:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69065159/usa_today_13399025.0.jpg)
Jason Garrett: Dak Prescott is a fantastic player who’s going to get better - Charean Williams, PFT
The Cowboys ex-head coach comments on their current starting QB.
For four seasons and 64 starts, Dak Prescott had Jason Garrett as his coach. Garrett left Dallas after the 2019 season and became the Giants’ offensive coordinator last year.
Garrett was in Arlington in Week 5 when Prescott severely injured his right ankle, needing immediate surgery to repair a compound fracture and dislocation. As Prescott works his way back from that, he signed a four-year, $160 million deal to remain with the Cowboys.
Garrett, who still is one of Prescott’s biggest fans, was asked about Prescott’s deal to remain with the Cowboys.
“Ah, fantastic,” Garrett said on Morten Andersen’s Great Dane Nation Podcast. “You know we talk about the special people and the special players we’ve had opportunities to be around, and he’s just absolutely one of them. We drafted him in the middle of the fourth round in 2016, and Tony Romo gets hurt, and Dak comes in as a rookie and wins 13 games for us. The success that he’s had leading that organization. He’s a fantastic player who’s going to get better and better and better and is a fantastic leader and a fantastic person to have in that position. So really excited for him and really excited for the Cowboys and for the NFL. I’m glad that happened.”
Helman: Redefining The Cowboys’ Bargain Hunt - David Helman, The Mothership
A different description to explain the Cowboys approach to free agency.
We like to say that this team bargain hunts in free agency, and the recent results have not been up to standard. And yet, every offseason, we crack open the handbook once again.
It reminds me of one of those monstrous slot machines at a casino – the kind where you can feed it a $20 bill and sip on a drink while you take a shot at the jackpot for $1 per pull.
Sometimes, you’re in the right place at the right time, and the jackpot hits. And there’s no more gratifying feeling than hitting it rich for simply pressing a button. More often than not, it doesn’t, and you’re left wondering how you spent $60 in a half hour.
So maybe let’s change the phrasing and call this what it is. The Dallas Cowboys are not bargain hunters, so much as low-stakes gamblers. Rather than splash cash at the high rollers’ tables, they’re content to sit at the slot machines and wait for their win.
Maybe it pays off this time, and the Cowboys will hit their jack pot – a low risk, high reward free agent group that perfectly complements their talented draft classes, allowing them to take that long-awaited next step.
It hasn’t yet, though. And all we know for sure right now is that they have $20 bills to burn.
Every NFL Team’s Worst Free-Agent Signing of the 2021 Offseason - Alex Kay, Bleacher Report
We always like to believe that free agents are going to blossom in Dallas, but sometimes they don’t.
Dallas Cowboys: DE Tarell Basham
Many expected the Dallas Cowboys to have a superb offseason, and it appeared they would early on. They checked off their biggest to-do item when they finally hammered out a Dak Prescott extension, but their moves in the weeks following left a bit to be desired.
Dallas had plenty of issues to address, but it failed to make flashy signings to fill the gaps. Instead of getting a marquee pass-rusher, the Cowboys’ biggest splurge was for a raw talent in defensive end Tarell Basham.
Basham, a four-year veteran who has just 7.5 sacks during his career, feels like a bit of a settle for the ‘Boys. While there is still undeniable upside in signing the 27-year-old to a two-year, $5.5 million contract, he isn’t the big-time playmaker who could push Dallas to the next level.
The Cowboys should still be a viable contender as long as Prescott can stay healthy, but they didn’t load up for a Super Bowl run and still need to find a consistent pass-rusher to take the defense up a notch.
Scouting Report: What To Expect From Safety Kazee Bucky Brooks, The Mothership
Here’s what you can expect from new safety Damontae Kazee.
Overview: The former college corner turned safety has become one of the best centerfielder safeties in football. Although an injury prematurely ended his 2020 campaign, Kazee’s combination of instincts, awareness, range, and ball skills enables him to thrive as a ball hawk in the middle of the field. With the veteran expected to return to health following his torn Achilles, the Cowboys acquired a potential impact player to occupy the deep middle position in Dan Quinn’s hybrid Cover 3 defense.
As a pass defender, Kazee is an instinctive ball hawk with a knack for picking off tipped or overthrown balls. The converted corner has 10 interceptions in 34 NFL games after registering 17 interceptions as a three-year starter at San Diego State, including 15 picks over his final two seasons. The savvy playmaker displays exceptional anticipation, timing, and awareness keying the quarterback as a deep middle defender, and his impressive resume as a ball hawk at the collegiate and NFL level is a testament to his high football IQ. Kazee’s outstanding instincts enable him to play a step quicker than others on the field and his aggressiveness to the ball routinely results in turnovers (interceptions and forced fumbles) in the back end.
Could the Dallas Cowboys Look to Quinton Dunbar to Fill Cornerback Need? - John Williams, Inside the Star
The Cowboys should probably still sign another corner in free agency.
[Quinton] Dunbar spent his first four years in the NFL playing for the Washington Football Team. He had a bit of an up-and-down career there, alternating good and bad seasons throughout his career. His worst season came in 2018 when he allowed five receiving touchdowns and a 115 passer rating allowed according to Pro Football Focus.
Dunbar’s next season was arguably the best season of his career. He bounced back to allow a 56.9 passer rating, had a career-high four interceptions, and allowed two touchdowns.
Though his 2020 was underwhelming for Seattle, he did have a really nice game against the Minnesota Vikings where he allowed a 42.4 passer rating. He only played six games and suffered a knee injury that he played through before going on injured reserve about midway through the season. Injuries have been a bit of a concern for Dunbar as he’s never played a full 16 game season. With the addition of the 17th game, it may be difficult to get a full season out of Dunbar.
Dunbar has 10 interceptions to his ledger in his six-year career and 40 passes defended. Four times in his career he allowed two or fewer touchdowns in a season. His 12 touchdowns in 64 games averages out to one touchdown allowed every 5.33 games.
Seattle is reportedly interested in bringing back Dunbar for their secondary and is also scheduled to meet with the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals. Despite the injuries, Dunbar is a sought after player and at 28 still has a lot of snaps left in the league.
2021 NFL mock draft ... with a twist! What every team SHOULD do - Adam Rank, NFL.com
Instead of guessing what teams will do, here is a mock that tells each team what they should do.
Pick 10
Northwestern · OT · Senior
Yeah, it’s going to hurt if Surtain ends up going to the Broncos. I’d even investigate trading up if you really want to make sure you get him. You need defense. But if Surtain is off the board, I’d like to fix the next-biggest need for the team, and that’s offensive line. Slater would be a fruitful infusion into a line (and particularly, a position) that was once one of the best in the NFL. And now it’s ... not so much. The Cowboys are like Star Wars. Amazing in the 1970s, had a nice run in the ‘90s, but you’ve disappointed a lot of people recently. Still, there has been a comeback, thanks to things like The Mandalorian. Rebuilding your offensive line would be like that.
BTB Podcast Schedule
- Monday: Jersey Boyz with Dave Sturchio, Bret Ernst, and Keith Ernst
- Tuesday: The 75O with Tony Casillas and RJ Ochoa
- Wednesday: Talkin’ The Draft with Connor Livesay, Cole Patterson, and Dalton Miller
- Thursday: Ryled Up with Roy White and Tom Ryle
- Friday: Girls Talkin ‘Boys with Kelsey Charles and Meg Murray
- Saturday: Cowboys Hoy with Mauricio Rodriguez
We also offer daily episodes of The Ocho where we give you that day’s latest headlines so that you always stay caught up. The BTB podcast network is available on all major podcast avenues.
You can find your preferred platform right here. Make sure to subscribe, rate the feed, and leave a review! Our latest episode is available in the feed down below.