Wait and See

[Melonfeud]

From OP:

That said, I’m not sure you could ask for a better “difference maker” than what Amari potentially represents to the Cowboys. Just by merely lining up on the outside, his presence could very easily open up things for everyone in that offense. If the oppositions defense is committed to shutting down Zeke (which will be business as usual until Amari’s performance recommends a different approach from the opposition), Amari should have ample opportunities to establish himself as a dangerous down-the-field weapon. And if/when that happens, everyone on the Cowboys offensive side of the ball wins. And if that happens, that first round pick was draft capital well spent.

Hopefully he's lined up to the outside on the right flank of the attack formation as that's invariably the E&E(escape & evade)
Route #4 takes,,,therefore
( theoretically) keeping the new #19 in his field of target acquisition.

 

[Whyjerry]

[Gordon - 5th rounder / Gordon Risk Factor] > [Cooper - 1st rounder / Cooper's dropsies factor]

 

[buybuydandavis]

On the other hand, most agree the Cowboys overpaid, sending a 1st round pick for a player who hasn’t lived up to expectations as of late in a “what have you done for me lately” league.
...
That said, I’m not sure you could ask for a better “difference maker” than what Amari potentially represents to the Cowboys.

Obviously in a trade, the whole point is what you gave up for what you got. We overpaid.

I got a bigger difference maker for the Cowboys. We'd be a better team *tomorrow* by dumping Linehan. Addition by subtraction. Let Garrett call the plays. Let Moore. I'd take Dak calling his own plays over Linehan.

Linehan was incompetent last year. He had offseason to fix things. He's still incompetent this year. He's got to go.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Yep. This was pretty much the same as drafting him, only the coaches, scouts, organization had far more information to go on than what they would have had in the actual draft.

It's the same as drafting him for a year and a half with all that extra info instead of 5 years.

I'd rather have 3.5 more years than the info.

 

[jday]

My first thought is that this description overlooks a key component of this deal. That's the fact that the Cowboys don't have a rookie first round pick under contract for five years at a discounted rate. They're currently locked into keeping him for a cost of $14 million for 2019. And we all know that they will then be obligated to pay him top receiver money as well, if for no other reason that to justify using a first round pick for him.

So, as quickly as the team got out from under the Dez Bryant contract, they will now be under an Amari Cooper contract. It's a key aspect of this trade that cannot be overlooked.

I'm not overlooking it; it just doesn't really factor into the conversation I'm having with myself. Myself only wants to know if Amari can help the Cowboys win...I'll let the Jones boys worry about the cost.

 

[Ranched]

Let's put it this way. Acquiring Cooper sure isn't going to make Dallas any worse.

 

[jday]

One thing it will tell everyone is whether or not Prescott can or will succeed with a #1 receiver. If Dak can't succeed with this guy, then he can't succeed with anybody and it's time to stop with any excuses otherwise.

Nobody can keep blaming it on receiver after receiver after receiver.

And the team will have an "out" for either or both in 2020, if not sooner.

Ah, but that's where you are wrong. Because with one answered question a whole bunch of other questions materialize.

If we can't blame the receivers, we could certainly point some fingers at the OL. And if that doesn't work, how about the new Oline coach. And if that doesn't work, play calling is a great standby.

So, yeah, maybe this gives us a better Litmus test to gauge Dak's effectiveness, but if the ol play continues to struggle and/or the playcalling seem suspect, then we will find ourselves right back at square one in this debate.

 

[jday]

Obviously in a trade, the whole point is what you gave up for what you got. We overpaid.

I got a bigger difference maker for the Cowboys. We'd be a better team *tomorrow* by dumping Linehan. Addition by subtraction. Let Garrett call the plays. Let Moore. I'd take Dak calling his own plays over Linehan.

Linehan was incompetent last year. He had offseason to fix things. He's still incompetent this year. He's got to go.

It's a bit premature to say we "overpaid" at this point. If Amari returns to Pro Bowler form than we stole him. But until he does one or the other, we really don't know the value of this trade quite yet.

As for your points on Linehan, I agree. I'm not a fan of his and have serious doubts about his ability to get the best out of this offense...particularly with Dak who quite simply is a different type of QB than what Linehan is used to trying to win with.

I think we can win with Dak...but he needs a coach that can craft a playbook around him that exercises his strengths rather than neuter them like Linehan seemingly does...

 

[Stash]

I'm not overlooking it; it just doesn't really factor into the conversation I'm having with myself. Myself only wants to know if Amari can help the Cowboys win...I'll let the Jones boys worry about the cost.

Great.

 

[jday]

It's the same as drafting him for a year and a half with all that extra info instead of 5 years.

I'd rather have 3.5 more years than the info.

Really???

We skipped the diaper changing; who wants to change diapers?

 

[jday]

Great.

 

[Az Lurker]

jday you hit on a lot of the same things I've thought about this. I greatly value 1st round draft picks, particularly as well as Dallas has been drafting of late. But since we already knew Dallas #1 need was a WR and that there wasn't anyone likely as talented as 24 year old Cooper, I'm pretty okay with thinking of him as a very early pick.

Mostly what I see here is a speeding up of the evaluation process, not just of Dak but also of Linehan. If Dallas offense doesn't turn things around I absolutely think that Linehand and possibly Garrett will be gone. At which time the new regime will be given 1 year with Dak as Dallas prepares to look for a new QB at the top of the 2020 draft, which could be much more talent laden at that position.

 

[jday]

jday you hit on a lot of the same things I've thought about this. I greatly value 1st round draft picks, particularly as well as Dallas has been drafting of late. But since we already knew Dallas #1 need was a WR and that there wasn't anyone likely as talented as 24 year old Cooper, I'm pretty okay with thinking of him as a very early pick.

Mostly what I see here is a speeding up of the evaluation process, not just of Dak but also of Linehan. If Dallas offense doesn't turn things around I absolutely think that Linehand and possibly Garrett will be gone. At which time the new regime will be given 1 year with Dak as Dallas prepares to look for a new QB at the top of the 2020 draft, which could be much more talent laden at that position.

That would seem to be the plan going forward, but I think Garrett is probably safe. Linehan seems to be the coach in the crosshairs.

 

[Az Lurker]

That would seem to be the plan going forward, but I think Garrett is probably safe. Linehan seems to be the coach in the crosshairs.

I think unless Garrett loses the locker room this is completely correct. With the exception of Denver last year the team always plays hard for Garrett. Unless he loses that I think Jerry sees Garrett as this generation's Landry.

 

[buybuydandavis]

It's a bit premature to say we "overpaid" at this point. If Amari returns to Pro Bowler form than we stole him. But until he does one or the other, we really don't know the value of this trade quite yet.

As for your points on Linehan, I agree. I'm not a fan of his and have serious doubts about his ability to get the best out of this offense...particularly with Dak who quite simply is a different type of QB than what Linehan is used to trying to win with.

I think we can win with Dak...but he needs a coach that can craft a playbook around him that exercises his strengths rather than neuter them like Linehan seemingly does...

Nope. Not premature. The right price to pay now is based on what we can know now.

Even supposing he plays at his previous pro bowl form for the next year and a half, is that necessarily worth a 1st for 5 years? I wouldn't take that for the first 5 of LVE, Martin, or Frederick, or Byron. Maybe Taco.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I think Jerry sees Garrett as this generation's Landry.

Garrett is Jerrystein's Monster, the coach he made. After 20 years of failure post the team that Jimmy built, Garrett is the legacy he hopes to leave.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Really???

We skipped the diaper changing; who wants to change diapers?

LVE, Martin, and Frederick pooped gold. Even Byron was a decent player during his first 3 years, and now he looks to be headed to 2 pro bowls for us. I'd much rather have a Byron for all 5 than only the final 2.

 

[Stash]

I think unless Garrett loses the locker room this is completely correct. With the except of Denver last year the team always plays hard for Garrett. Unless he loses that I think Jerry sees Garrett as this generation's Landry.

Garrett is this generation's Dave Campo.

 

[jday]

I think unless Garrett loses the locker room this is completely correct. With the exception of Denver last year the team always plays hard for Garrett. Unless he loses that I think Jerry sees Garrett as this generation's Landry.

That exactly. Garrett is Jerry's Landry.

So, my guess is if the Cooper acquisition doesn't "save the season" they'll say they need to get a Chip Kelly-type offensive coordinator in here so Dak can flourish. And if that implodes, like you hinted at above, hopefully it puts them in the Tua 2020 sweepstakes.

 

[jday]

Nope. Not premature. The right price to pay now is based on what we can know now.

Even supposing he plays at his previous pro bowl form for the next year and a half, is that necessarily worth a 1st for 5 years? I wouldn't take that for the first 5 of LVE, Martin, or Frederick, or Byron. Maybe Taco.

Then I think there is a bit of a disconnect in how you and I think. Because for me, the value of the pick is directly tied to his performance and that alone. How he effects the cap is another conversation all together, which really is the only reason you should be concerned about the years of service.