Saturday Update

by Rafael Vela on Jan 13, 2006 6:49 PM CST in Dallas Cowboys News

New: ESPN reports that the Buffalo Bills have requested and received permission to interview OC Sean Payton for their fresh head coaching vacancy.

Also new: Chiefs' O-line coach Mike Solari another assistant on our watch list, may have a greater agenda; ESPN's Chris Mortensen claims Solari may be the dark horse candidate for the Raiders job.

-- The St. Louis Post-Dispatch quotes unnamed sources who suggest Dolphins OC Scott Lineham and Bears DC Ron Rivera made the strongest impressions during the Rams first round of interviews. Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer has also interviewed for the job.

-- The deadline for juniors to declare for April's NFL draft is Sunday. While a whopping 51 underclassmen had declared as of yesterday four high profile players, Virginia LB Ahmad Brooks, Texas RT Justin Blalock, LSU FS LaRon Landry and Fresno St. C Kyle Young continue to straddle the fence. All are certain first day picks, if not first round picks, at postions of need for Dallas.

Update: Ahmad Brooks has announced he will return to Virginia for his senior season.

-- The Cowboys will send third string QB Drew Henson to play in Europe this spring. This is a necessary move for Henson, who looked lost in camp last summer and needs some work to jump start his career. Henson, who has roughly ten games of college and pro experience combined, said he welcomes the chance to get back on the field.

-- If Bill Parcells wants to shop for an offensive line assistant, his options just improved. New Green Bay HC Mike McCarthy dismissed six assistants today, including long-time offensive line coach Larry Beightol.

Beightol built some of the NFL's best pass protecting lines in Green Bay from 1999 through 2005. He's not the easiest fit, having a reputation for being abrasive, mercurial and a contrarian. He was one of the few assistants who challenged former HC Mike Sherman's gameplans, so it's not clear that he could coexist with an egomaniac like Parcells.

On the other hand, he's also one of the most innovative line coaches in the game. Ask Marco Rivera if Beightol knows his stuff. Rivera went to Pro Bowls from 2002 through 2004 under Beightol.

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raf
i was just gonna post that beightol was released but as always you beat me to it. all good now if we could only sign him that would be great for us and rivera…

by mike on Jan 13, 2006 7:07 PM CST reply actions

He is the coach of choice for myself. Not only do I think that he would have a very dramatic effect upon the offensive line, and the development of it’s newer members, but I think that he would present the offensive coordinator a realistic comparison of opinions, before it gets booted up for Parcell’s observation and evaluation. The relationship between the O-coordinator and the line coach, well could be enough of an insulator for the two to more than co-exist…make it happen Bill & Jerry!

by CCBoy on Jan 14, 2006 2:36 AM CST reply actions

on a slightly different subject……10 new coaches at minimum will be named for next year.

I don’t see any of them turning those 10 programs into great….with perhaps a Healthy Green Bay being an exception to possibly sneak in the playoffs in a weak conference.

12 teams make the playoffs. Obviously we have a tough schedule again next year that will include the likes of Indy and Jacksonville….and our own division.

But despite free agency and all that…..next year should see a dozen or so cellar dwellars…..I mean I don’t see SF turning the corner yet nor Tenn Titans who kept Fisher.

That makes it a 20 team race for the 12 spots. Similar to this year really……look at the decent teams on the margin……..Atlanta, Dallas, KC, San Diego……..to name a few……any of them could have and perhaps should have won some more games and been in.

So in my opinion……the two most glaring positions (i still want a bookend to be added) but really I am talking for about Free Agent signings…..would be a good TACKLE and believe it or not a freakin KICKER. I hate to say it…..but we win two minimum more games this last season……and the division…..with a quality kicker. I still hate kickers……but it is time we got a good one. (still don’t like the idea of drafting one)

I hate to think that a kicker is that important….but given our improved Defense and our current status on offense…….a few more kicks made and we are a 11 or 12 game winner. I think 12 in definitely enough for a home game and winning the NFC East…..always the first step to success in the playoffs.

by Jon Bartlett on Jan 14, 2006 12:32 PM CST reply actions

Jon,

You didn’t say kicker … did you?

Raf,

Beightol has an awesome resume. The one thing that sticks out is how well his offensive lines have protected the QBs. Our guest blogger Paul made great comparisons of Bledsoe’s numbers with and without protection. Are we contenders if we protect the QB? .. I think its a giant step in the right protection.

by Eric R on Jan 14, 2006 3:34 PM CST reply actions

Eric:
Since Troy Aikman we haven’t had a QB as accurate as Bledsoe, so, where we competitive with Aikman at QB? He’s a slam dunk for the Hall of Fame and that’s all you need to know about Aikman. And Bledsoe is headed that way if he wins a championship.

by Chandus on Jan 14, 2006 3:58 PM CST reply actions

Rafael,

… Henson, who has roughly ten games of college and pro experience combined, …

Not to be too picky, but Henson played a lot more games than that in college. He may only have that many starts, mostly in his junior year at Michigan, but Henson played extensively as Tom Brady’s backup, during his (Henson’s) sophomore season. In fact, if my memory serves me correctly, Brady was pulled in favor of Henson several times, and Henson even got to start a game over Brady.

I agree, though, Henson really needs the work.

by Mr. Bill on Jan 15, 2006 1:38 AM CST reply actions