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Cowboys will face steep price to keep line together in the future
10:55 PM ET
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys are expected to be spectators when free-agent signings begin but they will be interested spectators because of the ramifications.
The Cowboys possess one of the best offensive lines in football with Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin having made the Pro Bowl in each of the past two seasons. They also added a first-round talent in La'el Collins as an undrafted free agent. They have a dependable veteran at right tackle in Doug Free.
The Cowboys hope the line will be able to grow together over the years but what is expected to happen starting today could greatly affect those plans.
The Oakland Raiders are expected to sign Baltimore Ravens guard Kelechi Osemele to a reported five-year, $60 million deal, although it is possible he could play tackle. Center Alex Mack voided his deal with the Cleveland Browns and could earn $10 million a year, perhaps from the Atlanta Falcons.
The Cowboys were able to sign Smith, their first-rounder in 2011, to an eight-year extension worth nearly $100 million, which many consider to be team friendly.
Frederick, their first-round pick in 2013, will have his fifth-year option for 2017 picked up this spring. Per rules of the collective bargaining agreement, the Cowboys can seek a long-term deal with Frederick starting now but there will be no rush to get a deal done.
The Cowboys hold Martin's rights through 2018 but cannot talk about a long-term deal with him until after the 2016 season.
The Cowboys would have to be awfully fortunate to keep all three offensive lineman under contract past 2017, especially with Tony Romo counting $24.7 million and $25.2 million under the cap in 2017 and '18.
Smith's contract made him the highest paid left tackle at the time. Given the inflation that could be set on the prices for guards and centers in the coming days, it is difficult to see the Cowboys being able to set the market for a center and guard in successive years even with a rising salary cap.
The Cowboys have been rightfully proud of how they built the line through the draft. They have scored big hits on Smith, Frederick and Martin.
Smith is the best young tackle in the game and he is about to enter his sixth season. Frederick has proved those who doubted him as being worthy of the 31st pick in 2013 wrong and solidified the Cowboys up the middle. Martin has the makings of the best guard in football for years to come.
One of the NFL's adages is that you can't pay everybody.
As the Cowboys watch the cash that will be flung around now, they will be thinking of how that will affect them in the future.
It's just another reason why the Cowboys have to think about winning now instead of worrying later.
10:55 PM ET
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys are expected to be spectators when free-agent signings begin but they will be interested spectators because of the ramifications.
The Cowboys possess one of the best offensive lines in football with Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin having made the Pro Bowl in each of the past two seasons. They also added a first-round talent in La'el Collins as an undrafted free agent. They have a dependable veteran at right tackle in Doug Free.
The Cowboys hope the line will be able to grow together over the years but what is expected to happen starting today could greatly affect those plans.
The Oakland Raiders are expected to sign Baltimore Ravens guard Kelechi Osemele to a reported five-year, $60 million deal, although it is possible he could play tackle. Center Alex Mack voided his deal with the Cleveland Browns and could earn $10 million a year, perhaps from the Atlanta Falcons.
The Cowboys were able to sign Smith, their first-rounder in 2011, to an eight-year extension worth nearly $100 million, which many consider to be team friendly.
Frederick, their first-round pick in 2013, will have his fifth-year option for 2017 picked up this spring. Per rules of the collective bargaining agreement, the Cowboys can seek a long-term deal with Frederick starting now but there will be no rush to get a deal done.
The Cowboys hold Martin's rights through 2018 but cannot talk about a long-term deal with him until after the 2016 season.
The Cowboys would have to be awfully fortunate to keep all three offensive lineman under contract past 2017, especially with Tony Romo counting $24.7 million and $25.2 million under the cap in 2017 and '18.
Smith's contract made him the highest paid left tackle at the time. Given the inflation that could be set on the prices for guards and centers in the coming days, it is difficult to see the Cowboys being able to set the market for a center and guard in successive years even with a rising salary cap.
The Cowboys have been rightfully proud of how they built the line through the draft. They have scored big hits on Smith, Frederick and Martin.
Smith is the best young tackle in the game and he is about to enter his sixth season. Frederick has proved those who doubted him as being worthy of the 31st pick in 2013 wrong and solidified the Cowboys up the middle. Martin has the makings of the best guard in football for years to come.
One of the NFL's adages is that you can't pay everybody.
As the Cowboys watch the cash that will be flung around now, they will be thinking of how that will affect them in the future.
It's just another reason why the Cowboys have to think about winning now instead of worrying later.
