***Gurode released*** MERGED

[Stash]

Could it be that Garrett and Company feel like they have people on the O-Line that can, and will, replace AG without missing a beat and don't feel the same about the ILB spot?

Yep. Could be they're wrong too.

It's more of the Cowboys can't do anything right mentality, even when they do exactly what I've been crying for them to do for a long time.

Welcome to the zone.

Who said there are not any worries? You think anyone is going into the season without some questions and concerns? Back up off the ledge a little bit. I liked AG as much as anyone but we're not talking about a rock solid, Hall of Famer, in his prime here.

You did. You like everything they're doing and every decision is the right one.

We're talking about an average guy who was declining and it was time to move on and let the young guys get in there and do work.

Amazing how Gurode goes from the team's 'most underrated player' to 'average' - righat after he's released...

Sorry but I have no idea how you feel you can put personel decisions, and who started and stayed, on Garrett for a time when he wasn't the HC and wasn't making those calls.

This is his first offseason to call the shots and the guys he doesn't want here are gone.

And he had absolutely no input before? Not buying it. Wade gets plenty of deserved blame, but not all of it.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

I'm confused as to why those who mistakingly thought Gurode was a great center are upset.

If Costa beat out a supposed stud, what does that make him?

The only people that should be concerned are the people who felt that Gurode was below average...beating him out is sort of like being the purtiest girl at BP's family reunion...but then they shouldn't be upset about dumping a 6 million dollar lump.

 

[YosemiteSam]

If Costa beat out a supposed stud, what does that make him?

A gimpy arm stud? :laugh2:

 

[ZeroClub]

It is a fairly shocking decision, particularly given all of the other changes to the OL.

My guess is that it'll get pretty ugly at times. Those screens better be ready.

I hope that each and every one of the new starters are more than stopgaps. We don't need another Petitti-like experience, where an inexperienced player is pressed into service for a year, only to be judged inadequate later. It is one thing to suffer along with a player as that player gains necessary experience that pays off in future years. It is quite another to simply suffer the performance of an inexperienced player who is not starter material.

 

[jacks1]

I'm going to miss the lobs to Romo...

...gotta think this played a part in the decision, not just the $$. With how much we go out of the shotgun, those lobs consistently throwing off the timing of the entire play isn't something to be overlooked...

 

[MichaelWinicki]

No.

This isn't a move to free up more cap space this year to add a player.

It's about rolling over what cap space the team does have into next year in order to offset some of the dead cap money.

 

[Future]

This is so stupid!!!!

This times a billion.

i think this is a great decision

Not this times a billion

:laugh2:

 

[Stash]

It is a fairly shocking decision, particularly given all of the other changes to the OL.

My guess is that it'll get pretty ugly at times. Those screens better be ready.

I hope that each and every one of the new starters are more than stopgaps. We don't need another Petitti-like experience, where an inexperienced player is pressed into service for a year, only to be judged inadequate later. It is one thing to suffer along with a player as that player gains necessary experience that pays off in future years. It is quite another to simply suffer the performance of an inexperienced player who is not starter material.

Good stuff.

 

[zrinkill]

[youtube]kgykooQep6o[/youtube]


Thanks for the memories.

 

[InmanRoshi]

The cynic in me wonders if this shift in the league coincides with players abilities to take illegal supplements without detection.

I remember Nate talking about how much the game changed when the NFL started testing for steroids. His comment was something like "now the fat boys can play ball again." Of course, that was a long time ago, and people on the other side have had all that time to find ways to beat the system.

If smaller quicker athletes are able and willing to achieve an acceptable strength level through whatever means, then it doesn't make sense to keep "fatties" around anymore.

Lot of different factors involved, the biggest being the proliferation of the spread offense in college football and the "trickle up" effect into the NFL on both a coaching and player level. I probably saw more bubble WR screens run last weekend just watching a couple of preseason NFL games than I saw in the entire decade of the 90's put together. Garrett's favorite running play is running the draw play from the shotgun. What do you need a 350 lbs. road grater for when your favorite running play is purposely allowing the DL to rush up field?

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Debate the merits of the cut until you are blue in the face, but can we all acknowledge that we let go of a player that wore the star for many years. Dallas is the only pro team the guy has played for and when he was at his peak he could absolutely shut down the guy lining up across from him. I still remember him beating up Haynesworth like a rented mule to the point that the chump gave him a cheap shot to get him out of the game.

Good luck Gurode, I enjoyed rooting for you and those rainbow shotgun snaps.

 

[birdwells1]

Does this actually save any money this year?

In Jerry's pocket. This is a JJ inspired bottom line move, I keep telling everyone who'll listen that Jerry's cash flow is low. He hasn't signed a free agent of any significance in the last 2 years and coincidentally that's when the stadium opened. The economy has taken a bad turn and it's even worst for JJ. People see this as a change in philosophy but it maybe as simple as saving a few bucks against the payroll.

 

[zrinkill]

In Jerry's pocket. This is a JJ inspired bottom line move, I keep telling everyone who'll listen that Jerry's cash flow is low. He hasn't signed a free agent of any significance in the last 2 years and coincidentally that's when the stadium opened. The economy has taken a bad turn and it's even worst for JJ. People see this as a change in philosophy but it maybe as simple as saving a few bucks against the payroll.

Yea ...... that would make a lot of sense if they hadn't just given their nickle corner a 25 million dollar contact.

Broke people do not do that.

 

[JonJon]

You really think so? Who would we add?

I think it depends on what quality players are going to be released over the next week or so from other teams, but I would imagine the Cowboys have their eyes open for defensive line depth, inside linebacker, and possibly another defensive back.

If someone good enough comes available, I could see the Cowboys cutting Igor and/or Brooking.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Debate the merits of the cut until you are blue in the face, but can we all acknowledge that we let go of a player that wore the star for many years. Dallas is the only pro team the guy has played for and when he was at his peak he could absolutely shut down the guy lining up across from him. I still remember him beating up Haynesworth like a rented mule to the point that the chump gave him a cheap shot to get him out of the game.

Good luck Gurode, I enjoyed rooting for you and those rainbow shotgun snaps.

I don't think he's a bad guy by any means, but I have to admit I'm relieved to see the Gurode/Leonard Davis era pass. They struck me as examples of what's been wrong with this team for a while. Guys who just got by on being big. Not agile guys pysically or mentally (was Gurode the only center in the league who couldn't make the OL calls?). They had recognizable names that looked good on paper and looked good stepping off the bus, but seemed to fall apart in critical moments (Gurode's inability to handle the shotgun snap against the Giants in 2007 in the playoffs, or the entire OL's inability to pick up a basic high school level stunt against the Vikes in 2009)?

 

[cowboys2233]

In Jerry's pocket. This is a JJ inspired bottom line move, I keep telling everyone who'll listen that Jerry's cash flow is low. He hasn't signed a free agent of any significance in the last 2 years and coincidentally that's when the stadium opened. The economy has taken a bad turn and it's even worst for JJ. People see this as a change in philosophy but it maybe as simple as saving a few bucks against the payroll.

The economy has taken a bad turn, the NFL has not. It is more popular and generates more revenue, and ultimately profits for the owners, than ever.

To sum up, you're wrong.

 

[birdwells1]

JG is taking the long view. He'll sacrifice our chances this year to build a competitive squad for years to come. That doesn't mean he's given up on this year but rather that he knows how to prioritize.

This is a JJ move, why do you think that JG would bring in Rob Ryan if he had rebuilding on his mind. RR will be on the short list for a HC position after this year so why bring him in?

 

[birdwells1]

I think that's exactly it.

When some people can't keep their mouths shut, the rest of the league knows everything that they're thinking.

And I see no reason why Dallas could not have agreed to pay a part of his salary to facilitate a trade.

IMO that's what they're trying avoid.

 

[Bleu Star]

i think this is a great decision

You and I are in sync. I wish Gurode the best in wherever his travels take him for the rest of his NFL career. He served us well in Big D but it is time to move on and usher in a new young breed of offensive lineman. The further we go to get rid of the stink from last year, the better I feel.

 

[kmd24]

Gurode was a pretty good player for the Cowboys, but not without flaws. He and Bigg were responsible for some of the worst breakdowns along the OL.

Frankly, if I were forced to chose between Gurode and Costa based solely on their on-field performances over the last two seasons, it would be a close decision. It's ironic that most people wring their hands over the close decision when the very nature of a close decision is that the outcome doesn't really hinge on what you decided.

I don't think Dallas will be much worse off without Gurode, and I also don't think we'll be any better off. But, given the cap savings, it's a big win. I'm glad to see that the FO is willing to make this kind of business decision. It might not help much in 2011, but it will pay huge dividends down the road. In the past, we'd have just paid Gurode, probably started him because of his salary, and missed out on both a huge cap savings and also the chance to develop a player as a result.