Eatman: Don’t Expect Same Free-Agency Splash As 2012 - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**WoodysGirl** · 02-08-2013

Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

As we celebrate this holiday known as National Signing Day, it brings me back to a day or two last March.

The fax machines were blowing up with contract offers here at Valley Ranch. The Cowboys got Brandon Carr and Kyle Orton, followed by Nate Livings and Dan Connor. From a free agency standpoint, the Cowboys were one of most aggressive teams last year and jumped right in the mix early.

Hope that was fun for the fans. Don’t expect that to happen this year when free agency begins in mid-March.

In fact, do you remember what happened in 2010? Of course you don’t because nothing happened, other than re-signing unrestricted free agent Montrae Holland to a two-year deal about a month into free agency. But that was it.

Read more: http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/ar...0-3dad151664c4

**Reality** · 02-08-2013

I am not sure if he is saying the Cowboys will not make a splash or will not be active in free agency. I do not see the Cowboys going after high profile players unless they somehow find a way to resign Spencer. However, I definitely see the Cowboys going after some non-superstar solid players, especially in the areas where they perceive they are weak or in areas where they are concerned about the players we have transitioning to Kiffin's 4-3 defense.

/reality

Future · 02-08-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reality

I am not sure if he is saying the Cowboys will not make a splash or will not be active in free agency. I do not see the Cowboys going after high profile players unless they somehow find a way to resign Spencer. However, I definitely see the Cowboys going after some non-superstar solid players, especially in the areas where they perceive they are weak or in areas where they are concerned about the players we have transitioning to Kiffin's 4-3 defense.

/reality

Agreed. I think some Dan Connor signings - ironically - will happen. Nothing flashy, just guys who get the job done.

fanfromvirginia · 02-08-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reality

I am not sure if he is saying the Cowboys will not make a splash or will not be active in free agency. I do not see the Cowboys going after high profile players unless they somehow find a way to resign Spencer. However, I definitely see the Cowboys going after some non-superstar solid players, especially in the areas where they perceive they are weak or in areas where they are concerned about the players we have transitioning to Kiffin's 4-3 defense.

/reality

Good point.

What's interesting about last year was that the Cowboys went for both quality (Carr) and quantity. So I don't think we should expect to repeat that very often.

Eatman says at the bottom he expects them to do "a few things", with no big signings (unless you count Spencer, which he doesn't expect to happen). That sounds about right to me, depending on how you define 'few'. It's not a totally coherent article, though, as he spells out a lot of ways the Cowboys can clear up a lot of money to spend.

DBOY3141 · 02-08-2013

It's all a big guess until March 12.

I think they go after Brandon Moore if in fact Free is released and Parnell is penciled in as a starter.

Risen Star · 02-08-2013

I don't expect much of anything in FA this year. Which is why I wouldn't have wasted 50 million on Carr last year.

rags747 · 02-08-2013

I'm fine with letting Spencer go and picking up a 3rd rounder for him next year. Then next year we pkg our 1st the following years 1st and maybe a 3rd for Manziel and let him sit on the bench for two yrs and learn from Romo. Yeah I know...Far Fetched.

Risen Star · 02-08-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanfromvirginia

Good point.

What's interesting about last year was that the Cowboys went for both quality (Carr) and quantity. So I don't think we should expect to repeat that very often.

Eatman says at the bottom he expects them to do "a few things", with no big signings (unless you count Spencer, which he doesn't expect to happen). That sounds about right to me, depending on how you define 'few'. It's not a totally coherent article, though, as he spells out a lot of ways the Cowboys can clear up a lot of money to spend.

Part of me wants to just take the salary cap medicine now and get it over with. But then you have to consider Romo is getting older and you probably should do whatever you can now to compete.

I think the Jones twins don't know how bad the roster is and will chalk up the 2012 season to injuries. Plan A is to get healthy and coach em up some more. Major roster additions are not needed.

Future · 02-08-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risen Star

Part of me wants to just take the salary cap medicine now and get it over with. But then you have to consider Romo is getting older and you probably should do whatever you can now to compete.

I think the Jones twins don't know how bad the roster is and will chalk up the 2012 season to injuries. Plan A is to get healthy and coach em up some more. Major roster additions are not needed.

I think the overhaul of the staff, especially the Rob Ryan firing, suggests otherwise.

Risen Star · 02-08-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future

I think the overhaul of the staff, especially the Rob Ryan firing, suggests otherwise.

Add coaching then. If anything, making those coaching changes indicates the talent evaluators on this team, and I use that term loosely, believe the talent is better than the record. Strengthening my position of a pretty inactive offseason in terms of player acquisition this year.

jjktkk · 02-08-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risen Star

Part of me wants to just take the salary cap medicine now and get it over with. But then you have to consider Romo is getting older and you probably should do whatever you can now to compete.

I think the Jones twins don't know how bad the roster is and will chalk up the 2012 season to injuries. Plan A is to get healthy and coach em up some more. Major roster additions are not needed.

More whing anti-Jerry posts. Shocking. But, if you could put away your Jones twins voo doo dolls for a sec., do you actually think Jerry and Stephen were happy with the 2012 season, giving the coaching turnover?

rags747 · 02-08-2013

Well I definitely know that the OL talent is worse than the record, Romo in most cases hides how crappy our OL really is but when we start to face the good teams even Romo cannot mask it enough...Why can't this team see that and especially Jerry...He was around when our OL was a dominant factor in all of our Championships.

DBOY3141 · 02-08-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by rags747

Well I definitely know that the OL talent is worse than the record, Romo in most cases hides how crappy our OL really is but when we start to face the good teams even Romo cannot mask it enough...Why can't this team see that and especially Jerry...He was around when our OL was a dominant factor in all of our Championships.

Because he see's how those OL's were built and is trying to do the same thing.

What round was Tunini drafted in?
How was Nate Newton acquired?
Stepnoski?
Gogan?
Eric Williams?

That was most of the line for 2 of the 3 SB's. We added Larry Allen (2nd round) and got the third ring.

But most of the OL play from 90's were not done by 1st, 2nd or 3rd rounders.

Risen Star · 02-08-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by rags747

Well I definitely know that the OL talent is worse than the record, Romo in most cases hides how crappy our OL really is but when we start to face the good teams even Romo cannot mask it enough...Why can't this team see that and especially Jerry...He was around when our OL was a dominant factor in all of our Championships.

Right. Romo and the head coach/offensive designer. They can work some magic between the 20's but when the field shrinks in the red zone they can't overcome it.

Risen Star · 02-08-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBOY3141

Because he see's how those OL's were built and is trying to do the same thing.

What round was Tunini drafted in?
How was Nate Newton acquired?
Stepnoski?
Gogan?
Eric Williams?

That was most of the line for 2 of the 3 SB's. We added Larry Allen (2nd round) and got the third ring.

But most of the OL play from 90's were not done by 1st, 2nd or 3rd rounders.

They also weren't put together by the owner and his son.

You have to play the hand you are dealt.