Free agent safety Deon Grant told Sirius/XM the New York Giants, Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are interested in his services.
Multiple sources said the Cowboys are not interested in Grant.
For the Giants last season, Grant was credited by the team with 58 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and six pass breakups.
Grant, 33, plays free safety and with the Cowboys signing Brodney Pool in free agency to pair up with Gerald Sensabaugh it doesn't make sense to sign him.
Cowboys with no interest in Deon Grant
Free agent safety Deon Grant told Sirius/XM the New York Giants, Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are interested in his services.
Multiple sources said the Cowboys are not interested in Grant.
For the Giants last season, Grant was credited by the team with 58 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and six pass breakups.
Grant, 33, plays free safety and with the Cowboys signing Brodney Pool in free agency to pair up with Gerald Sensabaugh it doesn't make sense to sign him.
Jon Kitna goes back to high school
When quarterback Jon Kitna was hanging around Valley Ranch he talked about what he would do when he retired: Go back to high school.
The Seattle Times' Danny O'Neil writes a good story about Kitna going back to Tacoma, Wash., and teaching at his old high school, Abraham Lincoln.
Here's the story.
Kitna retired following the season when his back just couldn't respond for him anymore. The Cowboys placed Kitna on injured reserve Dec. 14. He finished his career with 29,677 yards and 169 touchdowns and 165 interceptions.
Let’s see why there’s buzz about Andre Holmes
We’re about to finally get a glimpse to see why there’s all this buzz about Andre Holmes.
Wednesday’s OTA session, which will be the first one this offseason open to the Valley Ranch media, will be the first time any of us have seen Holmes actually run a pass route. But there will be a lot of eyes on the second-year undrafted receiver because the coaches and front office are so high on him.
Holmes was the first name out of Jerry Jones’ mouth at the scouting combine in February when the Cowboys’ owner/general manager discussed the possibility of losing Laurent Robinson in free agency.
Can Better Coaching Add Push to the Cowboys Rush Attack?
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| Bill Callahan |
Cowboys Nation: When we last spoke, late in the regular season you were working on run-blocking metrics, and you said the 2011 Cowboys line was a little bit better than the 2010 version. Where did they rank by year's end?
K.C. Joyner: I need to make some minor changes to the final stats, but right now they're about 98% of what they're going to be.
Dallas last year .. and let me say I changed up my run-blocking metrics a little bit for 2012, in how I track them. What you do is look at good blocking, bad blocking, but you also look at plays where the quarterback scrambles or kneels down. Last year when I did the win percentage, I did it as a percentage of the running plays as a whole. This year I'm going take scramble plays and kneels downs out and see which designed running plays were well blocked or poorly blocked by the offense. I'm doing the same for the defense too.
I'm probably going to go back and change the 2010 numbers as well, because it's a fairly simple adjustment.
Dallas last year gave their running backs good blocking 43.1% of the time. That ranked 20th in the league. It was not a great number. It was an inconsistent line. (Note: Dallas veteran laden line ranked 21st in 2010, with a 44.2 win percentage.)
Having said that, the best offense line was a 49.6. So the difference between top of the league and medium was small. Tenths of a percentage made a difference. For instance, 15th place was 44.6%. So there's not a gargantuan difference between the lines, at least not last year.
One of the measurements I'm going to lean on a bit more this year is what yards per attempt the team got, because it's not just whether you gave your backs good blocking. Dallas averaged 8.0 yards per attempt on plays with good blocking. That was tied for 7th best in the league. So it was a home-run kind of blocking scheme. They may not be the most consistent line but when they do block well they're giving their backs really big holes, so they gain a lot of yards. (Note two: this is a huge improvement over 2010, when Dallas ranked 16th with a 6.5 GBYPA. Part of this was due to DeMarco Murray's impressive 8.2 GBYPA but also because Felix Jones posed an 8.0, after a sub-par 6.8 in 2010. See here for more details.)
CN: That's consistent with that you've said before. I'm surprised the top number is so low. In previous years the top win percentage was in the high 50s. Who was on top this year?
K.C.: The top team was the Minnesota Vikings.
CN: How far did the Jets fall? They were the top team, or one of the top teams the previous two years and Bill Callahan is taking over Dallas' line.
K.C.: They were 1st the year before and they dropped to 10th last year, at 46.1%.
CN: You've mentioned in the past that New York's biggest problem last year was losing Braylon Edwards, who was an effective deep receiver. They replaced him with Plaxico Burress, who was cooked, and teams stacked the box on them, trying to stop the run.
K.C.: Mark Sanchez, on passes in 2011, if you take out Plaxico Burress' production, his vertical YPA was identical to the year before. Burress was the problem for that team. Which isn't to say that Sanchez was a great. He wasn't a great vertical passer, but last year with Burress, he was one of the worst. Now you give him a guy like Stephen Hill, and Sanchez will be back to where he was, and it should open up a lot for the rest of the Jets offense.
CN: That's encouraging for Dallas fans, because the Cowboys have the deep threats in Austin and Bryant and a very good vertical tight end in Witten. Teams don't stack the box against them. If Callahan can get his Cowboys kids to block and win more in line with the Jets, the offense should be better. We'll have to see.
Cowboys Keeping Tabs On McBriar’s Rehab
It doesn’t happen often where a two-time Pro Bowler and eight-year veteran quietly drifts off the radar. But that seems to be what has happened with punter Mat McBriar, an unrestricted free agent who hasn’t re-signed with the Cowboys or any team so far.
But the biggest reason for that stems from a surgery he underwent back in February to remove a cyst behind his left knee. McBriar battled through the injury for most of last season, which was described as “drop foot.” The punter lost nerve feelings in his left (plant) foot and it eventually forced him to miss two games, including the season finale.
Through a recent text message this week, McBriar said: “I’m doing really well. Surgery went beautifully. Nerves are firing again. Set for a full recovery.”
As of now, the Cowboys have two punters on the roster, including Chris Jones, who filled in for McBriar last season. The club also recently signed Jake Rogers, who spent time on Tampa Bay’s practice squad last season.
But the Cowboys aren’t closing the door on McBriar at all. A team source said the Cowboys will monitor McBriar through his rehab. It seems likely they will work him out once he gets 100 percent healthy and consider bringing him back to the team.
There are obvious factors involved, starting with McBriar’s overall health, plus the fact he’s an unrestricted free agent. While he does have eight seasons in the league, punting at a high level, which includes two Pro Bowls, McBriar turns 33 in July and is coming off this recent injury.
And don’t forget about the progress of the punters on the roster. Jones performed well last year and if he continues to improve, the Cowboys might end up standing pat once McBriar gets back to full strength.
But considering what McBriar has done for this team in nearly a decade, it only makes sense to give him a close look once he’s 100 percent. From the sound of things, that’s what the Cowboys intend to do.
Even With Top 10 QB Rank, Romo Snubbed
IRVING, Texas -- Sports lists have become a dime a dozen these days, the purpose of many to incite controversy rather than actually depict accurate rankings on the given subject.
No surprise, then, that Tony Romo -- the most polarizing player on the NFL's most polarizing team -- usually finds himself on a large number of these catalogs.
The most recent Top 100 Players list from CBS's Pete Prisco is a good one to peruse for two reasons: Prisco is a columnist who supports his theories with film study; and he also has maintained a pretty fair and balanced opinion on Romo over the years.
He's got Romo ranked 78th overall, and 10th among quarterbacks behind Aaron Rodgers (1), Tom Brady (2), Drew Brees (6), Eli Manning (15), Ben Roethlisberger (16), Philip Rivers (20), Peyton Manning (33), Matt Ryan (48) and Matt Stafford (50).
Calling Romo a top-10 quarterback is fair for a man with currently the second-highest career passer rating in league history (96.9). Five of the nine ahead of him have rings, the main measure of success at the position.
And a top-100 ranking is a compliment when considering the guys who barely made the cut -- Brandon Marshall (94), Charles Woodson (96), James Harrison (99) and Brandon Sproles (100) -- are terrific players.
But once again, I have a hard time rationalizing higher rankings for QBs like Rivers and Ryan. Rivers did not play well last season, and although Ryan is a very good player, his lack of playoff wins is the same knock folks use on Romo. Even Stafford has only reached the postseason once, having dealt with recurring shoulder problems early in his career. A healthy Michael Vick should probably be somewhere in this conversation.
Even from a rational observer like Prisco, it seems Romo can't quite get his due when compared with his signal-calling peers.
Now, I'll be the first to say that a Top 100 football list is extremely hard to compile. This isn't the NBA, where only five guys play on the court at once and they all have relatively similar two-way responsibilities. The biggest differences are between posts and point guards.
Positions and duties are so specialized in football. How do you accurately separate the value between Prisco's best cornerback (Darrelle Revis - No. 6) with the best offensive tackle (Duane Brown - No. 22)?
Lists are designed for this type of debate. One thing is certain, though: Romo will never crack the top 10 on any list -- or maybe even the top 20, where Rivers sits with a pair of conference title appearances -- until the Cowboys at least get to the NFC Championship on his watch.
No surprise, then, that Tony Romo -- the most polarizing player on the NFL's most polarizing team -- usually finds himself on a large number of these catalogs.
The most recent Top 100 Players list from CBS's Pete Prisco is a good one to peruse for two reasons: Prisco is a columnist who supports his theories with film study; and he also has maintained a pretty fair and balanced opinion on Romo over the years.
He's got Romo ranked 78th overall, and 10th among quarterbacks behind Aaron Rodgers (1), Tom Brady (2), Drew Brees (6), Eli Manning (15), Ben Roethlisberger (16), Philip Rivers (20), Peyton Manning (33), Matt Ryan (48) and Matt Stafford (50).
Calling Romo a top-10 quarterback is fair for a man with currently the second-highest career passer rating in league history (96.9). Five of the nine ahead of him have rings, the main measure of success at the position.
And a top-100 ranking is a compliment when considering the guys who barely made the cut -- Brandon Marshall (94), Charles Woodson (96), James Harrison (99) and Brandon Sproles (100) -- are terrific players.
But once again, I have a hard time rationalizing higher rankings for QBs like Rivers and Ryan. Rivers did not play well last season, and although Ryan is a very good player, his lack of playoff wins is the same knock folks use on Romo. Even Stafford has only reached the postseason once, having dealt with recurring shoulder problems early in his career. A healthy Michael Vick should probably be somewhere in this conversation.
Even from a rational observer like Prisco, it seems Romo can't quite get his due when compared with his signal-calling peers.
Now, I'll be the first to say that a Top 100 football list is extremely hard to compile. This isn't the NBA, where only five guys play on the court at once and they all have relatively similar two-way responsibilities. The biggest differences are between posts and point guards.
Positions and duties are so specialized in football. How do you accurately separate the value between Prisco's best cornerback (Darrelle Revis - No. 6) with the best offensive tackle (Duane Brown - No. 22)?
Lists are designed for this type of debate. One thing is certain, though: Romo will never crack the top 10 on any list -- or maybe even the top 20, where Rivers sits with a pair of conference title appearances -- until the Cowboys at least get to the NFC Championship on his watch.
Eatman: No Need To Get Veteran WR Now
This is a different stance than I had this time a year ago, and without a doubt, you can thank Laurent Robinson for it.
But last offseason, when it was just Dez Bryant and Miles Austin as the starters and Kevin Ogletree was the third-best receiver on the roster, I wasn’t too comfortable with that scenario. I wasn’t convinced Ogletree was the best option. And frankly, nothing has really changed on that front.
The only thing that I would say about the receiver position is that it seems unnecessary to go get that veteran receiver right now in the middle of May. I know fans want to shore up as many positions as possible. And considering Austin missed six games to two different hamstring injuries last year and Bryant has been somewhat injury-prone although last year he made huge strides in that area, it’s a common opinion to go find that third receiver – someone with starting ability.
But honestly, it doesn’t make sense right now. Just signing a Plaxico Burress or a Braylon Edwards or anyone else who you might have had on your fantasy team at some point in your life, just isn’t necessary. The Cowboys don’t need that guy – in May.
They might need him in early September and if so, then sign him. They needed Robinson last year and it paid off. A veteran guy won’t take too long to learn the system, especially if he’s playing a third receiver role. It was only a matter of weeks before Robinson supplanted Ogletree for the third spot.
But waiting a few months gives the coaching staff plenty of time to evaluate the player they WANT to succeed. Clearly, this team would love to have someone like Andre Holmes or Dwayne Harris, or even Raymond Radway emerge as a keeper. Obviously, Danny Coale will get every chance to make the team this year and even if has a slow start, his draft status should give him plenty of time.
And while that quartet of receivers needs a full summer to see who separates from the pack, let’s not forget about Ogletree. I know I’ve said numerous times that I think we’ve seen what we’re going to see from him, I will admit Jason Garrett knows a thing or two million more about football than I do. He sees something there and he’s holding out hope he turns the corner this year.
Either way, this is the time – with OTAs approaching and a June minicamp coming up – to see who makes a push.
If no one is pushing, then you go to a veteran. Someone will be waiting by the phone, just like Robinson was, and they might be even more prone to answer considering the success Robinson showed last year and what it meant for him in free agency.
But last offseason, when it was just Dez Bryant and Miles Austin as the starters and Kevin Ogletree was the third-best receiver on the roster, I wasn’t too comfortable with that scenario. I wasn’t convinced Ogletree was the best option. And frankly, nothing has really changed on that front.
The only thing that I would say about the receiver position is that it seems unnecessary to go get that veteran receiver right now in the middle of May. I know fans want to shore up as many positions as possible. And considering Austin missed six games to two different hamstring injuries last year and Bryant has been somewhat injury-prone although last year he made huge strides in that area, it’s a common opinion to go find that third receiver – someone with starting ability.
But honestly, it doesn’t make sense right now. Just signing a Plaxico Burress or a Braylon Edwards or anyone else who you might have had on your fantasy team at some point in your life, just isn’t necessary. The Cowboys don’t need that guy – in May.
They might need him in early September and if so, then sign him. They needed Robinson last year and it paid off. A veteran guy won’t take too long to learn the system, especially if he’s playing a third receiver role. It was only a matter of weeks before Robinson supplanted Ogletree for the third spot.
But waiting a few months gives the coaching staff plenty of time to evaluate the player they WANT to succeed. Clearly, this team would love to have someone like Andre Holmes or Dwayne Harris, or even Raymond Radway emerge as a keeper. Obviously, Danny Coale will get every chance to make the team this year and even if has a slow start, his draft status should give him plenty of time.
And while that quartet of receivers needs a full summer to see who separates from the pack, let’s not forget about Ogletree. I know I’ve said numerous times that I think we’ve seen what we’re going to see from him, I will admit Jason Garrett knows a thing or two million more about football than I do. He sees something there and he’s holding out hope he turns the corner this year.
Either way, this is the time – with OTAs approaching and a June minicamp coming up – to see who makes a push.
If no one is pushing, then you go to a veteran. Someone will be waiting by the phone, just like Robinson was, and they might be even more prone to answer considering the success Robinson showed last year and what it meant for him in free agency.
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