NFL Notes: Cowboys, Jets, Raiders

Cowboys

Ed Werder (via CBS Sports) mentioned on his “Doomsday Podcast” with Matt Mosley that former Cowboys QB Tony Romo previously told him that he was the reason a Brett Favre-to-the-Cowboys trade never happened.

“He talked about during the round about how the Cowboys had had an interest in trading for Favre late in his career when he was available, [Bill] Parcells was the coach.

“I said, “Oh yea, I kind of heard that.” 

“And he said, “Well you know, the deal went dead when the Packers asked for me to be in the trade.”

“And now I’m like, “Oh really the Cowboys didn’t trade for Favre because they didn’t want to give you up?” And maybe it was true as it turns out, right? He was good enough as it turns out! He had a hell of a good career!”

Jets

Jets new running backs coach Stump Mitchell clearly has high expectations for RB Bilal Powell this year.

“Bilal is a Pro Bowl back if playing by himself,” Mitchell said, via Connor Hughes of NJ.com. “Make no doubt about it.”

Mitchell fully expects Powell and Matt Forte to average 100 yards per game and doesn’t think this is asking too much of them.

“I expect those guys each to average 100 total yards a game,” Mitchell said. “That’s not asking too much. That’s production. That’s whenever you get the ball, make something happen. That’s managing your runs. That’s making correct decisions. Those guys are going to be a big part of the offense.

“I have high expectations for them,” Mitchell added. “But my expectations can’t be higher than the expectations they have for themselves.”

Raiders

• Paul Gutierrez of ESPN writes that the next task for Raiders should be to sign a veteran linebacker now that they’ve locked up QB Derek Carr and G Gabe Jackson to contract extensions.
• Gutierrez specifically mentions Perry Riley Jr. or Rey Maualuga as two names that could make sense for the Raiders.
• Zach Orr and D’Qwell Jackson are also available and could be worth considering in the coming weeks.
• We have them all featured in our Top 50 Available Free Agents list.