Make or break for these big contracts...

[AbeBeta]

Well, other than Flo whose getting much older, I can't see Dallas cutting, or trading, all the others, in one offseason, because the cap hit would be too great.

There is a big cap hit -- but lets say T-New only can make it 8 games this year. Do you take the cap hit AND pay him 9 mill for 2010? Or do you cut your losses?

The "cap hit" argument is rarely a reasonable one.

 

[AbeBeta]

I don't disagree with the weaknesses you've stated necessarily, I'm only disagreeing with you that he is grouped in the "put up or leave" category. He's got his faults, but he's still VERY good, and it will be many years before we can even think of upgrading from him to someone else.

what is puzzling about him is that with his line call issues and his snap issues, you'd think he'd be an ideal G.

 

[Tovya]

what is puzzling about him is that with his line call issues and his snap issues, you'd think he'd be an ideal G.

Oh I agree with that definitely. I hope it's something they are working on with him (well, I know they are, I just hope it's something he's truly committed to correcting).

But then again, at 31, maybe he's hit that point that he is what he is, and that's that?

 

[UnoDallas]

I expect the guy waiting in the wings is probably still in college.

I am looking at Spanos to give him a run for his money




What do you feel is your greatest strength as a football player and what area do you feel you need to improve in?

Matt Spanos: I need to improve my downhill speed. The biggest positive aspect of my game is my mental toughness. I have played every position on the offensive line which I believe has been very valuable for me.

Matt Spanos has been a journeyman throughout his college career. What I mean by that is that the senior from the University of Southern California has played most every position on the offensive line until finally settling in at center in his last year. His build and size is what the scouts like in a player at his position; the lack of time that he has played in might be a negative, however. What a lot of people say about this young man is that he is a workhorse and he has the right frame of mind to continue improving even when at the next level




Matt Tennant, Boston College
Height: 6-4. Weight: 285.
Projected 40 Time: 4.93.
Projected Round (2010): 4-5.
2/11/09: An honorable mention on the All-ACC Team.

7/28/08: Matt Tennant started every game for Boston College in 2007, as he was a very reliable center for Matt Ryan.


Kristofer O'Dowd*, USC
Height: 6-5. Weight: 298.
Projected 40 Time: 5.07.
Projected Round (2010): Top 25 Pick.
2/11/09: No one should blame Kris O'Dowd if he comes out early; he'd be the top center prospect in the 2010 NFL Draft. He was an All-Pac 10 first-teamer as a sophomore.

7/28/08: Kris O'Dowd was forced into the starting lineup when incumbent center Matt Spanos suffered an injury. Despite being a true freshman, O'Dowd performed admirably. With Spanos gone, the starting center gig is his.

Josh McNeil, Tennessee
Height: 6-4. Weight: 289.
Projected 40 Time: 5.08.
Projected Round (2010): 2-3.
2/11/09: Despite playing for one of the worst offenses in Tennessee history, Josh McNeil remains near the top of this list.

5/26/08: Josh McNeil suffered a minor knee injury this offseason, but he'll be fine for the season opener.

2007: Josh McNeil started as a freshman center in the SEC in nine games. The top-ranked center in the 2010 class, McNeil looks completely comfortable in the middle of Tennessee's offensive front.

Matt Tennant, Boston College
Height: 6-4. Weight: 285.
Projected 40 Time: 4.93.
Projected Round (2010): 4-5.
2/11/09: An honorable mention on the All-ACC Team.

7/28/08: Matt Tennant started every game for Boston College in 2007, as he was a very reliable center for Matt Ryan.

 

[UnoDallas]

I could see MB III leaving - he never should have gotten that big contract -
with out knowing if he can handle being an every down back - I would have franchised him last year - he still has not had 1000 yard season

even Micheal Turner doubled MBIII yardage

far as Flo I see us going LT in the draft

an Hamlin I think is a good player

an Newman is safe here

In 77 career games, Newman has 344 tackles, two sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 16 interceptions, including four in 2007 when he was finally selected for the Pro Bowl. Newman, who turns 30 on Sept. 4, tied his career high in interceptions and pass deflections (15) last season despite missing three games because of a foot injury.

 

[Tovya]

I could see MB III leaving - he never should have gotten that big contract -
with out knowing if he can handle being an every down back - I would have franchised him last year - he still has not had 1000 yard season

even Micheal Turner doubled MBIII yardage

far as Flo I see us going LT in the draft

an Hamlin

No way that Barber is gone until at least after the 2011 season at earliest unless he just really falls apart.

Jones in still under contract for another 4 years, and Choice for another 3--so as long as Barber is able to go out and pound and grind it out, he ain't going anywhere.

 

[CATCH17]

I agree with all four but I could see Newman staying more than the other three. I think we want to get Choice and Felix the ball alot so it could open up to us doing something with Barber after this season.

Those 2 better prove they can put the ball across the goal line and become very good all around before Barber can be let go.

And im not talking about scoring from 30 yards out. Its the tough scores inside the 10 that worry me with Felix and Tashard.

Barber is a Touchdown machine. Its never good losing someone like that.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

There is a big cap hit -- but lets say T-New only can make it 8 games this year. Do you take the cap hit AND pay him 9 mill for 2010? Or do you cut your losses?

The "cap hit" argument is rarely a reasonable one.

Only to those whose money isn't being thrown away. If you were the owner it would be a very reasonable one.

There is no way, I'll state it again, that under the way the cap works that multiple players from that group of 4 would be cut or traded in the same year. No way.

Could one be sent packing? Yeah, no doubt?

Two? Highly unlikely. Three or all of them? Not a chance.

It's simply not going to happen with the salary cap hits. It's not possible to do it all at once like that. It's why you always have to hold your breath when you give guys a long term, big money, deal with lots of signing bonus because a year or two into it, if you the guy turns out not to be what you thought he was you're stuck with having to live with him being not as good as you'd hoped cause you already married yourself to them with a huge deal.

Maybe 1 of those four, and the only really likely one being Flo, would be moved or cut if they don't perform this year but the other three are pretty darn secure in their future of being in Dallas for a while.

 

[AbeBeta]

No way that Barber is gone until at least after the 2011 season at earliest unless he just really falls apart.

Jones in still under contract for another 4 years, and Choice for another 3--so as long as Barber is able to go out and pound and grind it out, he ain't going anywhere.

I seriously doubt that if Barber has a season similar to 2008 that he remains here. If that is the case then his contract will have been a mistake and smart teams cut bait on bad deals.

 

[BrassCowboy]

I don't think Dallas will actively seek to trade Barber, Choice is a more natural trade option.

Not trying to knock MBIII, but Felix and Choice are more valuable to the Cowboys IMHO....

and I do think MBIII's contract makes him less valuable considering we have better talent behind him.

 

[CATCH17]

I seriously doubt that if Barber has a season similar to 2008 that he remains here. If that is the case then his contract will have been a mistake and smart teams cut bait on bad deals.

If anything they will be looking to get rid of Barber late in his contract. Not early.


And he is the heartbeat of this offense. When he is on we are almost impossible to stop.

This year we shouldn't need him to carry the entire load either. Our coaching staff was just scared to death to put youth on the field for some reason.

 

[CATCH17]

Not trying to knock MBIII, but Felix and Choice are more valuable to the Cowboys IMHO....

and I do think MBIII's contract makes him less valuable considering we have better talent behind him.

Not until they prove they can put the ball across the goaline as many times as MB3 does.

Or get that tough yard.

MB3 is one of the better all around backs in the league too.

 

[AbeBeta]

Only to those whose money isn't being thrown away. If you were the owner it would be a very reasonable one.

No, actually it wouldn't because the cap hit money is already spent.

The REAL issue is that Barber would get 4 mill in 2010, Newman? 9 mill. Flo? 5 mill. Hamlin? 5.6 mill. Gurode? 3 mill.

Any of these guys seriously underwhelm this year and we may cut them. That isn't throwing money away. It is making sure that you don't throw money at guys who aren't getting it done

 

[BrassCowboy]

The one player I do not see as in trouble for sure is T. Newman. Opposing QBs do not throw his direction and that was noticeable last year.

MBIII I am on the fence. This year I believe will be a make or break for him and it may not be all up to him. If we go to 2 RBs again, then yes I believe MBIII to be the most expendable due to contract and the fact that I think he is more a closer than an everydown back. If the three back system works real well for us, then I believe MBIII will stay.

Flo and Hamlin, I agree about picking it up.

 

[AbeBeta]

If anything they will be looking to get rid of Barber late in his contract. Not early.


And he is the heartbeat of this offense. When he is on we are almost impossible to stop.

This year we shouldn't need him to carry the entire load either. Our coaching staff was just scared to death to put youth on the field for some reason.

WHEN he is on.

Problem was last year he wasn't on enough. As I said. If he repeats that, he's likely gone.

 

[BrassCowboy]

Not until they prove they can put the ball across the goaline as many times as MB3 does.

Or get that tough yard.

MB3 is one of the better all around backs in the league too.

all around being key words.... anyone else would love to have him and if we can afford to keep him, we love to have him as well, but personally right now and not knowing anything else I would be upset and pissed off if we got rid of T. Choice or Felix over MBIII.

 

[CATCH17]

Excuse me but what in the hell does Marion Barber have to prove to anyone?

The guy is a beast. Our offense is kinda finesse at times and you put him in our backfield and he gives us a toughness.

We missed Barber last year when he was hurt.

When he was healthy we were tough to beat.

Without even looking I bet our record with MB3 is a lot better than without him.

I don't think some of you realise just how important he is.

 

[CATCH17]

WHEN he is on.

Problem was last year he wasn't on enough. As I said. If he repeats that, he's likely gone.

Well lets be dumb and judge everyone off 1 year.

Marion Barber is a beast.

Last year did nothing to dispell that.

The only thing wrong with Barber last year was he had broke ribs and a jacked up toe.

When he was healthy he was just as devastating as always.

 

[AbeBeta]

The one player I do not see as in trouble for sure is T. Newman. Opposing QBs do not throw his direction and that was noticeable last year.

Sure. But if he has another injury filled season, it raises serious questions about whether you can count on him - and I don't think you pay a guy 9 mill a year if you don't think he'll play every game

 

[AbeBeta]

Well lets be dumb and judge everyone off 1 year.

Marion Barber is a beast.

Last year did nothing to dispell that.

The only thing wrong with Barber last year was he had broke ribs and a jacked up toe.

When he was healthy he was just as devastating as always.

Well, let's be dumb and not read the original post.

What did that say?

1. Marion Barber - If he has a 2009 like 2008, he is gone. Can't justify mega mill a year for such limited production.