Cowboys Chat with...

[General Itals]

Kinda boring. He dodged good questions. Can you guess my question/answer?

 

 

 

 

 

 

C. Woodson: Is there any buzz regarding Kicker or FS at the Ranch? Charles Woodson and Viniatieri could potentially get us to the SB. Woodson at FS or if Newman or Henry got hurt he could replace them and Keith Davis could play FS again. Thoughts??

 

Matt Mosley: I thought you guys were going to be going nuts over the T.O. signing, and you start me off with a kicking question? On the kicker front, the Cowboys have talked with Seattle's Josh Brown. You remember. The guy who beat them at the gun last season. He's restricted, so I don't know if they're going to let him get away...They don't want to spend the type of money it's going to take to get Vinatieri.

 

Datboyba: Matt why is everyone treating T.O. as if he is Bin Laden or Sadaam. Yes, the man has done some bonehead things, but this is a sport there is no reason to treat this man with so much hate and, as a religious person, I take offense to the fact that people refer to him as as devil. It's not fair what people are saying to this man.

Matt Mosley: Ahhh...Now we're talking. Comparing T.O. to Bin Laden. Listen, this guy is indeed a knucklehead of the highest order. But unlike a lot of professional athletes, I can't recall him having any trouble with the law. His issue centers on dealing with his teammates and coaches. He's an amazing football player. In fact, I think he's still the best receiver in the game. He just has the propensity to act like a 3-year-old, and I don't see that changing

 

JerryC: When will he hear something for Bill concerning all this signing? I read that he didnt want to deal with him. I just have a hunch that he really isnt on board with all this.

Matt Mosley: This Parcells not being at the new conference thing is way overblown. Bill loves Keyshawn Johnson like a son but he didn't come to his news conference. Same goes for Drew Bledsoe. Even if he weren't hanging out with Tony LaRussa in the Grapefruit League in Florida, Parcells wasn't showing up for this thing. Is he on board? Well, T.O.'s here isn't he? If Bill was totally against this thing, I don't think Jerry would've ram-rodded it through. And isn't ram-rod a fun word?

 

moderator: Matt, I love the Owens’ signing!!! Owens and Glenn could be a very dangerous tandem in the NFL. However, as much as I grew to like Crayton in the first few weeks of the season, don’t the Cowboys still have to draft a young wide receiver this year? With drafted receivers often slow to develop, now is the time to draft one more for 2007 than 2006. Is the draft stocked enough with receivers to get one in the in the first 3 rounds? Thanks!! Frank Ford

Matt Mosley: Thanks for the question, Frank. Patrick Crayton's stock was soaring before he suffered a bad ankle injury last season. They're still trying figure out whether he's a No. 3 guy or a possible No. 2 guy. They'll have to cover themselves here, though. I'd be shocked to see them go after a wide receiver early in the draft. There's a guy from Western Michigan who agent Eugene Parker told me about the other day that could be had in the middle rounds. I'll look that up for you here in a little bit.

 

moderator: Hello, Not slighting that TO can play balll but please tell me my boys were smart enough to put a clause in the contract to cover any mishaps by TO when football returns?? Afterall, a good player and bad press still equals trouble. Sonja Wilson

Matt Mosley: Excellent question, Sonja. Maybe there's something we're missing here, but I thought T.O. got the best end of this deal. The Cowboys may have few clauses in the contract we don't know about, but from what we know at this point, Owens is going to get $10 million this year. And he's really going to have to mess things up to lose any of that money. I'm still not sure why Jones is putting so much faith in this guy. He didn't even talk to the Eagles. Part of that is because they're a division rival who would almost certainly tell him how much of a nightmare T.O. is. But I don't know if Jerry hedged his bets enough here.

 

moderator: Matt, hope you are well. Really enjoy your columns up here in DC! Which TO will we get for 2007? I assume this year he will be a good boy and convention says he will revert to the old TO next year, but I wonder if age will preclude him from falling in the same pattern this time. Have you had any chance to talk with him? Many thanks, John John D. Porter

Matt Mosley: John, I answer all questions that begin with positive words about me! Now, back to T.O. I only had a chance to shake the man's hand. You have to understand that superstars develop the uncanny knack of being able to look through people, so I'm not sure our meeting was memorable for him. Regarding the 2007 question, I'm with you. That's when the sniping may begin. But if the guy gets the Cowboys deep into the playoffs this season, maybe it's worth the risk.

 

moderator: Why isn't anyone talking about how a few million more would have kept TO happy in Philly (and away from their arch-rival). Cheap. Hardheaded. Philly-ish. I think that's called being penny wise and pound foolish. Plus, how could they have spent that money more effectively? Ken Badt Dallas

Matt Mosley: Quick shout out to our witty moderator Ted on the sharpie comment. Ted does a fantastic job of keeping this thing moving. Ken, here's the deal on Philadelphia. They wouldn't take this guy back if he agreed to play for $100 per game. He almost single-handedly destroyed a team that was second in line to New England's dynasty. I mean this organization was in the NFC Championship game every single year.

 

moderator: Matt, You're a star among stars at CowboysPlus.com and I always get my popcorn ready for your columns. How do you think the T.O. signing will affect Terry Glenn? I think we will see two speed receivers who don't excel at the "possession receiver" short-to-intermediate routes and at blocking in the running game the way Keyshawn did. In Parcells's prehistoric offense, won't that be a problem? Thanks, Pete in Denver, CO.

Matt Mosley: Pete, I'm blushing. I think you guys need something stronger than popcorn to make it through my columns. I think you raise a valid point here on the speed receiver thing, but I will say that T.O. can run all the routes. He'll go inside and get you a first down on an intermediate route. I was also floored by the numbers he puts up in three-receiver formations. That's why you need someone like Patrick Crayton to emerge this season. Love the "prehistoric" line. I'm always on board for making fun of Bill.

 

moderator: I saw that allot of draft experts have the Boy's taking a wide receiver in the round 1. Do you think they still will with the addition of TO? They are still pretty old and this being probably a 1 year deal (anticipating TO blowing up after year 1) I think it'd be a good idea to get someone in here and get them assimilated to the system. Jody Steuerwald Madison, CT

Matt Mosley: I pause this chat to bring you a public service announcement...In my constant pursuit of shameless self-promotion, I've somehow landed a gig on ESPN's Outside the Lines this evening. It's the show after SportsCenter that about three of you might watch, but I just wanted to put you on notice. Now, back to your questions: I'll be my entire DMN signing bonus that the Cowboys don't take wide receiver in the first round. Look for them to trade down with that No. 18 pick and pick up a defensive tackle or linebacker in the second round. Or maybe both. Unless someone starts sliding that has tremendous value in the first, Jerry and Bill will be looking to deal that pick.

 

moderator: With it being the off season and Cowboy fans thirsty for information, I would like to hear your prospective on the 06 squad as an outsider coming in. Having competed against them, what is your insight on their young defense? As far as the offense, how will opposing defenses scheme against yourself, Glen, & Witten? And last, how would you grade the Cowboys in their approach to this year's free agency? Todd Parrett High Point, NC

Matt Mosley: Todd, you just became the first man on earth to get me mixed up with T.O. If we've somehow misled our audience into thinking it is talking to T.O., we've really screwed things up.

 

moderator: 1. Last year there was a verbal confrontation between Bledsoe and Keyshawn when Keyshawn fumbled a ball that led to an opponent's touchdown and Bledsoe chastised him. What did you think about that situation and would you have handled it any differently than Keyshawn?

Matt Mosley: How would I have handled it differently than Keyshawn? Ted, save me here! Some of these folks think they're talking to T.O.!!!!!!!!!!!

 

moderator: Could you break down the details of the contract? I am hoping this is not a deal which the Cowboys have invested a long-term commitment. What are the ramifications for the salary cap if we let TO go after Year 1? Year 2? Thanks, Stuart

Matt Mosley: Stuart, off the top of my head, the Cowboys owe T.O. $10 million in the first year, $5 million up front and $5 million base. In 2007, he makes another $5 million and receives a $3 million roster bonus. In 2008, he gets $4 million base and another $3 million roster bonus. Again, I may be missing something here. My esteemed colleague, Todd Archer, is our resident capologist, but I think T.O. counts somewhere in the neighborhood of $6.7 million against the cap this season.

 

moderator: What are the chances of the Cowboy resigning Keshawn again? Could you envision an offense with TO and KJ together? Sergio Loya

Matt Mosley: Sergio, I find this highly unlikely. Keyshawn also has a healthy-sized ego. He think he's worth more than the $2.5 million the Cowboys were set to pay him this season. He'll try to catch on with an established team like Seattle that would appreciate all his dirty work. This man wants to play with an elite quarterback, and since he told me how Matt Hasselbeck can throw "holes in your chest," I think that may be something to keep your eye on. You think Keyshawn wants to play second fiddle to the media circus that just showed up here.

 

Sloan: Will history repeat? T.O. will be a model Cowboy his first season. It is the following year(s) when the problems occur.

Matt Mosley: After looking over his body of work, no outcome would shock me. My gut tells me he'll keep his nose clean for at least one year. I mean this guy is unbelievably fortunate that a team would invest this much in him. If he has an ounce of sense, he'll make it through the first season just fine.

 

jb: Do you think TO will stay three years? Do you think he will be asked to stay after one?

Matt Mosley: This is the $25 million dollar question. As long as he produces and acts somewhat like a normal human in the locker room, he'll be around.

 

mojo: Was Parcell's really a part of this decision? And letting Keyshawn go?

Matt Mosley: Mr. Moderator, please put a question mark at the end of my last post...Parcells wasn't driving the bus on this deal, but I think he'll put on a happy face (for him) and try to make this thing work. It's not often that you can sign the best receiver in football off the street. He recognizes that. He also recognizes that Keyshawn is a complete nut.

 

G.I.: Why would the Cowboys ignore history? Despite the incredible talent, T.O. has never won. Even while he was putting up great stats with the 49ers and Eagles helping them have some regular season success, his personality was causing division in the locker room which caused long term problems. Even if you believe Parcells is a superior coach, or optimistically think that T.O. has learned his lessons (which is not evidenced by the fact that he has retained Rosenturd as his agent), what imperical evidence in the past indicates that he will put the Boys over the top in the near future?

Matt Mosley: Don't appreciate you saying such mean things about my pal Rosenhaus! As far as empirical data, I truly think he made the Eagles a better team in 2004. If Roy Williams hadn't horse-collared him, the guy was looking at an MVP trophy. I keep reading where people say he didn't make the Eagles better. Well, I think those folks are dead wrong when it comes to the 2004 season. The problem is that he played so brilliantly that he convinced himself the contract was no good. The Cowboys have tried to pay him enough to insure themselves against that type of reaction. And I'll be shocked if that line of thinking works.

 

davidjrjr: Sounds like we have about $11-12M left in cap space. Don't you think we should spend whatever it takes to sign Vinatieri?

Matt Mosley: You got your starting right tackle, a probable starting linebacker, a starting left guard, and oh year, a starting wide receiver. Now, it may be time to get a kicker. Just know that Vinatieri wants somewhere between $2.5 million and $3 million. It just turns Jerry's stomach to pay a kicker this much. When we finish this chat, I'll look into this Josh Brown situation a little more. I think he's a fantastic young kicker. At age 27, he hasn't even peaked yet. Huge range and doesn't miss the easy ones.

 

NOtoTO: Matt, what exactly are the Cowboys' ways out of TO's contract after this year? Next year? Are there any defined cancellation clauses?

Matt Mosley: Remember hearing Jerry Jones saying this contract was "no free lunch" for the Cowboys. He meant it. But remember that this is the NFL. After this season, they could cut him and not owe him any more money. Now, there would certainly be salary cap implications, but the only thing he's guaranteed is that first $5 million. Thanks for stopping by.

 

RyanMuir: Matt: Can the Cowboys realistically win a Super Bowl with Drew Bledsoe?

Matt Mosley: Wait, a non T.O. question? Say it ain't so. If given enough protection and weapons, Bledsoe's completely capable of taking you deep into the playoffs. And I seem to recall him getting a team to the Super Bowl at one point. It's sort of unfair that he'll always be remembered for being kicked to the curb in favor of Tom Brady. He's had a nice career in his own right.

 

Wayne: Is Jones out of his mind?

Matt Mosley: In a word, no. As I wrote about for Sunday's paper, this guy hasn't become a billionaire by playing it close to the vest. In some ways, this is his chance to make up for the fact he didn't draft Randy Moss in 1998. Jerry's drilled to the bottom of a lot of empty oil wells. As his good friend Larry Lacewell told me, this is just a "blip on the radar" among Jerry's biggest risks.

 

NFLProphet: How would you rank Owens' blocking skills compared to Keyshawn?

Matt Mosley: You guys are prolific. We're sitting here at 2 p.m. on a Monday, and I think we've had something like 100 folks submit questions. Anyway, I would be completely lying to act like I've studied Terrell Owens as a blocker. I'll just tell you this: That's not why he's here. The threat that he poses could help open up the running game, though. Teams have been able to put an extra safety in the box against the Cowboys in recent years. Those teams will have to think twice before doing that now. Keyshawn was indeed a great blocking receiver, but if I recall correctly, this team still barely averaged over 3.5 yards per carry.

 

jimmy191: Last year there was a rumor of Darren Woodson coming for playoffs if we had made it. Any talk of him playing this year?

Matt Mosley: That rumor was never stoked by Darren Woodson. His broadcasting careeer is off to a wonderful start, and he's not anywhere close to being in playing shape. I hate to be so blunt, but it's time to move on, folks.

 

fatwizeman: I think Dale Hansen is a bigger nut case than T.O. - The guy did act up in Philly. but come on, this guy is not stupid, he knows this is the last straw. What is your take on "Dumb Dale"?

Matt Mosley: Even if I wanted to criticize Dale Hansen (and I don't), the fact that we work for the same company prevents me from doing so in a public forum. But I don't think a stupid guy can end up becoming quite possibly the most popular and recognized local sports anchor in the nation. When Michael Jordan was at the peak of his stardom, he knew who Dale Hansen was. Wait, why the heck am I defending Hansen?

 

anuiano3000: Matt, I believe everyone should be given a fair chance, including T.O. Proof is in the pudding, at least the next batch of it. I do hope T.O. has learned his lesson. Do you feel that all transgressions can be forgiven in Dallas?

Matt Mosley: All transgressions will be forgiven when T.O. catches three touchdowns against the Eagles. That said, I'm sensitive to the fact that some longtime Cowboys fans will still be put off by this signing. But those are some of the same fans who said they'd never support the team again after Jerry fired Tom Landry.

 

thinny: If the Dallas offensive had one more TD a game, how many more games in '05 would they have won? (I am guess-timating it would be 3 to 5). Does TO bring that one TD per game difference?

Matt Mosley: That would require too much research in the small amount of time I have to answer this question, but e-mail me personally at mmosley@dallasnews.com, and we'll get it figured out later.

 

KeyBrain: Have you thought of changing the name of your column to 4th and long Yellow pad? Who are we more likely to go after agressively: Olindo Mare, Josh Brown, Matt V., or Adam Vinatieri?

Matt Mosley: The name of my column for next season will not be unveiled for another few months. Look for details on the unveiling party, which will be held in the Uptown area near downtown Dallas. Regarding kickers, Olindo Mare may be the best kickoff guy in the league, and that's been a problem with the Cowboys. As you've read in this extended chat, I'm a Josh Brown guy from way back. In fact, we stood next to him at a bar in Seattle only hours after he beat the Cowboys. I'm not sure why I shared that, but l think he'd be a tremendous addition. Again, I need to take my T.O. cap off and check on the Brown thing for you guys. My colleague and friend Todd Archer has been all over this one.

 

JM4gi1: Matt, love the Cowboys, and the TO signing but don't you think if the media keeps bashing him and pushing the coach about him during the course of the year that walls will be built for you guys? It may be good press but it will be counter productive in giving the fans the scoop on what they really want to hear. What do you think? Thanks Matt.

Matt Mosley: Just so you know, those walls have already been established. What's Parcells going to do? Tell us not to talk to assistant coaches. He will continue to be the mouthpiece for this organization as long as he's here. And no matter how much we "bash" the club, you should know that Jerry Jones has the thickest skin of any owner in professional sports. He's heard it all. And he's not going to crawl into a hole. Believe it or not, we've actually been accused of being too soft on the club over the past few years. I find it funny that many of you think we're way too hard on the Cowboys and other think we give them a free pass. Hopefully that means we're doing our job.

 

smartsports: Although this question is directly about T.O. it does indirectly involve him. I would like to know what you think the Cowboys are poised to do in regards to quaterback play. Will Drew Henson get a chance to earn the spot, is Romo for real, or will their draft plans include a QB?

Matt Mosley: I'm sad to report that we finally have to cut you guys off. I hope you've had as much fun as I had. Regarding this final question, Drew Bledsoe will be the starting quarterback unless he gets injured. It will be interesting to see if Henson can return from NFL Europe and challenge Tony Romo for the backup job. As always, you guys are a great audience. Look forward to our next visit. Yours for the time being, Matt.

[Hat Trick]

Good question. He's plas with Rosenidiot Theres a guy to run around with, bet that's fun.

 

I was about to say, Dang GI is a DAL fan no wonder I didn't get accepted

 

You're not though are you?

[General Itals]

The fact that I am a Dallas fan is the only reason you weren't accepted. We're idiots, you know.