Archer: Cowboys fans quick to panic over team's slow start to free agency

[Sydla]

People forget we have McFadden and not overpaying for Miller, which Miami did, probably means they'll be picking a RB in the draft. Why would we pay more for Miller than we were willing to pay Murray?

Miami did not really overpay for Miller.

And we might have considered slightly offering more for Miller than Murray because Miller is younger and had less wear and tear on him. It was clear the Cowboys offered what the offered Murray because they were afraid of his wear and tear factor.

The contract Miller signed with Miami was pretty similar to what we offered Murray at the end. Miller got 4 years, $26MM with $14MM guaranteed. Murray's final offer from Dallas was 4 years, $24MM with $12MM guaranteed.

 

[Sydla]

Rolando McClain signed a 1 year, $4,000,000 contract with the Dallas Cowboys, including an average annual salary of $4,000,000. In 2016, McClain will earn. McClain has a cap hit of .


Guaranteed: 0
Signing Bonus: 0
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/rolando-mcclain/

Contract Notes: •$1M bonus if he plays 75% of defensive snaps

Not sure how this refutes my point.

In 2015 he was playing on a $3MM max incentive contract. He went out and had a so-so year and got a new $5MM max incentive contract.

Not the end of the world but when the Cowboys seem to be pinching pennies when it comes to signing players from other teams, it was a little strange McClain got the raise he got for being basically average in 2015.

 

[KingintheNorth]

So no one?

 

[Rockport]

Miami did not really overpay for Miller.

And we might have considered slightly offering more for Miller than Murray because Miller is younger and had less wear and tear on him. It was clear the Cowboys offered what the offered Murray because they were afraid of his wear and tear factor.

The contract Miller signed with Miami was pretty similar to what we offered Murray at the end. Miller got 4 years, $26MM with $14MM guaranteed. Murray's final offer from Dallas was 4 years, $24MM with $12MM guaranteed.

6.5 mill is way overpaying him and more than the Cowboys were willing to pay Murray. I'd rather have a young and hungry draft pick at a much much cheaper price. So would the Cowboys.

 

[Doomsday101]

Not sure how this refutes my point.

In 2015 he was playing on a $3MM max incentive contract. He went out and had a so-so year and got a new $5MM max incentive contract.

Not the end of the world but when the Cowboys seem to be pinching pennies when it comes to signing players from other teams, it was a little strange McClain got the raise he got for being basically average in 2015.

I don't think in the scheme of the NFL that his pay would be considered overpaying. In 11 games played he had 80 tackles 2 sacks and int for a TD.

 

[elcowboi]

This team has no direction. The F.O. is absolutely clueless.

I got my pitchfork ready...

 

[yimyammer]

Again, there is improving their roster and there's not improving their roster.

It's not a contest in being frugal, although long-term salary cap management is obviously important.

The Cowboys have yet to improve their roster and fans are upset that a team with an aging, injured quarterback is content with a roster that went 4-12 and finished in last place in the division.

Other teams are improving their roster, even if they are overspending, they are making efforts to get better. So far, the Cowboys are nothing more than a bargaining chip for players to get the team they are visiting to sign them.

All 32 teams will (attempt to) get better via the draft. It is not some secret weapon where only the Cowboys will use the draft to improve. The Cowboys sitting out of free agency, or signing no-name back-up's, is them not utilizing one of the few options for teams to improve. It's the equivalent of punting on 3rd down. Trying beats not trying every single time.

I'm pretty sure its no secret I despise jerri and his minions but geezuz, its been one friggin day

Having said that, my hopes are pretty low whether they where active in free agency or not. Imo, the problems run MUCH deeper than how active they choose to be in free agency but if staying out of the fray avoids future long term traps like the Carr contract, I'd rather err on that side of the equation.

I'm left hoping the blind squirrel can somehow, someday stumble upon a nut

 

[TheDude]

Across the board. Letting players like Murray walk when the age/mileage gets up, Reigning in FA spending, plugging holes with value FAs and focussing on building with young players via the draft. Even with the play calling when he doesn't trust the team, he plays the probabilities at the end of games and faces the music on it. From the day he got in, his plan was to build a system and to acquire and develop talent.

Don't get me wrong: he can be fairly criticized at this point for not having outperformed the league in that regard, too, but at least he's always been systematic. It's a joke around here to make fun of the process, but I'm a huge believer in the process part. We just need to have the best process, too.

I doubt there is a need or the time to get into it, but I dont know how it can be supported that there was a system and process in place since day 1. To me, the plan has been somewhat consistent in inconsistency (Houck and ZBS, 3-4 no 4-3, 3 TE - ineffective, go from pass happy 50att/gm to running team, etc, etc.) The last 2 years were more toward a consistent process, i'll cede that, but the first 3 were nothing if not chaotic. The lack of defensive speed and safety and complete lack of any effectiveness of QB who doesn't wear #9, to me, falls on Garrett. The panic trade for Cassel and benching of Weeden after NE was completely reactionary and refusal to understand the assets you had (weeden) for 2 years - though this is an org wide issue I guess

 

[Idgit]

I doubt there is a need or the time to get into it, but I dont know how it can be supported that there was a system and process in place since day 1. To me, the plan has been somewhat consistent in inconsistency (Houck and ZBS, 3-4 no 4-3, 3 TE - ineffective, go from pass happy 50att/gm to running team, etc, etc.) The last 2 years were more toward a consistent process, i'll cede that, but the first 3 were nothing if not chaotic. The lack of defensive speed and safety and complete lack of any effectiveness of QB who doesn't wear #9, to me, falls on Garrett. The panic trade for Cassel and benching of Weeden after NE was completely reactionary and refusal to understand the assets you had (weeden) for 2 years - though this is an org wide issue I guess

Oh, he definitely blew assembling his defensive staff. Both with the hiring of Ryan and then Kiffin. The Houck retirement and consequent move to the ZBS I think was just part of what happens in this league. But your point is well-taken. It didn't happen overnight, and it didn't happen as smoothly as it could have. They did retool the scouting operation, the cap management, the roster, the staff, though. And they're doing it with what amounts to a wildcatting senile egomaniac intermittently helping out and/or kicking them in the gut or poking them in the eye while they're trying to do it.

Basically, I think he's a good fit for our crazy organization. Bright. Not a huge ego. Works with Jerry, has the confidence of Stephen, and a family background in scouting. Has the support of the players and the respect of the staff. Manages an antagonistic local media well. He's trying to fill a really pair of shoes, and has had to grow into the gig. I still think it's a better situation than the others we've had in here post-Jimmy who were not named 'Bill Parcels.' And Bill was never more than a short term option, let's be honest.

 

[Sydla]

6.5 mill is way overpaying him and more than the Cowboys were willing to pay Murray. I'd rather have a young and hungry draft pick at a much much cheaper price. So would the Cowboys.

Who is that young, hungrier draft pick?

 

[Zimmy Lives]

If Archer's so good he could do Mickey's job, by definition, he won't ever be available to do it.

Mickey: "If Archa is so good, why is he working for ESPN? Answer me that. We'll see how good he is, won't we, when he wins a Slammy for sports journalism."

 

[Rockport]

Who is that young, hungrier draft pick?

We will find out on draft day.

 

[DandyDon52]

Panic is such a lame word to use.

Sure, there are some fans who are freaking out.

But I think most of the levelheaded fans aren't panicking, but rather are disappointed. Not disappointed that the Cowboys didn't drop their pants for Vernon or Jenkins, but disappointed that the team clearly had interest in a guy like Miller who ended up signing a pretty fair deal that the Cowboys simply thought was overpaying. Disappointed that their owner talks about certain needs but there doesn't really seem to be a plan to fix them other than "gotta find really cheap options and hope they turn to gold".

So I think's it's more disappointment than panic.

yeah, they also had a shot a murray again and went cheap again, then no miller, so now it is the draft on RB, which they dont value,
so I doubt they get elliot.

Jerry thinks this is a 12-4 team that just had a bad year without romo and dez, he said so in his jerry speak.
Just have to wait and see how they do in the draft.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

There are tons of disappointed fans who aren't panicking in the least.

Me for instance.

The only deal I'm a bit disappointed on is Miller. I'd have done that deal for that money.

I also didn't want Murray at that same price.

I also think rb is fungible.

I also think it's smart to sit out day 1 of free agency except in the rarest of situations.

 

[silver]

Oh, he definitely blew assembling his defensive staff. Both with the hiring of Ryan and then Kiffin. The Houck retirement and consequent move to the ZBS I think was just part of what happens in this league. But your point is well-taken. It didn't happen overnight, and it didn't happen as smoothly as it could have. They did retool the scouting operation, the cap management, the roster, the staff, though. And they're doing it with what amounts to a wildcatting senile egomaniac intermittently helping out and/or kicking them in the gut or poking them in the eye while they're trying to do it.

Basically, I think he's a good fit for our crazy organization. Bright. Not a huge ego. Works with Jerry, has the confidence of Stephen, and a family background in scouting. Has the support of the players and the respect of the staff. Manages an antagonistic local media well. He's trying to fill a really pair of shoes, and has had to grow into the gig. I still think it's a better situation than the others we've had in here post-Jimmy who were not named 'Bill Parcels.' And Bill was never more than a short term option, let's be honest.