Shouldn't break the bank for Miller

[Galian Beast]

I absolutely would like to sign Lamar Miller in Free Agency, but I don't think we should shell out big money or a long term deal.

First I don't think a long term deal is in either of our interests. A one year deal worth about 3 or 3.5 million is probably appropriate.

A lot of things should give you pause. Miller was one of the highest rated running backs with yards before contact in 2014. I haven't seen the 2015 numbers, but that always give me pause. I thought Miami had a pretty subpar offensive line, but it does make me wonder how much of his success was his own.

As much as I don't want to rely on McFadden, I'm not absolutely sure that Miller is a huge upgrade from him, though I think he fits our system a lot better and would be a lot more consistent for us. The big question becomes cost.

The question then becomes does Miller believe in himself enough to come here on a one year deal and prove what he is capable of in a full time role? But even that is a bit uneven as the Cowboys may not be interested in offering him a full time role.

I would love to go into the season with Miller, McFadden, Dunbar. I think that shows real strength at the position, but we absolutely can't break the bank on these guys. I think we ultimately saw that Demarco Murray was overrated when he went to Philadelphia. The Eagles had a great offensive line two years ago, but they took a huge step back, and Murray wasn't a great fit. We saw the results.

I think Miller is slightly better than DeMarco Murray and might even fit our system slightly better than Murray even did. That gives me pretty high hopes as to what we could achieve with him, but the name of the game is the price is right.

I guess we'll see.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Jones believes in McFadden as our starter next year. Most likely we get a backup rb in the draft.

 

[AzorAhai]

How do you expect us to buy into this when whatever point you were trying to make is conflicted by your own words mere sentences later?

Not sure he's a huge upgrade from McFadden, but would be a lot better fit and a lot more consistent? How is that not a significant upgrade? Then you state he's a better fit than Murray and better than Murray. The same guy who ran for 1800 yards here... yet you want to offer him a 1 year deal for 3.5 million?? The only thing "we'll see" with that kind of offer is more McFadden as the workhorse. I don't know why you would even entertain the thought of that deal ever happening.

 

[Hardline]

Miller isn't signing a one year "prove it " deal.
He will get quite a bit more than the dollar amount you are calling for.

 

[LittleD]

Well, here's what I got from this thread... The Cowboys should only consider a 1yr prove it deal
for Miller. Miller will be looking for a long-term deal and probably get it from some team like
Atlanta or Arizona. Looks like this thread is making the case for looking at those worthy backs
in the draft. That's what I thought to begin with!

 

[phildadon86]

From what I've seen of miller given his little opportunities in Miami. I'd be willing to give him 5 million per for 4 years. He's 24 years old. Don't know really what I'd do on the guaranteed side though.

 

[Galian Beast]

Jones believes in McFadden as our starter next year. Most likely we get a backup rb in the draft.

Cowboys surrogates have put that out there, but I find this hard to believe. We'll see in the end though.

How do you expect us to buy into this when whatever point you were trying to make is conflicted by your own words mere sentences later?

Not sure he's a huge upgrade from McFadden, but would be a lot better fit and a lot more consistent? How is that not a significant upgrade? Then you state he's a better fit than Murray and better than Murray. The same guy who ran for 1800 yards here... yet you want to offer him a 1 year deal for 3.5 million?? The only thing "we'll see" with that kind of offer is more McFadden as the workhorse. I don't know why you would even entertain the thought of that deal ever happening.

I do think Miller would be a better fit for what we're doing and more consistent, but McFadden costs like 1.5 million or something... I said that Miller MIGHT be even better than Murray iwithin our system, which excites me, but that has yet to be seen. If you extrapolate McFadden's carries to the same number as Murray's the previous year you also get 1800 yards. So I think where you lost me is in that there isn't a huge difference between these players, but there is a difference, mainly consistency and age.

 

[Galian Beast]

From what I've seen of miller given his little opportunities in Miami. I'd be willing to give him 5 million per for 4 years. He's 24 years old. Don't know really what I'd do on the guaranteed side though.

I don't even think they wanted to give Murray 5 million per year...

 

[Chuck 54]

I'm betting we have zero interest in Miller. I don't think he's as talented as McFadden, nor would he start.
My bet is we go with what we have and add a young, complimentary back in the draft.

 

[LittleD]

I'm betting we have zero interest in Miller. I don't think he's as talented as McFadden, nor would he start.
My bet is we go with what we have and add a young, complimentary back in the draft.

Ding...Ding, We have a winner!!!
We might have some interest at the right price. Most likely this works out just like Murray in that
he's going to take the best money offer on the table. No discount to anyone.

 

[Alexander]

Spend the money on defense. Draft the running back.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

I like him on a 4 year deal for 7 mill a season

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

He is one of the top FAs available this year and he is going to sign a one year prove it type of deal to try to jump his price up for a long term deal the following year without having any red flags like Hardy did....yes...yes...that is very realistic.

 

[StarBoyz83]

He will want at least 5-6 mil. He's not an option for dallas.

 

[Longboysfan]

Miller isn't signing a one year "prove it " deal.
He will get quite a bit more than the dollar amount you are calling for.

I heard the 5 plus was the starting amount for him.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I absolutely would like to sign Lamar Miller in Free Agency, but I don't think we should shell out big money or a long term deal.

Rest assured, GB; the Cowboys will not shell out big money for a RB. If they get one, it will be a retread or a draft pick.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Miller isn't signing a one year "prove it " deal.
He will get quite a bit more than the dollar amount you are calling for.

Exactly. Miller is going to see much better offers then 3.5 IMO. The days of signing in Dallas for less money because you want to play in Dallas are long gone, assuming they ever existed at all. I HOPE that the market for Miller will be in the 6 million range. The deal to resign Doug Martin, currently being rumored, is 5 years/40 Mil. Basically a DeMarco deal. I don't know that Martin will get that much but I'm guessing he will sign for more then 3.5. I'm also guessing that Miller's deal will be in the same area.

JMO

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Spend the money on defense. Draft the running back.

This.

Spend the money (in free agency) on CB, LB, and DT. I still prefer the franchise QB but Elliott is one of my top three options at #4. Bosa and Ramsey are my other two choices.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

This.

Spend the money (in free agency) on CB, LB, and DT. I still prefer the franchise QB but Elliott is one of my top three options at #4. Bosa and Ramsey are my other two choices.

I don't know that I would spend a 4 on any RB in this draft. I, personally, would hate to see us do that. If we can't trade down then I would rather take another RB later. JMO

 

[gimmesix]

Jones believes in McFadden as our starter next year. Most likely we get a backup rb in the draft.

Sadly, I agree with you. We'll essentially put all of our hope in McFadden and probably be burned by it when his injury history shows back up. Dunbar is a fragile backup and who knows if what we get in the draft will even be worth putting on the field.

I think if we had a young proven starter in his prime, the draft is absolutely the way to go. Without that, we need to make sure we secure a player who can step in and take over for McFadden without missing a beat ... and possibly even surpass him.