Cowboys Activate Tony Romo
The Cowboys have activated quarterback Tony Romo from the injured reserve/designated to return list, reports Todd Archer of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The four-time Pro Bowler hasn’t played since Week 2, when he fractured his clavicle in a win over the Eagles. The activation was somewhat predictable, considering this was the first week Romo was eligible to return.
Everything was looking good for the Cowboys following their dramatic opening day victory over the Giants, when Romo passed for 356 yards, three scores and two interceptions. After the game, we learned Dez Bryant was going to miss extended time, and the wideout ended up missing close to two months with a foot injury. Romo went down with his fracture the next week, a hard break for a team that was hoping to contend.
It’s worth noting that the Week 2 victory over Philadelphia was the last time the Cowboys recorded a win. In Romo’s absence, Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassell have combined to go 0-7, compiling 1,547 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Despite their prolonged losing streak, the Cowboys are still confident they could sneak into the playoffs.
“I don’t think that anyone in this locker room thinks by any means that the season is over, and I think they understand,” Romo told Archer. “I have conveyed that message to them. I think our coach has. You can tell by the way they play. You lose enough games, it can creep in where it feels that way.
“I just think our team has given 100 percent effort and commitment. That is exciting to see.”
NFC Notes: Rams, Hardy, Lions
Rams wideout Tavon Austin will be returning to his hometown of Baltimore to take on the Ravens this weekend. The former West Virginia University standout is happy playing in St. Louis, but he did tell Joe Lyons of STLToday.com that the Ravens did check up on him during the 2013 draft.
“They were definitely staying in touch,’’ the receiver said. “I had a great meeting with them. The GM (Ozzie Newsome) is an awesome guy. I thought they were going to pull the trigger, but Coach Fisher did. I’m proud he did and I’m happy to be a Ram.’’
Let’s check out some other assorted notes from around the NFC…
- The Cowboys have shown that they’re willing to deal with all of Greg Hardy‘s on and off the field issues, leading Jon Machota of DallasNews.com to predict that the defensive end will play in Dallas next season. The 27-year-old appears to like the organization, and the writer believes Hardy would willingly return, assuming Dallas offers him close to what he wants.
- Following news that Lions interim general manager Sheldon White would be a candidate for the full-time gig, the executive acknowledged that his team needs to win if he wants to keep the job. “Obviously if we don’t then, I won’t be a candidate,” White told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “But if we win these games and we find ways to get better and improve our roster, maybe I will be.”
- New Lions president Rod Wood is confident that his team isn’t far away from contention, and with that mindset, Birkett believes quarterback Matthew Stafford could be sticking around. However, Wood did acknowledge that the decision would be up to the general manager. “I’m going to leave that to the general manager, but they’re great players,” Wood said, adding, “Matthew is my quarterback on my fantasy team if that means anything.”
NFL Mailbags: Jets, Cowboys, Eagles
It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s take a look at some of the notable answers, including a cameo by Dave Zangaro of CSNPhilly.com…
- Rich Cimini believes the Jets should explore the trade market for Sheldon Richardson, if only to “gauge the market.” The defensive tackle is expected to be hit with a lengthy punishment for a personal-conduct violation, and he’s also set to become a free agent following the 2017 season (assuming the Jets pick up his fifth-year option).
- Meanwhile, Cimini expects Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, and Leonard Williams to all be back with the Jets next season. However, he could envision the team parting ways with nose tackle Damon Harrison.
- The Cowboys may want to start rethinking their strategy of signing veterans for their backup quarterback role, writes Todd Archer. Matt Cassell and Brandon Weeden have combined to go 0-7 this season, and the writer is confident a first-year player could still succeed (or at least gain some invaluable experience) by playing behind Dallas’ intimidating offensive line.
- While the Cowboys coaches should be held accountable for the lost season, Archer believes a good portion of the staff will return, including Jason Garrett, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.
- Zangaro anticipates the Eagles pursuing a young quarterback this offseason who better meshes with coach Chip Kelly‘s offensive system. Still, the writer believes it’s worth having at least one of Mark Sanchez or Sam Bradford on the roster, regardless of the changes.
Extra Points: Goodell, Los Angeles, Draft
The NFL and NFL Players Associations are engaged in negotiations regarding commissioner Roger Goodell‘s role in player discipline, and according to NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith, the two sides are having “the right conversations,” writes Mark Maske of the Washington Post. While there’s been some speculation that resolving Goodell’s involvement in the player-discipline process might have to wait until the next CBA extension, both sides have noted that modifications could be made before that.
“There’s no need for other issues,” Smith said. “We’ve resolved drug policy as a stand-alone issue. We cut side letters to the collective bargaining agreement every year that are issues. At the end of the day, I think that this is an important issue for both sides. And I don’t think either the players or the owners really want to be talking about commissioner discipline during the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl. I don’t think that’s good for our business. I’m sure they don’t think it’s good for our business.”
Let’s round up a few more odds and ends from around the NFL…
- Having long been on top of the Los Angeles relocation rumors swirling around a trio of NFL teams, Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times takes a step back to evaluate where the situation stands now, using a Q&A format to address the most frequently-asked questions about the possibility of the Rams, Chargers, or Raiders moving to L.A.
- Field Yates of ESPN.com examines a few teams that might like to have do-overs on big offseason transactions, noting that neither the Eagles nor the Rams have made out particularly well in their Sam Bradford/Nick Foles swap. Yates also identifies the Seahawks‘ acquisition of Jimmy Graham and the Cowboys‘ plan to replace DeMarco Murray as moves that haven’t worked out as planned.
- There are at least 10 NFL teams – and probably more – that will consider drafting a quarterback in the spring of 2016, according to Mike Sando and Mel Kiper of ESPN.com, who take a look at the clubs in need of QBs, along with a few of the top college options available to them.
- Alabama already had two defensive linemen – A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed – projected as potential first-round picks, and there are some in NFL circles that believe Jonathan Allen could make it three first-round defensive linemen for the Crimston Tide, writes Matt Zenitz of AL.com.
NFC East Notes: Collins, Cruz, JPP
Before choosing to sign with the Cowboys, offensive lineman La’el Collins whittled down his list of suitors from 16, to eight, to six. That list of finalists included the the Bucs, Chargers, Dolphins, Falcons, Giants, and, of course, the Cowboys, Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report writes.
In total, agent Deryk Gilmore of Priority Sports estimates that he was contacted by at least 25 interested teams. Gilmore also estimates that Collins going undrafted cost his client at least $14MM, because that’s the amount that offensive lineman Ereck Flowers got from the Giants on a four-year deal. The agent feels that Collins would not have slipped past the Giants at No. 9, but that should probably be taken with a grain of salt since many mock drafts had the LSU product going later in the first round.
Here’s more out of the NFC East:
- Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (on Twitter) could see the Giants moving on from pending free agent wide receiver Rueben Randle this offseason. He feels that Victor Cruz, on the other hand, could be back with the team on a reduced deal. Graziano (on Twitter) also opines that Jason Pierre-Paul is more likely to stay with the club than he was a few weeks ago because of the way he has carried himself since his return. Things were rather contentious between JPP and the Giants this offseason, but everything seems to have mellowed and the defensive end has been productive.
- Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones told SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link) that the competition committee was “unanimous” in its decision to OK the trading of compensatory picks. The new rule “creates new opportunities” for teams looking to trade, he added.
- Earlier tonight we ran down a few items on the Cowboys, including an op-ed from a leading NFLPA official regarding Greg Hardy.
Cowboys Notes: Hardy, Weeden, NFLPA
In a wide-ranging Q&A, Michael Florek of The Dallas Morning News spoke with Cowboys linebacker Keith Smith and even worked in a Tinder pickup line as a question. When asked whether he’d rather fight a horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses, Smith had an interesting take.
“Oh that’s tough. I’d probably say a horse-sized duck because you know what’s right in front of you. You know what you’re going to get. It is what it is. It ain’t got no arms. It’s got some wings, but it is what it is.”
While you ponder that conundrum, here’s more out of Dallas:
- In an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio (via Twitter), Cowboys COO Stephen Jones was asked about the behavior of star defensive end Greg Hardy. “Internally I don’t think Greg Hardy is a problem. He’s not perfect, there’s things he has to work on,” Jones said. Hardy, who sat out the bulk of the 2014 season and part of the 2015 season, has come under additional fire in recent weeks after pictures of badly bruised ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder surfaced.
- In an op-ed for USA Today, NFLPA Assistant Executive Director of External Affairs George Atallah responded to the criticisms of USA Today columnist Christine Brennan regarding their handling of Hardy. Brennan put some heat on the NFLPA, questioning their support of the Cowboys star. Attalah makes the case that the NFLPA had an obligation to stand up for Hardy’s rights under the CBA, even if the incident was an ugly one.
- After giving Brandon Weeden multiple opportunities to show what he could do, Jones told SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link) that the team just didn’t see a future for the quarterback in Dallas. Weeden, 32, entered the season as Tony Romo’s backup, and looked good in relief of the injured starter in Week 2, completing all seven of his passes for 73 yards and a touchdown, as Dallas secured a 20-10 win over the Eagles. However, Weeden was up and down in his next three starts, throwing just one touchdown in those games, as the Cowboys lost all three. Eventually, Weeden lost the temporary starting gig to veteran Matt Cassel. On Wednesday, he was scooped up by the Texans.
NFC Notes: D. Hall, Cowboys, Lions
Washington defensive back DeAngelo Hall, a longtime cornerback who has earned three Pro Bowl nods at the position, wants to play safety not just to extend his career, but to make a real impact, writes Liz Clarke of the Washington Post.
“I’m not gonna try to go play safety just to try to extend my career,” Hall said. “I’m gonna go play safety just to be a damn good safety. I’m not in the business of just trying to just tack on years. I can go home and hang with my kids and my family before I do that.”
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- In addition to the trio of ex-Seahawks running backs the Cowboys have acquired this year, Dallas also tried to sign Thomas Rawls as a priority free agent, Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets. The Cowboys are currently carrying former Seattle backs Robert Turbin and Rod Smith on their roster, having recently cut Christine Michael.
- Explaining why the Seahawks released wide receiver Chris Matthews this week, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said that the club “just didn’t feel like we got what we were looking for” from Matthews (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times). The Seattle OC praised Matthews talent, but cautioned there was more to on-field success than that. “You have to be able to fit in and you have to be able to make plays when your opportunities come,” Bevell said. “You have to be able to understand the offense and do the right thing, and all those things together, it just wasn’t enough.”
- With a game against Carson Palmer‘s old team coming up this weekend, Cardinals GM Steve Keim said he can’t believe his club got the quarterback “for basically nothing,” tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com. Of course, Arizona’s game this week is against the Bengals, who got a much more significant return for Palmer when they sent to him to Oakland than the Raiders did when they sent him to the Cards.
- The Lions‘ search for secondary depth resulted in workouts for defensive backs Danny Gorrer, R.J. Stanford, and Brock Vereen, along with a visit from cornerback Josh Gordy, per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter links). The team ultimately signed veteran corner Bill Bentley, who also had an audition this week.
Workout Notes: Jets, Giants, Pats, Colts
Wednesday’s workouts from around the NFL:
- The Jets worked out kickers Corey Acosta, Michael Barnard, Tommy Frevert, Andrew Furney, Zach Hocker, Marvin Kloss, and Giorgio Tavecchio as well as wide receiver/kick returners Trindon Holliday and Damaris Johnson, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
- The Giants worked out running back Robert Turbin (now with the Cowboys), tackle Jake Rodgers, guard Jared Smith, linebacker Kevin Snyder, guard Anthony Steen, guard Donald Thomas, quarterback Dustin Vaughan, tight end Connor Hamlett, defensive lineman Toby Johnson, linebacker Jeff Luc, linebacker Mike Mohamed, and defensive back Floyd Raven, according to Wilson (Twitter links).
- The Patriots worked out running backs Dominique Brown and Marion Grice, wide receivers Andre Davis and Antwan Goodley, defensive end Glenn Foster, defensive backs Jonathon Mincy, and tight end Justin Tukes, per Wilson (Twitter links).
- The Colts auditioned defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi and tackle John Wetzel, Wilson tweets.
- The Dolphins auditioned tackel Cameron Clear, tight end Blake Annen, and linebacker Curtis Grant, Wilson tweets.
- The Seahawks worked out running back DuJuan Harris, Wilson tweets.
- The Rams worked out tackle James Brewer, Wilson tweets.
- With issues at long snapper, the Eagles worked out Tyler Ott and Patrick Scales, Wilson tweets.
Texans Claim QB Brandon Weeden
4:44pm: The Texans are cutting cornerback Jumal Rolle to create a roster spot for Weeden, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
4:26pm: The Texans have claimed Brandon Weeden off waivers from the Cowboys, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Weeden was waived by Dallas on Tuesday.
Weeden, 32, entered the season as Tony Romo’s backup, and looked good in relief of the injured starter in Week 2, completing all seven of his passes for 73 yards and a touchdown, as Dallas secured a 20-10 win over the Eagles. However, Weeden was up and down in his next three starts, throwing just one touchdown in those games, as the Cowboys lost all three. Eventually, Weeden lost the temporary starting gig to veteran Matt Cassel.
On the outside, Weeden is a logical pickup for Houston as starter Brian Hoyer goes through concussion protocol. On the other hand, as Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets, Weeden isn’t really a Bill O’Brien-type quarterback. Then again, competent quarterbacks are hard to find and Weeden, at the very least, has in-game experience to offer.
Christine Michael Clears Waivers
Former Cowboys running back Christine Michael is now a free agent after clearing waivers, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Michael, who just recently turned 25, was waived by the Cowboys on Tuesday. While former teammate Brandon Weeden was scooped up by the Lone Star State’s other team, it appears that no one was interested in picking up Michael’s contract.
Michael had been expected to get an increased workload after Joseph Randle was demoted and then released, but it was the veteran, Darren McFadden, who ended up taking many of those carries. In five games with the Cowboys, Michael ran for just 51 yards on 15 attempts, adding a single reception for two yards. The Seahawks, who traded Michael to the Cowboys earlier in the year, are still expected to receive a conditional pick from Dallas as a result of that swap, since the running back was on the Cowboys’ active roster for enough games.