With almost a completely new coaching staff and a long list of free-agents, Cowboys fans are looking forward to the upcoming season, and rightfully so. However, there are many questions to be answered regarding on all sides of the ball in Dallas next season.
How could the defensive personnel change? Who will call defensive plays? And why type of influence will Mike McCarthy have on Kellen Moore’s offense? John Fassel is charged with improving a Cowboys special team group, and he’s ready and capable to do so. All this, and how a former Cowboys star is getting his coaching start at the college level. Here’s the News and Notes.
What can you expect from new Cowboys defense and the coaches who will lead it? :: The Athletic (pay wall)
New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and the rest of the assistant coaching staff meet with reporters at the Star in Frisco on Monday. With basically half of the defensive starters set to be unrestricted free agents, there will be plenty of change in 2020.
–ML
Kellen Moore: “Collaborative” Effort On Offense :: Dallas Cowboys
When McCarthy was hired there was speculation whether he would keep the first-year play-caller or do it himself as he did during his days in Green Bay. However, he chose to retain Moore and has made it clear that the latter will call the plays as he did for the NFL’s top-ranked offense in 2019.
Moore had an interest from the University of Washington for their vacant offensive coordinator position but saw an “awesome opportunity” to work under McCarthy.
Kellen Moore on Mike McCarthy deferring to him to call plays: "It's certainly very appreciated. Certainly at the end of the day, I know this thing will be collaborative and we'll work through it together, and we'll find the best situation and best outcome out of it." pic.twitter.com/IOkj8bLtK0
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 28, 2020
–ML
John Fassel ready to reinvent Cowboys forgotten phase, special teams :: Cowboys Wire
John Fassel has the seemingly tough task of turning around a special teams unit that was arguably the NFL’s worst in 2019. If anyone can make this happen it would be Fassel, though, who had 15 players named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week during his eight years with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012-2019).
–ML
Former Cowboy Demarco Murray lands Sooner’s coaching gig :: CBS DFW
Demarco Murray, an Oklahoma University Alum, was recently hired by the Sooners as their running-back’s coach. Murray played 7 season in the NFL, including 4 with the Cowboys. Murray was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2014, which would go on to be his last year in Dallas.
– AH
Dallas Cowboys free agency primer: The skill positions :: Landry Hat
It’s hard to argue that the Dallas offense wasn’t successful in 2019. Dak Prescott shattered some of his previous career high stats and most games the Cowboys put up points with ease. Who all can the Cowboys re-sign? How does this impact each skill position free agency move the Cowboys can make?
– AH
Dak Prescott talks Mike McCarthy
#Cowboys QB Dak Prescott tells RapSheet + Friends about coach Mike McCarthy, “He's got a Super Bowl. … When a guy has that & comes into the locker room to lead, people want to follow.” As for keeping OC Kellen Moore, “Obviously, I supported it.” More: https://t.co/morHYvWW0u
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2020
NFLPA to meet today to discuss ongoing CBA talks :: Pro Football Talk
The CBA expires after next season, will the two sides be able to come to an agreement to avoid a shutdown?
Prescott has ‘confidence’ long-term deal will get done :: NFL.com
“I’ve got confidence something will get done,” Prescott told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. “We’ll just leave it there. Obviously being the Cowboys quarterback is second to none. There are very few positions in all of sports that are comparable to it. So when you put that in perspective, my mindset is to be in Dallas. And I’ve got the confidence in my team to get something done and the confidence in the Cowboys that we’ll be able to.”
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