Moves and the cap

[John813]

I would franchise tag Law.

Yes, the cap hit is huge but it helps us in multiple ways.
First, it allows us to not reach, or panic and take a DE too high as his replacement in the draft.
Second, it allows us to see him prove that he can stay healthy for multiple years and produce at an very good to elite level.
Third, this team has some holes throughout the roster. Some may be replaced by young guys like Woods, but others we need to invest in the draft/FA. I doubt we have a replacement on the squad for Witten. Not sure if someone like Brown can be a #2 WR, still have question marks at linebacker etc...
Making another hole, especially with the production Law is bringing would hurt quite a bit. Much better to eat one year of a franchise tag than either let him walk(no pass rush) or blow our load and give him a long term deal(which could backfire).

 

[Ekspozed]

I would franchise unless he let us lowball him.

No way I pay a huge multi-year contract as top 5 de(which his numbers are on pace to be this year) for 1 year production.
His up and down play in prior seasons + inability to remain healthy + his peds incident play a role.
His huge sack numbers should warrant him a decent contract like the one mentioned above or a big 1 year payday via franchise.

 

[Bullflop]

Does this mean loads of cap space for next year. Maybe Stephen will let Jerry sign a couple of GOOD free agents.

Couldn't it pay for more artwork to hang in AT&T Stadium and/or upkeep for Jerry's helicopter?

 

[Ranching]

Couldn't it pay for more artwork to hang in AT&T Stadium and/or upkeep for Jerry's helicopter?

Or more Johnnie Walker Blue?

 

[Nightman]

I would franchise tag Law.

Yes, the cap hit is huge but it helps us in multiple ways.
First, it allows us to not reach, or panic and take a DE too high as his replacement in the draft.
Second, it allows us to see him prove that he can stay healthy for multiple years and produce at an very good to elite level.
Third, this team has some holes throughout the roster. Some may be replaced by young guys like Woods, but others we need to invest in the draft/FA. I doubt we have a replacement on the squad for Witten. Not sure if someone like Brown can be a #2 WR, still have question marks at linebacker etc...
Making another hole, especially with the production Law is bringing would hurt quite a bit. Much better to eat one year of a franchise tag than either let him walk(no pass rush) or blow our load and give him a long term deal(which could backfire).

17m+ is the new floor if you tag him....... his salary never goes lower than that.....it makes him a top 5 player in the NFL

DLawrence is not one of the top 5 DEs imo by a long shot....... we will instantly regret a longterm deal at 17m+ ....... with the Tag you have to devote the entire 17m as a lump sum ........ it cannot be lowered by contract tricks.... if he doesn't take 4-5/40-50m then you let him walk and take the 3rd comp pick

Not one person here said good things about DLaw all summer...... in fact he was another bust

NY and ARI have terrible RTs and Tank took advantage .......lets not get carried away

 

[Nightman]

I thought all 3 players salary for the year was guaranteed if they were on the roster on game 1 of this year as vested veterans. Am I incorrect on this?

I hope I am wrong about this.

That is not technically correct

A vested vet can take a one-time in his career Termination Pay if he cut after being on the roster Week 1......... it is not guaranteed and he can only do it once...... young players can get 25% or so based on how many years they have

Thornton's 3m for 2017 was fully guaranteed so we pay it all less any money he gets from his new team, which is 775k from BUFF........ he got 9m for a little over 1 year

Carroll can get his 1m base salary in Termination Pay less any offset if he gets signed..... he keeps his 3m signing bonus....... he got 4m for 5 games

Paea retired so he has to give all the money back pro-rated for 5/17 weeks...... he was due 2m this year with bonuses so he can only keep around 600k for the 5 weeks

Overall DAL saves 2.1m this year and 4.75m next year on the cap with these moves

 

[TheHerd]

17m+ is the new floor if you tag him....... his salary never goes lower than that.....it makes him a top 5 player in the NFL

DLawrence is not one of the top 5 DEs imo by a long shot....... we will instantly regret a longterm deal at 17m+ ....... with the Tag you have to devote the entire 17m as a lump sum ........ it cannot be lowered by contract tricks.... if he doesn't take 4-5/40-50m then you let him walk and take the 3rd comp pick

Not one person here said good things about DLaw all summer...... in fact he was another bust

NY and ARI have terrible RTs and Tank took advantage .......lets not get carried away

I'm not saying to pay him $17M, but $17M would be a tie for 23rd highest player in the league this year. Maybe non-QBs was what you were saying, then yes, top 6 money.

And again I'm not saying pay the man a huge contract, but unless he implodes, there is no chance he takes $50M for 5 years.

 

[KingintheNorth]

It will be close to $18M for Franchise Tags for DE's next year. I wouldn't give it to him but the Cowboys probably will.

We can sign 3 quality defensive starters (yes, it's only 1st year cap numbers) for that same $18M in cap room next year.

 

[CCBoy]

Lawrence is either worth being retained or not. He only plays a position for the Cowboys, that takes a decade of frustration to replace. Someone is going to release to free agency, another Charles Haley, that doesn't come with a ton of baggage?

One has to pay for talent, if he has it at the right point in a career, and pays for the level of pay. Or we're in a circus, with shows going on...not a championship hunt.

 

[mattjames2010]

Players I'm interested in the 2018 FA (obviously thing can change from now to then)

Ezekial Ansah
Jimmy Graham
Trumaine Johnson
Sheldon Richardson
Vontae Davis

Some decent players going into FA, not all will make it of course.

 

[CCBoy]

Lawrence already has 8.5 sacks. Just 1.5 more, and by today's standards, he deserves a strong contract.

 

[xwalker]

Lawrence is either worth being retained or not. He only plays a position for the Cowboys, that takes a decade of frustration to replace. Someone is going to release to free agency, another Charles Haley, that doesn't come with a ton of baggage?

One has to pay for talent, if he has it at the right point in a career, and pays for the level of pay. Or we're in a circus, with shows going on...not a championship hunt.

It's really up to the Cowboys Doctors. What is the long term outlook for his back?

 

[CCBoy]

It's really up to the Cowboys Doctors. What is the long term outlook for his back?

He's a football player. I don't care if he stutters, limps, and cries at night...as long as he both, is willing and produces.

 

[mattjames2010]

He's a football player. I don't care if he stutters, limps, and cries at night...as long as he both, is willing and produces.

Can't produce if that back has him on the sidelines often.

 

[xwalker]

Players I'm interested in the 2018 FA (obviously thing can change from now to then)

Ezekial Ansah
Jimmy Graham
Trumaine Johnson
Sheldon Richardson
Vontae Davis

Some decent players going into FA, not all will make it of course.

They won't sign a starting CB now, IMO.

Doubtful on Richardson because they like Collins and Irving.

Ansah is interesting. What's his injury history.

Graham would be interesting but the Cowboys don't like limited blocking ability TEs.

I wish they would sign a legit #1 WR instead of paying 16.5 million to Dez.

I would be happy with one big time outside free agent per year and just use minimum wage players instead of stop gaps like Carroll and Paea.

I don't see them both re-signing Lawrence and signing a DE like Ansah.