I used to be a huge fan of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy.
I say used to because I no longer am. At its peak the show had some insane drama that sucked me in. This was pre-DVR so I watched this bad boy live.
Ultimately I gave up on it, like most of the show’s iconic actors coincidentally, because it became too unreal. The storylines were too difficult to believe. I mean, I know it’s primetime television but at some point there is a line, Shonda Rhimes!
When I found out Darren McFadden broke his elbow trying to save his cellphone from falling in the pool I could’ve sworn Meredith Grey herself appeared out of thin air right in front of me to rub my face in the unbelievable.
In all seriousness I hope that Darren McFadden is alright, and he will reportedly be back in a little over two months. That’s only two weeks before the regular season, no big deal!
My fellow Staff Writer Brian Martin dropped some knowledge earlier today on how this setback could cost Darren McFadden his spot on the 2016 Dallas Cowboys Roster. He made a lot of sense, and he got me thinking.
Say that the Dallas Cowboys were considering carrying four Running Backs on this year’s roster. It’s not that far out of the realm of possibility when you consider that Ezekiel Elliott, Alfred Morris, and Darren McFadden were all practically locks to make the team. If you want to debate that you can go ahead, but not here! Not today! Let’s move on.
So McFadden was making this team, and what if Brian is right? What if this injury really does cost him his roster spot? That leaves a spot up for grabs! It’s my belief that this hypothetical spot could prove prosperous for a few different Cowboys.
Here are three surprising examples.
Rico Gathers
I don’t know which narrative I’m more sick of: basketball players playing tight end in the NFL or the fact that Rico Gathers hasn’t played “competitive” football since he was 14 or whatever.
Regardless of the circumstances, when he last played, what color my socks are (black FYI) Rico Gathers is a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. While it was long thought that the transition he’s undergoing, admittedly a necessary one, would take some time that might land him on the Practice Squad this year… that might not necessarily be true anymore.
If this spot is indeed open, why not exercise it on Gathers? If you’re really afraid that someone else is going to snatch him up from your Practice Squad, a legitimate fear mind you, then prohibit that. You’ve got the spot to burn.
Like a great Disco Inferno let it burn, baby burn.
Ronald Leary
“RJ, what in the world are you talking about? Have you lost your damn mind?!”
To be fair I started this whole dealio off with a Grey’s Anatomy reference so maybe. Good news is I could literally lose my mind, like have it fall out of my skull, pick it up, shove it in my pocket, and walk into the fictional Grey’s Anatomy hospital only to have a miracle surgery save my life. That’s how they roll.
Look. Ronald Leary is, based on his own talents, making this team. We all agree there.
We all also know that Mr. Leary is, for reasons beyond the understanding of my pocketed brain, discontent wearing the Dallas Cowboys Star. He wants out.
With so many roster decisions to make maybe it made structural sense for the Cowboys to deal Leary. We never wish for injuries, but Training Camp is full of them and that could have been when someone called up Jones & Co. to swing a deal.
Now that there’s an extra roster spot just chilling there like my brain, it’s the perfect place to stash a guy like Ron Leary for 2016. Isn’t Leary just the Darren McFadden of the Offensive Line anyway? He is to La’el Collins what DMC is to Zeke, a veteran backup who’s being pushed out. Salt-N-Pepa’s here!
Jaylon Smith
I’ve been very vocal about the fact that I do not believe that Jaylon Smith will ever suit up or play a down of football for the Dallas Cowboys in 2016. But my brain is all messed up so let’s party.
The brain trust of the Dallas Cowboys seems to believe that Jaylon is going to defy modern medicine and prove me wrong. Cool. I hope they’re right.
If they believe that to a legitimate degree they’re going to be faced with some interesting roster decisions. Sure the NFI list offers a duct tape sort of solution to the Jaylon problem, but ultimately they’re going to have to address it firmly.
Hello open roster spot. You sure are shaped just like Jaylon Smith. Let me just plug him in here.
This roster spot could be the way that Jaylon finds his way onto the 2016 Cowboys. It might not materalize in September, but as the little kid in Angels In the Outfield said, “It could happen.”
Bam. Jaylon’d.
What are your thoughts? Who do you think is a surprising Dallas Cowboy that could benefit from DMC’s injury? Let us know! Comment below, Email me at RJ@RJOchoaShow.com, or Tweet to me at @rjochoa!
Wasn't sure how you were going to make some of these connections. Well done! On Gathers & Smith… I don't think McFadden being gone changes anything about open roster spots. I figure they were going to keep the same number one way or the other. Darius Jackson was probably going be released and on the P-Squad if they kept both McFadden and Morris, especially once Dunbar returns. This just means Jackson or some other RB makes the team. On Leary… great point about how injuries could motivate the Cowboys to strike a deal. That's whole Leary situation will remain in play until the trade deadline.