Tag: Blake Jarwin

Cowboys’ Dalton Schultz isn’t relinquishing TE1 role without a fight

Dalton Schultz filled Blake Jarwin’s shoes nicely in 2020. He’s continued that momentum into training camp, creating major competition. | From @StarConscience

When the Cowboys lost tight end Blake Jarwin in the last year’s season opener to a torn ACL, there were questions about how the position would fair for the rest of the year. Fortunately, Dalton Schultz was ready to step up and fill his shoes.

Schultz had just 13 receptions for 122 yards before the 2020 season. With the keys to the position firmly in his grasp, Schultz became only the fourth tight end in team history to record at least 60 receptions (63) while also amassing 615 yards and four touchdowns. That certainly exceeded any expectations anyone had for Schultz with such limited time on the field in his first two years.

The more time a player spends on the field the more confident they become, seeing as experience is the best teacher. After just 417 snaps in his first two seasons, Schultz logged 973 in 2020 while registering 14 starts. Although it gave his confidence a boost, he’s never lacked in that area.

“It definitely helps with my confidence,” Schultz said back in May. “But I say that, and I had a lot of confidence going into last year before any of those catches in those games happened. If anything, I just think it kind of springboarded my confidence in myself and continued to lead me to focus even more on my techniques and hone in on that work with Dak [Prescott] and getting the little nuances down in certain coverages and different routes. So I think it opened the door to a whole new level of preparation, and I’m excited to continue to go forth in my preparation this year.”

The former Stanford Cardinal has ridden the wave of momentum from his breakout campaign into Oxnard, California where the Cowboys are holding their first leg of training camp. Schultz has been making plays left and right, and he’s made the competition for TE1 duties that much more intriguing as Jarwin looks to regain his spot at the head of the table.

Schultz isn’t just looking to secure his role within the Cowboy’s offense in 2021, he’s also in a contract year. However he’s treating it like any other season as he looks to continue his progression as a player.

“Whether it’s a contract year or not, I’ve got to improve regardless,” Schultz said during OTAs. “I don’t treat this as like, ‘OK, this is the one year that I’ve got to ball out.’ No, I treat it like I treated last year. I’ve got to get better day to day. I’ve got to do the same things. We have this saying that I learned in college; it’s called the law of the price tag. You’ve got to make deposits on it day to day. The price never decreases. It only increases, and it has to be paid in full at all times. I’m continuing to do that.

“You’ve got to be better than you were the day before, and you’ve got to put more in than you did the day before. I think that’s one of the keys to having a long career, and that’s something that I hope to do. So I continue to approach each year like that.”

The Cowboys are in a great spot at tight end.

They have two guys who can be No. 1 options and the smart money says NFL defenses will see 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) looks from the Cowboys quite a bit.

Who will come out on top as the lead dog at the tight end position in Dallas? That remains to be seen. However, if Jarwin is to reestablish himself as TE1, he’ll have to take it from Schultz.

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Cowboys News: Hooker transaction pending, opportunities abound for redemption

A new safety in the mix could show just how serious Dallas is in competing for greatness. A deeper eval of the first day of summer camp sees opportunities for bouncing back, and announcing arrivals. Nees and Notes round up from @SrarConscience

Dak Prescott’s mobility has looked amazing since hitting the field after his compound fracture and ankle dislocation in 2020. So much so, that he’s hoping for some preseason reps. Ezekiel Elliott has been in the lab getting his body in the best shape of his career, and he’s done so with the mindset of proving his performance last season will be a distant memory in 2021.

The search for a playmaking free safety has been something the Dallas Cowboys haven’t seemed to be all that interested in over the years. However, after a visit in March, free-agent Malik Hooker is set to meet with the Cowboys again and is expected to sign. Bradlee Anae’s opportunity for playing time, Blake Jarwin reaching a milestone, multiple cornerbacks shining in the first training camp practice, and a lot more led the way in Friday’s news and notes.

Vast Array of Weaponry: Cowboys’ skill positions ranked No. 2 in NFL by ESPN

ESPN predicts the Cowboys’ offense to be prolific in 2021 with Prescott returning and the weapons are plentiful on offense. | From @CDBurnett7

Playing without quarterback Dak Prescott for most of the 2020 season, it was still easy to see how high-octane the Cowboys’ offense could be. Backup quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Garrett Gilbert were able to shine in certain moments thanks to the stellar play of the club’s receivers and running backs.

ESPN recently released their rankings for offensive arsenals in 2021, judging the skill positions on offense for every team. Dallas earned the respect of the critics in 2020, being ranked No. 2, only behind the defending champion Buccaneers.

Everybody’s numbers were down after Prescott was replaced by Andy Dalton and the team used backup tackles for virtually the entire season, but rookie wideout CeeDee Lamb looked like a star. We know what Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup can do with a healthy Prescott, and while tight end Blake Jarwin missed most of the year with a torn ACL, Dalton Schultz stepped in and racked up 615 yards with four touchdowns. That’s more receiving yards than Dallas Goedert has produced in any of his three NFL seasons.

In what was considered a down year, running back Ezekiel Elliott put together over 1,300 total yards though he did have issues with five lost fumbles. The most impressive thing about his season was achieving what he did without Prescott and most of the offensive line.

Offensive tackles La’el Collins and Tyron Smith had their season end early while Zack Martin went down later in the season. Both centers Joe Looney and rookie Tyler Biadasz missed time.

His numbers should bounce back some with Prescott & Co. returning to the fold, but the arguments that he was a scheme- or line-transcendent back are firmly in the past. This is a passing team now.

Before the 2020 NFL Draft, Dallas had a strong collection of weapons on offense with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup to go along with tight end Blake Jarwin, who was fresh off a breakout game to end 2019. Things went from good to great in the offense when wide receiver CeeDee Lamb fell to the Cowboys at the No. 17 pick.

Lamb shined in his rookie season with over 1,000 total yards, while also becoming a part of the rushing game and a weapon in the return game. The Oklahoma standout also returned an onside kick for a touchdown against the 49ers to seal the game.

Cooper put together another strong season with over 1,000 receiving yards to go along with five touchdowns. Despite a handful of games where he seemed forgotten, Gallup once again went over 100 targets on the season, totaling 843 receiving yards himself. In a contract season, he’s expected to show the assumed bump in production.

Jarwin went down with a torn ACL in Week 1, but backup Dalton Schultz stepped up and put together a solid season with career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. The duo will be valuable in 2021, especially in play-action sets.

The Cowboys’ offense should return to be one of the best, if not the best in 2021 with Prescott and the healthy offensive line back in the fold. The weapons that Dallas has built together in recent years will have a chance to put it all together with everyone taking advantage of a full offseason.

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Cowboys News: Randy Gregory has overcome a lot, Amari Cooper undervalued

Will the linebackers surface or drown? Late-round WRs with upside? Bring it. A star player six seasons in the making? A look into Randy Gregory’s hopeful redemption story highlights the latest in a roundup of Cowboys News and Notes.

All Amari Cooper has done since entering the league in 2015 is produce at a high level. However, the disrespect when it comes to where he ranks in terms of the best wide receivers in the NFL continued this week when he failed to make ESPN’s top 10 list. Randy Gregory has turned his life around off the field and got back to producing on it. His journey to being a better person has had some peaks and valleys, and the Cowboys are hoping for more of the former going forward.

The drawn-out contract negotiations between Dak Prescott and the Cowboys dominated headlines for two years. Although it finally got done in March, Stephen Jones recently expressed regret not getting it done sooner. Simi Fehoko’s road to a roster spot, Blake Jarwin versus Dalton Schultz, whether or not the Cowboys starting offensive tackles will hold up after injury, and more are discussed in the latest edition of the news and notes.

News: Trade scenarios for Cowboys LBs, eyes on Keanu Neal, Atkins to Dallas?

Possible trade scenarios for Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch are explored. Also, does Geno Atkins have a future with the Cowboys.

Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch have had a rough go of it since the beginning of the 2019 season whether it be due to injury or poor play. Brian Martin of Blogging The Boys explores what the Cowboys could get for both in possible trade scenarios. The excitement of Micah Parsons and Jabil Cox is understandable, but veteran Keanu Neal’s skill set shouldn’t be overlooked as he transitions from safety to linebacker.

When it was announced that veteran defensive tackle Geno Atkins was visiting Dallas soon, the buzz of him joining the Cowboys started. Although it will be for a checkup on his torn rotator cuff, he’s still seen as a god fit in Dallas by Bleacher Report. Fixing the Cowboys turnover differential, Ben DiNucci showing his real worth, and more are covered in this edition of the news and notes.

Cowboys end offseason with different outlooks than 2020

After a disastrous 2020, the Dallas Cowboys have made changes to ensure that this season is better than the last.

The Dallas Cowboys’ offseason is essentially over, with only a rookie developmental program remaining before players report to training camp in July. After a truncated offseason in Mike McCarthy’s first season, things returned to mostly normal for his second campaign.

McCarthy and his staff never had a chance to fully implement everything cleanly last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. With so much turnover on the staff, an already rough transition was compounded by a lack of in-person tutoring as the whole world went virtual.

A new year brings new hope. This offseason has gone much smoother, which even allowed McCarthy to cancel the final minicamp practice before the giving the team off until training camp.  As it’s a wrap on the organized team practices, let’s look at where the Cowboys stand now, as opposed to where they were when they ended a disappointing 2020 season. Here’s a look at what has changed.

Cowboys’ Dalton Schultz looks forward to ‘two-headed monster’ at TE

The backup tight end had a breakout season in 2020, but is eager to get his friend Blake Jarwin back in the mix to provide a one-two punch.

For all the buzz about the Cowboys’ trio of celebrated wide receivers, opposing defenses should know there’s also now a potent one-two punch combo lurking at the tight end position.

Blake Jarwin was lost for the 2020 campaign before the opening game against the Rams had even hit halftime. Dalton Schultz stepped in and enjoyed a breakout season, snagging 63 receptions for 615 yards and four touchdowns in relief, all career highs for the three-year veteran.

He may have been the backup at this time last year, but Schultz has now headed into OTAs as a starting-caliber tight end.

“I had a lot of confidence going into last year, before any of those catches in those games happened,” Schultz told reporters this week. “If anything, I just think it kind of springboarded my confidence in myself and continued to lead me to focus even more on my techniques and hone in on that work with Dak and getting the little nuances down in certain coverages and different routes. So I think it opened the door to a whole new level of preparation, and I’m excited to continue to go forth in my preparation here.”

Schultz confided to media members that quarterback Dak Prescott certainly seems to be picking up right where he left off before his own season-ending injury last year, at least when it comes to his throws.

“The ball’s coming out the same as it was before the injury,” the Stanford product explained. “It all looks the same to me; ball’s in my hands the same exact way.”

Schultz has gotten in some extra time with his quarterback, along with several other Cowboys offensive players, prepping for the upcoming season. Much of that work has come away from the team facilities, even at the backyard field Prescott installed at his house.

Schultz says it makes a difference.

“It’s everything. It’s awesome. We’re lucky that he’s open and inviting us out, and he wants to put that work in in the offseason. I know, at least for our receiving corps, pass-catchers, and the offense, we chomp at the bit to get those opportunities with him. That is one of the things that we’ve done to go above and beyond. He leads that. And he’s holding guys accountable; you say you’re going to show up, you’d better show up. It’s awesome to have a leader like that. You need that in an offense.”

Now that offense has the luxury of two weapons at tight end, and possibly three. As team staff writer Nick Eatman noted on Day Two of OTAs:

“One player that seemed to stand out over and over on Tuesday was second-year tight end Sean McKeon. Looking a bit leaner and quicker, McKeon caught several passes down the field and fared well in some 1-on-1 type drills in the open field. He likely got more reps with Jarwin being held out.”

Jarwin is still rehabbing that ACL tear, but has been present at this week’s voluntary sessions and is nearing a return to the field, telling the team website that he could practice right now if needed.

“I want to get out there, and it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to run full speed and catch a ball,” Jarwin said. “But you’ve just got to understand and trust the plan, trust the process… I’ll just keep pushing along, and I anticipate, Day 1 of training camp, being ready to roll.”

And while it was Jarwin’s injury that allowed Schultz his opportunity to shine last season, no one is more eager for Jarwin’s imminent return.

“Dude, I am so excited for Blake to get back on the field,” Schultz said, not even waiting for the whole question to be asked. “I love working alongside a guy that I can really trust. Obviously, we’ve had a few years of work together. He is one of the hardest-working guys in the locker room. We kind of pride ourselves on that in our room, being the grinders who will go in day in and day out, do our part. I am so excited to see him back on the field. ACLs are brutal. Especially to go down like that, in Game 1. He’s putting so much hard work and time in. He’s still got a ways to go, but, dude, I can’t wait to see him finally go out and prove to everybody that he’s the tight end that everybody thinks he is. I’m excited to have that two-headed monster in the room that hopefully can take advantage of defenses this year.”

So can Cowboys fans expect to see both heads of the monster in the same huddle? Schultz jokes that he and Jarwin have been suggesting some plays that would have them on the field together in 12 personnel.

“I mean, we might slip those in. You know, say it in passing as Kellen is walking by.”

Whoever ends up getting the starts, the majority of the playing time, or the most receptions, Schultz and Jarwin don’t expect the offseason’s competition between them to hamper their relationship.

“Regardless of circumstance, we have a great friendship,” Schultz said. “That will only continue to evolve. When he got his third touchdown in that Giants game- what was it, two years ago?- I was the first one on the sidelines hyping him up. He scored the first one, I was like, ‘Now go get another one.’ He scored the second one, and I was like, ‘You’ve got one more. Hat trick.’ Boom, he gets the third. We’re hyping each other up with whatever we do, whether it’s competing on a Peloton bike in the offseason or scoring three touchdowns against the Giants. Our relationship hasn’t changed at all.”

For now, Schultz is just happy to put in the work, knowing that the rest of it- the starting tight end spot, the offense’s evolution, even his own long-term future with the team in what will be a contract year- will take care of itself.

“Whether it’s a contract year or not,” Schultz confesses, “I’ve got to improve regardless. I don’t treat this as like, ‘Okay, this is the one year, I’ve got to go ball out.’ No, I treat it like I treated last year. I’ve got to get better day to day, I’ve got to do the same things. We have this saying that I learned in college. It’s called The Law of the Price Tag. And you’ve got to make deposits on it day-to-day. And the price never decreases; it only increases. And the price must be paid in full at all times. So I’m continuing to do that. You’ve got to be better than you were the day before, and you’ve got to put more in than you did the day before.”

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Cowboys 53-man roster prediction is heavy on defense following draft

The Dallas Cowboys will go heavy on defense in this way too early 53-man roster prediction for the 2021 season.

The 2021 NFL draft dust is just settling, rookie free agents are in the process of getting signed and the teams are narrowing down their rosters to 90 players. The Dallas Cowboys did a little house cleaning to their roster when they released veteran players recently, most notably DT Antwaun Woods, to reach the threshold.

Now set within the roster rules with their 90-man arsenal, the Cowboys have less than four months to trim the player down to its initial 53-man team. Here’s a way too early guess at what the 2021 edition of the Cowboys might look like when they break training camp and head into the season.

Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, Dez Bryant go in on joint business venture in fitness

The stars are part of a larger group supporting OxeFit, a company set to compete with Peloton and Mirror with AI-powered fitness gear.

Dak Prescott is making a connection with former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant one more time. This time, though, it’s in the world of business and in particular, high-tech smart gym equipment.

Prescott and Bryant have joined forces (and wallets) with Cowboys players of the past and present by becoming early investors in OxeFit, a Plano-based startup developing AI-powered exercise gear. Jason Witten and Blake Jarwin are also on the investment team, along with Broncos wideout Demaryius Thomas, it was announced Wednesday.

The company disclosed that it had raised $12.5 million, though it is not known how much the players’ group added to that figure.

OxeFit is set to debut its fitness equipment later this year and is expected to compete in the same category as devices like Peloton, Tonal, and Mirror, using physical equipment and software that are connected to one another via a network. The company will use tech tools to track “performance and muscle metrics through motion, providing advanced coaching” directly through the platform, according to OxeFit.

Aimed at elite athletes, fitness clubs, and rehab centers, the gear will combine robotics and artificial intelligence to aid in strength training.

“As a professional athlete currently rehabbing from a significant injury, I see the unbelievable opportunity OxeFit affords athletes and their physicians and trainers to cater activities to their specific needs,” Prescott said in a statement. “I believe OxeFit will change how athletes build strength and rehab from injuries.”

The company says users will also be able to “compete virtually” with each other and even professional athletes online.

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Cowboys’ Jarwin works out, ACL recovery moving forward

Blake Jarwin suffered a torn ACL in the Cowboys season opener. He made his first appearance since at practice on Friday doing rehab.

The injury report for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 has been a topic of discussion far too often. Tyron Smith (neck) was shut down after the Cowboy’s loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 4, and Dak Prescott (ankle) met the same fate a week later against the New York Giants. However, the Cowboy’s in-season injury nightmare began when tight end Blake Jarwin torn his ACL in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

He was placed on injured reserve on September 15, officially putting an end to what was supposed to be a breakout year Jarwin. There was an early sign of encouragement at Cowboys practice Friday however, as Jarwin was seen working out with an athletic trainer, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

Jarwin burst on to the scene in the Cowboys season finale in 2018. He hauled in seven passes for 119 yards and three touchdowns and looked like the obvious successor to Jason Witten who retired after the 2017 season. Unfortunately for Jarwin, he was reduced to a reserved role when Witten returned in 2019 for his last season in Dallas before signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Dalton Schultz has done very well in his absence with 44 receptions and three touchdowns. When healthy, Jarwin is the Cowboys top receiving option at the tight end slot. He’s expected to make a full recovery and will be ready for the 2021 season, and the Cowboys will be hoping that he gets back to TE1 form quickly.

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