Didn’t Jerry Jones make it perfectly clear a few weeks ago that there would be no changes to the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching staff this offseason? I believe his words were:

“The coaches are in place. I’ve said that. How can I be any clearer? Look, I’ve said that our coaching staff, as far as I’m concerned, is in place. I just want to make the statement rather than answer questions, because your questions imply certain things that I don’t want to imply. I’m saying that when I look at where we are coaching staff-wise and when I look at where we are personnel-wise, I see a team that is in place to compete for several years.”

Wrong! Special teams coordinator Bruce Read was fired last week. Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart was fired today. And offensive coordinator Jason Garrett went back to St. Louis for a second meeting (interview) for their head coaching vacancy today, so my guess is he will be on his way out in the very near future. Of course, Pacman Jones was released last week and if I had anything to say about it, Terrell Owens would be next in line to pack his bags. T.O.’s agent Drew Rosenhaus insists his client isn’t going anywhere, but what do you expect him to say — other than “no comment,” that is? If coach Garrett leaves and T.O. is traded, I believe that qualifies as a pretty thorough housecleaning. At that point, I would love to hear Mr. Jones’ current thoughts about his previous comments.

Sources: DallasCowboys.com, NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Dallas Cowboys Cleaning House?

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Adam “Pacman” Jones appeared on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” this morning, being interviewed by Stephen A. Smith. He had a similar interview with CBS Sports’ James Brown yesterday and said he expected to be employed by an NFL team next season — maybe even with the Dallas Cowboys. I think Adam is being extremely optimistic. Unless the Oakland Raiders come calling, I don’t think any other team is that nuts for a pretty average, troublemaking cornerback/kick returner. Maybe the UFL is interested?

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Pacman Thinks He’ll Play in 2009

Adam Jones — or Pacman Jones or whatever he wants to be called these days — is officially out of work. The Dallas Cowboys released him today after the team learned of new allegations that three Atlanta-area men claim that Adam arranged for someone to shoot at them two months after he was suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in 2007. Again, these are only allegations at this point, but this is the right decision regardless of any recent events — bad or good. It was the right decision to give him a chance before the 2008 season began. And it’s the right decision to let him go now. Releasing Adam was priority number one on my list of Dallas Cowboys renovations this offseason (trading Terrell Owens is next), so for whatever reason the team is cutting ties with him, it’s a good move.

I had hoped that Adam would’ve been able to turn his life and career around since being reinstated before the 2008 season began, but it only took him a month (OK maybe five weeks) to get suspended again. Adam’s agent (Worrick Robinson) said his client is “young … has a lot of ability … and is eager to get back on the field.” That’s true. What he didn’t mention, however, is that Adam is also unable to stay out of trouble. And therefore unemployed.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Cowboys Release Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones

After being lambasted by the Philadelphia Eagles 44-6 yesterday, the Dallas Cowboys were eliminated from postseason contention with a finishing 9-7 record. It was one of the bigger surprises of the 2008 season considering the Cowboys were preseason favorites (by many fellow sports writers and general football folk alike) to go to Super Bowl XLIII. With arguably more talent than any other team in the NFL, it was almost unfathomable that Dallas played as poorly as they did in the month of December. But this has become the norm for the Cowboys. As much publicity as they get for being “America’s Team,” the fact remains they haven’t had a winning record during the month of December in 12 seasons. The team is still living off the past glories of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. Nevertheless, change is necessary if Dallas is going to turn back the clock and Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips is all for it:

“We have to (make) changes as far as overall the team. But there are other things, including off-seasons, mini-camps and practices that I have to look at and alter some things and modify some things. But to get to the standard we want and our fans want, I don’t see any other way.”

If the coaching staff is not going to change (and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says that it will not), I believe the necessary change begins with personnel. Job one should be to get rid of receiver Terrell Owens. NFL Network analyst Terrell Davis was in a bit of an argument with NFL.com’s Michael Lombardi on this very subject on Total Access this evening and I completely agreed with T.D. — get rid of Terrell Owens. He’s a cancer to this team. As far as T.O. is concerned, it’s always going to be about him first and foremost. He’s proven that time and time again. He’s a very talented but spoiled diva athlete. His stats and his catches and his involvement as a highlight in an offense will always be more important than the team and I would recommend trading him this offseason because there is a team out there stupid enough to take a chance on his talent in exchange for what will absolutely be a distraction at some point in their season. Plus, the Cowboys stand to cash-in on valuable Draft picks or a proven, team-oriented talent as part of a deal for T.O.

Still, I wonder if the Cowboys are smart enough and truly committed to the kind of change they desperately need? As long as Jerry Jones is in charge of the organization, I have my doubts. Mr. Jones likes big name athletes and a lot of drama. That’s why he’s spending over a billion dollars on his new stadium. He’s all about image and making a grand presentation. Unfortunately for him, this does not usually equal success in terms of wins and losses — which is really all that matters when you get right down to it.

Other than dealing T.O., I think releasing Adam Jones is a no-brainer. Enough said. And I’m still not sold on quarterback Tony Romo. I never was. When it seemed the rest of the world was going crazy over Tony and whatever celebrity female he was dating at the time, I was left wondering what was so great about him. Let’s face it. He’s an average QB with below-average performances in games that count the most. He may still come around and prove to be one of the league’s better signal callers, but he’s going to need to be put in a position to succeed and right now he’s not even close.

Source: DallasCowboys.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Dallas Cowboys Need to Change Their Ways

In a surprising turn of events, Adam Jones is back working out with the Dallas Cowboys. He was rumored to be out for the season because of a neck injury (herniated disc) after a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers a couple weeks ago, but Adam returned to practice today and is expected to play cornerback and return kicks Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips couldn’t believe it:

“It surprised everybody. He’s got nine lives. Maybe he’s got 18 lives ….. It just wasn’t as bad as we thought. Once it was treated, it was better ….. They said he’s ready to go. He seems ready.”

I’m not really sure this matters. Let’s not forget what a terrible game Adam played against Pittsburgh — his first game back after a six-game layoff. The guy’s got a lot of rust. He’s still suffering through a suspension hangover and I’m not sure he’ll do the Cowboys a whole lot of good the rest of this season.

Source: DallasCowboys.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Adam Jones Cleared to Play

Dallas Cowboys defensive back and kick returner Adam Jones might miss the rest of this 2008 season with what could be a serious neck injury. Reports are that he’s got one or two herniated discs in his neck. Adam was hurt in his first game back from a six game suspension — early in their Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now he’ll miss more time because of this injury, capping what has been his nightmarish return to the NFL. Rumors immediately started that this injury might end Adam’s career, but Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips didn’t sound quite so pessimistic:

“Our people don’t think it’s career threatening or anything else that he would have to be operated (on) or anything like that. But it is something that might put him out this year. The prognosis wasn’t good for him playing this year, from our people. They’re going to see if maybe they can re-evaluate in a few weeks or they’ll say you’re not going to play this year. That’s what we’re looking at.”

Adam’s misfortunes have mirrored the Cowboys’ season so far. Injuries and poor play have kept the team from clinching a playoff spot with three games to go and it’s entirely possible the Cowboys won’t even make the postseason. It’s a shocking turn of events for a group who was more concerned with getting to the Super Bowl than making the playoffs. Whatever fate awaits this Dallas Cowboys team, it appears Adam Jones will not be a part of it.

Source: NFL.com

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Adam Jones Has Neck Injury

Dallas Cowboys defensive back/kick returner Adam Jones was reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell today. He will have to miss two more games (Sunday against San Francisco and Thanksgiving Day against Seattle), but he’ll return to the Cowboys when they play at Pittsburgh December 7. Naturally, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones welcomed him back with open arms:

“I think he’s done what he was asked to do, and as anybody that understands the kinds of things that you deal with to get better, it’s probably going to be an ongoing thing. I do know that he does have a good sense of where he is, and we could benefit from that.”

Of course, it’s all about how Mr. (Jerry) Jones could benefit. I think this is a waste of time. Eventually — maybe not this season, there’s not a lot of time left — Adam will step out-of-line and do something stupid. Look at his track record. I mean, he’s been suspended for 22 of what would’ve been his past 28 games. It’s one thing after another with this guy. I believe in second chances as much as anyone — probably more so — but Adam won’t quit. And now that he knows his previous zero tolerance policy was bogus, he’s bound to get himself suspended and reinstated again. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. You can start counting the days until it happens.

Source: The Dallas Morning News

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Adam Jones Reinstated … Again

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware tied an NFL sack record by recording a sack in his 10th straight game this afternoon. But it was the only good news the Cowboys had as they were not only beaten — they were lambasted by the revived St. Louis Rams 34-14. DeMarcus finished the day with three sacks and led the Cowboys with seven tackles. Interestingly, though he now shares the NFL record, DeMarcus remains one game shy of the franchise record. The Cowboys recognize Harvey Martin’s 11-game streak from 1976-77, a run that ended five years before the sack became an official statistic, as the number to beat.

This was a chaotic week for the Cowboys — Tony Romo’s injury, Adam “Pacman” Jones’ suspension, more injuries to rookie running back Felix Jones and punter Mat McBrier, trading with Detroit for receiver Roy Williams — and I guess I overestimated backup QB Brad Johnson’s veteran ability at 40-years-old. He had three interceptions today. But Brad was not the only reason the Cowboys lost today. It was a team effort. DeMarcus will certainly put this sack record on the backburner as the Cowboys try to regroup and figure out what is wrong with their team.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

DeMarcus Ware Ties NFL Sack Record

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Dallas Cowboys defensive back and kick returner Adam “Pacman” Jones has been suspended (again) by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell without pay for at least four games for his most recent violation of the league’s Personal Conduct Policy. In the suspension letter Adam received today, Commissioner Goodell called this “a disturbing pattern of behavior and clearly inconsistent with the conditions I set for your continued participation in the NFL.” In a statement released by the Cowboys, team owner Jerry Jones said:

“We respect and support the decision of the commissioner. I regret that this issue has brought negative attention to the Cowboys and the NFL. We move forward with a very clear knowledge as to what the process will be for a possible re-instatement. Adam is well aware of where he stands and what he has to do.”

Well aware of where he stands and what he has to do? I don’t think so. If he was well aware of where he stood and what he had to do, he wouldn’t have found himself partying at some downtown Dallas hotel in the first place. He would’ve taken his butt home after practice and sat it on the couch where it belongs. How many other Cowboys players were there drinking and carousing? None. I guess they all “get it” and Adam is the only one who doesn’t.

I’m all for second chances and I will stick up for a person’s ability to change to to a fault, but this is so clearly a case of a guy who will never change. And it hurts me to say that but it’s true. I think you can give Adam Jones a hundred opportunities and he is going to screw up each one. Bottom line, he should not have put himself in that situation and he did. So now he has to suffer the consequences. And he’s very lucky he didn’t receive an immediate lifetime ban from the league. It’s not the severity of the incident. It’s the fact that Adam knew he had no margin for error and he chose to put himself in a position to fail. I think Adam has behavioral problems that require intensive psychotherapy. Maybe that will be part of his latest rehabilitation.

NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders was defending poor Adam on “Total Access” tonight as though this cruel decision was some sort of tremendous example of injustice. Give me a break. Then again, it’s Deion’s habit to stand up for any and every NFL miscreant, having been one himself in another lifetime. And I could admire his attempts to help others if he wasn’t so arrogant about it. But to say Adam’s “lifelong dream has been stripped away again” is just a downright ridiculous thing to say. Of course, Deion would have you believe he knows exactly what went down last Wednesday morning and that the NFL’s extensive research into the situation that determined their course of action is essentially bogus. Unbelievable.

At any rate, because Adam has violated Commissioner Goodell’s zero tolerance policy, I think the commish should give Adam a lifetime ban before he causes the NFL any more embarrassment. Enough is enough. I mean, exactly how many chances do you give a guy? The United Football League awaits.

Source: DallasCowboys.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones Suspended Again

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo fractured a finger on his throwing hand against the Arizona Cardinals yesterday and could be out for up to four weeks. Tony broke his right pinkie on the first play of a disastrous overtime for the Cowboys. They won the toss, then proceeded to go three-and-out and had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown to lose the game. Tony had difficulty gripping the ball and throwing since the injury, but he won’t need surgery. Head coach Wade Phillips was nevertheless optimistic:

“Brad Johnson is going to be playing quarterback for us this week and we have complete confidence in him. Our team, I think, will rally around him, along with the rest of the guys playing, and everybody is going to do their job and they’re going to do it the best they can do it, and we’re going to demand they do that, and that’s what’s going to happen.”

Fantasy owners will cry the blues about Tony’s injury, but I don’t think this is the biggest problem for the Dallas Cowboys right now. Brad Johnson is a very capable backup QB and while he won’t offer Tony’s big play ability and gun-slinging mentality, he should give the Cowboys a more balanced attack. Let’s face it, the running game has been inconsistent this season and with Brad at the helm, I expect the Cowboys to recommit themselves to a ground attack. Brad’s a smart, experienced and talented backup quarterback who will perform very well. Despite what some people will want you to believe, there’s really not a lot of drop-off here — just different styles.

There’s more injury news to go around, though. Felix Jones’ strained hamstring will cause him to miss a couple games. Plus, cornerback Terence Newman is out for at least three more weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia last week. Those are both potentially nagging, ongoing injuries. Safeties Roy Williams (broken arm) and Pat Watkins (neck) could return this week against the Rams but probably won’t be 100%. Receiver/special teamer Sam Hurd needs ankle surgery. And punter Mat McBriar fractured his right foot on the aforementioned blocked punt and is out 6-8 weeks. Throw in the potential Adam Jones punishment/suspension/banishment and whatever Terrell Owens wants to add to the mix and you’ve got a team in disarray.

Source: DallasCowboys.com, Photo: Newscom

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Tony Romo Out For One Month