Richard Paolinelli
The Achilles heel of the Dallas Cowboys’ defense in 2023 was its’ interior defensive line. Once the Cowboys’ inability to stop the run up the middle was exposed, it was game over. One game into the playoffs, it was season over. Part of the problem was the lack of production from last year’s first-round pick, Mazi …
Whether or not the Dallas Cowboys rise or fall in 2024 will likely come down to the play of its offensive line. That’s the main reason why the Cowboys drafted lineman with two of their first three picks last month. Dallas shed age with the departure of Tyron Smith. They also lost a lot of experience …
The 2024 NFL schedule is expected to be released either this Thursday evening or on the 16th at the latest. The NFL has always released the schedule on a Thursday. A few years ago it switched for releasing the schedule in April to early May. There will be a schedule release show on the NFL Network, …
While the Cowboys wait to see which quarterback emerges as the long-term answer – and the running back room scares no one – there is one big question: Who is going to be catching the ball in Dallas? CeeDee Lamb – assuming he doesn’t hold out for a contract extension – is the clear WR1 in …
As we look at the state of Jerry Jones’ “All-In” plan – which seemingly includes a game of Survivor at quarterback – it doesn’t get any better at running back. Because they’ve switched to a game of Russian roulette in the backfield. And that’s a game that rarely ends well. The Cowboys passed on what was …
The Dallas Cowboys will head into the season with three quarterbacks. And all three are in the final year of their respective contracts. Dak Prescott is the unquestioned starter. He brings with him a 73-41 regular season record. He also is saddled with a 2-5 career post-season record. Cooper Rush has been the back up in …
At the beginning of the month I wrote a pre-draft/free agency prediction post regarding the NFC East. For those of you not wanting to jump over and review it the gist of it was that the Eagles were predicted to win the division in 2024. The Cowboys were in second, just barely above .500. The Giants …
Okay, I’ve given my opinion on the Cowboys’ picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. And I’ve graded how the NFC East did overall too. Judging by some of the responses, a few of you disagree. Too bad. Because you’re dead wrong. And with half a century of watching NFL football – along with 40 years of …
Eagles Nation, tell me, please: What’s it like to have a front office that actually seems to know what it’s doing? While the Cowboys appeared to be throwing darts at the wall and picking whoever the dart hit on the final day of the draft, the rest of the NFC East got a lot better. Six …
And on the third day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys looked upon the remains of their draft board. And made a miserable hash out of it. They failed to try to move up into the fourth round. Instead, the Cowboys settled on staying put with their four picks in the final three …
Well, if you’re among the Dallas Cowboys that didn’t drink themselves into a coma or hurl themselves out of a window after Friday night’s draft picks… How y’all doing? Want to talk about it? I really don’t, but that’s what they pay me for around here so I don’t have a choice. If you had been …
We’re in the second half of the opening round of the 2024 NFL Draft, here is a list of my final pick predictions for picks 17-32 tonight made prior to the draft starting. There’s been a lot of changes and a surprise or two so far. How will the final 16 picks play out? Let’s find …
The 2024 NFL Draft has begun. Here is a list of my final pick predictions for picks 1-16 tonight. This list will be updated with the actual pick as it is made and a brief post-pick comment. So keep checking back throughout the night. A separate post will cover picks 17-32. Williams Tops The List 1. …
Here we are, on the eve of the 2024 NFL Draft, and the beleaguered fan base of the Dallas Cowboys turn their weary eyes toward The Star. They’re seeking signs of hope. A reason to believe that this season – the 29th since the last Cowboys’ Super Bowl victory – will be better. If you’re reading …
At the time of this writing, we’re roughly 80 hours from the start of the 2024 NFL Draft. We know the Dallas Cowboys have a lot of holes to fill on the roster. They’ve lost several players to free agency and retirement. They’ve only signed two outside free agents – a linebacker and a free agent …
If Roger Goodell – or any of his replacements – steps up to the podium in Detroit later this week and announces the Cowboys have drafted a tight end, kicker, or a punter… Seriously, I expect all of you to join me at The Star with lit torches and sharpened pitchforks in hand. The one area …
With so many more areas of urgent need in next week’s draft, would the Dallas Cowboys spend one of their seven picks on a defensive back? They just moved Markquese Bell back to safety from linebacker. Even without Stephon Gilmore – assuming Trevon Diggs has fully recovered – they appear to be well stocked at cornerback …
Given the issues Dallas had at stopping the run in 2023 – along with the retirement of Leighton Vander Esch – the Cowboys must draft a middle linebacker next week. Yes, the free agency signing of Eric Kendricks addressed that concern somewhat. But Kendricks is 32, on a one-year deal, and is not the long-term answer. …
In last year’s draft the Dallas Cowboys decided to address their woeful run defense in the first round. They took defensive tackle Mazi Smith out of Michigan. They come into this year’s draft still needing to address their woeful run defense. Smith is bordering on being a Taco Charlton-level – another Michigan defensive lineman drafted by …
The only certainty going into next week’s draft is that Dallas has so many needs they can’t miss with their first pick. Unless they pick another tight end. But not even Jerry Jones is that crazy. Is he? The majority of the mock drafts flooding the internet with 10 days to go before the first pick …
I swear to the Almighty, if the Dallas Cowboys draft a tight end in the 2024 Draft – in any round – I’m going to need bail money. I’m not kidding. Going into last year’s draft I pointed out Dallas’ poor history when drafting a tight end in the early rounds. They went ahead and did …