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Jerry Jones says Dallas Cowboys will stick to plan in free agency
Posted Wednesday, Mar. 03, 2010
BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com
IRVING -- When free agency begins at 11:01 CST tonight, don't stay up late waiting for the Dallas Cowboys to cash in on Jerry Jones' promise of change with a big-money free-agent signing.
The Cowboys will probably sit back and pick their spots rather than charge full speed ahead into free agency.
But that's more about the Cowboys already having a pretty talented team coming off an 11-5 regular season and a wild-card win than any financial constraints because of the uncapped season and unresolved labor situation.
Certainly there are rules in place that limit what teams that finished in the final eight last year can do in free agency during an uncapped season.
According to figures announced by the NFL on Wednesday, the Cowboys can sign one free agent with a first-year salary of $5.807 million or less and as many as they want at $3.861 million or less.
While there are overall concerns about spending amid the unknowns of future cap implications whenever a new labor deal is finalized, Jones said the Cowboys will not be deterred by any factors in their attempt to improve the team.
"I decided this when we knew what was coming in our system, that I'm not interested in what anybody else is doing," Jones said. "I'm interested in what we're doing. We have blinders on in our decision-making. It's all about what is in the best interests of the Cowboys as it relates to that given player. That's the way it's supposed to be. That's the way we look at it."
The Cowboys, like other teams, are placing a self-imposed cap. But Jones acknowledges that his cap is based on his own budget and probably looks a lot different than that of other teams.
He said there is nothing about his budget this year that would prevent him from signing anyone he felt would help improve the Cowboys, as in any year.
"We do have a budget," Jones said. "We can operate within that budget and do whatever we want to do. If it made sense to us then, it makes sense now. Just by the definition, there's no cap this year. We have that right at the top of our budget."
It's also why Jones remains hopeful despite the challenges of getting contract extensions for restricted free agents Miles Austin and Gerald Sensabaugh. Jones has been on record as saying that he wants a long-term deal for breakout receiver Austin.
But Jones is just as focused on getting something done with Sensabaugh, who brought the best all-around play to the safety position since the days of Darren Woodson.
"[Our focus is about] what does it take to get a deal done with Sensabaugh and what does it take to get a deal done with Miles?" Jones said. "There are some changes because of free agency that give us a couple of more things to think about, but at the end of the day, you want contracts with these guys."
Restricted tenders due
The Cowboys must make tender offers to their 13 restricted free agents today, including Miles Austin and Gerald Sensabaugh.
It's a good assumption that Austin will receive the highest tender possible -- a one-year salary of $3.168 million and compensation of a first- and third-round pick if he signs with another team. Sensabaugh will likely be tagged with the first-round tender of $2.62 million. If he signs with another team, the Cowboys would get a first-round pick in return.
The other restricted free agents are defensive tackle Stephen Bowen, guard Cory Procter, guard Duke Preston, defensive end Jason Hatcher, nose tackle Junior Siavii, receiver Sam Hurd, safety Pat Watkins, tackle Pat McQuistan, defensive end Marcus Spears, kicker Shaun Suisham and cornerback Cletis Gordon.
Not all of the restricted free agents will receive a contract tender because the Cowboys don't want them back or think they can sign them to a less-expensive free-agent deal.
Suisham, Preston and Gordon appear the most likely to not be offered contract tenders.
Clarence E. Hill Jr. 817-390-7760
Looking for comments?
http://cowboyszone.com/forums/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=59
Posted Wednesday, Mar. 03, 2010
BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com
IRVING -- When free agency begins at 11:01 CST tonight, don't stay up late waiting for the Dallas Cowboys to cash in on Jerry Jones' promise of change with a big-money free-agent signing.
The Cowboys will probably sit back and pick their spots rather than charge full speed ahead into free agency.
But that's more about the Cowboys already having a pretty talented team coming off an 11-5 regular season and a wild-card win than any financial constraints because of the uncapped season and unresolved labor situation.
Certainly there are rules in place that limit what teams that finished in the final eight last year can do in free agency during an uncapped season.
According to figures announced by the NFL on Wednesday, the Cowboys can sign one free agent with a first-year salary of $5.807 million or less and as many as they want at $3.861 million or less.
While there are overall concerns about spending amid the unknowns of future cap implications whenever a new labor deal is finalized, Jones said the Cowboys will not be deterred by any factors in their attempt to improve the team.
"I decided this when we knew what was coming in our system, that I'm not interested in what anybody else is doing," Jones said. "I'm interested in what we're doing. We have blinders on in our decision-making. It's all about what is in the best interests of the Cowboys as it relates to that given player. That's the way it's supposed to be. That's the way we look at it."
The Cowboys, like other teams, are placing a self-imposed cap. But Jones acknowledges that his cap is based on his own budget and probably looks a lot different than that of other teams.
He said there is nothing about his budget this year that would prevent him from signing anyone he felt would help improve the Cowboys, as in any year.
"We do have a budget," Jones said. "We can operate within that budget and do whatever we want to do. If it made sense to us then, it makes sense now. Just by the definition, there's no cap this year. We have that right at the top of our budget."
It's also why Jones remains hopeful despite the challenges of getting contract extensions for restricted free agents Miles Austin and Gerald Sensabaugh. Jones has been on record as saying that he wants a long-term deal for breakout receiver Austin.
But Jones is just as focused on getting something done with Sensabaugh, who brought the best all-around play to the safety position since the days of Darren Woodson.
"[Our focus is about] what does it take to get a deal done with Sensabaugh and what does it take to get a deal done with Miles?" Jones said. "There are some changes because of free agency that give us a couple of more things to think about, but at the end of the day, you want contracts with these guys."
Restricted tenders due
The Cowboys must make tender offers to their 13 restricted free agents today, including Miles Austin and Gerald Sensabaugh.
It's a good assumption that Austin will receive the highest tender possible -- a one-year salary of $3.168 million and compensation of a first- and third-round pick if he signs with another team. Sensabaugh will likely be tagged with the first-round tender of $2.62 million. If he signs with another team, the Cowboys would get a first-round pick in return.
The other restricted free agents are defensive tackle Stephen Bowen, guard Cory Procter, guard Duke Preston, defensive end Jason Hatcher, nose tackle Junior Siavii, receiver Sam Hurd, safety Pat Watkins, tackle Pat McQuistan, defensive end Marcus Spears, kicker Shaun Suisham and cornerback Cletis Gordon.
Not all of the restricted free agents will receive a contract tender because the Cowboys don't want them back or think they can sign them to a less-expensive free-agent deal.
Suisham, Preston and Gordon appear the most likely to not be offered contract tenders.
Clarence E. Hill Jr. 817-390-7760
Looking for comments?
http://cowboyszone.com/forums/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=59
