Former NFL star downplays impact Cowboys’ Joey Porter Jr. trade will make
· Yahoo Sports
Former NFL defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has questioned whether the Dallas Cowboys’ trade for Joey Porter Jr. addresses their biggest defensive problem.
Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up, McCoy said Dallas needs to improve against the run rather than add another coverage corner.
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“So you’ve been giving up 175, 180-plus yards on the ground and you trade for a cover corner with a back problem,” McCoy said. “That’s the most Cowboys trade I’ve ever seen.”
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Dallas acquired Porter from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. The Cowboys sent Pittsburgh a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
Porter has not played this season because of a back injury and a contract dispute. He previously established himself as a physical boundary corner during his three seasons with Pittsburgh.
McCoy thinks Porter’s talent is not the issue. Instead, he questioned whether the addition fixes Dallas’ structural problems.
“Your problem is not covering. Your problem is stopping the run, which allows them to open the playbook where they can do anything.” McCoy said.
Gerald McCoy questions Cowboys’ defensive approach
New Orleans, LA, USA; Gerald McCoy on the NFL Network set on Radio Row at the Super Bowl LIX media center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Dallas has struggled to control opposing rushing attacks through three games. That has allowed opponents to create favorable situations and keep pressure on a young defense.
McCoy also pointed to coaching and play-calling as factors behind the Cowboys’ defensive issues.
“Giving up that play to the Ravens had nothing to do with who was on the field,” McCoy said. “It has something to do with the play-calling and the coaching.”
He also praised linebacker Jaishawn Barham after his performance against Baltimore. McCoy argued Dallas should simplify its defensive responsibilities and allow young players to react faster.
“The remedy for that is not throwing all of these different plays at them,” McCoy said. “You simplify the playbook and allow them to play fast.”
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However, McCoy thinks that the bigger concern is physicality.
“But even when the playbook is simplified, they’re just not being physical,” he said. “They’re just not being a physical football team.”
Porter can improve Dallas’ coverage options once healthy. However, McCoy’s comments highlight why the Cowboys may need more than a secondary addition.
“It does not fix the problem,” McCoy said.
Dallas enters Week 4 at 1-2 after allowing 165-plus rushing yards in each of its first three games. Porter’s arrival could help the secondary, but the Cowboys still must address their run defense.
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