As he enters his mid-seventies, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is slowly handing over control of the franchise to his son, Stephen Jones, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. The younger Jones is currently Dallas’ executive vice president, CEO, and director of player personnel, so he’s more than prepared to take on a larger role. Stephen Jones takes a more conservative financial stance than his father, per Moore, which could indicate the Cowboys will have their cap in better order when he eventually takes over. Notably, Stephen pushed the Cowboys to eschew drafting Johnny Manziel in 2014, and lobbied instead to select guard Zack Martin, a win for the club.
- Free agent guard Xavier Su’a-Filo worked out for the Cowboys on Thursday, tweets Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. A former second-round pick Su’a-Filo spent four years with the Texans before inking a deal with the Titans earlier this year. He didn’t make it through final roster cuts, which is perhaps unsurprising given that he finished as a bottom-three guard in 2017, per Pro Football Focus. Dallas, though, needs depth along the interior of its offensive line given injuries to Zack Martin and Travis Frederick, so Su’a-Filo could be an option for the club.
- Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence is paying attention to the recent extensions signed by fellow defenders Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack, and said his free agent price is rising correspondingly, per Calvin Watkins of The Athletic (Twitter link). Lawrence will earn $17.143MM under the franchise tender in 2018, but has already said he’s not open to playing on the tag in 2019 (not that he’ll have much of a choice if the Cowboys opt to deploy it again). Now that both Donald and Mack have crossed the $22MM/year threshold, the sky is the limit for Lawrence, who will aim to build on an excellent 2018 campaign that included 14.5 sacks.
- Further details have emerged regarding tight end Rico Gathers‘ recent arrest for marijuana, as Kate Hairopaulos of the Dallas Morning News details. Gathers was arrested after he and a female companion were discovered smoking in Central Park in Frisco, Texas, and police found 0.078 ounces of marijuana on the former collegiate basketball player. Gathers’ arrest became public on Saturday just prior to roster cutdowns, but Dallas decided to keep him around nevertheless. He could potentially serve a brief league-imposed suspension down the line.
Really Frisco fuzz. What is that? 2 seeds? I feel safer already! Why don’t you go catch some dangerous criminals!
Regardless, it’s still illegal in Texas, and banned in the NFL. Rico is an idiot for getting himself involved.
Hasn’t Lawrence only had 1 good year?
That’s what I was thinking as well however a couple years ago Olivier Vernon only had 1 stand out season and it got him the richest deal for a DE at the time. That being said if he stays healthy and is productive this year I fully expect Lawrence to sign at least a 100M deal with a team
Just because NYG overpaid for Vernon doesn’t mean Dallas needs to overpay for Lawrence. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again 4yrs in the league 23.5 sacks 1 Suspension and a bad back. Donald has 39 sacks in 4yrs (and he’s a DT) Mack has 40 sacks in 4 years. I don’t think Dallas could trade for either of those 2 guys if they offered Lawrence and a 1st rounder. Lawrence needs to slow his roll, and be happy he’s playing in the “tag” this year. Mack/Donald are elite Lawrence has proven only to be a 1 year wonder thus far.
Mid-70’s?
Jerry Jones looks every bit of 134.