Cowboys 'Bashed' For 'Worst' NFL Free Agent Signing
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys' Will McClay has always liked pass-rusher Tarell Basham.
Bleacher Report's Alex Kay does not like pass-rusher Tarell Basham.
Hmmm. Who shall Cowboys Nation believe?
Kay, who via his profile photo appears to be a nice young man, has pegged the Basham signing as the Cowboys’ worst move of the 2021 NFL signing period. (We are pleased to report that B/R didn't call it "the worst move in the entire NFL.'')
At the risk of making this about Alex Kay rather than about Basham ... Kay writes:
*"Many expected the Dallas Cowboys to have a superb offseason ...''
If he means, "Many expected Dallas to sign people with more name recognition than Tarell Basham,'' well, no we did not.
*"Dallas had plenty of issues to address, but it failed to make flashy signings to fill the gaps.''
It's true. People do love flashy!
*"The Cowboys' biggest splurge was for a raw talent in defensive end Tarell Basham.''
Actually, the Cowboys' "biggest splurge'' was not spending an average of $2.75 million on a player. Not counting Dak Prescott at $40 million APY, Keanu Neal and others will be paid more APY than Basham.
Furthermore - and you have to be a bit plugged in to understand this - while Dallas signed a host of guys to one-year deals, Basham got two years. That commitment speaks to what Dallas thinks of him ... and also means a slight financial reward for the player agreeing to it.
*This "feels like a bit of a settle for the 'Boys; he isn't the big-time playmaker who could push Dallas to the next level.''
Again, this is true. But is that what the Cowboys are asking for for their $2.75 million? It is demanded of Basham - who in four NFL seasons has 7.5 sacks - to suddenly morph into Demarcus Ware?
The Cowboys habitually collect pass-rushers. They have DeMarcus Lawrence on one end and Randy Gregory on the other. Staffers tell us they believe Basham can push to rotate with Gregory and that he can rediscover, at just 27, what made him so inviting as a college player, when he came out of Youngstown State as the school's all-time sack leader.
The Cowboys liked him then. He was with the Colts, then with the Jets, and now Basham, is liked again by Dallas ... well-aware that he flashed as a force in New York, actually starting 12 games last season.
READ MORE: Cowboys Sign EDGE Tarell Basham From Jets - What Are They Getting?
With all due respect to Alex Kay or anybody else freelancing about a team from 1,000 miles away: It is very challenging for them to understand why a team does what it does, likes who it likes. Consider the opinion of former player ex-scout Bucky Brooks, who wrote of the signing, “The Cowboys are bringing in a collection of high-energy defenders with (new coordinator) Dan Quinn at the helm. Basham is an ideal cultural fit ... non-stop motor ... complement to Lawrence and Gregory.''
Not a mystery guy. Not a savior.
Brooks adds, "Basham could carve out a role as a pass-rush specialist that enables the Cowboys to utilize some unique sub-packages to create chaos and confusion ... on passing downs. As a spot starter/situational player, Basham is an intriguing option to add to the roster.”
Intriguing. Pass-rush specialist. Culture fit. Non-stop motor.
Brooks wrote this for DallasCowboys.com, and it's not complimentary of the move because he's kissing butt. He's relatively complimentary because a) he's a scout and b) he's plugged in enough to know, as we do, what personnel boss Will McClay is thinking here.
And all of this is why we like to remind ourselves that opinions - as much as everyone believes they have their right to one - are meaningless without facts, depth and experience.
READ MORE: Cowboys Trade Michael Gallup, Draft Kyle Pitts? NFL Source Straightens This Out
