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Pro Football Talk
Jerry Jones on trading Amari Cooper: “We went for the dollars”
During his Tuesday appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, Jones provided more proof for that specific brand of generic pudding by reflecting on the decision to trade receiver Amari Cooper, only two years into a five-year, $100 million deal.
“We went for the dollars,” Jones said regarding the trade that sent Cooper to Cleveland prior to the 2022 season. “When we traded Amari Cooper, we saved almost $20 million for our cap and in the future. We took a lesser draft pick to get that savings.”
[A]fter the Cowboys shed Cooper’s $20 million salary for 2022, the receiver market spiked.
Davante Adams got traded and paid. Tyreek Hill got traded and paid. Although there was plenty of fugazi baked into their contracts (Adams supposedly got $28 million per year and Hill supposedly got $30 million), the real numbers — $22.9 million per year for Adams and $25 million per year for Hill — suggested that the Cowboys had misread the market.
Cooper had a pair of 1,000-yard seasons in Cleveland, despite starting quarterback Deshaun Watson playing only six games each year. In 2023, Cooper was a Pro Bowler. If the Browns were contenders this year, they wouldn’t have flipped the remainder of his contract plus a 2025 sixth-round pick to Buffalo for a 2025 third-rounder and a 2026 seventh-rounder.
Although at some point the Cowboys likely had to choose between Cooper and Lamb as the team’s WR1, they didn’t need to do it in 2022. They dragged their feet on Lamb for two more seasons, and they signed receiver Michael Gallup to a five-year, $57.5 million deal when Cooper was traded.
From a football standpoint, the Cowboys got it wrong. They should have kept Cooper. They could have re-done his deal in 2022, dropping the cap number and kicking the can into years where the overall cap would be higher.
It’s easy to say now it was about the dollars. There’s more to it than that. The Cowboys thought Cooper was no longer worth the dollars (they were wrong). They thought the market wouldn’t adjust in a way that made Cooper’s remaining deal reasonable (they were wrong).
While they’ve done a good job in recent years of acquiring and developing talent, they’ve paid the wrong players (like Gallup) not paid the right players (like Cooper) and waited too long to do deals they were going to do anyway, driving up the price and losing their leverage along the way.
Lamb finally got his market-level deal, but only after missing all of training camp and not being as ready for the regular season as he could have been. Prescott got his deal, but only after the Cowboys realized they’d painted themselves into a tighter corner than the one they’d painted themselves into with Dak in 2021, all because they waited too damn long to do deals they were going to do anyway.
Big Blue View
Veteran left tackle D.J. Humphries visiting with New York Giants
Former Arizona Cardinal would be an instant upgrade for the Giants
The New York Giants might soon have another option at left tackle. Per Adam Schefter, the Giants are hosting veteran free agent left tackle D.J. Humphries on Tuesday.
An eight-year veteran, Humphries was a first-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2016. He started all 98 games he played for the Cardinals at left tackle over those eight seasons.
The 30-year-old Humphries suffered a torn ACL in Week 17 last season and was released by Arizona during the offseason.
A Pro Bowler in 2021, Humphries has played 6,408 NFL snaps at left tackle.
The Giants, of course, are trying to make due without star left tackle Andrew Thomas, lost for the season after a Lisfranc injury that required surgery.
Per Pro Football Focus, Humphries allowed just four sacks and had a 97.0 efficiency score in 568 pass-blocking snaps a season ago.
If Humphries is healthy, this sounds like a no-brainer signing for the Giants.
Bleeding Green Nation
Report: Eagles release Parris Campbell
The Philadelphia Eagles are releasing veteran wide receiver Parris Campbell, according to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
The Eagles originally signed Campbell back in March. He was brought in to compete for the third wide receiver role behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Campbell missed a good chunk of training camp due to injury, however, and failed to impress whenever he was healthy. The Eagles cut Campbell in late August and then brought him back on the practice squad. With Brown, Smith, and Britain Covey getting hurt, the Eagles bumped Campbell up to the game day roster a few times to give them more receiver depth. And then they signed him to the roster when his three temporary practice squad elevations ran out. All told, Campbell was targeted seven times for six catches, 30 yards, and one touchdown.
Blogging the Boys
Cowboys given an opportunity to beat the 49ers in Week 8
The 49ers are in a tough spot right now.
Coming into this contest, the 49ers have their fair share of injuries, and it got even worse against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL, ending his 2024 campaign. Deebo Samuel, who played just four snaps, left the game with an illness that has been described as “pneumonia-like,” and he has fluid in his lungs. He’s currently hospitalized with no timetable for his return. Also, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he’d be surprised if running back Christian McCaffrey were to play against the Cowboys.
On the other hand, Dallas could be getting some guys back. There’s hope that All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland will make his season debut. He suffered a stress fracture in his foot, which put him on injured reserve. Micah Parsons, who has been dealing with a high ankle sprain, has high hopes that he’ll suit up against the 49ers, but his status is still in the air. Also, rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton is working to get back on the field of battle. He was injured versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and didn’t play against the Detroit Lions. So, he’ll have to show plenty of progression this week in order to be back in as a starter, which will be the case when he’s cleared.
This isn’t in any way to glorify the fact that the 49ers are injured. After all, the best teams want to play an opponent at full strength. However, the Cowboys need a win to keep pace in the NFC East. Plus, let’s face it, even at 3-4, the 49ers are a better team than the Cowboys, and they have a better roster. This is all to say that Dallas needs every advantage they can get when it comes to playing San Francisco.
Big Blue View
Thoughts on Daniel Jones, Brian Daboll, the NFL trade deadline, and more
It’s an off day ‘things I think’
Trade deadline
The Nov. 5 NFL trade deadline is two weeks away. The Giants have to be sellers, don’t they?
The two most logical trade candidates are wide receiver Darius Slayton and edge defender Azeez Ojulari. Both are in the final years of their contracts, and I suspect they will each pursue new opportunities during the offseason.
Of course, trading either player is complicated by injuries. Edge defender Kayvon Thibodeaux is on IR, and now wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is dealing with a rib injury.
Would the Giants be open to trading Evan Neal? Would anyone be willing to trade for him at this point? I doubt the Giants could get more than a conditional seventh-round pick that might become a sixth-rounder based on playing time, but if they aren’t going to play him I don’t know why they wouldn’t consider it.
FTN
NFL Playoff Picture: Odds to Win Super Bowl LIX
The NFL playoff picture odds report plays out the season 25,000 times. A random draw assigns each team a win or loss for each game. The probability that a team will be given a win is based on an equation which considers the DAVE ratings of the two teams as well as home-field advantage. (DVOA ratings are explained here.)
Mean Wins is the average number of wins for this team over the 25,000 simulations. Odds are given for winning each playoff seed, as well as for winning the division (DIV) or winning a wild card (WC). TOT represents odds of making the playoffs in any fashion.
This report lists the odds of several “special” Super Bowl matchups. Not all possible Super Bowls are included.
The Athletic (paywall)
What every NFL team should do at the trade deadline: Buy, sell or stand pat?
Dallas Cowboys: Buyers
Despite the optics of the Cowboys’ losses this season, they are still in play for the division, and should start getting back key injured players soon. Micah Parsons, Brandin Cooks and DaRon Bland all appear to be on the cusp of returning, with DeMarcus Lawrence and Marshawn Kneeland expected to return later. Even with those reinforcements, the Cowboys have significant holes on the roster, namely at running back and defensive tackle. If the Cowboys actually are all in and have hopes for a late-season surge into the playoffs, they’ll need to address what they can on the trade market. — Saad Yousuf
New York Giants: Sellers
Sunday felt like a new low for this year’s Giants team as Saquon Barkley returned with a vengeance against his former team to help lead the Eagles to a 28-3 thrashing. Oh, and the Giants benched quarterback Daniel Jones. But in trying to “create a spark,” Brian Daboll has nonetheless created quarterback uncertainty despite committing to Jones going forward. So yeah, this team doesn’t seem playoff bound, especially with a primetime date at Pittsburgh next Monday. If the Giants want to acquire assets to move forward this offseason, one candidate would be wide receiver Darius Slayton who has proven to be a relatively reliable veteran. — Charlotte Carroll
Philadelphia Eagles: Buyers
The Eagles swung big in free agency, and their prize signing, Saquon Barkley, is the fulcrum of a talent-laden offense whose first-quarter funks may keep the front office open-minded about adding potential sparks. Losing left tackle Jordan Mailata to injured reserve with a hamstring also raises questions if the offensive line needs more depth. A young defense may only require patience. GM Howie Roseman spent the team’s first two picks on players who are now starting in the secondary. The Eagles dominated bad teams in two weeks of touchdown-less defense, and, within their 13 sacks in that span, free agent signee Bryce Huff had his first full one. Josh Sweat’s contract expires this year. The expectations are indeed high this season. Will the Eagles dip into its draft resources to land another edge rusher who’ll ensure their pass rush remains dangerous? — Brooks Kubena
Washington Commanders: Stand pat
Hear me out because we’ve got some caveats. First off, the plan entering the 2024 offseason focused on year-over-year contention rather than a quick fix. That shouldn’t change with round 1-4 picks despite the surprising winning record and a dynamic Jayden Daniels. Washington isn’t one player away from joining the league’s top tier, especially on defense, and has several long-term holes. Now, the caveats. If there’s a young player GM Adam Peters thinks is worthy of a multi-year contract and valuable draft picks, maybe. Same if the team is at least 6-3 by the deadline, which potentially became tricker with Daniels “week-to-week” with a rib injury. Make a deal involving late-round picks (swap or straight up) for a veteran CB or DL depth, let’s talk. — Ben Standig
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ESPN
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa still faces concussion concerns
“Why do you think we’re back here in the same situation two years later?” Bailes said. “It’s the style of play for him. He stuck his head in there and he’s not afraid and he’s a great athlete and he wanted to get a few more yards. He stuck his head in there without thinking in that split second.
“So, that’s a big part of why we’re back again. Same guy, same susceptibility and same style of play.”
Pundits have discussed how many concussions are too many; TV analysts and social media types implored Tagovailoa to retire; and South Floridians held their collective breath as Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel delivered updates in the weeks since Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve.
When Tagovailoa addressed reporters’ questions Monday, the matter appeared to be settled. He plans to return to practice Wednesday with the hope of being cleared to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. And he firmly stated he would not wear a Guardian Cap for additional head protection, saying that’s his “personal choice.”
“I love this game, and I love it to the death of me,” Tagovailoa said. “… For me, this is what I love to do. This is what makes me happy, and I’m going to do it.”
Tagovailoa said he has been symptom-free since the day after the Sept. 12 game against the Buffalo Bills and has been cleared by doctors to resume playing.
He said he has no plans to retire. It has never been an option for him.
The declarations were swift in the hours after Tagovailoa’s concussion on Sept. 12, with passionate pleas for him to retire. On Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe’s account on X, a post said that he hoped the quarterback was OK but that “he’s gotta seriously think about shutting it dwn … His concussions are getting worse and worse and he’s a young man with his entire life ahead of him.”
Six weeks later, Tagovailoa is still the center of the NFL’s attention, but now that his return appears inevitable, the questions are shifting: Can he save the Dolphins’ season and protect himself?
FTN
QBs by Route in Early 2024
One of my favorite offseason articles we run on a regular basis is DVOA and DYAR by specific routes, something which we’ve historically had to wait until the end of the season to do. But with FTN StatsHub, you can look that up right now, using the advanced filters to pick and choose which routes you want to focus on.
Seeing an offense’s route selection can add nuance to just looking at the overall leaderboards – who keeps throwing hopeless go routes; who’s setting up their receivers for tons of YAC on slants, and so on and so forth. A third of the way through the season, let’s go route-by-route and see which quarterbacks have earned the most and least DYAR on each one, starting from the very shortest and ending with the very longest.
Ins and Digs
- Lamar Jackson (218 DYAR, 154.3% DVOA)
- Jayden Daniels (169 DYAR, 142.7% DVOA)
- Joe Burrow (126 DYAR, 103.2% DVOA)
With Brock Purdy and Josh Allen rounding out the top five, this apparently is the route you want to excel at if you want to be in award conversation this year. Jackson, in particular, has been on a heater – 18-for-22 for 287 yards and a touchdown, and a perfect 8-for-8 to Zay Flowers for a 100% success rate. Jackson was second to Jared Goff in DYAR on ins and digs last season, but only threw 48 of them. They’ve become a larger part of Baltimore’s offense this year, and it’s paying dividends.
Gos
- Sam Darnold (208 DYAR, 230.7% DVOA)
- Aaron Rodgers (167 DYAR, 61.6% DVOA)
- Jayden Daniels (142 DYAR, 205.1% DVOA)
No, only two of Darnold’s five go route completions were to Justin Jefferson Yes, they did result in two touchdowns and 111 yards. But Jordan Addison is a thing, too, and “chuck the ball on a straight route into the end zone and dare a great receiver to come down with it” seems like a pretty good strategy when your starting quarterback is Sam Darnold Darnold has thrown nine go routes; Rodgers has thrown 37. Both have thrown three touchdowns. Crazy.
Pro Football Talk
Jonathan Gannon confirms Dennis Gardeck tore an ACL
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed that edge rusher Dennis Gardeck tore his anterior cruciate ligament in Monday night’s win over the Chargers. Gardeck will head to season-ending injured reserve.
“Dennis has a knee [injury], and he’s going to be done for the year,” Gannon said, via video from Tyler Drake of AZSports. “We’ve had some guys now go to IR. It’s a part of the game. It’s just tough to swallow at times, so obviously we know what he puts into the game, into his craft, and being a pro and being the teammate that he is. So, that’s going to hurt.”
Pro Football Focus
NFL Week 7: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards
LG: Nick Allegretti, Washington Commanders
ST: Jeremy Reaves, Washington Commanders
OFFENSIVE LINE OF THE WEEK: Washington Commanders
The Commanders offensive line combined to allow just five pressures this week. They also helped to power a rushing attack that averaged 5.8 yards per carry in their win over the Carolina Panthers.