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Latest News
2007 SCHEDULE
PRE-SEASON
Thu Aug 9 INDIANAPOLIS
(FOX) 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 18 DENVER (BSM)
7:00 pm
Sat Aug 25 @ Houston
(BSM) 7:00 pm
Thu Aug 30 @ Minnesota
(BSM) 7:00 pm
REGULAR SEASON
1. Sun, Sept. 9 NY GIANTS
(NBC) 7:15 pm
2. Sun, Sept. 16 @ Miami
(FOX) 3:05 pm
3. Sun, Sept. 23 @
Chicago (NBC) 7:15 pm
4. Sun, Sept. 30 ST. LOUIS
(FOX) Noon
5. Mon, Oct. 8 @ Buffalo
(ESPN) 7:30 pm
6. Sun, Oct. 14 NEW
ENGLAND (CBS) 3:15 pm
7. Sun, Oct. 21
MINNESOTA (FOX) Noon
8. Sun, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
9. Sun, Nov 4 @
Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15
pm
10. Sun, Nov. 11 @ NY
Giants (FOX) 3:15 pm
11. Sun, Nov. 18
WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon
12. Thu, Nov. 22 NY JETS
(CBS) 3:15 pm
13. Thu, Nov. 29 GREEN
BAY (NFL) 7:15 pm
14. Sun, Dec. 9 @ Detroit
(FOX) Noon
15. Sun, Dec. 16 PHILLY
(FOX) 3:15 pm
16. Sat, Dec. 22 @
Carolina (NFL) 7:15 pm
17. Sun, Dec. 30 @
Washington (FOX) Noon
PRE-SEASON
Thu Aug 9 INDIANAPOLIS
(FOX) 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 18 DENVER (BSM)
7:00 pm
Sat Aug 25 @ Houston
(BSM) 7:00 pm
Thu Aug 30 @ Minnesota
(BSM) 7:00 pm
REGULAR SEASON
1. Sun, Sept. 9 NY GIANTS
(NBC) 7:15 pm
2. Sun, Sept. 16 @ Miami
(FOX) 3:05 pm
3. Sun, Sept. 23 @
Chicago (NBC) 7:15 pm
4. Sun, Sept. 30 ST. LOUIS
(FOX) Noon
5. Mon, Oct. 8 @ Buffalo
(ESPN) 7:30 pm
6. Sun, Oct. 14 NEW
ENGLAND (CBS) 3:15 pm
7. Sun, Oct. 21
MINNESOTA (FOX) Noon
8. Sun, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
9. Sun, Nov 4 @
Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15
pm
10. Sun, Nov. 11 @ NY
Giants (FOX) 3:15 pm
11. Sun, Nov. 18
WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon
12. Thu, Nov. 22 NY JETS
(CBS) 3:15 pm
13. Thu, Nov. 29 GREEN
BAY (NFL) 7:15 pm
14. Sun, Dec. 9 @ Detroit
(FOX) Noon
15. Sun, Dec. 16 PHILLY
(FOX) 3:15 pm
16. Sat, Dec. 22 @
Carolina (NFL) 7:15 pm
17. Sun, Dec. 30 @
Washington (FOX) Noon
| Cowboy's Trivia Question of the Week! Who is the oldest player on the Cowboys' roster? Last Week's Answer: Danny White |
When There Is This Much Smoke
Like it or not, it appears Pacman Jones is going to be a Cowboy.
We have heard tons of rumors this off-season, but this one seems
to keep popping up. When there is this much smoke, there is
usually fire assuming he gets re-instated which I'm sure he will.
Goodell is tough, but a year suspension is substantial enough. It
may not be fair, but athletes seem to get a million chances in life.
So why should we expect Pacman to be any different.
I'm not opposed to bringing in Pacman for a late round draft pick if
he is willing to re-structure his contract which he says he is. Give
him an incentive laden contract that makes it easy to cut him. I don't
see why you wouldn't make this deal. We have confidence we can
deal with a guy like him, and everyone knows cornerback is our
biggest need.
I do disagree with people that say bringing in Adam Jones drops our
need at corner down below running back and wide receiver. Who
would be dumb enough to count on this guy? You don't pass on a
corner in the 1st round just because you have Pacman. You'd have
to be crazy with this guy's track record. You treat him like he is the
5th or 6th round pick you gave for him. He might eliminate the need
to take a second corner later in the draft, but I still want one with our
first pick. It appears the four top corners will be gone by #22, but
that issue is for another day.
For those fans who aren't familiar with Jones as a player, I will give
you a short overview and scouting report. He was the 6th overall
pick in the 2005 draft and lived up to the hype on the field for the
Titans. I've read from multiple sources that he was one of the top
10 corners in football in 2006. That is how good he is. We aren't
going after a guy that is just good, he has the potential to be great.
People say you can't compare him to Tank Johnson, but I think you
can. Jones is more of a bad apple than Johnson ever was, but you
can't overlook the ability of both guys when comparing their risks.
Best case scenario for Tank Johnson is you get an above average
defensive tackle. He was solid in Chicago, but I wasn't that
impressed with him last season. DeMarcus Ware says he is greatly
improved, but I might give him a 25% chance of ever being a
starting lineman for the Cowboys.
Jones on the other hand is a Pro Bowl caliber player as a corner
and punt returner. Don't overlook the punt returning aspect as that
is likely where he will make the biggest impact next year. He ran
three punts back for TDs in 2006. Do you see how the risks are
similar? We brought in a bad character player who only gave us
depth at defensive tackle. Why not bring in a worse guy at corner
that actually has the potential to be one of the better players on the
team.
I don't blame people who are against it. I like watching high
character guys like Ware, Witten, and Romo. See we are smart not
to waste high draft picks on these guys, we pick them up after they
make trouble and get cut. Our team is full of high character men.
That is why we do so well with the Johnson's and the Owens's of the
world. Why not take one more chance. We are close to winning a
Super Bowl. Cornerback was our only real weakness next year, and
we could have the best cornerbacks in the NFL next season with
Newman, Henry, Jones, and a high draft pick.
One final point is our future at cornerback is cloudy at best.
Newman is one of the best corners in the league, but he will be 30
next season. He deserves an Asante Samuel/DeAngelo Hall
contract, but I don't know that we want to or can even afford to give
that to him. He is a good deal older than all those players.
DeMarcus Ware is also gonna be a free agent in 2009. He is the
most important player on defense. For my money, he is one of the
top 5 best defenders in the NFL and he will be paid accordingly.
Pass rushers get paid well. We will have to give him a contract that
rivals and likely succeeds Romo's new contract.
If Newman's future is in question, what does that say about Anthony
Henry. I'm predicting this will be his last year to play cornerback for
Dallas. He will either be cut, or he will move to free safety. I think
the later is more likely. Either Hamlin or Williams will be gone in
2009 so we will need to fill the void there. That gives you a 2008
1st round pick and Newman at corner. Pacman would help that
situation out a lot if he can ever get his head on straight.
Like it or not, it appears Pacman Jones is going to be a Cowboy.
We have heard tons of rumors this off-season, but this one seems
to keep popping up. When there is this much smoke, there is
usually fire assuming he gets re-instated which I'm sure he will.
Goodell is tough, but a year suspension is substantial enough. It
may not be fair, but athletes seem to get a million chances in life.
So why should we expect Pacman to be any different.
I'm not opposed to bringing in Pacman for a late round draft pick if
he is willing to re-structure his contract which he says he is. Give
him an incentive laden contract that makes it easy to cut him. I don't
see why you wouldn't make this deal. We have confidence we can
deal with a guy like him, and everyone knows cornerback is our
biggest need.
I do disagree with people that say bringing in Adam Jones drops our
need at corner down below running back and wide receiver. Who
would be dumb enough to count on this guy? You don't pass on a
corner in the 1st round just because you have Pacman. You'd have
to be crazy with this guy's track record. You treat him like he is the
5th or 6th round pick you gave for him. He might eliminate the need
to take a second corner later in the draft, but I still want one with our
first pick. It appears the four top corners will be gone by #22, but
that issue is for another day.
For those fans who aren't familiar with Jones as a player, I will give
you a short overview and scouting report. He was the 6th overall
pick in the 2005 draft and lived up to the hype on the field for the
Titans. I've read from multiple sources that he was one of the top
10 corners in football in 2006. That is how good he is. We aren't
going after a guy that is just good, he has the potential to be great.
People say you can't compare him to Tank Johnson, but I think you
can. Jones is more of a bad apple than Johnson ever was, but you
can't overlook the ability of both guys when comparing their risks.
Best case scenario for Tank Johnson is you get an above average
defensive tackle. He was solid in Chicago, but I wasn't that
impressed with him last season. DeMarcus Ware says he is greatly
improved, but I might give him a 25% chance of ever being a
starting lineman for the Cowboys.
Jones on the other hand is a Pro Bowl caliber player as a corner
and punt returner. Don't overlook the punt returning aspect as that
is likely where he will make the biggest impact next year. He ran
three punts back for TDs in 2006. Do you see how the risks are
similar? We brought in a bad character player who only gave us
depth at defensive tackle. Why not bring in a worse guy at corner
that actually has the potential to be one of the better players on the
team.
I don't blame people who are against it. I like watching high
character guys like Ware, Witten, and Romo. See we are smart not
to waste high draft picks on these guys, we pick them up after they
make trouble and get cut. Our team is full of high character men.
That is why we do so well with the Johnson's and the Owens's of the
world. Why not take one more chance. We are close to winning a
Super Bowl. Cornerback was our only real weakness next year, and
we could have the best cornerbacks in the NFL next season with
Newman, Henry, Jones, and a high draft pick.
One final point is our future at cornerback is cloudy at best.
Newman is one of the best corners in the league, but he will be 30
next season. He deserves an Asante Samuel/DeAngelo Hall
contract, but I don't know that we want to or can even afford to give
that to him. He is a good deal older than all those players.
DeMarcus Ware is also gonna be a free agent in 2009. He is the
most important player on defense. For my money, he is one of the
top 5 best defenders in the NFL and he will be paid accordingly.
Pass rushers get paid well. We will have to give him a contract that
rivals and likely succeeds Romo's new contract.
If Newman's future is in question, what does that say about Anthony
Henry. I'm predicting this will be his last year to play cornerback for
Dallas. He will either be cut, or he will move to free safety. I think
the later is more likely. Either Hamlin or Williams will be gone in
2009 so we will need to fill the void there. That gives you a 2008
1st round pick and Newman at corner. Pacman would help that
situation out a lot if he can ever get his head on straight.
You Can’t Have a Corner at #22
Most rational Cowboys fan will tell you cornerback is the biggest
need for the Dallas Cowboys. Most including myself want to select
one with our first pick. That is appearing less and less possible as
the weeks go by. Nearly every mock I see lately has McKelvin,
Rodgers-Cromartie, Talib, and Jenkins all gone by #22. There isn’t
another player worthy of that selection at corner so we must look in
another direction.
Now Talib reportedly tested positive for marijuana on three different
occasions while at Kansas as did Mario Manningham. That could
help Talib slip to the Cowboys, but then again I don’t know if that
would make us pass him up as well. I doubt it. He is said to have
some other character questions as well though so I’m not too high
on the possibility of drafting him. For the sake of this article and the
possible scenario, we will go ahead as if all four of the top corners
are not options for one reason or another.
I see three positions as options at #22 if one of those corners is not
available. These positions are wide receiver, running back, and
safety. Safety isn’t a huge need, but if Kenny Phillips is available I
would strongly consider taking him. Chances are either Hamlin or
Williams will be gone after this year so we may need a safety.
Phillips is a great all-around safety who is considered by most a
Top 15 talent. Another safety option is Reggie Smith. He played
corner too, but nine times out of ten a corner/safety tweener is
going to end up playing safety and judging by his 40 times in the
4.6 range I don’t see him being an exception to that rule. We could
still draft him, but I don’t think he solves the cornerback issue.
Running back is a logical position to select here. Many mocks have
Felix Jones going to Dallas at #22, but I think that is a tad too early
for him. I would take any of the later mentioned receiving options
over him. Jonathan Stewart won’t be available until training camp,
but I wouldn’t mind having him if he is available. He isn’t the speed
compliment, but there is little doubt he could handle a full load in 09’
if needed which is not necessarily true for Felix Jones, Ray Rice, or
Jamaal Charles.
The final option is wide receiver. Jerry would like to trade for a
veteran, but if he can’t he will take a wide receiver early. He says
he isn’t crazy about having to wait on a receiver to develop, but he
has to do it at some point or another. Besides, there are plenty of
rookie receivers that could help us. Would Limas Sweed or
DeSean Jackson be immediate starters? No, but that doesn’t mean
they might not be a good upgrade over Sam Hurd. If we could get
500-600 yards receiving out of a rookie receiver that would be
doing great and I think that is within reason. A running back would
make a more immediate impact, but you can make the argument
that a runner taken at any point on the first day will make an
immediate impact while the longer you wait for a receiver the less
likely that becomes. I would argue taking Jackson in the 1st and
Ray Rice in the 2nd would help the team more than Felix Jones and
say Andre Caldwell in the 2nd. Both runners are going to help, and
Jackson has a better chance to make your team better from Day 1
than Caldwell does.
Limas Sweed, Devin Thomas, and DeSean Jackson head the
receiver class. Jackson is a perfect compliment to Terrell Owens.
He is only 5’10 169, but he is electrifying as a receiver and return
man. He probably will never be an elite receiver, but he can put up
good numbers. He isn’t just a fast and quick athlete though. He is
a productive receiver who has great hands. He runs good routes
and will go up and fight for the football. He could be a guy that
could really help us out next season even if he doesn’t put up big
receiving numbers which he probably won’t and might never will.
Thomas is the most talented receiver in the draft but he is raw. I
don’t see us helping us at all next season which does not sound
attractive.
Sweed has everything you look for in a #1 possession receiver. He
has great hands, runs good routes, and he is deceptively fast. He
has four years starting experience and I could see him being a guy
that could come in and give your receiving corp a boost immediately.
If I had to put money on it I would guess we would select one of the
receivers if Jerry can’t get a trade done for a veteran. I would be
okay with any of the three. Malcom Kelly was in that mix but he ran
a slow 40 at his workout. He is going to run again so he might
sneak back into the mix. I don’t really have a preference. The
scouting department knows more about them than I do. I just want
us to take who we think is the right guy.
At #28 the focus would shift back to corner. We might try to trade
down, but more likely we will reach a bit for a corner. We could take
Felix Jones if available or maybe Mario Manningham if a receiver
wasn’t taken at #22 though. I think you have to go with corner
though because you may miss out on the eight or nine really good
corners in this draft if you wait until the 2nd round.
My choice would be Brandon Flowers. He is short and he didn’t run
a great 40, but he is a football player. Look at his highlights on
Youtube. The guy thinks he is a linebacker. He has amazing ball
skills as well. His speed and aggressiveness suggest he would be a
perfect zone corner, but he played very well in man coverage at
Virginia Tech. This is important because we play mostly man. If
you are looking for a shutdown corner, this isn’t your guy, but if you
want a reliable starter in this league that brings and attitude to your
defense this is your guy.
The two other corners I would consider would be Antoine Cason
and Tracy Porter. Porter has tons of upside. He is a finesse corner
with great speed and ball skills. He is risky, but he could develop
into an All-Pro. Cason is a far safer pick. He has solid athletic
skills, but what really sets him apart is his on the field production,
evident by him winning the Thorpe Award. He has been one of the
top corners in the country for three years now. His intangibles, ball
skills, and cover skills are through the roof. He is intelligent and a
hard worker. He will never be a star, but he is the most NFL ready
corner in the draft and he will be a quality starter for a long time.
He isn’t going to be a Champ Bailey or a Terence Newman, but he
could be someone along the lines of an Anthony Henry or a Lito
Sheppard. Cason makes sense for the simple fact that you should
be able to plug him in the nickel from Day 1 and not have to worry
about too many growing pains.
The Pacman Jones saga will not effect the draft. It appears sides
are getting close to a deal as of Sunday, but the Cowboys aren’t
banking on Pacman. Anything they would possibly get from him
would be looked at strictly as a bonus.
Most rational Cowboys fan will tell you cornerback is the biggest
need for the Dallas Cowboys. Most including myself want to select
one with our first pick. That is appearing less and less possible as
the weeks go by. Nearly every mock I see lately has McKelvin,
Rodgers-Cromartie, Talib, and Jenkins all gone by #22. There isn’t
another player worthy of that selection at corner so we must look in
another direction.
Now Talib reportedly tested positive for marijuana on three different
occasions while at Kansas as did Mario Manningham. That could
help Talib slip to the Cowboys, but then again I don’t know if that
would make us pass him up as well. I doubt it. He is said to have
some other character questions as well though so I’m not too high
on the possibility of drafting him. For the sake of this article and the
possible scenario, we will go ahead as if all four of the top corners
are not options for one reason or another.
I see three positions as options at #22 if one of those corners is not
available. These positions are wide receiver, running back, and
safety. Safety isn’t a huge need, but if Kenny Phillips is available I
would strongly consider taking him. Chances are either Hamlin or
Williams will be gone after this year so we may need a safety.
Phillips is a great all-around safety who is considered by most a
Top 15 talent. Another safety option is Reggie Smith. He played
corner too, but nine times out of ten a corner/safety tweener is
going to end up playing safety and judging by his 40 times in the
4.6 range I don’t see him being an exception to that rule. We could
still draft him, but I don’t think he solves the cornerback issue.
Running back is a logical position to select here. Many mocks have
Felix Jones going to Dallas at #22, but I think that is a tad too early
for him. I would take any of the later mentioned receiving options
over him. Jonathan Stewart won’t be available until training camp,
but I wouldn’t mind having him if he is available. He isn’t the speed
compliment, but there is little doubt he could handle a full load in 09’
if needed which is not necessarily true for Felix Jones, Ray Rice, or
Jamaal Charles.
The final option is wide receiver. Jerry would like to trade for a
veteran, but if he can’t he will take a wide receiver early. He says
he isn’t crazy about having to wait on a receiver to develop, but he
has to do it at some point or another. Besides, there are plenty of
rookie receivers that could help us. Would Limas Sweed or
DeSean Jackson be immediate starters? No, but that doesn’t mean
they might not be a good upgrade over Sam Hurd. If we could get
500-600 yards receiving out of a rookie receiver that would be
doing great and I think that is within reason. A running back would
make a more immediate impact, but you can make the argument
that a runner taken at any point on the first day will make an
immediate impact while the longer you wait for a receiver the less
likely that becomes. I would argue taking Jackson in the 1st and
Ray Rice in the 2nd would help the team more than Felix Jones and
say Andre Caldwell in the 2nd. Both runners are going to help, and
Jackson has a better chance to make your team better from Day 1
than Caldwell does.
Limas Sweed, Devin Thomas, and DeSean Jackson head the
receiver class. Jackson is a perfect compliment to Terrell Owens.
He is only 5’10 169, but he is electrifying as a receiver and return
man. He probably will never be an elite receiver, but he can put up
good numbers. He isn’t just a fast and quick athlete though. He is
a productive receiver who has great hands. He runs good routes
and will go up and fight for the football. He could be a guy that
could really help us out next season even if he doesn’t put up big
receiving numbers which he probably won’t and might never will.
Thomas is the most talented receiver in the draft but he is raw. I
don’t see us helping us at all next season which does not sound
attractive.
Sweed has everything you look for in a #1 possession receiver. He
has great hands, runs good routes, and he is deceptively fast. He
has four years starting experience and I could see him being a guy
that could come in and give your receiving corp a boost immediately.
If I had to put money on it I would guess we would select one of the
receivers if Jerry can’t get a trade done for a veteran. I would be
okay with any of the three. Malcom Kelly was in that mix but he ran
a slow 40 at his workout. He is going to run again so he might
sneak back into the mix. I don’t really have a preference. The
scouting department knows more about them than I do. I just want
us to take who we think is the right guy.
At #28 the focus would shift back to corner. We might try to trade
down, but more likely we will reach a bit for a corner. We could take
Felix Jones if available or maybe Mario Manningham if a receiver
wasn’t taken at #22 though. I think you have to go with corner
though because you may miss out on the eight or nine really good
corners in this draft if you wait until the 2nd round.
My choice would be Brandon Flowers. He is short and he didn’t run
a great 40, but he is a football player. Look at his highlights on
Youtube. The guy thinks he is a linebacker. He has amazing ball
skills as well. His speed and aggressiveness suggest he would be a
perfect zone corner, but he played very well in man coverage at
Virginia Tech. This is important because we play mostly man. If
you are looking for a shutdown corner, this isn’t your guy, but if you
want a reliable starter in this league that brings and attitude to your
defense this is your guy.
The two other corners I would consider would be Antoine Cason
and Tracy Porter. Porter has tons of upside. He is a finesse corner
with great speed and ball skills. He is risky, but he could develop
into an All-Pro. Cason is a far safer pick. He has solid athletic
skills, but what really sets him apart is his on the field production,
evident by him winning the Thorpe Award. He has been one of the
top corners in the country for three years now. His intangibles, ball
skills, and cover skills are through the roof. He is intelligent and a
hard worker. He will never be a star, but he is the most NFL ready
corner in the draft and he will be a quality starter for a long time.
He isn’t going to be a Champ Bailey or a Terence Newman, but he
could be someone along the lines of an Anthony Henry or a Lito
Sheppard. Cason makes sense for the simple fact that you should
be able to plug him in the nickel from Day 1 and not have to worry
about too many growing pains.
The Pacman Jones saga will not effect the draft. It appears sides
are getting close to a deal as of Sunday, but the Cowboys aren’t
banking on Pacman. Anything they would possibly get from him
would be looked at strictly as a bonus.