Cowboys news: Dallas assistant Al Harris has big plans for his future

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Al Harris opens up about life goals, Cowboys’ roles – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com

The Cowboys did not want to lose Al Harris.

There was quite the exodus of talent, players and coaches, making its way from the Dallas Cowboys to the Washington Commanders this offseason, largely thanks to Dan Quinn — former defensive coordinator of the former turned current head coach of the latter — but Al Harris isn’t one of them.

It’s not for lack of effort by Quinn to poach Harris as well, though, but having the interview request denied by the Cowboys; in a move that is allowed by the league if the position to be interviewed for is not a promotion.

Subsequently, head coach Mike McCarthy then promoted Harris himself, to the role of assistant head coach in Dallas.

“[It’s] more responsibility,” said Harris ahead of OTAs. “On the day-to-day, I’m still doing the things I’ve been doing since I’ve been here. It’s just added responsibility here and there.”

It’s a huge nod to just how superb Harris has been since joining the Cowboys in 2020, a critical addition that helped lead to both Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland quickly becoming historic, record-setting cornerbacks.

Micah Parsons absent from Cowboys’ OTAs – Michael David Smith, PFT

The Cowboys are missing a couple of their stars at OTAs.

The Cowboys have opened their Organized Team Activities, but Micah Parsons isn’t there.

Parsons, the star linebacker who wants a new contract, did not attend the opening of OTAs, according to Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram.

Parsons joins CeeDee Lamb as key Cowboys who are not participating in OTAs as they seek new deals. Lamb was always expected to skip voluntary work, but the Cowboys had been hoping that Parsons would show up. Parsons’ agent said in April that his absence from voluntary work was not about his contract, but Parsons would obviously like to get a long-term deal from the Cowboys.

The 24-year-old Parsons has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the NFL since the Cowboys selected him with the 12th overall pick in 2021. He has two years left on his rookie contract, with a salary of just under $3 million this year and $21.3 million next year.

Four boom-or-bust players from the NFC East – Bruce Ewing, Yardbarker

Mazi Smith needs a huge bounce-back year.

Dallas Cowboys | DT Mazi Smith

Smith was celebrated as the Cowboys’ first-round pick (26) in the 2023 NFL Draft but his rookie season didn’t go as planned. Despite appearing in all 17 games, he had just 13 tackles, one sack and three starts while splitting time with veteran Johnathan Hankins.

Coming out of college, Smith seemed more like a force of nature. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic even put him at the top of his annual College Football Freaks List, saying, “The 6-foot-3, 337-pound senior has rare power and agility. So rare, in fact, it’s hard to find the right superlative to begin with.”

But Smith’s weight dipped below 300 pounds last season and is currently recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. That could be a problem, but with Hankins now in Seattle, Smith has the opportunity to live up to his draft spot.

Cowboys ‘all-in’ on bargain bin? 5 free agents who can still help Dallas in 2024 – David Helman, FOX Sports

The Cowboys could still go shopping.

2. Linval Joseph (DT)

It’s an annual tradition to see the veteran defensive tackle pop up on a contender at this point, so don’t be surprised if several teams are trying to coax Joseph back for one more campaign.

The Cowboys have an ace up their sleeve, though — defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. Joseph signed on with Minnesota during Zimmer’s stint as Vikings head coach and earned the only two Pro Bowl nods of his career. A reunion sounds like it’d be mutually beneficial, especially given the state of the Cowboys’ run defense.

Joseph will turn 36 later this year, and if he plays, it will be his 15th NFL season. This definitely isn’t some kind of long-term fix. But if he could give them 10-plus games and shore up their run defense, it’d be worth the spend.

3. Emmanuel Ogbah (LB)

This one makes a ton of sense if you know your history. Drafted all the way back in 2016, Ogbah was one of the Cowboys’ favorite targets to select with their No. 34 overall pick.

Unfortunately for Dallas, the Cleveland Browns made Ogbah the first pick of the second round, just two spots in front of them. The Cowboys wound up taking Jaylon Smith, and the rest is history. Maybe now is the time to make it happen. Ogbah is 30 and coming off 5.5 sacks as a rotational player for the Dolphins.

The issue is that the Cowboys are trying to get younger on the edge. They’re undoubtedly hoping Sam Williams can make a bigger impact in Year 3, and they just drafted Marshawn Kneeland in the second round. Those two are going to get the first look at filling in behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Still, don’t discount the impact of losing Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. in the same spring. They wouldn’t need Ogbah to carry a heavy load, but he could be a useful piece for the pass rush.