:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28646089/20130915_mje_sh2_090.0.jpg)
Cowboys' Twitter mailbag, Part 1 - Dallas Cowboys Blog - ESPN Dallas
In his Twitter mailbag, Archer answers questions about Michael Sam, Will McClay, and the possibility of drafting either a WR or QB early. He also sees a scenario in which both DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer stay in Dallas:
As for Anthony Spencer, he could be back just because he might not have a worthy offer from another team as he returns from microfracture surgery. His deal won't break the bank. I don't think you'll see the Cowboys restructure DeMarcus Ware's contract. I think you'll see them ask him to take a cut in pay and earn some of the money back through incentives. To me, the more likely scenario is Ware and Spencer will be back.
Top five pay cut candidates | National Football Post
The key to whether a player will accept a pay cut is for the player to evaluate whether he can get a better deal elsewhere. And if that evaluation comes up negative, the player should think long and hard about accepting a pay cut. In addition to the Cowboys' DeMarcus Ware, Champ Bailey, Frank Gore, Troy Polamalu, and Vince Wilfork are some of the big-name players that will have to make that evaluation this offseason.
Is Scott Linehan a good hire? - ESPN Dallas
Calvin Watkins says "No," Todd Archer says "Yes." I trust Archer a lot more, so for now, I'm siding with him.
NFL offensive players who will emerge in 2014 | The MMQB
Andy Benoit takes a stab at predicting 12 breakout players on offense for 2014. He picks one Cowboy for his list, eschewing Gavin Escobar in favor of Travis Frederick.
Frederick, the 31st overall pick of 2013, did nothing early last season to dispel many draft analysts’ carps about his being selected a full round too soon. But any rookie center is bound to struggle, especially when working between a pair of makeshift guards like Mackenzy Bernadeau and Ronald Leary. As the season progressed, so did the former Wisconsin Badger. By December, Frederick was being credited with stabilizing an overachieving offensive line. He flashed sheer dominance as a reach-and-seal blocker in the running game and cut down on his mental mistakes in pass protection. This year, the 23-year-old will be talked about as a potential Pro Bowler.
Why Pitt DT Aaron Donald is right fit for Cowboys' depleted defensive line | Brandon George, DMN
Jerry Jones said the Cowboys want a "quick-twitch" defensive lineman with a high motor, and place more emphasis on those attributes than they do on physical size. George argues the Cowboys may have found just such a guy in Aaron Donald.
[He's] not going to fit many 3-4 schemes at 6-1 and 288 pounds, but he is what the Cowboys desire. Donald’s first step is special. He takes off as if he’s been shot out of a cannon, which is a big reason why he led the nation last season with 281/2 tackles for loss.
"The three-technique, that’s the position for me. I feel like I’m an inside guy," Donald said. "Size doesn’t mean nothing. If you can play the game of football, you can play."
So don’t worry too much about defensive linemen’s height and weight at the NFL combine. Pay more attention to their 40-yard dash times.
Horn: Why CBS' Thursday night schedule is likely to have Cowboys on it | Barry Horn, DMN
Horn writes that the Cowboys are a "ratings magnet," and that if the NFL wants its new Thursday night arrangement to work, they won't pass up on having the Cowboys play on Thursday night.
NFL Draft: Finding a place for the 'tweeners' - SBNation.com
Danny Kelly takes a look at 'tweeners' - players that aren't traditional down linemen or standup linebackers, but can still play football - and explains how smart defenses can utilize these hybrid players. This post will go over well with the X's & O's crowd.
Goodell made $44.2 million in 2012 - San Antonio Express-News
@#$%!
Manziel wants to Be drafted by Cowboys (And Texans, And Browns ...) | Mike Fisher, FOX Sports
Johnny Manziel would love to join the Dallas Cowboys. Johnny Manziel would love to join the Houston Texans. And Jacksonville. And Cleveland. And Oakland. Manziel this, Manziel that. This Manziel stuff is reaching Tebow-esque proportions. So this is the second and last time I'll feature him in these News roundups until there's a clear and relevant link to the Cowboys.
