Watkins: Jason Hatcher hopes to return to Cowboys

[Cowboysrule122]

By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com



ARLINGTON, Texas -- While the main discussions on Wednesday surrounded right tackle Doug Free's status, defensive tackle Jason Hatcher talked about his own contract status.

Hatcher, who will be paid $2 million in 2013, is in the final year of his contract. No contract talks have started between the sides.

"I'm sure I want to be back," Hatcher said after winning a charity home run derby event at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. "You can't make guys want you. You got to go out and perform. Sometimes it's a numbers thing, sometimes it's a money thing. Hopefully I will be back."

The Cowboys have let some homegrown defensive linemen leave in the past, from Chris Canty to Stephen Bowen.

Former first-round pick Marcus Spears was tendered twice and eventually received a second contract from the Cowboys, before getting released after the 2012 season. Spears signed with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.

Hatcher has become a dependable member of the Cowboys defensive line and will change positions, moving from end to tackle, in 2013. The Cowboys had a chance to draft a defensive tackle in the NFL draft last week but declined.

"I love the state I’m in," Hatcher said. "I love the organizaton. I love my teammates. I'm going to go out here and play my butt off; that's what they pay me to do. I'm not going to worry about a contract at all."

 

[cmd34(work)]

I really hope not. I don't dislike Hatcher but we need to get younger and quicker (and cheaper) on the Front 4. Need more "explosion", quick-twitch guys that can beat their man off the snap and disrupt the offense.

 

[Hoofbite]

I hope so.

Hatcher is actually one guy worth keeping. He's played well when he hasn't been injured.

I fully expect this team to fuck it up though.

Jason Hatcher has 8.5 sacks between 2011 and 2012 as a 3-4 DE........no offer on the board.

Spencer has 11 sacks between 2010 and 2011 as a 3-4 OLB.........franchise player.

 

[dbair1967]

I hope so.

Hatcher is actually one guy worth keeping. He's played well when he hasn't been injured.

I fully expect this team to fuck it up though.

Jason Hatcher has 8.5 sacks between 2011 and 2012 as a 3-4 DE........no offer on the board.

Spencer has 11 sacks between 2010 and 2011 as a 3-4 OLB.........franchise player.

If they let Hatcher walk after the season its hardly a "fuck it up" thing. He'll be 31 in a couple of months and may or may not fit the defense going forward. As cmd said, they really will need to get younger & quicker (and more talented) at DT after this season

As for the reason why they franchised Spencer, OLB in a 3-4 defense is pretty critical, and Spencer is pretty good. They didn't have anyone here capable of replacing him at the time, whereas DE's for a 3-4 arnt all that hard to find. Lastly, Spencer had 11 sacks last yr didn't he?

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

If Hatcher plays well this year, I bet we bring him back. Jerry loves to pay his own draft picks.

And he's a good player anyway. Why not. Not like we're flush with young defensive linemen.