Archer: Should Cowboys try to keep Brian Waters?

[Cotton]

Should Cowboys try to keep Brian Waters?
February, 18, 2014

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- Brian Waters, who is set to hit free agency after a seven-game run at right guard for the Dallas Cowboys in 2013, turns 37 years old Tuesday.

Will he play in 2014?

If he wants to, then he will. That is the question Waters has not answered and likely will not answer until well into the offseason.

He has yet to have surgery on a torn triceps that knocked him out for the season, but even if he does have the operation he said in December that would not mean he will play in 2014. He talked the day after the season about needing the surgery just for quality of life.

Waters started five games for the Cowboys and played in seven at right guard. Jason Garrett talked about Waters’ presence changing the offensive line. He brought a toughness and diligence to the group.

At this stage in his career, Waters does not want to go through the rigors of an offseason program and training camp. He and the Cowboys went back and forth last summer and the Cowboys were ready to move on to Brandon Moore until he opted not to get on a plane to Oxnard, Calif.

Waters eventually signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million and more from incentives, joining the Cowboys on Sept. 4, 2013. He was active for the second week of the season. He moved into the starting role Sept. 29 against the San Diego Chargers and held it until he tore his triceps against the Detroit Lions.

Waters did enough in 2013 to show he can still play. Maybe not at the All-Pro level he once played, but certainly good enough for a team to win games with him. But he is 37.

Should the Cowboys re-sign him if he wants to play?

 

[L.T. Fan]

Played in seven games, has injuries and hasn't looked to take care of it tells me he has little or no interest in playing. The impression I am left with is if he is thinking about playing he will do delayed surgery then watch everyone prepare for the season from their bench. Either way it's a no deal for me.

 

[Genghis Khan]

If he would take vet minimum or close to it, and wouldn't mind not being guaranteed a starter, then sure.

 

[Carp]

I'd rather just move on...if we were a Super Bowl contender that would be one thing.

 

[ravidubey]

Just draft a fucking guard who's actually worth a shit.

 

[Carp]

When ravi drops two bombs shit gets real.

 

[Simpleton]

This is actually a pretty solid OG class, we could get a day 1 starter in the 2nd round in a guy like Gabe Jackson or Su'a-Filo.

 

[Carp]

This is a weak OG class.

 

[Clay_Allison]

No. There are other guards we could sign cheap for insurance/competition.

 

[Simpleton]

This is a weak OG class.

There isn't anybody that will go top 15, so from that perspective it is, but there are several guys who can be had from around 30-60 who can start day 1.

 

[p1_]

We do need to draft another guard. Im hesitant to have only Leary and Bernadeau at their respective spots. Not to mention right tackle.

 

[Smitty]

We have a billion holes though. If you don't bring back Waters you are creating another hole for yourself, really, as you'd be crazy to plan on Leary and Bernadeau staying both effective AND healthy.

If you find value in the draft, then you can let Waters go. I guess since he won't make a decision until after the draft, that's kinda the deciding factor.

The problem is really that you should purge this team of all its older guys and just rebuild. But you can't do it with a coaching staff that knows it has to win to keep its job.

 

[L.T. Fan]

We have a billion holes though. If you don't bring back Waters you are creating another hole for yourself, really, as you'd be crazy to plan on Leary and Bernadeau staying both effective AND healthy.

If you find value in the draft, then you can let Waters go. I guess since he won't make a decision until after the draft, that's kinda the deciding factor.

The problem is really that you should purge this team of all its older guys and just rebuild. But you can't do it with a coaching staff that knows it has to win to keep its job.

Is Waters still signed? I thought he only had a one year deal last year. If that's the case he is already gone.

 

[Bluestar71]

On a normal team you would let him go and look to the draft. But with Jerry running things there's a more than likely probability the position is considered okay and quality depth or replacements aren't needed. Bearing that in mind I would rather keep Waters unless he wants too much money. The alternative is probably some 7th round throwaway or undrafted FA that can't play.

 

[Carp]

There isn't anybody that will go top 15, so from that perspective it is, but there are several guys who can be had from around 30-60 who can start day 1.

Several? Feh. There are guys in the 30-60 who may start, but having no top level Gs means they could go even higher than that. This is a good T class, below average G class.

 

[Bluestar71]

This is actually a pretty solid OG class, we could get a day 1 starter in the 2nd round in a guy like Gabe Jackson or Su'a-Filo.

The 2nd round is for TE's and injury riddled LB's not Guards according to the GM.

 

[Cotton]

Is Waters still signed? I thought he only had a one year deal last year. If that's the case he is already gone.

It was a one year deal. He is a FA right now.

 

[Simpleton]

Several? Feh. There are guys in the 30-60 who may start, but having no top level Gs means they could go even higher than that. This is a good T class, below average G class.

I see Yankey, Su'a-Filo and Jackson as probable day 1 starters unless they go to teams that already have 2 solid OG's. I also love Brandon Thomas from Clemson in the 4th or so and of course there's Cyril Richardson as well. If this team has a brain they can easily find an OG who can at least be a solid 3rd OG behind Leary and Bernadeau.

 

[boozeman]

It was a one year deal. He is a FA right now.

And still has not had surgery. Buh and bye.

 

[Cotton]

And still has not had surgery. Buh and bye.

Yep.