<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> Suspended tackle says he expects to play for Dallas By Ed Werder ESPN.com</p> <font color="#000000">Tank Johnson</font> said Monday night he expects to play for the <font color="#000000">Dallas Cowboys</font> upon returning from his eight-game NFL suspension. "I'm here to work some things out. I'm looking here for a fresh start," Johnson said when reached in his room at the hotel where the Cowboys stay before home games. Earlier on Monday, a high-ranking team source said there have been lengthy discussions among members of the team's coaching staff and owner Jerry Jones about Johnson's off-field problems and his playing ability. The Cowboys or any team would be able to sign Johnson during his suspension but he cannot work out or have contact with a team until he serves his suspension in its entirety. Although Johnson has never played nose tackle, Phillips has extolled the flexibility of his 3-4 defensive scheme to accommodate players of different sizes and styles. The Cowboys lost starter Jason Ferguson for the season when the nose tackle suffered a torn right biceps tendon in Dallas' season-opening win against the Giants. Johnson was waived by the <font color="#000000">Chicago Bears</font> on June 25, three days after he was stopped by police in Arizona driving 40 mph in a 25-mph zone. Johnson was not charged with any crime. He was suspended by the league for violating probation on a gun charge that stemmed from a raid on his home. Johnson began serving a two-month jail term in March. Ed Werder covers the NFL for ESPN. </p> </div></p> I must say, taking chances on players have worked out for us in the past. Heck, the only negative one I can think of off the top of my head was Quincy Carter, and he got us to the playoffs! Ratliff has shown promise, but this is just what we need to strengthen the pressure on the QB in our front 7. </p>
