Tag: Cam Erving

Weekend News: O-line woes continue, Cowboys-Ravens pushed back as Jerry defends Elliott, Smith

The Dallas Cowboys will be without Zack Martin and Cam Erving for multiple weeks. Cowboys-Ravens game pushed back to December 7.

The Dallas Cowboys have once again taken a major blow to their offensive line. Zack Martin and Cam Erving will miss multiple weeks with calf and knee injuries, leaving an already porous offensive line in further disarray. The Baltimore Ravens, along with a number of other NFL teams have recently been bombarded with COVID cases, which has forced the NFL to make a number of changes, including rescheduling the matchup between the Cowboys and Baltimore from next Thursday to Monday, December 7.

If there was any speculation team owner Jerry Jones regrets paying Ezekiel Elliott or Jaylon Smith he put it to rest on 105.3 The Fan on Friday, saying those coins were spent in the right place. Randy Gregory, who hadn’t recorded a sack since December of 2018, had his first multi-sack game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday. The Cowboy’s five most important free agents in 2021, how Amari Cooper was the only noteworthy player on Thanksgiving, and 10 truths about the Cowboys’ loss to Washington, and more are covered in this edition of the news and notes.

Cowboys’ Zack Martin, Cam Erving to miss multiple weeks

Backup tackle Cam Erving (knee) and Zack Martin (calf) will miss multiple weeks after suffering injuries against Washington.

If it isn’t one thing it’s another with the 2020 Dallas Cowboys. Coming into their Thanksgiving showdown with the Washington Football Team, the Cowboys had a golden opportunity to take over first place in the NFC East. However, on their first offensive possession, starting tackles Cam Erving (knee) and perennial All-Pro Zack Martin (calf) both went down with injuries.

Neither would return to the game and they were replaced by Brandon Knight and Terence Steele. The Cowboys were hoping for positive news, but according to ESPN’s Todd Archer, both will miss multiple weeks with their current ailments.

Martin has been his usual dominant self when he’s laced up the cleats this season. In addition to keeping his status as the league’s best guard, he’s slid outside to right tackle as well. After looking like an All-Pro right tackle in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks after Steele went down, Martin was dominant against the Minnesota Vikings in his first start at tackle as he didn’t allow a single quarterback pressure all game.

Erving has made five starts this season due to the absence of Smith and Knight suffering an injury earlier in the season. This setback has to be extremely frustrating for him considering he had been playing some of the best football of his career in 2020.

The Cowboys will now rely on an offensive line that will feature two undrafted free agents (Knight, Steele), Connor McGovern who has only three career starts, veteran center Joe Looney and Connor Williams.

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People can’t be serious with these complaints about Cowboys 41-16 loss

It’s been a lost season and certainly there are things to be upset about from the game on Thursday, an embarrassing showing on national TV. But if any team had reasons to look that bad in Week 12, it was this Cowboys team in this specific game. The …

It’s been a lost season and certainly there are things to be upset about from the game on Thursday, an embarrassing showing on national TV. But if any team had reasons to look that bad in Week 12, it was this Cowboys team in this specific game.

The Morning Minute returns to discuss the most important takeaways from the 41-16 drubbing of the Dallas Cowboys at the hands of the Washington Football Team.

Zack Martin ruled out with leg injury, Cowboys lose LT, safety too

The Dallas Cowboys suffer two injuries early in the game against the Washington Football Team.

It’s a new day but the same old song is playing. Midway through the second drive of the game and it appears as if the Dallas Cowboys will be down three players, including their best player in offensive lineman Zack Martin. Martin has already been ruled out from returning for the contest.

After a three-and-out delivered by the defense, courtesy of plays made by Leighton Vander Esch and Randy Gregory, backup safety Steven Parker was hurt on the kick return. Six plays later, left tackle Cam Erving stayed down after Andy Dalton picked up a third down on the ground.

A few plays after that, Dallas failed to convert a 3rd-and-5 from the 15 and on the play Martin went down, grabbing his left knee.

Martin had to be helped to the locker room in obvious pain. He was replaced on the field goal attempt by Adam Redmond, who was meant to be the backup center on Thursday.

The word has been mum on Parker but word from the broadcast was that he was able to walk off the field under his own power. Erving could not and received assistance getting to the locker room. He has been designated questionable to return. His replacement will be the man he replaced due to injury, Brandon Knight.

This will be Knight’s first action along the offensive line (non special-teams division) since Week 6. Erving had spent the previous four games filling in in his absence.

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Cowboys failures in free agency shouldn’t make them gun shy in 2021

The Dallas Cowboys swung and missed this past offseason, but it shouldn’t stop the team from being aggressive in the future.

It’s a lost season for the Dallas Cowboys, which has to have set in for the team and their fans. After losing to the Philadelphia Eagles and falling to 2-6, there is nothing that can save the Cowboys from the dumpster fire known as 2020.

It was a bad team with Dak Prescott and it’s even worse without him.

There’s also no shortage of blame for the Cowboys being in this predicament. Blame the coronavirus for not being allowed to adjust to a new coaching staff, blame the lack of a preseason to help a team going through growing pains with new schemes and we can even blame the injuries, which have crushed the team’s ability be who they wanted to be.

And it’s fine to blame the players who are actually on the field because they haven’t helped with the turnovers, penalties or overall poor play.

Of course the sexy thing to do is always blame the organization. Jerry and Stephen Jones are easy targets, after all they selected the players and decided who was worthy of paying. As most observers continue to hammer home, not securing Prescott long-term was a misstep and failing to sign re-sign CB Byron Jones remains an egregious error.

Those were two huge mistakes, but the Cowboys did operate differently this offseason. Instead of shopping in the basement for bargains, the franchise actually went out and spent some real money on veteran free agents to help.

DT’s Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe were good additions, even if Poe wasn’t the same player he once was. The team also brought in veteran saftey Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, CB’s Daryl Worley and Maurice Canady, and DE Aldon Smith to bulk up the defense.

Adding a capable backup QB like Andy Dalton was another strong move from and the Cowboys also signed versatile offensive lineman Cam Erving to pitch in if needed.

Most of the signings were good on paper, but just haven’t worked out.

Poe turned out to be washed up and McCoy, whose signing everyone applauded, got hurt, which has turned out to be a big loss. Clinton-Dix and Worley never worked out and Canady opted out for the season. The addition of Smith has been a major plus.

Injuries knocked out Dalton, but he helped win a game for the team and, until recently, Erving was injured as well.

In a perfect world, the Cowboys never need Dalton, but we’ve seen how 2020 has treated the best laid plans. The emergency use of Dalton was supposed to be for a few games to keep the teams head above water in case Prescott got hurt and was going to miss a few weeks. Dalton wasn’t supposed to be starting for the majority of the season.

The offseason plan was solid, the Cowboys brought in good options to help improve the team. They didn’t just patch up holes with street level players as they usually do, they added good (so we thought) players.

Each offseason Cowboys fans scream about the lack of aggressiveness from the front office. They want the team to be more assertive in acquiring talent to get better. And here was Dallas, making the moves to improve this offseason, they just haven’t worked out.

It would be sad if the Cowboys abandoned their approach from this offseason and went back to bargain bin shopping. This year’s results shouldn’t discourage them from being aggressive in the future.

The hope is the Cowboys will continue to find ways to get better each offseason and maximize their resources. Becoming skittish because one year didn’t work out isn’t the sign of a strong front office. The results from 2020 just means the Cowboys have to choose the players more wisely.

Dallas had a solid plan and it should be applied in the future. It didn’t pay off this season, but that’s no reason to throw the blueprints away.

You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi

Cowboys move starting LT to IR, again, open Door No. 3

The move behind the surgery goes down as Dallas turns its attention to their third starting LT in seven games

The musical chairs in and out of the starting lineup, IR and the practice squad has been an exhausting exercise for the Dallas Cowboys offensive line. It feels like every time someone squats a seat, a flesh-eating virus bites them in the rear and sends them scurrying to the DJ booth begging for a change in tune. Alas, the record skips but it does not change. Week after week, multiple players are lost and once again the club will change up two of it’s starting five heading into a new week.

It was already known Brandon Knight, subbing for Tyron Smith who was placed on IR for neck surgery was going to miss Week 7’s game. Knight had a knee scope following Monday night’s loss that saw right guard Zack Martin leave early. On Saturday, the expected move was made official as Knight joined Smith, starting right tackle La’el Collins (hip) and starting center Joe Looney on the IR.

Replacing Knight on the roster and in the starting lineup will be Cam Erving, activated from IR after being lost in Week 1 himself. The club also elevated two linemen from the practice squad, including journeyman lineman Jordan Mills.

The last remaining starter is left guard Connor Williams, though Erving will take the mantle of elder statesman even though this will be his first offensive snap with the team after signing as a free agent in May. Intended to be the swing tackle, he was beat out in Week 1 by Terence Steele, though Erving was one of multiple OL players to have injury issues during training camp as well. Steele, a 2020 UDFA has started every game of the season in place of Collins to lukewarm, at best, results.

Knight had been acquitting himself relatively well in replacing Smith, though recent results were starting to bring that evaluation back to expected levels for a 2019 UDFA. Still, his loss will hurt as the players suiting up have no continuity among a group where success is predicated upon familiarity.

In the middle of the lineup, 2020 fourth-round pick Tyler Biadasz will be making his third start at center. It’s not expected Looney – who took over the starting gig when Travis Frederick abruptly retired in the offseason – will take the starting reigns back whenever he is healthy.

Since he isn’t Adam Redmond’s elevation from the PS is a must to backup both guard and center spots. Mills will serve as the second backup tackle behind Greg Senat.

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Cowboys move starting LT to IR, again, open Door No. 3

The move behind the surgery goes down as Dallas turns its attention to their third starting LT in seven games

The musical chairs in and out of the starting lineup, IR and the practice squad has been an exhausting exercise for the Dallas Cowboys offensive line. It feels like every time someone squats a seat, a flesh-eating virus bites them in the rear and sends them scurrying to the DJ booth begging for a change in tune. Alas, the record skips but it does not change. Week after week, multiple players are lost and once again the club will change up two of it’s starting five heading into a new week.

It was already known Brandon Knight, subbing for Tyron Smith who was placed on IR for neck surgery was going to miss Week 7’s game. Knight had a knee scope following Monday night’s loss that saw right guard Zack Martin leave early. On Saturday, the expected move was made official as Knight joined Smith, starting right tackle La’el Collins (hip) and starting center Joe Looney on the IR.

Replacing Knight on the roster and in the starting lineup will be Cam Erving, activated from IR after being lost in Week 1 himself. The club also elevated two linemen from the practice squad, including journeyman lineman Jordan Mills.

The last remaining starter is left guard Connor Williams, though Erving will take the mantle of elder statesman even though this will be his first offensive snap with the team after signing as a free agent in May. Intended to be the swing tackle, he was beat out in Week 1 by Terence Steele, though Erving was one of multiple OL players to have injury issues during training camp as well. Steele, a 2020 UDFA has started every game of the season in place of Collins to lukewarm, at best, results.

Knight had been acquitting himself relatively well in replacing Smith, though recent results were starting to bring that evaluation back to expected levels for a 2019 UDFA. Still, his loss will hurt as the players suiting up have no continuity among a group where success is predicated upon familiarity.

In the middle of the lineup, 2020 fourth-round pick Tyler Biadasz will be making his third start at center. It’s not expected Looney – who took over the starting gig when Travis Frederick abruptly retired in the offseason – will take the starting reigns back whenever he is healthy.

Since he isn’t Adam Redmond’s elevation from the PS is a must to backup both guard and center spots. Mills will serve as the second backup tackle behind Greg Senat.

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Cowboys bring in two tight ends, tackle, and QB for tryouts

After injuries to key starters in Sunday’s Week 1 loss, the Cowboys have brought in several new players for a tryout, including a QB.

Evaluating talent is a full-time-all-the-time endeavor in the NFL. Even if the Cowboys hadn’t seen injuries take Blake Jarwin, Leighton Vander Esch, and Cam Erving off the field in Sunday night’s opener, the team would still be expected to at least kick the tires on some new names this week.

Given the season-ending ACL tear to starting tight end Blake Jarwin, it’s not surprising to see a couple more on the club’s tryout list. Taking a look at tackle is always smart for offensive line depth, especially after Dak Prescott was sacked three times in Los Angeles. There are no linebackers trying out, so Dallas seems content to roll with who they’ve got. But they are getting an up close and personal look at a quarterback with a unique claim to fame.

Erik Swoope is likely the most familiar of the bunch. He has been affiliated with four teams after entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014. The University of Miami tight end played with the Colts for five seasons, catching three touchdowns in 2018. Since then, Swoope’s done a one-day stint with the Saints, a two-month stay in Oakland, and a week in San Francisco.

Cheyenne O’Grady played college ball at Arkansas, catching 85 passes from 2016 to 2019 and scoring 11 touchdowns. The tight end left the Razorbacks team in November of his senior year and went undrafted in April.

Offensive tackle Jared Veldheer was a third-round selection by the Raiders in 2010. After four years in the silver and black, he spent four more seasons with the Cardinals. He started 12 games in 2018 as a Denver Bronco. After signing a one-year deal to play in New England in 2019, Veldheer retired from football a week later, only to change his mind and be claimed by Green Bay late last season.

Quarterback Jalen Morton was an undrafted free agent out of Prairie View A&M. He signed with the Packers, but was released in early August. While Dallas’s stable of passers would appear to be full, Morton may be worth a look-see if only to gauge his notable arm strength.

According to his bio, Morton- who has a degree in mechanical engineering- can throw a football 100 yards.

“The last time I did that was late July before camp,” he told Sports Illustrated‘s Bill Huber over his summer in Green Bay. “I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m feeling good about the season. I feel good about it. I feel good about it because I know my arm strength. I used to play baseball. I know the type of conditioning to keep in shape and keep doing that. I’ve seen Aaron Rodgers flick the ball and it goes 75. I can only imagine what he would do if he takes a couple of hitches and lets it go.”

The Cowboys merely brought in all four players for tryouts. The dream may last for just one workout or the invite could lead to a spot on the practice squad. And then who knows?

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Roster Churn: Cowboys look for buttery blend after injuries creamed Week 1 chances

The Cowboys saw 3 players go on the IR and brought in four new faces.

It’s bad enough the Dallas Cowboys suffered a tough 20-17 loss in the season-opener vs the Los Angeles Rams but they also got hit with a plethora of injuries. Tight end Blake Jarwin suffered a torn ACL, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch broke his collarbone, and backup offensive tackle Cam Erving sprained his MCL.

With all three heading to injured reserve, this created spots on the Cowboys 53-man roster. The first spot was filled by veteran defensive back Brandon Carr. The team then filled two of those holes with outside resources, signing linebacker Rashad Smith and offensive tackle Alex Light from the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals practice squads.

Carr rejoined the team just before the season-opener and was in uniform Week 1 after being promoted from the practice squad but never saw the field. Now that he’s on the active roster, his role should increase to the point where he could challenge current starter Darian Thompson to play opposite Xavier Woods.

Smith, an undrafted free agent out of Florida Atlantic, adds depth to fellow linebackers Joe Thomas and Luke Gifford who look to not only step up in Vander Esch’s absent but now Sean Lee, who is headed to injured reserve and will be out for six weeks after having sports hernia surgery.

Light, also an undrafted free agent, played for the Green Bay Packers for his first two seasons in the NFL. However, he only played in 16 games with no starts. He was waived by the Packers on September 5 and signed to their practice a day later, only to be released on September 10. On September 14 he was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad before signing with the Cowboys a day later.

The Cowboys are thin at tackle with La’el Collins and Erving on injured reserve. Light gives them depth behind Terence Steele who started Week 1 opposite veteran Tyron Smith.

With injuries galore, the Cowboys have done some nice patchwork to fill out the roster as they look for their first victory of 2020 vs the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday.

In addition, the Cowboys backfilled their practice squad with corner Rashard Robinson and strong safety Steven Parker.

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Cowboys backup tackle Cam Erving leaves game with knee injury

Dallas Cowboys backup offensive tackle Cam Erving is questionable to return with a knee injury.

It already wasn’t a very good day for Cam Erving after losing the starting right tackle gig to undrafted free agent Terence Steele.

Things just got worse after he was injured on the Cowboys’ missed field goal attempt in the second quarter. Erving was rolled up on by a defender after a failed block attempt by rookie OL Tyler Biadasz. Dallas Morning News reporter David Moore is saying the Cowboys free agent pickup from the Kansas City Chiefs is questionable to return.

The Cowboys offensive line is already banged up with incumbent starting right tackle La’el Collins on injured reserve for at least the first three weeks of the season. If Erving is unable to return, that leaves second-year tackle Brandon Knight as the only available option should another injury occur, contrary to the report from NBC’s Michelle Tafoya.

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