Category: News and Notes

Cowboys News: Diggs’ pivotal season, Joneses and McCarthy hold court at camp

Details from the Cowboys training camp press conference, players to watch in Oxnard and what’s next for the young defensive stars in Dallas. @CDBurnett7 delivers news and notes from Tuesday.

Dallas Cowboys 2022 training camp is officially kicking into gear. After another classic press conference for team owner Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones and Mike McCarthy, we have a closer look at their feelings before the players take the field in Oxnard.

Jerry Jones never wastes his opportunity in front of the mic and that held true on Tuesday, doubling down on the questionable offseason moves and stating the team is in a better place than it was a year ago. Jones admitted he knew that there would be turnover following 2021, because of contracts. So what does that all mean for Trevon Diggs, and is the corner deserving of a big deal after this season, especially if a big contract for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is also in play?

Coming off his Defensive Rookie of the Year season, McCarthy says Micah Parsons is leaner and still looking to improve, potentially earning the Defensive Player of the Year billing after earning second place in voting for 2021. Who will be the training camp MVP? What former Cowboy receiver could be making his return? These answers and more in the latest News and Notes.

Weekend News: Amari talks Lamb, helmet rankings, Diggs speaks out

While the Bengals are getting a quick taste of the Collins experience, the Cowboys are focused on getting CeeDee Lamb the ball. Right? | From @KDDrummondNFL

Sometimes it’s best to remain quiet, while other times it’s best to speak out. Cowboys corner Trevon Diggs believed the latter was in order as Madden rankings were revealed and he feels his exclusion from the top-CB list had to do with a fake stat. Meanwhile former Dallas wideout Amari Cooper spoke out as well, but in support of his former teammate CeeDee Lamb. Coop spoke of Lamb’s readiness to take on the No. 1 WR mantle, and also threw a shot at his former OC.

Meanwhile the offensive line is in the headline again as Zack Martin gets top-10-across-the-league kudos and ESPN thinks the group is the team’s strong point heading into 2022. There’s nothing more footballish than looking down the line of scrimmage and seeing five OL helmets in unison, and for one game this year the Cowboys will don throwback skull protectors. How snazzy are they? Alternate helmet rankings are here. Dive into the weekend’s news and notes.

News and Notes: Just how good are the Cowboys’ weapons in 2022?

Expectations around WR, brewing battle at RB and the return of a classic uni. @CDBurnett7 gathers the latest including their rank in skill position across the NFL.

Fans can rejoice, the Thanksgiving throwbacks are making a return for the 2022 season with the new helmet rules that allow the Cowboys to don the white helmets yet again.

With time running out for fresh faces to join the campaign, Dallas should look to add support to the offensive weapons and the trenches on the other side of the ball. The most intriguing conversation may be what’s next at receiver. CeeDee Lamb is the clear No. 1 but new talents like Jalen Tolbert and James Washington are wild cards. Add in waiting for Michael Gallup’s return and it could be a big worry early in the season.

The 2019 class is entering their contract year and running back Tony Pollard likely isn’t the only running back trying to prove themselves. Ezekiel Elliott is facing more criticism than ever and Pollard’s drive to earn big money presents a situation that could pay dividends for both.

On the defensive side, Cowboys staff writers debate where linebacker Micah Parsons will line up the most in 2022. The answers to this and more in the latest news and notes.

Cowboys unveil throwback white helmet to be worn vs. Giants on Thanksgiving

The Cowboys are bringing back their old-school white helmet, wearing it with their classic Thanksgiving throwback uniform

The Dallas Cowboys are joining the alternate helmet fun. On Thursday, the Cowboys announced they will wear their classic white helmet on Thanksgiving against the New York Giants. They’ll pair this sleek-looking helmet with their throwback uniforms, which they used to wear every year on Thanksgiving.

This is all possible thanks to the NFL’s change to its rule on helmets, no longer requiring teams to wear one shell. Teams can now wear alternate helmets, and they’re taking full advantage: The Saints, Falcons, Texans and Patriots are among the teams that have already introduced secondary helmets for the upcoming season.

“We’re beyond excited to bring back our throwback white helmets this season,” said Dallas Cowboys Chief Brand Officer Charlotte Jones. “The white helmet, along with the throwback uniforms honoring our teams from the 1960s, have long been a fan favorite, and we’re thrilled to bring back the tradition of wearing those helmets and uniforms on Thanksgiving Day once again.”

As Todd Archer noted, this will be the first time since 2012 that the Cowboys are wearing their classic Thanksgiving uniforms.

Cowboys News: Tolbert vs Gallup’s ghost, training camp ones to watch

Can the new 3rd-round receiver match 2018’s version of himself’s production? How to best use Elliott and Pollard and much more. | From @CDBurnett7

Oxnard is around the corner for the Cowboys and there’s a list of players to focus on for a multitude of reasons. Among them are sophomores looking to make the jump, defensive tackle Trysten Hill possibly entering his last chance in Dallas and many more.

Looking forward with tight end Dalton Schultz, is there still hope for a long-term deal with the Cowboys next summer? On top of that, is he the best tight end in the NFC East?

Regarding the pair of Dallas running backs, can offensive coordinator Kellen Moore finally find the perfect balance between Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard to make the offense most efficient?

For the defense, this may be the most depth the secondary has seen since 2016, with continuity all around. This sparks a conversation as a whole, will the Cowboys defense be more reliable than the offense in 2022?

Find the answers to these questions and more in the latest News and Notes.

Weekend News: Cowboys, Schultz can’t agree, Prescott CPOE, backup OT battle

A look at some news items as training camp draws closer.

Until he wins big in the playoffs, Dak Prescott’s place among NFL quarterbacks will remain to be a hotly debated subject. Objectively though, he keeps finding himself ranking highly, including in the latest look back at the 2021 campaign. While he lost two of his top targets in Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson, Prescott will still have CeeDee Lamb and, at least for one more year, TE Dalton Schultz.

The franchise tag extension deadline came and went without a long-term deal, so Schultz is currently only on the books for 2022 though. How will things look for the passing offense in training camp? A look at what is ahead for the club when they go to Oxnard. All this and more in the latest news and notes.

Cowboys News: Longhorn LB replaces Hard Knocks star on roster ahead of camp

2022 predictions for Cowboys cornerbacks, a boost to the linebackers and how Dalton Schultz’s Dallas tenure may not be coming to a close. | From @CDBurnett7

The Cowboys finally made a move to address linebacker depth. Even if it’s not a flashy signing, Dallas brought in former Texas Longhorn Malik Jefferson to boost the position. With deadline for tight end Dalton Schultz and the Cowboys to come to a long-term agreement on Friday, it seems he will play the 2022 season on the franchise tag. Even then, this might not be his last season in Dallas. See where the rising tight end stacks up in ESPN’s rankings as well.

Looking at the cornerback position, can Nahshon Wright earn playing time at a position that saw little personnel change heading into 2022? Will Trevon Diggs maintain the interception numbers or will he mimic his style from the end of last season with more lockdown coverage? The answers to this and more in the latest News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Prescott’s figure, Pollard figures, can Tyler deliver?

Boom or bust players for 2022 training camp, more Sean Payton rumors and potential first-time Pro Bowlers in Dallas. | From @CDBurnett7

With training camp around the corner, there’s still a lot to figure out with the 2022 Dallas Cowboys. After staying quiet in big moments during free agency, the Joneses relied on their scouts and they’ll need a big boost from their rookies in camp to turn decisions into wins. Offensive lineman Tyler Smith enters the spotlight as a raw prospect with Hall of Fame talent around him to learn. Will he step up into a big role or will it be an underwhelming rookie campaign?

Beyond the new blood, there’s a growing list of veteran players in Dallas who could be taking the next step or sliding down the depth chart. Running back Tony Pollard has been on the cusp of stardom alongside Ezekiel Elliott, and it could finally be his year to show off his efficiency numbers at a higher usage rate. On the other side of things, can tight end Dalton Schultz turn his production into his first career Pro Bowl? How does the Cowboys’ 2018 draft class stack up? Who needs to have a big training camp? This and more inthe latest News and Notes.

Cowboys Weekend News: Prescott’s rank, Tolbert or Washington debate, club signs new LB

People who really know really respect what Prescott brings, plus a talk about who his favorite new weapon will be. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys have some work to do to wash off the malaise the fanbase feels after the past offseason. Fortunately, it’s the work they prepare themselves for anyway. Winning will cure all, and if the Cowboys can start 2022 in similar fashion to 2021 then all will be quickly forgiven. That starts with the play of their signal caller, Dak Prescott, who was recently ranked right outside the top 5 of NFL quarterbacks.

Depth will also be an issue, though a random pre-camp linebacker signing is most likely not going to make any substantial waves. The depth at WR is paramount though, with a good talk about why rookie Jalen Tolbert may already be good enough to be in the rotation ahead of veteran FA James Washington. Add in the ability to watch games, Hall of Fame process and much more to the latest news and notes gumbo.

Cowboys News: Is Parsons NFL’s best LB? What positions still need help

Why the Cowboys can repeat as division champs, Micah Parsons’ speed on display again and how Dallas lowballed Von Miller in free agency. | From @CDBurnett7

The Micah Parsons legend continues to grow. The Cowboys star linebacker once again showed off his impressive speed, dusting more NFL players after winning the fastest man competition during Pro Bowl weekend. While his speed might top the list, is he the best off-ball linebacker in the NFL or does Darius Leonard still hold the top spot?

Fellow linebacker Von Miller was looking towards a deal with Dallas early in the free agency cycle but it ended in disappointment for the Cowboys. New reports confirm Dallas offered Miller $51 million total less than the Bills.

After a season where Greg Zuerlein made fans bite their nails during every kick, can rookie kicker Jonathan Garibay allow the Cowboys to sit back without worry during field goal attempts?

Looking at the NFC East as a whole, Dallas and Philadelphia dominate the offensive talent and it suggests those two finishing at the top of the division in 2022. Can the Cowboys break the 18-year curse of no repeat champions? This and more in the latest News and Notes.