The next time you get sick of some player – Cowboys linebacker Greg Ellis comes to mind – grousing about his contract, think about New Orleans running back Deuce McAllister.
The Saints all-time leading rusher, who accepted Reggie Bush and splitting his role without complaint, blew out his knee for the second time in three years last season while trying to help the Saints win a game.
His reward: The Saints restructured his contract.
The $1 million bonus he was supposed to receive has been converted to incentives. If he fully recovers, he'll get the money that his contract originally said he was supposed to receive. If there are complications, then he won't.
That's why a player should do whatever they must do to get paid. Hold out? Fine. Force a trade? That's OK, too.
There is no loyalty in the NFL. A contract means nothing in the NFL. It's a year-to-year deal. That's how management treats it, and that's how players should, too.
By the way, have you heard the moral outrage over McAllister's contract? Of course not. People seem to always hold employees to a higher standard than companies.
Q: What are your thoughts on Dallas drafting Jamaal Charles. If the Cowboys are not that interested in him, then who do you think might pick him up and when?
Michael Burns, Texas
TAYLOR: Personally, I'm not a Charles fan. To me, he's a track guy who plays football, and I'm always afraid of having track guys on my team. Plus, he was a good back at Texas, but he wasn't a real difference-maker until the last four or five games of last season when he put together a terrific string of 200-yard performances. That said, I don't think Dallas would take him in the first round, but I could see them grabbing him in the second round if he was still there. I don't know where he's going, but I would figure someone will take him in the first two rounds because he has such good speed, despite his fumbling issues.
Q: Jerry's still talking about a mega trade. I thought a little about how far up they've have to go to get Rashard Mendenhall. What about trading the 22nd and 28th pick for WR Roy Williams and Detroit's 15th pick, then they could take Mendenhall AND get Roy Williams! I'd do that deal every time!
Don Weeks
TAYLOR: Don, I know you'd do that deal. So would every other Cowboys fan. Now, tell me why the Lions would do it. Frankly, they wouldn't. Don't feel bad, though. Mendenhall will be gone before No.15 anyway.
Q: I keep reading unflattering stories about the cornerback Aqib Talib. He sounds like another Pacman Jones waiting to happen. What do you think?
Shelby Mast
TAYLOR: I haven't read anything that makes me think Talib is going to be Pacman. Certainly, he has a high opinion of himself, and there have been reports that he tested positive for marijuana at Kansas. But none of that compares to the things Pacman has done. It's not like he has been arrested numerous times. Obviously, you have to do your homework on him and then make a decision. He's a high-risk player. He's going to be a star or a scrub.
Q: What will Anthony Henry's cap hit be if he were to be let go? He's still a good corner, but he's been injured a lot lately and is getting up there in age. Next year, both receivers and corners will be over 30 if we continue the way it is now. Just a thought.
TAYLOR: I believe it would be $2 million this year and $2 million next year, but that really doesn't matter. Why would you get rid of Henry? Who would play corner? A first- or second-round pick? Pacman Jones? What happens if one of both of those guys gets hurt? There's no reason to get rid of Henry. He's been a good, solid player for the Cowboys.
Q: When the Cowboys made the trade last year with Cleveland, I thought the pick we would get this year would be close to the top of the draft. Do you think there is a chance of taking one of the first-round picks and making a trade with a weaker team for a pick in a lower round this year plus a first next year and maybe getting lucky with a top pick. Plus, if the cap situation is tight, that would keep from paying two first-round picks now.
Steve Neece, Bartlesville, Okla.
TAYLOR: You make a trade, if it's best for your team – not based on what will happen next year. We've already seen with the Buffalo and Cleveland trades of the last few years that you can never predict from year-to-year how a team is going to fare, so you're always taking a chance. I wouldn't be surprised to see Dallas trade one of its first-round picks, if it can't get the player it wants.
Q: Add me to those clamoring for a change in the rookie salary structure. What do you think?
Ted Bush, Hanover, NH.
TAYLOR: I think it would be great. I like the way the NBA does it. The first-round picks are each handsomely compensated and if they become stars, then they are paid like kings. That way, the best players receive the most money, which is how it should be done.
Q: With regard to last year's early-season problems with Wade Wilson, did Jerry Jones ever lose confidence in his abilities as a quarterback coach? Has this issue been closed or is he under the scope this year by either the Cowboys or the NFL? Finally, do you think Tony Romo's confidence in him has been compromised at all?
John Keys, Corpus Christi
TAYLOR: I don't think Jerry ever lost faith in Wade because his issue was about quality of life – not his job performance. Based on Romo's performance, you'd have to say Wilson did a pretty good job last year. Jason Garrett gets a lot of credit, as he should, but Wilson should also get some credit.
Q: What the story with Larry Allen, is he done? If so, do you think he will sign one of those one-day deals and retire a Cowboy?
TAYLOR: I don't know that Allen's future has been determined yet. Larry is a very private person, so I don't know that he would want the pomp and circumstance that would accompany signing a one-day deal with the Cowboys. My suspicion is it won't happen, though he will get put in the Ring of Honor, as he should, one day before he gets into the Hall of Fame.
Q: Do you think that Terry Glenn is actually through playing or do you think he could actually come back and contribute to an already potent offense? Do you think the Cowboys need to draft a receiver?
Kelvin Payne
TAYLOR: I would love to see Terry Glenn come back and be a contributor to this team because he's a terrific player who's never really gotten his due over the years. But he's a speed player trying to overcome a serious knee injury. I don't know that he can do it, but I wish him luck.
Q: I also hope Tampa Bay releases Chris Simms. He would be a great backup to Romo. What do you think?
Ruben Rodriguez
TAYLOR: I wouldn't be opposed to that. I still think Brad Johnson would be better as a No. 3 quarterback instead of a No. 2. It makes me nervous to think he's one injury away from starting four or five games because he never looked good or comfortable in the preseason. Plus, he has a suspect arm. He's intelligent and doesn't make a lot of mistakes, but I'd rather have a young guy like Simms as my backup.
Q: How about Dallas drafting an interior defensive lineman? You can't forget what a dominant pass rush can do to help a team win a Super Bowl.
Richard K. Garner, Sacramento
TAYLOR: I don't think Dallas will be looking for a nose guard with Tank Johnson and Jay Ratliff currently at the position. In the 3-4, the pass-rushers come from the outside linebacker positions. When Dallas does use a four-man line, it can move Jason Hatcher and Greg Ellis inside, if it chooses, to boost the pass rush and use Anthony Spencer at outside linebacker.
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