Romo's Contract - what say ye...

I've been looking at the Cowboy cap and speculating what type contract Tony Romo should get since its clear we are going to restructure him to gain some relief from his 17.25 million due to hit our cap.  Of that amount, 5.725 will be in the 2013 contract due Romo in pushed back bonus money.

I think Romo had been looking for a huge pay day in the 9 figures....I don't think he's earned that.

While I think Romo is close to 'as good' as any of the QB's in the league, he's no "AS GOOD", because he's not "DONE IT"    Are their issues on the team that have perhaps prevented him from doing so?  YES.  But no words fit the situation better than "it is what it is"  Especially as it relates to money in contracts. 

It is a bottom line fact that Romo could have done some things better and cost the team games with some bad decisions.  The GREAT ONES can get it done seemingly alone.  Romo needs help.  He won't get that help if he takes up too much of the Cap.  

Romo's last contract was 6 years 67.5 million with an 11.5 million dollar signing bonus.

This time, I think Romo's contract should be about a 10% raise over what Matt Schaub got last  year.  Their Careers have mirrored eachother to some extent, and both have had about the same amount of talent with which to win.  Matts QB rating is 92.0   Tonys Rating is 95.6. Schaub has gotten his team a bit further, so there should be no reason for Tony to balk at such and assertion and offer.    


In 2012, Matt Schaub go 6 years 66.150 million and a 17.5 million dollar signing bonus.

My contract to Romo would be 6 years 72.5 million and a 20.0 million dollar signing bonus.     This is about that 10% raise over Schaub and should keep Romo happy.  I'd go 75 million if he would take 18.5 million in SB......but the smart thing is to take the up front money.

The Structure:
 
             Base Salary          Signing Bonus       Other Bonus         Cap Hit

13             2.0                          4.0                (  5.725  )            11.725

14             8.0                          4.0                     1.00                13.0

15           10.0                          4.0                     1.00                15.0
 
16           13.5                          4.0                     1.00                18.5

17           15.0                          4.0                     1.00                 20.0

I think that's a very fair deal, and would be surprised if Romo wouldn't take something along that line. Schaub has had a much better o-line and running game to support him, so a lot less is expected from him (Schaub).  For the same money - I'd take Romo in a heartbeat over Schaub.


The cap problems are Free and Austin. Those two deals have really come back to bite Dallas in the butt.  

I agree Free is, but that contract had to be given.  He had proven himself after 4 years, was up, and others even were willing to pay him more.  He Digressed.  I still don't think his is the biggest bum I've seen at the position, and if they decide to keep him for 1 more year to lessen the cap hit for next year, I could see it. ( Fine with him going though )


As for Austin....I dont agree. 8+ Million is the going rate for a pro bowl caliber player.   Austin got 900+ yards and 6 TD's missing from the offense for games at a time.  He's a weapon, but simply needs an up year with more focus in 2013.  That could be helped by a better Offensive Coordinator and Austin friendly routes.  The League Cap Penality is the issue there.   Bottom Line....the team can win with Miles and its dumb to have to fill a position you already had filled.     

Harris's role will increase next year too. 

While I would not be opposed to bringing Fexlix back.....( would love Choice ).....I see them getting a guy if they let Felix go who could play if Murry goes down. ( There is no given he goes down ).    

But what this team needs is a better full back.  Zack Boren of Ohio State would be a fine pick.    And a Blocking Tight End.   I've said Michael Willians from Alabama.   With a bit of Manuver, both these 2 can be had in the 5th.  Coming down a bit in the 4th, and losing a 6th.

All this would make Romo a Better player.  ( If Romo ran a bit more he would make his own job so much easier )         






  

The new CBA is killing us the cap should be somewhere in 150-160 range instead it's at 127 still but we have iditiots that thought that was a great idea I bet the owners feel stupid knowing they are all cap strapped.

I just don't see the 6 years. If JJ were smart, and that is a topic for another thread, he only gives Romo a 4 or 5 year deal. I think the money will be n the Matt Stafford range or slightly above (per year) as you stated.


We've GOT to hit on 4 guys in this draft! As much as I think Claiborne will be a probowl type CB, losing that 2nd round pick last year really hurts. That could've been a starting lineman on either side of the ball!

  

A new play-caller might help Austin out some, but his biggest issue is his inability to stay on the field.  He might have technically played in 16 games this year but he got injured early on or was limited in about a third of our games.  If he can't stay on the field, he can't develop any type of consistency or stability in his play.  It's frustrating because he has the talent and can play up to what he's getting paid, but I've got my doubts as top whether he can physically play a full 16 game season again.

I think he's due 11.5 this season, Austin is due 5.75 and they're asking him to restructure, I think that's right I have to check again.  Anyway I think it would be in the best interest of the team for Romo to restructure for the purpose of some higher end defensive acquisitions which we'll no doubt need now.

That's a little unfair IMO because he's the QB and the QB shouldn't have to restructure but we're in dire straights right now and it would go a long way towards showing faith towards a team goal if he did that.

I would say just forget about resigning Romo because IMO it is time to move on from him when his contract expires, but since Dallas has to get under the salaray cap for this coming season they are kind of have to resign him.  Six years is way too long of a contract though, I agree with the poster who said a 4-5 year contract would be what I would do.


I'm not willing to spend 72 million on a QB approaching his mid 30s who has never shown he can lead a team deep in the playoffs.

Agree with Blu except that romo shouldn't be different from any other player.   The entire team has failed to perform to the standards they should and restructuring a contract should not be off the table.

As far as dropping Romo, can't/won't happen.  No replacement in place for immediate future (like it or not).  He has performed well enough to lead the Cowboys to the playoffs provided the supporting cast of teammates stayed healthy and/or performed at their potential.  Everybody has to do their part.

Caroline....its 5 years  SORRY.   look at the chart....you'll see 5 not 6 and the break down.

TruBlue...they numbers I provided are the numbers that will hit the "CAP"    What the player is Paid, and his cap figure are not one in the same.


As for those who question a 5 year deal, "IT IS WHAT IT IS"

Some of you have let your personal feelings get in the way of Reality.  

The FACTS ARE.....Tony Romo is a top flight Quarterback ~ PERIOD.   The rest is emotion.

When have you EVER seen a team let a TOP FLIGHT QB go?     

As for the AGE.....Tony is 32 with 7 NFL seasons on his body.  I've seen no signs of decline.  He had his BEST season just 2 years ago in 2011.    He had a 14 Pro Football Ref Approximate value and a 90.5 QB Rating. 

Just Stop it.


We are going to pay the man, and it would be FOOLISH   NOT to pay the man.  

You dont get a Top Flight QB for Chicken Feed.           

Matt Schaub is 31, and he set the bar for Romo in My Opinion. ( Based on Tradition with respect to contracts )

The Argument from Romo's side will be "I'm Better"   From  The Organization....."He got further"  



I dont think some of you have true persepctive....Here is a look at some of the QB salaries around the league: 


Eli  half tru an 8 year 107 million avg's 20 million per year for the remainder.  ( Contract is a Mess too )   
 
Breez   5 years 100 million  ( 37 million SB!!!!! )

Payton is 5 years 96 million avg's 19.2 million  ( 0 SB )   

Flacco is up, won the Super Bowl, and just made himself that 9 figures.

Mike Vick's 5 year 80 million dollar deal avg'ed 16 million...he'll be up.  ( but only 7 million in Signing Bonus )

Schaub's 5 year 66 million dollar deal avg'ed 13.3 million   ( 17.5 SB )

Romo's deal as I have it avg's 14.5 million          

Big Ben avg's 12.75 ( 25 SB )  -  he's up in '15 

Matt Ryan 11 million avg 5 years ago  -  he's up.

Jay Cutler 5 years 50 million is up.          

Kevin Klob is at 10.7   



NO DOUBT IN MY MIND......>Romo gets the money. 

But the more years you spread it out, less the cap hit yearly.  Although, I wouldn't want Choice back at all.  He can't seem to stick on the teams he's been to.   There will be plenty young backs in the draft.

To be fair, you really can't compare salaries of Eli, Breez, Payton, etc. when speaking of Tony.  Those QB's have won multiple playoff games and have won SB's.   You can compare him to QB's like Matt Ryan, Schaub, etc. because they have similar playoff/SB records.  This will be a huge year for Tony.  Even if he has a great statistacal season but gets to a playoff game and throws 3 picks in a loss, that season is all for not.  

It seems like if a QB is backed into a corner and asked if he's "elite" and he answers yes, he seems to go on a win a SB.  It happened to Eli some years back and he answered yes.  They asked Flacco last year and he said yes.  Maybe someone will ask Tony and he will have the balls to say yes.

I dont think some of you have true persepctive....Here is a look at some of the QB salaries around the league:


Andrew Luck: 4 years 22.1 million

RG3: 4 years 21 million

Russell Wilson: 4 years 2.1 million

Colin Kaepernick: 4 years 5..2 milllion


Looks to me like the way to go is to go out and get a rookie.

---

Revan, per normal you come up with the most logically off base argument.

Both Andrew Luck and RG3 had the salary cap not been changed would be making HUGE dollars.  Sam Bradford made 6 years 78 million and avg's 13 million.  This is a more accurate depiction of what a 'probable' winning QB would be paid.

That said....the cap HAS been changed and the risk clearly not as great.   But the NEW contracts though are for only 4 years.  

You train a guy year 1, he's ready year 2, and you have him for 2 years...if he's a winner, you pay 9 figures.  PLEASE... 

Imagine what Luck will get in 15.


ALSO...the "GOOD" guys in those drafts were TOP PICKS.

Could we find a dimond?  Maybe.   Romo is a top flight QB with a Career 95.6 rating.   Im not allowing that to walk for a Pig in a Poke.    


NO...the more prudent thing would be to sign what you KNOW and build around it.   A rookie would show up with 4 years to win and a team with wholes that could have been filled in your draft.        





For those that agree with Revan...KNOW THIS....we can let Romo go and have about 5 million back on our cap in real dollars.


He's owed about 5.725 in bonus off the cap.   His Base is 11.5.     We would save  5.5    and have NO QB.


What Say YE?      

Schaub has gotten his team a bit further, so there should be no reason for Tony to balk at such and assertion and offer.

Arian Foster and the Texans defense has gotten that team a bit farther.  Schaub is a statue who is just lucky enouh to have one of the NFL's best WR in Andre Johnson out there.

I think they will sign Romo to a lucrative contract.The only thing I fear is the fact that Romo is injury prone.The reasons why the the Cowboys will sign Romo is because 1---They don`t have a suitable replacement.2---Despite playing behind a horrid OL,Romo is able to keep the Cowboys in the game.3---Romo has a good competitive nature playing through those injuries.4--Despite key injuries to the defense, a WR like Austin who`s never healthy, and a non`existent running attack due to the injury of Murray ,Romo was able to stay poised and carry the weight of the team on his shoulder.

The reasons why the the Cowboys will sign Romo is because 1---They don`t have a suitable replacement


This is one of the main reasons, with the other being that they can't get under the salary cap unless they sign Romo to a new deal that will lower his cap hit this coming season.


You guys who are regulars know that I have defended Romo throughout his career and thought that he would eventually come around and that he would have postseason success.  I made the same arguments that are being made now: oline needs to improve, he needs a running game, defense needs to get better, can't someone else make a play?  Why does Romo have to do everything?  etc.  Even after a few "blips" I felt like there wasn't enough evidence to doom Romo to a career of choking.


After this last season, though, I just can't do it anymore.  Romo is a choker, pure and simple.  He has done nothing significant in the playoffs....even in games during the regular season that are essentially playoff games, like the one against Washington, Romo still doesn't show up.  When the pressure is on he reliably fails.

What Say YE?      

Make Romo bet on himself, the way Flacco did this past off-season. I don't extend his contract until AFTER the season plays out. I don't want another 5000 yards and 30 TDs if Romo once again plays his worst football game in Week 17 and costs us a shot at the playoffs.

Romo had 3 min. to change his whole perception around but he only solidified the mass assumptions with that floater.<br /><br />Yeah, do the Flacco Romo.<br />