Timing of Free's retirement notification, Leary

[CowboysFaninHouston]

i dont think they would've kept leary. you can only invest so much money into the o-line and they obviously value martin over leary alot more.

maybe, maybe not. I think since we have 20 mill in cap space, we might have. to ensure there are no holes, but then again, we were still waffling on tony Romo.......

 

[Bullflop]

In the FO's mindset, I think they felt that Le'el Collins made Leary expendable, especially so with the salary cap being what it was. Additionally, in the final analysis, there were other player options available at LG that likely appealed to them as being more cap friendly.

 

[jrumann59]

Leary's knee condition could be triggered by a knee injury. Its football what is the over/under on how many knee injuries the avg player has in their career.

 

[Echo9]

Money talks obviously, but I don't think Leary wanted to come back for the way his job was taken from him and just given to Collins

I agree completely. To me it was obvious from the start of that situation when La'el came in that Leary felt slighted by it. He handled the situation like a professional with the full intention of moving on once he could. There are many posts wishing we would have brought back Leary, but to me it was a non-issue. While Leary didn't bad mouth anyone (like I said - he handled it very well and professionally), the signs were there that he had no intention of staying, even if we matched any contract.

 

[Echo9]

If the Cowboys had more cap space, the narrative would have changed.

I disagree with that. I am convinced Leary had his mind set on leaving once Collins was handed his position without a real competition.

 

[AbeBeta]

Leary had a very good season. He was at his best because this was the first year he came to camp in great shape. That's a red flag to me.

More importantly, his deal made him one of the top 10 highest paid guards. Martin's deal will certainly make him #1. Fred and Tyron have big deals as well. It is pure fantasy to think that any team will have that sort of investment in the OL.

We spent on Fred and Smith. Zack will get done soon. Look at those guys. Those are elite players. In the discussion for best or at least top three at their positions. Right out of the gate, these guys were special. Leary is good but he's not at that level and certainly not worth 9 mill a year

 

[FLcowboy]

If the front office knew Free was going to retire, would they have gone after Leary in free agency? Only one hole to fill, just move Collins to RT. Wonder if they knew. I know cap money doesn't grow on trees, but I just wonder at what point they knew. Maybe Free didn't even know until late.

I seem to recall Leary has/had degenerative knee issues which made his long term prospects suspect.

 

[diefree666]

I seem to recall Leary has/had degenerative knee issues which made his long term prospects suspect.

Its not quite a ticking time bomb as others have had long careers with it; but it has the bad trait of coming up real quick when it does explode. So a long term contract is chancy.

Leary was good but he was not top 10 NFL good. Maybe to 15 among all guards; run blocking he was probably top 5 - his pass blocking was not all that.

 

[conner01]

Don't think they ever planned on keeping him know Fred, smith and Martin are all on or going to be on second contracts
Think if they offered Leary close to what he could get he would have stayed. Those guys are very close
When you have 3 high paid guys it's tough to pay big money for another and they have another they have to decide on in Collins
If he is a good RT I think they will try to keep him but if money gets too high we may be looking at RT again next year
Only so much of your money can go to oline
Just have to keep bringing in young guys on rookie contracts or cheaper vets

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

I still think it was the prudent move to let him sign elsewhere regardless of Free. Having 3 all-pros on your oline is pretty rare and I believe they elevate the play of of the other two players. Leary was a good player, but he wasn't elite and no doubt benefited from others.

I am perfectly fine going into the season with Collins and Cooper as starters. It may take a few games for everyone to fully gel, but we technically have 5 first round picks as starters.

 

[Proof]

Leary has been playing in the league for about 5 years with that knee condition, right? And it hasn't hindered him. That's a good career by any other measure, so him retiring at this point wouldn't be that big a deal and would be considered good value for the Cowboys.

That said, Leary's price was above what the Cowboys were gonna pay him. Didn't have a thing to do with his knee, IMO. Just makes good business to let him walk and throw darts at the position to see who sticks.

I think his knee was one factor along with the other line investments and his replacement in the wings. He played 5 years but was an udfa and outplayed his contract. You don’t roll those dice in the particular scenario we had

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Leary was not resigned because he isn't Free. Get it???????

 

[Pants]

timing schmiming....Free had a nice 11 year career (let that all sik in all ye who disparage him), it was time to move on...Leary wanted to get paid while he can still walk to the bank to cash his check (absolutely no problem with that, like him a lot an happy for him he is getting paid)...Dallas needs to continue to build and be cost-effective...they are not going to pay like they have 4 or 5 all-pros on the OL...they can continue to tweak that OLine with the other two spots as long as they are locked in with the big 3....churn, baby, churn

 

[LeonDixson]

Another consideration in letting Leary go is that we will get a high comp pick for him in next year's draft (probably 3rd round). I don't know whether that played into the thinking of the front office or not, but it very well could have. I agree with those above who said that money was the key consideration, though.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Leary's knee condition could be triggered by a knee injury. Its football what is the over/under on how many knee injuries the avg player has in their career.

Part of his meniscus is degenerative due to lack of blood flow. It's on a timer of when not if.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Its not quite a ticking time bomb as others have had long careers with it; but it has the bad trait of coming up real quick when it does explode. So a long term contract is chancy.

Leary was good but he was not top 10 NFL good. Maybe to 15 among all guards; run blocking he was probably top 5 - his pass blocking was not all that.

Actually it is precisely a ticking time bomb. Part of his meniscus detached and is not getting blood flow. No bueno.

They don't call a condition degenerative without cause.