SPORTSDAY

Posted by Hanker @ 9:42 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

I'm as big of Romo fan there is, but he isn't worth more than Manning, nor has he proved he's worth it. Win us a play-off game, and I might consider, to begin, to start thinking of 20 million gaurenteed.

Posted by Fair is Fair @ 9:48 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

Romo deserves at least $1 more in guaranteed money than the highest paid player on the current roster.

Posted by Cowboy Elmo @ 10:00 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

With the big money thrown at the cornerbacks {and others} last year, it is obvious that salaries continue to rise. The TV and sponsorship money continues to grow as does the Salary Cap, so I could see Romo asking for and getting $30 million guaranteed. I don't think that he is worth more than Manning or Brady, but the market says he could be paid as the Top Guy. Maybe Mannig and Brady will want to restructure their deal due to BEING UNDERPAID! What?

Posted by martin gill @ 10:02 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

I Think Jerry Should Pay Him Because We Haven't Had A Qb With This Much Buzz Since Number 8

Posted by Jrs2300 @ 10:04 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

That 30 million Guarenteed is what Jamarcus Russell Got... so it figures... This damn draft and free agent signing is messing up everything.... But Just like what happened with AL DAVIS.. will happen with Jerry Jones... so Jerry... Just Pay Romo Baby !!

Posted by Bobo @ 10:05 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

Hey Tim, 30 million is what Tony wants, any word on what Jerry is offering??? Anyhow, I would vote for 30 million if he was the starter AND the holder for the kic...oops nevermind.

Posted by Clay @ 10:40 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

Pay him 30 million and let several of his O-line go in free agency. Ask Aikman how he liked it when some of his lineman went to other teams and he was getting the snot beat out of him. Even if Romo does win this year, it is mostly because the Cows and surrounded Romo with a lot of talent. I am not against Romo making money, but I am against crazy money and then letting good players go in free agency. A 30 million bonus means 1 player we lose that we could have kept in house like Witten or Gurode. Romo seems to really want to win and having the right players around him does that. Hope he is not unreasonable.

Posted by Doug @ 10:48 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

Gotta agree with Clay. Is the differene between 20 and 30 million (10 million) worth one or possibly multiple Super Bowl wins/appearances. 20 million at 5% interest is still 1 million a year, before taxes!

I would take the Rings with that much interest income for the rest of my life. Hope Romo cares more about that than maxing out the money.

Posted by Brian M., Atlanta @ 10:58 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

Wow, where to begin, do we start with the "selfish" angle or today's professional athlete, or do we go the route of "stingy" owner, or maybe a league out of control, or how about the complete unfairness shown to today's NFL player in regards to their compensation. Forget all that, I'll just say this, if Jerry won't give him $30 million guaranteed (because that IS the ONLY way NFL players actually make money, you all do know that don't you, that little "guaranteed" word is everything to today's NFL player) someone will. EVERY NFL team knows they MUST have that franchise QB to win it all, more times than not. Who in recent memory, outside of the Ravens, has won the Bowl without a franchise QB? You cannot make the comparison with the "but that's how much Manning got" formula. There's this thing called inflation, and as Jrs2300 so perfectly pointed out, let's see Russell got paid what Manning got paid so I suppose we're saying Russell is as good as Manning, if again this is the formula you choose to apply to the Romo situation. Romo has continuously stated he will allow his agent to handle this, meaning I'll do whatever he says. Romo does have that confident arrogance, he loves to play the game no doubt, but I wouldn't be surprised if a hold out comes when Jerry slaps the tag on him. I do believe the Falcons, Ravens, Packers, Bears, Chiefs, and I'm sure a couple other teams would without debate fork over the $30 million to get their franchise QB in Romo. Jerry needs to get this done, the longer it drags the more human emotion will come into play, and that's the last thing we need in this situation.

Posted by Saint Jimmy @ 11:05 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

Clay, you've got it twisted. 30 million gauranteed doesn't mean a 30 million signing bonus!! It could be an 18 million bonus and 12 million in roster bonuses or whatever. And you have to consider that the salary cap might not be in existance in 2008 and beyond.

I think this is a smart ploy by Condon. He's reminding the Cowboys organization that Romo is the only option they have and that the franchise tag wouldn't be productive for either side.

Posted by Chester @ 11:08 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

GIVE IT TO HIM!
Now that Jerry has soaked the Arlington schmoes and he owns the most valuable franchise since the beginning of time, it's chump-change.
PAY ROMO, and bench Rowdy!

Posted by Willy Henderson @ 11:09 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

All arguements aside, just get the guy signed!
You can bicker all you want about who got what but that does not get us our QB.
Jerry needs to do whatever it takes and I think he will.

Posted by DougO @ 11:29 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

It's all smoke at this point. Romo's agent has to float out the sky-high numbers to keep the negotiating expectations high, but they know the real deal. The Cowboys have to act like there's no hurry and they aren't worried. I predict something will be done right around mid-season during the Cowboys bye week, and the final number will be somewhere near Bulger's price, but with incentives to do even better.

The Cowboys know what they have, and Romo and his agent know that there is no better job in the NFL. They will reach an amicable deal.

Posted by Steve @ 11:59 PM Fri, Sep 28, 2007

Just pay him!
The man deserves it! nuff said!

Posted by JboysD @ 12:34 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

If Romo and Boys go 5-0 and beat a heck out of Brady-Bunch New England signal stealers,let's pay Romo $50 million guaranteed bonus and sign him to a 10-year $200 million contract.

Posted by Calhoun @ 12:48 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Oh Lord Steve! Not another "nuff said". I'd rather have a safety pin jammed in my cavity than to read those annoying, grammatically incorrect 2 words.

Posted by Tom H @ 1:41 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

$30 MIL guaranteed ... but for how many years ?
Why doesn't anyone ask this Q ?
Seems fundamental as to how many years is
Romo under contract for $30 MIL guaranteed.
Alot of above is speculation w/o this figure...
...pretty to vital to know...how many years ???

Posted by dave j @ 1:43 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

If you look at the dollars paid to free agents (Nate Clements, Leonard Davis, Dwight Freeney), guaranteeing Romo $30 million is not outrageous. Besides, if you drafted a top 5 QB next year to take his place, he would get almost the same in guaranteed money.

ONE BIG POINT - The Cowboys have over $12 million in cap room left on this year. It would be smart of them to sign Romo before the end of the year so they could take a $10 million hit on the cap this year.

Posted by Mike @ 2:10 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

The money in comparison to Manning isn't the question. Manning has nothing to do with this. He's a Colt and that was then. This is now and the Dallas Cowboys. I don't care about Manning and he isn't my gauge and neither should he be for Jones. The question is "is 30 million in guaranteed money worth keeping this quarterback and are we will to go right back into quarterback search mode".

Anyone that thinks he shouldn't get as much as Manning needs to take your mind off of him and think back to every single game since Aikman's last and really think about if you want to go back there or not.

Posted by Mike @ 2:13 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Clay, Gurode and Witten just renewed their contracts this year. What's the last team you've seen over the cap or in cap hell? The cap isn't pressing teams like it used to. They raise the cap because these contracts keep going up. If they didn't teams would only be able to have 22 players by now.

Posted by BigTexKahuna @ 4:13 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

There's only one thing to keep in mind, ladies & gentlemen... it's Jerry's checkbook. Only he will determine what The Scratch Golfer is worth to our heroes. Rumors aside... I admire Mr. Jones' strategy, and I think we all should just sit back, watch and listen. Besides... 30m to JJ is something like 300 bucks to the rest of us... pocket change!

What the heck! Should The Scratch Golfer decide to jump, Rex (really)Gross(man) should be readily available. Nah-nah-nah! Just kidding, y'all.

BTW... I'm thinking there's no way in hell The Scratch Golfer is gonna hop on his horse and ride away from The Ranch... at least not until he reaches his 37th or 38th birthday, and by that time, he will be doing his farewell thing to the NFL after a stellar career with our heroes... something like when Montana left Sodom and Gomorrah to play for KC.

I'm also saying the Red Baron... after our heroes bring home Number Six from Phoenix next February... won't abandon his job just to become a head coach in some other hell hole, either. He knows he was hand-picked by JJ to become the long-term coach of our heroes, and the Red Baron will be content to coordinate the offense until Wade decides to hand over the reins... It's all about stability, y'all.

Now go to the 'fridge and get yourselves another Lone Star long neck... and chill! I shall mosey on over to the bar here at Duke Kahanamoku's and order up another Mai Tai... Aloha, y'all!

Posted by Nick @ 7:01 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

BigTexkahuna! I am 100% agree with you.

Posted by Jarad @ 8:17 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

He absolutely deserves to get whatever he is asking for. Finally, after so many years of uncertainty we seem to have the guy to lead this franchise. We absolutely cannot risk stirring the pot with the franchise tag or letting him slip through our fingers. When I watch film of Romo its as if I am watching the Favre of old in a Cowboys jersey. Pay the man his money.

Posted by Jay @ 8:56 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

No freaking way. I am annoyed by media acting like a deal needs to get done? What's the rush? Let Romo have a bad game before you hand him a big fat check. Negotiating a contract early in the season makes zero sense unless you can get him cheaper by signing him earlier and can make some of the bonus go on this year's cap. $30 mil is crazy. I hope Jerry is not that stupid. Franchise him next 2 years and let him show that he can have 3 pro bowl years in a row and multiple playoffs wins bc that will show you for sure that he is worth $30 mil guaranteed. You do not pay a guy $30 mil who's play 13 games and been to 1 playoff game. Are you freaking kidding me? I love Romo, believe me I do. But fans and media need to stop knee jerk reacting. We've played 3 games people!!?! 3 games. Do you know how much can happen in the next 14 weeks?! I think Jerry is smart enough to wait til he's seen more evidence. I'm not saying Romo isn't great but really what is the rush. What would happen if let's say negotations come to a stand still and Jerry just says we are going to readdress his contract this offseason? No big deal. At the end of the season he gets a new deal or get's franchised.

Posted by Cleve Moten @ 9:16 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

The rumor is probably correct, or very close to being so. It's close enough to being realistic to being negotiable. It's nothing to get excited about because guaranteed money doesn't necessarily mean the player will earn more over the life of the contract than he would without the guarantee. Agents are currently negotiating for more guaranteed money in order to protect their clients from the financial consequences of serious bodily injury, especially one that's career-ending. Obviously, the more guaranteed money (not necessarily up front) the less base and the higher the performance incentives. The reported amount of guaranteed money being negotiated for is roughly the reportedly guaranteed Jamarcus Russell, whose overall contract could be worth up to about $68 million. Everything is subject to negotiation, of course, and I'm sure the contract with Romo's agent will be hammered out. Condon was Brady Quinn's agent, of course, and I'm sure he would not hesitate to keep Romo out of camp, if necessary. But I don't think that will be necessary and I doubt the Cowboys would franchise Romo for next year, either. Franchising a player is infuriating, because it forces a player to submit to something against his will. And that's demeaning. Jerry Jones will work this out in a confident manner, as he has assured he would. The Cowboys do have other viable options at quarterback, but I don't think they will have to resort to them.

Posted by Larry @ 10:57 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

I HAVE TRIED TO RAISE A RED FLAG ON THIS ALL ALONG.

All you "Jerry will take care of this" guys with your head in the sand better realize that this signing is not just up to Jerry and the franchise tag is a joke.

Jerry is playing with fire to keep fiddling while Romo burns inside, and don't tell me he isn't. He is a competitor in every sense of the word and you can believe this is on his mind whether he admits it or not.

Jerry, you call yourself a risk taker. Well take whatever risk you deam this and get it done. You are holding out on Romo over Ego, not over your evaluation of his talent - you are not fooling anyone - you just like the constant attention it gives you to keep this contract up in the air.

Posted by Jeff L. @ 11:09 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Keeping the contract up in the air? Last time I checked, Romo was currently under contract.

I believe there should be much more concern and focus on games at this point.

Posted by Larry @ 11:21 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

That right Jeff L., he is under contract thru the end of the year so I don't even know why we are discussing this - Just keep your head in the sand and pretend everything will come out alright.

I would love for this "new" conract to be behind us so we CAN focus on the games and not wonder if we are possibly watching some other teams QB in a Cowboy uniform.

Pardon me if I am a little paranoid, but this guy is only the 2nd pro-bowl quality QB this team has had in the past 20 years or so and Jerry is messing with him.

Posted by Not So Crazy Ray @ 11:29 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Let's everybody settle down on this one. Jerry isn't "messing" with Romo. It's called negotiating. And, an interesting negotiation it is, since both sides have some leverage.

Romo knows that the Cowboys need him since they have no other options. They could dip into the draft next year, but that would mean developing a young QB on a team ready to win right now. Jones has leverage in knowing that Romo wants to be a Cowboy, and that Romo feels loyalty to the team for nurturing him along to his current successful state. Jones has the franchise tag too, but I really doubt that will play into this.

Maybe I'm seeing this through rose-colored glasses, but because I believe that Jones is a fair negotiator and that Romo truly wants to be a Cowboy, this deal will get done. The Cowboys will lock up one of the game's best young QBs and Romo will be a very wealthy man. It's just a matter of time. Be patient.

Posted by Cindy Mac @ 11:33 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Ugh! Will one of you PLEASE explain to me what it means to be called a "franchise" player? I hear it all the time but it's never defined. Grrrrr. All I know is it's used in a negative way.

Cindy

Posted by Not So Crazy Ray @ 11:38 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Cindy, to prevent a player from becoming an unrestricted free agent after his contract expires, a team can designate him as the "franchise player". By doing that, the team commits to paying him a 1 year salary that is an average of the top 5 players at that position. After that 1 year, the process begins again.

It is usually not a happy situation because it means that the team and the player can't agree on a long-term deal. The player doesn't like it because, while they are very well compensated for that 1 year, they don't get the fat signing bonus usually associated with a long-term deal, and they're not allowed to shop themselves around on the free market.

I might have missed a couple of the details here, but that is the gist.

Posted by andre @ 11:50 AM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Cindy - Or it can also mean that the team can retain him in the off season working part time at McDonalds, KFC or other such franchises, as long as they are within in the Dallas area. By doing this, no other NFL team can make him an offer.

Posted by rp @ 12:07 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

you guys are crazy if you think Romo will take the franchise...there will be multiple teams who will offer him multi million dollar deals after the season

Posted by Vaquero @ 12:22 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Romo is not going anywhere. Jerry will pay him at the end of the year when we play our last game. Hopefully, in Arizona.But, for all those who are getting anxious about this whole deal: Just relax.
Why take away the a tremendous incentive for Tony to be the best he can be? The more wins, the more money.
The real problem with the NFL salary structure and logic is that they are giving these BIG,FAT contracts to rookies. To guys who have not even taken their first hit on the field¡ Give the money to the ones who have worked for it. To the veterans or a second year player who has shown what he can do on the field.

Posted by Cleve Motenc @ 12:42 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Well, the franchise tag means that no other team can make him a better offer, because he's retained by the current team. But "Not So Crazy Ray" made some important points. And, rather than reiterate his statement, I'll try to add fuel to it. There are pros and cons to any position Jerry Jones takes. That's one of the reasons this presents an interesting negotiation. Those of you who think Jerry should have wrapped up Romo contractually this summer should consider the possible consequences. Either way, the contract has to be negotiated and both sides reasonably happy with the results. A low-ball contract would create problems later, and the Cowboys would likely end up with a disgruntled quarterback who feels he didn't get his true worth and later wants his contract re-negotiated, ala Greg Ellis. The quarterback position is too important to the team for it to be manned by a player who feels he's being grossly underpaid. That's why it was important to wait, so that both sides could have a fair opportunity to assess what the contract should be. Neither side should enter negotiations thinking they're either going to cheat the player or bilk the club. A certain amount of reasonableness, and intelligence, has to be mutually expected, and respected, by both parties. It will get worked out, because Romo isn't going to want to go to some team that's rebuilding, because his talent would simply be wasted, ala Randy Moss in Oakland. One only has to reflect briefly on T.O.'s current attitude with the Cowboys, or Moss's current attitude with the Patriots. They're both happy! They're winners, and they both know they're with winning organizations that are committed to winning. And it's important to Jerry to get the contract done also, because he can't afford to have a team primed to win now with a quarterback who might be ready to win tomorrow. So, the contract will get done, because it's important to both sides to get it done

Posted by Raff Hollister @ 12:51 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

You guys and your franchise tag are all wet.

Not so Crazy Ray, you gave Cindy a good explanation of the "franchise tag" but you
forgot one important point.

When a player is franchised, he doesnt have to play for the team that franchises him. He can elect to demand a trade and sit out if he chooses until a long-term contract is signed or he is traded. Is that the fall-back position of "comfort" that you guys rest on? Is that the position you think is OK to put to Romo? Do you really think his current loyalty to the team will be as strong if a long-term contract doesn't get done and the boys instead slap him with the franchise tag?

If Romo gets franchised, he would have no guaranteed money if he gets hurt during the franchise season. He knows he is worth multi-millions but worth nothing if he gets a career
ending injury playing for a team who wouldn't give him a satisfactory long-term contract.

I'm sorry, but you guys who are think the franchise tag will work if nothing else does are just being very "nave" as my buddy Gomer Pyle used to say.

Posted by Maverick @ 12:58 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

PAY THE MAN HIS MONEY for God sake. As far as comparing him to Manning, he's better than their entire freaking family combined. Romo doesn't act like a robot and can move. What's also important that the media does not recognize is the sixth sense this guy has. He knows when to move 2-3 steps ahead of the enemy's defense. Now, you tell me if that isn't valuable.

Posted by Eduardo @ 1:19 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Pay him now is dumb business. Since he is asking for top money, JJ might as well wait and see how the end of the season folds out. Right now he is the leader of a 3-0 franchise. If by the end of the year we are facing a 12-4 record, and a NFC conference championship game, well, I'd say the guy deserve that kind of money.

Posted by Larry @ 1:28 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

THIS IS A NO WIN SITUATION JERRY HAS HIMSELF IN UNLESS YOU ARE STILL ONE OF A HALF-DOZEN COWBOY FANS THAT THINK ROMO MIGHT TANK AT SOME POINT.

PROFOOTBALLTALK.COM ALSO REPORTED THAT ROMO AND HIS AGENCY WOULD HAVE ACCEPTED MUCH LESS IF THE DEAL HAD BEEN DONE BEFORE THE SEASON, LESS THAN $10 MILL GUARANTEED MONEY.

JERRY IS SHOOTING HIMSELF IN THE FOOT ON THIS ONE AND RISKING LOOSING ROMO. ITS ALL ABOUT EGO, NOT JERRY'S RELUCTANCE TO RECOGNIZE ROMO'S TALENT.

THE PRICE IS ONLY GOING TO GO UP JERRY. YOU ARE A SLICK NEGOTIATOR BUT YOU ARE BLOWING THIS ONE.

Posted by derek @ 1:35 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

I say at least wait till New England game

Posted by Lance @ 2:28 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Sign him TODAY. The price will only go up.

Posted by Quincy Carter @ 2:33 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Jerry, that Romo dude is asking for way too much bling. Just pay me in dimes and I'll come back.

Posted by Jay @ 3:21 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

People the guy is under contract, there is absolutely no rush. Jerry is not going to put him under contract unless he get's a discount for doing it sooner and 30 mil is not a discount. That is not screwing with him, most contracts aren't done the 3rd week of the season. The Cowboys could franchise him and that probably won't happen but that's worst case scenario. If Romo is money still after 16 games there is no way in hell the Cowboys would let him go. Teams don't let franchise QBs go to free agency. When was the last time you saw that happen? Brees is the closest thing and that was bc they had a top draft pick and Brees had shoulder surgery. Romo is not going anywhere, my only concern is that I hope the Cowboys don't have to tie up too much bonus money in Romo which would make the overall team performance suffer going forward.

Posted by Robert @ 4:30 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Only in Dallas with a stoopid Owner and ridiculously bad cheerleading fans would a QB with less than 16 starts and no playoff wins ask for more money than Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.

Nice. Pay up Jerrah! You are too stoopid to do anything else. Lord knows you have no idea what a good QB is. (Stoener, Hutchison, Carter, Henson ...)

Once Romo retires, we will then have to hire another decent Coach/GM to find our next QB b/c Jerrah does not want to use a 1st rounder on one and have to "pay them."

LOL.

Posted by Ryan @ 4:47 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Tom H: It doesn't really matter how many years it is. Guaranteed is just that, no matter the length of the contract. The signing bonus gets amortized over the length of the contract for cap relief, but he will eventually get ALL of it and eventually ALL of it will count against the cap.

Dave J: The deal must be completed by week 6 for it to count against the 2007 salary cap. Any later than that...its the same as signing him on day 1 of free agency in march. Greg Ellis' contract comes to mind here...

Posted by Vox Veritas @ 5:11 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Robert, do us all a favor and put a bullet in your perpetually whining, obviously miserable head.

Posted by Vox Veritas @ 5:19 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Patience, people. It will get done during the bye week. Wake me up when it's December and Romo has no contract extension.

Posted by Not So Crazy Ray @ 5:21 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

One last point from me. All of you who are tripping on the $30M figure, keep this in mind: Leonard Davis, a guard (GUARD!) who has played in one fewer Pro Bowl than Romo (1-0), received a $16M signing bonus from the Boys this past offseason. Now, Davis is off to a fine start, but if somebody told you that he was roughly half as important to the team as our Pro Bowl QB, it would be tough to argue that point, no?

Posted by Cindy @ 8:45 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Not and Andre: Thank you so much. Now I finally have an understanding of what the "franchise" tag means.

I don't think Jerry will let it get to that. No reason to piss off your golden-armed quarterback, huh?

;)

Posted by Eddy @ 8:49 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

I say give him whatever he wants. Rookies who are drafted in the top 5 get that kind of money without a single snap in the nfl. I am convinced Romo is our present and future at QB. Does anyone else want to go through another Banks-Carter-Wright-Leaf-Carter-Hutchinson-Testaverde-Henson-Bledsoe situation? (did I leave anyone out?)

Posted by Eddy @ 8:56 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

You guys are forgetting something. You can be franchised and another team can still sign you. You will just have to give the team you take the player from 2 number 1 picks. What sorry #$% team out there wouldn't be willing to give up 2 picks for a young proven QB. With the franchise tag it does give the original team the right to match whatever any other team offers.

Posted by Cleve Moten @ 9:25 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

You're absolutely correct, Eddy. I had overlooked that aspect of the franchising a player. The chance of it happening is extremely small, but theoretically, it is possible. Incidentally, I read that Manning received a $34 million signing bonus from the Colts, and Tom Brady, who signed his current contract in 2005 has already earned about that much under the contract. A guaranteed amount for Romo of $30 million spread over a five or six-year contract is probably within the negotiable range for a pro bowl quarterback. Personally, at the level current contracts are being negotiated, I think Romo's worth to the Cowboys is going to generate a contract somewhere in that range.

Posted by mcindallas @ 10:35 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

i don't see why us fans should care about the money at all. i don't care how much he gets paid, it's not my money. as long as Jerry is willing to pay, Romo is willing to accept and the Cowboys continue to play well i'm good. sports fans receive more info than they need and most think they're better GMs than those that actually have the title. it's not our money so $30MIL is nothing to spend on a franchise qb that's going to bring us a title. you forget one thing, titles are earned not bought. ask Danny boy in washington and that yankees owner. the yanks have titles but they don't win every year. i'm not baseball nut but, if my memory is correct, they consistenly stand at or near the top in mlb payroll. Romo could get $50MIL guaranteed but that doesn't entitle the Cowboys to another Lombardi trophy.

Let the real GMs, players and agents deal with it. I just wanna watch some winning football, regardless of the payroll.

Go Cowbboys!!!

Posted by Chester @ 11:32 PM Sat, Sep 29, 2007

Careful, mcindallas...if you start using logic and actual thinking, you might run off most of the above bloggers. Dumb it Down, please!

Posted by mcindallas @ 12:17 AM Sun, Sep 30, 2007

ha! thanks chester. i forgot where i was. how's this for $30MIL?

youtube.com/watch?v=lrINA2iLD8M

(vid contains vulgar language...for those that it matters to)

Posted by Cleve Moten @ 7:34 AM Sun, Sep 30, 2007

Since some of you obviously haven't figured it out yet, I'll try to explain why some of us get so involved in football that we care who gets drafted and whose contract gets signed and who gets traded, even though we don't own the team, and it's not our money that's being spent. We get involved because it's fun and exciting to be involved. It's fun to care whether the Cowboys win or lose. It gives the game emotional value. It's also emotionally and intellectually challenging to pit our minds and intellects against those who actually control the outcome of events because it gives us a measure of who we are and how well we might do if we were in control. It's gut-wrenching, like the game itself. Not being involved and not caring because it's not our money being spent on contracts is like watching the game and not caring who wins. If you don't care, it's pointless, unexciting, and a bore. After all, it's not our team, right? Those of us who find ourselves involved and concerned over contractual issues, love the adrenalin rush and excitement of competition and being involved. We find it stimulating and enjoyable to try and appreciate the intricacies of the game at a level that people who don't like emotional and intellectual challenges might not grasp. But if you love playing chess, you will understand that it's not just an idle waste of time. It's emotionally and intellectually stimulating. It sharpens one's critical evaluation, and develops mental acumen that is beneficial in other aspects of life. But, most of all, we do it because it's fun and exciting, like watching a game, and hoping for a great pass, or run, that will ultimately win the game, because we want our side to win, even though we know we don't own the team, or pay the salaries of the players.

Posted by Not So Crazy Ray @ 10:24 AM Sun, Sep 30, 2007

Cleve,I like your posts but I have one request. Could you please break them into paragraphs? The huge, solid blocks of text are tough to read.

Posted by Cleve Moten @ 11:59 AM Sun, Sep 30, 2007

Okay, "Not So Crazy Ray. No problem. I just wanted my posts to look as short as possible. LOL

Posted by mcindallas @ 8:13 PM Sun, Sep 30, 2007

Cleve, i understand your comments. although i'd never refer to it as a waste of time i feel that so many are quick to say "pay the man" and forget that it's not that simple.

If you know Jerry you know he'll pay. you'll also know that he's gotten himself into trouble doing just that. he's learned from his mistakes (see Dan Snyder) and is doing what he needs to do to make a profitable business decision that could probably make or break this team...again. It's ok to wonder and assume on the timeline and when this could get done but the financial portion really shouldn't be of concern unless you've got your own pool going on final contract amount.

For all the worry-warts, make a note: Romo is our QB. Jerry will not let him walk. After going so long without a Qb do you think he's gonna let this one slip through the cracks?

I'm thinking this thing gets done during the bye week if the Cowboys beat the Pats or mid-late november after going up against the Eagles and Skins. That would give Jerry an idea of how Romo performs against a good (great?) NE team and the other two in the NFC East. Chicago may have lost some credibility today.