Cowboys News: Dak’s new daughter, new look, same extension expectations; team’s impending FA losses

From @ToddBrock24f7: Prescott weighs in on the likelihood of getting a deal done; Tyler Biadasz, Dorance Armstrong, and Michael Gallup could be departing soon.

Dak Prescott had a new swagger about him on Monday. Making an appearance at a charity event, the Cowboys quarterback showed off a new look with a manicured goatee, and he also revealed that his long-awaited daughter has finally arrived. But the QB maintained his usual confidence that he and the club would come to an agreement about an extension this offseason. For what it’s worth, franchise icon Troy Aikman agreed.

Meanwhile, the team is preparing to say goodbye to some current players once free agency begins. Tyron Smith already has teams circling, Tyler Biadasz and Dorance Armstong are thought to be departing, and Michael Gallup is widely considered to be done in Dallas… though owner Jerry Jones wouldn’t bring himself to admit it. We’ll also look at the combine superstar sent to the Cowboys in a new mock draft, we’ll explore whether Cowboys Nation bit too hard on ownership’s “all-in” promise, and we’ll weigh the potential upside of a truly uncomfortable season for Dallas players and coaches. News and Notes, coming right up.

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Cowboys, Tyron Smith far apart on OT’s value, appear ready to part ways in free agency

Ian Rapoprt reports Tyron Smith is likely to leave the Cowboys in free agency marking an end of an era and bringing a new top need to Dallas. From @ReidDHanson

Tyron Smith, set to hit free agency for the first time in his illustrious career, is not expected to be back in Dallas in 2024, according to Ian Rapoport who called it the “end of an era.” The ninth-overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft had been mainstay at OT for the Cowboys from Day 1, but apparently the two sides have too much room between what each side sees as a reasonable deal for Smith to return.

From Tony Romo to Dak Prescott, Smith was charged with protecting the quarterback’s blindside. It was a job he didn’t take lightly, and a role not easily replaced.

In a free agent class that can accurately be described as paltry, at best, for the position, Smith will be a hot commodity to the many teams seeking upgrades at LT.

Smith’s reliability had become a concern in Dallas. Over the past four seasons the former All Pro had only averaged 7.5 regular season games per year. When he played, he was his usual dominant self. It just didn’t happen frequently enough.

In 2023 the Cowboys restructured Smith’s contract to reduce his base salary and free up cap space. His future with the Cowboys was in question up to that point and it allowed the veteran to stay aboard for another season. Smith rewarded them with a spectacular year, playing in 13 regular season games and ranking as one of the best LTs in the game, once again.

If Smith leaves the Cowboys as Rapoport suggests, Dallas will likely turn to internal options or the NFL draft to find a replacement. Internal OT prospects like Asim Richards, Matt Waletzko and Josh Ball are possible but moving Tyler Smith back to LT seems the most feasible.

Tyler Smith played LT at Tulsa and manned the post for the Cowboys during his rookie season in 2022. While he looked better as a LG in 2023, he was still one of the top performing rookie LTs in recent years and was on an impressive trajectory before he ultimately moved inside.

Speaking to reporters as the combine earlier in the week, Stephen Jones discussed Tyler Smith’s versatility between the two positions and instead of naming his ideal location for Smith, he left the matter somewhat open for discussion.

If the Cowboys decide to keep Tyler Smith at guard, they would likely turn to the draft to address LT. The 2024 NFL draft is rich in OT talent and an option or two is likely to slip to Dallas at Pick 24, or possibly even 56 if the Cowboys are willing to wait.

As mentioned earlier, free agency doesn’t offer many great options so the Cowboys will have to focus on internal options or the draft for real solutions. Luckily for them both avenues offer solutions.

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NFL is considering moving to an electronic first down system in 2025

The NFL could be saying goodbye to the chain system and saying hello to an electronic system to mark first downs in 2025:

In the 2025 season, the NFL could be measuring first downs electronically. This initiative is in its infancy, but the NFL is currently gauging how interested teams would be in implementing an electronic system. If the teams are interested, you could be saying goodbye to 10-yard metal chains as soon as 2025.

This electronic system’s usage would include first downs, sidelines and goal lines. In theory, this should provide a more accurate determination of if a player reached the line to gain for first downs and touchdowns. That same certainty should extend to reviewing a player possibly stepping out of bounds.

An interesting question is how will this new system change the responsibilities of the officials. Obviously, referees won’t be erased from the game. In these specific situations, though, it’s still unclear if they will spot the ball first or if the system will track the player’s movement. The latter seems the most likely in order to gain the most accurate results.

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Cowboys News: Trey Lance’s immediate future set, CeeDee’s clock ticking, Pollard’s Philly fit?

From @ToddBrock24f7: The Cowboys make a decision about their QB3, Lamb’s money may come before Dak’s, and gauging how Tony Pollard would fit in Philadelphia.

The combine rolls along, and we’ve got the latest updates on who Dallas has met with, as well as Will McClay’s revelations about exactly what he’s looking for on both sides of the ball, and what the team’s interest in one noted linebacker prospect might suggest about how they feel about another who’s already in the locker room.

Elsewhere, the Cowboys make a money decision regarding their quarterback… just not that one. We’ve got the Trey Lance news and what it means for Cooper Rush. We learned Thursday that Mike McCarthy is far from the only Dallas coach who’s in a prove-it year, we wonder if CeeDee Lamb’s contract situation deserves more urgency than Dak Prescott’s, and we come face-to-face with the notion of Tony Pollard as a Philadelphia Eagle. Plus, new technology could be coming to an NFL sideline near you, a key development in the two-year-old Jerry Jones paternity case, and why the Cowboys will never play their Washington rivals at FedEx Field again. All that and more in this edition of News and Notes.

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Cowboys News: Mazi’s Michigan stuff, Dallas hires another Commanders staffer

From @ToddBrock24f7: A TikToker buys a storage unit full of Smith’s gear, a defensive assistant joins the staff, could Jamal Adams finally come to the Cowboys?

The News and Notes have a decidedly defensive tone in this edition. From an embattled D-lineman who appears to have had a storage unit full of valuable personal belongings unearthed by an internet reseller to a new assistant hired away from an NFC East rival, and the longtime veteran DB once pursued by the star who may finally find his way there to the newly-revealed price tag for keeping the unit’s superstar in a fifth season, we’ll look at Mike Zimmer’s crew… as well as why he and head coach Mike McCarthy are skipping the biggest week of draft season.

Elsewhere, the Cowboys are tops in the NFL (again) in one of Jerry Jones’s favorite categories, Jake Ferguson puts the playoff loss in the rearview mirror, a former Cowboys staffer takes the reins of a new herd in the UFL, we explore what King Henry could bring to Cowboys Nation, and the franchise says a sad farewell to one of the heroes of its first generation.

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Cowboys News: Free agent frenzy, Complications with the Prescott contract

Free agent option swirl while complications with an extension for quarterback Dak Prescott are becoming apparent.

With February slowly coming to an end, March brings the NFL’s new league year in which free agents can cash in on crazy money that is likely to be thrown around. It is still to be determined what “All In” means, but there could be a scenario where the Cowboys can fill their needs, specifically on defense. Speaking of defense, it appears as if one current Cowboys may never see the field again. That opens the door for replacements that have experience with new Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

In other news, prospect projections are beginning to take form before the NFL scouting combine but how many draft-day trade scenarios could America’s Team be involved in? Speaking of trade options, could a Buffalo star make his way to Big D? Discussions about a big-name running back that could end up in Dallas make waves while another Cowboys player could see his tenure end with the team in this Friday edition of Cowboys News and Notes.

 

 

Cowboys News: Familiar free agents, Most valuable franchise in sports

Familiar free agents that could sign in Dallas along with franchise tag options. | From @ArmyChiefW3

The Cowboys will get every chance to prove they are “all in” once the new league year begins and free agents can choose where they want to go. A new system requires different players, so tracking down a few familiar names would be a great place to start the defensive overhaul. A mainstay from that side of the ball may not be able to return from a serious injury sustained last season.

The swing tackle position was infamously highlighted a few years back and fortifying the position has become a yearly item to check off the the list. Has the team found a long-term replacement? The franchise tag has been used often in Dallas lately but this year could break a surprising streak. Cowboys tight end Jason Ferguson discusses how he prepared for the 2023 season with the national media. A Cowboys big board, Jimmy Johnson saving the boys, a new addition to the staff, and a collection of guesses at who Dallas takes with their first pick round out this edition of Cowboys news and notes.

Cowboys News: Tag options, Pollard replacements, free agent fits

From @ToddBrock24f7: Did the Patriots just make the Cowboys’ decision on Tyron Smith easier? Plus free agent fits and a 7-round mock draft fills some big holes.

It’s the season for tea leaves in the NFL, when every move made by every front office causes a ripple of what-ifs for observers of every other team. We’re looking at running backs today, as two marquee names set to hit the open market are both seen as potential fits in Dallas. That assumes Tony Pollard is on his way out the door, which isn’t guaranteed… but it sure doesn’t look like the Cowboys are tagging anybody this year.

Meanwhile, we’re playing matchmaker with a crop of possible free agents, we’re scouring the draft class for good defensive fits and mock gems, and we’re deciphering what exactly Jimmy Johnson meant by his crack about being on the “advisory board.” All that, plus a look at how Mike McCarthy has built the analytics department in Big D, a former assistant gets a new gig in the AFC West, and which current Cowboys playmaker has been named a cut candidate by three different outlets? News and Notes, coming right up.

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Cowboys News: Tyron Smith wants to stay, Jimmy Johnson ‘back in the fold’ with team

From @ToddBrock24f7: Sources say the 8x-Pro Bowler wants a 14th season in Dallas; the Ring of Honor coach says he’s now on Jerry Jones’ advisory board.

One of the anchors of the Cowboys locker room apparently would prefer not to sail away quite yet. We’ve got the latest on what Tyron Smith’s thinking as he prepares to hit free agency. And in another massive homecoming, two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Jimmy Johnson says he’s “back in the fold” with the Cowboys. Find out what that means for the latest member of the Ring of Honor.

Elsewhere, we’re looking ahead to 2024 at some key positions- namely, what Eric Scott and Asim Richards can bring in their second seasons, what the tight end room might look like behind its new clear leader, and what Micah Parsons told the boss the defense needs. Also, one league analyst has a suggestion for giving the Cowboys a big piece of the puzzle… but what would they have to give up? All that, plus gauging the size of the Super Bowl window in Dallas, guesses on the final salary cap number, what Detroit is doing to make this year’s draft a safe and secure event, and football media members bid farewell to a much-loved one of their own.

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Cowboys lack of capital spent at DT continues to rear ugly head

A thin defensive tackle room with very little salary cap hits makes this group a candidate to be remade with proper investments. | From @ArmyChiefW3

While the Cowboys’ defensive end group takes up a large portion of salary cap space, the opposite can be said of the big boys inside. With a new defensive coordinator, the importance of having guys who can anchor and occupy both players and space is invaluable.

Dallas ranked 27th in the league in ESPN’s run-stop-win-rate, which takes several things into account such as disrupting the running lane, pushing blockers backwards, or recording a tackle within three yards of the line of scrimmage. The nuances of the game make it hard to calculate no matter how much we compartmentalize. A large collection of data is a good indicator that a player is executing his instructions but without knowing the called assignment, an interpretation can be tough. No matter how the team gauges prospects, bodies are needed at the position.