Sturm: Kudos to the Cowboys for Learning How to Manage the Cap

AsthmaField

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I think better drafting is the reason for this. They haven't needed to restructure as much because they have younger better players through the draft.

They are drafting very, very good... and that makes everything easier in putting a roster together. However, they’ve changed a lot when it comes to paying guys, and that has made all the difference in the world.

They stopped spending big in free agency and they’ve changed how they pay their own. It is just better all the way around.

So the trifecta of drafting great, working the salary cap great, and evaluating the talent (both in-house and in free agency) has allowed them to put together a fantastic roster.

Kudos for Jerry and Stephen for learning the right way.
 

Section446

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Yeah, it feels like Stephen has this whole thing figured out like nobody else.
 

GimmeTheBall!

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A great article by Bob Sturm. Below are some highlights.

"There has been a real sea-change in the way the Cowboys have managed their cap over the last decade and I don’t think we talk about it enough. They spent many years thinking they could outsmart the league and the cap by restructuring deal upon deal to push cap charges down the road. The trouble with that tactic is that players have diminishing value on the field because they are humans who sustain damage to their bodies. If you try to game the system and move their money down the road when their abilities have diminished, then you have expensive players who are no longer very good. Even though you are paying more, you are now winning less.

Instead, the modern Cowboys seem to have learned that the best way to retain your best talent rarely involves restructuring deals. Pay the piper when they are great and get the guaranteed money accounted for while they’re worth it. Then, if the player diminishes, the contract is no longer guaranteed on the back half. I believe we will see the Cowboys say goodbye to some familiar names if they are no longer worth their annual number without suffering dead-money ramifications."

Kudos to the front office for this kudos to our drafting abilities the past 3-5 years. Now if Jerry would lift the ban on hiring real coaches (Kris Richard is the exception) instead of friends & former players, we might be a scary team.
Good post, govnor!
 

Pantone282C

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I think better drafting is the reason for this. They haven't needed to restructure as much because they have younger better players through the draft.
It has been several factors, and your point is a big one. Not to mention, they have stopped some of the high end free agent signings.
 

buybuydandavis

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We all have opinions. Myself I like Cobb on the deal he got, I think he adds an extra element to the slot with his ability to work down field. Not knocking Cole.
Quinn I think will be a big help at DE and on a 1 year deal cost is not that great.
Cooper, I had some reservation but given his impact at WR and given that he is still a young WR I don't have a problem with it. Dallas gave up a 1st and he played like a 1st.

Cooper does play like a first. Like a great pick as a first. But his contract over 5 years will cost 90-100mil more than a first. Instead, we could have spent that 70-80 mil on other players, *and* had a first round pick for 5 years.
 

atlantacowboy

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Its hard to talk about success since we haven't won anything. 2007 had great talent......2008.......2014......2016.......2018....all of these teams were good enough to advance to a super bowl on talent alone. So, i'm not sure what problem we have solved here. Who have we let go for lack of cap dollars and that we have regretted?

The issue has rarely been talent level handicapped by poor cap management.........not since the campo days.
 

xwalker

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They are drafting very, very good... and that makes everything easier in putting a roster together. However, they’ve changed a lot when it comes to paying guys, and that has made all the difference in the world.

They stopped spending big in free agency and they’ve changed how they pay their own. It is just better all the way around.

So the trifecta of drafting great, working the salary cap great, and evaluating the talent (both in-house and in free agency) has allowed them to put together a fantastic roster.

Kudos for Jerry and Stephen for learning the right way.
Enjoy the positive threads while they last.

After the 1st loss of the season we'll hear how badly they managed the team. The sky is only propped up by wins. It will be falling after 1 loss...
 

Portnoy1

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Am I just stating the obvious if I say Belichick would win many SuperBowls with this current batch of players on the Cowboys roster?
No he wouldn't, we run a 4-3, and he is a 3-4 guy. So he would never work here
 

Altestic

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Tyrone Crawford and Sean Ree might be gone after this year
 

Bobhaze

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We all love to complain, but this team is being run very well - and no matter how much we want to deny him credit, a lot of that goes to Jerry.

The Cowboys are top-5 in talent and have become very consistent in drafting quality, reliable players.

The arrow is pointing up.
Now all they have to do to be legit is WIN IN THE PLAYOFFS!

Yes- I’m impressed with the improvement in talent acquisition and cap management. But the final judge of gaining respect for the Jones boys’ FO is results on the field. Again...in the playoffs.

I’m not one of the fans here who often complain about this team’s lack of respect in the media. Until we win at least TWO playoff games in a row for the first time in 24 years, the improvements the Jones boys have made only deserves “partial credit”.
 

Altestic

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No he wouldn't, we run a 4-3, and he is a 3-4 guy. So he would never work here
no.. they play hybrid 4-3 and 3-4 and have for almost a decade. Basically 3-3-Hightower depending on whether Hightower lines up near the LOS (in 3-4) or off-ball (in 4-3).
 

Portnoy1

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no.. they play hybrid 4-3 and 3-4 and have for almost a decade. Basically 3-3-Hightower depending on whether Hightower lines up near the LOS (in 3-4) or off-ball (in 4-3).
Yeah, I know it was meant to be a joke though.
 

Rockport

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Doesn’t take long for a positive thread to get trashed by the usual miserable posters.
 

eastsideboy

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It took Jerry 26 or whatever years to finally learn how to run a franchise and build a roster. How to manage the cap. Nearly EVERYTHING they do with the team is exactly what I would suggest doing.

The ONE HUGE thing they haven't figured out is the HC part. Which always keep them from being the best they can be. Until they replace the horrid Garrett with a REAL head coach they will always be less then what they should be.
Jerry hasn't changed Steven is calling the shots Jerry is don king.
 

85Cowboy85

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The key to being able to sign all of these players is they kept their powder dry in the FA market for the last 3-4 years.
 

Portnoy1

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Why are you the only one with that observation? Everyone else seems to think I'm right.
You are right, my post was meant to be a joke though. In Ofcourse in all seriousness he can definitely win with this type of talent. And he is not the only coach who could.
 

JoeKing

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You are right, my post was meant to be a joke though. In Ofcourse in all seriousness he can definitely win with this type of talent. And he is not the only coach who could.
I can't wait till Sean Payton takes over this team.
 
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