Each week, we’ll get questions on Twitter and Facebook about the Dallas Cowboys players and other questions surrounding the team. So let’s get straight into it.
“With Micah News Going Over the Edge, Will the Cowboys Look to Veteran LB Free Agents?”
(Submitted by Rich Gillett via Facebook)
Brandon: The thing about Mika going to the edge is that he’s the only one who talks about it. Dan Quinn recently pumped the brakes on this idea somewhat. I’m sure Parsons is starting to look at the big picture, knowing he’s about to get paid truly Well in Dallas. Defensive ends in free agency cost more than outside linebackers, so he could be preparing for negotiations in a few years. However, if he becomes a full-time senior, the Cowboys can always strive to bring Anthony Barr back into the mix, since he was with the team last year and hasn’t signed with another team yet.
Mike: Good question and really hard to say until we see more. They will likely look at free quarterbacks based on numbers to fill a need, injury coverage, but also special teams requirements. The Cowboys have two players who can assist in the rotation if all goes as planned. DeMarvion Overshown is the most obvious name for a spinning role. Will he beat Jibril Cox due to playing time? It’s possible. They still have Devin Harper who was in the sixth round in last year’s draft. They could also look into testing the waters of UDFA Isaiah Land as a spinning piece that could provide a special teams ability. Until the team plays together and we see what level these guys are at, it’s hard to say if they’ll add any free agent players, but it would be wise to have names ready from the scouting department in that case.
“When are the Cowboys calling QB’s for tryouts?”
(Submitted by @Dallasware94 via Twitter)
Brandon: This question has been answered by Matthew McKay of Elon University. After the Cowboys dealt with the draft and undrafted free agency, he was invited to the rookie junior camp. McKay is a larger quarterback at 6’4″ and 212 pounds, so it would be interesting if this became a project for Mike McCarthy to work on in training camp. McKay finished the 2022 season with over 2,700 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, four interceptions, 458 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns. It’ll be an uphill battle for him to get through this weekend, since Dallas has three quarterbacks on the roster, but he can make this rookie junior camp interesting if he brings his A-game.
“With the Cowboys drafting Deuce Vaughn, would the Cowboys consider giving back your costume if the finances worked out?”
(Submitted by Steve Parker via Facebook)
Mike: This topic will continue to be discussed until Zeke is signed. As a rule I always say don’t rule anything out when it comes to the NFL. But I don’t see the front office going that route. But if he’s cheap enough and things are looking rough on the court during training camp, you never know what surprising discussions happen between Zeke and Jerry. In short, if the price is cheap enough, then yes it can come back, but in all likelihood it won’t.
Brandon: I think the Ezekiel Elliot train has moved on. Skip Beatty, the former running back coach of the Cowboys, was Elliott’s closest confidante He is quoted as saying that his unwillingness to relinquish a primary role in a back-up job may be the reason he is still not signed. Running forward with Tony Pollard up front, Dallas would make it awkward on game day with Elliott on the bench the majority of the game and with 60 percent of the fans in the stadium wearing his jersey. The Cowboys brought in Ronald Jones to be another experienced running back to supplement Pollard, and unless they sign another veteran, he could be Elliott’s replacement.
Any news on Kicker?
(Submitted by Jess Warren via Facebook)
Mike: Just like last season as the kicking position heads into team practice, we’re once again in a strange place waiting to find out the plan. There is no word now on the kicker and it seems the situation is satisfied for the coaching staff to leave it until the last minute. There is only one player on the roster at the time of writing, which is really confusing with how important kicking is to a team.
Brandon: Prior to the draft, Bryan Broaddus of 105.3 The Fan in Dallas said special teams coordinator John Vassell has a plan for the kicker. He would consider a few players from the draft and some veteran players if the Cowboys didn’t pick anyone. Dallas came out of the draft without a kicker, and Jerry Jones said the team would look at the veteran market. All signs point to an experienced player being the answer, but whoever that may be may wait until training camp officially arrives.
Poll of the week: Finally in the mailbag, we asked you who will be the RB3 for the Cowboys this year. Here are the results and what we saw in the survey.
Mike: I think I have to agree with the majority on this. Tony Pollard catches the right back in, and I bet Deuce Vaughn takes over as RB2 while Davis takes third with rookie Hunter Luepke getting short yardage down the middle. Rico Dowdle and Ronald Jones have a great chance of clinching the spot though, so it’s a battle for third place. What’s even more crazy is the thought that there could be seven roster spots taken, or even more, between tight end and running back in Dallas this year.
Brandon: As we discussed above, Elliott would be a nice story for fans to come back and finish his career in Dallas, but the coaching staff has moved on. Just like the poll results, Malik Davis should be the favorite to be the third-straight team favorite, followed by Ronald Jones and Rico Dowdle. Suppose Dowdle can finally stay healthy during the pre-season. In that case, it will be interesting to see how he fits into all of this, given his experience on special teams, and he looked fine last summer before the injury.