Jess Haynie

Cowboys fan since 1992, blogger since 2011. Bringing you the objectivity of an outside perspective with the passion of a die-hard fan. I love to talk to my readers, so please comment on any article and I'll be sure to respond!

Muhammad Ali: Current and Former Cowboys Honor the Legend

The late Muhammad Ali goes on a very short list of all-time athletes. His greatness transcended his sport to make a significant impact on American culture and the social issues of his time. As such, it’s no surprise than many Dallas Cowboys players took a moment to show some respect to his passing. Two of the all-time greats from Cowboys history paid homage to Ali: On the other end of their Cowboys careers, the top two from our 2016 rookie class also chimed in.

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Could Nick Hayden Return to Dallas?

Last March the Cowboys elected to let three-year starter Nick Hayden walk away as a free agent. Always more of a coach’s darling than an analytics favorite, Hayden stuck around as long as he did for his work ethic and attitude over actual performance. The Cowboys finally decided they needed more and moved on. Hayden remains a free agent right now. Dallas signed Cedric Thornton from the Eagles to play beside Tyrone Crawford.

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Toughest Games on Cowboys 2016 Schedule

Projecting the strength of a team’s upcoming schedule sometimes seems like a fool’s errand. Last June I’m sure many teams weren’t looking forward to their date with the Dallas Cowboys, coming off a 12-4 season and NFC East Championship. However, once the guy under center went from Tony Romo to the Weeden-Cassel-Moore Poo-Poo Platter, those concerns were alleviated. At this time of year we can only look at what we have on paper. Injuries will happen that change the dynamics of these games.

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2016 Breakout Candidates: Cedric Thornton

Though they were relatively quiet in free agency this year the Cowboys did make a significant move at defensive tackle. Dallas chose not to re-sign Nick Hayden, who’d started all but one game over the last three years, and instead brought in fifth-year veteran Cedric Thornton from Philadelphia. Coming into the league undrafted, Thornton spent most 2011 on the practice squad. He became a regular reserve in 2012 as a backup defensive tackle. In 2013, the Eagles switched to the 3-4 scheme and Thornton emerged as a starting defensive end.

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Recent NFC East History Helps Cowboys

Historical patterns don’t always hold water. We just watched the Golden State Warriors become only the 10th team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit. Special teams rise above the circumstances. Right now nobody in the NFC East looks all that special. Maybe we’ll change tune in retrospect, but it appears that all four teams have a chance to be competitive.

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DT Maliek Collins Breaks Foot in OTAs

Rookie defensive tackle Maliek Collins has broken his right foot during Organized Team Activities and could miss up to 3 months. Collins, taken in the third round of last April’s draft, was expected to be an immediate contributor on the defensive line. He was considered an instant scheme fit and could have even been a Week One starter if Tyrone Crawford is asked to play defensive end. Now he will likely miss all of training camp and perhaps the entire preseason. Collins’ absence will give veterans Terrell McClain, Jack Crawford, and David Irving better opportunity to cement a role in the defensive line rotation.

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Is Kyle Wilber the Front Runner for OLB?

The Cowboys did not add any new talent to the linebacker group for the 2016 season. Free agency came and went without any fresh faces being signed. Though they drafted Jaylon Smith in the second round he is not expected to play this year. To the surprise of some, Dallas will trust in last year’s group to develop and improve. All of those players but one were still under contract; Andrew Gachkar, Anthony Hitchens, Mark Nzeocha, and Damien Wilson.

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Cowboys Wise to Hang On to Assets

As we’ve discussed all week, guard Ronald Leary has requested a trade but the Cowboys aren’t going to just let him leave for nothing. Similarly, Stephen Jones recently disclosed that Dallas received calls from teams interested in running backs Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris after they drafted Ezekiel Elliott. Jones said, “we just don’t have that interest.” Some of you are probably wondering why Dallas wouldn’t try to move some of these surplus players for future draft picks or a least some fresh talent at positions of need. Surely, some team out there who needs an guard or running back has a quality pass rusher they might be willing to part with.

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Cowboys 2016 Position Battle Overview

The Cowboys are currently engaged in voluntary Organized Team Activities and will have mandatory mini-camps in the coming weeks. Even though the real battles don’t start until the official Training Camp in Oxnard, CA, plenty of things can happen during these practices that help or hurt players’ positioning for roster spots and playing time. Here is an overview of some of the clear competitions that exist on the Cowboys roster right now. This year just about every position has some intrigue: Quarterback How much will Dallas consider rookie Dak Prescott for the number-two spot?

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Cowboys-Titans Trade Scenarios for Ron Leary

News broke yesterday that Cowboys offensive guard Ronald Leary, stuck in a backup role in Dallas, has requested a trade. In Tennessee, starting offensive lineman Byron Bell was lost for the season to a severe ankle injury. The two events have naturally brought the Cowboys and Titans into the same conversation. We have no idea if the Titans have any interest in Leary. Not only does he have the well-known degenerative issue in his knees but he may be viewed as a system product.

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