Strategic Error Made With Elliott?

[CouchCoach]

I don't know the standard operating procedure with using the 5th year option on 1st round draft picks but it seems to be the prudent thing to do would be to talk to the agent and inform them of the intention of the team to exercise that option.

They could have done that but that would make this holdout really stress the relationship and maybe if they'd discussed this and known their intention, they might not have that option, which amounts to a one year contract, effectively allowing them to tag him twice and have three one year contracts in a row and he is guaranteed only that one current year. Including this year, Elliott would make about 36M over the next 4 years, if tagged and not injured.

Gurley on this latest contract is guaranteed 45M. See the math problem that Elliott sees?

The RB tag for this season is 11.2M, so he is already 2M in the hole with this option exercised and that would be going up next season.

Elliott has been injury free but he is a contact back and leads the NFL in carries per game over the last three years and he and his agent would see no reason for a decline in that this season. He is the definition of workhorse back.

I do see a lot of venom aimed in Elliott's direction but when I put myself in his place, I believe I would be doing the same thing he is, his only play is to hold out.

They exercise his option but then the COO goes on the radio and starts talking about a new contract, does that make sense? Sure there was a deadline but that's no excuse, they had time. Then he makes it worse by bringing up the Gurley contract, THE player the Elliott sees as his challenger to best in the NFL.

When you add the numbers being thrown around for the QB, that same QB that's not supposed to be very good without the RB and the WR that's been with the team for 10 games, can you not see where this could get you sideways if you were him?

I could be off base here and they did address the option before exercising it but I don't think that happened or they would not have been acting so blindsided. Those numbers above are exactly what Elliott is looking at and he and his agent are sending the message before most players do, Elliott is not a taggable player.

 

[waldoputty]

it is rational for Elliot to hold until the 11th game to get credit for his year.
that is because the salary is low for this year and he loses only about 18k per game.
that reduces the wear and tear while the salary ramps up next year.

it is also rational for cowboys to let him sit until 11th game.
if the team is a contender, it will be fine for 10 games, saving elliot for the games that count.
if the team is not a real contender, then who cares.

 

[CouchCoach]

it is rational for Elliot to hold until the 11th game to get credit for his year.
that is because the salary is low for this year and he loses only about 18k per game.
that reduces the wear and tear while the salary ramps up next year.

it is also rational for cowboys to let him sit until 11th game.
if the team is a contender, it will be fine for 10 games, saving elliot for the games that count.
if the team is not a real contender, then who cares.

This might get to an impasse before that because if they feel the team is not a contender because he's not there, the best thing to do is let him find another team for a trade and get something out of it. I don't think they'd get a 1st but they could get a 2nd and use that on a deep RB class in this next draft.

I have mixed emotions because I want to see them win those first 2 games without him but to see a flashback to 93 at 0-2 and the RB holding out would be really interesting and I don't think Booger could take it. Those on management's side in this might be rethinking that at 0-2 or 1-1.

 

[gmoney112]

I don't know the standard operating procedure with using the 5th year option on 1st round draft picks but it seems to be the prudent thing to do would be to talk to the agent and inform them of the intention of the team to exercise that option.

They could have done that but that would make this holdout really stress the relationship and maybe if they'd discussed this and known their intention, they might not have that option, which amounts to a one year contract, effectively allowing them to tag him twice and have three one year contracts in a row and he is guaranteed only that one current year. Including this year, Elliott would make about 36M over the next 4 years, if tagged and not injured.

Gurley on this latest contract is guaranteed 45M. See the math problem that Elliott sees?

The RB tag for this season is 11.2M, so he is already 2M in the hole with this option exercised and that would be going up next season.

Elliott has been injury free but he is a contact back and leads the NFL in carries per game over the last three years and he and his agent would see no reason for a decline in that this season. He is the definition of workhorse back.

I do see a lot of venom aimed in Elliott's direction but when I put myself in his place, I believe I would be doing the same thing he is, his only play is to hold out.

They exercise his option but then the COO goes on the radio and starts talking about a new contract, does that make sense? Sure there was a deadline but that's no excuse, they had time. Then he makes it worse by bringing up the Gurley contract, THE player the Elliott sees as his challenger to best in the NFL.

When you add the numbers being thrown around for the QB, that same QB that's not supposed to be very good without the RB and the WR that's been with the team for 10 games, can you not see where this could get you sideways if you were him?

I could be off base here and they did address the option before exercising it but I don't think that happened or they would not have been acting so blindsided. Those numbers above are exactly what Elliott is looking at and he and his agent are sending the message before most players do, Elliott is not a taggable player.

I have a hard time comparing him to Dak when Zeke got more 5x more money before he even showed up for camp, than Dak made on his entire rookie contract, which he's playing out. And Dak didn't get suspended and have multiple meetings with Goodell by the time he was going into his 4th year.

Zeke made more money before he showed up for camp, than any RB in the NFL is making this year in salary.

He was going to make $33million on a rookie deal, and got a $16 million check before he showed up. He played 2.5 years, is a risk to get suspended for longer any season, and after 2.5 years wants to be the highest paid RB in the league with 2 years left on his deal.

I wouldn't even worry about his contract this year. If he wants to sit out, sit out. Don't care.

 

[8FOR!3]

it is rational for Elliot to hold until the 11th game to get credit for his year.
that is because the salary is low for this year and he loses only about 18k per game.
that reduces the wear and tear while the salary ramps up next year.

it is also rational for cowboys to let him sit until 11th game.
if the team is a contender, it will be fine for 10 games, saving elliot for the games that count.
if the team is not a real contender, then who cares.

I think if he sits out 11 games and plays, he wins. He demands a trade then and puts in minimal effort until we trade him and we’re screwed. Does it make him look even worse? Sure but is there anything we can do about it? Not really

More trade value now and bridges haven’t been burned YET so I think you need to make a decision before the season starts

 

[Vinnie2u]

Yes taking a RB with pick #4 is a strategic error. Specially when said so RB has a notorious party boy rep at OSU.

 

[America's Cowboy]

I have a hard time comparing him to Dak when Zeke got more 5x more money before he even showed up for camp, than Dak made on his entire rookie contract, which he's playing out. And Dak didn't get suspended and have multiple meetings with Goodell by the time he was going into his 4th year.

Zeke made more money before he showed up for camp, than any RB in the NFL is making this year in salary.

He was going to make $33million on a rookie deal, and got a $16 million check before he showed up. He played 2.5 years, is a risk to get suspended for longer any season, and after 2.5 years wants to be the highest paid RB in the league with 2 years left on his deal.

I wouldn't even worry about his contract this year. If he wants to sit out, sit out. Don't care.

This! ^^^^

Let the money hungry bum sit out...and get fined for it. He didn't sit out when he gladly accepted such a huge rookie signing bonus when drafted in 2016, so he has no reason to be sitting out now. Why not be a man, honor your contract and show up to work while your agent works out an extension while you still have 2 years left?

The dude is being a greedy you know what. Forget him. I have no respect for greedy players like that who make such demands with 2 years still left on their current contract. Now, if it was a year from now and he was sitting out, I would understand why, but that is not the case today, is it?

 

[waldoputty]

This might get to an impasse before that because if they feel the team is not a contender because he's not there, the best thing to do is let him find another team for a trade and get something out of it. I don't think they'd get a 1st but they could get a 2nd and use that on a deep RB class in this next draft.

I have mixed emotions because I want to see them win those first 2 games without him but to see a flashback to 93 at 0-2 and the RB holding out would be really interesting and I don't think Booger could take it. Those on management's side in this might be rethinking that at 0-2 or 1-1.

we owe him nothing. dont trade him unless you get a lot more than a 2nd.
he is a useful commodity.
my point is - if the team is a contender, then the team will be fine after 10 games.
if the team is not fine after 10 games, then we are not a contender so get the better draft pick.
superbowl or tank, as i always says.
winning the nfc east is irrelevant.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

we owe him nothing. dont trade him unless you get a lot more than a 2nd.
he is a useful commodity.
my point is - if the team is a contender, then the team will be fine after 10 games.
if the team is not fine after 10 games, then we are not a contender so get the better draft pick.
superbowl or tank, as i always says.
winning the nfc east is irrelevant.

 

[waldoputty]

I think if he sits out 11 games and plays, he wins. He demands a trade then and puts in minimal effort until we trade him and we’re screwed. Does it make him look even worse? Sure but is there anything we can do about it? Not really

More trade value now and bridges haven’t been burned YET so I think you need to make a decision before the season starts

we own him for 2 years.
if he sits for 11 games and the team is in position for a good playoff run, then that is fine.
if he sits and the team is 3-8, then the team is not a good contender anyway.
superbowl, great.
winning the nfc east - who cares

 

[Jake]

I don't know the standard operating procedure with using the 5th year option on 1st round draft picks but it seems to be the prudent thing to do would be to talk to the agent and inform them of the intention of the team to exercise that option.

They could have done that but that would make this holdout really stress the relationship and maybe if they'd discussed this and known their intention, they might not have that option, which amounts to a one year contract, effectively allowing them to tag him twice and have three one year contracts in a row and he is guaranteed only that one current year. Including this year, Elliott would make about 36M over the next 4 years, if tagged and not injured.

Gurley on this latest contract is guaranteed 45M. See the math problem that Elliott sees?

The RB tag for this season is 11.2M, so he is already 2M in the hole with this option exercised and that would be going up next season.

Elliott has been injury free but he is a contact back and leads the NFL in carries per game over the last three years and he and his agent would see no reason for a decline in that this season. He is the definition of workhorse back.

I do see a lot of venom aimed in Elliott's direction but when I put myself in his place, I believe I would be doing the same thing he is, his only play is to hold out.

They exercise his option but then the COO goes on the radio and starts talking about a new contract, does that make sense? Sure there was a deadline but that's no excuse, they had time. Then he makes it worse by bringing up the Gurley contract, THE player the Elliott sees as his challenger to best in the NFL.

When you add the numbers being thrown around for the QB, that same QB that's not supposed to be very good without the RB and the WR that's been with the team for 10 games, can you not see where this could get you sideways if you were him?

I could be off base here and they did address the option before exercising it but I don't think that happened or they would not have been acting so blindsided. Those numbers above are exactly what Elliott is looking at and he and his agent are sending the message before most players do, Elliott is not a taggable player.

Don't be bringin' any of that long-haired logic to this forum. When it comes to Zeke it's all about feelz: "Honor your contract, Ewok!"

 

[glimmerman]

I don't know the standard operating procedure with using the 5th year option on 1st round draft picks but it seems to be the prudent thing to do would be to talk to the agent and inform them of the intention of the team to exercise that option.

They could have done that but that would make this holdout really stress the relationship and maybe if they'd discussed this and known their intention, they might not have that option, which amounts to a one year contract, effectively allowing them to tag him twice and have three one year contracts in a row and he is guaranteed only that one current year. Including this year, Elliott would make about 36M over the next 4 years, if tagged and not injured.

Gurley on this latest contract is guaranteed 45M. See the math problem that Elliott sees?

The RB tag for this season is 11.2M, so he is already 2M in the hole with this option exercised and that would be going up next season.

Elliott has been injury free but he is a contact back and leads the NFL in carries per game over the last three years and he and his agent would see no reason for a decline in that this season. He is the definition of workhorse back.

I do see a lot of venom aimed in Elliott's direction but when I put myself in his place, I believe I would be doing the same thing he is, his only play is to hold out.

They exercise his option but then the COO goes on the radio and starts talking about a new contract, does that make sense? Sure there was a deadline but that's no excuse, they had time. Then he makes it worse by bringing up the Gurley contract, THE player the Elliott sees as his challenger to best in the NFL.

When you add the numbers being thrown around for the QB, that same QB that's not supposed to be very good without the RB and the WR that's been with the team for 10 games, can you not see where this could get you sideways if you were him?

I could be off base here and they did address the option before exercising it but I don't think that happened or they would not have been acting so blindsided. Those numbers above are exactly what Elliott is looking at and he and his agent are sending the message before most players do, Elliott is not a taggable player.

I never expected Elliot to play the 5th year option or play under the tag without a new contract. But honor your 4 year deal. They were going to sign him long term. Or at least that’s what SJ said. They were expecting to work on it during the year or next offseason.

 

[CouchCoach]

This! ^^^^

Let the money hungry bum sit out...and get fined for it. He didn't sit out when he gladly accepted such a huge rookie signing bonus when drafted in 2016, so he has no reason to be sitting out now. Why not be a man, honor your contract and show up to work while your agent works out an extension while you still have 2 years left?

The dude is being a greedy you know what. Forget him. I have no respect for greedy players like that who make such demands with 2 years still left on their current contract. Now, if it was a year from now and he was sitting out, I would understand why, but that is not the case today, is it?

No but my point is I think it was the option year that created this. They're looking at this as three one year contracts with no guarantee in the position most likely to get injured. Gurley is getting 45M and he's a huge injury risk, came in injured.

Like I said before, I am not looking at this as a fan or at some greedy player, and which ones aren't just like the owners, but what if this were my son, what would I advise him? RB's have a limited shelf life and this one is a workhorse contact back willing to go airborne to get additional yards.

As far as why not be a man? He had no choice but to sign that contract if he wanted to play. He plays for 3M and waits a year to hold out for 9M? Would you advise your son to do that?

I agree, this is new territory holding out with two left but one was an exercised option. If the NFLPA allows that to remain in the CBA, look for more players to do just what he's doing. And why in the hell just an option year for 1st rounders?

AC, I would be a lot hotter at Elliott had those two magpies not shot off their mouths on the radio about extending him and the dumbest one actually said Gurley's was the starting point. How in the hell can we blame the agent or the player when they started this entire mess with their mouths?

 

[TwistedL0g1k]

Yes taking a RB with pick #4 is a strategic error. Specially when said so RB has a notorious party boy rep at OSU.

Exactly- a misallocation of resources. It's about to lead to another error- a huge contract. This will rob the team of depth, and good players will be lost in the future.

 

[Whyjerry]

The strategic error was drafting him 4th overall knowing the issues he had at Ohio State.

 

[CouchCoach]

I never expected Elliot to play the 5th year option or play under the tag without a new contract. But honor your 4 year deal. They were going to sign him long term. Or at least that’s what SJ said. They were expecting to work on it during the year or next offseason.

Not what he said on the radio, that's what started all of this. He made it sound like they were going to do a new deal and only used the option because of the deadline and went on to use Gurley as a comp contract.

That's what I don't get. Posters are all pissed at him, what about the COO starting all of this? Had he just optioned him and started working behind the scenes with his agent, maybe this doesn't get out of hand but the COO openly said he deserved at least Gurley money and 3M this season isn't it.

 

[CouchCoach]

The strategic error was drafting him 4th overall knowing the issues he had at Ohio State.

I cannot argue that, there were red flags that went ignored but that's done, nothing they can do about that now.

And when he led the league in rushing as a rookie and the team got homefield running the O though him, I didn't notice a lot of posters complaining about him then.

 

[Cowboys22]

Strategic error? Everyone and their grandma knew they would pick up the 5th year option. No one had to talk to anyone. Every team picks up the option if the player is even average.

 

[ghst187]

As others have mentioned giving Elliott a new deal now is a huge precedent setting problem. LVE could pull it next....and so on.
It will also strike at the heart of our philosophy of building through the draft.
This is my biggest problem with this entire deal, that and Zeke hasn’t even played all of the games he should’ve bc of suspension, then flirted with another this offseason. Now he’s demanding a huge contract? ****!
He needed to shut his mouth, been on good behavior, played out this season and pulled this next year.
I don’t think we can win without him honestly but if Jerry gets mad and trades him I hope it’s to a toilet team in a miserable location.

 

[BourbonBalz]

it is rational for Elliot to hold until the 11th game to get credit for his year.
that is because the salary is low for this year and he loses only about 18k per game.
that reduces the wear and tear while the salary ramps up next year.

it is also rational for cowboys to let him sit until 11th game.
if the team is a contender, it will be fine for 10 games, saving elliot for the games that count.
if the team is not a real contender, then who cares.

But under the current rules, he will not get credit for this year as far as accrued years for free agency goes. That date, August 6th, has passed.