Dallas Cowboys News

[DC_fan]

We are third in our division from where I sit depending on free agency and the NFL draft with a below average Head Coach. I don't share your positive outlook at the moment.

On serious note. Yes we finished 3rd in our division, beating only a very ordinary Eagles team. So their is a lot of work to be done for us to improve.

The Redskins went from fourth (5-11 in 2011) to first (10-6 in 2012) in one year. So it can be done.

As you say a lot will depend on free agency and especially the draft. Yes it may be stating the obvious, but our OL needs help and plenty of it. Having a quality OL maybe a couple of seasons away. I don't place all the blame on Romo for all our offensive woes this past season. We have good players at qb, rb, wr and te. We just need a good OL and some good play calling.

On defense I like the move back to the 4-3. I have never been a 3-4 fan. Cowboys history is built around having a great 4-3 def. It is part of our culture and I am very happy we have returned to it. The problem their is that with any change to the def like this its going to take a little while to fill in all the pieces. As with the OL it may take a couple of seasons.

I hope we make the playoffs next season. But most of all I am looking for an improvement next year and I think we will see that.

 

[@MarTiger]

On serious note. Yes we finished 3rd in our division, beating only a very ordinary Eagles team. So their is a lot of work to be done for us to improve.

The Redskins went from fourth (5-11 in 2011) to first (10-6 in 2012) in one year. So it can be done.

As you say a lot will depend on free agency and especially the draft. Yes it may be stating the obvious, but our OL needs help and plenty of it. Having a quality OL maybe a couple of seasons away. I don't place all the blame on Romo for all our offensive woes this past season. We have good players at qb, rb, wr and te. We just need a good OL and some good play calling.

On defense I like the move back to the 4-3. I have never been a 3-4 fan. Cowboys history is built around having a great 4-3 def. It is part of our culture and I am very happy we have returned to it. The problem their is that with any change to the def like this its going to take a little while to fill in all the pieces. As with the OL it may take a couple of seasons.

I hope we make the playoffs next season. But most of all I am looking for an improvement next year and I think we will see that.

Nice post. Well summed up.

 

[@MarTiger]

Romo Needs To Earn It

Could not agree more with this article.

As much as I like Romo -- he has the talent to be a Super Bowl winner -- he hasn't earned another lucrative long-term extension.

Not yet.

We're talking about a team that has missed the playoffs four of the past five seasons.

And we're talking about a quarterback who's 17-21 as a starter since 2010 and tied for the league lead in interceptions in 2012. And we're talking about a guy who could've re-written the narrative of his career in the final game of the season with a win over the Washington Redskins.

Instead, he threw three interceptions and the Redskins beat the Cowboys, 28-18.

We can spend all day arguing about how much blame Romo deserves for the Cowboys' record of late or his interceptions, but the reality is he hasn't played his best football when it matters most.

None of his legion of apologists can dispute that.

 

[DC_fan]

Romo Needs To Earn It

Could not agree more with this article.

Taylor comes across as being a frustrated Cowboys fan. I cant answer the bit about him being frustrated, but I suggest he is not a Cowboys fan.

Since Bill Parcells made him the starter at halftime of Week 6 in 2006, Romo has never competed for the starting job.

Tell me why should he have to compete? In most seasons since he become starter he has been ranked in the Top 10 NFL quarterbacks. If he has a poor season in 2013 then that may change.

They've never opened up the competition, or even put a worthy contender on the roster.

`

If Romo is ranked in the Top 10 qbs in the league, as many experts rank him. Then the only worthy challenge he could have is from another Top 10 qb. Tell me what team has two qbs on their roster who both rank in the Top 10?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8520/kyle-orton

Kyle Orton? When he signed, the Cowboys told him that he was in Dallas to back up Romo. Don't even think about competing for the starting job, they said.

In retrospect, how dumb is that?

Seriously, does Taylor really think Orton is a better qb then Romo? I have never in my life heard anything more stupid.

Just compare the stats

Yards Orton 14,621 Romo 25,737
C/Pct Orton 58.4 Romo 64.7
Tds Orton 81 Romo 177
Int 57 Romo 91
Rating Orton 79.1 Romo 95.6
Pro Bowls Orton 0 Romo 3

Orton come to Dallas as a backup quarterback. Everyone, except for Taylor knew this and no problem with it.

 

[@MarTiger]

Good rebuttle to some points raised pal. All in all, I agree with the sentiment of not giving Romo anything prior to the 2013 season. It's a good move both for "business" and adding more to motivating a top line player to perform. Big name players in the past in their "contract year" have had career best years - let's hope Romo does the same.

Romo isn't our biggest concern as any Cowboys fans knows though Taylor is right, "the reality is he (Romo) hasn't played his best football when it matters most." The regular season is where a QB earns his salary, the NFL playoffs is where he builds his legacy. Romo is failing here, especially over the past five seasons.

 

[DC_fan]

Good rebuttle to some points raised pal. All in all, I agree with the sentiment of not giving Romo anything prior to the 2013 season. It's a good move both for "business" and adding more to motivating a top line player to perform. Big name players in the past in their "contract year" have had career best years - let's hope Romo does the same.

Romo isn't our biggest concern as any Cowboys fans knows though Taylor is right, "the reality is he (Romo) hasn't played his best football when it matters most." The regular season is where a QB earns his salary, the NFL playoffs is where he builds his legacy. Romo is failing here, especially over the past five seasons.

The problem for the Cowboys is that they are over the cap by approx $20m. If they re-sign Spencer then that could mean an extra $10m being added to that figure. They are going to have to renegotiate some players contracts and that could include Romo.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys



So what about the Cowboys? After adding up the figures, the top 10 salary-cap hits total $89.6 million, with quarterback Tony Romo leading the way at $16.8 million.

When it comes time to get under the cap -- and the Cowboys are roughly $20 million over -- reducing cap figures for several players will be important. It makes sense for the Cowboys to reduce Romo's cap hit by giving him an extension because it'll give the team flexibility to sign free agents in 2013.

If the Cowboys don't want to reduce Romo's cap figure and let him play out the 2013 season, then it'd limit what the team could do in free agency.

Brandon Carr has the second-highest cap hit at $16.3 million, and it's in his contract that his deal will be restructured. DeMarcus Ware ($11.3 million) has the third-highest cap number, and his deal also could be reworked.

The Cowboys have two interesting decisions to make with RT Doug Free ($10.02 million) and NT Jay Ratliff ($7 million). Free and Ratliff could become cap casualties, but it will also be interesting if both players return at reduced salaries.

Here's the Top 10 Cowboys in terms of cap numbers, along with their base salaries for 2013.

1. Tony Romo (cap number $16.8 million, base salary $11.5 million)
2. Brandon Carr (cap number $16.3 million, base salary $14.3 million)
3. DeMarcus Ware (cap number $11.3 million, base salary $5.5 million)
4. Doug Free (cap number $10.2 million, base salary $7 million)
5. Miles Austin (cap number $8.3 million, base salary $6.7 million)
6. Jason Witten (cap number $8 million, base salary $5.5 million)
7. Jay Ratliff (cap number $7 million, base salary $5 million)
8. Dan Connor (cap number $4.3 million, base salary $3 million)
9. Gerald Sensabaugh (cap number $3.8 million, base salary $3 million)
10. Orlando Scandrick (cap nunmber $3.78 million, base salary $2 million)

 

[DC_fan]

Jack Eskridge passes away

Some great Cowboys history was lost with the passing Jack Eskridge.

Jack was the Cowboys first equipment manager. He was signed by Tom Landry back in 1959 and departed in 1973. Jack was 89.

May he rest in peace.

 

[DC_fan]

2015 could be a brutal year for Cowboys Free Agents

Yes its a few years away and anything could happen between now and then. But here is a list of Cowboy players who will be free agents that year.

Dez Bryant (WR), Bruce Carter (LB). Dwayne Harris (WR), Sean Lee (LB), DeMarco Murray (RB), Kyle Orton (QB), Jermey Parnell (OT) & Tyron Smith (OT).

Of that group their is 6 likely starters for next season. Some od this group are potential pro bowl calibre players. If the Cowboys wish to keep them all it could cost a lot of dollars.

 

[DC_fan]

So just who will be middle linebacker next season?

While it has been assumed linebacker Sean Lee will be the middle linebacker in the 4-3 defense, Garrett said Bruce Carter might get the chance to play inside and Lee could be the WILL linebacker on the outside. But Garrett said Lee will “get the first crack” at playing in the middle.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-NickEatman/Garrett’s-Press-Conference-At-Combine-Addresses-Many-Issues/2a59b902-3abb-405e-92a7-55cfbad4d4ba

Not so long ago I read this somewhere else. Most people have assumed that Lee wiil plat Mike and Carter would play Will. Interesting times ahead.

 

[DC_fan]

Phil Costa gets new 2 year deal

The Cowboys biggest problem last year was the OL and that had a lot to do with Costa being injured. He played in just three games. When he did play the OL performance overall was much better. Yes he needs to improve on some aspects of his game (such as his strength), but the potential is there.

Good signing in my opinion.


http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys

 

[DC_fan]

What does the tagging of Spencer and release of Sensabaugh mean for the Cowboys?

To be quite honest I didn't expect the Cowboys to tag Spencer. Didn't think they could get it under the cap (they haven't yet). The cost involved is $10.6m. Which is the tag value for an OLB not a DE, which is the position he will play with Dallas next season. The tagging doesn't mean the Cowboys will not trade him or that they will not get a long term deal done before the season starts.

Sensabaughs release frees up around $1.4m with the cap. Doesn't leave a whole ot of depth at the safety position.

Assuming the Cowboys do keep Spencer, then you wipe of the chance of a DE being taken in the early rounds of the draft. The Safety position was always going to be a high priority in the draft. With Sensabaughs release it may have overtaken the guard position as the #1 selection.

 

[zombie jesus]

Jerry will trade up and grab Vaccaro me thinks, whether he needs to or not.

 

[DC_fan]

Jerry will trade up and grab Vaccaro me thinks, whether he needs to or not.

You could be right.

My thought (at the moment anyway) is if he does trade away the 18th pick, it will be that he is trading down. But with Jerry Jones who really does know.

While Kenny Vaccaro would be a good selection, the safety I am high at the moment is Jonathan Cyprien.

 

[Raider_69]

lunacy tagging Spencer.

It would compound that lunacy by trading up and taking picks away when there are so many holes on the roster

 

[DC_fan]

lunacy tagging Spencer.

It would compound that lunacy by trading up and taking picks away when there are so many holes on the roster

Maybe, maybe not.

They can always de-tag him, trade him or sign him to a long term contract.

As for trading up, I don't really see that. As I have said if they do trade the #18 pick I think it will be downwards for extra picks.

 

[Raider_69]

I just dont see the value in tagging a guy to play DE opposite Ware. He's just put them right back in cap trouble and there is no sure thing he'll replicate his pass rushing form of this year, in fact previous to this year, he was being hammered for the fact he couldnt provide a constant threat to take heat off Ware. One good year and they tag him to the tune of 10 mil. Classic Jerry!

Granted they could come to a long term deal and lower the boom, but maybe Spencer wants to gamble on himself, if he has another year like last, he will hit the jackpot next free agency.

And either way, he's not going to come cheaply after a career year, i recon the cowboys could find a guy cheaper. Someone like Ray Edwards, who looked a beast opposite Allen, could be had for much cheaper, or better still the depth at DE looks great this year, draft a guy and develop him.

Tagging Spencer is classic Jerry, and it's why the cowboys wont be SB relevant whilst ever Jerry is in charge

 

[DC_fan]

The way I look at it, one of two things will happen with Spencer. Either he will sign a long term more team friendly contract with the Cowboys or he will be traded.

Dallas could have just let him go and got nothing for him, which could still happen. By tagging him it at least gives the Cowboys a chance to get something for him.

Depending on how it pans out, tagging him could be a great move.

 

[DC_fan]

Cowboys have little time left to get under the Salary Cap

Here we are just hours away from the start of the 2013 season and Free Agency, and the Cowboys are still over the cap by about $7m.

They have approached some players about re-working their contracts. News in this area is expected very soon.

Tony Romo is in the final year of contract and the value is a big hit to the salary cap figure. Plenty of talk that both sides here are close to extending Romos contract and lowering the hit for this season.

 

[DC_fan]

Cowboys under the cap!

With the release of linebacker, Dan Connor and contract restructures for defensive tackle Jay Ratliff, cornerback Orlando Scandrick and guard Mackenzy Bernadeau the Cowboys are now under the cap.

No deal has been done with Tony Romo to extend his contract.

 

[DC_fan]

Dallas Cowboys Top 5 Worst Free Agent Signings since 2000

1. Ryan Leaf QB 2001 Started 3 games for 1 td and 3 int
2. Mike Vanderjagt K 2006 72.2 percent success rate. Had match winning kick against Redskins blocked.
3. Bryant Westbrook CB 2002 Signed a one year $1m deal. Played one gamne before being released. His stats, 3 tackles.
4. Tony Banks QB 2001 Signed one year $500k deal. Was expected to be the starter for the 2001 season. Cut before season started.
5. Marco Rivera G 2005-06 Signed a five year $20m deal. Hurt his back and played just two seasons.

My opinion