What's The Scoop:
Well, it's back to the drawing board trying to find some depth at wide receiver.
Recently-acquired Charlie Adams failed his Cowboys physical because the Cowboys were concerned about his knees and will be sent back to Denver, which will return the Cowboys' 2007 sixth-round pick.
The Cowboys thought they had found a receiver to give them some peace of mind with third receiver Patrick Crayton nursing a high ankle sprain when they traded for Adams, who spent most of last year as the Broncos' third receiver. And obviously they thought highly of Adams, who seemingly was becoming expendable in Denver, if they were willing to part with a sixth-round draft choice.
"(The reason) wasn't something we knew about," Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells said during his late Friday morning media briefing. Parcells didn't specify exactly why Adams failed his physical.
So that leaves the Cowboys basically in the same boat before having apparently made this trade Thursday afternoon: Still trying to increase the depth at wide receiver they have been talking about now for more than a week. Their top two receivers remain Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens. Crayton would figure to be the third guy, but he has to get healthy. After that, the Cowboys have a fist full of inexperienced receivers, led by rookie free agent Sam Hurd and last year's fourth guy, Terrance Copper. Then there is fourth-round draft choice Skyler Green, who apparently has to make the 53-man roster as a kick returner, but primarily as a punt returner.
"I'd say we're kind of doing what we've been doing," Parcells said of continuing the search for a mid-range receiver with experience. "So we'll see where we go from there."
With Adams failing his physical, the Cowboys' roster remains at 81. Teams must cut to 75 on Aug. 29, which is two days prior to the Cowboys' final preseason game against Minnesota at Texas Stadium.
Quick Shots:
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he's not losing any sleep over the team's kicking situation with Mike Vanderjagt struggling a little with a sore groin and quad. "I have a lot of confidence based on his career," Jones said. Vanderjagt will kick field goals in Monday's preseason game against the Saints, said Parcells, and the plan is, if healthy, to start him working on his kickoffs next week back in Dallas.
- The Cowboys are scheduled for just one practice on Friday, two on Saturday and then a walk-through on Sunday before breaking camp to end the team's three-year stay in Oxnard, Calif. Jones said, "It's been great here . . . I do regret leaving here." The Cowboys have signed a five-year agreement with San Antonio to hold training camp at the Alamodome.
- The Cowboys will be in for a rude awakening when they touch down in Shreveport, La., for Monday night's preseason game. Get the IV's ready. Check this out from the Saints' training camp Thursday at Milsaps College in Jackson, Miss.: The afternoon temperature on the field when practice started (3:40 p.m.) was a steamy 101 degrees with a heat index of 107.
- The Cowboys will get a chance to face Saints running back Deuce McAllister, who will play for the first time since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Oct. 9. McAllister is expected to start and play the first quarter.
- Parcells said he is pretty sure Drew Bledsoe will be the Cowboys' starting quarterback in the Monday night preseason game being played in Shreveport, La. It's likely Bledsoe will play a half, with Tony Romo, who started a week ago in Seattle, playing the second half. Parcells didn't seem inclined to play a third quarterback in the game.
- When it comes to Terrell Owens playing Monday night, Parcells is remaining non-committal, saying he needs to see how the final three camp practices go before making a decision.
You Should've Seen:
Second-year kicker Shaun Suisham consistently knocking his kickoffs at least inside the five-yard line. And at this point, with kicker Mike Vanderjagt still nursing a sore groin and not having kicked off at all during camp - he says he won't even attempt any kickoffs until the team returns to Dallas - it appears Suisham might land a spot on the team as a kickoff specialist if he keeps this up.
Who's Hot:
Veteran guard Marco Rivera appears to be totally recovered from last year's off-season back surgery and is looking like the free agent the Cowboys thought they were signing last year. Offensive line coach Tony Sparano says with his back and legs stronger, Rivera's got more flexibility and is able to bend much better than he did last year.
Who's Not:
The much-maligned offensive line had been performing admirably since Saturday's preseason game in Seattle, but on Wednesday, the offense gave up four sacks on the first six snaps of the final team drill and Parcells banished the first team to the sideline. The next two plays Parcells spent staring in disgust at his first offensive line.
Injury Update:
S Justin Beriault, knee, expected to retire (8/14)
WR Patrick Crayton, sprained ankle (8/14)
Missed Practice:
WR Patrick Crayton (ankle)
Returned to Practice:
Owner Jerry Jones, (root canal)
Transactions:
WR Charlie Adams' trade nullified, failed physical (8/18)
WR Charlie Adams, acquired in trade from Denver for 2007 sixth-round pick (8/17)
S Justin Beriault, to be designated (8/14)
DE Jason Davis, released (8/14)
TE Erik Jensen, signed (8/9)
WR LaShaun Ward, signed (8/9)
QB Matt Baker, signed (8/6)
LB Kai Parham, released (8/6)
QB Jeff Mroz, released (8/6)
DE Vontrell Jamison, released (8/2)
DE Jason Davis, signed (8/1)
LB J.J. Horne, released (7/31)
WR Ahmad Merritt, released (7/31)
CB Byron Parker, released (7/31)
TE Brett Pierce, placed on injured reserve (7/31)
T Flozell Adams moved from PUP to active roster (7/30)
LB Bobby Carpenter, signed (7/29)
T E.J. Whitley, placed on injured reserve (7/29)
T Flozell Adams, placed on active PUP (7/28)
S Darrell Brooks, released (7/28)
G Shannon Snell, released (7/28)
Top BILL-ing:
"Texas was an awakening for me . . . it just doesn't stop." - Bill Parcells talking about the extended, intense summer heat people must deal with in Dallas while pointing out he likely will practice his team indoors the first few days next week to allow his the players to acclimate to the heat after practicing in the ideal climate of Oxnard.
