Cowboys can make Shaquille Leonard eat his words from years ago in Week 14
The Dallas Cowboys got the short end of the stick on Monday when three-time First-Team All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard opted to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles. The linebacker visited both NFC East franchises and ultimately decided to go with the Cowboys' rival on a one-year deal. According to multiple reports, it was always the way […]
The Dallas Cowboys got the short end of the stick on Monday when three-time First-Team All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard opted to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The linebacker visited both NFC East franchises and ultimately decided to go with the Cowboys' rival on a one-year deal. According to multiple reports, it was always the way he was leaning.
Not only does Philly keep Leonard from joining the Cowboys, a team they've been able to run the football on, but they'll likely have an instant role for him considering their overwhelming lack of linebackers.
Cowboys can make Shaquille Leonard pay for 2015 tweet
In fact, there's a high probability that Leonard takes the field this very Sunday and faces the Cowboys. After all, he's not a veteran returning to the NFL from the couch as he's played nine games this season.
If he does suit up, Dallas has a shot at making him eat his words from years ago after the below tweet from 2015 immediately went viral once it was reported that he'd visit the Cowboys.
The Cowboys offense is clicking on all cylinders and the Eagles' defense is in a steep decline. Philly ranks 27th in defensive EPA ahead of Week 14 while the Cowboys offense sits at third in the same category, per RBSDM.
Dak Prescott and friends slinged the football around back in Week 9 and since then, the offense's groove has done nothing but grow more and more. Leonard is highly unlikely to help out in coverage, as he was deemed "unplayable" in passing situations toward the end of his time as an Indianapolis Colt.
Is missing out on Shaq Leonard a big deal for the Cowboys?
Short answer: No.
Sure, Leonard could've been a huge addition in terms of depth considering Dan Quinn's defense has very little of it. But it was always unclear how he'd carve out a role on this Cowboys unit that features Damone Clark and Markquese Bell as its starters.
Not to mention, Leonard was supposed to be a low-risk, high-reward type of bet. In other words, he was no sure thing as he's recently struggled following a back injury. As noted above, his contributions were likely going to be limited to early down situations.
Moving forward, the Cowboys could still use some depth but the free agent market is unlikely to offer a lot of options. On top of that, the defense will need more from Clark and Bell (and maybe veteran Rashaan Evans) in rushing downs as the defense ranks among the league's worst against the run.
Dak Prescott can win the NFL MVP by the time December is over
Everything is set up for it to happen.
