Notable headlines surrounding America’s team.
Mike Zimmer has an interesting strategy for young Cowboys defenders – Mark Heaney, Inside The Star
It’s bulking season.
But now, with the actual on-field work on the horizon, we’re learning about his defensive strategy for the team in 2024. Aside from his patented fiery, intense style and scheme, Zimmer is also focusing on the physical side. Specifically, two of the most important young defenders on the team have had his attention. Second-year players DeMarvion Overshown and Mazi Smith are bulking up.
Overshown’s Muscle Gain
Ever since this former Longhorns star went down with an ACL tear, his return has been hyped up by Cowboys fans. Now, that hype is as strong as it can be. During this week, it was reported that Overshown added close to 15 lbs of muscle during his recovery.
DeMarvion Overshown is itching to get back on the field as he’s added “12-13 pounds of lean mass” to his frame in anticipation of taking a lead role in the LB corps this season.
Still on pace to be ready to go for training camp if all continues to go well.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/ryx5nOmrg7
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) May 22, 2024
Recent Cowboys Player Forced to Retire After Scary Medical Procedure – Isaiah De Los Santos, Sport DFW
We are wishing nothing but the best for Billy Price.
While the Dallas Cowboys’ preparation for the 2024 season is heating up, there’s still several members from last year’s roster who aren’t without a team currently. Practice squad center Billy Price was one of them, as the veteran remained unsigned heading into the last week of May.
However, it turns out Price is walking away from the game altogether — and the reason is incredibly scary.
Billy Price, a center who spent last season on the Cowboys’ practice squad, announced his retirement today from the NFL. Wishing him and his young family the best. pic.twitter.com/bMC135pa2O
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) May 25, 2024
Price announced on Instagram that he had emergency sugery in late April to remove a saddle clot that was entering both of his lungs. The 2018 draft pick called the experience of this “unprovoked” issue “terrifying,” and noted he’s “truly thankful to be alive today.”
The 29-year-old said he’ll be retiring from the NFL immediately due to the increased risk of internal bleeding his new blood thinner medication brings with it.
Price made sure to show love for each of the places he called home while playing in the league, noting he’s cherish the opportunity to suit up alongside guys who “will continue to make Pro Bowls, All Pro Rosters and Hall of Fame recognitions.”
A Cowboys-Raiders trade to inject some excitement into the Vegas QB room – Mark Powell, FanSided
Trey Lance remains an interesting asset Dallas holds.
“My point is, he’s crossing that threshold and I’ve been very, very pleased. The athletic ability is top notch. We’ve adjusted some things in his motion,” McCarthy said. “He needs reps and you’re trying to give him as many reps as you can throughout this offseason program. He will take a large part of the preseason, that’s the design. Him and I talk about preseason quite often. That’s what we’re building towards.”
Could the Cowboys trade Trey Lance to the Raiders?
The Raiders signed Gardner Minshew this offseason to pair with incumbent starting quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who made some strides this past season. Antonio Pierce seems to believe in O’Connell, and Minshew is a proven veteran who could make some noise in training camp. Vegas passed on selecting a rookie in this year’s NFL Draft class, but if they wanted to add another exciting prospect to their QB room, Lance isn’t a bad option.
Despite everything the Cowboys are saying about Lance, he remains a prospect, and a young one at that. Lance is still just 24 years old but has the talent of a former top-5 pick if any QB guru can ever unlock him. The asking price would not be high, as the Cowboys acquired him for a fourth-round pick last September.
5-year redraft sees Cowboys lose Parsons, replace Lamb with Jefferson- K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire
You have to love some revisionist history.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Justin Jefferson, WR
In this mock, where anyone originally drafted outside the last five classes remains, Dallas doesn’t need a QB. They also go in a different direction, taking the first wideout in the exercise, Justin Jefferson. Prior to 2024, there wouldn’t have been much argument here, but with Jefferson missing some of last season due to injury and Lamb excelling into the top tier, the conversation between 2020 classmates is at least a conversation worth having now.
Jefferson’s Remaining Contract: One year, $20 million
Going into this draft, it was inevitable that Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb would be top-10 picks. With Parsons already gone, the Cowboys could have selected Lamb, who had a career year in 2023 (135 catches, 1,749 yards, 12 TDs).
But the allure of Justin Jefferson was too much to pass up.
How the new NFL kickoff rule affects more than just the kick returner for the Cowboys – Dana Bartholomew, Blogging The Boys
Kickoffs are now uncharted territory.
Before the voluntary OTA’s kicked off (pun intended) for the Dallas Cowboys earlier this month, special teams coach John Fassel talked to the media about the new NFL kickoff rule and how it will affect practices, personnel, and overall kicking strategies. Reviewing the play from the XFL is a good place to start as the new rule is inspired by the XFL kickoff, however, Fassel believes that a lot of the differences are currently “unknown”. Expect a lot of trial and error throughout the NFL as teams test out different ideas and adjust to the changes.
“I think its all unknown, which is kind of the cool part, for me and hopefully for everybody else is let’s just see what happens.”
As the new rule brings the opportunity for game-changing plays on kickoffs, teams will need to be well prepared when the season starts. It will be a race to see which teams can adjust to the new rule the fastest and the Cowboys are wasting no time getting to work crafting their kickoff strategy. Fassel mentioned that the team is hitting the ground running with kickoffs and kickoff returns at OTA’s, where previously the initial focus would usually be on punts. It will also be a major focus during training camp and the preseason increasing from only around 10% of their practice time in previous seasons. The practice will be crucial to experiment with different personnel and fine-tune the kickoff/kick return playbook.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login