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Point: Getting Dez Deal Done Sooner Rather Than Later Good For Everyone | Dallas Cowboys
The ongoing agony of the Dez Bryant contract situation continues to drag on. Nck Eatman offers his reasoning for why the team should go ahead and get something worked out on a long-term deal rather than just let him play on the tag.
But to me, it's like renting a house for a year when you know you're probably going to buy it. Why not just use the money you're spending and get something out of it? We all know Dez wants a contract in the range of $15-16 million to get into Calvin Johnson's neighborhood, if not more. He also wants more than $30 million in guarantees and probably well over $40 million as well.
But if the Cowboys can truly take a $12.8 million hit on the cap this year, why not make that part of the guarantee? It's going to be guaranteed anyway.
Counterpoint: Cowboys Hold All The Cards, Shouldn’t Rush To Sign Dez | Dallas Cowboys
And in his counterargument, David Helman throws out emotion and looks at this strictly from a financially responsible viewpoint.
The Cowboys have done a good job with budgeting for this problem. They can afford to keep Dez under the tag with this current salary cap, so there's no reason to rush to a deal simply because - that's how you run the risk of overpaying or crippling your cap.
In all honesty, Dallas could franchise Bryant in 2015 and 2016 and see how the chips fall, and they'd likely still be spending less money in the long run. Bryant, meanwhile, would have a very hard time turning up his nose at $25-30 million.
Lance Dunbar's time looks to be coming for Dallas Cowboys - Dallas Cowboys Blog - ESPN
If you think the idea of Lance Dunbar getting more touches sounds familiar, you are correct. Every since he made the roster, in 2012 as a UDFA, the team has talked about how they would use his skill set as a change of pace back. He got off to a slow start as a rookie, was injured just as he started to show up in 2013, and last season the team just wouldn't take DeMarco Murray off the field, for good reason. But maybe this time, after re-signing him, the team really will get some more production from him.
The Cowboys' intrigue with Dunbar has been long-running. He might not be an every-down back, but he can be part of a committee. They like what he can do in space. They believe he can be a mismatch player for defenses. Before arriving from the Detroit Lions, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan had two running backs catch more than 50 passes in a season. Linehan sees Dunbar being able to do some of what Reggie Bush and Joique Bell did in 2013 in Detroit.
The topic of how much better Brandon Weeden looks was a popular one. Our own Dave Halprin wrote a piece based on Todd Archer's report, but Jon Machota also had a piece on what quarterback Wade Wilson had to say, including this.
"His confidence and his demeanor, his complete understanding and grasping exactly where he's supposed to go with the ball, handling blitzes and things like that, he's been very improved."
Brandon Weeden is the Cowboys’ most improved player | ProFootballTalk
The story even got play outside the Dallas market, with Weeden expressing his gratitude for the vote of confidence in, um, colorful terms.
Told what Wilson said about him, Weeden said he attributes it to hard work this offseason.
"That's a good comment because I busted my ass," Weeden said. "I've worked so hard this offseason, training wise, throwing wise to put myself in position."
Thanks to virtual reality, Dallas Cowboys coaches can step into huddle - Dallas Cowboys Blog - ESPN
Our Dawn Macelli has already noted how the Cowboys have embraced new technology, but most of the focus has been on things like how the players will be able to benefit from virtual reps. But it turns out it will help the coaches, too.
While the tool will aid the players, it will also help the coaches because they can see and hear what the quarterback hears during a play. No longer do they have to rely on the quarterback's memory on what was or wasn't called in terms of protections or adjustments.
Scout’s Notebook: Stories Worth Watching At Cowboys’ Minicamp | Dallas Cowboys
Bryan Broaddus breaks down what to watch by position group. Some of you may like what he had to say concerning the rushmen.
Defensive Line: More to the point - Ben Gardner or Jack Crawford? I have to admit I really wasn't sure what this club had with Ben Gardner and I was impressed with Crawford in the opportunities he had to play in 2014. Both players have been asked to play at different spots during these practices. Gardner took a few snaps on the right side at end and was productive. Crawford has played both at end and tackle and like Gardner showed up well. If you asked me to choose one over the other, Gardner would be my backup behind DeMarcus Lawrence.
Vikings' Adrian Peterson says NFL rushing records not out of reach - TwinCities.com
Adrian Peterson is not going to be wearing the Star, at least anytime soon, but he still has at least one Cowboy on his mind. Although former Dallas fullback Daryl Johnston said missing the 2014 season probably cost AD a shot at breaking Emmitt Smith's all time rushing record, Peterson disagrees - in part because he thinks he can emulate Smith's longevity.
Smith rushed for 18,355 yards with the Cowboys and Arizona from 1990-2004, while Peterson has 10,190 yards since entering the NFL in 2007. While Johnston told the Pioneer Press earlier this year that Smith's record is now safe from Peterson, the Vikings star has done the math.
"I think I can play (past Smith's retirement age of 35),'' Smith said. "I'm blessed with tremendous talent and recovery and everything, so I feel like I'll be able to play as long as I want. ... I want to play seven more (years). Eight. I really feel that I can be 38 out there and still be the best running back in the NFL."
Phillips: Eagles-'Boys Chirping Is Fun, But Another Rival Needs Attention First | Dallas Cowboys
The DeMarco Murray storyline, plus the general dislikeability of the Eagles and their genius head coach, keeps a lot of Cowboys fans focusing on the matchup against them on September 20th. But as Rob Phillips reminds us, the process-minded Cowboys will undoubtedly focus on the team they have to play the previous week to open the season.
Glance up one line from Sept. 20 on the 2015 regular-season schedule. Yup, Week One, Sunday night, Sept. 13, primetime at AT&T Stadium - the week before the Cowboys and Eagles throw down at the Linc.
The Giants aren't getting much attention from a 6-10 finish in 2014, their second consecutive losing record. But it's a proud franchise with a demanding head coach (Tom Coughlin), a Super Bowl quarterback (Eli Manning), a superhero at receiver (Odell Beckham Jr.), and talent on defense (Jason Pierre-Paul, Jon Beason, Devon Kennard) with Steve Spagnuolo returning to run it. They're 4-2 at AT&T Stadium, and the smart money is they'll be improved this year.
Cowboys breakout series, Part 3: This player is key to pass rush improvement | | Dallas Morning News
As a defensive tackle, Terrell McClain has not gotten the attention that the ends have. But the team is expecting him to play a major role this year.
The Cowboys did not draft a defensive tackle. Entering this season, McClain is expected to be one of the team's primary reserves at both the one-technique and three-technique tackle spots.
"Terrell has been working really hard," Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford said. "He's got great speed and great hands. And that's another guy I'm excited to see just come back and I'm excited to work with. He's good for our D-line."
Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli views McClain as one of the "tough guys" who will help develop the younger players along the defensive line.