Carolina Panthers Customized Jerseys

Dak Prescott's best test yet as the new face of the Cowboys came two days after owner Jerry Jones once again declared that all Dallas players will stand for the national anthem and even said they wouldn't be afforded the alternative of staying in the locker room.

 

The star quarterback didn't pause or stammer. He didn't stop himself to consider what his peers might think. He made it clear he will stand Womens Jordan Howard Jersey , and doesn't think it's right to do otherwise.

"Whether I was wearing the star or not, whether I was playing for Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones or any other owner, I believe in what I believe in and that's that," Prescott said Friday in his first session with reporters at training camp.

Jerry Jones held his usual camp-opening news conference Wednesday, and said his usual things about the anthem, and then some. Son Stephen Jones, executive vice president of personnel, suggested a day later that the Cowboys would cut any player who stayed in the locker room.

The option of staying off the field was part of a policy owners approved in May, but was put on hold not long after The Associated Press revealed that the Miami Dolphins would consider suspending players up to four games for kneeling or otherwise protesting during the anthem.

Just as he did when he showed up two years ago as the overshadowed third quarterback on Tony Romo's team, Prescott offered his opinion plainly and simply, and in so many words. There are countless more people listening now.

"He knows how important that is to be one of the faces of the team and he always does exactly what you'd expect Roman Josi Jersey , to a script," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. "It's not forced. It's just part of him."

Prescott replaced an injured Romo in 2016 and had one of the best rookie seasons for a quarterback in NFL history while leading Dallas to an NFC-best 13 wins and ultimately sending Romo into retirement.

Now 15-year tight end Jason Witten and franchise touchdown catch leader Dez Bryant are gone. The former Mississippi State standout is the leading voice, and not hesitating to use it.

"I'd never protest during the anthem, and I don't think that's the time or the venue to do so," Prescott said while adding that he respected the right of others to protest. "We know about social injustice. I'm up for taking a next step, whatever that step may be for action and not just kneeling."

Prescott didn't have any immediate specifics for that community action, but it'll be a few months before he can concentrate on it fully. Right now he's trying to get the Cowboys back to the playoffs after his encore fell flat.

Dallas missed the postseason at 9-7 last season, clouded by the fight over the six-game suspension that Prescott's fellow rookie sensation, running back Ezekiel Elliott, finally had to serve halfway through the year.

"It was just a lot of mental mistakes, a lot of things that I feel like I don't normally do," said Prescott Zack Smith Jersey , who had 13 interceptions a year after throwing just four while setting an NFL rookie record for passer rating. "I feel like I thought a lot about different things last year within the games and that's something I'm going to try to eliminate."

The Cowboys are unproven at tight end and receiver after Witten retired and the Cowboys decided to release Bryant in a cost-cutting move. Cole Beasley has the longest Dallas tenure among the receivers, and Terrance Williams is the only other pass-catcher who was on the roster for Prescott's rookie season.

"Really last year was a struggle. He had some breakdowns at other spots that made it tough on him," Beasley said. "Good or bad or ugly, he's the same person through and through. That's what you want from your quarterback. Because that's how it is in games."

Elliott doesn't have a possible suspension looming this season, and at the moment an offensive line that was an issue a year ago is healthy with a new piece in second-round pick Connor Williams. The former Texas player is working as the starting left guard in camp.

Not long before coming to California, Prescott spent time with some of his untested receiving corps in Florida. Now he goes about figuring out life without Witten and Bryant.

"We're past that," he said. "We had the whole (offseason practices) and minicamps to kind of get over that stage. Those are guys I've said before you can't replace. But when you get out here, you just see the youthfulness that we have, how young this team is and the energy."

With a new leading voice.

The Tennessee Titans won their first playoff game in 14 years in a thrilling rally from 18 points down on the road.

 

Then they fired coach Mike Mularkey once the postseason run ended in an ugly rout.

Yes, expectations are very high in Tennessee where consecutive 9-7 seasons with Marcus Mariota just didn't cut it, not with an offense that didn't get the most out of the young quarterback.

Now the Titans have first-year head coach Mike Vrabel with his three Super Bowl rings as a linebacker in New England in charge of a roster that needed only a little tinkering in the offseason.

"Now we've just got to pick up where we left off," linebacker Brian Orakpo said. "It's not a rebuilding stage Michael Hutchinson Jersey , we just reloaded essentially."

This is the 20th season for this franchise since dropping the Oilers' nickname for the Titans, and they capped that debut season with a run to their lone Super Bowl appearance in Atlanta. The Titans unveiled redesigned uniforms in April and are hoping for another trip to Atlanta 鈥?site of this season's Super Bowl.

Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker said they have plenty of motivation from how their last playoff berth ended in a 34-14 loss to New England .

"It didn't sit well with me," Walker said. "I think everybody in that locker room felt the same way. I worked as hard as I could this offseason."

Some things to know about the Titans, who open the season Sept. 9 at Miami:

FIRST-TIME COACH: For so many years, Vrabel was seen as a sure winner once he became an NFL head coach.

Now the man who played 14 seasons and was an assistant coach for four more will be making all the big decisions on his own. Vrabel has tried to prepare himself by watching tape from games over the past decade to decide what he would do in specific situations. Everything from tossing a challenge flag to deciding whether to go for it on fourth down will be a first for Vrabel this season, with fans and critics watching closely.

"My playing career is going to help us win zero games," Vrabel said.

MARIOTA TIME : The Titans already have picked up the fifth-year option on Mariota, and that $20.9 million for 2019 could prove a great deal if offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur's offense helps the quarterback look like the Heisman Trophy winner he was at Oregon. Mariota is going to get to run and throw more in an offense the Los Angeles Rams used to lead the NFL in scoring last season. Mariota is coming off his worst season, having thrown more interceptions (15) than touchdowns (13). But he enjoyed a rehab-free offseason and looks faster playing without a knee brace.

DEFENSIVE CHANGES: Legendary coordinator Dick LeBeau is gone, replaced by another longtime success in Dean Pees. The Titans did so much right under LeBeau, ranking fourth against the run and tied for fifth in sacks.

But they were 17th in points allowed and 25th in yards passing given up. That's why general manager Jon Robinson signed cornerback Malcolm Butler and drafted linebackers Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry to shore up remaining holes.

He also replaced safety Johnathan Cyprien when he was lost to a torn ACL with another veteran in Kenny Vaccaro in training camp.

YOUNG RECEIVERS: This position easily is the biggest question for the Titans. Veteran Rishard Matthews missed the entire offseason and the preseason with an undisclosed injury. Corey Davis is expected to be the top guy; the fifth pick overall in 2017, he didn't catch his first touchdown pass until the playoff loss in New England 鈥?against Butler. After Davis Alex Ovechkin Jersey Kids , there are young and unproven receivers in Taywan Taylor and Tajae Sharp. That makes Walker so valuable with his 356 catches since 2013, most by any tight end.

NEW BACKFIELD DUO: The Titans released DeMarco Murray in March , and it's now time for Derrick Henry, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner, to show his skills after leading the team in rushing last season despite only two starts. They also signed Dion Lewis to a four-year deal to give Mariota another dangerous receiving threat and a change-up to the powerful Henry .

TOUGH START: Five of their first eight games are on the road, including the franchise's first trip to London to play the Chargers on Oct. 21. The first month isn't kind, with Houston and the defending champion Eagles visiting, along with a trip to Jacksonville. If the Titans survive, four of the final five games are in Nashville, where they went 6-2 last season.

 Carolina Panthers Customized Jerseys