Latest news with #DakPackSummit
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Pickens picks Prescott over promise to Pittsburgh kids: Cowboys WR cancels camp for new QB
#Cowboys Dak Prescott and the offensive skill players getting some offseason work in, for what could be their annual retreat with @ the tagged photos so far, KaVontae Turpin, Jake Ferguson, and George Pickens were there.I'm sure more names will pop up. There's a… George Pickens is catching flak in Pittsburgh again, even as he's catching passes from his new quarterback. The wide receiver, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in early May after three volatile seasons with the Steelers, was scheduled to be the star attraction at the George Pickens Youth Football Camp at Pittsburgh's Highmark Stadium this coming weekend. Despite previously telling campers that he would still attend the event even after changing teams, Pickens has now decided not to participate at all, according to an email sent to attendees' families this week. The camp has been postponed until July 20 and will now feature Pittsburgh tight end Pat Freiermuith and possibly other Steelers players. The organizers are not offering refunds. Though he has not addressed his cancellation publicly, Pickens is reportedly getting work in with his new Cowboys teammates at the annual retreat organized by quarterback Dak Prescott. There are two ways to look at this, depending primarily on which of the two fanbases you pledge allegiance to. For the families of those youth campers, there is obvious frustration. That is reflected loud and clear in the email sent to them by the camp organizers, who explained in breathless detail how Pickens "has decided to walk back on his word" and trashed him repeatedly for his "disappointing lack of accountability" and "disregard for the families and children who were excited to meet him." Steelers fans are no doubt chalking it up as just one more reason why they're better off without the mercurial wideout. Before this, they were merely glad to see him sent packing; now they can feel justified in actively despising him forever. But the cold, hard truth is this: Pickens is heading into a massively important contract year, not to mention his first campaign with Prescott and the Cowboys as a featured component of head coach Brian Schottenheimer's new-look offense. Skipping the so-called "Dak Pack Summit"- for any reason- only costs him valuable reps and a chance to gel with his new quarterback and teammates before the stakes get very high, starting in Week 1. Pickens may well have intended to keep his camp commitment when he first told families two days following his trade, but his schedule, understandably, changed once he got situated with his new employer. Canceling on kids at your previous stop and on families who have paid money is unfortunate, but the 24-year-old has a new team and a new city now... not to mention a new chance at earning a life-changing second NFL contract. Steelers Nation may be mad. But how would the Cowboys and their fans view it if news broke that Pickens bailed on offseason work with the entire Dallas offense to fly back to Pittsburgh just to sign some autographs and collect an appearance check? Returning to Pittsburgh would have made for a nice footnote to the time Pickens spent there; a schedule conflict brought on by his new job shouldn't immediately cast him as some sort of villain. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys Headline News: Dak hosts summit, RB chaos brews, and Steele under pressure
All eyes on Dak's return, a revamped offense, and the biggest games on schedule With training camp just weeks away, the Dallas Cowboys enter a pivotal summer loaded with storylines, uncertainty, and opportunity. From releasing their full Oxnard practice schedule to reshaping key position groups, the organization is laying the foundation for a bounce-back campaign under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The 2025 roster is flush with talent, but also riddled with question marks, from Dak Prescott's health and revamped weapons to ongoing battles in the trenches and backfield. Camp will shine a spotlight on a crowded running back room, a make-or-break season for Terence Steele, and last-chance opportunities for players like Matt Waletzko. Meanwhile, Dallas hopes to unlock the full potential of underused offensive chess pieces like Hunter Luepke, while Prescott's offseason 'Dak Pack Summit' reinforces a renewed focus on chemistry. As the countdown to kickoff continues, the Cowboys' schedule, and early divisional matchups, already loom large. Cowboys release full Oxnard schedule, including open practice dates - Cowboys Wire Link The Dallas Cowboys will kick off 2025 training camp in Oxnard, California, with players reporting on July practices begin July 22 and continue through Aug. 13, including a joint session with the Rams on Aug. events like Oxnard Fan Night and Heroes Appreciation Day are included in the public are free to attend but often reach capacity; gates open two hours prior to start team will return to The Star in Frisco on Aug. 14 for more practices ahead of the season opener. Cowboys Face Two Major Unknown Issues With Crowded Running Backs Room at Camp - Athlon Sports Link The Cowboys enter training camp with a crowded, uncertain running back room featuring six potential additions Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Jaydon Blue, and Phil Mafah join returners Deuce Vaughn and Hunter Luepke. Williams is the early favorite, but Blue has breakout buzz, and Mafah could emerge as a must now figure out how to split reps and evaluate a room full of unknowns. It's one of the most intriguing and unpredictable position battles heading into the 2025 season. Reading Cowboys' interior OL for filth, where are weak and strong points? - Cowboys Wire Link Dallas enters 2025 with one of the NFL's most talented and youngest interior offensive lines, led by Cooper Beebe and two first-round picks at guard. Depth is a major strength, with reliable backups like Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass, plus offseason additions Saadiq Charles and Robert Jones. However, the unit's biggest question is at center—if Beebe falters, Dallas has limited upside behind him. A potential position shuffle looms if left tackle struggles persist, which could force Tyler Smith outside and shake up the interior. Fortunately, this group's depth may help absorb any fallout from unexpected changes or injuries up front. Most Important Game on 2025 Schedule? - Link With training camp just weeks away, the Cowboys' 2025 regular-season schedule is already generating buzz, and the debate is on about which matchup matters most. While every game holds weight in a 17-game season, a few stand out as early turning points, especially for a team coming off a disappointing 7-10 campaign and entering a new era under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Last chance for $82 million Cowboys investment to prove he isn't sunken cost - Cowboys Wire Link Terence Steele enters 2025 facing a make-or-break season to justify the $82.5 million extension he signed just two years ago. While he's been an elite run blocker, his persistent struggles in pass protection continue to cast doubt on his long-term value. The Cowboys hope a renewed focus under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer can help Steele take a leap in technique and consistency. If he fails to improve, Dallas could shift second-year tackle Tyler Guyton to the right side, or cut ties altogether in 2026 with minimal financial penalty. With no guaranteed money left and a cap hit of $18.1 million, Steele must prove he's more than a sunken cost. Ranking the Top 25 NFL Draft Picks from 1st Quarter of 21st Century - Bleacher Report Link Representing the Cowboys is none other than Zack Martin. The legendary guard earned seven first-team All-Pro selections, more than all but 13 players in NFL history. A future Hall of Famer, he's been the gold standard at guard for over a decade. In hindsight, he may have been the best player from his draft class, rivaling Aaron Donald for that honor. Cowboys' Day 3 pick reaching last-chance status as 2025 training camp rolls around - Cowboys Wire Link Matt Waletzko enters Cowboys training camp firmly on the roster bubble as he begins the final year of his rookie deal. Drafted in the fifth round in 2022, Waletzko has logged just 20 offensive snaps in three seasons, largely due to recurring shoulder injuries. Despite his size and age (6'8", 25), a lack of development under the previous coaching staff has left his future in limbo. With Tyler Guyton, Terence Steele, and Asim Richards locked into top tackle spots, Waletzko faces stiff competition for a reserve role. New offensive line coaches offer a fresh start—but this may be his last chance to stick in Dallas. Fantasy football rankings 2025: Sleepers, breakouts, busts from NFL model that hit C.J. Stroud's down year - CBS Sports Link CBS Sports' Fantasy model projects Dak Prescott as a top sleeper pick for 2025, despite his recent injury missed half of last season with a torn hamstring but now has George Pickens joining CeeDee Lamb in a revamped receiving corps. He was QB3 in 2023 and QB7 in 2021, proving he can be elite when healthy—and that upside is baked into his sleeper value. Currently being drafted outside the top 10, Prescott's low ADP makes him a high-reward steal if he stays on the field. With new weapons and a clean bill of health, he's primed to outperform expectations and rebound in a big way. 0.94 and 9.3: Why the numbers say the Cowboys have wasted a fan favorite offensive weapon - Cowboys Wire Link Hunter Luepke has quietly become one of the Cowboys' most versatile and efficient offensive weapons, yet remains underutilized. Despite limited touches, he averaged 9.3 yards per catch and posted a 0.94 EPA as a runner—better than any Dallas RB in 2024. He's also one of the NFL's top pass-protecting backs, ranking fifth in PFF grade among all RBs last season. Luepke's ability to line up at fullback, H-back, tight end, or slot receiver gives him unmatched roster flexibility. With question marks at both RB and TE, 2025 may be his best shot to earn a bigger role in Dallas' offense. Dak Prescott hosts annual workout with Dallas Cowboys skill players - Sports Illustrated Link Dak Prescott is once again hosting his annual offseason workout, dubbed the 'Dak Pack Summit,' ahead of Cowboys training camp. The informal sessions include George Pickens, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert, Ryan Flournoy, Hunter Luepke, Luke Schoonmaker, and QB Will Grier. These workouts reflect new head coach Brian Schottenheimer's emphasis on team chemistry and building a winning culture. Prescott continues his rehab from a torn hamstring, staying on track to return fully healthy for the 2025 season. The veteran QB is focused on bouncing back and proving last year's disappointing finish was an outlier.
