Cowboys Corner

Dolphins contact Cowboys to speak with Ireland; Sparano next?

IRVING - Cowboys scouting director Jeff Ireland said he is leaving today for Miami to interview for the vacant general manager’s position. And all signs point him to accepting the job whenever former Cowboys head coach-turned-new Dolphins president Bill Parcells offers it to him.

The position became available when Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller was fired Monday.

There was some discrepancy whether Ireland could immediately leave, or wait until after the draft. Because Parcells will not have final say in personnel issues, it appears that Ireland could and will leave immediately.

There is growing speculation that Parcells will fire Dolphins coach Cam Cameron when the two meet today. A top candidate for the vacancy is Cowboys offensive line coach Tony Sparano, who was with Parcells all four years of his tenure with the team.

The Atlanta Falcons have contacted the Cowboys about interviewing offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Sparano about their head coaching job. By NFL rule, all interviews must take place during the bye week.

Mac Engel

Cowboys get Browns' No. 22 pick

When the Cowboys traded their first-round pick to Cleveland last April so the Browns could select quarterback Brady Quinn, they envisioned getting a possible top 10 pick in return in the 2008 draft.

But the Browns didn't cooperate. After a 4-12 record in 2006, the Browns took a big step forward with a 10-6 record in 2007. Because they have the best record of the non-playoff teams, the Browns will have the 22nd overall pick to give back to the Cowboys.

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Grade the Cowboys

The Cowboys played their starters in an effort to win, but instead were blown out by the Redskins on Sunday. Was it a poor performance by the 'Boys or did the Redskins just want it more?

Post a comment below with your grades for the following positions, and be sure to leave us your name and where you are from:

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Offensive Line

Defensive Line

Linebackers

Safety

Special Teams

Coaches

Overall

The Cowboys played their starters in an effort to win, but instead were blown out by the Redskins on Sunday. Was it a poor performance by the 'Boys or did the Redskins just want it more?

Post a comment below with your grades for the following positions, and be sure to leave us your name and where you are from:

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Offensive Line

Defensive Line

Linebackers

Safety

Special Teams

Coaches

Overall

Cowboys divisional game set

The Dallas Cowboys 2007 Divisional Playoff Game has been set. Dallas will face Tampa Bay (9-7), the N.Y. Giants (10-6) or Washington (9-7) at Texas Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 3:30 p.m.

Interesting Camera Angle

The press at FedEx field is seated low, and in the endzone. No big deal.
But a couple of us just noticed a small camera has been positioned in the corner of the pressbox pointed at the Cowboys' sideline ... the entire game.
Could be nothing, but in this day of Spy Gate brought to you by Bill Belichick and the NFL, one can never be too suspicious.

- Mac Engel

Keith Davis has left knee injury

It's not the Davis they feared losing, but the Cowboys did lose backup safety and special teams star Keith Davis to a left knee injury in the fourth quarter.

The Cowboys are losing 27-3, so don't expect to see the Cowboys rush KD back in the lineup.

- Mac Engel

Romo gets record

With his completion early in the second half, Tony Romo has now completed 335 passes this season, a new Cowboys single-season record.

He should likely be done for the day after that completion. Brad Johnson is warming up.

The Cowboys are still trying to get running back Marion Barber to 1,000 yards this season. He needs 21 yards to do it.

And tight end Jason Witten needs four catches to reach 100 receptions for the year.

- Mac Engel

First-Half Observations

No. 1 - Get the regulars out. If the last play of the first half is any indication, when Tony Romo was walking off grimacing after a sack, it's obvious there is nothing more to gain. Get 'em out.

No. 2 - The running game is off again. The Cowboys have rushed eight times for minus-3 yards. Not exactly a momentum builder.

No. 3 - DeMarcus Ware should receive NFL Defensive Player of the Year votes. He has two sacks and a forced fumble today.

No. 4 - Terry Glenn's big impact will be made on a later day. He's played a few plays, took one big shot, and hasn't made a catch. The first pass intended for Glenn was intercepted by Shawn Springs.

No. 5 - Beware the Redskins. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins in their first meeting, but the game was close. This game may not mean anything to the Cowboys other than for the sake of some records, but the Redskins know how to play the Cowboys. These two could meet in the divisional round of the playoffs, too.

No. 6 - What is it with FedEx Field and the Untimed Down? The last time the Cowboys were here the game ended in one of the most bizarre finishes ever when the Redskins were awarded an untimed down on the last play of the game that ended with a game-winning field goal.

On the last play of the first half today, the Cowboys were awarded an untimed down because a half can't end in a penalty on the kicking team. Rather than try a long field goal by Nick Folk, the Cowboys tried a Hail Mary but Romo was sacked.

- Mac Engel

Check out this stat:

From the Least Impressive Scoring Drive of the Season Dept. ...

The Cowboys just got on the scoreboard thanks to a Nick Folk 37-yard field goal with 4:58 remaining in the first half.
The scoring drive read: Four plays, minus-1 yard, 1:32.
That's the type of offense that will strike fear into NFC defenses throughout.

- Mac Engel

Don't See That Every Day

Cowboys rookie kicker Nick Folk missing a field goal is a big deal, but a 28-yarder is Haley's-Comet rare. He was 24 of 28 this season before his attempt in the second quarter was partially blocked.

- Mac Engel