Keeping our guys

[VACowboy]

We've locked up Flo, TNew and Barber. Hamlin, Canty, TO and Colombo will be FAs in 2009. Considering their market value and the team's salary cap situation, is it realistically possible to keep all four? I have no idea and am truly curious.

 

[InmanRoshi]

With the draft picks they've invested in Free and Marten, and the money they've already locked into the tackle position in Flozell, I don't see them keeping Colombo unless he gives them a huge discount.

Canty ... I wouldn't knock myself out trying to lock him up this offseason. I give myself another season to evaluate Jason Hatcher and maybe see if it's feasible to let Ratliff move to DE depending on how Tank plays. If those guys step up, I would be willing to let Canty walk. I really am not as high on Canty as everyone else is .. he's a solid starter, but I don't think he's "must retain" type of guy.

 

[VACowboy]

With the draft picks they've invested in Free and Marten, and the money they've already locked into the tackle position in Flozell, I don't see them keeping Colombo unless he gives them a huge discount.

I guessed that myself.

 

[superpunk]

I'd say we keep Hamlin and Canty for sure.

At this point, I'm convinced that the cap will never be a reason why you can't keep a player you WANT to keep on your team. There are so many ways to manipulate it, that if you don't mind paying the money out, you can retain whoever you want to - it's all about structuring, delaying bonuses and maybe even LTBE loopholes.

TO is a maybe - depending on what we do with the WR position. Do we make a play for the younger, less talented Roy Williams? Or do we ride out TO's career? It's a tough decision. But again - I don't think the salary cap will be a factor.

Colombo will get more than he's worth from someone else. He's been a nice player, solid at the RT spot. But we've drafted his replcement already. Hopefully we drafted it well.

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

We've locked up Flo, TNew and Barber. Hamlin, Canty, TO and Colombo will be FAs in 2009. Considering their market value and the team's salary cap situation, is it realistically possible to keep all four? I have no idea and am truly curious.

Possible, yes....probable, no! I can see Canty and Colombo being let go, mainly because of the depth that SHOULD (key word) continue to develop at their positions. I believe Hammer and TO will be inked to deals before the '09 season. I cannot see JJ letting them test the F/A waters.
*just my opinion*

 

[TheCount]

If they are all resonable, it's possible. Of all of them, I think Hamlin is the most likely to ask for something silly.

 

[big dog cowboy]

is it realistically possible to keep all four?

Has you lost your faith in Stephen Jones?

J/K

We know more about those roster spots after this year.

I'd bet TO and Hamlin are not going anywhere.

 

[InmanRoshi]

If they are all resonable, it's possible. Of all of them, I think Hamlin is the most likely to ask for something silly.

Jerry talked Hamlin into turning down more security in a lukewarm market to sign a 1 year deal with the Cowboys with the hope (or promise) that he could parlay a good season into a bigger contract this offseason. It was a gamble for Hamlin. Hamlin did his part by giving the Cowboys a Pro Bowl season at a discount price, and I can totally understand why he now wants the payday and the security that was supposed to go along with the payoff.

I somewhat feel for Hamlin's situation ... I don't cry myself to sleep at night over it, but I can totally understand why he's frustrated that Jerry slapped him with the tag and now he's once again in the same boat he was last year ... playing on a one year deal with no longterm security.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Yes, I'm sure Colombo will be gone... Unfortunately, he'd be the cheapest of all of them to keep, so letting him go won't save us a whole lot.

I can't decide on Canty. I think he improved a lot last year, and is a great locker room guy -- very smart and a great attitude. But we just have more possibilities there than we do at safety right now.

Mickey was saying yesterday that Todd Grantham was very excited by Tank and that he'd improved himself a ton in the offseason program. Said he'd been very dedicated and was even taking on something of a leadership role in the weight room. So maybe he starts at NT and you use Rat at end. I'd be very nervous counting on a guy like Tank who could get booted at the first hint of an off-field problem, though.

Looking at the big picture, something bugs me about signing all the little guys and letting the guys in the trenches go.

 

[VACowboy]

Yes, I'm sure Colombo will be gone... Unfortunately, he'd be the cheapest of all of them to keep, so letting him go won't save us a whole lot.

I can't decide on Canty. I think he improved a lot last year, and is a great locker room guy -- very smart and a great attitude. But we just have more possibilities there than we do at safety right now.

Mickey was saying yesterday that Todd Grantham was very excited by Tank and that he'd improved himself a ton in the offseason program. Said he'd been very dedicated and was even taking on something of a leadership role in the weight room. So maybe he starts at NT and you use Rat at end. I'd be very nervous counting on a guy like Tank who could get booted at the first hint of an off-field problem, though.

Looking at the big picture, something bugs me about signing all the little guys and letting the guys in the trenches go.

If Canty plays in '08 like he did in the second half of last season, I don't see how we can let him go.

 

[DallasFanSince86]

Has you lost your faith in Stephen Jones?

J/K

We know more about those roster spots after this year.

I'd bet TO and Hamlin are not going anywhere.

Agreed.

 

[superpunk]

Yes, I'm sure Colombo will be gone... Unfortunately, he'd be the cheapest of all of them to keep, so letting him go won't save us a whole lot.

I can't decide on Canty. I think he improved a lot last year, and is a great locker room guy -- very smart and a great attitude. But we just have more possibilities there than we do at safety right now.

Mickey was saying yesterday that Todd Grantham was very excited by Tank and that he'd improved himself a ton in the offseason program. Said he'd been very dedicated and was even taking on something of a leadership role in the weight room. So maybe he starts at NT and you use Rat at end. I'd be very nervous counting on a guy like Tank who could get booted at the first hint of an off-field problem, though.

Looking at the big picture, something bugs me about signing all the little guys and letting the guys in the trenches go.

The good news is that 3-4 DEs are a low demand position in the draft.

 

[Eddie]

We'll re-sign TO to another 10 year extension.

He keeps his body in such great shape, people think he's a 17 year old. Heck, he can play until he's 50.

 

[TheCount]

Jerry talked Hamlin into turning down more security in a lukewarm market to sign a 1 year deal with the Cowboys with the hope (or promise) that he could parlay a good season into a bigger contract this offseason. It was a gamble for Hamlin. Hamlin did his part by giving the Cowboys a Pro Bowl season at a discount price, and I can totally understand why he now wants the payday and the security that was supposed to go along with the payoff.

I somewhat feel for Hamlin's situation ... I don't cry myself to sleep at night over it, but I can totally understand why he's frustrated that Jerry slapped him with the tag and now he's once again in the same boat he was last year ... playing on a one year deal with no longterm security.

Oh I completely understand Hamlin's situation. I don't blame him for wanting a long term deal at all.

 

[Eddie]

Oh I completely understand Hamlin's situation. I don't blame him for wanting a long term deal at all.

I'm not crying for Hamlin. I'd take $7 mil for one year anyday.

 

[TheCount]

I'm not crying for Hamlin. I'd take $7 mil for one year anyday.

What makes you think he's getting 7 mil?

I think the tag gets him 4 mil, not 7. Which is still double what he got paid last year.

 

[Eddie]

What makes you think he's getting 7 mil?

I think the tag gets him 4 mil, not 7. Which is still double what he got paid last year.

Ok, I was thinking $7 mil, but you're right. It's a bit over $4 mil.

Still pretty sweet. I'll take it.

 

[Vintage]

Yes, I'm sure Colombo will be gone... Unfortunately, he'd be the cheapest of all of them to keep, so letting him go won't save us a whole lot.

I can't decide on Canty. I think he improved a lot last year, and is a great locker room guy -- very smart and a great attitude. But we just have more possibilities there than we do at safety right now.

Mickey was saying yesterday that Todd Grantham was very excited by Tank and that he'd improved himself a ton in the offseason program. Said he'd been very dedicated and was even taking on something of a leadership role in the weight room. So maybe he starts at NT and you use Rat at end. I'd be very nervous counting on a guy like Tank who could get booted at the first hint of an off-field problem, though.

Looking at the big picture, something bugs me about signing all the little guys and letting the guys in the trenches go.

Tank's a free agent after this year, no?

So Canty and Tank are free agents after this year; Spears is coming up too...

Ratliff is locked up. We probably need to lock up another DL too.

 

[Kolemmitt]

I actually think we are in better cap shape then you would think. We paid for these two extensions simply by reworking Romo's deal. Also, an extension for Hamlin or TO would probably actually lower their cap hits. Also, our draft trade saved us a good deal of money on next year's cap, I can't remember the exact amount but I think it was between 4 and 5 million. Lastly, if I am not mistaken, releasing Glenn next year would save us some money. With all that being said I would rate the chances of signing these guys to long-term deals in the near future at:

Ware- 100%
TO - 99%
Hamlin, Canty - 75%
Tank - 50%
Columbo - 25%

 

[TheCount]

Tank's a free agent after this year, no?

So Canty and Tank are free agents after this year; Spears is coming up too...

Ratliff is locked up. We probably need to lock up another DL too.

Good point, if Canty wants too much, Tank will probably be cheaper and can play 3-4 DE.