OT: Dallas' Barber wants $40m-$60m

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

The guy's a beast-but isn't this insane?

Anyhow-with all the speculation that MB3 could be traded to Miami for their #1 to get McF...guess it's all moot now.

Watkins | Dallas Cowboys offer Barber deal for $30 million

Sources: 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
[email protected]

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.

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

good luck with that one... lol

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

you can wish in one hand and...

 

[tombonneau]

Hmmm .... will Barber & Drew's ridiculous contract demands make the Cowboys that much more interested in drafting a RB early, e.g. McFadden?

 

[Patjew]

Barber is a beast, but wow... good luck buddy.

 

[VJCPatriot]

What's the Cowboy's cap looking like? It looks like they can afford Barber and a late 1st round RB, but not Barber AND McFadden if MB3 gets the contract he's looking for.

 

[Pats726]

Will be interesting to see how that develops...

 

[dhamz]

The 60m range isn't going to happen but I see no reason that more than 40m is unreasonable to look for. Michael Turner got 35m on the open market at 26 with 1200 career yards and 6 TDs. Barber is 24 with 2100 career yards and 29 TDs. I would expect as a URFA in a year, Barber will command more than Turner.

 

[bradmahn]

I'd draft his replacement this year and say so long... unless he is a once in a decade talent, running backs are the most interchangeable position in the NFL, dependent on damn near everyone else on the offense for them to be good. Marion Barber is a very good back, runs hard and is versatile, but he's not worth forty mil now and is the type of running back who could incur many injuries and will most likely be done before he is 30, so a long term deal would have to have numerous escape clauses.

 

[patriotsdynasty12189]

I mean McGahee got 42 million, I can see Barber getting more.

 

[ScottieC]

What's the Cowboy's cap looking like? It looks like they can afford Barber and a late 1st round RB, but not Barber AND McFadden if MB3 gets the contract he's looking for.

Not to mention the Pacman hit on the cap - If that works out.

 

[Scouse Patriot]

I think late 30's to early 40's is pretty reasonable for Barber.

 

[Rob0729]

Well, this is good news if we are looking at McFadden at #7. The Cowboys may be willing to keep Barber for one year with the RFA tender and then let him go after that. They would want McFadden as a replacement though.

 

[Lansdowne]

Maroney should start punching defensive players when he has the ball, then maybe he can demand $40-60M. LOL!

 

[mmasterkillah]

Maroney should start punching defensive players when he has the ball, then maybe he can demand $40-60M. LOL!

If punching people makes him run as hard as Marion Barber, I am all for it. Imagine Jim Brown without using his power and tenacity to punish defenders.
The guy is a beast and IMO he could use a contract similar to Portis.

 

[Kontradiction]

Barber doesn't deserve anywhere near $60m, but $40m is pretty reasonable for a running back like that. He would look great in a Pats' uniform despite the fact that we already have a great running back.