Connect with us

Dallas, TX

3 questions coming out of Dallas’ Week 5 win over Pittsburgh

Published

on

3 questions coming out of Dallas’ Week 5 win over Pittsburgh


The Cowboys defied the odds with their upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday night. Or was it Monday morning? That’s not an important question from the game, but others are worth considering as they may impact the upcoming schedule and perhaps the rest of the 2024 season.

Should Tyler Smith stay at left tackle?

When rookie Tyler Guyton left the game with a knee injury, Tyler Smith slid over to left tackle and T.J. Bass came in at guard. The results were less costly penalties, fewer protection breakdowns, and a solid run game. It begs the question of whether or not the Cowboys would be better off leaving Smith on the outside.

There’s no question that Guyton’s struggled so far this season. While Smith is a better guard than tackle, his experience and talent still make him an upgrade over the rookie. It arguably gives Dallas its five current best linemen on the field with Bass in the starting lineup, at least until Guyton gets more experience and improves his technique.

Perhaps during the upcoming bye week, and assuming he’s healthy, Dallas will explore using Guyton on the right side over Terence Steele. It was his college position, and it could be a better place for him to work through some things. And they may still opt to put him back in at left tackle once he’s good to go, still willing to live through the growing pains. But after how the offensive line performed once Guyton left the game, the coaches must be considering their options.

Advertisement

Should Brandin Cooks return with a lesser role?

There may not be a question in many minds that Jalen Tolbert should be the Cowboys’ other starting receiver going forward. He’s been more effective than Cooks all year and stepped up big in Sunday’s win. But even if that’s a foregone conclusion, just where should Cooks’ spot on the depth chart be once he gets back from injured reserve?

Less noticed in the game was that Kavontae Turpin also chipped in four catches for 50 yards on just five targets. It just feels like Dak Prescott is more comfortable and efficient targeting some of these younger receivers, and we’ve barely seen what Jalen Brooks could do with more opportunities.

Cooks was solid last year once he got healthy and found his groove with the offense, but it hasn’t been the same so far in 2024. Now that Cooks is 31 years old and has an expiring contract, Dallas may want to use him less and see if their other guys can be more effective targets. It could benefit the team now and down the road as they give future assets more experience.

What could the defense be once healthy?

Seeing what Mike Zimmer did last week without so many of his top players was impressive. Say what you want about the Steelers offense but they had more than enough talent to run the Cowboys over and Zimmer schemed up the right stuff, particularly on the defensive line, to not let that happen.

With Micah Parsons, DaRon Bland, and Caelen Carson all potentially returning after the bye week, if not sooner for some, things are looking up for this side of the ball. There are still some concerns; Dallas was at mostly full strength when the Saints obliterated them in Week 2. But it seems like Zimmer has made the right adjustments and the team is getting more comfortable in his scheme. It’s exciting to think what things could be once he gets some star talent back in the mix.

Advertisement



Source link

Dallas, TX

Top 10 Dallas Cowboys of 2026: Rashan Gary is Complete EDGE Dallas Needed

Published

on

Top 10 Dallas Cowboys of 2026: Rashan Gary is Complete EDGE Dallas Needed


In need of help on the edge, the Dallas Cowboys tried to make a huge move this offseason. They made multiple attempts to trade for Las Vegas Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby, but were never able to get a deal done.

Once that one was off the table, they decided to send a fourth round pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for veteran Rashan Gary. The move was criticized, which is rather confusing when you think about it. Dallas gave up a mid-round pick, and reworked his contract to where it hardly makes any impact on a salary cap. They also filled a position of a great need with a player who might not threaten to lead the league in sacks, but is well-rounded and can help against the run just as much as he does when rushing the passer.

Gary is entering his eighth season in the league and has 271 tackles and 46.5 sacks. He’s coming off another solid campaign, which is why he’s No. 9 on our list of top 10 players on the Cowboys’ roster.

Advertisement

Rashan Gary 2025 review

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Advertisement

Gary’s numbers in 2025 were respectable, but could be misleading. He was on pace to record 18 sacks, as he had 7.5 through the first seven games of the year. He then disappeared for the final nine games, recording no sacks while struggling to generate pressure.

Advertisement

That led to his season as a whole being considered rather disappointing, which is why the Packers were willing to move on. It’s also why Dallas was able to convince him to take a pay cut after he joined their team. What was most frustrating for Green Bay was the fact that they needed him to step up when Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL late in the year and Gary was unable to do so.

Rashan Gary 2026 prediction

Advertisement

Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary celebrates during the season opener against the Detroit Lions. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

One thing critics of the move are failing to see is the fact that Dallas doesn’t need Gary to record double-digit sacks. They need him to be the veteran voice for a group of young pass rushers who are trying to find their footing in the league.

Second year player, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and rookie Malachi Lawrence both have the talent to be game-changers off of the edge. What they don’t have, is the experience. That’s where Gary comes in.

As those two continue to develop, Gary will be the stabilizing veteran force who can make plays on early downs, while also being disruptive as a pass rusher. We can’t ignore the struggles that he had in 2025, but perhaps the change of scenery will give him some motivation to turn back the clock. And Dallas didn’t have to give up much to give him that opportunity.

Advertisement

Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter for more free coverage from Dallas Cowboys on SI

Advertisement
Add us as a preferred source on Google



Source link

Continue Reading

Dallas, TX

Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa runs for Dallas Mayor

Published

on

Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa runs for Dallas Mayor


Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa announced that he is running for Mayor of Dallas on Monday.

Hinojosa says the city needs experienced leadership to address the budget challenges and pro sports teams leaving Downtown Dallas.

Advertisement

Addressing Dallas’ budget and pro sports team

Local perspective:

Michael Hinojosa served two stints as superintendent of Dallas ISD, totaling 13 years. He told FOX 4 that he officially filed paperwork to enter the race and plans to formally launch his campaign at a Tuesday morning news conference at Dallas City Hall.

Advertisement

Hinojosa points to financial track record at Dallas ISD

What they’re saying:

Hinojosa cited his tenure leading Dallas ISD as evidence of his financial management experience, saying the district’s reserves grew from about $32 million when he took over in 2005 to nearly $1 billion in obligated and unobligated fund balances by the time he left.

Advertisement

“I think that it’s really important for this community to know that we’re at an inflection point and that the city and the community need a strong, proven leader,” Hinojosa said.

He pointed to the city’s budget shortfall, employee furloughs and concerns over major sports franchises potentially leaving downtown as examples of challenges facing Dallas.

He said solving the city’s challenges would require coalition-building and pledged to focus on issues important to residents, taxpayers and businesses.

Advertisement

“I believe that a vision is a dream with a deadline,” Hinojosa said, adding that if elected he would aim to address the city’s biggest challenges within two terms.

Campaign announcement at Dallas City Hall

What’s next:

Advertisement

Hinojosa said he will outline his priorities during a 10 a.m. campaign announcement on Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas City Hall.

The Source: Information in this article was provided by an interview conducted by FOX 4’s Shaun Rabb.

Advertisement
DallasTexasTexas Politics



Source link

Continue Reading

Dallas, TX

Viral East Dallas coffee shop fears major sales drop amid six-week road closure

Published

on

Viral East Dallas coffee shop fears major sales drop amid six-week road closure


Construction plans disrupt business in East Dallas. Just a few days ago, the owners of Juju’s Coffee off La Vista Drive in Dallas were informed by Oncor that the street on which their shop is located will be closed.

One of the owners, Nick Rocha, said the closure will last six weeks, but if there are any delays, it could be extended until October.

The coffee shop, which opened in 2023, has recently gained a lot of popularity. One of their drinks, called the “do-si-dos,” has gone viral, and now they have lines out the door on a regular basis.

“It’s a peanut butter milk latte… We probably doubled our sales or more if I had to be honest,” said Rocha.

Advertisement

Since the drink’s release in April, the flow of customers has been nonstop.

“We were like, ‘We’ll go viral and then we’ll die out.’ Then we’re like, ‘Well, when is it going to be over, because we’re just getting slammed?’ We were both doing like 60- to 70-hour weeks… And it just kept going, and it turned from like, ‘Okay, we’re scared of it,’ to, ‘Okay, we can do this,’” said Rojas.

Rojas says that just as they were adjusting to the new normal, the notice from Oncor came.

“They were just like, ‘Yeah, so we’re going to close the street, sorry.’ That was tough… because we’re in the middle of dreaming and vision casting for what’s coming and what’s next,” said Rojas.

Starting July 20, La Vista Drive will be closed, sidewalk accessibility will be difficult, and street visibility will be too. Rojas believes the impact could drop their sales by about 50%. He says they’ve had meetings with the city and Oncor, but says there’s nothing they can do, and now their only plea is to their customers.

Advertisement

“Anybody that comes in and supports, it’s a genuine gratitude from us,” said Rojas.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending