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Make no mistake, Dallas Cowboys’ culture hasn’t been the issue in otherwise lost season

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Make no mistake, Dallas Cowboys’ culture hasn’t been the issue in otherwise lost season


FRISCO — Talk of culture tends to make the eyes of fans glaze over.

Whenever the word is used with a losing team, the assumption is the culture is bad and requires an overhaul. That assertion has been made with the Cowboys.

It doesn’t stick. At least it shouldn’t.

Just because the Cowboys are below .500 doesn’t mean the culture in the locker room is bad. An argument can be made the pride and accountability built in producing three consecutive 12-5 seasons is behind this team winning three of its last four games in an otherwise lost season.

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“I mean that’s who we are,’’ left guard Tyler Smith said after a 30-14 win over Carolina. “We’re never going to quit. We’re never going to lay down for anybody. That speaks to who we are, not only as individuals, but as men and as players.

“That’s our culture. Whether other people believe it or not, we’re going to come in there and fight all day, every day, anywhere, any place, any time.’’

Dallas carries a 6-8 record into Week 16. The team’s playoff probability is at 1 percent.

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And holding.

Mike McCarthy is a realist. The head coach understands what does — and doesn’t — lie ahead for this group.

Mike McCarthy, Cowboys know they’ll need some help with slim shot at postseason push

That doesn’t diminish the esteem with which he holds this team.

“I have a lot of pride in the commitment that we have to one another,’’ McCarthy said. “It shows up. Monday through Saturday is the hardest part.

“Sundays, I mean, this is what we live for to get out here and compete against other NFL teams. I just love the way they stay after it every single day, and that’s a credit to the coaches and the players.

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“We won three out of four and we obvioulsy know the path that’s been cut out for us.’’

This has been a season of loss for the Cowboys. That applies to personnel in addition to the record.

Five players from the team’s Pro Bowl nucleus — Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs — have or will spend time on injured reserve. Diggs and linebacker DeMarvion Overhsown have been lost for the season since the Cowboys played Cincinnati on Monday night last week.

“I mean, we acknowledge it’s painful to lose those guys,’’ Smith said. “They mean so much to everything that we try to do in terms of winning, in terms of who we are as a team.

“But I think the biggest thing for us is continuing to carry on their will. Even though they can’t be on the field with us, we’ve still got to go out there and play hard. I know if they had the opportunity, if they could move heaven and earth to be out there on the field with us…

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“We’ve just got to continue to fight for them.’’

Micah Parsons never landed on IR, but he did miss four games earlier this season with a high ankle sprain. Parsons talks about the special feeling teammates get when they’re out there fighting for each other. He believes how someone responds when things aren’t going well as a team says a lot about them.

“Me personally, I’ve never given up on anything in life, anything that I ever truly wanted,’’ Parsons said. “So to me, I’m always going to keep fighting and clawing. That’s part of the journey.

“You know how much better of a team we’ll be if we say, ‘damn, we went 9-8. We missed 10 starters and we’re playing this good.’ The momentum you have going into next year…

“That’s part of the mountain. That’s part of the journey.’’

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It will come as no surprise that Parsons wasn’t done.

“There’s a downfall in every story,’’ he said. “We were climaxing and climaxing and we had to (fall). We fell big.

“But I know what time it is. I’m looking forward to finishing this year off strong and coming back next year.’’

Cowboys defense makes statement in Carolina, proves it can overcome its biggest problem

Who will be the coach next season? Owner Jerry Jones made that an open question the moment he allowed McCarthy and his staff to go into this season in the final years of their contracts. Prescott, Parsons and others have come out in support of McCarthy in recent weeks.

Add Smith to the list.

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“I mean, he’s a great leader of men,’’ Smith said. “Always keeps us focused. Always, always hones in on what’s important, and that’s the men in this room.

“I mean, great coach, great mentor, great leader of men.’’

And what does McCarthy have to say when asked about culture?

“At the end of the day, our job is to create the culture, make sure the team is being trained properly and make sure our guys are getting everything they need to win football games,’’ he said. “I do enjoy these questions, because I am a philosopher.’’

He stopped.

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“I can’t even say it with a straight face,’’ McCarthy said.

“But we need to beat Tampa. We really do. We need to beat Tampa.’’

Catch David Moore and Robert Wilonsky as they co-host Intentional Grounding on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. through the Super Bowl.

X/Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle

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Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle


The Dallas Cowboys were initially in the mix for Las Vegas Raiders superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby ahead of NFL free agency, and were believed to be one of the finalists in trade talks. However, he was ultimately traded to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks.

Now, the NFL world has been turned on its head with the Ravens deciding to pull out of the trade agreement with Las Vegas.

On Tuesday night, NFL insider Adam Schefter was among the experts discussing what went wrong between the Raiders and Ravens, revealing that Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper, one of the premier knee specialists, played a role in the Ravens’ evaluation of Crosby.

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Schefter discussed how Dr. Cooper was among the doctors who reviewed scans on Crosby’s knee, which ultimately spooked the Ravens and triggered the end of the deal.

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Dallas Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper on the sidelines before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

“The Baltimore Ravens essentially failed him on their physical, and my understanding is there were multiple doctors that reviewed his MRI scans,” Schefter said. “There were doctors that examined him, including Dr. Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys doctor that performed surgery on Patrick Mahomes and Malik Nabers.

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“Many teams and players rely on Dr. Cooper’s expertise, and Dr. Cooper was one of the doctors who reviewed the images where the Ravens then felt compelled to back out of this trade.”

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It’s hard not to connect the dots that Dr. Cooper’s involvement in the medical review of Crosby led to the team deciding against re-engaging in trade discussions. Though that could change, currently, the Cowboys are expected to move forward with Pro Bowl EDGE Rashan Gary, who the team agreed to acquire from the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 fourth-round pick on the first day of legal tampering.

It will be interesting to continue monitoring the situation and its fallout, which has left the Raiders in a terrible position.

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby on the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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But, with the Raiders now forced to re-examine the money they committed to free agents on Wednesday evening, they may have to pull out of one of their own agreements, which could open the door for the Cowboys to reopen their pursuit of a linebacker like Nakobe Dean or Quay Walker.

The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET, so get your popcorn ready, because it’s going to be a wild ride.

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Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

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Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity


Dallas Cowboys Nation’s hopes of landing superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby were dashed last weekend when it was announced that he was being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. However, less than 24 hours before the new year, the trade has fallen apart.

On Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that the Ravens have backed out of the trade.

“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment at this time.”

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The news sends a major ripple for the league, with the Crosby sweepstakes once again open. Before his trade to the Ravens, the Cowboys were considered one of the teams closely monitoring the situation and a team that made a legitimate offer for Crosby.

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby leaves the field following a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

At this time, there is no word on why the trade between Las Vegas and Baltimore fell through. When the trade was first reported, the Raiders were set to receive a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick from the Ravens.

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Now, his future is in limbo. Before he was traded to the Ravens, it was believed that the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams were the top candidates to land him. In fact, the Cowboys were “considered runner-ups” in the sweepstakes.

Dallas’ Original Trade Offer

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby reacts during the second half at SoFi Stadium. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys initially offered the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a 2027 second-round pick, and an unnamed veteran player.

“Dallas kept a hard line throughout. The franchise wasn’t willing to part with two first-round picks, hoping its 12th pick in April’s draft, plus a future second-rounder, would be enough to entice Las Vegas. Dallas was also willing to package a veteran player to sweeten the deal, but Vegas wasn’t interested in that. The Raiders prioritized picks,” Fowler wrote.

Last season, Crosby recorded 73 total tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

We’ll have to see if Dallas ends up being his new home, now that the team has a second chance to make something special happen, but there will be some serious competition. The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

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Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing


Severe thunderstorms are forecast to return to North Texas late Tuesday, bringing threats of damaging hail, high winds and localized flooding. While the primary concerns are wind and hail, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Tuesday Forecast

Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop as a dryline to the west moves into the region. Storm conditions are expected to intensify as the day progresses.

The greatest concerns remain damaging winds and large hail. The leading edge of the storm front will likely be the most intense, with the potential for straight-line winds and brief spin-up tornadoes.

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LIVE Radar: Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas Storms: Timing and Impact

The highest potential for severe weather in the Metroplex is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though lingering activity could continue until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued for their area.

7-Day Forecast

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A final round of storms is expected Wednesday, primarily between noon and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. These storms carry a threat of half-dollar-sized hail and damaging winds. 

Behind this system, North Texas will dry out and briefly cool off. Sunny skies return Thursday with a high in the mid-60s. Temperatures will then warm into the upper 70s on Friday before a sunny weekend with highs in the low 80s.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.

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