Tag: Dallas Cowboys News and Notes

Cowboys News: Unnecessary disrespect, pressure on McCarthy, DPOY odds

How many Cowboys should make a top 100 list? Will McCarthy make it to Year 4? DPOY candidates, receiver corps rankings and more. | From @cdburnett7

The Cowboys came up short at the end of the 2022 season, but the disrespect shown the team seems unnecessary. A few Dallas stars don’t get their deserved flowers, but none more-so than cornerback Trevon Diggs. Meanwhile, head coach Mike McCarthy took over the play-calling duties, and it presents plenty of storylines for 2023. More pressure is on him to succeed and he may get the axe if the offense doesn’t maintain their lofty status.

Former Cowboys star Deion Sanders is facing a serious medical prognosis, an issue that has grown more dire in recent years. Details on Sanders’ health, grabbing your popcorn for the Dallas pass rush and the supplemental draft talent in the latest News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Optimism for Tolbert, defensive storylines, chess match renewed

The Cowboys coaching rivalry renewed in Oxnard, how a few young Dallas defenders are trending up and free agents to watch. | From @cdburnett7

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn locked horns many a time in the NFC, and they get to renew the rivalry in Oxnard. Quinn expressed his excitement, and it’ll be a fun storyline to watch in camp. Another one is the rise of wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, who offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer spoke highly of, and referenced a new teammate as a reason for the trend.

Dallas saw sparks of a star edge rusher in Sam Williams during the 2022 season, and now he’s used to the NFL game. The Cowboys defensive line coach expressed his optimism, and Williams may add another nightmare for opposing offenses. On top of the dominant pass rushers, Dallas boasts a versatile secondary. Everyone knows the stars, but the depth is what stands out for Quinn’s back line.

Less than a year after joining the Cowboys, pass rusher Takk McKinley was released Friday. It’s interesting to mention the free agent talent still on the market for Dallas to kick the tires on. Our own K.D. Drummond and NFL Wire editors break down the top remaining free agent from each team. See the full list and more in the latest Cowboys News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Does Dallas need DeAndre? OTA action

The growth of Prescott and McCarthy’s relationship, all things OTAs and the Dallas wide receivers’ goals for 2023. | From @cdburnett7

The Cowboys’ OTAs are in full force and there’s plenty to unpack. Mike McCarthy’s offense is being installed and quarterback Dak Prescott spoke on how his relationship with his coach is growing during this time. Just four months after surgery, running back Tony Pollard is back on the field, which is great news this early in the offseason.

During these offensive changes, wide receiver Brandin Cooks is coming into Dallas with one main goal: bringing explosiveness. Alongside CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, the Cowboys can become one of the most electric offenses in 2023. One wild card at the wide receiver position is KaVontae Turpin, who earned a Pro Bowl spot for his returning prowess, and now he has his sights set on more.

On defense, safety Jayron Kearse won’t be wearing No. 0 after all, and we’re not sure anyone will for Dallas in 2023. The kicker position still isn’t solidified for the Cowboys, but there’s a clear option right in front of them. The best plan of action at kicker, observations from OTAs, and a bit of hope that Dallas signs Deandre Hopkins in the latest News and Notes.

Cowboys News: NFL’s best young talent? Is Dallas better than 2022?

The Cowboys prominent young talent, high expectations for the offense, shuffles on the offensive line and the rise of positionless players. | From @cdburnett7

The Cowboys’ 2023 preseason slate of opponents was revealed when word came down about the club’s 17-game regular season schedule. Now there are actual dates and start times attached to each contest. Fans will be keyed in on the pecking order for various roster battles and a key one anticipated this summer will be how the offensive line is configured with three starting-caliber tackles and a hole at left guard.

The roster is filled with young talent whose roles are cemented in the team’s plans, with linebacker Micah Parsons earning honors as the top NFL player under the age of 25 and two others also ranking in the top 25. Parsons is an image of the evolving NFL, where position-less players can be true game wreckers and adjust depending on the situation.

The addition of wide receiver Brandin Cooks to an already potent offense reflected in a top 5 offensive win-share projection for next season. Part of this optimism is related to the growing connection between quarterback Dak Prescott and new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Find out about their budding relationship, a look at a rookie pass rusher and more in the latest News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Agent Zero identified, Prescott’s bonafides, defense solidified

The new No. 0 in Dallas, how the Cowboys defense is already set for 2023 and a deeper look at Prescott’s heavily discussed 2022 season. | From @CDBurnett7

Cowboys’ star linebacker Micah Parsons was excited about the rule change, allowing No. 0 to be donned in the NFL. Little did he know another member of his defense was way ahead of him in securing a number change before Parsons could lobby for it.

With the season still months away, Dallas has their defense aligned with the acquisition of cornerback Stephon Gilmore while retaining key players at all three levels. On the offensive side, there’s more to be said about quarterback Dak Prescott’s 2022. While the optics weren’t perfect, advanced stats show his aggressive play resulted in a lack of useless completions, near the top of the league in the category.

A large reason for that? Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who took high expectations and matched them with a season that cemented his spot as one of the best receivers in the NFL. Now officially in draft month, the first round for the Cowboys is unpredictable with the moves they’ve already made. Potential routes they’ll take on Day 1 and more in the latest News and Notes.

Cowboys News: DT to be missed, is Dallas focusing in on skill position players?

Tight end replacement options, a loss up front on defense and the Cowboys’ pet cats heading into the 2023 draft. | From @CDBurnett7

The Cowboys have turned in one of their strongest off-seasons in recent memory, and it’s a reason for optimism in Dallas. The retaining of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was the first domino, and recent talent acquisitions set the team up well for 2023.

Heading to the draft, which has been the club’s sole method for roster improvement for years, the tight end position presents some fun prospects to replace now-Houstonian Dalton Schultz. If not in the first round, Dallas may go to a pure athlete in Georgia’s Nolan Smith to add to the embarrassment of pass rush riches.

Just a day after Jonathan Hankins was retained, defensive tackle Carlos Watkins signed with the Cardinals, a tough loss up front for a group that improved as the year went on in 2022. A notable moment from Tennessee’s Pro Day, commentary on the potential offensive line shuffle and more in the latest News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Dante Fowler returning for Year 2, mocks focus on DT

Tuesday was another whirlwind day for Dallas activity, shoring up more holes on the depth chart. New mocks, new targets for April’s draft. | From @CDBurnett7

The Cowboys had a busy Tuesday. After locking in running back Tony Pollard with the franchise tag before free agency began, Dallas turned their attention back to the position with not one, but two signings.  Dallas also boosted the offensive line depth with a player they flirted with trading for around the time Tyron Smith and Terence Steele went down with injuries.

On the other side of the trenches, Dallas brought back the final piece to their edge puzzle but the nose tackle position remains a question mark. Will Johnathan Hankins be back? Some believe so while a key mock drafter has Dallas plugging the hole with a Michigan standout. Mel Kiper Jr. believes the other DT position will be the lucky spot in the first round after the top talents at wide receiver and cornerback go off the board. A position change for a fan favorite, Ronald Jones’ fit in the running back room and more in News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Combine underway, smoke and mirrors from coach?

Potential smokescreens, combine interviews, ranking potential rule changes and all things regarding the wide receiver room for 2023.

The 2023 NFL Combine is underway and the Cowboys are beginning their process with a multitude of prospects. One of those is Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence, whose Senior Bowl shine has propelled him into first-round conversation.

In part of the festivities, head coach Mike McCarthy fielded questions about the team and his expanded role. The fourth-year coach in Dallas claimed he plans to bring a run-first offense, but don’t fall for what could be offseason smoke from the staff.

The competition committee has their 2023 projected rule changes and our own K.D. Drummond rates all the options, including the ‘stupid’ ones. The NFLPA had their first iteration of team report cards and the Cowboys earned high honors for their facilities and staff, with four top placements. Expectations for the wide receivers in 2023, potential fits in the draft and mock drafts galore in Thursday’s News and Notes.

News and Notes: Are Cowboys working on big acquisition at combine?

Cowboys’ brass weigh in on offseason storylines, the argument to stop relying only on the draft and where Tyler Smith will line up in 2023. | From @CDBurnett7

The combine is where dreams begin for hundreds of prospects, but that’s not all that is getting handled. NFL GMs and player agents are all on hand, and a ton of wheeling and dealing is taking place. Could Dallas be getting ready to make a big roster move? During this offseason, will the Cowboys break their norm? The team tends to rely on draft capital for new talent but the window is closing on success and drafting can’t create a championship team all by itself.

After watching the safety position be a hole for years, the Cowboys currently have three really good ones and Stephen Jones spoke of the importance of keeping the core together. Jerry Jones has found himself in legal trouble over the last year and now a sexual assault case is reopening regarding an alleged encounter at AT&T Stadium in 2018. A look at the plans around quarterback Dak Prescott, the argument to draft a running back high and more in News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Another Hooker in Dallas? Tight ends not McCarthy’s thing?

Figuring out the backup quarterback, a deep skill position draft and how McCarthy’s offensive control could impact the tight end room. | From @CDBurnett7

There’s no doubt about Dak Prescott as the Cowboys’ franchise quarterback, but the position will still be an interesting debate this offseason. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush had a heroic 2022, but he could earn a big payday out of town. Dallas has already begun to shop for a replacement, with a former Heisman hopeful meeting with the team months ahead of the draft. Speaking of backup quarterbacks, former Cowboys Ben DiNucci made his XFL debut with a bang, but it got ugly in the second half with a plethora of turnovers.

Head coach Mike McCarthy is taking over the helm as playcaller and the looming decision with tight end Dalton Schultz could paint the picture early on how he plans to use the position in 2023. Luckily for the Cowboys, it’s a deep draft of skill players, especially the tight end spot. Looking in the backfield, there’s some Day 3 options Dallas could salivate over if Ezekiel Elliott’s tenure is nearing its end.

Cornerback is a big need in the draft, and the 2022 All-American Joey Porter Jr. presents an instant boost in the first round to make a three-headed monster with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland. A profile on his fit in Dallas, defending the Cowboys’ quarterback development and many more questions answered in the latest News and Notes.