March, 5, 2013
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
After the Cowboys released three players on Monday -- the biggest name being safety Gerald Sensabaugh -- who might be the next player to be sent packing from Valley Ranch?
We look at four possibilities:
1. Marcus Spears. A valued member of the defensive line, Spears has played well as a starter and a backup. The team, however, could be focused on using younger players. It's unknown if Spears has a role in the new 4-3 alignment since it requires pass rushers up front and he's more of a run stopper. If Spears is released, the Cowboys only would save $600,000 -- so it's not a big deal if he stays.
2. Dan Connor. The Cowboys have asked Connor, who is scheduled to make $3 million in base salary, to take a paycut or be released. Connor, an inside linebacker in a 4-3, takes up $4.3 million of salary cap space and the Cowboys would like to reduce that number or eliminate it. With the team looking to go younger, the Cowboys might let him go, but his experience in a 4-3 is of value. Connor most likely won't play one of the outside linebacker spots as a starter, but could as a reserve.
3. Doug Free. It seems, for now, that the starting right tackle has a home. The Cowboys could cut Free after June 1 and save $7 million, but that won't happen until the summer. The Cowboys are under the cap right now, so Free's status seems secure. After more offseason meetings, the Cowboys could move on from Free -- especially if they draft a tackle.
4. Lawrence Vickers. He was supposed to be an upgrade over Tony Fiammetta but the Cowboys' run game finished 31st overall. Even with injuries to Felix Jones and DeMarco Murray, the Cowboys expected more from Vickers, who enters the final year of his deal with a $1.2 million base salary and counts $1.3 million against the salary cap. The Cowboys would save $1.1 million by releasing him.
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
After the Cowboys released three players on Monday -- the biggest name being safety Gerald Sensabaugh -- who might be the next player to be sent packing from Valley Ranch?
We look at four possibilities:
1. Marcus Spears. A valued member of the defensive line, Spears has played well as a starter and a backup. The team, however, could be focused on using younger players. It's unknown if Spears has a role in the new 4-3 alignment since it requires pass rushers up front and he's more of a run stopper. If Spears is released, the Cowboys only would save $600,000 -- so it's not a big deal if he stays.
2. Dan Connor. The Cowboys have asked Connor, who is scheduled to make $3 million in base salary, to take a paycut or be released. Connor, an inside linebacker in a 4-3, takes up $4.3 million of salary cap space and the Cowboys would like to reduce that number or eliminate it. With the team looking to go younger, the Cowboys might let him go, but his experience in a 4-3 is of value. Connor most likely won't play one of the outside linebacker spots as a starter, but could as a reserve.
3. Doug Free. It seems, for now, that the starting right tackle has a home. The Cowboys could cut Free after June 1 and save $7 million, but that won't happen until the summer. The Cowboys are under the cap right now, so Free's status seems secure. After more offseason meetings, the Cowboys could move on from Free -- especially if they draft a tackle.
4. Lawrence Vickers. He was supposed to be an upgrade over Tony Fiammetta but the Cowboys' run game finished 31st overall. Even with injuries to Felix Jones and DeMarco Murray, the Cowboys expected more from Vickers, who enters the final year of his deal with a $1.2 million base salary and counts $1.3 million against the salary cap. The Cowboys would save $1.1 million by releasing him.
z. Who's more overrated every year than this guy?
