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

[Bob Sacamano]

That's a solid argument.

The counter is: why, at this point in time where team stands, would you want to go out and replace a player that knows your system, is experienced, produces, accepts his role, and is still relatively young, with an unknown player, who may or may not produce, may or may not adapt to your system ?

To save a few hundred thousand dollars per year ? save a million dollars per year ?

if we could retain Bowen for 10-12 guaranteed, and he would be a starter, then I would be down for it

but if he's going to get that to remain the backup, then I would have to say no

 

[Hoofbite]

Earned? Earned what? The guy doing his job. Earning something more that what you currently get includes doing more than what you currently are paid for.

No more dumb *** penalties for Bo Low.

 

[Randy White]

if we could retain Bowen for 10-12 guaranteed, and he would be a starter, then I would be down for it

10-12 guaranteed ? I wouldn't do that either.

But, I would use Crayton's contract as a reference. 6 years, 14 millions, 5-6 guaranteed ( either signing bonus or 2 tier payment bonus ). That's a little over 2 million dollars a year, which represents only about a $500-$700 raise per year. You have at least a valuable role player who could jump in as a starter if either one of the DE's go down with an injury, without missing a bit, IF not an outright starter, depending what they do with Spears.

 

[jobberone]

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.

There's a great reason(s) to lock him up now. It'll be cheaper to do so now than to wait. We have no backup DEs around who rush the passer as well as he does. I expect him to take Spears place next year. Just a guess. Even if his role doesn't change you have a dynamic player on the cheap. Keep him here another 3-4 years.

The only thing that would worry me is an injury. That shouldn't be a problem with him as he shouldn't require much if any guaranteed money to sign. He's better than Hatcher and young. I like the kid.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

10-12 guaranteed ? I wouldn't do that either.

But, I would use Crayton's contract as a reference. 6 years, 14 millions, 5-6 guaranteed ( either signing bonus or 2 tier payment bonus ). That's a little over 2 million dollars a year, which represents only about a $500-$700 raise per year. You have at least a valuable role player who could jump in as a starter if either one of the DE's go down with an injury, without missing a bit, IF not an outright starter, depending what they do with Spears.

I would, that's only if he's going to be a starter

 

[theogt]

There's a great reason(s) to lock him up now. It'll be cheaper to do so now than to wait. We have no backup DEs around who rush the passer as well as he does. I expect him to take Spears place next year. Just a guess. Even if his role doesn't change you have a dynamic player on the cheap. Keep him here another 3-4 years.

The only thing that would worry me is an injury. That shouldn't be a problem with him as he shouldn't require much if any guaranteed money to sign. He's better than Hatcher and young. I like the kid.

My contention is that it will be just as cheap to sign him then (at the end of his RFA season) as it will now. He's not going to be a starter. So he's not going to be able to put up large numbers. The free agency market isn't going to light up for the guy.

There's a bigger risk of injury than there is him getting a large contract in FA.

 

[RS12]

I expect him to take Spears place next year. Just a guess.

I think that would be an incorrect guess, particularly if they have an uncapped year and Spears remains under club control.

 

[Randy White]

My contention is that it will be just as cheap to sign him then (at the end of his RFA season) as it will now. He's not going to be a starter. So he's not going to be able to put up large numbers. The free agency market isn't going to light up for the guy..

I probably agree with this. Especially IF there's no cap next season. I think most teams are going to be on the conservative side and I don't see alot of them going after Bowen. Of the top of my head, I think the biggest threats would be Cleveland and San Diego.

Still, if there's a posibility of signing him now, it wouldn't hurt either. It's not as if he's going to turn into a useless player all of the sudden. As far as injuries is concerned, nobody can predict it. B-Ware could down tomorrow in practice and be out for the season * knock on wood that it doesn't happen* for all we know.

 

[jobberone]

players like Bowen are a dime a dozen, you just have to rely on your scouts to get a guy like him that will do well, a low-round, undrafted player, but not a guy like him who won't

Quality DEs in the 3-4 who can rush the passer are not a dime a dozen.

My contention is that it will be just as cheap to sign him then (at the end of his RFA season) as it will now. He's not going to be a starter. So he's not going to be able to put up large numbers. The free agency market isn't going to light up for the guy.

There's a bigger risk of injury than there is him getting a large contract in FA.

He's not likely to get a large amount of guaranteed money. You have to pay for your talent. Why risk losing him to FA? Who's going to take his place? Unless it's Dixon then you don't know. You can't not sign a guy because he MAY get injured. If he keeps on playing the way he has then the price will only go up. The only reason to wait is if Dixon is an answer or you don't think he'll ever be a starter. Even then you just pay him as a backup and not as a starter.

In negotiations his agent is going to probably be instructed to look for a place for him to start. Only by starting can he increase playing time and ergo more money. That only gets worse as time goes by as long as he performs when in there, which he has to date. The price is going to escalate esp in the off season and with more exposure.

A lot depends on what they are going to do with Spears. Bowen is the better player IMO.

PS: he's one of a very few backups on this team who can push for a starting job in the near future. You don't get rid on those players.

 

[theogt]

Quality DEs in the 3-4 who can rush the passer are not a dime a dozen.



He's not likely to get a large amount of guaranteed money. You have to pay for your talent. Why risk losing him to FA? Who's going to take his place? Unless it's Dixon then you don't know. You can't not sign a guy because he MAY get injured. If he keeps on playing the way he has then the price will only go up. The only reason to wait is if Dixon is an answer or you don't think he'll ever be a starter. Even then you just pay him as a backup and not as a starter.

In negotiations his agent is going to probably be instructed to look for a place for him to start. Only by starting can he increase playing time and ergo more money. That only gets worse as time goes by as long as he performs when in there, which he has to date. The price is going to escalate esp in the off season and with more exposure.

A lot depends on what they are going to do with Spears. Bowen is the better player IMO.

PS: he's one of a very few backups on this team who can push for a starting job in the near future. You don't get rid on those players.

We wouldn't "lose him" in free agency because there won't be many people bidding for him because he won't have enough playing time in the next two years to warrant much attention.

And he has absolutely ZERO chance at a starting position outside of injury. He's not pushing for a starting position.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Quality DEs in the 3-4 who can rush the passer are not a dime a dozen.

where did we find Stephen Bowen?

who coached him up to this point?

easily replaceable if you do it right

like we already have

 

[Randy White]

We wouldn't "lose him" in free agency because there won't be many people bidding for him because he won't have enough playing time in the next two years to warrant much attention.

The Chargers didn't see it that way when they signed Burnett.

 

[SDogo]

It's a poor business decision. The guy isn't going anywhere unless we release him. And he's not going to play himself into a mega-contract because he's not going to have enough snaps to do so, unless multiple defensive linemen get injured.

Yeah, I'm having problems seeing what the rush is all about.

 

[Randy White]

where did we find Stephen Bowen?

who coached him up to this point? easily replaceable if you do it right like we already have

If it was as easy as that, players would get replaced all the time. Players are humans, not robots coaches can just program to do what they want. As humans, each have different personalities, habits, work ethic, so just because the Cowboys were fortunate to find Bowens and develop him doesn't mean it's guaranteed they're going to do it again anytime soon.

The perfect example is right in front of us: Marcus Spears.

He's gotten more money, more attention, and more opportunities as a first round draft pick than Bowens did as an undrafted free agent, yet Bowens can replace him tomorrow in the starting line up and the team wouldn't miss a beat. We'd probably wouldn't even notice it.

 

[theogt]

The Chargers didn't see it that way when they signed Burnett.

Burnett was a 2nd round pick that was physically gifted. Apples and oranges.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

If it was as easy as that, players would get replaced all the time. Players are humans, not robots coaches can just program to do what they want. As humans, each have different personalities, habits, work ethic, so just because the Cowboys were fortunate to find Bowens and develop him doesn't mean it's guaranteed they're going to do it again anytime soon.

The perfect example is right in front of us: Marcus Spears.

He's gotten more money, more attention, and more opportunities as a first round draft pick than Bowens did as an undrafted free agent, yet Bowens can replace him tomorrow in the starting line up and the team wouldn't miss a beat. We'd probably wouldn't even notice it.

I know it's not a guarantee, but that's why you pay, and ultimately, trust your scouts

if we're planning on retaining Bowen to continue to be a backup, he's gonna have to come very cheaply

 

[jobberone]

We wouldn't "lose him" in free agency because there won't be many people bidding for him because he won't have enough playing time in the next two years to warrant much attention.

And he has absolutely ZERO chance at a starting position outside of injury. He's not pushing for a starting position.

Says you. I think otherwise. Not saying it will happen but saying it might. Really depends on Spears. You saying Bowen couldn't replace Spears. Why is he getting so much playing time? What about him doing so well this year?

where did we find Stephen Bowen?

who coached him up to this point?

easily replaceable if you do it right

like we already have

I see. Just because we found him for cheap doesn't mean you can find another so easy. I guess you just Dial-a-DE, huh?