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The NFC East is loaded with talent at quarterback, which team has the best one? Does experience really matter in the secondary, one Cowboys' columnist says 'not really'.
Which NFC East QB would you want for the next three years?-Tim McManus-ESPN
The NFC East boasts a Super Bowl-winning quarterback and three young guns. So who's the best bet for success in the near future?
Todd Archer, Dallas Cowboys reporter: Three years is an eternity. Coaches don't get a long time to win these days; after two years, you might be out of a job. Eli Manning is 36. If the question was, "Who would you take if you wanted to win in 2017?" I might take him just because of his Super Bowl pedigree. Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott are set up to have a long-term rivalry inside the division for years to come, but they aren't finished products and still have plenty to learn.
Based on age and experience, Kirk Cousins has the best blend. He makes some strange decisions at times, but he also threw for 25 touchdowns and more than 4,900 yards last year. He would be helped by a better running game, but for the next three years I would go with Cousins over the other three, perhaps a little reluctantly, because Prescott has the best supporting cast in the division right now.
Ranking the NFC East by position: Which team has the best QB situation? - Jon Machota, SportsDay
To get you ready for training camp, we're taking a look at every team in the NFC East and breaking them down by position group.
Dak Prescott was the best quarterback in the division last year, playing like a veteran rather than a rookie fourth-round pick for the entire year. The NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year passed every test as he won over the team and kept the starting job after Tony Romo returned from injury. If Prescott turns in a second consecutive Pro Bowl season, the Cowboys should again find themselves playing in the postseason. Behind Prescott is Kellen Moore. He's a solid option if called upon to lead the team for a few games.
The drip, drip, drip of the Ezekiel Elliott investigation continues to torment the Cowboys - Tom Ryle, Blogging The Boys
ESPN's Adam Schefter made some noise when he speculated publicly about the status of the never-ending NFL "investigation" into Ezekiel Elliott.
Tom Ryle suggests that this entire situation has already dragged on way too long.
In any case, this is just another example of the continuing problems that surround the NFL’s arbitrary and opaque approach to discipline. After the widely covered problems the league has had with domestic violence issues, it is not terribly surprising that they are hesitant to close out an investigation prematurely. The heart of the matter is that they have not presented any real justification for keeping this one alive. If they have something to substantiate the claims made, they have apparently not shared it with anyone.
There is nothing wrong with trying to properly address the issue of domestic violence, but there has to be an element of fairness. Any allegation has to be substantiated. Otherwise, players could be harmed by false and vindictive claims. That is precisely how Elliott’s representatives are framing his situation.
We will never know exactly what really happened, but the NFL has to have some standards of proof before they suspend a player and take money away from him, and put teams in a bad situation on the field. All indications are that the league is failing in this with Elliott and the Cowboys. The NFL needs to fish or cut bait here. This has gone on far too long already.
Scout’s Eye: Best LBs on 2017 Schedule Offers Mix of Talent & Experience - Bryan Broaddus, Dallas Cowboys
Here’s a look at my five best linebackers the Cowboys will have to play this upcoming season:
#1 Bobby Wagner, Seahawks
Can change directions in a hurry. Will key then drive on the ball. Is a finisher as a tackler. Wrap up guy. Consistent in the way that he goes about his job. Doesn’t come off the field. If there is an area of weakness, he will have his snaps where you see blockers get to his legs and he will struggle dealing with that. Was chopped down more for a player that generally plays with balance.
Cowboys’ down-roster battles: Who will be the last cornerback to make the roster? - VAfan, Blogging The Boys
Training camp practices start July 24th. While a lot of the team is set, there should be some heavy competition for those last slots.
Anthony Brown. Brown was a real find in the sixth round. He only made the C quadrant in OCC’s pre-draft SPARQ look at cornerbacks last year. And he is only 5’11", so he doesn’t fit the Cowboys preference for taller CBs. But he ran a 4.35 sec 40-yard dash, and showed up immediately on the field as a willing tackler and someone able to fill in for Scandrick when he was hurt, then Mo Claiborne when he went down. If he makes a leap from year one to year two, he could easily be the Cowboys best cornerback in 2017.
Dallas Cowboys newcomer Damontre Moore is used to change - Kevin Casas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Veteran journeyman Damontre Moore, a former Texas A&M standout, is trying to stick with the Dallas Cowboys.
"I just asked myself, what do I really want from this game," he said. "I really love the game, but if you really love it, why aren’t you doing everything to the best of your ability."
Ohio State Buckeyes Noah Brown impressing the Dallas Cowboys in offseason workouts - Patrick Murphy, 247Sports
After leaving Ohio State in surprise, Noah Brown attempts to prove he belongs in Dallas.
"[Brown] is a little bit of an all-around guy," Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, via the Dallas Morning News. "He's an outside receiver with a big frame (6-2, 222). He's kind of got a 'tweener' size when it comes to receiver. He's got a little bit of a TE element to his game as far as his size and the matchup and the people he's blocking. So he should match up well in that area.
20 Questions: Should Cowboys Keep Moore As Backup QB Or Seek Upgrade? - Dallas Cowboys Staff
The staff writers at DallasCowboys.com – Rob Phillips, David Helman, Nick Eatman and Bryan Broaddus – are attempting to answer 20 pressing questions as the team gets ready for camp and the 2017 season. Today, we continue the series discussing the state of the backup quarterback spot behind starter Dak Prescott.
Eatman: As it stands right now, it might be a little late in the game. I think the Cowboys should’ve gone for an upgrade a long time ago. Now, you get to the season or in camp and if Moore hasn’t satisfied the Cowboys, it’s unlikely anyone on the street can come in and be better, especially not knowing the system. I would always have my eyes open and perhaps seek a trade if that’s a possibility. But the longer it goes, the better chance Moore has of sticking around.
Can Jahad Thomas emerge as an option at backup running back for the Cowboys? - Cole Patterson, Blogging The Boys
Can the undrafted free agent find a way onto the Dallas Cowboys’ 53-man roster?
During his four-year career in Philly, Jahad Thomas rushed for 2,599 yards and 30 touchdowns. He rushed for 2,215 yards and all of his 30 career rushing touchdowns over the course of his final two years on the college level. He posted a career average of 4.6 yards per carry. The stud tailback isn’t just a rusher, though. Thomas became a threat in the passing game for the Owls.
Cowboys DT Maliek Collins confident heading into second season - Drew Davison, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dallas Cowboys second-year tackle Maliek Collins had five sacks in his rookie season.
"I could’ve been more productive," Collins said during the Cowboys’ minicamp. "The types of players I was around — Terrell McClain, Tyrone Crawford, Jack Crawford — all those guys I played around I could have played better."
No experience, no problem: Cowboys DB youth have chance to thrive like this 1980s Super Bowl team unit - Rick Gosselin, SportsDay
It was risky -- starting three rookies in the defensive backfield -- but rewarding. The 49ers captured their first Lombardi Trophy that season. The same scenario could be facing the Cowboys in 2017.
"It's conceivable," said Cowboys defensive backfield coach Joe Baker. "We drafted those guys because we feel they have starter ability. Are we going to get there at the start of the year? I don't know. But we feel they all have the ability to start. The best man will get the job. That always plays out on the grass."
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