kdhnews
DALLAS — A pointed open letter to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has surfaced, pleading with him to resist the urge to make trades before Tuesday's deadline. The author begins by referencing Jones's recent radio comment that there is 'zero correlation' between a coach's salary and his success rate, suggesting that Jones might want to upgrade his sources—and perhaps his head coach as well.
The letter's core message is simple: don't make a deal, Jerry. The season has already derailed, and no trade can salvage it. Even though the NFC East is weak enough that a playoff berth might come by accident, the author warns against false hope. The Giants, for instance, have finally found a real coach in John Harbaugh, reportedly paying him $20 million annually—a fact that seems to contradict Jones's 'zero correlation' theory.
Jones may be tempted to trade for an edge rusher or linebacker to spark a Super Bowl run, but the author insists it won't work. The defense has too many holes—at cornerback, linebacker, and pass rush—to fix with one move. The letter points to Pro Football Focus ranking DeMarcus Lawrence as the ninth-best edge in the league, noting that Lawrence left for Seattle and is now leading a Super Bowl charge while Dallas is left without him, Micah Parsons, or a pass rush. The author also mentions that while Maxx Crosby would have been a target, the Raiders aren't trading him, and players like Josh Sweat and Yaya Diaby wouldn't make a difference.
The secondary is equally troubling. DaRon 'Bigfoot' Bland, once a pick-six machine, has regressed, and PFF ranks him only four spots ahead of Shavon Revel, who is 96th among corners with a 38.3 grade. The linebacker situation is no better: the author questions whether Ken Norton was the last good linebacker and notes that DeMarvion Overshown, despite his talent, isn't a middle linebacker. Dallas is already on its third MLB of the season, and the author suggests they should have drafted Jacob Rodriguez, who is thriving in Miami, instead of Malachi Lawrence, who struggles to see the field.
Former defensive coordinators have also weighed in. Rex Ryan laughed at the defense, and Wink Martindale called Christian Parker's unit the worst he's ever seen—so bad that he keeps a trash can nearby. The author acknowledges the temptation to make trades, especially since recent draft picks haven't panned out. Since trading Micah Parsons, only Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb remain from the 2016-21 drafts. The offensive line picks have been solid—Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker—but impact players elsewhere are scarce. Bland and Jake Ferguson have inexplicably declined, and Ferguson isn't even starting. The best defenders—Joey Porter Jr., Quinnen Williams, and Kenny Clark—were acquired via trade, which explains the urge to deal. However, the Cowboys have limited capital: only four picks next year and four in the first three rounds over the next two drafts.
Key Analysis
The columnist's plea is rooted in the idea that the draft is the fans' only escape from recurring disappointment. From the combine through Easter, fans immerse themselves in workouts, mock drafts, and analyst breakdowns. Trading away more picks would strip away that fantasy that April might bring hope for the fall. The author's bottom line: don't take that away, Jerry. It's all that's left.
Originally reported by kdhnews.