Anyone else have that Anti-Climactic feeling?

[Joe Realist]

The Free Agency was going slow as we were not signing any big name FA's. We did not get a deal done, YET, for Dez so we tag him. Murray goes to the Eagles.

I am not complaining about Murray leaving. I applaud them for not overpaying and finding themselves in similar situations like they have in the past.

I only bring up some of these things to build up the story and some of the mood.

We see Defensive FA's keep getting signed and people are worried we are running out of mid tier type players that the Cowboys seem to be targeting on getting with a mid tier price.

So Greg Hardy is still sitting there.

I have said in the past he was the one FA I did not want to sign. I said so due to his off the field issues, the possibility of him missing games and ALSO that he was the top DE in this Free Agency period and a Top defensive player in this FA with possibly Suh and Reevis being the only bigger ones so with that means I figured he would command a larger amount of money than I was comfortable the team giving considering his issues.

This is NOT another thread to discuss those issues...I only mentioned them as I thought he would be out of our Price Range and for that kind of Coin I would not want someone with issues.

With all of that said...Word starts to filter in that the Cowboys are interested in him. And frankly what we need most on Defense is someone who can get to the QB and he is by far the best FA out there for getting to the QB.

For a day or so it is just general statements that the Cowboys might have interest. There are stories/tweets that their is a mystery team that is seriously interested but only speculations of who that team could by and the cowboys could be one of them so the fandom interest in the story grows.

A couple of days ago the twitterverse tells us the cowboys are bringing in Greg Hardy in a few hours and there are possibly negotiations going on.

This ignites a board fire and everyone is getting interested (whether people like him or not, whether people want him or not) people are interested in the news and threads are growing and growing.

Two days we go through this with some words leaking out he has signed only for those to be from bogus sources so we keep on watching the twitterverse for any nugget of information no matter how trivial and how speculative. Even Whattaburger gets into the whole thing and possibly gains some free publicity.

Then it finally breaks...Hardy Has signed.

Here comes the anti climatic part....

It is only for one year for over $10 million.

Some start saying hey....Even if it is one year we can franchise him the next year and at least have him for two years. We also find out that none of money is guaranteed and most of it is incentive based money.

So we are happy we got a great financial deal and can have him up to two years if we wish.

Then news leaks out that the contract contains a clause that the cowboys can not use any tags on him including the aforementioned Franchise tag.

So basically we only have the right to one year of his services and there is a strong (I said strong not 100% chance just for Burm) that he will miss some games. So it looks like we might not even get him for a full season.

Not complaining about all of this at all.

Just seems like after such a big build up, after all of those threads, after all of the posts, after all of the excitement leading up to it...

Today it just seems like it was a bit anti-climatic.

But...that is just me and maybe I am the only one.

I expect he plays in 8 games due to suspension/injury, then leaves next year for a 7 year contract somewhere else.

 

[DBOY3141]

The Free Agency was going slow as we were not signing any big name FA's. We did not get a deal done, YET, for Dez so we tag him. Murray goes to the Eagles.

I am not complaining about Murray leaving. I applaud them for not overpaying and finding themselves in similar situations like they have in the past.

I only bring up some of these things to build up the story and some of the mood.

We see Defensive FA's keep getting signed and people are worried we are running out of mid tier type players that the Cowboys seem to be targeting on getting with a mid tier price.

So Greg Hardy is still sitting there.

I have said in the past he was the one FA I did not want to sign. I said so due to his off the field issues, the possibility of him missing games and ALSO that he was the top DE in this Free Agency period and a Top defensive player in this FA with possibly Suh and Reevis being the only bigger ones so with that means I figured he would command a larger amount of money than I was comfortable the team giving considering his issues.

This is NOT another thread to discuss those issues...I only mentioned them as I thought he would be out of our Price Range and for that kind of Coin I would not want someone with issues.

With all of that said...Word starts to filter in that the Cowboys are interested in him. And frankly what we need most on Defense is someone who can get to the QB and he is by far the best FA out there for getting to the QB.

For a day or so it is just general statements that the Cowboys might have interest. There are stories/tweets that their is a mystery team that is seriously interested but only speculations of who that team could by and the cowboys could be one of them so the fandom interest in the story grows.

A couple of days ago the twitterverse tells us the cowboys are bringing in Greg Hardy in a few hours and there are possibly negotiations going on.

This ignites a board fire and everyone is getting interested (whether people like him or not, whether people want him or not) people are interested in the news and threads are growing and growing.

Two days we go through this with some words leaking out he has signed only for those to be from bogus sources so we keep on watching the twitterverse for any nugget of information no matter how trivial and how speculative. Even Whattaburger gets into the whole thing and possibly gains some free publicity.

Then it finally breaks...Hardy Has signed.

Here comes the anti climatic part....

It is only for one year for over $10 million.

Some start saying hey....Even if it is one year we can franchise him the next year and at least have him for two years. We also find out that none of money is guaranteed and most of it is incentive based money.

So we are happy we got a great financial deal and can have him up to two years if we wish.

Then news leaks out that the contract contains a clause that the cowboys can not use any tags on him including the aforementioned Franchise tag.

So basically we only have the right to one year of his services and there is a strong (I said strong not 100% chance just for Burm) that he will miss some games. So it looks like we might not even get him for a full season.

Not complaining about all of this at all.

Just seems like after such a big build up, after all of those threads, after all of the posts, after all of the excitement leading up to it...

Today it just seems like it was a bit anti-climatic.

But...that is just me and maybe I am the only one.

Good write up. The draft is my excitement in the off-season, not FA. So come May 3rd, the air will be gone from my balloon for a month or so. All that build up for months and then gone after 3 days.

 

[Risen Star]

I agree but I also don't know that the Cowboys actually want him long term. I think they are renting him until they get DLaw and another rookie DE from this draft more experience. Going into 2016 season, DLaw will be starting his 3rd year and the rookie we get this year (I still think OO will be the pick at 27) will be entering his 2nd year. Both are way cheaper than Hardy, but the gamble is will DLaw be as good or compariable to Hardy.

I just can't let go of an elite pass rusher in his 20's. Especially not a guy who brings the crazy on the field like Hardy.

 

[AsthmaField]

I expect he plays in 8 games due to suspension/injury, then leaves next year for a 7 year contract somewhere else.

I know that's what you're hoping for.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

People haven't realized but we can negotiate with him before any other team. That gives us an edge and could get a multi year deal done before free agency starts next season. Just saying, it's perfect he didn't work out we don't lose millions of dollars, he stays the beast he is we just snagged one of the best pass rushers in the league.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Highest bidder based on what though?

A great 2015 season where his behavior and production are great? OK. Then what team benefitted from that? We did! So not only will we have every advantage outside of straight money, but we will have reaped all of the benefits of the player restoring his reputation and production.

Yeah what seems to be ignored is the huge risk we are taking in signing him at all. Sure we want to be greedy and lock him up to a longer deal right now, but really we don't know what will happen with him. What if we got that long term deal then get burned like Carolina did last year with the tag.

Let him prove to us and the NFL that he deserves a long term contract first. We have no guarantees he will be back but we also didn't put ourselves in cap hell if he doesn't pan out. One thing is true, if he plays well, we all know Jerry will open his wallet.

All this also opens up our draft to another DE who could be cheaper than Hardy with perhaps similar production. Sure its hard to find in the draft, but it is possible. This opens up the possibility that we could actually want him to walk just like we did Murray for a younger option.

If he does well here, I just think we will be first in line for his services, if we want them as he tweeted. We should be happier that our risk is low with this deal and look at the draft as wide open now.

 

[CyberB0b]

I like the way the deal is structured. We rent him for less than we paid Spencer to sit on IR a couple of years ago.

 

[AsthmaField]

If Hardy plays up to his ability and stays out of trouble, the Cowboys will sign him long term. The home team always has the edge with a free agent... particularly when it is the Cowboys. He won't give a home team discount but if Dallas is in the neighborhood, he will stay where he is.

Like I said, if he lights it up, the Cowboys won't have any issue paying a big contract to an elite edge rusher in his prime. RB is a different story because Dallas feels like they are easy to replace and wear out quickly. Edge rushers, CB's, QB's, WR's, OT's... these are the positions Dallas feels like are worth big contracts.

Dallas has gotten picky with their salary cap dollars but an edge rusher in his prime is right where they want to spend.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

According to fox sports, last night vikings,came out and said they WILL NOT release peterson. Give em two,3rds get her done

Vikings are saying that so someone will do what you said.

If you are cutting someone you don't tell everybody you say no I'm not cutting him do you can get something for him.

Stand pat, don't trade for Peterson

 

[AsthmaField]

Vikings are saying that so someone will do what you said.

If you are cutting someone you don't tell everybody you say no I'm not cutting him do you can get something for him.

Stand pat, don't trade for Peterson

Hell no don't trade for him. If someone else gets him then fine. RB's are too easy to find to spend huge money and draft picks on a guy who is old for a RB.

Hell no.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Why wouldn't you want a elite pass rusher at 26 years old. DLAW has a long way to go to be on Hardy level

I agree but I also don't know that the Cowboys actually want him long term. I think they are renting him until they get DLaw and another rookie DE from this draft more experience. Going into 2016 season, DLaw will be starting his 3rd year and the rookie we get this year (I still think OO will be the pick at 27) will be entering his 2nd year. Both are way cheaper than Hardy, but the gamble is will DLaw be as good or compariable to Hardy.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Hell no don't trade for him. If someone else gets him then fine. RB's are too easy to find to spend huge money and draft picks on a guy who is old for a RB.

Hell no.

Thats what I said don't trade for Peterson. Vikings are saying they keeping him so someone will trade.

I want to draft a RB and let's go

 

[AsthmaField]

Yeah, I was agreeing with you.

 

[Broges74]

The plan, I think, is to draft a RB in the 1st unless both targets are gone. I think AP is now a pipe dream. I think Hardy is our defense upgrade and RUMDMC/Gurley will ultimately be in the backfield for next season.

 

[DBOY3141]

I just can't let go of an elite pass rusher in his 20's. Especially not a guy who brings the crazy on the field like Hardy.

It's going to be an interesting 2015 season to watch and see if they try and start talking a new contract during the year. I think if they let him hit FA, he is gone.

 

[DBOY3141]

Why wouldn't you want a elite pass rusher at 26 years old. DLAW has a long way to go to be on Hardy level

That's the gamble they maybe want to take. Say DLaw breaks out this year as I'm guessing they think he could since they did trade up to get him. So you lock up Hardy long term, DLaw breaks out this year and in a couple of years, he is now a FA wanting big dollars. SInce you already gave big dollars to Hardy, you can't keep the younger DLaw. All speculation on my part, but I think a lot of the only doing 1 year deal was from the Cowboys and not Hardy's side.

 

[StarBoyz83]

I know what you mean. I was hoping for like a 5 year deal. I would actually went out a bought a hardy jersey. I was so pumped but now im kind of bummed its only for a year. But cant dallas sign him long term midseason if they wanted too?

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Edge rushers, CB's, QB's, WR's, OT's... these are the positions Dallas feels like are worth big contracts.

Dallas has gotten picky with their salary cap dollars but an edge rusher in his prime is right where they want to spend.

Premium positions are what we should always invest in. Pass rushers, QB, LT, and CB should always be high on the agenda, and this front office has already shown to lean towards those positions, even with the drafting of Mo, which didn't work out well for them but it does show how they are leaning towards those positions.

I do look for the team to draft a CB higher than some think depending on what they really think of Mo's return. If they don't draft a CB in the first 3 rounds, they still have hope for Mo, whether we do at this point or not.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

That's the gamble they maybe want to take. Say DLaw breaks out this year as I'm guessing they think he could since they did trade up to get him. So you lock up Hardy long term, DLaw breaks out this year and in a couple of years, he is now a FA wanting big dollars. SInce you already gave big dollars to Hardy, you can't keep the younger DLaw. All speculation on my part, but I think a lot of the only doing 1 year deal was from the Cowboys and not Hardy's side.

But by then Hardy deal will be almost done and he will be close to 30, then you give Dlaw his money and Hardy walks.

Hardy is already a beast, Dlaw has potential but it's not a lock

 

[TheDude]

Unless something like an AP trade and sign happens...the FA off season excitement is pretty much over.

But the anti-climatic part is not the off season as a whole really...it is more about all the excitement the last few days concerning Greg Hardy and now that is over and feels a little anticlimactic.

How funny. I woke up today and thought, well nothing could top the last 3 days. Almost a little depressed that the crescendo is over