Basic Myths and Truths about the salary cap

[fivetwos]

The biggest problem is this FO doesn’t know how to rebuild. All but one of the major rebuilds/roster overhauls this team has had in the Jerry era were the result of having a strong HC to guide the evaluation. Without that we tend to just become Jerry’s fantasy football hobby and eventually the poor roster build start stacking up.

Jimmy Johnson was one of the best talent evaluators in the NFL…one of the reasons he’s in the HOF. In those early 90s, Jimmy built an incredibly deep and talented roster over 5 years and we benefitted until the team just cratered during the Campo years.

Then Parcells came in for 4 years - another great talent evaluator - and he built another nice talent stockpile with guys like Witten, Ware and Romo, just to name a few. We benefitted off that rebuild for about a decade.

The third rebuild believe it or not was under Jason Garrett who was a better evaluator of talent than he was a coach. He didn’t know how to use timeouts or motivate players to save his life. But Garrett did influence the steer of the team toward guys like Travis Frederick, Zack Martin and having a sound running game to support Romo and later Dak. But the FO never was able to take advantage the talent by knowing and targeting the right kind of supporting cast.

The McCarthy years also saw some influx of talent with Cedee Lamb and Micah Parsons. I don’t think Big Mac was a s good at evaluating talent although he was a good HC. But the FO without major assistance from someone that can guide them is a rudderless ship sailing on the whims of how to best “market” their team.

They definitely aren’t capable of a rebuild but wouldn’t want to anyway.

It’s fairly apparent that they aren’t at all up for trying to get over the hump by risking bad seasons…..which actually happen anyway. Imagine that.

I honestly think they are going to have a tough time building this back to where they can even sell the mediocrity, but we will see what happens.

 

[GMO415]

Every year, two NFL teams figure out a path to a SB under the salary cap. It can be done.

 

[CowboyFrog]

Every year, two NFL teams figure out a path to a SB under the salary cap. It can be done.

right and they have big contracts also, i'm not sure why the NFL puts a diferent set of rules on the Cowboys.....

 

[Bobhaze]

Every year, two NFL teams figure out a path to a SB under the salary cap. It can be done.

right and they have big contracts also, i'm not sure why the NFL puts a diferent set of rules on the Cowboys.....

Couldn’t put it any simpler.

 

[plasticman]

Another reason that teams like the Eagles are successful is because they are ruthless when it comes to the salary cap. There is no sentimentality or desire to compensate players for past performances.

Teams that successfully manage their cap while acquiring free agents have learned how to cut the fat. They make quick and honest evaluations of their player's potential over the course of the next three or four seasons and if they are not performing up to a standard equal to their salary then they are gone sooner than later.

Successful teams don't get bogged down in QB salary disputes because they don't put themselves in that position.

During the Patriots recent era, the Patriots had the GOAT, Tom Brady, as their starting QB. Yet, the Patriots drafted a quarterback every other year, seemingly hitting every round from the 2nd to the 7th.

In 2020 the Eagles had a #2 overall draft pick (Wentz) from four years earlier starting at QB and they drafted another QB in the 2nd round in that year's draft. When Wentz struggled that season, the Eagles quickly dispatched him and started Hurts.

Jerry would have hung on to a 2nd overall pick for ten seasons before admitting it didn't work out.

Good teams treat the cap like a pie. Each player gets a slice and the size depends on expectations for the length of that contract. The Cowboys have been giving out the wrong size slices for decades.

I agree that some teams have the capability of winning, quickly rebuilding, and then winning again. They have some really talented GMs and other front office guys with the best football minds coaching those players.

Now....does that sound like the Dallas Cowboys?

 

[CowboyFrog]

Another reason that teams like the Eagles are successful is because they are ruthless when it comes to the salary cap. There is no sentimentality or desire to compensate players for past performances.

Teams that successfully manage their cap while acquiring free agents have learned how to cut the fat. They make quick and honest evaluations of their player's potential over the course of the next three or four seasons and if they are not performing up to a standard equal to their salary then they are gone sooner than later.

Successful teams don't get bogged down in QB salary disputes because they don't put themselves in that position.

During the Patriots recent era, the Patriots had the GOAT, Tom Brady, as their starting QB. Yet, the Patriots drafted a quarterback every other year, seemingly hitting every round from the 2nd to the 7th.

In 2020 the Eagles had a #2 overall draft pick (Wentz) from four years earlier starting at QB and they drafted another QB in the 2nd round in that year's draft. When Wentz struggled that season, the Eagles quickly dispatched him and started Hurts.

Jerry would have hung on to a 2nd overall pick for ten seasons before admitting it didn't work out.

Good teams treat the cap like a pie. Each player gets a slice and the size depends on expectations for the length of that contract. The Cowboys have been giving out the wrong size slices for decades.

I agree that some teams have the capability of winning, quickly rebuilding, and then winning again. They have some really talented GMs and other front office guys with the best football minds coaching those players.

Now....does that sound like the Dallas Cowboys?

100% his ego knows no bounds and is literally tied up to every aspect of this Franchise, drafts picks can not be busts because he picked them.

 

[jgboys1]

I agree with your first paragraph, and I agree you gotta have a good QB to win multiple playoff games. We need a stud QB now too. But I also believe teams that are winning SBs these days (like the teams in this year’s SB) build a very strong roster to support their QB.

Mahomes is greatness but even he doesn’t win that SB last year without that great chiefs defense. The chiefs only scored 17 last year vs the ravens in the AFC championship game. Mahomes wasn’t that great but the chiefs D held the ravens to 10 points. Jalen Hurts is not a great QB. Good yes, but with that great running game built around him, he has lots of support. His OL is great and DT Jalen Carter is the next Aaron Donald.

In other words, even the greats need support.

I agree with that statement but the problem is, is that Dak is being paid like he is great but he’s not.
Mahomes can make plays when called on. I don’t think Dak can do that anymore, not that he can do it in his prime either. Add 2 major leg injuries and things look even more bleaker for the future.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

As we are about to enter the start of the 2025 off-season of free agency, the draft and big discussions about what we can (and can’t do) with Stephen Jones’ whimpering deference to the almighty salary cap….it seems like a good time to look at a set of myths about the cap as well as some truths that seem to be guiding the better organizations vs the Cowboys.

CAP MANAGEMENT MYTHS

• Big contracts mean you can’t sign FAs. (False despite what anyone named Jones tells us. Look around at the best teams. They are in free agency despite some big contracts)
• The best cap managers are worried about not “kicking a can down the road” (False - see rams, eagles, buccaneers)
• Having a “win now” approach can ruin your future. (False - see eagles, rams, bucs; eagles and rams have now been to two SBs with two different QBs, major roster overhauls, and multiple FA signings)
• Star players who want to win should take a “team friendly” deal like Patrick Mahomes did to save cap space. (False- The so-called “Mahomes took less money” thing is just not true. He just has a longer contract than anyone else and in the long run will make way, way more than any other QB. It’s all about length of contract and structure)
• The most “responsible” teams at cap management are winning Super Bowls. (False. The rams have twice “mortgaged their future” and have won 8 playoff games, two NFC championships and a SB in the last 7 seasons with two different rosters. We have been “responsible” spenders and have won 2 wild card games in the last 7 seasons)

CAP MANAGEMENT TRUTHS

• The best cap managers take advantage of the talent they have NOW. Next year or 3 years from now is not this year.
• The best cap managing GMs rarely talk publicly about their “cap challenges” because as Stephen Jones should have learned by now, lying to your fans about cap space usually backfires. (Apparently unless you have a lifetime contract regardless of results)
• You cannot win a SB in this era with just the “draft and develop” model. It’s completely outdated.
• Being too careful and cautious makes you mediocre not better. You don’t have to be wildly aggressive; just identify and target both needs to be met in draft and those to be met in FA/trades.
• Worry more about winning NOW than 5 years from now. You cannot assume your team will be as good or better next year.

This is obviously an incomplete list. But the bottom line for us fans to remember is this: the teams that have the most playoff success, going to and/or winning Super Bowls use the salary cap AS A TOOL TO WIN, NOT A ROADBLOCK TO WINNING.

The organizations who know this and act accordingly are raising Lombardis not making excuses about cap restrictions.

post of the year so far!

 

[Diehardblues]

Being unable to evaluate players accurately in 31 other NFL organizations would get you fired.

Yep . Not here. And this is our core issue. No pressure to have more success.

Remaining relevant and providing a glimmer of hope to hype keeps most of the pressure off of Jethro.

 

[Diehardblues]

They definitely aren’t capable of a rebuild but wouldn’t want to anyway.

It’s fairly apparent that they aren’t at all up for trying to get over the hump by risking bad seasons…..which actually happen anyway. Imagine that.

I honestly think they are going to have a tough time building this back to where they can even sell the mediocrity, but we will see what happens.

The thing is we would have probably been mediocre this year barring all of the injuries. We win 7 games despite the onslaught of injuries. We probably win 9-10 if healthy.

We forget how bad almost half the league is. There’s the cream of the crop which we aren’t close to and then the rest of the league made up of many bottom feeders.

I see no reason with our core set of stars we won’t be a potential 8-10 winning team if can stay healthy. That’s enough to remain relevant on the fringe of contending for a playoff spot.

That’s our basic goal with Jethro Ball. Rebuilds would mean we bottomed out which is our GM’s biggest fear. It’s why he over pays his stars.

 

[Diehardblues]

I agree with that statement but the problem is, is that Dak is being paid like he is great but he’s not.
Mahomes can make plays when called on. I don’t think Dak can do that anymore, not that he can do it in his prime either. Add 2 major leg injuries and things look even more bleaker for the future.

Yea but he’s usually enough when healthy to remain relevant playoff contender. Thats our goal with Jethro. Remember how well we were doing with the 12 win seasons despite playoff disappointments.

 

[doomsday9084]

Dallas' biggest cap management issue is that they keep giving out bad contracts. Its kind of a problem.

I'll tell ya, I suspect the reason why they don't go into free agency is that they know how bad they are and they don't trust themselves to figure out which are the good players and deals available.

 

[ShiningStar]

Owner JJ met with GM JJ, who met with coach JJ, "ya ll wrong"

 

[ClintDagger]

Dallas' biggest cap management issue is that they keep giving out bad contracts. Its kind of a problem.

I'll tell ya, I suspect the reason why they don't go into free agency is that they know how bad they are and they don't trust themselves to figure out which are the good players and deals available.

Yeah to me the two biggest cap related goals should be to not hand out bad contracts and to know when to cut bait on an investment. If Jerry owned the Eagles, Wentz would still be their starting QB.

 

[kskboys]

I believe the scouts and staff do a good job on player evaluation.

the problem is the person actually making the decision does not listen to them

That's what they say, but if the GM in charge of players refuses to do any work, then it won't matter.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Regardless of CAP space, I do no think this is the year to go all in. I think the Cowboys front office is in denial. This team needs a rebuild and it should start now. Whatever CAP space they have this year or can create should be used to absorb as much of their bad contracts as possible. That means take the $90 million CAP hit on Dak this year to takes some of the pressure off the next4 years. Create an exit plan for Dak if his performance in 2025 does not improve over 2024. No one wants to go through a QB search but denial is not a solution to the problem. I would target 2027 for the Cowboys comeback. This would include a massive infusion of talent from the next 3 drafts, and clearing Dak off the books and making an investment in free agent talent in 2027.

This might be a problem for players like CeeDee,, Parsons, Tyler Smith, Bland, etc. but if done correctly, the team can improve over 2024, and then again in 2026.

Spot on.... there's an element of the fanbase bemoaning the fact we didnt max out the CAP last year (notwithstanding, you dont look at the CAP as a one entity). You're right, the rebuild needs to start, indeed, IT SHOULD OF HAPPENED THE DAY AFTER THE GB GAME......AS JERRY WASNT GOING TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THAT TEAM despite it being more talented than anything we could put on the field for the next couple of years. We could/should of been trading: DLaw, Martin, J-Lew, Osa and building the foundation with the accrued draft capital.

I think some are influenced by the fact Jerry's just committed $90m+,( a third of the CAP on two players) and we should go ALL-IN around them. The fact that CeeDee's performance wasnt demonstrably any different when the understudy played just compounds the issue.

As we stand now, lets see some improvement from these top paid players and those on the verge of the Jerry-overpay.

 

[Creeper]

The biggest problem is this FO doesn’t know how to rebuild. All but one of the major rebuilds/roster overhauls this team has had in the Jerry era were the result of having a strong HC to guide the evaluation. Without that we tend to just become Jerry’s fantasy football hobby and eventually the poor roster build start stacking up.

Jimmy Johnson was one of the best talent evaluators in the NFL…one of the reasons he’s in the HOF. In those early 90s, Jimmy built an incredibly deep and talented roster over 5 years and we benefitted until the team just cratered during the Campo years.

Then Parcells came in for 4 years - another great talent evaluator - and he built another nice talent stockpile with guys like Witten, Ware and Romo, just to name a few. We benefitted off that rebuild for about a decade.

The third rebuild believe it or not was under Jason Garrett who was a better evaluator of talent than he was a coach. He didn’t know how to use timeouts or motivate players to save his life. But Garrett did influence the steer of the team toward guys like Travis Frederick, Zack Martin and having a sound running game to support Romo and later Dak. But the FO never was able to take advantage the talent by knowing and targeting the right kind of supporting cast.

The McCarthy years also saw some influx of talent with Cedee Lamb and Micah Parsons. I don’t think Big Mac was a s good at evaluating talent although he was a good HC. But the FO without major assistance from someone that can guide them is a rudderless ship sailing on the whims of how to best “market” their team.

You are correct that Jerry does not know how to build a team. Listen to Jimmy talk about the Cowboys today and he points to the obvious weaknesses such as the DL. You never hear Jerry talk about what the Cowboys need. He talks about Dak, and individual players as if he expect them to win everything on their own. This is why so many good players go through Dallas and never experience a championship run.

And honestly, Jerry is getting worse it appears. His approach to 2024 will be repeated in 2025 and we can be certain with the same result or worse. If the Giants find a QB in the draft, Dallas will wind up last in their own division.

 

[Bobhaze]

You are correct that Jerry does not know how to build a team. Listen to Jimmy talk about the Cowboys today and he points to the obvious weaknesses such as the DL. You never hear Jerry talk about what the Cowboys need. He talks about Dak, and individual players as if he expect them to win everything on their own. This is why so many good players go through Dallas and never experience a championship run.

And honestly, Jerry is getting worse it appears. His approach to 2024 will be repeated in 2025 and we can be certain with the same result or worse. If the Giants find a QB in the draft, Dallas will wind up last in their own division.

Great point about Jerry never talking about what the Cowboys need. His focus is almost always how to market his team rather than focusing on how to get better to compete in the playoffs.

The Jones boys have made it clear they‘re very proud of their regular season “accomplishments“. Stephen said at the Schotty introductory presser that the Cowboys had “the 6th best regular season record” in the NFL the last decade. (Not surprisingly that’s false; The Cowboys are actually 10th best, lol) Link that proves it: https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/best-record-over-last-10-years-nfl

So those guys are so loose with the truth they just shoot from the hip making it obvious how lazy and entitled they are. They even believe their own bull excrement.

 

[Diehardblues]

Great point about Jerry never talking about what the Cowboys need. His focus is almost always how to market his team rather than focusing on how to get better to compete in the playoffs.

The Jones boys have made it clear they very proud of their regular season “accomplishments“. Stephen said at the Schotty introductory presser that the Cowboys had “the 6th best regular season record” in the NFL the last decade. (Not surprisingly that’s false; The Cowboys are actually 10th best, lol) Link that proves it: https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/best-record-over-last-10-years-nfl

So those guys are so loose with the truth they just shoot from the hip making it obvious how lazy and entitled they are. They even believe their own bull excrement.

We live in an era where disinformation and fake news sells. And the more those who want to support such it grows into them believing it’s the gospel.

Jethro , Thursday at the NFL Honors, was already claiming the Cowboys should be Super Bowl contenders not in any kind of rebuilding mode. And he’ll be spinning the upcoming season as such.

Many fans will buy into the hype without any factual data besides what they believe or want to believe. After last year the sell will be tougher but it won’t stop him from doing so.

 

[atlantacowboy]

It’s because we trade for players that haven’t done anything. Gilmore and Cooks were really good trades. Those are the types I prefer. Players that we know can play.

The Cowboys country club should be a preferred destination for aging star players just trying to ease into retirement.