Grading Free Agency NFC East Dallas Cowboys Free Agency Winner or Loser?

The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the busier teams in free agency thus far after nearly missing out of the playoffs last year. Heading into free agency the Cowboys lost a big chunk of change from the league office for using the uncapped year as a “Salary dump” year, but they still had enough money to be active. The Cowboys had to fix their secondary, improve their offensive line, and add another pass rusher. Really they need to improve their consistency and perhaps their “mental toughness”-whatever that means. Something is not quite right here, chemistry? Anyway here are the moves they’ve made. I’ll break down the grade for each individual move and also free agency overall.

I’m getting all the moves from here

Dallas signs Kyle Orton to a three year deal (about 5 million dollars a year, I believe). Ernie Acorsi long time General Manager (and a successful one) has said the most important position in the NFL is quarterback. The second most important position is…backup quarterback. If a guy who was the G.M. for the Giants ranks backup quarterback above Pass rushing DE and LT you know it’s important. I like this move. Romo is not brittle, but he’s missed games at times and no other quarterback could come in and keep the Cowboys in the playoff race if Romo was to get hurt. With the weapons Dallas has Orton could be an effective starter. Grade A-

I knock it a little bit because Orton’s an expensive backup and it could hurt their financial flexibility at some point over the next three years.

Cowboys signed Brandon Carr to a 5 year 50 million dollar deal.

This was the Cowboys number one target in free agency, I assume and they got him. The Chiefs must have thought he would get over-paid because they brought in Stanford Routt to replace him. Carr faced the oppositions #2 WR more often than he did the #1 WR in Kansas City and was very effective. Carr’s big negative his is straight line speed, but he uses the sideline well. I like the move, I don’t love it. I’m worried how he’ll hold up in the NFC East when he’s facing Hakeem Nicks/DeSean Jackson four times a year with Eli Manning throwing the ball instead of Tim Tebow.I don’t know the intricacies of the Chiefs defense as much as I do the Cowboys defense, but I do know that Carr will be left on an island a good amount in Dallas. I don’t think Carr is the #1 CB Dallas is looking for more like a 1A. A needed, expensive move. B- Grade.

Brodney Pool (not sure of contract terms)

Fills a need at safety with a decent player. His best season was in 2009 where he had 50 tackles and 4 interceptions. But let’s put it this way, the Jets are a safety needy team and they just let him go in free agency. An average pick up for a guy who can start, but is best suited as depth or a stop-gap. Grade C

Dan Connor 2 years 6.5Million 2.7 guaranteed

They got a pretty good player cheap, which is the good part of this move. He could potentially form a really good 1-2 ILB combo punch with emerging Sean Lee. I thought Bruce Carter was going to be that player after spending last year recovering from A.C.L. tear. B+

G Mackenzy Bernadeau (4 years, $11 million) Nate Livings (5 years, $19M; $6.2M guaranteed)

The Cowboys just gave up 17 million guaranteed and potentially 30 million for two marginal interior offensive linemen. OL is a huge need, the Cowboys were probably worse on the offensive line in 2011 than they were in 2010, which is saying something. It is something that had to be addressed and the Cowboys decided to do so in free agency. Grade C

Lawrence Vickers, FB

This is a move I don’t particularly understand. Tony Fiametta was one of the Cowboys most unheralded players last year and not a position that needed a huge upgrade. Maybe they’re going to use him in a blocking TE type role? Grade C. I don’t think it is a significant impact in anyway.

Overall Grade B

Based on each individual grade you might think this grade would be lower, but when you weigh the three most important moves: Carr, Orton, the Offensive linemen it’s closer to a B grade. Connor is a good move too, but we’ll see if he stays healthy and fits the system. I love the Orton move, I like the Carr move for Dallas it was needed, and I’m lukewarm on the offensive linemen they added. I think overall the Cowboys were solid winners in free agency and if Orton has to step in and win a game or two next year they could be big time winners.

Home/NFL Draft