Doug Free has proved to be the leader of the OL. He deserves a new Deal. Dallas could go with Parnell but why downgrade? The dropoff isnt so big that this option shouldnt be explored. But Free i dont see leaving unless he just asks for too much. I wouldnt cry with either of these two. But Id like for the team to draft a guy either way.
If Doug Free wants to stay, he can re-work his current contract to erase the voidable option and just lower the remaining base salaries in the final two years of the deal. Drop the 2015 salary to $4M and the 2016 salary to $5M.
If Free wants to get paid and hits the open market, I don't see him returning.
I believe Jermey Parnell will do nothing but improve with every game he plays and he is my preference between the two.
But Dallas can play the RTs against each other in contract talks and then take the best deal that comes up.
I'd also like to draft a RT, especially if a nice value presents itself at some point.
Rolando McClain is just a strange circumstance. Dallas clearly won that trade with the Ravens. The guy is a wall in the middle. I dont think Dallas needs to break the bank for him tho. 5-6mil avg on salary a yr wouldnt be a bad thing for him or the Cowboys.
I'd look for a 6 year deal that would enable the Cowboys to put a large base salary or roster bonus in year two, which could be turned into a signing bonus if Rolando McClain remained on the roster.
The contract can also contain per game roster bonuses for being on the game day active roster like we saw with Anthony Spencer this season and playing time incentives as seen in Sean Lee's deal.
McClain wants to be here, the team wants him to be here, a deal should get worked out.
Bruce Carter is one of my favorite players and even i thought he was on his way out. I really hope he gets resigned in Dallas. But it just depends on what this team wants to do with Hitchens IMO. I think Dallas will try to sign both Rolando and Bruce but will settle for one if the negotiations dont go the way they want. And insert Hitchens and possibly Durant in for the departed.
Bruce Carter was supposed to be one of the key defenders as our WILL in the switch to the 4-3.
Carter was so bad in the role in 2013 he got moved to SAM this season.
SAM isn't a money position under the salary cap.
Carter's playing much better now and I hope it continues, but he has been far too invisible for long stretches and has been accused of not giving 100% at all times.
I expect another team will pay more for Carter in free agency than the Cowboys will.
I don't trust him.
Dwayne Harris is agreat guy to have on your team. Special teams ace if i ever seen one. He has to come cheap for the team to sign him IMO. ST might suffer but you cant get into a back and forth for a player like this. Should be a easy resign.
How much will the team be willing to spend to keep a return specialst?
I love Dwayne Harris is this role, I even wish he got more snaps on offense, but his value is as a returner.
However, Harris (160) only played 10 more snaps on offense than rookie Devin Street (150).
Not having a defined role on offense may limit what Dallas is willing to spend on Harris.
Harris may also be interested in joining a new team in the hopes of getting more snaps as a receiver.
This decision can go either way, IMO.
Sterlin Moore should be a no brainer to be brought back. Give this man a new 4 yr deal and thats one less hole that needs to be filled. Patmon isnt ready to get a bump in playing time just yet. Moore should be resigned quick.
Sterling Moore should be a restricted free agent.
He was only on the roster for the final five games in 2013 and players need a minimum of 6 games at full pay in order to accrue a season towards becoming a free agent.
I'd still prefer to re-sign Moore to a multi-year deal instead of the one year RFA tender, but at least we don't have to worry about losing him in free agency.
Ron Leary
Darrion Weems
Are all restricted FAs so its a given that all 5 will be brought back.
Ronald Leary and Darrion Weems should both be exclusive rights free agents.
Leary didn't accrue a season as a rookie in 2012. He was on the practice squad most of that season and only got signed to the active roster for the final two games.
Darrion Weems is a similar story. He was added to the roster for the final four game of the 2012 season, two short of the minimum needed to accrue a season towards free agency.
Weems went of IR this season following week two. If his contract contained a split in case he went on IR, Weems may not accrue a season towards free agency, either.