Pollard is fantastic but we have to let him walk

[BrAinPaiNt]

It will be an interesting scenario.
Good thing about drafting so well is you get players on cheaper contracts for some time. Bad thing is when they turn out to be really good and you have to start paying multiple good players in a short amount of time.
Pollard, Lamb, Micah and Diggs just to name a few upcoming names that will want new contracts and probably be paid well.

 

[JD_KaPow]

I’m not so sure about that, because Aaron Jones had a couple of 1000 yard seasons leading up to that contract. He had two seasons of over 200 rushing attempts. Until this season Pollard never had more than 130 rushing attempts. Jones has carried more of a load than Pollard. I doubt there’s a team that’s going to be thrilled with paying Pollard 12M per when he’s splitting carries with another back. I just don’t see him being as effective if he’s carrying most of the load. If the Cowboys were to franchise Pollard they would have to pay him over 12M for one season and I’m not sure they’re going to want to do that. He’s clearly been one of our best players this season and our most explosive offensive player but let’s not forget the Cowboys moved on from DeMarco Murray after he set a franchise record and led the league in rushing in 2014. He received at least one or two MVP votes that season. The Cowboys moved on because they didn’t want to pay him. We’ll see how they handle Pollard’s situation during the offseason.

He's going to top 1500 scrimmage yards and have something like 15 TDs this year. And he's only going to be 26 next year. I'm pretty sure someone would bite hard on that, maybe MIA or LAR or LV, someone anyway. And if the Cowboys want to cut Zeke and have SB aspirations (which they will), the franchise tag makes a ton of sense: yeah, it's expensive, but it gives you continuity and it comes with no out-year obligations, so you don't have to give him a competitive 4-year contract and end up paying for his decline.

 

[DanA]

By all means, take your attitude into the contract negotiation. You're asking a guy to take less money. If your ego and hurt feeling prevent you from using tact and a strategy which might get you what you want, then you ain't the GM for this team. And if your reflex to that comment is you can just go get another RB in the draft, tell me who that is that gets the tough yards you see Zeke get. Players are not parts you can just go get at the Checker Auto store.

Tagging Pollard will probably be the answer.

I will assume you have not read the comments by Micah and the punishment he takes as an edge rusher. Which means you also don't understand why they spell him occasionally. Or you can waste this generational player by allowing him to get beat up throughout every game. Because of his reputation as a rusher, the opponents are doing everything they can to put a hat on a hat, and something three on one. If that means nothing to you, I'll adjust my thinking toward your positions in the future. But for now, I'll listen to Parsons on how he is faring physically, thanks.

Put them in dollar context. I ain't your boy. I don't give a rat's rectum what they get paid. I do not understand why "fans" get bent out of shape because a guy make a hefty salary.

Why exactly do I have to be tactful towards Zeke when discussing motives he might have for taking a pay cut? That makes no sense. And there are plenty of edge rushes Micah's size/weight. Football is brutal for everybody, not just Micah.

 

[aikemirv]

Smart teams don't deal out big money deals to RB's.

Agree/Disagree?

Depends what the money is-you can’t just keep letting impact players walk without a replacement

 

[nalam]

We have to let Pollard walk???



Makes ZERO sense.

True but right now his value is high , do we want to tie up another RB in a big contract? My thinking is they would Franchise and let him play next season ( zeke either take lot less or let go) , will see what we have in Davis, dowdle , mid round pick next year etc.

after that let the chips fall , ( but if pollard keeps his play then he will be more expensive at the end of next year)

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

He's going to top 1500 scrimmage yards and have something like 15 TDs this year. And he's only going to be 26 next year. I'm pretty sure someone would bite hard on that, maybe MIA or LAR or LV, someone anyway. And if the Cowboys want to cut Zeke and have SB aspirations (which they will), the franchise tag makes a ton of sense: yeah, it's expensive, but it gives you continuity and it comes with no out-year obligations, so you don't have to give him a competitive 4-year contract and end up paying for his decline.

Im okay with cut zeke. Both in terminology (as if that matters), and in tactic.

Lets move all our rb chips to tp.

Hoping it ends some silliness here at the zone.

 

[Flamma]

Smart teams don't deal out big money deals to RB's.

Agree/Disagree?

Disagree if they can retain him at market value. Which isn't big money.

 

[tyke1doe]

Gonna be franchised tagged and used for 1 year then let walk

Thought of this song when I read your post.

 

[KJJ]

He's going to top 1500 scrimmage yards and have something like 15 TDs this year. And he's only going to be 26 next year. I'm pretty sure someone would bite hard on that, maybe MIA or LAR or LV, someone anyway. And if the Cowboys want to cut Zeke and have SB aspirations (which they will), the franchise tag makes a ton of sense: yeah, it's expensive, but it gives you continuity and it comes with no out-year obligations, so you don't have to give him a competitive 4-year contract and end up paying for his decline.

DeMarco Murray had almost 2400 scrimmage yards and 13 TDs in 2014 and he was only 26 but the Cowboys didn’t want to pay him big money. Although Zeke has been a good player, the Cowboys got screwed on his deal. Don’t get me wrong I want Tony Pollard back but I’m not sure he can command the kind of money you’re talking about. Derrick Henry is making $12.5 million and Tony Pollard isn’t nearly the player Henry is. The backs that are making that kind of money are carrying a lot of the load. The Cowboys will have a dilemma on their hands because Pollard is the most explosive offensive weapon they have. Free agency gets crazy and some team may open the vault for Pollard, but they’ll use him as their primary back and he may not be as effective as he was with the Cowboys. DeMarco Murray was never as good once he left Dallas.

 

[StarOfGlory]

Gonna be franchised tagged and used for 1 year then let walk

The projected franchise tag for a running back in 2023 is $12,632,000. I don't see that happening.

 

[JD_KaPow]

DeMarco Murray had almost 2400 scrimmage yards and 13 TDs in 2014 and he was only 26 but the Cowboys didn’t want to pay him big money. Although Zeke has been a good player, the Cowboys got screwed on his deal. Don’t get me wrong I want Tony Pollard back but I’m not sure he can command the kind of money you’re talking about. Derrick Henry is making $12.5 million and Tony Pollard isn’t nearly the player Henry is. The backs that are making that kind of money are carrying a lot of the load. The Cowboys will have a dilemma on their hands because Pollard is the most explosive offensive weapon they have. Free agency gets crazy and some team may open the vault for Pollard, but they’ll use him as their primary back and he may not be as effective as he was with the Cowboys. DeMarco Murray was never as good once he left Dallas.

The bolded is my guess. Also, remember that Henry, and Jones, and Mixon signed those contracts back in 2020; we'll be three years out from that when Pollard signs. I think $12 million per is very likely.

Dallas knew they weren't signing Murray when that season started. They deliberately ran him into the ground (390+ regular-season carries). They wouldn't have done that if they had any intention of keeping him around. Pollard's in a very different situation. At $12.6M with no out-year obligations, the franchise tag may seem very attractive to them.

The one saving grace might be that a number of other high-profile RBs are hitting the market, which may make it harder for Pollard to get the big deal. We'll see.

 

[CowboysExchange]

Zeke is "done at the playoff level".

What in the entire....what are you talking about?

You don't even know what you are talking about just spewing out yer mouth like vomit.

Feel real cool...real in the know. Right?

You have the 2022 playoff Zeke mixed up w the 2018 playoff Zeke sorry

Pollard is the Lead back now by a long shot

If Jerrah thought Zeke was the main back he'd run him that way. The same way he has since he owned the team.

He's just saving face because that's how they do it here bruh

Pollard and Davis may be putting up monster numbers if an $18 million Zeke wasn't blocking their progress.

Zeke is just a better blocker and goal line back. But without a top run blocking oline his washed up status would shine more brightly.

2021 Playoff Zeke had 12 rushes for 31 yards and 4 targets and 1 reception for 0 yards

I know he and the oline were banged up. But he's not a playoff caliber back.

They got the wild card sewed up. You'd think theyd insert Davis more and save Zeke for the playoffs.

Davis has shown flashes. He isn't getting run down from behind lmao

The 2021 playoff non scoring Zeke is coming. Just be patient.

 

[CaptSS]

Pollard is not a typical RB
He’s a playmaker
I would rather cut Zeke, who I think is also an important part of the offense, than lose pollard
And my logic is I can come closer to replacing what Zeke brings than I can what pollard brings

I agree. I think Pollard is more valuable. He is a good receiver as well and his yards after the catch are pretty good.

 

[KJJ]

The bolded is my guess. Also, remember that Henry, and Jones, and Mixon signed those contracts back in 2020; we'll be three years out from that when Pollard signs. I think $12 million per is very likely.

Dallas knew they weren't signing Murray when that season started. They deliberately ran him into the ground (390+ regular-season carries). They wouldn't have done that if they had any intention of keeping him around. Pollard's in a very different situation. At $12.6M with no out-year obligations, the franchise tag may seem very attractive to them.

The one saving grace might be that a number of other high-profile RBs are hitting the market, which may make it harder for Pollard to get the big deal. We'll see.

They ran Murray a lot because they were trying to protect Romo. They didn’t want Romo having to carry the offense. The Cowboys felt they could find a cheaper option at RB and allowed Murray to walk. They signed Darren McFadden the following season, but he wasn’t the player he was. They tried using a combination of him and Joseph Randall to make up for Murray’s production, but it didn’t work and Romo ended up getting hurt. The Cowboys had 700 fewer rushing yards in 2015, resulting in Romo having to go back to carrying the offense. He was back to attempting 40+ passes. Him being injured prompted the Cowboys to draft Zeke in 2016. You mentioned Aaron Jones, but the Packers signing him for the kind of money they did ended up costing them Davante Adams. Hard to pay an RB and QB a huge amount of money and not lose players. We’ll see what the Cowboys do during the offseason. Another thing you have to remember is they’re going to need a lot of money to re-sign Parsons, Diggs and CeeDee. They’re currently preparing for those contracts.

 

[Staubacher]

Smart teams don't deal out big money deals to RB's.

Agree/Disagree?

Idiotic take.

 

[Staubacher]

Can zeke restructure? He seems like a real team player lately

Lol. Dude refused to play under first contract until he got the big $$

 

[john van brocklin]

Smart teams don't deal out big money deals to RB's.

Agree/Disagree?

DISAGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you serious man?????
At least franchise him a year.
Elite RBs don't grow on trees contrary to popular belief!

 

[john van brocklin]

Pollard is not a typical RB
He’s a playmaker
I would rather cut Zeke, who I think is also an important part of the offense, than lose pollard
And my logic is I can come closer to replacing what Zeke brings than I can what pollard brings

Well said!

 

[Xeven]

Pollard is Zeke’s replacement. When Zeke is done we will have Pollard and someone else.

 

[btcutter]

I absolutely agree. When he gets a big contract that's it. You can get a good running back in the 4th round.

Not completely disagreeing.
But how many difference makers like Pollard out of how many drafted? Sure there’s always a good one but we forget how many are out of the league after 2-3 yrs just playing special teams.