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| Photo credit CBS |
Entering the offseason $ 25 Million over the salary cap, contract restructuring was critical. Transitioning to a 4-3 Under Defense, comprehensively addressing the cap dilemma was the preeminent concern.
Taking a broad overview, the major cap figures consisted of predominantly guaranteed money. Cuts wouldn't open cap room, but rather would result in predominantly Dead Money.
Major Cap Figures Entering Offseason:
QB Tony Romo -16.818 M-
CB Brandon Carr -16.3 M-
LB DeMarcus Ware -12.22 M-
OT Doug Free -10.02 M-
WR Miles Austin -8.303 M-
TE Jason Witten -8.0 M-
DT Jay Ratliff -7.0 M-
LB Dan Connor -4.4 M-
CB Orlando Scandrick -3.8 M-
S Gerald Sensabaugh -3.8 M-
DE Marcus Spears -2.7 M-
OG Nate Livings -2.4 M-
OG Mackenzy Bernadeau -2.039 M-
The loan cut options to deliver cap space were Dan Connor, Gerald Sensabaugh & Marcus Spears. The remainder of the contracts wouldn't open cap room for 2013. Mr. Jones essentially utilized savings from 3 cuts to Franchise Tag Anthony Spencer. This represents a placeholder, and both sides have expressed interest in a longterm deal prior to September.
Agent Breakdown:
CAA Sports:
QB Tony Romo (Tom Condon)- UFA 2014
CB Brandon Carr (Ben Dogra)
OT Doug Free (Tom Condon)
TE Jason Witten (Jimmy Sexton)
CB Terence Newman (Tom Condon)- 2.0 M of Dead Money
Tony Romo's contract was set to expire next offseason. One of the most polarizing players in professional sports, his representatives sought an extension from the start. The precursor to restructuring their other clients deals was an extension.
SportsTrust Advisors:
RB DeMarco Murray (Pat Dye Jr & Bill Johnson)
OG Nate Livings (Pat Dye Jr & Bill Johnson)
C Ryan Cook (Pat Dye Jr & Bill Johnson)
LB DeMarcus Ware (Pat Dye Jr & Bill Johnson)
Approaching SportsTrust Advisors, Pat Dye Jr is the former partner of Jimmy Sexton. Though they do not work in concert on all dealings, they were on the same page with this negotiation.
Athletes First:
WR Miles Austin (David Dunn)
Prior to any longterm deal with Romo being discussed, Athletes First restructured Miles Austin's deal. This is intriguing as both Miles Austin and Jason Garrett share the same representation.
Ascent Sports:
DT Jay Ratliff (Tom Mills)
Tom Mills restructured Jay Ratliff's deal to keep his client in the fold.
Analysis:
Prior to addressing the cap dilemma, CAA Sports client Rob Ryan was fired, replaced by another CAA Client Monte Kiffin. It was a mutually beneficial deal. Derek Dooley, another CAA Sports Client and former Tennessee Volunteers Head Coach, was added to the offensive staff. The Dooley hiring was a major concession to Jimmy Sexton, who later became a willing partner in restructuring Jason Witten's deal.
Condon, Dogra & Sexton work for the same firm and in concert. Condon directed Dogra to not restructure Brandon Carr until the Romo extension was in place. After Tony agreed to the mega deal, the contracts of CAA and SportsTrust Advisors were restructured. Herein lies the unknown entity of the business, the way Agents leverage teams aspirations and clients into paramount objectives.
The 2013 Cap Figures are now as follows:
QB Tony Romo -11.818 M-
CB Brandon Carr -5.432 M-
LB DeMarcus Ware -8.092 M-
OT Doug Free -5.0 M-
WR Miles Austin -3.589 M-
TE Jason Witten -4.352 M-
DT Jay Ratliff -4.072 M-
CB Orlando Scandrick -2.816 M-
Entering the offseason, the CAA Sports Clients (Romo, Carr, Free & Witten) cap figures totaled $ 51.138 Million. Presently, these 4 figures are $ 26.062 Million. That $ 24.536 Million of savings created the flexibility Mr. Jones desperately needed.
The question I ask- If Mr. Jones didn't face the cap dilemmas, would he have extended Tony Romo? I believe yes, but the financial situation forced his hand. That was the goal of Tom Condon and his cohorts, and the $ 108 million extension reveals their strategy was successful implemented.
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