America’s Group is again, child. Amid Dak Prescott‘s anticipated return and the approaching 2021 common season, the Cowboys returned to TV on Tuesday night time for the fifth and ultimate episode of this yr’s version of “Laborious Knocks.” HBO’s annual coaching camp sequence, which has provided an inside take a look at the membership’s preparations for the brand new yr, marks the third time Dallas has been featured on the present, and prefaces the Cowboys’ return to prime time for Thursday’s opener in opposition to the Buccaneers.

Who stood out within the season finale? Who fumbled down the stretch? Listed here are the winners and losers:

Winner: Jerry Jones

Let’s face it: The Cowboys being featured within the first place was an enormous win for his model. However man did Jerry steal the present right here. He dropped some good one-liners in regards to the urgency to win all of it: “Yesterday is as useless as Napoleon.” However nothing will prime his semi-lucid monologue throughout a gathering with Mike McCarthy and employees about gamers on the roster bubble. Pressed to make some powerful choices about which kids to chop from the ultimate roster, he stated this precisely:

‘We’ll California, we’ll must burn these wagons,’ stated the wagon grasp again east. We gotta burn the wagons for firewood, we’ll float the Mississippi River with a few of ’em. A few of you gon’ die, we gon’ have some new faces be born. This f***ing prepare’s going to California, I am gon’ be on it … Love that one.

Undecided what that has to do with Ben DiNucci failing to safe the No. 2 quarterback job, however signal me up!

Loser: John Fassel

The longtime particular groups coordinator positively introduced some aptitude to the Cowboys’ employees, however he fitted himself for a “Loser” point out proper from the soar this time round, and all of his gamers knew it. Early within the episode, Fassel is about to assessment movie along with his guys, who’re seated in chairs on the turf of AT&T Stadium, when he unconvincingly insists that operating — you understand, like dash workouts — isn’t a punishment however quite a reward. Gamers instantly snicker or shift uncomfortably of their seats. Why? As a result of nobody believes that! I do not even thoughts operating, however after all I do know the distinction.

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Winner: Dak Prescott

First he dealt with Trevon Diggs‘ son, Aaiden, mistakenly calling him Patrick Mahomes with grace. (Aaiden simply stole the highlight from his dad as soon as once more.) Then he obtained topped the “Pied Piper” by Jerry Jones, who was recalling Dak’s first impression in Dallas. The QB faces a variety of strain to return to kind in 2021, however he was by no means not an affable, easygoing presence throughout “Laborious Knocks.”

Loser: The Cowboys on Thursday

Only a hunch, as a result of the finale did not spend a ton of time on this week’s opener in opposition to Tampa, however Dallas in all probability is aware of it is in hassle in Week 1. Throughout one second of Jerry Jones’ commentary, the proprietor spent a strong minute itemizing the explanations the offense can be extra totally realized in 2021, citing Dak’s well being, Ezekiel Elliott’s conditioning, and so forth. When he obtained to the protection, he actually may say just one factor: “They’re higher.” Later, the D-line coach stated pressuring Tom Brady can be key to profitable on Thursday, and but nobody exterior of DeMarcus Lawrence has appeared significantly scary. Then there’s Trevon Diggs, who wanted blatant cross interference to remain excellent in red-zone drills in opposition to Amari Cooper. Brady is licking his chops.

Winner: Mike McCarthy

Sure, you learn that proper. McCarthy won’t be an excellent head coach in actual life (2021 will go a good distance in defining his post-Aaron Rodgers trajectory), however he lastly appeared comfy within the finale. As a substitute of delivering speeches for TV, he 1.) efficiently pretended, full with just a few fake-smile nods, to grasp Jerry Jones’ wacky story about burning wagons; 2.) confirmed real affection for gamers like Azur Kamara and Isaac Alarcón; 3.) and threatened to take authorized motion in opposition to an HBO cameraman within the closing credit: “I am suing you if I get hit within the head with that rattling factor.”