We have often praised ESPN's Dan Orlovsky for his TV work when he discusses serious topics ... seriously. But when he is obviously showboating in an attempt to be another "Stephen A. Skip''?
We do not praise that.
Orlovsky, speaking on "First Take,'' is calling for the Dallas Cowboys to part ways with Dak Prescott. His reasoning is as odd as his solution is vague, as he cites unmet Super Bowl expectations coupled with his view that the "America's Team'' roster cannot "support'' those expectations.
The three problems with Orlovsky's high-profile rant ...
1 - "There are going to be Super Bowl expectations without Super Bowl support,'' claims Orlovsky.
"Expectations'' from whom? The fan base? We can tell you with some confidence that at this very moment, Cowboys Nation is not "expecting'' the presently-stripped-down 2024 Dallas roster of winning the Super Bowl.
Indeed, many of the "expectations'' stem from people like Orlovsky at ESPN who keep saying this like this, stoking a fire that we all know is a few logs short.
2 - "They can't afford new people,'' Orlovsky says, "because Dak is making $60 million ... and the need to pay a CeeDee Lamb ...''
False. False. And more false.
The Cowboys CAN use salary-cap tools to buy players in NFL free agency. They are choosing to not do that in order to "keep their powder dry.'' We've illustrated this concept frequently at CowboysSI.com. (See "Blow It Up!'' The 2025 Rebuild.'')
Dak is NOT presently "making $60 million'' in 2024.
And while they "need to pay Lamb,'' once they do so, it will not bloat the cap; a new contract will actually REDUCE Lamb's 2024 cap impact by as much as $10 million.
3 - The Cowboys should "move on'' ...
To whom? To what? How? As we say frequently in this space, "Show Your Work.'' Does Orlovsky want to trade Prescott? Cut him? Does Orlovsky not realize the financial ramifications of that sort of "move-on'' nonsense?
Does he not know that if Dak is cut or traded today, the cap impact for 2024 remains at $55 million!?
Has he also not considered the challenge of finding a QB who is better than Prescott to replace him (which is what the point of "moving on'' would be, right?)
It is accurate to report that Dallas has created a problem for itself here with a team, and a QB, that might only be "almost good'' ... creating a crossroads situation for all involved. "Rebuild in 2025''? That takes into consideration the finances and the folly.
"Move on from Dak'' with such an absence of logic? That's just more folly.
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