Cowboys news: Mike McCarthy and Bill Belichick are two of the best in this metric

Cowboys’ Mike McCarthy isn’t far removed from Bill Belichick — this metric shows how - David Moore, DMN

Mike McCarthy might not get the respect he should be due as a Super Bowl-winning head coach but in at least this aspect, he shares some seriously respected company. As luck would have it, it’s the coach who will stand opposite him on the sidelines this Sunday.

With this reputation, it won’t surprise anyone to learn that over the last 50-plus years, Belichick’s teams have fashioned the best turnover differential in the NFL. It might surprise you to learn who is tied for second.

Hint: His team faces the Patriots this weekend.

Mike McCarthy trails only Belichick in this key indicator of success. The Cowboys head coach places second on the list along with Seattle’s Pete Carroll. All three have won a Super Bowl.

That’s a common thread. In a survey of the best turnover differentials since 1969 — only head coaches with at least 10 full seasons on the job can apply — 16 of the top 19 coaches on the list have the phrase Super Bowl champion next to their names.

“It’s the No. 1 focus for me and it always has been,’’ McCarthy said. “It’s such a big part of winning, yesteryear and today.’’

McCarthy, Cowboys players marvel at The Trevon Diggs Show: ‘Never seen anything like it’ - Todd Brock, Cowboys Wire

At the rate Trevon Diggs is going, the NFL dictionary will have to change its definition of a “ball hawk” to one of the seemingly endless pictures of Diggs jumping a route for an interception. The second-year player has been so good, even his coach and teammates can’t stop raving about his ability to turn momentum with a single snatching grab.

“I was standing there with Dak, and I’ll use his word: ‘I’ve never seen anything like it,’” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said of the third-quarter play that saw Diggs rob Giants wide receiver C.J. Board on a deep bomb to thwart a potential comeback bid. “The ball goes up in the air, and he’s coming down with it. I don’t even think it’s a 50/50 ball anymore. Playing at an extremely high level, confidence [is] off the charts. Just the way he goes after the football, it’s unique.”

His fellow Cowboys players have been just as awed as the fans.

“It never gets old,” rookie linebacker Micah Parsons said. “As long as he keeps getting picks, I’ll keep smiling. I’ll keep getting that pressure for him, you know what I mean?”

“The kid’s a baller, and it just astounds me how he goes and gets it every single day,” added linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. “It starts in practice. It starts with how he’s preparing day in and day out, so you’ve got to give the credit to him.”

“How many picks does he have? Six? That’s crazy… But if they keep throwing at the kid, he’s going to get more…” running back Ezekiel Elliott predicted. “If you keep throwing the ball at 7, he’s going to pick you off. I think it’s about time quarterbacks stop looking his way.”

Kelvin Joseph expected to return to practice - Rob Phillips, DallasCowboys.com

Kelvin Joseph has been nursing a groin injury since the preseason, but after a brief stint on the IR, he’s ready to return to practice. The already impressive defense continues to get healthier with each passing week.

Joseph, a second-round draft pick, competed with veteran Anthony Brown for a starting job in training camp but injured his groin late in preseason. Sean McKeon was pushing for the third tight end spot before suffering a high ankle sprain in preseason.

Monday, McCarthy said it’s unlikely that any IR player will be activated for Sunday’s game at New England. But with Joseph and McKeon back to practice, it’s possible both could be ready for game action right after the bye. The Cowboys are off next week and play at Minnesota on Oct. 31.

McCarthy said safety Donovan Wilson is also expected to return to practice Wednesday after missing the last four games with a groin injury.

3 Players the Cowboys should target at the 2021 NFL Trade Deadline - Alex Ballentine, Bleacher Report

The NFL Trade Deadline, though it might wish to be, is not as exciting as the NBA trade deadline. Far fewer trades are made overall and it usually passes with limited fan-fare. But that’s not to say it never hits. Amari Cooper, anyone? Alex Ballentine lays out three defensive targets for Dallas to consider should they decide to go shopping before the deadline.

[Safety Marcus Maye of the New York Jets] would be an aggressive move, but one that could pay big dividends.

Trevon Diggs is one of the few reasons the unit isn’t bad, but the play of the safeties and corners outside of Diggs leaves a lot to be desired.

Adding Marcus Maye to the fold could help. Maye has only played in three games for the Jets this season but has allowed no touchdowns and a passer rating of 83.3 when targeted.

Adding the safety could be complicated, though. It would be a tight squeeze financially. Maye would be owed around $6 million if traded near the deadline, and the team is closer to dealing him because of a DUI charge that could have him facing a suspension from the league, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.

The Cowboys have been aggressive in addressing their safety issues, bringing in Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker and Damontae Kazee. Yet, it’s still a position that could be improved, and Maye would fit that bill.

Mailbag: Tough Roster Decisions Ahead? - Staff, DallasCowboys.com

The good news for the Cowboys keeps getting better as they will be getting players back soon. But when they do, some decisions will have to be made.

I’m eagerly awaiting the return of some key players (D-Law, Neville Gallimore, Michael Gallup and La’el Collins, to name just a few). But I’m also starting to worry that we simply won’t have enough roster spots and we might have to let some good players go that will get picked up by other teams. Is this a real worry or am I over thinking it? – DAVID NYSTROM / LOUDON, TN

Rob: I wouldn’t call it a “worry.” It’s a reality that decisions will have to be made. I call it a good problem. You’re right, all the players you mentioned are currently on reserve lists, so roster moves will have to be made to get them back on the 53. It speaks to the team’s depth. But not every player will be back at the same time, so the Cowboys will likely be able to stagger those returns. The Cowboys obviously hope there aren’t any more multi-week injuries requiring an IR spot, but that’s always a possibility as the season moves along, and if it does, that would be one way to create roster space.

David: My experience tells me that these things always have a way of working themselves out. As Jerry Jones likes to say, it’s kind of like holding a fistful of Jell-O – as soon as you think you’ve got a handle on it, you’ve got problems leaking out the other side. There are moves they can make on the back end of the roster to free up space. And, unfortunately, other guys are going to get hurt as we move through the season. It’s not something I’d worry too much about.

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