Free Agency and the Cowboys.......This is how u do it

[gambit187]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, March 11, 2004


Associated Press

IRVING, Texas -- It's not like Jerry Jones to sit quietly while others are making headlines, especially when the newsmakers are division rivals.

Yet Jones said Thursday the slow, steady pace the Dallas Cowboys have taken in free agency is exactly what they wanted.

"The plan was for it to come to us," Jones said after announcing his first big move, the signing of defensive end Marcellus Wiley to a $16 million, four-year deal that includes a $4.5 million bonus. "We kind of felt there were some real high numbers out there that didn't make sense to us."

Several players the Cowboys pursued signed elsewhere. Others they were interested in -- from cornerbacks to punters -- also found new teams.

Then there's the pending deal for receiver Keyshawn Johnson. A $20 million, four-year contract is ready to be signed once Tampa Bay either trades him to Dallas or cuts him. Something is expected by April 1 because he's owed a $1 million bonus that day.

"We want him here," Jones said, "and he wants to be here."

The Cowboys are willing to give up receiver Joey Galloway, but he's not interested in Tampa Bay's offer of $1 million for one year. His agent, Leigh Steinberg, said talks were "mildly resurrected" by Buccaneers general manager Bruce Allen on Wednesday night.

Jones said he's also looking at quarterbacks, but only as backups to Quincy Carter.

"We're not out of business at quarterback, but that's not to be read into as Quincy being out of business," Jones said. "He's still the starter."

Jones said he doesn't regret not pursuing quarterbacks Mark Brunell or Jeff Garcia, and he's not interested in Tim Couch, who is likely to be cut or traded now that the Cleveland Browns have Garcia.

Drew Henson, meanwhile, still intrigues the Cowboys. Jones said the holdup is "a lot of moving parts," such as Henson's contract demands, what Houston wants for his rights and the chance he goes back into the draft.

Jones said help is on the way at running back and offensive line, although the additions may come through the draft and they might not be headliners.

"We will add someone at running back," he said. "Now the level that we do it at, that's the horse of a different color."

Cornerback is another position Dallas is studying. Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent remain possibilities, with Taylor having said he's interested in the Cowboys.

Asked about the big bucks spent by Washington owner Daniel Snyder, Jones smiled wide and said, "I've been watching them do it for the last several years."


Wire Index

NOTICE THE SMILE WIDE PART, True sign of a born Hustler...

[Brandon777]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, March 11, 2004


Associated Press

IRVING, Texas -- It's not like Jerry Jones to sit quietly while others are making headlines, especially when the newsmakers are division rivals.

Yet Jones said Thursday the slow, steady pace the Dallas Cowboys have taken in free agency is exactly what they wanted.

"The plan was for it to come to us," Jones said after announcing his first big move, the signing of defensive end Marcellus Wiley to a $16 million, four-year deal that includes a $4.5 million bonus. "We kind of felt there were some real high numbers out there that didn't make sense to us."

Several players the Cowboys pursued signed elsewhere. Others they were interested in -- from cornerbacks to punters -- also found new teams.

Then there's the pending deal for receiver Keyshawn Johnson. A $20 million, four-year contract is ready to be signed once Tampa Bay either trades him to Dallas or cuts him. Something is expected by April 1 because he's owed a $1 million bonus that day.

"We want him here," Jones said, "and he wants to be here."

The Cowboys are willing to give up receiver Joey Galloway, but he's not interested in Tampa Bay's offer of $1 million for one year. His agent, Leigh Steinberg, said talks were "mildly resurrected" by Buccaneers general manager Bruce Allen on Wednesday night.

Jones said he's also looking at quarterbacks, but only as backups to Quincy Carter.

"We're not out of business at quarterback, but that's not to be read into as Quincy being out of business," Jones said. "He's still the starter."

Jones said he doesn't regret not pursuing quarterbacks Mark Brunell or Jeff Garcia, and he's not interested in Tim Couch, who is likely to be cut or traded now that the Cleveland Browns have Garcia.

Drew Henson, meanwhile, still intrigues the Cowboys. Jones said the holdup is "a lot of moving parts," such as Henson's contract demands, what Houston wants for his rights and the chance he goes back into the draft.

Jones said help is on the way at running back and offensive line, although the additions may come through the draft and they might not be headliners.

"We will add someone at running back," he said. "Now the level that we do it at, that's the horse of a different color."

Cornerback is another position Dallas is studying. Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent remain possibilities, with Taylor having said he's interested in the Cowboys.

Asked about the big bucks spent by Washington owner Daniel Snyder, Jones smiled wide and said, "I've been watching them do it for the last several years."


Wire Index

NOTICE THE SMILE WIDE PART, True sign of a born Hustler...

This is how u do what? Sit on your lazy fat tuna a$$ and watch the talent go to other teams? Wiley is alright but its not like you guys signed Kearse.

[Jake]

Gambit, at least we win something! Shoot, we didn't even win this offseason. Don't try to ruin it for us!

[portis26]

Who is the cowboys QB this year? Who is there RB this year?

[gambit187]

Brandon 777,

Yeah so much that we got a potential play maker for a good price. There is more to come and we have lots more room to spend. There is still alot of talent out there and more will be released soon.

[curveball]

Who is the cowboys QB this year? Who is there RB this year?

What you appear to be saying is that Carter and Hambrick were the worst starting QB and RB in the league last season. That's great for Dallas.

Upgrading the "worst" shouldn't be too difficult. Get to the 5th worst at each postition and a 10-6 playoff team is challenging for the Super Bowl.

[portis26]

Sorry, not buying it. You guys will still be the worst at both positions next year.

[skinsfaninroanoke]

well, at least you hope you will be

I don't see them having the offensive talent, especially not with MeShawn playing there - yeah, he is a good possession type WR, but he is a dissension maker on a team too...

I just don't see the Pukes as having upgraded that much yet... Wiley is good, but not great... yes he is better than what you had, but by how much? One of his knocks is that he isn't as good vs. the run. That isn't good for you guys.

Ah well... time will tell....

[gambit187]

Who is the cowboys QB this year? Who is there RB this year?

What you appear to be saying is that Carter and Hambrick were the worst starting QB and RB in the league last season. That's great for Dallas.

Upgrading the "worst" shouldn't be too difficult. Get to the 5th worst at each postition and a 10-6 playoff team is challenging for the Super Bowl.

Preach on Curve

[hkHog]

Asked about the big bucks spent by Washington owner Daniel Snyder, Jones smiled wide and said, "I've been watching them do it for the last several years."

And you know what, the Cowboys were pretty terrible until last year when they got a new coach. The Redskins were much better (even though we couldn't beat the worst team in our division). I didn't see old Jerry smiling much before the Tuna came into town. Maybe that was the after effects of some cosmetic surgery or maybe his team sucked. Well smile while you can Mr. Jones because now that we have a good coach, my bet is you're not going to be so happy next year.

[Brandon777]

Brandon 777,

Yeah so much that we got a potential play maker for a good price. There is more to come and we have lots more room to spend. There is still alot of talent out there and more will be released soon.

Who else have you gotten? I've been to Cowboy message boards and all I've read is whining about your FO not signing any players. All the post I've read on Cowboy message boards consists of "what the hell is taking our FO so long?" "there's nobody left!" "what the hell is tuna thinking?" Now you signed Wiley and you guys talk junk like you signed a HOF. That's retarded. Wiley is O.K. What about your offense?

[gambit187]

Brandon 777,

Yeah so much that we got a potential play maker for a good price. There is more to come and we have lots more room to spend. There is still alot of talent out there and more will be released soon.

Who else have you gotten? I've been to Cowboy message boards and all I've read is whining about your FO not signing any players. All the post I've read on Cowboy message boards consists of "what the hell is taking our FO so long?" "there's nobody left!" "what the hell is tuna thinking?" Now you signed Wiley and you guys talk junk like you signed a HOF. That's retarded. Wiley is O.K. What about your offense?

Those post where from impatient fans, I am the most knowledgeable cowboy fan u will probally ever meet. Trust me Synder is running on a credit car thats about to run out say ummm around 2006. We fullfilled a need and got a a supurb DE outta the deal.

Free Agency just started and the Skins have dayum near blown there load. Alot more people will be released leading up to and after the draft. In order for the skins to make moves they will have to release some people.

[SirSmizzy]

W e all can agree its not about what the fans think or what the press/media print.

if you know how the NFL works ...you know that its been done for years 1 way...and Snyder changed that...Some people think he changed it for the worse and that his way is wrong.

Weither its wrong on not isn't the point...The point is up till now ,, going out and giving top dollar to every FA you hasn't worked.

It might with some fine tuning by the HOF HC and staff coming in.

I think if the skins had instant success with doing it this way...more teams would be willing to do it.

I don't think any team in the NFL has the staff to handel a team like the skins.(so many ego's/Star's)

If anybody can contain all these ego's and get everyone to play to their potential joe gibb's can.

"It's not about gathering the most talent......it's assembling the best team to put on the field"--Bill Belicheck

[curveball]

Not being overly aggressive in FA is what's made the Patriots. Any guesses as to where Belicheck and Pioli got the idea? I'll give you a clue, BB coached under a certain person and Pioli just might have some family connection.

The Cowboys showed signs of moving in the right direction last season. 10-6 was a mirage because the NFC as a whole was terrible last year, but they realixtically identified four maybe five weak spots at most.

One (DE) has been addressed with a trememdous upgrade (whether Wiley is good or not is debateable, but that Ekuban sucked isn't). Punter will be addressed before the season starts. RB will be addressed during the draft. 2nd CB is a major sticking point right now. QB may not be addressed for this season, but I'm sure it will be for the 2005 Super Bowl run.

[Brandon777]

Brandon 777,

Yeah so much that we got a potential play maker for a good price. There is more to come and we have lots more room to spend. There is still alot of talent out there and more will be released soon.

Who else have you gotten? I've been to Cowboy message boards and all I've read is whining about your FO not signing any players. All the post I've read on Cowboy message boards consists of "what the hell is taking our FO so long?" "there's nobody left!" "what the hell is tuna thinking?" Now you signed Wiley and you guys talk junk like you signed a HOF. That's retarded. Wiley is O.K. What about your offense?

Those post where from impatient fans, I am the most knowledgeable cowboy fan u will probally ever meet. Trust me Synder is running on a credit car thats about to run out say ummm around 2006. We fullfilled a need and got a a supurb DE outta the deal.

Free Agency just started and the Skins have dayum near blown there load. Alot more people will be released leading up to and after the draft. In order for the skins to make moves they will have to release some people.

Well, every Dallas fan must be impatient. Wiley is not SUPERB. A healthy Kearse is SUPERB. FA isn't beginning now. It began March 3rd. People who don't like the redskins are saying 2006 is gloom and doom. They are not calculating the increases in the cap over each future year. NFL revenues are forecasted to increase each year which lead to higher caps. We are not doomed in 2006.

[Brandon777]

W e all can agree its not about what the fans think or what the press/media print.

if you know how the NFL works ...you know that its been done for years 1 way...and Snyder changed that...Some people think he changed it for the worse and that his way is wrong.

Weither its wrong on not isn't the point...The point is up till now ,, going out and giving top dollar to every FA you hasn't worked.

It might with some fine tuning by the HOF HC and staff coming in.

I think if the skins had instant success with doing it this way...more teams would be willing to do it.

I don't think any team in the NFL has the staff to handel a team like the skins.(so many ego's/Star's)

If anybody can contain all these ego's and get everyone to play to their potential joe gibb's can.

"It's not about gathering the most talent......it's assembling the best team to put on the field"--Bill Belicheck

Going out and signing every FA hasn't worked in the past because we never had a coach worth a crap who could create chemistry. Guys who still doubt the FA shopping must really underrate Gibbs.

[gambit187]

W e all can agree its not about what the fans think or what the press/media print.

if you know how the NFL works ...you know that its been done for years 1 way...and Snyder changed that...Some people think he changed it for the worse and that his way is wrong.

Weither its wrong on not isn't the point...The point is up till now ,, going out and giving top dollar to every FA you hasn't worked.

It might with some fine tuning by the HOF HC and staff coming in.

I think if the skins had instant success with doing it this way...more teams would be willing to do it.

I don't think any team in the NFL has the staff to handel a team like the skins.(so many ego's/Star's)

If anybody can contain all these ego's and get everyone to play to their potential joe gibb's can.

"It's not about gathering the most talent......it's assembling the best team to put on the field"--Bill Belicheck

Going out and signing every FA hasn't worked in the past because we never had a coach worth a crap who could create chemistry. Guys who still doubt the FA shopping must really underrate Gibbs.

Brandon777 i have a few questions for you,

1. Who qualified Gibbs as a good personnel man.
2. Who is to say that these signings are good for the Skins
3. Has Gibbs ever one in the MODERN DAY NFL with salary cap and ego maniac, free agents.

Dont get me wrong I think Gibbs in an excellent coach. But i am taking my cue from several of your own players who are not really all that impressed with the Old Coach.

[Brandon777]

W e all can agree its not about what the fans think or what the press/media print.

if you know how the NFL works ...you know that its been done for years 1 way...and Snyder changed that...Some people think he changed it for the worse and that his way is wrong.

Weither its wrong on not isn't the point...The point is up till now ,, going out and giving top dollar to every FA you hasn't worked.

It might with some fine tuning by the HOF HC and staff coming in.

I think if the skins had instant success with doing it this way...more teams would be willing to do it.

I don't think any team in the NFL has the staff to handel a team like the skins.(so many ego's/Star's)

If anybody can contain all these ego's and get everyone to play to their potential joe gibb's can.

"It's not about gathering the most talent......it's assembling the best team to put on the field"--Bill Belicheck

Going out and signing every FA hasn't worked in the past because we never had a coach worth a crap who could create chemistry. Guys who still doubt the FA shopping must really underrate Gibbs.

Brandon777 i have a few questions for you,

1. Who qualified Gibbs as a good personnel man.
2. Who is to say that these signings are good for the Skins
3. Has Gibbs ever one in the MODERN DAY NFL with salary cap and ego maniac, free agents.

Dont get me wrong I think Gibbs in an excellent coach. But i am taking my cue from several of your own players who are not really all that impressed with the Old Coach.

1. That doesn't need to be answered. Gibbs is a intelligent man who is a proven winner in the NFL and NASCAR. 2. The players were evaluated by the man who knows what he is looking for to fit the schemes, not by Snyder and Cerrato. 3. Lavar was the only player I heard that was skeptical at the beginning, but he said he's been through alot of coaches and he will take the "wait and see" approach." Lavar seems to have lightend up on that now and seems to be more positive about it. In regards to his contract, Lavar just needs to get a new agent. The X's and O's are still the same in modern football. There could be hills to climb for Gibbs, but nothing that he can't handle.

[gambit187]

See avoiding the real questions.

Can you tell me which one of your free agency acquisitions is a proven leader. Inside the lockerroom and out. I challenge you to show me anything.

[Brandon777]

See avoiding the real questions.

Can you tell me which one of your free agency acquisitions is a proven leader. Inside the lockerroom and out. I challenge you to show me anything.

Avoiding real questions? I answered every question for you. Lavar is our lockerroom leader. FA proven leaders? Brunell, Portis, Rasby, Raymor...etc. Do I have to spoon feed it to you.

[skin_to_the_bone]

Anyone here that has Madden 2004 and plays the Owner mode knows that there are ways to getting out of a "Cap" struggle. Not like I'm comparing reality to a video game, but all of the realistic aspects are there. Revenues, Marketing, and all other profits will drive the cap up at least another 5 to 10 million from where it is today by 2006. People retire, and there are little loopholes and hidden criteria in contracts and bargening agreements that open up and try to fix that from happening. The last team to suffer drastically from the cap was the 49ers when Carmen Policy was overhauling free agents to San Fran. In less than a season they had there act turned back around and found relieve. Any team with the cash and assetts to bring in talent for a certain price will do so if they feel they can win. The NFL is all about "Win Now, or Else" The Cowboys,Skins and even the Patriots or any team for that matter can understand that what your staff feels will bring in the rings.... is what you go with, and if it doesn't happen fast you start letting heads roll. I believe Parcells and Bellicheck are two in the same, sure. Their styles are completely different for Snyder's but Snyder is the coach, or should I say he won't try to act like the coach now that he has he childhood hero (Gibbs) back in DC. This will all take care of itself in due time and we have the right personnel to make sure that what happened to Policy and the 49ers won't happen in DC.

[ferryrich]

I think it says it all when there's so many cowboys fans regularly posting on a skins site.

They feel they need to prove something by telling us how great they are

[gambit187]

See avoiding the real questions.

Can you tell me which one of your free agency acquisitions is a proven leader. Inside the lockerroom and out. I challenge you to show me anything.

Avoiding real questions? I answered every question for you. Lavar is our lockerroom leader. FA proven leaders? Brunell, Portis, Rasby, Raymor...etc. Do I have to spoon feed it to you.

Brandon777 Lavar is not a true leader.....true leaders lead by example. Lavar for one is not the constant student of the game like Ray Lewis. Lavar does not study film like Ray Lewis. Lavar is a big time Club promotion guy down here in DC. I know first hand because some of my dealings are with people who deal with his promotions.

Portis is not a leader, was not a leader in Denver, and in Miami. Show me something that mentions his leadership qualities. Lets see 22 years old and just got a boat load of cash and just move to D.C. SPELLS TROUBLE.

Brunell did nothing to help his last year in Jacksonville with Leftwhich, Brunell played the role of salty old veteran.

Come on now you gotta come better then guess like that show me something...........

[skins75]

Lets be fair when we talk about what the Redskins have done in the past. As you Cowboy fans know, when a real coach comes in things can change pretty quickly. All I can say is no matter what... it's going to be competetive again in the NFC East. Which is good for everyone.

[skins75]

One more thing lets not play the "Joe Gibbs hasnt coached in the modern day NFL" card...it just makes no sense. The fundamentals of football havent changed and he has assembled a pretty good coaching staff. You will see that twice a year for the next few years.