Cowboys must focus on signing own stars
By NEWY SCRUGGS
Special to the Star-Telegram
Larry Johnson is not going to play for the Dallas Cowboys this fall.
The Kansas City running back is prepared to hold out of training camp if he isn't given a new deal with $27 million in up-front money.
Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones should not be his Santa Claus. There is no need to trade for LJ, who might be the NFL's second-best runner behind San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson.
The Chiefs shopped Johnson around before the draft. Reportedly, the price was too steep. The Cowboys missed an opportunity to make a trade for Johnson a few years back while he was a frustrated backup to Priest Holmes. Consider that window closed.
The Cowboys have their own contract issues to deal with. Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo is about to enter the final year of his deal that pays him $1.5 million. He's already told the media he wants an extension before the season starts.
Cornerback Terence Newman is still two years away from free agency, but the club has expressed a desire to lock him up. Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams is an unrestricted free agent after this season. I'd say the Cowboys will pay only two of those three.
Having a superstar running back on your roster doesn't guarantee a Super Bowl victory. Just look at the Colts.
If there ever was a workhorse, Edgerrin James was it. The Colts finally went to the Super Bowl and won after deciding not to meet his huge contract demands. Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai combined to carry the ball 40 times for 183 yards and one TD as Indy won the Lombardi Trophy.
The Cowboys can win with the rushing combo of Julius Jones and Marion Barber. Only San Diego and Jacksonville scored more times on the ground than Dallas.
I like the fact Jones will enter the final year of his rookie contract. He told the local media this off-season it was a big year for him and he wanted to remain with the Cowboys. It's Jones' chance to cash in and, with Bill Parcells no longer telling him how to run, it's time to show and prove he's worth big money down the road.
Larry Johnson is Kansas City's financial problem. The Cowboys have their own players to worry about.
Mavs get their man
I can honestly tell you I have watched the Nevada Wolf Pack play basketball games the past two years. Nick Fazekas has the potential to play well in the NBA. He dominated the Western Athletic Conference and was selected the WAC Player of the Year three straight seasons. Because the Mavs' brass raved so much about his shooting touch, it's been overlooked that Fazekas was fifth in the NCAA in rebounding at 11.1 per game.
Avery Johnson expects the second-rounder to play this fall. The Mavs got their man and that's what good drafts are about. Find players you like and go get them. After failing to get into the first round to select Fazekas, he was there for the taking at No. 34.
Special to the Star-Telegram
Larry Johnson is not going to play for the Dallas Cowboys this fall.
The Kansas City running back is prepared to hold out of training camp if he isn't given a new deal with $27 million in up-front money.
Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones should not be his Santa Claus. There is no need to trade for LJ, who might be the NFL's second-best runner behind San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson.
The Chiefs shopped Johnson around before the draft. Reportedly, the price was too steep. The Cowboys missed an opportunity to make a trade for Johnson a few years back while he was a frustrated backup to Priest Holmes. Consider that window closed.
The Cowboys have their own contract issues to deal with. Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo is about to enter the final year of his deal that pays him $1.5 million. He's already told the media he wants an extension before the season starts.
Cornerback Terence Newman is still two years away from free agency, but the club has expressed a desire to lock him up. Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams is an unrestricted free agent after this season. I'd say the Cowboys will pay only two of those three.
Having a superstar running back on your roster doesn't guarantee a Super Bowl victory. Just look at the Colts.
If there ever was a workhorse, Edgerrin James was it. The Colts finally went to the Super Bowl and won after deciding not to meet his huge contract demands. Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai combined to carry the ball 40 times for 183 yards and one TD as Indy won the Lombardi Trophy.
The Cowboys can win with the rushing combo of Julius Jones and Marion Barber. Only San Diego and Jacksonville scored more times on the ground than Dallas.
I like the fact Jones will enter the final year of his rookie contract. He told the local media this off-season it was a big year for him and he wanted to remain with the Cowboys. It's Jones' chance to cash in and, with Bill Parcells no longer telling him how to run, it's time to show and prove he's worth big money down the road.
Larry Johnson is Kansas City's financial problem. The Cowboys have their own players to worry about.
Mavs get their man
I can honestly tell you I have watched the Nevada Wolf Pack play basketball games the past two years. Nick Fazekas has the potential to play well in the NBA. He dominated the Western Athletic Conference and was selected the WAC Player of the Year three straight seasons. Because the Mavs' brass raved so much about his shooting touch, it's been overlooked that Fazekas was fifth in the NCAA in rebounding at 11.1 per game.
Avery Johnson expects the second-rounder to play this fall. The Mavs got their man and that's what good drafts are about. Find players you like and go get them. After failing to get into the first round to select Fazekas, he was there for the taking at No. 34.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:52 AM
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