With the somewhat new real (2011) of all rookies (drafted) being signed to 4 year contracts, my theory is that to be successful in this league in what I would call new free agency, you simply (not actually a simple task) have to draft well for 4 years, as every player on your team who has been there for longer than 4 years after 2011 much have been at some point a free agent or eligible to be a free agent had they not re-signed with their team at some point. If you manage free agency well for the same time period in which you draft well (4 years), you can put together what has to be one of the best teams in the league.
The last poor free agency decision we made was in 2012, since then we have been really smart in free agency. Everyone we have re-signed has been a value at his position for us. 2015 will be Carr's 4th year in Dallas (and probably his last year if he doesn't take a pay cut, which would change the calculus of him being a bad signing). 2016 is therefore our reset year.
The Cowboys must see this as well, which is why they have refused to sign any long term contracts that have the potential to backfire on them. Note that I'm not saying just because of 2016, but because it is fiscally responsible either way.
But I think it says a lot that of our 5th year players, we didn't keep Murray, Harris, or Carter who did not present good value for us, but who did we get Rolando McClain who represents great value, Andy Gachkar and Danny McCray who we resigned who create value for us on special teams. Greg Hardy who might be one of the top 5 defensive ends in the league. Terrell McClain, who was a 3rd round draft pick for the Panthers, who never took the time to develop him. People think he is a journey man because he skipped around on a couple teams where he clearly didn't fit in the first place. This is his 3rd year (out of 5 years pro) being in the 4-3, where he belongs. If healthy, I think he could potentially start for us. Look out for him. They also brought back Tyler Clutts. I think the 5th year is significant as these players would naturally have had their first year of free agency last year. Hardy was franchised, McClain never got a real shot, and McClain showed us that he can be a premier player when he puts it all together. These players represent a better value for us than our own 2011 draft picks.
It should also be noted that we brought in a few 4th year players last year and this year.
The youth movement on this team has been significant and the few players we have with more than 5 years experience, most of whom are homegrown are at the top of their positions, meaning that had they simply been free agent signings on any team they would have been highly valued. 15 players fit that billing a few of them are backups.
They really aren't bringing any guys in with more than 7 years experience. I think the re-signing of Doug Free was absolutely about necessity and continuity in the wake of Parnell being re-signed and not having depth at tackle without Free. I think Scandrick similarly represents the need to maintain consistency at corner this year, but I would not be surprised to see him replaced in a year or two either.
Carr, McFadden, Hayden, Mincey, Bernadeau, Brinkley, and Rivers.... either gone this year, next year, or the year after depending on their position situation. Absolutely think we draft a backup corner next year and Bernadeau is gone.
