NFL Notebook: For Cowboys owner, mum is the word
By MICHAEL MAROT
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS -- Jerry Jones wants to be the sole voice of the Dallas Cowboys.
During this weekend's NFL scouting combine, nearly every team sent coaches or front office officials -- or both -- to the media room to speak with reporters. Even New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick showed up at the podium, the first time that has happened since this format began in 2001.
But the Cowboys, one of the league's marquee teams, were noticeably absent.
NFL officials did not give a statement but said they tried to get a representative from each team to appear. They estimated only five teams did not send anyone, including the usually chatty Cowboys. The reason? Owner Jones wants to be spokesman for the team during the offseason, not letting coach Wade Phillips even speak.
"Where I'm coming from here, I just want to make sure you're not getting bits and pieces of information," Jones told The Dallas Morning News. "That's not doing anybody any good, and you're not making accurate reports."
Jones hasn't said whether outspoken receiver Terrell Owens will return, and he offered no new information on Owens' future this week.
OPENING EYES: Few doubted West Virginia quarterback Pat White's ability to run. There was more concern about his ability to throw. Perhaps not any more.
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock met with reporters after Sunday's quarterback workouts and said White's performance was one of the best of the day.
"He threw the (heck) out of the ball," Mayock said.
Many scouts considered White too small for the NFL, with his listed height and weight at 6 feet 1, 192 pounds last season. Some also wondered whether he could run an NFL offense after working out of the Mountaineers version of the spread.
But with things changing in the NFL, White may be the beneficiary. Last year, the trendy offense was the "Wildcat," a design that seems perfect for White's skills.
Even Indianapolis Colts general manager Bill Polian, whose team is not looking for a quarterback, acknowledged White was one of the more impressive players in workouts Sunday.
"He's an intriguing guy," Polian said. "He can throw it. We've seen it with Slash (Kordell Stewart) and with Antwaan Randle El, and I think we'll continue to see that in the game."
ANDRE'S MISSTEP: Alabama tackle Andre Smith's strange behavior at the scouting combine has only added to the questions surrounding his character. After being suspended for the Sugar Bowl because of alleged improper dealings with an agent, he unexpectedly left the combine Saturday.
It's not unusual for a player to leave early. But not informing combine officials caused a problem for a player who could be taken No. 1.
"You just hope it's a little bit of immaturity because if he handles the thing correctly, there's no issue and we're not sitting here talking about it," Mayock said. "Every year, kids don't compete at the combine and we don't worry about it. This kid didn't handle it the right way."
There is talk that Smith's draft stock could slip because of his recent actions.
"That's why you have to do your homework," Mayock said. "I kind of say, 'Watch out, buyer beware.' "
MR. VERSATILE: Missouri's Jeremy Maclin figures he has four ways he can impress the NFL scouts. Maclin led the nation in all-purpose yardage in 2008, and several mock drafts project him as a first-round pick. In 2007, he was the only college player to score touchdowns rushing, receiving, returning a punt and returning a kickoff.
"You get the ball in your hands, I just look to make plays," he said. "Every time I touch the ball, I look for the end zone. I definitely look to change the game. I consider myself a game-changer."
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS -- Jerry Jones wants to be the sole voice of the Dallas Cowboys.
During this weekend's NFL scouting combine, nearly every team sent coaches or front office officials -- or both -- to the media room to speak with reporters. Even New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick showed up at the podium, the first time that has happened since this format began in 2001.
But the Cowboys, one of the league's marquee teams, were noticeably absent.
NFL officials did not give a statement but said they tried to get a representative from each team to appear. They estimated only five teams did not send anyone, including the usually chatty Cowboys. The reason? Owner Jones wants to be spokesman for the team during the offseason, not letting coach Wade Phillips even speak.
"Where I'm coming from here, I just want to make sure you're not getting bits and pieces of information," Jones told The Dallas Morning News. "That's not doing anybody any good, and you're not making accurate reports."
Jones hasn't said whether outspoken receiver Terrell Owens will return, and he offered no new information on Owens' future this week.
OPENING EYES: Few doubted West Virginia quarterback Pat White's ability to run. There was more concern about his ability to throw. Perhaps not any more.
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock met with reporters after Sunday's quarterback workouts and said White's performance was one of the best of the day.
"He threw the (heck) out of the ball," Mayock said.
Many scouts considered White too small for the NFL, with his listed height and weight at 6 feet 1, 192 pounds last season. Some also wondered whether he could run an NFL offense after working out of the Mountaineers version of the spread.
But with things changing in the NFL, White may be the beneficiary. Last year, the trendy offense was the "Wildcat," a design that seems perfect for White's skills.
Even Indianapolis Colts general manager Bill Polian, whose team is not looking for a quarterback, acknowledged White was one of the more impressive players in workouts Sunday.
"He's an intriguing guy," Polian said. "He can throw it. We've seen it with Slash (Kordell Stewart) and with Antwaan Randle El, and I think we'll continue to see that in the game."
ANDRE'S MISSTEP: Alabama tackle Andre Smith's strange behavior at the scouting combine has only added to the questions surrounding his character. After being suspended for the Sugar Bowl because of alleged improper dealings with an agent, he unexpectedly left the combine Saturday.
It's not unusual for a player to leave early. But not informing combine officials caused a problem for a player who could be taken No. 1.
"You just hope it's a little bit of immaturity because if he handles the thing correctly, there's no issue and we're not sitting here talking about it," Mayock said. "Every year, kids don't compete at the combine and we don't worry about it. This kid didn't handle it the right way."
There is talk that Smith's draft stock could slip because of his recent actions.
"That's why you have to do your homework," Mayock said. "I kind of say, 'Watch out, buyer beware.' "
MR. VERSATILE: Missouri's Jeremy Maclin figures he has four ways he can impress the NFL scouts. Maclin led the nation in all-purpose yardage in 2008, and several mock drafts project him as a first-round pick. In 2007, he was the only college player to score touchdowns rushing, receiving, returning a punt and returning a kickoff.
"You get the ball in your hands, I just look to make plays," he said. "Every time I touch the ball, I look for the end zone. I definitely look to change the game. I consider myself a game-changer."
posted by The Gryphon at 5:42 PM
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