Cowboys News and Notes from Monday, July 1, 2024

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A look at how things could shake out once the team returns to Oxnard and puts the pads on. Which rookies will be left out in the cold? Who will be regulated to the practice squad and open to be poached by other teams?

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Viewers will be surprised to see that these girls are not only extremely athletic and hardworking on the field, but they also have their day jobs. It might look very glamorous to be a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, but the salary isn’t enough to cover the basics. Throughout seven episodes, viewers get a behind-the-scenes picture of the excruciating auditions, workouts, and heartbreaks of those who don’t make it. Out of the 200 applicants, only 45 women are selected, and join a 10-week training camp, and then they are cut down to 36. They are being judged on their dance moves and techniques, splits, showmanship, energy, figure, and personality, among other things.

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Mixed in with the dismissal of the McCarthy “fed up” narrative is that the team’s top WR is expected to hold out of training camp if a new deal isn’t reach by the end of the month when the team reports to Oxnard, CA.

There’s been little progress on extensions for Prescott and Lamb this summer. For the second consecutive year, there’s a possibility a key starter will hold out of training camp. Lamb missed the entire offseason program and is expected to miss training camp if he doesn’t get a new deal.

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A somber reminder that life is often too short. The Cowboys’ second-round pick lost his mother, Wendy, while training for the scouting combine. While she was unable to see him realize his goal of making it to the NFL, Marshawn Kneeland knows her presence is still with him as he accomplishes his goals.

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With big changes at the top of the defensive hierarchy happening with the acquisition of Mike Zimmer, things are going to change in 2024. Dan Rogers looks at how last year’s new faces on the scene will make way to Juanyeh Thomas and Eric Kendricks as integral parts of the group.

Technically, Thomas’ breakout season was last year. He played 190 defensive snaps after hanging out on the practice squad during his rookie season in 2022. He held a small role on defense and was a key special teams contributor, including blocking a field goal attempt on the first drive in the season opener last year. Thomas’ value on the team is already noticeable.

Things could get even better for him in 2024. With Zimmer in the picture, the Cowboys’ defense should feature two safeties with good coverage skills.

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Nick Eatman looks into the club’s third-round pick and how he could be integrated into the plans quickly. Beebe has competition for the starting center spot in Brock Hoffman and TJ Bass, but OL coach Mike Solari intends to drop Beebe there despite his versatility.

“He has the flexibility and versatility, but we want him to focus on the center position. Great job by our draft department. You see his initial quickness and his ability to sustain the blocks, and the type of competitor he is. He’s a smart football player and … he’s another guy that has versatility, but we want him to lock into the center spot.”

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The collegiate all-star game decided they were going to compete with the Senior Bowl for the top talent from the collegiate ranks in the build-up to draft season. Last year they were in Las Vegas and now they’ll be coming to the DFW.

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A lot has remained stagnant in these divisional position reviews, but there’s been a huge shakeup when it comes to ranking the defensive lines. The Cowboys may have the best player and the Eagles may have been used to occupying the top spot but there’s a Giant-sized problem for NFC East offensive lines.

Before dismissing this report, know that this account has been right and ahead of alleged NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter on numerous scoops this offseason, including the Giants trading for Brian Burns, Trevor Lawrence’s, Jared Goff and Amon St. Brown’s new deals and many other things.