Cowboys

We finally heard from Jerry Jones yesterday, but he wasn't exactly forthcoming on a lot of issues, and he refused to discuss most of the hot-button topics facing the Cowboys. It's strange to have Jerry Jones not ready and willing to talk about all things Cowboys. He's never been shy about it before. I welcome this development because I think the Cowboys actually talk a little too much in the media, instead of handling some stuff in-house. Meanwhile, Wade Phillips has refused to talk to the press at all. The most welcome news that came from Jerry was the fact that they are having initial discussions with DeMarcus Ware's agent about getting him signed to a new contract.

IRVING, Texas - While Dallas owner Jerry Jones is playing the fear factor as the Cowboys get to host the Eagles on Saturday, his coach and players are focused just on playing the game. Earlier this week, Jones said on a radio show that he was "scared" of the Eagles, who routed his team, 34-7, nearly 2 months ago at Lincoln Financial Field. "It's probably not my position to explain that," coach Jason Garrett said yesterday, when asked about Jones' remark. "I know that we as coaches and players are focused on getting ready to play our best on Saturday . . . We have great respect for their team.

The Dallas Cowboys have waived veteran cornerback Tyrone Williams, an early season addition who was supposed to fill in for some injured players but instead got hurt himself. Williams was signed in late September and activated for three games in October. He left the third one, against Detroit, with a strained hamstring on the first series and hadn't practiced in the 2 weeks since. The Cowboys said they would move him to injured reserve if he clears waivers. He was dropped Saturday.

The Dallas Cowboys won only once in 1989. But that was then. Yesterday, the Cowboys routed the visiting Phoenix Cardinals, 41-10. That improved their record to 7-7. It was also their fourth consecutive victory, the first time that has happened since 1985, which is also the last time the Cowboys advanced into the playoffs. With Kansas City's loss to Houston, they even own the NFL's longest current winning streak. If the season ended now, Dallas would be in the playoffs as the NFC's third wild-card entry.

FORT WORTH, Texas - Here come the Eagles of Philadelphia on Christmas Eve, which gives us about a three-hour Saturday window to mix in some acceptable hate and venom in the otherwise joyous holiday season. It's kind of like when your in-laws from Arkansas show up this time of year with cheap presents, while also asking for the high-dollar wine to be poured immediately. Venom happens. My friend, the football Einstein, has informed me the Cowboys will not win this must-win game (don't start with me on "they could lose this game and still . . . ")

If the Eagles were counting on their opponent being overconfident in Saturday's playoff rematch, the Cowboys aren't taking the bait. To hear the Cowboys talk this week, Sunday's regular- season win over the Eagles was a squeaker, not a 24-0 domination. "If you go back and look at the plays they missed, if they would have made those plays it would have been a completely different game," linebacker Anthony Spencer said. "We know coming into this game that we're going to have to come in and get on top of them.

THE ARIZONA Cardinals did it again to Dallas. For the third time in their three meetings since 2008 - all of in Arizona - the Cardinals beat the Cowboys in excruciating fashion. LaRod Stephens-Howling caught a short pass from Kevin Kolb and zipped 52 yards for a touchdown in overtime to give the Cardinals a 19-13 victory yesterday, snapping the Cowboys' four-game winning streak. "There's something about the Cowboys," Arizona wide receiver Andre Roberts said. "I don't know.

TAMPA, Fla. - The Cowboys are giving Felix Jones a chance to be their lead back. He is acting like he knows what to do with the job. For the second consecutive week since replacing the injured DeMarco Murray in the starting lineup, Jones rushed for more than 100 yards Saturday night, and gave the Cowboys a threat in the running game in their 31-15 victory against Tampa Bay. "I thought under the circumstances he had about as...

Yet another organization has run out of patience with Terrell Owens. The flamboyant wide receiver with the great numbers and a penchant for publicity was cut by the Cowboys late last night after three seasons in Dallas, ESPN reported, citing sources. A 13-year NFL veteran, the 35-year-old Owens also played two seasons for the Eagles and eight for the San Francisco 49ers. Owens made 69 catches for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. For his career, he has 951 receptions for 14,122 yards and 139 touchdowns.

Butch Davis, the Cowboys defensive line coach who has been an assistant to Jimmy Johnson for five years, is almost certain to be named the team's defensive coordinator now that Dave Wannstedt is leaving the post to become head coach at Chicago. Among the leading candidates to fill Davis' slot is Dale Haupt, the Eagles' defensive line coach. DYNASTY ABORNING. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said yesterday that the Cowboys - the youngest team in the league - had more players under contract than any other club in the NFL. Jones said he had to reach agreement with only six players - running back Emmitt Smith, wide receiver Kelvin Martin, quarterback Steve Beuerlein, fullback Daryl Johnston, guard Dale Hellestrae and defensive end Charles Haley.

NEW YORK - For two picks, there was no drama at the top of the NFL's marquee offseason event Thursday night. Everyone knew that quarterback Andrew Luck would be the first pick, by the Colts, and that Robert Griffin III would go next, to the Redskins. Then, chaos. The NFL draft turned into a whirlwind of trades and maneuvering that upended months of fevered speculation. The moves included the Cowboys leaping up to grab the top cornerback in the draft, further strengthening the competitive NFC East after Washington grabbed the franchise quarterback they have long lacked.

The Super Bowl champion Giants will kick off the season at home against Dallas on Sept. 5 in a nationally televised Wednesday night game. The league moved the game to a Wednesday to avoid a conflict with President Barack Obama's Thursday night speech at the Democratic National Convention. The last NFL game played on a Wednesday was in 1948.   Parcells to Saints? With a season-long suspension set to begin Sunday, New Orleans coach Sean Payton is checking to see if mentor Bill Parcells would run the team while he serves his penalty for allowing a Saints assistant coach and players to operate a crunch-for-cash bounty system.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - As they would prefer, the Eagles arrived at the NFL owners meetings under the radar while two NFC East rivals filed a grievance to have a combined $46 million in salary cap penalties overturned. Earlier this month, the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys were fined by the league for front-loading contracts during the uncapped 2010 season. The Redskins were hit with a $36 million penalty, and the Cowboys took a $10 million blow. The penalties will be split evenly over the next two seasons.

TWO PEOPLE familiar with the decision told the Associated Press yesterday that the Cowboys and Redskins will lose salary-cap space over the next two seasons because they paid exorbitant amounts 2 years ago to get more spending room for the upcoming season. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the league did not identify the teams. Both teams say they complied with NFL rules during the uncapped year. ESPN reported that the Redskins will lose $36 million in space, and the Cowboys will forfeit $10 million.

All indications are that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo isn't in danger of missing Sunday night's game at the New York Giants to determine who wins the NFC East and goes to the playoffs. Reports out of Texas said that the swelling has subsided on Romo's bruised throwing hand and he could be ready to practice Wednesday. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said a number of tests confirmed the original diagnosis of nothing being broken in the QB's right hand. Asked if Romo can grip a football, Garrett said that the player has a relatively firm handshake.

ARLINGTON, Texas - Eagles linebacker Casey Matthews called it something that should have happened much sooner. Defensive end Trent Cole called it a very satisfying day. William Shakespeare might have called it much ado about nothing, but Michael Vick sure wasn't looking at it that way. "Absolutely," he replied when asked if the Eagles' 20-7 win over the Cowboys was something the team could build on for next season. "I've watched this team grow as the weeks have went on," Vick said.

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Eagles had the lead, but they were out of the playoffs. Michael Vick found Brent Celek for a touchdown on the game's opening drive Saturday, giving the Eagles a 7-0 advantage, but in New Jersey their faint playoff hopes flickered and were ultimately extinguished. As the Eagles and Cowboys played their first quarter, the Giants beat the Jets, eliminating Andy Reid's team from playoff contention. The Cowboys and Giants will now play next Sunday night with the NFC East title on the line.

ARLINGTON, Texas - If any of Jaiquawn Jarrett's English professors at Temple ever lectured about the meaning of the phrase moot point , he must have slept in that day. "Nah, I never heard that term before," he smiled. He also never heard of the term house money , which means he can't be hanging out in too many gambling establishments these days. But even though Saturday's game with the Cowboys became a moot point once the New York Giants won, meaning that the Eagles were essentially playing with house money, the moment Jarrett found out he was getting an opportunity, he leaped up like an understudy in a Broadway musical.