Romo Watch

[PDay8810]

Dallas has to carry Romo's cap hit until 6/1/17 regardless[/B]. If he is released prior to 6/1 it will be with a post 6/1 designation. And this will only be as a favor to Romo, as it adds zero benefit for Dallas. Just can't see Dallas eating all the dead money in 2017, although I wouldn't mind it.

Still think a trade happens in June.

From Cowboys beat writer Todd Archer

In Romo parlance, the Cowboys are wondering if it is better to take $5.1 million today or $14 million tomorrow.

Or something like that.

Last week, ESPN’s Ed Werder was told by a source that Romo is expecting to be released, not traded, and he believes he can start another two to three years.

A trade is not impossible, but Romo’s contract complicates matters. Romo is set to make $14 million in 2017. He is scheduled to make $19.5 million in 2018 and $20.5 million in 2019. Would a team want to take on that kind of salary in 2017 knowing he has played in parts of five games the past two seasons?

Therein lies the rub on a trade and why a release is easier and potentially cleaner for the Cowboys.

Romo is carrying a $24.7 million salary-cap figure in 2017.

If the Cowboys trade Romo or release him, he will count $19.6 million against their cap in 2017. If they designate him a post-June 1 release, Romo will count $10.7 million against the cap in 2017 and $8.9 million against the 2018 cap. But the Cowboys would not gain the $14 million cap credit until June 2.

So is it better to have the $5.1 million in March or the $14 million in June?

 

[es4m11]

From Cowboys beat writer Todd Archer

In Romo parlance, the Cowboys are wondering if it is better to take $5.1 million today or $14 million tomorrow.

Or something like that.

Last week, ESPN’s Ed Werder was told by a source that Romo is expecting to be released, not traded, and he believes he can start another two to three years.

A trade is not impossible, but Romo’s contract complicates matters. Romo is set to make $14 million in 2017. He is scheduled to make $19.5 million in 2018 and $20.5 million in 2019. Would a team want to take on that kind of salary in 2017 knowing he has played in parts of five games the past two seasons?

Therein lies the rub on a trade and why a release is easier and potentially cleaner for the Cowboys.

Romo is carrying a $24.7 million salary-cap figure in 2017.

If the Cowboys trade Romo or release him, he will count $19.6 million against their cap in 2017. If they designate him a post-June 1 release, Romo will count $10.7 million against the cap in 2017 and $8.9 million against the 2018 cap. But the Cowboys would not gain the $14 million cap credit until June 2.

So is it better to have the $5.1 million in March or the $14 million in June?

I think necessity dictates that Dallas takes the $14m in June. Unless we see guys like Dez, Lee, or Crawford restructured, I don't think Dallas can leave $9m in cap space on the table.

 

[cdumler7]

Rule of 51, Dallas has more than $4m in cap space. As currently positioned they have room for a couple smaller contracts, say in the $3-5m range.

If Romo is traded in June, then the cap hit is split - same as a post 6/1 designation.

Rookies don't need to be signed before June. Absolutely no rule stating that. They will carry a rookie minimum cap hold ($465,000) until signed. Due to rule of 51 those cap holds won't count against the salary cap.

Emergency money does not come into play in June. That will be something for when trainging camp and the regular season roles around. The Romo money will be well off the books by then.

Your article quotes nothing but unnamed sources. Sorry, does not pass muster.

First off pretty sure you are wrong that if they trade him after June 1st that they can have the cap hit be over a 2-year period. Trades require all money to be paid up front. So it is either trade him and only save $5 million or cut him with a post June 1st designation and have a bit more cap space to work with.

And whether you only count the 51 contracts at this time or not in the end all 53 count so you have to operate in that manner. So yes if we are only including the top-51 contracts on the roster they have $6.5 million. Again you also have to factor in the draft class which costs teams usually around $5 million. Then another $5 million in just emergency money. So every team right now needs $10 million in cap space before FA even begins.

You can say the contracts don't count so they can operate that way but the Cowboys are running out of contracts they can restructure and players they can cut that would give them any kind of cap space. Jason Witten is about the only guy left that can maybe be restructured or cut and give them any kind of significant cap space relief later on in the offseason. So yes the Cowboys need to operate in a way right now that keeps them under the cap and again why they need the extra cap space from Romo.

 

[PDay8810]

I think necessity dictates that Dallas takes the $14m in June. Unless we see guys like Dez, Lee, or Crawford restructured, I don't think Dallas can leave $9m in cap space on the table.

My only point was Dallas could gain 5M in cap relief in March if they elect to release him now. You seemed to indicate they wouldn't get any relief before June 1.

 

[cdumler7]

I guess if you want to restructure guys like Dez and pretty much guarantee the rest of his contract then go right ahead. You don't usually like to do that especially a player coming off some injuries.

 

[Broncosr0k]

Or Jerry could be on the phones right now looking for trading partners that Romo finds suitable? This whole situation is a two way street, Dallas doesn't owe Romo anymore than he owes to Dallas - the Cowboys have made Tony a very rich man, and he is still under contract. If a trade is what is best for Dallas, and Romo can be appeased, then I believe that is what will happen. No one is saying Romo will get shipped off to the Browns, but I believe a happy median can be found. And it would be foolish for Dallas to not make every effort to do so. If those efforts fail, then sure, Romo will probably be released.

There is zero EVIDENCE at this point in time that Romo will be released.

Only an idiot would trade for Romo at this point. You get a player for maybe a year or two, a big cap hit, and he going to be released anyway.

 

[es4m11]

First off pretty sure you are wrong that if they trade him after June 1st that they can have the cap hit be over a 2-year period. Trades require all money to be paid up front. So it is either trade him and only save $5 million or cut him with a post June 1st designation and have a bit more cap space to work with.

And whether you only count the 51 contracts at this time or not in the end all 53 count so you have to operate in that manner. So yes if we are only including the top-51 contracts on the roster they have $6.5 million. Again you also have to factor in the draft class which costs teams usually around $5 million. Then another $5 million in just emergency money. So every team right now needs $10 million in cap space before FA even begins.

You can say the contracts don't count so they can operate that way but the Cowboys are running out of contracts they can restructure and players they can cut that would give them any kind of cap space. Jason Witten is about the only guy left that can maybe be restructured or cut and give them any kind of significant cap space relief later on in the offseason. So yes the Cowboys need to operate in a way right now that keeps them under the cap and again why they need the extra cap space from Romo.

Can you link the rule? Everything I have read states that trades are treated the same as releases as it relates to the salary cap.
NFL Salary Cap FAQs

Please check post #115 in this thread --2017 Roster-- for a breakdown I did of how Dallas could possibly go about their off season. I'm pretty sure Dallas has a little more flexibility than you believe.

 

[es4m11]

Only an idiot would trade for Romo at this point. You get a player for maybe a year or two, a big cap hit, and he going to be released anyway.

There are plenty of idiots in the NFL, and if you think there aren't other teams outside of Denver who could use Tony Romo, well then you have your head in the sand.

 

[cdumler7]

Can you link the rule? Everything I have read states that trades are treated the same as releases as it relates to the salary cap.
NFL Salary Cap FAQs

Please check post #115 in this thread --2017 Roster-- for a breakdown I did of how Dallas could possibly go about their off season.

I've always been told that trades are treated as if the team has been cut before June 1st and the team must take on all the cap space. Maybe I'm wrong...

As for your break down...decent break down but there is very little chance they go into the season with less than $1 million in emergency money. You also still only included the top-51 in your breakdown. When the actual season starts all 53 count so you wouldn't have enough cap space at that point.

 

[cdumler7]

Also just so people understand Practice Squad players also count against the Cap. It isn't just the top-53 players. So at the end of the offseason when every salary counts teams need to account for an extra $2.7 million in cap space to cover the final 2 roster spots and the practice squad.

 

[es4m11]

I've always been told that trades are treated as if the team has been cut before June 1st and the team must take on all the cap space. Maybe I'm wrong...

As for your break down...decent break down but there is very little chance they go into the season with less than $1 million in emergency money. You also still only included the top-51 in your breakdown. When the actual season starts all 53 count so you wouldn't have enough cap space at that point.

In that breakdown my top 51 is actually top 52, if you count the "emergency QB". I also forgot to add Kyle Wilber being cut - saves Dallas $1.5m. That's enough to bring in 2 more practice squad types and be at 53 within budget. For Dallas' emergency money during the season, they can do a small restructure some point during camp. Sean Lee would be a good candidate to restructure for about $5m. That cover practice squad and any minor emergencies.

Dallas can make this happen. A trade is not out of the question. And in fact is in Dallas' best interest.

 

[cdumler7]

In that breakdown my top 51 is actually top 52, if you count the "emergency QB". I also forgot to add Kyle Wilber being cut - saves Dallas $1.5m. That's enough to bring in 2 more practice squad types and be at 53 within budget. If Dallas needs emergency money during the season, they can do a small restructure some point during camp. Sean Lee would be a good candidate to restructure for about $4m.

Man that is a lot of cap gymnastics to make things work.

 

[es4m11]

Also just so people understand Practice Squad players also count against the Cap. It isn't just the top-53 players. So at the end of the offseason when every salary counts teams need to account for an extra $2.7 million in cap space to cover the final 2 roster spots and the practice squad.

** edited my last two posts, please see

Only top 51 counts until opening day of season. By rule, teams do not have to fit top 53 and practice squad under cap until then.

Man that is a lot of cap gymnastics to make things work.

You must not be familiar with how Dallas operates...

 

[cdumler7]

Only top 51 counts until opening day of season. By rule, teams do not have to have cap space for top 53 and practice squad until then.


You must not be familiar with how Dallas operates...

Oh I'm familiar which is why they are in this situation. They lucked out big time having a rookie QB work out so well otherwise they would be in so much more trouble over the next couple of years.

And yes I get that they don't count until certain points in the offseason. That isn't the discussion here. What is the discussion is how do the Cowboys make this work when the actual season roles around. I couldn't care less about can they be under the cap with 51 players in June or July. It is what is it going to take when the season actually starts for them to put together a Super Bowl contending roster without destroying future years of the cap.

 

[es4m11]

Oh I'm familiar which is why they are in this situation. They lucked out big time having a rookie QB work out so well otherwise they would be in so much more trouble over the next couple of years.

And yes I get that they don't count until certain points in the offseason. That isn't the discussion here. What is the discussion is how do the Cowboys make this work when the actual season roles around. I couldn't care less about can they be under the cap with 51 players in June or July. It is what is it going to take when the season actually starts for them to put together a Super Bowl contending roster without destroying future years of the cap.

Don't I know it. Dak's impact on the salary cap is lost on a lot of Cowboys fan. If not for him, this whole thing looks awfully different.

Dallas can get the 53 and practice squad under the cap by opening day. It's very possible, and does not require Dallas to slit it's own throat regarding Romo. Restructuring $5m from Sean Lee is not a huge hit, he does not have a lot of dead money on the books.

 

[cdumler7]

Don't I know it. Dak's impact on the salary cap is lost on a lot of Cowboys fan. If not for him, this whole thing looks awfully different.

Dallas can get the 53 and practice squad under the cap by opening day. It's very possible, and does not require Dallas to slit it's own throat regarding Romo. Restructuring $5m from Sean Lee is not a huge hit, he does not have a lot of dead money on the books.

Agree they can do it. And the players you had on your list look reasonable. The Cowboys will not be big shoppers in FA and if they are they Jerry just keeps compounding the mistakes in my opinion. They need to have a quiet year and just hope that some of the young players develop all the more and that this year's draft class can add to it. If they can do that then next year they could finally get their cap under control a bit more and take even more advantage of a rookie QB contract.

 

[es4m11]

Agree they can do it. And the players you had on your list look reasonable. The Cowboys will not be big shoppers in FA and if they are they Jerry just keeps compounding the mistakes in my opinion. They need to have a quiet year and just hope that some of the young players develop all the more and that this year's draft class can add to it. If they can do that then next year they could finally get their cap under control a bit more and take even more advantage of a rookie QB contract.

This is pretty much my sentiment, and was what I was going for with that little exercise. Hold the fort this year, let the kids develop a little more, and keep building through the draft. I don't see a need to sell out for a Super Bowl next year. I just want to see them keep building on what is in place - it's pretty special - and get the cap settled. Then unleash hell on the NFL in 2018.

 

[PDay8810]

LOL

I remain in the corner of releasing Romo in March, and not carry dead money in to 18. They gain 5M and hopefully sign Ware (where he belongs) and draft DB's, LB and perhaps a wr.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

LOL

I remain in the corner of releasing Romo in March, and not carry dead money in to 18. They gain 5M and hopefully sign Ware (where he belongs) and draft DB's, LB and perhaps a wr.

Concur on Ware.

Always bothered me he left in the first place.

Kill the cap.

Right fucking now.

Fuck Cleveland and Jacksonville..... Or anything resembling them.

 

[Stomp]

Not that it matters much but when the Cowboys sign their 7 draft picks (5.3 million) 7 other players will come off the top 53 (7x465+k 3+ million) so the cowboys only need around 2 to 2.3 million in cap space to sign their picks