Category: 2020 Training Camp

Cowboys News: Dallas’ SB odds, Catch This Fade! returns, weekly captains

The Dallas Cowboys are just days away from playing their regular season opener. Plenty of news to go around as kick off 2020 approaches.

With just a few more sleep patterns before the start of the 2020 NFL Season the Dallas Cowboys are in game-week mode. Without a preseason though, there hasn’t been much the Los Angeles Rams or the Cowboys could go off of in preparation for this year’s version of each other.

The Cowboys head into the 2020 season opener a little bit more banged up than they had hoped. According to owner Jerry Jones, all signs point to Xavier Woods suiting up for their date with the Rams. The safeties will be tested early and the Cowboys will quickly find out if they have to make a call to a specific free agent sooner rather than later.

Take a deep fantasy-like dive into what the Cowboys team would look like if they were required to recruit just North Texas natives. Due to a few decisions made by the team and an unexpected retirement, the Cowboys finds themselves with some dead money issues to deal with in 2021.

The return of the Catch This Fade! podcast? Yes indeed.

While fans should be amped and happy about the arrival of the season, how many Cowboys fans won’t be tuning in due to pre-game protests. All this and much more in today’s Cowboys news.

Homegrown Legends: North Texas’ greatest products come home as virtual Cowboys :: The CowboysWire

Technically it’s not news, however the CowboysWire’s very own KD Drummond does a phenomenal deep dive into how stacked a virtual Cowboys team with be with North Texas products.

NFL power rankings: Which teams look like contenders entering Week 1? :: USA Today

11. Cowboys (11): No reason they shouldn’t sprint to another hot start, facing just one 2019 playoff team (Seattle) before calendar reaches November.

Catch This Fade! Season 5 Episode 1 :: Patreon

Drummond and CBS Sports’ Patrik Walker return to the airwaves to break down the changes to the Dallas defense for 2020

NFL Week 1 Preview: Storylines to watch, fantasy football advice and betting projections :: Pro Football Focus

In their preview for Cowboys vs Rams, PFF dives into the biggest concern for the high-powered offense. The offensive line is not right.

 Tyron Smith and Zack Martin remain two of the best players at their respective positions in the NFL, but the other three spots are question marks with La’el Collins getting placed on short-term IR.

Connor Williams and Joe Looney have extended starting experience at left guard and center, respectively, for Dallas, but neither has played particularly well in those opportunities. Now, Cam Erving is projected to man the right tackle position in Week 1 after picking up a 44.8 overall grade during the 2019 season in place of Eric Fisher in Kansas City.

Jerry Jones: ‘Everything’s on go’ for Xavier Woods to play Week 1 :: The CowboysWire

The Cowboys look to play their opening night game in Los Angeles with their starting safety Xavier Woods according to Jerry Jones.

DVOA Super Bowl LV Odds :: Football Outsiders

Cowboys come in eighth.

Cowboys losing fans to player protests is ‘huge issue,’ admits Jerry Jones :: The CowboysWire

Unfortunately focusing on the game ahead isn’t the only topic of conversation as the countdown is just days away from opening night. Find out what Cowboys owner Jerry Jones thinks about losing fans due to pre-game protests.

Cowboys Will Name Weekly Captains, Why We Should Love It :: Inside The Star

New Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is going with weekly captains. This is proving that McCarthy is looking for his players to prove their worth captain status each and every week.

Reinstated, Randy Gregory signs 1-year extension with Cowboys :: The CowboysWire

Fresh off a reinstatement to the NFL, the Cowboys rewarded the long road back with an extension inking Randy Gregory with the Cowboys through 2021.

Cowboys carry $12.5M in dead money, around $8.5M in cap space :: The CowboysWire

Already looking ahead to next season, the Cowboys carry some dead weight with the retirement of Travis Frederick along with the release of Ha Ha Clinton Dix and Gerald McCoy.

Colts snap up two former Cowboys who flashed potential :: The CowboysWire

The Cowboys run the risk of losing specific players due to the 53-man cut down and the Colts were able to take two players with pretty decent upside.

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Jerry Jones: ‘Everything’s on go’ for Xavier Woods to play Week 1

The Cowboys owner is optimistic that their veteran safety will have recovered from a groin injury in time for the season opener.

It must- finally- be game week. After an extended offseason and surreal training camp that at times seemed to be about anything but the Xs and Os of football, the countdown to kickoff passed the T-minus one-week milestone, and Cowboys Nation suddenly turned its collective attention in unison to the injury report.

The news that linebacker Sean Lee and offensive tackle La’el Collins would start 2020 on injured reserve caused some concern, though that worry lessens with the new rules this season regarding IR. Since both players will be eligible to return after just three missed games, focus shifted to the secondary and the status of Xavier Woods.

On Tuesday, team owner Jerry Jones expressed optimism that Woods would be ready to play come Sunday night.

Woods was assumed to be one of the team’s two starting safeties in Week 1. But a groin strain has kept the fourth-year man sidelined since August 30, and the surprise release of veteran HaHa Clinton-Dix just days later left major question marks on the Dallas defense’s back end heading into the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

“Everything’s on ‘go’,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. “It would really be a surprise if he didn’t get out there Sunday night. I think he got a good checkup yesterday, and he should be moving around out there this week in a good way.”

Despite Jones’s encouraging report, head coach Mike McCarthy was more reserved in remarks to the media when asked about the Week 1 prognosis for Woods and fellow DB Chidobe Awuzie.

“We’ll know more Wednesday,” McCarthy explained on Monday. “We had a walkthrough today. So far, so good.”

Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan also admitted that things in the Cowboys secondary aren’t set in stone less than a week to go before the first game of the season.

“There are still some questions unanswered today,” Nolan said. “But they’ll be answered at the end of the week. I believe we’ll get a few of the guys back, but it has been a little bit of a struggle. We had to move some guys around, but I think in the end, it will actually help us because we had the opportunity to play some guys in some different positions that we were hoping to when we started out, but not really knowing if we would be given the chance. As it turns out, we were. As the week goes along, we’ll make some decisions as to who is actually going to line up where when the game begins.”

Darian Thompson has impressed in camp, and Donovan Wilson has shown flashes. Beyond that, the Cowboys are frighteningly thin at the safety position; rookie corner Reggie Robinson is repeatedly mentioned as a possible option to slide back in a system that emphasizes positional versatility among defensive backs.

Even the eleventh-hour addition of Brandon Carr- the former Cowboys cornerback who ended up playing safety last season in Baltimore- is likely a depth move that will pay off later in the season, so Woods’s availability for the season opener is of critical importance against the likes of Rams receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods.

Dallas coaches raved about Thompson, presumed to be named the other Cowboys starter in Week 1.

“Darian’s done an excellent job just from our interaction,” McCarthy said of the journeyman who spent time with the Giants and Cardinals before joining the Cowboys in 2018. “It started back in the spring with the virtual [work sessions]. He’s a very smart, instinctive football player, not only on defense but on special teams. He’s had a heck of a camp.”

“Darian is a very good football player,” Nolan echoed. “He’s smart. He’s tough. He takes coaching extremely well. And those are the things that come to mind right away. He’s done a very good job; he pays close attention to all the finer-detail coaching points in the things we do. He’s done a good job. I’ve been pleased with him.”

But Thompson has just four starts over the past two seasons. As pleased as the coaching staff may be with his progress, they would almost assuredly feel better were he not asked to be the most experienced safety on the field in Week 1. Woods and his 29 starts in that same span would be a key anchor in a defensive backfield already pegged as the Cowboys’ weak spot heading into an otherwise promising season.

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Breaking: Adrian Peterson to sign one-year deal with the Detroit Lions

Adrian Peterson wasn’t a free agent for long, as he has now signed with the Detroit Lions after being released by Washington.

The future Hall of Fame running back who was cut by the Washington Football Team on Friday morning has already found a new home, and he is staying in the NFC while joining the Detroit Lions.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is a one-year, $1,050,000 contract, plus incentives with Detroit.

Peterson, who was expected to have a heavy workload in Washington before being cut, will become a solid addition to the Lions backfield that includes Kerryon Johnson, rookie D’Andre Swift, Bo Scarborough, and Ty Johnson.

Having spent so many years with the Minnesota Vikings early in his career, Peterson is definitely familiar with the Lions franchise, and any fan of that team is surely familiar with him. No matter who he went to, it’s great to see Peterson be picked up quickly so that he can continue his career and get closer to moving up on any NFL rushing record list that he can.

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Cowboys News: Initial 53-man roster complete, Brandon Carr reunion?

The final 53-man roster is now set the Dallas Cowboys.

The initial 53-man roster for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys season is now set.

Some key players such as Sean Lee and La’el Collins are headed to IR to start the season, and in a surprising move, linebacker Francis Bernard was waived after a strong showing during training camp.

Former Cowboy Brandon Carr was in for a visit with the team on Friday and baring any foreseen changes, it seems the veteran is headed back to Dallas. Trysten Hill was written off by many after a rough rookie campaign, but the second-year project has blossomed in training camp and is headed towards a starting role in 2020. Bringing back Earl Thomas, what a new deal for Deshaun Watson means for Dak Prescott, and more are covered in the news and notes.

Cowboys 2020 Initial 53-man roster is all set :: Cowboys Wire

Cowboys Wire’s own K.D. Drummond lays out the entire initial 53-man roster for the 2020 Cowboys.

Cowboys already getting creative with their roster-building techniques :: Blogging The Boys

With new IR rules, the Cowboys are finding ways to use it to their advantage.

From the outhouse to the penthouse; Trysten Hill is reportedly named a starter for the Cowboys :: Blogging The Boys

After a rough rookie campaign, Trysten Hill has worked his way into the starting lineup.

It’s time for the Cowboys to bring Earl Thomas to Dallas. As long as they set some ground rules first :: Dallas Morning News

Earl Thomas had been linked to the Cowboys for two years, and with the recent release of safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the anticipation for him to come to Dallas has ramped up again. However, with his recent history of not getting along with teammates, some things would have to change for that to happen.

What News Deals For Deshaun (and Mahomes) Mean To Cowboys QB Dak :: Sports Illustrated

Matt Galatzan of Sports Illustrated breaks down what new deals for Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson mean for future negotiations involving Dak Prescott.

Dak Prescott on future with Dallas Cowboys, career plan :: 247 Sports

Dak Prescott joined SiriusXM Radio on Friday to discuss his career plan and future with the Dallas Cowboys.

Cowboys waive LB Francis Bernard but he may still make 53 :: Cowboys Wire

In a shocking move, the Cowboys waived linebacker Francis Bernard even after a strong training camp. However, with Sean Lee starting the season on IR he could possibly make the 53-man roster after all.

Report: La’el Collins to join Lee on IR to start, has domino effect on 53 :: Cowboys Wire

A hip issue has landed La’el Collins on IR to start the season and not only changes who the Cowboys will contain on the 53-man roster but also how the Cowboys will operate offensively.

Cowboys’ roster cuts set the stage for more significant maneuvers, including a potential Brandon Carr return :: Dallas Morning News

The Cowboys have cut down their roster to 53, and it could lead to a reunion with Brandon Carr.

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NFL practice squad rules 2020: Everything you need to know

Rosters have been cut down in the NFL, and after players clear the waiver period on Sunday, some will be asked to join the practice squad.

The 2020 offseason has been unlike any other in NFL history, so why should the same rules hold true for the practice squad this year? With all 32 rosters now cut down to at least 53, many players will pass through the waiver system and have the chance to land back on their team’s practice squad for the time being.

Before we get into current practice squad rules, it’s worth noting the difference between being waived and released.

Players with less than four years of experience are waived, therefore subject to waivers, and can be claimed by other teams during a 24-hour period. If a player goes unclaimed in that span, he becomes an unrestricted free agent (UFA).

Players with four or more accrued NFL seasons are released and become free agents (FA). Therefore, they are not subject to the waiver period and can sign immediately with any team.

Teams have from 4 p.m. Saturday to noon Sunday to submit a claim for a waived player. Once that deadline passes, claims are executed based on the priority of which teams submitted them. The 2019 final standings set priority; teams with worse records (Arizona, Washington, Carolina, Detroit) have higher priority. Players are awarded to teams beginning at 1 p.m.

Practice squad

The practice squad (PS) is critical to any NFL team. If a player on the 53-man roster goes down, teams must have a solid group from which to pluck another player. Generally, it’s of the position the team just lost, but that’s not always the case.

There are some changes to the rules and eligibility of practice squads in 2020. Not only because of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed in March but because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the CBA was ratified, the league and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) agreed to increase the size of the PS rosters from 10 to 12 players for 2020 (it will increase to 14 in 2022).

The CBA was agreed upon before the pandemic struck. So, to combat inevitable positive COVID test results, the league expanded PS rosters from 12 to 16 players.

An hour after that waiver claiming period ends (1 p.m. Sunday), teams will begin constructing their 16-player practice squads. Teams can protect four PS players weekly and can activate two PS players to the 55-man roster without having to clear waivers to revert to PS. It’s likely the protection allowance will only be permitted in 2020. An unprotected player is free to sign with another team, and there are no practice squad-to-practice squad transactions.

Here are rules for players to be eligible for the practice squad, according to Sporting News:

  • Players who do not have an accrued season of NFL experience (rookies)

  • Players who were on the active list for fewer than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s)

  • Up to four players per team who have earned no more than two accrued seasons (no game limitations)

  • Up to two (six in 2020) players per team with no limitations as to their number of earned accrued seasons

Injured reserve

Injured reserve (IR) could also impact roster decisions. Previously, players placed on IR with a designation to return had to be sidelined for at least eight weeks. Now, players can return after three weeks, and teams can activate an unlimited number of players from IR. As it relates to cut-downs, however, a player must be named to the 53-man roster before he can be placed on IR.

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Washington ranks as the 14th youngest team in the NFL after cut-downs

Washington’s aim is to have a group of young players on the roster who can build a bright future, and they rank as the 14th youngest in NFL.

The through-line for Washington’s scheme and desire during this past off-season and ensuing 53-man roster cut that took place on Saturday has been a push for youth. It’s why veteran RB Adrian Peterson in lieu of going with a stable of young running backs, and it’s why the team has stayed away from bringing in another veteran receiver, though the depth chart could use the experience.

Despite all of that, Washington ranks as just the 14th youngest team in the NFL, following the league-wide roster cuts, according to The Philly Voice. The average age of players in Washington is 25.8 years old, which is the lowest they’ve had in the past four years. For reference, the Jacksonville Jaguars lead the league in youth with an average age of 24.9.

Though they may not be the youngest team in the NFL, the need for production from their youth is as high as any, with Washington relying on many inexperienced players without much of a sample size (see Steven Sims, Antonio Gibson, Chase Young, etc.)

Coach Ron Rivera is said to be a molder of young men, and he will definitely have his chance to do so this year in Washington.

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Ron Rivera says Alex Smith is ‘ready to play’ should the opportunity arise

After being named to the 53-man roster, Alex Smith has the confidence of the coaching staff that he could play in a game when called upon.

It was a long shot for Smith to ever play football again, and he blew all expectations out of the water this offseason by officially making the 53-man roster in Washington.

When talking to the media after the deadline on Saturday, coach Ron Rivera explained that it was Smith’s passion to play again that cause him to decide to keep the QB on the roster, and Rivera now believes that, should the need arise, Smith will be ready to step into a game.

Rivera also revealed that Smith has taken part in 11 vs. 11 drills in practice this past week, which was the final hurdle in his recovery — seeing live-action with bodies flying around him. Rivera stated that this was a big mental step for Smith, who is now riding high.

We don’t know if Washington will ever need Smith to step in under center, with Dwayne Haskins winning the QB1 job, but we know that Rivera has the utmost confidence if he needs to.

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Alex Smith caps remarkable recovery by making Washington’s 53-man roster

After being counted out a number of times and being told his career was over, Smith has capped off his remarkable recovery in Washington.

The amazing comeback story just keeps getting better for Washington quarterback Alex Smith.

It was announced on Saturday afternoon that Washington will officially keep Smith on the 53-man roster without sending him to the IR, meaning that he will have a real shot to play this upcoming season. After a gruesome leg injury that led to 17 surgeries and was surely thought to end his career, Smith has now taken the biggest step by making the active roster in Washington.

He may not ever step foot on the field during a game, with Dwayne Haskins holding the QB1 role, but everything from here on out is icing on the cake.

Smith’s goal was to come back from his injury and play football again, and now being on the active roster, he gets to do that. Congratulations Alex.

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Report: Landon Collins to take No. 26 jersey number; Jimmy Moreland takes No. 20

With final cuts trickling in, keep an eye out for players in Washington who will grab up the newly available jersey numbers.

One of the fun things to watch after rosters are cut down in the NFL is different players scrambling to snatch up the new jersey number what are available now that there are fewer players in the locker room.

For the Washington Football Team, the first two players we know of that are switching come in the defensive secondary, where safety Landon Collins is going back to his college days and taking the number 26, which was formerly held by running back Adrian Peterson, who was cut on Friday.

In accordance to this move, cornerback Jimmy Moreland will be taking the No. 20 jersey that Collins had, which holds some major significance in Washington, being the number that the late, great Sean Taylor once wore.

As final cuts continue to come in, keep an eye on players switching numbers and grabbing the jerseys they want.

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Report: Washington releases WR Cam Sims during roster cut-down

Washington is releasing WR Cam Sims, who will likely be added to the practice squad if he isn’t picked from waivers.

Washington is letting WR Cam Sims go as part of the 53-man roster cut on Saturday, which comes as somewhat of a surprise move after they already released fellow receiver Trey Quinn earlier in the day.

Sims has been one of the bubble players throughout training camp, and it appears that he landed just on the outside of the final list. With him gone, Washington will likely keep Terry McLaurin, Steven Sims, Dontrell Inman, Antonio Gandy-Golden, and Isaiah Wright on the roster.

Don’t be surprised to see Sims stick around on the practice squad this season, though, and potentially be moved up at some point. The team obviously likes what he brings to the table, but just needed that roster spot somewhere else on the field.

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