March, 11, 2013
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
The Cowboys will enter the free agency period on Tuesday afternoon as spectators in the early going.
It's ok because sometimes, fans forget what happened the previous year.
Last year, many fans wanted Terence Newman off the Cowboys depth chart and when that occurred, the team spent $50.1 million, the most for a cornerback in franchise history, on cornerback Brandon Carr.
The Cowboys' fans wanted upgrades to the offensive line, and Jerry Jones delivered by spending at least $30 million on guards Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau.
Lawrence Vickers was an expected upgrade at fullback last season and the Cowboys signed him to a two-year deal worth $2.4 million.
Jon Kitna bothered the Cowboys' faithful because of his age and declining skill set, forget about the fact he was a respected member in the locker room. Enter Kyle Orton, who lost his job to Tim Tebow in Denver, to take over as Tony Romo's backup. Orton signed a three-year $10.5 million contract.
The Cowboys made their free agency play last spring, upgrading the cornerback, guards, fullback and backup quarterback positions.
All it got them was an 8-8 season and a seat at home watching the playoffs.
You can't expect the Cowboys to become big players every year in free agency. The team was nearly $20 million over the salary cap when the season ended and you can't expect the franchise to cut everybody because it comes with a price. Dead money hits you the next year or two depending on when a player is released from his contract.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Cowboys will get under the cap. They've agreed to restructure the contracts of Nate Livings, Orlando Scandrick and Jay Ratliff. There's a chance Dan Connor and Marcus Spears will be sent packing.
In Connor's case, a paycut was offered a week ago and nothing has transpired along that front. Sending Spears home saves just $600,000. But finding the right fit for Spears (defensive end or defensive tackle) could be the main reason why he's released.
At this stage of the offseason the two most important financial plays for the Cowboys are defensive end Anthony Spencer and Romo. Each will get a long-term deal at some point. Romo mainly to reduce his team-high $16.8 million salary cap number and to maintain the franchise's belief he's the future.
Spencer wants to remain with the Cowboys long-term and the team placed the franchise tag on him last week to ensure that. Spencer will sign the tag and get a big money deal with the Cowboys.
It's easy to view the free agents and wonder how they fit with the Cowboys. As of today, the Cowboys are nearly $6.8 million over the salary cap. Depending on how much is done until Tuesday afternoon, the Cowboys might not have much room to play with in free agency. So while other teams are holding press conferences and flying players to their facilities, things will be quiet at Valley Ranch and Cowboys Stadium.
It's not the end of the world. Just the reality of the situation.
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
The Cowboys will enter the free agency period on Tuesday afternoon as spectators in the early going.
It's ok because sometimes, fans forget what happened the previous year.
Last year, many fans wanted Terence Newman off the Cowboys depth chart and when that occurred, the team spent $50.1 million, the most for a cornerback in franchise history, on cornerback Brandon Carr.
The Cowboys' fans wanted upgrades to the offensive line, and Jerry Jones delivered by spending at least $30 million on guards Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau.
Lawrence Vickers was an expected upgrade at fullback last season and the Cowboys signed him to a two-year deal worth $2.4 million.
Jon Kitna bothered the Cowboys' faithful because of his age and declining skill set, forget about the fact he was a respected member in the locker room. Enter Kyle Orton, who lost his job to Tim Tebow in Denver, to take over as Tony Romo's backup. Orton signed a three-year $10.5 million contract.
The Cowboys made their free agency play last spring, upgrading the cornerback, guards, fullback and backup quarterback positions.
All it got them was an 8-8 season and a seat at home watching the playoffs.
You can't expect the Cowboys to become big players every year in free agency. The team was nearly $20 million over the salary cap when the season ended and you can't expect the franchise to cut everybody because it comes with a price. Dead money hits you the next year or two depending on when a player is released from his contract.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Cowboys will get under the cap. They've agreed to restructure the contracts of Nate Livings, Orlando Scandrick and Jay Ratliff. There's a chance Dan Connor and Marcus Spears will be sent packing.
In Connor's case, a paycut was offered a week ago and nothing has transpired along that front. Sending Spears home saves just $600,000. But finding the right fit for Spears (defensive end or defensive tackle) could be the main reason why he's released.
At this stage of the offseason the two most important financial plays for the Cowboys are defensive end Anthony Spencer and Romo. Each will get a long-term deal at some point. Romo mainly to reduce his team-high $16.8 million salary cap number and to maintain the franchise's belief he's the future.
Spencer wants to remain with the Cowboys long-term and the team placed the franchise tag on him last week to ensure that. Spencer will sign the tag and get a big money deal with the Cowboys.
It's easy to view the free agents and wonder how they fit with the Cowboys. As of today, the Cowboys are nearly $6.8 million over the salary cap. Depending on how much is done until Tuesday afternoon, the Cowboys might not have much room to play with in free agency. So while other teams are holding press conferences and flying players to their facilities, things will be quiet at Valley Ranch and Cowboys Stadium.
It's not the end of the world. Just the reality of the situation.
