INDIANAPOLIS – Observed and heard at the NFL combine on Thursday:
Looking elsewhere: Like every team, the Cowboys have scheduled 60 official interviews at the combine that last 15 minutes each. The Cowboys put a big emphasis on their interviews in the get-to-know-you process.
Of the 60 interviews, none will be with a quarterback. While it might not be the first time that has happened, it is abnormal. Last year the Cowboys had an official interview with Johnny Manziel. While they don’t have the official interviews set up with quarterbacks, the coaches and scouts are still meeting with players at the position on an informal basis through the week.
So if you’re wondering if the Cowboys are about to start the process of finding Romo’s successor, you might need to think again.
First class: As the assorted general managers met the media this week, they all praised the running back class. Stephen Jones said the Cowboys are scheduled to meet with all the top runners, but he did not want to include the names.
Melvin Gordon and Jay Ajayi said they will meet with the Cowboys. Georgia running back Todd Gurley, who is coming back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, is also on their list.
“This draft is as heavy as it’s ever been,” Jones said. “This is one of the strongest years there’s ever been with running backs.”
That’s another factor when it comes to the DeMarco Murray talks.
Tender moments: The Dallas Cowboys have four restricted free agents – Sterling Moore, Lance Dunbar, Cole Beasley and Chris Jones – but that doesn’t mean they will all receive tenders from the Cowboys.
The low tender is scheduled to be roughly $1.5 million. That could be too much money for Dunbar and Jones, and the Cowboys could look to bring them back on smaller deals. The Cowboys will likely tender Moore because of their need at cornerback, and the second-round tender for Beasley, which will be roughly $2.3 million, is a distinct possibility if a multi-year deal isn’t reached with the Cowboys’ slot receiver.
Odds and ends: Garrett confirmed the hiring of Steve Loney as the assistant offensive line coach and Marc Colombo as an offensive assistant. Colombo will focus primarily on the offensive line. … Former assistant head coach/defense Monte Kiffin is in Indianapolis, hoping to catch on with another team in some role as an assistant or consultant. Kiffin’s contract with the Cowboys expired and the team decided not to bring him back. … Christina Phillips, the agent for Jeremy Mincey, said the defensive end is feeling fine after undergoing elbow surgery earlier in the offseason. … Former Cowboys tight ends coach John Garrett is in Indianapolis hoping to join a coaching staff. He was the offensive coordinator at Oregon State last year.