The NFL is just days removed from the Super Bowl and already the 2020 offseason is in full swing. When it comes to the big changes in Dallas there is no time to waste.
The public gets to know a little bit more about new Cowboys defensive coordinator, Mike Nolan. There are predictions of who has the best chance to get to Super Bowl 55. A bold Jason Witten projection his fans may want to look away from.
If things don’t work out in Dallas, there’s a look at potential different landing spots for Amari Cooper. 2020 over-under bets are filing in for season win totals. An introduction to the new individual responsible for linebackers Jaylon Smith & Leighton Vander Esch’s growth. All this and more in this edition of News and Notes.
Mike Nolan wants Cowboys defense to have ‘swarming type of mentality’ :: ESPN
A great read from Todd Archer profiles new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Among the tidbits, there’s a glimpse back at Nolan’s introduction to the Cowboys as a five-year-old sitting atop the shoulders of Ring of Honor quarterback Don Meredith, the collaborative lengths he’s going to with his newly-assembled staff to marry his coaches’ various defensive philosophies, and the thing that Troy Aikman told him about Deion Sanders 15 years ago that still resonates with him today.
At the heart of everything Nolan does in Dallas, though, will be his emphasis on creating takeaways. “You want it to look like a swarming type of mentality,” Nolan says. He adds, “The number one thing in football is getting the ball for your offense.”
–TB
NFL’s biggest Super Bowl window? Chiefs, Ravens, 49ers top list :: NFL.com
Though some have been quick to already christen the Chiefs the league’s next “dynasty,” there are actually several teams for whom the proverbial window is wide open to win a championship of their own in 2020. NFL.com columnist Adam Schein ranks the nine teams for whom the time is now. Or at least now-ish.
The Cowboys come in fifth, thanks in large part to the hiring of Mike McCarthy as head coach. Schein thinks he’s the ideal leader to make the most of quarterback Dak Prescott hitting his football stride: “McCarthy and Prescott comprise the kind of coach-quarterback tandem that can carry a franchise to years of contention.”
–TB
Offseason predictions for all 32 teams :: ESPN
The Worldwide Leader tasked its NFL Nation reporters with making a “bold prediction” for the 2020 offseason for each team in the league. While some of the crystal-ball calls aren’t exactly exciting (The Browns will add two starting tackles! The Broncos will be active in making moves!), several are worthy of at least a slight eyebrow raise (The Rams will try to trade Todd Gurley).
As for Dallas, Todd Archer’s calling his shot on a topic that’s already gotten a good deal of traction with many fans: “Jason Witten will play a 17th season… but it won’t be with the Cowboys.”
–TB
Las Vegas Raiders announce hiring of Rod Marinelli :: Raiders
Rod Marinelli found a new home in the business, one with a familiar face, Jon Gruden. Gruden and Marinelli worked together for four seasons in Tampa Bay in the early 2000’s. On Wednesday, the now Las Vegas Raiders announced the hiring of two coaches. While his stint in Dallas didn’t end how he wanted, Marinelli’s resume speaks for itself and his time with the Cowboys was more positive than negative.
–AH
Eagles, Bills among potential landing spots for Amari Cooper :: NFL.com
–AH
2020 Dallas Cowboys have an over/under win total set at 9. . . what would you take? ::Blogging The Boys
The 2019 Cowboys had and over/under set at 8.5 wins according to BetOnline and by the looks of things, they were pretty spot on.
9 wins for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys?
If that’s the case, there are going to be some upset people on the world wide web. https://t.co/9t59ht81BN
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) February 5, 2020
In 2020, Dallas has been given the early over/under total of nine wins. RJ Ochoa goes on to explain that with the team being in win-now mode, nine wins would be a complete disaster. Whether it being losing close games, or just plain old bad luck, anything short of a double-digit win season would have Cowboys fans once again in a frenzy.
–DS
Troy Aikman believes it’s “inevitable” Cowboys, Dak Prescott reach a deal :: Pro Football Talk
There are many different opinions on the contract status of Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott. Now, with the new reports that a franchise tag is coming, the new question is whether or not Prescott will show up to the off-season programs when the new NFL calendar year starts in just a few short months.
Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback, Troy Aikman told 96.7 FM/1310 AM The Ticket that he thinks that it’s “inevitable” that it gets done. He mentions that Prescott would be there for the off season programs because he wants to get better and that he would want to be there for his teammates.
“I think the Cowboys, they’ve said it, I believe they really want him back. I have no reason to think otherwise,” Aikman said. “I believe Mike McCarthy really wants him back. Dak wants to be there. I think it’s inevitable that they are going to reach a deal.
“I think everyone understands that he’s the quarterback of the future.”
–DS
McCurley’s Faith In McCarthy Led Him To Dallas :: Dallas Cowboys
The majority of the coaching staff has been changed and revamped under the new direction and vision of head coach Mike McCarthy. For a few weeks the focus has been on all of the coordinators such as Kellen Moore (offensive), Mike Nolan (defensive)and John Fassel (special teams).
This article focuses in on a position coach with very high expectations due to the group of individuals he’ll be working with; the linebackers. Scott McCurley will be tagging along with Mike McCarthy for a second time as he begins his job as Cowboys linebackers coach. McCurley started with McCarthy in Green Bay as an intern in 2006 and after Mike McCarthy was fired in 2018, McCurley remained loyal. The journey of getting to Dallas and how McCurley turned down an opportunity to latch on with the college football National Champions, LSU, is quite the read.
–DS
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