Darron Cummings / AP

Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree did not participate in drills at the scouting combine due to an injury, which may hurt his draft stock, writes Dan Pompei.

Q: With Dallas having all the talent in the world, all they need to win is someone who can actually drive the bus. Tony Romo is not it. Paying him his remaining contract just so he can screw up the team's chance again is too risky. They need someone who could earn the locker room's respect. They need leadership. Should Cowboys pursue Brett Favre?
— Tim Zim, Fort Worth, Texas

A: I respectfully disagree with your assessment that Tony Romo is not someone who can drive the bus. I think he is one of the better quarterbacks in the game, and he’s going to get better. If the Cowboys let him go, teams would be lined up from New York to San Francisco to get him.

He did not have the greatest year in 2008, but remember he is a young quarterback with considerable potential. Favre is an old quarterback whose best days are behind him. There is not a single general manager in the NFL that would take Favre over Romo — guaranteed.

Q: Hey Dan, which new coach will have the best season next year? I’d love it if Raheem Morris shocked the NFL like John Harbough did.
— Gus, Pensacola, Fla.

A: Given the successes of Mike Smith, John Harbaugh and Tony Sparano, it would be foolish to dismiss the possibility that a “no name” first time head coach like Morris could not “shock the NFL,” in your words.

Then again, I’m not sure how much shocking a coach that takes over a 9-7 team can do. It would be more shocking if Todd Haley, Jim Schwartz, Steve Spagnuolo, Mike Singletary or Eric Mangini were to guide their teams to the playoffs.

Slideshow The '12th' man Check out some wild and crazy NFL fans supporting their teams. NBCSports.com

Q: Should the Chiefs lose LJ, and what would he be worth in the way of a trade?
— Stan, Greenville, Texas

A: Since Larry Johnson does not want to be in Kansas City, the Chiefs probably would be better off purging him, seeing they are starting over with Scott Pioli and Todd Haley.

But LJ is guaranteed $3.5 million for the 2009 season. What’s more, trading him would result in a cap hit of $8.8 million. Cutting him is an even less appealing option, as it would result in a cap hit of a whopping $12.55 million.

The Chiefs’ best option might be to suck it up and see if they can’t live with Johnson. He still has value as a runner.

Q: Hi Dan. Can you explain why more teams don't try to trade down in the NFL draft? So many mid and late round picks are really talented players. Wouldn't it make sense to trade one first round pick for perhaps three later picks? I notice first rounders don't really make much difference for some (Lions).
— James Woods, Penn Valley, Calif.

A: I think the reason more teams don’t trade down is there aren’t enough teams that are willing to pay the price to move up.

But I know a number of general managers have told me they almost always are open to the idea of moving down. It makes sense because there often isn’t that much of a difference in the quality of the player, you get extra picks, and the price of the contracts and salary cap hits are more reasonable.

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