Cowboys News: Malik Hooker analysis, 53-man roster prediction, fantasy outlook for Elliott
The possibility of the Cowboys signing safety Malik Hooker has been floating around Dallas since March. After a second visit last week, and a workout on Tuesday, the former first-round finally signed with America’s Team. Dak Prescott and the offense spent the first several days looking sharp in Oxnard. However, the defense stole the show on Day 4 of practice by causing a plethora of turnovers.
With training camp in full swing, roster spots are up for grabs for the 2021 season. K.D. Drummond took a shot at predicting who will make the cut for the first regular-season game in September. La’el Collins missed the entire 2020 season after having hip surgery and now he’s leaner than ever before and hungry to regain his 2019 level of play. Neville Gallimore’s Year 2 jump, Trevon Diggs being focused on making interceptions count, Damontae Kazee’s big day at practice in the aftermath of the Hooker signing, and more take center stage in the news and notes.
Cowboys' 53-man roster prediction after 1st week of training camp includes 11 rookies :: Cowboys Wire
Link Training camp is in full swing and roster spots are there for the taking. K.D. Drummond gives an early 53-man roster prediction that has the team going deep at wide receiver.
Malik Hooker officially joins Cowboys, OL moved to IR to create roster space :: Cowboys Wire
Link After much anticipation and speculation, the Cowboys have officially signed the former first-round pick.
Film room: Breaking down safety Malik Hooker, how he could fit in Cowboys’ defense :: Dallas Morning News
Link John Owning does what John Owning does, and that's provide great film analysis. This time, focusing in on the Cowboys' newest defender. But before the breakdown, a synopsis of what has been and what could be:
Hooker has dealt with a litany of injuries thus far in his short NFL career, and you’d be idiotic to not question how much those injuries have taken their toll on Hooker’s body, athleticism and mindset. Since 2016, Hooker has had a double sports hernia, torn labrum, torn ACL, torn MCL and a torn meniscus in addition to the torn Achilles that ended his season last year. It’s easy to see why defensive coordinator Dan Quinn would want to give Hooker a shot, as the former Colts safety fits the mold of the single-high safety that’s commonplace in Quinn’s Cover 1 (man coverage with a deep safety roaming the middle) and Cover 3 (three-deep zone coverage) heavy scheme. This is a very important position because the entire scheme is predicated on funneling the receivers toward the free safety (as long as the receiver is inside the “divider”), as the free safety is free to roam and provide help to any targets over the deep middle.
Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs focused on upping INT numbers: 'I'm a receiver, too' :: Cowboys Wire
Link Trevon Diggs did an amazing job as a rookie in 2020 logging 14 pass breakups which led the team. However, he feels he let too many opportunities for turnovers go to waste, and he's focused on making them count in year two.
'Lean' La'el Collins focused on return to form for Cowboys after lost 2020 :: Cowboys Wire
Link La'el Collins was one of the best right tackles in the first year of his five-year, $50 million deal in 2019. Unfortunately, he couldn't capitalize on that momentum last season as hip surgery forced him to miss the entire year. Now, Collins is back and leaner, and looks to regain his form from two seasons ago.
Neville Gallimore Has Taken “Huge Jump” Heading Into Year 2 :: Inside The Star
Link Neville Gallimore's transition from college to the NFL wasn't completely smooth. Nonetheless, he got better as the season went on. With a potential full-time starting role in front of him in 2021, Gallimore has improved his strength and conditioning according to head coach Mike McCarthy.
Mike McCarthy may want to get back to “establishing being able to run the football” :: Blogging The Boys
Link The Cowboys may have given Dak Prescott $160 million reasons to slang the football around but they do have a running back, Ezekiel Elliott, that they gave $90 million to as well. NFL senior reporter Charles Robinson recently revealed a conversation he had with someone within the Cowboys organization, and it appears head coach Mike McCarthy wants more balance on offense by running the football.
Dallas Cowboys' injured band of players back together, ready to play :: ESPN
Link The Cowboys were without Dak, Blake Jarwin, Zack Martin, Tyron Smith, and La'el Collins for a combined 62 games in 2020. Each has gone through the grind of rehabbing with the team's director of rehabilitation Britt Brown, holding each other accountable for putting in the necessary work. Now, they look forward to getting back to the players they were before their injuries.
Cowboys camp observations: Defense has a day with multiple interceptions in team drills :: Dallas Morning News
Link During the first training camp practice of the week for the Cowboys, the defense took center stage causing several turnovers.
'That was just Jimmy': Those who know Jimmy Johnson best tell stories about the Hall of Fame coach :: The Athletic
Link (Paywall) Troy Aikman, Nate Newton, Norv Turner, and others dish about former Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson who is set to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame in a few weeks.
Battlegrounds: Kazee Responded To New Signing :: Dallas Cowboys
Link Damontae Kazee was signed in March as the potential starting free safety opposite Donovan Willson. However, on Tuesday, the Cowboys inked a deal with Malik Hooker, who many believe is a better fit. Kazee responded with an excellent day of practice, setting the stage for an intriguing battle between the two.
Fantasy Football Team Preview: Dallas Cowboys — Breakouts, Busts and Sleepers :: Pro Football Focus
Link A look at the expected bounce back from Ezekiel Elliott, the ascension of CeeDee Lamb and where those things leave Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup's respective values. Oh, and what to think about Dak's sweet spot.
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