While the Cowboys won't be allowed to announce any roster moves until Thursday, it's being reported that Roy Williams won't be returning to the team in 2011. The Cowboys are planning to cut him, according to numerous reports, in an attempt to save about $5 million off this year's cap.
But even with Williams not in the picture, don't expect the Cowboys to make the receiver position a high priority in free agency.
Cowboys VP Stephen Jones said he didn't think the Cowboys would be aggressive to add a replacement to Williams. One player who could return to the team is unrestricted free agent Sam Hurd, a five-year veteran who is one of the team's top special teams players. Look for Kevin Ogletree, Manny Johnson, Jesse Holley and rookie draft pick Dwayne Harris to have a solid competition for the top backup spots.
· Owner/GM Jerry Jones, who played a significant role in the summer-long debates regarding the lockout, got rather emotional in discussing the new CBA. "We took this thing into the perfect storm and got the boat back home to get it done right," a glossy-eyed Jones said with his voice cracking. "I'm real proud of the players and I'm real proud of the negotiation. Our thought is there's not a winner here, but an improvement here."
· Jason Garrett had a nice long list when asked what needs to be done to change the 6-10 record of last year. "Well, we have to do everything better. We need to play better on offense, play better on defense. We have to play better in the kicking game, situational football. We have to practice better. We have to finish games better . . . I can keep going."
· Releasing Roy Williams would mean a starting role for wide receiver Dez Bryant, who showed flashes of brilliance last year but has only played 15 football games (college and pro) in almost two calendar years. Garrett believes Bryant, who's coming off last December's fractured fibula, is ready for a bigger workload. "He did so many really good things at a young age without a lot of work," Garrett said. "He's a guy that we believe just can continue to grow and grow as a player."
· Thursday's opening practice will mark quarterback Tony Romo's first official on-field workout since last October. Now recovered from the fractured collarbone that ended his season, Romo took an active role in organizing unofficial player workouts during the lockout. Garrett believes the time away might have re-energized Romo from a quarterback and leadership standpoint, even though he's never questioned either trait about his QB. "There's a lot to learn watching other people, continuing to remind yourself what a unique opportunity you have – 'When I get that chance again, I'm going to be ready,'" Garrett said.
