Why not tag Murray and resign Dez?

[Nightman]

That's not really or necessarily accurate.
Dallas has 20 free agents and if they kept 15 of those with Dez and Murray around they'd likely be in serious cap restructure mode.
It is impossible to say what any of these guys cost much the lot of them. But is is very possible you could do a restructure for Romo and eat that PLUS the current cap space and sign JUST Dez and franchise Demarco.
We obviously could do more restructures but we've begun to strike a balance there.

Dallas is hardly hurting but they are not in pay everyone what they want mode either.
They will have to make some tough decisions and they need value players but just valued players.

Restructures are just another tool in the tool shed. Restructure Romo. TSmith and Witten and Dallas has almost 45m in cap space. That is more than enough to take care of all our guys plus a couple FAs. There is no reason to be conservative this year.

 

[MrPeanutbutter]

Restructures are just another tool in the tool shed. Restructure Romo. TSmith and Witten and Dallas has almost 45m in cap space. That is more than enough to take care of all our guys plus a couple FAs. There is no reason to be conservative this year.

God, Cowboy football is going to be rough in a couple of seasons.

 

[jterrell]

God, Cowboy football is going to be rough in a couple of seasons.

Relax, Dallas is no longer following that plan.
They will be smart financially as they were last year.

If Dallas knows nothing else they know injuries can derail best laid plans.
We are not going all in unless the entire front office is lying to us.

 

[Nightman]

God, Cowboy football is going to be rough in a couple of seasons.

It doesn't take long to get out of any cap trouble, if that even exists. The cap is going through the roof in the next few years. It's not like it was even 5 years ago. Romo,Carr, Witten and Lee will be gone in a couple seasons. That leaves TSmith as the only large contract. Add Dez and who else is there? TFred and Martin won't break the bank.

 

[MrPeanutbutter]

It doesn't take long to get out of any cap trouble, if that even exists. The cap is going through the roof in the next few years. It's not like it was even 5 years ago. Romo,Carr, Witten and Lee will be gone in a couple seasons. That leaves TSmith as the only large contract. Add Dez and who else is there? TFred and Martin won't break the bank.

Tell that to teams with boatloads of real needs.

 

[MichaelValentino]

I'm not 100% for franchising Murray but if the Cowboys do, and say the tag is $11M, it would not be as bad financially if the Cowboys drafted his replacement. Right now the offer is $16M over 4 years. Murray is not going to accept that. His agent may counter with $26-$28M over 4 years. If Murray stays in Dallas the final deal might be upwards of $22M/4. If the Cowboys tag Murray and draft Gurley at 27 or Coleman in rd 2, they will then be looking at a huge payday to Murray in 2015 and the four-year rookie contract for his replacement. What would Gurley get for 4 years at no. 27? Let's say it's $4M. Then you are looking at $15M/4 for Murray (one year) and Gurley (4 yrs, rookie contract). This is still less than the Cowboys' current offer, which Murray almost certainly won't take, not unless he doesn't get any serious offers in FA. FWIW, I don't see Gordon around at no. 27 and I only see Gurley there because of his knee.

 

[JDSmith]

I'm not 100% for franchising Murray but if the Cowboys do, and say the tag is $11M, it would not be as bad financially if the Cowboys drafted his replacement. Right now the offer is $16M over 4 years. Murray is not going to accept that. His agent may counter with $26-$28M over 4 years. If Murray stays in Dallas the final deal might be upwards of $22M/4. If the Cowboys tag Murray and draft Gurley at 27 or Coleman in rd 2, they will then be looking at a huge payday to Murray in 2015 and the four-year rookie contract for his replacement. What would Gurley get for 4 years at no. 27? Let's say it's $4M. Then you are looking at $15M/4 for Murray (one year) and Gurley (4 yrs, rookie contract). This is still less than the Cowboys' current offer, which Murray almost certainly won't take, not unless he doesn't get any serious offers in FA. FWIW, I don't see Gordon around at no. 27 and I only see Gurley there because of his knee.

I think if you are going to spend a high pick on his replacement then it would probably make more sense to spend the 11 million on other areas of the team. I wouldn't want to invest 11 million and a first round pick in the RB position.

 

[MichaelValentino]

I think if you are going to spend a high pick on his replacement then it would probably make more sense to spend the 11 million on other areas of the team. I wouldn't want to invest 11 million and a first round pick in the RB position.

Good point, JDSmith.

I was thinking along the lines of keeping Murray an extra year which would give time for Gurley to be 100% and then turn it over to Gurley. I don't think Gordon will be there at 27. I'm not sure about giving Murray a 4-yr deal at age 27. Most objections to going after Adrian Peterson - if MN releases him - deal with his age (30 before the season begins). IMO Murray, while very good, isn't half the player Peterson is. What will Murray bring in 2017-18 at age 29 and 30? I doubt anywhere near what AD would bring this year. But setting aside getting Peterson in FA, I think the Cowboys should look for their starting RB in this draft. I prefer Gurley for his strength-speed combination. I'm not sold on Dunbar; Randle is a good change-of-pace back, not a bellcow back; and I honestly don't even know who the other back is. Maybe if Dallas does draft Gurley or Tavis Coleman they can let Murray go and focus on signing FAs on the defensive side of the ball, putting that $11M to other uses as you suggest.

 

[Nightman]

Good point, JDSmith.

I was thinking along the lines of keeping Murray an extra year which would give time for Gurley to be 100% and then turn it over to Gurley. I don't think Gordon will be there at 27. I'm not sure about giving Murray a 4-yr deal at age 27. Most objections to going after Adrian Peterson - if MN releases him - deal with his age (30 before the season begins). IMO Murray, while very good, isn't half the player Peterson is. What will Murray bring in 2017-18 at age 29 and 30? I doubt anywhere near what AD would bring this year. But setting aside getting Peterson in FA, I think the Cowboys should look for their starting RB in this draft. I prefer Gurley for his strength-speed combination. I'm not sold on Dunbar; Randle is a good change-of-pace back, not a bellcow back; and I honestly don't even know who the other back is. Maybe if Dallas does draft Gurley or Tavis Coleman they can let Murray go and focus on signing FAs on the defensive side of the ball, putting that $11M to other uses as you suggest.

It is obviously not the preferred route, but the idea of risking the season on a rookie RB or a guy like RWilliams with no history is scary. A few more million to sign Murray will be a good one year insurance policy.

 

[rpntex]

Disagree all you want we'll never know. Let me ask you this and give me an honest answer do you think the Cowboys would have had the season they did and Romo would have had the efficient season he did in 2014 had it not been for Murray and the running game?

I think it would have been very close to what we saw with Randle and/or Williams running behind that line. Maybe not 1845 yards, but I believe the tandem of the two could have combined for 1500 or so. Murray was not the running game all by himself. It's my opinion the LOL was as big contributor to the running games effectiveness as Murray was.

 

[KJJ]

I think it would have been very close to what we saw with Randle and/or Williams running behind that line. Maybe not 1845 yards, but I believe the tandem of the two could have combined for 1500 or so. Murray was not the running game all by himself. It's my opinion the LOL was as big contributor to the running games effectiveness as Murray was.

Williams never saw a carry in 2014 so the Cowboys can't think much of him. Randle was effective coming in later in games after Murray softened up the defense. The Cowboys have had RB's in the past such as Troy Hambrick and Barber look great in relief roles but once they got the bulk of the carries they never looked as good. The OL was part of the reason Murray had such a great season but he produced some great games well before this OL was built. His franchise record 253 yards came as a rookie in 2011 with Tyron who was also a rookie as the only #1 pick on the OL. Murray had some other very productive games well before this OL was built. Randle had 2 opportunities to start in 2013 with Murray out with an injury and didn't perform. He averaged 1.9 a carry vs Detroit which helped cost the Cowboys that game. He took a 3 yard loss on the Cowboys final possession causing them to have to punt with about a minute left giving the Lions just enough time to win the game in the end.

With his off the field issues not sure the Cowboys would trust him with an expanded role. A rotation with Randle and a big power back might work but Murray is able to pick up the tough/dirty yards that keep the chains moving. He runs with power and determination in those situations and the Cowboys have to be able to pick up those yards to be successful and win games. I'm not a believer that you can stick just any back or two behind this OL and have the same success we saw this past season with Murray. He's a very talented back and we've seen that the past 4 seasons. In 2012 when the OL was still an issue Murray was running all over the Ravens until he got injured. Until Randle or any of the other backs show they can be effective carrying the ball 15 plus times I'm not going to be convinced the running game will continue flourish without Murray.

 

[rpntex]

Williams never saw a carry in 2014 so the Cowboys can't think much of him. Randle was effective coming in later in games after Murray softened up the defense. The Cowboys have had RB's in the past such as Troy Hambrick and Barber look great in relief roles but once they got the bulk of the carries they never looked as good. The OL was part of the reason Murray had such a great season but he produced some great games well before this OL was built. His franchise record 253 yards came as a rookie in 2011 with Tyron who was also a rookie as the only #1 pick on the OL. Murray had some other very productive games well before this OL was built. Randle had 2 opportunities to start in 2013 with Murray out with an injury and didn't perform. He averaged 1.9 a carry vs Detroit which helped cost the Cowboys that game. He took a 3 yard loss on the Cowboys final possession causing them to have to punt with about a minute left giving the Lions just enough time to win the game in the end.

With his off the field issues not sure the Cowboys would trust him with an expanded role. A rotation with Randle and a big power back might work but Murray is able to pick up the tough/dirty yards that keep the chains moving. He runs with power and determination in those situations and the Cowboys have to be able to pick up those yards to be successful and win games. I'm not a believer that you can stick just any back or two behind this OL and have the same success we saw this past season with Murray. He's a very talented back and we've seen that the past 4 seasons. In 2012 when the OL was still an issue Murray was running all over the Ravens until he got injured. Until Randle or any of the other backs show they can be effective carrying the ball 15 plus times I'm not going to be convinced the running game will continue flourish without Murray.

That he didn't see a carry only means that the Cowboys didn't have the luxury of activating four tailbacks every Sunday. You can only activate 46 players, and 4 RBs active takes away from another position. It certainly doesn't mean that the Cowboys don't think much of him. The two-year futures deal he just signed with Dallas should tell you that they see him as more than just a practice squad player. Most PS players receive signing bonuses of less than $75K. Williams' bonus was $240K. Are you sure they don't think that much of him?

FWIW, I don't think Randle will be an every-down back. He works best in a rotation, being used as a change-of-pace guy. Williams is who will be most like Murray - a more physical back.

 

[KJJ]

That he didn't see a carry only means that the Cowboys didn't have the luxury of activating four tailbacks every Sunday. You can only activate 46 players, and 4 RBs active takes away from another position. It certainly doesn't mean that the Cowboys don't think much of him. The two-year futures deal he just signed with Dallas should tell you that they see him as more than just a practice squad player. Most PS players receive signing bonuses of less than $75K. Williams' bonus was $240K. Are you sure they don't think that much of him?

FWIW, I don't think Randle will be an every-down back. He works best in a rotation, being used as a change-of-pace guy. Williams is who will be most like Murray - a more physical back.

If the Cowboys thought Williams was one of their 3 best backs he would have been one of the 3 activated. The fact he wasn't one of the 3 backs activated raises questions about him. The Cowboys thought enough of him to hang onto him with a 2 year deal but the fact is he never stepped on the field in 2014 and hasn't stepped on the field for any team since 2012. Williams has had some serious injury issues tearing his patellar tendon his rookie year and missing most of the 2012 season with a shoulder problem. It's hard to develop as a player missing most of their first 3 seasons so he's not a player you want to be entering the 2015 season with having to depending on if Murray walks. Despite being a second round pick he's still unproven.

Randle's only hope for success is being part of a rotation he needs a big power back to compliment him so the Cowboys can pick up the tough yards on 3rd downs and punch the ball in nearing the goal line. Randle's recent off the field issues makes his dependability an uncertainly and could end up costing him his roster spot. If the Cowboys see him as trouble he won't be on the roster next season. If the team loses Murray there's not a back currently under contact that I would feel secure entering the 2015 season with.