Nice job jerry

[AKATheRake]

That's true. Everything I've read is they really like Matt Johnson and figured Allen would be easier to beat out than Michael Huff.

So while Allen could be the starter, there will def be competion at the spot.

:signmast:

 

[ChooChoo73]

Jerry's actions as GM this offseason have been laughable IMO. The contract actions for Ratliff, Austin and the franchising of Spencer are embarassing. I also wonder if Will Allen is this years' Brodney Pool. Letting Spencer go, cutting or trading Austin and Ratliff would give this team a much better financial outlook for this and next year and all of those overvalued players could be replaced with sufficient if not the same production.

Laurent Robinson and Josh Brent have shown that we can replace Austin and Ratliff. They both played just as well for the Cowboys and they did so in part because thye had the benefits of Romo and Ware respectively taking some of the pressure off of them.

As for Spencer, he is an unproven 10 million dollar 4-3 end. Avril, Abraham and Bennett all are significantly cheaper and proven.

 

[DenCWBY]

I think Free is only on the team because there is no benefit to releasing him now versus releasing him on June 2nd. It gives the team some time to try and get a pay cut negotiated.

As far as trading up for Lane, he's probably going to go in the top 10 and there is no way we can afford this. This is especially true when Parnell showed he is at least as good as Free. We can win games with Parnell and he is likely to continue to improve by leaps and bounds given how raw he is in football experience. He has all the tools - you might argue his tools are as good as Tyron but they are just not as well known since he didn't go to the Combine. I'd actually probably rather trade up for Cooper but realistically we don't have the firepower to trade up for anyone given our holes on the roster.

As far as DTs, that is the strength of the draft. While it is true we have two quality players in Rat and Hatcher, both of them are over 31 and neither one has been the picture of health. Rat missed most of last year and there is little reason to expect him to be healthier as he ages He absorbed too much abuse from playing NT for too many snaps for his body to hold up. He is done and I'm upset that his contract was restructured as it will only create further barriers to release him in the future. We would have been in the drivers seat right now if we hadn't extended him as his contract would have expired at the end of last season. So I really think DT is a position that should be addressed in the first two rounds this year. DTs are extremely important in this defense and this draft is full of quality ones and we would be silly not to grab one. If Cooper is off the board our best decision may be to trade down if the big 3 are gone to the end of the first for an early 3rd or late 2nd and draft one of the guys who is still there (?Williams, Jenkins, Short).

This team could compete if the chips all fall into place but I still believe this to be an unlikely scenario. I believe that Rat is done and Ware might not be far behind. We have very little depth on the roster to make up for those kinds of losses. We have very little cap space available to patch it with mid-tier vets. We basically need a HR draft, excellent health, above average OL play from a far below average group of players and a career season from Romo.

I actually believe it will be very hard for us to ever compete with a hard cap with Jerry in charge. The only way it'll ever work is the scouts knock it out of hte park every year because otherwise Jerry will be inclined to continue to overpay all his declining vets with frontloaded contracts with lots of upfront money only to get stuck with restructured deals which creates lots of dead money on the cap which handcuffs the team in the future. The same scenario plays out every year. We were cap handcuffed for two years only for Jerry to blow it on a group of pretty mediocre players in the 2011 season/2012 offseason (Carr, Livings, Bernardeau, Connor, Sensy, Oscan, Vickers). The only one of those players who is a quality starter is Carr and we gave him eight figures. That is a blueprint designed for failure. That is why we fail every year. That is why we will find ourselves unable to extend our core players when the time comes in the next couple of years.

Sadly our only hope is for something bad to happen to Jerry and cause him to give up the GM position. We also need for Stephen to realize he is in over his head and hire someone to handle the GM job and step away from negotiating the contracts where he is an abject failure at delivering value.

Unfortunately I agree. Esp your last paragraph. Sorry but old "Glory Hole" is a great owner but a terrible GM. I hope to be wrong but with his hands at the reigns and his history I think our odds are worse to make it to the dance and we need all the help and luck we can get from every corner of this organization to compete for the playoffs.

 

[CowboyStar88]

While I have been pretty harsh on Romo and was pretty upset with the extension he got and now losing all hope of picking up Landry jones in the draft, I have looked at things a bit more clearly here. I am okay with what Romo got paid based on the market value he is a good QB with some flaws and I hope that he will correct those this offseason. Maybe with DEZ coming on as he did last year it will help Romo in trusting the fact that DEZ will make the play for him it's something that has been missing in Romo's game. There hasn't been a WR that will go up and bail Romo out. I really wanted us to go get Landry Jones in the draft and let him sit behind Romo for a year or 2 I think this kid has the tools to be this generations Aikman, but I am afraid we just don't value using draft picks on QB's which is why we will always be middle of the pack.

Now I have liked what they have done so far with FA. Reason why is I really like the Durrant and Sims singings I think they were great and just made that position a huge strength for the team. I am cool with the Allen signing it's good depth and a quality player who knows the system and has started in this league which is what we missed last year once we lost Church. I fully believe Costa will be the C this year and will have a very solid year. This guy is very smart and has the tools to be a good one you saw it in the limited time he played last year. For everyone complaining about free they fail to realize that cutting him now does nothing for this team so why do it? I do think Parnell will be the starter there and I do like how he has developed and he will continue to develope. I believe the wild card for the offseason is Mr. Ron Leary I have a gut feeling this guy is gonna battle for the guard spot this year. I am far from a happy fan, but I do see the positives in what this team has done. I believe we will target a Safety, DT, Guard and a RB, WR in this draft. I am excited about what's to come.

 

[tupperware]

They must of added an extra cup of sugar to the Kool-Aid this year.

 

[CowboyStar88]

Jerry's actions as GM this offseason have been laughable IMO. The contract actions for Ratliff, Austin and the franchising of Spencer are embarassing. I also wonder if Will Allen is this years' Brodney Pool. Letting Spencer go, cutting or trading Austin and Ratliff would give this team a much better financial outlook for this and next year and all of those overvalued players could be replaced with sufficient if not the same production.

Laurent Robinson and Josh Brent have shown that we can replace Austin and Ratliff. They both played just as well for the Cowboys and they did so in part because thye had the benefits of Romo and Ware respectively taking some of the pressure off of them.

As for Spencer, he is an unproven 10 million dollar 4-3 end. Avril, Abraham and Bennett all are significantly cheaper and proven.

Considering Brent won't be playing this year your point is rather moot. Austin still commands attention and will allow Harris to work underneath. Austin is still under 30 so what's the deal? I can agree with the Ratliff deal I do believe he is way over paid at this stage in his career. How is Spencer unproven as a 4-3 end? He was an unproven OLB when drafted. He was a 4-3 end in before the switch. Hopefully Dallas will re-sign Spencer at a cap friendly deal for the next 4 years. As far as Robinson is concerned he isn't coming back and may never play football again.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

...Sadly our only hope is for something bad to happen to Jerry and cause him to give up the GM position. We also need for Stephen to realize he is in over his head and hire someone to handle the GM job and step away from negotiating the contracts where he is an abject failure at delivering value.

"Our?" Perhaps your only hope, don't include me as a fan in "your" only hope.

And, how about you telling us which GM you want? Jets ex-GM is available. You want him? Have you seen the Jets roster? This same Gm thought it was wise to guarantee Sanchez $24M over the next two years and bring Tebow in and dump WR Cruz (IIRC) several years ago and numerous other moronic decisions. How about Cleveland's ex-GM or KC's ex-GM? And what does it say about all those GMs who had worse records last year than Jerry Jones?

Bottom line: Jerry assembled a team with enough talent to compete in a league with a hard salary cap. If you are looking to blame, I suggest starting with the players, coaches, or just bad luck injuries before getting to the GM.

Stephen Jones has managed the cap pretty well if you ask me. Especially when you factor in the bogus penalty. In all fairness, the Cowboys should have had $15M more these past two years. That money would have went a long way. The cap penalty was totally unexpected and unfair. No way Stephen could have or should have considered that possibility while negotiating contracts 3-4-5 years ago.

 

[ChooChoo73]

Considering Brent won't be playing this year your point is rather moot. Austin still commands attention and will allow Harris to work underneath. Austin is still under 30 so what's the deal? I can agree with the Ratliff deal I do believe he is way over paid at this stage in his career. How is Spencer unproven as a 4-3 end? He was an unproven OLB when drafted. He was a 4-3 end in before the switch. Hopefully Dallas will re-sign Spencer at a cap friendly deal for the next 4 years. As far as Robinson is concerned he isn't coming back and may never play football again.

Brent point I made is to show we can find someone to replace Ratliff's production. He was good when he played as was Robinson. As for Austin, our #2 reciever is paid as a #1. The ripple effect from that is to be bottom-of-the-barrel on the offensive line and other spots. I have no issue with Austin but that is a spot we can save cap space and still have decent production. What I want to do is convert the excessive cap space spent on the #2 pass rusher, #2 WR into resources for the positions where we don't even have functional talent such as safety, OG, C, and RT.

Remember, Dez and Lee will come knocking soon. We need to find cap space.

 

[Nightman]

Brent point I made is to show we can find someone to replace Ratliff's production. He was good when he played as was Robinson. As for Austin, our #2 reciever is paid as a #1. The ripple effect from that is to be bottom-of-the-barrel on the offensive line and other spots. I have no issue with Austin but that is a spot we can save cap space and still have decent production. What I want to do is convert the excessive cap space spent on the #2 pass rusher, #2 WR into resources for the positions where we don't even have functional talent such as safety, OG, C, and RT.

Remember, Dez and Lee will come knocking soon. We need to find cap space.

Austin has been our #1 WR for 3 1/2 years. His contract is fine and his injuries are greatly exaggerated. Bryant finally broke out last year and will replace Austin as our number 1, right as Miles' contract is winding down. Ratliff was always hurt because he took a pounding as an under-sized NT in the 3-4. He will be better in the 4-3 and healthy. The OL is one or two draft picks or FAs away from being a lot better. Free killed us last year and the whole unit was decimated by injuries. Romo still threw for 5000 yds.

 

[The Quest for Six]

They must of added an extra cup of sugar to the Kool-Aid this year.

At least!

 

[CowboyStar88]

Brent point I made is to show we can find someone to replace Ratliff's production. He was good when he played as was Robinson. As for Austin, our #2 reciever is paid as a #1. The ripple effect from that is to be bottom-of-the-barrel on the offensive line and other spots. I have no issue with Austin but that is a spot we can save cap space and still have decent production. What I want to do is convert the excessive cap space spent on the #2 pass rusher, #2 WR into resources for the positions where we don't even have functional talent such as safety, OG, C, and RT.

Remember, Dez and Lee will come knocking soon. We need to find cap space.

We will be getting our cap space back and not hit with the penalty that was handed down because of Mara and his cry baby ways. If I am not mistaken Austins cap figure isn't very high now and he is still productive so I don't believe he is being paid like a "1". When he was handed his contract he came off a monster year and was still young and we had no other WR's. Dez came and changed how that looks now. DEZ right now even though he is the #1 isn't being paid as a "1" so it kind of washes itself out if that makes sense. Once free is unloaded after June 1 they cap will look a lot different and allow them to carry that over into the following year. I don't think the future outlook is going to be as terrible as you think. I am by no means a happy fan, but I will say if Spencer gets a 4 year deal at a decent amount the cap really does start to look better. Imagine if we had that 5 mil this year a long with cutting Free in June how nice the cap would look.

 

[blackbull]

Lol at will Allen starting for anybody. Hahaha.

 

[lwehlers]

i also have no faith in jones. he will screw this draft up. jones will try to trade around and get some guy that will not be able to play this year. on the bright side maybe signing allen who is just a backup player that the coaching staff thinks that johnson can be a future starter.

 

[xwalker]

We will be getting our cap space back and not hit with the penalty that was handed down because of Mara and his cry baby ways. If I am not mistaken Austins cap figure isn't very high now and he is still productive so I don't believe he is being paid like a "1". When he was handed his contract he came off a monster year and was still young and we had no other WR's. Dez came and changed how that looks now. DEZ right now even though he is the #1 isn't being paid as a "1" so it kind of washes itself out if that makes sense.

Austin's cap hit(s):

2013 $3,588,400
2014 $8,248,400
2015 $9,636,400
2016 $12,558,400

Based on his inability to stay healthy and escalating cap hits, it would be good to have his replacement ready by 2014.

 

[xwalker]

As for Spencer, he is an unproven 10 million dollar 4-3 end. Avril, Abraham and Bennett all are significantly cheaper and proven.

Spencer will be playing the Strong-Side DE position in Kiffin's defense. Run defense is critical at that position.

In 2012 Avril had 35 tackles in 16 games ( 2.18 per game average)

In 2012 Abraham had 35 tackles in 16 games ( 2.18 per game average)

In 2012 Spencer had 95 tackles in 14 games ( 6.79 per game average)

Many experts believe that Avril is a Weak-Side only DE in Kiffin's scheme. That is Ware's position.

Bennett was cheap because he has a major shoulder injury.

 

[TwoDeep3]

When the team hits the field and they play even pre-season games, then it will tell us what the team did and how successful it will be.

Of course there will be those that believe pre-season is no indicator and the stats sheets will come out.

But on paper is how the Commanders have been the Super Bowl Champs throughout the 90's and into the 2000's.

Before anointing anyone, why not wait and see?

 

[CowboyStar88]

Austin's cap hit(s):

2013 $3,588,400
2014 $8,248,400
2015 $9,636,400
2016 $12,558,400

Based on his inability to stay healthy and escalating cap hits, it would be good to have his replacement ready by 2014.

If they cut him after this year what will the deal look like? Will it put us in cap hell? or are these fluff years that he will never see?

 

[Doomsay]

I have to say I love the approach jerry is taking. For those that think the Jones family is clueless. I think they flipped all of you the bird. Very successfull fa, durant , sims, Spencer, Allen. Then restructuring romo. Essentially giving romo a new 4 yr deal. With a few fluff yrs he probably won't see. And if he does he would've earned it.

Dallas needs a good draft and this team is contending. I think free still being on the team is a sign that Dallas is targeting tackle in the the draft. If the felt comfortable with Parnell free would be gone by now. I wouldn't be suprised typo see a trade up for Lane if he drops enough that it doesn't cost much to move up. Or the team just drafting fluker in rd1. I can't see any dt in this draft that could be available to Dallas that would impact more than Ratliff or hatcher. Depth is fine but this team needs a starting safety before DT.

I'm getting excited for this yr. I think this team is going to suprise alot of people

How did Jerry flip anybody the Bird? I'm glad that he got rid of a few obvious players, but this team isn't substantially different from last year at this point, at least on a personnel basis. Hopefully he has a good draft, but I doubt that if he does, he will feel inclined to rub it in, because we would all welcome a good draft.

 

[xwalker]

If they cut him after this year what will the deal look like? Will it put us in cap hell? or are these fluff years that he will never see?

Austin

2014 cap hit:

Keep: 8.2M

Cut (after June 1st): 3.9M

If he stays completely healthy in 2013, then I could see them keeping him in 2014; however, is he continues to be in and out with injury, then I think they will cut him.

 

[CyberB0b]

If they cut him after this year what will the deal look like? Will it put us in cap hell? or are these fluff years that he will never see?

I am no guru like these guys, but we will have to eat a sizeable cap hit to cut him.