Cowboys News: ACL brotherhood, duck hunting, another round of tryouts

Tony Nguyen | Dallas Cowbyoys
June 26, 2024

Mike McCarthy was supposed to be the savior as head coach, lifting the Cowboys to postseason glory. Instead, despite 12 wins in the last three seasons, he has only one playoff victory to show for it. The clock is ticking and as the 2024 season unfolds, every game, play, and decision will be scrutinized. Will McCarthy and his staff defy the odds, or will the Cowboys’ legacy of postseason disappointment continue? As the club gears up for this year’s camp, echoes of Landry’s demanding regime hang in the air, casting a tense shadow over the modern team’s preparations. Speaking of training camp, the team worked out four spring league players with hopes of rounding out the roster.

Meanwhile, crafting a Cowboys’ all-time defensive lineup in a base 4-3 scheme is no easy feat, as it requires selecting from a storied history of gridiron legends. From dominant pass rushers like Harvey Martin and Ed Jones to ball-hawking cornerbacks and hard-hitting safeties, every position on this formidable squad reflects the enduring legacy of America’s Team. Lastly, as he prepares to face formidable NFC East defensive tackles, left guard Tyler Smith embraces the challenge, drawing comparisons to Cowboys legend Larry Allen and vowing to uphold the legacy of wearing the revered No. 73 jersey. His evolution and leadership role underscore his commitment to excellence in Dallas’ offensive line hierarchy in this edition of Cowboys news and notes.

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The Cowboys’ roster is teeming with lame ducks. Star players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb are staring down the final year of their contracts, but the real intrigue lies with the coaching staff. Every member, including head coach Mike McCarthy, are walking a tightrope, knowing their fate hangs in the balance.

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In the past 10 months, three Dallas Cowboys rookies—David Durden, DeMarvion Overshown, and John Stephens—transformed from virtual strangers into close friends and integral parts of each other’s recovery from identical season-ending ACL injuries. This deepened camaraderie will be highlighted on July 5 when Durden marries, with Overshown and Stephens standing by as groomsmen, showcasing how their shared adversity forged a brotherhood beyond the football field.

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One month from today, the Cowboys will begin their 2024 training camp in Oxnard, California, but it won’t start with the grueling Landry Mile that haunted past players. Legendary coach Tom Landry’s brutal conditioning run pushed players to their limits, with many vomiting, passing out, or even quitting on the spot.

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The Cowboys are evaluating four promising players from the spring leagues, eyeing potential new talent to complete their roster before training camp. With only three slots left on their 90-man roster, these athletes face a high-stakes battle for a coveted spot on America’s Team.

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Newly signed linebacker, Willie Harvey Jr., a seasoned player familiar with the DFW area, impressed in his recent tryout and looks to bring experience and leadership to a group of young linebackers in a defense orchestrated by defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

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With Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland leading the way, Dallas boasts one of the NFL’s best cornerback rooms, despite Diggs missing most of last season due to a torn left ACL. Diggs’ return under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is crucial. Controversially ranked 19th by Pro Football Focus, Diggs is motivated to reestablish himself as a top cornerback in 2024.

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Putting together a Cowboys’ all-time defensive lineup in a base 4-3 scheme highlighting legendary players across different eras is challenging. From defensive ends Harvey Martin and Ed “Too Tall” Jones to linebackers DeMarcus Ware and the iconic Chuck Howley, a Cowboys’ rich defensive legacy makes it near impossible.

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Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle is expected to share the backfield with Elliott and has quietly excelled in limited opportunities, outperforming Elliott in various metrics last season. Meanwhile, wideout Jalen Tolbert, once overshadowed, is now poised to seize a prominent role in Dallas’ offense after showing glimpses of his potential and benefiting from recent roster shifts, setting the stage for a breakout 2024 campaign.

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In the upcoming 2024 season, Tyler Smith, now firmly entrenched as the Dallas Cowboys’ starting left guard, anticipates a focused role after years of positional uncertainty due to veteran left tackle Tyron Smith’s presence. With Tyron’s departure and Tyler’s Pro Bowl performance at guard, the Cowboys drafted Tyler Guyton as their future left tackle, affirming Tyler Smith’s position. 

Cowboys News: ACL brotherhood, duck hunting, another round of tryouts