Fraley: While Packers GM scouted, Jerry was entertaining B-list celebrities

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Cowboys beat writer Gerry Fraley answered your questions in a chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.

Craig asks ... So Wade Phillips, Ray Sherman and Joe Jurazek are held responsible for the horrendous season.

Gerry Fraley: Blame should start at the top. GM was guilty of over-rating talent. That's a terrible mistake. Compare Green Bay and the Cowboys. The Packers have a huge advantage in talent. The Packers also have a GM, Ted Thompson, who scouts. He was at the Texas vs. National all-star game during Super Bowl week to scout talent. The Cowboys' GM was holding a press conference and entertaining a group of B list celebrities.

kbaker asks ... Gerry, what is the chance Ray Horton will come here? Who would be the 2nd choice if he doesn't? Thanks!

Gerry Fraley: Looks as if Ray will be Arizona's defensive coordinator. If that happens, look for Campo and Maxie to return. Maxie, a promising coach, will get a bit more responsibility. Campo, a smart man, will look at what has not worked and make the needed corrections.

Craig asks ... I am stunned. The offensive line and secondary had to be among the biggest weaknesses last season. How in the world are Houk and Campo being retained?

Gerry Fraley: Poor play does not always reflect poor coaching. Hudson Houck knows his stuff. Dave Campo's group was victimized by being put in bad spots: cushion in coverage but asked to play man. Cannot work well.

Gary asks ... Do you know anything about the new DL coach? I don't recall the Panthers or Rams being that good in that regard.

Gerry Fraley: Julius Peppers loved him during their year together. That's worth something. he turned out good dl in Detroit and St. Louis. High-energy guy. Biggest question is how he will handle working in a 3-4 vs. a 4-3.

 

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More from that chat session....


Fraley: Why Cowboys passed on Aaron Rodgers in 2005 draft

ric asks ... Where did the Sean Payton rumors to Dallas GM originate?

Gerry Fraley: People putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5. Word leaked out last weekend that he was moving to Westlake. Some people made a broad leap and figured it had to be for a job with the Cowboys. Since they have a coach, it had to be GM. no one considered the possibility, remote as it was, that he wanted to have his famliy in westlake. I see this causing big problems for Payton in New Orleans. he won over the locals with his devotion to a city on the rebound. That looks like empty talk now.

Jeff Gallo asks ... Why did the Cowboys pass on Aaron Rodgers in the 2005 draft? At the time an aging Drew Bledsoe was the QB and Romo has not emerged.

Gerry Fraley: For the same reason as the other teams that passed on Rodgers. Teams did not think he had the athletic skills to play the position.

Mark E Mark asks ... Does Jerry plan on making wholesale changes that he alluded to towards the end of the season? Is he going to wimp out on actually following through?

Gerry Fraley: Garrett will push for the changes and get them. I would not be surprise to see at least 8 new starters next season: RB, OT, OG, NT -- with Ratliff moving outside -- ILB, OLB, S and C.

Manny asks ... Who deserves to be the next in the Ring of Honor? Jerry?

Gerry Fraley: Drew Pearson.

Mark E Mark asks ... Is your new starting RB Felix Jones?

Gerry Fraley: Felix Jones gets first shot at the job. It sure will not be Marion Barber.

The Illnois running back (Leshoure) would be a nice second-round addition who could push for the job.

Don asks ... will Stephen McGee be back as 3rd QB next season?

Gerry Fraley: Yes. He showed enough in the final two games to come back.

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Fraley: With Romo's window closing, Cowboys make it to Super Bowl in next 2 years or wait 6-7

John asks ... Best guess: when do the Cowboys make it back to the Super Bowl? and who do we choose with the 9th pick overall in the draft?

Gerry Fraley: With window closing on Romo, the Cowboys either make it in the next two years or wait about six or seven years. The OT from USC -- Tryon Smith (another name I probably mangled.) Cal DE Cameron Jordan was outstanding at the Pro Bowl, and Smith dominated him in the regular season.

mark mann asks ... I know JJ loves the Razorbacks, Mallet is their QB, please tell me he isn't a possibility at #9?

Gerry Fraley: No, but he likely will go in the first round. QBs are always over-rated in the draft. Mike Leach was right. The NFL does not know how to judge QBs.

 

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Fraley: Roy Williams will balk at pay cut and get cut; no pants-pulling under Garrett

Scot asks ... Who is the "biggest" name currently on the team who will not be here for 2011?

Gerry Fraley: Roy Williams. He'll balk at taking a pay cut, which will clear the way for the Cowboys to cut their ties to him.

CM asks ... As long as we are on Jerry and finances...why would a guy who loves the limelight and money so much not understand Business 101 ... you make the most and get the most visibility when you are a winner. It escapes me how Jerry can acknowledge that the Pats and Steelers do it every year with a different system yet he keeps up the insanity!

Gerry Fraley: Like many successful men, Tom Hicks to start, Jerry still does not grasp that what works in the business world does not work in the sports world. Each sports is highly specialized and requires executives who knows the nuances. Good clubs bring in as many good football -- or baseball, or basketball, or etc. -- people as possible and spreads responsibilities. Jerry believes in a centralized authority figure with his hands in everything. that does not work.

C W Freeman asks ... Do you think Campo lost the respect of his unit when pac-man pulled his pants down and was never punished?

Gerry Fraley: I was not around the club then and cannot give you a good answer.

It is a good point worth pursuing. Thanks for the good idea. There will be not any pants-pulling in the Garrett era, can say that without fear of contradiction.

 

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Fraley: I believe Super Bowl on PPV within next decade; Ines Sainz's astounding lack of professionalism

Don asks ... Gerry, don't you believe the NFL is providing the SB for free on TV as well as providing a wealth of entertainment therefore not so much being elitist as much as getting their fair market value for the tix when truly they could get 3 to 5 times what they ask?

Gerry Fraley: Don, I'm more cynical. I believe the game remains on terrestial tv only to keep congress from jumping into the picture. I also believe the game will switch to cable and then pay-per-view within the next decade. As for the other game-related activities from the NFL, they were high-priced, too. I understand that the NFL is setting prices dependent upon what the market will bear. The NFL is coming dangerously close to limiting that market to the upper one percent. It may already be there.

Beth asks ... What was the strangest thing you saw covering Super Bowl week?

Gerry Fraley: Ines Sainz dressed like a school girl. The lack of professionalism was astounding. the second item on the list was reading the e-mail annoucing that Ines Sainz was available for interviews. (For those who do not know, Ms. Sainz is with a Latin American network that proclaims her the "hottest sportscaster." She seems to have problems finding clothes that fit.)

DallasSaint asks ... Do you believe Roy Williams could be more successful as a #2 receiver on a team that doesn't use its TE as the primary receiver?

Gerry Fraley: That's a good idea. I like Roy Williams. He is the epitome of professionalism. he does things, such as blocking, that many receivers avoid like the plague. The problem for the Cowboys is they are scheduled to pay him like a No. 1 receiver, and he is more of a No. 3. If Roy would take the anticipated request for a cut, he'd be back.

 

[Sheik]

lol at Pacman pantsing Campo.

Huge sign of respect.