Cowboys Corner

T.O. Farewell Party

Not only is Terrell Owens coming back to Dallas for a football camp next week at Duncanville High School but he will be the guest of honor at a farewell from Dallas party in his honor next Thursday.

Romo, Witten and Sushi for Rich Behm

The Dallas Cowboys Women's Assocation with the help from some of the team's biggest stars helped raise close to $10,000 for the Rich Behm Family Trust Funday Thursday night.

Chopsticks for Cowboys, held at RA Sushi, featured 13 players serving as waiters, hosts, bartenders and sushi makers. The list inlcuded Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, Jason Witten along with, Kyle Kosier, Nick Folk, Mat McBriar, DeAngelo Smith, Doug Free, Pat McQuistan, Montrae Holland, Cory Procter and Bobby Carpenter  and  former Cowboys lineman Marco Rivera

Behm, a Cowboys' scouting assistant who was paralyzed from the waist down in the tragic practice facility collapse back last month, was in attendance along with his family.

He was released from the hosptal last Friday and had returned to work at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch headquarters this week. This was his first public appearance.

"Rich is an important part of the organization involved in the day-to-day activities of the team," Romo said. "It's not just the players. There are a whole bunch of people who put us in position to win. Coaches, players, front office and all the people behind the scenes that people don't see. We wouldn't be where we are without all of those people and Rich is one of those guys."

RA Sushi donated all the money raised between 6-8 p.m. to the Rich Behm Family Trust. They raised $5,251 in photos, tips and raffle tickets. They were were projected to make just under $5000 in food totals once all the credit receipts were tabulated.

Rich Behm didn't talk to the media. But his wife Michelle said the family was appeciated and greatful.

 "It's very overwhelming," Michelle Behm said. "These players are great. They are just ordinary people. They've really helped us out a lot. Whether it's coming out to the hospital to bring meals or something like tonight, they're just really great guys and they've really helped us out through all of this. Tonight was a big night and Rich is doing very well. We're really thankful for everyone who came out to support us."

It was an emotional night for many of the players as well. They have a lot of respect for Behm and what he did for the Cowboys. They also realize it could have easily been any one of them in this situation if they had been in facility during the collapse.

Although many had gone to see Behm in the hospital, this was the first time they had seen him in public in his wheel chair.

 "It was a lot of fun,"  Witten said. "This was the first time that I've seen him since it happened. And it was an emotional night for us. But we're really happy to be able to do this and especially knowing that all the proceeds go right to his family."

 Jenny Kosier, the wife of Kyle Kosier, spearheaded the event for the Cowboys Women's Association along with Michelle Witten and Courtney Carpenter. Laurie Phillips, the wife of head coach Wade Phillips who helped found the Dallas Cowboys Women's Association, was in attendance selling raffle tickets. 

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

 

 

Tony signing autographs and serving drinks..

 

Williams and Romo still work in progress

Receiver Roy Williams drew raves from Cowboys coach Wade Phillips for a one handed catch in practice Tuesday.
But it was one of the few highlights from Williams and the offense on what was an overall sloppy day.
Although he and Romo have been working since February to get on the same page and create some chemistry, it is clearly still a work in progress.
He doesn't get as many passes as he would like from Romo in practice and then there is still the occassional miscommunication, like on Tuesday when he ran a post and Romo threw to the corner.
"It's practice,  if you get a ball you get a ball, if you dont get a ball you dont get a ball," Williams said. "You are still working on technique. As long as you open they see on film, maybe you will get one next time."

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

MIAs and possibly a new receiver on the way

Missing in Action

Rookie draft picks Victor Butler and Mike Mickens continue to miss OTAs because their schools are still in session. They will be available for the minicamp next week. Safety Ken Hamlin missed practice because of a personal matter. He was replaced at safety by Alan Ball.

G Kyle Kosier, K Nick Folk, WR Isaiah Stanback, TE Rodney Hannah, DT Tim Anderson and DE Jason Hatcher are still sidelined recovering from offseason surgeries.

The Cowboys held DE Igor Olshanky, LBs Brandon Williams, Stephen Hodge and Justin Rogers and 
WRs Sam Hurd, Mike Jefferson and Miles Austin out for precautionary reasons as all are suffering from minor strains, pulls or bruises.

WR Travis Wilson remains hampered by a knee injury and could be facing surgery.  As a result, Phillips said the team might have to sign another receiver to the team.

The  Cowboys practiced with only five healthy receivers on Tuesday, veterans Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton and rookies Kevin Ogletree, Manual Johnson and Julian Hawkins.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Razorback Part 2

The Cowboys continued to work on "the Razorback", their version of the Wildcat offense,"  in practice Tuesday.

Last week it was receiver Patrick Crayton taking snaps in this Razorback. This week, it was running back Tashard Choice.

Coach Wade Phillips said it was just a matter of the Cowboys exploring their options for the benefit of their offense and their defense.

While Crayton is a former college quarterback and would be more adept at passing out of the offense, Choice gives the Cowboys someone who can run the inside power plays.

It's not new to him either. He took  direct snaps and ran the offense in college at Georgia Tech. And don't sleep on Choice as a passer out of the offense. He said he threw a touchdown pass from it in college.

"I like it, I have a chance to get the ball in my hands," Choice said. "They are looking at it to see how they like. They got to have somebody who can run and throw. Most times it's a running back."

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

A reversal on Pacman is not a retraction

Let's be clear.

Jerry Jones' announcement Monday that the team has no plans to bring back troubled cornerback Adam Pacman Jones does not mean he wasn't considering the possibility.

He indeed was and told me as much.

As a Cowboys beatwriter since 1997, I also have seen Jones in a celebratory mood on more than one occasion and I know the difference between something that was off the record and on the record.

More to the point, Jones knew exactly what he was doing and what he was saying when he talked me about possibly bringing Pacman back to the team.

He never said he was going to do it. He never said anything was imminent. I never wrote either. I just said he was thinking about it, which is/was a fact.

I'm sure the intense negative reaction he got from the story on Monday made him remove all doubt and end the speculation.

Just know this, Jerry Jones cares a lot for Adam Pacman Jones and is still interested in helping him get back on his feet. And if that would have helped the Cowboys win some games, then he was for that too.

How much does Jerry Jones care?

Pacman Jones continues to live in a home owned by the Cowboys owner in Prosper.

So why would he not consider bringing him back to the Cowboys?

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Jerry Jones closes door on Pacman Jones

Who says you can't fight city hall?

On Monday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones issued a statement through team pr director Rich Dalrymple that he has no plans of bringing Adam Jones back.

This was just hours after news broke that Jones told me late Saturday night that he was thinking about doing just that.

Negative public reaction was swift and intense from emails to blog posts. No one was happy with this possibility.

Jerry Jones is a smart man. He sent up a trial balloon and is now reacting to the response. He never said he was bringing Pacman back. He and Jones' agent Worrick Robinson said they have had no discussions about it.

But Jones admitted he was considering it.

Now that he has, with the help of a lot of angry fans, Jones has decided against it.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Door still open for Pacman; not so much for Matt Jones

I caught up with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in his private suite after the George Strait concert Saturday night. He was celebrating a wildly successful opening night for the new Cowboys Stadium. At least until I told him about the absence of straws. Fans paid $6 for sodas in souvenir cups with lids but didn't get any straws because someone forgot to order them.

But before thatJones talked about the rave reviews he got about the stadium from guests in his suite Saturday night, including Troy Aikman, Jason Witten and former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson.

Jones was so happy that he volunteered a little Cowboys news regarding his continued interest in cornerback Adam Pacman Jones. The Cowboys owner said nothing is imminent or even in the works toward bringing Pacman back to the Cowboys.

But he acknowledged that it is something he is considering, which rates as big news considering Pacman was cut in January after a nondescript season on the field in 2008 and more controversy off of it in the form of a six-game suspension for fighting his body guard at a Dallas Hotel.

Jones said that Pacman Jones graded out as the team's best cornerback last season. But he says he likes second year cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick and is worried about stopping their progress.

Regarding another NFL player with the last name Jones and off the field issues, Jerry Jones said the Cowboys have no interest in former Arkansas receiver Matt Jones. Matt Jones was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars after failing a drug test and violating the terms of his probation from a previous arrest for felony possession of a controlled substance. 

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

$1.15 Billion Cowboys Stadium and No Straws

The Cowboys seemingly spared no expense in building the new $1.15 Cowboys Stadium. And they get much credit for the getting the facility up and running for today's inaugural event _ the George Strait concert featuring Reba Mcentire.

From all initial reports, the stadium is receiving rave reviews from concession workers who began arriving before noon in preparation for the 5 p.m. concert.

However, there is at least one minor glitch to report. There are no straws for the drinks. The Cowboys went over every detail, perfecting the mega pixels of the giant high definition video screen. But they forgot the straws.

It's a nit pick _ but one fans will certainly notice when they purchase the $6 soft drinks.

Of course, Jerry Jones doesn't have to look far to assess blame. Jones is a part owner of Legends Hospitality, which manages the concessions at Cowboys Stadium.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

  

Greg Ellis has been released

Linebacker Greg Ellis is officially no longer a member of the Cowboys.

The Cowboys released Ellis Tuesday, one week after owner Jerry Jones said he would not play with the team next year and gave him permission to seek a trade.

Unable to get a trade done, the Cowboys had no choice to be release their former 1998 first round pick.

The Cowboys blamed their decison on a combination of age, money and Ellis declining play. They also like the potential of 2007 first round pick Anthony Spencer who will replace Ellis, 34, in the starting lineup.

But make no mistake about, this was mostly about money.  

The Cowboys will get back $4.15 million against this year’s salary cap. But they are still responsible for a $1.5 million guarantee that was put in Ellis’ contract in 2007. If Ellis signs with another team, the Cowboys would have to make up the difference if he does not earn $1.5 million on his new contract.

Possible landing spots for Ellis include the Patriots, Dolphins, Buccaneers and Bengals. The Patriots have a need for a veteran pass rusher. The latter three teams employ former Cowboys defensive coaches who have worked with Ellis in the past.

Ellis played in 162 games with 156 starts for the club. For his career, he has recorded 634 tackles, 36 tackles for losses, 197 quarterback pressures and 77.0 sacks – which ranks eighth on the team’s all-time sacks list. He earned his first career Pro Bowl trip following the 2007 season after recording a career-high 12.5 sacks in only 13 games and was also named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2007 after returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2006.

Ellis also led the Cowboys in sacks six times in his career, second in club history to Harvey Martin's seven times.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.
 

Jerry Jones and Mr. Papa Johns delivering pizzas

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the founder of Papa John's Pizza  John Schnatter delivered over 800 pizzas to roughly 2,000 construction workers at the new Cowboys Stadium Saturday. Joining Jones and Schnatter in delivering pizza and good will to the construction workers was Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick.

The thresome took pictures and signed autographs for the workers. Jones was even asked to do some of the dance moves he made famous in his Papa John's commercials last year but he declined because he didn't have "the right music."

"I hope it shows we are a team and the construction workers are part of the team," Jones said. "I know so many people I have visited with who have helped build this stadium over the last several years have just to be a part of the project will always be a part of them."

Papa John's will have at least four pizza stands in the new Cowboys Stadium. It will also be served in all the suites.

In addition, Schnatter also personally delivered pizzas to the kids participating in the Tashard Choice Youth Camp at Sam Houston High School earlier in the day. Schnatter served pizzas and also gave a financial donation to the Tashard Choice Foundation.

It was a full day for Scandrick as well. He worked the Choice camp before coming over to the stadium. Also working the camp were running backs Felix Jones and Marion Barber.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

 

Marty B going Charles Barkley

Martellus Bennett is on his way to becoming the next Charles Barkley, becoming famous for saying silly and off the wall stuff. Now if he can only earn a starting job or at least 10 TDs to add substance to his celebrity.

http://deadspin.com/5271310/a-game-of-healthy-fat-or-unhealthy-fat-with-martellus-bennett?skyline=true&s=x

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

New Stadium bigger than Super Bowl?

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones compared the process of building and completing the $1.15 billion Cowboys stadium to winning the Super Bowl.

He said if he was asked if he'd trade the stadium for another Super Bowl title, he doesn't know how he would answer.

It means that much to him.

Jones said the difference is that he has control over what happens in the stadium. With concerts, the NBA All-Star game and the Super Bowl itself, he can have big events every week in the stadium.

As far as the Cowboys getting to and winning the Super Bowl again, that has been a frustrating concept.

Considering the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since 1996 let alone sniffed a Super Bowl berth since they last won in 1995, I can understand as much.

Still, don't misunderstand.

Jones expects his team to live up to the standards of the stadium.

And the stadium is second to none in the NFL if not the world.

So lets stop all the talk of the Cowboys lowering their expectations for next season.

"I think so," Jones said. "I have always thought that is was an element of added pressure to be a member of the Cowboys. It's about expectations. I expect every player that plays on this field to play above their level. That's how you are going to stay here. I do have high expectations. You can't put something up like this and not expect the team to reflect the quality of stadium."

 

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

In his own words: DeCamillis speaks about tragedy

Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis has not been made available to the local media since suffered a broken neck in the tragic collapse of the team's indoor practice facility. DeCamillis, who was lucky he wasn't paralyzed, has since returned to work following neck surgery and a week long hospital stay.

He talked to Atlanta radio station 790 the Zone about his frightening experience.

Explain what happened:

“I just ended up with my special teams period, and it was bad weather obviously, that’s why we were indoors.  And, all of a sudden you look up and you see the thing kinda move.  A little bit unsettling obviously, and then you started seeing the video guy that was the endzone camera, started to really rock and roll.  You knew the structure was in trouble.  Guys started to get out the doors that they were close to - I happened to be close to the door on the east side… Which unfortunately, was not the great thing, ’cause what happened was the structure ended up falling on to us.”

Were you caught underneath the debris?

“The scariest part was the tarp was on top of us.  So, you thought you were really gonna suffocate.  I knew my back was hurt, but you thought you were gonna suffocate when you were sitting there because there was like six inches of water on the ground, and there was a big ol’ tarp that was on top of you.  That was really scary… I can still kinda see something falling on me, but I’m not sure if it was a beam, I couldn’t tell you what drilled me into the ground… To be honest with you, I was more worried about suffocating, so what I did was get on my back, dug my elbows in to the ground and then shot my feet up, and just tried to create some air right there.  And, when you did that you could hear people yelling and screaming.  And, the poor kid that got paralyzed, you could hear him yelling.  It was a pretty scary situation, no question.”

How were you rescued?

“I still don’t know how this happened.  People started ripping open the tarp to get there, there’s a lot of heroes within that organization.  Guys started ripping open the tarp, well, you could see the light.  I saw the guy that was paralyzed, I saw another guy that was crumpled up next to me - I don’t know whether he was dead or alive.  And, then I saw the kid that had the compound fracture, so I could see him.  And, I’m sitting there with my back and I’m thinking, ‘Geez, you wuss, you gotta get up, man.’  So, somehow (laughs), I ended up walking inside to my office… And, I called Dana, my wife, and I said, ‘Are you all right?’  And, she said, ‘Yeah.  I’m all right.  It’s bad weather but what’s the matter?’  And, I said, ‘Well, you’re gonna see something on the TV, the dome just fell on me but I’m okay (laughs).”

http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2009/05/25/joe-decamillis-speaks-about-the-training-facility-accident/

You can listen to the interview here:

http://multimedia.790thezone.com/m/22346537/cowboys-special-teams-coach-joe-decamillis.htm

Terrell Owens will be back in Dallas

Terrell Owens is coming back to Dallas June 24 and 25 to hold his annual youth football camp at Duncanville High School.

You know he is going to have something interesting to say about the Cowboys and his shocking departure. If you keeping count, he has already blamed Stephen Jones, Tony Romo and Jason Garrett for his ouster. He also said Jerry Jones betrayed him. So stay tuned.

Clarence E. Hill

Until then, here at the details on his camp and you can register on line through www.terrellowens.com:

Terrell Owens Youth Football Summer Camp
Ages:7-17

June 24-25, 2009

Registration Begins promptly @ 8:30 A.M.

Sessions begins promptly @ 9:00 A.M.

Various Camps Sessions 9:00 A.M. thru 3:00 P.M.

Full Lunch will be served between 12:00-1:00 P.M. both days

Parent Pickup: 3:30 P.M. (Sharp)

This camp is on a first come, first serve basis. Space is limited and early registration strongly advised...

This year’s camp will include two days of fun-filled activities for young boys ages 7-17.

In addition, Terrell’s Youth Summer Football Mini-Camp offers invaluable physical training and skill sharpening lessons promising to both encourage and train tomorrow’s next athletic superstar.

This year’s events will include a full football related itinerary complete with speed and coordination training, fitness and strength training sessions, Q&A sessions with elite athletes from both college levels and the NFL, raffles, giveaways and much, much more.

Event Restrictions:

Ages 7 -17 Please note: All sales are final. No refunds, no exceptions

This event is organized by T.O. Football Camp C/O Courtney Parker. Click here if you would like to view all events by this organization.

Ask this vendor a question

Get tough policy

Wade Phillips promised that he would be tougher on the Cowboys to ensure a more disciplined team next season.

We got a glimpse of the tougher Cowboys at OTA's on Tuesday when guard Leonard Davis was guilty of a false start. He was yanked out of the lineup and replaced by Ryan Gibbons.

Davis was back in on the next play. But that is example how the Cowboys are holding the players more accountable for mistakes than last season.

There is also more yelling, screamng and cursing from the coaches. The practices are being held at a faster pace than year ago. And when a play is messed up the players are back on the ball running it again.

Now Phillips remains his same laid back self. But the tempo and how the Cowboys go about doing their business has changed.

Clarence E. Hill Jr. 

Are the Cowboys better now that all the so called whiners, complainers and malcontents are gone?

Greg Ellis has been told to stay away from the Cowboys practice and has been given permission to seek a trade. Pacman is gone, Tank Johnson is gone. S Roy Williams is gone. And Terrell Owens is gone. There will be less headaches at Valley Ranch but can you really say the Cowboys are more talented than they were at the end of the season. More importantly, will they be a better football team next season. You tell me.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Cowboys finally shopping Ellis in trade

Linebacker Greg Ellis was sent home organized team activities on  Thursday and has been put on the trading block, multiple sources said.

Ellis, who turns 34 in August,  was told it was about giving a veteran some time off, his agent James Williams said.

Williams also reiterated that Ellis wants to continue his career with the Cowboys.

But no other veteran was sent home to rest. According to sources, the Cowboys are trying to shop Ellis in a trade.

The Cowboys sent Ellis home from OTAs  last year when they were trying to give more reps to linebacker Anthony Spencer in an attempt to get him to supplant Ellis as the starter.

Ellis still began 2008 as the starter when Spencer suffered a knee injury in training camp. However by the end of the season Spencer started on first and second down with Ellis coming in on passing downs.

Ellis' future became even more questionable when the Cowboys selected two passing rushing linebackers in 2009 draft _ Victor Butler and Brandon Williams.

It was assumed then that if Spencer continued to develop and  Butler and Williams showed they could contribute then Ellis was in danger of getting cut in training camp.

Ellis has one year left on his contract with a base salary of $4.15 million in 2009. His salary cap number is $6.25 million.  If he is cut the Cowboys would have to pay him $1.5 million.

However if he is traded the guarentee goes with his contract, saving the Cowboys more than $5 million in salary cap room in 2009.

Ellis, a former first round pick 1998, had just 8 sacks last season after recording a career high 12.5 sacks during his only Pro Bowl campaign in 2007.

Choice ready for role

Last year Tashard Choice started out as the forgotten man in the Cowboys backfield.

With Marion Barber coming off a Pro Bowl season and first round pick Felix Jones getting most of the attention, Choice was the simply the odd man out. A fourth round pick out of Georgia Tech, Choice was left to find his way as a scout team running back and special teams performer.

But of course by the end of the season, Choice was the only running back the Cowboys could count on. Injuries forced Barber and Jones to the sideline, forcing Choice into the starting lineup for the crucial month of December.

Not only did he fill in but he stood out _ rushing for 472 yards on 92 carries and 2 touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

Although a healthy Barber and Jones will again open the season as the Cowboys first two options in the backfield, they will not leave Choice out this time.

He showed enough last season to warrant a role in what will be a three-man running back committee.

The Cowboys have yet to decide on how they will use their running backs. There has been talk that Jones will start and Barber will return to his closer role.

And while Choice has not yet been giving anything definitive on how they will use him, he has been told by the coaches that they will find some carries and touches for him.

"I just wanted to prove myself last year that was huge for me," Choice said. "They said they will implement me in the offense. I know that."

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Tashard Choice does golf tournament one day before OTAs

Cowboys running back Tashard Choice held a charity golf tournament on Monday at the Brookhaven Country Club, benefitting the Single Parent Foundation of Dallas and the North Texas Georgia Tech Student Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Choice played in college at Georgia Tech and is product of a single parent household.

He said both causes  are near and dear to him _ especially the single parent foundation because he knows what his mother went through to raise him.

Choice had 100 golfers participate in the tournament, including teammates Keith Brooking, Patrick Crayton, Justin Rogers, and Marion Barber. He hoped to raise $20,000 on Monday. Others players who stopped by to meet and greet sponsors and participants were Jay Ratliff, Felix Jones and Isaiah Stanback.

 

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Still troubled Quincy Carter opens up, says Jerry Jones made billionaire power play

Former Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter says the Cowboys lied about why they released him, admitting he failed a drug test and said it wasnt because of poor performance. He also said if he didn't have a problem with drugs no one would have ever heard of Tony Romo. Carter, who was recently arrested in Abilene, plays for the Abilene Rough Riders of the Indoor Football League.

Carter opened up to dfwreporting.com senior reporter Kimberly Torres in the following video.

http://dfwreporting.com/2009/05/11/test1/

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

 

Classy Mavs reach out to Cowboys

Things might not be going well for the Dallas Mavericks on the court in their second round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, but Mark Cuban and the Mavericks organization should get mad props for reaching out to their fallen comrades at Valley Ranch.

The Maverics have opened up a suite for their two home playoff games against the Nuggets for members of the Cowboys organization who were were involved in the tragic collapse of the indoor practice facility.

Several Cowboys employees attended Saturday's game three matchup against the Nuggets at American Airlines Center. And another group will be in attendance tonight for game four.

It may well be the final game of the series, considering Denver is up 3-0. But the Mavericks are already winners in the minds of a lot of people at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch headquarters, where winning on the scoreboard has a little less meaning in the face of a potential life altering event.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Locker Room Switches

Today was the first time the evil media was allowed back in the Cowboys' locker room since the day after the 2008 season ended.
The first thing that stood out? Duh - Terrell Owens' locker name is gone. Second-year running back Tashard Choice has taken Owens' old locker.
Other notable locker stall changes included Jay Ratliff taking Chris Canty's corner spot that is closest to the training room. Terence Newman has taken safety Roy Williams' spot.
There are any number of bad jokes and cheap shots to take, so feel free ...

- Mac Engel

Ware Speaks the Truth

One of the other items DeMarcus Ware talked about today was this idea that the Cowboys are Super Bowl favorites, despite the fact they have had no playoff success to support such claims.
“Every year people think we’re the Super Bowl team. We haven’t won a Super Bowl or playoff game yet,” Ware said. “At the end of the day you can put a team on a high pedestal but you have to earn that. I feel like we haven’t earned that. We have the guys to get there but we have to get there before people start putting us up there.”

- Mac Engel

Ware Supports Ellis

Linebacker DeMarcus Ware did right by his teammate Greg Ellis today. Not that you'd expect anything less from Ware.
Ware was at a photo shoot today for Venom Energy Drink; he's one of the athletes who is endorsing the energy drink.
Ware was asked about Ellis, who once again appears may be one his way out of town with another round of linebackers being drafted.
"When I first came in he was a mentor to me and all the rookies. I’ve learned a lot from Greg," Ware said. "He’s a guy people leaned on. He’s also a guy that shows and leads by example. And then they brought - I’m not going to call any names - they brought a lot of guys in to take his position and you see how hard he works and nobody has been able to beat him out yet. He’s out there working hard and playing hard. I think he fits in our defense. I hope he’s here to stay."
Will such comments matter? Probably not ... but they're nice comments regardless.

- Mac Engel

Here Come the Undrafted Rookies

Having selected 12 players in the draft there wasn't going to be a huge need to load up on undrafted rookie free agents.
These lists usually bore people, but there are finds to be had after the draft. Remember - Tony Romo and Miles Austin were both undrafted as was Sam Hurd.
Right now, here are the rookies expected to sign with the Cowboys soon:

Rudy Carpenter, QB, Arizona State
Michael Turkovich, OT, Notre Dame
Asaph Schwapp, FB, Notre Dame
Greg Isdaner, OG, West Virginia
Travis Bright, OL, BYU
Kevin Ogletree, WR, Virginia
Julian Hawkins, WR, Boise State
Jamar Hunt, TE, UTEP

The Cowboys may sign one additional rookie free agent, but this is probably the complete list.

- Mac Engel

Bobby Carpenter Has a Shot ... Really. Honest.

With the Cowboys having selected another supply of linebackers it appears that former first round pick Bobby Carpenter will be kicked to the curb soon.
Not so.
At least not if you believe coach Wade Phillips. Phillips has told Carpenter that it's a clean slate.
Carpenter will be given the chance to win Kevin Burnett's backup inside linebacker job, at least.
"That’s Bobby’s opportunity to step in because he’s that kind of athlete. We’ve challenged him to do that," Phillips said. "I think it’s finding his niche and going from there. It may be us not giving him enough opportunity. I told him that. It’s a new year this year. I wipe the slate blank. I said, 'Hey, whatever you can do and do really well I’m going to try to recognize that. If you show me you can do things to help us I’m going to get you in there.' He’s a worker. He’s going to work at it and give him every opportunity to be the player he thinks he is."
Right now, Carpenter will be trying for time behind expected starter Keith Brooking. Brooking has been a three-down linebacker before, and if he's the best player the Cowboys won't take him off the field. But there does appear to be an emphasis to at least give Carpenter an extended look, and try to create situations where Brooking doesn't have to play every down.
Said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, "I think you’ve got to put Bobby Carpenter on the field with his style of play. He runs good. He’s great lateral. You’ve got to maximize what he does best. He does a lot of good things. If he gets in the game he participates in some plays. I think we’ve got a good read and a good feel for his style of play. I’ve had it said he might have been more effective in a 4-3 because of his range and mobility. What we’re doing right now gives him a great chanceto play. I think this will be a good opportunity for him. It’s not a question you need to see something now or else. I have a feeling we know exactly what we’re going to see. My personal feeling is visiting with our staff and Wade it can be productive for us."

- Mac Engel 

Greg Ellis ... You're on the Clock (Again)

It's April, so it's time to assume that linebacker Greg Ellis is thinking of putting his house on the market again. Probably not a bad idea this time.
Demoted to a very limited, part-time role after Anthony Spencer returned from injury last season, Ellis' time with the Cowboys may finally be nearing an end.
The team selected three outside linebackers with their first four picks on Sunday - Jason Williams, Victor Butler and Brandon Williams. Williams is likely going to play inside. Draftee Stephen Hodge is listed as a safety, but they'll be moving him to linebacker soon, too.
Ellis' role right now is secure, but it's only going to be as long as any of these guys proves they can't play. If during training camp one of these players demonstrates he can play and rush the passer in a limited role off the edge, Ellis will finally be cut.

- Mac Engel

 

Stephen McGee ... wow

Aggie fans may not have been a big fan of their offense over the past few years, but the Cowboys now have the Stephen McGee-to-Martellus Bennett combination on their roster.
The Cowboys were expected to take a quarterback in this draft, but McGee is a bit of a surprise.

- Mac Engel

Good Seats Still Available

It's not the Cowboys fault the economy is in the toilet, but it is kind of funny that the team is having to run commercials trying to sell seats to their new stadium.
The first-year of a stadium is usually a slam dunk for sellouts, but the combination of high prices and a bad economy has made for a tough sell.

- Mac Engel

Why Not Jason Phillips?

The Cowboys decision to select Western Illinois linebacker Jason Williams does address a future need, but a more immediate future need at the position exists.
The Cowboys need a linebacker now, but more of the inside variety. They lost Kevin Burnett in free agency, and right now veteran free agent signee Keith Brooking is at best a short-term solution in the middle next to Bradie James. TCU inside linebacker Jason Phillips may have been, or still could be, a solution.
Williams, however, does still fill a need on the outside.
Linebacker Greg Ellis has one more year with the Cowboys, at most. Anthony Spencer is still well thought of, but he hasn't had a real breakthrough just yet.
The Cowboys wanted a backup who can develop into a full-time player, and Williams would fit that category.

- Mac Engel

 

Another Linebacker? Really? That's What This Team Needs?

It's not quite the same as the Lions drafting a wide receiver in the first round for five straight years or however long, but the Cowboys really have the market cornered on drafting linebackers.
Since 2005, the Cowboys have spent their first draft pick on a linebacker now four times:

2005: DeMarcus Ware, 11th pick (kinda worked out)
2006: Bobby Carpenter, 18th pick (kind of a bust)
2007: Anthony Spencer, 26th pick (improving but still unknown)
2009: Jason Williams 69th pick (who knows?)

- Mac Engel

There is a reason there is so little Cowboys talk right now

The first two picks by the Cowboys have generated very little coversation from the talking heads for a pretty basic reason - no one knows very much about Western Illinois linebacker Jason Williams or Ball State tackle Robert Brewster. Doesn't mean they are bad players, but mid-round picks from a Division I-AA school or a Mid American Conference school usually don't merit a lot of pre-draft research so the TVs of the world don't know a lot just yet.

- Mac Engel

LB is Cowboys' first pick in NFL draft

The Cowboys chose linebacker Jason Williams of Western Illinois with their first pick of the NFL Draft.

Getting Close ... Finally

Jerry Jones may be chomping to do something but we are finally getting close to the Cowboys finally making an actual draft pick today.
The defensive backs they probably wanted are falling fast, but Utah's Sean Smith is still out there.
They like him, but do they want enough to move up a few picks to select him?

- Mac Engel

Complete live draft coverage in our blogs, on Twitter

In addition to this blog, which will focus on Jerry Jones and the Cowboys, you can follow the NFL Draft this weekend at Charean Williams' NFL Insider and on Twitter: @Tramyers.

Charean, our NFL expert and president of the Pro Football Writers of America, will focus on the entire draft, not just the Cowboys.

You can also get complete coverage at star-telegram.com/cowboys.

Baylor's Jason Smith selected No. 2 by Rams

Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith, who played high school football at Dallas White, was taken second overall in the NFL Draft today by the St. Louis Rams.

Highland Park graduate Matthew Stafford, quarterback from Georgia, went No. 1 overall in a formality after the Detroit Lions announced earlier today they had signed Stafford to a contract.

The first two picks gave the Dallas area a 1-2 punch at the top of the draft.

Dirty Dozen revisited?

The Cowboys enter the 2009 NFL Draft with 11 draft picks, a Jerry Dozen. Is there any way they duplicate the Dirty Dozen 1975 Cowboys draft class, when 12 players picked in the draft made the '75 team as rookies? Dallas had 17 picks that year; Jerry Jones would have to hit 11-of-11 to get close, but the Cowboys need to cut costs, so keeping 11 rookies on a 53-man roster can't be dismissed.

Here is that class (courtesy of NFL.com), headed by the Manster, Randy White, a draft pick received from the New York Giants in exchange for Craig Morton:

1 2 Randy White DT Maryland

1 18 Tom Henderson LB Langston

2 44 Burton Lawless G Florida

3 70 Bob Breunig LB Arizona State

4 90 Pat Donovan T Stanford

4 96 Randy Hughes DB Oklahoma

5 113 Kyle Davis C Oklahoma

6 148 Roland Woolsey DB Boise State

7 173 Mike Hegman LB Tennessee State

8 200 Mitch Hoopes P Arizona

9 226 Ed Jones DB Rutgers

10 252 Dennis Booker -- Millersville

11 278 Greg Krpalek -- Oregon State

12 304 Chuck Bland -- Cincinnati

13 330 Herbert Scott G Virginia Union

14 356 Scott Laidlaw RB Stanford

15 382 Willie Hamilton -- Arizona

16 407 Pete Clark -- Colorado State

17 434 Jim Testerman -- Dayton

— Vince Langford

NFL Draft: Cowboys target time

In 2007, the first round of the NFL Draft was more than six hours long. In 2008, the NFL changed the time each team had to make a pick in the first round from 15 minutes to 10, and the 2008 first round was completed in a snappy 3 hours, 30 minutes.

The 10-minute rule is in effect today for the first round, which is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. on ESPN and NFL Network. In the second round, teams have seven minutes between picks. The Cowboys draft No. 51 overall, the 19th pick in the second round, another two hours roughly, so maybe the Cowboys will pick around 9 or 9:30 tonight. 

At No. 1, the Detroit Lions have already agreed to a contract with Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, as the Miami Dolphins had last year with Jake Long, speeding up the process.

The NFL Draft Day Party at the Arlington Convention Center, hosted by the Cowboys, will begin at 6 p.m.

The Cowboys need help at safety, and via Profootballtalk.com and their draft guru, former Denver Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist, here are good reasons to pick a safety at No. 51:

"In fact no other position has produced (by percentage of starters) at a higher rate between picks 51 – 80 (as per NFL Draft Scout’s study). Careful consideration could very well add an early starter to the defense and the Cowboys could use the help. Ranked 26th in stopping the run at 10+ yards (Football Outsiders) is a severe indicator of linebacker and secondary deficiencies and with the #1 rated pass rush (59 sacks & 9.8% rate) Dallas should be more effective in shutting down 3rd & medium/long passing situations than they were in ’08. Possible targets: Safety Darcel McBath (Texas Tech), safety Rashad Johnson (Alabama), safety Patrick Chung (Oregon)."

Draft Week: I predict Brian Robiskie or Louis Delmas

The NFL Draft is less than a week away and it's kind of boring in Dallas with no first round pick. But of course Jerry Jones is not going to sit back and let everybody else have all the fun.
The trade winds will be blowing in Dallas.My pick for the Cowboys in the second round is WR Brian Robiskie or FS Louis Delmas.

Who do you have the Cowboys picking?

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Cowboys should start fast

The NFL didn't do the Cowboys any favors with a brutal season ending stretch that includes three of the final five on the road.

But the Cowboys got a break early in the season with four of their first seven games against teams breaking in new coaches in Tampa Bay, Denver, Kansas City and Seattle.

Never mind that the first three are on the road, those should be four wins. Add in a win or two in their first three homes games at the new Cowboys stadium in Arlington against the Giants, Panthers and the Falcons and the Cowboys should start fast.

If so, another late season collapse will be devastating.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

No Excuse tour has marching orders

From Super Bowl or bust to no more excuses, the Cowboys now know the road they must travel in 2009.

The highlights include back to back primetime games to open the new Cowboys stadium in Arlington, starting with the New York Giants Sept. 20 on NBC in week two followed by an ESPN Monday night affair against the Carolina Panthers. The ever popular Cowboys play a league-high tying five games in primetime. 

The season will likely come down to a very tough December and January stretch that includes three of the final five games on the road against the Giants, Saints and Redskins and two tough home games against the San Diego Chargers and the Philadephia Eagles to end the season Jan. 3.

The Cowboys have not had a winning record in December and January since 1996. Not surprisingly they have not won a playoff game since then either.

But Terrell Owens is gone. There is a new attitude. And there are no more excuses.

No Joy in Mudville or Dallas.

The Cowboys have their marching orders. T.O. is gone. The season of no excuses has been set. Hate to break the bad news but their will be no joy in Mudville again. The Cowboys will collapse as usual in December and January and finish 9-7. They will go 1-4 down the stretch, solidifying another year without a playoff win.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Cowboys open at Tampa, home opener against Giants

The Dallas Cowboys open the 2009 season on Sept. 13 at Tampa Bay. The home opener is against the New York Giants, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 20 at the new Cowboys stadium in Arlington.

DALLAS COWBOYS 2009 SCHEDULE

(All Kickoffs Dallas Time)

PRESEASON

DATE OPPONENT (TV) KICKOFF

Thurs., Aug. 13 @ Oakland (KTVT/CBS 11) 9:00 p.m.

Fri., Aug. 21 TENNESSEE (FOX) 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 29 SAN FRANCISCO (KTVT/CBS 11) 7:00 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 4 @ Minnesota (KTVT/CBS11) TBA

REGULAR SEASON (TV)

Sun., Sept. 13 @ Tampa Bay (FOX) Noon

Sun., Sept. 20 NEW YORK GIANTS (NBC) 7:15 p.m.

Mon., Sept. 28 CAROLINA (ESPN) 7:30 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 4 @ Denver (FOX) 3:15 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 11 @ Kansas City (FOX) Noon

Sun., Oct. 18 BYE

Sun., Oct. 25 ATLANTA (FOX) 3:15 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 1 SEATTLE (FOX) Noon

Sun., Nov. 8 @ Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 15 @ Green Bay (FOX) 3:15 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 22 WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon*

Thurs., Nov. 26 OAKLAND (CBS) 3:15 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 6 @ New York Giants (Fox) 3:15 p.m.*

Sun., Dec. 13 SAN DIEGO (CBS) 3:15 p.m.*

Sat., Dec. 19 @ New Orleans (NFLN) 7:15 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 27 @ Washington (NBC) 7:15 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 3 PHILADELPHIA (FOX) Noon*

* Game times and television broadcasts are subject to change

Eminem Has Fun With Tony Romo

You really know you've hit the big time when rapper Eminem sets his wit on you.
And that's what the controversial hip hop artist has done when he zeroes in on Jessica Simpson, and Tony Romo among a cast that include Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and socialite and Kim Kardashian.
Eminem's latest single "We Made You" includes Simpson by name in the lyrics. Romo's presence, however, is reserved strictly for the video.
As you may have well guessed, the video is none too flattering towards Simpson, who is depicted by a blonde actress wearing her costume from the awful "Dukes of Hazzard" movie. And the video includes Eminem dressed in a blue and white football uniform ... "dancing" with Simpson.

Here is a YouTube link to the video. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DptkI0EY6ZY

- Mac Engel

Cowboys' schedule to be announced tonight

Who will be the opponent in the Dallas Cowboys' first official game at the new Cowboys stadium in Arlington?

We'll know tonight at 6 o'clock, when the NFL Network announces the 2009 NFL schedule. ESPN2 will also have coverage starting 6, and then at 7 will continue with coverage on ESPN.

What do we know so far? Speculation is that the Cowboys will open the season Sunday, Sept. 13 at Denver. Week 2 is supposed to be the home opener, with NFC East foes the Giants and the Redskins as the two most likely opponents. It could be the Sunday night game (Sept. 20) on NBC, which would preclude anyone attending Sunday night church services or 5 p.m. Mass in North Arlington.

The Cowboys play the Oakland Raiders on Thanksgiving Day (3:15 p.m.).

Here are the opponents, determined by the Cowboys' 2008 finish and the schedule rotation that has NFC East teams facing each team in the NFC South and the AFC West in 2009:

Home games -- Giants, Eagles, Redskins, Falcons, Panthers, Seahawks, Raiders, Chargers.

Road games -- Giants, Eagles, Redskins, Saints, Buccaneers, Packers, Broncos, Chiefs.

The Seahawks and Packers are third-place teams from other NFC divisions.

The Buccaneers (Byron Leftwich), Broncos (Kyle Orton) and Chiefs (Matt Cassel) all have new quarterbacks.

The Cowboys' preseason opener is Aug. 21 against the Tennessee Titans.

-- Vince Langford

Austin not going anywhere?

WR Miles Austin will not be getting a contract offer from the New York Jets.

At least so says Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News .

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2009/04/forget-about-miles-austin.html

If that is the case, the restricted free agent needs to walk into the Cowboys'  Valley Ranch training head quarters and sign his $1.54 million restricted free agent tender as soon as possible.

What a difference a day makes.

On Monday the Cowboys were lamenting a possible contract offer from the Jets to Austin, who visited the Jets facilities last week.

The Cowboys are expecting Austin to be a big part of the offense next season and did not relish the thought of losing him.

They had talked to his agent about a multi-year deal but did not like the numbers that were being thrown back at them.

If Austin got anywhere close to that kind of money from the Jets then the Cowboys were going to have to seriously consider taking a pass and accepting a second round pick as compensation.

The Cowboys preferred Austin over the pick but they were not going to go crazy on a contract for the fourth year player who has a big upside but just 18 career catches.

Now the shoe is seemingly on the other foot. If Jets have indeed decided to pass on Austin themselves, then he needs to sign the Cowboys' restricted tender as soon as possible.

If he doesn't do so by Friday, the NFL deadline for restricting free agents to sign offers with others teams, then the Cowboys can pull their restricted tender back and offer less money. 

So instead of potentially doubling his money, Austin could be risking losing money.

The Cowboys probably won't do that and he will likely sign the tender. But those are the possibilities and the rules.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Spears has baby boy

Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears and his wife Aisha welcomed home an eight pound, nine ounce baby boy this week. The baby's name is Marcus Spears Jr.

Mom is a former college and pro basketball player and with Spears listed at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, agents are already lining up to sign little Marcus Jr. The Spears also have a two-year old daughter Macari.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

T.O. laughs off Aikman's comment

Terrell Owens has to constantly deal with the perception that he is selfish or can be a disruptive force. On Wednesday, current NFL broadcaster and Cowboys Hall-of-Fame quarterback Troy Aikman suggested Dallas made the right move in releasing Owens, believing the team got better by subtraction.

Owens laughed Thursday when informed of what Aikman said.

“That's fine. Troy, I think he has three Super Bowl rings, so he has the authority to say that,” Owens said. “I've been called selfish pretty much throughout my career. I think I'm in good company. Jerry Rice has been called selfish before. So, other than that, it doesn't bother me what he says.”

Owens noted when he played college at Tennessee-Chattanooga, he never envisioned he'd get drafted in the NFL.

“The things that I've accomplished so far really eclipses anything negative that anybody says about me,” Owens said. “(Aikman) said it, and I'll move on.”

— The Associated Press, reporting from Orchard Park, N.Y. Bills offseason training

This is the T.O. we know and love/loathe

Terrell Owens can't understand why everyone made such a big deal out of him missing the start of the Bills voluntary workout program last month.

He's here now, in Orchard Park, N.Y., and intends to take part in all of the team's voluntary minicamps once they open next month.

"What I find so unfair is that I'm not the only guy out of 32 teams that didn't show up," Owens said Thursday. "That's what's so frustrating about the whole thing."

Acquired in free agency last month, the Bills receiver took part in several workouts this week, saying it was important for him to start meeting his new teammates.

Owens also had message for anyone questioning whether he'll be a disruption. Breaking into a smile, Owens said: "No worries."

— The Associated Press