Cowboys News: Hankins’ return, Lawrence dazzles again, UFL taps ex-Dallas coaches
It’s been more than 48 hours since the Cowboys pulled out a dramatic Week 17 win against the Lions, but some of the finer details may still seem blurry amidst a fog of Sunday afternoon surprises, New Year’s Eve toasts, and college bowl game action. This edition of News and Notes recaps everything from CeeDee Lamb’s monster day to what he found at his locker afterward, why DeMarcus Lawrence’s clutch performance was nothing new, and what the league plans to do about the tackle-eligible rule after it played such a controversial role on Saturday.
Meanwhile, we get encouraging news on two Dallas linemen, the Cowboys may be on a collision course with a familiar face in the playoffs, and we dig into the ins and out of the current postseason seeding possibilities. All that, plus power rankings, quarterback ratings, and two former Cowboys coaches get new gigs in a new-look spring league. Oh, and The Rock finally makes good on a promise he tried to make to Jimmy Johnson more than a quarter-century ago.
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NFL has no plan to change procedure for reporting as eligible :: ProFootballTalk
Saturday’s tackle-eligible try was an effort by the Lions to engage in deception and gamesmanship that backfired. Detroit wanted to cause confusion among the Cowboys defenders in identifying who was reporting on the controversial play; they ended up also confusing referee Brad Allen. All indications are that the subterfuge of Dan Skipper running onto the field as two other linemen already had Allen engaged in conversation was part of the plan. But don’t expect the league to change the procedure for players reporting as eligible.
Cowboys OL Tyler Smith suffers plantar fascia tear, may still play in postseason :: Cowboys Wire
The second-year lineman left Saturday’s game late in the third quarter and did not return, though he said afterward he felt as if he could have. Despite a full tear being confirmed, that can actually mean an easier recovery than a partial tear. Smith may not miss extended time and may even be available for the team’s regular-season finale.
Tyler Smith, Hankins 'have a chance' vs. Washington :: The Mothership
McCarthy likes the odds of defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins being ready to go by the postseason, maybe even this Sunday. “Johnathan had a good workout [on Monday],” said McCarthy. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and our goal is to work him in on Wednesday — is our hope.” While notching a road win before the playoffs would be nice (and having Hankins would help), his availability in the tournament is the priority.
Cowboys-Lions postgame analysis :: Cowboys Wire
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Cowboys’ short-yardage butcher: DeMarcus Lawrence’s high-leverage success is nothing new :: Dallas Morning News
Lawrence wrecked Motor City on Saturday, supplying two of the run defense’s six tackles for loss and helping to keep both Detroit drives scoreless. Last year versus the Lions, he forced a fumble just outside the end zone and prevented a fourth-quarter touchdown. But he’s done this his whole career, against everybody. “I would imagine, years from now, if you asked an offensive tackle who was hard to go against,” Dan Quinn said, “I bet DeMarcus would be one they would bring up.”
CeeDee Lamb selected for drug test after monster performance in Cowboys win :: Cowboys Wire
After breaking franchise single-season records for receptions as well as receiving yards, Lamb had an unexpected surprise waiting for him at his locker: a notice from the league ordering him to submit to a supposedly-random test for performance-enhancing substances.
The Rock surprised Jimmy Johnson on the Fox NFL pregame show to fulfill a promise from their Miami days :: For the Win
Dwayne Johnson wanted to play his college ball at the University of Miami specifically to learn at the hand of Jimmy Johnson, but the coach left for the Cowboys just before the man who would become known as “The Rock” could commit. The wildly-successful actor showed up before Saturday’s Ring of Honor ceremony to finally hand-deliver his letter of intent, more than 25 years after the fact. “If you ever decide to coach again,” The Rock said, “it’ll be an honor.”
Lions coach Dan Campbell moving on from controversial Cowboys loss: 'I've got controlled fury' :: NFL.com
The Detroit head coach says he’s over Saturday night’s tackle-eligible fiasco. “We are on a mission and we’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves and wallow in everything,” Campbell said. “We will use this as fuel. I got pure octane right now. I woke up and I’m ready. So, we’re moving forward.”
Cowboys suffering self-inflicted wounds with early down play-calling :: Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys ran with a paltry 37% success rate on early downs in Week 17. This means on 63% of their early-down rushing attempts, they actually decreased their odds of scoring on that given drive. So far this season, their early-down passing success rate is at 50.6%. Certain circumstances may warrant early-down runs, but more often than not the Cowboys should be passing the ball.
Dan Quinn addresses HC buzz, three two-point tries :: The Mothership
Quinn, as always, is blocking out the noise about what job opportunities this offseason will almost certainly bring. “I think it’s important to know how to compartmentalize,” Quinn said. “Fortunately for me in that space, any preparation you would do on that is done over the summertime. If and when that time gets called, I would certainly be ready to discuss that at a moment’s notice. … Quite honestly, the guys that I’m able to coach are a big reason why I wanted to be back here, so I’m not gonna let that moment miss one second.”
NFC Playoff Picture: 49ers clinch, Cowboys control NFC East, 2-seed destiny :: Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys’ dramatic win over Detroit coupled with Philadelphia’s stunning loss to Arizona the next day has created a possibility that seemed very distant as recently as last week. Dallas now sits as the No. 2 seed behind the 49ers, who clinched the first-round bye. If the Cowboys win the regular-season finale at FedEx Field, they keep that No. 2 seed and everything that comes with it.
Here's why winning NFC East is so important to Cowboys' Super Bowl aspirations :: Cowboys Wire
Win Week 18, win the division. It’s as simple as that. That would be great for the postseason for the most obvious reason, home-field advantage for at least one playoff game. But the No. 2 seed would also give Dallas another date at AT&T Stadium in the divisional round if they advance.
Eagles considering resting key players vs. Giants with NFC East still up for grabs :: New York Post
The Eagles may elect to sit their stars, since the only way they move out of the conference’s No. 5 seed is if the Cowboys lose to 4-12 Washington. “We always try to think through everything at all times and we are always thinking about those things,” Sirianni said of holding key players back. “Everything is on the table.”
NFL announces crucial week 18 schedule as Cowboys, Eagles share timeslot :: Cowboys Wire
The league waited to determine the Week 18 schedule of games in order to spotlight the most important playoff-deciding scenarios. The Cowboys will try to secure the NFC East title against Washington in the Sunday late-afternoon timeslot. The Eagles could take the crown if Dallas loses, but they won’t know the results before they take the field; they’ll face the Giants at the same time.
All NFL QBs, including Dak Prescott, ranked by Total QBR going into Week 18 :: Cowboys Wire
Prescott’s passer rating (104.2) ranks second in the league. His Total QBR rating on ESPN of 70.5- which incorporates all of a quarterback’s contributions to winning, including how he impacts the game on passes, rushes, turnovers and penalties- puts him behind only Brock Purdy.
NFL Power Rankings Week 18: Ravens tighten grip, Cowboys and Bills climb as season end nears :: Cowboys Wire
Saturday’s win bumped Dallas up three spots, from No. 7 to No. 4. Detroit’s loss dropped them from third to fifth. Ahead of the Cowboys are the Bills and 49ers, with the Ravens claiming the top spot heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
Former Cowboys DC wants to return to coaching in 2024 :: Cowboys Wire
Mike Zimmer, the defensive assistant who won Super Bowl XXX on the Cowboys staff and was coordinator by the time he left Dallas in 2006, has been out of coaching since being fired as the Vikings’ head man in 2022. But now he wants to return. Some believe he’ll join his former Cowboys DB Deion Sanders at the University of Colorado, while others peg him as a favorite for a DC job in Green Bay. If the Cowboys lose Quinn, Zimmer might be an intriguing fit for his old job.
Bob Stoops, Wade Phillips among coaches for United Football League :: ProFootballTalk
The USFL and XFL will merge, with four teams from each league joining forces as the United Football League. Former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips will lead the San Antonio Brahmas, while former Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will take the reins for the Michigan Panthers. Arlington’s Renegades team will survive in the new consolidated spring league, with Bob Stoops in the head coach’s office. The UFL’s inaugural season will kick off March 30.
Rams to bring back Brett Maher after cutting Lucas Havrisik :: ESPN
The Rams are bringing back the former Cowboys kicker. That move could pit him against Dallas in the first round of the playoffs, one year after he missed an NFL-record four extra points as a Cowboy versus Tampa Bay in 2022’s wild-card round. L.A. cut Maher in October after he missed six field goals and a PAT over the Rams’ first seven games.
