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Cowboys won't get caught up in early windfall
March, 9, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- Legal tampering ends tomorrow with free agency set to begin at 4:00 p.m. ET. For the Dallas Cowboys the news has been relatively slow.
That's by design.
While they have interest in guys like Stephen Paea and Adrian Clayborn, it's more of, 'Hey, we're here if the price comes down.' For Paea, that is unlikely. For Clayborn, that's entirely possible.
The Cowboys will be in a slow-play mode.
The last time the Cowboys acted quickly in free agency came in 2012 when they quickly scooped up Brandon Carr, Mackenzy Bernadeau, Nate Livings, Kyle Orton, Brodney Pool and Dan Connor.
How did that work out for the team?
Pool never made it out of training camp. Livings and Connor lasted one. Orton lasted two. Carr and Bernadeau remain, but Bernadeau has already taken a paycut from his original deal and Carr will be asked to take one this offseason or risk being cut.
While they reached deals with Cole Beasley and Doug Free, they haven't talked with DeMarco Murray and there is nothing brewing on a long-term deal with Dez Bryant. There is nothing imminent with Carr either.
The Cowboys' plan will be similar to how they worked Free's paycut two years ago. They let the market play out and jobs were filled -- all but making sure Free would return at their price with a 50 percent cut in pay. The Cowboys can carry Carr's $12.7 million cap figure and still have a chance to sign players at the prices they want to pay.
By Tuesday morning, Jermey Parnell could have a new home (Jacksonville?) Bruce Carter could have a new home, too. Dwayne Harris could have a better opportunity as a receiver somewhere else, especially with the financial commitment made to Beasley. They have exchanged proposals with Rolando McClain. They believe they will be Justin Durant's best fit.
So far we've seen reports of the Philadelphia Eagles ready to add cornerback Byron Maxwell and running back Frank Gore. The Miami Dolphins appear set to land the biggest prize in Ndamukong Suh, who was never in the Cowboys' plan or price range. Even though the Cowboys have been up front about what their approach will be, fans have already e-mailed or tweeted concern over the lack of activity, discounting the signings of Beasley and Free.
In a matter of hours, the signings will come fast and furious, but don't expect the Cowboys to be involved unless something develops quickly with Murray or the smaller deals with some of their own free agents.
Don't freak out. Count to 10 and breathe.
Remember, the offseason is a long one.
March, 9, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- Legal tampering ends tomorrow with free agency set to begin at 4:00 p.m. ET. For the Dallas Cowboys the news has been relatively slow.
That's by design.
While they have interest in guys like Stephen Paea and Adrian Clayborn, it's more of, 'Hey, we're here if the price comes down.' For Paea, that is unlikely. For Clayborn, that's entirely possible.
The Cowboys will be in a slow-play mode.
The last time the Cowboys acted quickly in free agency came in 2012 when they quickly scooped up Brandon Carr, Mackenzy Bernadeau, Nate Livings, Kyle Orton, Brodney Pool and Dan Connor.
How did that work out for the team?
Pool never made it out of training camp. Livings and Connor lasted one. Orton lasted two. Carr and Bernadeau remain, but Bernadeau has already taken a paycut from his original deal and Carr will be asked to take one this offseason or risk being cut.
While they reached deals with Cole Beasley and Doug Free, they haven't talked with DeMarco Murray and there is nothing brewing on a long-term deal with Dez Bryant. There is nothing imminent with Carr either.
The Cowboys' plan will be similar to how they worked Free's paycut two years ago. They let the market play out and jobs were filled -- all but making sure Free would return at their price with a 50 percent cut in pay. The Cowboys can carry Carr's $12.7 million cap figure and still have a chance to sign players at the prices they want to pay.
By Tuesday morning, Jermey Parnell could have a new home (Jacksonville?) Bruce Carter could have a new home, too. Dwayne Harris could have a better opportunity as a receiver somewhere else, especially with the financial commitment made to Beasley. They have exchanged proposals with Rolando McClain. They believe they will be Justin Durant's best fit.
So far we've seen reports of the Philadelphia Eagles ready to add cornerback Byron Maxwell and running back Frank Gore. The Miami Dolphins appear set to land the biggest prize in Ndamukong Suh, who was never in the Cowboys' plan or price range. Even though the Cowboys have been up front about what their approach will be, fans have already e-mailed or tweeted concern over the lack of activity, discounting the signings of Beasley and Free.
In a matter of hours, the signings will come fast and furious, but don't expect the Cowboys to be involved unless something develops quickly with Murray or the smaller deals with some of their own free agents.
Don't freak out. Count to 10 and breathe.
Remember, the offseason is a long one.