The Valley Ranch Review: Coach Joe DeCamillis Could Return Soon; Chris McAlister Anyone?
by Aaron Novinger on May 11, 2009 12:30 AM CDT
in Dallas Cowboys News
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Special teams coach Joe DeCamillis may be able to return to light work within weeks.
"He should be able to go back to light desk type work in a couple of weeks," Dr. Barnett said. "He won't be able to drive for a while, should be out and about walking in a week or two, should be able to go back to work within a month to six weeks."
The Sporting News is trying to find homes for some big-name NFL veterans. Albert Breer thinks that free agent CB Chris McAlister would be an ideal fit for the Cowboys.
The situation: McAlister, 31, is rehabbing from arthroscopic knee surgery in Los Angeles and is expected to be cleared for all football activities by late June. He'd like to stay near his native California. The Seahawks and Chargers have shown interest, as have the Cowboys, who intrigue McAlister very much.
Scout's take: "He's got a lot of tread on the tire. Watching him last year, he's without question a big injury risk. Athletically, while he still has the instincts, the drop-off in long speed and explosiveness were noticeable. He probably should've gone to safety a while ago. At his age, do you do it now? It'll be difficult if he doesn't get in a camp, I could see him not playing this year."
Timmy Mac thinks that bringing in a guy like McAlister could be a good fit for the player, but not for the Cowboys.
Would the three-time Pro Bowler fit with the Cowboys? Well, Terence Newman is the only cornerback on the roster with significant starting experience.
However, McAlister could be a progess-stopper for second-year corners Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick. Or he might not be as good as either of them at this point of his career.
Here's a team-by-team list of the remaining unrestricted free agents.
Much more VRR after the jump!
A new Cowboys scout, Kevin Simon. who played ball at Tennessee, had this to say about the combine and drafting players.
"Those drills at the NFL combine might look nice, but they're not football,'' Simon said on the New Sentinel's Sports Page radio show. "You get a sense of what kind of athlete they are, but there's a lot more intangibles than benching 225 pounds 40 times or running a 40 in 4.4 (seconds).
"It's like making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich: If you just had the peanut butter, or just the jelly, it wouldn't be complete,'' he said. "You have to evaluate a player's film, the combine, the numbers and the person, and you put them all together.''
Tony Romo is going to try to qualify for the U.S. Open - again.
Another qualifier is at the Dallas National Golf Club, where Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is making his fourth attempt to qualify. Apparently he's had as much success in U.S. Open qualifying as he's had in Super Bowl qualifying.
Ouch!
Some of the owners of land around the new stadium held out for better deals when the City of Arlington was buying up the property for Billion Dollar Stadium. Turns out it was worth the wait, they got like $20 million more of Jerry's/Arlington's money.
Karen Magnus initially doubted her decision to fight the city. She had health problems and no insurance at the time.
Eventually, she settled for $350,000 — more than six times greater than the original $53,000 offered by the city.
You can fight City Hall!
Meanwhile, the stadium's retractable roof is being put through its paces.
The Summit Structures plot thickens. In 2007, the company settled a lawsuit with the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority over the collapse of a structure similar to the one built for the Cowboys' practice facility. Evidently, the Philly structure collapsed just months before the company built the Dallas one. Here are the details about the court agreement:
Summit ultimately agreed to pay the port $4.8 million to settle a lawsuit stemming from the accident, according to a confidential agreement between the parties in 2007. The agreement was made public by the port Friday.
Summit and the port reached the agreement after a judgment of $5.1 million was entered against the company. Common Pleas Court Judge Allan Tereshko determined that the building collapsed in conditions "that would have easily been tolerated ... had [the building] been properly designed and constructed."
Perhaps the Cowboys were legally blind to the company's credibility, or lack thereof.
As part of their settlement, Summit and the port agreed that the document would not be construed as an admission that Summit or its sister company, Cover-All Building Systems, engaged in wrongdoing. The parties also agreed that neither would communicate negative information about the other.
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McAllister
Would be a good fit, we need the depth.
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Does anyone know anything about
Pisa Tinoisamoa , leading tackler for the Rams last year, 6’1", 240 lbs, 27 y/o? Would we show any interest in him?
I know he's really good.
But I don’t think he would be anymore then a nickel or dime linebacker with Dallas, because I don’t think he’s really built for a 3-4
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Hes From Hawiaa
So i got to see him Play in College.. He didnt look all that great but he is a good pro… I would think he would make a better SILB were James allready plays so we probally wouldnt have that much interest with him.
I know it's a longshot for any of the guys from Irvins show to make the team
But I still think it’s gonna be fun to watch. Besides, it gives us some more Cowboy related stuff to help tide us over until training camp begins. And who knows, sometimes big things come from unlikely places.
Think of How many UDFA's make teams and make considerable impacts.... Im betting each team has a couple.
And these guys are supposed to be good, not just nobodys it should be fun.
Plus Coach Joe and Bill Bates!
3 of my all-time favorite Cowboys.
by Baked Potato Soup on May 11, 2009 2:28 AM CDT up reply actions
hmm
I don’t see how McAllister would fit in here, unless hes willing to be the dime cb. I’m not sure replacing Jenkins or Scandrick with a 31 year old past his prime cb will help their development. If hes willing to take a backseat to the younger guys, i’m for it.
I didn't think we had a need at DB
I feel pretty good about our first 3, and between Ball, Mickens, and whoever else, I’m sure 4 and 5 will work out to a young, athletic guy. I don’t know what role McAllister would play, especially if he will be the least physically gifted guy at the position. I guess he could be a backup FS? I think the starters are pretty well set with Hamlin and Sensabaugh, and the other Hamlin probably makes the team in one backup slot. I don’t know. I don’t see a reason to sign him.
by Baked Potato Soup on May 11, 2009 2:22 AM CDT reply actions
McAlister would have made sense before the draft, I guess
Not anymore, though. The Cincy corners look pretty damn good to me.
Epic Fail since 1985
agreed....
McAlister is long in the tooth and injury prone. Not a good fit IMO. Stay with the young guys.
Don't do it.
If the Cowboys sign a guy like McCallister, and he gets playing time over our young DB’s, that would be, not only disappointing, but make one question just what the hell the team is thinking. Everyone else in the league that gets good young players like ours, plays them. I can’t believe the Cowboys are seriously considering this. Only if our draft picks totally tank in TC should we even consider such a move.
Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.
Joe ThEEsman
I doubt the Cowboys are seriously considering signing McCallister
They obviously like Scandrick and Jenkins and signing an injury prone guy like McCallister just doesn’t make any sense.
In Romo we Trust
If McAlister was still any good...
Don’t you think his old coach in NY would want to sign him? The Jets are thin at CB and are even considering Pacman
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/05/jets-interested-in-pacman-jones.html
This says alot about where McAlister is. The Cowboys should pass.
"Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." --Roger Staubach
I'd like to see the team get younger
And I think they are headed in the right direction. Injuries forced the kids to play last year and we found out that they could. If McCallister got playing time in front of Jenkins, for example, Jenkins will take his skills elsewhere in a couple years to get playing time. I also think the Cincy corners could be a steal and obviously more upside at this point that McCallister. Would have loved to have had McCallister, say, two years.
Romo has got to stop this US Open nonsense
Concentrate on football
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
why??
Whats there to concentrate on this time of the year?? Qualifying for golf tournaments has never prevented him from missing any OTAs, mini camps or workouts whatsoever. There is only so much a player can do in the offseason.
Players need to relax and pursue their hobbies in the offseason and thats exactly what Romo is doing. Actually, one could argue that playing in golf tournaments actually helps his mental toughness for football because no game is more mentally difficult than golf.
The only thing that is nonsense is fans thinking Romo playing golf is a distraction when actually the opposite is true.
In Romo we Trust
Wow, the Romo defending League
Has the same schedule… We should talk about working hours…
:D
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
It's the Offseason, chill
Right now he’s only supposed to attend to conditioning sessions, voluntary OTAs, obligatory OTAs and the minicamp. The last 3 are scheduled to happen in the near future and Romo’s been in the Ranch nearly every day, working out and working with his receivers on timing (especially with Williams).
The times in which he can’t do something like that is Training Camp and Regular Season time, right now he has a bunch of spare time.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
+1
Romo would never miss any football related activities to play golf, thats just simply ridiculous.
Whats funny is that nobody said anything when Deion actually played both football and baseball during the same season, but it’s wrong for a qb to play in a few golf tournaments in the off season.
In Romo we Trust
I said plenty about Deion playing baseball, I just didn't have the internet to broadcast my opinions
Face it, Romo is a celebrity qb, and his off the field activities overshadow his on the field achievements, and as for his golf helping his mental toughness, I see no evidence of that other than your assertion
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
what the hell are you doing posting on a blog?
shouldn’t you be working? If you’re off shouldn’t you be doing something work related in order to better yourself?? Seriously dood, get to work and don’t ever stop again. kthx
you definitely need to lighten up
Most players play golf in the off season, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, Romo just happens to be really good and has the ability to qualify in pro tournaments.
Most Cowboys fans would think this is cool, you need to remove that stick from your butt and fast.
BTW, his 90+ career qb rating definitely overshadows his failing to qualify for the US Open or having dinner with Jessica in Hollywood, to think otherwise is what is nonsense.
In Romo we Trust
I don't necessarily agree with Seanrude.....
but don’t attack someone’s opinion just because it is different than yours because that is rude to tell someone to “remove that stick from your butt and fast.” Sean is allowed to have his opinion just like you without getting rude about it. Sorry to be outspoken but I don’t like attacks.
I don't think Romo really cares what Sean or
anyone else thinks. No offense to you Sean. My point to you, Terry, is you don’t have to say rude comments to someone just because they disagree with you or to attack them.
Well...
He’s not actually telling Romo face to face.
I mean he has an opinion that I don’t necessarily agree with, but I don’t consider it rude.
Seriously, the way you defend Romo is very creepy sometimes.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
if the internet is not good for spouting opinions that will have no impact whatsoever, what is it good for?
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Did you have a Happy Mother's Day?
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Yes, I did....
and thank you very much for asking BTW.
I think his team crapping the bed at the end of the season overshadows his 90+ qb rating, and both are overshadowed by his constant appearances in the magazines in the supermaket checkout line
and Yeah, I know it was not all his fault, but the interview after the Eagles game sickened me. Romo was way too nonchalant about the game and the season going down in flames
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
I thought Romo seemed pretty pissed, but just controlled it.
That’s not being nonchalant.
Go Pacquiao!
by Aaron Novinger on May 11, 2009 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I am rooting for Romo
After his first Thanskgiving day game, when he threw for about 90 touchdowns, I named my new dog ‘Romo.’ The guy is talented, no doubt, but he has a slightly lackadaisical attitude toward winning and losing which is bothersome, and his off the field stuff is starting to overshadow his football activities. My soon to be ex-wife knows who Tony ROmo is, but she is not certain what sport he plays. She just knows he is a celebrity
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
or perhaps
I hate to break it to you, but Romo would be a celebrity even if he did what you would have him to do by sitting in a cave with his nose in a playbook and on game films all off season. He’s the quarterback (the most prestigious position in the NFL) of the Dallas Cowboys (the most prestigious team in the NFL). Not to mention he lives in a very large city with a very large media base. He’s a good kid that seems genuinely passionate about the game of football. Obviously he’s not as perfect as you, but since you are so perfect you should be able to cut the guy a little slack, no? Focus on the word hypocrite and see if you can’t find any meaning there.
Never said I was I perfect nor did I imply that I was
Time spent qualifying for the US Open, and it is a significant investment in time, is time spent not focusing on football, which is his frigging job. Given the way the Cowboys’ seasons have ended since he became the starting QB, I’d prefer he not spend his time trying to qualify for the US Open. That is not “playing golf” that requirs dedication.
Just for purposes of clarification, you implied that I am in some way a hypocrite. How am I a hypocrite? You asked me to focus on the meaning of the word. Do you even know what it means?
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
it's not a significant amount of time
He’s not a professional golfer, so obviously he’s not going to put in as much practice time. He’s doing it because he likes to play golf and he’s really good. So it is playing golf.
I got news news for you, no qb can focus on football 24/7 in the offseason, that would be unhealthy and lead to burnout.
In Romo we Trust
Give up
trying to explain yourself to the Romo fan club, Sean. Their boy is perfect in every way, and anything to the contrary will set them to shrieking.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
All of those comments...
are just things that you are thinking with little to no evidence to back up.
You can bring up the little talk he had after the Philly game, which I don’t think was particularly a strong statement but I can understand what he’s saying.
I judge someone’s desire by what I know.
I know that he got the crap knocked out of him against the Giants this year and continued to play.
I know that two years ago against Buffalo, he was playing his worst game of his career but never gave up.
Does he make mistakes? Sure.
But if he truely is a guy who doesn’t care about winning or losing, then why does he continue to play after getting the crap knocked out of him?
And his off the field stuff is overshadowing this on the field activities just to the people who listen to it. You don’t like that he dates Jessica Simpson… don’t watch E!
I mean seriously, I hope that Romo cuts down some of his turnovers and gets better, but I’ve never questioned his desire. You don’t go from being an undrafted free agent QB buried at number 3 on a depth chart, and then raise to a starter in the best franchise in sports without a desire to win at sports or life.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
I would say 63 million is
as good of a reason as any to keep playing after getting the crap knocked out of you.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
True
But millions of dollars don’t heal ribs. I mean honestly it isn’t like he wouldn’t have gotten paid that anyways.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Just being a smart alec.
I didn’t have anything valuable to add to a laughable conversation, so I was just making fun of it.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
you smart alec?
Never fellow Red Raider-Haha
This is my thing.
Can you not concentrate on football and do something else?
Kurt Warner is heavily involved in the Christian community and does alot of work as far as that goes… should he stop because he’s not just doing football 24/7?
But because YOU know about it, its a big deal.
I bet there are other QB’s who go fishing some weekends or go hunting, does that make them less dedicated because they aren’t playing football?
If I was reading that he wasn’t at Valley Ranch practicing all the time and all he did was play golf, that would be different, but it’s not.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
well said
there isn’t a player in the league more dedicated to football than Romo, but I think it would be unhealthy to concentrate on football 24/7, he would be burned out in no time. I guarantee the other top QBs in the game don’t concentrate on football 24/7 in the off season.
You have to step away from the game as an athlete in the off season and get your mind off of football for a while.
Thats what vacations and hobbies are for.
In Romo we Trust
I happen to agree with you on this one
But do you have any idea how annoying your statements like “there isn’t a player in the league more dedicated” and “Romo would never miss any football related activities to play golf, thats just simply ridiculous”. You do that all the time…..speak definitively about Tony Romo like you’re his personal advisor. Are you? Do you personall know him? If you do, I’ll apologize and lighten up. It’s hard to read your posts because of that, it’s like I’m reading something written by a 12 yr old who has an idol.
by StillHateTheGiants on May 11, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't be annoyed.
That’s just Terry.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
+1
hilarious… but true
Romo is a stud… people want to blame him for all kinds of Cowboys trouble. Bottome line – the guy has GREATLY improved this club.
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
Attempting to qualify for the US Open is not vacation or hobby time
It requires a serious investment in time and effort. I know this because I have friends who have tried and one who actually qualified. If he was just knocking some balls around, no problem, but qualifying for the US Open is a different matter. And if he is jsut screwing around instead of seriously trying to qualify, your “mental toughness” arguent holds no weight.
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Playing golf
won’t make Romo lose his focus in the preseason. He will have a good TC and should be sharp going into the season. It is late November before Romo starts losing focus, and golf is not the problem.
If he starts twittering, he is dead to me.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
Romo plays golf anyway on his time off
He’s pretty good at it, so I don’t think he’s shirking any of his football responsibilities by attempting to qualify for the Open.
Why is this an issue for people?
Training Camp '09 = Mega Thunder Dome....80 men enter, 53 men leave.
by APerfectStar on May 11, 2009 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions
thats a weak argument
you are basing your argument on how much time your friend spent on practicing, but every player has their own golf practice routines and habits.
Romo is not screwing around, but he’s also not investing so much time that it will affect his off season football preparation, it’s just won’t happen and to assume as much is wrong on your part.
In Romo we Trust
I agree........
I should stop my blogging hobbie and concentrate on cabinets.
by TARHEEL PAUL on May 11, 2009 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Ummm, reading the scout quote....
He probably should’ve gone to safety a while ago.
It’s likely that Dallas is looking at him as a Safety because, really, what does our team have at the position? Hamlin, 3 question marks (Sensabaugh, DSmith and Hamlin) and 2 average to bad NFL players (Battle and Watkins)?
The guy is injury prone, just like Henry and the team wasn’t willing to move him to that position? True, but the team wasn’t willing to move a well paid starter with unknown depth behind him to that position, in McAlister’s case things will be a bit different, for starters he won’t be a well paid veteran.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
That is my take too Chandus
That if he came to Dallas there’s a good chance he would compete at FS
by StillHateTheGiants on May 11, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm all for bringing in Chris McAlister...
…but just to see what he’s got left — and create more competition amongst the DBs (whether it be at CB or safety).
If he loses in training camp, then cut him.
If he experiences some sort of renaissance — and stays healthy — it adds to our secondary depth.
Nothing guaranteed, just a chance for him to make the team and a chance for us to see if he can help the team.
Why the hell not?
This progress-stopper nonsense is just plain ludicrous.
How’s a tryout gonna stop the progress of our youngsters?
The open competition will only keep them more motivated in camp.
I mean, who the hell wants a high-mileage vet to beat them out of a job? Keep the young cats hungry.
That’s just my take.
Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/
you don't think we have competition already?
Jenkins and scandrick wil be fighting for #2. Ball, Smith and Mickens will fight for the dime cb. And I highly doubt he beats out jenkins or scandrick.
If he makes the team, we send out one of our young guys, in exchange for what? an anthony henry like 2 years from McAllister?
McAllister isn’t going to come here if its just going to be for a training camp battle, or a shot at the #4 cb anyway
the chances are slim he makes da team, anyway.
but if he comes back fully healthy (and stays that way) — and he can help lead us to a 6th SB title in the 09-10 season — hell yeah, I’ll take him.
and btw, a healthy chris mcalister SUPREMELY TRUMPS anthony henry.
not even close.
Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/
If he can start, then another team will pay him.
If he’s healthy, then I can’t see him here as a backup.
I would absolutely LOVE
LOOOOVVVVE to have McAllister here.
"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller
I'm glad to see that most fans are against it
Longhorn – Why add McCallister? We already gave up on the equivalent player in Anthony Henry and we drafted 2 guys who can compete with Allan Ball for the 5th or 6th spots. I think we’re set. What would McCallister really add?
McCallister >>> Henry
The only time these guys are equivalent is when they are both on IR. A healthy McCallister can limit big fast NFL WRs, could Henry do that? Can Jenkins or Scandrick? I’m sure the Cincy DBs will have growing pains.
The problem is if McCallister beats out our youngsters, and remains healthy, somebody misses a season, maybe somebody else misses a roster spot.
Now if McCallsiter is willing to play and be paid as a dime CB or backup FS, then he’s a very difficult player to pass up.
I disagree
McCallister was not substatally better than Henry. Evans Oglesby was playing ahead of McCallister last year. Think about it, if we had cut PacMan and rolled with youth, we’d still have Evans Oglesby on the Cowboys roster, so our 4th or 5th CB would be better than McCallister
by AustonianAggie on May 11, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions
"McAlister, 31, is rehabbing from arthroscopic knee surgery"
A bum wheel causes great CBs to look average, likewise average CBs with bum wheels get replaced. When was the last time Henry lined up in front of a #1 WR?
McAlister with a good wheel starts in the NFL. As for age and “He’s got a lot of tread on the tire” how old is Tnew?
I’m against signing him as a starter. Now signing him to a one year backup deal and he earns a spot as a starter then great for Jerry. I suspect another owner will sign McCallister with bigger money to start.
How about signing him to an incentive-laden contract
based on playing time. Then have his base salary be pretty low and easy to cut if he doesn’t make it out of training camp, but if he still has gas in the tank and tread on the tires (/stupid car analogies), then let him earn a spot on the roster. We CAN take 80 guys to camp you know.
why don't we find Marcus Coleman and sign him for 1 year to be our safety?
I’d rather keep digging up guys like Gerald Sensabaugh
by AustonianAggie on May 12, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree with you
Always take a decent FA after their first contract instead of over-spending on a older, declining star FA.
it's the slow season
Who’s the team’s best PR right now? Who starts opening day?
Who’s are starting punt returner opening day, TNew, Crayton, D Smith?
Who’s the main KO guy? Felix Jones, Miles Austin, Isiah Stanback?
Who’s going to lead the team in special teams tackles for the preseason? Jason Williams, David Breuhle, Stephen Hodge, Patrick Watkins?
Who’ll be the starting Gunners? Breuhle, Smith… there’s a lot of prospects for this
Will Watkins make the roster? Will Montrae Holland challenge Kyle Kosier to start? Will Robert Brewster force himself in to that conversation?
Will Manuel Johnson make the roster? He’s going to need spades of unmeasurable talent to stick in my view.
Im confused
Scout’s take: “He’s got a lot of tread on the tire. Watching him last year, he’s without question a big injury risk. Athletically, while he still has the instincts, the drop-off in long speed and explosiveness were noticeable. He probably should’ve gone to safety a while ago. At his age, do you do it now? It’ll be difficult if he doesn’t get in a camp, I could see him not playing this year.”
It doesnt sound like this guy has any tread on the tires
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