Will Cowboys Franchise Miles Austin?

One big question going into this next season will be if the Dallas Cowboys make Miles Austin the franchise player, and avoid having to give him a large contract after his one spectacular season.

For the 2010-11 season, the Cowboys are basically in pretty good shape. The only unrestricted free agent is offensive guard Montrae Holland. The Cowboys need a solid back up at the guard position and Holland has played that poorly, but I am not sure the Cowboys sign him.

There are plenty of unrestricted free agents, including Austin. The biggest names are Austin, safety Gerald Sensabaugh, defensive lineman Marcus Spears and offensive lineman Corey Procter.

Sensabaugh was decent, and without anyone on the roster to replace him, the Cowboys don’t want to risk stretching the secondary too thin like it was before in the painful years. Spears had his best year as a Cowboys, but has he lived up to a long-term deal?

Here is the Cowboys free agent list:

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
WR Miles Austin
S Gerald Sensabaugh
DE Marcus Spears
DE Stephen Bowen
DE Jason Hatcher
WR Sam Hurd
S Pat Watkins
OT Pat McQuistan
C Cory Procter
NT Junior Siavii
CB Cletis Gordon
C Duke Preston
K Shaun Suisham

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENT
CB Alan Ball
LB Steve Octavien

bevomav says:

February 4, 2010 at 12:19 pm

There is one really good reason to franchise Miles. He came out of nowhere and although I believe he is the real deal lets look at another break out year.

In 2006 there was a receiver that caught 82 passes for 1312 yards and 7 td’s. That was his only year over a 1000 yards. The Cowboys traded for him and signed him to a huge extension. It has not worked out as planned. Of course that guy is Roy Williams.

I say franchise Miles and pay him the 10 million. He won’t be happy but the Cowboys will get to see if he is a one year wonder and won’t have to put out another long term contract to bet he is more than this season.

theMBIIIeffect says:

February 4, 2010 at 12:25 pm

I could see how Miles would be a little ticked with the franchise tag instead of a new contract. I think Jerry would definitely sit down with Miles, explain that he’s giving him a new deal after next season no matter what then pay the man his cool $10 million.

I don’t get why players get pissed by getting the franchise tag. You get paid big. Why get mad when you have 10 million reasons to be happy?

What IF says:

February 4, 2010 at 8:48 pm

Everyone is taking it for granted that if you tag a player that will prevent another team from signing them….But What IF a team looks a Miles as the must have player and trades consecutive #1’s Houston we have a problem!