Tag: Matt Farniok

Cowboys’ OL shuffle continues; Connor McGovern to miss time with high ankle sprain

Connor McGovern lasted 7 snaps on Sunday. Now the Cowboys must go to a list of inexperienced linemen or rush All-Pro Jason Peters to action. | From @ToddBrock24f7

After all the months of hand-wringing over who would play where along the Cowboys’ offensive line in 2022, the team’s regular season starters lasted all of seven snaps.

Left guard Connor McGovern left Sunday’s game during the offense’s first possession with what was later determined to be a high ankle sprain. The third-round pick from 2019 has already been ruled out of Dallas’s Week 2 game versus Cincinnati and is expected to miss two to four weeks as he heals.

The injury- one of several suffered by Cowboys starters in Week 1 against Tampa Bay- leaves the team even thinner on the O-line than they were before kickoff. The club will now be forced to scramble for options moving forward, including possibly accelerating recently signed All-Pro Jason Peters into the lineup.

Matt Farniok, a seventh-round pick last season, came in for McGovern, leaving rookie Tyler Smith at left tackle. Smith had spent training camp at the guard position until a late-August injury to perennial Pro Bowler Tyron Smith forced the Tulsa product to slide over in relief.

The former Cornhusker did not make a strong impression over the course of the game.

The loss of McGovern is a blow to not only the piecemealed Dallas offensive line (where he can play any of the five positions), but also to a handful of gadget-play formations in coordinator Kellen Moore’s playbook. McGovern has lined up previously as blocking fullback, tight end, and even wide receiver.

Josh Ball was the only other tackle on the Cowboys’ active roster; he dressed but did not play Sunday night. There are additional lineman options on the practice squad, though: Aviante Collins, Isaac Alarcón, Dakoda Shepley, Alec Lindstrom (though he is listed as a center), and the aforementioned Peters.

The nine-time Pro Bowler, now 40 years old, was signed as a free agency add just a week ago, following Tyron Smith’s hamstring injury just before the final preseason game. The team had been giving Peters a chance to ramp up on the practice squad before moving him to active duty, but that methodical timeline is a luxury the Cowboys may no longer have.

Head coach Mike McCarthy was quoted Monday as saying the club would “see where he is tomorrow” when asked about Peters’s readiness for action.

Whatever combination of linemen the Cowboys employ, they’ll be charged with protecting someone other than starting quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott suffered a fracture to the thumb of his throwing hand and will require surgery. He will likely miss six to eight weeks. Cooper Rush finished the season opener; he and Will Grier are the Cowboys’ current backup passers.

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Tyler Smith, Cowboys OL kick into high hear, mauling effort leads to TD

The Cowboys’ offensive line put on a masterclass on their third drive of the game, leading the way for 50 rushing yards and a touchdown. | From @CDBurnett7

After having to wait for their next drive thanks to a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown from wide receiver KaVontae Turpin, the Cowboys’ offense barreled through the Chargers defense on the back of the offensive line.

Totaling nine rushes on the drive, Dallas crushed the will of the Los Angeles defense, including a fourth-down conversion in the red zone. Rookie offensive lineman Tyler Smith’s strength was on display throughout the drive.

The tandem of Smith and Matt Farniok overpowered the defense, lifting their matchups from the ground and running back Malik Davis finished this blocking highlight with a mammoth hit that sent a Chargers defender to his back.

The offense as a whole totaled 50 rushing yards won the drive while running back Rico Dowdle tacked 34 yards of the total and finished it with a fourth-down conversion and touchdown rush on his next touch.

Following the loss of La’el Collins and concerns around the young interior of the offensive line, drives like this for Farniok and Smith are a reason for excitement for the rushing game and for the offensive as a whole. Dallas has been known over the years for their physical style and it could be a sign for things to come with young talent leading the change. Three weeks away from the season opener, Smith is an expected starter for Week 1 while Farniok knocks on the door behind starting center Tyler Biadisz with impressive tape.

After the touchdown finish, rookie tight end Jake Ferguson flashed on a wide-open 2-point conversion grab to give the Cowboys a 15-10 lead.

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Winners and Losers: Corners struggle in Cowboys loss to Jaguars

The Dallas Cowboys lost their final exhibition game, but not all the performances were bad. Here are the winners and losers in the game. | From @BenGrimaldi

It was another disappointing showing for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon, when they lined up for their first daytime preseason game in many moons.  Unfortunately the time switch didn’t help their level of performance as they were dominated by the Jacksonville Jaguars who played most of their starters during the first half.

The loss meant the Cowboys finished 0-4 on the preseason, which doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it isn’t a great look for Mike McCarthy’s group. This game didn’t feature many Cowboys who are expected to be big-time contributors, but there were jobs on the line. Here are the winners and losers for the Cowboys from their final exhibition game.

Cowboys News: Dak, Gallimore, McKeon injury updates; who are first cut candidates?

The team got encouraging news on several injuries, plus a look at Jaylon Smith’s play from Friday night that looked more 2020 than 2018. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The weekend brought some clarity to the Cowboys’ list of dinged-up players. Dak Prescott looks to be healing on schedule, as up-and-coming players Neville Gallimore and Sean McKeon will be sidelined for just a little while (instead of a long while). Randy Gregory is expected back soon, as is Dalton Schultz. Cue the annual debate about whether preseason games do much of anything but cause needless injuries.

Plenty of other roster watching to do this week as the first cut date looms. Linebacker Jaylon Smith finds himself under the microscope again for a less-than-optimal performance versus Arizona, Zack Martin is recognized by his peers, Trevon Diggs carries some extra weight in his second season, and we look at how rookie lineman Matt Farniok could play a key role (or two of even three) in the Cowboys offense. All that, plus a look inside what Dak Prescott means when he says he’s “taking a mental rep,” and why fans coming to Cowboys home games should be on the lookout for a familiar face in the seat next to them. Here’s the News and Notes to get your week started.

Matt Farniok: 2021 Dallas Cowboys Player Profile

With injuries a constant threat for the cohesiveness of the offensive line, Dallas double-dipped in the draft. Matt Farniok brings versatility to the table as a long-term project. | From @BenGrimaldi

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Matt Farniok in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. The team was seeking depth and versatility after injuries ravaged their offensive line last season, which Farniok can provide.

Farniok was a four-year starter for Nebraska, where he played center, guard and tackle. His most accomplished position with the Cornhuskers was at right tackle, but Farniok will line up along the interior for the Cowboys. He was also one of 13 two-time captains in the school’s storied history.

Farniok was the last of 11 Cowboys’ pick in April’s draft, and just the third offensive player they selected. He was however the second offensive lineman and fifth trench player taken by the franchise, showing their dedication to correcting issues along the line of scrimmage.

Our player profile countdown continues with No. 68, OL Matt Farniok.

‘Now it’s a job:’ Will McClay’s scouting report on all 11 Cowboys draft picks

The team’s VP of player personnel offers advice for the team’s rookies ahead of minicamp and gives his thoughts on each player.

Welcome to the NFL, rookies.

Friday marks the start of minicamp for 29 NFL teams, including the Cowboys. Drafted prospects, undrafted free agents, and others simply invited for tryouts- 31 players in all- will go through three days of initial evaluation at The Star in Frisco as they prepare to compete with the team’s veterans for a spot on the final roster.

Will McClay, the Cowboys’ vice president of player personnel and the man who had a hand in each one of them being given the opportunity, had a final word of advice for the youngsters.

“This isn’t college anymore,” McClay said, in part. “Now it’s a job.”

ESPN’s Todd Archer got McClay’s scouting report on all 11 of the Cowboys’ draft picks as they prepare for their first day on the company payroll. Here are excerpts from his comments:

Cowboys sign 4 draft picks to rookie contracts day before minicamp

The team’s fifth- through seventh-round selections all inked their deals prior to the start of Friday’s minicamp session.

The Cowboys made it official with four of their 2021 draft picks just a day ahead of the kickoff of rookie minicamp.

Wide receiver Simi Fehoko, defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna, cornerback Israel Mukuamu, and guard Matt Farniok each signed a four-year contract with the club on Thursday. Minicamp was set to begin the next morning at The Star in Frisco.

Those players represent the Cowboys’ final four selections of this year’s draft class; they were taken in the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds. The team’s other seven draft picks still have an opportunity to sign a deal before the start of Friday’s practice, but rookies are permitted to take part in camp sessions even without a contract.

They will be joined by this year’s crop of undrafted free agents, tryout invitees, and first-year veterans who spent last season on the practice squad. The team expects 31 players in all to participate in minicamp, which goes through Sunday.

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Cowboys announce rookie jersey numbers, Parsons gets Penn State 11

The Cowboys announced jersey numbers for their rookies. Micah Parsons get his old college number 11, and others gets those of past stars.

The NFL recently adjusted its rules when it comes to jersey numbers, loosening restrictions about who can wear what. Running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and linebackers can all wear single-digit numbers, starting in 2021. For veterans, switching jersey numbers comes with a weird expense. The players have to buy out their old numbers, at retail price, or wait until 2022.

The draft is less than a week old, but newcomers to the league have no such restrictions. The newest rookies of the Dallas Cowboys know what numbers they’ll be wearing under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium now, and their first-round selection Micah Parsons has taken advantage of the opportunity to keep his Penn State jersey number alive, No. 11.

While Cedrick Wilson is the most recent wearer of the number, the most famous recent wearer is ex-Cowboys receiver Cole Beasley. Parsons took to Twitter once it was announced, and seemed extremely pleased as he posted a picture of himself rocking his old number standing over the home of the Cowboys.

The former Nittany Lion will be an important piece of the Cowboys defense right off the bat playing alongside Jaylon Smith and Keanu Neal, and the expectation, as it is with all first-rounders, is for him to continue the dominant play from his college days.

Several other rookies will have big shoes to fill with their new numbers as well. Second-round pick Kelvin Joseph will sport the No. 24, recently vacated by Chidobe Awuzie and once worn by Everson Walls. He made four Pro Bowls, was a three-time first-team All-Pro, and lead the NFL in interceptions three times during his nine-year career (1981-1989) in Dallas. Also, Marion Barber rocked it for six years (2005-2010) and scored 47 rushing touchdowns as one of the league’s toughest runners.

Third-round pick Nahshon Wright will wear No. 40 which was made famous in Dallas by special teams wizard Bill Bates for 15 seasons (1983-1997). Bates was named to the Pro Bowl in 1984, becoming the first special teams player to receive such an honor. He was also named an All-Pro that season and was a member of the Cowboys dynasty in the 1990s that won three Super Bowls.

Speedster Simi Fehoko was taken in the fifth round to add depth to the Cowboys receiver group, and his No. 81 comes with high expectations. Hall of Famer Terrell Owens played for the Cowboys for three seasons (2006-2008) and registered 1,000 yards every year, made a Pro Bowl, an All-Pro team, and scored 38 touchdowns over that span.

Fehoko leaked the news Monday when he posted a picture of himself wearing the old number of Owens, and the caption was his infamous phrase “Get your popcorn ready”.

Here’s a full list of all of the new assignments.

11: LB Micah Parsons
24: CB Kelvin Joseph
75: DT Osa Odighizuwa
59: DE Chauncey Golston
40: CB Nahshon Wright
48: LB Jabril Cox
76: OT Josh Ball
81: WR Simi Fehoko
98: NT Quinton Bohanna
38: S Israel Mukuamu
68: C/G Matt Farniok

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Cowboys finish 2021 Draft with Nebraska OG Matt Farniok at pick No. 238

The Dallas Cowboys finished their 2021 draft with their second offensive lineman selection in Nebraska guard Matt Farniok.

The Cowboys were particularly focused on their defense in the 2021 draft, but concluded their efforts by selecting Nebraska offensive guard Matt Farniok. This is the third offensive player selected and second offensive lineman for Dallas.

Farniok started all games for the Cornhuskers in 2020, being named an All-Big Ten honorable mention by coaches. The 6-foot-5 lineman has experience playing all positions on the offensive line and brings that versatility to Dallas. The Cowboys were plagued with injuries up front in 2020 and Farniok brings some extra security in that area.

With offensive guard Connor Williams becoming a UFA in 2022, the Cowboys could be looking at Farniok as a developmental player who could replace the Texas product if he leaves next summer. This likely concludes the 2021 draft for Dallas, who selected eight defensive players out of their eleven picks.

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