Cowboys Team Report
Posted: January 30, 2008
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: Owner Jerry Jones said there's no question the Cowboys will pay WR Terrell Owens his $3 million roster bonus in March, which will keep him on the team this season for $7 million because he will earn a $4 million salary. The announcement didn't come as much of a surprise; Owens had an outstanding season and set a franchise record with 15 touchdowns. Owens will turn 35 in December, but he keeps himself in fantastic shape and is relatively durable. While he had some nagging injuries the last two regular seasons, none has been associated with muscle groups that make you think his body is starting to break down. He's still fast, big, strong and among the league's best receivers. ...
WR Terry Glenn's status is a little murkier. Glenn, who missed 15 games this season after having knee surgery in training camp, might not necessarily need microfracture surgery in the offseason. The Cowboys would like to restructure his contract and sign him to an incentive-laden deal that would allow him to $2-3 million, if he plays to the level he has shown in the past few years. If he needs surgery, the 34-year-old's career might be over.
SCOUTING REPORT: LB Kevin Burnett, who made himself a quality role player in the Cowboys' nickel defense, should be ready to push Akin Ayodele for a starting spot next season. While Ayodele is a solid player, Burnett has more athletic ability and could be more of a playmaker than Ayodele because of his combination of size and speed. Burnett, who weighed 240 pounds this season, wants to play at 250 pounds next season so he can hit harder. He uses excellent technique as a tackler, but at 240 pounds doesn't always generate the power to bring running backs and tight ends down without some help. He's good in coverage and is a good tackler in the open field. He does gamble a little too much, which can lead to teams exploiting him on occasion.
HARD TRUTH: Coach Wade Phillips is under the gun, whether he acknowledges it or not, now that Jerry Jones has made offensive coordinator Jason Garrett the NFL's highest-paid assistant. Phillips, who is sensitive to any criticism, must be prepared to deal with the questions that arise every time the Cowboys have a rough spot next year about the possibility of Garrett replacing him. The drumbeat will increase if the Cowboys don't win a playoff game for the 12th straight season in 2008.
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: Owner Jerry Jones said there's no question the Cowboys will pay WR Terrell Owens his $3 million roster bonus in March, which will keep him on the team this season for $7 million because he will earn a $4 million salary. The announcement didn't come as much of a surprise; Owens had an outstanding season and set a franchise record with 15 touchdowns. Owens will turn 35 in December, but he keeps himself in fantastic shape and is relatively durable. While he had some nagging injuries the last two regular seasons, none has been associated with muscle groups that make you think his body is starting to break down. He's still fast, big, strong and among the league's best receivers. ...
WR Terry Glenn's status is a little murkier. Glenn, who missed 15 games this season after having knee surgery in training camp, might not necessarily need microfracture surgery in the offseason. The Cowboys would like to restructure his contract and sign him to an incentive-laden deal that would allow him to $2-3 million, if he plays to the level he has shown in the past few years. If he needs surgery, the 34-year-old's career might be over.
SCOUTING REPORT: LB Kevin Burnett, who made himself a quality role player in the Cowboys' nickel defense, should be ready to push Akin Ayodele for a starting spot next season. While Ayodele is a solid player, Burnett has more athletic ability and could be more of a playmaker than Ayodele because of his combination of size and speed. Burnett, who weighed 240 pounds this season, wants to play at 250 pounds next season so he can hit harder. He uses excellent technique as a tackler, but at 240 pounds doesn't always generate the power to bring running backs and tight ends down without some help. He's good in coverage and is a good tackler in the open field. He does gamble a little too much, which can lead to teams exploiting him on occasion.
HARD TRUTH: Coach Wade Phillips is under the gun, whether he acknowledges it or not, now that Jerry Jones has made offensive coordinator Jason Garrett the NFL's highest-paid assistant. Phillips, who is sensitive to any criticism, must be prepared to deal with the questions that arise every time the Cowboys have a rough spot next year about the possibility of Garrett replacing him. The drumbeat will increase if the Cowboys don't win a playoff game for the 12th straight season in 2008.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:13 PM
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