The Zach Martin contract "situation" last year

[Flamma]

But Martin outperformed that contract and asked for another one.

Its funny that if Martin didn't outperform his contract they would've cut him and no one would blame this front office. But when the opposite happens and a guy outperforms his contract he's in the wrong for asking for money and vilified.

If Martin didn't live up to the tail end of his contract, would he have taken less? That's a rhetorical question. Teams cut players because they're not given a choice to pay them less.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Because? What does one have to do with the other?

Uhhh hold out, say it with me HOLD out!!

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

If Martin didn't live up to the tail end of his contract, would he have taken less? That's a rhetorical question. Teams cut players because they're not given a choice to pay them less.

Players can’t take pay cuts?

 

[beware_d-ware]

But Martin outperformed that contract and asked for another one.

Its funny that if Martin didn't outperform his contract they would've cut him and no one would blame this front office. But when the opposite happens and a guy outperforms his contract he's in the wrong for asking for money and vilified.

Yep. Loyalty is a two-way street or it's nothing. And in the NFL, it's the latter.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Uhhh hold out, say it with me HOLD out!!

That literally makes no sense.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Yep. Loyalty is a two-way street or it's nothing. And in the NFL, it's the latter.

Yep….they want loyalty but don’t give it…

 

[ClintDagger]

For those who are trying to draw parallels I think it comes down to how differently the two situations are being handled by fans.

Martin = pay the man his money!
CeeDee = typical, selfish, modern player!

There’s a double standard, but that’s nothing new.

Interesting. I feel like the fanbase was more down on Martin for holding out than they are now for Ceedee. I remember a lot of people pointing out how ZM was the highest paid at his position at one point and should have just played out his deal instead of coming back to the well. With Ceedee it seems like people agree that he’s arguably the best at his position right now.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

In the draft PC this year, Stephen explained how they had determined given the recent trend in contracts that it was impossible to keep 3 OL on VFA contracts and they were only going to pay 2 going forward and would need to draft more OL in the future.

Martin took less money so they could sign more people.

I understand both of their positions.

 

[Flamma]

Players can’t take pay cuts?

Of course they can. They don't. Just to let you know where I am coming from, I wouldn't either. But I wouldn't ask to have my contract restructured to pay me more. That is not the same as a holdout for an extension. Which I am not against.

 

[McKDaddy]

I was not happy about the Zach Martin holdout last year because when he signed his deal he was the top paid at his position. Then the market went up and he wanted to be paid again. I feel that’s BS. Dallas gave him his respect and money. He should have honored the deal. To me this is a microcosm of what’s important in Dallas. Martin signs for the highest at his position at the time and then wants to be redone as the market fluctuates. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I really wish our players competed for Super Bowls as much as they compete for salary.

Everybody who celebrates getting every penny you can should have been ecstatic. His play was clearly declining & he had the balls to ask for a raise. Played the odds that the owner would fold and got his money. Then proceeded to have the worst year of his career. What a competitor!!

 

[McKDaddy]

But Martin outperformed that contract and asked for another one.

He most certainly wasn't outperforming the contract he was under. He signed the extension in 2018 as the highest paid G in history (I believe). The fact that salaries increased over the next 5 years was no surprise to him, his agent or anyone else. Holding out reveals a lot about him and why he might not a player committed to winning championships.

 

[McKDaddy]

Interesting. I feel like the fanbase was more down on Martin for holding out than they are now for Ceedee. I remember a lot of people pointing out how ZM was the highest paid at his position at one point and should have just played out his deal instead of coming back to the well. With Ceedee it seems like people agree that he’s arguably the best at his position right now.

The point I keep trying to make is there is a difference between the 2nd contract (after the rookie deal) and contracts down the road.

The player coming off the rookie deal has been underpaid and had little to no protection against injury, etc.. Once a player has the 2nd contract that pays them at or near the top of their position giving them financial security for life & protection against injury, etc., they should honor the deal. Not saying they can't again be paid relative to their play once they have completed their obligation. But they don't have some magical right to demand new deals while under contract just because they want one.

 

[Flamma]

Interesting. I feel like the fanbase was more down on Martin for holding out than they are now for Ceedee. I remember a lot of people pointing out how ZM was the highest paid at his position at one point and should have just played out his deal instead of coming back to the well. With Ceedee it seems like people agree that he’s arguably the best at his position right now.

Yes. Because the two holdouts are totally different. CD isn't asking for more money in his current contract. ZM is. Night and day.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Of course they can. They don't. Just to let you know where I am coming from, I wouldn't either. But I wouldn't ask to have my contract restructured to pay me more. That is not the same as a holdout for an extension. Which I am not against.

So Martin would’ve been ok with you had he waited until his deal was up to ask for what he should’ve been paid?

 

[Flamma]

So Martin would’ve been ok with you had he waited until his deal was up to ask for what he should’ve been paid?

I'm not ok with signing a contract that you agreed to, then wanting to alter it. This is totally different than a holdout for a rookie.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

He most certainly wasn't outperforming the contract he was under. He signed the extension in 2018 as the highest paid G in history (I believe). The fact that salaries increased over the next 5 years was no surprise to him, his agent or anyone else. Holding out reveals a lot about him and why he might not a player committed to winning championships.

You don’t have to worry about Martins commitment focus on your owner…you think he’s committed but Martin isn’t who busts his as all season long and rarely misses?

 

[McKDaddy]

You don’t have to worry about Martins commitment focus on your owner…you think he’s committed but Martin isn’t who busts his as all season long and rarely misses?

I have to worry about both. When did I say Jerry was committed to winning on the field? Does Martin showing up & playing really mean he's fully committed? Does he do everything he can to prepare himself to be the best player he can be? Before you answer yes to those, remember that you don't know.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I have to worry about both. When did I say Jerry was committed to winning on the field? Does Martin showing up & playing really mean he's fully committed? Does he do everything he can to prepare himself to be the best player he can be? Before you answer yes to those, remember that you don't know.

How don’t we know? He plays at a high level every season in and out and he will until Father Time says otherwise. I can’t say the same for Jerry or his son. Zack Martin is coming off yet another All Pro. I don’t get what evidence you have to question Martins commitment? Based on what? The whole team choking against Green Bay? Those picks are his truly? The defense sucking on him?

 

[Proof]

But Martin outperformed that contract and asked for another one.

Its funny that if Martin didn't outperform his contract they would've cut him and no one would blame this front office. But when the opposite happens and a guy outperforms his contract he's in the wrong for asking for money and vilified.

difference being if you get cut you've likely already been overpaid (relative to performance) and can still go get another job.

 

[McKDaddy]

How don’t we know? He plays at a high level every season in and out and he will until Father Time says otherwise. I can’t say the same for Jerry or his son. Zack Martin is coming off yet another All Pro. I don’t get what evidence you have to question Martins commitment? Based on what? The whole team choking against Green Bay? Those picks are his truly? The defense sucking on him?

Do you have an evidence that he is working every off-season on feet & hand movements? Balance drills? Anything other than the Cowboys mandated time in the gym?

He was rated what 8th best OG in football and everyone agrees it was the worst of his career but somehow first string All Pro. Nothing about that smells fishy to you? Could be that Father Tim has already been speaking but some aren't listening.