Franchise Tag Day

[xwalker]

I would hope for something before March 10th to free up money to be competitive in free agency. By June, that well has dried up.

They will just restructure some contracts to work around the tag that they would not restructure if they didn't use the tag. If they get a deal done later, then the extra space created can just be rolled into next year.

 

[Stash]

They will just restructure some contracts to work around the tag that they would not restructure if they didn't use the tag. If they get a deal done later, then the extra space created can just be rolled into next year.

I don't see it being a positive.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

They will just restructure some contracts to work around the tag that they would not restructure if they didn't use the tag. If they get a deal done later, then the extra space created can just be rolled into next year.

Yup. Not worried at all about the tag impacting what we can do in fa.

It will be interesting to see what we do. A lot of talk about turning over a new leaf. Perhaps. But this is the first year where we could be really big spenders AND there is elite talent available at positions of great need on defense.

Also spending money isn't necessarily a bad thing. Pats did just pay Revis 16M.

Free agency is risky but it sometimes works out. Buyer beware.

 

[xwalker]

Yup. Not worried at all about the tag impacting what we can do in fa.

It will be interesting to see what we do. A lot of talk about turning over a new leaf. Perhaps. But this is the first year where we could be really big spenders AND there is elite talent available at positions of great need on defense.

Also spending money isn't necessarily a bad thing. Pats did just pay Revis 16M.

Free agency is risky but it sometimes works out. Buyer beware.

I see 1 big free agent signing. It will probably be a DE, but could be a DT. A DT like Suh would make the DEs much better.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm hoping for otherwise this year.

I believe that signing a true impact pass rusher like Greg Hardy can dramatically improve this entire defense, thereby getting this team to Super Bowl level. And I don't feel that going the bargain route will accomplish the same thing.

It would cost a lot and require some pains down the road, but I feel many of those pains are inevitable. I would at least like a shot at a championship first.

I think Dallas is looking for a championship but I do not think they are looking at a 1 year chance, I think they want to be competitive for the longer haul. I think many fans want a quick championship

Agree, a new deal will get done.
A WR market has not been set yet this year, everyone basing a deal off of the CJ deal still.
Seen where Cobb from GB that talks were right around $9 mil, but that could have just been the media setting that mark.

It's a waiting game of sorts on both sides for all teams and players.
I think a lot will come down to $$$ available too. If Murray leaves via FA, then that clears up more $$$ to spend on Dez. As now they want to use the cap space to get both signed.
With Murray gone, then they replace him most likely with a cheap price from a drafted player. More for Dez, More for other FA's.

I still say it's the guaranteed money more than the overall contract amount.

I think most were wanting to see what Dez will get since he is the highest profile WR who is a FA. Anything any other WR may get Dez and his people will still be expecting much more and CJ and Fitz money will still be what they are looking for.

 

[DFWJC]

I think Dallas is looking for a championship but I do not think they are looking at a 1 year chance, I think they want to be competitive for the longer haul. ...........
.

This

They are building this team from the ground up and are well on thier way.
They do not think this is Romo's last year...far from it...so, although they will go full bore this year to win a title, this is in no way an "all-chips-in" type thing.

 

[Risen Star]

I'm hoping for otherwise this year.

I believe that signing a true impact pass rusher like Greg Hardy can dramatically improve this entire defense, thereby getting this team to Super Bowl level. And I don't feel that going the bargain route will accomplish the same thing.

It would cost a lot and require some pains down the road, but I feel many of those pains are inevitable. I would at least like a shot at a championship first.

You can get a little aggressive in free agency while also continuing to build through the draft. The clock on Romo is ticking. We need to go into that one player away mindset while we still have an elite franchise QB.

 

[xwalker]

This

They are building this team from the ground up and are well on thier way.
They do not think this is Romo's last year...far from it...so, although they will go full bore this year to win a title, this is in no way an "all-chips-in" type thing.

There are many levels between All-in and doing nothing. Adding 1 top tier free agent DL would still be far from All-in, IMO.

 

[Doomsday101]

This

They are building this team from the ground up and are well on thier way.
They do not think this is Romo's last year...far from it...so, although they will go full bore this year to win a title, this is in no way an "all-chips-in" type thing.

I agree based on comments from the organization they are not talking a 1 to 2 year situation and I do not see based on comments after the season ended where the Cowboys plan on doing some big name shopping. I think Dallas will continue to lean on the draft and the mid level FA

 

[Doomsday101]

There are many levels between All-in and doing nothing. Adding 1 top tier free agent DL would still be far from All-in, IMO.

Considering how much teams tend to over pay in FA to begin with I don't see the Cowboys going shopping for big buck FA. I could see a guy like a Fairley if the price is not overly high but top FA players given the cost I would be surprised.

 

[visionary]

I would tag Gostkowski instead of McCourty

If McCourty is not tagged, I would try to sign him

If I can just get hardy and McCourty in FA I will be happy

 

[Stash]

I think Dallas is looking for a championship but I do not think they are looking at a 1 year chance, I think they want to be competitive for the longer haul. I think many fans want a quick championship

I think a big signing (like Hardy) would give you a 2 to 3 year window, rather than just one year. But when Romo goes, so do the chances for a championship, so I do everything in my power to make that happen now.

Signing lesser players will get you lesser results.

For me, Hardy is the prize, a guy like Sheard a consolation prize, measuring results accordingly.

 

[Idgit]

Considering how much teams tend to over pay in FA to begin with I don't see the Cowboys going shopping for big buck FA. I could see a guy like a Fairley if the price is not overly high but top FA players given the cost I would be surprised.

We have to kick the tires on the best pass rushers out there, at least. I agree we shouldn't massively overpay for one, but if we're fairly sure a guy's both a huge talent and a fit for our system, I can see us stretching our normal MO and being fairly aggressive in brining him in. There really aren't good options for improving our pass rush available elsewhere, and it's not like the DL roster has a ton of potential that's just been untapped.

That's why a guy like Hardy makes some sense, because he's both an explosive player, a scheme fit, and there are good reasons to believe not a lot of teams are going to pony up with a huge long-term deal for him given the risks involved. In a short-term scenario, Dallas with a bit of cap room to maneuver and the attention it gets and the opportunity to win in the short term that it presents suddenly becomes one of the most attractive destinations in the league for a guy in need of some reputation rehabilitation.

 

[Stash]

You can get a little aggressive in free agency while also continuing to build through the draft. The clock on Romo is ticking. We need to go into that one player away mindset while we still have an elite franchise QB.

Exactly. If you want to draft a DE there, great! We still could stand to improve the pass rush (obviously!).

But don't expect any rookie DE to come in and solve this team's issues by themselves this year. You do that and you're making a huge mistake and setting yourself up for disappointment. And you have no right to be surprised when it happens.

Rookie pass rushers just don't come in and light up the league, even the great ones.

And, given Romo's remaining shelf life, you owe it to him, your fans, and yourselves to try to kick that door in.

 

[xwalker]

Considering how much teams tend to over pay in FA to begin with I don't see the Cowboys going shopping for big buck FA. I could see a guy like a Fairley if the price is not overly high but top FA players given the cost I would be surprised.

I see one 8M to 12M type player over two or three 4M guys.

 

[Stash]

I see one 8M to 12M type player over two or three 4M guys.

Exactly! Give me one Greg Hardy over two Jabaal Sheard/Stephen Paea types anyday and all day on Sunday!

 

[Risen Star]

Exactly. If you want to draft a DE there, great! We still could stand to improve the pass rush (obviously!).

But don't expect any rookie DE to come in and solve this team's issues by themselves this year. You do that and you're making a huge mistake and setting yourself up for disappointment. And you have no right to be surprised when it happens.

Rookie pass rushers just don't come in and light up the league, even the great ones.

And, given Romo's remaining shelf life, you owe it to him, your fans, and yourselves to try to kick that door in.

I also wouldn't be against making a splash on offense. In FA or early in the draft.

People would probably freak out if the Cowboys start this draft with a WR and RB selection. Maybe even a RT to boot. Not me. Just as long as the value is there.

 

[Stash]

I also wouldn't be against making a splash on offense. In FA or early in the draft.

People would probably freak out if the Cowboys start this draft with a WR and RB selection. Maybe even a RT to boot. Not me. Just as long as the value is there.

Neither would I, at all. And that goes along with what I have been saying about signing the big-time DE too. It would absolutely allow the team to go with the BPA approach.

At this point, given such needs at DE, they may be inclined to reach for need at that spot and we end up with another Ebenezer Ekuban or worse!

 

[Risen Star]

Neither would I, at all. And that goes along with what I have been saying about signing the big-time DE too. It would absolutely allow the team to go with the BPA approach.

At this point, given such needs at DE, they may be inclined to reach for need at that spot and we end up with another Ebenezer Ekuban or worse!

It really could if you look at this draft class and the projections right now. The Cowboys sitting at 27 would probably have to reach for a DE if they were set on taking one regardless. I certainly don't want to trade up either. Now that would be truly going all in and abandoning building through the draft if you're packaging picks to get a pass rusher early.

I see issues on offense. They aren't big problems right now but they could be in the near future. So I'm keeping an open mind to offense this offseason while it seems most fans have a defense or bust mentality.

 

[Idgit]

I see one 8M to 12M type player over two or three 4M guys.

I think that's our preference, too. Though, if the price tag is too high, I could very easily see us reverting to trying to upgrade a DL position or two marginally and just build a better and deeper quality rotation. Thats actually what Jason indicated the plan was for the DL right after the season ended. I just think the availability of a young 15 sack guy at your position of greatest need has to open your eyes a bit to the possibilities.

But we ware going to have to pay these OLs here in a year or three, so we can't go nuts. We've got to be sure that anybody we're committing to long-term like that is going to add that sort of value. Otherwise, I wouldn't risk it.

Then again, I'm not in the all-in-while-we-have-Romo camp. I'd much prefer to just run the organization the smartest way possible and to rely on the counts to find and the coaches to develop the players we need. I don't mind stretching a bit for the opportunity, but as a general principle, there's too much that can go wrong in any one season to bet the farm on it and hope it pans out. Better to be sniffing around the fringes for many years for those chances to make a real run and to take advantage of that when it presents itself. We're right there. If we just stay the course and address the pass rush and develop the QB position we can contend.