Archer: Looking back so Cowboys don't make same 2010 mistake

[L.T. Fan]

And?

Your timeline was wrong just admit it.

No more so than your arbitrary timeline that says he is right on schedule when there isn't any data that says there is a schedule for athletes with this procedure.

 

[ravidubey]

Yes, and if someone manages to outplay him, cut him loose. But will he play for a mil?

Don't know, but you are dead on regarding competition. Spencer should be forced to compete for that 4th or 5th spot.

 

[Carp]

Orakpo was mentioned as a depth candidate...I'd take a look for sure.

 

[Clay_Allison]

Orakpo was mentioned as a depth candidate...I'd take a look for sure.

I'd be interested.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Let me spell out the logic a little slower for you. He was a first round pick. He's in what should be the prime of his career. He's not expensive. He's coming from a team with plenty of cap room. And that team needs a young pass rusher pretty badly. So bad that they reached ridiculously for a pass rusher in last year's first round of the draft.

Teams move on from 1st round picks after their rookie contracts are up usually for one of two reasons, money or performance. And it isn't about money here.

Eagles' Brandon Graham will be popular in free agency
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By Chris Wesseling
Around the NFL Writer
Published: Feb. 11, 2015 at 09:38 p.m. Updated: Feb. 11, 2015 at 10:16 p.m.
Similar to Jason Worilds and Everson Griffen last offseason, Eagles outside linebacker Brandon Graham is the out-of-nowhere edge rusher ready to cash in while forcing his team's hand.

Philadelphia's front office reportedly approached Graham's camp with a four-year contract offer late in the season, but the underutilized former first-round draft pick is excited to test his value on the open market.

Graham, 26, is now seeking a four-year deal worth roughly $30 million with $20 million in guarantees, reports CSN Philly's Geoff Mosher.


It's understandable that Graham would be aiming high in contract talks.

Although overshadowed by Connor Barwin and Trent Cole in Philadelphia, it was Graham who paced all NFL defenders last season in Pro Football Focus' Pass Rushing Productivity formula that combines sacks, hits and hurries relative to pass rushing attempts.

Graham's efficiency isn't a one-year phenomenon. Over the past three seasons, he is PFF's highest-rated edge defender per 100 snaps.

It doesn't hurt that Graham has been successful in multiple schemes, has been solid against the run, has shown a knack for forcing fumbles and is an asset on special teams.

We debated Graham's free-agent value on a recent edition of the Around The NFL Podcast, pointing out his pole position as one of the premier pass-rushers available.

Unless the Eagles play keep-away like the Steelers and Vikings did with Worilds and Griffen last year, Graham is headed for a top-10 ranking by the time we finalize our master free-agent list later this month.

The latest Around The NFL Podcast breaks down the top 25 free agents and reacts to the latest news. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.

Interesting little stat there about his pass rush productivity per attempt. Also interesting how highly they are planning to rate him as a free agent. I thought of him as a sleeper but maybe that won't be the case when free agency hits.

 

[boozeman]

If Graham wants that and he gets it, he's the LB version of Brandon Carr.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Graham, 26, is now seeking a four-year deal worth roughly $30 million with $20 million in guarantees, reports CSN Philly's Geoff Mosher.

 

[Clay_Allison]

Graham, 26, is now seeking a four-year deal worth roughly $30 million with $20 million in guarantees, reports CSN Philly's Geoff Mosher.

That's just silly.

 

[Angrymesscan]

I'm seeking one of those too, there's no harm in asking...

 

[ravidubey]

How many more seasons are the Raiders, Jags, and Bucs going to keep supporting this bullshit market?

Dallas used to be in that group, but they seriously fucked up with Carr, and I think may have learned their lessons.

 

[Clay_Allison]

How many more seasons are the Raiders, Jags, and Bucs going to keep supporting this bullshit market?

Dallas used to be in that group, but they seriously fucked up with Carr, and I think may have learned their lessons.

They are desperate to get asses in the seats and they try "making a splash" over fielding a winner. IMO, We'll lose Murray to one of the former 2 teams or maybe to a near contender like Indy.

 

[junk]

I actually think Dallas brings back both Dez and Murray. They are in decent shape cap wise.

The disadvantage is that they'll lose some of their other 18 free agents.

But let's pretend they bring back Dez, Murray and say Free on a reasonable deal. They'll tender Beasley and Leary. Maybe Durant on defense on a cheap deal. I'd go low key in free agency. Maybe a guy like Clayborn on a show me deal.

The offense is basically the same as last year minus Harris who they didn't really use.

Lee will be back (for how long? Who knows?) plus Durant and Hitchens. They'll have to get better on the DL (which we all knew). Secondary is basically the same.

Then you add draft picks. Could be an OK approach.

 

[cmd34]

No matter which side of the restructure debate you are on, you can tell that most of the big contracts the Cowboys have given out the last few years were set up to be restructured. The team has cap flexibility this off-season and with Jerry willing to sign (and eat) huge signing bonuses, the potential to be aggressive in free agency is there. I don't know why it has to be an either/or argument. You can spend in free agency AND be smart about it. Learn from the Brandon Carr mistake and move on (same can be said about the Claiborne mistake in the draft).

IMO the team needs to sign Dez, two NEW defensive starters, Free, and either Murray or a capable RB replacement. The offense was as good as anyone's last year and bringing back the starting OL, Dez, and a talented RB helps ensure the offense remains a well-balanced strength for the team. Two free agent additions, some high draft picks (hopefully two of top three 2015 picks), and the return of a healthy Sean Lee, improves the likelihood that the defense will be better.

The 2010 off-season was arrogant and lazy. If the team is serious about being a legitimate Super Bowl contender the next few years, Jerry has to do what he does best, spend and charm. The combination of Stephen, McClay, and I guess Garrett, has somehow managed to neutralize Jerry's urges to make splash acquisitions (Manziel). Hopefully, that continues AND the Front Office uses this off-season to actually upgrade the roster.

 

[junk]

Dallas has cap flexibility, but I still feel like they do need to be somewhat careful. The more you restructure Romo's deal, the more painful it is when he actually retires. At some point, you end up in the situation you were in a couple of years ago where they had to restructure literally everyone to be compliant. That isn't cap hell, but it is cap constrained. Smart cap management gives you flexibility to add a Revis, Cliff Avril or Michael Bennett if they become available. Dallas hasn't really been in that type of situation lately.

This year, it helps if you can get an underperforming guy like Carr to take a salary cut.

I don't really think the JPPs and Suhs of the world really hit the market this year either.