There’s been an interesting changing of the guard when it comes to who is bringing the best insight into the machinations of the Dalals Cowboys machine. While the prior generation of beat writers and insiders still hold ridiculous value, there’s been an infusion of new blood offering intel on Jerry Jones’ empire. While veteran Todd Archer of ESPN is the flag bearer, the last several years has brought Cowboys Nation the phenomenal work of NFL Network’s Jane Slater, Dallas News’ Michael Gehlken, USA Today’s Jori Epstein and CBS’ Patrik Walker.
Walker, an alum of Cowboys Wire, checks in for this edition with one of the most succinct explorations of the Cowboys’ offseason plans. With Dak Prescott headlining 30 free agency decisions and with two tags at their disposal, Dallas has plenty of levers and triggers to plan out. Elsewhere, what to do with a pair of Cowboys legends that aren’t hanging up the gloves just yet? Three LSU prospects might catch Dallas’ eye on Day 1 of the draft, and see which former Cowboys coach is joining the reigning National Champions. All that and more, in this iteration of News and Notes.
Cowboys free agency 2020: Dallas aims for more years on Dak Prescott deal; prepared to tag Amari Cooper :: CBS Sports
Looking for an explanation of how one contract negotiation impacts the next? Walker navigates through reports from his sources to outline how wanting to sign Prescott before the trade deadline is not only about keeping him happy, but allowing Dallas to use one tag on Amari Cooper and then being able to make a decision if they have to between corner Byron Jones and DE Robert Quinn.
What about the chances of Dez Bryant returning? That’s covered too. If looking for a high-level view of the Dallas offseason plans, this is that article.
— KD
Local 2020 Prospects Eligible to Attend Dallas Cowboys “Dallas Day” :: Inside The Star
The NFL scouting combine is rapidly approaching at the end of the month and right on the heels of that will be Pro Days. After those have passed, teams are allowed to bring in up to 30 players on national visits, and then another selection of players can come in as a group.
Dallas will be allowed to host players from local colleges (TCU, SMU. North Texas) and high schools as part of a group visit and workout, affectionately known as Dallas Day.
This is a great way to gauge what the strategy is for the Cowboys once the NFL Draft rolls around in April. Staff writer Brian Martin dives into who the Cowboys could possibly bring to the facility to take a look at.
-ML
Cowboys roster breakdown: Cornerback has numbers – and one big issue :: Blogging the Boys
Their will need to be several decisions made when it comes to the cornerback position. The team’s top corner, Byron Jones, is set to be an unrestricted free agent next month.
The Cowboys have six corners under contract, however, only a few are proven at the pro level. This piece talks about who’s headed for free agency, the available corners on the open market, and the top draft possibilities in April.
-ML
How Mike McCarthy could lead Randall Cobb back to the Cowboys :: Touchdown Wire
New head coach Mike McCarthy and Randall Cobb are strangers to each other. Cobb played under McCarthy for eight years in Green Bay where he had his only All-Pro season in 2014. Ironically in that same season, Cobb tied his career-high in the playoffs with 116 yards in the infamous “Dez Caught It” game at Lambeau Field in the divisional playoffs vs the Cowboys.
Cobb is set to be an unrestricted free agent in March. Doug Farrar spent some time with Cobb and discusses his offseason training regiment and of course his familiarity with McCarthy.
-ML
McCarthy’s First Stand: How Cowboys HC will handle Lee, Bryant, Witten :: Cowboys Wire
Two elder statesmen, Sean Lee and Jason Witten are set to hit the open market in March when free agency kicks off. One legend hasn’t played in two seasons. Despite their productive careers with the organization, a decision will have to be made if either will be in the Cowboys plans going forward .
The decisions will be McCarthy’s first real statement as head coach, as these are players in previous years that would hardly have any roadblocks in coming back to an organization they’ve performed for, whether or not they were solid building blocks.
-ML
Freeze Tag: Cowboys hope to ink Prescott before franchise window invites chill :: Cowboys Wire
Dak Prescott wants a new deal, the Cowboys want to give him one, it’s just about getting the right figures together at this point. There is a bit of frustration on Prescott’s part, though, as he expressed during Super Bowl week.
Now, with free agency just around the corner, the Cowboys are more determined than ever to lock up their franchise signal-caller for the foreseeable future before the franchise tag deadline on March 10.
-ML
Opinion: Tom Brady to Dallas Cowboys? That’s a bad idea :: USA Today
There’s been a lot talk lately about the possibility of Tom Brady coming to the Cowboys. Considering Prescott is coming off his best season as a pro, this is somewhat of a head-scratching idea, especially when looking at the subpar season Brady had in New England in 2019, and that assessment is not only because of a lack of weapons.
Cowboys legend Michael Irvin said this past Friday that “some very significant people” told him that the organization was considering bringing Brady on board and moving on from Prescott. This piece breaks down why that idea isn’t a good one.
-ML
NFL 2020 Draft: Three LSU players that the Dallas Cowboys could target in the first round :: Blogging The Boys
After their great season it’s no surprise that LSU is dominating draft talk as well. Fresh off a National Championship the Tigers are sending a total of 16 players to the combine, a whopping five more than the next school. The LSU class is obviously headlined by quarterback Joe Burrow, but there are a few LSU defensive players that could be potential options at pick 17 for the Dallas Cowboys.
Safety Grant Delpit, cornerback Krisitan Fulton, and defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson were all huge parts of LSU’s championship season. They all three also happened to be projected to go in the middle of the first round of the draft, near where the Cowboys pick. Mike McCarthy and Mike Nolan have both drafted multiple players from LSU. Cowboys fans should get to know these names before April.
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–AH
LSU hires veteran NFL assistant Scott Linehan to replace Joe Brady as passing game coordinator :: CBSSports
It may feel like it’s been longer, but it has only been one year since Linehan was the offensive coordinator and play caller for the Cowboys. Linehan spent last season without a team while the Cowboys had a solid year offensively under new OC Kellen Moore.
Linehan is no longer without a team though, as he is now signed on to be the passing game coordinator at LSU, replacing Joe Brady, who helped the Tigers passing game break SEC and national records. Brady took his talents to the Carolina Panthers, joining their staff as the offensive coordinator.
–AH
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