Watkins: Cap space won't create enough room

Iamtdg

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Cap space won't create enough room

March, 4, 2014

By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com


The Dallas Cowboys will get under the $133 million salary cap by March 11 -- which isn't a big deal because every NFL team gets under the cap.

The restructured contracts of Tony Romo, Sean Lee and Orlando Scandrick and releasing a few other players allows that to happen.

But don't get too excited.

The Cowboys won't have enough money to snag a major free agent or retain one of their own with the space that's left. The Cowboys will have $11.8 million in dead money to deal with in 2014 in addition to trying to upgrade the talent base through the draft, potential new contracts for Dez Bryant and Tyron Smith and the ability to maintain space to sign free agents during the season are the major reasons.

Last season, the Cowboys didn't have a lot of money to sign a high-priced free agent. The team signed mid-level players such as Justin Durant and Will Allen in free agency only to release Allen two months into the season, and Durant dealt with injuries for a bulk of the season until being placed on injured reserve.

This year the Cowboys' biggest free agent need is the defensive line, but it appears the draft will solve those needs. However, Jason Hatcher, the defensive tackle, becomes a free agent and the team won't franchise him at $9.6 million. Hatcher will test the market and he said at the end of the season he wanted to sign with the highest bidder.

That won't be the Cowboys.

Yet, the Cowboys can get an additional $5.5 million in savings if they release wide receiverMiles Austin and designate him a post-June 1 cut. But the Cowboys won't receive that savings until after June 1.

So while it's good the Cowboys will get under the cap and get space, becoming a player in free agency, major free agency, isn't happening.
 

Jon88

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Our last major free agent signing was LeeRoy Glover. Man I was so pumped. I thought he would transform our defense.
 

Iamtdg

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Our last major free agent signing was LeeRoy Glover. Man I was so pumped. I thought he would transform our defense.

Actually, the last major one was Brandon Carr. But, the point still stands, we can't play in FA very much because of how retarded our drooling FO is.
 
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I don't want to sign any free agents.

Outside of Reggie White and Deion Sanders, has it ever worked?
 

dbair1967

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Obviously he didnt check with me before writing this.

The #1 GM has a plan. We will lasso several key starters via free agency.

Melton, Bryant and Byrd.
 

Jon88

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Actually, the last major one was Brandon Carr. But, the point still stands, we can't play in FA very much because of how retarded our drooling FO is.

I'm talking about someone with major impact.
 

Jon88

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I don't want to sign any free agents.

Outside of Reggie White and Deion Sanders, has it ever worked?

Drew Brees in New Orleans

After those 3, no. You have to know how to draft in this league so you aren't getting into bidding wars and handing out ridiculous contracts like we do.
 
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Woah... I wouldn't go so far as to say Drew Brees has really panned out in New Orleans.
 

dbair1967

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I don't want to sign any free agents.

Outside of Reggie White and Deion Sanders, has it ever worked?

Pretty sure most of the guys clobbering Payton Manning in the super bowl were free agent DL's
 

Iamtdg

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Thats two of the three I was thinking of. I dont think either of those would require breaking the bank either.

Bryant might be too much, but dammit, make the room and get rid of some dead weight and bring them in.
 

dbair1967

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Bryant might be too much, but dammit, make the room and get rid of some dead weight and bring them in.

If they were to sign Melton and Bryant it would open up more options for the draft, especially with the early picks
 

Sheik

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Media fabrication.

#jerrygetsanythinghewants #bestownerinsports #gocowboys!
 

boozeman

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If they were to sign Melton and Bryant it would open up more options for the draft, especially with the early picks

Even just Melton would do it.

I hate the idea of resigning Hatcher. I would rather have Melton for his money.

I do not trust the idea of Bryant. He worked out well in Seattle's scheme but I do not have confidence we can or will employ him the same way.
 
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