NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports the Cowboys are "playing hardball" with RT Doug Free

FuzzyLumpkins · May 7, 2013

fortdick;5079992 said:
The leverage Free has is that he is better than Parnell. If he wasn't, he would have been cut already. He knows he is better, Callahan knows he is better, Garrett knows he is better and the Jones know he is better. It seems only those that parrot what they have read here think Parnell is better. Watch film, he isn't.

That all being said, Free is the best option available at this point. Why should he take a pay cut so that.they can sign someone that might take his place.

Mark this down if they cut Free, he will get a contract similar to Clabo's somewhere else and have a solid season. We will sign someone else's cast off as a bandaid at RT.

I don't know about that. Free taking a paycut would be a decent swing tackle.

Winston seems like a progress stopper that would be a horror show at LT. His pass blocking is awful.

At some point you need to play your young guys and see whether your coaching staff can coach. If not then get in a coaching staff that can develop players.

Winston is a retread. Parnell has the ceiling to be a good player I think. He has good quickness and power. He just needs to get his technique down and get some more experience.

People worry about salary cap 'hell' but want to sign vets to multimillion dollar deals. Good teams develop their players and that is something we have done decently at.

Smith got better as the year went on. Costa improved. Church improved. Dez improved. Carter improved. Claiborn improved. Hanna improved. Harris improved.

We need to continue that trend rather than trot out 30 somethings like Winston.

SportsGuru80 · May 7, 2013

He better take that pay cut

Redball Express · May 7, 2013

It's understood we have paid too much for him..but if it's going to help the OL..why not move him to G for now and finish the rebuilding next year on the OL in the draft or FA..?

Why just dump him..?

I don't get it..? As a OT he's been a stretch..but that all began with Parcells thinking he was something to invest in.

Let's stop beating ourselves up and use him to fix another problem..G.

The cap is not going to fix itself anyway. Might as well as calm down and play him.

:starspin RedBaLL Ex PreSS:starspin

Oh_Canada · May 7, 2013

stasheroo;5079852 said:
Yep.

Quit playing games until all other options are gone.

Sign Winston now!

The Cowboys want to re-sign him at a bargain rate so they can avoid more "dead money" in 2014.

Frankly, I don't see Winston in a Cowboys uniform next season.

Eskimo · May 7, 2013

Redball Express;5080022 said:
It's understood we have paid too much for him..but if it's going to help the OL..why not move him to G for now and finish the rebuilding next year on the OL in the draft or FA..?

Why just dump him..?

I don't get it..? As a OT he's been a stretch..but that all began with Parcells thinking he was something to invest in.

Let's stop beating ourselves up and use him to fix another problem..G.

The cap is not going to fix itself anyway. Might as well as calm down and play him.

:starspin RedBaLL Ex PreSS:starspin

Free gets pushed around by 270 pound DEs. What's going to happen against a 330 pound DT? Free is not strong enough to anchor against guys like that one the interior. He is a finesse player who needs to play outside where he can put his footwork and quickness to best use.

Echo9 · May 7, 2013

Hoofbite;5079958 said:
They shouldn't even be playing hard ball.

Either cut him and sign someone to start like Winston.

Cut him and sign a backup to Parnell.

Why even dance around with the issue? The guy was absolutely horrific.

If Dallas had played hardball with Roy Williams the WR it would have been just the same. The guy sucks and either he takes a pay cut to save his spot or he gets cut. Move on.

I'm guessing that the real reason they are playing hardball is the acceleration of his signing bonus if he is cut. Right now, that pro-rates to around 10 MIL. Let's say we cut him June 2. We can then spread that out over this year and next.

It wouldn't be 5 mil and 5 mil though. Rough numbers all around but, I think it's something like 3 mil this year and 7 next year. The 3 for this year is on our cap this year no matter what. The following year is at around 7 because that's where the pro-ration hits. If he played out his contract, it would have been 3 this year, 3.5 next and 3.5 the last year.

If we can lower his salary so that he stays on the team, the signing bonus wouldn't accelerate and we would be able to continue to spread out that signing bonus hit, saving us 3.5 mil against the 2014 cap even if we were to cut then him June 2 of 2014.

I think half of the reason we are going through this is to avoid the 7 million dollar wallop on 2014.

tm1119 · May 8, 2013

Is playing hard ball really helping anything? At some point the relationship has to be beyond repair right? Do they really expect Free to come back with his tail between his legs at almost 1/4 of salary and compete and play hard? That would be tough for anybody to do.

And I also agree that the fact that they aren't exactly kicking Free out doesn't exactly speak volume for Parnell. If they really felt Parnell was the guy and definite starter I really don't feel like they would keep Free around. I understand the need for a swing tackle, but keeping Free at a bargain to backup his former backup just seems like a less than ideal situation. I would think a fresh face would be a much better situation for everybody.

Floatyworm · May 8, 2013

Maybe it's just me....But I think Doug Free is just praying he gets cut and can get away from this daily circus. Talk about a grind having your name in the headlines everyday. Am I gonna get cut??? Am I staying???

Who really wants to be a part of this knowing your GM has no clue how to run a team?

honyock · May 8, 2013

Erik_H;5080031 said:
I'm guessing that the real reason they are playing hardball is the acceleration of his signing bonus if he is cut. Right now, that pro-rates to around 10 MIL. Let's say we cut him June 2. We can then spread that out over this year and next.

It wouldn't be 5 mil and 5 mil though. Rough numbers all around but, I think it's something like 3 mil this year and 7 next year. The 3 for this year is on our cap this year no matter what. The following year is at around 7 because that's where the pro-ration hits. If he played out his contract, it would have been 3 this year, 3.5 next and 3.5 the last year.

If we can lower his salary so that he stays on the team, the signing bonus wouldn't accelerate and we would be able to continue to spread out that signing bonus hit, saving us 3.5 mil against the 2014 cap even if we were to cut then him June 2 of 2014.

I think half of the reason we are going through this is to avoid the 7 million dollar wallop on 2014.

You know, that's a really good point and I hadn't considered it. It may very well be as much about spreading out the 2014 cap hit over two years instead of just the 2013 cap hit.

IF they believe that Parnell is ready to go this year, then they want to pay Free at a swing tackle price this year. Then they designate him as a June 1 cut next year and spread that final $7M cap hit over 2014 and 2015.

In that case, that would further explain why they're letting this drag out as long as possible. They may think Free is about as good a swing tackle as they'll be able to sign. In that case, they hope that Free blinks first, and gives them cap relief both this year and next.

Doomsay · May 8, 2013

stasheroo;5079852 said:
Yep.

Quit playing games until all other options are gone.

Sign Winston now!

Headline: Former Colts Tackle Winston Justice Signs a $4.7 million two year deal with Detroit.

"Well, (smack, smack) we didn't see anybody left in free agency that we liked better than uhm Douglas, so I feel like we made the right decision in making him uh one of the highest paid right tackles in the league (smack, smack)."

deadrody · May 8, 2013

fortdick;5079992 said:
Mark this down if they cut Free, he will get a contract similar to Clabo's somewhere else and have a solid season. We will sign someone else's cast off as a bandaid at RT.

Ah. So Doug Free has magical powers ?!

TheRomoSexual · May 8, 2013

Erik_H;5080031 said:
I'm guessing that the real reason they are playing hardball is the acceleration of his signing bonus if he is cut. Right now, that pro-rates to around 10 MIL. Let's say we cut him June 2. We can then spread that out over this year and next.

It wouldn't be 5 mil and 5 mil though. Rough numbers all around but, I think it's something like 3 mil this year and 7 next year. The 3 for this year is on our cap this year no matter what. The following year is at around 7 because that's where the pro-ration hits. If he played out his contract, it would have been 3 this year, 3.5 next and 3.5 the last year.

If we can lower his salary so that he stays on the team, the signing bonus wouldn't accelerate and we would be able to continue to spread out that signing bonus hit, saving us 3.5 mil against the 2014 cap even if we were to cut then him June 2 of 2014.

I think half of the reason we are going through this is to avoid the 7 million dollar wallop on 2014.

I'm pretty sure you can cut him now and designate him a June 1 cut.

Stash · May 8, 2013

Doomsay;5080063 said:
Headline: Former Colts Tackle Winston Justice Signs a $4.7 million two year deal with Detroit.

"Well, (smack, smack) we didn't see anybody left in free agency that we liked better than uhm Douglas, so I feel like we made the right decision in making him uh one of the highest paid right tackles in the league (smack, smack)."

:laugh2:

miamicowboy21 · May 8, 2013

Just sign Winston please!!

Hoofbite · May 8, 2013

Erik_H;5080031 said:
I'm guessing that the real reason they are playing hardball is the acceleration of his signing bonus if he is cut. Right now, that pro-rates to around 10 MIL. Let's say we cut him June 2. We can then spread that out over this year and next.

It wouldn't be 5 mil and 5 mil though. Rough numbers all around but, I think it's something like 3 mil this year and 7 next year. The 3 for this year is on our cap this year no matter what. The following year is at around 7 because that's where the pro-ration hits. If he played out his contract, it would have been 3 this year, 3.5 next and 3.5 the last year.

If we can lower his salary so that he stays on the team, the signing bonus wouldn't accelerate and we would be able to continue to spread out that signing bonus hit, saving us 3.5 mil against the 2014 cap even if we were to cut then him June 2 of 2014.

I think half of the reason we are going through this is to avoid the 7 million dollar wallop on 2014.

I was under the assumption it would be an equal split but it makes sense that it's not. However, as far as the roll over is concerned it might as well be $5M. Dallas gets $3M in charges this year as opposed to $5M and simply rolls over that extra $2M to next year. Kind of washes out the same in the end.

Even still though, as long as he doesn't lower his base he's on the books for $10M which is simply unacceptable. His play wouldn't earn him a roster spot by itself. He either takes the cut and allows his cap figure to provide him a chance to hang around and compete or he looks for another team.

There should be no extended negotiations.

burmafrd · May 8, 2013

jnday;5079934 said:
I really liked Gaither before his injuries and the lazy streak started. When he was a starter with the Ravens, he was very good. A giant of a man with unlimited potential, but he has the motivation of a rock. What a waste.

I wanted him at one time. I give his agent credit for managing to hide what he really was for so long. I heard that someone on the boys knew someone with the Ravens and got the inside data on him and that is why we never looked his way even when we were desperate. If I recall correctly we preferred Barron to him. which is a pretty sad comment right there.

TheRomoSexual · May 8, 2013

fortdick;5079992 said:
The leverage Free has is that he is better than Parnell. If he wasn't, he would have been cut already. He knows he is better, Callahan knows he is better, Garrett knows he is better and the Jones know he is better. It seems only those that parrot what they have read here think Parnell is better. Watch film, he isn't.

That all being said, Free is the best option available at this point. Why should he take a pay cut so that.they can sign someone that might take his place.

Mark this down if they cut Free, he will get a contract similar to Clabo's somewhere else and have a solid season. We will sign someone else's cast off as a bandaid at RT.

This is a bunch of bull. Parnell far outplayed Free.

conner01 · May 8, 2013

Bowdown27;5079837 said:
He's all but gone. Love how they're making him take an almost 6 million dollar paycut. He's all but gone.

the team never said they were asking him to take a 6 mil cut. thats never going to happen. but a cut in his base that still allows him to make more than the market is a win for both sides

Clove · May 8, 2013

stasheroo;5079852 said:
Yep.

Quit playing games until all other options are gone.

Sign Winston now!

I think they may think that Parnell can do no worse.

conner01 · May 8, 2013

Hoofbite;5079958 said:
They shouldn't even be playing hard ball.

Either cut him and sign someone to start like Winston.

Cut him and sign a backup to Parnell.

Why even dance around with the issue? The guy was absolutely horrific.

If Dallas had played hardball with Roy Williams the WR it would have been just the same. The guy sucks and either he takes a pay cut to save his spot or he gets cut. Move on.

you could'nt play hardball with roy williams. omce you traded for him you had no choice but sign him or he becomes a free agent and you lose all those picks.
cutting free and signing a new guy sounds great till you look at what that does to the cap. if you cut him after june 1 you take a 7 mil cap hit next year plaus you have the salary of the new guy
the best deal is to get his base salry down to 3 mil or less and let him compete with parnell. 3 mil saves you 4 mil this year that you can use on lee. if he did it for next year too it saves you another 5 mil next year. but even if he did it for just one year you save the money this year and can cut him next june 1 with less hit the following year

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports the Cowboys are "playing hardball" with RT Doug Free

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NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports the Cowboys are &quot;playing hardball&quot; with RT Doug Free

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NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports the Cowboys are "playing hardball" with RT Doug Free