2013 Official Dallas Cowboys Thread (1 Viewer)

[Bankerguy]

Wouldnt mind seeing them bring in Rhonde Barber to help the team learn the Tampa defense. He is a free agent and would be fairly cheap. Maybe even keep him on after this season as an assistant.

He said he would only play for the Bucs.

 

[JustinHawkins]

Yep I think Barber retires a buck for sure.

 

[domvin]

Romo

6 years, 108 million, 55 mil guaranteed

WOW. 33 years already, need to see how it's structured

 

[GroveDiesel]

Romo6 years, 108 million, 55 mil guaranteedWOW. 33 years already, need to see how it's structured

Lol

 

[JustinHawkins]

all fans of other NFL East teams have to LOVE this deal

 

[Bankerguy]

Romo6 years, 108 million, 55 mil guaranteedWOW. 33 years already, need to see how it's structured

Smh.

 

[Wu-banger]

Reports say saved 5 million towards this years cap....we will see if they use it wisely

 

[Faust]

Tony Romo uses his leverage on Dallas Cowboys

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League Editor

Tony Romo had all the leverage. He took advantage.

The Dallas Cowboys desperately needed salary cap space and owner Jerry Jones knows what it's like not to have a quality quarterback. It's not like there ever was a risk of Romo leaving Dallas.

So Romo's agents did what agents have done to Jones for years: They got Jones to overpay. Just not by as much as everyone thinks.

Romo will get a six-year contract extension worth $108 million, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. The total deal is for $119.5 million over seven years. The contract extension includes $55 million guaranteed and a $25 million signing bonus, according to Rapoport. Yes, that's more guaranteed money than Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco received despite the Super Bowl champion being five years younger.

Like so many big deals, the fine print on this contract will tell the story. NFL.com's Albert Breer reported that Romo will earn $57 million in the first three years of the deal. That's an average of $19 million-per-season. It's elite quarterback money that puts Romo in the neighborhood of Flacco, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. The key number here: Three years.

After that, all bets are off. Romo will turn 35-years-old in 2016. And the Cowboys will have another big decision to make on his future then.

This contract will draw a lot of snickers from people pointing out Romo's lack of playoff success, but that's not necessarily fair. Romo would do very, very well on the open market. Other points to consider:

1. Romo is never getting close to the end of this contract. It doesn't really matter what he's getting paid from 2017-2019 when Romo is between 37- and 39-years-old. He will have been released or his contract will have been restructured by then.

2. With that in mind, the structure of the deal is what really matters here. Lost in the shuffle following Flacco's signing: The reality that Flacco truly signed a three-year contract that will be revisited in 2016. My strong guess is that Romo's contract will be similar. The only money that really matters is the next three years.

$108 million sounds crazy, but the number is ultimately phony. Few players get near the end of deals like this. The length of the contract allows the Cowboys to save as much salary cap room as possible in the present, pushing any pain into the future. This is what the Cowboys do.

3. Rapoport reported Thursday that the Cowboys would not be able to use the franchise tag on Romo after the 2013 season. That report puts this contract in a different light. They had to make a deal now because their entire offseason was held hostage until it happened. The Cowboys literally had free agent visitors that they couldn't immediately sign this week because of salary cap concerns.

4. For all the jokes that will be made at Romo's expense, it's worth noting that he's consistently a top-10 quarterback. Top-10 quarterbacks are hard to find and extremely valuable. Romo has been a better, more consistent quarterback on average than Flacco over the last five years.

Judging a quarterback solely based on playoff success is ridiculous. It's the argument of the lazy. By that logic, Tom Brady was a better quarterback in 2001 than he was in 2012. Put Romo on the 2007 Giants and they win the title.

Jones overpaid his star player because that's what the Cowboys do. Big, shiny numbers get attention. Big contracts are self-fulfilling prophesies. They justify Cowboys hype.

But let's not get carried away. Romo is not Roy Williams, Ken Hamlin, or even Doug Free. Romo is an above average starting quarterback, whether fans believe it or not. You can live with overpaying for a quality quarterback.

We just don't trust Jones to support Romo. It's all the other overpaid Cowboys on the roster that are really the problem.

 

[BigDave]

all fans of other NFL East teams have to LOVE this deal

Sure they love Jerra overspending. However, what choice did he have? I would argue none. Option "A" the deal they overspent on for a known commodity with no better choice out there. Option "B" Let him play out 2013 and go on the market? RISK of losing him. Then where'd we be? Back to the days of Quincy Carter, Vinny, Drew B. OUCH those were painful years

 

[Routilla]

Championship!

 

[cobalt_27]

That's terrible.

I say this with all due respect to Romo, but that's just irresponsible,the $ they're spending on him.

Oh we'll. Nothing new with how Jerry operates. It's really remarkable how lucky he got to have Jimmy on board.

 

[cobalt_27]

all fans of other NFL East teams have to LOVE this deal

Sure they love Jerra overspending. However, what choice did he have? I would argue none. Option "A" the deal they overspent on for a known commodity with no better choice out there. Option "B" Let him play out 2013 and go on the market? RISK of losing him. Then where'd we be? Back to the days of Quincy Carter, Vinny, Drew B. OUCH those were painful years

There's a lot of other options between romo and carter. Not either or. We chose, as always, to be completely reckless in how we spend our $.

 

[humpback]

all fans of other NFL East teams have to LOVE this deal

Sure they love Jerra overspending. However, what choice did he have? I would argue none. Option "A" the deal they overspent on for a known commodity with no better choice out there. Option "B" Let him play out 2013 and go on the market? RISK of losing him. Then where'd we be? Back to the days of Quincy Carter, Vinny, Drew B. OUCH those were painful years

There's a lot of other options between romo and carter. Not either or. We chose, as always, to be completely reckless in how we spend our $.

What do you suggest they should have done instead- let him play out the season at a $5 mil higher cap number then walk?

 

[moondog]

Contract breakdown -

Year Base Salary Signing Bonus Misc. Cap Hit

2013 $1.5 million $5 million $5.32 million $11.82 million

2014 $13.5 million $5 million $3.27 million $21.77 million

2015 $17 million $5 million $3.27 million $25.27 million

2016 $8.5 million $5 million $1.64 million $15.14 million

2017 $14 million $5 million N/A $19 million

2018 $19.5 million N/A N/A $19.5 million

2019 $20.5 million N/A N/A $20.5 million

 

[cobalt_27]

all fans of other NFL East teams have to LOVE this deal

Sure they love Jerra overspending. However, what choice did he have? I would argue none. Option "A" the deal they overspent on for a known commodity with no better choice out there. Option "B" Let him play out 2013 and go on the market? RISK of losing him. Then where'd we be? Back to the days of Quincy Carter, Vinny, Drew B. OUCH those were painful years

There's a lot of other options between romo and carter. Not either or. We chose, as always, to be completely reckless in how we spend our $.

What do you suggest they should have done instead- let him play out the season at a $5 mil higher cap number then walk?

Yes. Or as suggested by BG before, pursue trade options.

 

[humpback]

all fans of other NFL East teams have to LOVE this deal

Sure they love Jerra overspending. However, what choice did he have? I would argue none.

Option "A" the deal they overspent on for a known commodity with no better choice out there.

Option "B" Let him play out 2013 and go on the market? RISK of losing him.

Then where'd we be? Back to the days of Quincy Carter, Vinny, Drew B. OUCH those were painful years

There's a lot of other options between romo and carter. Not either or. We chose, as always, to be completely reckless in how we spend our $.

What do you suggest they should have done instead- let him play out the season at a $5 mil higher cap number then walk?

Yes. Or as suggested by BG before, pursue trade options.

That seems like the worst option to me- if you've already decided that you don't want him beyond this season, you'd be better off trying to trade him now or even cutting him than keeping him for 1 more year at a ridiculously high cap number.

As for trades, I'm not sure who you think would be available, but Romo is probably better than all of them by a decent amount. He isn't a top 5 guy, but there are only 5 of those and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. It's much more difficult than people think to land a stud QB.

ETA- now I see the post suggesting to trade Romo. I don't disagree with that option, but there's no way they would get that much for him, and you'd still have to replace him. I just don't think Romo or his contract are the main problems, even though I'm not very happy with either.

 

[Ridgelake]

I just saw an article that listed the potential draftees that have/are scheduled to visit with the Cowboys prior to the draft. Historically, this has been a strong indication of the direction the team is leaning for both specific names and positions. Included on the list so far:

OG Warmack

OT Fluker

OT Armstead

S Vacaro

S Cyprien

S Reid

DT Richardson

DE Logan

RB Randle

RB Bell

LB Porter

LB Hodges

Looks like OL and Safety in rounds 1/2. Possible DL if the right guy falls. RB and LB mid rounds.

 

[Texasmouth]

I read somewhere that Felix Jones resigned is that true?

 

[Bankerguy]

I read somewhere that Felix Jones resigned is that true?

Likely an April Fools Joke.

 

[Bankerguy]

I just saw an article that listed the potential draftees that have/are scheduled to visit with the Cowboys prior to the draft. Historically, this has been a strong indication of the direction the team is leaning for both specific names and positions. Included on the list so far: OG WarmackOT FlukerOT Armstead S VacaroS CyprienS Reid DT RichardsonDE Logan RB RandleRB Bell LB PorterLB Hodges Looks like OL and Safety in rounds 1/2. Possible DL if the right guy falls. RB and LB mid rounds.

Have we not brought Cooper in, or have you seen future plans to do?

 

[cobalt_27]

Can I just reiterate...I hate Fluker. I just think he is a sure-fire first round bust. Ugh, I hope bringing him in was just a smokescreen. I mean, maybe he'll be an average run blocker. But, start preparing Romo's obituary if we draft him.

 

[Bankerguy]

I just saw an article that listed the potential draftees that have/are scheduled to visit with the Cowboys prior to the draft. Historically, this has been a strong indication of the direction the team is leaning for both specific names and positions. Included on the list so far: OG WarmackOT FlukerOT Armstead S VacaroS CyprienS Reid DT RichardsonDE Logan RB RandleRB Bell LB PorterLB Hodges Looks like OL and Safety in rounds 1/2. Possible DL if the right guy falls. RB and LB mid rounds.

Have we not brought Cooper in, or have you seen future plans to do?

Found out Cooper is coming in the next 48 Hours.If I had to bet who the team will take....it's.VacarroRichardsonFluker CooperMe...Richardson although I suspect we just miss him.CooperTrade down a few spots.Dont like VacarroFluker can run block....but not worth the 18.

 

[Ridgelake]

Updated list of visitors and expected round drafted, per BSPN:

OL

1. Warmack

1. Cooper

2 Pugh

2, Long

2 Frederick

Note: Fluker was a private workout/discussion, not an official visitor

Safety

1 Vacaro

1/2 Cyprien

2 Reid

2-3 Thomas

3-4 Wilcox

6-7 Hamilton

DL

1 Richardson

1/2 Short

2 Hunt

4 Hill

4/5 Logan

RB

2 Bernard

3 Randal

4 Bell

? Davis

LBs

2 Moore

3/4 Porter

4/5 Hodges

WR

1/2 Hopkins

5 Boyce

Looks to me that they want OL in round 1/2. This appears to be their highest priority. DL and safety are the next priorities. They want to go these three positions in rounds 1-3. However, if a guy they have a high grade on at RB, LB, or WR falls to them in rounds 2/3, they will take him. And push the DL or safety pick to round 4 where they've scouted some guys..

 

[DaWidowMaker]

It sure would be nice if we could find a way to sign T.Clabo who was just released by the Falcons. That would help immensly and we could just flat out cut D.Free.

 

[Bankerguy]

Go sign Clabo fast and get me Cooper in the first round and I will shut about the Oline.

 

[Bankerguy]

If we signed a FA guard like Moore and then also got Clabo or Winston at OT. Would you guys want Tavon Austin?

 

[jkruppe]

If we signed a FA guard like Moore and then also got Clabo or Winston at OT. Would you guys want Tavon Austin?

Hard to know yet if they're cutting Free after June 1st or just moving him inside. Either way, I think WR is pretty far down the list of needs. Dez, Austin and Harris will work just fine with Witten and Hanna at TE.

I'd still be fine drafting an OG in the 1st round, although, it seems like all the O-lineman we've been talking about for the last 6 weeks or so might not be around at #18. What's wrong with Vaccaro in the 1st and Pugh in the 2nd? We also still need to upgrade the D-line. Austin would be a terrible pick, imo.

 

[cobalt_27]

If we signed a FA guard like Moore and then also got Clabo or Winston at OT. Would you guys want Tavon Austin?

I'm a fan. Not our biggest area of need, but he may be the BPA at that point. I think the addition of an explosive underneath option would add a great dimension for this offense AND mitigate any residual issues on the OL.

I want Winston. Super smart dude, great character guy, effective lineman. Not dominant, sure. But, he'd be an enormous upgrade in multiple areas for this team.

 

[jkruppe]

If we signed a FA guard like Moore and then also got Clabo or Winston at OT. Would you guys want Tavon Austin?

Hard to know yet if they're cutting Free after June 1st or just moving him inside. Either way, I think WR is pretty far down the list of needs. Dez, Austin and Harris will work just fine with Witten and Hanna at TE.

I'd still be fine drafting an OG in the 1st round, although, it seems like all the O-lineman we've been talking about for the last 6 weeks or so might not be around at #18. What's wrong with Vaccaro in the 1st and Pugh in the 2nd? We also still need to upgrade the D-line. Austin would be a terrible pick, imo.

Or neither.

Chris Mortensen ‏@mortreport38m
Eric Winston's opportunity with Cowboys is tied to Doug Free's willingness to reduce $7 million salary. That's obvious.

 

[jkruppe]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Maybe-talks-are-not-heating-up-in-Dallas-for-Eric-Winston.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

This just gamesmanship?

 

[Faust]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...s-cowboys-owner-defends-2008-firstround-picks

Dallas Cowboys owner defends 2008 first-round picks

 

[B-Deep]

Dallas Cowboys owner defends 2008 first-round picks

never forget, if the Cowboys win a Super Bowl it is because of Jerry.

 

[Bankerguy]

Ok...the draft is 2 weeks away and it's time to go on the record. I will post a last mock prior to the draft, but here are my thoughts as of now.

Here are the players I could see us being into:

Richardson

Cooper

Warmack

Vacarro

Fluker

Players I do not want.

Say no to Vacarro. Please no. Not a ballhawk and questionable forty time.

Fluker. Great run blocker, turnstile pass blocking. Think Columbo but not as good.

No trades up either please.

My interests at 18:

Cooper. Next to Smith....Wow. Could even be a center.

Richardson. Stud. Perfect fit for Kiffins system. Non-stop motor.

Trade down

Hearing we like Lacy.

If we take Lacy without upgrading the Oline....I won't post here all year. I will lose my ####.

 

[Bankerguy]

Can someone post something...

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Can someone post something...

Is it true that next season both us and the Skins will have 30+ million free?

 

[Routilla]

something something..we better address the OL and DL in the draft..something something..or I will be eternally chapped yet again

 

[Routilla]

Schedule looks decent, Super Bowl baby!!!

 

[N Zone]

1Sep 088:30PM ETGiants2Sep 151:00PM ETat Chiefs3Sep 221:00PM ETRams4Sep 294:25PM ETat Chargers5Oct 064:25PM ETBroncos6Oct 138:30PM ETRedskins7Oct 201:00PM ETat Eagles8Oct 271:00PM ETat Lions9Nov 031:00PM ETVikings10Nov 108:30PM ETat Saints11Bye Week12Nov 244:25PM ETat Giants13Nov 284:30PM ETRaiders14Dec 098:40PM ETat Bears15Dec 154:25PM ETPackers16Dec 221:00PM ETat Redskins17Dec 291:00PM ETEagles

 

[cobalt_27]

More evidence management is in denial...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/20/stephen-jones-sees-significant-improvements-for-cowboys/

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

1Sep 088:30PM ETGiants2Sep 151:00PM ETat Chiefs3Sep 221:00PM ETRams4Sep 294:25PM ETat Chargers5Oct 064:25PM ETBroncos6Oct 138:30PM ETRedskins7Oct 201:00PM ETat Eagles8Oct 271:00PM ETat Lions9Nov 031:00PM ETVikings10Nov 108:30PM ETat Saints11Bye Week12Nov 244:25PM ETat Giants13Nov 284:30PM ETRaiders14Dec 098:40PM ETat Bears15Dec 154:25PM ETPackers16Dec 221:00PM ETat Redskins17Dec 291:00PM ETEagles

7-3 headed into the bye

 

[cobalt_27]

1Sep 088:30PM ETGiants2Sep 151:00PM ETat Chiefs3Sep 221:00PM ETRams4Sep 294:25PM ETat Chargers5Oct 064:25PM ETBroncos6Oct 138:30PM ETRedskins7Oct 201:00PM ETat Eagles8Oct 271:00PM ETat Lions9Nov 031:00PM ETVikings10Nov 108:30PM ETat Saints11Bye Week12Nov 244:25PM ETat Giants13Nov 284:30PM ETRaiders14Dec 098:40PM ETat Bears15Dec 154:25PM ETPackers16Dec 221:00PM ETat Redskins17Dec 291:00PM ETEagles

7-3 headed into the bye

More likely 5-5 at best. 6-10 on the year. Regime change. Wash, rinse, repeat.

 

[Routilla]

1Sep 088:30PM ET Giants W 1-02Sep 151:00PM ET at Chiefs W 2-03Sep 221:00PM ETRams W 3-04Sep 294:25PM ETat Chargers W 4-05Oct 064:25PM ETBroncos W 5-06Oct 138:30PM ETRedskins W 6-07Oct 201:00PM ETat Eagles L 6-18Oct 271:00PM ETat Lions L 6-29Nov 031:00PM ETVikings W 7-210Nov 108:30PM ETat Saints L 7-311Bye Week12Nov 244:25PM ETat Giants L 7-413Nov 284:30PM ETRaiders W 8-414Dec 098:40PM ETat Bears L8-515Dec 154:25PM ETPackers W 9-516Dec 221:00PM ETat Redskins L 9-617Dec 291:00PM ETEagles W 10-6

Gotta parlay the softer early schedule into some Ws, if not the 2nd half of the schedule will be burdensome.

 

[Wise Old Owl]

1Sep 088:30PM ET Giants W 1-02Sep 151:00PM ET at Chiefs W 2-03Sep 221:00PM ETRams W 3-04Sep 294:25PM ETat Chargers W 4-05Oct 064:25PM ETBroncos W 5-06Oct 138:30PM ETRedskins W 6-07Oct 201:00PM ETat Eagles L 6-18Oct 271:00PM ETat Lions L 6-29Nov 031:00PM ETVikings W 7-210Nov 108:30PM ETat Saints L 7-311Bye Week12Nov 244:25PM ETat Giants L 7-413Nov 284:30PM ETRaiders W 8-414Dec 098:40PM ETat Bears L8-515Dec 154:25PM ETPackers W 9-516Dec 221:00PM ETat Redskins L 9-617Dec 291:00PM ETEagles W 10-6

Gotta parlay the softer early schedule into some Ws, if not the 2nd half of the schedule will be burdensome.

As much as I'd like them to beat the Broncos and Packers and split with the Skins, they won't beat the Broncos and Packers and split with the Skins

 

[Bankerguy]

This is likely my last chance to post my final Dallas mock as well as posting my top 3 targets by round. Work and my 2 kids keep me waaaaaaaay too busy these daysto find time to post anything intelligent. Over the last few years I have had a pretty good track record on predicting quite few of our past mid to late round picks. Lets see how I do this year...

This is what I think will happen, NOT what I would pick.

18-Sheldon Richardson - DT

47- Barrett Jones - C

80- Le Veon Bell- RB

114- TJ McDonald - FS

151- Josh Boyce - WR

185- David Bass - DE

-No trades this year.

-Both OGs are gone.

-Jones is a reach, but this a Garrett RKG pick.

-Cowboys LOVE Bell.

-TJ slides in the draft to the 4th.

-Boyce is a great route runner and gives us some depth.

-Bass is a high effort high motor depth player.

Here are my realistic top 3 targets by round.

1-Richardson, Williams, Werner

2-Armstead, Schwenke, Swearinger

3-Bell, Quessenberry, Jones

4-S. Taylor, B. Williams, J. Hill

5-Boyce, M. Goodman, J. Evans

6-Bass, M. Catapano, C. Johnson

If one of the OGs are on the board and we pass....I will be complaining LOUDLY.

 

[B-Deep]

i'll be shocked to my core if the cowboys go O-line in the first round, and fairly shocked in the second

 

[Texasmouth]

Trying to be optimistic but...I am not optimistic about this team going into the season.

 

[B-Deep]

Trying to be optimistic but...I am not optimistic about this team going into the season.

There's reason to be

they do have a good core group. They have shown they can play great, if Kiffin works some magic on Defense they could be a playoff team

he frustrating thing is that they will not take steps and improve their chances

They can do well but they need things to fall right. They could make it easier on themselves with better off season choices

 

[B-Deep]

http://sturminator.blogspot.com/

he ranks the top 8 people he thinks the cowboys could take

Tavon Austin is a pick i personally could TOTALLY see Jerry making

Jerry: "Well we could take an O-lineman...."

<the room laughs>

Jerry: "Yeah, i know, I make myself laugh! Well there's a safety, some DTs, but there's this little short kid who runs like the wind..."

that's all it would take

 

[Bankerguy]

...any final thoughts folks? Ridge? Cobalt? Wannabe? Steady? Others....?

 

[The Man With No Name]

They just better not trade away any 2014 picks during the draft