Key cut for more than just roster space and bonuses...

[el_chevo]

Mickey Spagnola is a pretty good Cowboy beat writer who gets way too much abuse on this board for stating a strong opinion occasionally.

He has scored again with this speculation.

The Key release surprised every writer and radio guy in the Dallas area, but Mickeroo may have hit on the essential part of this whole deal.

Keyshawn though he was underpaid the last two years and would have been under contract once he recieved the bonus today. If the cowboys were then confronted with a huge contract demand he might of as he has hinted, moved on to retirement, the Cowboys would then have a substantial cap hit.

Cutting Key allow him to set his market value themn we could get in the mix and possibly even pay him more than most teams out there since he is wired into the offense.

His decline last year was apparent to me(no laying out for overthrows fumbles), but he's worth 3 yrs 2.5 million and a 1/2 million signing bonus.

At this point Rob Gardner, Eric Moulds or even a TC veteren cut matched with a drafted downfield threat would serve us as well as a 34 yr. old Keyshawn in 2006.

Kelley Washington, Nate Burleson, and Kevin Curtis are all restricted Free agents that might becom available for a draft choice as well as the already mentioned Jevon Walker (by Mickey)who has sworn to never play in G.B. again.

Agreed. However, I respectfully disagree that we can find someone to replace his toughness and third down mentality.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Who regrets cutting a 4th string 40 year old TE? That's just ridiculous.

When we were scouring the waiver wire trying to find a LS there where a lot of us here that wanted him back.

 

[1fisher]

Who regrets cutting a 4th string 40 year old TE? That's just ridiculous.

deep snapper????

 

[1fisher]

When we were scouring the waiver wire trying to find a LS there where a lot of us here that wanted him back.

I didn't even read this post when I responded to pooz...... I'm thinking like yeag......yikes:bang2:

:laugh2:

 

[CrazyCowboy]

According to Mickey this morning, what we do know for sure is that Key was cut for money issues, and it wasn't bonus related. Attempting to sign TO could also be a factor, but let's take a different look at this situation.

Key was due a one million dollar bonus as of this morning with his current contract. The Cowboys felt that the bonus money would give him leverage for demanding more money. Key has made no bones about the fact that he wants more money, and the Cowboys felt that they could be held captive by Key for a couple of reasons. By receiving his one year bonus, Key would still be under contract to the team. He could then demand more money and use possible retirement as a threat. The Cowboys would be stuck with his contract against the cap if he followed through with the threat, and worse, a depleted WR corp.

At that point the Cowboys could feel backed against the wall and pay him MORE than his market value in order to keep him. By Jerry telling him to find out what he is worth and then coming back and giving us a chance to sign him, he avoids holdouts or bad blood.

Just a theory...

Very good points you bring up. If Key does not get to big of an offer, then we may match it and he could still be our slot receiver. At least that is the senerio I am hoping for.

 

[Seven]

Agreed. However, I respectfully disagree that we can find someone to replace his toughness and third down mentality.

Agreed. Key is one of a kind. Not necessarily the best but there's no one else like him.

 

[trickblue]

At some point we were going to have to do exactly what we did last year - find a young guy who can do it. If we didn't do it last season, we would probably be going into this season in the exact same situation because Robinson retired halfway through last year.

As it is, the French guy seemed to settle down and be fine going down the stretch, so we're probably okay now.

I really don't see the problem here.

We better hope the French guy does ok...

If we sign a big-name kicker and he falters because of a poor deep-snapper, Cowboy fans will go crazy...

Scattershooting while wondering what Dale Hellestrae is doing these days?

 

[SouthernStar]

By Jerry telling him to find out what he is worth and then coming back and giving us a chance to sign him, he avoids holdouts or bad blood.

If this is true, then I'm delighted. That means Jerry is thinking hard about holdouts, bad blood, and disgruntled players costing this team money.
Which translates to NO Terrell Owens.........

 

[Redball Express]

Yes but something else has to be considered.

If the TO situation blows up in their faces...say they can not reach an agreement or some other team signs him.

If they can not or just don't want to trade for someone like Moulds or Walker because the other team is asking for too much.

Then once again Key is holding the cards IMO.

Key holds nothing right now other than a Pink Slip.

I don't think Key is coming back and for whatever the reason, Dallas has parted ways with him.

And I don't think Key is that irreplacable.

Yes, he made some good plays last year..but again, as the season wore on, he faded and was less and less of a factor.

He doesn't dominate games, he doesn't even warrant double-coverage anymore.

He's not a #1 WR and he's limited as a #2. He's had two leg surgeries in the last two seasons and if he loses another half step..

..he won't be able to get separation from Rowdy the Mascot.

Really, that's about it.

He's then really about a #2-3 WR on the roster and with the contract he'd want redone to stay..

..we'd probably get better run blocking with Rowdy at WR and and at a much cheaper price.

I think BP did Key a favor.

I'll bet BP probably sat in the film room and compiled tapes from his last season and running the same routes from earlier in his career..

..showed them to Key and told him he's not a true #1 guy anymore and they can't pay him as such.

They freed him and said 'Go get your last big paycheck'' and it's been great. No hard feelings.

That's why I think he's not putting up any lip about this.

He knows BP knows him like nobody else and can't be fooled.

Now, does that hurt us at WR...?

Sure.

As much as overpaying for him and risking him retiring along the way under our cap still..?

Nope.

Or going thru hardball negotiations over what really should be a backup WR contract and not lead WR contract..?

Nope.

I'm Ok with this and wish him well. I respect everything he did for us. I enjoyed his game.

The only thing he ever did I thought was way out of line was when he went at Bledsoe during the game. I don't think you do that to BP's chosen QB in Bledsoe.

That could have been the first crack in the door that Key might be on his way out.

We'll see.

parcellswaterboy

 

[trickblue]

The only thing he ever did I thought was way out of line was when he went at Bledsoe during the game. I don't think you do that to BP's chosen QB in Bledsoe.

That could have been the first crack in the door that Key might be on his way out.

We'll see.

parcellswaterboy

You may be right... although Key is a "Parcells guy", Todd Archer said yesterday that this was the second time that Parcells had a hand in getting rid of Key. WR is important, but QB, even if they are merely a bus driver, is sacred...