The Landry Hat
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Five things the Cowboys got right and wrong in free agency

By Michael H. Vu

Dec 7, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) reacts after breaking up a pass intended for Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) during the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) reacts after breaking up a pass intended for Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) during the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) and outside linebacker Koa Misi (55) can
Dec 21, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) and outside linebacker Koa Misi (55) can /

It’s not enough that the Cowboys use caution with their checkbook.

The team is done with pushing off money they don’t have into the future.

Even if you push and push the problem forward, the dead money issue will always be there waiting.

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Eventually, somebody pays for that collection.

Defensive end Olivier Vernon, who signed with the New York Giants, will see the Cowboys twice a year.

The cost to put him in the Giant blue uniform?

Oh, just a handsome five-year, $85 million contract that comes with a comfortable $52.5 million in guarantees.

What?!?!

As Dan Graziano puts it, the Giants overpaid.

He will be making more than Houston Texans own J.J. Watt.

Throw in the recent signings of cornerback Janoris Jenkins and defensive tackle Damon Harrison, New York is now betting their future on three guys earning a combined $105.5 million in guaranteed money.

Holy moola!

Columnist Mickey Spagnola sums up the Cowboys precision spending best over at DallasCowboys.com.

"Look at it this way: The Cowboys will need around $6 million this year to fund their draft, a little more than usual because of owning the fourth pick. They usually budget around $1 million for the practice squad. They routinely budget about $2 million for injury settlements and having to replace injured reserve guys on the 53-man roster. Oh, and currently only the top-51 salaries count against the cap. So eventually two more must count, and even at the rookie minimum, there goes another cool million. Right there, that’s $10 million of the $14 million."

Oh man, no moola.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at what the Boys got right and wrong so far in the 2016 free agency.

And by the way, someone tell Mickey he needs a new photo; it hasn’t changed since the dial-up, AOL Internet age.

I kid. Well, not really.

Next: Free Agency - Right or Wrong? Back Up QBs

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