profootballtalk.com: NOTHING IMMINENT FOR MARION *Merge*

[sandy007]

POSTED 8:02 p.m. EDT, October 25, 2007
NOTHING IMMINENT FOR MARION
As the media focuses on the question of when and if the Dallas Cowboys will extend the contract of quarterback Tony Romo, another guy to watch in this regarding is running back Marion Barber.

Barber's rookie contract will expire after the season, and we're hearing that there is no effort toward any type of an extension.

Barber will be eligible for restricted free agency. But while G.M. Jerry Jones can protect Romo from being pilfered in exchange for two first-round draft picks by using the exclusive version of the franchise tag, no such device is available to keep Barber on the team.

The most the Cowboys can do is apply the highest possible tender offer, which will fix the compensation at a first-round pick and a third-round pick.

For a team that picks in the bottom half of the 32 teams, it might be very tempting to give up the picks and put on paper a poison pill offer sheet that guarantees every penny of a $50 million contract if he plays at least four games with a silver helmet bearing a blue star on his head.

The Packers, for example, would be an ideal destination. And the higher Green Bay climbs in the postseason, the more attractive it will be for the team to give up a couple of their picks.

As to the Cowboys, their other top-level running back (Julius Jones) will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. But it could be that Jones wants to see where that first-round pick he pilfered from the Browns for Brady Quinn lands on the board, since Jones might opt to let Jones walk and to take the extra picks for Barber if Jones thinks he can land Darren McFadden.

I guess this means Jerry has Darren McFadden number 1 on the draft board.​

 

[SaMaD_KhARoME]

POSTED 8:02 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:41 p.m. EDT, October 25, 2007​

NOTHING IMMINENT FOR MARION​

As the media focuses on the question of when and if the Dallas Cowboys will extend the contract of quarterback Tony Romo, another guy to watch in this regarding is running back Marion Barber.​

Barber's rookie contract will expire after the season, and we're hearing that there is no effort toward any type of an extension.​

Barber will be eligible for restricted free agency. But while G.M. Jerry Jones can protect Romo from being pilfered in exchange for two first-round draft picks by using the exclusive version of the franchise tag, no such device is available to keep Barber on the team.​

The most the Cowboys can do is apply the highest possible tender offer, which will fix the compensation at a first-round pick and a third-round pick.​

For a team that picks in the bottom half of the 32 teams, it might be very tempting to give up the picks and put on paper a poison pill offer sheet that guarantees every penny of a $50 million contract if he plays at least four games with a silver helmet bearing a blue star on his head.​

The Packers, for example, would be an ideal destination. And the higher Green Bay climbs in the postseason, the more attractive it will be for the team to give up a couple of their picks.​

As to the Cowboys, their other top-level running back (Julius Jones) will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. But it could be that Jones wants to see where that first-round pick he pilfered from the Browns for Brady Quinn lands on the board, since Jones might opt to let Jones walk and to take the extra picks for Barber if Jones thinks he can land Darren McFadden. ​

 

[MichaelWinicki]

File under the heading of "hmm"...

 

[HighTechDave]

File under the heading of "hmm"...

file under the heading of "let Julius go", IMHO. He overrates himself. There are a ton of backs that could replace his production.

Now as for Barber, time to lock down after 3/4 of the season is over. Still more proof needed...


:starspin

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I doubt any team would give up a first and a third for Barber.

He's pretty good, but he's not THAT good.

 

[WarDaddy]

Signing either one of these guys is not a smart move right now. Gambling on McFadden isn't too wise either unless there is a plan to pickup a quality 3rd down or platoon back. If you sign Jones right now, it may not be a smart move b/c he may not produce plus you may spook Barber. Sign Barber right now and the same might happen. Let them both try to ball out for a long term deal this year and wait until after the draft...

 

[Cowboys22]

Barber's very good but no team is going to part with a 1st and 3rd for him. There have recently been bigtime franchise backs available for less and noone was interested. RBs can be had for much less and can found throughout the draft. Heck, we found him in the 4th. All that being said, I'd gladly take the 1st and 3rd. Three 1st round picks and 6 picks in rounds 1-3. We can do alot of damage with that much ammo!!!!!!

 

[Word Mofo]

I would take a 1st and a 3rd for Barber! C'mon Green Bay!!!

 

[Hypnotoad]

I wants all 31 picks in round one!

Make it happen Jerry.

 

[Coakleys Dad]

That would be so stupid to not extend him.

 

[Bizwah]

I'm not worried at all about Barber or Romo.

We'll sign Romo....no doubt. We'll not need to use any tag on him...Period.

I don't understand why so many media guys harp on him not being signed. Romo wants to be here......Jerry wants to sign him. Jerry will pay him.

We won't need to franchise Romo.

Now, I'll admit that losing Barber is a worry. If we can't come to an agreement with him, we have problems. JJ is pretty much gone. I know folks want us to try to draft the top CB...whoever he may be....But we have a potential issue at RB.

If we can't agree to a deal with Barber....then maybe we can use the franchise tag on him.

 

[Royal Laegotti]

file under the heading of "let Julius go", IMHO. He overrates himself. There are a ton of backs that could replace his production.

Now as for Barber, time to lock down after 3/4 of the season is over. Still more proof needed...


:starspin

Now that'd be a Jethro move, keep RoboJujo and let Barber get away. Or let both go and draft McFadden. Even if Dallas did draft McFadden I'd still want to keep barber and the Cowboys could have their own "Thunder and Lightning".

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Cowboys are in good cap shape so far. Cowboys are around $12 mil under the cap this year and that money can be used to help lock Romo/Barber/Crayton up long term. All three want to stay and Jerry Jones wants them here. No problem.

 

[HeHateMe]

Florio is a notorious Dallas hater.

He would love nothing more than to see this Dallas team torn apart.

He is constantly gossiping about the future of Romo and now Barber.

Please, Jerry has made all the right moves the past few years and with Dallas' cap in such a good position, Barber and Romo will be in Dallas for a long time.

 

[Royal Laegotti]

Please, Jerry has made all the right moves the past few years and with Dallas' cap in such a good position, Barber and Romo will be in Dallas for a long time.

Hope so! It'd be nice.ray:

 

[HardHittin'Witten]

I've had quite a bit to drink tonight and with all the talk about safety being a problem, for a split second, I thought this was a thread to bring in Brock Marion. :laugh2:

 

[eduncan22]

file under the heading of "let Julius go", IMHO. He overrates himself. There are a ton of backs that could replace his production.

Now as for Barber, time to lock down after 3/4 of the season is over. Still more proof needed...


:starspin

You want to get rid of JJ? That is madness.

 

[Hoofbite]

I doubt any team would give up a first and a third for Barber.

He's pretty good, but he's not THAT good.

like the guy said though, if your 1st is only a handful of picks from a 2nd and your 3rd the same to a 4th, are you really giving up that much.

Problem with that line of thought is that not many winning teams have absolutely no RB. Usually when it comes time to look at the playoff teams, a good portion can run the ball.

Basically, only GB is in the running.

In the event that there is a team that has that need and that low of a pick, I could see someone making a move.

I just don't see some team being that bad at running and still succeeding to the point to where they can say that they are a RB away from serious contention. Just doesn't happen. Team can win with a lop-sided offense if they can run the ball. Not many teams go deep into the playoffs being lop-sided and only being able to pass the ball.

 

[Wimbo]

It would be so completely absurd to let this go... there must be something in the works.

 

[AsthmaField]

I know Belicheat loved Marion Barber. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see NE give up a late first and a late 3rd for him. Lil' Bill knows the toughness he brings to a team and what great intangibles he brings.