A potential draft pick's medical history may come into play more than in the past. Two of Cowboys’ most productive young talents - linebacker Sean Lee and running back DeMarco Murray - were periodically hurt in college. At Penn State, Lee tore the ACL in his right knee in 2008 before spraining his left knee a year later. Murray entered the NFL after suffering turf toe, a dislocated kneecap, a sprained ankle and a ruptured hamstring tendon. While Stephen Jones said the organization hasn’t altered its medical grading system for NFL prospects, he explained that the team is being more circumspect when evaluating a player who had a track record of getting hurt in college.
The Cowboys view 'demoted' coach Bill Callahan as an asset. When it was announced that Scott Linehan would be the new offensive play-caller last month, many wondered how Bill Callahan would take the news. Callahan previously handled the role. Outsiders saw the move as a demotion, and some wondered why the Cowboys were reluctant to allow Callahan to pursue other opportunities. "Bill Callahan is an unbelievable football coach," Stephen Jones said. "We just weren’t going to give him up. Jerry [Jones] and I have a great relationship and the coaches have a great relationship with him."
DeMarcus Ware is on the road to good health but his salary cap number puts him in a tenuous situation. Ware had successful surgery Tuesday on his right elbow, and executive vice president Stephen Jones said the defensive end would be ready for the off-season program. Ware has a $16.003 cap number and his base salary is $12.25 million. "DeMarcus had a hell of a career but when we’re in the cap situation that we’re in and obviously counting as much as he is obviously you have to look at it along with several others," Jones said.
The Cowboys believe Tony Romo will recover completely from back surgery. Fifty-five days have passed since Romo underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk last December that prevented him from playing in the season-ending loss to Philadelphia. Stephen Jones expressed confidence that Romo will be on the field for organized team activities this spring. “By the time everything rolls around to OTAs and everything, I think he’ll be participating in it,” Jones said at the NFL scouting combine. “I think he’s on target and feels good. Our trainers and doctors feel good. I think he’ll be fine.”
Cowboys would welcome Michael Sam. Executive vice president Stephen Jones said he believes Dallas’ veteran players would be receptive to Michael Sam, should Dallas draft the Missouri star who revealed recently that he is gay. "Someone’s preference in terms of any part of their personal life” wouldn’t threaten the dynamic in the locker room," Jones said. “I think at the end of the day our guys want to win. I can’t imagine our players wouldn’t welcome him. I know we would. If he’s at the right time in the right place, we’d certainly look at taking him.”
The Cowboys view 'demoted' coach Bill Callahan as an asset. When it was announced that Scott Linehan would be the new offensive play-caller last month, many wondered how Bill Callahan would take the news. Callahan previously handled the role. Outsiders saw the move as a demotion, and some wondered why the Cowboys were reluctant to allow Callahan to pursue other opportunities. "Bill Callahan is an unbelievable football coach," Stephen Jones said. "We just weren’t going to give him up. Jerry [Jones] and I have a great relationship and the coaches have a great relationship with him."
DeMarcus Ware is on the road to good health but his salary cap number puts him in a tenuous situation. Ware had successful surgery Tuesday on his right elbow, and executive vice president Stephen Jones said the defensive end would be ready for the off-season program. Ware has a $16.003 cap number and his base salary is $12.25 million. "DeMarcus had a hell of a career but when we’re in the cap situation that we’re in and obviously counting as much as he is obviously you have to look at it along with several others," Jones said.
The Cowboys believe Tony Romo will recover completely from back surgery. Fifty-five days have passed since Romo underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk last December that prevented him from playing in the season-ending loss to Philadelphia. Stephen Jones expressed confidence that Romo will be on the field for organized team activities this spring. “By the time everything rolls around to OTAs and everything, I think he’ll be participating in it,” Jones said at the NFL scouting combine. “I think he’s on target and feels good. Our trainers and doctors feel good. I think he’ll be fine.”
Cowboys would welcome Michael Sam. Executive vice president Stephen Jones said he believes Dallas’ veteran players would be receptive to Michael Sam, should Dallas draft the Missouri star who revealed recently that he is gay. "Someone’s preference in terms of any part of their personal life” wouldn’t threaten the dynamic in the locker room," Jones said. “I think at the end of the day our guys want to win. I can’t imagine our players wouldn’t welcome him. I know we would. If he’s at the right time in the right place, we’d certainly look at taking him.”
