Upcoming contracts situations

JoeyBoy718

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I never really understood the notion of RKG but I think I'm finally getting it. It's not about criminal history or past. It's more about passion, aggressiveness and being a team player. That's why I think Rolando McClain is a definite keeper. His numbers aren't amazing but he does a lot more for the team than the numbers show. I agree that Bruce Carter is way more talented than guys like Hitchens and Durant, but what I've learned over the past year is that talent isn't always what's best for the team. We replaced guys like Ware and Hatcher with Mincey and Crawford and the defense got much better. As talented as Carter is, I just don't see him staying here. He's inconsistent and I still don't trust his passion. I want guys like McClain and Lee who will inspire others with their passion, and I want guys like Durant and Hitchens who will inspire others with their hard work and humility.
 

JoeyBoy718

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If only the Crystal ball would tell us if Lee will stay healthy...regardless, Ro needs to be back...carter? I like the guy, and if he could ever stay consistent, then the guy will surpass the 2ndround expectations...I salivate at a healthy and productive LB corps of Lee, McClain, Carter, Durant, Hitchens

the word on the street is that you don't need a stud WR to win the SB...I think the guy should be the top priority of all of the signings; he is the emotional face of the cowboys...I shudder to think who would provide that in his absence

the other top priority is keeping this OLine intact...yes, I want Free here for several more years along with Leary to go along with the young guns...Parnell as the swing tackle works fine by me...Berny as the swing G and back-up center is good as well...

many haven't said it, but I am not giving up on Mo...he gets one more chance with me; but, if he is healthy and still can't cover, he won't be a cowboy after next year anyway...Mo will make a huge difference in the secondary IMO if healthy and he gets up to snuff; it would make any potential decision on Carr that much easier to make...I like Mo, Carr, Scandrick as the top 3 with Moore the #4 guy...that is pretty solid to me

ah, the off season, I hope to NOT discuss it again until February

I agree about Claiborne. No sense cutting him, and no sense trading him because I don't see anyone giving up more than a 7th rounder. The good thing is we are no longer depending on him to make a contribution, so any contribution he can make is a plus. We have our stud CB in Scandrick, we have a solid #3 in Moore, and we'll have a decent #2 in either Carr or a veteran free agent we get to replace him. Claiborne is our 5th corner behind Patmon. So there are far fewer expectations than when we sold the farm to get him and expected him to be Revis as rookie. All we need from Claiborne in 2015 is to beat out Patmon and be a reliable #4 corner. Anything more than that is just icing on the cake.
 

Howboutdemcowboys31

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Dez better be signed. The tag should be used on Murray IMO, if possible. I do not want Bryant to be upset if he is tagged and leave. He is the top priority...........

Agree. I like Murray and want him back, but it's going to take crazy numbers to do that. If we're going all in, and going to over pay, let's do it for one year as opposed to 4-5 years
 

Bluefin

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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.
 

Pessimist_cowboy

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Dez
Murray
McClain
Parnell
Harris
Everyone else can walk

Beasley , Leary , Moore aren't going anywhere they're restricted !
 

Nightman

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With the rollover from this year, the annual increase in the cap, restructuring Romo and cuts to Carr, Free, Bern and Melton, Dallas could be well over 40m under the cap next year. They would have a lot of holes to fill and plenty of FAs, but 40-50m under the cap allows for everyone to be signed.

Keep(approx cap hit)
Dez 8m
Murray 4m
RoMclain 4m
Carter 3m
Spencer 3m
Parnell 3m


RFAs
Leary, Beasely, Moore- 6-8m

Draft DE, DT, S and OT
UFAs DE, DT, S and OT
 

Nightman

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I never really understood the notion of RKG but I think I'm finally getting it. It's not about criminal history or past. It's more about passion, aggressiveness and being a team player. That's why I think Rolando McClain is a definite keeper. His numbers aren't amazing but he does a lot more for the team than the numbers show. I agree that Bruce Carter is way more talented than guys like Hitchens and Durant, but what I've learned over the past year is that talent isn't always what's best for the team. We replaced guys like Ware and Hatcher with Mincey and Crawford and the defense got much better. As talented as Carter is, I just don't see him staying here. He's inconsistent and I still don't trust his passion. I want guys like McClain and Lee who will inspire others with their passion, and I want guys like Durant and Hitchens who will inspire others with their hard work and humility.

You are right about RKGs. It was never about being a Boy Scout. It was about guys that love football. want to put in the work and are coachable. I'm still not sure if McClain is a RKG. He is very talented and plays with a chip on his shoulder, but he has walked away from the game a couple times. I would give him a new deal in a heartbeat though. With Lee, Hitchens and hopefully Carter that would be an insane LB corp.
 

rynochop

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Murrays a tough one..we all know he wont have this big of a season again, but i also dont think you can just draft a guy in the 6th round and expect close to his production. I worry about contract year, gets paid then never ending quad,knee,ankle injury after. There, said it.
 

JoeyBoy718

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You are right about RKGs. It was never about being a Boy Scout. It was about guys that love football. want to put in the work and are coachable. I'm still not sure if McClain is a RKG. He is very talented and plays with a chip on his shoulder, but he has walked away from the game a couple times. I would give him a new deal in a heartbeat though. With Lee, Hitchens and hopefully Carter that would be an insane LB corp.

It took me years to figure out exactly what a RKG is but I finally get it.

And as far as McClain, you're right that he's retired a few times, but I don't think we can hold that against him. These are fragile kids in grown men bodies. They need guidance and the right environment. Dez could have been a bust somewhere else. But Jerry loves his guys and he invested in Dez and now he's become a leader. There's a fine line between someone becoming a leader and a cancer. Sure, some people were born leaders. But other people can become leaders. I think that's the case with Rolando. He was a leader in a great environment in Alabama, but he was a two time retiree in the cesspool known as Oakland. I have no doubts about Rolando. I just think it was unfortunate that he wasted his time in Oakland.
 

Dale

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Agree. I like Murray and want him back, but it's going to take crazy numbers to do that. If we're going all in, and going to over pay, let's do it for one year as opposed to 4-5 years

I'm really anxious, mostly curious, to see the market Murray commands. We run the ball so much more than the vast majority of the league that it stands to reason he is much more valuable than he is to 80 percent of the rest of the league. A team isn't going to offer him $30 million if it plans on giving him 17 carries a game.

Perhaps our offensive play calling creates a copy-cat effect and causes a team to over-offer Murray in hopes of having him be their ticket to offensive balance.
 

ABQcowboyJR

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You would like to have them all back, but i fear Free is out the door along with Murray. I sign Dwayne and Bruce first and take it from there.
 

Nightman

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Dez 7/88m.....20m SB
Murray 5/30m....10m SB
RoMc 4/16m ......4m SB
Parnell 3/10m......3m SB
Spencer 2/6m.....2m SB
Carter 2/6m........2m SB

Moore, Leary, Dunbar, Weems, Beasley RFAs= 6-7m

Free, Bern, Melton cut
Carr June 1st cut
Harris, Durant let test market
 

ABQcowboyJR

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Dez 7/88m.....20m SB
Murray 5/30m....10m SB
RoMc 4/16m ......4m SB
Parnell 3/10m......3m SB
Spencer 2/6m.....2m SB
Carter 2/6m........2m SB

Moore, Leary, Dunbar, Weems, Beasley RFAs= 6-7m

Free, Bern, Melton cut
Carr June 1st cut
Harris, Durant let test market

Solid plan but im not giving murray more than 5 a year. Resigning Harris but letting spence walk. Other than those changes im on board.
 

Nightman

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Solid plan but im not giving murray more than 5 a year. Resigning Harris but letting spence walk. Other than those changes im on board.

I don't think 5m/yr gets it done with Murray. With my deal it can easily be a 3yr/17m deal which isn't too bad

If we are keeping Dez and Beasely, I want a true burner for the 5th WR/KR. They need some big time speed on offense.

Spencer is better than Selvie if cheap enough
 

gmoney112

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I think Carter and Murray are both gone. Carter, with all his athleticism, couldn't beat out a 4th round Rookie.

Free will be interesting, Bluefin pretty much covered it all in his post. I'd like him back for continuity but if it means using the cap room for a difference maker on defense, then it becomes an easy choice. I'd really like to keep the trio (Smith, Free, Parnell) together, but I think it's becoming more obvious one of Free/Parnell is probably going to be gone.

Tagging Dez seems like a Catch 22 to me at this point, With the cap continuing to increase, and players like Demaryius Thomas becoming FA this offseason, as well as Julio Jones and AJ Green becoming FA in 2016, tagging him this season could end up costing us a lot of money in the long run.

McClain will be back. They'll try and keep Durant, Bern will probably be back considering he can play G/C.

Melton's gone unless he wants to come back on the cheap again, which is possible. I think the ACL injury hampered him more than people think, and a full offseason will help him on another "prove it" type deal. Carr's gone unless he renegotiates.

Harris is a tossup as is Spencer. I could be wrong, but it seems like the only game Spencer showed up was against a terrible backup for Indy and he's going to be 31 soon. If we can bring him to camp for cheap then okay, because I don't think it's a given he'll even make the team next season.
 

ABQcowboyJR

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I don't think 5m/yr gets it done withguarantee rray. With my deal it can easily be a 3yr/17m deal which isn't too bad

If we are keeping Dez and Beasely, I want a true burner for the 5th WR/KR. They need some big time speed on offense.

Spencer is better than Selvie if cheap enough

Yeah i can see your point. I wouldnt mind doing a 4 yr deal for Murray 20 mil fully guaranteed. I dont really want Spence or Selvie.
 

Tabascocat

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It is possible but it would be a HUGE mistake. We have to many holes to fill to give Murray that kind of money.

Would be a bigger mistake to invest in him long-term and he declines or gets injured. I would like to see one more complete season, then maybe try a deal.

I also don't want Dallas testing Dez's "loyalty" by tagging him.
 

Bluefin

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I also don't want Dallas testing Dez's "loyalty" by tagging him.

There are two sides in the negotiation.

Neither party wants to see the franchise tag.

If Dez Bryant wants the long term security that comes from a multi-year deal with lot of guaranteed money, he needs to be willing to compromise of the total amount of dollars.

It isn't solely on Dallas to make the wide receiver feel happy.

The Cowboys have their number, Dez and his reps have theirs.

They just have to meet somewhere in between.
 

Nightman

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There are two sides in the negotiation.

Neither party wants to see the franchise tag.

If Dez Bryant wants the long term security that comes from a multi-year deal with lot of guaranteed money, he needs to be willing to compromise of the total amount of dollars.

It isn't solely on Dallas to make the wide receiver feel happy.

The Cowboys have their number, Dez and his reps have theirs.

They just have to meet somewhere in between.

Agents complain about the Franchise tag, but the players really don't mind it. It has gotten so high at some positions that it works better than a signing bonus, especially if they use it 2 years in a row. Spencer made 19m over two years and only played one because of injury. If Dallas tags Dez twice, he will make over 26m and still be a Free Agent.
 
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