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Cowboys Can't Waste 'Blow It Up' Plan Under New Coach

Cowboys Can't Waste 'Blow It Up' Plan Under New Coach

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Cowboys Can't Waste 'Blow It Up' Plan Under New Coach originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Dallas Cowboys know that what transpired last year can't happen again, and certainly not after the positive offseason we've seen from the franchise.
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With Brian Schottenheimer now in the big chair, he has overseen significant changes both on and off the field, thanks to a solid free agency and draft haul, coupled with several coaching changes.
All of that was part of what CowboysCountry.com dissected last offseason as a "Blow It Up'' plan. That was about a combination of inactivity and savings when it came to roster-building going into 2024 ... and major changes - including the dismissal of coach Mike McCarthy - at the end of the 7-10 campaign.
But "Blow It Up'' is over.
Now it is time to recover from the pain and to capitalize.
And the post-McCarthy vibes are good at The Star.
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Training camp is under a month away, and we'll get to see how long those good vibes last with the staff able to get a proper evaluation of every player on the roster.
Such has been the level of positivity this offseason that some are hopeful Schotty can lead this franchise back to the playoffs —and possibly beyond. Will it happen? Who knows, but when you have true belief, anything is possible.
However, for that to happen, the Cowboys have to show they are better than they were a year ago, and for Fox Sports' Ben Arthur, when naming one word to describe the offseason, "rebound."
"With quarterback Dak Prescott back healthy, the Cowboys will look to return to the playoffs in 2025," Arthur writes. "They traded for receiver George Pickens and a pair of former first-round defenders (linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., cornerback Kaiir Elam) to give their team a boost under new coach Brian Schottenheimer."
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian SchottenheimerKirby Lee-Imagn Images
There are many unknowns about the Cowboys under Schottenheimer, with numerous new faces, a different coaching approach, and adjustments to the system.
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However, there is also a benefit to change. With a revamped run game and offensive line, and with Dak Prescott now having two genuine receiving weapons, fans are no longer looking at Dallas as dead in the water.
Granted, we are in June, so we can't be steadfast in our convictions just yet.
But things are nicely poised for the Cowboys to "rebound" under Schottenheimer.
Related: Cowboys Become 'Complete Circus' In Worst-Case Scenario
Related: Cowboys Trade Pitch For Najee Harris Draws Strong Insider Reaction
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Can TikTok's ‘Shirtless Race' Become More than a Trend?
Can TikTok's ‘Shirtless Race' Become More than a Trend?

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Can TikTok's ‘Shirtless Race' Become More than a Trend?

NEW YORK — For three days in May, 14,000 men and women stormed New York City's Pier 76, just west of Hudson Yards, many of them in various states of athletic undress — not to party, but certainly to sweat. They were there for what outsiders viewing from TikTok call 'the shirtless race,' and what is known to proponents as Hyrox, a strength-and-endurance fitness race that combines an eight kilometre run with eight functional workouts, including a 330-pound sled drag. Some athletes collapse from exhaustion at the finish line. The last 2024–2025 season attracted over 600,000 participants, who competed in over 80 races worldwide. (Courtesy) Yet, Hyrox has built a devoted and growing global following. Fitness influencer Eric Hinman, NFL tight end Darren Waller and actor Patrick Wilson were among those who competed during the New York event, which had a waitlist, according to Hyrox and its Swiss parent company Infront Sports & Media. 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Matthew Schaefer honors late mother after getting selected first overall by New York Islanders in NHL draft
Matthew Schaefer honors late mother after getting selected first overall by New York Islanders in NHL draft

CNN

time21 minutes ago

  • CNN

Matthew Schaefer honors late mother after getting selected first overall by New York Islanders in NHL draft

Just over a year ago, Matthew Schaefer lost his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer. Now, he's achieved the ultimate milestone – becoming an NHL player. The 17-year-old was selected by the New York Islanders with the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft on Friday in Los Angeles. An emotional Schaefer, a defenseman from the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters, was greeted by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on the stage at the Peacock Theater, and was presented with an Islanders sweater that included a breast cancer ribbon stitched onto the jersey. Schaefer kissed the ribbon before breaking into tears with his father and brother in the crowd. Schaefer said the ribbon was a 'surprise' to him along with his mother's initals being embroidered into the collar of the jersey. 'This is a high class organization,' Schaefer told reporters. 'To do that for me, it means a lot – it goes a long way. A lot of people can say it's just a ribbon but it means a lot for me. 'My mom is a big part of my life. And this jersey, I will hang up for sure. That ribbon has a little extra meaning to it.' Schaefer also dealt with the deaths of the mother of his billet family and Otters owner Jim Waters in the last year. Schaefer added that he misses 'the person she was' the most when asked about his mother. 'She was always so happy,' Schaefer told the ESPN broadcast. 'She's gone through so much but the personality she had – cancer sucks and it's not fun. She didn't always feel the best but she was always the happiest in the family and always made us laugh and do anything for us.' The Canadian is the Islanders' fifth selection at first overall in franchise history, and the club's first since 2009 when they drafted John Tavares. Schaefer, a Stoney Creek, Ontario native, played 17 games with Erie last season, recording seven goals and 22 points before breaking his collarbone at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship with Team Canada in December. He won a gold medal and served as team captain of Team Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and also won gold with Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. 🗣️ NUMBER ONE. MATTHEW SCHAEFER!!#NHLDraft | #Isles Ahead of the draft, Schaefer showed off his draft day suit which featured a picture of his mother and her signature near his heart. 'That was the biggest thing to put on my heart. I always know she is with me in spirit,' Schaefer said. Islander fans at the draft watch party at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York gave Schaefer an rousing ovation after he told the crowd the team will 'beat' their crosstown rivals the New York Rangers 'every time we play them.' Schaefer becomes the fifth defenseman to be selected No. 1 overall, the first since Owen Power by the Buffalo Sabres in 2021. The Islanders made two other selections in Friday's first round following a trade with the Montreal Canadiens earlier in the day – forward Victor Eklund and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson. The San Jose Sharks selected center Michael Misa with the second overall pick and the Chicago Blackhawks took Swedish forward Anton Frondell with the third pick. The Anaheim Ducks picked center Roger McQueen at No. 10 overall and the 18-year-old Canadian immediately hopped onto a helicopter to go to Disneyland. The wife of late NHL superstar Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith, announced the Columbus Blue Jackets' first selection of defenseman Jackson Smith at pick 14. The NHL draft continues through Saturday.

Matthew Schaefer honors late mother after getting selected first overall by New York Islanders in NHL draft
Matthew Schaefer honors late mother after getting selected first overall by New York Islanders in NHL draft

CNN

time22 minutes ago

  • CNN

Matthew Schaefer honors late mother after getting selected first overall by New York Islanders in NHL draft

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