Two of the Cowboys’ biggest stars are lending their names in support of a bill aimed at ending a practice that shields police violence as the sports world continues to rally around the racial injustice issues of the day.
But the COVID-19 pandemic is still wreaking havoc with normality, and now the league may be talking about cutting the preseason in half as teams scramble to prepare for business as usual. Also, a Cowboys legend speaks about his unique legacy, a new Cowboys leader looks forward to the national spotlight (and beyond), and Dak Prescott tops a list that fans would rather not see him on at all. That’s all ahead in this edition of News and Notes.
Dak Prescott, Emmitt Smith among Dallas Cowboys stars seeking to end qualified immunity :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The team’s current starting quarterback and the league’s all-time leading rusher are among more than 1,400 current and retired athletes, coaches, GMs, and staffers from the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball who have signed a letter to Congress supporting a bill to end qualified immunity, which makes it difficult to sue police officers for brutality. Amari Cooper, Nate Newton, and DeMarcus Ware also lent their signatures.
NFL, NFLPA discussing possibility of shortened preseason :: NFL.com
“Nothing has been finalized or is near finalization, but multiple team executives informed of talks currently believe they could end up playing half of the typical preseason schedule, going from four games to two,” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The abbreviated preseason would allow for a longer ramp-up for players who have been unable to work with their teams due to stay-at-home restrictions.
No mention was made what would happen to the Hall of Fame game, which is scheduled ahead of the four-week preseason and features Dallas and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. If the first two weeks of the exhibition season are cancelled, having two teams play in a game three weeks prior to every other team makes little sense.
Richard Sherman calls out Jerry Jones, Dez Bryant defends Cowboys owner :: Cowboys Wire
Throughout the nationwide conversation about racial inequality in this country over the last week, the outspoken owner has been silent. 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman says that’s part of the problem, even as Dez Bryant defends his former employer.
Troy Aikman: My legacy was going to be about winning championships :: Blogging the Boys
The three-time Super Bowl champion joined former Dallas teammate Darren Woodson on his podcast to dispel the myth that his teams of the ’90s weren’t adept at throwing the ball, and how he knew that his career would be defined by league titles rather than passing titles. Aikman also touches on how he reached “a breaking point” and assumed he’d leave Dallas to play somewhere else.
The Real McCoy: DT provides solution Cowboys haven’t tried yet, proven talent :: Cowboys Wire
In CW’s daily countdown to the regular season, No. 93 Gerald McCoy enters the crosshairs. A complete profile on what he adds to Dallas and what the DL room looks like with his presence.
Mick Shots: Herding them around this McCoy :: The Mothership
Mickey Spagnola can’t wait for Gerald McCoy to get in the Cowboys locker room and start mentoring young defenders like Neville Gallimore and Trysten Hill. As for McCoy, he can’t wait to appear on national TV five times this season alone, after a grand total of four times over nine seasons with the Buccaneers.
Dallas Cowboys DT Gerald McCoy said Tuesday on @TheHerd that there are definitely benefits to being a Cowboy. pic.twitter.com/yRkNKwg2Id
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) June 9, 2020
The NFL’s 7 most likely holdout candidates entering 2020 season :: Bleacher Report
This isn’t a list Cowboys fans want to see any of their players’ names on. But no Cowboys fan who’s been near the internet so far this offseason will be the least bit shocked to see whose name is sitting at number one.
Happy 37th Birthday to Marion Barber III … From 2006-2007 he was a top 10 fantasy RB. Over that stretch, only LaDainian Tomlinson had more rushing TDs but I’ll never forget this: The Greatest 2 Yard Run in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/mhToQDSgGx
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) June 11, 2020
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