Eatman: Few Random Thoughts During This Calm Before Storm

[WoodysGirl]

Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

Here are some of my random thoughts concerning the Cowboys, free agency, contracts, the draft and anything else worth nothing here as the month of February comes to an end.

• While we’ve heard Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones say they don’t have to get Tony Romo’s deal done before the start of free agency, my gut tells me it’s more important than they’re letting on. And that’s how most negotiations work, right? It’s always more serious than we know. Sure, the Cowboys can function without a new contract, but it’ll likely mean cutting a lot more of these players than they want to. There is a way to get down on the cap without signing Romo and lowering his base, but it’s not very Romo-friendly considering how many key players will likely be cut in the process.
• I kinda wish fans would have a better understanding of stories that are being reported and stories (like this) that are more opinionated. For example, when I wrote that Stephen Jones said the Cowboys are considering moving Doug Free from tackle to guard … that’s what he said. Whether or not that is entirely true or they are just playing the game you have to play right now, that is what Stephen said. And Jerry Jones hinted at that, too. But again, that’s what they’re saying. Yet somehow, it often gets twisted because my byline is on the story that it’s exactly what I think should happen. Personally, Free looks more like a tight end than a guard. Not saying he should be running routes, but I just don’t see him with the body type to play guard. I think he’s a tackle and a starting tackle. Just not one who should be making $8 million per season. Now that’s my opinion.
• About this Tom Brady contract and how it might affect Romo’s deal … it probably won’t. And it probably shouldn’t. I don’t think Brady and Romo are that comparable in terms of money. One guy has twice as many Super Bowl MVP awards as the other has playoff wins. However, before we salute Brady for taking a deal that has been reported around $9-10 million per season, it’s actually guaranteed dollars in his pocket until he’s 40. Yes, Romo will get a deal in the range of $17-18 per season but not all of that is guaranteed. Probably not even half. So you can call it a three-year, $27 million extension for Brady if you’d like. You can also call it a $27 million signing bonus that is guaranteed and will be prorated over a three-year span from the ages of 38-40.

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