Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has stated that money is no object this offseason and that he could bust the budget, but will he?
The Dallas Cowboys and free agency. Name a more frustrating duo.
For years, the Cowboys have penny-pinched their way through free agency and wonder why things don't work out.
Well, that has to stop now.
The defense has to be fixed. Or at least, the best it can be in one offseason.
The Cowboys will have money to spend (if they choose to) with over $100 million with a few restructures and cuts.
Two expert reporters from inside The Star agree on that much.
Todd Archer of ESPN writes that an offseason priority to watch is how Dallas approaches free agency.
"Spend in free agency," Archer wrote. "The Cowboys will never be big spenders in free agency, but they have to do more than just nibble around the edges, especially defensively. Finding a high-end pass rusher and cornerback is difficult in free agency, but they can do more at linebacker and safety.
"There have been more questions than answers in recent drafts, so they need a more proactive approach to free agency."
And Mike Fisher of CowboysRoundtable.com insists that "Dallas need to buy a Ferrari. And yes, you will have to pay for it - just like the real playoff teams do. The Rams, the 49ers, the Eagles ... they buy players, sometimes at sticker prices. The Cowboys buy fix-'er-uppers.
"Guess which free agency car ends up winning the race?
Our urging is that Dallas be proactive - within reason, or heck, maybe not within reason? - during the first wave of free agency and address a need or two before the draft.
The problem is there are so many holes on defense, it is tough to know where to start.
Corner and linebacker could be the top two. Then pass rusher and safety.
With two first-round picks, the Cowboys, if they approach free agency the right way and aren't scared to loosen the purse strings, could have a good offseason.
But we have been here before.
Jerry talks a big game. His three resonating promises from his recent media visit?
He said he'd "bust the budget.''
He said, "Finances are no object.''
He said, "We’re not saving it in our back pocket.”
But we've seen this "All-In'' act before. There's money to spend. And nothing happens.
Will the Cowboys really enter free agency early and "buy a Ferrari''?