Demarcus Lawrence wants at least $17 mil per year

[Alexander]

How do you know it wasn’t just one year being that it was his first really good year?

He’s also missed 16 games in 3 years, 2 back surgeries and a pretty significant foot injury. Was also suspended 4 games for PEDS. The franchise tag was meant for players like this.

That is what I would do if I were the Cowboys. It makes complete sense.

But since we can do whatever we want in free agency, we are looking at a long term contract instead.

 

[Carson]

Am I in before the vet minimum plus incentives crowd?

 

[cern]

How do you know it wasn’t just one year being that it was his first really good year?

He’s also missed 16 games in 3 years, 2 back surgeries and a pretty significant foot injury. Was also suspended 4 games for PEDS. The franchise tag was meant for players like this.

I subscribe to the parcells adage........."believe your eyes". I saw a very good defensive end who got a lot of sacks and a lot of pressures. What's the alternative??? Let him walk?

 

[nightrain]

Because he may not be as much as a force as we want him to be. The fact is he had one good break out year amongst a few average years and has a somewhat concerning injury history. It would be moronic to sign him to a long term deal without several performance based incentives attached so that’s probably exactly what Jerry will so. Dez 2.0

May not, could be, it's all speculation. You speak about an incentive based deal that is not even an option. The dude is going to get paid. Yes, it is a somewhat risky singing, but he plays a position that is in high demand and teams pay a lot of loot for good pass rushers.

If the Cowboys Staff and Doctors see nothing physically wrong with the guy, he is a good risk. I hear guys like Tony Bosselli rave about DLaw's preparation and technique. That comes from putting extra work in.

It would be moronic to hand him $17.5M and then do a LT deal with him the following year. The Cowboys should know what they have in Lawrence and either pay him or move on. I suspect he will get the tag and LT deal will ensue.

 

[Avery]

He's getting tagged this year regardless.

 

[DoctorChicken]

If he can put up 14 sacks a year, he's worth 17m

The question is whether 2017 was a "breakout year" or "contract year".

 

[Aviano90]

Most of the salary cap can't just go to the offensive line. It seems that is the only positions people want the team to spend money on. Everyone else we want on a team friendly, cheap deal as if it is realistic. Some players on the team will he highly paid.

 

[Alexander]

Am I in before the vet minimum plus incentives crowd?

Right before "the right price" contingent.

 

[LatinMind]

people saying a certain player only got his production because he's in a contract yr are funny. That IMO is one of the stupidest comments i see. Like a player can just turn it on and off. Lawrence is asking for 17mil on avg a yr. He doesnt have alot of miles on his body as he has missed some time in his first 4 yrs in the league. He seemed to have turned to the corner in 2015 where they kept switching him from strong side to weakside. Which did him a disservice. In 2016 he started off with a susp and then he was battling injuries. Its football and it happens. This yr he just put it all together with his new work ethic and became a leader. He couldnt be blocked by anybody this yr. Getting a long term deal is the smart thing.

Vernons deal
5yr 85mil 20milSB 52mil guaranteed

The difference is there was bidding going on for him. Dallas can franchise Lawrence first and that limits the market.

Give him 6yrs 102mil with 24mil SB. 52mil guranteed

first yr 2mil base 4mil pro rated 6mil caphit
2nd yr 14mil base fully guaranteed 4mil pro rated SB 18 mil cap hit
3rd yr 14mil base fully guranteed 4 milpro rated SB 18 mil cap hit

first 3 yrs 40mil of 52mil guaranteed money already paid.

You start looking for his replacement this offseason

4th yr 12mil base 4mil pro rated SB 16mil caphit

Through 4 yrs Dallas pays him 58 mil 44mil of it guaranteed.

Dallas would have 2 yrs 44mil and 8mil in prorated SB left. He'd be 30 during this season.

So you either restructure those 2 yrs and 44mil left in an extension if the production is still there. Or you release him in the offseason of 2022 and go with the guy you draft that yr or the yr before

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Either put up or let him walk........

 

[cowboy_ron]

This is exactly what I hate, is a player being mediocre his entire career and miraculously has his "breakout" year which just also happens to be his "contract" year......tag him for this season, repeat what you did last year so it's clear that last year wasn't a fluke, then let's talk long term contract. This happens way to often, with Dez being a prime example......he's been nothing more than mediocre since he was set up for life.

 

[Alexander]

How do you know it wasn’t just one year being that it was his first really good year?

He’s also missed 16 games in 3 years, 2 back surgeries and a pretty significant foot injury. Was also suspended 4 games for PEDS. The franchise tag was meant for players like this.

And that is why there is a tag.

It is up to the team to use it as it was designed and not get all sentimental or panicky.

It is built to favor ownership and to protect them, just in cases of one year contract wonders.

 

[Supercowboy1986]

It would be impulsive to sign DL to that kind of deal right now. That said, it seems likely to me that JJ would sign that deal today or pretty soon. JJ has said the best things he has gotten is when he has over payed.

DL had one good season (my opinion) and has missed time for off the field issues. He needs to show similar production (in addition to availability) or better for a long term deal.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Then I want 17+ sacks per year, every year

Of course, but the problem is that once you sign that deal, 7 or 17, it doesn't matter. The player gets paid.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I can definitely see the tag coming, but if they can't get a deal done and he has another productive year, that $17.5M he was just paid doesn't count for anything.

Not only that........ you and I have talked about this, his floor before a 2nd tag will likely be $18-20M.......

 

[Big_D]

Take a hike. One good year then held hostage.. just move on. A huge contract to one guy will hurt more then it helps anyway. I could understand if he put up 10+ every year.. 1 season at 14.5 is good, but not 17 mil a year good.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Then I want 17+ sacks per year, every year

So you want the impossible?

 

[aria]

I subscribe to the parcells adage........."believe your eyes". I saw a very good defensive end who got a lot of sacks and a lot of pressures. What's the alternative??? Let him walk?

No, I agree with tagging him but I was confused on why you wanted to tag him based on the comments you made.

 

[nightrain]

Not only that........ you and I have talked about this, his floor before a 2nd tag will likely be $18-20M.......

I believe the Cowboys feel they have a special player in Lawrence. DLaw and his Agent have incentive to get a LT deal done before the deadline as well. The tag will give them all time to haggle for a while.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Take a hike. One good year then held hostage.. just move on. A huge contract to one guy will hurt more then it helps anyway. I could understand if he put up 10+ every year.. 1 season at 14.5 is good, but not 17 mil a year good.

You are telling a guy to take a hike for 2.5 mill?