HEADLINES

Jerry Jones

Cowboys Notes: Bryant, Murray, Garrett, Manziel

January 7th, 2015 at 5:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared on ESPN’s NFL Insiders to discuss a wide range of topics. Here’s a look at some of the PFR-relevant highlights..

  • Jones once again mentioned the franchise tag for wide receiver Dez Bryant, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com (on Twitter). The Cowboys owner didn’t say much about DeMarco Murray, however and the return of the star running back seems iffy.
  • Even though he hasn’t been able to work out an extension with coach Jason Garrett, Jones assumes he’ll stay, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. Garrett is currently coaching as a lame duck and, apparently, he’ll stay that way until the end of the season. If he continues to wait, however, it’s possible another team will pounce.
  • There was a lot of talk about the Cowboys taking Johnny Manziel at No. 16 in last year’s draft, but owner Jerry Jones is glad he passed. “Really we had Manziel and we had Zack Martin,” Jones told ESPN, according to Michael Florek of The Dallas Morning News. “We really couldn’t have known the quality of the player that Zack Martin is. It’s just been so much more than we could’ve expected and he had a very significant career at Notre Dame. “We certainly needed — I should be looking at the future after Romo. But I decided right there the future after Romo is too far down the road when he won’t be our quarterback to be developing a quarterback like Manziel during these next few years. It just didn’t work time wise, so we had to settle on that pick, Martin, which may be one of the best if not best pick we’ve made around here in the last 15 years.”

NFC East Links: Garrett, Bryant, Eagles, RGIII

November 22nd, 2014 at 12:03pm CST by Ben Levine

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett will be a free agent at the end of the season, but that’s not distracting anyone within the organization. That includes owner Jerry Jones, who talked about his lack of concern on 105.3 The Fan (via Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News):

“It’s really a non event for me, whether there is concern [from the outside] about it or not. I don’t mean to sound that way, but it hasn’t been a concern of mine and we haven’t made it a concern for the club this year. This talk about these contracts, no matter who it is that has a pending contract or one that’s coming up, that’s all for [media and fans] to talk about. That really has no impact on my day.”

Let’s check out some more notes from the NFC East…

  • Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News looks at how Garrett and the Cowboys front office have constructed the team’s current roster. Instead of rebuilding the team from scratch, Garrett has done a nice job of bringing in young pieces while keeping the team competitive.
  • ESPN.com’s Todd Archer believes a deal will eventually get done between the Cowboys and Dez Bryant. However, the writer believes the franchise tag is the most likely option at this point.
  • There is an “ominous feeling” in the Eagles organization that rookie linebacker Marcus Smith will not develop into an impact player, writes Jeff McLane of Philly.com. The first-rounder hasn’t seen the field much this season, but the Eagles are not panicking and refuse to rush their young player.
  • ESPN.com’s John Keim thinks Washington could give Robert Griffin III another offseason with coach Jay Gruden before ultimately make a decision on their quarterback.

Cowboys Notes: Bryant, Randle, Romo, Jones

November 2nd, 2014 at 6:57pm CST by Rob DiRe

Cowboys’ receiver Dez Bryant signed with Roc Nation earlier today, and they wll negotiate his next contract, presumably with his current team. Bryant is looking forward to signing a long-term extension, but would be “highly disappointed” if the team places the franchise tag on him, reports Jon Machota of DallasNews.com.

  • Backup running back Joseph Randle had rubbed Bryant the wrong way this week, but all is forgiven according Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. Bryant accepted Randle’s apology, and they have put the incident in the past.
  • Although quarterback Tony Romo missed today’s game against the Cardinals, he will make the trip to London next week to play the Jaguars, writes Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com (via Twitter). He will prepare to play against the Jaguars.
  • Owner Jerry Jones expects Romo to play, reports . “I do see him playing,” said Jones. “He’s going on the trip to London, and logic tells you that we wouldn’t have him make that trip to London and back if we didn’t think he was going to play, so it does depend on the type of week he has at practice. But if he has the week we expect, he should be our quarterback.”

NFC Mailbags: Panthers, Peppers, Beatty, Reese

October 25th, 2014 at 11:22am CST by Ben Levine

We took a look at ESPN’s AFC mailbags earlier today. Let’s check out what ESPN’s NFC writers had to say…

  • David Newton thinks it’s pretty clear that the Panthers will focus on their offensive line in the upcoming draft. Meanwhile, he doesn’t expect the team to consider a running back until at least the third or fourth round.
  • If Julius Peppers return to the Packers next season, it would have to be with a restructured contract, writes Rob Demovsky.
  • Todd Archer says that Jerry Jones certainly deserves some credit for the Cowboys‘ success this season.
  • Dan Graziano writes that the Giants will have an interesting decision to make this offseason with left tackle Will Beatty. If the team decides to part ways with the former second-rounder, they could target an offensive lineman in the draft or free agency.
  • Graziano clarifies that Giants general manager Jerry Reese is not on the hot seat and is not in any danger of losing his job.

Cowboys Links: Okoye, Sam, Murray

October 24th, 2014 at 12:35pm CST by Ben Levine

Amobi Okoye practiced for the first time yesterday, and the clock has officially begun ticking. The Cowboys have three weeks to decide whether they want to activate the former first-rounder or keep him on the reserve/non-football injury list.

Regardless, practicing was a big step in the right direction for the 27-year-old. Okoye is recovering from anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a brain condition that causes memory loss and seizures. This resulted in Okoye spending three months in a coma last year. Following such a traumatic experience, the defensive tackle was thrilled to return to the field (via Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com)…

“It was good, it was worth it,” said Okoye. “It was mixed emotions. It felt like it naturally was coming back. I’ve played six years in the league [and], it doesn’t take too long for stuff to come back to you.”

Linebacker Bruce Carter was impressed by his teammate’s determination to return to the game…

“He’s been through a lot,” Carter said. “His story is amazing. A guy like that who works real hard, I see him all the time working [with strength and conditioning coordinator Mike Woicik] one-on-one. Just to see him actually working with [us] and see it pay off is a great thing. I think he’s going to do great things for us.”

Let’s see what else is happening in the Cowboys organization…

  • Owner Jerry Jones attributed the release of Michael Sam to “a numbers game,” tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com. Jones clarified that Sam was great at practice and worked “very, very hard.”
  • Members of the Cowboys’ 2013 draft class are already contributing to the team, and Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com points to first-round pick Travis Frederick as the best of the bunch.
  • The Cowboys have enough money under the cap to fit a veteran, but Archer doesn’t believe the team is going to be active at the trade deadline.
  • Despite DeMarco Murray‘s hot start to the season, Bob Sturm of The Dallas Morning News would still move on from the veteran in free agency if the team could draft a stud running back like Georgia’s Todd Gurley. Since the team won’t have that foresight, Sturm believes the team should franchise the running back.

Cowboys Links: Hatcher, Murray, Smith

October 16th, 2014 at 3:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Having signed in the offseason with the Redskins, defensive lineman Jason Hatcher is now a member of the NFC East’s last-place team, rather than the 5-1 Cowboys. However, as Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com details, Hatcher has no regrets about leaving Dallas for Washington.

“Not at all,” Hatcher said. “I don’t really pay attention to them, man. I got a job to do. Those guys, they’re playing some great ball over there. But at the end of the day, I’ve got to come over here and be who I am.”

Let’s round up a few more Cowboys-related links….

  • DeMarco Murray‘s incredible performance so far this season is likely increasing his value and making it harder for the Cowboys to lock him up as he approaches free agency, but executive VP Stephen Jones is just fine with that, according to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. In fact, Jones would be happy if more players in similar situations make things hard on the Cowboys. “I hope we have our work cut out for us in the offseason, and that we’re coming off a big year and two or three of the players that are up for contract have great years,” Jones said. “That’ll be a good problem to have.”
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap takes an interesting, in-depth look at Murray’s upcoming free agency, which he believes will be crucial for the future of the running back position.
  • Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith, the NFC reigning offensive player of the week, does not have a high ankle sprain, and could be available to play in Week 7, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
  • A lawsuit filed against Cowboys owner Jerry Jones by former stripper Jana Weckerly has been dismissed, writes Archer at ESPNDallas.com. “Ms. Weckerly’s allegations were false,” said Jones’ attorney Levi McCathern. “This case is over.”
  • Earlier today, I asked which of the NFL’s 5-1 teams is the strongest Super Bowl contender, and so far the Cowboys are running last, behind the Chargers and Eagles, respectively.

Extra Points: Vikings, Brady, Fitzpatrick, Cowboys

October 11th, 2014 at 12:37pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s check out some assorted whispers from around the league on this Saturday afternoon…

NFC East Links: Jones, Claiborne, Maclin

September 27th, 2014 at 12:07pm CST by Ben Levine

Having not made the playoffs since 2009, plenty of pundits have discounted the Cowboys chances this season. Owner Jerry Jones would disagree with those critics, and he said as much on his weekly radio show on KRLD (via Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram)…

“I think we’ve shown some things that would cause you to hold in discounting us,” he said. “That’s an awkward way of saying that we should be looked at out of the corner of peoples’ eye. We’ve got to do it, though. We’ve got to put it together, with putting the right people on the field as it relates to injury, and that’s happening for us. We could have [Henry] Melton out there this weekend. We could have [Rolando] McClain out there this weekend. We could have [Tyrone] Crawford moving over as the No. 3 tackle, and then moving out to end. Why? Because Anthony Spencer is going to be out there taking some snaps. Now that’s serious stuff.

“Get [Justin] Durant back in there, get McClain back at linebacker. Now, all of a sudden we’ve got about three or four players out there that arguably are the best defensive players that we hadn’t had the last two or three games. That’s a big deal. And if we’re that, then I think [Tony] Romo’s certainly getting his timing down. I like the experience our offensive line is getting and has gotten in these three games. Yes. Yeah. We need to be glanced at over here.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from the NFC East…
  • The Cowboys have a list of players playing on the final year of their respective contracts. ESPN.com’s Todd Archer opines that the team should first focus on extending Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray and Dwayne Harris.
  • In another article, Archer expresses belief that unless things improve, Morris Claiborne will not be back with the Cowboys next season. Since Claiborne’s salary is guaranteed, Archer says the player could play out his contract, but likely won’t have his fifth-year option picked up for 2016.
  • Following his strong start to the season, Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin should soon be hearing from the front office regarding an extension, writes Jeff McLane of Philly.com. “I’m not pressing it. That time will come when it comes,” Maclin said. “But, yeah, this is where I want to be. I’ve always said that.”

East Links: Cowboys, Redskins, Jets

September 13th, 2014 at 11:09am CST by Ben Levine

Orlando Scandrick is currently serving a four-game suspension, but the Cowboys cornerback will likely be back soon. Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram writes that the 27-year-old will be eligible to play this weekend if a new league drug policy is agreed upon.

The former fifth-round pick expressed his beliefs that a suspension wasn’t necessary, but he’s still happy that the ordeal will soon be behind him.

“I’m relieved,” Scandrick said. “It feels good to be able to join back and play with my teammates and do what I love. It was the toughest two weeks of my life. It truly allowed me to appreciate the NFL, the game of football, my job and my career. I want to thank the Jones family, coach Jason Garrett and my teammates for their support. I want to assure everybody that this will never happen again. I will take the extra step so this never happens again. I’m just thankful the NFL and the union were able to reach a resolution. I’m speechless.

I got to realize I caught a break. When you catch a break you have to learn from it. It’s an eye opener to be banned from something you have done your whole life. I’m thankful and appreciative.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from the NFL’s east divisions…
  • Unless something happens to linebacker Rolando McClain, the Cowboys wouldn’t have a reason to add free agent Pat Angerer, writes ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. However, the writer guesses that the former second-rounder is on the team’s “emergency board.”
  • Archer also makes it clear that Jerry Jones will not be relinquishing his control of the Cowboys. “It’s his team, his money,” Archer writes. “He can do with it what he wants. He will not sell the team. He will not give up the general manager title.”
  • In regards to the Redskins‘ linebacker depth, ESPN.com’s John Keim says the “best-case” scenario would involve Brian Orakpo having a big season and re-signing.
  • Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson could have commanded a huge contract following his dominant 2013 season. The 24-year-old will be making $1.2MM this year, and Mark Canizzaro of the New York Post writes that a holdout was never in the picture. “If people treat me with respect and I treat them with respect then I guess my time will come,” Wilkerson said. “I’ve got to wait. If they respect me and they feel highly of me, then I guess they’ll take care of me, right? Time will tell…I guess I’m just different. I look at things differently. That’s how I was bought up. I’m a patient person. I’m going to just wait. I’ve just got to wait.”

NFC Links: Sam, Scandrick, Hill

September 6th, 2014 at 11:48am CST by Ben Levine

The Vikings finished the 2013 season as the second-worst pass defense in the league. Injuries to Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith certainly didn’t help, and the healthy, matured group is expected to take a big step forward in 2014… even with their daunting schedule, which includes games against Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford in consecutive weeks.

“That’s okay, you want to play the best,” Rhodes said (via Mark Craig of the Star Tribune). “To me, staying healthy is the key. Last year, DBs were going down left and right. We have the weapons. We just need to be healthier.”

Head coach Mike Zimmer has been seeing improvements from his secondary, and he’s thrilled with the presence of veteran defensive coordinator Jerry Gray:

“I’m pretty involved with the defensive backs, so I step in there quite a bit and I tell him exactly what I want because that’s kind of my baby,” Zimmer said. “By about the third day, Jerry was saying things to the players before I could say it. And it was the exact same thing I was going to say, so that made me feel really good.”

Let’s check out some more rumblings from the NFC…

  • Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com predicts that it will be at least a month until the Cowboys would potentially promote Michael Sam to the active roster.
  • There have been plenty of rumors over the past couple of days that recently-suspended Orlando Scandrick could be reinstated if the NFL and the players’ association agree to a new drug policy. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn’t counting on Scandrick to be available on opening day, however. “I’m not planning on it, let’s put it like that,” Jones said on KRLD-FM/105.3 (via Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram). “The quicker we can get him back, the better our team would be because he arguably did have … a great training camp.”
  • Since it will take him at least a couple of weeks to learn the playbook, Stephen Hill likely won’t be on the Panthers active roster any time soon, writes ESPN.com’s David Newton. The writer believes that Hill ultimately will make the team, writing that organizations “don’t keep second-round picks on the practice squad.”
Load More Posts