Already alienating Bryant, Cowboys must operate as if Murray's gone
Depending on which view you take, the Dallas Cowboys are either breaking up one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL or ensuring they won't end up in salary cap hell in a couple years. Stephen Jones confirmed to FOX Sports Southwest on Saturday that Dez Bryant would indeed receive the club's franchise tag by Monday's 3 p.m. deadline.
If Bryant ends up playing with that tag, he'll make $12.8 million in 2015. The Cowboys' wide receiver isn't taking this news well because he views it as a lack of respect. He's also understandably paranoid right now with so many rumors/stories swirling about his past. I think he believes the Cowboys are using those stories as leverage in negotiations, although he would do well to remember his decision to change agents during the season likely played a role in his situation.
The Cowboys have managed to alienate their best offensive player while deciding to let the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year, DeMarco Murray, test the market. It's not exactly breaking up the band, but it's certainly not the type of continuity you want after a surprising breakout season.
If the Cowboys allow Murray to test the market in eight days, as Stephen indicated to FOX Sports Southwest, they have to be prepared for what happens. There's a belief in the organization that Murray will give the Cowboys a chance to match any offer he receives. But if a team makes him a lucrative offer, it will want his signature immediately. Murray has handled things beautifully this offseason, in part because he has a realistic view of his worth. The funny thing is that Bryant has the same realistic view, but he's dealing with a lot of other baggage.
The Cowboys aren't dying to franchise Bryant at such a large number, but obvioiusly the two sides aren't very close on a long-term agreement. In the past, Jerry Jones wouldn't have let it go this far. He's twice locked up Tony Romo to huge long-term contracts before he hit free agency. And it looks like the Cowboys are tired of restructuring Romo's deal to receive immediate relief. This idea that Romo should take a paycut is pretty silly.
It's probably based on the fact that Dirk Nowitzki took much less than market value on his most recent contract extension. Nowitzki had been making close to $22 million per season before he took that benevolent approach. Romo had incredible leverage over the Cowboys organization two years ago, and it's hard to blame him for using it. The Cowboys didn't have an alternative because they've never attempted to draft and develop Romo's successor.
Romo and Jason Garrett have both lobbied on Murray's behalf, but they knew it would be Jerry's decision in the end. The good news for the Cowboys is that I don't think teams such as the Colts and Cardinals are going to break the bank for a 27-year-old tailback coming off a staggering amount of touches last season (492 counting the playoffs).
FOX SPORTS DAILY
COWBOYS EDITION
Cowboys News To Your Inbox!
*By clicking "SUBSCRIBE", you have read and agreed to the Fox Sports Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
The Cowboys have to operate now as if Murray's gone. That's why they interviewed so many running backs at the recent NFL combine. They have been asking themselves the same question fans are asking. How much of Murray's success was due to him and how much of it was a result of an elite offensive line? Garrett and Romo would tell you that Murray's unbelievable strength and determination played a huge role in the team's success. But then, neither of those guys is signing up for a paycut.
Murray had a remarkable season at a time when the value of NFL running backs has diminished to the point where one's rarely drafted in the first round. But in the world of free agency, it only takes one team for a player to land a lucrative deal.
The Cowboys have rolled the dice that other teams won't race to sign Murray. But they have to be willing to live with the consequences. And in turn, they have to live with the consequences of alienating Bryant.
MORE FROM FOX SPORTS SOUTHWEST:
- Ranking NFL quarterback salaries
- College football's highest paid coaches in 2014
- Oldest player on every NBA team