Sports
Training Camps - English
Tyler Booker - English
Tyler Smith - English
There’s a lot of buzz in Dallas about how explosive the Cowboys’ offense could be this season – and for good reason. George Pickensjoining CeeDee Lamb gives Dak Prescott another serious weapon. On paper, the passing game looks lethal.
But for all the talk about big plays, the Cowboys are quietly focused on something much less glamorous: pass protection. It’s become a defining trait of this new-look offense, and the running backs are leaning into it.
Cowboys legend Michael Irvin smacks a college defender after ranting about young players
From the top down, it’s a message that’s been drilled in since Brian Schottenheimer took over as offensive coordinator: if you’re in the backfield, you better be ready to block. Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams have set the tone early, but rookie Tyler Booker says it’s a group-wide mindset.
“The running backs are really dynamic,” Booker said. “But what stands out is how much they care about pass protection. It’s a pride thing – and when they’re willing to block, it opens up everything else in the offense.”
Not Just Flash – These Backs Are Bringing the Grit
Dallas insider Mike Fisher echoed Booker’s sentiment recently, noting that both Sanders and rookie Jaydon Blue have looked especially sharp in drills. “Dynamic” is the word he used, and it’s not about their speed or footwork – it’s about how they handle contact.
Last season, Prescott didn’t always get the protection he needed. According to Pro Football Focus, he faced pressure on nearly 4 out of every 10 dropbacks. That can kill any offense – no matter how talented your receivers are.
This year, the plan is different. With Tyler Smith leading the charge on the O-line and running backs trained to pick up blitzes, the Cowboys are building protection from the inside out.
And for Schottenheimer, it’s not just strategy – it’s identity. “We ask our backs to do a lot,” he told The Dallas Morning News. “It’s not just about making plays. It’s about protecting the guy who delivers the ball.”
Blue may end up surprising some people in this area. Coaches have been quietly impressed with how quickly he’s adapted to the speed and physicality of NFL-level protection.
In a season full of expectations, it might be the smallest details – like a perfect blitz pickup – that make the biggest difference.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
U.S. Open: Rains, lightning halt tournament at Oakmont
OAKMONT, Pa.—Rain and lightning have halted the U.S. Open on its final day. Sam Burns (-2) and Adam Scott (-1) are atop a leaderboard that's suffering through a wickedly difficult Oakmont course, and the wind and rain rolling in over the course of the afternoon made play even trickier.The suspension of play came at 4:01 ET. Play will resume if and when the weather clears.Oakmont was soaked in the weeks prior to the U.S. Open, then largely dried out until a deluge dropped more than an inch of rain on the course on Friday evening.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn Sunday, dark clouds gathered as Scott and Burns played their first few holes. Raindrops began falling as they were playing the sixth hole and suspended as they were standing on the tee at No. 8.Jon Rahm is currently the clubhouse leader at +4.
U.S. Open: Rains, lightning halt tournament at Oakmont
OAKMONT, Pa.—Rain and lightning have halted the U.S. Open on its final day. Sam Burns (-2) and Adam Scott (-1) are atop a leaderboard that's suffering through a wickedly difficult Oakmont course, and the wind and rain rolling in over the course of the afternoon made play even trickier.Oakmont was soaked in the weeks prior to the U.S. Open, then largely dried out until a deluge dropped more than an inch of rain on the course on Friday evening.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn Sunday, dark clouds gathered as Scott and Burns played their first few holes. Raindrops began falling as they were playing the sixth hole and suspended as they were standing on the tee at No. 8.Jon Rahm is currently the clubhouse leader at +4.
Bengals, Trey Hendrickson reportedly resume contract negotiations after edge rusher skipped minicamp
Defensive end Trey Hendrickson skipped the Cincinnati Bengals' minicamp this past week amid a contract dispute. The eight-year veteran is looking for an extension with his contract set to expire after this season.Hendrickson, 30, is set to be paid a base salary of $15.8 million but insists that he will not play this season under his current deal. He's seeking a long-term agreement that would put him among the NFL's highest-paid pass rushers.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, not attending minicamp may have moved the negotiation process forward. Hendrickson and the Bengals have resumed discussions on a new contract, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. How much of a gap exists between the two sides has not been reported.Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is currently the league's highest-paid pass-rusher after agreeing in March to a four-year extension that pays him an average annual salary of $40 […]
Bengals, Trey Hendrickson reportedly resume contract negotiations after edge rusher skipped minicamp
Defensive end Trey Hendrickson skipped the Cincinnati Bengals' minicamp this past week amid a contract dispute. The eight-year veteran is looking for an extension with his contract set to expire after this season.Hendrickson, 30, is set to be paid a base salary of $15.8 million but insists that he will not play this season under his current deal. He's seeking a long-term agreement that would put him among the NFL's highest-paid pass rushers.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, not attending minicamp may have moved the negotiation process forward. Hendrickson and the Bengals have resumed discussions on a new contract, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. How much of a gap exists between the two sides has not been reported.Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is currently the league's highest-paid pass-rusher after agreeing in March to a four-year extension that pays him an average annual salary of $40 […]
Nick Castellanos crushes a grand slam, extending the Phillies’ lead over Blue Jays
Nick Castellanos crushes a grand slam, extending the Phillies' lead over Blue Jays | FOX Sports <!--> --> Video Details Nick Castellanos crushed a grand slam, extending the Philadelphia Phillies' lead over Toronto Blue Jays. 26 MINS AGO・mlb・0:23
Trey Hendrickson, Bengals reportedly in contract talks after minicamp holdout
<!--> All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson's contract dilemma with the Cincinnati Bengals seems to have taken a positive turn, with both sides reportedly resuming discussions this weekend.Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks last season with 17.5, voiced his displeasure over his contract situation all offseason. He has one year remaining on his current deal and is owed $16 million. He didn't participate in any of the Bengals' offseason, skipping out on the team's mandatory minicamp practices this past week and risking being fined up to roughly $105,000 as a result.The only time Hendrickson was seen for Cincinnati's offseason program was during voluntary workouts in May, when he expressed his disappointment with how the Bengals were handling contract talks. "We’ve tried to keep it the least amount personal as possible, but at some point in this process it becomes personal," Hendrickson […]
Related
U.S. Open: Rains, lightning halt tournament at Oakmont
OAKMONT, Pa.—Rain and lightning have halted the U.S. Open on its final day. Sam Burns (-2) and Adam Scott (-1) are atop a leaderboard that's suffering through a wickedly difficult Oakmont course, and the wind and rain rolling in over the course of the afternoon made play even trickier.Oakmont was soaked in the weeks prior to the U.S. Open, then largely dried out until a deluge dropped more than an inch of rain on the course on Friday evening.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn Sunday, dark clouds gathered as Scott and Burns played their first few holes. Raindrops began falling as they were playing the sixth hole and suspended as they were standing on the tee at No. 8.Jon Rahm is currently the clubhouse leader at +4.
U.S. Open: Rains, lightning halt tournament at Oakmont
OAKMONT, Pa.—Rain and lightning have halted the U.S. Open on its final day. Sam Burns (-2) and Adam Scott (-1) are atop a leaderboard that's suffering through a wickedly difficult Oakmont course, and the wind and rain rolling in over the course of the afternoon made play even trickier.The suspension of play came at 4:01 ET. Play will resume if and when the weather clears.Oakmont was soaked in the weeks prior to the U.S. Open, then largely dried out until a deluge dropped more than an inch of rain on the course on Friday evening.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn Sunday, dark clouds gathered as Scott and Burns played their first few holes. Raindrops began falling as they were playing the sixth hole and suspended as they were standing on the tee at No. 8.Jon Rahm is currently the clubhouse leader at +4.
Bengals, Trey Hendrickson reportedly resume contract negotiations after edge rusher skipped minicamp
Defensive end Trey Hendrickson skipped the Cincinnati Bengals' minicamp this past week amid a contract dispute. The eight-year veteran is looking for an extension with his contract set to expire after this season.Hendrickson, 30, is set to be paid a base salary of $15.8 million but insists that he will not play this season under his current deal. He's seeking a long-term agreement that would put him among the NFL's highest-paid pass rushers.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, not attending minicamp may have moved the negotiation process forward. Hendrickson and the Bengals have resumed discussions on a new contract, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. How much of a gap exists between the two sides has not been reported.Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is currently the league's highest-paid pass-rusher after agreeing in March to a four-year extension that pays him an average annual salary of $40 […]
Bengals, Trey Hendrickson reportedly resume contract negotiations after edge rusher skipped minicamp
Defensive end Trey Hendrickson skipped the Cincinnati Bengals' minicamp this past week amid a contract dispute. The eight-year veteran is looking for an extension with his contract set to expire after this season.Hendrickson, 30, is set to be paid a base salary of $15.8 million but insists that he will not play this season under his current deal. He's seeking a long-term agreement that would put him among the NFL's highest-paid pass rushers.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, not attending minicamp may have moved the negotiation process forward. Hendrickson and the Bengals have resumed discussions on a new contract, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. How much of a gap exists between the two sides has not been reported.Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is currently the league's highest-paid pass-rusher after agreeing in March to a four-year extension that pays him an average annual salary of $40 […]
Nick Castellanos crushes a grand slam, extending the Phillies’ lead over Blue Jays
Nick Castellanos crushes a grand slam, extending the Phillies' lead over Blue Jays | FOX Sports <!--> --> Video Details Nick Castellanos crushed a grand slam, extending the Philadelphia Phillies' lead over Toronto Blue Jays. 26 MINS AGO・mlb・0:23
Trey Hendrickson, Bengals reportedly in contract talks after minicamp holdout
<!--> All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson's contract dilemma with the Cincinnati Bengals seems to have taken a positive turn, with both sides reportedly resuming discussions this weekend.Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks last season with 17.5, voiced his displeasure over his contract situation all offseason. He has one year remaining on his current deal and is owed $16 million. He didn't participate in any of the Bengals' offseason, skipping out on the team's mandatory minicamp practices this past week and risking being fined up to roughly $105,000 as a result.The only time Hendrickson was seen for Cincinnati's offseason program was during voluntary workouts in May, when he expressed his disappointment with how the Bengals were handling contract talks. "We’ve tried to keep it the least amount personal as possible, but at some point in this process it becomes personal," Hendrickson […]
Be the first to leave a comment