Jets Wanted First-Rounder For Richardson
Pre-trade deadline talks between the Jets and Cowboys regarding defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson didn’t get very far, according to Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram. The Jets wanted a first-round pick in either 2017 or 2018 for Richardson, per Hill, and the Cowboys understandably balked at their high asking price.
New York reportedly discussed Richardson with Denver, too, so it stands to reason the Jets also requested a first-rounder from the Broncos. Richardson ultimately didn’t go anywhere prior to last Tuesday’s deadline, though the Jets are likely to shop him again during the offseason. However, multiple general managers have told Jason Cole of Bleacher Report that there probably won’t be much demand for Richardson’s services then.
Although he has been one of the NFL’s top defenders during his four-year career, Richardson comes with obvious red flags that damage his value. He’s only signed through next season, for one, so trading for him would mean surrendering a haul for either a short-term fix or someone set to occupy a large chunk of cap space for the long haul. Perhaps of greater concern are Richardson’s off-field issues, as the league has twice suspended the 25-year-old. Richardson sat four games last year for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and served a one-game ban earlier this season stemming from a July 2015 arrest.
Most recently, Jets head coach Todd Bowles benched both Richardson and fellow D-line stalwart Muhammad Wilkerson for the first quarter of the club’s loss to the Dolphins last Sunday because of their consistent absences from (and tardiness to) team meetings. Wilkerson is seemingly entrenched with the Jets, who signed him to an extension over the summer, as is second-year lineman Leonard Williams. That leaves Richardson as the likely odd man out, though the Jets are clearly going to have to lower their asking price after the season if they’re truly motivated to move him.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/8/16
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Blake Muir
- Cut: LB Davis Tull
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: G Jarell Broxton, DB Robertson Daniel
- Cut: QB David Fales
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Bruce Gaston
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: G Kadeem Edwards
- Cut: G Clay DeBord
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Wendall Williams
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: S Jimmy Hall, CB Tylor Patmon, QB Joel Stave
- Cut: RB Zac Brooks, OL Jarrod Pughsley, OT Zach Sterup
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Kevin Norwood
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Jarrod Pughsley
- Cut: WR Myles White
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: OT Tyreek Burwell
Seattle Seahawks
- Cut: WR Kenny Lawler
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Cody Riggs
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DB Lee Hightower
Jerry Jones: Tony Romo Will Be Active Soon
SUNDAY, 8:57am: Unlike Jones, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com believes Romo will not be suiting up for a game anytime soon, either in a starter’s role or as a backup (article via Kevin Patra of NFL.com). Rapoport reports that Romo remains in the beginning stages of his return and has yet to fully participate in practices, as he has not even taken real team reps yet. So it may be that Jason Garrett will be able to put off his difficult decision for another couple of weeks.
SATURDAY, 9:54pm: His preseason recovery timelines pointing to this sector of the schedule for a return date, Tony Romo is set to be inactive against the Browns on Sunday. Dak Prescott will start the Cowboys’ eighth game, but Romo might have already been plugged back in had Prescott floundered.
Jerry Jones, though, said the 36-year-old quarterback will suit up for a game soon. The owner categorizes Romo as being further along now than he was when he returned last November from his collarbone injury before reinjuring it in his second game back.
“He is ahead off where he came back and played last year,” Jones said during a radio interview with 105.3 The Fan in Dallas (via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). “We need to see more. There is no need to not see more. This is about need as it relates to winning a game.”
The longtime owner said earlier this week the Cowboys will lean on the hot hand, Prescott, until Romo is fully ready to return. The fourth-round rookie being a far superior option to the inefficient Kellen Moore/Brandon Weeden/Matt Cassel troika of last season gives Dallas the luxury of being patient here. The Cowboys are 6-1 for the second time in three years and have the NFC’s best record, with the NFL’s lone winless outfit on deck.
Dallas has gone 78-49 in Romo starts since he took the reins from Drew Bledsoe in October of 2006. A four-time Pro Bowler, Romo threw for 34 touchdown passes compared to nine interceptions during his last healthy season, in 2014. Prescott has thrown nine TD passes compared to two INTs this season.
Romo is reportedly glad the Cowboys have found his presumptive successor after a lengthy time spent trying, but the the question will come soon as to which of these quarterbacks will be the backup as Dallas attempts to secure home-field advantage for the first time since Romo’s first full season as a starter, 2007.
Latest On Ezekiel Elliott Accusations
- Domestic violence accusations have surrounded Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott this season, and an incident report from the Aventura (Fla.) Police Department (obtained by USA Today’s Tom Pelissero and A.J. Perez) said the player’s ex-girlfriend/accuser also accused the athlete of abusing her back in February. The police said there were no visible signs of injury, and Elliott was not arrested. The writers say it’s unclear whether the NFL knew about these previous allegations.
[SOURCE LINK]
Tony Romo Still Expects To Start
It’s possible rookie sensation Dak Prescott has permanently taken Tony Romo‘s job as the Cowboys’ No. 1 quarterback, but the injured veteran still expects to start when he’s healthy enough. At the same time, he’s pleased with Prescott’s success. “Tony wants the organization to be left in good hands when he’s finished playing, and he can see that Dak is going to be that guy,” one of Romo’s friends told Jason King of Bleacher Report. “They’ve found his successor, and Tony is happy about that.” Romo returned to practice last week from the broken bone he suffered in his back during the Cowboys’ penultimate preseason game on Aug. 25. That injury opened the door for Prescott, who has helped the Cowboys to an NFC-best 6-1 start while posting superb numbers.
Cowboys Promote CB Leon McFadden
The Cowboys have promoted cornerback Leon McFadden from the practice squad to the active roster in advance of Sunday’s game against the Browns, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Dallas just signed McFadden to its taxi squad in late October.
[RELATED: Cowboys Made Offer For Sheldon Richardson]
Given that both cornerback Morris Claiborne and safety Barry Church are expected to miss several weeks with injuries, the Cowboys can use all the help they can get in the secondary. Specifically at corner, Orlando Scandrick — returning from his own health issue — is likely to slot in opposite Brandon Carr, with sixth-round rookie Anthony Brown playing behind them. McFadden, then, will be one of only four corners on the Dallas roster, meaning he could see action this weekend.
McFadden, 26, was chosen by the Browns in the third round of the 2013 draft, but flamed out after only a single season with Cleveland. After appearing in seven games over the next two years with the 49ers and Giants, McFadden signed a futures deal with New York this offseason and made it until final roster cuts, when he was waived. All told, McFadden has played in 25 games during his career (two starts), and while he’s never intercepted a ball, he has defensed two passes.
McFadden was seemingly chosen for promotion over fellow cornerback Sammy Seamster, who will remain on the Cowboys’ practice squad for the time being.
Cowboys Cut Rod Smith
- The Cowboys have cut fullback Rod Smith, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com. The former Ohio State Buckeye signed with the Seahawks last year as an undrafted free agent and appeared in one game with the club before it waived him. The Cowboys then claimed Smith, who suited up for 11 of their games last season and their first seven of 2016. Smith rarely touched the ball, but he did take the field for 40.2 percent of the Cowboys’ special teams snaps to begin the year.
Jets Notes: Richardson, Marshall, Fitzpatrick
Despite the Jets passing on a Sheldon Richardson trade at Tuesday’s deadline, the sides’ long-term future is not stable. The team did not just talk to the Cowboys about a deal for Richardson but offered the fourth-year defensive end to several teams, Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News reports.
While the asking price was too high for Dallas’ liking, the Jets were ready to part with the oft-suspended defender who stands to make $8.07MM next season — the last of his rookie contract with the Jets — after Gang Green triggered his fifth-year option in May.
“You can’t just overpay for something even though you may want it and it may be tempting,” Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said. “We just didn’t feel like the value was there in terms of the trade for us.”
Here’s more on Richardson and the latest coming out of Jets headquarters.
- The mercurial pass-rusher would have been fine with a trade and sees himself as the odd man out amid the Jets’ defensive end glut. “Big business, bro,” Richardson said, via Darryl Slater of NJ.com. “It happens. That’s it. We’ve got three guys that play the same position. We’re all effective. It’s a surplus, so I’m the odd man out.” Muhammad Wilkerson occupied this status fairly recently, with perpetual contract talks going nowhere. But after the sixth-year veteran signed up long-term, it’s the player with off-the-field trouble who fits into the short-term fix category. Should Richardson be able to avoid more off-field issues in the next year-plus, he could be a top 2018 UFA. “I just want to play, and yeah, get paid my fair share,” he said. “You can’t do this forever. You want to win Super Bowls and win games and stuff like that. But you also want to make sure you can take care of your family when it’s all said and done and it’s over with.”
- Richardson said he would not have wept if traded but merely gotten ready for his next game with his new team. That contrasts with Brandon Marshall, who did not want to leave the Jets. The thrice-traded wideout said, via Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter), he was “literally about to cry” if he’d heard a trade was happening. So, it’s safe to say Marshall was pleased when his agent called him Tuesday afternoon (Twitter link, via Costello) to inform of a trade not occurring. Traded from the Broncos, Dolphins and Bears, the 32-year-old Marshall will finish a second season with the Jets. He has one more season (at an affordable $7.5MM in nonguaranteed money) left on his Bears-constructed contract.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick profiles as a player who is failing in a contract year, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com writes. Geno Smith tearing his ACL and younger Jets backups’ viability not yet being known could help the 33-year-old Fitzpatrick, but he’s thrown seven touchdown passes, 11 picks and is completing barely 56% of his throws. Corry also lists Stephon Gilmore and Latavius Murray among those failing to capitalize on their earning potential this season.
- The Jets claimed and cut Knile Davis on Tuesday, making the latter transaction because of C.J. Spiller‘s signing.
Cowboys Made Offer For Jets’ Richardson
We didn’t see any major trades go down on the actual day of the deadline, but there was still plenty of chatter leading up to the afternoon. One deal discussed was a potential trade of Sheldon Richardson to the Cowboys. Dallas made an offer, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter), but it was not to the Jets’ liking. 
We heard yesterday that the Jets went from being unlikely to move Richardson to actively shopping the defensive lineman. The Cowboys got on the phone with Gang Green to discuss Richardson, an indication that they were yet again willing to roll the dice on a talented but troubled defensive lineman. Acquiring Richardson would have meant giving up something significant in the trade and also committing serious dollars to keeping him beyond 2017. Clearly, the Cowboys are still open to taking chances when it comes to improving their front seven.
Now that the deadline is over, the Cowboys will not be able to reopen Richardson talks until the offseason. In the meantime, it sounds like Dallas will be keeping close watch on the midseason free agent market for defensive line help.
Cowboys Interested In Richardson, Wake?
Could the Cowboys reach into the AFC East to bolster their defensive line? Dallas has shown interest in Dolphins defensive end/linebacker Cameron Wake, according to sources who spoke with SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter). Meanwhile, the Jets have reached out to the Cowboys to gauge their interest in Sheldon Richardson, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets.
As outlined in our 2016 NFL Trade Deadline Primer, the Jets have fielded calls of trade interest in Richardson. However, their asking price might be too high, especially considering Richardson’s behavioral issues in recent years. Interestingly, Archer’s report indicates that it is the Jets who initiated contact with the Cowboys, which could be a sign that they are warming up to the idea of trading the defensive end. Richardson would be a huge acquisition for Dallas, but they would also have to weigh their willingness to give him a long-term deal beyond 2017.
Wake has spent his entire NFL career with the Dolphins and, therefore, has never been to the playoffs. Still, he says that he won’t request a trade. At 3-4, it seems possible that Miami could move the 34-year-old, whether he wants to leave or not. The seven-year veteran made only seven appearances last season due to a torn ACL. So far this year, he has eight tackles and three sacks.