Predict the FA Mindset

[DasSchnitzel]

I'm detecting a touch of impatience across the board, like people want the Cowboys to already be making moves they can't actually make until free agency begins.

It's easy now to sit around and say we never do anything in FA, but this is our first year with lots of space, the DLaw situation is coming to a head, etc. Normally I wouldn't predict a big start, as they've been frugal to get to this point.

This year, I dont know what to expect. They seem to be considering win-now mode, and they might only be one "win-now" offseason from a SB run, like we've seen many teams do this last decade.

I wouldn't be surprised by another quiet start that locks us into overpaying DLaw. But this year, I also wouldn't be surprised by early fireworks like a trade of DLaw for picks followed by a high profile, cheaper DL signing and a safety, ET or any of a number of more affordable, great options.

I expect something in the middle is most likely. More aggressive than usual, but still sticking to their principles. For example, I think we'll see more "bridge players", but in the 5 to 10M range instead of the 2 to 4M range. I think there will also be an attempt to trade DLaw and recover a 1st round pick, which I expect will fail.

So I'm not asking you to predict what the Cowboys will do, but in general, what do you think their approach will be, or their intensity/aggressiveness, when the talk is over and 2019 Free Agency opens up?

 

[Carson]

I believe are a little more aggressive than years past.

I think we land a top tier guy, then play it cool the rear of FA

 

[Risen Star]

They don't have principles. That's giving this front office way too much credit. Those guys are idiots. They simply have been mentally scarred into inactivity from so many personnel mistakes over the years. They've gone from one extreme to the other because that vast area in the middle would require them being legit and identifying value on the market. They have no ability to do that.

 

[Rayman70]

going to be aggressive from the start of FA.

 

[Teague31]

One word. Cheap.

 

[JayFord]

I think it’ll be more of the same

I just can’t see us signing impact players, but not just impact players players who can contribute that’s why people are restless because even if we don’t sign ET we can sign tyrann or Joyner....but we won’t

I see us signing udfa and 7th rounders I think that’s the mindset

 

[StarBoyz83]

Slow and will only get cheap backup types like usual.

 

[DasSchnitzel]

They don't have principles. That's giving this front office way too much credit. Those guys are idiots. They simply have been mentally scarred into inactivity from so many personnel mistakes over the years. They've gone from one extreme to the other because that vast area in the middle would require them being legit and identifying value on the market. They have no ability to do that.

So, I hear you and I get why you have this opinion.

Our core difference I think, from what I see here, is that you see them as being stuck in inactivity, and I see them as having made a 5 year commitment to frugality to get to this point.

So in a way the big test for my viewpoint is this offseason. If they're still inactive now that the space has ballooned, then I'll start moving towards your line of thought.

I can't claim to know for sure if I'm watching a really smart fixing of the cap in small time, or just frozen inactivity like you said.

 

[DasSchnitzel]

Slow and will only get cheap backup types like usual.

Its their strategy of using bridge players. The key is that it now needs to evolve with the cap space payoffs its provided.

At first the bridge players were always bottom of the bargain bin guys signing for 1.5M guaranteed and another sum available on incentives. Usually around 1.5 to 2M, but some were higher, like Greg Hardy's 13M deal that had like 11M in incentives.

That approach sealed holes long enough to find longer term answers in the draft without ever adding much dead money or cap hit. It took about 5 years to pay off but our cap space finally exploded this year and is just absurd next year. We've franchise tagged a guy and still have 20M, do not forget what the late 2000s early 2010s were like.

Now with the cap space so big, the bridge player strategy still works, but now it can be, has to be, more expensive. We can start temporarily plugging holes with guys worth 5 to 7M now because our cap space is that healthy.

It's cool to think that our one year rentals can now be just a step below the higher profile signings and its sustainable, its not kicking money down the road.

It all goes out the window if deals like DLaw aren't handled well. Im really moving hard to the "trade him or worst case dont re-sign him" camp.

 

[charron]

Stephen will talk to everyone in FA then sign the cheapest possible and say they tried but nobody worth a dam would play for free.

 

[Risen Star]

So, I hear you and I get why you have this opinion.

Our core difference I think, from what I see here, is that you see them as being stuck in inactivity, and I see them as having made a 5 year commitment to frugality to get to this point.

So in a way the big test for my viewpoint is this offseason. If they're still inactive now that the space has ballooned, then I'll start moving towards your line of thought.

I can't claim to know for sure if I'm watching a really smart fixing of the cap in small time, or just frozen inactivity like you said.

The fact that you leave open the possibility that I am wrong infuriates me.

 

[Sydla]

They don't have principles. That's giving this front office way too much credit. Those guys are idiots. They simply have been mentally scarred into inactivity from so many personnel mistakes over the years. They've gone from one extreme to the other because that vast area in the middle would require them being legit and identifying value on the market. They have no ability to do that.

It’s clear they simply struggle at assessing and evaluating current NFL talent and their value.

At least to any non-homer fan that has been paying attention.

 

[DasSchnitzel]

The fact that you leave open the possibility that I am wrong infuriates me.

I'm sorry, I tried to be courteous.

There's a possibility we're both wrong if you ask me. I view this year as the experiment which answers a question I've had for years - what would they do when their frugality paid off and the cap ballooned.

I'm not one for hypotheticals, I make observations and wait for more evidence to observe and keep expanding my take on the matter.

 

[TheDank]

We resign our guys including an eventual long term deal for Dlaw that most think is an overpay but ends up being probably about right in the market if his health holds up and probably a similar deal with Dak, hopefully a little lighter than market value on guaranteed money.

Before we sign those deals we add one mid to upper tier FA, maybe Landon Collins or Thomas or a rotational DT like Philon or Malik Jackson. Other than that low tier FAs to fulfill rolls/holes so we can go BPA in the draft as we have been.

 

[reddyuta]

Frankly we are getting dicked around by father and son.Jerry is sounding like he wants to go all in but his cheapskate son is still signing scrubs DTs.

 

[Risen Star]

It’s clear they simply struggle at assessing and evaluating current NFL talent and their value.

At least to any non-homer fan that has been paying attention.

And they overrate their own talent. It's one of their biggest sins.

 

[davey999]

Bargain hunting.

 

[DasSchnitzel]

And they overrate their own talent. It's one of their biggest sins.

Is it the talent they overrate or is it the loyalty and intangibles?

Like do they actually think someone such as Crawford is super talented or are they just so in love with the intangibles that they dont think a talent upgrade is needed?

 

[Risen Star]

Is it the talent they overrate or is it the loyalty and intangibles?

Like do they actually think someone such as Crawford is super talented or are they just so in love with the intangibles that they dont think a talent upgrade is needed?

Probably both but you can't use just the loyalty excuse for the slop they started the season with last year at the skill positions. I hate Dak Prescott like he molested my Mother but he had no chance throwing to the garbage that took the field in the opener. That was a clear case of an inability to evaluate talent.

 

[JayFord]

Probably both but you can't use just the loyalty excuse for the slop they started the season with last year at the skill positions.
I hate Dak Prescott like he molested my Mother
but he had no chance throwing to the garbage that took the field in the opener. That was a clear case of an inability to evaluate talent.

I’m just going to assume you’re not the biggest Prescott fan