CCBoy
03-09-2012, 12:43 AM
Credit Line
Free Agency Flexibility Excites Garrett
Rob Phillips
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=F4913696-0CD8-3E4E-0CC853B82ADB3B73
DALLAS - Here's just how bizarre NFL free agency was last summer, post-lockout: By the time players could officially sign contracts, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett was directing his seventh day of training camp practice. Re-signed starters Doug Free, Marcus Spears, Kyle Kosier and Gerald Sensabaugh weren't even eligible to take the field until a week into camp in San Antonio.
"It was a tricky time last year," Garrett recalled this week. "I think a lot of teams struggled with how to manage it and you fight your way through it and you figure it out.
"But this year is much more traditional. I think it's a better way to be able to do it."
By "traditional," Garrett means a signing period that begins in March, not August. Teams can once again start the process of addressing their rosters by retaining or signing proven veterans, not selecting unproven rookies in the NFL Draft first.
All teams stand to benefit from this year's normal free agency schedule, set to open Tuesday, as opposed to last year's free-for-all following a four-month work stoppage. Unlike last year, there will be no ambiguity about the rules under a fledgling Collective Bargaining Agreement. The league is expected to release the official 2012 salary cap number on Friday, and estimations are the Cowboys can create at least $20 million in space by restructuring some of their current contracts, possibly including wide receiver Dez Bryant's, or waiving a player or two under contract.
That's the other part that makes Garrett optimistic about the Cowboys' prospects. They spent last summer mostly re-signing their own guys and cleaning up their cap, waiving high-priced vets Roy Williams, Marion Barber, Leonard Davis and Marc Colombo (and later Andre Gurode). Those moves saved some $23 million, but they still needed to rework deals like Miles Austin's and DeMarcus Ware's to get below the league's $120.4 million cap figure and make a decent push for free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Defensive end Kenyon Coleman and safety Abram Elam were signed to two- and one-year deals, respectively.
This year, the club seems to be in better financial shape, more flexible for making moves...
Free Agency Flexibility Excites Garrett
Rob Phillips
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=F4913696-0CD8-3E4E-0CC853B82ADB3B73
DALLAS - Here's just how bizarre NFL free agency was last summer, post-lockout: By the time players could officially sign contracts, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett was directing his seventh day of training camp practice. Re-signed starters Doug Free, Marcus Spears, Kyle Kosier and Gerald Sensabaugh weren't even eligible to take the field until a week into camp in San Antonio.
"It was a tricky time last year," Garrett recalled this week. "I think a lot of teams struggled with how to manage it and you fight your way through it and you figure it out.
"But this year is much more traditional. I think it's a better way to be able to do it."
By "traditional," Garrett means a signing period that begins in March, not August. Teams can once again start the process of addressing their rosters by retaining or signing proven veterans, not selecting unproven rookies in the NFL Draft first.
All teams stand to benefit from this year's normal free agency schedule, set to open Tuesday, as opposed to last year's free-for-all following a four-month work stoppage. Unlike last year, there will be no ambiguity about the rules under a fledgling Collective Bargaining Agreement. The league is expected to release the official 2012 salary cap number on Friday, and estimations are the Cowboys can create at least $20 million in space by restructuring some of their current contracts, possibly including wide receiver Dez Bryant's, or waiving a player or two under contract.
That's the other part that makes Garrett optimistic about the Cowboys' prospects. They spent last summer mostly re-signing their own guys and cleaning up their cap, waiving high-priced vets Roy Williams, Marion Barber, Leonard Davis and Marc Colombo (and later Andre Gurode). Those moves saved some $23 million, but they still needed to rework deals like Miles Austin's and DeMarcus Ware's to get below the league's $120.4 million cap figure and make a decent push for free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Defensive end Kenyon Coleman and safety Abram Elam were signed to two- and one-year deals, respectively.
This year, the club seems to be in better financial shape, more flexible for making moves...