Dallas Cowboys News: Alan Ball at Safety and...Patrick Crayton To Dolphins?

• Believe it or not, Cowboys running back Felix Jones has exactly ZERO career carries inside the five-yard line.

This tidbit shocked us.  Upon reading it, we looked into our database and it seems to be true.  Anyone want to bet this will change by the end of 2010?

• The Miami Herald is reporting that the Dolphins have been contacted by the Cowboys about a trade involving Patrick Crayton.

There doesn’t seem to be much interest on Miami’s part.  We are rapidly becoming one of the few media outlets still predicting Crayton to be in Dallas in 2010.

• The Cowboys are the league’s fourth-best team, according to NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan.

Placing the Super Bowl teams at No. 1 and No. 2 seems to have become standard practice nowadays, but we don’t think it is a necessity.  Nonetheless, the No. 4 positions seems like a suitable one for Dallas.

• Todd Archer of DMN thinks FB Deon Anderson will eventually be released.

We think Anderon’s future is in the hands of Roger Goodell.  If Anderson gets suspended for multiple games, he will likely be cut.  If not, however, we think he will stay in Dallas this season.  Remember, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett loves to use a fullback, and the Cowboys were incredibly successful with Anderson on the field in ‘09.

Besides, Anderson was nice enough to take pictures with “The Blonde Side” author Amber Leigh.

Jerry Jones on Remaining Stadium Expenses

 

• CB Mike Jenkins had an excellent season in 2009, but he is looking to become a shutdown corner this year.

Jenkins is quickly becoming the Cowboys’ best cornerback.  We gave him an “A-” grade for his work last year, and if he can improve his tackling, Jenkins will become one of the NFL’s best CBs.

• We recently assessed our 2009 preseason predictions.  Here are another writer’s 2010 Cowboys predictions.

Of the forecasts, we agree with all except “9. Tony Romo will throw at least five more interceptions but 10 more touchdowns than last year.”  We will have detailed stat projections as the season nears, but we don’t see Romo throwing 10 more TDs this year.

• Is Alan Ball, at just 190 pounds, ready to start at free safety for the Cowboys?

Ball performed fairly well in coverage last season as a safety, allowing a completion rate of just 45.0% and only 6.35 yards-per-attempt.  However, his missed tackle percentage of 22.2% must improve dramatically.  Overall, we gave Ball a “C+” grade for the season.