Still say it was a catch. Cowboys were supposed to be in Super Bowl. It just felt right. Was supposed to happen. Now look what you got: the deflaters vs. the "lucky" comeback kids.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dez Bryant talks free agency: 'I'm a Cowboy at heart. It's Cowboys forever' <a href="http://t.co/enDxkfVgNc">http://t.co/enDxkfVgNc</a></p>— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/561939705244037120">February 1, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Packers didn't belong in that game against the Seahawks, and the Seahawks didn't belong in that game against the Patriots. Man, what a Super Bowl that would have been, Cowboys v Patriots.. sigh. Stupid refs.
Cowboys to franchise tag Dez and let Demarco test free agency: The Dallas Cowboys have one franchise tag to use on March 2, and Cowboys Vice President Stephen Jones made clear Saturday that tag will be used on wide receiver Dez Bryant. Jones described talks with unrestricted free agent running back DeMarco Murray's agents as "slow" up to this point. "[Murray] is probably going to, you know, get some peace and see what's out in the market and then we'll talk and see. I do believe deep down he'd love to stay in Dallas." Last season, Murray led the league in rushing with 1.845 yards and broke Emmitt Smith's franchise record for most yards in a season. Dallas finished 12-4, went undefeated in December, and won their second playoff game since 1997. Murray's performance on the field and leadership in the locker room were integral to this success. If Murray hits the free agent market, Jones isn't worried about the fourth-year running back going elsewhere. "We've had some really good football players go into free agency: Jay Novacek and Darren Woodson and, you know, they still sign with the Cowboys. So, just because you're a free agent doesn't mean you're not necessarily going to end up back in Dallas." Teams can begin negotiating with unrestricted free agents on March 7, and teams and players can begin signing contracts on March 10. Cowboys Vice President Stephen Jones confirmed to FOX Sports Southwest that the team indeed expects to apply the franchise tag to wide receiver Dez Bryant by Monday's deadline. "I still think that it's probably, you know, would be a stretch to think that we would have something done by Monday and beat the franchise-tag deadline," Jones said. "Looks like we're eyeing a franchise tag on Dez, but certainly won't stop us from working hard to get a long-term deal." The Cowboys were close to a "Cowboy-for-Life" deal with Bryant back in late October, but negotiations went back to square one as Bryant fired agent Eugene Parker in favor of Tom Condon, who the Cowboys front office met with this past week. "Jerry Sr. and myself actually had a meeting with Tom Condon, his agent, Tuesday night." Jones said. "Had a good long visit." The last time the Cowboys applied the franchise tag was in 2013 with Anthony Spencer, who missed 15 games due to a bone bruise in his left knee. The tag was applied because of indecision between the Cowboys and Spencer. Jones made clear the club is tagging Bryant to buy more negotiating time. "We just don't want to lose his rights," said Jones. "We think Dez is a, you know, unique player and certainly a big part of what we do in terms of what we've done, our success, and certainly going forward. http://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/dallas-cowboys-dez-bryant-jerry-jones-franchise-tag-stephen-jones-022815
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sources: The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cowboys?src=hash">#Cowboys</a> and WR Cole Beasley have agreed to terms on a 4-year deal worth $13.6M with $7M in guarantees and a $4M signing bonus.</p>— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rand_Getlin/status/572815212040101888">March 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Strong to quite strong RT <a href="https://twitter.com/jag_fan">@jag_fan</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet">@RapSheet</a> How strong would you say the Jaguars are interested in DeMarco Murray?</p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/575265863571374080">March 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Interesting. But I know many Cowboys fans think Murray is just a product of their O-Line and could be fairly easily replaced.
While may be true, you don't let a proven product go like that. He was the best rusher by far last year. Cowboys trying to build something here, and should try to retain Murray.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>DeMarco Murray's deal with Eagles is expected to be 5 years, $42 million, including $21 million guaranteed, per <a href="https://twitter.com/mortreport">@mortreport</a> and I.</p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/576076046602268673">March 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Minor point: On DeMarco Murray's $21 million guaranteed, $18 million for skill and injury. Murray got what Dallas did not expect.</p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/576077921854615554">March 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Latest rumor he wants 25M GTD in the first two years, plus Vikings compensation. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/TGravey22">@TGravey22</a>: what's the deal with AP, why so quiet there?</p>— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikejurecki/status/576075536830582784">March 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Good riddance for that amount of money. Anything short of a spectacular showing in Philly will deem him not worth that amount of money and a liability...especially if he gets injured for significant amounts of time. It makes very little sense that they would dump McCoy and pick up Murray for basically the same amount of money. That's a pretty strong declaration that Murray is better than McCoy. They are practically the same player with different styles. Yes, Murray may fit Chip Kelley's scheme better. I can't wait to see this blow up on the Eagles organization. Murray was injury prone except his contract season. Good luck, Philly. All that stuff on paper rarely works out when the games are played. Jerry Jones did the right thing imo. At least the Cowboys are learning to be wiser with their money. The Eagles haven't learned a thing. Who was that big name CB the Eagles signed for the bank and he did jack the whole time he was there? They took a huge hit on him.
I've got a feeling the loss of DeMarco is going to hurt. I like them being financially prudent.... But if the don't win then it's for naught.
One thing hasn't changed. The Cowboys still won't win a title. Jerry gave all Demarco's money to primarily Romo and other players. He's operating on the belief that quality running backs are replaceable if the offensive line is good. It may work out. But, the defense is still going to suck next season Murray or no Murray imo. We lost some key players and more are out the door soon. The same story applies to Dallas as in past years. Both sides of the ball never seem to be good enough to do anything other than maybe crack into the playoffs and win one game.
You send your starting RB to the opposite conference then sign the leagues leading rusher from your divisional rival while also getting an above average starting LB with loads of potential all while staying within the confines of the money spent on McCoy. You my friend are looking at this as quite a homer. And then the Eagles were also able to pick up Ryan Mathews to split carries with Murray. If the Cowboys were smart they would have signed Murray to an extension midway through the season. Unless the waited and reacted to the market and bit them in the ass. They were forced to franchise Dez cause they couldn't get a deal done and it cost them the ability to sign Murray. At least Jerry locked up Sean Lee! Love what Chip is doing. He is shaking up the way things are done in the NFL. Who knows if it will work but dumping your starting RB to the AFC while stealing the leagues leading rusher from your rival and filling a position of need on D at the same money is not as ridiculous as you make it sound.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Well, at least Jerruh got an Arkansas boy RT <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLCharean">@NFLCharean</a>: Cowboys agree to 2yr deal w/Darren McFadden pending a physical</p>— Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArifHasanNFL/status/576390603165945856">March 13, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
