Terrell Owens Bodylastics Super Strong Man Edition

Reader Rob has a perfectly good reason why there should be a NFL rookie salary cap.

Compare the deals signed by Romo and Bulger (2 guys with pro bowls on their resumes when their deals were signed) to that signed by Matt Ryan. Ryan got about 2x the guaranteed money. There is no rational way to explain that inequity.

Rookies decidedly need a wage scale. Give the extra cap space to the vets who have earned it.

Let’s take a look at the numbers for all three guys and see if he’s right.

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According to ESPN, former Packers quarterback Brett Favre has talked to team officials about ending his brief retirement.

If I’m the Packers, I let Favre remain in retirement. If he does want to comeback, the Packers should cut him and let him play somewhere else. I doubt Favre wants to play somewhere else.

But that’s me. After all, the Packers have prepared for Aaron Rodgers to take over as the quarterback the entire offseason and now all of a sudden, Favre wants to return.

That’s not fair to the Packers.

We all like Favre, one of the great players of all-time. But he should stay retired. It does, however make that Sept. 21 game between the Cowboys and Packers a lot more exciting.

In fact, do you guys think he should comeback?

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I’m surprised there hasn’t been much talk about the possibility of a rookie salary cap that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has proposed. He’s been quoted all over the place for his comment that it’s “ridiculous” that rookies command top dollar before they even play one game.

Why is Goodell upset when it’s the owners that agree to things like the Jake Long deal. He got a five-year, $57 million contract just for being the No. 1 pick in the draft. Is he a future Hall of Famer or the next Tony Mandarich? At this point, nobody knows, and to some degree that’s Goodell’s point.

I really wonder if average fans care about this whole topic. The average fan probably doesn’t care if Joe Football get $10 or 10 billion. All the average sports fan cares about is how much it costs to get tickets, parking, hot dogs and beer. And in Arlington, it might cost a pretty penny. But who really says, “Parking costs $100? That’s OK, we gotta sign that running back!”

Here’s the question for the moment: Does the average Cowboys fan care how much it takes to sign first-round pick Mike Jenkins or anyone else for that matter? Now, the deal must fit into the salary cap and it’s got to be fair for both sides.

Still, do average NFL fans care if there’s a NFL rookie salary cap or not?

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The discussion of leaving early for the NFL continues and Kevin asks for your input on mandates for getting a degree on our Cowboys Insider blog.

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Here’s a tip to anyone who might be thinking of hitting up Cowboys rookie Tashard Choice for tickets this season. Just don’t.

Choice got on stage at the NFL rookie symposium where he acted out a little skit meant to show how to handle ticket requests. Let’s just say that Choice is a pro at turning people down.

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Beat writers note: We conclude our offseason rankings with the safeties. Some of you ripped our cornerback ratings, displayed last night, and that’s fine because we know it’s nothing personal, just business.

Now we get to the safeties.

1.Indianapolis. Bob Sanders, the Defensive Player of the Year, and Antoine Bethea, the Pro Bowler, is the best combo in the game. Sanders is a hard hitter and unstoppable at times. This duo makes plays in the run and passing games. Sanders excelled to another level last season.

2.Baltimore. Ed Reed had an off-year last year, but we expect him to be better this season. And, his off-year is better than some players’ elite seasons. Depth is an issue here, but we still like Dawan Landry at strong safety and team drafted two safeties.

3.Pittsburgh. Troy Polamalu is a Pro Bowler. No question. But injuries and inconsistent play hurt this unit. If Ryan Clark (spleen removed) returns and Anthony Smith matures, things should be much, much better.

4. Dallas. We debated about this because the Cowboys have two Pro Bowlers here in Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin. But we believe if Adrian Wilson (Arizona) hadn’t gotten hurt in the middle of the season, Williams is watching the Pro Bowl on his flat screen. Still, Hamlin plays like a strong safety and Williams is still a force at times.

5.Washington. Ask Terry Glenn what he thinks of LaRon Landry. Glenn got his legs taken out from him by a Landry hit in last year’s finale in Landover. TG was done for the day. Landry is a bidding star in the league. Watch.

Others of note: Arizona should be better with Antrel Rolle moving to safety. Oakland has Michael Huff, Chicago has Mike Brown and of course, Denver and New England have quality vets.

Watchout for Buffalo, Donte Whitner is strong in run support. Philly, Minnesota and Carolina also have good safeties.

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Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is in hot water with some fans.
“I don’t feel I need to sell myself to the fans,” Rodgers said to a reporter of Sports Illustrated. “They need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut.”

Strong comments coming from a man replacing a legend like Brett Favre.
But Rodgers isn’t the first player to get on the fans. Many players, including Roy Williams of the Cowboys, criticized the fans for being too negative.

Here’s a quote from Williams back in May:
“I’m tired about worrying about the fans,” he said. “The fans are only around when things are good. I want supporters. At the end of the day, we’re human beings, too. Everything can’t be perfect, and you can’t let your emotions rule over you being a human being. It gets to a point where you are abusing who you really are as a fan.”

Williams, and I’m sure Rodgers, would like the fans to be supportive.
For the most part, fans are. But when things don’t go so well, then the fans turn on you.

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Wade Phillips won 13 games, had a league-record 13 Pro Bowlers, improved a defense, and brought a calmer attitude to Valley Ranch.

Yet, he’s on the Hot Seat.
Well, according to The Sporting News he is.

The reality is every NFL coach is on the Hot Seat. But, with Jason Garrett looming, it makes for some interesting theater this season.

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While the Cowboys wonder what in the world is going to happen with Terry Glenn, the Browns have some injury issues of their own at wide receiver.

Joe Jurevicius is having some knee problems. Again.
Now, the Browns have Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth as starters.

But Jurevicius, who caught 50 passes for 614 yards last season, is a viable No. 3 receiver. His knee problem raises questions about his status going into training camp. For that matter, the season opener against Dallas.

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Beat writers note: You should have gotten this earlier in the day but I was at an Advance Sports Retreat, led by Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart. I’ll tell you more about it later on.

Now, back to the offseason series.

There are so many good cornerbacks in this league. The Cowboys have the best trio of corners around in Pacman, Newman and Henry. Yes, we know Pacman wants to be called Adam and we’ll do that. But when he plays at a high level on the field, we have to call him Pacman. Don’t we? Denver and San Diego have the best corners in the game, though Champ Bailey didn’t look as good last season. We might have ranked the Eagles a little high, but that’s only due to Asante Samuel joining the group.

Here’s the rankings:

1. San Diego. The Chargers have the best 1-2 punch in the game with Antonio Cromartie and Quentin Jammer. Cromartie led the NFL with 10 picks last season and Jammer is solid. Rookie Antoine Cason will see plenty of action in pass situation.

2 .Denver. Terence Newman said Champ Bailey sets the standard for corners. Bailey had an off year last year with only three picks, but we expect a better season from him. Dre’ Bly is an excellent corner on the other side and in case of injury Domonique Foxworth can start.

3. Philadelphia. The Eagles improved their team by getting Asante Samuel (16 INTs last two seasons). Samuel will be a force in division games this season, especially against the Cowboys. Sheldon Brown has always been solid. But losing Lito Sheppard will hurt somewhere down the line.

4. Dallas.The Cowboys should be higher, but we can’t until Adam Jones gets full reinstatement. Anthony Henry and Terence Newman are underrated for their skill level. Rookie Mike Jenkins adds speed to the cornerback position.

5. Green Bay. Al Harris and Charles Woodson are some man-to-man playing fools. Each is in their 30s and that might slow them down. Second-year man Will Blackmon from Boston College and Jarrett Bush from Utah State provide good depth.

Also receiving votes: Ravens, Colts, Raiders, Seahawks, Bucs, Bears.
Surprises. Bills and the Saints.

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