TLH: Cowboys Rumors, plan for Pollard and Zeke is the worst-case scenario

[Kingofholland]

I don't see how this is the worst case scenario. To me it would be paying 12 million a year to Pollard on a long term deal, then keeping Zeke at his current salary and committing 27 million t the RB position.

Retaining Pollard is important in the short term, but I would draft another back in round 2 or 3 to take Zekes spot. If Zeke wants to return he's going to have to give the Cowboys 10+ million in savings and be open to a reserve role. I do worry about him being a progress stopper having not run for over a 100 yards in 30 games but he does carry some short yardage value and has had success punching in TDs. They could go with a 3 RB rotation.

Give Pollard 60% of snaps, have the rookie spell Pollard, and bring Zeke in for short yard situations.

 

[rambo2]

https://thelandryhat.com/2023/02/08...rd-ezekiel-elliott-franchise-tag-restructure/

Cowboys Rumors: Plan for Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott is the worst-case scenario​

by Jerry Trotta2 minutes ago


Much like appointing Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator after Kellen Moore was surprisingly let go, Dallas Cowboys fans believe they have a strong pulse on the team’s plans for the running back position.

With Tony Pollard headed for unrestricted free agency, and coming off high-ankle surgery, and Ezekiel Elliott having zero guaranteed money left on his contract after he performed like a mid-tier (at best) running back in 2022, the Cowboys face tough decisions with their two-headed backfield monster.

Ideally, Dallas pulls the plug on Elliott and saves $10.9 million in salary cap space in the process. Zeke has made $70 million in his career until this point, so nobody should feel sorry if the Cowboys decide to make him a cap casualty.

Pollard, on the other hand, is a much murkier situation to navigate. Most fans want him back — Jerry Jones included — but at the right price.

The Cowboys still have plenty of time to mull this over, but the latest buzz from Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline is quite literally the nightmare scenario fans envisioned once Dallas’ season ended at the hands of the 49ers.

Per Pauline, the Cowboys plan to restructure Elliott’s contract, while the expectation is Pollard will be given the franchise tag.

Fish says that Pauline is making stuff up and the Cowboys haven't decided what they are going to do.

 

[Bagman]

If Zeke was the BEST RB in the league, he still wouldn't be worth his contract. Obviously we all know he's done, but Jerry won't let go. Jerry's like one of those 40-50 yr old moms with a Rick Springfield poster on their walls. A rich old fan with enough cash to play NFL GM. Pathetic.

 

[rambo2]

If Zeke was the BEST RB in the league, he still wouldn't be worth his contract. Obviously we all know he's done, but Jerry won't let go. Jerry's like one of those 40-50 yr old moms with a Rick Springfield poster on their walls. A rich old fan with enough cash to play NFL GM. Pathetic.

The Cowboys could very well cut Zeke. If they tag Pollard and draft a good back. They will cut Zeke and keep Davis.

 

[Sydla]

Cue the whining

Would i keep Elliott if he restructures? Yes

Would i be mad if he was let go? I love Elliott but he's past his prime but he can still get you 800-900 yards as RB2

Should they possibly let both go and rock with Malik Davis and a proven RB in free agency (not premier but proven) yes thats great as well

all options work imo its however they want to go

Why would you want to restructure? All that does is kick more cap hits into future years making it tougher to cut him a year or two from now.

Even you admit he’s not as good as before so why the hell would you want to jam more cap money into future years knowing he’s on a decline?

 

[Sydla]

Fish says that Pauline is making stuff up and the Cowboys haven't decided what they are going to do.

LOL as if Fish spits truth all the time.

 

[rambo2]

LOL as if Fish spits truth all the time.

He does get good info from inside the organization.

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

If you were on the opposing defense would you fear Zeke? Most likely not. He needs to be shown the door.

 

[Cowpolk]

You suckers believe everything on the internet is true

Well the Earth is flat honest I read it

 

[Pass2Run]

Keeping Zeke is everything that’s wrong with this franchise.

A pure country club move.

I think Zeke could still play, if he wasn't his own worst enemy....

 

[Pass2Run]

https://thelandryhat.com/2023/02/08...rd-ezekiel-elliott-franchise-tag-restructure/

Cowboys Rumors: Plan for Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott is the worst-case scenario​

by Jerry Trotta2 minutes ago


Much like appointing Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator after Kellen Moore was surprisingly let go, Dallas Cowboys fans believe they have a strong pulse on the team’s plans for the running back position.

With Tony Pollard headed for unrestricted free agency, and coming off high-ankle surgery, and Ezekiel Elliott having zero guaranteed money left on his contract after he performed like a mid-tier (at best) running back in 2022, the Cowboys face tough decisions with their two-headed backfield monster.

Ideally, Dallas pulls the plug on Elliott and saves $10.9 million in salary cap space in the process. Zeke has made $70 million in his career until this point, so nobody should feel sorry if the Cowboys decide to make him a cap casualty.

Pollard, on the other hand, is a much murkier situation to navigate. Most fans want him back — Jerry Jones included — but at the right price.

The Cowboys still have plenty of time to mull this over, but the latest buzz from Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline is quite literally the nightmare scenario fans envisioned once Dallas’ season ended at the hands of the 49ers.

Per Pauline, the Cowboys plan to restructure Elliott’s contract, while the expectation is Pollard will be given the franchise tag.

Imagine any one of the top 12 backs in this draft, with Tony Pollard instead of the Zeke of the past couple of years....

 

[gimmesix]

I can't see how we justify keeping Zeke. He has no burst left. We could draft a RB in the mid rounds and replace his production as a back up and move on from him.

They can actually gain more money by restructuring him than cutting him, and I'm sure that's what they are thinking. I'd prefer they cut him because he's hit the wall. But there is nothing that says that they can't restructure him, franchise tag Pollard AND draft a running back in the midrounds.

 

[Pass2Run]

By the way, while we're talking about Zeke. People joke about others saying Zeke looks fat, but if you look at his tape from 2016 until now, he does look fat.

He could stand to lose about 15 pounds, and he might be a better back...

 

[gimmesix]

If Zeke’s deal gets redone he needs to take 6 million per year or less. That’s how much he’d cost over the next two years in dead cap if released. If he’ll take that amount we may as well keep him.

If we're going to restructure, I agree. HIs cap hit right now is $16.7 million and to cut him would cost us $11.8. If we take his nonguaranteed base down to $1 million, along with his guaranteed bonuses, that would take him to $6.7 million. Of course, it's a steep drop from $10.9 million base to $1 million, and we can spread that $11.8 to cut him over two years and be completely done with it.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Zeke's production nor projections merit his contract.

 

[CATCH17]

I think Zeke could still play, if he wasn't his own worst enemy....

What do you mean? He’s physically regressed so much that if you didn’t know his name he’d be lucky to be in the league.

 

[exciter]

I hate when people say things like "Cutting Elliott saves $10.9 million in salary" without any context.

Sure, you don't have to pay him $10.9 million in salary this year. But there is some context needed here. If you cut him pre June 1, for all intents and purposes from a cap perspective you don't save $10.9 million because you have to advance a crap ton of bonus, option and restructure money that is on the books in future years. Now, if you designate him a June 1, you save the $10.9 mllion because you can split the bonus/option/restructure cap hits over two seasons.

All that being said, restructuring Zeke is such a stupid and idiotic thing to do. Why in the @#$%ing world would you kick even more cap hits into future years when Elliott could be even less effective than he already is? You are making it tougher to just cut him and save cap space in future years. And how much does a restructure even save? You'd still have to take a 6-7 million cap hit for what is a backup TB. That's moronic.

I really hope these are just bogus rumors. But sadly, we are a dumb franchise run by two goobers who haven't shown in over two decades they know what they are doing.

If they release Zeke it will be designated as June 1st. Don’t even think there’s a question of that!

 

[john van brocklin]

You sure about that?

Lol, I put no confidence in this front offices' ability to not screw this up.

 

[DandyDon52]

COUNT ON Jones boys to muck it up lol.
Not sure why they luv zeky so much, but they do.

I cut zeke post june 1st and draft 1 or 2 RB's in rounds 4-7.
keep pollard if he signs team friendly , not sure how quick he can come back from that injury though.

 

[john van brocklin]

If Zeke was the BEST RB in the league, he still wouldn't be worth his contract. Obviously we all know he's done, but Jerry won't let go. Jerry's like one of those 40-50 yr old moms with a Rick Springfield poster on their walls. A rich old fan with enough cash to play NFL GM. Pathetic.

Who here trust Jerry to make the right decision?
Show of hands!