FWST BLOG: Nate Jones looking at Vikings, Dolphins

[WoodysGirl]

March 12, 2008
Nate Jones looking at Vikings, Dolphins

Cornerback Nate Jones could be the next Cowboy leaving the team. Jones, an unrestricted free agent, is visiting Minnesota on Wednesday and is talking extensively with the Miami Dolphins.

Jones' agent said there are a couple of other teams they are considering. Jones is trying to make sure from teams exactly what his role would be. He was the fourth corner in Dallas this year and there remains a possibility he could return. Jones showed some value as a playmaker on blitzes, which included a knockout hit on Brett Favre at Texas Stadium.

Jones might also be the next Cowboy bound for South Beach. Bill Parcells always loved his smarts and special teams value.

_ Rick Herrin

Posted at 09:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

In case you missed it ...

9:53 AM Wed, Mar 12, 2008 | Permalink
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In Calvin Watkins' report on Keith Davis today, there's a note on the Cowboys last remaining free agent. Nate Jones, a four-year vet of Valley Ranch, is in Minnesota today to visit the Vikings.

What I can tell you is that Jones walked away from the Cowboys at the start of free agency on good terms, and has kept the team in the loop as he tries to figure out what's next. And Dallas seems to be taking the same patient approach with Jones that they've taken with everyone this month.

The other thing I know is that the Cowboys depth in the secondary has been depleted. Here's what's left ....

Cornerback
Alan Ball
Anthony Henry
Terence Newman

Safety
Courtney Brown
Ken Hamlin*
Patrick Watkins
Roy Williams
(* -- franchise tag)

Now I know all of you are getting hot and bothered over the situation at receiver and running back. Guess what? The needs at those positions aren't as pressing as the ones in the secondary.

 

[Woods]

He forgot Oglesby (sp?) I think at CB.

 

[This is Our Year]

Assuming Jones leaves which I don't see why he would be coming back........... We almost have to draft 2 CBs in the first five rounds of the draft.

 

[TheCount]

The guy makes one hit on Favre, when he was completely unblocked and unnoticed, and now he's a blitzing specialist.

He probably blitzed two or three other times in that game and got stonewalled.

 

[Duane]

Assuming Jones leaves which I don't see why he would be coming back........... We almost have to draft 2 CBs in the first five rounds of the draft.

Jones and Reeves were both 7th round picks if I remember correctly. So I'm guessing we can get equal value in this draft.

 

[Woods]

Well, I guess we can pick up another comp pick potentially.

 

[adamknite]

The guy makes one hit on Favre, when he was completely unblocked and unnoticed, and now he's a blitzing specialist.

He probably blitzed two or three other times in that game and got stonewalled.

Hey now.... he had a sack his rookie season too.

 

[superpunk]

Jones and Reeves were both 7th round picks if I remember correctly. So I'm guessing we can get equal value in this draft.

Going by how they performed when we needed to lean on them, I think we need to upgrade rather than simply replace.

 

[Duane]

Going by how they performed when we needed to lean on them, I think we need to upgrade rather than simply replace.

Good point on that.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Nate maybe gone......let me dry my eyes.

Can we get a refund?

 

[lspain1]

Jones and Reeves were both 7th round picks if I remember correctly. So I'm guessing we can get equal value in this draft.

Nate Jones is a 5th year player who plays special teams and certain role situations. He is a classic "utility" player with experience and an ability to play in a number of different spots.

How does one obtain equal "value" in the draft to an experienced player who plays special teams and can fit in a number of spots but will never be a starter? All of these guys seem to blend together at the bottom of the draft at the DB position. I guess this is why Parcells has the philosophy that you always churn the bottom of your roster to some extent.

The bottom line is we saw the performance of Reeves on the field and
Jone (among others) could not supplant him. All of that makes our DB situation look even thinner to me. I sure hope our starters stay healthy this season. We're gonna need 'em.

 

[Iago33]

The bottom line is we saw the performance of Reeves on the field and
Jone (among others) could not supplant him. All of that makes our DB situation look even thinner to me. I sure hope our starters stay healthy this season. We're gonna need 'em.

Boy--I wish we were like other teams and didn't need our starters to play this year....

 

[austintodallas]

Once we sing Pacman and draft a corner, we'll be fine.

 

[FCBarca]

Nate Jones is a 5th year player who plays special teams and certain role situations. He is a classic "utility" player with experience and an ability to play in a number of different spots.

How does one obtain equal "value" in the draft to an experienced player who plays special teams and can fit in a number of spots but will never be a starter? All of these guys seem to blend together at the bottom of the draft at the DB position. I guess this is why Parcells has the philosophy that you always churn the bottom of your roster to some extent.

The bottom line is we saw the performance of Reeves on the field and
Jone (among others) could not supplant him. All of that makes our DB situation look even thinner to me. I sure hope our starters stay healthy this season. We're gonna need 'em.

Nice points...Depth is going to be a legitimate concern even if the draft results in some picks of CB...Many games last season saw Dallas lose Newman and Henry so there's no reason to believe it may not happen again...No experienced backups poses a big problem even with some blue chip prospects potentially coming in.

Probably means that come camp time, Jerruh will scour the releases of other teams for a vet

 

[big dog cowboy]

Once we sing Pacman and draft a corner, we'll be fine.

I don't care if we do sing to Pacman as long as we don't sign him.

 

[Doctor32]

Sometimes you have to trim the fat to make room for lean, mean muscle.
Catch my drift...

I saw enough of Nate Jones against New England. Bring on the drafted rookies!

 

[Chief]

Good luck elsewhere, Nate.