end up in the late first or in a trade we could end up with a couple of 1st and 2nd's. So selfishly speaking, I hope he is still there in the 2nd after we fill some holes on defense. :o

[Rack Bauer]

So you're saying Dallas can fix all of its problems through free agency? :D


Look no further then the Redskins.

It can't be done.

[VA Cowboy]

So you're saying Dallas can fix all of its problems through free agency? :D

Are there any FA GM's available???

[BrownSugar]

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that there would be a $5 million dollar increase in the 2005 salary cap.

And I know that's your family Suge. I've been checking him out for the last couple of years and I think he's a terrific all a round player. He can return kicks, he's a great down field blocker, better hands than I expected and does most of his damage after the ball is in his hands.

I've even seen him on a few reverses and not only does he have the speed to turn the corner but he's also a great open field runner. I've also seen some leadership qualities in him more this year than last year.

I'm hoping for more defense with the 1st two picks but depending on what Buffalo does one of the two could end up in the late first or in a trade we could end up with a couple of 1st and 2nd's. So selfishly speaking, I hope he is still there in the 2nd after we fill some holes on defense. :o
Yeah, realistically I think he'll go 2nd round, I'm just hoping that he comes here!! We definitely need to go defense in the 1st, hopefully a pass rusher and a decent corner.

He has all those qualities that you named, and he also has an awesome vertical leap, did you see that tip in the endzone at the Oklahoma State game? He's very level headed and down to earth, too, my auntie makes sure of that.. His brother has been in prison for like 9 or 10 years, he just got out a couple of weeks ago, so he'll get to see his last NCAA game before he's off to the pros!!

[SALADIN]

So you're saying Dallas can fix all of its problems through free agency? :D

http://www.toysandbooks.com/Fall_2003_Newsletter/SmartyPants_School.jpg

[TLW47]

Great. Last year their big sign was Wiley who probably has turned out to be the biggest waste of money on the Cowboys this year.

I hope they take some serious time to study the FA's this year, make some wise choices and actually do something to improve the team.

They need to do something in the draft also.



:iggles:

[THEHEREAFTER]

I believe we are on par to be in the top 3. Of course this could even be more since it doesn't include cuts and unexpected cuts which would increase our cap room even more.

If it were to me, the top 5 targets would be:

1. Ken Lucas CB Seattle
2. Jason Ferguson NT Jets
3. Will Demps FS Baltimore
4. Andra Davis MLB Cleveland
5. John Kitna QB Cincinnati

Rich..............................
remember calling Kitna "greener than Augusta National" once upon a time.

How good is Ken Lucas...? The Seattle D .. seems like swiss cheese

[Fletch]

You took the words right out of my mouth, Brown Sugar! Berry did not want to play here but he did get a few more bucks with Arizona.

Funny, because I distinctly remember reading a quote out of a Dallas Morning News article that said that Bertrand Berry was very interested in coming to Dallas and Dallas was one team on the top of his list. Dallas just didn't put enough money on the table to persuade his decision.

[Yakuza Rich]

Look no further then the Redskins.

It can't be done.

According to Skins fans they are only a couple of players away from the Super Bowl.

How dare ye.


:skins:

Rich................
4-9 and still talking trash

[Chocolate Lab]

And I know that's your family Suge. I've been checking him out for the last couple of years and I think he's a terrific all a round player. He can return kicks, he's a great down field blocker, better hands than I expected and does most of his damage after the ball is in his hands.

I've even seen him on a few reverses and not only does he have the speed to turn the corner but he's also a great open field runner. I've also seen some leadership qualities in him more this year than last year.

I'm hoping for more defense with the 1st two picks but depending on what Buffalo does one of the two could end up in the late first or in a trade we could end up with a couple of 1st and 2nd's. So selfishly speaking, I hope he is still there in the 2nd after we fill some holes on defense. :o

I like Murphy, too... Made an effort to look for him this year, knowing he's Brown Sugar's cousin. Do you (or Sugar) know his 40 time? He looks fast... How does he compare speed-wise to a guy like Mark Clayton from OU? Neither will go very high, but might be pretty good pros...

[Champsheart]

How good is Ken Lucas...? The Seattle D .. seems like swiss cheese

He is not great, but he is pretty solid.
I do not think any defensive problems Seattle has is due to Lucas. He plays both the run and pass pretty well.

Lets put it this way, he is a whole lot better than any other option we currently have at RCB.

[Yakuza Rich]

How good is Ken Lucas...? The Seattle D .. seems like swiss cheese

Lucas is 6’0” 205 lbs. He’s a second round pick from a few years ago.

This year he has 5 INT’s, with 12 passes defensed.

INT wise, he’s t3rd in the NFL and t1st in the NFC.

In his last three years, he’s been on average to get 3.3 INT’s per 16 games (he missed 2 games in 2003 and still has 3 games to go this year)

He’s actually YOUNGER than Newman despite have 2 more years of NFL experience.

The other guy I would like to see them go after is Baltimore’s Gary Baxter.

Baxter is much more of the bigger CB that everybody seems to love these days….6’2” 215 lbs. But, he’s only got 1 INT this year and just doesn’t look to be the ballhawk that Lucas is.

Go after Lucas first, if that fails target Baxter. That way they’ll get experience in the secondary and they can have either one of those two be the favorite to be the starting RCB while facing competition from Hunter, Nate Jones, and Lance Frazier.


Rich……………
Seattle seemed to have more problems stopping the run than the pass to me.

[Hollywood Henderson]

We really are in good shape money wise...

I also expect Woodson & Dex to be cut...Not sure what cap impact that would have?

I do expect a FA FS to be signed, we need a vet to step in there and produce right away...(No time to develop a rookie at that spot)

DT...Fergeson could also be a guy signed without breaking the bank that we would know what he "brings to the table"...We just don't have any depth there, that can expect to be a impact player...

I really expect Parcells to bring in a player perhaps FA who can be an impact player at MLB...I love Dat's heart...But he is just too limited for that important position...

In the draft, I really think we need a Braylon Edwards type, wit our first pick as we need a #1 WR to put a fear into the Filthys of the NFL, who can beat single and double teams for long TD's...

I expect our other #1 or #2 pick to be a guy who can "Go kill QB's"...

Of course we will make a change at DC...That will make the biggest impact and return Doomsday to Dallas!

[THEHEREAFTER]

He is not great, but he is pretty solid.
I do not think any defensive problems Seattle has is due to Lucas. He plays both the run and pass pretty well.

Lets put it this way, he is a whole lot better than any other option we currently have at RCB.

Agreed.. I guess I just don't know a whole lot about him

[Chuck 54]

1. RCB
2. FS
3. QB
4. DL
5. WR
6. LB
7. PK
8. OL

that's my plan

[Portland Fanatic]

Agreed.. I guess I just don't know a whole lot about him
Just jump on the get Lucas in FA wagon..this kid is good and getting better. Would make a great compliment to Tnew and already plays the right side. Combine him with a new safety and we are in good shape...

[Natedawg44]

Ken Lucas, Gary Baxter and Fred Smoot are all definitely better than anything available last year. I think Lucas is probably the best of the bunch, because you just don't know how good Baxter is because of the players on that D. You gotta love his size though. Anthony Henry is another 2nd tier type of corner with huge size that if things don't pan out with any of the above would be a good option. Going into this offseason resigning Carson I think has become a bigger priority. I wouldn't be suprised to see him hit with with transition tag to protect ourselves.

1) Ken Lucas
2) Dwight Smith
3) Rocky Bernard
4) Edgerton Hartwell
5) Jon Kitna

[Portland Fanatic]

Ken Lucas, Gary Baxter and Fred Smoot are all definitely better than anything available last year. I think Lucas is probably the best of the bunch, because you just don't know how good Baxter is because of the players on that D. You gotta love his size though. Anthony Henry is another 2nd tier type of corner with huge size that if things don't pan out with any of the above would be a good option. Going into this offseason resigning Carson I think has become a bigger priority. I wouldn't be suprised to see him hit with with transition tag to protect ourselves.

1) Ken Lucas
2) Dwight Smith
3) Rocky Bernard
4) Edgerton Hartwell
5) Jon Kitna
1) Ken Lucas
2) Dwight Smith
3) Rocky Bernard
4) Edgerton Hartwell

Lucas and Hartwell are on the must have list...

[jterrell]

Is $25 million enough?

I mean if every team has $25 million to spend then that alone won't buy a good CB next year.

Relatively speaking where does this $25 million put us compared to the rest of the league?
2nd or 3rd most depending on how things shake out.

Dallas could easily have the most free agent cash after teams re-up their own guys.

[CantonBound08]

Look no further then the Redskins.

It can't be done.
Couldn't agree more, but you can build a good defense through free agency. Offense seems to be a whole different story.

[Yakuza Rich]

Ken Lucas, Gary Baxter and Fred Smoot are all definitely better than anything available last year.

Better than Antoine Winfield? I’d probably take Winfield over all three, not by a large margin though.


I think Lucas is probably the best of the bunch, because you just don't know how good Baxter is because of the players on that D. You gotta love his size though.

That’s what concerns me. I think Lucas is the best of the bunch (Smoot is more of a scheme player, which isn’t a bad thing). But, Parcells is high on big corners who can tackle. Personally, I prefer my corners to be Charles Tillman, just under 6’0” tall, quick and fast, with long arms.


Rich…………….

[boysfanindc]

This is what it looked like in July and just think hiring a GM costs us nothing against the cap.

Updated July 15, 2004
The 2004 Salary Cap is estimated to be approximately $80,582,000

Rank Team Total Cap Room
1 Cleveland Browns $69,182,000 $11,400,000
2 New Orleans Saints $69,582,000 $11,000,000
3 Philadelphia Eagles $70,282,000 $10,300,000
4 Dallas Cowboys $71,382,000 $9,200,000
5 Arizona Cardinals $73,052,000 $7,530,000
6 Minnesota Vikings $73,282,000 $7,300,000
7 Detroit Lions $73,382,000 $7,200,000
8 Jacksonville Jaguars $73,582,000 $7,000,000
9 Kansas City Chiefs $73,912,000 $6,670,000
10 Miami Dolphins $74,282,000 $6,300,000
11 Cincinnati Bengals $74,982,000 $5,600,000
12 Buffalo Bills $75,082,000 $5,500,000
13 San Diego Chargers $75,082,000 $5,500,000
14 New York Giants $75,682,000 $4,900,000
15 Seattle Seahawks $75,782,000 $4,800,000
16 Washington Redskins $75,782,000 $4,800,000
17 Indianapolis Colts $76,132,000 $4,450,000
18 Chicago Bears $76,582,000 $4,000,000
19 New York Jets $76,582,000 $4,000,000
20 St. Louis Rams $76,832,000 $3,750,000
21 Atlanta Falcons $77,282,000 $3,300,000
22 Houston Texans $77,282,000 $3,300,000
23 Baltimore Ravens $77,482,000 $3,100,000
24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers $77,812,000 $2,770,000
25 Pittsburgh Steelers $77,882,000 $2,700,000
26 San Francisco 49ers $78,082,000 $2,500,000
27 Green Bay Packers $78,182,000 $2,400,000
28 Denver Broncos $78,832,000 $1,750,000
29 New England Patriots $78,922,000 $1,660,000
30 Carolina Panthers $79,482,000 $1,100,000
31 Oakland Raiders $79,698,000 $884,000
32 Tennessee Titans $80,059,000 $523,000

[crazylegs]

2nd or 3rd most depending on how things shake out.

Dallas could easily have the most free agent cash after teams re-up their own guys.

Hey, thanks for the firefox link. :)

[LesPaul]

Funny, because I distinctly remember reading a quote out of a Dallas Morning News article that said that Bertrand Berry was very interested in coming to Dallas and Dallas was one team on the top of his list. Dallas just didn't put enough money on the table to persuade his decision.


If I remember right. We offered more money to Berry than Arizona. He chose Arizona instead.

[Kevlee06]

The Cowboys need to take a page out of the Vikings book. When they signed CB Winfield they basically made his salary $11 million the first year so he had a cap hit of $11 million instead of spreading a signing bonus over the life of his deal. Since that money (a bonus) wouldve been guaranteed anyway it really gave them extra cap space by not doing the deal the way most teams do them.
That being said Minnesota had around $33 million in space last year so it was easier for them. But for at least one big free agent the Cowboys should look into giving him a contract structured like that. Would only help in future years.

[Common Sense]

I noticed the way Minnesota is handling their cap. It seems pretty ingenious.

[Eskimo]

Just heard on Norms show that the Cowboys could have $25 million dollars to spend in FA next year.


No excuses this time, use it or lose it.


Last year we had lots of space.

Decided to spent about $12M for Keyshawn, VT, Wley and Eddie George.

The current managment cannot be trusted to spend this money wisely.

[Eskimo]

Funny, because I distinctly remember reading a quote out of a Dallas Morning News article that said that Bertrand Berry was very interested in coming to Dallas and Dallas was one team on the top of his list. Dallas just didn't put enough money on the table to persuade his decision.

I agree, Berry wanted to be here according to the reports. Parcells even apparently preferred him over Wiley. When it came down to it, we were too cheap - that's why Berry ended up in Arizona.

[Teague31]

I think the two biggest priorities in FA should be Walter Jones and Shaun Rogers- you win on the lines. Seattle has been unable to lock up Jones and have been forced to use the franchise tag on him the past 2 seasons. With Hasselback and Alexander also FA's, they won't have that luxury this year. Signing Jones would let us move Flo to RT and make our O-Line dominant IMO.

The addition of Rogers at DT would make Glover and Ellis better automatically. I have a feeling Detroit will franchise him.

[Eskimo]

I think the two biggest priorities in FA should be Walter Jones and Shaun Rogers- you win on the lines. Seattle has been unable to lock up Jones and have been forced to use the franchise tag on him the past 2 seasons. With Hasselback and Alexander also FA's, they won't have that luxury this year. Signing Jones would let us move Flo to RT and make our O-Line dominant IMO.

The addition of Rogers at DT would make Glover and Ellis better automatically. I have a feeling Detroit will franchise him.

We have too much money invested in the OL between LA and Flo as is. It is a decent unit and probably the best overall unit on the team in terms of starters and depth.

I would rather spend our money on DL, LB and safety where we are dreadful.

[AJM1613]

Jevon Kearse 7 1/2 sacks for $66M?

It's not all about individual numbers...look what he did for the defense that lost both it's corners.

There is no question...he was worth it.

[Sarge]

It's not all about individual numbers...look what he did for the defense that lost both it's corners.

There is no question...he was worth it.

................hardly.

[The30YardSlant]

Get Charles Woodson DAMMITT!!!

[AJM1613]

................hardly.

????????

:sarge:

[jumanji]

there are 3 targets...then go after a vet qb - i like the kitna signing and look for some wrs. we also need some oline help.

[SALADIN]

http://espn.go.com/magazine/vol6no03superbowl_raidersxfactor.html

http://www.angelfire.com/nj3/philipdominic/porter.jpg

X-FACTOR: JERRY PORTER

Bill Callahan says Jerry Porter could catch 80 balls a year in an offense that featured his talents. To which Porter, employing his best Chris Webber smile -- and wink -- replies, "Eighty? How about 120?"

High expectations, and far beyond anything even the eminently confident Porter could have imagined as early as last summer. Callahan had a talk with him then, halfway through training camp, and he told the third-year receiver he was going to get an opportunity to show what he could do. Porter responded politely and enthusiastically, but the interior dialogue was a little different: "I'd heard it before. It was the same talk I had with Jon Gruden before my second year. That turned out to be nothing, so I didn't expect much. Coach Callahan turned out to be a man of his word. He stuck with me. I appreciate him for that."


If you underestimate Porter, chances are you'll lose the game.
At 6'2", 220 pounds, Porter is put together in the Terrell Owens mold, and has developed into the perfect complement to the smaller Tim Brown and Jerry Rice. Where Rice and Brown work the middle of the field and take on the short routes with metronomic precision, Porter is the deep threat who can get to the end zone from anywhere on the field. Consider his numbers: 51 receptions for 688 yards and a team-leading 9 TD catches. He might be the No.3 receiver, but he's No.3 with a bullet. Against the Jets in the divisional playoff, he caught six passes for 123 yards and the go-ahead touchdown. In the AFC title game against the Titans: four more catches for 52 yards and another touchdown.

No wonder Al Davis has told Porter, "You're ruining it for these old guys. Cut it out."

How good can Porter be? "I hope he can follow in the footsteps of the two other guys we've got here," says offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy. "As far as talent goes, there's no doubt he could." Kennedy waits as this information sinks in, until someone asks him to describe the confidence it gives the Raiders to know there's another threat -- maybe even an equal threat -- to go along with Brown and Rice.

Kennedy smiles and says, "Aren't we lucky?"

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/packer/img/rev/jan03/porter126.jpg