Cowboys news: Cowboys decline LVE’s fifth-year option and more reaction to the draft
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This was inevitable after the drafting of two linebackers.
The Dallas Cowboys won’t be picking up the fifth-year contract option of former first round pick Leighton Vander Esch. His agent, Ron Slavin, told ESPN of the team’s plans Monday which would allow the linebacker to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2021 season.
Vander Esch has missed 13 games due to injury over the past two seasons and that history is likely the main reason for the decision. In 2019, Vander Esch suffered a neck injury that required surgery and in 2020 he broke his collarbone causing him to miss six games. His best season came in his rookie year when he totaled 140 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defensed after being selected with the 19th overall pick in that year’s first round.
Cowboys news: Cowboys add offensive help on Day 3 to close out the 2021 NFL Draft
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WR Simi Fehoko has some similar skills as Michael Gallup, who could be leaving after this season.
The Rundown: Fehoko was two-time All-Pac-12 selection, including Stanford’s six-game 2020 season shortened by the pandemic. He had 37 catches for 584 yards and 3 touchdowns last year, including a school-record 16 catches for 230 yards and 3 TDs against UCLA. Fehoko is an older prospect at age 23. He completed a two-year LDS mission in South Korea before attending Stanford. He declared for the draft after his junior season.
Cowboys news: Dak Prescott impressing with his recovery
The news you may have missed from Tuesday.
The biggest hurdle for the Cowboys and Dak Prescott was cleared when the two sides came to an agreement on a new contract, which made the quarterback’s recovery from his season-ending ankle injury the new focus. The good thing is that Mike McCarthy is really impressed with how Prescott is rehabbing already.
“I was very impressed with his progress,” McCarthy said. “Just coming off the type of injury. His footwork, he’s doing all the normal movements that you look to do in a quarterback-school format this time of year.”
Cowboys news: Sean Lee hangs up his cleats, more draft news as the date draws near
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Sean Lee was a great talent that had a career marred by injuries.
“But the problem is anytime I go on the field and I get to play, and you make a couple of plays, you’re like, ‘Well, I like this too much,’” Lee said before his final NFL game. “And that is my problem: I love this game too much. I love this organization a lot. And I love playing and I love playing the position, linebacker.
Cowboys news: Patrick Surtain II passes out the ultimate compliment to CeeDee Lamb
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Patrick Surtain gives some love to CeeDee Lamb
Still, when asked what his strengths are as an outside corner, Surtain said it was his technique and IQ, “I just think I’m fundamentally sound.”
The Cowboys coaching staff also asked which player has been his toughest cover so far and Surtain confesses that is was current Cowboys wide receiver, former rookie sensations CeeDee Lamb.
“I think if I was choosing, I’d say CeeDee [Lamb],” Surtain said. “I went against him. He was a good all around receiver. Fast, got great hands, great ball skills, all that.”