Matt Mosley, DallasNews.com's Cowboys beat writer, answered your questions on Saturday, Aug. 27.
From e-mail: I know Bill Parcells has said he loves Mike Zimmer, but quietly he hasn't been resigned. Does this mean Parcells is looking elsewhere and is there someone on his current staff that he is grooming? Tony in Newport Beach, Calif.
Matt Mosley: Great to be with you this afternoon. It's 125 degrees on the field, but it's about 75 in the press box. I have much to report, but first, let's answer some questions.
Dear Tony in Newport Beach, I don't think Zimmer wants a new contract right now. He's on the cusp of becoming a head coach, so the fact that he hasn't re-signed shouldn't bother you. Oops ... My "h" and "j" keys just came flying off. Fortunately, the "I" key is intact ... Back with more in a moment.
From e-mail: With two more games left, Bill Parcells has to pick a free safety to start the season. Is Keith Davis still the likeliest candidate, or has Pat Watkins done enough to consider serious attention? Salman Merchant
Matt Mosley: Salman, As we've been saying for three weeks now, Pat Watkins will be your starter. Keith Davis will still be a valuable player, but Watkins has more upside at the free safety position. Parcells thinks he can be a game-changing player. You will live some rookie mistakes if the guy's causing turnovers. By the way, we're going the distance on the blog tonight. After the chat, join me on the aptly named Matt Mosley's Cowboys Blog.
From e-mail: In all the talk about Terrell Owens, the one thing I haven't heard is what happened to the tampering charge Philadelphia made with the league about the Cowboys? As I recall, Jerry Jones made some innocent comment on a radio show and Philadelphia said they were tampering. Now that Dallas has him, I would think Philadelphia would be pursuing that charge. Larry Gilbert in Miles, Texas
Matt Mosley: YES! We've been trying to penetrate Miles, Texas for years. All that hard work has finally paid off. Sorry for the delay ... Gil Brandt had to show me a chart ... According to my colleague, Todd Archer, that tampering charge was dropped by the Eagles two weeks after it was filed. Talk soon.
From e-mail: I hear there's lightning in the area, are you in any danger? I'm sorry, that was from last week. OK, for this week: what will be the most challenging part of the Cowboys schedule this year, and why? Teresa
Matt Mosley: Teresa, Thanks for your concern. If there is lightning in the area, I think I'm a prime candidate for being struck! Regarding your question about the schedule, that three-game road trip in November (Carolina, Washington, Arizona) looks a little dicey.
From e-mail: How successful are the Cowboys at Talent Acquisition compared to other teams? I agree with Bill Parcells that success or failure in the draft is only a small part of evaluating how successful an organization is at Talent Acquisition. However, it is expensive to lose highly drafted players as washouts. Mike in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Matt Mosley: Love hearing from our growing West Coast audience. Mike, as I wrote recently, Bill really struggled in the 2004 draft. No matter what Parcells says, he expected Jacob Rogers to start at offensive tackle and Stephen Peterman to start at right guard. That said, the Cowboys are right around the league average when it comes to the percentage of draftees that make the team. I think they were 1 percent below the average. I'll double-check that for you at halftime, though.
From e-mail: As the Cowboys offense practices daily against a 3-4 defense – and they do not play a 3-4 this year – doesn't that lead to some technique problems, especially with the offensive line? Mike in Austin
Matt Mosley: Great question, Mike. You can rest assured that the offense will get some 4-3 looks in practice. Parcells tells Zimmer to change it up a lot to prepare for these teams. But still, you raise a good point. You've made the commitment to Andre Gurode at center, and now you're facing the scheme he struggles against all season. Much, much more to come on this front.
From e-mail: Do you think Proctor will start on the left guard spot and Koiser on the right tackle spot? Larisa Latimer
Matt Mosley: Larisa, Unless you have some kind of secret source I'm not aware of, I don't think this will happen. The Cowboys want Kyle Kosier to stay at left guard. Cory Procter will be the swing guard (backs up Kosier and Rivera). Procter's the most versatile lineman on the roster, though. Played every position on the line during college. Great to see my female audience continuing to grow!
From e-mail: Coming into the season there has been a lot of talk about the Cowboys new two tight end set with Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano and how that might make the offense more balanced and productive. However, do you see that helping this team's mediocre running game in any way and will Fasano be a threat in the passing game because he has been invisible so far in the preseason? Jason Lustig
Matt Mosley: Having trouble conducting this chat because NFL legends Frank Luksa and Gil Brandt are visiting with me! I think Anthony Fasano will be a solid option in the passing game. Right now, he seems a bit overwhelmed, but eventually he'll help the running game. What the running game has to have is a healthy Flozell Adams, and that's not the case right now. Your starting LT tonight is Pat McQuistan.
Cody Muecke: Matt, love your work. Rank your five favorite D-FW columnists and include yourself in the mix.
Matt Mosley: Dear Mr. Muecke, Matt Mosley, Matt Mosley, Matt Mosley, Matt Mosley, Matt Mosley
From e-mail: The official line is that Greg Ellis looks so good at outside linebacker that the team decided to move Bobby Carpenter inside. However Ellis is likely only around for one more year and realistically is going to get exposed if he has to cover backs out of the backfield. Meanwhile Dallas already has two young linebackers inside and there was talk of a contract extension for Bradie James. Isn't it likely that Carpenter got moved inside because he is too lacking in fluidity to play outside? Michael Carvajal in San Antonio
Matt Mosley: Michael, Ellis will definitely struggle in converage at first. Hate to see him line up in the slot, and he hates it too! Carpenter has the ability to play outside, but it's not the best place for him right now. The problem on the inside is that he's going to have to take on 325-pound guards. All the "fluidity" in the world isn't going to help him in some cases.
From e-mail: I know we have some big names already. But what a sight to see Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and another Patriots castoff – Deion Branch – lining up wide to set a great offensive table. Any chance? Mark in Rhode Island
Matt Mosley: Mark, in a word, no.
From e-mail: Why does the camera men spend so much time showing the coaches on the field rather than the players? After nearly every play, the focus goes back on one of the coaches. We see them spitting, scratching and all other things. I would love to see more of the players in the huddle, etc. Ray Lowery
Matt Mosley: Ray, I know where you're coming from. But if someone wasn't focused on the sideline, you would've never seen Bill Parcells shove assistant Todd Haley last year. Parcells is a volatile guy on the sideline and the cameras love him. They also love men in high pants.
From e-mail: Just curious how exactly the whole Junior Seau situation worked out. It seems to me that any disgruntled player could take that route ... retire from the team you're not happy with, and sign with someone else. I know that wasn't Junior's situation, but it seemed strange. Why doesn't that happen all the time? Jeff Linderman in Austin, Texas
Matt Mosley: Jeff, your is an interesting question. Teams don't have to take a player off the roster immediately when a player retires. Most classy players wouldn't try to stick it to a team, but (and I don't want to shock you with this) some players in this league aren't classy. Let me ask around on this one.
From e-mail: Why are the Cowboys still putting up with Julius Jones short yardage when Marion Barber III gets Emmitt Smith yardage? I like Jones, but he rarely gets past the line of scrimmage. Betty Ann Needham in McKinney, Texas
Matt Mosley: Betty Ann, you know I'm a big fan of your work, but it's way too early to start mentioning Emmitt and Marion in the same sentence! Jones is still your home run back. He just needs to hit a couple more this season.
From e-mail: Is Mike Vanderjagt warming up for the game? If so, is he making the kicks? From what yardage? Brian Klepke
Matt Mosley: Brian, Vanderjagt is not warming up. Looks like Shaun Suisham and Tyler Fredrickson will be handling the duties this evening. Just had a nice visit with former Cowboys fullback Robert Newhouse, who lives around the corner from me in Lake Highlands.
OK, I'd like for everyone on this chat to switch over to my blog. I'll keep answering your questions throughout the evening. Let me thank our moderator, Chuck Grimes, for doing a fantastic job. See you on the blog. Pausing for national anthem.
E-mail mmosley@dallasnews.com
