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2019-2020 Offseason: Dak And Jerry - An Immovable
Object Versus An Unstoppable Force?
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May 13, 2020 At
3:39 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf-
- “Cowboys Nation” was still
enjoying a pretty good high following the 2020 NFL draft and
marveling at the promising additions that might immediately help
“America’s Team” improve their craft. But then, an (unexpected)
opportunity-turned-shrewd insurance move poked a hole in that
afterglow groove.
As soon as Andy Dalton’s signing was announced, the “What About
DAK?!” crowd – once again – apprehensively pounced. Dak Prescott
(save for the 2020 NFL draft from which the Dallas Cowboys hope to
quickly re-craft) been remained the overriding theme of “America’s
Team”. Critical unfinished contractual business has (understandably)
caused “Cowboys Nation” anxious dizziness.
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“Oh, my GAWD! Where is my shower rod?! Dak Prescott remains unsigned
and myopic fans everywhere are much maligned!” you shriek
(acknowledging the concern of the greater fandom at or near its peak
because what seemed like a slam dunk agreement has not at all gone
as designed). Though more and more members of Cowboys Nation appear
to finally understand, “The Tortured Cowboys Fan” (in a humble
attempt to ensure no other fans are exempt) will specify where Dak
and GM Jerry have drawn their respective lines in the sand.
Distant are the days of wondering if Dak would receive or had earned
a bigger contract than Jared Goff or Carson Wentz . . . though some
fans (including yours truly) and prognosticators have had their
heads checked for “fair market value” dents.
Present are the days where “fair market value” has (forevermore?)
outstripped the true value of all but the very best, game-changing,
team-raising quarterbacks in the, well, the market. It was not that
long ago when the NFL and NFLPA agreed to implement a “rookie wage
scale” (designed to reign in first round pick contracts that had
totally set sail). And yet – as a fourth-round pick rather than a
first – Prescott has demonstrated (more often than not during his
four years in the league) the necessary thirst to (try to) hit
(but not
always lead) the moving target.
While Dak has taken a new contract stand and has yet to completely
show his hand, fans and the greater sports media have buckled under
the who-when-where-why fatigue.
There have been generally consistent reports of the Dallas Cowboys
having leaked-to-the-media, err, most-recently offered Prescott a
5-year contract worth north of $170M with more than $106M in
guarantees included. Depending on whom you ask about why the two
parties have failed the contract agreement task, either the Cowboys
are being cheap or Dak is being deluded.-
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- Fan fixation on the key
sticking point has steadily evolved from average salary per year to
total amount of guaranteed money to how much of that guarantee is
payable upfront. Though Charlie Bucket’s, err, Dak Prescott’s golden
ticket has taken a bit more time to identify, no one should
particularly feel like a mental runt.
Prescott’s camp (Dak and his agent, Todd France) wants the agreement
to be over four years. The Dallas Cowboys’ camp (GM Jerry and son
Stephen) want the deal to be for five years. “So what! Why is it the
YEARS over which both parties are grinding gears?!” you justifiably
wonder (looking at a “seemingly” minor difference and suspecting it
must be a simple communications blunder). When the current network
television contracts expire in 2022, the league salary cap is going
to skyrocket. While a four-year deal for Dak has MASSIVE appeal, a
five-year arrangement allows GM Jerry to keep more money (perhaps
for a variety of players or) lining his already well-appointed
pocket.
So, it would seem, GM Jerry must offer (significantly?) more
guaranteed money to convince Dak to stop looking at a five-year deal
as laughably funny . . . or offer him THE desired four-year treaty
on which Prescott’s signature can be applied so neatly.
“But Dak effectively played on a $2M deal last year! The – what –
approximately $32M franchise tag that has been applied to him by
Dallas is nothing at which to sneer! If all else fails, he surely
would not sit out the season and defiantly steer clear?!” you
acquiesce (knowing if that were the case, Prescott, long ago, would
have simply said “YES” and avoided the current scenario . . . with
both parties trying to determine how to come out on top or
graciously save face).-
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Will They Or Won’t They?
The NFL collective bargaining agreement allows teams and their
franchise tag designees to negotiate up until July 15th of a given
year . . . before telling them: “Stand down! Your staring contest is
just too SEVERE!”
“B-But Dak is such a dedicated, reliable young man who – unlike a
former holdout in Zeke – would not REALLY want
to hamper McCarthy’s hopeful makeover plan?!” you desperately
request (knowing Dak’s determination to receive either a four-year
or THREE-year deal to remain on schedule for that new
TV money may be a painfully persistent pearl-clutching pest).-
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“Do they have up to end of business on July 14th or July 15th and is
end of business 5:00 PM or 11:59 PM on that day?” you feverishly ask
(knowing that if Dak and GM Jerry need until the very last second to
finally agree . . . they are clearly NOT up to the task). Prescott
would – again – be obligated to either play under the one-year
franchise tag or (GASP) sit out the year, firmly planted on a bean
bag. Meanwhile, “everyone” is eagerly waiting to see which one of
these proud men start to gag.
"No, I don't consider it . . . when
have I ever NOT done one?" GM
Jerry once irritably responded back to a pushy reporter (on August
1st, 2019) in reference to protracted contract disputes of the past.
Will GM Jerry go 0-2 (following his previous “loss” to Ezekiel
Elliott) in his latest effort to outlast?
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Will GM Jerry manage to pull the trigger before (Houston Texans
quarterback) Deshaun Watson’s own imminent deal provokes Dak’s
requirement into something (GASP) even BIGGER?
Will the idea of the Kansas City Chiefs extending
their Super Bowl MVP proactively (with perhaps a year to go before
quarterback Patrick Mahomes demands A LOT MO’)
encourage GM Jerry to move more aggressively?
Will the winner of this “battle over bucks” be the immovable object
or the unstoppable force . . . or will negotiations (ridiculously,
unimaginably, but POSSIBLY?) end in divorce?
We shall see. We always do.
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