Tag: news and notes

Cowboys News: Fassel’s punt block explanation falls flat; should Pollard be starting?

A rough Week 2 win: Amari Cooper got hurt, questions about the RBs’ work split, McCarthy’s clock issues, and Fassel did it for the fans?!? | From @ToddBrock24f7

Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott proved to be an effective one-two punch during their weekend trip to California, but the coaching staff could find themselves deflecting shots for some time to come about which back should be doing what in the Cowboys’ offensive game plan. But the Dallas staff is also talking about the clocks at SoFi Stadium, how soon Kellen Moore’s future as a head coach will start, and what in the world the thought process was behind that ill-advised send-the-house punt block that blew up in John Fassel’s face.

Also after the L.A. win: Amari Cooper is hurting, the takeaway tide may be turning, Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa turned heads, the team’s yellow-flag problem should be a red flag moving forward, and why the Cowboys felt right at home in the Chargers’ home opener. All that, plus the surprise star of the Dallas roster in Week 2. Here’s the News and Notes.

News: Donovan Wilson out, NFL admits goof that cost Cowboys in Week 1

Options for replacing DeMarcus Lawrence include 2 veteran LBs and a rookie; the Lavonte David non-call that may have cost Dallas a win. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed on Saturday that safety Donovan Wilson had not seen enough improvement with his groin injury to play on Sunday. That only adds to the list of defensive personnel adjustments the team will have to make for its Week 2 contest against the Chargers. With DeMarcus Lawrence gone, the unit’s pass rush options seem to be all over the map; Micah Parsons, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, and even Chauncey Golston are among the Cowboys expected to step up in the coming weeks.

Plenty more to preview before the Boys’ battle with the Bolts, including an in-depth look at Los Angeles signal-caller Justin Herbert, what the mathematical models say will happen regarding both the score and the betting line, why the Cowboys can expect a warm reception at SoFi Stadium, and a reunion of sorts for two college pals who are now meeting as superstars for opposing teams. All that, plus it’s a case of too-little-too-late as the NFL admits an error that could have dramatically changed the complexion of the Cowboys’ season opening loss in Tampa. Here are the News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Amari Skywalker? Slot WR matchup turns tasty with Chargers Harris ruled out, game predictions

In the latest news roundup, a mock draft drops, Amari Cooper drops nuggets to teammates and media, predictions galore for Sunday’s tilt. | From @CDBurnett7

The Cowboys have had a less-than-ideal week. Watching the likes of defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, wide receiver Michael Gallup and right tackle La’el Collins be lost for multiple weeks, it’s time for other players to step up. Without an NFL rule change, Dallas might’ve been struggling to keep players available for a late-season return.

Predictions for the bout between Dallas and the Los Angeles Chargers are plentiful, with there being plenty of disagreement about how the big Week 2 matchup will play out. The Cowboys lost another chess piece in swing tackle Ty Nsekhe and will be shorthanded going against Joey Bosa on Sunday.

Wide receiver Amari Cooper has gone full Luke Skywalker in the receiver room, giving his teammates every bit of information he can to improve the offense. Will quarterback Dak Prescott be able to out-duel Justin Herbert with some key pieces missing?

This is the latest Cowboys News and Notes.

News: Malik Hooker set to debut, Cowboys confident in both lines of scrimmage

Despite all of the injury and unavailability swirling around the team, new players are around to step up and the org is refusing to panic. | From @StarConscience

DeMarcus Lawrence broke a bone in his foot at practice on Wednesday, and it took him less than 24 hours to have successful surgery to repair the issue. On a more positive note, safety Malik Hooker is set to make his debut with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, something fans of the team have been anticipating since he signed in July.

The Cowboys have issues due to injuries, COVID protocols and suspensions on both lines of scrimmage. However, one wouldn’t be able to tell talking to the coaches and players as they have expressed confidence in both units heading into Week 2. It would be easy for the Cowboys to think to start the 2021 season is a remake of 2020, but quarterback Dak Prescott isn’t of that mindset. Instead, he’s learned from his personal experience over the last year and feels his teammates have also. What the Cowboys need to show in Week 2, defensive line options for the Cowboys with Lawrence’s injury, and more are on the menu in the latest edition of news and notes.

Cowboys News: O-line flux continues, Prescott in elite company, Hall of Fame rings

The revolving door along Dallas’s OL is McCarthy’s one constant, plus DeMarcus Lawrence and Dak Prescott earn high marks for Week 1 play. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Offensive line was not supposed to be an area of concern in 2021, but it’s the main topic of conversation around Cowboys Nation heading into Week 2. Head coach Mike McCarthy has yet to see his top three linemen in a game together since taking the reins in Dallas, and it won’t happen yet for at least a few more weeks. The revolving door continues now with word, perhaps leaked prematurely from Jerry Jones, that Terence Steele will get the start in La’el Collins’s spot on Sunday. And while the line held their own against Tampa, one cog in the machine may be cause for concern.

Elsewhere, Dak Prescott put up another 400-yard game, which puts him in rarefied air among quarterbacks. And DeMarcus Lawrence earned a big-time grade despite a quiet night stat-wise. We’re revisiting the smartest move the Cowboys made for their defense in recent memory, and we’re getting insight as to what happened on that long touchdown by Antonio Brown last week. We’re also talking power rankings, a moratorium on “good” losses, coaches’ conference calls, and Hall of Fame rings. That’s coming up in the News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Gallup to IR, Collins appeal hopes live, Zack to slide outside?

More COVID news as Randy Gregory is placed on the watchlist and Zack Martin comes off, plus analyzing the Week 1 performance in Tampa. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys provided some clarity on Michael Gallup’s status and now know for certain how long (at the least) they’ll have to do without his pass-catching abilities. In other roster shufflings, an offensive starter comes off the COVID-19 watchlist just as a defensive starter gets put on. There’s a new kicker in town, and he’s heading to the practice squad. And the La’el Collins suspension saga seems to get weirder with each passing day. And his situation, of course, is causing consternation about who should fill his slot on the offensive line as the team pays a visit to one of the Bosa brothers.

Still plenty of postmortem to do on the Tampa loss, including five offensive plays that set the tone and raise the bar for the Dallas offense. moving forward. There are plusses and minuses to reflect on, an interesting changing of the guard taking place at linebacker, a personal best for Amari Cooper, and promising news about two players who sat out the opener. All that, plus it’s never too early to look at the NFC East standings. The News and Notes are coming your way.

10 takeaways from the Eagles updated unofficial depth chart for 2021

The Eagles have released their first unofficial depth chart of the 2021 NFL regular season, here are 10 big takeaways

The Eagles released their first official depth chart of the 2021 NFL regular season and as always, there are several takeaways and observations from that news.

Cowboys News: Julio Jones rocking Cowboys gear, Parsons vs Sanders

Sean Lee discusses a tradition after injuries. Power rankings, cornerback depth, and a feud between Dallas rookies and the Eagles?

The Dallas Cowboys are always in the news and when it comes to free agency they always seem to be used to drive up the notoriety and potentially price. But when a player is on the trade market? That’s interesting. Even more interesting is when it’s a wide receiver and there’s no room at the inn. Julio Jones in a Cowboys’ t-shirt? Prepare for the Monday morning water cooler talk.

Meanwhile in more serious news, Sean Lee opens about who helped motivate him while injured. Products of Lee’s alma mater Penn State have engaged in some friendly banter as new rivals in the NFC East. The corner situation, depth at quarterback and whether or not the Cowboys should be considered as one of the top teams in 2021 are all up to bat.

Cowboys News: Most likely veteran to be cut? Prescott, rookie minicamp updates

The Dallas Cowboys have started their rookie minicamp practices, how are the rookies doing? Is Dak Prescott ready for practice? How are RBs?

The Dallas Cowboys rookie minicamp is through two days of practice. The excitement was definitely palatable with rookie defensive players shining, though will the stellar play continue when going against the veterans vs try-out quarterbacks? Micah Parsons and Jabril Cox seem to believe the chemistry and powerful play will continue, leaning on each other to make plays.

The air seems to have cleared between Nahshon Wright and Richard Sherman, what did Wright learn from Sherman to help him grow as a player?

While much of the rookie class is learning to be versatile with their position, it is becoming more and more clear what is needed from Quinton Bohanna. What’s Dan Quinn’s coaching style? Will Dak Prescott be ready for OTAs and training camp as a full participant? How is the running back situation? All this and more in today’s news and notes.

Cowboys News: Jerry talks Pitts ‘infatuation,’ Sean Lee’s future, Dak’s progress

Also, last-minute mock mania, how COVID affected scouting, how history says Dallas will draft, and Jerry’s star-clad helicopter.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has famously (over)shared what he thinks of when he’s in bed, what he dreams of at night, and even players he thinks about in the shower. But on Tuesday, he was quick to shoot down a story he is reportedly “infatuated” with Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. Jones was so adamant, in fact, that he may have inadvertently revealed that the team won’t be trading up to draft Pitts on Thursday night, one possibility that some draft pundits had considered.

The team owner also had plenty to say about linebacker Sean Lee, who seems to have a place at the Cowboys table whenever he’s ready. At the same press conference, coach Mike McCarthy updated the media on the status of Dak Prescott in his injury rehab efforts. There’s still plenty of draft-day strategy to dissect as the first round is nearly here; check out Cowboys Wire’s look at what Dallas’s history in the draft has to say about what they’ll do this year. More mocks forecast names to watch during the Cowboys’ ten picks, and explore how scouting during the pandemic could make for a wild and wacky draft. And finally, an inside look at the star-clad helicopter that serves as a state-of-the-art billboard for the Cowboys brand.