Wednesday began as an off day for the Cowboys and ended as one of the more remarkable days in sports history. Sparked by the Milwaukee Bucks’ boycott of their Game 5 tilt against the Orlando Magic, the NBA scrapped all of the evening’s playoff action. Some MLB teams, MLS, and the WNBA joined in solidarity, announcing stoppages of their own in response to police brutality, racial injustice, and the recent shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. And just like that, American sports deservedly took a backseat once again.
How Wednesday night’s stance by so many athletes might continue and how it may eventually affect the NFL – and specifically for those hitting up this site, the Cowboys – is anyone’s guess. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll alluded to possible boycotts by an NFL squad just two weeks out from opening night. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, already under fire for seeming to waffle on how he’ll treat player protests, will undoubtedly face questions about the chances of boycotted games the next time he’s in front of a microphone.
There are obviously much more important topics du jour than who’s done what at training camp and who’s poised for a big 2020 season on the football field. But there was that, too. Here are the News and Notes.
Pete Carroll on players possibly refusing to take the field over social justice issues: ‘Anything’s possible’ :: ProFootballTalk
Following a mock game before which several Seattle players sat during the national anthem, the Seahawks coach discussed the shooting of Jacob Blake and acknowledged that 2020 is “the season of protesting.” With the Detroit Lions shutting down their practice on Tuesday and other sports leagues experiencing boycotts of Wednesday contests, Carroll’s comments indicate that a similar response by an NFL squad- maybe even on an upcoming gameday- is a distinct possibility.
Three bold predictions for Cowboys in 2020: Dak Prescott takes home MVP honors, Dallas ends Super Bowl drought :: CBS Sports
Patrik Walker of CBS Sports lays out not one, not two, but three lofty predictions for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys.
Risers and fallers: CeeDee Lamb, Greg Zuerlein among Cowboys impressing in camp :: The Athletic
With fewer practice sessions this year, players have a limited window in which to shine for the coaching staff. Jon Machota names five players who have impressed during training camp, and five players who haven’t done as much to help themselves.
Cowboys annual Blue-White scrimmage set for Sunday in front of no fans at AT&T :: Cowboys Wire
The fan-favorite event will be played in the team’s empty home stadium. Offense will take on defense this Sunday, presumably to be streamed to fans as the only opportunity to watch the team in real time before the Week 1 season opener.
Before he wore 88, who was @_CeeDeeThree?
You have to go back to where it all started in LAMB: PART 1 presented by @SleepNumber pic.twitter.com/q0TS4JJzJN
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 26, 2020
Fighting the Cowboys training camp hype is hard :: Blogging The Boys
CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, and several other young players are having good training camps so far, making it hard not to be overly excited about the 2020 edition of the Dallas Cowboys.
One-gap, two-gap, he’s back for more sacks: Cowboys’ Lawrence talks DL change :: Cowboys Wire
There’s been a ton of turnover along the defensive front in Dallas this offseason. But opposing offenses would be wise not to forget that DeMarcus Lawrence is still the unit’s centerpiece. “I’ll give you something very interesting to look at this whole season,” the two-time Pro Bowler says.
5 interesting developments from Cowboys training camp: Pair of D-linemen among top stories so far :: Dallas Morning News
John Owning discusses how Jaylon Smith is flourishing in coverage, how Trysten Hill is shedding the “bust” label, and how Aldon Smith doesn’t appear to have lost a step.
Xavier Woods not fazed by Earl Thomas talk :: The Mothership
Safety Xavier Woods is one of the multiple young defensive backs on this Cowboys team capable of having a breakout year. Woods wasn’t pleased to hear that the Cowboys might acquire Earl Thomas, but he’s using the whispers as motivation.
Cowboys QBs play a target game early each practice. Do Dak, Andy and Co. actually keep score?
"No they’re not competitive at all," QB coach Doug Nussmeier tells us, laughing. "They just went into the quarterback room and drew a big board up with their names. Tally it every day." pic.twitter.com/R0yuGG6vLN
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) August 26, 2020
McCoy taught Gallimore to ‘Trust the process’ :: The Mothership
Gerald McCoy wasn’t around his new Cowboys teammates for very long before a quad injury ruined his season. But it was long enough to make a lasting impact on rookie and fellow defensive lineman Neville Gallimore.
Top 3 NFL wide receivers by route: Michael Thomas reigns :: NFL.com
Nick Shook issues rankings on who’s the best in the league at each of eight different receiver routes. Michael Gallup earns accolades for his “in route” work, while Amari Cooper is highlighted for the slant route.
Joe Philbin: “Looking forward to coaching a lot of games in this stadium.Truth be told when I was in the 70’s when I was growing up, I’m dating myself a little bit, but I was a Dallas Cowboy fan in New England. So this is a thrill for me.”
— Brianna Dix (@DixBrianna) August 26, 2020
Stephen A. implores Jerry Jones to pick a side on anthem kneeling :: ESPN
Love him or loathe him, Stephen A. Smith always comes with his two cents, and the volume is always turned up to ten. On Wednesday, he aimed his soapbox squarely at the most visible and outspoken owner in the NFL.
[vertical-gallery id=653101]
[vertical-gallery id=652002]
[vertical-gallery id=650773]
[lawrence-newsletter]