Cowboys Corner

Was UT interested in Garrett?

No, not that UT, silly. The other UT.

There are reports that Tennessee inquired about whether Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett would be interested in interviewing for the Vols head coaching job. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said this week that if it happened, he wasn't aware of it.

The Vols never asked for permission from the Cowboys, but then, unlike other NFL teams, they wouldn't have had to. They could have asked his agent or him a simple question like: Would you be interested?

But Garrett has never shown an interest in coaching in the college ranks, and I don't think that's where his future is. He will be an NFL head coach one day, maybe here with the Cowboys.

-- Charean Williams

Newman added to Pro Bowl

Mike Jenkins was the Cowboys' best cornerback this season, but Terence Newman is the one headed to the Pro Bowl. He was added to the roster Wednesday as a replacement for Arizona's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was injured in Saturday's loss to the Saints.

It will be Newman's second Pro Bowl.

Newman will join six teammates and his Cowboys coaches in Miami next week. Andre Gurode and DeMarcus Ware will start. Jason Witten, Miles Austin, Jay Ratliff and Leonard Davis are reserves. Tony Romo still could be added to the team depending on Brett Favre and Drew Brees' availability. Either Favre or Brees will be in the Super Bowl and will not play in the Pro Bowl. Favre isn't likely to play even if the Vikings miss the Super Bowl.

-- Charean Williams

Martellus a disappointment

This was supposed to be the year for Martellus Bennett. He was coming off a 20-catch, 283-yard, four-touchdown season as a rookie, and all the talk in the off-season was what a monster he was going to be in 2009. He looked the part in training camp, too, and the Cowboys turned down a potential trade for him when the Bengals inquired.

But in the regular season, only Roy Williams was a bigger disappointment than Bennett. Bennett regressed in catching 15 passes for 159 yards and no touchdowns. He lost playing time late in the season to rookie John Phillips.

Asked what he needed to do to get better in 2010, Bennett said, "Same thing I am doing. I worked hard last season from training camp on. I've just got to keep working."

-- Charean Williams

Spencer loses helmet

Ray Edwards told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that Anthony Spencer handed Edwards his helmet after the game as a trophy.

"That belonged to Anthony Spencer," Edwards told the newspaper about the Cowboys' helmet on the top shelf of his locker. "He gave it to me after the game. We just met on the field after the game and Anthony said, 'You beat us. Here's your trophy.'"

Spencer and Edwards were teammates at Purdue.

-- Charean Williams

Sensabaugh wants to come back

Starting strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh is one of 13 restricted free agents for the Cowboys. Unlike last year in Jacksonville, Sensabaugh left his personal items in his locker and left his name plate above his locker instead of taking it as a souvenir.

"I want to be here, but both sides have to come to an agreement, and that's the tough part," Sensabaugh said. "I want to be here. It's a great organization. Jerry [Jones] is a great owner. He's at every practice, and you can tell he wants to win. You don't get that in too many owners. We'll see how it works out."

Wade Phillips, who typically is reluctant to criticize his players, ripped Sensabaugh after the 34-3 loss to the Vikings. Sensabaugh let Sidney Rice catch a 47-yard touchdown pass on him early in the game.

"The guy was running right with him," said Phillips, who didn't call Sensabaugh by name. "He never saw the ball. He didn't even know it was thrown. That was the strangest play I've seen in a long time. If he just turns around, it's an interception."

The team's other restricted free agents include Marcus Spears, Miles Austin and Stephen Bowen.

-- Charean Williams

Phillips report taken down

It was up on Dallascowboys.com earlier, but the report of Wade Phillips agreeing to a three-year-deal is no longer on the site.

Woodson wants in ring

Former Cowboys safety Darren Woodson wants to join former teammates Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin in the Ring of Honor.

"When I was playing, I didn't really think about it," Woodson said. "…Now that I look back at it, now that I’ve had time reflect back on everything, I think it would be a huge honor to be up there with Bob Lilly, Mel Renfro, Randy White, Troyand Emmitt. I think I played this game at a high level. I played a couple of positions and special teams. I did a lot for this organization. When you see guys go up in the rafters, you think that’s greatness."

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones did not induct anyone new into the Ring of Honor at the new stadium this year. In fact, he hasn't had a new inductee since Aikman, Irvin and Smith went up in 2005. Charles Haley, a finalist for the Hall of Fame this year, could be the next inductee.

Woodson has been eligible for the Hall of Fame the past two years. But he has never made it to the list of 25 semifinalists despite being a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro in his 12-year career with the Cowboys.

-- Charean Williams 

 

Three-year deal for Phillips?

Dallascowboys.com is reporting that Wade Phillips has agreed to a three-year deal to remain the team's head coach. Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said there will be no announcement today and "nothing has been finalized."

The Cowboys already have announced that they would have a press conference this week to address Phillips' future. It was already known that he would return for 2010, because the Cowboys own an option for a fourth season.

The question always has been: Does Phillips get an extension beyond 2010?

At a press conference to promote the boxing event at Cowboys Stadium on March 13, Jerry Jones declined to say much about Phillips other than to acknowledge he and Phillips did meet Monday.

"I don't want to say anything about it until we can get into a little more of the details," Jones said. "I don't want it stated one way or the other -- the structure of it."

Phillips is 33-15 in his three seasons with the Cowboys, with two NFC East titles. He will coach the NFC in the Pro Bowl.

-- Charean Williams

Draft position set

The Cowboys will select 27th in the first round of April's draft, the NFL confirmed Monday. They did not have a first-round pick last year, having traded it to Detroit for Roy Williams.

-- Charean Williams

Wade is back?

The fact that Jerry Jones hired Wade Phillips the defensive line coach he wanted is the best indication yet that Phillips will be back for a fourth season.

"I think it does," Jones agreed Friday. "Certainly, I'm pleased with the job Wade is doing and has done. I certainly am interested in building on what we’ve got going right now in the positive way. I think it would clearly say, if you sort through the circumstances of Paul’s hire, that it’s on go here for Wade. But again, we haven’t sat down and talked about it. But I do have to, every time I talk about this, remind us that for all practical purposes, Wade is under contract."

The Cowboys hold an option on Phillips' contract for 2010.

-- Charean Williams