Steve Ross wants “a good product,” for Dolphins, not flashy offense

[Phishfan]

I don't know what the correct number would be, but five players and draft choices ( which happened to be 3 firsts, 3 seconds, a third, & a sixth) isn't the correct number. If the Dolphins traded that much for any player I would be upset.

[Pappy13]

^^ Let's be fair here. Minnesota received 2 Dallas 3rd round picks, a 5th and 10th, plus Walker, so it's not quite as lopsided as that. I was living in Dallas at the time and listened to sports radio at work and the whole day was nothing but analysis of the trade. I remember quite distinctly that there were MANY people expressing the opinion that Minnesota got the better end of the deal. Many thought Herschel WAS the missing piece of the puzzle for the Vikings and they would definately be in the Super Bowl that year if not for years to come, which if that would have happened would have meant those 1st round picks were essentially high 2nd round picks. Also remember that Dallas was terrible so those 3rd round picks were expected to be high 3rd round choices.

At the time I remember thinking that Minnesota was crazy to trade all that for Herchel, but only because I didn't think that much of Herschel, but there were many who thought he was a great back. I believe he was injured shortly after the trade which limited his ability and Minnesota never quite figured out how to utilize him as well as they probably should have.

Let's face it, the key to the trade ended up being that Dallas drafted Emmitt Smith with one of the firsts. If Dallas doesn't draft for Emmitt Smith, the trade wouldn't have been that big of a deal for either side. Don't forget that Minnesota used one of the picks they got from Dallas to take Jake Reed who turned out to be a decent WR.

Here's pretty much the result of the trade which is pretty lopsided in Dallas' favor, but again largely because of how Smith and Walker's career's turned out.

Vikings            Cowboys 
RB Herschel Walker RB Emmitt Smith
WR Jake Reed       DT Russell Maryland 
                   CB Kevin Smith 
                   S  Darren Woodson
                   CB Clayton Holmes 
 

[Spider-Dan]

My point is that I am inclined to temper claims of "Minnesota built Dallas' dynasty with that dumb trade" with recollections of the Redskins' performance after they fleeced the Saints in the Ricky trade.  Getting a bunch of picks is one thing; doing something with them is another.

[Pappy13]

^^Agreed.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

  Getting a bunch of picks is one thing; doing something with them is another.

Exactly. 

[BigDaddyFin]

See, this stuff doesn't really bother me. I see everyone complain, but do you really think Ross can do much himself about the team? All he can needs to worry about is how to spend money in order to generate revenue (and the stadium improvements have not shown me that he plans to skimp on salaries any). Personally, it is best he sticks with this stuff because I don't want him trying to be the GM ala Jerry Jones or Al Davis. Let him work on things he can, like the stadium, guest appearances, etc.

And I hope Mr. Ross sees this.

Phishfan, you are correct in that I don't want him to turn into Jerry Jones or Al Davis either.  But what I don't see and what I am looking for from Ross is a fan, not some guy who just worries about marketing and his bottom line.  I will say I'm looking for someone more in the mold of Joe Robbie whom from what I've heard about and read yeah he wanted the team to make money, but he was fan of the team he created first and an owner second.