Dallas, TX
Cowboys’ tight end cuts will be ‘real interesting’ for final roster
![Cowboys’ tight end cuts will be ‘real interesting’ for final roster Cowboys’ tight end cuts will be ‘real interesting’ for final roster](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_7924,h_4457,x_0,y_397/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/cowboys_country/01j651an6kkcnh85xqmm.jpg)
The Dallas Cowboys will spend the next few days analyzing the roster from top to bottom following the conclusion of the NFL Preseason.
In a matter of days, the team will have to widdle things down to the final 53-man roster, and there are some difficult decisions to be made. One of the most difficult decisions will be determining which tight ends to move forward with.
The Cowboys have are deep at the position which makes figuring out which players will make the cut that much harder.
MORE: Cowboys 53-man roster projection following 2024 preseason finale
After star tight end Jake Ferguson and former second-rounder Luke Schoonmaker, the position is up in the air.
Following Saturday’s preseason finale, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke to reporters about the final roster and noted the tight end position will be “very interesting.”
It was expected that fullback Hunter Luepke was a roster lock, but Jones’ comments make you wonder if the team could decide to keep a more versatile tight end over their traditional fullback.
MORE: 3 Cowboys in, 3 Cowboys out: Who makes the 53-man roster?
“That’s our longest position there and that will be real interesting,” Jones said, via the Dallas Morning News. “We love our fullback but we got some tight ends that can play fullback.”
The tight ends competing for the final spot(s) are Peyton Hendershot, John Stephens Jr., Brevyn Spann-Ford, and Princeton Fant.
Stephens led all tight ends in the preseason finale with 3 catches for a team-high 40 yards, but he did have one costly fumble. Spann-Ford recorded 3 catches for 27 yards, Fant had 2 catches for 11 yards, and Hendershot had 10 yards on his lone reception.
It’s difficult to say which player or players will make the cut, but it’s one of the few areas on the roster that the Cowboys have the luxury of going in multiple directions.
All teams must trim their rosters to 53 players by 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 27.
— Enjoy free coverage of the Cowboys from Dallas Cowboys on SI —
Highlights: Best plays & moments from Cowboys’ preseason game vs. Chargers
What We Learned: 4 takeaways from Cowboys’ loss in preseason finale
Winners & Losers: Who’s stock is up & who’s down after Trey Lance throws game away
Player of the Game: Running back on roster bubble shines bright in finale
Cowgirls: Meet Charly Barby: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Dallas, TX
R. Gerald Turner’s service to SMU was a gift to Dallas
In an era when university presidents and higher education itself are under evermore intense scrutiny, it was too easy to take for granted the work R. Gerald Turner did for Dallas.
In a deliberate, strategic and almost quiet way, he has been building up a university in the center of our city, quite literally brick by red brick.
Turner’s decision to step down next year as president of Southern Methodist University is a historical mark for our region. His three decades of service have accrued to the benefit of Dallas, even to those who have never set foot on the hilltop.
We would proffer this idea: great cities cannot exist without great universities. The ideas and energy such institutions produce, the minds they attract, the young people they shape — these are each at the foundation of a true city, a true polis, as the ancient Greeks would have called this organization of human lives that becomes a society.
With his wife, Gail Turner, as a partner at his side, Turner led the transformation of SMU into a nationally ranked university with increasing standing in the humanities, the arts and the sciences.
He has been driven in seeing its athletics thrive, with a focus on restoring its football team to national prominence.
He worked to increase the share of underrepresented populations in the student body, a crucial part of any serious university’s success.
And he was the leader most responsible for putting SMU on sound financial footing for generations to come by building up its endowment to an enviable $2.03 billion.
We are unabashed in cheering on SMU’s success, because when a city’s universities are strong and vibrant, so too will that city be.
There is more to be done still. We know how hard Turner and the faculty and staff at SMU have worked to achieve R1 research status. That classification marks a university that, in an average year, spends $50 million on research and development and that produces at least 70 research doctorates. Schools that achieve this ranking demonstrate that they can attract and support top research talent.
SMU would be only the second private university in the state, after Rice University, to achieve R1 status.
Turner has put SMU in a position to do just that even as he has seen it expand need- and merit-based scholarships for deserving students who otherwise couldn’t afford to attend.
If we know Turner, we know his move to president emeritus will be, let’s call it what it is, a well-deserved semi-retirement.
Because Turner will always be a part of SMU, and everyone who knows his love for the school welcomes that with open arms.
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com
Dallas, TX
Will Cowboys add cornerbacks following DaRon Bland injury news?
![Will Cowboys add cornerbacks following DaRon Bland injury news? Will Cowboys add cornerbacks following DaRon Bland injury news?](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4491,h_2526,x_0,y_166/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/cowboys_country/01j63hxcc3me0rm1gadk.jpg)
The Dallas Cowboys received some brutal news on Saturday ahead of the team’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.
News surfaced that All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland suffered a fracture in his foot that will require surgery. As a result, the injury could keep him sidelined from six to eight weeks.
Bland’s injury was diagnosed after feeling soreness in his foot during training camp in Oxnard.
MORE: Cowboys All-Pro DaRon Bland to undergo surgery; miss significant time
The disappointing setback means Cowboys fans will have to wait to see the long-awaited reunion of Bland and fellow All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs on the field.
But, Bland’s injury also leads to a bigger quesion: will the Cowboys pursue another cornerback to add to the roster before the start of the regular season? Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shared the answer when speaking to reporters following the team’s loss to the Chargers.
Will the Cowboys look for CB help with DaRon Bland’s injury? Jerry Jones: “Not at all. Not in any way. No. Not at all. The good news is we’ve got some guys that have really shown well in camp. We won’t be looking at all.”
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 25, 2024
Bland’s injury opens a huge opportunity for fifth-round pick Caelen Carson, who has had a stellar training camp. The Cowboys also have Andrew Booth Jr., who they traded for two weeks ago; Kemon Hall, who was claimed off of waivers after being released by the 49ers; and Eric Scott Jr.
Booth recorded a pick-six in the preseason after being acquired by the team.
MORE: Cowboys’ Caelen Carson proving he can be factor in rookie year
If any of those players are able to step up, Jourdan Lewis can remain in the slot where he excels.
So while the loss of Bland is disappointing, it isn’t necessarily the doomsday scenario that many initially went as a snap reaction. Cornerback is one of the few areas where the Cowboys are deep, we’ll just have to see is some of the talent can step up.
Dallas will kick off its 2024 campaign on Sunday, September 8, on the road against the Cleveland Browns. Tom Brady will be making his broadcasting debut for the game on FOX.
— Enjoy free coverage of the Cowboys from Dallas Cowboys on SI —
Highlights: Best plays & moments from Cowboys’ preseason game vs. Chargers
What We Learned: 4 takeaways from Cowboys’ loss in preseason finale
Winners & Losers: Who’s stock is up & who’s down after Trey Lance throws game away
Player of the Game: Running back on roster bubble shines bright in finale
Cowgirls: Meet Charly Barby: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader
Dallas, TX
Dallas Cowboys play-caller for NFL preseason finale announced
![Dallas Cowboys play-caller for NFL preseason finale announced Dallas Cowboys play-caller for NFL preseason finale announced](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_8640,h_4860,x_0,y_182/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/cowboys_country/01j62q9v710z8gsg3zmk.jpg)
The Dallas Cowboys will finish off the 2024 NFL preseason on Saturday afternoon at home against the Los Angeles Chargers and there will be a new wrinkle to the offense.
Once again, head coach Mike McCarthy will be giving up play-calling duties for the preseason finale.
Last season, star quarterback Dak Prescott took on play-calling duties during the final preseason game. This year, McCarthy is giving the same valuable experience to his young assistant coach.
The decision to give Tolzien this opportunity showcases McCarthy’s commitment to developing his coaching staff and offering them hands-on experience in critical game-day situations.
MORE: Cowboys vs Chargers, NFL Preseason: Start time, live stream, TV channel
Quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien will call plays in today’s preseason finale against the Chargers. Last year it was Dak Prescott. This year Mike McCarthy gives his young assistant coach the experience.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 24, 2024
Tolzien, who played quarterback in the NFL for several teams, including a stint in Green Bay under McCarthy from 2013 to 2015 before transitioning to coaching, could greatly benefit from this experience as a significant stepping stone in his coaching career.
It’s worth noting that calling plays in a preseason game, while important, differs from doing so in the regular season. However, it allows Tolzien to test his decision-making abilities under pressure and gain a deeper understanding of the game flow from a play-caller’s perspective.
— Enjoy free coverage of the Cowboys from Dallas Cowboys on SI —
Last Call: 7 players to watch in Cowboys’ preseason finale vs Chargers
Bubble Boys: 7 Cowboys playing for a roster spot in preseason finale
Can’t Quit You: 5 CeeDee Lamb moments that have Cowboys fans begging for his return
Reinforcements: Why the Cowboys should trade for this Chicago Bears RB
Cowgirls: Meet Charly Barby: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader
-
Minnesota1 week ago
Readers and writers: Plenty of thrills and danger in these Minnesota author’s mysteries
-
Fitness1 week ago
A Guide to Pottruck Health and Fitness Center
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump assassination attempt: Secret Service makes big change to former president's outdoor rally security
-
News1 week ago
Video: Biden and Harris Announce Deal to Lower Drug Prices
-
Technology3 days ago
Breakthrough robo-glove gives you superhuman grip
-
Politics1 week ago
Youngkin takes victory lap against 'losing states' as Virginia marks $1B surplus: 'The playbook works'
-
Politics1 week ago
House Oversight investigating Walz over 'longstanding connections' to China
-
News1 week ago
Over 100 of Donald Trump’s companies make no money: Financial disclosures