Cowboys Corner

Romo close to contract extension

Two NFL sources confirmed  the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Tony Romo are "very close" to agreeing to a six-year contract extension.
"It's not done yet, but it's close," one NFL source said.
The deal would be six years, and close to $70 million. The signing bonus, which is the crucial element because it's the only part of the contract that is guaranteed, has not been set.
More to come as this story develops.

- Mac Engel

Henry says he will play

Defensive back Anthony Henry said he plans to play against the Eagles on Sunday night. Henry has missed the past two games with a high ankle sprain.
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said he's still not sure if Henry will play. High ankle sprains are usually a pest to a player - they never seem to go away until the season is long over. But Henry had said repeatedly that he felt better.
If he plays, the Cowboys would have their secondary the way they envisioned since the start of the season - Henry and Terence Newman starting at the corners with Ken Hamlin and Roy Williams at the safety spots. Jacque Reeves would be the nickel cornerback.

- Mac Engel

Romo fined

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo said he was fined $5,000 for his slide "tackle" against the Vikings on Oct. 21.
Romo turned into a tackler when the Vikings were in the process of returning a turnover deep into Cowboys territory. Romo then wised up when he saw a pair of oncoming Vikings defenders, and thought better of trying to challenge them. So he slid toward their legs. That's an NFL no-no. So he was fined.
"I learned my lesson," he said.

- Mac Engel

Tony Romo on Britney Gate

Tony Romo looked surprised when he was told that he was linked to partying with Britney Spears this weekend at a club in Los Angeles.
He said he was at a party that Spears attended, and that she's a nice girl.

“I wasn’t partying with her that’s for sure. She’s a nice girl though,” Romo said. “I guess when you’re in the same place ...”
So let's do the math, in the past week Romo has been linked to actress Sophia Bush and now Spears.
Being the quarterback to America's Team sure is rough.

- Mac Engel

Romo's hamstring

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo says his hamstring is not a problem. He will certainly be helped that th suffered the injury during the Cowboys bye week.

Romo has a slight right hamstring strain he sustained sliding as he dodged blockers on Minnesota's fumble return for a touchdown in the second quarter. Romo says he is fine and will be all right, but he might rest some this week in practice allowing veteran Brad Johnson to get some first-team action.

  ``We expect him to be fine,'' Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said of Romo.

   Romo was also banged up last week with a minor left (non-throwing) shoulder strain against New England.

_ Rick Herrin

Greg Ellis to start

Cowboys outside linebacker Greg Ellis will make his first start of the season today against Minnesota. He replaces rookie Anthony Spencer, who started the first six games.

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips indicated late in the week Ellis could move into the role because he was moving better and faster. Ellis suffered a torn Achilles' tendon last November.

Cowboys Inactive news: FB Oliver Hoyte (pinched nerve in neck) will not play.

_ Rick Herrin

Johnson's suspension not reduced

Cowboys defensive tackle Tank Johnson's eight-game suspension will not be reduced, but he will be able to begin practicing on Friday with the team, Johnson's agent said.
There was some hope Johnson would have his suspension reduced by a game or two. It wasn't. Instead, Johnson will be able to practice with the team.
"We don't think the comissioner was unfair at all," said Johnson's agent, Jerrold Colton. "We're happy that he'll be able to get acclimated with the team."
Johnson will be eligible to play against the Giants in New York on Nov. 11.

- Mac Engel

Bad news for Ron Springs

Former Cowboys running back Ron Springs, who seven months ago received a life-saving kidney transplant from friend and former teammate Everson Walls, has slipped into a coma and is in a Dallas hospital.
Springs, 50, suffers from diabetes.
The Washington Redskins have allowed Springs' son, Shawn, to leave the team to be with his father.
"All I can do is keep him and Everson in my prayers like I've awlays done," said former teammate, Hall of Fame offensive tackle Rayfield Wright. "I'd encourage everyone to do the same."

- Mac Engel

Newman not 100 percent

Not long after suffering a tear in his plantar fascia during the preseason, Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman originally said he did not want to play unless he was 100 percent this season. He played with a bum knee during his second year, and as a result he did not play as well then as he did as a rookie.
This injury is obviously different, but that doesn't mean he's at full strength.
"I couldn't plant with that (injury). This one I can, it's just not as crisp as I'd always like," Newman said.
Asked if he was 100 percent, Newman paused before he said, "I cannot believe you would ask me that."
Sunday's game was the first time this season he did not require a pain-killing injection to play. And he said he came through OK.
The Cowboys would prefer to put Newman in the slot, but can't until defensive back Anthony Henry returns from his high ankle sprain.

- Mac Engel

Hoyte and Tank Johnson updates

* Fullback Oliver Hoyte, who missed yet another game with a neck injury, said he's ready to play. He also said the doctors have yet to clear him, mostly because they don't think he's strong enough yet.
With the bye coming up after this Sunday's game against the Vikings, don't be surprised if he sits out another game, too.

* The Tank Johnson case could get news today. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said last Monday in Buffalo that he would be reviewing the Johnson case early this week. There is a chance Goodell could reduce Johnson's eight-game suspension by two games, which means he could suit up against the Vikings.
If Johnson is going to be reinstated, the league would have to do it by Wednesday, when practice starts. The Cowboys could know by later today if they will have Johnson back earlier than they originally expected. When asked about it, Johnson didn't say a word. Not "no comment" or a "I don't know"; not one word.

- Mac Engel