Flozell is staying
Posted: February 28, 2008 @ 7:08 pm
Update: The Hotel’s deal is reportedly for $42+ MM over the 6 years, with $15 MM guaranteed in the first three years of the contract. From the initial sound of it, it would seem to be a definite 3 year deal, with the 4th, 5th, and 6th years falling under the NFL’s less than secure “cut-when-convenient” ethos.
The Cowboys reached a contract agreement with LT Flozell Adams this evening, just hours before he would’ve become a free agent. The deal is reportedly for 6 year, but exact financials are not yet available. Adams turns 33 in May, and would have headlined a weak offensive free agent class as a premier player at a prized position.
In other FA news, Marion Barber III has been tendered with a one year offer of $2.56 MM as a restricted free agent. The Cowboys would receive a first and third round draft pick if another team elected to beat the Cowboys’ offer.
DE Chris Canty received a $2.017 MM tender as a RFA. The Cowboys’ would receive just a first round pick if another team beat their offer for Canty.
FB Oliver Hoyte, the man who ended new Cowboys LB Zach Thomas‘ 2007 season, was cut today as well.
Comments
173 Responses to “Flozell is staying”
dude!
duuude, but the Boys can match on the other two, right?
It seems to me that as more and more guys got Franchised and the free agents just disappeared, it became an obvious choice for Dallas to just try and resign their guys. We’re lucky he took the offer, he might have gotten some good numbers-although his rep for false starts may have dimmed his numbers a little.
He sure wouldn’t have gotten more than six years!
larry,
yes. They have 1 full week to decide whether to match any team’s offer to their RFAs. if they chose not to, they get the listed compensation AND the money they used to tender the RFA’s no longer counts against the cap.
From the previous thread:
CaptainComeback:
The only reason for which I considered keeping Flo’s his run blocking, last season he was probably the best run blocking OLineman on our team, yeah, better than that huge RG… It’s still to be seen how much the team will pay for him.
Are we screwed in the future because of all the contracts and on? Not likely, in 2009 Colombo, Kosier, Williams, Henry, Ferguson, Ayodele, Glenn and Brad Johnson will be looking for work elsewhere (if they didn’t this year) or will face retirement and will free a big chunck of cap room.
That’s the way in which good teams have been operating for some time now, they get a talent base (our team now has a really good one) and they pay them until they’re forced to free some of their cap room by replacing them with home grown prospects. Kosier and Colombo will be replaced by 2 of McQ, Free and Marten.
larry,
yes he would have.
he wanted to play in dallas. it was obvious when he switched agents a week out of the FA period.
lets wait and see the terms of the deal before we decide we’re lucky.
my guess is, they’re not bad IF he plays at a high level for the next 3-4 years.
THAT IS THE KEY TO THIS SIGNING. FLO MUST PLAY AT A HIGH LEVEL FROM NOW UNTIL 2011.
The NFL Network reported, the Cowboys were 7 million under the cap before they resigned Flo.
Good move Cowboys. As much as we hate Flo’s false starts he’s one of the top 3 LT’s in the game. I’d rather have an offensive line that is a strength rather than one that would be a question mark next year. I’m waiting to say its a great move until I see the numbers.
charb,
the cowboys still have some viable options to clear cap room, dont read too much into such cap reports.
jarhead
Who? TO
We need to find a big contract and convert the contract into signing bonus with a long term deal.
Who fits that bill?
And we’re still hearing how the team shouldn’t sign Newman to a contract extension because Samuel wants $10Ms per year…
Alright, I’ll do this again…
Clements indeed signed an 8 year deal for $80Ms with $22Ms in guarantees, but the most likely thing is that he won’t be under that contract for more than 5 years. That means that what he signed is really a 5 year deal worth a little less than $40Ms. An average of less than $8Ms per year for a player that tested the market, Newman won’t test the market and as every player that doesn’t won’t as expensive.
charb,
romo for one has a contract that can be re-worked into SB that can be spread over a number of years.
im not sure they’ll do that, but they have some options.
they can also cut glenn after june.
they have some options.
Here’s the numbers..
According to a team source, the Dallas Cowboys re-signed the four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Thursday to a six-year deal worth more than $42 million with $15 million in guaranteed money over the first three years of the contract, ESPN’s Ed Werder reported.
jarhead
Romo got a new contract last year and I’m not sure if his contract can be redone.
There is a rule about not being able to redo a contract for a year. I don’t know if it is a calendar year or the NFL’s fiscal year.
Moss couldn’t sign a new deal with the Patriots because of that rule.
Charb:
Signing Hamlin to an extension in the ballpark of what Roy Williams received in 2006 would free close to $2Ms.
Reworking some deals like the one of Romo, Leonard Davis, Bradie James, Anthony Henry, Roy Williams and Jason Witten would free as much room as you may like.
Giving Barber a contract like the one McGahee received, which in reality is a 4 year deal that’s worth a little above $13Ms, would be a good deal (McGahee’s deal is for 7 years, but his 2011 salary and prorated signing bonus are a wash).
7 million before Flo? Whoa! That means if Jarhead is somewhat near correct we might have 2-3 million left.
I don’t think that is even enough to sign our draft picks, much less move and pick a top 10 pick (McFadden) or a FA.
Jerry is going to have to some major restructuring of contracts to make this work.
If we can sign Hamlin, Barber, and Canty to long term deals that would free up some money. If we cut Glenn (if we decide he won’t be any good to us) after Jun 1, that’s some more change. Sign T.O. to a long-term deal and that is possibly some more money.
I still think we need to pick up a FA WR and pick up PACMAN, if we can! Draft at #22 (IF DRC is available) and move down with our #28 pick. Pick up Tracy Porter with the early second rd pick that we picked up from our #28 pick.
Pick up E.Royal with our original 2nd rd pick and Forte in the 3rd.
The rest of the draft is BPA.
If I am correct, going off Smackpat’s numbers. That is $7mil a year.
We are flat BROKE!
smackpat.
if thats accurate, its awesome.
it sounds like a 3 year deal with 15 mill for sure. thats 5 mil a year, or 2 mil less on his cap hit.
i love it if thats the case.
charb, im not familiar with the rule, but teams can convert veteran’s yearly income into SB and spread it out. it can cause problems down the road, but the skins do it quite frequently.
where they got in trouble was extending guy’s cap hits out 3-4 years AFTER they left the team, thus, dead money.
romo isnt going anywhere, he is a prime target for a re-work.
I think they got flozel at a good price.
Running backs salary’s are generally lower than DEs, I expect MB3 to get signed next and then Canty to get signed when the cap grows.
When does news of a new cap growth come out?
fellas,
realx. son of JJ knows how to work the cap.
we are not broke.
we will be able to sign our draft picks and pay our RFA tenders.
the limit is in site, but thats about it.
jar, you were close but a little low like we thought.
Still doesn’t leave us much money to have fun in Free Agency and sign our Rooks. No way we will be trading up to a top 10 pick. We’s can’t afford it.
we can afford it, but it would heavily strain the cap (a top ten pick is 20-30 guaranteed, ouch).
we can make a little noise in FA but thats it.
anyone think we can talk ty law into a two year deal at about 1-2 million per year?
With the uncertainty about the owners dumping the CBA, which would make 2010 an uncapped year, there really is no data on what the cap will be next year. Though word was that it would not jump as much as it did this year ($7 mil). I have heard 2-3 million more at most.
I think when it all shakes out we will still have 3-5 mill left after signing our draft picks= IF we do not trade up.
Burm,
An uncapped year would be great. I’m sure JJ is heading that one up.
jar, I don’t know if I’d be interested in Law. Like I said I doubt we will do anything in Free Agency now.
I’m all about the draft now.
Raf, I hope you are going. I like your Mock from earlier today (sans Red)
sgtcwby:
The average value of the whole deal doesn’t mean a thing in most of the current deals in the league, yeah he signed a 6 year deal for $42Ms, but the key in his deal is $15Ms guaranteed for the first 3 years, if Flo’s supposed to receive the minimum or close to the minimum in those years we’re talking about a 3 year deal with an average value of $6Ms per year.
I don’t like this, but the team didn’t overpay for his services, which can be really good at times and average in others, but hardly has he ever been bellow average.
I was wondering earlier today, what would happen IF say the Dolphins signed away both Barber and Canty? Would we get their #1 from next year’s draft? HYPOTHETICAL question…just wondering how those tenders work.
And an uncapped year won’t be great, an uncapped season means a strike season.
I’d like to see Red Bryant on the Dallas Cowboys because the Cowboys haven’t had an Aggie since Dan Campell left and Dat Nygeun retired. I liked when he was in the game because I had confidence in him but it was rare for him to light anything up. I do remember him tackling Adrian Peterson at the line a lot one year.
Matt Forte in his youtube vids looks a bit like Marion Barber, the same style in terms of stutter stepping, stoping and juking.
Devin Thomas was also 11th in the nation in KO return yardage and 1st in the big 10 in average, so even if he didn’t start he could be an instant contributor. He showed some speed on this KO return:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh5yJS7t_M8&feature=related
His deal isn’t so bad. I hope he has 3 good years. That all I ask. 4 would be great!
Turbo:
No, if a team only has 1 one pick in the 1st Round they can only sign one player with a 1st Round tender.
A 1st Rounder in the next year is only worth a pick in the 2nd Round in the current year.
Chandus,
Thanks. That is a little better.
I can’t wait till this all shakes out.
Going to be interesting.
Jar, you think Flo would have gotten MORE than 6 years!?
Aggie, I do like Devin Thomas. I’d be excited if we got him. Doubt he’ll be around 28?
Turbo, Good question? My guess is that Tuna and JJ would just work out a Trade if that was the case.
Chandus, A strike is looming but with JJ heading things up I doubt he wants his new stadium empty.
This was not a good move for the longterm health of the Cowboys’ cap status.
Either you trust your drafts or you don’t and obviously the Cowboys don’t.
Why invest three picks in the last two years in Tackles if you don’t have faith that they can be taught to play by arguably the best OLine coach in football?
Weakness.
larry,
no, but i wouldnt have been shocked if he got 5 years with guaranteed money from another team.
larry, I think Flo would have gotten more guaranteed money. If this is the deal I’m ok with it.
I apologize Flozell for any heartache I might have caused you with my comments on this blog. Now go protect Tony.
What does Tex think about this?
What about you Raf?
Cash, I agree with you about drafting three tackles in the last 2 years. I’ve lost my faith in our scouts. I’m assuming on of the three will step into a starting roll in 2009 when Columbo rolls out.
If the numbers are right on Flo’s contract, that’s very reasonable.
Hamlin would be first on my list to get signed, if we need some cap room.
wow!?!?!?!?!
lost faith in the scouts?
how many key players on the cowboy roster were drafted over the last 5 years?
BTW,
flo is 32, he will be 33 in may.
thus, he will be 33 in the 08 season, 34 in the 09 season, and 35 in the ‘10 season.
there is no reason to think he cant play those years at a high level.
as to the other 3 young tackles on the roster, one is the likely replacement to colombo after next year.
one is a solid backup and possible eventual replacement to adams in 2010/11.
one is a backup who may compete with kozier for the starting LG position (McQ).
but hey, we could always sign torrin tucker to play backup tackle if that makes you all feel better.
barring missing a portion of the 2005 season due to a torn ACL, flo has not missed a start in the NFL.
Glad we won’t have a rookie or untested player protecting Romo’s blind side next year and afterwards …
With the addition of Thomas, it seems we have a glut of players at LB. Ayodele, Carpenter, James, Thomas, Burnett, Ware, Ellis, Spencer … and Roy plays LB in the nickel some times … maybe we trade one of those LBs? Clear some cap room and grab a draft pick??
jarhead,
So what do you call it when you sign a guy at a position you’ve spent multiple picks on in the draft the last two years?
Wait don’t answer I already know what you are going to say.
“The Cowboys are wonder and make no mistakes ever. Everything is great. Every move they make is amazingly smart. Blah blah blah…..”
wonder = wonderful
I hope Flozell keeps on playing at a high level. I was so mad at Crayton when he dropped those two passes and slowed down on the last pass thrown to him. We’ll pound them this season!
Pittsburgh has had a long and sustained success as well as have the Patiots and Colts by trusting their drafts and not overpaying players who are past their prime.
It does not look as if JJ is going to follow those models. Instead he’s chosen a path to cap jail.
Can Chris Johnson of E Carolina block?
cash,
give me a break.
the cowboys have made plenty of mistakes. but they’ve done more right than wrong in the last few years.
by all means be critical, but back it up.
drafting some tackles after the 1st round and assuming they’ll replace pro bowl left tackles after a year or two is naive at best.
it is wreckless and foolish at worst.
the signing of flozell makes sense, especially when you consider some of the things i listed above.
having said all that, with houck on board, i think we could have let flo walk and not written off the year, but why let a pro bowl LT walk when you can get him for what looks like 3 years at 5 mil per year?
how much do you think top-tier LTs in this league make? their franchise number this year was NINE MILLION, we got him for five.
What I have heard is Flo’s deal is for 6 years - a little more than $42.5 million - $15 million guaranteed over the first 3 years.
cash,
there you go again.
kindly explain to the bloggers how the cowboys are now in “cap jail.”
paying your starting LT 5 mil per year does not put you in “cap jail.”
While waiting for insight from Rafael and regular contributors in the know, Oklahoma also wishes that Tex, oil baron, raconteur, occasional blog saboteur, rumoured cousin of Jethro (and Jethrine) Bodine, and resident cyber cornball, would weigh in on the financials of Flo’s contract. What says the Montecito money man?
hey cash,
lets draft a WR in round 3 and let him sit for a year.
he’ll replace TO in ‘09 Im sure.
while we’re at it, lets just cut TO now and put stanback in his place.
no problem right? it should save us plenty of cap money.
screw competing for a SB, lets stay 10-15 under the cap.
jarhead,
I’ve gone three years now avoiding discussions of any depth with guys I percieve to be blinded by the Blue Star.
I will only say that, if it’s only 15mil guarenteed over the first three years I may applaud the move, but what I said was that we are on our WAY to cap jail. I owe you no more of an explanation.
We just bought at least 3 more years to develope those young O line guys. I happen to think that Marten will not amount to much, McQ will replace Kosier, and Free will become the Swing tackle. If Coumbo leaves then we would have to draft more players. So its quite likely that We have JUST ENOUGH right now. I also happen to think we resign Colombo next season if he continues to improve then we would not have to draft another tackle.
jarhead,
I am going to hold my tongue only to say, that I like what I have seen from McQ, who BP said may very well be our LT of the future.
I like what I saw of Free against Freeny in last years pre-season.
My position not to sign Flo is because of the impending contracts we have coming up for guys who are both young and relatively injury free which Flo is not.
If you can’t understand that then there is no hope.
Tex never has anything intelligent or for that matter amusing to post to anyone with at least a 5th grade education.
OK cash, you’re right about one thing, you dont owe me an explanation for your rant.
me on the other hand? Im not afraid to debate with those bitter “fans” who are pissed we dont win the SB by 35 points every year.
the move makes sense. we’re only on the way to cap jail if flo sucks for the next three years, and even then, i think we’ll survive.
back your trash up.
i’ve offered about half a dozen points as to why i think the signing makes sense. you’ve offered dick but to compare us to the steelers and pats. go root for them.
I look at Chris Johnson and see him as late 1st top 2nd round guy, who seems to get better, and is dedicated to being a great player. I’m impressed how his stats went up his senior year and EC fans say he carried the team on his back at stretches. 4.24 speed is grail like.
he says he is akin to Brian Westbrook. Westbrook has dominant stretches and periods where he is hurt.
Jerry wants play makers — but again there are a lot of RB play makers this year.
Quit snivelling about the cap and Flo’s deal. It is pretty cap friendly. Bottom line is that you don’t take a chance on your LT whe you are on the cusp of a Super Bowl.
And as far as our draft pikcks:
Marten will be a RT if he can even stay on the roster.
Free should be our LT in waiting. Nothing wrong wih a 4th round pick for a back-up LT either.
mcQuistan–I kept thinking he was a guard. Can he be a gurad? Because we could use a good young guard who could push his way into the line-up in the next couple of years.
jarhead,
Good luck in Iraq.
hey cash,
at least in post 56 you offer an argument. thats a step in the right direction.
though i’d question your logic a little.
you want to gamble a SB run from the highly competetive NFCE, and the continuity of the Oline, on what you saw in pre-season? OK, i wont say you’re wrong.
like i said, with houck on board, i think we could still be solid on the oline without flo (though certainly not better).
but what does flo changing agents last week and signing in dallas for less than what he could have gotten on the open market tell you?
is that reason to think the boys buy into what redball said about “unfinished business?”
UnconventionalWisdom,
Peyton Mannings LT was Tony Ugoh. LT isn’t as important for a guy like Romo as it is for a typical pocket passer.
Again you have to have faith in your scouting department and you young guys. McQ will be coming into his third year.
We have to resign Barber, Ware, Newman, Hamlin, and Canty.
If it doesn’t keep us from giving all of those guys contracts, all of whom have been healthy and are relatively young then fine.
But it was a foregone conclusion the guy was on his way out of town until suprise he excells in his contract year.
Personally I’d rather go out and sign some speed at WR.
Losing these guys:
S Keith Davis
CB Nate Jones
RB Julius Jones
CB Jacques Reeves
RB Tyson Thompson (un-tendered RFA)
We need 2 RBs & 3 secondary members, and ones that contribute on special teams. I can see that being thematic the whole draft.
Is there a real chance Spears is traded or let go, to be replaced by Ratlif, and that Red Bryant would take a DT spot?
If we let go Ayodele, I hope the Cowboys also draft a talented LB to back up the middle.
Isn’t this a great draft for meeting the Cowboy’s need’s at RBs and CBs?
Was this a coincidence? Did the Cowboys last year predict this year would be like this?
damn cash,
you start down the right track in post 56, then snatch stupidity from the jaws of some sense (at least) in post 61.
umm,
what does “good luck in iraq” have to do with anything we’re discussing on this thread?
jarhead,
It’s my way of saying I’m done with that line of discussion with you. I thought a while back you said you were going to Iraq.
“Good Luck” is pretty straight forward isn’t it?
Cash
I was on the fence about Flo. But after a few drinks I find myself relieved and happy we re-signed him. But I would have been okay if hadn’t. We’ll potentially need to replace Colombo and kosier in the next couple of years.
Now let’s get a young WR for a CHANGE!
umm,
not going to iraq, but appreciate the sentiment.
its a moot argument anyway i guess, the guy is signed.
Cash
I forgot to remind yo we don’t draft as well as they do historically.
UnconventionalWisdom,
If it’s only 15 mil over the first three years, I’d be ok with it, but a six year contract tells me the signing bonus and guarenteed money is alot more than that.
I don’t think anyone expects him to play out the entire length of the contract.
The Draft will be nuts on this blog if we can’t get along and FA starts in 2 hours…
UnconventionalWisdom,
Yes I know we haven’t but I really think McQ and Free look pretty good.
I see JJ doing all he can for one more SB and not longterm success.
i dont have the cap numbers in front of me, but i dont think the colts are in any better cap situation than us. didnt their starting LT retire?
did they have much of a choice in ugoh?
I’m always amazed about how this blog underrates our WR need.
jarhead,
They had no choice because their LT retired because they wouldn’t redo his deal.
They are in cap hell because they have 5 of the highest paid players at their positions in the league. Manning, Freeny, Harrison, Wayne and now Clark.
They have to let alot of talent move on to other teams in order to afford those guys. They afford them by letting guys that are over 30 hit the road and not overpaying them.
If the Flozell figures are correct then it was a very good deal. $5 mil a year for an All Pro LT is a deal. Why go with an untested LT and have $5 mil more cap money?? Let alone why would you let an All Pro LT go for a measly $5 mil?
Riddle me that Batman.
big g,
If that is true, then it was a good deal.
Again, when I heard six years that tells me a HUGE signing bonus is a part of it.
cash,
if they’re so good at not overpaying for guys, then why are they in cap hell?
they forced themselves into a position where they had to rely on a rookie LT. it seems to have worked, but we may not have been so lucky.
as long as the cowboys keep drafting well (not perfect i grant), but well, we’ll be ok and will avoid this cap hell you fear and loathe.
dont forget, JJ has been there before.
Unconventional,
I certainly don’t undervalue our need for another legit weapon. But now that Berrian seems to be looking for a huge day and Andre Davis got a pretty healthy payday, who are the most realistic and reasonably priced guys we can pick up? Maybe Jerry will have to rethink his strategy of going to free agency to get another option at receiver and think harder about finding one in the draft.
huge payday
jarhead,
It’s called having flexibilty under the cap. Learn it, know it, love it.
Wisdom:
I am concerned about WR, but CB worries me more. Henry is 35 and has not been injury free since we got him. TNew is hitting 30 and just suffered multiple leg and foot injuries. Our 3rd and 4th corners are almost certainly gone in FA.
Can we count on Henry for a full year? Do we give big $$ to Newman as he hits an age where CBs and RBs traditionally slow down?
jarhead,
The Colts have arguably the best QB ever on their roster and just won a SB a year ago. If they are at the cap ceiling, that’s money well spent.
The Cowboys can’t say the same thing.
Sorry, I meant Henry is 32
cash,
six years means squat.
we’ll know exact terms tomorrow i’d guess, but the numbers reported are likely accurate.
3 years, 15 mil guaranteed is likely it. that takes flo to 35. can he play at a high level until then?
apparently, the cowboys think so.
im out (but not to iraq).
jarhead,
Also how long have they been good and how many playoff games have they won since Dallas last won one?
I don’t mind being at the cap cieling if we are winning in the playoffs, but we aren’t. We have several players that have longer futures in the NFL than does Flo, that’s my point and it’s a valid point.
This hypothetical cap hell likely wouldn’t even hit until 2010. If we’re going to cap hell, at least I’m enjoying the ride with an All-Pro left tackle protecting the 67 million dollar man for the next 2 years.
jarhead,
You only do six years to spread out the signing bonus no other reason for a guy his age.
madmick,
He doesn’t need a pro-bowl LT protecting his blind side. That’s an old philosphy applied to old time pocket passers. If we had Bledsoe then it makes sense, with Romo and his mobility and quick release it’s far less important.
per DMN we are working on a trade with Miami for Ferguson
For a second round pick maybe? Doubt it because we will probably release him outright anyway. I’ll take a 4th.
We have seen Cap Hell before. We are not in Cap Hell gentleman.
Ok, one more thing.
the colts won their SB largely on the play of their oline (and on grossman’s mistakes), not on their management of the cap (or lack thereof).
and their starting LT was 30 when they won their SB, not a young gun.
hmmmmm.
damn, i cant break away.
boyz4ever,
i saw that report. tim mcmahon suggests fegy is exependable, im not so sure. i’ll trade him for a good price though.
i like raf’s draft suggestion for NT.
now im really out.
That best QB ever who plays for the Colts had horrible numbers of 3 TDs and 7 picks in that particular post-season. They just happened to be fortunate enough to play Chiefs and Ravens teams (in back-to-back weeks) that seemed determined to set offensive football back 5 decades. Then Reche Caldwell’s bug eyes dropped a bunch of easy passes in the AFC Title game leaving the door wide open for a Colts comeback.
Anyways, who cares how long the Colts’ window lasts because you can basically mark down on your calendar the date of their next play-off home opener chokejob?
If we trade Fergy, we definitely will need to draft Red Bryant to stuff the run up the middle.
Trade Spears and put Ratliff in his spot.
Burmafrd re: post 57
Then no wonder I like the occasional dollop Tex’s irony, I never got past 4th grade, or was it 3rd…ciphering never came easy.
Considering the impressive front 7 strength of the newly crowned and confident Giants, I think the Boys made a sound strategic decision in re-signing Flo. This ensures that the Boys’ strength will continue to check the Giants’ strength. Now if Flo and Bigg could just add a little more weight in the off-season, the OL should be fine:)
Oklahoma,
No irony in calling women “loose” or believing in old wives’ tales like primo tang zaps all of your good football out and turns your head to mush. But I guess they don’t teach the definition of big words like irony in 3rd grade. Saying that a quarterback appearing on Entertainment Tonight is enough to sink a whole team’s mojo is just plain fruity. But who else would be watching that crap or obsessing over such tripe in the first place except a fruitcake?
You did hit the nail right on the head with one point though. The move to resign Flozell is almost a mandatory calculated risk with us having to face a Giants pass rush twice a year that stymied the most prolific offense in NFL history. Although Brady doesn’t really get touched in the pocket, I think most of us can agree he’s a lot cooler customer in the pocket than Bledsoe or yes, Peyton Manning and the Giants smacked him right in his little mouth.
As much as I enjoy having a magician back there, he can only have so many tricks in his bag before he eventually runs out.
Jarhead,
Cash is right about our drafting. We draft OL and never play them Why? If my memory serves me correctly we drafted erik Williams/Larry Allen/ Flozell and they all played as rookies.
Ou scouting department stinks. The Giants find D-Linemen in no name schools and we draft OL like water and none of them play.
Johonson had his blunders like alexander wright, rhonde weston etc.
We have not drafted good since JJ left.
Just to clarify, I’m not saying our scouts aren’t good, I’m saying that if you are employing them to make these draft decisions then trust them and play the guys you’ve invested picks in.
Dallas Cowboys home page now reports that we are in discussions with Miami that will send Ferguson to the Dolphins for draft pick(s).
http://blog.dallascowboys.com/blogs/goodtimes/archive/2008/2/28/1138060.aspx
Cash,
I wouldn’t say that resigning Flo is having little faith in their drafting.
Why couldn’t the young tackles try their luck at RT next year instead of paying and average. If they can prove they can play there, resign them and move them over when flow is done.
Also, hasn’t there been some talk about McQ. getting a look at RG.
sorry that should read - an average RT.
I like and respect Fergeson, but with out having drafted a DT it seems premature, unless the Boys have no intention of moving Ratliff.
Perhaps they will move Spears after the draft or in the midst?
I can’t believe Miami would trade 5th & 6th round picks for Fergie, I like him but draft picks have too much value for that
Again, sign Porter from Oakland right away in free agency. The go CB and Running Back in the first round. It’ll all work out.
I don’t get what the fuss is about Flo’s deal. 15 mil guranteed and a 13 mil signing bonus? The worst that could happen is if Flo only plays 3 more years. In that case, we would have to carry his signing bonus of 2.16 mil on the cap for three years. He would get his 15 mil guranted because it is paid in the first three years. Are you all serious? If he plays out the entire contract he gets 7 mil a year? Gentlemen, this was highway robbery for the Cowboys salary cap or no cap.
If we did draft Bryant, how would his snaps corelate to Ratliff’s snaps playing defensive end? Would anybody actually offer fair value for Spears in a trade*? I like the idea of having a fairly deep rotation along the defensive line.
*I guess that brings up another interesting question: what would be fair value Spears since on one hand he is a former 1st round pick, but on the other hand he is a highly underachieving 1st round pick?
Good evening fellas.
To those worried about our cap because of NFL Network’s reports that we only have $7 MM: I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. First, that number is a bit lower than what I have written down when I look at it– I’ve got us at $10 MM under. And there’s plenty the ‘Boys can do to save a bit more room if they need to. The salary cap will not handicap the team too much in pursuing free agents (although it might restrict us to one BIG signing, which was Flozell, and a couple mid-level signings, like a Berrian), and it won’t handicap Jerry if he wants to move about 10 slots higher in Round 1.
I’m not saying Jerry SHOULD move 10 slots higher, but he can find the cap room to do it if he so desires, and he can find that room without putting us in the dreaded “cap jail.” We’ve got a lot of young guys to sign in the next few years, but we’ve got a lot of salary coming off the books as well.
Cash,
I would also disagree with your statement about the importance of LT in our offense.
I think a lot of what was done on offense this year involved having plenty of time getting players down the field. Usually the protection was so tight because flow could lock up the best pass rusher. This allowed for double teams down the line and let barber pick up inside blitzes.
Martyn,
Opinions are like butt holes, as they say, everyone has one.
I disagree.
At the begining of the year Romo was pretty quick to go after his first or second read with much success.
After Buffalo showed that if you cut that off you could give Romo trouble he started making every read on the field and then had some success with that.
Once Defenses took away Barber and those check downs he really wasn’t able to go back to trusting his first and second reads.
From what I saw, albeit an amateurs opinion, when Romo took his time in the pocket he performed far worse.
BOSTON (AP) - Linebacker Tedy Bruschi has agreed to a multiyear contract with the New England Patriots, a sign of stability in a time of turbulence since they lost the Super Bowl.
A person within the league, speaking Thursday night on condition of anonymity, said the deal is expected to be signed Friday.
I am also happy with the Flo signing. I think Flo gave the Cowboys a very nice home town discount.
Tim Wilson:
while 10 million is better then 7, the Cowboys will need at least 4 of that for this years draft.
The Cowboys will need to sign or draft two TB’s three DB’s and a number 2 wide reciever. While I do not think the Cowboys are in a cap jail they are not sitting pretty. You look at a team like SD and all the talent they have yet are 43 million under the cap!
I dont claim to understand this whole cap thing. When the Redskins are 20 million over the cap but are talking about trading for Cincy’s Johnson, or trying to sign Moss away from the Pats.
Cash,
Maybe he was. However, those reads were still a ways down the field. Needing some time, which the Hotel gave him.
I thought we were discussing the Hotel and not Romo’s play in or outside the pocket.
At the end of the day I would still prefer locking up the best opponents pass rusher with one blocker.
Look guys. The cap is completely not a problem. A thread or two back, I showed how we can get $10 mil without blinking an eye. And most of the rumors are pointing toward that.
Further, as much as I can deduce, Flo’s cap value is around $3-$4 mil this year.
That still leaves plenty o cash. We’re one signing (hint, hint WR) and maybe two (ah-hem, CB) away from drafting BPA. Also, don’t be surprised if Turner comes along with it. All well within the cap and most likely minus two or three vets (best guess: Fergie & Ayodele) that will even bring a low round pick or two.
The draft? History is still out, but we’ve surely done better lately and GM Jerry has learned his lesson, right? Right?
Cash,
I’m also an amateur. But aren’t they called first and second reads for a reason?
Some thoughts:
- Even if I wasn’t on board with Flo’s resigning I saw and continue to see now that he’s signed an argument for the team to keep him, we all know that at times he can be great protecting the passer, we also know that both McQ and Free are capable of becoming real good in pass protection because they can move their big bodies real well, but Flo can also be great blocking for the run and as far as I know not one Tackle on the team stands by him in that regard, not one.
His problem are his mental lapses, in one play he can be great, in the next average… For $6Ms a year in 3 years I can live with those.
- On how the scouts suck picking OLineman: The team has 3 prospects selected in Rounds 3, 4 and 7 and the scouts are responsible of bringing a Guard that replaced what used to be a household, whose salary is waaaaay bellow what most starters make and who’s a pretty good Guard in Kosier. What? The 3rd and 4th Rounders aren’t starting yet? They were rookies last year, Free has a lot of potential and have time to develop, that’s great. McQ won’t start when he’s entering his 3rd year? Good! Show me the extreme amount of 7th Round OLineman that are starting! The guy has a chance to move to Guard and give Kosier a run for his money and I think that his chances of winning are pretty good.
- On cap hell: That won’t happen, not if they’re smart, New England, Indianapolis and the Redskins have been playing at the verge of getting there for some time now, and no, they don’t just release and replace players when they are required to do so, they’ve been resigning and reworking deals of their important players for some time now. Recently the Patriots resigned Moss and the Colts did the same for Clark. They can find money by being smart, everything that I’ve seen from our team makes me think that they’re smart because:
- It’s true that next season they have to put contracts in front of Ware, Owens and Newman and that’s going to require big pockets, but some of the players on the current roster aren’t likely to be on the 2009 one (Henry, Ferguson, Colombo, Kosier, Ayodele and Terry Glenn) freeing cap room.
Nick Eatman -
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
February 28, 2008 5:43 PM
Adams participated in his fourth career Pro Bowl earlier this month.
IRVING, Texas - For the last 10 years, Flozell Adams has been protecting the Cowboys’ starting quarterback.
But he was only a few hours from being unprotected himself.
Instead, the Cowboys avoided free agency with their starting left tackle, signing Flozell Adams to a six-year contract late Thursday afternoon. The deal is in the neighborhood of $42 million, including $15 million in guaranteed money and about $13 million in signing bonus.
With free agency officially beginning at 11:01 p.m. (CST) Thursday night, Adams would’ve been able to start negotiating with other clubs. Now he returns with a contract that will likely keep him in a Cowboys uniform for the remainder of his career.
Adams, who rarely does interviews with the media, stopped briefly on his way out of the Valley Ranch complex Thursday afternoon.
If those numbers are official. That’s an AWESOME deal for the Cowboys.
That’s less than 5% of cap space going to the third most important position on the field.
Thank you Flo!
If we trade or release Ferguson then we will draft a NT (in my opinion) in the first 4 rounds. It makes the case for Red Bryant (in Rafs mock) to be considered. However, we might have to grab him with one of our 1st round picks because he will be gone before we pick in round 2. I was looking forward to Ratliff moving back to DE but he might be playing NT again next fall.
Martyn,
The first read is the primary read, which is the route the play is designed for. If it’s open you throw it. The idea is to throw it to the first guy you read that is open.
I think Romo became too heistent and quit trusting in the plays later in thes season. Again that’s just an amateur opinion.
I am late on this thread but want to say one thing. I am happy we resigned Flo. We worked so hard for the last 5 years or so to solidify the o-line. It would be a shame to just let the LT (one of 2 the most important positions on the team)leave. Jerry - GOOD SIGNING!!!
An now OT:
You guys know that I’ve been a proponent of trading up, well after some information gathering now I’m more sold on that than before… There’s going to be a run for CBs and it’s going to be a desperate one and I know that this Draft is deep on CBs, but there’s a big dropoff between the first tier and the 2nd where Porter and Lee are at the wheel. So, I’m proposing a trade up:
With Chicago.
I know that Jerry Angelo is one of the least likely Managers when we’re talking about wheelers and dealers but this one makes sense, at least right now…
Dallas gives the 22nd, 28th and their 3rd Round pick and receives picks 14th, 44th and the Bears 4th Round pick.
14th - Dallas will have a choice between 2 or 3 of the best CBs.
22nd - Chicago can take the Tackle that they need (Cherilus?).
28th - They would have a shot at taking Flacco (the guy looks like a 1st Rounder).
44th - Rafael in his mock hopes that Red Bryant’s going to be there for the 61st, the problem in here is that Tampa, Tennessee, Cleveland and Indianapolis are places where they would find use of a run stuffer. With 44th you’re leapfroggind all of them, especially Cleveland.
61st - Jordy Nelson, WR.
And with both 4th Rounders pick RB (Forsett?) and DB (Castille?).
Cash,
Sorry, I guess what I’m saying, and I may be way off, is. If a QB goes to his check downs I don’t think he’s really going back to his first and second reads. He’s usually running for his life or throwing it away.
But you have to agree with having a lock down blindside blocker for 5 million a year?
Martyn,
I would have prefered to see what we have in our young guys.
Flo used to play guard. we already have a guard making 7 mil. if we have a good LT in flo for the next two years. we should still have a pro bowl level guard in him for the last 4.
so the way i see it. At 8 million, we are underpaying a little for a top tier LT. thats a good deal for the boys, top tier LTs generlly have made more than that the last two years.
and if flo is moved back to guard for the final 4. flow can still be a probowl G. that is reasonable for a 332lb all pro left tackle who played the position before.
this gives free and Mcq a shot at LT when they are more experianced
It seems to me that Flozell will be making about the same cap charge next year as he did this year. I say money well spent. Ayodele’s cost of 3.4 mil against the cap this year and Ferguson’s cost of 3.6 mil could be areas that savings might be made. Experience and depth does not come cheap. The Thomas signing may prove to be a very good signing but there are “ifs”.I don’t see Ayodele keeping his starting job.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2008/02/kevin-carter-up.html
Rotoworld, via the St. Petersburg Times, is reporting Asante Samuels will sign with the Eagles.
Also, there is a rumor out there about the Eagles trading Lito Shepherd and picks to the Cardinals for Larry Fitzgerald.
I hope Lito goes. I had rather play Samuels.
Also, a Samuels to Philadelphia deal might take the Eagles out of the CB market in round one, but that would be a big ‘might’.
#130
Oh yeah, they would get Fitzgerald.
Strike that. I don’t want that to happen.
Perhaps, if they do get Samuels, they would ship Lito to New England.
That rumor was out there as well.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ny-spjets0229,0,4306016.story
According to Newsday.com, NY Giants safety Gibril Wilson is expected to sign with the Raiders.
unconventional,
(from post 74)
i’m always surprised how people on this blog tend to over-rate cornerbacks.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/16093897.html?page=2&c=y
According to Sid Hartman, columnist from StarTribune.com, Randy Moss will return to the Patriots.
Re: # 30 and 31
Asante Samuel, not ‘Samuels’
Tex is glad people are talking about, well… Tex.
PS: there are only a few things Tex likes loose; fairways, slots, jeans, and interpretations.
As for the loose women who have ruined dynasties throughout history, the proof is in the puddin’ - see Romo, his small dog, and a winless playoff resume.
“we” on this blog do neither.
WR is the single biggest bust position in the 1st round. Not even close.
DB is the highest drafted 1st round position. That’s the Pro’s, not us.
GM Jerry (rightfully IMO) prefers star WRs at premium prices…in FA.
Yes, we need Glenn’s replacement. Is it Hurd or Austin? Maybe…it does take a few years (see every WR in history). How ’bout Stanbeck?
Who’s your daddy? You could name 10 WRs in this draft and 10 people would have them at the top. There isn’t a clear stud among them. So, yeah, take a flyer in the 3rd or 4th.
There isn’t a guaranteed success at WR.
On the flip side, there’s 10 CBs that look to be pretty decent. In fact, there’s 4 or 5 studs and a dozen or so better than Jaques Reeves.
Ergo…
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7850582/Source:-Packers-send-Williams-to-Cleveland?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=5
I saw this earlier, but here is comfirmation:
Jay Glazner of Fox Sports Net reports that the Browns have traded for Packers DT Corey Williams.
Williams was a designated franchise player, but the Browns do not own a first round pick.
The Packers have agreed to take a
2nd round pick for Williams.
fighter15,
au contraire. there are some on this sight who think the cowboys should waste 2 high picks on CBs. don’t get me wrong, i’m all for getting one in the first, but two? plain and simple, it won’t happen. not with so many other needs, and two productive starters in place already (nevermind their age, they’re still very productive). this is one of the positions they need to mirror in FA. sign one (drayton florence) draft one (whoever, hopefully DRC).
not to mention this, fighter, ol’ buddy,
say what you will about WR being a big bust position, but there has NEVER been a CB in the history of the league impact a game as much as a truly great WR or RB on a consistant basis. name anyone. go ahead. it’s a risk/reward sorta deal. much higher risk, but much higher reward.
dallasnews is reporting that the cowboys are talking trade with the dolphins…but not for MB3. they’re talking about ferguson for a draft pick. i wonder where? i think they should be sending them more than just fergie. maybe fergie, ellis, spears, carp, austin, glenn for a 2, 4 and 6. while we’re going trade crazy in hypotheticalsburgh, let’s send ayodele to the falcons for another 4th. by my very loose calculations, that would free up somewhere between 12 and 15 mil under the cap. then we do almost whatever we want. just a hypothetical, that’s all. just chewin’ the fat…
scout,
re: post 137
yeah, so?