Is a big contract for Elliott the best decision?

[Stash]

Like many of you, I find myself conflicted regarding the whole Zeke holdout issue. On one hand, I realize that he truly is a great player and a difference maker on the field. These Cowboys are certainly better with him than without him.

But is it in the team's best interests long term to make him the league's highest paid running back?

It certainly helps this year if they truly feel that they're a championship contender, and may be the difference between getting to the playoffs and not.

But can you trust the guy not to flake out again? Can you trust that once he gets paid he'll be the same iron man on the field that he has been? Can you trust him period?

And in a league that for better or worse (not being debated here) doesn't pay running backs big money, are you screwing up your cap by being the team that pays the most for theirs?

If you pay your running back tops in the league, where else are you short-changing yourself? Who are you forced to let go when there's no more cap room left?

Add it all up and I wonder if paying him is ultimately in the Cowboys long-term best interests?

What say you?

 

[Jake]

I too am conflicted, but the Jets can escape Bell's contract after 2 years with minimal (4 million) dead cap space. Bell doesn't mind because he's got $27 million in cash, regardless.

If Zeke's deal is structured similarly, I'll like it better.

 

[noshame]

Hell no, if Jerry does this it's a sign he's desperately trying to win before for his days are over, at the cost of the teams future. You can kiss off your great OL's of the future.

 

[glimmerman]

If and I mean if he can mature or be smart and stay out of off field problems then I am ok with signing him to this contract. We will have to see the details. If it’s a 4 year deal that starts now then it’s a 2 year extension. If it starts new money after this year or 2 then I would like it better. Longer extension. He is a great RB and is worth it if he can stay out of trouble.

 

[glimmerman]

I too am conflicted, but the Jets can escape Bell's contract after 2 years with minimal (4 million) dead cap space. Bell doesn't mind because he's got $27 million in cash, regardless.

If Zeke's deal is structured similarly, I'll like it better.

I think bell left way to much money on the table. He will wish he didn’t hold out and miss that money.

 

[glimmerman]

The cap goes up every year and will get another boost after the new CBA.

 

[Stash]

I too am conflicted, but the Jets can escape Bell's contract after 2 years with minimal (4 million) dead cap space. Bell doesn't mind because he's got $27 million in cash, regardless.

If Zeke's deal is structured similarly, I'll like it better.

That's a good point, but in Bell's case I have to consider two factors:

1. Bell didn't want to sign with the Jets. In fact, he tried to drum up interest from other teams - specifically Baltimore - but no one else was interested in meeting his money demands. That speaks volumes.
2. The GM that did agree to that contract was fired mere weeks later. Clearly, people did not like the job that he was doing and how he was spending the money.

 

[Jake]

I think bell left way to much money on the table. He will wish he didn’t hold out and miss that money.

He made $16 million with Pittsburgh and is guaranteed $27 million more with the Jets. He should be okay.

 

[John813]

Well I would assume they would have an out built in case he did goof up big time and gets suspended. Payback of signing bonus, voiding guarantees etc.

Short term, 2-3 years, it makes a lot of sense to keep him in the picture. By then, if he is infact slowing down due to volume the contract would be easier to swallow if they had to cut him.

He is a great back, and has shown he can stay durable over the season. Our offense still runs through the run game until otherwise proven.

They were going to keep him, IMO, so a big contract to him was always in the cards.

What's the holdup is probably the signing bonus and the guarantees. Huge difference between Bell and Gurley there.

 

[EMMITTnROY]

Yes and no.

Zeke is our best overall player. He makes us better in the win-loss column, period. We have a team that can contend right now and in a game of inches, it’s best to have any extra talent edge.

But RBs in this era are more replaceable. That money could go elsewhere and it will likely cost us talent at less replaceable positions down the road at some point.

Short term: definite yes.

Long term: nobody knows.

 

[jazzcat22]

Yes it is the best decision. He is that type of player that is worth it. It is not like he is the only RB with a big pay day.
Just because many feel the RB position is crap does not make it true. He is the cog in the machine.

I don't look at the off field stuff as critical as many do, as that is too judgmental to have against a person that has never been arrested, no charges, no jail time, and a man that was railroaded by the NFL FO which had an agenda. Is it a concern to a degree, yes, I can see why some think that way. He needs to be smarter to stay out of these situations that can escalate. Now since there are knucklehead people out there that will try to provoke something. And Zeke will always be blamed as the instigator rather he is or is not. He needs to be smart about that.

I am sure there will be clauses in the contract as many have, we just do not hear about all of them. The team states they stand behind him and there are no concerns. So that is good enough for me. It may not be for others, but I look at it as talent on the field and he does show up on game days and plays hard.

He is not only the player needed for short term, like the next few years, but he could be long term as in the next 6 years as well. Seems he keeps in shape, as Emmitt did, so that we will have to wait and see.

 

[glimmerman]

That's a good point, but in Bell's case I have to consider two factors:

1. Bell didn't want to sign with the Jets. In fact, he tried to drum up interest from other teams - specifically Baltimore - but no one else was interested in meeting his money demands. That speaks volumes.
2. The GM that did agree to that contract was fired mere weeks later. Clearly, people did not like the job that he was doing and how he was spending the money.

This may be why Elliot signs this deal. He knows the RB pay will not go up. The gurly contract was a mistake by the rams. Will probly not be done again. I don’t think barkley will get that kind of money.

 

[Jake]

That's a good point, but in Bell's case I have to consider two factors:

1. Bell didn't want to sign with the Jets. In fact, he tried to drum up interest from other teams - specifically Baltimore - but no one else was interested in meeting his money demands. That speaks volumes.
2. The GM that did agree to that contract was fired mere weeks later. Clearly, people did not like the job that he was doing and how he was spending the money.

Reports indicated that the GM and new coach Adam Gase weren't on the same page. At least we know that won't happen with Jerry and his boy JG.

 

[glimmerman]

Yes it is the best decision. He is that type of player that is worth it. It is not like he is the only RB with a big pay day.
Just because many feel the RB position is crap does not make it true. He is the cog in the machine.

I don't look at the off field stuff as critical as many do, as that is too judgmental to have against a person that has never been arrested, no charges, no jail time, and a man that was railroaded by the NFL FO which had an agenda. Is it a concern to a degree, yes, I can see why some think that way. He needs to be smarter to stay out of these situations that can escalate. Now since there are knucklehead people out there that will try to provoke something. And Zeke will always be blamed as the instigator rather he is or is not. He needs to be smart about that.

I am sure there will be clauses in the contract as many have, we just do not hear about all of them. The team states they stand behind him and there are no concerns. So that is good enough for me. It may not be for others, but I look at it as talent on the field and he does show up on game days and plays hard.

He is not only the player needed for short term, like the next few years, but he could be long term as in the next 6 years as well. Seems he keeps in shape, as Emmitt did, so that we will have to wait and see.

Having a great O-Line and RB takes pressure off of QB. Dak is improving but may not ever be a Romo or maybe the best he can be is a above average bus driver. Either way it completes a Offense.

I think Dak can be a top 10 or 5 passing QB after time.

 

[jazzcat22]

And to add to my post, no it will not effect keeping other players. Dak's asking price will be more of an impediment toward keeping other players than Zeke's or the eventual Amari contracts.

 

[Stash]

This may be why Elliot signs this deal. He knows the RB pay will not go up. The gurly contract was a mistake by the rams. Will probly not be done again. I don’t think barkley will get that kind of money.

I'll be surprised if his agent lets him sign it. Just for the fact that the agent will then be the guy who failed to get the league leading rusher the top contract for running backs. In the court of public opinion, many will consider that a "loss".

And I don't think an agent worried about himself will want to accept that.

 

[The Quest for Six]

I usually don't watch or listen to Jerrys interviews because of all the Jerry double talk but I did happen to catch a couple interviews lately of Jerry with regards to comments about earning the right to joke about Zeke and glowing comments he made about Jaylon Smith signing and I get a strong impression that Jerry and the organization are perturbed by Zeke's action not showing up to Camp....Jerry went to bat for Zeke with the commish and the league with regards to Zeke's off field problems over the last couple of years, supporting him all the way and now Zeke returns that loyalty by holding out of camp with two years left on his deal...I just get the impression that Jerry iand Steven are not happy how Zeke is treating the organization and are in no rush to give him a deal anytime soon.......

 

[Ranching]

Like many of you, I find myself conflicted regarding the whole Zeke holdout issue. On one hand, I realize that he truly is a great player and a difference maker on the field. These Cowboys are certainly better with him than without him.

But is it in the team's best interests long term to make him the league's highest paid running back?

It certainly helps this year if they truly feel that they're a championship contender, and may be the difference between getting to the playoffs and not.

But can you trust the guy not to flake out again? Can you trust that once he gets paid he'll be the same iron man on the field that he has been? Can you trust him period?

And in a league that for better or worse (not being debated here) doesn't pay running backs big money, are you screwing up your cap by being the team that pays the most for theirs?

If you pay your running back tops in the league, where else are you short-changing yourself? Who are you forced to let go when there's no more cap room left?

Add it all up and I wonder if paying him is ultimately in the Cowboys long-term best interests?

What say you?

Sign him. Gurley is the highest paid RB and it didn't keep them from giving Donald a HUGE contract and they still went to the SB, and beat us on their way there.

 

[Stash]

I usually don't watch or listen to Jerrys interviews because of all the Jerry double talk but I did happen to catch a couple interviews lately of Jerry with regards to comments about earning the right to joke about Zeke and glowing comments he made about Jaylon Smith signing and I get a strong impression that Jerry and the organization are perturbed by Zeke's action not showing up to Camp....Jerry went to bat for Zeke with the commish and the league with regards to Zeke's off field problems over the last couple of years, supporting him all the way and now Zeke returns that loyalty by holding out of camp with two years left on his deal...I just get the impression that Jerry iand Steven are not happy how Zeke is treating the organization and are in no rush to give him a deal anytime soon.......

I thought that same thing, but when these reports of a new contract offer come out, I'm not sure what to think?

 

[Stash]

Sign him. Gurley is the highest paid RB and it didn't keep them from giving Donald a HUGE contract and they still went to the SB, and beat us on their way there.

But they're not paying the big quarterback contract yet, and they might not.