You can't pay everyone

[TimHortons]

Salary cap is very important but so is the culture of your locker room and organaization.

Right now we have Murray, who is very humble and a hard worker/runner. He gives most of the credit to his O-line, which they appreciate and will continue to block for a guy like that. Alone with Dez is becoming the heart and soul of this team (throw in the O-line here as well). I would rather have Murray than AP, Murray is a Cowboy and AP isn't, it's as simple as that.

Dez, no one wears the Star on their sleeve like this guy. He bleeds blue and silver. Intregal part of the locker room and is becoming a good learder as well. I won't mention his skill set b/c we all know about that.

Ro McClain, is an absolute beast and is one of the D leaders. I think we must resign him if we can.

Bruce Carter, IMO, he is also a must sign. I think he has found a home at SLB and was playing well before the injury. Maybe a Sean Lee type contract that will proctect the team in case of injury.

Not sure if I would let Carr and Claiborne go at the same time. I would restructure Romo's contract as well. I might take a look at Witten's as well if Escobar continues to improve.

DRAFT well from this point going forward. No more reaches

Well everyone thought Fred was a track when we drafted him, and that turned out pretty well. You can't just accuse a pick of being a reach because some "experts" say so. We have to see them on the field before we call it a reach, not by their forecasted draft position

 

[Doomsday101]

The big difference between these two, Bryant could possibly do what he does here on a different team. Murray would be far less likely to enjoy the same success on another team. Having said that, Murray seems like a smart guy. He probably knows there are only one or two other teams that could provide him the opportunity to have the same type of success.

Sorry I disagree, Murray is a very good RB this notion he is going to sign for some cheap price is hogwash. Dallas either steps up and pays him top 5 which he has earned or they let him go. I don't think Jerry is stupid enough to let him go. The notion backs are a dime a dozen? No they are not avg players are a dime a dozen talented players regardless of position are much harder to find

 

[TimHortons]

I gotta say, even if we don't sign Murray, which I hope we do, there are a lot of really good backs that will be FA's next year.

Both Vereen (25) and Riddly (25), Mark Ingram (24), Ryan Matthews (27), DMac (27), Justin Forsett (29), Ahmad Bradshaw (28), there are a lot of pretty good backs in FA.

We could easily draft a guy and sign one of these guys if we were unable to sign Murray to a reasonable contract. I love Murray but there is no reason at all we should over pay.

That's a really good point. Out of those, I'd probably take Ingram. Before his injury this year it looked like he had really turned the corner. That's awesome. Who were they playing, plus he's still young. I wouldn't take any or them over Murray, but it all depends on how much Murray is asking for

 

[TimHortons]

Against anybody, those are very good numbers IMO. I think you have to take a good hard look at how good Georgia's OL is this year.

He could be the next Trent Richardson, and nobody wants that

 

[Verdict]

Leary is playing as well as the 3 first round picks and his UDFA status means we can sign him at a similar cost as that unknown 2nd rd draft pick.

What is Leary's status at the end of his contract? Unrestricted free agent? RFA? If he is unrestricted, it will cost some money to keep Leary. He is a piece of the best offensive line in football right now. If a competitor signs Leary, it does two things ..... plugs a hole for the signing team, and takes a piece away from the Cowboys. He won't be a bargain basement signing. Where he was drafted is really irrelevant at this point. His degenerative knee condition might be a red flag to prospective suitors though.,

 

[Verdict]

Well, the Cowboys found him in the third round? Are the Cowboys the only team that can find good players in low draft rounds? Furthermore, doesn't a third-round pick on Murray suggest that the Cowboys can find the same type of talent in the lower rounds?

You could win the lottery too, but are you going to bank on that? Tom Brady was drafted in the 6th round and Romo was an an undrafted free agent, but how many teams that REALLY NEED a QB are waiting until the 6th round or after the draft to get a QB based on the "presumption" that they can get their franchise guy in the 6th round or as an UDFA? That is not really a good argument or a sound thought process. Keep in mind that when we took Murray in the 3rd round we had a !st round grade on him. That doesn't happen very often. We got lucky getting guys like Witten and Murray where we did. You take that when it happens, but you can't presume it will happen to you every time you need to replace someone.

 

[tyke1doe]

You could win the lottery too, but are you going to bank on that?

First, the lottery is a very poor analogy because you have one particular target, i.e., getting the right numbers. And it's not just two or three numbers you have to get but more.

Second, you have more selections in the draft. You're already "banking" on it by the mere fact you have the picks. So if you're considering talent and value, you go with the positions that have the most talent and value based on your need. If you know you can get a good back in lower rounds but a better talent is available, you take the better talent higher.

Third, you can't bank on anything in the draft. But that's why you have scouts doing their evaluation. You do enough research so that you pick the player you think is worthy of that pick.

Tom Brady was drafted in the 6th round and Romo was an an undrafted free agent, but how many teams that REALLY NEED a QB are waiting until the 6th round or after the draft to get a QB based on the "presumption" that they can get their franchise guy in the 6th round or as an UDFA? That is not really a good argument or a sound thought process.

I don't understand your point. There were several quarterbacks taken before Brady AND Romo. And those teams felt that those quarterbacks were better than the ones still on the board.

Second, teams aren't thinking about getting their franchise guy in the lower rounds. The third round is not considered a lower round. The two three rounds are considered premium rounds, where you'll get your starters and your talented players who may need a bit more coaching, conditioning, etc. (three round).

Keep in mind that when we took Murray in the 3rd round we had a !st round grade on him. That doesn't happen very often. We got lucky getting guys like Witten and Murray where we did. You take that when it happens, but you can't presume it will happen to you every time you need to replace someone.

But teams do it EVERY draft. Those decisions are made all the time on draft day. Some teams get lucky, some do not.
Moreover, whether posters like it or not, the running back position is not a highly valued position. Value dictates largely where backs are picked. And because running backs have a short career in the NFL, teams evaluate them accordingly. The rare back plays as long as Emmitt or LT did. Others are done by the time they reach 28.

I didn't make the rules. This is how the NFL currently evaluates running backs. You guys seem to be upset that we acknowledge that.

 

[KJJ]

There's all kinds of ways to massage the cap. The Cowboys will lose some players like Carr who hasn't played up to his salary but Murray and Dez will be a priority. Prior to the season we questioned if Murray would be resigned and since that question has pretty much been answered. With him having an MVP type season leading the Cowboys to a 6-1 record barring a serious or lingering injury that causes him to miss several games or the rest of the season he'll no doubt be resigned.

 

[theSHOW]

Sigh. My "Please stop" was not an attempt to curb your free speech rights.

Rather, it was a phrase to convey that your statement is nonsense. I like what Murray is doing, but he can't hold a candle to AP. Please save yourself of the ridiculousness of comparing him to AP. No, it wouldn't be the same as letting AP leave. AP is a once-in-a-generation running back. Murray is not. He's good, but he's not in AP's league.



First, who said Murray was just an average RB?

Second, you compared him to the best running back this decade. Murray aint that. And that's why I said "please stop."

I'm inclined to rate RoboQB as having the better argument ...by far and that makes you're statement nonsense. Murray is here, younger, proven, and classy. APs candle is just a flicker drowning in wax.

 

[tyke1doe]

I'm inclined to rate RoboQB as having the better argument ...by far and that makes you're statement nonsense. Murray is here, younger, proven, and classy. APs candle is just a flicker drowning in wax.

Somebody's late to the party, I see.
We've already settled the issue. RoboQB already acknowledged that he might not have been as clear as he could have. I already agreed with him on the point he was trying to make.
So you really have no idea what you're talking about.
But, hey, there's a party at Jerry's World at 8 p.m. Monday.
Hope you can make it. And don't be late.

 

[dfan32]

Sorry I disagree, Murray is a very good RB this notion he is going to sign for some cheap price is hogwash. Dallas either steps up and pays him top 5 which he has earned or they let him go. I don't think Jerry is stupid enough to let him go. The notion backs are a dime a dozen? No they are not avg players are a dime a dozen talented players regardless of position are much harder to find

I didn't mean to suggest he isn't talented. He is definately a talented RB but he, just like all RB's, go the way the OL goes. The difference between Murray this year and years previous is most definately the OL. He has the talent to take advantage of that but he is not good enough to make a bad OL look good. We've all seen him and other RB's in Dallas, struggle to convert 3rd and 1 in year's past. Did he get better or did the OL get better?
I would say he is the best back the Cowboy's have had since Emmitt but I would not go any further than that. That's not a knock on Murray.

 

[cowboys2233]

That's a really good point. Out of those, I'd probably take Ingram. Before his injury this year it looked like he had really turned the corner. That's awesome. Who were they playing, plus he's still young. I wouldn't take any or them over Murray, but it all depends on how much Murray is asking for

All JAGs. Murray brings a real presence.

 

[cowboys2233]

I didn't mean to suggest he isn't talented. He is definately a talented RB but he, just like all RB's, go the way the OL goes. The difference between Murray this year and years previous is most definately the OL. He has the talent to take advantage of that but he is not good enough to make a bad OL look good. We've all seen him and other RB's in Dallas, struggle to convert 3rd and 1 in year's past. Did he get better or did the OL get better?
I would say he is the best back the Cowboy's have had since Emmitt but I would not go any further than that. That's not a knock on Murray.

No, the difference between Murray this year and years previous is...there is no difference. His averages each year...

2011 - 5.5
2012 - 4.1
2013 - 5.2
2014 - 4.9

He's the same guy (when healthy). You just weren't paying attention.

 

[dfan32]

No, the difference between Murray this year and years previous is...there is no difference. His averages each year...

2011 - 5.5
2012 - 4.1
2013 - 5.2
2014 - 4.9

He's the same guy (when healthy). You just weren't paying attention.

I didn't say he was a different guy. I said the OL was better. The OL is better and that makes him better.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I think the Cowboys were banking on Murray getting hurt and now he is almost unaffordable.

He's looking at 9 mill a year and there just isn't a RB worth that except a young Peterson.

I want Demarco on this team but not at the money he is about to command.

I'd rather be sure we keep guys like Leary, McClain, and Sterling Moore around.

I agree. I hate to see Murray leave but you have to wonder now if he's simply playing his way out of Dallas due to his impending price tag. Also you have to wonder if the team feels now that the OL is solidified, maybe they can afford to take a loss in talent at RB and go with Randle and perhaps a draft pick to carry the load next year. again I would love to keep Murray but these are difficult decisions teams make moving forward while managing the salary cap.

 

[HappyOnions]

Give me Demarco over Dez. I love Dez but I'd much rather get a solid #2 back and another WR.

Not to mention, without Dez's insane contract we could afford to keep more role players that help keep this well oiled machine continue to work.

 

[TwoDeep3]

The team can sign both.

 

[gmoney112]

Dez will be a Cowboy. Demarco won't sign anywhere for even close to 9m/yr.

We'll be able to keep most of the gang if we want them.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The team can sign both.

And will.

 

[Verdict]

First, the lottery is a very poor analogy because you have one particular target, i.e., getting the right numbers. And it's not just two or three numbers you have to get but more.

Second, you have more selections in the draft. You're already "banking" on it by the mere fact you have the picks. So if you're considering talent and value, you go with the positions that have the most talent and value based on your need. If you know you can get a good back in lower rounds but a better talent is available, you take the better talent higher.

Third, you can't bank on anything in the draft. But that's why you have scouts doing their evaluation. You do enough research so that you pick the player you think is worthy of that pick.




I don't understand your point. There were several quarterbacks taken before Brady AND Romo. And those teams felt that those quarterbacks were better than the ones still on the board.

Second, teams aren't thinking about getting their franchise guy in the lower rounds. The third round is not considered a lower round. The two three rounds are considered premium rounds, where you'll get your starters and your talented players who may need a bit more coaching, conditioning, etc. (three round).



But teams do it EVERY draft. Those decisions are made all the time on draft day. Some teams get lucky, some do not.
Moreover, whether posters like it or not, the running back position is not a highly valued position. Value dictates largely where backs are picked. And because running backs have a short career in the NFL, teams evaluate them accordingly. The rare back plays as long as Emmitt or LT did. Others are done by the time they reach 28.

I didn't make the rules. This is how the NFL currently evaluates running backs. You guys seem to be upset that we acknowledge that.

Your reply seems to indicate that you think that it is a foregone conclusion that the Cowboys can draft a player as good as or better than Murray. Maybe they can. or maybe they can't, but you are overlooking the risk associated with letting Murray go. We drafted Randle in the 5th round, and there is very little evidence to suggest that Randle is anywhere as good as Murray is, which sort of tends to invalidate the argument that Murray is easily replaced with a lower round pick.

Yes, we might end up getting a guy as good as Murray late in the draft .... but the odds are not very good, from my point of view.