Cowboys Camp: What Dak Prescott tells us about 'Zeke Out, Freak Out'
Cowboys Camp: What Dak Prescott tells us about 'Zeke Out, Freak Out'
By Mike Fisher
OXNARD - One Saturday ago, I reported that Ezekiel Elliott planned to fulfill a social commitment back home in DFW, evidence that he wouldn't be coming to camp with the Dallas Cowboys over that weekend.
Since then, a trip to Cabo and another weekend has passed. Training camp marches on ... with no Zeke.
"I miss him a lot,'' teammate and pal Dak Prescott tells us on 105.3 The Fan's "G-Bag Nation. "He’s been shooting me text messages every day .. back and forth. .. he’s out there (working out in Cabo) doing what he needs to do - making himself a better football player.''
Dak's words are calming, I think, to Cowboys Nation. "Being in touch'' is a good thing -- and Cowboys management is in touch with him and his agent, Rocky Arceneaux, as well. But while Cowboys folks here in this camp (and maybe various mouthpieces) assure that any "Zeke Out, Freak Out'' will not serve as a distraction, the facts scream a different truth.
Over the course of that first weekend, virtually every single player was asked to field a question about the absence of Elliott, who is officially a holdout from camp as he seeks a "biggest-running-back-contract-ever'' extension from Dallas, where he is presently scheduled to make $3.8 million in 2019. The Cowboys have extended to Elliott what COO Stephen Jones labels a "solid offer,'' and lines of communication are open. But again, most of the "communication'' had to come from players who would certainly prefer to talk about themselves or their team ... but who instead are nudged into talking about the team MVP who isn't here.
“We’ve talked,'' Prescott said. "Quick communications. But that’s all business. That’s for him to handle. For my job right now, it’s just come out here and make sure this team is getting better. I’m making sure I’m getting myself better and everyone out here. That’s my main focus is being the best team we can be with everyone here. We know he will take care of himself.”
Added DeMarcus Lawrence in what serves as many the wisest words on the subject, when asked if he has "advice'' to offer Elliott: “I’ve got some advice for you,'' he said. "Don’t ask me about another man’s business.”
Coach Jason Garrett is taking a "we-coach-the-guys-who-are-here'' approach, telling the media that he didn't really address Elliott's absence with the team. Meanwhile, as camp progresses, first-team reps for running backs figure to mostly go to rookie Tony Pollard, though Darius Jackson was involved in that role this weekend.
Every day of camp missed for Elliott could cost him $40,000 in fines, according to CBA rules, though owner Jerry Jones has sidestepped questions about whether the team would impose the penalty. Conventionally, the fines are used as a threat, and when the final contract is agreed upon, magically disappear.
Elliott, the two-time NFL rushing champ, can end up with a $63 million contract that includes $46 million guaranteed and $26 million at signing, according to our own calculated proposal. Maybe Dallas doesn't want to cough up that much cash, and maybe the fact that under our proposed structure he'd fall short of the $14 million APY that is featured in the contract of the NFL's top-paid runner Todd Gurley of the Rams. But a compromise must come.
"I don't worry about it,'' veteran teammate Jason Witten said. "Zeke loves playing, loves being around the guys, like a little kid the way he approaches and has fun. ... Talk to me in a month if that is an issue if he (isn't here.) ... I believe eventually he'll get here.''
Dak believes the same thing -- given their constant contact, probably an encouraging thing.
"I don't see that happening,'' Dak said when asked about playing long-term without Elliott. "I don't want to think that way.''
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