The NFL has to do something about RB compensation

[Keithfansince5]

Wow, what a strange argument.

Yeah, it kinda assumes that we're talking about the guys that actually are prepared to try.

Uh....

The context of your statement was ONLY 20 people in the US are capable of becoming an above average RB in the NFL. To which I said, there is no way we could ever know this for sure so to make a claim like this is baseless.

 

[erod]

The context of your statement was ONLY 20 people in the US are capable of becoming an above average RB in the NFL. To which I said, there is no way we could ever know this for sure so to make a claim like this is baseless.

OK, there's a guy on death row and another dude working at Lowe's in Hoboken who could have been but didn't realize it. Happy?

By that measure, there are a million brain surgeons in the US, too, that just didn't bother to study for that sophomore Biology exam. Right?

Geez, dude. This is just bizarre.

The point was, there are millions of people that can do most work. There are very few people who can succeed in the NFL at running back at a high level.

 

[Keithfansince5]

OK, there's a guy on death row and another dude working at Lowe's in Hoboken who could have been but didn't realize it. Happy?

By that measure, there are a million brain surgeons in the US, too, that just didn't bother to study for that sophomore Biology exam. Right?

Geez, dude. This is just bizarre.

The point was, there are millions of people that can do most work. There are very few people who can succeed in the NFL at running back at a high level.

I accept your reworded statement.

 

[blueblood70]

Full disclosure, I'm a running back guy. Love the running game. Emmitt is my favorite Cowboy of all time. Most of my all-time favorite football players are running backs.

That said, the NFL has to do something for these guys contractually. The system is WAY unfair for them.

Most draft picks that become great players take a good while to get there, often 2-3 years or more at the pro level. Then, they're rewarded with a HUGE contract after their rookie deal, and often another huge contract or two after after that one.

But not running backs.

Highly-drafted running backs are generally elite the moment they arrive at rookie OTAs. They're already about as good as they'll ever be, and they step right in and dominate from day one.

Gurley, Peterson, Sanders, Gore, George, Emmitt, Barkley, Zeke, McCoy, Andrews, Dickerson, McCutcheon, Campbell, Sims, Payton, and Dorsett (when Landry finally got over himself and put Tony in for good). There are hundreds of examples of them.

And now Zeke Elliott, who, off-field issues aside, is the most impactful player on the team and has been since his opening game. He's usually the best player on the field in any given game.

The league needs to address the fact that rookie running backs are WAY underpaid compared to the impact other players have initially, and the second contract potential those players have in comparison to running backs.

Often, these backs are a huge percentage of their teams offense, but take such a beating early that they go downhill quickly and never get paid like other players. They're the cheap help, although they are ultra critical to team success.

That needs to change because I don't want to see the best young running backs youth football insist on being converted to other positions over earning potential. Used to be that the best players wanted to play running back. Now, it's like financial death sentence.

Perhaps some sort of cap exception to pay them better? A different rookie scale for running backs to go with it? It's got to be simple to address.

Save the position. Pay these guys.

 

[erod]

I accept your reworded statement.

It's not re-worded. There are still about 20 guys on the planet that are above average running backs in the NFL.

 

[gimmesix]

Full disclosure, I'm a running back guy. Love the running game. Emmitt is my favorite Cowboy of all time. Most of my all-time favorite football players are running backs.

That said, the NFL has to do something for these guys contractually. The system is WAY unfair for them.

Most draft picks that become great players take a good while to get there, often 2-3 years or more at the pro level. Then, they're rewarded with a HUGE contract after their rookie deal, and often another huge contract or two after after that one.

But not running backs.

Highly-drafted running backs are generally elite the moment they arrive at rookie OTAs. They're already about as good as they'll ever be, and they step right in and dominate from day one.

Gurley, Peterson, Sanders, Gore, George, Emmitt, Barkley, Zeke, McCoy, Andrews, Dickerson, McCutcheon, Campbell, Sims, Payton, and Dorsett (when Landry finally got over himself and put Tony in for good). There are hundreds of examples of them.

And now Zeke Elliott, who, off-field issues aside, is the most impactful player on the team and has been since his opening game. He's usually the best player on the field in any given game.

The league needs to address the fact that rookie running backs are WAY underpaid compared to the impact other players have initially, and the second contract potential those players have in comparison to running backs.

Often, these backs are a huge percentage of their teams offense, but take such a beating early that they go downhill quickly and never get paid like other players. They're the cheap help, although they are ultra critical to team success.

That needs to change because I don't want to see the best young running backs youth football insist on being converted to other positions over earning potential. Used to be that the best players wanted to play running back. Now, it's like financial death sentence.

Perhaps some sort of cap exception to pay them better? A different rookie scale for running backs to go with it? It's got to be simple to address.

Save the position. Pay these guys.

They have the option of holding out for a new contract when they prove themselves early. This is the way the system works.

If Elliott holds out, there will be plenty who say he should be cut, etc., but he's just conducting business. That's where the system is fair. What's not fair is blaming the players who don't "honor" their contract. The team can cut players without a sideways glance. Players who have "outplayed" their original deals have every right to try to use whatever pressure they are allowed to try to get a new deal.

A holdout would not make me happy, but it would be understandable IMO. It would also be understandable for Dallas to not be willing to give him a new contract at this point because of concerns over personal conduct.

 

[HungryLion]

I accept your reworded statement.

 

[gjkoeppen]

Full disclosure, I'm a running back guy. Love the running game. Emmitt is my favorite Cowboy of all time. Most of my all-time favorite football players are running backs.

That said, the NFL has to do something for these guys contractually. The system is WAY unfair for them.

Most draft picks that become great players take a good while to get there, often 2-3 years or more at the pro level. Then, they're rewarded with a HUGE contract after their rookie deal, and often another huge contract or two after after that one.

But not running backs.

Highly-drafted running backs are generally elite the moment they arrive at rookie OTAs. They're already about as good as they'll ever be, and they step right in and dominate from day one.

Gurley, Peterson, Sanders, Gore, George, Emmitt, Barkley, Zeke, McCoy, Andrews, Dickerson, McCutcheon, Campbell, Sims, Payton, and Dorsett (when Landry finally got over himself and put Tony in for good). There are hundreds of examples of them.

And now Zeke Elliott, who, off-field issues aside, is the most impactful player on the team and has been since his opening game. He's usually the best player on the field in any given game.

The league needs to address the fact that rookie running backs are WAY underpaid compared to the impact other players have initially, and the second contract potential those players have in comparison to running backs.

Often, these backs are a huge percentage of their teams offense, but take such a beating early that they go downhill quickly and never get paid like other players. They're the cheap help, although they are ultra critical to team success.

That needs to change because I don't want to see the best young running backs youth football insist on being converted to other positions over earning potential. Used to be that the best players wanted to play running back. Now, it's like financial death sentence.

Perhaps some sort of cap exception to pay them better? A different rookie scale for running backs to go with it? It's got to be simple to address.

Save the position. Pay these guys.

First off nobody holds a gun to the head of any player who signs a contract to play in the NFL. Even the lowest paid player makes more money than they would ever make if there was no NFL. RB's have the shortest career so you want them to be able to make the kind of money other positions make in a career who have many more years in their career. That doesn't sound fair for the other positions. Your logic of paying RB's more on their rookie contract is unworkable. There are only a small handful of RB's that starting their rookie season are good. To listen to you every RB on rookie contracts rushes for over 1000 yards every year and deserves more money. Last season there were a total of NINE backs with 1000 yards or more yet there are over 50 RB's in the league. RB may be your favorite position but giving them special treatment will only cause more problems with all the other positions.
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[gjkoeppen]

Then why do backup quarterbacks often make more than 80 percent of the starters on their teams?

Show me some kind of actual stat that says that. Yes some teams have highly paid backup QB's who were once starters on other teams and are insurance in case the most important player, the starting QB goes down with an injury. There are very few backup QB's that are paid more than starting offensive linemen or WR's. on their teams.
.

 

[gjkoeppen]

They have the option of holding out for a new contract when they prove themselves early. This is the way the system works.

If Elliott holds out, there will be plenty who say he should be cut, etc., but he's just conducting business. That's where the system is fair. What's not fair is blaming the players who don't "honor" their contract. The team can cut players without a sideways glance. Players who have "outplayed" their original deals have every right to try to use whatever pressure they are allowed to try to get a new deal.

A holdout would not make me happy, but it would be understandable IMO. It would also be understandable for Dallas to not be willing to give him a new contract at this point because of concerns over personal conduct.

Less than 1% of ALL NFL players hold out. Players that do that aren't just conducting business, they're showing the lack of character and honor they have by not honoring the legal binding contract they signed as a rookie. Those that support this type of action also show their lack of character and honor. There have been players who thought they were all of that and held out and the teams have cut them. No I don't think the Cowboys would cut Elliott, but that doesn't mean that he won't rack up the max fines per day for not reporting. So besides not getting paid he will be losing more money and will be forfeiting 2019 as an accrued season which means he'll then be a restricted free agent with will prevent him from becoming the highest paid RB in the league.
.

 

[Flamma]

They have the option of holding out for a new contract when they prove themselves early. This is the way the system works.

If Elliott holds out, there will be plenty who say he should be cut, etc., but he's just conducting business. That's where the system is fair. What's not fair is blaming the players who don't "honor" their contract. The team can cut players without a sideways glance. Players who have "outplayed" their original deals have every right to try to use whatever pressure they are allowed to try to get a new deal.

A holdout would not make me happy, but it would be understandable IMO. It would also be understandable for Dallas to not be willing to give him a new contract at this point because of concerns over personal conduct.

If Dallas doesn't give him a new contract it won't be due to personal conduct. It will be due to his value to the team and the cap hit they will take over the years. If they feel his value is worth the cap hit they'll resign him. If he's not worth it, it wouldn't matter if he was an angel, he's not getting a new contract. The Cowboys can consider personal conduct, but I would think that is a secondary consideration.

 

[Jake]

Full disclosure, I'm a running back guy. Love the running game. Emmitt is my favorite Cowboy of all time. Most of my all-time favorite football players are running backs.

That said, the NFL has to do something for these guys contractually.

No, they don't. The NFL is a quarterback-driven league these days. It's a shame for the few exceptional guys but for the most part RBs thrive in a good system with strong QB play. You don't need to rely on lining up and plowing teams into submission when receivers can run unfettered, have no fear of getting blown up, and top QBs get them the ball. Toss in any good, not necessarily great, back and your offense will be fine.

People swoon over Kamara but put him with Blake Bortles the last 3 years and he'd be seen much differently. LeVeon Bell was great in Pittsburgh, but let's see how he does with the Jets. Meanwhile, James Conner stepped in and the Steelers were 4th in offense without Bell.

The Patriots have gone through several successful backs with one constant - Brady. The ones who leave aren't as successful elsewhere.

We could argue about it but the NFL is showing what I'm saying by how they compensate RBs. "Fair" or not they aren't as crucial as they were in the past.

 

[coult44]

Please don’t talk about Seattle running the ball since Beast Mode left. It’s been 90% Wilson and that’s it.
Bottom line is The DC’s have ran the ball well for the last 10 years and we have Zero Superbowls.

 

[Brax]

1. How can a team pay every player what the players think they're worth?

you can't
2. Why bother signing a contract if you're not going to honor it?
Remember the contract was a rookie deal forced contract not something he could negotiate, I agree when second contracts are signed and not honored
3. I've been on the side of Zeke remaining with the team. The idea he should get to renegotiate his contract or hold out is weak, at best. Thing is, this is probably fake new and being pushed by some fans.

4. How about honoring your contract and then cashing in?[/QUOTE]

 

[LittleD]

OK, there's a guy on death row and another dude working at Lowe's in Hoboken who could have been but didn't realize it. Happy?

By that measure, there are a million brain surgeons in the US, too, that just didn't bother to study for that sophomore Biology exam. Right?

Geez, dude. This is just bizarre.

The point was, there are millions of people that can do most work. There are very few people who can succeed in the NFL at running back at a high level.

Who the heck cares... If Zeke wants to play then he should play and if not, hit the road jack. RB's are available every year and we just signed two this year. One if them will succeed behind this OL.

 

[JBond]

Full disclosure, I'm a running back guy. Love the running game. Emmitt is my favorite Cowboy of all time. Most of my all-time favorite football players are running backs.

That said, the NFL has to do something for these guys contractually. The system is WAY unfair for them.

Most draft picks that become great players take a good while to get there, often 2-3 years or more at the pro level. Then, they're rewarded with a HUGE contract after their rookie deal, and often another huge contract or two after after that one.

But not running backs.

Highly-drafted running backs are generally elite the moment they arrive at rookie OTAs. They're already about as good as they'll ever be, and they step right in and dominate from day one.

Gurley, Peterson, Sanders, Gore, George, Emmitt, Barkley, Zeke, McCoy, Andrews, Dickerson, McCutcheon, Campbell, Sims, Payton, and Dorsett (when Landry finally got over himself and put Tony in for good). There are hundreds of examples of them.

And now Zeke Elliott, who, off-field issues aside, is the most impactful player on the team and has been since his opening game. He's usually the best player on the field in any given game.

The league needs to address the fact that rookie running backs are WAY underpaid compared to the impact other players have initially, and the second contract potential those players have in comparison to running backs.

Often, these backs are a huge percentage of their teams offense, but take such a beating early that they go downhill quickly and never get paid like other players. They're the cheap help, although they are ultra critical to team success.

That needs to change because I don't want to see the best young running backs youth football insist on being converted to other positions over earning potential. Used to be that the best players wanted to play running back. Now, it's like financial death sentence.

Perhaps some sort of cap exception to pay them better? A different rookie scale for running backs to go with it? It's got to be simple to address.

Save the position. Pay these guys.

$25 million is plenty for a first contract. Time for Zeke to grow up.

• 2019 Salary Cap Charge: $7,940,653

• % of 2019 Team Cap: 3.96%

• 2019 Cash Payout: $3,853,137

• % of 2019 Team Cash Spending: 2.08%

• 2019 Cash to Cap Ratio: 0.49

• Total Contract Value: $24,956,338

• Annual Contract Value: $6,239,085

• Position Ranking: 10/196 at RB

• Fully Guaranteed Money: $24,956,338

 

[CowboyRoy]

Full disclosure, I'm a running back guy. Love the running game. Emmitt is my favorite Cowboy of all time. Most of my all-time favorite football players are running backs.

That said, the NFL has to do something for these guys contractually. The system is WAY unfair for them.

Most draft picks that become great players take a good while to get there, often 2-3 years or more at the pro level. Then, they're rewarded with a HUGE contract after their rookie deal, and often another huge contract or two after after that one.

But not running backs.

Highly-drafted running backs are generally elite the moment they arrive at rookie OTAs. They're already about as good as they'll ever be, and they step right in and dominate from day one.

Gurley, Peterson, Sanders, Gore, George, Emmitt, Barkley, Zeke, McCoy, Andrews, Dickerson, McCutcheon, Campbell, Sims, Payton, and Dorsett (when Landry finally got over himself and put Tony in for good). There are hundreds of examples of them.

And now Zeke Elliott, who, off-field issues aside, is the most impactful player on the team and has been since his opening game. He's usually the best player on the field in any given game.

The league needs to address the fact that rookie running backs are WAY underpaid compared to the impact other players have initially, and the second contract potential those players have in comparison to running backs.

Often, these backs are a huge percentage of their teams offense, but take such a beating early that they go downhill quickly and never get paid like other players. They're the cheap help, although they are ultra critical to team success.

That needs to change because I don't want to see the best young running backs youth football insist on being converted to other positions over earning potential. Used to be that the best players wanted to play running back. Now, it's like financial death sentence.

Perhaps some sort of cap exception to pay them better? A different rookie scale for running backs to go with it? It's got to be simple to address.

Save the position. Pay these guys.

Zeke is getting paid plenty of money on his rookie contract. Just because its not some stupid amount like 15 million per year doesn't mean we have to change the system.

 

[gimmesix]

Less than 1% of ALL NFL players hold out. Players that do that aren't just conducting business, they're showing the lack of character and honor they have by not honoring the legal binding contract they signed as a rookie. Those that support this type of action also show their lack of character and honor. There have been players who thought they were all of that and held out and the teams have cut them. No I don't think the Cowboys would cut Elliott, but that doesn't mean that he won't rack up the max fines per day for not reporting. So besides not getting paid he will be losing more money and will be forfeiting 2019 as an accrued season which means he'll then be a restricted free agent with will prevent him from becoming the highest paid RB in the league.
.

I disagree that it shows a lack of character. I don't like it when players choose that route, but they are the ones who are dealing with a fairly short career to maximize their earnings. It's easy to say just wait until your contract is up, but in a high-impact game where your career can be over in a snap, signing a contract is never meant to be the end of the negotiations.

Players (and their agents) who know that they are playing for less than their market value understand they need to get their money while they can. It's why Emmitt Smith held out in 2013. He had played above his contact. If he had played poorly, do you think the team would have hesitated to cut him? Do the teams lack character and honor when they give someone a five-year contract and cut them after two?

I deal with people every day who outperform their pay level here and leave for another job that pays more. There's nothing wrong with their character or honor for doing that. Contracts are just a starting point for both the team and the player in the NFL. If the player is underperforming his deal, then the team tries to pay him less or cuts him like Dallas did with Allen Hurns. If a player is overperforming then he seeks a better deal and can be forced to hold out in order to get it.

In your world where that player lacks character and honor, do you hold the team to the same standard for not honoring the deal it had with Hurns?

 

[kskboys]

Please don’t talk about Seattle running the ball since Beast Mode left. It’s been 90% Wilson and that’s it.
Bottom line is The DC’s have ran the ball well for the last 10 years and we have Zero Superbowls.

Of course. Running the ball is only one facet of winning super bowls. D and OLine are also biggies.

 

[gimmesix]

If Dallas doesn't give him a new contract it won't be due to personal conduct. It will be due to his value to the team and the cap hit they will take over the years. If they feel his value is worth the cap hit they'll resign him. If he's not worth it, it wouldn't matter if he was an angel, he's not getting a new contract. The Cowboys can consider personal conduct, but I would think that is a secondary consideration.

My hesitancy would be the fact that he has been suspended once and put himself in a position where he could have gotten suspended again. As far as ability goes, he deserves to be paid as the top back in the league based on his play. Dallas would prefer, as would any employer, not to have to raise his salary until absolutely necessary.

Frankly, I would not negotiate with him at this point. If he wants to hold out until he has to come in, that's fine. We don't need to see him in the preseason. I just have no vehemence if he desires to cash in on his success and chooses to try to force the team to do it, even if I would not up his pay yet. Like Emmitt Smith did, this is really his only avenue for getting paid at his value now and not risking that something happens to lower his value.

If it wasn't for the off-the-field questions, I would be far less hesitant about paying him now because there's a very good likelihood that he would be able to play out any contract given to him at this point. Two years from now, he might not have another four or five years in him.