Dallas, TX
Cowboys Offseason Grade: Worst in NFC East?
FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys imagine their NFL Draft outcomes will permit them to maintain tempo within the NFC East, despite the fact that the defending division champs sustained losses when it comes to veterans from the 2021 playoff roster.
In the meantime, the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants all assume they improved by way of the draft and are on tempo to make the division extra aggressive than it was a yr in the past …
Our NFC East offseason grades …
NFC EAST
DALLAS COWBOYS
Key additions: Dalton Schultz, TE (franchise tag); Leighton Vander Esch, LB (re-signed), Malik Hooker, S (re-signed); Dorance Armstrong, DE (re-signed); Michael Gallup, WR (re-signed); James Washington, WR (FA); Jayron Kearse, S (re-signed); Tyler Smith, OT (draft)
Key losses: Amari Cooper, WR (commerce), La’el Collins, OT (launched); Connor Williams, OL (FA); Cedrick Wilson, WR (FA); Randy Gregory, DE (FA)
Offseason grade: C. The theme of the Cowboys’ offseason has been dropping extra gamers than they’ve gained. Key items from final season are gone from each side of the ball together with Cooper and Collins on offense, and Gregory on protection.
The offensive line was bordering on questionable standing final season with age and accidents catching up with long-time staple Tyron Smith and the sub-par efficiency of middle Tyler Biadasz. Dallas drafted Smith at No.24 however that’s generally regarded to be a stretch. Whereas it’s potential Smith works out, the choose appeared like a attain.
Dallas traded away Cooper and many of the receiver expertise with him. It is going to depend on CeeDee Lamb—in simply his third professional season—to take over. Tolbert was taken within the third spherical but when he can’t contribute instantly, this workforce is in bother. Michael Gallup received’t be out there to start out the season due to his Week 17 ACL harm final season.
Greatest query: Can Dak Prescott keep wholesome? Prescott began final season making an early case for MVP till he suffered a calf harm whereas throwing the game-winning time beyond regulation landing to Lamb towards the Patriots. Prescott was by no means the identical. Prescott must return to his early 2021 type and that may largely rely upon the well being and efficiency of the offensive line in entrance of him, which can also be an enormous query. — Timm Hamm
Fantasy truth: Ezekiel Elliott completed seventh in fantasy factors amongst operating backs final season, and he’s now completed no worse than ninth on the place in each NFL season through which he’s performed a minimum of 15 video games. Nonetheless, his second-half struggles and the emergence of Tony Pollard have Elliott’s 2022 ADP within the third or fourth spherical. He may very well be a steal. — Fabiano
Cowboys Nation: Extra on Dallas’ offseason
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Key additions: A.J. Brown, WR (commerce); Haason Reddick, EDGE (FA); James Bradberry, CB (FA); Kyzir White, LB (FA), Zach Pascal, WR (FA); Jaquiski Tartt, S (FA); Jordan Davis, DL (draft); LB Nakobe Dean, LB (draft)
Key losses: Brandon Brooks, G (retired); Rodney McLeod, S (FA); Steven Nelson, CB (FA); Alex Singleton, LB (FA); Hassan Ridgeway, DT (FA); Genard Avery, LB (FA)
Offseason grade: A. Considerably surprisingly, the Eagles went all-in on difficult for a Tremendous Bowl this yr, bulking up the protection and buying Brown, who is likely one of the high go catchers within the recreation. They might have gone the draft route once more for an additional receiver to pair with DeVonta Smith and waited for the event to occur however determined to deal for Brown and signal him to a $100 million extension.
Similar factor on protection. The Eagles might have been content material with placing a second-year CB reminiscent of Zech McPhearson or Tay Gowan reverse Professional Bowler Darius Slay and dwelling with the rising pains. As an alternative, they signed veteran Bradberry to provide the Eagles a pair of potential shutdown corners. The addition of Reddick and the return of veteran Brandon Graham from a torn Achilles that price him his 2021 season ought to assist a go rush that completed subsequent to final within the league with simply 29. Davis can also be anticipated to develop right into a three-down participant and can be a key piece in the course of defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s odd-man fronts.
Greatest query: Will all the brand new items match and might second-year head coach Nick Sirianni, who has been handed a workforce that appears prefer it might contend on paper, be capable of handle expectations, that are off the charts in Philadelphia in the intervening time?
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Except proper guard, the place Brooks’ retirement will open a battle to start out between Isaac Seumalo and Jack Driscoll, the beginning spots are principally solidified, so camp can be spent figuring out depth behind the starters, particularly at receiver, tight finish and linebacker. — Ed Kracz
Fantasy truth: Within the first six weeks of final season, the Eagles offense ranked tenth in go share and twenty third in rush share. Over their remaining 11 video games, nonetheless, they ranked lifeless final in go share and had been tops within the league in rush share. With the addition of Brown, fantasy followers should hope the workforce makes use of a extra balanced assault in 2022. — Fabiano
Eagles Immediately: Extra on Philadelphia’s offseason
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Key additions: Carson Wentz, QB (commerce); Jahan Dotson, WR (draft); Andrew Norwell, OL (FA); Trai Turner, OL (FA)
Key losses: Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB (retired); DeAndre Carter, WR (FA); Brandon Scherff, OL (FA); Landon Collins, S (launched)
Offseason Grade: B-. Washington didn’t do a complete lot with its offseason, choosing one giant transfer quite than many small ones. With Wentz including $28 million to the cap area, there wasn’t a complete lot of wiggle room to make any extra strikes. Whereas there have been different potential quarterback upgrades to make this offseason, Washington opted to make an reasonably priced one when it comes to property, buying and selling two third-round picks for his or her new quarterback. Wentz has one yr to show himself. If he doesn’t, the Commanders can faucet into 2023’s loaded QB class.
Greatest query: Will the Commanders signal a veteran linebacker? Ron Rivera has alluded quite a few occasions this offseason about wanting so as to add a veteran linebacker. The workforce drafted Jamin Davis within the first spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft, however he has migrated to his extra pure place on the surface. Cole Holcomb has gotten the lion’s share of the first-team reps, but it surely doesn’t seem as if he’s received the beginning job. He’ll have to take action in coaching camp, in any other case the workforce could look outdoors the group at a linebacker like Anthony Barr or Deion Jones. — Jeremy Brener
Fantasy truth: Antonio Gibson completed tenth in fantasy factors amongst operating backs final season, however he was terribly inconsistent. In truth, he scored fewer than 12 factors seven occasions and was restricted to single digits in six of these video games. With J.D. McKissic within the combine and the number of Brian Robinson within the draft, Gibson’s 2022 contact share might decline. — Fabiano
Washington Soccer: Extra on Washington’s offseason
NEW YORK GIANTS
Key additions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge (draft); Evan Neal, OT (draft); Daniel Bellinger, TE (draft), OC Jon Feliciano (UFA), G Mark Glowinski, G (UFA)
Key losses: Austin Johnson, DT (UFA, Chargers), Logan Ryan, S (launched), Evan Engram, TE (FA), Keion Crossen, DB/STs (UFA, Miami)
Offseason Grade: B-. New GM Joe Schoen was considerably hamstrung, due to the prior regime’s daring but unsuccessful gamble to stretch the wage cap to amass veteran assist. Schoen did stockpile draft picks, filling them with prospects that tackle quite a few holes on the roster. He additionally weeded out veterans reminiscent of Ryan who had been not within the workforce’s long-term plans to straighten out the cap shifting ahead. It’s going to take time for every little thing to return collectively, however the early emotions are that Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have a long-term imaginative and prescient much like how the Payments, their former workforce, had been constructed from the underside up.
Greatest query: Can Daboll and Schoen save Daniel Jones? After co-owner John Mara admitted the earlier regime did every little thing potential to screw up Jones, Schoen and Daboll have finished every little thing potential to strengthen what’s round him to provide him the absolute best likelihood at success. That features a system that Jones himself additionally contributed to growing, a greater offensive line and the liberty to return to his rookie-season gunslinging methods. However can Jones take that long-awaited step ahead and be the quarterback the group has at all times envisioned him turning into? If he can, he’ll land a pleasant payday, and the Giants can be set shifting ahead. If he can’t, the Giants are probably beginning once more with a brand new franchise quarterback in 2023. — Patricia Traina
Fantasy truth: In his first two seasons within the NFL, Saquon Barkley averaged 4.8 yards per rush and produced a mixed 3,169 scrimmage yards in 29 video games. In his final two seasons, he has averaged a mere 3.5 yards per rush with a mixed 950 scrimmage yards in simply 15 video games. Barkley continues to be going within the high three to 4 rounds in most fantasy drafts. — Fabiano
Giants Nation: Extra on New York’s offseason
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“I thought we had a lot more guys look a lot more dangerous tonight, up and down the lineup,” DeBoer said. “You know, that’s a credit to our group. We looked at last game, we made some adjustments, and our whole group was more dangerous. We got some great contributions from some unsung heroes. Our penalty kill, I thought Sam Steel was outstanding tonight, Colin] [Blackwell had a couple of blocked shots. A lot of work by guys that don’t get noticed a lot.”
After going 7-10 in 2024, the Dallas Cowboys are hoping to get back on track in 2025. They’ve made some huge changes as they turn to a new head coach in Brian Schottenheimer and added more firepower — including the addition of wide receiver George Pickens.
While they should be praised for being proactive this offseason, they still face a daunting task with one of the toughest schedules in the league.
MORE: Cowboys’ defensive free agency signing named most ‘head-scratching’ move
There are several tough opponents that Dallas will have to overcome, but according to Pro Football Network’s Kyle Soppe, the toughest challenger will be a team they know well. Soppe says the biggest obstacle for the Cowboys will be heading to Detroit to take on the Lions.
“America’s team has to travel to Detroit to face the team that America has fallen in love with recently. The Lions went into Jerry’s World in Week 6 of last season and won by 38 points. If a healthy Dak Prescott can post a competitive effort on the road against a top-tier team in the conference, it would go a long way toward proving that this team is ready to compete for a playoff spot in a strong NFC East.”
Dallas won in a controversial contest in 2023, but the Lions made a statement last year by humiliating the Cowboys at home. The Cowboys have a chance to erase that awful performance from their memory, while getting revenge in Detroit.
In years past, they’ve folded in the face of such challenges. This test will prove whether or not Brian Schottenheimer’s culture change is working.
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Dallas, TX
With Dallas Stars in prime playoff spot, veering off concerning course could go a long way
So perhaps I was mistaken about life after Mikko. Seemed like the Stars had shown plenty of positive signs of being able to produce on their own, once he stopped delivering nightly hat tricks or four-point games. Instead, the entire squad was blanked in Winnipeg Friday night, making this a very compelling 1-1 series that continues with a 3:30 puck drop on Sunday at the AAC.
Dallas remains in prime position to keep advancing in this marathon affair called the Stanley Cup playoffs. Just by gaining a split in Winnipeg, the Stars secured the slight edge that is home-ice advantage, although this spring home teams are winning at a better than 2-1 rate — highly unusual for the NHL. Dallas is contributing with a 3-1 record at the AAC. And how things stand makes all the difference in the world when two teams of equal stature are going at it.
But the Stars also lost by four goals Friday night, and even if you want to excuse the empty-net strike from about 185 feet by Nikolaj Ehlers, this was still the fourth time Dallas has lost by at least three goals in the playoffs.
Cause for concern?
“You know what, some of them, the Colorado ones, I did because I thought we got overwhelmed,’’ Stars coach Pete DeBoer said Saturday after the team landed at Love Field. “I didn’t think that was the case last night. When you dive into the analytics and stuff, I think that was the story, too. Couple of those Colorado games were concerning, but I didn’t think last night’s was in that category.’’
Still, with one notable exception (a turning point Game 5 against Colorado), the Stars either win a close game or get drowned in a blowout. No other club has lost four times by three goals. I suppose the good news is that the only other three-time loser by three goals is Winnipeg. The Jets didn’t come close to winning a game in St. Louis, and if goaltender Connor Hellebuyck can be counted upon to resort to those bad performances (he was pulled in each game), Dallas can set its sights on, most likely, the Edmonton Oilers in the next round.
That all seems a little too easy, not to mention a dangerous assumption to make. The Stars forced Hellebuyck to provide at least a few big stops in the second period of Friday’s shutout, and now who’s to say that the game’s best goaltender hasn’t regained his singular focus? For me, Friday’s 4-0 Jets win looked a heck of a lot like Winnipeg’s 4-0 victory at the AAC in the final week when the visitors were nailing down the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stars were encased in a weird late-season slump.
Dallas still looks like that team a little too much, and Winnipeg, which got defenseman Josh Morrissey back into its lineup for Game 2, making the team truly healthy for the first time in the playoffs, looked a lot like the regular season Jets.
“He’s their Miro Heiskanen, you know,’’ DeBoer said. “So that changed things. It slots people for them. It’s a big boost of confidence for their whole group.’’
The Stars could use a similar injection but it won’t come Sunday afternoon. DeBoer said Heiskanen — injured against Vegas on Jan. 28 — won’t play in Game 3 and will return to day-to-day status for Tuesday’s Game 4.
“You know, when he comes back it’s going to be, obviously, a good day, but even then he’s been out for three and a half months. We’re going to have to temper our expectations on what he’s going to bring after that long of an absence,’’ DeBoer said.
For now, it’s back to scratching and clawing and hoping for emergency relief from Rantanen. What do all these blowouts really mean? Not much, maybe, in the sense that Florida won the Stanley Cup last June and lost four games by three or more goals. Of course, the Panthers spread that over two months with two of the losses coming to the Oilers in the Finals after they had grabbed a 3-0 lead. That’s different from losing all of one’s games by three goals.
If you’re looking to local Stanley Cup history, the Stars in 1999 lost seven games in their entire run to the Cup in Buffalo. They lost six games by one goal (four of those in overtime). Their only two-goal loss was a 7-5 defeat against Colorado in Game 5.
Not every Cup winner has to follow the same path. We’re just talking about surviving the second round, anyway. A bounce of the puck here or there, a first postseason goal from Matt Duchene or maybe a second from Mikael Granlund or Jamie Benn could go a long way towards moving the Stars beyond a team quietly waiting for another Mikko miracle.
X/Twitter: @TimCowlishaw
Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
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