HEADLINES

Tyron Smith

Cowboys Rumors: Bryant, Lee, Hitchens

May 28th, 2014 at 11:49am CST by Luke Adams

Many of the league’s top wide receivers – including Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Larry Fitzgerald, and Vincent Jackson – have signed deals in recent years that average at least $10MM and exceed $20MM in total guarantees. While Dez Bryant didn’t cite specific figures, he suggested to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com that he thinks his next contract should reflect his place among the NFL’s best wideouts.

“Yeah, I deserve it,” Bryant said of a long-term extension. “I deserve it. I feel like I do. I put the work in, but I let that kind of stuff take care of itself. It is what it is. I let my agent talk about it and give me some feedback.”

According to Bryant, agent Eugene Parker has already engaged in preliminary talks with the Cowboys about a multiyear extension. The standout receiver is slated to earn a base salary of $1.78MM along with $250K in workout bonuses in 2014, the final year of his rookie contract.

Let’s check out a few more Cowboys items….

  • Would Bryant accept a hometown discount to remain in Dallas? He was somewhat noncommittal in his conversation with MacMahon: “I’m loyal to the squad. I’ve always been. Me and my agent are going to talk about [a hometown discount]. We’ll talk about it. You know, this is big. This is life-changing. Like I said, I’ve done everything asked of me, and we’ll see what happens.”
  • In a chat with readers at the Dallas Morning News, columnist Rick Gosselin pointed out that the next contracts for Bryant and offensive tackle Tyron Smith will likely be the biggest deals of their respective careers, so it’s not fair to expect them to accept discounts. Still, Gosselin expects Dallas to keep both players around, since they’re the “shining stars in [Jerry Jones‘] draft legacy.”
  • The silver lining in the news of Sean Lee‘s torn ACL is that the linebacker didn’t tear any other ligaments in his knee, says Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links). That means Lee can likely have surgery sooner, which advances the timetable for his recovery.
  • As the Cowboys consider options to replace Lee, rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens admits that he may not be ready to immediately step up into the starting lineup (link via DallasCowboys.com). “It’s going to take time,” Hitchens said. “I’ve still got to get everything down. If we had a game tomorrow, no, but it’s a good thing we don’t. I have time to get better.”

Mailbags & More: Cowboys, Lions, Rams, Jets

May 4th, 2014 at 8:47am CST by Rory Parks

Let’s have a look at some mailbags and related links to kick off this Sunday morning:

  • The Cowboys will have some contractual decisions to make regarding a few of their top offensive weapons, writes ESPNDallas.com’s Todd Archer in his latest mailbag. Although they have picked up the fifth-year option on Tyron Smith, thereby locking him up through 2015, they still would like to get a long-term deal done. Extension talks could take place this summer.
  • As for Dez Bryant, who is entering the final year of his contract, the Cowboys want him to stay and Bryant does not want to leave, so Archer predicts that something will get done. However, he does think that a lot of the money in any potential deal will be in the base salaries, which would give Dallas some protection. And although DeMarco Murray has been terrific, the market for running backs has stagnated and the Cowboys would be wise to approach him with a modest deal now to see if he would bite.
  • Finally, Archer believes that if the Cowboys are unable to land Zack Martin or another top tackle in the draft, they will try to extend Doug Free. If they do manage to snag a highly-rated tackle, they will be willing to set Free free.
  • ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein investigates the possibilities of the Lions‘ trading back from their No. 10 overall pick and the possibility of an Ndamukong Suh trade.
  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press is going all out in his pre-draft coverage of the Lions this week, taking a look at Detroit’s options at defensive back, the most likely candidates for the team’s first round pick, and he puts up another mock draft.
  • Chris McCosky of The Detroit News makes a case for the Lions to draft Zack Martin with their first-round choice.
  • Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com had a two-hour chat with fans on Friday regarding the most important draft-related topics facing the Rams.
  • Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains why Clemson WR Sammy Watkins would be an intriguing fit for the Rams.
  • Seth Walder of the New York Daily News looks at three players the Jets could target in the first-round: Odell Beckham, Jr., Brandin Cooks, and Darqueze Dennard.
  • Kimberly A. Smith of Newsday examines the importance of this draft for Jets GM John Idzik, who has 12 picks to work with and a healthy salary cap situation.
  • Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com looks at Rex Ryan’s influence in the Jets‘ draft room, the possibility they may trade up in the draft, and several other draft-related issues.

Cowboys Exercise 2015 Option On Tyron Smith

April 18th, 2014 at 8:50am CST by Luke Adams

The Cowboys have become the latest team to exercise the fifth-year option on a 2011 first-round pick, according to Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas, who reports that the club has picked up its 2015 option on offensive tackle Tyron Smith. The move ensures that, even without a long-term extension, Smith will be under team control for two more seasons.

Because he was selected within the top 10 in the 2011 draft, Smith’s option-year salary will be equal to the 2014 transition tag for an offensive lineman. That means the 23-year-old will be in line for a 2015 salary of $10.039MM, which will be guaranteed for injury only until the first day of the ’15 league year. The Cowboys could also try to lock up Smith to a long-term contract extension in the meantime.

Along with Dez Bryant, Smith represents one of the two Cowboys that the team will be most intent on extending in the near future. Smith ranked as the fifth-best tackle in the league last season among 76 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), which graded the former USC Trojan as an above-average run blocker and an elite pass blocker. It was the second time in his three NFL seasons that Smith ranked among the league’s top five tackles, per PFF’s data.

Cowboys Rumors: Draft, Spencer, Smith

April 3rd, 2014 at 6:52pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s take a look at a handful of notes pertaining to America’s Team…

NFC Notes: Newton, Cowboys, Suh, Rams

March 25th, 2014 at 1:09pm CST by Luke Adams

Although the Panthers would like to eventually reach an agreement with quarterback Cam Newton that keeps him in Carolina for several years, for now the club expects to take advantage of its fifth-year option for 2015, GM Dave Gettleman confirmed today. As a top-10 pick in 2011, Newton will be in line for a fifth-year salary worth the amount of the quarterback transition tag. Here are a few more updates from across the NFC:

  • Like the Panthers, the Cowboys hope to lock up their own 2011 first-rounder, Tyron Smith, for the long-term, but in the meantime, “all signs point to” the club exercising its fifth-year option for 2015 on Smith, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News.
  • Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dismissed the idea that his team is in rebuilding mode, as Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com details.
  • Lions president Tom Lewand confirmed today that he has been in contact with Jimmy Sexton, the agent for Ndamukong Suh. However, the two sides won’t meet in Orlando to discuss an extension for Suh, since Lewand doesn’t believe it’s an ideal setting to do business (Twitter links via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
  • Jimmy Graham of the Saints and Greg Hardy of the Panthers are still on the franchise tag for now, but Saints owner Tom Benson is very confident New Orleans will work out a multiyear deal with Graham sooner or later, writes Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune. As for Hardy, Gettleman says the Panthers are letting the smoke clear before revisiting a potential long-term contract for the star defensive end, tweets David Newton of ESPN.com.
  • Although the Rams may have some interest in Mark Sanchez, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch believes that interest is tepid at best.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that both players the Rams signed on Monday received minimum-salary deals, with Greg Reid inking a three-year contract and Etienne Sabino signing for one year. Neither pact included a bonus.

NFC Links: Tate, Cowboys, Wynn, Falcons

February 28th, 2014 at 4:08pm CST by Luke Adams

Free-agent-to-be Golden Tate suggested there’s mutual interest between him and the Seahawks in a new contract, but said “only time will tell” if he remains in Seattle, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Tate added that he doesn’t consider Riley Cooper’s contract as a sign of what sort of deal he may get, since the two receivers’ situations are “very, very different.”

Here’s more from around the NFC on a busy day in the NFL:

  • In a piece for CBSSports.com, Jason La Canfora explains why offensive tackle Tyron Smith may be better off waiting on a long-term deal, whereas the Cowboys will look to lock him up as soon as possible.
  • Speaking of the Cowboys, they have interest in bringing back free agent defensive tackle Jarius Wynn, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
  • Despite the fact that offensive lineman Joe Hawley has never had an extended run as a starter in his four years in Atlanta, ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure thinks the Falcons will prioritize re-signing the prospective free agent.
  • McClure also reports (on Twitter) that offensive tackle Jake Matthews met with the Falcons at the combine in Indianapolis. Matthews is expected to be one of the first tackles off the board in May’s draft, and Atlanta holds the sixth overall selection.

Extra Points: Fox, Monroe, Cowboys, Cap

February 20th, 2014 at 3:28pm CST by Luke Adams

There will be plenty of meetings between teams and player agents this week, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (via Twitter) that clubs will also have the opportunity to touch base with their coaches’ agents. The Broncos have a meeting scheduled this weekend with agent Bob LaMonte to discuss a new deal for head coach John Fox, according to Rapoport. Here’s more from around the league, as updates from the Indianapolis combine dominate the NFL news wire:

  • Speaking to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times, offensive tackle Eugene Monroe confirmed that he and the Ravens have entered discussions about a new contract, and said those talks in and of themselves are a positive sign. Although Monroe cautioned that it’s still early, the free-agent-to-be said it would be “awesome” to continue as a Raven.
  • While the Cowboys are expected to explore extensions for wide receiver Dez Bryant and offensive tackle Tyron Smith this offseason, those talks haven’t gotten underway yet, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
  • In the wake of the new $130MM salary cap projection put forth by Adam Schefter this morning, Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com has adjusted his estimates for 2014’s restricted free agent tenders and franchise tags.
  • New Browns GM Ray Farmer told reporters, including Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland, that he’s looking forward to meeting with quarterback prospect Johnny Manziel.
  • While he likely won’t have much say in the decision, Jarrett Bush tells Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link) that he’d be “shocked” if the Packers don’t re-sign fellow defensive back Sam Shields.
  • The Seahawks aren’t expected to use the franchise tag this year, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
  • In a piece for the National Football Post, Joel Corry identifies 10 players who are candidates to restructure their contracts this offseason.

Cowboys Links: Bryant, Smith, Austin, Ware

February 20th, 2014 at 8:28am CST by Luke Adams

With a deadline of March 11 for getting under the 2014 cap, the Cowboys don’t sound like they’re in any hurry to make roster moves quite yet, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Still, there are a number of interesting decisions to be made over the next several weeks by the team which has the most 2014 cap commitments in the NFL. Let’s check in on some of them….

  • While the Cowboys intend to spend “efficiently” in free agency, that doesn’t necessarily preclude contract extensions for wide receiver Dez Bryant or offensive tackle Tyron Smith, Archer notes in a separate ESPN.com blog post. Both players are eligible for long-term deals this summer, and executive vice president Stephen Jones suggests the team will “make decisions individually” on Bryant and Smith, meaning it’s possible that just one of the two will be extended this offseason.
  • Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News contextualizes some comments made by Jones in examining the team’s options with Miles Austin and DeMarcus Ware.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com takes an in-depth look at how Terrell Suggs’ new extension with the Ravens could influence Ware’s contract negotiations with the Cowboys. Dallas may not have as much leverage as Baltimore did, but the club could create significant cap savings by cutting Ware, so he figures to be open to restructuring his deal.

Young Stars In Line For Payday

February 14th, 2014 at 8:43pm CST by Matt Feminis

The NFL published its “All-Under-25” team, highlighting the league’s best players under the age of 25. From a contractual standpoint, five stand out as free agents to be at the conclusion of the 2014 season:

  • Rams defensive end Robert Quinn – Everyone knew Quinn was dripping with upside when the Rams picked him the first round of the 2011 draft, and the pass rusher extraordinaire’s third season was something to behold. Quinn was an unblockable one-man wrecking crew, garnering NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and putting himself in position to break the bank on his second deal.
  • Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith – Knocking on the door of elite status at a critical position, Smith is expected to get a mega contract extension to ensure the safety of Tony Romo‘s blind side.
  • Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson – Did not have as many impact plays in 2013, but is a three-time Pro Bowler and legitimate No. 1 coverman at a time when big cornerbacks are in high demand.
  • Bengals middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict – Pre-draft character concerns which knocked him off draft boards and seem like a distant memory now. Burfict played at an elite level, leading the league with 171 tackles. If he behaves himself for another year, he’ll receive an exponential bump from his six-figure 2014 salary.
  • Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey – A stout run defender, Casey’s sack production jumped from 5.5 2011-2012 to 10.5 in 2013 when he was one of the most balanced interior defenders in the league.