Tag: Amari Cooper

Cowboys News: McCarthy snaps, linebacker traps, most important stats

The Cowboy injury report, quotes from Mike McCarthy, and an opponent preview, as the Falcons are coming to Dallas in just a few short days.

The Dallas Cowboys have to quickly shake off a disappointing Week 1 performance, as Julio Jones and the Atlanta Falcons come to Dallas Sunday. Tyron Smith didn’t practice Thursday, and the last time Smith missed a game against the Falcons it cost Dallas the game. Luckily for Dallas, both Smith and star wideout Amari Cooper figure to take the field in full on Sunday.

There were positives and negatives to pull from the Cowboys season opener. Injuries to key starters mean the Cowboys will need a handful of players to step up in the absence of their teammates. Aldon Smith looked like the player he once was, a great sign for Dallas. Trevon Diggs impressed with his skills and athleticism. The Cowboys offense left fans wondering where the creative Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy we were all ready for went. Dallas has a chance to prove themselves against a less than stellar Falcons defense in Week 2.

Cowboys Mike McCarthy speaks to presnap motion, DBs Diggs, Lewis :: Cowboys Wire

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media Thursday. The Cowboys lack of pre-snap motion was a topic of concern. The Cowboys’ young secondary’s performance, specifically Trevon Diggs, was a positive point for McCarthy and company.

Injuries Force Cowboys To Regroup At Linebacker :: The Mothership

Linebacker quickly changed from a strength for the Dallas Cowboys, to one of the most pressing weaknesses on the whole team. Without signal callers Leighton Vander Esch and Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith and Joe Thomas must step up like never before.

The most important Week 2 stat for each NFC East team: Cowboys’ is 41.7% :: Cowboys Wire

The NFC East week in stats is back. Regardless of team allegiance, be sure to click through to become a smarter football fan and learn why the Cowboys early-down passing numbers have a pattern under Kellen Moore.

Writer’s Blocks: Sometimes, Overreacting Is OK :: The Mothership

Cowboys staff writer David Helman delivers his most important observations of the Cowboys Week 1 game, and how he feels about the team moving forward.

Cowboys’ Smith misses practice with neck injury, Cooper limited ahead of Falcons :: Cowboys Wire

The Cowboys released their injury report Thursday. Tyron Smith and Amari Cooper were late-week additions who should have their status monitored until Sunday.

Cowboys’ Dak Prescott Says Having Fans at Home Opener Will Make ‘Big Difference’ :: Bleacher Report

Very few Week 1 NFL games were played with fans in attendance. The Cowboys Sunday afternoon showdown with the Falcons will have 25% capacity of fans, and Dak Prescott is excited to be able to play in front of the Cowboy faithful again.

Breaking down Aldon Smith’s Cowboys debut: ‘This guy might end up with 15 sacks’ :: The Athletic (paywall)

The star of Aldon Smith burned brighter than maybe anyone’s on Sunday night, and he hadn’t played in an NFL game since 2015. For those with an Athletic subscription here’s a look at his game in its entirety.

For those without, here’s his big plays cutup on Twitter.

Dallas Cowboys Week 2 opponent preview: Atlanta Falcons :: Blogging the Boys

Terence Watson of Blogging the Boys breaks down everything you need to know about the Cowboys Week 2 opponent, the Atlanta Falcons.

Cowboys Week 2 Player Power Rankings: LBs shuffle, couple guys duffled :: Cowboys Wire

KD Drummond’s player power rankings have some movers and shakers. Aldon Smith finds himself in the top 10, though he only had to climb three spots while another defender had the most precipitous drop of all. Click through to see the full list.

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Cowboys’ Smith misses practice with neck injury, Cooper limited ahead of Falcons

The Dallas Cowboys Thursday injury report has two huge names, Amari Cooper and Tyron Smith, to monitor as the Falcons game gets closer.

The Dallas Cowboys injuries are quickly starting to pile up and if fans are experiencing post-traumatic stress issues based on the last time Dak Prescott played the Atlanta Falcons without his left tackle, no one would blame them.

The team released their official injury report for Thursday practice, and there were a few important names to monitor as the Cowboys home opener against the Falcons draws near. Tyron Smith missed practice with a neck injury and Amari Cooper was limited with a foot injury.

The left tackle appeared on his first injury report of the season. The veteran was held out of action Thursday, and Smith has battled neck and back injuries for the majority of the recent seasons.

Players with Smith’s tenure are often given Thursdays off as rest days, but it is still discouraging to see Smith’s neck bothering him so early into the new season.

Smith missed the game against the Falcons in 2017, which turned into the infamous Chaz Green debacle. Green, Smith’s replacement at left tackle, turned in a dreadful performance allowing a Falcons-record six sacks to Adrian Clayborn.

It goes without saying that Smith’s absence would be potentially game changing, and his health will be monitored closely.

Joining Smith on the report is fellow Cowboy All-Pro Cooper.

Cooper manged to get in a limited practice on Thursday with a foot injury. Cooper dealt with both foot and knee issues a year ago, and his production has takena dip when he’s played through injuries in the past in Dallas.

The Cowboys will need their most dynamic wide receiver as they attempt to keep pace with the Falcons high-flying offense.

Fortunately, hopefully, NFL Network’s Jane Slater says neither is currently in danger of outright missing the contest.

Defensive end and new star Aldon Smith was another notable absence from practice, but his is excused as it was a trip to the dentist that held Smith out Thursday, and he should be back with the team on Friday.

There was a bit of positive news, as Jourdan Lewis was a full participant Thursday. The slot cornerback missed the season opener in Los Angeles with an ankle injury, but it appears he’s a go for Week 2.

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The Cowboys lost starting tight-end Blake Jarwin for the season with a torn ACL last Sunday. Leightom Vander Esch fractured his clavicle, requiring surgery. Vander Esch is due back in 6-8 weeks, landing him on the IR with La’el Collins and Sean Lee.

Jane Slater, Cowboys reporter for NFL Network, noted that the team isn’t concerned with the health of Tyron Smith and Amari Cooper, and that both are on pace to be available for Sunday.

Even if Cooper and Smith’s absence from a full practice was just preventive or rest, the Cowboys can’t be pleased with number of high-level contributors already set to miss time this season.

Cowboys News: Why Dak isn’t signed, bold predictions, matchup to watch

Learn everything you need to about the Cowboys season opener, why the Cowboys restructured DeMarcus Lawrence’s contract, and much more.

Dak Prescott showed incredible courage when he spoke out about his emotional struggles following the passing of his brother. The sports world, including Jerry Jones, Mike McCarthy, and Stephen Jones, all voiced their support for the valiant Cowboys star. The Cowboys may not have been able to come to terms on an new deal with Prescott this off season, but Dallas has restructured a number of deals recently in order to clear space to eventually extend their franchise signal caller.

Dallas opens their season with a highly anticipated match-up with the Los Angeles Rams. It’s the first ever game at the Rams state of the art SoFi Stadium, and who better to crash the welcome party than the Cowboys. Beolw is everything you need to know about the Sunday night showdown, including weather conditions, key match ups, and a total preview.

Stephen Jones Explains Why Dak Isn’t Signed :: The Mothership

Stephen Jones provides more insight to the Dak Prescott contract negotiations, and explains why he believes the franchise QB is playing on the franchise tag this ear. The Jones family has done everything they can, except for give him his desired contract this off season, to let Prescott know they support him and want him in Dallas for a long time to come.

Film room: 3 bold predictions for Cowboys-Rams, including a big night for TE Blake Jarwin :: Dallas Morning News

The incomparable John Owning sets his sights on the Week 1 matchup, and picks a few things folks might not expect to happen. Where the Cowboys’ newest edge rushers get their sacks from is an interesting call.

Joe Noteboom and Austin Corbett make up a below-average combo at the guard spots and starting center Austin Blythe isn’t any better, so Dallas would be wise to scheme up some opportunities for its talented pass rushers against the Rams’ interior O-line.

The path of least resistance to generate pressure on quarterback Jared Goff is up the middle. If I know that, you can be sure that defensive coordinator Mike Nolan does, too. I expect to see Griffen and Smith spend some time rushing through A- or B-gaps, where they should be effective.

Burst Rounds: Cowboys fire 3rd bullet, extend DeMarcus Lawrence for cap space :: Cowboys Wire

The Dallas Cowboys used a contract clause to restructure DeMarcus Lawrence’s contract and free up over $10 million this year. While the Cowboys could make another big signing this year, many believe these recent cap conscious moves by Dallas are helping them create space for the Dak Prescott contract that seemingly awaits him in the off season.

Cowboys Friday Preview Riffing: A trip to Los Angeles kicks off the new season :: The Athletic

Another living legend, Bob Sturm lends his analysis to the opening game, including this tidbit of the matchup to watch; Dallas OC vs Rams DC.

I am really interested in so many things beyond the specific matchups here because there will be significant expectations on the Cowboys’ offense from a macro level. But keep in mind that Week 1 presents a stiff road opponent, so attempt to remain pragmatic about this situation and know this will be dipping your toe in the water against a team with two elite defenders. It is not the worst plan to slowly work your way into how you deal with a team that hasn’t been known to play too much man or blitz overly often. That said, we aren’t dealing with Wade Phillips anymore.

I suspect Kellen Moore wants to get back to establishing a married run attack with a play-action game behind it. So you pound Zeke into the line a bit to get that eighth man in the box (the Rams sat in Cover 3 plenty in 2019) and the new linebackers fired up to get their run fits, which then gives you an opportunity to use your matchups in the passing game to really be decisive. I like the aerial matchups for Dallas if the protection can hold up, and that is best done in this game with play-action on early downs.

Cowboys at Rams: Preview, prediction, key matchups, how to watch, stream ‘Sunday Night Football’ in Week 1 :: CBS Sports

Jared Dubin of CBS Sports’ brings you everything you need to know ahead of the Cowboys season opener. This article includes how to watch the Cowboys and Rams on Sunday, and an extended preview of the game.

Behind the Line: Griffen-Whitworth is Key Matchup :: The Mothership

NFL analyst Bucky Brooks revealed his key to the Cowboys-Rams game. Brooks believes that the battle between two former Pro-Bowl players, Everson Griffen and Andrew Whitworth, will ultimately set the tone for the night.

Cowboys’ Amari Cooper feels good, ready for ‘exciting’ battle with Jalen Ramsey :: Cowboys Wire

Despite some practices with limited participation, wide receiever Amari Cooper is a full go for Sunday night’s showdown with the Rams. Learn more about what Cooper had to say about his health, his matchup with Jalen Ramsey, the Cowboys rookies, and more.

Mike McCarthy: ‘I support’ Dak Prescott’s bravery, honesty :: NFL Network

One of the many voices to come out in support of Dak Prescott was his head coach Mike McCarthy. Hear exactly what McCarthy had to say about his quarterbacks recent statements.

Mailbag: Should We Be Excited About Hill, Diggs? :: The Mothership

In the latest edition of Mailbag, Cowboys staff writers David Helman and Nick Eatman do their best to answer fan questions. Questions this time revolve around how real the hype surrounding Trysten Hill and CeeDee Lamb should be, and will it take the majority of teams a few weeks to workout the kinks without a preseason?

Cowboys’ Dak Prescott: ‘Being a leader is about being genuine and being real’ :: Cowboys Wire

Dak Prescott spoke out recently about his emotions following his brothers death. The vulnerability Prescott showed is rare among men these days, but it shouldn’t be. Our own Todd Brock digs into how Prescott’s willingness to open up, and explains how it is just another aspect of his unteachable leadership.

Rams-Cowboys not expected to be affected by air quality from wildfires :: Rams Wire

You may have seen the recent photos of the orange California sky that look like they’re straight of a post-apocalyptic movie. These conditions are due to massive wildfires damaging air quality, but it doesn’t look like it will impact the Cowboys and Rams on Sunday.

 

Cowboys’ Amari Cooper feels good, ready for ‘exciting’ battle with Jalen Ramsey

The Cowboys WR has been held out of several practices recently, but says he’s ready for Sunday’s season opener at Los Angeles.

Anticipation and expectations are through the roof for the Cowboys wide receiving corps as the 2020 season begins. Jerry Jones has called the triumvirate of Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb the most talented threesome of pass-catchers the club has ever had under his tenure as team owner.

But as quarterback Dak Prescott looks to build on career-best numbers in 2019 and Cowboys fans dream of Team Fortyburger shorting out scoreboards for the next 17 weeks (and hopefully longer), the understated WR1 of the bunch kept things matter-of-fact, as always.

“I like what we’re doing on offense,” Cooper said plainly on Thursday.

The four-time Pro Bowler may have been reluctant to compare this season’s offense to last season’s iteration, but one thing Cooper hopes is different is his health. The Alabama alum played through something last year. Though he made it on the field in all 16 games and racked up over 1,100 yards, Cooper had all kinds of lower body ailments listed next to his name at various points in 2019: heel bruise, plantar fasciitis, twisted ankle, thigh bruise.

It was clear to nearly everyone that there were times when Cooper was less than 100%. So it was with no small amount of breath-holding that fans learned Cooper had been held out of most team work over the past two weeks, working with trainers and using resistance bands on the sideline.

But the former Raider says he’ll be ready come Sunday’s season opener in Los Angeles.

“I feel good,” Cooper said after Thursday’s practice, per the team website. “I’ve been able to become a full participant the last couple of practices and I’ve been able to do everything, so I feel really good going into the game.”

He says this latest hamstring issue comes with the job description.

“It’s not frustrating at all; it’s football,” the 26-year-old said. “When you’ve been playing football as long as I have, you realize that it’s all a part of the game. It’s not about not getting hurt or not getting nicked. It’s about how you deal with them, come back from them, or play through it.”

In Week 1, Cooper’s hamstring (both of them, actually) will be tested against Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The three-time Pro Bowler is fresh off signing a five-year contract extension worth $105 million, the largest ever at the position.

Cooper says he’s looking forward to making Ramsey earn his paycheck on Sunday night.

“It’s always exciting to go against a top corner or one considered to be one of the best in the league. I think he’s a real good player. He has all the intangible assets that you would want in a cornerback: fast, long, can cover, has good ball skills. It’s always a challenge, but exciting at the same time.”

Cooper has a newly-signed contract of his own. He and the Cowboys agreed on a five-year deal in March, but he says he doesn’t feel any added pressure now that he’s a $100 million man.

“I just go out there and play my game,” Cooper explained. “The reason that I feel that I was extended was because I’ve just been playing the way that Amari Cooper plays. So if that was the reason I was extended, then it’s nothing for me to just go out there and continue playing the way that I play.

“I try to epitomize the wide receiver position, and I think, at it’s core, it’s just getting open, getting separation, making the throw easier for the quarterback. And that’s what I try to do with every route that I run. I try to create as much separation as I possibly can.”

Some of that separation, at least in practice, has been trickier than in years past. That’s because the team’s second-round draft pick, Trevon Diggs, has been honing his coverage skills against Cooper.

And Cooper has been impressed.

“He looks real good. Real impressive rookie, especially for a cornerback. I think that’s one of the hardest positions to transition to when you come from college to the NFL. As a cornerback in college, you can be a great player and not necessarily have all the tools needed to be a good NFL corner. But from what he’s been showing in practice, he made that transition look real easy, and he’s been a tough matchup for us at receiver.”

Cooper says the rookie DB clearly has some of the same pass-catching DNA as his brother Stefon, wide receiver for the Bills.

“I think a lot of times when a cornerback has some type of ball skills, they just don’t inherit those ball skills. You practice with the ball a lot, and that usually comes from playing offense. I can tell you he’s played some receiver growing up, and I think it does help him, because he’s able to recognize routes, and he’s able to feel like when somebody is going to break in and somebody is going to break out, because he’s played the position. It’s going to help him a lot, it really is.”

Cooper may be forecasting big things for Diggs, but when asked about the prognosis of the Cooper/Gallup/Lamb triple threat, he kept any predictions to himself.

“I think we have a lot of potential. The stuff we’ve been putting on tape in practice is impressive. Just excited about actually going out and putting it on tape in games and seeing that potential come to life.”

Just last month, Cooper talked about the potential for all three receivers to top 1,000 yards in 2020.

For the team’s resident chess champ, Sunday will mark the first moves toward that endgame.

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Cowboys News: How to bet your Cowboys, what will Dallas do at RT?

A positive injury update, a prop betting breakdown, a 2020 preview, and other news and notes as the NFL season kicks off.

The long awaited return of professional football is finally here. There were points this off season where an NFL season seemed improbable, but the Chiefs and Texans get it all started tonight. The Cowboys began their 2020 just three short days later, in the SoFi stadium opener against the LA Rams.

La’el Collins and Sean Lee may be out for the Rams opener, but other than that, the Cowboys are relatively healthy. Mike McCarthy just confirmed the positive status of Amari Cooper and two starting secondary members. Replacing Collins will be a challenge, but McCarthy is ready to try whoever it takes to get the job done. Sunday will mark a return to Los Angeles for Cowboys special teams coach, and kicker Greg Zuerlein. The new coaching staff is bringing energy to the Cowboys. Plus, a prop betting breakdown involving all your favorite Cowboys stars.

Season 5 Episode 2 Podcast (Mini Episode) :: Catch This Fade!

Listen to K.D. and Patrik break down two important topics in a free sample of Catch This Fade!, the new two-episode-per-week subscription podcast.

Breaking down the salary cap and getting very personal about the struggles of mental health wellness and what Dak Prescott revealed to the world this week. It’s a must listen.

You can listen to the entire episode, here their season predictions, watch the video feed of the shows with behind-the-scenes looks and bonus content if you subscribe at patreon.com/CatchThisFade.

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott on why he opened up on depression, brother’s suicide: ‘Being a leader is about being genuine’ :: USA Today

Jori Epstein breaks down Prescott’s comments with the Graham Bensinger in further detail.

Cowboys Wire Podcast: Preview Week 1 vs Rams :: Cowboys Wire

Jared Goff vs Dak Prescott: is it still a debate? Why are Cowboys fans obsessed with the practice squad? Are you taking the over at 52?! | Join K.D. and Ryan Leary as they discuss on the latest episode.

McCarthy looking at ‘All Combinations’ at RT :: The Mothership

The Cowboys will be without right tackle La’el Collins for their season opener against the Rams and the following two matchups as the Pro-Bowl player is on injured reserve. The head coach hates to reveal important information, but he did note the team was willing to try out “all combinations” to fill Collins’ spot. The recently signed Cam Erving and second-year player Brandon Knight should get the first crack at the position.

Injury Report: 3 major Cowboys appear ready to suit up Sunday vs Rams :: Cowboys Wire

The Cowboys may be without Collins Week 1, but the team got some good news about three other starters. Mike McCarthy is confident Xavier Woods, Amari Cooper, and Chidobe Awuzie can all be full participants Sunday night.

Fassel Returns To LA; Confident In Kicker & Punter :: The Mothership

Special teams coach John Fassel was brought to Dallas to improve the Cowboys efficiency in the third phase of football. Fassel spoke this week about his thoughts on the Cowboys special teams outlook, bringing kicker Greg Zuerlein to Dallas, and how it feels to be laying against his old club, the Rams.

Cowboys 20202 Prop Bet Manifesto: Where you should let it ride :: Cowboys Wire

Sports gambling is one of the fastest growing industries in America. You can even bet on the stats of all your favorite Dallas Cowboys. Tony Thompson breaks down which prop bets are too good to be true, and which you should probably avoid.

Writer’s Blocks: Learning To Embrace The Hype :: The Mothership

Cowboys staff write David Helman discusses multiple topics regarding this upcoming Cowboys season. Helman touches on the lofty expectations on the team, situation at safety, Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott coexisting, and much more.

NFL 2020 QB Power Rankings: Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott crack top five to begin season :: CBS Sports

Another ranking, this time by CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, that features Dak Prescott as a top-5 quarterback. Prescott broke out last year, thus garnering him more off-season hype than ever before. Prescott has all the talent, and surround weapons, to climb even higher on this list a year from now.

The case for all 32 NFL teams to make Super Bowl LV in the 2020 season, from the Jags to Chiefs :: ESPN

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell tries to make a case for every teams Super Bowl chances. Barnwell ranks Dallas as the fifth most likely to reach the pinnacle, and compares the Cowboys to the 2016 Falcons that rode their high-scoring offense all the way into the Super Bowl.

Brad Sham: Cowboys coaching staff has ‘infused some energy’ into the team :: NFL Network

Cowboys play-by-play announcer sits down with NFL Network to discuss how announcing will work during the pandemic, the Cowboys 2020 season, and how the new coaching staff has energized the building.

Mailbag: Forgotten About Defenders? :: The Mothership

In the latest edition of Mailbag, Cowboys writers David Helman and Nick Eatman do their best to answer two fan questions. Helman and Eatman believe that Darian Thompson  ad Everson Griffen are the two best dfenders who are flying under-the-radar, and that CeeDee Lamb will dabble in returning punts this season.

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Injury Report: 3 major Cowboys appear ready to suit up Sunday vs Rams

The Cowboys got some good news with the health updates of Amari Cooper, Xavier Woods, and Chidobe Awuzie.

The Dallas Cowboys kick off the 2020 season in just three days. The Los Angeles Rams are a formidable opponent, and the Cowboys will need all hands on deck to stick the Rams with a loss in their season opener.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy held a virtual press conference Thursday, and the media wasted no time asking about the health status of three Dallas starters; wide receive Amari Cooper, safety Xavier Woods, and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie.

McCarthy noted all three starters shouldn’t have any issues with a full dose of reps on Sunday. McCarthy’s exact statement on the trio:

“I felt really good about their work yesterday. They’re scheduled to do more today [Thursday], so I think all three of those guys are on schedule to play in a full capacity this week.”

Cooper had been sidelined for the majority of practices the last two week, usually found working with resistance cords off to the side. While it was Cooper’s hamstring that was causing the limited practice status, the team said they were just being preventative and Cooper playing Week 1 always seemed likely. Cooper should see plenty of snaps matched up against fellow Pro-Bowler and freshly paid cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Woods injured his groin during the Cowboys’ broadcast practice last weekend. Owner Jerry Jones said Woods will be good to go, but McCarthy wasn’t quite ready to make that distinction, until now. The Cowboys have had chances to make a splash signing or draft pick at safety, but the resilience to do so shows great confidence in Woods, who has started 33 games in his three seasons.

Awuzie began participating in individual drills a week ago, but returned to full practice Wednesday after an undisclosed leg injury held him out of multiple camp practices.

Awuzie’s status update is timely news for the Cowboys secondary that may be without Jourdan Lewis Week 1.

Lewis has not participated in practice this week and despite not landing on IR to open the season, may be a long shot to suit up. Second-round pick Trevon Diggs is expected to start opposite Anthony Brown as the teams top cornerbacks entering the Week 1 matchup with the Rams. Awuzie and free-agent Daryl Worley would be in line for snaps behind them, with Worley most likely taking slot duties as Diggs and Awuzie have practiced on the same side through camp.

The Cowboys are also going to be without right tackle La’el Collins and linebacker Sean Lee (both placed on the IR) as they travel to Los Angeles for the opening of the new SoFi Stadium.

Cowboys 20202 Prop Bet Manifesto: Where you should let it ride

Degenerate gamblers unite. The NFL season is nigh, and with it comes a cornucopia of ways to diversify a budding portfolio with long-term investments in the player-prop market. This exact column last year had a hit rate of two out of three, a …

Degenerate gamblers unite. The NFL season is nigh, and with it comes a cornucopia of ways to diversify a budding portfolio with long-term investments in the player-prop market.

This exact column last year had a hit rate of two out of three, a percentage that Meat Loaf would say, “ain’t bad.” This year the dive is only getting deeper. Three picks is no longer enough satiate this thirst. Here’s to building on a successful campaign and making some extra money on all things Dallas Cowboys.

A quick note, all lines come from Bovada and can be found here, though they are subject to change at a moment’s notice.

Dak Prescott

There’s no place better to start than with quarterback Dak Prescott. Coming off the best statistical season of his career, the odds-makers are projecting a decline in 2020 in his gross totals.

Passing yards over/under 4319.5 (-130 over, EVEN under)

Only three times in head coach Mike McCarthy’s 13 previous years with the Green Bay Packers did his offense fall in the bottom half of the league in passing attempts. The lowest of all was in 2014, where the Packers ranked No. 20 in attempts, throwing the ball 536 times. That would be the second most attempts for Prescott in his career, trailing only the 2019 season.

It’s easy to imagine the Cowboys throwing the ball less in 2020, but given McCarthy’s history, even if that happens it it is unlikely to be a significant decrease. The bigger concern facing Prescott is simple regression. He was incredibly efficient last year, notching over 8.2 yards per attempt, so even a modest drop off can make the over a tough bet to win.

The Verdict: Over. Prescott staves off the yardage regression to become just the 12th quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 4320 yards in consecutive seasons.

Passing touchdowns over/under 27.5 (-145 over, +110 under)

Prescott had never thrown for more than 23 touchdowns until 2019, however the bettors are heavily favoring the over for the Cowboys quarterback in 2020.

The biggest reason why is a swerve from the Jason Garret regime that was notorious for its conservative nature in the red zone. McCarthy has been historically pass happy inside the 20-yard-line. The comparison was made by The Athletic’s Bob Sturm, who noted the stark difference between the two head coaches.

The Verdict: McCarthy’s aggressive nature gets Prescott to the over.

Interceptions thrown over/under 9.5 (-115 over, -115 under)

Prescott has averaged just nine interceptions a game in his career, but part of that average is skewed by his anomaly of a rookie season in which he notched just four. The increased aggressiveness will lead to many good things on the football field, but it’s unlikely to lower his interception total.

Verdict: Over

Ezekiel Elliott

Rushing yards over/under 1275.5 (over -110, under -120)

Rushing touchdowns over/under 9.5 (over -115, under -115)

The public is off of running back Ezekiel Elliott’s bandwagon for the moment, as the under for yardage is currently seeing more action. That would make the second year in a row the Cowboys bell cow fails to hit that specific over, and it’s not hard to see why. There are three things working against Elliott here.

The first is his decline in production from his rookie year on. His yards per game have gone down every single season he’s been in the league.

Year Yards per game
2016 108.7
2017 98.3
2018 95.6
2019 84.8

That’s an uncomfortable truth. His 2016 performance was bolstered by an offensive line that was head and shoulders above the rest of the league. That’s no longer the case due to age and attrition. But the elephant in the room is whether or not Elliott’s 2019 is a sign of things to come or just a blip on the radar.

The second issue is backup running back Tony Pollard, who played well in his limited time on the field his rookie year. It’s likely he’ll be used more than the 18% of offensive snaps he saw in 2019, and even a small increase can eat into Elliott’s totals.

The final, and perhaps most important is Mike McCarthy. McCarthy has never had a running back rush for 1276 yards in a season. The most yardage in a season belongs to Ryan Grant and his 1253 yards back in 2009. Otherwise, some truly pedestrian numbers have led McCarthy’s teams on the ground. On two separate occasions under 500 yards did the trick.

To be fair, McCarthy has never had a back like Elliott during his time in the NFL. For those who like the over, there’s one thing that matters most in determining whether or not he delivers: winning games.

In games where Dallas jumped out to a big lead were the games in which Elliott was most effective. In the Cowboys’ seven double digit wins in 2019, he racked up 778 yards on 142 attempts and six rushing touchdowns, good for 5.47 yards-per-carry.

This is the formula the Cowboys need to follow in 2020: throw to build a lead and then lean on the running game to salt away the clock.

Verdict: Over on both. An increased focus on the passing game results in a more efficient Elliott.

Amari Cooper

Receiving yards over/under 1050.5 (over -110, under -120)

Receiving touchdowns over/under 7.5 (over -115, under -115)

Receptions over/under 74.5 (over -115, under -115)

The lines above could pass for Amari Cooper’s career averages and no one would blink an eye. Through his career his 16 game average per Pro Football Reference is 74 receptions for 1059 yards and 7 touchdowns. These are the exact kind of lines that strike fear into the hearts of gamblers everywhere.

There’s been two problems that have plagued Cooper and have kept him from entering the upper-crust of wide receiver society: injuries and consistency. It’s not exactly a state secret that Prescott’s No. 1 target battled injuries throughout 2019 and the Cowboys Wire’s KD Drummond outlined the stark contrast between his stellar performance at home and his concerning play on the road.

For Cooper to hit the over it’s going to require nearly perfect health. Unfortunately, he’s missed a considerable amount of time heading into the season and as of Wednesday before kick off wasn’t a full participant in practice and is working on the resistance cords.

Verdicts: With the tenuous nature of Cooper’s health heading into 2020, it’s best to stay away from the receptions and yards bets. Go under on 7.5 touchdowns, as he had just nine targets inside the red zone last year, and may be the fourth best receiving option near the goal line in 2020.

Michael Gallup

Receiving yards over/under 900.5 (over -120, under -110)

Michael Gallup may be the most slept on wide receiver in the NFL. He’s on the short list of receivers to top 1100 yards in one of their first two seasons. He did that in 2019 in just 14 games while getting knee surgery in the middle of the season. No big deal.

He was already in the shadow of Amari Cooper and then the Cowboys went ahead and drafted CeeDee Lamb, pushing him further from the spotlight. There’s concern from some that there won’t be enough targets to go around, but that shouldn’t be an issue. The only regret is there’s not more Gallup props to throw money at.

Verdict: Over.

CeeDee Lamb

Receiving yards over/under 750.5 (over -130, under EVEN)

Receiving touchdowns over/under 4.5 (over -170, under +130)

Again, like with Cooper and Gallup before him, it comes down to a question of targets. Fortunately for Lamb fans, there’s plenty to go around. First, it’s fair to assume, given McCarthy’s history, that the passing attempts won’t see a significant drop off in 2020 so the Dallas offense and quarterback Dak Prescott will be throwing the ball early and often.

Secondly, it’s not exactly a one to one equation, but the Cowboys do have targets to replace. Specifically to former tight end Jason Witten and former wide receiver Randall Cobb. Those two combined for 166 targets in 2019. Some of those will surely find their way to starting tight end Blake Jarwin, but there’s a significant amount left on the table.

Highly-touted rookie wide receivers often struggle transitioning to the NFL. There’s several reasons for it, but a lot of times it’s because they quickly are drawing attention from the opposing team’s better cornerbacks on a weekly basis. In Dallas, Lamb has the luxury of being with two wide receivers who demand attention, making this an easy pick.

Verdict: Over on both. Lamb turns in one of the best rookie receiving campaigns in team history.

Cowboys News: Elliott calls 2020 the best roster in his 5 seasons

With the countdown to the NFL season in single digits, the Cowboys look to make their final cuts and shape their 2020 squad.

The countdown to the 2020 NFL season has reached single digits. In just eight days the world will sit down in front of their television sets (unless you’re in Kansas City) to watch the Chiefs raise their World Championship banner in front of their home fans while the rest of the league prepares to dethrone them.

According to Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, this is the most talented team he’s been a part of. The cornerback room has been declared the Cowboys weakest link on their squad. Rookie cornerback Trevon Diggs is out to prove those people wrong real fast. He’s been turning heads since he arrived in Dallas after draft night. Amari Cooper is now considered one of the vets on the team and has been taking it easy. Is that a cause for concern? Dak Prescott finds himself on another list right before the season is set to kick off. Was he justified as the No. 20 player in the NFL? Another busy news Day in big D.

Zeke: The Most Talented Team I’ve Been On :: The Mothership

Ezekiel Elliott has been running the ball for the Dallas Cowboys for four years straight. Elliott says this fifth year’s team is the most talented he’s been with. David Helman of DallasCowboys.com breaks it down.

Emmitt Smith on Dak Prescott contract: Cowboys will ruin team chemistry if they ‘try to mess with him’:: CBS Sports

The Cowboys and Dak Prescott failed to reach an agreement on a long-term deal this offseason. Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith thinks the Cowboys would be playing a dangerous game by dragging out any future negotiations.

Amari Cooper nursing camp injury or Cowboys being extra cautious :: The CowboysWire

With no preseason games and limited visibility for their practices the Cowboys have held Amari Cooper’s status close to the vest. All signs point to normal maintenance rest as the team prepares for opening night at Los Angeles.

Owner Jerry Jones says Cooper’s recent limited action in practice isn’t a big deal.

ESPN ranks Cowboys QB Dak Prescott 20th on list of NFL’s 100 best players :: The CowboysWire

This list might make a little more sense to Cowboys fans when it comes to ranking their franchise quarterback. Prescott ranks well ahead of division rival quarterback Carson Wentz.

What will the Cowboys get from pass-rusher Aldon Smith? ESPN

Aldon Smith is showing signs of the player he used to be in training camp. However, after five years away from the field how will he look once the real games start?

ESPN reveals Cowboys’ weakness, but coaching staff has a plan :: The CowboysWire

While a lot of critics of the team may say it’s their safety position as their bugaboo, ESPN breaks down how losing Byron Jones still makes cornerback their most vulnerable position on the field.

Cowboys 2020 roster projection before the Saturday cutdown deadline includes one big surprise cut :: Blogging The Boys

The surprise here is that of the safety position. Ha Ha Clinton Dix has come in and competed as one of the team’s free agent signings but has he done enough to earn himself a spot on the Cowboys roster come Saturday’s cuts?

Trevon Diggs Turning Heads With More Reps :: The Mothership

While Jourdan Lewis and Chidobe Awuzie nurse minor injuries, rookie Trevon Diggs has stepped it up tremendously. There’s no mistake as to why the Cowboys drafted Diggs in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Earl Thomas free agency: Cowboys having ‘discussions’ but haven’t reached out to All-Pro safety :: CBS Sports

The Cowboys and Earl Thomas have been linked for two years now after the All-Pro told former coach Jason Garrett to “come get me”. Currently, the Cowboys have had internal discussions about adding Thomas but haven’t reached out to him yet.

Dallas Cowboys won’t announce fan capacity until opener, but will have ‘great crowd’ :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says the capacity for the team’s home opener against the Atlanta Falcons won’t be announced until the day of the game and he still expects a great crowd.

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News: Cowboys camp updates even as sports boycotts threaten NFL

Training camp impressions and news on the annual team scrimmage even as boycotts in other leagues call the NFL’s response into question.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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WATCH: Cowboys WR Amari Cooper participates in wild drill

The Dallas Cowboys receivers, including former Alabama standout Amari Cooper, were seen doing a competitive drill during training camp.

Training camp is officially underway for several NFL teams, including the Dallas Cowboys. After selecting Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb in the first round of the draft back in April, many believe the Cowboys have the best trio of receivers in the league.

It is the other two players in that trio who have already established themselves on the highest level, however. Those two players are Michael Gallup and former Alabama standout Amari Cooper, who both went for 1,100-plus yards last season.

Interestingly enough, the two were seen doing a competitive drill on Sunday that tests the hand strength of a receiver. Check it out:

The drill looks fairly difficult, but it also seems like a great way to test a receiver’s ability to catch — and hang onto — the football. It’s hard to tell who actually won a lot of the reps, although it was Cooper who came away with the ball on most.

Cooper, the former No. 4 overall pick to the Oakland Raiders back in the 2015 NFL Draft, has gone for 1,000-plus yards in four of his five seasons in the league. In his career, he’s brought in 357 receptions for 5,097 yards (14.3 yards per catch) and 33 touchdowns.

Imaging these two Dallas receivers along with the talented Lamb (great last name, by the way) should make franchise quarterback Dak Prescott excited, especially when you combine it with Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield.

Stay tuned for more NFL updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!

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