DeAngelo Williams Rules Out Four Teams
Earlier this month, DeAngelo Williams told ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter that he wanted to continue playing in 2017. However, he said that there were four mystery teams he refused to play for. The running back has now revealed the identity of those teams (audio link). 
[RELATED: Finding A Fit For RB DeAngelo Williams]
Surprisingly, the Panthers are one of the teams that Williams says he will not sign with. The 34-year-old spent the first nine seasons of his career in Carolina, but he left there with a bad taste in his mouth because of the way his departure played out. He also said that he would not sign with the Cowboys, because he grew up a 49ers fan. The Browns and Jaguars, Williams says, are also not in consideration, because of their losing seasons. Williams was not exactly delicate as he broke down his reasons for crossing off each club.
“They don’t ever show up during the playoffs,” Williams said of the Cowboys. “They always disappear in the playoffs.”
In theory, that leaves 28 teams for Williams to possibly join this summer. However, his age and odometer are clearly working against him as we have heard little chatter around the veteran tailback. They say that beggars can’t be choosers, and Williams is being a chooser in the most unorthodox way by ruling out four teams that he could possibly join.
As of this writing, all four of the teams listed by Williams seem pretty well set at running back. However, if one of those clubs loses an RB to injury this summer, he may regret his words.
Cowboys Notes: Moore, Morris
- If Dak Prescott were to suffer an injury that keeps him out of action for a serious stretch of time, the Cowboys could be motivated to go shopping for a quarterback, Kate Hairopoulos of the Dallas Morning News writes. Cowboys coaches continue to sing the praises of Kellen Moore, saying that they have confidence in his football IQ and ability to lead the team. However, he has played in just three games as he enters his sixth season in the league. If the Cowboys have to forge on without Prescott for some reason, they may want to go for a more dynamic quarterback with more on-field experience.
- More from Hairopoulos, who wonders if Alfred Morris‘ roster spot with the Cowboys may actually be in jeopardy. Morris, of course, offers serious veteran talent behind Ezekiel Elliott and Darren McFadden, but his inability to really contribute on special teams can hurt him. Earlier in the offseason, exec Stephen Jones said that “in a perfect world,” your third running back would be helping out in the third facet of the game. So far, we’ve heard positive talk about undrafted free agent Jahad Thomas and he could theoretically wind up as the team’s No. 3 running back. Then again, if Elliott winds up getting suspended by the the league office, the Cowboys may not be willing to lose a runner of Morris’ caliber.
Stephen Paea Is A Bounce Back Candidate
- The Cowboys signed Stephen Paea to a one-year, $2MM deal this offseason, and though the big DT struggled the past two years in Washington and Cleveland, Dallas believes he can return to form in 2017. As Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News writes, Paea will be reuniting with Rod Marinelli, whom he worked under during his best years in Chicago, and his skill-set is well-suited to the Cowboys’ 4-3 defense.
Cowboys Expecting More From Cedric Thornton
- The Cowboys signed defensive tackle Cedric Thornton to a four-year, $17MM deal last offseason, and Brandon George of The Dallas News says the organization expects more from the 29-year-old during his second season with the team. The former undrafted free agent compiled only 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks for Dallas last year, and George believes he’ll once again be apart of the team’s eight-man defensive line rotation.
[SOURCE LINK]
Dak Prescott Had No Knowledge Of Autograph Issue
- The Cowboys still might not have the defense to be considered a true contender, writes Sport Illustrated’s Jonathan Jones. The team lost four defensive backs this offseason in Brandon Carr, Barry Church, Morris Claiborne and J.J. Wilcox, and the team replaced the foursome with rookies. The team will also be forced to rely on first round defensive end Taco Charlton, while fellow defensive lineman David Irving will be forced to sit out for four games due to suspension. Ultimately, the writer believes it still may be several years before the Cowboys’ defense catches up to the offense.
- Earlier this week, a report indicated that an authentication company refused to verify Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott‘s autograph on a set of Panini America trading cards. The company released a statement yesterday, acknowledging that a small grouping of the autographs were not actually authentic, and they added that they were working to recall the faulty cards that are currently being circulated. Notably, the company said that Prescott was not responsible for the error. “Prescott has autographed thousands of Panini America trading cards during his rookie season, has participated in multiple authenticated signing sessions and received additional card shipments throughout the year and returned them to Panini America to be incorporated into products,” the statement said (via Williams). “Prescott and his representatives have worked closely with Panini during this process since becoming aware of the discrepancies and have no knowledge of how those cards were returned to Panini.”
[SOURCE LINK]
Do Cowboys Have NFC East's Best O-Line?
- Do the Cowboys still have the division’s best offensive line after losing Doug Free (retirement) and Ron Leary (free agency)? Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News says they do, and it’s hard to argue. The Cowboys’ offensive line was stellar last season and they shouldn’t miss a beat as La’el Collins takes on the right tackle role. One thing to watch on the O-Line, however, will be the left guard competition between Chaz Green and Jonathan Cooper.
Cowboys Lead 2016 Playoff Teams in Roster Turnover
- Among last year’s playoff teams, the Cowboys have experienced the most roster turnover this offseason, per Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap. Dallas has lost 27.5 percent of snaps, including 21.4 percent of quality snaps, since 2016, according to Fitzgerald. Ronald Leary, Doug Free, Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr, Barry Church, Terrell McClain, J.J. Wilcox and Jack Crawford were among the Cowboys’ notables who either went elsewhere as free agents or retired. There aren’t any indispensable players in that group, but having to replace all of them at once is a tall task, opines Fitzgerald.
NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Elliott, Wilson
It sounds like linebacker Eric Pinkins is now looking to make the Giants 53-man roster as a safety. Pinkins tells Dan Duggan of NJ.com that he saw an opportunity to move back to the secondary and jumped on it.
“Honestly, I took initiative,” Pinkins explained. “I went up to the guy that runs the scout cards because they had two receivers at safety. I was like, ‘I’ll give a way better look than receivers out there.’ So he ended talking to the head man (Ben McAdoo) and I saw him just smirk and shake his head, ‘Yes.’ Then I was like, ‘Yes! It’s my opportunity to show them I can play safety.’ I ended up going back there. Two plays later, (Sterling Shepard) was running a corner route, I picked it and I’ve been playing safety ever since.”
Pinkins appeared in six games for Seattle in 2015 and made five appearances for the Giants last season. He hasn’t seen a ton of action over his two NFL seasons, but he might have an opportunity to see more time as a backup to Darian Thompson and Landon Collins this year.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- Ezekiel Elliott‘s situation with the league office has dragged on for months and it’s anyone’s guess as to why things are taking so long. It could be that investigators are working toward resolving what amounts to a dispute between the Cowboys running back and his accuser as to what he did and didn’t do, Mike Florio of PFT writes. It could also be that the person making the decision at the league office is getting pressure from both Jerry Jones and the league’s public relation arm. Many expected that there would be a resolution for Elliott during Fourth of July weekend, but that did not happen.
- The arrest of Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson does not put additional pressure on Jaylon Smith to perform, Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News opines. If Smith has as much talent as Jones has indicated, then he might be the better player of the two anyway. Of course, it still remains to be seen whether Wilson will miss significant time due to the unfortunate events that transpired on Tuesday. There’s also no guarantee that Smith will be ready for the start of the season, though he is confident that he’ll be ready for Week 1.
- Former Eagles wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham has cleared waivers.
Details On Damien Wilson's Arrest
We now have some details on the arrest of Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson, via Amanda Guerra of KRLD (Twitter links). Wilson was looking for place to park for Fourth of July festivities while a group of tailgaters were taking up several spaces. After he asked to park, an argument broke out between him and the group. He then backed his truck into the parking space and intentionally hit a person in the process, police say. At some point during the kerfuffle, Wilson produced a gun. The 24-year-old is facing two counts of aggravated assault with deadly weapon.
- The addition of Brandon Marshall gives the Giants the best overall group of wide receivers in the NFC East, Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News writes. The Giants’ big three youngsters Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Marshall, he argues, gives them a leg up over the Cowboys with Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley. The Eagles, with the free agent addition of Alshon Jeffery, finished third on Machota’s list. The Redskins, who replaced Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson with Terrelle Pryor and Brian Quick, came in last.
Cowboys LB Damien Wilson Arrested
Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson has been arrested for two counts of aggravated assault with deadly weapon, as CBS Dallas tweets. Wilson was cuffed on Tuesday night near Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas where MLS soccer team FC Dallas played a game and concluded the evening’s festivities with a fireworks show. The 24-year-old posted bond and has been released from holding.
[RELATED: Cowboys’ David Irving Suspended Four Games]
Wilson has appeared in every possible regular season game for the Cowboys over the past two seasons. Last year, he made a career high five starts and registered 30 total tackles plus half a sack.
Wilson was pushing to be the Cowboys’ starting strongside linebacker for Week 1, but he could now be on shaky ground with the team and the league office. If Wilson’s legal situation drags on, the Cowboys may need to look at external options. There are a handful of notable linebackers remaining on the open market, including former Lion DeAndre Levy.