Inactive Dallas Cowboys: Trades 'Too Hard'? An NFC Comparison and A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy - FISH PODCAST
FRISCO - Did the inactive Dallas Cowboys victimize themselves at the NFL trade deadline with a pair of self-fulfilling prophecies?
Tuesday's deadline came and went with Dallas "standing pat,'' as team owner Jerry Jones predicted would happen. As late as Tuesday morning, Jerry announced, "I’m not seeing anything right at this moment.''
Meanwhile, COO Stephen Jones said entering the weekend, "You hear a lot of names in the rumor mill, but when it comes right down to making (a trade), it’s hard.”
And we wonder ...
Jerry Jones & Will McClay
1 - If the Cowboys "aren't seeing anything'' coming at them, does that preclude them from creating something themselves worth "seeing''?
2 - If the Cowboys entered the process with the mindset that "making trades is hard'' ... could it be that the mindset made it all the more difficult?
Bottom line: Is making an October trade in the NFL really all that "hard''?
Stephen, speaking on 105.3 The Fan on Friday, issued a lengthy explanation of all the obstacles that might get in the way of a trade. Part of his "yeah-but'' monologue included phrases like, "A lot involved,'' "Unfortunately ...,'' "(Too) well-paid,'' "They want a lot for him.'' "It's a challenge,'' "Very difficult,'' "Variables'' and "It's hard.''
And then came the Tuesday culmination of October deadline deals. A total of 15 names were involved: Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Leonard Williams, Kevin Byard, Joshua Dobbs, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Kentavius Street, Mecole Hardman, Randy Gregory, J.C. Jackson, Chase Claypool, Van Jefferson, Cam Akers, Ezra Cleveland and Rasul Douglas.
Did the involved teams find those trades to be "hard''? Dallas was interested in a cornerback. The Packers sent Douglas (who has 10 interceptions in the last three years) and a 2024 fifth-round draft pick to the Bills for a 2024 third-round pick. That is not "a lot'' for a full-time playmaking corner.
Is he "too well-paid''? No. His cap number this year is $864,000. His salary in 2024 is $9 million, but there is no cap penalty if he's cut.
Dallas was also interested in offensive line help. The Vikings send guard Ezra Cleveland to the Jaguars. Cleveland is 25 year old, 6-6, 317 pounds, a full-time starter with a pedigree (he was a second-round pick) with an expiring deal and a cap number of $1.6 million.
Did they "want a lot for him''? No. Jacksonville got Cleveland for a sixth-round pick. (P.S.: The plugged-in Bryan Broaddus is reporting that Dallas wasn't in search of O-line help. We'll listen to Broaddus on this ... but we also have to listen to Jerry, who on Sunday night said, "If you really looked at our team right now, the biggest need is depth in the offensive line.")
And finally, to the "hard'' factor across the NFC. Glance again at those aforementioned 15 names. ... and the 12 teams involved.
In the NFC West, all four teams - the Seahawks, the 49ers, the Rams and the Cardinals - made trades.
In the NFC North, all four teams - the Lions, the Vikings, the Packers and the Bears - made trades.
In the NFC East, three of the four teams - the Eagles, the Commanders and the Giants - made trades. ... leaving but one NFC East team to fail to "see anything,'' leaving one NFC East team finding it all "too hard.''
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And if you want the Video Visit of the Fish Report review of Dallas' deadline inaction? See below!
