- Dec 26, 2000
- 11,542
- 5
- 81
Cowboys only want Smith in backup role
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN.com news services
The Cowboys will have a new look this upcoming season with the addition of coach Bill Parcells.
But will Dallas staple Emmitt Smith join him?
Smith's stint as a starter is likely over as the Cowboys only want the running back to return in a backup role, according to a report in the Dallas Morning News on Thursday.
Citing a team source, the newspaper reported that Smith and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will meet next week to discuss the NFL veteran's future.
According to the News, Jones will inform Smith at the meeting that if the running back returns to the Cowboys in 2003, it will not be as a starter. Jones will also reportedly tell Smith that the team will restructure his contract and will give Smith permission to negotiate with other teams.
The source also told the newspaper that Jones will release Smith if he finds a team that wants the running back as a starter. If Smith cannot find a team that wants him as a starter, the Cowboys will reportedly retain him in the backup role.
"I can still do it. If a team is going to pay me to come and play for them, they are not going to pay me to play a backup role," Smith told Fox Sports Net last week. "Why would they make that kind of investment in me?"
Smith has said he is willing to restructure his contract, which will pay him $7 million in 2003. The Dallas Morning News also reported that if Smith remains with the Cowboys, his salary is expected to be reduced to the NFL minimum for a 14-year veteran at $755,000.
According to the report, Parcells has not taken a stance on Smith's status, and said the running back's role will not be ironed out until after Smith meets with Jones.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN.com news services
The Cowboys will have a new look this upcoming season with the addition of coach Bill Parcells.
But will Dallas staple Emmitt Smith join him?
Smith's stint as a starter is likely over as the Cowboys only want the running back to return in a backup role, according to a report in the Dallas Morning News on Thursday.
Citing a team source, the newspaper reported that Smith and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will meet next week to discuss the NFL veteran's future.
According to the News, Jones will inform Smith at the meeting that if the running back returns to the Cowboys in 2003, it will not be as a starter. Jones will also reportedly tell Smith that the team will restructure his contract and will give Smith permission to negotiate with other teams.
The source also told the newspaper that Jones will release Smith if he finds a team that wants the running back as a starter. If Smith cannot find a team that wants him as a starter, the Cowboys will reportedly retain him in the backup role.
"I can still do it. If a team is going to pay me to come and play for them, they are not going to pay me to play a backup role," Smith told Fox Sports Net last week. "Why would they make that kind of investment in me?"
Smith has said he is willing to restructure his contract, which will pay him $7 million in 2003. The Dallas Morning News also reported that if Smith remains with the Cowboys, his salary is expected to be reduced to the NFL minimum for a 14-year veteran at $755,000.
According to the report, Parcells has not taken a stance on Smith's status, and said the running back's role will not be ironed out until after Smith meets with Jones.