01/09/13: D-FW sports chat with columnist Kevin Sherrington

I'm here for a truncated version of the chat today. Have to leave early for a funeral. Let's go.

No, not at all. I thought all the injuries on the defense gave him a free pass. I haven't been a fan of Ryan's, particularly his first year, when he forced too much, too soon down the throats of his players. But he was better this year. Having said that, the Cowboys may be wanting to change defensive styles, maybe going to a 3-4. If that's the case, and they come away with a Lovie Smith as DC, it's a good move.

Barrying a mammoth spring, I'd say not very good. If Berkman's healthy, he'll be the full-time DH. The fact that he's a switch-hitter makes any kind of platoon moot. Olt didn't endear himself to Ron Washington as an OF with his play in NY last summer. I don't think that's fair, but it's the way it is. His best position is third, and I'd say that's blocked for now. He's better served playing every day until an injury crops up.

I suppose the return of Mike Zimmer is a possibility. Maybe even Dave Wannstedt. With Jerry, it helps who you know.

I'm no capologist, but they're under the cap, as I understand it. They should not be hindered by it going forward.

He had a serious injury at Baylor, and now this. I don't doubt that he'll come back from it, though. He may not be quite as fast, but that's all right. He's still very talented. I'm of the opinion that RG3 and Russell Wilson and Colin Kapernieck, if I came close to spelling his name correctly, are changing minds in the NFL about what you want from a QB. Extending plays is the name of the game now. If you can run a little bit, too, so much the better. I'd say this bodes well for the NFL future of a certain quarterback in College Station.

Let's hope so, but but don't hold out hope for the GM.

If he's healthy, Berkman is a far more reliable offensive performer. Just two years ago, he hit 31 homers and finished in the top 10 in the MVP race. He didn't play last year because of injuries, but you can say that about a lot of guys. Especially Moreland, who's been hurt every year. Moreland also needs to show a lot of improvement against LHP. His numbers against them have been terrible. When you lose a player like Josh Hamilton from the middle of the lineup, you need to replace him with someone who has "presence," as baseballers like to call it. Berkman has presence; at the moment, Moreland doesn't.

If he doesn't have a successor identified, and all but locked up, then he's made a mistake. Ryan wasn't so bad that you had to get rid of him. I'd bet he has his guy lined up.

The only thing that will help the NFL is to return to the fundamentals of tackling. Players need to quit diving at ballcarries and leading with their helmets. Head up, wrap up. Otherwise, there's not much you can do. Players are bigger and faster than they used to be, which leads to more violent collisions. Bodies only hold up so well to that.