The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the New Orleans Saints could affect the coaching career of Cowboys' OC Sean Payton and hence the Cowboys' offseason.
Payton is considered one of the favorites for the Packers job. Green Bay interviewed its seventh candidate today, former Cowboys' LB coach and current Packers DC Jim Bates, leaving GM Ted Thompson with only Steelers' OL coach Russ Grimm to interview.
Grimm, however, is considered a favorite in Detroit, where former Redskins teammate Matt Millen runs the show. The Journal-Sentinel claims the Packers are keeping an eye on New Orleans, where the Saints will interview Payton today. If New Orleans moves strongly for Payton, as some unnamed souces in the story suspect, Thompson's hand could be forced.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, WR Keyshawn Johnson had surgery on his right knee. The severity of Johnson's injury is unknown.
The Dallas Morning News story notes that Johnson had plenty of company post-op. RG Marco Rivera had surgery on both elbows recently, which could explain some of his difficulties this year. Reserve LG Stephen Peterman had ankle surgury, which explains why he didn't get playing time against the Rams. Finally, TE Dan Campbell had hernia surgery, his fourth such procedure.
This news puts me in agreement with blog regular Chandus that Dallas will pursue another tight end, either in free agency or the draft. The Cowboys love two tight end sets and are only two deep at the position. When Campbell went down in '04 the offense slowed down considerably. I don't think Dallas will go into another season without depth there.