The Cowboys previously have not produced jerseys for practice squad players and "won't make an exception now" after signing DE Michael Sam to its practice squad yesterday, according to David Moore of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Fans can order a customized No. 46 Sam jersey like they can "with any other player," but they will not be for sale at the Cowboys pro shop. Sam's No. 96 Rams jersey was the sixth-best seller in the NFL during the offseason, but he was cut by the team last Saturday. If Sam is promoted to the active roster this season, he "must change his number to something higher," as NFL rules stipulate defensive linemen "aren't allowed to wear any number below 50" (DALLASNEWS.com, 9/3). ESPN DALLAS' Todd Archer noted the Cowboys "only mass produce jerseys for players with a long track record and/or who will have a long future with the club" (ESPNDALLAS.com, 9/3).
A GOOD LANDING SPOT: Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw said the Cowboys signing Sam makes sense because if there is "going to be any kind of distraction, any kind of circus" around his presence, the Cowboys "are so used to that." The N.Y. Daily News' Frank Isola said, "I give the Cowboys a lot of credit for taking the chance on Michael Sam. They know a media circus like no other team. To me, he was going to end up on a team like Dallas or the Jets -- a team that embraces and knows how to handle it." L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke said "it's not only a good move" for the Cowboys' on-field product, it is a "great move merchandising-wise." Plaschke: "This is a good business decision and a football decision" ("Around The Horn," ESPNews, 9/3). CBS Sports Network's Jim Rome said, "If you're Jerry Jones, you need defense and you love publicity. So what do you do? You get Michael Sam on a jet to JerryWorld." Rome: "Jerry gets exactly what he wants with people talking about his team. There's no such thing as a distraction in Dallas. In Jerry’s world, the only distraction is no distraction" ("Rome," CBSSN, 9/3). Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio said the Cowboys "definitely need help" on defense, but it is "never only about football with the Dallas Cowboys." Jones last week "talked about how the team wants to win with glitz and glamour." Florio: "This is about publicity" ("PFT," NBCSN, 9/3).
