Dallas Cowboys fans: R-E-L-A-X is easier said than done
By Tyrone Starr
Even though free agency has not yet officially started, Dallas Cowboys fans have worked themselves into a lather seeing big names go elsewhere.
The new year of football is not even officially underway and yet, there a lot of people readying the pitchforks. Such is life if you’re a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.
Twenty-two years and counting since the last time this franchise won the Super Bowl. Having to endure watching the Philadelphia Eagles win just a few months ago. Disappointing playoff exit after disappointing playoff exit.
I get it.
It can get overwhelming at times, frustrating and annoying as well.
It is in these times, when we seek comforting words to help us get through dark moments. The irony is that the best words for the moment come from one of the main reasons why we’re in it.
Three days after a late September loss put the Green Bay Packers at 1-2, quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a message for everyone.
R-E-L-A-X
Green Bay went on to finish 12-4, winning their division and a playoff game before suffering a cruel loss in Seattle.
The words of the tormentor ring truer than ever now for your Dallas Cowboys.
After a week or so of seeing big names get cut and sign elsewhere, all before free agency has even began, Cowboys fans are angry.
The team is doing nothing to improve. Surely one of these players could help. Hell, even the BROWNS are doing things! Won’t someone think of the children!!
Again, I get it.
I’m right there with you… to a point.
I would like to see the Dallas Cowboys improve just as much as you. I’m not giving them slack by trying to count franchise tagging DeMarcus Lawrence as a bold move. I completely agree that Dallas will not use all ten draft picks and it wouldn’t hurt to use one or two to get a veteran.
All I’m saying is this.
When Ndamukong Suh becomes available, R-E-L-A-X. Don’t fire off that tweet asking if Dallas is going to get him or commenting how dumb they are for not doing so.
When Richard Sherman gets told by Seattle that it’s time to look for another team to play for, R-E-L-A-X. You have Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis and Byron Jones already at cornerback. Sherman is coming of a torn Achilles at age 30.
When DeMarco Murray is out on the streets… uh never mind, you get the point.
The thing is this.
When you trade draft picks for guys under contract, you take on their contract. After tagging Lawrence, Dallas has about $2 million free to work with. Can they get more? Absolutely, and they will.
The problem is, however, they need that money to do other things.
Sure it would have been nice if Dallas could have made a trade of Aqib Talib. Do so and now you pay him $11 million in 2018. Oh by the way, he plays the same position that you have three dudes that make $4 million collectively play.
Oh, you would like to pair Lawrence with, say, Robert Quinn? So would I, but where is that $11.4 million coming from when you already have Lawrence at $17.1 million?
Here’s what we do know.
The Cowboys are not going to be major players in free agency. Not this year, likely not next year or the year after. This organization’s philosophy is to build through the draft and fill gaps here and there with guys they believe they can coach up.
It’s frustrating at times. There is no joy in feeling left out when everyone else is getting new shiny toys.
Next: Dallas Cowboys - Three free agents that make sense
The philosophy, however, has produced 22 wins in the last two years and two division titles in the last four. Because of that recent success, it may be best for everyone to just…
R-E-L-A-X.