ESPN: Playing time will help Jonathan Cooper earn more

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Playing time will help Jonathan Cooper earn more
5:25 AM HST
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Todd Archer ESPN Staff Writer

FRISCO, Texas – The more Jonathan Cooper plays for the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, the more he will make.

Cooper’s one-year deal is worth as much as $2.5 million. He received a $1 million base salary and a $500,000 signing bonus. He will earn $31,250 for every game he is on the 46-man roster, up to $500,000. Because he played in only five games last year, only five of those per-game roster bonuses count against the cap, which means he will have a $1.656 million cap figure.

Stephen Paea signed with the Cowboys, what could have swayed Cooper’s decision to re-sign with Dallas was $500,000 worth of incentives.

He can earn $250,000 if he plays in 60 percent of the snaps and another $250,000 for 75 percent of the snaps.

If the Cowboys move La'el Collins to right tackle and allow Cooper the chance to be the left guard, then he would likely earn the extra money barring injury.

***snip***

http://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cow...play-time-will-help-jonathan-cooper-earn-more
 
This will be an intense off season for a very young and yet talented team. NFL accomplishments aren't high on the totals scale, but talent, good coaching, and a work ethic are. The defense will need every ounce of on field growth, as will a couple of slots on the offensive line. There is some unseen in both places, but talent and youth as well...
 
jobberone said:
I don't see them moving Collins to RT although I won't be surprised to see him take some snaps there. Who is knowing these things?
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I think it's the backup plan. I believe the initial plan will be for Green to be the starting right tackle and Collins to return to starting at left guard. If Green can't handle the job or is injured again, then Collins takes over and Cooper/Looney starts at guard.

I don't think the team wants to move Collins, but will give him practice time there just in case.
 
Broaddus said he isn't as fluid or as athletic now as he was coming out of college. Did his leg break in his rookie season set him that far back? If he can regain even a portion of his potential we should have a decent guard, they were calling him one of the best guard prospects in a decade
 
I hope he makes the team, however, its VERY rare for a top 10 first round pick to be cut two years into his rookie contract. Clearly injuries have played a huge part of his failed career (to date).

Cowboys are his 4th team in 5 years. Lets hope he sticks.
 
The structure of this contract suggests to me that moving La'el in camp is a real possibility. I'd suggest it's 50/50 right now between that and starting Green outright. It's going to be interesting to see how that plays out, but I feel better about bringing in a mid-round swing OG than I do finding a guy we like at RT that far down in a bad OT class.
 
Idgit said:
The structure of this contract suggests to me that moving La'el in camp is a real possibility. I'd suggest it's 50/50 right now between that and starting Green outright. It's going to be interesting to see how that plays out, but I feel better about bringing in a mid-round swing OG than I do finding a guy we like at RT that far down in a bad OT class.
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Same here. In fact, I put the odds even a bit higher than that for Collins to get a real shot at RT. I think that they'll take a serious look to begin OTA's to get a quick assessment. I think it would be in the team's and players' long-term best interests if Cooper take the LG spot and Collins the RT position. Cooper is strictly an inside player - guard or center, while Collins was a tackle in college. And if either or both want to eventually get paid, playing at those positions makes the most sense.

And not only was Collins a tackle in college, he played LT, so I don't see why so many are so quick to dismiss the thought of him at right tackle. And anyone thinking "they already tried that" hasn't done their homework. Very little effort was made to play Collins at RT as a rookie, outside of a few practice snaps. At that point, the kid's head was spinning enough already, making the transition to the pros and dealing with everything he was going through. To suddenly ask him to think right-handed was too much at that time. Entering his third year, his technique should be much better and he should be more accustomed to the demands of the pro game.

Maybe he can't flip his technique? Maybe he'll never be able to master playing on the right side in the pros? But I think it's in everyone's long-term best interests to make a real effort to find out.
 
Ideally Collins could be a pro-bowl RT. It's in his monetary incentive to be so. I just don't see it based on what scouts, the coaching staff and my lying eyes tell me.

Happy to be wrong...that's of course assuming Cooper isn't a bum in his own right...

I most care about Smith, Fred and Martin NOT being moved.
 
Assuming Collins to RT and Cooper to G, then you have two positions on the line with new players instead of just one. Then what happens after this year? You either have to pay Copper (potentially big money since he may look better than he is playing on our line) or you let him go and again disturb the continuity of the line by replacing him.

That why, in my mind, the better option is to simply replace the RT and let Cooper back-up the interior line positions.
 
Just another thought as we all have our opinions on the Collins to RT move/non-move. It is my hope that Collins stays at LG and this is his year to shine, we know he has the talent and drive. A year off from football should have him healthy and hungry to play. Having him and Cooper both in the off-season program with our big 3 ( Smith, Fredbread and Martin) should hopefully have both players at their best. Think probably more so for Cooper.
RT I think will come down to Green's back (and Hip, but that should have fully healed by now), and a draft pick.
Man, it sure is going to be an interesting Draft/Off-season, we will all be following every practice, off-season workout etc. And I do agree that Collins probably will get some time in training camp at RT, but my hope it is to prepare him for game day emergencies only.
 
Idgit said:
The structure of this contract suggests to me that moving La'el in camp is a real possibility. I'd suggest it's 50/50 right now between that and starting Green outright. It's going to be interesting to see how that plays out, but I feel better about bringing in a mid-round swing OG than I do finding a guy we like at RT that far down in a bad OT class.
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I don't see that at all....... the structure is to get him to agree to be a backup that has a chance to earn an extra 1m is he plays more than expected..... that would be a bad contract for someone that started all year
 
I dont want to really count on this guy as the starting LG. He should be depth and thats it. Hes living off his college draft status.
 
perrykemp said:
I hope he makes the team, however, its VERY rare for a top 10 first round pick to be cut two years into his rookie contract. Clearly injuries have played a huge part of his failed career (to date).

Cowboys are his 4th team in 5 years. Lets hope he sticks.
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I'm mostly in this mindset. I hope the best for him and for the team, but I'm not holding my breath.
 
BoysfanfromCanada said:
Broaddus said he isn't as fluid or as athletic now as he was coming out of college. Did his leg break in his rookie season set him that far back? If he can regain even a portion of his potential we should have a decent guard, they were calling him one of the best guard prospects in a decade
Click to expand...

He was possibly the quickest, most fluid OG in college football, ever. He does not have to be on that level of athleticism to succeed.

I think he gained quite a bit of weight based on watching his Cleveland game footage.
 
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