ESPN predicts NFL cuts, 9 players who make sense for Cowboys K.D. Drummond With the new NFL season approaching, teams are working on adjusting their bottom lines. With an unexpected $7 million in cap space available for each team, some potential cuts could be curtailed as teams are able to carry higher priced players into the 2025 year. That doesn’t mean that roster cuts aren’t going to be taking place prior to the start of the new league year on March 12. Recently, ESPN published a look at the biggest question mark facing all 32 teams when it comes to the salary cap. The review brought up several names who could be cut loose and several of them should be of interest for the Dallas Cowboys, who could be over $60 million in cap space in the blink of an eye. TE Mark Andrews, Ravens 29-years old, Baltimore would save $11 million in space by releasing the veteran. DE Myles Garrett, Browns Dan Graziano doesn’t see a Garrett trade happening until after June 1, when they can better absorb the cap implications. WR Christian Kirk, Jaguars Kirk is a reasonably priced option who may be sent packing with a new Jacksonville regime and Brian Thomas taking the reigns as WR1. DE Joey Bosa, Chargers This would only impact Dallas if they haven’t worked out things with Micah Parsons… but that would be interesting. CB James Bradberry, Eagles Bradberry missed the year with an Achilles tear, but is supposed to be ready for OTAs. If he’s cut, he could be seen as Diggs insurance to start the year. DE Cam Jordan, Saints He’s going to be 36-years old, but Jordan is one of the best edge setters the sport has seen. WR Deebo Samuel, 49ers It seems that it’s prohibitive for the 49ers to trade Samuel and they’ll end up having to designate him as a June-1 cut. WR Tyler Lockett, Seahawks Lockett has been demoted to WR3 in Seattle, but he’d be WR2 for Dallas if they brought him in. LB Dre’Mont Jones, Seahawks Jones hasn’t been worth the top-tier money Seattle has him on the books for, but would make a nice addition for Dallas, especially as they wait for DeMarvion Overshown’s recovery.
ESPN on Micah Parsons extension with Cowboys: They would be wise to do it ASAP
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images ESPN said what we are all thinking relative to a pending Micah Parsons extension for the Cowboys. Promptness has not exactly been a thing for the Dallas Cowboys as of late. Think back on all of the major, big-time extensions that they have brokered in recent memory. While there are examples of them getting ahead of the curve (Trevon Diggs is the most recent), the 2024 calendar year served as almost a daily reminder of their unwillingness to do so again as they took things down to the eleventh hour with both CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. Remember that the former held out through training camp and that the latter had his deal done on literally the day that the season began. Dragging feet cost the Cowboys an opportunity to be aggressive in free agency last year and what’s more is they dragged some of it into this year as well. Last year should have been when the Cowboys jumped on an extension for Micah Parsons as it was the first offseason in which he was eligible for one, but the team barely got over the finish line with Lamb and Prescott and decided to put off work on Parsons as a problem for their future selves. Welcome to the future. The problem is here. There is absolutely no reason for the Cowboys to not get a Micah Parsons extension done ASAP Whether or not you were a proponent for extending Lamb and/or Prescott last year, the logic behind advocating for it to happen as soon as possible was what mattered the most. If you know/believe you are going to extend a player, then history overwhelmingly tells us that the sooner you get it done the better. Last year saw several other wide receivers and quarterbacks get paid before Lamb and Prescott which drove the market price higher than it was when the offseason began. Understanding this basic principle and living within the confines of it is a necessary thing for NFL teams or people who operate in the world at large. This is why it would have made sense for the Cowboys to get an extension done with Parsons last year. In not doing so, the Cowboys allowed for the market to rise in a general sense, but if they wait even longer they could see extensions happen for Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby and/or Trey Hendrickson which would have the same impact on Parsons as other deals had on Lamb and Prescott. What’s more, there is enormous incentive for the Cowboys to get something done with Parsons – as there was with Lamb and Prescott – as it will lower his cap number for this year and therefore allow the team more financial flexibility to add to the roster (something Parsons wants to see the Cowboys do in aggressive fashion). ESPN put it well recently in noting that there is literally no reason why this should not happen as soon as possible (even though the team did burn last year as noted). Dallas Cowboys Do the Cowboys have the ability to extend Micah Parsons right now, or are other dominoes going to fall first? Let’s be clear: The Cowboys absolutely have the ability to extend Parsons whenever they want. There’s no salary cap reason they can’t do this. Parsons is heading into his fifth-year option season, which means his salary and cap number for 2025 are both $24.007 million. An extension — which will likely come with a massive signing bonus and drop his 2025 salary to the veteran minimum — will actually create a ton of cap room for Dallas, which is going to have to restructure the Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb contracts for cap space whether they get a Parsons deal done or not. Parsons — who has at least a dozen sacks in each of his four seasons — might end up being the highest-paid defensive player in the league. But as you might have noticed from reading this, that can be said about two or three other players, too. So the Cowboys would be wise to do this deal as soon as possible. That’s just not the way they’ve managed these things in recent years. It is important to keep this entire blurb in mind in the coming weeks, especially if the Cowboys do not get a Parsons deal done. As noted: They have the ability to do it whenever they want Doing so will create salary cap space in the now This is the lowest the price will conceivably/practically be relative to the market As with Lamb and Prescott (which the blurb notes), it will become a fountain they can draw salary cap space from in the future We could go even further here and note that getting an extension done with Parsons also establishes goodwill with the best player on the team, and serves as a point of encouragement for other players on the roster that playing well leads to a big payday with the team. Establishing that level of trust in the organization from the players is never a bad thing, but this point is a bit less objective than the ones we listed out. Ultimately, once again, the point remains that assuming the Dallas Cowboys plan on giving Micah Parsons an extension at any point in the future then doing so immediately is the best way to go about it. You can argue that there should even be a point of no return where you establish that you are willing to live with the consequences of not getting a deal done, maybe the team should have had this with Lamb or Prescott as doing their deals at the last second was quite literally the most inefficient way of doing so, but players of Parsons’ caliber don’t just come around all of the time. Get it done, Cowboys. Enough with the silly games.
Why Deuce Vaughn shouldn’t be overlooked in Cowboys backfield in 2025
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images Deuce Vaughn is another option at running back for the Cowboys. Other than being a fun “Draft Day” story, Deuce Vaughn has made little to no impact in his two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Considering he’s only rushed for a total of 110 yards on 40 carries it’s difficult to imagine him suddenly having a breakout season in 2025, and yet, there’s a possibility that’s exactly what happens. As things stand right now, Vaughn is basically the only option at running back on the Cowboys roster. While that’s true right now, once free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft gets underway, it’s safe to assume there will be several new faces joining him on the RB depth chart. Because of that, No. 42 has become somewhat of an afterthought. No one is really expecting Vaughn to suddenly emerge out of nowhere to become a key fixture in the Cowboys rushing attack next season. Everybody is more excited about the new flashy toy that could be joining them via the draft, such as Ashton Jeanty or one of the other RBs in a deep and impressive draft class this year. Write him off if you want, but don’t be surprised if Vaughn sees a significant boost in playing time in 2025 because changes to the coaching staff, particularly the hire of Conor Riley and his ability to influence the scheme to highlight Vaughn. They were rather successful together at Kansas State after all. Riley, the Cowboys new offensive line coach, was the offensive line coach at Kansas State when Vaughn was there, as well as Cooper Beebe. He is highly regarded as one of the top offensive minds and coaches in the country. With him in the mix, there is hope we see both of his former players take their games to another level. Beebe will surely benefit from having Riley as his position coach once again, but Vaughn could be the one most impacted by his reunion with Vaughn in Dallas on the Cowboys coaching staff. Riley had a first row seat to watch the diminutive 5’6″, 176-pound RB become a dominating offensive weapon when they were together at Kansas State. Vaughn put up mind blowing numbers as a pure running back in 37 games with Riley’s linemen leading the way. He rushed for a total of 4,884 yards from scrimmage and 43 touchdowns, averaging 109.7 rushing yards per game and 31.3 receiving yards per game in his final two seasons. If anyone can help clear a path for No. 42 to be more impactful, Riley can. We mention all of this not to suggest that Vaughn will suddenly become a key fixture in the Cowboys rushing attack, but instead to show why there’s a chance he could see more playing time in 2025. Only time will tell though how all of this ends up getting pieced together.
$132 million, 6x Pro Bowler predicted to be perfect fit at WR for Cowboys
$132 million, 6x Pro Bowler predicted to be perfect fit at WR for Cowboys reidhanson A general rule to live by in professional sports is don’t invest big money in older players. Players on the decline are scary investments to make because diminishing returns and declining health typically come with the territory. In some cases, these situations are unavoidable, like re-signing key internal free agents, but more often than not teams like the Dallas Cowboys would rather invest in youth and upside than experience and decline. To fill the vacant receiver spot opposite CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys may not have much of a choice. Unless Dallas wants to use a top-50 pick on a plug-and-play WR in the 2025 NFL draft, they may need to invest in someone considered “over the hill.” Stefon Diggs is one such player who fits the mold as a free agent possibility, but there’s an older, possibly cheaper, player who may fit the Cowboys even better: Keenan Allen. Allen, 32, has long been one of the most underrated WRs in the NFL. Lacking breakaway speed or even one double-digit touchdown season on his resume, Allen has flown under many fan radars over the years. Yet the 12-year veteran has posted six Pro Bowl invitations and six different 1,000-yard seasons over the years. His 68.1% catch percentage and 96.1 passer rating when targeted make him one of the most consistent free agent WRs to hit the market. But that age thing… If 2024 is any indication, Allen is a great player who’s on the decline. Playing in Chicago last season, Allen posted one of the worst years of his career. His 57.9 catch percentage was a career low, his 4.7 receptions per game matched a career low and his 47.1 yards per game marked a career low. Yet, the veteran WR may be just what the Cowboys need in 2025. The Cowboys are in the market for a starting outside WR who is simultaneously affordable. Even with the possible drop-off, Keenan checks Box 1 as an instant starter and for all the decline highlighted above, he also checks that all-important second box for how much it would cost to sign him. Although he’s raked in over $132 million in salary during his career, Allen is predicted to command a two-year, $25 million contract in free agency; a price tag similar to what Brandin Cooks commanded the last two seasons. He’s a player likely on the decline but he’s everything else the Cowboys need as they build a roster for 2025. Allen, 6-foot-2, 211-pounds, is a true X receiver capable of beating press and creating separation in situations that make separation nearly impossible. Technically speaking, Allen is crisp, running uniform routes and using his body and natural ball skills to win contested balls. He’s a player whom timing-based offenses appreciate because he shows up at the right place at the right time on a consistent basis. Never blessed with elite speed, Allen built a career creating separation against faster and more explosive competition. He can win with size in man coverage and can find soft spots consistently against zone. In 2024 Allen looked slower than previously seen which likely led to his decline in production. Yet Allen still showed the strengths of his game don’t rely on youth and speed proving the veteran free agent can still be a valuable contributor today in a more complementary role. Lamb, Dallas’ undisputed No. 1, pushes whoever the Cowboys add at WR into the No. 2 role regardless. They don’t need Allen to be anyone he’s not. They do need him to be a blocker though. Blocking from the WR spot will be an important trait for whoever the Cowboys add this offseason. Because Brian Schottenheimer wants to run closely-bunched formations in both running and passing situations, he needs WRs who are big and willing to block. Allen can be that guy. Per PFF run blocking grades, Allen has declined as a run blocker in recent seasons. Yet still, he rates as one of the better run blockers over the years and given his size it’s reasonable to expect a bounce-back season given the role and responsibilities he’d be asked to fulfill in Dallas. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]
Why a Cowboys, Brandin Cooks reunion may make sense for both sides
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images Do you think the Cowboys should consider bringing Brandin Cooks back? The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of holes on their roster to fill this spring. One of the most significant things they’ll need to address is finding capable wide receivers to work with All-Pro CeeDee Lamb. Dallas’ offense lacked firepower in a big way last season, and it showed in their on-field performance. The Cowboys’ offense finished the year with the third-worst (30.1%) first-down percentage in the league and finished in the bottom ten in NY/A (5.7) and Y/P (5.0). The lack of separation and explosiveness from receivers outside of Lamb was a significant factor in Dallas’ struggles on offense. This spring, the Cowboys will need to find offensive playmakers who can make Dak Prescott’s job easier and help get their offense back to one of the better overall units in the entire league. One way to get off to a good start in achieving this goal may be by reuniting with a player who had a very disappointing 2024 season: wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The 31-year-old had a nightmare 2024 campaign as injuries limited him to playing in just 10 regular season games. When he was on the field, it was evident Cooks did not look like the player we saw in Dallas during the 2023 season. Cooks’ biggest issue during the season was lack of separation, as the 31-year-old finished the season with the fourth-worst average separation rate (2.2 yards) among qualified receivers. He also failed to surpass 55 or more receiving yards in a single game and posted career lows in receptions (26), receiving yards (259), receiving success rate (48.1%), and catch percentage (48.15). The veteran never looked healthy throughout the entire season, and it’s fair to question if he ever was able to fully recover from the early-season knee injury that forced him to miss significant time. All of this may lead you to believe Dallas should look elsewhere at the receiver spot this spring, but they may be able to find some value in potentially retaining the veteran wideout. After the year he had, it’s hard to see any team giving Cooks a multi-year deal on the open market. The 31-year-old is about to enter his 12th season in the league and has earned $116M during this span. In what may be one of the final seasons of his career, Cooks may prefer to play somewhere he is comfortable and knows the offensive system, which would help Dallas if they want to retain his services. Spotrac projects Cooks to earn a one-year, $5M deal in free agency this spring. That number seems like fair value for the veteran, and it would be an affordable option for the Cowboys to retain some depth at the receiver spot before adding a legit number two option in the draft. Consider this: If the Cowboys were to retain Cooks and add a receiver in the first round of the draft, like Luther Burden III or Emeka Egbuka, you would feel good about the position group entering the season. In this scenario, you would have Lamb + Egbuka/Burden as your top two options and Cooks/Jalen Tolbert as your three and four. That’s a pretty solid group, not to mention wildcards KaVontae Turpin and Jonathan Mingo serving as depth pieces. Cooks may never be the guy we saw during the 2023 season again, but Dallas does not need him to be. What the Cowboys would need from him is 40 or so receptions totaling 400-450 yards to take some pressure off Jalen Tolbert and whatever receiver they select early in the 2025 draft. The Cowboys and Brandin Cooks could both benefit from a reunion. Bringing the veteran wideout back to Dallas on a one-year deal would be an excellent start to a critical offseason for America’s Team.
Cowboys news: New OL coach Conor Riley discusses the blueprint for the O-line
Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. Conor Riley on reunion with Beebe, Vaughn; blueprint for Cowboys’ offensive line – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com Multiple reunions are being had among the Cowboys’ assistant coaches. FRISCO, Texas — Reunited and it feels so good? Considering just how prevalent reunions are becoming within the Dallas Cowboys organization, to a level that would make the legendary musical duo of Peaches and Herb proud, it felt only right they figured out a way to deliver on a different angle of it — with the help of newly-signed offensive line coach Conor Riley. This is of course because not only is it Riley’s first-ever go at the NFL level, but landing in Dallas by way of Kansas State puts him back in the same room as Cooper Beebe, a former third-round pick of the 2024 NFL Draft who was groomed for professional dominance by none other than Riley in Manhattan, Kansas. And, interestingly enough, it was also Riley who moved Beebe to offense in the first place. “It was a unique situation in that Cooper was in high school when I took the Kansas State job, and he was initially going to be a defensive lineman,” Riley said of the young Cowboys’ starting center. “His dad joked to the staff [about the offensive line] in one of my home visits while recruiting. His transition to the offensive line and just how he attacks everything, every single day — and you guys know this. “It’s well-documented since his first year truly playing at center, and how well he was able to do. That’s just who he is. He continues to attack things.” “I think one of the best things about Cooper Beebe is his versatility,” Riley explained. “Yes, he was a two-time all American at guard for Kansas State, but he started games at tackle and at right guard or rather, excuse me, at right guard, right tackle, left guard and left tackle. So that versatility that he has really gives us a great opportunity to find the best fit for everybody up front.” Agent’s Take: Cowboys should call Micah Parsons’ bluff with new deal soon before star seeks full market value – Joel Corry, CBS Sports The Cowboys should be on the ball with Parsons’ new deal. How Cowboys should approach Parsons deal The Cowboys’ plan should be to call Parsons’ bluff so he can put his money where his mouth is with a contract extension coming as soon as possible. Dallas should try to get Parsons to follow in the footsteps of DeMarcus Lawrence although he is better than the 11-year veteran was in his prime. Parsons has 52.5 sacks in four NFL seasons, making him one of just two players to ever record at least 12 sacks in each of his first four campaigns. The other person in this exclusive club is Hall of Fame defensive lineman Reggie White, who is widely regarded as the greatest defensive player in NFL history. Cowboys need to act fast this time around This would require a big departure from the Cowboys’ typical negotiation time frame. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dragged his feet on signing wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott to new deals in 2024. The delayed Lamb and Prescott’s extensions freed up $9.251 million and $10,516,867 of 2024 salary cap room respectively. The Cowboys could gain $12.3 million in 2025 cap space with this type of Parsons extension where he receives a $52.5 million signing bonus that’s prorated at $10.5 million annually from 2025 through 2029 and his $24.007 million option year salary is lowered to a $1.207 million 2025 base salary to make his 2025 cap number $11.707 million. Parsons would be getting a non-quarterback record signing bonus eclipsing Bosa’s $50 million, which is the current benchmark. The old saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is probably going to be applicable to Parsons’ situation although it would behoove the Cowboys to get a deal done quickly. Odds are the Cowboys will squander the opportunity to create goodwill with Parsons because there still won’t be a resolution as the start of training camp is approaching in the latter part of July. Matt Eberflus turns back the clock with Cowboys after losing Bears job – Schuyler Dixon, NBCDFW Eberflus is one of the other coaches having their own reunion on Schottenheimer’s staff. New Dallas defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus never really stopped to consider a year away from coaching after getting fired by the Chicago Bears. Not that his wife, Kelly, would have let him. “She said she wanted me to go to work now,” Eberflus said Tuesday in his first meeting with reporters since getting hired by the Cowboys. “And I did, too.” The 57-year-old Eberflus is back where his career took off. He had a seven-year stint on the Dallas defensive staff — from 2011-17 — that led to the defensive coordinator’s job with Indianapolis. Four years later, Eberflus took over the Bears, getting fired 12 games into his third season, the day after his poor clock management in the final seconds cost Chicago in a sixth consecutive loss. He was 14-32 with Chicago. “I was excited after a couple of days, a couple of weeks, taking that break,” Eberflus said. “I was excited about looking at different opportunities, and this was the best opportunity, that I felt was really cool for me to come back to Dallas. I have a lot of familiar faces here, starting from the top all the way to everybody in the building.” A first-time NFL head coach with the Bears, Eberflus is now under someone in the same situation, with longtime assistant Brian Schottenheimer taking over for Mike McCarthy. Latest NFL news leaves Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys with even less of an excuse ahead of free agency – Mauricio Rodriguez, AtoZSports.com Turns out the pie will be bigger than expected for Dallas’ front office this year. NFL
Cowboys Headlines: Mock draft nets new WR2; Micah reacts to salary cap spike; this new coach could be key
Nick Sorensen talks Cowboys special teams weapons, working with Brian Schottenheimer again, more :: The Mothership Link Sorensen is looking forward to making the jump from 49ers defensive coordinator to now heading up the Cowboys’ special teams units. “I think in the end, it’s all football, and I think that’s the fun part,” Sorensen said. “I think the challenge is not just the personnel, but it’s also you’ve got to find ways to make it make sense to the player to where it can kind of translate to them.” Having weapons like Brandon Aubrey, KaVontae Tuprin, and Bryan Anger should certainly help ease that transition. “What a group of guys here that have really done it at a high level for a number of years. It was a big bonus.” ‘Create violence’: New Cowboys coach vows ‘controlled energy’ to boost struggling unit :: Cowboys Wire Link Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams says he’ll never stray too far from the O-linemen, where he’s spent nearly his entire football career. But now he’ll also be responsible for putting A-list playmakers like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb “in an advantageous position as many times as we can within a game.” He’s looking for “violence” from his linemen and preaches running and hitting above all else. He won’t be calling the plays on gameday, but a little of that imprint- on the offensive scheme that foundered last year- should go a long way in improving the Cowboys’ on-the-field product. Ken Dorsey’s role with Cowboys may be more important than meets the eye :: Blogging the Boys Link Dorsey’s 12 years of NFL experience is the second-most of any of the Cowboys’ new offensive hires, and he has success to show for it. Cam Newton won an MVP on his watch in Carolina, and the Bills’ Josh Allen became a superstar under him as well. But it’s worth noting that he isn’t QB coach in Dallas, as many expected, he’s the pass game specialist. If there’s a spot on Brian Schottenheimer’s coaching staff that most closely resembles the position he himself started in to eventually rise to head coach, it’s the role Dorsey now occupies. Schottenheimer may lean on Dorsey a lot this season. Conor Riley on reunion with Beebe, Vaughn; blueprint for Cowboys’ offensive line :: The Mothership Link Riley has an eye for OL talent: he moved Cooper Beebe from defensive line to offense while at Kansas State. But Riley’s move to Dallas as offensive line coach is obviously about more than just a reunion with the Cowboys center. “The sky is truly the limit” for Tyler Guyton, he says, and he envisions helping Tyler Smith take his game to an even higher level. As for what he looks for in new OL talent, Riley asks, “How tough are they? How physical are they? What kind of grip? When I’m sitting there watching film, how do they finish? … The measurement of value to this football team is gonna be how close you are to the football when the play is dead.” NFL’s new projected cap of $279.5M barely allows Cowboys a little wiggle room :: Cowboys Wire Link The league has informed teams that the 2025 salary cap will be between $277.5 and $281.5 million per club. That’s $5 to $9 million higher than original estimates. Dallas is now projected to be under the cap- by around $2.5 million- when the league year starts on March 12. They will not have to release anyone in order to be cap-compliant, but some simple restructuring of current contracts could get them to over $60 million of space… should they choose to do so. Micah Parsons has three-letter reaction to salary cap increase :: Micah Parsons Agent’s Take: Cowboys should call Micah Parsons’ bluff with new deal soon before star seeks full market value :: CBS Sports Link Parsons has made it clear he’d love to have his new contract wrapped up by the start of free agency, ostensibly so the team can devote more resources to player acquisition and he can be a full participant at both OTAs and training camp. The team should call his bluff and do it, so Parsons can put his money where his mouth is. Waiting will only cost the Cowboys more in the long run as other non-quarterbacks sign huge deals… and Parsons’s price tag (and his frustration) grows. Cowboys biggest 2025 FA decision proves why drafting his replacement is a foolish strategy :: Cowboys Wire Link Making the Cowboys’ decision regarding Osa Odighizuwa even more difficult is the fact that Mazi Smith has not developed like the club had hoped when they invested a first-round pick in him. But then again, defensive tackles are notorious for needing a while to progress at the NFL level, often not peaking until their second or even third contract. Odighizuwa may well be worth keeping if his best days are in fact still ahead, but the team would nevertheless be wise to put another rookie DT into the mix either way. 2025 Free Agency: Cowboys predicted to replace 7x First-Team All-Pro with 197-game starter :: Cowboys Wire Link Pro Football Network wonders if Detroit’s Kevin Zeitler, a 13-year veteran, might be a good replacement for Dallas if Zack Martin decides to either retire or seek greener pastures. Zeitler has bounced around to several different teams since being drafted in the first round two years before Martin, but the veteran has started nearly 200 games and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2023. 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Latest two-round predictions as combine nears :: The 33rd Team Link The Cowboys add a big-play threat opposite CeeDee Lamb with their first trip to the plate in this two-round mock, selecting Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan with the 12th overall pick. His pass-catching is effortless, he has a massive catch radius, and he can win at all three levels of the field. With the 44th pick, Dallas adds to the interior defensive line with Oregon’s
Cowboys may be equipped to fix this big issue and match playoff teams’ tendencies
Cowboys may be equipped to fix this big issue and match playoff teams’ tendencies reidhanson When things don’t work in the NFL, like what happened during the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season, a smart thing to do is to look around and see what all the successful teams are doing. In some ways it’s a philosophy that says “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” but in other ways it’s a necessary analysis of league trends. The Cowboys declined in a number of areas last season, but one area in particular saw a concerning degree, and that’s the defensive secondary. Dallas’ pass defense ranked top 10 in the NFL in both success rate and EPA/dropback in 2023. In 2024 they declined in both areas, falling outside the top 10 in both, and sparking an introspective assessment this winter. After one season of leadership, Mike Zimmer is out at defensive coordinator (by his own volition) and Matt Eberflus is in. Like Zimmer, Eberflus has a no-nonsense approach to the job and is a stickler for discipline. He uses a wide range of coverages, often leaning on zone looks on early downs and shifting to more man coverage on third downs. His focus on coverage makes him a versatile coordinator, capable of calling the right coverage scheme for the right situation. The 14 playoff teams from 2024 can specifically provide insight into what the NFL’s top teams are doing these days and possibly give Eberflus a direction in which to focus his offseason blueprint. It’s no surprise the split safety defenses like Eberflus’ are gaining steam. Philadelphia’s Vic Fangio has been leading the charge for years and has been an inspiration to coordinators interested in eliminating the big plays. What’s interesting to see is even the top split-safety teams like the Eagles, Chargers, Packers and Vikings are playing high doses of Cover 1 and Cover 3 each week. That’s because mixing safety locations and coverages is a necessary step in gameplay. Quarterbacks who know the coverages each play have a decided advantage over the defenses. Coordinators have to mix things up to keep opposing offenses on their toes. It’s important to note, even though split-safety defenses rule the day, arguably the best coverage defense in the NFL, Denver, is built around single-high safety coverages. They match up so well in man coverage they rely heavily on Cover 1. It’s a similar situation with the Lions, Commanders and Steelers. The takeaways are successful teams play to their individual strengths, and they mix up coverages quite a bit. There’s an instinct to simply call Fangio a split-safety coordinator but the reality is he’s only doing it slightly more than many coordinators known for their heavy use of single high. Looking at the Cowboys roster much will depend on player availability. If Malik Hooker is back, Dallas should be able to continue their use of Cover 1 (man). Hooker is excellent up top and exhibits the required range to play centerfield. If Trevon Diggs returns healthy, he’s well equipped to play in those single-high safety looks as well. Diggs is skilled in both man coverage and in deep zone when in Cover 3. DaRon Bland is a cornerback who’s suited for either situation but is probably at his best in zone. When Bland can face the QB, he can jump routes and play the ball. Everyone familiar with his record breaking 2023 season can tell you there’s no one better. If all the parts are back and available to Eberflus in 2025, he should be able to mix and match his coverages like the best of them. League trends have shown there are many different ways and combinations of ways to get the job done. As long as the calls play to the strength of the personnel and they offer a touch of disguise, they have the ability to succeed. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]
Mike McCarthy’s Dallas Cowboys staff is littered across the NFL in high-ranking positions
Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images Mike McCarthy’s old Dallas Cowboys staff is now sprinkled across the NFL in high-ranking positions. You may recall that when Mike McCarthy first took over the Dallas Cowboys that his staff featured plenty of people who had been head coaches before. Mike Nolan had been the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and McCarthy actually worked on his staff. Jim Tomsula, the defensive line coach, had also been the skipper for San Francisco, albeit for a brief cup of coffee. John Fassel joined as special teams coordinator, and while he had never been a head coach before, he did serve as the interim head coach for the Los Angeles Rams in their first season back in L.A. when they fired Jeff Fisher before the season was over. The overall point is that there was a lot of leadership on that staff. Obviously things didn’t fully materialize for that McCarthy staff (or any one for that matter), but interestingly a recent iteration of it is now spread across today’s NFL in all sorts of leadership positions. Mike McCarthy’s old Cowboys staff had several current head coaches and coordinators A common theme when coaches leave for promotions elsewhere is for them to bring people with them. Consider how McCarthy brought some people from his time in Green Bay and even Nolan from a previous stop. It was a year ago when Dan Quinn left his post as the Cowboys defensive coordinator to become the head coach for the Washington Commanders. He took several staffers (and players) with him and chief among them was Joe Whitt Jr. who became his defensive coordinator. McCarthy’s Cowboys moved on from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore after the 2022 season and he would go on to hold that same role for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 and then ultimately the Philadelphia Eagles this past season where he was a part of the team that won the Super Bowl. Moore finally parlayed it all into a head coaching role as he is now running the New Orleans Saints, and recent reports suggest that Doug Nussmeier, another former Cowboys staffer, is the favorite to be his offensive coordinator. Sounds like Doug Nussmeier is the favorite to be the Saints offensive coordinator, I’m told. Not done yet, but things are moving in that direction. — Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) February 18, 2025 Quinn, Whitt, Moore and Nussmeier make for four former Cowboys staffers that now hold head coach or coordinator positions which is a high figure for one group that Mike McCarthy oversaw in his time as the Cowboys head coach. There is also the matter of the current Cowboys head coach in Brian Schottenheimer who was also a part of the group. Schottenheimer joined the Cowboys in 2022 when all four of the people we have mentioned so far were also a part of the team. Think about that singular group. 2022 Dallas Cowboys staffers who are now head coaches or coordinators Brian Schottenheimer, coaching analyst (Dallas Cowboys head coach) Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator (New Orleans Saints head coach) Doug Nussmeier, quarterbacks coach (expected New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator) Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Washington Commanders head coach) Joe Whitt Jr., pass game coordinator/secondary (Washington Commanders defensive coordinator) If you wanted to you could go a step further here and include the aforementioned Fassel as he is now the Tennessee Titans special teams coordinator, although that was the same position he held in Dallas and therefore it isn’t a promotion like the others. Ultimately we are talking about five staffers who received serious promotions almost directly after leaving the Cowboys. That requires context clearly as Schottenheimer’s was within the organization, Whitt’s was as a part of joining Quinn’s staff and Moore’s took two more years to fully happen. It is still interesting, though. What would you attribute all of that to? People talk so often about Mike Shanahan’s old staff in Washington and the number of future head coaches that it held and we can assign some level of credit to Shanahan for building the group. Do we give a similar sense of credit to McCarthy? Should we? Or does the credit, for lack of a better word, belong to the players? Do Kellen Moore, Doug Nussmeir and Brian Schottenheimer all owe a debt of gratitude to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb for elevating their statuses? Should Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. send Micah Parsons and Co. an edible arrangement? If we include Fassel, should he thank Brandon Aubrey and KaVontae Turpin? It is certainly strange on some level that the Cowboys have failed (in terms of the overall goal) so much lately and did so with this entire group all working together and that something about them was deemed to be valuable enough in other instances. Sometimes things work out in a funny way like that. Who knows what else that 2022 group will ultimately yield. For now, Quinn and Whitt have an NFC Championship Game appearance and Moore has a Super Bowl title.
From Zero Star to Superstar: Cam Ward’s mindset, motivation, and faith prepare him for 2025 NFL draft
From Zero Star to Superstar: Cam Ward’s mindset, motivation, and faith prepare him for 2025 NFL draft Jazz Monet Cam Ward moves with a quiet confidence. Running into him at the Shrine Bowl in early February, brought about a double take. Was this really the same quarterback lighting up YouTube with highlight reels? The one teammates called a vocal leader, pushing them to a higher standard? His calm, steady energy suggested a guy more likely to be found meditating than commanding a huddle. But once he started talking, it all became clear; the presence, the self-assurance that had won over so many. “I’m the best quarterback in this draft,” he stated matter-of-factly. No bravado. No theatrics. He delivered it with the same ease as the “Nice to meet you,” heard just a little while prior. He wasn’t trying to convince anyone; outside opinions were irrelevant. In Ward’s world, that was just the truth. If one followed his journey, they wouldn’t bet against him. This season alone, he racked up five major awards, including the Davey O’Brien Award, ACC Player of the Year, and Consensus All-American honors—proof his talent speaks for itself. Back in 2021, a YouTube video prophetically called him “The Superstar You’ve Never Heard Of.” At the time, he was fresh off leading the University of Incarnate Word—a program that was his only scholarship offer—to a 10-3 season with 4,648 passing yards and 47 touchdowns. His impressive stats at UIW could be considered making up for a lack of experience in high school. Columbia High ran a Wing-T offense, limiting Ward to a laughable 12 passing attempts per game. No stars, no scouting reports, no major offers. But instead of sulking, Ward locked in. “At the end of the day,” he said, “It’s not about whether you can go to [a notable] school. It’s about playing football and making plays. That’s the only thing that’s gonna get you to the next level – making plays on the field. So if you got a good mindset and [you’re] coachable, you can do a lot of good things.” That mindset turned the unheard-of kid into a quarterback who can’t go unnoticed. At the Shrine Bowl, a small frenzy broke out among an otherwise sparse crowd when fans spotted him on the patio of the Miller Lite Club. Security had to intervene as excited kids swarmed the railing, desperate for a photo, an autograph, or even just a glimpse. Ward took it all in stride. “I wanted to put myself in this position since I was in high school,” he said, “I’m just glad God gave me a way, gave me the work ethic to go do it.” That journey is now the focus of Zero Star, a docuseries currently in production from Firebrand Media, with Ward slated to star in its premiere episode. As a zero-star recruit with no ranking or scouting buzz, even his ironclad confidence felt the pressure. “What I feel separated me from [more popular players] is that I was willing to do anything,” he explained, “I still will to do anything to get what I want out of football, whether I’m taken [at] the first pick or I’m taken the last pick of the draft. At the end of the day, everything is a mindset. If you don’t have the mindset, you’re not [gonna] be successful on the field or off the field. Then, one last nod to what he considers his true power source. “Keep God first and He’ll do a lot for you,” he said. “Sometimes, I would just pray and work out.” That unwavering faith? It’s gotten him this far. And he’s still making plays. So what’s next for Cam Ward? He’s heading to the NFL scouting combine on February 27, where he’ll have the chance to prove his case. Fans will see if NFL teams agree he’s the best quarterback when the 2025 NFL draft kicks off on April 25.
