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          NFL Nation

          Mailbag: Could this work for Dez Bryant's contract?

          IRVING, Texas -- Part 2 of the Dallas Cowboys' Twitter mailbag is ready. Part 1 appeared Friday.

          In Part 2 we discuss:

          Away we go:

          @toddarcher: Teams and agents can really make contracts say whatever they want. So let's call Bryant's potential deal nine years for $117 million. Does that make everybody happy? That's $13 million per season on average. But that doesn't mean Bryant will earn $117 million. No. Heck, he might not get half that. The key to any contract is the first three years and the guaranteed money. The Cowboys are willing to pay Bryant $12.8 million this year under the franchise tag and another $15 million in 2016 if need be. To me, Bryant has to make at least $28 million in the first two years of this deal if that's what the tags would pay. Now, what about that third year? I'm sure that's part of the hang up. I would put Bryant's guarantee in the $36-38 million range. Maybe Tom Condon is looking for more. If I'm the Cowboys, I'm not going to Calvin Johnson's $50 million guarantee. That's too big of a jump from the other receiver deals out there. But to me those would be the parameters (three years, $38 million). After that the two sides can just go about filling in the blanks and making the back side of the deal some sort of funny money.

          @toddarcher: The Cowboys' offensive line will be tested. The Miami Dolphins added Ndamukong Suh to a strong line that included Cameron Wake. The Buffalo Bills had a good defense without Rex Ryan. The New York Jets have plenty of talent up front. I'm never going to underestimate the New England Patriots even if they don't have Vince Wilfork to lead that line group. Last season the Cowboys went 4-0 against the AFC South, which played a big part in their 12-4 finish. Will they go undefeated against the AFC East? I wouldn't bank on it. We have called the Cowboys' line the best in the NFL. They certainly will have to prove it, and going against the AFC East will be a pretty decent gauntlet.

          @toddarcher: I want to say they will have more than 28, which was their total from last season. I believe they will be better because they have better pass-rushers. How much of an impact can Greg Hardy make with his suspension? Hard to tell, but he has had the ability to get sacks in bunches. DeMarcus Lawrence playing a full season will be better. Tyrone Crawford more accustomed to the under tackle spot will help. Jeremy Mincey will be solid. I think Randy Gregory can have an impact. Some of it will have to do with the offense. If they can put up points the way they did last season, then that will lead to more pass-rush opportunities for their defense. Will they move up to the elite level in total sacks? I don't think so. Pencil me in for 35 sacks. Better than they were, but without Hardy for a full season, I think you have to see what the other guys can do.

          @toddarcher: I don't think so. I think Clutts was given some chances at tailback because of the injuries to Darren McFadden and Ryan Williams, and Lache Seastrunk was still trying to figure things out. But he wasn't bad. I've been asked about the Cowboys' need for a power back for short-yardage and goal-line situations. Maybe Clutts at 254 pounds can bring a little something in an emergency, but I don't see any featured time for him. In fact, as I think about the 53-man roster projection I am putting together, I'm not sure he is a lock just yet. I know the coaches like him, but there could be some factors that preclude the Cowboys from keeping a fullback.

          @toddarcher: If I had a Magic 8 ball I would say, "Doesn't appear so." I understand the interest in Seastrunk because of his Baylor ties. He had a productive two-year run for Art Briles. He was picked by the Washington Redskins last year and has been with a few teams since. There is talent, but he didn't get a carry in the work that I saw. He is fifth in the race right now if Williams is healthy, and Williams is no lock for the team. Keeping four tailbacks on the 53-man roster doesn't make much sense to me, because it's too difficult to bring four tailbacks to the game. Now, I do think if Seastrunk shows a little something in the preseason and can handle things in the pass game as a receiver and blocker, then he could be a possibility for the practice squad.