Dak Prescott’s contract is still looming over the Cowboys offseason. What franchise tag options does Dallas have and how might those each impact a long-term deal between the sides? Just one of the many coaching changes, Doug Nessmeier has been moved to Prescott’s quarterback coach. On the defensive side of the ball; how might Mike Nolan and Jim Tomsula help the Cowboys young defensive linemen take the next step?
Also, Jimmy Johnson still hasn’t been invited to the Cowboys Ring of Honor by Jerry Jones, and that’s a problem. The Cowboys owner additionally made news recently after discussing his past desire to draft Aaron Donald, something surely every owner wishes that they could have made possible. All this, and more. Here are the News and Notes.
Jimmy Johnson is still waiting for his phone to ring for Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor :: Star-Telegram
Jimmy Johnson is slated to receive his gold jacket and bronze bust in August when he’s presented as the Hall of Fame coach that Dallas Cowboys fans always knew he was. He will also hold the distinction of being the only member of the Cowboys to make it to Canton without being in the Ring of Honor. It’s clear that owner Jerry Jones still holds a grudge against his first (and best) head coach. That they couldn’t get along is no secret, but the refusal to bury the hatchet fifteen years later is incredibly petty, and is something that needs to be rectified posthaste.
–TT
Bleacher Report’s Expert Consensus NFL Awards :: Bleacher Report
This is only tangentially related to America’s Team in that they have no award winners (though it is a small sample size). San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo edged out center Travis Frederick for comeback player of the year. Garoppolo will be playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday which drives the narrative that his season has been better than Frederick’s, though the All-Pro voters disagree. Garoppolo received no votes there while Frederick had two.
–TT
Jerry Jones to Aaron Donald: I Was Hurt At ’14 Draft :: TMZ
The Cowboys don’t have many regrets about drafting Zack Martin in the 2014 NFL draft. Martin’s been a first-team All-Pro on four occasions, the other two seasons he had to settle for second-team. He’s as good as they come at the guard position, but still, there’s at least one player selected ahead of him that owner Jerry Jones would have preferred: Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
–TT
Opinion: What NFL 100 isn’t commemorating: league’s 12-year ban on black players :: USA Today
In the NFL’s centennial season, they’re all about celebration. Unfortunately there’s some ugly skeletons hiding in the league’s closet. The most egregious of all is the freezing out of Black players from 1934-1946. A summary of the article doesn’t do it justice, so click through to read more about how some of the names that helped shaped the NFL and are celebrated so thoroughly likely did more harm than good, and how the sentiment from then has shaped the front office and head coaching hurdles still present in today’s game.
–TT
Two Cowboys defenders who could benefit the most from Mike Nolan’s new defense :: Blogging The Boys
With players like Robert Quinn, Maelik Collins, Kerry Hyder and Michael Bennett due for new contracts on the defensive line Dallas has to be prepared incase either player were to hit the open market. Learn more about how when some spots open up in Mike Nolan’s multiple 4-3 front, the Cowboys’ young defensive ends Armstrong and Jelks would have all the chance in the world to step into those roles.
–AH
Cowboys passing game coordinator Kris Richard could replace Joe Woods for the same position :: NinersNation
The Richard experiment didn’t go quite how the Cowboys thought it would. Once at the top of the game, the former Legion of Boom defensive coordinator was welcomed by Dallas fans with open arms. Two quick seasons later and both parties are going their separate ways.
Richard, a California native, is on the 49ers radar to potentially join their staff as the defensive passing game coordinator. The Cowboys have already filled his role of defensive backs coach by hiring Maurice Linguist and Al Harris.
Kris Richard is one option. Former #Dolphins secondary coach Tony Oden is another one. https://t.co/3itL8OttBr
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2020
–AH
Dak Prescott says he may skip Cowboys’ offseason workouts if tagged :: CowboysWire
A reoccurring theme in Dallas this offseason will be the discussion of Dak Prescott’s contract talks. Prescott, still just 26, is fresh off the best year of his career in most aspects and is facing his first potential free agency. Contract negotiations are proving to be increasingly tricky across the NFL, with holdouts becoming more popular than ever; look at Ezekiel Elliott just last season. A short term option many teams use is the franchise tag. Our own Ben Grimaldi dives into the possible outcomes of these scenarios.
–AH
Can Tomsula help unlock the mystery trapped inside an enigma that is Trysten Hill? :: CowboysWire
The last decade the Cowboys have drafted about as well as any team in the league. There are a few blemishes here and there, but the Cowboys drafted nine pro bowl players with their first round picks since 2010. While Trysten Hill was a secound rounder, not having a first round pick that year puts a higher value and higher expectations on Hill.
His rooike campaign was largely uneventful. That’s not uncommon though at a position (defensive line) that usually sees players take a few years to get acclimated to the size and strength of the NFL. Dallas new defensive line coach Jim Tomsula has made a habit of getting the most out of his players in his long NFL career. How will the addition of Tomsula help Trysten Hill reach his potential?
–AH
Nussmeier Excited For Chance To Work With Dak :: DallasCowboys.com‘
Doug Nussmeier is one of three holdovers from Jason Garrett’s coaching staff. Nussmeier, the Cowboys tight ends coach each of the last two seasons, was a quarterbacks coach and/or offensive coordinator for the previous 17 seasons. With Jon Kitna out after one year as the Dallas quarterback coach, Nussmeier is excited to be back to his most familiar position.
–AH
[vertical-gallery id=637870][lawrence-newsletter]