Cowboy's Team Report
By Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
March 4, 2007
The Cowboys made Mat McBriar the NFL's highest-paid punter by signing him to a five-year deal worth about $8 million, including a $2.5 million signing bonus. The Cowboys didn't mind making such an investment in McBriar because he led the NFL by averaging 48.5 yards per punt last season en route to making the Pro Bowl for the first time. More important, McBriar is a low-maintenance player who is continually working to get better. He gets great hang time, in addition to distance, and he's getting continually better at placing punts inside the opponents' 20. Jerry Jones usually doesn't like putting such big money into a kicking specialist, but the combination of McBriar's work-ethic and his age made it an easy decision. . . .
Jason Garrett officially was named the Cowboys' offensive coordinator and will probably call the plays this season, despite being an NFL assistant for only two seasons. Garrett, a backup quarterback in Dallas for several seasons, impressed Jones with his knowledge of several offensive schemes that the Cowboys hope they can use to enhance a unit that averaged 26.4 points per game last season. Garrett has worked with Jon Gruden, Sean Payton and learned from Norv Turner when he was a backup in Dallas. Tony Sparano was promoted to assistant head coach and is expected to have a big role in the offense after calling plays next year. Expect Sparano to have a big say in the running game because he's the offensive line coach and served as the running game coordinator. . . .
The Cowboys signed Leonard Davis to a seven-year deal worth $49.5 million, including $18 million in guaranteed money. Now, Dallas has to decide whether he's playing right guard or right tackle. Some of that will depend on whether the Cowboys re-sign T Marc Colombo, who is an unrestricted free agent. The Cowboys would probably prefer Colombo at right tackle, where his immense strength and size becomes a much bigger factor. As a guard, it's especially difficult for defensive linemen to get away from Davis because they're doing combat in such close quarters. That puts an emphasis on Davis' strength and makes him a more effective player. At tackle, defensive ends with speed can line up so far outside in an attempt to run around him that it can put him at a disadvantage because of his lack of foot speed and lateral quickness. It's a good move for the Cowboys, but it will be a better one if he can play guard and Colombo returns to play tackle.
For Sporting News
March 4, 2007
The Cowboys made Mat McBriar the NFL's highest-paid punter by signing him to a five-year deal worth about $8 million, including a $2.5 million signing bonus. The Cowboys didn't mind making such an investment in McBriar because he led the NFL by averaging 48.5 yards per punt last season en route to making the Pro Bowl for the first time. More important, McBriar is a low-maintenance player who is continually working to get better. He gets great hang time, in addition to distance, and he's getting continually better at placing punts inside the opponents' 20. Jerry Jones usually doesn't like putting such big money into a kicking specialist, but the combination of McBriar's work-ethic and his age made it an easy decision. . . .
Jason Garrett officially was named the Cowboys' offensive coordinator and will probably call the plays this season, despite being an NFL assistant for only two seasons. Garrett, a backup quarterback in Dallas for several seasons, impressed Jones with his knowledge of several offensive schemes that the Cowboys hope they can use to enhance a unit that averaged 26.4 points per game last season. Garrett has worked with Jon Gruden, Sean Payton and learned from Norv Turner when he was a backup in Dallas. Tony Sparano was promoted to assistant head coach and is expected to have a big role in the offense after calling plays next year. Expect Sparano to have a big say in the running game because he's the offensive line coach and served as the running game coordinator. . . .
The Cowboys signed Leonard Davis to a seven-year deal worth $49.5 million, including $18 million in guaranteed money. Now, Dallas has to decide whether he's playing right guard or right tackle. Some of that will depend on whether the Cowboys re-sign T Marc Colombo, who is an unrestricted free agent. The Cowboys would probably prefer Colombo at right tackle, where his immense strength and size becomes a much bigger factor. As a guard, it's especially difficult for defensive linemen to get away from Davis because they're doing combat in such close quarters. That puts an emphasis on Davis' strength and makes him a more effective player. At tackle, defensive ends with speed can line up so far outside in an attempt to run around him that it can put him at a disadvantage because of his lack of foot speed and lateral quickness. It's a good move for the Cowboys, but it will be a better one if he can play guard and Colombo returns to play tackle.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:45 PM
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