Cowboys deal for WR Roy Williams

Published 11:32 pm Tuesday, October 14, 2008

IRVING, Texas — Roy Williams headed home to Texas on Tuesday in the NFL’s biggest trade before the deadline, giving the struggling Dallas Cowboys another proven receiver opposite Terrell Owens.

The winless Detroit Lions traded their unhappy 2004 first-round pick and one-time Pro Bowler for three draft picks, from the first, third and sixth round in 2009. Detroit also gave the Cowboys a seventh-rounder next year.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he struck the deal two minutes before the NFL trade deadline.

“I’m more happy to be a Dallas Cowboy then when I got my first bike,” said Williams, an Odessa native who starred at the University of Texas.

Williams’ best season was 2006, when he went to the Pro Bowl after catching 82 passes for 1,310 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 17 catches for 232 yards and a score this season, and has 262 career passes for 3,884 yards and 29 TDs.

Soon after announcing the deal, the Cowboys said that they had given Williams a five-year extension on his contract that was set to expire after this season.

Jones, who has never shied from adding players with checkered pasts to the Cowboys locker room, made a point Tuesday to mention Williams’ “outstanding character, no matter who you talk to.”

Williams said the first phone call he received after the trade was from Owens, who has complained recently about not getting enough catches in an offense.

Jones said Owens was “elated and beside himself” upon hearing the trade. Williams said he and T.O. talked about winning.

Williams is expected to begin practicing today, and play in Dallas’ game Sunday at St. Louis.

‘Pacman’ suspended at least four games

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones once again must earn his way back into the NFL, and it likely will take more than being on his best behavior.

The NFL suspended Jones for at least four games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Commissioner Roger Goodell will determine the full length of the suspension after the Cowboys’ game in Washington on Nov. 16.

“If he earns his way to a point that he can be considered to play again, then I would support that,” Jones said. “Frankly, just as he earned through his behavior the right to get back in and play a few weeks ago, he would have to earn that.”

The league said reinstatement will depend on strict compliance with treatment plans by the NFL and the Cowboys and an evaluation by “clinical experts.”

Chiefs RB Johnson faces third assault charge

Larry Johnson was charged with pushing a woman at a Kansas City nightclub in February, the third time the Chiefs running back has been charged with assaulting a woman.

He is to appear in court Dec. 3 and could face a maximum jail term of six months and a $500 fine.

“I’m sure the league will get invovled in it, I would assume,” coach Herm Edwards said. “But I don’t know that. I haven’t heard anything.”

Edwards was evasive when asked if the two-time Pro Bowler would play this week against Tennessee.

“I haven’t made a decision on anybody right now,” Edwards said.

Lions place QB Kitna on injured reserve

The winless Detroit Lions ended quarterback Jon Kitna’s season, and the move could raise questions about Kitna’s future in Detroit.

There had been speculation the Lions (0-5) might trade Kitna and rely instead on backups Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton. But a trade didn’t materialize.

Kitna suffered a back injury in a loss to Chicago two weeks ago. He did not play last week against Minnesota.

Orlovsky played in Kitna’s place against the Vikings. He likely will make his second career start at Houston on Sunday.

Kitna declined comment Tuesday, but had told The Associated Press on Monday he expected to play again this season and that his injury wasn’t that serious. Also on Monday, Coach Rod Marinelli wouldn’t answer questions about Kitna’s health.

Steelers, Ward puzzled by roughness fines

The Pittsburgh Steelers are asking the NFL to clarify why Hines Ward, one of the league’s best-blocking wide receivers, was fined $15,000 the past two games for unnecessary roughness despite not being penalized.

Ward was fined $10,000 following the Steelers’ 26-21 win at Jacksonville on Oct. 5, a week after drawing a $5,000 fine for a play in which he stepped over Baltimore cornerback Corey Ivy on Sept. 29. Ward did not draw a penalty on either play.

Also following the Jacksonville game, Steelers linebacker James Harrison was fined $20,000 for criticizing referee Brian Winter for calling a roughing-the-passer penalty against him. Two other Steelers also drew fines for that game, safety Ryan Clark $7,500 for unnecessary roughness — a late hit — and wide receiver Nate Washington $7,500 for taunting. Among the four players, the one-game fines totaled $45,000.

Bills trade defensive tackle McCargo to Colts

The Bills traded underperforming defensive tackle John McCargo to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick.

The second of Buffalo’s two 2006 first-round draft picks, McCargo had difficulty gaining a regular role in the team’s defensive line rotation and had dropped to fourth on the Bills’ depth chart behind Spencer Johnson.

His agent said he may have an easier time fitting in with the Colts.

“We’d been talking to the Bills about finding a new home for John, and he couldn’t be in a better place than Indianapolis with the style they run,” Hadley Engelhard said in a phone interview.

Engelhard was unsure about the details of the draft pick Buffalo acquired, but it is believed to be a middle-to-late round pick based on McCargo’s contributions with the Colts.

Texans CB Robinson set to return from leg injury

Dunta Robinson, whose hamstring was ripped off the bone and his anterior cruciate ligament was torn more than 11 months ago, will practice today. If things go well this week, the 26-year-old could play on Sunday when Houston hosts Detroit.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak knows his team is looking forward to the return of one of its defensive leaders.

“It’s been a long, long haul for him and he’s worked extremely hard,” Kubiak said. “He’s had this day earmarked and his teammates think a lot of him, so I know they are excited for him to get back on that field.”