Dallas Cowboys News

[DC_fan]

Dallas Cowboys Top 5 Best Free Agent Signings since 2000

1. La'Roi Glover DT 2002-05 Four Pro Bowl appearances. One hundred and twenty-six tackles
2. Terrell Owens WR 2006-08 Two hundred and thity-five receptions for 3,587 yards and 38 touchdowns
3. Terry Glenn WR 2003-07 Two hundred and eight receptions for 3,337 yards and 20 touchdowns
4. Leonard Davis G 2007-10 Three Pro Bowl appearances
5. Anthony Henry CB 2005-08 Twelve interceptions and 182 tackles

My opinion

 

[DC_fan]

With the departure of John Phillips, their is no one left from the Cowboys 2009 draft


Tight End John Phillips was a Unrestricted Free Agent who Dallas never had any thoughts of re-signing. He was signed today by the Chargers.

Through trades Dallas had 12 picks in the 2009 draft, but none in the first two rounds.​

R3 Jason Williams OLB - in four years in the NFL played with four different teams and started four times. Now out of the NFL
R3 Robert Brewster OT Ball State - played one game for Dallas in 2010. Has not been sighted since.
R4 Stephen McGee QB Texas A&M - spent three years as the #3 at Dallas. Started once and is now out of the NFL.
R4 Victor Butler DE/LB Oregon State - still officially a Cowboy, but will not be re-signed. Started three games and recorded eleven sacks.
R4 Brandon Williams DE/LB Texas Tech - played two seasons and did not start a game. Out of the NFL.
R5 DeAngelo Smith CB Cincinnati - Cowboys cut him before the season started. Played one season with Detroit. Out of the NFL.
R5 Michael Hamlin FS Clemson = played with three teams in four seasons. Did not start a game. Out of the NFL.
R5 David Buehler K Southern Cal - spent three years as a Cowboy, mostly as a kickoff specialist. Noi longer in the NFL.
R6 Stephen Hodge SS TCU - did not play a down in the NFL.
R7 John Phillips TE Virginia - spent four years as a Cowboy as backup or on injured reserve.
R7 Mike Mickens CB Cincinnati - did not play a down in the NFL.
R7 Manuel Johnson WR Oklahoma - in two years as a Cowboy caught one pass for six yards.

This is the type of draft that kills teams​

 

[DC_fan]

Why the Cowboys were quiet today with Free Agency

Because they have only $177,000 cap money to spend.

Expect some contract restructures or players being released in the next few days to get under the cap by a lot more.

 

[DC_fan]

The Cowboys have released DE Marcus Spears

Dallas has released DE Marcus Spears after eight years as a Cowboy. He is designated a June 1st release, so the team will not have immediate cap relief. The move will save them more money off the cap for the upcoming season. His release will save them $2m.

Spears started 89 games in his career, making 314 tackles, 10 sacks, 50 quarterback pressures and four forced fumbles.

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/#storylink=cpy​

 

[DC_fan]

The Cowboys will open the 2013 NFL season

The 2013 season kicks off on Aug 4 with the Hall of Fame game in Canton Ohio, where the Dallas Cowboys will play the Miami Dolphins.

 

[DC_fan]

Cowboys (will) sign LB Justin Durant

Justin Durant plans to sign a contract with the Dallas Cowboys as soon as the team can free up some cap space.

At the moment the Cowboys have just $100,000 in cap space to play with. The Cowboys are walking on a new contract with Tony Romo and his agent to fee up some cap money.

 

[DC_fan]

Dez Bryant eyes 2,000-yard mark

Dez Bryant is confident that he's capable of becoming the NFL's first 2,000-yard receiver.

The 24-year-old Bryant believes his 2012 breakout season, when he caught 92 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns, was just the beginning. Bryant had 50 catches for 879 yards and 10 touchdowns in the final eight games, numbers that would be among the best in NFL history if projected over a full season, and production that Bryant believes he can build upon.

“

It's only going to get better, to be honest. I still have a lot to give. I feel like nobody's seen anything. Nothing.
​

” -- Dez Bryant
​

"That's still scratching the surface," Bryant said in a telephone interview with ESPNDallas.com. "It's only going to get better, to be honest. I still have a lot to give. I feel like nobody's seen anything. Nothing.

"I feel like it can be a lot more than that. That's just being honest. I honestly feel like [2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns] can potentially happen."
Bryant, who played the final three games of the season with a broken index finger that required postseason surgery, said his confidence comes from his maturation, improved knowledge of the Cowboys' offensive scheme and passion to win.
The Cowboys finished 8-8 and lost the regular-season finale with the NFC East title at stake for the second consecutive season. A lower-back injury forced Bryant to leave the season-ending loss to the Washington Redskins, has kept him from running routes this offseason and might prevent him from being ready to fully participate in organized team activities this offseason.
Bryant, who needed a wheelchair to leave FedEx Field that night, said it took him a week to emotionally get over the loss to the Redskins. He has used that feeling as fuel this offseason, when he's been able to lift weights, run straight ahead and catch passes since the cast was removed from his hand.
Galloway & Company


Galloway & Company discuss the latest Cowboys news, including the team closing in on signing linebacker Justin Durant.
More Podcasts »




"It just makes you want it even more," Bryant said. "I'm so confident. I view myself as an up-and-coming leader. That's how I view myself.
"With that attitude, you have to feel like anything's possible. That's how I feel."
Bryant credited former Cowboys receivers coach Jimmy Robinson, who was reassigned to a consultant role with the team this offseason, for playing a critical role in teaching him how to be a pro and strive for perfection. However, Bryant said he believes new receivers coach Derek Dooley, the former head coach at the University of Tennessee, can help him bring his game to a new level.
Bryant emerged as Tony Romo's No. 1 receiver last season, and that rapport continues to develop. While he hasn't been able to run routes for Romo this offseason, Bryant said they have communicated frequently, with Romo often sending the receiver inspirational text messages.
Bryant, who slid to the 24th overall pick in the 2010 draft due to off-the-field issues that plagued him during his first two years in the NFL, has avoided trouble this offseason. He has acknowledged that he was forced to mature after being arrested in July after an incident with his mother, Angela. The Class A misdemeanor family violence charge was conditionally dismissed in November, meaning it will be dropped if Bryant attends counseling and is not charged with any crimes for a year.
More on the Cowboys

Calvin Watkins, Tim MacMahon and Todd Archer have the Dallas Cowboys blanketed.
Blog »ESPN Dallas »
Top 50 Cowboys

Bryant volunteered to speak at a rally called Dallas Men Against Abuse on Saturday, admitting that he made a mistake and challenging men to "X domestic violence out of your life." Bryant said his productive offseason is part of the continuing maturation process.
"That's all having to do with understanding me being a Dallas Cowboy, me knowing who I am as a person, just understanding that I'm a grown man," Bryant said. "It's time to be a leader. It's time to step up and just do what you need to do. Hold yourself accountable."
That's a message Bryant said he has taken to heart after hearing it over and over from Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, who recently expressed pride with Bryant's progress.
"He's just a really, really good young man," Garrett told reporters at the recent NFL owners meetings. "He's made great strides over the last three years. We feel good about the progress he's made, not only as a player but as a person. We all know from the background from where he came; he's really grown a lot.
"I think the consistency that he's shown in his personal life spills over [into] the consistency he's shown as a player and his production he's shown on Sundays."
Bryant believes he can build on that production and help lead the Cowboys into the playoffs for the first time in his career.
"No matter what I've done last year or what anybody did in Dallas last year, it don't mean nothing," Bryant said. "Stats mean nothing. You want to win. At the end of the day, you want to be strapping up for the playoffs.
"That's the way I go about my business. I love to work. I love grinding. I feel like I'm better under pressure. Whenever you want to win like I do, anything is possible."
Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com contributed to this report.

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story...nt-dallas-cowboys-says-nfl-first-2000-yard-wr

 

[DC_fan]

The Cowboys finally free up some cap space

The Cowboys have cut WR Anthony Armstrong and restructured the contract of backup QB Kyle Orton to free up more salary cap space. This combined effort freed up around $1m.

This allowed the Cowboys to complete the signing of LB Justin Durant and sign S Will Allen.

 

[gronkathon]

Romo 6 years 108 million with 55 mill guaranteed.

:lol: Don't ever change Cowboys

 

[beave]

 

[DC_fan]

I, like most Cowboy fans don't have a problem with the extension of Romos contract. Thee only question people are asking, is the money side of it.

Dallas was always going to extend his contract. They had to, to free up some salary cap space. Is he worth all the money the Cowboys are going to pay him. Only time will tell that.

As I have said elsewhere on this forum the contract has placed huge pressure on Romo, not only to get the team to the playoffs but to also win a super bowl.

 

[DC_fan]

April 2nd & 3rd: Valley Ranch Pre-Draft Visits
April 15th: Beginning of Off Season Voluntary Programs
April 25th - 27th: (Thu, Fri, Sat) NFL Draft
May ??: Rookie Mini-Camp (Two weeks after draft)
May 31st - 23rd: Voluntary Mini-Camp
May 28th - 30th: Voluntary Mini-Camp
June 13th: End of Voluntary Off Season Programs
June 11th - 13th: Mandatory Mini-camp
July 19th (Friday): Players Report to Training Camp in Oxnard (tenative)
July 21st (Sunday): First Practice of Training Camp (tenative)
August 4th (Sunday): Dallas vs Miami Hall of Fame Game

http://www.cowboysnation.com/2013/04/cowboys-2013-offseason-calendar.html

 

[DC_fan]

Who could the Cowboys draft?

I have put together some thoughts as to who I believe the Cowboys could look at.

Quarterbacks
The Cowboys could be looking to groom a future starter. Not a high priority.

Landry Jones Oklahoma 4th-5th round
Sean Renfree Duke 6-7
Brad Sorensen Southerm Utah 6-7

Runningback
Felix Jones could return as backup. They do need to cover themselves in case he doesn't. This selection could come on day three of the draft.

Kenjon Barner Oregon 4-5
Jawan Jamison Rutgers 6-7
Joseph Randle Oklahoma St 4-5
Stepfan Taylor Stanford 4-5

Wide Receiver
No clear #3 presently on the roster.

Markus Wheaton Oregon St 2-3
Rodney Smith Florida St 6-7
Conner Vernon Duke 6-7

Tight End
Team needs a third TE who can block

Joseph Fauria UCLA 6-7
Michael Williams Alabama 7

Guard
A major need

Chance Warmack Alabama 1
Jonathan Cooper Nth Carolina 1
Larry Warford Kentucky 2-3
Kyle Long Oregon 2

Tackle
A problem at right tackle

DJ Flucker Alabama 1
Justin Pugh Syracuse 2-3

Defensive Tackle
Changing to the 4-3 creates a need

Sheldon Richardson Missouri 1
Kawann Short Purdue 2
Bennie Logan LSU 3-4
Jordan Hill Penn St 4-5

Defensive End
Not much behind starters Ware and Spencer

William Gholston Michigan St 3-4

Cornerback
Not a major need, but depth required.

Sanders Cummings Carolina 4-5

Safety
A need but not the biggest need

Kenny Vaccaro Texas 1
Eric Reid LSU 1
Jonathan Cyprien Florida Intl Uni 2

 

[DC_fan]

Cowboys 1st Round Draft Pick
Travis Frederick, C/G, Wisconsin
Height: 6-4. Weight: 312. Arm: 33

Not the player, nor the position we expected for our first round pick. Rated by most as the #1 Centre in the draft. But most boards had him being selected in the second round and same even had him being taken in the third.
Played guard and centre at college. Would not surprise me to see him play guard in the NFL.

 

[DC_fan]

http://bleacherrepor...for-wisconsin-c

Travis Frederick

Dallas Cowboys

First Round: 31st Pick

Since 2007, five Wisconsin offensive linemen have been selected within the first three rounds of the NFL draft. Travis Frederick could be the latest addition to that list.

Like many Badger linemen who have come before, Frederick isn't the most impressive athlete, but he's a nasty, physical run-blocker who demonstrates elite fundamentals.

His physical attributes may limit the number of teams interested, but if he lands in the right situation he should be an immediate starter at the next level.

Strengths

Frederick's best asset is his physical style. He's a mauler who can hold his ground in one-on-one battles with any defensive lineman. He is especially valuable as an a power run-blocker who can easily drive a defensive lineman off his spot to create holes up the middle.

Weaknesses

In tight spaces, Frederick is an immovable object and will win the overwhelming majority of his battles. But ask him to move or make plays in space, and his effectiveness diminishes greatly.

Frederick simply isn't an athlete and lacks the ability to get to the second level, or the footwork to stay with interior pass-rushers when they have room to operate.

Tools

Frederick is built like a prototypical run-blocking interior lineman. He weighed in at 312 pounds at the combine, but probably played closer to 325 pounds during the season. In terms of athleticism, Frederick is well below average compared to the typical NFL center. He struggles to get to the second level and lacks the lateral mobility to make plays in space. For this reason, he won't be a great fit in every blocking scheme.

Intangibles/Character/Injury Concerns

Frederick is a typical old-school offensive lineman. He has a reputation as a lead-by-example type teammate and is the ultimate team player. He's suffered a number of minor injuries throughout his career, but none that cause reason for concern. During his senior year in high school, Frederick played through a broken arm, demonstrating his toughness at a young age. As a true freshman he missed two games with an ankle injury. He also missed a game with a foot injury in 2011.

System

Frederick won't fit into some of the new offensive systems spreading around the league. Any team running a zone-blocking scheme or a read-option offense will likely drop Frederick on their board, or even remove him altogether, due to his limited mobility. Frederick is most valuable when engaged immediately off the snap, and these schemes won't always put him in those positions. Teams featuring more of a traditional power running game will prefer Frederick and may view him as an immediate starter.

Pass-Blocking

Frederick is a rare interior lineman who can win one-on-one battles with bull-rushing nose tackles. When he's engaged immediately off the snap, he will win almost every battle. When Frederick struggles in pass protection, it's often because the play has broken down and the pass-rusher has space to move. Frederick's lateral mobility is limited, so when an interior pass-rusher has room to maneuver around him, Frederick will lose those battles.

Run-Blocking

Frederick is a mauler in the run game. He consistently stays low, giving him great leverage, and he uses his legs to drive his man off his spot. For these reasons, he is particularly effective at clearing space in short yardage situations.

Blocking In Space/Recovery

This is the area where Frederick struggles most. He lacks the speed to consistently get to the second level. Even when he does get to the second level, he lacks the mobility to handle blocking in space, especially against more athletic linebackers.

Hand-fighting/Technique

When he's in his element, Frederick is among the best in the game in terms of his fundamentals. He consistently stays low in his stance and can anchor against the bull rush. He also possesses impressive upper body strength, which allows him stand up defenders and take away their leverage.

Future Role/Versatility

Frederick's future in the NFL depends on the type of system in which he lands. Certain teams—the Cowboys are a great example—tend to prefer size over athleticism in their offensive linemen. These types of teams should love Frederick, and he could project as a guard or center in their scheme.

 

[DC_fan]

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/station/1053-the-fan/

Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan is reporting that the team is split 50-50 on todays draft pick.

Some officials are said to be very pissed with what happened.

 

[DC_fan]

Cowboys 2nd Round Draft Pick

Gavin Escobar,TE, San Diego State
Height: 6-6. Weight: 254.

Positives: Productive three year starter. Has terrific size and a bif, projectable frame. Plays faster then he times. Good quickness, agility and balance. Recorded the best 20-yard shuttle time of any tight end at the combine. Fine body control to adjust to to bad throws. Reliable hands (not fazed by traffic). Can run tight end route tree and threaten three levels. Attacks the ball in the air and takes it away from defenders in the red zone. www.profootballweekly.com

Negatives: Needs to bulk up his frame. Short on functional in-line blocking power. Average initial quicks – has build-up speed. Shows some stiffness out of breaks. Lacks physicality – does not finish blocks. www.profootballweekly.com

My summary:
Team was in need of a third tight end. But most thought it would be a blocking type. Blocking is not an aspect of the game that Escobar is good at.

Will be a big factor for the Cowboys in the red zone where his height will be a big factor.

Heard Jerry Jones post draft conference where he suggested the Cowboys could play thee tight end formations next season.

Escobars 2012 highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljO2OScTeRI

 

[DC_fan]

Cowboys 3rd Round Draft Pick

Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
Height: 6-2. Weight: 208.

Positives: Can swat away press. Light on his feet. Moves fluidly. Good balance and body control. Loose hips. Can run under deep balls. Makes difficult catches look easy. Works back to throws. Has hustle traits. Big play ability – 24 plays of 25 plus yards led the nation. Outstanding production - could easily have flown by 2,000 yards with better quarterback play. Able to cover up corners and stalk. Has a professional work effic. www.profootballweekly.com

Negatives: Short arms and small hands given his frame. Needs to get functionally stronger. Gets outmuscled in a crowd and can be separated from the ball. Not an explosive athlete. Needs to improve as a route runner. Ran a limited tree in college spread system and become more diverse and deceptive in this area. Average stop and go quickness. Lets some throws in to his body and drops balls he shouldn’t. Not strong or elusive after the catch. Inconsistent blocker. Did not distinguish himself at the Combine. www.profootballweekly.com

What I like: Big receiver. Big play ability. Led the nation in receiving yards last season.

Where he fits in: Team was in need of a third receiver. Will push Austin in to the slot in three receiver sets. Could eventually force Austin out of the team.

 

[DC_fan]

Cowboys 3rd Round Draft Pick

J.J. Wilcox, S, Georgia Southern
Height: 6-0. Weight: 213


Positives: Very good size and athletic ability. Linear fluidity. Closes fast. Aggressive and physical. Flashes the ability to tackle in space. Good hands. Has kickoff-return experience and a special teams mentality. Helped himself in the Senior Bowl. Has upside. www.profootballweekly.com

Negatives: Short arms and small hands. Green positional instincts. Raw rechnique, eye discipline and route recognition. Lets receivers behind him. Will require patience absorbing complex assignments. Man-coverage limitations. Takes some bad angles and arrives out of control. Shoddy tackling fundamentals. Combine numbers were average and he struggled to unlock hips during drills. www.profootballweekly.com

My Summary: Has one year of experience as a safety in college. Has played receiver and running back. Could be a diamond in the making.

Where he fits in: Will not be a starter in 2013. What game time he receives will be on special teams. Where he could be special.

 

[DC_fan]

Cowboys 4th Round Draft Pick

B.W. Webb, CB, William & Mary
Height: 5-10. Weight: 184

Overview
After redshirting in 2008, Webb became a starter as a freshman and was one of the most productive defensive backs in the nation with eight interceptions, including a pair for scores, earning conference rookie of the year honors. He was named First Team All-Conference honors the past three seasons and although he struggled to match the production of his freshman year, opposing quarterbacks didn?t throw to his side of the field.
Despite not recording a pick as a senior, Webb finished with 11 career interceptions and one of the top ?small school? defensive backs in this draft class. He has a nose for the ball and isn?t afraid of taking chances to go after the ball in the air. He doesn?t have ideal strength and has room to improve in a few areas, but his athleticism and competitive drive will be attractive to NFL teams.

Analysis
Strengths: Fluid athlete with the speed and footwork to hold up in man coverage. Smooth movement skills and fast in pursuit, closing with burst and a finishing mentality. Competitive in run support and wont shy from contact. Good football awareness and body position in coverage, showing a natural feel for his surroundings. Nice ballskills with 11 interceptions and 30 passes defended over his career. Impact return man on special teams, recording 11.2 yards per punt return as a senior with a touchdown.

Weaknesses: Very average size for the position limited length and growth potential. Needs to improve his consistency in run support and has a wrap tackler. Needs to play with the same sense of urgency on each snap. Room to refine his cover technique, including his hand use and footwork. Lacks ideal experience against top competition, playing college football at the FCS-level.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1707322/bw-webb

My View: Small for a cornerback, but has a great vertical leap to make up for it. Has a good 40 time (4.46). After his great freshman year (8 ints) teams seemed to stay away from his side of the field.

A little surprised with taking a cornerback in this round. But you can never have enough defensive backs.

Where he fits in: At number in the depth chart, behind Claiborne, Carr and Scandrick.