Star Blog

Should Cowboys Start Negotiating a Contract Extension With Rod Smith?

Published

11 months ago

February 1, 2018

Should Cowboys Offer Rod Smith a Contract Extension?

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

It's still a little early in the process, but it's looking as if Rod Smith could possibly be Ezekiel Elliott's primary backup next season. He is coming off a fantastic 2017 campaign in which he set career highs in nearly every category, but his rookie contract expires after the completion of the 2018 season.

The fact that Rod Smith is entering a contract year got me thinking about whether or not the Dallas Cowboys should go ahead and open the negotiations for a contract extension. Smith is by no means a top priority right now, but it might be wise to go ahead and get a jump start on the process and lock him up before he comes even more expensive.

There of course is no hurry to get any kind of new deal completed anytime soon. The Cowboys top priorities right now are figuring out how to keep both Zack Martin, who could become the highest-paid offensive guard in the NFL, and DeMarcus Lawrence, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season. You can also throw Anthony Hitchens name in there somewhere as well.

Opening negotiations with Rod Smith could still be the wise thing to do on the Cowboys part. If they truly believe he will continue to progress like he has year after year and will continue to be a valued member of the team, then I say strike while the iron is hot.

Dallas Cowboys RB Rod Smith

Fortunately though, the Cowboys have time on their side. They could possibly have two years before they have to make any kind of decision regarding Rod Smith. He is still under contract through 2018 and the Cowboys still technically hold his rights in 2019.

You see, Smith will become a restricted free agent upon the completion of the 2018 season. That means the Cowboys still hold his fate in their hands if they decide to place a tender on him to secure his services for another year.

This is the same kind of thing the Cowboys will likely do with David Irving this season until he proves he is worthy of a second contract. This is probably the right approach to take for both players, but if Irving balls out in 2018, he could play himself out of the Cowboys price range.

It looks like a risk the Cowboys are willing to take, but I don't think they have the same kind of concerns with Rod Smith as they do with David Irving. Smith is virtually a choir boy compared to Irving, which is why I have no problems opening contract negotiations.

All of this really depends on what the Dallas Cowboys think about Rod Smith long-term. Are they comfortable with him in his current role as a backup RB and a core special-teams player?

If the answer is yes, then it might be a good idea to test the waters and get in touch with Smith's agent to see what they believe his market value is. But, like I said earlier, there's no rush to get anything done.

Do you think the Dallas Cowboys should lock up Rod Smith long-term?

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Brian Martin

Level C2/C3 quadriplegic. College graduate with a bachelors degree in sports and health sciences-concentration sports management. Sports enthusiast. Dallas Cowboys fanatic. Lover of life with a glass half-full point of view.

5 Comments

Randy Martin

I think we began to get a taste of what Rod Smith can bring to the team last year but only got a glimpse in the last quarter of the season. The problem we have in managing the cap is what to do with all the other FA’s and the one’s we will look to add from other teams. The whole contract thing is like whack-a-mole. You don’t worry about it until it pops up. I would say if in fact he is #2 this season and does well, nothing would preclude an in-season extension but there is also the very real prospect of a new RB in the draft or free agency that could change things so I think too early to address this.
Nick Russo

I really like what rod brings to the table. He is a capable #2 back with a nice combination of speed and power. I almost would like to see him come in to spell zeke after he has tired down the defenses as smith is not an easy tackle. When you factor in his pass blocking and pass catching abilities and his special teams role, I think he is a great fit for the backup role. I personally think it would be smart to extend him now while it’s cheaper. If he doesn’t “pan out” it won’t have been a hefty investment. But based on what we saw of him last year, I think he will only get better and with it more expensive. It seems low risk high reward to extend him sooner than later.
Travis Diggs

I think they should keep the Smith brothers together as long as possible. Their each others biggest fans, it’s gonna make them better both. We already know what their future is with Jaylon but I think Rod is a dynamic player in his own right and was very under utilized this season. Keep the bros together
Cris de Campos

They’d be best to sign a deal with Rod and then trade Zeke and draft someone like Sony Michel or Guice, or Chubb, or any of the other quality RBs coming out this year, in the 2nd-4th round. Zeke is wonderful but he’s a distraction to the team that is unnecessary. The OL is really what makes this team go and they could probably upgrade it by shipping out the diva known as Zeke.
- Cris de Campos
  
  Note… This is how I felt they should have handled Brice Butler last year.

Star Blog

Where In The World Is DE Taco Charlton?

Published

3 days ago

December 14, 2018

Kevin Brady

Sean's Scout: Defense Comes Alive In Loss At LA Rams 2

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Over pretty much the last decade, the Dallas Cowboys have been rock solid with their first round picks. With selections of Ezekiel Elliott, Travis Frederick, Byron Jones, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and Leighton Vander Esch (just to name a handful), Dallas has rebuilt the core of their roster through the NFL Draft.

It's nearly impossible to bat .1000 in any round of the draft, however, and this appears to be the current case with the Cowboys' 2017 first round pick.

Defensive end Taco Charlton has not had the sophomore season that he, or anyone, had hoped for. A healthy scratch last Sunday, Charlton has only been active for 1 of the Cowboys' last 5 games, and has not recorded a sack or tackle since week 9.

Prior to disappearing with injuries and "attitude issues," Charlton had only recorded 1 sack on the season and was beginning to fall behind his Hot Boy-brethren. Defensive end Randy Gregory has reached his form over the last few weeks, Tyrone Crawford is having arguably a career year, and DeMarcus Lawrence is one of the best ends in all of football.

This doesn't leave much room for Charlton, who's now having issues even getting on the gameday roster. Rod Marinelli dodged questions about Taco Charlton earlier this week, vaguely saying they are "moving forward" and that he'd like to talk about other players on his defensive line who are performing.

Calvin Watkins on Twitter

Rod Marinelli on Taco Charlton's benching and being inactive last week: "We just keep moving along keep going forward. It's kinda been out there I'd leave it at that. I'd rather talk about our two tackles.

Charlton has not been quiet about his displeasure as of late, either. He's taken to Twitter to voice his frustrations, saying that not only is his shoulder fine but that the Dallas media is making up stories about his absence. He's also posted some cryptic tweets such as this one, with a picture of Allen Iverson and a caption reading "Every players needs that one coach to believe in them."

https://twitter.com/TheSupremeTaco/status/1072203745868554240

Maybe Taco is right. Maybe he just needs increased opportunity and a support system/coach that believes in him whole-heartedly. After all, Charlton has faced nothing but doubters and detractors since the second he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

But in the NFL, the ultimate "what have you done for me lately" sport, it's hard to imagine he'll get that unwavering support anywhere in the league. He's going to have to "earn" his playing time, as head coach Jason Garrett spoke to earlier in the week. But with the plethora of talent the Cowboys are already putting out there on the defensive line, it's becoming difficult to see exactly where Taco Charlton can fit in on this defense.

It's possible, and fine, if it is simply not a fit between Charlton and the Cowboys at this point. But I'd also be wary of giving up on your first round pick in just his second NFL season. Another offseason with the team, working on his craft and getting fully healthy, should do Charlton wonders, and hopefully allow us to get a better read on his future with the Cowboys going forward.

Until then, we are all left to scratch out heads and wonder what in the world is going on with the Cowboys and Taco Charlton, and if the former first round pick will have a future in Dallas at all.

Star Blog

Cowboys, Bears Proving Defense Can Win the NFC

Published

3 days ago

December 14, 2018

Mauricio Rodriguez

Cowboys, Bears Proving Defense Can Win the NFC

2018 has seen the emergence of high-powered offenses in both NFL conferences. The Kansas City Chiefs sit atop the AFC and the NFC is spearheaded by the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams. Through 14 weeks, these three teams are the top three offenses in the NFL, each averaging over 30 points per game. This year, for the first time in NFL history, two teams scored more than 50 in the same game.

Thanks to this consistent impressive offensive performances, you would think "offense" is the name of the game for the 2018 NFL season. Well, not so fast, my friend. Despite sitting atop the NFC, the Saints and the Rams have recently suffered losses that indicate hope is anything but lost for defensive teams in the league.

The Chicago Bears were able to bring down the Rams last Sunday Night 15-6. The same offense that averages 33 points per game was limited to six points. Sean McVay's remarkable offense went home with no touchdowns to talk about on the plane back home. Instead, they probably discussed Jared Goff's four interceptions.

Weeks earlier, the Dallas Cowboys shocked the world when they brought down the Saints. Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas simply couldn't move the ball against Leighton Vander Esch, DeMarcus Lawrence and Byron Jones. 13 points were all the Cowboys needed to score to beat an offense that was averaging 37 per game heading into week 13 but was only able to put up 10 in Dallas.

The Cowboys are the #4 seed with the Bears slightly ahead of them as the #3 seed in the NFC. Together, these teams have defeated the top two in the conference. Now granted, playoffs will definitely be different.

For starters, if they are to advance to the divisional round, they'll be on the road. Chicago was surely benefited by playing in such a cold weather versus a Los Angeles team. As far as the Cowboys are concerned, few times has AT&T Stadium been as loud as when they beat the Saints.

Hopefully, we'll get to see both of these elite defenses advance to the Divisional Round to square off against this couple of high-powered offenses again. We will not only be witnessing amazing football games, but a great discussion regarding the everlasting debate between offense and defense.

For years, "defense wins championships" has been a widely accepted statement in football. The Cowboys and Bears have made that same statement resound recently with their impressive wins.

Can they do it again in January football? Can they do it on the road?

Tell me what you think about "Cowboys, Bears Proving Defense Can Win the NFC" in the comments below, or tweet me @MauNFL and let’s talk football! If you like football and are looking for a Dallas Cowboys show in Spanish, don’t miss my weekly Facebook Live! show, Primero Cowboys!

Star Blog

Cowboys en Español: Los Colts No Son Cualquier Rival

Published

3 days ago

December 14, 2018

Mauricio Rodriguez

Fantasy Football - Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - Week 2 2

Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Al igual que el resto de la afición de los Dallas Cowboys, parte de mí se siente confiada respecto a este equipo visitando a Indianapolis Colts y resultando victoriosos. ¿El problema? Los Colts no son un rival sencillo de vencer. Si crees que la racha de los Cowboys los intimidará, piensa de nuevo. Los Houston Texans llevaban nueve victorias al hilo antes de enfrentarse a este equipo.

Siendo objetivos, este puede ser el partido que evite que los Cowboys cierren su temporada con ocho victorias al hilo para terminar el año con un récord de 11-5. Ni los Tampa Bay Buccaneers ni los New York Giants deberían presentar amenaza alguna contra Dallas. Lo mismo no se puede decir de Indianapolis.

Por primera vez en mucho tiempo, Andrew Luck está realmente de vuelta. Gracias a una reconstrucción de su línea ofensiva, su nivel de juego a regresado al nivel que conocíamos de él desde que llegó a la NFL. Afortunadamente para los Colts, Luck se ha mantenido sano toda la temporada y no se ve rastro alguno de sus lesiones anteriores en el emparrillado.

T.Y. Hilton está teniendo un muy buen año y sin duda alguna presentará un reto para Byron Jones y el resto de la secundaria de los Cowboys. Eric Ebron en la posición de tight end también será un dolor de cabeza para la defensiva.

Lo más interesante se dará en las trincheras. Los Cowboys han hecho un muy buen trabajo presionando quarterbacks opuestos en la temporada, pero si el centro de los Colts, Ryan Kelly está sano el domingo, se enfrentarán al mejor duo de centro-guardia en la liga actualmente. Con Quenton Nelson al lado, Luck estará muy bien protegido.

Sin embargo, Kelly no ha jugado debido a una lesión y aún está por verse si tomará el campo el domingo por la mañana. Los Cowboys hicieron un muy buen trabajo a la entonces ofensiva #1 de la liga, los New Orleans Saints, pero eso no significa que la ofensiva #8 que tienen los Colts no los retará.

Promediando 27 puntos por juego, la defensiva necesitará ayuda de Dak Prescott y compañía para ganar el partido. Dallas continúa moviendo el balón efectivamente, pero es tiempo de anotar touchdowns y no goles de campo.

Ezekiel Elliott será, una vez más, clave para la victoria. Enfrentándose a una defensiva Top 10 contra el juego terrestre, mover las cadenas con Zeke no será tan fácil. El novato Darius Leonard como linebacker ha sido algo espectacular otra temporada al igual que Leighton Vander Esch. Liderando a toda la NFL en tackleadas, estará listo para recibir a los Cowboys al Lucas Oil Stadium.