DMN Blog: A case for Stephen Bowen... for contract extension

[theogt]

I think paying a guy early for fear of paying him late is a terrible way to do business, personally.

Depends on how much risk there is both ways. Here, it's completely lopsided. There's absolutely no reason to sign the guy long-term right now.

 

[Seven]

I think paying a guy early for fear of paying him late is a terrible way to do business, personally.

Correct. See Ken Hamlin.

 

[TNCowboy]

Bowen has played well, as a backup. But it looks to me like he's more suited as a 3rd down pressure player rather than an everydown (or 2 down) player.

Why the angst to sign Spears? I don't get Cowboy fans sometimes.

The defense has been good the last 2 weeks, but as a whole this season, it's been pretty mediocre.

If Olshansky has played well (Bryan Broadus sings his praises weekly), Ratliff is the best NT in the game, Ware is the best defensive player on the planet, Brooking is the defense's leader and obviously is playing well, James keeps just missing the pro bowl, Spencer is really starting to come on, Jenkins is playing like an all pro, Newman is one of the best CBs in the NFL, Sensabaugh is a God-send and a vast improvement over RW, and Wade is an ace DC, what does that leave?

The defense isn't dominating only because of Hamlin?

How is this not one of the best defenses in league history, much less one of the best right now?

I hope Jerry Jones doesn't have the same opinion on Spears as many of his fawning fans do.

The reality is, Spears is just a guy. James is just a guy. Newman - like it or not- right now, is just a guy. The truth is this is a defense with 2 elite players, surrounded by a bunch of average to pretty good players, and one awful safety.

Jones jumped the gun and overpaid Newman and Hamlin, but showed appropriate restraint with Canty, and got a good replacement at a reasonable cost. I hope he does the same with Spears.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Tender him and keep paying him that way. He isn't going anywhere unless we let him go and at this point why would we let him go?

 

[DEZBRYANT x88x]

Pay BOLO!!

 

[cowboyz]

he would be a lot better if he could start at the snap. he seems to be afflicted with the same disease that spears has.

which is odd because bowen becomes a heat seeking missile when he has a free path to the qb.

maybe he's better from a standing a position

 

[The Realist]

Draft Lamarr Houston DT Texas and be done with it.

 

[JBond]

I hate Stephen Bowen actually. He told Julius Crosslin to "shut up" in one of the "Tulius" videos and came across as an ***...

SCREW HIM.

Have to admit I had no idea what you were talking about and had to google Julius Crosslin to find out he is a 26 year old that plays for us yet does not have a single stat.

What is a Tulius video? Excuse my ignorance. I just have no idea what that is. My other question is why do you hate him for his role in a video?

 

[YosemiteSam]

Not sure why you'd give him a long-term contract now. Tender him whatever you like next off-season, see how he performs that year and just go from there.

He is a solid rotation guy right now and he is still developing and young. If you lock him up for 4 years now, you don't have to worry about someone throwing more money than he is worth after next season. (umm, Raiders are now a 3-4 team and we know what they pay for FAs)

If you can sign him for something like a 4 year extension at $10-12M with $4M guaranteed, you have your replacement if Spears walks this offseason.

That would mean you could get away with a solid 3-4 Dline at less than $12M a year. (Ratliff 20.5M 5/yrs (avg $4.1M/yr), Olshansky $18M 4/yrs (avg $4.5M/yr)

If you resign Spears, his contract is probably going to be in the $30-$40M range and avg about $5.5M a year. If you draft someone to take over immediately, that guy is probably going to have to be a first round pick and demand first round money.

No matter how you look at it, I think signing Bowen for 4 years at tender money now, or just above tender money at season end is easily the best direction to go in. Minimum guaranteed (say $4M) makes him an easier cut if need be. Not sure what the cap looks like now, but you can probably spread some of it out this year and let the uncapped year eat a bunch too.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Correct. See Ken Hamlin.

What does Ken Hamlin have to do with that? Ken Hamlin was signed twice by the Cowboys. Both times he was signed he was a free agent.

The Cowboys paid max money for Hamlin, there was no pay more now so you don't have to pay even more later.

Jay Ratliff is in that camp. We paid him early for less, so we didn't have to pay more later. Now we have one of the best interior defensive linemen for 5 years $20.5M. That is stupid cheap for a player of his caliber!

 

[big dog cowboy]

What is a Tulius video? Excuse my ignorance. I just have no idea what that is.

One of M. Bennett's videos.

 

[WoodysGirl]

One of M. Bennett's videos.

Actually, it's one Tashard Choice's videos..

 

[FLcowboy]

Bowen has been looking good for his situational role this year, but so has Spears and Hatcher. In fact the entire defensive line has looked good for the most part. The question come now, is there a better, cheaper alternative out there that can step in and be as productive.

Next year's' draft had better address the offensive line and safety positions.

 

[RS12]

I would tender the guy again. Would rather have him than not, but not convinced he deserves to be locked up at above average money.

 

[MONT17]

Resign Spears, I dont see it.. Bowen should get a restricted tender like Procter we will see what he is worth

 

[xWraithx]

Have to admit I had no idea what you were talking about and had to google Julius Crosslin to find out he is a 26 year old that plays for us yet does not have a single stat.

What is a Tulius video? Excuse my ignorance. I just have no idea what that is. My other question is why do you hate him for his role in a video?

heheh..

a "Tulius video" are those videos that Tashard Choice and Julius Crosslin filmed this summer in the locker room (the duo of T-ashard and J-ulius called themselves "Tulius")

although Bowen did tell Crosslin to shut up in one of those videos, and I didn't like it, I don't really hate him.

 

[JBond]

heheh..

a "Tulius video" are those videos that Tashard Choice and Julius Crosslin filmed this summer in the locker room (the duo of T-ashard and J-ulius called themselves "Tulius")

although Bowen did tell Crosslin to shut up in one of those videos, and I didn't like it, I don't really hate him.

I have to admit I did not follow the off season like I used to. Last year burned me out. Took a break. I am usually hip to these type of things.

Thank you everyone for the clarification. Off to You Tube now.

 

[Seven]

What does Ken Hamlin have to do with that? Ken Hamlin was signed twice by the Cowboys. Both times he was signed he was a free agent.

TheCount stated:"I think paying a guy early for fear of paying him late is a terrible way to do business, personally.

Hamlin played for a one year contract the first time. He held out, jed got nervous and hamlin got way over-paid for what he's worth, IMO. Hence.......paying a guy early for fear of paying him late. Wait and see what Bowman can bring consistently. He ain't going anywhere.

The Cowboys paid max money for Hamlin, there was no pay more now so you don't have to pay even more later.

Exactly. What does he give us for that deniro? There was absolutely pay more now when Hamlin signed the second time.

Jay Ratliff is in that camp. We paid him early for less, so we didn't have to pay more later. Now we have one of the best interior defensive linemen for 5 years $20.5M. That is stupid cheap for a player of his caliber!

Rat more than proved himself. He deserved the money. We still don't know what Bowman is even worth. A situational player at best.

 

[JBell]

Only thing about Bowen is that he seems pretty one-dimesional to me. I don't know how he'd do if he had to play the run most of the game.

Not that he's a bad player or anything, but I don't think he'd be that hard to replace.

I do still like Hatcher, though. He seems like he has more everydown potential.

Actually, it'd be harder to find a guy like Bowen imo.

He's a solid contributor at DE and gives us nice pressure in nickel/dime packages. Pressure players in the interior are harder to find than run stuffing de's.

 

[AmishCowboy]

I'd like to see Sensabaugh get a extension, he was really helped the secondary.