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Cowboys Week 2 position power rankings: Linebackers rise

Published

2 months ago

September 10, 2024

Cowboys Week 2 position power rankings: Linebackers rise

With their defense carrying the load, the Dallas Cowboys picked up a big win in their season opener against the Cleveland Browns. We went into the game with certain notions about the strengths and weaknesses of the roster, so how did Week 1 change those perceptions?

Remember, this isn’t a ranking of how the different positions performed in just the previous contest. This is a living list that will change as we move through the year. The first edition was based on past performance and offseason moves, so now we finally have some more concrete evidence of where various Cowboys stand.

Guard (Last Week: 1st) – It wasn’t a standout night for the interior line. One of the ugliest plays was actually on Zack Martin, who got beaten badly by Dalvin Tomlinson for an early sack. That was the only glaring breakdown, but we didn’t see much push up front to help the run game either. The guards need a much stronger showing against New Orleans to avoid losing the top spot.
Defensive End (LW: 3rd) – It’s not often that DeMarcus Lawrence gets to shine as brightly as Micah Parsons, but both were outstanding in Cleveland. They combined for three sacks and harassed Deshaun Watson all day, including Parsons tipping a pass that led to Eric Kendricks’ interception. Marshawn Kneeland also had a strong debut with a pass deflection and two QB hits.
Quarterback (LW: 2nd) – Dak Prescott didn’t have big numbers but he played a clean game despite plenty of pressure. There were a few near misses, but he finished with no turnovers and some pretty throws to CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. Returning home will help, but the Saints’ defense is stingy against the pass.
Linebacker (LW: 8th) – A great debut for Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown leads to a big jump in the rankings. We said last week that this group was held back by the unknown and, for at least one week, they gave evidence of having gone from a liability to a strength for the defense.
Safety (LW: 4th) – It was a quiet night for the safeties but that’s because the front seven was doing most of the damage. They didn’t really get chances to make plays.
Cornerback (LW: 7th) – Diggs had a pick, Caelen Carson held up well against Amari Cooper and other Browns receivers, and Jourdan Lewis had a strong game overall. They’ll miss DaRon Bland at some point but the Browns weren’t in a position to make them feel it.
Wide Receiver (LW: 5th) – There wasn’t much volume for the receivers but the starters made plays when given chances. Only one catch for Jalen Tolbert was disappointing but he should get more looks in the weeks ahead.
Tight End (LW: 6th) – Jake Ferguson’s knee injury was the scariest moment of the game but he appears relatively unscathed. No other TE even got a target.
Offensive Tackle (LW: 10th) – Tyler Guyton passed the Myles Garrett test, grading as one of the top rookie OTs in Week 1. We still need to see more in the run blocking from both the rookie and Terence Steele, but they won’t see too many defenses this year as good as Cleveland’s.
Center (LW: 11th) – When Tomlinson burst through the line and swallowed Prescott, we all assumed that was on Cooper Beebe. But the rookie center actually gave up no pressures in his debut. He won’t get noticed the same way Guyton does out on the edge, but Beebe’s first outing showed he’s in the right job.
Defensive Tackle (LW: 9th) – There were no big plays from the DTs but no major breakdowns either. They tread water this week, holding the Browns’ running game in check but failing to make any singularly noteworthy plays.
Running Back (LW: 12th) – If not for a few sweeps by Lamb to boost the average, the rushing offense would’ve averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. Zeke had a few nice plays, leaping a defender and scoring a TD, but it was crickets for the most part in the ground game.

Did we give anyone too much praise, or perhaps not enough? What would your list look like? Share it with us in the comments!

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Dallas, TX

Cowboys’ home incompetence is so bad no other sports fan can relate

Published

6 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Press Room

Cowboys’ home incompetence is so bad no other sports fan can relate

Mike Tyson isn’t the only Mike who has failed to come out of AT&T Stadium with a win in 2024. Mike McCarthy’s Dallas Cowboys have yet to win a home game during the NFL season, so it has been a year of misery for Cowboys Nation.

Even the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson organizers proved to have more competence at home than Jerry Jones by simply closing some curtains.

But, back to the home losses.

MORE: Dallas Cowboys roasted by ESPN College GameDay for being ‘train wreck’

The Cowboys are the only team across the four major American sports league that have not won a home game in 2024. Yes, out of all of the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL teams in North America, the Cowboys are the only winless team of the year with one-and-a-half months to go.

This is amazing. And yes, the NYG beat PHi at MetLife last January, so this chart is accurate. pic.twitter.com/5gXeqmgx9e
— Craig Miller (@junior_miller) November 16, 2024

Now, before we get too carried away, it is important to put things into perspective. With the amount of games played in MLB, the NBA, and NHL, it would be virtually impossible to go winless at home.

MORE: Jerry Jones takes harder hits than Jake Paul after underwhelming fight

But it certainly rubs salt into wounds of every Cowboys fan.

Dallas’ first opportunity to break their 2024 curse comes on Monday, November 18, against the Houston Texans.

Dallas Cowboys fans react during the fourth quarter of their team’s loss to the Green Bay Packers during their Wild Card playoff game. / Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK

If they fail, there will only be three more opportunities: against the lowly division rival New York Giants on Thanksgiving, the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football on December 9, or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 22, which is also currently set to be a primetime showdown on Sunday Night Football.

So buckle up, Cowboys fans.

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

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Dallas, TX

Dallas Cowboys roasted by ESPN College GameDay for being ‘train wreck’

Published

14 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Press Room

Dallas Cowboys roasted by ESPN College GameDay for being ‘train wreck’

Dallas Cowboys fans can’t catch a break, especially this weekend. After the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson circus at AT&T Stadium, Jerry Jones was the butt of every joke on social media, and, of course, everyone had something to say about the curtains finally being closed at the venue.

Then, Saturday morning, while preparing to enjoy a relaxing afternoon of college football, ESPN had another stray in store for the ‘Boys.

ESPN College GameDay co-host Kirk Herbstreit roasted the Cowboys during a promo for Monday Night Football, calling the team a “train wreck.”

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“Just keep putting Dallas in those high-profile windows,” Herbie said. “They just keep losing games. That is a train wreck…”

“Just keep putting Dallas in those high-profile windows. They just keep losing games. That is a train wreck…” – Kirk Herbstreit during an ESPN promo for Texans-Cowboys MNF
“Other than that, what’s your opinion on the Cowboys?”- Rece Davis🏈📺🎙️ pic.twitter.com/FXihwctZtV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 16, 2024

Yes, that’s just the kind of year it has been for the Cowboys. Shouldn’t Jerry Jones be embarrassed by now?

At the end of the day, as long as his pockets are getting fatter, his job has been done.

We’ll see whether Dallas gives people more to laugh about on Monday night when they host the Houston Texans in primetime.

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Dallas, TX

Jerry Jones heaped praises for former Dallas tight end Jason Witten when asked if he could ever coach in the NFL | NFL News – Times of India

Published

22 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Press Room

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy‘s contract will run its course; Jerry Jones does not have great chances renewing the position. Several candidates are fighting to become the next Cowboys head coach: Colorado Buffaloes head man Deion Sanders, Bill Belichick, and former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten. A 3-6 record makes McCarthy’s renewal utterly impossible. Witten is assistant coach at Argyle Liberty Christian High School in Texas, a former Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro, with 12,977 receiving yards and 1,215 catches.

Jerry Jones believes Jason Witten could become a great NFL coach

On November 15, the Dallas Cowboys were 3-6 with rumors swirling about the future of head coach Mike McCarthy. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones apparently settled a question of whether former Dallas tight end Jason Witten might be a candidate to go behind an NFL coaching desk.

During his latest 105.3 The FAN appearance, Jones heaped praise on his former tight end when asked if he could ever coach in the NFL. While talking about Witten’s potential future as an NFL head coach, Jones said, “Yes. Without hesitation. Yes. He has something that you can’t draw up. He reminds me a lot of our other tight end who is head coach up there in Detroit right now (Dan Campbell).
Jones further added, “Jason is very sophisticated when it comes to understanding football and all the nuances. But more important than anything, he really does understand the physical and the mentality of being physical and that part of it. Without a question, he could become (an NFL coach). He has extraordinary work ethic. … He can be a top coach.”
Witten is currently the head football coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas. Witten played college football at the University of Tennessee, and he was picked by the Cowboys during the third round of the 2003 NFL draft. He remains second all-time for career receptions and receiving yards by an NFL tight end, behind only Tony Gonzalez. He is very often considered one of the greatest tight ends to ever step on a field.
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Initially retiring in 2018, he became a color analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football. Following his period as an ESPN color analyst in the 2018 season, Witten re-stepped back into the NFL for the 2019 season to rejoin the Cowboys. For the 2020 season, Witten joined the Las Vegas Raiders. Witten retired yet again signing on for a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Cowboys.

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