Mailbag: A ‘What-If’ Scenario With CeeDee? - David Helman, Nick Eatman
This is an interesting question about Amari Cooper that many have asked since the draft.
If the Cowboys would have known that CeeDee Lamb would have fallen into their lap, would they have extended Amari Cooper or rolled with Michael Gallup and Lamb for the long haul?— RODNEY RASNAKE / DURHAM, NC
David: I think they still would have signed Amari. Like we always say, no draft pick – not even CeeDee Lamb – is a sure thing, and Dak Prescott has clearly built a heck of a rapport with Amari Cooper. You can never have too many good receivers. Not to mention, the Cowboys can get out of Cooper’s contract in two years, which makes the deal less scary.
Nick: If the Cowboys would’ve known Aaron Rodgers was going to be one of the best ever, they likely wouldn’t have taken Marcus Spears. I don’t know why I used that reference, maybe because you just never really know how it’s going to play out. But I think it’s a really good question and you’re right. If the draft was before free agency, and they got CeeDee Lamb, then no, I don’t think you would’ve seen the Cowboys give Cooper that contract. But, that’s how it goes and now they have one of the best trios in the NFL.
Cowboys’ Hall Of Fame Game Postponed Until 2021 - Rob Phillips, The Mothership
Just in case you missed the news...
The Cowboys’ Aug. 6 Hall of Fame Game against the Steelers in Canton, Ohio has been postponed until 2021 due to the nation’s COVID-19 crisis, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday.
The entire 2020 Hall of Fame enshrinement week is now postponed, including the Aug. 8 induction ceremony. Former Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson and former safety Cliff Harris are part of the 2020 Centennial Class that was elected in January.
The rescheduled enshrinement week is now Aug. 5-9, 2021, with the Cowboys facing the Steelers Aug. 5 in Canton. The game will kick off “a full slate of events tied to honoring as many as 28 legends of the game in two Enshrinements,” the PFHOF announced.
The Cowboys were originally slated for five preseason games this year, starting with the Aug. 6 Hall of Fame Game. They’re now currently set to play in Los Angeles against the Chargers the following week as part of a regular four-game exhibition slate.
With Canton postponed, there’s no reason to further delay Jimmy Johnson’s invite to Cowboys’ Ring of Honor - Michael Gehlken, DMN
The pressure mounts for Jerry Jones to do the right thing and put Jimmy Johnson in the Ring of Honor
Jimmy Johnson deserves to be enshrined somewhere in 2020.
With the Pro Football Hall of Fame off the table, the Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor belongs back on it.
Johnson was scheduled for Hall of Fame induction at an Aug. 8 ceremony in Canton, Ohio. This mass-gathering event, along with the Aug. 6 Hall of Fame Game exhibition between the Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, was postponed Thursday to 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Any reason that existed before to further delay Johnson’s place in the Ring of Honor exists no longer.
The time has come to extend Johnson an invite.
There remains heavy uncertainty about the months ahead, including doubt about whether an NFL season is viable during a daunting public health crisis. As of now, the NFL’s goal is to salvage the season. And so, if Johnson is comfortable with the notion, it should be the Cowboys’ goal to honor Johnson at the first regular-season opportunity they have at AT&T Stadium in 2020.
Top 10 linebackers in the NFL: Leighton Vander Esch and Roquan Smith poised for huge third-year breakouts - Sean Wagner-McGough, NFL.com
LVE comes in at #7 in a ranking of the NFL’s best off-ball linebackers.
7. Cowboys’ Leighton Vander Esch
After a stellar rookie season in 2018, Vander Esch already emerged as a definitive top-10 linebacker. But he took a step back a season ago in terms of his production before he lost his season to injury. And then there’s the injury itself, which is the real reason Vander Esch is ranked this low on the list. He missed seven games last year. This offseason, he underwent neck surgery. While the team remains optimistic that the injury won’t linger into the 2020 season, it’s worth noting that he dealt with serious neck issues during his college career at Boise State. At the very least, it’s a mild concern.
But the fact remains that Vander Esch still possesses all of the attributes needed to return to his 2018 form and perhaps even improve as he gets more comfortable with the speed and nuances of the NFL. That’s why he made it onto this list. We saw in 2018 just how good he can be: 140 combined tackles, two interceptions, and seven passes defended. If he’s fully healthy, he should reclaim his status as a top-10 linebacker in 2020.
NFL owners approve covering first few rows of seats at every stadium - Charean Williams, PFT
In a nod to the new reality...
NFL owners today approved the plan to cover the lower rows of seats closest to the field in every stadium.
The move will further protect players, coaches and team staff from COVID-19 exposure if fans are allowed, and it also will provide sponsorship opportunities.
A report Wednesday said the league would make the first six to eight rows in every stadium, including on-field suites, off limits to fans. Teams can place sponsor logos or messaging with team and league initiatives on the seat coverings.
It provides an opportunity for local sponsors to get camera-visible signage for the first time and will help teams defray pandemic-related revenue losses.
4 NFL Teams with Major Work Left to Do Before the 2020 Season Starts - Chris Roling, Bleacher Report
The Cowboys still have the Dak Prescott situation, but could there be other moves on the horizon?
Dak Prescott signed his franchise tender Monday, but that is just the beginning for the Dallas Cowboys.
The team has been in ongoing negotiations with the 26-year-old quarterback, and Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reported Prescott wants a four-year deal, not the five-year contract offered by Dallas.
Prescott is obviously the priority, but the possibility of a megadeal hangs over the Cowboys because of trade speculation regarding New York Jets safety Jamal Adams. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Adams listed Dallas as one of seven teams he’d want to be traded to after being unhappy in part with contract negotiations.
The Jets have “no intention” of trading Adams, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post.
But if the organization begins to feel its relationship with the All-Pro safety is beyond long-term repair, it could be motivated to soften its stance.
But Dallas only has $10.5 million in cap space for 2020, so it would need to make more moves. Never mind free agency still boasts key defenders like Jadeveon Clowney and Everson Griffen. The team also has to take into account the fact that Sean Lee’s contract expires following this season.
BTB Podcast
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has had quite the week. We discuss on the latest episode of Broadcasting The ‘Boys.
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