Why Cowboys rushed Barber deal
Posted: Wednesday May 21, 2008 07:28AM ET
On a day when Jerry Jones and 31 other NFL teams voted unanimously to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement, the Cowboys owner and general manager took care of two of his Pro Bowlers. Cornerback Terence Newman signed a six-year extension worth $50.2 million with $22.5 million in guaranteed money, and running back Marion Barber signed a seven-year deal worth $45 million that includes $16 million guaranteed. The Cowboys wanted to get the deals done before the end of business Tuesday because of future changes to the salary cap following the owners' decision to opt out of the labor agreement. How long signing bonuses can be prorated and how the 30 percent yearly increase would count against the salary cap would have been factors had the deal not been reached Tuesday. The players wanted deals done so they could concentrate on football. Newman, entering the last year of his contract, was scheduled to make $1.4 million this season. Barber had been tendered a deal worth $2.562 million as a restricted free agent and missed the first day of organized team activities Tuesday.
Marion Barber, Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Comments (122)
Three years of NFL football left unless an agreement can be reached! This ain't gonna be pretty if the players don't make some concessions to the owners on the 60% profit margin.
Cowboystar | 05/21/08, 07:39 AM
Report Offensive CommentBarber and the Cowboys better hope he has a big year!!
They are pinning a lot of success on this guy!!
JFKJR Misses the Whalers | 05/21/08, 07:39 AM
You have seen Barber in action? Worth every penny!
FERRELL 1 | 05/21/08, 07:48 AM
Report Offensive CommentIn today's NFL, you really need 2 backs. I agree that Barber is a good back but I don't know if he is big enough or durable enough to carry the WHOLE load!!
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They just drafted McFaddens' backup out of Arkansas. He's pretty dang tough!
Joe_Cool_22 | 05/21/08, 07:56 AM
Report Offensive CommentPost-draft, the last thing Dallas has to be concerned with is the RB position, we're good!
Cowboystar | 05/21/08, 08:00 AM
Report Offensive CommentCowboystar..You are right. This is going to get ugly before it is done...There will be a stoppage of play in a couple of years, if not sooner....Got to enjoy the games while we can..
50yearfan | 05/21/08, 08:02 AM
Report Offensive CommentIn today's NFL, you really need 2 backs. I agree that Barber is a good back but I don't know if he is big enough or durable enough to carry the WHOLE load!!
JFKJR Misses the Whalers | 05/21/08, 07:51 AM
True, but Barber reminds me a little of E. Smith, and we know what a find he was........
FERRELL 1 | 05/21/08, 08:03 AM
Report Offensive CommentCowboystar..You are right. This is going to get ugly before it is done...There will be a stoppage of play in a couple of years, if not sooner....Got to enjoy the games while we can..
50yearfan | 05/21/08, 08:02 AM
I'm not listening, I'm not listening, I'm not listening, I'm not listening,................
FERRELL 1 | 05/21/08, 08:04 AM
Report Offensive CommentBarber needs to stay healthy!!
JFKJR Misses the Whalers | 05/21/08, 08:04 AM
He seems pretty durable to me.......
FERRELL 1 | 05/21/08, 08:05 AM
Report Offensive CommentWhat, no Cowboy hating yet? They must still be asleep. I know gridiron has kindergarten so we won't see him until after lunch and nap time.
Hooah05!! | 05/21/08, 08:11 AM
Report Offensive CommentI thnk we'll be OK. Barber is a hard nose runner. Exciting to watch. I'm more concerned that he'll end up like Earl Campbell with the beating that he's taking running over people.
Joe_Cool_22 | 05/21/08, 08:11 AM
Report Offensive CommentWhat, no Cowboy hating yet? They must still be asleep. I know gridiron has kindergarten so we won't see him until after lunch and nap time.
Hooah!05 | 05/21/08, 08:11 AM
HA!......Mornin' Hooah.....
FERRELL 1 | 05/21/08, 08:12 AM
Report Offensive CommentMB3 can be a beast. But is he worth LT money? Hmmmm... I don't think anyone is at this point.
Anyway, Cboys suck. Gmen up!!
L-dUBbz | 05/21/08, 08:13 AM
Report Offensive Commentyay scab games in 2011.
*sigh*
pw | 05/21/08, 08:14 AM
Report Offensive CommentHi Ferrell, et al. I'm tired. Won't be around long as I got too much work to do. Might pop in at lunch. This thread should be hopping and hating by then.
Hooah05!! | 05/21/08, 08:15 AM
Report Offensive Commentgridiron has kindergarten so we won't see him until after lunch and nap time.
Hooah!05 | 05/21/08, 08:11 AM
HA!......Mornin' Hooah.....
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Outstanding!!! I could not agree more! They may accuse us of drinking the Kool-aid a little too much, but we've got the hardware to back it up. Besides, that's what being a fan is all about. It's wouldn't be the same if we weren't fighting with other fans.
You should see what it's like to live in Houston and have Texan fans try to tell you that their team is better!! They hang the're hats on 19-10 (the score when they beat the Cowboys during their 1st year). I root for local teams unless they play my Cowboys, but come on... Give me a break. Accomplish something Texan fans.
Joe_Cool_22 | 05/21/08, 08:17 AM
Report Offensive CommentYou should see what it's like to live in Houston and have Texan fans try to tell you that their team is better!! They hang the're hats on 19-10 (the score when they beat the Cowboys during their 1st year). I root for local teams unless they play my Cowboys, but come on... Give me a break. Accomplish something Texan fans.
Joe_Cool_22 | 05/21/08, 08:17 AM
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Well, they are loyal to their team. They might do something this year too.
Hooah05!! | 05/21/08, 08:18 AM
Report Offensive CommentHi Ferrell, et al. I'm tired. Won't be around long as I got too much work to do. Might pop in at lunch. This thread should be hopping and hating by then.
Hooah!05 | 05/21/08, 08:15 AM
Fa' sho'......HA!
FERRELL 1 | 05/21/08, 08:19 AM
Report Offensive CommentOK, off to breakfast.
Hooah05!! | 05/21/08, 08:20 AM
Report Offensive CommentRomo was my Fantasy Football QB last year. Everyone laughed at me when I took him.
I got the last laugh!!!!
JFKJR Misses the Whalers | 05/21/08, 08:04 AM
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Mine too and I got the same reaction. "Romo instead of LT?"....guess we are both armshair GMs!
Me DUM DUM | 05/21/08, 08:22 AM
Report Offensive CommentI have no problem with the owners opting out. Smartest thing they've done in years. If it comes down to a lockout, Im good with that too.
There has to be a new agreement. The old one is pathetic.
KPKahder | 05/21/08, 08:26 AM
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