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Does Victor Cruz's contract impact Dez Bryant?
May, 8, 2013
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
When you look at some of the younger wide receivers in the NFL, finances are a major part of the discussion.
Which brings us to what the New York Giants' Victor Cruz is looking for from his team and what Dez Bryant could potentially demand from the Dallas Cowboys.
Cruz was tendered by the Giants at $2.8 million but wants a long-term deal averaging close to $10 million a season. The Giants want him to average less than that.
What does this mean for Bryant?
The young receiver is signed through 2014 and will make base salaries of $1.5 million in 2013 and $1.7 million in 2014. He's also slated to make $500,000 in workout bonuses the next two seasons.
Bryant is coming off a career season where he had 92 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's emerged as Tony Romo's main target in the passing game and might become the emotional leader of the offense if he continues on his current path.
The Cowboys need to be cautious what they pay Bryant because of his questionable decisions off the field -- which, in fairness, don't seem to be an issue anymore -- and what the top receivers make.
Larry Fitzgerald ($16.1 million), Calvin Johnson ($15.6 million), Andre Johnson ($14.4 million), Mike Wallace ($12 million) and Dwayne Bowe ($11.2 million) are at the top of the average salaries per seasons for wide receivers.
Does Cruz belong at that level? What about Bryant?
Whatever Cruz gets, Bryant's agent, Eugene Parker, will look at and make sure he tells Jerry and Stephen Jones to take care of his client from a financial standpoint.
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Honestly, with Bryant's instability, I would be scared if we took him above the Mike Wallace range. I do think he is maturing, but I am not buying he's completely there.
As for Cruz, I don't think he's nearly as elite as any of the top four guys. To me, he's a lot like Miles Austin, except healthier. Hopefully the Giants think otherwise and bust their cap open to pay him.
May, 8, 2013
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
When you look at some of the younger wide receivers in the NFL, finances are a major part of the discussion.
Which brings us to what the New York Giants' Victor Cruz is looking for from his team and what Dez Bryant could potentially demand from the Dallas Cowboys.
Cruz was tendered by the Giants at $2.8 million but wants a long-term deal averaging close to $10 million a season. The Giants want him to average less than that.
What does this mean for Bryant?
The young receiver is signed through 2014 and will make base salaries of $1.5 million in 2013 and $1.7 million in 2014. He's also slated to make $500,000 in workout bonuses the next two seasons.
Bryant is coming off a career season where he had 92 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's emerged as Tony Romo's main target in the passing game and might become the emotional leader of the offense if he continues on his current path.
The Cowboys need to be cautious what they pay Bryant because of his questionable decisions off the field -- which, in fairness, don't seem to be an issue anymore -- and what the top receivers make.
Larry Fitzgerald ($16.1 million), Calvin Johnson ($15.6 million), Andre Johnson ($14.4 million), Mike Wallace ($12 million) and Dwayne Bowe ($11.2 million) are at the top of the average salaries per seasons for wide receivers.
Does Cruz belong at that level? What about Bryant?
Whatever Cruz gets, Bryant's agent, Eugene Parker, will look at and make sure he tells Jerry and Stephen Jones to take care of his client from a financial standpoint.
----------------
Honestly, with Bryant's instability, I would be scared if we took him above the Mike Wallace range. I do think he is maturing, but I am not buying he's completely there.
As for Cruz, I don't think he's nearly as elite as any of the top four guys. To me, he's a lot like Miles Austin, except healthier. Hopefully the Giants think otherwise and bust their cap open to pay him.
