While still getting over the awful double-shot of Gerald McCoy news from Monday and Tuesday, there was plenty for Cowboys fans to feel good about on Wednesday, including a key reinforcement being officially added to the defensive line that McCoy just vacated.
Elsewhere, a franchise legend is still basking in his limelight moment, and the Dallas defense could be primed for quite a moment of its own. The team received word that the sidelines will be a little less colorful this season, and there’s talk of playoff teams moving to a bubble after the season. All that plus news about play calling, quarterback mentoring, linebacker shifting, turnover practicing, and opposing-passer ranking. Here’s the midweek News and Notes.
The strength of schedule for each NFL team based on opposing quarterbacks tiers :: The Athletic
Here’s a list where fans want to see their team near the bottom. The Cowboys are slated to face just one “Tier 1” quarterback, Russell Wilson, in 2020. Lamar Jackson, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan, and Carson Wentz are considered “Tier 2” opponents. The majority of the Dallas schedule- 10 games- will be played against quarterbacks in the weakest two tiers.
Mailbag: Still top-five potential on defense? :: The Mothership
In the latest edition of Mailbag, Cowboys writers David Helman and Rob Phillips do their best to answer fan questions. In this edition, they take their turns predicting who will replace Gerald McCoy at 3-tech and look at whether the Cowboys have a chance to be a top-five defense without him.
Cowboys activate Dontari Poe same day they say goodbye to McCoy :: Cowboys Wire
As the Cowboys received terrible news about Gerald McCoy, fellow defensive tackle Dontari Poe officially made his return from injury. The two play different positions along the defensive line, but Poe’s presence will nevertheless ease some of the burden left by McCoy’s absence.
#CowboysCamp practice #4 ✔️
📷 https://t.co/TTPBqlNFwh pic.twitter.com/BVaK0kNizG
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 19, 2020
2020 Preseason All-NFC East Team: Offense Skill Positions!
QB: Dak Prescott (DAL)
RB: Ezekiel Elliott (DAL), Saquon Barkley (NYG)
WR: Amari Cooper (DAL), Michael Gallup (DAL), Terry McLaurin (WAS)
TE: Zach Ertz (PHI), Evan Engram (NYG)
(per @JADubin5) pic.twitter.com/94lG99pQyO
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) August 19, 2020
No Cowboys cheerleaders in 2020 (bad), sideline reporters (ok), or Rowdy (awesome) :: Cowboys Wire
The sidelines at AT&T Stadium will look very different this season, with several longtime staples suddenly MIA due to the COVID-19 crisis. But there is a silver lining, as the eviction of one of the parties may portend a return to the Super Bowl if history repeats.
Dalton embracing mentor role in Cowboys QB room :: The Mothership
Snagging QB Andy Dalton was an excellent offseason move by Dallas. Easily now one of the best backups in the league, the veteran has experience and knowledge that he’s sharing with the Cowboys’ young quarterbacks.
Cowboys DC Mike Nolan on Mike McCarthy: “He does as good a job in front of the football team as any head coach I’ve ever been associated with, and I’ve been with a few Hall of Famers.”
(Video via the Dallas Cowboys) pic.twitter.com/SPRoRkpv13
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 19, 2020
Ezekiel Elliott on Cowboys in 2020: ‘We’re going to run the ball’ :: ESPN
There is a misconception surrounding Mike McCarthy that the former Green Bay head coach doesn’t like to run the ball. But McCarthy understands the back he has in Ezekiel Elliott, and the former two-time rushing champ expects the Cowboys to continue pounding the rock.
Why Drew Pearson belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame :: NFL.com
Drew Pearson isn’t in the Hall of Fame yet, and that’s a problem. The 1970s’ All-Decade wideout is overqualified for the achievement, with three first-team All-Pro selections and a Super Bowl win. Gil Brandt helps explain why Pearson should finally get the call in 2021.
McCarthy: Kellen Moore calling plays is ‘best decision’ for 2020 Cowboys :: Cowboys Wire
Mike McCarthy has turned over the big laminated menu to Kellen Moore. But he’s given up play-calling duties before… and then taken them back when things didn’t go so well.
Kellen Moore says one of the goals for August is to put the team in a few situations that feel like games. Not just for the players, but to help the coaches get a feel for how and where they want to function during games.
Curious to see what that'll look like.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) August 19, 2020
Leighton Vander Esch believes the Cowboys defense practices getting turnovers more now :: Blogging the Boys
A longstanding deficiency of the Cowboys seems to be getting extra attention under Mike McCarthy and Mike Nolan. The third-year linebacker reports that there is now a portion of each practice session dedicated to “punching, raking, hammers, all the stuff. Tackling and punching at the same time.”
Bucky Brooks: What the LB position switch means :: The Mothership
The analyst breaks down the recent shuffling of Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith, and explains why each player’s individual game should improve… and predicts the new roles could allow the Cowboys defense as a whole to become a blitzing nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Sean Payton raised the possibility of instituting a postseason bubble on the last competition committee call, per NFL's Troy Vincent. Vincent says all things are being considered. We'll see if this gains traction later on.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 19, 2020
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