News: ST: Leary looking forward to free agency after showing he can still play

[rockj7]

Well, we know who won't be returning next year..

Hello Comp pick 2018 ( contingent on what we do in FA mind you)

 

[lqmac1]

Guard Ron Leary is disappointed with the sudden end to the Dallas Cowboys season. But he can’t deny it proved to a fruitful and potentially profitable season season for him. … Click to Continue »

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I didn't like the fact that he didn't say he'd like to be back here next year when the reporter asked him the question. Clearly he's looking to move on. Good riddance, brosef.

 

[StarBoyz83]

But that would just be for 2017. In 2018 we would have a LOT of cap to play with-- especially if Witten and Scandrick retire by then as well. However-- we also have decisions to be made about Martin and obviously Dak and Zeke, so that "cap space" is pretty much already used up lol...

They'll be searching every option when it's time to sign dak lol. Going to be like 25-30 mil a year.

 

[Hawkeye19]

They'll be searching every option when it's time to sign dak lol. Going to be like 25-30 mil a year.

Yep-- and he'll be worth every penny

 

[LittleD]

Guys, you need to appreciate what Leary did for the Cowboys over the last 4 years. He has
kept quiet and did his job well. His knee has held up and he improved each year. He's
not making much money and he needs to get a contract to set up his family for life. He has
done nothing to disgrace his time with the Cowboys and if the Cowboys wanted him back, he
could be signed. He has done nothing wrong and deserves the payday he's likely to get.
Wish him well.

 

[John813]

I mean it was going to be a pipe dream to retain Leary and make sure the offensive line doesn't take up a lot of cap.
We got Martin to re-sign soonish, and then we got to figure out the right tackle spot. Not to mention the defensive side of the squad needs some help, which may require some FA money.

Collins may not have the mean streak in him, but he has a higher ceiling and is cheap for next year. Not the wisest move to keep Leary when we got other holes to fill and we have a suitable replacement behind him.

 

[romothesavior]

I didn't like the fact that he didn't say he'd like to be back here next year when the reporter asked him the question. Clearly he's looking to move on. Good riddance, brosef.

I would have expected "I'd love to be back, but we'll see what happens" or something along those lines. He must know he's got no shot of starting over Collins, and there's no shot of Collins being moved to RT, which leaves him as odd man out.

 

[Stash]

I hope this is enough for fans to finally realize the inconvenient truth that Leary won't be back next year.

But I've noticed that it's a back and forth about Leary vs La'el Collins and zero mention of Jonathan Cooper possibly factoring into that left guard position?

I think his late-season signing could definitely enter into that equation.

 

[Stash]

I would have expected "I'd love to be back, but we'll see what happens" or something along those lines. He must know he's got no shot of starting over Collins, and there's no shot of Collins being moved to RT, which leaves him as odd man out.

What there's "no shot" of is Dallas paying him as much money as another team will. And that's his sole priority at this point, earning as much money as he can, now that he's finally reached unrestricted free agency.

 

[BAZ]

but Collins ceiling is higher and it's not debatable.

BS

 

[WoodysGirl]

I hope this is enough for fans to finally realize the inconvenient truth that Leary won't be back next year.

But I've noticed that it's a back and forth about Leary vs La'el Collins and zero mention of Jonathan Cooper possibly factoring into that left guard position?

I think his late-season signing could definitely enter into that equation.

Cooper, the guy who was only signed through the playoffs? That ended only after one game? *sniff*

Meh, no guarantees he's returning. He may get on somewhere else.

 

[Stash]

Cooper, the guy who was only signed through the playoffs? That ended only after one game? *sniff*

Meh, no guarantees he's returning. He may get on somewhere else.

Not much of anything is guaranteed, is it?

Cooper is still on the team's roster until the start of the new league year and I expect there will be conversations regarding staying here with an opportunity to fill Leary's roster spot.

Considering how and when they signed him, it obviously wasn't done to be an immediate contributor. In fact, Cooper was inactive for Sunday's game against Green Bay. That being the case, the alternative is that they wanted the opportunity to work with him and get to know him up close and personally.

If you've read any of Jerry Jones' quotes about him, he makes it abundantly clear that they loved him during that draft and were heartbroken when Arizona drafted him before they could.

And while there are certainly "no guarantees", I definitely expect the team to make an effort to keep Cooper around and unless another team inexplicably makes him a big money offer, I think the chances of him returning are pretty good.

What's certain is that a player looking to rejuvenate his career couldn't ask for a better spot to step into than between two Pro Bowlers in Smith and Frederick.

 

[chicago JK]

Leary is going to get a contract that will be too rich for Dallas. He has been real solid and came in a produced when Collins got hurt after losing his starting job. He may even be a better player than Collins is at this point in his career. Collins youth, upside and low salary are the reason he will win out over Leary.

Regardless, Leary was an excellent find getting him as an undrafted free agent and getting several good years out of him.

 

[AbeBeta]

Does anyone know how much dough we will have without Romo or Carr under contract?

Romo will clear about five million this year. Carr doesn't clear anything as his deal is expired. We could spread Tony's 20 mill in dead cap over two years but there isn't much benefit there. The dead cap is already less than the cost to keep him.

The real reason we can't spend on Leary is that we've got a guy on the other side who is going to become the highest paid guard in the league this offseason. (And please no one start telling me we can wait - we did big deals after year 3 for Smith and Fred)

 

[Hawkeye19]

BS

Collins is a better athlete than Leary. Right now Leary is the more technically proficient player.

La'el is just a pup. Guy is gonna be a monster.

 

[lqmac1]

I would have expected "I'd love to be back, but we'll see what happens" or something along those lines. He must know he's got no shot of starting over Collins, and there's no shot of Collins being moved to RT, which leaves him as odd man out.

Exactly! It's called playing politics and he definitely wiffed on that one. Seems like he doesn't really care to be here and I don't care to have players like that on this team. We're building a dynasty and he can enjoy watching it.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Now people are gonna call him names when he leaves like they did to Demarco lol

He's a big fat ugly. No really, he is.

 

[bsbellomy]

If there isn't a DE sitting at 28(a reach) and Dallas does not move up in the draft, I would not be opposed to drafting a RT in round one. That is not ideal but I would rather get a stud lineman than a sub-par End drafted well before he needs to be.

Wow, after typing that, I may have drank just a bit too much tonight

Sounds about right to me. Maybe you should drink more.

 

[Idgit]

Only if he goes to a divisional rival.

Damn straight. And he'll deserve it if he goes to WAS, NYFG, or PHI.

 

[bsbellomy]

Well looks like Collins will be back at LG next season. Need to upgrade RT.

We should have cut Doug Free and kept Jeremy Parnell.