Cowboys Hit A ‘Downturn’ In Spencer Contract Talks

[RS12]

IRVING (105.3 THE FAN) – The Dallas Cowboys have hit what a source terms a “downturn’’ in contract negotiations with franchise-tagged defensive end Anthony Spencer, the problem being the club believes recent NFL deals have shoved the market value of comparable players down to the $5-million-a-year range.

The Spencer camp wants the recent five-year, $66-million extension given Packers linebacker Clay Matthews to be part of the conversation. Or, at least, the $8-million-year deal Cleveland gave pass-rushing linebacker Paul Kruger to lure him from Baltimore.

But three other NFL contracts hang like a dark cloud over Spencer’s wishes of receiving a long-term deal in Dallas before July 15, the deadline to re-up him or else the one-time Pro Bowler will play out the season at the tag number of $10.6 million.

The three contracts the Cowboys are using as leverage: Cliff Avril’s deal to move him to Seattle at $7.5 million a year but only for two seasons, so the total is only $13 million and the signing bonus is just $4.5 million; Elvis Dumervil’s deal to move him to Baltimore at about $5 million a year; and another Seattle bargain, Michael Bennett’s deal for just one year and $4.8 million.

Spencer’s side is arguing that all three of this situations are anomalies,

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/06/06/cowboys-hit-a-downturn-in-spencer-contract-talks/

 

[hra8700]

This story is clearly made up. Maybe a "source" said contract talks arent going well..but the details are all bologna.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

I doubt if a long term deal will get done this year. The current market price is not favorable to Spencer. He is lucky to have received the tag and the $10M this year. No way he would have gotten anything close this year from another team.

Unless Spencer will accept today's market value, the Cowboys will just have to wait and see:
1) how Spencer performs this year,
2) who is available in FA and the draft next year,
3) what the market price for DEs will be,
4) how Wilber/someone else does in comparison.

 

[CF74]

It's a contract year lets see what u got Spencer, 10+ sacks or bust...

 

[DCBoysfan]

I like Spencer but I think the smart move is for him to play under the 1 yr franchise tender and for Dallas to move on next year.

 

[Nation]

I like Spencer but I think the smart move is for him to play under the 1 yr franchise tender and for Dallas to move on next year.

I think that's the only move. He's one of our more underrated players amongst fans because for whatever reason this fanbase thinks sacks are the number one measure for strong-side players. But when you start talking about Clay Mathews dollars that would be a severe internal-overrating of our own talent.

 

[CowboyStar88]

This guy will have made 20 mill over the last 2 seasons thats pretty good.

 

[reddyuta]

This guy will have made 20 mill over the last 2 seasons thats pretty good.

indeed,just let him walk next year.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think that's the only move. He's one of our more underrated players amongst fans because for whatever reason this fanbase thinks sacks are the number one measure for strong-side players. But when you start talking about Clay Mathews dollars that would be a severe internal-overrating of our own talent.

This is not true. At least, not entirely. The problem here is while I see the point you are trying to make, a lot of the fan base looks at the contract numbers and see's it as pass rusher money, which it is. It's one thing to say that the fan base doesn't get it but it's another thing to look at that contract and realize that yeah, maybe they do get it. He's not worth 10 a year and I think that's pretty universal in todays market. If he were worth 10 a year, then we should see him signing his tender and just moving on but I doubt we will see that. The fan base understands the contract is too much for the player IMO. Of course, that is just my opinion.

 

[Cowboys22]

Spencer is the poster boy for the type of player you should let walk. He's over 30, only stood out in contract years, and wants to be paid like he's the best in the league at his position. There is no way they can meet his demands and sign Lee, Bryant, Smith, Carter, Claiborne, and Murray in the years to come. Let him play out the year, get your comp 3rd or 4th round pick for him, and add DE as a draft and/or free agent need next year.

 

[Picksix]

IRVING (105.3 THE FAN) – The Dallas Cowboys have hit what a source terms a “downturn’’ in contract negotiations with franchise-tagged defensive end Anthony Spencer, the problem being the club believes recent NFL deals have shoved the market value of comparable players down to the $5-million-a-year range.

The Spencer camp wants the recent five-year, $66-million extension given Packers linebacker Clay Matthews to be part of the conversation. Or, at least, the $8-million-year deal Cleveland gave pass-rushing linebacker Paul Kruger to lure him from Baltimore.

Can't see anyone giving him anywhere near that.

 

[Picksix]

Spencer is the poster boy for the type of player you should let walk. He's over 30, only stood out in contract years, and wants to be paid like he's the best in the league at his position. There is no way they can meet his demands and sign Lee, Bryant, Smith, Carter, Claiborne, and Murray in the years to come. Let him play out the year, get your comp 3rd or 4th round pick for him, and add DE as a draft and/or free agent need next year.

Technically, he's not 30 yet, but he will be by next summer. That hurts his leverage, whether it be with the Cowboys or any other team.

 

[Nightman]

Spencer would probably get a 4/30m deal on the market next year, since he can play 3-4 or 4-3. He's getting 10.6m this year, so Dallas should offer a 5/35-40m. Give him a 15m signing bonus and guarantee the first two years.

2013 2m salary-5m cap hit
2014 3m salary-6m cap hit
2015 4m salary-7m cap hit
2016 5m salary-8m cap hit
2017 6m salary-9m cap hit

The cap savings of 5.6m practically pay for his cap hit next. He can easily be cut after 2015, with only 6m dead money that can be spread over 2 years. If he is still performing a high level, then his salaries in 2015 and 2016 can be restructured and pushed down the road.

 

[Future]

Spencer is the poster boy for the type of player you should let walk. He's over 30, only stood out in contract years, and wants to be paid like he's the best in the league at his position. There is no way they can meet his demands and sign Lee, Bryant, Smith, Carter, Claiborne, and Murray in the years to come. Let him play out the year, get your comp 3rd or 4th round pick for him, and add DE as a draft and/or free agent need next year.

I don't get why people say this. Its not true at all. His best year was 09...

 

[Nation]

This is not true. At least, not entirely. The problem here is while I see the point you are trying to make, a lot of the fan base looks at the contract numbers and see's it as pass rusher money, which it is. It's one thing to say that the fan base doesn't get it but it's another thing to look at that contract and realize that yeah, maybe they do get it. He's not worth 10 a year and I think that's pretty universal in todays market. If he were worth 10 a year, then we should see him signing his tender and just moving on but I doubt we will see that. The fan base understands the contract is too much for the player IMO. Of course, that is just my opinion.

Valid, but I think there isn't an appreciation for the fact that in 2009, 2011, and 2012 Anthony Spencer did nothing but play very good football. If you're talking a 10M per year contract (or even an 8M per year contract) I'd agree that it's too much, but given the year-to-year flexibility that the franchise tag allows I think he's worth the price.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Valid, but I think there isn't an appreciation for the fact that in 2009, 2011, and 2012 Anthony Spencer did nothing but play very good football. If you're talking a 10M per year contract (or even an 8M per year contract) I'd agree that it's too much, but given the year-to-year flexibility that the franchise tag allows I think he's worth the price.

I don't agree with that. The flexibility goes both ways here. Next year, we could be in a situation where he's gone and then we will have to either go out and sign somebody or we will have to play somebody. If we are not going to sign him, then I think it's better to have a guy playing and getting time. Unless you feel like he's the difference between a deep run to the playoffs, I don't really see the value there. If you sign a player for 5 to 6 million, you have cap left to be able to go out and get another quality OL. That is more of how I look at it I guess.

 

[lwehlers]

let him play out the year and see what free agency offers or the draft. I think spencer is one those players who once he gets paid his desire and numbers will fade and then we will not be able to sign a player that is worth keeping long term.

 

[burmafrd]

I don't get why people say this. Its not true at all. His best year was 09...

not really. He had a great HALF SEASON in 2009. Then all but disapeared the next year. You do not pay a guy who has had exactly 1.5 great seasons out of SIX.

 

[Chuck 54]

It's called finding a compromise. I have no doubt he'll end up signing a 3 year contract for around 20 million, and I'd happily give him 8 million of it as a signing bonus since he'd be getting 10 million this season anyway.

For 6-7 million per year, Spencer has great value whether he's a sack master or not.

 

[Nation]

It's called finding a compromise. I have no doubt he'll end up signing a 3 year contract for around 20 million, and I'd happily give him 8 million of it as a signing bonus since he'd be getting 10 million this season anyway.

For 6-7 million per year, Spencer has great value whether he's a sack master or not.

Even 6-7 per year is a lot of money when you're paying Romo, Ware, Carr, Witten and Austin close/north of that, and have Lee, Dez, and Carter all on the horizon.