clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Cowboys News & Notes: Jaylon Smith Looking Good, Jerry Jones Says He And Tony Romo Will Figure Things Out

Ezekiel Elliott has a mentor you might not have known about, plus all the rest of the news you can use about the Cowboys.

Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys: Watch Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith continue to progress in rehab from knee surgery | SportsDay

The news about the recovery of Jaylon Smith continues to be good, and now there is another video that certainly looks like he is going to be ready to play this year.

Jerry On Romo’s Future: "It’s Just A Juncture That We Have To Address" " CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

Jerry Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan, and along with his selection to the Hall of Fame, he discussed the future of Tony Romo.

"It's no secret that I just think so much of him as a person and think so much of him as a player. The team we have, especially the offensive side of the ball was built for Tony. So this is what it is. It's just a juncture that we have to address," Jones said. "I don't know how ultimately we will resolve this. Nobody should be alarmed because you don't have all the answers. There are some issues here that you just got to see how the cards are played. But we'll work through this. The main thing about it is we will work through it. We have a sound enough foundation together that on an individual basis we'll get through this."

Dallas Cowboys: Adam Schefter: Here's the best team fit for Tony Romo | SportsDay

Adam Schefter weighed in on which team he thinks would be the best landing place for Tony Romo - a topic that we will hear so much about.

The best fit would be a winning organization that can protect him with an offensive line and has a chance to be competitive.

Denver's got questions about its offensive line. I think Houston's got some questions. I think Houston would probably be the best fit to me. Especially on offense."

Phillips: Why Jones’ Deserved HOF Call Could Help Darren Woodson’s Chances | Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones' selection for the Hall of Fame is a reminder that Darren Woodson is one former Cowboys player who has been overlooked for far too long.

Will Woodson be the next Cowboy in the Hall of Fame at some point in the future? Though he didn't reach the finalist stage, this year's selection process could be an encouraging sign for Woodson and all safety candidates.

Kenny Easley made the 2017 Class as a seniors committee finalist. Brian Dawkins and John Lynch, two safety stars from Woodson's era, were among the 15 modern-era finalists. And Woodson was among 26 modern-era semifinalists, so he's certainly in the conversation.

Dallas Cowboys: Chargers' Joey Bosa praises former Ohio State teammate Ezekiel Elliott: 'He's a superstar, a monster' | SportsDay

Joey Bosa won the defensive rookie of the year award, so he may know something about good offensive players. And he was a college teammate of Ezekiel Elliott.

"Living with him for a couple of years and the things that we used to do together," Bosa said, "it's just funny seeing where we are now.

"He's a superstar and I love what he's doing," Bosa continued, "and I'm really proud of him and he's going to have a lot of great years in the NFL. Everything is true what you guys think about him. He's a monster."

Trip to Super Bowl LI for Cowboys' Dak Prescott adds to his motivation - Dallas Cowboys Blog- ESPN

Dak Prescott had to watch the Super Bowl instead of playing in it, and he plans to change that.

As has been chronicled over and over, Prescott's rookie season was nothing short of phenomenal. His Rookie of the Year Award speaks to the recognition of his 23 touchdown passes and just four interceptions and most importantly, the Cowboys' 13-3 record.

"I can't say it's unbelievable just for the simple fact that I have confidence in myself," Prescott said. "I have high expectations for myself. I believe in myself, I think, when no one else does. It's just hard work paying off and having faith in myself, faith in my teammates, coaches, the guys that gave me that opportunity."

Terrance Williams: 'Cowboys were the team to beat' last season

Terrance Williams is another player who thinks the Cowboys are going to go far in the future.

"When you have a group of guys that's confident in the stuff that they do, and the coaches that put you in the right spot to make plays, we feel like we was the team to beat," said Williams. "That didn't play out well, but team-wise that's still not going to hurt us. We just have to go back to work and fix on the stuff that we need to, but when you have a coach like [Jason] Garrett who drives you 24/7, who wants to get the best out of you and just wants to see the players do good, you just want to thrive on that."

How Much Can Dak, Zeke Improve? 3 Cowboys Who Made Big Year-Two Jumps | Dallas Cowboys

There is a belief that NFL players, especially those who have strong rookie years, frequently suffer from a "sophomore slump". Here is a reminder of three Dallas veterans who did the opposite, including this likely future Hall of Famer.

Jason Witten, 2004

Just 22, Witten became the first Cowboys tight end to make the Pro Bowl since Jay Novacek in 1995 and only the second tight end to lead the Cowboys in catches in a season (Doug Cosbie). He broke Novacek's tight end record for catches in a season (87) and Cosbie's tight end record for receiving yards in a season (980) along with a then-career high six touchdowns -€” a major improvement over his rookie numbers: 35 catches for 347 yards and one touchdowns. More comfortable in the offense, he became a popular middle-of-the-field target for 40-year-old starting quarterback Vinny Testaverde. The 2004 season was the first of many years to come with Witten as a focal point of the offense.

Hall of Fame RB Marshall Faulk guides Ezekiel Elliott through NFL career - Dallas Cowboys Blog- ESPN

Here's something you probably didn't know. Marshall Faulk has a strong relationship with Ezekiel Elliott, going back to his days at Ohio State, and continuing today.

Stacy Elliott said his son looked up to Faulk, when he starred with the Rams. He's just glad their relationship has continued to evolve.

"I've heard Kurt Warner say a lot of times that Marshall Faulk was like a quarterback on the field, and this is the kind of player Ezekiel had developed into at the Ohio State University," said Elliott, "To even have Marshall, a student of the game, be a mentor to Ezekiel and have him mirroring Marshall is really a beautiful thing."

Examining The Deep Edge Defender Class In The 2017 NFL Draft

This year's draft class is seen as very deep in EDGE rushers. The Cowboys need help at EDGE rusher. John Owning looks at some top candidates, including one name that may be in play when Dallas selects at 28.

Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

McKinley may be a developmental prospect, but he is an extremely enticing one.

He has terrible pad level at times and the fact that he carries his hands so low hinders him a lot, but he has a ton of explosive qualities as a pass-rusher. He can quickly dart into the backfield, and he shows the capability of becoming an elite power-rusher.

Unlike Lawson, McKinley isn't ready to make a huge impact immediately, but his immense upside makes the gamble worth it. McKinley's best fit would be as an outside linebacker in an odd front, but he has enough positive traits to project as a right defensive end in an even front as well.

DeMarcus Ware To Dallas? Inside The Cowboys 'Love Triangle' - Dallas - Scout

The idea of DeMarcus Ware returning to Dallas to finish his career is enticing, but there are a lot of factors involved. Mike Fisher has a somber rundown of the real issues.

There are peripheral thoughts swirling around the notion of Ware-to-Dallas, stuff like, "Isn't he best as a 3-4 pass-rusher rather than as an end in Rod Marinelli's 4-3?'' and "Wouldn't it be great for D-Ware to mentor kids like Demarcus Lawrence, David Irving and Randy Gregory?'' But those sorts of things aren't driving forces here.

From the Cowboys' side, the driving force will be a) health and b) how affordable Ware would have to be.

We're told there have been no serious conversations about Ware among people inside of The Star in Frisco. But we think we're eventually looking at Ware as a vet's minimum guy, a $1.2-mil-or-so player. Yes, that's about the same salary range we use for Peterson-to-Dallas, just one of all the many  "if's'' that come with stories like this.

Follow me @TomRyleBTB

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Blogging The Boys Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of all your Dallas Cowboys news from Blogging The Boys