Daily News 19

Tag: Brian Schottenheimer

  • Brevyn Spann-Ford, Ryan Flournoy React to Contract Extensions: ‘I’m so grateful’

    Brevyn Spann-Ford, Ryan Flournoy React to Contract Extensions: ‘I’m so grateful’

    After signing his new contract, Spann-Ford attended a scheduled weekly dinner with the Cowboys offense where teammates congratulated him. The celebration grew even larger when news broke that Flournoy had also secured a deal.

    Teammates Celebrate Parallel Contract Success

    “It’s super special,” Spann-Ford said of getting his deal done around the same time as Flournoy. “Coming in together, we’ve trained in the offseason together the last two offseasons, so that really hit home. I got my deal done, and then I look at my phone and see Ryan got his done. So it was a super cool moment for the both of us, super cool moment for our trainer that we work with. I couldn’t be more proud of him and his development.”

    Coach Schottenheimer Praises Player Development

    Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that Flournoy and Spann-Ford “literally carry the flag for what we’re about.” Their new contracts demonstrate the coaching staff’s confidence in their continued growth.

    “I think it shows you that they’re really good football players, and we’re finding even more roles for them,” Schottenheimer said. “You talk about those guys, and it’s not just want they do on offense, it’s what they do on special teams as well that makes them more valuable.”

    Undrafted Path to Dallas

    After going undrafted out of Minnesota, Spann-Ford revealed the Vikings—his home-state team—had shown interest, but no deal materialized. He ultimately signed with Dallas and has not looked back.

    “Dallas was really the only team that really took a chance on me,” Spann-Ford said. “It means a little more getting able to stay and be a part of something special here.”

    Similarly, Flournoy never doubted his ability to produce at a high level despite being a sixth-round pick from Southeast Missouri State.

    “I always never doubted what God has planned for me,” Flournoy said. “I know that I would love to be here for the rest of my career. Just for them to extend me, it just shows that it’s heading in that direction. I’m so grateful.”

    Mindset Unchanged After New Deals

    Even with contracts finalized, both players maintain the same competitive edge.

    “Just having that chip on your shoulder, that’s something that comes with it,” Spann-Ford said of being undrafted. “Getting paid is nice, but at the end of the day, nothing really changes. You’ve still got to produce for your team.”

    Season Opener Against Giants

    The Cowboys offense aims to start strong in Sunday night’s season opener versus the Giants.

    “I’m super excited to see us out there and just to play with the guys that’s on the roster,” Flournoy said. “With Dak leading the charge and me, GP and CeeDee at wideout and [KaVontae Turpin], I think we’re going to have a great game. It’s just so exciting. I think we’re all anxious to just go out there and rock out.”

  • Mick Shots: Inexplicably Rough Start to 2026 Road Schedule

    Mick Shots: Inexplicably Rough Start to 2026 Road Schedule

    FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys embark on a grueling 2026 season opener Sunday night at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants, kicking off a punishing seven-week stretch that features four nationally televised night games, a transcontinental trip to Brazil, and a travel itinerary totaling approximately 18,000 air miles.

    Brutal Early Schedule Tests Cowboys Depth and Durability

    The Cowboys’ first seven weeks include road games at the Giants (Sunday, Sept. 13, 7:20 p.m. ET), at Green Bay (Sunday, Oct. 18, 7:20 p.m. ET), and at Philadelphia (Monday, Oct. 26, 7:15 p.m. ET), plus a Thursday night home game against Tampa Bay (Oct. 8, 7:15 p.m. ET) on short rest. The NFL designates Dallas as the “home team” for a Sept. 27 game against the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro — a designation head coach Brian Schottenheimer noted with sarcasm.

    “I think the way the schedule is this year for the first couple of games we’re not going to have much of a routine, and that’s why again the live in the moment of the day I think matters,” Schottenheimer says, knowing the importance of starting the season with two NFC East Division games against the Giants and the Commanders. “We have to plan ahead, knowing Rio is right down the street.”

    Speaking of that, Schotty says he has to pay attention to sports science factoring in the amount of travel facing this team.

    “We’ve got a unique situation when you look at these next five weeks really when you factor in getting home at 5 a.m., the trip to Rio which is kind of a short week for us, then the league did us a favor (tongue in cheek) by getting us going to Houston and come home on Thursday (to play the Tampa Bay game), that was cool, so we’re just trying to do what we can to avoid the heat.”

    Travel Logistics: 18,000 Miles in Seven Weeks

    The travel breakdown underscores the physical toll:

    • Sept. 13 at Giants: Return to DFW ~4:30 a.m. Monday
    • Sept. 27 vs. Ravens in Rio: 10-hour flight Thursday night, 10-hour return, projected DFW arrival 7:45 a.m. Monday
    • Oct. 4 at Houston: Short flight, noon kickoff
    • Oct. 8 vs. Tampa Bay: Thursday night, four-day turnaround
    • Oct. 18 at Green Bay: Return ~3 a.m. Monday
    • Oct. 26 at Philadelphia: Monday night, return ~4 a.m. Tuesday

    Total air miles during this stretch: right at 18,000 — the equivalent of three oil changes for a car. The only tangible benefit of the “home team” designation in Rio: the Cowboys’ charter flight departs Galeão International first, ahead of the Ravens.

    Extreme Heat Forces Practice Indoors

    Schottenheimer moved the first regular-season practice indoors Wednesday after temperature readings hit 102°F with a 114°F heat index. The Cowboys’ heat-monitoring device registered “extreme,” the highest danger level. The team uses hybrid urinals to measure player hydration levels and requires weigh-ins during outdoor practices to track fluid loss.

    Offensive Line Depth Bolstered by Veteran Signing

    With All-Pro guard Tyler Smith on IR-Return and T.J. Bass elevated to starter, the Cowboys signed 34-year-old veteran Laken Tomlinson to the practice squad. A 2011 first-round pick, Tomlinson has started 162 of 173 career games over 12 NFL seasons, providing experienced depth at guard and center behind Nick Leverett, who was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

    9/11 Tributes at MetLife Stadium

    Sunday’s game falls on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Players, coaches, and staff from both teams will wear commemorative NYPD, FDNY, and PAPD hats on the sideline, along with special “Never Forget” T-shirts during pregame warmups. The phrase “Never Forget” will be stenciled onto the field. The NFL plans similar remembrances at all season-opening games.

    Cowboys Welcome Giants with ‘Empire State of Mind’

    At Wednesday’s first practice of the week, players stretched to “Empire State of Mind” — complete with the elongated “Newww Yoooork, Newww Yoooork” chorus — a pointed reminder of the venue awaiting them Sunday.

    Locker Room Notes: Number Swaps and Milestones

    Fullback Hunter Luepke gave up No. 40 to newly acquired edge rusher Von Miller, receiving a stake in Miller’s Greener Pastures Chicken company in return. Asked about the trade, Luepke said, “I’m a big chicken guy.”

    Miller, 37, owns 138½ career sacks (ninth all-time) and needs one full sack to tie for seventh. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and wide receiver George Pickens played on the same peewee team in Alabama. The Cowboys opened the 2011 season at MetLife against the Jets (a 27-24 loss), 10 years after 9/11. Quarterback Dak Prescott made his first career start against the Giants in the 2016 opener (a 20-19 loss) and is now 14-3 vs. the NFC East rival.

    Schottenheimer Names Captains, Praises Quinnen Williams

    Schottenheimer announced four 2026 captains: Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Dak Prescott, and Brandon Aubrey. Of Williams, acquired via trade for the 10th game last season, Schottenheimer offered high praise:

    “From the minute he’s gotten here he’s been about one thing and it’s winning,” Brian begins. “You know, he’s never won in the NFL, and the leadership is real, the talent is incredible, but every decision that guy makes is what’s best for us winning and I love that about him and it’s infectious, it rubs off.”

    “And I love hearing him talk to the young linemen, the young defenders – he was very, very involved in some of the things to help the defense to grow and learn and all that stuff. So terrific young man, great dad – he and Maranda are great parents. Just thrilled to have him here, man.”