IRVING, Texas - Apparently the Cowboys definitely are serious about signing a veteran quarterback as their third guy, and that could take place as early as Monday of next week.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, during his weekly segment Friday on Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket in Dallas, said there was a high possibility of signing that third quarterback on Monday, the day after the team's opener in Cleveland.

And it would appear the Cowboys' guy is either sixth-year veteran Brooks Bollinger, who came in for a visit on Tuesday, or possibly Chris Simms, the former University of Texas quarterback released by Tampa Bay on the final cuts and still an available free agent.

When asked if he could sign that third quarterback as early as Monday, Jones said, "Yes."

When asked if he's looked at Simms, Jones succinctly said, "Yes."

And when asked if we should assume it's not Simms, Jones said, "You shouldn't," not wanting to tip his hand which way the team might go.

The Cowboys have been looking for a third quarterback with a minimum amount of NFL experience, and Bollinger, a sixth-round pick of the New York Jets in 2003, has played in 19 games, starting 10 - nine during the 2005 season with the Jets and one last year with the Vikings.

Simms has not played for 1½ years, not since suffering a damaged spleen three games into the 2006 season. Simms also has played in 19 NFL games, starting 15 for Tampa Bay.

"We ideally would like to have a veteran who has a chance to move in for Brad Johnson at some point in the future, the future (meaning) not necessarily this year" Jones said on The Ticket. "There may be the chance to pick up the veteran we like."

Currently, the Cowboys' third quarterback is Richard Bartel, on the practice squad for a second consecutive season. Chances are the Cowboys would release Bartel off the practice squad if they sign a third quarterback to the 53-man roster.

Now Cutting To 45

The Cowboys pretty easily cut their roster from 75 to 53 last Saturday, and come 2:15 p.m. (CDT) Sunday they must have whittled that down to the 45-man, game-day roster for the opener in Cleveland.

The first four players should be easy, since they all are definitely out with injuries: Kyle Kosher (foot), Miles Austin (knee), Sam Hurd (ankle) and Anthony Spencer (knee).

The next two, maybe three, depending on if there are any last minute roster moves, should be somewhat predictable, since the team currently has 11 offensive lineman on the 53-man roster and the Cowboys normally keep just seven offensive linemen active: Doug Free and Montrae Holland or Joe Berger, and then possibly James Marten if he is still on the roster would be the two or three. The Cowboys were contemplating moving wide receiver Mike Jefferson to the 53-man roster to give them a fourth wide receiver for the game. If they did that, likely on Saturday, the Cowboys seemingly would release Marten or possibly Alan Ball, who also could be inactive for the game.

Ball currently is considered the sixth corner on the squad. Another possibility could be safety Courtney Brown now that the Cowboys signed Keith Davis as a special teams player, which gives them five safeties on the squad.

Garden City

What a nice place to be going to, Cleveland, at least this time of year, when the predicted high for Sunday's season opener at Cleveland Browns Stadium is 78 degrees but with the humidity on the banks of Lake Erie expected to reach 64 percent. But the good news is the game does not start until 4:15 p.m. (EDT), which means the temperature should start dropping toward the expected overnight low of 60.

There is just a 20 percent chance of rain.

And with the temperatures potentially higher this early in the season, the Browns will wear their white jerseys at home, meaning the Cowboys will be opening the season in their road blues. Also, since this is a natural grass field, expect the Cowboys equipment department to pack varying lengths of cleats.

Return Alternatives

This is not the way the Cowboys had this planned out, but it looks like first-round draft choice Felix Jones and the recently-reinstated Adam "Pacman" Jones will be mostly responsible for returning kicks for the Cowboys on Sunday.

The Cowboys were looking at several alternatives at punt return, but seemingly after Pacman returned that one in the Denver preseason game, Phillips decided he was his guy. And apparently he is, Phillips saying Pacman is his punt returner for the opener. During his two-year career with Tennessee, Pacman returned 63 punts for 712 yards, averaging 11.2 a return and scoring four touchdowns - three his second season in 2006 before getting suspended for the 2007 season.

Phillips continues to say he will use Pacman and Felix Jones for kickoff returns with Austin out with a sprained ACL and Stanback needed as the third receiver even though he will play with a supportive shoulder harness.

"Could be either or both," Phillips said.

Chances are it will be Felix Jones, with rookie Orlando Scandrick lining up deep as the predominant blocking back. Felix Jones at Arkansas returned 62 kickoffs for 1,749 yards, a 28.2-yard average. He also returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in three years.

More Jerry

There were two more statements the Cowboys owner made of great interest while on The Ticket Friday morning.

When asked about his biggest concern heading into a season filled with such promise, Jones had this to say:

"We need to keep Romo healthy. He's a serious talent and that's an understatement. We have a supporting cast that can make do in certain situations, finish games, maybe a game, but over the long haul, we need a healthy Tony."

No arguments there.

And, Jones also brought up his concerns at wide receiver with Stanback trying to play at less than 100 percent and Austin out at least another week, possibly as many as three. And just know Jones was making a point about the type of wide receiver who would make him feel better, not necessarily talking about a specific player.

"Not that Anquan Boldin isn't an outstanding receiver, but we need speed on the other side . . . what we need opposite Terrell Owens is serious speed," said Jones, explaining why the Cowboys miss Austin and a totally healthy Stanback.

Jones also didn't deny searching for one of those receivers once he realized early on the chances of having Terry Glenn back for this season weren't very good. He even said he's been accused of a lot of things, "but not being creative isn't one of them." He meant he kicked all the reasonable tires looking for that experienced speed receiver.

"It's possible to get a wide receiver with speed if you're willing to trade DeMarcus Ware, OK," Jones said. "That's doable on draft day.

"But there's no free lunch around here."

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