Cowboys news: Sam Williams ‘hungry’ after ACL injury

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Sam Williams moving with eye-opening intensity, post-injury: ‘That guy is hungry’ – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com

The former second-round pick is entering the biggest season of his career, and he’s ready.

The former second-round pick is already putting offensive players on notice through the first unpadded practices with his intensity, having to be coached a bit by Brian Schottenheimer to be mindful that the time to fully unleash will be when everyone is fully padded.

That will begin on Sunday in Oxnard.

“I told him, ‘You’re gonna have an incredible year,” said Schottenheimer. “Keep that intensity, but do it in pads.”

It’s something All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott has noted as well mentally, along with the growth of Williams over the past year, particularly when the two were both relegated to injured reserve as the 2024 season concluded — Prescott having suffered a torn hamstring in November.

Prescott knows Williams is starving, and acknowledges how great it is to see.

“That’s a guy that’s hungry, very hungry,” Prescott said. “… He’s gonna have a hell of a year. … Super proud of him. He was recognized for the Defensive Golden Whistle Award and that’s a testament to the guy who worked hard toward getting back from injury. He’ll probably be a guy I vote for [to receive] the Ed Block Courage Award, so super, super proud of him.

“He’s just getting back to himself and it’s only [just] beginning.”

For his part, Williams first wanted to make it clear his knee feels brand new, and why.

“I feel great,” he said following the team’s second practice. “I had a little incident where I bumped knees with someone but, other than that, I feel great. I don’t feel it. It feels like I never had an injury.

“Six days a week for 11 months, I put in the work. I feel great. Fantastic. No aches. No soreness. I’m running, what, 22 mph at 260 [lbs]? That should tell you everything.”

What’s fueling Dak Prescott? Winning a Super Bowl, building rapport with George Pickens – Jon Machota, The Athletic

Dak Prescott has plenty of motivation after an injury-plagued 2024 season.

It’s too early in camp to make any significant statements about how players are performing. They haven’t even put on full pads. But with Prescott a few things have stood out. One, he looks completely healthy from last year’s season-ending hamstring injury. Two, his rapport with CeeDee Lamb has picked up right where they left off. Three, he and recently added wide receiver George Pickens still have some work to do together.

Their timing has been off on some routes and most of their connections have been on short or intermediate routes. Prescott doesn’t have any concerns.

“I think that’s all to come,” he said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily something we’ve got to grow into. I think more so than anything, it was just the first red zone day. I think if we doubled the number of reps we had in there today, you would have seen one or two (examples of Pickens high-pointing the football). I just think that’s going to come with who he is, the matchups that we’re going to get. Hit him on a great out-route, so if they want to start sitting on that, you’re going to see the jump balls.

“For him, it’s just about continuing to master the offense, the routes and the adjustments on certain routes. When he does that, the rest of it is going to come. That’s important for all of us. The guy hasn’t been here too long. It’s just about making sure that he feels comfortable in the system and knowing what he has. Whether it’s him catching the ball or that connection, when you’re an elite player like him and you create separation, that makes that whole deal easier.”

There are notable question marks at the offensive line and running back positions. Wide receiver is a completely different story. If they stay healthy, that group of Lamb, Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo and possibly others should be one of the team’s greatest strengths. If Dallas is to have a good season and playoff run, Prescott’s connection with that group will probably be one of the biggest factors.

Donovan Ezeiruaku already proving to be the steal of the 2025 NFL Draft – Marcus Mosher, The Landry Hat

It hasn’t taken long for Donovan Ezeiruaku to show that he’s going to be a big contributor.

During Wednesday’s practice, Ezeiruaku recorded at least two sacks during the 11-on-11 period, and there was another that would have been close. And then on Thursday, he was even better, recording multiple sacks against Tyler Guyton. Here is one snap where he beat Guyton off the line of scrimmage for a clean win (h/t to Jon Machota of The Athletic).

Cowboys rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku has been unstoppable in training camp

Before you get too concerned about Guyton, just know that Ezeiruaku has given everyone problems at practice. He’s been too quick for the guards, and he has several different moves in his toolbox for the offensive tackles. And that’s what makes Ezeiruaku so unique. He can win in a variety of ways, and he has no problem moving all around the defensive line to hunt the best matchups.

The Cowboys stole Ezeiruaku in the second round, and that is already very evident on the practice field. Ezeiruaku was the No. 29 player on the consensus big board and there were several NFL Draft experts who ranked him as a top-20 player and it’s not hard to see why.

Kaiir Elam on Matt Eberflus’ approach to turnovers, renewed confidence – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com

The former first-round pick is looking to reach his full potential in 2025.

For cornerbacks, confidence is everything. Even though there were some tough stretches during his time with the Bills, Elam’s experience and the Cowboys’ coaching staff has kept him confident in himself.

“My experience of being in the league and putting in work has allowed me to be so confident in myself, in my game,” Elam said. “I just credit that to my coach, coach Eberflus, coach Andre [Curtis], coach [David Overstreet], they do a good job of just instilling confidence and telling me I’m the best in the world.”

Turnovers have been a constant for the Cowboys’ defense through three practices, with two interceptions and a fumble being forced by the defense in Thursday’s third practice alone. Elam credits new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus constantly asking his players to play the ball for the recent results.

“I really feel like it starts from the top down, coach Eberflus has done a good job of emphasizing us being relentless when it comes to our effort and also being relentless and violent when it comes to our finishes,” Elam said.

“Every play’s not going to be perfect, but with our effort, with our strength, and with our style of play, we’re going to try to get the ball back to the offense.”

Why Dallas Cowboys are rolling dice on former first-round picks to strengthen defense – Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News

Dallas is hoping some old pedigree shines through with several offseason additions.

Cornerback Kaiir Elam, Buffalo’s first in 2022. Linebacker Kenneth Murray from Tennessee, the Chargers’ first in 2020. Defensive tackle Solomon Thomas from the Jets, San Francisco’s first in 2017. Payton Turner, the Saints’ first in 2021. Former Cowboy Dante Fowler back for more after a year in Washington, the Jaguars’ first pick in 2015.

“If you look at the guys, the leadership component, we need depth the way we’re going to play ‘hair on fire’ defense, attack fronts,’’ Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “Adding first round talent means what, we need to pull things out of them, figure the best ways to use them.‘’

Make no mistake, these are not first-round picks who have lived up to every ounce of their potential. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn’t go deep into his wallet for any of them. Turner came on an inexpensive one-year deal after never starting a game in three years for the Saints. Elam and Murray came from Buffalo and Tennessee in trades that involved third-day picks. Thomas got two years and $8 million, not exactly the kind of money a No. 3 overall pick would be expecting to make in the prime of his career.

But, collectively, they can make a difference. Elam is expected to be a nickel corner if not more than that while the Cowboys wait for Trevon Diggs to recover. Murray was a starter from Day One with the Chargers in 2020 and started all 14 games in which he played last year for Tennessee. Schottenheimer has spoken glowingly as to what “K-9” (he’s number 59) can do in the middle of the Dallas defense.