Trade for Cowboys: The Cowboys are clearly desperate for interior offensive line help. After losing both of their starting guards this offseason, the Cowboys replaced them with Nate Livings, an inferior player who really struggled in Cincinnati last year, and Mackenzy Bernadeau, a career backup who has yet to nail down a starting job thanks to injuries. 2011 4th round pick David Arkin is believed to be the favorite to start week 1 at right guard, with Bernadeau remaining a backup despite already getting paid a 3.25 million dollar signing bonus. Meanwhile, at center, Phil Costa, who really struggled last year, missed time this preseason and is questionable for week 1 with back problems.
Ryan Cook is a versatile offensive lineman who can provide depth inside for them. He only played 21 snaps as the Dolphins’ backup center last year, but he used to be a starter both at right tackle and right guard for the Vikings a few years ago, though he was pretty mediocre. The Cowboys will be in trouble on the interior offensive line if he has to get significant playing time, especially at center where he isn’t as experienced, but they might be in trouble anyway. This deal makes some sense and the Cowboys are only giving him a 7th round pick for someone owed about a million this season. I just don’t know is Cook is any better than someone they could have snatched up after final cuts.
Grade: B
Trade for Dolphins: Cook might have been a final cut and, even if he wasn’t, he doesn’t play a big role for them. He played just 21 snaps last season and the Dolphins like undrafted rookie Josh Samuda to be their primary backup for Mike Pouncey. I think they got the better end of this deal, cutting a million from their payroll and picking up a late round pick.
Grade: A
If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (standard league, draft day Sunday at 3 PM ET, 2 spots left). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2
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