Dynasty building (tap the brakes, I know)

[waldoputty]

Long one...

I see a blueprint and an opportunity for a dynasty like in early 70s and mid 90s.
That is because of the rapid salary cap increase this few years while OL (the foundation of the team) can be locked up in LONG term contracts that will be very good value.
We can probably thank Stephen Jones for this opportunity.

Tyron Smith is already in this type of contract. If we can sign Frederick, Martin and Collins to similar contracts EARLY, we are all set. The players are also incentivized to accept these long term contracts. A good value 10 year contract is great financial security for these OL players if signed 1 year before their rookie contract ends.

If OL is set, here is how the other positions look like:
1. QB - Romo's contract will be done within 2-3 years, and hopefully be replaced with a rookie QB contract that is good value. If Dak works out, that is even better value. With Romo and Witten dollars, we have the salary slot for a top QB - whether free agent or when the rookie contract of a star QB runs out.
2. RB - With EE, we are set on a rookie contract for 5 years that is good value (less than $8M for Murray).
3. WR - Dez is set for 3 years - Top WR can be had in the draft in the middle or even late 1st round of the draft.
4. CB - We have ok players, and good CB can be had in the middle or late 1st round.
5. S - Jones is FS on rookie contract. We have several SS and a good SS can be drafted in 2nd/3rd round.
6. DT - that is nailed down with Thornton and Crawford for 5 years. 1 tech can be had in 3rd round or late. We just drafted a 3tech with good prospects in the 3rd round in Malliek.
7. TE - we are set with Witten and others. Good TE can be drafted in late 1st or 2nd round.
8. LB - If Jaylon works out, that is one foundation player on defense on a 2nd round rookie contract. Good LB can be had in the 2nd round. BTW, this is why I think the Jaylon pick is a great gamble even if it is 50-50 - because he can be 1 of the 5 to 6 foundation players you need for a dynasty.

The premium position that needs to be filled is DE.
LDE is easier to draft, and Lawrence may be good enough. We also have a bunch of young players here.
RDE is the issue, and hopefully Randy becomes that player (knock on wood 10 times).
If not, we have the cash to get them from free agents.
With OL and RB locked up, there are 2 less positions to draft high.
It is quite doable to draft top FS/CB/WR/RDE/LB positions in late -1st or 2nd rounds. A good but not top one can be possible in the 3rd round assuming ALL our late round picks do not become really good players.

Hopefully we can win a Lombardi with Romo and Witten still here.
When they retire (pretty soon unfortunately), theTony and Witten contracts can serve as a pool of cash (more than $20M) to sign a few critical free agents.
With the rapidly-rising cap, there is even more.
This includes QB and DE if needed and we cannot get them from the draft.

I think that is why other teams are getting worried.
The OL looks like an incredible foundation of the team for the 10 years, and AT GOOD VALUE.
With surplus cash and draft picks from a locked up OL, we can keep stocking up a long dynasty run.

If we can draft 3-4 foundation player, free agency and good/decent players can fill out the rest for a long long run.
Jaylon and Zeke may become the next 2 foundation players.
On offense, Romo (fading), Witten (retiring when?), Dez, Smith, Frederick, Martin, hopefully Collins and Zeke. There is enough cash and draft picks to replace Romo some how.
On defense right now, no one at that level - hopefully Jaylon. There is some hope for Jones FS. Lawrence and Crawford are good players though. Also some hope for Randy if he straightens up. With spare cash, we can acquire 1-2 key players here.

In the next draft (or 2), we would be really scary IF we can fill at least 2 of these: QB, RDE and CB.
A good round WR would be nice too.
We can go BPA in the draft or move up and down depending on BPA and need.

 

[waldoputty]

Will someone give me some salary cap feedback?
Thanks!

 

[CashMan]

Long one...

I see a blueprint and an opportunity for a dynasty like in early 70s and mid 90s.
That is because of the rapid salary cap increase this few years while OL (the foundation of the team) can be locked up in LONG term contracts that will be very good value.
We can probably thank Stephen Jones for this opportunity.

Tyron Smith is already in this type of contract. If we can sign Frederick, Martin and Collins to similar contracts EARLY, we are all set. The players are also incentivized to accept these long term contracts. A good value 10 year contract is great financial security for these OL players if signed 1 year before their rookie contract ends.

If OL is set, here is how the other positions look like:
1. QB - Romo's contract will be done within 2-3 years, and hopefully be replaced with a rookie QB contract that is good value. If Dak works out, that is even better value. With Romo and Witten dollars, we have the salary slot for a top QB - whether free agent or when the rookie contract of a star QB runs out.
2. RB - With EE, we are set on a rookie contract for 5 years that is good value (less than $8M for Murray).
3. WR - Dez is set for 3 years - Top WR can be had in the draft in the middle or even late 1st round of the draft.
4. CB - We have ok players, and good CB can be had in the middle or late 1st round.
5. S - Jones is FS on rookie contract. We have several SS and a good SS can be drafted in 2nd/3rd round.
6. DT - that is nailed down with Thornton and Crawford for 5 years. 1 tech can be had in 3rd round or late. We just drafted a 3tech with good prospects in the 3rd round in Malliek.
7. TE - we are set with Witten and others. Good TE can be drafted in late 1st or 2nd round.
8. LB - If Jaylon works out, that is one foundation player on defense on a 2nd round rookie contract. Good LB can be had in the 2nd round. BTW, this is why I think the Jaylon pick is a great gamble even if it is 50-50 - because he can be 1 of the 5 to 6 foundation players you need for a dynasty.

The premium position that needs to be filled is DE.
LDE is easier to draft, and Lawrence may be good enough. We also have a bunch of young players here.
RDE is the issue, and hopefully Randy becomes that player (knock on wood 10 times).
If not, we have the cash to get them from free agents.
With OL and RB locked up, there are 2 less positions to draft high.
It is quite doable to draft top FS/CB/WR/RDE/LB positions in late -1st or 2nd rounds. A good but not top one can be possible in the 3rd round assuming ALL our late round picks do not become really good players.

Hopefully we can win a Lombardi with Romo and Witten still here.
When they retire (pretty soon unfortunately), theTony and Witten contracts can serve as a pool of cash (more than $20M) to sign a few critical free agents.
With the rapidly-rising cap, there is even more.
This includes QB and DE if needed and we cannot get them from the draft.

I think that is why other teams are getting worried.
The OL looks like an incredible foundation of the team for the 10 years, and AT GOOD VALUE.
With surplus cash and draft picks from a locked up OL, we can keep stocking up a long dynasty run.

If we can draft 3-4 foundation player, free agency and good/decent players can fill out the rest for a long long run.
Jaylon and Zeke may become the next 2 foundation players.
On offense, Romo (fading), Witten (retiring when?), Dez, Smith, Frederick, Martin, hopefully Collins and Zeke. There is enough cash and draft picks to replace Romo some how.
On defense right now, no one at that level - hopefully Jaylon. There is some hope for Jones FS. Lawrence and Crawford are good players though. Also some hope for Randy if he straightens up. With spare cash, we can acquire 1-2 key players here.

In the next draft (or 2), we would be really scary IF we can fill at least 2 of these: QB, RDE and CB.
A good round WR would be nice too.
We can go BPA in the draft or move up and down depending on BPA and need.

The only salary cap era dynasty was/is New England. The Cowboys were in the very early stages of the salary cap, so I do not count that.

 

[dallasdave]

Long one...

I see a blueprint and an opportunity for a dynasty like in early 70s and mid 90s.
That is because of the rapid salary cap increase this few years while OL (the foundation of the team) can be locked up in LONG term contracts that will be very good value.
We can probably thank Stephen Jones for this opportunity.

Tyron Smith is already in this type of contract. If we can sign Frederick, Martin and Collins to similar contracts EARLY, we are all set. The players are also incentivized to accept these long term contracts. A good value 10 year contract is great financial security for these OL players if signed 1 year before their rookie contract ends.

If OL is set, here is how the other positions look like:
1. QB - Romo's contract will be done within 2-3 years, and hopefully be replaced with a rookie QB contract that is good value. If Dak works out, that is even better value. With Romo and Witten dollars, we have the salary slot for a top QB - whether free agent or when the rookie contract of a star QB runs out.
2. RB - With EE, we are set on a rookie contract for 5 years that is good value (less than $8M for Murray).
3. WR - Dez is set for 3 years - Top WR can be had in the draft in the middle or even late 1st round of the draft.
4. CB - We have ok players, and good CB can be had in the middle or late 1st round.
5. S - Jones is FS on rookie contract. We have several SS and a good SS can be drafted in 2nd/3rd round.
6. DT - that is nailed down with Thornton and Crawford for 5 years. 1 tech can be had in 3rd round or late. We just drafted a 3tech with good prospects in the 3rd round in Malliek.
7. TE - we are set with Witten and others. Good TE can be drafted in late 1st or 2nd round.
8. LB - If Jaylon works out, that is one foundation player on defense on a 2nd round rookie contract. Good LB can be had in the 2nd round. BTW, this is why I think the Jaylon pick is a great gamble even if it is 50-50 - because he can be 1 of the 5 to 6 foundation players you need for a dynasty.

The premium position that needs to be filled is DE.
LDE is easier to draft, and Lawrence may be good enough. We also have a bunch of young players here.
RDE is the issue, and hopefully Randy becomes that player (knock on wood 10 times).
If not, we have the cash to get them from free agents.
With OL and RB locked up, there are 2 less positions to draft high.
It is quite doable to draft top FS/CB/WR/RDE/LB positions in late -1st or 2nd rounds. A good but not top one can be possible in the 3rd round assuming ALL our late round picks do not become really good players.

Hopefully we can win a Lombardi with Romo and Witten still here.
When they retire (pretty soon unfortunately), theTony and Witten contracts can serve as a pool of cash (more than $20M) to sign a few critical free agents.
With the rapidly-rising cap, there is even more.
This includes QB and DE if needed and we cannot get them from the draft.

I think that is why other teams are getting worried.
The OL looks like an incredible foundation of the team for the 10 years, and AT GOOD VALUE.
With surplus cash and draft picks from a locked up OL, we can keep stocking up a long dynasty run.

If we can draft 3-4 foundation player, free agency and good/decent players can fill out the rest for a long long run.
Jaylon and Zeke may become the next 2 foundation players.
On offense, Romo (fading), Witten (retiring when?), Dez, Smith, Frederick, Martin, hopefully Collins and Zeke. There is enough cash and draft picks to replace Romo some how.
On defense right now, no one at that level - hopefully Jaylon. There is some hope for Jones FS. Lawrence and Crawford are good players though. Also some hope for Randy if he straightens up. With spare cash, we can acquire 1-2 key players here.

In the next draft (or 2), we would be really scary IF we can fill at least 2 of these: QB, RDE and CB.
A good round WR would be nice too.
We can go BPA in the draft or move up and down depending on BPA and need.

Nice post

 

[waldoputty]

The only salary cap era dynasty was/is New England. The Cowboys were in the very early stages of the salary cap, so I do not count that.

I see what you mean about New England.
That is why I want New England to lose!

I was curious if anyone might have salaries on a spreadsheet with projected cap increases and key salary spots needed (QB, RDE etc).

 

[Gameover]

Cowboys are actually a pretty loaded football team!

 

[waving monkey]

I see the TE position as vulnerable soon.
Is Tapper a right or lefty
I sort of agree with your post but it doesn't seem like a strong enough team to me.
I see us in the play offs this year but not as a SB candidate.We have a ways to go
and getting there before Romo retires is a tight race.

 

[Verdict]

The only salary cap era dynasty was/is New England. The Cowboys were in the very early stages of the salary cap, so I do not count that.

That has more to do with Brady than anything else.

 

[GoCowboysGo]

Why tap the breaks? It's great to have an optimistic outlook, who cares what other people think?

I think to have a dynasty, you don't need "foundational" players, you need HOFers, I just don't see any on this team...yet (other than Witten and a long shot Romo).

HOFers make plays on the big stages, when it counts. We don't have those players, that I see. Our CBs didn't have any interceptions until the last few weeks of the season (and they were CBs who were picked up off the street). Our LBs and DEs can't stay on the field. QB has the least amount of quality depth. But we finally have a player in Zeke that other teams have to game plan around.

Love the topic though, nice one!

 

[waldoputty]

I see the TE position as vulnerable soon.
Is Tapper a right or lefty
I sort of agree with your post but it doesn't seem like a strong enough team to me.
I see us in the play offs this year but not as a SB candidate.We have a ways to go
and getting there before Romo retires is a tight race.

My primary point is that the stacked OL can be our foundation in the salary cap environment.
That is because of the rapid rising cap this few years.
This assumes we can sign the remaining OL to long term good-value contracts, which should also be great deals for the linemen if you sign them early.
Unlike most positions, OL generally have longevity (knock on wood).
Also we have cornered the market with 3-4 all-pros.

Really curious if some cap expert can check the salary cap implications.

Regarding this year, agree we are a little light for super bowl run.
However I think we are substantially superior to the 2014 team - Zeke, better D personnel (Panthers real challenge though).
If Romo stays healthy and one of the RDEs steps up, I think we have a chance in 2016 for a super bowl run.

 

[waldoputty]

Why tap the breaks? It's great to have an optimistic outlook, who cares what other people think?

I think to have a dynasty, you don't need "foundational" players, you need HOFers, I just don't see any on this team...yet (other than Witten and a long shot Romo).

HOFers make plays on the big stages, when it counts. We don't have those players, that I see. Our CBs didn't have any interceptions until the last few weeks of the season (and they were CBs who were picked up off the street). Our LBs and DEs can't stay on the field. QB has the least amount of quality depth. But we finally have a player in Zeke that other teams have to game plan around.

Love the topic though, nice one!

Even I myself am tapping the brakes!

I actually regard foundational players as HOF or HOF-worthy.
On offense, I can see Romo being worthy, Witten being worthy, Dez being borderline, and most of the OL being worthy if they continue their dominance as all-pros for many more years. Too early to mention Zeke, but he has the talent and the OL for the stats...
Unfortunately we have no one on D except possibly Jaylon if he recovers well.

Regarding this year, agree we are a little light for super bowl run.
However I think we are substantially superior to the 2014 team - Zeke > Murray, better D personnel.

If Romo stays healthy, I think Zeke can potentially make the offense so explosive that it is substantially improved over the 2014 offense.
An offense that masks the D's weakness and keeps D well rested.

Now if one of the DLs steps up, I think we are a real contender.
That could be Gregory (if he shapes up) or the 3tech.
But I am not holding my breath for either one.

 

[Eddie]

I'd like to win a few playoff games first before talking about dynasties.

 

[cowboyblue22]

yeah lets at least have more than one winning season before we start talking about a dynasty the pats have brady we don't our time will come to a end when romo retires so it will be a very short dynasty.

 

[Risen Star]

For the love of Christ.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I see a blueprint and an opportunity for a dynasty like in early 70s and mid 90s.

 

[bayeslife]

For the love of Christ.

This is exactly the type of response I was expecting.

 

[jazzcat22]

The only salary cap era dynasty was/is New England. The Cowboys were in the very early stages of the salary cap, so I do not count that.

But they cheated...I am pretty sure they cheated on the salary cap too. Like DeBartolo did in SF. NE did it better obviously....

 

[waldoputty]

yeah lets at least have more than one winning season before we start talking about a dynasty the pats have brady we don't our time will come to a end when romo retires so it will be a very short dynasty.

not saying we have a dynasty.
If you dont plan, it will never happen.
i just see the FO doing a good job in trying to piece it together.

i think FO figured out (luck was probably involved) a key market imperfection.
That is OL can have longevity exceeding 10 years (knock on wood) - so a long term contract becomes very cheap in a couple years.
We now have 3-4 all-pros - having cornered the market on this 'rare commodity'.
It is rare because our OL are now mainstays in the probowl for consecutive years!
Lineman want the long term security particularly if you offer it 1 year early.
that is our cash stash that no one else has access to.
some estimates the cap will increase by $10million or so per year.
if we can lock up frederick, martin and probably l'a'el in 10 years contracts, that would make 3-4 all-pro players in cap-friendly contracts with restructuring features built in when needed.
the OL allows us to play clock-eating TOP if we have the RB - which we may have in Zeke already for at least 5 years in cap-friendly rookie contract.
that would actually give us huge salary cap flexibility to acquire key stars if needed - particularly QB and RDE if we cannot draft them.

i am hoping someone with cap knowledge can comment on this.
assuming cap growth of $10 million per year, that allows us to sign one OL to a long term per year for next 3 years.
there could be left over for a top or mid level free agent whether it is DE, CB, WR etc.

it would be great to win with romo and witten, but we should have the money to acquire a top QB if needed.
same with the RDE if needed.
that of course assumes one can be had by free agency.

it is probably easier to draft or acquire a top DE than a top QB.
with the top OL and explosive running game, a top-5 QB may not be needed.
instead of brady/manning, a QB that plays off play-action may be adequate.

it is not just about cash, but it means less positions to cover with high draft picks.
furthermore, other top pieces like WR (when Dez is gone), S (Jones already there), CB, LB (hopefully Jaylon recovers well) can be typically drafted in middle/late first round.
with OL, RB locked up, we have some flexibility to trade up.

 

[jazzcat22]

As the Op says, the dynasty building blocks are there, and need a few more. But there is a good foundation forming. But that is as far as I will go. Need to win a SB first before it can go any further.
However I do feel this team, if all goes well and stay healthy, can make a run for the NFCC game, then the SB.

We have a better team than in 2014, yes even on Defense. And IF, IF, a few players can emerge to get us a better pass rush, that is a big plus right there. If they don't emerge, we are still a better team than 2014.
We have better DL depth across the board, we have better LB's too. Lee is back, McClian 2 years back, Hitchens 2 years experience. Byron jones as a true FS, allowing Church / Wilcox to be true SS. Yes, go ahead and whine about them, but I will take the wait and see how they do approach.
A better pass rush, if it emerges will allow the CB's to play better. And Mo seems to be solid enough to now contribute more. As we should at least improve a bit on it. The players we have now are certainly better than Mincey and Selvie.

 

[JoeKing]

One or even two championships does not a dynasty make. With Romo's given time left to his career, two championships is the best we can hope for(and that is being generous). The state of the Cowboys, post-Romo is not a team trending toward dynasty status.