Tag: Dez Bryant

Cowboys News: Patrick-to-Prescott correlation, Covid protocols, Dez no call

Patrick Mahomes new deal leads to Cowboys, Dak Prescott contract prediction :: Cowboys Wire

The Patrick Mahomes contract reset the quarterback market and set a new bar for the position. The Cowboys are the next team expected to sign their signal caller to a lofty extension, and the Mahomes deal may help lay some guidelines for the next Prescott contract. Our own K.D. Drummond inspects every aspect of the Cowboys and Prescott’s discussions. 

Patrick Mahomes’ record-breaking deal with the Chiefs could either be a blessing or a curse for the Cowboys in discussions with their franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. Our own K.D. Drummond deep dives into every aspect of the anticipated Prescott extension, including how the Mahomes mega-deal impacts it.

Jerry Jones silence on the recent racial tensions in America has been headline news, and another Cowboy, the newly-signed Dontari Poe, has just voiced his opinion on the issue involving the Dallas’ owner. The NFL and the NFL Players Association have different plans for how the preseason should be handled, The NFL is ready to continue as planned, and the league has revealed to the teams the protocol for training camps to begin in late July. Plus, is Dez Bryant to Dallas a dead rumor? And is the kicker positional battle for the Cowboys closer than people think? All that and more, here in the Cowboys news and notes.

Patrick Mahomes new deal leads to Cowboys, Dak Prescott contract prediction :: Cowboys Wire

The Patrick Mahomes contract reset the quarterback market and set a new bar for the position. The Cowboys are the next team expected to sign their signal caller to a lofty extension, and the Mahomes deal may help lay some guidelines for the next Prescott contract. Our own K.D. Drummond inspects every aspect of the Cowboys and Prescott’s discussions.

5 Questions As The Dak Deal Deadline Nears :: The Mothership

As of now, Dak Prescott will play the 2019-2020 season on the franchise tag. July 15 is a date that means a lot in regards to the contract deliberations, and that deadline is a lot closer than it was when Prescott was first franchise tagged by the Cowboys. Learn more about the potential outcomes of the negotiations between the Cowboys and Prescott.

Cowboys’ Dontari Poe to Jerry Jones: ‘We need to know we have your support’ :: Cowboys Wire

The Dallas Cowboys put out a statement on racial injustice a few weeks ago, but owner Jerry Jones has refrained from putting out a personal statement. It seems odd for the most outspoken owner in American sports to be this quiet on a topic this important, and Dontari Poe is the latest Cowboy to question Jones about his silence.

NFL, NFLPA fight over preseason games ‘just getting started’ :: Cowboys Wire

Both the NFL and the NFL Players association want the season to play out as planned, but there are differing opinions on how much of the preseason should be played. Our own Todd Brock reports on how the players want the preseason handled, according to NFLPA President J.C. Trotter, and how that compares to the recent statements from the league office.

Why a Dez Bryant reunion with the Cowboys is not a real possibility :: Blogging The Boys

The Cowboys’ fourth wide receiver is still a question mark, and Dez Bryant wants to return to Dallas for a smaller role than he once had. So why is the reunion seeming unlikely? Matt Holleran from Blogging the Boys discusses some reasons that are keeping Bryant on the market.

NFL sends COVID-19 protocols for camp, preseason to clubs :: NFL.com

A meaty- and sobering- 40-page document has hit the inboxes of all 32 NFL teams, outlining everything from laundry procedures and media access to player testing and symptom monitoring guidelines.

Nationals cancel practice because of testing delays :: ProFootballTalk

In an MLB development that merits watching by the NFL, the Washington Nationals canceled their Monday practice session after the results of Covid tests taken on Friday- promised within 24 hours- were still unknown as of Monday morning. It’s a troubling omen for the prospect of bringing sports back in the current climate.

Film Room: Who is the better Cowboys CB – Jourdan Lewis or Anthony Brown? :: Dallas Morning News

John Owning went into this head-to-head examination thinking he knew who the better corner was. While his film study leads him to find “that the two are much closer than the other side’s fans will lead you to believe,” Owning changes his mind and gives the former Wolverine the slightest of nods over the ex-Boilermaker.

Mailbag: Are we writing off Forbath too soon? :: The Mothership

The signing of Greg Zuerlein and his reunion in Dallas with new special teams guru John Fassel was big news. But don’t pack Kai Forbath’s bags quite yet. He was perfect in three games as a Cowboy last year, and at this position, consistency routinely beats name recognition.

 

Cowboys News: Cooling the Clowney chatter, fresh start for Awuzie, Herschel in the Hall?

Also, a fresh start for Chido Awuzie, drafting an all-time Cowboys roster, Dez Bryant makes dreams come true, and playing in empty stadiums.

Jadeveon Clowney reportedly wants to be in Dallas, but there are a few factors that make it doubtful that he joins the Cowboys, even though many fans are hoping for the team to engineer a Cam-Newton-to-New-England-type blockbuster signing. The current crop of Cowboys, according to Vegas oddsmakers, are set to make some serious noise in 2020. The defensive backfield could potentially hold Dallas back, but players like Chido Awuzie could take the next step with a fresh coaching staff.

NFL games, if they happen at all, are likely to be without fans. But the lack of fans might actually enhance the viewing experience. Cowboys writers take turns drafting their all-time Dallas rosters, and a former Cowboy believes he should be next in line for Canton. All that and more; here are the Dallas Cowboys news and notes for June 29, 2020.

Jadeveon Clowney, Cowboys rumors: Pro Bowl pass rusher currently ‘not in the plan’ for a variety of reasons :: CBS Sports

Many people are linking Jadeveon Clowney to the Cowboys after he revealed he would like to play in Dallas. Clowney has lowered his asking price slightly in the last few weeks, but Patrik Walker explains it still doesn’t make sense for the Cowboys to sign Clowney to a huge deal.

Prescott, Lamb, McCarthy among Cowboys primed for strong 2020, say oddsmakers :: Cowboys Wire

Whether it’s for actual wagering or just fantasy football scouting, looking at the official odds can indicate who may be poised to do big things. Plenty of Cowboys are getting decent-to-good odds at winning some end-of-season hardware, and that could mean good-to-great things for the team in 2020.

Mailbag: A fresh start for Chido Awuzie? :: The Mothership

The team’s staff writers feel the 25-year-old cornerback might be on the cusp of an elevation in his game (and maybe even a move to safety), especially now that he’s under a new coaching staff that includes the likes of Al Harris. “Remember this: Byron Jones was a disappointing first-round pick,” David Helman writes, “and coaching helped turn him into an All-Pro.”

Cowboys Ex Herschel Walker: ‘I should be in the Hall of Fame’ :: CowboyMaven

The former Cowboys running back told a Minnesota news outlet back in April that he had done enough in just the NFL to be enshrined in Canton. But as Mike Fisher points out, it’s the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Walker’s USFL stats should count, too. It’s likely an uphill battle, though, considering some of the other Cowboys legends who also don’t have a gold jacket.

Introducing the most ambitious Dallas Cowboys all-time roster project ever :: The Athletic

Bob Sturm and Jon Machota go head-to-head, each drafting a full 53-man roster from a pool that includes every player to ever wear the star. In Part One, they lay out the ground rules and reveal the overall top ten picks. Who went first? Probably not who you think.

Madden 20 Sim: Emmitt Smith stars as Cowboys top rival Giants in battle of NFL legends :: 105.3 The Fan

Imagine Roger Staubach throwing to Jason Witten with Emmitt Smith blocking in the backfield. Or a defensive huddle that includes Bob Lilly, DeMarcus Lawrence, Deion Sanders, Mel Renfro, and DeMarcus Ware. RADIO.COM and 105.3 The Fan put together a historic showdown for the ages- thanks to Madden 2020- over the weekend. It took a Dan Bailey boot with under 20 seconds left to decide this one; read the recap at the link, or go back and watch the whole game here.

The possible unexpected effects that no fans in the stands could have on a Cowboys season :: Blogging the Boys

Would NFL games in an empty stadium be weird? Of course. Would it be flat, sterile, and boring? Not necessarily, according to one former player. In fact, fewer penalties and a more intimate proximity to on-the-field audio might just enhance the game experience for television audiences.

O-Line: A new center, a new direction :: The Mothership

The Dallas Cowboys are entering the 2020 season with a new offensive line coach, and will have a new starting center. What will this all mean for a unit that has been consistently among the top offensive lines in football? Cowboys staff writer Rob Philips takes a deeper look at the O-line changes.

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Cowboys News: Looking ahead to free agency 2021, predictions for 2020

Also in the news, Adrian Peterson complains about RB pay, Dez Bryant reacts to Cam Newton’s signing, and forecasting the Cowboys’ WR4.

It’s just weeks before the start of training camp, and there are so many questions the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL as a whole are facing. Some believe the season will take place, but a modified version- fewer games, no preseason, or some other change- seems increasingly likely.

If the coaching staff turnover is factored in, the Cowboys’ roster has certainly changed more this offseason than in recent years. The lack of in-person offseason programs doesn’t do them any favors, but all teams are having to adjust. Jourdan Lewis has a chance to break out, and a breakout may lead him to an expensive extension a year from now. HaHa Clinton-Dix could be a potential upgrade in the defensive backfield, and there’s a massive opportunity for the yet-to-be-named fourth wide receiver on the roster. All that and more; here are the news and notes for June 28, 2020.

After the big three, which wide receivers should make the Cowboys roster? :: Blogging The Boys

The Cowboys’ fourth receiver spot is one of the biggest roster question marks heading into training camp in Dallas. Dan Rogers from Blogging the Boys dives into all the potential candidates for the final wideout slot.

7 NFL players who should look forward to free agency in 2021 :: Bleacher Report

With the departure of Byron Jones, Jourdan Lewis has a great chance for a breakout year. If Lewis does step up this season, he could have his sights set on a big payday.

How NFL teams are managing the transition for this year’s rookie class :: Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer talks with a Los Angeles Rams coach on the differences and challenges this unique virtual offseason has created.

What will HaHa Clinton-Dix bring to the Cowboys defense? :: Inside The Star

HaHa Clinton-Dix signed a one-year deal in the offseason with the Cowboys. The former first-round talent out of Alabama hasn’t necessarily lived up to his potential, but his consistent production and ability to play both safety positions should prove valuable for the Dallas defense.

Most likely to least likely: Running through 10 Dallas Cowboys-related scenarios :: The Athletic

With the continuing pandemic, no one knows just how the NFL season schedule will unfold. The Athletic’s Jon Machota does his best to rank the most likely events that can happen for the Cowboys this season.

Six NFL pre-training camp predictions: Colin Kaepernick stays unsigned, preseason reduced or scrapped, more :: CBS Sports

Dak Prescott signed his franchise tag, though many believe that will be temporary while he and the Cowboys work out a long term deal. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports predicts that long-term extension won’t happen this season.

Adrian Peterson calls NFL’s RB pay ‘disrespectful;’ ‘we are valuable’ :: TMZ Sports

Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott had to hold out of training camp to land his megacontract; now the Vikings’ Dalvin Cook is threatening to do the same. The 35-year-old Peterson, in the final year of his current deal in Washington, says he’s fed up with NFL owners trying to short-change their backfield workhorses.

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On Juneteenth, DT Gerald McCoy asks Cowboys owner to ‘say something’

The Cowboys’ new defensive tackle is walking the walk on Juneteenth and asking new boss Jerry Jones to finally talk the talk.

Gerald McCoy is already showing himself to be a leader for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys, even though he has yet to set foot in the building. The six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, signed by the club in late March, is lending his voice to growing calls to make Juneteenth a national holiday. He called on his new Cowboys teammates to join him in a 2.5-mile walk on Friday, a show of solidarity with Opal Lee, the 92-year-old retired teacher who walked from her Fort Worth home all the way to the nation’s capital (two and a half miles at a time, in 2016 and again in 2019) in an attempt to get the date recognized officially.

But McCoy also had some words for his new boss, Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones, who has yet to weigh in publicly with a stance on the events that have gripped the country since the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

Appearing on ESPN’s First Take on Friday to mark the occasion of Juneteenth, McCoy was asked about the deafening silence that has come from the owner of America’s Team.

“When you have a franchise as recognizable as the Cowboys, “McCoy said, “people listen when they speak up. And the owner, Jerry Jones- who is one of the most recognizable figures in sports history- when he speaks, everybody listens. Well, I think at this point in time, I feel it would be great to hear him say something positive, or say anything. I love what he’s been to the sport. He’s been excellent to the sport of football. He’s a Hall of Famer. But at this point, it’s bigger than football. We need him to speak up about life. This is about human beings and equal rights. And that’s not what’s happening. And it would be great to hear him say something. Anything.”

Jones has taken considerable heat for his uncharacteristic radio silence. Former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant tweeted that he’d like to have seen Jones attend one of the many protests that followed Floyd’s death. 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman called out Jones as well, in comments to a San Francisco newspaper.

This week, First Take cohost Stephen A. Smith offered a scathing rant directed at Jones. The team made a mention of Juneteenth via their social media accounts and spotlighted former defensive end Greg Ellis’s theatrical production, “Juneteenth: The Stage Play.” But for Smith, a rabid Cowboys hater, it’s not the same as a formal statement from the man at the top.

“Even more disappointing” than Jones’s silence, Smith said, “is that I haven’t heard one single Dallas Cowboy call for Jerry Jones to speak on this issue. Where the hell are they?”

McCoy’s pointed comments 24 hours later may have come too late and too softly for Smith’s liking. But they were not, in fact, the only ones to have come from a Cowboys notable.

On June 3, quarterback Dak Prescott posted an eloquent series of messages via Instagram detailing his perspective and pledging $1 million in support of police training, education, and advocacy.

Running back Ezekiel Elliott was one of the players featured in the video directed at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell two weeks ago, prompting the commissioner to release a video response of his own condemning racism and admitting the league was wrong to not listen to players’ previous criticisms regarding the issue of race.

Several Cowboys, including Prescott, wide receiver Amari Cooper, Ring of Honor legend Emmitt Smith, former Cowboys defensive star DeMarcus Ware, and three-time Super Bowl offensive lineman Nate Newton were among the hundreds of sports notables who signed a letter supporting the end of qualified immunity for violent police officers.

Speaking with Rich Eisen, Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin shared personal stories of his own experiences with systemic racism and described it as a problem that “we have to root out.”

The Cowboys organization released a video, the first in a promised series, that, according the team website, “reflects the organization’s statement regarding the recent tragedies in our country while also disclosing interactions between the team, its players, and community leaders.”

And most recently, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence pledged to join McCoy for local Opal’s Walk events on Friday and Saturday. The two and a half miles of the walk represent the two and a half years that Black Texans waited between the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery, and the day that message finally arrived in Galveston.

McCoy, who still has not met most of his new teammates or coaches face to face, clearly grasps the club’s unique place in the landscape of professional sports. His conversation with the First Take crew echoes remarks he made to ESPN that show his apparent willingness to use his newly-elevated profile to address the current climate alongside the Cowboys veterans who have already done so.

“You have the players, who have their own brand, but we’re all under the umbrella of the Dallas Cowboys,” McCoy said, per Todd Archer. “The Dallas Cowboys are the most recognized franchise in the world. They can get behind it, whether it’s the players or just being in the movement, period, and showing their support. It would be great to hear a statement from the Cowboys, great to hear a statement from Jerry Jones in support of everything that’s going on. Will that get me in trouble saying that? I don’t know, but the truth is it needs to be said. The problem is people are afraid to have the conversations.”

Gerald McCoy is talking the talk on racial inequality in America. And on Juneteenth, he’s also walking the walk.

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Despite insider report, NFL owners not waiting on Jerry Jones to speak out

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is one of the NFL’s leaders, but he’s taken a sudden backseat in using his powerful voice to speak out for change.

With every passing hour of silence from the big office at The Star in Frisco, the message being relayed only grows louder. It’s been 17 days since the first protest in Minneapolis, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has yet to make any statement regarding the current social injustice movement in America.

The Cowboys organization released a video statement promising ongoing conversation, but the man who runs the highest-profile team in all of sports doesn’t appear in it. The league has announced monetary support– albeit a microdrop in their lake-sized financial bucket- to fight systemic racism. And while many players and coaches from around the league have participated in marches and rallies in cities across the country, team owners have been largely missing in action on the ground.

On Thursday, a media insider suggested that other NFL owners have maintained silence on the issue directly because of the example being set by Jones.

Read that again.

As incendiery a headline as that makes, it’s not entirely factual. The truth, however, may be even more damning for the man who runs America’s Team.

ESPN’s Dianna Russini appeared on the network’s show Get Up and recapped her findings after a Players Coalition meeting that took place on Wednesday. The meeting was held virtually, and, according to Russini, began with a request for all media members to exit so that the meeting could be “a safe space” for all to talk freely.

While the GMs, coaches, and players who were present- representing several major sports besides the NFL- talked about education and community outreach, what didn’t come up, per se, was owners’ roles in the current movement or their responsibility to speak out, Russini told host Mike Greenberg.

But one NFL head coach Russini debriefed after the meeting told her:

“Everything falls in line with Jerry Jones. All eyes are on him. He’s the most vocal owner in the league. And not only is he the most vocal leader, but there are numerous owners that listen to him. He mentors them. What Jerry does, they do. And until he makes that move, the dominoes can’t start falling.”

 

“It’s not pulling them like it is the rest of the country,” San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman said of the league’s owners. Sherman went on to single out Jones for his silence in the wake of nationwide protests.

Even former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant- who is lobbying for a return to the league and has targeted Dallas as a preferred destination- called out his ex-employer in a tweet for not lending his powerful voice to any protests.

Russini’s source similarly believes that what Jones does or doesn’t do is apparently the bellwether for the league’s other owners. But, as the facts bear out, rather than allowing themselves to simply be “dominoes” waiting for a nudge from Jones, a not-insignificant number of NFL owners have stepped out and spoken up on their own.

Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk delivered an impassioned statement on Thursday, announcing, “Hearts, minds and institutions need to change throughout our country. Those who face racism need to be heard, and more importantly, understood by those who haven’t listened before.”

Strunk shed light on some of the Titans’ ongoing efforts and concluded her statement by declaring: “I support our players using peaceful protests and their platforms to advance us as a nation. I would encourage those who haven’t thought about these issues before to understand the pain, anger and frustration of the black community. Black lives matter. We should all agree on that.”

As NFL journalist Paul Kuharsky notes, the Titans owner isn’t the first or the only league owner who isn’t waiting around for Jones. “We’d seen or heard statements from at least 10 NFL owners, 32 percent of them,” before Strunk released her statement, according to Kuharsky.

On May 30, San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York said in a tweet, “Before we are able to realize impactful change, we must first have the courage and compassion as human beings to come together and acknowledge the problem: black men, women, and children and other oppressed minorities continue to be systemically discriminated against.”

On May 31, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis told ESPN regarding his players, “If they have something to say, I’ll stand beside them. I won’t stand behind them; I’ll stand beside them. And if there’s something I don’t know, I’m happy to listen to them. We’ve got to find a solution.”

On June 1, New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson said in a statement, “Our goal will be to advocate for issues of change when and where we are able to in black and brown communities. Hopefully our work will be a model for others. They will have my full support.”

On June 1, Chicago Bears owner George H. McCaskey said, “We must do more than wring our hands and hope it doesn’t happen again… Through our voice, our actions and our resources, it is our obligation to lead.”

On June 1, Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam promised, “We must work together to elevate our efforts and our actions to ensure that we can be a positive and productive change agent off the field.”

On June 1, Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti vowed, “I have asked a group of former and current Ravens players to decide which organizations should receive proceeds from the $1 million donation we are making today.”

On June 2, Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie tweeted, in part, “At times, I have too many words. At times, I have no words. But silence is not an option.”

On June 2, Buffalo Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula spoke out: “We stand with and will continue to work with those dedicated to eradicating racism and inequality. We stand with those peacefully protesting. We stand against those who are motivated by hatred and violence.”

On June 2, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay quoted Martin Luther King Jr. via Twitter: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

On June 3, Houston Texans owner Cal McNair said in a posted tweet, “This has been a pervasive and mostly silent problem for the past 400-plus years… I believe that these injustices cannot continue.”

On June 3, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a released statement, “As a member of the NFL family, I recognize I have a unique opportunity to address inequity wherever it is present, expand opportunity for all who seek it, and seek justice for all who deserve it. I take that responsibility seriously.”

As of June 12, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has yet to say a word.

His is the flagship team of the league, and the most valuable sports franchise on the planet. His fanbase reaches every corner of the globe. One from-the-heart statement from him into the nearest microphone would surely have ripple effects throughout the NFL, the sports world, the country, and beyond.

Russini’s head coach source was right. All eyes are, in fact, on Jones. And yes, what Jerry does, other owners invariably do as well.

Jones had the chance to be the undisputed leader within the NFL’s ownership by speaking out immediately. The Cowboys could have been the example and set the tone for other franchises to follow. Instead, more than a third of the other owners have beaten Jones to the punch. At this point in the story, Jones risks being barely more than a follower in the middle of the pack who did way too little, way too late.

The only thing worse is continuing to do nothing at all.

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Cowboys News: HoF game vs Steelers in doubt? Dak, Emmitt want end to qualified immunity

Also in Cowboys news, Troy Aikman recalls his legacy, Gerald McCoy eagerly awaits the national spotlight, and a likely holdout candidate.

Two of the Cowboys’ biggest stars are lending their names in support of a bill aimed at ending a practice that shields police violence as the sports world continues to rally around the racial injustice issues of the day.

But the COVID-19 pandemic is still wreaking havoc with normality, and now the league may be talking about cutting the preseason in half as teams scramble to prepare for business as usual. Also, a Cowboys legend speaks about his unique legacy, a new Cowboys leader looks forward to the national spotlight (and beyond), and Dak Prescott tops a list that fans would rather not see him on at all. That’s all ahead in this edition of News and Notes.

Dak Prescott, Emmitt Smith among Dallas Cowboys stars seeking to end qualified immunity :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The team’s current starting quarterback and the league’s all-time leading rusher are among more than 1,400 current and retired athletes, coaches, GMs, and staffers from the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball who have signed a letter to Congress supporting a bill to end qualified immunity, which makes it difficult to sue police officers for brutality. Amari Cooper, Nate Newton, and DeMarcus Ware also lent their signatures.

NFL, NFLPA discussing possibility of shortened preseason :: NFL.com

“Nothing has been finalized or is near finalization, but multiple team executives informed of talks currently believe they could end up playing half of the typical preseason schedule, going from four games to two,” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The abbreviated preseason would allow for a longer ramp-up for players who have been unable to work with their teams due to stay-at-home restrictions.

No mention was made what would happen to the Hall of Fame game, which is scheduled ahead of the four-week preseason and features Dallas and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. If the first two weeks of the exhibition season are cancelled, having two teams play in a game three weeks prior to every other team makes little sense.

Richard Sherman calls out Jerry Jones, Dez Bryant defends Cowboys owner :: Cowboys Wire

Throughout the nationwide conversation about racial inequality in this country over the last week, the outspoken owner has been silent. 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman says that’s part of the problem, even as Dez Bryant defends his former employer.

Troy Aikman: My legacy was going to be about winning championships :: Blogging the Boys

The three-time Super Bowl champion joined former Dallas teammate Darren Woodson on his podcast to dispel the myth that his teams of the ’90s weren’t adept at throwing the ball, and how he knew that his career would be defined by league titles rather than passing titles. Aikman also touches on how he reached “a breaking point” and assumed he’d leave Dallas to play somewhere else.

The Real McCoy: DT provides solution Cowboys haven’t tried yet, proven talent :: Cowboys Wire

In CW’s daily countdown to the regular season, No. 93 Gerald McCoy enters the crosshairs. A complete profile on what he adds to Dallas and what the DL room looks like with his presence.

Mick Shots: Herding them around this McCoy :: The Mothership

Mickey Spagnola can’t wait for Gerald McCoy to get in the Cowboys locker room and start mentoring young defenders like Neville Gallimore and Trysten Hill. As for McCoy, he can’t wait to appear on national TV five times this season alone, after a grand total of four times over nine seasons with the Buccaneers.

The NFL’s 7 most likely holdout candidates entering 2020 season :: Bleacher Report

This isn’t a list Cowboys fans want to see any of their players’ names on. But no Cowboys fan who’s been near the internet so far this offseason will be the least bit shocked to see whose name is sitting at number one.

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Richard Sherman calls out Jerry Jones, Dez Bryant defends Cowboys owner

The 49ers cornerback singled out the Cowboys boss in a quote about NFL owners remaining largely silent regarding racial justice talks.

In a week where so many, from celebrities to CEOs, have come forward with formal statements and calls for change regarding racial inequality and social injustice in America, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has remained uncharacteristically silent.

That is precisely part of the problem, says San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman.

In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Sherman expressed optimism at the growing movement within the NFL to address race. But the five-time Pro Bowler said he felt that team owners haven’t been vocal enough about joining the conversation. He singled out Jones in particular.

“It’s not pulling them like it is the rest of the country,” Sherman told the newspaper, as per ESPN. “Because if it was, then they’d speak. Jerry Jones, especially, has no problem speaking up any other time about anything else. But when it’s such a serious issue, and he could really make a huge impact on it with a few words, his silence speaks volumes.”

The Cowboys organization released a video statement late last week meant to be the first in a series that shares ongoing interactions between the team, players, and community leaders.

Jones does not appear in the video, nor has he weighed in publicly about the recent instances of police violence that have shocked the nation, the resulting protests that have taken place in cities around the globe, or the subsequent conversations and outreach efforts that have begun to spring up.

Jones’s absence at a large protest in Austin over the weekend caught the attention of former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant. On Sunday, Bryant issued a tweet in which he wrote, “Somebody should have brought Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, and Jason Witten to this protest down in Austin. This is not a policy change; this is a heart change. And yeah, I said it.”

While Witten responded (via Twitter) to his former teammate, Bryant’s former employer still has not. Yet on Monday, the free agent receiver defended Jones to Sports Illustrated.

“I know Jerry’s heart. He’s a compassionate person, and he’s not a racist,” Bryant said. “I have love for Mr. Jones. Almost everything I know about business- and of course, I’m still learning- I learned from him. But I believe this is a time, right now, where Mr. Jones could learn some things, too. To learn about the culture.”

The same goes, Bryant says, for chief operating officer (and Jerry’s son) Stephen.

“I’ve seen some of the other coaches and GMs from other teams start to reach out and even march,” Bryant went on. “I think that will help those teams in the locker room and on the field, for players to know that the boss is at least trying to understand.”

As for Witten, Bryant says he and the eventual Hall of Famer still have a close relationship.

“I’d like to tell Witt what I’m telling you: He can’t know what it’s like being a black man walking into a restaurant and only feeling accepted because he’s an athlete. I don’t know that Witt can know that, or that Jerry or Stephen can know it. I want them to listen to us telling them that.”

According to ESPN, Witten- now a member of the Raiders- has already met with police, religious, and business leaders in Las Vegas, looking for ways to improve relations in his new home city.

Sherman said he has been encouraged by the discussions happening within his own team.

San Francisco, of course, was the epicenter of controversy in 2016 when then-quarterback Colin Kaepernick began silently taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem in protest of systemic black oppression.

At the time, Jones famously made it clear that he would not tolerate any Cowboys player kneeling, believing it was disrespectful to the American flag. In 2017, though, as the gesture spread throughout the league, Jones joined the team in kneeling, linking arms with the players during one memorable pregame.

Given recent events, many around the sport expect there to be similar showings once games are played in 2020. It is unclear what the Cowboys- either the players or the ownership- will do, or if the two sides will agree on a unified approach. But Bryant has a suggestion on how the team owner could endear himself to his players in the meantime.

“If Jerry [participated in a protest], those guys in that locker room at The Star- knowing what he might be changing and might be sacrificing- would run through a brick wall for him,” Bryant predicted. “Jerry does that, he might just win another Super Bowl because of it.”

For now, though, Jones is inexplicably letting his silence do all the talking. And the message it’s sending is leaving a bad taste in the mouths of fans and players who are looking for the outspoken owner to do what he normally does best: speak out.

Dez Bryant invites Jerry Jones, Jason Witten to engage in protests

The ex-Cowboys WR singled out his former team’s owner and his tight end teammate in a tweet regarding the weekend’s protests in Austin.

Thousands took to the streets for another weekend of protests in cities across the country. Among the notable gatherings was the protest in Austin in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Sunday marked the tenth straight day of demonstrations in the Texas state capital, with a spotlight on social injustice, police violence, and racial inequality.

Ex-Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was among those paying attention, but he also took the opportunity to name-drop a few notables from his former place of employment who Bryant felt might have benefitted from making the trip down I-35 from Dallas.

It’s unclear if Bryant personally attended the Austin rally, but he posted the following tweet on Sunday afternoon.

The Cowboys were among the last of the NFL teams to make an official statement regarding the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25. That statement finally came on Friday with the release of a video entitled “Protest to Progress.”

The two-minute video features current Cowboys players Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Sean Lee and others, but also includes local police chiefs, judges, city attorneys, and social service leaders. It’s the first in a promised series of videos that the team says “reflects the organization’s statement regarding the recent tragedies in our country while also disclosing interactions between the team, its players, and community leaders.” According the Cowboys, those internal discussions have been going on for two years.

Bryant, who was released by the team in April 2018, did not elaborate on why he singled out the Cowboys owner, chief operating officer, and long-tenured tight end in his tweet. But he did respond to a few of his followers.

Witten, the 16-year veteran who signed during the offseason with the Las Vegas Raiders, responded directly to Bryant over the social media platform early Monday morning.

Witten had already been with the Cowboys for seven seasons when Bryant was a first-round draft pick in 2010. The two were teammates in Dallas through the conclusion of 2017 season.

Bryant responded to Witten’s tweet with a single emoji of folded hands, often meant to indicate prayer, please, or thankfulness.

The three-time Pro Bowl wideout has been lobbying for a return to the NFL. His desire to rejoin the Cowboys has been no secret, with Bryant posting many videos of him working out with Prescott, Elliott, and other former teammates. Some of his posts have even been a direct appeal to Jones to bring him back into the Cowboys fold.

The urgency of his Dallas-comeback campaign has seemed to wane in recent weeks, roughly coinciding with the team’s drafting of Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the first round of this year’s draft. After much fanfare- and even support from Bryant himself– Lamb was issued the No. 88 jersey formerly worn by Bryant.

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Would a potential Dez Bryant return make sense with Redskins?

There are rumors starting that Dez Bryant could be looking to make a return to the NFL this year, which could make sense in Washington.

Though nothing of much substance has come out as of yet, there are some rumors starting to swirl surrounding Dez Bryant and a potential return to the NFL.

According to ESPN’s John Keim, a few teams have reached out to Bryant and his agent, and they feel he will eventually get another chance in the league.

So the question then is which team would give him that chance? Is it possible that the Washington Redskins could act as a potential suitor? Let’s try to break it down a bit.

We all know that the Redskins have some talent at the WR position, but what they lack is veteran experience. At 31 years old with eight years in the NFL under his belt, it’s obvious that Bryant could bring some leadership to a young receiving corps and help guide them through the first or second year in the league. We also can believe that Bryant is still physically capable of being a solid contributor in an NFL offense, seeing as he was still playing at a high level when we last saw him in 2017, and he has reportedly lost 15-20 pounds.

Bryant has been rehabbing from Achilles injury that plagued his comeback with the New Orleans Saints, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see him get back onto the field at some point in the near future. If the Redskins poked around to see if there was mutual interest there, I think it could be highly beneficial to both parties.

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Watch: Emmanuel Sanders putting in work with personal WR coach

The New Orleans Saints canceled most of their offseason due to the coronavirus, prompting Emmanuel Sanders to seek out a private WR coach.

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The New Orleans Saints decided to not hold a virtual offseason in light of the coronavirus pandemic, with coach Sean Payton instead telling his players to take care of their families and to show up for training camp in the best shape of their lives.

Emmanuel Sanders is one player who took those instructions to heart. The veteran wide receiver has been training with David Robinson, a private coach and kinesiology specialist who has helped propel talents like Dez Bryant, Antonio Brown, and Sanders himself to All-Pro seasons. Robinson also worked with Bryant last summer in preparation for his NFL comeback, but a late-career Achilles injury chilled any interest he might have received.

It’s good to see that Sanders is taking this strange offseason seriously. He recently appeared on a conference call with Saints season-ticket holders to preview his first year in black and gold, noting that his rookie year was kind of similar due to the NFL lockout surrounding CBA negotiations. He’s no stranger to putting in the time and effort on his own to help his team.

Sanders has averaged 4.2 receptions and 54.8 receiving yards per game in his 10-year NFL career. If he can achieve anything close to that level of production in New Orleans, the city might rename the old Lee Circle for him. It’s been a long time since the Saints fielded such a strong one-two punch at wide receiver between Sanders and Michael Thomas.

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