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Jake Ferguson shows up to Cowboys camp stronger and faster in 2024

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Jake Ferguson shows up to Cowboys camp stronger and faster in 2024


When Dalton Schultz left in free agency ahead of the 2023 season, the Dallas Cowboys turned to second-year tight end Jake Ferguson. The fourth-round pick from Wisconsin had just 19 receptions for 174 yards with two touchdowns as a rookie.

Despite the modest numbers, the coaching staff had faith in his potential — and they weren’t wrong.

Ferguson broke out with 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns. He added three more touchdowns in the postseason and was rewarded with a trip to the Pro Bowl.

MORE: CeeDee, Dak Prescott contract negotiation update from Stephen Jones

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Now entering his third season, Ferguson is looking to improve and arrived at training camp in excellent shape. After playing at 240 pounds last year, Ferguson is up to 255 and hasn’t sacrificed any speed.

“A lot of it was my speed, but also at the end of the year I finished at 240 lbs. and while I was still strong… that wasn’t the weight I can move guys at. At the exit interview coach was like we can get you to 250, 255… and right now I’m sitting at 255. I ran faster in all my testing. Ran faster than I did at the Combine. And then tested all and I lift better. I feel really good right now. Feel like I’m running well. Obviously… pads aren’t on yet so real football’s yet to be played.” — Ferguson said while speaking with reporters.

Dallas will have more targets to go around this year with Michael Gallup and Tony Pollard no longer on the roster. Much has been made of the battle for the WR3 spot, and for good reason, but Ferguson will also help pick up some of that slack.

He could also help their ground game outperform expectations should he become a better blocker, which he believes will happen thanks to the added strength.

— Enjoy free coverage of the Cowboys from Dallas Cowboys on SI —

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Stars-Kings preview: Dallas looks to right the ship against Los Angeles

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Stars-Kings preview: Dallas looks to right the ship against Los Angeles


The Dallas Stars have one win in their last seven games and are looking to right the ship in the second game of a West Coast road trip.

Dallas fell in overtime to San Jose on Saturday and now look to bounce back against the Los Angeles Kings.

Here’s everything to know about the matchup.

Dallas Stars vs. Los Angeles Kings

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When: Monday, 9 p.m.

Where: Crypto.com Arena in LA

TV/streaming: Victory+

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Radio: Sportsradio 96.7/1310 The Ticket

Bottom line

The Kings host the Stars after LA beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in a shootout.

Los Angeles has a 19-15-10 record overall and a 7-9-5 record on its home ice. The Kings have given up 120 goals while scoring 116 for a -4 scoring differential.

Dallas has a 26-10-9 record overall and a 14-4-6 record on the road. The Stars rank second in the league with 154 total goals (averaging 3.4 per game).

The teams meet Monday for the third time this season. The Stars won the previous meeting 4-1.

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Top performers

Jason Robertson has 26 goals and 28 assists for the Stars. Wyatt Johnston has scored five goals with four assists over the past 10 games.

Alex Laferriere has scored 12 goals with 10 assists for the Kings. Andrei Kuzmenko has four goals and four assists over the last 10 games.

Last 10 games

Stars: 3-3-4, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.1 assists, 3.9 penalties and 8.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game.

Kings: 4-5-1, averaging 2.9 goals, five assists, 4.1 penalties and 8.7 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.

Twitter: @dmn_stars

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Stars drop another in overtime after Sharks rally from two-goal deficit in third period

Dallas allowed goals on four of six Sharks power plays, including the game-winner in OT.

Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen, left, reaches for the puck against San Jose Sharks...
Stars-Sharks preview: Can Dallas build momentum against Macklin Celebrini, San Jose?

The Stars will look to string some wins together after snapping a long losing streak last time out.

Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.



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Cowboys news: Former Dallas 1st-round pick weighs in on who should be next DC

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Cowboys news: Former Dallas 1st-round pick weighs in on who should be next DC


Every offseason it seems like I see a linebacker’s name pop up that the Cowboys need to get to help the defense. This year it may be Quincy Williams. Could he be the guy the middle of the defense is missing? I’ve seen some reactions, and when you dig into the type of player he is the coverage numbers may make you second guess. And honestly, I get it because it doesn’t look pretty. When you actually dig into how Quincy Williams plays, and how he is used, the conversation changes fast. So let’s talk it through like fans, not scouts trying to sound smart.

The First Thing You Need to Know: This Dude Lives in the Box

Quincy Williams is not a coverage linebacker, and he never has been. He will not be floating around in space trying to run with slot receivers or carry tight ends down the seams. When you look at the snap data, it’s not even debatable. He spent hundreds of snaps in the box, very few on the edge, only a handful in the slot, and almost none on the outside.

That tells you exactly how defenses should play him. He is there to attack downhill. If you judge this man based on coverage stats alone, you’re grading a fish on how well it climbs trees. How Quincy Williams Actually Plays

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What I like about Quincy Williams is simple: when he sees it, he goes. There’s no dancing, no waiting for someone else to make the play. He triggers fast and shows up with bad intentions. Is he perfect? Absolutely not, but were any of the Cowboys linebackers last season even above average.

He will miss a tackle here and there because of his aggressive play style, but I’ll take that every day over a linebacker who catches blocks and gets pancaked. What I found even more impressive was he lines up all over the box. He can play weak side, strong side, and take inside looks, but he rarely just sat in the middle calling things out. He’s a flow-and-hunt guy, so the Cowboys would need to let him scrape, chase, and hit. That is where his game makes sense.

Not Much of a Pass Rusher

This may be another area where people will get twisted. Yes, you will see him walked up near the line sometimes, but he’s not an edge rusher. He is not winning with moves or stacking sacks. Those snaps are about pressure and confusion to make the offense account for him, mess with protection calls, and let the defense work around it. He’s a blitzer, not a technician, and if used incorrectly, it looks ugly.



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Man dies after dog attack in Dallas home, police say

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Man dies after dog attack in Dallas home, police say


A man has died after a dog attacked him inside a home in North Texas on Thursday afternoon, officials say.

Dallas police officers responded to a call in the 4100 block of Esmalda Drive at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7. Investigators determined the man was attacked by a dog inside a residence in the 4100 block of Pringle Drive.

The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, police said.

According to a press release, the Dallas Police Department is treating the case as a homicide.

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Police ask anyone with information to contact Detective Kenneth Castoral at 469‑781‑1261 or by email at kenneth.castoral@dallaspolice.gov.



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