What Would Be Cowboys' Motivation In Trading Leary?
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IRVING (105.3 THE FAN) - Ron Leary is a capable NFL starting-caliber guard on a very affordable one-year contract.
All the reasons that might make him attractive to another team in trade are all the same reasons the Cowboys are in no hurry to accommodate the disgruntled Leary.
"We're not in the business of letting go of good football players for little or nothing,'' says Cowboys COO Stephen Jones by way of explaining the lack of movement as a result of Leary's trade request.
"Ron's a big part of our football team …''
Well, not as big as he hoped to be before he gave way last year to prized rookie La'el Collins. Collins didn't exactly "beat out'' Leary for the left-guard job; Leary's injuries and Collins' potential were factors there, and Leary played "good soldier'' in helping to big-brother Collins in a way that caused the vet to lose his spot.
Now, Leary simply wants to return to first-team status. For somebody.
The Cowboys have informed Leary's camp that it is free to explore the possibility of a trade. And they themselves explored some ideas before the NFL Draft. But Leary — who is staying away from Valley Ranch and from OTAs so far during this process — is of great value right where he is. What if Dallas sustains an injury in the offensive line? What if another team has such an injury and wishes to overpay?
Coach Jason Garrett talks harshly of Leary missing this time. Stephen Jones, meanwhile, says he recognizes how "disappointing'' it is to Leary to have lost his spot. But Jones adds, "We expect him to come in here at some point. And we want to welcome him with open arms, and hopefully he's getting in shape wherever he is right now."
Keep this in mind: A trade for a guard over the last few years often nets a team a fifth- or sixth-round pick. If Leary stays in Dallas this year, and then hits free agency next spring and signs a lucrative deal, the Cowboys will likely receive a compensatory pick. Oh, maybe a fifth- or a sixth-rounder.
So what is the 2016 motivation for Dallas to give away Ron Leary? Now … or ever?
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