Jake Ferguson explains tweaks to training regimen for 2025, more: ‘I know what it takes’ – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com

Jake Ferguson is in a contract year.

And Ferguson’s plan going into what will be the most pivotal year of his young NFL career?

“Yeah, I think it’s almost like every other year, maybe a little bit more, but I know what it takes,” Ferguson said. “ I was [in the] Pro Bowl one year and, last year, not the year that I wanted to have. Just going through, going back and reassessing myself after this season, just knowing what it’s gonna take. I’m cutting out some of the bad things in my life —whether it be food, whatever it may be — and I am really locking in with Dak and making sure I’m keying on all the offensive keys with the new coaching staff.

“I’m just making sure that turnover is seamless.”

Schottenheimer’s goal is the same, and the buy-in has been immediate from the entirety of the locker room to this point. Despite the sweeping changes within the coaching staff and the fact it is Schottenheimer’s first year as a head coach, there’s an air about him that permeates your defenses and incessantly reminds you that he is not only a bright football mind bred under the tutelage of the legendary Marty Schottenheimer.

He’s also a leader of men, an adorer of the game and a coach who relates to his players in a way not many coaches can tout.

“it’s all about relationships. and you know. I don’t think I’ve ever had a head coach come down and every single time I’m in the cold tub, he’ll be talking to me,” Ferguson said of his early impressions of Schottenheimer the head coach. “To me, personally, just the first couple days of him being named, that’s what he was doing, and that meant a lot. You can tell he loves the game of football and he loves the guys he coaches.

“To me, that’s something I can easily buy into. Personally, I’m just really excited and I’m happy as h-e-double hockey sticks to go in there every single day.”

Mick Shots: Working On Solving Post-Draft Buts – Mickey Spagnola, DallasCowboys.com

Some post-draft thoughts including some possible lingering issues,

Another But: Great the Cowboys were able to draft cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. in the third round, and while there is a chance he will be ready for the start of the season, you just never know with these repaired ACLs and the meniscus he had repaired, too. His surgery was the first of October and likely will begin training camp on PUP for precautionary measures. Plus, no certainty Trevon Diggs will be ready for the season’s start. And on top of that, Caelen Carson is returning from his shoulder injury. And having traded for third-year corner Kaiir Elam is but a placeholder for now. So being on the lookout for a veteran cornerback is not out of the question. Plus, at that time in the draft, Revel was the highest player left on the Cowboys draft board.

• But II: And while aware the Cowboys spent a fifth rounder for QB Joe Milton III and a seventh in return, but to me this does not automatically solve the Cowboys backup QB need. Why he’s played in just one NFL game last year in his rookie season. Sure think the Cowboys are keeping an eye out for a more veteran free agent quarterback with starting experience. Remember the “365.”

• Going Blue: Who better to assess the Cowboys drafting University of Texas running back Jaydon Blue in the fifth round than Tashard Choice, the former Cowboys running back having coached running backs at the University of Texas before recently moving on to the Detroit Lions. His assessment: “Speed-wise, (Blue) is very similar to Jahmyr Gibbs, because he’s fast and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. They’ll look a little different in how they play the game, but the more Blue matures, he has a chance to be better (than Gibbs).” And that my friend is quite an endorsement.

Cowboys cut RB Malik Davis, three others – Charean Williams, PFT

In case you missed it.

The Cowboys were one of the worst rushing teams in the NFL last season.

They ranked 24th in attempts, 27th in yards and last in rushing touchdowns with Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott, both of whom are gone. The Cowboys also moved on from running back Malik Davis on Wednesday.

The team announced it waived Davis, offensive lineman Jack Anderson, linebacker Brock Mogensen and offensive lineman Earl Bostick.

Deuce Vaughn’s spot on the roster also is in jeopardy as the Cowboys upgraded the running back position this offseason. They signed free agents Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders before drafting Texas’ Jaydon Blue and Clemson’s Phil Mafah. There is a good chance the team overturns the entire room for 2025.

Davis spent 2024 on the practice squad but did not see any regular-season action after playing 12 games in 2022 and three in 2023. He has 38 rushes for 161 yards and a touchdown in his career, while adding six catches for 63 yards.

Amari Cooper to Cowboys and More Ideal Free-agent Landing Spots After 2025 NFL Draft – Alex Kay, Bleacher Report

That Amari Cooper idea is still out there.

The Dallas Cowboys made the surprising decision to forego selecting any wide receivers in the 2025 draft. With Jonathan Mingo and Jalen Tolbert as the top options behind superstar wideout CeeDee Lamb, Dallas desperately needs to find some reinforcements in free agency.

Reuniting with veteran pass-catcher Amari Cooper looks to be Dallas’ best path forward. According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, ”there is building team interest” in bringing Cooper back after he spent three-and-a-half seasons in Dallas from 2018-2021.

It remains to be seen how much Cooper has left in the tank going into his age-31 campaign. He had only 250 yards and two touchdowns on 24 receptions for the Cleveland Browns last season before being dealt to the Buffalo Bills at the trade deadline. He wasn’t much better in Buffalo, finishing with 20 catches for 297 yards and two touchdowns in eight games.

However, Cooper is only one season removed from the latest of his five career Pro Bowl nods, and he posted some of his best numbers while working with Dak Prescott in Dallas. The 10-year veteran finished his Cowboys tenure with 3,893 yards and 27 touchdowns on 292 receptions.

With the Cowboys in desperate need of a proven No. 2 receiver to augment Lamb, they should be looking to lock Cooper up before he signs elsewhere.