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Cowboys News & Notes: Jack Crawford Re-Signs, Greg Hardy Re-Denies

Slowly but surely, the free agency moves are falling into place. And of course, there are draft goodies to share.

Jack's back!
Jack's back!
Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

Reports: Cowboys Complete One-Year Deal With Jack Crawford - Blogging The Boys

Since the start of free agency, Jack Crawford was seen by many (including me) as a player that the Cowboys needed to re-sign. It took long enough to make us a bit nervous, but after visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, the British import elected to stay in Dallas on a very team-friendly $1.1 million deal, with up to a half million more in incentives.

Stephen Jones is working it on getting his kind of deals done.

Dallas Cowboys: Source: Cowboys still have interest in free-agent DE Jason Jones | SportsDay

Some speculate that it was an either/or situation for Jack Crawford and Jason Jones. But the team still could sign Jones - on one very important condition.

Dallas Cowboys: Free-agent guard Tim Lelito says he turned down offer from Cowboys | SportsDay

A lot has been made about the free agents that spurned the Cowboys, but in this case, there was a very logical reason.

Free-agent guard Tim Lelito says he turned down an offer from the Dallas Cowboys, partially out of concerns about being a backup.

Looking at Zack Martin and La'el Collins, it is easy to see why he saw little chance to win a starting job.

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ESPN’s NFL Live to Feature Adam Schefter’s Exclusive Interview with Greg Hardy - ESPN MediaZone

Greg Hardy did an interview to try and explain himself, no doubt hoping to generate more interest in himself. It may have done him more harm than good.

Schefter: "You say you did nothing wrong, you're innocent and yet the pictures of her that surfaced would seem to suggest a woman who had some type of physical contact. How do you explain that?"

Hardy: "I will stop you there and say that I didn't say that I didn't do anything wrong. That situation occurred and that situation was handled but ... saying that I did nothing wrong is a stretch but saying I am innocent is correct. Yes sir."

Schefter: "Did you ever put your hands on her?"

Hardy: "No Sir ... No Sir."

Dallas Cowboys: Steve Smith isn't buying Cowboys free agent Greg Hardy's claim he's never put hands on women | SportsDay

If Hardy can't even convince other players, winning over GMs and coaches is going to be very difficult.

So I guess she Tripped on the carpet or something... my mom is a Survivor #DV and I am advocate against #DV

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Dallas Cowboys show they're open to possibilities with visitors list - Dallas Cowboys Blog- ESPN

No doubt.

Pro Football Weekly's 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Preview: Myles Jack | Pro Football Weekly

The Cowboys seem to be waiting on the medical re-check of the knee, since Myles Jack has not shown up as an invitee to Dallas yet. But this scouting report takes into consideration how Jack would fit in a defense, and if the Cowboys like what they hear about his medical condition, they likely could have him for the taking.

The first 4-3 team in the order, the Cowboys at No. 4, is a really good option. Jack could slide in wonderfully opposite Sean Lee, and if you match his talent and instincts with an experienced coach like Rod Marinelli, the upside would be high.

Myles Jack, the top LB in the NFL Draft, also had a stint as one of the best RBs in college - SBNation.com

With the fourth overall pick of the draft, you would want to take a truly incredible athlete. Jack certainly qualifies.

Just how good of an athlete is Jack? He spent some time playing both ways at UCLA, becoming the Bruins' starting running back for brief periods in 2013 and 2014. Not only did Jack adapt to the new position seamlessly, but for about a month he was one of the best running backs in the country. Seriously. He finished his college career with 68 carries for 387 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging a robust 5.7 yards per attempt.

Dallas Cowboys: Bob Sturm's draft profile series: Can the Dallas Cowboys fix Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg? | SportsDay

The idea of taking a quarterback is obviously on the Cowboys' minds, but they may not see the right match for the fourth overall pick, or be able to trade back and still get a first round QB. That may leave them with needing to take one in a later round just to have a shot at developing one, and also to possibly get a good backup (which was an obvious problem in the Great Debacle of 2015). Christian Hackenberg is one possibility, and he is one player Dallas has invited in for a national visit, but there is always danger when a team thinks they can coach a player up.

I have no doubt that with the right amount of instruction, there are coaches at the next level that can imagine how to "fix him" and thereby gathering a top 10 talent far later in the draft. At the same time, I have no feel for where he will actually go. I hear some people say Day 3 and others - just as knowledgeable -- think he could go in Round 1. Honestly, the more you consider the case of Hackenberg, the more confusing it gets.

Possible Pick: WR Braxton Miller Made Plays At Multiple Spots For Buckeyes | Dallas Cowboys

Braxton Miller is transitioning to the wide receiver position, but he is another very good athlete and might be someone the Cowboys could consider on day two of the draft.

Although he's still in the process of a position switch to receiver, many mock drafts still list Miller as a potential Day 2 draft prospect, meaning he could go off the board somewhere in the second or third round.

Follow me @TomRyleBTB

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