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On a day when much of the sporting world was focused on the twin spires of Churchill Downs, the Cowboys proved they always have more than a few horses worth talking about. From losing a member of the scouting department to new insight into the process that netted one of the team’s draft picks and a hometown sendoff for another, this edition of News & Notes looks at the names coming and going from the organization.
Also covered, updates on Ezekiel Elliott and Randy Gregory, a look at what’s left for Jason Witten, talk of new overtimes rules, a remarkable gift from the Jones family, another company aligning themselves more closely with America’s Team, and Tony Romo tees up another shot at golf glory.
Jerry Jones family makes $7.5M gift for cancer patient housing
With the often-ludicrous sums of money that they pay grown men to play a game, it’s easy to forget that NFL owners are also citizens of their communities, and often civic leaders who use their place of prominence to better those places they, their players, and their fans call home.
Jerry and Gene Jones are gifting the city of Dallas $7.5 million to construct a new American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, using land donated by Baylor Scott & White Health. The facility will offer a free home for cancer patients and their caregivers when they travel to Dallas for treatment at any of the major medical centers in the Metroplex.
Ceremonial groundbreaking will take place Tuesday on the facility that will bear the Gene and Jerry Jones family name.
Cowboys lose Tom Ciskowski, another scout from department :: CowboysWire
With the 2019 NFL Draft in the rear view mirror, the role of the scouts has reached the end of their season-long journey. While coaching staffs work around the NFL calendar. Scouting staffs however don’t get a chance to relax and regroup until after the draft preparations are over. For one of the long-time members of the Dallas Cowboys’ scouting staff, it’s time to walk away for one final time.
Tom Ciskowski, a 27-year veteran of the organization is retiring.
Abrams has been with the Cowboys since 2012. His departure marks a reunion with Raiders head coach Jon Gruden; Abrams scouted for Gruden during his tenure in Tampa.
Stephen Jones on Ezekiel Elliott extension: ‘He’s the straw that stirs the drink’ || Cowboys Website
Just removed from a back-and-forth battle to lock in their best defender for the very foreseeable future, Stephen Jones focuses on the next major target looking for the big bucks in Dallas. Jones addressed running back Ezekiel Elliott’s future and assured fans that re-signing the two-time league rushing champ is a priority.
“He’s the straw, if you will, that stirs our drink,” Jones said on Thursday’s Pro Football Talk Live’ podcast. “He’s a key part of what we’re about.”
Even so, the team invested in some depth and help behind Elliott by drafting his former Ohio State teammate in Mike Weber as well as the dynamic Tony Pollard of Memphis.
Gallery
Cowboys 2019 Depth Chart, position by position
Video shows war room drama during Cowboys’ 3rd round pick :: Cowboys Website
Cowboys fans interested in seeing for themselves what things are really like in the war room during the NFL Draft will love video posted to the team’s website. The clip, the final installment of a series called The Cowboys Vision, shows Stephen Jones fielding a phone call from an unnamed team with a trade offer as the Cowboys debated their imminent third-round selection.
The Cowboys ultimately used the 90th overall pick to select offensive guard Connor McGovern from Penn State, but only after a bit of lively discussion. At one point, Jerry Jones suggests, “Let’s keep Connor McGovern.” Stephen Jones double-checks with the room, “Do we like Connor?” In reply, coach Jason Garrett emphatically announces, “We love Connor.”
What’s the word on Randy Gregory? :: SportsDay
As of Friday, there was still no update on Randy Gregory’s status or a timetable for his possible return. Gregory, facing his fourth suspension since 2015, is in a program that allows him to rehabilitate and work on overcoming some of his issues with substance abuse and mental health.
Stephen Jones reiterated that even while the 26-year-old Gregory is participating in the program, there is no guarantee he’ll be allowed to return to action. “We do understand that he’s doing well,” Jones said. “But we don’t know one way or the other if and when we are going to get him back.”
Memphis Mayor shows appreciation; declares ‘Tony Pollard Day’ :: Commercial Appeal
Even before putting on his first Cowboys jersey, Tony Pollard has already felt the next-level attention of being an NFL player. Instead of a relatively low-key send off before Pollard headed to Cowboys minicamp, members of the Memphis community rallied to surprise him with a celebration. Hazel Moore, the director for the Academy for Youth Empowerment, spearheaded the effort to make sure Pollard knew how much his success at the professional level could mean to the youth of the city of Memphis.
“Tony Pollard Day” included Pollard’s family decked out in Cowboys gear and the fourth-round selection posing for pictures and signing autographs for fans, with many of his former high school and college teammates looking on.
What will this time around mean for Witten’s next retirement? :: Star-Telegram
Jason Witten left the Dallas Cowboys on his own terms last year. It was the best sendoff Witten could have had that didn’t include the elusive Super Bowl title that Witten coveted so dearly. Exactly one year later, he’s back preparing for another season as the leader of the Cowboys tight end room, a savvy veteran leader on a Cowboys team eager to take the next step.
So what happens when he retires the next time, ostensibly for good? Mac Engel of the Star-Telegram recalls some of the emotion that surrounded Witten’s first retirement announcement and points out that, with all the heartfelt tributes already paid to the eleven-time Pro Bowler upon hanging up his cleats, there’s only one way the story can improve now.
Esports rebrand inspired by the Dallas Cowboys considered ‘phenomenal’ :: LuckBox
The rise of so-called eSports has exploded in the last 5 years or so. Major cities have embraced the movement, often collaborating with their traditional sports teams to help boost the brand of their eSports rosters. It’s been no different for compLexity Gaming, heralded as an innovator in the eSports community. CompLexity, of which Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is a major stakeholder, has announced a rebranding effort using a spinoff of the Dallas Cowboys’ iconic color scheme and logo. The decision has been met largely with high praise and looks to help boost eSports and professional video gaming even further into the mainstream.
CompLexity currently has teams competing in games including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, Madden, and Magic: The Gathering Arena.
Stephen Jones supports changes to current overtime rules :: Bleacher Report
A point of contention for years in the NFL may finally see a change… if it continues to get more support. In an interview with Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Stephen Jones, for one, seemed to back the growing call for a rule change that would ensure both teams get a possession in overtime.
Jones was confident that the Competition Committee will bring it up on their call sometime in the future. Jones cited January’s AFC Championship game for reference, when Tom Brady and the Patriots ended the game with a first-series sudden-death touchdown, never giving the Chiefs and league MVP Patrick Mahomes an opportunity to answer.
Tony Romo to attempt to qualify for U.S. Open :: USA Today
Former Cowboys quarterback and current CBS analyst Tony Romo will make his fourth try at golf’s U.S. Open when he competes in a qualifying round at TPC Craig Ranch in the Dallas suburb of McKinney starting May 13. That will immediately follow Romo’s appearance at the AT&T Byron Nelson, taking place May 9-12 in Dallas.
Romo advanced to the Sectional Qualifying Round in 2010 while still on the Cowboys’ roster. He’s played in the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship in the Dominican Republic the last two years, missing the cut both times. At the 2019 event in late March, Romo finished the first round in last place and shot a second-round 80, good for 15-over.
Gallery
Grading all 8 Cowboys draft picks, one by one
Continue reading...
Also covered, updates on Ezekiel Elliott and Randy Gregory, a look at what’s left for Jason Witten, talk of new overtimes rules, a remarkable gift from the Jones family, another company aligning themselves more closely with America’s Team, and Tony Romo tees up another shot at golf glory.
Jerry Jones family makes $7.5M gift for cancer patient housing
With the often-ludicrous sums of money that they pay grown men to play a game, it’s easy to forget that NFL owners are also citizens of their communities, and often civic leaders who use their place of prominence to better those places they, their players, and their fans call home.
Jerry and Gene Jones are gifting the city of Dallas $7.5 million to construct a new American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, using land donated by Baylor Scott & White Health. The facility will offer a free home for cancer patients and their caregivers when they travel to Dallas for treatment at any of the major medical centers in the Metroplex.
Ceremonial groundbreaking will take place Tuesday on the facility that will bear the Gene and Jerry Jones family name.
Cowboys lose Tom Ciskowski, another scout from department :: CowboysWire
With the 2019 NFL Draft in the rear view mirror, the role of the scouts has reached the end of their season-long journey. While coaching staffs work around the NFL calendar. Scouting staffs however don’t get a chance to relax and regroup until after the draft preparations are over. For one of the long-time members of the Dallas Cowboys’ scouting staff, it’s time to walk away for one final time.
Tom Ciskowski, a 27-year veteran of the organization is retiring.
Abrams has been with the Cowboys since 2012. His departure marks a reunion with Raiders head coach Jon Gruden; Abrams scouted for Gruden during his tenure in Tampa.
Stephen Jones on Ezekiel Elliott extension: ‘He’s the straw that stirs the drink’ || Cowboys Website
Just removed from a back-and-forth battle to lock in their best defender for the very foreseeable future, Stephen Jones focuses on the next major target looking for the big bucks in Dallas. Jones addressed running back Ezekiel Elliott’s future and assured fans that re-signing the two-time league rushing champ is a priority.
“He’s the straw, if you will, that stirs our drink,” Jones said on Thursday’s Pro Football Talk Live’ podcast. “He’s a key part of what we’re about.”
Even so, the team invested in some depth and help behind Elliott by drafting his former Ohio State teammate in Mike Weber as well as the dynamic Tony Pollard of Memphis.
Gallery
Cowboys 2019 Depth Chart, position by position
Video shows war room drama during Cowboys’ 3rd round pick :: Cowboys Website
Cowboys fans interested in seeing for themselves what things are really like in the war room during the NFL Draft will love video posted to the team’s website. The clip, the final installment of a series called The Cowboys Vision, shows Stephen Jones fielding a phone call from an unnamed team with a trade offer as the Cowboys debated their imminent third-round selection.
The Cowboys ultimately used the 90th overall pick to select offensive guard Connor McGovern from Penn State, but only after a bit of lively discussion. At one point, Jerry Jones suggests, “Let’s keep Connor McGovern.” Stephen Jones double-checks with the room, “Do we like Connor?” In reply, coach Jason Garrett emphatically announces, “We love Connor.”
What’s the word on Randy Gregory? :: SportsDay
As of Friday, there was still no update on Randy Gregory’s status or a timetable for his possible return. Gregory, facing his fourth suspension since 2015, is in a program that allows him to rehabilitate and work on overcoming some of his issues with substance abuse and mental health.
Stephen Jones reiterated that even while the 26-year-old Gregory is participating in the program, there is no guarantee he’ll be allowed to return to action. “We do understand that he’s doing well,” Jones said. “But we don’t know one way or the other if and when we are going to get him back.”
Memphis Mayor shows appreciation; declares ‘Tony Pollard Day’ :: Commercial Appeal
Even before putting on his first Cowboys jersey, Tony Pollard has already felt the next-level attention of being an NFL player. Instead of a relatively low-key send off before Pollard headed to Cowboys minicamp, members of the Memphis community rallied to surprise him with a celebration. Hazel Moore, the director for the Academy for Youth Empowerment, spearheaded the effort to make sure Pollard knew how much his success at the professional level could mean to the youth of the city of Memphis.
“Tony Pollard Day” included Pollard’s family decked out in Cowboys gear and the fourth-round selection posing for pictures and signing autographs for fans, with many of his former high school and college teammates looking on.
What will this time around mean for Witten’s next retirement? :: Star-Telegram
Jason Witten left the Dallas Cowboys on his own terms last year. It was the best sendoff Witten could have had that didn’t include the elusive Super Bowl title that Witten coveted so dearly. Exactly one year later, he’s back preparing for another season as the leader of the Cowboys tight end room, a savvy veteran leader on a Cowboys team eager to take the next step.
So what happens when he retires the next time, ostensibly for good? Mac Engel of the Star-Telegram recalls some of the emotion that surrounded Witten’s first retirement announcement and points out that, with all the heartfelt tributes already paid to the eleven-time Pro Bowler upon hanging up his cleats, there’s only one way the story can improve now.
Esports rebrand inspired by the Dallas Cowboys considered ‘phenomenal’ :: LuckBox
The rise of so-called eSports has exploded in the last 5 years or so. Major cities have embraced the movement, often collaborating with their traditional sports teams to help boost the brand of their eSports rosters. It’s been no different for compLexity Gaming, heralded as an innovator in the eSports community. CompLexity, of which Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is a major stakeholder, has announced a rebranding effort using a spinoff of the Dallas Cowboys’ iconic color scheme and logo. The decision has been met largely with high praise and looks to help boost eSports and professional video gaming even further into the mainstream.
CompLexity currently has teams competing in games including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, Madden, and Magic: The Gathering Arena.
Stephen Jones supports changes to current overtime rules :: Bleacher Report
A point of contention for years in the NFL may finally see a change… if it continues to get more support. In an interview with Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Stephen Jones, for one, seemed to back the growing call for a rule change that would ensure both teams get a possession in overtime.
Jones was confident that the Competition Committee will bring it up on their call sometime in the future. Jones cited January’s AFC Championship game for reference, when Tom Brady and the Patriots ended the game with a first-series sudden-death touchdown, never giving the Chiefs and league MVP Patrick Mahomes an opportunity to answer.
Tony Romo to attempt to qualify for U.S. Open :: USA Today
Former Cowboys quarterback and current CBS analyst Tony Romo will make his fourth try at golf’s U.S. Open when he competes in a qualifying round at TPC Craig Ranch in the Dallas suburb of McKinney starting May 13. That will immediately follow Romo’s appearance at the AT&T Byron Nelson, taking place May 9-12 in Dallas.
Romo advanced to the Sectional Qualifying Round in 2010 while still on the Cowboys’ roster. He’s played in the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship in the Dominican Republic the last two years, missing the cut both times. At the 2019 event in late March, Romo finished the first round in last place and shot a second-round 80, good for 15-over.
Gallery
Grading all 8 Cowboys draft picks, one by one
Continue reading...