PFT: Dielman, Steinbach Have Deals in Hand?

[DCDave]

DIELMAN, STEINBACH HAVE DEALS IN HAND?

Our sources in Indy tell us that two of the top offensive linemen in free agency might already have deals in place with new teams.

If their agents are to be believed.

Per the source, the agents for Bengals lineman Eric Steinbach and Chargers lineman Kris Dielman are telling people that they plan to sign contracts worth $7 million per year on March 2, or shortly thereafter.

The three teams who were thought to be most interested in either of these two guys are the Texans, Browns, and Cowboys.

Though it wouldn't be much of a surprise to learn that contracts have been verbally negotiated before the start of free agency (since it happens every single year), the other possibility is that the agents are puffing as to either or both of these players, in the hopes that someone else will offer as much or more.

Either way, make no mistake about it -- free agency officially begins in six days; unofficially, it's already started.

(Link)

 

[sjordan6]

I am more apt to believe PFT than PFW but still I hope the Cowboys did sign Steibach moreso that Deilman because of versatility. I guess we will find out soon enough but woo hoo if they did sign one of them. I think signing Columbo would basically wrap up the line and look for playmakers and future starters in the draft.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Oh, please let the Steinbach one be true for us. ray2:

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Things are getting exciting.

 

[DCDave]

I am more apt to believe PFT than PFW but still I hope the Cowboys did sign Steibach moreso that Deilman because of versatility.

I agree about Steinbach's versatility. One thing to remember about him is that he would have been a left tackle at Iowa if they hadn't had Robert Gallery, and he spent some time at left tackle in Cincinnati behind Levi Jones, which means he could be the heir apparent to Flozell in a year or two.

 

[yesfan]

If those are the 3 choices, It certainly looks good for
us.True or not,i'm wishing.

 

[Yeagermeister]

ummmm isn't that tampering?

 

[sago1]

Don't think it's tampering if we talking to their agents. Also we haven't a clue whether this info on target or if the players' agents aren't trying to push up offers w/o actually haven't talked to any of the team. Besides FA is 5 days away and you might have noticed in other years how many players met on first day of FA with the team that eventually signed them.

 

[Alexander]

ummmm isn't that tampering?

Of course it is. And it happens every year.

Otherwise you wouldn't have some teams signing their free agents at the stroke of midnight at the onset of each period. It is very naive to believe it doesn't happen. Logically, it has to.

 

[sjordan6]

ummmm isn't that tampering?

I dont think so because these guys are free agents and not under contract. Kinda like being able to negotiate a contract if you have the number one pick I guess. Like the article says, this happens every year in Free Agency once the franchise deadline is over.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I dont think so because these guys are free agents and not under contract. Kinda like being able to negotiate a contract if you have the number one pick I guess. Like the article says, this happens every year in Free Agency once the franchise deadline is over.

They're technically not free agents until March 1, I believe. So yes, this would be tampering, even though it happens every year.

 

[sjordan6]

They're technically not free agents until March 1, I believe. So yes, this would be tampering, even though it happens every year.

Exactly! I figure that some things are tolerated if it is done within the spirit of the law, so to speak. If becoming a FA is just a matter of time then its ok to begin talking with teams privately about a contract.

Personally that number of $7 million seems pretty steep for a guard or tackle. I will be very surprise to hear Jerry pay that kind of money for a player who has not been to a pro bowl. Actually this will probably be our only addition on FA. Maybe an ILB like Donnie Edwards but I just dont see too much change.

 

[Sabu1]

Personally that number of $7 million seems pretty steep for a guard or tackle. I will be very surprise to hear Jerry pay that kind of money for a player who has not been to a pro bowl. Actually this will probably be our only addition on FA. Maybe an ILB like Donnie Edwards but I just dont see too much change.

I totally agree.

 

[5mics]

I am more apt to believe PFT than PFW but still I hope the Cowboys did sign Steibach moreso that Deilman because of versatility. I guess we will find out soon enough but woo hoo if they did sign one of them. I think signing Columbo would basically wrap up the line and look for playmakers and future starters in the draft.

My 1st choice in FA is Nate Clements-CB BUT if we wind up w/ Steinbach, I'd be very happy indeed...

 

[BLT]

wow great news if its true, i totally thought we were going to avoid free agency all together. good to see we might already have a major cog in place.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

ummmm isn't that tampering?

Yes it is. But it's the new Dan Snyder rule. While Tags was commish it was ok because he was a Skins fan. Don't know if Goodell is a Skins fan. So we might be in hot water or we may be grandfathered into the Snyder Rule, which basically says, if you want to do it go ahead and we will look away.

Ain't rules great????

 

[skinsscalper]

If I remember correctly, Jones did say that we would be agressive in FA this year (this was before Bill announced his retirement). This would fit into that line of thinking.

With that being said, I would think that Diehlman would be the more logical target. For one, I think he will come a little cheaper than Steinbach. And the other kicker is his familiarity with Phillips.

However, I'm not convinced that the Cowboys are going to go after any of the "sexy" names in FA. It's possible that they go after one of these guys, but not a given. There's a lot of hope around here that we'll target 2-3 big names in FA. I don't see it happening. One would be shocking to me. The dreams of Clements and Thomas and Steinbach just aren't going to materialize. I just hope that we get a solid O-lineman in FA and have a solid draft (without the wildcat reaches and the "draft for need" mentaltity. Take the BPA or trade down).

SS

 

[dallasfaniac]

So PFT has effectively provided themselves a safe outlet. If they sign a 7 million dollar contract right after the start of Free Agency they look like geniuses, if they don't then the agents were trying to get pump up the contracts.

 

[sjordan6]

My 1st choice in FA is Nate Clements-CB BUT if we wind up w/ Steinbach, I'd be very happy indeed...[/quote

Clements would be great...Thomas from the Ravens would be great...Steinbach...Deilman...and a few others would be perfect to get but you have to be realistic about what you will get as opposed to what you want or even can get.

They Cowboys want and can get all those Free Agents above because they have the cap space and lukewarm needs at some positions and hot need at others. But as I mentioned the difference is what can you realistically expect them to get.

Clements would cost wayyyyyy too much money to sign when you have all three of your CB returning. Yes the secondary was at times shaky but you have invested too much money into them to bring in someone else and experiment with Henry at Safety with no guarantees but contract money spent.

Realistically we "will" be able to get Steibach or Deilman. There really is a hot need for guard because of the poor play of Rivera, his age, back surgeries, and relative manageable cap hit. The Cowboys know that Rivera would be a liablility next season and probably would have to depend on rookie or first year starter like Procter. So it makes sense to sign an experience FA to a big contract and pretty much live with what you have at other position.

Like Mickey always says, you cant have a steak at every position and sometimes you need guys to step up and play their roles. THis Cowboys team is actually a pretty good team that simply did not play up to their potential. You have about 6 first rounders on defense and only a couple on offense. My point is the defense should be able to play better and adding more money to the cap is not the solution. Its the scheme, coaching, and motivation to win. Not the players!

Offense is a different story because you have so many who are over 30 and yet still was able to score alot of points. The running game had numbers but rarely was able to establish a presence against anybody. The passing game put up points but our receivers were never really dominate and too often Romo had to create plays with his feet rather than set plays. Too often teams were able to take T.O. out of the game with double coverage.

Again its not the players (except Rivera) but the scheme, coaching, and motivation.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Exactly! I figure that some things are tolerated if it is done within the spirit of the law, so to speak. If becoming a FA is just a matter of time then its ok to begin talking with teams privately about a contract.

Personally that number of $7 million seems pretty steep for a guard or tackle. I will be very surprise to hear Jerry pay that kind of money for a player who has not been to a pro bowl. Actually this will probably be our only addition on FA. Maybe an ILB like Donnie Edwards but I just dont see too much change.

It most certainly isn't within the spirit of the law since the law is designed to create an even playing field. Would a sprinter getting a headstart in a footrace be within the spirit of the "no head starts" rule?

On edit: obviously the law is also designed as well to give teams a chance to retain their own free agents. So I see how you could make a spirit-of-the-law argument if both sides are resigned that there will be no agreement. But my above point still applies.