Several key members of this team - both coaches and players - have expired contracts now that their season is over. The Cowboys have a lot to figure out over the next few months in terms of who to re-sign and who to let go. Here are some of the biggest FAs on the team, along with what I believe the Cowboys will do with them. JASON GARRETT - The Cowboys are working on a contract extension for Garrett right now. Garrett inherited a 1-7 team in 2010 and led them to a 5-3 record to end the year. Then, from 2011 to 2013 Garrett began rebuilding the roster - transitioning this team from being one of the oldest in the NFL to one of the youngest in the NFL - all while remaining competitive and never finishing with a losing record. Finally, it all started to pay off this year with a 12-4 record, an NFC East championship and a playoff win. These players love Garrett and love playing for him. He is as passionate, intelligent and genuine as they come and the Cowboys are smart to lock him up. PREDICTION: The Cowboys sign Garrett to a 5+ year contract extension within the next few days. ROD MARINELLI - Marinelli turned the last ranked defense into the NFL into a middle-of-the-pack defense - which is quite an accomplishment. He had these guys fighting harder than ever and making big plays when they needed to. It has been rumored all season that Rod Marinelli will re-unite with his pal Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay. Marinelli is very loyal to those he is close to, so this rumor is certainly a possibility. PREDICTION: As loyal as Marinelli is, I think he also wants to win a Super Bowl, which he has a better chance at in Dallas than he does in Tampa. I have a feeling he signs a 3+ year contract extension with the Cowboys. BILL CALLAHAN - Callahan has worked wonders for this offensive line - helping turn this unit into one of the best in the NFL. Eight teams have reportedly shown interest in interviewing Callahan this offseason and its been rumored that he is unhappy with his situation in Dallas. PREDICTION: Callahan wants to call plays and that wont happen here in Dallas. He will sign with another team as their offensive coordinator/play-caller. Cleveland could be a good landing spot for him. The very capable Frank Pollack would then be promoted to offensive line coach. SCOTT LINEHAN - Scott Linehan was one of the biggest reasons for the Cowboys offensive success. He helped Tony Romo have the best season of his career and gave the Cowboys a legitimate rushing attack for the first time in quite a while. Like the other assistant coaches, Linehan has rightfully received interest from several teams as well. PREDICTION: With Callahan likely on his way out, the Cowboys will sign Linehan to a new contract and promote him from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator. WILL MCCLAY - Will McClay has had as much to do with the Cowboys turn-around as anyone. He has overseen several solid drafts over the last few years, as well as helped the team find hidden gems in free agency. He will make an incredible GM in the NFL one day. PREDICTION: Cowboys keep McClay for at least another year or two. However, Jerry will never give up his GM position so they wont be able to hold onto him forever. DEZ BRYANT - Dez has continued to prove that he is one of the most dominant/game-changing WRs in the game today - leading the league since 2010 with 56 TDs. Signing him to an extension is and should be the teams #1 priority when it comes to FA players. PREDICTION: The Cowboys lock Dez up for life with a big 6+ year contract extension. May seem like a lot of money at first, but with the salary cap expected to rise significantly, his contract will be a bargain within a couple of years. DEMARCO MURRAY - Murray was arguably the biggest surprise of the season for the Cowboys. For the first time in his career he played in all 16 games and had a historical season - leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns. Most fans are eager for the Cowboys to re-sign Murray, but consider this.. Murray carried the ball 392 times. When RBs carry the ball that much in a season they get worn down. RBs who carry the ball 390+ times average about 800 fewer rushing yards the following season. Thats a big drop off and it would cost the Cowboys a lot of money to re-sign Murray. PREDICTION: The Cowboys let Murray walk, draft a young/fresh RB in the early-mid rounds and rotate the new guy with Dunbar, Randle and maybe even Williams - taking the RB by committee approach. JUSTIN DURANT / ROLANDO MCCLAIN / BRUCE CARTER - The Cowboys LB corps were one of the most impressive units on the team in 2014. The Cowboys had 5 different LBs record at least 1 INT and Carter led all LBs in INTs by at least 2. PREDICTION: I think the Cowboys re-sign Justin Durant and either McClain or Carter. Dont see them re-signing all three. Regardless, they should have a strong LB corps again next year with Sean Lee returning and Anthony Hitchens in his 2nd year. COLE BEASLEY / DWAYNE HARRIS - Cole Beasley had somewhat of a breakout year, scoring 4 TDs (doubling his previous high) and becoming one of Romos most trustworthy and reliable targets. Harris wasnt the return threat that weve grown used to seeing and didnt have many receptions, but he was used often as a blocker in the running game. PREDICTION: Cowboys extend Beasley, who is a restricted FA, and he has an even bigger role in the offense next season. Harris is let go and the Cowboys find another return specialist WR in the late rounds of the draft. LANCE DUNBAR - Dunbar wasnt used much in 2014, but when he was used he made big plays. Dunbar was especially explosive in the passing game, taking quick screen passes on 3rd down for big gains to move the chains on several occasions. PREDICTION: Dunbar is signed to an extension and has a bigger role next season with Murray on his way out. JEREMY PARNELL / DOUG FREE / RONALD LEARY - Doug Free had a very solid year but unfortunately dealt with several injuries that kept him off the field. Parnell filled in nicely for Free but there was still a clear drop off. Leary had another strong season, opening up big holes for Murray alongside Tyron Smith, and shutting down some dominant pass rushers throughout the year. PREDICTION: The Cowboys re-sign Parnell and Leary. Free, because of his age, is let go. Cowboys draft another OT in the mid-late rounds and/or sign a low-price FA to compete with Parnell for the starting RT spot. ANTHONY SPENCER / GEORGE SELVIE / NICK HAYDEN - Spencer his his stride in the final few games of the season and into the playoffs - finally looking like his former self. Selvie was pretty much a non-factor during the season. Didnt look the same as he did in 2013. Hayden didnt have big numbers, but the coaches love his high motor. The guy never stops going. PREDICTION: Cowboys extend Spencer. Selvie walks. Could sign Hayden later on in the event of an injury during training camp, but the Cowboys have enough depth at DT that theyll choose to give the other guys a shot first. STERLING MOORE - Moore led the Cowboys in passes defended in 2014 and was one of the most consistent CBs on the team - if not the most consistent. PREDICTION: The Cowboys re-sign the talented undrafted CB and he competes for the #2 or #3 spot in 2015. CHRIS JONES - Jones didnt have a great year punting in 2014 - had a few too many shanks for my taste. However, he had his best game vs the Lions in the wild card game, pinning them deep in their own territory all game. PREDICTION: The Cowboys sign an undrafted rookie punter after the draft and maybe another veteran punter to compete for the starting job in 2015.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 18:22:00 +0000
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