Cowboys gambled big with Amari Cooper and the deadline cemented their loss

[zekecowboy]

The problem is that the “core group” didn’t remain intact. Looking at Amari Cooper’s 68 receptions for 865 yards across 15 games in 2021, where he had eight touchdowns and averaged 12.7 yards per reception, they would be baited by CeeDee Lamb’s 79 receptions for 1,102 yards across 16 games in that same season, where he scored six touchdowns and averaged 13.9 yards per reception.

While the production was equitable or better from Lamb in that same timeframe, the nearly $4.5 million he was due over the next two seasons compared to the $60 million or so that Cooper was due over the next three years became the biggest factor. Trading Cooper was the route they deemed most effective and efficient for their payroll.

The one they just let walk most recently went for 131 yards and a touchdown on five receptions against a heated in-state rival in the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football in a Halloween Showdown. Watching Cooper shine with another team makes this deal even more frustrating.

The Cowboys’ need for a WR at the deadline (and lack of getting one) proves they were wrong to let go of Amari Cooper so quickly

Nine weeks in and past the trade deadline, you can officially say the front office was wrong.

The reality here is that the gamble and the decision to get rid of Cooper for what they got in return was a bad one, and they’re paying for it now.

Here is the link for the full article:

https://thelandryhat.com/2022/11/11/cowboys-gamble-amari-cooper/

 

[America's Cowboy]

Quit complaining. Many have already explained various times why Amari forced the Cowboys to trade him.

 

[Vinnie2u]

I don’t think our win loss record would be any different with Amari..

 

[RoboQB]

Quit complaining. Many have already explained various times why Amari forced the Cowboys to trade him.

Theories, not explanations. There's a big difference.
The fact that they're searching for a replacement and lesser WRs
have received larger contracts suggests they screwed up royally.

 

[RoboQB]

I don’t think our win loss record would be any different with Amari..

We would've beaten Philthy.
Rush and Cooper had chemistry.
And we would've scored more than 3 points against TB.
Cooper had a huge game in TB the year before (13-137-2 TDs).

 

[Streifenkarl]

The problem is that the “core group” didn’t remain intact. Looking at Amari Cooper’s 68 receptions for 865 yards across 15 games in 2021, where he had eight touchdowns and averaged 12.7 yards per reception, they would be baited by CeeDee Lamb’s 79 receptions for 1,102 yards across 16 games in that same season, where he scored six touchdowns and averaged 13.9 yards per reception.

While the production was equitable or better from Lamb in that same timeframe, the nearly $4.5 million he was due over the next two seasons compared to the $60 million or so that Cooper was due over the next three years became the biggest factor. Trading Cooper was the route they deemed most effective and efficient for their payroll.

The one they just let walk most recently went for 131 yards and a touchdown on five receptions against a heated in-state rival in the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football in a Halloween Showdown. Watching Cooper shine with another team makes this deal even more frustrating.

The Cowboys’ need for a WR at the deadline (and lack of getting one) proves they were wrong to let go of Amari Cooper so quickly

Nine weeks in and past the trade deadline, you can officially say the front office was wrong.

The reality here is that the gamble and the decision to get rid of Cooper for what they got in return was a bad one, and they’re paying for it now.

Here is the link for the full article:

https://thelandryhat.com/2022/11/11/cowboys-gamble-amari-cooper/

Well, more and more people say get over it, that's a thing of the past. And I agree to some extent. They didn't gamble though. They used off the field reasons to get rid of him. They wanted him out of here. And Jerry put them on the weak side even more because of his communication beforehand. What a smart dealer lol.

But at the moment, it is really frustrating indeed. We had a great receiver, someone who would have just completed this team right now. They let him go for a ridiculous return and are now looking at an overpriced injury ridden old wide receiver again. At least Amari wasn't such an annoying loud mouth and insta model.

Dang it. If they really go for OBJ, this frustration will cary over well into the play offs, whether he's playing well or not.

What a cluster f***.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Theories, not explanations. There's a big difference.
The fact that they're searching for a replacement and lesser WRs
have received larger contracts suggests they screwed up royally.

No, the Cowboys front office DID NOT screw up. Had they kept the "at times disappearing" Amari Cooper, they would still have to be paying him $20+ mil/season while not having enough salary cap room to resign Gallup, Brown, LVE and a few others. Cowboys weighed their options and made the correct move.

 

[zekecowboy]

No, the Cowboys front office DID NOT screw up. Had they kept the "at times disappearing" Amari Cooper, they would still have to be paying him $20+ mil/season while not having enough salary cap room to resign Gallup, Brown, LVE and a few others. Cowboys weighed their options and made the correct move.

I have to disagree, it's obvious the Cowboys did screw up. Lost trade value (2nd round vs 5th round) and Dallas really does not have a #1 wide receiver. Why do you think Dallas is trying to pick up a #1 wide receiver? Everybody has an opinion.

The article also has an example of a trade at the deadline this year.

BREAKING: Bears trading for Steelers WR Chase Claypool in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick. (via @TomPelissero)



Claypool isn’t a bad player, by any means. However, he certainly isn’t as good as Cooper is right now.

Now, who is to say that the Cowboys even look to trade Cooper if they hold on to him long enough to see that Claypool-type value on him; but again, they never even gave themselves that chance.

Bears get a 2nd round 2023 pick.

 

[America's Cowboy]

I have to disagree, it's obvious the Cowboys did screw up. Lost trade value (2nd round vs 5th round) and Dallas really does not have a #1 wide receiver. Why do you think Dallas is trying to pick up a #1 wide receiver? Everybody has an opinion.

The article also has an example of a trade at the deadline this year.

BREAKING: Bears trading for Steelers WR Chase Claypool in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick. (via @TomPelissero)



Claypool isn’t a bad player, by any means. However, he certainly isn’t as good as Cooper is right now.

Now, who is to say that the Cowboys even look to trade Cooper if they hold on to him long enough to see that Claypool-type value on him; but again, they never even gave themselves that chance.

Bears get a 2nd round 2023 pick.

You don't understand the value of the trade. The Browns were willing to pick up 100% of Amari's contract in exchange for only a 5th round pick. If anyone else had offered a much higher draft pick, the Cowboys would have had to eat much of Amari's current contract before a trade was finalized.

 

[RoboQB]

No, the Cowboys front office DID NOT screw up. Had they kept the "at times disappearing" Amari Cooper, they would still have to be paying him $20+ mil/season while not having enough salary cap room to resign Gallup, Brown, LVE and a few others. Cowboys weighed their options and made the correct move.

...and are currently looking for a WR to replace Cooper.
He only "disappeared" because he wasn't getting many targets.
7 games with 5 or less targets. You'd think your $40M QB would
look more often for your $20M WR.

The anti-Cooper crowd repeatedly makes claims suggesting he
"stopped caring, disappeared, fell off", etc. It's simply not true.
I watched him from the 50 yd line in Washington last year.
He could not be covered. They could've thrown every pass to him.

 

[lukin2006]

I understand why Amari was traded. Time to move on. With Dak at quarterback we should generate enough offence to win most weeks, especially with this defence…

 

[America's Cowboy]

...and are currently looking for a WR to replace Cooper.
He only "disappeared" because he wasn't getting many targets.
7 games with 5 or less targets. You'd think your $40M QB would
look more often for your $20M WR.

The anti-Cooper crowd repeatedly makes claims suggesting he
"stopped caring, disappeared, fell off", etc. It's simply not true.
I watched him from the 50 yd line in Washington last year.
He could not be covered. They could've thrown every pass to him.

Sorry. This has been discussed over and over. There was much film from many games where Amari was single covered (especially last year where he himself admitted he was single covered a majority of the season) but either would fail to get open or get open late after Dak had already passed Amari up for another receiver.

 

[CowboyoWales]

The problem is that the “core group” didn’t remain intact. Looking at Amari Cooper’s 68 receptions for 865 yards across 15 games in 2021, where he had eight touchdowns and averaged 12.7 yards per reception, they would be baited by CeeDee Lamb’s 79 receptions for 1,102 yards across 16 games in that same season, where he scored six touchdowns and averaged 13.9 yards per reception.

While the production was equitable or better from Lamb in that same timeframe, the nearly $4.5 million he was due over the next two seasons compared to the $60 million or so that Cooper was due over the next three years became the biggest factor. Trading Cooper was the route they deemed most effective and efficient for their payroll.

The one they just let walk most recently went for 131 yards and a touchdown on five receptions against a heated in-state rival in the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football in a Halloween Showdown. Watching Cooper shine with another team makes this deal even more frustrating.

The Cowboys’ need for a WR at the deadline (and lack of getting one) proves they were wrong to let go of Amari Cooper so quickly

Nine weeks in and past the trade deadline, you can officially say the front office was wrong.

The reality here is that the gamble and the decision to get rid of Cooper for what they got in return was a bad one, and they’re paying for it now.

Here is the link for the full article:

https://thelandryhat.com/2022/11/11/cowboys-gamble-amari-cooper/

The fact we're 6-2 without him (and Dak for half the games), kind of argues against your point....unless you prefer other Offensive Stats over team results. Also if we'd of kept Coop how would we have kept within the CAP restraints...please show your workings out.

 

[Macnalty]

Well, more and more people say get over it, that's a thing of the past. And I agree to some extent. They didn't gamble though. They used off the field reasons to get rid of him. They wanted him out of here. And Jerry put them on the weak side even more because of his communication beforehand. What a smart dealer lol.

But at the moment, it is really frustrating indeed. We had a great receiver, someone who would have just completed this team right now. They let him go for a ridiculous return and are now looking at an overpriced injury ridden old wide receiver again. At least Amari wasn't such an annoying loud mouth and insta model.

Dang it. If they really go for OBJ, this frustration will cary over well into the play offs, whether he's playing well or not.

What a cluster f***.

It's the return on investment that hurts the most. The Jones boys got taken to the woodshed.

 

[CowboyoWales]

It's the return on investment that hurts the most. The Jones boys got taken to the woodshed.

Not really. Fan's can compare the trades for Adams and Hill, but Coop isnt the same class and teams are fully aware of the intentions of their rivals. EVERY NFL team, fan and even my 87 year old mother who's never seen a game of football in her life could see that we were going to HAVE TO cut Coop. Why trade away picks when he'll become a FA within the week?

The only reason the Browns gave away SOMETHING is to get in there first and stop him hitting the market.

If you want to crucify Jones it's that the whole Death Star plan was to sign Gregory. What's happened, more luck than judgement, (when Randy chose the Smoking State) is that we had available CAP, strengthened the roster and at last have become a team rather than overpaying too many individuals that dont play up to their contracts.

 

[USArmyVet]

Letting Cooper go, in spite of his contract, for a 5th round pick has shown itself to be a mistake. Dallas was searching for a WR to trade for at the trade deadline which shows they recognize they made a mistake. Could or did Dallas approach Cooper to restructure his deal? Yes and who who knows.

The fact is that in Cleveland, with Jacoby Brissett as the QB, Cooper has 39 catches for 553 yards and 5 td's for a 14.2 ypc average.....all without major accompanying receiver help.

So for those saying Cooper couldn't get open, he is showing he is more than capable of getting open with a lesser QB and lesser supportive offensive weapons.

 

[Stash]

Theories, not explanations. There's a big difference.
The fact that they're searching for a replacement and lesser WRs
have received larger contracts suggests they screwed up royally.

To those that can handle the truth.

For some fans, their fandom requires them to blind themselves and be willfully ignorant to any mistakes the team makes.

 

[Stash]

No, the Cowboys front office DID NOT screw up. Had they kept the "at times disappearing" Amari Cooper, they would still have to be paying him $20+ mil/season while not having enough salary cap room to resign Gallup, Brown, LVE and a few others. Cowboys weighed their options and made the correct move.

Stop trying to defend poor decisions.

If they wanted to, the team could have made things work. They always have before. Dallas - just like Cleveland DID - could have restructured Cooper’s deal and done everything they ended up doing anyway.

 

[Stash]

You don't understand the value of the trade. The Browns were willing to pick up 100% of Amari's contract in exchange for only a 5th round pick. If anyone else had offered a much higher draft pick, the Cowboys would have had to eat much of Amari's current contract before a trade was finalized.

And YOU don’t “understand “ that the Joneses running their mouths and letting the league know that Cooper was going one way of another TANKED the trade value.

More like don’t WANT to know.

 

[Stash]

Sorry. This has been discussed over and over. There was much film from many games where Amari was single covered (especially last year where he himself admitted he was single covered a majority of the season) but either would fail to get open or get open late after Dak had already passed Amari up for another receiver.

Sorry. But there’s also much film showing Cooper open and Dak ‘missing him’. That road goes both ways.