CowboysLaw87
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I don't usually get too caught up in these things, but my boss is out today and I have some time to kill... Here's my realistic offseason plan that may not blow the doors down and net us a ring in 2014, but would certainly be a great step in the right direction.
Pre-Free Agency:
1) Cut RT Doug Free (designate June 1)
- Welp, this is easy. Free up (get it?) 7M in cap space this year. We'll be looking for younger/cheaper alternatives to either compete with Parnell for the RT job, or with Weems for the "swing" tackle spot on game day. I'll say, I have hope for Parnell. The fact that he's only played OT for a couple full seasons and he filled in admirably for Tyron at LT and competed neck-and-neck with Free at RT those last few games is impressive for such an inexperienced player. I think he has the physical tools and work ethic (I hear he's at VR every day working out... one of the hardest workers on the team) to be at least a solid RT for us.
2) Cut OG Nate Livings (designate June 1)
- Livings wasn't good, and doesn't fit our scheme. The Callahan-influenced rushing attack we're about to see is one that relies heavily on the zone blocking scheme. This requires quicker, more athletic OL that can get into position to wall off defenders, get to the perimeter, and to the 2nd level. Livings is more of a drive-blocker that excels in a booth.
3) Cut LB Dan Connor
- Also easy. He's overpaid and underperforms. He simply doesn't have the speed Monte wants in his LB's. I think we're fine letting the bigger/faster/younger/cheaper candidates (Albright and Wilber) duke it out for the starting SOLB spot.
4) Extend QB Tony Romo- 5 years, 62.5M
- We simply have a better chance to go all the way by supporting Romo with more help, rather than find his replacement and start from near scratch IMO. He hasn't had a good OL in a few seasons. When he has (2007, 2009), he's been very good. We also need to spread his cap impact over more years. No brainer. And I think the 14.5M/year average is about right. The very top guys are getting around 20M/year... with Flacco, Ryan and others outperforming him this year (in wins mostly), I don't think he's got more leverage than this number suggests.
5) Restructure Carr, Miles, Ware, Witten
- Free up a little room. But just a little. Let's not push too much money back so as to hinder our ability to do things in the future. The NFL Salary Cap is expected to jump in 2014, however, so I'm not at all opposed to doing this.
6) Franchise DE Anthony Spencer
- I have no interest in signing a 29-year old to a 12M/year contract. I also have no interest in losing a guy as good as Spencer for nothing. So franchise him and try to work a reasonable extension (5 years, 40M), but if that can't happen (and I don't expect it to), then at least we can leverage a bit from a team that wants him bad enough. There are a bunch of team transitioning to a 3-4 and Spencer would be a MAJOR get for them. I don't think a team like New Orleans would be phased by parting ways with a pick or 2 for the chance at signing him.
Free Agency:
1) OG/C Ryan Lilja- 4 years, 12.5M
- Here's a guy with extensive starting experience at both OG and C for the Colts and Chiefs. He's missed just 3 games in the last 5 years with 111 career starts. He's not big (6'2, 290) or young (31) but his price tag isn't huge and he offers lots of versatility, comfort in a ZBS, and veteran leadership. Where I'd play him would be dependent on the draft and what seems to fit right early on in camp.
2) DE Michael Johnson- 6 years, 54M
- This is a stud. This is also very close to (or equal to) Spencer money. But the guy is 3 years younger, has played in a 4-3 at DE at a very high level, and has incredible length at the position (6'7") that is crucial for stringing out the read option we'll see so often in our division. I would simply rather give Johnson the money over Spencer.
Draft:
- On draft day, we trade Spencer to New Orleans for their 3rd and 4th round picks (#75 and #106 overall).
1(18)- Shariff Floyd DT Florida
2(37)- TRADE (#47 + #106)- Johnathan Cyrien S FIU
3(75)- Justin Pugh OT/OG Syracuse
3(80)- Tank Carradine DE Florida State
4(111)- Mike Gillislee RB Florida
5, 6- BPA
Thoughts?
Pre-Free Agency:
1) Cut RT Doug Free (designate June 1)
- Welp, this is easy. Free up (get it?) 7M in cap space this year. We'll be looking for younger/cheaper alternatives to either compete with Parnell for the RT job, or with Weems for the "swing" tackle spot on game day. I'll say, I have hope for Parnell. The fact that he's only played OT for a couple full seasons and he filled in admirably for Tyron at LT and competed neck-and-neck with Free at RT those last few games is impressive for such an inexperienced player. I think he has the physical tools and work ethic (I hear he's at VR every day working out... one of the hardest workers on the team) to be at least a solid RT for us.
2) Cut OG Nate Livings (designate June 1)
- Livings wasn't good, and doesn't fit our scheme. The Callahan-influenced rushing attack we're about to see is one that relies heavily on the zone blocking scheme. This requires quicker, more athletic OL that can get into position to wall off defenders, get to the perimeter, and to the 2nd level. Livings is more of a drive-blocker that excels in a booth.
3) Cut LB Dan Connor
- Also easy. He's overpaid and underperforms. He simply doesn't have the speed Monte wants in his LB's. I think we're fine letting the bigger/faster/younger/cheaper candidates (Albright and Wilber) duke it out for the starting SOLB spot.
4) Extend QB Tony Romo- 5 years, 62.5M
- We simply have a better chance to go all the way by supporting Romo with more help, rather than find his replacement and start from near scratch IMO. He hasn't had a good OL in a few seasons. When he has (2007, 2009), he's been very good. We also need to spread his cap impact over more years. No brainer. And I think the 14.5M/year average is about right. The very top guys are getting around 20M/year... with Flacco, Ryan and others outperforming him this year (in wins mostly), I don't think he's got more leverage than this number suggests.
5) Restructure Carr, Miles, Ware, Witten
- Free up a little room. But just a little. Let's not push too much money back so as to hinder our ability to do things in the future. The NFL Salary Cap is expected to jump in 2014, however, so I'm not at all opposed to doing this.
6) Franchise DE Anthony Spencer
- I have no interest in signing a 29-year old to a 12M/year contract. I also have no interest in losing a guy as good as Spencer for nothing. So franchise him and try to work a reasonable extension (5 years, 40M), but if that can't happen (and I don't expect it to), then at least we can leverage a bit from a team that wants him bad enough. There are a bunch of team transitioning to a 3-4 and Spencer would be a MAJOR get for them. I don't think a team like New Orleans would be phased by parting ways with a pick or 2 for the chance at signing him.
Free Agency:
1) OG/C Ryan Lilja- 4 years, 12.5M
- Here's a guy with extensive starting experience at both OG and C for the Colts and Chiefs. He's missed just 3 games in the last 5 years with 111 career starts. He's not big (6'2, 290) or young (31) but his price tag isn't huge and he offers lots of versatility, comfort in a ZBS, and veteran leadership. Where I'd play him would be dependent on the draft and what seems to fit right early on in camp.
2) DE Michael Johnson- 6 years, 54M
- This is a stud. This is also very close to (or equal to) Spencer money. But the guy is 3 years younger, has played in a 4-3 at DE at a very high level, and has incredible length at the position (6'7") that is crucial for stringing out the read option we'll see so often in our division. I would simply rather give Johnson the money over Spencer.
Draft:
- On draft day, we trade Spencer to New Orleans for their 3rd and 4th round picks (#75 and #106 overall).
1(18)- Shariff Floyd DT Florida
2(37)- TRADE (#47 + #106)- Johnathan Cyrien S FIU
3(75)- Justin Pugh OT/OG Syracuse
3(80)- Tank Carradine DE Florida State
4(111)- Mike Gillislee RB Florida
5, 6- BPA
Thoughts?
