Imagine for a minute the Dallas Cowboys with Adrian
Peterson. You have arguably the best running back in recent memory behind one
of the best offensive lines in the league. Can you say Lombardi Trophy? Ok, I
am getting ahead of myself there but this improbable dream just got closer to
becoming plausible. On Friday, Peterson will be re-instated by the NFL and it
seems that there will be no additional suspension. While it does mean he can
rejoin the Minnesota Vikings in all off-season activities, this really opens
the door to possible trade situations. So how do the Cowboys fit in and why
should they go for it?
First off, we know the Vikings will not release Peterson.
They would not only eat a lot of dead money on the salary cap, but they would
also not get anything in return. So if they truly want to part with him, a
trade is the best option. But, Peterson has a massive contract, including being
owed $12 million for next year alone. I
will tell you now, no team in their right mind will trade for a running back
with that kind of price. So if Dallas wants to get into the mix, they need to
convince Peterson to take a pay cut and drop his salary to at least $8 million.
Now, the Vikings are going to want draft picks as well and some are speculating
it could be maybe a 1st or a 2nd and then adding in a 4th
or 5th pick. Should Dallas do it?
Absolutely.
The Cowboys are built to win right now thanks to their
superior drafting in the past two seasons and their new thrifty approach to
paying players. Yet, the problem lies in the fact that the quarterback is over
35 and dealing with back injuries. Tony Romo doesn’t have but maybe three more
years left before he retires. You can build the best team around for the next
few years, but you need a good quarterback to put you at the next level. Plus,
you do want to strike gold in the Tony Romo era. Peterson helps you do that.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am not going to break the bank for
Peterson or leverage the future. If you have to give him big money and a lot of
high-quality draft picks, then move on. The team can draft a quality back in
the draft, and the defense is starting to shape up already with Sean Lee and
Rolando McClain returning. Defensive end Greg Hardy brings you a low-risk,
high-reward option on the defensive line and you can always draft a great
cornerback.
Yet, if the price is right and you can make it work, go for
Peterson. Because that would not only make you the odds-on-favorite to win the
Super Bowl this season, but probably for the next three years as well.
Dallas Mavericks Playoff Preview:
Man do I love playoff time in the NBA, especially when my
Dallas Mavericks are in it. It seems that lady luck is on our side because everything
went right Wednesday night to set up the dream match-up for the Mavs in the
first-round. Here come the Rockets! Some might be discouraged because of the
Rockets being a number 2 seed and the injury and chemistry concerns with the
Mavs. Yet, this match-up is really favorable for the Mavs.
How can the Mavs win? They need Center Tyson Chandler to
make an impact in this series and go toe-for-toe with Dwight Howard. To have a
chance in this series, you need to be able to neutralize Howard’s ability to
protect the rim and dominate the paint. Of course there is also a matter of
trying to stop James Harden from going crazy on the offensive end. Put Rajon
Rondo on him and let him frustrate Harden. In the regular season series with
the Rockets, Harden went down five percentage points anytime Rondo covered him.
Then on the offensive end, you’ve got to find ways to score.
They need to Run DMC! Dirk, Monta, Chander Parsons! If those three can get
going, this series will be long and very entertaining.
So I am going with Mavericks in 6 because I have to have hope
right?
Texas Rangers:
Speaking of hope, there is none for this team. They suck!
