*****Cowboys Off-Season Thread*****

[O-Factor]

A few thoughts on the up coming NFL draft

As a Cowboys fan, I would stay where we are. No need to trade up. We are in a great position to make luxury picks in this draft to replace guys (like Roy Williams in the next few years. Now I’m not a draft nick by any means, but these are some picks that I like:

Round 1 pick 22 & Round 1 pick 28

Draft the best avaliable CB or safety, Aquib Talib, Kenny Phillips, Reggie Smith, Leodis McKelvin, Dom Rodgers Cromartie. ( I group all these guys together because one of them is bound to fall.). With the emphasis of spread offenses in the league now a days, there is a new premium on Dbs and pass rushers. Even if we trade for Pacman Jones, I’d still like to draft a young corner. Newman will turn 30 this year and is in a contract year. He might command a huge contract so it would be nice to be prepared just in case.

If we acquire a safety like Kenny Phillips(whom I really like) or Reggie Smith with one of our 1st round picks, tell Roy Williams is job is up for grabs. He's going to have to earn his starting spot. Maybe some competition would be good for him, or maybe he'll still be a liability in coverage.


I’d be wary of drafting a WR here, unless Mario Manningham or Limas Sweed fell to that spot. Same thing with RB. I don’t think we need to use a 1st rounder for a back up RB. Barber is the guy and we just need to grab a RB later in the draft to take about 8-10 carries a game.

One other thing I would like to see us do is offer a package of Parcells picks to Miami, like Fasano, Spears or Carp, Glenn, for a second or third round pick. There have been rumors of this happening.

Another thought I had is even trading one of our 1st round picks for a 1st rounder next year

Mid to late round picks

Possible players I would like to see us draft are:

Brandon Flowers CB http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=11706
James Hardy WR http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=33065
Jamal Charles RB, http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=57075
Chris Johnson RB, http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=32966
Owen Schmitt FB, http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=57414
-I really like this guy. He can bring a lot of versatility to our offense and give us thatsmash mouth FB we’ve been lacking. I’m sure Garrett can use him well.
Peyton Hillis FB, http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=32821
- Had a bad pro day, but blocked for McFadden and Co. at Arkansas
Wesley Woodyard, OLB/SS http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=33152
-This guy is an interesting prospect. He was very productive at Kentucky
Josh Johnson QB, http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=61532
Colt Brennen QB, http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=57415
- I’d really like grab a young QB in the later rounds if possible.
Domonique Barber, SS http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=33308
- Marion’s little brother. He played well and could at the very least be a very good special teams player. Plus we know the heart that a Barber has. Could contribute in a Keith Davis mold
Frank Okam, DT http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=33733
- We need to get younger at DT and Okam can be a beast
Josh Morgan WR http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=5893
-This guy is of the Anquan Boldin mold, but faster. He can be drafted late.

What draft prospects do you like? What do you think we should do with our two 1st rounders?

[degenerate_gambler]

i just don't see jones keeping his two 1st round picks and having to pay them. i think he'll trade one for extra picks in the later rounds.

[O-Factor]

i just don't see jones keeping his two 1st round picks and having to pay them. i think he'll trade one for extra picks in the later rounds.

I could see that.

[leemajors]

wouldn't mind desean jackson with the 2nd first round pick. could help in the slot, as well as in the return game.

[GaryJohnston]

wouldn't mind desean jackson with the 2nd first round pick. could help in the slot, as well as in the return game.


Yeah I'd like to see us draft a guy who can really boost the return game, be that a WR or CB.

[timvp]

Draft the best avaliable CB or safety, Aquib Talib, Kenny Phillips, Reggie Smith, Leodis McKelvin, Dom Rodgers Cromartie. ( I group all these guys together because one of them is bound to fall.). I agree that the Cowboys need secondary help but I disagree with that list. Talib, McKelvin and DRC will likely be off the board (McKelvin and DRC for sure) and it'd be a reach to take Phillips or Smith. Mike Jenkins and Brandon Flowers seem like more practical options. If Talib falls (which is doubtful), he'd be a nice pick at 22. I guess if the Cowboys are really desperate for safety help, Phillips wouldn't be horrible at 28.


I’d be wary of drafting a WR here, unless Mario Manningham or Limas Sweed fell to that spot. Same thing with RB. I don’t think we need to use a 1st rounder for a back up RB. Barber is the guy and we just need to grab a RB later in the draft to take about 8-10 carries a game. I'd expect Manningham and Sweed to both be there for the Cowboys to pick. Both have been pretty disappointing in workouts so they might both fall to the second round. However, I'd probably pass on both of them. There's better WR value later in the draft.

As far as RB, it's going to be hard for Jerry Jones to pass on Felix Jones ... especially at 28. It'd be a homer pick but it'd wouldn't be that bad of a pick. Although I do agree that taking an RB in the second or third round makes more sense.

Oh, I just saw you had Flowers listed later in your post. They'd have to pick him with one of their first rounders to get him. He's not last past 35 or so.

If I'm the Cowboys, I probably go with best CB available at 22. Talib, Flowers or Jenkins, in that order. At 28, if they can't trade it for a future first or multiple picks, DeSean Jackson makes a lot of sense. But yeah, chances are it'd be Jones if he's still on the board. He might even go at 22 if the homer power is strong enough . . .

[scott]

Talib will fall into round 2, write it down. The dude is big into the hippy lettuce and major character concerns are beginning to arise. Many scouts and GMs are giving him a "Pacman in the making" tag... FWIW.

Manningham is also a stoner, in addition to being a Michigan WR, which means he has a high probablility of being a BUUUUUUUUST.

Obviously CB, RB and WR are the 3 bigget areas of need. The only one that is a must in round 1, IMO, is CB.

If Malcom Kelly falls to 22, we must take him.

Reggie Smith blows, and this is coming from an OU homer. As a rule, don't take any OU defensive backs.

I like Antoine Cason at 28, but not at 22.

Jerry Jones has not drafted a Razorback in his history as GM... neeeeeeeevah. The homer angle has become an overplayed staple of some MSNBC/CNNSI/USAToday columnist who doesn't really want to do any real research. With that said... I could still see Dallas taking him as high as 22, but not at the expense of a quality CB.

[timvp]

Talib will fall into round 2, write it down. The dude is big into the hippy lettuce and major character concerns are beginning to arise. Many scouts and GMs are giving him a "Pacman in the making" tag... FWIW.Pacman himself was a known wannabe ganksta and that didn't stop him from being drafted sixth. Unless teams are really scared of Goodell, I still see Talib being picked in the top 20.


Manningham is also a stoner, in addition to being a Michigan WR, which means he has a high probablility of being a BUUUUUUUUST.Agreed. He is destined to bust.


If Malcom Kelly falls to 22, we must take him.True.


Reggie Smith blows, and this is coming from an OU homer. As a rule, don't take any OU defensive backs.

I like Antoine Cason at 28, but not at 22.Cason would definitely be a reach at 22 ... then again, he'd be a better pick than Smith.


Jerry Jones has not drafted a Razorback in his history as GM... neeeeeeeevah. The homer angle has become an overplayed staple of some MSNBC/CNNSI/USAToday columnist who doesn't really want to do any real research. With that said... I could still see Dallas taking him as high as 22, but not at the expense of a quality CB.Uh, yeah obviously but who has Jones past on in the last 20 years? There have only been about 40 Razorbacks drafted in that time frame. And I can only think of about 4 or 5 first rounders since Jones bought the team. He's never really been faced with having to not make a straight homer pick. The closest was Matt Jones ... but that wasn't much of a test.

Oh and holding onto Clint Stoerner for three years was about as homer as it gets. Dallas Fan should feel lucky there hasn't been a draftable Arkansas QB in the last 30 years.

[DBryant88]

felix jones

[leemajors]

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/04/ou-pro-day-a-disaster.html


NFL.com's got numbers from OU's Pro Day up in Norman today, and you might want to avert your eyes.

WR Malcolm Kelly ran a 4.75 and 4.68, and CB Reggie Smith posted a 4.65 and 4.61 in the 40. Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston, as a point of reference, ran a 4.58 at his Pro Day.

What does it mean? Kelly may well have just run his way out of the first round altogether, while Smith is probably being seen as strictly a safety in some corners now. The report did say that Kelly "looked very good". But with a chance to take the mantle as the best receiver in a mediocre class, Kelly clearly failed to move up to No. 1.

I do think it's important to interject the case of guys like Anquan Boldin, who ran in the 4.7s at the combine, then caught 101 passes as a rookie. And that Kelly's been hurt. And that there are probably a lot of NFL types ignoring all that right now, even if he looks pretty good on tape.

Kelly, by the way, will be visiting Valley Ranch next week.

[clambake]

i think they'll end up needing Fasano.

[Spuradicator]

cowboys need some speed on the other side of T.O.
so that rules of Kelly for me. I'd like to see tv cowboys go after tv WR Roy Williams after this year when his contract is up. That dude has been stuck in a bad situation in Detroit playing with bad Qbs.

[samikeyp]

cowboys need some speed on the other side of T.O.
so that rules of Kelly for me. I'd like to see tv cowboys go after tv WR Roy Williams after this year when his contract is up. That dude has been stuck in a bad situation in Detroit playing with bad Qbs.


There has been talk of a possible draft day trade for Williams...just rumor at this point though.

http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/567091.html

[Findog]

Had to go to UT-Arlington today to talk with a financial aid counselor for grad school. Drove by the new stadium:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/2404280450_dd65c5ddb0_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2403451893_5a19070b7e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2050/2403451679_df1088e1c2_b.jpg

[degenerate_gambler]

thanks for the pics, man....it's coming along very nicely.

[GaryJohnston]

sweet pics

[O-Factor]

Cowboys Hold Dallas Day Workout For Area Prospects

Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
April 11, 2008 5:42 PM

IRVING, Texas - With two first-round picks for the upcoming NFL Draft, the Cowboys are undoubtedly focused on the very top of their draft board.

But the Cowboys took a moment on Friday to evaluate the bottom of the board, and maybe even a few players below that.

The Cowboys held their annual Dallas Day workout on Friday at Valley Ranch, evaluating 31 players who either attended college or played high school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The biggest named invited for the workout was Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib, although a last-minute conflict forced him to cancel.

Talib, who starred at nearby Richardson Berkner High School, is one of the top cornerbacks in this draft and may not even be on the board when the Cowboys pick at No. 22 in the first round.

Some of the top players in attendance on Friday included TCU defensive ends Tommy Blake and Chase Ortiz, Colorado cornerback Terrence Wheatley and Texas defensive tackle Frank Okam.

In recent years, the Cowboys have signed or drafted players who participated in Dallas Day, including wide receiver Patrick Crayton, cornerback Jacques Reeves, running back Tyson Thompson, Justin Rogers and Quincy Butler.

The Cowboys were hoping to get a better look at Talib, who is not among the invitees for next week's visit (April 16-17) where 30 of the top national draft prospects will be at Valley Ranch for another round of interviews with the coaches and scouts. That list of players includes running backs Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois), Jonathan Stewart (Oregon) and Felix Jones (Arkansas); Texas wide receiver Limas Sweed and cornerbacks Leodis McKelvin (Troy) and Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

But at Dallas Day, the players participated in football drills, organized by the Cowboys' coaches, with the help of a few younger Cowboys players, including quarterback Richard Bartel, who threw to the wide receivers.

Tom Ciskowski, the Cowboys' assistant director of college scouting who has assumed many of Jeff Ireland's duties since he left to become Miami's general manager, said Friday that Dallas Day is just another chance to evaluate a few players who haven't received the same amount of exposure as other national players.

"We've seen them all on film," Ciskowski said. "Maybe a couple of them didn't go to the combine. We want to see how they compare to the others who went to the combine. We'll grade their attitude, how receptive they are to coaching and well they compete. We can view the tape to find out how they play as a player."

While this year's workout included some talented players, Ciskowski said he didn't see any eye-popping performances that caught him off guard.

"From the grades we had on the players, there were really no surprises," Ciskowski said. "You always are looking for that guy - that special free agent. I don't think we found that special guy that we didn't already know about it."

The wild card among this bunch is likely Blake, who at one time was considered a solid first-round pick. But after undergoing a tumultuous senior season at TCU where he missed five games for a non-disclosed illness, Blake appears to be turning things around again.

"I pretty much had a good day and I enjoyed the coaching and the people I met," Blake said. "I met Jerry Jones and he seems like a nice man and very respectable. He told me to stick with it and everything will turn out all right."

Also participating in Dallas Day was Texas cornerback Brandon Foster, an Arlington Bowie product who actually has been working with sprinter Michael Johnson at his performance center in McKinney, Texas, along with Arkansas running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.

Foster, who is projected a late-round pick or possibly a rookie free agent, obviously doesn't know which team he will wind up with, but said it was a good feeling to be with the Cowboys, at least for one day.

"It's something I will tell my kids about some day," Foster said. "It was basically like becoming a Cowboy for a day. But I think I made a pretty good impression."

Foster said he was disappointed Talib did not attend the workout.

"I was hoping he would be here," Foster said. "I wanted to work out against one of the top corners in the draft."

It might not have been the best showcase for cornerbacks, considering the only wide receivers among the invitees were UTEP's Joe West, SMU's Zach Sledge and Daniel Polk, who played quarterback at Division II Midwestern State and is trying to make the position adjustment for the next level. Polk, a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, given to the top player in the D-II ranks, was a standout quarterback at South Oak Cliff in South Dallas.

Here's a list at some of the players who attended the workout:

Garrett Hartley, K, Oklahoma (Southlake Carroll)
Nick Moore, LB, Baylor (Arlington)
Joe Jon Finley, TE, Oklahoma (Arlington)
Brandon Foster, CB, Texas (Arlington Bowie)
Frank Okam, DT, Texas (Lake Highlands)
Steve Craver, S, Tulsa (Hurst L.D. Bell)
Bobby Tatum, S, Abilene Christian (Fort Worth Dunbar)
Terrence Wheatley, CB, Colorado (Plano East)
Josh Bell, CB, Baylor (Dallas Skyline)
Zach Sledge, WR, SMU
Jonathan Lindley, CB, SMU
Tommy Blake, DE, TCU
Chase Ortiz, DE, TCU
David Roach, S, TCU
Matt Linder, G, TCU
Brian Bonner, S, TCU
David Hawthorne, LB, TCU
Kenny Iwebema, DE, Iowa (Arlington Bowie)
Daniel Polk, WR, Midwestern State (South Oak Cliff)
Erick Jackson, CB, Texas (Duncanville)
Darien Williams, S, Oklahoma (North Mesquite)
Brendan Pahulu, LB, Houston (Euless Trinity)
Joe West, WR, UTEP (Garland Lakeview Centennial)


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=3FAA4F5C-D3BA-13F7-C1376F1BF7DE9C31

[O-Factor]

COWBOYS 2008 SEASON SCHEDULE

2008 Pre-Season Schedule
DATE OPPONENT (TV BROADCAST)
Sat, Aug 9 @ San Diego (KTVT/CBS 11) TBD
TBD @ Denver (KTVT/CBS 11) TBD
Fri, Aug 22 HOUSTON (CBS 11) 7:00 pm
Thur, Aug 28 MINNESOTA (KTVT/CBS 11) 7:00 PM


2008 Regular Season Schedule
DATE OPPONENT (TV BROADCAST)
Sun, Sep 7 @ Cleveland (FOX) 3:15 PM
Mon, Sep 15 PHILADELPHIA (ESPN) 7:30 PM
Sun, Sep 21 @ Green Bay (NBC) 7:15 PM
Sun, Sep 28 WASHINGTON (FOX) 3:15 PM
Sun, Oct 5 CINCINNATI (CBS) 3:15 PM
Sun, Oct 12 @ Arizona (FOX) 3:15 PM
Sun, Oct 19 @ St. Louis (FOX) NOON
Sun, Oct 26 TAMPA BAY (FOX) NOON
Sun, Nov 2 @ New York Giants (FOX) 3:15 PM
Sun, Nov 9 BYE
Sun, Nov 16 @ Washington (NBC) 7:15 PM
Sun, Nov 23 SAN FRANCISCO (FOX) NOON
Thurs, Nov 27 SEATTLE (FOX) 3:15 PM
Sun, Dec 7 @ Pittsburgh (FOX) 3:15 PM
Sun, Dec 14 NEW YORK GIANTS (NBC) 7:15 PM
Sat, Dec 20 BALTIMORE (NFLN) 7:15 PM
Sun, Dec 28 @ Philadelphia (FOX)






2008 Schedule Highlights:

The Cowboys will make their first trip to Cleveland since 1991, when coincidentally, they also played in the season opener. The Cowboys won that game 26-14 to begin what would turn into an 11-5 season and a trip to the playoffs for the first time in six years.
The Cowboys will play their first regular-season game in Green Bay since 2004. Brett Favre was 23 of 29 passing that day for 253 yards and two scores in the Packers' 41-20 win. The Cowboys yielded their longest rush from scrimmage in franchise history when former Packers RB Ahman Green scored on a 90-yard run.
The Ravens are currently the only team in the NFL to have never played at Texas Stadium. Baltimore will play its first game here on Dec. 20, the last regular season game at Texas Stadium.
The Ravens are also the only team the Cowboys have never beaten, losing both meetings in Baltimore in 2000 and 2004.
The Cowboys haven't played in St. Louis since 2002 when Quincy Carter led the Cowboys to a 13-10 win on Billy Cundiff's 47-yard field goal as time expired. The Cowboys will return to the Edward Jones Dome on Oct. 19.
Cincinnati's last trip to Texas Stadium occurred in 2000 in one of Troy Aikman's final home games. The Cowboys used a fake field goal run by kicker Tim Seder to cruise to a 23-6 win over the Bengals, who are 1-4 at Texas Stadium.
The Buccaneers haven't had much success at Texas Stadium either, winning just one of their nine road games against the Cowboys. Tampa's lone road win in this series occurred in the 2001 season opener, when the Bucs' defense shut down the Cowboys in Quincy Carter's first start and held on for a 10-6 win. The Cowboys ripped the Bucs on Thanksgiving 2006, 38-10, behind Tony Romo's five touchdown passes.
The Cowboys have previously played at Pittsburgh just three times since 1979, with all three meetings occurring in the season opener. The Cowboys are 2-1 in those games, routing the Steelers 26-9 in 1994 and then 37-7 in 1997. The Cowboys lost to Pittsburgh 24-21 in 1988, despite two touchdowns from rookie Michael Irvin in his NFL debut.
The 49ers return to Texas Stadium for the first time since 2002, when Terrell Owens caught three touchdowns, including one in the final minute to beat the Cowboys 31-27. That game was two seasons after Owens torched the Cowboys and celebrated on the Texas Stadium' star at midfield.
The 49ers are one of only two teams to have a winning record at Texas Stadium, posting a 6-5 mark. Minnesota is 7-2 against the Cowboys on the road.
When the Cowboys return to Philadelphia on Dec. 28 for the season finale, they will be looking for consecutive road wins against the Eagles for the first time since beating Philly in 1993 and 1994. The Cowboys dominated the Eagles last year at Lincoln Financial Field, 38-17.
But the Eagles returned the favor later in the season, upsetting the Cowboys 10-6 at Texas Stadium. It marked the first season-split in this series in four years. Philadelphia swept the Cowboys in 2004 and 2006 while the Cowboys won both games in 2005.
The Cowboys swept the Giants in the regular season for the first time in 2003. However, New York got the last laugh, beating Dallas in the playoffs en route to its Super Bowl run.
The Redskins are 10-26 all-time at Texas Stadium, winning just twice since 1991, the last year Washington went to the Super Bowl.

[DBryant88]

if i could pick anybody to share carries with, it would be felix jones ;)

[O-Factor]

Sources: Dallas Cowboys offer Barber deal for $30 million

Running back wants package for between $40-60 million
12:19 AM CDT on Thursday, April 17, 2008

By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]

Marion Barber made it to the Pro Bowl last season without starting a regular-season game. Now, he's looking for a big payday.

The Cowboys have held preliminary talks with the running back's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, according to multiple sources, and are offering a financial package in the $30 million range.

Barber wants a package between $40 million and $60 million.

In February, the Cowboys placed the $2.562 million tender on Barber, who is a restricted free agent. If another team wants to sign Barber, it would have to give up first- and third-round picks if the Cowboys choose not to match an offer.

Rosenhaus, who did not return a phone call seeking comment, has a good working relationship with the Cowboys, and it is unlikely that a deal won't get done.

But Rosenhaus' request that Barber receive a contract similar to some of the top running backs in the game caught the Cowboys somewhat by surprise, the sources said.

Barber's asking price is comparable to deals given to Kansas City running back Larry Johnson (five years, $43.2 million), Washington's Clinton Portis (eight years, $50.5 million) and San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (six years, $60 million).

The Cowboys, according to the sources, believe the deal that free agent running back Michael Turner signed with Atlanta in March (six years, $34.5 million with $15 million in guarantees) is close to what Barber is worth.

Dallas is also willing to give Barber a contract close to what Baltimore gave Willis McGahee last year, a seven-year deal worth as much as $40.12 million, if the last two years of it are picked up.

Barber earned his first Pro Bowl berth while backing up Julius Jones last season. He had 204 rushes for 975 yards with 10 touchdowns.

The Cowboys made Barber the starting running back for the NFC divisional playoff game. When the season was over, the team elected not to re-sign Jones, who is now with Seattle.
Coach Wade Phillips has named Barber the starter for 2008.

Briefly: After a disastrous Pro Day last week, Oklahoma WR Malcolm Kelly held a second workout in Norman on Wednesday, and his agent sent results to the media via email. Kelly was timed between 4.46 and 4.61 seconds in the 40-yard dash, according to the email. Kelly was among the group coming to Dallas on Wednesday. ... Owner and general manager Jerry Jones was also asked if he'd consider trading one of the team's two first-round picks for a veteran receiver such as Arizona's Anquan Boldin, Cincinnati's Chad Johnson or Detroit's Roy Williams, to which he slyly responded, "Yes."
Staff writer Albert Breer contributed to this report

[O-Factor]

Fuck Drew Rosenhaus. I love Barber but not for 60 million. I say Micheal Turner money is fine with me considering the cap is going up every year. If he and Rosenhaus are steadfast in their demands, let this year play out.

Interesting timing considering the draft is next weekend.

[O-Factor]

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=7DB11822-90CB-5C6E-FEE72D0870D4E366

Pacman Cometh
Cowboys, Titans Close In On Deal For Pacman Jones

Mickey Spagnola - Email
DallasCowboys.com Columnist
April 23, 2008 6:40 PM

IRVING, Texas - After a significant lull in the action, and just a day after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said there had been "no movement" in the trade talks for Pacman Jones, those negotiations evidently heated up on Wednesday, with the NFL Draft now just three days away.

And the temperature in those talks with the Tennessee Titans for the suspended cornerback rose to the point late Wednesday afternoon a deal could be done as early as Thursday and probably by the time the 2008 NFL Draft begins at 2 p.m. (CDT) on Saturday.

But while reports began swirling the Cowboys and the Titans had agreed to a trade "in principle," the Cowboys were not prepared to make any announcement, and sources said the trade was not done "yet."

The Tennessee Titans' website, Titans Online, had a two paragraph story saying Tennessee had agreed "in principle" to a trade and that Pacman Jones would have to pass a physical before the trade was completed.

Compensation still appears to be the hang-up, but apparently the two sides are at least in the ballpark at this point. Reports claiming the Cowboys will give up a fourth-round pick for Jones, arrested six times since being selected by the Titans with the sixth pick in the 2005 draft, are in the range of what the Cowboys are willing to give to Tennessee for a player with no assurances of being eligible to play in 2008.

The hold-up, though, seems to be what else the Cowboys might have to give the Titans, or better yet, what the Titans might have to repay the Cowboys should Jones not be reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell or should Pacman Jones do something to invoke the ire of Goodell once again.

According to recent reports, the Cowboys would be willing to send the Titans an additional pick in 2009 should Jones play and play well in 2008. But the Cowboys are negotiating for an insurance policy, meaning they want the Titans to agree to repay the Cowboys a draft choice in 2009 should Pacman Jones not play this season or for whatever reason fail to produce on the field.

The Cowboys also would be interested in renegotiating the final three years on Pacman Jones' contract, although chances are those details have been ironed out with his agent Manny Arora long before the trade talks with Tennessee heated up during the NFL owners' meeting the end of March. The Cowboys thought they had a deal completed then, but when the Titans balked, there had not been much movement on the potential trade.

Jerry Jones actually said during Tuesday's pre-draft press conference here at The Ranch, "When we didn't do that, I don't know that this draft is going to create a lot of energy there either," meaning he was somewhat discouraged a deal could be completed before Saturday since flaming out in Palm Beach, Fla.

Maybe the Cowboys' reluctance, when apparently few other teams - if any - had been willing to gamble a draft choice on a player so troubled during his short career, spurred the Titans to seriously reconsider their offer. In fact, a story just came out on Tuesday about Pacman Jones having paid "extortion monies" to the 29-year-old man arrested on three counts of attempted murder in last year's Las Vegas strip club shooting that left one man paralyzed, leading to the cornerback's suspension.

That story, just coming out, probably had a lot to do with Goodell's reluctance to reinstate Pacman Jones just yet. Goodell, in town a week ago as the SMU Athletic Forum Luncheon's guest speaker, remained adamant about not reviewing the cornerback's situation until just before training camp. Chances are, the NFL security division knew all about this latest revelation long before it was reported.

Should this trade be completed, chances are the Cowboys will attempt to petition the commissioner to at least allow Pacman Jones to resume working out at the team's facility. Goodell did allow the suspended Tank Johnson to work out with the Cowboys after they signed the troubled defensive tackle before his suspension had expired. Johnson, though, was not allowed to work out with the team, just on his own with the strength and conditioning staff.

The Cowboys and Jerry Jones have continually said the possibility of acquiring Pacman Jones, a starting-quality cornerback and return man, would in no way alter their draft-day strategy, which likely has selecting a cornerback on the first day a high priority.

[dougp]

Looks like Jason Taylor is available in Miama - worth one of our draft picks? Looks like he could play CB pretty well.

[BacktoBasics]

Looks like Jason Taylor is available in Miama - worth one of our draft picks? Looks like he could play CB pretty well.
as much of an impact player this guy is I don't see any reason to use a number 1 on him.

[Evan]

Looks like Jason Taylor is available in Miama - worth one of our draft picks? Looks like he could play CB pretty well.

3rd - maybe

Great player but you never know when these guys will flame out

[O-Factor]

Taylor is not worth a 1st day draft pick. But for a 6th, I'd take him.

[O-Factor]

Jones, Jenkins Highlight First Day Of Draft

Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
April 26, 2008 3:11 PM


IRVING, Texas - After watching nearly three hours of the NFL Draft without making a move, the Cowboys got to work in a big way, picking two players in a span of four picks.

The Cowboys drafted Arkansas running back Felix Jones with the 22nd overall pick, a selection they acquired last year in a draft-day trade with the Cleveland.

But instead of waiting until the 28th spot, their original selection this year, the Cowboys moved back up to No. 25 by trading this year's fifth- and seventh-round picks to Seattle. The Cowboys then grabbed South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins (5-10, 200), a three-year collegiate starter.

In the second round, the Cowboys picked up Texas A&M tight end Martellus Bennett, who will likely replace Anthony Fasano, who was traded to Miami on Friday along with Akin Ayodele. Bennett should be able to compete for the second tight end behind Pro Bowler Jason Witten. A former basketball player at A&M, Bennett is almost like a bigger wide receiver, who can split out wide and stretch defenses.

Jenkins was the fourth cornerback selected, but some draft experts had him rated as the No. 1 corner in the draft.

The move means the Cowboys aren't solely relying on Pacman Jones, who is expected to be officially traded to Dallas this weekend.

But the Jones of the day is Arkansas' Felix, who is the first tailback drafted by the Cowboys in the first round since Emmitt Smith in 1990.

Jones was the third running back taken off the board, after his Arkansas teammate Darren McFadden (4th overall to Oakland) and Oregon's Jonathan Stewart (12th to Carolina).

He becomes the first Arkansas player drafted since team owner Jerry Jones, a famous Arkansas alum, bought the team in 1989.

The Cowboys chose Jones over Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall, who fell from where many draft analysts had him going in the middle of the first round. Mendenhall went to Pittsburgh with the next pick at No. 23 overall.

Jones led the nation last season with a 8.7 average per carry, rushing for 1,162 yards and 11 touchdowns, despite playing behind McFadden, who rushed for 1,830 yards.

Jones is also a dynamite kick returner, scoring six touchdowns on kickoffs in three seasons, and was named an All-American return specialist in 2005 and 2007.

The Cowboys lost Julius Jones to Seattle in free agency last month, and the only experienced back on the roster is Marion Barber, who is expected to take over as the full-time starter.

Barber rushed for 975 yards last season and earned a Pro Bowl selection, despite not starting one game in the regular season. The Cowboys started Barber in the playoff loss against the Giants when he rushed for 101 yards in the first half and 129 overall.

The last offensive player the Cowboys drafted in the first round was David LaFleur, a tight end from LSU, who went 17th overall. LaFleur only lasted three seasons before a back injury ended his career.

Since then, the Cowboys have drafted eight players with first-round picks, five of which were collegiate defensive ends.

One of those defensive players was a cornerback in Terence Newman, the fifth pick in 2003. Newman and Anthony Henry are still considered the starters at corner, although the Cowboys now have some depth in Jenkins, and possibly Pacman Jones.

The Cowboys lost their third and fourth cornerbacks in free agency when Jacques Reeves (Houston) and Nate Jones (Miami) signed with other clubs.


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=8C5F0DAF-A24D-C54C-ECCBA5E30EC51CD9

[O-Factor]

Im a fan of the Jenkins pick. I was really pleased to draft this guy. But I'd of grabbed Mendenhall before Jones. Jones isn't horrible, and his style will complement Marion. But if we didn't have Marion, I'd be pissed at this pick.

Bennett, Eh. I would of liked to grab Mario Manningham instead. Again, he is not horrible, but I feel WR was more a need than TE.

[samikeyp]

I liked the first two picks..not crazy about the third, I agree with O, they needed to get a WR.

[StylisticS]

They wanted Sweed but he went to Pittsburgh so they went with Bennett. I have no problem with that pick. Not as good a blocker as Fasano but could easily get better. But he is more athletic, very talented, very skilled, and has decent speed. He didn't get to showcase his talent because he played in a horrible offense. I'm a Horn fan and after they leave college, it's all good than.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Bennett's going to be a good one. He's 6'7" and has great hops (think Antonio Gates). Most people don't know much about him because he played in Fran's shitty offense at A&M.

I don't get why people knock his blocking, he was the most consistent blocker on the line and I saw him blow people up all the time.

He's going to be great inside the 20s for Romo and jump balls.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Well I guess it's a good thing you're not in charge of the Cowboys drafting decisions :spin

Another wideout?

Let's see...



Austin Miles
Patrick crayton
TGlenn
Sam Hurd
T.O.

And they also have two guys they like waiting in the wings...

Isaiah Stanbeck
Mike Jefferson

Cowboys have seven WRs on the roster, only really two TEs, grabbing a TE (and an athletic one at that) was the no brainer pick.

The only thing that pisses me off about this is now I'm going to have to spring for another Cowboys jersey (already got a little collection going).

[mardigan]

Well I guess it's a good thing you're not in charge of the Cowboys drafting decisions :spin

Another wideout?

Let's see...



Austin Miles
Patrick crayton
TGlenn
Sam Hurd
T.O.

And they also have two guys they like waiting in the wings...

Isaiah Stanbeck
Mike Jefferson

Cowboys have seven WRs on the roster, only really two TEs, grabbing a TE (and an athletic one at that) was the no brainer pick.

The only thing that pisses me off about this is now I'm going to have to spring for another Cowboys jersey (already got a little collection going).
Yea, and they are expecting some things from Stanback this year, so Im cool with them maybe taking a reciever later in the draft, a la Crayton. I really like the Bennett pick a lot, the guy is a freak. And he can be split out like Gates as you mentioned, so he could be another mismatch waiting to happen.


I wasnt crazy about the Jones pick yesterday, as I think Mendenhall will be a better player than Marion Barber, but after thinking of splitting him out wide and his return ability, I understand why he was taken. I would just have liked to see Barber locked up to a long term deal before passing on (to me) a future star.

The Tashard Choice pick was a good one as well, needed to fill out the rb depth.

[mardigan]

Boys take Orlando Scandrick, cb from Boise St. with their 5th rounder.
Eric Walden, de from Middle Tennessee St. in the 6th. This guy looks more like a project who will be converted to an outside lb.
Video of Waldens pro day
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LReubrolrNQ

Some Mike Jenkins highlights
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GrxYjByWLtY

Martellus Bennett
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5P0ljixzaGY

Tashard Choice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0i5NOVLl_s

Felix Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4miK7GnuSAI

[O-Factor]

Bring on the Rookie Free Agents

Players who were not drafted that I would like to see the Cowboys sign

Wesley Woodyard, OLV, Kentucky
Tommy Blake, DE, TCU
D.J. Hall, WR, Alabama
Lance Leggett, WR, Miami (FL)
Adarius Bowman WR OKlahoma State
Sam Keller QB Nebraska
Keilen Dykes DT West Virgina



Players from NFLDraftcountdown Top 252 going undrafted:

#100 Erin Henderson, OLB, Maryland
#111 Wesley Woodyard, OLV, Kentucky
#114 Darrell Robertson, DE, Georgia Tech
#127 Ali Highsmith, OLB, L.S.U.
#132 Gary Guyton, OLB, Georgia Tech
#139 Drew Radovich, OG, USC
#147 Curtis Johnson, OLB, Clark-Atlanta
#157 Jamar Adams, S, Michigan
#160 Tommy Blake, DE, TCU
#162 Kerry Brown, OG, Appalachian State
#169 Eric Young, OG, Tennessee
#175 David Roach, S, TCU
#176 Ezra Butler, OLB, Nevada
#178 William Robinson, OT, San Diego State
#179 Jolonn Dunbar, ILB, Boston College
#183 D.J. Hall, WR, Alabama
#185 Michael Grant, CB, Arkansas
#190 Louis Holmes, DE, Arizona
#196 Anthony Alridge, RB, Houston
#197 Curtis Gatewood, OLB, Vanderbilt
#199 Pedro Sosa, OG, Rutgers
#207 Darius Reynaud, WR, West Virginia
#210 Robert Felton, OG, Arkansas
#211 Dorien Bryant, WR, Purdue
#215 Franklin Dunbar, OT, Middle Tennessee State
#218 Martail Burnett, DE, Utah
#219 J. Leman, ILB, Illinois
#221 Steve Octavien, OLB, Nebraska
#225 Kelly Poppinga, OLB, B.Y.U.
#226 Jonathan Hefney, S, Tennessee
#227 Keilen Dykes, DT, West Virginia
#229 Maurice Purify, WR, Nebraska
#230 Titus Brown, DE, Mississippi State
#231 Chad Simpson, RB, Morgan State
#232 Ben Moffitt, ILB, South Florida
#233 Dennis Keyes, S, UCLA
#236 Marcus Griffin, S, Texas
#237 Mike Dragosavich, P, North Dakota State
#238 Kyle Wright, QB, Miami (FL)
#241 Lamar Myles, OLB, Louisville
#244 Calvin Dawson, Louisiana-Monroe
#245 Paul Smith, QB, Tulsa
#246 Todd Blythe, WR, Iowa State
#247 Marcus Dixon, DE, Hampton
#248 Darnell Terrell, CB, Missouri
#250 Ryan Grice-Mullen, WR, Hawaii
#251 Lance Leggett, WR, Miami (FL)
#252 Steven Hauschka, K, North Carolina State

[O-Factor]

Dallas Morning News

The Cowboys didn't draft a receiver, but they have added at least one through college free agency - Texas Tech's Danny Amendola.
He had 109 catches for 1,245 yards and six touchdowns for the Red Raiders in 2007. The Cowboys would really like to see Amendola develop into another Tech receiver, Wes Welker, who lit it up last year in New England. They have similar builds - Amendola is 5-10, 183, Welker is 5-8, 185 - and excelled as slot receivers in Mike Leach's offense.
Hopefully we'll get some more undrafted free agents as we go along tonight.





I totally forgot about this guy. Great signing by the 'Boys

[StylisticS]

Dallas had a very very good draft. I wish we got Mendenhall but I understand that logic. I do see him as another Marion as well. Love the Mike Jenkins pick as well. Solid draft for us. Wish we at least addressed the they at least addressed the Wide Receiver position a little bit more but they are high on Stanback for a reason and I like Sam Hurd.

[Pistons < Spurs]

According to the Chiefs board on ESPN, the Cowboys signed undrafted FA:

DE - Marcus Dixon - Hampton

WR - Danny Amendola - Texas Tech

[2centsworth]

I follow Tech closely and Amendola has no where near the speed it takes to play in the NFL. Wes is 100 times better.

[O-Factor]

A friend of mine heard from an OKC sports station that Adarius Bowman has signed with the Cowboys, but I've seen nothing official yet.

[bigdog]

I honestly don't think the Cowboys need another receiver. I mean, like some have said before, there's Owens, Glenn, Crayton, Hurt, Austin, Stanback, and Jefferson.

Jerry Jones and Coach Phillips have talked good about Miles Austin and Isiah Stanback, and it seems like they should be contributing to the offense this year. Even Mike Jefferson, Jerry Jones has talked good about him too.

When Hurd plays, he plays pretty well. I think with an expanded role in the offense, he should be fine. Austin has great speed, and he's a big receiver. I expect good things from him too.

And don't forget Terry Glenn, when he's healthy, he's better than probably most of the guys in the draft. We've all seen what he can do when healthy, and it looks like he's on the right track. Looks like Jerry has seen enough of him this offseason to expect him to play next year.

I love what we did in the first few rounds. Felix is gonna be an excellent compliment to MB3, Jenkins should turn out to be pretty good. He lacks some strength, but hell probably play in nickel and dime situations anyways, probably in some zone coverages, so we won't have to worry about him on the line of scrimmage getting knocked down.

Bennett was a good pick, and an underrated pick as well. Keep in mind we don't have Fasano anymore, and that leaves us only Tony Curtis, so another TE would be good.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Updated list of UDFA's signed:

Cowboys
DE - Marcus Dixon - Hampton
WR - Danny Amendola - Texas Tech
FB - Julius Crosslin - Oklahoma St.
OG - Brandon Hale - Sam Houston St.
P - Jay Ottovegio - Stanford
TE - Drew Atchison - William & Mary

[Pistons < Spurs]

Cowboys DE Darrell Robertson (Georgia Tech)
Cowboys WR Daniel Polk (Midwestern State)
Cowboys S Dowayne Davis (Syracuse)
Cowboys T Andrew Brecher (Harvard)
Cowboys RB Keon Lattimore (Maryland)
Cowboys WR Mark Bradford (Stanford)

[mardigan]

DE - Marcus Dixon - Hampton

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Dixon

[degenerate_gambler]

any of you guys know who has signed Tommy Blake?

[Pistons < Spurs]

any of you guys know who has signed Tommy Blake?

from what I can tell, no one.

[O-Factor]

A Closer Look At The Cowboys' 2008 Draft Picks
Rob Phillips - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
April 28, 2008 5:26 PM

IRVING, Texas - Experts, fans and the Dallas Cowboys themselves came to a general pre-draft consensus on the team's greatest depth needs - running back, cornerback, wide receiver, in various orders - months before Jerry Jones and Co. went on the clock at No. 22 around 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Twenty-four hours, six trades and six picks later, the Cowboys had addressed the first two needs with two selections each (running backs Felix Jones and Tashard Choice; cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick) and perhaps the biggest wild card in team history - still-suspended Adam "Pacman" Jones, whose trade from Tennessee gained official approval by the NFL.

The Cowboys didn't unearth that game-breaking receiver in a relatively weak draft, nor find a willing trade partner for a veteran wideout. But they're optimistic second-round tight end Martellus Bennett can develop into a pass-catching threat alongside Jason Witten. They also took a sixth-round flier on Middle Tennessee State defensive end Erik Walden, who will move to linebacker in head coach Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme.

Here's a closer look at the Cowboys' 2008 draft class which will join a group of eligible first-year veterans and rookie free agents for this weekend's three-day rookie mini-camp at Valley Ranch:

Felix Jones
Running back, Arkansas
6-0, 200
1st round 22nd overall)

Who's He: Most college backs might have disappeared into Darren McFadden's shadow. Instead, Jones parlayed his complementary running skills and kick return ability into a first-round selection. Jones' carry average of 7.66 yards ranks second in college football history behind Army's Glenn Davis (8.26), and he and McFadden ranked third all-time with 2,992 combined rushing yards in 2007.

Unique Quality: Jones' exceptional speed replaces the home-run threat Julius Jones left behind when he signed with Seattle. Felix Jones has a similar capacity to produce deep runs on carries or after the catch, making him an ideal change of pace for bruiser Marion Barber.

How He Fits: Jones actually relished his balancing act with McFadden, and he'll have the same job description with Barber and the Cowboys. He's also a prime candidate to at least share kick return duties, having finished ninth in NCAA history with a 28.2-yard average on 62 career returns with four touchdowns.

Worth Mentioning: Jones also is an underrated receiver out of the backfield. He caught 39 passes for 383 yards and four touchdowns at Arkansas.

Mike Jenkins
Cornerback, South Florida
5-10, 197
1st round (25th overall)

Who's He: The second South Florida alum to join the Dallas secondary, and the Cowboys believe he has starting-quality talent like Anthony Henry. Most considered Jenkins a top-three corner in this year's draft, and the Cowboys didn't hesitate trading up three spots to grab him once he slid into the mid-20s.

Unique Quality: Jenkins's 4.3 speed will be an asset against some of the league's deep-threat receivers. He also showed good coverage instincts in college, evidenced by his 12 pass breakups and three interceptions as a senior.

How He Fits: Like the rest of his draft class, Jenkins won't be asked to start right away. His arrival, coupled with Pacman Jones' potential reinstatement, could provide one of the league's deepest cornerback units if Terence Newman and Henry can stay healthy. The two starters each battled nagging foot injuries last year.

Worth Mentioning: Jenkins also is an accomplished kick returner. He averaged 26.7 yards on nine career returns, including a 100-yard touchdown against Cincinnati last season.

Martellus Bennett
Tight end, Texas A&M
6-6, 260
2nd round (61st overall)

Who's He: The second second-round tight end drafted by the Cowboys since 2006, Bennett's an elite athlete who found himself somewhat underutilized in the Aggies' ball-control offense. Yet he still led the team with 49 catches for 587 yards and four touchdowns to earn All-Big 12 first-team honors in 2007.

Unique Quality: Versatility. Bennett's combination of size, hands, solid speed for his 6-6 frame and blocking skills make him a complete tight end prospect.

How He Fits: The Cowboys made room for Bennett by trading fellow second-round pick Anthony Fasano to the Dolphins. Backup Tony Curtis has made strides, but the Cowboys also are excited about teaming Bennett with Witten in two-tight end sets.

Worth Mentioning: Bennett became the first Texas A&M athlete since 1969 to letter in football and basketball. He appeared in 30 games as a backup forward for nearly two seasons (2005-06, 2006-07) but ultimately decided to concentrate on football this past year.

Tashard Choice
Running Back, Georgia Tech
5-10, 215
4th Round (122 overall)

Who's He: Ranked by most as one of the top 10 running backs in the draft but ended up being the 12th one taken, which makes getting him in the fourth round somewhat of a steal for the Cowboys. Saw one ranking had him the 94th best player in the draft, so getting him almost an entire round later was great value for the Cowboys.

Unique Quality: Hard worker and apparently a tough running back, who must pack a wallop. When asked who was the toughest running back he ever faced in his college career, Virginia defensive end Chris Long, the second pick in the draft, said, "I personally believe Tashard Choice is the best running back in the league," and Miami defensive lineman Calais Campbell, a second-round draft choice, said, "The toughest to tackle? I'm going to have to go with my man Tashard Choice. He definitely was the hardest to tackle last year. He ran the ball tough, hard-nosed, fought for every yard. You really had to fight to bring him down. I give him a lot of love." Now that's pretty unique.

How He Fits: Since the Cowboys selected Felix Jones with one of their two first-round picks to complement starter Marion Barber, the Cowboys needed an all-purpose back as their No. 3 guy, just in case Barber goes down. Choice is a guy who can handle 25 carries a game, evidenced by becoming the first Georgia Tech running back with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and can handle enough special teams jobs to be active on game day.

Worth Mentioning: Choice must be a smart guy. Not only has he already graduated from George Tech (this past December) with a degree in History, Technology and Society, but was a two-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll, and was smart enough to realize after spending a redshirt season at Oklahoma in 2003 and backing up some guy named Adrian Peterson in 2004 (Academic All-Big 12) that he'd probably ought to go somewhere else if he was ever going to be the guy.

Orlando Scandrick
Cornerback, Boise State
5-11, 198
5th Round (143 overall)

Who's He: Speedy corner who came out early after his junior year, and was obviously disappointed he was not drafted until the fifth round. Many had him rated a Top 20 cornerback, but ended up being the 32nd defensive back drafted. Played on the Boise State team to defeat Oklahoma in that 2006 season Fiesta Bowl. If nothing else, could become the special-teams dynamo to replace Keith Davis. Being 5-11, 198, with 4.3 speed helps that.

Unique Quality: Not just a potential special teams coverage guy. Scandrick blocked four kicks in 2007. He also knows what to do with the ball when he gets it. Starting as a true freshman in 2005, he returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown, a blocked extra point for a two-point conversion and returned an interception for a touchdown.

How He Fits: No matter the Cowboys drafted Mike Jenkins in the first round and hope to have Adam Jones active by the season opener, as they say, you can never have enough corners. The Cowboys might have six quality corners this season, and Scandrick's speed will not only grab him a backup job, but possibly challenge for some nickel duty.

Worth Mentioning: Here is another defensive back with return ability. While he didn't do much of that at Boise State, get this, while in high school he averaged 46.5 yards on 22 kickoff returns. As a junior at Boise, Scandrick had one punt return for 54 yards and averaged almost 20 yards on four kickoff returns. He did return one interception 42 yards. And for whatever testing means, this youngster ran a 4.34 40-yard dash, and has a 38½-inch vertical, which is pretty impressive for being only 5-11. So at least he has the physical ability to make plays on the ball, which is one of the reasons the Cowboys liked him.

Erik Walden,
Linebacker, Middle Tennessee State
6-2, 243
6th Round (167 Overall)

Who's He: A defensive end by trade in college, although one who played a little linebacker, he will become another ones of those guys being moved to outside linebacker in the Cowboys' 3-4 defensive alignment to take advantage of his pass-rush skills, just like Greg Ellis, DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. While a tad short, he does have some pass-rush ability, finishing his four-year college career with 22½ sacks, including 11½ as a junior.

Unique Quality: Was voted the Heart of Georgia defensive player of the year his senior year at Dublin (Ga.) High School and went on to become a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference player at MTS.

How He Fits: Think special teams and pass-rush specialist first. The Cowboys coverage units were lacking last year, so Walden must make an impression covering kicks, and appears to have the speed to get downfield. Then he must show pass-rush skills to make this team as a developmental player.

Worth Mentioning: Walden became the first Middle Tennessee State player drafted since wide receiver Tyrone Calico was selected in the second round by the Tennessee Titans in 2003. But get this: He also becomes the first Blue Raider defensive player to be drafted since Anthony Hicks in 1997 and their first defensive end ever drafted.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=97344D83-9E93-3D41-7FEEA323E8A793BF

[GaryJohnston]

Im pretty happy with the Cowboys draft. Still a WR was to be had on a couple of occasions.

[DBryant88]

:toasti was hoping that we would trade up in the 2nd round and get sombody like limas sweed but no wr's again is a dissapointment. T.O. cant carry the wr duties 4ever and jason witten can only do som much. I really dont know about terry glenn. and patrick Crayton is a joke.

[mardigan]

:toasti was hoping that we would trade up in the 2nd round and get sombody like limas sweed but no wr's again is a dissapointment. T.O. cant carry the wr duties 4ever and jason witten can only do som much. I really dont know about terry glenn. and patrick Crayton is a joke.

How is Crayton a joke? 700 yards and 7 tds as a 3rd option is pretty damn good.

[degenerate_gambler]

:toasti was hoping that we would trade up in the 2nd round and get sombody like limas sweed but no wr's again is a dissapointment. T.O. cant carry the wr duties 4ever and jason witten can only do som much. I really dont know about terry glenn. and patrick Crayton is a joke.


good article on jones' thinking...

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=926F3CBA-9FA4-D19B-B9CCC574D451A19E

WR Priority Takes Back Seat to Glenn, Current WR's
IRVING, Texas - Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is known for his ability to take risks. When it comes to draft day, he is known to gamble, and he even proved that this weekend by making six different trades.

Taking risks often comes down to playing the percentages and odds.

And long before the first pick went off the board on Saturday, Jones said he was weighing his options at the wide receiver position. He said he even made himself a chart.

Jones said he jotted down on a piece of paper all of the logical options for his team at wide receiver.

"I did a chart, sat down with everybody, I looked at all the (veteran) receivers who would fit the definition of somebody who could play opposite of Terrell (Owens), and I put the odds of who likely we were to get that," Jones said of the idea of adding a high-priced veteran, which never happened with his team or any other this weekend. "And that was one odd. I then I put, what are the odds of Terry Glenn coming back? If we got the very best receiver in the draft, what are the odds - this coming year, not in the future but this year - what are the odds there?

"What are the odds of (Sam) Hurd and those guys taking another step? You add the in-house guys and the odds of Terry Glenn up against the odds of getting a free agent and really be the balancing act, and our best odds are here right now. And they're not unrealistic odds either."

When asked for a specific number of the odds that Glenn would be able to return to form this year, Jones had a quick response.

"Fifty. Terry has a 50 percent chance of being exactly what we want, which is being a veteran guy that the defenses are afraid of," Jones said of Glenn, who had two arthroscopic knee surgeries last season that forced him to miss the first 15 games before returning just before the playoffs. "Can he be Terry Glenn and a starter? If he can be Terry Glenn and a starter, we all realize we can't do better than that. And what we're talking about is this year - this year. Just this year. At 33 years old, for this coming year, we could have a far better season than anybody younger than you, opposite of Terrell Owens."

While Jones prefers to take a long-term approach, it doesn't appear he is taking one at the wide receiver position.

When it came down to the draft, which was the first time since 1990 that no wide receiver even went in the first round, the Cowboys apparently didn't see a receiver who not only could challenge for a starting job, but even compete for playing time with the current roster.

"We liked what we have here, better than what was out there," Jones said, referring to Patrick Crayton, Hurd, Miles Austin, Isaiah Stanback and even Mike Jefferson as players who will battle for playing time next season.

Now, this isn't to say the Cowboys have no need to upgrade wide receiver.

Even Jones admitts the possibility of adding a veteran such as Cincinnati's Chad Johnson, Detroit's Roy Williams or Arizona's Anquan Boldin were certainly intriguing. Jones has said the Cowboys have inquired about a veteran receiver, likely to be one of those three, at some point this off-season.

But all three of those teams have said publicly there was no interest in trading them. This weekend, Jones said the possibility to make a trade for a receiver never materialized.

But the option was there, and it was one he even included in his chart.

But at this point, the wide receiver position appears to come down to Glenn, whose career has been in question with the latest knee injury. Set to turn 34 before training camp, Glenn has pondered the idea of undergoing microfracture surgery, which would likely forfeit his chance to play this year, and maybe ever again.

However, it doesn't appear Glenn has any intentions of having a surgery, much less hanging up the cleats. The veteran has participated in the team's off-season conditioning program, an encouraging sign for Jones.

"We saw really good stuff from here out here," Jones said. "You can talk about what he is and what he can do, but you just have to see it. He's back here, he's doing all the kind of things . . . you can't tell by that. He would be a progress-stopper if he were here and you had 10-percent odds. So if we didn't think that he didn't have a chance to be everything we wanted him to be, then we wouldn't have him back here. It would push back the progress of the other receivers."

But instead, Glenn is making his own progress, and apparently enough for Jones and the Cowboys to start counting on him for 2008.

"We're seeing everything we need to see," Jones said. "He's out here working with the quarterbacks. He's out here, and we're seeing it."

[GaryJohnston]

How is Crayton a joke? 700 yards and 7 tds as a 3rd option is pretty damn good.

He's not a joke. Crayton had a bad game at the worst time in front of the world. He is still more than a decent WR.

[leemajors]

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/05/cowboys-want-martellus-to-watch-his-mout.html


Martellus Bennett learned one major difference between college and the pros within 24 hours after being drafted.

"In college, if you get in trouble, they call your mom," the ex-Texas A&M tight end said. "Here, if you get in trouble, they call you."

Some Valley Ranch folks got their britches in a bunch about an innocent Jessica Simpson joke Bennett made during his media conference call minutes after he was drafted. TE coach John Garrett called Bennett to let him know that Jessica jokes are a no-no around these parts.

"I apologized," Bennett said. "I didn't mean to be rude."

[Evan]

hah...awesome.

[O-Factor]

Dallas Cowboys must establish roles for running backs


10:58 PM CDT on Saturday, May 3, 2008
By ALBERT BREER / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]

IRVING – With the NFL draft in the books, the Cowboys know which pieces they'll be working with at running back in 2008.

But how those pieces fit together remains to be seen.

Last season, Julius Jones started all 16 regular-season games and alternated series with Pro Bowler Marion Barber. Jones has since departed for Seattle, and Felix Jones and Tashard Choice were drafted in the first and fourth rounds, respectively.

Because of the turnover, there's a ways to go before roles are carved out the way they were last season.

"We feel like we have some talented players at that position, and they each can do some different things," coach Wade Phillips said. "Marion's gonna be our workhorse, and rightfully so. We believe we have a place that Felix fits, as far as what we want him to do, and Tashard does, too."

The Cowboys were able to alternate series between Julius Jones and Barber last season because both backs were versatile and experienced, making them viable options in any situation.

In that sense, Choice may be more advanced than Felix Jones. Choice played in a pro-style offense under Chan Gailey at Georgia Tech, which gave him experience catching passes and picking up the blitz in the passing game. Jones, on the other hand, played in a spread-option attack at Arkansas and, while he flashed ability as a receiver at this weekend's rookie minicamp, he caught only 39 passes in three collegiate seasons.

"Most guys that come from college, they haven't had an extensive opportunity in pass protection, regardless of what team they play for, unless they play in a pro-style offense," running backs coach Skip Peete said. "I think [Jones has] shown the willingness to block. Is he capable of playing on third down? In my mind, he can."

If that's true, Jones could prove a valuable weapon in passing situations. Jones has big-play ability in the open field – Phillips likened it to that of Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas – and is versatile enough to line up at multiple spots, which might allow the Cowboys to put Barber and Jones on the field at the same time.

So you could see the rotation working by down, rather than by series, with Barber getting a break in passing situations.

As Phillips was quick to note, fewer teams around the league are hitching their running game fortunes to a single back.

"It's a two-back league," the coach said.

That should create a healthy competition for carries.

"You practice hard, do things hard, just to show the coaches you deserve this spot just as much as [the other guys do]," said Jones, who split carries at Arkansas with Darren McFadden. "But once we get on that football field, it's about winning."

The coaching staff must figure out the backfield arrangement that gives the Cowboys the best chance at winning.

"We liked both of our backs last year, because they were versatile," offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. "They both could run inside, they both could run outside, they could catch, they could pass protect, they could do a lot of things. And we envision the guys we drafted or brought in being able to do those same kinds of things. The fact that they're rookies makes that more difficult."

[O-Factor]

Man-coverage not a comfort zone for Dallas Cowboys' Williams

09:34 PM CDT on Friday, May 2, 2008
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News [email protected]

IRVING – Pro Bowl strong safety Roy Williams said he's still trying to get comfortable in the Cowboys' defense and admitted he sometimes doesn't want opposing quarterbacks to throw the ball toward him.


"I will admit at times, when I had one-on-one situations and you're head up on a tight end or a receiver that can go left or right, it's tough," Williams said Thursday on the Michael Irvin radio show.

"I mean, it's just tough. Sometimes you just hope they don't throw the ball your way, because sometimes you're like, if they go inside, you don't have any help; if they go outside, you don't have any help."

Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart said it is difficult to cover man-to-man but hopes his players "want a part of the action, no matter what it is."

Williams, however, said he is still trying to find a comfort zone in coach Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. The scheme requires Williams to take the tight end in pass coverage at times, and play close to the line of scrimmage and make plays against the run at others.

"I'm going to have to get comfortable in the system," he said. "It's not easy with the coaching change. You're used to one thing and then you have to adjust to another playing style."

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is hopeful the addition of secondary coach Dave Campo, – Williams' first NFL coach in 2002 – will help.

"We want turnovers, and Roy is a turnover guy," Jones said. "I think we shouldn't dismiss it that it can be a part of his game."

[O-Factor]

Roy finally admits it.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

What a fag.

[GaryJohnston]

HBO Knocking On Cowboys’ Door Again

http://blog.dallascowboys.com/blogs/goodtimes/archive/2008/5/5/1204280.aspx

You think this year’s training camp is going to be exciting for Cowboys fans?

Apparently, HBO thinks so.

With Terrell Owens, Tony Romo and now probably Pacman Jones all headed out to Oxnard, Calif. this summer, the cable network reportedly would like to put the Cowboys back in front of the cameras again, filming the club in its series “Hard Knocks” a weekly behind-the-scenes look at an NFL team preparing for the upcoming season.

The Cowboys were a part of “Hard Knocks” back in 2002, a year after the series first debuted, featuring the Baltimore Ravens. HBO took five years off from filming the series, before returning to the screen last year when they featured the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp. In 2004, NFL Network made a similar show with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In the Cowboys’ first time around with “Hard Knocks”, Dave Campo was in his last year as the head coach as the team trained in the Alamodome in San Antonio.

That year, storylines included the former baseball-pitcher-turned-quarterback Chad Hutchinson, the injury saga of wide receiver Anthony Lucas, a longshot receiver named Richmond Flowers, former special teams coach Joe Avezzano who was doubling as the Dallas Desperados head coach and of course, who could forget some of the harsh realities we saw and heard with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. It seemed like that ended up stealing the show.

But the closed-door access of the team and coaches and even owner Jerry Jones is priceless for any fan.

Just like having two regular-season games on the station made some fans scurry to get NFL Network last year, it’s likely Cowboys fans will do the same to get HBO as well.

Training camp is expected to start in late July, with the Cowboys headed back to Oxnard for the fourth time in the last five years.

-- Nick Eatman

[BacktoBasics]

Glad to hear they're back on Hard Knocks.

[JackArse]

well.. romo should be done. apparently engaged to joe simp.. err.. jessica simpson.

not that i mind, as a cardinals fan and all heh

[O-Factor]

Cardinals suck

[StylisticS]

well.. romo should be done. apparently engaged to joe simp.. err.. jessica simpson.

not that i mind, as a cardinals fan and all heh

A engaged QB that is still better than any clown you have on your pathetic roster. But hey, you shouldn't expect more from a sorry ass franchise like the Cardinals.

[mardigan]

IRVING, Texas - Rookie mini-camps are filled with players who have long odds on making an NFL roster. But former Texas Tech wide receiver Danny Amendola has been battling those odds as long as he has been playing football - and winning.

So maybe it shouldn't be a surprise he was one of the players catching the eye of Cowboys coaches and even owner Jerry Jones this past weekend here at the Cowboys mini-camp. Video: Danny on "catching" Jerry Jones' eye!

"I just can't wait to see him go against the veteran guys and just watch him work," Cowboys wide receivers coach Ray Sherman said after just the first day of practice.

It was that kind of weekend for the smallish (5-10, 183 pounds) receiver who finished his Red Raiders career with 204 catches for 2,246 yards and 15 touchdowns.

"It's almost surreal, being in this locker room, seeing Terrell Owens' locker," Amendola said. "It's crazy but it's exciting."

Amendola grabbed some of the mini-camp attention during the very first workout Friday morning when he didn't drop a pass.

That perfection didn't continue, but Amendola's ability and skills were hard to ignore for those who will make decisions.

Sherman said the way Amendola makes his cuts and runs his routes makes him stand out, even this early in the talent evaluation process when he was basically going up again other guys just leaving the college ranks.

"I think he did some good things, he really did," Sherman said. "I was impressed with him."

Amendola comes to Dallas as an undrafted free agent. But that doesn't seem to bother him. In fact, it's one of the reasons he chose Dallas over the nine other teams that reached out to him after the draft.

The Cowboys have a history of not being afraid to keep a rookie free agent over a fringe veteran or even a draft choice. One of the more recent examples is Sam Hurd, who made the team's 53-man roster in 2006 after not being drafted out of Northern Illinois. Same went that year for Miles Austin out of Momouth University. Both made the team at eventually the expense of fourth-round receiver Skyler Green.

So Dallas seemed like a good choice for Amendola, considered a Wes Welker knock-off, and probably until he was up to here with the comparison over the weekend.

Of course, there are the intangibles also.

"Playing college ball in Texas, you follow the Cowboys," he said. "It's America's Team, of course. It's a dream to be here."

Amendola knows it will be hard work to even get close to a roster spot. He and the other receivers got the playbook they would use in practice less than a day beforehand. The practices are fast-paced with coaches seeing who can handle the pressures of pro ball and the margin for error is small.

"That's the business of the NFL. You catch on pretty quickly or you don't catch on at all," Amendola said.

Catching on will likely include Amendola playing on special teams. But he's prepared for that too. He did kickoff returns while at Texas Tech and even was on the frontline of the return team for part of his senior year.

"So I can do some blocking," he said.

Amendola said he was prepared to do whatever necessary to play his way onto the team. And it looks like he took a small step toward that goal this past weekend.


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=C0141208-01FE-2A50-A7599454A2EF07D3

[DBryant88]

well.. romo should be done. apparently engaged to joe simp.. err.. jessica simpson.

not that i mind, as a cardinals fan and all heh

i rather him fuck jessica simpson the matt lientart and kurt warner fuck each other

[Spuradicator]

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/05/zach-thomas-definition-of-leadership.html

Zach Thomas' definition of leadership

11:32 AM Thu, May 15, 2008 | Permalink | Buzz up!Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips



There's been a lot of talk about the leadership qualities that LB Zach Thomas will provide the Cowboys, so I asked the Pampa, Texas, native what that meant to him.

It's safe to say that we won't see Thomas beating his chest in a rah-rah manner during the OTAs and minicamps.

"Leadership is shown by actions," Thomas said. "If you're making plays and doing everything the right way - doing what they're telling you to do in the weight room, showing up for everything, being consistent and being accountable - that's leadership. It's not giving a great pep talk. If you give a great pep talk and do all the right things and don't play well, there really isn't much leadership there. My leadership is coming in and playing well and getting the respect of my teammates."

Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart has little doubt that Thomas will take care of business.

"Zach Thomas gives us a guy that's been a leader, so he's going to go in there and be confident," Stewart said. "Because he's been a leader before, he's going to make sure he does whatever he can to stay ahead of the curve, know what's going on and understand our defense so he can maintain leadership qualities."

[Spuradicator]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/051408dnspoinsidedallascowboys.2e196b8.html

Hard Knocks won't stand in Dallas Cowboys' way

12:45 PM CDT on Wednesday, May 14, 2008



Bill Parcells couldn't win a playoff game in four seasons with Dallas, and he would never, ever – even on his deathbed – let the Cowboys be a part of Hard Knocks.

So maybe, it's not such a bad idea.

And let's not compare this year's Hard Knocks to the 2002 version. That team was horrible.

Quincy Carter and Chad Hutchinson, the top two quarterbacks on that team, aren't in the NFL anymore. Actually, they're long gone.

These Cowboys are among the most talented teams in the NFL. Players like T.O., Tony Romo and Pacman, if and when he shows up, are used to drama.

Do you really think having NFL Films around is going to have a huge effect T.O. or Romo? I don't.

Whether this team plays to its potential has nothing to do with NFL Films' cameras or HBO. It has to do with whether Romo can finally play as well in the postseason as he does in the regular season and whether Wade Phillips can control this team and get it to play to its potential.

We won't know the answer to either of those questions until January. By then, Hard Knocks would have been long gone.

[Spuradicator]

Really excited about Hard Knocks being back featuring the Cowboys. A nice treat for us fans.

[mardigan]

Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
May 20, 2008 2:13 PM



IRVING, Texas - What an off-season it has been for Cowboys cornerbacks.

First they make a controversial trade for one with a sketchy past. Then they draft another corner with one of their two first-round picks.

And now the Cowboys have made Terence Newman one of the highest-paid players at his position.

With the Cowboys just beating the deadline to sign players under the current collective bargaining agreement, Newman signed a six-year extension, totaling the package as a seven-year contract in the neighborhood of $51 million.

The Cowboys might not be finished either, as a deal with running back Marion Barber could get finalized as well.

The NFL owners announced Tuesday in Atlanta they will opt out of the current CBA agreement. All contracts completed after 3 p.m. (CDT) on Tuesday would follow the new rules, which would've prevented the Cowboys from prorating his signing and roster bonuses past five seasons.

The Cowboys did ignite contract talks with the agents of Barber and Ken Hamlin this week, although no deals were done as of early Tuesday afternoon.

Both players have yet to sign their one-year offers. Barber has a restricted tender of $2.561 million and Hamlin was given a franchise tag of $4.33 million, although the Cowboys have said they would like to get both players re-signed to long-term deals.

But for now, the Cowboys settled for locking up Newman.

A five-year veteran who was drafted fifth overall in 2003, Newman's original contract expired after the 2008 season. Apparently, the Cowboys aren't too concerned about his age. Although he's played just five years, Newman will turn 30 just before the start of the regular season.

Despite missing three games and six starts because of injuries, Newman was selected to his first Pro Bowl this past season, recording four interceptions and 62 tackles and tying for the team high with 15 pass deflections.

Newman, whose contract was set to expire after the 2008 season, will participate in the start of the Cowboys' OTA (organized team activity) practices, which begin Tuesday and run through Thursday for the next three weeks.

Newman's contract will rank right up with other cornerbacks who have recently signed new contracts, including Seattle's Marcus Trufant, who signed a six-year, $50.2 million deal in March. San Francisco gave Nate Clements an eight-year, $80 million deal last season and Oakland recently signed DeAngelo Hall to a seven-year, $70 million contract after acquiring him in a trade with Atlanta.

Newman hasn't been widely considered one of the NFL's top cornerbacks, mainly because of his lack of interceptions.

While the argument could be made that opposing teams usually don't test him much, other critics claim that Newman doesn't have the knack for the big play.

That changed somewhat last season.

In his first start in 2007, Newman picked off a fourth-quarter pass against Buffalo and returned it 70 yards, which led to a field goal in a game the Cowboys rallied for a 25-24 win.

He also stalled a fourth-quarter drive against Washington with an interception in the final minutes of a 28-23 victory. Newman returned an interception against the Jets 50 yards for a touchdown on Thanksgiving. He also picked off a deflected pass by Brett Favre in the Cowboys' win over Green Bay for his third interception in a three-game span.

Newman has just 16 career interceptions in five seasons, but don't forget Deion Sanders had just 14 picks in his five years with the Cowboys.

Newman's new deal comes on the heels of the Cowboys trading for Pacman Jones, who has yet to be reinstated by the NFL after serving a one-year suspension. The Cowboys also drafted South Florida's Michael Jenkins with the 25th overall pick.

While the Cowboys appear to have a crowded group of cornerbacks, head coach Wade Phillips and secondary coach Dave Campo have made it clear they subscribe to the theory of 'you can't ever have too many good cornerbacks.'

Newman and fellow starter Anthony Henry both missed considerable playing time last season with injuries.

Newman suffered a torn plantar fascia in his right foot, which forced him to miss the first two regular-season games and limited him to nickel duty until the fourth game of the season, when Henry suffered a high ankle sprain that caused him to miss three games and a total of six starts.

Jacques Reeves, who ended up starting 13 games, and Nate Jones were called upon to fill in. However, both signed with other teams in free agency, Reeves going to Houston and Jones becoming one of several former Cowboys players and coaches to sign with the Dolphins

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=07C69037-906D-3DD2-10AFD72A9BCF0F32

[Evan]

They got him so cheap. Awesome job Jerrah

[mardigan]

They got him so cheap. Awesome job Jerrah

Its crazy, he got like 20 mil less than Hall, who I dont think is anywhere near the player. I hope they lock up Hamlin next.

[Evan]

Looks like MB3 just got done

[mardigan]

7 years, 45 mil, 16 mil guaranteed for Marion. Good job, even if it is a little pricey.

[Evan]

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/05/barber-signs-sevenyear-deal.html

[StylisticS]

Now...time to get Hamlin locked up.

[Evan]

7 years, 45 mil, 16 mil guaranteed for Marion. Good job, even if it is a little pricey.

Little surprised at the price tag but oh well.

[O-Factor]

Good job by Jerry

[O-Factor]

May 20, 2008
Romo helps out
8:46 PM Tue, May 20, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer E-mail News tips
In order to get Terence Newman and Marion Barber signed to these long-term extensions, the Cowboys had to create some salary-cap room so they went to Tony Romo.

The quarterback agreed to restructure his contract, but it didn't cost him a penny. In fact, it put some money in his pocket now instead of later. The Cowboys turned Romo's $6.5 million base salary into signing bonus, dropping the 2008 base salary to $605,000.

Instead of carrying a cap figure of $8.416 million this year, Romo's new cap number is almost $3.5 million, hence a saving of about $5 million and enough room to get Newman and Barber done and then some when added to the roughly $3.5 million they already had.


Comments (0) Leave comment | E-mail entry
The entry "Romo helps out" is tagged: Marion Barber , Terence Newman , Tony Romo

[Whisky Dog]

May 20, 2008
Romo helps out
8:46 PM Tue, May 20, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer E-mail News tips
In order to get Terence Newman and Marion Barber signed to these long-term extensions, the Cowboys had to create some salary-cap room so they went to Tony Romo.

The quarterback agreed to restructure his contract, but it didn't cost him a penny. In fact, it put some money in his pocket now instead of later. The Cowboys turned Romo's $6.5 million base salary into signing bonus, dropping the 2008 base salary to $605,000.

Instead of carrying a cap figure of $8.416 million this year, Romo's new cap number is almost $3.5 million, hence a saving of about $5 million and enough room to get Newman and Barber done and then some when added to the roughly $3.5 million they already had.


Comments (0) Leave comment | E-mail entry
The entry "Romo helps out" is tagged: Marion Barber , Terence Newman , Tony Romo


Wow, they're really trying to get all the pieces to make a run now by deferring money into the future.

[Evan]

Wow, they're really trying to get all the pieces to make a run now by deferring money into the future.

No there is no deferring here, just changing how its considered.

[O-Factor]

Resetting the roster
10:40 PM Tue, May 20, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Albert Breer E-mail News tips
With two big pieces done, the Cowboys still have some work to do. Timmy Tabloid examined that earlier on today.

Here, I'm going to provide the list of the free-agents-to-be over the next two years, so you guys can see any drain on the roster that could be coming. I didn't include franchise player Ken Hamlin or restricted free agent Chris Canty on these lists, since the status of those two is still up in the air. Canty is expected to sign his one-year, $2.019 million tender, with an eye on being part of the 2009 free-agent class, while Hamlin is seeking a long-term deal.

Here's the rest ...

Up after 2008
WR Miles Austin*
C/G Joe Berger
DE Stephen Bowen*
LB Kevin Burnett
OT Marc Colombo
TE Tony Curtis*
WR Sam Hurd*
NT Tank Johnson
CB Evan Oglesby*
WR Terrell Owens
C/G Cory Procter*

Up after 2009
OLB Greg Ellis
DE Jason Hatcher
CB Anthony Henry
QB Brad Johnson
OT Pat McQuistan
OLB Justin Rogers*
DE Marcus Spears
OLB DeMarcus Ware
S Pat Watkins

* -- Would be a restricted free agent in this case

[Evan]

Ware is going to cost a little bit.....

[O-Factor]

Yeah, but no way the Cowboys don't get Ware done after next season

[Evan]

Yeah, but no way the Cowboys don't get Ware done after next season

Why?

Methinks he will get done during next season or at the latest the off season.

[O-Factor]

We have time to sign Ware. We need to get Canty and Hamilin done before Ware as they are on on year deals right now.

But remember 2010 is an uncapped year with CBA being gone. I think Jerry will sign Ware and and give him alot of upfront money that year.

I haven't seen their breakdowns but maybe Barber and Newmans deals are structured to receive quite a bit of guaranteed(not signing bonus) money in 2010 also.

Who knows, but we all know Jerry is smart.

[Evan]

We have time to sign Ware. We need to get Canty and Hamilin done before Ware as they are on on year deals right now.

But remember 2010 is an uncapped year with CBA being gone. I think Jerry will sign Ware and and give him alot of upfront money that year.

I haven't seen their breakdowns but maybe Barber and Newmans deals are structured to receive quite a bit of guaranteed(not signing bonus) money in 2010 also.

Who knows, but we all know Jerry is smart.

I heard Pete King break down what will happen that year and it doesn't work that way. The uncapped year (according to him) really only benefits the 6 year UFA.

[O-Factor]

I heard Pete King break down what will happen that year and it doesn't work that way. The uncapped year (according to him) really only benefits the 6 year UFA.

Cool, I check out that article.

We'll see what happens.

[Evan]

Cool, I check out that article.

We'll see what happens.

Yeah I am not saying you are wrong BTW... just stating what he said. And he said it on NFL radio but he also said he spelled this out in last or the week befores MMQB.

[mardigan]

Cowboys owner thinking of using Pacman on offense too
ESPN.com news services

Updated: May 22, 2008, 1:33 PM ET


The Dallas Cowboys don't know when Pacman Jones can join them to begin workouts. When he does he might be studying the offense playbook.

Owner Jerry Jones said that Jones might be asked to play some wide receiver next season, according to a Fort Worth Star Telegram report on Thursday.

"In my mind there isn't a player out there in a given game or looking at next year, that could make a bigger impact to take some of the heat off of Terrell [Owens] than Terry Glenn," Jones said. "I think potentially we could get some of those offensive plays that Adam 'Pacman' Jones ran over at Tennessee -- he had 15, 20 of them, got in the slot. That could help us there, too."

Although Jones showed running skills as a return man, the Tennessee Titans didn't employ him much on offense. He has run the ball twice for eight yards and caught two passes for 31 yards in his two-year NFL career, but he could be a viable option considering Glenn missed 15 games after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last fall.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3407470

[O-Factor]

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=12C0B12E-F315-5CC9-482707B8F8CBA3BF

Cowboys' Depth At Corner Could Be Deepest In Years
Rob Phillips - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
May 22, 2008 5:25 PM



IRVING, Texas - The last time Jerry Jones felt this good about his depth at cornerback, the Cowboys had just re-signed Kevin Smith to an $11 million deal to continue playing alongside Larry Brown and were on the verge of luring Deion Sanders to Dallas with a seven-year, $35 million contract - monster NFL money for 1995, anyway.

Misfortune followed a day later, when Smith tore his Achilles' tendon in a 35-0 win over the Giants. But Sanders provided quality cornerback insurance, to say the least, and the Cowboys eventually won their third Lombardi Trophy in four years.

Injuries aren't an issue for this current stable of Cowboys corners. Starters Anthony Henry and Terence Newman, re-signed Tuesday to a seven-year, $51 million deal, have had all winter and spring to rest last year's nagging foot and knee injuries. The Cowboys acquired two potential impact corners in the draft, Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick, and like the development of last year's seventh-round pick Alan Ball.

The only possible hiccup is Pacman Jones' indefinite suspension which rests in the hands of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The Cowboys would receive compensation from Tennessee next year if Jones is not reinstated, but would much rather have Jones add to what should be the team's best cornerback crop since its last Super Bowl.

"A healthy Terence Newman, a healthy Henry, the two draft picks that we have, Ball as well as what my expectations are and what we can get from Pacman as a player, really give us as good as a position at corner as we've been in," Jones said Wednesday. "I genuinely believe where we are today at our corner position, and really where we are overall in our secondary, has become a strength of our team."

Newman flexes the most muscle, having earned his first Pro Bowl selection despite playing with a torn plantar fascia and knee tendinitis for most of the season. The 29-year-old is finally garnering national attention as one of the league's top cover men. He's always caught the attention of opposing teams; Jerry Jones collects "top 20 Cowboys players" lists from across the league and said Newman consistently ranks in the top two.

The Cowboys are confident they've upgraded the depth behind Newman and Henry once occupied by free-agent defections Jacques Reeves (Texans) and Nate Jones (Dolphins). Jenkins, the 25th overall pick, is a highly-valued prospect capable of playing man coverage, and the Cowboys gave Scandrick a higher draft grade than his fifth-round status. The former Boise State corner has missed OTA practices this week because of an eye infection.

Then there's Ball, who spent the first 14 weeks on the practice squad before appearing in the final two regular-season games. The Cowboys wanted him on the active roster sooner, and he'll get a chance to compete for nickel and dime duty in training camp this year.

"It's still early, but as far as talent-wise I'd say you're hard-pressed to find a better-talented secondary in the league," Newman said. "Talent-wise, not going out and playing right now. But as far as just athletic ability, we've got tops in the league for sure."

Newman's assessment includes Pacman Jones, the former sixth overall pick of Tennessee whom the Cowboys acquired for a fourth-round pick in this year's draft. The trade becomes a steal if Jones gets reinstated, stays out of trouble off the field and returns to form on it.

Jones hasn't played an NFL game since Dec. 31, 2006, because of his ongoing suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

"He can play. He's a good cornerback," Newman said. "He's one of those guys that are real quick and fast. He's getting smarter throughout his years of playing. The unfortunate part is he had to sit last year out, so you don't where his conditioning is at right now and how long it's going to take him to get back up to game speed."

Jones won't turn 25 until September, but he's far from an NFL neophyte. Jenkins and Scandrick must make the adjustment to the pros, however, and Newman plans to provide the same guidance Darren Woodson gave him during his 2003 rookie season.

"He hooked me up with a financial advisor, invited me to his house for dinner," Newman said of Woodson, the Cowboys' all-time leading tackler (1,350). "Just kind of put his arm around me and showed me the ins and outs of what it's like to be an everyday football player.

"We've got some young guys that can play. We've got a lot of competition going on right now, the safety position is looking good. Right now we're set. We had some voids early in the off-season, so I think we definitely filled those voids and we've got a lot more depth this year. We're looking to build on what we did last year for sure."

[O-Factor]

T.O./Jerry Jones press conference


http://www.dallascowboys.com/multime...93751064E1D208

[O-Factor]

Very impressive Romo Interview with Brad Sham. Really good stuff!

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ourgDdFNi0E&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ourgDdFNi0E&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[O-Factor]

http://cbs11tv.com/local/pacman.jones.dallas.2.739424.html

'Pacman' Already A Hit At Cowboys Practice

IRVING (CBS 11 News) ― A year out of football was not enough to keep Pacman Jones from making an immediate impact in his first practice with the Dallas Cowboys today.

Within the first two minutes of his first practice with the Cowboys, Jones intercepted a Richard Bartel pass and returned it for touchdown.

Players leaving Valley Ranch after practice today told CBS 11 Sports that Jones looked good.

Today was the first day Jones was allowed to join his new teammates for off-season workouts after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell lifted the year-plus suspension of the troubled defensive back yesterday.

Jones is now allowed to participate in practices, training camp and preseason games with the Cowboys. Goodell suspended Jones in April, 2007 after a series of arrests and other legal problems. He played for the Tennessee Titans at the time, but the Titans traded Jones to Dallas in April, 2008.

If Jones can continue to follow the NFL's personal conduct policy and stay out of trouble with the law, the commissioner will allow him to play with the Cowboys in the regular season.

Jones has been arrested six times since he became an NFL player in 2005

[Spuradicator]

So Pacman had 2 picks in his first 2 OTAs...........not bad, even though they came off of Richard Bartel.

[Spurtacus]

This offseason is looking great for the Cowboys.

[DBryant88]

damn straight

[O-Factor]

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=9CFF0C71-0075-43EB-D41F7B6CEF34CF54

Pacman Gets First-Team Reps; Henry Frustrated

IRVING, Texas - Official depth charts are never released until sometime in training camp.

Not only is it too early to hand over starting roles, but it's also a chance for the coaches to experiment with moving players around without calling it an official change.

And just maybe that's what the Cowboys did on Wednesday in the second day of mini-camp here at Valley Ranch.

In more than one drill, both individual and team, the Cowboys worked cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones in at first-team right cornerback, replacing veteran Anthony Henry at times.

Now Cowboys secondary coach Dave Campo said not to read into it.

"We're not really going in any depth chart right now," Campo said. "You guys know the guys who are going to be here, but we're mixing and matching."

However, Henry doesn't seem too excited about it.

"I've been playing in this league for eight years. I'm not blind to it," Henry said of Jones replacing him at practice. "I knew what time it was when the transaction happened at the draft. I already knew what time it was. It's just a matter of when. And maybe when is now."

Henry is obviously referring to the Cowboys acquiring Jones in a draft-day trade with Tennessee.

There has been some talk about Henry possibly moving to safety, but it doesn't appear it will happen this season. The Cowboys are working on some dime packages that include Henry playing a position that other safeties, including Roy Williams and recently-departed Keith Davis have filled.

But as for moving to safety on a full-time basis, it doesn't appear to be in the cards for this season. Henry has said he would like to move at some point in his career, like other cornerbacks have done to prolong their careers. But he also said he would prefer that kind of move to occur early in the off-season, when he could have plenty of time to learn the position.

On Tuesday, head coach Wade Phillips said he doesn't expect Henry to move much from cornerback.

"We haven't really moved him around. We moved him inside on our sub package," Phillips said of Henry. "He's been playing right corner the whole time in everything else that we do and some on our sub. We moved him inside to be able to basically to cover tight ends man-to-man in third-down situations and passing situations. He's done exceptionally well there."

Phillips said he could see Henry eventually moving to safety, but doesn't want to try that now.

"He's certainly big enough. He's 210 pounds and he's athletic enough. He just plays corner so well," Phillips said. "He was leading the league [in interceptions] when he got hurt last year. He's tremendous. He's played really well at corner, so we're going to keep him at corner as long as we can. Later on, we'll look and see. I think he could go back there, but then you've got Ken Hamlin who can play free safety pretty well. He was in the Pro Bowl."

So it sounds as if the Cowboys have no interest in moving Henry from cornerback. But even Henry doesn't sound so sure that his starting spot will be intact.

[jack sommerset]

The Cowboys pass defense could really be good this season. If those guys can cover Wade Phillips will go blitz crazy and it may even help Roy Williams not cry so much. I don't like the Cowboys LBs to much but Roy Williamss should be able to sneak up and help with RBs and blitzs if all these CBs can cover

[Whisky Dog]

I like Ware, Ellis at LB and maybe Spencer can step up big in his 2nd year. The inside backers of James and Thomas have question marks, and Im not big on the defensive lineman. What will be huge is if Tank can be really strong on the nose and allow Ratliff to play end in rotation with Canty and Spears. If that secondary can lock down the 3 wide sets with a receiving TE then Ware and Ellis will have career sack years.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

What's In A Name? More Change Needed Than 'Pacman' To 'Adam'
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com
June 20, 2008 5:03 PM

IRVING, Texas - When the Cowboys traded for this guy a couple of months ago, we all knew there would be a lot of questions.

Can he stay out of trouble? That's probably the most consistent question and one we don't, and won't, have the answer to for quite some time.

Just how good is he? That's another question that might take some time to figure out, too.

But did we ever think one of the biggest questions of all with this guy would be, "just what do we call him?"

Apparently, it's now back to Adam Jones. That's what he's saying he wants to be called now. It sounds like he's planning on making some formal request for the change. Not sure if that goes directly to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's office or not. But I'm sure we'll all get the memo.

And that's fine. He can go by whatever he wants to. That's certainly one thing the guy is still allowed to do - pick his own name.

But the perception of this whole thing seems a bit shady to me.

When he first got here, it was all Pacman. He did Michael Irvin's radio show and it was Pacman this and that. He even explained how he got the nickname and showed no intentions of giving it up.

He was asked by a few other media members if he planned on dropping the "Pac" and going by Adam. He said no - and didn't seem to waver.

Even in his first OTA practice after he was reinstated by the NFL after his one-year suspension, Jones was keeping the nickname. He even told the club's public relations staff that his name was Pacman and that's what he wanted to be called.

But now, Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin apparently haven't gotten involved. They both have said here in the last few weeks that it would be smart for Jones to simply go by Adam and lose the nickname, and hopefully all of the baggage that seemed to follow.

Now there's some serious irony here, but we'll get back to that later.

So as the Cowboys wrap up their three-day mini-camp, which included Jones getting first-team reps at right cornerback, he's going back to Adam.

OK, we'll call him Adam. No more Pacman.

But the point to this whole thing really has nothing to do with his name. And that's what I find so humorous about it.

Does it really matter what his name is?

Did Adam allegedly hit that guy with a pool cue back in college at West Virginia, or was it Pacman?

Has Adam been arrested six times since being drafted by the Titans in 2005, or was that Pacman?

And better yet, was it Pacman or Adam "making it rain" in that Las Vegas strip club incident that ended so tragically for one security guard, who was shot and now paralyzed from the waist down?

Adam Jones had problems. Pacman Jones had problems.

Adam Jones apparently ran around with the wrong crowd. Pacman Jones apparently ran around with the wrong crowd.

Adam Jones is a really talented football player. Pacman Jones is a really talented football player.

You get my point.

Fix your personal life. Make better decisions. Focus on what you do very well and that's play football. And now that it's been taken away for a year, it seems that he's finally figured out that his off-the-field antics and his football career just don't mix.

He says he's figured it out. I really hope so. In fact, don't take this column as one who is being negative toward him. I've always had the "why-not" mentality toward bringing him here. I think he's got incredible talent and it is definitely worth the risk to add him to this football team.

And the fact that he wants to make the effort to erase the Pacman image and go strictly with Adam, that's fine. That's actually a good step. But it's only a good step if he's willing to erase the other parts of his life, too.

Because this is a compete 180-degree turn from where he was just a month ago, I find it hard believe this is completely Adam's idea.

And that takes us back to the Deion and Irvin scenarios. Now, it's great that Jones has befriended both of these players. They've both been where Adam Jones wants to be.

They were both high draft picks at the top of the first round. They both had worlds of talent and both didn't take long before they were superstars in this league.

Both Sanders and Irvin had off-the-field issues, although Irvin's was entirely different. His run-ins with the police led to a five-game suspension in 1996.

Sanders' problems weren't revealed until his book came out in 1998, where he mentioned a suicide attempt and depression that initially caused him to change his life. Since then, Sanders has become extremely spiritual. And he's also helped many other people, including teammates and athletes go down the same path.

So what these two guys can do for Adam Jones is tremendous. There's no doubt about that.

They've reached the pinnacle, hit a snag, but managed to climb back up again. That's what Adam Jones wants to do as well.

Yet, they were able to do that because they made the right sacrifices to remove the bad parts of their life and replace them with a better supporting staff and better decisions.

Michael Irvin was the "Playmaker" as a rookie in the NFL. He was the "Playmaker" when the Cowboys were winning Super Bowls in the mid-1990's and even when he was suspended.

He went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year as the "Playmaker."

Same with Deion Sanders. He was "Prime Time" when he came into the league and "Prime Time" throughout all of his personal struggles. He knew he needed to make changes and he made them. But he didn't drop the "Prime."

Sure, all of these cases are different.

Adam Jones' problems are nothing like the ones that Deion Sanders had or what Michael Irvin dealt with either. Every case is unique.

If it's a better situation for him to be Adam Jones, then that's what he should be.

But let's be honest, if he has another relapse, the headlines could read "Adam Jones in Trouble Again" or "Pacman in Trouble Again."

It's going to sting just the same.

So whether, he goes by Adam, Pacman, the cornerback formerly known as Pacman, or even his middle name Bernard, the real changes have to be within. And if it starts with a name change, then so be it.

And just like the very first question we have on this guy, we won't know that for a while.

But until then, we can at least find out what kind of football player Adam turns out to be.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=A80487EF-D6B0-9F8D-7831828B810C1A2A

[O-Factor]

^ Good ADAM. Time to grow up, sack up, and play some ball.

[jack sommerset]

I take it back. I do like the LBs. I forget they play a 4-3

[mardigan]

I take it back. I do like the LBs. I forget they play a 4-3

3-4

[O-Factor]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/football/nfl/cowboys/stories/MYSA062008_CowboysInsider.en.1d8921f8.html

Cowboys Insider: Players gaining weight, working on agility

Tom Orsborn
[email protected]

IRVING – A skinny frame earned receiver Sam Hurd the nickname “Bird” when he was at Brackenridge High School.


These days, the 23-year-old Hurd looks more like a panther. His muscles are thicker, his step lighter and his determination to pounce on his opportunity pronounced.

In preparation for a training camp he hopes will lead to a breakthrough season, Hurd added nine pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-2 frame during the offseason. He says the hike in weight has allowed him to play the game faster.

“The focus is speed, speed, speed and getting my weight up,” Hurd said. “I want to play at a weight I’m comfortable at, in the 200s, where I could use my force a little bit more. I was always 190, trying to bang with everyone else. Now if I’m higher, I can give them a contest out there.”

Hurd hopes added pounds will help him counter the bullying tactics of Anthony Henry and other cornerbacks who favor popping receivers early in their routes.


“He’s got what I call old man’s strength,” Hurd said of Henry. “He will sit there and punch you and he will back you up. That’s one of his favorite moves, and beware of that. He will sit there, be stationary and hit you with everything he’s got. And he will hurt you.”

Now maybe Hurd can hurt Henry right back.

Hurd isn’t the only player at Valley Ranch flexing his muscles these days.

Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware says he’s tipping the scales somewhere between 260-265 pounds, which is at least 15 pounds more than his rookie weight in 2005.

Adding the bulk was a gradual process, Ware says.

And it wasn’t easy.

“When I gained the first 10 pounds, I was a little stiff,” said Ware, who wanted to get stronger without losing any of his quickness and agility. “But you’re finding out you’ve got to stretch a little bit more, you’ve got to do more squat work, you’ve got to do more things to make your body stronger so you can carry that weight the same way.”

The added strength should help Ware enjoy another season of double-digit sacks. He’s recorded 25½ the last two seasons, including 14 in 2007, a career best and a record for a Cowboys linebacker.

“In their mind,” Ware said of opposing offensive tackles, “when they know you can power them, that’s when they open a lot more.”

And once that happens, Ware should be able to use his speed to blow past them.

While Tony Romo didn’t have a dramatic shift in weight, the Pro Bowl passer says he continues to work on his agility by participating in a number of sports.

“The more active you are as an athlete, (the better),” Romo said. “I’m very active in my life. I will go out and play soccer and basketball and a lot of stuff you probably shouldn’t do, but I do it because that’s stuff I’ve done all my life. I don’t sit around and take naps and get bored. I think it helps me stay injury-free because I’m using different muscles on a daily basis.”

[O-Factor]

Sounds like Hurd has been working out with T.O.

[jack sommerset]

3-4


3-4....Got it now. Thanks

[Horry For 3!]

Sounds like Hurd has been working out with T.O.

T.O. was helping Hurd 2 years ago to learn the game and work out. Maybe this year Hurd will breakout. Crayton had a pretty good year last year, now it is Hurd's year.

[O-Factor]

Yeah, I know Owens kind of took him under his wing when Hurd was a rookie. Glad to hear Hurd has put on some more mass.

I really like Hurd. Here is a video of him interviewing T.O. There are a bunch of "Sam Cam" videos on YouTube that are really cool and amusing to check out. See the guys ribbing eachother.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oyDmQ0e49VU&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oyDmQ0e49VU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[O-Factor]

Charlotte Observer: Chris Canty 180 pounds no more, he's in the NFL

180 pounds no more, he's in the NFL
Jay Edwards

Chris Canty came to Charlotte Latin in 1999, barely 180 pounds and a high school junior. Nearly a decade later, he returned to his alma mater as a 6-foot-7, 300-pound starting defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys.
He recently hosted his first “Chris Canty, Camp of Champions” at Latin. The camp, run by his brother Joe, boasted 148 kids, who took instruction from Canty and his Cowboy teammates, including Dallas starters Patrick Crayton, Terence Newman and Jay Ratliff.
While the kids loved the instruction from all the NFL and college players at the camp, Canty was the center of attention.
Canty, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2005 out of the University of Virginia, was called an “emerging NFL star” by the Sporting News this year. He had 43 tackles and 3.5 sacks last year for the Cowboys.
Here's what he had to say about his formative years and his career:
Q: When you were playing for Charlotte Latin, did you ever imagine you'd be playing in the NFL?
“Absolutely not. I never expected to make it to the NFL. I was 6-foot-5, 180 pounds soaking wet, and that did not seem like NFL to me at the time. So, I just wanted to get a scholarship to college and become a successful businessman at the end of the day. But I was blessed enough to have the opportunity. Coach saw that I had an opportunity to play at an elite level.
“They believed in me and I got to the University of Virginia and had some great coaching staffs there with George Welsh and Al Groh. Here I am now just trying to have this experience and give back to the kids.”

Q: Most people who see the NFL only see the season, they only see it on television. How hard do you have to work in the off-season?
“Oh, it's pretty hard. The last four weeks have been brutal... You might catch a few weeks (of rest) in February or early March, but that's about it. That's about all your off time. You've got to be training, you've got to be on top of your game because there is always somebody competing or trying to take your job.”

Q: During the season, how does that compare?
“During the season it's brutal. You have a team meeting that starts about 8:30 a.m.; I like to get there about 7:30 a.m. You lift weights, team meetings, position meeting from 9 until about 11:30 a.m., then you have lunch. Then, we're on the field from about 1 until about 3:30 p.m. After that we've got to get dressed quick and go into the meeting rooms and watch the practice film, maybe watch a little game tape from about 3:30 until 5. So, typically about 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.”

Q: Do you feel lucky to be a Dallas Cowboy?
“I think I am where I am supposed to be. When you talk about the knee injury (at Virginia) and then the eye injury (in Arizona), when you look back at it, they seem like very dramatic events, and they were. But they have somewhat shaped my career as a pro. It's made me a great player in the league. I know that the Cowboys are where I was supposed to be.”

Q: What are your goals for the next three or four years?
“Simply, my goal is to be a winner, to win. I think every player in the NFL wants to win, wants a championship ring. Obviously, when you're competing, you want to compete to be the best. I think that is definitely one of the things I want to be viewed as, is one of the most versatile defensive lineman in the NFL.”

Q: Who do you think are some of the best players in the NFL right now?
“When you talk about best players, I want to talk about difference-makers for their football team. LaDanian Tomlinson is a difference-maker. I think it was apparent in the playoff game when they played against the Patriots. He wasn't able to go, and that team just didn't have the same juice that it had had during the course of the season.
“On the defensive side of the ball, I've got to be a little partial – DeMarcus Ware (linebacker, Dallas Cowboys). Probably one of the best natural athletes I have ever seen in my life and one of the most athletically gifted. I remember the first time we got to Valley Ranch (training facility), the guy ran a 4.3 (40-yard dash) on grass in cleats. I was amazed, it was amazing. He's one of the best natural athletes, he's going to get you 15 to 20 sacks a year, and he's going to be a future hall-of-famer.”

Q: What is it like playing with a guy like Terrell Owens?
“Terrell is a great teammate. He's a pro's pro, he's a good locker room guy. He's just been great for the Dallas Cowboys, and I think, in a sense, the Dallas Cowboys have been great for him. He's rejuvenated, he's laughing all the time, and he's having fun competing in practice with all of our cornerbacks. He just has a good time, and we enjoy having him as a teammate.”

Q: What's it like playing with Tony Romo?
“I talk to Romo all the time about when he got here, he was this shy, quiet figure. Now, it's like he's ‘Tony Romo,' he's always in the tabloids, and that kind of thing. But Tony has done a great job of being able to handle the institution of being the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. That's (Cowboys' quarterback) what it is, it's an institution. It's America's team. It's like playing on Broadway.”

Q: What's it like playing for Jerry Jones?
“He's a very charismatic individual. He's a great owner, great business mind. I can't say enough about him and the first-class organization that he runs, and how everybody treats each other. It's really a family atmosphere. Even though we have to deal with the business side, they do a great job of separating the two, and keeping an environment where it is great to come in and work.”

[O-Factor]

This made me laugh :lol

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/obedg/RoyHorse.jpg

[O-Factor]

Marion Barber III
by Kevin Burnett

10:54 PM Mon, Jun 23, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz

http://kevinburnettblog.dallasnews.com/mbkb-thumb-200x188.jpg

Watching this guy run the makes you glad he is on your team. He runs with such a passion that is indescribable. In the words of our friend INTENSITY. In watching his style, it looks as if he takes a lot of punishment. I mean he lowers his head, knees guys in the face mask, stiff arms guys. It would seem like ice would be his best friend. Not the case, MB has a little bit of cat in him, which makes him very deceptive.

He waits until just the right time to move slightly, so you don't get a square shot on him. You guys may not be able to see it from the TV or in the stands, but people hardly ever get a flush shot on him. He keeps defenders off balance which allows him to set up his moves. A lot of time MB cuts back and throws a stiff arm, right? This is all to set up for the short yardage run. He wears you out with the stiff arms and the slippery running then on 2nd and 1 or 3rd and short he lowers his shoulder for huge gains.

Let's say your in a fight and your getting your head beat in with a left hook. The first thing you're going to do as soon as the guy flinches is, watch for the left hook. What about the right hand? Same thing with Barber, he is a patient runner who does one thing to set up another. If you have ever heard an announcer say he's a smart runner well MB's picture should be up there when that phrase is said.

http://kevinburnettblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/06/marion-barber-iii.html

[O-Factor]

Jerry Jones is happy to talk about how great his Dallas Cowboys are



By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
[email protected]
IRVING — Owner Jerry Jones is admittedly prone to hyperbole when it comes to his Dallas Cowboys football team.Look no further than the $1 billion football stadium (palace) he is building in Arlington as evidence of his propensity toward overstatement, exaggeration and excess.
Want another?
Consider this recent gem: "This is the best coaching staff I have ever been associated with."
Yes, better than the Jimmy Johnson-led staffs that won two Super Bowls in 1990s and nurtured four future head coaches.
And better than the Bill Parcells-led staffs that helped foster the Cowboys’ ongoing return to the league’s elite while yielding two current NFL head coaches: Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints and Tony Sparano of the Miami Dolphins.
Coach Wade Phillips’ staff that includes $3 million offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and a defensive staff that features a former defensive coordinator (defensive line coach Todd Grantham) and former head coach (secondary coach Dave Campo) as position coaches is the best in Jones’ eyes.
"Yes, the best staff overall, and I don’t want to get into the head coach," Jones said. "I am talking about the staffs in general. We have put together a staff with accomplished guys. If I had to list three or four of the most exciting things for this coming year, our coaching staff would be there at the top, and, obviously, Wade leads the way there."
What else did Jones have to say about the upcoming football season and the Cowboys’ Super Bowl-or-bust outlook during a recent sit-down with the Star-Telegram? Keep reading.
Are you worried about the leadership on this team, since it was considered a factor in last season’s playoff debacle? No. [Quarterback] Tony [Romo] may be one of the most natural leaders that we have had with the Cowboys. [Tight end Jason] Witten is a natural leader. I actually think that [guard] Leonard Davis, with his physical-ness, has a leadership about him. So, on that side of the ball, those people come to mind. [Receiver] Terrell Owens, in his own way, has a way of uplifting his teammates.
How about on defense? [Linebacker] Greg Ellis is very much a leader. Someone might be surprised to hear me say that. But he is very much a part of setting a tone out there. And he is motivated to have real success, Super Bowl-type success. And [safety] Ken Hamlin and [cornerback] Terence Newman have those abilities. So leadership is not an issue with me.
What newcomer do you think will have the biggest impact on the team? [Linebacker] Zach Thomas because of his knowledge and how he plays the game. He will make a significant impact. Zach has a chance a chance to be our best acquisition. I liked Akin [Ayodele]. But he was in position to do a lot of things but didn’t always tackle the ball. Thomas gets the ball carrier.
Who will be the team’s most improved player? [Nose tackle] Tank Johnson. He is quick and strong. Now I want to see that carry through. But it would allow us to do some good things if Tank is everything he has shown in the off-season.
Where else do you see the biggest improvement on your team? At cornerback. We were really limited last year at cornerback. Nate Jones and Jacques Reeves got a lot playing time. Just give me healthy corners in Terence Newman and Anthony Henry, and we should make a big jump, and that is not even including the improved talent level with Adam Jones.
Did watching the New York Giants win the Super Bowl last year give you hope or make you angry? It’s motivation. It refreshes and reminds us that the playoffs are real and everything people say about the playoffs is real. You get in them and anything can happen. You can do it.
Does it excite you that a lot of prognosticators have the Cowboys in the Super Bowl this season? I am just excited about the season. I just think we got a better team. Last year, I couldn’t have expected to have the season we had. I am not trying to diminish not having playoff success. Everybody knows we should have done better. But we got a better team. I don’t know if I am expecting a better record and to get home-field advantage, but we got a better team that can do better than we did last year in the playoffs.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

This made me laugh :lol

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/obedg/RoyHorse.jpg

:lol

[jack sommerset]

Roy Williams is going to have a great hard hitting year. Cowboys have to many DBs that are great that Williams will be roaming the line, blitzing, popping people all over the place. He will get his rep back.

[Whisky Dog]

Roy Williams is going to have a great hard hitting year. Cowboys have to many DBs that are great that Williams will be roaming the line, blitzing, popping people all over the place. He will get his rep back.

He's too small to play LB and have to shake off OLinemen and fullbacks, and as a safety there is absolutely no way that he can completely relinquish cover duties. There are only 11 guys on the field at once, 3 DLinemen, 4 LB, and 4 DB's. Can't just drop three DB's in coverage all the time, so Roy is going to HAVE TO cover somebody this year if he doesn't want to lose his job all together. He can't just roam the line.

Everyone talks about how many tackles he gets. The thing is that the 11 times a game that the receiver he's covering (or reciever that runs into his zone) catches the ball and falls down with a 1st down goes as a tackle for Roy when all he does is reach down and touch the guy to down him. Any DB can get a shit load of tackles if they're giving up completions right in front of them all game long.

[Spuradicator]

Roy Williams is too overweight to play the safety position even decently now.

[UdokaDynasty]

I have a question, do you guys believe Romo is the QB of the future for the team? I like what I have seen the last few years but he seems to tail off after the halfway point of the season. I know there was that whole Jessica Simpson thing but how much of a distraction could she be. Is this year a make or break year for Romo?

[samikeyp]

I like the cowboys but I wouldnt considermyself a fan but I have a question for you Cowboy fans. Do you guys believe Romo is the QB of the future for the team? I like what I have seen the last few years but he seems to tail off after the halfway point of the season. I know there was that whole Jessica Simpson thing but how much of a distraction could she be. Is this year a make or break year for Romo?

QB of the future yes, make or break year? not yet.

[O-Factor]

History - July 15

Five years ago: Tex Schramm, who turned the Dallas Cowboys into "America's Team," died in Dallas at age 83.

[Spurtacus]

This made me laugh :lol

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/obedg/RoyHorse.jpg

:lmao

[Spurtacus]

Is anyone else worried about our DT depth?

[O-Factor]

Is anyone else worried about our DT depth?

I am a little. We should see a sold rotation between Tank and Jay Ratliff, but they need to both be healthy for the duration of the season. After those two, the depth and talent falls dramatically.

[O-Factor]

Off The Radar
Eatman: Who Will Be This Year's Camp Surprises?

Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/MikeJefferson_rc_072008_300.jpg
Jefferson spent all of last year on the practice squad but made big strides throughout the season.

IRVING, Texas - A couple weeks back, the staff writers for this site decided to answer a few of the team's most pressing questions heading into training camp, which is now less than a week away before the team departs for Oxnard, Calif. on Thursday.

While some of those questions were tougher than others, especially on the Terry Glenn saga which still hasn't been resolved, others likely won't be answered for a while.

The one that gave me the most trouble was the question asking which player will rise from obscurity in training camp.

Now, of course that's going to be tough. If we knew which player would stand out to become the surprise, then obviously they wouldn't be much of a surprise.

But still, there are some good candidates.

(And oh, if you liked that idea of us all answering those questions, you're in luck. That appears to be one of the many changes on our website this year, not to mention the new design that was revealed over the weekend.)

OK, so back to the players who could make some noise in training camp. I had a hard time pinpointing just one guy. That's why we're going to focus on five players that might be able to rise from obscurity.

After changing my pick a few times, I ended up taking wide receiver Mike Jefferson, who spent all of last year on the practice squad. While those avid Cowboys fans are already aware of Jefferson, and probably know he originally went to the University of Arizona before transferring to Montana State for one year of college, he's still a rather unknown commodity.

When it comes to the wide receiver position, certainly it starts with Terrell Owens. And definitely, something is about to go down regarding Glenn as well. And even with the backups behind Patrick Crayton, expect some serious competition between Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback. Even rookie free agent Denny Amendola has gotten some pub during the off-season.

But none of that should matter to Jefferson. The good thing for him is the right people are fully aware what he can do.

Last season, Jefferson quietly went about his business all season long and by the end of the year, he had made huge strides from an undrafted rookie free agent just a few months earlier.

In fact, one offensive coach told me that Jefferson not only made the biggest improvement from any offensive player from the start of the year to the end, but had any team made a serious attempt to sign Jefferson from the practice squad, the Cowboys would've definitely kept him around, probably moving him up to the 53-man roster.

So don't forget about this guy in training camp. He'll have his work cut out for him, but the fact the Cowboys didn't draft any receivers shouldn't limit the club from keeping the best prospects.
OK, here are four other guys that I wanted to take on that list, too.

Alan Ball - Not sure a seventh-round pick from last year can fly under the radar but with this secondary and these cornerbacks, it's easy to get overlooked.

The Cowboys will thrive if Terence Newman, Anthony Henry and especially Adam Jones play like they're expected. It'll be a bonus if draft picks Mike Jenkins or even Orlando Scandrick can contribute.

But even with all of that, there still could be room for at least one more cornerback on the roster. And that's where Ball has to shine, or at least outplay the likes of Evan Oglesby and Quincy Butler.

Physically, Ball doesn't even look like he did last year as a rookie. Credit strength coach Joe Juraszek for helping the young cornerback develop his body, but he certainly looks like he can be more physical than he was a year ago.

It won't be easy to make a difference at this position, but watch out for Ball at cornerback.

Cory Lekkerkerker - Anyone with this name has to be on a list, right? But when you look at what has transpired on the offensive line, just in the last few months, something should tell you the coaching staff isn't too excited about the depth on the line, especially at tackle.

Since the draft and rookie free agency, the Cowboys went out and added three veterans, including tackles Lekkerkerker and Ryan Gibbons, along with guard Adam Stenavich. All three have game experience, which is certainly more than James Marten and Doug Free can say, and even Pat McQuistan hasn't been tested much in regular-season games.

That is why there is a place for a veteran such as Lekkerkerker to find a role. I'm giving him the leg up on Gibbons because of his ties to the staff.

Before signing with the Cowboys this summer, he spent two years with the Chargers and then last year in Miami. Hmm, that's funny, his new position coach, Hudson Houck, was also with San Diego for those same two years before going to Miami last year.

Not only does Houck know Lekkerkerker, but head coach Wade Phillips should as well, seeing he at least coached in San Diego at the same time.

There must be a reason the coaches are looking for some outside help. Obviously, they aren't sold with the backups behind tackles Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo, which means there is a chance for someone, especially a player already with ties to the staff, to jump into the mix.

Junior Siavii - I promise I'm not just picking out the fun names. And if you're wondering, this one goes like "Say-uh-vee." But seriously, this guy has a legitimate chance to find his way on the team, too.

The nose tackle position certainly will have some company, with Jay Ratliff returning and trying to stave off Tank Johnson for the starting role. Of course, it looks like if Johnson wins the job, then Ratliff will probably move over to defensive end. If you heard one Wade Phillips press conference last year, you know two things: The Cowboys went 13-3 and the coach loves Jay Ratliff.

But, that doesn't mean there isn't a place for another nose tackle to plug the middle. The club still has Remi Ayodele on the roster, but Siavii is the guy I think could challenge for a roster spot.

At 6-5, 330 pounds, this guy is a huge force inside. And with the versatility that both Ratliff and Johnson have to play defensive end, especially in a four-man front, then you can always have room for another run-stopper who can fill some space.

In fact, I've heard it more than once from the halls of Valley Ranch that a reason the Cowboys felt confident enough to trade Jason Ferguson away to the Dolphins before the draft was because they already had two established vets in Ratliff and Johnson, AND, and they have high hopes for Siavii.

Alonzo Coleman - OK, so where does this guy fit? Not sure I can answer that. Thankfully, that's not what this article is about. It's about guys who will turn some heads and make the decisions somewhat tougher on the coaches.

Where does the fourth running back fit into the picture when it's clear he can't jump into the top three? Again, that's not saying Coleman can't become one of the top three backs. But let's face it, we know Marion Barber is starting and Felix Jones will have a huge role. Also, fourth-round pick Tashard Choice will have a role as well.

Realistically, the best Coleman can do is probably fourth.

Coleman, who spent last year on the practice squad, just won't get many opportunities to shine.

But, there is a reason the Cowboys kept him around all last year despite the fact he missed nearly all of training camp injured.

An undrafted rookie free agent from Hampton last year, Coleman is more in the mold of a Felix Jones. In fact, he's even smaller, listed at 5-9 and 202 pounds. But he's very quick and has good vision for being a smaller back.

Don't know where he fits. But then again, I recall another player who entered camp in Oxnard, Calif., one year as fourth on the depth chart a position that would only keep three players, if that. As it turned out, he finished up No. 2 on the depth chart and is now the current starter. Of course, not everyone is as fortunate as one Tony Romo, but then again, it's just another example that anything can happen.

Plain and simple, if Coleman can prove that he is a player, the Cowboys will find a role for him.

*******
OK, so there are five guys. Of course, I could probably list about 10 or 15 more. Then again, what fun is that? Sure, someone will develop into a training camp surprise, the fun part is figuring out who?

So, I left out guys like Amendola, who might be able to find a role, especially if he can thrive as a punt returner. Watch out for another undrafted receiver in Mark Bradford. This guy just might be the most polished of the rookie receivers.

And I'm not sure quarterback Richard Bartel belongs on this list. Everyone knows the quarterbacks, so it's hard to call this guy an unknown. It's doubtful he will jump Brad Johnson as the backup, but he just might do enough in camp to force the club to keep three quarterbacks. If he's good enough to stick around, don't expect the Cowboys to release him with a hope for a return to the practice squad. They got burned last year when they cut Matt Moore, who went to Carolina and ended up starting a game against the Cowboys late in the season.

OK, there's a few names to keep an eye on. And yes, even on a team that has bigger-than-life players such as T.O. and Romo and cast of other budding superstars, there is always room for a few dark horses to join the party.

In about a week or two, we should start figuring out who this year's crop will be.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Supposedly Terry Glenn agreed to sign his injury waiver.

[Evan]

Supposedly Terry Glenn agreed to sign his injury waiver.

But oddly the Cowboys haven't accepted it yet

[Evan]

Yeah he just got released. Weird.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I'm no genius when it comes to all this injury waiver shit in the NFL, so what does this mean exactly?

[Evan]

I'm no genius when it comes to all this injury waiver shit in the NFL, so what does this mean exactly?

If I have this right.........

........... if he had signed that waiver and the Cowboys accepted.

In Glenn's issue he has two very bad knees and he makes about 1.5 million this year.

So if 1 of his knees goes out his salary goes to half a million but if he had injured anything else his salary would have stayed the same.

I think thats it...the NFL salary structure is very confusing.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Oh, thanks. :tu

[Spurtacus]

Good rittens. We made the playoffs without him last year. I'd still like to see the Cowbosy get Roy Williams from the Lions. I like Sam Hurd a lot though.

[tp2021]

Here's the AP story on Glenn.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/07/25/cowboys.waive.glenn.ap/index.html
It also says the Cowboys signed Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins.

On another note, the story refers to Crayton as the Primary #2 receiver. Oxymoron!

[GaryJohnston]

I liked Glenn, but am glad this ordeal is done with.

Here's to Sam Hurd to step it up this year. :toast

[O-Factor]

Glenn got paid 5 million last year for 4 plays, and he bitched forever about the waiver. Then he is not even in shape for training camp.

Glad we are moving on.

[jack sommerset]

Cowboys need a legit number 2 wr. Should reconsider. Once again a NFL contract mean jack shit.

[Spurtacus]

If TO stays healthy all season we will be fine. Still wouldn't hurt to pursue a proven WR.

WR
TO
Crayton
Hurd
Austin
Adam Jones (maybe)

TE
Witten
Bennett

and we now have the missing piece...Felix Jones.

[Evan]

Cowboys need a legit number 2 wr. Should reconsider. Once again a NFL contract mean jack shit.

Witten is just fine and the rest of the WR's we have we don't know what they have yet.

Why do people harp on a number 2 so much? What does Witten NOT do that makes a number 2 so critical? Did just fine last year.

[O-Factor]

Witten is just fine and the rest of the WR's we have we don't know what they have yet.

Why do people harp on a number 2 so much? What does Witten NOT do that makes a number 2 so critical? Did just fine last year.

I am totally fine with our WR and TE positions. Two future Hall of Famers on the recieving end, a WR in Crayton who is more than capable if he keeps his head in the game, and two young guys in Hurd and Austin that keep developing.

[samikeyp]

I am totally fine with our WR and TE positions. Two future Hall of Famers on the recieving end, a WR in Crayton who is more than capable if he keeps his head in the game, and two young guys in Hurd and Austin that keep developing.

There's the key.

[peewee's lovechild]

Trade Roy Williams (and a second round pick) for Boldin.

Or something like that.

I just want to get something for Roy.

[Evan]

Trade Roy Williams (and a second round pick) for Boldin.

Or something like that.

I just want to get something for Roy.

No matter what they get, at the least Cowboys fans will get a sense of relief.

[O-Factor]

No matter what they get, at the least Cowboys fans will get a sense of relief.

I think we could at least get a 4th rounder for his fat ass.

[O-Factor]

Trust in Romo ... Dallas Cowboys will end playoff drought
by Jean-Jacques TAYLOR
Dallas Morning News
http://www.quickdfw.com/sharedconten...r.426789e.html

OXNARD, Calif. – NFL quarterbacks live a life few of us can comprehend.

They get the girls, the money and the fame. They drive fast cars, live in mansions and play the finest golf courses.

We envy their lifestyle.

But you know as well as I do they receive more than their fair share of the blame when their team loses. We choose not to shed any tears for them because they get more than enough perks to compensate for having the toughest job in professional sports.

That's why – fair or not – Tony Romo will be considered overrated and over-hyped, if he can't lead the Cowboys to a playoff win for the first time since 1996.

Especially with all of the scrutiny revolving around his private life and the ill-fated trip to Cabo San Lucas before the playoff loss to the Giants last season. And that's before we discuss his average performances in December or his 0-2 playoff record.

No worries, Romo will end all of that chatter this season.

He'll win his first playoff game. Actually, he should win multiple playoff games this year since Dallas has the NFC's most talented team.

"He hasn't missed an off-season workout in the two years I've been here," Wade Phillips said. "He's committed to getting better and better and I think he will."

Don't get so caught up in the drama – real or imagined – swirling around Romo that you lose sight of his talent level.

He can make every throw you want a quarterback to make, and he's already learned when to zip the ball into a tight spot or loft it over a defender.

He's elusive in the pocket and his creativity allows him to consistently birth big plays from chaos. Yes, he occasionally makes poor decisions, but you destroy the player if you stifle his creativity.

Romo's the real deal. And he's only going to get better.

He hasn't even played two full seasons yet, but he's 19-7 with 55 touchdowns and 32 interceptions as a starter.

Have you forgotten the mostly pathetic quarterback play we saw after Troy Aikman retired following the 2000 season? Do you need to check YouTube for highlights of players like aging Randall Cunningham, Anthony Wright, Clint Stoerner, Quincy Carter, Ryan Leaf, Chad Hutchinson, Drew Henson, Vinny Testaverde and Drew Bledsoe to see the difference between Romo and them?

When Romo arrived in Oxnard two summers ago, only the most knowledgeable fans knew his name, even though the Cowboys were debating internally whether to start him over Bledsoe.

Fans certainly didn't scream his name when he stepped onto the practice field. Or chant it after practice like they did Friday afternoon while he signed autographs at a rapid-fire pace.

"You have to put your hands under the center," said spokesman Rich Dalrymple, "to get that kind of love."

There's a reason the Cowboys were one of pro football's worst teams in the early part of this decade. This game has always been about the quarterback, which will never change.

Romo should give the Cowboys a chance to compete for a championship each of the next five years just like Aikman did in his prime. Think about the progress Romo has made since Bill Parcells turned the team over to him and benched Bledsoe.

"He's not the same player he was the last time we were here," Jerry Jones said. "He's had the benefit of these games and these pressure situations and how he's perceived by his teammates. It's a different world for him, and that's how it should be.

"If we had a little better feel or a little better read on that – at every step of the way in those three years he was here – I would've said hello to him walking down the hall."

[peewee's lovechild]

Mosley's Cowboys Observation Deck

July 27, 2008 10:56 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

OXNARD, Calif. -- Greetings from Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, Calif., where temperatures soared into the mid-60s Sunday afternoon. The NFC East blog (still waiting for a name) blew into town Sunday and attended its first practice of training camp. And if you're reading this entry and wondering why I'm not in Ashburn, Va., Bethlehem, Pa. or Albany, N.Y., rest assured that I have trips planned to those destinations in early August.

But without further adieu, here's the debut of Mosley's Observation Deck, which is packed full with knee-jerk reactions from the only practice I've seen:




T.O. burns Jones: Beginning Saturday, cornerback Adam Jones started lining up across from Terrell Owens every chance he got. During one-on-one drills Sunday afternoon, Jones lined up a foot away from T.O. and started pumping his arms to fire up the crowd. When quarterback Tony Romo saw what was about to happen, he pulled third-string quarterback Richard Bartel out of the drill and lined up under center.

About 10 yards upfield, T.O. faked a hard out and then ran a skinny post. Jones bit hard on the fake and trailed the receiver by five steps when he made the catch. More than 4,000 fans erupted as T.O. put his hands to his ears to encourage them.

I'm told that Jones did a nice job against T.O. on Saturday, but Sunday afternoon, he didn't have a chance. T.O. caught passes all over the field, and you could tell that Jones was frustrated.

Head coach Wade Phillips said he loves the fact that the two players want to compete against each other. He also pointed out that Patrick Crayton has been trying to line up against Pro Bowl cornerback Terence Newman on almost every snap.

Phillips joked that T.O. received the "practice game ball," but we're still waiting on the formal presentation. After practice, I had a long talk with former Cowboys head coach Dave Campo, who is back with the organization coaching the secondary.

"We didn't come out and play as well as we have the last couple of days," Campo said. "I told Adam that he has to keep his eyes on Terrell a little bit more."

Campo, who spent the past three seasons with the Jaguars, said he never stopped rooting for the Cowboys.

"I was in New York last year and five policemen recognized me as the old Cowboys coach," he said. "I said, 'what the heck's up with New York's finest recognizing me?'"

Phillips on the main stage: In past years, Bill Parcells would sit on a makeshift podium and sip on iced tea during news conferences in Oxnard. Now, Phillips and owner Jerry Jones conduct all their news conferences from an elaborate "Built Ford Tough" stage that sits in front of an enormous blue curtain. There's just something strange about watching Phillips answer questions when he's sitting inches above a Super Duty grill.

Jones is eyeing punt return job: If you happened to stand close to Adam Jones, you'll notice how bloodshot his eyes look. But not to worry. He's actually wearing red-tinted contacts to make it easier to pick up the ball on punts and kickoffs.

NFL Films has heavy presence: It's pretty easy to tell the NFL Films crew from the rest of the photographers. They're the only ones allowed to walk all over the practice field and stick boom mics in Phillips' face. When I asked Phillips whether all the cameras had been a distraction, he pretended to be wired and asked me to speak up. Good times.

Defensive play of the day: Cornerback Anthony Henry made an outstanding over-the-shoulder catch while covering wide receiver Sam Hurd during one-on-one drills. He barely grabbed the ball with his fingertips, but he managed to snatch the ball from above Hurd's head. The crowd started up a "Henry, Henry" chant. As I wrote last week, it's way too soon to give Henry's starting job to Adam Jones. I was told by a team source that Henry will be the starter no matter what happens in camp -- unless it's an injury. He led the team with six interceptions, and throughout his career, the ball's always found him.

Rough day for the rook: Cornerback Mike Jenkins struggled throughout the practice. It's obvious that he has a ton of athleticism, but he got turned around by several receivers. And to the naked eye, he's having a hard time re-routing receivers.

Dark horse of the day: Former University of Washington quarterback Isaiah Stanback has obviously made a ton of progress since his rookie season. Last year, he was hampered by shin splints and a shoulder injury. In Saturday's practice, he looked a lot more fluid and at 6-2, 208, he would give Tony Romo another big target. One of the reasons Jerry Jones released Terry Glenn is he didn't want him to impede the progress of players such as Stanback, Hurd and Miles Austin.

Stanback credits Patrick Crayton -- a former college quarterback -- for helping him make the transition to wide receiver.

"I'm probably closer to him than anyone on the team," Stanback said of Crayton. "He's helped me learn all the proper angles to take on routes. I was a former 100-meter guy, so I'm used to taking off and not stopping."

Campo also said that cornerback Alan Ball had made huge strides in the offseason and that he's having a nice camp. On Sunday, Ball sent running back Keon Lattimore stumbling toward the fence with a punishing hit.

Hatcher having a strong camp: Former Grambling defensive end Jason Hatcher appears to be making a move early in camp. He's dominated during one-on-one drills and he's using his 6-foot-6 frame to frustrate Tony Romo and the other quarterbacks.

Familiar face: Former Cowboys director of personnel Larry Lacewell has returned to camp now that the coast is clear (Bill Parcells is gone). The two did not see eye to eye and Lacewell was replaced by Jeff Ireland. During his retirement, he's done some consulting with the Saints and now it appears he's once again helping the Cowboys in an informal role.

A Duane Thomas sighting: Longtime Cowboys fans remember Thomas as the running back who stopped talking to everyone -- including his teammates -- in the early 70s. On Sunday, he talked my ear off for about 20 minutes. More to come on that Monday.


http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfceast/0-1-70/Mosley-s-Cowboys-Observation-Deck.html

[O-Factor]

^Great to hear about Hatcher being really impressive.



Here are some links to some great photos from Training Camp


Dallas Morning News slideshow links:

7/25 http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...508cowboysday1

7/26
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...ho_072608day2/

7/27
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...08_cowboyscamp


Fort Worth Star-Telegram slideshow links:

7/25
http://www.star-telegram.com/825/gallery/785356.html

7/26
http://www.star-telegram.com/825/gallery/786525.html

7/27
http://www.star-telegram.com/825/gallery/787731.html

7/28
http://www.star-telegram.com/825/gallery/790383.html

[peewee's lovechild]

Cowboys CB Newman to miss at least three weeks of practice

OXNARD, Calif. -- Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman will miss at least three weeks of practice because of a groin injury, another early setback for the player coming off his first Pro Bowl season.

Coach Wade Phillips said an MRI on Tuesday revealed a "significant" injury to Newman's left groin.

"We're a little disappointed because he plays the nickel for us, he really needs working at it," Phillips said. "We had some specific things we thought we could help him with, so it's going to slow down that process. But he'll just have to study those three weeks."

Newman was on the field in shorts and a T-shirt for the team's only practice Tuesday, like he was for afternoon practice Monday after he got hurt in the morning session that day. Newman was injured when he became tangled up with a receiver during a play and his leg twisted awkwardly.

Newman, the 2003 first-round pick going into his sixth NFL season, has refused to answer questions about his injury.

This is the second year in a row Newman has been injured in the preseason. Last year, Newman was sidelined after the first preseason game because of a slight tear in the tissue in the base of his right foot. He missed the first two games of the regular season.

Newman still had 62 tackles and four interceptions in 2007.

The latest injury to Newman could mean more time for new cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, though Phillips said Jones would for now remain primarily at right cornerback behind starter Anthony Henry on the opposite side of Newman.

"We will move him at some point, but I want to make sure he feels comfortable before we start moving him around," Phillips said. "I think he could certainly do it and he's done it before. I want him to feel comfortable where he is in one place. ... When we get a feel that he's fine there, we'll flip him."

But when the Cowboys started drills Tuesday, Jones was in Newman's spot with the first-team defense instead of rookie Mike Jenkins, one of the team's first-round picks.

While the still-suspended Jones is trying to get back in playing shape after a year out of the NFL, he said this week he was trying to grasp the coverages in the Cowboys' defense.

"He's a football player. He knows how to do a lot of things," Phillips said. "It's getting comfortable with what our terminology is first and then techniques that we want to try to help him do better, and then techniques that are involved in certain coverages that we have."

Returning to the field Tuesday was linebacker Justin Rogers, who sat out Monday due to dehydration sustained when he practiced despite a virus the previous day.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp08/news/story?id=3510263

[Spuradicator]

^thats why the Cowboys made a move for pacman

[peewee's lovechild]

^thats why the Cowboys made a move for pacman

They did it for him to play opposite Newman, not in place of him.

[GaryJohnston]

Tough break for Newman, but at least the Cowboys are in way better shape this year to handle this type of injury.

A plus is that it happened at the beginning of camp and not the end of camp.

[O-Factor]

Fuck.

The best thing to do is just rest Newman up. He's a veteran. He knows his job. At least this will give more reps and practice time for Adam, Mike, and Orlando

[Spurtacus]

Newman will be fine. IF anything, this might help the Cowboys. Give some time to Jones and Jenkins. I hope Jones is reinstated before the preseason is over. Would like to see him field a few punts in a game.

[peewee's lovechild]

Newman will be fine. IF anything, this might help the Cowboys. Give some time to Jones and Jenkins. I hope Jones is reinstated before the preseason is over. Would like to see him field a few punts in a game.

I'd like to see him play some receiver.

[Evan]

I'd like to see him play some receiver.

yeah you know thats happened a few times and I don't know why they stopped.

[O-Factor]

yeah you know thats happened a few times and I don't know why they stopped.

He would be pretty good on reverses.

[Evan]

He would be pretty good on reverses.

That was part of the reason they drafted him but Bill for some reason didn't want to use him.

[O-Factor]

Training Camp video from 7/31

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kF36J3vQQQ0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kF36J3vQQQ0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Spurtacus]

Awesome. Thanks for the video.

[O-Factor]

Awesome. Thanks for the video.

no prob.

[O-Factor]

Practice Reports for 8/2
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/08/live-from-oxnard-xii.html
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips




Weather: 64 degrees and cloudy.

It's a sleepy Saturday morning in Oxnard. Cowboys are wearing helmets and shoulder pads for the first of two practices today.

Follow the jump, refresh, etc.


11:01 -- Greg Ellis, who has a sore back, is dressed out again. We'll see how much he participates. He was basically a spectator yesterday.

11:05 -- Sure is quiet here. Other than your hard-working DMN crew, the only person in the media tent a couple minutes before practice was Sports Illustrated's Peter King. ... Stretching just started.

11:12 -- OTs Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo aren't out there. I wouldn't get alarmed about this. It's probably just a couple veterans getting a rest in the middle of the grind. Pat McQuistan is playing RT and Doug Free is at LT with the first-team offense.

11:19 -- No sign of CBs Terence Newman (groin), Quincy Butler (hamstring) or Alan Ball (ankle). Those guys and the starting OTs are the only ones who aren't out here.

11:22 -- Let's answer some questions while Cowboys warm up with position drills. ... To be honest, I haven't noticed Tony Curtis much over the last few days. I need to check in to see what's happening in the No. 2 TE competition. ... Not quite sure what to think of the DL shuffle at this points. Spears has played solely NT and Ratliff solely DE for the last four practices. If you take Wade Phillips at his word, the coaches just want to create some position flexibility to add to the DL depth and allow them to create favorable matchups.

11:26 -- The WRs are running corner routes, and T.O. dropped one right in front of the crowd. The fans went crazy when he caught the next one. I think they're desperate for some excitement at this point. ... Adams and Colombo just walked onto the field, wearing shorts and T-shirts. ... WR Todd Lowber has been impressive for a guy who was unemployed on the first day of training camp. He's long and athletic, but I can't see him cracking the 53-man roster.

11:30 -- Todd Archer confirmed that the OTs are just getting some rest.

11:32 -- We're about to get some 11-on-11 action. It's coming my way, so I don't have to leave my seat. ... First two plays were fullback dives with Deon "Cricket" Anderson. Zach Thomas stuffed the second one. ... Jay Ratliff is back at NT with Marcus Spears sliding over to DE. ... Greg Ellis is sitting out.

11:36 -- Felix Jones showed his burst by turning the left corner on a sweep. ... CB Evan Oglesby, who had a great day yesterday, stumbled to let Miles Austin turn upfield after catching a short pass. ... Oglesby just broke up a fade route to Austin, who tried to make a leaping catch.

11:39 -- T.O. went in motion from right to left and was pitched the ball. It would have been about a 5-yard gain. T.O. wasn't able to plant his foot and get north-south. ... Roy Williams forced RB Keon Lattimore to fumble. Ken Hamlin recovered the ball. .... Adam "Pacman" Jones and Mike Jenkins are splitting the first-team reps at left CB. ... Horn sounded.

11:45 -- They're doing special teams drills on the field close to the crowd. The gunner candidates are working on their releases. Those jobs belong to Sam Hurd and Pat Watkins at this point. Courtney Brown, who saw some time there last season, is probably next in line.

11:49 -- The injured cornerbacks are on the other field, doing resistance band work with associate athletic trainer Britt Brown. They're not going full speed, but I don't see any hitch in the giddy-ups of Terence Newman and Alan Ball. ... Newman is wearing another "iPractice" T-shirt.

11:51 -- First-round CB Mike Jenkins has extra tape over his left shoe. We'll try to find out why after practice. ... Mat McBriar just boomed a punt that had Adam "Pacman" Jones backpedaling to catch it. Jones and Patrick Crayton are catching punts, but they aren't returning them. ... The punt team isn't running downfield, either. Looks like they're working on blocking assignments.

11:55 -- Horn sounded. More 11-on-11 work about to start. It's on my end of the field, so I'll stay here.

11:57 -- It's actually 7-on-7. ... First play was a corner route to T.O. that was slightly underthrown. The ball bounced off FS Ken Hamlin's shoulder pads in the end zone. T.O. had a step on Hamlin. ... Tony Curtis dropped a pass on an underneath route. Anthony Henry, playing the nickel LB spot, was right there. ... Patrick Crayton caught an out route and the 5 and got into the end zone after making Mike Jenkins miss.

12:00 -- Brad "Checkdown" Johnson is living up to the nickname Patrick Crayton calls him. ...After three short passes, Johnson threw a 15-yard slant to Isaiah Stanback, who made a one-handed catch on a ball behind him in the end zone.

12:05 -- Richard Bartel was fortunate that his out to Mark Bradford wasn't picked off. Anthony Henry broke up the pass. ... Jason Witten made a tippy-toe catch on the sideline. ... Starting offense seems to be having some communication issues. They just had to huddle back up after apparently screwing up a formation.

12:08 -- LB Bobby Carpenter picked off a Romo pass intended for Tony Curtis. Carpenter would have had an easy TD return. ... Another catch for Isaiah Stanback across the middle. ... Horn sounded.

12:13 -- Back to special teams drills. This would be a good time for a quick nap.

12:20 -- Fifth-round CB Orlando Scandrick just flashed his kick-blocking ability. Mat McBriar didn't actually punt the ball, but Scandrick would have blocked it if he did. Scandrick, a 4.32 40 guy, came flying in from McBriar's left.

12:22 -- Another cornerback injury? Evan Oglesby just jogged off the field with head athletic trainer Jim Maurer. We'll get an update ASAP. ... Horn sounded.

12:25 -- Oglesby is back on the field. Maybe he just needed to get some tape dixed or something. .... 11-on-11 starting.

12:27 -- Mike Jenkins held T.O. to keep him from catching the ball after running an out at the goal line. The side judge threw a flag, which T.O. caught and tossed at Jenkins. ... Martellus Bennett caught a 2-yard TD pass from Romo on second-and-goal. Romo scanned the field before hitting Bennett in the right flat.

12:31 -- Another nice play by Bobby Carpenter. Brad Johnson dumped the ball off to Miles Austin across the middle. Carpenter arrived a split-second after the ball and could have had a huge hit. ... Johnson missed a wide-open Isaiah Stanback on a corner route in the end zone. Stanback laid out for the ball but couldn't get his hands on it.

12:34 -- In goal line work, undrafted rookie TE Drew Atchison got behind Justin Rogers for a TD. ... There's the TE screen to Jason Witten again. Didn't work this time. Undrafted OLB Darrell Robertson met Witten near the line of scrimmage.

12:39 -- The Bobby Carpenter Show continues. He broke up a pass in the end zone to TE Martellus Bennett after Tony Romo rolled right. "Way to go, Bobby!" Wade Phillips hollered.

12:40 -- Sack for DeMarcus Ware, who blew by LT Doug Free. ... The side judge let FS Ken Hamlin get away with holding TE Drew Atchison in the end zone on second-and-goal. ... Jason Hatcher blew up a running play on third-and-goal. ... Horn sounded.

Practice over.

[Evan]

Weather: 64 degrees and cloudy..


sigh..................

[O-Factor]

Peter King

Training camp postcard: Cowboys
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2008/writers/peter_king/08/02/cowboys.postcard/t1_0802_thomas_getty.jpg
Zack Thomas


Where's Peter?
At the Dallas Cowboys camp site at the Marriott Residence Inn in Oxnard, Calif., which is a siren song of a place to work. In the mornings, there's a marine cloudiness to the practice fields behind the hotel, located about three miles from the Pacific Ocean, and the players love practicing with temperatures in the high 60s. In the afternoon, the clouds burn off, and the men can get a good sweat going, and the 3,000 or so fans who flood the place can get a good tan. I told owner Jerry Jones Friday that it'd be a shame if the team goes to San Antonio next year, which it is contractually obligated to do, and just forgets working here. The quality of work that gets done here is so good, in part because the players don't have spend half their time bitching about the heat and humidity. Half the time, there is neither.

Three Observations
1. It's amazing how many big names and big stories there are here. Look, over there -- Dave Campo, back coaching the secondary ... and he's working with Adam (nee Pacman) Jones. With the linebackers, there's a new number 55 --Zach Thomas, the seven-time Pro Bowler coming home to redeem himself. That strong-looking whippet in the backfield? Felix Jones. And the guest coaches: Erik Williams, old Big E, is here on a minority coaching fellowship working with the line. Michael Irvin had been working with the receivers before leaving the other day for the Hall of Fame ceremonies. Dat Nguyen is working with the linebackers. And Nate Newton is hanging around, doing some media and promotional stuff.

2. The Cowboys have upgraded themselves at corner -- maybe in a big way. Even with Terence Newman out -- he'll miss much of camp with a groin pull -- the Dallas secondary is having a good camp. This morning, Anthony Henry (no, he has not been moved to safety yet, and may not be because of how often Dallas will use a third corner on defense) and rookie first-rounder Mike Jenkins took snaps with the first unity, with Jones and feisty fifth-rounder Orlando Scandrick backing them up. All four of those guys will make the team, with Newman likely to be back by early September. That's a quality group of five NFL corners.

3. Confidence oozes here. The players and coaches don't have to say anything. You can just feel it. They don't make excuses about their horrendous loss to the Giants in the NFC semis. They praise the Giants, in fact. "I've got tremendous respect for what the Giants did,'' Wade Phillips told me this morning before practice. "Think about it: They lose to us twice in the regular season, they lose to Green Bay, and they lose to New England?and then they beat us all in the playoffs. What are the odds of that? That's got to be unheard of in NFL history.'' But Dallas doesn't think Eli Manning will be able to shred them the way he did at times in that playoff game, and they're sure they'll protect Tony Romo better when the time comes. We'll see.

New Face, New Place
Middle linebacker Zach Thomas. We'd all given up on Thomas, who turns 35 on Labor Day. But the Cowboys haven't. He's embedded on first and second downs in the middle of the defense, and he should play enough to be in the top three on the Cowboys in tackles. Wade Phillips plans to play the rangy 242-pound Kevin Burnett in pass coverage and in two-minute and no-huddle situations. "I want to keep Zach fresh,'' he said. Thomas is revved up to prove he doesn't have a concussion problem. (More about that in the next Monday Morning Quarterback.) Even Cowboys you talk to with the notebook put away think Thomas will be a 16-game player, even though the odds are against it in the vortex of a physical defense in a physical division. "There's no question in my mind,'' Thomas said about playing a full season. We'll see.



Looking at the Schedule
September and December: brutal. October and November: manageable. Dallas opens at Cleveland, Philly at home, at Green Bay, Washington at home. The Cowboys finish at Pittsburgh, Giants and Ravens at home (both in prime time), at Philly. The only edge I see is favorable bye -- Nov. 9, between road tests at the Giants and 'Skins -- and the 10-day breather after the Thanksgiving Day game to prepare for the tough December slate.

Memorable Image from Camp
Felix Jones is going to be good. Maybe really good. He runs smoothly and with a fluid determination. You aren't going to see many backs cut with the quickness and decisiveness Jones runs with. Friday afternoon, in an 11-on-11 drill, Jones cut to the right, shot forward through a hole around right end, and, just as a safety came up to wrap him up, Jones planted his left foot, zigged to the right and shot forward, the defender left to grab air. I'm not saying he's Barry Sanders, but Jones is a talent. "I haven't played that much,'' Jones told me walking off the field afterward. "But I've been able to become a student of the game. I've watched a lot of film. I know how defenses want to play me.'' Remember this number: 129. Jones played three years in DarrenMcFadden's shadow at Arkansas, and that's how many carries he averaged per year. But the Cowboys all along loved the 6-foot, 212-pound Jones, and it could well turn out to be a big advantage that he carried it so sparingly. Maybe he'll have more tread on his tire when he's called on late in the fourth quarter at the Meadowlands if Marion Barber gets dinged. "We did a study before the draft on carries,'' said Cowboy scouting czar Tom Ciskowski. "That back at Central Florida [Kevin Smith] carried the ball more last year [450 times] than Felix did his entire career [386]. I think if he'd been the feature back at someplace like Memphis State or Oklahoma State, he'd never have been there for us.'' Dallas got him with the 22nd pick of the first round.

Parting Shots
• Terrell Owens might be the most media-friendly guy in camp.

• In the worst-kept secret in the history of pro football, Adam Jones will be reinstated by the commissioner as long as he has an uneventful next month.

• "I haven't thought about left tackle in years,'' Jerry Jones said after Friday's second practice, and he can sleep at night for good reason. Flozell Adams is one of the top three left tackles in the NFC, and at 33, looks in terrific shape.

• Patrick Crayton will be the second starting wide receiver -- with Sam Hurd and Miles Austin likely winning the third and fourth slots -- but I don't think he'll catch more than 50 balls. I think Jason Witten and Terrell Owens will both exceed 90. I asked Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News what the odds were that the Cowboys will make a trade for a receiver before opening day, and he said: "10 percent.''

• Over-under on Felix Jones carries: 145.

• Don't know why exactly, but rookie TE Martellus Bennett does not impress me. He seems to sulk, and he's not particularly energetic.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/08/02/cowboys.postcard/index.html?eref=T1

[O-Factor]

Dallas Cowboys Training Camp Video 8/1 and 8/2

Some highlights
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[O-Factor]

Now a Seahawk, spurned Jones spurred to burn Cowboys
Aug. 3, 2008
By Clark Judge
CBSSports.com Senior Writer

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10918165/1

http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/football/nfl/img10918164.jpg



KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Suddenly, I want to be in Dallas for Thanksgiving.

That's when Seattle plays the Cowboys, and it's not so much the two of them that interest me as much as it is running back Julius Jones. Once he played for Dallas; now he plays for Seattle. And now he has declared war on his former team.

"I'm out to prove I'm one of the better backs in the league," he said.

OK, I get that. He played with Dallas for four seasons, split time with Marion Barber and moved on to somewhere he should have more carries, more yards and more scores. But Jones' drive to make more of himself goes way, way beyond that -- and this I gotta see.

"I thought toward the end of my time in Dallas they kind of put me on the back burner," he said. "They had other plans which were ... whatever. I have something to show to them and the whole country that I'm not that guy who was sitting on the bench in the playoff game."

The playoff game he was talking about was a 21-17 loss to the New York Giants, with Jones having three carries -- or as many as quarterback Tony Romo -- and Barber having 27. So Barber ran for over 100 yards. Jones never had a chance, and don't bother reminding him.

"I'm not that guy," Jones reiterated. "I'm way better than that. That was embarrassing, you know what I mean? So I'm out to prove they made a wrong decision."

That could be good, very good, for the Seattle Seahawks because if there's one thing the club couldn't do well last year it was run. Everyone wants to blame former league MVP Shaun Alexander, but he was only part of the problem. The offensive line that was supposed to spring him wasn't all that good, either.

Anyway, Alexander is gone, Jones is here and the offensive line is different -- with Mike Wahle at left guard and Mike Solari as its coach.

If you ask me who makes the biggest difference, I'd say it's Solari. In his nine years as offensive line coach in Kansas City the Chiefs sent three offensive linemen to the Pro Bowl and made stars of running backs Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson.

"You don't get a chance to hire coaches like that very often," coach Mike Holmgren said of Solari.

He has that right. You don't get a chance to sign free agents like Julius Jones very often, either. I'm not saying he's the second coming of Emmitt Smith, but Jones is an upgrade over Alexander. He's younger. He's faster. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. And, get this, he's willing to block.

"Oh, man," Jones said, "I love it."

That's one of the reasons the Seahawks pursued him. The guy can do almost anything, and someone with those qualifications is a perfect fit in Holmgren's backfield. Remember Dorsey Levens in Green Bay? Yeah, so do I, and I remember how effective he was running and catching the ball.



Jones could fill that same role for Seattle, though let's get something straight: Nobody has named him the starter. In fact, Holmgren insists he'd like to have Jones and Maurice Morris share the position, with T.J. Duckett coming off the bench, and he will go with the guy who is hotter at the time.

"I'm not going to go 50-50," he said. "I'm going to go by 'feel.'"

I would, too, and right now I feel like Jones is someone who is going to excel here. As I said, he's perfect for this offense, and if you don't believe me you should have been at Friday morning's practice. Jones was one of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's favorite targets and seemed comfortable catching the ball.

"We like everything about him," said Tim Ruskell, the team's president of football operations and general manager. "He can catch the ball. He's a good pass protector. And then there are the run skills: He has vision, burst and speed. I figured out with Mike that if you give him a guy who can do a lot of things he will press all those buttons."

Just a hunch, but nobody will need to push Jones' buttons.

"I can't remember the last time I wanted something so bad," he said. "I'm going to try to make life miserable for every team I face and every player I face."

I can think of one team in particular. Sign me up for the Nov. 27 game in Dallas.

"Nobody wants to go out like (the way I did in Dallas)," he said. "I was a starter there, and in the most important game there in -- what? -- four years, and I'm on the bench? They did what they wanted to do, and that's fine."

Somehow, I don't think it was. Happy Thanksgiving, Big D.

[Evan]

blah blah blah....he said it was Bill's fault and still sucked last year. They guy was a freaking starter...how was he on "the back burner"

[O-Factor]

blah blah blah....he said it was Bill's fault and still sucked last year. They guy was a freaking starter...how was he on "the back burner"

He should of lost his starting job at least midway through the season, but the staff probably knew he would sulk, be pissy, not be a team player, and not put forth an effort.

He's on a new team now and is still dwelling on the past? Sorry, but Im happy with the direction we went with.

Barber>>>>J.Jones.........and I think Felix will be a better threat than Julius aswell.

[Evan]

He should of lost his starting job at least midway through the season, but the staff probably knew he would sulk, be pissy, not be a team player, and not put forth an effort.

He's on a new team now and is still dwelling on the past? Sorry, but Im happy with the direction we went with.

Barber>>>>J.Jones.........and I think Felix will be a better threat than Julius aswell.

Yeah I agree.

Dude had his chances and then some...Jerry Jones has proven time and time again he prefers to re-sign players...why does he think it suddenly changed when it came to him? Does anyone believe that Jerry wouldn't have preferred to re-sign Jones and use that draft pick for a WR or another trade? There isn't a single fan or coach who didn't want Jones to do well here...he wasn't pushed out...this is a 2 RB system.

Jones has talent but he is missing the mental game.

Good luck to him but I look forward to seeing Ware standing over him flexing.

And it looks like a lot of time is being spent with both Barber and Felix in the backfield with Barber as the RB and Felix as a RB/WR. Badass...I hope it works.

[Whisky Dog]

It's the same thing with Julius every year. 2 years ago it was some bullshit excuse coupled with legitimate injury excuse. Last year it was blaming Parcells for his shortcomings. This year it's blaming the Cowboys for casting him aside.

So, Julius... when are you gonna start blaming yourself for being a soft runner who gets arm tackled as much as any back in the NFL?

I wouldn't hold my breath.

[O-Factor]

It's the same thing with Julius every year. 2 years ago it was some bullshit excuse coupled with legitimate injury excuse. Last year it was blaming Parcells for his shortcomings. This year it's blaming the Cowboys for casting him aside.

So, Julius... when are you gonna start blaming yourself for being a soft runner who gets arm tackled as much as any back in the NFL?

I wouldn't hold my breath.

Exactly. He needs to take responsibility for his performance rather than place blame on this and that. He bitched about not being able to get in a groove by sharing carries with Barber and how it frustrated him when he would get pulled in the redzone. Wonder what his excuse will be this year because he is in a committee situation. Morris is going to get carries aswell.

I rooted for the guy for years and wanted to see him do well in Seattle, but now he's just another NFL player on another team to me. I don't wish him ill will or luck.

[samikeyp]

Exactly. He needs to take responsibility for his performance rather than place blame on this and that. He bitched about not being able to get in a groove by sharing carries with Barber and how it frustrated him when he would get pulled in the redzone. Wonder what his excuse will be this year because he is in a committee situation. Morris is going to get carries aswell.

I rooted for the guy for years and wanted to see him do well in Seattle, but now he's just another NFL player on another team to me. I don't wish him ill will or luck.

+1

[O-Factor]

Yeah I agree.

Dude had his chances and then some...Jerry Jones has proven time and time again he prefers to re-sign players...why does he think it suddenly changed when it came to him? Does anyone believe that Jerry wouldn't have preferred to re-sign Jones and use that draft pick for a WR or another trade? There isn't a single fan or coach who didn't want Jones to do well here...he wasn't pushed out...this is a 2 RB system.

Jones has talent but he is missing the mental game.

Good luck to him but I look forward to seeing Ware standing over him flexing.

And it looks like a lot of time is being spent with both Barber and Felix in the backfield with Barber as the RB and Felix as a RB/WR. Badass...I hope it works.

+1



I read nothing but good things about Felix in training camp. Romo has said he's really excited about what this guy brings to the offense. And Garrett is a genius, he'll find the best ways to utilize Jones talent.

[GaryJohnston]

Wow, Julius sure is bitter.

Get over it dude, you have a chance to start over.

[Trainwreck2100]

His last chance to reclaim the galloping gobbler. Even though those asshats at Fox totally fucked it up.

[Whisky Dog]

If Felix Jones lives up to what he has seemingly shown so far in OTAs and the beginning of camp, this was a great upgrade for the Cowboys.

It already appears Felix will be a much better runner than Julius, and a better receiver out of the backfield or in the slot, but just how good he gets and how much he plays will depend on how good he gets in blitz pickup and protection. The NFC East is basically blitz mania, so if a back can't pick it up, *cough* Tyson Thompson *cough*, he can't be very effective.

[O-Factor]

And Tashard Choice is doing pretty well also



From DallasCowboys.com

What's The Scoop:
With Pro Bowler Marion Barber and first-round selection Felix Jones taking the majority of the reps at a crowded running back position, it's easy to lose sight of what Tashard Choice has done so far at this year's training camp in Oxnard, Calif. The fourth-rounder has quietly had one of the better camps, showing the versatility to be a bruiser, a slasher and a receiver all in one.

But Choice doesn't mind the lack of publicity; he's just patiently waiting for his opportunity.

"I just play," Choice said after Monday morning's practice. "I can't worry about anybody else and what position they're in. Marion's a great running back and Felix was great in college and he's going be a great running back too. But whenever I get my chance I just show them what I can do and show them what kind of running back I am."

If Sunday's lone practice was any indication of what kind of running back Choice is, then the Cowboys may have found themselves a draft-day steal. The rookie had one of his best practices to date, breaking lose for several long runs and scoring a couple touchdowns. He even caught a few balls, showing what he can do in space.

But a practice like that is just another brick in the wall for Choice, though, who knows it will take many more to become the complete running back he wants to be.

"In practice you always have some ups," Choice said. "But there's always some things you can improve on. So that might be a thing to make sure of is that I have a good practice in whole in everything I do."

Also seems to have his head screwed on right with a good attitude.

[StylisticS]

Wow, Julius sure is bitter.

Get over it dude, you have a chance to start over.

What do you expect from the man that loves to run into the back of his lineman.

[GaryJohnston]

What do you expect from the man that loves to run into the back of his lineman.

I expect much of the same crap we saw last year :lol

[O-Factor]

Cowboys' Crayton calls out Rodgers

6:54 PM Tue, Aug 05, 2008 | Permalink
Tim Cowlishaw E-mail News tips

Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton likes the fact that the team's camp has been virtually free of controversy. And then he couldn't help himself.

"Green Bay, that's a soap opera,'' he said, referring to the ongoing Brett Favre saga. "It's shaking Aaron Rodgers, I don't care what they're saying.''

Then Crayton went on to urge the Packers to start Rodgers, not Favre, against Dallas on Sept. 21. When he was reminded that Rodgers played fairly well against the Cowboys when Favre was injured, Crayton said, "Did anyone have any film on him?

"Their defense had film on him for last week's scrimmage. How'd that go?''

Rodgers was 7-for-20 and booed by Packers fans in last week's Family Night scrimmage

[O-Factor]

^ I hope Crayton zips it during the season.

[Evan]

I was hoping he would grow up and shut up.

Obviously, not the case.

[Whisky Dog]

Fucking Crayton

[samikeyp]

I was hoping he would grow up and shut up.

Obviously, not the case.

Yeah, me too.

[Evan]

imho it's fairly harmless for crayton to be talking mess because he won't be lined up on the field against rodgers

The comment itself isn't bad unless you know its from him.

[O-Factor]

The comment itself isn't bad unless you know its from him.

Im fine with Crayton as our 2nd guy(third really behind T.O. and Witten), but dude needs to back it up this year if he's going to continue to talk smack.

[Whisky Dog]

Rodgers should have answered with the Pedro Martinez line:

"Patrick Crayton? Who is deez Patrick Crayton? Who are you, Patrick Crayton?"

[samikeyp]

Im fine with Crayton as our 2nd guy(third really behind T.O. and Witten), but dude needs to back it up this year if he's going to continue to talk smack.

+1

[O-Factor]

Felix Hits The Spot
Rookie Jones Shows Why Cowboys Drafted Him


Edward Lewis - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

August 10, 2008 4:51 PM

http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/FelixJones_080908_300.jpg
Jones cut, slashed and juked his way to a great night in Saturday's 31-17 loss to the San Diego.

SAN DIEGO - When the Cowboys sat at pick No. 22 in last April's NFL Draft, they were looking for a home run hitter.
They wanted someone with the ability to make something out of nothing using pure athleticism and talent.

And most importantly, they desperately wanted a player who could complement Pro Bowl running back Marion Barber.

If Saturday night's Felix Jones rushing clinic was any indication of what they got with that pick, then it's pretty safe to say the rookie running back will be what the Cowboys wanted . . . and more.

"It was real fun to go out there and show fans that Jerry Jones made some great picks," Felix Jones said of the team owner after the game. "It was exciting and I had a lot of fun."

Jones cut, slashed and juked his way to a great night in Saturday's 31-17 loss to the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. The rookie piled up 32 rushing yards on six carries and caught two more balls for 29 yards in just two quarters of play.

"I was very excited that I had an opportunity to go out there and play," Jones said of his NFL preseason debut. "It felt great. It was my first NFL game and I felt real good about it."

Jones was able to provide the offense with a dimension the team lacked last season. He broke several long runs, including a toss to the right on just his second ever NFL carry where he made a nice cutback, allowing him to burst through the defense for 19 yards.

Jones also showcased what he could do in the receiving game, taking a Brad Johnson swing pass in the right flat for a huge 28-yard gain that had the crowd on its feet.

"I see running lanes in different areas and I just try to make something happen," said Jones, who admitted it was fun to see those same cutbacks in the collegiate level were still there in the NFL. "When I see a running lane I try to get in there as fast as I can and try to create some space. It kind of worked out in my favor today."

Jones also showed he can be the change of pace running back the Cowboys were looking for when they selected him in the first round. Barber pounded between the tackles on his four carries for 24 yards in the first offensive series, and Jones followed Barber's performance with his display of running outside the tackles.

"It's going to give us a lot of options on offense," Jones said of the running back tandem. "In the future it will be real nice - I'm glad to be in this position."

While everything may have appeared to go according to plan in Jones' NFL debut, he said he had a bit of rookie jitters on his first carry - a handoff designed to run directly at three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman.

"I was actually kind of nervous about that (play)," Jones said. "It was my first time in the game and the first time that I got the ball. I was real nervous. I tried to make a cut on (Merriman) but he got me."

Jones would have the last laugh on the next play, though, taking his best run of the night, the 19-yard toss, right at Merriman's side.

"The offensive line created some great holes," Jones said. "It was a great experience for my first game out. It feels real good."

There was one notable thing missing from Jones' game on Saturday night, though - his kickoff return ability. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips held the two time All-American kick returner on the sidelines on all six kickoff return opportunities, giving running back Alonzo Coleman, wide receiver Isaiah Stanback and cornerback Orlando Scandrick chances to show what they could do with the ball.

The trio of returners combined for just 17.5 yards per attempt, and had several miscues fielding the kicks, including a muffed kickoff by Coleman. While Phillips didn't give Jones a reason as to why he didn't return kicks, he said earlier in the week he wanted to get a look at what some of the younger guys could do. The Cowboys are pretty certain Felix Jones can handle the kick-off duties.

Jones said he could absolutely foresee himself as a future kick returner in the NFL after the game and added, "It's just another way I could contribute to the team."
__________________

[monosylab1k]

Fucking Crayton

Cowboys seriously need to play Sam Hurd in the #2 spot. That guy always makes a solid contribution when he gets the chance, I don't understand why they don't play him more. Crayton sucks balls.

[BacktoBasics]

All three backs looked solid to me.

[O-Factor]

MAtt Mosley: McNabb on T.O., NFC East, and Injuries

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- As players such as Jon Runyan, Correll Buckhalter and L.J. Smith saw me waiting at the back entrance of the Eagles' training camp locker room Monday, they all made the same comment: "Waiting on Donovan?"

It's a foregone conclusion that no training camp visit is complete without checking in with the man who's led this team for the past decade. And an hour after all the Escalades and jacked-up trucks had departed the players parking lot, Donovan McNabb finally emerged. He's been in the spotlight for so many years that he almost seems to be on auto-pilot.

He greeted me with a hearty "Welcome to town, man" and invited me to sit next to him. The first thing I noticed was the long scar on his right knee that serves as a constant reminder of his playing mortality. It happened during the 2006 season and held him hostage for a good portion of 2007.

Last year at this time, he wore a knee brace at all times. Now, he's practicing without one and says his last major knee injury is a distant memory. At this point, he understands and even embraces the fact that everyone thinks the 2008 season hinges on whether he can stay healthy. Despite his success with the team, his future is a constant source of debate with the local media.

McNabb has at times lashed out at the constant scrutiny and even questioned the one man -- coach Andy Reid -- who's always stood by his side because, like it or not, he knows his day is coming. He observed the Brett Favre saga through a different set of lenses than most of us because it drove home the fact that the Eagles will some day move on without him. On this day, he seems completely comfortable with that fact. He thinks his knee will allow him to be himself again.

"I've been through my share of controversy over the years," said the 31-year-old quarterback. "But the way I see it and understand it, is that all that negative stuff from last season could easily be changed. [Last year] was a grind, but the injury actually helped acclimate me to being the type of quarterback that I've wanted to be. It's helped me in certain areas."

McNabb thinks the fact he was limited taught him not to always rely on his athleticism. And when his mobility started to return last December, he said he was a much better quarterback.

"I scrambled for 25 yards against the Dolphins in November and I felt like I was back," McNabb said. "But then I twisted my ankle. It wasn't until the Dallas game in December that I felt like I could finally unleash everything."

McNabb caused a mild stir early in camp when he basically suggested that the Eagles shouldn't have lost a game to any of their NFC East opponents last season. In his mind, they were just a few plays away from being a playoff team. He doesn't feel like an 8-8 quarterback heading into 2008.
"I still put us at the top of the NFC," he said. "I feel confident in saying that because all the best teams are pretty much in our division. The Giants and Cowboys are coming off great seasons and the Redskins had a decent year."

McNabb went through last year's NFC East games one-by-one and explained where all of them went wrong. How does he justify the Giants' dominating 16-3 victory in September?

"We were missing our starting tackle," he quickly said. "If we eliminate the mistakes in the red zone and do some better things on defense, it's a different story."

With a healthy L.J. Smith and the addition of rookie DeSean Jackson, McNabb thinks he'll have more players he "can call on" at key moments in the game. He talked about how Dallas can game-plan around getting the ball to Terrell Owens, and he wants to do that with some of his teammates -- other than running back Brian Westbrook, who's a constant threat.

Since he brought up T.O., I felt like a follow-up question was necessary. Does he ever sit around and think about what the two of them could have accomplished together?
"You mean if he'd realized the situation he was in?" McNabb shot back. "In his situation, he's finally maturing at age 35 [actually 34]. Sometimes it's you, sometimes it's me. [T.O.] thought for so long it was someone else, but at some point, maybe it dawns on you that it's not everyone else's fault. I think once Bill [Parcells] left, T.O. realized that Jerry [Jones] truly loved him. And now he has a quarterback that he feels comfortable with. He's listening. Sometimes you have to understand the reality of the whole situation, and I think he did that."

McNabb stopped to think about it for a moment longer, not wanting to change a subject that will always follow him.

"It could've been great," he said. "What did we have, 30 TDs? You don't see that type of combination very often. That's like Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. We would have been up there."

Does all that sound patronizing? Absolutely. But there's probably some truth to what McNabb's saying. What amazes me is that T.O. has been gone since midway through the 2005 season and his former teammates still bring him up on a regular basis. Tight end L.J. Smith called him a "different kind of guy," but he said he never thought he was a poor teammate.

"If you think about it, that locker room fight he got into here was with a non-player," Smith said Sunday.

In other news, McNabb said he no longer worries about the fact that quarterback Kevin Kolb is waiting in the wings. He let it bother him when the team first selected Kolb in the second round, but it's not something he thinks about anymore.

"We needed to draft another quarterback," he said with no trace of sarcasm. "That's the way the organization's going. I understand that."

As he climbed into his black Escalade truck, McNabb said he wanted to finish his career in Philadelphia. But he said the Favre story reminded him that the Eagles might be ready to move on at any minute.

"I might end up somewhere else," McNabb said. "And I'm prepared for that."

[O-Factor]

Jerry: Adding QB isn't a priority
7:35 PM Mon, Aug 11, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips


Jerry Jones downplayed the possibility of the Cowboys finding a QB to bump Brad Johnson down the depth chart.

"We really are moving along here real good," Jerry said when asked about acquiring a QB via trade or the waiver wire. "I can't give that a high likelihood."

Jerry added that the Cowboys' priority regarding the backup QB was giving Brad Johnson more time with the starters. If Johnson plays during the regular season, it'll be behind an offensive line featuring three Pro Bowlers, so the plan is to get him more reps with that group protecting him. Wade Phillips mentioned the same thing during his press conference.

"As I'm standing here right now, I think he can be the answer," Jerry said of Johnson.

OK, here's my educated guess about what will happen at the quarterback position. The Cowboys will grab a guy off the waiver wire, but Johnson will be the backup. The new QB will have a chance to move up the depth chart during the offseason, if not earlier.

[Spurtacus]

Cowboys' Crayton calls out Rodgers

6:54 PM Tue, Aug 05, 2008 | Permalink
Tim Cowlishaw E-mail News tips

Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton likes the fact that the team's camp has been virtually free of controversy. And then he couldn't help himself.

"Green Bay, that's a soap opera,'' he said, referring to the ongoing Brett Favre saga. "It's shaking Aaron Rodgers, I don't care what they're saying.''

Then Crayton went on to urge the Packers to start Rodgers, not Favre, against Dallas on Sept. 21. When he was reminded that Rodgers played fairly well against the Cowboys when Favre was injured, Crayton said, "Did anyone have any film on him?

"Their defense had film on him for last week's scrimmage. How'd that go?''

Rodgers was 7-for-20 and booed by Packers fans in last week's Family Night scrimmage


:lol

[Spuradicator]

^ lol, I kind of like the way Crayton runs his mouth.

[Brutalis]

How are you Cowboy fans liking Felix after one game? The plays ran for him were almost the exact ones at Arkansas. Quick as lightening huh..

[O-Factor]

How are you Cowboy fans liking Felix after one game? The plays ran for him were almost the exact ones at Arkansas. Quick as lightening huh..

I think Felix showed us fans something. It was great to see him productive not only rushing, but receiving aswell. But in all of those runs he had he never hit his high gear which is impressive. He was trying to be quick and avoid being tackled. Never had an opportunity to hit his 4.3 speed.

So far he looks like he is going to be a great compliment to Barber, but I need to see him do it in the regular season to really get excited. But so far I am excited about what Im seeing from him in pre-season.

[Brutalis]

I think Felix showed us fans something. It was great to see him productive not only rushing, but receiving aswell. But in all of those runs he had he never hit his high gear which is impressive. He was trying to be quick and avoid being tackled. Never had an opportunity to hit his 4.3 speed.

So far he looks like he is going to be a great compliment to Barber, but I need to see him do it in the regular season to really get excited. But so far I am excited about what Im seeing from him in pre-season.

That's cool.

I think Dallas needs to flirt with him on kick returns as well. He took several to the house at Arkansas. You want to see that 4.3 speed then let him get some KR's.

Also he has great hands, he rarely drops passes. It's no secret if he had McFadden's size and power, that he would have been bigger than DMac and Bush was combined.

[O-Factor]

Tale Of The Tape
Broncos WR, Pacman Jones Trade Jibes
Josh Ellis - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
August 13, 2008 7:42 PM


ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones might have known what his comments would stir up after Wednesday morning's practice, but he took the bait anyway.

When asked how Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, nicknamed "Baby T.O.," compares to the Cowboys' Owens, Pacman didn't mince words, saying "Nah, he's nowhere near T.O. . . . T.O. is 10 times faster than Brandon Marshall. He's 10 times stronger than Brandon Marshall."

Just as he tried to cover Owens each chance he had in Oxnard, Calif., Jones made sure to line up on Marshall Wednesday. Maybe his "10 times" comment is an overstatement, but Jones is right, Marshall is not Owens. Marshall's response was dead-on as well. For the afternoon practice, the back of his jersey featured a piece of tape that read "21's no Champ" - referring to the Broncos all-world cornerback Champ Bailey.

"I don't take it personally," Marshall said. "I'm actually reading this book called 'The Four Agreements' and chapter two talks about not taking things personally. If you take it personally, then it's true."

Marshall revealed he and Jones are actually friends, having hung out together in Atlanta, the cornerback's hometown. He said the talk was all fun and games, though both players were being truthful in their statements. And, it's not over.

"I believe he was serious, and I was serious in what I said too," Marshall said. "Football to me is just like Pop Warner - halftime, Pop Tarts and Kool-Aid. That's all I'm doing is out here having fun. I've got a good one for him tomorrow - a nice little saying."

The Broncos receiver wore one of Owens' "iScore" shirts during practice. Owens also gave his trademark t-shirts to the Broncos corners, Bailey and Dre' Bly.

Pacman Also Writes

With his reinstatement still up in the air, the suspended cornerback Jones wrote and mailed a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to personally ask to be allowed to play.

"I'm feeling pretty good about it," Jones said. "It's just a letter why I feel I should be reinstated. It's my chance to respond, and we'll see how it goes."

Jones was suspended for the entire 2007 season after a string of arrests. While Jones has kept his name out of the police blotter for more than a year, there is still the specter of the trial of Arvin Kenti Edwards, the man accused of the Las Vegas strip club shooting that ultimately led to Jones' suspension. Jones' story led to Edwards' arrest, although Edwards' attorney has said Jones' story is "completely fabricated." Goodell may be considering the possibility of information damaging to Jones and the league being revealed in the Edwards' trial.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he wasn't aware of Pacman's letter. He wasn't completely sure when Goodell would make his decision, though the commissioner had promised the Cowboys he will let them know before the final roster cuts, Aug. 30. v "I don't know that will be the case, but it should be." Jones said. "But all along here, it's been what Roger decides."

Healthy Advice

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler found someone he could lean on this morning in an unlikely place - the opposing sideline. Cutler said he spoke to Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson about playing with Type I Diabetes.

Cutler was diagnosed with the disease in April. Like one million other Americans, he now tests his blood sugar daily and relies on insulin. Last season, the effects of the disease led to a decrease in strength and weight. After weighing in at 235 pounds at the start of the season, he was down to 202 pounds by week 17. He had spells with dry mouth, fatigue, frequent urination and hunger.

In Wilson, the Broncos passer found a fellow quarterback who played his entire career with the disease - reason for inspiration.

"I talked with him before practice," Cutler said. "He said it was manageable, just like I have been doing for the last four or five months. He went through his career with it, and I don't see any reason why I can't.

"There have been a lot of people that have played with diabetes. Even now, athletes have diabetes, especially Type I, and they are playing. There are people that play with pumps on, so it definitely can be done. I am managing it right now and it is going well."

Last season Wilson became the NFL's first coach suspended for violating the league's performance enhancing drug policy. He was given a five-game suspension for purchasing Human Growth Hormone (HGH), attempting to improve his quality of life in treatment of the disease.

Cowboys, Broncos Shorthanded

Though Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens had his pads and helmet on ready for Wednesday's second session, coaches forced him to take the afternoon off.

"T.O. wanted to practice," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "I told him, 'I wouldn't like you as much if you weren't mad about it.'"

Owens spent the afternoon encouraging his fellow Cowboys receivers and offering them technique advice. But he wasn't the only Pro-Bowler out of action. v Denver's Champ Bailey is out with a hamstring injury. The Broncos sat out eight players Wednesday, including former Cowboys defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban (Achilles) and lauded veteran center Tom Nalen (knee).

The Cowboys were missing linebacker Kevin Burnett in the afternoon session. He underwent an MRI on his knee. They were also without outside linebacker Anthony Spencer (bone bruise), though Phillips said Wednesday morning he thought Spencer would be returning soon, possibly tomorrow. The Cowboys gave cornerback Quincy Butler the afternoon off as well. Butler practiced with the team Wednesday morning for the first time since July 27.

Also out for the Cowboys were cornerback Terence Newman (groin) and defensive end Marcus Dixon (back).

Short Shots

The Denver media took the opportunity to relive Tony Romo's decision to sign with the Cowboys over the Broncos back in 2003, immediately following the draft. Romo, who went undrafted out of Eastern Illinois, said he nearly signed with the Broncos to join coach Mike Shanahan, an EIU alum. Instead, he went to Dallas, joining then-quarterbacks coach Sean Payton, also a former EIU quarterback . . . During the afternoon practice, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones raved about second-round pick Martellus Bennett, particularly pointing out his blocking. On the next two plays, Bennett sealed off the left side with a clearing block on a defensive end and then caught a pass over the middle for a 15-yard gain in team drills . . . Rookie running back Felix Jones certainly has the speed and quickness, but his upper-body strength isn't too bad either. Ask Broncos cornerback Dre' Bly, who was sent to the ground by a Jones' stiff-arm to the chest during an outside sweep in a team drill . . . Wade Phillips was a guest on two Denver radio shows, back in the town where he had his first head-coaching job . . . Broncos defensive end John Engelberger blew up a reverse to Patrick Crayton on the first play of the afternoon's 11-on-11 drills, stopping the receiver for a loss of eight.

[Whisky Dog]

Felix Jones will be returning kicks this season. Wade was just looking at unusual combinations in the 1st preseason game, but after the horrible special teams play I'm expecting to see Wade get a hell of a lot more serious about getting the guys reps who will have the best chance to be doing it in the regular season. Right now the offense looks solid. Defense looks studly. Special teams is the big time weakness in an otherwise near juggernaut.

[GaryJohnston]

Im really excited about Felix Jones. Can't wait to see what he does against Denver

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Horn Wants To Join Eagles Or Cowboys
14th August, 2008 - 5:12 pm
Pro Football Talk - Falcons' wide receiver Joe Horn wants to play for either the Eagles or Cowboys, according to Pro Football Talk.

He claims that his primary goal is to play for a Super Bowl contender and hinted that he would "not be accepted" in New Orleans again by Coach Sean Payton

http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/8746/20080814/horn_wants_to_join_eagles_or_cowboys/

[GaryJohnston]

What Horn wants, and what the Cowboys want are two different things.

[Evan]

Not sure why we would bring him here...people always say the Cowboys bring in the bad boys but we only have a few and they are all low risk extremely high payoff risks. This guy seems like a nightmare to deal with for 3rd string WR type results.

meh

Maybe if we pick him off the waiver or if TO, Witten or Patrick get hurt.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

The Cowboys have done a background check on Miami quarterback John Beck, but they have not had talks with the Dolphins regarding a potential trade for the 2007 second rounder, according to two sources.

After signing Chad Pennington and drafting Chad Henne in the second round, Beck and Josh McCown are in a fight for the No. 3 quarterback slot.

According to the sources, the Dolphins contacted the Cowboys - and other teams - about Beck shortly after coming to terms with Pennington.http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/8784/20080819/dallas_completes_background_check_on_john_beck/

[jack sommerset]

Cowboys released Glenn and he is a better player than Joe Horn. Cowboys need to put a package together to get Boldin.