Bob Sturm big picture perspective on the Collins signing AKA Stealth lets trade for AP thread

[Bleu Star]

The recent signing of free agent La'el Collins has turned what was already considered one of the strongest NFL units, the Dallas Cowboys offensive line, into perhaps the strongest and the deepest individual position group in the entire league, meaning that even if one of the squad's top performers were to suffer some type of catastrophic injury, another key piece will be there to take his place and keep the road-grating machine rumbling right along.

Interestingly, the signing of Collins could potentially have even farther reaching effects on not just the Dallas offensive line, but the offense and really, the team as a whole, possibly in the shape of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Bob Sturm of The Dallas Morning News, in answer to a fan's question about whether Collins' acquisition solidifies the Cowboys running game despite the lack of a high-level addition in the wake of DeMarco Murray's departure, had this to say...

"On one hand, you can argue that even a replacement level RB should have success with this line," writes Sturm. "And on the other hand, you could argue that by adding 3 1st rounders in the last week, they could afford to trade a 2016 premium pick to really get a star RB in here. I had been against paying for Peterson, but now, it is tough to ignore that an addition like that could be all that they are missing for a chance at the biggest of prizes."

Those "3 first-rounders" that Sturm is referencing are the team's actual pick in the 2015 NFL Draft's initial stanza, Byron Jones, the team's third-round pick, pass-rusher Randy Gregory, a player widely viewed as a top-10 talent who fell due to concerns over his mental makeup, and Collins, the former LSU tackle and a likely first-rounder who went undrafted due to an unfortunate set of circumstances involving the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend.

Sturm's logic here is questionable, considering Gregory is a combustible personality and there's not yet any certainty of how the three players will perform at the NFL level, but his reading of the tea leaves in terms of Dallas' purported interest in Peterson seems sound.

"I still think the chances aren't overwhelming and we really need to remember there are plenty of fish in the sea - with almost none of them costing as much as he will in both trade and salary," writes Sturm. "But, the smoke has been there for a long time and it would be foolish to fully rule it out. If he wants to be in Dallas, it would be up to him to convince the Vikings he has no intention of staying - such as no shows for all offseason and training camp activities. For that, the deal might not happen until August, so those who want this topic to go away are likely going to be annoyed."


More at the link

http://www.hngn.com/articles/90893/...de-more-likely-after-lael-collins-signing.htm

 

[AzorAhai]

Ahh, I see what you did there. This an AP thread in disguise.

 

[esloan]

Ahh, I see what you did there. This an AP thread in disguise.

Yeah. It is getting ridiculous. Somehow AP is brought up in almost every conversation on this forum, even ones totally unrelated and people create new threads that bring up AP so every one will jump in and argue.

 

[AzorAhai]

Yeah. It is getting ridiculous. Somehow AP is brought up in almost every conversation on this forum, even ones totally unrelated and people create new threads that bring up AP so every one will jump in and argue.

Yeah that was brought up by Sturm. The people annoyed by it will probably be dealing with it until August. One way or the other, I can't wait until the AP to Dallas saga ends.

 

[esloan]

Yeah that was brought up by Sturm. The people annoyed by it will probably be dealing with it until August. One way or the other, I can't wait until the AP to Dallas saga ends.

I don't mind talking about AP but it doesn't need to be brought up in every single thread almost.

 

[AzorAhai]

I don't mind talking about AP but it doesn't need to be brought up in every single thread almost.

I mind it just for that reason. It's everywhere. Should Carr be cut? Of course so we can get AP. How will Randle do? Not as good as AP. Should we draft Romos replacement this year? You wouldn't have to if we had AP. We signed Collins? Go get AP, 8000 yards guaranteed.

Can't wait until it's over.

 

[Wood]

Yeah. It is getting ridiculous. Somehow AP is brought up in almost every conversation on this forum, even ones totally unrelated and people create new threads that bring up AP so every one will jump in and argue.

you should see my google now. I made mistake of reading one AP to Cowboys article and now everyday google refers me to article after article.

 

[windjc]

I wonder if we can trade all these threads for AP?

 

[Bleu Star]

Sturm nailed it. Everything. Even down to the point of people getting tired of hearing about it like you guys are clearly displaying. There's no getting away from it. The undercurrent will haunt our environment until either someone steps up and clearly distinguishes themselves at RB in TC (doubtful) or a deal is executed.

 

[gimmesix]

Sturm nailed it. Everything. Even down to the point of people getting tired of hearing about it like you guys are clearly displaying. There's no getting away from it. The undercurrent will haunt our environment until either someone steps up and clearly distinguishes themselves at RB in TC (doubtful) or a deal is executed.

I think the ones who don't want anything to do with AP are the ones who are seeing him in every corner of the zone. There are definitely many more threads where he's not mentioned at all than threads where he's brought up. There's even running back threads with no mention of him at all.

 

[Alexander]

I think the ones who don't want anything to do with AP are the ones who are seeing him in every corner of the zone. There are definitely many more threads where he's not mentioned at all than threads where he's brought up. There's even running back threads with no mention of him at all.

It is unlike anything ever seen on this board. There is usually one dominant offseason discussion theme, whether it be the QBs back in the Carter/Hutchinson era, to the head coach, to Jerry Jones' efficiency. This one takes the cake out of all of them and it is so polarizing, but it is not even about the player. It is about the imagination if he is or is not actually being pursued. Never seen anything like it before and speaking personally, his first carry as a Viking in 2015 cannot come soon enough and when the trade deadline has come and gone, perhaps then the discussion can move on from fairies and unicorns to actual Cowboys issues.

 

[Fletch]

I don't mind talking about AP but it doesn't need to be brought up in every single thread almost.

I'm already sick of merely looking at the initials, AP.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

It is unlike anything ever seen on this board. There is usually one dominant offseason discussion theme, whether it be the QBs back in the Carter/Hutchinson era, to the head coach, to Jerry Jones' efficiency. This one takes the cake out of all of them and it is so polarizing, but it is not even about the player. It is about the imagination if he is or is not actually being pursued. Never seen anything like it before and speaking personally, his first carry as a Viking in 2015 cannot come soon enough and when the trade deadline has come and gone, perhaps then the discussion can move on from fairies and unicorns to actual Cowboys issues.

This.

For example, when is Matt Johnson, the savior of Dallas, coming home?

 

[Alexander]

I'm already sick of merely looking at the initials, AP.

Or worse, AD, which implies to me a recurring typo (which I know it stands for something else).

 

[xwalker]

The recent signing of free agent La'el Collins has turned what was already considered one of the strongest NFL units, the Dallas Cowboys offensive line, into perhaps the strongest and the deepest individual position group in the entire league, meaning that even if one of the squad's top performers were to suffer some type of catastrophic injury, another key piece will be there to take his place and keep the road-grating machine rumbling right along.

Interestingly, the signing of Collins could potentially have even farther reaching effects on not just the Dallas offensive line, but the offense and really, the team as a whole, possibly in the shape of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Bob Sturm of The Dallas Morning News, in answer to a fan's question about whether Collins' acquisition solidifies the Cowboys running game despite the lack of a high-level addition in the wake of DeMarco Murray's departure, had this to say...

"On one hand, you can argue that even a replacement level RB should have success with this line," writes Sturm. "And on the other hand, you could argue that by adding 3 1st rounders in the last week, they could afford to trade a 2016 premium pick to really get a star RB in here. I had been against paying for Peterson, but now, it is tough to ignore that an addition like that could be all that they are missing for a chance at the biggest of prizes."

Those "3 first-rounders" that Sturm is referencing are the team's actual pick in the 2015 NFL Draft's initial stanza, Byron Jones, the team's third-round pick, pass-rusher Randy Gregory, a player widely viewed as a top-10 talent who fell due to concerns over his mental makeup, and Collins, the former LSU tackle and a likely first-rounder who went undrafted due to an unfortunate set of circumstances involving the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend.

Sturm's logic here is questionable, considering Gregory is a combustible personality and there's not yet any certainty of how the three players will perform at the NFL level, but his reading of the tea leaves in terms of Dallas' purported interest in Peterson seems sound.

"I still think the chances aren't overwhelming and we really need to remember there are plenty of fish in the sea - with almost none of them costing as much as he will in both trade and salary," writes Sturm. "But, the smoke has been there for a long time and it would be foolish to fully rule it out. If he wants to be in Dallas, it would be up to him to convince the Vikings he has no intention of staying - such as no shows for all offseason and training camp activities. For that, the deal might not happen until August, so those who want this topic to go away are likely going to be annoyed."


More at the link

http://www.hngn.com/articles/90893/...de-more-likely-after-lael-collins-signing.htm

Trading a premium pick for AP would be stupid. They would be bidding against themselves. The Vikings would be stupid to pay him 12.75M when he does not want to be there. No other team will trade for him with his current contract. If he really wants to go to the Cowboys, then why would be rework his contract to enable a trade to AZ or some other team.

At some point the Vikings will get desperate and have to either cut him or take a late round pick.

 

[Alexander]

At some point the Vikings will get desperate and have to either cut him or take a late round pick.

Or they just keep him, as they have plainly stated they intend to do, one way or the other.

It does not help that deliberately misleading articles like this being published nearly every day:

http://www.ibtimes.com/nfl-news-dal...-round-pick-are-cowboys-still-running-1917674

 

[Stash]

Sturm nailed it. Everything. Even down to the point of people getting tired of hearing about it like you guys are clearly displaying. There's no getting away from it. The undercurrent will haunt our environment until either someone steps up and clearly distinguishes themselves at RB in TC (doubtful) or a deal is executed.

Exactly, and I don't see the harm in talking about a subject that many people still find compelling and interesting. And I have no problem with one dedicated thread, giving those that don't want to talk about the subject every opportunity to avoid talking about it.

 

[xwalker]

Or they just keep him, as they have plainly stated they intend to do, one way or the other.

It does not help that deliberately misleading articles like this being published nearly every day:

http://www.ibtimes.com/nfl-news-dal...-round-pick-are-cowboys-still-running-1917674

Yes, there is a thread with a similar title. Someone asked that question just to setup it up to be able to write that headline.

If a team was going to give up a 1st round pick, then deal would already be done.

I still believe that AP has the ability to force the Vikings not to keep him. We've seen with Ratliff and Orton that the players have leverage if they don't want to play for the team. IMO, the Vikings would be beyond stupid to force him to stay and play if he continues to be resistant. Are they even a contender with him on the roster? Paying a RB 12.75M is silly for any team, but it would only make any sense at all for a contender.

 

[DallasEast]

Yeah that was brought up by Sturm. The people annoyed by it will probably be dealing with it until August. One way or the other, I can't wait until the AP to Dallas saga ends.

Bold-->Truth.

 

[tyke1doe]

I don't mind the AP threads or the desire Cowboys fans have that he comes here.
I get "irritated" with these articles that seem to suggest a deal is in the works, only to read them and they're rehashing what has already been said and the new writer merely offers his opinion and perspective as the "new" development.

We already know Jerry Jones has said he wants Adrian Peterson, and almost got in trouble over it.
We already know Adrian Peterson wants to play for the Cowboys.
We know that the Cowboys passed up drafting a running back.
We know the Cowboys have an offensive line most running backs would die for to run behind.

So tell us something new.

As an aside, the writer merely references Strum's column and adds his own perspective. Yawn.
At least he could write better and more clearer

Those "3 first-rounders" that Sturm is referencing are the team's actual pick in the 2015 NFL Draft's initial stanza, Byron Jones, the team's third-round pick, pass-rusher Randy Gregory, a player widely viewed as a top-10 talent who fell due to concerns over his mental makeup, and Collins, the former LSU tackle and a likely first-rounder who went undrafted due to an unfortunate set of circumstances involving the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend.