FORT WORTH, Texas—Be careful how you snicker and wink at each other Monday, as defensive end Chris Canty departs the Dallas Cowboys via the free agent door.

The New York Giants signed Canty on Sunday to a six-year, $42 million contract, $17.25 million of which is guaranteed.

And if recent history holds, Cowboys fans will yawn at Canty's exit and wait for owner Jerry Jones to reload.

Jerry's wallet is mightier than the free agent sword. Cowboys fans raise toasts to that every weekend night.

But times have changed. The economy is in a prevent defense.

Jones is building a $1.1 billion stadium. He wants to get his best defensive player, DeMarcus Ware, signed to a new contract before Ware gets a sniff of the free agent flowers next door.

Jones' generosity has come home to roost. The Cowboys have salary cap issues.

It's time to cowboy-up, Cowboys fans. Canty likely won't be the only one who gets away.

Everybody wants to be a Cowboy, the assumption goes. Everybody, except the ones like Canty, that Jones decides are expendable enough to let get away.

But Canty was productive. He can stop the run.

If he was that expendable, why did the line for his services form, at various times, in Washington and Tennessee before Canty finally signed Sunday with the Giants?

The explanation is that Jones has made re-signing Ware his No. 1 off-season priority. It's a signature that is likely to cost the Cowboys as much as five years, with $30 million guaranteed.

No one should fault the Jones family, Jerry and son Stephen, for pursuing that.

But a legitimate second-guess is, who filled up the team's salary cap? Who's really at fault for Canty signing with the Giants and for the Cowboys to be uncharacteristic spectators as the NFL free agent signing period began this past week?

By all means, let's see.

Offensive tackle Flozell Adams, $14 million.

Running back Marion Barber, $12.5 million.

Ken Hamlin, $9.6 million.

Roy Williams, safety, $5 million.

And quarterback Tony Romo, $12.88 million.

Jones is a generous man—about some things. But that's a lot of money to be spending without a single postseason victory to show for it.

Somewhere in all that generosity sits the money that could have been used to keep Chris Canty.

And who's next to go? Linebacker Kevin Burnett, a second-round draft choice just four seasons ago?

Burnett is but 26 years old. His future likely was cast last week when the Cowboys signed veteran linebacker Keith Brooking, who is seven years older.

And help me to understand. When the Cowboys play the Redskins next season, and tight end Chris Cooley curls into the flat to catch a pass, who exactly is going to cover him? Let's hope you're not expecting Brooking.

Terrell Owens, $13.7 million. Almost forgot.

Jones can't keep all of his players. But it's odd to see him numbly sitting on the sideline, as the NFL free agent parade passes him by.

Indeed, the franchise's biggest splash thus far was Saturday's trade with Detroit for backup quarterback Jon Kitna—not a bad move, except it cost the Cowboys veteran defensive back Anthony Henry, when the whispers were that Kitna was going to be cut soon anyway.

Kitna has enough experience to provide capable assistance, should coach Wade Phillips again have to dial 911. Jones apparently isn't interested in bringing in a second-string quarterback who can provide a daily challenge for Romo.

Clearly, he doesn't want Romo challenged. Jones has head coach and offensive coordinator controversies. He doesn't need a quarterback controversy.

Besides, when the going got tough last season, Romo never got going. His finger-pointing after the season-ending debacle at Philadelphia sent an ominous message. Romo might shrink at a legitimate position challenge, not warm to it.

Besides, Romo represents $12.88 million already spent. Jones has to get Ware re-signed before his free agent year.

The Cowboys have salary cap issues, and for once Jones' checkbook signature can't cover all of them.

Not everybody wants to play for the Cowboys, as it turns out. But the ones who can play, such as Canty, shouldn't be so summarily shown the door.

Times clearly have changed. I never thought I'd ever be chastising Jerry Jones for being too generous.