The Dallas Cowboys will NOT be California dreamin' this year -- at least for training camp -- the NFL has ruled the team's gotta stay home in Texas for preseason workouts due to COVID-19.
Yes, COVID is still very much a thing!!!!
The league is expected to make the formal announcement Tuesday, according to reports ... with NFL officials clearly believing it's safer for teams to practice at their home facilities for training camps rather than travel.
It's a big bummer for the 'Boys ... they've jetted out to Oxnard, Calif. every year for at least part of their training camp practices for the last 8 seasons.
In fact, the team's spent time in Cali at some point for its training camp practices nearly every year since it's been in existence -- and had planned to come back this summer despite coronavirus concerns.
Of course, the 2020 rule won't just impact the Cowboys ... several teams in the league that have used off-campus facilities for their training camps in the past won't be allowed to this year as well.
The Bills, for example, will not be able to work out at St. John Fisher College in Rocester, N.Y. ... while the Steelers will not make their annual trip to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Penn.
Too bad for Jerry Jones ... one of his favorite restaurants is Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills.
It's a 22-hour drive from BH to Dallas -- think Postmates will deliver?!
Awesome gesture from Aldon Smith ... the new Cowboys star says he's going to read to kids to help brighten their days -- telling TMZ Sports, "It's just one way I can be a source of help."
Aldon's storytime is all part of a new charity initiative that was put together by WorkForce Software CEO Mike Morini and Jay Glazer's Merging Vets and Players program.
Morini tells us the charity work is pretty simple ... key execs and athletes from all over the country are signing up to read stories and books remotely to children directly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Morini says Aldon -- along with a bunch of other athletes like Andrew Whitworth and Robert Griffin III -- jumped at the opportunity when he presented it to them ... saying, "Man, they were all happy to do it."
As for why ... Aldon tells us he understands just how big of an impact the small, charitable act can have on the kids.
"The first thing that went to my head was I was a Tennesee Titans football fan and a Chicago Bulls fan, and you know, I’ve always been a fan of sports and then music, so I loved all kinds of singers and artists," Smith says.
"So, if any of them would have hopped on a phone call or a video call and read a book, it's something I would remember."
Aldon, who was just reinstated by the NFL and will get another shot at pro football for the first time in years, added, "It just goes along with what I’m into and what I’m about."
"And, that's using my time to help others and I enjoy doing it and if it can help others, that's just a plus. So, this is just one way I can be a source of help."
Dak Prescottand the Cowboys are firing back at a report claiming the QB turned down a 5-year, $175 MILLION contract extension ... saying that offer simply never hit the table.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says he spoke with Prescott's agent and reps from the team ... and they confirmed contract discussions between the two sides have only consisted so far of the length of the deal -- not money numbers.
Of course, ex-NFL QB and current league analyst Chris Simmsreported this week that he's heard otherwise.
Simms -- speaking on 105.3 The Fan -- claimed he was told by "some people who are in the know" that Dak was poo-pooing a 5-year deal that would pay him roughly $35 mil per year.
"He wants a four-year deal," Simms says. "If they do agree to a five-year deal, they would like a really big number at the end of that fifth year to cover their butts for what the market might be at the position five years from now."
"And, I’ve heard he’s asking for somewhere like north of $45 million in that fifth year."
But, Rapoport reported Thursday, "The two sides have never discussed such scenarios or anything like it. Dak wants a shorter deal, the Cowboys want a longer one. July 15 is the deadline."
Currently, Prescott is scheduled to play on the franchise tag in 2020 ... which would pay him around $33 million this season.
Aldon Smith says he's not worried about rust in his NFL comeback -- telling TMZ Sports he feels young, healthy and "blessed by God."
The 30-year-old pass-rusher was reinstated by the NFL after 5 years out of pro football due to several off-the-field issues including arrests stemming from substance abuse.
Some people would be concerned about readjusting to the speed of the NFL after 5 years off ... but Aldon says he's not sweating it at all.
"God has blessed me with talent," Smith tells us ... " And, one of the talents is my natural gift to play ball, to be an athlete."
"So, I still feel young. I don’t have the mileage on my body. I still feel great when I go to the gym. I still feel young and fresh. So, if anything, I’m looking forward to what I’m going to be able to do out there."
When asked if he thinks he has another 19.5 sack season in him -- the same numbers he posted back in 2012 -- Smith was confident about that, too!
"I’m an overall better person [than I was back then]," Smith says.
"I got 20 sacks ... 19.5 ... I say 20 because it was 20. But, I was able to play at a high level with a lot of other things going on in my life. With how life is for me now, I’m just looking forward to seeing what I can do."
"My goal is to pick up where I left off. That just means I always work hard. I always play hard. I want the same thing out of my teammates and I’m sure those guys in the locker room feel the same way, and with that mentality, the sky is the limit. I think as long as we do what we need to do and everybody plays to their potential anything’s possible."
Dallas Cowboys player Aldon Smith -- who hasn't stepped foot on an NFL field since 2015 -- has been officially reinstated in the NFL, TMZ Sports has confirmed.
The 30-year-old former All-Pro defensive end -- who battled substance and legal issues throughout his career -- is finally getting another chance at a comeback.
Smith met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last Thursday ... with the decision becoming official on Wednesday.
Jerry Jones is back at the Cowboys office for the 1st time since the pandemic suspended most NFL operations in March ... and the Dallas owner is calling the return a "big day for sports."
The NFL began allowing teams to return some of their employees to facilities Tuesday ... and 77-year-old Jerry was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for his comeback, sporting a mask and gloves on his way in.
"This is a big day for our clubs," Jones said. "I think it's a big day for the NFL. I think it's a big day for sports. It's a big day for building confidence."
According to the team, Jerry participated in a virtual owners meeting ... and the billionaire owner did it right from his desk at the Cowboys' pricey "Star" facility.
As for what Jerry sipped on for the meeting ... check out his big glass of iced tea!!!
Jerry also seemed super optimistic about NFL operations returning to normal sooner than later, saying, "In the days and weeks ahead I look forward to welcoming so many of our employees back to the workplace."
But, Jones stressed the team and the league have everyone's safety and health as the No. 1 priority ... adding, "We are going to be deliberate but also determined."
The King and his business partner say that damn-near happened way back in 2011 ... with Maverick Carterrevealing Jerry Jones offered LBJ a contract with the Dallas Cowboys!!
Here's the deal ... LeBron said on an Uninterrupted podcast Monday he had such serious concerns about the NBA lockout in 2011, he actually began training for a pro-football career.
The Lakers superstar -- who was with the Miami Heat at the time -- says he changed up his whole workout routine in the event he would have to switch sports.
LeBron says he was dead serious about it all too ... claiming he added 40 times, more bench pressing and even sled pushing.
"The thoughts came into my mind," James said. "I had no idea how long the lockout was going to be.”
In fact, Carter chimed in and said things got so serious -- the Cowboys actually reached out with an offer!!
Fortunately for the NBA, the league got back to work, and LeBron never had the chance to switch sports ... instead, deciding to frame and hang Jerry's offer on the wall as opposed to signing it.
But, LeBron admits football is an itch he's sad he never scratched ... revealing he straight-up still dreams about the sport!
"It’s crazy because I actually never run on the field in my dreams," James said. "It always gets to the point where I’m either in the locker room or getting dressed or talking about or seeing the fans and as soon as I’m about to run on the field, something else happens in my dream. It’s like something that it always happens like that."
The NBA is still hoping to return to play this season amid the coronavirus pandemic, but, in the meantime, the Cowboys COULD still use another tight end ...
12:17 PM PT -- The Cowboys have made Lamb's jersey number officially official ... and Dez Bryant just weighed in on it all, telling CeeDee, "BE YOU and BE GREAT.."
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AWWWW!!!!
Michael Irvinrocked it. So did Dez Bryant... but the Dallas Cowboys officially have a new #88 -- 1st round pick CeeDee Lamb!!
It's a HUGE deal to rock that number in Big D -- especially following in the footsteps of legends like Mike, Dez and Drew Pearson -- but Jerry Jones made it clear he wanted to see the rookie in #88.
And, what Jerry wants, Jerry usually gets.
Remember, Lamb rocked #2 at Oklahoma -- but the NFL won't allow WRs to wear single-digit numbers in the league.
Lamb initially said he wanted #10 in Dallas ... but Jones made a compelling argument to switch to #88 ... telling reporters he hoped CeeDee would take the number to pay tribute to his friend and former Arkansas teammate, Jerry Lamb, who passed away this year.
"He was number 88," Jones said ... "I said in honor of my great friend that just passed this year we’re going to have his namesake come on here and wear old number 88."
"Just like Michael and Dez and those guys, and we’ve got us a wide receiver. And let me tell you one thing if he’s got the competes and heart of that Jerry Lamb he’ll be bad to the bone."
The jersey assignment hasn't been officially announced by the team yet ... but the NFL is already selling the Lamb 88s in the league store -- so you know it's only a matter of time.
As for CeeDee's say in the jersey process ... it's unclear how much influence he had on the pick -- but we do know one thing, this probably officially closes the door on Dez's dreams of coming back to the Cowboys.
Ron Jaworski tells TMZ Sports he's nervous for his Eagles ... 'cause the Philly legend says the Dallas Cowboys CRUSHED the NFL draft last week!!
"I'm worried as hell about those Dallas Cowboys, man," Jaws says.
As for why ... Jaworski tells us CeeDee Lamb -- Jerry Jones' top pick last week -- is an elite receiver talent who he was actually hoping would fall to the Eagles at pick No. 21.
"CeeDee Lamb is special," Jaws says. "I'm watching him kind of slip down, slip down. And, I'm going, 'He may fall to 21! The Eagles might get him!' But, he wasn't getting by Jerry Jones!"
The Cowboys were THRILLED to land the Oklahoma receiver ... and, in fact, they went on to have such a huge draft -- Jerry said it might have been his finest work since 2005.
Jaws was having a hard time disagreeing with that when we spoke with him this week ... saying, "Oh, boy! We get to see (CeeDee Lamb) for the next 10 years?!"
"Amari Cooper, Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, their offensive line -- woah! They're going to be good! Going to be a good group!"
The Eagles, meanwhile, were widely panned for their selections ... but Jaws tells us he believes first-rounder Jalen Reagor is going to work out just fine.
Tragic news for Dak Prescottand his family ... the quarterback's older brother, Jace Prescott, died suddenly at 31 years old on Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys announced.
No cause of death was given.
Dak had been super close with Jace, the oldest of the Prescott brothers ... and had even just filmed a national Campbell's Chunky Soup commercial with him in 2019.
At the time, Dak said Jace and his other older brother, Tad, meant the world to him ... especially after he tragically lost his mom to cancer in 2013.
"My brothers have always been champions," Dak said. "Them along with my mom ... So now, not having my mom and just having them two, they mean even more."
Dak added, "Family is everything. It's what keeps me grounded when everything else is changing around me I know that's one thing that's always consistent and certain. I'm thankful for them."
Jace was a former football player himself ... he played offensive live for Northwestern State in Louisiana from 2008 to 2010, starting 11 games in his final season.
"The loss of Tad and Dak's brother is devastating," the Cowboys said in a statement during Thursday's NFL draft.
Added team owner Jerry Jones, "We are so saddened that Dak has lost his brother. We want to help him get through this time."
Both Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy also shared their condolences for the QB after the draft.
CeeDee Lamb's GF says she was NOT trying to snoop through the WR's phone during his draft party Thursday ... claiming she was just simply answering a call for the new Dallas Cowboy!!
If you missed it ... Crymson Rose was ALL OVER the Internet after cameras caught 21-year-old CeeDee snatching his phone from her hands after she had grabbed it and looked at the screen.
Some interpreted the scene as Rose trying to get a peek at Lamb's private info while he was distracted by the Cowboys ... but Crymson set the record straight just minutes after the viral moment.
"His agent was FACETIMING him while he was on the phone with the Cowboys," she said. "I was doing the GF thing gonna answer it for him sheesh."
CeeDee backed up her story ... saying of the incident himself, "y’all really gotta chill wasn’t even like dat."
The two even proved there was no drama at the house ... sharing a kiss on social media afterward!!
It's unclear how long the couple has been dating ... but seems there's no trouble in paradise at all. Which is good for CeeDee ... because have you seen her!?!?
Jerry Jonesdrafted Oklahoma superstar CeeDee Lamb on Thursday from a room on his $250 MILLION yacht ... and yeah, it's safe to say the Cowboys owner won the night in every way!!!
With the NFL requiring teams to stay away from their facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic ... Jerry hit up his super boat to properly social distance.
While Jones didn't want to say after the draft that he was, in fact, on the ship ... you can see from pics, Jones' TV background decor matched the "Bravo Eugenia's" exactly.
As we previously reported, Jones bought the yacht back in December for a quarter of a billion ... and it's got all the bells and whistles fit for the NFL's most famous owner.
The ship -- which 77-year-old Jerry named after his wife, Gene Jones -- is 357 feet long with TWO helipads and a gym. It can fit 14 people and 30 crew members, and it's also got its own steam room AND massage room!
As for how Jerry did making the calls from the yacht ... he CRUSHED it -- most people had CeeDee as a top 10 pick, but Jerry was able to get the WR at 17 overall!!
2:39 PM PT -- Dak Prescott is speaking out about the event at his home on Friday -- claiming it was NOT a party, but rather a small "home dinner" ... though he insists it won't happen again.
UPDATE
The Dallas Cowboys QB has been under fire ever since we posted footage from inside Dak's home showing a large food spread and multiple people feasting ... including Ezekiel Elliott.
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We were told there were as many as 30 people in the house at one point -- but Dak is saying the true number was fewer than 10.
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"I understand and accept that there are additional responsibilities and media scrutiny that come with being an NFL quarterback, but it is very frustrating and disappointing when people provide completely inaccurate information from anonymous sources, especially now,” Prescott told ProFootballTalk.
UPDATE
"To set the record straight, I know that we all need to do our best to socially distance and like everyone else, I am continuing to adjust to what that requires, but the truth is that I was with fewer than 10 people for a home dinner -- not a party -- on Friday night. I am very sensitive to the challenges we are all facing and making sure to support the first responders and medical personnel and everyone else putting in long hours."
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"We are all at a time when we need to keep educating ourselves about the importance of health and isolation during this pandemic and I will continue to make sure to do my part by following the guidelines until we are approved to start returning to normal activities."
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There's more ... a photo of a set dinner table that we were initially told was inside the house was NOT in fact taken at Prescott's home.
UPDATE
Instead, the photo was taken at the restaurant that catered the feast as a way to show love to one of Dak's guests, who was celebrating a birthday.
Jerry Jones'son (who's also the Cowboys executive V.P.) called into 105.3 The Fan in Dallasand said the team spoke with both superstars after TMZ Sports posted photos from the party at Dak's Texas home on Friday ... and explained to them why the shindig was a TERRIBLE idea!
"I think they're certainly aware now of how sensitive these situations are," Jones said on Tuesday ... "I don't think you'll be seeing that anymore."
We were told there were as many as 30 people at Dak's home at one point -- though sources close to Dak insist the number was closer to 10.
Either way, bad idea -- since officials have warned against unnecessary gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"They're certainly guys that we have the utmost respect for, and I certainly know they understand the sensitivity of the situation we're in today," Stephen said.
"It's certainly very serious, and something that we know and certainly know they understand."
Tons of people have ripped the Cowboys stars over the party ... with former Dallas 1st-round pick Marcus Spears calling it, "one of the most disrespectful things I've seen in a long time."
For his part, Prescott has still yet to publicly comment on the issue.
Former Cowboys 1st-round pick Marcus Spears is putting Dak Prescott ON BLAST over his quarantine party ... saying, "This was one of the most disrespectful things I've seen in a long time."
We broke the story ... Dak played host to a big gathering at his place in Prosper, Texas over the weekend -- and one witness says there were as many as 30 people in attendance at the height of the festivities.
Of course, this is a huge no-no ... as government officials have urged self-isolation amid the coronavirus pandemic -- and Spears ripped the Cowboys QB on Monday for putting the party on.
"This was one of the most disrespectful things I've seen in a long time."@mspears96 went OFF about hearing reports that police were called to investigate a potential party at Dak Prescott's house. pic.twitter.com/NsEUSQMLVS
"This is just dumb," Spears said on ESPN's 'Get Up.' "It's dumb and it's totally disrespectful with what we have going on right now in this country."
Spears says his gripe with Dak's get-together is simple -- if the virus spreads because of the party, it puts further unnecessary strain on medical personnel.
"The disrespect to do this and recognize that people that have to presumably take care of you after these dumb social gatherings that you should not be having, by the way, is the one that really irks me and rubs me the wrong way."
For his part, Dak has yet to publicly comment on the party -- which his teammate, Ezekiel Elliott, also attended.
10:39 AM PT -- Rex Ryan just issued an apology to Amari Cooper for calling the Cowboys star a "turd" ... saying on ESPN, "I can't believe I said that. Used that word. Obviously, it was a poor choice by me to say what I said about Amari."
UPDATE
Ryan went on to say he still believes the Cowboys "overspent" for Amari ... but said he shouldn't have ever called the receiver a "turd" in his rant.
UPDATE
"What I added at the end of that," Rex said, "I want to apologize to Amari again and hope he accepts my apology."
UPDATE
9:09 AM PT -- Cooper's teammate is defending the wideout ... with Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie saying, "Old man prolly never met Amari yet attacking bro character. Those that kno him kno he a dawg."
"I wouldn't have paid this turd. No way in hell. No way in hell would I have paid this guy."
That's Rex Ryan going OFF on NFL star Amari Cooper ... saying the wide receiver didn't deserve his 5-year, $100 MILLION extension with the Dallas Cowboys ONE BIT!!!
"[Amari Cooper] is the biggest disappearing act in the National Football League. ... I wouldn't have paid this turd."
"I wouldn't have paid this guy," Rex said on ESPN's "Get Up!" Friday. "To me, this is the biggest disappearing act in the National Football League. He doesn't show up on the road ... when the competition's good -- when he's against the top corners, that guy disappears."
Rex added, "He doesn't love football! Hell with it, he stops his routes, he does all this!"
Of course, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would strongly disagree ... because on the first day of free agency last month -- he made Amari a top priority, paying him even before Dak Prescott.
But, Rex says he believes that's a huge mistake ... because while 25-year-old Amari has logged nearly 2,000 receiving yards in just 25 games in Dallas, he claims the dude can't consistently ball out.
"There's only one time that I can remember in recent memory on elite receivers and disappearing acts like Amari Cooper," Rex says. "That was the kid that the Raiders had a few years ago -- Oh! That's right, that was Amari Cooper! This is who he is!"
Rex says he would have paid Prescott -- who was franchise tagged by the team last month -- first, and says Jerry's going to regret his free agency decisions.
Darren Waller says he's 100% there for Aldon Smith in his transition back to the NFL if the new Dallas Cowboy needs him ... telling TMZ Sports, "I'd definitely be open to talking to him."
Waller, like Smith, battled substance issues early in his NFL career ... but got sober and turned into a dominant force with the Oakland Raiders this past season.
30-year-old Smith is trying to replicate that accomplishment with the Cowboys after being out of the league since 2015 ... and Waller says if the former All-Pro needs advice, his phone line is open.
"I'm sure he's definitely got a program in place, people in place, but if he ever needs someone, I'm definitely available for anyone that may be struggling with anything," Waller says.
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Waller tells us even if he's unable to personally help Aldon when the guy gets back in the league ... he's confident just being a part of a team again will keep Smith on the straight and narrow.
"I feel like he can kind of relate to the same thing as me," Waller says. "It's like once you get that chance again, you realize how valuable it is to be a part of a team -- be a part of something that's bigger than yourself."
Smith, who signed a 1-year contract worth up to $4 MILLION with the Cowboys, is currently in the process of finalizing reinstatement with the NFL. He's reportedly been sober for the last nine months.
