Watkins | Dallas Cowboys offer Barber deal for $30 million
Running back wants package for between $40-60 million
11:29 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com
Marion Barber made it to the Pro Bowl last season without starting a regular-season game. Now, he's looking for a big payday.
The Cowboys have held preliminary talks with the running back's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, according to multiple sources, and are offering a financial package in the $30 million range.
Barber wants a package between $40 million and $60 million.
In February, the Cowboys placed the $2.562 million tender on Barber, who is a restricted free agent. If another team wants to sign Barber, it would have to give up first- and third-round picks if the Cowboys choose not to match an offer.
Rosenhaus, who did not return a phone call seeking comment, has a good working relationship with the Cowboys, and it is unlikely that a deal won't get done.
But Rosenhaus' request that Barber receive a contract similar to some of the top running backs in the game caught the Cowboys somewhat by surprise, the sources said.
Barber's asking price is comparable to deals given to Kansas City running back Larry Johnson (five years, $43.2 million), Washington's Clinton Portis (eight years, $50.5 million) and San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (six years, $60 million).
The Cowboys, according to the sources, believe the deal that free agent running back Michael Turner signed with Atlanta in March (six years, $34.5 million with $15 million in guarantees) is close to what Barber is worth.
Dallas is also willing to give Barber a contract close to what Baltimore gave Willis McGahee last year, a seven-year deal worth as much as $40.12 million, if the last two years of it are picked up.
Barber earned his first Pro Bowl berth while backing up Julius Jones last season. He had 204 rushes for 975 yards with 10 touchdowns.
The Cowboys made Barber the starting running back for the NFC divisional playoff game. When the season was over, the team elected not to re-sign Jones, who is now with Seattle.
Coach Wade Phillips has named Barber the starter for 2008.
11:29 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com
Marion Barber made it to the Pro Bowl last season without starting a regular-season game. Now, he's looking for a big payday.
The Cowboys have held preliminary talks with the running back's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, according to multiple sources, and are offering a financial package in the $30 million range.
Barber wants a package between $40 million and $60 million.
In February, the Cowboys placed the $2.562 million tender on Barber, who is a restricted free agent. If another team wants to sign Barber, it would have to give up first- and third-round picks if the Cowboys choose not to match an offer.
Rosenhaus, who did not return a phone call seeking comment, has a good working relationship with the Cowboys, and it is unlikely that a deal won't get done.
But Rosenhaus' request that Barber receive a contract similar to some of the top running backs in the game caught the Cowboys somewhat by surprise, the sources said.
Barber's asking price is comparable to deals given to Kansas City running back Larry Johnson (five years, $43.2 million), Washington's Clinton Portis (eight years, $50.5 million) and San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (six years, $60 million).
The Cowboys, according to the sources, believe the deal that free agent running back Michael Turner signed with Atlanta in March (six years, $34.5 million with $15 million in guarantees) is close to what Barber is worth.
Dallas is also willing to give Barber a contract close to what Baltimore gave Willis McGahee last year, a seven-year deal worth as much as $40.12 million, if the last two years of it are picked up.
Barber earned his first Pro Bowl berth while backing up Julius Jones last season. He had 204 rushes for 975 yards with 10 touchdowns.
The Cowboys made Barber the starting running back for the NFC divisional playoff game. When the season was over, the team elected not to re-sign Jones, who is now with Seattle.
Coach Wade Phillips has named Barber the starter for 2008.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:22 PM
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