Getty Image / Ron Jenkins
While the final score ended up much closer than the game was for most of the contest, the Cowboys were physically dominated by the Baltimore Ravens in their 28-25 loss at home on Sunday. A big part of that domination was the strong running of Derrick Henry, whom the Ravens signed in the offseason as a free agent.
The Cowboys had a big hole at running back this offseason but filled it with an out-of-his-prime Ezekiel Elliott instead of drafting a running back or signing one in a loaded free agent class. But, they decided to roll with a backfield of Zeke, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn instead of a guy like Derrick Henry.
Naturally, Derrick Henry ran all over them, carrying the ball 25 yards for 151 yards. Meanwhile, Dallas had 51 yards total on the ground, and Elliott had three carries for six yards.
With the Dallas offense showing that it’s pretty one-dimensional through three games, owner/GM Jerry Jones was asked after the game why the Cowboys didn’t sign Derrick Henry. Here’s what he had to say, according to Pro Football Talk.
We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry,” Jones said.
Jones laughed when asked: Why not?
“I don’t know. Why can’t you buy a mansion when you live in a different kind of house?” Jones said. “We couldn’t afford it. We can’t make that all fit. That’s as simple as that.”
For reference, Henry signed a 2-year, $16 million deal with the Ravens. They spent $3 million on Ezekiel Elliott, so i find it hard to believe they couldn’t have found an extra $5 million laying around in the salary cap couch cushions to sign a guy like Derrick Henry.
Right now, they’re 1-2, having been dominated for much of the last two games. Maybe a running game would help.