Some
jokes just might pay off, literally.
Wednesday, August 31, Jerry Jones stood before 2,500
fans, media, players and coaches at the Annual Cowboys Luncheon held inside the
Cowboys Stadium. He was talking about the NFL’s new collective bargaining
agreement and thought that tagging on a joke at the end of his statement might
entertain the crowd. There was no way the Dallas Cowboys Owner and G.M. could
have predicted the backlash.
"We have assured that we will have 10 years of where we don't have any issues with anything regarding clubs, players or those types of salaries. Now, I will make an exception," Jones said. "Jay Ratliff will tell you, 'You've got a big issue, Jerry, with my salary. I need a little more money.'"
The seemingly harmless jab at one player’s paycheck could now earn him a raise. Although unintentional, Jones implied that Ratliff was unhappy with his current paycheck. Ratliff’s agent, Mark Slough, argues that the implication is absolutely false. In fact, Slough reiterates that they’ve never asked for a pay increase although Ratliff probably deserves one.
Well,
because of Jones’ unintentional flub, Ratliff just might get it.
Fans
are also going to the message boards and explaining their concerns of the
possible pay increase. Most site Ratliff’s age. The Dallas Cowboys nose tackle
is nearing 30, and fans are concerned that this joke could ultimately give
another player an overblown paycheck.
Personally,
while I agree that it was a thoughtless comment on Jones’ end—one that just
might cost him—I don’t see why the joke even became a big deal, let alone a
platform for contract renegotiation. It seems obvious that the joke was
intended to be playful rather than insulting. And I think in an odd way that
Jones also paid Ratliff a compliment in the misunderstood statement. It was his
way of acknowledging Ratliff’s dedication and hard work, as the aging nose
tackle has proven himself to be an asset to the team.
However,
it was a comment that Slough was smart enough to capitalize on. Though in
interviews, he seemed to hold no grudge toward Jerry Jones or his comment, he
does hint that a contract renegotiation and impending raise
could be in the works.
In
2009, I witnessed Ratliff become a huge part of the defensive line. He,
DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer worked together to become a powerful and
unstoppable defense. But what have we seen from him since then? When I think
back on the years following 2009, I can’t really think of a big play that’s
caused him to stick out. So while at one time, he may have out-performed his
modest contrast, is he really still doing it? I’d be hard-pressed to believe
so.
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