NBC: Ronald Leary prepared to move on from Cowboys

[Kaiser]

Worst case scenario is we will likely get a 3rd rd comp pick if he leaves

The compensatory pick for Leary would most likely be at the end of the 4th, not the 3rd. We got picks this year in the 4th round for DeMarco, who got a contract with annual value of 8 Million and Jermey Parnell who got 6.4 Million. I think its highly unlikely Leary gets a deal bigger than those two.

That is basically a high 5th round pick, which isn't that valuable unless the team can strike lightning twice like the Dak Prescott pick.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

I don't give a rip what anyone says, Ron Leary was as good as anyone on our O-line this year. He should have made the Pro Bowl, maybe All-Pro. He's got a serious attitude, & is the enforcer on the line, something we always need. Collins has nothing but potential. Sign your proven players like Leary, then see what Collins can do at RT. We don't want to lose a critical part of our O-line.

 

[Virginia-Dave]

I just know Leary will end up with another NFC East team, and that will suck.

 

[Kaiser]

Any idea what the franchise tag would cost us?

Last year the Franchise Tag for OL was 13.7MM and the Transition Tag was 11.9MM. They aren't going to pay Leary that, especially when they are about to negotiate an extension for Zack Martin.

 

[phildadon86]

Brice Butler is the most physically gifted WR on the team but his production was spotty. Its about production, not athleticism or salary or draft position.

I agree, and last season Collins produced, Leary is great im not denying that. But to say youd rather spend another 5-8 million a year on another OL when we still have to re-sign martin and Collins next season isnt good business.

 

[Kaiser]

I agree, and last season Collins produced, Leary is great im not denying that. But to say youd rather spend another 5-8 million a year on another OL when we still have to re-sign martin and Collins next season isnt good business.

The money is there to do it, this is a very young team overall and we will have something like 30 Million available this year and even more than that in 2018. Leary already made 2.5 Million this season, add 3 or 4 Million a season to that number is less than we will get back by cutting Free or trading Romo.

We will also have an elite QB and the best RB in the NFL playing for 6 Million next season combined.

 

[ringmaster]

Last year the Franchise Tag for OL was 13.7MM and the Transition Tag was 11.9MM. They aren't going to pay Leary that, especially when they are about to negotiate an extension for Zack Martin.

Exactly @Kaiser and that is what some fans here don't take into account is that after next season Martin will get a big extension with this team and Leary will be with another team sorry to burst their bubbles and in a perfect world they would definitely want to keep Leary but he will demand more money and can definitely get it with a new team. As to those saying trade Collins were the same people saying trade Leary before the start of last season due to Collins rookie season which he was pancaking defenders it will make perfect sense to keep Collins and maybe draft another G, and they will definitely draft another RT just glad some here aren't running the team because it would be a laughingstock if they did.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

Ive been hearing how it will eventually come due for about a decade now.

They can stretch it out as long they want, it's still got to be paid.

 

[xwalker]

Anyone care to hazard a guess about who will sign him and what his contract will cost? We get a one year rental on Collins and then he will have to be signed or hit the market too.

Would it be better to resign Leary and trade Collins? He might bring a high pick and offset Learys cap hit.

The Brian Winters contract averages 7.25M.

Teams likely still have Leary's MRI of his knee which could limit the offers that he receives.

 

[YosemiteSam]

If they resign Leary then I'm guessing they want to at least try Collins at RT. Not certain for sure but a good guess.

Last I saw, Collins is a ways from becoming the starting RT. If we expect him to make that move, they probably should resign Leary and immediately move Collins as the RT backup and give him an entire year to work on his game. He will likely need it.

 

[YosemiteSam]

The Brian Winters contract averages 7.25M.

Teams likely still have Leary's MRI of his knee which could limit the offers that he receives.

I agree, but he has played well. I suspect his contract offers will likely be shorter for more money or less money for more years. I'm guessing with whom he signs will depend on what he values more. Length or money. If I were him, I would sign shorter for more money if possible. (given what I think might happen anyhow) Get what you can get now before you have any knee issues. IF the knee doesn't end up hurting, you will end up maximizing his earning potential. A less money longer term contract will be tied to guaranteed money, which will end up limiting that potential too.

 

[AzorAhai]

Anyone care to hazard a guess about who will sign him and what his contract will cost? We get a one year rental on Collins and then he will have to be signed or hit the market too.

Would it be better to resign Leary and trade Collins? He might bring a high pick and offset Learys cap hit.

Collins will be a RFA after this year. All they have to do is put a 2nd Rd tender on him and he will be here for at least the 2018 season.

 

[gmoney112]

The salary cap has not ruined football, free agency ruined football. There are plenty of successful teams that have managed the cap and still putting multiple winning seasons together. The Cowboys have never been great under JJ managing the cap. As it stands today, the Cowboys are dead last in projected cap space going into 2017. Granted, there are cuts and restructures that will be made, but this credit card approach to managing the cap will eventually come due for the Cowboys.

If Tony is gone this season, and we take his dead money hit this year, we'll have over 60 mill in cap space for 2018.

There is no "coming due". That's a good thing.

I just went back and watched some of Collins in college, and his draft reviews.

This kid is probably even nastier than Leary, and was regarded as one of the best lineman in that entire draft class. There was a legitimate argument that he could have been better than Scherff who went 5th and just went to the Pro Bowl this year.

Literally every single scouting report says the same thing, "Nasty. Finisher. Comes to kick your ***", while also being a high character type guy, never in any trouble, won SEC awards, best player on the entire LSU team, etc. And these were before Dallas got him. Guy is an Eagle Scout, literally.

This is what Dante Fowler, a 3rd overall pick said about him.

"My sophomore year, we went to Baton Rouge and played against LSU, and I'm not going to lie, I got my butt whooped," Fowler told mmqb.si.com. "That was one of my worst games just because of how I got tossed around. So I spent the whole last summer getting ready for La'el, I ain't going to lie to you. I knew I was going to run into some pretty decent tackles, but the main motivation was from him getting after me my sophomore year."

Then what happens? Collins destroys him, again.

This guy is going to be good. I'm excited to see him on this line. I hope he takes Scherff's Pro Bowl spot this year.

 

[Stash]

The Brian Winters contract averages 7.25M.

Teams likely still have Leary's MRI of his knee which could limit the offers that he receives.

And Winters got that deal coming off of a torn rotator cuff. A known, concrete, no ifs ands or buts injury. Leary's knee hasn't been an issue.

It might affect guaranteed money or signing bonus, but I doubt salary.

 

[Stash]

Last I saw, Collins is a ways from becoming the starting RT. If we expect him to make that move, they probably should resign Leary and immediately move Collins as the RT backup and give him an entire year to work on his game. He will likely need it.

I think Cooper is their stopgap- fill-in for Leary. Or at the least a backup option inside.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Hope Ron doesn't end up w the Giants or Commanders......ouch
Or imagine Greenbay or Atlanta w Leary. Owwie

 

[negativecreep]

I think you're right. That certainly makes a lot of sense... and really sucks for us.

I really liked Leary. I'll never forget that game in Seattle in 2014 when he essentially took out three defenders
at once. Great road grater style lineman. Hopefully, someone in the AFC outbids Washington.

I was at that game, he's a tough you know what. I can't root against him, I sure as heck don't want him in deadskins uni, and see him twice a year, it's just an horrible thing to think about. It would get him reunited with his old coach and allow him to stick it to us. I have a bad feeling, but here's hoping he ends up in the AFC.

 

[KingintheNorth]

We get a one year rental on Collins and then he will have to be signed or hit the market too.

Collins is under contract for 2017 and then will be a restricted free agent. He can't hit the market until after the 2018 season.

 

[Nightman]

Collins is under contract for 2017 and then will be a restricted free agent. He can't hit the market until after the 2018 season.

That is true but we don't know if Jerry promised him anything to pick us as an UDFA

He can actually negotiate a new deal this off-season

 

[Texas_Pete]

This next year will be Collins' 3rd year. I expect the gap between him and Leary to decrease. The talent for Collins is clearly there so I'm not too concerned about losing Leary.

Besides, I'd rather spend what we would have paid Leary on upgrading the defense.