Fullback search could meet stumbling block
By Charean Williams
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
The question directed at Jerry Jones -- do you expect your offense to change? -- was easily answered.
"No. No!" Jones said quickly.
Why would Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett change what's worked? The Cowboys had the fifth-best offense in the NFL last season, and their 5,772 total yards were the fifth-best in team history. Even more impressive, only once -- in 1995 -- did a Triplet-led Cowboys' offense gain more yards than Dallas did last season.
"We did well offensively last year," Jones agreed.
The Cowboys will have some different terminology, Jones said, and the fullback could play a bigger role if the Cowboys can find a capable one.
Last season, Bill Parcells challenged his scouts to find him a good blocking fullback. But would-be fullbacks now are choosing to play linebacker. It is a recent trend, which began when high schools and colleges turned to passing offenses devoid of a fullback.
In the past seven NFL Drafts, only 35 fullbacks were drafted, including four each of the past three years. William Floyd was the last fullback selected in the first round, going 28th overall to the 49ers in 1994.
Rutgers fullback Brian Leonard is the top-rated player at his position this year.
"We have to see, personnel-wise, but if we could get it, we could have that fullback involved more," Jones said, "which was always kind of a, not a dilemma, but a choice. How do you get more tight ends in the game and two fullbacks, plus get the complementary running backs back there? How do you get all that done? But I think you could see that. It's the kind of thing that Jason and Tony [Sparano] might want to do -- to involve [the fullback] more. But it's real early in this thing."
Carr on block
The Texans finally admitted what's been reported for a while now: David Carr is on the trading block. Houston is hoping to get a third-round pick for Carr that could escalate to a second-rounder.
Carr, a former No. 1 overall pick, is only 27. He has a strong arm, good mobility and durability. He's a five-year starter.
But he needs a change of scenery. With a 23-53 record in games he has played, Carr has been blamed for all of the Texans' ills.
Houston, though, could have a hard time unloading Carr. He has two years left on a contract that pays him $5.5 million this year and $6 million next year.
Regardless, Jake Plummer could be the Texans' starting quarterback next season. Plummer had the best three years of his career with Gary Kubiak as his offensive coordinator in Denver, going 32-11 as a starter under Kubiak.
Big mistake?
The Cardinals issued a statement saying they won't use the franchise or transition tag on left tackle Leonard Davis, making him a likely free agent. The former Texas standout has never lived up to his draft status as the No. 2 overall draft choice in 2001 and would cost the Cardinals $11 million to franchise him.
Arizona, though, doesn't have any viable options of replacing Davis, and it appears Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas will be drafted before the Cardinals pick at No. 5.
Vick can change calls
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will be allowed to audible at the line of scrimmage. Previously, Jim Mora and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp forbid Vick from altering a run play to a pass or a pass play to a run.
"Our expectation is our quarterback is the extension of us, and he's the guy running the show," new Falcons offensive coordinator Hue Jackson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He should get it all, and he should be able to handle that. We expect our quarterback to do more than anybody on this team.... He's going to hit the right calls. He has to hit the right calls."
Vick became the first QB in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season (1,039). But he hit only 52.6 percent of his passes for 2,474 yards with 20 TDs and 13 interceptions.
MY TEN CENTS
1 Bill Parcells, who has moved back to Saratoga, N.Y., is expected to end up back at ESPN.
2 The Bills will lose linebacker London Fletcher and cornerback Nate Clements in free agency. The Redskins are expected to pursue both, and the Lions reportedly have interest in Fletcher.
3 The Titans would like to have Kerry Collins back as Vince Young's backup.
4 Patriots linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, benched for the AFC Championship Game after struggling against the run, could end up in San Francisco.
5 An MRI on the left knee of Bears running back Cedric Benson was negative. The former Longhorns star sprained his knee in the first quarter of the Super Bowl, limiting the Bears' game plan.
6 The Dolphins have told the agent for quarterback Cleo Lemon that they want the free agent back to compete for playing time with Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington.
7 The Broncos are expected to target Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney in free agency. Kerney, who missed the final seven games of last season because of a torn chest muscle, wants to reunite with his position coach in Atlanta, Bill Johnson, who now is with Denver.
8 Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson, the top-rated player on most draft boards, is training at Disney with renowned speed coach Tom Shaw. Johnson ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash last week.
9 Eagles president Joe Banner insists Andy Reid will be back on the job in mid-March. Reid took a leave of absence to deal with his sons' legal problems.
10 Arkansas tackle Tony Ugoh had a tough Senior Bowl, perhaps costing him on draft day. Ugoh, who is 6-5, 301 pounds, could fall out of the first round.
WHO'S HOT
Adam Carriker, above: The Nebraska defensive end was the standout at the Senior Bowl and is now projected as a top-20 pick. The 6-foot-6, 292-pounder is versatile enough to play defensive end in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.
WHO'S NOT
Marty Schottenheimer: His best Super Bowl chance may have passed him by, and the Chargers fired him so late that he has no opportunity for another head coaching job this season.
THE NUMBER
327 Draft-eligible players invited to this year's NFL Scouting Combine, which starts this week in Indianapolis. The breakdown: defensive backs (55), defensive linemen (50), linebackers (36), offensive linemen (51), quarterbacks (21), running backs/fullbacks (32), tight ends (16), wide receivers (49), kickers/punters (14), special teams (3). That is a total of 141 defensive players, 169 offensive players and 17 specialists.
WISH LIST
The NFL Scouting Combine begins next week, and free agency follows March 2. The top players, by position, available through free agency -- if they aren't tagged -- or in the draft:
Pos. Free agency Team Draft School
QB Jeff Garcia Eagles Brady Quinn Notre Dame
RB Dominic Rhodes Colts Adrian Peterson Oklahoma
OT Leonard Davis Cardinals Joe Thomas Wisconsin
OG Kris Dielman Chargers Ben Grubbs Auburn
C Andre Gurode Cowboys Ryan Kalil USC
TE Daniel Graham Patriots Greg Olsen Miami
WR Donté Stallworth Eagles Calvin Johnson Ga. Tech
DE Dwight Freeney Colts Jamaal Anderson Arkansas
DT Vonnie Holliday Dolphins Alan Branch Michigan
LB Cato June Colts Lawrence Timmons Florida St.
CB Nate Clements Bills Leon Hall Michigan
S Ken Hamlin Seahawks LaRon Landry LSU
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
The question directed at Jerry Jones -- do you expect your offense to change? -- was easily answered.
"No. No!" Jones said quickly.
Why would Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett change what's worked? The Cowboys had the fifth-best offense in the NFL last season, and their 5,772 total yards were the fifth-best in team history. Even more impressive, only once -- in 1995 -- did a Triplet-led Cowboys' offense gain more yards than Dallas did last season.
"We did well offensively last year," Jones agreed.
The Cowboys will have some different terminology, Jones said, and the fullback could play a bigger role if the Cowboys can find a capable one.
Last season, Bill Parcells challenged his scouts to find him a good blocking fullback. But would-be fullbacks now are choosing to play linebacker. It is a recent trend, which began when high schools and colleges turned to passing offenses devoid of a fullback.
In the past seven NFL Drafts, only 35 fullbacks were drafted, including four each of the past three years. William Floyd was the last fullback selected in the first round, going 28th overall to the 49ers in 1994.
Rutgers fullback Brian Leonard is the top-rated player at his position this year.
"We have to see, personnel-wise, but if we could get it, we could have that fullback involved more," Jones said, "which was always kind of a, not a dilemma, but a choice. How do you get more tight ends in the game and two fullbacks, plus get the complementary running backs back there? How do you get all that done? But I think you could see that. It's the kind of thing that Jason and Tony [Sparano] might want to do -- to involve [the fullback] more. But it's real early in this thing."
Carr on block
The Texans finally admitted what's been reported for a while now: David Carr is on the trading block. Houston is hoping to get a third-round pick for Carr that could escalate to a second-rounder.
Carr, a former No. 1 overall pick, is only 27. He has a strong arm, good mobility and durability. He's a five-year starter.
But he needs a change of scenery. With a 23-53 record in games he has played, Carr has been blamed for all of the Texans' ills.
Houston, though, could have a hard time unloading Carr. He has two years left on a contract that pays him $5.5 million this year and $6 million next year.
Regardless, Jake Plummer could be the Texans' starting quarterback next season. Plummer had the best three years of his career with Gary Kubiak as his offensive coordinator in Denver, going 32-11 as a starter under Kubiak.
Big mistake?
The Cardinals issued a statement saying they won't use the franchise or transition tag on left tackle Leonard Davis, making him a likely free agent. The former Texas standout has never lived up to his draft status as the No. 2 overall draft choice in 2001 and would cost the Cardinals $11 million to franchise him.
Arizona, though, doesn't have any viable options of replacing Davis, and it appears Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas will be drafted before the Cardinals pick at No. 5.
Vick can change calls
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will be allowed to audible at the line of scrimmage. Previously, Jim Mora and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp forbid Vick from altering a run play to a pass or a pass play to a run.
"Our expectation is our quarterback is the extension of us, and he's the guy running the show," new Falcons offensive coordinator Hue Jackson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He should get it all, and he should be able to handle that. We expect our quarterback to do more than anybody on this team.... He's going to hit the right calls. He has to hit the right calls."
Vick became the first QB in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season (1,039). But he hit only 52.6 percent of his passes for 2,474 yards with 20 TDs and 13 interceptions.
MY TEN CENTS
1 Bill Parcells, who has moved back to Saratoga, N.Y., is expected to end up back at ESPN.
2 The Bills will lose linebacker London Fletcher and cornerback Nate Clements in free agency. The Redskins are expected to pursue both, and the Lions reportedly have interest in Fletcher.
3 The Titans would like to have Kerry Collins back as Vince Young's backup.
4 Patriots linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, benched for the AFC Championship Game after struggling against the run, could end up in San Francisco.
5 An MRI on the left knee of Bears running back Cedric Benson was negative. The former Longhorns star sprained his knee in the first quarter of the Super Bowl, limiting the Bears' game plan.
6 The Dolphins have told the agent for quarterback Cleo Lemon that they want the free agent back to compete for playing time with Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington.
7 The Broncos are expected to target Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney in free agency. Kerney, who missed the final seven games of last season because of a torn chest muscle, wants to reunite with his position coach in Atlanta, Bill Johnson, who now is with Denver.
8 Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson, the top-rated player on most draft boards, is training at Disney with renowned speed coach Tom Shaw. Johnson ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash last week.
9 Eagles president Joe Banner insists Andy Reid will be back on the job in mid-March. Reid took a leave of absence to deal with his sons' legal problems.
10 Arkansas tackle Tony Ugoh had a tough Senior Bowl, perhaps costing him on draft day. Ugoh, who is 6-5, 301 pounds, could fall out of the first round.
WHO'S HOT
Adam Carriker, above: The Nebraska defensive end was the standout at the Senior Bowl and is now projected as a top-20 pick. The 6-foot-6, 292-pounder is versatile enough to play defensive end in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.
WHO'S NOT
Marty Schottenheimer: His best Super Bowl chance may have passed him by, and the Chargers fired him so late that he has no opportunity for another head coaching job this season.
THE NUMBER
327 Draft-eligible players invited to this year's NFL Scouting Combine, which starts this week in Indianapolis. The breakdown: defensive backs (55), defensive linemen (50), linebackers (36), offensive linemen (51), quarterbacks (21), running backs/fullbacks (32), tight ends (16), wide receivers (49), kickers/punters (14), special teams (3). That is a total of 141 defensive players, 169 offensive players and 17 specialists.
WISH LIST
The NFL Scouting Combine begins next week, and free agency follows March 2. The top players, by position, available through free agency -- if they aren't tagged -- or in the draft:
Pos. Free agency Team Draft School
QB Jeff Garcia Eagles Brady Quinn Notre Dame
RB Dominic Rhodes Colts Adrian Peterson Oklahoma
OT Leonard Davis Cardinals Joe Thomas Wisconsin
OG Kris Dielman Chargers Ben Grubbs Auburn
C Andre Gurode Cowboys Ryan Kalil USC
TE Daniel Graham Patriots Greg Olsen Miami
WR Donté Stallworth Eagles Calvin Johnson Ga. Tech
DE Dwight Freeney Colts Jamaal Anderson Arkansas
DT Vonnie Holliday Dolphins Alan Branch Michigan
LB Cato June Colts Lawrence Timmons Florida St.
CB Nate Clements Bills Leon Hall Michigan
S Ken Hamlin Seahawks LaRon Landry LSU
posted by The Gryphon at 9:15 AM
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