Cowboys Cut Pacman Jones

So, Jerry Jones lets one of his experiments go. On the surface, it seems like it's the right move with the proper motives. Pacman is charged with hiring someone to kill another person. Well, there he goes again. But. The charge is from 2007!! Why is this coming up now? Did Jerry need a good reason to let Pacman go?

From a football prospective, I hate it. I want the much talked about move of Henry to safety. He's simply too slow as a corner. As a safety, he can return to a high level of play. Shifting Henry over and losing Pacman means the Cowboys have Newman, Scandrick and Jenkins left at corner. If and when Newman goes down, you only have Scandrick and Jenkins at corner. Granted I loved what Scandrick did last year, but is he really ready to cover some of the more elite wide receivers out there. Do you trust Scandrick or Jenkins to cover Randy Moss?

The D Is Back In Dallas

DeMarcus Ware is 3 1/2 sacks away from tying Michael Strahan's single season sack record. Terence Newman picked up two interceptions last night. The defense overall played like a championship caliber defense. Maybe Wade should have taken over some of the defensive responsibilty sooner. We wouldn't have been in a backs against the wall mode. Better late than never.

As the focus was primarily on the offense, particularly TO, Witten and Romo, the defense steps up and controlled the game from the outset. Eight sacks. Of course, it helps when Plaxico Burress and Brandon Jacobs are out. Their two best offensive threats. My ticker tape celebration is temporarily on hold. With two of the best defensive efforts since the Jimmy Johnson era, our defense is back on the map. We've always had the talent, but we finally are reaching that potential. No surprise that Roy Williams isn't on the field. Sorry, cheap shot.

Back to the Owens drama, it got reduced a little this week with the win, but it's still there. If we don't make the playoffs or if we get ousted in the first game, it'll rear it's ugly head with a vengeance. I think we have to win one playoff game for this to end peacefully. Or have a chance to end peacefully.

Cowboys Season In Jeopardy

If Romo doesn't play in the next three weeks, Dallas' season might be over. Consider the next three opponents, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and the New York Giants. The Giants game is a loss. The Tampa game is at home so it helps but I see us losing that game as well. The only game that I have the Cowboys favored in is the St. Louis game. That puts us at 5-4 record at the bye week.

In the NFC, I have NY Giants winning the East and the Arizona Cardinals winning the West. That leaves Washington (4-2), Philadelphia (3-3), Green Bay (3-3), Chicago (3-3), Minnesota (3-3), Tampa Bay (4-2), Carolina (4-2), Atlanta (4-2) and New Orleans (3-3) fighting Dallas for the other four playoff slots. And we can only get a wild card.

Other reasons I don't think we'll make the playoffs. We can't rely on the defense. Terence Newman, remember, is also out for a month. Our defense, as highly touted as they are, has allowed 8 more points than the Saints' defense. I have serious doubts on whether or not our defense can carry us to wins. Brad Johnson? Everyone says he's capable, but the fact remains that he's about a 75 rating QB. We're struggling to beat opponents with a 100+ rating QB. Add to that, Felix Jones is out a month. Our most dangerous weapon besides TO.

Oh, and by the way, Mat McBriar is out for 8-9 weeks and Sam Hurd is out 6-8 weeks. At the beginning of the season, people were talking about missing the playoffs at 11-5 given the strong NFC East. We might have four of those five losses at the bye week. And then Romo has to win seven games in a row to put us at 12-4.

Injury Report: Cowboys Training Camp

Terence Newman missed Monday's practice due to a pulled groin midway through as a teammate accidentally kneed him in the thigh. Details about the severity of the injury are unavailable at this time, although he was seen walking without a limp. Mike Jenkins, the first round corner, spent some time with the first team in his place.

Other injuries involve cornerback Quincy Carter. Just kidding. It's cornerback Quincy Butler (leg), linebacker Justin Rogers (stomach virus) and linebacker Tearrius George (knee).

Cowboys Sign Barber & Newman Through 2014

Terence Newman signs a six year extension worth more than $50 million dollars. The new contract puts him in the same range as Asante Samuel and Marcus Trufant salary wise. As the lone stud in the secondary, this is a wise move and T New deserves the contract. 

I would like to see more interceptions or turnovers in general from Newman. But overall,  he's one of the best corners in the league. He should receive some much needed reinforcements with the additions of Pacman and Mike Jenkins. So, he should receive more opportunities to see the ball thrown his way. 

Marion Barber is a much happier running back as he receives a seven year, $45 million contract with $16 million dollars guaranteed. He is a fan favorite and I love the way he punishes defenders who try to tackle him. But not for a part-time back. With the addition of Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, Barber will not be a full time back. 

Given that, the fact that he hasn't proven that he could even handle a full load of carries with his aggressive running style plus his average pass blocking skills. I believe that this is a mistake. Not a Roy Williams mistake but a mistake nonetheless. Not because I don't believe he's a good back. I think he's a wonderful running back but $45 million dollars for a player that's not on the field every down.

If you're not convinced that he was overpaid, consider this. Only LaDainian Tomlinson is guaranteed more money. Is Barber the second best back in the league?