Dwight Freeney

[mattjames2010]

If he would play for cheap (and I mean like vet min. cheap), then maybe. But he won't. And Dallas won't. So it isn't going to happen, IMO.

The truth is, signing a 36 year old DL isn't typically looked at as a good thing in the NFL. The wheels could fall off at any time, if they haven't already. Bringing him in at anything other than a vet min. deal would be crazy and desperate. This team has been righting the salary cap ship for a few years now and it would be way outside the realm of what they've been doing to bring in an old guy. Not just an old guy... but a way old guy.

It would be a major regression in their personnel moves to make a decision to bring in Freeny.

A lot of the time you and I are in agreement. This time we're not and that's ok.

Most teams aren't going into the season with two knuckleheads at DE with suspensions. You neglect these positions early on in FA and then don't draft them high, you start looking at aging veterans.

And I'm not exactly sure what kind of money you think he is going to demand. We are in May, he's not getting any interest; he's pretty much desperate at this point. Maybe he doesn't get "vet minimum", but he's not getting anything you or anyone else should worry about. If we start stacking vets, then you should worry. This is a non-issue.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

If he plays the first four he's guaranteed. Not happening folks.

He was on a minimum salary with sack incentives last year. We can afford that. To top it off, if he is signed to a one year deal at vet minimum, the whole amount doesn't count against the cap.
What is the Minimum Salary Benefit Rule?

The Minimum Salary Benefit (MSB) Rule was put in place to allow veteran players to be signed to Cap-friendly deals instead of being replaced by cheaper, more Cap-friendly, younger players. The Minimum Salary Benefit allows veteran player to be signed to 1-year contracts with the applicable minimum salary (based on the player’s service time) and a small signing bonus (for 2016, $80K), but only have to count that player at the salary level of a player with only 2 years of service time (plus the bonus).

So, under the MSB rules, in 2016, a team can sign a 7-year veteran to the applicable minimum salary of $885K, with a bonus of $80K, and instead of counting $965K against the Cap, the player would only count $680K ($600K + 80K).

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/dwight-freeney/

Looking at his contract from last year, you can see the Minimum Salary Benefit in play.

He says a winning team but also says he will play just about anywhere. This is a guy trying to squeeze another year in after a productive year. I posted like 6 of his sacks in another thread, the spin move is just destructive.

There are so many pluses and so few negatives in our situation to not consider him.

 

[Stash]

Not gonna happen. This team isn't going to sign any old free agents. They haven't for a few years now and that is the teams MO these days.

I don't know why that isn't evident to all.

Frankly it is smart not to do business that way. Pay youth. You always end up with dead money on your cap when you sign old guys.

Actually, they've signed one or two older veterans before as 'bridge players' until someone younger stepped up and was ready. Jeremy Mincey was one such player two years ago. And Nick Hayden was another.

Freeney would fit that same bill until someone like Tapper, Mayowa, or if Randy Gregory ever gets it, can assume the role.

He was only paid $800,000 last year from Arizona and had $100,000 incentives tied to sacks, which he got.

And that's more than we can say for the vast majority of our defensive linemen.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

Considering Jason Jones was the only other guy out there and we know the Cowboys are moving on from Hardy and Mincey then yes Freeny is the best remaining option. It does appear Freeny has a little left in the tank, but whos spot does he take once Lawrence and Gregory return? The Cowboys need veteran leadership on the line, but its a tough decision because of which young player they may give up.


I think they keep 9 defensive linemen even when Lawrence and Gregory get back.....

Roster locks:

Lawrence
Gregory
Crawford
Thorton
Mayowa
Collins

Then pick a max of 3 between Irving, Tapper, Crawford, Mcclain, and Russell. If you add Freeny after week 4 you face a tough decision on Irving, Tapper, and Crawford.

 

[Bullflop]

He's at an age (36) where his get up and go is quite likely to fail at any time. Not so sure it's a good idea.

 

[robbieruff]

Most teams aren't going into the season with two knuckleheads at DE with suspensions. You neglect these positions early on in FA and then don't draft them high, you start looking at aging veterans.

And I'm not exactly sure what kind of money you think he is going to demand. We are in May, he's not getting any interest; he's pretty much desperate at this point. Maybe he doesn't get "vet minimum", but he's not getting anything you or anyone else should worry about. If we start stacking vets, then you should worry. This is a non-issue.

I agree. We could do an incentive based arrangement that is a win win if he produces. And if he were to come in for a 1-year deal and get double digit sacks as a situational player then pay the man. I liken this to a Jim Jeffcoat role back in the day. Bringing him in during obvious pass situations and toward end of games when he's fresh and we're trying to close out a game (something we royally sucked at last year).

I think it's a no brainier frankly. Particularly given the circumstances you've highlighted.

 

[JoeKing]

On a far deal, sure hire the man. But Feeney isn't looking for a fair deal. He's a mercenary looking to sign with the highest bidder to secure his future by squeezing every drop of cachet left to his reputation.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

On a far deal, sure hire the man. But Feeney isn't looking for a fair deal. He's a mercenary looking to sign with the highest bidder to secure his future by squeezing every drop of cachet left to his reputation.

He played for minimum a year ago. Hardly a guy looking to go to the highest bidder.

It is late in the offseason, people aren't busting down the doors. There are reasons why a lot of teams wouldn't sign an older vet, but there aren't too many teams that don't really have an established pass rush AND have probably their two best sackers suspended for 4 games.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

He's at an age (36) where his get up and go is quite likely to fail at any time. Not so sure it's a good idea.

Then you cut him and move on....it's going to be a vet min deal with incentives.

 

[fortdick]

8 sacks in 11 games.

He doesn't have to be an every down player and he knows that. Therefore he pay is commensurate with the amount of snaps he gets.




Who's to say he wouldn't see us as a contender? 4 - 12 because of the injuries. 12 - 4 the year prior.

Folks pay a lot of money for 8 sacks.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Considering Jason Jones was the only other guy out there and we know the Cowboys are moving on from Hardy and Mincey then yes Freeny is the best remaining option. It does appear Freeny has a little left in the tank, but whos spot does he take once Lawrence and Gregory return? The Cowboys need veteran leadership on the line, but its a tough decision because of which young player they may give up.


I think they keep 9 defensive linemen even when Lawrence and Gregory get back.....

Roster locks:

Lawrence
Gregory
Crawford
Thorton
Mayowa
Collins

Then pick a max of 3 between Irving, Tapper, Crawford, Mcclain, and Russell. If you add Freeny after week 4 you face a tough decision on Irving, Tapper, and Crawford.

If Freeney isn't producing, then you get rid of him. If he is producing, Ryan Russell goes back on PS and maybe you lose him. Tapper is a roster lock, they aren't gonna keep Irving or Crawford over him unless he is a complete flop. Most likely candidate is McClain, of course he may already be on IR by the 4th week anyway.

 

[JoeKing]

He played for minimum a year ago. Hardly a guy looking to go to the highest bidder.

It is late in the offseason, people aren't busting down the doors. There are reasons why a lot of teams wouldn't sign an older vet, but there aren't too many teams that don't really have an established pass rush AND have probably their two best sackers suspended for 4 games.

If his price is right and our need is so great, I'll allow you to explain why we don't sign him.

 

[AKATheRake]

Folks pay a lot of money for 8 sacks.

Apparently he got $800,000 with $100,000 incentive for sacks last season.

Sign me up for that deal again.

 

[Nightman]

can never have enough Rushmen........sign him up and get the AARP discount

 

[LocimusPrime]

Oliver Vernon only got 7.5 sacks and he got 80 million with 45 million guaranteed. Lol if you do not think that freeney and his 8 sacks are not worth at least 1-2 million. Hahahahaha please.

Same people who thought Fitzgerald was done except at 32 he got 109 receptions 1250 yds and 9 tds.

Sometimes it's better to go with older and experienced over youth w " potential". We should try to build our team with a happy medium of both especially in regards to free agent acquisitions.

 

[Swagnutboyz]

He already stated that he wanted to play for a contender. Gotta see what we have in Mayowa, Tapper, Irvin.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

If Freeney isn't producing, then you get rid of him. If he is producing, Ryan Russell goes back on PS and maybe you lose him. Tapper is a roster lock, they aren't gonna keep Irving or Crawford over him unless he is a complete flop. Most likely candidate is McClain, of course he may already be on IR by the 4th week anyway.

Of all those guys I agree that Mcclain and Russell are the most likely to get cut. It is exciting seeing this competition among all the young guys, someone is going to have a real oportunity to make an impact.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

If his price is right and our need is so great, I'll allow you to explain why we don't sign him.

Uh, have you followed this franchise over the last 20 years? If so, you don't need me to explain why a common sense move wouldn't be considered by our GM and staff.

 

[JoeKing]

Uh, have you followed this franchise over the last 20 years? If so, you don't need me to explain why a common sense move wouldn't be considered by our GM and staff.

Okay, I give you that. But let's not assume that's the reason without at least considering other possibilities as why Freeney won't be welcome in Dallas.

 

[Plankton]

The name of the game is creating pressure and sacking the QB. Whether Freeney is a full time starter or plays 20 snaps a game, he walks onto this team as the best and most accomplished pass rusher on the roster if he is signed. He's also a high character guy and true professional who would be a great role model for young players with issues like Gregory and Lawrence.

Bring him in, and let the others beat him out. Chances are, Freeney will be able to provide quality snaps on pass rush downs, and push the others to improve. I see little risk with bringing him on board.