ESPN: Dallas Cowboys' Twitter mailbag, Part 1

[jobberone]

Dallas Cowboys' Twitter mailbag, Part 1
January, 30, 2015 By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- Part 1 of the Dallas Cowboys' Twitter mailbag is ready.

In it we discuss:

• Tagging DeMarco Murray, not Dez Bryant
• The free agency approach
• Rolando McClain's future
• Cole Beasley and Wes Welker
• Sean Lee's rehab

Away we go:

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@toddarcher: I received a few inquiries on the franchise and transition tag this week. First, you can't use both. You can use just the franchise or just the transition, so that takes one option away. The franchise tag numbers haven't been set yet, so we will have to go with some guesses. The receiver tag figures to be about $12.5-$13.5 million; the running back tag could be about $11 million. The transition tags will be lower. The Cowboys want to lock up Bryant to a long-term deal, but they aren't about to just give him everything he wants. There is a negotiation that has to happen. Something could happen before March, but I highly doubt it. I've said since last summer that Bryant is destined for the franchise tag. Why not tag Murray? Well, that is $11 million against the cap this year. It's entirely doable, but not the wisest allocation, especially if they would go to $15 million on guaranteed money on a long-term deal. I'm just throwing that number out there as a guesstimate. Maybe the transition tag would make some more sense, but there is compensation due if they choose not to match an offer made by another team.


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@toddarcher: Let me answer this a couple of different ways: If you're waiting for the Cowboys to make big moves in free agency, like signing a big-name player, I think you will be waiting a long time. The big moves will be in attempting to keep their own guys, like Bryant and Murray and a few others. Personally, I think the best way to go about free agency is to do what they did last year: sign smaller deals with a number of guys to fill some holes leading into the draft. I'd put guys like Nick Hayden, Anthony Spencer and maybe even a Cole Beasley or Dwayne Harris into this category.



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@toddarcher: I guess there are different levels of "legit effort" to ponder, but I think the Cowboys make a bid to keep Rolando McClain. It's difficult to conjure up a comparison to help zero in on the contract, so maybe it takes a little bit of time. He is a difference-maker for the defense, but there are questions about him, especially his health. Was it a product of sitting out of the game for so long? I think an offseason program will really benefit him. Based on what he said at the end of the season, I believe he wants to come back. He knows he has a good thing with the Cowboys. The coaches know him and his quirks. Jason Garrett has the Nick Saban seal of approval, so that helps. But I'm not so sure the Cowboys break the bank to keep him.



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@toddarcher: Beasley is often compared to Welker because they are short by NFL standards, and white. Before that, the same comparison was made between Welker and Danny Amendola, who also had Texas Tech ties. I don't believe Beasley is the next Welker. It's not an ability issue. Beasley is talented. But their games are a little different. Welker has a more compact build and has shown he can make plays outside. Beasley has a slighter build and has been an asset in the slot. I don't want this to come off as a knock on Beasley. I think the Cowboys should sign him to a multi-year deal soon. But he won't get the opportunities Welker got in Miami, New England, and Denver to catch 100 passes in a season. Not with Bryant. Not with Jason Witten. Not with the Cowboys wanting to run the ball more. But Beasley can be a valuable part of the offense the way Welker has been for his teams.

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http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4740197/dallas-cowboys-twitter-mailbag-part-1-23

 

[jobberone]

I like Archer. Nothing to disagree with IMO. Nice questions by the fans though. Tough to put this Twitter stuff in. Hats off to @WoodysGirl who works very hard here.

 

[jazzcat22]

Very good answers by Archer. Some of his better stuff there. Can't disagree with anything he answered either.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Franchising Murray would make me physically I'll.

 

[jazzcat22]

Franchising Murray would make me physically I'll.

I would not rule it out if they did. Only because look what they paid Spencer, twice. But yes, apples and oranges as to positions. But I wouldn't rule it out if Dez signs and they get all the others signed that they want to keep. And then if the cap room is there. I can see it, until they get a longer deal in place.

 

[xwalker]

Very good answers by Aricher. Some of his better stuff there. Can't disagree with anything he answered either.

I think the media guys tend to be a year behind on their opinions. Now that the Cowboys have had some success after signing low to mid tier free agents the media guys all proclaim that's what they will do. In reality the chance that they sign a big FA is higher now than it has been in a few years, IMO.

 

[jobberone]

I don't see them signing a big FA either....unless it is a big time edge rusher. Doubt that happens although won't say it can't or shouldn't.

 

[jazzcat22]

I don't see them signing a big FA either....unless it is a big time edge rusher. Doubt that happens although won't say it can't or shouldn't.

Stephen Jones made a comment, they would like to pursue a pass rushing DE in FA, but will not over pay, deal must be right for them and the cap.
So yes, basically I can't see a big name FA either. I think they been fine with the direction they are going.

Garrett starter getting rid of the overpaid, under performing, older players right away. And started rebuilding. Norm Hitzges even said at that time, it seemed more of a 3 year plan and not 2. but injuries held it up. They signed mid level FA's, more so by choice, than cap [but a combination of that too] and built through the draft. But many didn't want to see it that way. As you said, the media are behind, no forethought for most of them.

Like Norm, he made that comment, said give it time, then he started berating them on everything they did or did not do. I like Norm, but he is off base IMO at times too.

 

[xwalker]

Stephen Jones made a comment, they would like to pursue a pass rushing DE in FA, but will not over pay, deal must be right for them and the cap.
So yes, basically I can't see a big name FA either. I think they been fine with the direction they are going.

Garrett starter getting rid of the overpaid, under performing, older players right away. And started rebuilding. Norm Hitzges even said at that time, it seemed more of a 3 year plan and not 2. but injuries held it up. They signed mid level FA's, more so by choice, than cap [but a combination of that too] and built through the draft. But many didn't want to see it that way. As you said, the media are behind, no forethought for most of them.

Like Norm, he made that comment, said give it time, then he started berating them on everything they did or did not do. I like Norm, but he is off base IMO at times too.

Norm is entertaining but his sports opinions have little value, especially in recent years. The funny thing about Norm is that he focuses a lot on betting, but I've heard that his on-air picks over the years have a significant losing record.

His worst segment is when he has Rick "Goose" Gosselin on. They are so far off base on many details it's not even funny.

 

[jazzcat22]

Norm is entertaining but his sports opinions have little value, especially in recent years. The funny thing about Norm is that he focuses a lot on betting, but I've heard that his on-air picks over the years have a significant losing record.

His worst segment is when he has Rick "Goose" Gosselin on. They are so far off base on many details it's not even funny.

Yes, very true. I rarely listen to that segment anymore.