Tony Pollard participates in RB summit over market value

[Rayman70]

Something along those lines actually helps more players get paid more money
Right now it’s a select few positions eating up a large chunk of the cap. Grant it those positions do have more impact so it’s complicated

I been saying for years we need a hard cap for each position on a team. An allotment just for running backs,QB's etc. We have a hard rookie cap when guys are drafted. Why not a hard set cap for vets? I think it makes sense and keeps teams more viable and competitive.

 

[Rayman70]

That's not a running backs union.
I mean a separate entity that is RB specific.

a hard cap is the answer position by position based on years vested in the league. Incentives can achieve this as well. Make it performance based. But CAP IT AT A SET MAX. That will put an end to this nonsense . That way they can't cry foul when they know the financial system they are in. The blurred lines are made crystal clear.

 

[Rayman70]

Saquon Barkley last year: 295 carries, 1312 yards, 4.4 YPC. He wants more than 13m$ a season.

Zach Moss, Devin Singleterry and James Cook last year for the Bills: 283 carries, 1517 yards, 5.4 YPC. They will make a combined 5m$ in 2023.

Josh Jacobs: 340 carries, 1653 yards, 4.9 yards per attempt. Also wants 13+m$ AAV.

Kenneth Walker, Rashaad Penny, Deejay Davis for the Seahawks: 320 carries, 1582 yards, 4.9 yards per carry. They will make a combined 4.5m$ in 2023.

That 10m$ difference is the difference between Tyler Biadasz and Jason Kelce; Jonathan Allen and Aaron Donald; Derek Barnett and Haason Reddick; Odell Beckham and AJ Brown.

The arguments for paying RBs are surface level at best. It’s unfortunate for the players, but it’s not as if the owners are pocketing that money; it’ll just go to other more valuable players instead

Saquan has earned 50 mil so far in the NFL. I think he is paid just fine, market value and then some. Zeke was paid way more than market value so maybe the team should ask for a check from him. Thats the danger teams see. paying a rb that 2nd deal and getting burned. Heck maybe the answer is making it a rule that all running backs are allowed to become free agents when their rookie deal ends. They can test the market then and seek higher wages. MAYBE that is 1 way.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Saquan has earned 50 mil so far in the NFL. I think he is paid just fine, market value and then some. Zeke was paid way more than market value so maybe the team should ask for a check from him. Thats the danger teams see. paying a rb that 2nd deal and getting burned. Heck maybe the answer is making it a rule that all running backs are allowed to become free agents when their rookie deal ends. They can test the market then and seek higher wages. MAYBE that is 1 way.

I think it’s a tough solution either way. maybe if the nfl was serious about the PR of it they could put a mandatory per-carry incentive on all nonrookie contracts. So if a feature back gets 300 carries he gets a big bonus at the end of the season. But then that may coerce teams into using committees more to avoid the incentives, and thus bringing us back to where we are now

 

[jazzcat22]

Do you really imagine he should be doing 16 hours a day of rehab work? Is that really the argument here?it was a joke…

It was a joke…dang….

 

[KingCorcoran]

That's not a running backs union.
I mean a separate entity that is RB specific.

A player can represent himself in contract negotiations or use an NFLPA certified player agent. The CBA forbids any entity except the NFLPA negotiating labor agreements with the NFL.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Why is he not doing rehab work. We need to see that he is running and cutting…but …noooo…they need to cry about their paychecks….

nice parody

 

[Pass2Run]

The problem here is TP is making $11 million in 2023.

What is he complaining about?

Yes, RBs take a pounding that can set them up for CTE etc. But you're still making 11 million in a year

 

[T-RO]

Tony Pollard's tag price of $10 mil sounds about right. If Pollard wants more per year than that, he's definitely being greedy.

I've been the biggest Pollard fan on this site for years. I've been telling you fools Tony is better than Zeke...for at least 3 years now.

And Tony just might indeed deliver or exceed $10 million in value. But if the question comes up next offseason to pay him another $10 mil for another season...I pass.

You just can't bet on aging running backs.

 

[Hadenough]

When you think about top WRs getting 20 mil a season that is crazy. They might have 10 catches in a game and have to do some blocking on CBs. Top teir RBs might have 25 carries and 5 - 6 catches and be asked to block Dline and LBs. The RB has more involvement in the game. They should get a 1 year rookie contract and after that be up for negotiations. Barkley and Ekler are worth 18 to 20 mil a season.
The problem Is they are used up after 5 years. They need to get their money early at that position.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I've been the biggest Pollard fan on this site for years. I've been telling you fools Tony is better than Zeke...for at least 3 years now.

And Tony just might indeed deliver or exceed $10 million in value. But if the question comes up next offseason to pay him another $10 mil for another season...I pass.

You just can't bet on aging running backs.

Considering how many top RB's are FA's next year, Pollard won't get the new deal he wants. He probably won't take less than his tagged amount this year and more than likely that price point will already be higher than the Cowboys will want to go. Bottom line - this is likely his last year in Dallas.

 

[TexasBoys2288]

I smell a Running Back strike coming. My crystal ball tells me a lot of young backs will be given a chance to take over the position too.

 

[John813]

It's unfortunate, but they play a position in the NFL that has the most supply and their demand isn't that high.

Outside of a prime: Kamara, a non broken CMC and a Henry there's not too many backs that are heads and shoulders above the rest. Sure, some could be bellcows or have a hint of more speed/elusiveness etc, but by year 5 do they still have that ability to still be clear cut above and with a new bigger contract?

 

[Doomsday77]

Unfortunately, that's how the game has shaken out at this point, RBs best years happen to be the initial four or five years which happen to be the ones under the rookie contract. So when it comes time for an extension, they are up the creek without a paddle. Not a lot of leverage because they can now easily be replaced by another rookie RB. If the NFL wanted to be fair to RBs now, it would be to increase their rookie pay cap. Knowing that an extension may wind up as a pay cut if they want to be still employed. As was stated above, the evolution of today's back is being versatile and excellent on both the run and pass game,------- speed, quickness, elusiveness and great hands. Workhorse backs are being put to pasture.

The QB money has gotten so out of control it has affected the other skill position players with WR coming up next. They may be the next ones to start to feel the effects. OL market value is going up.

All true except (and I might be wrong on this) but didn't Zeke do exactly that when he leveraged his big contract before the rookie deal was done? He was that good and knew he was getting banged up so now similar backs will use this strategy...if they are as good as Zeke was initially.

 

[Big_D]

I smell a Running Back strike coming. My crystal ball tells me a lot of young backs will be given a chance to take over the position too.

Go on strike and then find out how replaceable you really are. I dont see teams bowing down. It’ll be time to move on at that point.

 

[aikemirv]

Sadly, while some youth and even HS QBs can transition to QB or WR or CB, many RBs are only suited for that RB position by physical attributes, so when a starting RB gets the franchise tag and earns more than 10 million for one season, he had better sign it like Pollard as that is as good as it’s going to get.

It is going to take talent from the RB position in HS and younger to other positions. Those guys will be able to play a different position like secondary possibly if they start their careers there or maybe it leads them to a different sport to use that athletic ability. In the long run if they don't fix something the talent pool will slowly go down and you will just have WR and HB/FB's. A true RB will no longer exist in the NFL - it barely does now!

I think fixing the rookie contracts for these guys is the only possible fix and even that may cause the RB draft position to slide.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

That’s the reason they’re not getting paid because of the punishment they take early in their careers. By the time their second contract comes around they’re already showing signs of wear and tear. Teams are using multiple backs. RB is one of the easiest positions to find a good player.

Yes of course, maybe their initial rookie contracts should come with more guarantees? I don’t know the answer for them. NFLPA needs to do better for them.

We’re so ready to discard our RBs but also, we expected them to be arguably the best skill player on offense. It’s a unique problem for that position.

 

[DeaconMoss]

Off the top of my head Jacobs, Taylor, Pollard, and Chubb have all been shorted. I understand the market, but those guys have a larger impact and more talent than a lot of lesser players who are paid more at other positions.

CMC, Ekler, Mixon and Henry have all been paid, I thought?

Barkley was great last year, but he has been hurt a lot and not produced a lot. I understand wanting him to prove himself again.

Pollard was a change of pace back. And has admitted he cant carry the rock full time. Shorted?

 

[CWR]

Pollard was a change of pace back. And has admitted he cant carry the rock full time. Shorted?

You're probably right, I shouldn't have included TP on there.

He is more than a change of pace though. That has been obviously demonstrated. Still he needs to show out as a starter.

We all saw him coming on. I begged the FO to get him under contract last off season and they drug their feet.

 

[shabazz]

We’re gonna see a commercial about needy RBs and how we can donate to help their cause. Like the sad commercials about abused and neglected animals. Maybe we can get a shirt if we donate.

Yup, Whole Foods will have a collection can with a picture of Saquon buying non-organic produce on it so we can donate and get back on track