Best Bargain Free Agent Signing in the Jerry Era?

[VaqueroTD]

I was reading Jayron Kearse’s thread and the love for this guy’s dominant season which let’s admit… no one saw coming. What were some of the best bargain free agents in the Jerry Era? Not talking about superstars like Primetime or established starters like La’roi Glover. Those cheap signings of journeymen, guys at the end of their career, or players everyone thought were washed up.

Some of my picks:

Jayron Kearse
Ray Donaldson (Even at his age, except for Larry Allen, arguably the best player on that 1995 offensive line)
James Washington (might have been Super Bowl MVP)
Jay Novacek (most underrated offensive player of the SB years)
Laurent Robinson (came out of nowhere and gelled with Romo)
Richie Anderson (underrated addition in Parcells first year that helped change the losing culture)

 

[ClappingCarrot]

Robert Quinn was a trade. And I think with bonuses he made almost 10M that season.

Laurent Robinson was kind of a sad story. Signed that mega deal in Jacksonville and had like 4 concussions and never played another down.

 

[Coogiguy03]

How about stop shopping there and expecting big things to happen

 

[VaqueroTD]

Robert Quinn was a trade. And I think with bonuses he made almost 10M that season.

Laurent Robinson was kind of a sad story. Signed that mega deal in Jacksonville and had like 4 concussions and never played another down.

You’re right. 6th round pick. My bad.

 

[lostar2009]

We had some nice pick ups. Probably couldve done better if the team wasnt so stubborn at times.

 

[MajesticRey]

Robert Quinn was a trade. And I think with bonuses he made almost 10M that season.

Laurent Robinson was kind of a sad story. Signed that mega deal in Jacksonville and had like 4 concussions and never played another down.

He could have had a good run if he stayed in Dallas for a hometown discount. Those concussions may not have happened, who knows.

 

[Cowpolk]

Dimples

 

[VaqueroTD]

How about stop shopping there and expecting big things to happen

The team doesn’t strike me as they expect big things from these type of free agent signings. They are definitely hoping for a winner, but none of these were expected to go as well as they did.

Feels like in those years after Jimmy, we were always fed hype on free agent signings. Especially when the draft didn’t produce any talent, and all our starters were getting older. Guys like Quentin Coryatt were hyped as the next big players. LOL

 

[Kingofholland]

Other than the guys already mentioned. Marc Columbo, Darren McFadden, Ken Hamlin, Randall Cobb, Gerald Sensabaugh, George Teague, Tony Casillas, Al Singleton, Keith Brooking are some guys that come to mind as good signings that you could probably classify as bargains.

Other honorable mentions. Terrell McClain, James McKnight, Aaron Glenn, Jason Fergueson, Zach Thomas, and Akin Ayodele provided starts and some quality snaps as well. Parcells brought a lot of guys in that were solid stop gaps. Terry Glenn would be a no brainer too in terms of value but don't think he was a true bargain bin signing.

Lesson here is rarely do you find a pivotal player while bargain shopping, but can find some quality role players and starters. Personally if you're bargain bin shopping seems the best strategy is acquiring an aging veteran past their prime but with a little gas left to fill an immediate need, a former high pick with injury or off the field concerns. Looking at other teams backup or role players that fit a scheme worked with Kearse, but believe the hit rate is far lower.

 

[plasticman]

I was reading Jayron Kearse’s thread and the love for this guy’s dominant season which let’s admit… no one saw coming. What were some of the best bargain free agents in the Jerry Era? Not talking about superstars like Primetime or established starters like La’roi Glover. Those cheap signings of journeymen, guys at the end of their career, or players everyone thought were washed up.

Some of my picks:

Jayron Kearse
Ray Donaldson (Even at his age, except for Larry Allen, arguably the best player on that 1995 offensive line)
James Washington (might have been Super Bowl MVP)
Jay Novacek (most underrated offensive player of the SB years)
Laurent Robinson (came out of nowhere and gelled with Romo)
Richie Anderson (underrated addition in Parcells first year that helped change the losing culture)

James Washington, and Jay Novacek did not get signed during the Jerry Jones era, they were signed during Jimmy Johnson's time in Dallas.

The Jerry Jones era begins shortly after Jimmy left. I would say around 1996.

Jimmy Johnson had complete control of personnel decisions, it is a matter of record , It was in his contract despite Jerry giving himself the title of GM.

Jimmy's team was so dominant that it went to two more NFC championship games on auto pilot after he left.

With that said, the best free agent signings attributed to the Jerry Jones era would have to be those on the O-line. Donaldson was a good one but hardly a cheap signing, He was a four time pro Bowler before joining the Cowboys for his 16th season.

Leonard Davis was considered a bust as a #2 overall pick but made the Pro Bowl his first season as a Cowboy and the next two seasons after that..I would make him a candidate .

George Teague would be another.

Kyle Kosier was a relaible starter.

 

[sunalsorises]

How did Zach Thomas work out and would he be considered a bargain? He was pretty injured and washed when he got to Dallas.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I was reading Jayron Kearse’s thread and the love for this guy’s dominant season which let’s admit… no one saw coming. What were some of the best bargain free agents in the Jerry Era? Not talking about superstars like Primetime or established starters like La’roi Glover. Those cheap signings of journeymen, guys at the end of their career, or players everyone thought were washed up.

Some of my picks:

Jayron Kearse
Ray Donaldson (Even at his age, except for Larry Allen, arguably the best player on that 1995 offensive line)
James Washington (might have been Super Bowl MVP)
Jay Novacek (most underrated offensive player of the SB years)
Laurent Robinson (came out of nowhere and gelled with Romo)
Richie Anderson (underrated addition in Parcells first year that helped change the losing culture)

is there a none of the above option?