Cowboys fans who have already mentally ceded the team’s top two linebacker spots to Micah Parsons and Keanu Neal aren’t alone in their optimism for the newcomers. But don’t give up completely on Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch quite yet. There’s statistical evidence that says- based on their years- their best days may be yet to come.
And after a bad-luck debut season, head coach Mike McCarthy likely deserves a do-over. But since he won’t get one, it’s fair to ask if he’s already on the hot seat as he oversees a talented team with superstars in their prime. Lots of looking ahead to Tampa, with Dak Prescott ready to rock and roll, Tyron Smith ditching his neck roll, and a rookie defender hoping to get on a roll against the Bucs. There’s concern about La’el Collins’s status for opening night, Week 1 uniform news, details on a Cowboys watch party, and a top-dollar subplot to the Prescott-versus-Brady matchup. All that and more, in News and Notes.