It’s Super Bowl Sunday, but the Dallas Cowboys are home, chilling, just like 30 other teams not named the Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers. The NFL Honors took place Saturday night, but as expected no Cowboys walked away with any of the awards. The Pro Football Hall of Fame also announced their five nominees to join the centennial group announced last month, and no Cowboys were among the five selected, either.
Jimmy Johnson and Charlie Waters were part of the centennial class chosen in January, though, and could lead to Dallas getting a fifth exhibition game, the Hall of Fame Game to kick off the preseason slate. So with all that activity, one would think it’d be a quiet news day for the Cowboys, but it’s never quiet with Dallas. Is head coach Mike McCarthy giving stars the cold shoulder status quo, oversight or part of a plan? Who’s on the free agent circuit who may interest the Cowboys? Could center Travis Frederick be better than ever in 2020? All this and more in Sunday’s News and Notes.
2020 NFL Free Agency: Under-the-radar players:: Pro Football Focus
When it comes to NFL free agency in 2020, the Cowboys have plenty of their own in-house issues to solve first. They have to determine just how much they’re going to pay their franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. Amari Cooper’s deal is also at the forefront as well in order to try and keep Prescott’s number one wide receiver for the next few years. There are over 25 players on the roster that need to be figured out as we approach the new NFL calendar year in March.
Pro Football Focus collaborates with Over The Cap to break down some of the biggest under-the-radar free agents to be in 2020. They referenced PFF’s Free Agent Rankings page to determine some of the potential numbers that teams will have to spend to either keep or sign potential unrestricted free agents.
–DS
Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith has not heard back from Mike McCarthy yet:: Larry Brown Sports
Since becoming head coach, McCarthy has been quite busy. He has assembled a brand new coaching staff mixed with veteran leadership, all while keeping some key components from last season. Apparently one order of business not on his to-do list was introuduce himself to the team’s star linebacker.
Had Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith on today's podcast. We talked about his time at Notre Dame and why the Irish *will* win a national championship soon. Also, he had some VERY interesting comments on Mike McCarthy.
Excerpt below
Download: https://t.co/qSpx3zYSwc pic.twitter.com/bswSMc1klV
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) January 30, 2020
Smith was a guest on the Aaron Torres Sports Podcast in which he expressed his admiration for the new head coach, but has yet to speak to him.
“I’m a fan of the game, so I know all about (Mike) McCarthy and know what he brings to the table. I’m excited to be in that locker room and facility with him, to really be able to learn from a guy who’s won. I left a message and I’m waiting to hear back from him. He’s a busy guy — he’s got a lot of things going on — we’re still getting all the staff and everything situated, and I’m really looking forward to this year,” Smith said.
–DS
NFL Draft 2020: Searching for disruptors & powerhouses at DT for Cowboys in this class:: Blogging The Boys
BTB has been taking a look as to what the Cowboys might need when it comes to the 2020 NFL Draft. They have already discussed and taken a look at potential safeties and cornerbacks that would fit new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s scheme.
Where’s the beef? Right here. https://t.co/Rp96ufHiRk
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) February 1, 2020
Today, they take a look at some of the big boys upfront that will be able to stop the run and potentially force some ill-advised throws which could set up much-needed takeaways in 2020.
Defensive tackle is a position the Cowboys will strongly consider this year.
–DS
Cowboys Defensive Line Could be Headed for Major Changes:: NGSC Sports
The Cowboys have 15 unrestricted free agents on defense, with five being on the defensive front. With nearly 100 million in cap space for 2020, the Cowboys will have the means to keep plenty of players, but of course, no team keeps all of their free agents. It’s just a matter now of who is seen as valuable and who’s expendable.
— ML
Cowboys center Travis Fredrick is ready to expand his tool chest with the arrival of Joe Philbin:: Dallas Morning News
Frederick came back strong in 2019 after missing all of 2018 as he battled Guillian-Barre Syndrome. He made his fifth Pro Bowl and is a Man of the Year candidate thanks to his work with his “Blocking Out Hunger” foundation.
David Moore of the Dallas Morning News talks about how Fredrick has had a few conversations with new offensive line coach Joe Philbin and how he’s willing to take in new tools that could make him an even better player.
“I’m excited because whenever you get a new coach coming in, they have new tools to teach you,” Frederick said during a promotional appearance for Sleep Number. “When you’re trying to get a project done at home and you only have a limited set of tools, you might be able to get it done but it might not be the perfect tool for the job.
“You might be using pliers on a nut instead of the ratchet. There might be a more efficient way to be doing it or a better way to be doing it, but you’ve just been doing it a different way before, so the more tools that you have, the easier it is to grab the one you’re looking for.”
— ML
Dak Prescott calls being with Cowboys a ‘blessing’, says he’s not focused on playing anywhere else:: Fox News
The Cowboys franchise quarterback is set to be an unrestricted free agent in March. Even with continued negotiations for a long-term deal causing some bit of frustration, Prescott is still all-in on being the signal-caller in Dallas for a long time to come.
— ML
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