As the Dallas Cowboys approach the softest part of their schedule, the news gets even better with the expectation of All Pro left tackle, Tyron Smith, and wide receiver, James Washington, rejoining the team after suffering significant injuries in the preseason. Those two will be a welcoming addition to improve the Cowboys offensive line and wide receivers’ corps
The Cowboys lead the league in scoring (33 points a game) since Dak Prescott’s return, but it has been a slow grind watching Cowboys WR1 (CeeDee Lamb) emerge and slowly fulfill that role. That also includes Michael Gallup shaking off the rust from his ACL injury and regaining form as a lethal WR2.
Even though Lamb and Gallup are getting better with each rep with Dak, the Cowboys’ wide receivers’ unit would be even better served with the addition of a certain dynamic, former Pro Bowler wideout: Odell Beckham, Jr.
If you think Lamb is coming into his own wearing the #88 jersey as WR1, he will supersede those expectations if OBJ joins the Cowboys because defenses won’t be able to shamelessly fixate on Lamb with OBJ on the field.
If the Dallas Cowboys sign Odell Beckham Jr, it will be similar to how the Cowboys signed Deion Sanders back in 1995.
Depending on your outlook of the Dallas Cowboys, you may or may not be on board with the Cowboys signing Beckham. Just based off of social media, Cowboys Nation is split 50/50 on Jerry Jones making OBJ his biggest free agent signing since Hall of Famer “Prime Time” Deion Sanders way back in 1995.
Let us go down memory lane really quickly and see how OBJ is this generation’s version of the 1995 “Prime Time” Sanders signing to Dallas.
Can OBJ be the Dallas Cowboys Deion?
After winning two straight Super Bowls over the Buffalo Bills and denying the San Francisco 49ers the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, the Dallas Cowboys were truly a legendary dynasty that simply could not lose because they were loaded with talent on both sides of the ball.
As Jerry would later regretfully say in response to then head coach-Jimmy Johnson-coaching those Super Bowl-winning teams, “anybody can coach this team to a Super Bowl.”
That was a bold statement that utterly led to the firing of Johnson and the hiring of former Oklahoma Sooners head coach, Barry Switzer. While Switzer took over duties for America’s Team, the 49ers had had enough of losing to their nemesis and signed Sanders to a one-year deal to help them get over the hump.
1995: Jerry signs Deion to a massive $35 million dollar contract
Sanders would be the difference maker as Dallas lost to the 49ers in the regular season and in the 1994 NFC Championship game-a devastating 38-28 loss that saw Dallas mount a comeback in one of the most controversial games witnessed (Yes, they robbed Dallas)
After winning his first Super Bowl, the 1994 Defensive Player of The Year saw himself as the prize free agent once again looking to cash in his services to the highest bidder. According to Sanders, the 49ers never offered him a contract and there were rumors of Jerry Rice not being found of Sanders because of the credit Sanders received for helping the 49ers win the Super Bowl.
Regardless, Jerry signed Sanders to a lucrative seven-year contract worth $35 million and a then record $12 million dollar signing bonus. The rest is history as Sanders would help lead Dallas to its third Super Bowl win in four years and make a few more playoff appearances as one of the most electrifying players in NFL history.
At the time, Dallas really did not need Sanders to win another Super Bowl because they had playmakers at every position and had won two Lombardi trophies without him. But Jerry knew signing Sanders would solidify Dallas as the favorites to win another Super Bowl and to make a ton of money because “Prime Time” was a box office hit. It was a win-win scenario for Jerry and the fan base. Similar to how…
Can OBJ put the Dallas Cowboys over the top?
I want to preface my statement saying the Dallas Cowboys do not need OBJ to reach the playoffs, win the NFC East, or even win the Super Bowl. That statement is not me disliking OBJ or any of that crazy stuff, but I am being realistic in that Dallas has a profound running game that is relying heavily on play action pass with Lamb, Gallup, Dalton Schultz, Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot, and the explosiveness of Tony Pollard-a threat running/receiving the ball.
Dak is spreading the ball all around like butter on a biscuit to all of his receivers, and Dak is doing this without a real deep threat to take the top off opposing defenses. Besides Pollard, name an offensive player that scares defenses? This means Dak is leading this offense to the end zone on the regular to the tune of 33 points a game without the talents of an OBJ.
So, that means Dallas will not sign OBJ because they are already scoring a bunch of points. Correct? Nope! Nope! And nope!
If the opportunity presents itself (which I think it will), Jerry and Stephen Jones will sign OBJ for the same reasons Jerry signed Deion over two decades ago.
It must be noted Stephen did not like that move at all.
On a more relevant level, Dallas will sign OBJ because they know OBJ will give them the ultimate edge moving forward, even if the offense is balling out. Keep in mind the NFC is wide open, where it’s going to come down to which team has more play makers than the others. Jerry and Stephen are very aware of the parity in the NFC.
And we must remember the Joneses tried unsuccessfully to trade for wide receiver Brandin Cooks. So if they were going after the speedster Cooks to upgrade the receiving room, best believe Jerry is going to do everything within reason to sign OBJ.
Unlike Sanders in1995, OBJ is coming off his second ACL injury to the same knee over the last two years, combine OBJ missing the majority 2017 season because of an ankle injury and his age (30), Dallas has some leverage in negotiations and is playing with house money to some extent (pun intended).
Just like Sanders improved Dallas’ secondary and overall defense, the same can be said about OBJ’s ability to do the same on the offense. As long as “Boy Wonder,” (offensive coordinator Kellen Moore) continues to feature the running game first and foremost and resist passing 40 plus times a game, Dallas’ offense will flourish and become almost unstoppable. OBJ’s presence will open up so many opportunities for the skill position players and bring so much confusion to defenses.
Pick your poison baby!
OBJ is on record saying he wants to finish his career in a warm weather climate, a good team, and get compensated to his financial liking. The Dallas Cowboys fits his criteria and then some. Plus, wearing the star and performing at an elite level will only garner more financial endorsements. Similar to “Prime Time” Sanders, OBJ loves the spotlight and performs when the lights shine the brightest.
It’s reportedly that OBJ is seeking $20 million a year. I doubt he gets that from Dallas. I can foresee a scenario where he gets paid handsomely from Dallas but makes the rest of his desired money from endorsements and no state taxes in Texas.
Just like Sanders won a Super Bowl the previous year before signing with the Dallas Cowboys, OBJ can do the same thing because he won a Super Bowl title with the Los Angeles Rams last season.
Who knows if it’s an omen or coincidence. OBJ can definitely be to this Dallas Cowboys team what “Prime Time” was to that team back in 1995. And that would be a good thing and a long time coming for this loyal fan base.