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2019-2020 Offseason:
And, AND . . .
More Post-Draft Action In Cowboys Land
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May 9, 2020 At
1:00 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf-
- Mike McCarthy's epic level of
roster churn continues with a player that as with almost all
acquisitions (large and small) by "America's Team" made the
front-page news.
While practically "everyone" had the "Red Rifle of
Katy, Texas" escaping the perpetual dysfunction of the Cincinnati
Bengals for perhaps some New England tough love and a career
resurrection, unrestricted free agent Andy Dalton chose to sign an
incentive-laden one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys (challenging
no obliterating convention).
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"Why would Dalton go to a team that already has an
established starter like Dak Prescott who by the way has given 'em
all he's got?! WHY would GM Jerry sign DALTON but not DAK?!"
you furiously shout (worried the Cowboys are suddenly heading down
a different track or an alternate route).
Dalton's one-year agreement is for a base of $3M that with
achieved incentives would pump that figure to one million
multiplied by seven. Not exactly contract heaven.
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"Dak has played really well, and I knew the situation coming in.
Dak's the starter on this team." Andy Dalton (gracefully settling
into his unfamiliar backup theme). Outside of his new role, already
having a home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area means there is no
"stranger in a strange land" syndrome to take its toll.
Still, there are some (but certainly not all) within "Cowboys
Nation" who REMEMBER and understand that as long as
Dak and GM Jerry remain locked in a contest of wills if the season
were to begin tomorrow, (the since-released) Cooper Rush would be
producing chills, not thrills. The Cowboys found
themselves lined up for a(n unexpectedly solid) shot, and they hit
the target . . . with a fella' who should NOT have been
available (but who clearly did not see better solutions in the
market).
Some fans who have been unwilling to ignore how long Prescott's
admirable toughness has allowed backup roughness - might even feel
like Ralphie from "A Christmas Story" (but without the concern over
shooting their eyes out, so gory).
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- The last time Dallas grabbed a backup of Dalton's caliber was when
they nabbed Jon Kitna to shadow "That Announcer Guy" (and as it
turned out to play significant minutes on-the-fly). If the
Cowboys, to be clear, were inarguably, unquestionably in
contention for this year's Super Bowl, the Dalton signing would feel
a bit more like when they signed Bernie Kosar, Rodney Peete, and
Wade Wilson to do little more than perform as a garbage time
/ injury fill-in or hold Troy Aikman's beer.
And yet Aikman unlike Prescott was signed and financially snug
as a well-appointed bug in a cashmere rug. While GM Jerry, son
Stephen, McCarthy, and any other members of the organization
continue to say "Dak! Dak! HE'S OUR MAN!" . . . if he
(somehow, inconceivably) remains unsigned by the time the regular
season rolls around, Dalton is a quarterback who (with
superior-to-Cincinnati's coaching) can help maintain McCarthy's
plan.
Some within Cowboys Nation can choose to remain livid that GM Jerry
has yet to blink and sign "an embarrassing check" to
officially lock Dak into the long-term, fair market value
deal he seeks and has earned. This would also give particularly
anxious fans a reprieve from nightmarish memories of other
quarterbacks by which the Cowboys in past times of dire need
have been morbidly burned).
Alternatively, fans cannot check that should not be angry
that Dallas signed a surprisingly-available player who (with a
change of scenery and access to improved coaching skill) should be
nothing like the bitter Weeden-and-Cassel pill.-
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goal is certainly for number 14 Dalton (if, IF called
upon for more than game-is-won garbage time so sublime) to change
his stripes into a
little more Craig Morton and a lot less Brad Johnson (who
in his time as Tony Romo's backup was like going from filet
mignon to the "frozen delights" of Hungry Man or Swanson).
Goodbye Cam, Hello Cam
Swing tackle Cameron Fleming (who was never quite the depth
delivering offensive lineman and former Patriot in whom Dallas had
hope) has signed with the rival New York Giants. Time will (soon)
tell if he can deliver a roster-worthy performance or if he is
merely a training camp dope.
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- Swing tackle Cameron Erving (who was a salary cap casualty after
delivering promising depth for the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City
Chiefs) has signed a one-year deal with America's Team. Time will
(soon) tell if he can deliver a roster-worthy performance or if his
habit of "collecting" penalties becomes a reawakened theme.
Earl Is No Longer A Pearl
Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas (who was believed at one
time to hold so much Cowboys promise) was very recently
involved in a domestic incident with his wife. She - as his been
widely reported pointed a loaded gun at Thomas after catching him
in bed with another woman (by whom he should not have been
escorted). Yes, undesirable strife (which was further impacted by
the attempted use of a knife after Earl managed to wrestle the worse
of the two weapons from his wife). She was arrested to say the
least, and the press of course is having a feast.
The Ravens as has also been alleged plan to release the
high-priced Thomas . . . for being an embarrassment (to the team and
the league) and a(nother?) dumbass (causing easily-avoidable brand
fatigue). "Nobody is perfect," but (as is often the
distortion that comes with the pursuit of fame and fortune) when
you are a prominent member of one of the most popular professional
sports leagues in the world, you (effectively) can never again
flash your "Average Joe / Private Citizen" card (and complain that
being a handsomely-rewarded super star is hard).
People might like to rush to Thomas's defense and say, "Well,
look at what Michael Jordan said in the most
recent episode of his documentary 'The Last Dance'" . . . but there
is no comparison. Not a chance.
Its funny a lot of people say they want to be Michael Jordan for
a day, or for a week. But let them try to be Michael Jordan for a
year and see if they like it. His Airness (who even years
after his retirement exists in another stratosphere, a
previously-unimaginable media-monitored environment).
While Thomas is laughably far from the only person to ever cheat on
his wife or be held against his will by gun or knife . . . it is
simply not a good look when (like hundreds of other NFL players,
until heard otherwise) he could have been practicing social
distancing far away from prying or public eyes (which by the
sports-starved millions have few other distractions from
"another of the NFL's trouble-making guys").
Earl is no longer a pearl, but some within Cowboys Nation are
undoubtedly licking their chops because after all it was
Thomas's WIFE who was arrested by the cops.
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- "If the Ravens
really DO cut Earl, the trade assets required for
an-always-desired Jamal Adams acquisition may no longer cause
fans to hurl! Jerry could show Thomas where to sign, and Dallas
could tell the New York Jets to stick their trade demands where the
sun fails to shine!" you excitedly state (knowing GM Jerry would
LOVE to keep always-valuable trade assets on his 2021 plate).
While GM Jerry prefers to be viewed as "Al Davis 2.0." he seems
satisfied lately to be "The King Of Second Chances" . . .
for ANY player capable of propelling the Dallas Cowboys
towards more playoff dances. Though Earl Thomas is no Alton Smith
nor Randy Gregory, "America's Team" needs no further
player vagary.-
- For now (for one or more teams who
think from Baltimore's coop Thomas may be allowed to fly), it all
just remains pie in the sky . . . or "WHY, Jerry, WHY?!"
Will They Or Won't They?
While Mike McCarthy, Will McClay, GM Jerry, and son Stephen have
been driving the Dallas Cowboys through an aggressive
offseason makeover to better compete . . . something tells The
Tortured Cowboys Fan it will be right up until the final 53-man cut
down date before their 2020 personnel puzzle is reasonably
complete.
Will GM Jerry no longer think about Dez Bryant in the shower
or will he (with McCarthy's blessing?) really
entertain a four-starter-deep tower of maximum
receiving power?-
- Will GM Jerry and Dak eventually (but
sooner than later) seal a deal that offers enough mutual
appeal?
Will the Cowboys pursue any other
troubled-but-talented players seeking career recovery prayers?
And, AND . . . will the offensive-line-conscious
Cowboys give talented guard Larry Warford (just released by the New
Orleans Saints) a courtesy call . . . to continue leaving no stone
unturned in an effort to reinforce their ability to move the
ball?
We Shall See. We Always Do.
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