Trevon Diggs allows a lot of yards, but creates turnovers. Is an extension guaranteed?

 Every week until the regular season, this series will put the spotlight on a key, but not fully established Cowboys player who is still on his way to his finished form. It will try to examine where his journey has gone so far, where 2022 might take him and beyond. Last week in this series, we profiled the case of Dalton Schultz. Schultz has a much more complex case to consider when you look at his franchise tag designation and the big bucks that go with it.

https://theathletic.com/3446205/2022/07/26/dallas-cowboys-trevon-diggs-interceptions/

Did 2019 give the Cowboys any difficult contract decisions?

 One last piece here before the Dallas Cowboys climb on the airplane to California that will double as our assumption of what might be a meeting at the Star during the offseason between those who are in charge of the finances. It is time to begin to get our affairs in order for the next group that comes down the "conveyor belt of talent" and puts the franchise in a decision-making process with each of a draft class that is completing its final season of its rookie year.

https://theathletic.com/3438146/2022/07/21/cowboys-2019-draft-class-rookie-contracts/

The Cowboys and Dalton Schultz: Where we have been and where we are headed

 Every week until the regular season, this series will put the spotlight on a key, but not fully established Cowboys player who is still on his way to his finished form. It will try to examine where his journey has gone so far, where 2022 might take him and beyond. Dalton Schultz was the 10th tight end taken in the 2018 NFL Draft and, at pick 137, he certainly was much better than his draft spot.

https://theathletic.com/3433441/2022/07/19/cowboys-dalton-schultz-franchise-tag/

The Cowboys didn't win up front on either side in the playoff loss to the 49ers

 One thing I make a point in doing every July is to rewatch the end of the previous year. I stole this idea from watching "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul" or even when "Game of Thrones" would finally give us a new season after being away for far too long. I have to remember where we left things. Where were the main characters? What pickle did the bad guys put us in as the screen froze and we faded away into the offseason? In TV shows, we often don't have anything occur.

https://theathletic.com/3417552/2022/07/14/cowboys-49ers-wild-card-playoff-game-review/

Cowboys draft analysis: What Day 3 picks Matt Waletzko and Devin Harper bring

 This is the final installment of our three-week plan to “get to know” each of the Cowboys’ six players taken on Day 3 of this year’s draft. You know the drill by now, 200 snaps to tell us what kind of player the Cowboys have selected as well as what we have found out about their backstories and potential roles with the team.

Two weeks back, we did the dive on Jake Ferguson and John Ridgeway.

Last week, we got after the two defensive pieces the Cowboys added with the middle two picks in Round 5, DaRon Bland and Damone Clark.

https://theathletic.com/3335011/2022/05/26/dallas-cowboys-draft-analysis-day-3/

Cowboys backfield: Why not feature Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard together more?

 I have a couple more things to finish up this week before I take a long break until early July. If anything massive happens, I will try to get involved here (and I will also attempt to tweet something relevant to read from the past for you each day), but for the most part, I will spend June doing something that isn’t writing about this football team. Usually, June is quiet, anyway, so bear with me.

But, one of those two things this week was going to be to explore and ponder one of the spots on this roster that is really starting to perplex me — and I imagine some of you.

https://theathletic.com/3330542/2022/05/24/dallas-cowboys-ezekiel-elliott-tony-pollard/

Cowboys draft analysis: Day 3 picks Damone Clark and DaRon Bland

 As we did last week (and will do again next week), it is time to push out our look at two more of the Cowboys’ later-round draft picks after we have given them the thorough film treatment. You know the drill by now, 200 snaps to tell us what kind of player the Cowboys have selected as well as what we have found out about their backstories and potential roles with the team.

Last week, we did the dive on Jake Ferguson and John Ridgeway.

This week, it is two members of the defensive depth chart, including a corner who may get in the mix pretty quickly and a linebacker who we may not even see in his rookie season due to rather significant health considerations.

https://theathletic.com/3319281/2022/05/19/dallas-cowboys-draft-damone-clark-daron-bland/

Mavericks make history, Stars fall short: Diary of night Dallas won’t soon forget

 May 15, 2022.

We have gathered Sunday night to witness a chance of a lifetime. Trying to win in a Game 7 for the fifth time in Dallas Mavericks history and only the second time ever on the road.

While …

Trying to win a Game 7 for the fourth time in Dallas Stars history and the first time on the road (bubbles don’t count).

At the same time!

https://theathletic.com/3313469/2022/05/16/dallas-mavericks-stars-game-7-history/

Cowboys newcomers: TE Jake Ferguson, DT John Ridgeway add reasonable pieces on both sides

 Here in the next few weeks, I want to make sure I get to the checklist of post-draft activities that I might have delayed this year for certain “playoffs in other sports” reasons locally. Yes, it is possible the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns versus the Mavericks (not to mention those Calgary Flames against the Stars) have helped delay my looks at all of the draft picks I had not studied properly.

So, for each of the next three weeks, I will grab two of the Cowboys’ front office Day 3 picks and see what we can see. This always is a fun activity to meet these guys and try to put ourselves in the war-room seats to try to understand the Cowboys’ ultimate vision.

https://theathletic.com/3303861/2022/05/12/dallas-cowboys-nfl-football-rookies-jake-ferguson-john-ridgeway/

How bad was the Amari Cooper trade for Cowboys? Take a look around the league and find out

 Matt Waletzko.

That will be the name that will forever be etched in the transactional record books when someone spends the time to dust off the 2022 volume and dive deep into what exactly the Dallas Cowboys were able to fetch for Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper when they traded him to Cleveland to alleviate their financial stress.

Matt Waletzko. Or, to be fair, the Cowboys could have used that pick on whatever gem was available at pick No. 155. And not only that, with pick No. 193 Oklahoma State linebacker Devin Harper was secured. But, that also cost them pick No 202.

https://theathletic.com/3293279/2022/05/04/cowboys-amari-cooper-trade-browns/

Reviewing how the Cowboys performed in the 2022 NFL Draft: The Morning After

 It is a fun time to hand out grades and thoughts about how each team did in the draft. Of course, this is a massive waste of everyone’s time because trying to figure out how a player is going to help a franchise over the next four to five years would require time travel and probably the gift of prophecy.

I have looked into both, but neither is covered with my membership status at the present time. We don’t know what the new city, the new full bank account, the franchise he joins with the coaching staff that he is thrust into will do to his attempt to take a massive step up in competition. This could be really easy or it could be too much.

https://theathletic.com/3288242/2022/05/02/cowboys-draft-analysis/

Cowboys Morning After: Dallas thinks Tyler Smith will be its left tackle for a long time

 The Cowboys clearly believe in their process and that led them to Tulsa’s Tyler Smith with the 24th pick in the first round. To them, he represents a player with the most upside of anyone in this draft. He’s someone the Cowboys think they can develop to be an opening-day starter at left guard in 2022 and then the man they trust to take over for Tyron Smith whenever the time comes. Will McClay properly says that he is “big, athletic and physical in a big, athletic and physical league.”

There is no question about any of that. Trust me, all of these points are well conceded.

https://theathletic.com/3281333/2022/04/29/cowboys-tyler-smith-first-round-analysis/

2022 NFL Draft game plan: Here is what the Cowboys need to do to get this right at No. 24

 There is no question that in 2022, the Cowboys’ massive rebuild will have to happen this weekend. They have shown us they have almost no real plans to address roster concerns with veterans. Now, I don’t mean to be a hypocrite at all. Usually, building with veterans is the ultimate fool’s errand in the NFL, with teams quickly regretting the moves they make and seldom regretting the moves they don’t make.

But, Dallas has really done next to nothing this year.

https://theathletic.com/3273334/2022/04/27/cowboys-nfl-draft-game-plan/

Cowboys Draft Digest: The final 2022 ‘Sturm 60’ NFL Draft board

 The vital week is upon us.

This is as important as any date on the 2022 Cowboys schedule. For anyone unclear on the vital connection and correlation between winning in your college prospect player selection and playing winning football, the evidence is all around you. Find a successful team and it invariably starts with this process. Conversely, find a team that gets everyone fired, and you can trace it back to a draft process that went off the rails a few too many times.

https://theathletic.com/3270795/2022/04/26/cowboys-draft-digest-sturm-big-board/

Cowboys Draft Digest: 5 prospects we missed on the first pass, but all linked to Dallas

 We have reached the end … almost.

This 13th edition of the 2022 NFL Draft Digest will give us a bonus five players. The Sturm 60 this year is a big lie because it will actually be the Sturm 65. And frankly, if my editors didn’t hold me back from full insanity, it might have even been larger.

But, it won’t be. We will stop at 65.

https://theathletic.com/3267319/2022/04/25/cowboys-nfl-draft-final-prospects/

Cowboys Draft Digest: 2022 crop of quarterbacks seems weak, but only the future will decide

 Today, we study the quarterbacks. This is the ninth year I have done this and the fifth for The Athletic.

In 2018, we examined Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield.

In 2019, it was Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, Drew Lock, Daniel Jones and Will Grier.

In 2020, we studied Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts.

And in 2021, the group was Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Trey Lance, Mac Jones and Zach Wilson

https://theathletic.com/3258082/2022/04/19/dallas-cowboys-nfl-draft-quarterbacks/

Cowboys Draft Digest: Depth and quality at wide receiver is obvious for this draft

 If you read my work for any amount of time, you have heard me go through the “nickel is base” truth to continue to emphasize that the NFL is going in one general direction. While we concede that certain things are cyclical, we are not willing to concede that the big and slow guys are ever going to come back into style league-wide.

https://theathletic.com/3248216/2022/04/14/cowboys-draft-wide-receivers/

Cowboys Draft Digest: Wide receivers are always plentiful and 2022 is no exception

 This week and next week we find and examine 10 more of our top prospects at the always fertile position of wide receiver. It seems every year the college football factories turn out the newest models and the quality continues to improve and impress by the season. It is causing a lot of questions in NFL front offices.

https://theathletic.com/3235500/2022/04/07/dallas-cowboys-nfl-draft-receivers/

Cowboys Draft Digest: The top class of safeties are a wonderful group of potential difference-makers

 Let’s have a few philosophical discussions today about this impressive group of safeties. First, let me direct you to a very safety-adjacent story from Monday about the success story of Jayron Kearse. He has been quite a find, but it is worth noting that given how he plays, might not actually be one of two safeties in the defense. Don’t get it twisted, he will be used a lot. But, perhaps in addition to Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson (or one of the names below) in a three-safety setup. Or, maybe you want to call it a two safety, one hybrid LB setup. Who knows, anymore?

https://theathletic.com/3220439/2022/03/31/cowboys-draft-digest-the-top-class-of-safeties-are-a-wonderful-group-of-potential-difference-makers/

Jayron Kearse being back in the fold is bigger news for the Cowboys defense than people would think

 How we consume our football is largely based on what people find interesting. You know, what gets the clicks going. This sport is far too nuanced for that to always lead us in the right direction, but it is probably easier to just answer Micah Parsons for every question on why the defense was so much better than it was in 2020.

You know I won’t do that to you here. Although I will quickly concede that Parsons is a franchise-altering draft pick at this current pace of play. Also, keeping Dan Quinn around makes me very pleased with how well this defense has a chance to continue its build with some nice development down the same course. Continuity is a massive key in this league and the Cowboys have a chance to put some nice things on top of their sturdy foundation.

https://theathletic.com/3213741/2022/03/28/jayron-kearse-being-back-in-the-fold-is-bigger-news-for-the-cowboys-defense-than-people-would-think/

Cowboys Draft Digest: As the NFL continues to evolve, so does the linebacker position

 Hopefully, everyone has had a few minutes to reflect on the impact and career of the longtime coach and currently retired Jerry Glanville. Aside from coaching (and hating) a young Brett Favre, he was known for several things that made a real impact on those of us who watched that included leaving tickets for Elvis Presley at many games and dressing in all black. He was a wild ride as both head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers, but also gained notoriety for explaining on NFL Films to a referee who had frustrated him that NFL stood for “Not For Long” if the ref continued with calls like that.

https://theathletic.com/3206679/2022/03/24/cowboys-draft-digest-as-the-nfl-continues-to-evolve-so-does-the-linebacker-position/

One week in, we analyze all of the signings, losses and gains of the Cowboys spring

 Let’s start with two of the most basic but missed truths of this time of year:

1. There are almost no occasions where the winners of the first week of free agency still feel great about their spending spree in 24 or 36 months. In fact, a brief glance at the 2019 free agency supposed home runs will quickly turn into warning track fly balls. Here were the top signings of 36 months ago: Trey Flowers to Detroit ( five years, $90 million) — cut last week after three years and 10 total sacks. Landon Collins to Washington (six years, $84 million) — cut last week. Trent Brown to Oakland (four years, $64 million) — traded a year ago to New England and just re-signed. C.J. Mosley to New York Jets (five years, $85 million) — still with team but has only played in 18 games in three seasons. And, Le’Veon Bell to the Jets (four years, $52 million) — lasted about one season there and has been on four teams since and is looking for work. Those were the top five players in that group and all of them were pretty large failures. We didn’t even look at Earl Thomas to Baltimore (four years, $55 million) or Golden Tate to the Giants (four years, $37.5 million). In other words, this often doesn’t work out really well for the big spenders. And you can also pick just about any year you want.

2. There are 175 days until opening Sunday for the 2022 NFL season. There is a long way to go. Everybody calm down.

https://theathletic.com/3199713/2022/03/21/one-week-in-we-analyze-all-of-the-signings-losses-and-gains-of-the-cowboys-spring/

Cowboys Draft Digest: Elite cornerbacks flood the first round at very premium position

 This is our seventh of 12 weeks of the draft digests. We started with three weeks of prospects on the defensive front. Then we went for three weeks of offensive line and tight ends. For the next three weeks, we will work on defensive backs and linebackers and then finish our project with what we assume will be the main thrust of the Cowboys’ first two days — offensive playmakers to help replace guys like Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson. Of course, we also have to do this year’s QB class, because it is the premium position of all premium positions and we do it not because the Cowboys are in the market for a QB, but rather we have to do it because quarterbacks are important no matter where they end up playing.

https://theathletic.com/3185155/2022/03/17/cowboys-draft-digest-elite-cornerbacks-flood-the-first-round-at-very-premium-position/

Cowboys Draft Digest: This year’s tight end class has no Kyle Pitts, but has many starters

 It has probably been a few years since we have done a full draft digest on the tight end position, but this year we believe a few things that have properly changed our tune enough to even get the tight ends in before spring break. We start with this being a very interesting tight end class that has enough quality depth that as many as seven or eight could go in the first few days. I wouldn’t call that likely, but at least very possible. There is no Kyle Pitts, for sure. But, this league is always looking for dual threat tight ends who are neither a liability in blocking or in receiving. And for whatever reason, this year has plenty of that.

https://theathletic.com/3174453/2022/03/10/cowboys-draft-digest-this-years-tight-end-class-has-no-kyle-pitts-but-has-many-starters/

The Cowboys have talked about every option for three key players but now they must make decision

 The time for talking has pretty much expired as Tuesday is the final day for tag designations in the NFL. By Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT, we will know which teams have decided to place tags on their potential free agents and which will risk them getting into the open marketplace.

There is no question that the Cowboys are right near the front of these discussions as they usually are. We have three names to discuss as it pertains to contract adjustments or tags, all of which could certainly justify their own written piece. We have Amari Cooper, DeMarcus Lawrence and Dalton Schultz to discuss and their futures in Dallas therein. But, given that each deserves his own space, we shall accommodate each situation as best we can. My very capable colleague, Jon Machota, has already written several thoughts on Cooper and a few additional offerings on Schultz.

https://theathletic.com/3167512/2022/03/07/the-cowboys-have-talked-about-every-option-for-three-key-players-but-now-they-must-make-decision/

Cowboys Draft Digest: From Evan Neal to Trevor Penning, top offensive tackles in 2022 collectively are strong

 This week our goal was to look further at the offensive line crop, with a focus on the offensive tackles available high in this draft. We can only get five prospects per week, but I think we can safely say that is not enough to look at all of those who might jump right in and be starters for a long time. In my estimation, this is one of the best positions in the entire draft when it comes to “top shelf” prospects.

https://theathletic.com/3159057/2022/03/03/cowboys-draft-digest-from-evan-neal-to-trevor-penning-top-offensive-tackles-in-2022-collectively-are-strong/

Dan Quinn and Micah Parsons redefined the possibilities for the Cowboys and deserve all of the credit

 We are right in the thick of our draft studies this week as the party has shifted to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine. Here at the “Sturm 60 HQ,” we are stressing out about how to make 68 prospects fit into 60 spots and figuring that whoever doesn’t make the cut will be more likely to be selected by Dallas. Today, I will get the 24th player fully evaluated.

https://theathletic.com/3154424/2022/03/01/dan-quinn-and-micah-parsons-redefined-the-possibilities-and-deserve-all-of-the-credit/

Cowboys Draft Digest: Interior offensive line makes plenty of sense early

 Earlier this week we discussed the disappointing 2021 season for the Cowboys offensive line. Despite the celebrated analysis of some, from the Denver game in Week 9 through the wild-card round vs. the San Francisco 49ers, there were seldom times when the Cowboys offensive line was able to “boss” a game.

As we reviewed Tuesday, this led to many issues in a chain reaction of effects — most notably the defense deploying fewer players to play the run — and yet Dallas did not quickly expose that. Dallas had to deal with fewer defenders up front and still had its hands full. The 49ers were able to win the line of scrimmage with their defensive front and that is where the season and the Cowboys’ dreams ended.

https://theathletic.com/3147168/2022/02/24/cowboys-draft-digest-interior-offensive-line-makes-plenty-of-sense-early/

Offseason priority for the Cowboys is clear: Get the offensive line up to level of reputation

 Given that this week will look at interior offensive line possibilities in the 2022 NFL Draft, I thought this week’s Cowboys essay would fit really well on a similar topic. That topic will be, of course, the current status of the Cowboys offensive line.

You can imagine the surprise of so many of us who digest Cowboys football daily after this past season when we discovered the recently released analysis by PFF that the Cowboys had the top offensive line in the NFL in 2021.

https://theathletic.com/3140924/2022/02/22/offseason-priority-for-the-cowboys-is-clear-get-the-offensive-line-up-to-level-of-reputation/

Dallas Cowboys Draft Digest: Defensive tackle group is not very deep, but SEC provides talent

 This week we want to look at one of the thinner groups in the 2022 NFL Draft from our first pass — defensive tackle. There is no doubt that you can find a real numbers advantage on your defense — being able to stop the run with fewer defenders so you can put more into covering the secondary with zone defenders — if you have stout defensive tackles. The ability to stop the run and push the pocket and penetrate into the backfield is what we seek. To do that, we need more than speed bumps. We need athletes. Dancing bears are what we seek, the rare athletes on the upper side of 300 pounds but still the agility and fluidity to win battles of quickness in short spaces. They must be athletic marvels and the scarcity of special at this spot is normally profound.

https://theathletic.com/3132680/2022/02/17/dallas-cowboys-draft-digest-defensive-tackle-group-is-not-very-deep-but-sec-provides-talent/

2022 NFL Super Bowl era franchise rankings: Rams shoot up another tier with title

 Fifty-six Super Bowls have now been played. We must say goodbye to our beloved sport’s games for over 200 days.

Aside from the appropriate sadness and the baseball lobby generally showing us trucks being loaded with gear (perhaps not here in 2022), that can only mean that it is time once again to update our franchise rankings.

https://theathletic.com/3122789/2022/02/15/2022-nfl-super-bowl-era-franchise-rankings-rams-shoot-up-another-tier-with-title/

Dallas Cowboys Draft Digest: Edge rushers continue to impress with star quality

 We slide into our second edition of 12 weekly digests by continuing with this deep group of high-end edge rushers. Due to the randomness of our ordering, we will actually find the top few of the 10 to be in this grouping. Make sure you catch our first volume from last week.

https://theathletic.com/3122420/2022/02/10/dallas-cowboys-draft-digest-edge-rushers-continue-to-impress-with-star-quality/

Cowboys’ offseason shopping list: Plenty to do with their huge free-agent class

 Given that we are in Super Bowl week and things are going to start happening as soon as the window opens for business in the 2022 offseason, we better start moving past the coaching movements and focus on the players. With all due respect to the fine-tuning of staffs that will not change too much, the Cowboys will see most of their gains and losses from personnel. You know I am not shocked to find out Kellen Moore is returning, as I think he requires significant seasoning, but now that this is behind us, let’s get to setting the lineups with as much quality and depth as we can muster.

https://theathletic.com/3115914/2022/02/08/cowboys-offseason-shopping-list-plenty-to-do-with-their-huge-free-agent-class/

Dallas Cowboys Draft Digest: Edge rushers front a deep, quality class at vital position

 We begin the journey today at one of the most important positions on any contending roster — the edges. The NFL has forced edge rushers to evolve over the years. Once upon a time, your edges were 280-plus pounds and stout. Now, we want twitchy speed, but enough strength that you are not a target in the run game. We want guys with absurd abilities to run in space, change direction, but also able to stand tall at the point of attack as well as trouble offensive tackles with length, strength and pass-rush moves that utilize body control. More than anything, this is a position that requires an endless reserve of energy and passion. While some folks may roll their eyes at the concept of the “motor”, you will find that every great edge rusher has the ability to throw everything at you over and over for three hours of a game. Because that one fourth-quarter sack can make the entire game look like a success.

https://theathletic.com/3109293/2022/02/03/dallas-cowboys-draft-digest-edge-rushers-front-a-deep-quality-class-at-vital-position/

The Sturm 60 Draft Digest is back for 2022: Frequently asked questions

 We begin again!

The Sturm 60 Draft Digest drops Thursday with our first five prospects. We will do 12 consecutive weeks — mostly on Thursdays — so that you will know the key members of the 2022 NFL Draft, just as I have done since 2012.

From the spring of 2020:

It is something I started doing many years ago, and although it is a ton of work and makes me feel like my NFL offseason doesn’t actually start until May, I am not sure I will ever be able to stop doing this now.

Invariably, when I release a new version for these annual draft prospects — the Sturm 60, if you will — I get a ton of feedback in the form of curiosity and cross-referencing to see if my method has merit or thought behind it. The brilliant Dane Brugler, who has dedicated his life’s work to the evaluation of every single draft prospect, is doing a much more thorough and massive job if you are looking for 460, instead of 60. I could never dream of competing with Dane, in fact, his knowledge lights my path. But since this is my method, I am more than happy to explain the program and answer any questions or concerns.

https://theathletic.com/3106438/2022/02/02/the-sturm-60-draft-digest-is-back-for-2022-frequently-asked-questions/

Championship windows and how dynasties are beyond difficult: The Morning After

 One game is left. The entire NFL show now travels two weekends in a row. The ambitious types head to Mobile, Ala., this morning for the Senior Bowl week which gives us the full approval to begin wall-to-wall draft preparations immediately. Because you have kindly asked, this week will be my first week of 12 Draft Digests to get you to late April with a fair appreciation for the top prospects who will be factors as soon as this fall. Just ask Micah Parsons about how quickly you can go from a prospect to a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Others will also go prepare for the Pro Bowl — which apparently still exists, despite the indifference of everyone but those playing in the game and their families — before a much larger portion of the traveling show emerges in Los Angeles in one week’s time for Super Bowl 56.

https://theathletic.com/3102610/2022/01/31/championship-windows-and-how-dynasties-are-beyond-difficult-the-morning-after/

It comes with the dinner: Why Sean Payton and working for the Cowboys always brings the noise

 None of us had a hard time seeing this one coming.

Our playlet begins as it always does …

It starts with “Jerry is really mad this time” as the townsfolk scurry and fan themselves with shock because the great king and owner of the entire land, King Jerry Jones, was seen to be red-faced with rage after his hand-appointed charges allowed another defeat in front of him a few weeks back.

The entire kingdom is in a fit of unrest, awaiting the next public execution in the town square. You do not anger the great king and live to tell about it.

https://theathletic.com/3096336/2022/01/27/it-comes-with-the-dinner-why-sean-payton-and-working-for-the-cowboys-always-brings-the-noise/

The Cowboys definitely had a chance — which is the key to ultimately getting there

 I had some other ideas today, but after witnessing the most incredible weekend of playoff football I could remember, it definitely seemed an audible was in order. We have plenty of things to get to in the weeks and months to come before April 28 brings the 2022 NFL Draft, but I will continue to look for relevant moments to discuss what we have just seen.

And we have just seen something worth discussing.

https://theathletic.com/3088619/2022/01/24/the-cowboys-definitely-had-a-chance-which-is-the-key-to-ultimately-getting-there/

Five days later, thoughts on Mike McCarthy and where I went wrong again: Cowboys riffing

It’s been a long week around here.

Cowboys fans are either sad, numb or just mad that they fell for it again. Some have sworn — like their current head coach who they might like gone — that they have very little interest in watching this weekend’s playoff games because it will remind them of another underachievement of a season. It was two weeks ago when we hashed out the definition of a successful season. I said that the wild-card game is the definition of a “must-win” from more than the obvious idea of keeping a season going, but rather to keep hope alive that the Cowboys are even in the right galaxy. 

https://theathletic.com/3084104/2022/01/21/five-days-later-thoughts-on-mike-mccarthy-and-where-i-went-wrong-again-cowboys-riffing/

The ground and pound of the Kyle Shanahan attack wins the day and likely ends the Cowboys’ Dan Quinn era

 As I stated Tueday, I would absolutely assign the “loss” for this gutting playoff defeat with San Francisco on the offense. The lion’s share of blame must go to that side of the football and it rightfully will in this space. There is no question where the Cowboys have prioritized their budget and expectation level. The offense was given plenty and on Sunday delivered little.

https://theathletic.com/3079694/2022/01/19/the-ground-and-pound-of-the-kyle-shanahan-attack-wins-the-day-and-likely-ends-the-cowboys-dan-quinn-era/

At the moment of truth, the Cowboys offense fails to produce against pressure: Decoding Kellen Moore

 It is the conclusion of this media voice that the lion’s share of disappointment for 2021 must fall on the shoulders of this offense. Despite delightful statistical accumulation, the Cowboys demonstrated again that they did not have the ability to score and accumulate when it counted most. We have seen this before, but in these win-or-go-home moments, it should fall to the offense to demonstrate what it has done with the assets from this organization. In a salary-capped league with a finite amount of resources, almost everything is constantly being given to the offense. Compensation along the offensive line, skill positions, and, lest we forget, quarterback, is among the highest in the sport. They have dedicated resource after resource to build an unstoppable attack.

https://theathletic.com/3076740/2022/01/18/at-the-moment-of-truth-the-cowboys-offense-fails-to-produce-against-pressure-decoding-kellen-moore/

The Cowboys come out flat and fall short again in familiar plot line: The Morning After

 He doesn’t always make sense when he’s talking in various pitches of excitement, but there was definitely a moment when Tony Romo said something that hit everything precisely right on the head of the nail.

He said, “Wow! That was actually a brilliant play (idea), but you kind of look silly now.”

Now, tell me, what do you think he was talking about?

Because in Sunday’s end to the Cowboys season, we could put that in so many places in the script.

https://theathletic.com/3074975/2022/01/17/the-cowboys-come-out-flat-and-fall-short-again-in-familiar-plot-line-the-morning-after/

Preparing for an epic battle against a familiar foe with plenty on the line: Cowboys playoff riffing

 The playoffs are one big ice-cream headache of glorious anxiety. Not knowing if you are about to enjoy the ride of a lifetime or another trip to the heartbreak hotel. It can be the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

Unfortunately, for anyone involved with Dallas Cowboys football, it is the feeling that it will never be their year again. We doubt that dubious fatalism is productive, but just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, we can safely tell you neither was Cowboys cynicism.

You know the story. They have gone way too long.

https://theathletic.com/3070190/2022/01/14/preparing-for-an-epic-battle-against-a-familiar-foe-with-plenty-on-the-line-cowboys-playoff-riffing/

Dan Quinn is with the Cowboys (for now) and he definitely wants another Super Bowl run before he goes

 This is the end, my friend.

Sunday starts the end. That end could take either a month or a few hours. We certainly don’t know which, but we also know what we would all prefer.

And whether the season ends this Sunday or in one month in the Super Bowl, we are getting a pretty clear message that Dan Quinn’s era as the architect of this defense will come to an end. Who could have imagined that the year he spent here would have gone so well?

https://theathletic.com/3066555/2022/01/12/dan-quinn-is-with-the-cowboys-for-now-and-he-definitely-wants-another-super-bowl-run-before-he-goes/

Cowboys offense reveals tactical wrinkles as they head to the playoffs: Decoding Kellen Moore

 The regular season has been completed. There is very little that the Cowboys can now say about this 2021 season that they haven’t had every opportunity to say. Narratives have been written and opinions have been heard. But the only thing that can change where they have been stuck for years upon years will happen in the days and (possibly) weeks to come.

https://theathletic.com/3061918/2022/01/11/cowboys-offense-reveals-tactical-wrinkles-as-they-head-to-the-playoffs-decoding-kellen-moore/

Cowboys beat Eagles reserves like a drum — the playoffs have begun: The Morning After

 On Saturday night, the Cowboys played their final scrimmage before their playoff opener. They tried to simulate a real game with actual NFL players assembled to play against inside a real and hostile NFL stadium that was filled with real fans cheering against them. To make the simulation even more realistic, they had television cameras there for a broadcast and tried to play it in freezing weather.

https://theathletic.com/3058917/2022/01/09/cowboys-beat-eagles-reserves-like-a-drum-the-playoffs-have-begun-the-morning-after/

In pursuit of that very rare successful Cowboys season: Pregame riffing

 Let’s have a dialogue.

In this spot you no doubt expect a thorough game preview and I am honored to normally provide one. However, this week, we find a game where neither team seems terribly compelled to risk much in terms of personnel or tactics, and they also have very little to gain. The Cowboys and their hated rivals from Philadelphia will meet on the field and for some reason will be featured as the best game for Saturday night, despite neither team promising much more than a brisk run-through in which they try not to get anyone hurt. In what will serve as a small dress rehearsal, Dallas will try to find its groove, but in the end, there is nothing that can be accomplished on Saturday night that can be defined as meaningful or terribly important.

https://theathletic.com/3056034/2022/01/07/in-pursuit-of-that-very-rare-successful-cowboys-season-pregame-riffing/

Very few challenges are like the Kyler Murray challenge: Dan Quinn’s Cowboys defense needs work

There are many ways to evaluate Sunday and most of the pointed questions were asked of the failed offensive performance Tuesday. Unlike their mates who handle business across the line of scrimmage, the Cowboys defense put up a fight that we can probably point toward as “potentially capable of beating Arizona in a rematch.” The bar is not the highest ever, but it should be meaningful. 

https://theathletic.com/3051999/2022/01/05/very-few-challenges-are-like-the-kyler-murray-challenge-dan-quinns-cowboys-defense-needs-work/

Cowboys saved their worst offensive performance for Week 17: Decoding Kellen Moore

 We certainly hoped that the undefeated month of December and the laugher vs. Washington for Christmas dinner was a sign that the Cowboys were emerging from their prolonged offensive slump. They have (had) almost all of their pieces in place and now the simple hopes of taking a beat-up Arizona defense to task on Sunday seemed a reasonable goal.

But, now we know better.

Their first offensive performance of 2022 was putrid. There is simply no other nice way to say it.

https://theathletic.com/3050552/2022/01/04/cowboys-saved-their-worst-offensive-performance-for-week-17-decoding-kellen-moore/

Cowboys miss opportunity to change their narrative and lose big test: The Morning After

 It all seemed too familiar.

Despite an undefeated December against teams (and more importantly, QBs) that don’t belong on the same field, Dallas still has many skeptics about its prospects this postseason due to its rather historic propensity to not deliver in the biggest of moments in this “not so new anymore” millennium.

https://theathletic.com/3048492/2022/01/03/cowboys-miss-opportunity-to-change-their-narrative-and-lose-big-test-the-morning-after/