Lawrence contract update

[CouchCoach]

Seems like Lawrence is totally aware that he's holding a big stick at this juncture.
We can likely fully expect that he'll be holding out for a boatload of riches.

The question is has his agent already set the table for what he wants? He can't go beyond that and push it because of the Ganjory situation. Any agent that pulls that puts himself at risk for future negotiations. However, this does give him a lot more chutzpah to stand his ground and the Cowboys are now on the ropes and the threat of a holdout carries much more clout. The timing of this could only have been worse had this happened before they knew what Lawrence wanted.

 

[Jeffkills]

Comp picks don't start until the third round. The only way I see the Cowboys splitting with Lawrence is to franchise him again and then trade his rights for a first round pick; maybe even a pick and a player.

The problem with that is it leaves our DE situation dire. Tyrone Crawford and Taco Charlton would be the starters and Dorance Armstrong the top backup. That means Dallas would have to use their first round pick they acquire in the Lawrence trade at the position anyway; and that player would be unproven.

Well, at least we wouldn't be paying him 23M a year like total idiots...

 

[StarBoyz83]

He's not worth the contract he wants.

I agree but we really have no choice. No other de is worth mentioning on our team. dt is meh also.

20 a year is more than enough but I bet he wants more.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Well, at least we wouldn't be paying him 23M a year like total idiots...

True, but that's the going rate for DE's today. Two years ago the Giants threw a 5 year, $85 million deal at Olivier Vernon, who is nowhere near the player Lawrence is. And they have the same agent......

 

[Bullflop]

Comp picks don't start until the third round. The only way I see the Cowboys splitting with Lawrence is to franchise him again and then trade his rights for a first round pick; maybe even a pick and a player.

The problem with that is it leaves our DE situation dire. Tyrone Crawford and Taco Charlton would be the starters and Dorance Armstrong the top backup. That means Dallas would have to use their first round pick they acquire in the Lawrence trade at the position anyway; and that player would be unproven.

So true but it's really beginning to look like we're between a rock and a hard place. It should be intriguing to see what develops in the days ahead. If we trade him for a 1st rounder, it'll be a risk but it looks like a big risk anyhow, with what it seems Lawrence and his agent are up to. Never a dull moment.

 

[Jeffkills]

I agree but we really have no choice. No other de is worth mentioning on our team. dt is meh also.

We do have a choice...

Sack up, and spend the money elsewhere... He's not the second coming!!

How many really good players could we get for 23M?? Screw him...

 

[Jeffkills]

True, but that's the going rate for DE's today. Two years ago the Giants threw a 5 year, $85 million deal at Olivier Vernon, who is nowhere near the player Lawrence is. And they have the same agent......

So, considering that example, why in the world would we want to follow suit?

 

[CT Dal Fan]

So true but it's really beginning to look like we're between a rock and a hard place. It should be intriguing to see what develops in the days ahead.

I'm just going to relax, because I honestly think it's a win-win for the Cowboys.

Either they keep Lawrence, or they franchise tag him and get back into the first round by trading him. And I honestly think the Raiders, who have three first round picks, would be willing to part with one of them for D-Law.

 

[CouchCoach]

The Cowboys needed some help with Lawrence and Ganjory and now they're in worse shape but they do not have to extend Prescott, use that money for DL in FA. Cannot fix this in the draft. If they're wanting to make some noise this year.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

So, considering that example, why in the world would we want to follow suit?

You're not wrong. But let's not forget the Cowboys could be setting a dangerous precedent if they turn their backs on Lawrence.

He was paid well, but Lawrence did the team a huge favor playing on the tag last year. Loyalty is a two way street. He did his part. If the Cowboys let him walk, it would send a message to every free agent out there that Dallas won't pay up. They won't want to sign here.

 

[Jeffkills]

The Cowboys needed some help with Lawrence and Ganjory and now they're in worse shape but they do not have to extend Prescott, use that money for DL in FA. Cannot fix this in the draft. If they're wanting to make some noise this year.

Part ways with D-Law by tagging him again - seeking to trade his rights... Or simply let him walk and get a 3rd rd comp pick..

Let Dak play, then tag him... Make him prove it..

With D-Law's money, we could get Earl Thomas, Golden Tate, and a couple good DE's...

 

[CT Dal Fan]

The Cowboys needed some help with Lawrence and Ganjory and now they're in worse shape but they do not have to extend Prescott, use that money for DL in FA. Cannot fix this in the draft. If they're wanting to make some noise this year.

The only FA defensive end really worthy of replacing D-Law is Seattle's Frank Clark. The Cowboys either keep Lawrence or roll with what they've got, unfortunately.

 

[Bullflop]

The question is has his agent already set the table for what he wants? He can't go beyond that and push it because of the Ganjory situation. Any agent that pulls that puts himself at risk for future negotiations. However, this does give him a lot more chutzpah to stand his ground and the Cowboys are now on the ropes and the threat of a holdout carries much more clout. The timing of this could only have been worse had this happened before they knew what Lawrence wanted.

This whole scenario is putting a serious damper on our upcoming season. Hard to say what a saving solution might be but it'll require some wisdom. I'm starting to think in terms of taking a chance with trading him for a #1 pick and drafting the best DE we can get or otherwise, settle for a vet FA. It's really looking like a hot mess, in any event.

 

[Jeffkills]

You're not wrong. But let's not forget the Cowboys could be setting a dangerous precedent if they turn their backs on Lawrence.

He was paid well, but Lawrence did the team a huge favor playing on the tag last year. Loyalty is a two way street. He did his part. If the Cowboys let him walk, it would send a message to every free agent out there that Dallas won't pay up. They won't want to sign here.

He didn't do us any favors... He got 17M, and any player that's too good for that kind of $$ doesn't deserve the honor of wearing the Star...

Should we really pay him 8M more than Tom Brady just because he has leverage? That's called being stupid...

Anyone that turns their nose up at the prospect of being a Cowboy isn't a good fit anyway, and is also too stupid to understand all the money to be made from endorsements, etc. as a star player for America's team...

Hell, even Dak's doing pretty good with all those stupid commercials, and meanwhile, half the fans can't stand him..

I can understand when Emmitt held out, but in his case, we rode that pony to a SB before he acted a fool...

 

[CT Dal Fan]

He didn't do us any favors... He got 17M, and any player that's too good for that kind of $$ doesn't deserve the honor of wearing the Star...

Should we really pay him 8M more than Tom Brady just because he has leverage? That's called being stupid...

Anyone that turns their nose up at the prospect of being a Cowboy isn't a good fit anyway, and is also too stupid to understand all the money to be made from endorsements, etc. as a star player for America's team...

Hell, even Dak's doing pretty good with all those stupid commercials, and meanwhile, half the fans can't stand him..

I can understand when Emmitt held out, but in his case, we rode that pony to a SB before he acted a fool...

Again, you are right. But Tom Brady is a bad example, because he's at the point in his career where he's made a zillion dollars and is able to give the team a "discount".

Lawrence was paid very well last year, but this could be his one and only shot at a big contract. For many players, this is their only chance at payday. Even though it's hard for paycheck-to-paycheck people like myself to sympathize, he has to get his money now.

Because all it takes is one injury to end a career. D-Law could have gotten one last year and that tag money would have been it.

 

[Bullflop]

The only FA defensive end really worthy of replacing D-Law is Seattle's Frank Clark. The Cowboys either keep Lawrence or roll with what they've got, unfortunately.

Frank Clark wouldn't be such a bad substitute, now that you've mentioned it. Not sure what he'd cost us to sign him, though. We're in a bind with Lawrence and his agent getting so demanding. There's got to be a decent way to resolve the bind they're putting us in. There's surely no guarantee Lawrence would respond favorably, even if we made him rich.

 

[Jeffkills]

Again, you are right. But Tom Brady is a bad example, because he's at the point in his career where he's made a zillion dollars and is able to give the team a "discount".

Lawrence was paid very well last year, but this could be his one and only shot at a big contract. For many players, this is their only chance at payday. Even though it's hard for paycheck-to-paycheck people like myself to sympathize, he has to get his money now.

Because all it takes is one injury to end a career. D-Law could have gotten one last year and that tag money would have been it.

I hear you, but as long as he's not a total moron, he and his entire family should live like kings on $17m...

$20M is my max, and if that's not good enough, I pray that we tag again with the intention to go in another direction..

 

[CT Dal Fan]

This whole scenario is putting a serious damper on our upcoming season. Hard to say what a saving solution might be but it'll require some wisdom. I'm starting to think in terms of taking a chance with trading him for a #1 pick and drafting the best DE we can get or otherwise, settle for a vet FA. It's really looking like a hot mess, in any event.

What's worse is I've read rumors D-Law needs shoulder surgery and he's not getting it until he gets paid. What if Dallas has to tag him and can't sign him until, say, June? Will he be ready for week one?

 

[Jeffkills]

What's worse is I've read rumors D-Law needs shoulder surgery and he's not getting it until he gets paid. What if Dallas has to tag him and can't sign him until, say, June? Will he be ready for week one?

What more is there to say???

 

[conner01]

Comp picks don't start until the third round. The only way I see the Cowboys splitting with Lawrence is to franchise him again and then trade his rights for a first round pick; maybe even a pick and a player.

The problem with that is it leaves our DE situation dire. Tyrone Crawford and Taco Charlton would be the starters and Dorance Armstrong the top backup. That means Dallas would have to use their first round pick they acquire in the Lawrence trade at the position anyway; and that player would be unproven.

And that won’t get you the top pass rushers because no team at the top is trading with you