Cowboys trade unhappy Crayton to the Chargers
Patrick Crayton had wanted out of Dallas all off-season and finally got his wish on Friday as the Cowboys sent Crayton to the San Diego Chargers for a seventh-round pick. Crayton had initially asked for his release when the Cowboys drafted wide receiver Dez Bryant. With the Cowboys already having Miles Austin and Roy Williams at receiver and Bryant due to return kicks and punts, Crayton could not envision a role for himself with the team.
Crayton’s agent Fred Lyles had asked the Cowboys to release Crayton before the 4 September deadline. Teams will have to make their final cuts to bring their rosters to 53 players. "It seems he doesn't figure in their plans, so it's not logical to be on the roster until Saturday," Lyles said. "We don't see the use in prolonging it."
Crayton was scheduled to make $2 million this year and skipped several off-season workouts, asking to be released. Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones said that a release wasn’t ideal at the time and Crayton in turn reported to training camp. He asked for his release again this week as it's apparent Bryant will take his place.
The Chargers now have more depth at wide receiver with Vincent Jackson continuing his holdout, unlikely to return this season. Crayton is coming off a so-so year in which he caught 37 passes for 622 yards and five touchdowns. He has spent his entire six-year career with the Cowboys. His best season came in 2007 when he caught 50 passes for 697 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as being the return specialist.
It appears now that San Diego is ready to move on from Jackson as they’ve already placed Jackson on the roster-exempt list, suspending him for three games. The NFL suspended Jackson for an additional three games after the receiver was charged with a DUI in January. Jackson has said he is willing to sit out the entire 2010 season if the Chargers don’t give him the contract he wants.
Crayton can’t replace Jackson, but he now has a chance to play an expanded role on offence. He joins an already potent offence and a great quarterback in Philip Rivers. He also joins a receiving corps that includes Malcolm Floyd, Legedu Naanee and All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates. He’s also gone from one contender to another as the Chargers are expected to win their division and contend for the Super Bowl. Crayton’s return to Dallas could potentially be in a Chargers’ uniform for Super Bowl XLV from Cowboys Stadium.
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