Debate on Cowboys signing top free agent(s)

[TheDallasDon]

It's true that the Cowboys got Hardy but they also got him with strings attached:

- He's on a low-risk 1 year contract. If he somehow gets all the bonuses, the Cowboys will have a bidding war on his hands and may have to let him walk.
- Hardy will have been out of the game for almost a year, possibly more depending on the suspended games. Don't delude yourself thinking he's going to play at a high level right off the bat. OTAs and camp are going to help but he's got alot of work to do to get back to playing at a high level like before.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this move and I'm super stoked about Hardy but this deal really puts Hardy in the driver seat if he can live up to the bonuses.

I wouldn't be thumping my chest too much that we got Hardy and celebrating that our FA was a success because the NFL hasn't had a final word in yet and we still don't know what the schedule will look like w/ Hardy likely to miss games.

The good ole........oh no, he's going to come here be a model player, play in all the games, have 14+ sacks and Dallas still loses lol

 

[xwalker]

I certainly don't mind admitting when I'm wrong but, this is no big win for the Cowboys. He's on a 1 yr deal only and no obligation or hold
that can keep him longer. If the NFL gains access to all the court & medical records, he might be suspended longer that anyone thinks because
the Commish might decide to make an issue out of Mr. Hardy. So if he's suspended for 6 or 8 games, is he really going to be that much help
next season. We've now tied up a lot of cap space on a dubious character who might be a great football player but not much else.
So, if it works out for the Boys...great! I have my doubts though I know full well I'm in the minority here.

Good attempt to deflect the issue.

The bottom line is you jumped into every thread and guaranteed that that the Cowboys would not sign any big free agents. You repeated it over and over and over.

You were Wrong! Just admit it and quit making more uninformed projections.

 

[cowboys1981]

This was the best offseason move by far. Everyone knew pass rush was our biggest need and we didn't bargain shop or dumpster dive for one. We went after what most thought was a pipe dream and now we have Hardy on our team. I don't care that its just for one season. We only owe his base salary which is less than 1m at this point. We have nothing to lose in this deal.

Could you imagine Hardy in the playoffs last season while on our roster?? Rodgers wouldn't have had all day to throw. I know a possible suspension is coming up but I have no doubt we'll be in the mix in our division race once he returns. I'm excited for our defense in '15.

 

[boysfanindc]

If we have to wait till half the season is over, we might have found out that a youngster or two from last year might make the jump
and be the pass rusher we really want. Hardy to me is a progress stopper and I think we might have a couple of young lads
that might just step up.

If Hardy is a progress stopper, then so is Aaron Rodgers.

Top 5 players at their position are not progress stoppers.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Not everyone. Generalizing is ugly.

Summarizing the general behavior of many....the type of behavior that made this type of thread worthwhile.

There were of course those who tried to shine light on the darkness.

 

[Corso]

Summarizing the general behavior of many....the type of behavior that made this type of thread worthwhile.

There were of course those who tried to shine light on the darkness.

Well stated Mufasa. I bow graciously at this post.

 

[visionary]

There has been a big debate in regards to the Cowboys signing any top rated Free agents.

The debate is over. The Cowboys signed the #1 DE and probably a top 3 overall free agent. The cost could be up to 13M for 1 year.

Were there some sig wagers on this issue? Who was it that guaranteed it would not happen?

I love this offseason! I said before FA started that if they signed Greg Hardy I don't care how many free agents they lose as long as they franchise Dez.

I'm OK with the roster as is including RB. My biggest concern is now CB.

@LittleD

I'm waiting for @Little D to apologize to me publicly

Though in betting that he does not have the stones to do it after ridiculing posters in many many threads about a top FA being signed

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Please enlighten me about where I'm mistaken. The NFL just filed suit to obtain access to all records pertaining to
Mr. Hardy. If the Commish finds a hint of wrongdoing, He and Mara will lower the boom on our Mr. Hardy.

Quick...what's Hardy's cap number right now.

 

[darthseinfeld]

If we have to wait till half the season is over, we might have found out that a youngster or two from last year might make the jump
and be the pass rusher we really want. Hardy to me is a progress stopper and I think we might have a couple of young lads
that might just step up.

Whos progress is he going to stop?

 

[AzorAhai]

Quick...what's Hardy's cap number right now.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I said from the beginning that Hardy should sign a 1 year deal if he was smart. He would be dumb to sign long term when his stock was down due to the legal issue.

You think it was his call?
If cowboys gave him nice 4 year deal he wouldn't take it?

I guess with his situation like someone said... It's smart for both sides

 

[AzorAhai]

Understood.

You think if things "go nicely" that they plan to give long term deal next year? Maybe even told him so?

To your question, I would wager both sides discussed a long-term deal and decided at this time it wasn't a good fit. I do believe that they would have discussed the possibility of revisiting it later in the season or quickly after the season if he performed up to his previous level and probably at great length. I highly doubt that Hardy gets out of town if he plays like he did in 2012-13 and stays out of trouble. Jerry keeps who he really wants and elite pass rushers don't grow on trees.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I always lean towards the less drama situation.

You are a good mod!

Lol

 

[visionary]

Everyone said Stephen was cheap. They misunderstood what efficient meant when he said it.

We will one day again sign a free agent to a big deal. We just will try to be prudent enough to avoid signing someone to a dumb deal.

If by everyone you mean only @Little D then you would be correct

I fully expect AP to be brought in as well

 

[rwalters31]

There has been a big debate in regards to the Cowboys signing any top rated Free agents.

The debate is over. The Cowboys signed the #1 DE and probably a top 3 overall free agent. The cost could be up to 13M for 1 year.

Were there some sig wagers on this issue? Who was it that guaranteed it would not happen?

I love this offseason! I said before FA started that if they signed Greg Hardy I don't care how many free agents they lose as long as they franchise Dez.

I'm OK with the roster as is including RB. My biggest concern is now CB.

@LittleD

Personally, with the money available I believe that the free agent signings are over and the Cowboys are going to the draft next. Time for the Scouts to shine and find the gems in the draft and UDFA.

 

[whynot]

I'm not happy about Murray leaving, but if that meant we got Hardy for this year, then it was the right move.

The Murray and Hardy deals were mutually exclusive the way I see it.

Hardy costs (currently) basically nothing, which is the genius of the deal. Murray as demonstrated would have cost quite a lot.

What they've done is shop bargain at extremely high reward, whilst being patient enough to let the cap clear for the future. In effect they've rebuilt the team without having to go through the rebuilding process.

Win lose or draw, you can't help but admire what the Cowboys have done.

 

[darthseinfeld]

By the 2017 Offseason, your going too see threads popping up all over NFL message boards titled " Demarco Murray Released: Any interest? ".......With a couple pages of replied with either " No" or " pass"

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think this was a win for both camps.

Personally I wasn't as against signing a high-priced FA as I was rejiggering Romo's contract so that his cap-crunch was pushed into future seasons.

And here we are on March 19th, the Cowboys did sign a high-priced FA AND they did it without the Romo-restructure... And given who's left in free agency it appears that they will not have to do it.

WIN all the way around IMO.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

It's a gamble no doubt. If you see signs of greatness, you extend him ASAP, before he explodes.

Yeah you feel that the next deal will piggyback close to this signing,

 

[xwalker]

You think it was his call?
If cowboys gave him nice 4 year deal he wouldn't take it?

I guess with his situation like someone said... It's smart for both sides

Basically, yes.

The Cowboys didn't want to give him guaranteed money which is obvious from the incentive based contract.

There is no reason for the player/agent to get themselves locked in long term without guaranteed money.