Dallas, TX
Cowboys should consider NFL trade deadline reunion with former leading rusher
Most of the attention surrounding the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the NFL trade deadline has been on the defensive side of the ball, and rightfully so.
The Cowboys have an elite offense this season, but their defense has been one of the worst in the NFL. That’s why they’re expected to explore options to shore up their defense to make a second-half run at the playoffs.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t concerns on offense that should be addressed. This includes running back, which might be easy to overlook considering the way Javonte Williams has played.
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Williams has been a pleasant surprise, with 633 yards and eight touchdowns through the first eight games of the season. The problem is that no one behind him has proven capable of producing at a consistent level.
Entering Week 9, Miles Sanders is still second on the team with 117 yards, but he’s been on the IR since being injured in Week 4. Rookie Jaydon Blue is the current option at RB2 and he has just 65 yards on 22 attempts.
If Dallas wants to improve behind Williams, they should consider a reunion with their former leading rusher, Tony Pollard, who could be traded by the Tennessee Titans, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
“The players the Titans are fielding the most calls on: DE Arden Key, LB Dre’Mont Jones, RB Tony Pollard and DT T’Vondre Sweat.” – Russini, The Athletic
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Pollard had back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns for the Cowboys in 2022 and 2023 before leaving in free agency ahead of the 2024 campaign. He signed a three-year deal worth $21.75 million with the Titans and then ran for 1,079 yards and five touchdowns in his first season with the franchise.
This year, he has 424 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging a career-low 3.9 yards per attempt. It’s hard to blame that solely on Pollard, considering the issues the Titans have had.
Pollard’s trade value isn’t likely to be high, which means the main question for Dallas would be his contract. Would Jerry Jones be willing to take on Pollard’s deal after allowing him to walk in 2024?
One thing that could make him more interested is a potential out in the contract after this season. Jones could see this as a potential one-year rental, giving them a back capable of taking over should something happen to Williams.
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Johnston gave the Stars a 1-0 lead at 8:58 of the first period. His slap shot from above the right face-off circle deflected off Wild forward Danila Yurov and then bounced off the end boards and in off Wallstedt’s left arm.
“I’ve had a goal like that go in on me, too, that’s a tough bounce,” Oettinger said. “Like I said in Game 1, we got some bad bounces. We got a nice bounce there. We had one where I was behind the net, and the guy was shooting it in the net and our (defense) stopped it, so we got some good bounces. The way we played the last 40 minutes of the game, I think, didn’t give up much, had a ton of good chances offensively. The power play, we got looks and our (penalty kill) was great. If we kind of build off the game that we played the last 40 minutes, I think we should feel very good for the next few games.”
Faber tied it 1-1 at 11:33. He took a pass from Hughes, skated around Robertson in the left circle and cut to the slot, where his wrist shot ramped up and in off Oettinger.
Duchene put the Stars back up 2-1 with a power-play goal at 4:02 of the second period. Mikko Rantanen gained the offensive zone along the right boards and sent a backhand pass to Duchene, who snapped the puck between Wallstedt’s pads from in front.
Robertson made it 3-1 at 7:09 of the third period when he tipped Lundkvist’s wrist shot from the blue line past the right pad of Wallstedt.
“I think we got to do a better job, I mean, the odd-man’s, right? I thought we played a really good game. Probably their best game, you know, meaningful game. And, yeah, we didn’t get fazed by it. Was really good by us. Just got to be smarter in some areas, and we get to go back home and in front of our crowd,” Minnesota forward Marcus Foligno said. “They want (penalties). I mean, they’re looking to play 5-on-4. I mean, that’s their game. They can’t hang with us 5-on-5. We got to just be smarter, and myself included. But it’s a heated game out there. You’re gonna have emotional swings and learn from it. We got a split series.”
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