Dallas, TX

Deuce Vaughn details ‘powerful’ day vs. Raiders, reuniting with Cooper Beebe

Published

5 months ago

August 18, 2024

Deuce Vaughn details ‘powerful’ day vs. Raiders, reuniting with Cooper Beebe

LAS VEGAS — Depending on who you ask and the … ahem … topic of discussion, size matters, but that is case-sensitive when it comes to the realm of sports. Deuce Vaughn neither towers about nor does he fracture the concrete with his every step, but what the Dallas Cowboys’ former sixth-round pick can do is collect a defender’s ankles like charms on a Pandora bracelet.

Moreover, he’s added some noticeable power to his game, evidenced against the Las Vegas Raiders when, on one of his handoffs, the defender first made contact behind the line of scrimmage but Vaughn unleashed some eye-opening power to move through several defenders to turn the potential loss into a gain.

Well, that’s new, but it’s not a coincidence.

“It’s a testament to all of the work I’ve put in over [the course of] this offseason,” said Vaughn following the victory at Allegiant Stadium. “Some of the things I wanted to do was to get a little bit bigger, and to get a little bit stronger in between the tackles because, in this league, that’s where the hay is made: those four-yard runs, those five-yard runs.

Easily the quickest and most shifty running back on the Cowboys’ roster, Vaughn has clearly added a power element to his skill set — making it more challenging for those who believe he’ll be an easy takedown if ever they’re able to get their hands on him.

“I wanted to be more powerful to put the offense in better situations on second and third down,” he said. “It’s one of those things I wanted to work on in the offseason, so to be able to come out here and put this down as a foundation is huge.”

Having missed the previous several practices, one scrimmage against the Los Angeles Rams and then the preseason opener that followed, due to a hamstring injury — the first time he’s been sidelined by that type of injury in his football career — it was paramount Vaughn have a strong outing in Las Vegas.

As it turns out, the house didn’t win against him.

He led the Cowboys with 34 rushing yards on only five handoffs for a game-high average of 6.8 yards per carry and created a mixed highlight reel that showcased elusiveness and strength.

“For myself, I felt like missing last week because of the hamstring, I wanted to come out and show what I can do,” Vaughn said. “Can’t take all the credit. The O-line did a great job up front. Trey [Lance] did a great job of keeping us under control in the huddle.

“I just wanted to go out there and showcase what I can do — is the biggest thing for myself.”

There was yet another reason for Vaughn to wear an ear-to-ear grin against the Raiders, and that’s the fact it marked the first time he and Cooper Beebe have been on the field at the same time since their days together at Kansas State.

Vaughn departed for the Cowboys in 2023 and Beebe just one year later, and the two former Wildcats are reunited; and it felt so good as their chemistry picked up right where it left off.

“It was huge, man,” said Vaughn of running behind Beebe for Dallas. “We were in the huddle and he called out the down and distance, and I looked up and saw him standing right there and I was like, ‘Man, it’s been a minute.’ It was real cool to be out there with him.

“He’s a fantastic O-lineman and a fantastic person as well, so whenever he got drafted here, and now I’m playing with him again in the preseason, it’s really cool.”

Beebe excelled in his first unofficial start for the Cowboys, and against the Raiders’ first-team for most of his reps at center, dirting/pancaking several defenders and clearing a path for Vaughn to do his work.

Now it’s about replicating and/or building upon that success in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers in the familiar confines of AT&T Stadium.

“That power, and hopefully have some opportunities to show off some pass protection going into this next week — just shoring up all the question marks that were given to me going into this offseason,” Vaughn said of his plans going forward.

It appears he’s hellbent on cutting some of his biggest doubters down to size in 2024.

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Dallas, TX

Nick Saban endorses Deion Sanders for Dallas Cowboys head coaching vacancy

Published

40 minutes ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

Nick Saban endorses Deion Sanders for Dallas Cowboys head coaching vacancy

The Dallas Cowboys’ search for their 10th head coach in franchise history may be coming to a conclusion in the coming days.

Thus far, Dallas has interviewed four candidates to replace Mike McCarthy, with Kellen Moore, Brian Schottenheimer, Robert Saleh, and Leslie Frazier each completing their meetings with the team over the last few days.

MORE: Cowboys, Brian Schottenheimer momentum is building & fans aren’t happy

However, there is one notable omission from that list – Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. And if you ask legendary college football head coach Nick Saban, Sanders is the man for the job.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warmup prior to the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. / Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

“Me and Deion… I want him to get that job,” Saban told The Pivot podcast in a recent appearance. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Deion Sanders. First, he’s a great person, and he’s done a great job of marketing the program to create a lot of national interest.

MORE: Coach Prime, Colorado at odds over ‘additional money’ amid NFL interest?

“He’s always been successful, whether it was at Jackson State, high school, or now in Colorado. His teams have always been well coached.”

Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes football

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the set of ESPN College GameDay. / Andrew Wevers-Imagn Images

To his credit, Saban does have a point.

In just two years with Colorado, Sanders has turned the Buffaloes from one of the worst programs in the nation, into a fringe Big 12 title and College Football Playoff contender.

MORE: Ridiculous Cowboys NFL Draft trade floated amid Deion Sanders buzz

Before that, he also led Jackson State to a 27-6 record in three seasons, winning two SWAC conference titles in that time. He also was a two-time SWAC Coach of the Year and took home the SI Sportsman of the Year Award in 2023.

Jackson State Tigers head coach Deion Sanders on the field against the North Carolina Central Eagles. / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Of course, the NFL is a differnet animal than the college game whether it is as a player or a coach. Saban knows that as well as anyone.

That said, if someone with Saban’s credentials believes Sanders is ready for the NFL stage, particularly one as big as the Cowboys, we might want to listen.

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

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Dallas, TX

Cowboys officially interview assistant coach leaving fans unimpressed

Published

8 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

Cowboys officially interview assistant coach leaving fans unimpressed

The Dallas Cowboys head coaching search is heating up, but Cowboys Nation is giving a lukewarm response to the moves.

Dallas’ search for a new head coach started with a bang when the team was linked to Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado Buffaloes rockstar coach Deion Sanders, but it has since returned candidates that aren’t moving the needle.

In recent days, the Cowboys have interviewed former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who is now leading the Philadelphia Eagles offense, and Leslie Frazier, along with a solid choice in Robert Saleh.

MORE: Cowboys, Jerry Jones have ‘love & respect’ for darkhorse HC candidate

And the latest interviewee is leaving fans even more unimpressed.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Cowboys are set to interview offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

Dak Prescott, Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer watch a play in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Rapoport said, “Well-respected in the building, Schottenheimer has been an OC for more than a decade. Intriguing option to take the next step.”

MORE: Jerry Jones’ plan for next Dallas Cowboys head coach becoming clearer

A Schottenheimer hire would be incredibly underwhelming for Dallas and Cowboys Nation, but he brings something that Jerry Jones values: familiarity.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys, Brian Schottenheimer

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott talks with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer during training camp. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Jerry Jones could also influence Schottenheimer to have Jason Witten added to the staff as a head coach-in-waiting, which was reportedly his plan with Mike McCarthy before contract negotiations stalled.

So, buckle up Cowboys fans, cause the team could be heading towards more of the same.

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Dallas, TX

Preview: January 21 at Dallas | Carolina Hurricanes

Published

16 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

Preview: January 21 at Dallas | Carolina Hurricanes

DALLAS – After an overtime victory in Chicago last night, the Carolina Hurricanes seek to pick up a third win in a row as they visit the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.

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When: Tuesday, January 21

Puck Drop: 8:00 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN+, Hulu

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Odds at Time of Publishing, via Fanatics Sportsbook: Canes +105

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Canes Record: 28-16-3 (59 Points, 2nd – Metropolitan Division)

Canes Last Game: 4-3 Win (OT) over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, Jan. 20

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Stars Record: 29-16-1 (59 Points, 3rd – Central Division)

Stars Last Game: 4-1 Win over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, Jan. 19