With bar lowered, a new deal for Dak would feel like Cowboys win reidhanson Think back to the start of the 2024 offseason. The Cowboys were fresh off their humiliating playoff loss to Green Bay and Jerry Jones was elbow deep in “all-in” declarations in a calculated attempt to quell the uprising within the fanbase. Draft season was in full effect and free agency was fast approaching. Top 10 free agent lists populated the landscape and Cowboys fans were busy debating which internal free agents Dallas will retain and which external free agents Dallas will target. The window was open for another year the only question was how wide the front office was willing to pry it. As everyone would soon come to realize, Jones’ “all-in” statements weren’t remotely true under even the loosest of definitions. To make matters worse, not only did the Cowboys have little intention to sign outside talent to their roster, but they also didn’t even plan to retain their own top free agents. The “we like our guys” statements made every year were now suddenly starting to lose traction since they hadn’t even done a good job of retaining their own. When the Cowboys opened training camp with CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons’ contract situations still unresolved, expectations seemingly fell to an all-time low. In just a matter of months sentiments went from “who are they going to bring in to put them over the top,” to “who can they afford to lose this year and still be competitive,” to “are they even going to keep their own super stars?” The bar has been dropped so low, even the most obvious re-signing, Lamb, was rejoiced as a wonderful accomplishment. It almost didn’t matter the negotiations dragged on through the entire preseason. Suddenly just retaining their own obvious players for market values felt like wins. Just days before the start of the regular season, Prescott’s contract situation remains unresolved. There’s hope the Cowboys can retain their franchise signal caller beyond this year but there are certainly no assurances of it. Prescott holds all the leverage, and the Cowboys let the issue drag on dangerously long. In what feels like a 50-50 situation with Prescott, the Cowboys are a flip of the coin away from a multiyear rebuild. Disaster is at the door and the bar has been lowered so much, just re-signing Prescott would now feel like franchise-saving win. If the fanbase was told in February their team would re-sign Lamb and Prescott this year, the news would likely be met with some form of “well, duh.” Today it would be cause for champaign. That’s how far expectations have dropped for this front office. This may go down as one of the most emotionally wild offseasons in years for Dallas. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys News: Prescott does have his reasons, so may Jerry Jones
3 reasons Dak Prescott would be crazy to re-sign with Cowboys now :: Cowboys Wire Link: Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has maximized his leverage and the team has very few options remaining. Prescott on the other hand has multiple pathways to chose but these three reasons would make crazy for him to re-sign with the Cowboys. Why Jerry Jones’ waiting game with Dak Prescott’s contract isn‘t such a bad idea :: Dallas Morning News Link: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sometimes need additional interpretation for what he tells the media. His latest comments about the ongoing contract negotiations with signal-caller Dak Prescott could be deciphered as the 81-year-old owner wanting more from the quarterback position. How many players on the Dallas Cowboys earn more than $10 million a year? :: Fort Worth Star Telegram Link: Headlined by the usual suspects like quarterback Dak Prescott and future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin, six Cowboys players earn more than $10 million per season. Those numbers rank Americas Team at the bottom compared to the Dallas Mavericks and the Texas Rangers. DeMarvion Overshown full go for Cowboys opener vs. Browns: ‘I’m ready to strap ’em up’ :: The Mothership Link: Dallas lost linebacker Demarvion Overshown last year due to a torn ACL. This year, Overshown was hobbled by a hip-pointed which limited him towards the end of training camp. With Week One now the focus, Overshown is ready to “Strap ’em up.” Free agent scouting report: A closer look at new Dallas Cowboys RB Dalvin Cook :: Blogging the Boys Link: The Cowboys signing running back Dalvin Cook to the practice squad comes with plenty of questions. The answers will only come as the games begin, but looking at what he’s done in the past gives hope that he can turn the clock back and provide Dallas with much-needed production. Why each of the Top 10 Super Bowl contenders will (or won’t) hoist the Lombardi in February :: The Athletic Link: The Athletic gives Dallas the sixth-best percentage (5.7%) of winning Super Bowl LXIII behind NFC teams such as the 49ers and Lions. Philadelphia is also ahead of Dallas despite the rift between their quarterback and head coach while also replacing both coordinators. Dak’s in full control :: ESPN Aging stars won’t solve Cowboys running back problem in 2024 :: Inside the Star Link: If accolades were a contest, the Cowboys have the most decorated running back room in the NFL. Dallas is banking on a revival while skeptics believe the Cowboys should have already made a move for a young runner sometime this offseason. Cowboys tie reduced training-camp interest to lack of postseason success :: Pro Football Talk Link: If one were to have glanced at the stands during Cowboys training camp, there was a noticeable difference compared to years past. A usually overflowing crowd making all kinds of ruckus sounded more like a light roar and that was because fewer fans were in attendance this season. Dallas ties the drop in attendance to the lack of team success in the playoffs. Ryan Flournoy number change :: R.J. Ochoa The NFL’s Most Valuable Teams 2024 :: Forbes Link: In an announcement that shocked very few people, the Cowboys are once again the most valuable franchise in all the NFL according to Forbes. Listed slightly over $10 billion, Dallas leads from the front when it comes to off-field ventures and branding. The inagural list ranked the Cowboys first in 1998 at an estimated $413 million; an increase of 2,346% since.
Cowboys talented roster extends to the practice squad
Now that all teams have cut down their training camp and preseason rosters to just 53, over 1,000 players have been sent to free agency. Some players were claimed via waivers, vested veterans were signed outright, and others remained in the free agent pool. That doesn’t end the roster building. Teams must now fill up their practice squads, and you’d be surprised at the level of talent that the practice squad holds for the Dallas Cowboys. The size of the practice squad grew to 16 players in response to the overwhelming player availability issues that COVID-19 caused, and the NFL decided to make the temporary fix a permanent fixture for the league. As reported by dallascowboys.com writer Patrik “No C” Walker, the 16 practice squad players signed by the Cowboys are as follows: DE Carl Lawson OL Josh Ball CB Josh Butler WR Jalen Cropper RB Malik Davis DT Denzel Daxon (International Player Program) TE Princeton Fant CB Kemon Hall WR Kelvin Harmon LB Darius Harris S Emany Johnson LB Brock Mogensen OL Dakoda Shepley LB Nick Vigil RB Dalvin Cook DT Phil Hoskins CB Amani Oruwariye You’ll notice that there are actually 17 players on the Cowboys practice squad instead of 16. That’s because DT Denzel Daxon is part of the International Player Pathway Program, and counts as an exemption for the Cowboys. This is the same program previously utilized by offensive lineman turned defensive lineman, Isaac Alarcon. The talent of the Cowboys roster extends to the practice squad, and I want to discuss three players who are most likely to be called up to the active gameday roster throughout the season. Practice Squad Notes First, let’s talk about how the practice squad works for a better understanding of the rules when players get called up to the active roster. Practice squad players can be called up to the active gameday roster three times throughout the course of the season before teams have to make a decision. Once a player is called up for the third time, teams cannot send the player back to the practice squad. At this point, teams must decide to sign the player to the 53-man roster or be forced to release the player into the free agent pool. Strategy and roster maneuvering are a large part of the process, and the Cowboys have always been adept at managing this. Here are three players that the Cowboys will likely call up three times and eventually sign to the active 53-man roster. DE Carl Lawson Carl Lawson was signed by the Cowboys a few weeks ago to add depth to a defensive end room that suffered the loss of Sam Williams to a torn ACL. The Cowboys appeared to give younger players a chance to shine, but no one outside of rookie Marshawn Kneeland has stepped up to the plate. Lawson was released by the Cowboys initially, causing Philadelphia fans to mock the team after several of us celebrated his signing and the impact he could have on Mike Zimmer‘s defense. However, Eagles fans are usually not smart enough to realize that it was simply smart roster maneuvering because, as a vested veteran, Lawson is not subject to waivers. He was immediately signed right back to the practice squad as he continues to ramp up into football shape, and he will likely be on the active roster week 1 and beyond. The first three games will be a test for Lawson to determine if he will be signed to the active roster. RB Dalvin Cook Dalvin Cook is another veteran that will likely be on the active roster for the first three weeks of the season on a trial basis. Cook is 29 years old, but he still showed some explosiveness during the postseason as a member of the Ravens’ backfield. Many say that he can still be more explosive than Ezekiel Elliott, who took zero preseason reps. I’m not sure if the Cowboys did that to preserve his legs, which already have over 2,000 carries, or if he roster spot is so secure that they didn’t feel he needed to take any preseason snaps. Don’t be surprised if the Cowboys alternate healthy scratches for Elliott and Cook throughout the season in an effort to see which running back is more important to the offense. OL Josh Ball Josh Ball proved to be a valuable piece of the offensive line this preseason, and was recognized as one of the highest graded offensive linemen by Pro Football Focus. The Cowboys must not have seen what PFF saw because they sent Ball to waivers, instead keeping the oft-injured Matt Waletzko and second-year Asim Richards on the roster. Ball cleared waivers and landed back on the practice squad. Ball has a good chance to be called up to the active roster this season because of the flexibility he provides to the Cowboys’ offensive line. He can play either guard spot, and prefers to play right tackle, but could fill in at left tackle in a pinch. Waletzko is limited strictly to right tackle, and with Chuma Edoga on Injured Reserve, Ball’s services may be needed sooner than later depending on the gameday matchup.
Disappointing Cowboys draft class will start redemption tour in Week 1
With three rookie starters taking the field next week against the Cleveland Browns, there has been a ton of focus on the 2024 Cowboys draft class, and for good reason. What we may be forgetting, however, is that the 2023 draftees have an even larger importance this season. Last season, Dallas saw perhaps their worst draft class performance in years. They got virtually no positive contributions from any of their rookies. 2023 Dallas Cowboys Draft Class 1: Mazi Smith, Michigan2: Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan3: DeMarvion Overshown, Texas4: Junior Fehoko, San Jose State5: Asim Richards, North Carolina6: Eric Scott Jr., Southern Miss6: Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State7: Jalen Brooks, South Carolina — RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) April 29, 2023 The 1st round pick had just nine solo tackles, the 2nd round pick caught eight passes, and a preseason torn ACL wiped out the season of the 3rd round pick before it could even begin. The picks later than them were just as irrelevant, and now two of them have been cut. There’s no need to beat a dead horse; Cowboys fans know just how bad things were last season for this crop of rookies. What fans want to know is, will they overcome the rough start for a rebound season in 2024? That, my friends, is what we’re here to discuss. So let’s get into it. Here is a look at the five most important 2023 Cowboys draftees that will try to kick off a major redemption tour when Dallas takes the field against the Cleveland Browns next Sunday. Jalen Brooks: Rising up the Receiver Ranks? The last pick in the 2023 Cowboys draft class, Wide Receiver Jalen Brooks has been quietly making a name for himself in the Dallas offense. Coming out of South Carolina, Brooks was viewed as a low-floor, high-ceiling prospect with natural speed, ball skills, and a workable build. Heading into his second year in Dallas, some think those “traits” are becoming talents. Brooks beat out some serious competition for his roster spot, namely Jalen Cropper, Tyron Billy-Johnson, and Deontay Burnett. Now, his next challenge will be beating out Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, and rookie Ryan Flournoy for snaps in the regular season. Cooper Rush deep bomb to Jalen Brooks pic.twitter.com/SUNI8mITCl — Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 11, 2024 Dallas’ opening depth chart has Brooks as the WR4 behind CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Tolbert, which means he only needs to surpass the ladder to become a full-time starter. This speedster is one of the key guys to watch this season. His work in the short and mid-game is promising because of his yards after catch ability, and man can he beat you deep for a huge gain. It is just going to be a question of can Brooks put it all together to go from a late-round draft pick to a starter. Deuce Vaughn: The Little Man Earns a Roster Spot Speaking of earning a roster spot, how about the little guy, Deuce Vaughn snatching a spot on the 53-man straight out of Malik Davis and Royce Freeman’s hands? It was an impressive preseason for the second-year running back, and with weak talent at his position, he could be a surprise candidate to break-out after a lackluster rookie season. That said, a recent addition to the roster could damage his playing-time prospects this season. The Cowboys brought in former All-Pro Dalvin Cook, which puts the running back room at Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Dalvin Cook, Vaughn, and Hunter Luepke. In short, the room is crowded, and it may be too crowded for the 5’5 Kansas State alum to get meaningful playing time this season. That does not mean, however, that this has not been a successful offseason for Vaughn. His place in Dallas was no guarantee heading into the roster cuts, but his preseason performance forced the Cowboys to keep him. Deuce Vaughn had 14 preseason rush attempts and gained 3+ yards on all of them. pic.twitter.com/jCPoAuxfG4 — Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 25, 2024 Where Vaughn does carry potential is with the age of two of the backs ahead of him. Both Cook and Elliott are 29, and they don’t have the ability they once did. If anything were to happen to them, or if their performance was not up-to-par, you can expect Dowdle and Vaughn to reep the benefits. It is a big year for Vaughn, but making the roster was his biggest challenge, and he has proven he deserves to be on it. DeMarvion Overshown: The Long Awaited Return The absence of 3rd rounder, DeMarvion Overshown, was a dark cloud over last season from start to finish. The Cowboys linebacker problems plagued the defense, as they had safeties playing out of position and guys that had no business seeing major playing time getting starter reps. Could things have been different with Overshown present? I’m willing to bet he’d at least have made a solid impact, even if he couldn’t have single-handedly changed the outcome of the Packers game. His speed, size, athleticism, and overall potential had Cowboys fans salivating heading into last season, so you can imagine after a year of recovering, this entire fanbase is clamoring for Overshown to become a leader on defense. DeMarvion Overshown says he feels great, and was held out of the #Cowboys preseason finale as a precaution. He is heading into his first-ever NFL regular season game on Sept. 8 — elated and smiling big — after his 2023 ACL tear. “I’m so excited. I’m ready to strap ‘em up.” — Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 29, 2024 Expectations may need to be lowered some, as Overshown is still coming off an ACL tear, which can linger. Even if it does take him a little while to get truly up to speed, his talent is a huge boost for a Cowboys linebacker unit that desperately needs it. Eric Kendricks and Damone Clark alone is not enough. Overshown has a big role in 2024. We’ll see just how much of an
Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Changing of the Guard
The Dallas Cowboys have one year left with Dak Prescott as quarterback, and the writing is on the wall for a separation. A separation would be terrible without a backup plan in place. As fans know, Dak Prescott and Jerry Jones have been trading slight jabs in the media. It feels slightly eerie, but this may be it for Prescott and the Cowboys. The backup plan could be a legacy player for the Dallas Cowboys, living up to his star Dallas Cowboy father’s big personality and talent while bringing his uniqueness to the team. Dak Prescott and Cowboys Divorce Dak Prescott and Jerry Jones are involved in a public dispute, akin to an unhappy married couple who can’t seem to leave each other alone. Prescott wants a new deal, as he will be playing out the final year of his contract. To the dismay of many fans, Prescott deserves a new contract. If Dak Prescott does play out the final year of his contract, the Dallas Cowboys will not be able to pay him, as the rest of the quarterback-needy teams will outbid Jerry Jones. Jerry Jones and the front office may be ready to move on from their franchise quarterback, who can’t seem to get over the playoff hump he’s had his entire career. The front office would give up on a quarterback with a 73-41 career regular season record and a 2-5 playoff record. He has been one of the best statistical quarterbacks in the NFL since he entered the league in 2016. Those wins and statistics do not hold much value if he cannot win a Super Bowl. This has led many to believe it’s a Super Bowl victory or nothing this season. This means it will likely be an ugly divorce for the Cowboys and one of the best quarterbacks in the franchise’s history. But there could be a silver lining. The Silver Lining Football fans across the country watched one of the first games of the college football season between the Colorado Buffalo’s and the North Dakota State Bison. On the sideline of the game was one of the best NFL players in history, who nowadays goes by Coach Prime. It is none other than Deion Sanders, the Hall of Fame cornerback and Cowboy Super Bowl winner. Coach Prime has a pretty good quarterback on his team, Shedeur Sanders. As every football fan knows, Shedeur Sanders is Deion Sanders’ son, and the kid has the same big personality and talent as his father. This could be the perfect pairing. Shedeur Sanders would bring a media storm to Dallas. Guess who loves media coverage? Jerry Jones. Sheduer Sanders would bring a different type of quarterback play along with the media storm. A style of play that may help the Cowboys get over the playoff hump the fan base needs. Shedeur Sanders Quarterback Style In 11 games as a starter in 2023, Sanders completed 298 of 430 attempts (69.3%) for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Shedeur Sanders has frequently been compared to Geno Smith, the former West Virginia quarterback who played for the New York Jets and is now the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. Both players achieved great success in college. Smith earned first-team All-Big East honors in 2011 and second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2012 after West Virginia’s conference change. Sheduer Sanders does not see his comparison to Geno Smith. His answer may surprise you. Shedeur Sanders opens up about life under the spotlight, embracing the hate, and comparing himself to Tom Brady and Mike Vick. LINK TO HIS FULL INTERVIEW WITH COMPLEX: https://t.co/eXdwX18FdJ pic.twitter.com/njfCXhatXT — Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) November 9, 2023 A blend of Tom Brady and Michael Vick would create an almost unstoppable quarterback. If Shedeur can match this comparison, please bring these qualities to the Dallas Cowboys. He has trained with Peyton Manning and Brady since he was in high school. That training alone could help him become the Tom Brady/Michael Vick hybrid he believes he is now. Drafting a Future Quarterback It would not be easy to get Sanders, as he should be a top-10 pick in the 2025 draft, but wheelin’ and dealin’ Jerry may come to the draft this year. Having Jerry Jones as a general manager helps in this situation, but Deion Sanders’s statements to the media could be the most significant advantage. “I know where I want them to go. … There’s certain cities where that ain’t gonna happen,” Deion Sanders said on a recent podcast appearance. “It’s going to be an ‘Eli.’” Deion Sanders’s statement could be telegraphing his son’s move to the NFL. He wants his son in major market cities. What city has the biggest market when it comes to football? The answer is America’s Team. Deion’s influence on Shedeur’s draft could give Jerry Jones room to trade up and go for Shedeur Sanders. This would be a dream scenario for Jerry Jones, Deion Sanders, and many fans who are ready to move on from Dak Prescott. Is it likely to happen? Many fans following the Dallas Cowboys during Jerry Jones’s reign know that anything is possible with this front office.
Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown named the x-factor for Dallas
Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports Cowboys fans are hyped about the skills of DeMarvion Overshown The Dallas Cowboys era of safety-turned-linebacker is over. Or is it? Guess it depends on your strict definition. We all know that under Dan Quinn, the Cowboys former defensive coordinator, taking a safety and finding a role for them at linebacker was the norm. It started with Keanu Neal and carried on with players like Jayron Kearse and Markquese Bell. But Dan Quinn is now the head coach for the Washington Commanders, and former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is back for a second go around. Quinn’s defense was built on speed, stunts and overloads to disrupt offenses. Zimmer’s defense is much more meat and potatoes, with an adherence to bigger-sized players capable of stuffing the run, topped with a dash of disguised blitzing to unbalance things. So in that sense, it seems like the converted safety at linebacker is out of favor in Dallas. Except for DeMarvion Overshown. Overshown’s conversion started in college, so it’s not quite like what was being done under Quinn, but he is a fast linebacker that will be used to cover tight ends and running backs as well as run sideline-to-sideline in run defense. But he also may have another component we haven’t talked as much about – a blitz specialist in Zimmer’s disguise scheme. In a recent ESPN article, Overshown was named as the team’s x-factor. New defensive coordinator (and former Vikings head coach) Mike Zimmer has historically used linebacker-sized linebackers to make his defense work, and he brought in longtime Viking Eric Kendricks accordingly. Kendricks’ best football is behind him, however, and if the veteran is forced into a starting role beside Damone Clark, the Cowboys will struggle in coverage over the middle of the field. Overshown is Dallas’ best bet at finding a three-down linebacker on the roster — better than Bell, Kendricks or 2024 third-round selection Marist Liufau. Of the undersized options, he has the sideline-to-sideline range and violence into contact that will remain viable against the run. If he converts two promising preseasons into successful regular-season play, he’ll quickly become a playmaker Zimmer deploys on his complex blitzes, too. So obviously the author of the ESPN piece is a little off-target in saying Eric Kendricks might be forced into a starting role; Zimmer actually brought Kendricks in to be the starter and to lead the defense. But beyond that, there is some merit to Overshown being an x-factor player. Cowboys fans have seen the talent in training camp and preseason, but haven’t seen it on the field yet when it counts because of injury. But Overshown is now healthy. “I feel great,” said Overshown through his trademark ear-to-ear smile. “Just making it to the season healthy is a plus, so we’re already doing better than last year.” […] “I felt great even going into the last [preseason] week,” he explained. “It was just making sure I was healthy enough for Week 1 and making sure there were no bumps or bruises, or something that could’ve been avoided.” Overshown’s ability to run with faster receiving-types should automatically qualify him for some third-down duty. He also shows plenty of ability to be productive in run defense with the addition of some beef ahead of him at defensive tackle. His speed and agility might also be an asset when it comes to deploying Zimmer’s blitz package. For all those reasons calling him an x-factor is legit.
How the Cowboys front office is trying to cheat the system to help them get over the hump
Filed under: How the Cowboys front office is trying to cheat the system to help them get over the hump There is a method to the madness of the Cowboys penny-pinching ways. By Aug 31, 2024, 3:00pm CDT Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports As we come down to another contract deadline, the Dallas Cowboys continue to find themselves in another financial standoff with a star player. It’s become such a common thing for this organization and it’s been all anyone’s talking about over the summer. This is the way the front office works. It’s beyond frustrating for fans and it’s a never-ending supply of storylines for the media. This is the Cowboys’ way. The difficult thing to understand about all this is why the front office chooses to operate in this manner. There are three big differences between them and many other teams. The first is that the Cowboys don’t want to overspend tomorrow’s resources. If they wanted, they could do some creative bookkeeping and restructure several contracts to free up more cap space. The Cowboys have more restructuring potential than half the teams in the NFL. Restructure potential courtesy of overthecap.com This table shows where teams are now in terms of cap space (circle) and their possible cap space with the maximum restructures employed (diamond). The Cowboys have the potential to go from $7.2 million in cap space to $63.7 million, freeing up an additional $56.5 million. You may notice that the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns have very little restructuring capability while a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have plenty of flexibility. The Cowboys are in the middle of the pack when it comes to moving money around. They could do more if they wanted to, but as we know, they choose their battles carefully. While borrowing from the future is an interest-free loan on an available credit that keeps rising, decisions they make now can hinder decisions they want to make tomorrow. The Cowboys try to be responsible with their financials as do most teams as 75% of the league has at least $30 million of restructuring potential. Not only do the Cowboys have more spending power in their back pocket, they are cheap in free agency. Free agency is an opportunity to strengthen the roster by bringing in outside talent to address needs. The Cowboys are super thrifty in this department. They shop for deals. This is aggravating for many fans and it’s understandable as it certainly seems like the team could at least try to be a little more active in free agency to improve the roster. While it’s frustrating on the surface, it’s actually a good thing the team avoids this roster-building pitfall. Free agency is like doing your grocery shopping at the corner convenience store. Everything is overpriced and a great majority of people who shop that way are getting ripped off. Instead, the Cowboys put a large amount of faith in their young draft prospects on very cheap rookie deals. All this money-saving the Cowboys are doing culminates into this third and final front office strategy, re-signing their cornerstone players. This brings us full circle to our initial problem where the front office drags out these negotiations. The Cowboys are doing this for one reason, and one reason only and that is to save money. Some will try to convince you that waiting this out costs the team more money, but it doesn’t. The front office is trying to cheat the system and get away with paying their star players less than market value. We already got a behind-the-scenes look at the CeeDee Lamb negotiation courtesy of Jane Slater where the front office held their breath as long as they could trying to get him to take less money, only to finally end up caving and paying him what he’s worth. Did this delay end up costing them more money? No, but they didn’t get the discount they were looking for either. Jerry and Stephen Jones will plead to us that they are trying to save enough pie for others. They’re not lying. This team has a lot of talent that costs money and they’ve had to let good players walk in free agency. The challenges they face are real. And despite knowing that the Cowboys can afford to spend more money, we also know they are financially strapped if they want to continue operating in the environment they are so comfortable in. And they do. So, the net result is that the front office attempts to take matters into their own hands and squeeze out cheaper deals from their star players to have an added advantage. Why would they do this? Because years of having one of the top rosters in the league hasn’t been enough to win in the playoffs. Whatever is holding them back, the front office is trying to fix it by stretching their dollar to create an even stronger team. Expecting their star players to accept less than they’re worth to help the team have more cap space is not only unfair to that player, but it also disrupts the market value of other players in the league. While it might be well intended for the greater good of the team, it’s shady. The team has gotten away with getting great deals before from players like Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Tyron Smith (twice), but they can’t keep doing that forever. Sometimes you have to pay a player what they’re actually worth. For years, the Joneses have sat in their suite and watched helplessly as another high-expectation season comes crashing to a halt. They have no control over how the players perform in those games or how the coaches coach. All they can do is provide the best possible roster. And while many disagree with their approach, the front office continues to look for an edge, and like it or not, this remains the Cowboys’ way.
Cowboys offseason countdown: 99 facts until the regular season (Day 8)
Photo by Brad Mangin/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images We countdown the days to kickoff giving you an interesting fact about each number. Today is number 8 We are at day 8 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 8. This one is easy to talk about as there is only one number 8 for Dallas. Troy Aikman. Photo credit should read TIM ZIELENBACH/AFP via Getty Images Troy Kenneth Aikman was born November 21st, 1966 and was the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL draft. He was the first rookie quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys to play a season-opener since Roger Staubach in 1969. Despite demonstrating significant potential and achieving a rookie-record of 379 passing yards in a match against the Phoenix Cardinals, the team concluded the season with a 1-15 record. Nevertheless, as the young quarterback developed his skills, the Cowboys’ performance also began to improve. 30 Years Ago Today Super Bowl XXVII MVP Troy Aikman (22-30, 273 yds, 4 TD), Emmitt Smith (135 total yds, TD), Michael Irvin (6-114-2 rec), and a Super Bowl record 9 (!) takeaways by the defense lead Dallas to a 52-17 walk over the #Bills at the Rose Bowl.#Cowboys‘ third ring pic.twitter.com/nLc1idwSVN — Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 1, 2023 In 1990, Aikman successfully completed 226 out of 399 passes, accumulating 2,579 yards and 11 touchdowns, while the team concluded the season with a record of 7-9. The subsequent year, he achieved an NFC-leading completion rate of 65.3 percent, contributing to the Cowboys’ improvement to an 11-5 record and their advancement to the second round of the playoffs. In 1992, during his 52nd game, Aikman surpassed the 10,000-yard milestone in passing, with his 302 completions ranking as the second highest in the franchise’s history. Aikman To Harper… 94 yard TouchDown vs. the Packers 1994 NFC Divisional Playoff Game pic.twitter.com/DWJWLlVUxI — GSH (@gman416) September 15, 2019 That season also signified the conclusion of Dallas’ journey from the bottom to the top. With a formidable offense and a robust defense, the 13-3 Cowboys dominated the 1992 NFL playoffs, amassing a total of 116 points across three games, including a decisive 52-17 triumph over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII. Aikman’s performance, completing 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns, earned him the title of Super Bowl MVP. Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images In the subsequent three seasons, the Cowboys achieved three straight 12-4 records and triumphed in Super Bowls XXVIII and XXX. The offensive prowess of Aikman, wide receiver Michael Irvin, and running back Emmitt Smith proved to be a formidable challenge for opposing defenses. When defenses concentrated on either Irvin or Smith, Aikman adeptly connected with tight end Jay Novacek or wide receiver Alvin Harper. P January 28, 1996: The Cowboys beat the Steelers 27-17 to win Super Bowl XXX ( via NFL) pic.twitter.com/8VTV9cwRTs — This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 28, 2022 During the 1994 NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Green Bay Packers, Aikman completed 23 out of 30 passes for a total of 337 yards, with Irvin, Novacek, and Harper each surpassing 100 yards in receiving. Notably, Aikman’s 94-yard touchdown pass to Harper set a record for the longest play from scrimmage in NFL postseason history at that time. With 90 victories in the 1990s, Aikman became the most successful starting quarterback of any decade in NFL history upon his retirement. Happy Birthday @iamrocketismail Rocket catches the overtone winning touchdown from Aikman 1999#DallasCowboys#Cowboys pic.twitter.com/FdOXQVoj2o — Old Time Football (@Ol_TimeFootball) November 18, 2023 Regrettably, in his final two seasons, injuries began to impact the Dallas quarterback and the team’s performance. Ultimately, following the 2000 season, the six-time Pro Bowl selection announced his retirement from professional football. His career statistics reflect 32,942 passing yards and 165 touchdowns, culminating in a passer rating of 81.6. Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey believes Cooper Beebe will be great for Dallas Cowboys
Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images The NFL’s best center in Creed Humphrey thinks highly of Dallas Cowboys rookie Cooper Beebe. When the Dallas Cowboys begin play in Week 1 they will do so with a new starter under center for the first time in a while. Tyler Biadasz manned the middle for Dallas for four seasons and did so admirably given the tall shadow he entered following Travis Frederick’s retirement in the early days of 2020. With Biadasz leaving in free agency to the Washington Commanders, it was always known that somebody new would be the starter in Week 1. But then Cooper Beebe happened. Dallas traded back in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the Detroit Lions and picked up a third-round pick in the process. After landing starting left tackle Tyler Guyton with their new first round pick, they had to wait a night to see what the extra change became and ultimately it was Beebe. That they are two birds gotten with a single stone is a cool thing in and of its own right, but that Beebe is going to start as a center is nothing short of impressive. He fought off Brock Hoffman for the honors throughout training camp and is now absorbing some serious responsibility. Recently I was able to talk to the best center in the NFL these days, Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs. Aside from the obvious Chiefs talking points I asked him if he knew much about Beebe and he said absolutely and that he thinks highly of him. “Now your job is setting all the mike points, setting the protections. Doing all of that. You have to read the defense a lot. Being able to see where teams are blitzing from. What fronts their in. Kind of being the general of the offensive line, kind of getting guys going in the right direction. I think with him, he’s had so much experience playing, I think he’ll do a great job being able to move in. He’ll figure it out pretty quick. I think he’s going to do a great job. He’s a great player.” Beebe is kicking inside to center after playing guard at Kansas State so it is a tall task in addition to the general point of making the jump to the professional level. Given that Creed started from day one in the NFL, his vote of approval certainly seems valuable. Humphrey has started every single game for Kansas City since joining them in 2021 out of Oklahoma, he was teammates with CeeDee Lamb in Norman by the way. Our thanks to Creed and to Sleep Number who helped make him available. Sleep Number is the Official Sleep + Wellness Partner of the NFL, and currently 80% of the League benefit from the improved sleep performance on Sleep Number smart beds. Creed has been on a smart bed since his rookie year, so he knows how high-quality sleep can enhance his recovery to perform at his best on the field. Creed just visited a Sleep Number store to check out some of the latest models and learn more about the technology. Sleep Number’s Biggest Sale of the Year is happening now. You can take up to 50% off smart beds. The sale is live now at SleepNumber.com and runs through Labor Day weekend. Here’s hoping the Cowboys meet Creed’s Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Linval Joseph eager to be back in Mike Zimmer’s defense
Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images It appears that Mike Zimmer has been rather impactful in landing certain free agents. If you don’t have quality bodies on your defensive line, your defense will not succeed. It’s that simple. For the Dallas Cowboys, it was essential that this particular group was addressed, especially on the interior. Dallas made a big addition, literally, when they traded for Jordan Phillips, who is 6’6″ and 340 pounds with flexibility to play all across the defensive line. However, the Cowboys still needed an anchor at the one-tech who could clog up lanes and take on double teams. That’s where Linval Joseph comes into play. The Cowboys added the 6’4″, 330-pounder to the mix as well. Joseph is no stranger to new Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. After four years with the New York Giants, Joseph signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2014, the same year Zimmer took over as head coach. Joseph had his only Pro Bowl campaigns under Zimmer in 2016 and 2017. So, this was a natural fit for all parties involved. Joseph isn’t the player he used to be. However, his experience can’t be denied, and the familiarity with what Zimmer wants to do is like riding a bike for Joseph. When it comes to getting Joseph to Dallas, Zimmer was a huge influence on the former second-round pick. I know Zimmer. I know this defense and I’m just glad to be a part of this defense again. I played six years in this defense and it really helped my development in my game. Mazi Smith, the Cowboys’ second-round pick from a year ago, was looked at to take the next step in 2024. There’s been flashes, but Smith still hasn’t found the consistency the Cowboys need to have full faith in him. Because he’s a draft pick, it wouldn’t be surprising if Smith got the nod to start initially, but Joseph and his experience in Zimmer’s system could limit his snaps. After all, as we speak today, Joseph is the better player. Joseph broke down what it means to play under Zimmer earlier this week. So being a D-tackle in this system, you have to be selfless. If you’re selfish, it won’t work for you. You just have to be able to give it your all, help others, and let plays come to you. This is the 15th NFL season for Joseph. He has some juice left in the tank, but after all the battles for a decade and a half, his career is certainly nearing an end. While he’s in Dallas, which for the moment will be just for one year, the Cowboys will need Joseph to help their run defense, which has left much to be desired lately. Also, there’s another role he gets to play, mentor. Along with Smith, the Cowboys have Osa Odighizuwa, who has been the main three-tech in Dallas for the last several years. Joseph has a reputation for mentoring younger players, and he plans to do the same in Dallas. I love it. I embrace it. It’s not going to last forever, one, but two, young guys look up to me and I just want to make sure I put my best foot forward and guide them any way I can. The regular season is right around the corner, and it’ll be interesting to see what impact Joseph can have under Zimmer at this stage in his career.
