News: Gil Brandt apologizes for remarks, Cowboys remember former assistant
The weekend was bookended with sadness for football fans. The tragic news of Dwayne Haskins’s untimely death shook many in the football community, but the grief was soon compounded by the thoughtless remarks made by a longtime Cowboys executive on Saturday morning radio. Gil Brandt has now issued an apology. And just 24 hours later, the NFL lost another beloved figure in former running back and running backs coach Gary Brown. Cowboys players and extended family will no doubt continue to pay their respects over the coming days.
Meanwhile, the life of football goes on as always. Cowboys Wire features in-depth profiles of several college prospects, including wide receivers at several draft positions and an intriguing up-and-coming tight end. We pit first-round linebacker against first-round linebacker to determine which might be a better fit in Dallas, Trevon and Stefon Diggs share some brotherly love on National Siblings Day, and one of the team’s world-famous cheerleaders got married over the weekend… and the whole squad showed up to perform at the reception, in a video that’s going viral. It’s all ahead in this edition of News and Notes.
Ex-Cowboys executive Gil Brandt apologizes for comments regarding Dwayne Haskins’ death :: Dallas Morning News
The longtime vice president of player personnel issued an apology via Twitter on Saturday afternoon for comments made hours earlier in the wake of the tragic death of Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haksins. “This morning while learning of Dwayne Haskins’ passing, I reacted carelessly and insensitively on a radio interview,” the 90-year-old Brandt posted. “I want to apologize to Mr. Haskins’ family and anyone who heard my poor choice of words. I truly apologize. My heart goes out to his family at this difficult time.”
Beloved Cowboys RB coach Gary Brown passes away, age 52 :: Cowboys Wire
Brown helped produce three league rushing champs in seven seasons as a Cowboys position coach. Despite being diagnosed with cancer (for a second time) in 2020, he returned to the sidelines at Wisconsin last season. “It’s going to eat you up and you’re going to fold up and go into a corner and die, or you’re going to fight,” he explained recently. “My parents raised me to fight.”
Devin Lloyd vs Nakobe Dean: Which LB makes more sense for Cowboys? :: Cowboys Wire
When talking about this year’s linebacker class, these two rise to the top of the conversation every time. Georgia’s Dean is a bit undersized, but has obvious and terrific instincts and could be a game-changer on third downs. Utah’s Lloyd is probably a better three-down player and arguably fits Dan Quinn’s mold more closely. Mike Crum of Cowboys Wire and Dan Ruppert of Sport DFW take sides in this defensive debate.
2022 NFL draft: 4 positions Cowboys most likely to pick from at No. 24 :: Cowboys Wire
Anything can happen once the picks start coming in, but the Cowboys’ intentions with their first-round choice seem to be somewhat narrowed down, at least in terms of which position they’ll address on the first night of the draft. Offensive line, wide receiver, defensive line, and linebacker look to have drawn the most interest, based on the team’s list of official visits.
Cowboys 2022 draft profile on Houston DT Logan Hall :: Cowboys Wire
He is a little lacking when it comes to physical size, but the Houston lineman can turn it on once he hits the field. He’s explosive off the ball and converts his speed to power very well, drawing from a variety of effective moves at the line. Still, Hall could be a Week 1 starter for Dallas and would benefit from time alongside the likes of Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Georgia WR George Pickens' story seems destined for Cowboys, does the tape make him worthy? :: Cowboys Wire
Pickens had some disciplinary issues with the Bulldogs, but showed himself to be a phenomenal deep threat against top-tier secondaries in the pass-happy SEC. He tore an ACL last March, but managed to come back for Georgia’s final four games. He’s exactly the kind of high-upside player the Cowboys have been known to take a chance on in Round Two.
Trevon and Stefon Diggs show brotherly bond on National Siblings Day :: Dallas Cowboys (Twitter)
#FootballisFamily❕ Happy #NationalSiblingsDay❕@TrevonDiggs x @stefondiggs #DallasCowboys x @BuffaloBills
📺: @NFL pic.twitter.com/fAzKuWSz8O— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 10, 2022
Barely recruited, N Dakota State WR Christian Watson could turn into pro star :: Cowboys Wire
Don’t be fooled by the small-school pedigree. Watson posted one of the best combines in recent memory, and he has the skills to also do it against live coverage at the pro level. He’s a second-round-caliber talent who’s actually on par with the best in this year’s class; he could turn into a deadly threat for whatever offense selects him.
Cowboys draft profile: Mississippi State WR Makai Polk may just be scratching surface :: Cowboys Wire
He bounced around to three different college programs, but Polk is hoping to latch on with an NFL club for the long haul. He has good hands and works his way back to the passer well, making him a likely slot candidate. He’ll probably end up having to be part of a stable of receivers as he learns the pro game, but he’s a name to watch on Day Three of the draft.
Alabama WR Jameson Williams is projected to still go high, but Cowboys should be prepared :: Cowboys Wire
The lightning-fast Biletnikoff finalist may be gone by the 24th pick, but the ACL tear he suffered in the National Championship Game will be a non-starter for some teams. That means he could fall, and that means the Cowboys need to have a plan on what they would do if he does. Williams’s speed would force defenses to get away from playing so much press man coverage and open up a whole new world for Dak Prescott.
Ohio St. TE Jeremy Ruckert doesn't have the production, but his upside intrigues the Cowboys :: Cowboys WIre
It’s hard to tell if the Ohio State tight end has the goods, since the Buckeyes don’t use the position heavily. Perhaps that’s why the Cowboys used one of their 30 official visits on Ruckert. On paper, though, he seems to be a candidate to become the tight end of the future in Dallas, as Dalton Schultz’s long-term viability will be under the microscope in 2022.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader performs with squad at her own wedding :: SportsCenter (Instagram)
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcJVSo8l-gi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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