Cowboys give CB Scandrick five-year, $27 million contract

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Orlando Scandrick came into the NFL determined to prove he was better than a fifth-round pick. Before even finishing his rookie contract, the cornerback convinced the Dallas Cowboys how much he's worth.

On Wednesday, Scandrick received a five-year extension worth $27 million -- an additional $2 million this season, and an average of $5 million per season for the added years. He's guaranteed $10 million, according to a person familiar with negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not released.

"The chip is still on my shoulder," Scandrick said. "Now I need to prove that I'm worth it."

Scandrick came to training camp knowing there was a chance for a new deal from Dallas or that he could play his way into bigger money as a free agent next summer. Having quickly won over new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan with his strong play the first month of camp, talks heated up between the Cowboys and Scandrick's agent. He wound up getting the kind of money a No. 2 cornerback would get, even though he's considered No. 3, behind Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.

"I always told myself if I got to a certain number, I would take it. And they met my number," Scandrick said, later adding that the overall deal exceeded his expectations.

The deal was done about a half-hour before the Cowboys took the field for a night time practice at their stadium. Word had spread to his teammates and they congratulated him. Then he had a practice befitting his new salary -- an interception, a sack and a blocked field goal.

"I felt energetic, my confidence raised," Scandrick said. "I'm not playing to not make mistakes now. Now I'm playing to make plays. I expect to have a tremendous year."

The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Scandrick arrived in 2008, the same season Jenkins was taken in the first round. Jenkins' signing bonus alone was bigger than Scandrick's entire deal. The various slights, combined with a supreme confidence and strong work ethic, have fueled Scandrick ever since.

Just last week, he was angry enough to hurl a helmet. He and secondary coach Dave Campo bicker constantly.

"He's happy with me today," Campo said, laughing.

Campo tested that, making sure that Scandrick's fire will still rage now that he's in a new tax bracket.

"I just said, 'Hey, you can't lose your edge,' " Campo said. "There's a fine line between the penthouse and you know the other spot. This guy is not a 6-foot, 205-pound corner that runs a 4.3. He's not a real big guy. He's got to keep the edge, be ready to play. I think he'll do that. He's smart enough to do that."

Scandrick found his niche in the nickel package, covering the slot receiver. Campo said Scandrick is among the best in the league at that difficult task.

The challenge, Campo said, is all the adjustments that have to be made within the defense depending on what they expect the offense to do. That requires lots of studying, which Scandrick does as well as anyone. Then there's the difficulty of a receiver being able to break in either direction; on the outside, cornerbacks can cheat one way or another because of the sideline.

"Some guys can do it and some guys can't," Campo said. "He's smart, tough enough and fast. That's pretty good."

He's also only 24.

"That Scandrick is a terrific player," Ryan said earlier in camp. "People want to say he's a sub guy, but this guy is really a special player. That role is very difficult. He has to be one of the smartest guys on the team and also one of the most talented. We're real fortunate. I really like Orlando. I think he should be excellent in our system."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Former Cowboys WR Williams appears headed to the Bears

One day after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys, wide receiver Roy Williams has agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears, NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported Friday, citing a source with knowledge of the situation.

Williams, who had a disappointing stint with the Cowboys after Dallas traded four draft picks to the Detroit Lions to get him, caught 37 passes for 530 yards and five touchdowns with the Cowboys last season. In his two-and-a-half seasons with Dallas, he had 94 catches for 1,324 yards and 13 touchdowns in 40 games.

In Chicago, Williams will be reunited with offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who was the Lions coordinator when Williams enjoyed his best years in Detroit. A first-round pick of the Lions in 2004, Williams joins a Bears receiving corps that featured only two receivers with more than 40 catches last season, Johnny Knox (51) and Earl Bennett (46).

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Williams says he understands Cowboys' decision to cut him

Roy Williams has heard the verdict from Jerry Jones, and he understands the decision.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Tuesday that Williams was at home when he received word from Jones, the Dallas Cowboys' owner, that he would be released. Teams officially can cut their own players Thursday.

The wide receiver told the newspaper that Jones said the move was being made for salary-cap reasons.

"It is a business. It is what it is," Williams said. "It's a business. I would have done the same thing."

The decision will end Williams' disappointing 2½-season Cowboys tenure that began in the middle of 2008, when Dallas traded away four draft picks -- including a 2009 first-rounder -- to acquire the receiver. Williams signed a five-year extension worth $45 million, including more than $20 million guaranteed, on the day of the trade, but he never quite lived up to expectations. He hauled in 94 catches for 1,324 yards and 13 touchdowns in 40 games with the team.

The Star-Telegram reported that Williams was scheduled to make $5.1 million in base salary and would have counted $9.5 million against the cap.

Williams expressed regret for the way his time in Dallas turned out.

"It wasn't even close to what I thought it was going to be," Williams said. "I appreciated the opportunity Mr. Jones gave me. I just got a chance to play with three of the best players I have ever seen in Jason Witten, Jay Ratliff and DeMarcus Ware. It was a great opportunity. But it's over."

The tenures for several other Cowboys also appears to be over.

Right guard Leonard Davis was told he will be released once teams are allowed to do so, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team hadn't made an announcement. Right tackle Marc Colombo said he was told that he, too, could be gone.

Running back Marion Barber came and went from team headquarters within an hour, and he likely also received a farewell from Jones. Barber honked twice as he left in his car, but he didn't stop to speak with reporters.

Jones arrived at team headquarters about 40 minutes before the official start of the post-lockout flurry of activity and proclaimed that he would clear enough space under the salary cap to sign anyone he wants. He added that, "Before the day is over, we will have contact with any player we have an interest in."

Part of the money being cleared is to re-sign left tackle Doug Free. A four-year veteran, Free went from a restricted free agent to unrestricted under the terms of the lockout.

Dallas also spent its top draft pick on Tyron Smith. He was expected to replace Colombo at right tackle but could be forced to the left side if Free gets away.

Free was among the first players at team headquarters, perhaps so Jones could tell him he's the team's top priority.

Colombo said he expected to find out whether or not he's sticking around "in the next day or so."

"My goal is to play here," said Colombo, who was among the veterans who helped run offseason practices. "If it doesn't (happen), it's been a great six years here with the Dallas Cowboys and I appreciate it."

These cuts could be an indication that the Cowboys are, in fact, players in the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes, as has been rumored all offseason.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Saints' Payton hosts beach football game with Cowboys stars

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton had to go on vacation to find a football game.

Payton, at his holiday home in WaterColor, Fla., organized a beach football clash Saturday with a Dallas Cowboys-heavy guest list: quarterback Tony Romo, tight end Jason Witten and Hall of Fame signal-caller Troy Aikman. Detroit Lions linebacker Bobby Carpenter, formerly of the Cowboys, also joined in the spirited 7-on-7 matchup, according to SportsNola.com.

"It got so competitive to where the whole beach was watching," Payton told the website. "A highlight for me was my son Connor caught a touchdown pass from Romo. No, he didn't spike it -- he knows better."

For those wondering if Payton's beach football game violates the lingering lockout's "no-contact" policy, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tweeted in April that it does allow for "normal social interaction" between players and coaches.

Payton served as an assistant with the Cowboys from 2003 to 2005 and ruffled some feathers in March when he moved his family from New Orleans to a gated community in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, leading to rumors that he was eyeing a front-office position with the Cowboys, according to SportsNOLA.com. But Payton, who has two more years on his Saints contract, hasn't given any indication that he's looking to move on from the team.

Payton said his assistants decided to take their scheduled vacations this month with hopes that the season will start on time.

"It's been real quiet," Payton said. "Obviously, we pay attention. We're all waiting to hear good news. I get the news from the Internet, or the newspaper, or the TV just like you do. I'll touch base once a week with (Saints general manager) Mickey (Loomis)."

Payton acknowledged that the lockout presents new challenges to coaches and front-office personnel around the league.

"There are going to have to be some ground rules to operate that transition into training camp," Payton said. "If you were to ask me what's the first thing I'd like to have, it's a period of time with the rookies to get them jump-started like you normally would have had after the draft.

"That has been in the back of my mind as something that's possibly on the horizon, if and when this is resolved within a certain time frame. We'd like to do that, but we'll have to acquiesce to whatever we're told by the league. But what I'd like to do is have a 2- or 3-day rookie orientation. I'd like to have that take place before the start of training camp if it's possible. It may not be."

Said Payton: "I'm optimistic that we're going to play preseason games. I'm sure there is a lot to do, but the good news is, it's July 2nd. I know there is the Hall of Fame Game in early August, and there are other things to consider, but logistics vary from team to team. I really think the only thing you can do is remain optimistic and just stay on top of it as best you can."

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Former Cowboys LB Myles dead after heart attack, team says

Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Godfrey Myles has died at 42 after suffering a massive heart attack, the team announced on its website.

Myles suffered the heart attack Wednesday and was on life support before his death late Thursday night, the Cowboys reported, citing reports.

The death initially was announced on the University of Florida football program's official Twitter account, which listed the cause of death as a massive stroke.

Myles, a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection as a Gators senior, was drafted in 1990 by the Cowboys and played six seasons with the team. He was part of three Super Bowl championship teams and made 11 career starts, all during the 1995 season.

Myles was one of three men indicted in March on federal mortgage-fraud charges, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

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Bryant determined to be a Cowboys star, not a problem

TULSA, Okla. -- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is proclaiming himself ready to go whenever the NFL lockout is over, ending an offseason he'd rather forget.

"There will be an NFL season, and I think we will start on time," Bryant said Saturday afternoon during an appearance at a local department store about an hour from Oklahoma State, where he played college football. "I know Dallas will be ready to go, and I'll be ready to put on my helmet and go to work."

Cowboys owner stands by his man

Bryant said he doesn't have any lingering effects from the broken ankle that he suffered against the Indianapolis Colts in early December. It put an abrupt stop to Bryant's rookie season, in which he had 45 catches for 561 yards and six touchdowns and also returned two punts for scores.

"I'm very determined to stay healthy this season," Bryant said. "I'm working hard, and I am staying focused on that. I'm running routes every day to get ready. It was 104 degrees yesterday, and I was running gassers. I feel good, and I'm ready to play."

Although the lockout, in its third month, is keeping players away from the team's facility, Bryant and his teammates are working out on their own.

"We're getting together two or three times a week at an undisclosed location," Bryant said with a smile. "We can't be at the facility, but everything else is fine. We're going through practice and getting ready. The work stoppage isn't hurting me at all. I'm motivating myself to be ready."

The practice routine has been welcomed by Bryant, who had been facing more than $800,000 in debt and lawsuits after several spending sprees. He also had a well-publicized run-in with security at a Dallas-area mall.

"I have a handle on it, and it's done," Bryant said when asked about his money problems. "It's in the past, and I'm ready to go ahead from here."

Bryant's offseason problems and the lockout did little to dissuade Dallas and Oklahoma State fans from attending Saturday's autograph session. The autograph line started forming 2½ hours before Bryant's appearance.

Bryant was quick to dismiss stories that the offseason money problems caused a rift between himself and his teammates or Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

"From what I see, my relationship with Mr. Jones is fabulous," Bryant said. "The relationship between Big Tony (Romo, the Cowboys' quarterback) and me is great. He believes in me and knows what I can do. If he throws a jump ball, he knows that I will go up and get it."

Bryant also said he's excited to begin working with his new position coach, Jimmy Robinson, who signed with the Cowboys less than one week after helping the Green Bay Packers win last season's Super Bowl.

"I feel about him the same way I do coach (Jason) Garrett," Bryant said. "He's a determined guy who wants to win. With that kind of attitude, you can't go wrong. Knowing that, it's easy for me to buy into his philosophy.

"I think we'll be more aggressive this year with (Garrett) in charge. I still have a bad taste in my mouth after starting 1-7 last year, and that makes me motivated and determined for this season."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Bryant determined to be a Cowboys star, not a problem

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Romo grateful for support from Cowboys legend Staubach

Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach threw his support behind Tony Romo last week, saying there's no basis for the verbal attacks the Dallas Cowboys' current signal-caller has to endure.

Romo appreciates those comments, especially coming from Staubach.

"Roger is a great quarterback," Romo told the Dallas Morning News on Monday. "He's one of the best players of all time, and any time someone speaks highly of you, coming from that kind of credibility, I think it always definitely makes you feel good. Roger is a class act."

Staubach said last week that Romo "hasn't been the problem" in Dallas.

"He's done unbelievable," said Staubach, who led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl titles in the 1970s. "He's right at the top of the NFL as far as a quarterback -- as far as his statistics and the things he does. He moves around the pocket. He makes great plays.

"Our quarterback is not our problem in Dallas. We've got a Super Bowl quarterback.

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Pouncey to Cowboys? Offensive lineman singing like a bird

Put me in the "skeptical" category regarding Mike Pouncey's tweet that he expects to be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

The vast majority of prospects have been extremely tight-lipped about their pre-draft visits around the NFL -- just as they were about their team interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine -- or in revealing any information about what teams have told them. For the most part, prospects have left it to the teams to reveal details about visits. One prospect told me he didn't want to say which teams he was visiting "out to respect for the others."

That's what makes this part of some recent Twitter messages from Pouncey a bit hard to believe: "Headed back to Pittsburgh ... would be shocked if i wasn't in a dallas uniform nxt year! The draft is april 28th so we will see ... To all the steelers fans i would love to be playing for the steelers and if i had a choice i would but it isn't my choice."

Pouncey, a former standout center/guard at the University of Florida and a projected first-round pick, could have simply offered an innocent and honest view of how his conversation(s) with the Cowboys went. At least, that's how he explained it in a later tweet responding to some of the backlash he presumably has received.

"i dnt see how my tweet was a mistake i visit with a lot of teams and dallas was a great time," Pouncy wrote.

Or, perhaps, he could just be having a little fun with the countless fans hanging on every draft-related word (or tweet).

Pouncey presumably would like nothing better than to join his twin brother, Maurkice, a Pro Bowl center as a rookie for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. His most recent tweet notwithstanding, that still could very well happen.

Follow Vic Carucci on Twitter @viccarucci.

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Garrett keeps Cowboys' coaching job; Sherman also interviewed

Jason Garrett had the interim tag removed and will be the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, a team source said Sunday.

The Cowboys interviewed receivers coach Ray Sherman to satisfy the NFL's "Rooney Rule," which requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones denied a move had been made, saying before Sunday's season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles that "nothing has changed from Monday regarding our coaching status at all."

But Jones may have tipped his hand after Sunday's 14-13 win against Philadelphia when he was asked if the new coach would have input into hiring the rest of the staff.

"That is certainly something that Jason needs to have input in," Jones said. "By the way, Jason had input in many of the staff members we have right now."

Jones denied having interviewed any candidates and Sherman also denied he had been interviewed, though Jones said he plans to interview Sherman.

"I'm really interested in following the spirit of the NFL rules and that's what this is all about," Jones said. "I just want to move on so that we can have the coaching decisions out of the way and move on and do what we need to do."

Garrett is surely the frontrunner. He went 5-3 since replacing Wade Phillips at midseason. Jones said he was very pleased with Garrett's performance over the second half of the season.

Jones says he won't require an interview with Garrett.

"I know him real well," he said.

He did predict "significant turnover" for a team that saw its Super Bowl hopes vanish after a 1-4 start. Jones refused to say the Cowboys would have turned the season around faster had he fired Phillips earlier in the season.

The Cowboys' three losses under Garrett have been by a total of seven points.

"We're not as good as I thought we were when we started," Jones said.

Garrett, a former NFL quarterback, joined the Cowboys in 2007 as offensive coordinator. He long was considered the coach-in-waiting in Dallas.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Cowboys coming to end of disappointing, surprising season

IRVING, Texas -- Here's how the Dallas Cowboys likely will close a season that can't end soon enough: With a third-string quarterback making his first career start and everyone holding their breath on extra-point attempts.

Just when it seemed like the Cowboys might salvage something from the final months of this season, their fortunes turned again. All the mistakes that drove them to being 1-7 and got their coach fired, and had mostly disappeared under interim coach Jason Garrett, returned with a vengeance Saturday night in Arizona.

They threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. A cornerback blew an assignment, clearing the way for a 74-yard touchdown pass. They made a valiant comeback anyway, yet continued to do things like get penalized for celebrating a touchdown and kicking an extra point wide left. That last goof gave the Cardinals a chance to win it with a field goal, and that's exactly what they did, but only after converting a fourth-and-15 against a defense that had played well most of the second half.

"This has been quite a year of disappointment -- real disappointment, real surprise," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "Some of those things we were doing out there have been with us since the day we walked out of training camp, unfortunately."

This kooky 27-26 loss did such a good job of capsulizing everything that has made 2010 so forgettable, there was even an injury to the starting quarterback.

Jon Kitna strained an abdominal muscle -- while throwing a touchdown pass, of all things -- and might not be ready to start in the finale Sunday at Philadelphia. That means Stephen McGee would have the chance to show what he can do with a whole week of preparation.

McGee was forced into action for the first time in his two-year career Saturday night and looked nervous. He had reason to be.

Garrett made it clear the team lacked faith in McGee by declaring him an emergency-only option even though the playoff hopes were gone. The Cowboys preferred using the 38-year-old Kitna against another team already eliminated from the playoffs, valuing a better chance of winning over the chance to see what the kid could do. Then Garrett called mostly running plays.

Finally allowed to throw, McGee went 11 of 17 for 111 yards and a spectacular touchdown to Miles Austin. It covered 37 yards and put the Cowboys ahead 26-24 with 1:41 left. That's when David Buehler jerked the extra-point try to the wrong side of the left upright.

"I think I just rushed it a little bit," said Buehler, who became the first Dallas kicker with two missed PATs in a season since 1995.

McGee was sacked once and didn't have any turnovers. He threw some balls in the dirt and had poor timing with Austin and Jason Witten, but that was to be expected since he'd never thrown to them in a game or even a practice.

"There was a little bit of getting comfortable, just getting the feel of it, getting the cadence, getting the guys moving, getting the play in and out quickly, little things that I wanted to be on top of and that were going through my mind," McGee said. "Other than that, I felt like I was out there playing ball again."

The Cowboys thought Kitna had a hip pointer. But a painkilling shot didn't help, and it was later diagnosed as a strained abdominal muscle. The pain extended toward the groin area.

"I think it's doubtful from what I heard in there that we're going to have Jon back," Jones said after the game. "The trainers didn't give me any encouragement."

Had the Cowboys (5-10) pulled out the win, they would have clinched a winning record under Garrett. Instead, they are 4-3 with another near-miss. His three losses have been by a total of seven points. There's little solace in that, though, because Dallas had plenty of close losses under former coach Wade Phillips, too.

This one was bizarre even by 2010 standards. Dallas' defense forced Arizona to go three-and-out on its first series, yet the Cardinals were up 14-0 the next time their offense took a snap. They hit one big play, courtesy of Mike Jenkins' coverage of a rookie receiver, and mustered just two field goals.

"I feel playing the way we are, we're building on something," tight end Jason Witten said. "To lose that way, it's hard."

The Cowboys have surrendered 423 points, more than any season in franchise history. And there's one game left.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Cowboys LB Lee: 'I don't even remember walking off the field'

Cowboys safety Gerald Sensabaugh and rookie linebacker Sean Lee, both lost to concussions in Sunday's 33-30 win over the Washington Redskins, will undergo testing this week, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Sensabaugh and Lee were both taken out of the game in the second quarter.

Lee, who was hit on a kickoff following a David Buehler field goal, told the newspaper that he was dazed and didn't recall suffering the concussion until talking with Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking.

"I don't even remember walking off the field," Lee said. "On the sideline, I looked at Brooking after the series and said 'How did I do?'"

"You didn't make it in, buddy," Brooking told him.

Lee has 28 total tackles and two interceptions in 12 games during his rookie season.

"I was out of it a little bit," Lee said. "But I feel good now and should be good on Saturday."

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Romo's return unlikely, but Cowboys still taking it 'day-to-day'

IRVING, Texas -- The return of Tony Romo remains on hold.

Since Romo broke his left collarbone Oct. 25, the Dallas Cowboys have pointed toward having him back in the lineup this week. However, team owner Jerry Jones said Sunday he was not optimistic and Monday interim coach Jason Garrett was very noncommittal.

"We'll just see how he does tomorrow, see how he feels," Garrett said.

The Cowboys are usually off on Tuesdays, but will be practicing because they play Saturday night in Arizona. They only have two games left and can't make the playoffs.

Jon Kitna has matched Romo statistically, with the notable exception of Dallas going 1-5 in Romo's starts and 4-4 with Kitna. There's no quarterback controversy, though, because Kitna is 38 and Romo remains the face of the franchise.

Dallas could have placed Romo on injured reserve a long time ago, ending his season and freeing up a roster spot for someone else. But Jones was holding out hope that Romo could return, especially since all he needed was rest, not surgery, to repair the bone on his non-throwing side.

The outlook dimmed after seeing Romo throw before the game Sunday.

"Frankly, he's still having sensitivity there," Jones said. "We're a little behind where I thought we would be on how healthy he is. ... He's not ready to play. That doesn't mean he might not get out there throw and practice, but he's not ready."

Another issue is defining readiness.

When a guy is slightly banged up, he usually has to make it through one practice to prove he can be effective in a game. Romo has missed eight games and hasn't practiced at all since the injury. The Cowboys are expected to practice in pads Tuesday, so that could be a stiff test for him.

Then again, he's the most experienced guy in this offense, which Garrett coordinated for 3 ½ years before getting promoted. So he should be able to pick things up quickly -- if he's healthy enough.

"I think you want to see any player feel comfortable practicing before you put them in a game-type situation, regardless of their experience," Garrett said.

How long does it take to get comfortable?

"It probably varies from player to player," he said.

When asked why the Cowboys haven't just given up on Romo this season, Garrett said, "It's just important to evaluate on a day-to-day basis." Even he laughed at his evasiveness.

The question of how hard Dallas should be trying has been debated among fans lately. While they are rooting for a better draft pick, Jones wants to have a competitive enough team to sell seats and luxury suites at his $1.2 billion stadium and Garrett is trying to shed the interim label. The Cowboys beat Washington 33-30 on Sunday to improve to 4-2 since Garrett took over.

"We try our best to win every week," Garrett said. "We try our best to go about it the right way. Our young players who need to be evaluated understand that approach and they glob onto it. When they get their opportunities, hopefully they'll do that. A lot of guys have gotten a lot of opportunities in recent weeks and we got a chance to evaluate them. We'll continue to try to put our best forward this week against Arizona."

But Garrett isn't really making way for the youngsters. Those who have gotten on the field lately have entered the lineup because of injuries. For instance, Sam Hurd was the second receiver and Manny Johnson the third on Sunday but only because Roy Williams was inactive with a groin injury and Dez Bryant and Kevin Ogletree were on injured reserve.

"We're not going to force any young player into action," Garrett said. "We've had a chance to see a lot of young guys because of the injuries that we have had."

Does that mean the youngsters who aren't playing aren't good enough?

"You have to earn your opportunities to play," Garrett said. "It's a competitive league."

Garrett said it's too soon to know whether safety Gerald Sensabaugh and rookie linebacker Sean Lee will recover from their concussions in time to play against the Cardinals.

"They have to be symptom free as they go through each of the stages," Garrett said. "So we'll just go through that process."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Garrett's home debut a success as Cowboys win

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Bryan McCann grabbed a batted-down punt and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown, Miles Austin had two short touchdown catches and 38-year-old quarterback Jon Kitna had a career-best 29-yard touchdown run to lift the Dallas Cowboys to a 35-19 victory over the Detroit Lions.

Cowboys interim coach Jason Garrett won his home debut and improved to 2-0 since taking over for Wade Phillips. It's the first time this season that Dallas (3-7) has won consecutive games and the first time all season it won at home, having lost the first four.

The Lions (2-8) lost their 26th in a row on the road, extending a woeful NFL record that began in 2007, when Kitna was their quarterback.

Detroit led 12-7 and was consistently stuffing Dallas' offense midway through the third quarter when John Wedling jumped over the goal line and tapped a punt back into the field of play. It hopped up waist-high and right to McCann, and the speedster turned it into the second-longest punt return in Cowboys history -- one week after a 101-yard interception return that was the longest in franchise history.

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Phillips out, Garrett in as Cowboys look for culture change

IRVING, Texas -- Jerry Jones never wanted to change coaches this season. As the blowout losses mounted, and Wade Phillips' defense was mostly to blame, the owner-general manager of the Dallas Cowboys had no choice.

Jones fired Phillips on Monday and promoted offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to take over the 1-7 club on an interim basis. Defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni was promoted to replace Phillips' other role as defensive coordinator.

Jones decided enough was enough following a 45-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. It was the Cowboys' fifth straight loss and the third straight that wasn't even close.

"I recognized that after the game we just weren't playing winning football and our best chance was to make a change," Jones said.

This is the first time Dallas has made an in-season coaching change. Garrett also becomes the first former Cowboys player to take over the job previously held by the likes of Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells.

The 44-year-old Garrett has never been a head coach on any level. Yet he sure seemed ready judging by the confidence displayed at his introductory news conference.

"Wade is no longer the coach. I am the coach and what we're going to do going forward (is) get ready to have a great meeting, a great walkthrough and a great practice on Wednesday and give ourselves a chance to beat the Giants on Sunday," Garrett said.

Garrett certainly is different from Phillips -- younger, offensive-oriented and far more businesslike. He made it clear things will be done his way without giving many specifics.

"There'll be some changes that I think will be tangible that people in our organization will notice right from the start," Garrett said. "I just think the personality of the leader will come through a little bit."

Jones steadfastly supported Phillips throughout the team's tailspin, even saying late last week that he wouldn't make a coaching change this season. He said Monday he'd been "in denial" about how bad the club really is.

The first five losses had all been by a touchdown or less, which showed players were still fighting. But now the defense has allowed at least 35 points in three straight games, which hadn't happened since Dallas went 0-11-1 in its inaugural season, 1960. Stranger still, the unit -- personally overseen by Phillips -- features nearly all the same players who closed last season with the first back-to-back shutouts in club history.

"It really was paramount in my thinking that we would make adjustments and have our defense more productive," Jones said.

This is the Cowboys' worst season since 1989. It's destined to be among the worst in franchise history considering Dallas was coming off a division title and a playoff win and was expected to contend for the Super Bowl that'll be held at Cowboys Stadium. They also have among the highest payrolls in the NFL.

"I told (players) they should not think this an admission of defeat or finality in this season," Jones said. "We have eight games left and we have one goal -- to win."

Jones was clearly unhappy and uncomfortable. He spoke slower than usual, with longer pauses, and fiddled with his glasses throughout a 22-minute news conference.

He called Phillips "somebody we thought so much of" and "a good friend, as well." He wouldn't provide details of his conversation with Phillips, and became emotional as he described breaking the news to the team. He said the focus of that speech was accountability.

"I spoke of the realization that it's not just about yourself," Jones said. "It impacts others."

It's worth noting that Garrett's unit hasn't been much better than Phillips', and that goes back to before starting quarterback Tony Romo broke his collarbone on Oct. 25.

However, Garrett was No. 2 on the coaching depth chart and Jones has always thought highly of him. He's been viewed as the team's coach-in-waiting since he was hired -- days before Phillips came aboard, in fact. He's among the highest-paid assistants in the league at $3 million.

"I do believe Jason has the temperament, he has the disposition to affect a culture change," Jones said. "I think this is important. We know all men's styles are different. His style is one that I feel can be very effective."

Garrett was a backup quarterback behind Troy Aikman from 1993-99. He was the quarterbacks coach in Miami in 2005-06 before rejoining the club in 2007.

He's had the title of assistant head coach since 2008, when he withdrew from other interviews to remain in Dallas. His father, Jim, spent 22 years in the organization, working for every coach but Phillips. Two of Jason's brothers are on his staff: tight ends coach John and Judd, the director of pro scouting.

"I think he's very consistent, very to the routine. I like him as a coach," receiver Miles Austin said. "Hopefully it changes things for the better."

Even if Jones wanted to make Garrett the permanent coach right now, he couldn't because of the Rooney Rule, which requires interviewing minority candidates. Still, Garrett obviously has a chance to show what he can do starting Sunday.

"I want to see the kind of effort (involved) in playing to win -- extraordinary effort, that you might not expect to see on a team that's 1-7 right now," Jones said. "That kind of action goes beyond a resume."

The 63-year-old Phillips went 34-22 over 3 1/2 seasons, plus 1-2 in the postseason. Dallas won the NFC East twice on his watch. He has another year at more than $3 million left on his contract.

His career record as a coach with Dallas, Denver and Buffalo is 79-57, with only one losing record in eight full seasons. He made the playoffs five times, but won only one playoff game. Counting a 3-4 mark over two stints as an interim coach, Phillips has 82 regular-season wins, matching his father, former Houston and New Orleans coach Bum Phillips.

Wade Phillips released a statement thanking the fans and the Jones family "for all of the support" and thanking assistant coaches and players "for their loyalty and dedication."

"I told the team today that I have been proud to be a part of their family and that will never change," Phillips said. "I am disappointed in the results of this season to this point, but I am also very proud of what our team and our players accomplished in the previous three years. In good times and difficult times, our players stuck together and never lost hold of their belief in each other and the strong team bond that they have shared."

This leadership handoff wasn't very smooth.

Jones told Phillips around 1:45 p.m., shortly before players arrived at team headquarters. The story was first reported about that time by KTVT of Dallas-Fort Worth, so many players found out through the media.

About 2:15 p.m., Phillips walked through the hallway near team headquarters and said nothing was going on, that he was just going to check on injured players; he indeed went to the training room. Players finally heard it officially from Jerry and Stephen Jones around 3 p.m.

"It feels terrible that it has gotten to that point at the midpoint of the season," quarterback Jon Kitna said. "We have a chance to do something about it going forward. But it doesn't change magically overnight. ... I've said it since I got here -- this is the most talented team I've been around. But talent isn't the only ingredient."

Defensive players took it even more personally because they worked closest with Phillips.

Jay Ratliff went from a backup defensive lineman under Parcells to Pro Bowl nose tackle under Phillips, so he was especially upset.

"We fought like hell for him," Ratliff said. "Things just didn't go our way."

Pasqualoni was coach at Syracuse from 1987-2004, then joined the Cowboys as a tight ends coach under Parcells. He switched to linebackers in '06 and '07, Phillips' first season, then spent the last two seasons as defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins. He returned to Dallas earlier this year.

"I think that Paul's disposition, his approach, his skill ... brings something to the table to institute for us this week, next week and the next eight weeks," Jones said.

Speculation will persist on the club's next permanent leader. Obvious candidates include former Super Bowl winners Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden, both working in broadcasting.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Packers activate safety Bigby, who could play vs. Cowboys

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Packers announced Saturday that they have activated safety Atari Bigby from the physically unable to perform list, making him available to play in Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Bigby has been sidelined since having ankle surgery at the beginning of training camp. Cornerback Al Harris remains on the PUP list.

Bigby has played in 42 games with 33 starts in his first five years with the Packers and posted 10 interceptions over the past three seasons.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Packers guard Colledge could sit out vs. Cowboys with stiff back

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Continuity has been a key to the Packers offensive line's success this season.

But an important member of that line might miss Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Starting left guard Daryn Colledge has a stiff lower back, which could mean a rare change on Green Bay's line.

Colledge returned to practice on a full-time basis Friday after being out one day and believes he can play, but he said the decision is up to the Packers' medical staff and coach Mike McCarthy.

"I always feel like I can be out there and make it," Colledge said. "But they're not going to go off of a player's decision. Emotionally, I want to be there for my guys, and I want to be able to play, but for them, it's a real decision to make, and they've got to make that."

The Packers listed Colledge as probable for the game, but he split practice reps with backup Jason Spitz on Friday and isn't sure if his playing streak will continue.

"Spitz had more practice time this week and practiced well," Colledge said. "If they feel he's more prepared and physically ready for the game, then they'll make that decision. If they believe I'm ready to go, then I'll ride it till the wheels fall off."

Colledge has played in 75 consecutive games since his rookie season in 2006. The streak was in jeopardy earlier this season when Colledge suffered a knee injury during a collision with nose tackle B.J. Raji on the practice field. Colledge missed one day of practice, but he made a quick recovery and started in the Packers' 20-17 loss to the Chicago Bears.

"That's a tribute to him and the way he prepares and the way he takes care of his body," Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Friday. "It's also just a lot about his mental toughness. He doesn't let little injuries affect him."

McCarthy said a determination on Colledge's playing status won't be made until Saturday.

"I think anytime you have an injury and a player comes off of not practicing and then practicing, it's really the next day is the true indication," McCarthy said. "Knowing Daryn's history, I anticipate that he will go."

The Packers have made only one change to the starting five on their offensive line with the season halfway complete. That happened after four games, when Bryan Bulaga, this year's first-round draft pick, took over at right tackle for veteran Mark Tauscher, who suffered a shoulder sprain and isn't fully recovered.

Rodgers has been sacked 16 times through eight games. At the same point last season, Rodgers had been sacked 37 times as the Packers were preparing to start a sixth different offensive line in their ninth game, also against the Cowboys.

"I think the biggest difference between this year and last year is we haven't had to move guys around too much, we're able to keep guys in the same spots," Rodgers said.

Notes: Rodgers (ankle), LB Clay Matthews (shin), DE Cullen Jenkins (calf) and LT Chad Clifton (hamstring/knee) also are probable to play Sunday, the Packers' last game before their bye week. Rodgers was a full participant in practice every day after he twisted his left ankle late during the shutout win over the New York Jets on Sunday. The team played it safe with Matthews, who has an NFL-high 9.5 sacks, and didn't have him practice much this week. "He'll be ready to go Sunday," McCarthy said. ... DE Ryan Pickett (ankle) is questionable, but he felt optimistic after going through all portions of Friday's practice that he will be able to play after missing the last game. ... McCarthy said rookie TE Andrew Quarless (shoulder) had a setback after trying to practice Thursday, and the team listed him as questionable. If Quarless can't play, the Packers will be down to Donald Lee and Tom Crabtree at tight end.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Banged-up Cowboys starters ready to go vs. Packers

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Staubach, Aikman lament Cowboys' struggles this season

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Exactly 100 days before the Super Bowl, Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman aren't expecting their old team to make it.

They can hardly believe it, either.

"To be done before you get out of the month of October is pretty shocking," Aikman said.

Like many fans, the Hall of Fame quarterbacks expected big things from the Dallas Cowboys this season. They also had more than the usual reasons to root for their old team: Staubach is the chairman and Aikman the vice-chair of the Super Bowl host committee. Aikman also is broadcasting the game for Fox.

But Dallas is 1-5, closer to earning the top pick in the draft than a berth in the playoffs. And the Cowboys just lost quarterback Tony Romo to a broken left collarbone.

So instead of becoming the first team to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium, the Cowboys appear ready to join the worst records of the Jerry Jones era: 1-15 in Aikman's rookie year and 5-11 in Aikman's final season and each of the next two years.

"I thought we would be more 5-1 than 1-5," Staubach said. "I still feel we can be a respectful team the rest of the year. But we have put ourselves in a hole."

Both spoke Thursday at a luncheon at Cowboys Stadium celebrating the countdown to the Super Bowl. Jones took part, too, and the owner said he's hopeful the new starting quarterback, 38-year-old Jon Kitna, can lead a turnaround.

"I felt better when (Romo) was healthy and was able to give us what he has to win these games," Jones said. "On the other hand, I'm not about to dismiss the opportunity here with Kitna. That'd be nuts. Plus, I think he gives us a much better chance than to have the mentality that we don't have a chance to win a lot of ballgames."

Romo doesn't need surgery, just six to eight weeks for the bone to heal. Jones said it's too early to say whether or not Romo will play again this season.

"The faster he heals, the better I like (the chances)," Jones said. "We have to see what the circumstances are at that time. We have to see how well we are playing."

Jones brought up a saying that he often heard from his college coaches: "They remember what you do in November." His point was that even "if we don't have an opportunity to be in the playoffs, we want to be playing good."

Aikman can commiserate with Romo -- he broke his left collarbone in 1998. Aikman missed five games, plus a bye week, then returned to lead the Cowboys to a division title.

"It was my non-throwing shoulder, so you'd kind of think that you could go out and play as long as you can tolerate the pain," he said. "But I couldn't throw the ball. I couldn't open up my left shoulder at all to make a throw. And then you certainly are at risk in the pocket of injuring it even further."

Aikman isn't ruling out a few more starts for Romo.

"If you're healthy and you're told that you're capable of playing and the medical staff signs off on it, to me, you play because that's what you are paid to do," Aikman said. "But I'm not the one paying bills and writing the checks, so it's easy for me to say that."

Staubach said he's available to play if things don't work out with Kitna. Although he's 68, Staubach was known as Captain Comeback.

"I have offered to play quarterback on Sunday," Staubach said. "My arm is in good shape. I think I can help them without Tony out there. I don't know Kitna. He's a nice guy, though. But he's about my age, isn't he? He is a veteran good quarterback, but I'm a veteran quarterback, too. ... I want the Cowboys to get back on track. If I could help, I would get out there and do it."

How about you, Troy?

"The way they're protecting these quarterbacks, I think I could play now," said Aikman, one month shy of 44 -- and just a few years older than Brett Favre. "I've always said: If I didn't have to get hit, physically, I think I could play. And they're not letting the quarterbacks get hit, so I think I could do it."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Giants rough up Romo, Cowboys to seize control of NFC East

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Tony Romo threw the pass, then didn't have a chance. Michael Boley was coming right at him, unblocked and going full speed.

The hit was so hard that when Romo landed on his left shoulder, Boley heard him "let out a little scream." All Romo remembers was how much trouble he had breathing.

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It was probably the last gasp for the 2010 Dallas Cowboys, too.

Romo fractured his left clavicle on the play, turning the Cowboys' promising start in Monday night's game against the New York Giants into yet another loss. Dallas went through a funk after losing its quarterback, and Eli Manning took advantage, powering New York from a 13-point deficit to a 41-35 victory that put the Giants a full game ahead in the NFC East and tied for the most wins in the conference.

Manning led New York (5-2) on five consecutive scoring drives over the middle two quarters, posting 31 points. He bounced back from interceptions on his first two drives of the night to match his career best with four touchdown passes, Brandon Jacobs ran 30 yards for a touchdown and Lawrence Tynes kicked a career-best 53-yard field goal, just some of the Giants' many highlights.

"The way we started the game tonight, to be able to come back from that and show the mental toughness was big," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he was told Romo would miss about 6 to 8 weeks. More tests that are scheduled for Tuesday should help set a timetable. But it might not matter much. Dallas is 1-5, so there might not be any reason to rush back. The 1970 Cincinnati Bengals are the only 1-5 team ever to make the playoffs.

"I'm staying optimistic," Romo said. "This football team has a lot of high-character guys, a lot of competitive individuals who aren't going to give in to a tough situation."

Tough? Put it this way: The historically woebegone Texas Rangers could win more games in October and November than the five-time Super Bowl champion Cowboys. And with the Super Bowl coming to Cowboys Stadium in February, it's all but certain the host team won't be playing. Worse still, this once-promising season is now linked to 1989 -- the year Jones bought the team, Jimmy Johnson took over as coach and the Cowboys went 1-15; that was the last time Dallas started 1-5. At least back then everyone knew the team was lousy.

"There are a lot of teams in this league that have had to step in and do a different direction at quarterback," Jones said. "We've got to be able to play without Romo."

This was the fourth consecutive win for the Giants. The really stunning number is five; that's how many quarterbacks they have injured this season.

Even in a week where the NFL is scrutinizing hard hits, Boley didn't draw a flag. It was a clean play, just a textbook example of a hard hit.

"The guard didn't see me," the linebacker said. "I came in scot-free. ... I didn't think he (Romo) was going to lay down. I thought it was a normal hit. After I got up and started running, I looked back and saw he was down."

X-rays showed the break before halftime. Romo was back on the sideline for the second half, his arm in a sling and covered by a jacket. He wore a headset and tried encouraging teammates, but there wasn't much to cheer.

The Cowboys actually were ahead just 10-7 when Romo left, but they stretched the lead to 20-7. Then came New York's scoring flurry, which sent home much of the crowd by the middle of the third quarter and prompted chants of "Let's go Rangers!"

The Giants already were ahead by the time Romo's injury was diagnosed.

Dallas backup Jon Kitna hadn't played since Oct. 5, 2008, when he was part of Detroit's winless season. Whether it was the long layoff, being 38 or both, he sure looked rusty.

Kitna's first and third passes were tipped. The next time he dropped back, he was sacked for a 10-yard loss, forcing Dallas to punt from its own end zone. The Giants took advantage of the short field to score the go-ahead touchdown. Kitna's next pass was fumbled by Jason Witten, setting up Tynes' long field goal. It got so bad that there was a mock cheer when Kitna completed a pass for a first down early in fourth quarter. He finished 16-of-33 passing for 187 yards.

"It just took him a while to get going," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "Once he did, it gave us a chance."

Kitna ended up throwing two touchdown passes to rookie Dez Bryant in the final 3:17, but Dallas failed to recover onside kicks after each. New York got another field goal from Tynes after the first, then ran out the clock after the second.

Manning was 25-of-35 passing for 306 yards. This was the fourth time he had thrown four TD passes.

Hakeem Nicks caught nine passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Steve Smith caught nine passes for 101 yards and one touchdown. Mario Manningham had the other TD catch.

Ahmad Bradshaw ran 24 times for 126 yards. Jacobs had 75 yards on 12 carries for the Giants.

The craziest part about this game was how many things the Cowboys did right: A club that had just four takeaways all season snatched five. A special teams group that was known for giving up big plays made a huge one -- a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown by Bryant. The Cowboys drew just five penalties.

But they also went 0 for 10 on third downs. And Romo wasn't the only guy lost to injury. Defensive end Jason Hatcher and left guard Montrae Holland hurt groins. Holland already was filling in for injured starter Kyle Kosier, so the Cowboys had to go with Phil Costa, a rookie free agent who made his NFL debut.

Romo had thrown every pass by a Cowboys quarterback since Nov. 16, 2008, when he returned from a broken pinkie on his throwing hand that cost him three games. He set the franchise record for passing yards in a season last year, making the Pro Bowl for the third time. In his brief action Monday night, he broke his own team record by throwing for a touchdown in his 18th consecutive game. He was 5-of-7 passing for 39 yards.

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The Cowboys pulled out the stops this week to try turning things around. Jones gave an encouraging speech Monday, officials worked practices on Wednesday and Thursday, and Hall of Famers Bob Lilly and Tony Dorsett were honorary captains for this game. (Hours earlier, Dorsett called the team "a bunch of underachievers.") They drummed up some loud applause by showing clips of the World Series-bound Rangers, then cutting to team icon Nolan Ryan in the stands.

Ryan's team beat the New York Yankees in Arlington last weekend. The Giants can take some measure of revenge back to New York.

Notes: The Giants are 2-0 at Cowboys Stadium. ... Manning is 20-4 as a starter in October, the best among all Super Bowl-era quarterbacks (minimum 20 starts). ... Bryant had four catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns, plus the long punt return. "Dez is a spectacular player," Phillips said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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