After the gnashing of teeth subsided, I gained some perspective

[erod]

Pardon my pile-on with the "second thoughts" on the Cooper trade. Sometimes we Cowboy fans need the therapeutic massaging of such a thread now and again. More often lately than usual.

So, like you all, I tried to step back and look at this trade from up above to get that big picture view of it all. I'm more comfortable now than I was when it went down.

I was hopping mad when I first heard it. A first round pick? Are you kidding? For this quarterback, who doesn't throw downfield anyway unless there's 10 yards of clearance? That guy, who drops balls like Dez? With a 3-4 team that looks desperately in need of a quarterback.

@#$%^&^*^%$!!!!!!!!

But then you step back, and try to take it all in, and it's not so bad. Not saying I'm fully on board, but there are some facts and possibilities make this make more sense.
____________________________

1. There's only one QB prospect of note next year, and he'll be a New York Giant most likely. Dallas is not getting up that high with 7 or 8 wins.

2. Leighton Vander Esch was necessary because of Jaylon's foot and Lee's injuries, and the kid looks really good. Passing on Ridley was entirely necessary.

3. This trade fixes passing on Ridley anyway.

4. Cooper, Gallup, and Beasley is suddenly a very nice WR corps. Cooper should really open things up for Beasley and Gallup.

5. There aren't many high-profile receivers in the draft next year, and receivers are VERY iffy draft picks anyway. Cooper is a known commodity.

6. The second-round pick can fix tight end perhaps.

7. Dallas will have $70 million in cap space, so they can sign Earl Thomas and extend those due for contracts.

8. Cooper will be signed to a longer deal to lessen his per-year contract.

9. Frederick returns next year, which gets the offensive line back in order.

10. We can get a clearer picture of what Dak is now that he has a legitimate star receiver who runs good routes and gets open.
________________________________

Still not really comfortable with it, but if it's true that the Eagles offered a 2nd, I understand the need to make sure that didn't happen. This gets Cooper here immediately on a bye week, so he should be good to go in two weeks.

So, I guess I get it.

 

[ConceptCoop]

I thought Earl Thomas’ injury was potentially career threatening? I’m not sure I’d look to sign him.

 

[Sydla]

Again, this team has needs they could address beyond just WR.

Maybe they can trade that first rounder and get more picks? Maybe they finally take a first round safety and upgrade there? Maybe they draft another LT prospect given that Smith seems to be slowing down? Maybe they take an elite DT? Maybe they decide that Lawrence is too costly and take one of the elite edge players?

People are now pigeon holing themselves into this logic that there was no QB worthy of our pick and we probably would go WR anyway, so no biggie.

It's maddeningly illogical.

 

[HanD]

I thought Earl Thomas’ injury was potentially career threatening? I’m not sure I’d look to sign him.

it was a fractured leg. it isn't career threatening from what i've read. only that it will in all likelihood end his seahawks career.

 

[BigD49]

Pardon my pile-on with the "second thoughts" on the Cooper trade. Sometimes we Cowboy fans need the therapeutic massaging of such a thread now and again. More often lately than usual.

So, like you all, I tried to step back and look at this trade from up above to get that big picture view of it all. I'm more comfortable now than I was when it went down.

I was hopping mad when I first heard it. A first round pick? Are you kidding? For this quarterback, who doesn't throw downfield anyway unless there's 10 yards of clearance? That guy, who drops balls like Dez? With a 3-4 team that looks desperately in need of a quarterback.

@#$%^&^*^%$!!!!!!!!

But then you step back, and try to take it all in, and it's not so bad. Not saying I'm fully on board, but there are some facts and possibilities make this make more sense.
____________________________

1. There's only one QB prospect of note next year, and he'll be a New York Giant most likely. Dallas is not getting up that high with 7 or 8 wins.

2. Leighton Vander Esch was necessary because of Jaylon's foot and Lee's injuries, and the kid looks really good. Passing on Ridley was entirely necessary.

3. This trade fixes passing on Ridley anyway.

4. Cooper, Gallup, and Beasley is suddenly a very nice WR corps. Cooper should really open things up for Beasley and Gallup.

5. There aren't many high-profile receivers in the draft next year, and receivers are VERY iffy draft picks anyway. Cooper is a known commodity.

6. The second-round pick can fix tight end perhaps.

7. Dallas will have $70 million in cap space, so they can sign Earl Thomas and extend those due for contracts.

8. Cooper will be signed to a longer deal to lessen his per-year contract.

9. Frederick returns next year, which gets the offensive line back in order.

10. We can get a clearer picture of what Dak is now that he has a legitimate star receiver who runs good routes and gets open.
________________________________

Still not really comfortable with it, but if it's true that the Eagles offered a 2nd, I understand the need to make sure that didn't happen. This gets Cooper here immediately on a bye week, so he should be good to go in two weeks.

So, I guess I get it.

Thought this was a nice summary of the major factors. The one that sticks out to me as being the biggest blemish on this trade is point #8 - we spent countless pages debating the merits of trading for ET because so many people hated the idea of "double-dipping" on a player by trading draft capital for him and then needing to extend him. That's the part that really irks me - it's illogical to simplify the argument into whether or not we think we could pick a better WR with the pick next spring because thats not the real comparison. A more accurate comparison is whether or not you'd like to draft a top 10 pick AND then go sign yourself another $10 million a year player or would you rather have Cooper. To me that is an easy decision.

 

[erod]

I thought Earl Thomas’ injury was potentially career threatening? I’m not sure I’d look to sign him.

Not at all. He broke the little calf bone. It's nothing.

 

[Jenky]

Again, this team has needs they could address beyond just WR.

Maybe they can trade that first rounder and get more picks? Maybe they finally take a first round safety and upgrade there? Maybe they draft another LT prospect given that Smith seems to be slowing down? Maybe they take an elite DT? Maybe they decide that Lawrence is too costly and take one of the elite edge players?

People are now pigeon holing themselves into this logic that there was no QB worthy of our pick and we probably would go WR anyway, so no biggie.

It's maddeningly illogical.

Just wait and see Amari Cooper not get used.

 

[erod]

Again, this team has needs they could address beyond just WR.

Maybe they can trade that first rounder and get more picks? Maybe they finally take a first round safety and upgrade there? Maybe they draft another LT prospect given that Smith seems to be slowing down? Maybe they take an elite DT? Maybe they decide that Lawrence is too costly and take one of the elite edge players?

People are now pigeon holing themselves into this logic that there was no QB worthy of our pick and we probably would go WR anyway, so no biggie.

It's maddeningly illogical.

Dak aside......

If Frederick returns, they sign Thomas, and they draft a tight end in the 2nd round, what glaring need do you see?

 

[movaughn88]

Again, this team has needs they could address beyond just WR.

Maybe they can trade that first rounder and get more picks? Maybe they finally take a first round safety and upgrade there? Maybe they draft another LT prospect given that Smith seems to be slowing down? Maybe they take an elite DT? Maybe they decide that Lawrence is too costly and take one of the elite edge players?

People are now pigeon holing themselves into this logic that there was no QB worthy of our pick and we probably would go WR anyway, so no biggie.

It's maddeningly illogical.

I mostly agree with you, but if I want to *skew* positive, Thomas could fix safety in FA, Tyron's contract means we have to keep him through 2019, and I think we are fairly set at DL if we resign DLaw. I don't care how much DLaw costs, pay him like a top DE - those "edge" picks are just as easy to bust as any other (especially mid-round where we will draft).

Would I rather have had flexibility? Yes. But I do see the (somewhat desperate and risky) logic here.

 

[DogFace]

Thought this was a nice summary of the major factors. The one that sticks out to me as being the biggest blemish on this trade is point #8 - we spent countless pages debating the merits of trading for ET because so many people hated the idea of "double-dipping" on a player by trading draft capital for him and then needing to extend him. That's the part that really irks me - it's illogical to simplify the argument into whether or not we think we could pick a better WR with the pick next spring because thats not the real comparison. A more accurate comparison is whether or not you'd like to draft a top 10 pick AND then go sign yourself another $10 million a year player or would you rather have Cooper. To me that is an easy decision.

You’re right and that’s my same thought, but if we’re in as good a place cap wise as it appears maybe this is a good trade off at this point.

Like @erod said he’s a known commodity and look at how many receivers don’t pan out.

 

[BigD49]

Dak aside......

If Frederick returns, they sign Thomas, and they draft a tight end in the 2nd round, what glaring need do you see?

Probably the other starting safety position, but at that point I'm getting a bit greedy. Problem is a bad QB and HC make all the rest of those players moot.

 

[John813]

As of now, we have 55mil in cap space, ignoring any long term deal to Cooper which may fluctuate his cap hit next year.

Assume if we keep Law long term, assume 12-15mil his first year.

So down to 40 mil of cap space.

Still in good position.

 

[AmericanCowboy]

Thought this was a nice summary of the major factors. The one that sticks out to me as being the biggest blemish on this trade is point #8 - we spent countless pages debating the merits of trading for ET because so many people hated the idea of "double-dipping" on a player by trading draft capital for him and then needing to extend him. That's the part that really irks me - it's illogical to simplify the argument into whether or not we think we could pick a better WR with the pick next spring because thats not the real comparison. A more accurate comparison is whether or not you'd like to draft a top 10 pick AND then go sign yourself another $10 million a year player or would you rather have Cooper. To me that is an easy decision.

Great point!

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Again, this team has needs they could address beyond just WR.

Maybe they can trade that first rounder and get more picks? Maybe they finally take a first round safety and upgrade there? Maybe they draft another LT prospect given that Smith seems to be slowing down? Maybe they take an elite DT? Maybe they decide that Lawrence is too costly and take one of the elite edge players?

People are now pigeon holing themselves into this logic that there was no QB worthy of our pick and we probably would go WR anyway, so no biggie.

It's maddeningly illogical.

Fine. It’s a bad argument. You’re right: it’s Cooper against everyone on the board at that pick. So what? Cooper has shown WR1 ability. If he reverts to the form of his first two years he’s worth a first rounder. Even a high first rounder.

You may think it’s unlikely he’ll revert to 2015-16 form. But that’s what you should be focusing on in evaluating this trade. (And perhaps on whether they really needed to cough up a first.). Right now you’re focusing instead on dismantling a weak argument on which nothing rides.

 

[BigD49]

You’re right and that’s my same thought, but if we’re in as good a place cap wise as it appears maybe this is a good trade off at this point.

Like @erod said he’s a known commodity and look at how many receivers don’t pan out.

Yup - obviously we're in a worse position if we go and blow that pick on a John Ross-type that contributes nothing to our team, but I just don't like having to make that decision so far in advance when there are so many variables still in play. We have no idea who might be available at the pick, how low the pick might be or who else could be had for the pick. A top 10 pick on draft day might land you a much shinier toy than Amari Cooper with a hopefully more favorable contract situation (but I recognize you have to make decisions now and can't always afford to wait).

I might feel a bit better about this if we can take advantage of Cooper's desire for a second contract and lock him up long-term for "below market" dollars, trading the security for some savings on our end. If we go and hand him that ugly Sammy Watkins contract from last year...

 

[Jenky]

Pardon my pile-on with the "second thoughts" on the Cooper trade. Sometimes we Cowboy fans need the therapeutic massaging of such a thread now and again. More often lately than usual.

So, like you all, I tried to step back and look at this trade from up above to get that big picture view of it all. I'm more comfortable now than I was when it went down.

I was hopping mad when I first heard it. A first round pick? Are you kidding? For this quarterback, who doesn't throw downfield anyway unless there's 10 yards of clearance? That guy, who drops balls like Dez? With a 3-4 team that looks desperately in need of a quarterback.

@#$%^&^*^%$!!!!!!!!

But then you step back, and try to take it all in, and it's not so bad. Not saying I'm fully on board, but there are some facts and possibilities make this make more sense.
____________________________

1. There's only one QB prospect of note next year, and he'll be a New York Giant most likely. Dallas is not getting up that high with 7 or 8 wins.

2. Leighton Vander Esch was necessary because of Jaylon's foot and Lee's injuries, and the kid looks really good. Passing on Ridley was entirely necessary.

3. This trade fixes passing on Ridley anyway.

4. Cooper, Gallup, and Beasley is suddenly a very nice WR corps. Cooper should really open things up for Beasley and Gallup.

5. There aren't many high-profile receivers in the draft next year, and receivers are VERY iffy draft picks anyway. Cooper is a known commodity.

6. The second-round pick can fix tight end perhaps.

7. Dallas will have $70 million in cap space, so they can sign Earl Thomas and extend those due for contracts.

8. Cooper will be signed to a longer deal to lessen his per-year contract.

9. Frederick returns next year, which gets the offensive line back in order.

10. We can get a clearer picture of what Dak is now that he has a legitimate star receiver who runs good routes and gets open.
________________________________

Still not really comfortable with it, but if it's true that the Eagles offered a 2nd, I understand the need to make sure that didn't happen. This gets Cooper here immediately on a bye week, so he should be good to go in two weeks.

So, I guess I get it.

You are getting suckered man, but if wide receiver carousel floats your boat then continue on in your fairy tale. He's a good receiver who's going to be wasted because of the guy under center and it looks like he'll be there next season since we traded any chance for a decent QB.

 

[Staubacher]

Why is no one talking about how Cooper has declined? And y'all think he'll have a resurgence in THIS offense with THIS quarterback?

This trade was folly.

 

[glimmerman]

Pardon my pile-on with the "second thoughts" on the Cooper trade. Sometimes we Cowboy fans need the therapeutic massaging of such a thread now and again. More often lately than usual.

So, like you all, I tried to step back and look at this trade from up above to get that big picture view of it all. I'm more comfortable now than I was when it went down.

I was hopping mad when I first heard it. A first round pick? Are you kidding? For this quarterback, who doesn't throw downfield anyway unless there's 10 yards of clearance? That guy, who drops balls like Dez? With a 3-4 team that looks desperately in need of a quarterback.

@#$%^&^*^%$!!!!!!!!

But then you step back, and try to take it all in, and it's not so bad. Not saying I'm fully on board, but there are some facts and possibilities make this make more sense.
____________________________

1. There's only one QB prospect of note next year, and he'll be a New York Giant most likely. Dallas is not getting up that high with 7 or 8 wins.

2. Leighton Vander Esch was necessary because of Jaylon's foot and Lee's injuries, and the kid looks really good. Passing on Ridley was entirely necessary.

3. This trade fixes passing on Ridley anyway.

4. Cooper, Gallup, and Beasley is suddenly a very nice WR corps. Cooper should really open things up for Beasley and Gallup.

5. There aren't many high-profile receivers in the draft next year, and receivers are VERY iffy draft picks anyway. Cooper is a known commodity.

6. The second-round pick can fix tight end perhaps.

7. Dallas will have $70 million in cap space, so they can sign Earl Thomas and extend those due for contracts.

8. Cooper will be signed to a longer deal to lessen his per-year contract.

9. Frederick returns next year, which gets the offensive line back in order.

10. We can get a clearer picture of what Dak is now that he has a legitimate star receiver who runs good routes and gets open.
________________________________

Still not really comfortable with it, but if it's true that the Eagles offered a 2nd, I understand the need to make sure that didn't happen. This gets Cooper here immediately on a bye week, so he should be good to go in two weeks.

So, I guess I get it.

I don’t care about the trade. We were likely going WR anyways. JJ and SJ are convinced Dak is the future. So QB is a wish for a lot of fans.

Dak seems to be getting a little better. All qb miss open receivers when they don’t see them or are under pressure. The idea that he is trash just isn’t true.

I am getting to the point that this Offense is going to play the same until the HC and OC changes. They are going to be prepared the same every week. You never know if Linehan calls a descent game. No matter what he is going to call he isn’t going to adjust. The deadskins put everyone in the box to stop the run. If it wasn’t a run they just came after Dak. We make it so easy to game plan against.

 

[Bob-Lillys-War]

As soon as Amari Cooper plays, like his played this two last years ... i will read the appropriate meltdown .

 

[Risen Star]

You disgust me, erod.