Cowboys News: Mazi’s Michigan stuff, Dallas hires another Commanders staffer
The News and Notes have a decidedly defensive tone in this edition. From an embattled D-lineman who appears to have had a storage unit full of valuable personal belongings unearthed by an internet reseller to a new assistant hired away from an NFC East rival, and the longtime veteran DB once pursued by the star who may finally find his way there to the newly-revealed price tag for keeping the unit’s superstar in a fifth season, we’ll look at Mike Zimmer’s crew… as well as why he and head coach Mike McCarthy are skipping the biggest week of draft season.
Elsewhere, the Cowboys are tops in the NFL (again) in one of Jerry Jones’s favorite categories, Jake Ferguson puts the playoff loss in the rearview mirror, a former Cowboys staffer takes the reins of a new herd in the UFL, we explore what King Henry could bring to Cowboys Nation, and the franchise says a sad farewell to one of the heroes of its first generation.
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NFLer’s $20,000 sneaker collection found in auctioned storage unit | New York Post
A TikToker claims he bought a storage unit stocked with exclusive University of Michigan team gear and personal items that social media fans have theorized originally belonged to Mazi Smith. “I’m not going to lie to you,” the reseller says a clean-out video he posted. “I did not understand what I was dealing with when I started opening these.”
Cowboys' McCarthy, Zimmer skipping NFL scouting combine | Cowboys Wire
The head coach will skip his second straight combine in favor of staying at the team headquarters with his newly-hired defensive coordinator to work on new schemes and the final staff hires.
Cowboys hire former Commanders interim DB coach Cristian Garcia as defensive assistant | Dallas Morning News
Garcia was the Washington Commanders’ interim defensive backs coach last season and follows former NFL veteran and defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina from Washington to Dallas. He will help Al Harris oversee the Cowboys secondary.
Open Market: Free agency flooded with LB options | The Mothership
Leighton Vander Esch was lost for the 2023 season and maybe longer. DeMarvion Overshown basically took a redshirt year due to injury. Rashaan Evans has been released and Malik Jefferson wasn’t signed to a futures deal, leaving only Damone Clark and Buddy Johnson as the last true LBs on the entire roster. Maybe it’s time to look outside at a name like Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, Lavonte David, Frankie Luvu, or Azeez Al-Shaair.
Jamal Adams may be cut by Seahawks, could the Cowboys be a landing spot? | Cowboys Wire
The long and very public courting between the native Texan and the Cowboys never went anywhere in 2020. Adams is now over a torn quadriceps and facing a possible cut from a team he never really fit with. A union between Adams and the Cowboys is probably a long shot, but his price tag is at an all-time low. Maybe there’s a place for him in Mike Zimmer’s defense.
Fifth-year option price set for Cowboys' Micah Parsons | Cowboys Wire
With the 2024 salary cap set, the Cowboys now know exercising their fifth-year option on Parsons (in 2025) will cost $24.007 million. Expect the Cowboys to pick up the three-time Pro Bowler’s option and continue to work toward a longer-term deal. Teams have until May 2 to exercise their fifth-year options on 2021 first-rounders.
Cowboys lead league in attendance yet again | NBC Sports
Nobody in the NFL showed up for their team this season like Cowboys fans! 👏 pic.twitter.com/UutCpWoo9T
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 21, 2024
Pro Bowl TE Jake Ferguson ready to ride on from Cowboys' season-ending loss: 'You can't look back' | NFL.com
The tight end is done with the Green Bay loss, but eager to apply the lessons learned. “We’ve got to get ready for this OTA session coming up, and then also fall camp and just get ready so if we do get in this situation down the road again, where we take advantage and we aren’t really looking back, we’re just going straight through the wall.”
Agent's Take: Derrick Henry faces free agent dilemma; two teams who make sense for aging but productive RB | CBS Sports
Henry has two strikes against him as he enters free agency: his age and a high number of career carries. The optimal situation for Henry is probably an offense that views him as a missing piece to a championship puzzle. The Cowboys and Ravens fall into that category. In Dallas, his rare size would make it easier to close out games on the ground, and he would be a major weapon in red zone situations around the goal line.
Wade Phillips will coach the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL | ProFootballTalk
The former Cowboys coach, 76, believes he’s too old to work in today’s NFL, but he’ll helm the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas, replacing Hines Ward in the role. Onetime Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will coach the Michigan Panthers. The league kicks off on March 30.
Former Cowboys WR Golden Richards passes away at 73 | Cowboys Wire
Richards is perhaps best remembered for his fourth-quarter touchdown catch in Super Bowl XII, but he also stands in the franchise’s top 50 in terms of receiving yards and the top 30 in touchdown receptions.
