In ranking NFC East QBs, does Prescott or Hurts lead the division in 2023?

Dak Prescott is the only QB in the division to play on his second contract so far, but is he the best QB in the NFC East going into 2023? | From @cdpiglet

The Dallas Cowboys easily led the NFC East arms race heading into the 2022 season. The Washington Commanders were trying to resurrect Carson Wentz, Daniel Jones was a complete bust for the New York Giants, and Jalen Hurts was seen as the weak point of the Philadelphia Eagles’ incredible roster. Dak Prescott was seen as the lone, bona fide difference maker in the division.

One year later, Jones re-signed to a big contract, Sam Howell is the question mark with potential atop the Commanders’ depth chart and Hurts is now the possible future of the division. Prescott is now battling the stigma of a turnover-prone QB with the label of “can’t win the big one.” With so much flipped in one season, how do the teams rank at QB going into 2023?

3 Stars: Diggs continues interception streak, Prescott and Elliott dominate

Trevon Diggs hauled in an interception for the fourth straight game as Dak Prescott threw four touchdowns and Ezekiel Elliott ran for 143. | From @StarConscience

The Dallas Cowboys were looking to win their third consecutive game in Week 4 against the undefeated Carolina Panthers and the NFL’s top-ranked defense. Dallas was coming off of a big NFC East win against the Philadelphia Eagles just six days prior while the Panthers had 10 days since their win against the Houston Texans.

America’s Team played quite possibly their best game of the season and certainly their best since narrowly losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the season opener. The Cowboys forced two turnovers and ran for 245 yards in a 36-28 win that they would’ve won by even more had they not taken their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter. Here are the three players who led the way.

Cowboys News: Key starters to play, Aldon dominant, more touches for Pollard?

Tyron Smith, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs are all expected to play Sunday. Aldon Smith currently leads the NFL in sacks.

The 2020 NFL season has been an injury-filled one for the Dallas Cowboys. However, per team owner Jerry Jones, starters Tyron Smith, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs are all expected to play this Sunday vs the Cleveland Browns despite limited practice time this week. After five years away from the league, former All-Pro defensive end Aldon Smith is currently leading the NFL in sacks and looks like he hasn’t missed a beat.

If the Cowboys can establish a lead against the Browns Sunday, maybe second-year running back Tony Pollard can see more touches than the four rushing attempts he’s had in the first three games. The Cowboys defense will not only have to face Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry in the passing game but also Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt toting the rock. Predictions for Cowboys-Browns, Dak Prescott’s continued progression, and when will Mike McCarthy start showing he’s an upgrade at head coach and more are covered in the news and notes.


Final Injury Report: Jones expects several key Cowboys vs Browns :: Cowboys Wire

Tyron Smith, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs are all expected to play. Browns have several out, questionable.


Cowboys D to face dual dynamic duos in duel with Browns :: Cowboys Wire

The defense will have a tall task trying to defend Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry in the receiving game as well as the Browns running back duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.


Catch This Fade! (Premium) S5E9: Nobody’s safe on Cowboys D, literally :: Cowboys Wire

K.D. Drummond and Patrik Walker dive into the defensive woes so far in 2020 and the state of the Cowboys offensive line.


Expert predictions for Cowboys-Browns: Nothing comes easy for Dallas, and this won’t be different :: Dallas Morning News

The SportsDay staff give their predictions for Cowboys-Browns on Sunday.


Dak Prescott Continues to Prove he’s Worth Every Penny :: Inside The Star

After a career year in 2019, Dak Prescott is off to an even better start in 2020.


Cowboys’ Jerry Jones demands ‘heavy penalties’ if Titans, anyone found in violation of COVID-19 protocol :: CBS Sports

The Tennessee Titans have had 13 players and personnel test positive for coronavirus. In light of this, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants stiff penalties for Titans or any other team that doesn’t follow the league’s COVID-19 restrictions.


When will Mike McCarthy start to look like a coaching upgrade for the Dallas Cowboys :: Dallas Morning News

Mike McCarthy came into Dallas with a Super Bowl pedigree and assembled a very good coaching staff. After a shaky 1-2 start, will he be able to show any signs of his successful coaching background during his time Green Bay soon?


Five things to watch when the Cowboys host the Browns :: Blogging The Boys

Stopping the run, winning the turnover battle, and a big game from Amari Cooper and more are what fans should keep an eye on when the Cowboys battle the Browns this Sunday.


Cowboys Comeback: Aldon Smith has been terrific for Dallas :: The Landry Hat

After five years away from the gridiron, Aldon Smith currently leads the NFL in sacks.


Mailbag: Finding Snaps For Pollard? :: Dallas Cowboys

Tony Pollard has only gained 16 yards on four rushing attempts in the first three games with just 24 total snaps played. Will Sunday be the game he’s finally unleashed in the Cowboys offense?

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NFL, NFLPA change franchise tag deadline, affects key Cowboys free agents

The Dallas Cowboys will likely have to use the franchise tag on Dak Prescott or Amari Cooper. Changing the tag designation date is key

With free agency rapidly approaching, the Dallas Cowboys will have plenty of decisions to make regarding their roster for 2020. They have 25 unrestricted free agents, which will indeed cause for plenty of turnover from 2019.

The two most important free agents for the Cowboys, Dak Prescott, and Amari Cooper, are both seeking long-term deals with the organization. Saturday evening, however, some important news broke that affects these two players specifically. The Cowboys have an additional 48 hours to decide what to do with either Prescott or Cooper or both if long-term deals aren’t reached.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the NFL and NFLPA have delayed the designation date to apply the franchise tag from February 25 to February 27, and the end date from March 10 to March 12.

If a new CBA isn’t reached before the start of the new league year on March 18, which the players will likely vote on this week as the scouting combine takes place, teams will be able to use both the franchise or transition tags.

Teams now have two extra days to decide if they’re going to use the tags and who they’re going to use them on. The date of March 12 is key because it’s just four days prior to when the legal tampering period begins before the new league year on March 18.

Prescott will be the first domino to fall in this scenario and rightfully so, he’s a franchise quarterback. If a long-term deal for him isn’t reached, the Cowboys will undoubtedly use the franchise tag on him which comes in at about $26.8 million, far less than the $35 million per-year average that is currently the top of the quarterback market.

For Cooper, a franchise tag would run around $18 million, which is in the range of Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill, currently the third-highest paid receiver.

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News: Leighton Vander Esch may love new CBA, Randy Gregory not so much

The Dallas Cowboys have a huge decision to make regarding the future of Byron Jones. Safety and defensive tackle positions are discussed.

The safety and defensive tackle positions also have their share of questions that need to be answered for the Dallas Cowboys. March could see quite a few faces at these positions leave the building and adjust how the Cowboys formulate their plan for 2020 when free agency starts.

Meanwhile, the NFL and NFLPA are working towards a new CBA and wrinkles of proposed changes could certainly impact Dallas and their players. Meanwhile, the Cowboys strength of schedule next season and potential free-agent bargains are covered in this edition of News and Notes.


According to 2019 records, Cowboys have third-easiest strength of schedule in 2020:: Blogging The Boys

While they await the NFL Combine, the beginning of free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cowboys can focus on something they already know; the 2020 opponents. The Cowboys will face the NFC West, the AFC North, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Minnesota Vikings.

Dallas finds itself with the third-easiest projected schedule just behind the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

— DS


New CBA would give first-rounders a path to fifth-year franchise tag :: Pro Football Talk

The Cowboys didn’t have a first-round pick in 2019 . . . some say they didn’t have a second-round pick either, but we digress. They will have one this year, barring a trade down, and with a new CBA on the horizon, there may be more money down the line for whomever they draft, and also Leighton Vander Esch. According to sources (read: NFL leaks) the fifth-year option could become more lucrative. Currently, top 10 picks get the transition tag level of one-year extension for their team options. Those outside the top 10 receive a much smaller number, the average of No. 3 through No. 25 at their respective position.

For Vander Esch, potentially jumping from around $10 million for his option (if there’s no extension worked out) to around $17 million is a whole entire big deal.

— KD


New CBA would shrink annual marijuana testing window to two weeks :: Pro Football Talk

What the new CBA giveth, they also ruin by doing something hardly anyone would agree with. Maybe (likely) it’s all public negotiation, but this other section of the proposed labor agreement makes no sense. The momentum for the NFL to catch up with state laws on the curtailing of policing marijuana seems very strong. However the league may still be looking to roll up, their sleeves, that is.

According to PFT, there will not be an elimination of the marijuana policy, but rather a shrinking of the testing window and reduced penalties for those who are not habitual line steppers.

For the Cowboys, Randy Gregory, who has been suspended for 46 games in five seasons (playing 28), he’d most likely fall into that category.

— KD


Cowboys roster breakdown: New direction coming at defensive tackle:: Blogging The Boys

Big decisions are to be made on Maliek Collins (UFA), Antwaun Woods (ERFA) and Daniel Ross (RFA). Blogging the Boys list big-name free agents to target along with drafting possibilities in order to get this very important piece of the depth chart solidified.

— DS


Biggest Potential Bargains in 2020 NFL Free Agency:: Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report does a little digging and finds some of the players that may fall under the radar and become a little bit more valuable without the bigger contract.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown finds himself on this list. Coming off a season-ending injury, Brown has found more success when working in the nickel and could be looked at by NFL teams looking to improve their slot cornerback position.

— DS


Dallas Cowboys 2020 Offseason Preview: Safety:: Inside The Star 

One position the Cowboys have been trying to figure out for some time is safety. They seemingly have their guy at free in Xavier Woods, who is coming off of his best season as a pro.

Jeff Heath has been the starter opposite him for the last few years. While solid mostly, he still hasn’t locked down the position as one would want. Now, he’s set to be an unrestricted free agent, leaving a hole to possibly fill. This piece discusses where the Cowboys safeties are as far as contracts go, depth at the position, and how new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan could bring a new philosophy to getting this area corrected.

— ML


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DeMarcus Lawrence talks possible Dez Bryant return, autograph snubs & more

Dallas Cowboys defensive end sits down with Bleacher Report Gridiron and participates in a “Q & A” with fans.

The Dallas Cowboys have always had their cast of outlandish and outspoken characters over the course of their 60-year history. From legends and Hall of Famers like quarterback Roger Staubach, running backs Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith, cornerback Deion Sanders and wide receiver Michael Irvin. The Cowboys have never had a shortage of players who wanted the spotlight, attention, and overall demanding of respect from the fans and media.

It’s now 2020 and the Cowboys have two-time Pro Bowl defensive end, DeMarcus Lawrence. With the Cowboys finishing 8-8 and largely underachieving, he has not stopped answering all of the questions he’s been asked. In an interview with Bleacher Report Gridiron, Lawrence welcomed a Q & A with fans in which none of them held back when it came to the choice of topics.

The gloves came off early from the fans. A New York Giants fan in particular asked about the situation that occurred outside of AT&T Stadium involving a young Giants fan asking for his autograph. “The reason why I did the fella like that … first off I really didn’t see him,  but saw he had the wrong jersey on. It really wasn’t any harm to him. I just treated the kid like I treat anyone else. I was walking pretty fast! No autographs for anyone that day,” Lawrence answered as he tried to finally clear the air.

Another question regarding something that has been heavily debated recently was the question of, who should be labeled as the real “Hot Boyz”? It has become a Twitter war between members of the Dallas Cowboys defense and the NFC Champion, San Francisco 49ers defense.

One would assume all in good fun but it seemed like Lawrence was very passionate about this brand.  Lawrence recently has went on record to call the 49ers frauds. He went on to explain a little more as to why he felt this way.

“Cause they don’t have no identity behind it. Reason we came up with Hotboyz was because of brotherhood. People can recognize us as the Hot Boyz from what we do on the field and off the field but swag like that, it’s gonna be cocky so I’m not surprised.”

Something Lawrence did not shy away from was his thoughts on a possible return to Dallas for free agent wide receiver Dez Bryant.

Bryant has surfaced back in Cowboys-related news in recent weeks when he made clear that he wants to be given a chance to rejoin the team in 2020. Or, according to the tweet a few weeks back, the Cowboys, Saints or Ravens.

When Lawrence was asked about a possible reunion between Bryant and the Cowboys, he made it quite clear that it would be welcomed. “If 88, the X factor, wants a shot we gotta give him a shot. Cowboys are home to Dez and he’s always accepted in my book.” In a follow up question of who he would like the Cowboys to add to the teams roster next season, once again, Lawrence sided with Bryant, “I’d say bring Dez Bryant back. 88 is always welcome here.”

He then decided to have some fun with a another Giants fan when he was asked about New York’s future. “Well, my guy, only thing I can say is as long as my career prolongs I don’t think it’s looking good for the Giants.”

One fan put Lawrence on the spot when he was asked who the best quarterback in the NFL was, past and present. Without hesitation, “Present day: Dak Prescott, Past: Dak Prescott.” That has to warm the heart of Prescott as he himself awaits his new long term deal with the team.

Lawrence has always been good for this team. Not just from a statistical standpoint but as an individual who has verbally and physically battled for all of his teammates. In any win or loss, Lawrence has never been short for words or comments. Even in his shorter phrases, or one word answers, they have always left an impact with the media and his colleges. Last year, as Cowboys fans know, Lawrence signed a five-year, $105 million dollar contract. This should give current Dallas players and potential 2020 new additions some comfort that they have a guy like him in the locker room.

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