The top team in the NFL is now known, the Eagles

Tom: Sorry if I’m too predictable, but what has me excited is not seeing any Jerry fingerprints on these hires. It really feels like Schotty is calling the shots - so far. But this is a much better start than I expected.

Jess: I agree with my colleagues here. It’s nice to see less nepotism and more creativity in the hires. The assumed run-game focus could be great for Dak Prescott, but will mean making sure the offensive line has what it needs to function consistently. The onus moves to the front office to to give these coaches what they need to succeed.

Sean: The hires so far all point to a sense of cohesion in what they’ve talked about wanting to achieve. Already this is a step in the right direction compared to not backing up any of their talk - as incoherent as it was anyway - from last offseason’s disaster. The hires can be as good or bad as anyone thinks though, they give no indication at all to the job Schottenheimer will do at the head of it all, and without that I don’t see many fans buying back in fully anytime soon, even after the slight optimism generated by these hires so far.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ll-of-fame-draft-options-offense-defense-line
 
First came the new Offensive Coordinator, Klayton Adams, then Offensive Line Coach, Conor Riley. These two coaches excel at getting the most out of their offensive linemen and running games with their schemes. These hires should benefit the entire offense, but the big boys up front will lead the charge in improving it.

One thing is apparent about hiring these two coaches: the offensive line needed work, and with new blood at the helm, these guys will get the job done. Klayton Adams and Conor Riley’s offensive linemen’s blocking schemes for the run game mirror one another very well. Klayton Adams in Arizona liked the gap scheme for his linemen. 64% of the run plays were gap scheme plays, which would benefit our more athletic than strong linemen. Meanwhile, 30% were zone scheme plays in Arizona.

A gap scheme leverages offensive linemen’s positioning to gain an advantage over stronger defensive linemen. In this approach, linemen on the playside block down or away from the gap where the runner is headed, leaving one defender unblocked outside the gap. To counter this, a lineman is pulled from the backside to block the unaccounted defender, creating a hole between the pulling lineman and the down blocks for the runner to exploit.

https://insidethestar.com/a-major-line-improvement-coming-to-dallas

A need for a new style of runner?
 
Tyler Guyton, Cooper Beebe, and Terence Steele are three linemen who will benefit from the change in philosophy.

Tyler Guyton will be able to use his athleticism to get out into space and take on defenders with a full head of steam.

Too many times, fans witnessed Guyton getting overpowered and pushed back by defenders. A year in the weight room and the two offensive line geniuses he is getting in coaches will allow his potential to soar.

https://insidethestar.com/a-major-line-improvement-coming-to-dallas
 
And if new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus - who is skilled at coaching the position - wants to push to spend money at linebacker? Guys like Nick Bolton and Dre Greenlaw are on the open market and can be in the conversation ...

Or, COO Stephen Jones can push to add a $3 million linebacker who is superior to Clark. (If it was up to just-departed coordinator Mike Zimmer, that push would be to bring back Eric Kendricks.)

Damone Clark has a heck of an impressive story to tell. But next up comes a difficult chapter - a $3.3 million chapter.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/arti...after_spinal_fusion_surgery/s1_17615_41820376
 
ESPN's Aaron Schatz took some time to advise each of the NFL's 32 teams on moves they should make during this offseason, and for Dallas he suggests they extend Bland now instead of waiting until his contract expires after the season.

There may be some questions about extending Bland, who is going into the final year of his rookie contract, after the cornerback missed much of 2024 with injuries. And frankly, he could be a bit overrated after his performance in 2023 because there's a lot of randomness involved in getting five pick-sixes. Still, Bland is strong in coverage. Even without any interceptions in 2024, he had an above-average coverage DVOA in his seven appearances. Extending Bland would lock down the cornerback spot across from Trevon Diggs and allow Dallas to add roughly $3.3 million in cap space.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/st...n-bland-potential-extension-espn/79423655007/
 
Now, to create operating room, since right now the Cowboys would be like $4 million over the cap on the top-53 cap hits, they must either restructure a few of these contracts and/or lower Micah Parsons' $24 million fifth-year option by signing him to an extension. Because right now, Dak Prescott's 2025 salary cap hit is $89.89 million; CeeDee Lamb comes in at $35.45 million; Terence Steele is at a cool $18 million; and Trevon Diggs is at $14 million.

Add those five contracts up and that totals $189.34 million. In other words, five guys are taking up 67.6 percent of the salary cap. For sure, they will trigger restructure clauses already in the contracts of Dak and CeeDee just to drop under the salary cap maximum by March 12.

Mentioned last week that Cowboys' four-time Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence intimated to me he still wants to continue playing after successfully rehabbing from his Lisfranc injury that cut short this past season by the final 13 games, though had the Cowboys' playoff chances been on the line he might have been able to play the final few.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mick-shots-salary-cap-limitations-linger-into-2025
 
Since entering the NFL in 2017, Allen has been remarkably consistent, save his injury-shortened 2024.
Jonathan Allen, a former 1st round pick, has been granted permission for him and his agent to seek a trade partner

His ability to disrupt plays from the interior of the defensive line would be a game-changer for the Cowboys, and something they have been missing for nearly a decade. This shows that not only can Allen clog running lanes, but he can also rush the quarterback, giving him a deadly combination of skills. Pairing Allen with a dynamic pass-rusher like EDGE Micah Parsons would cause immediate nightmares for opposing offenses.

At 6’3″ and 315lbs, Allen has the size and power to clog running lanes and occupy more than one blocker on his way to the ball-carrier. His skillset makes him a formidable force in stopping both inside and outside runs. This would allow new DC Matt Eberflus to be more versatile in his scheme. Think of how Chauncey Golston was used in Dallas, and now imagine Golston being much better than what he is. That’s how it would feel for Allen to play on this defense.

According to Spotrac.com., Allen is set to count $22.353 million against the cap. That’s a number that would make Stephen Jones cringe, and I guarantee they’d prefer to just sign Osa to an extension at that amount. If the Cowboys pull off this trade, they could also just extend Allen beyond 2025. He just turned 30, but a three-year deal would allow Dallas to spread the cap hit in their favor.

https://insidethestar.com/cowboys-nfc-east-rivals-make-dominant-dt-available-via-trade
 
CCBoy said:
Two free agent defensive ends that could be added in free agency and expand the strength in the Dallas defensive line could be:

Myles Garrett​

This is the least likely of the two to end up on the Cowboys roster. Garrett announced via his Instagram a few weeks ago that he is seeking a trade out of Cleveland, hoping to land on a roster to compete for a championship.

To acquire Garrett, the Cowboys would have to trade for him. There are a few things that could help them make that move.

Also helping Dallas (and other teams) is the fact that Garrett himself initiated the process to get out of Cleveland. It means the Browns don’t have the leverage in these negotiations, and may be forced to take a more moderate offer in exchange for the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

DT Milton Williams​

Acquiring Milton Williams won’t be as much red tape as Garrett, but it might be just as unlikely. Williams is a Super Bowl champion, and part of the defensive line that just sacked Patrick Mahomes six times.

Williams had two of those sacks, and countless pressures on the biggest stage. He is a free agent, but knowing how the Cowboys attack free agency, will they even take a look at him?

He is in for a big payday. Williams set personal records in 2024 for sacks (5.0) and quarterback hits (10), and pass rushing defensive tackles who can also defend the run are always in high demand.

https://insidethestar.com/3-of-pffs...d-all-have-a-star-on-their-helmet-next-season
Click to expand...
Williams is not a DE
 
Cowboys1966 said:
Williams is not a DE
Click to expand...
Dallas has an injured player Williams and DE and there is a Williams DT who is considered just a touch behind Osa.

Before attempting corrections be right and get your facts correct. I know, it is simply easier to lie and be wrong. Unethical...

How about signing both Osa and Johnathan Allen? Williams is a second option to also consider.

I mistakenly posted DE instead of DT. Sorry...

Sam Williams
 
Last edited:
These are the current under contract defensive end.

Under Contract​

Micah Parsons, Marshawn Kneeland, Sam Williams
Luiji Vilain​

 

Potential Departures​

DeMarcus Lawrence, Chauncey Golston, Carl Lawson
Tyus Wheat​

 
INDIANAPOLIS – As the Cowboys enter the beginning of the Brian Schottenheimer era, it'll be the sixth different head coach that vice president of player personnel Will McClay has worked alongside since joining the Cowboys as a pro scout in 2002.

In the early goings of their time together, McClay has noticed that Schottenheimer's staff has a different buzz to them compared to prior groups.

"We've been very fortunate to have a bunch of good coaching staffs, I just think this one brings in a different energy," McClay said. "They bring their own little splash."

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/...that-brian-schottenheimer-and-his-staff-bring
 
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