MOBILE, Ala. -- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he does not expect to complete the coaching staff before the Cowboys leave the Senior Bowl this week.
He said the Cowboys, who have assistant coaching vacancies in at least four positions -- tight end, defensive line, running backs and special teams -- are interviewing this week at the all-star game, but that there is no deadline."No, not at all. We have no timetable pressures here," he said Monday after watching the South team practice."I don't look for anything such as a finalization of decisions on staff while we're here."Asked about Houston Nutt's visit to Valley Ranch last week, Jones declined to comment, but promised to talk more about staff decisions following today's North team practice."It's going to be real limited on staff because we're not going to sum it all up for competitive reasons and negotiating reasons," Jones said. "We are going to let that come out as we make those decisions about adding any new staff members."Jones watched the workout with Stephen Jones, head scout Tom Ciskowski and others, but without head coach Jason Garrett and new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.Jones said of Garrett, "He's here, looking at the players."He said the entire organization has been behind the staff changes."I think we're doing things that have certainly, immediately, made a difference and yet can take the good things that we want to build on and that we have got to build on," Jones said. "And Jason and I, and our entire organization, are working together to do just that, and I think the decisions we made have really improved our chances."Baker out, Lett inBrian Baker, who coached the defensive line for the Cowboys last year, said he is at the Senior Bowl unattached because the team is not bringing him back.Baker said for now, he is still technically a member of the staff, but is looking for work.He said assistant defensive line coach Leon Lett is being retained.McDonald on KiffinFormer USC safety T.J. McDonald said he would be more than happy to play for his former coach, Monte Kiffin, again if he got a chance with the Cowboys."At this point in my career, I would love to play for anybody," he said with a smile, "but especially for a coach that I know. I'm very familiar with that defense. I know he's bringing that defense to Dallas. I know I'd be able to come in there, put my best foot forward, and be able to pick it up right away, and I know he knows that."But whether they need a safety or not, we'll see."The Cowboys might be interested at safety, an important position in the 4-3 taught by Kiffin. Last year, the Cowboys lost starting safety Barry Church for most of the year because of injury, and a player they drafted at the position, Matt Johnson, did not play at all because of injury.McDonald said he meets another Kiffin requirement -- being physical."He hates guys that are going to turn down hits," McDonald said. "You've got to be as physical as possible. You've got to be able to play full speed. No loafs."Kelly schemeNew Eagles coach Chip Kelly said he won't require his offensive coordinator to think like him, and that he won't force his offense on his team."It depends on the personnel," he said. "I don't know right now. But that's OK."Carlos Mendez, 817-390-7760Twitter @calexmendez
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