Derrick Henry: A Near-Miss for the Cowboys
In a league constantly abuzz with trades and free agency moves, Derrick Henry's potential switch to the Dallas Cowboys gained traction before ultimately falling through. The allure was palpable, given that Henry spends his offseasons training in Dallas, a city embracing high-profile athletes with open arms. Yet, the highly anticipated move didn't materialize, largely due to financial constraints.
The Cowboys, who have been grappling with a sluggish start to their rushing game, were in need of a spark. Ranking 25th in rushing during the first two weeks of the season and managing merely 51 yards on the ground in Week 3 underscored their struggles. The addition of a powerhouse like Henry could have been the rejuvenation required to reignite their offense. Notably, the team has Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn on their depth chart. However, their performances thus far have not yielded the desired results.
Henry, now with the Baltimore Ravens, inked a two-year, $16 million deal after an illustrious eight-year stint with the Tennessee Titans. His debut for the Ravens was nothing short of spectacular; he rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns in a nail-biting 28-25 victory over the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, handing the Cowboys their second consecutive home loss. This performance juxtaposed against the Cowboys’ current woes made his near-acquisition even more tantalizing for Dallas fans.
Yet, the reality was stark, as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones candidly explained. "We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry," Jones stated, pointing to the salary cap limitations the team faced. "I don't know. Why can't you buy a mansion when you live in a different kind of house? We couldn't afford it. We can't make that all fit. That's as simple as that." Jones' metaphor succinctly captures the financial juggling act teams must perform in the salary-cap era of the NFL.
The Cowboys had made strategic financial decisions, opting to wait on extensions for key players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. This decision, while rooted in future planning, left them financially constricted and unable to make a lucrative offer to Henry.
Jones further elaborated on the multi-faceted nature of the team's rushing struggles. "I wouldn't direct the running game and lack thereof or where we've been over the last three games to any one running back at all, because it takes some offensive linemen to blow them out of there; it takes a passing game to keep them honest in the running game. It takes a lot of things to make that work. This wouldn't be solved with just jumping over there and getting [Hall of Famer] Jimmy Brown," he emphasized. His insights highlight the collective responsibility of the entire offensive unit in achieving an effective rushing attack.
In Henry’s absence, Dallas will need to find a solution internally or through potential future acquisitions. Meanwhile, Henry’s presence bolsters the Ravens' already potent running game, making them formidable contenders. As the season progresses, the Cowboys' ability to address their running game issues remains critical to their competitive prospects.