Cowboys News: Changes afoot in Dallas

Cowboys reportedly frustrated with Jason Garrett's lack of adjustments - Jared Dubin, CBSSports.com
It's not clear that the sources quoted below are with the team, or even have access to the Cowboys' facility, but that doesn't really matter. The objective of the report was to generate headlines, and that it did.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the players are growing frustrated about the team's lack of adjustments and simple game plan.

"Owner Jerry Jones has been outspoken in his support of Jason Garrett and his coaching staff," Rapoport said. "However, inside the locker room, a little bit of a different story. I'm told there's growing frustration from the Cowboys players about their coaching staff. And it really stems from two things.

"One, just the lack of adjustments that has gone on over the last couple of weeks. The Chaz Green disaster at tackle when Tyron Smith was out was just one example (where) the team did not help him and really didn't alter their game plan when it was clear that he needed some help. That was one issue that certainly has left the players grumbling. Another one is just how simple they are. I had one person tell me that Philip Rivers, out on the field on Thursday night, was actually calling out the Cowboys blitzes before they happened on the field. Not a good sign for the Cowboys. And obviously a huge game this Thursday (vs. Washington) where they really need to bounce back for."

Look, most teams publicly espouse a "next man up" philosophy, but when the next man up obviously can't do the job, you have to adjust.

Cowboys personnel moves: McFadden waived, Brown demoted, Datone Jones signed - Blogging The Boys
McFadden was waived in order to allow him to find a job with another team and perhaps get some playing time this year, Brown was benched to increase the competition on the roster, and Datone Jones took a circuitous route to Dallas.

A first-round pick for the Packers in 2013, Jones recorded nine sacks in four years in Green Bay before signing with the Vikings this offseason. He was released by the Vikings with an injury settlement in September after battling a shoulder injury in training camp. In October, the Lions signed him, but his stint in Detroit was brief, as he was released after just one week. The 49ers signed him a short while later, and he actually played in three games for them before being waived to make room for DT Sheldon Day, who the 49ers signed off waivers from Jacksonville.

Listed at 6'5" and 288, Jones will likely help the Cowboys on the interior of the defensive line.

New Cowboys DL Datone Jones happy to find new home, ready to contribute immediately - Brandon George, SportsDay
It's been a wild few months for Jones, for whom the Cowboys are the fourth NFL team since September.

Jones said he arrived at The Star in Frisco at 6 a.m. Sunday for a physical and then hit the practice field for the first time with the Cowboys.

"I've been on multiple teams, bouncing around, it's kind of hard finding a groove," Jones said. "It's kind of easy to get down and give up on yourself and start thinking about life after ball. For me, this opportunity has been a blessing for me and my family. All I can do is come in here and compete and challenge myself to be the best Datone Jones I can be and create a competitive environment inside the defensive line room."

The Cowboys believe Jones is versatile enough to play outside or inside. He said throughout his career he's played at end on first and second downs and then moved inside to tackle on third downs. He said he doesn't see that changing.

Report: Cowboys to release kicker Mike Nugent - RJ Ochoa, Blogging The Boys
A healthy Dan Bailey means the end of the road for Mike Nugent in Dallas.

Nugent filled in decently in Dan Bailey’s absence. He was 7/9 overall, missing his first field goal attempt in Washington and another in Atlanta.

The point about Dan Bailey’s return is that he has returned. It’s senseless to carry two kickers, and therefore the Cowboys are moving on from Nugent.

Happy trails, Mike Nugent. Thank you for your service.

Cowboys Promote RB To Roster - Rob Phillips, Dallas Cowboys
In a flurry of roster moves on Sunday, this one shouldn't be overlooked:

The Cowboys have used a two-back rotation featuring Alfred Morris and Rod Smith during the first half of Elliott’s six-game suspension, and they’ve added a new third running back to the group: Trey Williams has been promoted from the practice squad with McFadden’s open roster spot, Garrett said.

Anthony Brown demoted as Cowboys looking to bolster secondary - Drew Davison, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Changes are coming to the Cowboys secondary after Philip Rivers torched them on Thanksgiving, Davison writes.

It starts with left cornerback Anthony Brown being demoted from a starting job. Rookie Chidobe Awuzie is the leading candidate to start in Brown’s place, although Awuzie has missed more than half the games with a hamstring injury.

Awuzie played just five of 68 defensive snaps against the Chargers, but is a highly-touted defensive back that the Cowboys used their second-round pick on last spring.

“Haven’t made any final determination about roster spots, but we’re going to create some competition on the team,” coach Jason Garrett said.

Along with Awuzie, Garrett mentioned rookie Jourdan Lewis and Bene Benwikere as candidates to start and get more snaps at cornerback.

Garrett Discusses Possible Changes in Secondary; More Snaps For Awuzie? - Nick Eatman, Dallas Cowboys
Changes are afoot in the secondary.

When asked directly if Anthony Brown would remain a starter at cornerback, Garrett responded with, “we haven’t made any final determination on anything about roster spots but we’re going to create some competition on our team.”

Garrett said rookie Chidobe Awuzie will “certainly get some opportunities at the corner spot,” along with veteran Bene Binwikere and Jourdan Lewis. Veteran Orlando Scandrick will remain one of the starters and has experience in the slot.