'09 IN OT Zack Martin (Notre Dame Man)

[ulukinatme]

Sounds good until the team cuts you halfway through the contract.

This. I mean, there's guaranteed money in there, but lets be real: Martin is still at least in the Top 3 among Guards today, he's the best guard to play in the last decade, he's one of the best all time, and he's a sure fire first ballot HoFer. He's sitting at 11th right now among Guards. He deserves at least a bump, especially if he's going to be there two more years.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Zack was named 1st Team AP All Pro for his 7th time today, that's in addition to his 2 time 2nd Team AP All Pro for a total of 9.

To put this in perspective, he is now tied for the most 1st Team selections by a Guard in NFL history, officially exceeding the amount the legendary Bruce Matthews had at Guard (he has 1 at Center), and tying the amount by Randall McDaniel and John Hannah, whom I believe own the record. We've known for a few years that Zack was a Hall of Famer but he's putting up a case for the greatest Guard in NFL history with these sorts of accolades. If he can make a couple more All Pros then the future debates will get fun.

Fun Fact: the brain dead All American voters only ever got him a single nod, at 2nd team in 2012, during his time at Notre Dame.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Zack was named 1st Team AP All Pro for his 7th time today, that's in addition to his 2 time 2nd Team AP All Pro for a total of 9.

To put this in perspective, he is now tied for the most 1st Team selections by a Guard in NFL history, officially exceeding the amount the legendary Bruce Matthews had at Guard (he has 1 at Center), and tying the amount by Randall McDaniel and John Hannah, whom I believe own the record. We've known for a few years that Zack was a Hall of Famer but he's putting up a case for the greatest Guard in NFL history with these sorts of accolades. If he can make a couple more All Pros then the future debates will get fun.

How’s this stat? He’s got more All Pro Selections than holding penalties in his career. 7AP’s and 6 flags for holding. GOAT at Guard.

 

[zelezo vlk]

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Zack was named 1st Team AP All Pro for his 7th time today, that's in addition to his 2 time 2nd Team AP All Pro for a total of 9.

To put this in perspective, he is now tied for the most 1st Team selections by a Guard in NFL history, officially exceeding the amount the legendary Bruce Matthews had at Guard (he has 1 at Center), and tying the amount by Randall McDaniel and John Hannah, whom I believe own the record. We've known for a few years that Zack was a Hall of Famer but he's putting up a case for the greatest Guard in NFL history with these sorts of accolades. If he can make a couple more All Pros then the future debates will get fun.

Fun Fact: the brain dead All American voters only ever got him a single nod, at 2nd team in 2012, during his time at Notre Dame.

Remember when there was high drama about whether the Cowboys would take him or Johnny Manziel?

 

[zelezo vlk]

Remember when there was high drama about whether the Cowboys would take him or Johnny Manziel?

Apparently there wasn't. When it was the Boys' turn to pick, Jerry said hey are we still decided on Martin over a franchise QB and went around the table one by one; everyone said Martin.

Then later it was joked by a Cowboys writer about how he could picture Stephen Jones needing to rip the card out of Jerry's hand, and Jerry loving himself some attention, decided to let the story play.

 

[NDShark]

how's walter Jones not on that list?

 

[zelezo vlk]

how's walter Jones not on that list?

He played at a pretty stacked time for OT, Willie Roaf, Jonathan Ogden, and Orlando Pace all played at the same time as Walter.

 

[KPENN]

 

[ab2cmiller]

I feel old

 

[ulukinatme]

This man is only 33! That grey in his beard tells me he's seen some shit on that Dallas field.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Seems like he was just drafted haha

But he turned 24 during his rookie season, and will be now going into his 11th season.

He’s made a lot of money, and there is an arguement about him being a first ballot Hall of Famer. I’m sure he wants a ring like every player, but there really isn’t much for him to accomplish.

 

[CanadalovesND]

To add onto my last point, spotrac.com shows Martin's career earnings so far at $93 million, and has an $18 mil cap hit for the '24 season.

Zack Martin | NFL | Spotrac.com

Zack Martin contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

 

[OKCDomer23]

I was fortunate enough to sit next to Zack Martin at "Breakfast with the Irish" during the spring game weekend of 2011. One of the most respectful and impressive college kids I can remember. He's had an awesome career and wish him the best now and in post football life.

 

[Irish#1]

Seems like he was just drafted haha

But he turned 24 during his rookie season, and will be now going into his 11th season.

He’s made a lot of money, and there is an arguement about him being a first ballot Hall of Famer. I’m sure he wants a ring like every player, but there really isn’t much for him to accomplish.

He's definitely a 1st ballot lock IMO. Was listening to the radio and they were talking about him possibly retiring. Mentioned how he had an almost perfect career being a 1st or 2nd team All Pro nine times. Only 12 sacks given up in 121 games.

 

[Rambler09]

Imagine "retiring" at 34 with north of $100 million (assuming endorsements) in career earnings and a lock for the hall of fame.

 

[zelezo vlk]

He's definitely a 1st ballot lock IMO. Was listening to the radio and they were talking about him possibly retiring. Mentioned how he had an almost perfect career being a 1st or 2nd team All Pro nine times. Only 12 sacks given up in 121 games.

I'm the guy constantly bumping Zack's thread in the offseasons because we really don't appreciate his run right now. Zack's accolades put him not only in the Hall of Fame but he's got the accolades to be in the greatest Guard of all time talk. Literally nobody has more 1st Team All Pros at his position.

Just a reminder that the All-American voters are incredibly dumb as he was amazing at LT in college too but he only ever got a single 2nd team nod...

 

[OKCDomer23]

He's definitely a 1st ballot lock IMO. Was listening to the radio and they were talking about him possibly retiring. Mentioned how he had an almost perfect career being a 1st or 2nd team All Pro nine times. Only 12 sacks given up in 121 games.

Only 12 sacks allowed in 121 games is insanely good. Literally he's allowed a sack around once every 10 games! Extraordinarily impressive.

 

[ulukinatme]

He's definitely a 1st ballot lock IMO. Was listening to the radio and they were talking about him possibly retiring. Mentioned how he had an almost perfect career being a 1st or 2nd team All Pro nine times. Only 12 sacks given up in 121 games.

His All Pro selections are impressive on their own. At 7 First Team All Pros he's only got 13 guys ahead of him in NFL history that have had more, and most of them are from the '50s along with some from the 80s like Jerry Rice, LT, Anthony Munoz, Bruce Smith, and Reggie White. That's some pretty damn good company. There's only one guy that has more in the 2000s and it's Aaron Donald with 8 who is now retired. Zack could tie him this season, which would put only 4 guys ahead of him.

 

[dublinirish]

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Just announced he is out for the year with ankle surgery.
I hope the big guy doesn't go out like that, but an amazing career regardless of what he does next.

He doesn't feel like a "ring chaser" but I'm sure the contenders such as Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, Lions, etc.... would love to sign him on a one year deal if he was interested.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Just announced he is out for the year with ankle surgery.
I hope the big guy doesn't go out like that, but an amazing career regardless of what he does next.

He doesn't feel like a "ring chaser" but I'm sure the contenders such as Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, Lions, etc.... would love to sign him on a one year deal if he was interested.

I believe the Cowboys would need to cut him then as he got a new contract just before the 2023 season

 

[CTIDANDREW]

I believe the Cowboys would need to cut him then as he got a new contract just before the 2023 season

That's a good point.
It looks like based on spotrac they would need to eat a lot of dead cap next year if they do cut him.
My assumption is they hope he retires, unless his body can make a recovery form this nagging ankle injury.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I have no good way of knowing, but our grand old superman looked like he was getting pushed for the first time I can remember in his NFL career. I thought, good gracious, Zack not dominating the punch-and-reset boxing match ... maybe it's getting time even for a hero.

 

[Dale]

 

[Huntr]

WOW.

 

[NDPhilly]

People are saying the Cowboys are the new Lions, having HOF players retire in their prime. Yikes.

 

[Irishdwarte]

Good for him. He can walk away from the game at an early age and enjoy life with his family. Hell of a career!

 

[Dale]

Definitely one of the most wasted NFL careers of the 2010s

 

[DomeFieldAdvantage]

So, uh, new assistant OL coach?