We're about to find out about the real Stephen Jones

[erod]

Stephen is just a cheaper version of Jerry. His Running back by committee and Wide receivers by committee were both total failures.

At least Jerry recognizes the value of elite talent even if he gets too attached or over pays.

To be fair, there seems to be a movement in the NFL away from paying running backs and receivers big money.

With the college offenses taking over, it doesn't really require big time receivers to run quick outs, ins, and bubble screens.

Same for defensive ends. The ball comes out so quickly, it's better to spend money on Aaron Donald than Khalil Mack these days.

 

[erod]

hey man..I know...ET is my guy..one of the best at his position.Im not knocking that...and your right , bones heal. BUT BUT BUT, He IS 30 something.Those bones don't heal the way they use to. He's my guy at the right price. I been on this bandwagon since last year. Problem I have is, PRICE. If we can get him here on a 2-3 year cap friendly deal, I'm all in. Otherwise, pass.

The "30" rule doesn't really apply to free safeties.

Ed Reed, Charles Woodson, Rod Woodson....they played at a high level well in to their 30s. Earl Thomas is certainly in that class.

At cornerback, I agree. But safeties don't have to be freakishly fast. They have to be smart. And true free safeties are the rarest of the rare.

Thomas with this young secondary? It would be the magic touch. He'd make every one of them better because he sees the game like Sean Lee, Tony Romo, and guys like that.

 

[LittleD]

The Cowboys FO will be very careful with long term contracts this year and next. The CBA is ending and Stephen does not
want to get stuck in guaranteed contracts when the league may be playing scrubs week to week.

 

[StarBoyz83]

The Cowboys FO will be very careful with long term contracts this year and next. The CBA is ending and Stephen does not
want to get stuck in guaranteed contracts when the league may be playing scrubs week to week.

Would they play scrubs or just not play?

 

[LittleD]

Would they play scrubs or just not play?

Jerry has to keep the little people coming to his stadium just like the other owners. They have to prove who's boss once
again.

 

[Diehardblues]

To be fair, there seems to be a movement in the NFL away from paying running backs and receivers big money.

With the college offenses taking over, it doesn't really require big time receivers to run quick outs, ins, and bubble screens.

Same for defensive ends. The ball comes out so quickly, it's better to spend money on Aaron Donald than Khalil Mack these days.

I’d agree.

The bigger mistake by Stephen though was thinking the talent he had would be enough.

Making tough financial decisions are fine if you have a plan in place to properly replace .

 

[Jake]

Is there a trophy for being cheap?....

I don't think it's being "cheap" - the Cowboys have more money than any NFL team - but rather being overly cautious. They're so afraid of making a mistake with a big contract that they stick to paying guys they know - "our guys" - but it also has the team stuck in neutral. You have to take chances at some point. I just wish I had more confidence in the Jones boys making the right choices.

 

[Teague31]

We already know. He is much more concerned about being seen as a “shrewd” businessman than a winner

 

[charron]

I agree. I'd let Dlaw walk and go for Landon Collins and maybe another good FA. Sure it will cost between 5-8 Mil more but we'll get two players. No way I would pay Tank 20+ a year. I'd Transition tag Dak, which would save a ton. Then pick up Zeke's 5th year option after this season.

Not sure collins wants to sign for 8 million. The giants couldn't get a deal done and didn't want to use the tag on him. But i'd absolutely pickup zeked 5th option and draft a replacement.

 

[Diehardblues]

The "30" rule doesn't really apply to free safeties.

Ed Reed, Charles Woodson, Rod Woodson....they played at a high level well in to their 30s. Earl Thomas is certainly in that class.

At cornerback, I agree. But safeties don't have to be freakishly fast. They have to be smart. And true free safeties are the rarest of the rare.

Thomas with this young secondary? It would be the magic touch. He'd make every one of them better because he sees the game like Sean Lee, Tony Romo, and guys like that.

If Earl can stay on the field, I’m all in.

I guess it comes down to are we willing to risk a big contract for potential damaged goods. Is the upside worth that much Cap sitting on the bench? It might be.

As long as it doesn’t prevent us from signing other key stars on our roster.

 

[Verdict]

How he handles the next 4-5 mega signings of his own players will tell us a lot about Stephen Jones and winning.

I think so too, but not in the way that some want to frame this issue. I think the Cowboys would like to retain most of their top free agents (maybe other than Beasley) but want to be fiscally repsonsible in doing it.

If they just throw money out the window then I think Jerry is reasserting his authority. If not, well maybe we are staying the course.

If we pay everyone pretty much what they want to keep them and don't make any hard decisions, I think we have just thrown 5 years of progress out the window.

My best guess is Tank is the number one guy on this list for them to sign. They will try hard to get him signed, he will want Mack money and the Cowboys won't want to pay that to him and they probably won't budge.

He's worth about $17 million per year tops and I think they will offer him a little more average to keep him (maybe $18.5 million). If he doesn't take that they trade him. I think that decision happens by about March 15 and if no deal is in place they will start trying to trade him. That decision will be made fairly early for several reasons 1. He needs surgery 2. Need to get a deal done for picks from THIS draft 3. Need to get a deal done before free agent money dries up.

After that move has been decided (not necessarily made) the Cowboys will start addressing the remaining free agents. Cooper will be high on that list because 1. He's a priority free agent and 2.!resigning him helps free up current cap room.

I don't think Beasley resigns. He has been too much of a malcontent over the past couple of years and I think although he hasn't burned his bridge down with the Cowboys he has doused it with lighter fluid and the Cowboys will be looking to move on from him.

 

[silvrNblue]

Dlaw ISN'T Mack or any other top tier DE for that matter....and bottom line here is, do we empty the bank on a so so DE and then have nothing to spend any where else, or do we get him to come down to earth. Good grief, the tag will pay him 20MIL this season, and he says......no? Call me stupid, but that is the definition of greed on his part. Dlaw is 1 player on the team, he's been a good addition, but injury and half *** showing up haven't done him much mega bucks favors. I'm not any different then anyone else here, I'd like to see him sign, but not if he is going to play the pay me top dollars game.

 

[Verdict]

They shouldn't hand massive team killing deals to tank or Thomas or Dak for that matter. I stead trade them, let them walk, whatever, but use that money to aquire 2-3 guys that can help instead of 1.

I'm not sure why people assume that they are low balling Tank. I think they are offering him premium money he just wants more than that. That's my guess.

 

[charron]

I'm not sure why people assume that they are low balling Tank. I think they are offering him premium money he just wants more than that. That's my guess.

From tanks agent perspective anything less than whatever they ask for is probably considered lowballing. Maybe they laugh at 20million a year. Won't know till more details come out. Beasley thought he was lowballed earlier in the season with his extension offer too.

 

[revospeed]

Dlaw ISN'T Mack or any other top tier DE for that matter....and bottom line here is, do we empty the bank on a so so DE and then have nothing to spend any where else, or do we get him to come down to earth. Good grief, the tag will pay him 20MIL this season, and he says......no? Call me stupid, but that is the definition of greed on his part. Dlaw is 1 player on the team, he's been a good addition, but injury and half *** showing up haven't done him much mega bucks favors. I'm not any different then anyone else here, I'd like to see him sign, but not if he is going to play the pay me top dollars game.

Exactly. Signing him to a mega deal is no different than doing that the Jones family preaches against in free agency. If they hate paying good free agents like they are top tier players, they should feel the same about Demarcus. He's at Danielle Hunter's level, not at Mack or Donald's.

 

[Verdict]

From tanks agent perspective anything less than whatever they ask for is probably considered lowballing. Maybe they laugh at 20million a year. Won't know till more details come out. Beasley thought he was lowballed earlier in the season with his extension offer too.

I think they sort of want to move on from Beasley no matter what. The Cowboys may be putting lighter fluid on the bridge too.

 

[mattjames2010]

He's a dummy and actually worse than his father. Nepotism with little to no real qualifications outside of that.

 

[Verdict]

Exactly. Signing him to a mega deal is no different than doing that the Jones family preaches against in free agency. If they hate paying good free agents like they are top tier players, they should feel the same about Demarcus. He's at Danielle Hunter's level, not at Mack or Donald's.

That's right. I think that even IF Tank is the best in the league he's not worthy $23M. Too high of a percentage of the cap.

 

[Verdict]

What some forget is that lest say that Lawrence signs for $23m average and we end up cutting him early the real cost in terms of the cap may be substantially greater than $23m per year based on his SB.

 

[Ddisco22]

I wouldn't pay dlaw 20m a year either..

why not???
he'll get that on the tag anyway