SI.com's Peter King predicts that suspended CB Pacman Jones will be a Cowboy by the end of the week

A source told King that the Cowboys are offering a late-round pick and a bit player (we think Bobby Carpenter or Isaiah Stanback are possible), while ESPN's Ed Werder says the Titans want two picks, one this year and one in 2009. The source called conversations between the clubs within the next day "crucial."
Source: SI.com

The agent for suspended CB Pacman Jones says his client and the Cowboys already have agreed upon contract terms

The Titans are holding up the deal by asking for Dallas' fourth-round pick this year and a conditional 2009 fifth-round choice. Jones' agent is still optimistic that a deal will happen before the draft. "If there is going to be a deal, I imagine it would come in the next three weeks," he said.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The Dallas Morning News disputes a Fort Worth Star-Telegram report that the Cowboys have a new contract in place for Pacman Jones

Jones' agent Manny Arora made it sound like a restructured pact was worked out earlier in the day. Now, he says that's not the case: "No contract has been done. Everybody is wasting their time. The original contract is in place. There is no deal with Dallas. I would like to keep the contract as it is."
Source: Dallas Morning News

Pacman Jones has been traded to Cowboys

As expected, Pacman Jones has been traded to Cowboys for a reported 5th round pick, this according to RotoTimes sources. The report noted that a news conference is scheduled for early Monday morning.

JJ rules out McFadden

www.fannation.com
Posted: Saturday March 29, 2008

Jerry Jones has ruled out making a trade that would position the Cowboys to select Arkansas running back Darren McFadden with one of the first five picks in the draft, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I have no intent at all of moving into the top five," the newspaper quoted Jones as saying. Jones says his reluctance to make such a move is financially based. "A team can get crippled, and I mean seriously crippled, from a financial standpoint by being up there in the top five or six," Jones said. "It's a real negative."

Pacman Jones says he thinks his "days being a Titan is over with."

He signed his name with the No. 21 (Deion Sanders' old number) while handing out an autograph over the weekend. "I just think my days as a Titan is over with," he said. A deal sending Jones to Dallas is believed to be imminent.
Source: Nashville Tennessean

Tony Romo-QB- Cowboys

Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson aren't married, despite internet reports to the contrary.

Romo owners breathe easy. TMZ had an item on Tuesday in which Simpson's mom, in effort to get a bothersome cameraman away, joked that Romo and Simpson were married. The group laughed and Simpson said it must be true if her mom said it. Romo's agent disputed the report to NBCSports.com. While even gossip sites ignored the non-story, it was passed around Thursday on sports websites.
Source: Arizona Republic

Darren McFadden-RB- Player

Amidst much media speculation, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones insists he will not trade up for the opportunity to draft RB Darren McFadden with a top five pick.

"I have no intent at all of moving into the top five," Jones said. He also stressed that this was more about paying the going rate for a top five draft pick as opposed to a comment on McFadden's talent. He can likely stay where he is and draft Jonathan Stewart or Felix Jones.
Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

DMN Blog: Four more to visit Ranch

by Albert Breer

Our own draft guru Rick Gosselin tipped us off -- and representatives of the players have since confirmed -- that Virginia Tech OT Duane Brown, Virginia Tech CB Brandon Flowers, Missouri WR Will Franklin, and Iowa CB Charles Godfrey are set to visit Valley Ranch in the next few weeks. These are four more of the 30 pre-draft visit alotted to each team.

Octagon's Doug Hendrickson said that the team will host the four prospects at varying times over an 11-day stretch, from April 7-17. Flowers will likely be the only first-rounder in the group, but it seems like Godfrey is garnering the most intense scrutiny. The Hawkeye has 11 visits set up.

Brown and Godfrey are both in the second tier at their position, and each has a good chance to come off the board in the second round. Franklin is likely to go early on the second day (remember -- there's only two rounds on the first day now).

Here are the 13 names we have nailed down for Valley Ranch visits. ...

UNLV ILB Beau Bell
Virginia Tech OT Duane Brown
Arizona CB Antoine Cason
Texas RB Jamaal Charles
Missouri WR Will Franklin
Virginia Tech CB Brandon Flowers
Iowa CB Charles Godfrey
Indiana WR James Hardy
Arkansas RB Felix Jones
Oklahoma WR Malcolm Kelly
Troy CB Leodis McKelvin
Indiana CB Tracy Porter
Tennessee State CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Price will be steep for Cowboys to trade up for McFadden

By Adam Schefter | NFL.com

As armed as the Cowboys are to move up in the first round of the draft, Dallas' two first-round picks are not enough.

Based on the 2008 NFL draft point chart that teams use as a guideline for draft trades, the Cowboys 22nd overall pick is worth 780 points and their 28th pick is worth 660 points, giving Dallas 1,440 points.

Draft Value Chart
Team Points
1. Dolphins 3,000
2. Rams 2,600
3. Falcons 2,200
4. Raiders 1,800
5. Chiefs 1,700
22. Cowboys (CLE) 780
28. Cowboys 660

DAL Rd 1-2 total value: 1,732 points
It's a lot. But it's not enough, not to get into the top five picks of the draft to take a player such as Arkansas running back Darren McFadden.

Miami's No. 1 pick is worth 3,000 points, St. Louis' No. 2 is worth 2,600 points, Atlanta's No. 3 is worth 2,200 points, Oakland's No. 4 is worth 1,800 points and Kansas City's No. 5 is worth 1,700 points.

To get into the top five, Dallas would have to consider throwing in its second-round pick, the 61st overall pick, which is worth 292 points. Those 292 points, combined with Dallas' first-round picks, would give the Cowboys 1,732 points, more than enough to get to Kansas City's No. 5 and almost enough to get to Oakland's No. 4.

From there, it is up to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to decide whether a top five pick is worth the price.

Now the NFL draft point chart is not set in concrete; teams can use their own guidelines and decide whether a certain trade is fair even if it doesn't measure out on the chart. But the chart provides a rough gauge as to what it would take for a certain team to move up and what it would take for a certain team to move down.

Jones and the Cowboys are known to be intrigued with the idea of landing McFadden and teaming him with Pro Bowl running back Marion Barber, giving Dallas as formidable a one-two combination as any in the league.

But the price to do it will be steep -- even steeper than many have speculated.

McFadden is projected to go somewhere between Oakland's spot at No. 4 and the New York Jets' at No. 6. Trading up to Atlanta's spot at No. 3 would give Dallas a clear-cut chance to draft McFadden. But beyond that slot, the Cowboys risk losing him.

In this arms race, Birds' stockpile may not be enough

by Gordie Jones
March 26, 2008

We are in the dying days of the NFL's free agency period, and the Eagles' approach, like that of many teams at this stage, is of the Popular Mechanics variety: They are tinkering with the roster's undercarriage, bringing in a Dan Klecko here, a Rocky Boiman there -- serviceable guys who will very likely function well within the larger framework.

Meanwhile, down south, the Dallas Cowboys are employing the People magazine approach. Every other day, it seems, there are breathless reports linking them to Chad Johnson (or Pacman Jones, or Darren McFadden).

So far, it's all talk. But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters at last month's scouting combine that he wanted to add a ''wow'' factor to his team. And he amplified that in a recent interview with Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Randy Galloway: ''I can assure everyone our pursuit of talent is far from over.''

A wise course, given (for one thing) the rings the Cowboys' NFC East brethren in New Jersey will soon be wearing. Also given the fact that Jones is opening a glittering new stadium in 2009, and no doubt wants to have a palatable product to put on the field.

The Eagles would do well to take heed of all this very public scheming. They were, you might remember, last in the division last year. And if the East-winning Cowboys manage to finagle any of the deals in which they are rumored to be involved, the Birds' prospects for the coming season don't look all that much brighter.

Slow and steady might not win this race. Something bigger and bolder might be required. And if you believe what you have read the last several weeks, the Eagles seem to realize that.

They made a pitch for Randy Moss. They had some interest in Larry Fitzgerald, and perhaps Detroit wide receiver Roy Williams. But as it stands now, they have only Asante Samuel, Chris Clemons, Klecko and Boiman in their shopping cart. That doesn't seem like enough to sustain them through the fall and winter months. Not when the Cowboys are talking about stocking up.

The rumor that seems to have the most legs is the one involving McFadden, the best running back in the April 26-27 draft. Like Jones, he played at Arkansas, and the Dallas owner has long said how much he covets him. The question is whether the Cowboys will be able to trade up to get him; they have two first-round picks (Nos. 22 and 28 overall) to offer.

Johnson, meanwhile, is pouting -- so much so that he skipped the start of the Bengals' offseason conditioning program Monday. And that's because, he has said, he feels unappreciated; a columnist ripped Ocho Cinco for his self-aggrandizing antics last year, and the fans came down on him as a 7-9 season drew to a close.

(Just a wild guess here, but perhaps money is involved on some level. His agent is Drew Rosenhaus.)

But coach Marvin Lewis told the NFL Network that the Bengals are not going to trade Johnson, who has four years left on his contract. Check back tomorrow on that one, though.

As for Pacman, he has been suspended since last April for violating the NFL's conduct policy, his six arrests apparently having hit the ''over'' on the knucklehead scale. Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he will review that suspension at some point before the start of training camps, and if Jones is in fact reinstated, the Cowboys reportedly have the most interest.

A late-round draft pick will apparently be enough to get him from Tennessee, and Dallas then would likely rework his contract, giving him an incentive-laden deal with lots of clauses related to personal conduct.

This is all very speculative, of course. But the Cowboys could have McFadden and Marion Barber alternating at running back, Johnson and Terrell Owens teaming up at wide receiver (and wouldn't it be interesting to see how they might coexist?), with Pacman manning a corner and returning kicks.

That would give Dallas the ''wow'' Jones is seeking. It would also demand a bold response on the part of the rest of the division, the Eagles very much included.

NFC East Breakdown

by Patrick Schuster

Dallas Cowboys

So far this off-season, Dallas has kept its vital parts together.

Dallas has let the market dictate the value on back-ups and bargain-shopped to fit their budget.

Positives

On the coaching side, Dallas kept Jason Garrett and added top offensive line coach Hudson Houck as well as Todd Grantham, Brett Maxie, Dave Campo, and Reggie Herring.

The Cowboys signed Flozell Adams to a long term deal and franchised Ken Hamlin. The team gave Marion Barber a first- and third-round qualifying offer, and gave Chris Canty a first-round qualifying offer. They also added Zach Thomas.

These moves made for a solid off-season up to this point.

Negatives

The team lost some depth with cornerback Jacques Reeves going to Houston and cornerback Nate Jones and saftey Keith Davis joining so many others in Miami.

Running back Julius Jones bolting for Seattle also hurt the team.

Coaches Tony Soprano, Paul Pasqualoni, Kacy Rodgers, and Todd Bowles will be missed as well. Pasqualoini was the toughest loss and may be the next guy to become a head coach in this league.

Overall

The loss of depth hurts. But with two first round picks next month, the Cowboys should be able to replace and likely upgrade the positions that have suffered to this point.

Dallas will need to have a good draft in order to duplicate the same success next season, as they now have a few holes to fill behind their starters, but so far the team has not lost any vital parts.

Keeping Garrett was a masterful stroke by Jerry Jones, and with even more great minds on their defensive staff, it may perform better in key moments.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins are the poster child for surprises this off-season.

Breaking from past years, they have not wasted money signing veterans past their prime or players that do not warrant a monster contract. Instead, the Redskins have demonstrated financial restraint and waited for the draft (glad to see someone in D.C. worries about that type of stuff).

Granted, this off-season was not without its headlines. It appears they backed into hiring Jim Zorn as their head coach. That move will be highly scrutinized throughout the year to see whether it is a boom or a bust.

Positives

The Skins managed to keep valuable back-ups Rock Cartwright and Todd Collins. Both realized that sometimes the grass is not greener; it’s just different grass.

Dumping Brandon Lloyd was a wise move too. Lloyd’s mouth made comments that his game could not back up.

Negatives

The Redskins were close to be making a big run with Joe Gibbs, but now they have unproven Jim Zorn in control. I still can’t figure out what happened with Gregg Williams.

Zorn could have the same success that Jason Garrett did calling the plays for Dallas last year, but it’s a huge gamble for Danny Snyder. It is like he’s giving the keys to his new Lexus to a 16-year-old that just got his driver’s license.

It's very surprising that he didn’t go with a more established head coach for a few years and let Zorn prepare to run a team.

Overall

Besides the hire of Zorn, the Skins have been quiet this off-season, which is a good thing for Redskins fans.

Moving Greg Blache from defensive line to defensive coordinator should keep continuity on the defense. Now they just need to hold onto their picks and get players that will fit Jim Zorn’s scheme.

With no wild draft picks or crazy free agents moves, and Washington should stay in the playoff hunt.



NY Giants

If you look up the phrase, “catching lighting in a bottle”, there should be a picture of the 2007 NY Giants.

These Super Bowl Champions were the same team that lost to Green Bay by 22 points, to Dallas by 10 and 11 points, Minnesota by 24 pts, Washington by 12 points and to New England on the last game of the season.

With that said, if I wore a hat, it would be off to them, because they made a run in the playoffs when it counted and that’s all that matters.

So far they’ve played free agency like most Super Bowl Champs, expecting a few guys to bolt and replacing them with similar talent but less expense.

Positives

First, the team signed Tom Coughlin to a long term contract. That was vital to show who is boss in New York.

Next, they did not overpay to keep players with limited talent that fit their scheme perfectly. Every Super Bowl team loses guys that other teams fall in love with and usually overpay for (insert Raiders: see Larry Brown and Dominic Rhodes).

Also, it is very fortunate that Steve Spagnuolo decided to stick around at least one more year. Additions of Danny Clark, David Carr, and Sammy Knight should lessen any losses the team might have had, and with draft picks added, the Giants will be fine.

Negatives

It's hard to be very negative when you end the season the way they did, but they need to make a public show of support of Jeremy Shockey. He may have finally worn out his welcome in New York.

If Shockey is dumped, say to Miami or New Orleans, for a second round pick, that will also show that Eli is the priority. It’s fairly obvious that Manning improved in confidence and decision making once Shockey went down.

Losing both Reggie Torbor and Kawika Mitchell hurts even though they have guys who can step up to replace them because all depth has been lost.

Overall

It’s good to be King of the NFL, but to stay around for a while the Giants need another successful draft. They also need to show a stronger consistency all season long as you cannot expect to have a 2007-type playoff run again.



Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia is clearly the most aggressive team in the division this free agency period, with the big signing of Asante Samuel on the first day of free agency.

The real question becomes, will they ever give McNabb the top wide receiver he traditionally begs for every off-season?

Even though he doesn’t ever really act like it, you would have to think Reid will really feel the heat next off-season if they don’t make a legit run towards the playoffs because of the lack of weapons in his offense.

Positives

Obviously, the signing of Asante Samuel is huge, but grabbing DE Chris Clemons from the Raiders was a nice move.

Dan Klecko’s signing was an interesting move that will be worth following this season.

Negatives

Raise your hand if you think the Eagles can win a Super Bowl with Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown as their starting receivers.

Someday Philly will make the necessary move and get the number-one receiver for McNabb, and hopefully it will be while he’s still young enough to really benefit and click with the player.

You would have to think this is a make or break season for Andy Reid, who if he continues to be so stubborn about adding a #1 WR and getting Westbrook a backfield mate to share the load, Reid will be out as head man.

Overall

Philadelphia seems to thrive when everyone counts them out or tells them they can’t do something.

For all those die hard Eagles fans, I just hope that they trade Lito Sheppard for a number-one wide receiver (say, Roy Williams from Detroit). They also should add a back to take some carries and keep Westbrook closer to 100% near the end of the season.

With that said, Philly will probably keep Sheppard and draft an OT in the first round, a linebacker in the second, and a quarterback in the third.

Pacman Jones Wants to Book a Flight to Dallas

by Aaron Schwartz

Adam "Pacman" Jones stated earlier this week that he believes he will be playing for the Dallas Cowboys during the 2008 NFL season.

This is obviously not a guarantee yet from the Cowboys, and how could it be, Pacman is still suspended. He may not even be allowed to return to the league this year, depending on commissioner Roger Goodell's view on the matter.

The Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, responded to the statement from Pacman by saying that his biggest fear about the whole matter is the bad publicity that his team would have to deal with.

In order to get Pacman, the Cowboys would still have to make a trade with the Tennessee Titans, because he is still under contract with them. This is what makes this a coin flip decision right now. The Cowboys have two first round picks in their hand right now, either of which they could use on a cornerback. On the other hand, they could trade for Pacman, and use those two picks to strengthen other parts of their team.

An obvious thing about this is that it would put another huge ego on the Cowboys. The question would be whether or not Terrell Owens and Pacman Jones could get along, or if this would be the move that would cause Owens to finally go off, like so many have expected him to.

No doubt about it, with this publicity hit and incorporating the T.O. factor, this will be a risky move for the Cowboys off the field. But what about on the field? Do the Cowboys really know what they would be getting if they traded for Pacman?

After all, Pacman has not played in an NFL game since 2006. Is Pacman Jones the same player that he was when he last stepped on the field? The only way to find out is to see him in action, and if the Cowboys trade for him now, then they will be taking a big risk.

Pacman Jones will most likely be a hit or miss player this year. He will need to polish his skills as he has not played in the NFL for more than a year. If the Cowboys take the risk on trading for Pacman, then they may be putting their team in jeopardy on and off the field, or they may be making the move to get them over the hump in the playoffs.

Only time will tell.

DMN Blog: DRC slips to 22?

by Tim MacMahon

Tennessee State CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie went from a potential first-round pick to a guy projected by many experts to go in the top 10 after phenomenal performances at the Senior Bowl and scouting combine. But NFL.com's Pat Kirwan sees the Cowboys getting the top corner on their board at No. 22.

The Cowboys' picks in Kirwan's latest mock draft:

22. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
There's always speculation the Cowboys are packaging their picks to move up for Darren McFadden. They can stay right where they are and satisfy two big needs, corner and wide receiver. The run on either spot earlier in the draft will determine which area they address first. Rodgers-Cromartie would be an excellent compliment to Terence Newman, but he might have to start his career as the nickel back. A 4.33-second 40-yard dash and size make him a steal at this spot.

28. DeSean Jackson, WR, California

Jerry Jones and Co. take the receiver/returner who can replace Terry Glenn and help open up the offense. Jackson's size and some injury history should make him available at this point in the draft.


Kirwan sees Oregon RB Jonathan Stewart, the subject of today's edition of our draft preview series, slipping to the second round. I'd be surprised if the Cowboys passed on Stewart twice, bad toe and all.

Pacman Appears With Irvin on Radio Show

www.680thefan.com

Adam "Pacman" Jones offered a three-hour mea culpa Tuesday with someone who knows what it's like to be an NFL outcast.

The troubled cornerback, suspended from the NFL and unlikely to rejoin the Tennessee Titans if he gets to play again, was a guest on Michael Irvin's radio show amid speculation he could become the Dallas Cowboys' next reclamation project.

Jones was equal parts contrite and defiant in discussing his six arrests since being drafted three years ago, taking responsibility for "bad decisions" while disputing details of the police reports.

He spoke about the Titans in the past tense, said he wanted to be a Cowboy and expressed confidence that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would reinstate him.

"I'm not sitting here telling you I don't own up to mistakes I've made," Jones said. "I accept everything, the punishment, everything that comes along with the bad decisions and bad choices I've made.

"In the end, I just pray to God I get a second chance."

Jones' host wasn't easy on him, even though Irvin certainly knew where he was coming from. The former Cowboys star jeopardized his eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame induction with sordid off-the-field problems involving strippers and substance abuse.

Irvin once admitted that he thought his actions cost Dallas at least one Super Bowl, if not more. He was suspended for the first five games in 1996 after pleading no contest to felony cocaine possession stemming from an incident just weeks after the Cowboys' last Super Bowl win.

"I think he's more comfortable knowing I've gone through some stuff," Irvin said during his show on KESN-FM in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Jones was the first defensive player drafted in 2005 with the sixth pick out of West Virginia, and he was Tennessee's best defender in 2005 and 2006.

But Goodell suspended him for the 2007 season for his off-field conduct. Jones settled the last of his criminal charges Feb. 14 by entering a plea to obstruction of a police officer in Georgia, which left him with a felony conviction.

Jones had agreed to stay out of strip clubs, but went to an Atlanta club Jan. 3, prompting Goodell to send Jones a letter in February barring him from working out at Titans headquarters. Jones said he visited the strip club because he was rebelling against Goodell's authority and has since realized that wasn't a good idea.

"It was a bad decision _ one of the dumbest decisions I've ever made," said Jones, who didn't stop to talk to reporters before or after Irvin's show.

The commissioner has told Jones' attorneys that he would be considered for reinstatement before training camp, and the league said Tuesday there was no change in that plan.

Jones said he hasn't spoken to Goodell recently, but he looks hopefully toward April 10, the one-year anniversary of his suspension.

"As long as I keep doing what I'm doing, I will get reinstated," he said.

Irvin started the show by tracing Jones' roots, getting him to acknowledge that he was an "angry" child whose father was killed in a robbery when Jones was 8. The grandmother who raised him died when he was a freshman at West Virginia.

Jones said he's working hard to make good decisions, such as avoiding some relatives he grew up with.

"It's like I'm on a cliff right now. Any slip-up and I'm off the cliff," said Jones, who said his relatives understand that he needs to "separate himself" from some people in his past.

Jones' suspension can't stop the Titans from trading him, which is where speculation about the Cowboys comes in. Published reports say the Cowboys are interested in pursuing Jones, but the team had no comment Tuesday.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher has repeatedly said that the team has "moved on" in regard to Jones.

Jones is hoping Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will give him a shot.

"This is where I want to be, and I hope it'll work out in the long run and it'll happen real quick," he said. "It's obvious Jerry does give people a second chance. He has a great heart. Hopefully, I can get one of those second chances."

Dallas has had some success bringing in players with troubled pasts.

The Cowboys trace much of their Super Bowl success in the 1990s to plucking unhappy pass rusher Charles Haley out of San Francisco.

But the best example is current receiver Terrell Owens. After his stormy tenure in Philadelphia ended with a suspension and release, he came to Dallas and has been one of the league's most productive receivers the past two seasons.

Owens gave Dallas a ringing endorsement.

"He said it's a great city as long as you keep your head straight," Jones said.

DMN Blog: T.O., Playmaker among the best

by Albert Breer

Cowboys Blog follower Mike Sando put together this piece on NFL receivers for ESPN.com, and it includes a list of the Top 10 of all-time, as compiled through a blue-ribbon panel of seven experts.

Michael Irvin's fourth. Terrell Owens is ninth. Here's the complete list ...

1. Jerry Rice
2. Randy Moss
3. Don Hutson
4. Michael Irvin
5. Paul Warfield
6. Charley Taylor
7. Steve Largent
8. Chris Carter
9. Terrell Owens
10. Marvin Harrison

And if you're interested, they also labeled the Original 81 the biggest enigma in the debate. Here's what Sando had to say on that ...

No receiver generated a wider range of opinions than Owens.
Most panelists criticized the Dallas Cowboys receiver for dropping far too many passes. (Owens dropped a league-high 17 in 2006 and 10 more in 2007, tied for third-most in the league, according to Stats, LLC.) But most panelists also lauded Owens' toughness and big-play ability (he has nearly twice as many touchdowns as Monk -- 129 to 68 -- despite 58 fewer receptions and 51 fewer games).

Dowler, who retired in 2007 after a decade in scouting with the Atlanta Falcons, ranked Owens third, behind only Rice and Moss. Two other panelists ranked Owens sixth and seventh. A fourth panelist ranked him 10th.

Anthony Spencer, LB — Dallas Cowboys

March 23, 5:37 p.m.

Spencer should have a much bigger role in the Cowboys' defense this season as coach Wade Phillips tries to get more pass rushers on the field. Spencer had a limited role as a rookie, in part, because Greg Ellis made such a strong recovery from a torn Achilles' tendon. The Cowboys would love for Spencer to play well enough to earn the starting job, which would allow them to make Ellis a situational pass rusher, limit his snaps and keep him fresher. (Jean-Jacques Taylor for SN)

Pacman Appears With Irvin on Radio Show

By SCHUYLER DIXON
Associated Press Writer

DALLAS (AP) -- Adam "Pacman" Jones offered a three-hour mea culpa Tuesday with someone who knows what it's like to be an NFL outcast.

The troubled cornerback, suspended from the NFL and unlikely to rejoin the Tennessee Titans if he gets to play again, was a guest on Michael Irvin's radio show amid speculation he could become the Dallas Cowboys' next reclamation project.

Jones was equal parts contrite and defiant in discussing his six arrests since being drafted three years ago, taking responsibility for "bad decisions" while disputing details of the police reports.

He spoke about the Titans in the past tense, said he wanted to be a Cowboy and expressed confidence that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would reinstate him.

"I'm not sitting here telling you I don't own up to mistakes I've made," Jones said. "I accept everything, the punishment, everything that comes along with the bad decisions and bad choices I've made.

"In the end, I just pray to God I get a second chance."

Jones' host wasn't easy on him, even though Irvin certainly knew where he was coming from. The former Cowboys star jeopardized his eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame induction with sordid off-the-field problems involving strippers and substance abuse.

Irvin once admitted that he thought his actions cost Dallas at least one Super Bowl, if not more. He was suspended for the first five games in 1996 after pleading no contest to felony cocaine possession stemming from an incident just weeks after the Cowboys' last Super Bowl win.

"I think he's more comfortable knowing I've gone through some stuff," Irvin said during his show on KESN-FM in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Jones was the first defensive player drafted in 2005 with the sixth pick out of West Virginia, and he was Tennessee's best defender in 2005 and 2006.

But Goodell suspended him for the 2007 season for his off-field conduct. Jones settled the last of his criminal charges Feb. 14 by entering a plea to obstruction of a police officer in Georgia, which left him with a felony conviction.

Jones had agreed to stay out of strip clubs, but went to an Atlanta club Jan. 3, prompting Goodell to send Jones a letter in February barring him from working out at Titans headquarters. Jones said he visited the strip club because he was rebelling against Goodell's authority and has since realized that wasn't a good idea.

"It was a bad decision - one of the dumbest decisions I've ever made," said Jones, who didn't stop to talk to reporters before or after Irvin's show.

The commissioner has told Jones' attorneys that he would be considered for reinstatement before training camp, and the league said Tuesday there was no change in that plan.

Jones said he hasn't spoken to Goodell recently, but he looks hopefully toward April 10, the one-year anniversary of his suspension.

"As long as I keep doing what I'm doing, I will get reinstated," he said.

Irvin started the show by tracing Jones' roots, getting him to acknowledge that he was an "angry" child whose father was killed in a robbery when Jones was 8. The grandmother who raised him died when he was a freshman at West Virginia.

Jones said he's working hard to make good decisions, such as avoiding some relatives he grew up with.

"It's like I'm on a cliff right now. Any slip-up and I'm off the cliff," said Jones, who said his relatives understand that he needs to "separate himself" from some people in his past.

Jones' suspension can't stop the Titans from trading him, which is where speculation about the Cowboys comes in. Published reports say the Cowboys are interested in pursuing Jones, but the team had no comment Tuesday.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher has repeatedly said that the team has "moved on" in regard to Jones.

Jones is hoping Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will give him a shot.

"This is where I want to be, and I hope it'll work out in the long run and it'll happen real quick," he said. "It's obvious Jerry does give people a second chance. He has a great heart. Hopefully, I can get one of those second chances."

Dallas has had some success bringing in players with troubled pasts.

The Cowboys trace much of their Super Bowl success in the 1990s to plucking unhappy pass rusher Charles Haley out of San Francisco.

But the best example is current receiver Terrell Owens. After his stormy tenure in Philadelphia ended with a suspension and release, he came to Dallas and has been one of the league's most productive receivers the past two seasons.

Owens gave Dallas a ringing endorsement.

"He said it's a great city as long as you keep your head straight," Jones said.

Dallas Cowboys on the hunt for a veteran wide receiver

by Dave Halprin (Grizz)

Boy, talk about burying the lede! This morning I woke up and saw the headline "Shaking trees, but can 'Boys avoid nuts?" and I knew right away that is was going to be a Randy Galloway or JFE article concerning Pacman Jones. It is a Galloway article and the first paragraph, or should I say sentence - Galloway hasn't really figured out paragraphs yet - was about the Pacman. But the article quickly shifts gears into what would have been more aptly titled, "Receivers Gone Wild." Apparently, Galloway had a conversation with Jerry Jones where some very interesting facts/suppositions were discussed.

First, the past news. Did you know that we thought we had an agreement in place with Javon Walker? Galloway says we did until Weekend at Bernie's III star Al Davis stepped in and opened up the vaults and the rest was history.

The Cowboys thought they had an agreement with free-agent receiver Javon Walker, who had actually already moved to Irving.

Interesting news. Yeah, I heard reports we were pursuing him but I never realized it had gone that far. Anyway, that's the past and the more interesting stuff was about the future. Like this Q&A to Jerry:

What is the organization's No. 1 priority between now and training camp?

"Without question, creating a threat on the other side of the ball from [Eldorado] Owens," said Jerry.

You can't get much more definitive than that. Jerry wants a WR and he wants one badly. We've discussed how this draft is a little light on star-quality at the receiver position and how there's no Calvin Johnson to go after. There are a bunch of guys who might have star-potential but all of them have question marks. So is Jerry really going to reach for one in the first round of the draft? The answer is more than likely - no.

One last thing on receivers. Finding one in the draft at the end of the first round, where the Cowboys' have two picks, has become remote.

"Don't think so," was the Jones comment.

So what's that leave? A trade. From the tone of Galloway's article and the answers that Jerry gave to some of the questions it sounds like Jerry is intent on making that happen. If he is, there are only a few real possibilities that we know about. Unless something is bubbling up that no one has guessed, it appears Jerry will be going after Chad Johnson, Roy Williams or to a lesser extent Anquan Boldin. Here's what an NFL insider is saying:

That statement is backed by another NFL voice who said Friday, "within the league, you hear the Cowboys are attempting, or will attempt, to work a trade for Chad Johnson, for Roy Williams, for maybe others."

Check out the article for yourself. Perhaps Galloway is spinning the truth a little more than he should since he's on record as saying a WR is the Cowboys biggest need. But unless he's making up quotes from Jerry Jones, it appears that the Cowboys will be making one of their "wow" additions with a veteran, high-profile receiver. That is if Jerry gets his way.

Jerry believes Crayton is not the answer

Originally posted by BiggestE22 from a sports forum:

What is the organization's No. 1 priority between now and training camp?

"Without question, creating a threat on the other side of the ball from [Eldorado] Owens," said Jerry.

Just what I wanted to hear. Many others haven't agreed, but to me, finding another receiver, or two, topped any list of needs.

"I've ruled out nothing when it comes to those options, or possible options," said Jerry.

That statement is backed by another NFL voice who said Friday, "within the league, you hear the Cowboys are attempting, or will attempt, to work a trade for Chad Johnson, for Roy Williams, for maybe others."

Hmmmmm...

The Bengals have been adamant they won't trade Johnson, and the same for the Lions with Roy Williams.

But Chad is Cincinnati's nut case, and he's publicly pushing to be dealt. On a national TV show last week, Johnson mentioned the Cowboys as a team he'd liked to play for, and if that deal were made, he said he'd immediately have to make a choice about "which finger to put it on." The Super Bowl ring, of course.

Chad must have missed the news -- the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in 11 years.

Again, the Bengals say Johnson will remain. If not, then the price tag would be huge. But Chad's agent is a certain Drew Rosenhaus, the same agent for Eldorado, and a guy who knows how to force teams to make deals.

By the way, another receiver client of Rosenhaus would be Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals, who is both lowly paid and not exactly pleased about the massive new dollars the team gave fellow receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

I repeat, Jerry mentioned no names, but did stress not to rule out any possible deal when it comes to a wide receiver.

The Cowboys thought they had an agreement with free-agent receiver Javon Walker, who had actually already moved to Irving. But then the Raiders started throwing around crazy money. Walker, with knee injury issues, did the sensible thing and took Al Davis' $16 million guaranteed, about $14 million above market value.

One receiver Jones did mention, without hesitation, was none other than Terry Glenn. Speaking of knee issues.

"I would urge you not to rule out Terry," he said. "He will be here, he will on the roster, and don't be surprised if he's healthy. That's all I will say. Don't be surprised."

But Jerry did admit the unknown with Glenn's health means the team will move on with off-season plans "as if we didn't have him."

One last thing on receivers. Finding one in the draft at the end of the first round, where the Cowboys' have two picks, has become remote.

"Don't think so," was the Jones comment.

Daryl Johnston on Pacman

"A guy like Pacman Jones is nothing like Charles Haley. Charles was never in trouble with the law". ...said Johnston. "Watch what a person does after he gets in trouble and that tells you whats going to happen. Pacman Jones hasn't done anything to show me that he's going to change his ways. Roger Goodgell hasn't shown he's willing to bring him back into the league. Roger Goodall isn't even convinced he's learned his lesson."

DMN Blog: Pacman interview with Irvin updates

Live blogging Pacman
10:35 AM Tue, Mar 25, 2008 | Permalink
Albert Breer E-mail News tips

Since there are probably quite a few of you out there who can't exactly turn the volume up on their computers right now, Timmy Tabloid and I are gonna help you out.

Starting at 11 CT, we'll be live blogging Pacman Jones' appearance on the Michael Irvin Show on ESPN Radio 103.3 FM. For those of you that can listen in, here's the link to the station's live stream.

Should be interesting.


Pacman's only talking to the Playmaker
11:00 AM Tue, Mar 25, 2008 | Permalink
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips

Calvin "Lucky" Watkins has the ESPN 103.3 studios staked out, but he wasn't able to get a word in with Pacman Jones. Manny Arora, Pacman's agent/lawyer/babysitter, wouldn't let any reporters ask his client a question.

The media is counting on Michael Irvin to fire a few fastballs at Pacman.


Playmaker will do Oprah impersonation
11:15 AM Tue, Mar 25, 2008 | Permalink
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips

Michael Irvin and his co-host set up Pacman's appearance in the show's first segement, which started with a highlight of a Pacman pick-six.

The highlight of the segment was the explanation of the difference between strip clubs and gentlemen's establishments. (Cheap vs. expensive and quality of entertainers.)

Pacman's saying all the right things
11:31 AM Tue, Mar 25, 2008 | Permalink
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips

Pacman Jones' childhood is a sad story. His dad was murdered two doors down when he was 8 years old. His mom has fought drug addiction for years. The grandmother who raised him died when he was a freshman in college.

Michael Irvin had Pacman tell that tale.

Pacman has either been coached well on what to say today or finally gets it. He hasn't made any excuses for his horrible behavior and says to point the finger at him for his problems. He talked about having to separate himself from family members and childhood friends who have been his wingmen.

"It's getting to the point where it ain't no time for slip-ups right now," Pacman said. "It's like I'm on the cliff right now. One slip-up and it's off the cliff."
Irvin vows to spend some of the show delving into Pacman's background. He calls it getting to the root of the problem instead of focusing on the fruit of the problem.

I'm gonna go get an orange and come back after the commercial break.

DMN Blog: Pacman's dollars ... and some sense

by Albert Breer

There's a misconception out there that Pacman Jones has two years left on his rookie deal. From what I understand, there's more than that remaining on the deal, and we've been over this before.

Because Jones sat out last year, he doesn't get an accrued year. So that means the five-year contract he signed with the Titans in 2005 extends through 2010, not 2009. His base salaries for the next three years ...

2008 -- $1.29 million
2009 -- $1.74 million
2010 -- $2.19 million

That's $5.22 million over the next three years, which is either a bargain (if Pacman keeps his nose clean) or robbery (if he can't).

Also, I think there's an awful lot of revisionist history going on around these parts. I hear a lot of "Top 5 corner" talk in regards to Pacman. Is he really? What I remember from 2006, and I covered him in the last game of that season, was an elite return man who was very promising at corner, but not quite there yet.

That year, Pacman's second in the league, Champ Bailey, Chris McAlister and Rashean Mathis were the AFC Pro Bowlers at his position. If I remember right, the guys who "just missed" were Nnamdi Asomugha, Nate Clements and Asante Samuel. Meaning, really, he wasn't a top six corner in his conference. And while I wouldn't argue that Pacman isn't a top-flight return man, Jones was beaten out by Houston's Jerome Mathis for the AFC's return specialist spot that year.

Pacman Jones-DB- Titans

The Boston Globe seconds a Dallas Morning News report that the Patriots will not be pursuing suspended CB Pacman Jones.

The Pats' rumored interest clearly came from Jones trying to drum up a market. Right now, it's a one horse race with Dallas the only team involved.
Source: Boston Globe

Chris Canty-DL- Cowboys

The Cowboys haven't approached restricted free agent DE Chris Canty about a contract extension.

Canty plans to sign his $2.07 million, first-round tender shortly. It wouldn't be a bad idea for Dallas to make him earn it, then lock Canty up next winter.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Trade talks between Cowboys, Titans intensifying

By Adam Schefter | NFL Network

At a time when cornerback DeAngelo Hall has been traded to Oakland, another high-profile cornerback could be dealt within the next week.

NFL sources said Thursday that trade talks between the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans regarding suspended cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones are intensifying.

One person close to the talks predicted a deal could be completed in the next week. Dallas would get the talented and troubled Jones while the Titans would receive a mid-round draft pick.

Jones currently is on suspension and has been informed that his status for the 2008 season will be decided prior to the opening of training camp. In the interim, NFL rules stipulate that a suspended player can be traded. A team essentially would be trading a player’s contract.

It should be pointed out that trade talks sometimes fall apart. Just look at the Raiders and Hall; it took them nearly a week to finalize a contract agreement. But the Cowboys and Titans’ talks, which have been going on for some time now, have gained steam in recent days.

Initially, they started with Dallas offering Tennessee a choice of players from its roster. When the Titans could not find a player on the list they liked, the conversation shifted to a draft pick.

Now the sides are said to be closing in on a deal that could be consummated before Cowboys and Titans officials depart for the March 30 annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

Should Dallas finalize a deal for Jones, it would be the latest example of the Cowboys gambling on a player other teams would not. Dallas once signed defensive linemen Alonzo Spellman, Dimitrius Underwood and Tank Johnson, each of whom came with his own set of issues. It signed wide receiver Terrell Owens at a time when there was little interest elsewhere.

And now, it is readying to reach out to Jones, who would help strengthen one of the Cowboys' biggest areas of need.

Of course, Jones first will have to be reinstated, and no one is sure if and when that will happen. But if and when it does, Jones could be the Cowboys' property, one of Jerry Jones’ biggest gambles to date.

Shaking trees, but can 'Boys avoid nuts?

By RANDY GALLOWAY
Star-Telegram staff writer
Pacman Jones? Hold on to your stripper's pole. No doubt, the make-it-rain man is at least on the Cowboys radar screen.

But there might be more. Don't rule out even the long-shot chance of acquiring the lovable Chad Johnson.

Depending on your point of view, the Cowboys are about to become very aggressive or very stupid in attempting to boost the talent level at "need" positions.

True story:

In what had been the quietness of a Cowboys' off-season, with the college draft still a month away, I had this joking comment last week for the owner/general manager:

"So far, you people are boring me."

Jerry Jones laughed.

Media-wise, Jones had taken much abuse over the years, but for those of us who have been the most critical, we know it's difficult to actually insult the man.

Describe Jerry, however, as boring, and you might have pushed that "insult" button.

"I can assure everyone," Jones answered [and this was on Thursday], "our pursuit of talent is far from over."

Within a few hours of that comment, I heard a gushing NFL Network reporter say he was breaking news the Cowboys were negotiating a trade with the Titans for Pacman.

Jones had mentioned no such name to me in our conservation. It's tampering to discuss a player under contract to another team.

But Jerry did say, "if you look at what our obvious needs are, that's where you will find us heavily involved. It may seem like a quiet off-season, but, believe me, that's only on the surface."

Cornerback? That's a need. And the Pacman rumors have been floating for several weeks. Even before last week's news, Michael Irvin, now the radio man, had already booked Pacman as a guest for Tuesday's show on ESPN 103.3.

Not by phone, either. The Pac Rat is coming to town at Irvin's request.

Opinions will fly on whether it's a wise move for the Cowboys to become involved with this kind of known trouble. What is it now for the Rain Man, five arrests, or six, in three years?

But more on Pacman at a later date.

I was more interested in what Jones had to say in several other areas.

Such as, this question:

What is the organization's No. 1 priority between now and training camp?

"Without question, creating a threat on the other side of the ball from [Eldorado] Owens," said Jerry.

Just what I wanted to hear. Many others haven't agreed, but to me, finding another receiver, or two, topped any list of needs.

"I've ruled out nothing when it comes to those options, or possible options," said Jerry.

That statement is backed by another NFL voice who said Friday, "within the league, you hear the Cowboys are attempting, or will attempt, to work a trade for Chad Johnson, for Roy Williams, for maybe others."

Hmmmmm...

The Bengals have been adamant they won't trade Johnson, and the same for the Lions with Roy Williams.

But Chad is Cincinnati's nut case, and he's publicly pushing to be dealt. On a national TV show last week, Johnson mentioned the Cowboys as a team he'd liked to play for, and if that deal were made, he said he'd immediately have to make a choice about "which finger to put it on." The Super Bowl ring, of course.

Chad must have missed the news -- the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in 11 years.

Again, the Bengals say Johnson will remain. If not, then the price tag would be huge. But Chad's agent is a certain Drew Rosenhaus, the same agent for Eldorado, and a guy who knows how to force teams to make deals.

By the way, another receiver client of Rosenhaus would be Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals, who is both lowly paid and not exactly pleased about the massive new dollars the team gave fellow receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

I repeat, Jerry mentioned no names, but did stress not to rule out any possible deal when it comes to a wide receiver.

The Cowboys thought they had an agreement with free-agent receiver Javon Walker, who had actually already moved to Irving. But then the Raiders started throwing around crazy money. Walker, with knee injury issues, did the sensible thing and took Al Davis' $16 million guaranteed, about $14 million above market value.

One receiver Jones did mention, without hesitation, was none other than Terry Glenn. Speaking of knee issues.

"I would urge you not to rule out Terry," he said. "He will be here, he will on the roster, and don't be surprised if he's healthy. That's all I will say. Don't be surprised."

But Jerry did admit the unknown with Glenn's health means the team will move on with off-season plans "as if we didn't have him."

One last thing on receivers. Finding one in the draft at the end of the first round, where the Cowboys' have two picks, has become remote.

"Don't think so," was the Jones comment.

Otherwise, the Pacman trade could become reality, meaning Jones will be severely bashed for having lost touch with reality.

But when it comes to a major trade for a receiver, Jerry says don't rule out anything, which means he's at least in touch with what his team needs.

Pacman Jones-DB- Titans

ESPN's John Clayton reports suspended CB Pacman Jones is likely to be reinstated before the NFL Draft in late April.

Clayton confirms that Dallas is showing the most early interest, but won't rule out New Orleans or New England as suitors. If Jones is reinstated sooner than expected as Clayton alludes to, several other clubs will likely jump into the mix. Clayton believes a fifth-round pick could get a Pacman trade done.

Pacman Jones-DB-Titans

There are "rumblings in league circles" that the Cowboys are the only team seriously pursuing Pacman Jones, according to the Dallas Morning News.

If so, they might not have to give up as high a pick as the fifth-rounder ESPN's John Clayton suggested. Clayton also called New Orleans a possible landing spot. The Morning News reports the Patriots don't have Pacman on their radar.
Source: Dallas Morning News

Chad Johnson-WR-Bengals

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis reiterated on NFL Network's Total Access Monday that Chad Johnson will not be traded.

"If he wants the chance to play professional football, he's got to do it right here in Cincinnati," Lewis said, also comparing the situation to Kobe Bryant's. "Do your part, put the team on your back, and go to work," Lewis added.

ESPN Mosley: Pacman on his way to Dallas for radio stint...no plans to visit w/'Boys

As we discussed Friday, Hashmarks will have a private audience with Titans cornerback Pacman Jones tomorrow. He and his agent are flying into Dallas today and will be appearing on ESPN 103.3's "Michael Irvin Show" from 11-2 p.m. Tuesday.

Quite honestly, three hours seems like a bit much, but hopefully Pacman will shed some light on his comeback attempt. The Titans have reportedly begun talking to teams about a possible trade for the troubled player. A league source told me this morning that the Titans would be pleased to receive a fifth-round draft pick in exchange for the former first-rounder and would probably settle for a sixth-round choice and a sack of rats.

I just hate to see Pacman leave a support group that includes Country music legend George "Possum" Jones. During a recent radio interview, Jones touched on several interesting topics, including his desire to play for the Cowboys and the stripper pole in his house. It's a neat little design feature that is starting to pop up in homes in Brentwood.

The Cowboys don't have any plans to visit with Pacman during his trip, but maybe they'll send a representative by the radio station to say hello. Since Irvin knows a thing or two about the judicial system, I would expect him to ask a lot of pointed questions about Pacman's prolific off-the-field activities. I'm told there are 44 strip clubs in Dallas, which is probably double what they have in Nashville. And yes, rain is in the forecast for tomorrow.

Later today, my colleague Pat Yasinskas will handicap the race to land Pacman. I'm told the Patriots, Jaguars, Chiefs, Cowboys and Lions have all shown interest. But this is Jerry Jones' race to lose. He's a gambler by nature, and he relies heavily on a player development program led by former Cowboys running back Calvin Hill.

Jones remembers the success he had with troubled 49ers defensive end Charles Haley in the early 1990s. Over the next decade, Jones signed former first-round draft picks Alonzo Spellman and Dimitrius Underwood, who were both diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Terrell Owens didn't have any legal issues, but he had a dubious reputation after his falling out with the Eagles.

Now, Jones will offer Pacman a chance to rehabilitate his image and career at a relatively low cost. For a former wildcatter, the potential reward far outweighs the risk.

If he keeps his nose clean, Pacman could be the most dynamic return man this team has had since Deion Sanders left town. He could also be the best third cornerback in football. Pacman will join Tank Johnson in what is quickly becoming the top reformatory in professional football.

Remember to submit your questions for Pacman. I'll be visiting with him tomorrow afternoon.


Pacman Jones, Alonzo Spellman, Dimitrius Underwood, Charles Haley, Terrell Owens, Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin

Peter King comments... WR Chad Johnson to Dallas

Ten Things I Think I Think

1. I think Randy Moss is one thing. But Pacman Jones? I can't see the Patriots taking a chance on him. Moss was often lazy in Oakland, but he didn't get in nearly the trouble Jones has been in during his first three NFL years. Jones has Dallas written all over him, even though there are approximately 6,479 strip clubs within 15 minutes of Valley Ranch.

2. I think, by the way, that if I were Cowboy owner Jerry Jones, I'd send my private eye to check out Pacman pretty closely before entering into any trade discussions with Tennessee. I'd especially want to find out about any possible pets on Pacman's property.

3. I think this is the way I see the Chad Johnson situation going down. Cincinnati starts its offseason program today at Paul Brown Stadium. Johnson, presumably, will skip it. Johnson, presumably, will miss the entire offseason program, hoping that will force the Bengals to trade him to Washington or Dallas. It won't.

Bengals owner Mike Brown and coach Marvin Lewis won't have Chad Johnson force them into a trade that would screw their salary-cap situation this year. So Johnson sits out 'til camp. Then he doesn't show up for camp. Things get contentious, then ugly, then a sideshow. Johnson makes a few silly public appearances and rips the Bengals. Finally, two weeks before the season, Cincinnati trades Johnson to Dallas for the Cowboys' first-round pick in 2009.

Do I know anything? No. But I believe the scenario I just detailed, knowing the stubbornness of all parties involved, is more likely than Johnson caving in late August and reporting to the team.

New Deal for Ware?

Source: NFL.com

Ware could soon be the recipient of the most lucrative contract Jerry Jones has ever given out in terms of guaranteed money, The Dallas Morning News is reporting. Considering that the Colts gave Dwight Freeney a six-year, $72 million deal with a $30 million signing bonus, the Cowboys should expect to pay similar numbers to keep Ware.

Ranking the Cowboy Running Backs

NFC East: Ranking the Running Backs Part 2
by Jeff Little (Columnist)
bleacherreport.com
March 22, 2008

Part two of a 32 part series, a running back position analysis of each franchise. This division was won by the Dallas Cowboys with a 13-3 record and home field advantage against their division opponent the New York Giants in the NFC Divisional Playoff game who Dallas defeated twice during the regular season. Dallas was the favorite in the game and was outplayed by the NY Giants to the dismay of the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys were outdone by costly penalties. The Cowboys finished with 11 flags thrown their way for 84 yards, many of them came at crucial times. The loss was tough to swallow and adds more fuel to the fire of this heated rivalry. The Cowboys as a team averaged 154 yards per game which was best in the league.


Dallas Cowboys

Marion Barber 6’ 0” 221 lbs. 204 Att. 975 Yards 4.8 YPC Avg. 10 TD’s (Post-Season 27 Att. 129 Yards 4.8 YPC Avg. 1 TD)

Julius Jones 5’ 11” 211 lbs. 164 Att. 588 Yards 3.6 YPC Avg. 2 TD’s
(Post-Season 3 Att. 8 Yards 2.7 YPC Avg.)

Alonzo Coleman 5’ 9” 207 lbs. 1st year player from Hampton

Ronnie Cruz 6’0” 237 lbs. 2nd year player from Northern State

Marion Barber was a Pro Bowl runner last year even though Jones was the starter. He is 24 years old & barring injury will lead the Cowboy rushing attack for the next 3-5years. Julius Jones saw the writing on the wall & walked as a free agent signing a deal with the Seattle Seahawks. The Cowboys have signed two free agents Alonzo Coleman & Ronnie Cruz as depth at the position this offseason. I feel the Cowboys will acquire a running back from this draft. There has been speculation that the Cowboys will attempt to work a trade to move to the top of the draft to select Darren McFadden out of Arkansas. This strikes me as a rumor that got out due to McFadden & owner Jerry Jones both attending the University of Arkansas. The move makes no sense having Marion Barber on the roster. The move would be extremely costly when the team will have several RB choices when selection #22 rolls around. The Cowboys have two 1st round picks and needs at RB & WR. Rashard Mendenhall & Felix Jones are good fits in round one. The Cowboys could look at Jamal Charles, Chris Johnson later in the draft either scenario allows them to continue the league wide trend of a two-headed rushing attack.

The question for the Cowboys: Can they add enough depth at the CB, Safety & WR positions to their solid core talent and match 2007's numbers? Another question would be is Wade Phillips a lame duck coach after 2008?

John Clayton Says....

Originally posted by doomsday_defense from a sports forum:

Dallas is the clear front runner to land Pacman. He expects Pacman WILL be re-instated before the draft and suspects a 5th rounder would be enough to get the trade down.

If Pacman can stay out of trouble then a 5th rounder for a play making CB who's one of thee best PR's in this league is a no brainer. I also like the fact that he contract will be cheap and behavior-based.

Pacman and a good Number 2 WR and we are much improved IMO from a year ago when we were 13-3.

For Cowboys, Stewart Could Be (Relatively) Cheap Alternative to McFadden

by Ryan Wilson

Depending on who you believe, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has a crush on former Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. How big a crush could be determined during the first day of the draft. Speculation has Jones trading some combination of the team's two first-round picks to take McFadden.

Jones denies the rumors, and it does seem kinda far-fetched -- even for Jones -- but at this point nothing would surprise me.

A cheaper, less risky alternative could be Jonathan Stewart, generally considered the third best back in the draft after McFadden and Rashard Mendenhall. Stewart revealed that he had toe surgery earlier this week, and will probably be out four months or so, but he should be fully recovered in time for training camp. Could the injury hurt his draft stock? Sure. It happens. But that could be good news for the Cowboys.

It's amazing the kind of combine Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart had, considering he was performing on a turf toe that required surgery last week and will force him to undergo four to six months of rehabilitation.

Stewart will fall in the draft. He would be ideal for the Cowboys, who have two No. 1 picks and need a back to replace Julius Jones.Because they have Marion Barber, they could afford to give Stewart plenty of time to heal and not rush him back.

Dallas has needs at cornerback and in the backfield, and they can address both by keeping their two-first-round picks. Hopefully, there's no truth to the rumor that Jones has to have McFadden, because frankly, no running back is worth what it would cost the Cowboys to get him.

Pacman Jones-DB- Titans

Updating an earlier story (see below), Lions GM Matt Millen says the team will not pursue suspended CB Pacman Jones.

"We've talked about it, but for a lot of reasons, we aren't going to try to get him," Millen said. "He has a lot of talent. We wish him well."
Source: Detroit News

=====

In addition to the Cowboys, the Patriots and Lions have reportedly emerged as possible suitors for suspended CB Pacman Jones.

It's believed that Jones' preference would be to play for the Cowboys. The Patriots seem pretty unlikely to get into a bidding war with anyone. If Jones wants to play for a winner, the Lions wouldn't be a great a fit. The Detroit Free Press disputes that the Lions have real interest.
Source: ESPN.com

Garrard says he expects Romo like contract

David Garrard says he expects Tony Romo's six-year, $67.5 million contract to be a "logical reference point" for his own extension with the Jags.

"It's got to be in that ballpark," Garrard's agent said. "We're not going all the way back to Matt Schaub." Schaub got a six-year, $48 million deal. While Garrard doesn't have a ton of tread on his tires, he's already 30. His style of play also makes him more susceptible to injury than Schaub or Romo.
Source: Florida Times Union

DMN Blog: This trade down adds up

by Tim MacMahon

A mock draft at FoxSports.com is predicting that the Cowboys take South Florida CB Mike Jenkins at No. 22 and ship No. 28 to Atlanta.

The Falcons passed on Matt Ryan with their first pick and decided to take Jake Long to add stability on the O-Line. In my previous mock draft, I projected the Dolphins to trade up with the Cowboys at the 22nd overall selection, but now I foresee the Falcons trading up with the Cowboys at this pick to grab Brian Brohm. Atlanta gives up one of their second-round selections (48th overall) and third-round selection (68th overall) in the trade. The Falcons copy the Browns' plan from last year and get a franchise OT and QB in the first round.
Based on his draft history, it's a safe bet that Trader Jerry will deal one of the first-rounders. I'd recommend getting rid of the first due to the Curse of 22, but I plugged this swap into the draft value chart anyway.

No. 28 has a value of 660 points. Nos. 48 (420) and 68 (250) add up to 670. Deals don't get much more fair and square than that.

But Jerry doesn't just look at the draft value chart before deciding to pull the trigger on a deal. He also checks the comments on this here blog, so fire away with your opinion on whether this would be a wise move for the Cowboys.

Sources: Irvin Works As 'Booster Club' Prez

By Mike Fisher -- DB.com

The Cowboys can't "recruit'' Pacman Jones; they can't even speak to him without committing a tampering violation.

So instead, they're relying on the proactive work of the President of the Dallas Cowboys Booster Club.

Jones, the troubled, talented and suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback/returner, is being coaxed and coached into joining the Cowboys by none other than Michael Irvin, the Hall-of-Fame Cowboy who is now a DFW talk-show host – and long a goodwill ambassador and unofficial recruiting coordinator for his former team.

Sources tell me that Irvin reached out to Jones a few days ago to offer advice on how Pacman should conduct himself as he seeks reinstatement from the NFL, on how he should conduct himself should be truly want to join the Cowboys, and -- most importantly, on how Jones should, in Irvin's opinion, sign with Dallas.

I am told that Irvin has expressed his thoughts on Pacman to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and that the player, suspended for assorted off-the-field behavioral issues, is the subject of Valley Ranch conversation.

Sources also tell me that Pacman will be in town on Monday night for a lengthy dinner meeting with Irvin. It will be at that meeting when Irvin plans to advise Pacman on life as a Cowboy.

That get-together will preceed the announced appearance of Pacman on Irvin's ESPN 103.3 radio show on Tuesday. Pacman will join Irvin on the air for the entirety of the 11-to-2 p.m. show.

This is not the first time that Michael Irvin has recruited talent to the Cowboys, and then taken a guidance-counselor position for a player. Most notably, Irvin was influencial in Terrell Owens coming to the Cowboys. Irvin's involvement -- again, completely unofficial -- is a clever entry through a loophole. Teams are not allowed to contact other teams' players. But Irvin isn't a Cowboy exec. ... he's just a "concerned fan.''

The Cowboys (along with other interested teams, a group rumored to include the Patriots) can trade for Jones even while he's ineligible to play. The NFL is planning to make a decision on his status for the 2008 season at some point prior to the opening of training camps. Tennessee would likely settle for a mid- or low-round draft pick in exchange for Jones, 24, the sixth overall pick in the 2005 Draft who has superstar talent that would come in handy for a Dallas team that is thin at corner behind Terence Newman.

Again, the Cowboys are not directly involved in any of this. The radio station is apparentl paying for the flight. Pacman is just eating dinner. And master recruiter Michael Irvin is simply electing himself the President of the Dallas Cowboys Booster Club.

Jones has big love for Big D

Defensive end Harvey draws attention before draft
By JOHN MCCLAIN
Houston Chronicle

Adam "Pacman" Jones is taking his case to the masses in the Metroplex.
Jones, the Titans' suspended cornerback, has said twice in his hometown of Atlanta that he wants to play for the Cowboys.

On Monday, Jones is doing two sports talk shows on Dallas' ESPN affiliate. Perhaps he thinks going public in Big D will convince Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to pull the trigger on a trade with the Titans.

Jones' agent, Manny Arora, said last week that the Cowboys, Patriots and Lions were interested in Jones. The Titans want to trade him for a draft choice, and having multiple teams interested could mean a higher pick.

Jones, of course, comes with a buyer-beware-tag. Anybody making a deal should negotiate a new contract in which the deal is almost all performance-based. For instance, for every game he's on the roster, he gets a certain amount of money.
The idea would be to keep Jones out of trouble. The team that acquires him will lose him for another season the next time he gets into trouble.

Jones is a multitalented cornerback and exceptional return man. He's not a distraction in the dressing room. He's popular with his teammates and coaches when he's with them. The problem is that once Jones leaves the practice facility and his teammates, he can't control himself.
Whether it's the Cowboys or Patriots — or any team, for that matter — Jones will be an exciting player who'll bring the crowd to its feet with some take-your-breath-away plays.
At some point, though, the telephone will ring, and the police will be on the other line explaining that Pacman is in trouble again. And everyone, especially his new team, will blame everyone but Jones, but that shouldn't keep him from feeling the wrath of commissioner Roger Goodell again.

Stock soaring

The stock of Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey continues to soar. He's 6-4 1/2 , 279 and coming off a great pro day. Teams playing a 3-4 believe he can excel at outside linebacker. Harvey should be the second defensive end drafted after Ohio State's Vernon Gholston (6-2 1/2 , 263) who, after impressing everyone at the combine with his speed, quickness and athleticism, ran in the 4.5s at the Buckeyes' pro day.
Like Harvey, 3-4 teams are looking at Gholston at outside linebacker. The Patriots could take one of them with the pick they acquired from the 49ers last year.

On the rise

Before the combine, the big question about Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib (6-1, 197) was his speed. He ran 4.46 and 4.53 at Indianapolis. At his pro day, Talib ran 4.42 and 4.44. He should be among the top three players drafted at his position.

In decline

Late in the season, just about everyone talked of Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson going in the first round. Now, it looks as if he won't go on the first day (two rounds). After Boston College's Matt Ryan, this is shaping up as a bad draft for quarterbacks. The worst since 2000 was 2002, when David Carr, Joey Harrington and Patrick Ramsey were first-round picks.

Keep an eye on ...

They're not sleepers, but three prospects flying under the radar who could be drafted higher than you think are Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge, Tulane running back Matt Forte and Nebraska cornerback Zack Bowman. Ainge (6-5 1/2 , 225) eventually could be better in the NFL than he was at Tennessee, where he was wildly inconsistent. Insiders believe that if he gets in the right system and has good coaching, he could become a starter and excel.
Forte (6-1 1/2 , 221) continues to impress the scouts. The draft is loaded with talented backs, but he could go in the second round rather than the third or fourth, which had been predicted.
Bowman (6-0, 194) overcame two major knee operations to start every game last season. He ran the 40 in the 4.4s at the combine and did it again at the Cornhuskers' pro day.

Size does matter

Scouts are really concerned about California receiver DeSean Jackson, 5-10, 167. He's an outstanding player who runs as well as many backs and is a dangerous return man, but as scouts point out, nobody successful in the NFL shares his weight range. Chargers running back Darren Sproles is only 5-6, but he weighs 185.
Jackson will be drafted high because of his talent and speed, but he'll have to be used the right way to be effective.

Attention, Red Raiders

He's not eligible for the draft, and it's against the rules for anybody to comment on him, but privately, just about every scout asked says Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree is better than any receiver available. They say Crabtree, who'll probably stay at Tech for one more season, is an extraordinary receiver who should be a big-time prospect whenever he's eligible for the draft — assuming he stays healthy, of course. They say that if Crabtree were eligible for this draft, he'd be the first receiver selected and could go in the top 10 overall.

Garden-fresh Bush

After bombing out last season with 581 yards rushing, 417 yards receiving and scoring six touchdowns, Saints running back Reggie Bush is staying in New Orleans to work out in the offseason rather than returning to Southern California, as he did last year. Last season, Bush played on a losing team for the first time since he began playing football. He missed four games because of a knee injury. When Deuce McAllister suffered a knee injury in the third game, Bush showed he wasn't capable of carrying the load.
"I've had plenty of time to reflect," Bush said. "I missed the last four games. That really hurt me because I never really had to miss any games before. I had a lot of time to think and just go through what approach I want to take this year and how I want to go about this year and getting to that elite level of athletes.
"I definitely feel like there's a lot that I want to accomplish this year. I'm a competitor, and I'm just trying to do everything I can and get every little edge to compete and to make myself better."

What does it mean?

The Chiefs had more executives at Boston College's pro day than any team in the league.
General manager Carl Peterson, coach Herm Edwards and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey watched quarterback Matt Ryan.
The Chiefs have the fifth pick. Brodie Croyle, a third-round pick two years ago, is their starter.
"It just means we're looking at everybody," Edwards told the Kansas City Star. "I'm going to LSU next week. They've got a defensive tackle down there, some wide receivers, some defensive backs. I went to Cal last week. They've got seven guys there. I was on the news there, too. I was the only head coach there.
"You'll never know who we're going to draft. Maybe we're playing poker here. That's what's great about it."

A big problem

Although he hasn't admitted it publicly, those close to Bengals receiver Chad Johnson say his discontent is over money and that he's trying to talk his way out of Cincinnati to get a new deal. Kind of like cornerback DeAngelo Hall did in Atlanta. After mouthing off for most of the season and offseason, Hall was traded to the worst franchise in the league and was given a new deal with $24 million guaranteed.
Johnson says he won't attend the Bengals' offseason program, which will cost him a $250,000 workout bonus. He's been a regular participant in the program for every offseason since he came into the league.
The Bengals continue to insist they won't trade Johnson, but a player trying to be as big a distraction as Johnson is nothing but trouble. It's difficult to imagine them bringing him back when Marvin Lewis' job is supposed to be on the line.

Mathis' second chance

Brazoria County authorities last week dropped the charges against former Texan Jerome Mathis.
The receiver wasn't tendered an offer by the Texans; he had been accused by his then-girlfriend of throwing her down and choking her. After his arrest, she asked the charges be dropped.
If Mathis didn't get injured every season, some teams would be all over him. Eventually, some team will sign him because he's so fast and has so much talent.

Odds and ends

Titans left tackle Michael Roos, a third-year restricted free agent, has told management that if he's not signed to a long-term deal before the season, he won't negotiate during the season and will get unrestricted status in 2009. Jacksonville is hoping to sign coach Jack Del Rio to an extension. He has one year left on his contract. Unless Junior Seau changes his mind and returns for a 19th season, Cleveland's Willie McGinist will be the oldest starting linebacker in the league. He's 36 and just took a pay cut to make $900,000. Browns cornerback Gary Baxter is trying to become the first NFL player to make a successful return from two patella tendon injuries. The Vikings are still desperate for a backup quarterback. They offered the Texans a third-round pick for Sage Rosenfels. Now they're looking at Gus Frerotte, among others. John McClain covers the Texans and the NFL for the Chronicle. He can be heard on 610 AM at 7:30 a.m. Monday, 10 a.m. Tuesday and 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Cowboys Insider: Defense could be poised for a Doomsday season

by Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News

Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware says he expects the defense to “really excel” next season.

Considering all the players the unit will have that were drafted in either the first or second rounds, the Cowboys and their fans shouldn’t expect anything less.
Ware, outside linebacker Greg Ellis, end Marcus Spears, cornerback Terence Newman and strong safety Roy Williams were all selected in the first round. Another first-round choice, second-year outside linebacker Anthony Spencer, has a chance to blossom as he grows more comfortable with the pro game and Wade Phillips’ aggressive version of the 3-4 scheme.

The list of players taken in the first round that will either start or contribute on defense could grow to eight if a corner is chosen with either the No. 22 or No. 28 pick and if a rumored trade with Tennessee for suspended corner Pacman Jones comes to fruition.

Jones was the sixth player selected in the 2005 draft.

Another first-rounder, backup linebacker Bobby Carpenter, could have a chance to contribute more if the coaching staff ever decides where to play him.

Then there’s backup nose tackle Tank Johnson and Pro Bowl free safety Ken Hamlin, both selected in the second round by other teams, and dime linebacker Kevin Burnett, a second-round choice for Dallas in 2005 who recorded a career-best 52 tackles last season.

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With all of those first- and second-rounders, plus the addition of seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas, is it really too much to expect the Cowboys to field one of the league’s top defenses? Or do underachievers like Spears, Williams, Burnett and Carpenter taint the defense’s deep portfolio of high-draft picks?

Spears and Williams could be better next season if the Cowboys wind up with Jones and find another strong defensive back in the draft. Burnett seems much more comfortable playing for Phillips than he did for Parcells, and Carpenter could come on strong if ever given more of a chance.

One big reason for Ware’s optimism is Johnson. He’s banking on the former Chicago Bears standout really coming into his own in his first full season with the Cowboys. If that happens, it could free up the versatile Jay Ratliff to play more at end, especially if another nose tackle is acquired via free agency or the draft.

“The thing is Tank’s going to be coming around,” Ware told reporters this week in Irving. “He’s a beast in the middle now. People don’t realize (how good he can be) with a full offseason, when he’s all the way in shape and he’s really comfortable with what’s going on.”

Johnson shouldn’t be the only Dallas defender “really comfortable with what’s going on.” All the holdovers from the unit that finished last season ranked ninth in the league should be more comfortable with Phillips’ way of doing things. And it also doesn’t hurt that an old Valley Ranch hand, Dave Campo, is back in the saddle to coach the secondary and try to bring out the best in Williams.

But the biggest reason to believe the defense will be better is Ware. His 14 sacks last season were tied for third in the league and were the most by a linebacker. He also recorded a team-high 27 quarterback pressures and was named first-team All-Pro.

And with his rookie contact set to expire after the 2009 season, he says he’s determined to show management “I’m that guy.”

"This year I’m going to make sure I’m bigger, stronger, faster and even more productive than last year,” Ware said. "They say 14 sacks was productive. I look at it (like) if I get 15, then you never know. That 15th sack could get you to the Super Bowl.”

With Ware and so many other first- and second-rounders playing defense, the Cowboys shouldn’t expect anything less.

Cowboys | Team to meet with Balmer

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:10:53 -0700

Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, reports the Dallas Cowboys will meet with University of North Carolina DL Kentwan Balmer.

Cowboys will look at all WR possibilities closely

March 21, 2008
www.profootballweekly.com

Stephen Jones and Wade Phillips both have said in the past few weeks that running back, cornerback and wide receiver are the team’s biggest needs with the draft approaching. And although the team likely will stand pat as far as any big moves are concerned before April 26, the Cowboys will keep their eyes on the wide receivers around the league — think Chad Johnson, Anquan Boldin, and the Lions’ Roy Williams — and whether they suddenly become available. If that were the case, team sources imagine that parting with a first-round pick to land the right wideout would not be a problem, especially with owner Jerry Jones having said he wants to add some "wow" to the offense. The team likes Patrick Crayton, who started most of last season and could be a No. 2 if needed, but the choice of adding a top veteran wide receiver over a rookie who might be two years away from developing fully is not much of a choice at all.

Cowboys accidentally show their draft board

By JasonB
Posted on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 04:36:51 PM EDT

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/s.../20/163651/689

A poster on the NFL Draft countdown boards posted some screenshots of a news report done at the Cowboys headquarters.

I would love to get Wade Phillips in a poker game one day. Chances are at some point he'd show all his cards...

From what I can see they have the DBs ranked


Dominique Rogers-Cromartie

Leodis McKelvin

Kenny Phillips

Mike Jenkins

Aqib Talib

Tyrell Johnson

Tracey Porter

That's about all I can make out. They also have their defensive line rankings out, but it's impossible to see. Considering that most teams guard their draft boards like it's a collection of nuclear codes... this would seem to be a pretty careless move on the Cowboys part. Good luck trying to maneuver in the draft when every team knows who you're after.

Cowboys getting Rodgers-Cromartie on tape

Pro Day-Tennessee State (March 21)

Fifteen NFL teams were present, including seven defensive back coaches. Six players worked out outdoors on a grass field.

» CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (6-1 3/8, 182): Had a 37 ½-inch vertical jump, 10-foot 11-inch long jump, 4.14 short shuttle, 6.63 cone drill, ran position drills and kept his combine numbers for everything else. Offered to run the 40, but was told it was not necessary. Dallas sent two people to videotape his workout.

DeMarcus Ware-LB- Cowboys

DeMarcus Ware is expected to command a contract similar to Dwight Freeney's six-year, $72 million pact when he opens talks with the Cowboys.

Ware has made rapid improvement each year he's been in the league and finished third in the NFL in sacks in 2007. He's arguably Dallas' best player.
Source: Dallas Morning News

DMN Blog: Colombo's a happy camper

by Tim MacMahon

I ran into Massachusetts native Marc Colombo outside the Celtics' locker room at the American Airlines Center last night.

It's hard to miss a 6-8, 320-pound dude wearing a big, green Paul Pierce jersey. But I almost didn't recognize Colombo because of the big smile on his face.

Colombo, quite an intense fella come football season, was happy about the Celtics' win over the Mavericks. He's ecstatic that Jerry stepped up to sign Flozell Adams before the left tackle could test the open market.

Colombo reiterated his remarks from last month that he considers Adams one of the elite pass-blocking tackles in football. He's also confident that continuity in the offensive line will pay dividends.

"I think Jerry's showing that, by signing [Adams], he's committed to the offensive line," Colombo said. "That's really big in my book that he did that. I'm really excited about this season having Flozell back.

"We're going to have the entire offensive line back. You don't know how huge that is to me."

Pacman Trade Talks Beginning

By Jonathan Hutton

Trade talks have heated up between the Titans and Dallas Cowboys for suspended cornerback Pacman Jones, the same organizaton he recently said he wished to play for in the future.

The Dallas Morning News reported on its web site Thursday evening that preliminary trade discussion between the two teams have taken place regarding Jones that could involve a late-round pick in this April's draft.

Dallas is interested because they need depth at cornerback after losing both backup corners in free agency.

According to a source, Titans officials are not in a hurry to make a deal but realize the best way to move on without Jones is to trade him. Otherwise the would not receive compensation.

There has been no indication as to how serious the negotiations with Dallas were.

The Cowboys are currently $3.9 million under the salary cap according to The Dallas Morning News, and Jones is scheduled to earn a base salary of $1.29 million whenever he returns to the field according to Titans Radio records. However, a source said Jones would be willing to renegotiate his contract at a lower salary to accommodate a team willing to sign him.

Jones has no more charges pending against him after pleading no contest to a gross misdemeanor in Las Vegas and settling a Georgia case of felony obstruction.

Jones’ attorney and agent Manny Arora said he had no knowledge of any trade being negotiated at the current time.

''I have not heard about any deal being completed. There have been talks with a number of teams, such as Dallas and New England,'' Arora recently told The City Paper. ''There is no trade at this time. Right now, I’m more concerned with trying to get him reinstated.''

Jones was suspended due to a string of off-the-field incidents (six arrests) that were deemed conduct detrimental to the league. Last month, Goodell said he had no plans to reinstate Jones anytime soon.

Arora said he planned to appeal that ruling.

''I’m hoping to have it heard sometime around the draft,'' Arora said. ''I don’t know exactly what else they want us to do.''

Sources familiar to the situation told the NFL Network that the Titans have talked to a number of teams about Jones, and so far the Cowboys have shown the most interest. The Miami Dolphins and a few others also appear interested.

Detroit, Oakland, Kansas City, Houston, New Orleans and New England are among those to have expressed at least some level of interest, the NFL Network reported.

103.9 ESPN Radio Says.....

Originally Posted by dcowboysfan76 from a sports forum:

I've never listened to this station because I'm always at work, but today it was stated that a reliable source within the Cowboys organization has relayed to them at ESPN radio, that the Cowboys top WR they are pursuing is Roy Williams, if not Roy Williams then Anquan Boldin or Chad Johnson.......

Compared to most anyone, Witten looks remarkable

Posted by: Anthony Bialy

Good tight ends of course catch many passes, but only the finest catch many more than their next-closest teammate. In this regard, Jason Witten is one of the most valuable receivers in the game, not merely just at his specific position. Specifically, he led the Cowboys in receptions during 2007 and did so by a wide gap, proof that he's evolved into perhaps the best non-Tony tight end in the NFL.

Witten hauled in 96 passes in 2007, which would have been a fantastic total for most wideouts, much less for a spot where some offenses just hope they can get decent blocking and two or three receptions a game. That amount was 10th best in the NFL and second overall for those with the same player classification, as only all-time great Tony Gonzalez caught more as an end with 99.

They were part of a select fraternity last season: Kellen Winslow Jr., Chris Cooley, and Antonio Gates along with Witten and Gonzalez were the only tight ends to lead their teams in receptions. That's quite a selection of offensive weapons; although a small percentage would meekly argue for the injured Jeremy Shockey's inclusion, one could make an overwhelmingly convincing argument that these five are the best five at their position in the game. The fact they each led their team in receptions is simply a fact that confirms a nearly universally held opinion.

But how big was each lead? Of all these players, Witten was tied for attaining the second-biggest disparity in receptions on his team compared to the runner-up: He had 15 more than Terrell Owens' 81. Gonzalez came in first, as he finished far ahead of fellow Chief Dwayne Bowe, who caught 70 in his promising rookie season.

Gates managed to tie Witten for the difference between his total and that of his nearest teammate, as he got 75 grabs to LaDainian Tomlinson's 60. Meanwhile, Santana Moss' 61 receptions for the Redskins put him very close to Cooley and his 66 catches, while Winslow nabbed 82, just two more than Braylon Edwards. All of these tight ends did something impressive, and Witten was one of the most impressive inside this small group.

Next to Gonzalez, which isn't a fair comparison for anyone, Witten performed the best at his job in the league in terms of not only quantity of receptions but also in his worth to the offense; Gates gets third place thanks to LT. When a tight end can not only lead a team in catches but do so by a significant margin, he's crossed into elite territory; Witten arguably does more for his prolific offense than any other Cowboy.

How could Witten get even better? Adding a top wide receiver in the draft would help, even though it would likely cause his own numbers to decline. While the theoretical new player might take away some of Witten's receptions, it would also mean more open field in which Witten would have room to operate.

He would undoubtedly trade in his statistical achievement for a stronger overall passing offense, particularly one where he might catch less but gain more every time. It would allow him to pump up his already decent 11.9 yards per catch average from last season, and besides, he doesn't need to astound anyone: Witten has already established himself as one of the premier tight ends in the game, something last season's spectacular numbers prove.

Cowboys Mailbag: Cowboys need Spencer to show improvement next season

Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News

While the identity of the cornerback the Cowboys will target in the draft remains a mystery, this much is certain:The rookie will have a much better chance of producing if the team's 2007 first rounder can come into his own.

Dallas made Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer the 26th selection last April. As NFL.com pointed out Monday, although he failed to match the production of other defensive
first-round picks (see 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, Texans defensive lineman Amobi Okoye and Giants cornerback Aaron Ross), there's no disputing Spencer had a solid campaign at outside linebacker that included flashes of his potential as an edge rusher.

Spencer started the first six weeks while Greg Ellis continued to rehab from injuries left over from the 2006 season and the 2007 training camp. In those six games, Spencer had 20 tackles and a sack. After Ellis returned, Spencer contributed eight stops and two sacks.

He also finished with seven quarterback pressures, three of which came as a starter.

With a rookie corner presumably playing a large role in the defensive backfield, the Cowboys will need more from Spencer this season. As the Giants showed in their remarkable playoff run last season, a dominating pass rush can make up for a pedestrian secondary.

At 6-foot-3, 257 pounds, the 24-year-old Spencer has all the tools to become a force in Wade Phillips' aggressive version of the 3-4 scheme. With another round of offseason work, minicamps and training camp under his belt, Spencer should be well positioned to significantly improve on his rookie numbers and aid Pro Bowl choice DeMarcus Ware and Ellis in their quest to make life miserable for Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning and Jason Campbell.

And if that happens, the corner the Cowboys choose in the first round April 26 should have a much easier time getting his feet under him.

Now on to this week's letters:

I heard DeAngelo Hall might be traded from Atlanta to Oakland for a second-round pick. If he's on the market, why wouldn't Dallas take a shot at him? I wanted Dallas to go after him before the end of last year. What's your take?
Rob McPeak, Richmond, Va.
Hall is outspoken and moody and has been known to yell at his coaches. Other than that, he's a great guy.

Is NFL commissioner Roger Goodell related to Bill Belichick? I question how Goodell handled the "spying" issue. He suspended 'Pacman' Jones for things not football related, but he does not suspend Belichick for what he did. I believe that somehow there is a history between Goodell and Belichick. Has anybody looked into that?
Leon Reyes, Bay City, Texas
Goodell has said he considered suspending Belichick for his role in Spygate but didn't "largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine ($500,000) and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension." That fine represented 12 percent of Belichick's scheduled 2007 salary (reportedly $4.2 million). Goodell also took away a first-round draft pick, the first time such a penalty has been handed down by the commissioner. Not exactly the kind of way you would treat a relative.

The Cowboys should continue to develop the young receivers they have and use their top two draft pick on a running back and a cornerback. Your thoughts?
Robert, Oklahoma
I like Sam Hurd and Miles Austin as the No. 4 and 5 receivers and for special-teams duty, but that's about it. The Cowboys desperately need a dynamic, young receiver who could man the No. 2 position in the event Terry Glenn goes down again. With that said, I'm drafting a corner and a receiver in the first round, though not necessarily in that order.

Go to YouTube.com and type in Chris Johnson. Then look at the clip that says, "This is what 4.24 speed looks like. This is what the Cowboys need. AMAZING!
Tom Hathaway, San Antonio
Johnson's blazing speed could propel him into the late first round, but more than likely, he'll go in the second. The Cowboys own the 61st pick. I don't think he will be around then. Regarding his speed, that's great. But I'd also like to know how well he blocks and understands audibles, two things Tyson Thompson never mastered.

DMN Blog: Chad says he can bring Cowboys that ring

by Albert Breer

Chad Johnson could've climbed on the coffee table on the middle of the Best Damn Sports Show Period set tonight and yelled at the top of his lungs "Trade me to to Dallas!!!"

And he really wouldn't have been much more clear than he was in batting his eyes in the direction of Valley Ranch.

"If I end up in Dallas, I would just look at which finger I'm gonna put it on," Johnson declared. "That's it. Ain't no ifs, ands or buts about it."

Several Cowboys Blog Crazies tipped me off to Ocho Cinco's performance on BDSSP tonight, and because we get it a little later here in DFW, I had to wait to watch it. "It" was worth every last second. Classic.

I'll pass along this link, but that only includes part of the interview. What should really get people around here going isn't included in that clip. It's the statement above, and how he said that he and Terrell Owens would co-exist on the same team.

"It's gonna work," Johnson said. "T.J. (Houshmandzadeh) and Chad Johnson are no different than '81' and '85' because T.J. is a No. 1 receiver. We just happen to be two No. 1 receivers on the same team at the same time. It's no different."

Ocho Cinco even went as far as to stick up for T.O. when the FSN people rolled the Original 81's emotional outburst after the Cowboys' playoff loss.

"You know what's funny? Y'all don't have my clip," he said. "I'm crying about losing. We played Jacksonville, Sunday night, we're 4-0. I'm mad because we're 4-1. I was mad. I was the same way."

And as for the atmosphere if '81' and '85' were paired, Johnson didn't mince words. Nor did he seem to be off the mark.

"That'd be a circus," he said.

Of course, all the Cowboys stuff was just a piece of the fun with this sitdown.

Another clip they played was of Johnson's prodding Brett Favre to toss one to him in pregame. What did '85' say to the Packer QB?

"Just throw me the ball," he said. "I just want you to know what it's like to throw to greatness. That's what I told him. It's funny, some people call me arrogant. I just think I'm extraordinary. "

On a more serious note, Johnson did address the situation from the 2005 playoff game against Pittsburgh, and alleged punch he threw at a coach at halftime.

"That's not what happened," he insisted. "There was an incident. Man, I was pissed off. I was mad. I'm in the biggest game of my career, I got one catch, y'all are not using me. I'm pissed off. I'm emotional. You know how I am about the game.

"So I'm in there going off. And I have an IV in my arm, and I get up screaming, I'm mad. Carson's hurt, he's on the table, knee's gone. I'm not getting ball, and I'm going off, I'm screaming. And (receivers coach) Hugh Jackson restrains me. He put me in a headlock. So I couldn't move. Coach (Marvin) Lewis comes over, talks to me, restrains me also. That's where it ended.

"Yeah, something happened, I'm not going to sit here and lie. But that was it. Now, (former Bengal) Shaun (Smith) comes back with me throwing the punch. Man, if threw the punch, I wouldn't have no problem if I wanted to get out of Cincinnati, because I wouldn't be there right now. I'll truth, no one's bigger than no organization. Not even Chad Johnson, trust me."

Even in trying to clear "the punch" up, he vowed not to worry about what other people thought about that, or any other incident in his past.

Which is to say, Johnson claims he's stopped caring what other people think.

"Some people may not like Chad Johnson," he said. "Some people maybe do. But it really doesn't matter. When I touch that field, I'm just like insurance, you can count on me."