CFZ How Would Jimmy Johnson Handle the Cowboys Salary Cap in the 90's?

[plasticman]

Jerry was the boss and signed the checks...Jimmy didn't know his place and quit.....I'm not saying he was wrong, I would have probably done the same....but, it's a fact.

Jimmy knew his place, Jerry didn't know his place which is why he has been a total failure since Jimmy and the team he created left.
This isn't a boss/employee situation. They had a contract and it was Jerry who violated it, not Jimmy. It was written into Jimmy's contract that he had final say on football related issues. Jerry acknowledged this which was why he claimed he would never do that again.....synonymous with never winning a championship again.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Jimmy was handicapped in Miami, first having to wait a season for Shula to retire and then unable to replace Marino when he wanted to.

Jimmy was handicapped by his inability to develop or draft offense particularly at the skill positions.

 

[plasticman]

Jimmy was handicapped by his inability to develop or draft offense particularly at the skill positions.

That's one way of putting it. It would have been an improvement if Jimmy didn't draft offensive players at all

Jimmy tried to draft offense. I guess that's the nicest way to put it.

In Jimmy drafted a RB and FB in 1996 and they produced for about 5 seasons. Stanley Pritchet and Karim Abdul-Jabar did make some contributions.

In 1997 he drafted Yatil Green in the 1st round. This guy ended up being the Dolphin's version of mike Sherrard, made of glass. Green shattered his knee day #1 of training camp his rookie season. A year later it was his ACL. He came back his 3rd season and did practically nothing before retiring. it was tragic, the guy was a true burner.

Jimmy drafted John Avery RB, in the 1st round of 1998. He was a total bust.

Jimmy drafted RB's once again with both of his 2nd pound picks. The FB, Conrad, played a Daryl Johnston role that lasted 6 seasons. J.J. Johnson was another disappointment.

Jimmy burned three #1's and three #2's on offensive skill players and got practically nothing.

Compare that with the defensive players he drafted during the same time period, Daryl Gardner, Zack Thomas, HOFer Jason Taylor, Patrick Surtain, and Sam Madison went to a lot of Pro Bowls.

From what I recollect, most of the personnel people that Jimmy brought to Dallas elected to stay there.

 

[CouchCoach]

A completely moot point because Jimmy's days as the football man were over in Dallas and that's what the split was over. Booger wanted more credit and power and the team was in the black and he had more time on his hands and was ready for the spotlight that Johnson had enjoyed. It was already unraveling.

The real benefit of hiring Johnson, a coach fresh from college, he knew where a lot of bones were buried; however, by the time 94 rolled around none of the players he knew were there, it was a whole new crop. that he had not recruited.

 

[fivetwos]

Jimmy would overpay for his own draftees to prove to the world that he is a football guy and drafts well.

 

[fivetwos]

Johnson made his share of draft and trade mistakes. Some big ones actually.

BUT he more than made up for it with his coaching ability.

We draft well enough now, and have good players, but sub-par coaching always sinks us in the end.

That's the Jerry Jones ego show for you. HE is your head coach essentially. Confusing to the players and undermining to the staff.

 

[CouchCoach]

Johnson made his share of draft and trade mistakes. Some big ones actually.

BUT he more than made up for it with his coaching ability.

We draft well enough now, and have good players, but sub-par coaching always sinks us in the end.

That's the Jerry Jones ego show for you. HE is your head coach essentially. Confusing to the players and undermining to the staff.

One trait Johnson had, that he shares with the really good personnel people, was that quick trigger when he realized he'd made a mistake. He also wasn't into keeping players too long and I'd bet trading Marino was in his plan going to Miami.

Belichick has that as well and he's made a lot of poor draft picks but he doesn't dwell on them.

The biggest problem with the Cowboys is the standard Booger has established with certain players because of his ego. How many good NFL people would have put up with Gregory? It was bad enough with all of the pot stuff but he made some really bad plays in the playoff game and was laughing on the field. And the Joneses tried to keep him!

 

[Reverend Conehead]

The salary cap began in 1994, the Cowboys first season without Jimmy Johnson.

Let's pretend that Jerry Jones was realistic about his role and Jimmy's role in the development of that potential dynasty. Jerry relinquishes his position as GM and rightfully offers the position to Jimmy if he agrees to a ten year contract. Let's say Jimmy agrees and is now the GM of the Dallas Cowboys as the NFL enters a new era, the era of the Salary Cap.

This could be controversial. I think Jimmy would have been bottom line. I believe he would not use loyalty as a criteria. I think his logic would have resembled that of Bill Belicek. Contracts would not have been used to reward past achievement. The contract amounts would have mirrored the perceived contribution of the player to future success at market value..

I think Jimmy's handling of the salary cap would have been strictly business, no emotional element other then some regret for not being able to keep a player or two.

Here are some changes I believe Jimmy would have made from what actually happened.

Jimmy would have never signed Dieon Sanders - No way! Not only would Jimmy consider Deion's impact be unequal to his salary, he would not have willingly given up on so many players he could have kept over the years with that salary amount.

Jimmy would never have traded two #1 picks for Joey Galloway. - Jimmy would have acquired most of the talent he needed in the draft. He cherished his #1 picks He might have signed a veteran free agent or two but only if the value was excellent

Jimmy wouldn't have signed Emmitt Smith to a third contract. before the 1996 season - At the very least it he wouldn't have made the 7th year veteran the highest paid player in the NFL at the time and it certainly wouldn't have been an eight year contract. It's possible he may have franchised him for 1996, a year in which Emmitt slid from 4.7 yards a carry to 3.7 yards a carry. Emmitt's prior five season average for yards from scrimmage was 1949 yards and that decreased by almost 500 yards in 1996 to 1453 yards. I tyhink 1996 would have been his last season with the Cowboys.

Jimmy would have been prepared for Troy's retirement - Jimmy would have drafted another QB well ahead of Troy's retirement after 1999. In fact, I doubt Troy would have still been with the Cowboys after the 1998 season. Most likely, his contract would not have been extended at that time.

If he didn't sign Deion Sanders, he would have needed to make some other move to get a good corner. Our best corner, Kevin Smith, had just gotten injured and was out for the year. They didn't have anyone else has good as he was. It wasn't the only reason they signed Deion, but is was one of them.

I don't know who was available besides Deion back then, but Jimmy would have needed to make some kind of move to get a good corner.

 

[dckid]

The salary cap began in 1994, the Cowboys first season without Jimmy Johnson.

Let's pretend that Jerry Jones was realistic about his role and Jimmy's role in the development of that potential dynasty. Jerry relinquishes his position as GM and rightfully offers the position to Jimmy if he agrees to a ten year contract. Let's say Jimmy agrees and is now the GM of the Dallas Cowboys as the NFL enters a new era, the era of the Salary Cap.

This could be controversial. I think Jimmy would have been bottom line. I believe he would not use loyalty as a criteria. I think his logic would have resembled that of Bill Belicek. Contracts would not have been used to reward past achievement. The contract amounts would have mirrored the perceived contribution of the player to future success at market value..

I think Jimmy's handling of the salary cap would have been strictly business, no emotional element other then some regret for not being able to keep a player or two.

Here are some changes I believe Jimmy would have made from what actually happened.

Jimmy would have never signed Dieon Sanders - No way! Not only would Jimmy consider Deion's impact be unequal to his salary, he would not have willingly given up on so many players he could have kept over the years with that salary amount.

Jimmy would never have traded two #1 picks for Joey Galloway. - Jimmy would have acquired most of the talent he needed in the draft. He cherished his #1 picks He might have signed a veteran free agent or two but only if the value was excellent

Jimmy wouldn't have signed Emmitt Smith to a third contract. before the 1996 season - At the very least it he wouldn't have made the 7th year veteran the highest paid player in the NFL at the time and it certainly wouldn't have been an eight year contract. It's possible he may have franchised him for 1996, a year in which Emmitt slid from 4.7 yards a carry to 3.7 yards a carry. Emmitt's prior five season average for yards from scrimmage was 1949 yards and that decreased by almost 500 yards in 1996 to 1453 yards. I tyhink 1996 would have been his last season with the Cowboys.

Jimmy would have been prepared for Troy's retirement - Jimmy would have drafted another QB well ahead of Troy's retirement after 1999. In fact, I doubt Troy would have still been with the Cowboys after the 1998 season. Most likely, his contract would not have been extended at that time.

Good post but this is as hypothetical as it gets. I trust Jimmy already had a plan to deal with the cap. He was always prepared. He was Bill before Bill.
Just look at his 5 years in Dallas. He literally went from the gutter to the top in 4 years. He took over a sad franchise and he rebuilt from the foundation up.
This proves to all the naysayers that a rebuild does not take 10 years, half the NFL has gone through it. It is much faster nowdays.
He would have signed Deion in 1994 no 1995. As you might know he was recruiting Deion in Atlanta during the 2nd Bills SB. Go watch the NFL films, I clearly remember seeing that.
Jimmy knew the wave was coming and he was prepared.
I agree he never trades two number ones for a WR.

 

[Doomsday101]

Jimmy was handicapped in Miami, first having to wait a season for Shula to retire and then unable to replace Marino when he wanted to.

Then Jimmy should not have taken the job. He said in Dallas he had full control and that was in his contract, maybe he should have had the same thing in Miami. But facts are facts with the Dolphins he did not have great success and in Dallas he had no cap to contend with. Thing with hypotheticals question is there is no 1 true answer.

 

[kskboys]

Good post but this is as hypothetical as it gets. I trust Jimmy already had a plan to deal with the cap. He was always prepared. He was Bill before Bill.
Just look at his 5 years in Dallas. He literally went from the gutter to the top in 4 years. He took over a sad franchise and he rebuilt from the foundation up.
This proves to all the naysayers that a rebuild does not take 10 years, half the NFL has gone through it. It is much faster nowdays.
He would have signed Deion in 1994 no 1995. As you might know he was recruiting Deion in Atlanta during the 2nd Bills SB. Go watch the NFL films, I clearly remember seeing that.
Jimmy knew the wave was coming and he was prepared.
I agree he never trades two number ones for a WR.

Doubtful that he signs Deion. Jimmy focused on the trenches, as he fully realized that's where games are won.

 

[Vanilla2]

Jimmy would’ve made all the right moves. Jimmy would’ve won a bunch more Super Bowls and jimmy would’ve put the moves on Elaine

 

[jazzcat22]

Jimmy was handicapped in Miami, first having to wait a season for Shula to retire and then unable to replace Marino when he wanted to.

I never bought that excuse. He does not get a pass on Miami, because of one player by not getting rid of Marino. And that is only rumor. I lived in South Florida at that time.
Supposedly he wanted to trade Marion, but the owner would not allow it. And Jerry gets blamed for meddling?
He did go with the Walker trade. As that is what helped make Jimmy. Does anyone believe he would have been as successful if not for that trade?

Dallas fans use that excuse to downplay Jimmy's Miami "failure" to repeat what he did in Dallas.

 

[jazzcat22]

The salary cap began in 1994, the Cowboys first season without Jimmy Johnson.

Let's pretend that Jerry Jones was realistic about his role and Jimmy's role in the development of that potential dynasty. Jerry relinquishes his position as GM and rightfully offers the position to Jimmy if he agrees to a ten year contract. Let's say Jimmy agrees and is now the GM of the Dallas Cowboys as the NFL enters a new era, the era of the Salary Cap.

This could be controversial. I think Jimmy would have been bottom line. I believe he would not use loyalty as a criteria. I think his logic would have resembled that of Bill Belicek. Contracts would not have been used to reward past achievement. The contract amounts would have mirrored the perceived contribution of the player to future success at market value..

I think Jimmy's handling of the salary cap would have been strictly business, no emotional element other then some regret for not being able to keep a player or two.

Here are some changes I believe Jimmy would have made from what actually happened.

Jimmy would have never signed Dieon Sanders - No way! Not only would Jimmy consider Deion's impact be unequal to his salary, he would not have willingly given up on so many players he could have kept over the years with that salary amount.

Jimmy would never have traded two #1 picks for Joey Galloway. - Jimmy would have acquired most of the talent he needed in the draft. He cherished his #1 picks He might have signed a veteran free agent or two but only if the value was excellent

Jimmy wouldn't have signed Emmitt Smith to a third contract. before the 1996 season - At the very least it he wouldn't have made the 7th year veteran the highest paid player in the NFL at the time and it certainly wouldn't have been an eight year contract. It's possible he may have franchised him for 1996, a year in which Emmitt slid from 4.7 yards a carry to 3.7 yards a carry. Emmitt's prior five season average for yards from scrimmage was 1949 yards and that decreased by almost 500 yards in 1996 to 1453 yards. I tyhink 1996 would have been his last season with the Cowboys.

Jimmy would have been prepared for Troy's retirement - Jimmy would have drafted another QB well ahead of Troy's retirement after 1999. In fact, I doubt Troy would have still been with the Cowboys after the 1998 season. Most likely, his contract would not have been extended at that time.

You can't say Jimmy would have done this or that about any of these things.

 

[jazzcat22]

A completely moot point because Jimmy's days as the football man were over in Dallas and that's what the split was over. Booger wanted more credit and power and the team was in the black and he had more time on his hands and was ready for the spotlight that Johnson had enjoyed. It was already unraveling.

The real benefit of hiring Johnson, a coach fresh from college, he knew where a lot of bones were buried; however, by the time 94 rolled around none of the players he knew were there, it was a whole new crop. that he had not recruited.

Who is Booger?

 

[zrinkill]

Again, what does that have to do with the subject at hand.

Nothing because he is just making it up.

 

[CCBoy]

Jimmy quit on us when he no longer had a blank check.....

Jimmy was much more ego driven and was abusive of lower level players. He was actually protected by Jerry and would have continued to do so, if just not intendidly insulted by Jimmy, who was hired and established by Jerry's work and achievements to begin with.

Organizational insult is actually pretty stupid...and Jimmy stuck with Walsh until Jerry replaced the Coordinators and made the offense around Troy.

As to out of touch quarterbacks, think Brady hasn''t rewritten those realities now, if properly supported? System support and cash flow...not just cutting and replacing for pure cash flow and authority concepts. Leadership is not a question, but is functiion.

 

[CCBoy]

Who is Booger?

A drinking type observation of Jerry...

 

[CCBoy]

You think all the players and draft choices we got for Walker came free?

 

[john van brocklin]

Jimmy would overpay for his own draftees to prove to the world that he is a football guy and drafts well.

That sounds vaugely familiar