Baxter Wants To Play For Us!

[STSINAZ]

Archer: Jones Praises Pasqualoni's Flexibility (3-4?)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jones praises Pasqualoni's flexibility

New hire's status as linebackers coach (or not) under wraps


By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb might be under the impression that his former Syracuse coach, Paul Pasqualoni, will work with the Cowboys' linebackers, but owner and general manager Jerry Jones said that might be "really, really wrong."

Before Thursday's practice, McNabb said Pasqualoni was expected to coach linebackers.

The Cowboys hired Pasqualoni last week as an untitled assistant, but he spent his college career working with linebackers. (Gary Gibbs is the linebackers coach and signed an extension in the off-season.)

"He's got a lot of flexibility, and he's a good coach," Jones said. "Bill [Parcells] is real comfortable with him, and it's a good opportunity. He wanted to get in the NFL, but the main thing is that he can coach multiple positions."

Jones said the club has decided what defense to run in 2005, but he did not want to announce it Thursday. Pasqualoni has a history of working with the 3-4, and Jones said the team would need two linebackers coaches if it switched.

Carter hearing update: The grievance filed by the NFL Players Association on behalf of former Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter will be heard before June, according to union general counsel Richard Berthelsen.

If owner and general manager Jerry Jones and coach Bill Parcells attend the hearing, they would be subject to cross-examination about why Carter was released. The Cowboys contend Carter's poor play and attitude about having to compete for the starting job were why he was cut, not his reported failure of a drug test.

Carter signed with the New York Jets before regular season.

"The mitigation is what Quincy lost when he was not employed," NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw said. "I don't know what we'll be able to recover."

Secondary coach hired: The Cowboys hired Todd Bowles as secondary coach, which should free up coordinator Mike Zimmer to work more with the total defense.

Bowles spent the last four years as the Browns' defensive backs and nickel package coach. He also worked for the New York Jets (2000) and played eight years for Washington and San Francisco.

Homecoming fever: Baltimore cornerback Gary Baxter, who grew up in Tyler and attended Baylor, made his way through radio row. He is scheduled to be a free agent in March.

"I enjoy Baltimore and the players, but there's two sides to the business," Baxter said. "Hopefully the Ravens can make it happen, but if not we'll see what's out there. The Cowboys? It would be something to wear that star." Briefly: Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he could not comment on the possible departure of offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon. Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel is expected to be introduced as Browns coach after the Super Bowl and hire Carthon. ... Players ranked Texas Stadium's surface 25th of 31 in a survey conducted by the NFL Players Association. Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium was No. 1, and Indianapolis' RCA Dome was deemed the worst.

[Hostile]

I wouldn't hate that at all.

Still kind of coveting Patrick Surtain though.

[big dog cowboy]

I'd still prefer a free agent over spending a draft pick. Enough youth back there that need to learn the game and get better. Use the draft picks up front.

[Maikeru-sama]

I wouldnt mind Gary Baxter at all, a native Texan is always welcomed....

I cant wait for the day when we have a defense that really dominates the competition.

The day when our defensive captain walks over to the quarterback or main offensive weapon and asked him and the entire offense to just score 2 touchdowns.

Im told Ray Lewis use to walk up to Shannon Sharpe before each game and ask him that.

Gawd I miss doomsday.....oh wait, I wasnt born yet :rolleyes: :cool: :confused: .

- Mike G.

[zack]

I wouldn't hate that at all.

Still kind of coveting Patrick Surtain though.


Sweet photo by the way!

[Nors]

Micks mail today.



Gerard Clarke, Somewhere in Uzbeck: I am wondering if the plan for the new defense adding coach Paul Pasqualoni is to get free-agent safety Donovin Darius to join and replace Darren Woodson? I did some research and saw that Donovin did play at Syracuse eight years ago under Pasqualoni. Not saying that is the only reason we acquired him, of course.

Mickey:No, I'd hardly think that would be the overriding consideration for hiring him, but certainly couldn't hurt when it comes to a guy like Darius, if indeed they are interested in him. Remember, Pasqualoni has coached linebackers and has been a defensive coordinator, so he very well could take on the outside linebackers if the team moves to this 3-4 defense. That would leave Kacy Rodgers taking care of the interior linemen and Gary Gibbs handling the inside linebackers. And by hiring Todd Bowles to handle the secondary, this will free up Mike Zimmer to be a truer coordinator instead of also having to coach a position.

Book it Danno - announcement tomorrow on 3-4 is making the rounds on WHAT IS DEVELOPING in radio row, and in print!

[inevadropit]

yeah texas stadium's surface sucks, played 2 games on it and walked away with plenty of burns...wasn't any fun

[Nors]

yeah texas stadium's surface sucks, played 2 games on it and walked away with plenty of burns...wasn't any fun

Artificial turf should be outlawed.

[Hollywood Henderson]

Yep, I played on The old Silverdome Carpet that the Lions played on...

It was awful..like mega grit sandpaper when you landed on it...

Our D can be great again, when zimmy has NOTHING at all to do with it...

[inevadropit]

Artificial turf should be outlawed.

agreed, all i've ever played on, well HS was freakin astro turf....that was terrible

[boysfanindc]

Yeah, I played on the carpet in front of my fire place, the rug burn was Hell but she was worth it.

[Hollywood Henderson]

Good one Boys! :D

[Nors]

I was on another board at the time -

At the Alamodome - they attempted to put a grass field down in an outdoor parking lot in Texas summer heat. Needless to say that never worked.....

[STSINAZ]

I think that Mick has heard a definite possibility around the ranch today....sounds like a plan....I have been calling for the 3-4 for a LONG TIME NOW!

Micks mail today.



Gerard Clarke, Somewhere in Uzbeck: I am wondering if the plan for the new defense adding coach Paul Pasqualoni is to get free-agent safety Donovin Darius to join and replace Darren Woodson? I did some research and saw that Donovin did play at Syracuse eight years ago under Pasqualoni. Not saying that is the only reason we acquired him, of course.

Mickey:No, I'd hardly think that would be the overriding consideration for hiring him, but certainly couldn't hurt when it comes to a guy like Darius, if indeed they are interested in him. Remember, Pasqualoni has coached linebackers and has been a defensive coordinator, so he very well could take on the outside linebackers if the team moves to this 3-4 defense. That would leave Kacy Rodgers taking care of the interior linemen and Gary Gibbs handling the inside linebackers. And by hiring Todd Bowles to handle the secondary, this will free up Mike Zimmer to be a truer coordinator instead of also having to coach a position.

Book it Danno - announcement tomorrow on 3-4 is making the rounds on WHAT IS DEVELOPING in radio row, and in print!

[CaptainComeback]

Archer: Jones Praises Pasqualoni's Flexibility (3-4?)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jones praises Pasqualoni's flexibility

New hire's status as linebackers coach (or not) under wraps


By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb might be under the impression that his former Syracuse coach, Paul Pasqualoni, will work with the Cowboys' linebackers, but owner and general manager Jerry Jones said that might be "really, really wrong."

Before Thursday's practice, McNabb said Pasqualoni was expected to coach linebackers.

The Cowboys hired Pasqualoni last week as an untitled assistant, but he spent his college career working with linebackers. (Gary Gibbs is the linebackers coach and signed an extension in the off-season.)

"He's got a lot of flexibility, and he's a good coach," Jones said. "Bill [Parcells] is real comfortable with him, and it's a good opportunity. He wanted to get in the NFL, but the main thing is that he can coach multiple positions."

Jones said the club has decided what defense to run in 2005, but he did not want to announce it Thursday. Pasqualoni has a history of working with the 3-4, and Jones said the team would need two linebackers coaches if it switched.

Carter hearing update: The grievance filed by the NFL Players Association on behalf of former Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter will be heard before June, according to union general counsel Richard Berthelsen.

If owner and general manager Jerry Jones and coach Bill Parcells attend the hearing, they would be subject to cross-examination about why Carter was released. The Cowboys contend Carter's poor play and attitude about having to compete for the starting job were why he was cut, not his reported failure of a drug test.

Carter signed with the New York Jets before regular season.

"The mitigation is what Quincy lost when he was not employed," NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw said. "I don't know what we'll be able to recover."

Secondary coach hired: The Cowboys hired Todd Bowles as secondary coach, which should free up coordinator Mike Zimmer to work more with the total defense.

Bowles spent the last four years as the Browns' defensive backs and nickel package coach. He also worked for the New York Jets (2000) and played eight years for Washington and San Francisco.

Homecoming fever: Baltimore cornerback Gary Baxter, who grew up in Tyler and attended Baylor, made his way through radio row. He is scheduled to be a free agent in March.

"I enjoy Baltimore and the players, but there's two sides to the business," Baxter said. "Hopefully the Ravens can make it happen, but if not we'll see what's out there. The Cowboys? It would be something to wear that star." Briefly: Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he could not comment on the possible departure of offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon. Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel is expected to be introduced as Browns coach after the Super Bowl and hire Carthon. ... Players ranked Texas Stadium's surface 25th of 31 in a survey conducted by the NFL Players Association. Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium was No. 1, and Indianapolis' RCA Dome was deemed the worst.

This reeks of when Bobby Taylor said last offseason that he would like to come to Dallas and we didn't even try to get him in here. We don't look like we are going to make any moves at all.

[Smith22]

Baxter did nothing but get burned over the 2nd half of the year with monsters like R. Lewis and Reed playing with him, and that is on a defense that can get after the QB.

No thanks. Bad fit IMO.

[big dog cowboy]

Yeah, I played on the carpet in front of my fire place, the rug burn was Hell but she was worth it.
HIOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

[ddh33]

He's been a name I've had on my short list of guys I would guess the Cowboys would have interest in. North Texas ties, solid young Corner. I figure the Ravens will make a pretty strong move to keep him though.

[Natedawg44]

Personally I like the guy I watched him play against the Colts this year and came away very impressed. He is very good in run support. He was third on the team in tackles.

Here are some opinions on him from the Ravens message board

if we run the 4-3 with more cover two, than baxter would be a good corner for this scheme.... my only thing about gary is that he's not a ball hawk. he does'nt get enough interceptions for me

Baxter is legit, he had some injuries, but played throughout them. He had one bad season, give him a break. It's not like our d-line and linebackers were getting consistent pressure on the opposing QB, and that is a huge part of pass defense.

I used to pimp Baxter at corner. Here is why:
The Ravens wanted to start fuller at corner over baxter. Baxter is a better corner then fuller. However, I recall how the coaches really were reluctant to keep Baxter at corner full time. It has something to do with how he turns his hips in change of direction at full speed. Some can do it others can't. Baxter is one who cant. He has to slow down to change direction. I think they realized that if they left Baxter at corner and he did okay he would command a much steeper salary and demand to be a starter at corner rather then be flexable (better for the team at safety, if they bring in a better cover corner then fuller) that is exactly what has happened.

He does okay at corner although there were games last year where teams specifically picked at baxter. He was burned several times and obviously is regarded by teams around the league as the ravens weak link in the secondary. (I am talking strictly covering wideouts, demps stinks at covering in space or any TE)

I agree with the other posters, why would Nolan play that "you take this side of the field" crap when we pay McAlister top cover corner money and then not put him on the top wideouts? That made no sense to me at all. Baxter struggled covering the top WR's in the league. He isn't a #1 and really not a very good #2 corner. He actually would make an excellant safety or nickelback.

It did seem that he either regressed last year or teams figured out what his weakness is and everyone copied.

I will take back the comment that he isn't a good #2 corner. He ranks right up ther in the NFL at #2. He will never be a #1 because the hips at full speed facter. I think the Ravens made a mistake now in hindsight. They should've insisted he stay at safety and aquire a better corner then fuller.

Putting Baxter in at Safety (FS) would give us the best safety tandem in the NFL immediately. There's only one other guy in the NFL with Baxter's size-speed ratio, and that's Sean Taylor. Baxter can be that kind of player, seeing how at FS he would be able to bulk up 5-7 lbs. Should he ever approach tackling with a little heart he can be a perennial Pro Bowler. At CB, he's slightly more than serviceable, but he has "upside". I say put him in the deep zone and have two heat seeking missles back there.

Because McAlister was no better. He was torched several times as well.

[jterrell]

We are definitely going 3-4 and Paul will be OLB coach.

We will definitely make alot of changes fellas. BP told the players as much so you can bank on it. BP is too old to keep losing so he'll try to surround mediocre QBs with overwhelming talent everywhere else.

For all the media crying about lack of BP info he told us all of this even if he didn't write it in sand.

We will be much more aggressive in free agency.