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Dallas Cowboys News & Notes: Dez Bryant Does Backflips, Greg Hardy Doesn't

Latest Cowboys headlines: The NFL is worried about a federal court picking apart the Hardy suspension; Dez Bryant isn't worried about doing backflips without a contract; Darren McFadden is impressed by how hard the Cowboys work.

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What's holding up Greg Hardy's appeal? - John Clayton, ESPN Video
John Clayton discusses the hold-up on Cowboys DE Greg Hardy, who is awaiting a decision on his appeal of a 10-game suspension.

"[The NFL is] making sure everything is structured in case there is a federal court appeal. Now there is a better chance that this could go to federal court because as we saw in the Adrian Peterson situation, what was used as the basis of the 10-game suspension was [based] on a rule that came after the incident happened with Greg Hardy. So there is a chance a federal judge may be willing to take that, and I think that's what's holding up any kind of a decision whether to take it from 10 to six, leave it at ten or do something different."

Don’t look, Jerry! Unsigned Dez Bryant does backflip during Dirk’s celebrity baseball game | Rob Stroope, Dallas Morning News
Dez Bryant, appearing at Dirk Nowitzki's charity softball game on Saturday, performed a backflip in the outfield, as captured by DMN photographer Michael Ainsworth in the tweet below.

Cowboys DE Randy Gregory on gaining weight with Whataburger, Canes, Texas BBQ | Dallas Morning News
If you were worried about the nutritional regimen of the Cowboys' rookies, maybe you shouldn't worry too much just yet. Here's Gregory talking to NFL.com about how he following the process and stacking one good burger on top of another.

On eating heavier:

Gregory: Yeah a lot more time people usually would look at it as not eating as healthy. But for me, I’ve noticed I can take in a lot of different things. Canes, Whataburger — Canes sauce — get the Caniac with the extra toast, butter on both sides, extra sauce. Steak houses, they have really good barbecue and steak down there and Texas and a lot of red meat, a lot of protein.

Dallas Cowboys' Byron Jones: 'I'm on the right path' - Sports Mole
Byron Jones believes he is making progress to being a contributor in his rookie season.

However, Jones is adamant that he still has plenty more to do ahead of the new campaign to ingrain himself as a valued part of the defense.

He told NFL Network: "It shows that I'm on the right path, but at the end of the day there is a lot of work to be done before I can contribute to this team, so I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Gosselin: When it comes to Cowboys pass rush, an under-the-radar name to remember | Dallas Morning News
Gosselin has the Ben Gardner fever, and it'll take more than a doctor to prescribe a remedy.

Gardner is everything you want in a football player and a person. He was a three-year starter at defensive end on one of the nation’s best programs at one of the nation’s best schools. Gardner was a second-team All-Pac 12 choice as a sophomore and junior and a first-team pick as a senior despite missing Stanford’s final six games of the season. The Cardinal went 46-8 during his career, and Gardner was team captain as a senior.

Saying Gardner is ready to step through that door is an understatement. He had a strong offseason and is anxious to claim his spot in the defensive line rotation this summer. His health is back and so is his ability.

“This is the best I’ve felt in five to six years, not since my early days at Stanford,” Gardner said. “I had basically a full year off to get back to where I needed to be. My legs feel good, my shoulder feels great. I’m as confident as ever physically. I’m hoping to put out some good tape in training camp and the preseason.

Ex-Hog McFadden feels like a rookie | Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Darren McFadden is spending some time in the offseason back home in Arkansas where he talked to the local media.

"It's great to be in Dallas," McFadden said during a break Saturday. "I'm looking forward to getting on the field with those guys and doing great things this year. ... Definitely exciting. I tell everybody I feel like a rookie all over again.

"I'm with a lot of younger backs now. My thing is, I just try to give those guys some of the knowledge I know from being around the league seven, eight years now. Those guys are great athletes and great players. I look forward to being back there beside them."

"A lot of people just say that those guys are some of the best in the league, but I don't think people understand how hard they work," McFadden said. "They are some of the hardest-working guys I've ever been around.

"Seeing those guys work the way they do, I love that."

Cowboys running back breakdown: Who could get cut, most carries | Jon Machota, Dallas Morning News
Machota looks at the running back situation, and concludes that the Cowboys will keep Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar, and Tyler Clutts. That makes Ryan Williams the odd man out.

Here’s the situation if the Cowboys don’t add another proven back. Randle appears to be the lead dog heading into camp. If McFadden is healthy, he could also fill the starting role. Dunbar will likely see more carries, but his biggest impact should come during passing downs.

"We’re very confident in what we have," Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown said. "We got some very good football players. With the addition of Darren it’s going to be a nice group. I can’t say who is going to be the lead dog right now, but those guys are going to compete and we’re going to do what’s necessary to win games.

"I think we have three capable guys who can go out and do what we need to do. I’m not concerned about it at all."

Cowlishaw: Why I don't see Cowboys on par with Packers, Seahawks in 2015 | Dallas Morning News
In a chat with fans, Tim Cowlishaw talked about how the Cowboys compare to Seattle and Green Bay.

I think the team will be about as good as it was a year ago, and that may be plenty to win the East, but I don't know if they have moved up to Seattle's or Green Bay's level just yet.

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