02/14/13: D-FW sports chat with columnist Tim Cowlishaw

Tim Cowlishaw joins us at 4 p.m., but ask your questions now and he will have them when he arrives. Thanks for your readership!

by SportsDayDFW 2/14/2013 3:59:36 PM
Let's see who's still at their laptops or desktops pretending to work but wanting to talk sports. We got Rangers, we got Garrett, we got Stars, we got no Dirk in the All-Star game....and if you want details of my 39-46-85 at Watters Creek today (formerly Chase Oaks), we got that, too. Let's go.

by Tim Cowlishaw 2/14/2013 9:54:38 PM
How long is Orton under contract? If Romo's playing bad why dont they put Orton in!

by Perry Hagen 2/14/2013 9:55:09 PM
Kyle Orton has 2 years left on his contract but, seriously, that's where we're starting? Benching Romo to play a guy with a track record of something less than ultimate success? Could be a rough chat. Orton is a fine backup, yes. Let's leave it at that.

by Tim Cowlishaw 2/14/2013 9:55:50 PM
Hi, thanks for taking our questions. What's the most realistic scenario for the Mavs this offseason in terms of adding players? I think we miss out on the big names like Howard and J. Smith and end up with 2nd-tier guys like Okafor and Monta Ellis.

by Kristen 2/14/2013 9:56:07 PM
I can't imagine what the Mavericks would want to acquire Monta Ellis for. Is he drastically different from O.J. Mayo? No need for both. I agree that they will miss out on big FAs if there are any. I still doubt Chris Paul will ever hit the open market. As for Dwight Howard, how far has his stock fallen and would you want him? I have not been high on Howard for years. But I don't even know what to make of his prospects now. One of worst attitudes in game behind that smile...

by Tim Cowlishaw 2/14/2013 9:57:40 PM
If we're looking to add a young QB to develop behind Romo, which is smarter: drafting the guy vs. going after a young QB who has sat on another roster for a a few years and who therefore might have a head start over the draft pick in terms of development? Romo held a clipboard for a few years before getting a chance to start. Then again so did Cassel. Thanks!

by Kristen 2/14/2013 9:57:51 PM
I think normally you could go either way, but I think someone who has sat for a couple years might be the way to go. I don't know exactly who that is. I don't think Matt Flynn is going to wind up here or anything. The reason I shy away from the draft just a bit (not completely) is because this is a lousy overall draft for quarterbacks. That means the few that manage to enhance their value between now and April will be overvalued. Guys might go in the 2nd when they should go in the 4th another year. And this team has greater needs than drafting that future QB although I agree they need to start kicking the tires on someone.

by Tim Cowlishaw 2/14/2013 9:59:54 PM
Is it better to resign Spencer and keep him at Lb w, lee,carter then draft bigger DE or resign him as DE and move Albright into weak side Lb?

by Mike from dc 2/14/2013 10:00:05 PM
I think keeping Spencer and putting him at strongside DE is the way to go. Garrett pretty much said as much yesterday, he mentioned that Spencer was a defensive end at Purdue. He's a bit undersized but maybe not by more than 10 pounds or so. He won't be the right end, that goes to Ware. So that means Lee, Carter and someone else (Albright?) at the LB spots when all get healthy. Probably could use help at both spots, particularly LB if you go this route.

by Tim Cowlishaw 2/14/2013 10:02:41 PM
Just want to remind those people who are kind of enough to write in questions that we are not exclusively limited to talking about a .500 team that doesn't play another game for seven months. Just thought I'd mention that.

by Tim Cowlishaw 2/14/2013 10:03:34 PM
What type of deal do you think Romo will get from the Cowboys?

by Dj 2/14/2013 10:03:41 PM
He costs too much against the cap in 2013 so he prettty much has to get a new deal. How much overall? Don't know, don't care. One of the most ridiculous things is how people talk about veteran QBs and their contracts. Michael Vick signed a six-year, $100 million deal two years ago. What did that mean?

by Tim Cowlishaw 2/14/2013 10:04:39 PM
I know its early, but look into your crystal ball and tell us who you think will be the Mavs starting 5 at the start of next season?

by Dj 2/14/2013 10:04:52 PM
Wow, you are trying to make me work here. Let me put on my NBA mock draft hat, slide Nerlens Noel down a few spots after that knee injury -- no, he's not going to wind up a Maverick. How about this -- Darren Collison and Tyreke Evans at guards, Dirk and Jae Crowder at forward and Cody Zeller at center. Let's make this happen. Hey, you asked.

by Tim Cowlishaw 2/14/2013 10:07:54 PM
Hi and thanks for taking our questions. Are we comfortable with the group we have fighting for the 3rd-WR job, or are we looking to bring in an established vet or two? Since we don't have a lot of dough available, would a 1-year deal for an obscurer WR like Donald Jones or a reclamation project like David Nelson make sense?

by Kristen 2/14/2013 10:08:08 PM
Since David Nelson is still dating a former Cowboys cheerleader and he's from Texas, he would welcome that move. Good guy, too, but don't know his recovery-from-injury status. Based on how Harris played the last 5-6 games, I don't think 3rd wide receiver is a big concern for this team. If the club goes to more sets where Cole Beasley can be useful in the slot, he can also get into the mix. I think getting more production from Miles Austin is a bigger concern than the third WR right now.

by Tim Cowlishaw 2/14/2013 10:09:34 PM
With talk of play calling mechanics, when does QB helmet receiver go on, how long is it on, must play caller be on sideline, can play caller change during game and does anything change when a team goes no huddle or hurry up?

by California Cowboy 2/14/2013 10:11:07 PM
What am I, the helmet man? Let's start with what I know (precious little). The communication begins after a play and stops with 15 seconds left on the play clock. The person talking to the QB can be on the sideline or in the press box. I'm sure you can pass the headset around during the game, say, "Here, you call a few plays,'' but I don't think that's the "mechanics" that Garrett was talking about working out yesterday.

by Tim Cowlishaw 2/14/2013 10:12:27 PM
Tim, can you articulate a single objective reason why Dallas fans should continue to support this team and believe that it can win under Jerry Jones? I am about out of faith here. I see no hope.

by Landry's Ghost 2/14/2013 10:12:37 PM