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Glass Half Full at Fullback

I’ve taken some grief for promoting fullback as a need position this offseason. Sunday’s Super Bowl shows it’s value, as Seattle and Pittsburgh respectively feature Mack Strong and Dan Kreider,two of the better remaining fullbacks in the game.

Look at the fruits of their labors. Shaun Alexander has set touchdown records with Strong leading his way. The Steelers have maintained one of the best running attacks in football with backs less girthy than Jerome Bettis. Kreider is one big reason why.

When we talk about talent levels, consider how long it has been since Dallas had a good masher at the fullback position. Daryl Johnson retired in 2000 but 1996 was the last year we saw the vintage Moose, with the speed to make plays receiving as well as blocking. Think how his decline and the team’s paralleled one another.

It’s odd that a franchise that has lined up Don Perkins, Walt Garrison, Calvin Hill, Robert Newhouse, Scott Laidlaw, Ron Springs, Timmy Newsome and Johnston at fullback has neglected the spot for so long. It’s even more unusual when you consider that Bill Parcells has always relied on a big fullback. He had Maurice Carthon with the Giants, the aptly named Sam Gash in New England and a throwback FB in Richie Anderson when he helmed the Jets.

Parcells has long declared his desire to put a power running attack into operation. We’ve noted his inability to reshape the right side of the offensive line. We should add fullback to the list. He did import Anderson but the version we saw in 2003 and 2004 was a shell of his younger self.

I can’t say if Dallas will fill this need in free agency or in the draft, but it will be filled somehow. You can’t have a bruising attack with two backs who are not big enough to open their own holes. And Julius Jones and Marion Barber won’t get any more effective around the goal line with converted defensive linemen like Marcus Spears leading the way. If Parcells is serious about pounding the football, he needs a thumper to lead the way.

Continuity Is the Word for Offseason ‘06

J.J. Taylor clarifies the Greg Ellis situation and throws buckets of cold water on any trade speculation Ellis and we may be harboring. Writing in The Sporting News, Taylor claims HC Bill Parcells contacted Ellis’ agent and told him the team had no interest in either releasing or trading the veteran DE because he’s too valuable. This echoes comments Jerry Jones made in Mobile.

Ellis has asked for some restructuring of his contract as a hedge against losing playing time. Keeping Ellis makes the most sense. He tied for the team league in sacks and while he may not feel happy in the 3-4, he found a real niche as a rusher in the 4-2-5 package.

Taylor mentions Texas OT Jonathan Scott as a possible first round selection. Scott would fill a need, but he would be a reach at 18, even with his strong Senior Bowl showing.

Taylor also suggests that Dallas may draft more 255 lb. college DEs to convert to 3-4 OLBs, a la Demarcus Ware. Hey, J.J., there’s this kid named Bobby Carpenter, who plays for your alma mater Ohio State. He’s 255 lbs. and he’s already an outside linebacker…

I sense someone either playing dumb or speaking in code here. Taylor never misses up a chance to plug Ohio St., yet he’s passing up a chance to push one of his guys?

Interesting.

Palmer Back in the Mix

So where will Chris Palmer work in 2006? The team’s website had a story up late last week that Palmer was to skip to New Orleans and join Sean Payton’s staff. Then Payton hired an OC off the Jets staff.

Today, the Star-Telgram reports that Palmer may sign with the Cowboys after all, but not necessarily as the offensive coordinator.

Where then? Perhaps as tight ends coach, if Paul Pasqauloni is moved to LB coach to replace Gary Gibbs? To WR coach, if Todd Haley gets a promotion to OC?

Wherever. I’ll settle for some clarity, since this story is getting nutty.

Update : Not so fast on Palmer, boys and girls. Newsday reports that Palmer is still very much a candidate to become the Jets OC under new coach Eric Mangini.

Update II : Because I never let the release of a top OL coach go unnoticed. The Jacksonville Jaguars fired OL coach Paul Boudreau and will replace him with recently fired Vikings HC Mike Tice.

Update III : Palmer has been hired by the team.

Sunday Roundup

– Follow the Bouncing CBA — The NFL Management Council and Players Association reps are intensifying their efforts to reach agreement on an extended collective bargaining agreement by the end of February, writes Ron Borges of The Boston Globe. If a new deal cannot be attained for the new league year, which begins on March 3rd, “chaos” could occur. Insiders claim teams with cap problems and/or with many large veteran contracts that contain option bonuses would have to “gut” their rosters. Borges’ source mentioned the Colts as one team that might have to blow its roster up. The conditions for an uncapped year are apparently painful enough for both players and management that a new deal seems likely.

These negotiations will affect the status of players like Larry Allen. Dallas might want to keep him but he’s due a huge bonus this offseason and would likely be cut without a new CBA.

– Strange New (TV) World — While league sources were backing off a bit on the news that the Cowboys would play the Redskins in the NFL Network’s first game Thanksgiving night, the look of NBC’s new Sunday Night Football package is emerging. The key difference from ESPN’s games, in addition to escaping the loathsome Theismann/McGuire/Patrick announcing trio, will be a flexible late season schedule. NBC will get a choice of games, with teams receiving a ten day advance notice and with Fox and CBS getting five “blocks” each to prevent choice games from being yanked away from them by NBC.

– Veteran Cuts Approach — With the Senior Bowl on the books, the next offseason events will be the Combine and a number of veteran releases. The exact number will depend on the negotiations mentioned above. One veteran who may hit the market and interest Dallas this March is Bills’ FS Troy Vincent. The longtime Eagles’ CB changed teams and positions last year. While he led the Bills with four interceptions and put up tackle totals in line for a dependable free safety his unit slipped to 30th overall in total defense, after finishing in the top ten the year before. Buffalo has many aging veterans on the defensive squad and new HC Dick Jauron may decide to clean house

Senior Bowl leftovers:
– I’m finding more ammunition to support my belief that QBs Jay Cutler, Matt Leinart and Vince Young will go in picks two through four this April. The Miami Herald mentioned this week that the Titans were inquiring with teams to see how far they could drop from pick three and still select Cutler. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are apparently looking to move up to select Cutler. The 49ers squashed a rumor that they were interested in Miami RB Ricky Williams; speculation was that Miami would offer Williams as part of a package to swap picks with San Francisco, who picks either sixth or seventh, depending on a coin flip with Oakland.

Miami would be looking to leapfrog Detroit, a fashionable destination for Cutler in some mock drafts. Mel Kiper put Cutler in Lions blue yesterday during the Senior Bowl broadcast. With interest building so strongly for Cutler, I can’t see Tennessee dropping much or at all if they really want him.

Senior Bowl Caveat

The ratings are about to be turned upside down by Kiper and the gang, with the Senior Bowl winding down. Keep these things in mind, especially if you watched the game:

1. The practices Monday through Wednesday are considered much more important than the game. Most of the scouts were gone by Thursday noon, so use the early week reports to adjust your rankings;

2. Many organizations take the attitude that these events can only help players. Somebody who does poorly will have his career placed about a bad Senior Bowl afternoon;

3. Be careful not to drastically overvalue a good game or practice week. I heard Mel Kiper on ESPNews before the game. He mentioned the strong week Dominique Byrd had and how he might be a late 1st rounder now.

Pure hype. Byrd performed well and helped himself, but he was considered a third to fourth rounder before. He might be a second rounder now. The thought that a week will overshadow years of college play is crazy. But this type of thinking is what propels guys like Mike Mamula or David Rivers wind up in the top ten.

Back to Byrd. He’s playing at a position that generally drops. And he still won’t be the top rated TE. What’s more, ranking is a zero-sum game; for every Byrd who crashes the top round, somebody ranked as a first rounder had to drop. We won’t see 50 players taken it the first round, so which blue chipper is Mel willing to boot into round two?

That’s whyI believe Gabe Watson’s week will help him, but only a little bit. He has two years of play on/play off performance. He’s in a drive for his first contract. Is your organization willing to value three days in Mobile over two years at Michigan? And if you do so and take Watson in round one, can you be sure he won’t revert to his old habits once his huge bonus is in the bank?

My guess is most teams will say no to that last question. He’ll likely go in round two, because he’s got real talent, but I can’t see him moving up unless an organization convinces itself he’s it.

And that does happen. Drafting is a lot like falling in love. Some organizations develop mad crushes and act impulsively. They are usually the ones, far more often than not, who get burned.

Senior Bowl Open Thread

Put your scouting caps on.

Cowboys to Headline NFL Network’s Entry into Game Broadcasts

Check your cable provider, ladies and gentlemen, and take good stock of your relatives’ cable providers. Otherwise, you may miss the Cowboys’ traditional Thanksgiving Day game this year.

The NFL will announce plans soon to move eight Saturday and Thursday games to its NFL Network this fall, according to the New York Times.

The inaugural game will be a Thanksgiving evening game between the Cowboys and Washington Redskins. The league had been working on a deal for these games with Comcast, a major cable provider, but abandoned those plans to go into the broadcast world on its own. The games will represent the first time the NFL has acted as a broadcast distributor of its games. It had been content to negotiate deals with major broadcast and cable networks for the rights to air contests.

The league hopes the switch will increase the reach of the NFL Network, currently seen in only 35 million households. The league has thus far been unable to reach distribution deals with cable giants Time Warner and Charter cable.

The NFL receives approximately $3.7 billion per year from the four major networks, ESPN and DirecTV. That translates into more than $100 million per team before a single ticket, concession or piece of merchandise is sold.

Senior Bowl Shakeup

The Senior Bowl has done its annual job of shaking up the draft order. It’s provided us with some high rising names, like Manny Lawson, Kamerion Wimbley and perhaps, Gabe Watson.

The most significant change may be at the top of the draft board, where Vanderbilt’s Jay Cutler threatens to crash Matt Leinart’s and Vince Young’s exclusive QB party . ESPN’s Chris Mortensen started the push with an article quoting scouts saying they considered Cutler the best QB in this year’s crop and might try to poor mouth him in the hope that he would fall to their team. (subscription only)

Word on Cutler has definitely spread; today come stories that the Titans and Jets who pick third and fourth respectively, are strongly considering the Vanderbilt QB.

The Titans rumors make some sense. They are in the market for a young QB, with veteran Steve McNair nearing the end of his career. Even with the respected backup Billy Volek on their roster, the Titans were considered strong candiates to draft Leinart, whom Titans’ OC Norm Chow coached at USC or Young, whom McNair mentors. Tennessee got an added scouting edge because their coaches run the North squad, so Chow has gotten a week to oversee Cutler. He can now make a personal comparison of him with Leinart, at the very least.

The Jets interest is based on Chad Pennington’s injured shoulder. He’s coming off his second shoulder surgery in two seasons and his future remains in doubt. The article linked claims the Jets might consider Cutler if they trade down, possibly into the 10-15 range, but that’s wishful thinking in my book. The Cardinals sit at 10 and need a QB. Several rumors have Dennis Green inquiring about his old QB Duante Culpepper. He’s got an aging Kurt Warner and would jump at the chance to improve the position.

Then, there are the Dolphins. They’ve been linked with Cutler in most mock drafts, but the idea that Cutler would slide to 16 seems less likely by the day. If Miami really wants him, they’ll have to strongly consider trading up.

Which means the Jets might have stand pat and pick a QB at four if they want to be assured of getting one. Two years ago, Philip Rivers was the golden boy of Senior Bowl week. Scouts were divided on his prospects, with some rating him a top five prospect and others rating him a top 25 pick at best. His buzz rocketed him from the 20-25 range to the top of the draft, where he became part of the Eli Manning bungle. In the meantime Oakland, Arizona, Washington and Cleveland, four teams who either drafted a QB in ‘05, or signed an expensive free agent in the ‘04/’05 period, passed on Ben Roethlisberger. While his college coach told anybody who would listen he was the best prepared QB in the draft, he was not picked until Pittsburgh gleefull scooped him up at pick 11.

Cutler appears ready to make the next Rivers-like leap. With three teams needing QBs at spots two through four and with Houston’s new HC Gary Kubiak declaring his faith in David Carr the top four spots seem set, at least to me.

We’ll see Reggie Bush holding a Texans jersey on draft day. The Saints, Titans and Jets will then take the Leinart, Young, Cutler trio in some order. (Imagine the marketing prospects for “Broadway Vince.”) The Packers, picking fifth, might waffle a little, but will probably go with A.J. Hawk, the guy they’ve been linked to for a while. OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson and DE Mario Williams will go to the 49ers and Raiders at six and seven, especially if the 49ers win the coin flip between those two teams for the right to pick sixth. If the Packers go for a rusher and pick Williams, the LB-poor Raiders will gladly accept Hawk. The order might differ slightly, but those three should form the next tier of round one.

The intrigue will begin with the Bills at pick eight.

In other offseason news:

– Rumors continue to waft out of Miami that the Dolphins will pursue Terrell Owens. If this is the case, then we should also expect Miami to accelerate their attempts to move RB Ricky Williams. A team with Ricky and T.O. on it would self-combust.

J.J. Taylor’s excellent Senior Bowl blog continues to pump out the crumbs. Among them:

– Dallas spoke briefly to Texas OT Jonathan Scott;
– LT Flozell Adams has been offering advice to Scott, according to the collegian’s father;
– Andre Gurode’s agents says he will talk to Dallas but also test the market.

Read the whole thing.

– You think the Parcells/Belichick folks aren’t tight-knit? New Jets coach Eric Mangini a former Belichick assistant, is prepared to hire former Parcells guys Richie Anderson and Bryan Cox to serve as his running backs and linebackers coaches.

Palmer Passes, Joins Payton

Chris Palmer has moved on from Dallas, securing the OC spot with new Saints coach Sean Payton.

Payton completed the sale in record time, since Palmer was in Dallas earlier this week to interview for Payton’s old job and no talks with New Orleans had been mentioned. Palmer had talked to the Jets about a job prior to visiting Valley Ranch.

Thursday Morning Crumbs

The DMNs Jean-Jacques Taylor produces some choice crumbs in his Senior Bowl blog. Among them:

– LaRoi Glover’s agent Tom Condon was coy about discussing Glover’s future with the Cowboys. But he did mention Glover is due a $1.5M signing bonus in March and is not the ideal fit for the team’s scheme. For all of Greg Ellis’ posturing, Glover seems the more likely candidate to be moved, IMO. He plays at a more valued position and we’ve seen Dallas show interest in Michigan’s NT Gabe Watson, though the team has shown interest in many defensive linemen. More on that in a minute.

– Taylor got a dissenting opinion on possible OC hire Chris Palmer from former Cowboys and Texans RT Ryan Young, who claims Palmer gave QB David Carr an unworkable scheme in Houston. I’ve read this complaint before and don’t doubt it. The one thing I’ll say to counter Young is that Palmer won’t run the offense in Dallas. He might make recommendations, but the HC will have to approve them and call the plays. In other words, Bill Parcells won’t allow Palmer or any other OC he hires to suffer from the Peter Principle.

The Ranch Report sports a photo of a Dallas rep speaking to Florida St. DE Kamerion Wimbley. He and fellow DE Manny Lawson have been the standout defensive players on the South squad. Both are “tweeners” with Wimbley measured and weighed at 6′3″, 245 lbs. and Lawson at 6′5″, 240. Their performances and Dallas’ focus on Wimbley, at the very least, suggests that OLB is very much a first round priority.

– Jerry Jones declared the Cowboys are “absolutely” interested in acquring a veteran kicker in the upcoming free agency period. I guess the Cardiac Cowboys routine wore thin on him too. Good to know, Jerry. Sign a good one.

– Pro Football Weekly has been slow to post its annual reports but contradicts other reports I’ve read. Its writers say South OTs Eric Winston and Jonathan Scott have dropped, based on their practice performances. Virginia OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Ohio St. C Nick Mangold get the best reviews.

Free Agency Moves Make Offseason a Bit Clearer

– The Cowboys have discussed negotiating new deals for free-agents-to-be Scott Fujita and Andre Gurode.

Fujita provides depth at a position decimated by injuries last year, with Kalen Thornton missing all of ‘06 and Al Singleton missing most of the season.

The pursuit of Gurode makes the offensive line road map a bit clearer. Gurode rotated with C Al Johnson and backed up RG Marco Rivera in the Carolina and St. Louis games. If the team feels Gurode represents value at C and guard, then tackle likely becomes the targeted position in the draft. This does not mean the Cowboys won’t pursue a RT in free agency. It does suggest that Jerry Jones’ comments yesterday complementing the South team’s OTs Jonathan Scott, Eric Winston and Marcus McNeill should probably be taken at face value.

– TE coach Paul Pasqualoni is the primary candidate to replace departed LB coach Gary Gibbs. With Chris Palmer in town to interview for the OC job vacated by Sean Payton, the floating opening on staff involves Tony Sparano. If he remains in his current role as O-line coach and running game coordinator and Pasqualoni moves to the defensive staff the Cowboys will need a new TE coach. If Bill Parcells surprises and moves Sparano back to coaching TEs, the Cowboys will need a new line coach. The former option seems more likely; I doubt Parcells denied New Orleans permission to interview Sparano to shuffle him back to his old position.

– Jones says he expects ILB Dat Nguyen to retire soon.

– The gamesmanship continues. Jones also said he expects disgruntled DE Greg Ellis to return to Dallas next season. Ellis contends that he’s a poor fit in the team’s 3-4 scheme and will not return.

If you smell somebody trying to get themselves traded, raise your hand.

Ellis’ playing time decreased late last year, as Chris Canty supplanted him in the starting lineup. This would suggest Dallas would shop him this offseason; his contract averages $4.0 million, which is a high price for a rotation player. However, Ellis tied for the team lead in sacks with eight. Moving him represents a huge risk for the Dallas rush. Ellis has four years remaining on his deal, so Jones and Parcells are under no pressure to move him.

Then again, do you want an unhappy player on your hands? Ellis is clearly unhappy with the 3-4, and has made repeated references to his poor fit in the scheme.

Senior Bowl Notes

The Cowboys’ scouts apparently sought some extra face time with Michigan NT Gabe Watson, as did scouts for the Chiefs after the North’s workout this morning. Watson has had two good days of practice so far.

More crumbs as they become available.

Update: I just saw a photo of Garrett Mills, the FB/H-back from Tulsa. Hadn’t put face to name before but now I really want this guy. I saw him a couple of times. He was insane, especially against Oklahoma. Imagine a Bill Bates on offense, who’s fearless, will sell out his body to make any catch and has really good hands and body control. His speed is so-so, which is why he’s not ranked higher. I read yesterday he was looking good running at FB. If he has any blocking skills at all, he’s an asset to whomever drafts him.

Palmer After Payton’s Post

Former Browns HC and former Bill Parcells’ assistant Chris Palmer will interview for the Cowboys’ position left vacant by Sean Payton’s departure, according to the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.

Palmer gets some dismissive reviews because his stops in Cleveland and Houston were unsuccessful. Compare them to his work in Jacksonville and New England and you see a different story. Nothing is certain, but Jerry Jones made it sound like Palmer’s chances were better than good.

Tuesday Morning Crumbs

Jerry Jones and staff have left Bill Parcells behind to fill out his coaching staff. Speaking to press in Mobile, Jones complemented the impressive list of offensive tackles, particularly the South squad’s trio of Marcus McNeill, Eric Winston and Jonathan Scott. All impressed in yesterday’s initial practice. Jones hinted that OT was a position for the second and later rounds, leading to speculation voiced on this blog that FS and OLB will be the top priorities for the Cowboys top pick this April.

One name to watch is Tulsa TE/FB Garrett Mills. Mills set a single season record for Division-I tight ends last year with 1,235 yards on 87 receptions. Mills has been moved to fullback for Senior Bowl week. Mills has worked in the backfield before and his transition could intrigue a team like Dallas if Mills impresses. He’s 6′2″ and 236 lbs. and will need to demonstrate blocking skills. However, he has played on special teams and at first glance resembles a young Richie Anderson. Anderson’s versatility made him a Parcells favorite in New York and he was one of the first veterans Parcells acquired upon taking the Cowboys’ job. Anderson’s body broke down but in his prime he could play fullback, halfback, tight end and receiver. He allowed his offense to play multiple formations without having to substitute. He was a demon in no-huddle offenses.

The Cowboys could use an upgrade at fullback and depth at tight end. Follow his progress.

Gibbs Goes to Payton’s Place

LB coach Gary Gibbs has joined Sean Payton on New Orleans’ staff. Two names have surfaced as possible replacements. One is current TE coach Paul Pasqualoni who coached linebackers at Syracuse before become HC there. The other is longtime Michigan LB coach and defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann. (scroll down)

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