Dallas Cowboys optimistic about doing deal with Dak Prescott, no concerns about ankle - Clarence E Hill Jr., The Star Telegram

On Tuesday, news broke that the Cowboys front office has had negotiations with Dak Prescott’s agent about getting a long-term contract ironed out. Apparently those negotiations left the team feeling optimistic about a deal getting done.

According to a source, Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones has had recent conversations with Prescott’s agent Todd France and both are of the mindset that they need to get a deal done.

While there is no sense of when something can get accomplished and no progress has been made, it clear that the Cowboys have no concerns about his recovery from a fractured ankle that ended his 2020 season after five games and are willing and ready to do a deal now.

The Cowboys would like to do get a deal done before the March 9 franchise tag deadline. Prescott, who was tagged last year, would receive $37.7 million if he were to be tagged again. And the Cowboys would cetainly tag him if no deal were in place.

Dak Prescott Rumors: No ‘Progress Has Been Made’ on Long-Term Cowboys Contract - Tim Daniels, Bleacher Report

It seems that the Cowboys are the only ones feeling optimistic about a long-term deal getting done with Dak Prescott, as Tuesday also brought news that there has been no real progress made in negotiations.

The Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott reportedly haven’t made any substantial progress toward a long-term contract extension ahead of the 2021 NFL season.

ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported Tuesday on Get Up! the Cowboys will “probably” use the franchise tag on Prescott, who’d otherwise become an unrestricted free agent, for the second straight year if no agreement is reached by the March 9 deadline to utilize the tag.

“Very important to point out here, though, speaking with people on both sides of this thing, it does not sound as if any progress has been made in a long-term extension for Dak Prescott,” Darlington said.

NFL franchise tag candidates and 2021 predictions: Dak Prescott, Aaron Jones top list of 22 players - ESPN Staff

Last year, there was a sense of hope and optimism around the Cowboys extending Dak Prescott before he was ultimately franchise tagged. This year, there’s no such optimism, so it’s no surprise Prescott is one of the top candidates predicted to get tagged.

Without a long-term deal by March 9, the Cowboys will tag Prescott for the second straight year and it will cost $37.7 million against the cap. It would also set in motion the likelihood that 2021 could be Prescott’s final season in Dallas. These talks are entering their third offseason, so maybe the two sides will be able to find a compromise. Is Prescott worth it? The Cowboys went 4-7 without him in 2020, and the offense scored one touchdown in the first three games Dallas played after he suffered his ankle injury.

Prediction: The Cowboys will use the franchise tag on Prescott. — Todd Archer

Cowboys’ Tyron Smith, La’el Collins progressing well after season-ending injuries - Matthew Lenix, Cowboys Wire via Yahoo Sports

A major storyline for the Cowboys’ erratic offensive performances in 2020 was their depleted offensive line, which notably was without both Tyron Smith and La’el Collins for nearly the entire season. But the word is that both tackles are making good progress in their effort to return in 2021.

Smith had missed exactly three games each season from 2016 through 2019 after missing only one game in his first five seasons. He’s Entering his 11th season in the NFL and the Cowboys may consider looking at another left tackle in the draft to develop behind him and for insurance purposes.

When healthy he’s still one of the best left tackles in the league, and with the responsibility of protecting Prescott’s blindside, he’s essential to what the Cowboys do offensively.

Collins had an outstanding 2019 season and put his name among the better right tackles in the league, so much so some felt he was a Pro Bowl snub. Last offseason wasn’t ideal for Collins as he showed up out of shape and was also involved in a car accident in August. Nonetheless, hearing he’s already back to business in an attempt to regain his momentum from two years ago is something fans and the organization can excited about.

Updates on Sean Lee, LP Ladouceur - @calvinwatkins

The Cowboys have a lot of youth on their roster, but two of their more enduring players - Sean Lee and L.P. Ladouceur - are question marks to return each offseason at this point. We found out Tuesday that one of them is coming back, while another is still contemplating the decision.

Free Agent S Tre Boston Should be on the Cowboys Radar - Matthew Lenix, Inside the Star

With the expectation of a tight salary cap situation this offseason, many teams will end up cutting very talented players, ultimately creating a great free agent pool for the Cowboys. Tre Boston, recently cut by the Panthers, is one such candidate.

Boston was released last week by the Carolina Panthers just one season into his three-year, $18 million dollar extension that he signed last March. He had some struggles in coverage but still had one of his best all-around seasons in 2020. He registered a career-high in tackles with 95 and fumble recoveries with two. Also, he added an interception, a forced fumble, and four passes defended.

He’s entering his eighth season in the NFL which means he won’t command a high salary on the open market and could be signed to a one-year prove to deal much like the aforementioned Clinton-Dix was last offseason.

If the Cowboys were to bring Boston aboard he wouldn’t be the long-term solution at free safety, meaning they would still need to address the position in the NFL draft in April. Prospects such as TCU’s Trevon Moehrig, Central Florida’s Richie Grant, and Florida State’s Hamsah Nasirildeen could be ideal candidates for the Cowboys to bring in to learn under a seasoned veteran like Boston.

Boston has been very reliable throughout his career having only missed eight games since entering the league in 2014. He’s not a game-changer by any means, but he would be a solid addition to play opposite Wilson and could mentor not only a rookie safety but the entire Cowboys secondary with his experience, seeing as he would be the elder statesman of the unit.

John Roach, the only person to play football for Highland Park, SMU and the Dallas Cowboys, dies at 87 - Michael Gehlken, Dallas Morning News

The Cowboys have had a long list of big names throughout their history, but John Roach is a notable name for a different reason. He was the only person to play for Highland Park High School, SMU, and America’s Team, making him a true Texan through and through.

John Roach entered the NFL as the Chicago Cardinals’ third-round pick in 1956. While debuting at punter, he predominantly played quarterback during an eight-year NFL career. He backed up Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr from 1961 to 1963 under coach Vince Lombardi, winning two league championships there.

In 1964, Roach thought he was done with football.

He retired. He joined an investment firm. Then, Cowboys coach Tom Landry summoned him in August following an injury to quarterback Don Meredith. He started four games.

Roach remains the only person to play football for each of Highland Park High School, SMU and the Dallas Cowboys. He is the first of three players in Cowboys history to wear No. 12. Punter Ron Widby, who passed away on Dec. 22, wore No. 12 in 1968. Quarterback Roger Staubach arrived a year later, beginning a Pro Football Hall of Fame career that led to the number’s unofficial retirement.

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