The Hot Corner
I’m starting to get depressed over all the virus talk so let’s talk sports in this week’s column.
The Dallas Cowboys have been some busy bees this off-season. Being quarantined has not stopped Jerry Jones and his staff from going to work in free agency over the past few weeks.
Some of the biggest news has been the contract extension for wide receiver Amari Cooper and placing the franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott.
Personally, I think a key to this team’s success will be keeping the core of Cooper, Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott together, something the Houston Texans decided not to do.
The Cowboys have a window to achieve the ultimate goal — a Super Bowl trophy — but that window will close very quickly if they let their quarterback walk.
I know there are mixed feelings about Prescott amongst the Cowboy fan base, but he is a Top-10 NFL quarterback and that is not an easy commodity to find. You aren’t going to find an equal to better replacement in the draft and there aren’t any better options on the market, so stick with Prescott.
He’s intelligent, he limits turnovers and I think he can shine in the right system, especially when given the right supporting cast.
I can’t decide which departure hurts more, defensive end Robert Quinn or cornerback Byron Jones.
Jones has become one of the better secondary players in the league, but Quinn’s pass rush and veteran leadership were apparent during the 2019 season. Both losses will affect the defense, but the Cowboys have already attempted to address that.
Dallas started by signing veteran defensive lineman Gerald McCoy. McCoy’s best days are behind him but the former pro-bowler can be dominant at times on the interior line. McCoy will look to take up blockers, allowing pass rushers Demarcus Lawrence and Jaylon Smith more room to work.
Also coming to Dallas is perhaps the best name in football, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The journeyman safety helps answer some questions in the Cowboys’ secondary, alongside the re-signing of cornerback Anthony Brown. Cornerback remains a strength for the Dallas defense and Clinton-Dix will anchor the back line of the secondary.
Another notable signing was the extension of tight end Blake Jarwin. While he was the number two tight end behind Jason Witten last year, Jarwin was clearly the most effective tight end. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy will be back in Dallas for the next three years.
One big hole the Cowboys will have to address is center. 29-year old Travis Frederick called it a career this past week after a pro-bowl 2019 campaign. Frederick said he felt he could not play to the best of his ability and decided he was done playing. While his departure will hurt, Joe Looney will return in 2020 and can hold the spot down while the Cowboys look for a long-term solution.
Perhaps the most important signing was that of Greg “Legatron” Zuerlein. Zuerlein gives the Cowboys their most reliable kicker since Dan Bailey, shoring up a position that has hurt more than helped over the past few seasons.
Overall, I’ve been pleased with the Cowboys’ off-season. There are some departures that sting, but the most important thing is keeping the team’s core together and so far, they have managed to do that. If Jones and Company can keep some decent talent around the core of Elliott, Prescott, Cooper, Lawrence, Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, they will win football games and give themselves a chance to reach and succeed in post-season play.
Now let’s beat this virus so I can get out and cover sports again.
Reed Graff is the sports editor for the Snyder Daily News. Comments about his column may be sent to sports@snyderdailynews.com