Tag: Travis Frederick

Teammates, media react to Travis Frederick’s sudden retirement

Players and media react to Travis Frederick’s retirement

The Dallas Cowboys spent the first week of the new league year making strategic free agent moves to construct the best roster for the 2020 season.

Late Monday, however, things moved in the opposite direction. In a shocking announcement via his own Twitter account, perennial Pro Bowler center Travis Frederick retired from the NFL at the age of 29.

The news made such an impact that not only did team owner Jerry Jones release a statement, but former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett chimed in via phone to talk about his former center.

“He’s just one of those rare guys,” Garrett told USA TODAY Sports by phone Monday night. “I don’t know that I’ve been around a player who everyone trusted so much so quickly. You just felt like he was one of those guys you could give a chance to run the show from the center position right from the get-go.”

Frederick was the No. 31 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and didn’t waste any time making an impact. After making the PFWA All-Rookie team, he followed it up with a Pro Bowl nod and a second-team All-Pro selection in 2014. He entered the league as the Cowboys were forming their vaunted offensive line.

Tackle Tyron Smith had just established himself on the left side the year before Frederick was taken, and right guard Zack Martin was selected the following year.

Other pieces have rotated around these three, but that foundation was a strong one, and likely the best combination of linemen the league has seen work through their prime seasons together.

The retirement of Frederick is a shock to Cowboys fans, but it’s going to be an even tougher adjustment for Smith and Martin. The two also took to social media to speak about their time in the trenches together.

Smith, in his quiet ways, responded with a few words on Instagram while Martin, who spent every pre-game throwing and running routes with Frederick, expanded further on Twitter.

Frederick’s retirement can be seen as a sign of the times. As the sports world shuts down amidst the coronavirus pandemic, a player just a year removed from an autoimmune disease that threatened his life is certainly something to ponder. The NFL plans to move towards more games in a season, as soon as the 2021 season, and that also elicits reactions as Frederick joins a growing list of players who retire before the age of 30.

Frederick, a common guest with the local media and one of their favorite interview subjects, brought about much conjecture and reflection, including from The Athletic’s Jon Machota and Kevin Turner as they discussed all things related to his departure.

They of course weren’t the only media members he had impacted or who had thoughts about his future. Some wonder if he will make his way into the broadcasting game, as other recent Cowboys have such as Tony Romo and Jason Witten.

Frederick transitions to the next phase of his life. Whether it is entering the coaching ranks, broadcasting, or simply being a family man, the smart money says Frederick will be successful.

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Surprise retirement in Dallas may throw Dolphins’ draft plans for loop

Surprise retirement in Dallas may throw Dolphins’ draft plans for loop

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The Miami Dolphins’ hopes of a better offensive line are centered largely around the 2020 NFL Draft. It is there that Miami hopes to finish what they started in free agency and acquire upgraded talent to bolster their front and help the team move the ball with more consistency on offense. But Miami, who is currently slated to pick 18th with their second 1st-round pick, is now going to have to be wary of a potential trap that lies just one pick ahead of them in this year’s order.

Picking 17th? The Dallas Cowboys. And the Cowboys, who have been known for strong offensive line play for the past several years, find themselves with a sudden and unexpected hole at the center position — 29-year old Travis Frederick announced his retirement from the NFL yesterday.

The news shifts the dynamic of the teens — as the Dolphins could see a potential offensive line target, Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz, come off the board a pick before the Dolphins select at 18. If that were indeed the case, Miami would stand to benefit from seeing a pass rusher, defensive back or possibly an offensive tackle fall into their lap.

So that’s the good news. Miami should have little issue finding a player of value to draft at 18. But if this team was looking for a plug and play upgrade at the center position after letting Daniel Kilgore walk this offseason, they’re going to have to bank hard on Ted Karras (who signed a 1-year, $4M deal) being the unquestioned answer. And that means the Dolphins will be looking for a guard on Day 2; their right guard position remains a sore spot and will need an upgrade along the way.

But the top interior offensive lineman may now see his name called before the Dolphins get a chance to lock him in with a top-20 pick.

Former Wisconsin Center Travis Frederick Announces Retirement from NFL

Former Wisconsin All-American Travis Frederick announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday after seven NFL seasons.

Former Wisconsin center Travis Frederick on Monday announced his retirement from the NFL in a Twitter Post.

Frederick, 29 spent his entire seven-year NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys after being drafted in the first round with the 31st overall selection in 2013.

Frederick in his time with the Cowboys made five Pro Bowls (2014-2017, 2019), he was a First-team All-Pro in 2016, and was also a two-time Second-team All-Pro in 2014 and in 2015.

Frederick missed all of the 2018 season after being diagnosed with Guillian-Barre Syndrome, which is an illness that forces the body to attack its own nervous system.

Despite missing the entire 2018 season Frederick was able to return last season and played in all 16 games. Overall, Frederick showed his reliability with the Cowboys as he appeared in 96 games with the Cowboys and started them all.

In his time with Wisconsin Frederick became the first true freshman offensive lineman for Wisconsin to start in a season-opening game, which was against Northern Illinois. But that was just one of his highlights during his time at Wisconsin as he was also a part of two Big Ten championship teams in 2011 and 2012 and also played in two Rose Bowls. In 2012 in his final season at Wisconsin, he was named a first-team All-American.

 

Jerry Jones responds to Frederick’s retirement, how will McCarthy?

In a stunning move, Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick announced his retirement from football today.

Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick sent shockwaves through an entire fan base by retiring suddenly at the age of 29-years old.

His loss will be felt by the Cowboys, as well as in the community, as Jerry Jones expressed following the seven-year veteran’s announcement via social media.

Frederick entered the league as a first-round pick, and a source of consternation, after the Cowboys decided to trade down in the 2013 NFL Draft and selected Frederick out of the University of Wisconsin. As a player most draftniks, most notably Mike Mayock, had pegged for the third-round.

Frederick proved the Cowboys right.

All Frederick did was become an All-Pro player three times, including a first-team honor in 2016, and was named a Pro Bowler in five of his seven seasons in the league. Few centers in the league protected the quarterback better, while also leading the way for the NFL’s leading rusher, as Frederick did twice for two different players.

Frederick was remarkably durable as well, starting 96 games over the course of his career. The only time he missed was during the 2018 season when he dealt with the debilitating Gullain-Barre syndrome that shelved him for the season.

With Frederick retiring, the question becomes, how will the Cowboys replace him under center? Luckily for the team, they have options.

Breaking down salary cap impact of Frederick’s retirement

Veteran Joe Looney filled in admirably in 2018 and helped guide Ezekiel Elliott to a rushing title in Frederick’s absence. Looney was recently re-signed by the Cowboys and could be the answer again in the upcoming season.

However, last year’s third-round pick, Connor McGovern, also has experience at the position. McGovern played guard at Penn St. in his final season, but also played center in his first two years there. Although McGovern was brought in to compete with Connor Williams at left guard, the Cowboys might have to alter that course.

It’s a big blow to the Cowboys, but having two solid in-house options to take over for Frederick softens the fall. Dallas could also utilize the draft to fortify the position if necessary.

Frederick was huge part of the Cowboys’ offensive success in the last seven years. He was one of the top centers in the game and Frederick will not be easily replaced.

The Cowboys will miss having the stability and excellence of Travis Frederick under center.

You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi

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Cowboys fans pay heartfelt tributes to Travis Frederick after his surprising retirement

Dallas Cowboys fans are going to miss Travis Frederick.

The Dallas Cowboys’ were dealt a surprising blow Monday when five-time Pro-Bowl center Travis Frederick announced he was retiring at the age of 29.

Frederick, who missed all of the 2018 season after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which is an autoimmune disease, started all 16 games for the Cowboys last season.

He posted a long statement on social media, saying that in 2019 his serious health issues weren’t making it able for him to play at the level he was used to and that it was time for him to move on:

“It was a difficult year for me. Each day I faced a struggle: I could no longer perform at my highest level. Playing ‘well’ is not what I expect of myself and is not what my teammates deserve. Because of this, I know my days as a football player are done. I am proud of what I have accomplished in my career, and I walk away with my head held high.”

Here’s the post:

Cowboys fans will miss him:

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Breaking down salary cap impact of Frederick’s retirement from Cowboys

The Cowboys are going to have to figure out what to do without their center, but they should be able to manage the money to help them now.

The Dallas Cowboys are going to have to work diligently to replace the on-field presence of Travis Frederick, who on Monday retired from the game of football. When Frederick missed time in 2018, Joe Looney filled in admirably. He wasn’t on par with Frederick’s ability to direct the offensive line, but he held up relatively well as an actual blocker. When Frederick returned, he did not play at the same level he did before injury, but his calming presence did help.

Looney was re-signed this offseason to a one-year deal, as was ERFA Adam Redmond, and the Cowboys drafted Penn State’s Conner McGovern in the third round in 2019. The three will likely compete for the starting position this offseason, whenever football activities resume. From a purely business perspective, Frederick’s retirement has an impact as well.

Things could go in multiple directions, and the key is when paperwork gets filed to the league.

The Cowboys will likely have zero issue getting Frederick to officially file his paperwork when best works for them. Here’s a look at Frederick’s salary breakdown, courtesy of Over The Cap.

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If Frederick were to file his retirement papers immediately, the Cowboys would get $935,000 in additional space on the 2020 cap.

That’s because Frederick’s 2020 base salary of $7 million will disappear from the books, as well as the base salaries for 2021, 2022 and 2023 from future projections.

His prorated bonus amounts that are on the cap for the year 2020 will still be on the books, as that is money he was already paid.

However the restructure bonuses Frederick received in 2017 and 2018 were spread evenly across five seasons each. The first restructure added $2.585 million per year through 2021 and the second restructure added $1.74 million per year through 2022.

That money, $6.065 million in total, will accelarate to this year’s cap if the papers are submitted to the league in the near future. That cancels out the majority of the savings from his 2020 base salary going away.

However, there is a loop hole.

If Frederick waits until after June 1 to file his papers, that $6.065 million won’t hit the 2020 cap. Instead, the dead money will go onto the 2021 ledger, where it will take up a smaller percentage of that year’s cap (because of a higher ceiling).

That would mean the Cowboys have an extra $7 million of cap space to work with this offseason.

The tradeoff is that Dallas would not be able to see the base salary disappear until that point; but it’s not all bad.

Teams generally like to take between $3 million and $5 million in cap space into the regular season. In addition, the Cowboys will need a little over $3 million to sign their rookie class.

Frederick’s pending retirement will give them the cap space to do those things, meaning they can spend the entirety of their remaining cap space on free agents now, knowing they will get that bump in order to pay for the other things later. Even Frederick waits to file his paperwork, the Cowboys can functionally reap the financial benefits now, while free agency is still going on.

Of course, there’s the elephant in the room that the Cowboys are going to have to figure out how to replace Frederick’s presence in the locker room and on the field, and that has nothing to do with money.

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Cowboys C Travis Frederick retires from football

In shocking news, Dallas Cowboys All-Pro center Travis Frederick has retired from the game of football. The 2013 first-round pick from the University of Wisconsin issued a lengthy goodbye via social media on Monday evening, thanking the organization …

In shocking news, Dallas Cowboys All-Pro center Travis Frederick has retired from the game of football. The 2013 first-round pick from the University of Wisconsin issued a lengthy goodbye via social media on Monday evening, thanking the organization and the fans for their support.

In his goodbye, he spoke to his battle with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and the difficult journey back to the field of play as well as the struggle it was to play once he came back. His play was not on par with what it was before the illness, and he spoke to that fact as he thanked the Jones family and the organization.

Frederick had missed the entire 2018 season after the autoimmune disease that robbed him of feeling and strength in his extremities, returned to the field and started all 16 games in 2019. He returned to the Pro Bowl, his fifth appearance in his last five seasons which spans every year of his career except for his rookie campaign.

More to come.

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News: No honors, Hall of Fame adds for Cowboys as Super Bowl LIV arrives

The Cowboys didn’t add to their Hall of Fame class, nor add any hardware from NFL Honors, but they can never be shut out the news cycle. Free agency targets, DL draft guysm Travis Frederick getting better.

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.

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.

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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Zack Martin, lone Cowboys player named to either AP All-Pro team

Right Guard Zack Martin was the only Cowboys player to be selected onto 2019’s All-Pro team.

For the fourth time in six seasons, Cowboys guard Zack Martin earned first team All-Pro honors. He was the only Dallas player among this year’s selections

Martin nearly played every offensive snap for the Cowboys in 2019, continuing his elite level of play. A Pro Bowler each year he’s been in the league, Martin is an instrumental part this Dallas roster, and represents an overwhelmingly successful first-round draft pick from 2014. This fourth All-Pro selection pads his resume, and also marks the first time in Martin’s career he’s earned the award in back-to-back seasons.

The sole All-Pro selection is the fewest the Cowboys have had since 2013, when Tyron Smith was their lone representative. The teams are assembled by a panel of 50 national media members who vote on the best player at each position in a given season. Other Dallas players to receive votes this year include Smith (one), La’el Collins (one), and Travis Frederick (two). Jaylon Smith (one) was the only defensive player for the Cowboys to earn a vote,

Possible snubs include DE Robert Quinn, who earned 11.5 sacks in 14 games, and New York Jet K Brett Maher. Although Maher’s tenure in Dallas came to an unceremonious end, he is the only kicker in NFL history with more than two 62+ yard field goals in his career, and set the Cowboys franchise record for longest field goal made this season. An All-Pro vote would’ve just added to the legend.

‘We’re clicking:’ Cowboys RBs look to carry momentum into Philadelphia

Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard combined for a monster game versus the Rams and hope their two-headed beast keeps rolling against Philly.

e Dallas Cowboys enjoyed their best game of the season on Sunday, thoroughly thumping the defending NFC champions from Los Angeles as they fought for their playoff lives. While highlights like Jason Witten making a one-handed grab and Tavon Austin finding himself all alone on a long touchdown pass made for fun television, it was largely a ground-based attack that propelled the team to a 44-21 win and a renewed sense of hope regarding a second straight division title.

The Cowboys ran for 263 yards against the Rams, their best effort of 2019 and highest single-game rushing total since 2017. Ezekiel Elliott logged 117 yards on 24 carries and found the end zone twice, while rookie Tony Pollard had his most productive day as a pro, racking up 131 yards on just 12 carries. The notion of the pair being a lethal double-headed backfield beast has tantalized fans ever since the club drafted the speedy Pollard out of Memphis and then cemented Elliott’s place on the team with a lucrative contract extension. Sunday felt like the first real unleashing of that monster, and it makes this Cowboys squad perhaps the scariest 7-7 team in memory as they ratchet up their ground game for a late December surge toward the postseason.

“We know how good our offensive line is,” Elliott said after Sunday’s win. “When we go out there and handle our business, when we go out there and execute, we’re hard to stop.”

“How many rushing yards did we have today? Like, 300? Close to it?” Elliott asked after the Week 15 win. “We ran the ball really well today. The O-line, I don’t know what they ate for breakfast, but they did a hell of a job and made it easy on us backs.”

Three-fifths of that offensive line- center Travis Frederick, guard Zack Martin, and tackle Tyron Smith- were just named to the 2020 Pro Bowl, along with Elliott.

“It starts up front,” quarterback Dak Prescott said in his postgame remarks Sunday. “Communicating. Those guys coming off the ball was beautiful. And then you look at the runners, the way they did. Broke tackles, made people miss. Both of those guys. That was so impressive.”

But Elliott may actually want to investigate what his line ate for breakfast last week and order it in bulk for Sunday. Up next for the group is a Philadelphia Eagles front that ranks third in the league in run defense, allowing an average of just 90.4 yards per game. They’ve given up over 100 rushing yards just four times all year. One of those instances, however, came against Dallas in their Week 7 meeting, when the Cowboys as a team rolled for 189 yards on the ground.

Now the Cowboys’ rushing attack will look to build off last Sunday’s 263-yard outing in the Philadelphia rematch that would award Dallas the NFC East crown with a victory.

“It’s great to know that a single win gets us in there, but that’s not our goal,” Elliott said. “Our goal isn’t just to make the playoffs. We want to keep this thing rolling, we want to ride this momentum.”

“Momentum is a dangerous thing,” Prescott echoed. “And it’s about getting it on our side.”

The acquisition and development of Pollard cannot be understated when reflecting on the 2019 season. The 22-year-old was selected in the fourth round of April’s draft. The speedster’s skills at returning kicks was documented, but it was hoped that he could be a potent change of pace to Elliott in the Dallas backfield, too.

Pollard’s usage has been up and down this season, but maybe he’s suddenly getting some of that momentum his quarterback mentioned. Against the Rams, Pollard logged double-digit carries for the first time since Week 3. That game saw the team rush for 235 yards as a whole, their previous top performance before this past Sunday. Granted, it’s a small sample size, but good things seem to happen when both Elliott and Pollard are heavily involved.

Prescott has definitely noticed the electrifying jolt his first-year weapon brings to the offense. He marveled of Pollard, “He’s just something else. Arm tackles and all that stuff, he’s just getting through it. He continues to make plays anytime the ball’s in his hands, and he’s a special player. Thankful we have him.”

“Seeing him just become a better player is kind of crazy,” Elliott said of Pollard. “I remember his first OTA, he was kind of a little timid and not really running as hard. We didn’t have on pads. But just to see him from there to now, it’s awesome. He’s a smart player, but also very skilled. He has a very bright future.”

For his part, the rookie has embraced the mentorship that the two-time league rushing champ has offered.

“He’s been like a big brother since I got here,” Pollard said of Elliott. “Taking me under his wing. Showing me, teaching me things that I didn’t know at first. He’s done a great job of that.”

And when both of them are ripping off hundred-yard days, it’s good to be a Cowboy: offense, defense, or otherwise.

“It’s just fun,” Pollard said of the team’s dominance on the ground on Sunday. “It just keeps the sideline excited, me and him talking… it’s just a good feeling: both guys clicking, the O-line’s clicking, the defense is rolling, special teams.”

“That’s what we’re built for. We’re built to be a balanced team,” Tyron Smith said of the Week 15 win, the first time since October 2018 that the Dallas ground game has outrushed Prescott’s passing totals. “I think the identity has always been there. It’s just, for us, doing it as a team, knowing what we’ve got to get done.”

Now they’ll have to get it done against the Eagles, a team they’ve beaten in each of their last four meetings. And they’ll have to get it done in Philly’s own house, a trip that coach Jason Garrett’s squads typically do well with.

“It’s a playoff game,” Prescott said of Sunday’s showdown. “Obviously, simple as that: it’s a playoff game. It’s a rival, it’s a team in the division, it’s a must-win game. We have to approach it as a playoff game, and that’s the way we will.”

The Cowboys’ prolific rushing attack was a revelation against the Rams in Week 15. Week 16 should prove to be more challenging, with an even tougher opponent versus the run and a divisional crown on the line.

Elliott knows what he and Pollard did last week obviously won’t count at Lincoln Financial Field, but it just might have helped give the team a good running start.

“I think we did set up some momentum. But we’ve still got a lot of work to do, got lot of work to do this season. And we’re just getting started.”

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