On today’s episode of the 'Boys and Girl Podcast, Jane’s got the day off, but Bobby chats with Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker Jaylon Smith. Plus, former NFL agent Joel Corry stops by to discuss why Dak Prescott’s contract has been such a difficult negotiation.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hello, Boys and Girls, Welcome in to the Boys and
Girl Podcast with Cowboys, NFL Network reporter Jane Slater and
NFL Network producer Bobby Bell. Cowboys Community with the inside
scoop on the Dallas Cowboys now coming straight to you
(00:22):
from the Lone Star State. Here's Jane and Bobby. Well,
that show intro isn't completely accurate today we are without
Jane Slater. Jane is taking some time off, but she
will be back with us next week with a big
name guest that I'll be telling you about here at
the end of the show. It's just myself here today,
(00:44):
but we've got a couple of good guests to help
us fill things out. We're gonna be talking here in
just a few minutes to Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jalen Smith.
Talk to him a little bit about the pandemic and
some of the changes on defense, as well as his
ex actations for himself and how he's getting ready for
the season. He's also got this really great UH program
(01:05):
that he's gonna be putting on in Frisco in July
called the Minority Entrepreneurship Institute, and UH, it's really interesting stuff.
You're gonna wanna hang around and hear what he has
to say on that. And then following that, we're gonna
be talking with Joel Corey, a former NFL agent who
now rides for CBS Sports on matters of contracts on
the cap in the NFL, and he has a really
fantastic article out this week analyzing Dak Prescott's contract negotiations
(01:30):
and why if he were involved in these negotiations on
behalf of Dak Prescott, he wouldn't be caving on that
fifth year either. I know that's been a big discussion
point for a lot of people, but he's gonna explain
why that fifth year matters so much and also, uh,
project what Dak Prescott's contract might look like. So we've
got a Jampact show for you today, kicking off here
(01:50):
with Jalen Smith and then Joel Corey. Let's jump right
into it. Joining us now is Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl
linebacker Jalen Smith. You can follow him on Twitter at
the Jalen Smith, on Instagram at yolo Underscore Smith nine,
and you can even keep up with him on his
website Jalen Smith dot com. Jalen how you doing, Oh,
(02:13):
I'm doing wonderful man. Just uh, pulling up at home
from finishing the workout. How how's everything going on yourself?
Not bad? But you know, I gotta say that's probably
something that people are really curious about, is is these
workouts and how those have been going, just with everything
with the pandemic, how have you been staying in shape
and and keeping things ready for yourself when the season
(02:33):
finally comes back to normal a little bit. Man, It's
all about grind. It's all about grind. And just because um,
you know it's temporarily you know, due to COVID nineteen
we're not allowed and to the facilities, you still gotta
get your work in. Um, so guys are being creative
with workouts at home. Myself, I got a peloton. My
(02:56):
cousin is an athletic trainer, so uh, he's been get
myself and my brother. Right there's a there's a field
like two minutes away from where I live. So that's
where I'm driving home, um from right now, just finishing
us some field work. Man. Now, in terms of how
your understanding is of of how things are gonna be handled,
(03:17):
in terms of when you guys maybe are gonna be
able to get back to the facility or how many
camp and O t A s are gonna go. Have
they given you guys any sort of guidance on that
or is it still just kind of up in the
air and you guys are are wondering yourselves what's the
next step? Yeah, I mean we we really don't know, man. Uh,
we really don't know what's what's going on. It's just,
(03:38):
you know, for us, it's about following direction and and
understanding the circumstances. Man. We everybody needs to stay safe
right now. That's and it's very important. But um, you know,
we love the game of football. We want to play.
We want to be able to give the fans, um
you know what, what they need some entertainment and and
(04:00):
and be able to go out there and play as once.
So I have faith that everything will be fine. It's
just taking it day by day with these uh, with
these virtual meetings and those virtual meetings, you know, those
are gonna be critically important this time around because obviously
there's a defense change this year, Rod Marinelli, Christoschard no
longer here, a lot of personnel changes, Mike Nolan coming
(04:22):
into the fold. Uh, and and we've heard different things
about how you guys are gonna be multiple this year,
that it's not gonna necessarily be the same sort of
base four three look, um, but it's not gonna be
fit into any particular box. That you guys are wanting
to do a lot of different things. Um. Do you
have any sort of understanding of how maybe your role
might change or if you're gonna get to do anything
(04:43):
a little different this year? Do you think it's gonna
be pretty much the same for you, just with a
different overall look for the rest of the unit? Um?
Really just some some added tools from for myself, man,
being able to um showcase my versatility h um, you know,
being able to run sidelines, sideline, being able to um
(05:04):
you know, rush to pass or um. You know, I'm
just looking forward to be able to um you know,
showcase all all all of my talents. Uh. These guys
are putting everyone in the right position, so you know
I can be as thankful now you've while you've been
in Dallas, your defensive overseers have have been Rod Marinelli,
(05:25):
who obviously was a big d line guy, and Christo Shard,
who was the secondary guy. Uh hasn't been beneficial? Are
you excited? That you know, the guy that's coordinating the
whole defense this time around is now a guy who
specializes in your position linebackers, Oh man, Um. I actually
experienced that in college where Brian Van Gorder was my
(05:48):
defensive coordinator, but he specialized in, um, you know, in
linebackers as well being a de coordinator. I think in
Likeleven with Atlanta Falcons, being a Lineburger coach for the
New York Jets, so east I was able to really
really learn, um, you know, a lot about my position. Um,
(06:11):
you know, having a linebacker minded the defensive minded coach.
So it's exciting, man, but it's it's it's all a blessing.
You just got to soak it in. Now. I know
you're your football's obviously, uh, your main thing what most
people know you for. But I know you've got some
off the field things that you're working on. Uh specifically
you're working on the m e I, which is the
Minority Entrepreneurship Institute, and you've got a showcase coming up
(06:35):
here in Dallas on July tent. Has any of that
changed for you with you know, some of this outbreak
or you guys anticipating full go and I guess just
talk a little bit about that event and what you're
wanting to accomplish. Man, Uh, the need is still out there. UM.
For me, I've always had a desire for for ausprenew
(06:57):
worship and business own ownership. UM, you know, giving me
having four years and the um of being a professional
and just understanding all all the access I've gained through
relationships and networking and access to quality deal flow. I've
(07:18):
always thought about, man, how can I help people that
look like me get the same kind of resources? UM.
So just trying to help out the black and the
brown and the Latino community to close the the economic
and educational gap. That's why I started the Minority Entrepreneurship Institute. UM.
This year are gonna be given out, gonna be awarded
(07:39):
over five hundred thousand dollars to three winners UM in
this venture pitch which is July temp. Um, my minority
owners they need financial funding, they need UM strategic mentorship
and helping them put together their infrastructures to be able
to succeed and ultimately provide more jobs for other people
(08:01):
in this world. UM. That's how we can all grow
together as a you know, as a union, as a
and as an entire economy. So it's really been dear
to my heart. Um, I guess I've committed over uh
two and a half million dollars over the next decade
too to help close this gap. Man. So I'm I'm excited.
It's gonna be virtual because of the you know, the pandemic.
(08:25):
So but um, it's nevertheless, it's it's still gonna it's
still gonna do some good justice. Well and because of
the pandemic, have you noticed, um increased interest from people
who I mean right now, there are a lot of
small businesses and and entrepreneurs who have been hit hard.
Are you noticing in an increase in the last month
or two of people who are interested in getting a
chance to have access to these funds? Yes, yes, it's
(08:48):
all about it. It's all about applying, man. You can.
You can apply on my webt site jal Si dot
com slashing me i um emmy I also has a
left Siami Capital fund. Just um going there, apply, tell
us about your business, um, you know, give us a
lot of information so we can do some due diligence
(09:09):
and um and hopefully you can get on Uh. That's
but that's that's what it's about. Man. This pandemic has
effected so many small businesses. Um, you know, even some
of those small businesses that I'm involved with. So just
understanding that scope is just an extra added um, you know,
just me understanding, and I'm doing the right thing for sure.
(09:30):
One of your hot boy brothers to Marcus Lawrence, I
know he was speaking recently to uh speak for yourself,
marcell Us Wiley and Jason Whitlock, And in that interview,
he was talking about how things ended last year and
said that he thought that there were things that the
team was maybe worried about that that caused them to
(09:51):
be a little bit divided. And he didn't get into
it of and that just to say that he thought
that was the case and that things were gonna be
better this year. I wouldn't ask you to extrapolate on
his thoughts. You know, DeMarcus is the one to speak
for DeMarcus. But what would you say? Do you think
that last year you guys had any sort of distraction
or that you felt divided at any point? No, I'm
just saying, man, it's all about it's all about execution.
(10:13):
It's all about accomplishing the mission. And we didn't do
that last year. Um, whether it be coach, whether it
be player. Man, at the end of the day, we're
the guys out there playing. Um. So I just I
just think it's a new opportunity this year to to
to define our really develop our culture and understand who
(10:36):
we are as a unit. And then from there it's
just it's about execution. Man. We gotta go out there
and play with the with the will to win. So
I'm excited about that personally, um, and also as a
team for real, just being able to to to get
it right. Is that something that especially with a new leadership,
(10:56):
you know, you know, a new regime coming in, is
that something that you as as somebody who was a
captain and and somebody who uh has looked at as
a leader. Is that something that you're you're taking that
responsibility maybe even a little bit more seriously this year,
knowing that hey, there's gonna need to be some you know,
bridges built here between a new coaching staff and some
of the players, and that you view yourself as somewhat
of a vessel for that. Yeah. Man, absolutely, Um. First
(11:20):
year being a captain of America's team, being one of
the captain's um learned a lot and it's all and
it's all about growth. Man, You don't you don't get
it right the first time in around is um. You
gotta put in that work and and and sometimes the
best um, the best way to learn is is through experience.
So um, Uh, I'm preparing. I'm preparing for this year.
(11:42):
I'm preparing, um, you know, for what we're about to endure.
Um and just thankful for our opportunity. But I'm locked in.
And uh, the last question here for you, I know
that you know, I know one of the unwritten rules
uh and sometimes written spoken about, but I know what
what things that set in the locker room is generally like,
you know, don't speak on a man's money, don't don't
(12:04):
talk about that, let him handle his business. And so
I wouldn't dare ask you do that. But I know
a lot of people are asking about you know, where
Dak Prescott ranks around the league right now? Your guy
who sees him every day in practice, You've seen his
growth on the field, and you see a number of
the best quarterbacks in the league when you're out there
during the season, where would you say for yourself, just
analyzing the game a little bit where Dak Prescott falls
(12:25):
for you in terms of some of the better quarterbacks
in the league. What does it you think he does
that makes him special? I think dex his tenacity is
is incredible. Um, his leadership, what he does for our team.
Just from a from a mental standpoint, Um, you gotta
(12:48):
rock with him. You have to like him. Um, it's
just he's a guy that that that that's gonna give
it his all. That's the one thing you know, Um
stepping out on that field with a guy like that
Dak Prescott. Um, businesses business. Uh, contract negotiation, it happens
all the time. Um, they're gonna get this, They're gonna
(13:08):
get the deal done. So it's just all about when
absolutely now you can. You can keep up with Jalen Smith,
as I said, lots of places he permeates the internet.
You can find him on Twitter, at the Jalen Smith Instagram,
at Yolo Underscore Smith nine, and then of course at
his website Jalen Smith dot com, which, as we mentioned,
you can find out all about the Minority Entrepreneurship Institute
(13:29):
there and what they're doing. In July. As Jalen said,
go apply, get access to those funds. Get the opportunity.
A lot of people need it right now. And uh,
you can also learn more about the clear Eye View lenses,
which I know everybody's been rocking lately. So we'll go
get you CB lenses. We got some, we got some
new swag coming man. I'll make sure I see you
a fare bro. Oh, I appreciate. And then can people
(13:51):
buy the lenses directly on your website or do they
gotta go to an outcast? Go to go they go
to CV collection dot com or go to my website
Jalen Smith dot com. You click the link Instagram CV
Collection at CV Collection. Um, we've got some amazing things
going on. All. I appreciate it, Jalen. Best of luck,
and uh, hopefully we'll be seeing you in person again soon.
(14:11):
We won't have to do all this remote stuff. Hi,
brother be saved now. Joining us now to talk a
little bit about the Dak Prescott contract and those ongoing
negotiations is Joel Corey. Joel writes about the NFL and
salary cap matters for CBS Sports. He is a former
sports agent who helped found Premier Sports and Entertainment, a
(14:32):
sports management firm that represents professional athletes and coaches. Before
his tenure at Premier, Joel worked for Management Plus Enterprises,
which represented Shaquille O'Neil, Hakim Mala Juan and Ronnie Lott.
You can follow him on Twitter at Corey Joel. Joel
wrote a great piece this week about some of the
discussion points surrounding Dak Prescott's contract and why it it
(14:56):
can't be boiled down to his you know, simple as
just ar versus five years or why that's a bigger
difference than people realize. It's all how you doing. I'm
doing pretty good? How about yourself? I'm doing great? And
I do want to lead off at that point because
a lot of us have heard about this reported four
or five year disagreement that generally they've kind of come
to terms on the money, but that you know, Dak
(15:18):
Prescott's camp, Todd France ci A they want a four
year deal and the Cowboys are looking at a five
year deal. Why is that a bigger chasm than it sounds?
Why is that one year such a big deal? Well,
if Todd France had his way, it would be a
three year deal, but uh, that was never gonna happen. Um,
(15:39):
one of the big things is that we we fully
expect that there's gonna be a seventeenth game sometime before
the season, and the players percentage of revenues goes up
with the additional seventeenth of game. Also, TV deals expire
after the two season. They're gonna be renewed at some
(16:00):
point in the expectation is that they're going to be
doing at a much higher rate than they currently are.
So those two factors mean the captain is probably gonna
go up drammatically, probably beginning. So you want to get
another body of the apple as soon as possible, take
advantage of the changing economic conditions. So every extra year
(16:23):
you give up is a year that you don't get
to get paid. What will be the going rate? What's
these factors come into play when it comes down to
you know, Dak Prescott, they had a franchise tag and
they didn't get the deal done last year after his
third season, he played out the fourth year, played arguably
as best football of his career, and uh, you know,
(16:44):
is now looking to get paid. As such, how much
of a complicating factor do you think it is or
how much more difficult do you think the Cowboys made
the contracts structure on themselves by not having this as
a four year extension like you know the Eagles and
the Rams did with Goff and Wines, where they tacked
four years onto the two that were already there. How
difficult did the Cowboys make this on themselves having it
(17:06):
be all new money. Yeah, Well, if you have a
deal done when there's remaining years in the contract, you
get better control on how you manage the cap. Because
if Dallas had a fifth year is opposed to just
four years, and they could parade a signing bonus an
extra year. And what Dallas really likes to do is
do longer deals than that, where they have the pro
(17:29):
ration for the five years for the signing bonus in it.
They restructure a deal for cap purposes and there's a
sixth year. Then you can prod the restructure over the
original five years of propation plus the extra year the
sixth year, so they won't have that luxury on a
straight four year deal. And in terms of the you
know you talk about the cap impact and how the
(17:51):
cap is going to continue to go up. I know
you mentioned this in your article and it's something that
started to be discussed a little bit this idea that
the coronavirus pandemic and potentially UH lessoned revenue for next
year could put Dak Prescott in a bit of a
precarious position. And if he doesn't get a deal done
now that you know, if he's looking at free agency
next year, of the franchise tag next year and revenue
(18:14):
has gone down and thus the cap has gone down, uh,
it could be a tough sledding for him to get
the deal that he wants. Do you think that provides
any sort of pressure That prospect provides any sort of
pressure on Todd France and Dak Prescott to get something
done now, Well, if you're Todd France, you have to
raise that issue to your client just to make him
aware of it, and ultimately, UM, they have to decide
(18:35):
how important that potential risk is. UM we've seen in
years where there hasn't been a huge increase in the cap,
the top free agents get paid anyway. So if Dac
went out and did what he did last year, then
if he hit the open market because Dallas didn't want
to franchise and a basically thirty seven point seven million
(18:56):
I suspect he would be all right. Now if he
regressed or got hurt, that'd be a different story. But
that's something they got to decide how much it's gonna
factor into their equation. Um, I suspect that they're gonna
look at it that I'm a good enough player. Worse,
it's gonna be a non issue for me, and he's
really looking at it today. If I can get the
open market, Kirk cousins, I'm better than he was granted
(19:20):
the cap one of like six seven percent, then that
I'm gonna be just fine in that circumstance. You know,
I think it's funny if you look back a year ago,
there were pundits and and fans who were, you know,
saying that the Dak Prescott deal, you couldn't possibly pay
this guy thirty million dollars or or you know, imagine
the nightmare scenario of him getting the Jimmy Garoppolo deal.
(19:43):
You know, this is twelve eighteen months ago where skeptics
were saying things like this. Now they're they're begging for
a deal on those terms because you know, the growth
of the quarterback position in relation to the cap it
just keeps going up. The argument from a lot of
people as Dak Prescott isn't the best quarterback in the
league league, he isn't even the second best quarterback in
the league, and so he shouldn't be paid as one
(20:04):
of the you know, two or three highest paid players
in the NFL. Do you think that's a reasonable argument
or or do you think that it's just simply not
how the quarterback market works and people need to adjust
their expectations. No, people need to just their expectations. Let's
go back a little bit and I'll give you why
that doesn't matter. Has Derek Carr ever been the best
(20:24):
quarterback in the NFL? No, he was highest paid player
when he signed his deal. Matthew Stafford can't win a
playoff game when he signed his contract. Highest paid player
in the league Jimmy Garoppolo. Then we had a handful
of starts with Sancisco forty Niners, became the highest paid
player in the league. Kirk Cousins, up until this year,
was horrible in any type of pressure situation, became the
(20:47):
highest paid player in the league. So that type of
narrative has to go out the window. Did When you
are up and you are a good quarterback to great quarterback,
then there's potential for you to be come the highest
paid player in the league. It here's one thing Dallas
should be concerned about that if between now and the
(21:07):
u I fifteen deadline for franchise players to sign long term,
that Patrick Mahomes gets a deal done and he's got
a four is the first digit in his in his
average Earlie salary, or Deshaun Watson does the same, because
after they dramatically reset the tackle market with Laremy Tunsil
in a way nobody imagined. I'm not ruling out Deshaun
(21:28):
Watson getting there. If you have those two things in
the marketplace, anything you're talking about the day becomes obsolete
in Todd Franci's mind, and you're gonna have to account
for the changing market conditions to get a deal done
with Dak at that point. If you were representing Dak
Prescott is there anyway, because I know the reported a
guaranteed money figure has been potentially a hundred and five
(21:50):
million dollars, and I would come in below Jared Goff
and Carson Wentz who were in his draft class and
who just got their deal son if you were representing
because there any way, you're taking a guarantee that falls below.
Both of those players sign not on a five and
probably not on a flour or either particularly on a five.
Because one thing that I would want Dallas to do
(22:13):
with for a cash flow standpoint, do something they didn't
do for Dez Bryant, de Marcus Lawrence, the last two
franchise players. Their cash flow after each year hails in
comparison to the new money cash flow for Derek Carr,
matt Matt Ryan, and Matthew Stafford when they did their
five year extensions. So the cash flow has got to
be more along the lines of what happens the quarterback.
(22:35):
So when you do that, then the guaranteed money is
gonna go up. The amount which is going to be
fully guaranteed signing does up what you don't even know
what it is. In this offer. It's reported a hundred
and six million of guarantees and thirty five million per year.
But we gotta assume that any deal that Dak would sign,
the first two years are going to be fully guaranteed
(22:55):
at signing, and the third year guarantee is going to
vest at the beginning any of the second here, it's
gonna be guaranteed for injury when you signed. But becomes
fully guaranteed at the beginning of the second year of
the contract. That's what happened with Denn Bryant. Now's what
to Marcus Lawrence. I don't know what happened to Marty Cooper.
His contract isn't structed like that, and that's excusable given
(23:16):
he was on the open market. When you look at
there's been some discussion that you know, if the Cowboys
are playing it this way, they must not really want
Dak Prescott or they must have sincere questions about Dak
Prescott as the guy. If you were on this side
for Dak Prescott, would you interpret the way the cow
was handled this negotiation as doubt in Dak Prescott's bilities
(23:38):
or would you just look at it as this is
just the game and and they're playing it this way.
It's just a game that they played, because if they
really had doubts about him being the guy, giving you
at a glut of quarterbacks this year there were available,
they wouldn't have stuck the franchise tag on him at all,
and seeing if someone would have made a huge run
at him or stuck a transition tag on him instead,
(23:59):
and how to write them something so obviously he's there guy.
And that goes back to something Jerry said in the
middle of the two thousand and eighteen season, when you
knew he was their guy, before they played the Falcons,
Jerry unsolicitedly said he wouldn't trade Jack Prescott for two
first round picks even if he had the first pick
in the overall draft. And at the time, I'm like,
someone gave you that offer, you should go ahead and
(24:20):
take it before they change their minds. But um, that
shows you that they're committed to him. But this is
just negotiation game that they play. That they have waited
a year too late with the DeMarcus Lawrence to get
him under twenty million per year, because if they signed
him on the first franchise didn't have Khleio Mack or
Aaron Donald in the marketplace, so he's not a twenty
one million per year. By waitings cost them money. Um,
(24:43):
last year. That should have been the priority to get
done at the beginning of last offseason. And then you
probably or maybe you get to thirty, maybe a little under,
made a little over, but you're not talking the money
you're gonna have to pay him now. So I guess
last question for you hear that, and obviously not you know,
not do you claiming any sort of insight or anything
like that, but I know your projections. You're usually pretty
(25:03):
close to the ballpark of where these deals end up.
And so what would you guess when this Dak Prescott
deal finally gets done? What kind of neighborhood do you
think we're looking at here? No, DAAs caves on the
structure right around the deadline. Maybe at the eleventh hour,
it's gonna be a four. They're not gonna get the
fifth year. It's gonna be more than Russell Wilson's thirty
five million per year. You know, they're probably gonna exceed
(25:25):
Jared golson hundred million overall guarantees um and the amountfully
guaranteed it signing is probably gonna come in somewhere between
that eighty four million that Kirk Cousins had on its
three year original deal with the Vikings and the ninety
four point five million that Matt Ryan has which the
mostly guaranteed guaranteed its signing in a contract today. Joel
(25:46):
Corey does great work for CBS Sports Season must follow
for any contract issues. Keep up with him there and
also on Twitter at Corey, Joel, and Corey has spelled
c O R R y Joel, thank you so much.
We appreciate it. Sure make anytime alright. Well, I can
hear Cowboys Nation collectively gasping at the idea of that
contract structure that Joel Corey just talked about at the
(26:09):
end his projection. I'm sure a lot of you are
are hoping and praying that's not the case. But you know,
you pay the quarterback. That's just the way it is.
You have to pay the quarterback, you have to fork
over the cash. And as we've talked about, the growth
is is so consistent that Dak Prescott Steel, no matter
when he signs, it is going to look like a
bargain in a couple of years. And so just just
(26:31):
hold tight to that idea if you're a little worked
up at the idea of Dak Prescott getting you know,
thirty seven million annually. But it'll be interesting to see
when it gets done and what it all looks like.
But great stuff from Joel Corey, great stuff from Jalen
Smith as well. On the next episode, Jane Slater will
be back with us and she will be bringing a
(26:52):
big time guest with her. Latent Vanderish. We're interviewing another
Cowboys linebacker, uh, talking about his health, his injury situation, UM,
a lot of the same sort of things that we
talked about with Jalen Smith. The expectation, uh, you know,
for the season with this new coaching staff, and how
they're remaining in shape during the pandemic, and and talk
(27:12):
a little bit about, you know, what he's been up
to during this quarantine time when it hasn't been football.
So stay tuned for that episode. I know you're really
gonna enjoy it. We'll talk to you then
Hello, Boys and Girls, Welcome in to the Boys and
Girl Podcast with Cowboys, NFL Network reporter Jane Slater and
NFL Network producer Bobby Bell. Cowboys Community with the inside
scoop on the Dallas Cowboys now coming straight to you
(00:22):
from the Lone Star State. Here's Jane and Bobby. Well,
that show intro isn't completely accurate today we are without
Jane Slater. Jane is taking some time off, but she
will be back with us next week with a big
name guest that I'll be telling you about here at
the end of the show. It's just myself here today,
(00:44):
but we've got a couple of good guests to help
us fill things out. We're gonna be talking here in
just a few minutes to Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jalen Smith.
Talk to him a little bit about the pandemic and
some of the changes on defense, as well as his
ex actations for himself and how he's getting ready for
the season. He's also got this really great UH program
(01:05):
that he's gonna be putting on in Frisco in July
called the Minority Entrepreneurship Institute, and UH, it's really interesting stuff.
You're gonna wanna hang around and hear what he has
to say on that. And then following that, we're gonna
be talking with Joel Corey, a former NFL agent who
now rides for CBS Sports on matters of contracts on
the cap in the NFL, and he has a really
fantastic article out this week analyzing Dak Prescott's contract negotiations
(01:30):
and why if he were involved in these negotiations on
behalf of Dak Prescott, he wouldn't be caving on that
fifth year either. I know that's been a big discussion
point for a lot of people, but he's gonna explain
why that fifth year matters so much and also, uh,
project what Dak Prescott's contract might look like. So we've
got a Jampact show for you today, kicking off here
(01:50):
with Jalen Smith and then Joel Corey. Let's jump right
into it. Joining us now is Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl
linebacker Jalen Smith. You can follow him on Twitter at
the Jalen Smith, on Instagram at yolo Underscore Smith nine,
and you can even keep up with him on his
website Jalen Smith dot com. Jalen how you doing, Oh,
(02:13):
I'm doing wonderful man. Just uh, pulling up at home
from finishing the workout. How how's everything going on yourself?
Not bad? But you know, I gotta say that's probably
something that people are really curious about, is is these
workouts and how those have been going, just with everything
with the pandemic, how have you been staying in shape
and and keeping things ready for yourself when the season
(02:33):
finally comes back to normal a little bit. Man, It's
all about grind. It's all about grind. And just because um,
you know it's temporarily you know, due to COVID nineteen
we're not allowed and to the facilities, you still gotta
get your work in. Um, so guys are being creative
with workouts at home. Myself, I got a peloton. My
(02:56):
cousin is an athletic trainer, so uh, he's been get
myself and my brother. Right there's a there's a field
like two minutes away from where I live. So that's
where I'm driving home, um from right now, just finishing
us some field work. Man. Now, in terms of how
your understanding is of of how things are gonna be handled,
(03:17):
in terms of when you guys maybe are gonna be
able to get back to the facility or how many
camp and O t A s are gonna go. Have
they given you guys any sort of guidance on that
or is it still just kind of up in the
air and you guys are are wondering yourselves what's the
next step? Yeah, I mean we we really don't know, man. Uh,
we really don't know what's what's going on. It's just,
(03:38):
you know, for us, it's about following direction and and
understanding the circumstances. Man. We everybody needs to stay safe
right now. That's and it's very important. But um, you know,
we love the game of football. We want to play.
We want to be able to give the fans, um
you know what, what they need some entertainment and and
(04:00):
and be able to go out there and play as once.
So I have faith that everything will be fine. It's
just taking it day by day with these uh, with
these virtual meetings and those virtual meetings, you know, those
are gonna be critically important this time around because obviously
there's a defense change this year, Rod Marinelli, Christoschard no
longer here, a lot of personnel changes, Mike Nolan coming
(04:22):
into the fold. Uh, and and we've heard different things
about how you guys are gonna be multiple this year,
that it's not gonna necessarily be the same sort of
base four three look, um, but it's not gonna be
fit into any particular box. That you guys are wanting
to do a lot of different things. Um. Do you
have any sort of understanding of how maybe your role
might change or if you're gonna get to do anything
(04:43):
a little different this year? Do you think it's gonna
be pretty much the same for you, just with a
different overall look for the rest of the unit? Um?
Really just some some added tools from for myself, man,
being able to um showcase my versatility h um, you know,
being able to run sidelines, sideline, being able to um
(05:04):
you know, rush to pass or um. You know, I'm
just looking forward to be able to um you know,
showcase all all all of my talents. Uh. These guys
are putting everyone in the right position, so you know
I can be as thankful now you've while you've been
in Dallas, your defensive overseers have have been Rod Marinelli,
(05:25):
who obviously was a big d line guy, and Christo Shard,
who was the secondary guy. Uh hasn't been beneficial? Are
you excited? That you know, the guy that's coordinating the
whole defense this time around is now a guy who
specializes in your position linebackers, Oh man, Um. I actually
experienced that in college where Brian Van Gorder was my
(05:48):
defensive coordinator, but he specialized in, um, you know, in
linebackers as well being a de coordinator. I think in
Likeleven with Atlanta Falcons, being a Lineburger coach for the
New York Jets, so east I was able to really
really learn, um, you know, a lot about my position. Um,
(06:11):
you know, having a linebacker minded the defensive minded coach.
So it's exciting, man, but it's it's it's all a blessing.
You just got to soak it in. Now. I know
you're your football's obviously, uh, your main thing what most
people know you for. But I know you've got some
off the field things that you're working on. Uh specifically
you're working on the m e I, which is the
Minority Entrepreneurship Institute, and you've got a showcase coming up
(06:35):
here in Dallas on July tent. Has any of that
changed for you with you know, some of this outbreak
or you guys anticipating full go and I guess just
talk a little bit about that event and what you're
wanting to accomplish. Man, Uh, the need is still out there. UM.
For me, I've always had a desire for for ausprenew
(06:57):
worship and business own ownership. UM, you know, giving me
having four years and the um of being a professional
and just understanding all all the access I've gained through
relationships and networking and access to quality deal flow. I've
(07:18):
always thought about, man, how can I help people that
look like me get the same kind of resources? UM.
So just trying to help out the black and the
brown and the Latino community to close the the economic
and educational gap. That's why I started the Minority Entrepreneurship Institute. UM.
This year are gonna be given out, gonna be awarded
(07:39):
over five hundred thousand dollars to three winners UM in
this venture pitch which is July temp. Um, my minority
owners they need financial funding, they need UM strategic mentorship
and helping them put together their infrastructures to be able
to succeed and ultimately provide more jobs for other people
(08:01):
in this world. UM. That's how we can all grow
together as a you know, as a union, as a
and as an entire economy. So it's really been dear
to my heart. Um, I guess I've committed over uh
two and a half million dollars over the next decade
too to help close this gap. Man. So I'm I'm excited.
It's gonna be virtual because of the you know, the pandemic.
(08:25):
So but um, it's nevertheless, it's it's still gonna it's
still gonna do some good justice. Well and because of
the pandemic, have you noticed, um increased interest from people
who I mean right now, there are a lot of
small businesses and and entrepreneurs who have been hit hard.
Are you noticing in an increase in the last month
or two of people who are interested in getting a
chance to have access to these funds? Yes, yes, it's
(08:48):
all about it. It's all about applying, man. You can.
You can apply on my webt site jal Si dot
com slashing me i um emmy I also has a
left Siami Capital fund. Just um going there, apply, tell
us about your business, um, you know, give us a
lot of information so we can do some due diligence
(09:09):
and um and hopefully you can get on Uh. That's
but that's that's what it's about. Man. This pandemic has
effected so many small businesses. Um, you know, even some
of those small businesses that I'm involved with. So just
understanding that scope is just an extra added um, you know,
just me understanding, and I'm doing the right thing for sure.
(09:30):
One of your hot boy brothers to Marcus Lawrence, I
know he was speaking recently to uh speak for yourself,
marcell Us Wiley and Jason Whitlock, And in that interview,
he was talking about how things ended last year and
said that he thought that there were things that the
team was maybe worried about that that caused them to
(09:51):
be a little bit divided. And he didn't get into
it of and that just to say that he thought
that was the case and that things were gonna be
better this year. I wouldn't ask you to extrapolate on
his thoughts. You know, DeMarcus is the one to speak
for DeMarcus. But what would you say? Do you think
that last year you guys had any sort of distraction
or that you felt divided at any point? No, I'm
just saying, man, it's all about it's all about execution.
(10:13):
It's all about accomplishing the mission. And we didn't do
that last year. Um, whether it be coach, whether it
be player. Man, at the end of the day, we're
the guys out there playing. Um. So I just I
just think it's a new opportunity this year to to
to define our really develop our culture and understand who
(10:36):
we are as a unit. And then from there it's
just it's about execution. Man. We gotta go out there
and play with the with the will to win. So
I'm excited about that personally, um, and also as a
team for real, just being able to to to get
it right. Is that something that especially with a new leadership,
(10:56):
you know, you know, a new regime coming in, is
that something that you as as somebody who was a
captain and and somebody who uh has looked at as
a leader. Is that something that you're you're taking that
responsibility maybe even a little bit more seriously this year,
knowing that hey, there's gonna need to be some you know,
bridges built here between a new coaching staff and some
of the players, and that you view yourself as somewhat
of a vessel for that. Yeah. Man, absolutely, Um. First
(11:20):
year being a captain of America's team, being one of
the captain's um learned a lot and it's all and
it's all about growth. Man, You don't you don't get
it right the first time in around is um. You
gotta put in that work and and and sometimes the
best um, the best way to learn is is through experience.
So um, Uh, I'm preparing. I'm preparing for this year.
(11:42):
I'm preparing, um, you know, for what we're about to endure.
Um and just thankful for our opportunity. But I'm locked in.
And uh, the last question here for you, I know
that you know, I know one of the unwritten rules
uh and sometimes written spoken about, but I know what
what things that set in the locker room is generally like,
you know, don't speak on a man's money, don't don't
(12:04):
talk about that, let him handle his business. And so
I wouldn't dare ask you do that. But I know
a lot of people are asking about you know, where
Dak Prescott ranks around the league right now? Your guy
who sees him every day in practice, You've seen his
growth on the field, and you see a number of
the best quarterbacks in the league when you're out there
during the season, where would you say for yourself, just
analyzing the game a little bit where Dak Prescott falls
(12:25):
for you in terms of some of the better quarterbacks
in the league. What does it you think he does
that makes him special? I think dex his tenacity is
is incredible. Um, his leadership, what he does for our team.
Just from a from a mental standpoint, Um, you gotta
(12:48):
rock with him. You have to like him. Um, it's
just he's a guy that that that that's gonna give
it his all. That's the one thing you know, Um
stepping out on that field with a guy like that
Dak Prescott. Um, businesses business. Uh, contract negotiation, it happens
all the time. Um, they're gonna get this, They're gonna
(13:08):
get the deal done. So it's just all about when
absolutely now you can. You can keep up with Jalen Smith,
as I said, lots of places he permeates the internet.
You can find him on Twitter, at the Jalen Smith Instagram,
at Yolo Underscore Smith nine, and then of course at
his website Jalen Smith dot com, which, as we mentioned,
you can find out all about the Minority Entrepreneurship Institute
(13:29):
there and what they're doing. In July. As Jalen said,
go apply, get access to those funds. Get the opportunity.
A lot of people need it right now. And uh,
you can also learn more about the clear Eye View lenses,
which I know everybody's been rocking lately. So we'll go
get you CB lenses. We got some, we got some
new swag coming man. I'll make sure I see you
a fare bro. Oh, I appreciate. And then can people
(13:51):
buy the lenses directly on your website or do they
gotta go to an outcast? Go to go they go
to CV collection dot com or go to my website
Jalen Smith dot com. You click the link Instagram CV
Collection at CV Collection. Um, we've got some amazing things
going on. All. I appreciate it, Jalen. Best of luck,
and uh, hopefully we'll be seeing you in person again soon.
(14:11):
We won't have to do all this remote stuff. Hi,
brother be saved now. Joining us now to talk a
little bit about the Dak Prescott contract and those ongoing
negotiations is Joel Corey. Joel writes about the NFL and
salary cap matters for CBS Sports. He is a former
sports agent who helped found Premier Sports and Entertainment, a
(14:32):
sports management firm that represents professional athletes and coaches. Before
his tenure at Premier, Joel worked for Management Plus Enterprises,
which represented Shaquille O'Neil, Hakim Mala Juan and Ronnie Lott.
You can follow him on Twitter at Corey Joel. Joel
wrote a great piece this week about some of the
discussion points surrounding Dak Prescott's contract and why it it
(14:56):
can't be boiled down to his you know, simple as
just ar versus five years or why that's a bigger
difference than people realize. It's all how you doing. I'm
doing pretty good? How about yourself? I'm doing great? And
I do want to lead off at that point because
a lot of us have heard about this reported four
or five year disagreement that generally they've kind of come
to terms on the money, but that you know, Dak
(15:18):
Prescott's camp, Todd France ci A they want a four
year deal and the Cowboys are looking at a five
year deal. Why is that a bigger chasm than it sounds?
Why is that one year such a big deal? Well,
if Todd France had his way, it would be a
three year deal, but uh, that was never gonna happen. Um,
(15:39):
one of the big things is that we we fully
expect that there's gonna be a seventeenth game sometime before
the season, and the players percentage of revenues goes up
with the additional seventeenth of game. Also, TV deals expire
after the two season. They're gonna be renewed at some
(16:00):
point in the expectation is that they're going to be
doing at a much higher rate than they currently are.
So those two factors mean the captain is probably gonna
go up drammatically, probably beginning. So you want to get
another body of the apple as soon as possible, take
advantage of the changing economic conditions. So every extra year
(16:23):
you give up is a year that you don't get
to get paid. What will be the going rate? What's
these factors come into play when it comes down to
you know, Dak Prescott, they had a franchise tag and
they didn't get the deal done last year after his
third season, he played out the fourth year, played arguably
as best football of his career, and uh, you know,
(16:44):
is now looking to get paid. As such, how much
of a complicating factor do you think it is or
how much more difficult do you think the Cowboys made
the contracts structure on themselves by not having this as
a four year extension like you know the Eagles and
the Rams did with Goff and Wines, where they tacked
four years onto the two that were already there. How
difficult did the Cowboys make this on themselves having it
(17:06):
be all new money. Yeah, Well, if you have a
deal done when there's remaining years in the contract, you
get better control on how you manage the cap. Because
if Dallas had a fifth year is opposed to just
four years, and they could parade a signing bonus an
extra year. And what Dallas really likes to do is
do longer deals than that, where they have the pro
(17:29):
ration for the five years for the signing bonus in it.
They restructure a deal for cap purposes and there's a
sixth year. Then you can prod the restructure over the
original five years of propation plus the extra year the
sixth year, so they won't have that luxury on a
straight four year deal. And in terms of the you
know you talk about the cap impact and how the
(17:51):
cap is going to continue to go up. I know
you mentioned this in your article and it's something that
started to be discussed a little bit this idea that
the coronavirus pandemic and potentially UH lessoned revenue for next
year could put Dak Prescott in a bit of a
precarious position. And if he doesn't get a deal done
now that you know, if he's looking at free agency
next year, of the franchise tag next year and revenue
(18:14):
has gone down and thus the cap has gone down, uh,
it could be a tough sledding for him to get
the deal that he wants. Do you think that provides
any sort of pressure That prospect provides any sort of
pressure on Todd France and Dak Prescott to get something
done now, Well, if you're Todd France, you have to
raise that issue to your client just to make him
aware of it, and ultimately, UM, they have to decide
(18:35):
how important that potential risk is. UM we've seen in
years where there hasn't been a huge increase in the cap,
the top free agents get paid anyway. So if Dac
went out and did what he did last year, then
if he hit the open market because Dallas didn't want
to franchise and a basically thirty seven point seven million
(18:56):
I suspect he would be all right. Now if he
regressed or got hurt, that'd be a different story. But
that's something they got to decide how much it's gonna
factor into their equation. Um, I suspect that they're gonna
look at it that I'm a good enough player. Worse,
it's gonna be a non issue for me, and he's
really looking at it today. If I can get the
open market, Kirk cousins, I'm better than he was granted
(19:20):
the cap one of like six seven percent, then that
I'm gonna be just fine in that circumstance. You know,
I think it's funny if you look back a year ago,
there were pundits and and fans who were, you know,
saying that the Dak Prescott deal, you couldn't possibly pay
this guy thirty million dollars or or you know, imagine
the nightmare scenario of him getting the Jimmy Garoppolo deal.
(19:43):
You know, this is twelve eighteen months ago where skeptics
were saying things like this. Now they're they're begging for
a deal on those terms because you know, the growth
of the quarterback position in relation to the cap it
just keeps going up. The argument from a lot of
people as Dak Prescott isn't the best quarterback in the
league league, he isn't even the second best quarterback in
the league, and so he shouldn't be paid as one
(20:04):
of the you know, two or three highest paid players
in the NFL. Do you think that's a reasonable argument
or or do you think that it's just simply not
how the quarterback market works and people need to adjust
their expectations. No, people need to just their expectations. Let's
go back a little bit and I'll give you why
that doesn't matter. Has Derek Carr ever been the best
(20:24):
quarterback in the NFL? No, he was highest paid player
when he signed his deal. Matthew Stafford can't win a
playoff game when he signed his contract. Highest paid player
in the league Jimmy Garoppolo. Then we had a handful
of starts with Sancisco forty Niners, became the highest paid
player in the league. Kirk Cousins, up until this year,
was horrible in any type of pressure situation, became the
(20:47):
highest paid player in the league. So that type of
narrative has to go out the window. Did When you
are up and you are a good quarterback to great quarterback,
then there's potential for you to be come the highest
paid player in the league. It here's one thing Dallas
should be concerned about that if between now and the
(21:07):
u I fifteen deadline for franchise players to sign long term,
that Patrick Mahomes gets a deal done and he's got
a four is the first digit in his in his
average Earlie salary, or Deshaun Watson does the same, because
after they dramatically reset the tackle market with Laremy Tunsil
in a way nobody imagined. I'm not ruling out Deshaun
(21:28):
Watson getting there. If you have those two things in
the marketplace, anything you're talking about the day becomes obsolete
in Todd Franci's mind, and you're gonna have to account
for the changing market conditions to get a deal done
with Dak at that point. If you were representing Dak
Prescott is there anyway, because I know the reported a
guaranteed money figure has been potentially a hundred and five
(21:50):
million dollars, and I would come in below Jared Goff
and Carson Wentz who were in his draft class and
who just got their deal son if you were representing
because there any way, you're taking a guarantee that falls below.
Both of those players sign not on a five and
probably not on a flour or either particularly on a five.
Because one thing that I would want Dallas to do
(22:13):
with for a cash flow standpoint, do something they didn't
do for Dez Bryant, de Marcus Lawrence, the last two
franchise players. Their cash flow after each year hails in
comparison to the new money cash flow for Derek Carr,
matt Matt Ryan, and Matthew Stafford when they did their
five year extensions. So the cash flow has got to
be more along the lines of what happens the quarterback.
(22:35):
So when you do that, then the guaranteed money is
gonna go up. The amount which is going to be
fully guaranteed signing does up what you don't even know
what it is. In this offer. It's reported a hundred
and six million of guarantees and thirty five million per year.
But we gotta assume that any deal that Dak would sign,
the first two years are going to be fully guaranteed
(22:55):
at signing, and the third year guarantee is going to
vest at the beginning any of the second here, it's
gonna be guaranteed for injury when you signed. But becomes
fully guaranteed at the beginning of the second year of
the contract. That's what happened with Denn Bryant. Now's what
to Marcus Lawrence. I don't know what happened to Marty Cooper.
His contract isn't structed like that, and that's excusable given
(23:16):
he was on the open market. When you look at
there's been some discussion that you know, if the Cowboys
are playing it this way, they must not really want
Dak Prescott or they must have sincere questions about Dak
Prescott as the guy. If you were on this side
for Dak Prescott, would you interpret the way the cow
was handled this negotiation as doubt in Dak Prescott's bilities
(23:38):
or would you just look at it as this is
just the game and and they're playing it this way.
It's just a game that they played, because if they
really had doubts about him being the guy, giving you
at a glut of quarterbacks this year there were available,
they wouldn't have stuck the franchise tag on him at all,
and seeing if someone would have made a huge run
at him or stuck a transition tag on him instead,
(23:59):
and how to write them something so obviously he's there guy.
And that goes back to something Jerry said in the
middle of the two thousand and eighteen season, when you
knew he was their guy, before they played the Falcons,
Jerry unsolicitedly said he wouldn't trade Jack Prescott for two
first round picks even if he had the first pick
in the overall draft. And at the time, I'm like,
someone gave you that offer, you should go ahead and
(24:20):
take it before they change their minds. But um, that
shows you that they're committed to him. But this is
just negotiation game that they play. That they have waited
a year too late with the DeMarcus Lawrence to get
him under twenty million per year, because if they signed
him on the first franchise didn't have Khleio Mack or
Aaron Donald in the marketplace, so he's not a twenty
one million per year. By waitings cost them money. Um,
(24:43):
last year. That should have been the priority to get
done at the beginning of last offseason. And then you
probably or maybe you get to thirty, maybe a little under,
made a little over, but you're not talking the money
you're gonna have to pay him now. So I guess
last question for you hear that, and obviously not you know,
not do you claiming any sort of insight or anything
like that, but I know your projections. You're usually pretty
(25:03):
close to the ballpark of where these deals end up.
And so what would you guess when this Dak Prescott
deal finally gets done? What kind of neighborhood do you
think we're looking at here? No, DAAs caves on the
structure right around the deadline. Maybe at the eleventh hour,
it's gonna be a four. They're not gonna get the
fifth year. It's gonna be more than Russell Wilson's thirty
five million per year. You know, they're probably gonna exceed
(25:25):
Jared golson hundred million overall guarantees um and the amountfully
guaranteed it signing is probably gonna come in somewhere between
that eighty four million that Kirk Cousins had on its
three year original deal with the Vikings and the ninety
four point five million that Matt Ryan has which the
mostly guaranteed guaranteed its signing in a contract today. Joel
(25:46):
Corey does great work for CBS Sports Season must follow
for any contract issues. Keep up with him there and
also on Twitter at Corey, Joel, and Corey has spelled
c O R R y Joel, thank you so much.
We appreciate it. Sure make anytime alright. Well, I can
hear Cowboys Nation collectively gasping at the idea of that
contract structure that Joel Corey just talked about at the
(26:09):
end his projection. I'm sure a lot of you are
are hoping and praying that's not the case. But you know,
you pay the quarterback. That's just the way it is.
You have to pay the quarterback, you have to fork
over the cash. And as we've talked about, the growth
is is so consistent that Dak Prescott Steel, no matter
when he signs, it is going to look like a
bargain in a couple of years. And so just just
(26:31):
hold tight to that idea if you're a little worked
up at the idea of Dak Prescott getting you know,
thirty seven million annually. But it'll be interesting to see
when it gets done and what it all looks like.
But great stuff from Joel Corey, great stuff from Jalen
Smith as well. On the next episode, Jane Slater will
be back with us and she will be bringing a
(26:52):
big time guest with her. Latent Vanderish. We're interviewing another
Cowboys linebacker, uh, talking about his health, his injury situation, UM,
a lot of the same sort of things that we
talked about with Jalen Smith. The expectation, uh, you know,
for the season with this new coaching staff, and how
they're remaining in shape during the pandemic, and and talk
(27:12):
a little bit about, you know, what he's been up
to during this quarantine time when it hasn't been football.
So stay tuned for that episode. I know you're really
gonna enjoy it. We'll talk to you then
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