Cowboys plan to pass on receivers
By Tom Orsborn - Express-News
ARLINGTON — The sights and sounds of construction are everywhere at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium.
While the $1.1 billion building looks nearly complete from the outside, it's clear inside there's still a long way to go before its inaugural event — George Strait's June 6 concert.
Meanwhile, there are aspects of the franchise that apparently don't need much work.
Speaking at a news conference inside the dust-filled stadium, owner Jerry Jones told hard hat-wearing reporters Thursday that wide receiver won't be a priority in the NFL draft this weekend.
Nearly two months after releasing Terrell Owens, Jones said he's confident former Texas star Roy Williams will do just fine as the centerpiece wideout.
“Triple A-pluses,” Jones said when asked to grade Williams' work with Tony Romo.
The Cowboys own 11 picks, with their first in the second round at No. 51 overall. They sent their first-round pick to the Detroit Lions last season for Williams.
Jones said it's unlikely he will trade into the first round, pointing out it would be a challenge to sign a high pick with an uncapped season looming in 2010.
“One of the reasons we made the Roy Williams trade was to stay out of the first round,” Jones said.
After coming to Dallas, Williams caught only 19 passes and one touchdown in 10 games. Jones attributed that lack of production to injuries and unfamiliarity with Romo.
But Jones said Williams is now “lighting them up” after dropping weight.
“(The coaches) are elated,” Jones said. “I'm not exaggerating.”
Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, now a Fox analyst, made headlines recently when he said the Williams trade has the potential to become the NFL's biggest bust.
While saying he respects Aikman's opinion, Jones pointed out Aikman also had his doubts about the trade with the Minnesota Vikings for Herschel Walker in 1989 that helped Dallas win three Super Bowls in the 1990s.
“The verdict is still out, but I would absolutely do that trade again,” Jones said of the deal for Williams, who will be 29 in August. “The only fair way to look at that trade, at his age, is to give it the benefit of how and what it does over the next year or two.”
Jones also shot down the notion the Cowboys are thin at receiver and need to use the draft to bolster a corps that includes Patrick Crayton, San Antonio's Sam Hurd and speedster Miles Austin, who signed a one-year deal Thursday.
“Those young guys, I really want to see,” Jones said. “I would have to think long and hard before drafting a receiver that steps up there and puts Hurd and Austin down.”
Like Williams, the offseason showing of backup quarterback Jon Kitna also could affect the Cowboys' draft. Jones said he's impressed with Kitna's mobility and said the former Lions starter “is more than we thought.”
Asked if he still plans to draft a passer, Jones said: “I'd say the position has longer odds than any other position.”
ARLINGTON — The sights and sounds of construction are everywhere at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium.
While the $1.1 billion building looks nearly complete from the outside, it's clear inside there's still a long way to go before its inaugural event — George Strait's June 6 concert.
Meanwhile, there are aspects of the franchise that apparently don't need much work.
Speaking at a news conference inside the dust-filled stadium, owner Jerry Jones told hard hat-wearing reporters Thursday that wide receiver won't be a priority in the NFL draft this weekend.
Nearly two months after releasing Terrell Owens, Jones said he's confident former Texas star Roy Williams will do just fine as the centerpiece wideout.
“Triple A-pluses,” Jones said when asked to grade Williams' work with Tony Romo.
The Cowboys own 11 picks, with their first in the second round at No. 51 overall. They sent their first-round pick to the Detroit Lions last season for Williams.
Jones said it's unlikely he will trade into the first round, pointing out it would be a challenge to sign a high pick with an uncapped season looming in 2010.
“One of the reasons we made the Roy Williams trade was to stay out of the first round,” Jones said.
After coming to Dallas, Williams caught only 19 passes and one touchdown in 10 games. Jones attributed that lack of production to injuries and unfamiliarity with Romo.
But Jones said Williams is now “lighting them up” after dropping weight.
“(The coaches) are elated,” Jones said. “I'm not exaggerating.”
Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, now a Fox analyst, made headlines recently when he said the Williams trade has the potential to become the NFL's biggest bust.
While saying he respects Aikman's opinion, Jones pointed out Aikman also had his doubts about the trade with the Minnesota Vikings for Herschel Walker in 1989 that helped Dallas win three Super Bowls in the 1990s.
“The verdict is still out, but I would absolutely do that trade again,” Jones said of the deal for Williams, who will be 29 in August. “The only fair way to look at that trade, at his age, is to give it the benefit of how and what it does over the next year or two.”
Jones also shot down the notion the Cowboys are thin at receiver and need to use the draft to bolster a corps that includes Patrick Crayton, San Antonio's Sam Hurd and speedster Miles Austin, who signed a one-year deal Thursday.
“Those young guys, I really want to see,” Jones said. “I would have to think long and hard before drafting a receiver that steps up there and puts Hurd and Austin down.”
Like Williams, the offseason showing of backup quarterback Jon Kitna also could affect the Cowboys' draft. Jones said he's impressed with Kitna's mobility and said the former Lions starter “is more than we thought.”
Asked if he still plans to draft a passer, Jones said: “I'd say the position has longer odds than any other position.”
posted by The Gryphon at 10:42 AM
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