I actually heard someone, with a straight face and a stern brow, blame Orlando Scandrick's injury on Jason Garrett yesterday. I kid you not. His "point" was that if Garrett had held the scheduled day at the beach as usual - Garrett cancelled it because of the poor performance on Sunday - Scandrick would not have been on the practice field and gotten hurt.
He was serious. I pointed out that, by his logic, if they just cancelled training camp altogether and played only end-of-the-roster guys in preseason, we could be guaranteed not to lose a starter by the Giants game. I was told that was ridiculous. He couldn't connect the dots of my point. In fact, I don't think he could find his butt with a flashlight and a map.
So I decided to blow his circuitry further with this point, which I'm about 75 percent serious about: Scandrick's injury was a good thing.
First, some context to my thinking. If you had to choose a significant starter to lose during the preseason, which most every preseason brings, Scandrick would probably be a good choice. The depth at cornerback has improved beyond the cast from last year, when he was suspended for Draya mollies for four games. Tyler Patmon looks like a real player, as does Corey White, to go along with Carr and the two first-round picks of Mo and Jones. Add to that what looks like an improved pass rush, and the group is bolstered all the more.
Second, I'm one that thinks Scandrick is a bit overrated. His leadership quality and reasonable ability shined during the recent Dark Ages of Cowboys defensive football, when yardage leaked like Ashley Madison accounts. He was a lone wolf in a pack of Shih tzus for a good while, which made him look like the second coming of Deion Sanders around here (which my buddy seems to believe).
The fact is, this loss can be absorbed, and assuming no other corner injuries occur, thank you, there's really no need to add a sixth corner right now.
That could mean that a player Dallas DIDN'T want to waive doesn't necessarily have to be. The Cowboys have entered that rare air of a team that has to let go of good players other teams want because need at other positions dictates certain decisions, or in this case, a wealth of ability at a single position that you just can't cut. I half expected a trade of one of these quality corners anyway because of need elsewhere.
So who benefits from Scandrick's misfortune? Nick Harwell? AJ Jenkins? Ben Gardner? Ken Bishop? Lavar Edwards? Tim Scott? Mark Nzeocha? Keith Smith? A guy soon to be cut elsewhere?
Just who grabbed their eye that now has new hope for the 53? Or whom out there has tickled their distant fancy?
The best thing about this whole thing is simple. I'm not worried about it, not in the least. I have full confidence that Will McClay's talent bandits are on the prowl, and there's a good solution in the making, here already or not. They've got this well in hand.
While I watch other teams wallowing in desperation over lost Achilles and ACLs, I see a deepening roster here very much intact right now. That doesn't preclude an injury this weekend, or any weekend from here to January, but as it stands, this particular loss is really no big deal. Part of the NFL, which seems more wrought with injuries with every passing season.
In fact, aside from a season-ender to Romo, Tyron, or Dez, I don't think there's an injury this team couldn't amply absorb and roll on, so long as they didn't come in high quantity. That's why my choice would be to keep another outside receiver, just in case the worst case with Dez happened. I actually think they could manage through that, albeit with difficulty.
Now, that said, no more of these, please. Quick success Saturday, and get them out pronto, por favor. Shut them down until the Giants.
