I keep hearing disgruntled Cowboys fans saying their team is suddenly in "cap Hell."
No, my friends, cap Hades was a couple of years ago when the NFL docked Jerry Jones $10 million for monkeying around with Miles Austin’s contract.
If that was a bed of nails, 2015 is your favorite recliner.
Thanks for the restructuring of Tony Romo’s very flexible contract, the Cowboys have roughly $12.5 million to work with under the cap. Not enough to go out and sign Adrian Peterson on the spot and still have room to breathe, but it’s the best financial shape of any team in the NFC East. The Giants ($9 million), Redskins ($7 million) and Eagles ($6.5 million) all have fewer pennies to pinch.
The Cowboys will spend that money on Greg Hardy’s bonuses, and about $2 million to sign their draft picks. They’ll also, in all likelihood, find a bargain basement free agent in the summer and will need some cash for that signing.
With those moves, the cap suddenly fits a little snug. They can create more room by signing Dez Bryant to a long-term deal, or by releasing veteran cornerback Brandon Carr.
The good news is the Cowboys have financial options heading into the summer. Instead of Hell, they actually have money to burn.
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A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
