Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones Highlight Positive Outlook Ahead Of Training Camp
The Dallas Cowboys typically arrive at training camp with some sort of off-field drama swirling around the team, often in the form of a high-profile contract dispute, but there are no such issues this year going into their traditional Southern California sojourn. It isn’t by design, according to Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, but the 83-year-old football maverick will take the appearance of calm over the alternative. "I don’t believe it makes one iota worth of difference on whether or not we block the guy or go off tackle, but I do like the perception that we’ve had a quite uneventful offseason, and let’s see how we can work in that," Jones said Tuesday at his annual precamp news conference. Compared with a year ago when the stalemate with standout defensive end Micah Parsons over a contract extension quickly devolved into a contentious hold-in and eventually culminated in his shocking trade to the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys appear to have no financial concerns threatening to overshadow or undermine their on-field work over the next three-plus weeks. Instead, the main focus will be on shaping an overhauled defensive roster under a new coaching staff into a unit capable of helping head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s dynamic offense. The urgency to address that side of the ball, Jones said, is where the narrative of a calm offseason ends. "We’ve had a lot going on, and we’ve had to really scramble a lot," he said. "The kind of stuff you don’t see, but that should be that way. It’s supposed to be hard." The Cowboys hired Christian Parker from the division rival Philadelphia Eagles in January as their defensive coordinator, tasking the 34-year-old secondary specialist with fixing a defense that gave up the most points in franchise history (511) and ranked last in the NFL in scoring (30.1 points per game) and passing yards allowed (251.5). Dallas also used its first three draft picks on defense, including taking Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 11th selection, and worked to address other personnel deficiencies in free agency. "We’ve made that bed when we brought in new scheme, new coaches, new players," Jones said. "We’re going with new right there, so I’ve bought into that." Getting that group up to speed to assist an offense led by the star trio of quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will be critical for the Cowboys’ hopes of returning to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Dallas went 7-9-1 in Schottenheimer’s first year, including a 6-1-1 record when scoring 30 or more points. "All those moves that we made, it was not a quiet offseason for us, and it was a great offseason for us," Schottenheimer said. Prescott seems to be embracing the idea that the Cowboys can put themselves in position to compete at the highest level. He arrived at training camp wearing a Super Bowl championship shirt from the last time Dallas won it all following the 1995 regular season, which was also the last time they reached the NFC title game. "I like the idea, thinking that positive about what we’re going to work for," Jones said. "We’ve got a long way to go, really having started in the spring. But that’s good to me to be positive, especially coming from him." Jones didn’t rule out making further moves to improve the roster on defense, saying he recently was in contact with another NFL owner over a potential trade. He declined to discuss the Cowboys’ possible interest in Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, citing league rules about tampering. A deal to send Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in March was scuttled because of a failed physical. It was a rare moment of caution from Jones, who has never shied away from expressing himself in front of the media. When asked if the Cowboys’ low-key offseason was intentional, Jones acknowledged his penchant for drawing out the spotlight. "I’ve never thought there was anything quiet or subdued about the Dallas Cowboys. I never thought of it that way, but I have been guilty of stirring it up. And you guys help me, and we have been a great team — I promise you that — for the last 30-something years," a smiling Jones said. Reporting by The Associated Press.
Bodycam Footage of Tony Romo's Arrest Released
NBC Sports released body‑cam footage of former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo’s traffic stop, capturing his request for a lawyer and his subsequent compliance with the field‑sobriety test. The clip shows Romo, in bare feet, failing to complete a heel‑to‑toe walk and struggling to stand on one leg.
The footage, which has drawn public attention, highlights Romo’s confusion during the test and his reference to距离 his previous back surgeries. Officers escort him to a level area for the test after the initial stop on a busy highway bridge. grenadier.co.za
Saquon Barkley wants to be remembered for more than backward hurdle
Saquon Barkley's backward hurdle from 2024 immediately became one of the best plays in NFL history. The too-good-to-be-true move even made its way onto Madden 25.
As good as it was, Barkley doesn't want to be known for it.
“When I got to the locker room and got to see the play, I realized I was able to do something pretty cool,” Barkley told Chris Bumbaca of USA Today. “It’s something. It’s a play I’ll never forget. But I also don’t want to be remembered for that play.
“I’m happy I was able to make that play, but I’m ready for the next one.”
Odell Beckham never did anything better than his one-handed catch for a touchdown over Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr in 2014. The wide receiver once said, "It's unfortunate, in a way, to be known only for the catch."
Barkley has had a 2,000-yard season, won Offensive Player of the Year and won a Super Bowl ring, all in the same season. But he had only 1,140 yards last season, and the Eagles went 11-6 and lost in the wild-card round.
Barkley wants more than last season.
“So that’s a motivation for me -- try to get back to that game,” Barkley said. “That’s why I train the way I train. I would love to have had a faster start last year, but you can’t get caught up in the stats. You can’t get too caught up in numbers. Some of my better years weren’t based off numbers. It was based off how I handled myself in certain situations.”
