Keeping Melton won't be difficult

[Stash]

plenty of advantages....like

1) he still gets his $9 mil
2) he has a long term contract

It is win-win for the player

He'd be getting $9 million guaranteed for 2015, why give that up for no additional benefits?

 

[Galian Beast]

I probably would, because then I would start asking myself if the player is going to be as hungry and motivated as he currently is once he gets the guaranteed money in his pocket.

I'm just concerned with having enough money to retain the multiple free agents we'll have next year.

That money can just as easily be converted into a prorated signing bonus. It's the exact same thing.

 

[Stash]

That money can just as easily be converted into a prorated signing bonus. It's the exact same thing.

Yeah, and it's once again kicking the can down the road and guaranteeing money. And there's no guarantee Melton will be as hungry once he gets big money guaranteed.

Fortunately, we can watch the season play out and decide what to do after it's over.

 

[atlantacowboy]

You can't keep restructuring Romo at this point. It will without a doubt come back to bite us. You can't keep pushing $ into the future for a player that has a very uncertain future. I know the $ cash up front now would be enticing, but it's a bad business decision for the long run in my opinion.

I do agree with the rest of your ideas though

That is one way of looking at it. I don't like the idea of mortgaging future cap flexibility either. But, Romo has a short window left to win a super bowl and, when he's done, this is likely going to get ugly fast. Were it not for a short stint on staff from Sean Payton, i'm not so sure we wouldn't still be looking for Aikman's heir. I know Jerrah is in win-now mode as usual. I think he can smell a super bowl and will go on a free agent shopping spree this off season.

 

[Nightman]

That is one way of looking at it. I don't like the idea of mortgaging future cap flexibility either. But, Romo has a short window left to win a super bowl and, when he's done, this is likely going to get ugly fast. Were it not for a short stint on staff from Sean Payton, i'm not so sure we wouldn't still be looking for Aikman's heir. I know Jerrah is in win-now mode as usual. I think he can smell a super bowl and will go on a free agent shopping spree this off season.

Romo will eventually be a June 1st cut and that will halve any Dead Money owed him. He is our only shot at a Super Bowl in the next few years. There is no harm in kicking the can with Romo, as his replacement will probably be a rookie on a rookie deal.

 

[Galian Beast]

Yeah, and it's once again kicking the can down the road and guaranteeing money. And there's no guarantee Melton will be as hungry once he gets big money guaranteed.

Fortunately, we can watch the season play out and decide what to do after it's over.

You can't always describe signing players as kicking the can down the road... Contracts aren't 100% frontloaded, that isn't how nfl contracts work.

 

[Stash]

You can't always describe signing players as kicking the can down the road... Contracts aren't 100% frontloaded, that isn't how nfl contracts work.

What I'm describing as 'kicking the can down the road' is the thought of converting salary into signing bonus. That's exactly what teams are doing when they make moves like that.

 

[tm1119]

That is one way of looking at it. I don't like the idea of mortgaging future cap flexibility either. But, Romo has a short window left to win a super bowl and, when he's done, this is likely going to get ugly fast. Were it not for a short stint on staff from Sean Payton, i'm not so sure we wouldn't still be looking for Aikman's heir. I know Jerrah is in win-now mode as usual. I think he can smell a super bowl and will go on a free agent shopping spree this off season.

I hear what you're saying, but I think you're over dramatizing life after Romo. I know we obviously made some bad decisions at the QB position, but I think this franchise has turned the corner enough to not think that a guy like vinny testaverde is a viable qb option. At least I hope....

 

[Galian Beast]

What I'm describing as 'kicking the can down the road' is the thought of converting salary into signing bonus. That's exactly what teams are doing when they make moves like that.

Except your thinking is based on the idea that contracts aren't structured to originally be restructured in the first place.

These contracts aren't concrete, they're fluid.

Melton was given a 1 million dollar signing bonus upon signing here. He is scheduled to get a base salary of million guaranteed in year 2 and 7.5 in year 3 and 4.

This was obviously put together so that they could defer the initial signing bonus until the 2nd year to make sure he was worth it.

That doesn't mean changing the 9 million dollar base salary into signing bonus kicking the can down the road. That was the plan the entire time. Had he simply got an 8 million dollar signing bonus from the get go, it would be the same contract, except it wouldn't have given the team an insurance policy.

So now you want to punish the front office for making a sound decision? How does that make sense?

 

[atlantacowboy]

I hear what you're saying, but I think you're over dramatizing life after Romo. I know we obviously made some bad decisions at the QB position, but I think this franchise has turned the corner enough to not think that a guy like vinny testaverde is a viable qb option. At least I hope....

Vinny was better than most of the parade of losers that disgraced the uniform after Aikman's retirement.

 

[Stash]

Except your thinking is based on the idea that contracts aren't structured to originally be restructured in the first place.

These contracts aren't concrete, they're fluid.

Melton was given a 1 million dollar signing bonus upon signing here. He is scheduled to get a base salary of million guaranteed in year 2 and 7.5 in year 3 and 4.

This was obviously put together so that they could defer the initial signing bonus until the 2nd year to make sure he was worth it.

I understand that part of it. It was a "show us" contract.

He signed a four-year, $29 million contract.

The deal included a $1 million signing bonus. Another $1.5 million is available through incentives based on sacks and playing time.

If $1,000 roster bonus is exercised by the first day of the 2015 league year, Melton's $9 million base salary becomes fully guaranteed for 2015.

And 2016-2017 at $7.5 million (Option Years),

That doesn't mean changing the 9 million dollar base salary into signing bonus kicking the can down the road. That was the plan the entire time. Had he simply got an 8 million dollar signing bonus from the get go, it would be the same contract, except it wouldn't have given the team an insurance policy.

You're assuming "that was the plan all along." But there's no assuming that he's going to take anything less than that $9 million guaranteed to add any additional years on this deal. He has absolutely no motivation to do so.

This team either pays him $9 million or more guaranteed or the guy leaves for what he sees as greener pastures. And if you convert that money to a bonus over the next 3 years, you're adding $3 million to the $7.5 he's due for 2016 and 2017, making his cap cost over $10 million.

Kicking the can down the road.

So now you want to punish the front office for making a sound decision? How does that make sense?

I'm not punishing anyone for anything. The deal as structured made great sense at the time. I just don't know if they can now afford to have it continue at the previously agreed to terms.

And I'm not interested in mortgaging the future again.

 

[Wood]

I am close to being completely on board with Melton. My only concern is his post-contract production. Every time he sees Stephan Jones he tells him he is gonna get that money. I understand securing some financial stability for your family but how about once in while Melton tells Stephan he is gonna get that Super Bowl.

 

[Galian Beast]

I understand that part of it. It was a "show us" contract.

He signed a four-year, $29 million contract.

The deal included a $1 million signing bonus. Another $1.5 million is available through incentives based on sacks and playing time.

If $1,000 roster bonus is exercised by the first day of the 2015 league year, Melton's $9 million base salary becomes fully guaranteed for 2015.

And 2016-2017 at $7.5 million (Option Years),



You're assuming "that was the plan all along." But there's no assuming that he's going to take anything less than that $9 million guaranteed to add any additional years on this deal. He has absolutely no motivation to do so.

This team either pays him $9 million or more guaranteed or the guy leaves for what he sees as greener pastures. And if you convert that money to a bonus over the next 3 years, you're adding $3 million to the $7.5 he's due for 2016 and 2017, making his cap cost over $10 million.

Kicking the can down the road.



I'm not punishing anyone for anything. The deal as structured made great sense at the time. I just don't know if they can now afford to have it continue at the previously agreed to terms.

And I'm not interested in mortgaging the future again.

You've misunderstood a great deal.

A restructure isn't the same as an extension.

What is done is that the 9 million is converted to a prorated signing bonus and extended through the 3 years left on the contract.

His rate of compensation is well below the going rate for a pro bowl defensive tackle.

 

[Galian Beast]

I am close to being completely on board with Melton. My only concern is his post-contract production. Every time he sees Stephan Jones he tells him he is gonna get that money. I understand securing some financial stability for your family but how about once in while Melton tells Stephan he is gonna get that Super Bowl.

Cutting him in year 3 would cost 500k against the cap if we don't restructure him...

 

[ROUSH8692]

The cowboys are in great cap shape for 2015. DT's don't grow on trees and Marinelli is pretty dam picky about the type of DT that fits his system. When you have a 28 year old guy like Melton playing at a pro bowl level in this system, you keep him. 9 million is a bargain compared to Suh, McCoy, and Gino Atkins.

Please revisit after Dez Contract

 

[Stash]

You've misunderstood a great deal.

A restructure isn't the same as an extension.

What is done is that the 9 million is converted to a prorated signing bonus and extended through the 3 years left on the contract.

Making 2016 and 2017 salaries over $10 million instead of the current $7.5.

But keep trying to gloss over that fact in your rush to put us back in cap purgatory.

His rate of compensation is well below the going rate for a pro bowl defensive tackle.

Back up what you're saying here. I see two guys - two! - making more than the $9 million that the Cowboys would owe Melton for 2015, Gerald McCoy and Suh.

So tell me again where your "going rate" comes from and how $9 million is "well below"?

 

[atlantacowboy]

Please revisit after Dez Contract

Which I am not in favor of either. But, Jerry is all in with Romo's window closing and he wants that glory h---. So, we sign Dez, Murray, a pass rusher, and rework a lot of contracts.

 

[Doomsday101]

Making 2016 and 2017 salaries over $10 million instead of the current $7.5.

But keep trying to gloss over that fact in your rush to put us back in cap purgatory.



Back up what you're saying here. I see two guys - two! - making more than the $9 million that the Cowboys would owe Melton for 2015, Gerald McCoy and Suh.

So tell me again where your "going rate" comes from and how $9 million is "well below"?

cap purgatory with very talented players I can deal with, Cap hell I would rather stay out of and of course cap heaven with nothing but JAGS and 500 or less record not interested. lol

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Which I am not in favor of either. But, Jerry is all in with Romo's window closing and he wants that glory h---. So, we sign Dez, Murray, a pass rusher, and rework a lot of contracts.

No... I just don't think that's going to happen.

First off as Jerry has seen, outside of the Deion signing free agents are not a good answer... a long term plan is. And both Jerry and Stephen (more so) have stated that on occasion.

I think they've learned their lessons about having to resort to free agency to plug holes.

If this team wins a SB with Romo I'd be ecstatic. But I would be equally ecstatic to see it as a consistent playoff participant over the next 6 years.

 

[Stash]

cap purgatory with very talented players I can deal with, Cap hell I would rather stay out of and of course cap heaven with nothing but JAGS and 500 or less record not interested. lol

I wouldn't argue with you. When we were winning Super Bowls, kicking the can down the road made more sense. Return on investment.

And a few years ago, we mortgaged part of the future to keep that team together, with ownership always thinking we were this close.

And I'm not saying Melton isn't a good player and isn't playing well. He is.

I'm just not sure if I want to get into the business of guaranteeing him $9 million next year with so many other 'mouths to feed'.