I mentioned in today's paper the Cowboys faced a deadline of sorts in getting these deals done with Newman and Barber because of upcoming salary-cap issues if the owners decided to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement, which happened this morning.

Here's why it made a difference:

** The Cowboys can prorate the signing bonuses Newman and Barber received over six years instead of five had a contract not been worked out.

** The 30 percent rule, which states a player's cap number cannot increase by more than 30 percent each year. By doing it now, the 30 percent rule does not apply untiul 2011. Had they waited a day, then the rule would hit in 2009. I haven't seen the contracts yet, but it's a safe bet Newman and Barber will carry big numbers in 2010.

**There's also a not-likely-to-be-earned incentive change under the new rules, but I'm told these contracts do not feature such incentives.

I can't say I'm a cap wizard on this stuff by any stretch, but just because 2010 is scheduled to be an un-capped year, does not mean the NFL will turn unto a Wild West in which teams can spend whatever they want on whoever they want. There are rules in place that actually could limit how teams can add free agents.

Hopefully the NFL and the NFLPA can work something out - which they probably will - before a 2011 lockout because I'm certainly not a math person and have just given myself tired head.