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Three burning questions for 2025 Cowboys
The Cowboys had no answers for the loss of quarterback Dak Prescott, finishing out of the playoffs with a 7-10 record in 2024.
They say things will be different in 2025, but we still have questions.
What can Jaydon Blue do?
After losing leading rusher Rico Dowdle to Carolina, Dallas almost had to take a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, Cowboys fans clearly had thoughts of taking Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton or even Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins with one of the team’s nine picks, not a running back from their own backyard.
A fifth-round selection, Blue played behind running backs Bijan Robinson and Jonathon Brooks for two years before breaking out with 730 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and 368 yards and six scores through the air in 2024 with Texas.
Jaydon Blue takes it to the house for a 38-yard rushing TD and Texas is in front! pic.twitter.com/SZDrGc79EQ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 21, 2024
At six-feet tall and 200 pounds, Blue is smaller than new additions Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams, but neither of them ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. With game-breaking speed and the ability to catch the ball, Blue could emerge as the team’s lead back before the end of the season.
Is Brian Schottenheimer up to the task?
Schottenheimer became the 10th coach in franchise history once the team moved on from Mike McCarthy, who led the team to a 49-35 regular season record from 2020-2024. While not exactly Jimmy Johnson, or his predecessor Tom Landry, McCarthy leaves big shoes to fill for the son of former NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer.
The younger Schottenheimer spent the last few seasons working with the Cowboys offense, although McCarthy retained play-calling responsibilities.
Schottenheimer last called plays for Jacksonville in 2021 while the team scored a league-worst 14.9 points per game with rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He’ll need to do much better for a veteran roster with high expectations for 2025.
Will Amari Cooper come back?
Cooper underwhelmed with 547 yards and four scores for the Browns and Bills last season but had 3,893 yards and 27 touchdowns with the Cowboys from 2018-2021. Now a free agent, the 30-year-old receiver has been linked to the team by at least one NFL reporter.
After passing on wide receivers in the draft, there is “building team interest” in bringing back Cooper, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Dallas hasn’t had a true No. 2 receiver to play behind CeeDee Lamb since Cooper himself had 865 yards and eight touchdowns for the Cowboys in 2021 but was traded to the Browns in 2022.
Jalen Tolbert had a career-high 73 catches for 610 yards and seven scores for the Cowboys in 2024, but it doesn't sound like the team expects him to replicate those numbers in 2025.
More must-reads:
- Cowboys may reunite with WR after missing out on position in draft
- Three burning questions for 2025 Eagles
- The '2024-25 NFL rushing touchdown leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Commanders Training Camp Observations: Terry McLaurin ends holdout but theres more to it, Jayden Daniels gets lick back at rising defender
The Washington Commanders are participating in their final training camp practices before the pads come on this week, and there was no shortage of headlines today. I was in Ashburn, Virginia on Sunday for the fourth practice of training camp for the Commanders and came away with a lot of observations on and off the field. It was a hot one as fans reported for the first time today and it ended up being well worth the heat. McLaurin ends holdout, but there's more to it Commanders All-Pro WR Terry McLaurin officially reported today for the first time since training camp kicked off, but he is still without a new contract. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter posted on X that this does NOT mean progress has been made on a contract. He was also moved to the Active/PUP list with a reported ankle injury. HC Dan Quinn said before practice that the ankle injury is nothing new. “We knew at the end of last season the ankle was something that he was dealing with as it goes," Quinn told the media. "So, it's not so uncommon that that lingers into the offseason. . .We don't know much today. I'll have some more follow up. The medical side is doing the assessments and seeing where he is at." This is still a big step in the right direction with McLaurin being at Commanders Park and showing the team that he has done everything possible on his side. McLaurin also spent time with fans after practice even though he isn't practicing with the team and signed autographs. I also spotted McLaurin on the field with his agent Buddy Baker talking, so maybe this update today can put pressure on the Commanders to get a deal done. Expect an even better Mike Sainristil in his second season I can't express enough how impressed I am with Mike Sainristil. Every player on defense could be wearing a blank burgundy jersey and I could still point him out in every play because of his energy and how he flies around the ball. Sainristil was the talk of practice on Friday and he picked right back up on Sunday with a lot of pass breakups and an insane interception on a deep Jayden Daniels throw while covering rookie Jaylin Lane. Jayden Daniels and Jaylin Lane got their lick back One of the things I highlighted about McLaurin's absence is that other WRs get the chance to build a report with Jayden Daniels and they did just that today on arguably the best training camp play I've seen in my many many years of going. A few drills after Sainristil picked off the Daniels to Lane attempt, the franchise QB threw a DART to the corner of the end zone to the rookie Lane who lept over Sainristil AND safety Quan Martin for an unbelievable grab. The jury is still out on if he got both feet in, but I dont care, it was an incredible answer back at the defense after Sainristil got his interception and Daniels let him hear it after the grab. There's no lack of competitiveness between the young bucks on the team and it'll continue leading up to the season. The defense looks much improved I know I've been praising Sainristil a lot the last few days, but honestly the entire defense impressed me at practice for many reasons. After dominating practice Friday, the corners collected more pass breakups today and the defensive line rotations generated pressure and would-be sacks. Adding pads will make the practices even more physical and competitve and the defense can really flex it's muscles starting next week. I think a lot of my worries about the defense have been calmed for now. Commanders will honor Washington legend The Commanders also announced at training camp that they will honor an all-time great by inducting former WR Santana Moss into the Ring of Fame Week 1 against the New York Giants. Moss was surprised when he heard the news and even addressed the crowd on hand at training camp to express his gratitude and appreciation. The "Cowboy-Killa" was one of the few bright spots in the darkest times as a Washington fan and I can honestly say he deserves it. The franchise continues to make the right moves off the field for those that paved the way for the current state of the team. Moss also continues to give back as an analyst for the team's broadcast team. I'll have more detailed breakdown observations on the offense and the defense in the next articles, as well as more live practice updates, so be sure to check A to Z Sports for all of the latest on the Washington Commanders.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit into the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .217/.288/.408 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability, and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts, and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Bruins' David Pastrnak Calls Out Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: He Just Lacks Humility'
Juraj Slafkovsky is one of the most promising players in the NHL, but now he has been called out by David Pastrnak, who stated he lacks humility. After being picked No. 1 overall in 2022 NHL Draft, expectations were high in Montreal for young star Juraj Slafkovsky, and thus far, he's shown glimpses of being the elite level player many expected when he entered the National Hockey League. However, there are still some major steps to go, and in a recent interview, Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak pointed out perhaps one area where the 21-year old may need to improve moving forward. When asked about Slafkovsky and his potential, Pastrnak gave nothing but a glowing review of the young Canadiens star, but he did note that he believes Slafkovsky needs more humility. 'He's still a young player who is gaining experience in the NHL every year. This season it was already clear that he gave the team more than before...He just needs a little more humility, he should set an example for the young ones.' On the ice, there's no doubting that Slafkovsky has the presence, the size and the talent to be a true star, posting 101 total points over the past two seasons, but for whatever reason, it appears as though Pastrnak believes he needs to improve off the ice before he can take a major leap in Montreal. Ultimately, the talent is still there for Slafkovsky, and at 21-years old, he'll continue to learn off the ice, and if he can go anywhere close to living up to the potential that he's shown in his first three years at the NHL level, there's no doubt that he can be a big time star and help lead the Canadiens to significant post-season success.
Vancouver Canucks Connected To Struggling Former First Round Pick On The Trade Market
The Vancouver Canucks clearly need an upgrade down the middle, and now Trevor Beggs has hinted they may have significant interest in Buffalo's Josh Norris. This past season saw plenty of movement at the trade deadline, and while some moves paid off big, others did not, with a great example of the latter being Josh Norris acquired by the Buffalo Sabres. The talented yet injury prone centre was a key piece in a move that sent Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators, and while the Sabres had hopes of turning his career around, thus far, the injuries have struck again as he played in just three games after being acquired. With the team looking to push back into playoff contention, they may grow impatient with Norris, and given the Vancouver Canucks desires to upgrade down the middle, it's no surprise that they've now been linked to the 26-year old. Because he's good friends and a former college roommate of Quinn Hughes, Josh Norris will always be on the trade-market radar for Canucks fans. Norris only played three games with the Sabres before getting injured following the trade deadline. If he gets off to a subpar start in Buffalo, an organization that has missed the playoffs for 14 straight years can't afford to be patient with an injury-riddled 26-year-old, can they? That speculation comes from Locked on Canucks host Trevor Beggs, who believes that Norris' talent and his connection to Quinn Hughes make him an ideal trade candidate for the Canucks, a team that have undergone plenty of roster turnover in recent times. If Norris stays healthy and the Sabres start well, it's unlikely that they'll want to move him after he combined for 35 points in 56 games a year ago, but if that doesn't happen, don't be surprised to see Vancouver try and buy low on him.
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