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NFL needs to trim hypocrisy, forget about hair length
10:51 PM CDT on Tuesday, April 1, 2008

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The NFL made a good decision Tuesday when it tabled the ridiculous proposal to have players cut their hair if it covers the name on their jersey.
It will make a better decision in May if it decides the league doesn't need to add this silly rule.
The NFL is not life and death. It's a game.
Too many self-righteous and hypocritical owners, general managers and coaches lose sight of this. That's how a good man like Kansas City Chiefs coach Herman Edwards can convince himself that his silly proposal will help the league and its image.
Ninety-nine percent of the players in the league understand the importance of the shield and the privilege of playing in the NFL. Having everyone with uniform hair length isn't going to convert the other 1 percent of players.
Marion Barber's dreadlocks cover his name. But he represents everything that is good about the NFL. He's a fourth-round pick who has made himself a star. He plays with a relentless passion that inspires his teammates and the hometown fans.
He doesn't need short hair to be a role model. The NFL and Edwards should be smart enough to figure that out.
Q. If Pacman Jones does end up in Dallas, what happens to Anthony Henry? Would Henry be able to hold off the challenge?
Robert Einspruch
TAYLOR: Frankly, I don't think anything happens to Henry – at least not right away. I've been consistent in my view of Pacman. I wouldn't trust him, so I certainly wouldn't do anything to affect Henry's status based on Pacman being on my team. I think Henry would remain a starter, at least short term, before perhaps moving to free safety in 2009.
Q. Is Deon Anderson in the Cowboys' plans for 2008? Can you describe him as a player?
Craig Jordan, Sacramento, Calif.
TAYLOR: He's a big part of the Cowboys' plans in 2008, and I would be surprised if he's not the starter. He's a good blocker who plays as though he has no regard for his body. He's already a favorite among teammates because of his attitude. He has better hands than the Cowboys figured, which means he can have a small role in the passing game. He'll make the Cowboys a better running team this year, especially in short yardage.
Q. If the best player available is a linebacker, do we draft him because he is the best player available even though we don't have any needs at that position?
Eluyn Gines, Copperas Cove, Texas
TAYLOR: I think some of you misunderstood me or I didn't make myself clear enough. That said, let me try again. The Cowboys will probably take a wide receiver, cornerback or running back with their first three picks in the draft. It doesn't really matter which one they take first as long as they take the highest-rated player at one of those three positions.
Q. Do you foresee anyone taking Kyle Kosier's position at left guard?
John T. Gold, Salt Lake City
TAYLOR: It wouldn't surprise me one way or the other. I know Hudson Houck well. His goal is going to be to get the five best offensive linemen on the field. If one of the young guys like Pat McQuistan can play guard and beat out Kosier, then Houck will make it happen.
Q. I can't root for this team anymore if the Cowboys get Pacman. I understand winning at all costs, but Pacman's actions/nights out led to a person being paralyzed for life. I'm all for second chances in life, but not on the Cowboys, where it is a privilege to play (like any other NFL team). I'd rather go 3-13 than win with Pacman.
George McCabe
TAYLOR: If that's your decision, then I don't have a problem. But you should know it sounds hypocritical to say you can root for the Cowboys with Tank Johnson but not Pacman. Or that you could root for the Cowboys of the early '90s with Michael Irvin, Mark Tuinei, Leon Lett, Clayton Holmes and others, but you can't root for these Cowboys. My stance on Pacman is pretty clear, but it has everything to do with an inability to trust him because he consistently makes poor decisions and nothing to do with moral outrage.
Q. Can you help me understand this fascination with Felix Jones? All the mock drafts have us picking the guy. From what I can see in the analysis online, he's not all that fast, not that strong and doesn't get how to block. How is that worth a first-round pick?
Dave Schulte, San Antonio
TAYLOR: You might not be impressed with Jones, but he averaged 7.7 yards per carry in three seasons, which is outstanding. He runs a legitimate 4.4-second 40-yard dash, and scouts say he has outstanding burst and speed that give him the opportunity to score from long distance. He had three runs of 70 yards or more last season. He has played in a two-back system before and shouldn't have problems adjusting to the Cowboys' situation.
Q. With the success that teams like the Colts and Pats have had at letting big-name free agents walk, do you envision a scenario in which Terence Newman doesn't get the type of contract he wants in Dallas and bolts when his current deal expires?
Clark Bell, Tulsa
TAYLOR: I wouldn't say I expect that to happen, but I wouldn't be shocked if it did. Newman will be 30 when his contract expires, which is a lot older than most players going into their second contract. The Cowboys don't want a nickel cornerback who earns big-time starter money in the final year or two of his deal. Dallas wouldn't want him to get away and the club will be competitive, but Newman wants to get paid.
Q. Is there a scenario in which the Cowboys trade for Pacman Jones and Chad Johnson and move up to get Darren McFadden? I am thinking the Johnson trade would rule out moving up to take McFadden. I know it's an enormous long shot, but what are your thoughts?
John R. Marlow, Austin
TAYLOR: No. No. A thousand times no. This is not fantasy football. Now, if McFadden falls to 10 or 11, then maybe Dallas will make a move. I don't think Cincinnati is going to trade Johnson, but you never say never in the NFL.
Q. You think the Cowboys can step it up a notch to get to the next level without making any significant roster changes. And what is it in your opinion, that they need to do to get to the next level?
John Busnello, Toronto
TAYLOR: The Cowboys have all the talent they need to win a Super Bowl. They must get mentally tougher and learn how to handle success. That's what doomed them last year. They beat Green Bay and forgot how hard they worked and played to get the best record in the NFC.
Q. Do you think Marion Barber will be the featured back, or are the Cowboys looking for someone to replace Julius Jones as the lead back so Marion Barber can remain the "change of pace" back?
Thad Rand
TAYLOR: Barber will be the featured back, which is one of the reasons he's going to get a fat contract with an eight-digit signing bonus for the start of the 2009 season. I'm not sure when it will happen, but he'll get the money, and that will make him the lead running back.
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