Blogging The Boys
For Marshawn.
Last week, the Cowboys held a virtual team meeting while on their bye, then on Monday, they came together as a group for the first time. On Tuesday night, a candlelight vigil was held for Kneeland’s family, friends and those inside the Cowboys organization.
After a day off Wednesday, the Cowboys got back to work.
“Having dealt with loss, that is the best medicine for me,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “So getting back out there, handing the ball off and sprinting an extra 10 yards and making sure I’m doing it hard, Marshawn went through my mind a few times at practice today. I just countered that with running harder after a play or trying to do something to better this team to show that. It felt good. I know it was a great practice. A lot of guys were out there, good energy, beautiful weather. As I said, we’re not forgetting, but we’re moving forward carrying on the light.”
Prescott and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas carry a different burden to Kneeland’s loss. Prescott’s brother, Jace, died by suicide in 2020. Thomas’ sister, Ella, died by suicide in 2018. Through their foundations, both players have pledged help for mental health awareness and aiding families touched by tragedy.
The Cowboys will have two more practices before traveling to Las Vegas on Sunday ahead of the Raiders game. Thomas said the grieving process does not end.
“If we all play like Marshawn, we’ll play like a better team,” Thomas said. “I’m not saying Marshawn was a perfect player, but that way he would go out there and play is the way football is supposed to be played. He would run to the ball. No matter how tired he was, he would play with intensity and tenacity. He went out there because he loved the game. He played with love. He played every play like it was his last and didn’t take reps for granted. … If we do that, we’ll honor him — win, loss or draw — if we play like Marshawn. We’ll be a better team. We’ll come out of this better.”
Will the Cowboys new look defense look that much different on Monday Night Football?
With new faces and players returning from injury, how long do you think it will take to put all the pieces together and really see what this defense is capable of? – Les Hoffman/Pell City, AL
Tommy: That’s a difficult question to answer because all athletes recover from injuries differently as each situation is unique. Obviously, the Cowboys are hoping that all the injured pieces they’re getting back as early as this week can come together and mesh with the defense to improve it immediately. Unfortunately for them, I don’t think that’s a realistic...
