CFZ Smart move will let both Zeke/Pollard go!

[Cowboyny]

one problem lol jerry jones !
he still likes zeke, said his stats dont show his true value lol.
and pollard, jerry will probably tag him or try to sign him to cheap deal.

you guys just dont seem to understand jerry , he isnt going to use logic or common sense.

It's not Jerry who is running the football business, it's his son. Any chance Stephen can save money, he will do so.

 

[garyv]

In my opinion, no need to discuss Zeke Elliot, he is finished and shouldn't come back in any capacity.

Pollard is a whole other discussion, he is a true homerun hitter where he can score anytime he touches the football, could even be better if the coaches allow him to be the guy, involve him in the screen/passing games. However, he is coming off serious injury that can affect his greatest strength-his explosiveness.

Extending running backs has been disasterous in today's game. Almost all running backs with their 2nd contracts fall off the cliff, we seen it with Zeke, Gurley and Bell. Look at the playoff teams, most have running back committees that are very cap friendly or have dual threat running backs that take on most of the load.

Yes, Pollard doesn't have much wear and tear, but they can draft multiple backs that can give them similar production at 1/3 the price.

This year is a very talented, deep, running back class, select one high (1-3) and another one on day 3. Could always sign a cheap veteran in fa as well.

Ive been saying cut Elliott take 6 mil cap hit. Don't resign Pollard or tag him save the 10 million.
Draft two RB's we have plenty of picks. They are cheaper 4 year deals and than you can take
Elliotts cap hit this year and next year your just paying two rookie contracts and Malik Davis.
One faster breakaway RB and one power short yardage back.

Here is the problem JJ and SJ don't think that way and have trouble moving on from the
Elliott's of the world.

 

[garyv]

Pollard is all about what the team doctors believe, if they say it's no a issue, then fine. Best thing to do is just tag him, see what happens in the draft and how he performs for a yr.

Don't like tagging Pollard for over 10 mil

 

[G2]

The RBs make me nervous, it's a mess. Pollard is 4 years in. Elliott is a bigger mess. All this money, drama, loyalty and injury talk makes me nervous.
This staff takes RBs about as serious as DTs, imo.

 

[G2]

Here is the problem JJ and SJ don't think that way and have trouble moving on from the
Elliott's of the world.

Fair point, to the point there's nothing of worth left. Usually just eat money.

 

[Cowboyny]

Don't like tagging Pollard for over 10 mil

I hated tagging Shultz, but imagine if they didn't how our passing offense would be.

 

[Clarke82]

And do what, and u known commodity. That would really help out 4, who needs all the help he can get to look like a legitimate franchise qb

Obviously, if you let Pollard & Zeke go, then you have to use a high draft pick on RB and perhaps a late rounder.

The good part of this is that RB's adapt to the NFL much quicker than most other positions.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

We may be a team that needs pay a RB big money since we are limited in the passing game!

 

[Prossman]

if Zeke is willing to greatly reduce his cap hit sure. Honestly I was reluctant want to resign Zeke to a long term 2nd contract, and he had 2 rushing titles to his credit. I dont want to resign polland to a second contract. Go draft a top young rb and lets roll.

 

[Loso86]

Obviously, if you let Pollard & Zeke go, then you have to use a high draft pick on RB and perhaps a late rounder.

The good part of this is that RB's adapt to the NFL much quicker than most other positions.

I feel you but it's also not a guarantee

 

[lukin2006]

Could you see Jones paying Pollard 11 million and Zeke 17 million in '23...oddly I could.

 

[garyv]

Obviously, if you let Pollard & Zeke go, then you have to use a high draft pick on RB and perhaps a late rounder.

The good part of this is that RB's adapt to the NFL much quicker than most other positions.

Honestly you would end up with the same numbers with two rookie RBs as you are getting with Elliott and Pollard right now. I like the fact you get rookie contracts, players hungry for a second contract and fresh legs.

 

[Risen Star]

I'd like to keep Pollard but I'd be willing to sacrifice him to get rid of Zeke.

It is absolutely inexcusable if Ezekiel Elliott is on the roster next year. His presence alone will hamstring the offense.

 

[SuspectCorner]

Many are hopeful Robinson falls that far, but I just don't see it, if this was a draft 10 years ago, he would be a top 5 pick.

If Robinson falls to around 20 - trade up. That kid is a stud.

 

[Cowboyny]

If Robinson falls to around 20 - trade up. That kid is a stud.

You don't trade up for a RB, period!

 

[Verdict]

Transition tag is 8.5 million for RBs is that an unreasonable amount to pay Pollard to see how he responds? In the short term he gets to explore other contract options, and the Cowboys get to match.

Cowboys should still draft a back somewhere between rounds 2 and 3.

If Pollard nets you a comp pick on his way out the door (3rd round) that is betting with house money.

 

[Whyjerry]

In my opinion, no need to discuss Zeke Elliot, he is finished and shouldn't come back in any capacity.

Pollard is a whole other discussion, he is a true homerun hitter where he can score anytime he touches the football, could even be better if the coaches allow him to be the guy, involve him in the screen/passing games. However, he is coming off serious injury that can affect his greatest strength-his explosiveness.

Extending running backs has been disasterous in today's game. Almost all running backs with their 2nd contracts fall off the cliff, we seen it with Zeke, Gurley and Bell. Look at the playoff teams, most have running back committees that are very cap friendly or have dual threat running backs that take on most of the load.

Yes, Pollard doesn't have much wear and tear, but they can draft multiple backs that can give them similar production at 1/3 the price.

This year is a very talented, deep, running back class, select one high (1-3) and another one on day 3. Could always sign a cheap veteran in fa as well.

I think they franchise Pollard. That seems to be the move. I dump Zeke and Schultz so that works nicely.

 

[Verdict]

Not Franchising Pollard would be an epic fail.

What do you think Pollard would get on the open market, and what sort of comp pick would you receive for that departure?

There are a lot of moving parts to this decision. Keeping Pollard “should” be a positive assuming he returns to 100 percent. If you keep him that’s one hole you don’t need to fill. It also probably increases his value in free agency next year when he comes off the tag, unless he gets injured again. Maximizes the comp pick.

On the other hand that’s $10m for a running back, that’s probably not built to be a full time RB. So you are probably going to have to spend a reasonably high draft pick on a RB if you keep Pollard anyway.

You could move on from Zeke and Pollard and draft a RB high (rounds 1-3) and then a really late flyer (or UDFA) as and save a ton of cap.

The least palatable (but maybe unfortunately most likely) is that they keep Zeke around (the team has made sounds about that) on a reduced contract to eliminate cap acceleration and let Pollard walk in free agency and draft the next Pollard. (I’m not advocating this-I just see this as something the team might do).

In their mind they save some cap, prevent cap acceleration, don’t admit their mistake, have their short yardage back, Dak’s buddy stays on the team, and a round and a round we go. The rookie ends up with a majority of the runs by mid season.

The only real advantage to the Cowboys doing this (from a fan perspective) is that the team will probably be more patient about drafting a RB than they would be if they cut Zeke and feel pressed to draft Pollard’s replacement.

I would rather see those higher picks used on other positions than RB, but always go BPA. OT, DT, LB, CB are all higher on my shopping list than RB.

 

[Sandyf]

As fans we look at the short term and what seems to be working for other teams. Rookie running backs are a great thing from a money stand point but are they really worth it. At most this draft there will be 4 up to 6 RBs that make an impact and only 2 that would be significant. But running for 1000 yards is not the only thing. Can they block a Safety or Corner on a blitz, can they help chip away at a DE that is overpowering the tackle, can they take on a LB running up the middle, can they catch the ball in traffic or the open when needed, will they run the right route, and on and on.

There is more than just yards. And go look at the stats of RBs not taken in the first two rounds on how they did in ALL categories and then see. Pollard was great this year and last year but look at year one and two and the mistakes he made. It takes time and it can and does cost you wins. That and the fact there is no guarantee that any two RBs we draft will even be good enough to make the team. Lots, if not all, of teams are looking for those special guys.

Is Zeke worth the $16.7 million cap hit, NO. But if he is willing to reduce his salary and right now he says he is then if enough reduction, then keep him. Is Pollard worth the franchise tag of $10 million, sure but you could probably sign him for say a 3 year $35 million contract that really is a 5 year deal with 2 voidable years and that cap number for 2023 would be around $5 million. And the out would be year 3 if Dallas chooses.

Should we still draft one, you bet especially if he is the best available at the pick, even if that is Robinson in the 1st (he won't be there). We all always worry about the cap that we are currently $7 million over the cap. You could probably name 3 or 4 at the bottom of the roster (Grier, Bond, Redwine, Calloway, Feheko would save $4 million) that would save you half of more of that number. We will restructure (going to happen whether you like it or not) Dak, Lawerence, Martin, and Gallup. Probably extend Tyron Smith for 2 years with Tyron taking a pay cut because probably going to be the swing OT in 2023. Those resturctures along with Zeke pay cut and 5 cuts would put Dallas some $60 million under the cap IF they choose to do so.

Things are always never what they seem to be, sort of like golf for those that play, hit a great shot and looks like it is a foot or two from the hole then when you get to the green it is some 10 feet away.

 

[blueblood70]

You don't trade up for a RB, period!