- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 130,807
Cowboys' defensive front seven the No. 1 goal to address in off-season, Stephen Jones says
Staff Reports
Published: 30 December 2013 02:50 PM
Updated: 30 December 2013 03:03 PM
Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday that he has a clear "number-one goal" for the off-season.
"I think our biggest challenge is to get a better roster. Get us to where we can compete better. I think it will start with our defensive front," Jones said on KRLD-FM 105.3. "We spent a lot of energy in the offensive line the last couple of years. I think we did some good there...obviously we'll turn our attention to the front seven with the injuries and obviously the cap situation that we have."
The Cowboys set a franchise record, allowing 6,645 yards this season. Opposing teams also scored 432 points in 16 games against the Cowboys, four shy of the franchise record. Injuries took a heavy toll on the Cowboys' defensive line and linebackers.
Restructuring defensive end DeMarcus Ware's contract will likely be a key issue for Dallas to address. Ware is scheduled to make $12.2 million in 2014 and has a salary cap hit of $16 million. He is one of the players the Cowboys go to every off-season to push money back to create more cap space in the upcoming year.
Free-agent-to-be defensive lineman Jason Hatcher creates another key off-season issue for Dallas, who's projected to be nearly $30 million over the salary cap heading into 2014.
"I think (Hatcher) had his best season as a pro," Jones said. "We would love to have Jason back but...we have obviously have to do what's best for the Cowboys."
As much as the 31-year-old has enjoyed playing in Dallas, don't expect him to take a pay cut to remain a Cowboy. Sitting at his locker late Sunday night, Hatcher said he will "absolutely not" allow the decision to become emotional.
"This is business," Hatcher said. "Emotions are out of it."
Does he think he'll be back next year?
"I don't know, man. My feelings are just, I'm numb right now," Hatcher said.
Staff Reports
Published: 30 December 2013 02:50 PM
Updated: 30 December 2013 03:03 PM
Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday that he has a clear "number-one goal" for the off-season.
"I think our biggest challenge is to get a better roster. Get us to where we can compete better. I think it will start with our defensive front," Jones said on KRLD-FM 105.3. "We spent a lot of energy in the offensive line the last couple of years. I think we did some good there...obviously we'll turn our attention to the front seven with the injuries and obviously the cap situation that we have."
The Cowboys set a franchise record, allowing 6,645 yards this season. Opposing teams also scored 432 points in 16 games against the Cowboys, four shy of the franchise record. Injuries took a heavy toll on the Cowboys' defensive line and linebackers.
Restructuring defensive end DeMarcus Ware's contract will likely be a key issue for Dallas to address. Ware is scheduled to make $12.2 million in 2014 and has a salary cap hit of $16 million. He is one of the players the Cowboys go to every off-season to push money back to create more cap space in the upcoming year.
Free-agent-to-be defensive lineman Jason Hatcher creates another key off-season issue for Dallas, who's projected to be nearly $30 million over the salary cap heading into 2014.
"I think (Hatcher) had his best season as a pro," Jones said. "We would love to have Jason back but...we have obviously have to do what's best for the Cowboys."
As much as the 31-year-old has enjoyed playing in Dallas, don't expect him to take a pay cut to remain a Cowboy. Sitting at his locker late Sunday night, Hatcher said he will "absolutely not" allow the decision to become emotional.
"This is business," Hatcher said. "Emotions are out of it."
Does he think he'll be back next year?
"I don't know, man. My feelings are just, I'm numb right now," Hatcher said.
