Cowboys Extend Sean Lee - Blogging The Boys
This easily qualifies as the biggest news of the day, and this post by Tom Ryle covers the signing. The other Cowboys headlines are summarized below.
This also happened:
Wednesday Garrett Presser: Free's Guard Reps Only A Numbers Issue - Rowan Kavner, DallasCowboys.com
There was a brief shortage of oxygen at Valley Ranch as the assembled press corps collectively hyperventilated when they noticed the Cowboys were playing Doug Free at guard during practice yesterday. In his press conference later in the day, Garrett said that substituting personnel along the O-line was a result of the injury situation.
"When you’re low on numbers, you’ve got to mix guys in at different spots," Garrett said. "I wouldn’t read too much into anything about what we’re doing with our offensive line."
Stephen Jones on Free at guard: It's no secret we are looking our options there, trying to find best five - Clarence Hill, Star-Telegram
Vice-president Stephen Jones wasn't quite as nonchalant about playing Free at guard as Garrett was, and indicated the move was also about looking at all their options to find the best five players on the offensive line.
Jerry Jones compares Dunbar to ex-Eagle Westbrook - Tim MacMahon, ESPN Dallas
When asked if Lance Dunbar reminds him of anyone, Jerry Jones mentioned the 5-foot-8, 200-pound Westbrook.
"Well, this is probably a stretch, but I know what Westbrook did to us for 100 years up in Philadelphia," Jones said Tuesday on KRLD-FM. "I couldn’t figure it out … but boy, all he did was go out there, make plays anyway he could touch the ball. You pick players that you try to identify players with. Someone will say, ‘Well, he’s no Westbrook,’ and I would have to agree with you at this particular point, but he has the ability to give us an all-purpose (playmaker)."
Will the big changes in Big D make a difference? - National Football Post
The Dallas coaching staff will have a new look and approach in 2013. But will it be enough to make the playoffs? This article doesn't provide an answer, but suggests that it'll be on the players, not the coaches, to get it done this year.
Is change always good? The Cowboys move back to a 4-3 defense- FootballPerspective.com
After eight years of Parcells, Wade Phillips, and Rob Ryan, Dallas is returning to its 4-3 roots under Monte Kiffin, writes Chase Stuart. Stuart then takes a look at how teams that switched fronts fared in their first season and comes back with mixed results: the defenses didn't really improve on average, perhaps as a result of the growing pains usually associated with a scheme switch.
Ex-Cowboy Tony Dorsett: If he can stay healthy, DeMarco Murray can be great - DMN
Tony Dorsett recently talked with Fox Sports about the Cowboys and touched on DeMarco Murray:
"I like his game. He has the ability to make people miss. He has speed. I’m hoping he can stay healthy. That’s the thing about it, being a runner in the National Football League is being able to take the punishment but you have to stay healthy and on the field. If they can keep him on the field, I think, obviously, he has the opportunity to be one of the great backs."
Giants shuffle O-line again; Diehl out 6 weeks - San Antonio Express-News
The Giants look likely start two new players on the offensive line in the season opener against the Cowboys, including rookie Justin Pugh at right tackle. Center David Bass was injured earlier, and yesterday the Giants announced David Diehl will need surgery on his right thumb and will miss at least six weeks.
Scout’s Eye: Scandrick Could Start - Bryan Broaddus, DallasCowboys.com
With the amount of practice time Morris Claiborne will have missed with his knee injury, Broaddus argues the Cowboys should start Orlando Scandrick.
Dallas Cowboys DT Jay Ratliff’s DWI hearing postponed to February - Brandon George, DMN
Not much more to add to that headline.
Roster Moves and Injury News
- Wednesday Practice Report: DE Vega Signs - Nick Eatman, DallasCowboys.com
The Cowboys have signed another defensive end to their roster by signing Jason Vega. Vega played the last two seasons in the CFL for Winnipeg, but was picked up by the Patriots in January this year. - J.J. Wilcox returns to practice - Rainer Sabin, DMN
Wilcox re-joined the team for practice for the first time since his mother passed away on Aug. 13. - Orlando Scandrick sits due to sore groin; Morris Claiborne runs - ESPN Dallas
Scandrick sat out practice yesterday as a precaution, but hopes to return on Thursday. In the meantime, Claiborne did some running yesterday but still hasn't re-joined practice. - Garrett's update on Ratliff: 'He's just working on his rehab right now' - Carlos Mendez, Star-Telegram
With just 18 days to go, Jay Ratliff's availability for the season opener looks increasingly questionable. Garrett wouldn't comment on Ratliff's status beyond confirming that Ratliff was working on his rehab. Get ready for Nick Hayden as a starter. - Cowboys' Jason Garrett: Matt Johnson 'hasn't been durable enough' - ESPN Dallas
Watkins writes that a decision has to be made on Johnson in the coming weeks, one way or another, and Johnson himself acknowledges that a release could be an option for the Cowboys:"I know that's an option because I haven't proven myself to be healthy and haven't proven myself to be a good enough player. It just sucks," Johnson said. "The hardest thing for me is being labeled as a guy that gets hurt or being labeled as soft just because I can't do anything. "
Of interest for fans in the vicinity of the Metroplex: The Cowboys will hold their Silver & Blue Debut practice today, Aug. 22 at AT&T Stadium. Practice is free (though parking is $10) and open to the public, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Doors will open at 4:30 pm. The event features lots of entertainment, including your favorite cheerleading crew and a chance to meet and greet with Tom Ryle of BTB.