Cowboys Corner

Report has Reeves discussing consultant's role with Cowboys

ESPN.com's Chris Mortensen cites sources in reporting that former NFL coach Dan Reeves, 65, has been in discussions with the Dallas Cowboys about a consultant's role. Reeves' Cowboys roots are deep; he was a player (1965-72) and assistant coach (1972-80) under Tom Landry.

According to ESPN:

 "Reeves recently interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers about the offensive coordinator's job but a 49ers source said Monday that Reeves informed them he likely would be taking a consultant position with the Cowboys. Reeves could not be reached for comment. A Cowboys spokesman said he had no information about Reeves joining the organization."

Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips was an assistant under Reeves on the staffs of the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons and each time Phillips succeeded Reeves as head coach after Reeves was dismissed. In Phillips' final news conference of the season the day after a 44-6 Cowboys loss to Philadelphia, Phillips mentioned Reeves as a former coach he would seek advice from in the off-season as he evaluated his coaching methods.

Joe DeCamillis, who is married to Reeves' oldest daughter, Dana, was recently hired by the Cowboys as special teams coach. DeCamillis worked on Reeves' staffs with the New York Giants and the Falcons.

Reeves' interview for the 49ers offensive coordinator position sparked an Internet report that the Niners somehow might be angling to look at Michael Vick, who under Reeves in 2002 guided the Falcons to the second round of the NFL playoffs and who could be released from prison this summer. The San Jose Mercury News reported that an NFL source dismissed that notion, saying "there was nothing to it."

Bradie James questions Stewart firing

Cowboys linebacker Bradie James had a lengthy interview on the The Ticket this morning with Norm Hitzges about what went wrong this season.

One thing James doesn't sound happy with was the recent firing of defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, who was forced out after two seasons.

"The defensive coordinator wasn't the problem," James said. "What did we really solve by letting him go? The situation is still the same. I think there are other moves that need to be made but it's not about me, I'm a player so I can't make those decisions. I've just got to deal with whatever we have, whatever we put out there."

James is right. What did this move do? Firing Stewart did not solve any of this team's problems. With Stewart's play-calling duties stripped this season, he was probably better off re-starting somewhere else.

- Rick Herrin

Shanahan is still on Cowboys clock, SI.com says

OK, this is it, we really mean it, Mike Shanahan is not going to coach the Kansas City Chiefs or anyone else in 2009. Which still leaves Shanahan on the Dallas Cowboys clock for 2010, reports Peter King of SI.com, who cites "an NFL source close to Shanahan," which means that is Mike Shanahan, or someone even more knowledgeable, his agent.

Shanahan waiting on Cowboys, 2010?

From the Kansas City Star coverage on possible candidates to succeed fired head coach Herm Edwards and the chance Mike Shanahan is in the mix:

The ink had not even dried from the Chiefs’ news release announcing Edwards’ dismissal when ESPN started reporting the club had talks with Shanahan, and then backtracked by saying the Chiefs were merely “targeting” Shanahan, who is still due about $20 million on the remaining three years of his contract with Denver.

 “I know Shanahan loves to coach, and I know he loves coaching in the AFC West, and I know there’s nobody he’d like to beat more than his former employers,” former Broncos offensive lineman and ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth said by phone Friday night.

 “Who knows? Is that the best situation for him? I don’t know. Should he hold out and maybe get the Dallas Cowboys job (next year)? Maybe. … People say the Chiefs aren’t a talented team, but I disagree. They’re a young, inexperienced team, but they have some young talent … who would know better than Mike Shanahan where they are.”

Shanahan not going to Chiefs, report says

NFL.com's Adam Schefter is sticking to his guns that reports that former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is negotiating with the Kansas City Chiefs to succeed the fired Herm Edwards are wrong.

Dan Reeves interviews with 49ers as OC

Dan Reeves, who started his coaching career as a player-coach with the Dallas Cowboys and was a protege of Tom Landry's, has interviewed for the position of offensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cowboys game broadcasts no longer on The Ticket

KTCK/1310 AM The Ticket and the Dallas Cowboys announced today the end of a three-year partnership to carry the play-by-play broadcasts of Cowboys games.

"This was a successful partnership for Cumulus over the past three seasons, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Cowboys in the future outside of their play by play broadcasts." said The Ticket vice president and marketing manager Dan Bennett in a news release.

Last week The Ticket and the Dallas Stars announced a five-year broadcast agreement that begins with next season.

The Fan 105.3 FM has been speculated to become the new flagship station of the Cowboys.

Wrapping up things in Mobile

Senior Bowl: Day 3

News of the day: Terrell Owens' agent Drew Rosenhaus has no desire to talk about his client possibly being released because he thinks it's a "non-story."

See ya later: The Cowboys coaching staff headed home after watching the morning practice. Wade Phillips still refuses to talk to the media.

Coming back? Rosenhaus said linebacker Zach Thomas is open to re-signing with the Cowboys. You believe him? Not sure Thomas wants to stick around this team anymore.

Play of the day: Sam Houston State QB Rhett Bomar (Grand Prairie) connected on a long TD pass to his former teammate at Oklahoma, Juaquin Iglesias during 7-on-7 drills. Nice pass, nice catch. Bengals coaches have been impressed with Bomar.

Healing well: That would be Marion Barber's little right toe, which he dislocated and never was effective down the stretch. He will be ready for offseason workouts.

No surgery: TE Jason Witten, per agent Jimmy Sexton, did not require any offseason cleanups to his shoulder, ankle or ribs and is set to play in the Pro Bowl.

Tuna and Friends: Spotted Bill Parcells alongside coach Tony Sparano and GM Jeff Ireland at practice. Any fans wish they were still around Valley Ranch?

Bobby Carpenter Jr?: Based on the hair, that would be USC linebacker Clay Matthews. He is the son of the former Browns LB, who was at practice Wednesday along with Hall of Fame guard Bruce Matthews, little Clay's uncle.

Pete Carroll sighting: Since there are like 12 USC players it seems in the Senior Bowl, Carroll decided to make an appearance.

- Rick Herrin

Wade and Co. headed home

Wade Phillips and the coaching staff are headed back to Dallas today. They watched the North team, which includes Texas Tech's Graham Harrell and Sam Houston State' Rhett Bomar, workout this morning for leaving.

Again, one last time we tried to see if Phillips would talk -- about anything. He headed for his car in the parking lot and did a speed walk to get there. Wade has no desire to talk to us right now and it's a big difference from his usual friendly self. It's turned into a standoff situation.

When I caught up with him Monday he said he just got here, nothing to report. Well, when I said it's three days later he said, "It's too late now."

Not only did Phillips not talk this week, his staff wouldn't either except for pleasantries and a few questions on the record with Jason Garrett.

On a different note....one interesting thing I did notice this year, most of the Cowboys staff was spread out talking with other coaches/buddies during the three days here. Last year, for the most part, they all sat together in the stands each day rarely branching out.

Remember, the Senior Bowl is a collection of just about everyone in the league and coaches networking for jobs. I'm just saying.

- Rick Herrin