Dallas Cowboys ready to pick best player on board, Jones says
BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com
The Dallas Cowboys didn't make any "splash" additions during the first two weeks of free agency.
But they have gone about the business of filling needs and building their roster for next year with four free-agent signings and a trade.
Owner Jerry Jones is pleased enough with the Cowboys process that he said Thursday night in Little Rock, Ark., that they can go into draft with the emphasis of taking the best available player.
Jones said the Cowboys don't have any pressing needs and that includes the receiver position — even after the departure of leading pass catcher Terrell Owens last week. Owens said he was satisfied with Roy Williams taking over for Owens as the lead receiver and is excited about the continued development of young receivers like Miles Austin and Hurd.
"One of the reasons that I made the decision on Terrell Owens was because I thought so much of our young receivers. Not only Roy Williams ... but our other young receivers — Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, those are guys that will now have a chance," Jones said Thursday night from Little Rock where he was honored by Easter Seals as its 2009 Arkansan of the Year. "It would really have to be a real opportunity for us to go there.
"The good news with our team right now is we can go about any direction we want to in the draft and pick the best player."
The remarks were reported, by The Associated Press.
Owens signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills three days after being released by the Cowboys.
Jones was accompanied on the trip by three Cowboys: quarterback Tony Romo, tight end Jason Witten and running back Felix Jones.
There were reports of a rift last season between Romo, Witten and Owens. Witten and Owens have yet to to comment about Owens' departure and reporters were not permitted to talk to Romo or Witten on Thursday night.
Regarding next season, Jones said he likes what the -Cowboys have done. They opened free agency with a trade for backup quarterback in Jon Kitna and the signing linebacker Keith Brooking to fill the weakside linebacker spot. They added a special teams contributor in linebacker Matt Stewart.
Then over the last week they have shored up holes at defensive end and strong safety with the signings of Igor Olshansky and Gerald Sensabaugh respectively. Olshanky will replace Chris Canty (Giants) at right end and Sensabaugh will replace strong safety Roy Williams, who was released.
"We've got a great core base put together. We've made some changes in the off-season. We think that's going to really be very helpful -- both sides of the ball and on special teams," he said. "We've got a chance to get as many as nine players in the draft, and we'll need about 80 percent of those to be players."
Although the Cowboys will target the best player in the draft, positions of interest are cornerback, defensive line, safety, receiver and offensive line.
There is a definite need at cornerback where Cowboys have only five cornerbacks on the roster. And with the team talking of moving Alan Ball to safety, only Terence Newman, 2008 rookies Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins and Arena League veteran Michael Hawkins are left at the position. The Cowboys could use some veteran experience, not to mention more bodies at cornerback for depth purposes.
chill@star-telegram.com
The Dallas Cowboys didn't make any "splash" additions during the first two weeks of free agency.
But they have gone about the business of filling needs and building their roster for next year with four free-agent signings and a trade.
Owner Jerry Jones is pleased enough with the Cowboys process that he said Thursday night in Little Rock, Ark., that they can go into draft with the emphasis of taking the best available player.
Jones said the Cowboys don't have any pressing needs and that includes the receiver position — even after the departure of leading pass catcher Terrell Owens last week. Owens said he was satisfied with Roy Williams taking over for Owens as the lead receiver and is excited about the continued development of young receivers like Miles Austin and Hurd.
"One of the reasons that I made the decision on Terrell Owens was because I thought so much of our young receivers. Not only Roy Williams ... but our other young receivers — Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, those are guys that will now have a chance," Jones said Thursday night from Little Rock where he was honored by Easter Seals as its 2009 Arkansan of the Year. "It would really have to be a real opportunity for us to go there.
"The good news with our team right now is we can go about any direction we want to in the draft and pick the best player."
The remarks were reported, by The Associated Press.
Owens signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills three days after being released by the Cowboys.
Jones was accompanied on the trip by three Cowboys: quarterback Tony Romo, tight end Jason Witten and running back Felix Jones.
There were reports of a rift last season between Romo, Witten and Owens. Witten and Owens have yet to to comment about Owens' departure and reporters were not permitted to talk to Romo or Witten on Thursday night.
Regarding next season, Jones said he likes what the -Cowboys have done. They opened free agency with a trade for backup quarterback in Jon Kitna and the signing linebacker Keith Brooking to fill the weakside linebacker spot. They added a special teams contributor in linebacker Matt Stewart.
Then over the last week they have shored up holes at defensive end and strong safety with the signings of Igor Olshansky and Gerald Sensabaugh respectively. Olshanky will replace Chris Canty (Giants) at right end and Sensabaugh will replace strong safety Roy Williams, who was released.
"We've got a great core base put together. We've made some changes in the off-season. We think that's going to really be very helpful -- both sides of the ball and on special teams," he said. "We've got a chance to get as many as nine players in the draft, and we'll need about 80 percent of those to be players."
Although the Cowboys will target the best player in the draft, positions of interest are cornerback, defensive line, safety, receiver and offensive line.
There is a definite need at cornerback where Cowboys have only five cornerbacks on the roster. And with the team talking of moving Alan Ball to safety, only Terence Newman, 2008 rookies Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins and Arena League veteran Michael Hawkins are left at the position. The Cowboys could use some veteran experience, not to mention more bodies at cornerback for depth purposes.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:42 AM
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