The perfect thing to do with Hatcher is use the franchise tag

[Zekeats]

I know, I know, we don't have any cap space just like in years past but eventually we are able to free up 12-15 million. I think I read that the franchise tag for a DT is somewhere around 8.5 million. Hatcher will be 32 next year and a long term contact for a guy in his 30s is a horrible idea that I think even Jerry now knows.
I wouldn't give him anything larger than a 3 year deal and he most likely only has 2 great-good years left. So it makes all the sense in the world to franchise him. Not only does it keep him here, but it doesn't force us to reach for a DT, it allows us time to develop someone or buys us a one year stop gap at DT. It would also allow us a better chance at signing him in 2015 at the age of 33 if we wish to. Unless we are going to go after a guy like Melton or someone special I would be love to see Hatcher franchised.

 

[Common Sense]

The dude couldn't even lift his arm for weeks because of nerve damage. That's a major red flag.

 

[BigStar]

I'm ready to overhaul the whole DL outside of maybe Selvie. Hatcher would be great on a good D, but the only presence? We need to rebuild this thing.

 

[udas]

I know, I know, we don't have any cap space just like in years past but eventually we are able to free up 12-15 million. I think I read that the franchise tag for a DT is somewhere around 8.5 million. Hatcher will be 32 next year and a long term contact for a guy in his 30s is a horrible idea that I think even Jerry now knows.
I wouldn't give him anything larger than a 3 year deal and he most likely only has 2 great-good years left. So it makes all the sense in the world to franchise him. Not only does it keep him here, but it doesn't force us to reach for a DT, it allows us time to develop someone or buys us a one year stop gap at DT. It would also allow us a better chance at signing him in 2015 at the age of 33 if we wish to. Unless we are going to go after a guy like Melton or someone special I would be love to see Hatcher franchised.

I highly doubt Hatcher will get big money in free agency. I would be surprised if he got more than a 2 year deal for a modest salary. I'll say 2 years 9 million max, possibly 3 years in the 12 to 15 million range.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

It really worked with Spencer this year.

 

[Zekeats]

I'm ready to overhaul the whole DL outside of maybe Selvie. Hatcher would be great on a good D, but the only presence? We need to rebuild this thing.

The way to rebuild something is to incorporate new into old, not scratch everyone for new. If you want to do that then we might as well start a 3 year rebuilding process for the whole team now.

 

[DFWJC]

It really worked with Spencer this year.

Ouch

 

[Joe Realist]

I know, I know, we don't have any cap space just like in years past but eventually we are able to free up 12-15 million. I think I read that the franchise tag for a DT is somewhere around 8.5 million. Hatcher will be 32 next year and a long term contact for a guy in his 30s is a horrible idea that I think even Jerry now knows.
I wouldn't give him anything larger than a 3 year deal and he most likely only has 2 great-good years left. So it makes all the sense in the world to franchise him. Not only does it keep him here, but it doesn't force us to reach for a DT, it allows us time to develop someone or buys us a one year stop gap at DT. It would also allow us a better chance at signing him in 2015 at the age of 33 if we wish to. Unless we are going to go after a guy like Melton or someone special I would be love to see Hatcher franchised.

You could franchise him and if he does not sign the tender, you can undo the tag, say after the draft.

 

[BigStar]

The way to rebuild something is to incorporate new into old, not scratch everyone for new. If you want to do that then we might as well start a 3 year rebuilding process for the whole team now.

I do hear your point, I do really. I just don't want to cling to aging talent on a team that ranked last and set records for how poor they were. It just seems the same results (albeit not his double digit sack presence) don't seem financially justified for that position (solely). Lee is the only talent worth keeping @ LB, we have corners (cough), and A safety (Wilcox). We're pretty close to rebuilding the whole D as is anyway...

 

[Zekeats]

It really worked with Spencer this year.

Yeah cause injury is not part of the game right? You think Spencer is happy about not being able to play this season? You think he will get the big payday he could have gotten? I hate when people try to compare something so stupid as to a guy who got injured. So EJ Manuel was injured a lot this season so does that mean that teams shouldn't draft Teddy Bridgewater? Just plain STUPID

 

[lqmac1]

I know, I know, we don't have any cap space just like in years past but eventually we are able to free up 12-15 million. I think I read that the franchise tag for a DT is somewhere around 8.5 million. Hatcher will be 32 next year and a long term contact for a guy in his 30s is a horrible idea that I think even Jerry now knows.
I wouldn't give him anything larger than a 3 year deal and he most likely only has 2 great-good years left. So it makes all the sense in the world to franchise him. Not only does it keep him here, but it doesn't force us to reach for a DT, it allows us time to develop someone or buys us a one year stop gap at DT. It would also allow us a better chance at signing him in 2015 at the age of 33 if we wish to. Unless we are going to go after a guy like Melton or someone special I would be love to see Hatcher franchised.

Hell no. You do know that'll cost us a lot of money that we simply don't have.

 

[Alexander]

The dude couldn't even lift his arm for weeks because of nerve damage. That's a major red flag.

But I am sure our crack medical staff could look at him at his exit physical and come away "not worried".

He would not even be on my radar. If they had to tag him in any way, then transition tag him. Teams do not use it much, but given the Cowboys special cap needs, they would be better off saving the extra million and a half or so and risking having to match an offer. ($8.5 franchise vs. $7.9 transition in 2013 dollars).

The only issue is that you cannot use the franchise or transition tag but on one player. Bailey is more important and may have to be franchised.

 

[CaptainCreed]

I know, I know, we don't have any cap space just like in years past but eventually we are able to free up 12-15 million. I think I read that the franchise tag for a DT is somewhere around 8.5 million. Hatcher will be 32 next year and a long term contact for a guy in his 30s is a horrible idea that I think even Jerry now knows.
I wouldn't give him anything larger than a 3 year deal and he most likely only has 2 great-good years left. So it makes all the sense in the world to franchise him. Not only does it keep him here, but it doesn't force us to reach for a DT, it allows us time to develop someone or buys us a one year stop gap at DT. It would also allow us a better chance at signing him in 2015 at the age of 33 if we wish to. Unless we are going to go after a guy like Melton or someone special I would be love to see Hatcher franchised.

Prepare for a holdout if he is tagged. He wants a big deal and knows he had to get out of big D to get it. I don't want that drama.

 

[Zekeats]

I do hear your point, I do really. I just don't want to cling to aging talent on a team that ranked last and set records for how poor they were. It just seems the same results (albeit not his double digit sack presence) doesn't seem financially justified for that position (solely). Lee is the only talent worth keeping @ LB, we have corners (cough), and A safety (Wilcox). Were pretty close to rebuilding the whole D as is anyway...

Trust me I don't wanna hang on to aging players either but at this point its all we got. The window really is closing and we really on have 2014 and maybe, MAYBE the 2015 season before we should honestly look to blow this whole thing up and start the complete overhaul and rebuild this team. Sad, but true........that is why I think the best thing to do with Hatcher is franchise him.

 

[Zekeats]

Prepare for a holdout if he is tagged. He wants a big deal and knows he had to get out of big D to get it. I don't want that drama.

Who cares if a 32 year old DT holds out. He will play week one cause he's not going to lose out on getting paid a sweet one year deal.

 

[BlueStar22]

The perfect thing to do is let him go.

 

[CaptainCreed]

Who cares if a 32 year old DT holds out. He will play week one cause he's not going to lose out on getting paid a sweet one year deal.

Unless he "gets hurt and needs surgery"

 

[BigStar]

Trust me I don't wanna hang on to aging players either but at this point its all we got. The window really is closing and we really on have 2014 and maybe, MAYBE the 2015 season before we should honestly look to blow this whole thing up and start the complete overhaul and rebuild this team. Sad, but true........that is why I think the best thing to do with Hatcher is franchise him.

I see your point in having SOME presence of some kind resembling a pass rush because we saw what that did when the other 3 players are stonewalled consistently. I almost envision a NO style of structure to this team to rely heavily on the talent of the O (once they figure out how to use Dez properly over Witten moreso) and mix Murray/Rbs in with more passes out of the backfield, etc. This is what JG seems to want for this O, albeit a more conservative style of passing O. Seeing the cap being an issue (surprised ) I just think we go young on D and invest on O.

 

[BlueStar22]

Trust me I don't wanna hang on to aging players either but at this point its all we got. The window really is closing and we really on have 2014 and maybe, MAYBE the 2015 season before we should honestly look to blow this whole thing up and start the complete overhaul and rebuild this team. Sad, but true........that is why I think the best thing to do with Hatcher is franchise him.

Closing? Probably closed. I feel sorry for Romo, Ware, and Witten.

 

[BigStar]

Closing? Probably closed. I feel sorry for Romo, Ware, and Witten.

The East was so diluted this year, I doubt we get that kind of break again unfortunately...