Dallas Cowboys Rumor: Trade for Derrick Henry Proposed By Rich Eisen; 'Get That Guy!'
FRISCO - The idea of the Dallas Cowboys pursuing Derrick Henry is not a new one … though the off-season rumor that there was a connection there is a false one.
And now along comes the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline and what we will characterize as “responsible speculation” about a possible tie.
"Dallas (should) get that next guy,'' NFL media personality Rich Eisen is saying. "And who’s that in the current trade market? Could it be … I’ll throw another one out there, Derrick Henry, where you just say, 'Screw it! Screw it! ... Get that guy!''
Derrick Henry
The concept is now making the rounds thanks to Eisen. He’s not “reporting” it or even “predicting” it. Rather, he’s suggesting it as a viable idea, and we will concede that while such a proposal did not have legs this off-season - sources told CowboysSI.com then that contrary to reports the Cowboys had not contacted the Tennessee Titans about a swap - some things have changed. To wit …
1- Dallas entered the season believing its $10 million investment in Tony Pollard would result in ample production without having to spend more.
Now, at 4-2? The Cowboys might be willing to concede that Pollard and the backfield might need help - and Henry’s salary ($10.5 million, prorated now, and in the final year of his deal) would now be less burdensome.
2- The top teams in the NFC have already made some “arms race” moves. More figure to come. Dallas, trying to keep up with the Niners and Eagles, can justify being “all in,” as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones swears is the case. … and in being “buyers,” which we do believe is the mindset.
3- Tennessee entered the season with no reason to be a “seller.” But the Titans are now 2-4 and their reasons to retain a 29-year-old running back are few.
Said Eisen in summary: "I mean, if Jerry Jones is saying, 'I’m 80 and I need to win one more and I’m going to do it,' just screw it. Flip what you need to the Titans and put the star and assign to Henry’s helmet ... And now you want to see Dallas come to San Francisco, Philadelphia, or Detroit? Uh-huh, OK. Now you’re changing your opinion.”
We're not fully onboard with all of the reasoning. Jones (who just turned 81, to be precise) should not "just say 'screw it.' This would need to be a wise transaction, not a wild-arse guess. Nor should Dallas just "flip'' whatever it takes to get Henry; there is a theoretical trade demand that is too high. Additionally, we're not sure Eisen is fully aware of the salary ramifications here. Considering that is a simple fact of NFL life.
And one more thing: Would Dallas adding Henry truly change the mindset dynamic of rivals like the Niners and the Eagles?
In the end, the Cowboys don’t need to examine moves like this because Henry, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL rushing champ, is a “name player.” The justification, rather, must be whether Henry can be a helpful and (relatively) affordable one.
