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Randy’s Cowboys Blog
Photo | Dallas Cowboys: Cowboys Truck, Tom Landry, Lombardi Trophies
By Randy Maltz – Founder/Editor Silver and Blue Report & Hook ‘em Report

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Randy’s Cowboys Blog
New Era | Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and ….. You?
By Randy Maltz – Founder/Editor Silver and Blue Report & Hook ‘em Report

Tony Romo and Dez Bryant will have soon have company as the face of the Cowboys. New Era, the official on-field headwear of the National Football League, is teaming up with the NFL to launch the Back to Football Photo Day contest. It is the last week to register so I would not want any of our readers to miss out on this great opportunity.
The contest, which can be accessed at www.speakwithyourcap.com or through New Era’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/neweracaps?fref=ts) will require Cowboys fans to submit photos of themselves showcasing how they personally “speak with your cap.” Whether worn sideways, backwards or flexed at the brim, showing how you bring your own style to the game is what matters.

32 fans (1 per team) will ultimately be chosen and win a complimentary trip to New York City for two. The winners will enjoy a four-day VIP experience and will be professionally styled in their favorite team’s looks for a New Era photo shoot that may be used for a year-long advertisement and promotional campaign.

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Massimo’s NFL Blog
Dallas Cowboys | Cowboys Draft Review: Did Jerry Jones make the Cowboys better?
By Massimo Russo – Featured Writer Silver and Blue Report & Hook’em Report

Heading into the 2013 NFL Draft the Dallas Cowboys were in desperate need of help on the offensive line. And after taking a lineman with their first pick, many question the move they made by trading out of the 18th pick with San Francisco to drop down to 31 taking Travis Frederick, center, Wisconsin. I, like the rest of Cowboy Nation felt numb, speechless, shocked, but no excitement like last year’s draft when Jerry Jones traded up to get a top cornerback Morris Claiborne.

After taking Frederick, Dallas fans hoped Jerry Jones would go in the direction of going more on the defensive or offensive line, a much more needed area, but that wasn’t the case.

Nope, he couldn’t do it folks. His thirst still remains for skilled position players. On the offensive side of the ball after shockingly taking Frederick, Jerry drafted Gavin Escobar, tight end, San Diego State in the 2nd round, Terrance Williams, wide receiver, Baylor in the 3rd and Joseph Randle, running back, Oklahoma State in the 5th round. On the defensive side of the ball, Jones went with a safety J.J Wilcox, Georgia Southern in the 3rd round, a cornerback B.W. Webb, William & Mary in the 4th and an outside linebacker DeVonte Holloman, South Carolina in the 6th round with the Cowboys final pick of the draft. So now that we all know who Jerry and gang have brought along, what players listed above give you the feel of making an immediate impact? Who listed above makes you think that the Dallas Cowboys have become a better team?

We don’t know much about Travis Frederick other than playing at a school that is known for having top lineman. Oh, he’s also known for breaking arms during practice, but welcome to the pros Travis, you won’t be tossing these guys around like a bully you were to your own teammates in college. Then we got Gavin Escobar, known to have good hands, a big target that head coach Jason Garrett said can create matchup problems while being interviewed by Rich Eisen on NFL Network in their post draft outlook. We do live in a copy-cat league. I get the whole deal with teams taking a good look at what the New England Patriots have been doing with what looks like using a million tight ends, but didn’t the Cowboys draft James Hanna last year? Dallas doesn’t have issues at the tight end position. You have Jason Witten, a future hall of famer that set a record for most catches in a single season by a tight end in 2012. Not an area of need.

Here’s what really stunned me in a good way. I know the passing game wasn’t the issue last season, but I like Terrance Williams. Miles Austin, the Cowboys #2 receiver has been plagued by injuries and Williams has potential to step in and make an immediate impact if he gets the opportunity. Dwayne Harris turned heads late last season and for the moment, Williams looks like he’ll be fighting with Harris for the third receiver spot on the team. The secondary picks with J.J. Wilcox and B.W. Webb don’t have me jumping out of my seat. Wilcox is a converted player with a good deal of athleticism, but a player that will need to develop into a true pro safety. Webb is the better pick that could help the Cowboys secondary in nickel or dime packages on passing downs. Webb has good instinct and ability to cover slot receivers while Morris Claiborne and David Carr, the starting cornerback’s man up on the outside. Not bad picks, good for insurance and depth for the secondary. Safety was an area to look at, but I don’t think Dallas found the next Darren Woodson in this draft.

The Cowboys defense was decimated with injuries last season, particularly at linebacker. Taking DeVonte Holloman, an outside linebacker who was a converted safety has a good nose for the ball and could help the run defense as well as covering the slot and tight ends. If he gets a shot to start, he most likely will play the Sam spot. The Cowboys already have a few players fighting to play next to inside linebackers Sean Lee and Bruce Carter. The Cowboys signed Justin Durant this offseason, and already have Alex Albright, Ernie Sims and Caleb McSurdy. Holloman will have to show good things and bust a move come training camp. I think he does. Better pick than you think, sleeper?

Taking running back Joseph Randle was the perfect replacement for Felix Jones. Starting running back DeMarco Murray’s injuries are a concern for the Cowboys backfield, and even though Randle is looked upon as a spell-back that can help in the screen game, don’t be surprised pending on Murray’s health that Randle becomes the starting running back in due time. Mainly, I like Randle’s elusiveness, his ability to catch out of the backfield and the toughness he brings to the table fighting for every yard. This was my favorite pick out of all them.

And after giving my inside take on all of Jerry’s picks, the issue with this team comes back to square one, offensive line. The Cowboys are still searching for a replacement for Doug Free at right tackle. Travis Frederick did play some guard in college and might shift over to it, but the interior part of the line doesn’t give me any indication that it improved by taking Frederick. Recently, I’ve asked many fans this question. Name me a team that’s won a super bowl with a subpar offensive line? Finding a way to trade up to take Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper would’ve made a big splash and immediate impact on the interior line. Jerry Jones could’ve stayed with the 18th pick and took defensive tackles Shariff Floyd or Sylvester Williams and then taken Kentucky guard Larry Warford in the 2nd round. That would’ve had more impact on both the interior defensive and offensive line.

But, if I’m trying to find anything positive for this teams outlook and direction it’s heading into, I would say that with the offensive skilled weapons drafted, this team is looking to up the tempo by giving quarterback Tony Romo as many weapons as possible. I don’t see a physical football team here, but I do see lots of skilled players that have the ability to make plays. So use them that way. Be opportunistic on both sides of the ball like the 09 Saints. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not saying that’s what this team will be like by penciling it in, but there’s a tad bit of writing on the wall for something that could potentially work. All in all, I can’t sit here and tell you the Dallas Cowboys got better.

Speak your mind Cowboy Nation, tell me what you think. Did Dallas get better? I want to hear you!

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Craig’s Cowboys Blog
Dallas Cowboys | The Great 2013 Draft Debacle (Jerry Jones took crown from Al Davis)
By Craig Bagby – Featured Writer Silver and Blue Report & Hook’em Report

The Dallas Cowboys closed out the 2012 season by ranking 31st in rush yards and allowing 36 sacks on Tony Romo due to their horrible offensive line. So, naturally, Jerry Jones addressed this glaring issue by trading down in the first round of the draft to get a center who by all accounts would have been available in the third round. Then he further strengthened the O line by drafting a tight end, wide receiver, free safety, corner back, running back, and an outside linebacker.

Sure, Gavin Escobar and Terrance Williams would be good picks if you had a need in the receiving department. But last year, Dallas ranked 3rd in passing yards. Third . . . with 4729 yards in the air . . . for a team allowing 36 sacks on the quarterback that ended up being 8-8. Clearly, passing and receiving are not issues in Dallas.

The Cowboys entered the draft with a desperate need for players who could start and make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball. I would argue that at least half the picks won’t be ready for a couple of seasons and I think that the Cowboys have managed to get themselves in a worse position going into training camp.
But who knows? Maybe there is some kind of method to this draft that I am not seeing. At least that is my hope. But from where I am sitting, it looks like Jerry Jones is trying his hardest to take the throne emptied by Al Davis as the NFL’s most dangerously crazy owner.

If things don’t change between now and the beginning of the season, I have dire predictions for the Cowboys that I pray don’t come true. Without a major improvement with regard to play from the O line, I believe the Cowboys will be lucky to reach 7-9 next season and last place in the NFC East and that JJ will throw Jason Garrett under the bus as a result and fire him.

But beyond that, I think that due to poor play from the O line next season, Tony Romo, the 100 Million Dollar Boy, will be running for his life. There is only so much scrambling the man can do. Tony Romo needed a lot of help, and he didn’t really get it from this draft. Jerry Jones has praised Romo for his ability to get rid of the ball quickly – but that is simply not something on which you base your offensive strategy. Romo gets rid of the ball quickly because he has to, not because he wants to.

I have to agree with the Yahoo Sports assessment of the draft and give the Cowboys a horrible grade in the NFC, and that poor drafting could get Romo and possibly some other players hurt.

I could also jump into the complete lack of dealing with the new 4-3 defense that is on the way, but that’s for another article!

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Randy’s Cowboys Blog
Dallas Cowboys | Jerry Jones: 12 Undrafted Free Agents Signed
By Randy Maltz – Founder/Editor Silver and Blue Report & Hook ‘em Report

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said there are plans to sign over 15-20 undrafted free agents this year.  It all started immediately after the NFL draft ended Saturday evening.

The Cowboys have agreed with at least 12 undrafted free agents:  South Carolina State safety Jakar Hamilton and Arizona State linebacker Brandon Magee, SMU linebacker Taylor Reed and Texas A&M cornerback Dustin Harris, two players from Coppell High School in Wisconsin cornerback Devin Smith and Akron quarterback Dalton Williams (a transfer from Stephen F. Austin), one player from Rockwall-Heath in Missouri running back Kendial Lawrence, Mississippi State linebacker Cameron Lawrence, Eastern Washington wide receiver Greg Herd, Virginia Paul Freedman, Saginaw Valley defensive back Jeff Heath and Cal Lutheran wide receiver Eric Rogers.

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Randy’s Cowboys Blog
VIDEO | Joseph Randle: 2012-2013 HD Oklahoma State Highlights
By Randy Maltz – Founder/Editor Silver and Blue Report & Hook ‘em Report

As a freshman in 2010, Joseph Randle rushed for 452 yards on 82 carries with two touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2011, he was a second team All-Big 12 selection after rushing for 1,216 yards on 208 carries and 24 touchdowns. The 24 touchdowns were second most in school history, behind Barry Sanders who had 37 in 1989.

Welcome Dallas Cowboys Fans! Our buddy, Shango has a passion for Dallas Cowboys Football, whether you agree or not. Check out this Video! Please comment and “Like” us. Go Cowboys! Randy

Shango’s Cowboys Video
VIDEO | Dallas Cowboys: Shango numb after Cowboys first pick in NFL Draft What do you think?
By Shango – Featured Editorial Silver and Blue Report & Hook ‘em Report

During this NFL season, Dallas Cowboys did not live up to their fans expectations. Jason Garrett and Tony Romo failed to bring them back into the playoffs. Jerry Jones will make some changes.

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Dallas Cowboys | Dallas Cowboys Fans at the NFL Draft
A photo is worth 1000 words, right?  Your thoughts?
Silver and Blue Report & Hook’em Report

Welcome Dallas Cowboys Fans! Our buddy, Shango has a passion for Dallas Cowboys Football, whether you agree or not. Check out this Video! Please comment and “Like” us. Go Cowboys! Randy

Shango’s Cowboys Video
VIDEO | Dallas Cowboys:  Shango numb after Cowboys first pick in NFL Draft What do you think?
By Shango – Featured Editorial Silver and Blue Report & Hook ‘em Report

During this NFL season, Dallas Cowboys did not live up to their fans expectations. Jason Garrett and Tony Romo failed to bring them back into the playoffs. Jerry Jones will make some changes.

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Massimo’s NFL Blog
Dallas Cowboys | Chance Warmack:  Cowboys 2013 Draft Outlook
By Massimo Russo – Featured Writer Silver and Blue Report & Hook’em Report

Alabama’s Chance Warmack ranks #1 amongst interior lineman, an area of desperate need for the Dallas Cowboys.

Last year, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys shocked everyone in the first round of the NFL draft. The Cowboys gave up their 45^th pick swapping first rounders with the St. Louis Rams, moving up to the 6^th pick to select standout cornerback Morris Claiborne out of LSU. Prior to the draft, the Cowboys had no contact with Claiborne. No LSU pro day visit, no pre-draft visit, no scheduled visit for Claiborne on Campus, no nothing but an announcement from Commissioner Goodell to tell the world that he was going to be a Dallas Cowboy. Claiborne was stunned himself when he found out he was heading to Dallas. “I never heard from them, not one time, ever,” Claiborne said at the 2012 draft.

The move to get Claiborne was an area of need and trading up to get the best cornerback of the 2012 draft could be the same route Jerry Jones takes in 2013, but at a different position. Now that Jerry Jones has locked up Tony Romo by extending him, he needs to start looking into the area of protection for his quarterback that’s aging. Clearly, Romo is one of the best at escaping pressure, but you have to wonder how long he’ll be able to do it at the level he’s been doing it, considering the fact of the older you get, the slower you get. According to Stats & Info, 8 of Romo’s 19-interception’s last season came from being under pressure, the most in the league. If that doesn’t ring a bell in Jerry’s head, then I don’t know what will?

Pass protection isn’t the only concern for the Cowboys offensive line. Run-blocking didn’t help the running game that was absolutely putrid in 2012, averaging 2.1-yards per carry after first contact, 5^th lowest in the league. The interior part of the Cowboys offensive line needs a major face-lift. Blitzes up the middle from Washington’s defense proved to be the decisive ending to Dallas’ playoff hopes in the NFC East title game. Ok, maybe Tony Romo should’ve taken the sack, but he was hurried that forced him to thread the needle and Dallas paid the price of another sad ending to a season. Bad offensive lines create opportunities for opposing defenses period. You can’t have major weaknesses upfront for defenses to be able to break down your protection schemes.

One of the more notable players that standout as a problem on the offensive line is right tackle Doug Free. On the 1^st of June, the Cowboys would free up $7 million if they release him. Jerry Jones signed Free to a 4-year $32 million contract after he displayed one good season. Since Free got paid, his play has taken a major step downward. Adding guards Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau via free agency a year ago didn’t help the cause on the interior part of the line, it made it worse. Offensive line is the clear-cut need for the Cowboys heading into the 2013 draft. With that being said,  it’s time for me to take an inside look at who the Cowboys should be looking at to improve the offensive line, ranking them from top to bottom and other areas of need.

1 – Chance Warmack – guard, Alabama – This would be the best pick Jerry Jones could pull off. But Jerry will need to dig deep down into his bag of tricks to get him. Warmack is an absolute power-house that’ll have an immediate impact on the Cowboys interior line and running game. Most likely, Jerry will have to trade up to get him, something in the works he did last year to get Morris Claiborne. He’ll have to sacrifice something good to get him period.

2 – Jonathan Cooper – guard, North Carolina – Another top guard Jerry may need to wheel and deal to get. Cooper is versatile with not only the ability to help in the running game, but pass-protection as well. Hopefully, he’ll be sitting around the 14^th pick, a much better spot for Jerry Jones to move up to get him.

3 – Lane Johnson – tackle, Oklahoma – With Texas A&M’s Luke Joekel and Central Michigan’s top rated tackle Eric Fisher likely to go in the top ten, Johnson could possibly fall and if someway, somehow, he’s sitting past the top 10 with the team not being able to grab a top guard, Johnson could be someone the Cowboys may try to trade up and get that could solidify the opposite side of Tyron Smith at tackle. But the interior part of the line is far more important for them to look at. So don’t bet on this to happen.

4 – D.J. Fluker – tackle, Alabama – Fluker will more likely be available at 18 without the need to trade up. He’s a mauler that could help the running game and fits the need of having a man-on-man blocker in pass-protection.    

5 – Justin Pugh – guard/tackle, Syracuse/Kyle Long – guard, Oregon – Pugh and Long could be available in the 2^nd round and the Cowboy also have needs on the defensive line in new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin’s scheme. Say the first four I mentioned above are gone by the 18^th pick, defensive line should be the alternative, not safety. Defensive tackles, Sylvester Williams, North Carolina and Sheldon Richardson, Missouri, both players that could replace Jay Ratliff at the position long-term will be a better route to take instead of safety.

Why not Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro at 18? They can get one in the 2^nd and 3^rd round. The team has youngsters Barry Church and Matt Johnson that have potential to be a good tandem, but injuries are a concern. LSU safety Eric Reid could be available in the 2^nd round along with USC safety T.J. McDonald. McDonald would be a good pick considering he’s spent the last few seasons at USC playing with Monte Kiffin’s Tampa Cover 2 scheme. The Cowboys have already made a move at safety this offseason by signing veteran safety Will Allen to add depth at the position, but drafting a potential future star isn’t something they should ignore.

What about running back? They’ll need to find a backup or someone that can potentially battle with the injured prone DeMarco Murray now that Felix Jones is out of the picture. Murray will clearly be the starter heading into the 2013 season and is still a big part of the plan, but you have to take consideration of his health. And we don’t live in a league that uses only one running back. You need someone that can spell the starter as a change-of-pace player at the position. Rumor has it that the Cowboys may make a stunning pick at 18 and draft top running back Eddie Lacy, Alabama. I say why? You can get a running back in the 3^rd or 4^th round. Besides, running backs aren’t expected to get picked until the 2^nd round this year. South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore could fall into the 3^rd or 4^th round and Dallas may take a chance on him even with his health concerns of battling back from injury.

You have a few other running backs that could fall deep into the later rounds. Mainly, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys need to focus on building from the inside come the 25^th of April. Offensive and defensive line first. Then they could look at the other areas of need. Jerry, do what’s most important, get protection for your quarterback and then we just might see playoff appearances and possibly a trip to the super bowl?