1992 Cowboys Roster - What If 2019 Cap Rules?

[xwalker]

The 1992 Cowboys Super Bowl team was primarily built with draft picks.

Under today's NFL rules only a few players on the roster would have been expensive.

Ken Norton Jr
Would have been free agent prior to 1992 season.
Not certain how in demand prior to the 1992 Super Bowl.
Robert Jones already in place as 1993 replacement.
Dixon Edwards already in place as 1993 starting LB.

Michael Irvin
Would have been on the 5th year option as 1st round pick.

All other draft picks would have been on their rookie contracts.

Thomas Everett
Acquired in trade. Would inherit previous contract.
Even if expensive only on roster 1 year.
Darren Woodson already in place as 1993 replacement.

Charles Haley
Acquired in trade. Would inherit previous contract.

Tony Casillas
Acquired in trade. Would inherit previous contract.
He had "retired" prior to the trade.


The plan B free agents were low level type free agents.
They would not have been expensive type players.

Mark Tuinei and Nate Newton were not highly regarded prior to Jimmy's arrival.

Year        How
Acq         Acq          Pos       Player
1991        draft        WR        Alvin Harper
1983        udfa         LT        Mark Tuinei
1986        FA           LG        Nate Newton
1989        draft        OC        Mark Stepnoski
1990        trade        RG        John Gesek
1991        draft        RT        Erik Williams
1990        plan B       TE        Jay Novacek
1988        draft        WR        Michael Irvin
1989        draft        QB        Troy Aikman
1990        draft        RB        Emmitt Smith
1989        draft        FB        Daryl Johnston
1989        draft        LE        Tony Tolbert
1991        draft        DT        Russell Maryland
1991        trade        DT        Tony Casillas
1992        trade        RE        Charles Haley
1990        plan B       LB        Vinson Smith
1992        draft        LB        Robert Jones
1988        draft        LB        Ken Norton Jr.
1992        draft        CB        Kevin Smith
1991        draft        CB        Larry Brown
1992        trade        SS        Thomas Everett
1990        plan B       FS        James Washington

 

[sean10mm]

I don't think the problem wouldn't have been 1992, it would have been the following seasons when there would have been a bidding war over their stars every year.

Assuming we're imagining the 2019 style free agency and player market existing in 1992.

 

[jazzcat22]

What if they were in place in 1989, would have the Hercshel Walker trade ever happen?

 

[CouchCoach]

What if they were in place in 1989, would have the Hercshel Walker trade ever happen?

That trade allowed that to happen and if Landry had been retained by another owner, I don't think that happens.

Booger was smart enough to agree with Johnson that blowing it up and rebuilding was the only way to turn it around. That blockbuster trade was the catalyst for all of it and without that, I don't think that gets done. Talk about getting the locker room's attention. Given his head and control, Johnson would be the closest thing to Belichick in the NFL. Both would have traded their QB1's and their owners wouldn't allow it.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

The new salary cap/free agency rules were designed specifically to dismantle the 90s Cowboys. That really made me mad.

 

[Red Dragon]

The new salary cap/free agency rules were designed specifically to dismantle the 90s Cowboys. That really made me mad.

Yeah. Wish it could have kicked in after 1999 or so.

 

[mcmvp]

The new salary cap/free agency rules were designed specifically to dismantle the 90s Cowboys. That really made me mad.

This is laughable. It was going to happen regardless of the Cowboys. One of the most beloved Eagles ever, Reggie White, was a major catalyst. It's a preety arrogant view to believe it was some conspiracy to dismantle one team. The players wanted it...and fought for it.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The new salary cap/free agency rules were designed specifically to dismantle the 90s Cowboys.

It was eventually going to happen. The success of the early 90's teams just sped things up.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

It was eventually going to happen. The success of the early 90's teams just sped things up.

I understand that. But I'm not under any obligation to like it. I was especially po-ed at Ken Norton Jr. for jumping ship to play for the ScuzzyNiners and help them win a Lombardi.

 

[Whirlwin]

What if they were in place in 1989, would have the Hercshel Walker trade ever happen?

Absolutely my opinion it was about how many players in draft picks we could get for him I don't think salary-cap ever came into play or would have

 

[Whirlwin]

That trade allowed that to happen and if Landry had been retained by another owner, I don't think that happens.

Booger was smart enough to agree with Johnson that blowing it up and rebuilding was the only way to turn it around. That blockbuster trade was the catalyst for all of it and without that, I don't think that gets done. Talk about getting the locker room's attention. Given his head and control, Johnson would be the closest thing to Belichick in the NFL. Both would have traded their QB1's and their owners wouldn't allow it.

I believe they were going to let Tom Landry go even before Jerry bought the team if I'm correct Jerry just said I'll handle that. I just don't really recall the actual circumstance

 

[Whirlwin]

Jimmie Johnson cheating, refusing to play players so we could fail for higher draft picks. I wonder how many draft picks he would have been fined in today's NFL that's the big question.

 

[Whirlwin]

It was eventually going to happen. The success of the early 90's teams just sped things up.

No I don't buy into that. It was about Revenue TV Revenue. Making the league more evenly successful could have had no propaganda just because of the Cowboys. Unless I misunderstood you and then I apologize LOL

 

[Whirlwin]

The new salary cap/free agency rules were designed specifically to dismantle the 90s Cowboys. That really made me mad.

How do people believe in this propaganda stop it turn that have nothing to do with dismantling the Cowboys. It was about TV Revenue dollars nothing else make no mistake about that

 

[Reverend Conehead]

How do people believe in this propaganda stop it turn that have nothing to do with dismantling the Cowboys. It was about TV Revenue dollars nothing else make no mistake about that

So that's why they specifically made arguments like, "Do you want the Cowboys to be Super Bowl champs every year?" I heard that over and over to justify the new rules. Then when the new rules went into place, what happened was the Cowboys got dismantled, exactly as they said. But, no, I'm sure they just kept saying that without meaning it and then when we kept losing players like Ken Norton and Mark Stepnoski, that had nothing to do with the new rules. Just a coincidence. I'm sure glad I'm cured of believing in dumb conspiracies. Thanks.

 

[mcmvp]

So that's why they specifically made arguments like, "Do you want the Cowboys to be Super Bowl champs every year?" I heard that over and over to justify the new rules. Then when the new rules went into place, what happened was the Cowboys got dismantled, exactly as they said. But, no, I'm sure they just kept saying that without meaning it and then when we kept losing players like Ken Norton and Mark Stepnoski, that had nothing to do with the new rules. Just a coincidence. I'm sure glad I'm cured of believing in dumb conspiracies. Thanks.

Some may have mentioned the Cowboys at the time because they were the most recent dynasty....but it could’ve been any team.

But it was more about the players fighting for it because they wanted their right to choose...not because of the Cowboys recent success

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Some may have mentioned the Cowboys at the time because they were the most recent dynasty....but it could’ve been any team.
But it was more about the players fighting for it because they wanted their right to choose...not because of the Cowboys recent success

I understand that a lot of people like the new rules. They've allowed players more choice on where to play and more negotiating leverage for their paychecks. However, I'm not obligated to like the new rules. I felt extremely frustrated when we finally had a great team and then we had to watch it get dismantled. Ken Norton went to the 9ers. Stepnoski went to Houston (I think -- it's been a while), Alvin Harper went to the Commanders. Little by little our great team got whittled away. I know it's probably not possible to go back to the old rules, but I still think there was something good about the 60s and 70s era teams where more players would spend their entire careers with one team. The new rules may have helped players have more freedom on where to pay, but at the same time, they hurt the sport by ending the era where you could amass talent, building a juggernaut.

 

[xwalker]

The new salary cap/free agency rules were designed specifically to dismantle the 90s Cowboys. That really made me mad.

Jerry was the #1 owner pushing for a salary cap...

 

[xwalker]

I don't think the problem wouldn't have been 1992, it would have been the following seasons when there would have been a bidding war over their stars every year.

Assuming we're imagining the 2019 style free agency and player market existing in 1992.

They already had replacements for players lost.

Irvin would be due for a contract in 93 but Aikman would be on the 5th year option. By 94 there was a salary cap so no need to guess on 94 and 95.

 

[xwalker]

Jimmie Johnson cheating, refusing to play players so we could fail for higher draft picks. I wonder how many draft picks he would have been fined in today's NFL that's the big question.