The Truth About the Cowboys & Free Agency in 2010

[Hostile]

Ahh, I've been doing that for years. Thought I'd try something else, like doomsaying. It's like jumping to conclusions, but taking it a step further.

We haven't signed Miles Austin to a long-term contract yet, we're doomed!

Damn, that sounds productive. I might have to get in on the ground floor.

 

[gimmesix]

Damn, that sounds productive. I might have to get in on the ground floor.

It's definitely a thread generator.

 

[Alexander]

You just lost all credibility with this post. Let's think about this for a moment: if we end up landing Otogwe through unrestricted or restricted free agency, Ken Hamlin is gone, which would save us a lot off the cap for this year. So you're getting rid of a mediocre player, saving money at the same time, then using that money and maybe a little more (because Otogwe > Hamlin) to sign a great player.

That's where we disagree. You think Otogwe is an "average free agent." That deserves a FAIL.

First, I was speaking in generalities. 90% of the available free agents are indeed "average" in this year's market.

But let's get back to Atogwe. So he is a "great" player now?

Let me be clear, I like Atogwe as well. He is a good player, productive and he makes plays. And yes, he would be an upgrade to Hamlin. The question is price. He has been franchised and will likely want that same kind of deal again. I like Gaither too. But he also comes with a healthy tag and despite how he is shined up in a poor free agency year, he is not elite either.

But it comes down to paying top dollar in a seller's market to a free agent that in a normal year would not be the prized plum, not by a longshot considering his injury situation. If he were that great, he would have got the same kind of deal Peppers got. Even Chester Taylor was a prize and in a normal year, he's second tier.

And for the sake of going all Spagnola, if he is a "great" player, then why are the Rams allowing the market to be set for them? Their actions speak volumes. They are willing to risk a team swooping in and grabbing their "great" player with a deal that they might be unwilling or unable to match. Sorry, the NFL simply does not work this way. "Good" players get the market set for them and since when should Dallas be the ones to do that?

Plus, is he getting serious nibbles from anyone? No, he isn't. That does not register with those clamoring for his signing?

The organization is approaching this the right way. After the draft, if he is still unsigned and the Rams lose his rights eventually, you might see a move if there isn't a better option via the draft. It just requires some patience and above all, prudence, which the team is correctly exercising.

 

[zrinkill]

Damn, that sounds productive. I might have to get in on the ground floor.

Did it last year.

It is fun.

And drives the real Doom and Gloomers crazy.

 

[Hostile]

First, I was speaking in generalities. 90% of the available free agents are indeed "average" in this year's market.

But let's get back to Atogwe. So he is a "great" player now?

Let me be clear, I like Atogwe as well. He is a good player, productive and he makes plays. And yes, he would be an upgrade to Hamlin. The question is price. He has been franchised and will likely want that same kind of deal again. I like Gaither too. But he also comes with a healthy tag and despite how he is shined up in a poor free agency year, he is not elite either.

But it comes down to paying top dollar in a seller's market to a free agent that in a normal year would not be the prized plum, not by a longshot considering his injury situation. If he were that great, he would have got the same kind of deal Peppers got. Even Chester Taylor was a prize and in a normal year, he's second tier.

And for the sake of going all Spagnola, if he is a "great" player, then why are the Rams allowing the market to be set for them? Their actions speak volumes. They are willing to risk a team swooping in and grabbing their "great" player with a deal that they might be unwilling or unable to match. Sorry, the NFL simply does not work this way. "Good" players get the market set for them and since when should Dallas be the ones to do that?

Plus, is he getting serious nibbles from anyone? No, he isn't. That does not register with those clamoring for his signing?

The organization is approaching this the right way. After the draft, if he is still unsigned and the Rams lose his rights eventually, you might see a move if there isn't a better option via the draft. It just requires some patience and above all, prudence, which the team is correctly exercising.

That is one of the biggest mysteries to me in all of the hand wringing Free Agent savior threads. If no one is jumping at the chance to land this extraordinary player, why are we fools for not doing exactly that?

I really agree with you about the notion of Dallas setting the market for these guys. I hate that idea with a passion.

The thing that truly annoys the blue hell out of me is the total lack of grasp about what is available in 2010 versus what will be available in 2011. We have a very good team. There is no one on the Free Agent market that is going to lead us directly to Great Team glory. For the life of me I do not understand how football fans cannot see that. Especially given that remark you made in bold. No one is jumping to sign these guys.

I swear the actual knowledge of the game of football decreases the further we get into the Madden and fantasy football years. You undoubtedly remember the Plan B years. I think the talent level of 2010 is actually less than those years. Would you agree?

Granted we got Jay Novacek out of those crops, but that was beyond rare. How many teams found gems like that?

Are there guys who could help us? Sure. But are they worth the money of elite that they are expected to be asking? Not in my book. I'd have loved to land Antrel Rolle, but not at that price. I was an Atogwe fan back when he was being drafted. I can easily provide a link. I have no interest in him until I know several things.

1. That we do not have a shot at a FS like Earl Thomas. I would hate to sign Atogwe and then have Thomas fall to us at 27 and Thomas isn't even the guy I want at 27. Iupati is. I would hate this worse than I hate the Commanders.

2. I want to know his shoulder is 100%. The last anyone heard was that he did not pass his physical. Why in the world would we want a guy who cannot at least do that?

3. I want to know Jerry isn't setting the market, because that means he probably over spent to assure the Rams would not match the offer.

There is literally nothing about the man love for Gaither and Atogwe that makes sense to me.

 

[TheSport78]

First, I was speaking in generalities. 90% of the available free agents are indeed "average" in this year's market.

But let's get back to Atogwe. So he is a "great" player now?

Let me be clear, I like Atogwe as well. He is a good player, productive and he makes plays. And yes, he would be an upgrade to Hamlin. The question is price. He has been franchised and will likely want that same kind of deal again. I like Gaither too. But he also comes with a healthy tag and despite how he is shined up in a poor free agency year, he is not elite either.

But it comes down to paying top dollar in a seller's market to a free agent that in a normal year would not be the prized plum, not by a longshot considering his injury situation. If he were that great, he would have got the same kind of deal Peppers got. Even Chester Taylor was a prize and in a normal year, he's second tier.

And for the sake of going all Spagnola, if he is a "great" player, then why are the Rams allowing the market to be set for them? Their actions speak volumes. They are willing to risk a team swooping in and grabbing their "great" player with a deal that they might be unwilling or unable to match. Sorry, the NFL simply does not work this way. "Good" players get the market set for them and since when should Dallas be the ones to do that?

Plus, is he getting serious nibbles from anyone? No, he isn't. That does not register with those clamoring for his signing?

The organization is approaching this the right way. After the draft, if he is still unsigned and the Rams lose his rights eventually, you might see a move if there isn't a better option via the draft. It just requires some patience and above all, prudence, which the team is correctly exercising.

I agree with this totally. I'm not going to put down someone every time I post like some people on this forum.

You're right, I think there are numerous reasons why no one has targeted Otogwe up to this point in free agency.

1. Teams are probably weary about his shoulder injury and the fact that he couldn't pass a physical at this point.

2. NFL teams could have done their homework on the contract situation with Otogwe and the Rams. I've read that the Rams want to sign Otogwe to a long term deal, but none of us are aware if Otogwe WANTS to sign a multi-year deal with the Rams.

3. The Cowboys and other teams are probably hoping that Otogwe eventually becomes an unrestricted free agent if the tender isn't signed, then the Cowboys or any other team could negotiate for his services. Who knows, maybe Otogwe would take a "cap friendly" contract to play for the Cowboys and a chance at the Super Bowl, or he could be a money hungry player who just wants to land the big bucks. I believe cowboyjoe posted an interview with Otogwe last week and he seemed very impressive and down to earth.

You're definitely right, the organization is handling this the right way. Otogwe could be a fall back option if the Cowboys don't happen to land the safety in the draft their targeting or interested in. In my honest opinion though, even if the Cowboys drafted a safety like Earl Thomas, Nate Allen or Morgan Burnett, I would still have no problem landing Otogwe due to the fact that Sensabaugh is a restricted free agent and who knows how Sensy will perform this year.

 

[nalam]

Piece of art Hos.......beautiful

I'll second that !

 

[Biggems]

Thank you. The fluff pieces being written by the DFW media weren't driving the point home. Perhaps because I doubt they actually get it.

too bad Sapp didnt sign with the Jets......it would have made Elton John happy.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Psst...


Common sense is not allowed. Wave your arms and rant about the falling sky. It'll earn you some serious cred.

with the preps, the jocks, druggies or the nerds?

Nah, I'm saving that for the draft.

The neo maxi zoom dweebies.


Name that movie for 5 points.

Good plan. You will need your exercise to work off all that fatty food we're going to consume.

I plan to jump to conclusions myself.

The Breakfast Club

good god my wife watches that movie at least once a month!

5 points.

I almost went with this...


The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids, dweebies, ********s - they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude.



5 more points for that movie reference.

hmmm......... I'll admit, I have to refer to my movie buff wife on this one and feel like an idiot for not knowing it. It was actually the very first date movie I went on

Bueller?... Bueller?... Bueller?

10 points.

Like the tables at the Casino. I would like to cash in now while I'm up.:laugh2:

Ahh, I've been doing that for years. Thought I'd try something else, like doomsaying. It's like jumping to conclusions, but taking it a step further.

We haven't signed Miles Austin to a long-term contract yet, we're doomed!

Damn, that sounds productive. I might have to get in on the ground floor.

It's definitely a thread generator.

Did it last year.

It is fun.

And drives the real Doom and Gloomers crazy.

Internet high-fives all around! YEAH!!

 

[Four]

holy multi quotes batman.

I am surprised you know how to do that. They were in order and everything.

 

[MinnesotaCowboy]

Great post, Hos................believe me I GET IT!

 

[gimmesix]

That is one of the biggest mysteries to me in all of the hand wringing Free Agent savior threads. If no one is jumping at the chance to land this extraordinary player, why are we fools for not doing exactly that?

Because we're doomed, doomed I say, if we don't!







You know, this doomsaying could really be fun.

 

[gimmesix]

Internet high-fives all around! YEAH!!

Sorry, all you get is slapped around.

 

[jobberone]

First, I was speaking in generalities. 90% of the available free agents are indeed "average" in this year's market.

But let's get back to Atogwe. So he is a "great" player now?

Let me be clear, I like Atogwe as well. He is a good player, productive and he makes plays. And yes, he would be an upgrade to Hamlin. The question is price. He has been franchised and will likely want that same kind of deal again. I like Gaither too. But he also comes with a healthy tag and despite how he is shined up in a poor free agency year, he is not elite either.

But it comes down to paying top dollar in a seller's market to a free agent that in a normal year would not be the prized plum, not by a longshot considering his injury situation. If he were that great, he would have got the same kind of deal Peppers got. Even Chester Taylor was a prize and in a normal year, he's second tier.

And for the sake of going all Spagnola, if he is a "great" player, then why are the Rams allowing the market to be set for them? Their actions speak volumes. They are willing to risk a team swooping in and grabbing their "great" player with a deal that they might be unwilling or unable to match. Sorry, the NFL simply does not work this way. "Good" players get the market set for them and since when should Dallas be the ones to do that?

Plus, is he getting serious nibbles from anyone? No, he isn't. That does not register with those clamoring for his signing?

The organization is approaching this the right way. After the draft, if he is still unsigned and the Rams lose his rights eventually, you might see a move if there isn't a better option via the draft. It just requires some patience and above all, prudence, which the team is correctly exercising.

I can make a case for giving up the one for Gaither. He gives way above average protection and the Ravens run game is great. And he's young. My questions are if he's so good why is he available even if for compensation. The con to this equation is he is not going to sign an offer for less than serious money. So giving up a one for a young very good LOT is not a bad thing. Giving up a one and having to pay top dollar for him is a problem esp contrasting that with paying a rookie at the 27 slot. What makes it a bad deal for sure is what Hos pointed out. We have a current LT (assuming we get one more good year out of him), we have an heir apparent in Free, and we're covered on the opposite tackle.

I agree. We're better off waiting on the draft to see what our needs will be entering the draft with a free hand to draft the BPA and then knowing what needs are unfulfilled post draft and being better armed to shop the market. And it's vitally important to understand that the draft is the best tool over the long haul to build your club. FA is the backup plan for good reasons.

Couldn't agree more with your OP Hos.