sago1
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with the exception of LT Flozel Adams whose contract ends after 2007 season. Below is interesting article from Raphael Vela's blog regarding the continuity now set for next few years on our team. Cowboys new handling of contract issues will allow us to make changes as we see the need and not due to losing starters we want to keep. Anyway, here goes....
Posted: News 20 Sep 2006 12:39 am CT
Continuity Is the Name of the Game By Rafael Vela 2 Comments
In the early days of the salary cap system, NFL teams did a lot of what I’ll call back-roster churning. They would invest heavily in veteran free agents and subsequently give up on up-and-coming talent. Teams like San Francisco, Dallas and Baltimore could stockpile for short success windows but have to rebuild when the veteran core got old at once.
In recent years, as teams have learned to better plan for the long term, franchises like Philadelphia, who refuse big deals to veterans over 30 and show a willingness to pace their big ticket salary cap buys, have been able to extend their competitive runs. Continuity is now the name of the game; you give big deals to your stars as they enter their prime years. It’s allowed well-managed franchises to again contemplate dynasties.
New York comes to mind. The Giants last year invested heavily in their offensive talent, particularly their offensive linemen. The team now has long-term certainty at the positions that protect franchise cornerstone Eli Manning.
Dallas is following the same blueprint, with the recent signings of Roy Williams, Jason Witten, Bradie James and Tony Romo. None is older than 26. Romo, the oldest of the bunch (he’s four months older than Roy Williams) has no wear on his 26-year-old frame.
Dallas now has every defensive starter signed through 2009. Only NT Jason Ferguson and LOLB Greg Ellis are over 30. The Cowboys took some criticism for inking greybeards Ferguson and Marco Rivera in March 2005, especially after Rivera blew out a disc just days after signing. For the most part however, the Cowboys have built a solid and youthful roster.
On offense, every starter save two are under contract through 2008. Flozell Adams’ contract runs out after 2007 though Dallas is speed-grooming rookie Pat McQuistan to take the reins at LT. The one potential break comes at center, where Andre Gurode is playing on a one-year deal. He may get his sweetheart deal before the 2007 free agent period however, if his solid play continues.
Barring several severe injuries, the Cowboys should be able to operate like a pre-salary cap team, making changes when it feels them necessary, not when cap problems dictate. Get used to this roster because it’s going to stick around a while. That certainty may convince Bill Parcells to stick around too.
Posted: News 20 Sep 2006 12:39 am CT
Continuity Is the Name of the Game By Rafael Vela 2 Comments
In the early days of the salary cap system, NFL teams did a lot of what I’ll call back-roster churning. They would invest heavily in veteran free agents and subsequently give up on up-and-coming talent. Teams like San Francisco, Dallas and Baltimore could stockpile for short success windows but have to rebuild when the veteran core got old at once.
In recent years, as teams have learned to better plan for the long term, franchises like Philadelphia, who refuse big deals to veterans over 30 and show a willingness to pace their big ticket salary cap buys, have been able to extend their competitive runs. Continuity is now the name of the game; you give big deals to your stars as they enter their prime years. It’s allowed well-managed franchises to again contemplate dynasties.
New York comes to mind. The Giants last year invested heavily in their offensive talent, particularly their offensive linemen. The team now has long-term certainty at the positions that protect franchise cornerstone Eli Manning.
Dallas is following the same blueprint, with the recent signings of Roy Williams, Jason Witten, Bradie James and Tony Romo. None is older than 26. Romo, the oldest of the bunch (he’s four months older than Roy Williams) has no wear on his 26-year-old frame.
Dallas now has every defensive starter signed through 2009. Only NT Jason Ferguson and LOLB Greg Ellis are over 30. The Cowboys took some criticism for inking greybeards Ferguson and Marco Rivera in March 2005, especially after Rivera blew out a disc just days after signing. For the most part however, the Cowboys have built a solid and youthful roster.
On offense, every starter save two are under contract through 2008. Flozell Adams’ contract runs out after 2007 though Dallas is speed-grooming rookie Pat McQuistan to take the reins at LT. The one potential break comes at center, where Andre Gurode is playing on a one-year deal. He may get his sweetheart deal before the 2007 free agent period however, if his solid play continues.
Barring several severe injuries, the Cowboys should be able to operate like a pre-salary cap team, making changes when it feels them necessary, not when cap problems dictate. Get used to this roster because it’s going to stick around a while. That certainty may convince Bill Parcells to stick around too.
