Stephen Jones: We want Doug Free

[Bonecrusher#31]

:no
Stephen Jones: We want Doug Free
April, 26, 2013
Apr 26
11:47
PM CT
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys have not addressed the offensive tackle spot with their first four selections and have not reached out to the agents for veterans Tyson Clabo or Eric Winston.

While executive vice president Stephen Jones said Doug Free’s situation is “to be determined,” he was also emphatic that he wants Free to remain with the team.

The Cowboys have made a paycut offer to Free, who is scheduled to earn $7 million this season. Jones said they have not heard from Free or the player’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, about whether they would accept a lower salary yet.

“We want him back, how’s that?” Jones said. “We’d love to have him here. I think he’d love to be here. Now the question is it’s got to work for him and it’s got to work for us. I have all the respect in the world for Doug. He works his ass off. He wants to play better. He knows he needs to play better. He’s be the first to tell you that.”

Free split time over the last month of the season with Jermey Parnell and performed better. The Cowboys have had some conversations with the representatives of Clabo and Winston but they have not ventured into any negotiations.

With the draft ending Saturday, the competition in the free-agent market figures to heat up quickly.

Jones said the team would like to get something resolved sooner rather than later.

“We’ve got a little bit of money to figure out what to do with Free and you don’t have to worry about us in free agency,” Jones said.

 

[Theebs]

Sounds like the final public notice to free.

Play for less or play somewhere else.

Going to be an interesting few days.

 

[cmd34]

My feelings as well. Public negotiating, putting the ball in Free's court.

 

[Sheik]

What in the hell is the thought behind his paycut? Adding a starter, or his shit play being easier to swallow at a lesser cap number?

 

[cmd34]

His paycut probably opens the door for Brandon Moore and lets the team open up the RT job to comp between Free and Parnell. One, competition is key. Players raise their game. Garrett talks about but rarely employs it. Two, having Moore at RG will improve Free as well. His struggles are compounded by the fact that Bernadeau is worthless next to him.

 

[Hoofbite]

Doubt he takes a paycut.

The team needs him to more than he actually needs to. If he takes a pay cut he's gonne be cut next year provided they'd guarantee him his spot this year which would be just about the only reason he might take one. No paycut and he cashes in this year and can ride off into forced retirement.

 

[Sheik]

I say cut him and force yourself to get better. He's complete garbage.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

His paycut probably opens the door for Brandon Moore and lets the team open up the RT job to comp between Free and Parnell. One, competition is key. Players raise their game. Garrett talks about but rarely employs it. Two, having Moore at RG will improve Free as well. His struggles are compounded by the fact that Bernadeau is worthless next to him.

They raise their game while competing, but once the battle is won... they revert. So then what is the point? Free has reached his ceiling. He's not going to get any better no matter who you add next to him.

Maybe it cuts both ways, perhpas Bernadeua's struggles are compunded by the fact that Free is worthless next to him.

 

[dbair1967]

What in the hell is the thought behind his paycut? Adding a starter, or his shit play being easier to swallow at a lesser cap number?

I think they want him to take a paycut because they want his cap space now, not after June 1st.

Free might be hesitant to do it because he knows that they could still cut him anyway. Especially since two of the guys the team is rumored to be interested in are RT's

 

[dbair1967]

No paycut and he cashes in this year and can ride off into forced retirement.

I don't know why you think that. They can cut him to zero after June 1st and then he wont get shit unless someone else signs him.

 

[Hoofbite]

I don't know why you think that. They can cut him to zero after June 1st and then he wont get shit unless someone else signs him.

Yeah but the team takes the same cap as they would if they didn't cut him. They just get to spread it out. There is no benefit for Free to actually take a paycut from his end.

If he sucks and is going to get cut, he's going to get cut. Might as well call their bluff and ride it out.

 

[dbair1967]

If he sucks and is going to get cut, he's going to get cut. Might as well call their bluff and ride it out.

I think that's exactly why he hasn't accepted the pay cut. He knows he is getting the axe anyway, and that in all likelihood the money they free up with the paycut is going towards his replacement.

 

[Cowboysrule122]

I say cut him and force yourself to get better. He's complete garbage.

Ayuh.

 

[mdawg65]

I think that's exactly why he hasn't accepted the pay cut. He knows he is getting the axe anyway, and that in all likelihood the money they free up with the paycut is going towards his replacement.

The one thing I disagree with is the fact this has to play out publicly.

What happened to keeping your mouth shut and letting the guy go. Jeez have some class! If you have moved on as a football team , then move on.

 

[iceberg]

Sounds like the final public notice to free.

Play for less or play somewhere else.

Going to be an interesting few days.

yea, they can't dog the man but they now have made their next move on this chess game.