Dallas City News

8 NFL Coordinators Who Will Have Biggest Impact on 2024 Season’s Script – Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report

Brian Schottenheimer had an under-the-radar role in his first season as OC, thanks to HC Mike McCarthy calling plays, but could be even more important to the team’s success in 2024.

The Dallas Cowboys suffered yet another first-round playoff loss in 2023. But all in all Brian Scottenheimer’s first year as the team’s offensive coordinator was relatively successful—Dallas was fifth in the league in total offense and led the league in scoring at 29.9 points per game.

Of course, some of that credit belongs to head coach Mike McCarthy, who makes the play-calls offensively. But Schottenheimer is still going to have a sizable impact on whether the “all-in” Cowboys can take the next step in 2024.

Because there are some major changes in Dallas this year.

The CeeDee Lamb contract situation will probably sort itself out ahead of Week 1. But after ranking 14th in the league in rushing last year, Dallas let 2023 lead back Tony Pollard depart. The Dallas backfield in 2024 will consist of a combination of veterans Ezekiel Elliott and Royce Freeman and youngsters Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn.

Scottenheimer has coordinated committee ground attacks in the past, and he told reporters the key is figuring out what each back brings to the table.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a challenge,” Schottenheimer said. “I think it’s exciting. Part of our process now is figuring out what all these guys do well. It’s nothing that’s new to the league. We’ve got some new pieces, so the biggest thing is getting those guys the reps, getting those guys the work. … It’s such a physical grind. I mean, 17 games before the playoffs start. We’re very, very comfortable and confident that it’s going to work out very well for us.”

As is the case every year, the Cowboys have Super Bowl aspirations. But it’s going to be hard to get past the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East with a one-dimensional, pass-heavy offense.

Cooks, Brooks on ‘insane’ Zimmer defense in camp – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com

The Cowboys own offense is getting the first look at how different their defense will be under Mike Zimmer this season.

Through the first couple weeks of camp, the difference is glaring, in that Zimmer is bringing his trademark brand of disguises to the Cowboys this season, and that’s no exaggeration.

Seriously, good luck trying to figure out what the actual coverage or blitz package is on any given down — seeing as the pre-snap look is often wildly different from what happens post-snap.

“Their disguise, man,” said second-year standout Jalen Brooks when asked to compare Dan Quinn’s defense to that of Zimmer’s. “Their disguises are insane. DQ had some disguises but Zim’s? It’s um… it’s pretty good.

“I gotta give him full credit for that.”

He’s not the only one who is seeing the added difficulties in practice, as Brandin Cooks so readily admits while also loving every bit of the challenges Zimmer presents to the offense.

“It’s great, because he’s gonna test every area of your offense, so to be able to have that everyday in practice — it’s gonna make us better,” Cooks said. “So, come game time, we’ll have a lot of answers.”

Dak Prescott is having a sizzling-hot camp, but it’s also true that his ability to read defenses and react to disguises is being pushed to the limit and then some, making this year’s camp truly an iron sharpens iron dynamic.

Micah Parsons dismantles Cowboys offense in practice: ‘There’s nothing they can do’ – Clarence Hill, Star-Telegram

Micah being Micah.

There has been a lot of talk about how Zimmer is going to use Parsons in Dallas, moving him all over the defensive line while also rushing him from the linebacker position. After a ho-hum start to training camp as as [sic] the scheme was being installed, the Cowboys got a taste of the new Parsons project in Monday’s practice.

He repeatedly ran by left tackle Chuma Edoga for sacks on quarterback Dak Prescott. After practice, Parsons told the Star-Telegram that is [sic] over for the Cowboys offense for the rest of camp.

“Yeah, it’s pretty much over and I’m in rhythm now,” Parsons said. “The first few days. I haven’t played in seven, eight months. I mean, I know my angles. I feel like I’m in week four right now. I’m in rhythm. There’s nothing they can do. They might as well start chipping, sliding, or it’s gonna be a long day here.”

“If they don’t chip, there will be a five, six sack day every day. It’s pretty much over. I’m gonna tell you that right now. This is this is what it’s gonna keep looking.”

Parsons said the difference for him is they were installing things and they were giving partial looks and doing normal down and distance. Now the third down packages are in and he is doing his best to “take them to the deep waters” and “make the team better.”

Another difference for Parsons is that he’s in shape now and fully adjusted to his lighter eight [sic] of 240 pounds after playing at 250 last season. “I am in shape,” Parsons said. “The first day. I was [expletive] dog tired. But now my body’s adjusted to it. I was a little sore. That’s why I’m running in between practices. That’s for me.”

Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs quickly makes presence felt in return to padded practice – David Moore, DMN

Heeere we goooo.

Monday marked the first time [Diggs] had taken the field for 7-on-7 drills since suffering an ACL injury in September of last year.

He made his presence known, jumping a pass by quarterback Trey Lance at one point and almost coming away with the pick. He was talking trash with quarterback Dak Prescott after another play.

The latest step in his return has been taken.

“You can’t take this game for granted,’’ Diggs told reporters last week. “Anything can happen. You don’t know how valuable it is until it’s taken away from you.

“I’m just thankful I’m back.’’

Can Dak Prescott improve on MVP runner-up season? – Jon Machota, The Athletic

McCarthy says Prescott is “just going to keep getting better.”

McCarthy said he has seen Prescott improve in almost every area since the two started working together in 2020.

“That’s what I really appreciate about him: He’s always working on his game,” McCarthy said. “You can break it down in the pocket and out of the pocket. Look at his footwork, the adjustments from the system before to now and some of the new footwork. … I look at his flexibility, his shoulders and elbows. I think his (private physical therapist, Luke Miller) does a phenomenal job there with flexibility. You can see the different arm slot throws that he does on a daily basis. I’ve seen some improvement there (compared) to 2020.

“The understanding of the offense — he’s just going to keep getting better. … Love him in the classroom. He’s a sponge. Can’t get enough. Frankly, if he does anything wrong, he probably does a little bit too much away from here, because he’s always working on his game. He’s a guy that’s always looking to improve, and you’re seeing it.”

Tyler Guyton Is the Brightest Spot in Cowboys Training Camp – Jake Kemp, D-Magazine

Kemp with a tongue-in-cheek explanation of what it will take for Guyton to become “true Dallas Cowboy.”

Perhaps you have seen the clip of Guyton straight up handling one of the league’s best pass rushers in a padded practice. Watching the rookie battle Micah Parsons reminded me of Tyron Smith talking about the invaluable experience he gained early in his career by getting reps against DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys open the season in Cleveland against the Browns. Guyton’s first regular-season snaps will be the definition of baptism by fire, as he tries to do the impossible and wrangle Myles Garrett. Attempting to block Parsons is the closest approximation to that task possible.

As nihilistic as the fan base and most commentators are about the Cowboys’ trajectory, we have no reason to believe that Guyton can’t develop into an elite left tackle. He’s an extremely large ball of clay, and to be sure, there will be growing pains at a time when the margin for error up front is thin. But it’s clear that Guyton takes his craft seriously, and identifying that trait is what scouts do. The Cowboys’ scouts, in particular, do this as well as anyone in the business.

The people above them, however, have proven far less competent in their lane. Because time is a flat circle, Guyton will most likely one day have to hold out or negotiate through the media to get a well-deserved contract extension. That’s when he’ll truly be a Dallas Cowboy.

For Cowboys’ Mazi Smith, the blueprint is simple: Return to run stopping with clean slate – Calvin Watkins, DMN

Al eyes on Mazi.

Smith’s rookie year was a massive disappointment.

He played in just 28% of the defensive snaps and dealt with the indignity of participating in four plays during the NFC Wild Card game last season.

The biggest problem with Smith losing weight was it sapped his strength and he played in a scheme he wasn’t accustomed to. In his last year at Michigan, 2022, he was listed at 337 pounds. In his rookie year with the Cowboys, he was listed at 328, though it appears as the season progressed he was lighter than that.

“I don’t want to be 290,” he said. “Probably want to be 310-315 pounds and see what that’s doing for ya. If you got to go up, go up.”

“It’s just about learning and being open and working hard,” defensive tackle Carl Davis said of Smith. “He’s been doing it. He’s been working, he had an injury in the offseason, he’s coming back from that. You know he’s been working hard.”

The working hard part isn’t the question, it’s the positive results the Cowboys need to see in 2024.

“I go over there clean slate, want to write my story,” Smith said. “I don’t set goals, everybody wants to be an All-Pro, everybody wants to be top five. I want to be the best me I can be and I know what that can get me. It got me to that point. I ain’t too worried about accolades, all that type of stuff.”

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Cowboys and Rams to hold joint practice: What to watch for – Mario Herrera Jr., Inside The Star

The Cowboys will get semi-live reps against players other than their own starting on Thursday, before playing the Rams in the preseason opener on Sunday.

Here are just a few things to look for this Thursday when the Cowboys and Rams face off in a controlled practice environment.

Mazi Smith

Mazi Smith isn’t a rookie, but he might as well be after the rookie season he had last year. We have all heard about his weight loss and inability to get off the snap in a timely manner.

It appears those flaws have been corrected. Mazi is reportedly back over 310 pounds at the start of camp, and his get off at the snap is much improved. Hopefully, he can win some battles versus the interior of the Rams offensive line.

Brock Hoffman

One of the starting positions still in limbo for the Cowboys is the center position. Brock Hoffman is currently the favorite to win the job, but is being pushed by rookie 3rd-round pick Cooper Beebe.

Beebe is struggling with his technique, and Hoffman is reaping the benefits. Maybe Hoffman can do just enough to keep the rookie at bay, and it starts with a good performance versus the interior of the Rams defensive line.

Aaron Donald is gone, but the Rams drafted another player that could be just as disruptive. The Rams selected DT Braden Fiske in the 2nd round of the draft, and Hoffman will have his hands full with him.

Jalen Tolbert

Like I mentioned before, Jalen Tolbert has been turning heads at training camp with his increased level of play.

The Cowboys have a strong secondary led by Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, and Tolbert has made plays against both of them during practice.

Cowboys stock watch: The rise of the fullback, the fall of a veteran – Jess Haynie, Blogging The Boys

The Cowboys have some impressive camp standouts so far, but other players have struggled to carry over positive momentum from spring practices.

Risers

FB Hunter Luepke

Back for a second season with Dallas, the team’s only true fullback is impressing with his effort and development. Versatility is key for the modern FB and Luepke is showing his stuff as a ball carrier, receiver, blocker, and even lining up as a tight end would at times. Being called “instrumental” by owner/GM Jerry Jones and drawing praise from Mike McCarthy as well, Luepke appears to be a roster lock and poised to get a lot more than the nine touches he had as a rookie.

OT Terence Steele

While his roster spot was never in doubt, some wondered if Steele would be challenged for his starting job at right tackle after a down year. The veteran appears to have silenced any doubters with a strong camp thus far, showing he’s further recovered from a 2022 knee injury. While never the best pass protector, Steele’s prowess in the run game was sorely missed last season and will be a welcome return to the offense this season.

Fallers

WR Ryan Flournoy

The rookie was one of the hottest names coming out of the spring camps and OTAs but has missed a lot of time in Oxnard due to a knee issue. It’s allowed other prospects like Jalen Brooks, Tyron Billy-Johnson, and Jalen Cropper to rise in his absence, putting pressure on Flournoy to come back strong in the coming weeks and preseason games.

DE Villiami Fehoko Jr.

A fourth-round pick last year, Fehoko’s already suffered from the change in defensive coordinator and different expectations from the linemen. His size was more of an asset to Dan Quinn’s scheme where he could move inside in packages, but now Fehoko seems too slow to play DE for Mike Zimmer. The lack of defensive line depth means he still has a chance to hang on it’s not looking good for the second-year prospect.

3 Cowboys’ positions we already feel much better about before preseason even starts – Mauricio Rodriguez, A to Z Sports

Marist Liufau and Caelen Carson are already proving to be very important rookies on the depth chart for the Cowboys.

1. Linebacker

The Cowboys seem to have a very different linebacker room entering the 2024 NFL season. First of all, they’ve got depth, unlike last year when the coaching staff literally had to ask safety Markquese Bell to switch positions to play LB, which he went on to do for the entirety of the season.

Now, the Cowboys will likely start Eric Kendricks and Damone Clark. And behind them will be DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau, and Willie Harvey, all linebackers that are doing pretty well in training camp so far, to the point where the coaches will have a difficult task spreading the snaps around because all are deserving of being on the field. Oh, and Micah Parsons is getting a lot of off-ball linebacker work.

Mike Zimmer is making sure to use them creatively, too. It seems like every linebacker is blitzing here and there, something that was a rarity on Dan Quinn’s scheme. If every LB is a pass rush threat, Parsons’ usage will be much more difficult to predict.

2. Cornerback

Even with no Stephon Gilmore, the Cowboys were already in a good spot as far as their starting three at cornerback goes. With Trevon Diggs set to rejoin fellow first-team All-Pro DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis back at nickel since last year, what else could they ask for?

But depth, on the other hand, was a legit concern as the Cowboys have little experience on the bench. It’s easy to already feel better about it thanks to fifth-round rookie Caelen Carson. The former Wake Forest cornerback has shined in practice thanks to his sticky coverage and physicality when attacking the football.

Add to that the fact that Bland is balling out in camp and the Cowboys have a special defensive back group on their hands. As long as Diggs is fully healthy by the time the season starts, expect them to be one of the best positions on the team.