Wednesday Why’s: Why would the Cowboys be interested in signing Ray Lewis?

[Gryphon]

FROM ANDREW BRANDT:

The Cowboys have become the Yankees of the NFL (not surprisingly, the two iconic brands have joined forces as marketing partners). They see a big name with a big reputation, want him and will overpay to get him. Ray Lewis will be 34 when he plays his next game. There are linebackers who continue to be productive and effective into their mid-thirties, but these players – such as current Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas – are the exception rather than the rule. The bigger issue in signing Lewis, as the Ravens are now wrestling with, is the type of contractual commitment required.

Lewis is sure to be looking for the magic number with top-level players now – $20M guaranteed (DeMarcus Ware will get at least $30M in guarantees when the Cowboys do his deal this offseason). Although owner Jerry Jones has made that level of commitment to lesser players than Lewis – Roy Williams a couple months ago comes to mind – this would certainly not be the sensible thing to do. Good sense, however, does not appear to be a priority for the Cowboys.

 

[jobberone]

I don't see him getting a fat contract for 4-5 years. Maybe a 3 year with outs on both sides and a reasonable amount of money up front some guaranteed. I'd say he has 2 years in him at a high enough level. He can still play. The problem with most LBs is they are becoming so specialized that a lot of them don't play 3 downs anymore.

And I do believe he would be a locker room leader esp if asked to be one by coaches and players. I wouldn't have a hard time with him but I wouldn't want his being here an obstacle for bringing young LBers here.

 

[calico]

I would not give Ray more than a 2 year deal with 10 million guaranteed.

 

[EPL0c0]

FROM ANDREW BRANDT:

The Cowboys have become the Yankees of the NFL (not surprisingly, the two iconic brands have joined forces as marketing partners). They see a big name with a big reputation, want him and will overpay to get him. Ray Lewis will be 34 when he plays his next game. There are linebackers who continue to be productive and effective into their mid-thirties, but these players – such as current Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas – are the exception rather than the rule. The bigger issue in signing Lewis, as the Ravens are now wrestling with, is the type of contractual commitment required.

Lewis is sure to be looking for the magic number with top-level players now – $20M guaranteed (DeMarcus Ware will get at least $30M in guarantees when the Cowboys do his deal this offseason). Although owner Jerry Jones has made that level of commitment to lesser players than Lewis – Roy Williams a couple months ago comes to mind – this would certainly not be the sensible thing to do. Good sense, however, does not appear to be a priority for the Cowboys.

The real question is, why would Ray Lewis be interested in signing with the Cowboys?

Paycheck aside, if I were him, I'd see no reason to even consider Dallas until I saw a significant attempt to do something what is obviously a problem. Why would he want to play for a team that he knows has a major weakness? Remember how the Ravens mocked Garrett's gameplan?

Until questions of leadership, accountability, loyalty and devotion to this program are solved, I can't see why anybody would want to come to Dallas other than for a big paycheck and then...they're just adding to the problem(s).

 

[tomson75]

They keep comparing the Cowboys to the NY Yankees :ralph: but I just don't see it. Outside of Roy Wi11iams, I don't see how we've given up too much for any single player. We haven't overpaid anyone in free agency. A few of our own guys, maybe, but no one from outside the team other than RW.

The Commanders are clearly more apt to overpay IMO, and are just as prone to bringing in "big name" players.

 

[TheCount]

No, the real question is why is anyone treating a bs article as fact? Why on earth would anyone think the Cowboys would have discussed signing a player, going as far as drawing up a potential contract, when doing so is considering tampering and would cost us dearly?

Holy crap, it's like anyone with an internet connection has something to say about the Cowboys now and the "media" treats every measly blog post like it's worth a damn.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I don't see him getting a fat contract for 4-5 years. Maybe a 3 year with outs on both sides and a reasonable amount of money up front some guaranteed. I'd say he has 2 years in him at a high enough level. He can still play. The problem with most LBs is they are becoming so specialized that a lot of them don't play 3 downs anymore.

And I do believe he would be a locker room leader esp if asked to be one by coaches and players. I wouldn't have a hard time with him but I wouldn't want his being here an obstacle for bringing young LBers here.

We need a guy like Darren Woodson back on the defense. Right now, I think our leader is Ware, but he's not as vocal as I'd like him to be. Great player--marginal leader.

I just want that so-called "fired up" guy on D. Zack can't really be it, he has to work on staying up to speed. I hope we get a natural playmaker with a little bit of intellect up in his grape.

We also need some rhythm on offense. We just weren't executing. And I do think it boils down to how hard we trained. Our guys weren't as beefed up as they could have been. I think there was something to that statement.

 

[Eddie]

Why do we need Ray Lu?

How about developing our own talent? We can't keep paying top dollar for over-priced and over-aged veterans.

We've already surpassed Dan Snyder in this department.

 

[casmith07]

FROM ANDREW BRANDT:

The Cowboys have become the Yankees of the NFL (not surprisingly, the two iconic brands have joined forces as marketing partners).

I have a problem with this statement, simply because the only big-name players that we have that we acquired elsewhere were Terrell Owens, Leonard Davis, and Roy Williams (that I can recall off the top of my head). Almost every other player on the team we either signed through a bargain deal or grew on our on...there's another thread that discusses it, but I don't know which one it is.

 

[Established1971]

FROM ANDREW BRANDT:

The Cowboys have become the Yankees of the NFL (not surprisingly, the two iconic brands have joined forces as marketing partners). They see a big name with a big reputation, want him and will overpay to get him. Ray Lewis will be 34 when he plays his next game. There are linebackers who continue to be productive and effective into their mid-thirties, but these players – such as current Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas – are the exception rather than the rule. The bigger issue in signing Lewis, as the Ravens are now wrestling with, is the type of contractual commitment required.

Lewis is sure to be looking for the magic number with top-level players now – $20M guaranteed (DeMarcus Ware will get at least $30M in guarantees when the Cowboys do his deal this offseason). Although owner Jerry Jones has made that level of commitment to lesser players than Lewis – Roy Williams a couple months ago comes to mind – this would certainly not be the sensible thing to do. Good sense, however, does not appear to be a priority for the Cowboys.

I dont know if its one of those things or there is a specific reason but there is now a long line of front 7 veteran free agent busts or "nothing specials" from recent years

Marcellus Wiley
Kevin Hardy
Jason Ferguson
Akin Ayodle
Zach Thomas
Chad Eaton

am I missing anyone

I guess Glover was really the only real contributor. The next one to actually make a difference will be one we talk about in hindsight.

 

[dbair1967]

Why do we need Ray Lu?

How about developing our own talent? We can't keep paying top dollar for over-priced and over-aged veterans.

We've already surpassed Dan Snyder in this department.

Why not open your eyes and see the above is not true? what high priced free agents have we aquired from other teams?

On offense, Romo, all 3 RB's, the FB, all three TE's, the #3 and #4 WR's and two of the OL's were either drafted or signed as rookie free agents by the Cowboys. Kyle Kosier was signed to a modest contract and certainly wasnt a big name player. Colombo was signed to a peanut contract and was a huge major injury risk, yet he panned out. Only Owens, Leonard Davis and RW were big name, big money acquisitions.

On defense Ratliff, Spears, Canty, Hatcher, Bowens, Ware, James, Ellis, Spencer, RW 38, Newman, Jenkins, Scandrick, Watkins, Burnett & Carpenter were all drafted or signed as rookie free agents by the Cowboys. Only Henry, Hamlin and Zach Thomas were signed as free agents, and none of the 3 was a break the bank deal when we got them. Thomas was the only "big name" of the 3, and he was signed for basically nothing.

The kicker and punter were also both drafted/RFA by us.

Thats the vast majority of this teams key players and starters.

It's nothing like the NY Yankees, or even the Washington Commanders, who basically havent had drafts for almost 10 yrs now.

 

[dbair1967]

I dont know if its one of those things or there is a specific reason but there is now a long line of front 7 veteran free agent busts or "nothing specials" from recent years

Marcellus Wiley
Kevin Hardy
Jason Ferguson
Akin Ayodle
Zach Thomas
Chad Eaton

am I missing anyone

I guess Glover was really the only real contributor. The next one to actually make a difference will be one we talk about in hindsight.

Ferguson, Ayodele and Thomas all played decent football. They were hardly "busts"

What about Rocket Ismail? Deion certainly wasnt a bust. Ryan McNeil played good football here, so did George Teague. TO was a free agent, his production has been tremendous. Kosier and Colombo were free agents, so was Henry.

People can bash Jones for most of his drafts after Jimmyleft and before Parcells, but we didnt make alot of stupid moves in free agency.

 

[jobberone]

We need a guy like Darren Woodson back on the defense. Right now, I think our leader is Ware, but he's not as vocal as I'd like him to be. Great player--marginal leader.

I just want that so-called "fired up" guy on D. Zack can't really be it, he has to work on staying up to speed. I hope we get a natural playmaker with a little bit of intellect up in his grape.

We also need some rhythm on offense. We just weren't executing. And I do think it boils down to how hard we trained. Our guys weren't as beefed up as they could have been. I think there was something to that statement.

I would like a leader and would like him to put down all the BS in the lockeroom. I doubt anyone would challenge Ray Lewis even TO. Some order needs to be brought to the clubhouse. Perhaps an enforcer.

 

[casmith07]

I would like a leader and would like him to put down all the BS in the lockeroom. I doubt anyone would challenge Ray Lewis even TO. Some order needs to be brought to the clubhouse. Perhaps an enforcer.

This is another thing I don't understand, but maybe it's just a media thing or I don't know.

But why is there such an emphasis on this mystical "locker room"? It's like the players live, sleep, eat, and everything else in the locker room and don't go home.

I understand there's time spent there between practice, before games, etc...but just because two guys share iPods and bump fists in the locker room doesn't necessarily mean they go hanging out together around town??

Maybe I'm just not in tune with it or whatever, but I don't know why the "locker room" is such a big deal. How do we know that this leadership in the locker room transfers anywhere outside of the doors?

Just playing devil's advocate a bit I guess.

 

[dbair1967]

We dont need Ray Lewis, nor do I want us to sign him.

For one the guy is a pure thug who should have been rotting away in jail for most of the decade.

Second, the only way he'd come here is if we vastly overpay him to come, and he isnt worth vastly overpaying at this stage of his career.

He'll either resign with the Ravens or possibly go to the Jets w/ Ryan.

 

[vta]

Because he's an aging criminal, who might need one last payday in the twilight of his career...