The "30 And Over" Players

[big dog cowboy]

Here is the current list of Dallas Cowboys that are 30 years old or over. Looks like we are in good shape overall with only a few starters.

Tony Romo - 36
Mark Sanchez - 30
Jason Witten - 34
Doug Free - 32
Justin Durant - 31
Sean Lee - 30
Brandon Carr - 30
L.P. Ladouceur - 35

 

[jazzcat22]

I think we have around the 3rd youngest in the NFL.

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

thought I'd add their respective contract status

Tony Romo - 36 under contract through 2019
Mark Sanchez - 30 UFA 2017 -
Jason Witten - 34 under contract through 2017
Doug Free - 32 under contract through 2017
Justin Durant - 31 UFA 2017
Sean Lee - 30: under contract through 2019
Brandon Carr - 30 under contract through 2017
L.P. Ladouceur - 35 under contract through 2017

 

[Temo]

It'll be interesting to see what happens with Lee and Witten's contracts this offseason.

I'd bet Lee would stay as-is for another season at least. Witten's going to be making ~$7m base next year and while I don't think he's quite worth that much (that's top 5 TE in the league money), I also can't see the Cowboys cutting him or asking him to take a pay cut.

Maybe an extension with guarenteed money in exchange for lowering his per-year numbers? It's a thought.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

thought I'd add their respective contract status

Tony Romo - 36 under contract through 2019
Mark Sanchez - 30 UFA 2017 -
Jason Witten - 34 under contract through 2017
Doug Free - 32 under contract through 2017
Justin Durant - 31 UFA 2017
Sean Lee - 30: under contract through 2019
Brandon Carr - 30 under contract through 2017
L.P. Ladouceur - 35 under contract through 2017

Of those players, I think only four would be potential contributors in 2017.

• Witten: They have three guys behind him currently, possibly two if they let Escobar walk. 2017 might be his last year in Dallas.
• Free: This one sticks out like a sore thumb to me. Chaz Green has been a walking injury since he was a Gator so they cannot count on him being a full time solution. They need to draft a guy.
• Lee: He seems to have finally found his health and I think he plays out his contract. They need better depth at LB and Smith needs to pan out.
• Ladouceur: They should bring in some guys this offseason, but Ladouceur has been awfully good for a long time now.

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

Of those players, I think only four would be potential contributors in 2017.

• Witten: They have three guys behind him currently, possibly two if they let Escobar walk. 2017 might be his last year in Dallas.
• Free: This one sticks out like a sore thumb to me. Chaz Green has been a walking injury since he was a Gator so they cannot count on him being a full time solution. They need to draft a guy.
• Lee: He seems to have finally found his health and I think he plays out his contract. They need better depth at LB and Smith needs to pan out.
• Ladouceur: They should bring in some guys this offseason, but Ladouceur has been awfully good for a long time now.

not sure on Free as I believe his cap hit next season would be $7.5M. That's a lot and if I'm interpreting his contract correctly, we could save $5M next season by cutting him. I agree we need to draft a RT next year.

 

[dogunwo]

Of those players, I think only four would be potential contributors in 2017.

• Witten: They have three guys behind him currently, possibly two if they let Escobar walk. 2017 might be his last year in Dallas.
• Free: This one sticks out like a sore thumb to me. Chaz Green has been a walking injury since he was a Gator so they cannot count on him being a full time solution. They need to draft a guy.
• Lee: He seems to have finally found his health and I think he plays out his contract. They need better depth at LB and Smith needs to pan out.
• Ladouceur: They should bring in some guys this offseason, but Ladouceur has been awfully good for a long time now.

I think you are wrong about Brandon Carr. He will be here next season.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I think you are wrong about Brandon Carr. He will be here next season.

This is exactly why they should legalize Thunderdome. Civil disagreements like this should not be allowed to just sit there without a violent solution.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I think you are wrong about Brandon Carr. He will be here next season.

While I do not share your confidence, I do think he has a better chance of returning than Claiborne. He is a quality starter and never misses games.

 

[erod]

Right tackles and long snappers can play well into their late 30s. Witten looks like the same guy he was 2-3 years ago. Carr is playing fine, and I've always thought could play nickel or dime safety toward the end of the contract.

This team is in phenomenal shape.

 

[Bluefin]

Here is the current list of Dallas Cowboys that are 30 years old or over. Looks like we are in good shape overall with only a few starters.

Tony Romo - 36, Mark Sanchez - 30, Jason Witten - 34, Doug Free - 32, Justin Durant - 31, Sean Lee - 30, Brandon Carr - 30, L.P. Ladouceur - 35

This team is in phenomenal shape.

Jason Garrett and the front office have done an outstanding job transitioning to a younger roster since 2011.

Five of the above eight players are unlikely to remain on the roster next season. Most that leave will be replaced by younger players, many will be rookie draft picks. The roster is never going to get old following this philosophy.

 

[Bluefin]

Brandon Carr - 30 under contract through 2017

His contract is currently written to void this off-season, which will make Brandon Carr an unrestricted free agent.

Carr accepted a pay cut this season and may be open to re-working his 2017 salary to remain in Big D.

Or he might one to try another dip in the free agent pool and see what kind of bites he gets.

 

[conner01]

I think you are wrong about Brandon Carr. He will be here next season.

Either Carr or Mo will be back I think. Carr is the more dependable player and may be cheaper so i think he would be most likely

 

[romothesavior]

Didn't realize Lee was that old, but I guess time flies when you miss tons of time due to injuries.

 

[Bluefin]

Oldest players on the roster (age 26 and up)

1. QB Tony Romo - 36 - under contract through 2019, franchise QB, likely to be traded or released in off-season

2. LS L.P LaDouceur - 35 - under contract through 2017, franchise LS, never missed a snap, roster lock

3. TE Jason Witten - 34 - under contract through 2017, may get extension to create salary cap room, roster lock

4. OT Doug Free - 32 - under contract through 2017 - starting RT, possible release or pay cut to stay in '17

5. LB Justin Durant - 31 - under contract through 2016, reserve LB, unlikely to re-sign

6. QB Mark Sanchez - 30 - under contract through 2016, reserve QB, probable re-sign

7. CB Brandon Carr - 30 - under contract through 2016 (2017 voids), unlikely to re-sign

8. Sean Lee - 30 - under contract through 2019, franchise LB, roster lock

9. CB Orlando Scandrick - 29 - under contract through 2018, starting RCB & Nickel slot CB, roster lock

10. RB Darren McFadden - 29 - under contract through 2016, reserve RB currently on NFI, pending free agent, doubtful re-sign

11. K Dan Bailey - 28 - under contract through 2020, franchise kicker, roster lock

12. SS Barry Church - 28 - under contract through 2016, starting SS, pending free agent, probable re-sign

13. Cedric Thornton - 28 - under contract through 2019, reserve NT, roster lock

14. DT Terrell McClain - 28 - under contract though 2016, starting NT, pending free agent, doubtful re-sign

15. DE Jack Crawford - 28 - under contract through 2016, playing DE this season, pending free agent, doubtful re-sign

16. WR Dez Bryant - 28 - under contract through 2019 - franchise WR, roster lock

17. LB Andrew Gachkar - 28 - under contract through 2016, special teams, reserve LB, pending free agent, unlikely re-sign

18. RB Alfred Morris - 27 (28 in Dec) - under contract through 2017, reserve RB, likely to remain next season

19. DE Ryan Davis - 27 - under contract through 2016, reserve DE, pending free agent, unlikely re-sign

20. WR Cole Beasley - 27 - under contract through 2018, QB friendly slot receiver, roster lock

21. LB Kyle Wilber - 27 - under contract through 2017, core special teamer, reserve LB, probable salary cap release in off-season

22. LG Ronald Leary - 27 - under contract through 2016, starting RG, pending free agent, unlikely to re-sign

23. QB Kellen Moore - 27 - under contract through 2016, reserve QB on IR, possible #2 in 2017, pending free agent, likely re-sign

24. LB Rolando McClain - 27 - under contract through 2016, suspended MLB, contract will carryover to 2017 if suspension lengthened, likely release

25. TE James Hanna - 27 - under contract through 2018, #2 TE on PUP this season, expected back next year but knee may tap out, probable return

26. P Chris Jones - 27 - under contract through 2017, starting punter and field goal holder, roster lock

27. WR Terrance Williams - 27 - under contract through 2016, starting wideout, pending free agent, unlikely to re-sign

28. DT Tyrone Crawford - 27 - under contract through 2020, playing mainly DE this season, roster lock

29. LB Mark Nzeocha - 26 - under contract through 2018, special teams player, reserve LB, roster lock

30. RB Lance Dunbar - 26 - under contract through 2016, reserve RB, pending free agent, probable re-sign

31. WR Brice Butler - 26 - under contract through 2016, reserve WR, pending free agent, probable re-sign

32. CB Morris Claiborne - 26 - under contract through 2016, starting RCB, pending free agent, probable re-sign

33. G Joe Looney - 26 - under contract through 2017, reserve G/C, roster lock

34. CB Leon McFadden - 26 - under contract through 2017, reserve CB, bubble layer

35. G Zack Martin - 26 - under contract through 2017, starting RG, 5th year option and likely extension coming in off-season, roster lock

36. OT Emmett Cleary - 26 - under contract through 2016, reserve OT, pending exclusive rights free agent, likely re-sign, bubble player

37. DE Zach Moore - 26 - Practice Squad, may sign futures deal at end of season, bubble player

38. G Ryan Seymour - 26 - Practice Squad, may sign futures deal at end of season, bubble player

-----

24 of these players are either free agents or have an obstacle in their path of return next season.

Some will be back, but more than half of these 38 could get churned by final cuts next year.

Looking back, 11 players were churned from this list going back to April.

Jeremy Mincey (32), Tyler Clutts (31), Mackenzy Bernadeau (30), Nick Hayden (30), Charles Brown (29), Danny McCray (28), Greg Hardy (28), Darrion Weems (28), Buddy Jackson (27), Josh Thomas (27) and Jerrel Harris (27).

 

[gmoney112]

His contract is currently written to void this off-season, which will make Brandon Carr an unrestricted free agent.

Carr accepted a pay cut this season and may be open to re-working his 2017 salary to remain in Big D.

Or he might one to try another dip in the free agent pool and see what kind of bites he gets.

Paycut was probably still more than he'd make on the open market. 4.25 + 1+ mill roster bonus. Made over 5 mill this year.

I think Carr and Free will probably be the first guys we lock up. We save 5 mill if we cut Free next year, and replace him with who? Green can't stay healthy, and Free, even though he's bagged on quite a bit, is still a piece of this line that's destroying everyone. Based on his play this year, i'd say he's probably good on *this line* for another 2 years, worst case scenario, while we work on developing his replacement.

I think we'll space out his salary over another year or two, make up some difference with a bonus. We don't really want to go into this draft needing a tackle to develop, and he really isn't worth 5 mill a year. Plus, it'll give us a chance to see if Green can stay healthy longer than 30 minutes.

Carr is a lock. Never misses games, knows the system, supposedly a locker room guy, and he does a ton of stuff in Dallas. He's not going anywhere.

Other then that, wow. When I think of how much young talent is on this team, I can't help but think that we are in the driver's seat to a modern dynasty. You have the core of your offense for the next 10 years, that haven't even entered their prime yet, and right now are 5 guys playing at All-Pro levels. Dez is no slouch either. Collins was graded as basically a first rounder in that draft, he's just starting to scratch his potential. That is just ridiculous.

The talent is heavily skewed towards offense, but that's the engine block. Byron is going to be a great safety, which is a fine start on defense. If we can keep Mo that's another young, talented player. I have hopes for Collins, and I think Irving is going to be a player in this league, he just turned 23 in August. We have no idea on Tapper but there's potential. If Jaylon can get healthy over the offseason that's a legitimate blue-chipper. Crawford is playing out of position a lot, and needs to go back inside full-time where he's more effective. I'd probably take two ends in this draft in case we decide not to resign Lawrence, and because DE's are expensive, but that's really the only prime positions group we lack legitimate, young talent (thanks to Randy).

Really hard to do what's being done here in the salary cap era. Obviously requires some luck. But i'd say as far as young, talented players, I don't know if there's a team in the NFL that's on par with what Dallas has to build on right now.

 

[brymatt94]

Didn't realize Lee was that old, but I guess time flies when you miss tons of time due to injuries.

I think he was an "old" rookie. He was like 25 by the time the season started.

 

[sideon]

It's funny how in sports these guys are relics now, but in life they're still very young.

 

[mattjames2010]

I try to get Carr on a short deal and I think about getting rid of Scandrick.

 

[Bluefin]

I think Carr and Free will probably be the first guys we lock up. We save 5 mill if we cut Free next year, and replace him with who? Green can't stay healthy, and Free, even though he's bagged on quite a bit, is still a piece of this line that's destroying everyone. Based on his play this year, i'd say he's probably good on *this line* for another 2 years, worst case scenario, while we work on developing his replacement.

Dallas will probably try to get something done with Brandon Carr or Morris Claiborne prior to the start of free agency.

Mo' has more talent, Carr is more durable.

Nothing needs to be done with Doug Free's contract, there are plenty of other avenues to navigate for salary cap relief. But the team might want Free to take less if Chaz Green is expected to push for the starting RT job.

Carr is a lock. Never misses games, knows the system, supposedly a locker room guy, and he does a ton of stuff in Dallas. He's not going anywhere.

We know what we will get if Carr returns.

I don't, however, look at is as a lock. He had to take a pay cut to come back this season. It could be Carr or Claiborne with Dallas hoping to add a rookie CB in the draft.

Other then that, wow. When I think of how much young talent is on this team, I can't help but think that we are in the driver's seat to a modern dynasty.

What the Cowboys are doing with the roster is sustainable.

The one dark cloud hovering over the future vanished when we lucked into Dak Prescott.

There will be bad drafts like 2009 on occasion, but as long as they occur sporadically, it won't derail the process.

I'd probably take two ends in this draft in case we decide not to resign Lawrence, and because DE's are expensive, but that's really the only prime positions group we lack legitimate, young talent (thanks to Randy).

I'd like to add one or two free agent DEs and look to pounce on another in the draft.

I heard Mickey Spagnola today talk about Randy Gregory looking like DeMarcus Ware practicing a circle drill (pass rush) outside. News on whether Gregory's suspension has been increased by a year will get confirmed or debunked in a few weeks, but regardless of the outcome, Dallas should proceed as if he will not be playing next year.

We can't count on Randy to help, so plan accordingly.

Really hard to do what's being done here in the salary cap era. Obviously requires some luck. But i'd say as far as young, talented players, I don't know if there's a team in the NFL that's on par with what Dallas has to build on right now.

Luck is definitely a huge part of it.

But the team has a plan and is sticking to it.

This is going to be a lot of fun!