Bob Sturm: Four things Cowboys should NOT do this offseason

[Crown Royal]

I don't cut Carr just to cut him. I'd like him back at a cheaper rate. If not, then yeah, he's gone. But not until after the draft. Don't create holes before the draft, and I'd rather make him a June 1 cut anyway.

 

[KDM256]

I don't have a problem with Carr other than his contract being huge but judging by the list the poster provided above, I would love to have Antonio Cromartie (which would probably cost just as much) but most definitely bring back Sterling Moore

 

[jterrell]

He can't possibly be suggesting to keep Carr at his 8M salary.

Anybody that worries about what Carr has already been paid is off base. They gain 8M in cap space if they make him a June 1st cut so it's really just a question of his 8M base salary. Can they either get a better player for the 8M or can they get an equivalent player for significantly less than 8M?

The way you evaluate cap totals would have you living under a cardboard box. LOL.

NO, they DO NOT gain 8m by releasing him June 1st. They lower his theoretical but never to really exist scheduled cap hit by 8m and instead GUARANTEE they eat 12m in dead money over two seasons. So THAT IS WHY YOU DO WORRY about what has been paid.

Even make good contracts for vet corners ranked 3rd corners in this league was ~3.5million last off-season. So you'd pay 7m for 2 seasons of a very marginal starter and eat 12m to move on from Carr. The 2 year cost for that experiment is 19 million.
OR you reduce Carr to 3.5m base in each of the next two seasons and pay a cap total of 15.5M if you don't do anything else to lower the cap hits.

That is all VERY REAL math. Not pretend stuff.

 

[jterrell]

I don't have a problem with Carr other than his contract being huge but judging by the list the poster provided above, I would love to have Antonio Cromartie (which would probably cost just as much) but most definitely bring back Sterling Moore

For what it would cost to cut Carr and sign Cromartie you could pay Dez next year....
Carr would cost either 4.7 or 12 million depending upon release date and Cromartie is going to get a large contract with a lot of upfront money.

 

[daveferr33]

I don't know the cap ramifications with Carr but I do know he is easy replaceable. He's just a guy. He makes nobody better.

I wouldn't go any years with Murray. Too fragile in the past. Too much of a workload this past year. Too short of a shelf life at the position. Are they planning on giving him another 350 plus carries next year? It's highly unlikely that he's capable of it.

People are scared to say it. I'll say it. There was not a better QB in 2014 than Tony Romo. He played on par with Rodgers. He was better than Manning. Better than Brady. Certainly better than Luck. People are just conditioned to discredit Romo.

I don't disagree that Carr is just a guy, but what is the point of cutting him when his cap hit remains relatively the same whether he is on the roster or not (due to past restructures). Unless, of course, you believe we can upgrade the position and to do so we need his roster spot.

http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/dallas-cowboys/

By the way: The Carr contract is a good example of the real world consequences of restructuring players because of past cap mismanagement.

 

[Risen Star]

I don't disagree that Carr is just a guy, but what is the point of cutting him when his cap hit remains relatively the same whether he is on the roster or not (due to past restructures). Unless, of course, you believe we can upgrade the position and to do so we need his roster spot.

http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/dallas-cowboys/

By the way: The Carr contract is a good example of the real world consequences of restructuring players because of past cap mismanagement.

That's why I mentioned not knowing the cap ramifications. If there's nothing to gain by releasing him, so be it. I'm just saying he's a dime a dozen player who is easily replaceable.

 

[Stash]

Carr: That is simply not true.
Again you have to look at the reality of what is already paid Carr, what it would cost to keep him and what it would cost to sign him.

What Sturm suggests is correct provided Carr will take a pay cut and it seems very likely he will.

But paying Carr to go away then adding a vet of any standing at all would be VERY expensive.
Much cheaper to keep Carr under a pay cut.

And signing guys is seldom a fix. Look at Thurmond moving form SEA ot NYG and lasting all of 2 games before injury.
We need to replace Carr first then release him, not the other way around.
Especially with Mo in a bubble of doubt.

The team has Moore, Patmon, Mo and Scandrick which is likely enough but you probably want to kick the Carr decision down the road another year... AND NOT replace him at all with a vet signing.

This is where I'm thinking too.

I think a pay cut will get done with Carr because both sides want and need it to happen.

Carr would never see a salary close to what he's making now, and the Cowboys would ultimately pay more for cutting Carr and signing someone capable of replacing him than they would just for keeping him.

And I have no interest in taking a step back defensively while a rookie struggles to learn the NFL game, not when the team is this close or when Romo is this close to calling it a career.

 

[Crown Royal]

For what it would cost to cut Carr and sign Cromartie you could pay Dez next year....
Carr would cost either 4.7 or 12 million depending upon release date and Cromartie is going to get a large contract with a lot of upfront money.

Yeah if cutting carr saved us anything it would make sense, but it just doesn't. We're on the hook one way or another and while you could do better, you could also do worse. I also think that with better safety play you would see an improvement in Carr, becuse Marinelli would be able to let him man under a little more. Carr is a man under corner, period. Any other use of Carr is a waste.

 

[Crown Royal]

I am comfortable going into the season with Carr, Scandrick, Moore, Claiborne and Patmon. I would like safety help, and it doesnt hurt to bring a corner in for depth and competition. But with an improved DL and safety play, the defense is MUCH better.

I'm not saying you can't improve the secondary - you can, and if you have the opportunity to put a great play maker there, by all means do it. But between a DE and a CB I am going to choose the DE considering what we have. Between a DE and Safety of the same quality, I probably lean DE but I have more thought put into it.

 

[ufcrules1]

post dont post dumb things.

If you are going to attempt to insult someone, you should at the very least double check what you are typing.

As Ware wore down you had Lawrence and Mincey ramping up.

That is nothing more than an assumption.

In the playoffs Ware started and had 4 tackles. They allowed only 24 points.

Wow he really tore it up out there. Much in the same way he did for us in "win and in" games and playoff games.

Listen, your opinion on Ware is in the vast minority. Letting he and Hatcher go instead of signing them to huge contracts was a terrific decision and will help our team
in the long run. I understand you were emotionally attached to Ware but our team is in a better place for letting him walk.

 

[locked&loaded]

I think Dallas has clearly shown the way to improve is via the draft and keeping young, hungry players not paying free agents.

A CB in the draft makes sense.
A signed CB, not so much.
Scandrick is a tremendous value.
Mo is here and paid for this year. Carr is cheaper really to keep. Moore/Patmon look like legit back ups.
Why would we need 6 or 7 legit CBs?

I'd draft a guy if value was right and let him compete with Moore/Patmon then you decide on Carr/Mo again next year.

With Melton/Spencer/Selvie all free you probably do have to sign a DE. That'd be my only real signing.
Anything else would be just bargain filler and the draft class.

Dallas is up against it cap wise. They have to realize what it will cost to sign Dez, sign the LBs, sign the stud OL over the next couple seasons....
We do not have joy riding money.

You have a tenuous grasp of the word legit.

If scandrick or Carr went down we would be in trouble. Scandrick is best when covering the slot.

Depending on Mo is a recipe for disaster.

Moore showed some things, but it is my thinking, and I believe this sentiment is shared by many Cowboys fans and the front office, is that you don't want this guy playing the majority of your snaps at corner.

Patmon is not a legit starting CB

All that being said, we have enough money to sign a CB, hell we have enough money to sign a D linemen and a CB. Just depends on who we release, who we restructure. and NOBODY knows what or who they will be.

This draft is deeper at the d line position than corner, so why not target corner in free agency.

 

[Crown Royal]

Bemoaning the cutting of Ware is a completely results-based analysis and doesn't consider the decision at the time. WITH Ware and Hatcher we were coming off a historically bad defensive season and hampered by large contracts that had been building up. In addition, nobody expected the team to be anywhere near as competitive as it was in 2013. So with everyone in the world understanding that we were likely rebuilding toward 2015-2017, the decision was made to clean up the cap for the next 4-5 years and let the aging players go. Every indication in the world showed that Ware was steadily declining and no longer playing to his contract. Hatcher didn't show the same thing, but his cost to age was just not smart business. So they made the decision.

MAYBE if they had kept Ware, they would have been better in 2014. But that doesn't mean it was the wrong decision. The cowboys performed over and above what they had for really 2-3 years and we have cap room to improve the team.

 

[DenCWBY]

I disagree with everything you say except the Romo comment.

Carr, though, overvalued, is productive. Unless there is someone else ready to step up and take his spot I would not get rid of him. Yes, I would gamble on giving him the option of taking the pay cut or getting released, but I would not cut him.

As for Murray, he has something left in the tank at his age but I would not re-sign him for more than 4 years and I would not give him more than $6-mil per year.

Agreed and just to add to your Murray comment. I was first in the camp of letting him go with wet dreams about AP signing in his place.
At this point I don't think the AP signing is applicable.
Murray's value is more than just running the ball. I would go as far to say any RB for this teams priorities should be, First, to protect the QB which Murray excels. Second, to protect the ball when running which Murray is a little suspect at but can improve. Third, catching the ball out of the backfield which Murray also excels. Forth, running the ball effectively moving the chains which he's not great but very good. Fifth, break away runs which are sexy but for a ball control offense of this nature, not required.
Trusting a rookie RB with first priority (protecting the QB) put's me a little on edge.
Lets sign Murray for the max 4 years at $6M per year and shore up the defense in the draft.

 

[djmajestik]

I don't know the cap ramifications with Carr but I do know he is easy replaceable. He's just a guy. He makes nobody better.

I wouldn't go any years with Murray. Too fragile in the past. Too much of a workload this past year. Too short of a shelf life at the position. Are they planning on giving him another 350 plus carries next year? It's highly unlikely that he's capable of it.

People are scared to say it. I'll say it. There was not a better QB in 2014 than Tony Romo. He played on par with Rodgers. He was better than Manning. Better than Brady. Certainly better than Luck. People are just conditioned to discredit Romo.

GREAT post!!

 

[BigStar]

Carr: That is simply not true.
Again you have to look at the reality of what is already paid Carr, what it would cost to keep him and what it would cost to sign him.

What Sturm suggests is correct provided Carr will take a pay cut and it seems very likely he will.

But paying Carr to go away then adding a vet of any standing at all would be VERY expensive.
Much cheaper to keep Carr under a pay cut.

And signing guys is seldom a fix. Look at Thurmond moving form SEA ot NYG and lasting all of 2 games before injury.
We need to replace Carr first then release him, not the other way around.
Especially with Mo in a bubble of doubt.

The team has Moore, Patmon, Mo and Scandrick which is likely enough but you probably want to kick the Carr decision down the road another year... AND NOT replace him at all with a vet signing.

What about simply resigning Moore to a 1-2 mil. and draft a rookie to fight with/Mo and Patmon over the 3rd slot? That allows you to cut Carr and keep a competent corner. No one is talking top tier FA CBs...maybe outside of Cromartie who would demand a salary that may fit the expensive Carr/FA option you are foreseeing.

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

If you are going to attempt to insult someone, you should at the very least double check what you are typing.



That is nothing more than an assumption.



Wow he really tore it up out there. Much in the same way he did for us in "win and in" games and playoff games.

Listen, your opinion on Ware is in the vast minority. Letting he and Hatcher go instead of signing them to huge contracts was a terrific decision and will help our team
in the long run. I understand you were emotionally attached to Ware but our team is in a better place for letting him walk.

All that plus we probably can't afford guys like Mincey, Crawford and Ro McClain if we still have Ware and his massive contract. I don't think there any many Denver fans that are happy with his current contract right now either.

This 'we-fense' did much better trying to play as a team as opposed to rely on guys like Ware that disappeared down the stretch every year. Heck, Demarcus Lawrence has more post season sacks and game changing moments in the playoffs than Ware did in his entire career here, and I'm including those 8-8 game.

Love what he did, but this team absolutely made the right choice cutting him when they did. Loyalty for sake of loyalty will kill you in the nfl

 

[ufcrules1]

All that plus we probably can't afford guys like Mincey, Crawford and Ro McClain if we still have Ware and his massive contract. I don't think there any many Denver fans that are happy with his current contract right now either.

This 'we-fense' did much better trying to play as a team as opposed to rely on guys like Ware that disappeared down the stretch every year. Heck, Demarcus Lawrence has more post season sacks and game changing moments in the playoffs than Ware did in his entire career here, and I'm including those 8-8 game.

Love what he did, but this team absolutely made the right choice cutting him when they did. Loyalty for sake of loyalty will kill you in the nfl

Yes, he is a nice guy and all and at one time was a freak but in my mind isn't a leader and isn't hungry enough these days. I don't care if he had 10 sacks on a team that had a prolific offense for most of the year and had Von Miller on the line with him. I'm glad another team is saddled with that ridiculous contract. Same with hatch.

 

[xwalker]

The way you evaluate cap totals would have you living under a cardboard box. LOL.

NO, they DO NOT gain 8m by releasing him June 1st. They lower his theoretical but never to really exist scheduled cap hit by 8m and instead GUARANTEE they eat 12m in dead money over two seasons. So THAT IS WHY YOU DO WORRY about what has been paid.

Even make good contracts for vet corners ranked 3rd corners in this league was ~3.5million last off-season. So you'd pay 7m for 2 seasons of a very marginal starter and eat 12m to move on from Carr. The 2 year cost for that experiment is 19 million.
OR you reduce Carr to 3.5m base in each of the next two seasons and pay a cap total of 15.5M if you don't do anything else to lower the cap hits.

That is all VERY REAL math. Not pretend stuff.

The way you evaluate cap totals would have you living under a cardboard box. LOL.

NO, they DO NOT gain 8m by releasing him June 1st. They lower his theoretical but never to really exist scheduled cap hit by 8m and instead GUARANTEE they eat 12m in dead money over two seasons. So THAT IS WHY YOU DO WORRY about what has been paid.

Even make good contracts for vet corners ranked 3rd corners in this league was ~3.5million last off-season. So you'd pay 7m for 2 seasons of a very marginal starter and eat 12m to move on from Carr. The 2 year cost for that experiment is 19 million.
OR you reduce Carr to 3.5m base in each of the next two seasons and pay a cap total of 15.5M if you don't do anything else to lower the cap hits.

That is all VERY REAL math. Not pretend stuff.

The 12M hits the cap at some point with or without him on the team.

Example:

Scenario 1
Keep with pay cut (4M salary in each of 2015 and 2016).
Total combined cap hit for 2015 through 2018:
12M + 4M + 4M = 20M

Scenario 2
Cut June 1st 2015
Total combined cap hit for 2015 through 2018.
12M + zero +zero = 12M

Scenario 3
Sign free agent to 2 year contract for 4M per year
Total combined cap hit for 2015 through 2018 for both:
12M + 4M + 4M = 20M

Notice that the 12M never goes away. Since the 12M remains, then only the salary is relevant in the comparison of Carr to a free agent.

Cromartie and Flowers both played on 1 year, approx 3.5M contracts for 2014 and were better than Carr in most people's opinions.

 

[Crown Royal]

The 12M hits the cap at some point with or without him on the team.

Example:

Scenario 1
Keep with pay cut (4M salary in each of 2015 and 2016).
Total combined cap hit for 2015 through 2018:
12M + 4M + 4M = 20M

Scenario 2
Cut June 1st 2015
Total combined cap hit for 2015 through 2018.
12M + zero +zero = 12M

Scenario 3
Sign free agent to 2 year contract for 4M per year
Total combined cap hit for 2015 through 2018 for both:
12M + 4M + 4M = 20M

Notice that the 12M never goes away. Since the 12M remains, then only the salary is relevant in the comparison of Carr to a free agent.

Cromartie and Flowers both played on 1 year, approx 3.5M contracts for 2014 and were better than Carr in most people's opinions.

The point seems to be that no matter what, he is on the hook in 2015 for 12M. If I'm on the hook for 12M in 2015, i might as well keep him and get value out of my investment and then worry about cutting him in 2016.

 

[Crown Royal]

I would also argue the point about Cromartie being better than Carr. He gets more interceptions but he is also liable to give up TDs. I'd say it's about even.