Category: 2024 training camp

Cowboys workout 3 wideouts, sign 2 hoping to fill gaps in depth chart

Dallas inks two new wide receivers to their offseason roster as they continue to work without CeeDee Lamb. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys are apparently in need of wide receiver help. Short two players expected to make the 53-man roster at the position, Dallas is looking outside the organization for a bit of a boost.

The 90-man roster had 14 wide receivers on it, allowing multiple passes through the chart as reps have been distributed throughout the first three days of training camp practice. The lead dog, All-Pro CeeDee Lamb, has been missing however, as a training camp holdout keeps him away from his teammates. Rookie Ryan Flournoy is hobbled with a knee tweak, bringing the rotation down to 12.

Apparently needing some fresh legs, or maybe just better alternatives, Dallas worked out three wideouts on Saturday, signing Deontay Burnett and Kelvin Harmon.

Burnett, 26, played these past two springs in the UFL/XFL, most recently for the local Arlington Renegades. In 2024 he hauled in 33 receptions for 306 yards and two touchdowns.  In 2023 he played for Houston where he had 27 receptions for 378 yards and six scores and was named to the All-XFL team.

The former USC Trojan spect time in the NFL with Tennessee, the NY Jets and most recently Philadelphia. Appearing in eight games between 2018 and 2020, catching 15 passes.

Harmon was a former sixth-round selection of the Washington franchise and spent this spring with the DC Defenders. He hauled in 31 passes for 375 yards and had three scores. Harmon has 30 career NFL catches for 365 yards.

Dallas also worked out WR Terrell Bynum and QB Reid Sinnett.

‘The Jalens’ leading WR race early in Cowboys camp

Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks and Jalen Moreno-Cropper are separating from the pack in Cowboys camp. | From @ReidDHanson

Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks and Jalen Moreno-Cropper have been standout performers early in Cowboys camp. It’s clear the three young receivers have eagerly taken on the challenge laid before them this summer. They’ve stepped up into the void Dallas had at the WR position and showed concerns are best placed elsewhere on the roster.

There have been tales of Tolbert’s maturation at the position for months. But with only 22 receptions for 268 yards of production on the record, many fans have taken on a “I’ll believe it when I see it” attitude to the former third-round pick.

Tolbert’s skillset and draft status make him the early favorite to claim the coveted WR3 role in 2024. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound product of South Alabama has deep-ball speed and juice to be a run after the catch weapon. After a year of the yips as a rookie, Tolbert came on strong in his second year, effectively splitting snaps with Michael Gallup late in the season.

Joining Tolbert in the highlight reels has been Brooks, the Cowboys seventh-round pick from 2023. Brooks has been every bit as impressive as Tolbert without overlapping in too many ways. If Tolbert has the juice, it’s Brooks who has the attitude.

At 6-foot-1, 201 pounds, the South Carolina product is a fearless player who plays bigger than his size. After already establishing himself as a solid special teams contributor in his rookie season, Brooks looks eager to snag a bigger role on offense in Year 2.

Brooks has been quick off the snap and strong in his breaks. His ability to run block and win slant routes stands out among his peers and could win a steady role on the Cowboys in 2024.

Rounding out this Jalen-fest is second year man Moreno-Cropper. A training camp standout in 2023, Moreno-Cropper is hoping to build on his rookie effort and turn it into a permanent spot on the active roster.

At just 6-foot, 172-pounds, Moreno-Cropper is the smallest of the Jalens but by no means should be taken for granted in this battle. He’s been a model of stability at WR and is fully in the mix for a top-six role on the depth chart.

The Cowboys are actively looking for ways to give him work and even using him on punt return duties alongside David Durden, KaVontae Turpin and Deuce Vaughn.

For full transparency, Mike Zimmer and his secondary are deserving of the most praise in these unpadded portions of camp. They’ve rolled out coverage looks that have largely been foreign throughout the previous Dan Quinn era.

But the WR battlers deserves its recognition as well. No one knew exactly what to expect from this unproven bunch of pass-catchers and it was prompting some concern of late. Luckily for everyone, the Jalens are on the case, working together to form a cohesive and complementary trio at the WR position.

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Window Dressing: Cowboys Parsons’ position isn’t nearly as important as his role

Moving Micah Parsons around doesn’t have to be a bad thing as long as he’s still rushing the passer. | From @ReidDHanson

Micah Parsons has established himself as one of, if not the, best pass rusher(s) on the planet. Posting 13-plus sacks in each of his first three seasons, Parsons is on a historic pace with the Cowboys. It’s hard to believe the two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler is still relatively green in his position on the defensive line, and despite massive success already, still has room to grow.

The league leader in pressure rate, Parsons stubbled into his position on the defensive line with the Cowboys. In 2021 the former off-ball linebacker from Penn State was forced into an edge role after Dallas suffered a rash of injuries to their pass-rushing ranks early in his rookie season. Filling in on the edge, Parsons wasted no time carving out a new role on the Cowboys as chief pass-rusher and general game-wrecker extraordinaire.

Since making the move to edge early in his rookie season Parsons has been a fixture on the defensive line for the Cowboys; until now.

Mike Zimmer, the Cowboys first-year defensive coordinator, has plans for Parsons and it doesn’t appear to be setting up at left edge every snap. Zimmer has Parsons on the move. Playing him in multiple spots, including that familiar off-ball role he played with the Nittany Lions.

The idea of Micah Parsons moving to an off-ball linebacker position is understandably met with a certain level of resistance. The value of a linebacker pales in comparison to that of an edge. LBs are often treated as replaceable parts, similar to that of a running back. Compared to other positions on the field, LB is one of the easiest to fill, making it somewhat of a waste for a blue-chip player like Parsons to play. So then why on earth is Zimmer giving Parsons reps at a position that’s so indisputably less impactful?

To keep defenses guessing.

755 of Parsons’ 863 snaps were taken on the defensive line last season and the vast majority of those were taken from the left side. As the most feared player on the Cowboys defense, it should be no surprise opposing coordinators schemed to neutralize Parsons each week. He finished the season as the most double-team edge player in the NFL, which was partially made possible by his consistent presence at left edge each week.

Zimmer has no desire to make things easy on opposing coordinators, as such, he plans to move the young All-Pro across the defense and attack from different places. Parsons proved in limited action at LB last season, he’s amongst the best blitzing the A-gap. The double A-gap blitz just happens to be a staple of Zimmer’s defense and a perfect role for an explosive player like Parsons.

In many ways, not using a player like Parsons in this role would be defensive malfeasance by Zimmer. The position is technically off-ball, but the role is that of a pass-rusher. This is where the real value is found.

Whether Parsons is playing off-ball LB or on-ball edge, he’s going to be rushing the passer more often than not. The role of pass-rusher is what’s important, not where he lines up before the snap. If anything, his movement around the defense will help facilitate that pass-rushing role.

Hemming and hawing about Parsons playing the same position as someone like Damone Clark is ill-founded. Parsons will be playing his own role even if he takes snaps off-ball from time to time.

If the situation arises where Parsons is taking more snaps in a traditional LB role than he is rushing the passer, then it’s an issue that needs to be addressed. But Zimmer isn’t foolish. He knows what he has with Parsons and he’s looking for ways to maximize it. Moving Parsons prevents coordinators from scheming his way and that could pay massive dividends, even if he takes more snaps as an off-ball LB.

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No positives to be gleaned from CeeDee Lamb’s absence in Cowboys camp

There is nothing positive to be taken from CeeDee Lambs Cowboys camp holdout, despite silver lining attempts. | From @ReidDHanson

As the great Monty Python once advised, “Always look on the bright side of life.” When suspicions were confirmed wide receiver CeeDee Lamb would not be attending Cowboys training camp amid a contract stalemate, the more positively-minded of the fanbase took that Monty Python advice to heart.

A common spin some applied to the holdout situation is how it would open up practice rep opportunities for others down the depth chart. While it’s true the Cowboys are littered with inexperienced receivers desperate for snaps, it’s not exactly a beneficial transaction if it comes at the cost of snaps for Lamb.

Snaps are valuable for even the most accomplished WRs in the NFL. Practice reps between quarterback and WR are important in improving timing and chemistry. Dak Prescott and Lamb aren’t starting from square one in this regard, but they can certainly still stand to improve.

Lamb’s presence in camp can also serve as an example to others. Lamb runs routes and makes plays as well as anyone in the league. Getting a firsthand tutorial from the NFL’s best is undoubtedly beneficial for the young developing WR prospects down the roster. With Lamb absent, young players like Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, Jalen Moreno-Cropper and David Durden don’t get to see that real life example in front of them. One or two extra reps in practice do not make up for that.

The Cowboys have a wildly unproven group of WRs behind Lamb on the roster. Aside from Brandin Cooks, no one has even a modest amount of experience. Working alongside an All-Pro like Lamb would prove useful for their development.

It helps the offense is expected to mostly stay the same. Mike McCarthy is in Year 5 of his deal in Dallas and aside from a few wrinkles here and there, is running the same offense in 2024.

Lamb is also busy working out on his own and has never displayed any characteristics that would make someone think he’s not taking his training seriously. Yet, nothing quite simulates real practice like real practice, so the sooner Lamb gets to Oxnard, the better.

Of the three headlining players seeking new deals, Lamb’s situation appears to be the closest to getting done. When exactly is anyone’s guess but the parameters have been set by other top WRs over the offseason so there isn’t much to volley in the way of negotiations.

Monty Python usually gives excellent life advice but in the case of this holdout, there isn’t a bright side. Hopefully there will be resolution soon.

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‘Dangling Participles’: Jerry Jones not aligned with Cowboys fans’ angst, ‘That’s not my life’

Jerry Jones says he’s right at home with the ambiguity with Cowboys’ offseason, contract situation. | From @KDDrummondNFL

Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones held their annual training camp opener press conference on Thursday, a few days late due to the elder Jones’ paternity suit court dates. After speaking to the finality of that, the top turned to actual Dallas Cowboys business.

In speaking about the team’s offseason following their devastating loss to Green Bay in the playoffs, Jones evoked how at home he is with so much swirling around him.

Quotes are paraphrased in some parts.

As I sit here today almost 35 years, I see several faces that I saw.. but after 35 years, the one thing that’s for sure is ambiguity. Just the nature of what being a part of sports and part of football is.it’s very ambiguous.

The reality is that you are continually dealing with much unfinished business. There’s almost no way to segment parts of the running and the evolving of the team from one year to the next. You can have specific agreements with all the right terms, but can still have non execution.. we’ve had people with contracts that haven’t come to camp. That’s what happens. You can’t be and do what I have the opportunity to do, own the Cowboys and run the NFL.

It is more ambiguity involved than I could ever imagine. There’s always going to be many dangling participles as part of this business. There will never be a time with the NFL when we don’t have a lot going on.

I know we’ve been talking about what kind of offseason we’ve had. But the fact is we’ve had 14 Pro Bowlers, 12 All Pros on this field right now. We’ve got an outstanding team. That part works, we’ve got a lot of ambiguity on the team. I’ve got ambiguity everywhere…

Maybe the best thing God ever gave me was a tolerance for ambiguity. That’s what you have, it frustrates you, it frustrates fans… that’s not in my life.

Alleged Cowboys’ Tyler Guyton strategy under intense scrutiny, fire

The idea of the Cowboys slowly developing Tyler Guyton behind Chuma Edoga is flawed and should be reconsidered. | From @ReidDHanson

Training camp couldn’t get here fast enough for the Cowboys. After facing an offseason of criticism, anger and general disgust from the fanbase, only the annual hype-fest known as Cowboy Camp can get fan sentiments moving in a positive direction.

Training camp typically brings hope to even the most hopeless of teams. For the Cowboys it’s a tool that’s often used to turn the page on the offseason while building marketability and positivity for the franchise. The circus-like atmosphere resembles that of a pep rally. Naysayers need not attend.

But this year, not even training camp can save the Cowboys from the well justified negativity they’re facing. Coming out an offseason that was disappointing even by local standards, the Cowboys threaten to slow-play the development of their top rookie draft pick, opting for a plateaued veteran with little upside instead.

According to Cowboys insider Bobby Belt, the Cowboys are likely starting Chuma Edoga, not Tyler Guyton, at left tackle when camp opens up.

“I think it is almost a certainty that Chuma Edoga is at left tackle for the first practice,” said Belt via The Love of the Star podcast. “I think it’s likely he’s at left tackle for the first game. And I think it’s possible he’s at left tackle the entire season.”

The idea of the Cowboys developing their top rookie in the background was not well received. If Dallas intended to take a delayed approach with their rookie’s development, why didn’t they re-sign Tyron Smith for one more season back in March? Smith only signed a two-year, $6,500,000 deal after all.

Fans know what they have in Edoga. The journeyman has struggled in pass protection since joining the NFL and has largely been relegated to backup duty at all three of his stops. The idea of wasting valuable practice snaps on a veteran with little upside has been enraging fans across Cowboys Nation.

With CBA limitations in place, live snaps are valuable for everyone, especially a rookie like Guyton. Cohesion across the offensive line takes time. Wasting the already limited number of snaps on someone who’s not considered the solution is nothing short of irresponsible.

Growing pains are a given, but the lumps have to come eventually so the Cowboys might as well throw their rookie into the fire. If he looks like a disaster throughout training camp, then, and only then, should the Cowboys look to their veteran. Veteran backup tackles are supposed to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. Edoga doesn’t need the practice reps Guyton does.

Even if the Cowboys are just going through the motions in camp in order to give the appearance Guyton earns his spot in the starting lineup, the logic is flawed. He needs reps and he needs them next to the people he’s hopefully going to play with.

It’s one thing after another with the Cowboys this offseason and training camp may not be able to suture the situation. Hopefully the reports are wrong or hopefully the Cowboys reconsider the Guyton strategy, because slow playing his development on Day 1 isn’t the answer.

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The hardest position Cowboys have to replace in 2024 is…

It’s hard to envision any situation where the Cowboys LT play improves in 2024, and that’s going to make things very difficult. | From @ReidDHanson

The 2024 offseason will go down as an offseason of disappointment for many Cowboys fans. Not only did they fail to re-sign any of their major pieces on their roster, but they lost a handful of critical components as well. Replacing the lost players will be no simple task.

The cupboards are bare in the Cowboys running backroom. Tony Pollard left in free agency and Dallas decided to skip the position entirely in the draft. Johnathan Hankins departure left the Cowboys defensive tackle position in a sorry state. It was a position that performed poorly in 2023 and looks markedly worse here in 2024.

Receiver is also left in a worrisome state after Michael Gallup was let go. The Cowboys don’t have a clear replacement option ready and waiting and could be dangerously thin if CeeDee Lamb holds out for an extended period of time. None of those positions will be easy to replace this season but their difficulty pales in comparison to that of the left tackle position.

For over a decade, Tyron Smith was a fixture at LT for the Cowboys. He was an elite pass protector who was frequently left alone on an island, protecting Dak Prescott’s blindside from some of the most feared pass rushers on the planet. Reliability and diminishing play in the running game ultimately led to his departure. Now the Cowboys enter training camp with a rookie penciled as the eventual heir at LT.

Tyler Guyton, the Cowboys 2024 first-round pick, is the man the Cowboys hope to replace Smith with. Whether that happens on Day 1 or not is unknown at this time, what can be agreed on is whoever takes over at LT will have some pretty big shoes to fill.

Chuma Edoga, a player many expect to be the backup plan if Guyton isn’t up to the task, isn’t a great solution to the LT problem either. The five-year veteran has struggled throughout his career in pass protection, most recently allowing three sacks, 16 pressures and committing three penalties in 251 pass blocking situations.

Guyton himself enters as an abnormally raw first round pick. He’s athletically gifted but needs development time before he can be trusted in a way Smith was previously trusted. Unless Tyler Smith, the expected starting left guard, inexplicably moves to tackle, a step back at the LT position is expected.

Looking at the other positions, it’s not unrealistic to think someone will step up and do better than the man he replaces. Pollard’s 2023 season wasn’t terribly efficient so it’s perfectly possible Rico Dowdle and company could represent a mild improvement this year if the run blocking improves as expected.

Gallup struggled most the 2023 season so replacing him won’t be an impossible task for the Cowboys. Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks could both be up for the task, as could a handful of other unproven players waiting in the wings.

Hankins was a big loss but not because he was dominant by any means, but because the Cowboys did little to replace him. If either Mazi Smith or Justin Rogers can just rise up to average they would represent an improvement over Hankins.

It’s that LT position that’s going to be difficult to replace for the Cowboys. Even under a best-case scenario, Dallas will struggle to meet the level of play they got from Smith in 2023. It’s important the accept this because then they can scheme to minimize its impact on the offense

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Cowboys front office should skip annual camp presser altogether

This might not be a good year for a Cowboys front office press conference. Things are still testy. | From @ReidDHanson

Due to an ongoing legal dispute between Jerry Jones and a woman who claims to be his biological daughter, the Cowboys front office is postponing their opening press conference until the weekend.

Jones, expected to testify in his case against the woman of whom he brought suit, will be arriving late to camp in Oxnard. The honors of the first press conference this year will go to coach Mike McCarthy on Thursday morning.

That might be for the better.

The Cowboys front office isn’t held in very high regard these days. After a disappointing finish to a promising season, the Cowboys decided to cut costs rather than strike while the iron was hot. They let multiple starters leave uncontested in free agency and did very little to replace them.

The front office’s traditional cost-conscious approach to free agency hit an all-time low with the Cowboys failing to even extend their top cornerstones Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. As such, the typical “we like our guys” statement couldn’t even be applied this year.

After redefining the phrase, “all-in” in the most misleading way possible, Jones and the Dallas front office have enraged fans and baffled pundits. At nearly every media engagement over the offseason the front office has upset, rather than reassured, the Cowboys fanbase. Maybe that press conference postponement should be indefinite?

Until the Cowboys re-sign Dak Prescott and/or CeeDee Lamb, their words are going to ring hallow. Fans can see a disaster on the horizon and at this point want to see actual results, not more words.

A McCarthy led press conference on Thursday could be just what the doctor ordered. Real football talk is what fans need. Depth charts, rotations, schemes and expectations are what fans need to distract them from the front office’s failures over the offseason.

Looking back, most front office press conferences this time of year are empty calories anyway. It’s an annual exercise in words without deed. People just don’t believe it anymore.

If the front office isn’t going to do front office things, there’s no need for them to talk. To many, there’s no sense in rescheduling it until something has been accomplished.

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3 Positions to watch during opening week of Cowboys training camp

The Cowboys passing game and pass defense should be the focus of 2024 training camp’s early sessions. | From @ReidDHanson

Cowboys training camp practice is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, July 25 in Oxnard, California. Things typically start slowly in camp, with pads only making an appearance later, per CBA rules. This inevitably delays analysis on the more physical positions along the line of scrimmage and those pertaining to the running game. But it frees up opportunities for players in the passing game.

The contact and physicality aren’t at 100%, but the speed is real, and the mental aspects are in full force. All of this combines for the perfect environment for young and unproven players to showcase their skills.

Because of this, the opening week of training camp is a great opportunity for quarterbacks, receivers and defensive backs to stand out. The two-hand-touch nature of the competition allows prepared players to make early headlines as they build rapport and credibility within the system.

It’s here where Dennis Houston won a roster spot two seasons ago. Houston came to camp prepared and focused. He could play multiple receiver spots, make the right adjustments to coverage, and consistently be in the right place at the right time. He won the trust of Dak Prescott and the coaching staff and earned a roster spot in the process.

Defensive backs get tested in discipline and consistency. Players who can resist jumping route fakes and are able to consistently keep separation to a minimum stand out. Mike Zimmer, the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator, values close coverage. He’ll likely place extra value on defensive backs who can consistently stay in position. Dazzling interceptions are great but discipline and consistency will be what he’s looking for early.

Possibly the most important part of the passing game that can be assessed is that of the QB himself. Prescott might be a well-established, but Trey Lance is anything but. Seeing if Lance can deliver passes with accuracy and touch will be important. Where he places the ball against various coverages and how he reads the field will be important as well. Is he a one-read passer or is he able to go through progressions? Seeing if Lance can pass with anticipation is possibly the most important item to monitor early because it’s been a criticism of his game up to this point.

Counting pretend sacks, halfhearted pass protection, and runs between the tackles won’t show much value early in camp. Those require pads and a green light for contact. It’s the downfield passing game, both offensively and defensively, that’s worth watching.

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Peyton Hendershot facing battle of his career in Cowboys camp

With so many intriguing TEs coming to Cowboys camp, Peyton Hendershot may be on the outside looking in. | From @ReidDHanson

A case can be made no incumbent Dallas player faces a more difficult situation than third-year tight end Peyton Hendershot. The undrafted free agent out of Indiana wowed onlookers as a rookie, not only winning a roster spot but contributing 103 yards and two touchdowns over the course of 298 snaps in 2022.

Hendershot’s second season looked like a step back in his young career. After the Cowboys added TE Luke Schoonmaker in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, Hendershot’s pathway to a more prominent role appeared blocked. Hendershot was only able to post four receptions for 38 yards in Year 2. Now in Year 3, if Hendershot wants to hold off the competition at TE, he’s going to need a fast start to camp where he shows consistency as a pass catcher and improvement as a blocker.

With so many intriguing talents in the TE room in 2024, the status quo just won’t cut it.

His ability to create yards after the catch made him a valuable weapon in screen and red zone situations for the Cowboys. Not much of a blocker, Hendershot thrived flexed out in more of a “big slot” role as a rookie. It paired perfectly with fellow rookie Jake Ferguson, who was well-versed in inline play and the various blocking assignments that accompany such a role.

Hia 2023 was a campaign highlighted by two drops on just seven targets and some rather ineffective contributions in the blocking game.

Hendershot’s objective in his third season is not only to reclaim the magic from his rookie season, but to show his game has matured enough to hold off some high potential competition who are challenging for roster spots.

Had it not been for a preseason ACL tear, John Stephens, an undrafted free agent in 2023, would have likely beaten Hendershot out last year. Stephens routinely flashed in training camp, showing elite balls skills and a natural understanding of routes and how they play off certain coverages. He wasn’t any more polished than Hendershot in the blocking game but his sky-high potential as a pass catcher almost made it irrelevant. Since Hendershot likely can’t outdo Stephens as a pass catcher, his best course of action is to show he’s more versatile as a blocker.

Speaking of blocking, the Cowboys signed arguably the best blocking TE in the 2024 draft class when they added Brevyn Spann-Ford to the mix following the draft. The 24-year-old’s enormous 6-foot-7, 270-pound frame makes him a natural fit for inline roles, giving him the inside track on jumbo packages and other short yardage situations common for reserve tight ends.

Hendershot’s inconsistent play and one dimensionality makes him a hard sell for this Cowboys roster. Dallas is already tied to Schoonmaker as a second-round pick and can’t afford to invest another valuable roster spot on another inconsistent TE prospect.

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