McClain trade could cost Cowboys nothing

NoDak said:

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys could end up giving the Baltimore Ravens nothing in the trade for linebacker Rolando McClain.

According to multiple sources, if McClain, who was acquired Tuesday, does not make the team or is not on the Cowboys' 53-man roster for five games or 46-man game-day roster for three games in 2014, then the Ravens will not receive any compensation.

As it stands right now, the trade calls for the Cowboys to give up their seventh-rounder in 2016 if McClain is on the 53-man roster for five games or 46-man roster for three games only if their pick is better than the Ravens' pick in the round. If it is, then the teams will swap selections. If the Ravens finish with a worse record in 2014, then there is no swap.

If McClain plays in 50 percent of the defensive snaps in 2014, then the Ravens would receive the Cowboys' sixth-round pick in 2015 and the Cowboys would receive Baltimore’s seventh-round pick in 2015. McClain has not played since November 2012, but the Cowboys could look at him as a replacement for Sean Lee, who is out for the year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He could also be in the mix as a strongside linebacker.

The Cowboys would gladly give up a low-round pick if McClain, a former first-round pick in 2010 of the Oakland Raiders, is a starter even for just one year.

McClain did not receive any guaranteed money in the one-year deal he signed with the Cowboys.

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Simpleton said:

It's a zero risk move but it's also zero reward, this guy is a bona fide idiot and seems well beyond redeemable.

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Cowboysrock55 said:

Oh there is a possibility for reward, as slim as it may be. He is a talented young player. If he somehow magically has a fire lit under his ass he could be a good player.

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Simpleton said:

Yea, it would truly be magic as he hasn't played since 2012 and has retired twice and been arrested several times since.

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Cowboysrock55 said:

So can we now all admit it is seriously a zero risk move?

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Cowboysrock55 said:

Oh there is a possibility for reward, as slim as it may be. He is a talented young player. If he somehow magically has a fire lit under his ass he could be a good player.

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L.T. Fan said:

If the guy doesn't work out nothing is lost. The team will be exactly as it was before he was picked up.

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Iamtdg said:

It most likely won't be without some cost. He could possible take up a roster spot that could be used for another position. Most likely needed for the DL rotation. But draft cost could be zero, no doubt.

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L.T. Fan said:

But there would be a cost to anyone else filling that roster spot so it's a wash.

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Iamtdg said:

I'm talking filling it versus production. If we have a DL guy that is needed in the rotation and is productive versus McClain who is not being productive, it could cost us the opportunity to have the DL on the roster on gameday.

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Iamtdg said:

I'm talking filling it versus production. If we have a DL guy that is needed in the rotation and is productive versus McClain who is not being productive, it could cost us the opportunity to have the DL on the roster on gameday.

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L.T. Fan said:

That will likely be sorted out in TC.

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Iamtdg said:

I'm talking filling it versus production. If we have a DL guy that is needed in the rotation and is productive versus McClain who is not being productive, it could cost us the opportunity to have the DL on the roster on gameday.

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