Category: 2021 season

Cowboys’ Amari Cooper wants to remain with the club in 2022

The Cowboys’ WR1 makes it clear he wants to remain in Dallas for another go at it. | From @StarConscience

Wide receiver Amari Cooper’s season started on a great note with a career-high 13 receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns in the Dallas Cowboys season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He suffered cracked ribs during the game but remained in the starting lineup.

Cooper’s 68 receptions and 865 yards this season were his second-lowest totals in each category during any full campaign, but his eight touchdowns tied a career-high. Sprinkle in him being unvaccinated and missing two games after testing positive for COVID, the 2021 season was a rollercoaster for the four-time pro bowler.

The former first-round pick spoke to reporters on Tuesday about his future and had this to say about being back in Dallas next season.

“I don’t make those decisions,” Cooper said. “I honestly don’t know, but hopefully.”

The Cowboys can save up to $16 million if they trade or release Cooper. Although that puts more coins in the Cowboys’ piggy bank, it could set the team’s receiving corp back tremendously, especially if wide receiver Michael Gallup isn’t retained. There is, however, another route the Cowboys can go.

A restructure of Cooper’s deal can save the Cowboys up to $12.67 million. This would not only keep Cooper on the roster but it would leave the Cowboys with a two-headed monster at receiver when including CeeDee Lamb, or even a formidable trio if Gallup or Cedrick Wilson return in 2022.

Cooper has built great chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott over the last several seasons. In just nine games in 2018, Cooper racked up 53 receptions on 76 targets (69.7%) for 725 yards and six touchdowns. In 2019, Cooper set career highs in yards (1,189), touchdowns (8), and yards per catch (15.1). Cooper and Prescott only played four full games together in 2020 due to Prescott suffering a season-ending ankle injury. However, the combination was lights out hooking up for 37 receptions and 401 yards over that span.

Cooper has made multiple playoff appearances with the Cowboys and has also experienced the lows of non-playoff teams. He recently said that he had never been on a team like the 2021 Cowboys, and although they will look different next season with over 20 free agents to make decisions on, there will still be a lot of talent on the roster to compete on a high level going forward.

Every team has to make tough decisions regarding big-name players at some point. That’s where the Cowboys stand with Cooper, either cut ties and save a bunch of cash and possibly draft another receiver or rework his deal to keep the route running wizard as the No. 1 receiving option in Dallas.

It will be one of the biggest decisions the Cowboys will have to make in the offseason and will certainly be one of the first they take care of.

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Breaking: Cowboys’ Randy Gregory to undergo knee surgery

The team’s starting right defensive end set career highs in his pressure stats as he prepares to enter free agency for the first time. | From @StarConscience

The Dallas Cowboys had their fair share of injuries in 2021. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a broken foot and wide receiver Michael Gallup went down with a calf strain in the season opener before tearing his ACL later in the year. Quarterback Dak Prescott also suffered a calf strain, Ezekiel Elliott played with a torn PCL since Week 4, and Tyron Smith missed nearly a third of the season with an ankle injury.

Another can be added to the list. Defensive end Randy Gregory is preparing to be a free agent for the first time in his career. However he appeared to be limping at times during the Cowboys season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, it was an issue that he dealt with for quite some time, and he will now have surgery on Friday to repair an injured knee.

Gregory missed the Cowboys’ Week 2 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers due to COVID and was absent for four games because of a calf strain suffered in November. When he was on the field, however, Gregory was as productive as he’s ever been, tying career highs in sacks (6) and forced fumbles (3) and his 17 quarterback hits surpassed his previous best of 15 in 2018.

Gregory will be one of 21 free agents the Cowboys will have to make decisions on. More than likely, his name will be at the top of the list as he and the aforementioned Lawrence, when healthy, are one of the better defensive end duos in the NFL.

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Cowboys News: Prescott fined, Michael Gallup’s last days in Dallas?

Some potential draft targets, offseason need discussions and a fat financial penalty for the Dallas signal caller. | From @StarConscience

Dak Prescott didn’t have one of his better performances versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, and the disappointment didn’t end on the field. He applauded the fans for throwing objects at the officials as they left the field, which wasn’t a good look, and he will lose some dollars over it. The NFL draft is three months away and offensive tackle and safety are at the top of the Dallas Cowboys’ needs.

Michael Gallup played in the final year of his rookie deal in 2021. Unfortunately, he suffered a calf strain and a torn ACL, and with the emergence of Cedrick Wilson, his days in Dallas may end in the next few months. Also, the future of DeMarcus Lawrence, what caused the Cowboys’ offense to falter down the stretch, and more lead an intriguing roundup of news and notes.

Which former Saints players, coaches are competing in the playoffs divisional round?

Which former Saints players, coaches are competing in the playoffs divisional round?

Need a rooting interest to keep up with the NFL playoffs? The New Orleans Saints have some connections with nearly every team playing in the divisional round this weekend, though those ties are greater with some outfits — like the Cincinnati Bengals — than others. That’s already prompted some Saints fans to throw their support behind hometown heroes. Let’s survey each remaining playoff team and their links to the Saints and Louisiana:

Bears’ Jimmy Graham is finalist for Salute to Service Award

Bears TE Jimmy Graham has been named a finalist for USAA’s Salute to Service Award. The winner will be announced during NFL Honors.

Bears tight end Jimmy Graham has been named a finalist for USAA’s Salute to Service Award, which recognizes NFL players for their commitment to serving the military, veterans and their families.

Graham, who was also recognized as the Bears’ nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year, is being honored for his work with the Jimmy Graham Foundation, which supports men and women who serve or have served in the military. It’s a cause he’s supported throughout his NFL career.

This season, Graham donated tickets to every Bears home game for the team’s Boeing Military Salute honoree, who is recognized during the game. He also donated the costs of 250 Thanksgiving boxes distributed to veterans by Midwest Veterans Closet, which included personally-signed notes from Graham.

Here’s a statement from USAA Senior Vice President of Military Affairs, Vice Admiral (Ret.) John Bird:

“From advocacy and support to our currently serving military to ensuring our veterans successfully transition with employment after their service as well as supporting military children, all three finalists for the eleventh annual ‘Salute to Service Award presented by USAA’ should be recognized for their commitment to America’s military community. We thank and deeply appreciate Jarret, Jimmy, and Andrew for joining USAA in always honoring and serving our military, veterans, and their families, and encourage all Americans to follow their lead in participating in acts of service and support for our military.”

The Salute to Service Award recipient will be recognized during NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 10.

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Comes the Cowboys Reckoning: Dallas’ offensive line needs serious repair

There are many issues to be addressed after the Cowboys playoff loss to the 49ers but none is greater than the broken offensive line. @DailyGoonerRaf says the staff has work to do.

It’s the wake of a close Cowboys loss. Worse, it’s the wake after a close Cowboys playoff loss, a 23-17 defeat to the 49ers, and the familiarity of the disappointment have sent segments of the fan base looking for easy scapegoats and quick fixes towards a better 2022.

Fire the head coach! Fire the offensive coordinator! Change the culture! Trade the quarterback!

All have some merit, and there’s an abundance of vitriol devoted by the faithful towards the last drive, which ended with the clock striking 0:00 as Dak Prescott tried in vain to spike the ball, allowing one final throw into the end zone.

Tactical critiques miss the mark, I believe. Sure, there are plenty of mistakes to parse, from Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy, and even from Dan Quinn’s defense. All contributed to a 14-penalty abomination that kept Dallas from seriously challenging for the win.

That said, I think those critiques miss a much bigger problem. Sure, Moore and McCarthy might have called the end game differently. Sure, Jerry Jones would have closed the curtains in the sun end zone and helped his offense jump start its sputtering self just before the half.

Even had the Cowboys found a way to pull a playoff win away from their many miscues, they would be facing a constant shortcoming that would make them certain underdogs to Tampa Bay, one that must be addressed if the organization wants to improve next season and not backslide into the 8-8 maw.

Their offensive line was manhandled by the 49ers defensive front, And this mismatch persisted for four quarters, even after San Francisco’s starting defensive ends left the game with injuries and the middle linebacker limped off the field with a knee injury.

“We have to do better,” said right guard Zack Martin after the loss. But looking at this contest, and every contest since Dallas beat Minnesota on the last day of October, the most apt question should be, can they do better?

I’m skeptical. And if the Cowboys brass deceives itself into thinking it can, a playoff berth next year is far from certain.

Cowboys DE Bradlee Anae signs with New York Jets

Anae was a fifth-round draft pick in 2020, but saw limited opportunities behind DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, and Dorance Armstrong. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The end of the season always brings turnover, both on the coaching staff and in the locker room. While most of the focus in Dallas over the past few days has been on Mike McCarthy, Kellen Moore, and Dan Quinn, the first Cowboys player looking for greener pastures has slipped out the door.

Defensive end Bradlee Anae has signed with the New York Jets, according to his agent. Anae was a fifth-round draft choice out of Utah in 2020.

He was considered one of the best pass rushers in the country coming out of college in terms of stats, but had some work to do to improve his athleticism as he made the transition to the pro game.

Of course, any young edge rusher on the Cowboys roster knows he’ll be competing with the likes of superstars DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory for playing time. This past season, free agent additions Tarell Basham, Brent Urban, and Carlos Watkins were also lobbying for snaps, while Dorance Armstrong continued to be a solid contributor; Chauncey Golston also came into camp as a promising rookie at the position.

All of those factors combined to offer very limited opportunities for the 6-foot-3-inch native Hawaiian. Anae logged two tackles and a quarterback hit over 50 defensive snaps in 2021 across four games, though he did get additional time on special teams. He was officially waived prior to Week 9 and then re-signed to the practice squad.

While the long-term status of several Dallas edge rushers- Gregory, Urban, Watkins, and Armstrong- is still up in the air, Anae apparently wasn’t going to be in the Cowboys’ plans moving forward. He was not one of the players signed by the Cowboys to a futures deal this week following the team’s playoff loss.

Now he’ll seek a fresh start with the Jets, who finished among the worst in the league in sacks and passing yards allowed in 2021.

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Wild-card round good, bad, ugly: Cowboys failed in myriad of ways vs 49ers

The Cowboys couldn’t overcome a bad game plan and poor discipline in their wild card loss to the San Francisco 49ers. | From @BenGrimaldi

Another season, another disappointing ending for the Dallas Cowboys. This year it came at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, in a home wild-card round playoff game, 23-17.

In a contest where the Cowboys had to play their best football in order to save their season, they played undisciplined and uninspired. In a win or go home situation, in a game where they had yet another chance to show they were a different version of the Cowboys than the last 25 iterations, they demonstrated that although the players and coaches were different, nothing really had changed.

The 49ers beat the Cowboys as much as the Cowboys beat themselves in a tough-to-watch playoff performance.

Winning the NFC East was fun, as was winning six straight and making Cowboys Nation believe things were different this year. In the end, though, it was the same type of issues that had plagued the Cowboys all year that got them dismissed from the playoffs. Bad penalties at the worst times and an offense that never found their rhythm cost Dallas their season.

Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly from the Cowboys’ wild card loss to the 49ers.

Cowboys RB Elliott played majority of season with torn PCL

After the end of the campaign, Ezekiel Elliott cleared the air about the injury he fought through all season long. | From @CDBurnett7

Heading into the 2021 season, the hype around the Dallas Cowboys offense was at an all-time high. While the offseason was filled with questions about  quarterback Dak Prescott in his return from his ankle injury and training camp shoulder injury, running back Ezekiel Elliott’s slimmed down  rejuvenated form had fans excited over the possibilities.

Elliott lived up to the hype, starting with 422 rushing yards and six total touchdowns in the first five games, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. As the season progressed though, Elliott’s efficiency began to slow down. He had injured his knee and following the team’s 23-17 elimination from the playoffs on Sunday, he revealed the extent of the injury. Elliott suffered a torn PCL, but still managed to play in all of Dallas’ 18 games.

Elliott’s leadership and relentless drive to win is exemplified by his playing with such an injury. There is a discussion of why the club didn’t rely more on backup Tony Pollard with Elliott not at his best. Pollard’s touches increased with Elliott being hampered, but then the backup suffered a torn plantar fascia in his foot, leaving the club with two hobbled running backs.

It was declared prior to Sunday’s game that Pollard was as close to 100% as the coaching staff had seen him, but he saw just four carries and two targets on the game.

Elliott didn’t have a strong day rushing the ball, totaling 31 yards on 12 carries, but he made a highlight play in pass protection, leveling two blockers to set up a first down. Dallas fell in a nail biter after coming inches and milliseconds from executing the comeback on multiple occasions. Elliott expressed his frustration after the game.

For Elliott, it was another 1,000-yard rushing season but that’s never what mattered for the former All-Pro and he sacrificed his own health for a chance. Elliott relays the injury won’t require surgery but now he begins a long offseason of recovery and rebuilding after a heartbreaking end to the 2021 season.

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WATCH: Anthony Brown INT leads to Prescott rushing TD, cutting lead

Dallas, which once looked dead late in the game, used a combo of an interception and Dak Prescott touchdown to regain life for the season.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Dallas Cowboys had a conundrum of drive leading to a field goal to make it a 23-10 game but things still looked bleak. The defense needed to create a splash play to give Dallas any hope.

To start the ensuing drive, the 49ers got near midfield but Jimmy Garoppolo got overzealous. On a 2nd down, the San Francisco quarterback had a wide open Brandon Aiyuk but sailed the throw straight into the hands of cornerback Anthony Brown, who was having a rough day and needed a spark.

The big mistake from the 49ers set up Dallas in opposing territory and quarterback Dak Prescott found his best receivers in CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper to move inside the 10-yard line. Prescott had a crucial third-and-goal and found a wide open gap for the first time of the day and waltzed into the end zone to make it a 23-17 game.

The opportunity opened up for the Cowboys and they took it. Now, the defense has to step up and give the offense another chance to win the game.