Shaking trees, but can 'Boys avoid nuts?
By RANDY GALLOWAY
Star-Telegram staff writer
Pacman Jones? Hold on to your stripper's pole. No doubt, the make-it-rain man is at least on the Cowboys radar screen.
But there might be more. Don't rule out even the long-shot chance of acquiring the lovable Chad Johnson.
Depending on your point of view, the Cowboys are about to become very aggressive or very stupid in attempting to boost the talent level at "need" positions.
True story:
In what had been the quietness of a Cowboys' off-season, with the college draft still a month away, I had this joking comment last week for the owner/general manager:
"So far, you people are boring me."
Jerry Jones laughed.
Media-wise, Jones had taken much abuse over the years, but for those of us who have been the most critical, we know it's difficult to actually insult the man.
Describe Jerry, however, as boring, and you might have pushed that "insult" button.
"I can assure everyone," Jones answered [and this was on Thursday], "our pursuit of talent is far from over."
Within a few hours of that comment, I heard a gushing NFL Network reporter say he was breaking news the Cowboys were negotiating a trade with the Titans for Pacman.
Jones had mentioned no such name to me in our conservation. It's tampering to discuss a player under contract to another team.
But Jerry did say, "if you look at what our obvious needs are, that's where you will find us heavily involved. It may seem like a quiet off-season, but, believe me, that's only on the surface."
Cornerback? That's a need. And the Pacman rumors have been floating for several weeks. Even before last week's news, Michael Irvin, now the radio man, had already booked Pacman as a guest for Tuesday's show on ESPN 103.3.
Not by phone, either. The Pac Rat is coming to town at Irvin's request.
Opinions will fly on whether it's a wise move for the Cowboys to become involved with this kind of known trouble. What is it now for the Rain Man, five arrests, or six, in three years?
But more on Pacman at a later date.
I was more interested in what Jones had to say in several other areas.
Such as, this question:
What is the organization's No. 1 priority between now and training camp?
"Without question, creating a threat on the other side of the ball from [Eldorado] Owens," said Jerry.
Just what I wanted to hear. Many others haven't agreed, but to me, finding another receiver, or two, topped any list of needs.
"I've ruled out nothing when it comes to those options, or possible options," said Jerry.
That statement is backed by another NFL voice who said Friday, "within the league, you hear the Cowboys are attempting, or will attempt, to work a trade for Chad Johnson, for Roy Williams, for maybe others."
Hmmmmm...
The Bengals have been adamant they won't trade Johnson, and the same for the Lions with Roy Williams.
But Chad is Cincinnati's nut case, and he's publicly pushing to be dealt. On a national TV show last week, Johnson mentioned the Cowboys as a team he'd liked to play for, and if that deal were made, he said he'd immediately have to make a choice about "which finger to put it on." The Super Bowl ring, of course.
Chad must have missed the news -- the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in 11 years.
Again, the Bengals say Johnson will remain. If not, then the price tag would be huge. But Chad's agent is a certain Drew Rosenhaus, the same agent for Eldorado, and a guy who knows how to force teams to make deals.
By the way, another receiver client of Rosenhaus would be Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals, who is both lowly paid and not exactly pleased about the massive new dollars the team gave fellow receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
I repeat, Jerry mentioned no names, but did stress not to rule out any possible deal when it comes to a wide receiver.
The Cowboys thought they had an agreement with free-agent receiver Javon Walker, who had actually already moved to Irving. But then the Raiders started throwing around crazy money. Walker, with knee injury issues, did the sensible thing and took Al Davis' $16 million guaranteed, about $14 million above market value.
One receiver Jones did mention, without hesitation, was none other than Terry Glenn. Speaking of knee issues.
"I would urge you not to rule out Terry," he said. "He will be here, he will on the roster, and don't be surprised if he's healthy. That's all I will say. Don't be surprised."
But Jerry did admit the unknown with Glenn's health means the team will move on with off-season plans "as if we didn't have him."
One last thing on receivers. Finding one in the draft at the end of the first round, where the Cowboys' have two picks, has become remote.
"Don't think so," was the Jones comment.
Otherwise, the Pacman trade could become reality, meaning Jones will be severely bashed for having lost touch with reality.
But when it comes to a major trade for a receiver, Jerry says don't rule out anything, which means he's at least in touch with what his team needs.
rgalloway@star-telegram.com
Randy Galloway, 817-390-7760
