Category: 2021 season

Cowboys’ Zack Martin to opt out of 7th Pro Bowl appearance

The Cowboys guard joins Tyron Smith in electing not to play in the all-star event, it’s the second straight Pro Bowl Martin will miss. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith announced Monday he would not be playing in this year’s Pro Bowl, citing injury. Now his linemate Zack Martin is opting out as well.

The 31-year-old guard was honored with his seventh Pro Bowl nod for the 2021 season. 2020 was the only year Martin was not named to the NFC squad, as he was pressed into service at a new position along a battered O-line and then missed much of the year with a calf strain.

Now it appears the Notre Dame product will sit out the all-star event for a second straight year, this time of his own accord.

Along with Martin and Smith, quarterback Dak Prescott has declined the chance to go to Las Vegas as an alternate, choosing instead to begin his offseason prep for the 2022 campaign.

The Cowboys will have four players representing the NFC on Sunday; linebacker Micah Parsons, cornerback Trevon Diggs, and punter Bryan Anger were all named to the Pro Bowl in late December. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will also go, filling in for the Rams’ Cooper Kupp.

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Cowboys’ Kelvin Joseph showed plenty promise to fulfill draft expectations down stretch of 2021

Kelvin Joseph was delayed by injury and unexpected improved play in front of him on the depth chart, but stepped up when called upon. @StarConscience looks at his rookie campaign.

The Cowboys hit the jackpot with cornerback Trevon Diggs in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft and he’s registered 14 interceptions in 28 games so far. Dallas decided to add another piece to the cornerback position in the 2021 NFL draft by selecting Kelvin Joseph out of Kentucky who was tied for second in the SEC with four interceptions during his final collegiate season, returning one for a touchdown.

Joseph’s rookie campaign started slowly during OTAs due to a 10-day quarantine for COVID. Once training camp started in Oxnard, however, Joseph began to hit his stride as he got work on the outside with Diggs and in the slot going against wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Unfortunately, Joseph suffered a groin injury before the end of the preseason and was placed on injured reserve which delayed his NFL debut until Week 8. Things slowly built from there for the exciting rookie.

The 44th overall pick in 2021 got his first career start in Week 16 against the Washington Football Team, and he didn’t disappoint. Joseph played 57 snaps and registered three tackles and a pass breakup while allowing minus two yards on five targets in the Cowboys’ 56-14 victory.

In the Cowboys season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, Joseph got his second start. Playing all of the team’s 74 defensive snaps in a 51-26 rout, Joseph tallied nine tackles (seven solo) and nearly got his first career interception.

Joseph logged 150 snaps in the final three games after just 14 in the first seven he played. He displayed the sticky coverage skills that made him one of the top cornerbacks coming out of the college ranks and even showed he can provide support against the run.

Anthony Brown had his best season in 2021 and made it hard for Joseph to see action. However, Joseph was drafted to be the Cowboys’ starter of the future opposite Diggs. The versatility of lining up on the outside and in the slot gives defensive coordinator Dan Quinn a lot to work with in the event an injury occurs.

Speaking of Quinn, he brought a different attitude and confidence to the Cowboys’ defense this season with his hands-on approach. That led to his unit being No. 1 in turnovers with 34 (tops in the NFL with 26 interceptions). Joseph is the perfect player under Quinn seeing as he revealed that same type of moxy during training camp.

“We’re going to fly around,” Joseph said. “No-fly zone. We’re gonna call it airplane mode.

“When y’all drop this interview, tell them, ‘Cowboys defense,’ Kelvin Joseph says, ‘airplane mode.’ You can’t throw. No-fly zone.”

Joseph only scratched the surface of his potential as a rookie and should make a lot more noise in 2022 as his role expands.

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Cowboys’ Cedrick Wilson earned a lot of trust with his play in 2021

Cedrick Wilson performed well in the absence of Michael Gallup and gave the Cowboys a viable option if the latter leaves in free agency. | From @StarConscience

Wide receiver Michael Gallup is one of the most important free agents decisions for the Dallas Cowboys to decide on as free agency approaches. He suffered a calf strain during the season opener that cost him eight games. However, that created a huge opportunity for the Cowboys’ No. 4 option in the passing game, Cedrick Wilson.

Wilson, a pending free agent as well, was able to prove he was much more than just a trick-play executer. Wilson tallied 45 receptions on 61 targets (73.8%) for 602 yards and six touchdowns (tied for second on the team). For a guy that’s fourth on the depth at wide receiver that’s quite impressive.

When the Cowboys hit the road to take on the New England Patriots in Week 6, it was a back and forth battle all game. Dallas found themselves down 29-26 with just over two minutes to go. On a 4th and 4, from their 35, quarterback Dak Prescott found Wilson for a 13-yard gain. Dallas would kick a game-tying field goal and ultimately win 35-29 in overtime on a walk-off touchdown by CeeDee Lamb.

Wilson continued to show he could be trusted two weeks later against the Minnesota Vikings, again on the road. With Prescott absent due to a calf strain, the Cowboys started backup Cooper Rush. Wilson caught all three of his targets for 84 yards, incliuding a 73-yard touchdown, and also completed a 35-yard pass to Lamb in the third quarter, talk about versatility.

The Cowboys suffered a tough, 36-33 loss in overtime on Thanksgiving to the Las Vegas Raiders. Gallup led the Cowboys with 106 yards receiving. However, with Amari Cooper being out due to COVID and Lamb being sidelined with a concussion, Wilson once again showed he can step up and play big by registering 104 receiving yards on seven receptions making it the second time in his career he went over the century mark.

This speaks to the incredible depth the Cowboys have at the receiver position. The top option in the passing game, Cooper, spoke about how Wilson is capable of shouldering the load when his number is called.

“Like I always talk about, the biggest reason why this team is good is because of the depth we have. Ced is an example of that,” Cooper said. “Somebody goes down, unfortunate that MG went down, Ced can just step in and get the job done. Same for pretty much every position across the board.”

Gallup returning to the Cowboys became a lot more reasonable once he suffered a torn ACL in Week 17 as teams may be cautious on signing him to a lucrative long-term contract. Even if he is retained, possibly on a one-year prove-it deal, Wilson made enough waves in 2021 to be brought back as well. This would give the Cowboys a four-headed monster at receiver if Gallup returns, or a formidable trio if Wilson is the only one of the two who remains in Dallas.

The Cowboys have an abundance of free agents on the roster so it’s certain that not all of them will return in 2022. However, Wilson won’t cost a lot to keep, and his production this season warrants tons of consideration for a new deal with the Cowboys.

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Weekend News: Brady’s retirement impact, analysis on Cowboys upcoming critical offseason

Big free agents to focus on, potential draft moves for Dallas and the shockwave of Brady’s retirement that could open the NFC up for Dallas. | From @CDBurnett7

The offseason is entering full-swing for the Dallas Cowboys, even if it isn’t for all 32 teams. After the critical news of Dan Quinn’s return to his defensive coordinator perch in the booth, the Cowboys got some great news with Tom Brady’s retirement. Yes, he no longer gets to add to his undefeated streak against America’s Team, or does he?

Our own Tyler Browning has two new draft profiles focused on the offense, one being a big add to the firepower while the other could be a catalyst for an overhaul on the offensive line that buried Dallas in the playoffs.

A pair of sophomore Cowboys earned some honors with cornerback Trevon Diggs earning PFWA’s Most Improved Player while wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is expected to be an alternate for the Pro Bowl in a week, becoming the sixth from Dallas. This is Saturday’s Cowboys News and Notes.

Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs named PFWA’s Most Improved Player of 2021

To win Most Improved Player, a guy has to make a tremendous leap from the prior year and expectations. Diggs did just that in 2021. | From @StarConscience

Trevon Diggs revealed himself as a ball-hawking cornerback in the final five games of his rookie campaign by recording three interceptions in his final five games. The next step was to build off the foundation laid, and he did just that in Year 2.

Diggs finished with a league-leading 11 interceptions and second in total passes defensed with 21. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was named First-Team All-Pro. His accolades for the 2021 season don’t end there, though, as the Pro Football Writers of America named him a Most Improved Player of the Year, sharing the honor with running back Cordarrelle Patterson of the Atlanta Falcons.

Diggs wasted little time giving the Cowboys’ offense extra possessions this season. He registered an interception in each of the first six games (seven total) and returned two for touchdowns. For the season, Diggs hauled in an interception in 10 different games.

The 11 interceptions tied the Cowboys’ franchise-record, set by Everson Walls in 1981, and are the most any player in the NFL has had over those 40 years.

Diggs has amassed 14 interceptions in 28 career games. As a player who had only two years playing the position prior to these two years in the pros, there are still plenty of things for Diggs to learn about coverage. His ball skills are elite, though, and the sky seems to be the limit if he continues to improve at this trajectory.

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Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb expected to be named 2022 Pro Bowl alternate

A spot on the all-start team will open up on Sunday evening, and the second-year receiver will likely slide into the opening. | From @StarConscience

It was a mini-miracle that wide receiver CeeDee Lamb fell to the Cowboys at 17 in the 2020 NFL draft. Despite only playing four full games with quarterback Dak Prescott, Lamb had a productive season with 74 receptions for 935 yards and five touchdowns.

The expectation was for Lamb to make a significant Year 2 jump in 2021. It didn’t quite happen but his numbers went up across the board. He led the Cowboys in receptions (79), yards (1,102), and yards per catch (13.9) and was tied for second in receiving touchdowns (6).

According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, this production is expected to land Lamb a spot on the NFC’s 2022 Pro Bowl roster as an alternate.

The NFC Championship game featuring the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers is the key to a spot opening up. Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel are among the five receivers named to the club, and one of them will become ineligible for the all-star event by virtue of being a part of the Super Bowl. While some teams announce their players who are named alternates when the teams are announced, the Cowboys do not.

Lamb was dominant in the slot as a rookie leading the NFL in several categories. However, with Michael Gallup missing eight games in 2021, Cedrick Wilson became the Cowboys’ primary slot threat and Lamb moved to the outside with Amari Cooper. The Cowboys’ offense flourished with this lineup for a large part of the season and led the league in points per game and yards.

Lamb has a drop issue that he needs to get under control but no matter where he lines up he produces, and he still hasn’t reached his potential yet.

 

What went right, what went wrong for Cowboys in 2021

From Prescott’s return to full health to the weary arms of the referees in their games, @BenGrimaldi finds the 2021 Cowboys season was filled with ups and downs.

For the 26th year in a row, the Dallas Cowboys will be watching the NFC Championship game from home, if they’re watching at all. The organization is among an embarrassing group of three teams in the conference that haven’t made it to the championship game in that time span. By sheer luck alone a team should fall into the title game at least once in 25 years. That lucky bounce hasn’t found the Cowboys since winning the Super Bowl during the 1995 season.

However, just because Jerry Jones’ team isn’t playing this weekend, doesn’t mean the season was a total failure. Dallas had a solid year that included winning the NFC East, sweeping through their divisional rivals, and humiliating each of them.

The goal wasn’t to just win the division or make the playoffs though, that has never been the case for America’s Team. The aim was to reach, and ultimately, win the Super Bowl. The season ended in disappointing fashion, but Dallas did have some good things happen. After a horrendous first year for Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys turned things around in Year 2.

Here’s what went right and what went wrong for the Cowboys during the 2021 season.

Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Dan Quinn named Assistant Coach of the Year

The Pro Football Writers of America named Dan Quinn the Assistant Coach of the Year after turning around the Cowboys defense in 2021. | From @StarConscience

The news surrounding Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Dan Quinn on Thursday was plentiful. After interviewing for several head coaching jobs, Quinn informed teams that he’s staying with the Cowboys in 2022. That’s not all though, as the Pro Football Writers of America have named him the Assistant Coach of the Year for the 2021 season.

Quinn joins rookie linebacker Micah Parsons as a PFWA award winner as the 12th overall pick received Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year honors on Tuesday.

The man who was the architect of the “Legion of Boom” during his time as the defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks which produced the NFL’s top defensive in 2013 and 2014 worked wonders with the Cowboys this season. After giving up a franchise-record 473 points and ranking 31st against the run in 2020, the Cowboys’ defense finished as the top unit in turnovers and limiting conversions on third down this season under Quinn’s leadership.

Quinn now has the challenge of keeping his unit formidable next season which won’t be easy with so many free agents on the defensive side of the ball for Dallas set to hit the open market in March.

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Cowboys News: Quinn stays, Moore back on Miami’s radar, 2022 breakout candidate

Dan Quinn is staying to finish what he started while Kellen Moore chances at landing a HC gig in 2022 aren’t as dead as they appeared. | From @StarConscience

Cowboys fans can rejoice. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has been on several interviews in pursuit of a head coaching job. However, after the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears announced that they were going in a different direction when Quinn seemed to be the frontrunner for both gigs, he informed the other teams he’s staying with the Cowboys. The same might not be true for offensive coordinator Kellen Moore though, as he is set to sit down with the brass of the Miami Dolphins for a second time about their vacancy at head coach.

Mike McCarthy isn’t the most popular man in Dallas after his team fell so short in the playoffs. They won’t come around anytime soon as an interview from 2019 with NFL journalist Peter King resurfaced, and it clearly shows McCarthy hasn’t done some of the things that he claimed he would do with another opportunity to coach. 2022 draft prospects, what the Cowboys will do at tight end and how their championship window might be closing  and more round out the news and notes.

Cowboys’ Micah Parsons named Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of Year by PFWA

Micah Parsons takes home multiple honors from the Pro Football Writers of America. | From @StarConscience

Micah Parsons took very little time to dispel any notion that he was just an off-the-ball linebacker. Not only can he keep anything that comes on the second level of the defense under siege, but he can also rush the passer and have success at an alarming rate coming off the edge.

Parsons and his 20 tackles for loss, 30 quarterback hits, and 13 sacks spearheaded a Cowboys’ defense that led the NFL in turnovers and stopping opposing offenses on third-down. He was named a First-Team All-Pro, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month twice, and the Pepsi Zero Rookie of the Week three times. Earlier on Tuesday he earned the 101 Awards’ NFC Defensive Player of the Year and now he has to make more room in his trophy case. Parsons has been voted both the Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.

The former Penn State Nittany Lion dominated the final two full months of the season amassing 10.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hits. Parsons is all but certain to be named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and is one of the top contenders for Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is the architect that turned the Cowboys’ defense around after being the worst in team history in 2020 under Mike Nolan. He mainly did so due to utilizing Parsons at four different positions through the season, which he’s is more than fine with.

“I take complete pride in being the most versatile player in the NFL,” said Parsons.

Hard to believe there’s any doubt to that being a false statement. Parsons not only lived up to the expectations that were placed upon him, but he also set a new standard for how rookie defenders will be judged by going forward.

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