Dak Watch Thread...

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Haven’t watched this yet, but I generally like his content.

 

[data]

From ex-NFL QB JT OSullivan. Well balanced critique.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Key words right there, shrinking cap. I think we're about to see something unprecedented, caps going down. Throws another wrench into all this.

 

[ravidubey]

Key words right there, shrinking cap. I think we're about to see something unprecedented, caps going down. Throws another wrench into all this.

If Dak wants he can keep signing FT deals.

31.4 + 37.68 + 54.26 = 123.34 million for three years (41.1 mil per year). Cap or no cap, there is no incentive to sign a deal that pays him less.

 

[Cotton]

Tucker: Why is Dak Prescott giving up the only leverage he really has?

By Ross Tucker 2h ago

Why now, Dak?

The Dallas Cowboys’ starting quarterback signed his $31.4M franchise tender on Monday. I still have not heard or figured out a good explanation as to why.

Was it a show of “good faith” in his current negotiations on a long-term contract with the team? Was he worried that the Cowboys might rescind the tender and he would have a tough time getting that much money for one year elsewhere? Could it have something to do with COVID-19? Or, perhaps, there is no major explanation other than he just wanted to and felt like the time was right?

I asked former long-time agent and Green Bay Packers executive Andrew Brandt about this on my podcast.

“My first reaction was that maybe this has something to do with concerns regarding the negative impact COVID-19 could have on the salary cap this year and he wanted to lock in the money,” said Brandt.

“But even then, that would only be a concern for this year and would require a belief that the Cowboys could possibly have rescinded the tender and that’s not going to happen so it still doesn’t make sense.”

What Prescott effectively did was remove the best leverage he has in his negotiation and that is the threat to hold out services. Even if he “isn’t like that” and “would never hold out,” as Cowboys fans have responded on social media, he still could’ve waited until after the July 15th deadline for a long-term deal had passed and then signed his one year tender well in advance of training camp.

Riding sidecar with those fans is the thought that it was a “good faith” gesture by Prescott.

Excuse me?

The guy who showed up for everything last offseason even though he was going into the last year of his contract and had made a grand total of $2.7 million in his first three seasons, two of which included trips to the divisional round of the playoffs? The same guy who set career highs across the board last year including 30 touchdown passes and close to 5K passing yards? The guy who has never missed a game, lining up under center with that iconic star on the side of his helmet for 67 straight games.

I think it’s fair to say Prescott has given more than his fair share of “good faith gestures” to the Cowboys at this point.

Besides, it’s been shown time and again that this is not how you get paid in Dallas. While Dak was showing up for everything on a contract paying him peanuts, his teammate Zeke Elliott sat out training camp last year even though he had made over $20M his first three years as the No. 4 overall pick in the draft and had two years left on his rookie contract.

It worked, as Zeke got a deal that made him the highest-paid running back in the NFL. Wide receiver Amari Cooper did not get his $100M deal that pays him $20M annually until he hit free agency in March. Point is, it’s pretty clear the Cowboys won’t pay a player top dollar unless and until they feel like they absolutely have to. That’s what their track record indicates.

Sitting out any or all of camp, or at least the threat of it, was the best leverage Dak had, especially as they go into yet another campaign with high expectations and a new head coach in Mike McCarthy. Unlike Zeke a year ago, the Cowboys wouldn’t even be able to fine Dak if he skipped parts of camp because he’s not under contract.

And while many out there will correctly point out that Prescott can’t get a long-term deal after the July 15th deadline, he still can negotiate more favorable terms on his one-year agreement. Maybe he asks for $35M this year instead of $31.4M? Perhaps, like new 49ers offensive lineman Trent Williams just did, he gets a clause inserted in his deal that prevents the Cowboys from placing the franchise tag on him again next year?

Now that he signed his tender, things like that aren’t really an option.

“Leverage is everything,” said Brandt, “and even after July 15, leverage is everything.”

Well, Prescott just gave his up.

“Maybe he and his reps decided there’s too much uncertainty with the virus,” said Brandt.

While I don’t think that makes sense because it would only affect him if the Cowboys decided to rescind the tag, something that is highly unlikely, absent any comment from Prescott or his camp it’s as good of an explanation as any.

Which is to say, not a particularly good one.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Yeah it's an odd timing for the move. But I guess I'll just take it as another good faith showing from Prescott that he wants to be in Dallas.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

If Dak wants he can keep signing FT deals.

31.4 + 37.68 + 54.26 = 123.34 million for three years (41.1 mil per year). Cap or no cap, there is no incentive to sign a deal that pays him less.

Yeah I don't think Dallas would do that third year. Just my guess. So Dak is sort of picking between 2 years at those numbers or 5 years at 35 mil right now. Which is probably why he would pick the 2 year deal. In 2 years he can sign a contract worth more than the 5 years at 35 mil. That deal would either come from the Cowboys or someone else. So the franchise route for Dak isn't really that bad of a scenario for him while I think it's a bad scenario for the Cowboys. The only thing good for the team out of that deal is that they can cut bait with Dak at any time.

 

[ravidubey]

Yeah I don't think Dallas would do that third year. Just my guess. So Dak is sort of picking between 2 years at those numbers or 5 years at 35 mil right now. Which is probably why he would pick the 2 year deal. In 2 years he can sign a contract worth more than the 5 years at 35 mil. That deal would either come from the Cowboys or someone else. So the franchise route for Dak isn't really that bad of a scenario for him while I think it's a bad scenario for the Cowboys. The only thing good for the team out of that deal is that they can cut bait with Dak at any time.

Since the hideous alternative is picking up a QB off the scrap heap or drafting one on the first or second day (basically sacrifice a chance at a deep playoff run), Dak can totally hold the team hostage.

He can collect 54.26 million fully guaranteed and then become an unrestricted FA the next season (yes, barring injury, but Dak is ridiculously durable).

What choice does Dallas have here with a healthy horse of a QB like Dak? Dak has openly said he's not giving the team a discount.

This new FT system is kind of broken. Why would his agent suddenly become a nice guy and let Dallas off the hook? 123.34 for three years plus another 41.1 million would probably be the minimum. That's 4 years 165.6 million.

Dallas has no choice here except pray Dak and his agent give them a break. They can successfully argue Dak's endorsements will die on the vine if he's out of Dallas and his supporting cast will suffer with so much money tied up with him personally.

But the front office are the ones on their knees here.

And just wait until Watson and then Mahomes sign extensions for it to get truly ridiculous.

 

[fortsbest]

4 years $150 would get it done now. IF they aren't willing to do that, they don't really believe he's the future. I don't think he's THAT good, but they really don't have much choice unless they plan on cutting him loose next year.

 

[Simpleton]

It'd be idiotic to let Dak play on the tag again this year, his value isn't going down with the talent we have offensively and I think at least one, if not both of Watson or Mahomes will have a new deal by the end of this season which could drive the price up even further, especially if Dak throws for about 35 TD's with our elite WR's.

There are two choices: 1. Stop fucking around and just do the 4-year deal at 35/year or 2. Grow a sack and explore what you could get for him in a trade.

That's it, one or the other.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

It'd be idiotic to let Dak play on the tag again this year, his value isn't going down with the talent we have offensively and I think at least one, if not both of Watson or Mahomes will have a new deal by the end of this season which could drive the price up even further, especially if Dak throws for about 35 TD's with our elite WR's.

There are two choices: 1. Stop fucking around and just do the 4-year deal at 35/year or 2. Grow a sack and explore what you could get for him in a trade.

That's it, one or the other.

Agreed. Just do a four year deal and stop being stubborn about a fifth or sixth year.

 

[Cotton]

 

[p1_]

Let’s see that adjusted for postseason play

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Dink and Dak!!!!! Stats be damned.

 

[ravidubey]

Dinking and Dakking was just his first two and a half years.

Dak hasn't had the coaching or defensive line Mahomes has had, nor the explosive talent, frankly. Mahomes would have also been frustrated in Dallas with its porous defensive front and Garrett.

But even without Garrett-penalty, this year is going to be very tough with the shortened offseason, new coach, and much tougher schedule.

Seahawks, Steelers, Vikings, Ravens, and 49ers aren't going to just prostrate themselves before the almighty hype-machine that is CeeDee Lamb-drafting Dallas. Cleveland and Philly will also be pains in the ass, let alone Atlanta and the Rams.

And losing Fred, Quinn, and Jones frankly sucks. But Poe and McCoy give me hope. If we can just get into the playoffs, maybe we could get to the damned NFC Championship game for once.

 

[NoDak]

Dinking and Dakking was just his first two and a half years.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Seahawks, Steelers, Vikings, Ravens, and 49ers aren't going to just prostrate themselves before the almighty hype-machine that is CeeDee Lamb-drafting Dallas. Cleveland and Philly will also be pains in the ass, let alone Atlanta and the Rams.

Eh. Not sure any of those teams are all that tough. There will be 2 or 3 pretty good teams in that bunch, but certainly none of them are overly daunting.

 

[Simpleton]

Eh. Not sure any of those teams are all that tough. There will be 2 or 3 pretty good teams in that bunch, but certainly none of them are overly daunting.

The Seahawks defense in particularly is very average when they don't have their crowd/noise behind them. Given that we play them in September I'd be completely shocked if they had anywhere near a full stadium, and if they don't I like our chances against that defense.

 

[Genghis Khan]

The Seahawks defense in particularly is very average when they don't have their crowd/noise behind them. Given that we play them in September I'd be completely shocked if they had anywhere near a full stadium, and if they don't I like our chances against that defense.

Agreed. Adding to that, I like our chances against most defenses. If we can come together quickly, I imagine we'll too much to handle for most if not every defense in the same way the chiefs are. Maybe more so considering Zeke.

 

[Simpleton]

Agreed. Adding to that, I like our chances against most defenses. If we can come together quickly, I imagine we'll too much to handle for most if not every defense in the same way the chiefs are. Maybe more so considering Zeke.

Yea my only concern is the whole coming together thing, having Moore will help ease the transition but there are going to be some growing pains with a new staff not being able to physically be with the players until late July.